March 2018 A Monthly Publication of Dunnellon Presbyterian Church Declaring and Demonstrating the Promises of Christ Holy Week Worship Schedule Sunday March 25, 2018 at 10:00 am Hosanna in the Highest! Sunday School for all ages at 9:00 am Maundy Thursday, March 29, 2018 6:15 pm Simple Meal ~ 7:00 pm Cantata & Communion Maundy Thursday services are a special time for contemplation of the great sacrifice Jesus made for us. Beginning at 6:15 pm we will come together for the simple meal of soup and contemplation/prayer, followed at 7:00 pm by a solemn service of worshipful music and Communion. A special cantata entitled Prayers At The Cross has been prepared and will be offered by the Chancel Choir and special guest musicians, Kaylee Ascencio, violinist, and Kristine Nolasco, cellist. See the article in this newsletter under Music Ministry for more details. Alleluia! Easter Celebration Worship Service Sunday April 1, 2018 at 10:00 am Easter Egg Hunt for the children immediately following the Worship Service.
Dear DPC Members and other Friends, Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid. (John 14:27) Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matthew 5:9) Dunnellon Presbyterian Church exists to Declare and Demonstrate the Promises of Christ. One of the promises of Christ is a promise of peace. In light of the tragic slaying of innocents in Parkland, Florida, and the ongoing gun violence that threatens persons in so many cities and towns across America, the leaders and congregation of Dunnellon Presbyterian Church feel that it is necessary to not only declare that the promise of Christ s peace in comforting those who grieve, but to concretely demonstrate the peace of Christ by supporting that which may lead to the reduction of gun violence and help make our schools and public gathering areas safe from tragic acts of violence. One of the ways the DPC leaders imagined people being able to not only declare, but to also demonstrate the promised peace of Christ is to contact elected officials and express your ideas. President Trump has demonstrated a willingness to listen, admitting he does not have the entire realm of possible solutions in his own mind. Legislators continue to express their desire to work toward making our community safer places. Below you will find a listing and the contact information of the legislators upon whom we have the most direct effect as constituents. If you choose to contact them, you may wish to use the following tips to ensure the maximum opportunity for your voice to be heard. In writing There seems to be no clear agreement in which is more effective - postcards or letters, so either is definitely better than not doing anything. Staffers who take care of mail, as with phone calls, etc., apparently are looking for a tally of opinion and don't usually spend a lot of time on each communication unless they are conscientious and something really speaks to them. Postcards Buy 4 X 6" plain index cards. Write your message on one side and address on the other, or decorate one side in an eyecatching related way, and divide the other side into your message and the address. Include your name & address, including zip, so your own representatives know that you are the one who will be voting for or against them. Make your message very short & clear, or in a short list form - whatever will make it easier for a staffer to read and understand fast.
Letters If you have a personal story to tell, a letter, rather than a postcard, would be better. The attention span of a staffer may only be one sentence, so plan your beginning and make your most important points early. A letter with several paragraphs leading to the point may not be read. A handwritten letter may look more personal and less like a form letter. Include your name and address (with zip code) on the letter in case it gets separated from the envelope. Mail to the DC offices has to go through a security process that can delay it for some days. Sending a duplicate letter to DC and to one of the state offices may be a good thing to do. Emails Should follow the same suggestions as letters. Make sure your name; address and zip code are included in the body of the email. Email addresses like stillsexyat70@hotmail may not be taken seriously. Telephone Calls Be prepared with that which you want to say. A few notes in your hands might help you be clear in your request. For both national and state officials, it might be most helpful to call their district or home offices, not their offices in Washington D.C. and Tallahassee. Be respectful and remember that you want the person on the other end of the call to carry your message on to the legislator. You message will probably not get far if you begin with, Tell your lousy boss or if one inquires whether they ever work up there in Tallahassee or DC. Be kind, be a blessed peacemaker. CONTACTING YOUR MEMBER OF CONGRESS From these 2 websites, you can click on your individual Member of Congress. This will lead to their individual pages where you can read about their positions, as well as contact them by email and twitter. www.house.gov www.senate.gov You can also call, write letters, or make postcards from 4 X 6 plain index cards. Mail sent to the DC offices apparently has to go through some security checks which can take some time. You can send to, or call, any or all of these offices.
FLORIDA SENATORS Senator Marco Rubio 284 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-3041 8669 NW 36th Street Suite 110 Doral, FL 33166 Phone: (305) 418-8553 Sam M. Gibbons U.S. Courthouse 801 North Florida Avenue Suite 1130 Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: 813-853-1099 Bryan Simpson U.S. Courthouse 300 North Hogan Street Suite # 8-111 Jacksonville, FL 32202 201 South Orange Avenue Suite 350 Orlando, FL 32801 Phone: (407) 254-2573 or toll free in Florida 1-866-630-7106 700 S. Palafox St. Suite 125 Pensacola, Florida 32502 Phone: (850) 433-2603 402 South Monroe Street Suite 2105E Tallahassee, FL 32399 Phone: (850) 599-9100 4580 PGA Blvd. Suite 201 Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33418 Phone: (561) 775 3360 Senator Bill Nelson - United States Senate 716 Senate Hart Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: 202-224-5274 Fax: 202-228-2183 3416 South University Drive Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328 Phone: 954-693-4851 Fax: 954-693-4862 2000 Main Street Suite 801 Fort Myers, FL 33901 Phone: 239-334-7760 Fax: 239-334-7710 1301 Riverplace Blvd. Suite 2010 Jacksonville, FL 32207 Phone: 904-346-4500 Fax: 904-346-4506 2555 Ponce De Leon Boulevard Suite 610 Coral Gables, FL 33134 Phone: 305-536-5999 111 North Adams Street Tallahassee, FL 32301 Phone: 850-942-8415 Fax: 850-942-8450 801 N. Florida Ave. 4th Floor Tampa, FL 33602 Phone: 813-225-7040
SOME MEMBERS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES FOR OUR AREA Rep. Neal Dunn, 2 nd District 423 Cannon House Office Building Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-5235 840 West 11th Street Suite 2250 Panama City, FL 32401 Rep. Ted Yoho, 3 rd District 511 Cannon House Office Bldg Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-5744 5000 NW 27 th Ct, Suite A Gainesville, FL 32606 Phone: 352-505-0838 Phone: (850) 785-0812 300 South Adams Street Tallahassee, FL 32301 Phone: (850) 891-8610 Twitter - @DrNealDunnFL2 115 SW 25 th Ave Ocala, FL 34471 35 Knight Boxx Rd, Suite 1 Orange Park, FL 32065 2509 Crill Ave, Suite 200 Palatka, FL 32177 Phone: 386-326-7221 Twitter - @RepTedYoho Rep. Daniel Webster, 11 th District 1210 LHOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: 202-225-1002 800 N US Hwy 27 Minneola, FL 34715 Phone: 352-241-9220 212 W Main St., Suite 208A Inverness, FL 34450 Phone: 352-241-9204 8015 E County Rd 466 Suite B The Villages, FL 32162 Phone:352-383-3552 15 N Main St., Suite B Brooksville, FL 34601 Phone: 352-241-9230 Twitter - @RepWebster MORE INFORMATION ON STATE REPRESENTATIVES WILL FOLLOW- BLESSED ARE THE PEACEMAKERS Pastor Jeff
Dunnellon Presbyterian Church Memorial Garden A Sacred Place to Remember and Give Thanks Seventeen years ago, members of the Dunnellon Presbyterian Church imagined how we might develop upon our own grounds, A Sacred Place to Remember and Give Thanks. Through the hard work and financial gifts of many, this space was completed 15 years ago in March of 2003. There is a long history of having cemeteries, memorial gardens and columbaria being on the same site with church sanctuaries. Locating final resting places apart from church grounds is a relatively new practice in terms of the death, burial and memorialization of loved ones becoming popular only 50 or so years ago. To be baptized, married and buried in the same location was a common practice until the last half of the last century. There was something significant, something emblematic, and most of all something holy about the connection of what may be three of life s most significant events. The creation of A Sacred Place to Remember and Give Thanks was a direct response to changes in times and circumstances. Mobility, length of life span, attitudes and changing practices and beliefs about bodily burial of the dead and cremation has evolved. This evolution, coupled with the desire to reclaim the tradition of having places of remembrance and final rest associated with a congregational site led to the development of our beautiful memorial garden. Elements of its design were very intentional. The meandering paths that all lead one back to where one began as a reminder of our varied life journeys with all their twists and turns. The circular design of the path reminds us that from dust we were made and to dust we shall return. The benches give us places to rest and contemplate. The walls give us a place to commemorate, providing the opportunity for loved ones who will follow long after us to have some sense of history and permanence of their own genetic past, and to literally run their fingers over the names of those who have gone before them. The higher hedge around the garden provides a modicum of privacy for visitors, especially when sitting on the benches. The flora and fauna of the garden brings some cheer even on the dreariest winter days and the hottest and most humid of summer days. Finally, the beautiful oak s canopy provides shelter and reminds one of the overarching graces of God over us in life and in death. As the Memorial Garden has matured, it has been taken care of by loving hands. It is probably not wise to list names in thanksgiving because too many would be omitted. Our current Memorial Garden Task Force has become aware that as those who were part of the original design and implementation committee have taken their place in the Garden, and have their death dates as well as their birth dates inscribed on its walls, the sense of ownership of the garden has waned. We probably haven t shared with newer folks the purpose for the garden and how the garden can be an asset to them as they are making their future plans. The garden is not just for those who dreamed and designed seventeen years ago, but for you now. Soon the Memorial Garden Task Force will be producing new literature to help in your planning for the celebration of your life and for future remembrances. You are also encouraged to use the garden as a place of silent rest, near to the heart of God. Jean K. leads the task force along with Ron B.. Wayne C., Craig H., Lesa M., William (Bill) M., and Cindy M., are also very active with the Memorial Garden and would be great folks to speak to if you have any questions, want to help, or make a donation. Let us all be thankful that we have been blessed with A Sacred Place to Remember and Give Thanks. Pastor Jeff
Treasurer s Report Results for JANUARY: 2018 2017 Change Month Revenues 27,666 19,408 8,258 Expenses 17,624 16,779 (845) Net Operating 10,042 2,629 7,413 Revenue: increased due to timing as 1 family has changed from contributing weekly last year to a onetime IRA disbursement (to save taxes) this year. Expenses: have been negatively impacted by 2 charges: $300 for the purchase of accounting software that will replace the leased software that currently costs about $2,700 each year and $715 to pressure wash the sanctuary that shouldn t have to be repeated for another 3-4 years. What have we been called to do? The recent senseless loss of life at Marjorie Stoneman Douglass high school probably hit Lucy and I a little harder than most. Before moving to Dunnellon, we lived 3 miles from the school and our daughter was a 1994 graduate. There are bodies that need to be healed, hearts that need to be healed and a country that needs to be healed. 2 Chronicles 7:14 - if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (NIV). God is not calling for all people to repent, only his believers. My prayer for this church is that we would act, act in a timely manner and not stop acting until this senseless massacre of future generations ends. We don t need to agree on the cause of the tragedy or what needs to change to prevent another occurrence. What we do need to do is agree that we have been called to act. We can t love one another without acting. Until He returns or takes us home, Craig H. Congratulations! Top Attenders Dunnellon Presbyterian Church 2017 During the Worship Service on Sunday, January 28, 2018, members with outstanding attendance in 2017 were recognized. A reminder was given to all of the importance of filling out the attendance sheet in the pews. This information is recorded in our church computer and gives us the ability to generate attendance reports. Thanks to Dick L. who faithfully enters the attendance reports. From the report for 2017, those with the most loyal attendance were determined. Congratulations to all of them, especially Rosetta K. who was present at 49 services in 2017. Times Present Names #1 49 Rosetta K. #2 48 Jean K. Janie T. #3 47 Richard L. David M. #4 44 Helen G. John H. Sue K. Lesa M. CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION Church Office Phone: 352.489.2682 Office Hours: 9:00 am -1:00 pm, Mon - Fri Email: dunnpreschurch@bellsouth.net Website: www.dunnellonpcusa.org www.facebook.com/dunnellonpresbyterian If you have any changes to your address, phone, email, or family data, please call the office or email your changes. Thank you for keeping our records updated! www.dunnellonpcusa.org
Presbyterian Men March Men s Breakfast Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 8:00 am The Men s Club Breakfast meeting will be held at the Purple Sage Café in Dunnellon. Please notify Don K. 352-489-2682 by Monday, March 19 th to make your reservation. Presbyterian Women PW Circles Wednesday, March 7, 2018 1:00 pm Pat McDowell Circle 7:00 pm Lydia Circle PW Coordinating Team Wednesday, March 21 st at 10:00 am. A Thank you Note from the PW Moderator Thanks to all the women and men who attended the P.W. Winter Gathering. I am sure you all had a wonderful afternoon. Gaye was very humorous yet inspiring and the soup and desserts were delicious. I want to thank all of P.W. Coordinating Team for their work preparing for the Gathering. What are wonderful group of women! Stay tuned for news on our next event in November. Carolle C., PW Moderator PW Quilt Circle Tuesdays March 13 and 27 10:00 am 3:00 pm Any questions, call Jean K. at 489-2682. Presbyterian Women Christian Community Action Committee The Christian Community Action Committee of the Presbyterian Women is continuing to provide Food Gift Cards to help families from Romeo Elementary School celebrate Easter on April 1 st. Envelopes for your monetary gifts are available in the Narthex. Your contributions in support of this outreach program are very appreciated. If you have any questions please call Janet E. at 352-489-2682. A thorough cleaning and reorganization of the electrical and air-conditioning room in the Fellowship Hall will be on Wednesday, March 21st, as it is deemed to be a potential fire hazard. It is requested that any/all personal belongings and/or exercise equipment be removed BEFORE March 21st, so a thorough cleaning, repair and re-organization of the shelves can be done. Thank you for your co-operation, as it is important to keep this room clean and free of clutter. Barbara C.
DPC Community Activities Hosted by the Men s Club on Wednesday, March 14 th at 6:30 pm The cost is only $5.00 per person (at the door) to cover the food costs. Any balance will go to the Men s Club Charity Fund. A sign-up sheet is in the Narthex. Please sign up so we can order the correct amount of food. Concert Series Sunday, March 18 th at 3:00 pm Dunnellon Community Chorale The Spring Program for Dunnellon Community Chorale features a variety of music from spirituals to show tunes. Spirituals include Dry Bones and Everytime I Feel the Spirit. The show tunes feature several selections from musicals Fiddler on the Roof, Show Boat, Music Man, Annie, and West Side Story. Local favorites Christine Jones-Woods and Bill McDowell present solos along with a trio consisting of Beverly Kirk, Marilyn Holsipple, and Sue Koppler. A special treat is in store when our youngest and newest soloist, William Boemio, sings Tomorrow from the musical Annie. Concert time is 3:00 pm on Sunday, March 18, 2018, at the Dunnellon Presbyterian Church. There is no charge for the concert but a free-will offering will be taken. March 29, 2018 Maundy Thursday services are a special time for contemplation of the great sacrifice Jesus made for us. While it is solemn time, that is for a reason to give each of us a chance to reflect on our own Christian mission as we head toward the joyous celebration of Easter. The music of the Lenten season reflects this beautifully and this year we are blessed to have two guest soloists, Kaylee Ascencio, violinist, and Kristine Nolasco, cellist join us at the service to be held the evening of March 29 th. In addition to accompanying the choir in a short cantata entitled Prayers At The Cross, they will perform a separate piece And We Remember with Renée Deuvall-Williams. Please plan to attend this meaningful service and welcome these talented musicians. Sue Koppler, Music Director Maundy Thursday Service Thursday March 29, 2018 6:15 pm Simple Meal in the Fellowship Hall. 7:00 pm Cantata & Communion Service in the Sanctuary. MOVIES WITH MEANING Saturday, March 3, 2018 at 1:00 pm Movie Title to Be Announced Memorial Garden The Memorial Garden committee met on February 12 th to discuss the next steps to be taken to care for the garden. Soon it will be planting time. As Spring arrives, the growing season arrives, too. Then we will be weeding, trimming and pruning once again. If you have any questions, please call Jean Kennedy at 352-489-2682.
DUNNELLON PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH PO DRAWER 1069 DUNNELLON FL 34430-1069 (352) 489-2682 STAMP REV. JEFFREY W. WELCH, PASTOR