Vol. 46, No. 17                         SOUTHSIDE ORACLE                         July 4, 2003

The Bulletin Board

      Out Sympathy – We extend our condolences to the Tony Anguiano family in the death of Maria’s mother, Juanita Ortiz, on June 26^th.  Her death was somewhat sudden.  The funeral was conducted at the Borgwardt Funeral Home on Tuesday.

      Since Bobby Valentine will be out of town Sunday, we will have guest speakers.  Wayne Alexander, one of our elders, will preach at the morning services and Glenn Hawley, who preached last Sunday morning, will bring the lesson in the evening.

Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp – Our junior campers got home Saturday.  We congratulate Hannah Shilts on being chosen the best girl camper.  The middle campers left for camp Sunday.  Tim Shilts is serving on the staff in addition to those mentioned in last week’s Oracle and Juan Hernandez is also a camper

ATTENDANCE RECORD

                                                  Two years ago         Last year      Last week          Goal

   Bible classes                                            142                  127                    127            170   

   Morning worship                                     219                  210                     *246            250

Evening worship                                        66         no service                     72              80

Contribution                                   $3994.72             $3036.85          $3395.02   $4200.00

                                                             (*) first service, 135; second service, 111

      The Sick – Rebecca Brunet was hospitalized last week for double pneumonia, and is now recovering at home….Duella Thompson’s son, Martin Detloff, has been in Elmbrook Hospital with pancreatitis.

      Be sure to read the article about the youth service trip last weekend.

Calendar of Events

June 29 – July 12 – Middle camp, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp, Fallhall Glen

July 13 – 26 – Intermediate camp, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp

July 13 – Elders-deacons meeting, 4:30 p.m.

July 13 – Praise and palate, 6:00 p.m.

July 27 – August 9 – Senior camp, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp

August 4 – 8 – Lake Geneva Encampment, Williams Bay

August 9 – Inter-congregational picnic, Kletzsch Park, 6560 N. Milwaukee River,    Parkway

August 10 –16 – Family week, Wisconsin Christian Youth Camp

Youth Service Trip

      It is interesting how preconceived notions can sometimes be wrong.  When the youth group began discussing the possibility of going to Menominee, MI for a service trip, one of the teens said, “Why are we going there?  They put on the best VBS around.  One year they built a giant fish inside their building so all the kids could really appreciate the Jonah story. Why do we need to help them?”  But plan the

trip we did and last Wednesday 23 people from Southside went north, not to help with a VBS, but to help with a pre-teen retreat.  I believe all who went would say it was a success in more ways than one.

      To understand why we went to help with this mini-WCYC in Michigan, the reader must know a little of the work this sister church is doing in Menominee.  The church has developed a thriving children’s ministry program on Wednesday nights. So many neighborhood children come that it takes the whole congregation to run the Wednesday night Bible program. These children come from diverse backgrounds and most are completely devoid of any Bible knowledge.  The Yates, their six children, and the thirty members have a wonderful ministry going on so this mini-retreat was to augment their children’s ministry.  Those who went were the Eppler family, the Miller family, the Williams family, Karen, Meagan, and Alex Van Handel, Jennifer Giemza, Travis McMillion, Bethany and Evan Stanger, Juan and Justin Santana, and Jared Giombi.  The best way to describe this group is to say they were joyful, helpful, and extremely flexible. 

      Last Wednesday, after a four-hour drive, we arrived in Michigan.  The Yates showed the group the neighborhood beach and our teens and theirs began to get to know one another.  They got to know one another over a potluck and some serious volleyball.  After our devotional we headed to different homes for the night.  On Thursday we went to the local state campground where we had reserved cabins and tent sites.  This was a perfect place (except for the outhouses.)  Our teens again had a time to enjoy and encourage and be encouraged by the teens of Menominee.  By going to the campground a day early we were able to scope out what was available, set up camp, and get ready for the children.

      Friday arrived and so did the children.  Close to thirty community children came to this three-day retreat.  Anyone from Southside would have been proud of our teens (and adults) for all their work, kindness, leadership, flexibility, ingenuity in the face of rainstorms and service.  They were truly letting Jesus shine through them.  The children had a wonderful time and were already talking about next year.  The lessons presented were great and we even had a few community parents drive out for our Sunday morning worship.

      Thank you to all those who sent cookies.  This truly was a blest trip and we appreciate all those who were praying for us.  Thank you.                    __Daryl Miller

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