Midweek Musings Newsletter
June 18, 2009
Happy Father's Day
(Sunday, June 21)
DAD
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it ... Dad.
NOTE
Documents have been posted on the docket page for the upcoming Stated Meeting of New Castle Presbytery on September 22, 2009, at Trinity PC: http://ncpresby.pbworks.com/Docket+Packet
CLERGY MEMORIAL GATHERING
A clergy memorial gathering to remember and celebrate the life of The Rev. Chad Miller will be held as follows:
WHEN: Wednesday, June 24th at 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Rodney Chapel of the Westminster (Wilmington) Presbyterian Church: http://www.wpc.org/
1502 W. 13th Street, Wilmington, DE
There will be a brief liturgy and time to share thoughts and prayers. http://www.wpc.org/
CAMP SCHOLARSHIPS
The Leadership Development Unit will award a $100.00 scholarship to any youth under 18 who would like to attend a Christian-based camp or conference. A member congregation of New Castle Presbytery must be the sponsor of each applicant. All recipients will be asked to provide a brief report on their experience, such as a few sentences and a photo or two, which may be used in Presbytery communications. Payment will be made to the sponsoring church or directly to the camp or conference. Scholarship applications are available by clicking on the link below.
Download youth application here: Scholarship Youth application 2009.pdf
HIGHLIGHTS OF BIG TENT AT THE END OF THE NEWSLETTER...
The Moderator’s Talk
The Presbytery office has available for loan to congregations audio CDs of the recent presentation made by our Moderator, Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow, at our most recent Presbytery meeting held at the Wicomico church in Salisbury, MD.
These CDs include the extended question and answer session which highlights many of the pressing issues of our denomination as seen through the eyes of a younger, multi-ethnic, west coast pastor.
Midweek Musings by George Hall, Moderator
“What’s Worth Worrying About?”
I have recently found myself worrying more than usual about the future of my church and the health of my 91 year-old mother. I had a little time on last Monday to go through some old papers in my file cabinet, and as God would have it, I opened a folder with a letter from my mother; parts of the letter had actually been sent to her by our late uncle, Rev. Dr. Paul L. Taylor, a former Presbyterian Minister. Uncle Paul’s letter also included a sermon titled the same as this article. In his sermon, a copy of which my mom had requested since she heard him deliver it some time ago, Uncle Paul talked about a woman who had made herself a worry chart. Analyzing the data on her chart, she discovered that:
- 40% of her worries never materialized
- 30% were about old decisions she could not change
- 12% were about mostly untrue criticisms from other people
- 10% were about her health which got worse due to her worrying
- 8% were really legitimate since life does have some real problems
The lady concluded that if she got rid of 92% of the stuff she worried about, she could change her life from one of fear and anxiety to one of wonder.
The sermon goes on to talk about Elijah’s journey into the wilderness and his finally coming to rest under the Juniper tree; requesting that he might die. The sermon reaches its climax and conclusion by emphasizing that worry is wasted energy, signs of unbelief, denial of the faithfulness of God. It was suggested that we discern a new vision and commission from God. We need to think about those who depend on us to be strong and filled with faith, for there is a God able to keep us from falling and to present us faultless; free of worries before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy. Maybe Mom, in the midst of her recent pain, knew something special when she said to me Sunday, “just pray for me.”
- George T. Hall, Moderator
Council Highlights:
Presbytery Council took the following actions at its regular June 3, 2009 meeting. These actions are final actions of presbytery based on paragraph 2.002(k) of the Presbytery Manual:
- Dismissed the Rev. Kimberly Brinckmeyer LeVert to the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. She was ordained a minister of the Word and Sacrament at Westminster church in Rehoboth Beach on June 6. Kim is a graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary and now is director of international programs at Columbia seminary.
- Dismissed the Rev. SanDawna Ashley to the Presbytery of Chicago. She has been called to be pastor and head of staff at Morgan Park Presbyterian Church in Chicago effective July 16.
- Voted to reduce the expense items of the budget by $40,000, as follows: Church Development by $12,000; Resource Development by $5,000, Mission Development by $5,000, administrative by $3,000, and Challenge Funds by $15,000. Presbytery Treasurer Doug Gerdts had reported earlier that receipts into the “mission” portion of anticipated revenues were projected to be down by about $40,000 in 2009.
- Adopted the Personnel Manual as proposed by the Human Relations Committee of Council.
- Approved the Event Planning Committee’s proposal that the March 2010 presbytery retreat be a VESSEL training event with no major presenter.
- Made additional changes in the proposed Clergy Sexual Misconduct Policy, most particularly its enforcement provisions. The policy will be before presbytery on “first reading” at its next meeting.
- Reid K. Beveridge, Stated Clerk
CLP CliP
There is a changing of the guard in the CLP Program. The Rev. Barry Gray has resigned as Dean due to his election as Vice Moderator of New Castle Presbytery, and election as Moderator for 2010, and has turned the position over to the Rev. Billie Starr Brightwell, Pastor of West Nottingham Presbyterian Church. We are most grateful to Barry for his guidance as Dean and wish him well as he takes on the duties of Moderator.
We are delighted to welcome Rev. Brightwell and look forward to working with her. Some of us will get to know her better as she teaches the Worship and Sacraments class this month. So, it is fitting that we have her biography this issue.
Billie Starr Brightwell
I was born and raised in Virginia. I’ve also lived in Kentucky and, for ten or so years, was in South Carolina before coming to Maryland in 2006 to be the pastor at West Nottingham Presbyterian Church. I have a BS in Social Studies and a M.S. in Guidance and Counseling from Longwood University (Farmville, VA); I taught Social Studies in High School in Appomattox, VA for four years and then spent several years as a historical research assistant, before going to the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond, VA. I worked at PSCE in the Video Education Center for 8+ years, producing videos for churches to rent or purchase for use in their CE programs and traveling around the United States doing workshops on TV viewing and Rock and Roll (!). I then went to Erskine Theological Seminary (in Due West, SC) where I taught Christian Education and Polity while working on my Midi. I was pastor of Owings Presbyterian Church and Petersen Presbyterian Church (both in SC) before coming to Maryland. (Note: I now live in North East, so I came from Due West to North EastJ)
I have recently agreed to be the dean of the CLP program as Barry is leaving for sabbatical soon and will return to be moderator of the presbytery. I accepted with great fear and trembling! In SC I served as moderator of the Committee on Preparation for Ministry and it consumed my life! I can’t let that happen again, so my plan is to utilize all the folks currently in the CLP program to help me do this. That’s your warning!
The class I’m now teaching, Worship and Sacraments, is my passion. I’m excited about the gleaning that can be done within the class that can challenge us all to take seriously the responsibilities associated with leading God’s people in worship. It’s an awesome task, for sure. But preparing for and participating in the “Sabbath morning” worship experience is a relentless joy. As is always the case when I’m teaching, one of my most important objectives is to learn from those I am privileged to teach.
My “regular” passions include my love of animals, watching TV dramas, sitting around the table with friends, and dreaming of my retirement on the coast of Maine.
Until next week, God bless!
- Carole Miles
Mission Yearbooks
2010 MISSION YEARBOOK ORDERS ARE NOW BEING ACCEPTED
Orders for the 2010 Mission Yearbook, titled “Out of the Believer’s Heart Shall Flow Rivers of Living Water” are now being accepted through August 15th. Please utilize the following link to an order form with further details. Mission Yearbook Order Forms 2010.pdf. Thank you!
REMINDER
Attention Pastors: Please be advised that all 2008 MedWrap claims must be submitted before June 30, 2009.
West Presbyterian Church Baptismal Font needs a Home
One of the few artifacts from the original West church that survived the fire in the 1990s is the white stone baptismal font. It bears the marks of that survival and was placed in the new sanctuary when the rebuilding was completed. Generations have been baptized in its water and it has greeted countless people as they entered the sanctuary for worship.
It now needs a new home.
There is no charge for the font other than the cost to have it moved. It's solid stone and is consequently fairly heavy. As you can see from the picture, it's approximately 40 - 48 inches high and is a remarkable piece.
If you're interested in the font, please contact Doug Gerdts (gerdts@fandc.org) to make arrangements to have it moved or to see it.
Thank you,
Doug
--
Douglas D. Gerdts, Pastor/Head of Staff
First & Central Presbyterian Church
Rodney Square / 1101 N. Market Street / Wilmington, DE 19801
Phone: (302) 654-5371 ext. 16 / FAX: (302) 654-5932
gerdts@fandc.org / www.fandc.org
For Sale -- Worship Chairs
The worship chairs from the former West Presbyterian Church are for sale. There are 100 available without arms (priced at $40 each), and 18 with arms ($50). Also, connecting pieces that hold two books (hymnal/Bible size) and one communion cup, are included.
Please see attached pictures.
If interested, please contact Doug Gerdts gerdts@fandc.org prior to June 30th, 2009.
Thank you!
Doug
Douglas D. Gerdts, Pastor/Head of Staff
First & Central Presbyterian Church
(Please see contact info above)
Fish & Chicken Dinners
Church of Our Savior
Saturday, June 20, 2009
12:00 Noon - 5:00 pm
Delivery available for 3 or more orders!
Download flyer for more information: COS Flyer for Dinners _2_.pdf
150th Celebration, June 21
In continuation of Georgetown Presbyterian Church's Sesquicentennial celebration, this Sunday June 21, we will gather in the park for our worship service. The service in the park will be held in a 40x80 tent, a TRUE tent Revival Service. Don't miss the excitement! Joining us at our regular 10:00 am hour will be the Booker Street Church of God and Coolspring Presbyterian Church. This Revival Style service promises to be a meaningful time of sharing Word and Sacrament.
There will be a fellowship time in Tunnell Hall following the service.
We hope you can attend. God Bless.
National Men's Health Week - June 15-21
Dear Friends:
This week is observed as Men's Health Week, ending with Father's Day. Unfortunately, many men, including working men, in these economically stressed times, do not have adequate health insurance. This includes those who work for themselves, are enterpreneurs, work in small businesses, etc. There is a solution to enable these men to get the health care they need.
Please forward the attached to local congregations. This is important! Download here: Natl Men's Health Wk Flyer.pdf
Thank you,
Bob
Rev Robert P Hall, Executive Director
Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families
302/225-1040 (voice) / 302/225-1041 (fax)
Faith in Action ... People in Focus
Health Care for All
June 19-26 is being observed as the Week of Prayer for Health Care for All. This event is sponsored by the national coalition Faithful Reform in Health Care, including most religious traditions in America.
Please take a few moments to:
1. Pray for those who are underinsured or uninsured. This is a life-threatening situation and we need to address it now.
2. Visit the website www.FaithfulReform.org and read A Faith-Inspired Vision of Health Care. Share the vision statement among colleagues. Sign on to it.
3. Consider making the requested commitment to A Faith-Inspired Vision of Health Care. Take some of the action steps, especially those requesting voice.
4. If you are in Delaware, help to promote the Community Healthcare Access Program among the faithful who are without adequate health insurance. It will almost certainly help.
For more information: Rev. Robert P Hall, Executive Director
Delaware Ecumenical Council on Children and Families
302/225-1040 (voice), 302/225-1041 (fax), deccf@aol.com
St. Andrew’s Coffee House
Free Christian Contemporary Concert
Mended Vessels
Saturday June 27th from 7 pm to 10 pm
Join us for an evening of Christian Music, Fellowship,
And of course a good cup of Java
Other refreshments will be available for purchase.
Please visit Mended Vessels at http://www.mendedvessels.net/
St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church
200 Marrows Road / Newark, DE 19713
Former pastor of five NCP churches to speak June 28
Arch Woodruff and Linnis Cook, PCUSA missionaries in Brazil since 1986, will speak at the First Presbyterian Church of Port Penn at 10:30 a.m., Sunday, June 28. The public is invited to attend. Arch was the pastor of five small churches in the New Castle Presbytery from 1974-1979, serving congregations in Port Penn, Delaware City, Forrest, Pencader and St. Georges, then united as the Presbyterian Cooperative Parish.
The couple is recently retired from their work in Brazil where Linnis worked with victims of domestic violence and prostitutes. Arch served as a professor of New Testament at São Paulo Theological Seminary of the Independent Presbyterian Church of Brazil and professor of New Testament in the graduate religious studies program at the Methodist University of São Paulo. A profile of the couple can be read on the PCUSA website at: www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/profiles/woodruffa.htm
A luncheon will follow the service and to aid in planning reservations are requested. Those planning to attend the luncheon are asked to contact Jewel Blansfield at (302) 834-4483 or send e-mail to jewelb48@verizon.net; or call the church at (302) 379-0590.
An invitation from
The Mission Development Unit
of New Castle Presbytery
to a conversation with
the Rev. Arch Woodruff and Ms. Linnis Cook,
recently returned from Brazil as missionaries of the Presbyterian Church, USA.
Date: Wednesday, July 1
Time: 12 noon
(Bring a lunch, drinks will be provided.)
Place: Christiana Presbyterian Church
15 Old North Baltimore Pike
Newark, DE 19702
Telephone: 302-368-0515
Arch Woodruff has been a member of New Castle Presbytery since the mid 1970s when he served the churches of Delaware City , Forrest, Pencader, Port Penn and St. Georges. He has been a missionary New Testament Professor at two schools in São Paulo for more than 25 years. His wife, Linnis Cook, an attorney, has also served as a missionary on several projects to help some of the poorest and most needy people in São Paulo. Arch and Linnis have recently returned to the U.S. and after some time doing mission interpretation, they will officially retire.
Come join us for a time of conversation to learn about their work, and the ongoing work of
the PCUSA in Brazil.
Please contact Lisa Diller, temporary MDU chair for more information at ncpmission@yahoo.com or 302-369-6756 (home). Mission Development Unit of New Castle Presbytery
Big Tent
Several persons from New Castle Presbytery just attended the Big Tent meeting in Atlanta, Georgia. Below are some sights and sounds of the event, recorded by Tom Davis. If the video doesn't play all the way through for you, you may need to wait a while for the file to download completely.
A very multicultural event.
From L-R: Michelle Woodson, NCP Staff, Kevin Bowers, Pastor First Milford PC,
Donna Bowers, Chair, LDU, Health Ministries, Donna Scully, NCP Staff,
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