{"id":11971,"date":"2021-04-01T20:57:53","date_gmt":"2021-04-02T00:57:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/?p=11971"},"modified":"2021-04-01T20:57:53","modified_gmt":"2021-04-02T00:57:53","slug":"features-161","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=11971","title":{"rendered":"Features"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>A look back at Congregational Church events<\/strong><\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/-4Eyke22awE\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>First Congregational Church observes Cornerstone Centennial in 1999<\/strong><br \/>\nBy Rhonda Dedyne<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/backsteeple1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"400\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11974\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Back in 1899 a news article from <em>The Clinton Republican<\/em> described the laying of the cornerstone for the new First Congregational Church in St. Johns as being an occasion to \u201ccharm the intellect, please the eye and ear, and gratify the soul.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When congregation members gather October 13 to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the event, they will try to repeat that uplifting experience from October 13, 1899.<\/p>\n<p>The church invites all members of the community to join with them in an Open House from 6 to 7 p.m. in Wilcox Hall, and participate in the service that follows in the church sanctuary at 7 p.m. The celebration concludes at 8, with a reception and refreshments in Wilcox Hall.<\/p>\n<p>The actual assembly of the congregation dates to 1860, and the first church building was erected in 1865.<\/p>\n<p>Services connected with the laying of the cornerstone in 1899 included singing by the congregation and Sunday School children, prayer by the Rev. M.M. Martin of Ovid, greeting by the Rev. W.C. Allen of Salem who was a former pastor of the church, and separate addresses given by the Rev. J.L. Daniells of Olivet and the Hon. Bryon M. Cutcheon of Grand Rapids.<\/p>\n<p>At the conclusion of the service, the children of the congregation led a processional march to the site of the cornerstone where a box containing various documents and church artifacts was placed into the stone. The stone itself was placed into position by the Rev. William H. Warron of Lansing.<\/p>\n<p>The newspaper account concluded as follows:<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe building will be pushed as rapidly as the weather will permit; and the enterprise needs the aid of every individual member of the church, YPSCE, Sunday School, and congregation. It will require sacrifice of time and money, but it will be richly worth all it costs.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Construction proceeded throughout the coming year and the new church building was officially dedicated in 1901.<\/p>\n<p>Other important dates in the history of the congregation include:<br \/>\n&#8211; 1956, congregation votes to remain autonomous;<br \/>\n&#8211; 1975, first Christian Education classes are held in the new Carson Addition;<br \/>\n&#8211; 1996, renovations to Mildred Countryman Hall are completed.<\/p>\n<p>The church is located at 100 Maple Street, on the west side of the Clinton County Courthouse.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Remember When<\/strong> &#8211; 2019 Lessons and Carols<\/p>\n<p><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/GNBbdaBhy_s\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Letters<\/strong> &#8211; Thinking about all the good times<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/04\/dinner.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"500\" height=\"171\" class=\"aligncenter size-full wp-image-11976\" \/><\/p>\n<p>I just found out that my home church, First Congregational in St. Johns, MI, is up for sale. How to say good-bye and still protect the wonderful memories?<\/p>\n<p>I first l became a part of the church 70 years ago. Because I was baptized as a young child, not an infant, I still remember that occasion. Then, there are the other life events which Christians celebrate with their church family: 8th grade and high school graduations, being received in to church membership, walking down the aisle on my wedding day, supporting friends and being supported by friends as we mourned the passing of loved ones and family, working together with fellow church members to make the church strong, serving on boards, presenting my daughter to the Lord at her baptism..<\/p>\n<p>When I married Rev. Gerald Sever and moved away to help him with his ministry appointments, it took nearly 20 years for my heart to mend, and to finally be able to say a fond farewell to &#8220;my church&#8221;. Even then, I knew &#8220;my church&#8221; would always be waiting for me to drop by. Or so I thought.<\/p>\n<p> I have already shed tears for what was, and what might still be for such a cherished part of my past and the past of the St. Johns community. Think of the rummage sales, the annual Thanksgiving turkey dinners, banquets for various celebrations, Boy Scouts, choirs and so much more that has happened within the church walls.<\/p>\n<p>Good-bye, my dear friend. You have been a vital part of my life, and will always continue to be a vital part of me. Continue to stand tall and proud as your spire reaches into the sky, beckoning travelers coming in to town. You and your members surrounded me and my family with so much love and helped us to establish a strong foundation with which to go out in to the world. Thank you for all that you have gifted to the community and its people.<\/p>\n<p>Dianne Sever via Facebook<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><strong>Maralyn&#8217;s Pet Corner<\/strong> &#8211; 8 Pet Care Tasks That Are Usually Overlooked<br \/>\nReviewed and updated for accuracy by Katie Grzyb, DVM.<\/p>\n<p>Providing good pet care for your fur babies is essential in ensuring a long, healthy life.<\/p>\n<p>From keeping up-to-date on prescription flea and tick prevention and heartworm pet meds, to scheduling routine dental pet care and getting pet microchips, there are plenty of ways that we can help pets live their very best lives.<\/p>\n<p>Here are eight tips from veterinarians about often overlooked pet care tasks that can help you provide the very best care for your furry family member:<\/p>\n<p><em>1. Help Prevent Pet Obesity With a Healthy Pet Food<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Providing a balanced and healthy pet food that is appropriate to our pet\u2019s needs is one of the most overlooked preventative care measures, according to Dr. Rebecca Greenstein, chief veterinarian at Kleinburg Veterinary Hospital in Toronto.<\/p>\n<p>You should also rethink your pet\u2019s snack intake and exercise routine. \u201cPet obesity is rising around the world,\u201d says Dr. Greenstein. \u201cA lot of it can come from excess snacks and table scraps and our pets not getting enough exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The first step, says Dr. Amanda Landis-Hanna, DVM, senior manager of veterinary outreach for PetSmart Charities in Phoenix, is to talk with your veterinarian and choose a pet food that is appropriate for your pet. That way, you can ensure that your pet\u2019s diet is healthy for them, meets their nutritional needs and is appealing to them, too.<\/p>\n<p>Research is key, but so is talking to your veterinarian, says Dr. Bruce Silverman, a veterinarian at Village West Veterinary and founder of the Critical Animal Relief Foundation in Chicago. \u201cIf you don\u2019t know how much to feed your pet for optimal health, discuss the proper amount with your veterinarian,\u201d says Dr. Silverman. Knowing the proper portion size is just as important as choosing the right healthy pet food.<\/p>\n<p>Your veterinarian can calculate your pet\u2019s resting energy requirements and come up with a weight loss plan that is slow and steady, as weight loss should never be abrupt.<\/p>\n<p>Another key point is not to add too many additional dog treats or cat treats to your pet\u2019s diet. \u201cIt\u2019s amazing; if you look at the calorie count, you could be adding 50-100 calories per treat,\u201d says Dr. Greenstein.<\/p>\n<p>Finally, Dr. Greenstein advises that to maintain your pet\u2019s weight, you need to make sure your dog gets at least 30 minutes of exercise per day. She also recommends that cats get at least three instances of 5 minutes of play each day.<\/p>\n<p><em>2. Get Pet Microchips That Can Save Your Pet\u2019s Life<\/em><\/p>\n<p>There are a lot of misconceptions amongst pet owners about how pet microchips work. Dr. Greenstein explains, \u201cWe try to educate our patients that microchips are for helping reunite lost pets with their people.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>A pet microchip is a form of permanent identification that is placed underneath your pet\u2019s skin, between their shoulder blades. It is about the size of a small grain of rice, and your pet will never even notice it is there.<\/p>\n<p>You should make sure that you choose a company that is widely scanned in your area and can be scanned outside of the country if you plan on international travel. ISO-compliant microchips are the type that are accepted internationally. Usually these are 16 digits long, but not always.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Travis Arndt, the medical director at the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Center of Mid-America in St. Louis, says it\u2019s important to choose a company that won\u2019t charge you for changing your information. \u201cSome companies charge a fee each time,\u201d says Dr. Arndt. \u201cThat can deter you from keeping your information current, and that\u2019s critical to return your pet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>You can talk to your veterinarian for their recommendation on pet microchips.<\/p>\n<p><em>3. Consider Insurance for Pets That Can Help You in an Emergency<\/em><\/p>\n<p>If you\u2019ve investigated your options and think that buying pet insurance is right for you , the most important thing to know is that not all insurance for pets is created equal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s really important to choose a policy that\u2019s best for your pet; some of the policies are mostly wellness policies and don\u2019t cover costs when your pet has an accident or gets sick,\u201d says Dr. Arndt. \u201cMany pet parents don\u2019t understand what they\u2019re signing up for, and they get frustrated with their policies.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Find out how you will be reimbursed by the company, whether there are lifetime limits on some conditions, and if there are any exclusions.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cSome pet parents only look at one or two brochures, and I know of at least six different companies from which to choose,\u201d says Dr. Landis-Hanna. \u201cIt\u2019s important to do your research.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>4. Use Prescription Flea and Tick Prevention<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Dr. Landis-Hanna says she has practiced all over the country, and there is one common misconception she\u2019s heard everywhere. \u201cA lot of individuals use flea and tick prevention as a treatment rather than a prevention,\u201d says Dr. Landis-Hanna.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cBoth fleas and ticks carry diseases, and if used as a treatment, your pet may already be exposed. It\u2019s also cheaper as a prevention than waiting until you have a flea infestation and having to clean carpets and other items in your home,\u201d says Dr. Landis-Hanna.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Arndt also says even if you are not purchasing the preventative from your veterinarian, you should discuss what is best for your pet in your area with your veterinarian. \u201cSome of the over-the-counter flea products do not cover ticks,\u201d says Dr. Arndt.<\/p>\n<p>Also, some products are no longer working well in some areas of the country. \u201cWe\u2019ve really moved away from topical treatments as we\u2019re seeing a lot of resistance,\u201d says Dr. Silverman. \u201cWe\u2019re working more with oral flea and tick treatments now.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Greenstein says that the current thought is that there is no flea or tick \u201cseason\u201d now. \u201cWith the climate warming all over the world, we recommend prescription flea and tick prevention year round.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>5. Keep Up With Dental Pet Care That\u2019s Vital to Your Pet\u2019s Overall Health<\/em><\/p>\n<p>Another overlooked area of pet care is making sure your pet has proper dental care. \u201cI don\u2019t think people appreciate how dental health is linked to overall health of their pet,\u201d says Dr. Greenstein.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Landis-Hanna says that brushing is the key to keeping your pet\u2019s teeth in good shape. \u201cJust as with people, if your pet eats, their teeth need to be brushed every day; it\u2019s also a great way to bond with your pet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>She adds that brushing also can help you head off problems before they become too severe. \u201cIf you see pink, red or bleeding gums, or discolored or cracked teeth, you can call your veterinarian for a further check.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The American Veterinary Medical Association says that your pet\u2019s teeth should be checked by your veterinarian at least once a year, and earlier if you see signs of dental problems.<\/p>\n<p><em>6. Always Stay Current With Prescription Heartworm Prevention<\/em><\/p>\n<p>As with flea and tick prevention, heartworm prevention must be used to prevent heartworms. It cannot treat a pet that has already been infected with this potential deadly disease.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s also key that you choose a prevention option that best fits your lifestyle. \u201cWe recommend it to be given once a month year-round, but we\u2019re seeing some 12 month supplies lasting 16 months,\u201d says Dr. Landis-Hanna. \u201cPet parents need to make sure they\u2019re using it consistently.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>If you let the heartworm coverage lapse, your vet will require that your pet be screened for heartworms before prescribing more.<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Arndt also advises not to forget giving your cats heartworm prevention. \u201cThis is often overlooked in cat care,\u201d says Dr. Arndt. \u201cWe recommend it for all outdoor, as well as indoor, cats.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><em>7. Watch for Signs of Pain and Arthritis<\/em><\/p>\n<p>As our pets age, they may get arthritis, just as we do, and some people miss the signs. \u201cPets don\u2019t exhibit pain as we do and they tend to internalize, which can affect their quality of life,\u201d says Dr. Arndt.<\/p>\n<p>If your pet is becoming withdrawn, has a change in bathroom habits, is limping consistently or doesn\u2019t like being touched in certain areas, Dr. Arndt says it\u2019s important to talk to your veterinarian. They can help you to determine if your pet needs to be on a pain management plan, which can improve their quality of life.<\/p>\n<p><em>8. Create and Maintain a Strong Bond With Your Pet<\/em><\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen we talk about the human-animal bond, a lot of times, we hear about the health benefits for humans,\u201d says Dr. Landis-Hanna. \u201cA lot of people overlook the health benefits it has on our pets.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Dr. Landis-Hanna says that creating a strong bond with your pet by petting her, spending time with her, walking her and playing with her can all greatly enhance socialization skills. These types of activities can also reduce your pet\u2019s stress level.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt\u2019s the same benefit as you\u2019d expect with spending time with a child; it\u2019s a very symbiotic relationship,\u201d says Dr. Landis-Hanna.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A look back at Congregational Church events First Congregational Church observes Cornerstone Centennial in 1999 By Rhonda Dedyne Back in 1899 a news article from The Clinton Republican described the laying of the cornerstone for the new First Congregational Church in St. Johns as being an occasion to \u201ccharm the intellect, please the eye and <a class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/?p=11971\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-11971","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-features"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11971","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=11971"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/11971\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=11971"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=11971"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/stjindy.com\/newindy\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=11971"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}