The CENTERPIECE

March, 2003

Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind

535 North Neville Street

Pittsburgh, PA 15213

412-682-1800 Bob Mates, Director

The CENTERPIECE is a monthly publication of the Lutheran Center for the Blind Terri Watson, Editor

The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind seeks to reach out to the blind of Pittsburgh, feeling their needs and touching them with the love of Jesus so that they can reach out to and touch others with the love of Jesus.

FROM THE EDITOR

A petite, friendly and well-dressed lady in her early 90's was recently admitted to a nursing home. Though legally blind and needing a walker to get around, this sweet lady remained active and, in fact, was routinely ready to start her day by 8:00 AM. What necessitated her move into a nursing home was Mrs. Jones's husband's death after seventy years of marriage. After waiting several hours in the nursing home lobby, Mrs. Jones smiled sweetly when told that her room was ready to be moved into. As she maneuvered her walker to the elevator, the nursing home employee gave Mrs. Jones a visual description of her room, right down to the islet sheets that had been hung on the window. "I love it!" Mrs. Jones exclaimed with the enthusiasm of an eight-year-old who had just been presented with a new puppy. "Mrs. Jones," the surprised employee began, "you haven't even seen the room yet. Just wait and see." "That doesn't have anything to do with it," Mrs. Jones replied immediately. "Happiness is something I can decide on ahead of time, and that has nothing to do with how the furniture in my room is arranged but on how I arrange my mind. "Loving my room is something I already decided to do and it's a decision I make each morning when I wake up. Each morning I can decide to stay in bed and think about the parts of my body that no longer work, or I can get out of bed and be thankful for my body parts that still do work." Old age is like a bank account: You withdraw from it what you put in. My advice is to deposit a lot of happiness in my memory bank, and that's exactly what I plan to keep on doing."

As much as I thank each of you who comes to the Lutheran Center for your lucrative deposits into my memory bank account, I thank even more my heavenly Father who looked upon all that he had made (including me, His unworthy servant), and found that "it was very good indeed." As Lent brings us ever closer to the expectant joy of Easter, may we decide daily to deposit the riches of God's love in each other's bank accounts.

Blessings,

Terri Watson

(Note): The above item came to me in the form of an E-mail from Aimee Yunt. Many of you know Aimee from her volunteer service in the Darts Program at PVS/Oakland.

FEBRUARY'S MONTHLY MEAL

Bob Mates, the Lutheran Center's magnificent director, set the tone for the February 22nd meal by welcoming everyone and thanking the volunteers from Abraxis, Lutheran Student Fellowship and Pittsburgh Cares. (Before Pastor Andrae blessed the nutritious food we were about to enjoy along with all who so lovingly prepared it, meal attendees applauded in appreciation of the volunteer servers and Leigh Spittel for excellent spaghetti. After Grace, everyone thoroughly enjoyed a meal which consisted of spaghetti, tossed salad, garlic bread, dessert, diet pop, regular pop and coffee. After the meal, Bob Mates acknowledged Ashley Winaught, Jim Winaught's daughter, as a new volunteer and commended John Perseo for his unexpected help in serving the meal. Before we sang a heartfelt and melodious Happy Birthday to Sam Willard and Sherri Crum, Bob presented an insightful devotion entitled, Victor or Victim? Bob began by pointing out that, from a human, worldly perspective, Christ would appear to be a victim because He was rejected by his own, condemned to death with lies, and was crucified (the Godly for the sake of the ungodly). (Bob also noted that crucifixion was the cruelest form of death during the time when Christ lived.) Bob concluded by emphasizing that, despite everything, Christ was not a victim at all but a victor in the truest sense of the word, for who could be more victorious than He whose death and resurrection robbed death forever of its spiritual finality and gifted humankind with the possibility of everlasting life? Unlike worldly gifts, which we feel we must somehow earn, Christ's purchase of our salvation with his precious blood means that we can do nothing to earn what has already been justified by grace. (The devotion just summarized can also be found in the February issue of CENTERPIECE.) Ending with prayer as always, we prayed for the following intentions:

1. The strength that Dorothy Locchetta needs to be her mother's primary caregiver;

2. Good results for a biopsy that Ayn Apelman will be having during the coming week;

3. Get well wishes to Sue Lichtenfels who was in Shadyside Hospital's ICU last week, and for Bob, her husband, to have the strength to be there for her;

4. For Karen Good and her family in Texas,

5. And for the successful removal of a thyroid tumor for Linda Terrell's cat, Debbie.

ARE THERE REALLY TWO?

Because the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind has been such a success, a second center, the Lutheran Center East, will be opening in Swissvale on Tuesday, March 18th, with the open house taking place from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. In addition to meeting the needs of Pittsburgh's blind community, the new center will also reach out to the deaf blind. And who will the new center's director be? You guessed it: Bionic Bob Mates. (Boy! I must be really itching for a raise: First, Bob was our "magnificent director, and now I refer to him as bionic because of his ability to have his hands in so many ministerial pies at once.) I'm sure I speak for everyone who is familiar with the center when I say how successful the new center will be.

CONTRIBUTOR'S CORNER

Since I resurrected the CENTERPIECE in November, 2002, I have been asking for contributions, and by Gosh, I finally got one! The following is an article from Ayn Apelman in which she describes and explains how the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind has so positively affected her life:

How PLCB has helped me

The PLCB has helped me in more ways than one. Here is a list of how:

1. Socially. I attend Bob's monthly meals where I socialize with other blind adults. I meet people I haven't seen in many years as well as those I've never met before. It gives me a chance to hear what other blind folks are doing, and makes me realize that I'm not alone in my underemployment situation. I also marvel at what talented vocalists and musicians we have in the blind community.

2. Spiritually. I attend Bob's monthly Bible studies. Bob has a wonderful gift for teaching the meaning of Scripture, and encourages questions and discussion. He's given me a deeper insight into God's Word and helped me to grow in my faith. For a while, I attended a support group for those who are depressed, and Bob helped me grow in my personal life. He made me understand that even Christians get depressed, and urged me to get professional help.

3. Educationally. I attended computer classes taught by Vicky Vaughan who is blind herself. Her extensive knowledge of Jaws for Windows and Microsoft Word are beyond description. My transition from DOS to Windows was not easy; Vicky made it possible by showing me raised-line diagrams of the Windows Screen layout and teaching me all the shortcut keys for reading the screen and for word processing. Now I feel more comfortable with Windows and am still in that mode. As you can see, PLCB has helped me a lot and I am very grateful for it. If you'd like to be the next contributor of an article, a poem or a prayer, call Bob Mates at 412-682-1800 or Terri Watson at 412-683-9935.

A NEW FEATURE

Starting in April, we will be blest to have Kathy Susany as a monthly contributor to CENTERPIECE. As someone who has extensive knowledge in the health and science fields, Kathy's contribution will be a health column which promises to be quite informative. In addition to having a Bachelor's Degree in elementary education and a Master's Degree in rehabilitation counseling, Kathy has taken many public health and health-related, college-level courses. Since Kath has also been doing health and science tutoring at Duquesne University for sixteen years, I can't say enough about what a worthwhile contribution this promises to be. (Thanks, Kath.)

FOR TIMES LIKE THESE

by Bob Mates

This month, we are celebrating PLCB'S fourth anniversary. It was on March 16, 1999, that we held our first monthly meal. There were ten people at that first meal. Many of those original ten folks are here to-night: Louis Smith; Chuck Ridley; Jim Vaglia; Vicky Vaughan; Sam Willard; Eugene Rossi; Reege Sullivan. That was a wonderful night, the first of many. We've had a lot of monthly meals since then, and, through them, have been blessed to meet some of the most wonderful people, both blind and sighted, anyone could ever want to meet!

From the start, the goal of PLCB was a simple one: to touch the blind community of Pittsburgh with the love of Jesus. We wanted people to realize that, even if they thought no one else cared about them, we did, and, more importantly, God did, and does! Whether feeding people, or teaching them to use a computer, or working on dog guide protection legislation, we have always had one thing in mind: the proclamation of the Gospel.

It hasn't ever been easy, and we've had some setbacks along the way, such as the abortive attempt at a Bible study at Mohrhead Towers. On the other hand, we've had some fantastic victories. We've seen people's faith increased; we've had people tell us that the Center has been a comfort to them. We've seen people, whose lives have been completely changed, after coming to faith, and we are happy that we were able to play a small part in that. Another wonderful thing which God has allowed us to do is to open our daughter center, the East Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind, which will not only serve the needs of the blind in the East suburbs, but which, with God's help, will also serve the deaf-blind community.

We are led to believe that God has put us here for times such as these. And what times these are!!! They're times when the United States finds itself at war, in Iraq; times in which everything from the economy to morality is taking a nose-dive; times in which there is somewhere between seventy and eighty-five percent un-employment in the blind community; times in which people, blind and sighted, are feeling scared and isolated. These are times in which folks can't be sure of anything, and especially, can't be sure that they're loved. That's where we come in. Who do I mean, when I say "we?" I mean anyone who confesses that he or she is a Christian. If you've known the love and grace of God, and realize what a wonderful gift He has given you, you will, of course, want to let others know about it. You don't have to be a Bible scholar, or a theologian; all you have to be is a Christian. If the only verse you really know is John 3:16, and you believe it, you can be a great evangelist.

"But," you say, "I don't want to talk to my friends about the Lord. I don't want to seem pushy, or seem like a "goody two-shoes, or something." To answer that, I'll tell you what a Christian friend said to me, as she described witnessing to someone. "If you love someone, and really care about them, and don't at least talk to them about the future of their soul, then, you're not much of a friend, are you?" Believe me when I tell you that there are ways of talking to people, which will show them your love and God's, without making you seem pushy.

Besides, if you don't tell them about Jesus, who will? If we're really the light of the world, and the salt of the earth, but neither shine the light of God's love, nor spread the flavor of His grace over this bland, tasteless world, who will? This is the challenge of PLCB, and the challenge for every Christian. This is what we were all about four years ago; what we're all about now, and what we'll be all about, as long as God grants us the strength to continue.

Lord Jesus, give us the strength to continue to be Your witnesses, in Pittsburgh, in Pennsylvania, in America, and to the ends of the earth.

Amen.

The Many Sides of March

A poem by Terri Watson

March is winter's wicked winds

trying to chase spring away;

March is the fun that God brings

on every Saint Patrick's Day.

March is Christ's bright rays of hope

that are found in daffodils,

March is the Holy Spirit,

helping us climb life's steep hills.

March is a soft, soothing breeze

that gently ushers in spring;

March is God's choral concert

by the creatures springtime brings.

March guides the swallows back home,

And warms a frozen Cape Cod;

March is a road called Rebirth,

Built with perfection by God!

RULES FOR ATTENDING PLCB MONTHLY MEALS

NOTE: IN CASE YOU DIDN'T SEE THIS LAST MONTH, WE'RE PUBLISHING THEM AGAIN. PLEASE READ THEM; THEY'RE IMPORTANT!!!

Dear Friend,

The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind is pleased to host a meal for the blind of the area, which is held on the last Saturday of each month. We think it's a time for good food, good fellowship and good fun. The more people who come, the better we like it!

While we certainly understand that things can come up, which might force you to cancel your reservation, it's important to understand that your reservation for the dinner is a commitment you have made, and these commitments shouldn't be taken lightly. After all, you've reserved a spot, and have also reserved a plate.When you fail to show, that's a spot that could have gone to somebody else, and food that now may be wasted. Like everyone else, we're under an economic crunch, and thus, we have to be good stewards of our resources.

Therefore, we are instituting some new rules. We don't think these rules will be burdensome, but are simply common sense and common courtesy. If everyone goes along with them, the dinners will run much more smoothly. Here they are.

1. All sign-ups must be completed two days before the day of

the meal.

2. After that, the dinner list is closed!

3. Last minute sign-ups are no longer going to be accepted.

4. If possible, cancellations should be made the day before

the meal, and ABSOLUTELY MUST BE MADE by 2:00 p.m., the day of the meal.

5. If you fail to come, and fail to call or e-mail to

cancel, you will be given a warning by the director, and placed on three months' probation.

6. If you violate this rule, during your probationary

period, you will be barred from attending two subsequent meals.

While we hate to implement rules of this sort, we believe them to be necessary. PLEASE HEED THEM, AS THEY WILL BE STRICTLY ENFORCED!!!!

God bless. See you at the meal.

Your brother in Christ,

Bob Mates, Director

PRAYER REQUESTS

1. May God comfort Linda Terrell whose cat, Debbie, died on February 24th. 2. Thank You, Jesus, for Ayn Apelman's biopsy having been negative for cancer. 3. May God, the source of our strength and the strength of our lives, continue to help Dorothy Locchetta care for her mother. 4. May the Trinity touch the Lutheran Center East with the same success that the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center has enjoyed since its opening in March, 1999. 5. Let us join our hands and our hearts as we pray for successful surgery for Shadow, the guide dog that Bob Taylor will be retiring. 6. Praise and thanksgiving that when Shadow is retired, he will be able to be placed with his puppy raiser whom Bob knows. 7. Thank You, Lord, for hearing our concerns--both spoken and unspoken--and acting on them according to your will. 8. May Jesus continue to guide Sue Lichtenfels to a quick and comfortable recovery. May Jesus' healing also enable Bob, her husband, to be there for her as she recovers.

A LITTLE HUMOR: VERY LITTLE

People at the wedding were very amused by the antics of a little boy. He'd take one or two steps, and then, let out a loud roar. This continued for a while, until one of the adults asked him: "Johnny, why do you take one of two steps, and then roar?" "Because," said Johnny, "I'm the ring bear!"

CENTER DIRECTOR's PHILOSOPHY: Never put off until to-morrow, what you can put off for three more weeks.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

GUIDE DOG USERS GROUP:

First Thursday of each month

11:30 A.M. to 1:00 P.m.

PRAYER SERVICE

First Thursday of each month

1:00 to 1:30 p.m.

BIBLE STUDY

First and Third Thursday of each month

1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

LIFE GROUP: (Living in Faith and Encouragement)

If re-convened, will meet on Wednesdays

5:00 to 6:00

MONTHLY MEAL

Last Saturday of the month

5:00 to 7:00 p.m.

MONTHLY PRE-MEAL BIBLE STUDY

Last Saturday of the month

4:00 to 5:00 p.m.

NOTE: OTHER EVENTS WILL BE ADDED AS SCHEDULED. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL BOB MATES at (412) 682-1800.)