THE CENTERPIECE
March, 2004
The Newsletter of the
Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind
535 North Neville Street
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15213
PHONE: (412) 682-1800
Bob Mates, Director
Sherri Crum, Associate Director
The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind seeks to reach out to the visually impaired of Pittsburgh, feeling their needs, and touching them with the love of Jesus, so that they may reach out and touch others with the love of Jesus.
THE CENTERPIECE is available in the following formats: Braille, large print, audio cassette, and E-mail. You may also read the newsletter on the World Wide Web, by going to: www.firsttrinity.net and clicking on the "Center for the blind" link.
Terri Watson, Editor
FROM THE EDITOR
As I reflect on the spiritual significance of Easter, the following thoughts occur to me:
E is for the endless gifts of God the Father through creation; God the Son through salvation, and God, the Holy Spirit through sanctification: A is for the agape love that surpasses human understanding because it is the unconditional love that only our Trinitarian God can give; S is for the supreme sacrifice through which we have eternal life; T is for the truth that Christ is because He is the light, the truth and the way; E is for the enthusiasm with which we, as Christ's followers, are called to share the Good News of His Gospel, and R is for the resurrection that enables us to know that our Redeemer lives!
My hope for you, as you reflect on everything that Easter is and gives, is that you will laugh with the glee of Psalmists for the sheer joy of your salvation!
Blessings, Terri
FEBRUARY's MEAL
Although all of the Lutheran Center meals radiate the beauty of spiritual fellowship, February's meal was extra special because of our guest speaker, Sergeant Jeremy Feldbusch. Before Mr. Feldbusch shared his story of pain and courage, we enjoyed a sumptuous Thanksgiving feast of turkey with all of the traditional trimmings. After dinner, we offered an interesting rendition of Happy Birthday to acknowledge our meal attendees with February birthdays. This was followed by Bob Mates lifting up in prayer the many requests that had been brought to him. We then prefaced the introduction of our guest speaker with the singing of "The National Anthem." (I'm happy to report that we sounded much better singing "The Star-Spangled Banner" than we did singing Happy Birthday.) Before Mr. Feldbusch spoke, our dedicated director presented him with a plaque on which there was a BraillestPrint inscription that described its worthy recipient as a hero. Jeremy's presentation which followe!
d consisted not only of the story of this Iraqi War veteran but also answers to questions that several people had. Although many issues were covered, the recurring theme seemed to be the perseverance to do what has to be done. Between the wise words of our guest speaker and the Pastor Spittel led vespers service which concluded this spiritually fulfilling evening, we were blest with the opportunity to meet Sgt. Feldbusch. To be thanked for making February's meal possible and so special are Sherri Crum, Cindy Fenger, Bob Mates, Norma Jean Rossi, Leigh Spittel, Pastor Spittel and Debra TERHUNE.
CONTRIBUTOR's CORNER
As the Lord and Lent lead us ever closer to the miracle of Easter, I'm sure that Director Mates has just the right devotional message. Let us now be attentive to Bob's insights seasoned with words from Scripture:
Five Years: A Highlight Reel
by Bob Mates
Well, we've done it! The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind is five years old. With God's help, we've been ministering to the blind of Pittsburgh, since March, 1999.
It has been a challenging, sometimes trying, but always rewarding five years. We've grown, both individually and collectively. We've seen things happen which, if you'd told us they'd happen, we probably wouldn't have believed it! Unfortunately, we haven't always done everything right, but, apparently, we haven't done everything wrong, either. We stand, poised to face the future. These are challenging times; economically, culturally, and spiritually. It could be said that we are fighting a war: a war for the souls of people. We are ready, with the help and guidance of God, to face these challenges.
Now, when you reach a milestone, people tend to get nostalgic. Since I see no reason to go against this trend, it's time for a little Center nostalgia--a sort of "highlight reel" of great events. Are you ready to travel down "Memory Lane)" Then, let's go!
The Center held its first monthly meal, on March 16, 1999. There were ten people in attendance. I don't think I'd met any of them before that night! Since we weren't taking reservations, we had no idea how many folks would show, or who they'd be! When ten people showed up, we were beside ourselves with happiness. (In my case, being as skinny as I am, being beside myself still doesn't take up much room.) It's noteworthy that, while some of the original folks have moved away, many are still regulars.
The next highlight occurred in July, when we had a combined dinner with VIPACE. That was a very interesting meal. First, it was terribly hot that year. We had six fans going, and I think the temperature was still 95 degrees in the center! Also, we had about thirty or thirty-five people there, as well as the volunteers. We even had a TV station there, which excited a bit of controversy. All in all, though, it was a great event.
The next highlight occurred when Sherri Crum became Assistant Director, around June, 2000. I was about to go to Leader Dogs, and needed someone to run things. Sherri had been coming to the meals, and had taken an interest in the activities of the Center She came around, on a regular basis, to read the Bible. She displayed great qualities of leadership. Therefore, I asked her to come on board, and she agreed.
The next great event occurred on June 4, 2001, when Sherri, along with Geraldine Vacco, became members of First Trinity Church. This was as a direct result of do ministry. By the way, another person, Olivia Ford, joined as a result of the Center. Olivia was bringing Cathy Weber to the Center meals, and liked the people and the church so much, that she became a member!
With the assistance and skill of Vickie Vaughan, we started computer classes. Will helped quite a few people increase, or, in some cases, learn, computer skills.
Speaking of technology, we should note that this newsletter, which used to be produced only in Braille, is now available in large pint, on-line, by email, and on audio cassette! In this way, we make it more accessible.
We also need to mention the vesper services, which now take place after each meal, from 6:30 to 7:00. They started, as a result of the fact that people enjoyed a service we had after one of our meals. We got more and more requests for a service after every meal, and our pastors, Rev. Douglas H. Spittel and Rev. Eric R. Andrae, graciously agreed to preside over them. They have been very well attended, which, of course, is a wonderful thing!
Our most recent highlight occurred on February 28, 2004, when we honored Jeremy Feldbusch, a young man, from this area. Jeremy was blinded, while serving in Iraq. What a wonderful young man he is!
Now, this highlight reel isn't complete; with God's help, there will be many more highlights.
Before we end this, we have to thank our sighted volunteers. Without them, the meals would never come off. First, there are our volunteer co-ordinators, Debra Terhune and Cindy Fenger. They've been with us from the beginning, working tirelessly, to prepare the meals, schedule the volunteers, and keep the Director straight. It is they who plan the meals, and that's a good thing. If left to the director, we'd have burgers and fries every month, instead of the tasty repasts we have. There are many other volunteers, who graciously give of their time. I don't want to leave anyone out, so, with your indulgence, I'll just give you all a big "thank you".
I also wish to thank Terri Watson. When we had our first planning meeting, she was there. She has always been a strong supporter of the center. She has been of immense assistance, in publicizing events, and generation, getting the word out. Of course, she is now the editor of THE CENTERPIECE, for which she is largely responsible for reviving.
Now there's one more person I need to acknowledge and thank, and that's Sherri Crum. As you notice, if not look at the title page, she is now the Associate Director. This is because her duties have expanded, to take full advantage of her areas of expertise. Sherri has been a good friend and colleague. She is, professionally speaking, my right hand. (She also cleans the director's desk, quite which she just soon be awarded a medal for valor.) Thanks, Sherri, for everything!!
So, that's it! That's our highlight reel and our acknowledgements. This Center will continue to grow, as will our sister Center in East Pittsburgh, Living Water Christian Outreach for the Blind. We will continue to do what we set out to do, five years ago. What is that? Our Mission Statement says it all:
The Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind seeks to reach out to the visually impaired of Pittsburgh, feeling their needs, and touching them with the love of Jesus, so that they may reach out and touch others with the love of Jesus.
To all of you, thanks for making these five years the best of my life. With God's help, we'll be together for five more!
God bless.
A LITTLE HUMOR ... VERY LITTLE Although the above title is the name that our Dashing Director has given to this column, it is the humble opinion of this editor that Bob's column contains a lot of humor ... quite a lot! With that in mind, let's get ready to read, listen and laugh.
Hi, gang:
As I write this column, I'm about nine days away from hernia surgery. It will take place at 10 a.m., on March 23rd, at West Penn Hospital. (We had thought about having it performed at West Penn Billiards Supplies, but the owners were not real eager to get blood on their nice, new pool tables. Some people!)
Now, there's nothing particularly funny about hernias or their repair. Hernias are, at best, un-comfortable, and, at worst, downright painful. Since they never get better, but keep getting worse, and since the only way to fix them, when they get bad, is by surgery, anyone who has one will eventually end up "under the knife." Nothing funny about that, right?
When I met my surgeon, (a nice guy, and a real cut-up), he said that I'd be given a local anaesthetic, with what is called "twilight sleep." This means that they don't knock you completely out; you are kind of aware of what's going on.
Now, it occurred to me that, if I'm going to be aware of what's going on, there are certain things I don't want to hear my surgeon say; things which, if I heard them, might seriously undermine my confidence, damage my morale, and make me want to jump off the table! I've compiled a list of these things, and present it, for your edification and approval.
Top Ten Things you Don't Want to Hear Your Surgeon Say, While You're in Twilight Sleep:
10. I forget: am I cutting something out, or putting something in?
9. They say these Ginsu knives cut through anything!
8. Wow! What a neat hole! Hello!!!
7. Should I have told this guy I've never done this surgery before?
6. Look at all that blood! Hope I don't faint!
5. Those cadavers were never this hard to cut!
4. Nothing like a few Harvey Wall-bangers, to keep the old hand-o-roony steady, eh?
3. Hey! Let's ask him some goofy questions, and see what he says!
2. I wonder where that needle went. Well, if it's in him, I guess he'll let us know.
AND THE NUMBER ONE THING YOU DON'T WANT to HEAR YOUR SURGEON SAY, WHILE YOU'RE IN TWILIGHT SLEEP IS:
1. Oops!
IN SICKNESS AND IN HEALTH
By Kathy Susany
Due to her own illness, Kathy will not be writing her column this month. Instead, Kathy will be featured in this month's Personal Profiles, having been interviewed for this column by the Editor. Hopefully, Kathy will be feeling better soon and will have some timely information for us in April.
PERSONAL PROFILES
The following is an interview with Kathy Susany:
Question: How did you first hear about the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind, and for how long have you been involved with the Center?
Answer: I learned about the Center mostly by word of mouth. I was also contacted directly by Bob Mates.
Question: What is it that most attracts you to the center, and keeps you coming back?
Answer: Well, the good food, for one thing (said with a laugh). Along with good food, I feel welcomed and included. The computer classes I took with Vicky Vaughan and the opportunity to write my column for CENTERPIECE are specific positive things that the Lutheran Center has done for me.
Question: Let's talk a little more about your column. Do you like being able to combine your interest in science education with the importance of your faith in God?
Answer: I do like being able to combine the two. Years ago, in fact, I wrote in a poem that, "Science is the hand of curiosity reaching out to God." I also see the combination of God and science as the combination of our humanity and our divinity.
And that seems like a good note to end on. Thanks, Kath.
LOOKING AHEAD
March's meal will be held at the Lutheran Center on Saturday the 27th from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. Lucky meal attendees will at last get to enjoy "Debra's Delight," a lasagna-style Italian pie. If you don't want to miss this delight--and the joy of Christian fellowship--reserve with Bob Mates no later than Thursday the 25th by calling 412-682-1800. (The Editor wishes that she could be cloned so that she could be at Camp Kon-o-Kwee and the monthly meal at the same time.)
PRAYER REQUESTS
1. For Center Director Bob Mates: may his recovery from hernia surgery be quick and comfortable. May God also bless the hands and touch the hearts of all who will care for Bob.
2. Thanks be to God for two successful cataract surgeries for Jane Royal: these surgeries occurred on February 3rd and February 24th.
3. May the healing touch of Jesus continue to be with Charity Houser as she continues to recover from the removal of her colon.
4. May our dear Lord and Savior keep watch over Cindy Perseo as she heals from hiatal hernia surgery.
5. Praise the Lord, O my soul, for the Pittsburgh Lutheran Center for the Blind, its dedicated staff and its generous volunteers.
6. As we complete our Lenten prayerful reflections, may we be better able to perceive obstacles as miracles just waiting to happen.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
1. Bob Mates.
2. Mike O'Connor.
3. Cindy Perseo.
4. Kathy Susany.
5. Aimee Yunt for inspiring the last prayer request and part of From the Editor.
THE END