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APRIL

2015

   

  

 Poolesville Presbyterian Church 

 

PO Box 68, 17800 Elgin Rd, Poolesville, MD 20837   Phone:301.972.7452

www.poolpres.com

http://thesermonrepository.blogspot.com/

 

 

 

 

Upcoming Dates

    APRIL

 

Apr 11                3-5:30pm

Lord's Table @St. Martin's


 

April 11                    8-12pm

Work Day
 


 

April 13                    7-9pm
 

Presbyterian Women Mtg
  

April 18                   9-3pm
Rummage Sale


 

April 25                   8-4pm

Rebuilding together 


 April 30                
5:30-7pm

Salute to Jane
 


 


 


 


 


 

 
 


  


 

 

 

PASTOR'S CORNER

Pastor's Corner 

 

It was a reflection that came to me, as things often do, as I was walking.


 

I was musing on the seeming insanity of my devoting so much time to studying small faith communities, on what possible relevance that might have to the great wild churn of faith.  So much of what makes for viable small faith communities seems alien to the society in which I live, to success and expansion.  Think big!  Think corporate!  Think growth growth growth! 


 

Small churches aren't that.  They're tribes and families, an old and deeply human way of being together.  But they're not reflective of the dynamism of our technological culture.  It feels out of step with both our globalism and our deepening ability to virtually surround ourselves with exactly the folks we want to be with.


 

If you don't like a faith community, your remedy is simple.  You just leave it.  If the pastor preaches something that isn't exactly what you think is true, or if someone does something that steps on your toes, you just go somewhere else.  Go to another church that better suits you.  Or stop going to church at all.  It's your choice.  We're all free to leave, thank the Maker.  Find the place that is exactly right for you, our society says, and so we do. 


 

That's a good thing, on so many levels.  Being forced to remain in oppressive community is a nightmare.  Being forced to stay in a place where you cannot be yourself and authentic is a terrible thing.


 

And small can take work.  The work of seeking consensus, the mutual forbearance and patience necessary to sustain the life of little churches?  That can be hard, particularly if you feel passionately about X or have found your life's purpose in Y.  It is much, much easier to seek out the ideal, the community where X is everyone's passion and everyone around you believes Y.


 

You can't do this in healthy small churches.  You just can't.  There, kindness, patience, and forbearance must rule.  A willingness to show grace in authentic difference has to abide, or the whole thing comes apart.  Or it devolves into darker and unhealthy things, closed off and controlling, bitter and shallow and broken. 


 

I can see the relevance of the small church to healthy family life and relationships.  It bears a strong resemblance to those things.  A willingness to live graciously with difference and not seek your own interest above your partner's life is a vital part of any marriage or relationship.  The same is true in the tribe.  Power and self-seeking tear the tribe apart.


 

But in the "grand scheme of things?"  I've struggled.  In my darker moments, tiny churches feel quaint, weak, and irrelevant cast against the grand bright scale of our world, where power and profit and growth and ideology rule.


 

Then, out of some deep recess of my subconscious, I remembered that little talk the late lamented Carl Sagan gave once, about an image of a little blue dust mote viewed from a departing space probe.  Our entire world, just a "pale blue dot" in the vastness.  Oh, love him though I do, he and I aren't on the same page on a few things.  But that's OK.  We agree very, very deeply on this: all we know and everything we are exists in a tiny, limited space.


 

We are creatures of a small planet, just one.  And we can't leave, not yet, not in any meaningful numbers and not for any significant period of time.  When we imagine that the virtual worlds we create for ourselves are reflective of our reality, those places where we surround ourselves only with People Like Us (tm)?  We're deluding ourselves.  When we surround ourselves with like-thinkers, the hum of that echo chamber comforting in our ears?  It's a falsehood.


 

This world is itself a small community, a little tiny island in a vast and inhospitable ocean.  There is nowhere else for us to go.  We can't just pack up and storm off because of our passion for X or our belief that Y is the one true way.


 

We have to be connected, because we are.  We're stuck here together, on this tiny, tiny world.


 

And suddenly, the learnings about what it means to live graciously in smallness seemed relevant again.


 

Peace of Christ, and Blessings,

 

David

 

 

 

SESSION ACTIONS

 

Poolesville Presbyterian Church

Session Meeting Summary

March 18, 2015


 

- Rev. David Williams opened the meeting with prayer at 7:06 p.m.  A quorum was declared present.

 

- Budget and Stewardship Elder Kathy Koeser gave Clerk of Session Suzanne Stevens new contracts for Music Director Monica Harwood and Administrative Assistant Lara Fisher.  She is working on updating Berry Thompson's CafĂ© Host contract.

 

- At Rev. Williams request, the Session discussed his proposed changes to his contract.  It was motioned, seconded, and carried that Rev. David Williams' 2015 stated supply contract with PPC will discontinue contributions to the PC (USA) Board of Pensions effective for the next quarter, and will transition to a Health Reimbursement Account, covering costs for purchasing insurance.  It will also continue to cover retirement and death benefits.

 

- Worship and Arts Elder Stephanie Kasner reported that the Maundy Thursday service will be held in Speer Hall at 7:00 p.m. on April 2, 2015.  The Good Friday service will be led by Monica Harwood in the sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. on April 3, 2015Sunrise service will be held on Sugarloaf Mountain at 6:15 a.m. on April 5, 2015. Easter Sunday at PPC will include breakfast in Speer Hall beginning at 9:00 a.m. followed by an Easter egg hunt.  Easter Sunday service in the sanctuary will be at the usual 10:30 a.m. time.

 

- Evangelism Elder Carolyn McFall will place an ad for Easter in the Monocacy Monocle as well as have Holy Week information on Facebook.  Hosts have volunteered for the April and May L.I.F.E. dinners.

 

- Following a suggestion by Elder Jorge Valles, it was agreed that the PPC mission statement should be included in media whenever possible and that the mission statement should added to the visitor insert and regularly added to the Sunday bulletin.

 

- Buildings and Grounds Elder Kathy Hanna reported that Ray Douglas installed new windows in Speer Hall.

Church clean-up day will be on Saturday, April 11 at 8:00 a.m.

- Fellowship and Congregational Care Elder Pam Mattes reported that plans for the Maundy Thursday meal and Easter Sunday breakfast are under way.  Pam also reported that the community garden will have a garden preparation day on Saturday at 9:00 a.m. with lunch at noon.

 

- Rev. David Williams reported that there were very few volunteers at the last Lord's Table and also discussed the issues on the agenda at the upcoming Presbytery meeting.

 

- It was motioned, seconded, and carried to adjourn at 7:55 p.m.   The meeting was closed with prayer by Clerk of Session Suzanne Stevens.

 

 

WORSHIP & ARTS

Elder Stephanie Kasner, 301.349.2134,  foreverlookingup@verizon.net

  

 

MUSIC 

Monica Harwood, harwoodmonica@gmail.com



 

MISSION

Elder Krista Beyer, 301.349., trainphee@aol.com

We've just completed our "One Great Hour of Sharing" mission, as part of the Presbyterian Church USA's global effort to provide disaster aid to people around the world. Thanks to everyone for your generosity this Easter season.

 

I want to encourage everyone to continue reflecting and seeking inspiration about how our church can grow and diversify our mission efforts. Our larger church (PCUSA) has four special missions per year, of which One Great Hour is one. We can get more involved in the others, or else maybe you have a suggestion for an alternative global mission. This might entail a one-time effort, or else something that becomes an annual tradition at Poolesville Presbyterian.

 

We're also hoping to further develop our local efforts in serving people in need. The newly formed Poolesville Presbyterian women's (PPW) group has begun addressing this and we're excited about what may emerge for our church. If you'd like to participate in these and other conversations, please come to our next meeting on Monday, April 13th, at 7:00 p.m.

Men, don't be left out. Your ideas are invaluable, and we hope you will bring them to Sunday classes and fellowship, as well as the PPC Life Dinners - taking place this month on Saturday, April 25th , 6pm at the home of Alicia and Kevin Thomas.

 

Is it just me, or can you see the changes that are taking place at our little church. We've been a living body of Christ, but recently we seem to be an enlivening one. New ideas, energies, and conversations have been flowing like Living Water through a pumped-up heart of our church. The overall experience is like a body awakening to a new level of living. Pretty inspiring! If you want tangible proof, just take a walk through the Community Garden, and enjoy the new growth and activity there.

 

When our eyes are opened to new potential, we have both evidence of Christ's Spirit, and the means to grow in our capacity to embrace and radiate Him.

 

Lord's Table is this Saturday, April 11th, from 3:00-5:30pm. Only a couple more opportunities to serve before the summer break. Please e-mail me attrainphee@aol.com if you're able to join in.

 

 

FELLOWSHIP & CONGREGATIONAL CARE

Elder Pam Mattes, 301.349., writedoc2003@yahoo.com

 

Sunday, April 5. 2015
 

Easter Sunday at Poolesville Presbyterian Church would not be complete without our annual breakfast and Easter egg hunt prior to our worship service.

Bring along your friends and neighbors and a breakfast dish or two to share, and come to Speer Hall at 9 am on Sunday, April 5. The egg hunt will commence at around 10am. See you there!

 

 

Fellowship Time Hosts for April :

  

4/5/15

Easter

4/12/15

Kasner

4/19/15

Beyer

4/26/15

K. & K. Koeser

 

 

 

 

 

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Elder Jorge Valles, 301., jevalles@verizon.net


 

Would you consider joining us for next school year?  Take this 6 months of vacation and I hope that when you hear the call your response will be...

Here I am Lord, Is it I Lord?
I have heard You calling in the night.
I will go Lord, if You lead me.
I will hold Your people in my heart.

 

In Christ,

Jorge


 


 

EVANGELISM 

Elder Carolyn McFall, 240.672.2236, carolynmcfall.is@gmail.com

 


 

Hi, everyone!

Happy Easter! He is Risen! Woot! Woot!

 

Since my last report, I've placed an Easter ad in the Monocle, made Spring visitor bulletin inserts, and represented PPC by reading scripture at the Sugarloaf Mtn Sunrise Service. Big thanks and a shout out go to Mike Defnet who keeps our Facebook page and website up to date. Recently, he has tweaked the poolpres.com mobile site to make it more intuitive and also a quick info reference for those with smartphones. It's really helpful. Check it out.

 

April has started off in an amazing way with Holy Week and Easter Sunday. The rest of the month's activities will also be exciting and fun.

 

Friday, April 10th

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED's World Day of Prayer (rescheduled date) is 2pm at Homewood at Crumland Farms, Frederick. (See Ann Niblock or Carolyn McFall.)

 

Saturday, April 11th

PPC SPRING WORKDAY is 8am - 12nn. (See Kathy Hanna.)

LORD's TABLE (soup kitchen) is 3-5:30pm. (See Krista Beyer.)

 

Monday. April 13th

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN meeting at Jane Wonnell's home 7 - 9pm. (janewonnell@verizon.net)

 

Saturday, April 18th

PPC's RUMMAGE SALE (fundraiser for youth mission trip 2016) 8am - 2pm. ( See Kathy Hanna or Alicia Thomas.)

 

Saturday, April 25th

REBUILDING TOGETHER (Christmas in April) is 8am - 4pm-ish. Volunteers are needed for home and yard maintenance, Spring cleaning, painting, and carpet replacement. If you are or know a carpet installer, please let us know. (See Catherine Beliveau or Carolyn McFall.)

LIFE DINNER and DISCUSSION group meets at Kevin and Alicia Thomas' home 6 -8:30pm. (RSVP: carguy@ix.netcom.com)

 

Thursday, April 30th

SALUTE TO JANE is at 5:30-7pm at WUMCO's new location in the Family Life Center at PBC. (See Catherine Beliveau.)

 

Monday, May 4th

CHURCH WOMEN UNITED hosts the 2015 CROP WALK at Buckeystown Detention Center at 1pm. Sponsors needed. Female walkers welcome. (If you'd like to sponsor one of the women, checks can be made out to Church World Service Crop Walk. See Ann Niblock or Carolyn McFall.)

 

 

And then, there's:

Sunday visitors to heartily welcome (See Carolyn McFall.)

PPC gardens to weed, tweak, prune, and mulch. (See Kathy Hanna or Carolyn McFall.)

POOLESVILLE COMMUNITY GARDEN is getting underway for it's second year with PPC's own strawberry patch showing a promising start to the 2015 May strawberry picking season. There are still beds available to rent. (See Pam Mattes or Alicia Thomas.)

 

It is an exciting time to choose to be an active and participating member of our little church with a big heart! Please participate in the church's activities that interest you, and invite a friend who shares that interest as well. If you see a need or would like to make a suggestion, please tell Pastor David, myself or any of the elders on session. GOD's love is about sharing and including. "Let's be about GOD's work" as David has been known to say a time or two.

 

1 Corinthians 15: 58

"Therefore, my beloved, be steadfast, ... always excelling in the work of the Lord, because you know that in the Lord your labor is not in vain."

 

I pray that each of us has what we need; that each of us gives what we can; that each of us makes time to love and be loved, and that each of us gives GOD the glory.

I love you! Big hug!

Carolyn McFall

carolynmcfall.is@gmail.com 

240-672-2236 (call or text)

 

 

 

BUDGET & STEWARTSHIP 

Elder Kathy Koeser, 301  


 

 

 

BUILDING & GROUNDS 

Elder Kathy Hanna,301.349.5221  hannaelectric@verizon.net

Buildings and Grounds

 

Don't forget morning work day APRIL 11 !

 

I think we can do a few things in the morning...

   1.scrape and paint high windows on both sides of manse

   2.paint cate sign

   3.frame in and sheet rock window in attic in Speer Hall

   4.hook up accessible light in attic in Speer Hall

   5.install slide on swing set

   6.adjust door on Speer Hall

   7.clean gutters and change filters

 

please help if you're able.... starting at 8 am

 

After the snow melted we have new windows in Speer Hall! Thank you Ray Douglas.

 

Our old gutters finally made their way to the recycling center in Frederick and we made $27.50 which went to One Great Hour of Sharing.

 

Tone chimers have permanent light fixtures.

 

Don't forget our Rummage Sale April 18 from 9-3 pm. Bring your donations!

 

Kathy Hanna

Elder Buildings and Grounds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Rebuilding Together - Volunteers Needed!!

         Helping Hands Poolesville, a local, church led service organization, will be sponsoring a Rebuilding Together work day at a local home.  We will be making some carpentry and plumbing repairs, painting and doing general clean up. We are in particular need of a carpet layer who has tools.  We are in search of volunteers to help us in our mission. Breakfast and lunch are provided.

         The work will be done on April 25th, 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM. Please contact Catherine (301) 452-5318 or crbeliveau@gmail.com to volunteer.  Volunteer and waiver forms will be available at church.

 

 

Lara Fisher, Administrative Assistant

poolesvillepresbyterian@verizon.net

Poolesville Presbyterian Church

 

301-972-7452