Midweek Musings Newsletter
October 1, 2009
NEWSFLASH: Effective October 7, 2009, the Midweek Musings Newsletter will be posted to the website every Wednesday by 3:30 pm instead of Thursday afternoon. Please make sure items for inclusion are emailed to Michelle Woodson by no later than 10:00 am each Wednesday. Thank you!
October is Pastor Appreciation Month!
So many pastors serve the church with energy, dedication, imagination and love.
Show your pastor how much you care during pastor appreciation month!
Acts 16:5 Initiative
Download Acts Initiative and hotel brochure here: Acts Initiative and Hotel Brochure.pdf
Also available on the Brochures, Forms and Other downloads page
Midweek Musings by George Hall, Moderator
Time Flies When You’re Having Fun
It seems only yesterday that I accepted the gavel and stole from Rev. Kathi Busch. It is indeed an honor for my Presbytery to have deemed me worthy of the honor and distinction of being the Moderator. I would hear my grand aunts, grand uncles, grandmother and parents talking about the “Moderator” when I was growing up in the Grant Chapel Presbyterian Church in Georgia. To hear them talk you would think that our Lord and Savior had come to town. Now that I have had the chance to walk in the shoes of the Presbytery Moderator, I know what an awesome task the position can become. As a mortal, each day brings the fear that you will offend, make unforgivable mistakes; end up with egg on your face and myriad other bad things. Through it all though, I think of what Jesus must have endured to serve. I am also consoled that there is always someone patting me on the back with encouragement and saying, “stick to it.” And yes, there are those times of self doubt and criticism from others; generally done out of concern for effectuating improvement. As I serve, I’m also reminded by a statement one of my former supervisors made when I was in industry…”If you sit down and do nothing, you won’t make mistakes, but you can’t get anything done unless you get up and do something…make some mistakes; take some risks.” Yet, I know the joys of continuously being a part of Presbyterianism since the day I was born (well at least by the second week) 69 years ago. Due in no small part to the indoctrination I received from all around the family, I find it hard to envision myself as anything but Presbyterian. We disagree, but we still stick to the mission of the church and the belief that we are reformed and still reforming. We also insist on laity participation in the life and works of the church at more than the pew-warmer level. I am constantly encouraged by the fact that our church operates from the paradigm of being intellectually and cerebrally prepared to deal with whatever confronts us. We don’t just respond in a “knee jerk” manner. There is always that commitment and prayerful request for God to guide us in the discernment process of keeping that covenant with God. I pray the best for our next Moderator, Rev. Barry M. Gray of Port Deposit. He is indeed a capable, energetic and eager-to-learn leader.
- George Hall
A Mission Fair Celebration
DOWNLOAD MISSION FAIR APPLICATION HERE: MISSION FAIR APPLICATION 2009.pdf
Interest in Mission Initiatives is growing across New Castle Presbytery. More churches are involving more people in a greater number of projects than ever before. Indeed Christ compels us to love one another and to express that love through hands on caring and sharing.
At the November 17th meeting of Presbytery hosted by Lewes Church a Mission Fair will be staged in the fellowship hall of the church to celebrate the many mission activities of the congregations of New Castle Presbytery. During the regular speakers time the presbytery will instead meet, greet and learn about the multitude of mission endeavors our churches sponsor locally, nationally and internationally.
We are asking all of our congregations and fellowships to participate. Table top displays, hand outs, posters, pamphlets and assorted “treats” are all welcome. This will be a great time for clergy and lay leaders to learn more about one another’s ministries.
Every attempt will be made to accommodate those churches wishing to make presentations with the use of PowerPoint software or to report on travel trips and group events by using classroom spaces. The larger fellowship hall will be reserved for individual displays and mingling activity.
Of course, the number of groups participating will affect display space. Churches should think creatively. A table top display on a smaller card table and upright posters would be a good start. There will simply not be enough electrical outlets to give everyone media capability on the floor. However, individual rooms with this capability may be available. (Contact the NCP office to discuss specifics regarding this request.) To confirm a space an application must be mailed or faxed into the office. To register and reserve space congregations may download a reservation form posted on the NCP website at www.ncpresbytery.org and mail or fax to the office ASAP.
We welcome suggestions and input to help make this event an exciting one. Perhaps your church has hosted such an activity and you might share your recruitment and planning process with staff. Let us hear from you! Should you have any questions please contact the presbytery office at (302) 366-0595.
- Jim
A Choral Celebration
Click on the link below to view a slideshow and hear the audio of the
Pencader choral celebration that was held on September 13th.
The Worship Celebration with choristers from 9 small New Castle Presbytery churches was a grand success.
Dee Fell, Pencader’s Director of Music, led worship with 101 taking part, and the Pot-luck Supper was excellent, also.
Thank you, Leadership Development Unit for supporting this initiative.
Dee Fell, Director of Music, Pencader Presbyterian Church
Attention Session Clerks
The new calendar year format for the Review of Session Minutes and Church Registers is in progress.
Reviews for all churches in the Presbytery will be in the Spring of 2010. You will need to have all records through December 2009 complete and in the traditional metal peg minute book with leather covers and the register when you come for the review. What you include will not change in any way for the minutes or register.
So we accomplish this change “decently and in order” it will be VERY important that you keep me informed of who your clerk is with an E-mail address, home mailing address and phone number.
Nora Andresen, Presbytery Record Clerk
circle15@comcast.net - 610-388-3620
Presbyterian Youth Triennium 2010
GREETINGS!!!
July 2010 - Triennium happens!!!
Once again, thousands of Presbyterian Youth will gather at Purdue, Indiana for "such a time as this."
July 20-24 - put it on your calendar TODAY!!!
If you are a pastor or a youth pastor - help us know where the youth are who would like to come!
If you are a high school student - entering 9th grade through graduating 12th grade - you MUST come with us!
If you are out of high school - contact me about being a Young Adult Advisor!!
Triennium has a web page - complete with a DVD to watch from '07 - www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org and a Facebook page that has over 2000 "friends" already - and YOUTUBE has quite a few videos from past Triennium events!
I also have a "hard copy" DVD if anyone wishes to borrow it for Promotion.
I never got to Triennium as a teenager - my first was 2007. I am excited to go again!!!
Laurie Hiller Brumbaugh
302.629.9077
Missionary in Guatemala Visiting NCP
Karla Koll, a Presbyterian Missionary and Professor in Guatemala, is visiting our presbytery this week. She preached about the "Missional Church" at the Easton church this past Sunday. Her sermon title was "Mission: Living Toward the New Creation." That message can be heard at www.pceaston.org and click the Worship tag.
Holy Land Pilgrimage
Take a journey of a lifetime
A pilgrimage to the Holy Land!
Bethlehem, Nazareth, Jerusalem & Galilee
10 Days of Biblical Discovery
February 23 – March 4, 2010
Your Tour Hosts: Rev. Steve Brundage, Pastor of First Presbyterian, Newark and Rev. Laurel Brundage
Download brochure for more information: Holy Land Pilgrimage 2010.pdf
Angel Food Program
The Angel Food Program is open to anyone and everyone who would like to stretch their food dollar. Menus are available after the last Saturday of every month. You may pick one up at Hanover PC or from Becky (302) 584-0356. Orders must be placed with Becky by the second Saturday of each month. The food will be delivered to Hanover PC on the last Saturday of the month around 9:00 am. We will try to make other arrangements if this is not convenient. Due to the lack of storage space we cannot hold orders for more than 24 hours. If food is not picked up it will be given to the Food Pantry to distribute.
Please call Becky at (302) 584-0356 if you have any questions.
Sign of the Times
Last Sunday afternoon volunteers from the Ghanaian Presbyterian Fellowship and Limestone Presbyterian Church put up new banners on the side of Limestone Presbyterian Church. The Ghanaian Presbyterians have weekly worship services at Limestone on Sundays, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and a Friday evening prayer meeting. Ghanaian Presbyterians has a web page on the Limestone web site: http://www.limestonepresbyterian.org/GhanaianFellowship/index.htm This World Communion Sunday, Mawuna Gardesey (a leader of the Ghanaian Presbyterian Fellowship and a PCUSA elder) will preach for the joint 11:00 a.m. worship service of the Ghanaian and Limestone Presbyterians. Pastors Bruce and Carolyn Gillette will baptize Samayah Darko in this service.
Open House
PCUSA@UD invites you to an Open House on
Sunday, October 11th from 1-2 p.m.
Download flyer for more information: PCUSAUD Open House Oct09.pdf
Men's Retreat
White Clay Creek PC is sponsoring a men's retreat in October. All men in the presbytery and their friends.are invited.
"Band of Brothers"
Redeeming the Times
WCCPC Men's Retreat
October 9-11, 2009
Black Rock Retreat Center, Quarryville, PA
Download flyer for more information: White Clay Men's Retreat flyer & regis.pdf
Immigrant Ministry Event
New Castle Presbytery has been an on-going partner in the discussions and planning of the Immigrant Ministry Dialogue - 2009 to be presented October 11-12, 2009 at the Princeton Theological Seminary. For those individuals interested in immigrant ministry, below is a link to the promotional brochure including registration information.
Download brochure here: Immigrant Ministry Dialogue 2009.pdf
Congregational Care Providers Training
JoinPastoral Services at Christiana Care Health System as we present three evenings of continuing education for the faith community. Directed toward lay persons providing pastoral care within their congregations, this is a basic skills development program for Stephen Ministers, Deacons, Congregation Visitor Program participants and other lay people. Topics will include: the Pastoral Visit; Barriers to Caregiving; Listening and Responding; Loss and Grief Issues.
Registration and fee information: The fee is $45 per person for the series. Congregations that enroll five to eight participants may submit one check for $200, which will cover up to eight registered participants. Please call Nancy Miller at 302-733-1280 for registration information.
Dates: Wednesday October 14, 21, and 28 7 PM - 9:15 PM
Christiana Hospital John H. Ammon Medical Education Center Rooms 4, 5 & 6.
Note: Advance registration is required for attendance.
Timothy D. Rodden, BCC
Director, Department of Pastoral Services
Christiana Care Health Services
302.733.1227
Career Insights For Teens
Career Insights For Teens
Interfaith Career Counseling for Youth*
Upcoming Programs
FALL II Program: (2 Sessions co-sponsored by Hanover PC and Congregation Beth Shalom)
- Sunday, October 18 (1:00 – 5:00) and
- Sunday, October 25 (1:30 to 6:00)
Congregation Beth Shalom - 18th & Baynard Blvd.
Call Bob Stoddard at (302) 571-1691 or check
www.careerinsightsforteens.org for information
and application (Registration deadline Oct. 11)
* CIFT is an interfaith youth program of New Castle Presbytery
Celebrating the Spiritual Leadership of Elders
Join PCUSA Stated Clerk, Gradye Parsons, in Celebrating the Spiritual Leadership of Elders on Friday October 30, 6:00 p.m. and Saturday October 31, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Download flyer for more information: Celebrating the Spiritual Leadership of Elders.pdf
Have you done your Yearly Medicare Prescription Drug Enrollment Review?
Each year Medicare plans make changes to their coverage, benefits and cost. Every Fall, all people with Medicare should review their current health and prescription drug coverage.
Download flyer for more information: 2009 Yearly Medicare Prescription.pdf
News from the Board of Pensions
The Medical Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is undergoing some changes. Maximize your benefits by reviewing these changes to ensure that you understand how they affect active Plan members.
Change for a Reason
The upcoming changes to the Medical Plan are happening for good reasons. Together they:
- Improve Plan design, making your benefits easier to understand
- Offer you greater control over your coverage
- Ensure compliance with federal regulations
- Encourage you to be a good healthcare consumer
What’s New
- Changes to out-of-pocket costs — Your out-of-pocket costs, including deductibles and copayments, will change for both medical and surgical care and prescription drugs, effective January 1, 2010. Some will decrease while others will increase. Details are available on Pensions.org (see below).
- A new health management service provider — Effective January 1, 2010, ActiveHealth Management® will replace and expand upon the services currently provided by CareAllies, including pre-certification, case management, and specialized support for individuals with certain chronic conditions. ActiveHealth Management also brings with it personalized online health information and support capabilities.
- Expanded coverage for children with congenital developmental disabilities — In response to an overture to the 218th General Assembly (2008), the Medical Plan will cover “habilitative” services for dependent children with developmental disabilities, including autism, Down syndrome, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida. Beginning January 1, 2010, covered services include specified therapies to promote growth and improve function.
- A new dependent coverage waiver option — Effective October 1, 2009, you can waive coverage for your spouse and/or dependent children provided they have comparable medical coverage through another employer or military services-related group healthcare plan. (Choosing this option will not affect the benefit dues paid by your employing organization.)
- An increase in the maximum lifetime benefit — To keep pace with changes in the cost of living, the maximum lifetime benefit payable under the Medical Plan for each member, spouse, and dependent child will increase from $3 million to $3.5 million, effective January 1, 2010.
You can find more information in the summer 2009 issue of The Board Bulletin. You may also view the Medical Plan Changes for Active Benefits Plan Members e-learning module.
Questions?
Watch your mail over the next few weeks for a special mailing that provides additional details about the changes to your healthcare benefits. More information will also be sent to you by email and mail and will be posted to Pensions.org over the coming months.
You may also call the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN) or contact us through Pensions.org.
Regards,
Helen Locklear
Rev. Helen Locklear
Regional Representative
Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
2028 S. Hwy 53, Suite # 321 / LaGrange, KY 40031
1-800-773-7752 ext 7047 / 1-502-222-4568 Fax
Social Security Corner
Keep up-to-date on Social Security with the Midweek Musings Newsletter
Social Security Column
BECOMING A PAYEE MAY BE THE BEST WAY TO HELP
By Vanessa Davis
Social Security Manager in Elkton, Md
If a loved one, friend or neighbor receives Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits but is no longer physically or mentally able to take care of his or her financial affairs, you may want to consider becoming a representative payee. Then, you’ll be able to help them with managing their money.
Keep in mind that being a representative payee is not the same as having power of attorney. Even if you do have power of attorney, you will need to apply to be a representative payee in order to have the benefit payments made to you on the beneficiary’s behalf.
Read entire article here: Repayee.pdf
NEXT ISSUE - An important reminder for medicare beneficiaries with limited incomes...
New Resource at the Interfaith ResourceCenter
(www.interfaithresourcecenter.com)
Safety Tips On A Sensitive Subject: Child Sexual Abuse is a 1-session DVD produced by Church Mutual Insurance Company. It focuses on the legal ramifications of child sexual abuse and practices that churches should put in place to minimize the risk. This DVD joins a growing collection of resources at the IRC to help train church leaders to truly provide safe sanctuary for all of youngest members.
Overdue resources? Please call to renew as soon as possible. More clients are simply keeping items past their due date without contacting us. Recently we have had other clients waiting of resources that have been due for months. And overdue resources cost the IRC money: in time & postage to notify clients and replacement costs for items lost. If you loan an item to someone else, you are responsible for returning it. Please be considerate.
Paula W Hartzell
Interfaith Resource Center
913 Wilson Road / Wilmington, DE 19803
302.477.0910 or 800.336.6152
www.interfaithresourcecenter.com
resource.ctr1@gmail.com or resource.ctr@dol.net
Meeting Ground Fundraiser
“There’s No Place Like Home” Meeting Ground’s 6th Annual Autumn Gathering
Downl.oad flyer here: MG 2009 Autumn Gathering Info.pdf
Meeting Ground’s 6th Annual Autumn Gathering will take place on Saturday, October 24, 2009, from 11AM to 2PM at the Deerfield Golf and Tennis Club in Newark, Delaware and will include a buffet luncheon, silent auction and overview of Meeting Ground’s programs and services. Tickets cost $45/per person and all proceeds from the event go directly to support the emergency shelter and transitional housing programs of Meeting Ground assisting those persons – men, women and children - who are experiencing homelessness.
Meeting Ground is a religious corporation under Maryland law, and a mission cause of the New Castle Presbytery, devoted to work “with and among the poor, homeless, the sick, and any who are outcast, living on the margins of society, or those who seek a refuge or a home.” Annually, Meeting Ground provides 30,000+ bed-nights of emergency and transitional housing, as well as 45,000+ meals, to the homeless of the Town of Elkton and wider Cecil County, and also organizes and hosts volunteer mission work opportunities for churches around the country to come and work on behalf of those experiencing homelessness.
We ask everyone who is a supporter of our work at Meeting Ground to please attend this event. We would appreciate the opportunity to thank you for your support.
Menu
Seasonal Sliced Fresh Fruits and Berries
The “D” Mixed Greens Salad – field greens, shredded carrots, sliced cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion and house-made herbed croutons, balsamic vinaigrette
Grilled Vegetable Pasta Primavera – roasted red peppers, yellow squash, zucchini, carrots, basil, garlic and olive oil
Deerfield Pan-seared Crab Cakes, Old Bay remoulade
Chicken Grand Marnier – egg-dipped boneless chicken breast, sautéed shallots, orange zest, Grand Marnier and a touch of cream
Long Grain Wild Rice Pilaf
Zucchini and Squash Medley
Chef’s Selection of Assorted Desserts
Silent Auction Items
Artwork
Gift Baskets
Restaurant Certificates
Phillies Tickets
Jewelry
Plants
Spa Packages
Horseback Lessons
And many other items …
Tickets may be ordered by telephone: 410.275.2936 or email: autumngathering@meetingground.org <mailto:autumngathering@meetingground.org> ; please make checks out to ‘Meeting Ground’
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