Show me your ways, O Lord…guide me in your truth…. Psalm 25:4,5

Dear friends and family,
The new school year is in full swing at Hope Academy of The Bronx
(www.bhof.org/hopeacademy/). This year’s theme is Focus to Flourish, and we are focusing on learning, literacy, and love in order to flourish as God’s image-bearers and maturing scholars. We thank God for bringing both new teachers and new scholars this fall. First semester, Karen is teaching three classes: Economics & Consumer Math to seniors, Geometry to juniors and sophomores, and Math to
some of the middle school boys. Please pray for wisdom and stamina!

Dirk returned to Florida the middle of August to continue working in person with a Haitian colleague on the Orbit Braille device. Mario is developing skills for reading and writing Braille in the stand-alone mode as well asusing the device to operate his smartphone and navigate the Internet. Each trip involves a short meeting to go over the plan for the visit, a full day of instruction, and a final meeting to debrief, wrap up loose ends, and plan for the next visit.

When he gets back to The Bronx, Dirk is usually able to work through Orbit operating issues on the phone with Mario as they come up. Each of them has an Orbit, and they go through the lessons together. It is great to hear the joy in Mario’s voice as he accomplishes different tasks like locating various books and Bible verses, making lists, taking notes, organizing data, etc. Some things are still more challenging to get through when Dirk isn’t in Florida to see Mario’s work as he is doing it. Please pray that the difficulties encountered when using The Orbit Teacher app in Kreyol will be resolved soon so that Dirk will be able to see what Mario is doing on his Orbit when they are not able to work together in person.

Dirk is using Scripture materials as examples in teaching how to operate the Orbit. This is an encouragement to Mario who appreciates easy access to books of the Bible and also to Dirk who is able to select from the many Braille Scripture files that he has formatted over the years as well as those he is currently preparing. A new digital Braille project in the works is the transcription from print to Braille of a Haitian Kreyol dictionary that can be downloaded onto Braille displays like the Orbit. Dirk is in contact with someone who has done this in English and who is looking to include other languages in the project. Your prayers are appreciated as Dirk applies what he has learned from his work with Mario and others. Thank you for praying that these projects using assistive Braille technology will be helpful to people in Haiti who are blind.

In Christ,
Dirk and Karen

Personal: Dirk & Karen Martin Eaton Community Church 813 Camden Rd. Eaton, OH 45320 dirkandkaren@yahoo.com
Mission: Mission Quest, PO Box 4602, Wheaton, IL 60189 http://www.missionquest.org
Please use our account #187 (and NOT our name) when making donations through Mission Quest: https://missionquest.org/187
According to IRS guidelines, all donations are made to Mission Quest. Mission Quest must maintain sole control and discretion over the use of the funds one a tax-deductible receipt is issued. Tax-deductible gifts are non-refundable.

All Church Lunch & Membership Meeting

Sunday, October 20

• Lunch at 11:30. Everyone is welcome. Please sign your family up for lunch.
• Meeting at 12:30. All are welcome to attend. Only members vote.

Conversation with the Elders

Sunday, October 13 – Immediately following the service

• 2024 Budget review
• Meet those on the ballot for Elder Team and Finance Team

Men’s Breakfast

Saturday, October 12 (Not October 5), in Rm 10, 8-9am. Doors open at 7:30am

Toby Salyers will be sharing the unique path that he took for God’s story to intersect with his story.

1st Wednesday – October 2, 6-8pm

Dinner at 6pm. Everyone is invited! Our time will include a meal, multi-generational activities, and age specific breakouts.

Conversation with the Elders

Sunday, October 13 – Immediately following the service

This conversation will include a review of the 2025 Budget and an opportunity to meet those on the ballots for Elder Team and Finance Team.

All Church Lunch and Membership Meeting

Sunday, October 20

Lunch at 11:30am – Sign up for lunch and to bring a dessert at the Kiosk.

Meeting at 12:30pm – Everyone is welcome to attend. Only members vote.

Operation Christmas Child

Multiple ways to participate:

• Donate $ for shipping and other project costs
• Bring items – Wow items needed (Ideas at the table)
• Pack a box and return it to the table (Empty boxes at the table)
• Help at out Packing Party on Wednesday, November 6

Women’s Ministry Brunch

Sunday, October 6, 11:30am in Rm 101

Mark your calendar and plan to join us as we gather for a meal and a time of fellowship and teaching.

All Church Lunch & Membership Meeting

Sunday, October 20

Lunch, 11:30am: Sign up for lunch and to bring a dessert at the Kiosk.

Meeting, 12:30pm. Every one welcome to attend. Only members vote.

Conversation with the Elders

Sunday, October 13, Immediately following the service

ECC Students Fall Retreat

October 18-20

For students 7th – 12th grade. More information and registration on our website. Deadline to register is October 13.

The vote to approve the transition of Pastor Josh Harpold from Youth Pastor to Associate Pastor passed with 149 yes and 4 no.

Called Membership Meeting

Sunday, September 15 immediately following the Worship Service

The purpose of the meeting is to vote on the proposed transition of Pastor Josh Harpold from Youth Pastor to Associate Pastor. All are welcome to attend. Only members may vote.

ETCH Electives

Beyond Sunday – Dive deeper into the sermon, music and other elements form the previous week. No registration required. 

True Financial Freedom – In this grace-filled class, we arm you with specific strategies that work today and Biblical mindsets to develop. $15 for workbook. Course starts 9/18.

Women’s Bible Study: Jonah – In this 7-week study, Priscilla Shirer redefines interruption and shows that interruption is actually God’s invitation to do something beyond our wildest dreams. $15 for workbook. Class starts 9/18. 

ECC Kids: Classes for K – 6^th grade to help them learn about Christ.

Full details and descriptions on our website. Register at the table in the Gathering Area or on our website.

Membership Class

Thursdays Sep 26, Oct 10 & 24, Nov 7

Covenant Membership Class is an opportunity to learn more about the heart of the ECC church family and God’s vision and mission for us. RSVP to the office, 937.456.5507 or Dee by September 18.
 

Kids Connection Parent Newsletter

Click here to stay up to date on what’s happening in Kids’ Ministry.

ECC Students

DOer Group begins Sunday, September 8th

Meal at 5:30pm, DOer Group Time from 6-8pm

JAMES 1:22 ESV “BUT BE DOERS OF THE WORD, AND NOT HEARERS ONLY…” 

Our approach to ministry is to give students the freedom to experience what we hear from the word of God. We hope to help each person develop an all-encompassing view of what it means to be a follower of Christ. There will be elements of fellowship, worship, prayer, service, study and challenge. We are helping develop DOERS of the WORD!

Sometimes we meet as one big group, other times we split up by grades. Throughout the year, we may take an evening and do a service project together, do an art project together or more. Come ready to enjoy time with friends and most importantly, Jesus.

ETCH Electives

Beyond Sunday – Dive deeper into the sermon, music and other elements form the previous week. No registration required.  Starts September 11.

True Financial Freedom – In this grace-filled class, we arm you with specific strategies that work today and Biblical mindsets to develop. $15 for workbook. Course starts September 18.

Women’s Bible Study: Jonah – In this 7-week study, Priscilla Shirer redefines interruption and shows that interruption is actually God’s invitation to do something beyond our wildest dreams. $15 for workbook. Class starts September 18.   

Full details and descriptions on our website.

Register at the table in the Gathering Area or on our website.

Operation Christmas Child Full Circle Speaker

Friday, September 13 at Noon in Rm 101

Join us for Alex Nsengimana’s inspiring story of survival and healing after witnessing Rwanda’s genocide. A simple shoebox gift brought him hope. RSVP to the office, 937.456.5507.
 

Birthright of Eaton 25 year Anniversary

Sunday, September 15 from 1-3pm at 212 E. High St., Eaton

Come celebrate 25 years of standing for life, and providing service to our community.

Men’s Fraternity – The Quest for Authentic Manhood

This study will equip you to become an authentic man. Robert Lewis, a pastor, put this study together to give specific ways that you can understand what it means to be a man. For more information or to register for this course, stop at the table in the Gathering Area. This session will start Sunday, September 22nd.

ECC Kids Ministry – Join Us!!

Thank you for your support during this year’s Adventure Week! If you’d like to continue to support our Kid’s Ministry, we need you! As we continue to grow, we’d love for you to join us! Teacher assistants and nursery care volunteers are needed. Serve once a month, once every other month, or as an occasional substitute. Please prayerfully consider how the Lord may want to utilize your gifts in this ministry. Contact Debbie or Bev soon. 

Operation Christmas Child – Full Circle Speaker

Friday, September 13 at Noon in Rm 101

Growing up in midst of an unstable Rwandan government, Alex Nsengimana experienced first-hand the travesties of his nation’s genocide. He received a shoebox from Operation Christmas Child one year after arriving at an orphanage and remembers being so excited to have a gift to call his own. To find out more about how God protected and intervened in his life after surviving the Rwandan genocide, please join us for a special time of Alex telling his story of redemption and forgiveness. Please RSVP to the office, 937.456.5507 or dee.carver@eatoncommunitychurch.org.

Membership Class

Thursdays, Sep 26, Oct 10 & 24, Nov 7 at 6:30pm in Rm 101

This class is an opportunity to learn more about the heart of the ECC church family and God’s vision and mission for us. We believe the church is one body, made up of many parts (1 Cor. 12). We’d love for you to take your next step and covenant with the church family to be a part of fulfilling our mission.

If you would like to take this step, email Dee, dee.carver@eatoncommunitychurch.org or call the office 937.456.5507.

Men’s Fraternity – The Quest Graduation

Congratulations to these men who completed year 1 of Men’s Fraternity.

Top row: Will Watkins, Toby Salyers, Dennis Hayes, Paul Hayes

Middle row: Mike Sinks, Mike Derringer, Jeff Poynter

Bottom row: Lloyd Lamb, Donald Hayes, Denver Crosier, David Rudicil

A Common Thread

Tuesday, August 27th in Rm 101, 6:30-8pm

Hey gals (7th grade and up) who love to crochet or knit! We’re meeting on Tuesday evenings to work on our current projects. All skill levels are welcome to join. If you have questions, reach out to Mindy Pigg at 937-307-0228 or email her at booksmakemehappy@aol.com.

ECC Kids Ministry – Join Us!!

Thank you for your support during this year’s Adventure Week! If you’d like to continue to support our Kid’s Ministry, we need you! As we continue to grow, we’d love for you to join us! Teacher assistants and nursery care volunteers are needed. Serve once a month, once every other month, or as an occasional substitute. Please prayerfully consider how the Lord may want to utilize your gifts in this ministry. Contact Debbie or Bev soon. 

Informational Meeting

Monday, August 19, 6-7pm in Rm 101

This is the final info meeting to learn more about the proposed transition of Pastor Josh to Associate Pastor. If you have not attended one of the previous meetings, we encourage you to attend this one.

ECC Students

Back to School Cook-out: Friday, August 16, 5:30-8:30pm

Hosted by the Denlingers, 4018 Yost Rd., Eaton. Parents are welcome to stay – you may want to bring lawn chairs.

Canoe Trip – Sunday, August 25

Meet at the church at 9am. We’ll have church and lunch on the river. More info and registration on our website.  Register by August 19.