Newsletter - First Presbyterian Church

Steve's Scratchings

In June we adopted the basic recommendations of our consultant, Jeff Patton. These included an ambitious plan to move our church "from maintenance to mission," clarifying our mission and doing what is needed to better accomplish it. So, four months later, how are we doing?

Let me say that a church can't move from maintenance to mission overnight; it is a process that takes several years to bear fruit. And it is not without cost - Jeff told us we might lose a few people, and we have. But we are making significant progress in many areas. I don't have room to include the full list of those recommendations that we decided to adopt, but I invite you to find your copy and compare it with this summary.

Clarifying our Mission, Vission, and Values

After much prayer and discussion, the Session has adopted a new mission statement: Inviting all to know Christ, grow in Christ, and share Christ's love. I believe this is a wonderful statement, crystallizing what Christ calls us to do. The question is whether we can truly live this out, for it calls us to focus outside ourselves in both inviting and serving others.

Having our mission statement, the next steps are to clarify our vision of what our church should be and do, and review our core values, to determine if they are the values needed to support our mission and vision. The Session will be working on these tasks in coming months.

Inviting All to Know Christ

We have:

taken steps to make our building more inviting and welcoming (more visitor parking spaces, new welcome center, more space between pews in sanctuary, better interior signage, etc.);
moved The Bridge to Sunday mornings to be more attractive to young adults;
upgraded the stage, tech booth, and some equipment downstairs for The Bridge (still in process!);
recruited and trained people to watch out for and welcome visitors;
strengthened our visitor tracking and follow-up process;
continued our postcard campaign (the next one of which will go out in November);
scheduled our next "exploring membership" class (October 30).

We have yet to do several important things, including a survey of our neighborhood, serious study our
demographics, and planning new outreach-oriented ministries.

Growing in Christ

We have:

recruited and trained a number of women as small group leaders, and plan to train men as small group leaders, in order to multiply the number of small group opportunities;
recruited a leader (Kathy Wall) for a new "connecting ministry team," which will help new members connect and assimilate into the life of our church;
challenged our members and friends to grow in their stewardship through the Grow-One campaign; and
begun a church-wide focus on spiritual gifts, designed to help each of us discover and deploy our gifts in ways that will serve Christ and bring us joy and satisfaction.

Sharing Christ's Love

In this area we have done the fewest new things, but we have put an increased emphasis on volunteering and supporting Beardsley School (more) and will do a new church-wide community service day in the spring.

We've started many new things. But they won't bear fruit unless our members own, support, pray for, and participate in them. Will you do so? Jeff Patton will return for his contracted follow-up visit on January 7-9.

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Adult's Ministries & Spiritual Growth

Christian Conversations...a roundtable discussion of relevant topics with a Christian responsibility focus. We will meet in Room 100 at 9:45 a.m. every Sunday.
Coffee Cup

Join us each week - the coffeepot is on!

Small groups...Small groups are a wonderful way to grow in your discipleship, and develop deeper relationships with fellow Christians. Several new small groups will be starting this fall. To begin, Kathleen O'Connell will be offering a special group to train future small group leaders. If you are interested in participating in a group this fall, or think you might like to learn more about being a small group leader, please contact Kathleen.

New Horizons Class...The New Horizons class for special needs adults and youth is taught by Cheri Lea, a local special education teacher. New Horizons meets in the newly redecorated room 104. This class is an amazing ministry offered by our church. If you are aware of a family who might have a member who would benefit from this class setting, please consider inviting them!

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Children's Ministries

JAM (Jesus & Me) Time Children's Ministry

For all our Kindergarten through 6 graders, we offer great workshops at the 9:45 am. hour in our Workshop Rotation classrooms with study of an exciting Messiah year.

We welcome interested teachers and helpers and we always need more adults helping in this area. There's something for everyone, so please contact Jennifer Pitcher, Children's Coordinator, Mindy Suhr or Cheryl Ann Miller, C.E. Elders for more information today!

Sonshine Kids are planning some Fun, Friendship and Faith activities for our 3, 4 and young 5's for the year ahead.

nursery workers

Our nursery is growing busier on Sunday mornings, and we greatly need additional nursery volunteers, especially from 9:30 - 11:00. Can you help with this vital ministry? If so, please speak to Mary Freed, our nursery coordinator, Cheryl Ann Miller, or one of the pastors.

Safe Church Policy

Our session has adopted a new Safe Church policy, designed to protect both children and youth under our care and the staff and volunteers who work with them. This policy is similar to policies adopted in many churches, camps, and schools. Copies of the policy as adopted are available in the church office. Some of the key changes in our policies and practices will be: (1) having all volunteers who work with children sign applications and volunteer covenants and agree to having background checks, (2) a "two adult" rule in which there are always two adults involved in caring for children and youth, (3) providing training for staff and volunteers who work with children and youth, and (4) reporting procedures and forms for any suspected incidents of inappropriate behavior. A new Safe Child Guidance Team will implement the new policy.

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Senior News

Ending Well
A series of classes of advance planning and directives will be held on Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. in Room 100.

October 31 - Illness and Incapacity: Living Wills, Powers of Attorney, Medical directives, Hospice
November 7 - Taking Stock: Understanding assets, Ownership, Insurance, and other issues
November 14 - Parting Gifts: Wills, trusts and other ways to transfer assets, Federal and State taxation
November 21 - Final Plans: Funerals, cremation, obituaries, etc.
November 28 - No Class
December 5 - Faith, Hope, and Love: Spiritual issues, honoring values, and faith.

An Advisory Council for the Seniors' Ministry will be meeting Wednesday, October 27, at 9:00 a.m. to discuss the formation of this new ministry. Several members have already expressed a desire to serve on the council, but anyone who is interested is encouraged to attend.

On October 16, nine persons from our congregation attended the Creative Aging Conference held at Trinity Methodist Church. It was an inspiring experience in learning the importance of establishing a senior ministry to meet needs and provide services. Representatives from churches in Northern Indiana and Southern Michigan attended.

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Music Ministry

Chancel Choir : Sing a new song unto the Lord! The Chancel Choir, for post high school ages, sings at the 11:00 am. worship service and practices on Wednesday evenings at 7:30 p.m. Come to enjoy singing and fellowship with us!

Children's Choirs: There is room for everyone as we share in the joy of singing and other activities on Wednesday afternoons in the choir room. Melodia Choir (grades 1-3) practices from 5:00 - 5:30 p.m.; Junior Chorale (grades 4-6) meet from 5:30 - 6:00 p.m. Please join us! Celia Weiss, Director of Music

The Handbell Choir rehearses in Room 100 at 6:15 p.m. No experience in playing handbells is necessary, but keeping a steady beat and a sense of humor is helpful. Come join us! For information, contact director Bob Decker .

Dancers wanted!
Children in grades 1-6 are invited to be part of a special worship celebration on World Communion Sunday, October 3. Jennifer (Woolwine) Wolfe will be teaching the children a dance that they will share during The Bridge (9:45) and 11:00 worship services.

If you are interested in participating, please contact Kathleen O'Connell for more information and practice times.

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Fine is not enough
presented by Eric and Betsy Semple

When you ask someone, "How are you?" and they respond, "Fine," is that enough? Are there times when you judge this is not true? Possibly they wonder the same about you when you respond in the same manner.

FINE is not Enough is a seminar or small group gathering. It's a study of the first nine chapters of the yet to be published book of the same title. As such, it is a study for the "unique self" inside each of us. How long has it been since you've taken time to be with yourself, to take the time to settle in and get to know who you are? This may be a challenge for some, but one that we pray you will be willing to take.

This seminar will be presented twice - November 5 and 6 and repeated on November 12 and 13 at First Presbyterian Church. This is an open seminar but we ask that those who come on Friday plan for Saturday attendance as well because one segment, or the chapter leads into the next. We will meet from 6:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. on Friday and 9:00 a.m. thru 5:30 p.m. Saturday. Then from 5:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. we will discuss what might come next. Coffee and hot water will be available. Bring a bag lunch for Saturday and possibly something to add to a snack table. This seminar is open to singles, couples (one spouse or two), attendees of all three Sunday services, friends, and others.

We will supply personal private journals for everyone, as there will be some writing and note taking. The schedule for the seminar is tight; therefore, there will be little time for discussion except during lunch on Saturday. Christian Conversations on November 14th will give attendees an opportunity to ask questions or comment on the seminar they have just completed. Sign-up sheets are available on the table outside the sanctuary, along with pamphlets explaining the seminar in further detail.

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Trustee Tribune

Heat On - The heat has been turned on and the air conditioning has been turned off. Good news is that there was no loss of glycol during the summer. Radiant heat under the Sanctuary has been permanently turned off. The ceiling fans and forced air heat will be the only heat for the Sanctuary.

Exit Signs - New emergency exit signs with flood lights will start to appear at the exit doors. This project will take most of the winter to complete.

Volunteers Needed - Are you interested in learning how to maintain the appearance of the building? You could lend your knowledge and more important your enthusiasm by volunteering to be part of the Trustees. Please call the Church Office (264-3109), Betty Kegerreis (522-6326), or Russ Gilpin (262-9439) to get details.

Foundation News
The Foundation Committee met on Monday, September 13 for their third quarter meeting. The committee reviewed our Vanguard investment reports from June, July and August, current principal and interest figures and a new donor card. We also received three grant requests totaling $3,050.00, all of which were approved.

We would like to thank the following for donations given during the second quarter: Betty & Kenneth Ingram, Barbara Hilbish, Helen Turk, Shirley Barnes, Bev & John Burt, Cathy & Roland Erb, Luella Karay, Marge & Steve Braden, Betty & Bill Rice, Geneva & Herbert Berger, Sarah & Geoffrey Cocks, Alice Fuller, Janet & Samuel Lieurance, Kathryn Miller, Mary & Warren Moore, Kathy & Bob Wall, Janet & Dave White, Yi Kintner, Susan & James Pettit, Betty & Lee Markel. Kristi & Joe Mosier Family, Bess Sheibley, Mrs. Walter Wells, Ruth & Dallas Cuthbert & Patricia & Richard Jovanovic.

The Foundation Committee will have their final meeting of 2004 on Monday, November 1 at 5:00 p.m. Any grant requests should be turned into the office no later than Wednesday, October 27. Grant request forms may be picked up in the office.

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October Session News
Christmas Eve Services of Worship are scheduled for 5:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary, The Bridge 7:00 p.m. in the Lower Level, and 9:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. The Bridge Service of Worship is contingent upon the number of band members able to participate. There will be no healing service in November.

Outreach Commission is to pursue costs and additional information for a lighted church information sign on the Beardsley Avenue side of the church.

The next mailings of church information postal cards will be mailed approximately one week before Thanksgiving and also Christmas.

Steering committee is to be formed to investigate and determine the needs of the church and to submit building needs report.

New member class to meet Saturday October 30.

Church Newsletter to be produced once a month.

Jeff Patton to return January 7 - 8 - 9, 2005.

Steve will moderate temporarily the Session of Mishawaka First Presbyterian, as their pastor Ron Miller has retired.

Academy of Discipleship is coming up Saturday, October 30 at Geneva Center. Jennifer Pitcher will be teaching a class. There are workshops for all areas of ministry. Cinda has more information and registration forms. It is open to anyone.

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Peacemaking Offering

Peacemaking is the human response to God's gift of peace giving.

Each Fall, we have the opportunity to participate in the Presbyterian Peacemaking Offering. Christians are called as Christ's people to be God's peacemakers as agents of reconciliation in families, individual lives, communities, churches, the international arena, and the whole of creation. The Peacemaking Offering supports the peacemaking efforts of the church at every governing body level, and provides an opportunity to witness to God's gift of peace in the world.

Seventy-five percent of the offering is used by our church to continue the Peacemaking Grants that we began in 1999/2000. Each year, we have recognized youth who have been active peacemakers in their schools and community. These grants recognize students who are involved in such areas as conflict resolution and community building. They also provide an opportunity for our church to partner with area schools to raise awareness of - and actively encourage - peacemaking in the schools. This year we will again seek to provide grants of $500 to students from four area High Schools: Central, Concord, Jimtown and Memorial.

The remaining twenty-five percent of the offering is designated to support the National Peacemaking Offering - and used to develop and promote peacemaking initiatives around the globe.

Offering envelopes are available in the pews. The offering will be dedicated on Sunday, November 7. The 2004/2005 Peacemaking Grants will be awarded at the end of the school year.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me.

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Hurricane Relief

Earlier this fall, the children of Elkhart First Presbyterian Church sent a caring card and Wal-Mart Gift card to the

Okeechobee Presbyterian Church which sustained extensive damage from the recent hurricanes. (Sally Bull, pastor, is a friend of Jennifer Pitcher and Mary & Walt Wagner). One $20 gift card will sponsor a coffee hour for this church.

Can you help? Drop off a pre-purchased gift card to the office or a check earmarked for OPC Hurricane Relief, and we'll purchase larger amount gift cards.

Sally wrote:
We do thank you SO much! Using the gift card to provide for our fellowship hour (the coffee hour right after worship) seems to have lit a fire under those in our congregation who weren't supporting it as they need to - and now we have lots of folks signed up to help! I may then use the gift card to get a lunch meat platter to help with lunch for our 30-50 volunteers who are coming next Saturday. That would be a blessing to us too.

SpiritGifts
Discovering God's Direction for your Life

As a follow up to our current sermon series on the "Gifts of the Spirit," we will be offering an opportunity to help you discover God's will and direction for your life as you name, claim, and use your own spiritual gifts! SpiritGifts is a four week discovery process, and will be led by Kathleen O'Connell on Wednesday evenings, beginning November 3 at 6:30 in Room 107. If there is interest, she will also offer a daytime version of the class on Thursdays. Another opportunity to participate will be available in January, when Steve Braden will lead a similar seminar over the course of a Friday - Saturday retreat.

Come, join in discovering God's direction for your life.

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Brown Bag Book Bunch

The Book Bunch is reading some great books! If you're a reader, come join us!
Our next meeting is November 1, 2004, at 11:00 am.

November

Leap of Faith, by Queen Noor

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Presbyterian Women

Presbyterian Woman - a woman who supports Presbyterian Women in any way. If you belong to a Circle, you are a Presbyterian Woman. If you donate school supplies, you are a Presbyterian Woman. If you contribute to the Birthday offering, you are a Presbyterian Woman. If you bake cookies for the Cookie Walk, you are a Presbyterian Woman. If you attend the Valentine's Day Party or the Spring Luncheon, you are a Presbyterian Woman. If you don't do any of these things, it's time to get started! Choose what fits your life, or challenge yourself and try something a little different. We welcome all women into our circle of friends - come join us!

Circles: All of the circles focus on Bible study and fellowship. Building community and reaching that community out to include others is vital to Presbyterian Women. This year, three of the circles will be studying What She Said, a Bible study written by Dale Lindsay Morgan. "In these lessons we hear a variety of human expression: tears and laughter, songs of worship, conversation among friends, petitions and prayers, affirmation of faith, preaching and prophecy, words of invitation and hospitality... You are also encouraged to say your own words as you reflect on the study - to pray,sing, and speak words of worship, talk to your friends, testify, laugh and cry, and share hospitality with one another and with the spirit of the living Word that will be with you." Circle I, Ruth Circle, and New Paths Circle will all be studying What She Said. Abigail Circle will decide at their next meeting what they want to study this year. If you have a wonderful Bible study in mind, talk to Melinda or attend the October meeting of Abigail Circle.

Mission: Another piece of Presbyterian Women is mission. Since the Presbyterian Church began, women have been leaders in all aspects of mission work. This is still true today. We support special offerings, such as the Thank Offering, the Birthday Offering, and the Tools of Hope/Blanket Offering. We collect the Least Coin offering and money for hunger/water projects. We collect items for school and health kits. And we sew and knit. Along with Bible study, New Paths Circle focuses on mission work. Sometimes during our meetings, sometimes at home, we sew baby clothes and blankets, knit bandages, and make school bags. If you enjoy sewing, bring your machine to New Paths; if not, come anyway - your ideas and fellowship are just as important as other skills!

A new mission project which is beginning this year is making Prayer Shawls. Prayers are offered during the creation of each shawl, and then each shawl is given, along with prayers, to someone in need. If you would like to learn more, or if you know of someone who could benefit from receiving a shawl, please contact Jill Stoll (848-5322).

November 3	11:00 a.m., Bible study with Kathleen O'Connell Lesson 3 - Conversations of Kindness
November 9	6:30 p.m., Coordinating Team
November 10	1:00 p.m., Circle I call Jill Stoll, 848-6322, for information
November 11	9:00 a.m., Abigail Circle call Melinda Romanetz, 271-1219, for information
November 12-14	Retreat at Quaker Haven
November 17	9:30 a.m., Ruth Circle call Mary Wagner, 848-9429, for information
November 19-20	Retreat at Geneva Center
November 21	Thank Offering. Thank you for sharing God's gifts to you with others.
November 30	7:00 p.m., New Paths Circle Come join us as we bake cookies for the Cookie Walk! Call Carol Steede, 264-1098, for information

November 12-14 Friday-Sunday Fall Retreat for women of our church.
This year's retreat will be at Quaker Haven. This is a time to deepen old friendships and create new ones, to laugh and cry and share together, and spend some time with God and your own thoughts. Registration information will be available soon. You may speak to Kathleen O'Connell or Marsha Brownewell for more information.

November 19-20 Friday-Saturday Women's Retreat for women of Wabash Valley.
"Reflecting our Spiritual Heritage: Building a Spiritual Legacy" is the theme for this year's retreat. The Reverend Kelly Furlong, Delphi, will be the leader.
Speak to Alice Morris or Barbara Harman for more information.

Are you ready to rest, relax, reflect, refresh your spirit? Come join us!
October 31 is the registration deadline for both events.

It's almost time for the Cookie Walk!
Saturday, December 4, is the big day. If you don't know what a cookie walk is, it's a time for you to bake a batch of cookies (or several batches), donate them to the church, and then come back and buy a whole variety of cookies and other specialty items for your own enjoyment or to give away. Specialty items include fudge, breads, pies, and lots of other goodies. Call Suzanne Wyatt for more information, or if you'd like to help.

Presbyterian Women have been busy! During the past year, women have purchased, sewn, knit, and more. Items donated to overseas and local missions include: 17 baby blankets, 3 knit bandages, 10 cloth bandages, 20 baby gowns, 1 baby quilt, 20 drawstring bags, 14 healthcare kits, 104 backpacks and 100 handmade book bags filled with school supplies. Wow! If you are interested in mission work, call Harriet Sloop, 875-6451.

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Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team

Moderator	Barbara Harman
Vice-Moderator	Jill Stoll
Secretary	Patricia Charles
Treasurer	Marsha Brownewell
Mission/Sewing	Harriet Sloop
Publicity	Alice Morris

Circle Moderators and Representatives

Abigail Circle	Melinda Romanetz
Circle I	Jill Stoll
Ruth Circle	Mary Wagner
New Paths Circle	Carol Steede
Foundation Representative	Mary Seddon
Church Women United Representative	Patricia Charles

Special Program Chairs

Fall Tea: Ruth Circle	Mary Wagner	848-9429
Women's Retreat	Marsha Brownewell	262-1260
Cookie Walk	Suzanne Wyatt	674-6634
Longest Night Service	Harriet Sloop Barbara Harman	875-6451 641-2434
Valentine Party	Diane Evans	206-8411
Spring Luncheon: Circle One	Jill Stoll	848-5322
Cookbook	Mary Seddon	875-1321

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Volunteer Opportunities at Beardsley Elementary School

Please indicate your interest in volunteering for special events this school year:

Celebrity Reader Day, November 9, (10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m. reading to students)
Holiday Dinner Theater, December 7, (5:30-7:00 p.m. helping serve dinner and clean-up)
Career Celebration Day (Share your career with students)
Spring Fling, May 20, 2005 (5:30-7:30 p.m. helping with activities or serving food in the cafeteria)
Family Reading Night guest reader (6:30 p.m. every Thursday,read a 15-20 minute story)
Muffins with Moms/Donuts with Dads, November 16,February 15, (7:00-8:00 p.m. serve)
Be a room parent or assist a room parent
Beardsley Family Literacy Program

Tuesdays 5:00-7:00 p.m. tutor an adult student, rock and play with babies
Wednesday 5:00-7:00 p.m. tutor an adult student, rock and play with babies

Tutor students during Homework Club - Tuesdays and Wednesdays 2:30-4:00 p.m.
Teach a class in an after school club

Contact Bob Blanken 295-1712, Jennifer Pitcher 262-4722 or Deb Weaver at Beardsley 262-5575 to make a difference in these children's lives!

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Senior News

Trustee Tribune

Peacemaking Offering

Presbyterian Women

Volunteer Opportunities at Beardsley Elementary School

This 'n' That

Worship Schedule