But first - a little history. For those of us who grew up Presbyterian, we
all knew that in September there would be Rally Day!! But for those sitting in the pews today –
just what was that? And that’s the question Carol Thomson asked
every year. And this year – the question
got answered!
Expo 2009 would be the showcase
where each commission would introduce themselves, their members, and provide
some information about what they were doing and wanted to do in the coming
year. And if every picture tells a
story, here’s what’s coming up for us this year!
Hearts and Hands = Outreach
Led by Elders Mary Ellen DuPree Leonard and Lori
Jarvis, this commission coordinates communicating our witness in the world
through ministries including:
The
Alternative Gift Market
Feed the
Children
Quilts for Kids
Hospitality
Led
by Elders Sandy Chmielewski and Gary Notte, this commission extends
the hand of friendship through the following ministries: Greeting, Ushering, Membership,
Fellowship, and the Coffee Hour.
If
you’ve ever attended a Family Night Supper, or a Scrambled Six Dinner, that’s
just part of the events this commission invites you to attend. And to tempt the taste buds… We offer Fair Trade Coffee
at
all coffee hours. Even with “flowers in
his hair??” Gary
can’t resist telling everyone about this ministry. This commission is looking forward to hearing any ideas you
may have that will make this ministry even more fun for everyone!
Resource Management
Led
by Elders Leslie Cook and Donna Ruggiero, this Commission coordinates the
ministries of Stewardship and Finance, Property, and Personnel. And Donna in a hard hat invites us all to
participate in maintaining and improving our existing structures. And, there’s an inside/outside church cleanup
being scheduled so please check your bulletins for date and time. As their motto says – “If the church is in need, The
Resource Management Team does the deed.”
Why not come out to one of their commission meetings and see how
you can help.
Spiritual Formation
Led by Elders Carol
Thomson and Mike Wong, this Commission coordinates the ministries of music,
worship, small groups, education for all ages, and our youth. And we can begin
participating in one of their ministries right now!! They would like our input to their “Music Ministry Questionnaire.” If you didn’t get a chance to fill one out at
the Expo, download this months Sandpiper for the questions and send your responses to Melanie Hunter at hunterme@rider.edu.
The Deacons
The Board of Deacons
is made up of Donna Hollenbach (Chair), Heather Kainer (Secretary), Rachel
Luddecke (Youth), Mike Marigliano (Treasurer), Marilyn Butler, Gary Luddecke,
Gabi Quaely, and Pete Scibienski (Prayer).
While there are no
“meetings” for the congregation to attend, the Deacons are well prepared to
provide pastoral care to those with needs by responding to incoming requests
and reaching out to those who have chronic or critical illnesses or in the
midst of other major life events.
There are ways,
however, that we can help our Deacons provide needed services by volunteering
to cook meals, provide rides, etc. The
Deacons will be reaching out to the congregation through a call-a-thon so
please give some thought to what you may want to do to help in ministries to
those in our community of faith..
Our very own “Garden Party”
In honor of our 50th Anniversary, we
are planning to install a community/co-op style vegetable garden in the Spring
of 2010. This will be located on the
church property and be accessible to and managed by our members. We plan to grow many different vegetables,
some fruit and flowers too! Our goal is
to encourage fellowship, foster teamwork, and support our community by donating
a portion of our harvest to the local food bank.
And in the spirit of
teamwork, as we are still in the planning stages, perhaps other churches would
like to join us in this ministry. As we
work to “Feed all who hunger: Body, Mind
and Spirit,” who doesn’t think working together in a garden would
definitely meet those needs… More coming
as we continue this exciting new project.
If you’re interested in joining, or would like additional information,
please contact Linda at lula9@mac.com.
More pictures (click on the thumbnail to view the full size image)