Your Generosity in Action @BethanyHouseSvc

Thanks to all of our members who were able to contribute time and money to help make the Christmas of a family of three (a mother and two daughters) a little merrier. Items purchased with your funds included a mountain bike, a Samsung tablet, a set of dishes, pots and pans, curling iron, clothes, makeup, jewelry, and toys.

We hope all of the folks that work and make their temporary home at Bethany House have a very, Merry Christmas!

Learn more about how Bethany House helps families experiencing homelessness in Cincinnati: https://bethanyhouseservices.org/about-us/

Bethany House sign at their new location in the Bond Hill neighborhood of Cincinnati

Staff from Bethany House with boxes of goodies and a bike from the New Church of Montgomery

Some of the clothes and gifts for our youngest recipient whose favorite color is pink

Gift-Giving at the Holidays

This was our church’s first year “adopt(ing) a family” from Bethany House Services to provide gifts and needed items. Thanks to all who were able to participate, purchase, wrap and label gifts, and transport them, and to the kids from church posing for pictures in the warehouse receiving area.

Items purchased included silverware, shoes, gift cards, clothes and toys to bring smiles to two little ones and their mom; a family experiencing homelessness. We hope they have a Merry Christmas and feel the love we wrapped into each present.

Two kids from our congregation who helped unload the gifts.

Beloved Child of God, Dave Sprague, Enters Eternal Life

Obituary

David M. Sprague, age 75, of Symmes Township, Ohio passed away peacefully in his sleep at home on May 9, 2021. He had been cared for by Heartland Hospice since October 2019 for a lengthy illness.

He is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Cheryl Jean (nee Bush) Sprague. David leaves behind one daughter, Melanie Victoria (Robert Lee Jr.) Adams, of Deer Park, Ohio and his grandsons, Robert Lee Adams III and Theodore Cecil Adams. He was predeceased by his parents Benjamin Morgan Sprague and Ruth Anna Milton Sprague of Louisville, Kentucky and grandson Benjamin Adams.

He has resided in Cincinnati since 1983. After completing the design draftsman apprentice program, he worked for General Electric in both Louisville, Kentucky and Cincinnati for 21 years, retiring in 2006. Dave served in the Army Reserves for four years while in Louisville. He enjoyed family get-togethers, pursuing a variety of spiritual paths, photography, and long drives in the country. He loved dogs, cats, smooth jazz, and playing pool, golf, and volleyball. Dave was known for his keen wit and clever sense of humor. At Southern High School in Louisville, he was proud to be captain of his golf team, lettering all four years.

Family and friends will be received from 9:30-10:30 AM on Saturday, May 15 at Tufts Schildmeyer Funeral Home, 129 N Riverside Ave, Loveland, OH 45140, where services will be held at 10:30 AM. Interment Rest Haven Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of David may be directed to Heartland Hospice, 3960 Red Bank Rd #140, Cincinnati, OH 45227 or Fresenius Medical Kidney Care, 1992 King Ave, Kings Mills, Ohio 45034

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Aside: Dave is remembered fondly by many of us from when he and Cheryl were actively involved in church activities.  Dave and Cheryl were “charter members” of the weekly Friday evening Coffee and Conversation gatherings at McDonald’s in Montgomery, from before we even started meeting at McDonald’s.  I remember many deep conversations on an amazing variety of topics with Dave.  Dave was also known as a punster par excellence, always well-equipped to add to the hilarity index of the Coffee and Conversation camaraderie.