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MIDDLE OCTORARA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

August 2021 NEWSLETTER

The Mission of Middle Octorara Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is to provide a place of fellowship where a community of believers comes together to be spiritually renewed and enabled to effectively witness for Christ through service to others.

Celebrating the blessing of Pastor John’s 1st year of ministry with Middle Octorara.

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OUR PASTOR’S THOUGHTS

Norman Cousins (1915-1990) was an award-winning journalist, writer and

editor. Among his many books, perhaps his best known was Anatomy of an Illness

as Perceived by the Patient, published in 1979. In it, Cousins described his

recovery from the extremely painful life-threatening connective tissue disease he

contracted in 1964. Only one in five hundred patients survive this disease. He

was one of that tiny number.

How did he do it? He restored his immune system with dangerously high

doses of Vitamin C. And he fought the excruciating pain with laughter therapy,

watching Marx Brothers movies and episodes of Candid Camera. He discovered

that ten minutes of hearty laughter would yield about two hours of painless sleep.

Through these methods, over a period of years, Cousins triumphed over his disease.

God has made our bodies in such a way that what we think about causes

our brains to secrete chemicals that affect our physical well-being. This can be

true in positive and negative directions. On the positive side, the chemicals help

to relieve pain or stress, and boost happiness. The positive chemicals are released

as a result of stress and pain, vigorous physical exercise, excitement and laughter.

Cousins tapped into the last one.

Proverbs 17:22 says in the King James Version, “A merry heart doeth

good like a medicine.” In the New International Version, it goes, “A cheerful heart

is good medicine.” The Apostle Paul instructs us in Colossians 3:2 to “set our

minds on things above, not on earthly things.” In Philippians 4:8 he says,

“whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure,

whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or

praiseworthy – think about such things.” In the Psalms we are encouraged

repeatedly to meditate on “God’s unfailing love” (48:9), “God’s promises”

(119:48), and “God’s wonderful works” (145:5).

How blest we are to be invited to think God’s thoughts after him, and to

have the priceless resource of his Holy Word to use in that quest. We can know

the benefits of such thinking in this life and into eternity, using the noggins he

gave us for that purpose. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a Minister of

Word and Sacrament with a congregation that appreciates and hungers for God’s

truth in the Bible. Keep it up, MO. You’re amazing!

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CHURCH HAPPENINGS

CHOIR

Ok choir members, you have one more month off. But get ready to start rehearsals in September. We would welcome anyone that loves to sing and spread God's message with music. You do not need to read music. We practice the songs often enough to learn them. More details next month.

DEACONS

The deacons met on Tuesday July 6th. We had a cookout. I cooked outside and we ate our meal inside the air-conditioned church. We reviewed our schedule and reviewed our duties. We sent out 11 birthday cards, 2 Anniversary blessings and 25 thinking of you cards. I encouraged the deacons to continue to send cards, call or visit our shut ins. Our next meeting is Tuesday August 3rd. Dinner at 6:30pm. The meeting will follow.

Respectfully, Dale Phillips

MIDDLE OCTORARA PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

PEACH FEST sponsored by MOPW on August 21. A light meal of hot dogs, beef barbecue, and sides will be served from 4-6 PM. We are asking our MO bakers to provide the Peach desserts such as Peach pie, Peach cobbler, etc. Use your imagination. Please notify Shirley Miller as to what dessert you'd like to provide.

Corn husking party Aug 7 beginning at 10 AM at Shirley Millers. Come, help and enjoy the fun.

SCOTTISH FESTIVAL - SEPTEMBER 11, 2021 The Octorara Covenanter Presbyterian Foundation's Eighth Annual Covenanter Scottish Festival will be held on September 11, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. The Festival will take place on the grounds of Middle Octorara and the Covenanter Church - 1199 and 1188 Valley Road, Quarryville. Featured will be a celebration honoring WWII veterans buried at Middle Octorara and other local cemeteries, Highland Games, piping competitions, and a full day of wonderful Celtic music. Sheep herding, a haggis ceremony, spinning and weaving, fiddling, and early Scottish weapons are a few of the heritage demonstrations on the program. The Covenanter Church and schoolroom museum will be open for tours and research. For additional information and tickets go to the festival website https://www.covenanterscottishfestival.com/

SILVER SISTERS

The Silver Sister group has been quite active this month. We had 11 ladies that went to Bird-In-Hand Restaurant for lunch and the Amish show that they put on. It's just so good to get together!! And then another day some of us met for lunch at Hometown Kitchen and then came back to the church to play Sequence. Our next get-together is on Wednesday August 18 at 11:30 at Dutch Way Restaurant and again coming back to the church for games. All widows are welcome!!

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SPECIAL MUSIC August 8 John Girvin August 15 Koryn Barrett August 22 Peggy Gordon and Sandy Lee August 29 Christine Smith - piano Sept. 5 Jennifer Deiter - piano

TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees is still active, even if you can't see any progress anywhere. We still are doing repairs, changing light bulbs, moving dirt around, cleaning out areas that are seldom seen, etc. Just like you probably do at your homes. But it’s only noticed if it's something big. We are thankful for the Trustees who aren't afraid to get dirty and sweaty. And those that are handy at carpentry, small electrical and plumbing

repairs. Keep making those building fund deposits.

Solanco Neighborhood Services School Supplies collection from our church family, MOPW and Youth Fund

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MISSION MUSINGS

As I was thinking about Mission Musings for this month my mind went to the Solanco Neighborhood Services school supplies project that we are participating in. With our support through individual members and MOPW, Youth Fund and Session Fund we will likely donate over $1000.00 worth of school supplies to this mission project. That is wonderful and amazing. An image came to me of parents hugging their children as they head off to school for their first day of a new school year. The children have backpacks strapped to their backs filled with brand new school supplies. Some of these parents could not afford to purchase a backpack let alone fill it with school supplies. Tears come to the parent’s eyes as they watch their children skip off to school with joy and smiles on their faces. Honestly a smile comes to my face as I pause to thank God for how He has blessed me and our church family with the ability, the heart and the opportunity to be able to be involved in this mission project. Let’s all remember to pray for students, teachers, administrators and all the school workers who are already preparing for what we all pray will be a much more normal year than last year. Let’s also thank God for helping everyone persevere through an extra difficult school year last year. Praise God through whom all blessings flow! I am also thinking about our Peru mission as it is our Mission Focus for August. Our trips to the Amazon have always been in June or July so on my Facebook page, memories of past years have come up recently with photos from Iquitos and Tamshiyacu. A smile comes to my face each time I see the smiling faces of the children of Tamshiyacu clapping, singing, making crafts and enjoying learning about Jesus. Although we have not been able to be in the Amazon physically these last two summers we are there spiritually and still offering support with monetary and prayerful support. Middle Octorara is reaching out to children with the love of Jesus right here in the Solanco area as well as 3000 miles away in the Amazon. God never ceases to amaze me with how He continues to bless us and gives us the opportunities to bless others. Let’s continue to praise God for all He has done and continues to do in our lives and in the life of our church family. Proverbs 19:17, Blessings, Dan Henry

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REFLECTIONS

by Barry Girvin Segregation at Solanco Last month I wrote about an essay from my senior year (1958 – 120 students). This month I will reflect from a different context – segregation. What I will relate is not based on race, but somewhat on gender. Girls knew their place – if they were intelligent, they did not show it too much, and future plans were limited to “women’s roles” with an emphasis on wife and mother. The real source of segregation was the curriculum. One had to choose from five curriculums: Academic, General, Commercial, Vocational Agriculture and Home Economics. There were 120 graduating seniors. It is interesting to note that the girl’s outnumbered the boys in the Academic Curriculum 21 to 15. Only two boys were enrolled in the Commercial program, and there were no girls taking Vocational Agriculture and no boys enrolled in Home Economics. I took the Academic program. My mother convinced me to select that curriculum even though I wanted to take Agriculture. The problem, one was always in class with the same people even in gym class. You were seated alphabetically and thus you always sat next to the same people. The first two rows in most classrooms were always the same. In my case Geiger, Gingerich, Girvin, Graeff, Groff, Grubb, Hammons, Hauer, Herr, Hess. Even in homeroom, there was no escape. Of course, Gym class included all the same boys that were in your other classes. Mr. Sweigart, our Gym teacher, had trouble finding much in the way of spirited competition in our rather athletically challenged group, except in the case of boxing. Dallas Thomas and I were about the same height and weight, and we did not particularly like each other. It seemed that we were always competing for something. Mr. Sweigart knew that when we boxed each other it would be a spectacle for the whole class to behold. We did not disappoint, fought like a couple of banty roosters. When we have class reunions, the results of the segregation are evident. You know some people well, but in other cases it is like meeting them for the first time. If I had not played sports and been involved in other activities, the people I came to know would have been limited to about 35.

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BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES

August birthdays August anniversaries 3 – Kristine Hileman, Pat Woerth 28 – Pastor John & Kim Barlow 4 – Nanci Caskey Ray & Val Wessner 7 – Nancy Harnish 9 – Chad Ressel 11 – Betty Reinhart, Koryn Barrett 12 – Sara Kaufman 15 – Chris Pfeiffer, Martin Hileman 16 – Lily Keene 24 – Jani Hileman 27 – Pastor Barlow September birthdays through the 4th 4 – Ashley Eckman, Carol Girvin, Melissa Keene

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August 3 is National Watermelon Day, and throughout

the summer, the backyard mainstay is added to

drinks and served as dessert at barbecues across the

country. Here are some tasty facts about this

colorful, summertime treat.

1. WATERMELONS ARE BOTH A FRUIT AND A

VEGETABLE. Thanks to their sweet taste, watermelons are most commonly

considered a fruit. And they do grow like fruit, originating from flowers that have

been pollinated by bees, and, from a botanical perspective, they're fruits because

they contain seeds. But many gardeners think of them as vegetables, since

they grow them in their gardens alongside other summer veggies like peas and

corn. Not to mention, watermelon is classified as part of a botanical family

of gourds that includes other culinary vegetables like cucumber, squash, and

pumpkin.

2. YOU CAN EAT THE ENTIRE FRUIT. While we tend to focus on the melon’s

succulent flesh, watermelon rinds are also edible—as well as full of nutrients with

surprising health benefits. In China, the rinds are often stir-fried or stewed, while

in the South, cooks like to pickle them. And, across the Middle East and China,

the seeds are dried and roasted (similar to pumpkin seeds) to make for a light, easy

snack.

3. THEY’RE CALLED WATERMELONS FOR A REASON. They’re 92 percent

water, making them a perfect refresher for those hot summer months.

4. THEY COME IN 1200 DIFFERENT VARIETIES. To make classification a

little easier, however, watermelons tend to be grouped into four main categories:

seeded (or picnic), seedless, icebox (also known as mini, or personal size) and

yellow/orange. One of the most popular varieties is the Crimson Sweet, a seeded

melon with deep red, sweet flesh. Some of the more unusual varieties include

the Golden Midget, whose rind turns yellow when it's ripe, and the Cream of

Saskatchewan, whose flesh is cream-colored.

5. THE SEEDLESS ONES ARE NOT GENETICALLY ENGINEERED. Contrary

to what you might have heard, seedless watermelons are the result

of hybridization, a perfectly natural phenomenon that farmers can nevertheless

capitalize on. A couple of decades ago, seedless watermelons were hard to find,

but today they make up around 85 percent of those sold in the U.S. And those

white “seeds” that you still find in your seedless slices? They’re actually empty

seed coats and are perfectly safe to eat.

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6. WATERMELONS CAN GROW TO BE REALLY, REALLY BIG. The

heaviest watermelon to date was grown by Guinness World Record holder Chris

Kent, of Sevierville, Tennessee, in 2013. A Carolina Cross, it weighed in at 350.5

pounds. To give you some perspective, that’s the equivalent of an NFL lineman.

7. WATERMELONS CAN HELP PREVENT CANCER. Watermelons are a great

source of lycopene, an antioxidant that’s been shown to reduce the risk of several

types of cancers, including prostate, lung, and stomach.

8. FARMERS IN JAPAN HAVE PERFECTED THE ART OF GROWING

THEM IN ODD SHAPES. In Japan, farmers have been growing cube-shaped

watermelons for the past 40 years, forcing them into their square shape by

cultivating them in box-like braces. When the watermelon fills the cube and gets

picked, it's generally not ripe yet, meaning the inedible melons are sold—for

prices upwards of $100—as novelty items and gifts. (The original idea was for

them to better fit into standard refrigerators.) More recently, farmers have grown

watermelon in the shape of hearts—these particular melons taste as sweet as they

look—as well as pyramids and human faces.

9. ONE SOUTH CAROLINA FAMILY KEPT AN HEIRLOOM VARIETY

ALIVE FOR ALMOST 100 YEARS. The unusually sweet Bradford—created by

Nathaniel Napoleon Bradford in Sumter County, South Carolina, in the 1840s—

was one of the most sought-after varieties of watermelon the South has ever seen.

But its soft skin made it hard to transport, and by the early 1920s it had proved to

be commercially unviable. It would have disappeared completely had the Bradford

family not kept it alive in their backyard gardens for multiple generations. It’s now

being grown commercially again by Nat Bradford, Nathaniel’s great -great-great

grandson.

10. THEY’RE THE OFFICIAL STATE VEGETABLE OF OKLAHOMA. In

2007, the Oklahoma State Senate honored its then-14th biggest crop by voting 44–

2 to make it the state vegetable. (Why not fruit? That distinction was already given

to the strawberry.) Its celebrated status was threatened in 2015, however, when

State Senator Nathan Dahm moved to repeal the bill based on the argument that

watermelon is a fruit. Thankfully for Oklahoma’s Rush Springs, home to an annual

watermelon festival and the original bill’s sponsor, then-State Representative Joe

Dorman, Dahm’s bill died in committee.

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CALENDAR OF EVENTS (Subject to change)

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Aug. 1 Aug. 2 Aug. 3

Deacons meeting 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 4 ROMEO Club 9:00 a.m.

Aug. 5 Aug. 6 Aug. 7 corn freezing 10:00 a.m.

Aug. 8 Session meeting 12:00

Aug. 9 Aug. 10 Trustee mtg. 7:00 p.m.

Aug. 11 Aug. 12 Aug. 13 Aug. 14

Aug. 15 Aug. 16 Aug. 17 Aug. 18 Silver Sisters 11:30

Aug. 19 Aug. 20 Aug. 21 Peach Fest 4:00-6:00

Aug. 22 Aug. 23 Aug. 24 Aug. 25 Aug. 26 Aug. 27 Aug. 28

Aug. 29 Aug. 30 Aug. 31 Sept. 1 Sept. 2 Sept. 3 Sept. 4

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CONTACT INFORMATION FOR REV. JOHN BARLOW Address: 433 W. Lincoln Ave

Myerstown, PA 17067

Cellphone: 717-377-4570 Email: barlowjohn604@gmail.com

CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION

Address: 1199 Valley Road, Quarryville, PA 17566 Phone: 717-786-3402 or 717-786-8284 Email: mopc_sec@comcast.net Website: middleoctorara.org Facebook: middle octorara Church Secretary/Treasurer Debbie Hoover Phone: 717-786-8284 Email: thehoovers@comcast.net or mopc_sec@comcast.net Address: 2115 Mine Road, Paradise, PA 17562 Senior Choir Director Rose Griest Accompanists Boni Henry, Shirley Girvin, Sue Herr Technology Team Leader Mike Hoover Email: mopc_av@comcast.net Superintendent of Cemeteries James Williams Phone: 717-517-6968 CHURCH BOARDS Session Clerk of Session: Dan Henry Phone: 717-381-9947 Email: danlhenry55@aol.com 2019-2021-J. Barry Girvin, Susan Ressel, Koryn Barrett 2020-2022-Jim Bueche, Kay Bueche, Joan Probst 2021-2023-Jerry Garver, Dick Keene, Dale Phillips Deacons Administrator: Dale Phillips Phone: 717-587-1684 Email: bigdp1234@gmail.com 2019-2021-Nancy Cox, Kathy Harvey, Sandra Shenk, Vivian Caldwell, 2020-2022-Linda Farmer, Dottie Garver, Sara Kauffman, Sharon Mowery 2021-2023-Kim Barlow, Dixie Clark, Sue Herr, Jonathan Welch Trustees President: Jeff Frackman Phone: 717-989-6896 2019-2021-Douglas Henry, Andrew Keene, Samuel Reinhart 2020-2022-Jeff Frackman, Shirley Girvin, Rose Griest 2021-2023-Nancy Minchoff, Shirley Miller, Virgil Roark

He’s got the whole world in his hands