Midweek Musings Newsletter

May 8, 2008

 

 

Sunday, May 11

 

NCP Office Summer Hours:  Please be advised that effective May 23 - August 29 the Presbytery office will be closed on Fridays.  Messages and emails sent on Friday will be returned by Noon on the next business day.  Normal hours of operation will resume on September 5th.

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 796th Stated Meeting of Presbytery

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Buckingham Presbyterian Church

Berlin, MD  21811

Council Meeting - 9:00 am

Presbytery Meeting - 10:00 am

 

Documents have been added to the Docket page.  Please click here for more information:  http://ncpresby.pbwiki.com/Docket-Packet

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Midweek Musings by Reid Beveridge, Stated Clerk

 

Rev. John Riley, Pastor of First Church in Smyrna, said it was the first time in 275 years that a moderator of General Assembly had ever visited that church.

 

Indeed, any visit by the PCUSA moderator to any presbytery, other than the largest ones, perhaps, is a rare enough event to be marked by celebration and thanksgiving. It is easy to do this with our current moderator, the Rev. Dr. Joan Gray, who was our guest Tuesday and Wednesday of this past week.

 

Joan was welcomed Tuesday evening by members of Smyrna’s First Church. We processed into the sanctuary behind a bagpiper and then celebrated the 275^th anniversary of this particular church. Its choir welcomed us with “Hallelujah, God’s Almighty Son,” by Ludwig van Beethoven.

 

Then, we heard Joan preach Tuesday night on the theme, “The Impossible Commandment,” in which we were invited to conjure someone in our life who was truly hard, very hard, to love and then love them.

 

The Tuesday evening worship experience at the Smyrna church was a service of healing and wholeness. We were seated at tables in the social hall with a cup of oil and the communion elements. We were invited to pray with each other and then anoint each other as needed and wished.

 

Those of us who participated, in particular, in her prayer retreat Tuesday afternoon and Wednesday morning absorbed an experience quite unlike most others in the church. When we gathered Wednesday morning at the Best Western Smyrna Inn, Joan invited us to consider one of a dozen choices in life experiences. A scripture applicable to each was suggested.

 

Then, we were to project ourselves on one of the characters gathering to this imagining some situation we are encountering currently, and describe it. And then write a prayer for the character in our imagination.

 

I didn’t get past the first choice, one of obsessions. The text was Mark 1:21-28 in which Jesus – early in his ministry – encounters the man in the synagogue with the unclean spirit. And the man says, “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are, the Holy One of God.”

 

There are two very different characters in this incident. This is where your imagination is invited to begin. That imagining for each of us was designed to bring us directly into the presence of God.

 

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Attention Churches!

 

Did your church sponsor a mission trip to the Gulf Coast in 2007?  If so, please email Michelle Woodson at mwoodson@ncpresbytery.org with a brief article and photos.  New Castle Presbytery would like to include this in the 2007 annual report.  Please get the information to Michelle Woodson as soon as possible.  The annual report will be presented at the next stated meeting of Presbytery on May 20.  Thank you!

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You are Invited!

 

 

 

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Delaware Interfaith Coalition on the Aging

 

GIVING MEANING TO LIFE – LEAVING A LEGACY

 

The annual spring conference of Delaware Interfaith Coalition of Aging (DICA) on Wednesday, May 21 has a theme which will be of wide interest to the faith community – “Giving Meaning to Life – Leaving a Legacy.”  The conference will enable the community to hear older Delawareans share their legacies which they created in politics, education, volunteering, and the arts.  Five prominent individuals have accepted the invitation to be guest speakers.

 

Muriel Gilman                           Charles Parks 

Jane Maroney                           Dale Wolf

Dorothy Medeiros

 

The moderator will be Rabbi Peter Grumbacher.

 

The program will be panel discussion in nature.  Each participant will speak briefly on the legacy he/she has striven to create.  This will be followed by open forum when the audience can submit questions to the speakers.

 

You will have the opportunity to meet the speakers during the morning break and during lunch which follows the 12:00 closing.

 

Advanced registration is recommended as SEATING IS LIMITED.  Registration fee is $20.00 before May 7, $25 AFTER May 7.  The fee includes lunch which will be catered by “Leounes’ Catered Affairs.”

 

Conference location – Congregation Beth Emeth, 300 West Lea Boulevard.

 

For more information, see the DICA brochures (below) or contact Wayne Blancett, Treasurer of DICA (302) 478-3875.

 

Download brochure here: DICA Conf Brochure.doc 4.08.pdf

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Presbyterians Responding to the Myanmar Hurricane

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is preparing to provide emergency assistance to survivors of the devastating cyclone in Myanmar that killed upwards of 60,000 people and left thousands more missing.  For more n the PDA response, please go to: http://www.pcusa.org/pda/response/asia/myanmarburma-initialresponse0505008.htm

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Moyer Academy Update

 

Below is a letter from Moyer Academy with an update of its progress to date.  We, the members of the Work Group for Racial Justice, ask that you please consider the Moyer Academy Scholarship Fund when deciding on your mission funding for 2008. Your donations will go a long way in helping a young student enter college.   

 

Thanks to the New Castle Presbytery for the approximate $25,000 to initiate the funding of The Maurice J. Moyer Academy’s Academic and Leadership Scholarship Fund.  Our first award recipients will be in 2010 with Moyer’s first graduating class.  Our adopted guidelines require that we maintain $20, 000 in the principle and continue to look for ways to sustain and grow the funds.  Our Parent Resource Council (PRC) has committed to hold one (1) yearly fundraiser starting in 2008-09.  And, we look to your many congregations for their continued support.

 

            We write to share our joys and accomplishments.  Moyer is in its second year.  We now have grades 6-11 and will add grades 11 & 12 over the next two years, respectively.  We have 305 students and will grow to 420.

 

            As with all public schools, we are challenged to provide excellent support services for students.  However, through sound management, we have provided our students with tutoring, as well as extra curriculum activities (both athletic and non-athletic).  Additionally, our students have taken educational trips to exhibits and events in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and around Wilmington.

 

            Finally, our permanent facility is under construction.  We will occupy the new school this fall.  We are the entire 600 block of East 17^th Street in Wilmington.  We look forward to seeing many of you at our open house in the late summer/early fall.

 

Sincerely,

 

Theo K. Gregory, Sr.,

Director

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News From the Interfaith Resource Center (IRC)

 

The Continuing Education Committee Grants CEU’s for Tom Long Event

Recently, the Rev. George Patterson notified me that the Continuing Education Committee of the Pen/Del Conference has authorized the IRC to grant .4 CEU’s for the total upcoming Tom Long presentation. This is exciting news! The Rev. Dr. Tom Long, Bandy Professor of Preaching at Candler School of Theology, Emory University in Atlanta, has been named among the greatest preachers of the contemporary English-speaking world. The author of over a dozen books including Beyond the Worship Wars: Building Vital and Faithful Worship (2001); The Witness of Preaching, Second Edition (2005) and Testimony: Talking Ourselves into Being Christian (2004), Dr Long has been on the faculty of Erskine, Columbia, and Princeton Theological Seminaries. Want to learn more about Dr. Long? The IRC has several DVD’s and audiodiscs of his lectures.

 

On Saturday, June 21, 2008, he will speak at Aldersgate United Methodist Church, 2313 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE. The renowned preacher will offer two sessions totaling 4 hours: a clergy forum from 1:30-4:00 p.m. titled Preaching in the Windstorm: The Pulpit Faces Contemporary America and a public forum from 7:00-8:30 p.m. titled The Church at the Four Corners. Tickets are available from the Interfaith Resource Center, 913 Wilson Road, Wilmington, DE 19803(www.interfaithresourcecenter.com); phone: 302-477-0910 or 1-800-336-6152. The cost of tickets is $25 for the clergy session and $10 for the public session. Proceeds benefit the Interfaith Resource Center. United Methodist sponsors include the Reverends Jonathan Baker, Mary Browne, Patti Collett, Ted Day, Don Godwin and Robert Mongold. Dave Verma of Wesley UMC, Dover plans to arrange for a bus to bring participants to the evening event. Interested in riding the bus? Call the IRC and we will put you in touch with Dr. Verma.

 

Paula Hartzell and Madeline Beall team up for a series of Christian Education Workshops in May & June. The presentations will feature an overview of Christian education curriculum styles and what to look for in the decision-making process. We will review prevailing trends and denominational preferences regarding Christian formation. You will hear about changes in the offerings of current popular programs and get a sneak peak at the new curricula including Rock Solid, the new program from Abingdon/Cokesbury. Each participant will receive a comparison chart listing over 50 curricula from over a dozen publishers, their source information, educational approach and pricing. There will be time for browsing samples of many of the curricula. Choose the workshop most convenient for you: on Tuesday, May 20 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at Wesley U.M. Church in Dover; on Thursday, May 29 from 6:30-9:00 p.m. at First U.M. Church, Chestertown; or on Saturday, June 7 from 9:30– noon at St. Albans Church, Wilmington, home of the Interfaith Resource Center.  The cost of the event is $5 per person or $10 for 3 persons from the same church. Please contact the Interfaith Resource Center, 913 Wilson Road, Wilmington, DE 19803 for more information or to make reservations; phone: 1-800-336-6152. Check the IRC website at www.interfaithresourcecenter.com for additional dates.

 

Summer hours begin June 23

The IRC will delay the switch to summer hours until after the Tom Long Event in June. Summer hours are Monday through Thursday, 9:00 to noon and will begin on Monday June 23 and continue until Labor Day. Until then, we may be reached from Monday to Thursday, 9:00 to 4:00 and Friday 9:00 to noon. Occasionally due to meetings, we must alter those hours. Please consult the schedule on our website for up to the minute scheduling changes.

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Mission Teams Still Needed Along the Gulf Coast

 

Katrina Recovery Update… from the Presbytery of South Louisiana

 

It is a long, slow road to recovery, but the Presbytery of South Louisiana and the PCUSA can be proud of their work along the gulf coast. While there is a lot of ‘drop off’ from the general non-profit sector, Presbyterians are plowing ahead.

 

Prior to April 2007, the Presbytery of South Louisiana through their Project Homecoming, concentrated on gutting and preparing homes for rebuilding.  They “mucked out” over 900 houses in the New Orleans area!  Since then they have been totally committed to re-building houses and community, and just completed their 64^th home.

 

To do this they are staffed with 4 construction supervisors and 4 long term volunteers from AmeriCorps to work with the flow of volunteers.  Project Homecoming averages between 24 and 80 volunteers a week and have a backlog of over 20 home projects in various stages of completion.  Over 31,000 Presbyterians have volunteered along the gulf coast in the last two and a half years.   And, YES, volunteers are still needed!   It isn’t too late to plan a Gulf Coast Mission trip for fall, or even for summer.  Funds are available to assist groups with expenses if needed.  (Contact Bob Schminkey for more information.)

 

Case managers decide which homes Project Homecoming will rebuild next.  They choose from underinsured homes of homeowners who fall within the 80% or less of HUD income guidelines, are aged, or handicapped.  The focus is really on helping those who need it the most.

 

For more information, contact either:

 

Susan Wade

South Louisiana Presbytery Project Homecoming

(877) 942 0444

http://www.projecthomecoming.net 

 

Bob Schminkey

Presbytery Resource Person for Disaster Recover

(410) 708-6463 PCUSA – Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA)

http://www.pcusa.org/pda/teams/sites.htm

 

Each of these contacts can help you organize a gulf coast mission trip and make reservations for housing along the gulf coast.

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Bible Study Resources

 

• "A Heart Like His"  led by Beth Moore

• "Jesus the One and Only"  led by Beth Moore

• "A Woman's Heart, God's Dwelling Place" led by Beth Moore

• "Breaking Free, Making Liberty in Christ a Reality in Life" by Beth Moore

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Lower Brandywine 20/20 Vision Series:

 

What Are You Thinking?

The Growing Child Series with Yvonne Nass

 

Tuesday, May 13, at 7:30PM - The Growing Child - Part 1: Understanding the Adolescent

On Tuesday, May 13, at 7:30PM, Certified Parent Educator Yvonne Nass will present a program for parents at Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church. Her presentation will outline year-by-year growth expectations for our teens. Adolescence is an on-going process from puberty to adulthood. During that time, teens recycle earlier stages of development, resolve developmental tasks, and prepare to separate. Join other parents in understanding how to support your teen as s/he bridges one of the most stressful time periods for parent and child.

 

Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30PM - The Growing Child - Part 2: Effective Communication with 5-12 Year Olds 

In the second presentation in this three-part series at Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church, Certified Parent Educator Yvonne Nass will build a picture of the kind of communication that works effectively for 5-12 year olds. It all starts with an understanding of who owns the problem. She'll also provide strategies for how and when to listen, invite cooperation and resolve conflict. Whether you're a parent or grandparent, you're sure to find this presentation, scheduled for Tuesday, May 20, at 7:30PM, informative and actionable.

 

Tuesday, May 27, at 7:30PM - The Growing Child - Part 3: Building Self-Esteem in Children Under 5 

On Tuesday, May 27, at 7:30PM, Certified Parent Educator Yvonne Nass will conclude her three-part Growing Child Series with insight into our very youngest children, those under five years old. She’ll provide an overview of the three stages of self-esteem development: I need help; I can help myself; I can help others. She’ll also examine the use of encouragement vs. praise to build self-confidence. Expand your understanding of the earliest stages in your child’s development, with real life examples and strategies you can take home with you.

 

A Parent Education Instructor since 1979, Yvonne Nass instructs parents in the skills of uniting the family. Her practice is based upon communicating and disciplining with respect. She has taught parent-training classes and specialized courses for parents of teens, stepparents, teenage parents, foster parents, parents of “special needs” children, adult children of alcoholics, divorced and separated parents, and working parents. She has also developed workshops and training courses for teachers, nurses, speech and hearing specialists, nutritionists, day-care providers, grandparents, and volunteers.

 

Nass received her certification as an Adlerian Family Counselor in 1970. She continued her education at the University of Vermont, VT, Bowie State College, MD, Neumann College, PA and the University of Delaware, DE. In 1988 she earned certification as a Delaware Level II Parent Educator. Her 60-second parenting tips can be heard daily on a local radio station. Nass is a parent, stepparent, grandparent and great-grandparent. 

 

For more information about Yvonne Nass, please visit her web site at: http://www.yvonnenass.com/.

 

Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church is located on Route 52 at 101 Old Kennett Rd, Wilmington, DE 19807, across from Winterthur, within easy driving distance of northern Delaware and southeastern Pennsylvania. There is plenty of free parking. The building is accessible to the handicapped. RSVPs are appreciated (for capacity planning) but not necessary. Call the Church Office: 302-658-2326

 

Lower Brandywine Presbyterian Church                           Press Contact:

Across from Winterthur                                                         Michael Wright 

101 Old Kennett Rd., Wilmington, DE 19807                          741 Unionville Road, Kennett Square, PA 19348

www.lowerbrandywine.org                                                     610.202.8892 Cell Phone 

(Directions can be found on the web site above)                      mwright7@comcast.net 

 

Please call Michael Wright’s cell phone if you need additional information.

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Dedicatory Organ Recital

 

New Castle Presbyterian Church, 25 East Second Street in New Castle, DE, invites you to the official dedication of our new Meeting House organ on Sunday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m.  The Custom Allen electronic organ features two manuals and 33 stops, and provides a rich sound to lead us in prayer and congregational song many years into the future.

 

Our recitalist will be William F. Clisham, who for 43 years has served churches in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey, directing and administering  programs of multiple choirs and handbell ensembles and playing the organ for worship services.   He earned his degrees, Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Church Music, from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.  He has most recently served as music director/organist at Westfield Presbyterian Church in New Jersey.  

 

Mr. Clisham will perform selections by Buxtehude, Bach, Boyce, Purcell, Handel, Pachelbel, and 20^th century composers Langlais, Locklair, Baker, and Hailstork. The concert will include several congregational hymns related to the organ pieces and will culminate with a formal dedication of the organ to the glory of God.  We are so grateful for the generous gifts of so many contributors to this instrument of God’s praise!  The evening will be concluded with a reception in the fellowship hall.  Please join us in giving thanks to God!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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