April 2009 Monthly Tower Tidings
Mission Opportunity
These are cold days. Just imagine if you had a family to feed and were not able to provide something warm for the table. Faith and Practice Ministry Team is making a more specific effort this year to donate goods to People to People. To that end, a particular item has been identified as a focus item each month for congregation members to provide. The month of March was all about macaroni and cheese. If you have not yet provided macaroni and cheese, please bring a box or two or three and drop it in the box next to the office door. As you are doing your grocery shopping, purchase
CEREAL—HOT OR COLD
for your April donation.
Thank you for providing from the wealth that God has provided to you for others who have fallen on tough times. God expects us to care for each other. Here is an easy way! If you can’t shop, drop a check marked People to People in the offering plate.
We are hearing that this congregation needs to participate in a discernment process. In order to determine who we are to become, it would be wise to assess who we are now. To that end, the children were asked what it is about First Presbyterian that would cause them to invite their friends and what keeps them from fighting their parents when it comes time to go to church.
Once again we are led by the children. “We always get along.” “We all get treated the same.” “It’s a place where I can calm down.” “It’s peaceful.” “I like learning about God.” “I like praying and talking to God.” “It’s fun to relate things that I learn from the Bible to my
life and I learn that here.” How would you answer that question? Who do you think that we are? What is First Presbyterian to you? Share your answers with the staff and with each other.
Judy Schlabach
Many thanks to all of you who helped in any
way with the recent two-day Presbytery events in our building. Greeters, money changers, parking attendants, food providers, kitchen workers, and more ----
All are greatly appreciated.
We, “the church,” received many positive comments and thanks about our warm hospitality as well as our beautiful facilities. More than 50 people from throughout the Presbytery were in attendance on Friday the 13th; more than 140 were here the next day
Thanks for jobs well done and many hands which made light work.
Mimi Lewellen and Nancy Young
1 Pat Young 10 Daniel Murphy 23 Fran Beyer
1
Aiden
Hiner
10
Ted
Sharp
24
Becky
Jones
2
Bev
Mapel
11
Edward
Ramsier
24
Dwight
Brown
2
Edith
Swank
13
Alfie
Campbell
24
Dena
Morgan
4
Robert
Wellington
13
Mina
Van
Cleef
25
Stacy
Hancock
4
Vallie
Tew
14
Arline
Gordon
25
Sam
Burris
4
Pam
Giffin
15
Robbie
Ross
25
John
Scott
4
Garrett
Marcum
18
Harry
Engman
27
Susan
Bost
6
Lucille
Weiss
18
Harry
McClarran
27
James
Burton
7
Newell
Silvey
19
Greg
Odenkirk
27
Madelyn
Rumbaugh
7
Andrew
Retzler
20
Carol
Miller
29
Dorothy
Engman
8
Lawrence
Gabriel
20
Gary
Miller
29
Ashley
Barrington
9
Jean
Philippi
21
Bart
Bartter
29Jessica
Barrington
9
Barbara
Leonhard
21
Gay
Fifer
30
Ann
McGeoch
9
Emily
Moses
21
Henry
Perkins
FRIDAY FELLOWSHIP
Coming up in April: April 10—Lunch Only— then at 12:30—Good Friday Services April 24—Jeff Musselman—Talking about “Cemetery Tour: Bicentennial”
Lunch is at 12:00 N with our programs following. Come and enjoy the good food and fellowship.
GARDENERS
Spring Will Come and the Flowers/Shrub Gardens Ministry Team is looking for people who would be interested in keeping weeds out of the church flower and shrub gardens. We have several volunteers already but need several more. If you are interested please contact
Jim Burrill. 330-345-3195
\Thanks to those who planned the Spirituality Retreat held March 7. One more reflection time is planned for April 6 from 67. Suggestions have been made to continue with mini retreats to be held several times through the year. To that end, a retreat ministry team is being formed. Judy Schlabach, Connie Barnard, Linda Bush and Beth Paschal are planning to serve on this team. Would you like to work with that team? Men and women are welcome. If you are not able to serve on such a team but have some sugges tions for future retreats, please share them with one of this group. We are hopeful that a wide va riety of themes will occur at perhaps a wide variety of times. We are aware that Saturday is not the best time for everyone but maybe Sunday afternoon or a weekday evening would work better. Give us some suggestions of what you want to see happening.
Retreat Ministry Team
God Will Do Wonders Among You!
2009 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women
July 11–15, 2009 Louisville, Kentucky
The Church wide Gathering of Presbyterian Women gives you the opportunity to
- nurture your faith in community with women from around the world;
- learn about mission opportunities and justice and peace issues;
- develop leadership skills;
- participate in workshops;
- hear from Bible study leaders and plenary speakers;
- meet new friends, including Global Partners from around the world;
- and much more! Check back often for the latest details on speakers and events at the Gathering! Adult registration for the full event includes 10 meals, all programs, tote bag and program book. Earlybird registration (January 15–May 15, 2009) is $380. After that, registration will be $430. Oneday and weekend reg istration as well as registration for children (six months through 12 years) and youth (13–18 years) is also avail able. Some scholarships for adults are available; hotel, travel and other meals are additional.
Greeters
8:30 10:45
April 5 Jane & Ed Dave & Sonja Blake Tugend
April 12 Ken Starling Roy Hancock, III Family
April 19 Irene & Robert Bob & Mary Ann Wepler Wellington
April 26 Hal & Val John & Laura Fulton Scott
Bus Drivers
April 05 Mark Gooch-330-262-0099 April 12 Peter James—330-264-7550 April 19 Kelly Marcum—330-9932 April 26 Jack Miller—330-263-0088
Nursery
8:30 9:15 10:45
5 Mary Cureton Carol Thompson Susan Biery Susan Tipton Susan Tipton
12 Mary Cureton Shirley Miller Julie Miller Susan Tipton Susan Tipton
19 Mary Cureton Carol Thompson Susan Biery Susan Tipton Susan Tipton
26 Joyce Murphy Shirley Miller Julie Miller Susan Tipton Susan Tipton
Usher Guild
April 5 Scott Murphy, Dick Benson, Darla Campbell, Joan Fickes, Dena Morgan, Cy Morgan, and Hanna Morgan
April 12 Dana Brooks, Tessa Brooks, Hannah Marcum, John Scott, Sadie Schlabach, and Jillian Murphy
April 19 Mark Norton, Tom Fast, Helena Gastier, Pamela Giffin, Barbara Leonhard, and Peter James
April 26 Mark Gooch, Garnett Alexander, Peter Gooch, Jack Miller, Richard Odenkirk, Shanna Springer
Joy Worship April 5—Gwen Short April 12— Tricia James April 19—Cheryl Gooch April 26—Pat Bare
Coffee Hour April 5 -Recognizing new members April 12 -Karen McQuate April 19 -Sadie Schlabach and
Jillian Murphy April 26 -Joan & Jim Watt
THINKING OF YOU
There are some members of our congregation who are no longer able to attend worship or other activities with us—but they have not forgotten First Church and we can show that we remember them by sending cards and notes.
Among those being remembered are: Joyce Bazzle, Alice Grosjean, Newell Silvey, Ann Wells all of whom are currently living at West View Manor, 1715 Mechanicsburg Road.
Others include Mary Green, Donna Williams, Elly Hancock, Alice Morrow, and Emerson Westfall at SmithvilleWestern, 4110 E. SmithvilleWesternRoad.
Living at Sunrise, 1615 Cleveland Road are: Lucy Breneman, Elizabeth Silber, and Martha Waltz.
This information will be included regularly in Tower Tidings. Please remind the office of others whom we should remember. Mimi Lewellen
Wednesday
April 1
2:30 p.m. Intercessory Prayer
7:00 p.m. Faith & Nurture
Thursday
April 2
5:00 p.m. Bridges of Hope
7:00 p.m. Choir
Friday
April 3
10:45 a.m. Sr. Chime Choir
Saturday
April 4
12:00 N Boy Scout Council (Bruch Hall)
Sunday
April 5
Palm Sunday -Communion
8:30 a.m. Worship
9:15 a.m. Sunday School
10:45 a.m. Worship
Monday
April 6
Labyrinth in Bruch Hall
6:00 p.m. Reflections
7:00 p.m. Deacons
Tuesday
April 7
Labyrinth in Bruch Hall
5:30 p.m. Wee Care Staff Meeting
Wednesday
April 8
Labyrinth in Bruch Hall
2:30 p.m. Intercessory Prayer
7:30 p.m. Faith & Practice
Thursday
April 9
Labyrinth in Bruch Hall
5:00 p.m. Bridges of Hope
7:00 p.m. Maundy Thursday Service & Communion
Friday
April 10
Labyrinth in Bruch Hall
10:45 a.m. Sr. Chime Choir
12:00 N Friday Fellowship
12:30 p.m. Good Friday Service
Sunday
April 12
6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service (Quailcrest)
8:30 a.m. Worship
No Sunday School
10:45 a.m. Worship
Monday
April 13
Office Closed for Easter
7:00 p.m. Good Book Club
Tuesday
April 14
3:30 p.m. Kids’ Club
6:30 p.m. PW -Card Making (Bruch Hall)
7:00 p.m. Nominating
Wednesday
April 15
2:30 p.m. Intercessory Prayer
7:30 p.m. Faith & Structure
Thursday
April 16
5:00 p.m. Bridges of Hope (Youth Center)
7:00 p.m. Choir
Friday
April 17
10:45 a.m. Sr. Chime Choir
Saturday April 18 3:00 p.m. 90th Birthday Party for Alfie Campbell
Sunday
April 19
8:30 a.m.
Worship
9:15 a.m.
Sunday School (Youth helping with Rummage Sale)
10:45 a.m.
Worship
4:30 p.m.
New Connections Picnic (Christmas Run Park)
Tuesday
April 21
Bruch Hall closed for Rummage Sale Setup
10:00 a.m.
Morning Circle (Library)
2:00 p.m.
Afternoon Circle (Roque)
3:30 p.m.
Kids’ Club
7:30 p.m.
Social Justice
Wednesday
April 22
9:00 a.m.
Rummage Sale (Bruch Hall)
2:30 p.m.
Intercessory Prayer
7:30 p.m.
Session
Thursday
April 23
1:15 p.m.
Knitting Circle
5:00 p.m.
Bridges of Hope (Youth Center)
7:00 p.m.
Choir
Friday
April 24
10:45 a.m.
Sr. Chime Choir
12:00 N
Friday Fellowship (Bruch Hall)
Sunday
April 26
8:30 a.m.
Worship
9:15 a.m.
Sunday School
10:45 a.m.
Worship
Congregational Meeting
Children’s Graduation
5:00 p.m.
History event
Tuesday
April 28
3:00 p.m.
Set-up for PTP Volunteer Dinner (Bruch Hall)
3:30 p.m.
Kids’ Club
6:00 p.m.
PTP Annual Volunteer Dinner (Bruch Hall)
Wednesday
April 29
2:30 p.m.
Intercessory Prayer
Thursday
April 30
5:00 p.m.
Bridges of Hope (Youth Center)
7:00 p.m.
Choir
Wayne County Lenten Soup Suppers
March 29
WOOSTER FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
621 College Avenue Wooster OH 44691 PHONE: 330.264.9420 6pm soup 7:00 program
Presbyterian Cluster Choir Service will include many of the choirs from the Presbyterian Churches in Wayne County.
HELP IS NEEDED. PLEASE CONTACT MIMI LEWELLEN
April 5
WAYNE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
7152 Burbank Road Wooster OH 44691 PHONE: 330.345.6071 6 pm soup 6:45 program
Program: Soup & Sound. Dave Hider, Gene Keen, and Darcy Becker will be providing an offering of music after the meal time.
Mission work has always been a major concern of this congregation. Faith and Practice Ministry team is painfully aware of all the mission work that is aching to be done in the world. We are just one group of people in one church but we know that we can make a difference. We would like to make the most effective use of our limited resources particularly in these financially troubling times in the world. If you know of a particular need for physical or financial help in the community or in the world, please make a member of Faith and Practice team aware of that concern so that it can be considered equally with other requests. Members of the team are: Mark Gooch, Shanna Springer, Gregg Short, Don Beane, Asi Quaye, Jim Black, Marie Drumm, Carol Millhoan, Chuck Young, Jeff Paschal and Judy Schlabach. You are also welcome to attend a meeting of this team to help make us aware of a particular need. These meetings are open to all. Faith and Practice meets in the youth center on the second Wednesday of each month at 7:30, except April due to Holy Week.
MOTHER’S DAY ALERT
Presbyterian Women remind you that the BLANKET AND TOOLS OF HOPE OFFERING will again be on Mother’s Day Sunday, May 10th. Plan now to make a difference in the lives of mothers who desperately need food, shelter, or clean water which are made possible through this offering. Marge Beane
In February our Session approved the use of our building to host the Bridges of Hope program.
Now find out how you can help!
Did you know that 36.5 million Americans, or 12.4%, are living in poverty? It is a grim picture but one that is slowly changing through programs like Bridges of Hope a strategy to end poverty in our nation. Bridges of Hope is an innovative model based on a body of research suggesting that in order for families with low incomes to improve their situations they must have bonding social capital (social capital is friendships) within the community, bridging social capital to access the resources contained by higher income networks, and linking social capital that connects the first two with public institutions.
Operating in communities around the country, each Bridges initiative consists of a family working to get out of poverty and several middle and upper class Allies who befriend them and lend support. The family is the Circle Leader, setting direction for the activities. With the help and friendship of their Allies, each family sets and achieves goals unique to their own needs.
Getting Ahead is a comprehensive curriculum in which Circle Leaders learn to use the hidden rules of class to build up financial, emotional and social resources. Each Circle Leader attends this fifteen week curriculum which allows them to set goals prior to beginning a relationship with their Allies.
After completing Getting Ahead Circle Leaders and Allies come together during weekly meetings to provide support and networking opportunities. With the help of passionate and dedicated groups, like our church, and people, like you, this initiative has increased the emotional and financial stability of participating families and reduced their use of welfare benefits. Most importantly, it has brought the experience of poverty into the minds and hearts of new Allies and community leaders, taking us one step closer to ending poverty.
Beginning in May every Thursday from 5:30 – 7:30pm Bridges of Hope will be meeting at First Presbyterian Church. A meal will be served and group activities will take place. Asa church we need to 1) set up tables for this meal/training 2) oversee cleanup which will be done by the Circle Leaders and Allies. If you are willing to help with either of these activities please sign up in the Gathering Area.
Other ways we can help is by 1) becoming an Ally 2) providing a meal for the group 3) letting people we know who might benefit from Bridges know about the program 4) join the Resources Team 5) advocate within the community for change.
The Christ’s Kids’ Club schedule is coming to an end for the school year. We will meet April 14, 21 and 28. There is no Kids’ Club during Holy Week. The sixth graders, Helena Gastier and Peter Gooch, will graduate April 26. Children will sing during worship on Palm Sunday, April 5 and on April 26. Judy Schlabach
THREE EXCITING NEW OPPORTUNITIES IN ADULT EDUCATION
You are invited to nine Sundays of stimulating discussion, getting to know your fellow church members, and spiritual growth as the spring quarter of adult education has just begun – if you haven’t taken advantage of opportunities like these before, why not now?
If you come down to the lower level of the church building at 9:15 any Sunday morning, you will find in Room 1:
FIRST LIGHT: JESUS AND THE KINGDOM OF GOD
This course continues the video series on "Living the Questions", so popular in our adult education program. In 25-minute segments, John Dominic Crossan and Marcus Borg introduce us to the geographical and social setting in which Jesus grew up, and examine His focus on the Kingdom of God as an alternative to Roman and other secular empires. They suggest highly discussable, sometimes provocative ideas about the life, purpose and teachings of Jesus, and the meaning of the Gospels. Discussion leaders are Mark Elderbrock, Steve LoGiudice, Gordon Shull, and Bill Smith.
LISTENING FOR GOD
This is a book discussion class using a very interesting collection of short stories written by well-known authors who, in various ways, address the topic of “Listening for God.” Members of the class will hear the questions of people – authors, or their characters -who directly face the religious nature of their experiences. They will hear some possible responses to these questions, but also encounter uncertainty. They may raise their own questions and speak from their own traditions about the mystery of listening for God. Susie Slack will coordinate this course. Located in Room 2.
HOW CAN I HELP OTHERS AND MYSELF DURING HARD TIMES?
How do we care for each other? How many times do we say, when someone experiences a personal crisis, "I just don't know what to say," or "Should I mention the problem?,” or "I don't know what to do to help?” Because we are so afraid we'll say or do the wrong thing, we frequently do nothing at all, feel guilty, and then are uncomfortable when we see that person. This class is designed to improve our comfort level in such situations, as we examine and improve our own listening and responding skills, and learn from individuals who know, either first-hand, or by working with specific groups, what really lets people know we care. During the last three weeks of this quarter, Pastor Jeff Paschal and his wife Beth will be working with us on stress-reducing techniques and living better balanced lives ourselves. Leading the course will be Betty Shull, Susan Nielsen, and Andria Doyle. Located in Room 3.
New Connections Spring Fever Family Picnic Sunday, April 19, 2009 4:30 p.m. Christmas Run Park
It’s time to get the kids of all ages out & about! Meet at Christmas Run Park’s lower park pavilion (near the large wooden play area) for yard games, play, conversation, and food! Adults will also take some time to look ahead to plans for the 2009-2010 program year for New Connections. Sub sandwiches can be purchased for $12 per family or $5 for individual. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. Incase of inclement weather, we will meet in the Youth Center at church.
Please RSVP to Tricia James by Monday, April 13 at 330-264-7550 or pkjames_emily@yahoo.com.
The New Connections group at FPC consists mostly of families with young children (infants through elementary-aged), as well as additional interested adults, who share fellowship through monthly social activities. Usually held on the 3rd Friday of each month, events are planned for both whole families and adults only, with childcare provided at the church.
