September 2017 Hanover Presbyterian Church 732 N. Main St., NE, Hanover, OH 43055 Phone: (740) 763-2619 - email: [email protected] Office hours: Mon– Thurs. 9:00 am to 1:00 pm Pastor email: [email protected]

INSIDE THE PASTOR’S WARDROBE:

As the days grow shorter and the air begins to pick up its fall chill, I’ve already begun swapping out my summer clothes. The flowy skirts, the shorts, the short-sleeved t-shirts—with every load of laundry, these are finding their way into the off- season bin at the bottom of my closet.

Meanwhile, my work wardrobe remains largely untouched. I’ve brought out the sweaters again, but in the chaos of settling in this spring, they never really went into the bin in the first place. The same shirts, the same black pants, the same grey cardigans—these will carry me through yet another winter. I’ll have to do another sweep of the house, though, for the rest of those white plastic tabs for the clergy shirts. They’ve disappeared again.

There is a subtle paradox in my ministry wardrobe: it is utterly simple and completely repetitive, but it makes me stand out. The colors are always dark, lightened only a shade or two by a sweater; and yet, my clerical collar also behaves like a flashing neon sign. It’s amazing how much a 1.5” white plastic tab can change, well, everything.

Nearly everywhere I go, I answer the same question: why the collar?

I wear my ‘uniform’ every day with three main purposes in mind.

It’s a symbol.

Often associated with Roman Catholic priests, the clerical collar is worn around the world by Christian clergy of nearly every denomination and practice. Orthodox priests, Presbyterian ministers, Baptist pastors, Methodist clergy, and Roman Catholic priests—and everyone in between—wear the collar as an identifying symbol of their vocation.

For many clergy, this vocation is both a job, and more than a job. The call to ordained ministry is a significant part of our relationship to God and to the world, and that can be both a blessing and a struggle. Part of the reason I wear the collar, then, is to remind myself that I am not alone—that I stand in a long line of faithful ministers who have passed on the faith to me, and that I have colleagues all over the world doing similar work, with similar struggles and similar joys. Not all of them wear the collar, but the symbol itself serves as an act of solidarity and unity in Christ.

It’s also an act of hospitality.

One of the realities of life as young woman in ministry is facing up to the fact that I don’t often fit the picture most folks have of “what a pastor looks like.” Very few people, when visiting HPC for the first time, would assume that the young woman wearing colorful shoes is the pastor. I could be wearing a suit and a name tag the size of Texas, and it would still take a minute to sink in. There is no fault or blame to place here—it’s simply true.

The clerical collar, however, is a universally-understood marker for clergy. When I’m in the building, it serves as a silent, unobtrusive way to identify who I am and what I’m doing here. It also saves everyone the awkward questions and embarrassment that come with a vendor or visitor making other assumptions—including, but not limited to: “oh, are you the pastor’s wife/daughter/secretary?”

No one, myself included, wants that conversation to be our first impression of one another.

Even when I’m not in the building, the collar serves as a quiet invitation to conversation. For example: a few weeks ago, I was on my way home from a meeting in Columbus. It was late-afternoon and I hadn’t eaten lunch yet, so I hopped in the drive-through line at a McDonald’s in Westerville. I usually take the tab out of my collar when I’m not working, but I was hungry and I forgot—so when I pulled up to the first window and offered my debit card, I was greeted with curiosity.

“Are you a minister?”, the woman asked. I reached up to touch my collar, and realized I’d forgotten to take the tab out. So I smiled, and said “Yes! I’m the pastor at a Presbyterian church.”

“No way!” “Yep.” “Wait, seriously?” “Yes indeed! My church is east of here a ways.” “Woah. Well, pastor, say an extra prayer for me. I’m struggling. My name’s Starr.”

So as I pulled forward to receive my chicken sandwich, I prayed for Starr—for whatever she struggled with, that she might be blessed. It’s a small thing in the grand scheme of things, but this uniform has paved the way for many small moments, short conversations, and prayers for strangers.

It’s an act of simplicity.

I could fill pages upon pages with the difficulty of selecting clothing that is appropriate, comfortable, and functional enough to wear for pastoral ministry. My female clergy friends and I often have lengthy discussions about the 14,000 unwritten rules for women’s clothing—particularly in the church. So when we find something that fits well and is versatile enough for the wide variety of work we do, we often buy multiples of the same thing, and tell all of our friends about it, too. This lends itself to a sort of default uniform for some of us.

But in a world where women and girls, in particular, are subtly (or not-so-subtly) told that our appearance determines our worth, a simple uniform offers some relief from the anxieties of putting together a perfect ensemble every morning, or wondering whether those pants are “too _____,” or that dress is “not _____ enough.”

Rather than fuss over what I’m wearing, this uniform frees up some mental space to dedicate elsewhere—to Sunday’s sermon, to thinking through my schedule for the day, to remembering to walk the dog.

Why the collar? I’ve been wearing a clerical collar for about a year and a half—it started as an experiment while I was still in Grand Rapids—and overall, I’ve found that this is the best way for me to balance professionalism, simplicity, and approachability.

A clerical collar on anyone will evoke a wide variety of responses: some will be put off, some will be drawn in, others will be indifferent. But in my experience, seeing a young woman in a clerical collar and colorful shoes creates more curiosity than anything else—and in a time when interest in the Church, in faith, and in engaging with a pastor is dropping off quickly, I give thanks to God for every conversation, every curious look, and every prayer.

Grace + peace,

Pastor Sarah

SESSION HIGHLIGHTS August 2017

 The meeting was called to order by Rev. Sarah Juist.  Pastor Sarah opened the meeting with prayer.  Elder Jenn McKee provided devotions.  The minutes of the previous meeting were approved.  The treasurer’s report was presented and it was approved.  The clerk reported the death of member Cheryl Maier on 07/29/2017.  The session minute and record books were recently reviewed by Presbytery and were approved without exception.  Session voted to make a donation to Marne UMC 5th quarter event.  We received the Pastor’s report from Pastor Sarah. She will take a week’s vacation beginning Sept. 4. Her report is available from any member of session and in the church office.  Sunday school will begin on September 3rd with Rally Day. There will be a brief breakfast beginning at 8:30 that day.  The church picnic and outdoor worship was a great success. Plans are in the making for our annual wiener roast in October.  Seven individuals from HPC attended the Presbyterian Partnership food packing party.  The nominating committee will begin to seek new elders and deacons for 2018.  Personnel and Stewardship committee will schedule a performance review with Pastor Sarah.  Concrete work on the steps has been completed. The ramp drains are being enlarged.  Ron brought up the issue of our fire/security system per our insurance agent. Our current system needs repairs.  Session voted to enter into a contract with Mike’s Roofing for the replacement of our entire roof on the church building.  Pastor Sarah led discussion about an HPC Congregational Care Team.  Pastor Sarah closed the meeting with prayer.

Income YTD $70,193.81 Expenses YTD $ 69,611.59

We’re dreaming of a new roof

2017 Staff

Rev. Sarah Juist Pastor/Moderator

** Ruling Elders ** Deacons Alice Athey Dennis Athey Tara Clark Louella Gwin John Gwin Jane McKee Pat Locke Mary McLeish Rodney Lothes Ron Schneider Doug Wills Hannah Archer Jenn McKee Karen Hypes Bill McLeish Sara Felumlee, Moderator Bethany Lewis Donald Boyd, Honorary Deacon Ron McLeish, Clerk

Music Director - Ethan McKee Bell Choir Director - Erin Fee Sexton - Rodney McKee Secretary/Newsletter Editor - Alice Foster Treasurer - John McLeish Financial Secretary - Alice Foster

Our College students Addresses

Kirsten Wills Jacob Clark Otterbein University Siddall - 1115-A 1 S. Grove St., SMC Siddall Hall 10524 2540 Corbett Dr. Westerville, OH 43081-2004 Cincinnati, OH 45219

IT’S BAZAAR TIME !!! We need donations of the following to finish projects

Greenery

Buttons of all sizes and colors

Old costume jewelry (even if a brooch doesn't have a pin on the back)

Old watches

Plate stands

Hardback books (any size)

Barn siding

Old lanterns

The ladies are having a work session every Wednesday evening beginning Sept. 13th at 6:00 pm to work on projects.

If you can cut, glue or put together, we need your help!

Sept. 6 - Randy & Bethany Lewis Sept. 1 - David Clark 7 - Doug & Lucinda Wills 3 - Pat Wills 3 - Norm Gutridge, Jr. 6 - Doug Wills 19 - Pat Locke 20 - Payson Whittington 21 - Mya Thompson 21 - Maci Thompson 21 - Shirley Frye ACTIVE MILITARY 22 - Kiera McLeish 25 - Tara Clark Michael Kuhlwein 26 - Bill Kuhlwein Brittany Curry 28 - Brycen Music Austin Harlow 30 - Carol Stoots Hall Cayla Curry Reposa 30 - Chris Juzenas Hannah Gonde Kayli Wenner Matt Hummel

LONG-TERM PRAYER CONCERNS

Josh Minton Shirley Dunlap Brycen Music Our Shut-ins Ellyn Diamond Dave Chapman Leslie Haynes Mary Beth Wright Brandon Vaughn Milded Smyers Mary Louise Montgomery @ Kindred Chastine Spicer Violet McCloud Beth Adkins Nancy Wright Reba Lothes Tom Thompson Norman Duvall @ Flint Ridge NEWEST PRAYER CONCERNS Bea Smith @ SharonBrooke Richard Slaughter Joan Kuhlwein Room 319

The Lothes Family - Johnny, Addison and Elder Rodney

Hartford Fair 2017

Payson Whittington

The Ohio State Fair

Kacey Felumlee Champion Bred and Owned Angus Heifer in Jr. Show

Keri Felumlee Division Champion Bred and Owned Angus Heifer in Jr. Show Reserve Division Champion Angus Heifer in Open Show 1st place in Trail class with Horse 6th place in Horsemanship class with Horse 9th place in Pleasure class with Horse

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Hartford Fair

Kacey Felumlee 5th Overall in Steer Pool Reserve Champion Carcass in Steer Pool 1st place Division Cattle Showmanship Champion Angus Heifer and Supreme Champion Heifer in Jr. Show 3rd overall Angus Heifer in Jr. Show

Keri Felumlee Champion Angus Heifer & Reserve Supreme Champion Heifer in Jr. Show 2nd place Division Cattle Showmanship 1st place in Trail class with Horse 1st place in Showmanship with Horse 1st in Pleasure class with Horse 5th place in Horsemanship class with Horse Overall High Point Western Horse Exhibitor

Congratulations!! We’re proud of you!!! September 2017

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

Sunday School 9:00 am 1 2 Worship 10:25 am Youth group bi-weekly Sunday 6:00 pm

3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Rally Day Sarah TOPS Kids Closet on @ 7:15 am 10 am - 2 pm Communion vacation

Food Pantry Bible Study @ 7:00 pm 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 Guest TOPS LV Sr Group speaker @ 7:15 am Shelter house

Bazaar work Bible Study 6:00 pm Lions Dinner @ 7:00 pm @ 7:00 pm 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 Worship TOPS @ 7:15 am @ Rotary Park Presbytery with picnic @ Waverly Bazaar work 3:30 pm 6:00 pm Youth group Bible Study @ 6:00 pm @ 7:00 pm 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 TOPS Bazaar work 6:00 pm

Bible Study Session Lions Meeting @ 7:00 pm @ 7:00 pm @ 7:00 pm