Walnut Street Notebook -

      "Now is the time"     II Corinthians. 6:2

 

     I have been reading Rev. Paul Nixon's provocative book, "I Refuse to Lead a Dying Church." I have learned it is not a book for the faint hearted church-goer. Nixon is an author who decidedly believes that churches often act too meekly, too blandly, too slowly and too late. The world changes and the needs of the community go through major shifts.  He says too often the church continues doing ministry in ways that are twenty-five or thirty-years-old or more. The consequence is a community of faith sliding toward irrelevancy, except for those insiders who are accustomed to, and uphold, its ways.

     Nixon, however, believes churches are capable of tremendous new ministry in Christ's name as long as the church pays very close attention to "the needs, experiences and sensibilities of those in the community it seeks to serve" and adapts to this changing scene.

      One of his chapters is entitled, "Choose Now over Later." Nixon states that there are myriad forces that cause a church to put new vital efforts off indefinitely. He says churches have a long list of particular sayings that often cause delays to urgent community ministry.

     Some are: "we need to get out of debt first," or "we need to update our building first," or "we need to care for our own members better first," or "we need to spend a year discern-ing our mission & values first before doing anything else."  Nixon debunks these thoughts one-by-one, claiming each can have a paralyzing affect on essential new ministry, keep-ing a church stuck in the status quo month-in and month-out.

     Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. wrote famously that "a dream deferred is a dream denied."  For the church, we might add "ministry deferred is ministry denied."  

     King, in his Letter from a Birmingham Jail, also wrote about the issue of choosing now over choosing later: "Time can either be used constructively or destructively????.. We must come to see that human progress never rolls on the wheels of inevitability. It comes through the tireless efforts and persistent work of people willing to be co-workers with God. And without this hard work, time itself becomes an ally of the forces of social stagnation. We must use time creatively??.the time is always ripe to do right."

     King's context was the movement for civil rights and choosing to enact federal legislation now, rather than later. Our context is ministry and choosing to be Christ's hands and heart to the world now, rather than later.

     As we prepare together for a new era in Christian ministry here at First Presbyterian, I see many fine ways this congregation is choosing to do ministry now, rather than later. This includes: Kids Against Hunger event here in May being planned by Press-on, initiation of plans for another contemporary Emerging Worship Service on a Sunday this summer, beautiful cantatas prepared and offered by our Westminster Choir, and much more.   

     The Apostle Paul says, "Now is the time."  

     So are there other places where we, as the church of Jesus Christ, should choose now, over later?

In Christ's Peace,

Bob David 

 

April Session Highlights

By Ed Kropa, Clerk

-After Mindy Creager and Robert & Arica Greer were
  examined for membership, a motion was passed to welcome

  them into the life of our congregation. They will be

  presented on Sunday, May 4. 
 -Janet Cermak, Adam Creager and Mary Beth Young from

  the PNC presented concerns regarding our Web presence

  not reflecting the vitality of our congregation.  The motion

  was passed to use up to $ 4,000 from the Endowment

  Funds, which was allocated for the Pastor Nominating

  Committee, to be used to update our church's website.
-The Coordinating Council provided the Session three
  recommendations, which had been requested of them.
   a) The Session approved Recommendation #2, regarding

       a follow-up plan for M & M pledges.  The Support

       Committee will follow up with M & M pledges and the

       Support and Parish Life Committees will plan a

       celebratory event when the campaign ends in June

       2009.
   b) Recommendation # 3, the presentation of a three-year
       general budget cash flow chart, was discussed at

       length.  Session decided to have a June Retreat to look

       at the "big picture" of the church and how that might

       affect this projected cash flow.  Items to be discussed at

       the retreat include: a move to wean Endowment Fund

       resources out of the general budget, potential capital

       and program improvement needs, new worship

       directions and boosting mission giving after the
       M & M campaign ends.
   c) It was decided Recommendation #1, regarding future 

       use of the Endowment, would be dependent upon

       resolution of matters in Recommendation #3.
 - After the Emerging Worship Service was reviewed, a

   motion was passed to have another service of this type

   sometime this summer, but to hold it in our sanctuary.
 -The revised Christian Education/Youth Coordinator job
   description was approved.
 -The motion was passed for Ed Chabal to supply the pulpit

   on June 15, 2008, when Pastor Bob David is on vacation. 
 -The One Great Hour of Sharing Offering was $ 1,436.88.
 -The corroded hot water heater in our lounge was

   replaced.   
  A new sink cabinet is on order.  Multiple maintenance items
   from roof leaks to plumbing are being repaired. 
 
M & M Alert    

The M & M campaign is now almost two years old.  We are encouraging everyone who pledged to this campaign to check on the status of your pledge and to keep it current.  We are trying to finish the campaign strongly in order to be sure that the mortgage is paid off and that the mission projects will be funded.  You may check the status on your pledge sheet which Deb Sinclair provides.  

Thanks,

Doug Elliott & John Schroeder, Support Co-chairs
 

Bill Erickson is planning to step down as Church Treasurer after many years of fine, dedicated, and faithful service.  If there is anyone in the congregation who would be interested in taking this position, please let Bill, Doug Elliott, or John

Schroeder know.  Bill is developing a job description, so if you have any questions about what the job will entail, please contact him. 

  

            Update from Recovery Work in Gulfport 
     Pastor Bob talked to The Rev. Bill DePrater, the Executive Presbyter of Mississippi Presbytery. Rev. Bill offered a wide and insightful perspective on the recovery work occurring along the Mississippi Coast.  He said that while Presbytery recovery work was still occurring in Gulfport, the main effort was moving west to Diamondhead, MS, which is more towards the epicenter of the hurricane damage.  
     In terms of the Handsboro Church itself, Rev. Bill said they will be facing a financial crunch shortly when the Episcopal Church moves back into their refurbished facility and ceases paying rent. It sounds like the Handsboro Church continues to be at the edge of survivability in terms of membership and resources.  If it were in our E.I. Presbytery, it may be encouraged at some point to merge with another church or close.
    Rev. Bill had high praise for Rev. Scott Castleman in his ministry in this difficult setting at Handsboro. He said Rev. Scott is very active and committed to this ministry and to the life of Presbytery. Rev. Scott currently serves on a Presbytery commission that is helping a troubled church through a major conflict.
     As a possibility for our involvement this year, Bob asked Bill how our church might support Rev. Scott in his ministry. Rev. Bill said ministers serving in these smaller churches often do not receive enough pay to go on a family vacation. He said a break such as this, especially for pastors in high-intensity disaster recovery areas, can be quite renewing and spiritually refreshing for the pastor and for the entire family.
      Rev. Bill suggested a gift to Rev. Scott and his family earmarked for a summer vacation. He said a common vacation in Mississippi is for families to rent a beach house or a beach condo and to spend a week at the coast.

Adult Forum

11:00 a.m.  Fellowship Hall

 May   5 - "Early Christian Apologists" - Steve Readinger
May 11 - "Diversity of Early Christian Communities" 

                          Kevin Madden
May 18 - Confirmation Reception
 

 

Confirmation Retreat @ Langwood

     On Friday, May 2 mentors are asked to attend the confirmation retreat at Langwood.  We'll meet at the church at 5:30 p.m. to carpool.  If any mentor needs an itinerary and info packet, please contact me right away.  Mentors can expect to return around 10 p.m. on Friday night. Confirmands will return around 5 p.m. on Saturday.   Jenn Roloff, CE/Youth Director

 

Confirmation Calendar

Fri., May 2 - Sat., May 3: Confirmation Retreat

                    at Langwood

Sun., May 11: Statements of Faith are due in

                    church office.

Wed., May 14: Examinations of Faith-7:30 p.m.  

                    Session Meeting

Sun., May 18: 9:45 a.m. Confirmation Sunday -

                     Reception to follow

 

Christian Education & Youth Calendar

Sun., May 11:  Last Sunday of Regular Church 

                         School

Sun., May 18:  Presentation of First Presbyterian 

                         Church's Scholarships

                         Celebration Sunday                    

                         Confirmation Reception

Sun., May 25:  Recognition of our MPCHS   

                         Graduates

 

Sunday Morning Coffee

           May   4   Coffee:  Charlene Hinrichs
         May 11   Coffee:  Tammy & Dan Shull
         May 18   Coffee:  Betty Somermeyer 
                       Juice: Mary Meek              
                       Cookies: Ann Corrigan, Bonnie Kremer,
                                 Jean Turner & Janet Wolin         
        May 25    Coffee: Helen Perrott
 

Presbyterian Women

Thursday, May 1 at 1:30 p.m.

                            Lesson: Donna Hoaglin

Hostess: Joy Johnson & Elna Tompkins

 

Ruth Circle

       Thursday, May 8 at 7:30 p.m.

               Hostess: Mary Keuhnle  (701 S. Adams St.)

                             Devotions: Jean Church

 

Book Group

Thursday, May 8  7:00 p.m.

 Kathy Wiley's (2591 Lexington Ave.)

The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach about Jesus' Final Days in Jerusalem by Marcus Borg

June 12 at Peggy Frank's (908 Cherry Circle)

Digging to America by Anne Tyler

 

 

Clipper Mariners

Thursday, May 22

Host & Hostess: John & Sherla Arp

 

 

Pathfinders Outing - June 7

     The next Pathfinder outing is being planned for Saturday, June 7.  The exact location has not been confirmed, but be sure to mark your calendars for that Saturday evening!

 

May Worship Schedule

Liturgists: Matt Lawler 5-4, Ted Wiley 5-11,

                 Clint Rila 5-18, Deb Sinclair 5-25

Financial Clerk: Janet Cermak

 

Sun., May 4:  7^th Sunday of Easter

Bread Baker: Ruth Peterson

Communion Preparers: Kitty & Ike Meek

Communion Servers: Kent & Jean Thomson,

               Bob & Rose Mary Wise,

               Dick & Mary Beth Young

Greeters: Carl & Peggy Frank  

Ushers: Jack Becker, Carl & Peggy Frank,

             Jason & Mary Liechty, Kathie McWhirter

Children's Moment: Peggy Frank

Nursery: Amelia Conrad & Holly Ashton

 

Sun., May 11: Day of Pentecost  -

       Happy Mothers' Day!

Greeters: Bob & Marie Mendenhall

Ushers: John & Sherla Arp, Don & Donna Lamm,

             Bob & Marie Mendenhall

Children's Moment: Marilyn Vincent

Nursery: Amelia Conrad & Jenn Roloff

 

Sun., May 18: Trinity Sunday 

                        Confirmation Sunday

Greeters: Bob & Barb Miller

Ushers: Bob & Sandy Breazeale,

             Doug & Jo-Ellyn Elliott, Bob & Barb Miller

Children's Moment: Jenn Roloff

Nursery: Amelia Conrad & Betty Lowe

 

Sun., May 25: Honor MPCHS Graduates!

Greeters: Jason & Traci Bender

Ushers: Jason & Traci Bender, Travis & Sara 

             Kremer, Tim & Sally Olson

Children's Moment: Susie Kropa

Nursery: Amelia Conrad & Mary Murphy

 

 

Kids Against Hunger Has Come a Long Way! 

     The six teams that will be represented are: Press On, Ruth Circle, First United Methodist Church, Community of Christ Church, Open Bible Church, Faith Lutheran Church and the High School's Interact Club.  While this is great news, there are still lots of jobs to be done on Saturday, May 10.  Youth have been signing up to work, but we could use some adults to fill in the gaps. We need people to load and unload the truck, register groups, cleanup, and keep the refreshments stocked!  If you'd like to participate or even just to donate some refreshments, please be sure to sign up in the hallway. Any help is greatly appreciated!  Thanks! Jenn Roloff, CE/Youth Director

 

Food Resource Bank and the Extra Mile Giving

     In 2007 FRB 209 Community Growing Projects in twenty States across the United States raised $2.78 Million. FRB believes the key elements necessary to alleviating world hunger are supporting sustainable small holder agricultural development and encouraging the development of local markets.

     Women and children used to walk up to 8 hours a day to find water for their household and farming needs. With resources they received, the people of Bamba, Kenya now access water year round just a short walk away. Since the residents now enjoy a better nutrition and sanitation, the people and their animals are healthier.

    Last month FRB approved an extension proposal to support a neighboring community named Ganze. As the people of Ganze work to improve their lives, they will receive support and guidance from their neighbors in Bamba.

    With costs increasing to about $ 400.00 per acre to plant the 45 acres scheduled for this year, assistance that is given by this church multiplies the amount that is available to be contributed to FRB. Thank you for helping to improve the lives of others.

 

Food Resources of Henry County Inc.

Richard D. Young, Secretary

 

Variety Show

Thanks for all of your support! Our Variety Show fundraiser was a wonderful success.  The youth had a really great time putting the show together and performing.  The good news is that we managed to go over our $500 goal! A big thanks goes out to our special guests, Adam Creager, Jim DePriest, and Meredith Frasier for volunteering their time and talents to our endeavor.  In all, our youth have raised over $640 dollars for Kids Against Hunger.  With the money the youth are donating on their own, we expect to sponsor a team and a half of youth. Thank you!        Jenn Roloff, CE/Youth Director

 

Be Sure to Register for Camp Wyoming Now!

     If your child/youth is hoping to attend Camp Wyoming this summer, please don't forget to register early!  Each camp hosts a set number of youth and spots can fill up early! Brochures and scholarship applications are available in the hallway and office.  Don't forget that the Scholarship deadline is June 1!

 

IVBS 2008-Beach Party:

Surfin' Thru the Scriptures

Monday, July 7 - Friday, July 11

6:00 - 8:30 p.m.

    Thanks to everyone who has volunteered to take on leadership positions during this year's IVBS. Karen Kauffman has agreed to assist Meredith Frasier as co-director. Our curriculum this year is in hand and spelled out very nicely.  Now we just need some workshop leaders to guide the sessions! Currently, we are looking to recruit for the Discovery Center (Science), Storytelling Center, Craft Center, Assembly and Music Leader, and Pre-school.  If you are interested in any of these workshops, please contact me to take a look at the curriculum and calendar!                            Jenn Roloff, CE/Youth Director

 

 

 
PRAYER CONCERNS:  Khamhai Chanthavong
- Bob & Jewel Hoover's granddaughter (Janeane Amos);

  Betty Somermeyer's sister (Alice Volz); Bob Miller's sister

  (Sue Wagner);  Bob & Barb's niece (Josie Rich); All our

  shut-ins
- Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC)
- Brent Roth, Sean Madden, Jack & Betty Becker's foster

  sons (Zach & Stewart Philips), Matt & Jean Lawler's

  nephew (Mike Lawler), Ruth Looker's great grandson

  (Nathan Rose), Ruth Peterson's grandson (Derick Allen),

  Jean Turner's grandson (Tom Turner) and all other

  servicemen/women
-Congregation of the Monticello Presbyterian Church
 
Our sympathies to Stacie & Lou Baccam Family on the death of Staci's grandmother, Tillie Sanders on April 10.

 

 

MAY is the Time to Fill the PAPER Sacks

for Tolson Community Action & Fellowship Cup!

      It has been a long, hard winter and the "cupboard is bare." High fuel bills, gasoline prices and grocery prices have taken their toll in our community. Both the Fellowship Cup and Tolson Community Action have been overwhelmed with requests for assistance.  As an example, the Tolson Community Action served 98 people in just 10 days last month.  The Fellowship Cup helped 439 folks in January alone, compared to 281 in the same month last year. During May we can help replenish the "cupboard" by choosing "paper" over plastic by picking up one or two or more PAPER SACKS in the entry in our church and fill them with much needed items to be distributed to these two great local organizations.  It is simply "People Helping People" and it feels good!   Thanks!  

                                    Bob Mendenhall, Deacon

 

 
Many thanks to those who helped with the rummage/
food sale by working and/or donating food. Special thanks for the donated yard signs from Steve Mendenhall of Signs & Designs & Wendell Thimmesch.  Also, thanks to Jeannie Allen for making the flyers and Deb at Second Chance for donating clothing.  The food sale brought in $216.30 and the rummage $756.00.  Total was $976.30.  Most of this money goes to missions.             Elna Tompkins and Jean Shook

 

Special Thanks to:

-Adam Creager, Pastor Bob David, Jim DePriest, Lynn

 Ellsworth, Betty Geary, Jaqui Tolson, Annie Walker, Thomas

 Welander and Matthew Wettach for sharing their talents in the

 Emerging Worship Service                            

-Sherla Arp and her Parish Life Committee for providing the cold cereals, mini bagels and juice following the service

-Ed Chabal, Bob David, Jenn Roloff, Marj Thimmesch &

  Marilyn Vincent for Resurrection Encounter Readings

- Peggy Frank, Barb Miller, Kathie McWhirter and Jean 

  Shook for cleaning the kitchen

- Jean Shook & Elna Tompkins for coordinating the PW 

  Rummage & Bake Sale and to all who helped in various ways

-Betty Geary for the bulletin board artwork and Caralee Beames,

  Betty Somermeyer & Marilyn Vincent, who updated the news

  of our people. Regina Erickson will be taking their place

-Helen See (QP& P) for gluing our attendance pads

-Bob Welander for constructing shelves for choir music

-Tom Lowe, Wendell Thimmesch, Bob Welander and Rusty

 King for garage clean-up

-Wendell Thimmesch for making a ladder rack in the garage

-Bryce Creager for working on the roof leaks

-John Arp, Ed Chabal, Bryce Creager, Wyatt Hoenig &  

 Kelly, Ruth Keraus, Ike & Kitty Meek, Clint Rila, Wendell &

 Marj Thimmesch, and Bob Welander for church yard clean-up;

 Lee Parrott & Jason Liechty who will be power sweeping the

 parking lot and Wiley Construction for the use of their big truck. 

 

 

May BIrthdays and Anniversaries:

          2  Judy Davison

             Charles & Mary Brombaugh's Anniversary

                                  Happy 60^th!  

         4 Tammy Mulford    

         5  Mary Brombaugh  Happy 83^rd Birthday!

             Dalton Church -   Zachary Van Dorin        

 6  Bert Benge 

         7  Lois Roth

         9  Vicki Schroeder - Chris Mihalevich

        10  Choum Baccam   

        12  Ryan Chabal - Donna Lamm

        20  Rodney Scheitlin

        21  Paul Wehage       

        22  Jane Creager - Ike Meek

        23  Hannah Sinclair - Wendell Thimmesch

        24  Barb Welander

        25  Rachel Breazeale - Jena Holtkamp

              Dan Shull - Ed Farley

        27  Kenton Church - Amelia Conrad

        28  Dick & Eileen McBeth's Anniversary Happy 53^rd!

        29  Janet Cermak - Jordan Mulford

              J.D. Schimmelpfennig

        30  Marjorie Riepe - Happy 88^th Birthday!

 

  

 May Highlights: