Keyhole Press Southminster Presbyterian

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1 Keyhole Press Southminster Presbyterian January 2017 From the Pastor I recently saw a photo that I can t get out of my head. It was a picture taken at Presbyterian Church in Aleppo, Syria. The congregation was gathered for an evening worship service, the sanctuary was dark, but the faces of the worshipers were lit with bright candlelight. You could have easily mistaken it for a photo of an American congregation on Christmas Eve. Instead it was a congregation of Christians half a world away, and instead of singing Silent Night they were praying for the safety of their city in the midst of war. As I write this in the last weeks of December there are daily news reports of violence in Aleppo. It is almost unimaginable to think of tens of thousands of civilians caught in a war zone at Christmas time. I can t help but hear echoes of Jesus own story in the plight of these Syrians. In this season of Epiphany that follows Christmas, we remember the wise men who came not only to worship the baby Jesus, but to warn his parents to flee to Egypt because of the violent King Herod. Very much like that first Christmas, there are still innocent families who are forced to flee from their homes for fear of violence even 2000 years later. Our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a close relationship with the Presbyterian Church in Syria and just days after the fall of Aleppo they were able to get word through The Outreach Foundation that the members of the Aleppo Presbyterian Church are still standing strong. The Outreach Foundation is a Presbyterian organization that has been a conduit of much needed financial and spiritual support to the leaders of the Presbyterian Church in Syria over the past several years. They write, Our fellow Presbyterians there are literally caught in the cross-fire. Some churches have been severely damaged. Many Presbyterian families have been displaced, leaving behind their homes and livelihoods. There are eighteen Presbyterian congregations in Syria---all are enduring the hardship of war. Yet even in the midst of danger, The National Evangelical Presbyterian Synod of Syria and Lebanon is working hard to assist families with basic needs as well as reaching out to other Christian and Muslim neighbors. Several of the Syrian Presbyterian churches have programs to welcome displaced and traumatized fellow-citizens who have sought refuge in their cities, including special programs for teens and children. As we celebrate this Epiphany Season and the New Year, may we keep in our prayers our brothers and sisters in Christ around the world, particularly in Syria, and give thanks for their commitment to serve as salt and light in the midst of darkness. January Highlights Congregational Life Meeting Page 2 Caritas Page 2 Annual Meeting Page Budget Page 3 Sanctuary Flowers Page 4 New Elder Installation Page 4

2 Christian Life Page 2 Congregational Life Full-Team Meeting On Sunday, January 22 nd at Noon we will hold a meeting of the full Congregational Life Team in the Fellowship Hall. In our new, simplified committee structure Congregational Life is the group that is responsible for all of the internal church events of the year. That includes worship, fellowship, care, and education. It is a fun job with many diverse responsibilities! The full team only meets twice a year in order to celebrate our hard work and recruit volunteers and leadership for upcoming seasonal teams and events. Our Full-Team meetings are open to everyone who wants to take part in leading or volunteering for any Congregational Life events and anyone who is interested in finding new ways to get involved in life here at Southminster. On the 22 nd we will give thanks for the work of our Fall and Winter teams, led by Karen Stafford and Laura Pearson, as well as look forward to the exciting work ahead for our Spring and Summer teams! Church in the World CARITAS Week Is January 21-28, 2017 What is CARITAS? CARITAS is Congregations Around Richmond Involved To Assure Shelter, and was established in Southminster has been a participating shelter location since early in the 1990s. Today, CARITAS provides shelter for more than one third of the homeless in the Richmond metropolitan area, plus has programs to break cycles of addiction, put people to work, find permanent housing, and provide clothing and furniture to help people establish a home. During this year s CARITAS week in January, Southminster will provide shelter and meals for 40 homeless women each night. We need food donations and lots of volunteer help to cook, serve, clean, and provide care for our guests. (Each year, well over 100 church members participate in this event.) Be a CARITAS volunteer. See the sign-up sheets in the Narthex! We need additional help in the kitchen this year at least 2 volunteers each evening who can be in the kitchen from 4:00 pm to 8:30 pm. We need your help to drive our guests to the laundromat or to the YMCA for showers. We really need overnight chaperones 2 each night. Both men and women are welcome to serve as overnight chaperones. Donations of women s winter coats and women s walking shoes are also needed (new shoes are welcome pick a size - bring them in). If you have any questions, contact the Church Office, or Ken Brammer (bram38@verizon.net) or Gail DeCosta (gdecosta@comcast.net).

3 Finance Page 3 Leadership & Planning 2017 Budget On behalf of the Finance Committee, the Session approved the 2017 Budget at their meeting Sunday December 18 th. The proposed budget is $382,600 which is up 1.3% over The areas of renewed focus in 2017 are mission trip funding and the Manchester Middle School food program, as well as funding for our new student intern minister, Andrew Whitehead. The detailed 2017 budget will be reviewed and voted on at our Congregation Annual Meeting on Sunday January 29 th following worship. Annual Meeting Mark Endries Finance Committee Moderator Please mark your calendars for the thirty-fifth Southminster Annual Congregational Meeting to be held following worship at 12:30 pm on Sunday, January 29th in the Fellowship Hall. We will enjoy a potluck luncheon and enjoy good fellowship together. After lunch, we will review the 2017 budget, approve Rev. Deyerle's call package for the new year, and approve the 2017 Nominating Committee. We will need several volunteers for set-up and clean-up for the event. Please contact Gary Smith, , if you are interested in helping. Hope to see you there! Facilities Our Facility At Work On Thursday, December 8 th the Southminster fellowship hall was the site of the annual Senior Advocates Christmas party. Thirty homebound seniors were brought to Southminster for a morning of fun and holiday cheer. According to members of the Senior Advocate Office, this Christmas party is one of the few social outings some of their clients take part in all year. The Senior Advocates work hard to make the day festive with food, music, and specially-packed stockings for each guest. We are glad to be able to offer the Senior Advocates a place where their clients can celebrate the holidays in the company of friends and neighbors. Presbyterian Women Anna Circle January 3 rd at 7:00 PM Debbie Greenberg s residence Martha Circle January 4 th at 10:00 AM Christian Life classroom Esther Circle January 10 th at 10:00 AM Fellowship Hall Ruth Circle January 10 th at 7:00 PM Conference Room

4 Special Announcements Page 4 Sanctuary Flowers: Changes Coming in 2017 Southminster members and friends have the opportunity to dedicate the Sanctuary flowers that decorate our worship space on Sundays. This is a wonderful way to mark a birthday or anniversary, mark a milestone such as a wedding or a birth, or to remember and honor loved ones. The chart with available Sundays is located between the office manager s office and the workroom; all you have to do is select your Sunday and submit a brief dedication to the office manager which will run in the bulletin insert. While this is not a new tradition at Southminster, beginning in 2017 there will be some minor changes that you should take note of: o The cost to dedicate flowers will increase from $30.00 to $ o We will no longer offer the first Sunday of the month for flower dedications. You have the option to either take your arrangement home after worship on Sunday or to have a Southminster volunteer deliver it to a special care member. New Elder Installation On Sunday, January 15 th we will welcome our two new elders for the class of 2019, Kitty Bice and James Deyerle. During worship we will have the privilege of ordaining James for the first time and of installing Kitty, who has previously been ordained, for a new term in office. The tradition of having a church ruled by ordained lay people, who we call elders, is unique to our Presbyterian heritage. While other denominations have lay leaders who govern the church in the form of church councils and boards, only Presbyterians see that form of leadership as a special calling from God and a duty worthy of ordination. By ordaining our elders we affirm the belief that lay leaders are to work in partnership with the pastors to be spiritual leaders of the congregation. Installation Sunday is always a special and moving day, as elders of past years come forward to lay their hands in prayer on the shoulders of the newly selected class and ask God s blessing upon them. I hope you will join us for worship that day, and extend you special thanks to these two people for agreeing to serve in this important role. Inclement Weather Policy In case of inclement weather on a Sunday morning, the decision to cancel services will be made by the pastor and the facilities chairperson by 7:30 AM. By 8:00 AM, closing notices will be submitted to local Richmond CBS, NBC, and ABC stations, a notification will be sent to the list, and a notice will be posted on the church Facebook page. You may also call the church office where the voic message will be updated with appropriate information. Approved the 2017 Budget. Session Highlights Examined and welcomed new Session members: James Deyerle and Kitty Bice. Thanked outgoing Session members: Brown Pearson, Ken Brammer, Gail DeCosta, David Lamberton, Sue Rhodes, and Liz Snead.

5 Remember in Prayer Page 5 Please pray for our military personnel, Dan Bice, John Bowles, Lillian Brooks, Mike & Pat Cifelli, Jean Collier, Carson Crenshaw, Matt Davis, Pete Gillispie, Carolyn Griles, Anna Hall, Bob & Net Hall, Laura Jessee, Ann Kearns, Bev Lamberton, Nellie Long, Shirley Martin, Ada Park, Ken Robison, Louis Schelter, Eddie & Jenny Schiller, Betty Smith, Dave Thomas. Southminster Notes Dear Riki & Committee, Don, Greg, and I wish to express our heartfelt gratitude for the beautiful reception you prepared following Gordon s funeral at the church. As we started making decisions about the services, I knew that we wanted to have some type of reception for those attending, but wasn t sure how that could be accomplished. When we learned what you and your committee were willing to do for us, that burden was lifted from our shoulders. Everyone attending was so appreciative and thoroughly enjoyed all the delicious food you had prepared. We continued to enjoy all the food you prepared for us to take home. Five hungry adults and two grandchildren feasted for days. Gordon and I have always had a special place in our hearts for the caring fellowship at Southminster. We have enjoyed the fellowship for over 47 years. I have special memories of events at the church over the years. Again and again, thank you! Sincerely, Betty Smith The Alternative Gift Market had another successful year due to everyone who participated in and purchased gifts. A big thank-you to the women of the church who sponsored the Scottish Tea and made all the wonderful goodies for everyone to enjoy as they shopped! The total of gifts purchased this year was $3, Alternative Gifts $ Coffee $ Food Closet $97.00 Thanks to all of you who made this mission possible, and for caring enough to help others during this Christmas season! Sincerely, Aileen Davis Notes will be published as space permits. Some notes will carry over to next month s newsletter.

6 Page 6 January Birthdays 4 Holly Coryell, Dorothy Rippon 5 Danise Warren 6 Bob Davis, Frank Grier, Grier Swenck 9 Kevin Fitzgerald 11 Ray Henderson 12 Lauren Pinchbeck 15 Ashlyn Bailey 16 Marty Kovacs 17 Bobby Adiele 20 Sydney Kirtley 21 Tim Moore, Marie O Connor 23 Bonnie Cary, Branch Hobson 24 Anna Hall 25 Rachel Clay, Freya Harper 26 Charles Reed 27 Betsy Davis, Eileen Robison 28 Mary MacKenzie Swenck 29 Ann Clarke 30 Katie Daniel January Anniversaries 2 Guy & Dorothy Dixon (27) 4 Bill & Debby McNeer (7) 14 Bill & Janet Crawford (28) 15 Harry & Becky Rowan (51) Elder Greeters January Schedules Communion Team Team 3 (Intinction) 1 James Deyerle, Jeff McDonald 8 Kitty Bice, Rick Schaffer 15 Frank Grier, Deb Ellenberg 22 Brown Pearson 29 Joyce Lapsley, Bonnie Kowalski Door Greeters 1 Rachel Clay, Debbie Crenshaw 8 George & Barbara Reid 15 George & Barbara Reid 22 George & Barbara Reid 29 Bob & Marty Griffin Ushers 1 Marsha Lane, Guy Dixon 8 TBD 15 TBD 22 TBD 29 TBD Flower Delivery 1 Communion: No Flowers 8 Barbara & George Reid 15 Barbara & George Reid 22 Barbara & George Reid 29 Danise & Bob Warren Food Closet Have we missed your birthday or anniversary? Let the church office know: Rachel Clay, Jane Tarter 5 Jane McGee, Terry Liendecker 10 Bonnie Kowalski, Gail DeCosta 12 Gerry Doyle, Edna Warncke 17 Margaret Hall, Mary Stahl 19 Rachel Clay, Debbie Crenshaw 24 Gerry Doyle, Nadine Berlin 26 Liz Snead, Melba Jolly 31 Bonnie Kowalski, Gail DeCosta

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8 SOUTHMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 7500 Hull Street Road N. Chesterfield, VA Phone: Return Service Requested January 2017 Join us for our Annual Meeting & Picnic January 29, 2017 in the Fellowship Hall following worship. Would you like to receive your newsletter electronically? Send an to with Add Me To Newsletter List in the subject line.