Lent Messenger 2016

1 MESSENGER | Lent/Easter 2016

BRYN MAWR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHMESSENGER

the LENT/EASTER 2016

VOLUME 118 | ISSUE 2

THE SEASON OF

LENTpages 7 - 10

INSIDE THIS ISSUE: Planning a Worship Service (page 2)

A Peek Inside Our Education Building (page 11)Six Practices for Sharing Faith with Youth (page 13)

One Church, One Book (page 17)


The Book of Proverbs offers concise expressions of holy wisdom, and one that I carry with me and recall regularly is: “Without a vision, the people perish.” The vision to which Proverbs 29:18 points is the revelation of God doing a new thing among the people of God. Sometimes this kind of scriptural vision refers to the sight of things normally hidden from human eyes but experienced through the eyes of faith. Sometimes this kind of biblical vision is made manifest in the concreteness of God’s presence in the world: such as manna from heaven, 5000 fed from a few loaves and fish, or the church set on fire for ministry by the power of the Holy Spirit.

In an effort to be attuned to the presence and leading of God for this congregation in visionary as well as concrete ways, two strategic planning teams have been hard at work over the last many months. The result of their work is coming to fruition in 2016.

First, when senior staff positions opened up in Pastoral Care and Senior Adults and Stewardship Development, rather than simply filling those positions, we decided it was an opportune time to study our staffing and organization of councils and committees to make sure our human resources were best aligned with our church’s priorities for mission and ministry. The session appointed a Staff Design Team to evaluate our staffing pattern and programmatic structure. Three elders spent most of last year interviewing staff and lay leaders, evaluating our current structures, considering how other large churches are organized, and discerning our needs as a congregation. The result of their work is the recommendation to form one Associate Pastor Nominating Committee to look for a pastor for Pastoral Care and Senior Adults, as well as one for Congregational Life and Stewardship. This new position will include evangelism, member engagement, stewardship in a holistic sense, and congregational fellowship and nurture. In addition, we will be searching for a full time Communications Director to coordinate our internal and external communications.

Secondly, a Property Vision Team made up of elders, trustees and members of the Property Committee, has been working on a parallel track to assess how our church campus is best suited to our ministry purposes. They have been evaluating the current capital improvement needs of our buildings, envisioning updated spaces, and working with consultants to establish a long range plan for maintenance of the church’s physical plant. While this group has been focused on property, they have collaborated with staff about program and engaged demographic studies of our community to consider potential for growth, always with an eye toward the ministry of the church as together we seek to fulfill our mission of worship, education, nurture and outreach.

The strategic work of both of these teams is helping BMPC move forward in a visionary, forward-thinking way. With gratitude to God for a congregation richly blessed by the resources we have – a beautiful campus, wonderful human resources on staff and among the congregation, and a generous and willing spirit – I truly believe great things are in store for this congregation’s work in the world as disciples of Jesus Christ.

Letter fromthe Pastor

Grace and Peace,

Agnes Norfleet


Planning a Service from Beginning to EndBy Jeffrey BrillhartOn December 13, the third Sunday of Advent, BMPC worshiped in a way that evoked services from the mid-18th century. Our usual service format was centered on a presentation of J.S. Bach’s Cantata, “Nun komm der Heiden Heiland” (“Savior of the Nations, Come”) and included musicians from The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, Bryn Mawr Chamber Singers, and four soloists.

Some described the experience as one of the greatest worship services they had attended. Others marveled that our church had been able to have an orchestra supporting the service. Many exclaimed, “That must have taken a lot of work!”

How does a great worship service happen? Quite simply, neither by accident nor by casual happenstance! What the congregation experienced on December 13 actually began as a seed planted last winter. Agnes and I decided that one Sunday service in Advent would include a larger-than-usual musical component. This service would take the place of the usual annual pattern of a Sunday afternoon December concert. The first question was, “How do we pay for it?” Thanks to the generosity of a generation before us, our Music and Fine Arts program has a number of funds in the BMPC Foundation that make possible a wide range of events. Two of those funds – the Ledwith Fund for Christmas Music and the Silver Anniversary Fund – were tapped to underwrite the full expenses of this service.

The next challenge in this puzzle was that of timing. Obviously an afternoon concert might last 90 minutes or more. That wouldn’t do! We had to plan something that would include the important parts of every Service of the Lord’s Day – Confession, the Word, Offering our Gifts, Prayer. This is where J.S. Bach saved the day.

During Bach’s long tenure at the St. Thomas Church in Leipzig (where the Sanctuary Choir performed in July 2014), the Sunday service usually lasted three to four hours. Hymns often had more than a dozen verses, sermons were an hour long, communion often lasted an hour, and in all but a couple of Sundays each year, a full cantata with choir, soloists and orchestra was presented prior to the sermon. Bach wrote at least 300 cantatas, 100 of which have disappeared.

The cantata I chose was 19 minutes long. Perfect! We could still include two hymns for the congregation, the confession, the children’s moment, a scripture, prayers, offering, and yes, a sermon.

By this time we’ve moved into spring. It was time to secure the orchestra, line up the soloists, and learn the score. Interpreting the music of Bach is tricky because he left few clues about such things as dynamics or breath marks or articulations for the strings and oboes. Those decisions are made by the conductor and take a great deal of time. Late in the summer, I chose the hymns, both shorter than usual, given our hopes of having the service last its usual length.


Late in the summer came a wonderful surprise, that of a financial gift in memory of Robert Hauptfuhrer to do something in the arts in his memory. Barbara Hauptfuhrer and I agreed that a harpsichord would be a wonderful addition to the church. Having a harpsichord opened up all sorts of possibilities for the December 13 service. With the delivery of a magnificent William Dowd harpsichord in October came the decision to add a harpsichord concerto to the service.

With the arrival of November came the beginning of choir and soloist preparations, along with the sometimes tedious process of entering dynamics and articulation markings into each instrumental part. However, with each rehearsal revealing the beauty of Bach’s music, the tedium was replaced with anticipation.

Finally, December arrived, and with the relief of beautiful weather, all came together to create a service that captured the essence of Advent and the expectation that Christ’s arrival would strengthen humankind.

All of this was made possible through the generosity of previous generations who contributed generously to the BMPC Foundation, the commitment of time and talent by dozens of church members who sing each week, and a church that celebrates the possibilities of worship. As Bach inscribed at the end of every composition, Soli deo Gloria (To God be the Glory!)

Jeffrey Brillhart, our Director of Music and Fine Arts since 1983, serves on the music faculty at Yale University, where he teaches organ improvisation, and he is Artistic Director of Philadelphia’s famed Singing City Choir. A native of Iowa, he won first prize in the American Guild of Organists’ National Competition in Organ Improvisation in 1994. His improvisation textbook, Breaking Free: Finding a Personal Voice for Improvisation through 20th Century French Improvisation Techniques, was published in 2011 and is in wide use in American conservatories and Europe.

December 13

MarchDecision to have musical service

April

Bach Cantata 62 chosen and Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia contracted

JuneSoloists secured and Jeff starts to learn the score

August Hymns chosen for the service

September

Jeff starts the process of marking the orchestral parts; gift of harpsichord offers more possibilities

October

The harpsichord is delivered, hotel and train reservations are made for soloist, and decision made to add harpsichord concerto for prelude and postlude

November

Edward Landin learns the harpsichord concerto; more score study; harpsichord settles in with nearly daily tunings by Jeff; Bryn Mawr Chamber Singers begin rehearsals

Early December

Rehearsals with soloists

December 12 Dress rehearsal

Jeff arrives early to tune harpsichord, orchestra sound check, and service


Michael & Peggy BallingerBroomall

Welcome to Our Newest Members

If you aren’t a BMPC member, we invite you to attend our next orientation, “Gathering with the Pastors,” on Sun., Feb. 28, and be part of our next new member group to be

welcomed on Sun., March 6. Contact [email protected], ext. 8809.

Member Spotlight: Jeff & Alyssa SnowBy Donna BarrickmanJeff and Alyssa moved here from Minneapolis, MN in August, 2014. They met while they were living in Indianapolis where Jeff grew up, and married on New Year’s Eve 2011 in Alyssa’s hometown of Milwaukee, WI. In Minneapolis, they attended Westminster Presbyterian and were looking for a similar church near their new home in Eagleville, PA. They found BMPC on their first Sunday after relocating and have attended ever since.

Jeff’s job offer from General Mills brought them to PA, and Alyssa now works in the operating room at Riddle Hospital. She is a graduate of Butler University in Indianapolis where she earned her Master of Physician Assistant Studies. Jeff earned both his BS in Marketing and MBA from the University of Southern Indiana. They both enjoy hiking around Valley Forge, traveling, and discovering new favorite restaurants.

Last fall, Jeff and Alyssa agreed to chair a new Young Adults Ministry at BMPC. Working with the Rev. Kellen Smith, they have scheduled several successful gatherings for those in their 20s and 30s, including a weekend retreat to the Poconos and an afternoon exploring the Christmas Village in Center City. They also serve on Membership Council, and on Sunday mornings, Alyssa has played the flute and handbells during worship and Jeff often ushers. Both love being in this area and enjoy the proximity of the beach, mountains, and other cities. “We appreciate the warm welcome on our first Sunday here,” they said, “and we are grateful to have found BMPC as our new church home. We’re excited to help build new programs for people our age… and to make new friends in the process.”

Libby Bennett Wayne

Sandra BesahaEagleville

Elisha GilletteBroomall

Clint and Pat BrittBryn Mawr

Jennie Jacobson Bryn Mawr

Kim Marsh Haverford

Natalie McGann Penn Valley

Jennifer Reynolds Conshohocken

Ken RoweNorristown

Brett and Melissa Thomas Haverford


As I See ItBy the Rev. Richard Wohlschlaeger With the approval of the APNC charged with selecting two new associate pastors (one to fill the position I now hold on an interim basis), my days, as they say, are numbered. Presumably I am slightly past the halfway point as the Interim Associate Pastor for Senior Adults and Pastoral Care.

This gives me an opportunity to reflect a bit on the work I have been privileged to engage in during these past several months. When I retired after 20 years as Pastor of Swarthmore Presbyterian Church, I was not seeking anything new to do professionally. But being asked to be part of the pastoral staff of BMPC – and especially of this congregation of warmly receptive and encouraging people – has been a great blessing. I thank all of you for this opportunity that is functioning as a “bridge” from full employment to full retirement.

For the months remaining, I pledge continued good effort to the tasks I have been assigned, especially those involving visiting congregants in need of pastoral care and assisting in invoking the Spirit among us in worship on Sunday mornings.

Please know that I stand ready to respond to any specific requests you may have. In the meantime, my warmest blessings to all of you.

Robert Trawick, Professor of Religion and Ethics at St. Thomas Aquinas College and co-author of World of Hurt, Word of Life, writes, “I sense there has been a pushback in the Presbyterian Church, that political involvement and social witness in

general are not appropriate for the church.” But Trawick states that “not only is it appropriate, but it is central to the mission of the church universal.” He believes the church has an opportunity to be more prophetic in its work and stand for issues it has not embraced before.

On Sunday, February 7, the BMPC Peacemaking Committee invites you to a second presentation on income inequality at 11:15 a.m. in Congregational Hall featuring Professor Trawick. A ruling elder, he has served as moderator for the Hudson River Presbytery and written for the PC(USA)’s Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy.

Following Professor Trawick’s remarks, a simple lunch will be served as we gather for group discussions to explore what we, as individuals, and BMPC, as a church, can do to respond to the issue of economic inequality. While all are welcome, an advance registration to [email protected], ext. 8819, will help with planning for the meal.

Minding the Gap - A Second Look


Philadelphia Presbytery UpdateEvery other month or so, a number of BMPC staff and members participate in Presbytery of Philadelphia meetings hosted by local congregations. Our Presbytery serves more than 125 churches and 30,000 members in our region and is the oldest Presbyterian corporate entity in the United States.

Several of our members, including Brad Baturka, Susan Bravo and Phoebe Sheftel, serve on Presbytery standing committees or special committees. At the November meeting, Courtenay Wilcox and George Henisee were placed into nomination to serve on the Commission on Congregational Leadership .

A major agenda item in November - and reason for celebration - was the rebirth of Beacon Church. Beacon is one of the many efforts of the Presbytery to cultivate a dynamic incarnational presence in the Kensington area of Philadelphia along with, among others, West Kensington Ministry.

Beacon Church is a neighborhood faith community located in the post-industrial Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia. The church serves as one of the few remaining gathering spaces in their

neighborhood. In addition to worshipping at 5:00 p.m. every Sunday, Beacon provides a specialized after-school program called the Studio that focuses on visual art, literacy through storytelling and writing, and building a loving community through trauma-informed practices. Beacon also hosts storytelling and creative evening programs for adults and special events that encourage children and adults to build meaningful relationships inside and outside the walls of the church, making it a place for older residents and newer neighbors to come together.

This church is a success story of the Presbytery of Philadelphia in partnership with Broad Street Ministry. In 2010 BSM sent their Facilitator of Transformative Arts, (now Rev.) Rebecca Blake, to begin work, and in 2011 donated the part-time work of Pastoral Associate (now Rev.) Karen Rohrer to re-vision what church could look like in the Beacon space. Though Beacon Presbyterian Church elected to close, when the church was dissolved, “Beacon” was born as a new ministry. Today, both worship and community have been reinvented in the space; the numbers are up, worship services have been moved to Sunday afternoons, and the Presbytery celebrated the chartering of a new Presbyterian Church. In 2014 and 2015 Beacon and their Mission Lab was the recipient of a grant from the BMPC Eugene C. Bay Fund for Urban Ministry.

Through your contributions to BMPC and our support of the Presbytery, our church helps to sustain important ministries such as Beacon and other initiatives in Kensington.


Ash WednesdayLent Begins, February 10

• 5:30 p.m. Family Service in the Chapel with Imposition of Ashes led by the Rev. Rachel Pedersen.

• 6:00-7:30 p.m. Wednesday Night Dinner served in Congregational Hall; $8/adults, $5/students and children. All welcome.

• 7:30 p.m. Service in the Chapel with Imposition of Ashes led by the Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet.

The Season of LentEarly in the Gospel of Luke, Jesus sets his face towards Jerusalem - teaching and healing, storytelling and worshiping all along the way. All that he did was oriented toward that holiest of weeks and the Easter resurrection. We too in Lent are called to orient ourselves towards Jerusalem; to be on this Lenten journey to the cross and the empty tomb; to study scripture; to be in prayer; to bear open our hearts so that our wounds may be healed; to tell one another the Gospel story; to observe a holy Lent.

As we journey through this season of 40 days (not counting Sundays) that begins on Ash Wednesday, may the Lord breathe new life into us once more!

2016 Lenten DevotionalBy Anna May CharringtonAs we approach Ash Wednesday, we might ask ourselves, “What is God inviting me to do in this Lenten season? How will I set aside time to focus on my relationship with God?”

One option is to use our church’s Lenten Devotional Booklet. For each day beginning on February 10, there is an assigned passage to read in the Bible accompanied by a brief reflection written by one of our pastors or a member of our congregation. There are also illustrations created by both children and adult members to enhance the messages. I know that using this “tool” created by fellow seekers will be a good way for me to structure my own spiritual quest and draw closer to God. You may pick up a copy in the Ministries Center or Sanctuary by Ash Wednesday, or you may access each day’s reflection at www.bmpc.org.

Lenten Devotional 2016BRYN MAWR PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH


Sunday Lenten StudiesIn addition to three on-going Sunday classes for adults at 8:45 a.m. - a book discussion of What Did Jesus Ask, Filling the Well Women’s Group discussion of This I Believe, and Couples Bible Study’s discussion of 100 Things for Your Child to Know Before Confirmation - two new opportunities beginning on February 21 at 11:15 a.m. will enrich our lives in faith as we approach Easter. Childcare will be available and Art@9 in the Ed. Bldg. for ages 3+ will also be offered from 11:00 a.m. - noon.

Exploring Christian PracticesBy Rebecca KirkpatrickTraditionally many Christians use the season of Lent as a time of fasting. Many of us were taught to describe it as a season of “giving something up.” This practice of fasting is a means of keeping our minds focused on God and centered on Christ. Every time I reach for that dessert, I remember that my orientation is different in this season. Fasting is a long and helpful tradition, but more recently Christians have begun a tradition of actually “taking on” a practice or habit during the season which can also help us focus our orientation.

To help us think together as a community on what it means to practice our faith in Lent, I’ll lead a new class from Feb. 21 - Mar. 20 to explore traditional Christian practices and in some ways offer a Lenten practice of its own as we spend time with one another. Using a new and innovative DVD curriculum, we will meet at 11:15 a.m. in the Education Building to consider prayer, sacraments, food, worship, and service, introduced to us by a leading Christian voice in that field.

Let’s Talk About SinBy Paul BurgmayerSin is a word not heard much today. It feels old-fashioned, not at all in sync with our hyperlinked, multicultural, post-modern, spiritual-not-religious selfie-focused world. Yet many argue that sin and its corollary, evil, are essential words in a vocabulary of Christian faith. For four Sundays in Lent (2/21

& 28, 3/13 & 20), we will gather at 11:15 a.m. to explore the history of the word “sin,” wonder together about what counts as sin in our culture and church, and examine the inextricable link between sin and our relationship with God.

Along the way, we will explore two spiritual disciplines, confession and the examen, used throughout Christian history to name and live beyond the sin in our lives. Starting with the fascinating history of personal and corporate confession, we will explore the ways that this practice, which one author defines as “speaking honestly about that which we do not want to name,” can help us recognize anew God’s desire to be in relationship with us. We’ll also explore how various forms of the daily examen help us uncover the sins and graces of our everyday lives and recognize God’s presence in both.


Tuesday Organ RecitalsTake some time for yourself and spend a lunch hour listening to local talented organists play BMPC’s magnificent Rieger organ. Offered each Tuesday in March at noon, these small recitals sponsored by the Philadelphia Chapter of the American Guild of Organists are an easy way to hear wonderful live music at no cost and spend some “time away” in our Sanctuary.

Sunday Concert: Works by Mozart & HandelOur major Music & Fine Arts event for the Lenten season is a concert on Sunday, March 13, at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. This program, featuring the Sanctuary Choir and musicians from The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, will include performances of Mozart’s Vespera Solennis de Confessore and Handel’s Dixit Dominus conducted by Jeffrey Brillhart. Tickets are $10 for adults; $5 for students. Purchase in advance on our website, www.bmpc.org.

Saturday Vesper WorshipThis season, join us to learn, heal, listen and pray with one another as we gather for afternoon vesper worship on Saturdays, February 20 & 27 and March 5 & 12. In this more intimate time of worship, we will center ourselves in scripture, pray together through the psalms, feed our souls through music, and enact the Gospel through interactive prayer stations. This time together will be intentionally intergenerational and grace-filled so that we might all experience the season in new ways with one another. The Revs. Rachel Pedersen and Rebecca Kirkpatrick will lead us in the Chapel at 4:00 p.m.

Good Friday Evening: Presbybop QuartetAs part of our observance of Holy Week, Music and Fine Arts is bringing back last year’s Good Friday evening worship service featuring Bill Carter and the Presbybop Jazz Ensemble. Last year was the first year that we did a service in this format and it was so warmly received that we have invited the group to return to the Sanctuary on Fri., Mar. 25, at 7:30 p.m.

More Lenten Enrichment


Calendar Highlights during LentFeb. 10 Ash Wed. Worship at 5:30 & 7:30 p.m., Chapel; dinner between services, Cong. HallFeb. 19 Presbyterian Women’s Retreat: Dinner and the film Chocolat, 5:00 - 9:00 p.m., Cong. Hall Feb. 20 Intergenerational Lenten Saturday Vespers, 4:00 p.m., ChapelFeb. 21 “Exploring Christian Practices,” 11:15 a.m., Ed. Bldg. (Sundays through March 20). “Let’s Talk About Sin,” 11:15 a.m., Witherspoon Parlor (Sundays through March 20)Feb. 27 Intergenerational Lenten Saturday Vespers, 4:00 p.m., ChapelMar. 1 Walk the Labyrinth, 11:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m., Cong. Hall Organ recital, noon, SanctuaryMar. 5 Environmental Justice Retreat with Bill Brown, 10:00 a.m- 2:00 p.m., Ministries Center Intergenerational Lenten Saturday Vespers, 4:00 p.m., ChapelMar. 6 Environmental Justice Class with Bill Brown, 11:15 a.m., Witherspoon ParlorMar. 8 Organ recital, noon, SanctuaryMar. 12 Intergenerational Lenten Saturday Vespers, 4:00 p.m., ChapelMar. 13 Nepal Art Exhibit Presentation, 11: 15 a.m., Conference Room Performance of Mozart’s Vespera Solennis de Confessore and Handel’s Dixit Dominus featuring our Sanctuary Choir and The Chamber Orchestra of Philadelphia, 3:00 p.m., Sanctuary Nepal Art Exhibit Reception, Talk and Sales, 4:30 p.m., Ministries CenterMar. 15 Organ recital, noon, Sanctuary

Holy Week SchedulePalm Sunday, March 20• 8:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by Intinction in

the Chapel.• 8:45-9:45 a.m. Breakfast in Congregational Hall.• 10:00 a.m. Worship and children’s palm procession in

the Sanctuary.• Egg Hunt, 11:00 a.m., Ed. Bldg. playgroundTuesday, March 22• Organ Recital, noon, SanctuaryMaundy Thursday, March 24• Labyrinth Walk, 8:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Gymnasium• 6:00 p.m. Simple supper in Congregational Hall.

Free-will offering.• 7:30 p.m. Worship with Communion in the Sanctuary

led by the Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet.Good Friday, March 25• Labyrinth Walk, 8:00 a.m. - noon, Gymnasium• 12:00 noon. Service commemorating Good Friday in

the Sanctuary led by BMPC Youth.• 7:30 p.m. Musical worship experience in the

Sanctuary led by the Rev. Bill Carter and his Presbybop Jazz Quartet.Easter Sunday, March 27• 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service on front lawn led by the Rev. Rachel Pedersen. Continental breakfast follows.• 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. Worship with choir and Easter Brass in the Sanctuary. The Rev. Dr.

Agnes W. Norfleet will preach.


Children & Family Ministries UpdateBy the Rev. Rachel Pedersen

What’s Happening in the Education Building?Over the past 84 years, our Education Building has been a gracious home to the children of our congregation and our community. From flannel boards to high tech tablets, students have been learning about our faith within these walls. The building has also been a first experience of church for many in our community. The Weekday School took residence on the ground level in 1963 as an important ministry of the church to young children and their families. In 1966, the Timothy School got its start in the Education Building, providing a safe learning environment for children with autism. After more than 50 years, the Bryn Mawr Tutoring Program continues to pack the building with students and tutors learning together, and you will now meet

members of our community at a unique Spanish school on Fridays that helps to support bi-lingual children. Last fall, a new program “Friday Morning Out” began as a ministry with children birth to three years. All in all, in a typical week, more than 400 children come through the building. As our programs continue to evolve, we are blessed with great facilities and with generous resources to keep that space up-to-date and inviting. This past year, we were able to re-open the infant room, update our toddler space, dedicate two adult education spaces, and replace aging chairs and tables. In case it’s been awhile since you were last in the building, we invite you to visit the Education Building during a special open house following 10:00 a.m. worship on Feb. 28.

Faith Under ThreeWhen do we start praying together? How do you remember a baptism? Is it important for my toddler to be at church? When we promise to raise our children in the faith, we take on an enormous responsibility and unfortunately, we don’t have a step-by-step instruction manual. Starting this spring, our new “Faith Under Three” group will be a small group for parents and guardians of children ages birth - three. Meeting once a month, we’ll spend time thinking about faith at home, supporting one another, and building up resources as we walk with our children through the first three years of their lives.


A Children’s Call to WorshipAs we prepare for Lent, students in our Wednesdays Together (Children’s Choir) Program have been creating the liturgy for Ash Wednesday. Working from Psalm 46, they have created the following “Call to Worship.” We hope that it will help you prepare for the season.

God is our Refuge and Strength. No matter where we are God is with us.

Be still and know that I am God.

We will not fear though the earth should change. No matter what happens God is with us.


There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God. God provides all we need.


God makes wars to cease to the ends of the earth. God will bring peace to all people. Be still and know that I am God.


Six Practices for Sharing Faith with Youthby the Rev. Kellen SmithAt a recent Supervising Pastor workshop for Princeton Theological Seminary’s field education program, I attended a lecture by Professor Kenda Dean. The lecture was based on her book, Almost Christian, and focused on how to minister to the many teens who drift away from the Christian faith when they become young adults. Professor Dean suggests six ways for any adult to share faith with teens before they graduate from high school:1. Invest in practices that deepen your faith.

Pray, read the Bible, serve others. The vitality of your faith will relate directly to the faith of our teens.

2. Share what you love and not just what you know.It is easy to share what you know; it can be life-changing to share what you love. What if when young people passed a church, they remembered how much people in the church love them?

3. Share your own faith story.Answer the question: why do you follow Jesus? The most important faith story children need to hear is that of their parents. Sharing your own story is the best way to share faith with millennials.

4. Emphasize good news over good behavior. Focus on who teens are, not just what they do. Strive to instill character, rather than simply control behavior.

5. Speak “Christian” at home.Do you talk about being lucky or being blessed? Getting a break or receiving grace? We have to claim and redeem the language of our culture.

6. One Radical Thing – Practicing Resurrection (God’s radical thing) ...Do one radical thing because of your faith…and do that radical act of faith in front of your children, explaining that you are doing it because you follow Jesus, doing what Jesus would do, not just because you are a nice person.

Upcoming Youth Summer TripsHigh School Mission Trip to Peru: July 9 - 20

Middle School Mission Trip to NYC: July 24 - 29Camp Kirkwood: August 7 - 13

To register, search “summer camp” at www.bmpc.org or for more information, contact [email protected], ext. 8821.


The Fight Against HungerBy John VaughanAcknowledging that “the Lord works in mysterious ways,” Jim Affleck and I, both long-time BMPC members, recently collaborated to find a home for two commercial coffee makers and a heavy duty commercial meat slicer. Since I am a member of BMPC’s Hunger Committee, I called a few of our committee’s partners in Chester who have active soup kitchens. Hoorah! Chester Eastside Ministries welcomed the opportunity to use a coffee maker, and T.M. Thomas Presbyterian Church was equally excited about the meat slicer and the other coffee maker.

This much-appreciated equipment will help our partners feed the hungry in their community. At Chester Eastside Ministries, noon lunches are provided on Mondays and Wednesdays. At T. M. Thomas Church, lunch is served at noon on Thursdays. Visitors are welcome to visit either program and guided tours can be arranged if you email me, [email protected].

Our Hunger Committee provides direct financial support to 22 local food cupboards and meal programs such as these, thanks to the contributions made in the white “Hunger” envelopes in the pews. Each year we also provide various agencies with more than 1600 casseroles made at “blitzes” in our church kitchen, and we supply much needed canned foods through our congregation’s generous giving to the baskets located in the Narthex. Your support, in any form, makes a difference!

The Culture of NepalAn Art Exhibit Presented by our Worldwide Ministries and Music and Fine Arts Councils

By Jean Wolf and Bonnie Atwood On Sunday, March 6, through the sponsorship of the Nepal Foundation and church member Mary Carroll, Consul of Nepal, an exhibit on the Culture of the Mountain Minorities of Nepal will open in the Ministries Center. Vibrant photographs and material goods and religious artifacts of the isolated mountain minorities of the Tamang and Rai ethnic cultures will be exhibited for sale. On Sunday, March 13, at 11:15 a.m., a talk on the consequences of the 2014 earthquake and these unique isolated civilizations of the Hindu and Buddhist religions will be offered. At 4:30 p.m., a reception following a 3:00 p.m. Sanctuary Choir concert will feature Nepalese treats and a chance to purchase items on display.


Habitat For Humanity: A Devoted CrewBy Bill HannaOn a Wednesday at 9:05 a.m., just a minute or so late, I pull up to 595 N. 37th St. in West Philadelphia, just past the loaded-up Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia Home Repair Program pick-up truck. Bill Adelhelm, always early, is pulling long 2 x 8s off the top rack, Rick Hamilton has tool bags, Kent Walker is carrying an 8 foot stepladder, and Roy Brader is heaving the much-too-heavy electrical parts repair box up the front porch steps. These guys are all BMPC members

who show up, along with me, every Wednesday or Thursday as steady volunteers working to make incredibly necessary repairs to owner-occupied houses in the Parkside and Mantua neighborhoods.

We often work for senior residents who are most appreciative that we are there to rebuild stairways and railings, install new windows and doors, replace kitchen floors and cabinets, repair leaking plumbing, and more. This is not usually easy work, but as a bunch of retired blokes

with abundant energy and moderate skills, we make a difference while also having fun.

The Habitat Home Repair program was started by BMPC member David Heaton, who 33 years ago founded “Follow the Carpenter” in South Philadelphia and later moved to West Philadelphia to start “The Other Carpenter.” David generously turned over “The Other Carpenter” operation to Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia three years ago, as Habitat, a new house construction program, was not doing repairs in occupied homes. Most of us started our volunteer carpenter work with David, and we miss him, his exceptional skills and his strong Christian spirit.

But he left behind two loyal employees who seamlessly moved to Habitat, so we are continuously motivated by Craig Lee, Construction Supervisor, and Renia Johnson, Office Intake Supervisor. Emily Lucas, a veteran Habitat team member, recently became Director of the Home Repair Program.

Are we looking for new volunteers? Absolutely! Email [email protected] and join our team!


Visit from Cathy ChangBy the Rev. Rebecca KirkpatrickIn early January, we had the great opportunity to spend time with former BMPC Lilly Pastoral Resident, The Rev. Cathy Chang and her husband, Juan Lopez. Cathy and Juan came to share with us the new ministry to which they have been called on behalf of Presbyterian World Mission: working against the growing problem of human trafficking. They provided details and invited us to support them through prayer and mission partnership in this letter:

Dear Friends,

This fall we will begin service as international mission co-workers through the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Cathy has been appointed as the Regional Facilitator for Addressing Migration and Human Trafficking, based in Manila, Philippines.This call to international mission service brought us together when we were both serving in mission in Cairo, Egypt. Similar to the Holy Family of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, both of our family stories included forced migration, internal displacement, and exile. Together we prayed that God might bring our dreams of serving as mission workers into reality, although seminary, work and a long engagement included steps along the way. Our work and service in Michigan, along with our family stories, have helped us to prepare for international mission service. Cathy has been serving as associate pastor of The Bertha E. R. Strosacker Memorial Presbyterian Church. Juan has been serving as site supervisor for school-based programs with Big Brothers and Big Sisters of the Great Lakes Bay Region and volunteering actively with the high school youth at church. As parents to an active 3-year-old daughter, Aurélie, we continue to bring the best of ourselves and our cultures to raising her as a whole person.

Now God is calling our family to engage with individuals and families who are impacted by migration and human trafficking. Affirming the God who called Abram and commanded him to leave his home, we desire to serve as a channel of blessing to the families of the earth (Genesis 12). Through this ministry, it is our prayer that we will proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ, address the root causes of poverty, and engage in reconciliation amidst cultures of violence. As we move forward in this new call, we are grateful to God for your support throughout our individual lives and our life together as a family in mission. We look forward to sharing in this journey together, especially as we stay in touch through letters and our blog – www.eveniftheskyfalls.wordpress.com. We look forward to serving together as mission co-workers in the United States and throughout Asia to fulfill God’s mission. Christ’s grace and peace to you,Rev. Catherine Chang and Juan Carlos Lopez Carrasco


Environmental Justice RetreatSponsored by our Environmental Justice Committee

BMPC’s Environmental Justice Committee does a variety of work to educate our congregation and advocate in the larger community on environmental issues. On Saturday, March 5, from 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., we are offering a different kind of ministry as we gather together for an extended time of study, art, fellowship and worship. We will be joined by Old Testament scholar, Dr. William P. Brown, who has abiding interests in the use of scripture in the life of the church and the world, particularly in the context of ecology and justice. Dr. Brown, who teaches at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA, will lead us through a study and reflection on his recent book, The Seven Pillars of Creation: Bible, Science, and the Ecology of Wonder. We also will share a light lunch, participate in silk painting as a group or as individuals, and end our time together with worship and prayer.

You are invited to join us for this time of renewal and rejuvenation in our shared work for environmental justice and our shared work of caring for God’s creation.

For generations, Fred Rogers helped to shape American children’s understanding of community, self identity and inclusion. As a Presbyterian Pastor, Mr. Rogers gracefully used the medium of television to communicate his values and passions to both adults and children. In his 2015 book, Michael G. Long explores the ways that Rogers integrated his values and priorities in both his public work and his private life and advocacy.

Long reflects, “What I found was a quiet but strong American prophet who, with roots in progressive spirituality, invited us to make the world into a countercultural neighborhood of love – a place where there would be no wars, no racial discrimination, no hunger, no gender-based discrimination, no pillaging of the earth’s precious resources.”

All are invited to explore the legacy of Fred Rogers by reading Peaceful Neighbor: Discovering the

Counter Cultural Mister Rogers. Copies of the book are available at the Ministries Center Reception Desk and in the Lobby of the Education Building for a discounted price of $5.00 each. On Sundays, April 3 and 10, we will host the author, Michael Long, to further consider how Mr. Roger’s passions for peacemaking, environmental justice, feeding the hungry, racial and gender equality, and much more can inform our mission and ministry as a congregation, helping us to live into our call of loving our neighbor as ourselves.

One Church, One Book - Peaceful Neighbor: Discovering the Counter Cultural Mister RogersBy the Rev. Rebecca Kirkpatrick


15 Ways To Help Others this WinterThere’s still plenty of time left for cold, snow, ice, and other wintry conditions. So grab a cup of something warm and consider these creative ways to be a bright spot in someone’s day in the weeks ahead:

1. Offer to take an elderly neighbor to the store to stock up on winter supplies and groceries, or have your neighbor make a list for you to pick up while you’re out.

2. Shovel your neighbor’s walkway. Or get your exercise for the day and do the whole street!

3. Place salt on someone’s front door steps or on that neglected bit of sidewalk between houses.

4. If others lose power, offer your house as a location for cell phone/laptop charging.5. Invite neighborhood children/families to build snowmen if schools are cancelled.6. Create a free hot chocolate stand outside a busy shopping area.7. Offer to help someone scrape the ice off their car or scrape someone’s car when you clean yours

in the morning or after work.8. Send thank you notes to police, firefighters, road crews, etc.9. Order a pizza for your local police, fire station, or road crew.10. Carry jumper cables in your car to assist distressed motorists.11. Contact emergency shelters to learn how you can support their efforts.12. Offer hand warmers to people standing at bus stops or to school crossing guards.13. If your children have had school cancelled, help them write appreciation notes to their teacher.14. Offer to watch your friend’s/neighbor’s children while they run out for groceries or during their

work hours.15. If a friend/neighbor has mobility issues, offer to walk their dog—or better yet, keep your kids

occupied and have them offer to walk the neighbor’s dog.Whatever you decide to do, please be sure to do it safely and with good judgment!

Adapted and used with permission from “Send Me St. Louis.”

Save the Date“Stop Hunger Now” Congregation-Wide Service Day

Sat. Apr. 9, 8:30 a.m. – noon, Gymnasium

Organ Concert featuring Philippe Lefebvre Sun., April 24, 2:00 p.m., Sanctuary

Community Forum with Catherine Steiner-Adair: “Life in the Digital Age: Protecting Our Family Relationships”

Wed., April 27, 7:30 p.m., Sanctuary

We’reOPEN!We’re

OPEN!Stop in for coffee and charge your devices.

Stop in for coffee and charge your devices.

If you lose power, come to the Ministries Center Court during church office hours to charge your

devices and enjoy some hot coffee.

The MessengerBryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery AvenueBryn Mawr, PA 19010 610-525-2821

The Messenger (USPS #341840) Volume #118, Issue #2 is published quarterly by the Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. Periodical postage paid at Southeastern, Pennsylvania and additional offices.

Postmaster: Send Address Changes To The Messenger Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church 625 Montgomery Avenue Bryn Mawr, PA 19010

“Like” Us on FacebookWe invite you to “like” us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/BrynMawrPC.

We regularly post photos and messages intended to inform, celebrate, and inspire.

Holy Week Worship SchedulePalm Sunday, March 20• 8:00 a.m. Worship with Communion by

Intinction, Chapel.• 8:45-9:45 a.m. Breakfast, Cong. Hall.• 10:00 a.m. Worship and children’s palm

procession, Sanctuary.• Egg Hunt, 11:00 a.m., Ed. Bldg. playground

Maundy Thursday, March 24• 6:00 p.m. Simple supper, Congregational

Hall. Free-will offering.• 7:30 p.m. Worship with Communion led by

the Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet, Sanctuary.

Good Friday, March 25• 12:00 noon. Service commemorating Good

Friday led by BMPC Youth, Sanctuary.• 7:30 p.m. Musical worship experience led

by the Rev. Bill Carter and his Presbybop Jazz Quartet, Sanctuary.

Easter Sunday, March 27• 6:30 a.m. Sunrise Service led by the Rev.

Rachel Pedersen, front lawn. Continental breakfast follows.

• 8:00, 9:30, and 11:00 a.m. Worship with choir and Easter Brass in the Sanctuary. The Rev. Dr. Agnes W. Norfleet will preach.

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Lent Messenger 2016

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