Newsletter - First Presbyterian Church

Steve's Scratchings

Presbyterians are a "connectional" people. This column will focus on our Presbyterian connections.

For the past three years, Wabash Valley Presbytery has been re-orienting and reorganizing itself. Following a plan which Carol Steede helped draft, the presbytery has worked hard to clarify its vision, define its mission, and streamline its organization to better accomplish its mission.

Does that sound at all familiar? It mirrors what our congregation has been and is doing.

The presbytery has defined its mission as creating, connecting, and nurturing congregations to fulfill Christ's mission. Pretty clear, pretty concise, and, in some ways, pretty radical. This says that the presbytery exists to help congregations carry out Christ's mission. This mirrors the focus of both our Synod of Lincoln Trails (stated mission: "helping the congregations and presbyteries of Illinois and Indiana get it done") and the Presbyterian denomination. Focusing on Christ's mission at the congregational level may sound obvious, but it has not always been so. In times past, presbyteries, synods, and the denomination have seen themselves as mission agencies, and sometimes congregations felt they existed to serve the denomination, rather than vice-versa.

In order to better fulfill its newly-clarified mission, the presbytery has reorganized, dropping most of its existing committee structure and concentrating on congregational redevelopment and new church development. They are bringing on a new associate presbytery executive named Greg Albert to work in this area. Hank Blunk chaired the search committee, and I served on it.

The presbytery is working to start a new church in south Lafayette, and will be looking at other new church possibilities. Greg will help with this effort, and will be working with individual churches to help the kinds of transformation needed to reverse long-term decline. The presbytery is also planning a major fund campaign for church development and redevelopment, and Greg will be working on this as well.

None of this has been, or will be, easy. The presbytery is taking significant risks, committing a major portion of its reserve funds to these efforts. People are struggling to change established patterns of behavior and modes of thought. The presbytery will be challenging its congregations to do the kinds of mission-clarification and new outreach that our congregation has been doing.

Our congregation has been a strong supporter of all three levels of Presbyterian "higher governing bodies:" presbytery, synod, and General Assembly. We do this through per capita (giving an annual amount to support all three levels based on our membership) and through shared mission (money that our congregation voluntarily budgets to support the work of all three levels, called "Presbyterian mission."). At the November 16 presbytery assembly in Kokomo, our congregation received a certificate for being one of the top ten churches in supporting the presbytery.

I want to celebrate our Presbyterian connection, and this congregation's strong support of the denomination. At a time when some congregations are withholding money because of doctrinal disagreements, the denomination needs congregations to stand firm in their connectional support.

I also want to highlight how the same kinds of mission-clarification, reorganization, risk, and other changes that our congregation is experiencing are affecting our presbytery.

Keep our presbytery and our denomination in your prayers - and in your giving. And keep our congregation also in your prayers, as we continue to invite all to know Christ, grow in Christ, and share Christ's love.

Advent Activities

PYF Childcare Offered

Parents: Do you need to get your Christmas shopping done, but you don't have anywhere to leave the kids? Or maybe you just need a night out...alone! The PYF (Presbyterian Youth Fellowship) may have just what you're looking for. BAby

On December 10, from 6:30-9:30 p.m. the PYF youth will be available for babysitting at the church. This is a fundraiser for us, so a donation is requested.

Please R.S.V.P. by December 9 so we will know how many children will be coming. A snack will be provided. Thank you!
Karen Renkiewicz, Youth Coordinator

Advent Pot Luck Dinner

The entire congregation is invited to gather together to celebrate Advent. We'll hold a special potluck dinner on Sunday, December 12. The main course and drinks will be provided, so bring whatever you like – salad, side dish, dessert – whatever! If you contributed a recipe to the new PW cookbook, you are encouraged to bring that dish so we can all taste the goodies just waiting to be discovered in the book!

Following dinner there will be entertainment (the debut of the “Kitchen Kombo band” from the new Senior Ministry group), as well as Christmas Carol singing, and a special activity for the children.

Come one, come all - meet us in Fellowship Hall at 5:00 p.m. and rejoice in the spirit of the Christmas season!

Youth and Adult Instrumental Ensemble

On Sunday morning, December 5, our youth in grades 7-12 will play Christmas music in the Gathering Place. Carla Schubert will direct this instrumental ensemble at 9:30 a.m. and again at 10:30 a.m. Adults who play musical instruments are cordially invited to play as well! Practice is at 9:00 a.m. Please bring a music stand with you. For more information and to pick up music, please contact Carla Schubert at 262-1343. Come enjoy refreshments, fellowship, and the beautiful music of the season.

Listen to the Angels

The Melodia and Jr. Chorale, along with the Westminster Girls Choir, will present the Christmas musical, “Listen To The
Angels” at the 11:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday morning, December 12. Written by Tina English and John Purifoy the story embraces the Anunciation, the season of Advent, and the birth of Jesus through drama and song. Please join us for this special occasion!

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Adult's Ministries & Spiritual Growth

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

November 28 - No Class
December 5 - Faith, Hope, and Love: Spiritual issues, honoring values, and faith.

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.

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Senior Ministry News

On November 3, the Steering Committee met to discuss organizational issues. A Statement of Purpose was drafted and names for the group were suggested. Revisions were made to the survey form that will be used in determining the concerns, interests, and ways to serve. The results of the meeting are to be presented for consideration at the next general meeting.

On November 10, those attending the general meeting approved the following Statement of Purpose:

The name to be selected group has as its purpose to serve, not to be served.
We believe God is calling us to take His love and joy in concrete ways to our community through regular planned activities.
These activities will be spiritual growth, social, and recreational development.

The selection of a group name was tabled until the December meeting to allow for more ideas to surface.

The revised survey form was approved. It will be used by interviewers in their personal visits with church members. Programs and activities will be based on the results of the survey. Ways of conducting the survey will be discussed at the December 8 meeting.

The group voted to participate in the entertainment at the Christmas Potluck Dinner on December 12. The Kitchen Kombo band will make its debut. Don't miss the unique talent shown by these seniors.

Plans are underway for an enjoyable musical evening at the Bristol Opera House for the Season's Serenade on Friday, December 10, at 8:00 p.m. Senior tickets are $8.00 payable at sign-up. Reservations must be made before November
22. A sign-up sheet will be located on the table by the Gathering Place. Reservations can also be made by phoning Sy Pell (535-1124) or Nancy Stetz (293-0937). Transportation will be arranged for those who don't drive after dark. This promises to be an outstanding concert, so plan to join us.

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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 .

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Trustee Tribune

The Church has a new look. The trees on the west side of the church have been removed. The elevated area has been removed so the area is level with the sidewalk. There are now three smaller trees and sod in this area. The updated exterior of the church will give better visibility from Beardsley Avenue

Outdoor Church Sign

To improve our visibility and attract new visitors, we are working on the possibility of a new free-standing sign for the front of the church. Initial funding has been approved from the session and Foundation. The Outreach Commission and representatives from the Trustees are currently working on the exact location and design of the sign, which may be a lighted sign with movable letters. Stay tuned for further developments.

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Have you stopped by The Bridge recently? I'll bet it looks different. New things are happening every week. The Tech Booth is just about finished (and yes, Fellowship Hall will be ready for the Cookie Walk on December 4!). A new 'gallery' wall is displaying art work by congregation members and friends of The Bridge. (Have something to display? Talk with Kathleen.) We've been getting used to the move to Sunday mornings, and are excited to welcome new faces almost every week.

We are blessed to have a core of dedicated volunteers who share a great deal of time and talent in creating this worship experience. We are always looking for new folks - so if you know anyone who might get involved, either in the tech area (sound or video) or in the band, please encourage them to stop by. If you might be interested in helping with the tech crew - training is available.

In other Bridge news - a special thanks to Terry Wood for preaching on November 14 while Kathleen was at the Women's Retreat. Looking ahead, over the course of the next few months, drummer Adam Hoffer will be taking over as music director for The Bridge. He is gradually easing into that position as Dennis mentors him through this transition.

And - Sunday, November 28 will be our Second Annual Thanksgiving "Leftover"; potluck. Bring your leftovers - we'll make sure there's some turkey - and stay for a shared lunch after worship!

See ya at The Bridge!

What is the Christmas Joy Offering?

A Presbyterian tradition for almost seventy years, the Christmas Joy Offering is one of the four special offerings designated by the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to provide congregations direct ways of supporting specific causes that help those in need.

The receipts from the Christmas Joy Offering are distributed equally to the Board of Pensions for assistance programs and to the National Ministries Division of the General Assembly Council to support Presbyterian racial ethnic schools and colleges.

We are receiving the Joy Offering until December 19.

CROP Walk and Peacemaking Offering Report

On Sunday, October 3, people from our congregation took the new route around the River Walk with 350 others from Elkhart on the 25th Annual CROP Walk. The walkers have collected the money pledged to them and it looks as if our final total will be about $3,800, about $600 more than we raised last year. If you made a pledge but haven't yet paid, please turn your money in ASAP. Thank you to all who walked and/or contributed!

The Peacemaking Offering, by contrast, has not yet reached our goals. As of this writing, contributions are about $1,400, which is only about half of the total needed to sustain our four $500 peacemaking scholarships (which come from 75% of the offering) and our contribution to the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program (the other 25%). If you have not made your Peacemaking Offering contribution, please do so now. Make checks payable to the church, noted "Peacemaking". Thank you to all who have contributed!

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Mission Opportunities

We are seeking people in our congregation to become advocates and "point people" for several local
ministries. If you might be interested, please contact Steve Braden for more information.

Jail Chaplaincy... Jesus said "I was in prison and you visited me " ...
The chaplaincy program at the county jail is an important ministry on behalf of all churches.
Wheels for the World, a local ecumenical ministry assisting people with wheelchairs. www.wheelchairhelp.org.

Volunteer at Beardsley Elementary School

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

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 Ministry News

Presbyterian Women

This 'n' That

Worship Schedule