MESSENGER. A newsletter for members and friends. It s Not Over. January 2012

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1 MESSENGER A newsletter for members and friends It s Not Over January 2012 SESSION MEMBERS Current members of the Session are: Grace Baldwin Harold Dykstra Perry Hayes Lynn Jordan Wilson Kayange Izar Martinez, Clerk of Session Helmi Merkley Ann Platz Liz Rajagukguk Ibram Shad Cathy Smith Kathleen Wilmot Terry Zeidler Whether we looked forward to Christmas with the wideeyed anticipation of a child, or with a bit of dread because of all that had to be done, some of us now say with both relief and a bit of wistfulness, It s over. It s not over, of course, For one thing, the twelve days of Christmas begin on Christmas day and continue until Epiphany, the coming of the Wise Men, so we get to celebrate a bit longer. For another, what started with God s gift of the Christ Child, can never be over. The poet Ann Weems expresses this truth in a poem called It Is Not Over : It is not over, this birthing. There are always newer skies into which God can throw stars. When we begin to think that we can box the Christ in a stable in Bethlehem, that s just the time that God will be born in a place we can t imagine and won t believe. Those who wait for God watch with their hearts and not their eyes, listening, always listening for angel words. In our hearts we really know this. We know that this little one we ve welcomed grows up to become the one who leads us into unimagined adventures and joys. At this time in our life as a church, this knowledge comforts us, challenges us, and gives us hope. Pastor Sylvia

2 Page 2 MESSAGE FROM THE DEACONS With the holidays over, your Board of Deacons wish for each of you a blessed We pray this will be a year of joy and fulfillment and also a year of growth and a greater awareness of God s presence in your life. As we look back over the holidays, the deacons wish to express their sincere thanks for your generous donations to their work. Thanks to you, our church was able to help seven families in our three congregations with Thanksgiving meals and a more joyous Christmas. Now we look to the need for continuing prayer and services to members of our church. One aspect of this ministry by the Board of Deacons is caring for the shut-ins in our three congregations. These are those who are unable to participate in the worship services and activities of our church. Each deacon has chosen one member of our congregation for his/her personal ministry and attempts to bring the ministry of the church to that individual. This includes personal calls, prayers, delivery of the Sunday morning worship flowers when not taken by the donor, and various other needs. Again, the deacons wish to express our thanks to many members of our congregation who help them in this ministry. Also, the Board of Deacons wish to express their thanks to you, the members of our congregation who make all these services possible by your financial donations to their work....from Step by Step for FPCR s hosting of the November Music for an Autumn Afternoon. More than $1,016 was raised to provide support for re-entry of parolees into local communities....from Redlands East Valley High School singers for hosting their annual Christmas concert....from Hal Klein and greetings for a Happy New Year. Health update/progress report...after last year s open heart surgery and stroke, physical therapy and rehab, my health is much improved. I am now living in Pasadena near daughter Aleta and her family. I would enjoy hearing from you. My new address is Hal Klein, Chancellor Place, 990 E. Del Mar Blvd., Pasadena, CA Phone: Our sincere thanks to the Jacob family for the Unity Candle they donated to our church in memory of Perviaz Jacob. We appreciate the generosity and thoughtfulness that led to this lovely gift. It will be a beautiful symbol for weddings in our church for years to come. Thank you Joice, Suneal, Sundus, and Aneeb. We appreciate you and your gift.

3 Page 3 THE ONE YEAR BIBLE Have you read the Bible all the way through? Have you ever been a little unsure about the order of events in Hebrew history? Or do you just wish you knew the Bible better? Reverend Ron Duvall has suggested to our Adult Class that they consider reading through the Bible in one year. A One Year Chronological Bible is available for purchase. You can buy one on line at a discount. We have also bought one for the Library which you can consult. Or Ron can give you advice about the daily readings. Why don t we make a New Year s resolution to undertake this discipline together? We can hold one another accountable and perhaps share our thoughts as we read. LAS POSADAS EVENT A SUCCESS Mary and Joseph led over a hundred pilgrims to the door of our church on Saturday night, December 18. They sang to us sweetly, asking to be given lodging. Singing the response that refused them entrance was actually difficult. But some of us then joined them on their journey to the Congregational Church and then to the Methodist Church, where all were joyfully received. A wonderful dinner of tamales, beans and rice was provided and the children had a great time breaking piñatas. Our thanks to Lynn Jordan, who provided the apples we gave to the pilgrims; to Helmi Merkley, who decorated tables for the dinner; to Luvi Avendano, who led our singing group; and to Diane and Susan Glascom who helped serve the dinner. PASTOR SEACH COMMITTEE Our Pastor Search Committee has met routinely for the past several months. We are very close to completing the extensive Church Information Form (CIF) which will be the document that applicants can access online to find out information about our church and the open position. We will be able to complete this phase of the process when all pledges are in. The Finance Committee will use the pledge information to formulate a reimbursement package that will be inserted into the CIF. The next phase will be the assessment of applications and subsequent candidate interviews. We hope this will begin in January. Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we move forward with this very important endeavor. Norm Hamada, Co-chair

4 Page 4 Happy Birthday! January 1 January 4 January 9 January 10 January 13 January 16 January 17 January 18 January 20 January 24 January 29 January 31 Aaron Roiballove Adrian Roiballove Charlie Chao Randy Rajagukguk Jack Tompkins Janet Jackson Barbara Phelps Isabel Browne Lois Bohlman Janie Dana Jim Appleton Gayle Timilione Larry Dwight Joyce Crawford Mary Lou Martinez STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN UPDATE By now, you should have received your stewardship letter, so you already know the challenge that faces us. To be able to meet our present obligations and also call a new pastor, we need to add at least $40,000 to our income for each of the next two years. We hope many of you will be able to increase your pledge or make a pledge to help us meet this challenge. The good news is that we already have lead commitments from some generous members in the amount of $23,800. If we can receive only $16,200 more, we will have reached our minimum goal. We are extremely grateful to those of you who have already pledged so generously. The Stewardship Committee

5 Page 5 SESSION HIGHLIGHTS The Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Redlands met on December 12, 2011, and took the following actions. Received the Treasurer s report for the month ending November 30, Total Income: $ 19, Total Expenses: $ 22, Net Ordinary Income: $ -2, The balance in the General Account as of November 30, 2011 was $19, Received the Clerk of Session report. The Clerk reported that a comprehensive review of the membership had been conducted and the current active membership is 239. Received the Pastor s Report. Rev. Karcher noted that in addition to preaching and leading worship, she had made multiple hospital visits and visits to shut-ins and Church members in residential care facilities. Voted to extend an expression of thanks and gratitude to the Jacob family for the contribution of the Unity Candle to be placed in the Sanctuary. Voted to request from the Presbytery of Riverside the extension of Rev. Ron Duvall s appointment as Parish Associate for the period January 1, 2012 through December 31, Voted to request from the Presbytery of Riverside permission to appoint Rev. Samuel as Parish Associate for the period January 1, 2012 through December 31, Approved the recommendation from the Stewardship/Rental Committee to increase rental fees during the 2012 calendar year by 10 percent. This increase is necessary in order to cover the projected increase in utility costs. Received Commissioner Helmi Merkley s comprehensive report on the Called Meeting of the Presbytery of Riverside held on November 11, 2012, at Mountain View Community Church in Wildomar, CA. In addition to Commissioner Merkley, Commissioner Jean Vieten, and Rev. Sylvia Karcher represented First Presbyterian Church of Redlands. Received the Deacon Report for the month of November The Deacons were able to provide gift cards to Church families at Thanksgiving. They have allocated $550 to provide Christmas gifts for Church families and are currently making arrangements to decorate the Sanctuary with the traditional poinsettias during the Christmas season. Izar Martinez SIGN UP TODAY The flower calendar is now available in the Narthex. Once you select the date on which you would like to provide flowers for the Church, please write your name in the space provided. You will be contacted regarding selection of flowers and bulletin notation.

6 Page 6 Jeri Chao is now home from the hospital and recuperating slowly. She is still unable to receive visitors. Carl Culverhouse, who was part of this church for many years, passed away on Monday, December 19. A graveside service is scheduled for Monday, January 9 at 1 PM at Montecito Memorial Park, Colton. Our prayers are with his son Keith and his daughter Tricia. The Loma Linda Counseling and Family Services Clinic is pleased to announce Parenting and Co-Parenting Groups beginning Thursday, January 12 from 6-8 PM. Copies of the flyer are available in the church office or by calling , option 1. Music for a Winter Afternoon Featuring five organists and the Casavant Opus 1230 organ in the University of Redlands Memorial Chapel Sunday, January 8, 3:00 PM A freewill offering will be received for Step by Step, a coalition for the positive re-entry of parolees

7 First Presbyterian Church Redlands 100 Cajon Street P. O. Box 2009 Redlands, CA / NON-PROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID San Bernardino, CA Permit No Return Service Requested FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF REDLANDS MISSION STATEMENT The mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Redlands is to grow spiritually with the community by sharing the love of Jesus Christ with all who seek to know God through worship, prayer, fellowship, and evangelism.