Garaway Released Time Education Information
By Beverly Keller
Local Edition Editor
Things are looking up for the Garaway Released Time Program that brings nondenominational religious education to every child in grades kindergarten through sixth as each of Garaway’s four elementary school buildings through buildings that are placed off school property where children are permitted to go at assigned times during the week.
The program is administered by a Board of Directors and two members of the board met with the Sugarcreek Ministerial Association in September to note the needs of the program that has begun to fail as financial donations from area churches have dropped substantially in the past several years. In response to an article originally printed in The Budget, donations came in from several sources. In addition, the board made strides of its own. “We made the decision to send letters home with all of our students in all four elementary schools to ask if they would be interested in making a monetary donation,” explained Cindy Rainsberger who serves as a teacher in the program. “Parents, families and businesses have steadily been sending donations. Some churches have given emergency donations over and above their regular tithe to our program. Other churches have taken special offerings.”
Rainsberger went on to explain that the offerings have helped. “This has helped give relief knowing that utilities and teacher’s wages have been covered and should be for the next several months,” she said. “There was a special offering that came in to pay for the insurance on the buildings and the liability insurance as well. There was also another offering given to purchase the Bibles for each sixth grade student. We appreciate the blessings of all these donations. We do not want to lose this program. We need the churches, individuals and business to continue with financial support to keep this program up and going for many years to come. It has given an opportunity for students to have well rounded education in the Garaway Schools.”
It was also indicated that all four of the buildings, known as “cabins” are in need of basic repairs and upkeep to help them last. It was noted that all need painted on the interior. Doors also need to be painted on the inside and outside. Carpets are in bad shape and should be at least cleaned if not replaced. Windows also need to be winterized. An initial email indicated that all buildings were in need of smoke detectors. A call placed to the Sugarcreek Fire Department filled that need immediately. The units will be delivered and installed in the coming week at each building at no charge.
She noted that recently bulletin inserts were sent to local churches in an attempt to ask for help in planning the 50th Jubilee that will mark the anniversary of the program in Fall 2012. “We would like volunteers from all area churches to step forward to help in planning and making this celebration a wonderful community event,” Rainsberger said. “We would also like contact from anyone that has served as a teacher or helper in the program in the last 50 years.”
A list of items on a “wish list” will be published on The Budget’s web site, www.thebudgetnewspaper.com this week. Those interested in learning more about the needs of the program and the buildings are urged to check out the list and contact Rainsberger at 330-852-3404 or via email to: rainsfamily@msn.com for more information.
Monetary donations can be made in check form and made out to: Garaway Released Time Program and mailed to: Mrs. Ruth Menges, PO Box 203, Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681.
Wish List:
Included is also the Teacher's Wish List.
Teacher’s Wish List for the Miller Ave, Dundee, Baltic and Ragersville Cabins/Little House
These items can be purchased at Staples, Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, Gospel Shop or Many Items
are on the Teacher’s Wish list at The Wise Owl Teacher’s Store in Canton, Ohio. www.wiseowl.com
You may purchase items from the list or purchase a gift certificate. The wish list is under Cindy Rainsberger’s name (rainsfamily29@msn.com)
Storage Cabinet (for games, paper, etc.)
filing cabinet
10 Adult size folding chairs
8 Exit Signs
4-large dry erase/magnetic boards with dry erase markers
2-small printer-copiers
ink for printer-copiers
2-cases of copy paper
2-cases or several packs of card stock-white or colored
Christian or Family Based Dvd’s/ sets
4- 60 minute timers
2-small laminators
laminating sheets
Hand Sanitizer-Clorox Wipes-Lysol Spray
2-Medium duty 3 hole punch
2-long reach staplers
1-electric pencil sharpener
Return Address Labels Avery #5160 or #8160
fadeless paper rolls/various colors
4-reward treasure chests
bags of individually wrapped candy, gum and suckers
book marks (Books of the Bible, Beatitudes, Ten Commandments, Psalm 23, Lord’s Prayer)
Paint for inside cabins (Interior Walls painted)
Magnetic Paint Strip around top of walls
Paint for doors (8-Interior and Exterior doors painted)
Bulletin board supplies/Board sets, border, etc.
Curtains-Baltic and Ragersville
3-Bar stools & 3 podiums
Giant story books with Bible stories
New Bibles (Hardbound #30) Baltic
Gift Cards for Staples, Gospel Shop (Sugarcreek)
or any teacher’s supply store (Wise Owl-Canton, Ohio)
Windows (weather proofing for winter, plastic on the outside of windows to keep cold air and
moisture from coming into the cabin during the winter)
Carpets need professionally cleaned or replaced.
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• Lent services at Shanesville Lutheran Church and Zion in Winfield include: Transfiguration - February 19 - Worship at Zion - 8:45 a.m.; Shanesville - 10:30 a.m.; Ash Wednesday - February 22 at 7 p.m. at Shanesville with Holy Communion with Disposition of Ashes; Parish Carry-in suppers and Lenten Devotionals at Shanesville - Wednesday, February 29, March 7, March 14, Marc 21, March 28 - Meal at 6:15 p.m. and Devotional at 6:45.
• A very special evening is planned for Tuesday, February 21 at the Sugarcreek First United Church of Christ beginning at 7 p.m. Open to the public, this free event will feature Lisa Troyer, Circle of Friends founder and author of “A Place To Belong.” Other Circle of Friends members will provide music and insight into this remarkable local ministry, which is gaining national attention. The event is sponsored by the First UCC Women of Faith Book Club. Light refreshments will be served and books will be available for purchase. The church is located at 526 West Main Street, Sugarcreek. Registration is not required. For more info, call Pat at 330-687-1343.
• Fat Tuesday will be celebrated at Shanesville Lutheran Church at 6 p.m. on Tuesday, February 21. There will be pancakes with assorted toppings served as well as sausage, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and King Cake.
• Roscoe United Methodist Church will observe Ash Wednesday in a service of worship on Wednesday, February 22 at 7 p.m. that will include special music, the imposition of ashes and the sacrament of Holy Communion. All are welcome. The church is located at 475 High Street in Coshocton. For more info, call 740-622-7780.
• “Walk with the Orphans,” a new ministry of Mennonite Christian Assembly,will be holding informational meetings on Wednesday evenings at the church beginning February 22 at 7 p.m. These meetings are for anyone who is interested in adopting, has already adopted, or has any contact with an adopted child and/or their family. We will be looking at the types of adoptions, the process, and requirements, and helping the adopted child succeed in the church, school, and community. Families who have adopted will share from their experiences. WWTO is offering free pre-service training hours through Christian Children’s Home during the month of February - March. For schedule dates and more information call 330-317-7071. or check out the website at: www.mcachurch.org under the Ministries tab.
• Signs of Spring - A shopping opportunity for ladies only is set for Friday, February 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Sugarcreek United Methodist Church located at 212 N. Broadway Street in?Sugarcreek. Admission is $1 per person. There will be a Grand Prize and many door prizes and plenty of items available for purchase ranging from handbags to candles, jewelry and candy as well as baking needs. The event is being put together by the SUM-R-4-LIFE Relay for Life Team.
• Everyone is invited to Celebrate MCC?with a gathered set for February 24 - 25 at Berlin Mennonite Church. Doug Amstutz who recently returned from Ethiopia will be speaking as well as Ron Byler who serves as the MCC?US?Interium Executive Director. More information is forthcoming on times and other events.
• All Pro Dad will be held at NewPointe Community Church at 9 a.m. on Saturday, February 25. The cost is $3 per person and covers breakfast and the program aimed at dads and their children ages 5 to 13. For more info, contact the church at 330-602-5600.
• The sixth annual Taste of Central will be held at Central Christian High School in Kidron on February 25 at 5:30 p.m. There will be plenty of food to sample. Tickets can be purchased as the school in advance or at the door.
• The Union Hill United Methodist Men are conducting their spring sausage sale. Orders are due by Sunday, February 26 and pick up is Thursday, March 8. For more info, call 330-852-4410.
• Central Christian will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a special program on Friday, March 2 at 7 p.m. at the school in Kidron. For more info on how to get involved with the choir, call 330-857-7311. John D. Roth will be the special guest speaker.
• The Mongolia Partnership is planning a pancake breakfast fundraiser on Saturday, March 3 from 7 to 10 a.m. at the Martins Creek Mennonite Church.
• A ladies spring Bible study will be held at the Berlin Mennonite Church on Tuesday mornings from March 6 to May 15 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. on Beth Moore’s Believing God: Experiencing A Fresh Explosion of Faith. Cost is $10 for the workbook. Call the church for more info.
• Grief Share at the Shanesville Lutheran Church will begin on March 6 at 6:30 p.m. in the social hall at the church. There will be weekly meetings for 13 weeks that feature video seminars as well as support group discussions and workbook-based personal study and reflection. Barb DeBord will lead the class.
• MEDA?(Mennonite Economic Development Association) meets the second Friday of each month March 9) from 7:30 - 9 a.m. at Der Dutchman in Walnut Creek. Faith and business topics are covered by local business leaders. Call?Keith at 330-855-4709 for more info.
• On Sunday, March 18 at 3:30 p.m., the Roscoe UMC music department will host their eighth annual Music Fest. This year, six choirs will sing two anthems & several hymns en masse. Accompanying the 90+ voice choir will be a 18 piece orchestra plus organ and piano. The local Coshocton choirs include Canal Lewisville UMC, Conesville UMC, Grace UMC, Nellie UMC, Park UMC and Roscoe UMC. Each choir will sing two anthems individually. There will be a time of refreshments and fellowship after the concert. More information can be given by calling Roscoe UMC during regular business hours at 740-622-7780 or by emailing rumcsec@yahoo.com. No tickets are needed for this event, however, there will be an offering taken for Coshocton County’s The Hope Clinic and music expenses. The church is located in historic Roscoe Village at 475 High St., Coshocton.
• The Lasting Flame Marriage Seminar is set for March 30 and 31 at Central Christian School in Kidron. For more info, go to www.lastingflame.org
• There will be two trips to Mongolia this summer to visit the Mongolia Mission that the Berlin Mennonite Church helps to sponsor. The trips will be 14 to 16 days during May and August. For more info, call 330-674-0282.
• Shape Up is a women’s exercise program held at the Family Life Center of Valley View Community Church. The room has equipment which combines strength, training and cardio. The center is open from 6:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Monday through Thursday. It is closed on Fridays. Zumba classes are offered on?Tuesday and Thursday. Morning classes run from 8:30 - 9:30 and evening classes are from 5:30 - 6:30. For more info, call Bick Miller at 330-897-0159 or 330-852-2273.
• Winter walking is offered now through March 30 each Monday - Thursday from 7 a.m. until noon and Fridays from 9 a.m. until noon at the Valley View Community Church located at Simons Drive in Sugarcreek. For questions, call 330-852-2273.
• Sugarcreek United Methodist Church’s Relay for Life team, SUM-R-4-LIFE is seeking more members. As the lone team hailing from Sugarcreek to take part in the Relay for Life Fundraising event for the American Cancer Society, the group would like to include as many members as possible. For more info, contact the church at 330-852-2885. You do not have to be a member of the church to join the group.
• Serenity Cabin, a place of refuge at Camp Buckeye, located near Beach City and Dundee, is being offered to area clergy at no charge. It can be used for a time of reflection and relaxation. It is a secluded, self-contained facility located at the camp. For more info, call 330-756-2380.
• Es Nei Testament in Pennsylvania Dutch is available in Psalms and Proverbs. For more information write to Committee for Translation at 3864 TR 162, Sugarcreek, Ohio 44681 or call 330-852-4663.
To have your church news item included in The Budget, simply submit it to us. It can be emailed to localnews@thebudgetnewspaper.com faxed to 330-852-4421 or dropped off at The Budget office during normal business hours, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. Deadline is Friday at 5 p.m. Be sure to include your contact information.
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