Midweek Musings Newsletter
September 17, 2009
New documents have been posted to the docket page
for the 802nd Stated Meeting of New Castle Presbytery
Tuesday, September 22, 2009, at Trinity PC at 4:00 pm
The 802nd Stated Meeting of New Castle Presbytery
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Trinity Presbyterian Church
1120 Darley Road / Wilmington, DE
Council Meeting- 3:00 pm
Registration - 3:30 pm / Presbytery Meeting - 4:00 pm
Trinity Presbyterian Church
Did you know New Castle Presbytery has a toll free number?
You may reach us at 888-366-0595
We'd love to hear from you!
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 Rev. John Riley, Pastor, Smyrna PC
New Life for an Old Font
By Rev. John Riley, Smyrna PC
A few weeks ago the Midweek Musings advertised the availability of the marble Baptismal Font from the West Presbyterian Church. The font was very nearly the only artifact from the original church which survived the fire which destroyed that church nearly two decades ago. In some places some of the scorch marks from the fire are still evident on the font. I contacted the Presbytery office to inquire about the font and after phone calls to two of the members of the West Church Commission was told Smyrna PC could acquire the font. The old font at the Smyrna Church was also a marble font, but was badly cracked and patched together. It did not hold water whereas the old West Church font still held water very well despite surviving the ravages of the fire. Arrangements were made by the Smyrna Church to have a professional moving company carefully pick up the font at the West Church and deliver it to the Smyrna Church before West closed on July 15.
The font was brought to Smyrna and installed in the sanctuary where it has already continued to fulfill its original consecrated and sacramental role in a Presbyterian Church. On the first Sunday of August, ten year old Logan Walter was the first person to be baptized using the new old font following its rededication for use in the Smyrna Church. The movement of the font to Smyrna follows the movement of two families, the Everhart and the Lathem families, from the West Church to the Smyrna Church nearly fifty years ago. Members of those families were also baptized using the same font when they lived in the Wilmington area and were members of the West Church before moving south to Smyrna.
There is some wonderful symbolism of our denominational heritage and connectionalism in that the font will continue to serve its original purpose among people who have past ties to West Church and the font. The Smyrna Church is delighted and honored to preserve this wonderful piece of Presbyterian heritage and history within New Castle Presbytery. The passage of the font from one of our more liberal churches to one of our more conservative churches is also a powerful testimony to our unity and common mission as the Body of the Christ in New Castle Presbytery.
- Rev. John Riley
CLP CliP
The CLP Committee met by conference call on September 10. Present were The Rev. Jim Moseley, The Rev. Billie Brightwell, Nancy Day, Mae Hall, Judy Adams and Carole Miles. The discussion included the status of CLP Linda Williams at Coolspring Pres., where her commission is up for renewal. We also talked about the upcoming Reformed Theology class (beginning Sept. 26), teacher stipends and course fees. There was discussion of the need for a scholarship form and a fact sheet for faculty.
The next class will be Polity during January and February. Billie and Jim will work to identify the teacher. The final class in the unit will take place at the March Retreat that will be a Vessel Event. The unit will be Prevention of Sexual Misconduct, a very necessary part of every leader’s training.
Billie Brightwell expressed her desire to have CLPs lead worship at a Presbytery Meeting. Jim Moseley liked the idea, as did the CLPs present, and he will check into the possibilities.
All in all, it was an excellent meeting. A lot was accomplished in a short time. How good it is to see the CLP Program growing and becoming more formalized. It’s a great way to serve our churches and New Castle Presbytery.
Until next time, God bless!
Carole Miles
The Visitor Remix
Got doors? Which one in? If you have several doors to your church, mark your main entrances clearly so visitors can come in!
Got a suggestion for the Visitor Remix? Send it in tojtaylor@ncpresbytery.org!
Worship Celebration
The Worship Celebration with choristers from nine small New Castle Presbytery churches was a grand success! Dee Fell, Pencader’s Director of Music, led worship with 101 taking part. The Pot-luck Supper was excellent, also. Thank you Leadership Development Unit for supporting this initiative, and Tom Davis who took the wonderful pictures below.
Dee Fell, Pencader PC Director of Music
St. Andrew's Coffee House
Looking for an alternative night out? Come join us for Christian music, fellowship, and a good time. Oh, by the way, yes a great cup of Java as well!
St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
200 Marrows Road - Newark, DE
Free Concert
From Harps to Halo
Saturday, September 26th from 7pm to 9 pm.
An Invitation from Meeting Ground
There’s No Place Like Home
Please join us for an
Introduction to the Beloved Community at Meeting Ground
On
Tuesday, September 29, 2009, from 10AM to 2PM
At
Clairvaux Farm, 21 Veazey Cove Road
, Earleville MD
Download documents for more information: Clergy Luncheon Cover Letter.pdf; Clergy Invite 2009.pdf; Reverse of Clergy Invite.pdf
Hanover Series on Full Inclusion
The Month of October will be devoted to glbt (gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender) diversity. The theme of the month is "The Road to Emmaus" planned by a task force created by the Worship Committee. Below are the dates and the topics in the series. Please note especially the concert on the afternoon of October 11.
4 October: Worldwide Communion Sunday
Sunday School: Larry Peterson: What are the Origins of Homosexuality and What are the current issues? Worship: Andy Jacob: The Road to Emmaus
11 October (National Coming Out Day)
Sunday School: Coming out stories from a mixture of Hanover Presbyterian members and faculty members at the University of Delaware
Worship: Speaker: Patrick Evans, Yale Institute of Sacred Music, and former Director of Music at Hanover.
Concert: 3 p.m. celebrating glbt diversity. Performers include the Rainbow Chorale of Delaware; Patrick Evans, baritone (Yale Institute of Sacred Music); Frank Voltz, harp (Winston-Salem, NC, recording artist); Krystal Rickard, lyric soprano and conductor; Adult Choirs from Newark United Methodist Church and Hanover Presbyterian Choir; readers from AIDS Delaware, Delaware Pride, Just For Youth, Hanover Presbyterian Church.
18 October
Sunday School: Tiona.M will show 40 minutes of her documentary film "Black Womyn: Lesbians of African-American Descent." Her documentary has
been featured in many film festivals including last year's Philadelphia Gay-Lesbian Film Festival, and many universities including the University of Delaware's GLBT Film Series in Spring 2009. Worship Service: Guest speaker, Tiona.M, Philadelphia producer/writer
25 October
Sunday School: Brian Gray, author and member of Hanover, will discuss one of his forthcoming books about scripture and homosexuality
Worship Service: Andy Jacob will provide a wrap-up for the month's activities.
New Resource at the Interfaith ResourceCenter
(www.interfaithresourcecenter.com)
Steadfast Hope: The Palestinian Quest for Just Peace is a 7-session examination of the current deteriorating conditions of Palestinians within the West Bank. Produced by the Israel/Palestine Mission Network of the Presbyterian Church (USA), it gives an frank overview of the issues that erode opportunity for a just peace and future for the Palestinian state. The 80-minute DVD interviews numerous Jewish and Palestinian leaders in the struggle to bring a just resolution amidst the continued destruction of Palestinian settlements to make way for the wall and roads that divide the West Bank residents. I highly recommend this study. Our thanks to the Rev Robert Stoddard Jr. for providing us with two copies of this important study.
PaulaWHartzell
InterfaithResourceCenter
913 Wilson Road / Wilmington, DE19803
302.477.0910 or 800.336.6152
www.interfaithresourcecenter.com
resource.ctr1@gmail.com or resource.ctr@dol.net
Social Security Corner
Keep up-to-date on Social Security with the Midweek Musings Newsletter...
Social Security Column
Financial Planning is not just for people nearing retirement. In fact, it’s a good idea to begin planning for a comfortable and secure retirement when you’re young. To learn more about Social Security’s new financial planning tool especially for the 25 to 35 crowd download file here: Financial Planning for Young Workers.pdf
NEXT ISSUE - TOOLS TO HELP YOU DECIDE WHEN TO RETIRE...
Eboo Patel Invitation
If the young men who flew planes into the twin towers on 9-11 in 2001 had received positive mentoring from persons who love their neighbors, instead of from hateful religious fanatics, the world would likely be in a much healthier condition today. That's a central point that Eboo Patel, founder of the Interfaith Youth Core, makes in his book, Acts of Faith. Eboo is a resident of Chicago, a Rhodes scholar, an American citizen of East Indian heritage, and a Muslim. He will be the featured speaker for young people at the Montreat College Conference January 2-5, 2010, but you will have a chance to meet him because he is coming to the Wilmington Friends School on September 23rd, and will speak there at 7:30 p.m. I'm eager to hear Eboo speak, because I've promised to establish a chapter of the Interfaith Youth Core in Delaware. The IFYC promotes interfaith understanding through service. Young people of faith work together on a community service project, and afterwards discuss their feelings and motivations, sharing with others how their respective religions inspire such action. That's how IFYC works. Please join me on September 23rd to hear this interfaith leader who is inspiring young people worldwide toward good acts of faith!
For more details, download this flier. Eboo Patel Invitation.pdf
--Rev. Tom Davis
Communications Consultant, New Castle Presbytery
Home Life Management Center 20th Anniversary Celebration and Re-dedication
The YWCA's Home-Life Management Center
is celebrating their 20th Anniversary and being renamed
the Marian E. Hinson Home-Life Management Center
on September 25th.
Marian Hinson was a member of Hanover Church
and a Speer Trust Commissioner who passed away on April 10, 2009.
Below are more details.
When:
September 25, 2009
12 pm - 5 pm
Open House 12 pm - 3 pm
Dedication 3 pm
Reception immediately following
Where:
Marian E. Hinson Home Life Management Center
709 North Madison Avenue /Wilmington, DE
Visit their website for more detailed information: http://www.ywca.org/site/pp.asp?c=gjIQI4PKKoG&b=5327649
Lewes PC Sanctuary Reopening/Rededication Celebration
Saturday, September 26th & Sunday, September 27th
Come one, come all for a wonderful weekend of fun festivities as we celebrate the completion of LPC’s beautiful, historic sanctuary. Tons of activities for all ages. Mark your calendars, and join us for the celebration! Invite your friends and neighbors, too. It’s going to be a great weekend! Download the schedule of events here for the weekend: LPC Sanctuary Rededication.pdf
CROP Walk for New Castle Presbytery is October 18th
All New Castle Presbyterians are invited to join a Presbytery-wide CROP Walk on Sunday afternoon, October 18th. Registration will be open from 1:00-2:00 p.m. in the Newark United Methodist Church’s parking lot located on Delaware Avenue in Newark. This CROP Walk has options for two walks, a 1.3 mile walk or a 5 mile walk. Volunteers are needed as walkers, crossing guards, to help at water stations and/or to sponsor walker(s). CROP Walks seek to overcome poverty, to feed the hungry, to shelter the homeless, to cloth the naked, to care for and provide medicine to the sick, to provide water to the thirsty and hope to the needy. Church World Service provides all these services and more to thousands of God’s children in the USA and in hundreds of impoverished nations. The money raised during this walk will go to support Church World Service’s efforts, with 25% going to four local charities: the Delaware Food Bank, Newark Empowerment Center, Community Kitchen and Hope Dining Room. This is an intergenerational event for children, youth, adults and seniors. Rich Lapointe is the CROP Walk Chair (office phone: (302) 366-7040, home phone: 292-0539 and email: rlapointe@newark.de.us
Promotional Packets for churches with the walkers’ registration forms will be available from the Presbytery Office and at the September Presbytery meeting.
Peacemaking Offering
Download peacemaking resources here:
On October 4, World Communion Sunday, congregations across the denomination will promote and receive the 2009 Peacemaking Offering. This offering supports peacemaking ministries across the church and is crucial to the ongoing success of the Peacemaking Program. We encourage you to take time this week to promote the offering with congregations, groups, and individuals in your sphere of influence. Some suggested ways are to:
In a few days an email reminder about the offering will go out to all congregations and pastors. We hope you will do your part to encourage those you know to respond favorably and faithfully to the believer's calling of peacemaking as we support the reconciling work of Christ through the church.
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