Steve's Scratchings
Relationships...
They are absolutely crucial to us. When relationships go right, they are wonderful, life-giving, sustaining, and fun. But when they turn sour, they can be debilitating, robbing us of joy and peace of mind. We long for good, healthy relationships. And yet they can seem difficult to attain.
For people of faith, there are three kinds of vital relationships:
with God, with self, and with others. All are important: if any of the three is out-of-whack, it will affect all the others .
If we are serious about our faith, the foundational relationship is with God in Christ. It is that relationship which touches and transforms us, that relationship which leads us to stake a life claim on being a Christ-follower. Discipleship is a continuing process of growth in relationship with God as Creator, Christ, and Spirit—experiencing in ever-deepening ways the fullness of God.
Perhaps the most-overlooked relationship is with one's self. If we are to be healthy, it too should be a growing relationship – not of self-absorption, but of self-understanding. The inward journey enables us to know ourselves well enough to understand how God is at work in us. Growth in this inward journey is essential, because it helps us recognize our particular barriers and resistance to the call and claim of Christ.
The third kind of relationship is with others – with family, with friends, with neighbors far and near. These are the relationships which come immediately to mind, and which often cause us the most obvious problems. But they are influenced deeply by the first two relationships. All three relationships need attention. If they are ignored, they tend to wither and become unhealthy. So I invite you to take this brief test, looking over the past few months:
- In what ways have I grown in my relationship with Christ?
- In what ways have I become more aware of myself as a person—my strengths, my weaknesses, my struggles, my fears, my hopes, the temptations I face, the risks I avoid, the challenges I undertake?
- In what ways have I developed a stronger community in which to share my own faith journey and encourage the journeys of others? What can I do to deepen all three of these relationships?
Over the course of this year, I pray that we will all grow in all three relationships. As we do so, we will become ever closer to the church Christ calls us to be.
A few administrative matters to note:
- It is staff review time. We are in the process of asking people to fill out staff review forms. If you receive a form, please complete and return it promptly.
- The annual congregational meeting won’t be held until March, to allow time to fill vacant offices and to re-draft our bylaws in accord with our reorganization.
Miller Endowment
The Ralph & Barbara Miller Endowment is sponsoring two wonderful events this spring:
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| Friends of the Groom, a professional theater company dedicated to communicating the Christian message in an entertaining and challenging format, is coming on March 12. Since 1980, they have performed plays, led retreat weekends, and conducted workshops in thousands of locations from Anchorage to Canterbury. The group’s name refers to the image of Christ as the bridegroom in the New Testament. | Renowned Organist Frederick Swann will be in concert Friday, April 21, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. For 25 years Swann served as Organist of the internationally famous Riverside Church in New York City. During the final 16 years of this tenure he was also Director of Music and conducted one of the most distinguished music programs in the city. In 1982 he was appointed Organist and Director of Music of the Crystal Cathedral in Garden Grove, California. As chief musician for “The Hour of Power” he became the most visible and widely heard organist in the world. Mark your calendars!
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The Presbyterian Foundation Committee
The First Presbyterian Church Foundation exists to invest and manage endowment gifts for our church. It is not a separate legal entity, but is a committee of the church which meets quarterly to review investments (most of which are in Vanguard mutual funds) and grant requests. The Foundation has a number of specific funds, including: Christian Education, Building, Scholarship, Music, Memorial Garden, Presbyterian Women, the Sollitt-Scholtes Fund for Building and Grounds, the Kurtz Fund for Plants & Plantings, and the Ralph & Barbara Miller Endowment for Enrichment.
Have you considered naming the church in your will through the Foundation?
The Foundation Committee next meets Monday, February 6, at 5:00 p.m. Funding requests should be turned in to the church office by Wednesday, February 1. Request forms are available from the church office
Growing in Christ:
Children’s Ministry
Members of the “Tween” class (grade 6, with grade 7 joining for the study) are studying the “Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” by C.S. Lewis. This is a ten-week Bible study and meets during the Sunday School hour in Room 107. As a part of this series, we attended the movie. Eight children and their sponsors attended.
Children in grades K-5 are studying the parables. We have just finished the Parable of the Sower. Children in these grades will be having a beach party the last weekend in February. Watch for dates and times.
Our first annual “basic training event” was held on Wednesday, January 11. We shared ideas about learning styles and how the teacher’s style affects the learning needs of the student. Two new teachers will be joining the rotation. This allows us to minister to children in different ways, by using different personalities. If you missed this event, please plan to join us the next time.
Linda will attend the Children’s Pastors Conference in Orlando, Florida during the week of January 28. This is a national conference where the newest ideas in children’s ministries are shared. Watch for many upcoming ideas to further enhance our children’s program.
We are working on a survey for parents of children in our children’s ministry program. Included will be open-ended questions asking if our children’s programming is meeting the need as it is currently structured. We are also working on a nursery policy to better serve our youngest Please see Linda if you have suggestions.
Youth Ministries Confirmation This year we have three 8th grade students working through the confirmation process. They have been meeting regularly with their mentors since the beginning of the year, and are now meeting weekly with Pastor Kathleen on Sunday mornings at 10:45. Confirmation is a process during which students have an opportunity to explore their faith, and prepare to make their personal decision to live as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Please keep our Confirmation Seekers and their Mentors in your prayers. They are: Julia Evans (mentor Jeanne Van Putten), Heather Freed (mentor Jill Windy) and Chris Seddon (mentor Jim Pyles). Seekers who choose to make their profession of faith and join the church as adult member will be received on Sunday, May 21.
PYF is collecting empty pop cans to earn money for projects. There is a container just inside the back door for your empty cans. Also, we are collecting old working cell phones to send in to a recycling company for cash. You may put these in the same bin. Thanks to you, we have raised $795 through the ink cartridge recycling program!! We appreciate your support. Please continue to save your used cartridges, and to leave them in the bin by the office!! Presbyterian Youth Fellowship Out of the mouths of God’s kids
A four-year-old girl was having trouble sleeping at night, waking up because she was afraid. Each time her mother tucked her back into bed, and reminded her that Jesus was with her and would keep her safe. But the sleepless nights continued, and the little girl sought comfort in her parents’ bedroom. Finally, one night the mother asked her if she had prayed for Jesus to take her fear away and help her fall asleep. “Yes I did,” the girl replied. “He told me to come and get you.” - via Rev. Karl R. Kraft |
Fellowship
PoGOIn December a large group enjoyed the annual Season’s Serenade at the Bristol Opera House, ending the evening with our church’s Christmas Dinner.  On January 22, PoGO and Tough Issues invited Dreama Jensen from Better Business Bureau to speak on Identity Theft. She talks about the many ways identity can be stolen and how to protect yourself.
PoGO has planned a Game Day Tuesday, February 21 at 1:00 p.m. So much fun was had at last year’s event, we are doing it again. Anyone (whether PoGO or not) who enjoys board games, come, join us for fun, food, and fellowship. A sign-up sheet will be placed on the hallway table near the Gathering Place. On Tuesday, March 21 at 11:30, PoGO takes a Walk Down Memory Lane. Memories on various topics will be revisited an shared. Many funny stories will surface to keep you amused and laughing. Lunch will be served at 11:30. As a reminder, anyone is invited to attend any of PoGO’s events. |
Men's Breakfast
What is the connection between our faith and our work? What difference does our faith make in the real world of the workplace? The Men's Breakfast begins exploring this topic this week. Join Steve Braden Wednesday mornings at 8:00 a.m. at Perkins at North Pointe Plaza (Cassopolis Street) for good food, good discussion, and prayer.
BBBB
 The Brown Bag Book Bunch meets on the first Monday of each month at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the current book. The upcoming selections are:
February 6, 2006 The Glass Candle by Jeanette Walls
March 6, 2006 Deep South by Nevada Burr
Join us on Monday,February 6 in the Reception Room.
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Stewardship
Pledge Campaign: Our fall “Continuing to Grow” pledge campaign was successful.
As of January 6, the pledge campaign figures are:
23 New Pledges 75 Grew Pledges
20 Decreased Pledges
1 Declared 0
66 Remained Same Pledges
1 Lawn Care Pledge
7 Lost through death or moving
193 Pledges = $443,679.55, compared to 2005's total of $435,352
Thank you to all who pledged, and especially to those who “grew one step” in their giving! If you have not yet pledged, it is not too late to turn yours in to Cinda in the church office.
Budget:
The session passed the 2006 budget at its January 17 meeting. For the most part, commissions received the same as they received in 2005. The Trustees have an increase in their line items for gas and electricity, and a small decrease in building maintenance (which should be offset by available funding from the Foundation). One new part-time staff position was authorized: Bridge Technical Coordinator (more will be forthcoming in the next newsletter on this).
Trustees Update
So, what’s going on with...
The north door? Shortly before Christmas, we had a water leak in a line just outside the building near the north door. Water was following the pipes into the hallway near the boiler room. We were not at all sure we’d have running water Christmas Eve (hence the port-a-potties in the east parking lot), but we were able to get the water line fixed. After excavation the door needed to be shored up before it could be used. Now the door is usable, but we probably won’t be able to pour a new sidewalk until spring.
The heating/cooling system? The project is shaping up to have four phases:
- Replacement of the failed boiler (done)
- Installation of a new heating/cooling system for the Fellowship Hall/Bridge area (bids have been received; one will probably be accepted in the near future)
- Replacement of piping and controls in the boiler room, and possible replacement of valves around the church (bids being sought)
- Cooling of the education wing and other un-air-conditioned parts of the building (bids not yet solicited.)
It is likely that the first three phases can be funded through the Frances Stenburg bequest. We don’t yet have a handle on the cost of the fourth phase.
Presbyterian WomenPresbyterian Women Purpose: Forgiven and freed by God in Jesus Christ
We commit ourselves:
to nurture our faith through prayer and Bible Study,
to support the mission of the church worldwide, to work for justice and peace,
and to build an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian Church (USA) and witnesses to the promise of God's Kingdom.
Tools of Hope/Blanket Offering... We’ve been enjoying the “warmer” weather for the last few weeks, but if you had to sleep outside, even 50° would feel pretty cold. We have a chance to help people who don’t have shelter or the means to support themselves. By supporting Church World Service’s Tools of Hope and Blanket Offering on January 29, we can give people hope. Thank you for your gifts! Valentine’s Party…Saturday, February 11, PW will celebrate Valentine’s Day. Join us from 10:00 to noon for food, fellowship, and crafts. Speak to Carol Miller if you have questions or would like to help. If you need transportation call Carol Miller or the office. It’s time to register for the Churchwide Gathering! The Gathering is in Louisville, from July 7-11. Registration is open until June, but if you register now, it costs less. Information about the Gathering can be found in Horizons magazine, at the PC(USA) web site (www.pcusa.org), or you can speak to Jill Stoll or Alice Morris. Jill has registration forms. Singing, worshipping, praying, (and eating!) with 5,000 women is an awesome experience. Workshops, Bible study, skits, special music, dancing, and communion – it’s a special time, spent with special people. Let’s Learn Together… Join us at Geneva Center on Friday and Saturday, March 17 and 18. We will be looking at the Beatitudes and at the PW Purpose, and we will learn how the old and the new fit together to help us in our lives today. Reservations are due February 24 (no refunds after March 3). Send the form below to: Alice Morris, 2913 Pleasant Plain Avenue, Elkhart, IN 46517 (574-522-9985).
Name ________________________________
Telephone # __________________
Address _________________________________________
Church _________________________________
Roommate __________________
Special needs __________________________________________Childcare for ages __________
You will need to provide bedding for your children – ex. sleeping bag or air mattress.
The cost per child is $15.00 which covers all meals.
A babysitter will be provided by PW.) | Cost:
Retreat $50_________
First-timer $0
Friday dinner $7.50___ (optional)
Children $15 each ___
Total due __________
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Dates for your calendar 
February 11 - Saturday: Valentine’s Day Party
If you would like to be on the planning team for this event, talk to Jill Stoll.
March 17-18 - Friday & Saturday: Let’s Learn Together at Geneva Center The focus at this event will be the Beatitudes, learning how this beautiful passage fits our lives today. For more information, call Alice Morris (522-9985).
July 7-11 - Friday-Tuesday: Churchwide Gathering in Louisville, KY
This is a truly awesome event, gathering women from around the country and even from around the world. Imagine 5,000 women singing, praying, and worshipping together. Jill Stoll has registration brochures.
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Sharing Christ's Love: Local Mission
Emergency Needs Fund
The church office maintains an Emergency Fund which is used to help church members and to respond to requests from Church Community Services to help their clients. We probably get 2-3 calls a week from CCS asking us to help in putting together a “package” of funds to help some family avoid eviction or keep their utilities on. We spent over $1,600 from this fund last year, but the fund is about exhausted. If anyone would like to help replenish this fund, please make your check out to the church and mark it “emergency fund.” Thank you!
From Faith Mission
Dear Christian Friends:
We want to thank all of you who have been participating in the collection of Scrub-the-Mission cleaning supplies. These have been such a blessing to us. Every month that has a fifth Sunday in it, we call “Scrub the Mission” Sunday. This is where we ask your congregation, or a group within your church, to collect cleaning supplies from the list below. Thank you and God Bless.Mike Perez, Development Director
| *Paper Towel | *Dry Laundry Detergent | Straight Brooms |
*Cheap Bath Towels
| *Lysol Disinfectant Spray | Push Brooms |
| *Toilet Paper | *Comet | Dust Mops |
| *Trash Bags (55 gallon) | *Scrub Brushes | Mop Buckets & Mops |
| *Lysol (1 gallon) | *Plug-in Air Fresheners | Dust Pans |
| Liquid Laundry Detergent | *Bleach | Spray for Dust Mops |
*Large Latex Gloves
| *Liquid Antibacterial Soap | Toilet Plungers |
| Disposable Razors | | Oven Cleaner
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*Items most needed January 29th is a fifth Sunday.
 The Elkhart chapter of Habitat for Humanity is starting a new program of “Apostles Houses,” in which a dozen churches join to build a house. The commitment for each church is about $4-5,000. The next informational meeting for churches about the possibility of building an Apostles House will be at our church on Tuesday, January 31, in the morning (time to be determined). Are you interested in learning more? Call the church office to find out the time.
 Susanna’s Kitchen is an ecumenical soup kitchen currently housed in First Congregational Church, at Third and Marion. Our congregation serves food the fourth Monday of each month. Volunteers need to be there from 10:45-12:30. After many years of faithfully coordinating our congregation’s participation, Susie Wu has turned coordination over to Walt & Beth Davis. If you would like to help, sign up in the Gathering Place or call Walt or Beth (293-7786).
 Church Community Services (CCS), our ecumenical food pantry, distributes bags of food and (as funds are available) assistance with rent and utility payments to local families needing emergency help. Our church supports CCS with regular donations from our mission budget, and a number of our members make individual contributions toward rent assistance (since CCS now incorporates the work of the former Dave’s Place). Several of our members volunteer at CCS, and they can always use more volunteers! We collect grocery donations each Sunday on the following schedule:
First Sunday – Fish (canned tuna & salmon)
 Second Sunday – Spaghetti & Spam (sauce & canned meat)
Third Sunday – Oral Hygiene & Toiletries (toothpaste, personal care items)
Fourth Sunday – Canned Fruit
Fifth Sunday – Cleaning Supplies for Faith Mission
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This 'n' That
Thank you for all your prayers and good wishes during our time of grief. It was truly appreciated.
Sincerely, Delores Peterson
Jill & Mark Woolwine
Mike & Jennifer Wolfe Dear Friends,
Thank you for your thoughts and prayers
during my recent surgery.
Barbara Adcock To my Presbyterian family!
Yes, you sent me a birthday card. Thank you! And when I arrived home Hubbard Hill, a lovely poinsettia from you greeted me. The flowers were so pretty in the chancel. I was there! However, I do thank you for sending one of them to me with your blessings. God Bless all,
Avia Baker To the congregation of FPC,
The poinsettia plant is beautiful and is proudly displayed on my coffee table. The note accompanying the plant is ever more special. Whomever composed it is a poet at heart. I do miss the services very much, but those words create a warmth that is so welcome. Thank you for thinking of me—and including me in your blessing.
Isabel Kauffman
Flower sign-up
The 2006 Flower Calendar is in place. If you would like to secure a date for flowers, in celebration of or in memory of a loved one, you may sign up on the poster located on the bulletin board outside the sanctuary.
Newsletter Deadline
The next newsletter will be inserted in the bulletin on February 19, and mailed the following week to those who are not in worship. Please submit articles for that newsletter by February 10 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 to be placed on the prayer chain, or send information to prayer at presby.net |
Henry Endler
June 7, 1911-December 31, 2005
John D. (Jack) Burt
November 5, 1929-January 9, 2006
James E. Peterson, Sr.
September 28, 2008-January 10, 2006
The Sympathy of the congregation is extended to Al Haimbach on the death of his father, Al Sr., who died on January 8.
Congratulations go to:
•Wezzie Munthali and Wanklys Mulinde on the birth of their son, Eugene Henry Mulinde, born on December 15.
•Cinda Olinger on the birth of her newest grandson, Carter James, born to Luke and Lindsey Olinger on December 30 in Hawaii.
•Dustin and Lisa Messick, married here on December 31, 2005.
Dear Friends at FPC:
I really never thought I would be glad to be alive. Many years (decades) of physical and mental illness and the accompanying medical treatments which sustained me had dulled my senses and my thoughts. I think I was breathing yet not full living.
What joy I now find every day in rediscovering this world. Sensations, awareness, emotions, everything is new.
I am re-defining my stewardship, faith, can honestly say I love who I am and am eager to experience my becoming.
Thank you for the generous support you show me and my family through life’s trails and surprises, members of this church have forgiven my foul-ups and nurtured my spirit, even when my weaknesses were strong. You are a vital part of my life.
Positively, Barbara Karay
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| January 29 | February 5
| February 12 | February 19
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Preacher
(8:30 & 10:30)
| Steve Braden
| Steve Braden | Steve Braden | Steve Braden
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Bridge Preacher
(9:30)
| Kathleen O'Connell | Kathleen O'Connell
| Kathleen O'Connell | Vision Music Team
from Bethel College
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Liturgist
| Betty Rice
| Richard Griffen
| Colleen Goode
| Doug Evans
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Special
| Bridge: Reception of
new members
| Communion
| Bridge: Baptism
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Greeters
| Mindy Suhr
Colleen Goode
| Suzanne Wyatt
Dave Rice
| Rachel Sirinek
Bruce Klonowski
| Pam Duncan
Cheryl Ann Miller
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8:30 am Ushers
| Pat & John
Van Dyke
| Susie & Dave
Lehman
| Sue & Dick Griffen
| Kay & Dale South
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| 9:30 am Ushers | Sandy & Al
Haimbach
| Kristy & Robert Nix
| Kristy & Robert Nix
| Kristy & Robert Nix
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| 10:30 am Ushers | Patty & Jim Brotherson
Carol & Steve Eldridge
| Diane, Doug,
Karen, & Julia Evans
| Becky & Al Benham
Betty & Bill Rice
| Laura & Michael O’Neill
Sydney Rieckhoff
Mary Wagner
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10:30 am Music
| Jr. Chorale &
Chancel Choir
| Chancel Choir
Rachel Sirinek, flute
| Chancel Choir
Brass Ensemble
| Jr. Chorale &
Chancel Choir
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Hospitality Host
| Christine Rice
| Sue & Dick Griffen
| Freya Burket
| Connie Minzey
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Counters
| Vern Pitcher
Dave Rice
Alex Eraybar
| Troy Scott
Sean Wall
Bob Huber
| Troy Scott
Sean Wall
Bob Huber
| Troy Scott
Sean Wall
Bob Huber
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