Deadline for the September/October Newsletter is Friday, August 18th.
Bergholz Community Foundation
By:Nikki Klein
The Bergholz Community Foundation Board of Trustees would like to take this time to recognize and thank everyone that played a part in making this Homecoming celebration such a success!
Beginning with ALL our event sponsors, we couldn’t have done this without your generosity!
Platinum – (James McBane, Janie DeNoon, Gary & Amy Richards).
Gold – (R.W. Baird).
Silver – (McBane Insurance, George Miser, Curt & Laurie Croskey, Bob Haring & Dale Ann Featheringham).
Bronze – (Dale & Marianne Featheringham, Robert & Michele Gribben, William G. DeNoon, Consumers National Bank).
Copper – (David & Jenny McBane, Flenniken Realty, George Davis, William & Jane Shaffer, Jeff Kemmer & Christy Kemmer, Cain Realty & Auctioneers, Thomas & Dana Kellogg, Jason & Nikki Klein).
Iron – (Everhart-Bove Funeral Home, Robin’s Greenhouse, Robert & Mindy Carpenter, Nick & Wendy Howell, Houk Landscaping, Delmar Everett, Joe Evans, Williard Davis, Deborah Mallernee, Tim & Loretta Sutton, Jax’s Pizza, Amy Macko, Williams Insurance, Raymond & Cathy Boyd, Delores Crow, Scassi Tires, Ken & Christine Pasiuk, Al & Cindy Thompson).
We would also like to recognize: The entire Village of Bergholz, our Mayor, Gary Griffith, the Bergholz VFD and Springfield Township for providing a place for the Homecoming and getting the grounds in tip top shape, the Springfield Township, for moving tons of gravel and assistance in securing event parking, the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department and our local police department for making sure everyone was safe, countless people that worked behind the scenes with planning and organizing, every detail was covered, the numerous volunteers that worked the gate, handed out flyers and wristbands, helped in the firehouse, donated delicious desserts and helped keep the grounds clean, the parade committee – It was a spectacular parade, the property owners that volunteered their land for parking, Denoon Lumber Company for assisting the Township in moving the gravel and supplying a stage for our entertainment, Chicketti Family Amusements, Chelsea Householder & the Easy Street Band, Lightning Signs, Gordon Graphics, Robin’s Greenhouse, and D&R refuse! I’m sure there are many more to thank and I’m sure I will think of it after I submit this. Please know whatever you did, big or small, it was greatly appreciated.
And lastly, but certainly not least, a HUGE shout out goes out to the Bergholz VFD & Bergholz EMS and their crew for spending endless hours preparing and serving all the delicious food!!!
Without our community, this would never have been possible, so THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!
Congratulations to the following 2023 Scholarship Recipients;
Tessa Binkiewicz, Hannah Randolph, Olivia Huff, Matthew Whitehill, Anna Wadas, Dylan Barker, Audrey Scott, and Olivia Fankhauser. We wish you all the best of luck in furthering your education.
We would like to congratulate our favorite Nurse Practitioner, Mallory Puckett on the birth of her baby, Miles Gary Puckett. Welcome Baby Miles!
Let’s Fight Together
By: T.J. Anderson
740.512.3278 740.543.4353
[email protected]
On Saturday, September 23rd, Let’s Fight Together will be celebrating its 10th Anniversary with a Festival! It will be at the Bergholz Volunteer Fire Department, 724 Monroe Street, Bergholz Ohio from 10am-4pm. There will be vendors, food, 50/50, raffles, and music.
There is a $10.00 set up fee for vendors. To sign up as a vendor, including food and baked goods, or for other information, contact TJ Anderson at 740.512.3278. All proceeds benefit Let’s Fight Together a non-profit organization for local dialysis patients.
From the Mayor
By: Gary Griffith 740.768.2632
It’s hard to believe that summer is almost to the halfway point with the upcoming July 4th holiday coming up! June 15,16, and 17 were big days in the Berg with the Community Foundation Homecoming, and the Bob Walker auction! There were a lot of visitors to the Village, and Bergholz shined with all the positive comments about our small Village!
Just a reminder, with the July 4th holiday coming up, Bergholz has an ordinance prohibiting the use of fireworks in the Village that overrides the State Statute allowing them.
Another reminder is that Bergholz is an ATV friendly Village. All you have to do to register your ATV and be legal to ride it on Village streets is bring your driver’s license and insurance card to the City Building to purchase a sticker. Either contact Jeff Kemmer or me at the Village Building 740-768-2200.
As always Thank You to all residents, both past and present, for making the
Berg the envy of the Valley!
Mayor Gary Griffith
Homecoming Parade Winners
BEST SAFETY VEHICLE
(Fire truck, Brush truck, Ambulance, Police Car)
1st- Unionport Fire Department Brush Truck
2nd- Perry Township Fire Department Rescue Truck
3rd- Bergholz Fire Department- 2002 Brand New Fire Engine #2912
BEST MARCHING GROUP
1st- Amsterdam VFW
2nd- Edison High School Marching Band
3rd- Edison High School Cheerleaders
BEST MOTORIZED /NON-MOTORIZED VEHICLE
(ATV, side by side, bicycle, tricycle)
1st-Rogan Gibbons
2nd- Ohio Valley Shriners
3rd- Jagger Bendle
BEST ANTIQUE /CLASSIC VEHICLE
(Antique car, tractor, truck, firetruck)
1st- Randi Bake and Rex Sponhaltz- Antique Car
Three-way tie for 3rd- Ben Carpenter, Boady Wood, and Brenden Simms (tractors)
BEST ANIMAL
1st- Adrienne Granatir- Horse
2nd- Maddie Granatir- Horse
BEST FLOAT
1st- Tyler Ramsey- Ag Pro
2nd- Wayne Everhart- Everhart Memorials
3rd- Faith Community Church
OVERALL WINNER
Randi Bake and Rex Sponhaltz
East Springfield Community Recreation & Service Center
By: Sue Call 740.543.3700
Join us for our monthly dinner. It is the second Thursday of each month. The time is 4-6:00 pm. On Thursday, July 13th, we will have Baked Steak, mashed potatoes, green beans, bread, drink, and dessert. The cost will be $10.00. Come join us for a filling dinner and visit with your neighbors. We sure could use extra help during these meals. Let me know if you are available or just show up!
Check social media or flyers posted in the community for details of all Center activities. The Center is available to rent. Please contact me for prices and availability.
John Gregg Elementary PTO
Jamie Wiley, President
740.768.2100
John Gregg Elementary had its annual end of the year celebration and fun day May 19, 2023. The students worked hard all year long and had a wonderful day celebrating their accomplishments!
They jumped on bounce houses, played games, danced and listened to music, watched a presentation from the Carnegie Science Center, and had snacks including snow cones, nachos, and ice cream. Our school’s resource officer, Officer Mark Clark, was such a good sport! Officer Clark sat in the dunk tank all day long! The students loved stepping up and taking a turn dunking their favorite officer!
We were blessed by many generous donations from families and local businesses. With the contributions from these folks, we were able to put together a beautiful day for the kids. We would like to thank Double M Tree Farm, Beadnell Trucking, DeNoon Lumber, Everhart Bove Funeral Home, Bergholz Supermart, Mo’s Pizza, McConnells Meat Market, Sign America, Dodd’s Funeral Home, Sunset Lake Window Tinting, Kenco Quick Mart, Carryout Express, Austin Lake, and the Somerville Family for their donations. A special thank you to all of our wonderful parent/guardian volunteers that came and helped with fun day!! You all are the best! We wish all of our John Gregg families a safe and happy summer break. Relax and have fun this summer!!
Something to Think About
By: Dave Miller
As I begin my column of this issue of the Bergholz Community Foundation Newsletter, I would be remiss if I did not say a giant thank you to the Foundation for the 30th Year Celebration. It surely was a wonderful three days for Bergholz. So much fun, anyone able to ride to their hearts content for free, excellent food, seeing friends I haven’t seen for years, sitting outside enjoying Chelsea’s music Thursday evening and the Easy Street Band on Saturday.
The month of July is when we celebrate our Independence from England as Americans. Over several weeks, I and others have been blessed to spend time studying two books under the leadership of J.O. Henry of the Mt. Zion Church. The first was Constitution Alive! by Rick Green and the second Biblical Citizenship in Modern America, also by Rick. It is shocking to realize how far America has strayed from the will of the Founding Fathers.
On July 4, 1776 a document was written by Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, Roger Sherman, and Philip Livingston. Perhaps the best-known section of that document, known as the Declaration of Independence, contains the words, “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their creator with certain inalienable rights… that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.” Actually, 156 years before, another document was written on November 11, 1620. That was the Mayflower Compact. And it contains the words, “Having undertaken for the glory of God, the advancement of the Christian faith.”
There are two symbols, very important to our freedom. one is the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia which has the words of Leviticus 25:10 molded onto it. “Proclaim liberty throughout the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.” The second is the flag. In May 1776 George Washington and Robert Morris met in the home of Betsy Ross in Philadelphia. The sketch Washington had of the new flag he envisioned was one of six points. It is said that Ross showed them that with a snip of the scissors, she could make a flag of five point. The national symbol of our nation was adopted by the Continental Congress June 4, 1777 with this resolution, “The flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white, that there be 13 stars, white in a blue field representing a new constellation.”
Washington offered this explanation of the flag colors: “White represents the purity and serenity of the new nation. The red represents the blood spilled of those who fought to maintain and establish the new nation, and the blue field stands for freedom and justice.”
The original Pledge of Allegiance was written by Baptist minister Frances Bellamy in August 1892. The words ‘UNDER GOD” were added in 1954 after a campaign by the Knights of Columbus.
In the last issue of the Newsletter, I mentioned that my doctor wanted me to have one more test, a CT scan to check on the mass seen previous in scans in the lower lobe of my right lung. That scan was taken on May 30. There is now no mass in the right lung! There is only one answer: Hundreds of prayers were answered!!
Faith Community Church
By: Chad Thompson 740.768.2835
740.512.3238
Hello to everyone in our beautiful community. For so many of us, Summer brings excitement and fun: Sunny days, vacations, outdoor activities, and time spent with family and friends. I hope and pray we all safely enjoy every moment. One of my favorite things about Summer is all of the delicious fruit, the peaches, plums, and especially the watermelon! But the fruit that is always in season, is the Fruit of the Spirit; Galatians 5:22 tells us, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” I hope and pray that we share an abundance of THAT fruit this season.
Summer is a great time to make new connections and build new friendships. We would love to have you visit and worship with us on a Sunday morning or join us for an event. Our Church service is always on Sunday at 10:45 am, and we will have some summer activities of fun and fellowship, so be on the lookout for dates and times.
One Event to come enjoy is our “Old Time Sing”, a fun evening of live music and singing, praising Jesus and enjoying the gifts and blessings God gives us. Come and join us on Sunday July 23rd at 7:00 pm.
Please check us on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/fellowshipwithfaith/
Church Services are Sunday Mornings at 10:45am, Our Youth will continue to meet Wednesday at 6:00pm, our Ladies Group meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at 6:00pm. On Thursdays at 6:30pm AA Meetings.
Please know that we are praying for you and here if you need us or have any questions. Have a blessed, safe and awesome Summer!
God Bless You.
Pastor Chad Thompson
East Springfield Christ UMC
By: Nicki Tennant 740.543.3002
Matthew 10:40 “Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 10:41 Whoever welcomes a prophet in the name of a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward; and whoever welcomes a righteous person in the name of a righteous person will receive the reward of the righteous; 10:42 and whoever gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones in the name of a disciple — truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward.”
We are in our planning stages for 2023 Vacation Bible School. The dates are July 31st– August 4th in the evening. This year’s theme is “Stompers and Chompers.” Please follow our Facebook page, watch social media, or for signs around our community for more information.
We have been very busy at Christ UMC the past few months. We completed two giving projects. Our Lent offering was for Heifer International. We collected enough money to donate goats, beehives, chickens, and to support the clean water program. In June we assembled fifty (50) personal dignity kits that were donated to Midwest Mission during the Annual Conference of East Ohio Methodist Churches. Each kit includes a towel, washcloth, soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, and razor. These kits will be donated to individuals struggling during times of crisis such as floods or hurricanes.
Big changes are happening at our church. Our beloved Pastor Greg Bush, who has shepherded us for the past five years is leaving. Pastor Greg has been accepted into the Chaplain residency program at one of the hospitals in the Houston, Texas area. He, wife Kelly, and son Brennan are preparing for this move in July. Pastor Greg’s last Sunday with us was June 25th. Although we will miss them greatly, we offer only well wishes and God’s peace and blessings as they start their new adventure.
With each ending, there is a new beginning. On July 2nd, we will welcome our new leader, Pastor Deborah Kellar. The church family is excited to see what things God has in store for us through our new leadership. If you are looking for a home church, or just want to stop in for a visit, Sunday School is at 9:45am and Morning Worship at 11:00. Please come and join us.
Bergholz Fellowship /Chestnut Ridge Churches
By: Pastor Lee Iden 330.894.2389/330.614.4395
Here we are now into the summer season! The weather, after being a little too dry for most of us has turned around and we are getting some MUCH-needed rain which we most certainly praise our Holy God in heaven for.
We at Bergholz and Chestnut Ridge UMC’s (temporarily) have been busy this past couple of months. A while back, we voted, after MUCH prayer and discernment (not unanimously, but very close) to disaffiliate from, to leave, the United Methodist Church due to matters of conscious concerning the issue of human sexuality. That was a LONG and EXPENSIVE process, but on June 8th at our Methodist Annual Conference, the vote was cast and passed. Our churches along with 274 others, voted to leave the UMC, affective June 30th at 11:59 pm.
This vote came at a cost not only financially, but also emotionally. I personally, have been a Methodist all my life and a United Methodist, since 1969 when the Methodist church and the United Brethren church merged to form the UMC. I was approved and appointed as a Licensed Local pastor in 2007 and have served only three Methodist churches in the almost 15 years I’ve been BLESSED to be doing this: Herrington Bethel UMC, south of Augusta, Ohio and Bergholz and Chestnut Ridge churches here in Bergholz. I will begin my 16th year on July 1st, 2023. I was forced to tender my resignation by the UMC because I chose not to follow the path that they were traveling. And I was surprised to realize how much that bothered me. I praise God that BOTH of these wonderful little churches have asked me to continue as their pastor and I will continue to do my best, with the help of the Holy Spirit, to preach to them the great Words of God from His Holy Word.
I would ask that you keep us in your prayers as we navigate the difficult waters of independent worship. We were blessed to hire a law firm based in Florida with an office in Columbus, Ohio that specializes in church disaffiliations and while that came at a cost also, it has been worth it. The NCLL, National Center for Life and Liberty, has been a major part of allowing us to leave the UMC.
We had at Chestnut Ridge a couple of weeks ago, what I thought was a great service; we worshiped outside in God’s beautiful creation. The weather cooperated wonderfully, the wind behaved, and it was nice! By the time you read this, if the weather has again cooperated, we will have had an outdoor service in the yard at Bergholz! I rather enjoy worshiping out of doors! There seems just something RIGHT about being out in the middle of
creation, worshiping the One who created it!
May God’s blessings be on you all, (ya’ll?), have a great, safe, and peaceful summer. If you don’t have a church home, please pray about joining us at either Bergholz Fellowship Church, where we worship even numbered months or at Chestnut Ridge Church where we worship on the odd numbered months.
SHALOM,
Pastor Lee
Amsterdam Community Church of God
8247 Bear Road SE
By: Tony Kovalesky 740.543.4041
Church:740. 543.3927
Parsonage:740. 543.3036
[email protected]
Pastor David Guess is on a sabbatical until the end of August. In the meantime, various people will be preaching at the Church of God in his absence.
On June 2 and 3 we held our annual church rummage sale. This was a major fundraiser for missions support. Thank you to all who donated and shopped at the rummage sale. We raised around $1,100 to help support future mission outreaches.
Were you ever able to experience church camp as a child? Many of us have countless memories of those times. Some may even say they are some of the best memories they have. Many of us were saved at these camps. We had seven children go to Camp Stillwater (our NEO Youth Camp) from June 18-24. We want to thank all those who donated money to provide scholarships to send these children to Camp Stillwater.
On Sunday, July 16, the Church will be hosting our annual picnic following morning service at Elkhorn Valley with a cookout, games, and swimming. The NEO District will also be holding a Family Camp Meeting at its retreat center in Berlin on July 23-29. For more information, contact the church.
Vacation Bible School is going be held from July 31 to August 4 from 6-8:30 PM. The theme this year is “Stellar: Shine Jesus’ Light.” Launch your kids on a cosmic quest where they’ll have a blast shining Jesus’ light to the world. Stellar rockets kids on an out-of-this-world adventure that’s light years of faith-building fun. VBS is open for kids entering PreK-6th grade. It’s going to be out of this world! On Sunday August 6 the children will put on a program to demonstrate what they learned at VBS. Also, as part of our back-to-school kickoff, we will be giving away backpacks, shoes, and coats! We will have a picnic to celebrate VBS following the morning worship service with the back-to-school giveaway to follow.
On Saturday, August 19, Donna Whitmore is having a human trafficking awareness and self-defense class at the Church from 10 AM until 4 PM.
Baptism is an outward admission of your Christianity. It is an act in which a Christian is immersed in water to symbolize the end of an old way of living and a new start. When you get baptized, it is a testimony to God and people that you, by faith, will live a new life as an overcomer. Pastor David is planning a baptism service in the fall. If you would like to be baptized or would like information about it, please contact Pastor in early September.
Amsterdam Community Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered program with large and small groups where everyone can find freedom from any hurts, hang-ups, and habits that are controlling their life. We cover any topic from anger, codependency, eating disorders, food addiction, love and relationship addiction, physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, chemical dependency, anxiety, depression and much more! We begin the evening with large group worship and then transition into open share small groups. We want everyone to find a sense of family at ACCR so after small group, everyone is invited for dinner in the Warrior Way Café located in the fellowship hall. We also have classes for kids ages 5-11 in the Celebration Place and grades 7-12 in the Landing. Each program meets on Wednesday at 6:30 pm. Bring the kids and make it a family night!
Our worship service starts at 10:30 am on Sundays along with children’s church. The youth meet on Monday evenings at 6:00, Celebrate Recovery on Wednesdays at 6:30, a Mixed Adult Bible Study on Wednesdays at 7:00 and both a Women’s Bible Study and a Men’s Bible Study that meets on Thursdays at 7:00.
Like us on Facebook or contact us at 740.543.3927
[email protected]. A place where imperfect people are welcomed.
