Do you have a favorite hymn that we haven't sung in a long time? On January 18, we will try to sing many of your favorite hymns. Preference will be given to hymns not in our hymnal or which we don't sing regularly. If you are not in worship January 11 and wish to request a hymn, call the church office by Tuesday, January 13 with as much detail as you can give on your requested hymn.
F.EAS.T. Groups Are Re-forming
Have you enjoyed F.E.A.S.T. (Friends Enjoying a Shared Table) groups in the past? Would you like to get to know different people in the congregation through monthly informal meals of 7-8 people? New F.E.A.S.T. groups are now forming. Sign up or call the church office to join the fun! The sign up deadline is January 25.
Hea1ing Services Are Back
Back by popular demand, we will resume evening healing services on the first Thursday of February, May, August, and November. Join us in the chapel at 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, February 5, for a quiet service of scripture, song, and hands-on prayer.
Don't forget to join us on Sunday evenings and experience worship in a new way, rich with rockin' rhythms and visual images. The Bridge will have a special Super Bowl celebration on February 1. Watch for details.
I don't know about you, but my 2004 calendar is starting to fill. Meetings, events, children's activities, family obligations, it all starts to add up. I would guess many of you are similarly filling your date-books or PDA's.
I recently came across this prayer from Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann which speaks to our calendars, our busy-ness. In it he refers to kairos, a Greek term for holy time (plural, kairoi). Kairos is God's holy time, when God breaks into our lives and consciousness with intimations of eternity. Kairos is distinguished from chronos, clock-time, earthly time, the time of 60- minute hours and 24/7 schedules.
Holy God:
Our times are in Your hands, But we count our times for us: we count our days and fill them with us; we count our weeks and fill them with our busyness; we count our years and fill them with our fears, And then caught up short with Your claim, Our times are in Your hands.
Take our times, times of love and times of weariness, take them all, bless them, and break them, give them to us again, slow-paced and eager, fixed in Your readiness for neighbor. Occupy our calendars. Flood us with itsy-bitsy daily kairoi, in the name of your fleshed kairos. Amen.
Walter Brueggemann, Awed to Heaven, Rooted /n Earth, Augsburg Fortress 2003
This promises to be a busy few months for our church. Not only do we have the usual demands of worship, classes, boards and commissions, lent and Easter, but the upcoming Complete Ministry Audit (see more later in this newsletter) will demand time and attention.
My prayer for all of us at the start of this new year is that amid the daily demands of our chronos we find the kairos, the holy moments, the God-time. .
Sonshine Kids class for pre-schoolers in Room 106.
JAM Time for elementary age children upstairs.
New Horizons ongoing class for youth and adults with special needs. This is taught by special education teacher, Cheri Lea, and is held in Room 108.
Stained Glass Stories - .January 11 - February 1 led by Kathleen O'Connell in Room 101. You see it every Sunday. Now dig in to the stories pictured on the Sanctuary stained glass windows. See how to communicates the great truths of our faith.
Teen Decisions - A Class for Parents & Teens The teen years hold their own challenges and joys. Leaders Tom Spirito and Diana Cook return to lead this class on the unique issues facing parents of teens. January 11 -February 1 in Room 100. There will be no Youth Classes during that time. Youth are invited to join in this class.
January 11 What We to Know January 18 Kristen's Parents are Away for the Weekend January 25 The Big Date February 1 Parents, Curfews, and a Trip to Florida
Our nursery needs your he1p! Can you volunteer in our nursery occasionally? Our nursery is a vital part of our ministry to young parents, and our effort to reach out to new families.
We are seeking adult volunteers to assist Mary Freed in the nursery during the 11:00 service. We want to have two adults present to help with the infants. No preparation is needed - only a love of children and a desire to give their often-harried parents a chance to worship God. This ministry is especially blessed by, and a blessing to, grandmothers.
Can you help in this ministry? If you are called to take a regular rotation, please agree. If you haven't yet been called, please speak to one of the pastors or Cheryl Ann Miller. Background checks on all nursery volunteers are routinely performed.
As we look back at 2003, our church had many wonderful achievements, including a very successful Habitat for Humanity project (done jointly with Trinity United Methodist Church) and the launch of our Bridge alternative worship service. We will review these in more detail in our upcoming annual reports.
However, as the year came to a close we faced a financial crunch, and had to ask our members for special year-end donations. Members responded, and we received additional gifts which enabled us to greatly reduce our projected year-end deficit. (As of this writing, I don't yet have final year-end figures, but I am encouraged by our members' generosity.).
To some extent, our budget crunch is simply reflective of our economic times - many churches, businesses, and governmental entities have been facing even worse financial problems. But it has also brought to light some deeper issues facing our church. The session has wisely chosen to use this crunch as an opportunity to begin seriously facing our future.
Here are some of the steps underway and upcoming:
Reducing Expenses:
Position Downsized: In an effort to reduce personnel costs with minimal impact on programming, the session has adopted the personnel commission's recommendation to change the way we handle our finances and administration. The workload of building and finance administration has decreased significantly since that position was created, and the session felt it no longer warranted three-quarters time. Thus, the current position of building and finance administrator, ably held by Alice Morris for over ten years, is being eliminated at the end of January. Some administrative duties will be shifted to the church secretary, and a part-time position of Financial Secretary is being created.
A job description of the new position is available in the church office, and applications are being taken. For further information, speak to Doug Evans or John Seddon of the Personnel Commission or to me.
Staff salaries have not been increased for 2004.
Special Session Meeting: Further cost savings will be necessary. The session is holding a special meeting Tuesday, January 13, to consider options for further reductions.
Church Consultant:
Complete Ministry Audit: Over the next few months, our church will be undergoing a Complete Ministry Audit. This comprehensive assessment of our ministry, mission, and community context will be conducted by a yet-to-be-named seven-person steering committee and will involve extensive feed-back from members and leaders. Watch for further details and how you can be involved.
Church Consultant: On April 22-25 consultant Jeff Patton of Easum, Bandy Associates will be with us to interpret the results of the Ministry Audit and advise us as to options for our future. We have received a grant from the presbytery's Church Development & Redevelopment Committee for half of the estimated $6,000 cost.
I trust and pray that these processes of cost-cutting and future-facing, as important as they are, won't distract us from our calling to celebrate and share God's love in every way we can.
The money received will be donated to Faith Mission. As we enjoy the satisfaction of food and drink while watching the Super Bowl football game, 34,000 young children around the world will die due to malnutrition and preventable diseases. Together, we can make a difference. Everyone WINS in the "Souper Bowl!" Thank you for caring! The PYF (Presbyterian Youth Fellowship)
Our youth will collect $1 donations after both services on February 1. There will be two soup pots - one for each team. Place your $1 vote in either soup pot to support whichever team you think will win!
Annual Congregational Meeting and Lunch, February 22
On Sunday, February 22, our morning worship services will be combined into a 10:00 a.m. service. There will be no Sunday School. Immediately following the 10:00 worship will be our annual congregational meeting to elect new officers and receive the annual report. Following the meeting will be a congregational lunch. Come and join us!
Each week during the 11:00 worship service, children in pre- school through 3rd grade have the option of going to FISH - a weekly worship enrichment activity during the sermon time. The children get to learn & experience & wiggle! Parents have an opportunity to settle into worship. FISH is led by teams of volunteers - with each pair "on duty" about once every six or seven weeks.
Here's a special thanks to our wonderful FISH volunteers for this past September - January:
Ashley & Anna Bishop, Michele Disch, Diane & Karen Evans, Anita Gorden, Cheryl Ann Miller, Laura O'Neill, Molly Robinson, Christie Salmon, Mary Seddon, Jackie Stockman, and Justine & Heleine Van Dyke.
A new FISH schedule will begin in February. If you would be interested in taking a turn (activity ideas are provided each week) and helping enrich our worship experience for children and parents, please contact Kathleen O'Connell. Thanks for making a difference!
Our monthly support group for cancer survivors marked its two year anniversary at the January gathering by honoring Juanita Kurtz and Wayne Goshorn; celebrating medical breakthroughs in recent years, and the opportunities the future will bring.
This small group extends an invitation to anyone coping with cancer in his or her life to join us February 2 at 10:00 am. in the Reception Room It's no secret: we laugh, we cry, we share, we pray, we live, we cope, and we thrive!
I have a Dream!
JAM Time kids will be composing their own dream speeches in January - stay tuned for viewing dates!
Leap on Up! On February 29, we invite everyone to visit JAM Time. We'll have all the workshops open and ready for some fun activities, just for Leap Day! The last time Leap Day was on a Sunday was 1976, and the next one is 28 years away - so don't miss out on the MOST FUN JAM Time ever!
Youth Group Mystery Night
PYF MYSTERY RETREAT is coming on January 17 & 18. You won't want to miss out on this retreat! Please email or call Tim to reserve your spot. You may invite one friend. Reservation deadline is January 11. Call or email a.s.a.p.
The downstairs youth room is being redecorated. Youth and leaders painted it over the holidays, and new carpeting will be installed this month. Check it out!
Life Line Screening
Where: Elkhart First Presbyterian Church When: Monday, February 9, 2004 Pre-registration is required. Call 1-800-407-4557.
Life Line Screening is America's leading provider of quality health screenings. These tests quickly detect arterial abnormalities which can cause irregular blood flow. "Our screenings are fast, accurate, and available at an affordable rate".
News of the PC USA
The national Presbyterian Church's weekly newsletter is going online. To save mailing costs, the publication will no longer be printed, but will be available on the web at www.pcusa.org/pcnews. You can also subscribe to receive the news via e-mail. Check it out to keep up- to-date on our denomination. You might also want to check out the websites of our synod www.lincolntrails.org and our presbytery (www.ourpresbytery.org).
New Custodian
Patti Davis has taken the position of custodian vacated by Lisa Shephard. Patti is responsible for cleaning the main floor, and works partial days on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. She covers Wednesday evenings and alternate Sunday mornings. Please welcome Patti when you see her.
The Book Bunch is reading some great books! If you're a reader, come join us! Our next meeting is February 2, 2004, at 11:30 am. Our list of books for 2004 is almost complete, but we can always make room for more. If you have a book to suggest, please do so. We'll see you next year! February Samurai's Garden, by Gail Tsukiyania A young Chinese man is diagnosed with tuberculosis, so his family sends him to their summer home in Japan. Stephen's sense of isolation corresponds to the forced isolation of a village of lepers nearby. As Stephen becomes friends with the Japanese people around him, he must also deal with the outside world, as Japan begins its conquest of China, just prior to WWII.
MarchOne Thousand White Women, by Jim Fergus When President Grant is asked to trade 1,000 white women to a tribe of Indians for 1,000 horses, he of course refuses publicly. Secretly, however, the government asks for "volunteers" to live with the Indians and "civilize" them. The diary of one woman tells the story of one small group of women who respond to the challenge.
February
Samurai's Garden, by Gail Tsukiyama
March
One Thousand White Women, by Jim Fergus
April
The Bonesetter's Daughter, by Amy Tan
May
Hidden Power: presidential marriages that shaped our recent history, by Kati Marton
Are you hungry? Just listen to some of these recipe titles: Mexican wedding cakes, French onion beef stroganoff, peach cream pie, four-fruit salad, chicken and white bean chili, pork barbecue, meringue cookies. Now are you hungry? These are just a few of the recipes we've received for the PW cookbook. There is still plenty of time for you to get your recipes in. Remember, you must type or print your recipes on the "official" forms, and don't forget to turn the form over and reserve a copy of two. Keep those recipes coming!
Coming Events
January 24 Saturday
Sewing Day
February 14 Saturday
Valentine's Day Party
March 6 Saturday
Sewing Day
April 16-17 Friday-Saturday
Geneva Center "Knit together in God's love"
April 30 Friday
Spring Gathering at Warsaw "Unity in Spirit - connecting the pieces"
William E. Patterson May 29, 1928- December 14, 2003
Wayne G. Goshorn January 19, 1922 December 24, 2003
Juanita G. Kurtz January 25, 1925 January 1, 2004 A memorial service for Juanita will be held at our church on Friday, March 13, at 10:30 a.m.
TheSympathy of the congregation is also extended to: Isabelle Freeman on the death of her son Mike Freeman. A memorial service for Mike will be held in our church goes to Judy Landrum, on the death of her mother, Margaret E. Sorg on December 7, 2003.
Phid and Jeff Wells on the December 26 deaths of their twin granddaughters, Emily & Katie, born prematurely to Hillary & Erik Barrett.
Judy Bechtold on the death of her mother.
Jennifer Pitcher on the death of her uncle, Edward Culver Sumner, who died January 8 in Illinois.
Thank You's
Dear Pastors Steve, Kathleen & parishioners, Thank you, so much for the hospital visits, my autograph board and flowers. I thank you, especially for all your continued prayers for my recovery. Please continue to ask God for His healing power, so one day soon, I can be with all of you again. Sincerely, Jim & Annette Strauss
To My Presbyterian friends and family, Thank you for your prayers, cards, flowers and concerns, It all helped and I am healing. The Caring Card made quite a stir in the surgery wing. I stayed longer than most so it was scrutinized by many as a joyful message of loveeven my surgeon, Walter Holloren, a member of St. Thomas Men's Acapella Choir, was impressed! Fondly, Pat Brotherson
Thank you so much, Pastor Braden, for the gift of "The Longest Night" service. What you and your church give to the community with this evening truly touches a grieving heart and comforts a troubled spirit. The service is beautifully designed with music, texts, and meditations that both console and heal. It was one of the most meaningful experiences that I have had in many years, and I remain grateful for the grace and generosity that you have expressed in making this program possible. With all best wishes, Darlene Eddy
Deacon Meetings date change... Deacons will now meet on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. The next meeting is January 27, in Room 100.
Women's Retreat Reunion...Mary Rasp is hosting a 2003 Women's Retreat Reunion Brunch on Saturday, January 24 at 10:00 a.m. Please r.s.v.p. to Mary at 293-2472.
The Presbyterian Foundation will have their first meeting of 2004 on Monday, February 2, 2004 at 5:00 p.m. Any grant requests should be turned into the office no later than Wednesday, January 28. Grant request forms may be picked up in the office.
New Member Class lnterested in exploring joining our church? The next Exploring Membership Class will be Saturday morning, January 24, from 9:00 - noon at the church. For more information, please speak to Pastors Steve or Kathleen
Do you have a prayer concern?
Do you know of someone in the hospital, recovering from illness, etc.? Let us know, so we can hold you or your friend in prayer. Contact Pat Van Dyke or Bea Pyle to be placed on the prayer chain, or send information to prayer@www.presbyelk.org .
Newsletter Deadline The next newsletter will be inserted in the bulletin on January 25, and mailed the following week to those who are not in worship. Please submit articles for that newsletter by January 16.
Patti Davis has taken the position of custodian vacated by Lisa Shephard. Patti is responsible for cleaning the main floor, and works partial days on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday. She covers Wednesday evenings and alternate Sunday mornings. Please welcome Patti when you see her.
Are you hungry? Just listen to some of these recipe titles: Mexican wedding cakes, French onion beef stroganoff, peach cream pie, four-fruit salad, chicken and white bean chili, pork barbecue, meringue cookies. Now are you hungry? These are just a few of the recipes we've received for the PW cookbook. There is still plenty of time for you to get your recipes in. Remember, you must type or print your recipes on the "official" forms, and don't forget to turn the form over and reserve a copy of two. Keep those recipes coming!