September 2009 Education Newsletter A Message from the Pastor Dear Members and Friends: There has been a Presbyterian Church on this campus since the earliest days of this College. The congregation has waxed and waned over the years but it has always known that its primary mission field is the students who have enrolled here! At present, there are over 1,100 students who come to us from all over this country with various backgrounds, various religious preferences or no preference at all. In the freshman class of 295, there are 40 who are Roman Catholic, 35 who are Presbyterian, 27 Episcopalians, 33 Baptists, 28 Methodists, but 75 who gave no response. Also count 62 who are Other (Lutheran, Eastern Orthodox, et. al). Have you noticed... the new badges the ushers are wearing? the new spruced up women s rest rooms? the new visitor information cards? All brought to you by the Church Growth Committee with help from the Property Committee. Watch for more new things on the church grounds and in the building coming soon! The Student Ministry Committee (Randy Reed, chair) is taking vigorous steps to minister to this diverse student body. We have mailed College Church t- shirts to self-identified Presbyterians and Christians in the freshman class, as well as to those students who have shown an interest in College Church. Professor Bob Hall is continuing his 30-Minute-Psalm study on Thursday at 11:30 a.m. in the Parents and Friends Lounge. We will continue with other activities which have proven successful in the past, e.g. snacks for students during exam times. What we do for and with these students can have an influence for good which will be long lasting. This church, set in the middle of this beautiful campus, has a mission which is challenging and profound: to bear witness to Jesus Christ, the Lord. Peace,
Session Minutes August 16, 2009 Regular Session Meeting At 7:00pm the Rev. Dr. Edgar Mayse called the meeting of Session to order in the Fellowship Hall of the Thompson Building of College Church. There was a quorum present. Dr. Mayse welcomed Joan and Walter Witschey who are joining the Congregation by letter of transfer from First Presbyterian Church in Richmond. Joan and Walter explained their background Christian histories leading to their transfer here. The Session had the opportunity to question the Witcheys. The Witchey s transfer was unanimously accepted by the Session. Dr. Mayse called the roll. Present: Tom Mayo, Ken Townsend, Neils Kiewiet de Jonge, Carol Carter, May Reed, Randy Reed, Nitra Eastby, Sally Thompson, and Virginia Kinman. Not present: Charles Brekinridge. The Session voted to use Operation Christmas Child as a Fall Congregational Project (also called Samaritan s Purse). Also, there will be a regular Minute for Mission on Domestic Violence Awareness in support of Madeline s House. There is a mulching project going on around the Manse and Church property, including significant increases in the mulch in the playground. The Property Committee is about to begin a shrubbery project at the Manse and the Church property. The Student Ministry Committee is planning for approximately 100 students to attend church on Kickoff Sunday. Also, Dr. Mayse is interested in reviving a FCA/ IVC chapter at HSC, through College Church, perhaps offering the use of the building plus a snack. The Education Committee brought for approval of the Session a reaffirmation of the sex education curriculum for 4-7 graders. The curriculum had been approved last year but not used. The Session reapproved the curriculum, which will be taught this fall as an optional class on a Friday and Saturday. College Church will have a Rally Day to kickoff the Christian Education classes on September 13. The Pastoral Care Committee continues to visit and call on the infirm and those in need in the congregation. The Session received a request to consider having the treasurer issue tax receipts for gifts-in-kind, specifically for food items donated during final exams. It was determined that current tax policy does not require receipts for small gifts-in-kind of up to $500. Like other area churches, College Church will continue not to provide vouchers for small giftsin-kind. Niels Kiewiet de Jonge (Cemetery Committee Treasurer) gave a six-month report to Clerk. Owing to market, Cemetery Fund is down from peak last year. Session approved an increase proposed by committee to raise the price of a cemetery plot to $500, effective December 1. Tom Mayo and Virginia Kinman reported on the Presbytery meeting of July 25, 2009 Presbytery Meeting at Forest Presbyterian Church. A celebration of the 500th birthday of John Calvin was held. Prayer Concerns: Andrea O York, Rondi Arlton, Helen Breckenridge, Lauren Bush, Mary Eubelia Jobe, The Reamer Family, Jim Thomas (Krissy Vick s father), Elmira Chernault, Stanley Titus and our members at the Woodlands: Nancy Anderson, Jewel Fore, Grace Putney, Hassell Simpson, Mabel Wilkerson. Dr. Mayse closed the meeting with prayer at 8:30pm. The next meeting is September 20 at 7:00pm. August 25, 2009 Called Session Meeting At 7:08pm the Rev. Dr. Edgar Mayse opened the called meeting of Session in the Fellowship Hall of the Thompson Building of College Church. There was a quorum present. The meeting was opened with prayer by Dr. Mayse. Dr. Mayse called the roll. Present: Tom Mayo, Ken Townsend, Nitra Eastby, Sally Thompson, May Reed, Randy Reed, and Charles Brekinridge. Not present: Niels Kiewiet de Jonge, (continued on page 6)
College Church presents Rally Day September 13, 2009 9:45 a.m. Thompson Fellowship Hall Coffee and Doughnuts Opening Assembly Sunday School begins Elementary, Middle, High School and Adult Classes 11:00 a.m. Worship Service in Sanctuary Nursery provided 12:00 a.m. Rally Day Lunch Please attend this special day in the life of College Church! The Growth Committee, Fellowship, Christian Education and Student Ministry Committees, have been busy planning a day of celebration as we kick-off our Fall Sunday School curriculum. Many new families within the Hampden- Sydney and Longwood communities have been invited to attend as well as H-SC students, neighbors and friends who may be looking for a church home. You can help make Rally Day a success! Please bring a side dish and dessert to share at the lunch. Think BIG servings as we will be expecting a crowd. The church will provide fried chicken.
Operation Christmas Child On September 13 at Rally Day, you ll get your first glimpse of the church s fall missions project approved by the Session on August 16. Operation Christmas Child is a ministry of Samaritan s Purse that distributes decorated shoe boxes filled with toys, school supplies and necessity items to children around the world. Farmville United Methodist Church has been participating for several years and will be a regional drop site for the shoe boxes the week of November 17-23. Here s how it will work. Our goal is to decorate and fill between 10 and 20 shoe boxes for boys and girls aged 5 to 9. Starting with Rally Day on September 13, we ll have a collection box in the sanctuary for church members to donate items for the boxes, which can include toys such as small cars, balls, dolls, stuffed animals, kazoos, harmonicas, yo-yos, jump ropes, small Etch A Sketch, Slinky, etc.; school supplies such as pens, pencils and sharpener, crayons or markers, stamps and ink pad sets, writing pads or paper, solar calculators, coloring and picture books, etc.; hygiene items such as toothbrush, toothpaste, mild bar soap (in a plastic bag), comb, washcloth, etc.; and other age and gender appropriate items such as T-shirts, socks, ball caps; sunglasses, hair clips, toy jewelry, or watches. The Outreach Committee will keep track of what is needed, including the $7.00 per box for shipping, and keep the congregation informed through weekly updates in the church bulletin. We are working on plans to get everyone involved in decorating and filling the boxes at a fellowship dinner in October or early November. Adults, start practicing your cutting and gluing skills now! There will be opportunities to pray for and write notes to each child receiving one of our boxes. More information will be forthcoming. If you have questions or suggestions along the way, please contact Duane Benton (315-0060, dbenton@moonstar.com) who will lead us in Operation Christmas Child. An open invitation What: A Community Operation Christmas Child Gathering to prepare for the 2009 Shoe Box season. When: Thursday, September 10th at 7:00 p.m. Where: Farmville United Methodist Church, Fellowship Room 212 High Street Exciting speaker and pre-decorated boxes. Refreshments will be served. RSVP or questions to Jenn Kinne at 392-4686.
News from the Pews Have anything to share with the congregation? Post it here! Log on and see what s going on at College Church. You can now access church calendars, monthly newsletters, upcoming events, pictures and reports on the life of the Church. We are also now on Facebook. Become a friend of the College Church group today. Men s Coffee (and breakfast!) Group Men of all ages are invited to meet at the Hitchin Post on Saturday mornings at 8:30 a.m. Come when you can! Call George Wells for more information. Commonwealth Chorale: Carmina Burana This popular music is often used in television and movies. Performances: November 15, 2009 Virginia State University at 3 p.m. Anderson Turner Auditorium November 22, 2009 HampdenSydney College at 3 p.m. Johns Auditorium Now forming an expanded adult chorus with all ages and all voices. Composer Carl Orff needs a youth chorus ages 7+ who sing in tune. Please contact Norma Williams at (434)392-7545. Welcome to our newest members! Joan and Walter Witschey join us by transfer of letter from First Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA. Anna Belle and Bob Eason join us by transfer of letter from Orange Presbyterian Church in Orange, VA. We welcome you to College Church! Playground News Whitaker Reed, Brooks Rice and Samuel Bidwell spent two Saturdays in August cleaning up the playground. Several fellow Boy Scouts also helped in an effort to help Whitaker, who chose the church playground as his personal Boy Scout community service project. The boys raked and filled 28 trash bags before spreading a truckload of mulch. It looks great guys! Thank you! Habitat for Humanity Golf Event The Farmville Chapter of Habitat for Humanity will host the Second Annual Golf Event at The Manor Golf Club on Thursday, September 10, 2009. Registration is $80 per golfer/$320 per foursome and includes golf, cart, snacks, 19th hole, dinner cookout, raffle and prizes. Format: 18-hole Captain s Choice. For more information call Susan Smith at 223-3126 or email at golf@farmvillehabitat.org. September Birthdays Happy Birthday to all of you with upcoming birthdays! 2 Carolyn DeWolfe 12 Dawn Tanner 14 Sally Reed 15 Barbara Rice 16 Grace Simpson 24 Nancy Anderson 25 George Tanner 26 Karl Kiewiet de Jonge T-Shirts for Sale College Church t-shirts are on sale now for $10 per shirt. All proceeds will go toward future Student Ministry projects. The Committee recently delivered nearly 100 shirts to incoming HSC freshmen as part of an effort to reach out to students. Look for the shirts on campus and be sure to say Hi if you see one! If you would like to purchase a shirt, contact the church office or look for the shirt table at Rally Day.
Sunday, September 6, 2009 is Communion Sunday. Please consider joining the Christian Education team at College Church! Have a heart for little ones? The nursery needs your help! Call Virginia Kinman if you can volunteer occasionally during the worship service. Connect well with the elementary age group? Join the K-4 Sunday School team. Looking for several teachers to alternate on a rotating schedule. Call Krissy Vick if you are interested in helping. 223-8625 High School and College Sunday School teachers also needed. Please contact May Reed at may.reed@realliving.com or 392-5324 if you can contribute some of your time to our precious youth! Minutes (cont. from page 2) Virginia Kinman, and Carol Carter (excused). The reason for the meeting was to consider the request from three professors at the College for use of the nursery on Tuesdays and Thursdays during the Fall Term for their three children. It is the intention is of the professors to have two parents attend the nursery and to provide a diaper changing table. According to the space agreement, use of the Thompson Building as a nursery or day care center is not permitted during the time which the College has scheduled the building. Thus, if the request were to be accepted all activities would have to occur in the basement of the Sanctuary. Given that the Church has received such requests in the past, acceptance of this request would likely trigger additional requests for use of the nursery. Therefore, it would be important to determine what the practical capacity of the room is. Also, it would be important to determine if the Church s insurance permits day care or nursery-like activities. The Session voted to decline the request at this time. August 30, 2009 Called Session Meeting At 12:15 pm, the Rev. Dr. Edgar Mayse opened the called meeting of the session with prayer in the sanctuary. Virginia Kinman was appointed to serve as clerk of the session at the meeting. Guests present at the meeting were Bob and Anna Belle Eason, Susan E. Anthony, and Krissy Vick. Present: Moderator Edgar Mayse, Charles Breckinridge, Carol Carter, Nitra Eastby, Niels Kiewiet de Jonge, Virginia Kinman, and Tom Mayo. Absent: May Reed, Randy Reed, Sally Thompson, Ken Townsend. The purpose of the called meeting was to accept Bob and Anna Belle Eason into membership at College Church by transfer of letter from Orange Presbyterian Church in Orange, VA. Dr. Mayse presented highlights from Mr. Eason s resume, including 31 years as a U.S. Army Air Commander and faithful support of Hampden-Sydney College since his graduation in 1940. Mr. Eason is an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church and has been married to Anna Belle for 66 years. Both their son and son-in-law are graduates of Hampden-Sydney College. Both Mr. and Mrs. Eason spoke briefly. On a motion offered by Tom Mayo and seconded by Carol Carter, the Session voted unanimously to accept the Easons transfer of membership from Orange Presbyterian Church. As a matter of new business, Tom Mayo informed the Session that a church member was disturbed about the decision to deny use of the nursery to Hampden-Sydney faculty and asked if there was a way to reconsider the request. Dr. Mayse will look into how this could be handled according to Roberts Rules of Order. (The Session will meet on Sept. 1 to discuss the matter further). The meeting adjourned at 12:25 p.m. with the Lord s Prayer. Minutes submitted by Kenneth Townsend, Clerk
College Church Newsletter August, 2009 Financial Report August 31, 2009 *Received to date for budget: $111,155.37 Budget expenses through July 31: $81,756.05 Average weekly congregational giving needed to meet the budget: $1973.40 *Includes $1,400 pledges given in 08 for 09 and $30,000 H-SC contribution for Chaplain (Jan. - Dec.) Worship Attendance August 2 64 August 9 51 August 16 50 August 23 308 August 30 80 College Church P.O.Box 13 Hampden-Sydney, VA 23943