A Rock and a Bridge,

RBCC Monthly Newsletter
Vol. 23 No. 9 - October 2, 2005

CELEBRATIONS AND PRAYER CONCERNS

Congratulations to the Glay family on receiving their green cards, the first step toward citizenship. They celebrated the second anniversary of their arrival in the US on Sept. 29th. Mandy and Virginia threw a party in their honor . . . Anthony Glay survived Hurricane Katrina safely in Mobile, AL where he is now living . . . Congratulations to the Haas family on selling their house . . . Please keep Scott MacFarlane in your prayers on the death of his father Scoville . . . The Carter family continues to keep Regional Hospital’s orthopaedic department busy, this time with Ruth breaking her finger by slamming it in a car door. Ouch! We miss her violin in worship . . . Larry and Linda Reed Brown celebrated her parents’ 60th wedding anniversary last weekend. The celebration included Lary preaching at their home church . . . Ann and Alexandra Harrell enjoyed a long weekend in New York City. Latger in the month Ann traveled to Columbus, OH for her sabbatical project on French art songs . . . the Wetz family traveled to Nashville to visit Suzanne at Vanderbilt for Family Weekend . . . Betty McMillan enjoyed a train trip through the Canadian Rockies . . . Virginia Bzdek and Mandy Manderino “trained” to DC for the big peace rally last weekend . . . Esteli Garcia and Debo Glay performed with the Buds of Peace at the Sept. 4th memorial at Courthouse Plaza.

RBCC SHINING “STARS”

Every so often (and it’s been quite a while), RBCC recognizes the often unnoticed efforts of many members by bestowing special awards for these contributions. On Sunday, Sept. 18th during worship, the following “Stars in Your Heavenly Crown” Awards were given:

Irene Bullock - Faithful Service – Weekly communion preparation & 15 Years of playing piano at the Lenoir Healthcare Ctr communion service
Virgnia Bzdek - Playing the piano, passion for peace and justice, and perpetual good humor
Lou Dale - Driving Force – Chauffeuring the Glays and Coordinating Wardrobe volunteers
Letitia DenHartog - Youth-ful enthusiasm/leadership
Rich Frieden - Bread baker, weed whacker, and labyrinth laborer
Sandi Gerhart - Acrobatic Performance – balancing the checkbook & juggling the deacon team
Glay Family - Overcoming adversity and starting a new life in Columbia, MO
Betty McMillan - Diligent and dogged leadership of the Faithful Building Team
Mandy Manderino - Nurturing and Tending – the Glay family and the church garden
Steve Miller - Outstanding Worship Leader and Webmaster
Ann Robinson - Youth-ful enthusiasm/leadership
Diane Suhler - Hospitality Hostess with the Mostest & Resident Economist and Financial Advisor
Carolyn Young - Driving Miss Mildred and Serving the Least of These

FLOATING FUN

After seven float-less years, RBCC re-instituted a favorite tradition with a great float trip on the Meramec River on Sept. 24th. An intrepid group of 25 negotiated a 7-mile stretch in about five hours, enjoying swimming and picnicking along the way. A rare highlight was a stunning visitation by a bald eagle who glided overhead and then seemed to pose, first on an island ahead of us and then on a tree branch above us as we approached as quietly as possible (no easy feat with this group). Our crew included Janette, Jose, Esteli and Enya Garcia, Annie Gaye, Debo and Alex Glay, Bob, Cindy and John Heinz, Diane, Greg and Beth Suhler, Charlie Ducharmes, Ann and Julia Robinson, Marvin, Sharmini and Dahnya Rogers, Rich Frieden, Kathy Brown, Maureen Dickmann, Perrin and Lily Westrich.

CHILD CARE PROVIDED

Childcare volunteers scheduled for this month:
October 2 - Alexandra and Debo
October 9 - Mary and Lizabeth
October 16 - Michelle and James
October 23 - Gaye and Nick
October 30 - Jordan and Eric
November 6 - Alexandra and Dahnya

KATRINA REACHES RBCC

Over 400 persons have come to Columbia as a result of the devastating damage done by Hurricane Katrina. Social agencies and faith communities have pulled together to respond to the need opening a Disaster Recovery Center in the Parkade Center. The single most effective way to reach out to evacuees has been to have churches “adopt” families and help them through the resettling process. Rock Bridge and Red Top Christian Church in Hallsville have partnered to help a family of five from New Orleans. Part of the large Lambert clan that arrived here (at last count some 80 families members), our family consists of a father who’s an underground pipefitter (but who quickly got a job at Square D), a mother who worked in the court clerk’s office and plans to take the civil service exam here, a 14 year-old boy who is currently with his aunt in Los Angeles, an 8 year-old girl now enrolled at Parkade Elementary, and an 18 month-old boy.

Searching for a place to live (they’re temporarily bunking with a relative) has taken most of their first two weeks here, and we are hopeful they may have a place soon. As they get moved into their own place, we’ll determine how we can be mot helpful. Lou Dale will help coordinate our efforts. She has forms you can fill out to indicate the kinds of assistance you can provide. See her to get a form.

FINANCIAL NOTES

It takes $6,800 of general income each month to meet our operating expenses. Our operating income for September was $4,417. This is the fourth month in a row that our income has been below budget. Let’s turn this trend around! Thanks.

CONSECRATION DAY AND OCTOBERFEST - OCT. 16TH

Members and friends will have an opportunity to make their 2006 financial commitments for the general ministries and operation of RBCC during worship on Oct. 16th. Each family will receive a pledge (estimate of giving) card next week, so be praying and thinking about your commitment. Our guest speaker will be Dr. Dennis Landon, president of Higher Education and Leadership Ministries for the Disciples of Christ. Dennis has a passion for stewardship and is a member of Compton Heights Christian Church in St. Louis.

Following worship, we will have an Octoberfest celebration complete with accordion music. Bring your favorite German side dish or dessert to share – meat will be provided.