Volume 36 No. 1 First Presbyterian Church January 2019

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1 Volume 36 No. 1 First Presbyterian Church January 2019 HELP MAKE CHRISTMAS BRIGHTER FOR HEAD START CHILDREN A mitten tree is set up in the narthex to collect coats, mittens, hats, scarves, underwear, socks and boys sweatpants for the children at our Kearney Head Start program. They have 80 children between the ages of three and five years old who sometimes come to preschool without a winter coat or mittens. Boys and girls items, sizes 3T-6T are needed. Please choose an ornament off the giving tree and bring your items to church by January 6th so we can finish delivering them after their Christmas break. There is no need to wrap the item. Just attach the tag to the item. Thank you! REQUIRED TRAINING FOR DEACONS & ELDERS There will be a required Deacons and Elders Training on Saturday, January 5th from 8:30 am 2:30 pm. This training will be an opportunity for both old and new elders and deacons to come together and share ideas, talking about things that have worked well and projects that need to be changed or reimagined. We will be planning for the entire 2019 year and getting various events on the calendar. This should be a fun day, filled with fellowship, sharing, as well as some food! Breakfast and lunch will be served, and childcare will be provided. If you cannot attend, please call Pastor Nancy or her at nancy.tuma@comcast.net NEW MEMBER CLASS JANUARY 13, 2019 There will be a new member class for all people interested in exploring membership at First Presbyterian Church. It will be held Sunday, January 13, 2019 immediately after church until about 1:30 p.m. Lunch will be provided. It will be a time to find out more about our congregation and denomination, as well as answering any questions you might have. Please RSVP to Lori in the office by calling or ing office@fpckearney.org. NEW ADDRESSES FOR STAFF Please make note of the new addresses for office personnel. This is for continuity when staff changes occur. and phone numbers will remain with the position. pastor@fpckearney.org for Pastor Nancy, office@fpckearney.org for Lori O Brien finance@fpckearney.org for Susan Wallace Pastor Nancy also has a new Kearney phone number: The deadline for submissions to the February newsletter is January 17th. The editor reserves the right to edit for content and space. Lori O Brien, editor

2 NOTES FROM NANCY JANUARY 2019 This week during session, I asked a question as I always do that gets people talking and getting to know each other a bit better. The question this week was, What is your favorite thing about the holiday season? There were many different answers, but everyone included family in their answer. Actually, it was said, Well of course family, but also and they would add the rest of their answer. I want to say that I found these answers interesting, because that is how I would also phrase my answer. Of course, I love my family, but what I REALLY love is Family is that challenging part of us, that some of us truly feel connected to and that some of us just tolerate. Family is where we learned how to be in the world; what the rules were and how to navigate everything. Some families were safer places than others, where miss steps were not just tolerated, but embraced, while other families expected us to be perfect from our first step and it never felt like had a safety net, so life was a scary place and we were constantly afraid. There are birth families, adopted families, families of origin, and then as we get older, we find and fashion families of our own creation. These are the families full of our friends (and maybe a member or two of our family of origin) where we are loved and accepted just as we are, full of our faults and foibles, as well as our perfect internal beauty as a child of God. We might not think about this congregation as a space of family, but we are. We come together into this space tired and worn from trying to be what the world and our culture tells us we need to be; we come hurting and sad, longing for spiritual healing that is soul deep; and we come seeking a space of quiet from the noise of the world and the culture. This is what we hope that we will find when we make this place our family as well. As we move into 2019, we will be exploring as a congregation; what is our history and where do we come from; what does it look like to be a church, this church; why do we exist as a church; and if we as a church weren t here, what would we miss. There are many more questions that we will be asking and discussing over the next year and it is important that ALL of your voices are heard. We are a family and just like a family, we struggle and we share, we love and we grieve, and we grow and we change. Those of you, who feel like your voice no longer matters, please know that you are vital to us. For those of you who feel like you do so much for the church and are getting tired, please know that you can let someone else step in and help, but that you are vital to us. If you come to church and haven t yet found a place of connection and feel disconnected, please know that you are seen and we want to help you find and feel a connection. We are a church; a family and ALL are invited and welcome in this space. As always, my door is always open for visits, suggestions, and ideas. Thanks be to God and each of you. Blessings, Pastor Nancy

3 BECOME A CASA VOLUNTEER! I grew up in a home with loving parents who took the time to meet our needs as well as create individual relationships with all five of us children. They were excellent role models while doing so. As a child myself, I saw kids I knew struggle with abuse and neglect. At that time, I believed I helped by befriending them. Those were memories of feeling helpless to make things better but still hoping for something better. Then in later years, as a teen, I realized that kids don t tell. They suffer silently or together, still loving the adults that are mistreating them. Through the years I continued to see children that wouldn t tell and suffered. These children were overlooked partly because the signs they displayed weren t recognized as warning signs. My heart and soul have been burdened since I can remember for these children. Some of them have grown to be adults and still suffer from their past. I ve been able to help at times and at other times said prayers from a distance. Several years ago, the HUB ran an article about CASA to which my interest to participate was great but the needs of my own family were foremost and prevented a decision to participate. Recently at the beginning of this year, a colleague and I discussed their involvement with CASA and what was required. After that discussion, I felt in my heart that it was time to get involved. This is an opportunity to love these children, to be someone they can trust, to be their friend, and to be their voice to the court. I am honored and grateful to be able to be a part of the CASA program to make a difference in the life of a child. Denise Bryan We have new volunteer trainings coming up. January 2019 in Holdrege and April 2019 in Kearney! The training consists of 30 hours in class training. CASA programs in Nebraska operate in compliance with the Nebraska Court Appointed Special Advocate Act (Nebraska Revised Statutes et seq). The CASA training will be held in Kearney during the evenings to get to the 30 in-class hours required. In surveys, Judges find CASA volunteers to be very effective in a wide range of activities that support the court process. They find volunteers most effective in considering the best interests of the child and in monitoring the case. Volunteer input is most highly valued on issues related to placement, stability, permanence and safety of the children while in care. To volunteer call THANK YOU S I would like to say a big thank-you to our church mowing crew for all their time and effort this past mowing season. The crew is Phil Feese, Jack Hild, Jill and Dwayne Hibbs, John and Barb Icenogle, Kent Lilly, Pete Peterson, Larry Meyer, Gayle Woodruff, Zak and Kason Nicol, and Lynn Shaffer. Thank you so much! We are always looking for more mowers. If interested in helping see me or any of the above people. Thanks. Gary Feind My Dear Church family, Thank you so much for my beautiful poinsettia! I just love it! Jill Sage delivered it and it was so nice visiting with her. Also thanks to JoAnn Rademacher and Jean Johnson for the great rhubarb cake from the Shepherd group. I am so blessed to belong to such a giving church. Vi Pimper We would like to thank the First Presbyterian Church for the check of $ towards the school Emergency Fund. Your thoughtfulness is truly making a difference in the lives of so many children. Thanks again, Carol Renner Kearney Public Schools Thank you to Jack Hild for the construction and installation of the nativity scene in the front yard. Thank you to Linda Blackman for the donation of the nativity scene in the narthex.

4 2019 Calendar Items If you have an event that you would like on the Church calendar for 2019, please contact Lori O Brien at or her at office@fpckearney.org. This includes committee meetings and any event that involves use of the building. CONGRATULATIONS Congratulations to Reece Nicol and Hope Goodwin, who were married December 13, Congratulations to Jason & Michelle Shultheis on the birth of their son, Max, who was born December 8, JANUARY MINISTRY OF COMPASSION The January Ministry of Compassion is the Crossroads Center Rescue Mission, supported by the Martha Circle. Their needs are paper products, diapers, canned tuna, other nonperishable food, laundry soap and hygiene items. Please leave items in the hallway bin. Thanks for your generosity. SHEPHERD LEADERS NEEDED The Shepherding committee is looking for additional Shepherd leaders. This is not a hard job, but it does take a few hours a month to keep in touch with your flock. Also, this is NOT a ladies only position; gentlemen - you can do it, too! This is a great opportunity to Love, Learn and Serve. If God is steering you to a new way to serve, please contact Barb Friskopp at or bfriskopp@gmail.com. WEATHER CANCELLATION POLICY The Weather Cancellation Policy for First Presbyterian Church follows this procedure in the event of inclement weather. 1. In the event of inclement weather, the Chair of the Worship and Music Committee and the Chair of the Property and Grounds Committee will confer and decide whether to hold church events. Advice of the Teaching Elder will be sought. 2. If a decision is made to cancel an event, all events for that day will be canceled. 3. If it is a school day, the church will cancel events if school and school events are canceled. 4. If church events are canceled, the One Call Now system will be activated to notify church members of the cancellation. Martha Circle Happy New Year! May 2019 be a new venture in recognizing God s love for you and me. Thanks to all who helped make the Christmas Tea a success. It was a festive occasion with beautiful decorations and delicious treats. It took all of us to make the occasion special. Thanks for supporting Crossroads Center Rescue Mission in December. Let us remember the staff and residents in our prayers as we support them with gifts. In January, the circle is again supporting the School Emergency Fund. Their needs are sweat pants, underwear, socks, and other clothing and hygiene needs for children and youth. Upcoming dates: January 9 th 10:00 a.m. Lesson 5 preview at the church January 16 2:00 Circle meeting in the classroom It is time to understand that the last phase of life is not non-life, it is a new stage of life. --Joan Chittister Blessings in Christ, Annabelle Wells, Moderator

5 Delphine graduated from the University of Nebraska. Then she met and married Lee at the Second Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, Missouri in Eventually, four sons were born to the couple: John, Joe, Jim and Dan. Today they also have two grandsons. Lee s job as manager of Ayers Clothing eventually took them back to Lexington. Delphine and Lee were active in the Lexington Church, helping to sponsor the youth who went to New Mexico and Arizona on a mission trip. She and Lee attended the Mariners Group in Lexington. In 1969, Lee and Delphine and their family moved to Kearney. TREASURED GOLDEN LEADERS Delphine & Lee Sanks Delphine was born in Broken Bow, Nebraska; eventually their family would include one brother for Delphine, along with her parents. Lee was born in Kansas City, Missouri in He was the youngest in the family. He went to Sunday School about two blocks from the Oakley Methodist Church. Lee says that church affected his Sundays in that he gets up and goes to church instead of staying at home. He looked toward to Sunday School. In Kansas City his family would discuss the sermon at dinner. He also enjoyed helping with the fellowship of his Christian friends. Delphine attended Sunday School at the Presbyterian Church in Broken Bow in her early years; then at the age of 10, she moved with her family to Lexington, Nebraska. Delphine continued her schooling in Lexington and attended church at the Presbyterian Church. When she was a sophomore in High school, Pearl Harbor happened. Many of her classmates entered the military service immediately after graduation from high school. Some even left high school prior to graduation to serve our country. Delphine taught 7th grade English at Kearney Catholic High School for 20 years and then taught part time in the English Department of UNK for ten years. At the Presbyterian Church in Kearney, Delphine has served as an elder, played in the Bell Choir, and taught 9th grade Sunday School. Delphine continued her service as a census worker, a board member for Friends of the Library, and a member on the Curriculum Committee of the Senior College of Central Nebraska. Today Delphine has very limited vision for reading. However, she and Lee are faithful members of the Seeker s Seminar Sunday School class of First Presbyterian Church, Kearney. They are also regulars at the Peterson Senior Center. Delphine s favorite hymns are: Simple Gifts, Lord of the Dance, Joyful, Joyful, We Adore You, When the Saints Go Marching In, and Morning Has Broken. Lee s favorite hymns are Jesus Loves Me, It's a Gift to be Simple, and Wind Beneath My Wings.

6 January 1 Arlene Bergstraesser January 3 Carter Cobb January 4 Beth Miller January 5 Justin Diestler January 7 Thelma Dunlap Barrett Jones January 8 Katherine Leibhart Amanda Miller January 9 LuAnn Badgley January 10 Gary Feind Dylan Nicol Ben Dillon January 11 Mary Fegter January 12 Tyler Allen January 16 Mia Shultheis George Wence January 17 Kili Diestler January 20 Barbara Icenogle January 22 Andrew Lowe January 24 Jill Koch Eldin Wells January 27 Lynette Cobb January 28 Jordan Nelson January 31 Nathan Badgley Derrick Nonhof Judy Rothenberger If your birthday is not on our list, please contact the church office. Thanks! VOLUNTEER SCHEDULE FOR JANUARY USHERS/GREETERS January 6 Team 5 Eldin & Annabelle Wells Shawni Wright Beth Johnson Alan Rees Lissa Woodruff January 13 Team 6 John Icenogle Judy Rothenberger Earl & JoAnn Rademacher Jill Hurt Dwayne & Vianne Anderson January 20 Team 7 Mary Kulhanek Tiffany Tarvestad Larry & Barb Meyer January 27 Team 8 Robin Bowers Doug Giles Jon & Leslie Abegglen Josh Hofer Pat Hild Randy Tonniges Joan Giles COMMUNION SERVERS January 6: Julia Tye, Judy Rothenberger Scott Matteson, Alan Rees Barb Friskopp, Pastor Nancy LITURGISTS January 6 Scott Matteson January 13 Ann Young January 20 Julia Tye January 27 John McKirahan COFFEE HOSTS January 6 January 13 Hosts needed for January! January 20 January 27 FLOWERS January 6 January 13 Flowers needed for January! January 20 January 27 MEALS ON WHEELS January 8 1. Sandy and John Mckirahan 2. Lorraine and Gary Feind 3. Jill Sage and Barb Icenogle January Phil and Fia Feese 2. Sue and Bob Wallace 3. Jill Sage and Barbara Stevenson

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8 First Presbyterian Church th Avenue Kearney, NE WORSHIP SCHEDULE OFFICE HOURS 9:15/9:30 am Adult/Youth Sunday School Monday through Friday 10:30 am Worship Service 8:30 am to 4:00 pm Minister: Every Member of this Church Rev. Nancy Tuma, Interim Pastor, pastor@fpckearney.org Lori O Brien, Administrative Secretary, office@fpckearney.org Susan Wallace, Financial Administrator finance@fpckearney.org Dennis Shultz, Custodian Sandy McKirahan, Music Director Clayton Moyer, Chancel Choir Director Angela Wright, Bell Choir Director Connie Moon & Susan Wallace, Organists Sharon Rees, Accompanist Lynette Cobb & Madison Cobb, Nursery Tiffany Tarvestad, Website Coordinator Website:

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