~ MINISTER’S MESSAGE ~ “Challenges” The last part of the Mission Study findings considered the various challenges which uniquely face Highland Presbyterian Church. The results of your own congregational discussion meetings and the work of a cross-section of the congregation at a retreat in very early January described the following as “What makes it difficult for HPC’s members to share ‘Christ’s love and grow as disciples:’” Priorities and time management Financial stumbling blocks Lack of succession planning/leaders Burnout Ineffective internal communication Lack of a strategic plan Poor external communications Ineffective Christian formation During this Interim season leadership is addressing some of these challenges and the PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee) is attending to them as they prepare the church Ministry Information Form (MIF) which will basically be Highland’s church “resume” which interested pastoral candidates will read and study in considering whether God might be calling them to serve in your midst. Your fervent, faithful prayers combined with your enthusiastic support of the PNC and the combined leadership is vital to the near and more distant future of HPC. I am inspired by so many of you in the dedication to your beloved church that you display. Your warm and joyful spirit is a joy to experience. Be sure to maintain these “fruits of the Spirit of God.” As you do, any challenges seem much lighter and the future more hopeful. Faithfully yours, Ray Meute, Jr. The Newsletter of Highland Presbyterian Church JULY AUG HIGHLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Share Christ’s Love and Grow Disciples. www. highland-presbyterian-church.org Highlights • JUL / AUG. 2016 • 1
Transcript
~ MINISTER’S MESSAGE ~
“Challenges”
The last part of the Mission Study findings considered the various challenges which uniquely face Highland Presbyterian Church. The results of your own congregational discussion meetings and the work of a cross-section of the congregation at a retreat in very early January described the following as “What makes it difficult for HPC’s members to share ‘Christ’s love and grow as disciples:’”
Priorities and time management Financial stumbling blocks Lack of succession planning/leaders Burnout Ineffective internal communication Lack of a strategic plan Poor external communications Ineffective Christian formation
During this Interim season leadership is addressing some of these challenges and the PNC (Pastor Nominating Committee) is attending to them as they prepare the church Ministry Information Form (MIF) which will basically be Highland’s church “resume” which interested pastoral candidates will read and study in considering whether God might be calling them to serve in your midst. Your fervent, faithful prayers combined with your enthusiastic support of the PNC and the combined leadership is vital to the near and more distant future of HPC. I am inspired by so many of you in the dedication to your beloved church that you display. Your warm and joyful spirit is a joy to experience. Be sure to maintain these “fruits of the Spirit of God.” As you do, any challenges seem much lighter and the future more hopeful.
Faithfully yours,
Ray Meute, Jr.
The Newsletter of Highland Presbyterian Church JULY AUG
HIGHLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Share Christ’s Love and Grow Disciples.
www. highland-presbyterian-church.org Highlights • JUL / AUG. 2016 • 1
Valerie Matta Sarah DeBaugh Craig DeRan Barbara W. Richardson Eugene Jones Marilyn Sams John Walkden Claudia Scarborough Sam Tharpe, Jr. T D Emily Hardy Koren Buehler Sandra Demczak Nancy R. Jones Sharon Hunt Martha Durand Joyce Lilly Rebecca Link-Wood Heidi Richardson
T T Rachel Ayres Steve Hardy John Durand Wilson Tharpe Terry Hunt Marcia Jones Carole Walkden Brian Wood David Thompson
F O
Financial Secretary Claudia Scarborough Assistant Financial Secretary Becca Wood Memorial Fund Nancy R. Jones Marcia Jones, Assistant Treasurer Eugene Jones Rachel Ayres, Assistant Cemetery Treasurer Eugene Jones Rachel Ayres, Assistant Endowment Fund Claudia Scarborough
M M
Sanctuary Choir Director Laurie Falkner Organist Nancy R. Jones Praise Team Leader / Pianist Kathy Zamostny
C S
Administrative Assistant Lea Ann Mainster Cleaning Service Sherry Everett Clothing Closet Coordinator Sherry Everett Flower Committee Chair Rachel Ayres Interim Youth Director Sherry Everett
HIGHLAND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
701 HIGHLAND ROAD STREET, MARYLAND 21154
Phone: 410-452-9394
Please contact the church to be added or deleted from the mailing list, to offer suggestions for content, to submit articles, or to inquire about Highland Presbyterian Church.
Rev. Raymond Meute, Jr.
Interim Pastor Pastor’s Office Hours:
Tues. - Fri., 9:30 AM - 2:00 PM Cell: 610-329-1812
Clerk of Session Craig DeRan Christian Formation and Nurture Valerie Matta, Sarah DeBaugh Mission and Stewardship Claudia Scarborough, Barbara Richardson, Gene Jones Worship Marilyn Sams, Sam Tharpe, Jr. Personnel and Nominating John Walkden Liaison to Trustees Eugene Jones
The Session took the following actions in its meeting this month:
Approved minutes, commission reports and financial reports. Arranged for Communion to be held by intinction at the July 3 worship service. Discussed Vacation Bible School. Heard a report from the Pastoral Nominating Committee and discussed ways for the PNC to share
information with the congregation regarding its work. Approved opening a separate bank account at PNC Bank for Memorial Prayer Garden and
Columbarium funds received. Approved a commissioning ceremony for Dakota Learning Center participants at the July 3 service. Discussed possible materials for Bible study, worship and Sunday School.
July Report: During the month of June the Pastor Nominating Committee met each week. Using the guidelines and the results of both the small group discussion sessions and the Presbytery January workshop the committee has thoroughly examined 33 leadership competencies and rated the 10 most appropriate for Highland Presbyterian Church. The committee is now designing a pastor “job description” that will uniquely work best for our church. Please continue to keep us in your prayers for use of our varied committee knowledge, wisdom to make the right choices, and inspiration to see the right path to follow. In faith, Carole Walkden and Pete McCallum
With Gratitude we celebrate the Retirement of Laurie Falkner as she has faithfully served as Highland’s Choir Director for the past 27 years. We wish Laurie and her family many years of good health and enjoyment together. Thank you, Laurie!
Congratulations to Abby Ulmer who is being presented with the Wilson Memorial Scholarship for this 2016-2017 school year. Best Wishes Abby!
Please join us we pray for the safety, good health and many wonderful blessings for our 2016 Baltimore Dakota Bible Learning Camp Mission Team as they travel to South Dakota on Saturday, July 9th!! They will spend a week with the children of the Porcupine Reservation in learning, fellowship, playing and VBS!
The following people will be participating as members of the Mission Team and will be commissioned during worship on Sunday, July 3rd: Stephen Gaede, Pastor Ray & Nancy Meute, James Mitchell, Jamie Roeder, Patricia Scarborough, Grace Ulmer, Abby Ulmer, Ellie Wood, Jacob Wood, Dylan Wood; Laurie Falkner and Claudia Scarborough, Co-Chair Team Coordinators.
As we continue to move through this stressful, election season of 2016, marked by unprecedented happenings, there are three key concerns that have been placed on my heart, which I believe I am to share as your church prayer chairman. For, surely, prayer is the way to deal with all important life decisions we must make as individuals and as a nation, if we are to find the peace we all crave. Truth is, God's perfect peace, is from Him alone - in fact, it is a fruit of the Spirit found in Galatians 5:22-23. The first concern pressed on my heart was so strong that I know the Spirit had me write God's thoughts on a Facebook post recently. The issue was simply this: when a person is truly seeking God first, as Matthew 6:33 clearly tells us to do, for we are to first please Him, would He lead us to first choose the will of individuals, or a group, or a party? Or, would God desire us to do His "perfect will" (Romans 12:1-2). Yet, we all know that we already have leaders of our country, business, etc., who choose first to please others and self, over God. But we also know that when God truly dwells in people, as He desires, through the Holy Spirit, He will lead them through their righteous conscience to choose His way in all earthly matters. The second concern He placed on my heart is related to the "elect," which is who we all are, as believers. The Church is God's Elect, and His chosen people - "set apart," by the blood of Jesus. This key matter of being just one of the "elect," really struck me, and I sought out its meaning in 1 Peter 1:1-2, 2 Peter 1:10-11, Matt. 24:31. There is far more on the elect for us to seek out. But in this and in all election seasons, the thought came to me that all who lead us would surely be better equipped for public office if their works were powered by God ruling their hearts. We are each blessed with prayer power in us to ask God to move on leader's hearts for His people. Is not our government of, by and for the people? The third concern that came to me just this week was the word "allegiance." I first thought of our national pledge of allegiance to the flag and all it means for our country, but especially the portion, "under God." As July 4 approaches, I believe God was saying that our allegiance needs to be first to Him, Who we are to love above all, for did He not first love us - enough to give His Son to die for each of us? He is, after all, the only One Who is Sovereign. In the resource Wikipedia, the meaning of allegiance refers to governments and royalty, historically, but also to some religions. Please check it out. But, for the purpose of this message, the word allegiance relates to our God's definition, which we need to ponder especially in this election season. Let's pray for all leaders in office, and running for office to always seek the Kingdom of God over people and institutions, for their vision, goals, and ethics, and to ask Him to lead them to rule with His wisdom, honor, and truth. The Word is our resource... I realize these topics are not typical for our church newsletter. But I believe I am being led to be bold in this July/August 2016 message, for we are living in times filled with unprecedented challenges, that have deeply divided our nation. Also, since both political conventions will take place in July & August, this is a good time to consider the concerns of this message, especially as you pray. Our precious country is in great need of God's divine intervention and yes, His Love, to guide us. We need His help to settle us, rest us, direct us, unite and strengthen us, for we humans cannot make consistent wise choices that can affect the lives of millions at home, and the world, without the Spirit's help. May He reveal Himself fully as never before... By God's Will only, Carolyn Patrinicola Highland Prayer Fellowship
PRAYERS OF THANKSGIVINGS AND INTERCESSIONS Ed Christman Yvonne Fonner (sister of Valerie Matta) Jean F. Galbreath Teddy Garland Melvin Good (friend of Dave Thompson) Chris Hill & family Gene Jones Marcia Jones Jeanne Larsen Roger Mainster (father-in-law of Lea Ann Mainster) Family of J. Frank McCormick (father of Lynn Carlson) Clay Miller (friend of the Matta Family) Jim Nix (brother of Dave Taylor) Lorna Ramos (friend of Claudia Scarborough) Barbara K. Richardson Gary Scarborough (cousin of Claudia Scarborough) Family of Robert Summerfield (father-in-law of Susan) Family of Louis White (father of Barbara W. Richardson) Maria Whyte Ray Wilson Eric of Delta
ASSISTED LIVING/NURSING
Donald Jackson Bill Seldon
Helen Watkins Samuel Wilson
OUR DEPLOYED MILITARY
Russell Heilman, Navy - Japan Adam McNutt, 101st Airborne Army US
The Maryland National Guard
TIME OF TRANSITION
Pastoral Nominating Committee (PNC) Steve Hardy, Amy Hill, Guy Matta,
Pete McCallum, Sam Tharpe, Jr., Carole Walkden, and Brian Wood
Session Leadership Presbytery Support
MINISTRIES Church - Prayer Garden & Columbarium Local - Harford County Detention Center Missions - Taikjo & Young Kyo Kim & Camp Donegal Porcupine Pres Church Restoration & Bible Learning Camp Presbytery of Baltimore - West Virginia Advocacy & Good Shepherd Pres Church
COMMUNITY & WORLD CONCERNS All Highland Commons Services & Activities Wisdom/Unity for U.S/World Leaders &
Citizens Addictions/Lyme disease in Harford Co. Wisdom in filling position of Director of
Music for Highland
**PRAYER LIST INFORMATION**
PLEASE NOTIFY THE CHURCH OFFICE BY PHONE OR EMAIL CONCERNING ALL PRAYER REQUESTS & ALSO REMEMBER IT IS IMPORTANT TO LET US KNOW WHEN A REQUEST CAN BE REMOVED TO KEEP OUR LIST
UP-TO-DATE. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO OUR PRAYER MINISTRY.
Just a reminder that the Deacons will be available throughout the summer to assist with any special needs or congregational request that may arise. Please feel free to contact anyone of our Deacons listed below - have a blessed summer! Emily Hardy, Nancy R. Jones, Joyce Lilly, Koren Buehler, Sharon Hunt, Becca Wood, Sandy Demczak, Martha Durand and Heidi Richardson.
Thank you for the books!! Your Porcupine Mission Team wishes to thank everyone who contributed books for the learning camp!! We were blessed with many wonderful books for the elementary age children -- 125 pounds of books were in fact shipped out to South Dakota just last week!! Thanks for your support!
BaltimoreDakotaLearningCamp~
A very BIG Thank You to all that helped with this year’s Vacation Bible School! VBS was held at Emory Church as our two
congregations joined together for the week! We had a range of 45 to 70 children
every night. It was a great success to reach all those young children as we
2 David Taylor 3 Wayne Bullen 6 Jeff Yarrington 7 Richard Enfield Cindy Jones 9 Lynn Galbreath 12 Eleanor Knell Mike Holmstrom 13 James Galbreath Joy Merryman
14 Claire Matta 15 Nancy R. Jones Carole DeRan 16 Robby Galbreath Caleb Meute 17 Carole Walkden 23 Ryan McCallum 25 Susan Summerfield 25 Fred DeBaugh 26 Harry DeRan
27 Rose Coomes 30 Tyler Samuel Gray 31 Abigail Ulmer Lorel Thompson
1 Helen Watkins Marilyn Sams 5 Dotty Macy 10 Reese McNutt Renee Ann McCallum 12 Kristin Reisinger 14 Sandy Jones 16 David Streett
18 Michael Galbreath 21 Emmett Coomes 23 Dan Larsen Joyce Lilly Darlene Solis 25 Koren Buehler 25 Norma Taylor 26 Tom Moore
George Richardson 27 Adam Parks 28 Mindy Meute
Summer camp is well under way at Camp Donegal! There are still openings for the last several weeks of camp if you’d like to register to come to camp, or to come back to camp this summer. There are more than 400 campers traveling through Camp Donegal this summer. Please keep the camp at the forefront of your prayer life, praying for safety, fun, and that Christ may move in the lives of the campers, staff, and volunteers through the programs, environment and community. Summer camp ends on Friday, August 12th, but Camp Donegal’s programs and facilities continue year-round. This year we are offering many opportunities for youth and adults. Stay tuned to www.CampDonegal.org or call the camp office at 717-862-3722 to stay informed of the many retreat and program opportunities available to youth and adults at Camp Donegal year-round. Camp Donegal registration brochures are on the corner cupboard in narthex. Look one over and check out all of the new and exciting camping opportunities being offered this summer, or visit us online at www.CampDonegal.org. Come share the magic of Christian camping at Camp Donegal this summer.
CAMP DONEGAL, a ministry and mission of the Presbytery of Donegal in Airville, PA
Lifeguard Needed
at Camp Donegal
Seeking a 2nd Lifeguard for the Summer Camp Donegal has assembled a great group of young Christians to serve as staff and role models this summer. They are still looking for a second lifeguard. If you or anyone you know is looking for a summer job that's more than just a summer job, contact the camp office for life-changing details! Must be 18 or graduated from high school to apply.
