Volume 37 Issue 1 January 2013 C l i f f s N o t e s The other day I found myself thinking that I just can t believe that 2012 is quickly drawing to a close. The new year of 2013 lies before us as unchartered territory. I know that there are those in our church family who can t wait for 2012 to be over because it has been a very difficult twelve months. There have been illnesses, loss of loved ones, being laid off or positions eliminated. The hope of these folks is that 2013 will be a better year. One of the caveats we have through our faith is found in Hebrews 13:8 which declares: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. So no matter what happens in the next twelve months, we have the assurance that Jesus Christ will be with us through each and every day. I wish all of you a very Blessed New Year. Each year towards the end of December, many magazines and TV shows describe many of the events that took place during the year just ending. I must admit that I am often surprised by how many of these events I have forgotten. But I think that some of the events of 2012 will remain in your minds for a long time: Superstorm Sandy, the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting, the Oregon Mall shooting, the Colorado movie theater shooting and many other events and happenings that are seared into our collective memory. As we stand on the brink of 2013, none of us knows what this year holds in store for us, personally or collectively, but we do have the assurance that Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever. Together may we walk boldly into this New Year, knowing that we go not alone because Jesus has promised to always be with us and that as sisters and brothers we journey together. I thank you for the gifts and cards given to my family at Christmas. I would like to wish each of you a very happy and Blessed New Year! Yours in Christ, Cliff
P a g e 2 W o r s h i p L e a d e r s F o r J a n u a r y E L D E R S Laura Blank Sue Blank Gene Brant Tim D Aurora Dave Foresman Phyllis Frye Bob Schweppe Janet Rugh Linda Youngbauer Tylor McDonald Y.R. D E A C O N S Dorothy Brant Dotty D Aurora Becky Davis Sue Derek Evelyn Foresman Scott McIlnay Debbie Perino Jay Perino Sarabeth Stopansky Liturgists 1/6 Sue Blank 1/13 Dave Foresman 1/20 Dorothy Martz 1/27 John Blank 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. Those scheduled to serve communion on January 13th are: Janet Rugh Bob Schweppe Tim D Aurora Sarabeth Stopansky Sue Derek S e p a r a t e d B y S p a c e U n i t e d I n P r a y e r The congregations and pastors from Neighborhood 1 for our prayer support during the month of January are as follows: 1/6 Murrysville, First Chuck MacPherson, Pastor 1/13 Murrysville, Newlonsburg Curtis Paul, Pastor Marnie Silbert, Associate Pastor 1/20 Murrysville, Union John Simpson, Interim Pastor 1/27 New Alexandria, Community United Kathy Shirey, Pastor
P a g e 3 J a n u a r y C e l e b r a t i o n s B i r t h d a y s 1/1 Beth Dudek Kelly McCambridge 1/4 Bob Hohman Mike Kepple Tony Perino 1/5 Kaley Foster 1/6 Emily Eidemiller 1/7 Courtney Young 1/8 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 1/19 Kathleen Orr Sara Orr 1/20 Tyler Piovesan 1/21 Ian Derek 1/22 Trevor Derek 1/23 Keith Walters 1/24 Dorothy Brant 1/28 Kim Matvey Jared Walters Alenah Thomas A n n i v e r s a r i e s 1/26/1962 Bob & Carol Hohman 1/30/2010 Dan & Hillary Lapcevic TLC has 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. 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.
P a g e 4 S y m p a t h y We express our sympathy to the Johnston family as they walk through the valley of the shadow of Sarah s death. T h a n k Y o u Thank you to my Congruity family for all the cards, prayers, thoughts and meals following my recent surgeries and starting chemo. I never realized how much a simple Get Well card can mean to someone who is healing. A Thinking of You card can brighten even the darkest days. Thank You Michelle Kepple Dear Church family at Congruity Thank you so much for the beautiful sheaf of wheat you sent at the time of my mom s death. It is something I can keep for a very long time. I appreciate it Also thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, and support through a very trying time. I m glad I have my family at Congruity. Thank you for always being there for us. Love & God Bless Sandy & Colton Cramer May hope, love, and warmth be in your heart s possessing, and may the New Year bring you and yours many blessings!
P a g e 5 T L C L i s a H e a s l e y We had a great year as a group and would like to thank all of you for your support. We raised almost $500.00 at the craft show and we will be using all of our fundraising money toward breast health programs. We will continue to make kits for women getting biopsy's at Excela Health Westmoreland, Breast Health Center. The kit is a coffee mug filled with Hershey kisses and a ice pack. They will give one to each woman that is getting a breast biopsy. We will make bags for the Arnold Palmer Pavilion 2 times a year for women starting treatment after a breast cancer diagnosis. The bags include a blanket, knit hat, socks, chap stick and bottle of ginger (for nausea). We will also be replenishing APP's supply of Gin Gin's. These are ginger candies that they provide to all patients during treatment. The photos below are (1) the label on all gifts donated (2) the bags (3) the cups (4) Dorothy Martz and Michelle Kepple with Cindy (Breast Health Center) and Amy (Arnold Palmer Pavilion). December 6, 2012. All bags and cups presented to both facilities. NOTE: Please schedule your Mammogram, do self exams and NEVER KEEP YOUR CELL PHONE ON YOUR BODY (ex: in your bra)!! We would also like to thank everyone that bought a gift for the angel tree. You have helped to give Mantle House a good start. Please keep them in your prayers for success in helping others.
P a g e 6 T r e a s u r e r s R e p o r t J o h n B l a n k TREASURER'S MONTHLY REPORT -2012 General Fund NET NET Actual To Date Receipts Expenses Balance Balance Balance as of January 1 $ 8,491.04 January $ 8,130.01 $ 8,266.59 $ 8,354.46 $ (136.58) February $ 6,064.50 $ 7,503.24 $ 6,915.72 $ (1,575.32) March $ 7,654.11 $ 8,814.67 $ 5,755.16 $ (2,735.88) March Adjust* $ 4,144.22 $ - $ 9,899.38 $ 1,408.34 April $10,734.92 $ 6,953.67 $ 13,680.63 $ 5,189.59 May $ 7,230.41 $ 7,993.20 $ 12,917.84 $ 4,426.80 June $ 4,597.01 $ 5,890.50 $ 11,624.35 $ 3,133.31 July $10,054.56 $ 7,374.26 $ 14,304.65 $ 5,813.61 August** $ 5,511.38 $15,669.07 $ 4,146.96 $ (4,344.08) September $ 8,724.05 $ 7,577.80 $ 5,293.21 $ (3,197.83) October***Corrected $ 8,775.03 $15,206.81 $ (1,138.57) $ (9,629.61) November $ 7,522.77 $ 9,640.88 $ (3,256.68) $(11,747.72) *This was a one time adjustment authorized by session. **Large expenses in Aug - Property Taxes/Insurance ($7,404) ***Large expenses in Oct - Elevator/Oil Tank for Manse ($5,346) First Fruits Received Pledged Balance January $ 750.00 $ 700.00 $ 50.00 February $ 604.00 $ 700.00 $ (46.00) March $ 695.00 $ 700.00 $ (51.00) April $ 917.00 $ 700.00 $ 166.00 May $ 720.00 $ 700.00 $ 186.00 June $ 545.00 $ 700.00 $ 31.00 July $ 663.00 $ 700.00 $ (6.00) August $ 652.00 $ 700.00 $ (54.00) September $ 778.00 $ 700.00 $ 24.00 October* $ 1,103.70 $ 700.00 $ 427.70 November $ 798.00 $ 700.00 $ 525.70 *Includes profit from Hoagie Sale Previous This Month To Date Cents-Ability $ 286.44 $ 13.00 $ 299.44 Change for the Future $ 215.41 $ 26.40 $ 241.81 Received Pledged Balance One Great Hour of Sharing $ 855.58 $ 750.00 $ 105.58 Pentecost $ 314.00 $ 400.00 $ (86.00) Peacemaking $ 361.00 $ 400.00 $ (39.00)
P a g e 7 C o n g r e g a t i o n a l L i f e P h y l l i s F r y e What goes up, must come down. We will be holding a covered dish lunch on Sun. January 6th (Epiphany Sunday) after church, then after we eat, undecorate the church. On Friday, January 25th we will be having another game night, so bring your favorite games, a snack, and some friends and come on out for an evening of fun and fellowship. It's time to get out your kettles and make your vegetable soup for the annual congregational meeting which this year is held on Sunday, January 27th after church. Bring a quart of vegetable soup (we pour it all together) and the Women's Association will supply the sandwiches, cake, coffee, and lemonade. On Wednesday, January 30th at 6:30, we will be resuming paint class with LaRue. You don't need to be good at painting to come. She will show you just what to do. Contact LaRue at 724-668-7735 for a list of supplies. M i s s i o n P h y l l i s F r y e Have you thought about joining up with the mission team this year? We're having a planning meeting on Sunday, January 20th at 3:00 at Phyllis Frye's home. If you think you might be interested contact either Judy Koontz (724-668-2843) or Phyllis (724-468-3740). The date for the trip is April 13-20, 2013. We will be checking out available locations. Also we will be planning the Pancake Dinner Fundraiser which is on Fat Tuesday, February 12. If you are planning on going on the trip with us, you need to help with this dinner in some way because this helps pay some of your expenses. Hope to see you there.
P a g e 8 I t e m s f r o m S e s s i o n J o h n B l a n k Session met on December 17, 2012 and reports the following: 1) John Blank led us in devotions reading from Luke 22: 39-46. 2) Approved the Clerk s, Treasurer s, and Moderator s Reports 3) Noted that a special meeting of Redstone Presbytery will be on 12/18/12 here at Congruity. 4) Noted that there will be a special session meeting held following worship on 1/13/13 to examine and train new church officers. 5) Noted that 85 received Holy Communion at the November Presbytery meeting hosted by Congruity, that 46 received Holy Communion on Christ the King Sunday (11/15/12), and that Rev. Foster provided home Communion for 4 persons. 6) Noted that the following were posted on the bulletin board: Building a Caring Church flyer for continuing education, a letter from Redstone Presbytery thanking Congruity for hosting the November meeting of presbytery, and a letter from Redstone Presbytery recognizing that Congruity has served the Lord for 230 years. 7) Noted correspondence from Schindler Elevator Company. 8) Noted that the next regular meeting of presbytery is 1/19/2013 at Maplewood Presbyterian Church. Sue Blank will serve as elder delegate. 9) Expressed thanks to all of the folks involved in presenting a wonderful Christmas program. 10)The Congregational Life committee noted that a covered dish luncheon is scheduled for 1/6/13 following worship, that the painting classes will resume in January, and that a game night is scheduled for 1/25/2013. 11)Noted that the Mission Team will be meeting on 1/20/13. 12)Noted that the manse inspection was completed on 11/27/12. 13)The personnel committee and Rev. Foster reflected on the goals set for the pastor for 2012. Rev. Foster indicated that the Credo conference was very enriching. Rev. Foster will set his goals for 2013 and present them at the January session meeting. 14)Took action to establish a John and Jeanne Barron Memorial Fund with Rev. Foster to appoint a subcommittee to determine the investment vehicle for the funds. 15)Approved the baptism of Emily Reese Ferguson Fetter, daughter of Raymond and Amanda Fetter, for 12/23/12. 16)A special thank you was expressed to the elders who were completing their terms: Sue Blank, Bob Schweppe, and Ronda Weinell. Ronda is rotating off of session.
P a g e 9 I t e m s f r o m S e s s i o n C o n t i n u e d. 17)Noted that regular session meetings will be held the third Monday of the month unless modified by session. 18)Agreed to read and study Chapters 1-3 from the Foundations of Presbyterian Polity from the Book of Order for the next session meeting. 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) C o n g r e g a t i o n B y - L a w C h a n g e s J o h n B l a n k PROPOSED CHANGES TO THE CONGREGATIONS BY-LAWS On January 27 th at the Annual Meeting the congregation will vote on some changes to the by-laws. These changes are minor housekeeping items and they are listed below. 10) Meetings shall be conducted in accordance with the most recent edition of Robert s Rules of Order. The membership may also make use of processes of discernment in their deliberations prior to a vote as agreed upon by the body. 14)All Communicant Active members are eligible for election as ruling elders or deacons. 15)There shall be nine (9) Deacons (as described in the Book of Order) 22) Move Rule 4 to item 23. DUTIES OF CHURCH TREASURER AND ASSISTANT TREASURER 1) There shall be one treasurer 2) The Treasurer (Asst. Treasurer) will keep A complete copy of the proposed bylaws can be found on the last link on the church website: www.congruitychurch.org. Hard copies are available in the greeting room. John Blank, Clerk of Session
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 Sunday School 9:45AM Worship At 11:00AM Please Join Us! A t t e n d a n c e Worship 11/25 51 12/2 59 12/9 84 12/16 44 Sunday School Y A Total 11/25 12 14 26 12/2 13 22 25 12/9 14 20 34 12/16 10 13 23 Cliff Foster John Blank Scott McIlnay John Blank Michelle Kepple Dorothy Martz Janet Henry Yvonne McIlnay John Blank C h u r c h S t a f f a n d O f f i c e r s Pastor Clerk of Session Deacon s Moderator Treasurer Financial Secretary Church Secretary Music Director Newsletter Editor Webmaster Dorothy is in Monday & Thursday mornings. Cliff is in the office most mornings. Please put newsletter items in the folder at the church or email to ydmcilnay@yahoo.com