Presbyterian. Bound Brook THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH LOVE LOCAL

Transcription

1 Bound Brook Presbyterian THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Serving the greater Raritan Valley Community 409 Mountain Avenue, Bound Brook, NJ ; No. 10 June 2018 Vol. LXIX LOVE LOCAL Just then a lawyer stood up to test Jesus. Teacher, he said, what must I do to inherit eternal life? He said to him, What is written in the law? What do you read there? He answered, You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and your neighbor as yourself. And he said to him, You have given the right answer; do this, and you will live. But wanting to justify himself, he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor? Luke 10:25-29 Every summer on ASP (the Appalachia Service Project) our group is asked to introduce itself to the summer staff and to any other churches that might be staying at the same center with us. It has become our habit to introduce ourselves with a little skit highlighting our diversity. What diversity, you may ask. Well, we have Giants and Jets fans, Yankees and Mets fans. We are from twelve different school districts, ten different towns, sometimes 3 or more states. We are Presbyterians and Roman Catholics (and a lot of other flavors). You get the picture. But what we always end with is the fact that out of volunteers we often have maybe one or two representing the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church, who are actually from Bound Brook. That hasn t always been the case, but it has certainly been true over the last ten years or so. We are after all, a regional church. Our membership reflects a similar dynamic. Alt- 16

2 hough we do have many more than one or two members with a Bound Brook mailing addresses, we are still have far more members from outside the bounds of Bound Brook, then from within. This isn t a problem per se, only a challenge. Many of us commute every weekend to church, driving in and out of Bound Brook without a second glance. And yet Bound Brook is where we, as a church, have been firmly rooted for 330 years. Our history is here. Our beautiful sanctuary is here. Our equally beautiful cemetery is across the street. Bound Brook is our past, present and future, and we need to get reacquainted. We need to LOVE LOCAL. I would like to propose that we take some time this summer to get to know Bound Brook all over again (or for perhaps the first time). I have selected two summer Sundays, June 24, and August 19, and Saturday, July 14 and would like to invite you to eat locally with others from BBPC. In June & August, we will offer sign ups to eat lunch after church at local restaurants. On Saturday, July 14 we will gather at Billion Park for the annual Bound Brook Food Truck Festival from 3PM 5PM (finishing in time for the Saturday 5 PM service). This is just a small way to begin being neighborly and to invest in our local community. In the fall, Mission Commission will be looking for ways the church can serve the local community, with hands-on projects and the selection of a local mission recipient for our Capital Campaign Mission Funds. Please save the dates, and if you can t join us you can still eat or shop locally this summer at your convenience. For those of you who live in Bound Brook and are already well acquainted with all it has to offer, please offer us your suggestions on places to eat, or things to do in and around town. Looking forward to sharing the summer months with you. See you in church! Linda BBPC GOLF OUTING Monday, September 24 at Fox Hollow Golf Club in Branchburg YOU DON T NEED TO BE ABLE TO PLAY GOLF IN ORDER TO HELP US WITH THIS KEY FUNDRAISER!!! How can I help? 1) Get sponsors!!! (Take brochures from the round table in the reception hall and give them to store managers, businesses, your doctor, dentist, etc. They can contribute in return for advertisement space.) 2) Make a donation: You can purchase some of the supplies we need for the auction baskets: Gloves, golf shirts, balls, golf umbrellas, etc. 3) Make a gift basket: You can do this by yourself or with some friends. If you need ideas for possible themes, give us a call. 4) Volunteer to help on the day of the tournament! 5) Play golf! Get a foursome together and sign up! 6) Attend the luncheon. Sign up in advance. Even if you don t play golf, you can come to the luncheon, and you can bid on prizes if you wish. The cost should be less than in previous years because we will get a caterer ourselves. Need more information? Contact David Blakeley or the church office at PS In June, the Session, under the recommendation of the Personnel Commission, has agreed to reduce my duties to general head-of-staff duties and adult education. I have been released from direct work with children and youth ministry for the time being. The Christian Education Commission, along with the yet-to-be-hired, part-time Christian Education Director, will be supervising those ministry programs until a new staffing plan is in place. 2 15

3 PRAYER CONCERNS Youth Scoop Appalachia Service Project 2018, destination Scott County, Tennessee Please keep our 84 youth and adult volunteers in your prayers as they travel south next month July 7-15 th. Also, a reminder that you are invited to join us when we return on Wednesday, July 18 th at 7 PM for an ASP celebration event in the church sanctuary. We will supply the desserts and the stories! Let us thank you for all the many ways you have support the Appalachia Service Project Summer Mission Trip. SUMMER CHURCH SCHOOL a.k.a. Holy Moly begins June 17 th! Holy Moly depends on volunteer adult help to sign up to lead one Sunday during the summer months. The curriculum is easy and available outside Pastor Linda s office. You will have access to our amazing craft closet craft ideas provided (or you can do your own thing.) The sign-up sheet is located in the table in front of Linda s office. Please contact Barb Hutchins is you have any questions. davbarhut@gmail.com. VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL Vacation Bible School is on the way! Join us July for Maker s Fun Factory! Kathy Holmlund has agreed to help make this event happen, but she can t do it without YOU. Please consider volunteering to help. There is plenty to do both the week before the event and the week of the event. Vacation Bible School will run Monday through Friday from 5 8 PM. Please let the CHURCH OFFICE know if you are interested in helping or Kathy directly at kathleen.holmlund@gmail.com Irene Marshall (sister of Dave Oliver*), Russel BeckmaN (uncle of Cathy Boleyn*), Hannah (grand niece of Yvonne Bellamy*), Melanie Rosengarden (friend of Diane Padula*), Arline Siegel (friend of Anne Taylor*), Ed Hill & family (friend of Gerda Reimer*), Sue Winning (partner of Cheryl Dolida*), Peter Caruso (friend of Edie Clark), Peter Petcos (brother of Kim Petcos*), Mark Destler (nephew of LaVerne Miner*), Sophie Cvetan (godmother of Lisa Tomsa*), Janet Stierli (friend of Deb Gugel*), Eleanor Tomsa (mother-in-law of Lisa Tomsa*), Linda Fisher (aunt of Lisa Tomsa*), Virginia Perkovich (aunt of Lisa Tomsa*), Carol Stalker*, Rose Suits* Bereaved: The family of Franklin Welliver (father-in-law of Sandy Welliver*) The family of Richard Bellamy (uncle of Yvonne & Keith Bellamy*) The family of Annie Larson (aunt of Jody Heuer ) The family of Doris Hawkins* The family of Dyllan (student at Franklin High School) The family of Karen Smith (cousin of Peggy Sakasitz*) The family of Alyce Gowdy Wright Destler (niece of LaVerne Miner*) The family of Cynthia Hellerman* The family of Jackie DeIulio (wife of Joe DeIulio*) The family of William Mason (brother of Alice Dellmire*) MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR DORIS HAWKINS The Memorial Service for Doris Hawkins, long time church member who died on May 16, will be held on Monday, June 11 at 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary of the church. obituary.html#tribute-start THANK YOU NOTE George and Erik Hellerman would like to thank the BBPC community for its love and support following the death of their mother. Your cards and kind thoughts are greatly appreciated. Our congregation is well known for the support it gives families in these difficult times, and now was no exception. Thank you. 14 3

4 DEACONS STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL Friday, June 8 6:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Come join us for delicious strawberries, cake & ice cream, music, fun, and fellowship! Proceeds benefit the Deacons Fund. MISSION STUDY The Mission Study Team has completed its report for the Mission Study. The Team will be presenting the report to the Session at a special meeting on June 14. Following that meeting, the Session will be forming a committee to determine how to proceed with the next phase of calling a Pastor. The report and plan to move forward will be sent to the Committee on Ministry of the Presbytery. The Mission Study Team thanks all of you who have participated in various parts of the Mission Study. Your input has been invaluable for our study of the mission of our current church and our hopes for the future. The members of the Mission Study Team include the following: Jung Dettelback, Christina Luna, Ilse Pease, Chris Potter, Laura Shreve, Laura Still, and Kathy Hobbs. SUMMER OFFICE COVERAGE Martha will be leaving on vacation on Friday, June 15. Sharon Dougherty, our summer secretary, will begin on Monday, June 18. NEWS FROM THE MISSION COMMISSION The 2018 Camp Johnsonburg brochures have arrived! Take a look at all the great opportunities for children and youth to experience camp this summer! Anyone who has ever been will tell you that Johnsonburg has great facilities and programs! All youth from BBPC are eligible for church camperships. The Mission Commission will provide $200 for each BBPC child who registers to attend the camp, to defray families camp-fee expenses. To receive the campership, families should register for the camp and then provide a copy of their camp registration form to the church office or Mission Commission (Sal Lalama and Chris Potter, co-chairs). FAIR TRADE SALE On the weekend of June 23-24, before and after the church service, the Mission Commission will offer Fair Trade items for sale: coffees, cocoas, chocolates, olive oil and olive oil soap. In addition we will offer pendants made from Olive Wood by Palestinian Christians living in the Bethlehem area of the West Bank. THE PRESBYTERIAN - Newsletter Thanks to the Communication Commission, it is now available online! Go to to see our newly renovated website, scroll down to What s New? and you will find the latest edition of the Presbyterian with all of our upcoming events. The newsletter will not be mailed via the U.S. Postal Service unless you request it specifically. It will be available on our website or you may pick up a copy at church. 4 13

5 Per Capita Have you paid yours yet? Per capita is an opportunity for all communicant members of the Presbyterian church to participate equally, responsibly, and interdependently by sharing the cost of coordination and evaluation of mission; and performing ecclesiastical, legislative, and judicial functions that identify a reformed church, while at the same time strengthening the sense of community among all Presbyterians. (General Assembly Minutes, Part 1, 1995) Each year the church is expected to pitch in for the greater good of our common work as Presbyterians. The per capita assessment is a per member fee (not per household) that is divided among our local Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly. Our Presbytery receives our per capita payments and is then required to pass on what is due to Synod and General Assembly based on the total church membership of the churches within its bounds as of the previous year. So, this year our Presbytery will be obligated, on behalf of BBPC, to pass on per capita dues based on a membership of over 550 members, even though we have reduced our roles just recently to approximately 470 members. Conversely, churches are NOT obligated in the same way Presbyteries are, to pay in full for each member. Churches are free to assess what they can reasonably afford. Some churches, such as ours, choose to pass their per capita dues on to its members, paying only what is collected rather than including the full per capita in its budget. For us this meant in 2017 that while we should have paid $18,600.72, we actually paid $3, (20% of what was owed.) You don t have to be a mathematician to see the heavy financial burden this inflicts on our Presbytery. This year s per capita has been set at $33.12 per member. If you haven t already, please consider making a contribution, marked PER CAPITA in the memo, made out to BBPC. We will make sure your per capita contribution is passed on to New Brunswick Presbytery, and from there to Synod and General Assembly. Thanks. UPDATE FINANCIALS: Thank you for your continued financial support (1/1-5/31) 2018 (1/1 5/31) Income: $265,778 Income: $218,095 Expenses: $225,352 Expenses: $189,695 Last year, we received a very large donation in early in 2017 that skewed the income numbers by $40k.. 12 June 3 1 Samuel 3:1-10 (11-20) Psalm 139:1-6, Corinthians 4:5-12 Mark 2:23-3:6 June 10 1 Samuel 8:4-11 (12-15), (11:14-15) Psalm Corinthians 4:13-5:1 Mark 3:20-35 Lectionary Readings 5 June 17 1 Samuel 15:34-16:13 Psalm 20 2 Corinthians 5:6-10, (11-13) Mark 4:26-34 June 24 1 Samuel 17: (1a, 4-11, 19-23) Psalm 9:9-20 Or 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, & Psalm Corinthians 6:1-13 Mark 4:35-41 FELLOWSHIP TIME Again this year, we would like to offer SUMMER FELLOWSHIP GOODIES. The Fellowship Commission does not schedule coffee hours during the summer. Starting July 1st through the last Sunday in August, I am asking you to consider hosting one Sunday. All the paper goods will be supplied. The "host/hostess" will be asked to supply cookies, cake, or coffee cake and 2 containers of the large size of 1/2 and 1/2. The "host/hostess" will need to set up before the service and clean up after. It only takes about 15 minutes to set up and about 15 to clean up. Sign-ups will be available in June. Please consider volunteering to help us socialize after worship service on Sunday mornings. I thank you very much in advance!! If you have questions, please contact me at kathyahobbs6@gmail.com or LOOKING FOR A PART TIME JOB WITH A MEANING? Bound Brook Presbyterian Church is seeking a Part Time Transitional Christian Education Director to work primarily with Children & Family Ministry and Youth Ministry. This is a paid position and will require on average 16 hours per week. It is a temporary transitional position that will last at least through December while we continue on our journey with our mission study and hiring our new pastor and head of staff. Once we receive the results of the mission study and hire our new head of staff there may be an opportunity for this position to become permanent should the candidate be interested and a good fit for the position. If you have any interest in this position or would like further information please contact David DePierro at dad4766@aol.com or

6 Session Highlights from May: ASP CAR WASH DATE - Saturday, June 23, from 9:00-2:00 PM, weather permitting May Session Highlights: Session approved a request from the ASP Planning Team to apply for license to hold a tricky tray event in Cemetery Committee reported its plan to host a Memorial Day (Sunday) Service of Remembrance and Dedication of the Cemetery Expansion after worship on May 27 th. Session in time for a mid-june special session meeting to meet with the task force and to approve the report. Session will then determine how to share the report with the congregation, and will begin the work of developing a staff plan in light of the Mission Study findings. Session discussed its alcohol policy and reiterated that alcohol at church events, whether offsite or on, must be approved by the session on a case by case basis. There were two special session meetings held in May. At the first meeting, Session approved a bid for the replacement of the church airconditioning system for approximately $30,000. The work is to begin as soon as Rupcoe is available. This expense will initially be paid from the Dave Pease Building Fund, but will ultimately be reimbursed from Capital Campaign Funds. RAFTING - ON THE DELAWARE RIVER!! July 28th. More information to follow. The second meeting was to hear the statements of faith of our confirmands: Simon Dettelback, J.T. Gindler & Jack Smyth, and to receive them into membership. ADULT EDUCATION CLASS - Love and Death and Poetry We will explore the love of God, neighbor and self as well as the issues around the mystery and power of death. Our resources will include poetry, Scripture and storytelling. In preparation for the 4 week adult class, please read the Song of Songs. Class meets at 8:45 in the PFC Preschool room. Brooks Smith will lead the class meetings. Church Wide Reading Event "This book should be read by everyone" - member of the "Souper Readers" Join members of the Souper Readers (BBPC book club) for a discussion of Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI, by David Grann. David Grann writes a powerful and true account of the mysterious deaths of members of the Osage Nation during the 1920s after oil is discovered on their lands, and the investigation of these deaths by the newly created FBI, under the direction of a young and secretive director, J. Edgar Hoover. Twenty copies of the book are available for loan in the pastor s office. Copies of the book can be signed out beginning June 3. Join us Sunday, September 30, for supper and discussion of this powerful book. More information will be provided closer the event date. 6 11

7 Join the Compassion-Knits, the Bound Brook Presbyterian Church s Prayer Shawl Ministry, for World Wide Knit in Public Day! PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN When: 1:00 pm 4:00 pm Saturday, June 9, 2018 Where: The Bound Brook Presbyterian Church 409 Mountain Avenue Bound Brook, NJ New knitters are welcome! We will have supplies to get you started. Or, bring your own supplies worsted weight yarn and size 8 knitting needles. CHOIR LITE (SUMMER CHOIR) Don t forget a chair and water! Beginning the third Sunday in June, the 17th, and continuing each week through the second Sunday in July, the 8th, we will have a pick-up choir. Anyone who can sing is invited to come at 9:30 to the choir room to practice a very simple anthem and, most importantly, to lead the hymns and service music for that morning. All ages are invited. If you can sing and are unable to join the choir for various reasons, here is your chance to help out. If you are joining us, please be in the choir room by 9:30 to rehearse. This is on a Sunday-by-Sunday basis. You are not committing for the whole run, just the Sunday for which you choose to sing. After 9 July we will have solos and instrumentalists for the remainder of the summer. FELLOWSHIP TIME Again this year, we would like to offer SUMMER FELLOWSHIP GOODIES. The Fellowship Commission does not schedule coffee hours during the summer. Starting July 1st through the last Sunday in August, I am asking you to consider hosting one Sunday. All the paper goods will be supplied. The "host/hostess" will be asked to supply cookies, cake, or coffee cake and 2 containers of the large size of 1/2 and 1/2. The "host/hostess" will need to set up before the service and clean up after. It only takes about 15 minutes to set up and about 15 to clean up. Sign-ups will be available in June. Please consider volunteering to help us socialize after worship service on Sunday mornings. I thank you very much in advance!! If you have questions, please contact me at kathyahobbs6@gmail.com or AFTER HOURS BIBLE STUDY The After Hours Bible Study is a group of about women some of whom have been meeting once a month on the fourth Monday (except for holiday conflicts) for over 30 years. This year the study is Cloud of Witness: The Community of Christ in Hebrews. All women are welcome our ages range from years young. Our next meeting is the picnic, June 11 at the home of Jan Holmlund, 153 Flanders Rd., Hillsborough. All women are invited - those who attended this year's study and anyone who may be interested in the After Hours Bible Study group. You are asked to bring an appetizer or dessert to share. PRESBYTERIAN EDUCATION BOARD IN PAKISTAN CELE- BRATES 20 YEARS! There s exciting news to report from the Christian Girls School in Martinpur, Pakistan, where our church supports 21 students! For the 2 nd year in a row BBPC has been honored as a Pacesetter ($5,000- $99,999) donor. In a country in which most Christian residents are illiterate with less than a 3 rd grade education, over 95% of the PEB students pass the mandated 10 th grade state matriculation exams. In addition 2 of the Martinpur students recently received degrees in education and psychology for the University of Lahore. Executive Director Veeda Javaid Gill, writes, I am grateful to the Friends of PEB organization that has been God s hands here on earth. 10 7

8 PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BOUND BROOK JUNE Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 6:30 First Friday Men s Group 2 9:00-2:00 Car Wash 3 Sacrament of Communion 8:45 Adult Education 10:00 Worship, Church School :30 Staff Meeting 7:00 Building & Grounds Commission 7:00 Personnel Commission 7:00 Membership Commission 7:30 Mission Commission 7:30 Fellowship Commission 8:00 AA 6 6:00 Kids Connection 7:00 Stewardship Commission 7 9:30 Silence Seekers 7:00 Boy Scout Troop #41 8:00 AA Meditation 8 6:00 Strawberry Festival 7:00 Confirmation Lock-In 9 1:00-4:00 Knitting in Public 10 8:45 Adult Education 10:00 Worship, Church School 11:15 Mental Health First Aid 1:00-4:00 ASP Orientation 11 7:30 After Hours Bible Study 12 10:30 Staff Meeting 8:00 AA 13 7:30 Worship & Music Comm. 14 8:15 Cemetery Committee 9:30 Silence Seekers 6:30 ASP Planning Committee 7:00 Special Session Meeting 7:00 Boy Scout Troop #41 8:00 AA Meditation Happy Father s Day 8:45 Adult Education 9:30 Summer Choir Rehearsal 10:00 Worship, Ch. School :30 Staff Meeting 7:30 Board of Deacons 7:30 Session 8:00 AA 20 12:15 Caring Ministry 21 9:30 Silence Seekers 7:00 Boy Scout Troop #41 8:00 AA Meditation :45 Adult Education 9;30 Summer Choir Rehearsal 10:00 Worship, Ch. School 11:45 Love Local :30 Staff Meeting 8:00 AA 27 7:00 Prayer Shawl Ministry 28 9:30 Silence Seekers 7:00 Boy Scout Troop #41 8:00 AA Meditation