NEWSLETTER. April OUR STAFF. The deadline for the May 2019 Newsletter is April 21st

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1 April NEWSLETTER OUR STAFF The United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington 601 Fifth Avenue New Kensington, PA FAX: Website: tupcnk.org 2 The Rev. Wendy Keys is to serve God by: Preaching God s Word Teaching God s Love Healing God s People 2019 Office Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:00 am - 2:30 pm Tuesday and Friday 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Sunday Hours: 9:30 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship The deadline for the May 2019 Newsletter is April 21st

2 Pretzels, Anyone? Christians in the Roman empire made a special Lenten food of flour, salt, and water, since meat and dairy foods were forbidden during Lent. Because Lent was a season of penance and devotion, the dough was shaped into the form of two arms crossed in prayer. In Latin, little arms is bracellae. When the food was taken to Germany, it was called a brezel, or a pretzel. The oldest known picture of a pretzel may be in a manuscript from the fifth century in the Vatican. Pretzels are still an item of Lenten food in many parts of Europe and are sometimes distributed to the poor in the cities. What about Holy Week? The observation of the week before Easter as Holy Week probably began in the fourth century when pilgrimages to Jerusalem began. Christians used liturgical drama to reenact the last scenes of Christ on earth. On Palm Sunday, they re-enacted Christ s joyous entry into Jerusalem. Maundy Thursday s love feast and foot washing recalled the institution of the Lord s Supper. The Good Friday of the crucifixion became a day of deepest penance and fasting. On the evening of the Great Sabbath, during that time when Christ lay in the grave, the Easter vigils began with Scripture reading, singing, and prayer. Everyone poured into the church with light to await the glorious resurrection morning.* It s fun to know where some of our traditions come from and how they began. It is my hope and prayer as we are in this Lenten Season, we would take the time to remember from where we have come and also reflect on where we are going. Wishing you Lenten Blessings as we journey along together, *The above is taken from Christian History Institute s Glimpses of People, Events, Life and Faith. Creative Communications. 3 4 Highlights from the March 12, 2019 Stated Session Meeting The Session of The United Presbyterian Church of New Kensington met for a stated Session meeting on Tuesday, March 12, 2019, at 7:00 p.m. Statistical Report: There are 167 members on the Active Roll and 1 Affiliate Member. It was MSP to hold a Bring a Friend Painting Party with Lunch for adults only on April 28, It was MP for a Youth Group Sleepover on April 26-27, It was MP for Graduation Sunday to be held May 19, Session meeting for June 11th has been changed to June 18th. Session meeting for September 10th has been changed to September 17 th. Respectfully submitted, Donna L. McLaughlin Clerk of Session ******************************** Thank You! A special thank you to Session, Deacons, and the congregation for the lovely flowers I received following my heart catheterization and stent. Thank you all for your thoughts, prayers, cards, and phone calls following my recent hospital stay. Know that your kindness and thoughtfulness is greatly appreciated. The start of the new year brought some changes to the make up of the Session committees that support the church. This includes the creation of a new committee, Congregational Care, that is designed to support the overall wellbeing of the church. The purpose of the committee is to support the congregation whether they are dealing with physical, emotional or psychological concerns. The committee is headed by Tim Beckes and supported by the Deacons. The Deacons will continue to provide comfort and communication with the shut ins in our congregation. However, it was decided that an additional avenue needed to be provided to meet the needs of the congregation. The committee has been created to provide a forum for the congregation to discuss issues and conflicts that may arise in the day-to-day operation of the church. Please reach out to me directly with any concerns, and we can schedule a time to discuss these further. I can be reached at All communications will remain private. Tim Beckes, Elder Chairman, Congregational Care Committee

3 5 6 Mission Trip Fundraiser :) Please contact Kathryn Whitacre on the Worship/Fellowship Committee to sign up to be a liturgist or to be an usher. Thank you!!! VOLUNTEERS APRIL Liturgists 4/7 Will DeLancey 4/14 4/18 Julia Yockey 4/21 Wendy Hartz 4/28 Jackson Dameron Ushers 4/7 Kathryn, Whitacre, Lynn Crumley* 4/14 Karen Grillo, Gloria Lauffer, Claudia Long, Robin Sorch* 4/18 Karen Grillo, Claudia Long* 4/21 Donna Lindh, Mamie Nixon* 4/28 Amy Grillo-Dameron, Victoria Dameron, Karen Grillo, Alyssa Dameron* Head Ushers 4/7 Cecil Yates 4/14 Bob Thomas 4/18 Kathryn Whitacre 4/21 Kathryn Whitacre 4/28 Donna McLaughlin Counters 4/7 Lynn Crumley, Cecil Yates 4/14 Wendy Hartz, Robin Sorch 4/18 Claudia Long, Julia Yockey 4/21 David Keys 4/28 Kathryn Whitacre Communion Servers 4/18 Tim Beckes, Claudia Long *Greeter Youth from the church and neighborhood will be doing mission work in the Greensburg area June 28 th - July 1st. You can support them by ordering from this candy fundraiser. There is an order form in the Narthex, or, any Sunday morning, find a friendly face with an order form. Preorders are being taken for chocolate covered pretzels, chocolate drizzled caramel popcorn and chocolate covered cookies each priced at $2/2 pack. All orders are due by Friday, April 5 th. Candy will be available for pick up and delivery on April 7th. If you don t get a pre-order in, there will also be a small amount of candy available for cash and carry on Sunday, April 14 th. Thank you!

4 March Food Bank: We served 96 households 14 doubles - total of 110 orders. 45 senior boxes 1 birthday bag 3 new households. 30 volunteers for a total of volunteer hours. We gave out 2 coats and outerwear. Food Bank Pantry Wish list: Canned fruit & dry side mixes such as Rice-A- Roni & Chicken Noodles and Sauce. April Food Bank: Truck Delivery: April 4th Packing & Distribution: April 6th Thank you to all who donated to the college boxes for our 15 college students. The Over 55 Luncheon will be held on Sunday, May 5 th See bulletin insert for more information. We will supply a meal to the New Kensington and Arnold Police Officers for Easter. Next Meeting: April 9th Submitted by Robin L. Sorch Deacon Secretary Prayer Concerns Jeffrey Claypool Dave Beck Sandy Zavadak Harold Showman Judy Bob Long Sybil Bobby S. Brenda Capo Jean King Angie Webb Sue Wyant Sue Washburn Sydney Russ Connor Cyndy Bondra JT Slosky Donald Lewandowski, Jr. Jack Lattanzio Terry Johnny Kapusta Jane Yockey Lauren Watt Zdinak Family Darlene Will & Carol Kinney Emma Jean Blair Logan Slagle Jeff Conte Audrey Main In Christian Sympathy: Sandy, John & Collette Zavadak and the rest of the Zavadak family on the passing of John. In Christ s Love, Please call the office to let me know if anyone is in the hospital. If you would like to add someone to the prayer chain, please call Sandy at with your request. Thank you. Prayer Chain: Sandy Mozzy Charlotte Claypool Lucille Bash Pat Lewandowski Betty Tylinski Gloria Lauffer Marion Yates Robin Sorch The Shawl Ministry meets on the second Friday of each month in the Library at the church at 1:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. We now have recorded over 500 shawls made, and most have been given in our outreach. We welcome the participation of church members in alerting us to persons who would benefit from our mission of love and care, as represented by the Prayer Shawls. If you are interested in this outreach, please contact Kathryn Whitacre at ****************************************** PLEASE HELP US SAVE CAPS FOR A BUDDY BENCH What is a Buddy Bench.? If somebody s lonely or if they re new to the school and they don t have anybody to play with, they can sit on the bench. If other people see them on the bench, they ll come up to them and ask them to play. And they can play together. Buddy Benches are made from recyclable lids and caps. Bring your caps to church there are collection containers under the staff mailboxes on the first floor and near the water fountain in fellowship hall.

5 9 10 4/4 Marlis Cicolini 4/7 Claudia Long 4/8 Jenny Alexander 4/10 Donna Lindh Betty Lou Sharick 4/11 Holly Matyas Bulman 4/12 Lori Greenwald Shannon Peiffer 4/13 Anne Jacobus 4/14 Dean Edwards 4/19 Frank Grillo Shelbee Polena Nathan Szanto George Zavadak 4/21 Edward Ferguson 4/24 Ryan Duke Curtis Peiffer 4/26 Althea Joseph 4/27 Cyndi Gwillim ************************************************************* There is an URGENT need for volunteers at the April 6 th Food Bank, especially if you have experience signing up new clients and/or senior boxes. Also, I am looking for volunteers that can help with Scouting for Food. I have not gotten a confirmation on the date yet, but I believe this usually happens in April. Please sign up in the Narthex if you can help at one or both. A reminder to all congregation members that flowers can be ordered for in the Sanctuary for Sunday mornings either in Memory or In Honor of a loved one. There is a flower chart in the Narthex. Price: $30.00 small vase Anyone wishing to order can call Kris in the church office by Wednesday the week that they would like them. Donations can be placed in the offering plate. Thank you. We have the following handicap accessories to loan to members and friends on a short-term basis. If you wish to borrow any item, please call the church office at wheelchair four prong cane Hoyer lift walkers potty chairs TO ALL CHURCH MEMBERS: The handicap items that are listed in the Newsletter can be loaned out to members of the church. Please remember to call the church office before taking any item. If you have any equipment at your house on loan and are finished with it, please return the item to the church in a timely manner, reporting to the office that it is returned. Who needs the Community Clothes Closet? Our neighbors do! The economy has taken a toll on many adult members of our community. Daily life for these individuals is laden with struggles. Economic challenges affect much of our adult population. It is the goal of the Community Clothes Closet to assist these people. The CCC exists to help adults of our community who are experiencing financial hardship. It is our hope that, by providing clothing and personal hygiene essentials at extremely reasonable prices, our neighbors will be able to stretch their limited income. Monday 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wednesday 6:00-8:00 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. St. Joseph Parish School Building 1125 Leishman Avenue New Kensington Ed Ferguson s 100th Birthday Celebration! There will be an open house to celebrate Ed s 100th birthday on Saturday, April 13th, from 1-3 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We are asking that you forgo gifts. There will be activities for children and refreshments. All welcome! Choir Rehearsals are held on Sunday Mornings Chancel 10:00 a.m.

6 11 Around the world, millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education and opportunity. The three programs supported by One Great Hour of Sharing Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Self-Development of People all work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope. Received during the season of Lent, each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) helps to improve the lives of people in these challenging situations. The offering provides us a way to share God s love with our neighbors in need. In fact, OGHS is the single, largest way that Presbyterians come together every year to work for a better world. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Works alongside communities as they recover and find hope after the devastation of natural or human -caused disasters, and support for refugees. Receives 32% of funds raised. Presbyterian Hunger Program Takes action to alleviate hunger, care for creation, and the systemic causes of poverty so all may be fed. Receives 36% of funds raised. Self-Development of People Invests in communities responding to their experiences of oppression, poverty and injustice and educates Presbyterians about the impact of these issues. Receives 32% of funds raised. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ French Toast Casserole Ingredients (* notes that ingredient is something clients received at the March distribution) 8 cups bread cut into cubes* 6 eggs* 1 cup shelf milk* 3 TBS white sugar 4.5oz cup of frozen strawberries, thawed* 1/8 teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 4 TBS butter, melted 1 TBS cinnamon mixed with 2 TBS sugar Garnish with whipped topping* Preheat oven to 350 degrees; lightly butter a 9x13 inch baking pan. 1. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, milk, 2 tablespoons sugar, salt and vanilla. Pour egg mixture over bread. Gently stir in strawberries. Pour into buttered pan. 2. Drizzle melted butter over the bread and egg mixture. 3. Combine sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the top. Bake in preheated oven about 25 minutes until top is golden.