PResPRess February 2017

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1 PResPRess February 2017 Presbyterian Church of Novato, 710 Wilson Ave. Box 631, Novato, CA KENT S COMMENTS I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now. Paul at Philippians 1:3-5 In the above quotation, Paul expresses his warmth and concern for friends in a congregation that he helped plan in Philippi, actually the first church we know about on European soil! Last month on Sunday January 22, we celebrated the ordination of Alex Peterson as a Teacher Elder or Minister of the Word and Sacrament in the Presbyterian Church (USA)! Alex was baptized in this congregation back in 1989, and many of us have watched him grow and mature in his faith and as a person for the past 20+ years. He is evidence of the significance of the vows we take as a congregation at every baptism of an infant or child to guide and nurture him/her by word and deed, with love and prayer, encouraging him/her to know and follow Christ and to be a faithful member of his church. His ordination is also an ongoing reminder of the importance of our Sunday School, children s and youth ministries as ways we endeavor to encourage our children and youth in their Christian faith! As you know, Alex has been called as Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Lapeer, Michigan. He and Carrie will already have moved there or will be in the process of moving there by the time you read this newsletter. Who are others whom we have helped nurture on the road toward ordination as a pastor? Just prior to my arrival as your pastor, Derek Richman, Jo s son was ordained and today serves as Pastor and Head of Staff at West Hills Presbyterian Church in Omaha, Nebraska. I enjoy seeing Derek at least annually at the West Coast Presbyterian Pastors Conference down at Mt. Hermon. John and Colleen Weems and their two boys were active in our congregation when John was a student at nearby San Francisco Theological Seminary some years ago. After serving as an Associate Pastor at Lafayette Orinda Presbyterian Church, he is now Senior Pastor of Calvary Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, the largest of our congregations in the city. Beth Hessel was an SFTS Seminary intern here shortly after my arrival 21 years ago. After serving a number of different congregations, she earned her Ph.D. in History and

2 is now Executive Director of the Presbyterian Historical Society as she and her two children have moved to Philadelphia. Ellen Baxter also attended and was actively involved in our congregation, along with her three children, during her years at nearby San Francisco Theological Seminary. After serving a congregation in the east, she has returned to become Director of Admissions at SFTS. Former Youth Director Seth Normington recently got married and is now serving as Pastor of Waterville Federated Church in Waterville, WA. Finally, former Youth Director Nick Mastin is completing his Master of Divinity degree at San Francisco Theological Seminary while working as Youth Pastor at Calvary Reformed Church, in Ripon, CA, while he raises a foster son. Thanks for being a welcoming and nurturing Church Family not only to these younger friends now in vocational ministry, but to many others as well! Your Friend in Christ, Kent MESSAGE FROM ARIEL PCN Property and Facilities Committee In March 2007, PCN sent out a survey to members and committees focused on possible campus development options. One specific section of the survey addressed the perception of adequacy of our existing space and facilities. In general, respondents agreed that the sanctuary was very adequate but that the kitchen was poor. Adequacy of the other facilities/spaces differs based on respondents support of or opposition to initiating a capital campaign at the time. Due to the economic downturn in 2008, the committee tasked with addressing potential campus development needs disbanded, recognizing that a possible capital campaign at that time would be untenable. Much has changed in the last ten years but some things have stayed the same! Over the next year, a new committee will be performing a campus needs assessment and will report to Session quarterly on its progress. We would like your input! If you are a member on a committee, please help us by putting time on your agenda to respond to a series of prompts that will enable us to begin drafting a vision for any future developmental needs. And, as a PCN member, when you receive a questionnaire, please prayerfully consider taking the time to respond and give your honest feedback. If you are interested in joining this committee, please contact Don Brand or me for a meeting schedule.

3 YOUTH MINISTRY Air Miles for Mission Trip Do you have extra air miles or credit card reward points? Do you have miles or points that you probably aren t going to use? Or that will expire soon? The PCN Youth is doing a miles + points drive, to help offset the cost of their flights for their mission trip in July. Cost of flights is the single largest expense for the trip, so if we can use miles to book a few tickets - it's a big savings for us. There is a lot of detail below on what we need - and if you have any for us - please me (youthdirector@pcnovato.org) and cc Erik Fish (erik.fish.mail@gmail.com)! Here s What We Need: Airline and credit cards that transfer 1-to-1 to Delta 29,000 miles/points for a one-way and 58,000 miles/points for a round-trip More programs than most realize Air miles: Delta, Alaska, or any SkyTeam partner (AirFrance, Alitalia, KLM, AeroMexico - and more) Credit card points: American Express, Chase Ultimate Rewards, Citi ThankYou and Diner s Club Hotel points: SPG / Starwood (transfers 1-1) Other credit card reward programs - that can book directly as cash rewards Redemption values vary. Usually 1-to-1, but sometimes less CapitalOne rewards, Wells Fargo GoFar rewards, Redwood Credit Union, Bank of America travel rewards CHRISTIAN EDUCATION ADULT SUNDAY BIBLE STUDY We would like to invite you to the Adult Sunday Bible Study that meets in the Library every Sunday at 9:00 A.M. In the month of February we will be exploring the book of Galatians and see "The Birthing of A New Community. The lessons we will looking at God's creative process in the birthing of a new faith community with Jesus as its foundation. We will see the importance of spiritual freedom, cooperation, and righteous living in building and maintaining this community.

4 The Good News of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ is the most important message in the world. This message had changed Paul's life and, through him, the lives of others. But now this message was being attacked, and Paul was out to defend the truth of the Gospel. Some false teachers had invaded the churches of Galatia -- churches Paul had founded -- and were teaching a different message from that which Paul had taught. As you read Paul's letter to the Galatian Christians, you can tell immediately that something is radically wrong, because he does not open his letter with the usual praise to God and prayer for the saints. He has no time! Paul is about to engage in a battle for the truth of the Gospel and the liberty of the Christian life. Come join us and discover how Paul engages in the battle of the Good News! We will be looking forward to seeing you on Sunday, February 5, Carol Dacquisto Study Leader (415) THURSDAY MORNING WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY The Thursday Morning Women's Bible Study meets every Thursday in the Christiansen Room at 9:30 A.M. We are studying The Book of Luke. Luke and Theophilus shared two loves: a love for Christ and a love for facts. They didn't want legends: they wanted the truth. And so Dr. Luke begins to sort the truth and report the facts to Theophilus. With the skill of a surgeon, Luke probes for truth. Why? So his friend could know that what he had been taught was true. There is a wonderful group of ladies that gather every Thursday to spent time in Luke's Gospel and to see and hear what Jesus words mean to their life. We study Luke's Gospel a bit at a time. Remember that hunger is not satisfied by eating twenty-one meals in one sitting once a week. The body needs a steady diet to remain strong So does the soul. We are looking forward to having you join us? Your special spot is waiting for you to arrive. Carol Dacquisto and Elaine Harris Study Leaders

5 Our Daily Bread - Pick up your copy of for March, April & May on the hall table in the office. Helping you connect with God every day. DEACONS First Sunday of each month, the Deacon s offering is received. Membership and Outreach Last year we made the decision to join the Novato Chamber of Commerce to make more connections with our community and encourage greater exposure for all we have to offer. We have been participating in many different networking opportunities during the year. One of the most exciting was having a booth at their Scream on the Green where we were able to give out Bibles as well as spotlight our SEEkers and Youth programs. The Chamber offers different networking opportunities that anyone from our church may attend. The more different voices that share about what PCN means to them the more opportunity we have to draw folks from the community to activities here and possibly more regularly into our fellowship. These are regular networking opportunities you can participate in: WIN-Wednesday Ideas and Networking Wednesday mornings 7:45am-8:45am in the Bistro at Atria Tamalpais Creek Networking luncheons the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of each month 12pm-1:30pm at Bay Club-StoneTree 9 Stone Tree Lane Novato (Black Point) Cost $20 for drinks, meal, location. (one of the members does a 15 minute presentation) Monthly Mixers the third Thursday evening 5:30pm-7pm and each month is a different location at one of the Chamber member organizations or businesses. Woman In Business the last Monday of each month 5:30pm-6:30pm Courtyard by Marriott 1400 Hamilton Parkway

6 We are listed on the Chambers website with a link to our website. The Chamber puts out a weekly blast to over 2000 people and we have had some of our events advertised in this format. We have been in the Novato community for over 120 years. We continue to have lots to offer our community. The networking with the Chamber offers us an opportunity to meet other community members, get to hear about their businesses and most importantly build trust between us in order to make referrals for them, and they for us. Please join us in representing PCN to the greater Novato community. For more information please contact Membership and Outreach. Prayer Quilt Ministry The prayer quilters will be meeting at 10:30 on Tuesday, February 7 in the Christensen Room. Quilters and non-quilters are welcome! Come by and visit with us. Contact Mary Winslow if you have questions: (707) STAFF Kent Webber, Pastor Ariel Mink, Ministry Associate Jeff Page, Youth Director Sally Carbonaro, Dir. of Children s Ministry Steve Giordano, Parish Associate pastor@pcnovato.org ministryassociate@pcnovato.org pagjeffrey@gmail.com childrensministry@pcnovato.org stcmgiordano@hotmail.com

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