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GOOD SAMARITAN CHURCH THE MESSENGER VOLUME 107 ISSUE 10 OCTOBER 2018 FROM THE PASTOR S DESK LETTERS TO MY CHILDREN STEWARDSHIP Dear Beloved Community This will be the last installment of my letters to my children where I have written on matters of faith from the perspective of a mother talking to her children In many ways it is not so different from my pastor s heart for all of you and the whole world I hope in overhearing you have perhaps heard something of value that draws you closer to God Dear Children of Mine and Children of the World You are learning how to share right now It s hard For most kids sharing doesn t come naturally but the grown ups in your life are trying to teach you how to care for each other how to hold your possessions a little more lightly and how to not scream That s Mine quite so often We truly believe you will be happier and have more friendships and deeper friendships if you can learn how to share The ironic thing is that even though almost all of us learn to share as children and teach our children to do likewise it seems to be a skill we forget as grownups You will discover that many of the adult made problems in the world could be solved with a little sharing but like you at two years old we stomp our feet fold our arms and refuse wanting to hoard it for ourselves saying I need it OR even I don t want them to have it We look quite ridiculous I know As children everything you have comes to you as a gift from your parents or someone in your life Sometimes when we as your parents hear you claim such incredible ownership of your things and refuse to share we have to remind you PLEASE NOTE CHANGE IN PASTOR JEN S SCHEDULE Due to the fact that our children are now in school and we are adjusting our schedules to accommodate their transportation and days at home I will be changing my work schedule at Good Samaritan to Sunday through Thursday I will take Friday and Saturday as my days off Submitted by Pastor Jen Daysa that it was gift from us and that we want you to share it As you grow and become more able to make things or earn things you will start to think they belong to you even more but never buy into that lie Everything we have whether as a child or an adult comes to us ultimately as a gift from God and God wants us to share We always chuckled when you were younger and you would give us something like pretend tea in your plastic tea cups You would hand it to us and then command Okay now give it back It turned out you were merely lending it to us You wanted us to refill it with pretend tea and then generously share it back with you Yes on the one hand you needed to learn how to give without needing expecting anything in return without demanding take backs On the other hand early on you possessed a kind of wisdom first the wisdom that when someone gives you something the proper response is to give something back in gratitude second the wisdom that often we are merely being lent something asked to care for or enjoy it for a time and then it is supposed to be returned Stewardship is a big word but someday you will start to make sense of what we talk about in church that God gives us good things or lends us good things for a time and the only proper response is giving back or paying forward what we can in gratitude Perhaps what I most want to share with you about stewardship and sharing is something you too will discover if you ever become a parent I don t know if I ever really understood generosity until you came into my life I am so wildly invested in your life in your happiness and wellbeing that giving to you has come as naturally as anything I have ever done Sometimes I know continued on page 9 1

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BIRTHDAYS Katherine Fullerton 10 03 Savana Raan Sihapanya 10 05 Steve Crist 10 07 Jean Adams 10 10 Scott Shaw 10 13 Dick Hall 10 17 Eddie Kosinski 10 17 Ginger Breitkreutz 10 20 Gretchen Ackerson 10 26 Edna Smith 10 29 If your birthday or anniversary is not being listed in the newsletter and you would like for it to be please contact Carolyn Woodard ANNIVERSARIES Eric Johnson Kevin Van Dien 10 21 Bruce Barbara Wright 10 25 FELLOWSHIP Available 10 7 Available 10 14 Carolyn Woodard in honor of Jean Adam s Birthday 10 21 Available 10 28 We are looking for volunteers to sign up to sponsor or provide food for fellowship FLOWERS If you d like to place flowers in the sanctuary in honor or memory of someone or some event please contact the office or Robin Becker Available 10 7 Available 10 14 Carolyn Woodard in honor of Jean Adam s Birthday 10 21 Available 10 28 M Gathered before the tour for a group photo alphabetical order Jean Adams Sandy Badger Robin Becker Ginger Breitkreutz Sarah Butz Rev Bill Cooley Rev Jean Cooley Randy Dalrymple Beverly Finn Jane Gaylord Eric Johnson Bev Kelly Mickey Moore Sue Palmieri Scott Shaw Barb Steger Suzie Steger Martha Taylor Ferris Van Dien Kevin Van Dien and Carolyn Woodard SEPTEMBER OASIS TRIP TO THE JAMES MUSEUM OF WESTERN ART On Friday September 14th twenty one Good Sam members and friends were led on a private docent led tour of the new James Museum of Western and Wildlife Art in St Petersburg as part of an Oasis trip The museum features 5 themed galleries including Early West Native Life Native Arts Frontier Wildlife and the Special Exhibition Art the Animal Such a beautiful museum in such a fantastic peaceful space After the tour many group members had a delicious dinner at the restaurant Oak Stone Submitted by Eric Johnson OFFICE HOURS Pastor Jen s Hours Sunday Thursday Days Off Friday and Saturday Church Office Open Tuesday Thursday 10 00 3 00 ATTENDANCE August 26 44 September 2 46 9 50 16 52 23 45 MEETING SCHEDULE FOR THE 5 MINISTRY TEAMS Care Team Meets 1st Wednesday 10 00 12 00 noon Spiritual Formation Team Meets 1st Wednesday 6 00 8 00 p m Fellowship and Outreach Team Meets 2nd Sunday Noon Justice and Mercy Team Meets 2nd Sunday after worship Resource Development Meets 3rd Wednesday 6 00 8 00 p m Session Team Meets 4th Wednesday 6 00 8 00 p m 2

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FROM BRUCE WRIGHT Community M Eric and his Aunt Paula at Yellowstone National Park featuring Yellowstone Falls at Artist Point ERIC ON TOUR To celebrate my dear Aunt Paula s recent 45 years retirement we celebrated by taking what I named Paula s Western Frontier Retirement Adventure On an 8 Day Caravan Americas charted bus tour of Mt Rushmore Grand Tetons Yellowstone We saw and experienced some amazing sights wildlife added 6 new state credits South Dakota Wyoming Montana Idaho Utah and Colorado Trip highlights included visits to Crazy Horse Memorial Mount Rushmore Monument Devils Tower Little Bighorn Battlefield Memorial Big Sky Country Yellowstone National Park including a two night stay at the historic Old Faithful Inn Grand Tetons National Park Salt Lake City and a quick day in Denver Met some fantastic people on the trip and I was even able to squeeze in adding 18 new roller coaster credits bringing my coaster count to 526 and 4 new theme parks as an add on after the tour But the best part was getting to spend quality time with my Aunt Paula who has always been a rock and extremely generous to so many people in her life Wanted her to be able to sit back and relax As always when she and I get together we always have some great laughs Couldn t ask for a better travel buddy It was a truly special and relaxing trip Submitted by Eric Johnson O Eric and his Aunt Paula at Devils Tower National Monument and at The Grand Tetons National Park in Wyoming 6 Community a unity harmony of sights and sounds that resounds and echoes as it flows all our pain and woes It knows one another as Sister and brother it speaks as it seeks to unite our plight sown and grown in the ground of all thats around a seemless garment thats meant to flow from all we know and dont know as we grow and hoe the soil and don t recoil from our intersection but by rather experience resurrection of life ending the strife thats rife the feeling of a death dealing society with much anxiety and inpropriety We move to an insurrection that is a reflection a glimmer a taste to end any waste of time but a sublime move to a different grove of sharing and caring bearing all burden and weight joined in fate unseperated by whats berated so much of our conception and preception of how things are whether near or far We no longer mar or distort all voices we report We no longer resort to hide in our fort we design to consign and limit our self put on a shelf but now alive as we strive to create a new fate rising to a plateau that friend and foe join in relation as a nation a humanity a return to sanity an end to the profanity of vanity We now emerge as we surge to converge to join and rejoin the body the organism with no schism or any ism we achieve and concieve a new existence of Community of Community with no impunity but only love from above and down below this we will now sow Community Community Community Submitted by Bruce Wright copyright August 25th 2018 Resistance Resistance an insistence of persistence with a consistence to continue to fight with all your might and see what s in sight Take on the night shine the light for all to see to set us free from the chains that bind our heart and mind to be released the struggle ceased power increased to rise up to disrupt the corrupt forces at work in society with all its impropriety Those with notoriety no longer in control of our collective soul We re now whole the common humanity an end to the insanity of the profanity of the creed of greed its seed uprooted no longer deluded by the poison of possession a new confession with no obsession of amassing riches for selfish gain a profain way to live Now instead we give no longer commodified but purified by breaking the shackles of the old way we have a voice to make a choice to not be restricted and constricted but reconstructed to our natural state It s not too late We cannot wait for a date to come but rise up now hands to plow sow the seed of insurrection a resurrection of the inspiration to resist we must enlist all people from across the planet and not take for granted that we can wait for the fate that may be upon us may destroy our existence So with insistence resistance now not later must be our call or we will fall Submitted by Bruce Wright copyright August 25th 2018 A NOTE FROM JULIE DAYSA Greetings from the desk of the new Director of Family Ministries at the Unitarian Universalists of Clearwater I m looking forward to learning and growing in this new position along with my trusty little Assistant Director Lizzie I will be working part time which coincides well with Jacob Joelle starting school this year Pastor Jen and I will be shuffling Jacob Joelle between congregations on Sunday mornings so we appreciate all of your offers to help with them while we settle into a new routine for our family UUC is an active member of FAST so I m sure I ll still be seeing a lot of you at events Thank you for all of your well wishes as I start this new chapter Shalom Julie Daysa

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FROM THE PASTOR S DESK continued from page 1 I don t always give you everything you ask for but I do try very hard to give you everything I think you need everything that will be good for you and make you happy long term I give you as much as I possibly can and it breaks my heart when I can t There is rarely a moment s hesitation when I think about giving to you It is just part of me to want what is best for you and do everything I can to make sure you get it Rarely does it feel like a sacrifice even when it is I don t sit there with my checkbook wondering if I should pay your hospital bill for you or get you the school supplies you need I don t hem and haw about how much of our household budget you deserve to receive I don t think about whether you really deserve all the time I give to your care I invest in you even more than I invest in myself That is how it is supposed to be between a parent and a child I have found that faithful stewardship of God s resources is learning to take that natural generosity and wholehearted investment which only love can compel and extend it out from your children partner and immediate family members to all of God s children Just think what the world could would be like if everyone gave as generously to each other s care as parents at least the good and healthy ones give to their children What if we were that invested in one another s success health and well being What if we were that invested in what God is doing in the world all in without hesitation or holding back What if giving to charity non profits church or social welfare programs wasn t just seen as an extra or something we might do if we have leftovers but as much a part of our identity as giving to our children You will know God s love has taken root in you when your fists unclench My most difficult decisions of faith and generosity now are the choices I sometimes have to make to give to others of God s children or ministries programs and justice initiatives I believe will help them even when it means I have a bit less to give to you I do so because I believe it is what God has called me us to do because I believe it is part of being co workers in God s dream of beloved community and because it is what I would want someone to do for you us if ever we needed help There is a joy in sacrificial living even when it is hard I hope you take that to heart and stretch yourself to give beyond your comfort zone You will be blessed but probably not in the ways you expect for living in such an openhearted open handed way While I hope that you are wise in your preparations for the future I also hope that you take a few leaps of faith and prioritize those things in life which really matter God s beloved supporting them with your God given talents your time and your resources You have seen the way we grown ups have not always been good stewards As Global Warming changes the earth and we see a rise in major storms and natural disasters our planet has become a heartbreaking testament to our failures to adequately care for what was entrusted to us as is the growing disparity between the rich and poor of this world You will wonder someday how we could have been so shortsighted I am truly sorry we haven t left you a better inheritance Your life will no doubt be made much more stressful by the brokenness we created Already in your short lives you have seen hurricanes red tide and much more that has had a direct impact on your life I have hope you will find solutions to the problems the mess we have made I believe your generation can figure out better ways to share and to use the resources of the earth Dear ones I weep with you for the pain you will know which could have been avoided if only we had chosen to live and love differently and yet I trust that God will be at your side leading you on as you find a way forward Never lose hope that there is a way God always has way forward into life even from death With all my love Mama Jen Pastor Jen SUNDAY OCTOBER 28 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING To vote on slate for the nominating committee for new session members That committee will then nominate prospective session members to be voted on at a later date 9 FAST MINISTRY By the end of September our FAST Ministry hosted four House Meetings including one at Westminster Shores where those present were asked to share a major concern These concerns were transcribed and will be submitted to the FAST Board October 1st They will be put into categories and presented at the ANNUAL ASSEMBLY October 29th where network members will vote on the issues that we will focus on in 2018 19 Each person who commits to becoming a Justice Ministry Network Member will attend four assemblies during this period bring three other people with them to the Nehemiah Action and if possible invest at least 200 During the year they will be contacted by their Team Leaders and receive frequent emails to follow the progress as the issues are researched and action is taken Our team leaders this year are Beryl Fruth Ginny Thompson Rev Bill Cooley Rev Jean Cooley One of our long time network members Ralph Madison attended a recent FAST meeting regarding the Restorative Practices programs which FAST recommended and the School Board adopted last year Ralph wrote I also was encouraged by what the presenter Mr McClendon had to say about the Pinellas County School system He said that International Institute of Restorative Practices of which he is a representative was in the process of training administrators and teachers in the system so that they would be able to train others This is definitely a carryover issue that FAST will continue to follow We will ensure that there is oversight and review of the progress in each school to ensure that there is an effective and sustainable implementation of the program Not a network member but curious about FAST You can attend the Annual Assembly without a vote and see justice in action in Pinellas County That s October 29th at 7 00 p m Holy Family Catholic Church 200 78th Ave NE St Petersburg FL 33702 It s not too early to put the Nehemiah Action Assembly at the Trop on your calendar Monday April 8 2019 How do we stand FAST TOGETHER Submitted by Bev Kelly

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BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY CLUBS As part of Stewardship we ask that those celebrating birthdays and anniversaries donate to Good Sam a dollar per year The following are the names of those in the Birthday and Anniversary Club for 2018 The total collected for both categories so far this year is 968 00 BIRTHDAY CLUB Ann Hodson Jean Cooley Kate Hall Martha Taylor Bev Kelly Grace Forsythe Chuck Taylor Nancy Rudasill Roy Rudasill ANNIVERSARY CLUB Ann Loren Hodson Jane Dick Gaylord Dick Kate Hall Jean Bill Cooley Nancy Roy Rudasill Thank you to all who have participated Submitted by Kate Hall FOOD PANTRY REPORT AUGUST 2018 Number of days open to serve clients 13 Number of clients served Adults 166 Children 79 Total 245 Volunteers during August were Bev Kelly Ginny Thompson Ginger Breitkreutz Kate Hall Tom Fauquet and Clarence Wilkerson Judy Friend joined me on Tuesday August 21 when Ginger was away I hope she ll be willing to help in the future The number of individuals provided with food so far in 2018 is 2 039 The number of family members for clients coming to our pantry for the first time in August was 135 We received a very large donation from the Boys Girls Club as they ended their summer program They had small containers hundreds of shelf stable milk and many large boxes of honey oat flavor cereal Mirko and Michelle used their cars to bring the food to the pantry and Bev and Ginny found places to store it The new Publix in Disston Plaza opened on Saturday September 8th Mirko and I went there on Monday morning and picked up so much baked goods that we were able to share with the St Giles pantry Your weekly donations of food are very important Soups vegetables spaghetti sauce and canned meats tuna are most needed Watch for the BOGO features in the grocery store ads each week Food and money donors in August Patricia Waloga Sue Palmeri Cindy Pugh Donna Harris Lewis Hill Boys Girls Club Goodwill Industries Trinity United Church of Christ Submitted by Kate Hall All the Good Sam weekly donors FOOD PANTRY NEEDS Canned Goods Meat Fruit and Vegetables FEBRUARY 2019 ALL CHURCH RETREAT We are headed to Cedarkirk our Presbytery s camp for an overnight retreat It will be a time of community building relaxation and drawing closer to God Family friendly More info to come Cost 95 includes meals RESERVE THE DATES FEBRUARY 9 10 Submitted by Pastor Jen Daysa M Jean Adams used her Science background to lead the children on a garden safari on Sunday September 16 They learned about the nature all around them P Each child had a list of things to look for and a small magnifying glass to help them see Ashlynn Spencer Judy Friend s granddaughter got assistance from teacher Chris Osberg checking items off her list 10

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OCTOBER 2018 DAILY LECTIONARY Monday October 1 2018 Psalm 140 Esther 4 1 17 1 Peter 1 3 9 Wednesday October 17 2018 Psalm 39 Job 32 1 22 Luke 16 19 31 Tuesday October 2 2018 Psalm 140 Esther 5 1 14 1 John 2 18 25 Thursday October 18 2018 Psalm 104 1 9 24 35b Job 36 1 16 Romans 15 7 13 Wednesday October 3 2018 Psalm 140 Esther 8 1 17 Matthew 18 6 9 Friday October 19 2018 Psalm 104 1 9 24 35b Job 37 1 24 Revelation 17 1 18 Thursday October 4 2018 Psalm 26 Job 2 113 26 Galatians 3 23 29 Saturday October 20 2018 Psalm 104 1 9 24 35b Job 39 1 30 Luke 22 24 30 Friday October 5 2018 Psalm 26 Job 4 1 21 Romans 8 1 11 Sunday October 21 2018 Job 38 1 7 34 41 Psalm 104 1 9 24 35c Isaiah 53 4 12 Psalm 91 9 16 Hebrews 5 1 10 Mark 10 35 45 Saturday October 6 2018 Psalm 26 Job 7 121 Luke 16 14 18 Sunday October 7 2018 Job 1 1 2 1 10 Psalm 26 Genesis 2 18 24 Psalm 8 Hebrews 1 1 4 2 5 12 Mark 10 2 16 Monday October 22 2018 Psalm 75 Job 40 124 Hebrews 6 1 12 Tuesday October 23 2018 Psalm 75 Job 41 111 Hebrews 6 13 20 Monday October 8 2018 Psalm 55 1 15 Job 8 1 22 1 Corinthians 7 1 9 Wednesday October 24 2018 Psalm 75 Job 41 12 34 John 13 1 17 Tuesday October 9 2018 Psalm 55 1 15 Job 11 1 20 1 Corinthians 7 10 16 Thursday October 25 2018 Psalm 34 1 8 2 Kings 20 12 19 Hebrews 7 1 10 Wednesday October 10 2018 Psalm 55 1 15 Job 15 1 35 Matthew 5 27 36 Friday October 26 2018 Psalm 34 1 8 Nehemiah 1 1 11 Hebrews 7 11 22 Thursday October 11 2018 Psalm 22 1 15 Job 17 1 16 Hebrews 3 7 19 Saturday October 27 2018 Psalm 34 1 8 Job 42 7 9 Mark 8 22 26 Friday October 12 2018 Psalm 22 1 15 Job 18 1 21 Hebrews 4 1 11 Sunday October 28 2018 Job 42 1 6 10 17 Psalm 34 1 8 19 22 Jeremiah 31 7 9 Psalm 126 Hebrews 7 23 28 Mark 10 46 52 Saturday October 13 2018 Psalm 22 1 15 Job 20 1 29 Matthew 15 1 9 Sunday October 14 2018 Job 23 1 9 16 17 Psalm 22 1 15 Amos 5 6 7 10 15 Hebrews 4 12 16 Mark 10 17 31 Monday October 15 2018 Psalm 39 Job 26 114 Revelation 7 9 17 Monday October 29 2018 Psalm 28 Isaiah 59 9 19 1 Peter 2 1 10 Tuesday October 30 2018 Psalm 28 Ezekiel 18 1 32 Acts 9 32 35 Wednesday October 31 2018 Psalm 28 Ezekiel 14 12 23 Matthew 20 29 34 Tuesday October 16 2018 Psalm 39 Job 28 12 29 10 Revelation 8 1 5 2018 DISASTER RESPONSE GUIDES An updated 2018 Disaster Response Guide is available in the narthex New information is included on various topics pertaining to hurricanes There is a copy available for each Good Samaritan household Hurricane Irma was a stark reminder of our vulnerability to potentially dangerous storms Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30 Weather experts are predicting an above average storm season Now is the time to prepare for severe weather events If history is any guide our area is most susceptible to hurricanes in August and September Submitted by Clarence Wilkinson 11 TREASURER S REPORT The year to date income through August is under budget by 9 600 On the expense side we are over budget yearto date by 600 We are over 10 000 in the red for 2018 In July I needed to take 6 000 from the church s savings account at PNC Bank to cover expenses The large cash balance in the operating account at the beginning of 2018 was used up earlier I have begun to work on the 2019 budget The insurance renewal was received last month The premium has increased by 5 7 over last year This is one of our largest expenses other than our personnel expenses I have not received notification from The Pension Board of the United Church of Christ of the rates for Pastor Jen s health and life insurance coverage We are still in negotiations with Lutheran Services Florida on a lease for the Head Start program for 2019 The Resource Development Team will bring a recommendation to session on September 26 2018 The Small Change offering for July was Submitted by Kate Hall 37 77 DEADLINE FOR SEPTEMBER 2018 MESSENGER IS AUGUST 15 Send all information for submissions to carolyn woodard 130 gmail com ST JAMES LIST Pray for one another that you may be healed James 5 16 Let us remember those members and friends who have asked for our prayers and those who are unable to attend worship Jennifer Kelly Eddie Kosinski Edna Smith Scott Shaw Ted Swift Nancy Rudasill Dorothy Morton Annie Gambino Betty Frank Ann Hodson s Mother Dawn Johnson Kaycee Wargo Dottie Boake Landon The Kosinski s Grandson Barbara Wright JoJo Wicks Steve Judy Zebos Bernadina Uzoh and Good Samaritan Church

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THIS NEWSLETTER MUST BE PLACED INTO A STAMPED ENVELOPE TO BE MAILED THE MESSENGER of Good Samaritan Church 6085 Park Boulevard Pinellas Park FL 33781 727 544 8558 Email goodsam church tampabay rr com Web Site goodsam church org Our Mission PREPARED WITH LOVE FOR To Build The Beloved Community A Ministry of Hospitality Vision and Justice A Global Mission Church Check out Good Sam on FACEBOOK SESSION Rich Feigel Clerk Kate Hall Treasurer CLASS OF 2018 Sarah Butz Eric Johnson Carolyn Woodard CLASS OF 2019 Gretchen Ackerson Mickey Moore Linda Rupp CLASS OF 2020 Beryl Fruth Chris Osberg Sophia Stringer Jesus didn t reject people Neither do we CELEBRATING OVER 100 YEARS THE MESSENGER Newsletter of Good Samaritan Church Presbyterian Church USA More Light and United Church of Christ Open and Affirming Sunday Worship 10 30 a m Fellowship Coffee Hour Following Worship GOOD SAMARITAN CHURCH STAFF Rev Jen Daysa Pastor Rev Jean Cooley Parish Associate Gregory Allen Director of Music Ministries Michelle Hughes Office Administrator Shelby Lamb Nursery Assistant Mirko Bratic Custodian Rev Dr Harold M Brockus Pastor Emeritus GOOD SAMARITAN MINISTRY TEAMS Resource Development Team Lisa Ware Moderator Beryl Fruth Dick Hall Kate Hall Treasurer Liaison Clarence Wilkinson Gretchen Ackerson Katie Fullerton Care Team Mickey Moore Moderator Jim Moore Beverly Finn Ginger Breitkreutz Clarence Wilkinson Disaster Preparedness Liaison Justice and Mercy Team Currently searching for a Moderator Gretchen Ackerson Linda Rupp Sarah Butz Mickey Moore Bev Kelly FAST Liaison Clarence Wilkinson Kate Hall Food Pantry Liaison Spiritual Formation Team Jean Adams Moderator Chris Osberg Sarah Butz Bill Cooley Debbie Rasmussin Lisa Ware Fellowship and Outreach Team Eric Johnson Moderator Carolyn Woodard Barb Steger Robin Becker Sandy Badger Annie Gambino Martha Taylor Personnel Committee Clarence Wilkinson Jim Moore Robin Becker Gretchen Ackerson Kate Hall Pastor Relations Committee Carolyn Woodard Moderator Chris Osberg Clarence Wilkinson Ginger Breitkreutz Lisa Ware Bev Kelly