The Creekside Connection
Church Newsletter - Web Edition
May 2013 Edition - Updated April 28, 2013
Published Monthly - updated as needed
Featuring excerpts from the printed version and weekly bulletins.
Articles about and for the members and friends of Creekside Church

TEAM SPIRIT REPORT…

Team Spirit is taking the time to regroup. After the busy seasons of Lent and Easter, we are in a planning mode. What can we do to better serve our congregation?

We are baptizing five people on May 12. These five people will be new members of our congregation. How can we best embrace them into the fold of our church family? It is up to all of us to invite them into ministry, fellowship and spiritual growth. How can we help them realize their gifts and graces? That is what we are called to do as disciples of Christ.

All three of us serve together here at Creekside and serve the wider church in various ministries. Each of these ministries enhances our Creekside ministry.

Do you have ministry ideas? One thing that we would like each and every one of you to know is that we are open and available to hear any ministry ideas that you would like to follow. God gives to each of us a vision of the kingdom of God and the gifts and graces to realize that vision. If it is baking and cooking for the sick in our church and in our wider church family, a latchkey program for children or a ministry to a nearby nursing home, we will come alongside you and help you realize that vision. You can dream!

Thank you for being a great church family. We are blessed. -Pastor Janet for Team Spirit

HOOSIER NEIGHBOR…

Name - Pastor Betty (Elizabeth) Kelsey

How long have you been attending Creekside?
Since 1984. When Cary and I got married, we couldn't decide which church to attend, because we both loved our own congregations. Cary won out, and I'm glad he did. I love this congregation, too!

What is your favorite scripture or hymn?
Probably Psalm 62- “My soul finds rest in God alone; my salvation comes from him. He alone is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” As for hymns, how would I ever choose?

What does hospitality mean to you?
When true hospitality happens, we know it, feel it. Likewise, we know when hospitality is not extended. As a recent children’s book, ”How full is your bucket,” says, when we fill another’s bucket with hospitality, our bucket gets filled, too. When we do inhospitable things and are critical of each other, both of our buckets get empty. The church is meant to show hospitality that everyone knows and feels, including our visitors.

What do you like about Creekside church?
Creekside excels in music, and music inspires me. The variety of songs and lyrics feed my soul. I like that we are learning together to be open to God and are willing to try new ways of connecting with God and each other. I appreciate being able to share our prayer garden and labyrinth, that people from other churches are welcome to come for meditation and relaxation. I am proud of the welcome we give to anyone who comes to visit our services. I love to see how we can work together for the common good. I’m inspired when we reach out beyond our church to serve others.

What is your vision for Creekside church?
I want our church to be alive and healthy. I think that takes place both inside and outside the church building. People who put primary focus on spiritual renewal, who are personally and intentionally open to the spirit of Christ, will find opportunities for extending hospitality and spiritual renewal in the community of Elkhart. May God bless our endeavor to be all that God intends us to be.

PROPERTY TEAM REPORT...

The Property Team has been busy making sure our building is functioning properly and looking good.

Jenny Cooper has been handling the janitorial chores assisted by Roger Neal when he is in town.

Bill Birr installed the driveway markers and removed them. He also repaired the wall in the Gathering Area between the entries to the coat racks.
We have had scuff panels installed in the restrooms to prevent wear and tear to the walls. Recently we replaced batteries in 4 of the emergency lights.

As you are aware, we stripped the wax on the kitchen floor and re-waxed it and the restroom floors.

A big THANK YOU goes out to the many volunteers who helped remove items from the kitchen and returned them to make the floor maintenance easier. We were able to get the work done in record time with all the help!

--Ted Noffsinger, Property Team Leader

THANK YOU!...

Thank you, Creekside Church of the Brethren, for your 2012 gifts to Church Community Services of $325 and 1,260 lbs. of food. Your support of our ministry has touched thousands of families with Christ’s love. Your prayers and partnership with us make it possible to give hope to your neighbors who are cold, hungry or destitute. --Rod Roberson, Exec. Director of Church Community Services.

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