Sam McMinn, Pastor c: 304.993.2134 pastorsammcminn@gmail.com
Nancy Smith: Children's Church
Dave Williams: Organist
A Message from Pastor Sam:
As Christians, it’s impossible for us to remove ourselves from our context, from our society, and because of that, it means that we are shaped by society whether we realize it or not. And there is this trend in society that I’ve been thinking about over the past several weeks, where we always jump quickly from one holiday to the next. It’s nothing new, but it seems like we start celebrating each holiday a little earlier and earlier every year. Every year it seems like the stores start putting out Christmas décor before Halloween, or Easter candy comes out right after the Valentines candy gets taken off the shelves. It almost feels like there is this need to always be looking ahead, always thinking about what comes next.
And I have to admit that I’m guilty of this too. The past couple of years, I’ve wanted to get my Christmas decorations up in the middle of November, even before Thanksgiving, so that we can enjoy them longer. I’ve already taken my kids to one Easter Egg Hunt this year, and we are still over a week away from Easter. It’s really hard to stay present in the actual season that we are in without jumping ahead to the good, enjoyable, fun stuff of life.
But this does begin to create a problem for us as Christians when we allow this type of thinking to creep into our lives and our practices. Because as much fun as the Easter Egg Hunts are, and as beautiful as the flowers, longer days, warm weather, and pastel colors are that we so often associate with Easter, we are still in the season of Lent. And even more than that, before we get to the beauty of Easter, we have to walk through the darkness of the crucifixion and death of Jesus on Good Friday.
As disciples of Christ, we have to be diligent in staying present in where we are, in what season we are in. Because these seasons aren’t just meant to help us break up our calendars or give pastors something to preach on, but they are formational for us in our faith journey. These difficult days and seasons like Lent and Good Friday are meant to help us embrace a side of life that we often like to ignore- mortality and death. They are meant to help us reckon with this fact of life, and also to embrace that even though death does not have the final say, we still feel its sting here on earth. And when we cut short or even skip over the difficult days and seasons, when we try to just dilute our faith to the beautiful and joyful parts, then we are not only robbing ourselves of the formation God desires to do in us, but we are also just fooling ourselves and others.
Now, all this is not to say that the Easter celebrations and egg hunts that have already happened are bad by any means. But what I am encouraging you to do is to stay present in this season a little bit longer. Don’t jump right to the celebration just yet. Instead, allow yourself to be formed by these last few days of Lent, and to experience the pain and loss that comes on Good Friday, to embrace the unknown time between Friday evening and Sunday morning, and then to fully embrace the celebration only once we awake on Sunday morning to the good news that the tomb is empty. I invite you to stay present in the moment and in the season this year, and see how God uses this Holy Week to speak to you, to form you, and to help you embrace the entirety of your humanity this year.
Baba Yetu is The Lord's Prayer in Swahili
Sunday, April 13th, 9:30am
Sunday, April 20th, 7 AM on the church sidewalk out front.
Join us for breakfast immediately following the Sunrise Service!
Easter morning service, April 20th, 9:30 AM.
Children's Easter Hunt immediately following the service.
Our Spring Church Yard Sale is Saturday, May 3rd! Save the date and start cleaning out! Tables will be set up in the fellowship hall after Easter, ready for you to bring your things to the church.
Lakeview will be assigned a new pastor on July 1st. Special thanks to Pastor Sam for being our interim leader. Our pastor will be Sheila Radochio. Here is her bio:
Sheila Radochio grew up in the North Central West Virginia community of Lost Creek and grew up at West Milford UMC, which she greatly contributes her roots in faith. She is a graduate of South Harrison High School and obtained her associate's degree in Gerontology from West Virginia State University in 2005.
During the covid-19 pandemic, she took advantage of zoom classes and became a Certified Lay Servant and then a Certified Lay Minister along with a Certification in Congregational Care. From there she finally listened to God's call and went to licensing school and became licensed in 2024. She is now working on her course of study through Duke University. She has been serving Robinson UMC since July 2, 2024.
She is married to John Radochio, who grew up in St. Albans and is a child and family therapist at Prestera Center. They have two children, a daughter Teri who lives in Kennesaw, GA with her husband Alan and a son, William who lives in South Charleston.
It is that time again. CHURCH SPRING CLEAN-UP. We are doing like we did the last few years. There is a Job List in the rear of the Sanctuary and there is a tear off for each task. Please take one and sign your name by the Task you choose.
You may work on it at your convenience, day or night, morning or evening, week day or weekend. Mark it complete or let Dick Thompson or John H. know when it is completed.
MAKE HER SHINE FOLKS.
The Lakeview Hiking Club meets every Monday, at 4PM, at City Park, for a chance to get some exercise while enjoying the awesome nature God has provided. Becky Child appears to know every flower, mushroom, plant on the trail and shares her enthusiasm with us. The pace is slow so we really have a chance to identify all of God's wonders. You're missing out if you don't come! Hope to see you there!
Bible Journaling....Thursdays at 10:00am at the church
Lakeview Administrative Council Minutes: April 8, 2025
Present: Karen and Wayne Kersey, Don Griffith, Martha Keene, Janet Painter, Kent Sowards, Bob Carpenter, Kathi McCormick, Linda and Dick Thompson, John Humphrey, Max Belcher, Pastor Sam McMinn, Becky Child, special guest Sheila Radochio
Opening:
The meeting was called to order by Karen with prayer.
March minutes: Motion was made to accept the minutes from the last meeting and was unanimously approved. (Martha/Janet)
Treasurer's report: Martha and Janet
Monthly update given. All bills paid. Office supplies will be purchased next month. Waiting for parsonage money. Motion made to accept the report was approved. (Wayne/Linda T.)
Transition
Bob introduced Sheila, who starts July 1. Office hours and worship times to be determined later.
Finance: Don
Committee recommends resuming apportionment payments and various donations in July based on lower pastor salary (down to $20,925) and sharing with Robinson UMC (60% to 40%), plus more pledges this year. Discussion ensued. Motion made to resume making apportionment and other budgeted donations starting in July and revisit the decision at any time at the board's discretion was unanimously approved. (Don G./Janet)
Discussion about raising Aldersgate's parsonage payment to $600 per month starting in July and agreeing to start/end dates of one year. Motion made for Aldersgate to continue a monthly payment of $500 through June 2025 for the parsonage and allow the agreement to continue for another year starting in July at $600 per month was unanimously approved. (Martha/Linda T.)
Trustees: John and Dick T.
Grass cutting will continue with Chris at the same amount as last year. Kent is going to test water sensors with Wi-Fi. Spring cleanup tasks have been posted on the clipboard. Furnace filters will be inspected and changed as needed. Starting a rotating lockup sheet (also located on the clipboard). Sign needs TLC (woodworking and paint). Chris inspected the gutters, and Bobby will look at the roof. Max installed a solar light by the steps and has two more. John will check the water at the bottom of the refrigerator.
Parsonage: Kent
All lawn equipment is working and they are cutting the grass. Roof needs inspected.
Nurture: Linda T. for Linda A.
Sunrise breakfast planned for Easter after 7 a.m. service. Yard sale on May 3 with hot dogs.
Family ministries: Kathi
Easter egg hunt coming up with the community and after the 9:30 Easter service. Palm Sunday plans with donkey, kids and palms. Discussed bible school and going to meet with Pastor Sam about archery ministry.
Outreach: Wayne
Lenten calendars were a hit (nearly $500 raised for World Central Kitchen). Undies Sunday undies were delivered. Snack bags are continuing. Shoe ministry is expanding. Three pairs were given to Lakewood this year for students to share for gym class. Anne Bailey contacted as well. May 10 is the citywide food drive for the pantry and Lakeview and Riverlawn plan to pick up donations.
Worship: Karen for Barb
5th Sunday service at St. Andrew went well and had a good turnout from Lakeview.
Pastor/parish: Bob
Discussion on changing Sunday school/worship times in July. Motion made to sign employment contract with Sheila was unanimously approved. (Bob/Karen) There is a meeting on April 26 in Weston for PPR chairs and training with new pastors. Sam plans to attend and report back.
Pastor Sam:
Appreciates support at 5th Sunday service at St. Andrew. Hopes the collaboration continues. Attended the ministerial association meeting and will include resources in the bulletin to plug the congregation into community needs. Office hours are changing to Thursday and Friday starting at 8:45 a.m. Discussed having an archery event on a Sunday evening in June with a hot dog dinner. Will meet with Kathi about the details.
Pastor Sam closed the meeting with a prayer.
Minutes submitted by Becky Child.