Volume 34 Issue 1 January 2010 ELDERS Sue Blank Tim D Aurora Phyllis Frye Keith Orr Janet Rugh Linda Sellinger Bob Schweppe Joelyn Watt Ronda Weinell Ryan Gallagher Y.R. DEACONS Evey Anderson Dorothy Brant Becky Davis Jessica Foresman Lisa Heasley Teri Hoffman Carol Hohman Joseph Stopansky Gale Wilhelm Cliff s Notes Can you believe that we are entering the year 2010! I remember back a decade ago when we were all thinking about what would transpire with Y2K. The story of 2010 remains to be written and we don t know what these next 12 month will hold in store for us but there is one thing that we can be certain of -God will be with us through each and every step of the way. There is a verse that I like to think about at the beginning of a new year, it is Hebrews 13:8 which says, Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. As we journey through this new year, it is reassuring that come what may, Jesus Christ is the same. I would like to wish all of you a very Happy 2010. As we begin a new year, I would like to express my thanks to those whose terms as Elders and Deacons have been completed. Thanks to John Blank and Evelyn Foresman for their term as Elders, to Dottie D Aurora and Dave Foresman for their term as Deacons and to Kathleen and Sara Orr for their term as Youth Representatives to Session. I would also like to welcome our new Elders -Sue Blank, Bob Schweppe and Ronda Weinell; Deacons -Evey Anderson, Dorothy Brant and Carol Hohman and Ryan Gallagher as Youth Representative to Session. I would also like to welcome our new newsletter editor, Yvonne McIlnay. I would also ask you to mark your calendar for the Service of Christian Unity at St. James Roman Catholic Church at 3 PM. This is an opportunity for the New Alexandria community to worship together as we remember our unity in Jesus Christ. As we begin a new year, may we go into 2010 knowing that we go not alone -for Christ is right there with us through each and every step. Happy New Year! Yours in Christ, Cliff
Page 2 January celebrations Birthdays 1/1 Beth Dudek Kelly Orr 1/4 Bob Hohman Mike Kepple Tony Perino 1/5 Kaley Foster 1/6 Emily Eidemiller 1/7 Courtney Young 1/8 John Baron Ced Stopansky Brian Walters 1/10 Denise Eidemiller Cheyanne Heasley 1/11 Daniel Kaufman 1/13 Jessica Foresman Alyssa Martz 1/17 Glenn Frye 1/18 Carol Hohman Claude Wilhelm 1/19 Kathleen Orr Sara Orr 1/20 Tyler Piovesan 1/23 Keith Walters 1/24 Dorothy Brant 1/28 Kim Matvey Jared Walters A n n i v e r s a r i e s January 26, 1962 Gene & Dorothy Brant To Start A New Year...................... Anonymous "A new year is unfolding like a blossom with petals curled tightly concealing the beauty within. Lord, let this year be filled with the things that are truly good with the comfort of warmth in our relationships, with the strength to help those who need our help and the humility and openness to accept help from others. As we make our resolutions for the year ahead, let us go forward with great hope that all things can be possible with Your help and guidance."
Page 3 Thank you notes Dear Friends at Congruity: Please convey our thanks to the members of your congregation for their donations of sweat suits to Blackburn Center. We depend on contributions from the community to help meet the needs of thousands of people each year. Your donation of goods allows us to invest more of our resources to services critical to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. In addition, it gives assurances to the women and children in our shelter that someone cares. Thank you for joining with us as we accept the challenge to overcome the violence that afflicts our homes and communities. Angel Food Ministries Order dates: January 10th & 17th Distribution Date: January 23rd. Remember if you need a ride to or from any activity at Congruity, we will be glad to arrange for someone to pick you up. Please call the office to make arrangements. Christian Unity Service The Christian Unity Service will be held on Sunday, January 24, 2010 at 3PM at St. James Roman Catholic Church. This is an opportunity for us to worship as a community. Due to the weather, we did not have a Christian Unity Service last year.
Page 4 Worship leaders for January Acolytes Liturgists 1/3 Dylan McDonald Linda Sellinger 1/10 Tylor McDonald Keith Orr 1/17 Jessica Foresman Ronda Weinell 1/24 Ryan Gallagher Tim D Aurora 1/31 Cheyanne Heasley Janet Henry Those serving communion on January 10th are: Janet Rugh Phyllis Frye Tim D Aurora Becky Davis Lisa Heasley If you would like to serve as a liturgist please see Cliff. If you are interested in becoming an acolyte please see Dave or Pam Foresman. Separated by space united in prayer The congregations and pastors for our prayer support for the month of January are: 1/3 Apollo, Poke Run ~ Pete Goetschius, pastor 1/10 Avonmore ~ Ron Durika, clp 1/17 Delmont ~ Wayne Barrett, pastor 1/24 Lower Burrell, Grace Community ~ Ken Foust, pastor 1/31 Redstone Minister at Large ~ Lisa Dormire, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Page 5 From the Mission Interpretation and stewardship Committee T i m D A u r o r a As we look ahead to the new year, it is natural to reflect on the previous one. 2009 was an interesting one dealing with our financial situation. We began the year with a $6,247.95 shortage carried over from 2008. The Presbyterian Women made a $3,500.00 donation in January to help defray that shortfall. It seemed like we would take 2 steps forward and 1 step back for several months. With the help of our hoagie sales and spaghetti dinners, we made some slight inroads. But in August, November, and December we had some very large contributions. The one in November was another $3,500.00 from the Presbyterian Women, but the other months were from generous individuals. We certainly appreciate their generosity and hope these gifts are able to continue. These additional donations helped us end the year on a firmly positive financial position for the first time in many years, at least as far as the general fund is concerned. Our Benevolence situation was disappointing. The Session decided to make our pledge to Presbytery $7,000.00 for 2009. This was based on pledges received during our Stewardship drive and on past giving. Unfortunately, we came up $687.96 short of this figure and decided to make up this difference using funds from the Local Mission Fund. Most of this money was raised at the auctions we held over the previous few years. Looking at this area of our giving, we believe we need to do a better job of educating everyone about where this money is going. In Presbytery, it is now known as First Fruits. This money supports the mission work and the administration of The Presbytery. In the past, we would pay for this with our Per Capita money and our Mission giving. As recently as 2006, this combined figure totaled over $10,000.00 from Congruity. Now, we have difficulty reaching a $7,000.00 pledge. If we were still using the Per Capita figure, it would now be over $30.00 per member. If it helps you to better come to terms with your giving, divide it so you can give an additional $30.00 per member in your household plus what you feel called to give to support the Presbytery's mission work. We will be trying to include programs this year that give us an opportunity to be more involved in this mission work. Both with First Fruits and with our own general budget, we want everyone to have a better understanding about where our money goes and what it helps to accomplish. In addition to keeping the doors of our Church open, we are doing some very positive things. Stay tuned and become even more involved in the work of our Lord. We have meals prepared. If you know of someone that is feeling under the weather or just had a baby, or any other reason and may need a prepared meal, please talk to a member of TLC or Cliff
Page 6 Treasurer s Report TREASURER'S MONTHLY REPORT - 2009 Caroline D Aurora General Fund Actual To Date Receipts Expenses Balance Balance Balance as of January 1 $(6,247.95) January $8,628.24 $7,851.62 $(5,471.33) $776.62 February $6,269.35 $8,080.99 $(7,282.97) $(1,035.02) March $7,484.46 $7,539.63 $(7,338.14) $(1,090.19) April $8,078.27 $7,557.39 $(6,817.26) $(569.31) May $8,732.97 $8,655.28 $(6,739.57) $(491.62) June $4,861.90 $7,096.62 $(8,974.29) $(2,726.34) July $6,113.31 $6,391.36 $(9,252.34) $(3,004.39) August $11,344.11 $6,474.86 $(4,383.09) $1,864.86 September $6,844.72 $6,782.00 $(4,320.37) $1,927.58 October $7,100.73 $8,172.25 $(5,391.89) $856.06 November $10,560.59 $6,599.46 $(1,430.76) $4,817.19 December $12,280.84 $7,186.94 $3,663.14 $9,911.09 Benevolence Received Pledged Balance January $405.00 $583.33 $(178.33) February $571.00 $583.33 $(190.66) March $567.00 $583.33 $(206.99) April $431.00 $583.33 $(359.32) May $531.00 $583.33 $(411.65) June $289.00 $583.33 $(705.98) July $303.00 $583.33 $(986.31) August $620.00 $583.33 $(949.64) September $405.00 $583.33 $(1,127.97) October $429.00 $583.33 $(1,282.30) November $569.00 $583.33 $(1,296.63) December $1,192.00 $583.33 $(687.96) * *Pledge shortfall for Benevolence was made up by funds from the Local Mission Fund This Month To Date 2-Cents a Meal $44.35 $294.11 Change for the Future $30.56 $458.98 Christmas Joy $224.00 Thanks to all of the members and friends of Congruity who generously donate the time, talents, and resources that enable us to do good works.
Page 7 Items From Session John Blank Items from Session Session met on December 21, 2009 and reports the following: 1) Tim D Aurora led us in devotions reading from Romans 12:1-8 2) Reports from the Moderator and Clerk were received. 3) Received the report of the last Presbytery Meeting and elected Linda Sellinger as Elder Delegate for the January meeting. 4) The Mission Interpretation and Stewardship committee reported on the recent pledge drive. 5) Decided to use Local Mission funds to complete our general mission pledge if there is a shortfall. 6) Certified that the property committee did the annual inspection of the manse. 7) A plumber has been scheduled to install water lines for the new coffee makers in Fellowship Hall and to repair a leaking drain pipe at the manse. 8) Agreed to purchase a cabinet and counter top for the upstairs kitchen. 9) The Worship Committee has set the Order for Worship for the Christmas Eve Service. 10) Agreed to remove Amber Sellinger as a Youth Group Representative to the Nominating Committee because she will be graduating and going to college. 11) Agreed to send a donation to the American Bible Society for web hosting the church web site. The American Bible Society hosts our site free of charge. 12) Noted that Yvonne McIlnay has volunteered to produce the monthly church newsletter and that Dotty D Aurora has agreed to be proofreader. 13) Scheduled devotional leaders for monthly session meetings for the first quarter. 14) Noted that the Historic Cemetery Guide has been updated and is ready to print. 15) Set the Annual Congregational Meeting for the receiving of reports for January 31 th. 16) Granted permission for the Boy Scouts to hold leadership training on January 22-23. 17) Rev. Foster thanked the Elders whose terms are ending and welcomed the new Elders. 18) Approved the use of the church for the Hoffman/Lapcevic wedding for 1/30/10 with the rehearsal to be held the night before. 19) Set the installation of Elders and Deacons for 1/17/10 during worship. 20) Discussed Chapter 14 of the Book of Order. 21) Visit the church website at www.congruitychurch.org The Mission of Congruity Presbyterian Church is to lead all persons to a biblical and theological understanding of reformed faith, to glorify God, to bear witness to Jesus Christ and to be the channel of God s saving power, so that His Kingdom may come and His Will be done in all the earth. We are the family of God. Therefore we focus on living as a loving family. Fellowship and worship will be the heart of our loving, caring church. (4/18/05)
Page 8 Survey Committee Earlier this year, Session formed a committee for the purpose of examining Congruity s ministry and mission. The work of the committee was to develop a congregational survey that would provide insight regarding our strengths and weaknesses in order that Session may determine areas of focus for the future. The committee has begun this process and in January surveys will be going out to all church members on the active membership roll. A letter will accompany the survey explaining how it should be completed and returned. The surveys do not require that you identify yourself and so all responses can be made anonymously. If you do not receive a survey, but would like to participate, please contact one of the committee members. The committee has taken its charge by Session very seriously and has developed a survey that encompasses a wide range of issues regarding the ministry and mission of the church. We ask that you approach the survey process with prayerful consideration and that you participate fully and candidly. May God guide us to a renewed spirit and a better understanding of what it is we are to be accomplishing as a church of Christ. The members of the survey committee are Susan Blank (chairperson), Caroline D Aurora, David Foresman, Janet Rugh, and Sarabeth Stopansky. A Prayer for the New Year Come, Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Risen Christ, be with us today and always. Be our Light, our Guide, and our Comforter. Be our Strength, our Courage, and our Sanctifier. May this new year be a time of deep spiritual growth for us, A time of welcoming your graces and gifts, A time for forgiving freely and unconditionally, A time for growing in virtue and goodness. Come, Holy Spirit, Be with us today and always. Amen.
Page 9 Mission Team News Phyllis Frye There will be a planning meeting on January 10, 2010 at Community Presbyterian Church at 6PM for anyone interested in the mission trip to the Gulf March 14th-20th. We have several things to discuss. Since there are quite a number of people interested so far, we may have the option of going either to Olive Tree in New Orleans or to Houma, Southwest of New Orleans in the bayou country. Also, depending on flight rates we may be either flying or driving (which would take two extra days) or some driving, some flying. If interested, contact Phyllis Frye @ 724-468-3740, Judy Koontz @ 724-668-2843 or just show up at the meeting. It is fundraising time again. We will be having the pancake dinner again on Tuesday, February 16th here at Congruity. Also we will be selling the Bon Ton community day coupon books again. Avonmore Presbyterian Church is putting on a fundraiser dinner for us in March. Watch for details. Bon Ton Community Day coupons cost $5 which the mission team keeps. In the book is a $10 coupon and several % of coupons. If you use the $10 coupon it is like getting your $5 back, plus $5 off. Community Day will be sometime in February. There are several people of Congruity hoping to go on this trip, so please keep us in your prayers and support us. 2010 Mission Trips Spring March 14-20 New Orleans Summer August 8-14 Kopperston West Virginia
Congruity Presbyterian Church 136 Fenneltown Road New Alexandria PA 15670 Non profit organization U.S. postage paid Permit no 5 New Alexandria PA 15670 WE RE ON THE WEB! congruitychurch.org Attendance Sunday School Youth Adults Total 11/22 8 20 28 11/29 6 20 26 12/6 4 21 25 12/13 Cancelled ~ Ice Storm 12/20 4 18 22 Worship 11/22 60 11/29 58 12/6 50 12/13 Cancelled ~ Ice Storm 12/20 65 Church staff and o f f i c e r s Cliff Foster Pastor John Blank Clerk of Session Becky Davis Deacon s Moderator Caroline D Aurora Treasurer Michelle Kepple Financial Secretary Dorothy Martz Church Secretary Janet Henry Music Director Yvonne McIlnay Newsletter Editor John Blank Webmaster Dorothy is in Monday & Tuesday mornings. Cliff is in the office most mornings.