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Vol. 47,
No.13 SOUTHSIDE ORACLE
May 28, 2004
The Bulletin
Board
Our Condolences – We extend our sympathy to the families of two of our
members whose fathers died last week. Leo Parry, father of Linda
Stanger, died in Livonia, Michigan, on Wednesday. The funeral was Monday.
The Parrys often visited us at Southside. Gildardo Vara, father of
Marina Valdez, also died on Wednesday. The funeral was Monday at the
Borgwardt Funeral Home.
The Sick – Hank Karbiner had successful knee replacement surgery
Monday at West Allis Memorial Hospital….Al Gray was scheduled for a
hip replacement on Wednesday at Waukesha Hospital….Tom Brockdorf
was scheduled for spinal surgery on Wednesday at St. Mary’s Hospital. We
do not have a report on the results of the last two surgeries as we go to
press.
Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp – Every year we have 30 or 35
campers and staff attend the youth camp sessions at Fallhall Glen.
Transportation is sometimes a problem so carpooling is an option. There
is a sign-up sheet on the camp bulletin board for those who are interested
in sharing transportation. For further information contact Laurie Giombi.
Identified – We welcome into our fellowship Dan and Jeanna Swiatkowski.
Contact us
for their address and phone number. They were also married at Southside
Saturday, and are former members of the Metropolitan Church of Christ.
Address Changes – Joaquin and Sarah Borges….Scott and Christine
Saunders. Contact
us for details.
Southside Retreat – About fifty are expected to attend the Southside
retreat at Fallhall Glen over the Memorial Day weekend. This is an annual
retreat directed by Wayne Alexander.
ATTENDANCE RECORD
Two years ago Last
year Last week Goal
Bible classes
94 126
129 170
Morning worship
180 207 *211 250
Evening
worship 36 35
52 80
Contribution $2725.40
$3543.59 $4233.81 $4500.00
Building Improvement Day – Our young people are sponsoring a work-day
at the church building on Saturday, June 5th from 9:00 to 3:00.
This is for everyone. If you would like to help, why not join us?
Congregational Picnic – Mark your calendar for a church picnic at
Whitnall Park, area #8, after the second worship on June 6th.
Calendar of Events
May 28-31 – Southside retreat, Fallhall Glen
June 5 – Building improvement day sponsored by youth
group, 9:00 a.m. - 3: 00 p.m.
June 6 – Congregational picnic after second service,
Whitnall Park, Area 8
June 12 – Juan and Diane Santana renew marriage vows
on their 25th anniversary –
1:00 p.m.
June 20 – July 3 – Junior camp session, Wisconsin
Christian Youth Camp
July 4-17 – Middle camp session, Wisconsin Christian
Youth Camp
July 6-11 – Menominee (MI) Youth Service Trip
July 18-31 – Intermediate camp session, Wisconsin
Christian Youth Camp
July 24 – Blood Drive at Southside
August 1-14 – Senior camp session, Wisconsin
Christian Youth Camp
August 9-13
– Lake Geneva Family Encampment, Williams Bay
In
the News
We are all appalled by the pictures of
soldiers mistreating prisoners in Iraqi prisons. After all, these are
American soldiers and our country always stands for what is right!
Perhaps we shouldn’t be surprised at the
actions of these young people. Everywhere around us we see the symptoms
of ethical decay. Consider the report of the Josephson Institute of
Ethics regarding cheating in high schools (Milwaukee Journal
Sentinel, May 20, 2004). In 1992 it was determined that 61% of high
school students admitted to cheating on exams. By 2002 that number had
climbed to 74%. The percentage of cheaters among athletes, honor
students, student leaders, college bound, and attendees at religious
schools was virtually the same.
Now, lest we be too critical of the
youth, let’s recognize that most of the cheaters learned how to cheat by
observing adults. Many of them just watched their parents. If the truth
were known, what percent of adults cheat on their income taxes? Half of
all marriages end in divorce. How many of the failures result from
husbands and wives cheating on one another?
In our non-judgmental post-modern
society values are determined by what makes a person feel good. If it
gives me enjoyment, it must be all right. If it makes the student happy
to get an “A”, then cheating is acceptable. It is time to wake up to the
fact that by abandoning moral absolutes our society has gone into ethical
decline. It makes it harder for parents to raise children who are
constantly bombarded by secular influences that conflict with the moral
values to which many of us, especially Christians, subscribe. Our task is
to teach our children the principles of right and wrong by word and
example so as to instill in them an educated conscience that will prompt
them to make the right choices on their own. __Monroe E.
Hawley
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