Introducing Rev. Gregory and Mary Beth Gibson

Transcription

1 NEWS Volume 13 Number 18 September 20, 2016 Coming up in Worship Sunday, September 25 Ted Wardlaw preaching Text: Genesis 37:3-8, 17b-22, 26-34; 50:15-21 Coming up in Worship Sunday, October 2 Zan Holmes preaching Text: TBD Introducing Rev. Gregory and Mary Beth Gibson The Rev. Gregory and Mary Beth Gibson are coming to our church from Dayton, Ohio where Greg recently completed a two year interim pastorate at the First Presbyterian Church in Middletown, OH. Greg grew up in New York, and graduated from Gettysburg College and Princeton Theological Seminary after which he served as a pastor near Dayton. He then embarked upon a thirty-five year detour during which he graduated from University of Dayton Law School (magna cum laude) and was a trial lawyer. During that time he always kept a foot in the ministry and served as an interim, stated supply and parish associate pastor on a continuous basis. He served as counsel to the General Assembly, as well as a chair of the synod and presbytery permanent judicial commissions. He taught at the University of Dayton Law School, and was named an Ohio Super Lawyer. He returned to Princeton Seminary for the fall semester in 2010 where he was a visiting scholar in the field of preaching. He has led seminars in preaching and stewardship across the country and retired from his law firm in 2010, after which he has devoted his full-time to serving as an interim pastor in churches seeking to grow and engage in new ministry. Mary Beth is a registered nurse, and was most recently employed at Christ Methodist Church in Dayton as a parish nurse. Together they share five children and seven grandchildren. They are very excited to come to Dallas and participate in this transitional period in the life of FPC. They have been truly impressed by the staff and members of the church, and consider their ministry a wonderful call to serve God. Greg will begin on Oct 3, and preach his first sermon on Oct 9. They look forward to meeting you! (Pastor s Desk on Page 2) 1

2 Pastor s Desk This week, we will encounter a portion of the story of Joseph a very unusual story for its consistency and its length! You may know its beginnings, our passage for the day, largely from chapter 37 where Joseph completely misses how his brothers perceive that he, the youngest, was his father s favorite son. In his 17 year old naiveté, he proceeds to share with them a dream that he will reign over them which did not help! And it is exactly this dream which drives the entire narrative, as Joseph deals with both empire and family over the next 13 chapters of Genesis. This last story of Genesis takes place in a context quite different from that of Abraham or Jacob, a time not unlike our own. It was a time of capable humans and strong empires - when people were tempted to have faith in themselves, not in God. But this story works in subtle ways to show God s active, guiding (though hidden) hand throughout the life of Joseph. It doesn t take long to read the whole story, from chapter You might be surprised how we see ourselves here and learn something new about the providence of God. It relates beautifully to one of my all-time favorite scriptures from Paul: Romans 8:28-30: We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn within a large family. And those whom he predestined he also called; and those whom he called he also justified; and those whom he justified he also glorified. As Brueggemann puts it, the hard word for God s guidance in life is predestination the soft one is providence. I often find an element of hiddenness and mystery involved in discerning what is of God in life how about you? Come hear our preacher this Sunday (9/25), Ted Wardlaw, President of Austin Presbyterian Seminary, as he shares some insight on this intriguing story. Peace, FPC Annual Fall Campout at Gilmont What better way to spend time with your family than camping in the beautiful piney woods, enjoying the warmth of a campfire during a crisp fall day in October. Load up the camping gear (borrow, if you don t have any) and head to Camp Gilmont with your FPC Church family. Rejuvenate your soul and build memories. Dates: September 30 October 1, 2016 Where: Camp Gilmont, Gilmer, TX What: A weekend of camping in the piney woods of East Texas Cost: $12 a night per tent site $25 a night per r.v. Activities: Canoeing, campfires, stargazing, hiking, stories, good friends, food, fellowship and worship. For more information or to reserve a campsite: Call Bonnie Edwards at or Gary Minton at Need more encouragement to go? Read 10 Reasons to be a Camping Family on Lowry s mommymanders blog at Dementia Caregiver Support Group Gathering Saturday, September 24, 10-11:30 a.m.- In the Parlor Please join us for a morning of sharing, education and resources Open to church members, their family, friends, neighbors, and the community Questions? Contact Kathy Price, Coordinator of Congregational Life at either ext.230 or Kathyp@fpcdallas.org 2

3 Save the Dates: Home communion: First Sundays (except Easter Week) September 9/25 Newcomers Class begins (6 weeks) Parlor - SS hour October 10/6 First Thursday TBA 6 pm 10/6 Grace Presbytery Meeting Kilgore 9 am 10/11 Faith & Grief series begins Regina Hunt -6:30 pm 10/13 Book Study Begins Surprised by Hope 11:30 am 10/14-15 Cindy Johnson Retreat- Circles of Trust 6 pm Fri 10/16 Taking the Anxiety out of Aging SS hour (4 weeks) 10/22 College of Elders State of the Church 9:30 am 10/29 New Member Party - 5:30 10/30 Stewardship Fair November 11/2-4 FPC Trip to Fredericksburg 11/3 First Thursday TBA 6 pm 11/6 Stewardship Fair 11/19 Cong Life Team Leaders Brunch - 9:30 am December 12/1 First Thursday TBA- 6 pm 12/18 All-Church Caroling to the Homebound 1-3 PM 12/24 Christmas Eve Cookies after 7 pm service February 2/18 College of Elders 9:30 am March 3/1 Ash Wednesday 3/10-12 Women s Retreat Prothro Center April 4/13 Maundy Thursday Home Communion 1 pm 4/16 Easter 4/21-23 Pine Cove All Church Retreat July 7/21-23 Mo-Ranch All Church Retreat The loss of a loved one leaves us seeking answers to questions about grief and our culture is often unhelpful when making our way through the maze of feelings that we experience. Grief truly is a journey of emotions as well as physical and social changes. If you have experienced a loss and find yourself needing a safe place to process your grief, join us for a six week workshop where you can share your story and pose your questions, a place where you can find comfort among others who understand. The workshop begins Tuesday, October 11, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. in the Parlor, and will be led by Regina Hunt. Materials cost: $10 per participant, scholarships available. Welcome to Fall Newcomers Classes PW Projects PW Projects will meet Tuesday, September 27th, in Blakely Hall from 9:30 till 2:00. Please bring your lunch. Tea and water will be provided. Starting September 25 A series of classes will begin Sunday, Sept. 25, to help folks get acquainted with the ministries, mission, beliefs and practices of FPC. Classes will begin at 9:30 on Sunday mornings in the Parlor. Presentations are given each week by pastors, staff and elders, and tours of the church facilities are included. All who are interested in learning more about this congregation are welcome! Please register by contacting Beth Hernandez at bethh@fpcdallas.org or ext

4 Wednesday Night Bible Study Are you curious about and sometimes baffled by the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)? The scriptures used in worship this fall will explore some often puzzling characters and narratives found in these ancient texts. If you'd like to take a deeper look, join the Wednesday night Bible study. Beginning Sept. 21 we'll study Invitation to the Old Testament--a short-term Disciple Bible study (8 sessions). We'll meet 7-8:30 pm in Courson Two. Books will cost $10. Facilitator--Bonnie Edwards. Visit the information table in Anderson Common or contact Carol White carolw@fpcdallas.org to sign up. To: All Presbytrerian Women CHURCH WOMEN UNITED IN DALLAS Cordially Invites you to our FALL FORUM FPC University Offers Life-Long Learning Sundays, Oct. 2, 9 and 16 at 12:45 pm in Blakley Hall The sermon and worship texts this summer have come from the Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament). Three presenters in October will give Jewish perspectives on Hebrew Scriptures. Oct. 2: Renee Karp of Temple Emanu-El will present "Passover: telling our stories" Oct. 9: Mike Sims of Temple Emanu-El will present "The Making of the Golden Calf" Oct. 16: Rabbi Shawn Zell of Tiferet Israel Congregation will present "Hannah's Song" All are invited to attend these stimulating presentations following Sunday lunch in Byrd Hall. Sponsored by the Adult Education Committee. THEME: REFLECTIONS FOR NEW DIRECTIONS IN 2017 GUEST SPEAKER: REV. CAROLYN McCULLOUGH, FORMER SOUTH CENTRAL REGIONAL COORDINATOR, CWU FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, :30 AM: COFFEE AND GOODIES 10:00-12:30 PM PROGRAM WALNUT HILL UMC, MARSH LANE DALLAS, TEXAS For more information call: Marjorie Whitner, Fredericksburg in The Fall Come one, come all- this overdue trip to the Texas Hill Country is open to everyone! According to the Farmer s Almanac, we just may be blessed with some fall colors! We are departing on Wednesday, November 2 and returning Friday, November 4. We are travelling by Dan Dipert charter bus. As most trips I plan, our dining experiences are always a priority. However, for this excursion, the itinerary is not quite so busy. Fredericksburg has so much to offer. Some of you may want to stop into the wine tasting rooms as you either Christmas shop for family or yourself! Others may want to spend time exploring the National Museum of the Pacific War. And some of you may just want to relax. Our accommodations, the Inn on Baron s Creek, will certainly set the mood for relaxation, set on a creek but discreetly located about 2 blocks from Main Street. Please know that family, friends and neighbors are always welcomed to join us. The cost for a Single is $ , for an Individual Sharing a Room, $ and a Couple, $ For us to make this trip, we need at least 20 people to go. If you will be joining us for this fun and relaxing trip, please let us know by sending your check, made out to FPC, ATTN: Debbie Reinhardt-Young, 1835 Young Street, Dallas, Tx or dropping the check off at the Welcome Center desk by Friday, September 30th. I have to make a deposit with the hotel or reservations cancelled by October 2nd. Questions? Contact Kathy Price at either ext.230 or Kathyp@fpcdallas.org. 4

5 Youth Matters Sunday, September 25 9:30 a.m. Church School for all youth, 4th floor 10:50 a.m. Worship, sanctuary 4 p.m. Youth Choir rehearsal, choir room 5:00 p.m. 20th Annual Service Corps Dinner and Celebration, Byrd Hall JOIN US Sundays WHERE 3 rd Floor Elementary Wing First Presbyterian Church of Dallas LED By Miss Diana Miss Miatta Larry Dykstra Rotation Shepherds - Jennifer Dickerson, Karen Rohde, Ellyn Morgan, Sarah Nelson Workshop Leaders Carol Herriage, Kristin Trojan, Margaret Little, Carol Crittenden, Neil and Jane Brass, Angel Gooch, Amy Desler CONNECT 5 th and 6 th Grade leaders - Audrey Heckman, Catherine Cuellar and Deanne Teeter K 6 TH GRADE MUSIC MAKERS All K 6 th Graders 9:15 am 9:55am Music Room WORKSHOP ROTATION K-4 th Graders 10:00am 10:45am Holy Word Studio (and other rooms) CONNECT 5 th and 6 th Grade 10:00am 10:45am Exodus Room Family Faith Formation JOIN THE JOURNEY Additional Faith Formation Resources available on the website for family faith time. Parents and Grandparents are often looking for resources to help enrich relationships with children as they tell the stories of our faith. So this fall the FPC Children s Committee would like to remind you of a special resource at your fingertips on our website. New resources are being added weekly including books, articles, and activities. You can check it out at and click on Family Faith Formation. One of the new resources added last week is from the PCUSA Congregational Support and Curriculum Publishing Offices. Grace and Gratitude At Home resources include free quarterly downloadable Bible Story Books for Kindle and I-books with a color picture that can either be read or listened to on audio. In addition, Grace Sightings are activity sheets for families each week that tie to the story. So if you are looking for a way to include weekly devotions and activities as a family try this out. Or perhaps you want to listen to the story in the car or at bedtime. Children s Corner A complete Children s calendar is available to download from the FPC website for Questions or to RSVP please contact Carol White at children@fpcdallas.org. Upcoming Events Sept. 24 and 25 Connections Camp at Camp Gilmont for FPC and Stewpot Kid s Club 5th and 6th Graders Sept. 25 Music Makers Children sing in 10:50 am Worship. Oct. 16 Worship 101 for Kindergarten begins during 10:50am Worship September 25th Mission YearLook The Education Council will start the fall Mission Look presentations with a visit from representatives from Mi Escuelita, a network of day schools serving children at risk in the Dallas area. Presenters will be Gayle Nave, Executive Director and Roxanne Pittman, Associate Director of Community Relations. Come hear how the Mi Escuelita program has grown and how it is preparing youngsters for elementary school and beyond. Come after worship to Blakley Hall to enjoy refreshments and the presentation. Donations may be made to help cover the cost of the finger food trays. The presentation will begin as soon as everyone is served and finds a seat. (Our usual start time for presentations is 12:45 p.m., but we may be able to start a little earlier on Sept. 25th.) Future Mission Look presentations after Sunday worship: Oct. 23rd- Mercy Ships, international floating surgical hospitals Presenter: Carolyn Storm-Kettenacker, U.S. Hospital Liaison Volunteer Nov. 20th-Presbyterian Disaster Assistance 5

6 Christmas Joy All Year Long! Do you remember what gifts you received last Christmas? Presbyterian Pan American School in Kingsville, Texas had a fruitful school year as a result of gifts received through the Christmas Joy Offering and other support from individuals and churches. Here are some of the highlights from June and July letters from Rev. Dr. Doug Dalglish, PPAS President and Angie Mabry-Nauta, PPAS Development Officer: Each year generous supporters join together for the exciting North Texas Giving Day - this year it will be September 22 from 6 a.m. to midnight. The Dallas First Presbyterian Church Developmental Day School (DFPCDDS) is proud to announce their participation in this year s fundraising campaign. DFPCDDS is an outreach ministry that is changing lives every day by providing quality early childhood education that supports cognitive, social, emotional, physical and spiritual development in a Christian setting. All gifts received on North Texas Giving Day will increase our impact by allowing us to broaden enrollment and provide necessary scholarship assistance to families. In addition to the Day School, Encore Park and The Stewpot are participating as well. Visit northtexasgivingday. org. Get up and give! Save the Date: T-Shirt Quilt Workshop (November 5 at 9 AM) Been there, done that, got the T-shirt. Now what? Make a memory quilt with that stack of t-shirts! Round them up from closets, drawers, and under the bed. Bring 'em Sat. November 5, from 9-3 and learn from Nell Carvell how to piece a quilt for you or a family member. Great for college dorms! Makes a nice Christmas gift! Watch for more details in future issues of FPC News. 100% of the 47 Class of 2016 high school grads were accepted into colleges and universities. Ten of those grads on commencement day had already completed dual credit hours through two area colleges placing them ahead towards a college degree. Juniors and seniors participated in a pilot program to give students equal access to technology and develop competence in using digital resources. Due to the success of the ipad program in , all students will have ipads in school year. Students in the 4H program successfully raised a dozen lambs which were purchased at the Kleberg-Kenedy County Junior Livestock Show last February. Freshman student, Julio, won Reserve Breed Champion in his class. The newly built Harte Student Center s October inaugural event, a Mission Presbytery meeting of over 200 commissioners and guests, ended a five-year gap since the presbytery s last meeting at the campus. The school started in 1912, admitted students from 13 different countries. Ninety-one percent of the students received scholarship support. Representatives from PPAS express their gratitude to supporters: Without God s creative work, and the prayerful and generous volunteerism and financial support provided by friends like you, such momentous occasions wouldn t be possible. --Angie Mabry Nauta, Development Officer the impact of your giving extends to communities here at home and around the world. -- Rev. Dr. Doug Dalglish, President 6

7 Cynthia Johnson Retreat This retreat will give you an experience of the time-tested Circle of Trust approach, distinguished by principles and practices that create safe, evocative and trustworthy space for reflection and shared exploration. Many have said that it has created a small group experience where they were able to take off their Sunday faces and talk honestly about the joys and challenges of the journey of life and faith. This approach is fully described in Parker J. Palmer s book, A Hidden Wholeness: The Journey Toward an Undivided Life and offered by facilitators prepared by the Center for Courage & Renewal. Additional information is also available at www. couragerenewal.org/approach/. Join this opportunity for personal growth and renewal as well as for the possibilities it holds for you and others in the formation of new small groups and enrichment of ongoing gatherings within the church. Date & Time: October 14-15, First Presbyterian Church, Friday Oct 14, 6-9 pm, Sat, Oct Contact Kathy Price at kathyp@fpcdallas.org or if you would like to register. Space is limited. Cynthia Johnson, L.M.S.W.-A.P., was the founder of and nationally trained lead facilitator for Courage & Renewal North Texas for 13 years, and continues to lead Circles of Trust programs in diverse community and professional settings around the country. Ordained as a deacon in the Baptist tradition, she has also spent the last 30 years engaged as an active leader in the congregational, denominational, ecumenical and interfaith arenas of religious life. Cynthia earned a B.A. in sociology and social work from Baylor University, a Master s of Science in Social Work from the University of Texas at Arlington, has participated in post-graduate studies at Brite Divinity School and and earned a certificate in Spiritual Direction from Perkins School of Theology. Surprised by Hope Meeting Thursdays Beginning October 13 What happens after we die? What does the Christian faith teach about this? In Surprised by Hope: Rethinking Heaven, the Resurrection, and the Mission of the Church, renowned biblical scholar and Anglican bishop N.T. Wright explains why most practicing Christians are misguided or unclear about the Christian message on this question. We often think in terms of going to heaven --a salvation essentially away from this world. However, we are resurrected, and heaven comes to earth. So the Christian hope is surprisingly different from what many of us have assumed, and this in turn offers hope not just for life after death but also for this broken world and for our mission in it. Come join Rev. Wendy Fenn and Ellen Pryor for a six-week study of scripture and Wright s book as we think together about what Jesus resurrection really means. To reserve your place (class size is limited) please contact Kathy Price at kathyp@fpcdallas.org or call her at The class will meet for six Thursdays from 11:30 1:00. 7

8 You will have an opportunity October 2 to help bring about peace around the globe by contributing to the Peace and Global Witness Offering, the new name for the Peacemaking Offering. Consider these sobering statistics that justify such an Offering: One in four U.S. students reports being bullied at school. Up to 70 percent of women experience violence in their lifetimes. One in three women has been the victim of violence at the hands of an intimate partner. One in four children has been physically abused. Conflict and political violence are on the rise in 48 countries. Structural racism creates long-term deficits of opportunity. Human trafficking and forced labor affect three of every 1,000 people in the world today. To help address these diverse challenges, the Peace and Global Witness Offering supports a range of ministries devoted to peacemaking and reconciliation, including hosting education programs to raise awareness, driving local peacemaking efforts, and offering catalyst support to mission co-workers. One of four special offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), almost $2 million was received last year. This transformed offering will continue the Peacemaking Offering s thirty-three-year endeavor to further peacemaking efforts around the world. This year the Global and Local Mission Committee has elected to use the amount we retain from the offering (25 percent) for Refugee Services of Texas, which has helped resettle and support refugees, asylees, and survivors of human trafficking since Through its home office in Dallas, the agency provides assistance such as resettlement services, legal services, job training, English language training, counseling, and medical help. FPC helped a family from Burma resettle in May. Please prayerfully consider an offering to help peacemaking efforts throughout the Presbyterian Church and around the globe. 8

9 Calendar: September 20 - October 4 Tuesday, September 20 9:00 AM Enneagram Series- Room :00 AM PW General Meeting Lunch- Byrd Hall 6:00 PM Congregational Life Council- Room 404 6:00 PM PW Circle 5- Outside Church Wednesday, September 21 7:00 AM Men s Bible Study - Courson 1 (B3) 12:00 PM Pastor s Bible Study - Blakley Hall (B2) 6:00 PM Stephen Ministries Leaders Meeting- Rm 337 6:30 PM Junior Crew- Courson 3 Venturing Crew- 4th Floor 7:00 PM Chancel Choir Practice- Choir Room Wednesday Evening Bible Study- Blakley Hall Saturday, September 24 Connections Camp Begins 8:30 AM Saturday Kid s Club- 3rd Floor ESL Classes- Community Ministries Building 10:00 AM When Memory Fades: Dementia Caregiver Gathering- Parlor Sunday, September 25 8:45 AM Chapel Service 9:15 AM Sunday Club- 3rd Floor 9:30 AM Sunday School for All Ages Newcomers Class- Parlor 10:50 AM Sanctuary Service We will not have Sunday Lunch, join us in Blakley Hall for refreshments & Mission YearLook Presentation Instead 12:45 PM Mission Year Look Presentation- Blakley Hall 4:00 PM Youth Choir- Room 108 5:00 PM Service Corps Dinner/Celebration- Byrd Hall 7:00 PM Contemplative Worship Series/TAIZE- Chapel Monday, September 26 6:00 PM Community Ministries Committee Meeting- CM Building Day School Board Meeting- Room 404 Wednesday, September 28 7:00 AM Men s Bible Study - Courson 1 (B3) 12:00 PM Pastor s Bible Study - Blakley Hall (B2) 6:30 PM Junior Crew- Courson 3 Venturing Crew- 4th Floor 7:00 PM Chancel Choir Practice- Choir Room Wednesday Evening Bible Study- Blakley Hall Friday, September 30 Fall Campout at Gilmont Begins Saturday, October 1 8:30 AM Saturday Kid s Club- 3rd Floor ESL Classes- Community Ministries Building Sunday, October 2 8:45 AM Chapel Service 9:15 AM Sunday Club- 3rd Floor 9:30 AM Sunday School for All Ages Newcomers Class- Parlor 10:50 AM Sanctuary Service 12:00 PM Sunday Lunch- Byrd Hall 12:45 PM FPC University- Blakley Hll (B2) 2:00 PM Blessing of the Animals- Encore Park 3:00 PM Youth Choir- Room 108 4:30 PM PW Circle 10- Parlor 4:00 PM Presbyterian Youth Connection- 4th Floor 8:00 PM Encore Park Movie Night Monday, October 3 7:00 PM Benedictine Vespers- Chapel Tuesday, October 4 9:00 AM Enneagram Series- Room :45 AM PW Bible Moderators Meeting- Courson 1 6:30 PM Session- Blakley Hall Tuesday, September 27 9:00 AM Enneagram Series- Room 404 9:30 AM PW Projects- Blakley Hall (B2) 6:00 PM Finance Committee Meeting- Room 407 6:30 PM Stephen Ministry Supervision- 4th Floor 9

10 When: Sunday WHERE: 508 Park AMPHITHEATER The Conversation Project & A Gift By Debbie Reinhardt-Young, LCSW Next month, a Sunday school series titled Knowledge is Power: Addressing Anxieties of Aging, will be sponsored by the 21st Century Class. The presenter for the first class, Sydney Farrier, LCSW, will be discussing The Conversation Project. Briefly, The Conversation Project is about helping people talk about their wishes for end-of-life care. An article elaborating further on The Conversation Project is forthcoming. In staying on topic with end-of-life, and specifically cremation, for those of you who may choose it and/or FPC s columbarium, we have been blessed with a gift from Aria Cremation Service & Funeral Homes. Although there are other good companies from which to choose, Aria has provided wonderful service and care over the years for many church members and their family. Because of this relationship, Aria is offering a Direct Cremation Package to FPC church members. Their Basic Cremation Package cost is $3,215.00, but for FPC the cost will be$ (w/required DMN Death Notice). For members to receive the discount, they must have a copy of the FPC Aria Cremation Package, and bring it with them when planning their service. It will help their locations honor the package. All Pastors, Director of Senior Adult Ministry and Coordinator of Congregational Life have access to this document. This is truly a gift from Aria and allows us to be good stewards of our assets. If you should need assistance, please contact a FPC pastor or the Director of Senior Adult Ministry. Join us in Blakley Hall for refreshments and a Mission YearLook Presentation Instead First Presbyterian Church News (USPS ) is published semi-monthly by First Presbyterian Church, 1835 Young Street, Dallas, TX Individual subscriptions $12 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, TX and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to First Presbyterian Church News, c/o Beth Hernandez, 1835 Young Street, Dallas, TX Editor: Wilson Nicholson Deadline is 9 a.m. on Monday, eight days prior to publication date. Articles may be submitted by: Phone ext. 229 Fax wilsonn@fpcdallas.org The FPC newspaper reserves the right to edit submitted materials. Please contact Beth Hernandez at or bethh@fpcdallas.org with any requests to subscribe or discontinue the paper. 10