Deadline for the January/February Newsletter is Friday, December 16th.
From the Mayor
By: Gary Griffith
740.768.2632
It seems as if summer was like a blink of an eye this year, and it’s fall already here in the Berg. The colors of the leaves this year are spectacular!
A big thank you to the EMS for purchasing the house at the corner of Second and Monroe and taking it down. What an improvement! Hats off to The Don Moore Exca-vating Company for doing an excellent job in the demolition and cleanup of the lot.
Columbia Gas has finished installing all the new gas lines and the Contractor NPL is in the village pouring new sidewalks and follow up with repairing the streets where they had to dig them up. Thank You NPL and your employees for a job well done.
As in the past, the Village will be picking up leaves and fall yard cleanup the first part of every week. Please have it bagged and sitting out by the street. If we happen to miss you, please get ahold of us and we’ll pick it up. Thank You to all the residents that keep your leaves cleaned up because this helps the Village with drains not getting clogged.
Village Light Up Night will be Sunday, November 27, 2022, at 7:00pm. It will be at the Village Gazebo at the corner of Second and Jefferson Streets. Bring all the kids out to see Santa, Mrs. Clause, and his Elves.
Inflation is hitting everyone, even our small Village! The electric to operate the streetlights has almost doubled. Our daily operating costs just to keep the Village solvent keeps becoming more of a struggle. As a Village, we have been blessed in the past with The Community Foundation, DeNoon Lumber, Private Citizens, Springfield Township, The Jefferson County Commissioners, as well as Jim Branigan, the Jefferson County Engineer, in helping with continued monetary contributions to keep us afloat. Not to mention Village officials for doing certain tasks around the Village at no cost that we would normally have to pay someone to do to the Village!
Our current operating levy of 1.5mil first passed in 1977. It is only bringing in $2.100 per year, not even enough to keep the streetlights on. Council had to make a hard decision on what to do to keep the Village in the black and still serve the residents with the services they were accustomed to. Our Clerk, Jeff Kemmer, consulted with the Jefferson County Auditor to come up with a plan for a new levy to keep the Village solvent. The Jefferson County Auditor came up with several different scenarios as how to proceed. Council decided with a 5mil replacement levy that will bring in $31,000 to the Village per year.
Now the question on the top of everyone’s mind is, “What is this going to cost me, especially with the costs that everyone is incurring?” A large portion of the homes in the Village are taxed at a value of $50,000 or less. The cost of the 5mil levy will cost $1.50 per $1000 of value which in turn calculates to $75 dollars per year for a $50,000 home, $32.50 per half, or $6.25 per month. Another thing that attributes to the smaller amount of funds coming in from the 1.5mil levy is every time a home gets torn down, the tax value of that property gets lowered to a cheaper tax of which the Village gets less.
On October 25,2022 at 7:00pm we are going to have an informational meeting at the Bergholz Fire Hall for anyone that pays taxes in the Village. Jeff Kemmer will have some more numbers and percentages to the whole levy breakdown. If you have questions or just want to listen, we’ll see you on the 25th.
As always Thank You to the residents both past and present that make the Berg the envy of the Valley!
Mayor
Gary Griffith
Bergholz Community Foundation
By: Nikki Klein
I can’t believe Thanks-giving and Christmas are almost here! Such an exciting and busy time of year. Make sure you take the time to enjoy your family and friends.
Total Medical Care hosted an immunization clinic in October at the Lawrence P. Crow Medical Building in Bergholz. Thanks to those who came out and took advantage of this resource. Thank you to Mallory Puckett for all you do for the community.
Reminder: Mallory Puckett, CNP (nurse practitioner) of Total Medical Care is currently accepting new patients. Call 740-768-1001 on Mondays to make appointments. Call 330-956-5236 anytime during the week and let the office know that you would like to make an appointment with Mallory at the Bergholz location.
I hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving and a Very Merry Christmas!
Northeast Jefferson County Food Pantry
By: Ronnie Shockley
330.627.4080
2021 and 2022 has been challenging years with the COVID-19 pandemic. The pantry has faced some unique challenges. We thank our community for praying for us. The pantry was challenged with staying open and continuing to provide food help to our clients while keeping the volunteers safe. I want to express that every volunteer and donor makes a difference and is extremely valuable in helping the pantry to achieve our mission to feed the community.
Volunteers and donors make a real difference in the lives of those whom the pantry serves. By volunteering or donating, you inspire others to get involved to make a positive change in the community. It also sets a good example for children. As a volunteer or donor, you choose to invest your efforts into our community, and the people who live in it. You’re providing a valuable service to the community and are giving back through responsibility. Volunteering also helps you learn different things about people and cultures, which lead to your personal and professional growth. It is an act of kindness, which makes you feel good, and you will see the Lord’s blessings.
This fall the Food Pantry continues serving the growing number of people, over 50% increase, coming for groceries. Discussions with our board and volunteers, we developed a plan so that we could continue to serve people fairly and with dignity. The upcoming holiday seasons will be tough on food banks and food pantries across the United States. We will struggle to fill our shelves due to supply chain issues, labor shortages, inflation, and the effects of climate change on our food systems. I always believe the Lord will supply our food and needs. With your prayers and support, He will take care of us. If you wish to make donations, please make checks payable to Northeast Jefferson County Food Pantry.
God Bless You All!
WEBA Food Pantry
By: Ann Wiley
740.543.3972
The WEBA Outreach Food Pantry continues to serve friends and neighbors who may need a little hand up. Fresh produce is available on the 3rd Friday of each month at the pantry site. Pantry pass out is typically the 4th Saturday of each month.
Produce and Pantry pass out days are as follows:
January 20 Produce
January 28 Pantry
February 17 Produce
February 25 Pantry
March 17 Produce
March 25 Pantry
April 21 Produce
April 22 Pantry
May 19 Produce
May 27 Pantry
June 16 Produce
June 24 Pantry
In addition to food for our clients, WEBA sponsors help with utility bill payment to persons with an Amsterdam address. You must have received a shut-off notice for the utility. You can apply one time per year. A copy of identification and the bill must be presented. The payment is sent directly to the utility company. Contact must be made to Irene Saho at 740.543.3695. Anyone wishing to donate to this program can send checks to WEBA PO Box 265 Amsterdam, OH 43903. Mark in the memo “Emergency Fund.”
Once again, many thanks to our volunteers who help with set up and distribution of food. We could not operate without you. Our very generous donors are also to be commended and very much appreciated.
Have a blessed Thanksgiving and joyous Christmas holiday with family and friends.
Let’s Fight Together
By: T.J. Anderson
740.512.3278
740.543.4353
[email protected]
Let’s Fight Together has been very busy with fund raising activities. I have been selling jerky at many local venues.
Annapolis Mini Flea Market, Jewett Open Air Market, Soup and Sand-wich Fundraisers, and the Bloomingdale/Union-port Fall Fest to name a few!
Check social media or flyers posted in the community for details of Let’s Fight Together fundraising activities. Please show your support for Kidney Dialysis.
Public Library of Steubenville and Jefferson County
By: Jennifer Cesta
740.282.9782
BOOKMOBILE SCHEDULE
Thursdays
November 17th
December 8th & 29th
Amsterdam Main Street
10am
Bergholz Fire Hall
11am
Bergholz Post Office
12:30pm
Contact the Library to learn about our Book Club dates and current titles.
Something to Think About
By: Dave Miller
As I write my column this month, there are three topics I would like to cover. First, I would like to publicly express a thank you to the contractors for the Columbia Gas Company as they installed new gas lines in my area on First Street. It was tight quarters, but they were always willing to move equipment or vehicles. The man and woman who were directing traffic in this area were quite pleasant whenever I had to go in or out. And the two men who were in the house to turn off, then relight my furnace pilot light were quite gracious.
Secondly, I want to thank Pastor Lee Iden, Director Ike Moser, Accompanists Darlene Iden and Allyson Moser, and all the choir members for the Patriotic Concert on September 11. We forget so soon the tragic events of that day, and the expressions of patriotism that followed, then soon forgotten. One of these days. I would like to make the journey to Shanksville, PA to visit the Memorial of Flight 93. On September 11, 2001, our son David was a chef in a restaurant about one mile north of the World Trade Center in NYC. Hearing of the first plane attack on the tv in the kitchen, he went outside and saw the huge flame caused by the strike of the second plane. In the late 70’s, as a preacher for a church in Jewett, NY, we knew a college girl who later married one of the men who became a hero on Flight 93.
Speaking of patriotism, I am presently attending a series of sessions titled Constitution Alive at the Mt. Zion Church. The leader is J.O. Henry who served in the military for twenty-seven years, both active and reserve. His training was in chemical, biological, and nuclear warfare. The sessions are based on a series of DVDs by Rick Green. Someone has said the sessions are the most down to earth explanation of our Constitution. After each DVD, J.O. leads in a discussion of the material presented. If you ever have the opportunity to attend such a program, it is certainly worth your time. It is frightening to see how far we have strayed from the intent of the Founding Fathers of America.
East Springfield Community Recreation & Service Center
By: Sue Call 740.543.3700
Thank you to everyone who supported us with our monthly dinners. We will take a break from these dinners until Spring. Please watch social media for announcements about occasional meals, bake sales, or other activities. Thank you for shopping at our indoor yard sales too!
Our annual Halloween Party is scheduled for Monday, October 31st. It will start at 6:00pm following the Trunk or Treat at Christ UMC Parking lot. There will be cash prizes for costume winners of all ages and plenty of food.
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.
We wish everyone a blessed Thanksgiving and a joyous Christmas!
MisFit Gym
By: Tara Givens 740.461.9618
Jessica Champion 740.768.7027
Mindy Carpenter 740.768.0313
Misfit Gym is still going strong and getting people stronger every day. We continue to offer lower intensity classes with stretching, strength, and some cardio on the hall side of the building. Classes are Mondays and Wednesdays at 5:00 pm and Thursdays at 10:00 am. The gym side offers more intense classes with strength and cardio on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays at 6pm. Also, we offer gift certificates at the gym, which make a great CHRISTMAS present for your family and friends! The hall is for rent as well for $75.00 a month. Contact one of the owners to inquire about a rental.
Trinity United Presbyterian
By: Richard Cunningham Church – 740.768.2511
Pastor – 740.424.6143
For many of us, autumn is a favorite time of year. The heat waves of summer are over, the days are cooler, yet the sunshine can still be warm, and the trees give us their annual color show with their turning leaves. This could be described as the beginning of the ‘Thankful Season.’ The national celebration of Thanksgiving Day is around the corner and that leads right into the Christmas season. Each of us has so many blessings in our lives –Yes, challenges and problems every day, and yet we can be grateful for all that God has provided.
The origins of our Thanksgiving celebration are worth revisiting. The group we know as Pilgrims was actually called Separatists in England because they desired that their congregations be separate from the Church of England and the English church state. Under English law, it was illegal not to attend church and fines were levied for each missed Sunday. So, the Pilgrims moved to the Netherlands in 1607 where they found tolerance and success in spite of the language and cultural differences. But this arrangement was not to be permanent. They longed for someplace that would allow more freedom and their own identity, so they focused on the New World. The European countries were active in establishing new colonies, so the Pilgrims had options. In 1620, they entered into an agreement with the London Company for land to be called New England. Those Pilgrims interested returned to England for the trip to America. Two ships began the journey, the Mayflower and the Speedwell, but the smaller Speedwell was not seaworthy and had to turn back. Only part of the original group of Pilgrims, along with some others added by the London Company, sailed west for their new start. The Mayflower sited land on November 9, 1620, and Psalm 100 was read as a prayer of thanksgiving. The first interactions with local inhabitants were not positive because the natives had previous encounters with English traders and fishermen. But contact and interaction was limited while the Pilgrims explored the area and built permanent housing.
History tells us that the first year was a difficult one for the new settlers. But by the autumn of 1621, after a successful growing season, they were ready to give thanks to God with a harvest celebration. It included 50 English [all that remained of the original 100] and approximately 90 Native Americans who had taught the Pilgrims farming and fishing techniques that allowed for a bountiful feast. In following years, the celebration was held again but not every year. Finally, in 1863, in the middle of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed, “A National Day of Thanksgiving of Praise to our beneficent Father who dwells in Heaven.”
It would be an over site if the revised version of the results of the settlement by the Pilgrims, Columbus, and others were not mentioned. Many states have adopted Native American Day to honor the sacrifices and cultural contributions to our society made by original inhabitants.
One other important aspect of the Pilgrims’ experience in the New World was the Mayflower Compact. After landing, the Pilgrims realized that an arrangement for governing themselves was needed. So, a contract was drawn up that provided for decisions to be decided by voting, the key component of democracy. This Compact, which was adopted by a majority vote, is thought to be one of the first glimmers of American democracy and in fact has been called the world’s first written constitution.
As we gather around our Thanksgiving table to enjoy our modern-day harvest feast, let us give thanks to Almighty God for providing all that is good and to the Pilgrims for enduring hardships so that we may have this tradition together. The Pilgrims Prayer: “Thanks be to God for the strength which he has given us and the blessing he has provided in bringing us to this hour which is laden with possibilities for the future.”
Thanksgiving Feasting
By Joanna Fuchs
When the Halloween pumpkins are gone,
And the leaves have all fallen to ground,
When the air has turned windy and cold,
Then Thanksgiving will
soon be around.
Thoughts of loved ones all feasting together,
Pleasant pictures from
past times appear
To dwell in each heart and each mind–
Then Thanksgiving is
finally here!
The kitchen has
scrumptious aromas,
The dining room looks oh,
so fine,
Decorations with
pilgrims and turkeys,
And now we are
ready to dine!
First the napkins are placed on our laps;
Now the prayer for the meal to be blessed,
Then we stuff the good food in our tummies,
And we hope for it
all to digest!
Faith Community Church
By: Chad Thompson
740.768.2835
740.512.3238
Hello to our incredible Bergholz community! Summer is behind us, the air is crisp, the leaves on the trees are decorated with a variety of beautiful colors, Fall is here! We at Bergholz Faith Community Church are excited to see what the new season brings.
Right now, we have our women’s group meeting to prepare for the upcoming season. The ladies support outreach as they assist with making blankets for the children’s care packages for those in need and providing meals and prayers for those dealing with illness. Many of these wonderful sisters in Christ also make hats, scarfs, and gloves for our winter warming tree. We also collect socks for our sock tree as well. They always have fun at ladies’ group which takes place the 3rd Monday of each month at 6pm.
After a busy ministry-filled summer spent serving the community in a variety of ways, our youth are back in school. This brings about new and unique ministry oppor-tunities; one being reopening our tutoring program which takes place every Tuesday afternoon at 5:00 pm. (other arrangements may be made if someone is in need) If you are interested or have
questions contact the church office. Our Youth group isn’t ALL learning and working, we have lots of fun; we just had our youth blast, which was a lock in with VR gaming, karaoke, hanging out around the fire, and most importantly Bible studies. If any teens between 6th-12th grade would like to come be part of the fellowship and fun, our Blaze youth group will meet every Tuesday 5:30-7:00. They will also be hosting Flames of Faith the 3rd Tuesday of each month where they will help teach and plan activities for all area children pre-k-5th grade.
Faith Community is also a meeting spot for anyone who needs or can benefit from AA every Thursday at 6:30. We have several events in the works and are praying we get the chance to meet you all through the Thanksgiving and Christmas season. It would be such an amazing blessing to share this time with all of you. As always, we would love for you to come to church with us, children’s church and nursery are provided. COME AS YOU ARE Sunday at 10:45 am. Any questions? Contact Pastor Chad Thompson (740)768-2835. Please be sure to follow us on Facebook so you don’t miss out on any of our Fall and Winter events. https://m.facebook.com/fellowshipwithfaith/
East Springfield Christ UMC
By: Nicki Tennant
Pastor Greg Bush
740.543.3002
We completed our Bible Study on the book of Hebrews. We are now taking a four week look into Ephesians and then for Advent we will use Adam Hamilton’s The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem. In The Journey, Adam Hamilton travels from Nazareth to Bethlehem in a fascinating look at the birth of Jesus Christ. Using historical information, archaeo-logical data, and a personal look at some of the stories surrounding the birth, the most amazing moment in history will become more real and heart-felt as we walk along this road. Please join us on Tuesday evenings at 6:30pm for Bible Study.
We will be hosting Trunk or Treat in the Church Parking Lot on October 31st. The time will be 5pm-6pm. Following is the Halloween Party at the Community Center at 6pm.
Christ UMC will host a community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, November 20th at 6pm. In December we will assemble and deliver cookie trays to the more than twenty businesses in the East Springfield Community. On Saturday, December 17th we will once again participate in the Wreaths Across America program.
Our Christmas Eve Candlelight Service will be at 6pm on Saturday, December 24th.
The Adult Sunday School is finishing the unit in Leviticus and Exodus about Learning to Honor God. During the Winter Quarter we will study God’s Great Blessings – Blessing of a Saviour, Blessing of the Gospel, and Blessing of Grace in Christ
We are collecting items for our Mitten Tree, Mittens, gloves, scarves, hats, and socks will be donated to the Friendship Room in Downtown Steubenville. We continue to collect non-food items for WEBA. Pastor Greg has issued a challenge to each member of our Congregation to purchase at least one item each month for WEBA.
Please stop at our Little Free Library. and borrow a book or two. It is located along the sidewalk in front of the church
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/Chestnut Ridge United Methodist Churches
By: Pastor Lee Iden
330.894.2389/330.614.4395
Wait for it…WAIT FOR IT…fall is HERE! WHOOHOO! All I’ve got to do is get through one more season (that I kinda like) and it will be WINTER again! MY FAVORITE SEASON OF ALL! I love the SNOW! I don’t mind the cold, and my car never stays clean very long anyway so that doesn’t matter! Have you stopped reading yet? Sorry about that if you have, I’ll proceed onto a more acceptable subject, just for you…but now, there’s no doubt that I LOVE winter!
We have had a quiet year but a good year so far. I thought the Patriotic concert on September 11th went well for all of the issues we had pertaining to that date. It ALMOST didn’t happen, but I guess God smiled upon us and we did manage to pull it off with His help. We pray that you enjoyed the music and the SPIRIT of patriotism that it sparked. Sept. 11th is a day that for those of us who remember it, will never be forgotten. I can still see in my mind’s eye from the replays on TV, that plane crashing into the Twin Towers in NYC and watching as those massive structures crashed to the ground. I remember praying instantly for all of the people not only trapped in those buildings but also those on the ground who were too close to avoid injury or death. And then hearing about the plane at the Pentagon and the one over Shanksville Pa. that took the life of the nephew of a lady who went to our church who happened to be the aunt of Todd Beamer. For those of us who sang those patriotic songs, it was a good night.
Some of you know that the United Methodist church is in a bit of a turmoil and has been for a number of years. Well, things have finally come to a head and many churches now have the opportunity to leave the UMC. It is a sad, long, difficult, and expensive process but for those of us involved in the churches, it is necessary. I don’t want to go into the details now, but if you have questions, please give me a call, and I’ll try and walk you through the process and the reasons for leaving. Suffice to say, it is time that we go.
I look forward also to Thanksgiving and Christmas which are BOTH very near now. Thanksgiving always reminds me of how much God has smiled upon this great country, how the struggles that the indigenous people had, and how the pilgrims had to overcome so much and yet because they wanted their religious freedoms, endured.
Christmas is such a time of blessings, emotion, love, and excitement! I love thinking about that baby born in a stable because there was no room at the inn…and now I wonder if it wouldn’t happen all over again. Do we have room in our hearts to accept a God who loves us and wants a relationship with us? Will we accept a God who gives us all that we need to survive in a world that is rushing head long toward destruction? Even if it’s a destruction that He already knows about and has plans for.
We live in tenuous times. Ours is a world that is different today than it was even a few short years ago; a world that some of us don’t even recognize, but that also is God’s plan! It HAS to be bad before it can get GOOD! Scripture tells us that for those of us who endure, it’s all going to work out in the end!
If you don’t have a home church, we would love to worship with you. We meet at alternating church every month. October in Bergholz, November at Chestnut Ridge and so forth. Join us at 11:00am.
Shalom Pastor Lee Iden
Christmas Friend
I’d like to be
the sort of friend
that you have been to me;
I’d like to be the help
that you’ve been
always glad to be;
I’d like to mean
as much to you
each minute of the day
As you have meant, old friend of mine,
to me along the way.
I’d like to do
the big things
and the splendid things
for you,
To brush the gray out
of your skies
and leave them only blue;
I’d like to say
the kindly things
that I so oft have heard,
And feel that I could rouse your soul
the way that mine you’ve stirred.
I’d like to give back the joy
that you have given me,
Yet that were wishing you a need
I hope will never be;
I’d like to make you feel
as rich as I, who travel on
Undaunted in the darkest hours
with you to lean upon.
I’m wishing at this Christmas time
that I could but repay
A portion of the gladness
that you’ve strewn along the way;
And could I have one wish this year,
this only would it be:
I’d like to be the sort of friend
that you have been to me.
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]
Sunday, November 6th is the International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church with NIGERIA as the emphasis for our time of prayer.
The church will hold their annual business meeting on Sunday, November 13th following the morning service as we celebrated 2022 accomplishments and share goals and set financial obligations for 2023.
The church will host their annual community Thanksgiving dinner from 4-6 on Saturday, November 19th. This dinner will be a Sit-N-Eat and is a free dinner for all the communities around Amsterdam to express our thanks and promote community in our area. The meal will include turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes, corn, drinks, and desserts. Invite your family and friends to attend.
On Sunday, November 20th East Canton Church of God youth and adults who went to Uganda in May will share their experiences with us and challenge us to greater missions’ commitment. We may even eat some leftovers from the Thanksgiving dinner from the night before.
This year’s Advent Christmas messages will focus on the “Wonder of Christmas” as we explore the joy of the wise men’s journey, the peace found in the Good Shepherd, the hope promised in the prophecies of Jesus’ birth, the love of God revealed in Gabriel’s message to Mary, and the messy place where Jesus first entered our world; the messages point to the miracle of Christmas and God’s desire to be in a relationship with us.
The Advent season begins on November 27th. Advent is not only a time of preparation for the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, but also a focus on the Second Coming of Christ where everything will be made right. With the hustle and the bustle of the holidays, it is rewarding to reflect on the reason for the season…the birth of our Savior, Christ the Lord.
Each year Christian Women Connection (CWC), formally called Missionary Society, receives a Christ Birthday Observance Offering on the Sunday before Christmas to be used for Church of God Ministries in the United States and across the world. This year’s theme is Entertaining Angels. Our goal is $1,000.00. Each week of Advent leading up to this offering, an Advent Reading will be read drawing our focus on the theme and the words of Hebrews 13:1-2: Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.
The Annual Amsterdam Light-up Christmas Parade will start at 6:00 pm on Saturday, December 3rd. We plan to have 2-3 entries. Following the parade, Cookies with Santa will be at the church.
The CWC will sponsor the annual Church Christmas Dinner on Sunday, December 4th at 6:00pm. This covered dish event will be held in the church’s fellowship hall, and everyone is invited for a wonderful time of food, fellowship, and the singing of Christmas carols. During the morning worship service on Sunday, December 18th, the children will present their Christmas program.
Join us for our annual Candles, Carols, and Communion Christmas Eve Service on December 24 at 6:00 pm. Christmas is on Sunday this year and we will have a special service of worship for the “newborn” king. Have a blessed end of the year and beginning of a new year.
Celebrate Recovery is a Christ-centered ministry for anyone struggling with hurts, habits, or hang-ups of any kind. CR is a safe place to find community and freedom from the issues that are controlling our life. CR meets every Wednesday at 6:30.
Our Sunday morning worship service starts at 10:30 each week with the children being dismissed during the service for an experience geared towards their ages. The youth (grades 6-12) are planning for Winter Retreat in January 2023. On Thursday evenings at 7:00 the men and women meet separately for Prayer and Bible Study. There is a Co-Ed Prayer and Bible Study held on Wednesday nights, also. Everyone is welcome as we are Becoming a Christ-Centered Church by Growing Christ-Centered Followers.
From our house to yours, Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year
