the messenger a publication of the first presbyterian … · 2020-07-08 · the messenger...
TRANSCRIPT
A Publicat ion of THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH of Hast ings
The Office is Open Monday thru Thursday
8:30 am - 4:00 pm
Lunch 12 pm - 1 pm
(269) 945 - 5463 Contact Laura @ x3001
September 2020
The MESSENGER
Worship Schedule 10:00 am
Preaching the Word for September…
Sept 6 Communion Sunday Rev. Dr. Michael Anton Sept 13 Rick VanDenBerge Sept 20 Worship & Music Sept 27 Bob Hudberg
The MESSENGER
Sess ion Highl ights
Highlights From The Worship and Work of the Session of the First Presbyterian Church of Hastings, MI Minutes from the July 27th 2020 7:00 PM meeting
(held via Zoom with all participants attending through technology)
The meeting was opened in prayer by Moderator Bert Nelson at 7:04. A quorum was declared. The following were in attendance: Sally Keller, Tom Mawson, JoAnn Mullins, Marge Roets, Deb Storms, Susan Replogle, Dale Billingsley, Lisa Brown, Kim Bosma, Dave Curtis, Cindy Preston, Rick VanDenBerge, David Logan, and Church Administrator Bob Hudberg, Bert Nelson, and Judd Ross were guests in attendance from Presbytery. Louise (Sunny) Andersen was excused. Trustee Report Expenditures remain frozen except for essential items. There was a unanimous vote to sell the Manse, after the details are ironed-out it will be brought to Session. The Presbytery holds the trust for all physical property the church owns so they will also have to approve the sale of the Manse, after Session does, in the future. Church Administrator Report Things are going well. Conversations have been good. Staff is moving their staff meetings to the first and third Mondays at 1:00. Staff and people entering the building are following the COVID19 guidelines, but a plexi-glass partition was put up on Laura’s desk for extra protection. People who need to use the copier room need to check with Laura first as well. Personnel Report The Personnel Committee has asked Jeff Arnold and Barb Hunt to join as Deacons and Sandy Drummond to join as a member at large, Debbie Storms will serve as an Elder, and all have agreed. Naps has hired a new director. The employee handbook is still being revised. Matt Callaghan’s last day was yesterday, an exit interview was held today, that went well. Susan Replogle, Debbie Storms, and Bob Hudberg evaluated Nathan Bose last week. Financial and Stewardship Reports We are in good shape financially, what is coming in is essentially equal to what is going out. Stewardship did not recommend staff cuts because they have seen a change for the good in receipts. NAPs Angela (Angie) Stanton has been offered the NAPS director position. She is set to begin the first week in August. Angie is a newly retired Kindergarten teacher from Hastings Area Schools, the NAPS staff is excited about her coming on board. Family Ministry Bernie Oom and Jim Bruce would like to have a Pasty fundraiser, the proceeds will fix some irrigation issues, buy some moveable stands and some shirts. They will work with Marcia on this to comply with guidelines. Also in the works is the ice cream social August 9th and the friendship picnic September 13th. After lively discussion a roll call was held for 2 events. The Pasty Fundraiser passed, the ice cream social was cancelled, and the vote was postponed until next month regarding the friendship picnic. Worship & Music The pulpit is filled through September, in August they will start work on October. Reverend Anton volunteered to serve on the first week of August and the first week of September. Rev. Anton is allowed to serve communion. Mission Our next official time to host Family Promise is in December, and we feel better about that. The Mission Committee is wondering if the endowment could be reassessed, because Mission would like to send $2000 to Carpio, so they are wondering if there is money available. Dale said that the financial advisor who manages the endowment will be meeting with the endowment committee next month. Tom Mawson noted that we should anticipate a rash of homelessness for the next Family Promise rotation. New Business:
Nominating: Susan Replogle has resigned and is moving to the U.P. next month. After discussion a motion was made to ask the Nominating Committee to elect a new Elder to fulfill her term through the end of 2021. It was seconded and passed.
Reopening Policy: a draft of the plan to re-open the buildings and grounds was emailed out, it was discussed and a motion was made to approve the policy. 2nd and passed. Thanks to all 3 COVID19 Reopening plan subcommittees.
The NAPS Covid19 reopening policy was also emailed out. It was discussed. A motion to approve was made. 2nd and passed. Thanks to the committee for putting together a great plan.
Vacation Bible School protocol was emailed out prior to the meeting for review. After a thorough discussion a roll call was taken to hold VBS or not to hold it. The majority voted not to hold Vacation Bible School this year.
The worship schedule was discussed, a movement was made to move our worship services indoors next week. A letter to the whole congregation will be put together by Sally, Cindy, and Tom regarding this. We will continue to live stream the service for those not comfortable returning to Worship inside.
It was then discussed and a motion was made that we not rent the facility out until the threat of Covid19 has passed, it was seconded and approved. It was then clarified and moved that we will allow Lifeline to have their health screening event that is set on August 14th. This is the only outside event on the calendar for August.
Judd then closed the meeting in prayer. The meeting adjourned at 9:05
Next Regular meeting August 24th
, 7 pm
The MESSENGER
Sess ion Letter
August 18, 2020 Dear Church Family, We have made progress on our journey! We have recently been assigned Rev. Scott Crane from Dimondale as our Transition Counselor. This allows us to actually begin the search process for an Interim Pastor! We know this has been difficult for everyone and made worse by the regulations associated with the coronavirus. We have been working hard with our church staff to keep business running and doing what God has called each of us here to do. Attached to this letter, you will find another Q. & A. which includes this news but also reminds each member of our congregation that this process is a slow one, and each of us needs to make peace with that. Please do not think your Elders are not working hard just because you do not see what you would like to see happening as quickly as you would like to. Part of this time is spent working on lines of communication and double-checking that we are operating in alignment with our by-laws, and the Book of Order. We find ourselves in a different financial place as well. Yes, casual giving is down but thanks to your faithfulness, most pledges are on target. Because we have fewer programs, we have fewer expenses, but this is being carefully monitored. We were, however, able to follow through on our Youth Mission Trip to the Upper Peninsula. Our Youth Director Eric Boyd shared much of the trip in the August 16 worship service. If you haven’t had a chance to watch that, please go on our website and find the recorded copy! It was a refreshing expression of faith in action. Continuing together on this faith journey, Your Session:
Cindy Preston (Clerk), Dave Logan, Linda Vanderboegh, Dave Curtis, Rick VanDenBerge, Susan Replogle, Dale Billingsley, Louise Andersen, Lisa Brown, Kim Bosma, Debbie Storms, Marge Roets, Tom Mawson, JoAnn Mullins, and Sally Keller Your Deacons: Dave Storms (Moderator), Barb Hunt, Heidi Byrne, Jane Arnold, Harold Lewis, Vicky Kelley, Jeff Arnold, Janice Mawson, Jan Reynolds, Celeste Wolverton, Mike Gilbert, John Suratt, Marcia Leedy, Sandy Bruce, and Sandra Billingsley Your Trustees: Doug Hunt (Moderator), Dan Carpenter, and Scott Allerding
Q & A: THIRD ROUND STILL IN TRANSITION AND DISCERNMENT-HOWEVER:
When will we get a Transition Counselor? We have cleared the first hurdle in the process! We have been assigned the Reverend Scott Crane of Dimondale. He will attend our August 24th Session meeting. He will guide us through the next phase that will include filling out a Church Information Form and looking for the right Interim. Please pray for Session’s discernment, and that the task’s importance is not diminished by the urgency we all feel to get someone in place.
Information on the Process: If you have any questions about the process, please call a Session member. All names of Session members are listed at the bottom of this letter, and their phone numbers are in the church directory. We understand there is a level of concern in our congregation. We feel it too. We also understand that conversations are happening that involve friends and family and may discuss the slow tempo of this process, and the resulting frustrations. As a Session, we have learned to not let the slow pace deter us from our jobs right now, we have learned to trust the process. We are doing our jobs by trusting the process. We have what we need to move forward with Pastor Bert Nelson who is our Moderator appointed by Presbytery and Jud Ross who is our Commission on Ministry representative. Each Session member has learned their role on Session is critical for our church to move forward. We ask for your patience, and for you to also please trust the process and your Session.
Who is preaching in the meantime? The Worship and Music Ministry Team is working on coordinating our worship services. We have the pulpit filled through September and into October. We are making sure that the first Sundays of the month we have someone approved by the Presbytery to serve Communion. This has been a wonderful thing. If you do not already know, we are using individual pre-packaged communion elements.
What happens if I need to talk to a pastor? Deb Winkler is serving as our Interim Congregational Care Coordinator, she can be reached through the church office or by email, [email protected], or at her home phone 269-948-8538. She will be able to help facilitate getting you to who you need to talk to next. If you know someone who just needs a call or someone to check in on them more, please let Deb know, she will be able to make that happen.
When can programs resume at church? Right now, only worship is exempt from the Governor’s Executive Orders. The limit for other indoor gatherings is still 10 people, and even gatherings outdoors are currently limited to 100 people. Until restrictions are lessened, this will remain in effect. Presbytery has also recommended no in-person worship through December. However, they recognize some congregations are acting against that recommendation, and urge them (us) to at least follow certain guidelines. We are carefully following those guidelines, and ask everyone to be extra-cautious about following procedures so we do not have repercussions from the decision to worship in person. We are thrilled that you are able to join us whether that is in person or online. We will get through this and our faith will be stronger.
How will the church operate over the next few months? We continue to be faithful in our walk and service to Christ, His church, and to FPC. We will support each other and our church with our talents, gifts, and prayers. Please join your Elders, Deacons, and Trustees in praying for the Holy Spirit to fill all our hearts and minds and worship.
Hey Church Fam!!!! The summer is coming to a close and what a strange summer it was, or at least for me it was. We are now getting ready for my favorite season, FALL!!!!! I am so excited for what God has planned for this new season and I hope you are right there with me. I know there are a lot of unknown things ahead, but one thing we can always be certain of is that God is going to take care of our needs. Let’s continue to make him our number one priority!! This season we are going into will have new challenges, but we are all in this together. The desire of my heart is that we find new ways to have fellowship and connection. I hope that you can be a part of the thought process and help me come up with new youth ministry ideas and some adult ministry ideas and opportunities. Please know that I am here for each and every one of you and I would love to have more connection with you. Please if you need to talk please call, text, or email me.
The MESSENGER STUDENT & CHILDREN ’S
MINISTRY
Eric A. Boyd, Jr. x3005
Eric serves as our Student Ministry Director at
First Presbyterian Church. (cell) 231-268-8157
Youth Group (Pursuing All Things Him)
The MESSENGER STUDENT & CHILDREN ’S MINISTRY
We will miss Susan Replogle and her family, including her mom, Jane Kinjorski, as they have made the retirement move to the UP. Jane was in our chancel choir for many years and a friend to many of us in the congregation; Susan has been a “Liturgist Extraordinaire”; worked tirelessly on many committees, including Worship and Music and Family Ministries, as well a valuable fixture in VBS; has served on the Session, the Board of Deacons and was a faithful member of FPC. We wish them well and will miss them. Their addresses follow if you wish to keep in touch with them: Jane Kinjorski’s new phone number: (906) 286-9561 Address: 609N Intake Park Rd. Room 118 Manistique, MI 49854 Susan Replogle 6945 W. Smith Lake Drive Manistique, MI 49854
Facility Information The MESSENGER
Hilby Medendorp x3024
Hilby serves as our Facility Manager at
First Presbyterian Church.
Until we can Be Together in Person…
During this time of staying at home with all that is going on with COVID and you are looking for something to do. We have something that will help out the church and possible bring back a few memories. There are all kinds of file cabinets stored in the building that haven’t been opened since the move out to this new building. We need to identify, process, discard or put on electronic file any of those items. If interested please give me a call. We may need to get permission from other groups in the process, but whatever is done is a move in the right direction.
God’s Blessing, Hilby
A heads-up to Family Promise Volunteers
Our next host times is scheduled for the weeks of October 4-11. Only God knows if there will be families during these weeks, but FPC will be ready! No families were in the program as of mid-August (a good thing!) despite a surge in interest after the moratorium on evictions expired in July. Ample money continued to be available from the state and federal governments for alternative services and programs.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION The MESSENGER
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION The MESSENGER
SOFTBALL The MESSENGER
FPC Softball Recap by Bernie Oom
This was a great season for our FPC softball team. First of all, with Covid-19, it did not look like we were going to be able to play at all. Then a shortened season was put together that started in early July. We quickly assembled a team which would prove to be one of our most reliable and fun teams ever. We finished the regular season with a 4-3 record and the tournament with a 2-2 record, for a 6-5 overall. All of the regular season games were held on our own field. The team was proud to wear new shirts this year, which were light grey with FPC on the front in big red block letters outlined in black. On the back imbedded on a yellow softball was the verse “I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4; 13) Each player reimbursed the church for a good amount of the cost of the shirt. Our objective is to be a participation league first and competition second. All players age 13 and older, guy or gal, are in the batting lineup and play in the field. Nobody is cut or eliminated from the team, each game or doubleheader begins with a prayer, with both teams in a circle, and ends with a closing prayer. Good sportsmanship is practiced throughout with the main focus being, giving glory to God. The 2020 Presbyterian roster included, Mike Behrendt, Anita Shaw, Dan Carpenter, Eric Carpenter, Nate Peabody, Scott Allerding, Rick Zwiernikowski, Don Cook, Hunter Cook, Scott Chipman, Zack Chipman, Samantha Redman, Fred Koning, Eric Brummette, Brittany Brummette, and Matt Brummette. Bonnie Scheidel was our regular scorekeeper and Annemarie Allerding was the scoreboard operator. We had some wonderful improvements on the field. Foremost was the addition of a beautiful wooden scoreboard. The costs of this new feature were covered by a donation from the Bradley family in honor of Nancy’s parents, Joseph and Barbara Burkholder. The scoreboard was built by our own Ned Brown. Several fertilizers and weed killing applications improved the grass tremendously. The infield received trimmings and stray weed removal and additions of Bentenite for basepaths. These changes gave us a fine infield surface. This work was done by Jim Bruce, our Ballfield Maintenance Coordinator. Other new features this year were newly recapped and finished player’s benches. Coaches Jim Bruce and Bernie Oom performed the work on these benches. We also added a yellow plastic cap on the outfield and infield fence. The arrangement for this was made by Scott Allerding and most of the funds donated by our own Doug Hunt. This addition makes a nice presenta-tion as you enter the field as well as provide safety for the players.
FPC SOFTBALL LEAGUE The MESSENGER
Bob Hudberg x3010
[email protected] Bob serves as our
Church Administrator.
STAFF UPDATE The MESSENGER
Nancy Allerding x3004
[email protected] Nancy serves as our Financial Manager.
20 Never doubt God’s mighty power to work in you and accomplish all this. He will achieve infinitely more than your greatest request, your most unbelievable dream, and exceed your wildest imagination! He will outdo them all, for his miraculous power constantly energizes you. 21 Now we offer up to God all the glorious praise that rises from every church in every generation through Jesus Christ—and all that will yet be manifest through time and eternity. Amen! Ephesians 3:20,21 (Passion Translation) I am reminded that these verses have some incredible significance to them for us during this season of our life here at First Presbyterian. Let me break it down: Never doubt- It is easy for us to have our focus in the wrong place which causes us to doubt whether God is even in control. The same God that existed before COVID 19 is the same God that exists today. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today and tomorrow…”. God is in control. Never doubt God’s mighty power- God is not only aware of the situation but He has it all in control. His power was made manifest in creation and is seen evidence in the way He is working daily. Look for evidence of His power around you. Never doubt God’s might power to work in you and accomplish all this- God wants to use us for His Kingdom. His power is made manifest in our lives as we rely on the Holy spirit to guide, guard, and give us all that we need for the moment. We need to relinquish control and let God have total control. I will let you finish out the rest of the verses. Take the time to mediate on them and see what God is telling you through His Word. So how does this apply to us at FPC? Let me give you some current examples from my perspective.
God brought Bert Nelson in as our Interim Moderator. Bert provides guidance to Session as they maneuver through waters they have not been through previously.
God has the right people in Session. I am reminded that God’s power is readily available to them as they rely on Him to guide them. These members are in place “for such a time as this”. They may doubt their ability, but they will not doubt God’s ability to override every situation that comes their way.
God has the right people involved with the ministries and committees. Each person who said “Yes” to be part of that team have been chose by God to demonstrate His power in their lives as they work together.
God has the right staff in place. The staff are trusting God to lead and guide them. They know they perform a different task than other people in the body and they are ready to demonstrate God’s power to do things that exceeds your, theirs and the church, wildest imagination. The staff loves to dream. But as they dream, they experience God in a way that goes beyond what they could even imagine or think of.
God has the right people here that call FPC home. Each one of us has a pur-pose to be fulfilled. This is not a time to sit on the sidelines. This is a time to be involved with the game. Each person should be asking, “What I can do, who can I reach out to, where can I be used?”
We are in this together, God, you and me. Let’s trust God and His power and not look at the situation as “what more do I have to face” but a time to say, “God give me the power to move forward”. Help us not be selfish or self-centered. But Lord, help us be selfless and other-centered.
Angie Stanton x30008
Angie Stanton serves as our Noah’s Ark Preschool Director.
Our Noah's Ark ministry is a non-profit, state licensed, Great Start to Quality rated, preschool ministry
serving children 3 years old through young 5's. We partner with our
families to provide a setting where children can experience optimal
growth and development, preparation for the "big
school" (kindergarten readiness) and multiple opportunities to learn about
God and His never-ending love.
NOAH’S ARK PRESCHOOL The MESSENGER
TID BITS-we are…..
*Finding new materials and supplies to either be outdoors more or
bring the outdoors in! Please keep us in mind as you are doing your
fall cleaning – we can always use more pots/ pans/ milk crates and
items for sand play in our outdoor classroom.
*Parent orientation will be virtual this year
*September 8th @ 8 to 9Staff meets - @9 to 10:00 we receive our
annual CPS training – keeping children safe.
*September 9&10– are Visit Days for families
September 14/15 – are the first days of the
new school year!!
Summer! The work months! Throughout the summer the NAP’s staff is hard at work. They
have set up their classrooms, copied parent information,
completely reorganized closets, jotted down wonderful new
ideas of how to witness to our families and cleaned out
cupboards. Also wandering around the preschool is Hilby and
crew making sure the Ark is ready for its 26th year!! Of course, this
summer had new challenges as staff prepared a Covid policy,
new schedules, added new
outdoor classroom options
and monitored licensing
guidelines to prepare for
opening this fall. Noah got
ready to care for whom God
was sending his way – and we
are too!
WELCOMING OUR
NEW DIRECTOR! We are very excited to welcome our new Director, Angie Stanton.
Angie recently retired from Hastings area schools where she was a
kindergarten and young 5’s teacher for 22 years! Please greet her
and introduce yourself when you see her and continue your
support of this important ministry!!
Noah’s Ark Preschool
x3008
Our Noah's Ark ministry is a non-profit, state licensed, Great Start to Quality rated, preschool ministry
serving children 3 years old through young 5's. We partner with our
families to provide a setting where children can experience optimal
growth and development, preparation for the "big
school" (kindergarten readiness) and multiple opportunities to learn about
God and His never-ending love.
NOAH’S ARK PRESCHOOL The MESSENGER
Hello! My name is Angela Stanton and I am thrilled to be starting as the new director of Noah’s Ark Preschool! I am so excited to be part of this amazing ministry, working with the church family to continue the great things happening in the preschool. I am really looking forward to collaborating with the great team of teachers, families and most of all interacting with students of NAP’s!
I recently retired from Hastings area Schools after 27 years of teaching. My teaching years were in Young 5’s, Kindergarten, 8th
Grade Science and 2nd Grade! I enjoyed each level and learned so much from my students and their fami-lies.
I have two children of my own. My son Isaac will be starting 10th grade this school year and my daughter Isabelle will be in 7th grade. Isaac is on the swim team and loves reading! Isabelle is in the school choir and enjoys baking and painting! The kids and I love to travel around Michigan and spend time with our extended family. We have a 3 year old Newfoundland named Grace. Grace is VERY big, but is so sweet and loves kids.
I can’t wait to get started in this new adventure which God has led me to!
NAPS Hires New Director Praise God from whom all blessings flow! God is Good! With great excitement and praise I am pleased to share that Angela (Angie) Stanton has accepted the role as our new NAPS Director! I thought it would be fun to share some great news during all of this uncertainty and so many unknowns. Please continue to pray for God's best plan for HIs Precious little children at NAPS. I love being part of such a great group of people who have huge hearts and love littles! Blessings, Lisa Brown Session Elder & NAPS Moderator
The MESSENGER
Want to be included next
month?
October newsletter
submissions are due by
September 15th at 9 am. A
reminder email will be sent out
the week before.
NEWS and THANK YOU’s
Laura serves as the Administrative Assistant
for the church.
Laura Scott x3001
Click on the link to see upcoming events and meetings.
https://calendar.churchart.com/calendar/57672849/month/2020-09-01/2020-08-01
RECIPE SHARE The MESSENGER
Apple Pie Cupcakes with Cinnamon Buttercream
Eggplant Fries
First Std U.S. Postage
PAID City, ST
Permit # 000 First Presbyterian Church of Hastings 405 N. M-37 Highway Hastings, MI 49058 www.firstchurchhastings.org
The MESSENGER Visit with us at
www.firstchurchhastings.org
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