Around Shiloh

The past few weeks have been one of those periods of time around Shiloh Church that members and friends might want to pause and appreciate. So much has happened.

 

Thanks mainly to Sid Manley, and a small crew of volunteers, the chancel renovation project progressed miraculously. In a week, a crew of four laid the entire hardwood floor. Volunteers are nearing completion of the drywall and painting, trim work is being done, the steps have been stained, sanded and sealed, the doors are on order, and the light shines at the end of this project's tunnel. I also want to remind the congregation that staff and volunteers doing the work on the chancel renovation saved the church in excess of $54,000, more than Shiloh spent on the entire renovation.

 

This past Saturday, Shiloh enjoyed the participation of ten teams at the congregation's ninth annual golf outing. It was a beautiful day in many ways. Everyone had fun. The dinner was a huge success, and the accompanying auction raised more than $1,100. Donations at this point in the proceedings total almost $5,300. All funds raised go to support needy families in our community during the upcoming holiday season. Last year, Shiloh raised around $5,200 and served more than 60 families. Thanks to the generosity of those who participated, and especially to those who have donated, we will be able to serve even more in 2012.

 

As if that is not enough cause for celebration, Shiloh took delivery, this morning, of its new Allen organ console. With a price tag in excess of $141,000, the new console is a beautiful addition to Shiloh's remodeled chancel. Shiloh is forever grateful to the Fred Luther Trust, which granted Shiloh the funds for the new organ console.

 

This year alone, Shiloh has been able to achieve more than $175,000 worth up updates and improvements. Total cost to the congregation has been just over $30,000. I find that to be fairly remarkable.

 

Lest Shiloh rest in its ministry and mission, I would remind members and friends that the annual Shiloh Church Fall Fair is just around the corner. So is the Adult Appalachia Service Project. So is the Pumpkin Patch. So is hosting the Southwest Ohio Northern Kentucky Fall Association Meeting.  So is the Holiday Bazaar. So is Christmas and the end of 2012. The congregation has much to do before the end of this year...and miles to go before we sleep...and miles to go before we sleep.

 

See You Sunday!

Next Steps Update

There is a light that shines at the end of this tunnel! Much progress has taken place over the past few days, so much so that it is possible that we will complete the chancel renovation in time for the new organ console delivery and installation. That installation is scheduled for the week of August 27.

The steps that form the front of the chancel are built and sanded. The back and side wall dry wall is hung, taped and mudded, at least the first coat. This week, we will be staining the trim piece that forms the periphery of the newly expanded chancel. On Friday, we are hoping to begin painting. We will then begin to lay the new hardwood flooring, 1,300 square feet of smaller-than-expected slats.

Shiloh still needs volunteers to help with painting, laying the flooring, doing finish work and cleaning. If you would like to help out, call the church office, 277-8953, and let us know that you are willing to give some time and effort to Shiloh's Next Steps facility renovation. If you want to help clean, a crew meets every Saturday morning, from as early as 8:00 a.m. to as late as 12:00 noon. The facility is unlocked, from 7:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon, for the Farmers' Market.

Another bit of news on the Next Steps chancel renovation. It appears as though the County is going to allow the church to use a portable lift for accessibility to the new chancel. While the portable lifts are more costly than a fixed apparatus, there is certainly less visibility interruption with a portable unit. This item is pending, however, until we find a more affordable unit, or until we locate a granting body to offset the cost.

See You Sunday!

Comparative Christian Theology

I just finished writing my new course for The University of Dayton's Usher School of Life-Long Learning. Scheduled for the winter term, the course will include some material that should be familiar to those who have attended my workshops here at the church and some new applications.

The Theological Diversity of the Early Church: And Modern Christian Diversity as its Reflection is an attempt at understanding the many streams of Christin theology that flow, naturally or not, from the literary development of the New Testament.

Shiloh has seen the New Testament Theology Chart, where we compare the literature of the Apostolic Age, the Gospel Era, the Institutional Age, and the ethical instruction of the Historical Jesus in order to examine what kinds of churches result from the systematic theology of each.

In some ways, the class will be an attempt at inviting diversity. Particularly, the class will address the diversity of modern Christian believers, and associating at least some of those beliefs with New Testament Biblical preference and concentration.

Shiloh members and community friends can register by contacting The University of Dayton's Life-Long Learning Center.

See You There!