Midweek Musings Newsletter
October 28, 2009
Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 1, 2009.
Don't forget to turn your clocks back one hour to standard time at 2:00 am Sunday.
The 803rd Stated Meeting of New Castle Presbytery
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
Council Meeting- 9:00 am
Registration - 9:30 am / Presbytery Meeting - 10:00 am
Lewes Presbyterian Church
133 Kings Highway • Lewes, DE 19958
Documents have been posted for the 803rd Stated Meeting of NCP.
Midweek Musings by George Hall, Moderator
The Acts 16:5 Initiative
We are so grateful that the Lewes Presbyterian Church hosted the first two-day seminar of what is hoped to become a three-year commitment by the New Castle Presbytery. During the three year-commitment, participating churches will spend time in future seminars every three to six months. Approximately 82% of the churches in New Castle Presbytery sent representatives to the first seminar. There were 2 to 6 representatives present from each church. This is an impressive number compared to what is happening nationally with this seminar.
The first two-day seminar was conducted October 25 and 26, 2009, by E. Stanley Ott and Ginni Richards of the Vital Churches Institute. The culminating concepts were related to what the consultants termed Congregational Lifestyle. Some of the components that the consultants discussed in more detail related to:
- Mission(al) endeavor of congregations
- Worship elements in congregations
- Fellowship in congregations
- Discipleship in congregations
- Leadership in congregations
- Ministry mobilization (sending one another to ministry and mission)
While the above elements seem to sound traditional, the Vital Institute’s approaches are anything but traditional and proven to be effective.
We pray that 82% or more of our churches will follow up on making the commitment to participate in the three-year effort. If your congregation is interested in Acts 16:5, please find out from your pastor, your Session or Rev. Kevin Bowers of Church Development Unit (milpres@verizon.net) how you may become a part of this exciting effort. Kevin is asking that all interested persons and congregations:
- Speak with the persons from your church who attended so the “Next Steps” can be taken in the process.
- Fill out an Acts 16:5 funding grant application and return it to the Church Development Unit.
- Fill out a church commitment form indicating your intent to become a part of this effort.
- SUBMIT GRANT APPLICATIONS AND CHURCH COMMITMENT FORMS to Church Development Unit by December 31, 2009.
Yours in Christ,
George T. Hall, Moderator
New Castle Presbytery
CLP CliP
REACH, GROW, SEND! This week four people in the CLP Program attended the Acts 16:5 Initiative with Stan Ott. They are CLP Bill Reed of Manokin, student CLP Roarke Moore of Community, and graduate CLP Rich Watters and student CLP Carole Miles of Port Deposit. All of us found it to be very practical and stimulating, and are excited to share what we learned with our churches. I’m sure you’ll hear more about the seminar from others, but we wanted to share our excitement. A picture is included of the four of us with Stan Ott.
I have an update on the comings and goings of graduate CLP Sally Cordrey. She is one busy lady. On August 16 she preached at Coolspring and then she preached at Manokin on September 13 and 27. Sally reports that she entertained a friend of her “adopted” son, Clovis – Hugues Kutambula from Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo – from August 10 – 23. Sally took them to Cape May, they visited Washington DC with a friend from Nigeria (Jesse), and Pastor Frank Deming of Westminster (Rehoboth) took them to Philadelphia. Anyone who has visited Sally knows that she has a real gift of hospitality.
Sally just returned from her third trip to Mam Presbytery in Guatemala. She traveled with the Tri-Presbytery group (New Castle, New Hope and Albany). Others will report on this trip in detail but I wanted to share a picture of Sally (taken by Dennison Hatch) with a Guatemalan Police Officer which Dennison titled, “Sally, under the long arm of the law!”
Well, that’s all the news for now.
Until next time, God bless!
Carole Miles
L - R, is Rich Watters, Carole Miles, Stan Ott, Sally, under the long arm of the law!
Roarke Moore, Bill Reed
The Visitor Remix
Introduce yourself by name to visitor, even if you are the pastor. They will feel you care more than just giving them a casual “good morning”.
Got a suggestion for the Visitor Remix? Send it in tojtaylor@ncpresbytery.org!
World Mission Challenge thank you letter to NCP
NCP World Mission Challenge Thank You.pdf
News from the Board of Pensions
It’s time to Register for the Tax Tips Webinar for Ministers and Churches
December 9, 2009 - 3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Register now!
What common errors should you be aware of as you prepare your 2009 returns? How could recent tax law changes affect how you report income and expenses in 2010?
Tax Tips Webinar for Ministers and Churches is a free event that helps ministers and churches understand clergy taxes. Hear renowned clergy and church tax expert Richard R. Hammar, J.D., LL.M., CPA, explain:
- recent tax law changes that will affect ministers and churches
- the expenses that are and are not deductible
- a ten-step year-end checklist
- how lending money to a minister could put a church’s tax-exempt status at risk
You can register online or by phone at 800-355-4487. You can also submit your tax questions when you register for this Webinar.
The popular session will be presented as a Webinar, enabling members to both see and hear the presentation online. (Members can still call in if they do not have access to the Web.)
Space is limited, so sign up today. Registration ends November 20.
Interim Senior Pastor Position
RE: Candidates for Interim Senior Pastor for The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley
The Presbyterian Church, Sewickley, in Sewickley Pennsylvania, is identifying candidates to consider for an interim senior pastorate commencing sometime in the first quarter of 2010. The Church offers a Manse and compensation is negotiable.
Download job description here: Sewickley PC Interim Senior Pastor Job Description.pdf
If you have any questions or would like additional information, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone (412-667-7902) or email (dhowes@mcguirewoods.com).
Sincerely,
Dwight A. Howes
More Freebies Available from the Interfaith Resource Center
David Martin, son of the late Rev Charles Martin, has donated over 400 books & more than 50 music CD's from his father's library. Over half of the books are hardcover including many respected authors such as C.S. Lewis, Bonhoeffer, Buechner, Diogenes Allen, and Nouwen, to name a few. If you are interested in boosting your personal collection or your church's library, please call the Interfaith Resource Center to inquire. Because of the sheer volume of books, we will be unable to hold them for too long.
New Resource at the Interfaith Resource Center
(www.interfaithresourcecenter.com)
If you havent thought about your churchs Christmas pageant yet, you may want to log onto our website to identify some scripts that may suit your needs. The Interfaith Resource Center has a collection of well over 100 sample scripts intended for the Advent and Christmas season & devotions for Advent candle lighting ceremonies. To access them in the online catalog, choose scripts in the media classification and Advent, Christmas in the subject category, then hit the search button. Many, though currently not all, of the entries provide helpful information about speaking parts, age appropriateness, and staging. Choose the sample copies that you would like to preview using the shopping cart and we will mail them to you within the week & provide you with purchasing information for legal copies for all of your participants. We at the Interfaith Resource Center are here to support your ministry throughout the year!
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
The Phantom of the Opera
Join us for an unforgettable “Movie Night” at Westminster PC:
The Phantom of the Opera
Friday, October 30th at 8:00 pm
The 1925 silent movie classic, starring Lon Chaney
with live organ accompaniment by Paul Fleckenstein
Download flyer for more information: phantom flyer.pdf
Active Parenting Now: Parenting can be easier
Starting Sunday, November 1st, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Limestone Church will offer an Active Parenting Now class, especially for parents of 5 – 12 year olds. This video-based series has won national awards and has been featured on Oprah with the church guide by Princeton Seminary professor Freda Gardner. The six session class includes video clips of real family situations, group discussions, a helpful book for take home reading, and plenty of opportunities for parents to support each other in the most important job you will ever do—the job of parenting. The following topics are among those covered: styles of parenting, building courage and self-esteem, effective discipline skills, natural and logical consequences, mutual respect, effective communication skills, avoiding communication blocks, holding family meetings, and talking to your children about drugs. Child care will be provided. The only cost is for a participant’s book. Scholarships are available to cover the cost of the book if needed. Please contact Bruce or Carolyn Gillette at bcgillette@comcast.net if you are interested in being part of this class.
Ordination Service
Georgetown Presbyterian Church
Cordially invite you to celebrate the
Service of worship and ordination of
Amy Lawrence
Ministry of Word and Sacrament
Saturday, November 7, 2009
3:00 pm
Georgetown Presbyterian Church
203 North Bedford Street
Georgetown, DE 19947
Reception immediately following
Shop For Gifts at our Holiday Fling
Christiana Presbyterian Church
15 N. Old Baltimore Pike, Christiana, DE19702
Come shop for fall and winter holiday gift items at our 6th Annual “Holiday Fling” on Saturday, November 7, 2009, from 10 am - 3 pm at Christiana Presbyterian Church, 15 N. Old Baltimore Pike, Christiana, DE19702, 1 mile south of Christiana Mall. Both nationally-known and local vendors will be displaying cosmetics, jewelry, candles, specialty food items, home decor and crafts. Lunch items will be available for sale. There will also be a bake table and door prizes all day.
No admission charge. The table fee for vendors is $30. For more details, call 302-737-0212 or 302-322-1998.
Unity Day at Church of our Savior
Unity Day
November 8, 2009 - 11:00 am
Speaker
The Reverend Bernice Warren
Chester Eastside Ministries
Chester, PA
Download flyer for more information: Unity Day flyer 2009.pdf
Trinity PC Winter Bazaar
Lower Brandywine 4th Annual Storytelling Festival 2009
Friday & Saturday, November 13-14, 2009
100 folks have already registered to attend the weekend!
Download flyer here: Lower Brandywine Storytelling Festival Workshop.pdf
The Art of Storytelling for Sunday School Teachers - Michael Forestieri.
Michael teaches lay educators an easy, step-by-step process for building lessons using stories. You’ll leave with an incredibly useful, practical, and fun toolbox of ideas you can use the very next day to make your lessons even more memorable.
For more information click here. http://lbstoryfest.com/html/workshops.html
Hope in the Face of Loss
A SERVICE OF WITNESS
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 15, 2009
AT 3:00 PM
For many people, the loss of loved ones, a home, a job or other crises become more poignant during the holidays. Along with the winter season comes a winter of the heart.
The Stephen Ministers of First Presbyterian Church invite you to come to Hope in the Face of Loss, a Service of Witness on Sunday, November 15, 2009 at 3:00 PM. in our sanctuary. You will have the opportunity to light a candle of hope. Even in the darkness of pain and grief, the light of candles can shine through. There will be a time of meditation in Remembrance Garden at 2:30 PM. Stephen Ministers will be there to greet you. Plan to stay for a reception immediately following the service.
First Presbyterian Church is located at 292 West Main Street, Newark, ½ mile west of the University of Delaware on state route 273. Parking is available, and the church is handicapped accessible. If you have any questions, please call (302) 731-5644.
Newark Tintinnabulation
A NEWARK HANDBELL FESTIVAL
Handbell Choirs from Newark, DE will participate in a first-time Newark Handbell Festival to bring together musicians of this instrument in Christian fellowship and fun, while promoting our art among the Newark community via tintinnabulations (a joyous sound)! The Festival will be held on Saturday, November 21, 2009, at 4:30 p.m., in the Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church, 292 West Main Street, Newark, 1/2 mile west of the University of Delaware on state route 273. Parking is available, and the church is handicapped accessible.
Download flyer for more information: Newark HandBell Festival.pdf
Presbyterian Women of Community PC
The Presbyterian Women
Of
Community Presbyterian Church
Presents
Delaware State University Concert Choir
Sunday, November 22, 2009
4:00 pm
Download flyer for more information: Community PW DSU concert.pdf
Social Security Corner
Keep up-to-date on Social Security with the Midweek Musings Newsletter
Social Security Column
WHAT TO DO IF SOCIAL SECURITY PAYS YOU TOO MUCH
By Steve McClaskey
Social Security Manager in Accomac, VA
What should you do if Social Security pays you too much? That may seem like a strange idea at first, as most people worry about not having enough money. If you receive monthly Social Security or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits, an overpayment can occur for many reasons, including work or another benefit that requires a reduction in your Social Security or SSI payment.
Read entire article here: Oct 09 - SSA Paid You Too Much.pdf
SOCIAL SECURITY Q &A: Oct 09 - QUESTIONS AND ANSWER2.pdf
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