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Upcoming
Dates
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JANUARY
Jan
10 3-5:30pm
Lord's Table @St.
Martin's
Jan
17
5 pm
Auction
in Speer Hall
Jan 25
after service
Annual Meeting &
Potluck Lunch
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PASTOR'S CORNER
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Pastor's
Corner:
As the
New Year begins, I've been asked a couple of times: what have I
resolved to do in twenty fifteen? There are a couple of things,
of course. I fully intend to complete my doctoral work.
I've got at least two more novel manuscripts that I'd like to get
around to writing. I plan on staying on track with my health and
attending to maintaining good stewardship over my fitness. I may
endeavor to stop biting my nails quite so much.
Those
things are fine and dandy, but there are other things--things that relate
to my faith--that I'd like to do, too. I'll share two of those
here.
First,
I'm intending to plan and preach a few "sermon series" this
year. I tend to preach on the lectionary, which is a great
discipline. It keeps me engaged with and connected to the breadth
of scripture. But while that's well and good, it's not a bad idea
to break that pattern once in a while. This next month, I'll be
starting up a nine-part breakdown of the Lord's Prayer. It's
familiar, so familiar we don't even really notice it. It's the
kind of thing that can become rote, just sounds tumbling out of our
mouths on cue, and...well...it's important that it not be. For much of
the last decade of my life, this familiar prayer has been at the heart
of my own prayer life, and I figured this was as good a time as any to
share why that is.
Second,
as the "Living More" conversations came to an end last month,
I began feeling called to experiment with a short contemplative service
on Sunday afternoons. Nothing complex, and nothing demanding,
just a time to sing some simple Taize-style songs, engage in silent
prayer, and reflect on the time of prayer. I've engaged in this
sort of prayer service before, and found it to be a remarkably
centering and gracious way to worship. I'll be sounding this off
of y'all the next few weeks, with the idea that it would be an
excellent way to mindfully mark the Lenten season.
So,
there you go. Two resolutions, which y'all will be able to both
share with me and check in on.
Peace
of Christ, and Blessings,
David
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SESSION ACTIONS
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Session
Meeting Minute Summary
December
17, 2014
7:00
p.m. Speer Hall
Rev.
David Williams opened the meeting with prayer at 7:05 pm. A quorum was
declared
It was moved,
seconded and carried to approve the November 19, 2014 Session meeting
minutes.
David
reported that Lara is working on the 2015 PPC directory.
The
Session agreed that Mike Defnet could sit in on a Session meeting should
he need more detailed information for the website and social media.
Nominating
Committee Dick Hanna and Chris Hofmann reported that two candidates (both
prior elders) have agreed to serve on Session.
In the absence
of Worship Elder Stephanie Kasner, David reported that Christmas Eve
preparations are going well. A substitute minister is still needed
for December 28th, and other options may be explored for that service.
It was
moved, seconded, and carried that the Joy Offering be collected at the
Christmas Eve service.
Buildings
and Grounds Elder Dick Hanna will install lights under the balcony to
increase visibility for the tone chimes.
Christian
Education Elder Chris Hofmann informed the session that the Sunday School
Christmas pageant will be in Speer Hall at 10:30 and the service will
follow. The confirmation class is finishing up their work, and will
come before the Session for conversation next month.
Fellowship
and Congregational Care Elder Pam Mattes reported that the Christmas
party was a great success. Pam thanked everyone who helped.
Alicia Thomas will take care of the Fair Trade products.
There
will be no L.I.F.E. dinner in December. The next dinner will be in
January. PPC Christmas postcards were sent to the community thanks
to the help of Kathy Hanna, Jerome Hobart, Greg McFall, Jorge Valles and
Dick Hanna.
Carolyn
will be gone on Christmas Eve and requested that everyone welcome
visitors.
Budget
and Stewardship Elder Kathy Koeser presented the 2015 budget. Dick
requested a separate line for auction income that will go to Speer Hall.
After
Rev. Williams recused himself, the Session agreed that David's salary and
housing amount should be $35,000 for 2015. The Session also agreed
that David, Monica, and Lara each receive a year-end bonus. Kathy thanked
Ken Koeser for sending the Stewardship email letter with YouTube video
link.
It was
motioned, seconded, and approved to approve the 2015 budget as modified.
Rev.
Williams returned, and reported that the confirmation class is working on
their faith statements and will meet with the Session after church
service on January 18, 2015. He would like to try having a time for
contemplative worship in the sanctuary on Sunday.
It was
moved, seconded, and carried to adjourn at 8:12 pm. The meeting was
closed with prayer by Kathy Koeser.
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WORSHIP & ARTS
Elder Stephanie Kasner,
301.349.2134, foreverlookingup@verizon.net
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VOLUNTEERS
If you are not currently a worship volunteer, please know that we always
welcome additions to our volunteer rotation in order to lighten the
load. Please let me know if you are interested. We will be
providing Youth Protection training for those working with the children
at the church. It has been more than 2 years since we last provided
this training. Therefore, all those involved with the children are
asked to attend one of the training sessions. Several training
sessions, lasting at most half an hour each, will be offered in the near
future. Contact Stephanie Kasner for more information.
MUSIC
All are welcome to come make a joyful noise unto the Lord. We
will be starting weekly choir practice again this month. Contact
Monica Harwood if you would like to join or if you have any questions.
We'd love to start up Tone Chimes as well. Let Pam Mattes know if you'd
like to join, it's really not hard and lots of fun!!!
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MUSIC
Monica Harwood, harwoodmonica@gmail.com
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MISSION
Elder Krista Beyer, 301.349., trainphee@aol.com
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Part of the delight in belonging to a church like Poolesville
Presbyterian is coming to the end of the year knowing that we helped
make a difference for people in need. Although we're a small church,
we've been committed to taking care of our fellow humans, through a
great variety of charity and mission efforts. We reach across our
neighborhoods and towns, such as through WUMCO and Christmas adoptions
of local families. And we reach across the world, as in our disaster
relief contributions for the "One Great Hour of Sharing."
As you review your own experiences of 2014, consider for a moment how
your displays of Christ love were likely experienced by the recipients
of your care. There are many strangers out there right now who have
fond memories, fulfilled needs, and the warmth of altruistic love
associated with Christ's name and church.
Think also how you want to continue your opportunities for benevolence
in 2015.
One thought to ponder is how we might change or evolve our missionary
efforts. What might we do differently this year? If you attended PPC
services in December, you may have noticed the absence of our annual
pointsettias. But there was a festive poster of farm animals photos,
which kept increasing its numbers throughout the month. This was our
new mission, "Living Gifts for Christmas," which turned out to
be a
great success. Because of the responsiveness and generosity of our
congregation, desperate individuals and families in impoverished
nations will have eggs, milk, pork, donkey transportation and other
lasting benefits this year and beyond. This all happened because
Catherine Beliveau came up with an idea for a new Christmas mission,
then saw it through beautifully. We expect this will become an annual
church effort.
Do you have any ideas for our church? Or do you have ideas for yourself
- getting more involved in ongoing missions or trying something new for
you? Please let me (Krista Beyer) know, so we can keep our missions
fresh and growing.
Yet another opportunity is the Lord's Table this Saturday, January
10th, from 3:00-5:30pm. Please e-mail me at trainphee@aol.com if you'd
like to be involved.
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FELLOWSHIP & CONGREGATIONAL
CARE
Elder Pam Mattes, 301.349., writedoc2003@yahoo.com
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Happy new
year to all!
As
everybody knows, the Fellowship and Congregational Care function at PPC is
not a 1-person job! So I want to thank everyone who has pitched in over
the past year to make PPC a hospitable congregation where people feel
well fed both physically and spiritually, and where folks look forward to
gathering to meet and play together. By naming individual
contributors I risk not recognizing someone who also helped
significantly, but I am going to do it anyway; please forgive me!
Thank you
to Ann Niblock for hosting the annual church picnic at All Seasons Farm
and to Kim Murphy, Bill Mattes, Catherine Beliveau and mission trippers,
and Alicia and Kevin Thomas for helping prepare for and clean up after
the picnic. I know there are other significant helpers, again, please
forgive me!
Thank you
to Chris Hoffman, Kathy Koeser, and Alicia Thomas for setting
up/decorating Speer Hall for the annual Christmas party and to everyone
who helped to clean up afterwards, including Pastor David and Kathy
Hanna. And thank you, Santa (Ralph Hitchens), for being your jolly self!
Thank you
to Ann Niblock and Alicia Burton for your help in sprucing
up/reorganizing the kitchen in Speer Hall on a Saturday morning in
October.
Finally,
thank you to everyone who so graciously provides snacks and beverages for
coffee hour after worship on Sundays. You all make coffee hour and the
conversation happen!
Fellowship
Time Hosts for December:
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1/4/15
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Kasner
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1/11/15
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Hofmann
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1/18/15
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K&K Koeser
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1/25/15
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Hanna
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Elder Chris Hofmann, 301.349.2839, chrishofmann@gmail.com
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The Sunday School program put on a successful Christmas pageant
on December 21st! A special thank you to all of the volunteers including
Kathy & Susan Hanna, Wendy Stoliker, and Jerome Hobart. The kids had
a great time and the adults were thoroughly entertained!
Sunday School will resume as normal on January 4th after a short break
for Christmas. The Confirmation Class will be wrapping up in January
while the Adult class will finish their study of The Slow Church.
Following the book, the class will welcome back Pastor David to help lead
the next lesson, which is yet to be determined.
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EVANGELISM
Elder Carolyn
McFall, 240.672.2236, carolynmcfall.is@gmail.com
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In order for our church to indeed be 'a church of
extended family', we must make the effort to make all feel welcome and
important. This achievement requires that each and every one of us are the
welcoming face of GOD's children and church community. At the moment we
each see a visitor, let us each choose the loving habit of a personal
welcome, so that everyone feels a part of our warm family. David and I
are often unable to speak to visitors before service (the critical
welcoming period), and so it truly does take our whole congregation's
involvement to achieve a family welcome for every person.
Welcoming ideas:
· Say "Welcome!"
· Exchange names
· Ask what brings them to church
· Share how you found PPC, or how
long you've been attending
· Share what activities you're
involved in at church
· Invite them to attend coffee hour
with you after church
· Ask them if they'd like to
receive our church newsletter (available in email and snail mail)
Carolyn McFall
Evangelism Elder
carolynmcfall.is@gmail.com
(240)
672-2236
NOTE:
LIFE dinners will start back up in
January.
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BUDGET & STEWARTSHIP
Elder Kathy Koeser, 301
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BUILDING & GROUNDS
Elder Dick Hanna,
301.349.5221 hannaelectric@verizon.net
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Jan 2015
It's electric bill time. Please be mindful of
thermostats when you leave a building. Our greatest bill is electric
bill, and Speer Hall is the greatest. Last year it was running over
$900.00 per month for just Speer Hall.
We will have some signs up but please leave the
cabinet doors open under the sinks in Speer Hall and the manse. Also
there is a little door on the left as you enter Speer Hall. It stops the
pipes from freezing.
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Lara Fisher, Administrative
Assistant
poolesvillepresbyterian@verizon.net
Poolesville Presbyterian Church
301-972-7452
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