Cornerstone. The. New Sunday Format to Begin March 5 th. Church Events. February 1 Prayers Around the Cross

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1 The Cornerstone MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF ST. PAUL S UCC FEBRUARY 2017 New Sunday Format to Begin March 5 th Mark your calendars now that starting March 5 th, Sunday worship will begin at 9:30am. This change is to make way for the three month trial period of a new format to worship, spiritual formation, and congregational fellowship. The highlights of the change include: First Sunday of the Month Worship & Communion for everyone of all ages Children s Message Traditional Preaching Agape Meal (fellowship hour) following worship 2 nd, 3 rd, and 4 th Sunday s of the Month All ages begin in worship Youth specific spiritual formation programs available during worship time (youth to leave the sanctuary following the passing of the peace) Dialogical Preaching 5 th Sunday s of the Month Worship in a more experiential format design for contemplative practices, ritual acts of healing, and other non word centered worship Church Events February 1 Prayers Around the Cross February 5 Worship at Alice Focht Memorial UMC *NO WORSHIP AT ST. PAUL S* February 15 Newsletter Articles Due February Hoagie Sale March 1 Ash Wednesday Worship 7:00pm March 5 Kick-off off new Sunday worship format March 6-9 Shoo Fly Pie Sale

2 Pastor s Page Each night before saying bedtime prayers our family asks the question of each other, What are you thankful for today? As simple as the question is, it is a reminder that no matter what our day has been like there is something, and in truth many things, to be thankful for. In this act of sharing, and giving thanks to God, there is power to transform not only the day, but the perspective of what is important and to be attentive to each successive day. Throughout Christianity s history there have been great teachers and disciples who have shown the significance of incorporating spiritual practices like this, and others, into daily our lives. Yet we often times struggle to make adequate space for them. As a result we can find our relationship with God stagnant and our lives largely untouched by the realities of the Gospel. But each year we have a 40 day season that invites us to step out of our norm in order to intentionally grow in Christ. And the blessing this year is that we actually have time to prepare for Lent so that we can experience the power and richness of this season. With still a full month till Ash Wednesday (March 1 st ) you have time to discern what your soul needs in your relationship with God and to listen for God s guidance in how to feed your spirit in acts of divine communion. Maybe this year is the year to try a new spiritual practice, which could include: Daily praying for others: Weekly praying through the entirety of the church directory Weekly praying for issues relevant to each continent Engaging in prayer walks through your community Acts of service: Weekly sending cards of blessing and care to individuals for no other reason than out of God s love flowing through you Weekly discern a way to provide blessing to a neighbor or to your wider community Volunteer with a shelter, food bank, prison, crisis center, or other place that allows you to see the world from a different perspective Grow in Scripture Prepare to read through 1 or more of the Gospels Covenant with a small group to practice lectio divina Select a scriptural theme (healing, the poor, woman, heaven, etc ) to focus upon Explore new prayer forms Breath prayer Centering prayer Faith Imagination Daily Examen Other Daily create a gratitude lists Engage in God inspired acts of creativity (music, art, writing, construction) Invite God to meet you in your exercise routine Select a book to read for the purpose of inspiring you There is no magic formula for creating a rich and transformative Lenten journey. But for this coming season to have power within our lives there is a need on our part to seek the leading of God s Spirit for the ways in which our soul is needing to grow in Christ s life. With blessings for your preparations and the journey that lies ahead, Pastor Joe Worship Schedule February 5 th, 9:45am at Alice Focht UMC Scout Sunday: Communion by Intinction & Fellowship to follow February 12 th, 10:30am Children s Message & Mission Moment February 19 th, 10:30am Openings of Faith (Wanda Druzba) February 26 th, 10:30am Children s Message Upcoming Dates to Note: Wednesday, March 1 st, 7:00pm Ash Wednesday Worship Sunday, March 5 th, 9:30am New worship time and format begins February 5 th Celebration! The congregation has voted to cancel our worship services on Sunday, February 5 th so that we can worship with Alice Focht UMC in celebration of their many years of ministry throughout the community and in partnership with St. Paul s. Join us, invite your friends, as our congregation and Boy Scout troop share in this special time of worship. Please note that Alice Focht s worship begins at 9:45am.

3 Becoming Safe Church Trained Now it is easier than ever to become Safe Church trained. In roughly an hour and half s time, and at no cost, you can complete all the paperwork and training to certify you for the next three years of working with children and youth within our congregation. All that is needed is: Reading the policy Completing a: PA background check / PA Child clearance Waiver saying you ve lived in PA for more than 10 years (FBI clearance needed by those who have lived in PA for less than 10 years) Watching four short, informative online trainings That s it. Nothing more. Contact the church office or Sherry Hunter to learn how you can get started. (Note: those who supervise individuals working with minors are the only ones who need to participate in a three hour mandatory reporter training). Matthew 28:19-20 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. For All Who Value Children s Education We are actively seeking students, teachers, and classroom assistants for the relaunch of our Children s Spiritual Formation program on March 12 th. Professional curriculum will be available for each age group and classes will be held the 2 nd, 3 rd, and 4 th Sunday s of the month. Please contact the office to register your child and/or contact Pastor Joe to sign up as a teacher or classroom assistant. (Note teachers and assistants will need to be safe church compliant). Thank you for your help in making this relaunch a great success for all God s children! Partners In Ministry We all know that Jesus calls us into acts of discipleship, which includes worship and works of ministry. But how do you become involved? What is there to be involved in? And even better yet, what does it mean to be involved? Up until now there has not been an easy way to answer these questions. As a result, look for a mailing in February highlighting our congregation s different ministry opportunities and how you might become involved in some of them. Nursery during Worship It is with great joy we announce that the nursery will be open during worship on Sunday s. We sincerely thank you for your patience as we come into compliance with our own policies, and state requirements. We will strive for it to be open all Sundays and events that would require it. If you would like to volunteer to work in the nursery, please speak with Sherry Hunter to find out how.

4 Announcements Prayer around the Cross Members and friends of St. Paul s are invited to the next Prayer around the Cross. This brief, evening prayer service is a contemplative time of silence and scripture, prayer and anointing, darkness and candlelight. In the midst of our busyness and stress, this is a gentle, quiet opportunity to center on God alone. This special service is Wed., Feb. 1. and will begin promptly at 7:00 pm, lasting for about 30 minutes. We will meet in the lower level of the CE building, in the first room to the right as you enter. The focus will be For the Healing of the Nations (a reference to Revelation 22:2), with prayers for healing of divisions within our communities, our country, and the world. Janeen Adil, Minister of Christian Spirituality, is more than happy to answer any questions: see her at St. Paul s or contact her at jadil@stpaulsbirdsboro.org. Hoagie Sales We are kicking off 2017 with the first hoagie sale of the year! Orders will be taken until Friday, February 10th and the pick-up dates are Friday, February 17 th & Saturday, February, 18 th. Hoagies are $5.50 each and order forms can be found in your bulletins and at the side door entrance. 10% of St. Paul s proceeds will benefit the Birdsboro Community Library. From Another Perspective The question is not How much should I give? but What does it mean for me to be generous as Jesus was generous? 2017 Offering Envelopes If you have not had the opportunity to pick up your 2017 offering envelopes, but would like to receive them. Please contact the church office by February 15 th. After that date, offering envelopes (their corresponding giving number) will be repurposed as needed throughout the year. Non Reimbursed Expense Forms Individuals can now have their non-monetary donations counted along with their regular offerings. With this new feature, anyone that has purchased items but does not want to be reimbursed can have these donations added to their giving record. Just fill out a Non-Reimbursed Expense Request Form, turn it in to the Ministry Team Leader associated with the donation (along with any receipts/documentation), and look for it on your next giving statement! For any questions, please see any Finance Team member. Thank You I was so deeply touched at the congregational meeting for the words and other expressions of thanks you offered to me in this partnership of ministry that we share in together. Thank you as well for your generosity in the financial gift, which is a blessing for me and my family. In all of this my heart overflows with appreciation for you and your love. With Deepest Thanks! Pastor Joe Christmas Baskets Celebrations!!! Thanks to the wonderful generosity of you and the worshipping body of St. Paul s, we were able to provide 8 Christmas food baskets this year for needing families in the Birdsboro community. Thank you for rising to our challenge of reaching this goal so that this year three additional families could be blessed by your love. Look for information in the March Cornerstone concerning dates and deadlines for our congregation s Easter Food Basket program. With Thanks, The Senior & Middle School Classes

5 November Consistory Corner 1) Approved the proposal from Caparro Awning Company to supply and install the canopy over the door at the side entrance. 2) Approved Janeen Adils presentation to expand her ministry to provide a Prayer Around the Cross and to present this to the Congregation at the January meeting. 3) Heard a report from the Music Visioning Team in which they had a representative from Allen Organ come assess the organ and provide feedback of the concerns that were raised from the previous Organist. Overall assessment of the organ is that it s not as bad as initially thought. 4) Heard highlights from the Reading Association meeting and the PSEC meeting December 1) Approved a proposal for (3) one month paid sabbaticals per year for 3 years for Pastor Joe. This will satisfy his original employment contract. 2) Approved the initial budget to present to the Congregation at the January meeting. 3) Approved a change in the counting procedure where counting will be done on the first available business day of the week after collection. The counting will be done by the Treasurer and Administrative Assistant or another member on an as needed basis. 4) Reviewed and approved the revisions to the Constitution of St. Paul s. 5) Discussed the need for one more Consistory member for a total of 7 members. 6) Approved $30,700 of Pastor Joe s salary to be earmarked for Housing Allowance. 7) Due to Alice Focht closing and to provide support for their Congregation, it was voted to not hold a service on April 30, 2017 at St. Paul s, but to be in Worship at Alice Focht that day. It is also Scout Sunday. 8) Heard reflections and insights regarding Griffin Coaching. Approval was made to for the coaching proposal for St. Paul s to pursue potential funding opportunities and participation from other churches. To consider hosting a regional coaching seminar for reaching new people. Funding may include the need to use the line of credit. Final decision to be made by the Congregation. 9) Discussed the need for outside greeters. 10) Agreed to circulate Worship Servant pledge cards at the Congregational Meeting and in bulletins to get more people involved with different aspects of making the Church run. 11) Approved the 2017 Special Offerings. Join the Search Interested in helping to set the future direction for St. Paul s Music Ministry program? Join the organist search team by contacting Wanda Druzba (or the church office) today. New Roles for Greeters & Ushers As part of our February Ministry Time & Talents Pledge Initiative, we ve updated the roles of Ushers and Greeters. However the new roles will not take effect till at least April 2 nd. (Note this is later than stated at the congregational meeting). This will give us the time needed to receive the Time & Talent pledges, update people on the new roles, and allow for scheduling. Look for more information over the next two months.

6 Congregational Meeting Highlights Moved to cancel our worship service on February 5 th in order to worship with Alice Focht UMC at their 9:45am service, as expression of our appreciation for their congregation s ministry. (Note that Alice Focht s last day of existing as a congregation will be April 30 th ) Adopted a 3 month trial of the new worship, spiritual formation, and fellowship format Ratified the proposed revisions to the Constitution and Bylaws Elected Sherry Hunter to a special 6 month term on Consistory Noted the need for additional members to become Safe Church compliment in order to effectively support our baptismal promises to young children and their families Approved the 2017 Financial Mission Plan as presented Expanded the role of the Commissioned Minister to host monthly midweek prayer services for a one year trial Affirmed the sabbatical arrangements with the Pastor of one month per year for the next three years. (This year s sabbatical time will be taken during the month of August). Endorsed the findings of the Music Visioning Team to pursue the calling of a permanent organist to lead the congregation s Music Ministry Called for the development of a work team to investigate hiring a congregational coach, and to present the findings at a specially called congregational meeting Presented a ministry time and talents pledge initiative that will begin in February Affirmed the value of committing ourselves to greeting members and guests on the exterior of the church throughout the year PSEC Conference News: NEW ACM-CD POSITION CONFIRMED WELCOME REV. CEAN JAMES At a Conference Special Meeting on Saturday January 21, 2017, PSEC delegates confirmed the selection of the Reverend Cean James to the position of Associate Conference Minister for Congregational Development (ACM-CD). The vote was 186 to 1. Reverend James will begin his Conference ministry on Wednesday February 1, 2017.

7 Worship Leadership February Worship Date Feb 5 Worship Stewards Greeters Acolytes Ushers Nursery St. Paul s will be sharing in worship with Alice Focht Memorial UMC. No worship service will be held at St. Paul s this Sunday. - Feb 12 Robin Long TBD Isabel Baker Lenette & Stuart - Feb 19 Pat Babel TBD Olivia Motz Feb 26 Tim McGee TBD William Manney Tom & William Manney Barb Kerper & Wanda Druzba - - Prayer List In Need of Healing Tommy Valenta Steve & Shannon Simpson and Family Jennifer Green Tammy Barnett Joe Hoss Ayana & Josiah Figeraroa Mark Giangiacomo Comfort in the Time of Loss The Williams Family Long Term Care Support Melissa Oister Ellen Garey Sara Janice Burkhart Margie Amodei Barry May Ann Condello Jody Zernick Steve Flanagan Wendy Woodard Rock Colon Linda & Larry Wolfgang Stephanie Rosemary Tourneau Brandon Small Matthew Molinaro Paul Miller Martha Shaw Audrey Hauptley Maria Ellingsworth Kokila Shah Lorraine Long Chloe St. Paul s UCC Leadership Ministers of the Gospel of Christ All Members Consistory Steve Flanagan, President Stuart Wells, Vice President Dawn Fear, Secretary Lizzie Reppert Jeff Baker Star Gunn Bonnie Frankhouser Ministry Team Leaders Richard Wolf & Sherry Hunter, Personnel Dee Christman, Special Events Rev. Joseph Motz, Worship, Touching 1,000 Lives, Mission Trip Birdsboro, Finance, Buildings & Grounds Anna Oister, Helping Hands Richard Wolf, Opportunity House Meals Jeanie Dierwechter, Hands of Hope Supporting Ministers Rev. Joseph Motz, Pastor Janeen Adil, Minister of Christian Spirituality Luwaina Baker, Administrative Assistant Barbara Kerper, Sexton Richard Wolf, Treasurer Rachel Flanagan, Bookkeeper Tim McGee, Financial Secretary To become more actively involved in the life and ministry of St. Paul s United Church of Christ in our mission to celebrate the living presence of our Lord, contact a ministry team leader or contact Pastor Motz to see where you might begin. Memorial Fund Donations Thank you to the following people who generously gave donations in memory of Robert C. Baer to St. Paul s Memorial Fund. Paul & Wanda Druzba Marie Hausman Doug Johnson Dave Johnson Edward M. Arnold Fern Brown Duanne & Donna Aulenbach Jay & Janet Kline Edgar Arters Iva Davidheiser Lester & Catherine Baer Paul Buckwalter Eugene Buckwalter Robert Kline Charles Whirl Birdsboro VFW Post 411 Memorial Fund Donation Thank you to the following people who generously gave donations in honor of the Care Family to St. Paul s Memorial Fund. Chuck Care

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