The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
 320 East Russell Road
Sidney, Ohio 45365
Phone : 937-492-5025
e-mail : [email protected]

Phil Chilcote, Senior Pastor ( 937) 492-3005 (h) ( 937)726-3408 (c)
Kathy O' Donnell , Associate Pastor  (937) 214-0296 (c)
Arlene Chilcote , Pianist/ Organist
Pastor Phil's email address : [email protected]

WORSHIP/SUNDAY SCHOOL   10:15
LUNCH  11:30

OPERATION STARFISH

At first Christian we are launching "Operation Starfish

The idea of this is to help the impoverished people of Sidney.
There are some living under bridges, some who've lost jobs , lost homes ,lost health, etc.

The idea is to pledge $1.00/ week to go to local aid to those among
us who are less fortunate. This will overseen by the Ministerial Association. See Pastor Phil or Pastor Kathy to become a member of "Operation Starfish." The idea was taken from the Starfish Story that is printed below .

                                     The Starfish Story
                                     Adapted from The Star Thrower
                                                  by Loren Eiseley (1907-1977)
                                                   (who is the wise man in the story)

Once upon a time ,there was a wise man who used to go to the ocean to do his writing. He had a habit of walking on the beach before he began his work.

One day, as he was walking along the shore ,he looked down the beach and saw a human figure moving like a dancer . He smiled to himself at the thought of someone who would dance to the day, and so , he walked faster to catch up.

As he got closer , he noticed that the figure was that of a young man,  and that  what he was doing  was not dancing at all.  The young man was reaching down to the shore, picking up small objects, and throwing them into the ocean.

He came closer still and called out "Good Morning! May I ask what it is that you are doing ?"
 
The young man paused , looked up, and replied " Throwing starfish into the ocean."

"I must ask, then, why are you throwing starfish into the ocean?" asked the somewhat startled wise man.

To this, the young man replied , " The sun is up and the tide is going out . If I don't throw them in, they'll die."

Upon hearing this, the wise man commented, "But, young man, do you not realize that there are miles and miles of beach and there are starfish all along every mile? You can't possibly make a difference!

At this , the young man bent down, picked up yet another starfish, and threw it into the ocean. As it met the water, he said, "It made a difference for that one,"