March, 2018 Volume 51, Issue 2

Transcription

1 The Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury 352 Sycamore Avenue, Shrewsbury, NJ The Towne Crier Reflections from Tom March, 2018 Volume 51, Issue 2 The Month of March is definitely a Lenten Month, especially because the last day of the month is the Saturday of Holy Week, in-between Friday s Crucifixion and the Resurrection of Jesus (April 1 st is Easter Day!). This year, we have an overall theme: From Ashes to Easter, from Ash Wednesday to the evening before Easter s Hallelujahs. This calls for us to be very reflection of our experience of Jesus deliberate way toward Palm Sunday s Triumphal Entry that leads by week s end to the Cross. As Jesus said to his disciples and to us in last Sunday s reading, the Way of Discipleship may well involve some form of taking up your cross and following our Lord. In this Lenten Season, the Worship Committee has provided a way for us to reflect upon discipleship, and to deepen our commitment to it. Each Sunday, we are provided, along with our bulletin, a card made with a small cord for hanging it upon the Gnarly Cross at the front of the sanctuary, either before or after worship. On the card, you can write your desire for spiritual growth, or for changing something in your life, or for deepening your walk with Christ, or for whatever is moving your soul beginning in Lent. Then, you can hang it on the Gnarly Cross, representing a handing-it-over to God spiritually. It is a powerful symbol and maybe a life-changing act of discipleship. Each Sunday in Lent has a different Scriptural and worship focus to help us decide what to place on the cards. Here are the weekly themes, for your prayer and reflection: Inside this issue Reflections... 1 Hour of Sharing... 3 Birthday/Anniv... 3 Session... 5 Manse News... 6 Stewardship... 8 Community..9 Small groups 10 PW Christian Ed Schedules Sunday Worship Sunday Worship 10:30 AM Sunday School 10:30 AM Coffee Hour The Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury 352 Sycamore Ave. Shrewsbury, NJ Tel pcas@verizon.net Web: 1

2 Lent I - February 21 st - Journeying with Jesus from Ashes to Easter - Genesis 9: 8-17 John 1: 9-15 Lent II - February 28 th - Following means Discipleship - Genesis 17: 1-17 Mark 8: Lent III - March 4 th - Taking Action to Make a Difference - Exodus 20: 1-17 John 2: Lent IV - March 11 th - Doing the Truth reveals the Truth - Numbers 21: 4-9 John 3: Lent V - March 18 th - Embracing the New Covenant - Jeremiah 31: John 12: Palm Sunday -Mar 25 th - Sunday s Palms lead to Friday s Cross - Isaiah 50: 4-9a Mark 11: 1-11 We are appreciative of all the ways that our Worship Committee and our entire congregation are faithfully wrestling with what it means to be a Disciple of Jesus Christ in today s challenging, and changing, and often unsettling world. Discerning our Pathway to Discipleship will become a part of the fabric of the PCAS we will be for many years to come. Please take this opportunity to add your presence and your faith to this movement of Spirit in our Church! See you in Church this Lenten Season! Rev. Tom Church Staff Interim Pastor Dr. Thomas E. Robinson Director of Christian Education Sherri Adler Director of Music Ministries Reid Masters Bell Choir Director Robyn Ioviero Director of Youth Choir Pat Dunphy Office Administrator Billie McNally Sexton Frank Harvey

3 ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING It is the best known of our denomination s special offerings. ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING will be collected during Worship on Palm Sunday, March 25. Three programs within our denomination share in this offering: the Presbyterian Hunger Program, (32%) Self Development of People, (36%) and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. (32%) All three of these are important and GOOD. On Sunday, March 18, the Minute for Mission will illustrate one story from the Presbyterian Hunger Program. We have previously mentioned PDA in response to Hurricanes Harvey and Maria to name just two recent natural disasters. In this article we ll focus on Self Development of People. You have heard the wisdom Give a person a fish and he will eat today. Teach a person to fish and she eats for a lifetime. That is the essence of Self Development of People. Here are two examples of supported projects right here in the United States: In the area of Moorland, MN - a group of low income refugees gets training to become economically self-sufficient and to improve their financial skills. In Oakland, CA - a project comprised primarily of low income minority youth seeks to disrupt School to Prison pipeline related problems in the area. Our Church School kids are doing their part by filling their fish banks. Envelopes will be in the pews on March 18 and additional literature will be provided in the bulletin. Please consider how YOU can share with Presbyterians around the globe to help others in need. March Quin Ahimovic Marilyn Broege Sandy Curtis Joe Delgado Christine Donnelly John Hanley Kay Jensen Carol Marshall Matthew Simpson Diane Wellington Mary Ellen Wilson February Anniversaries Ted & Patricia Kurdyla Bob & Bonnie Reid

4 PCAS Committee List 2017 As you may know, Presbyterians are famous for their committee meetings. I thought it may be interesting for everyone to know more about the committees we have at our church. Below is a list of our committees from last year along with the members in each. Please take time to read through the committees and names of people involved. Please note that Rev. Tom Robertson participates in many of these committee meetings. Please thank all of these people for their time, energy & dedication to these ministries. If you re not on a committee, would you consider joining one in 2018? Please pray about it! -Many Thanks, Gretchen 4 Elders Sherri Adler Trish Apy Don Barnes Joel Davies Ted Dellinger John Hanley Kay Healy-Wedsworth Chris Kavan Gretchen O Kane Jules Plangere Bonnie Tortora Kirsten Schanck John Weighell Bill Wikoff Christian Education Sherri Adler Libby Andia Lisa Barnes Joyce Davies John Hanley R Committee Lisa Barnes Jane Wagner Linda Zucaro 4 Deacons John Andia Glen Baird Bryce Barnes Lisa Barnes Joe Delgado Peter Gibbons Kathy Keenan Mark Northridge Mary Jane O Hare Tom Pederson Audrey Semple Cari Suarez Ed Tognola Rich Vodhanel Judy Whary Cemetery Committee Joel Davies John Weighell Fellowship Sherri Adler Sandy Curtis Kathy Keenan Bob Levy Lori Levy Kathy Barnes Gretchen O Kane Joann Quinn Bonnie Tortora Financial Review Debi Coccaro Bob Levy Bill Schanck Presbyterian Women Nancy Lee Gretchen O Kane Heather Palframan Kirsten Schanck Sally Schwartz Linda Talerico Bonnie Tortora Nancy Vodhanel Kay Healy-Wedsworth Chris Weighell Personnel David Apy Joyce Davies Ted Dellinger Kay Healy-Wedsworth Diane Suarez Evangelism Trish Apy Joel Davies Joyce Davies John Weighell Jen Zeller P&A David Apy Don Barnes Mike Coccaro Joel Davies Gretchen O Kane Heather Palframan Doreen Pampel Diane Suarez Ed Tognola Jim Wright Worship Sandy Curtis Kay Healy-Wedsworth Chris Kustka Susan Peterson Jules Plangere Carol Streeper Bonnie Tortora Jen Zeller Church & Society Lori Hirce Doreen Pampel Kirsten Schanck Nancy Vodhanel Jane Wagner Stewardship Glen Baird Red Curtis Ted Dellinger John Hanley Mary Jane O Hare Mission Study Red Curtis George Kustka Bob Levy Carol Morse Mary Jane O Hare Kris Phelan John Weighell Facilities Management Chris Kavan Bob Suarez Bill Wikoff Manse Task Force Libby Andia David Apy Joel Davies Mark Northridge Bob Suarez

5 Sessions Summary of Session Meeting 2/20/18 By Gretchen O Kane Each month the Session of the church meets on the third Tuesday of the month. Below you will find a summary of what was discussed at our meeting in February. If you have any questions please let me know. The current confirmation class attended the meeting and presented their proposal for a mission project called Peep Hour. They will sell marshmallow Peeps during 2 coffee hours in March and proceeds will go to a charity called Save the Children. Session approved their request. Clerk Gretchen O Kane presented the annual statistical report for PCAS which was submitted to PCUSA. Minutes to 1/16/18 Session meeting and 1/28/18 Congregational meetings were approved. Also, Gretchen reminded Elders that if they ever need a substitute when it s their turn to be Elder-Up at a worship service, they can either swap with another Elder for a different date, or, they can ask an Elder who is not currently serving on Session to substitute for them. Rich Vodhanel reported that the Deacons have a great roster this year and they are excited about all of the upcoming events in our church. Rich said the Deacons hope to have a coffee hour at the Manse in December. It is projected that the renovation of the Manse will be done by the end of August. On behalf of PW, Heather Palframan requested that the Birthday offering be collected at the Women s Service. Also, PW asked for permission to hold the Service Auction on March 10. Both requests were voted and approved by Session. Elder Lisa Barnes reported for Christian Education. She requested that there be a Senior High Worship Service on April 15 which was voted and approved. She also requested that the Senior Highs be given approval to raise funds for the Hope and Heroes Walk again this year. The students will be at coffee hour on 4/29 and 5/6 to raise funds. As required by Church policy, for a second time, Session voted and approved that we waive the Endowment distribution policy in order to use all endowment income for the general budget. Regarding the manse renovation, Session requested P&A to establish a committee for a capital campaign to raise funds for the renovation. Separately, Elder David Apy said progress is being made with respect the renovations, and he hopes to have contracts awarded by April 1. He said that price and a good working relationship are two of the key criteria in selecting contractors to do the work. Finally, Session voted that David Apy, Bob Suarez and Libby Andia be authorized signatories when approving expenses for manse renovations. Two signatures will be required for each expense. Elder Kirsten Schanck reported for Church & Society that after Lent their committee will decorate the bulletin board outside the church office with a display about gun control. Also, Kirsten advised that a group called Moms Demand Action will be having a new member meeting at our church on the morning of March 1. Session had a lengthy discussion about gun control and if/how PCAS should involve itself with the matter. Elder Trish Apy told Session that PCUSA supports gun violence prevention and there is lots of information about this on the PCUSA website. The Worship Committee requested permission to have communion on March 29 (Maundy Thursday) and it was approved. Also, communion that normally would have been held on April 1 (Easter Sunday) is moved to April 15 (Youth Sunday). Elder Trish Apy reported for Presbytery that their next meeting is next week in Manasquan. Later this year, Presbytery will be having an Elder retreat, open to current and former elders. Upcoming Dates: Highlights of Rev. Tom s Pastor Report are listed below Welcome to Billie McNally as new Office Administrator March 4 (1:00-3:00) Elder/Deacon/Mission Group Meeting Thanks for all involved in Memorial Service for Joe Davies Friday there will be a service at church for Doris King, March 10 (5:30-8:30) PW Service Auction Former member of the church March 20 (7:30) Next Session Meeting We have a new recording device on the balcony sanctuary to March 29 Maundy Thursday Service record sermons March 30 Good Friday Five new members joined the church in the last new member class April 1 Easter Sunday May 15 (6:30) Confirmation dinner & exam by Session 5

6 Manse Committee Status Report In January you may have noticed a large green dumpster outside the Manse. An enthusiastic group of congregants banded together to do a lot of the needed interior demolition work in order to save some money, but also to find out if there were any surprises behind the walls requiring a change in the renovation design plans. Fortunately, there were no surprises. But we did confirm the anticipated need to undertake extensive structural repair of west side of the kitchen/bedroom wing, as well as all of the other anticipated repair work. Thank you to John Palframan, Rich Vodhanel, Jim Wright, Bob Suarez, David Apy, Sally Schwartz, Mike Dingelstedt, Red Curtis, Joe Delgado, Dale Strober, and John Weighell for rolling up their sleeves, banging away, and carrying out the debris! (See accompanying demolition report with photos.) We had great fun and probably saved the Church over $2,000 in expense. At present, the timetable for moving forward with the renovation is as follows: complete plans and specifications by end of February; obtain bids from at least four contractors by mid-march; award a contract by April 1; and complete all the renovation by August 31. To pay for the work, the Congregation approved taking up to $240,000 from the Endowment. However, the approval was with the understanding that the Church would undertake a fundraising effort to reimburse the Endowment so that the annual contribution from the Endowment to the operating budget is not decreased due to use of Endowment funds. As a result, Session has instructed the P&A Committee to form a committee to plan and implement a fundraising initiative. If you would be interested in serving as the chair or as a member of the committee, please let David Apy (Chair, P&A) know. And if you have any questions about the Manse renovation project, please ask any member of the Manse Committee (Libby Andia, David Apy, Joel Davies, Mark Northridge, and Bob Suarez). 6

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8 STEWARDSHIP In 1922 a French newspaper posed an interesting question to its readers: If scientists told us that the world were about to end, or at least that the better part of humanity would be wiped out very soon, how would people react? What actions would people take while they waited for the end? As an individual, what would you do and how would you behave in those last days? While it is easy to imagine the more common answers head for the nearest church, bar, brothel, chocolate shop, etc. - the novelist Marcel Proust responded with this: I think that life would suddenly seem wonderful to us if we were threatened to die as you say. Just think how many projects, travels, love affairs, studies it our life hides from us, made invisible by our laziness which, certain of a future, delays them incessantly. But let all this threaten to become impossible forever, how beautiful it would become again. As you might imagine, I ve asked myself how I would react, and what I would do if we all had say, six months to live. As is typical with me, rather than immediately coming up with an answer, new questions presented themselves, most notably the question of what have I done so far? Have I loved enough? Have I taken the teachings of the Bible seriously enough, or did I take the teaching of our culture a bit too seriously? Did I keep my own counsel and faithfully follow the Lord, or did I take the easy path and follow the crowd? As I squirm a little in my chair, I realize that what it comes down to is this: If I were brought before a tribunal on charges of being a Christian, would there be enough solid evidence to convict? Hmmm. One thing is sure I have had ample opportunity to learn from, and apply, the teachings of Jesus. I have no excuses. The Bible teaches that Christians are to serve and to share. We are to share our time, our resources, and our love with others. That s it. No ifs, ands or buts about it. So I wonder: how have I measured up when it comes to giving of my time, money, love, empathy, and compassion to the needs of others and to my church? Recall the poor widow in Mark s gospel who had virtually nothing but still dropped what money she had in the collection plate? So many others gave but a little out of their abundance, while she gave abundantly from the little that she had. The thing about that story that always sticks with me is how Jesus noticed that woman in the crowd. HE NOTICED. A poor widow in a large crowd was singled out and made an example for all of us. It s a little chilling, to be honest. No doubt about it. I have my work cut out for me, because while I am fairly confident that humanity will not be obliterated in the near future, I can t say the same about me personally. The day will in fact come when I am called to account, and I want to be ready. Because I know that HE NOTICES. 8 Glen Baird 8

9 David Hinton of Lunch Break called to thank everyone for their continued generosity. They are celebrating their 35 th anniversary because of donations like yours. Community The Small Groups Ministry is celebrating four and a half years this month. We started with three groups and now nine groups are meeting on their individual schedules. The Fellowship Committee commends each group leader for nursing his/her group through its special journey. DEADLINE TO ORDER Palm Sunday March 25th $7.00 each Place your order in the Collection Plates or office mailbox I would like to order Lily plant(s) at $7.00 a piece to be placed in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday. Total enclosed $ Name(s) in memory to be listed in Church bulletin: Donated by: Phone I will take my Lily plant(s) after the service on Easter. Anyone wishing to order Lilies, please complete the form and make your check payable to: The Board of Deacons, Presbyterian Church at Shrewsbury. Please place in Collection Plate, or place in the mailbox outside the church office. 9

10 The PCAS Small Groups Ministry Cookbook Club Group Each member prepares food from a theme selected by the hostess for each month. This group meets at the hostess home to enjoy the dinner selections they have made. Genealogy Group Various methods, contact, sources and strategies for developing a family history are shared among group members. Cars Group The group shares information and experiences relating to all types of vehicles. Field trips have been enjoyed to Simeone Museum in Philadelphia and the New York Auto Show. Prayers Group Sharing prayer and Bible Study, this group explores spiritual and religious questions of common interest. Meetings are held at a church member s home. Movies Group This group meets on Saturday or Tuesday at the cinema to view the film selected. Passport Group This group meets roughly monthly to share their travel experiences on the big auditorium screen. We have had presentations on Amsterdam, Scotland, Nova Scotia, Iceland, Israel, Norway, UK, Paris, Canada, the Danube etc. Barclay Bible Study Group Discussion is centered on the William Barclay Bible Series. Participants meet bi-weekly at each other s homes. Book Group The group selects and reads one novel a month. Discussion meetings are held monthly at members homes. Cards Group Members change partners each meeting to play an interesting and challenging card game called Hand and Foot A light dinner buffet is prepared by those present each meeting and enjoyed by all. 10 We are often blessed by being together. We receive encouragement, comfort, and hope when participating in a small group. Please ask Bonnie or Joyce for more information.

11 Presbyterian Women PW Service Auction & Men's Group Dinner Saturday, March 10, :30 8:30 pm Fellowship Hall 11 It's not too late! Please join us for a delicious dinner prepared by the Men's Group, followed by Presbyterian Women's auction of services and talents provided by church members. You can still purchase tickets to attend the dinner ($10 per adult, or $25 for a family of 3 or more). The Men's Group will be selling tickets during Coffee Hour on Sunday, March 4, and tickets will also be available in the church office. Invite your friends! You won't want to miss the PW Service Auction, where people from the church offer their services and talents for other people to purchase. So far PW has received a variety of offers, such as homemade food (including a dinner for two), yoga classes, a dental visit, airport transportation, and dance lessons. If you haven't already done so, fill out a "commitment form" (see below) by March 4 to offer your service/talent. Completed commitment forms can be placed in the locked mailbox outside the church house office. Blank commitment forms can be found in the marked envelope on the PW bulletin board across from the church house kitchen. Alternatively you can the commitment form information to Heather Palframan. hpalframan@gmail.com If you would like to participate and need a ride, we are happy to arrange a carpool. For more information, contact Heather Palframan, Gretchen O'Kane, or Bonnie Tortora.

12 A BLAST from the PAST! There are 2011 directories for offer on the front table in the Church House. We are archiving some but wanted to share the rest. Crafts will meet Wednesdays, at 9:30 am in the Terrace Room, and every first, third, and fifth (when one occurs) Wednesday after that until the Strawberry Festival. You are invited to join in! Questions? Call Doris Klenk at Manna Box Mission Belles and Church and Society are collecting food items for St. Anthony's Church in Red Bank. All donations are appreciated. Look for the "Manna" box in the Church House lobby! Youth Choir Sundays at 12 pm. All ages welcome. Learn new Easter songs for Palm Sunday. Contact Miss Pat pdunphypt@yahoo.com for more information. Making Giving a Little Easier These days, many people s lives are quite busy. One thing that never goes away is the need to pay our monthly bills. Many have discovered the convenience of online banking. For fixed monthly bills, most banks allow you to set up an automatic online payment. Your bank will mail a check directly to whomever you choose at whichever frequency you select. Would you consider setting up your church pledge to work this way? You wouldn t have to worry about bringing a check to church anymore. If you can t make it to church, your pledge could still arrive at church in a timely manner. Some members already do this and it works like a charm. For more information, contact your local bank about how to set this up, and thanks for your consideration! -The Stewardship Committee 12

13 Christian Education Sherri Adler, Director of Christian Ed or (cell) CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MARCH NEWS CONFIRMATION MISSION PROJECT The Confirmation Class kicks-off their Mission Project Sunday, March 4 th during Coffee Hour or as they call it, Peep Hour. Carter, Lillia and Elizabeth will be selling marshmallow chick peeps to raise money for Save The Children. This 100-year-old charity helps children in over 120 countries worldwide including the United States. They put children first, giving them what they need to grow up happy and healthy. Save The Children makes lasting changes in a child s life through nutrition, health, education and more! The Confirmands want to raise enough money to purchase 20 chickens for Save The Children to send out worldwide. Chickens produce protein rich eggs that feed hungry children. Eggs are not only a good source of protein but are also very rich in vitamins and minerals. Peep Hour will be on March 4 th and 11 th, they will sell packages of chick peeps for $5.00. Please stop by their Peep Table and support their Mission Project! PW COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP Just a reminder: PW Scholarship Applications are due by March 15 th. PW is awarding two graduating Seniors, attending college in the Fall of 2018, a $ scholarship. Please contact Chris Weighell for more information. EASTER EGG HUNT Our Annual Sunday School Easter Egg Hunt will take place on Palm Sunday March 25 th! HAPPY BIRTHDAY 3/9 Quin Ahimovic 3/16 James Thorn 3/30 Ava-Jordan (AJ) Kassinger 13

14 Date Coffee Fellowship 4 PW 11 PW 18 PW 25 Evangelism March Serving Schedules Date Flowers 4 Sherri & Ashley Adler 11 Kim & Joel Davies 18 Peter Bruguiere 25 Palm Sunday Date Deacons 4 Team B 11 Team A 18 Team C 25 Team D Date Candle Lighters 4 Kaylei Castellano 11 Riley Northridge 18 Mira Crome 25 Norah Zook Date Elders 4 Jules Plangere & Don Barnes 11 Bonnie Tortora 18 Joel Davies 25 Kay Healy-Wedsworth 29 Lisa Barnes & Wayne Johnson (Maundy Thursday) 14