The Salt Shaker. This Pastor Page needs to address two topics, both hard to write about.

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1 The Salt Shaker P A R K V I L L E P R E S B Y T E R I A N C H U R C H N O V E M B E R OUR MISSION Parkville Presbyterian Church is a community of believers following Jesus Christ by sharing God s Word, serving and welcoming all. I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E : All Things Stewardship 2 This Pastor Page needs to address two topics, both hard to write about. The first is our annual stewardship campaign: You can read more on page 2 inside. But let me write just two very plainspoken paragraphs about this: The church is in the most difficult financial situation it has faced in the 12 years I have served here. Many of those who have given in the past have not been able to do so in the same way this year. Our recently completed capital campaign still leaves us a bit short on our mortgage payments (even after refinancing), so we may need to make modest use of reserves. We will make it this year on our operating budget, mainly through judicious spending of budgets and perhaps some tough decisions about fully funding our mission commitments, but things will be tight. And then, we must look to God is calling us to do some exciting things as a church, reaching out to a world in need and extending our engagement with this community. Our doing this, of course, depends in part on our ability to support it with the required resources. We speak often of contributing our time and talents, and these are essential. But today, I urge you to prayerfully, carefully, faithfully consider your financial commitment to the ministry of our church and, on November 13, to make the most generous pledge you can to support this work. PPC on Web, Facebook Nominate Deacons/Elders Prayer Vigils for God s Will And now two very bittersweet paragraphs about something that feels even more monumental: Matt Reeves has served this congregation for more than nine years as associate pastor (and for a year before that as our first seminary intern). We all know that pastors are not like sanctuary carpet we can actually be replaced! but it is nevertheless a bittersweet day when transition must come. We all rejoice in the call that Matt has received to Christ Presbyterian Church in Chesterland, Ohio, where he and Heather and Evan and Gareth will begin on November 27. His gifts of preaching and leadership need to find their full expression, and by the guidance of God s Spirit this is clearly the right place for that to happen. Sunday, November 13 Congregational Meeting 12:00 noon, Sanctuary & Thanksgiving Dinner 12:15 pm., Whipple Hall See page 3 for details Sunday, November 27 Congregational Meeting, 12:00 noon, Sanctuary for the purpose of electing deacons and ruling elders But we will miss him. I will miss him especially. Few can understand the blessing of having a fellow pastor who is not just co-worker but colleague, not just officemate but friend. It is difficult for me to imagine this past decade of ministry without Matt s partnership. The lives he has touched, the relationships he has nurtured, the classes he has taught, the programs he has guided and the vision he has cast all speak of his faithful work, excellent gifts, and vibrant faith. And so our November 13 will be full of celebration, all of it about thanksgiving. We give thanks for God s abundance and the practice of faithful stewardship. As Matt and his family go forward to share their gifts with boldness, we will commit to doing the same. May we do so with gratitude befitting a people who in years of plenty and in a decade of Matt s ministry have been richly blessed. The Lord be with you.

2 P A G E 2 Moving Toward Mission: Dedication Sunday, November 13 Watch your mail next week for a pledge envelope and more information. In the meantime, be prayerfully considering how you can financially support God s work in Parkville when we return our pledges on Sunday, November 13. Stewardship vs. Mission? When the word stewardship is mentioned I shudder. However, when the word mission is mentioned, I smile. Mission is what we are about; the church is mission. Sometimes that takes money; usually money is necessary to make mission possible. But it does make mission possible. John Calvin called wages or salary means of grace and I like that. So, stewardship (in the sense of sharing the money we have with the church for ministry) is important; it enables some very concrete things to happen directly or indirectly, it feeds children in Haiti; it enables ministries of advocacy and relief, assisting any number of people affected by tsunamis, floods or typhoons. Not to mention Joplin, Costa Rica, or our Presbyterian projects throughout this nation. So, our money is one way that God enables us to make a difference. Sometimes we think of our money as votes: What are we voting for by the way we spend? That makes good sense to me. I believe that God wants us to enjoy our lives and to share what we have with others. When I spend money that way, I think God smiles. Shannon Jung Questions? We ve Got Answers, Nov. 6 On Sunday, November 6, we will conduct briefings and a Q&A session regarding finances, membership and attendance trends at Parkville Presbyterian immediately following each worship service. These sessions will occur in the sanctuary and will last just 15 minutes in order to not interfere with any other activities. Please come and meet with members of the Stewardship & Finance Ministry Group and representatives from other Ministry Groups to learn more about our church and how we intend to approach planning for Randy Smith

3 P A G E 3 Thanksgiving Celebrations: Nov. 13 Please join us Sunday, November 13 for our Thanksgiving Dinner to be held in Whipple Hall immediately following the 11:00 worship service! This year, besides giving thanks for all God s blessings throughout the year, we will also celebrate the ministry of Matt Reeves and send Matt, Heather, Evan and Gareth off with our gratitude and blessing to Matt s new call in Ohio. The menu for the dinner will be turkey, dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, cranberry sauce, and pie. The choice of drink will be coffee, iced tea, or water. Suggested donations this year (so our cost can be covered) are $8 for adults and $5 for children 10 and under. Reservation forms can be found in the Sunday bulletin. Come and enjoy good food and great fellowship! Food Pantry Sunday, November 6 On the first Sunday of the month, a grocery cart is placed in the narthex to collect contributions. Many thanks to the congregation for their generous support of the SPEAC Food Pantry. November needs: Instant potatoes, boxed stuffing, red Jello, chicken broth, corn muffin mix. Select an Angel for Hillcrest Linda Tillinghast Local Missions Ministry Group will once again be asking for support of the congregation in supplying Christmas gifts for the gentleman currently living in the apartment PPC supports for Hillcrest Ministries and our most recent graduates. The Angel Tree will be placed in the narthex beginning Sunday, November 20. Each Angel will have a specific gift and information about the recipient. Please choose an Angel, purchase the selected item and return unwrapped gifts to the church by December 2. Thanks for your help in making this a special Christmas for our Hillcrest families. Sandy Dixon

4 P A G E 4 Platte County Christmas Store Celebrates 31 years Plans are being made for the 31st Annual United Services Christmas Store in Platte County, held at the Park Hill Baptist Church, December 6 8. The Christmas Store provides a special place where parents of limited resources, screened by United Services, can shop for new toys and gifts to give their children for the holidays. To keep the Christmas spirit alive and the store open, new toys and gifts are needed for approximately 1000 children. Our Local Missions Ministry Group would like to give the congregation an opportunity to contribute to the Christmas Store by bringing new, unwrapped toys and gifts to the church. Look for the Christmas Store collection box in the narthex on November 13, November 20, November 27, and December 4. Volunteers are always needed to help at the Christmas Store. Set-up for the store will be Tuesday, December 6, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. Shopping for parents will be Wednesday, December 7, from 8:30 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. and Thursday, December 8, from 8:30 a.m. until 3 p.m. For more information or gift ideas, contact Linda Tillinghast, If you wish to volunteer, contact Cathy at United Services at Linda Tillinghast Breaking Bread Bunch Resumes in December The PPC Breaking Bread Bunch will not meet in November, resuming Thursday, December 8, 5:00 p.m., at Buca de Beppo on the Country Club Plaza. All we do is talk and eat! There are no requirements for joining us at this gathering other than wanting to participate in fellowship with your church family. Questions? Contact Britt Miller at , ksjhwkfan@hotmail.com or Gary Blanck at , glblanck@gmail.com. Britt Miller Fuller Center Project Update We still are looking for any/all volunteers on November 19 and December 17, who would be interested in helping on this building project. The project will soon transition into sheet rock work and inside painting. All work is done on Saturdays and we partner with different churches in the Northland, referring to ourselves as Christian Carpenters." The work is very fulfilling and downright fun. Also, you don't have to be a man to volunteer. In fact we would love to get more women volunteers from PPC. Call or Doug Gardner with any questions regarding volunteering. Doug can be reached at dgardn1@hallmark.com or Doug Gardner

5 PPC s Online Life is Growing P A G E 5 As part of our ongoing commitment to strengthen our presence in the community, we are beefing up our online presence. First of all, we ve started a Facebook page. Studies show that many people are choosing churches based on what they find online, and social media (including Facebook) are a primary introduction. A Facebook page is also a great way for members and visitors to stay in touch with what s going on at the church and with each other. So please like our Facebook page. It s called Parkville Presbyterian Church click on Like and invite all your other church friends to do the same. (You can go directly there at In coming months, we ll give renewed attention to the design and content of our webpage, but even now it stays current with the church calendar, the Salt Shaker, and many other church activities. Keep an eye on it at You can help! If you have digital photos that we could include on our webpage or post to Facebook (especially soon after special church events), them to Pastor Brian or the church office. These will really help us present the dynamic, joyful life of our church to the community! And finally, you re invited to stay in touch with Pastor Brian online, too. Feel free to be his friend on facebook (search for Brian Ellison) or to follow him on Twitter (he He s also transitioning to a new personal address. You can discard the old AOL address and replace it with brianellisonkc@gmail.com. ( s can also be sent to his church brianellison@parkvillepresby.org.) Brian Ellison

6 P A G E 6 Women s Circles Continue Study of Beatitudes Presbyterian Women s Circles will continue the Horizons Bible Study, Confessing the Beatitudes. All women are invited to attend any of the meetings for Bible study and fellowship. Circle III meets Thursday, November 3, 10:00 a.m., at the church. Contact Becky Nook, Mary Martha Circle meets Thursday, November 10, 1:00 p.m., at the church. Contact Elaine Hon, Evening Circle meets Monday, November 7, 7:00 p.m., at the home of Linda Tillinghast. Contact Dixie Selvidge, Becky Nook Notes of Thanks To the Parktoberfest Volunteers from PPC, This is written to share my heartfelt thanks to all of those who worked at this community event benefitting Parkville parks. Members from our church cheerfully and effectively covered over half of the volunteer needs. This effort benefitted us and others in three very important ways: 1. Supported and gave back to our community in local mission s work; 2. Provided each of us with a time of fellowship and fun; and 3. Was a great vehicle for spreading the word about Parkville Presbyterian Church. I would also like to recognize our very own Cory Miller and Johanna Strother who were instrumental in the launch and leadership of this worthy event. I am proud to be a member of this congregation and look forward to identifying other ways we can serve our community. Blessings to all, Laura Ozenberger Thank you so much for all your calls, cards, and prayers during my hospitalization and recovery at home. Your thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. Lou Kutz Many thanks for prayers, cards, visits and illegal treats during Lily s recent hospital stay. Your support was invaluable to our family. Sandy Dixon Our family would like to thank you for your prayers and support concerning the death of my mother. Your cards and kind words were appreciated. Martha, Scott, Kyle & Kayla Smith

7 You Make the Call: Nominations for Church Office Each year, the church Nominating Committee considers candidates to be chosen by the congregation for the offices of our church. As specified in the Book of Order and our By-Laws, the Nominating Committee includes five members elected by the congregation, one active Deacon, and two active Ruling Elders. Even though this group is designed to represent the whole diversity of the church, it is impossible for the individuals on the committee to know every church member who may be a good candidate for Ruling Elder or Deacon. P A G E 7 We are asking for your help identifying those individuals you believe would make a valuable contribution to our church as a church officer. Members of all ages are eligible for either office. Please consider the following descriptions of the positions and reflect on those you know who may have the necessary qualities of leadership and dedication. Ruling Elders: It is the duty of the Elders to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation, encourage the people in the worship and service of God, equip them for their tasks within the church and for their mission in the world, and to visit and comfort and care for people. The fifteen elders on the Session determine policy, conduct the business of the church and oversee all activities within the church. (In 2011, we will elect five Elders to three-year terms on the Session, and one to a two-year term.) Deacons: The office of Deacon is one of sympathy, witness and service. The duty of the fifteen Deacons is to minister to the sick, the homebound, and to all who are in need, and to assist in Sunday worship duties. (In 2011, we will elect five Deacons to three-year terms on the Board of Deacons, and one Deacon to fill an unexpired term.) We ask for your prayers and support as we search for those members who will best serve our church as officers for the next three years. We also encourage members to submit names of persons the Nominating Committee should discuss as possible candidates by November 6. As you consider people, do so prayerfully and with the following in mind: Is the person a faithful member of this congregation who shares in its worship and ministry through his or her prayers, gifts, study and service? Does the person show a willingness to grow and learn? Do you feel the person is a Christian leader? Would you feel comfortable with his or her decisions? Will he or she listen to others and communicate effectively? Do the person s deeds and words reflect love for Jesus Christ and concern for the welfare of other people? The Nominating Committee Laura Ozenberger (Moderator); Dorothy Cook, Jennifer Doole, Mike Grasso Molly Jackson, Britt Miller, Jim Miller, Marcia Tighe

8 P A G E 8 Prayer Vigil The Spiritual Formation Ministry Group and the Stewardship & Finance Ministry Group invite you to a series of prayer vigils in which we are asking all PPC attendees to participate for the purpose of discerning what gifts, talents, and resources we each have to offer to God for His service in this church. Recently, Matthew Reeves defined a prayer vigil as a time of extended communal prayer in preparation for or response to some significant event. It seems fitting that we come together now as a community to pray.... a time of extended communal prayer in preparation for or response to some significant event. I recently found this definition of stewardship: Stewardship involves how the precious gifts that God has given to all of us are used and cared for. The good steward is someone who is doing the best he can with the things that God has given him. The reality shows up in how a person reacts in situations and how much they are willing to sacrifice to retain their responsibility. At PPC, we are very blessed in that we can look at the person on our left or right and see stewardship in action. However, the need for those who can serve in leadership, teach, pray for others, work in the various ministries of the church, and give of their financial resources continues to be great in our church. We ask that you seriously consider not only attending a 30- minute prayer session, but that you bring another congregant with you (it often just requires asking) and pray for wisdom in knowing just what it is God would have you and the church do with all the many gifts and resources He has given us. Thursday, October 20, was the first prayer session. There will be four 30-minute prayer sessions from 6 to 8 p.m. every Monday and Thursday through November 10. We will have a 12-hour vigil (8 a.m. to 8 p.m.) on Saturday, November 5. It will also be divided into 30-minute segments. A leader will be present to open each session. There is a guide including scripture, for those who are interested in using it. However, we want this time to be a time in which you discern just what it is that God would have you do with your gifts, talents, resources, and time, as well as what God would have us, as a congregation, do to serve God in our community. We are living in a time that is very difficult for many of us. And it can be difficult to see just how God can work in us and through us when our worlds have been turned upside down. That is especially true when it seems like our prayers get no further than the ceiling when we do pray. However, we are promised, where two or three are gathered in my name, there I am among them (Matthew 18:20). We invite you to join us in the very important and very powerful opportunity to pray as a community for God s will for us and for PPC. Contact Jan Myers ( ) at jamyers@kc.rr.com or Randy Smith at randall.smith@kc.rr.com for more information. Jan Myers

9 Adult Ed Offerings in November & December P A G E 9 Young Families Discussion Group Led by group members, Sunday mornings, Room 311 Raising children is one of life s great challenges and joys. This class, intended for parents and caregivers of elementary age children and younger, provides opportunity for fellowship and discussion of what it means to raise children Christianly and well. The group is discussing The Blessing by John Trent and Gary Smalley. Earthy Spirituality: Life with God that Touches Ground Led by Matthew Reeves & others, October 23 - November 13, Room 312. King David humble shepherd, faithful king, sinful adulterer, betrayed father, musician, poet. He is one of Scripture s towering figures. His story is one of wondrous heights and terrible depths, all of which is laid before God with earthy honesty. In this class we will explore our own humanity and relationship with God by looking at David s, listening for the lessons he may teach us about a life with God that touches the ground of our being. An Advent Way of Life November 27 - December 18, Room 312. We often say that Advent is a period of waiting, but could it be more than that even an invitation to a new way of life? We will move through the Advent season with the themes of waiting, accepting, journeying and birthing, attending to how Advent may help us arrive at a new place in our relationship with God. We will also look at how the season is celebrated in another culture and learn how the global church can help us celebrate Advent in North America. Matthew Reeves Hanging of the Greens & Kids Advent Workshop With the approach of Advent we all look forward to the visual expressions of the season decorating the Sanctuary. Achieving this transformation requires the effort of many strong arms and many willing hands. The annual Hanging of the Greens is scheduled for Saturday morning, November 26, at 9:30 a.m. Questions? Contact Kim Lorenzen at or Becky Nook at Every year, the church is transformed to the beauty of the season of advent. As we prepare for this wonderful time, all children and youth are invited to take part in this great tradition also on Saturday, November 26, 9:30 a.m. There will be stations to make their own advent daily family devotional activity. Please contact Michelle Phillips, or michellephilips@parkvillepresby.org if your child/youth will be attending so the appropriate number of supplies will be available. Come and join us for the morning together and help your family create new Christmas memories. Paul Erickson & Mich Phillips

10 P A G E 10 Hope for the Holidays: Dealing with Grief Liberty Hospital Hospice is offering a free, two-hour program for adults who have experienced the death of a loved one on Thursday, November 3, 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and an evening session 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.. This program is designed to be educational and will offer suggestions on ways to cope with grief during the upcoming holiday season. The sessions will be presented by Ruth Schnakenberg, and held at Liberty Hospice & Home Health, 1134 W. Kansas, Liberty, Mo. Call to register. Recipe Corner: Oriental Rice After the recent church dinner October 15, there have been numerous requests for John Broyles recipe for Oriental Rice: 1 cup uncooked white rice 1/2 cup chopped onion 1 can (4 1/2 oz.) sliced mushrooms, drained 2 tablespoons butter, melted 1 (14.5 oz. to 1 lb.) can French style green beans, drained 1 (2 oz. ) jar diced pimentos, drained 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon pepper (I use white pepper) 1 cup sour cream (make this cup very generous) Cook rice according to package directions. (Do not use minute rice for this recipe). Sauté onions & mushrooms in the melted butter until tender. Add onions & mushrooms, green beans, pimentos, salt, & pepper to the cooked rice. Fold in sour cream & heat slowly just to warm it. I put this in a greased casserole (I use Pam) & place in an oven on warm until ready to serve. Double this recipe for a 9x13 inch dish. from the kitchen of John Broyles

11 Financial Report: Giving Lags in Sept. P A G E 11 Overall contributions slid slightly in September from the August level. And while expenses continue to run lower than we had budgeted, our gap between income and expenses has grown. We are now making payments under the refinanced terms of our building loan. However, our 2011 Capital Campaign efforts will continue until we can ensure that pledges and income will allow us to cover projected payments through A recap of the Financial Report is available on the kiosk and anyone who wishes to review the details or discuss any aspect of our financial status should contact Randy Smith at or at randall.smith@kc.rr.com. Randy Smith Mark your calendars... Sunday Holiday worship services Christmas Day, December 25 and New Year's Day, January 1 One service only: 10:00 a.m. (No Sunday School) Caught in the Act Sometimes, we take people for granted. They are often the ones who quietly move among us doing good deeds as they go. Although, they often prefer the background and do not choose to be out in front, their work is vital to the mission of the church. They are the Sunday School teachers, the deacons, and those who donate their time to the youth of the congregation. They lead by example. One of those is Heather Reeves who has done all of the above and more. We appreciate all her work and wish her the very best as the family moves to Ohio. She will serve that congregation as she has ours since she came to Parkville Presbyterian 11 years ago as the spouse of a seminary intern and then returned when Pastor Reeves was called as our associate pastor. And we would be remiss if failed to mention another blessing. Heather and Matthew have provided Parkville Presbyterian the joy of sharing in the birth and lives of Evan and Gareth. We celebrated their arrival, witnessed their baptism and the start of their Christian education. And since we feel a little ownership, please, send pictures so we can keep up with the milestones in their lives. Thank you Heather, and blessings to you in your new home. (Ohio isn t too far so maybe we ll come to visit, but not all at one time we promise. We ll do it in orderly Presbyterian fashion have a sign-up sheet in the narthex.)

12 Parkville Presbyterian Church November 2011 For additional Children & Youth Group activities, please refer to the NaCl Mixer Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 32nd Sunday in Ordinary Time/Daylight Savings Time ends 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:40 a.m. Church School 11:00 a.m. Worship 5:30 p.m. SPARK (Middle School Youth) 6:30 p.m. BLAZE (Senior High Youth) 7 6:30 p.m. Bear Cubs 6:30 p.m. Webelos 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 7:00 p.m. Evening Circle at the home of Linda Tillinghast 1 All Saints Day 6:30 p.m. Cub Scouts 7:00 p.m. Session/ Room Ministry Night 2:30 p.m. SPEAC Board/Room 307 6:00 p.m. Food & Fellowship (light supper) 6:30 p.m. Worship 7:00 p.m. All Ministry Groups Meet 2 7:00 a.m. Morning Prayers 10:00-noon Prayer Vigil/Sanctuary 7:00 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 9 7:00 a.m. Morning Prayers 7:00 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 3 10:00 a.m. Circle III/Room 307 6:00-8:00 p.m. Prayer Vigil/Sanctuary 7:00 p.m. N/A//Room :00 a.m. Quilting Group/Room 307 1:00 p.m. Mary Martha Circle/Room 311 5:30 pm. Daisy Troop Room 207 7:00 p.m. N/A//Room th, 5th & 6th Grade Retreat/HPC (ending 11/5) 11 Middle School Youth Retreat/HPC ending 11/12 5 8:00 a.m. 8:00 p.m. Prayer Vigil/Sanctuary 9:00 a.m. Highway Clean-up rd Sunday in Ordinary Time 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:40 a.m. Church School 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:00 p.m. Congregational Meeting & Thanksgiving Dinner/Whipple Hall 14 6:30 p.m. Cubs 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 15 6:30 p.m. Cubs 7:00 p.m. Board of Deacons/Room :00 a.m. Morning Prayers 7:00 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 17 7:00 p.m. N/A//Room Christ the King 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:40 a.m. Church School 11:00 a.m. Worship 5:30 p.m. SPARK (Middle School Youth) 6:30 p.m. BLAZE (Senior High Youth) 21 10:00 a.m. Salt Shaker Deadline 6:30 p.m. Cubs 7:00 p.m. Boy Scouts 22 6:30 p.m. Coordinating/Room 307 6:30 p.m. Cubs 23 7:00 a.m. Morning Prayers 7:00 Chancel Choir Rehearsal 24 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 7:00 p.m. N/A Whipple Hall 25 CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED 26 9:30 a.m. Hanging of the Greens & Advent Workshop 27First Sunday in Advent 8:30 a.m. Worship 9:40 a.m. Church School No Confirmation Class 11:00 a.m. Worship 12:15 p.m. Congregational Meeting 28 10:00 a.m. Salt Shaker Deadline 7:00 p.m Cub Pack Meeting/Whipple Hall :00 a.m. Morning Prayers 7:00 Chancel Choir Rehearsal

13 Parkville Presbyterian Church 819 Main Street Parkville, MO Office: Fax: We re on the Web Ministry Groups Everyone is invited to come and find a way to serve: Tuesday, November 8 6:00 p.m. Food and Fellowship (light supper, families welcome) 6:30 pm. Informal worship; children go to child care 7:00 p.m. All Ministry Groups meet Children, Youth & Young Adults: Cindy Wissinger, Community Life: Teresa Clark, Global & National Missions and Social Witness: Graham Houston, Local Missions: Sandy Dixon, Spiritual Formation: Jan Myers, Stewardship & Finance: Randy Smith, PPC now has a Facebook page! "Like" us at "Parkville Presbyterian Church" Sunday Worship 8:30 & 11:00 a.m. Church School: 9:40 a.m. Wednesday Morning Prayers: 7:00 a.m. Church Office: Church Fax: church@parkvillepresby.org Salt Shaker published monthly by Parkville Presbyterian Church The Rev. Brian D. Ellison, Pastor The Rev. Matthew B. Reeves, Associate Pastor Michelle Phillips, Director of Student Ministries Paul Erickson, Organist & Director of Music and Arts Peggy Pape, Office Manager Deadline for next publication: November 28, 10 a.m.