Pastor s Desk WELCOME NEW INTERIM PASTOR FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE

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1 NEWS Volume 14 Number 4 February 21, 2017 Coming up in Worship Sunday, February 26 Youth Sunday Only 2 Services: 8:45 AM in the Chapel 10:50 AM in the PAC (4th Floor) Wednesday, March 1 Ash Wednesday 11:30 AM Mid-Day Prayer- Chapel 7:00 PM Service- Chapel Sunday, March 5 Coming up Text: John 3:1-17 in Worship Greg Gibson preaching Pastor s Desk WELCOME NEW INTERIM PASTOR FOR CONGREGATIONAL LIFE Dear Members and Friends, Please welcome Rebecca Chancellor Sicks as our new Interim Associate Pastor for Congregational Life! Upon the unanimous recommendations of the Personal Committee and approval of the Session, Rebecca joins our parishes staff on February 21, 2017 where she will oversee and coordinate pastoral care, fellowship and membership development. We are excited to have such an excellent pastor join our ministry. Rebecca comes to us from the First Presbyterian Church, Salina, Kansas where she was an Associate Pastor. Previously she served as an Associate Pastor at the Valley Community Presbyterian Church in Portland, Oregon. She was ordained in 2010 and is a graduate of Austin Seminary. Rebecca also served as the Director of Youth and Children s Ministries at the University Presbyterian Church in Austin. Her recent marriage in October to James Sicks brought her to Dallas, and we will share in the good fortune of their marriage. They first met as youth counselors at Mo Ranch! Rebecca received the highest accolades and respect from all those who have worked with her in ministry. The Transitional General Presbyter in Salina, Kansas calls her the finest young minister she has known. Rebecca writes, The truth is I m grateful to have been baptized, raised and confirmed in a denomination where I was loved, nurtured, challenged, embraced and sent out. While far from perfect, the Presbyterian Church (USA) has been home for me to love, breathe, struggle, question, pray, share, worship and study. Please be sure to introduce yourself to Rebecca and extend her fellowship and love as she joins our FPC family and she embarks upon this next step in her ministry. Faithfully, Sunday, February 26 (Rev. Rebecca Chancellor Sicks Bio on Page 7) Please join us for Youth Sunday on 2/26. Note: We will not have a 9:30 AM service or Sunday Lunch on this Sunday. 1

2 The Session has requested that the Congregational Nominating Committee begin the process of selecting nominees for the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) for our church. Your Congregational Nominating Committee is chaired by Donna McKay and the members of the Committee include, Charlene Echols, Leah Jordan Swindle, Nell Carvell, Phillip Higginbotham, Phyllis Bevel, Sue St. John and Josh Holt. The Staff Contact for the Committee is Greg Gibson. The PNC will consist of seven (7) members of our church who will be charged with the responsibility of selecting our new Senior Pastor. The nominees will be presented to the congregation for a vote at a called congregational meeting The Congregational Nominating Committee is seeking your help and input. Go to to access the Nominating form for members of the church to use to recommend potential candidates for the PNC and to tell us in your words why you believe this person would be a valuable addition to the PNC. The completed forms can be returned to the Congregational Nominating Committee, either by (mckaydk@sbcglobal.net) or by leaving the forms in Donna s elder box. If you would prefer not to fill out the form, you can certainly speak directly with any of the Committee members and we will relate that information to our Committee at large. Selfnominations are accepted. All recommendations for the PNC should be in by Sunday, February 26, Your input is greatly needed and appreciated. Children s Choir singing in worship on February 5th, Would you believe that the beginning of the Reformation 500 years ago is tied to a misguided capital campaign to build a new church? Pope Leo X was in the process of building St Peter s Basilica in Rome. He had taken out a construction loan and needed to pay it back. He decided to raise the money by selling indulgences. What s an indulgence? It is more complicated than I can detail here. The somewhat over simplified explanation is that is that by purchasing an indulgence the family or friends of a deceased person could reduce the debt the deceased still owed to God on their sins. That would then reduce the time the deceased spent in purgatory and send them on their way to heaven a bit sooner. If you want a bit more information on purgatory and indulgences take a look at one of the short overviews of the Reformation in the FPC library. John Tetzel was one of the people charged with selling the indulgences in the region where Martin Luther lived. He was quite a hustler. Tetzel made all sorts of promises about the power of the indulgences he was selling that went beyond the approved theology of the day. He apparently used a slogan or jingle in his presentations: As soon as the coin in the coin box rings, another soul from purgatory springs. About this time, Martin Luther had become convinced that the church was wrong in selling indulgences. Based on his study of the Bible he was convinced that indulgences were based on an erroneous understanding about the nature of salvation. This led him to compose and post his famous Ninety Five Thesis in October They were issued as a debate challenge to those who were selling indulgences. And so what we now call the Reformation began. Fast forward 500 years. Today when we have a stewardship or capital campaign at FPC we don t sell indulgences. We don t think of our gifts as purchasing God s favor. Instead we understand our gifts as acts of thanksgiving. We give because we already are beloved children of God. 2

3 Update on Pledges for 2017 Pledges to date 273 Total Pledged $1,566,910 Budgeted (net) $1,833,000 Goal $1,920,000 Thank you to all who have made their financial commitments toward the operating budget for Many thanks to the 120 households who increased their commitments for the coming year, and to the 25 households who made commitments for the first time. IT IS NOT TOO LATE to join the crowd. We still need everyone s participation. If you have not yet made your financial commitment to the 2017 budget, you can do so at pledge. Also, there are pledge cards outside the PAC and in the Thomas Welcome Center. Thank you for all you do to support the ministries of FPC-Dallas! River People - Annual Women s Retreat March 10-12, at the Prothro Center Fran Shelton, a Ruling Elder, spiritual director and friend of FPC, will lead us in creative and restorative activities during this weekend retreat on the shores of Lake Texoma. ALL women of the church are invited to this experience of being together to enjoy God s presence in scripture, community and nature. Register online at fpcdallas.org/register, or visit the registration table in Church Street or contact Kathy Price at kathyp@fpcdallas.org or x230. Lenten Study begins March 1 Deepen your understanding of how God s spirit works in the world and in the lives of God s people (including you)! Dr. John Jack Levison s book 40 Days with the Holy Spirit reveals the activity of the Holy Spirit throughout scripture, inviting us to new understandings and experiences of its presence. Jack Levison, Professor of Old Testament at Perkins, will introduce the study on Sunday, February 26, from 9:30-10:30 in Blakley Hall, and again at 12:30 in a lunch presentation in Blakley Hall (same presentation both times). All adult classes are encouraged to combine for the 9:30 presentation. The book will be available in Church Street every Sunday in February for $7 (retails for $16) along with opportunities to sign up for Lenten study and reflection small groups. Group study opportunities include one Sunday morning group that will meet at the church, and one Wednesday evening group that will meet at the church. Other small groups will meet in homes on various weekday evenings. These groups will be located in Lakewood, Oak Cliff, and North Dallas. One weekday group will be located in the Lakewood area. Please visit the sign up table located in Church Street on Sundays to purchase a book, see more specific days and times, and to learn more. Or contact Bonnie Edwards or Sue St. John. Everyone is encouraged to join in this church-wide study, either individually or in a group, to help discern the Spirit s activity among us. Love Sent to Children s Hospital Join the fun and fellowship each 4th Tuesday of the month. Stay all day or come for a while. Pitch in to make various shaped whimsical pillows for young patients at Children s Hospital. PW Projects Schedule: 9:30 a.m. Gather in Blakley Hall Choose an activity Tear and strip batting to stuff pillows Stuff pillows Sew on crocheted eyes Hand stitch pillows closed 11:45 AM Devotional and announcements 12 PM Break for lunch (Bring a sack lunch) Dessert, water, coffee, chips & pickles provided 12:30 PM Return to morning activity or choose a different one. 1:45 PM Clean up, count and pack up pillows for delivery to hospital. 2:00 PM Dismissal Next meeting: February 28, 2017 Dessert hostesses: Nell Baker and Jane Echols 3

4 Children s Corner A complete Children calendar is available to download from the FPC website. Questions or to RSVP please contact at children@fpcdallas.org. Upcoming Events March 19 Music Makers Sing April 9 Palm Sunday Parade and Music Makers Sing April 9 Journey Through Holy Week Family Event April Pine Cove All Church Retreat April Kidquake at Gilmont May 13 3rd Grade Bible Presentation Save the Dates Summer 2017 June 5-9 SMAC Music Day Camp June Grace Day camp (Registration open online) July Family Mission Trip to Dwight Mission in Oklahoma July 31-Aug 4 Vacation Bible School Youth Matters Sunday, February 29 (Youth Sunday) 8:00 a.m. Youth speakers, ushers and greeters, the chapel 8:45 a.m. Worship, the chapel 9:30 a.m. Breakfast for youth and leaders, the Great Hall No other youth activities today. Friday, March 3 TBA Girl s and Guy s Overnight Sunday, March 5 9:30 a.m. Church School for all youth, 4th floor 3:00 p.m. Youth Choir rehearsal, choir room APCE-DENVER Recap God with us in Chaos, Be still, and know that I am God! was the theme of the Association of Christian Educators which met in Denver the end of January. Bonnie Edwards and Miatta Wilson headed the First Presbyterian group which also included Julia Boyce, Liz Zsohar and Kathryn Carpenter. The theme was chosen several years ago and was fitting for our current church, national and world situations. The assembly of several denominations of church educators, lay leaders and ministers of word and sacrament from the US, Canada and Pakistan, was addressed by several excellent presenters including: The Rev. T. Denise Anderson, Co-Moderator of the PCUSA, The Rev. Laaron Jackson, former youth offender, NFL player and pastor of a Baptist Church for at-risk youth, The Rev. Jon Brown reminding us the road to change is never a straight line and The Rev. Shannon Kurshner, formerly of our Presbytery, enthusing all to remain faithful to our reformed path while blazing new directions. The conference offered folks the opportunity to share experiences and exchange ideas to invigorate their areas of service in their own church communities. (Bonus opportunities were in greeting old friends especially those of this congregation: The Rev. Catherine Foster, Rita Odom- Schreiner College Rep, and The Rev. Fran Shelton). A major portion of worship offering was given to Shiloh House, a local program and shelter for at-risk youth and families. The hygiene items donated by FPC members, gathered by our children on Epiphany Sunday, were assembled and presented to the Presbyterian Disaster representatives. A wealth of workshop offerings provided the attendees the opportunities to gain knowledge and enthusiasm for their areas of interest including: children and adult education, mission and service, and interreligious ideas for conversation and understanding with how-to s to promote peace and justice for citizens of all faiths. Creative music and daily worship allowed everyone to know that God ultimately is in control and sent participants home with renewed enthusiasm for ministry and service. Sunday, March 12 9:30 a.m. Church School for all youth, 4th floor 3:00 p.m. Youth Choir rehearsal, choir room Sunday, March 19 9:30 a.m. Church School for all youth, 4th floor 3:00 p.m. Youth Choir rehearsal, choir room 6:00 p.m. Shamrockin with Mr. Inez, Sons of Hermann Hall Sunday, March 26 9:30 a.m. Church School for all youth, 4th floor Noon Youth Committee, room 404 3:00 p.m. Youth Choir rehearsal, choir room 4:00 p.m. PYC, 4th floor Thanks FPC Education Council for the opportunity to have several lay leaders attend the Association of Presbyterian Church Educator s Annual Event this year in Denver and bring back learnings and resources. We were also grateful to see Rev. Catherine Foster who served as our Lily Resident Pastor for two years. 4

5 Shamrockin with Mr. Inez The FPC Youth group invites all church family and friends to a Saint Patrick s weekend concert/dance with Johnny Hooper and his band. From 6-9 p.m. at Sons of Hermann Hall on Sunday evening, March 19, a good time will be had by all. Suggested donation at the door--$ Plus, you ll be doing a good deed because a portion of the proceeds will go to support the camp begun by FPC youth in Northern Ireland and the new offshoot program created by Charlene Echols the Kelly Campers. Let s pack that old dance hall and shake the rafters for a good cause. April 21 23, 2017 Guest Leader: Rev. Dr. John Williams Who is invited to the FPC Spring Retreat at Pine Cove? Church members, visitors, friends, family Singles, Couples, Families with Children, Families without Children, Groups of Friends Very young to Young-at-Heart YOU! The retreat is planned for Friday night, April 21 to Sunday morning, April 23, There is a lot to do and see, but also time to relax and recharge. Each year on Saturday morning, we have a time reserved for children to enjoy planned activities while adults enjoy thought-provoking presentations and dialogue. Rev. Dr. John Williams will be leading us at Pine Cove this year as our speaker and worship leader. John is Chaplain and Director of Church Relations at Austin College in Sherman, Texas. We are blessed to have him lead us this weekend through the topic Lessons from Chadwick s Mill: Being Presbyterian Right Here and Right Now! Additional information and online registration are available online at Join the Family Mission Trip team as we travel to Dwight Mission Presbyterian Camp in Eastern Oklahoma. Service opportunities will be in Ft. Smith Arkansas at the Next Step Homeless Ministry and the Crisis Intervention Center, as well as with the Cherokee Nation in East Oklahoma and on the camp property. Families with Elementary age children and their siblings (older and younger) are encouraged to participate. Complete information and registration available at or children@fpcdallas.org. 5

6 Haiti Recap 2017 How would the participants of the seventh FPC medical mission trip to Ft. Liberte, Haiti describe the trip? Busy? Exhausting? Fulfilling? Memorable? Beautiful? Probably all of these things and more. Our goals as a congregation and as a mission team are to provide medical support to the community, to support education needs such as scholarships and financial support for elementary school children, and provide resources for activities at the local orphanage. We also looked for additional opportunities of service that the Jerusalem Baptist Church had for us during our stay. Medical Work Our group con sisted of 29 people, 16 of the participants from FPC. This was the first trip to Haiti for 10 of our participants. We had 7 physicians, 2 nurses, and 4 pharmacists. During the 4-1/2 day at the local clinic and also during two outpost church visits, we saw 1165 patients of all ages. This was the highest number of patients that our team as ever seen. In addition to cases of high blood pressure, malnutrition, diabetes, and scabies, there were many critical conditions that needed immediate treatment. The two outpost visits were brand new for our group. We sent eight team members out with translators to serve those that might not have been able to get in to the clinic in Ft. Liberte. This was very busy work, but fulfilling to all that went and served in basic settings. Another first for our group was to perform a medical visit to the seven senior citizens that reside at the Welcome Center. Shivani Patel, a doctor from Houston, said that these patients were her favorite during the trip. We are grateful to Catherine Bywaters for arranging for cloth diapers to be manufactured and packed so they could be distributed at the clinic to needy families. The finger puppets from the Presbyterian Women s group also helped give the younger patients something to take their minds off of the impending examinations. Food Distribution The team worked with Pastor Dasnis and the staff to purchase food for the neediest families in the community. $1000 of our budget bought over 800 lbs. of rice, 200 lbs of beans, spaghetti, dried fish and cooking oil. Several of the trip participants helped count out packages for 170 families, which we then distributed to the Jericho outpost church near the town of Malfety. It was a great opportunity to work with the Haitian community and to make an impact. Eben Ezer School Another activity this year was practicing English with middle school students at the Eben Ezer school. Again guided by Pastor Dasnis, we had two sessions with the students to help them with pronunciation (in addition to their French and Creole studies). Energetic demonstrations of Simon Says and Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes got the students going and helped get everyone in the classroom involved. Solar Lights We give thanks to our confirmation class and to the solar lights that they provided as part of their class project. Pastor Dasnis was so excited to see the lights that we brought. These lights provide not only visible light for families, but really provide opportunities for learning for students who have no light in their homes, and help families save money by not having to buy oil to burn for light. My belief is that these lights will bring hope and joy! Attached in this story are some of the photos from the trip. I love the smiles! We give thanks to our sponsors in Haiti, Pastor Dasnis and Sherlie Pierre and the dedicated and hardworking staff and translators that kept us fed and safe. We want to say thank you to our trip organizers for all of their time and talents: Marty Coleman, Catherine Bywaters, John Thompson, and Dr. Jeff Zsohar. We also thank the FPC Session and the congregation for your support. These experiences stay with the trip members for a lifetime and give the opportunity to serve Christ in a meaningful way. We did indeed see the face of God in the people that we met. 6

7 Calendar: February 21 - March 7 Tuesday, February 21 6:00 PM Congregational Life Council- Room 404 PW Circle 5- Outside Church 6:30 PM Celtic Band Rehearsals- Koinonia Room Wednesday, February 22 7:00 AM Men s Bible Study - Courson 1 (B3) 12:00 PM Pastor s Bible Study - Blakley Hall (B2) 6:30 PM Junior Crew & Venturing Crew- 3rd and 4th Fl 7:00 PM Chancel Choir Practice- Choir Room Wednesday Evening Bible Study- Courson 2 Friday, February 24 6:00 PM New Member Party - Outside Church Saturday, February 25 8:30 AM Saturday Kid s Club- 3rd Floor ESL Classes- Community Ministries Building 10:00 AM Dementia Caregiver Support Group Sunday, February 26: Youth Sunday 8:45 AM Chapel Service 9:15 AM Sunday Club- 3rd Floor We will not be having a 9:30 Service 9:30 AM Sunday School for All Ages Youth Sunday Breakfast- 4th Floor Lenten Study Introduction Part 1- Blakley Hall 10:50 AM Service- Presbyterian Activity Center (4th Floor) We will not be having Sunday Lunch 12:30 PM Lenten Study Introduction Part 2- Blakley Hall 3:00 PM Youth Choir- Room 108 7:00 PM Contemplative Worship Series/TAIZE Monday, February 27 11:30 AM Foundation Board Meeting- Parlor 6:00 PM CM Committee Meeting- CM Building Wednesday, March 1 7:00 AM Men s Bible Study - Courson 1 (B3) 11:30 AM Ash Wednesday Mid-Day Prayer 12:00 PM Pastor s Bible Study - Blakley Hall (B2) 6:30 PM Junior Crew & Venturing Crew- 3rd and 4th Fl 7:00 PM Ash Wednesday Worship- Chapel Chancel Choir Practice- Choir Room Wednesday Evening Bible Study- Courson 2 Thursday, March 2 6:00 PM PW First Thursday- Outside Church Saturday, March 4 8:30 AM Saturday Kid s Club- 3rd Floor ESL Classes- Community Ministries Building Sunday, March 5 (First Sunday of Lent) 8:45 AM Chapel Service 9:15 AM Sunday Club- 3rd Floor 9:30 AM Service- Presbyterian Activity Center (4th Floor) Sunday School for All Ages 10:50 AM Service- Presbyterian Activity Center (4th Floor) 12:00 PM Sunday Lunch 3:00 PM Youth Choir- Room 108 4:00 PM PYC- 4th Floor Monday, March 6 10:30 AM Caring Link; Home and Dome- Parlor 7:00 PM Benedictine Vespers- Chapel Tuesday, March 7 9:30 AM PW Coordinating Team Meeting- Parlor 10:45 AM PW Bible Moderators Meeting 6:30 PM Celtic Band Rehearsals- Koinonia Room Session Meeting- Blakley Hall Tuesday, February 28 9:30 AM PW Projects- Blakley Hall 6:00 PM Finance Committee Meeting- Room 407 6:30 PM Stephen Ministry Supervision- 4th Floor Rev. Rebecca Chancellor Sicks Primarily raised in Stillwater, OK, Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education at Oklahoma State University. Rebecca went on to earn her M.Div. at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, spending one year as a Seminary Intern at First Presbyterian Church in Fort Worth. Rebecca worked as a Director of Youth and Children s Ministries at University Presbyterian Church in Austin before her ordination there in Rebecca has most recently served churches in Portland, OR and Salina, KS. Rebecca has lots of experience serving youth conferences and met her husband, James Sicks (who grew up in Grace Presbytery), at Mo Ranch Presbyterian Assembly in 2004, though they didn t start dating until They are recently married, which is what brought Rebecca to the Dallas area. Rebecca is passionate about the full involvement of children and youth in the life of the church and has a heart for intergenerational ministries, worship, education, mission, and building relationships. Rebecca attended the 222nd General Assembly in Portland, serving as an Advisor to the Young Adult Advisory Delegates (YAADs). Rebecca enjoys a good cup of coffee, hiking, running, cooking, playing with her dog Rascal, spending time with her husband James, reading, traveling, and eating chips and salsa. 7

8 The FPC Welcome Team has been hard at work this week! Refugee Services of Texas asked us to help a Burmese family of four a mom, 2 boys and a girl. (The dad is supposedly on his way we don t know what his status is at the moment.) RST found the family a 2 bedroom, 1 bath apartment close to Forest and 635. Our team got access to the apartment the day before the family arrived so, on a Tuesday morning, a group of us met at 508 Park where we had been storing furniture. Joe Williams rented a U- Haul truck, we hired some muscle from The Stewpot and off we went. We spent the day cleaning, putting furniture together, buying groceries, setting out fresh flowers, etc. By the time we left, the apartment looked very cute and homey! (One tiny glitch one of our cars got towed so that drama had to be sorted out!) I wish I had taken a picture of all the activity Joe, Sandy Stroo, Carolann Luebke, Kay Jordan, Lyndi Bidne, Larry Dykstra, Jennifer Nagorka, Jolie Caldwell, Linda and John Engelhard, Dorothy Wood, Les Read, Kay Lunceford and Martha Ingrum all had a hand in making that apartment a welcoming sight to see! The family arrived at DFW very late the next night. Sandy and Rebecca Peterson met them at the airport and brought them to the apartment. Since then members of the Welcome Team have taken them dinner, helped unstop clogged sinks, gotten them a sewing machine, found bikes and helmets, etc. Most importantly, time has been spent talking and laughing with them and hopefully making the transition a little easier. Sandy, Ken and Mary Jane Cooper, the Engelhards, Liz Zsohar and Frances Knipp have all been smiling faces who have pitched in to help them get settled. In the coming weeks, we hope to help the kids get settled in school, help them learn to navigate public transportation, provide transportation to doctor s appointments and continue to share a weekly dinner. We are currently on the hunt for a DVD player and DVD s for kids and clothes/ shoes for both the mom and the kids. If you have anything that might work, please let Marty Coleman know. marthacoleman@sbcglobal.net or Also, if you would like to become a part of the Welcome Team, please let Marty know that too. There is no obligation people just do what works with their schedule. And the more, the merrier! This is a picture of Shomjida, Nushida, Anwar and Mohammed. For more info or to RSVP, contact FPC members Liz Zsohar at ezsohar@gmail.com or Eunice Fernandez at eunfern@att.net. Donate to Arrow Outreach by Shopping! If you use Amazon, this is as easy as it can be, and it s really helpful! 1. Visit 2. Log in to your Amazon account 3. Type in Arrow Outreach, and select us as your charity! Just like that, 0.5% of each purchase goes to support Arrow Outreach and its Ministry for the poor and needy in Juarez, Mexico! First Presbyterian Church News (USPS ) is published semi-monthly by First Presbyterian Church, 1835 Young Street, Dallas, TX Individual subscriptions $12 per year. Periodicals postage paid at Dallas, TX and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to First Presbyterian Church News, c/o Beth Hernandez, 1835 Young Street, Dallas, TX Editor: Wilson Nicholson Deadline is 9 a.m. on Monday, eight days prior to publication date. Articles may be submitted by: Phone ext. 229 Fax wilsonn@fpcdallas.org The FPC newspaper reserves the right to edit submitted materials. Please contact Beth Hernandez at or bethh@fpcdallas.org with any requests to subscribe or discontinue the paper. 8