February 2015 Worship at Morningside

Transcription

1 1 Worship 2 From Your Pastor 3 Inside Morningside 4 Serve! 5 Calendar 6 Spotlight on Relationships 7 Session News 8 BackWords Dr. Baron Mullis Pastor, ext. 11 baron.mullis@morningsidepc.org Rev. Drew Stockstill Associate Pastor ext. 14 dstockstill@morningsidepc.org Rev. Joanna Adams Pastor Emerita Robert Gray Assistant to the Minister rwgray26@gmail.com Mason Copeland Organist/master, ext. 23 masoncopeland@morningsidepc.org Melinda Sandkam Program Director, ext. 15 msandkam@morningsidepc.org Anna Best Office Administrator, ext. 10 office@morningsidepc.org Randy Young Facilities Manager, ext. 13 randyyoung@morningsidepc.org Sarah Tomaka Preschool Director, mpp@morningsidepc.org Josh Stanley Ministry Intern, stanleyjoshuac@mail.ctsnet.edu Landon Dillard Youth Assistant, landon.a.dillard@gmail.com Rebecca Shipley Director of Children s s rebeccashipley@pop.mindspring.com JoAnn Kearns Accountant kearnsja@gmail.com Victor Carballosa, Sexton February 2015 Worship at Morningside February 1, 2015 Baron Mullis preaching Vegetarianism for Carnivores Texts: Psalm 111; 1 Corinthians 8:1-13 The sacrament of communion will be celebrated. Children s s Singing February 8, 2015 Baron Mullis preaching The Whole City Texts: Mark 1:29-39; Isaiah 40:21-31 Handbells Playing February 15, 2015 Joanna Adams preaching Generation to Generation Texts: II Kings 2, selected verses; Mark 9:2-9 February 18, 2015 Ash Wednesday, 7 p.m. Drew Stockstill preaching Create in Me a Clean Heart Texts: Psalm 51:1-17 February 22, 2015 Baron Mullis preaching Never Again Texts: 1 Peter 3:18-22; Genesis 9:8-17 The sacrament of baptism will be celebrated.

2 PAGE 2 PAGE 2 From Your Pastor Dear Sisters and Brothers, As I am writing this, I am preparing to preach the final Sunday for a colleague who is concluding 30 years of service in the same congregation. I was deeply honored to be asked to preach but I confess that marking such a milestone for a dear friend caused me to entertain certain reflections about ministry and I d like to share them with you. There are two particular books about ministry that stand out in my mind from my reading last year one by a retired academic, and the other by a retired pastor. I loved one, and I hated the other, but both had something important to consider. The first was all about goals and deliverables. The author suggested that all pastors should have a dashboard of worship attendance, pledging and giving and should be able, at a moment s notice, to recite those statistics. As I read it, it struck me as ministry by numbers and frankly, as remarkably not pastoral. The author may very well have a pastor s heart, but based on this book, it s deep, deep, deep down. The other author pastored the same congregation for a long time, journeying with them from being a church plant in a basement to building their sanctuary and becoming a well-established congregation of about 500. When he was nearing the end of the capital campaign to pay for the sanctuary, he asked the denominational church growth experts, What s next? and they said, Well you start planning your next campaign, of course. This pastor wanted to find another way where ministry is sustained by excitement about a shared journey together, and it showed. As I ve thought about my colleague s retirement and these reflections on ministry, I am struck with the realization that both were very successful, but one seemed much happier. I find that instructive for us in our life together. This may be one of the least theological columns I ve written to you, but I do think that remembering the numbers but always focusing on our life together is right for us. While I have to be concerned (and Session with me) about how well we ended 2014 and also about what 2015 will look like (a huge word of thanks to everyone who worked on Commitment 2015 and all who pledged) and the capital campaign you will hear a lot about this month, I genuinely hope we always keep our eye on the most important thing - our life together - and how we are living into what God is calling us to do. Shalom, Baron Prayer Concerns Members of our community have asked for individual prayer. To be on the prayer list public or private use prayer cards found in the pew racks or speak with Baron. Morningside Messenger will carry the list from the most recent weekly Life@ insert: Grace Bittick, Todd Brawner and Peter Dickson, The Rev. Canon Domenic Ciannella, Sandra Crawford, Mary Ann Embleton, John Garner, Hamilton Family, Karen Hancock and family, Dr. Stephen A. Hayner, Ann Herndon, Penny Hill, Finley Holaway, Kaitlin Andry, Melanie Donnelly, Ellen Hardeman, Peggy, Ron and Ann Reggio, Peggy Johnson Smith, Warren Johnson, Sr., Vicky Langford, Philip Marshall, Jan McMahan, Marilyn Neforas, Jason Perryman, Pat Savage-Donio, Anne and Nate Reid, Linda and Mike Robinson, Kent Smith, Jennifer and Jason Swafford, Grady Ulep, Ronnie Vincent, John Vytal, and Ethel Young. Elder on Call February 1-7 February 8-14 February February Deacon on Call February 1-7 February 8-14 February February Laura Fillyaw Laura Fillyaw Hillery McNeill Rob Payne Nathan Zook Sarah Brownlee Katrina Weis Robin Hackney

3 Inside Morningside PAGE 3 Congregational Lunch Moves Back One Week; Come Chew and Chat Feb. 8 If you already RSVP d for a Yeah! Burger lunch on Sunday, Feb. 1, you don t have to sign up again! Just bring your appetite Sunday, Feb. 8, after worship. If you have not yet RSVP d, please do so by 12 noon, Monday, Feb. 2 so that we can order accurately. Guests the day of are always welcome but we need your RSVP to be good stewards. And don t hesitate to invite others to come along there ll not only be enough yum to go around, we ll also be hearing some exciting news about plans for the future along with music from Mac Frampton and our own children. It Was Just Christmas! What Do You Mean, Lent is Here? Quicker than you can say pancake, we re getting ready for our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Pajama Party, Tuesday, Feb. 17, 5:30-6:45 p.m. in Fellowship Hall, followed Feb. 18 with worship at 7 p.m. by our observance of Ash Wednesday. Shrove Tuesday gets its name from the ritual of shriving, when the faithful confessed their sins to the local priest and received forgiveness before the Lenten season began. As far back as 1000 CE, "to shrive" meant to hear confessions. Historically, Shrove Tuesday also marked the beginning of the 40-day Lenten fasting period when the faithful made pancakes to use up the milk, butter and eggs they were forbidden by the church to consume. Everyone's welcome to join in the fun. Naturally, pancakes will be served and Bill Packard - The Magic Man will delight kids and adults with his tricks and antics. Kids are invited to wear their favorite pajamas and all are encouraged to bring NEW pajamas, socks and underwear for THREADS, a children's ministry of All- Saints Episcopal Church. Kids also may take home a coin bank to fill throughout the season of Lent. All those coins will support MPP's Coins for Children's fundraiser, benefitting Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. Volunteers are necessary! Come work one, two or three shifts: prep from 4-5:30 p.m.; greet and serve from 5:15-6:45 or help clean up from 6:30 p.m. until done. Contact Brooke Williams at (brookeowilliams@gmail.com) or put your name on sign-up posters at church. She especially needs a kitchen captain to expedite matters. Brooke asks for your RSVPs for this event by Tuesday, Feb. 12. Use the link above to get counted. Buy items to donate, put your kids in their favorite PJ's and plan to come out for a fun and easy dinner with our church and preschool communities. And don t forget to come back Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. to our Sanctuary for the real beginning of the season, Ash Wednesday. This quiet, meditative service helps us remember our deep gratitude to God for his infinite mercies in the face of our failings. As more and more Protestants have come to reclaim traditional observances on the liturgical calendar, we feel a deeper and wider connection with our faith. Child care is provided. Morningside Milestones Happy Birth-Day to Eloise Gwen Burns, daughter of Brian and Sarah and baby brother to Oliver, on Jan. 6. If you d like to contribute a meal for the happy family, contact Carrie Branon (carriebranon@yahoo.com), who coordinates welcoming meals for all our families with new additions (we ve got more to come!). Our preschool registration is now open to all comers. You can get the relevant information and download application forms at A little delayed by the flu, we celebrated the baptism of Zane Andrew Jenson, son of Van and Amy, Jan. 18. Morningside s next New Member class will be at 9:45 a.m. in the Session Room on Sunday, Feb. 8. If you haven t already let Baron know of your interest, call him now. With 547 current members, we always have room in our hearts and pews for more.

4 Serve! Page 4 Winter Continues to Be Season of Service Here and Elsewhere We re not leaving until March but the deadline is upon us to sign up for the Morningside Presbyterian 2015 Lenten Mission Trip. Contact MPC Shepherd Roland Behm (roland.behm@gmail.com or ) with questions or to see if there are any spots left. Cost is $265 and due to MPC via Roland now. Our team will travel to New Orleans on Wednesday, Mar. 4, work for three days and return on Sunday, Mar. 8 after the early service at St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church (SCAPC) in New Orleans. We again will work with Rebuilding Hope in New Orleans (RHINO), an urban outreach ministry of SCAPC. There is a place for everyone on the RHINO worksites. And time for food and fun in the Crescent City, too. Can t travel but would still like to help a family realize a home of their own? Each Lent, MPC joins with six other churches to build a Habitat for Humanity home. This year, our build begins on Saturday, February 28, continuing on March 14, 21, 28 and April 11 and 18, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Our homeowner this year, Ms. Mathis, is a medical assistant with plans to get a degree in criminal justice. Her two sons are seven and eight years old. Her home site is 3618 Boulder Park Drive SW, Contact Lynsley Tyler (Lynsley@bellsouth.net) for more details or look for the Habitat sign-up board at church. The Young Adults are taking the lead for three March build dates, under the captaincy of Brad Strickland (Mar. 14), Peter Tuuk (Mar. 21) and Alex Watts (Mar. 28) but you don t have to be a Young Adult to volunteer any of those dates. If construction isn t your thing, MPC members also will provide lunch for 50 volunteers on one of the Saturdays. If shopping is more in your line, don t forget to share some Valentine s Day love with the women at Shearith Israel by picking up $10 gift cards at places you shop groceries, pharmacies, Target. And beginning Feb. 1 with the Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and Pajama Party and running through Feb. 17, we re seeking pajamas, socks and underwear for children (all sizes) for the THREADS outreach program which allows youngsters to shop using vouchers among donated clothing items. In addition to our annual collection of new underthings, MPC has a yearround drop off point for gently used items in the closet in the elevator hallway on the Fellowship Hall level. Contact MPC shepherd Gail Kitchens (gailkitchens@gmail.com) with questions. And, if you carry a Kroger card, register the number at When you spend money at your local Kroger store, the Journey Shelter will benefit. The organization number is (the Druid Hills Men's Shelter). Unions Unite to Provide Hands-on Skills at Clifton Sanctuary Ministries There s a new look to the steeple at Clifton Sanctuary Ministries. Thanks to the volunteer efforts of more than 80 skilled persons from the AFL/CIO and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), the steeple has been repainted, lighting rewired both outside and inside, ceiling fans repaired, faulty switches rewired and replaced, doors painted and window fans repaired at Joe s Place, new kitchen light fixtures installed and then they raked the entire yard! These union members incorporate community service into their annual conclave. They reached out to Clifton and our member Carolyn Morton, who assists the Clifton staff with volunteer coordination, eagerly welcomed the help. Going beyond their craft skills, these out-of-towners also prepared and served meals, made cornbread for a week s meals, and baked cookies for the bag lunches, and more. Every other month, MPC members prepare and serve meals to the Clifton residents, do laundry, and supplement the clothing closet with used or new pieces of clothing for the men. A lot more is going on at this location that we partner with on an ongoing basis. If you would like to join us in this outreach to others, contact Carolyn or ).

5 February 2015 PAGE 5 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Souper Bowl of Caring 1 9:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation 9:45 a.m. Faith Development Classes; Confirmation Class; Inquirers Class 11 a.m. Worship with Communion and Children s s; followed by Congregational Meeting 12 noon Fellowship 12:15 p.m. Deacon Sub- Committee 12:30 p.m. Evangelism Team Meeting 5 p.m. Youth Group Super Bowl Party 8 9:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation 9:45 a.m. Faith Development Classes; Confirmation Class; New Member Class 10:40 a.m. Called Session Meeting 11 a.m. Worship with Handbells 12 noon Congregational Lunch 1 p.m. Deacons 2:30 p.m. Worship & Arts Committee 5:30 p.m. AMIS Dinner 5 p.m. Youth Group 6 p.m. Journey 7:30 p.m. Meditation Group 2 8:15 a.m. MPP Creative 9:30 a.m. MPP Creative 1 p.m. MPP Ballet/ Tap 7 p.m. Mandolin Society 9 8:15 a.m. MPP Creative 9:30 a.m. MPP Creative 1 p.m. MPP Ballet/ Tap 7 p.m. Mandolin Society 7:30 p.m. MLPA 3 11 a.m. Yoga 1 p.m. Playball; Mini-Monets 2:15 p.m. Parkinson Tai Chi 4:30 p.m. Tai Chi 6:30 p.m. Weight Watchers 7 p.m. Theology on Tap 7:30 p.m. Children s Education Comittee 7:30 p.m. Scout Troop 455; MLPA Zoning a.m. Yoga 1 p.m. Playball; Mini-Monets 2:15 p.m. Parkinson Tai Chi 4:30 p.m. Tai Chi 6:30 p.m. Weight Watchers; Conversation on Marriage (First Presbyterian Church) 7 p.m. Preschool Committee 7:30 p.m. Scout Troop p.m. MusicCanopy; Bricks4Kidz 4:15 p.m. Treble 5 p.m. Cherub 7:30 p.m. Chancel 11 1 p.m. MusicCanopy; Bricks4Kidz 4:15 p.m. Treble 5 p.m. Cherub 7:30 p.m. Chancel 5 11 a.m. Weights to the Oldies 1 p.m. Playball 7 p.m. Love and Logic Parenting Course 7:30 p.m. Handbell ; MLPA Public Safety a.m. Weights to the Oldies 12:30 p.m. Poetry Discussion 1 p.m. Playball 7 p.m. Love and Logic Parenting Course 7:30 p.m. Handbell 8:15 a.m. MPP Yoga 1 p.m. KidzTennis 6 13 MPP Winter Break 7 p.m. Couples Group 7 8:30 a.m. Weight Watchers 9 a.m. Women s AA Meeting 14 8:30 a.m. Weight Watchers 9 a.m. Women s AA Meeting 15 9:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation 9:45 a.m. Faith Development Classes; Confirmation Class 11 a.m. Worship 12 noon Fellowship 12:30 RHO Readers 5-7 p.m. No Youth Group (Winter Break) 22 Shearith Israel Shelter 9:30 a.m. Coffee & Conversation 9:45 a.m. Faith Development Classes; Confirmation Class 11 a.m. Worship with Baptism 12 noon Fellowship 5-7 p.m. Youth Group 16 MPP Winter Break 7 p.m. Session; Mandolin Society 23 8:15 a.m. MPP Creative 9:30 a.m. MPP Creative 1 p.m. MPP Ballet/ Tap 6:30 p.m. Women s Roundtable 7 p.m. Mandolin Society; Parliamentarians a.m. Yoga 12 noon Playball; Mini-Monets 2:15 p.m. Parkinson Tai Chi 4:30 p.m. Tai Chi 5:30 p.m. Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper and PJ Party 6:30 p.m. Weight Watchers 7 p.m. LGBT & Friends 7:30 Scout Troop a.m. Yoga 12 noon Playball; Mini-Monets 2:15 p.m. Parkinson Tai Chi 4:30 p.m. Tai Chi 6:30 p.m. Weight Watchers 7:30 Scout Troop Shearith Israel Shelter 7 a.m. Men s Breakfast 1 p.m. MusicCanopy; Bricks4Kidz 7 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service 7:45 p.m. Chancel 25 1 p.m. MusicCanopy; Bricks4Kidz 4:15 p.m. Treble 5 p.m. Cherub 7:30 p.m. Chancel 19 Shearith Israel Shelter 11 a.m. Weights to the Oldies 12:30 p.m. Thursday Theology 1 p.m. Playball 7 p.m. Young Adult Workshop; Love & Logic Parenting Course 7:30 p.m. Handbells a.m. Weights to the Oldies 1 p.m. Playball 7 p.m. Love and Logic Parenting Course 7:30 p.m. Handbell 20 Shearith Israel Shelter 8:15 a.m. MPP Yoga 1 p.m. KidzTennis 27 MPP Closed to attend Georgia Preschool Conference 21 Shearith Israel Shelter 8:30 a.m. Weight Watchers 9 a.m. Women s AA Meeting 28 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. Habitat for Humanity 8:30 a.m. Weight Watchers 9 a.m. Women s AA Meeting

6 Spotlight on Relationships Page 6 MPC s Young Adults to Host Workshop on Strengthening Relationships in Faith The Young Adults invite the Morningside community to a covered dish supper and workshop on building strong marriages and partnerships, Thursday, Feb. 19, beginning with the meal at 6:30 p.m., followed by the workshop at 7. The free event will be led by Pastoral Counselor and Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, Dr. Doyle Hamilton III. Dr. Hamilton has been with the Care and Counseling Center of Georgia since 2003 and the Verdery Center from He is a Certified Pastoral Counselor (Fellow) in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and Clinical Member of the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy. He has extensive experience working with couples and leading workshops. The workshop will use as a basis John Gottman's book, Seven Principles for Making Marriages Work. Dr. Hamilton encourages participants to read the book in advance though this is not required. The workshop will be for all ages and types of relationships. Everyone is invited to bring a covered dish to share. For more information and to RSVP, contact Brad Strickland (bstrickland3@gmail.com ) or Drew Stockstill. Conversation on Marriage, Faith Models How to Disagree Faithfully First Presbyterian will host a dialog between speakers representing opposing views to demonstrate how to maintain a Christ-honoring relationship while differing on Tuesday, Feb. 10, at 6:30 p.m. The specific topic for Brian Ellison, Executive Director of the Covenant Network of Presbyterians, and Paul Detterman, National Director of The Fellowship Community, will be changes to the Directory for Worship language regarding marriage. Morningside is a member congregation of Covenant, and Baron Mullis is on the Board of Directors. They differ but are also deeply committed to maintaining a healthy relationship with each other as they serve together in the PC(USA). Both men are clear in their theological understandings and the foundation for them. Neither expects to change the other's mind. However, both understand that they have been called to ministry together in the Body of Christ where "us" and "them" designations have no biblical foundation. Brian and Paul created Being the Church Together: Discussing Marriage, Sharing Faith at the request of several presbyteries. The Council of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta says, We re honored to have Brian and Paul join us for this important presentation and conversation together. They will each explain their position, and then work together to address the questions, concerns, fears, and hopes raised by members of the Presbytery. Afterwards, we will have a time for small-group discussion, concluding with a final segment bringing Brian and Paul back together to answer more questions. All teaching elders, ruling elders, and members of our congregations and community are invited and strongly encouraged to participate. Hairnets are the new fashion accessory for Season of Service T-shirts as dinner is prepared at Genesis, now part of the Our House outreach.

7 Session News Page 7 Your Session at Work: January 20 Meeting (Find a complete list of our church officers and staff at Session minutes, once approved, are on file and available for review in the church office.) Although our Stated Session Meeting was held Jan. 20, an important Called Meeting followed on Wednesday evening, Jan. 28, as Session came together to review and make final changes as necessary to the 2015 budget. Happily, changes and cuts were few, thanks to the generosity reflected in pledges from you, our members. For Children and Youth Ministries, Laura Fillyaw reported we re now up to 18 youths in our confirmation class and that 15 parents signed up for the Parenting the Love and Logic Way class. Morningside s preschool has switched to environmentally friendly green cleaning products. Registration for school year is open to the community. Eleanor Attwood, Jack Klotz and virtually everyone else thanked Melinda Sandkam for outstanding planning and execution of the Season of Service. Most gratifying were the numbers of new volunteers who experienced a service project this year. Randy Parrish and Daisy Ottmann were reelected as church Treasurer and Clerk of Session, respectively, for Daisy Ottmann Clerk of Session Dr. George Stroup Will Be Guest Teacher Once again we ll welcome the knowledge and insight of Columbia Theological Seminary s Dr. George Stroup as he joins the Sunday morning adult class for a discussion of the Belhar Declaration on Feb. 22 at 9:45 a.m. The group s current topic is the various Confessions that are the foundation of Presbyterian belief. The Belhar Declaration is a proposed addition to The Book of Confessions and grew out of the South African struggles with the doctrine of apartheid. Our denomination will be voting again on whether to include this statement of faith as one of our official confessions. The most recent addition was A Brief Statement of Faith, written as the Northern and Southern Presbyterian Churches reunited in Our Pastor Emerita Joanna Adams was one of the drafters of the Brief Statement. The adult class meets in Room 201 and you are welcome to attend any or all sessions. Meditation Group Makes New Start, Nurtures Inner Intuitive Mind Meditation is an ancient practice of stilling the outer thinking mind and allowing the inner intuitive mind to arise. It is a discipline that has been practiced by countless people from cultures and traditions including our own around the world for thousands of years. Our Christian scripture tells us to Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10), to Pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17), to Put on the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16), to be Born again in the spirit (John 3:7), and to Take up our cross and follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24). Meditation provides an effective stepping stone into the life of Christ. Members and visitors of Morningside Presbyterian are invited to practice this simple technique in the benign discipline of a group. In addition, we will read and discuss books on contemplative Christianity beginning with Putting on the Mind of Christ: The Inner Work of Christian Spirituality by Jim Marion.

8 PAGE 8 BackWords Congregational Social Hour Mar. 1 Will Be All About Baby Stockstill Drew and Ellen Stockstill are expecting their first child, a baby girl, sometime around the end of March. The congregation is invited to celebrate with them during our social time after worship on Mar. 1. This isn t a shower, exactly simply a time to rejoice and celebrate with Drew and Ellen. Should you want to provide a gift, the Stockstills are registered on "BabyList ( Consider grouping up to get something. Gift cards are also a great help. Amazon, Target, and Whole Foods are favorites, so Drew and Ellen could select items they find they need but do not already have. If you have a question, reach out to Cindy Humphries (cindy52@bellsouth.net) or Sarah Brownlee (rsbrownlee1046@att.net). Morningside Newbies Are Invited to Mingle Socially If you joined our church family during the year 2014 and would like to spend a little adult time over dinner with other new members, our staff and our deacons, watch for an invitation coming your way soon. The Diaconate will host the event on Saturday, Feb. 21, at 7 p.m. at the home of Sarah and Peter Chatel (4588 Pine St. SE, Smyrna 30080). Note: This will not be a family event it s a time for grown-ups to kick back and get better acquainted. February Birthdays 2 Shannon Burgess 2 Lee Kean 2 Tom Daniel 2 Karen Churchill-Hairston 3 Helen Schroder 5 Gary Hurd 5 Alex Page 6 Kerri Markovic 6 Will Barnette 6 Gene Turner 7 Julie Zook 7 William Kitchens 9 Nancy Collins 9 Leslie Grant 10 Andrew Brady 10 Martha Krenson 11 Heather Regnault 12 Gwyndolyn Brady 12 Domenick Treschitta 12 Jim Clegg 15 John Turner 16 Kayte Pellerito 18 Todd Jones 19 Jennie Stockstill 20 Becky Schreiber 22 Lib Boggs 22 John Adams 23 Elsie Adams 23 Bill Smith 24 Ellie Spears 24 Georgia Marshall 25 David Mogge 25 Barbara Ray 26 Deborah Coleman 27 Curt Barrett 27 Will Lee 28 Beth Baer 29 Nancy Cunningham 1411 N. Morningside Dr., NE, Atlanta, Georgia telephone ; fax