Our Community Garden made the news on March 6, 2012 when the news media noticed that we were on the agenda at an upcoming meeting of the City Council in Toledo for consideration of our application for a “special use permit” to build a greenhouse on the church property.

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Our zoning is such that we needed to request special permission for such a project before we can apply for a building permit. This caught the attention of the media who came and spoke with our three AmeriCorps VISTAs (Volunteers In Service To America), Allie Denham, Peter Meinecke, and Zachary Hillyer, about the project.

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Here is the video that was aired on March 6th:

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Greenhouse for good: foxtoledo.com

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The good news is that the Council Meeting has already happened and our application was approved. The next step is to present to the Zoning Commission next month and we’ll keep you posted on the outcome.

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Don’t forget that if you live somewhere close to The University Church then tonight (Saturday, March 10, 2012)  is the night for turning your clock forward by one hour when you go to bed!

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You can “Spring Forward” by joining us at The University Church on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. and/or 6:00 p.m. for worship as we continue our series on “Jesus Through The Eyes of John” with the second part of our examination of the story of Lazarus, “I Am The Resurrection And The Life.”

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We will be looking at the big questions posed in John’s Gospel:

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• Where are you going?
• Who are you following?
• Who are you leading?
• How will you use the life that you have been given?

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These are great questions as we journey through Lent towards Easter!

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We’ll be reading Scripture, praying together, sharing in Holy Communion and celebrating with some of our favorite music, including: “Marvelous Light,” “All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name,” and “Amazing Grace.” We’ll hear a special music piece entitled,  “You Alone Can Rescue” and we’ll be catching up on news from the community!

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Come early for fair-trade tea, coffee and cocoa with friends both old and new and then after each gathering join us at a local restaurant to continue the conversation. All are welcome!

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At The University Church in Toledo we are raising chickens to produce eggs for our local Food Bank. Online media outlets have confused “a church with chickens” with “Church’s Chicken”! Interested in chickens, eggs (which came first?) and helping those in need? Get in touch with us.

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Our Lenten Bible Study, based on the Gospel of Mark and lasting for the six weeks of Lent, begins this Wednesday (February 29th) at 6:00 p.m. at The University Church.

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• February 29^th  1^st week of Lent          Who do you say I am?
• March 7^th        2^nd week of Lent         Is it all about me?
• March 14^th      3^rd week of Lent          Ride on in majesty
• March 21^st       4^th week of Lent          The anointed king
• March 28^th      5^th week of Lent          Through the tunnel of gloom
• April 4^th          6^th week of Lent          God’s new beginning

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Come and join us! All are welcome.

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Join us at The University Church for the First Sunday in Lent – February 26, 2012 – at 10:00 a.m. and/or 6:00 p.m. as we continue our Lenten journey together.

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We will hear Scripture proclaimed, continue our sermon series on “Jesus Through The Eyes Of John” with “The Father And I Are One” based on John 10:22-30, share our joys and concerns so that we can support each other in our prayers and perhaps in other ways, sing together, and share in Holy Communion.

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On this First Sunday in Lent we look at some of the “Big Questions” that John 10 raises:

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• Where are you going?
• Who are you following?
• Who are you leading?
• How will you use the life that you have been given?

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These are great questions as we journey through Lent!

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Come early to share in fair-trade tea, coffee and cocoa as you mingle with friends, both old and new. Join us after each service as we gather at a local restaurant to eat together and continue the conversation. All are welcome!

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We will sing some classic hymns,“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” and “Be Thou My Vision,” some contemporary songs, “Those Who Trust”  and “You Never Let Go,” and hear a special rendering of “I Refuse” by Matt Cook.

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We hope to see you there!

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For a long time people have wondered, “Which Came First, The Chicken Or The Egg?”  Well, at The University Church Community Garden, we now have the definitive answer to this question.  First – actually just last week – came the chickens, as you can see:

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And then, in almost no time at all, and taking us completely by surprise, came the eggs:

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So there you have it:  Chickens first, eggs second!

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Join us on Sunday, February 19, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. and/or 6:00 p.m. at The University Church as we continue our series, “Jesus Through The Eyes Of John” with a sermon on “The Good Shepherd.”  Chapter 10 of the Gospel of John – which is all about sheep and shepherds – is structured around some of life’s really big questions:

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Where are you going?

Who are you following?

Who are you leading?

How will you use the life that you have been given?

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These are really great questions upon which to reflect as as we approach the start of Lent!

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We will have music led by Matt Cook with a special rendering of “The Artist Of My Soul”  by Paul and Susan. We will pray together, sing together, hear Scriptures from the Old and New Testaments read and proclaimed, and share in Holy Communion with each other.

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Before each service, fair-trade tea, coffee and cocoa is available and after each service we will continue the conversation at a local restaurant. Everyone is invited to join us.

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We hope to see you there.

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Lent At The University Church

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Lent (from the Old English  “lencten” – a lengthening of days) is the liturgical season before Easter, which in the Western church lasts from Ash Wednesday until Holy Thursday when The Easter Triduum begins (lasting through Easter Sunday).

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The 40 days of Lent (not counting the Sundays) recall the time spent by Jesus in the wilderness and are understood to be a period of fasting, penance, reflection and self-examination.

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Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday and is the day known for the eating of pancakes before the start of Lent. Pancakes are eaten as they are made out of the foodstuffs whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.

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Ash Wednesday derives its name from the practice of placing ashes on the foreheads of adherents as a sign of mourning and repentance. The ashes used are typically gathered after the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday are burned.

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Calendar for Lent: Our journey through Lent will begin on Ash Wednesday with a service focused on reflection and self-examination. We will include the imposition of ashes and the sharing of Holy Communion.

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Ash Wednesday Service: February 22, 2012 at 6:30 p.m.

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Our journey will continue with a Lenten Bible Study based on the Gospel of Mark and lasting for the six weeks of Lent and held every Wednesday at 6:00 p.m.

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February 29^th  1^st week of Lent          Who do you say I am?

March 7^th        2^nd week of Lent         Is it all about me?

March 14^th      3^rd week of Lent          Ride on in majesty

March 21^st       4^th week of Lent          The anointed king

March 28^th      5^th week of Lent          Through the tunnel of gloom

April 4^th          6^th week of Lent          God’s new beginning

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Shrove Tuesday Ideas

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Shrove Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday and is the day known for the eating of pancakes before the start of Lent. Pancakes are eaten as they are made out of the foodstuffs whose consumption was traditionally restricted during the ritual fasting associated with Lent.

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Oatmeal Pancakes (Diana)

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1 cup flour (white or wheat are both fine)
1 cup rolled oats
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 3/4 cup buttermilk (sour milk or yogurt work, too)
2 egg whites, slightly beaten
1/4 cup oil

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Mix flour, oats, baking powder, salt and soda.  Stir together buttermilk, egg whites, and oil.  Stir liquids into dry ingredients. Bake on hot griddle until golden.  Stir in a little more buttermilk if batter becomes thick.  Makes 12 to 14 pancakes (if you use 1/4 cup batter for each pancake.)

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Easy and Fluffy Buckwheat Pancakes (Diana)

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Hungry Jack Original Pancake & Waffle Mix
Buckwheat Pancake Mix (I used Arrowhead Mills, Organic Buckwheat Pancake & Waffle Mix)

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Follow the directions on the back of the Hungry Jack box.  (You’ll need milk, oil & eggs.)  I used the smallest quantity and simply added 1/4 cup of the buckwheat pancake mix plus about 2 Tbsp more of milk. If they come out too thick to pour, just add a Tbsp of milk and stir. If still too thick, repeat the process.  This recipe gives you more fiber with the buckwheat, but is light and fluffy like many people like!  (Like my very picky husband.  Bless him!)

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Crepes (Stephanie)

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1 cup all-purpose flour, 2 eggs

1/2 cup milk

1/2 cup water

1/4 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons butter, melted

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In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and the eggs. Gradually add in the milk and water, stirring to combine. Add the salt and butter; beat until smooth. Heat a lightly oiled griddle or frying pan over medium high heat. Pour or scoop the batter onto the griddle, using approximately 1/4 cup for each crepe. Tilt the pan with a circular motion so that the batter coats the surface evenly. Cook the crepe for about 2 minutes, until the bottom is light brown. Loosen with a spatula, turn and cook the other side. Serve hot. We eat these filled w/ a little cream cheese and fruit spread or lemon and powdered sugar or butter and syrup.

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Sour Cream Pancakes (Stephanie)

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For syrup:
Scant 1/2 cup sour cream
1/3 cup pure maple syrup
3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces

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For pancakes:

1 cup all-purpose flour

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup sour cream

1/2 cup whole milk

1 large egg

2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted, plus additional for cooking pancakes.

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Make syrup: Heat all ingredients in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally, until butter has melted.

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Make pancakes: Preheat oven to 200°F. Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt in a bowl. Whisk together sour cream, milk, egg, and melted butter (2 tablespoons), then whisk into flour mixture. Brush a 12-inch nonstick skillet with melted butter and heat over medium heat until hot. Working in batches, pour a scant 1/4 cup batter per pancake into skillet and cook until bubbles appear on surface and undersides are golden brown. Flip and cook other side, about 1 minute. Transfer to a baking sheet and keep warm in oven. Lightly warm in a skillet between batches. Serve pancakes with warm syrup.

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Join us on Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. and/or 6:00 p.m. as we welcome new members into the life of our church, pray together, sing together, share in Holy Communion and hear Scripture read and proclaimed!

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We continue our series on “Jesus Through The Eyes of John” with the story known as “The Woman Caught In Adultery” in our sermon entitled, “Neither Do I Condemn You.”

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There will be great music and fellowship, with fair-trade tea, coffee and cocoa available before each service and an opportunity to continue the conversation at a local restaurant after each service.

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We hope to see you there. Everyone is welcome.

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