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Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Ministries Guide Early 2016
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Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church
MinistriesGuide
Early 2016
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
P: 610-525-2821 || www.bmpc.org
ContentsWelcome..........................................................................page 1
Mission Statement..........................................................page 2
Membership....................................................................page 3
Worship...........................................................................page 4
Sunday Schedule.............................................................page 5
Our Campus and History................................................pages 6-7
Staff.................................................................................pages 8-9
Whom to Contact............................................................page 10
Ministries Overview........................................................page 11
Children and Family Ministry........................................pages 12-13
Youth Ministry................................................................pages 14-15
Adult Education..............................................................page 16
Senior Adult Ministry.....................................................page 17
Presbyterian Women......................................................page 18
Men’s Ministries.............................................................page 19
Congregation-Wide Activities........................................page 19
The Middleton Center....................................................page 20
The Weekday School (Preschool)...................................page 21
Music and Fine Arts Ministries......................................pages 22-23
Outreach Ministries........................................................page 24-26
Worldwide Ministries.....................................................page 27
Deacons Ministries.........................................................pages 28
Shared Ministries...........................................................page 29
Specialized Ministries....................................................pages 29-30
Stewardship....................................................................page 31
BMPC Foundation..........................................................page 32
Elected Leadership.........................................................page 33
page 1
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr, PA 19010
P: 610-525-2821 || www.bmpc.org
Welcome!Dear BMPC Friends,
I love the Apostle Paul’s description of the church as the body of Christ because the image brings to mind a living, breathing, moving, interdependent human being made in the image of God. It is impossible to capture the essence of our vibrant congregational life in any one gathering—whether it is worship, a Christian education class or Bible study, a service project, an intergenerational celebration, a shared meal or meeting. And yet through all of these activities, we can experience the love, grace, holiness, forgiveness and closeness of God revealed to us in Jesus Christ.
Our life together as a community of believers is centered in worship, Christian education and nurture, so that we may be strengthened to serve as God’s church in the world. By turning these pages and catching a glimpse of our diverse offerings and opportunities, you will see how gifted our community of faith is with deep commitments, various callings, and special blessings. Moreover, I hope that you will find ways in which you can be further engaged in the ministry and mission of the church.
Studies of healthy congregations show that people who attend a church are looking for a sense of welcome and belonging, as well as a place in which their gifts and talents can be used to the glory of God. This resource is intended to help you find both your place of belonging and call to service, so that whenever we gather we embody the church God is calling us to be together.
Grace and Peace,
Agnes W. NorfleetPastor
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Mission StatementThis statement of purpose was adopted by BMPC’s Session in March 1997:
We are a community of faith, challenged, strengthened and transformed by the God who is revealed to us in Christ. We...
• welcome all who would follow Christ• prefer truth to complacency• strive to connect faith and life• serve and leaven the church, community, and wider world
through compassionate and empowering ministries.
Staying ConnectedSubscribe to our weekly electronic newsletter, BMPC eNews, ministry-specific eNewsletters, and our quarterly mini-magazine, The Messenger, by contacting the church office or [email protected]. On our website, you will find Sunday worship bulletins, our church calendar, pastors column, audio files of sermons, and ministry area updates. You may also keep in touch with BMPC at www.facebook.com/BrynMawrPC, www.instagram.com/BrynMawrPC, or www.twitter.com/BrynMawrPres. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to call or email us!
*Theinformationinthisbookletissubjecttochange.UpdateswillbereflectedontheBMPC website, in BMPC eNews, and in the worship bulletin.
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MembershipAs a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA), we welcome all who would follow Christ to become part of the membership and ministry of our church. We would be pleased to have you join us, no matter where you are on your faith journey.
New members join our church by profession of faith, reaffirmation of faith, or letter of transfer from another church. Those who have never been baptized may be baptized when received into membership as part of a worship service. Prior to that service, our Session greets and receives new members and their families at a special breakfast meeting (usually on the first or second Sunday of October, December, March, and June).
To help newcomers become acquainted with our staff, our church, and our sense of Christian ministry, we off a “Gathering with the Pastors” on designated Sundays before and after 10:00 a.m. worship. Inquirers are welcome, and your questions are encouraged.
We look forward to getting to know you as a member of our church family!
For more information, contact:Donna Barrickman, Membership Director, [email protected] Wilber, Membership Assistant, [email protected] Stafford, Membership Council Chair, [email protected]
BMPC’s Membership Council is involved in efforts to share hospitality, enjoy fellowship,
welcome newcomers, and increase participation. As we
extend the hand of friendship, we sponsor events where we can
celebrate together as a church family and we try to “fill the gaps” for members who may
need a connecting point.
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WorshipWorship is at the heart of what we do at BMPC. As we come together as a community of faith, we put all else aside to glorify God. Our beautiful Sanctuary is filled with glorious stained glass windows, a magnificent pipe organ, the music of choirs, and the reassuring words of scripture and prayer. Whether you join us for 10:00 a.m. worship there or in the intimacy of our Chapel at 8:00 a.m., it is our hope that you will experience God’s presence.
All those who have been baptized in the Christian faith are welcome to take communion at BMPC. The sacrament is an opportunity to renew the vows taken at baptism and our commitment to love and serve God, one another, and our neighbors in the world. Communion is offered each Sunday at 8:00 a.m. worship and on at least 10 Sundays a year in 10:00 a.m. worship.
Our lay-led Worship Committee serves as a forum for input and feedback to pastoral and Fine Arts staff to ensure that our worship opportunities meet the needs of our congregation. The Committee also provides logistical support for our services through volunteer ushering, parking, sound system operation, and communion preparation.
For more information, contact:Karen Dunkman, Worship, [email protected] Himmelberger, Communion, [email protected] Bastian, Parking, [email protected] Mygatt, Sound, [email protected] Devane, Ushers, [email protected] Hallowell, Flowers, [email protected] May Charrington, Lenten Devotional, [email protected] Wachterhauser, 8:00 a.m. Service, [email protected] Lloyd, Executive Assistant, [email protected]
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Sunday ScheduleWe hope you’ll make a habit of joining us on Sunday mornings when we set aside time to worship God and gain perspective as Christians in today’s world. Take advantage of our classes for all ages and join us for fellowship and refreshments in the Ministries Center Court. Overflow parking is available across the street behind Harcum College. 8:00 a.m. – Worship in the Chapel. A service with weekly communion. 10:00 a.m. – Worship in the Sanctuary. Traditional service and hymns with the voices of our choirs and a children’s message. 11:00 a.m. – Café in the Court. Join us for fellowship and refreshments in the Ministries Center at 11:00 a.m. (or on the front lawn in the summer), or join young families around the cookie table near the children’s library on the ground floor lobby of the Education Building after Sunday School classes. Childcare and Classes for All AgesChildcare for infants - age 2 (year-round):
• 7:45 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 1st floor of the Education Building. Electronic pagers available.
Sunday School (Most Sundays, September through May):• 8:45 a.m.: Art @ 9 (for age 3–Grade 5) in the Education
Building, Room 201• 10:00 a.m.: Grades K–5 begin worship with their families in
the Sanctuary; classes for age 2 (by September 1) to age 4 in the Education Building; Youth Gathering for Grades 6–12 in the Gym followed by Sunday School classes.
• 10:15 a.m.: Classes for Grades K–5 in the Education Building begin after the Children’s Moment in Worship; Grades 6-12 in the Ministries Center
• First Sunday of the Month: Worship Together Sunday for grades 4-12 (no Sunday School)
Summer Schedule (June through August): Childcare for birth - 3 years at 10:00 a.m. in the Ed. Bldg., Rm. 102. Age 4 - grade 3 participate in “Summer Sunday School” following the Children’s Moment at 10:15 a.m. in the Ed. Bldg., Rm. 202. Grades 4-12 in Worship. Adult Classes: Most Sundays at 8:45 and 11:15 a.m. and at 11:15 in the summer. See our worship bulletin for specifics.
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Our Campus and HistoryBMPC was organized by 13 women and three men in 1873, when our land adjacent to the Bryn Mawr Hotel (now The Baldwin School) was purchased from the Pennsylvania Railroad. Our first building was a modest, green-stone Chapel on the site of our current Sanctuary. Our second building, a brownstone church at the site of our current Chapel, was completed in 1886 and seated 500.
The vision of our congregation was apparent in 1927 when the present Sanctuary was built to seat 1200—double the size of the congregation of that time. According to the report of the New Church Building Committee, the Sanctuary was built to “conform to the Gothic tradition, suited to the academic atmosphere of Bryn Mawr.” The old brownstone church stood next to the new Sanctuary until 1940, when its foundation and three walls became the framework of our Chapel. Three treasured Tiffany windows from the brownstone church enhance the Chapel’s north section, which follows the lines of the Old Sunday School building built in 1894.
Our congregation has been committed to mission and outreach since the late 1800s, when BMPC became the first Presbyterian church in America to maintain its own foreign missionaries. Among them was Dr. William Wanlass, who established a hospital in Miraj, India, that still exists today. Our commitment to the city and churches of Philadelphia was formalized with an Urban-Suburban Partnership in 1998 — the year of our 125th anniversary — and many of our current outreach efforts support Presbytery of Philadelphia ministries.
Converse House was built in 1911 as the manse for our third pastor, the Rev. Dr. Andrew Mutch, who came from Scotland with his family. This building was our senior pastor’s home until 1958. It then housed our church offices until 1990, when our Ministries Center was completed, incorporating a gym and the Activities Building constructed in the 1960s. Our Fine Arts offices, church library and reading room, and The Middleton Center for Pastoral Care and Counseling are located in Converse House today.
Our Education Building, built in 1931 on the east end of our campus, provides space for hundreds of children for Sunday School. The Education Building is also the home of The Weekday (Pre)School and our tutoring program, which pairs suburban youth and North Philadelphia elementary school children. The Ministries Center on the west side of our
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Our Campus and History, cont.Sanctuary, is open seven days a week as a place for youth and adults to plan activities, learn about faith, enjoy fellowship, and share resources through service to others.
In the 1970s, our first full-time Director of Music and Fine Arts was hired and an expanded program of music, art and drama took shape. Our tradition of excellence in worship music continues through our internationally-recognized Sanctuary Choir and our choirs for children and youth, handbell choir, and concerts. Changing art exhibits enrich our lives
and express our faith.
BMPC continues to be a place that brings people together in the pursuit of mutual understanding, leading us away from ourselves and into the mainstream of the Word of God. Today, with renovated buildings, a new organ, carillon, and church spire, we look forward to vibrant Christian ministry in the 21st century.
Top: First church building, 1870s. Bottom: Sanctuary construction, 1927.
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Staff
Agnes W. Norfleet, D. Min.Pastor/HeadofStaff,x8866,[email protected]
Kellen A. Smith, M. Div. Associate Pastor for Youth, Their Families, and College Ministries, x8822,[email protected]
Rachel Pedersen, M. Div.Associate Pastor for Children andFamilyMinistry,x8810,[email protected]
Rebecca Kirkpatrick, M. Div.Associate Pastor Elect for Adult Education and Mission, x8818,[email protected]
Richard Wohlschlaeger, M. Div. Interim Associate Pastor for Senior AdultsandPastoralCare,x8818,[email protected]
Program and Support StaffDonna Barrickman Director of Membership and Communications,x8809, [email protected]
Amy Bauer Administrative Assistant for Senior Adults, Pastoral Care, and Youth, x8821,[email protected]
Lorie Benovic, M.A. CareManager,x8833,[email protected]
Kim Black Director of The Weekday School, x8840,[email protected]
Jeffrey Brillhart Director of Music and Fine Arts, x8834,[email protected]
Monica Devane AdministrativeAssistanttoOfficeOperations,x8823, [email protected]
Pete DiRocco Director of Facilities and Maintenance,x8844, [email protected]
Helen Hayne-Tye Accountant,x8816, [email protected]
Carmen JimenezFacility Specialist
Ruth JohnsonPreferred Caterer (Independent Contractor),x8829,[email protected]
Rebecca KellichChildcare Coordinator, [email protected]
Lou KircherFacility Specialist
Pastoral Staff
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Staff, cont.Joyce Krajian, M. Div. Director of The Middleton Center for Pastoral Care and Counseling, 610-525-0766, [email protected]
Edward LandinAssistantDirectorofMusic,x8837,[email protected]
Pam Lloyd ExecutiveAssistanttothePastor,x8806,[email protected]
Kristyn (Kiki) McKendrick Assistant Director of The Middleton Center for Pastoral Care and Counseling, 610-525-0766, [email protected]
Sarah Miciek FinanceManager,x8817, [email protected] Josue (Josh) NegronFacility Specialist
Mary RichardsAdministrative Assistant to Children and Family Ministry, PW, and Weekday School & Wedding Coordinator,x8811,[email protected]
Rich RiveraBuilding Operations and MaintenanceSupervisor,x8845,[email protected]
Carol Schmidt Administative Assistant for Adult Education, Outreach, and Worldwide Ministries,x8819, [email protected]
Stephanie Speakman FineArtsManager,x8836,[email protected]
Laura Weaver CommunicationsCoordinator,x8824,[email protected]
Colleen Wickstrum Accounts Receivable Clerk and StewardshipAssistant,x8812,[email protected]
Jane Wilber MembershipAssistant,x8813, [email protected]
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Whom to ContactExtensionslistedareaccessedbydialingthechurchphonenumber(610-525-2821),thentheextension.
• Adult classes/Bible studies: [email protected],x8819• Baptisms: [email protected],x8811• BMPC eNews: [email protected],x8813
• Boy Scout Troup 19: Robert Ames, [email protected], 610-570-3246
• Childcare: [email protected]
• Children and Family Ministry (age 0-grade 5): [email protected],x8811
• Communications: [email protected],x8809• Counseling services, support groups, spiritual direction:
[email protected], 610-525-0766
• Facilities use: [email protected],x8844• Fitness classes: [email protected],x8821• Funerals: [email protected],x8821• Giving: [email protected],x8817• Membership: [email protected],x8809• Men’s programs: [email protected],x8818
• Music and Fine Arts: [email protected],x8836• Preschool: KimBlack,[email protected],x8840• Outreach programs: [email protected],x8819• Pastoral care: [email protected],x8818
• Senior adult programs: [email protected],x8821• Social work consultation: [email protected],x8833• Tutoring program: [email protected]
• Volunteering: [email protected],x8809• Weddings: [email protected],x8811• Women’s programs: [email protected],x8811• Young adult programs: [email protected],x8822• Youth programs (grades 6-12): [email protected],x8821
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Ministries OverviewOur BMPC campus is busy seven days a week with opportunities for enrichment, fellowship, support, and service to others. We invite you to participate according to your interests. Drop-ins are welcome, and weekday childcare is often available with three days advance notice to [email protected].
Our programs and activities are initiated and coordinated by church councils and committees that report to and are directed by our Session and Board of Deacons. As described in the pages that follow, each of these planning groups has a ministry area focus, is comprised of committed volunteers, and meets regularly from September - May.
If you have questions or would like more information, call the church office at 610-525-2821 and we will be happy to assist or direct you.
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Children and Family MinistryChildren and Family Ministry Council supports the spiritual formation of children, birth to Grade 5, through Christian education in Sunday School and other activities. We partner with families in nurturing the faith development of their children as we focus on loving them, inspiring them and teaching them.
Sunday School begins at age two. Our curriculum is enriched by worship, biblical storytelling, music, and visual arts and includes a worship experience classroom model for four-year-olds and a rotation workshop model for grades 4 and 5. Care is taken to ensure that our program meets the needs of children at each developmental stage.
We value children as part of our whole church community and welcome children in worship. Kindergarten through grade 5 begin Sunday worship with their families at the 10:00 a.m. service. Following the Children’s Moment, they depart for their regular classrooms. On the first Sunday of every month, children in grades 4 and 5 worship with their families in the Sanctuary as part of Worship Together Sunday.
We offer:
• Childcare: Sundays from 7:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. and for most other church activities (reservations three days in advance required except Sunday mornings; cancellations appreciated)
• Art @ 9: an art activity class for age 3-grade 5 on Sunday mornings at 8:45 a.m. (September-May), Education Building, Room 201
• Powell Children’s Library in the Ed. Building, ground floor.
• Fellowship opportunities with other families on Sunday mornings after worship in the Education Building lobby
• Special events such as Sunday brunches, Family Fun Fridays with pizza and a movie, and family service projects
(cont’d...)
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Children and Family Ministry, cont.• Summer Vacation Bible Camp in June on the BMPC campus
• The Weekday School - preschool program on the BMPC campus
• Presentation of Bibles in Grade 3 and Hymnals in Grade 4
• Benevolence and service projects as part of Sunday School
For more information, contact:Rachel Pedersen, Associate Pastor, [email protected] Richards, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Kim Black, Director of The Weekday School, [email protected] Vaughan, C&FM Council Chair, [email protected] Kellich, Childcare Coordinator, [email protected]
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Youth MinistryBMPCYouthMinistryexiststoshare Christ’s love with youth in Grades 6-12 and their families. We want to enable them to build relationships with each other, empower them to grow in their faith, encourage them to serve in a ministry, and help them enjoy God throughout their lives.
Sunday Morning Youth GatheringGrades 6-12 attend our Sunday Morning Youth Gathering from 10:00-11:00 a.m., starting in the Gym, where our youth band leads worship songs. We have an interactive icebreaker, watch a video or skit, and hear a youth-specific sermon that relates biblical stories to everyday teenage life. At 10:30 a.m. students break into grade-based groups throughout the Ministries Center for activities and small group conversations with caring adult leaders that help reinforce the lesson of the day.
Worship Together SundaysWe encourage families to worship together on the first Sunday of the month with children in grades 4 - 12.
StudentServe (Leadership Team)Our mid-week opportunity for high school students offers a great time and space to connect with friends and take an active role in our ministry. This program includes meaningful discussions and scripture study to help youth build relationships with each other and with God and grow in their leadership skills. The group meets on Wednesdays from 6:00-7:00 p.m. in the Ministries Center Loft (above the Gym).
Special Events and Service Opportunities We provide a number of special events and service opportunities for youth throughout the year. Search “youth” at www.bmpc.org/ for up-to-date information on current happenings and to subscribe to our email blasts.
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Youth Ministry, cont.Summer TripsWe offer:
• Mission trips for both middle and high school students in July• Youth Camp in the Poconos for rising 6-12 graders in August
Although we see Youth Ministry as an endeavor involving the entire congregation, we are blessed with a committed, energetic, and well-trained leadership team. Our Youth Ministry Council consists of youth, parents, and other volunteers who meet monthly to pray and plan for our events. The youth at BMPC are given an opportunity to serve on church councils, boards, and committees, offering them valuable leadership experiences and enabling the church to learn their passions and concerns.
While the “youth” in Youth Ministry at BMPC refers to students in grades 6-12, we are a family ministry, and we strive to do ministry with youth and their loved ones. Don’t hesitate to be in touch with your ideas of how we can help families of youth grow in faith together.
For more information, contact:Kellen Smith, Associate Pastor, [email protected] Amy Bauer, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Stevens, Youth Chair, [email protected]
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Adult EducationOur Adult Education opportunities are designed to:
• Strengthen our understanding of worship, scripture, theology, our faith tradition, and Presbyterian heritage.
• Challenge our understanding of God’s world and our place in it, and urge us to see life from different perspectives.
• Heal and transform our hearts and minds so that we may serve God and others with greater conviction and effectiveness.
By offering Sunday classes at 8:45 and 11:15 a.m., we hope to make it easy for everyone to participate in learning, worship, and fellowship on Sunday mornings. We offer space and time for you to breathe deeply,
think creatively, and reconnect with what is deepest in your heart as we gather for reflection, prayer, study, and conversation. Talented church members, guest academics, local experts, pastors, and visiting mission partners are among those who lead our classes.
In addition to Sunday classes, we offer:
• Bible studies/book discussions
• Classes following some of our Wednesday Night Dinners
• A Theologian-in-Residence program
• Opportunities to enrich your experience of Advent and Lent
We encourage you to visit The Book Center in the Court and Converse House Library (accessed via the Ministries Center) that carry an excellent selection of spiritual and theological books, class texts, bibles, hymnals, and books for children.
For more information, contact:Rebecca Kirkpatrick, Associate Pastor for Adult Education and MissionCarol Schmidt, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Heaton, Adult Education Council Chair, [email protected]
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Senior Adult MinistryOur Senior Adult Ministry organizes itself around the wisdom, gifts, and needs of approximately 1,000 senior members of our congregation, whose leadership and support are vital to the work of both our church and our community. Through the Senior Adult Council, various forms of service and education are designed to nurture and enrich the lives of these members. Some of the opportunities for service and learning are:
• Men’s Book Discussion Group• Day trips and educational seminars• Sunday brunch programs• Recordings of worship services for the home-bound• Medical equipment lending closet• Nursing and retirement home information• Planning and resource booklets (“AreYourAffairsInOrder?”)• Walk for Life! (walking group) on Wednesday mornings in the
church neighborhood• Rides to medical and other appointments• Church office volunteer opportunities• Main Line Adult Day Center • Singing for Life Choir (a Fine Arts Ministry)
The Senior Adult Council also has a benevolence program to support local organizations that provide services to seniors in need.
Individual services to enhance the caregiving of our pastoral team are provided to members through our Care Manager Programs. Our Care Manager offers guidance when health, aging, or life events raise social or psychological concerns, including information, evaluations, advice, and referrals for managing the health care system, finding in-home or outside care or help with finding living arrangements.
For more information, contact:Richard Wohlschlaeger, Interim Pastor, [email protected] Bauer, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Benovic, Care Manager, [email protected] White, Senior Adults Council Chair, [email protected]
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Presbyterian Women Our Presbyterian Women (PW) group belongs to an international organization of more than 300,000 women who emphasize faith, mission, and fellowship through Bible study, service projects, and social events. All women members of our church and our community are welcome to join our on-going activities. Whatever your background, you are sure to find a caring group of Christian women
who offer friendship and support. Our interest groups meet, study, and explore ideas in small settings; you may participate in as many as you like. Most interest groups meet from September through May.
• CoffeeCupBibleStudy: pastor-led Bible study, 10:00 a.m. Wednesday mornings from September to May
• Dimensions in Literature: book discussions on the third Wednesday of the month
• Holy Leisure: occasional Friday evening gatherings in homes of PW members
• Caring and Crafts: a weekly knitting group that makes afghans and scarves for “theVillage” (formerly Presbyterian Children’s Village)
• Horizons Bible Study: a monthly Bible study led by the Rev. Richard Wohlschlaeger that meets on the first Wednesday of each month at Rosemont Presbyterian Village
• Perspectives in Music: a monthly program of recitals, concerts, and/or lectures related to music and how it “touches our souls”
• Y-Group: an interest group of PW that welcomes mothers or caregivers of children of all ages with a focus on family and faith. Make new friends, share mutual support, and reach out through service projects. Usually meets on the second Tuesday of the month and also offers family outings, special events, and a book group
For more information, contact:Rachel Pedersen, Associate Pastor, [email protected] Richards, Administrative Assistant, [email protected]
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Men’s MinistriesWe offer opportunities for men of all ages including:
• A weekly Saturday morning Men’s Group that runs from September through May at 7:00 a.m. in Converse House Parlor. All ages are invited to join for fellowship and lively discussions “beyond the water cooler” on topics of interest to men. All discussions are confidential.
• A Men’s Study Group on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in Converse House. Led by Paul MacMurray, this group reads books dealing with biblical and theological study; men of all ages are invited.
For more information, contact:Richard Wohlschlaeger, Interim Pastor, [email protected] Bauer, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Comer, Saturday Men’s Group Liasion, 484-524-8271
Congregation-Wide ActivitiesBMPC offers opportunities to enhance our life together as a congregation with intergenerational activities throughout the year. These include:
• Wednesday Night Dinners each week in Congregational Hall (mid-Sept. through May)
• “Rally Day” festivities following 10:00 a.m. worship on the Sunday after Labor Day
• A “Blessing of the Animals” service on our front lawn in the fall
• “Sundae Sunday” following 10:00 a.m. worship in June
• Congregation-wide “Service Days” with hands-on volunteer activities, both on and off the BMPC campus
• Casserole blitzes to help feed the hungry
For more information, contact:Donna Barrickman, Membership Director, [email protected]
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The Middleton CenterThrough a generous endowment from the John Middleton Company in memory of Herbert H. Middleton, Jr., The Middleton Center opened in 1999 to care for the spiritual, emotional and relational needs of both our church and wider Main Line community. The Middleton Center invites people from all backgrounds, beliefs and faiths to enhance the connections between body, mind and spirit.
Through therapy, educational programs, spiritual direction and support groups, The Middleton Center helps individuals to recognize their strengths and develop skills needed to improve the quality and fullness of their lives. Our professional services are provided on a sliding scale with a spirit of hospitality. All communications, conversations and services provided by The Middleton Center are confidential.
Some special events for 2015-16 include:
• Pathways to Clergy Renewal, a specialized program of The Middleton Center for clergy of all faiths that provides them with support, through programs and services offered by professionals who understand the unique demands of clergy
• Bereavement specialists who provide individual counseling and a monthly bereavement support group, Searching for Still Waters
• A program focusing on wellness such as one on Sleep Habits and another on DealingwithStressandAnxiety
• A spiritual practices series, including seminars such as Discerning God’s Call and Developing the Art of Seeing
• A series on Substance Abuse: How it Impacts Families• Monthly labyrinth (walking meditation) opportunities and
occasional seminars.
For more information, contact:Joyce Krajian, Director of The Middleton Center, [email protected] Kiki McKendrick, Assistant Director of The Middleton Center, [email protected]
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The Weekday School (Preschool)The Weekday School is truly “A Place to Grow.” Our curriculum for preschoolers offers a unique educational experience designed to develop a love of learning, kindergarten readiness, and roots for beginning a lifelong journey in faith.
Our nurturing environment helps children discover the joy of learning as they engage in both play-based activities and hands-on lessons. Each day is filled with carefully planned, fun-filled activities designed with specific educational goals in mind. Through a theme-based curriculum that is rich in music and art, students are well prepared for kindergarten with strong skills in the areas of letter recognition, handwriting, science and math. Exciting new enhancements include an Outdoor Learning Center where children can experience hands-on nature lessons, Kids Yoga, and an iPad lab in our new Learning Café.
Weekday School students also learn about the love of God. Each week, BMPC’s Associate Pastor for Children and Family Ministries nurtures the students’ spiritual growth with Bible lessons. As their faith grows, so does their connection to BMPC as their church home.
Classes are available for children ages 2 ½ through 5 with extended day options until 2:00 p.m.
For more information, contact:Kim Black, Weekday School Director, [email protected]
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Music & Fine Arts MinistriesThrough weekly worship or in one of our many other programs, our Music and Fine Arts Ministries offers opportunities to share faith and glorify God through artistic and musical expression.
Fine Arts Program Mission Statement
The mission statement of the Music and Fine Arts Program of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church is to
present music and the arts to glorify God and to promote diversity,
tolerance, compassion and peace in the world.
Come Sing and Ring with Us!We have choirs for children, youth, adults and older adults and an intergenerational handbell choir.
Programs for Children and Youth include:• “WednesdaysTogether”program:Grades K-5; meets
Wednesday after school.• Youth Chorale: Grades 6-12; meets Wednesday evenings.• Tintinnabulators: Intergenerational handbell choir for youth
and adults; ability to read music required. Meets Sunday afternoons.
cont...
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Music & Fine Arts Ministries, cont.The Adult Music Program:
• Sanctuary Choir: Participates in 10:00 a.m. worship September through June; audition required. Meets Thursday evenings.
• Bryn Mawr Chamber Singers: A semi-professional group; audition required. Meets selected Thursday evenings.
• Singing for Life: For adults ages 55+. Meets Thursday mornings; no audition required. Registration fee of $75 per semester, scholarships available.
The Music and Fine Arts Council also sponsors:• Artexhibits: Displays of works by members of our congregation
or our community in the Ministries Center.• Outreach activities: Opportunities to share talents at local
retirement facilities and volunteer with Singing City Children’s Choir (formerly the West Philadelphia Children’s Choir).
• Concert Series: Performances of religious works by BMPC ensembles, organists or performing groups of international caliber.
For more information, contact:Jeffrey Brillhart, Director of Music and Fine Arts, [email protected] Landin, Assistant Director of Music, [email protected] Speakman, Fine Arts Manager, [email protected] Joseph, Music and Fine Arts Council Chair, [email protected]
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Outreach MinistriesOur church’s outreach is offered in response to God’s grace and Christ’s commandment to love one another. Under the oversight of our Outreach Council, we offer grants that have assisted local Presbyterian-related ministries including John Gloucester House, Broad Street Ministry, “theVillage,” Chester Eastside, and Central Presbyterian Church in Norristown. Grants have also
assisted West Philadelphia Ministries including Habitat for Humanity, The Interfaith Center of Greater Philadelphia, United Community Clinic, Turning Point, WePAC, and Urban Tree Connection. Our volunteers work with ministry partners such as these, sharing their time and talents. They also provide hands-on help through our Tutoring Program in the Education Building, now celebrating its 50th year pairing local youth with children from North Philadelphia Elementary School for reading and writing assistance.
On Congregation-Wide Days of Service, church members and friends are invited to participate in a variety of service opportunities for all ages and abilities, including stuffing envelopes or making casseroles at the church, repairing houses or planting gardens in nearby urban neighborhoods, or sorting and shelving food at the SHARE warehouse. We designate days for Habitat’s ReStore; and to package thousands of meals for Stop Hunger Now. Our mission partners work with us to make these times of service productive and full of great fellowship.
Sept. 19, 2015 • Jan. 23, 2016 • Apr. 9, 2016
Upcoming Days of Service
cont...
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Outreach Ministries Cont.Our Hunger Committee focuses on those who cannot obtain adequate food. We maintain freezers in the Ministries Center for casserole donations and sponsor on-going canned goods collections to stock distribution centers and soup kitchens in greater Philadelphia. We schedule Saturday casserole blitzes, bringing volunteers of all ages together in our church kitchen to fulfill an ambitious goal of 1,600 casserole donations per year. The committee hosts an annual luncheon for those who lead the fight against hunger in our region and also seeks to make a difference in worldwide hunger issues through Bread for the World. Hunger Fund envelopes in the Sanctuary provide resources for these contributions.
Our Peacemaking Committee informs our congregation and mobilizes its responses towards peace, both locally and in the wider world. We offer educational programs and direct action opportunities that change yearly. Our areas of focus include building interfaith understanding, advocating for peace and justice for Christians in Israel/Palestine, and preventing gun violence resulting from illegal sales of
handguns in our communities. Funds for our efforts come from the annual Peacemaking Offering collected each October on Worldwide Communion Sunday.
cont... cont...
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Outreach Ministries Cont.Our Environmental Justice Committee works both within BMPC and in our larger community to promote environmental stewardship and the care of God’s creation. Within a Christian framework, we are driven to respond to God’s great gift by caring for our world. We offer instruction to children, youth and adults; interact with other BMPC missions to promote environmental awareness; and work with other BMPC committees to help green the church campus. Our committee founded the Main Line Interfaith Green Group, an ongoing environmental stewardship movement.
For more information, contact:Rebecca Kirkpatrick, Associate Pastor for Adult Education and MissionCarol Schmidt, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Kay, Outreach Council Chair, [email protected] Hastings, Hunger Committee, [email protected] Sheftel, Peacemaking Committee, [email protected] Willcox, Environmental Justice Committee, [email protected]
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Worldwide Ministries“We are more aware than ever before of the needs in our global village and of how much we have to learn.
Through the work of our Worldwide Ministries Council and through vital partnerships, we hope to be able, alongsideourpartners,tomakeadifference.”
Our Worldwide Ministries Council connects BMPC with Christians and mission partners located beyond Philadelphia, working globally to support ministries of compassion, justice, and transformation.
Our priorities are to support efforts that empower those they serve and involve members of the served community; to build relationships between our church and like-minded partners around the world; and to educate our congregation on issues and ministries in which our global partners are involved.
In 2015-16, our congregation is partnering with peacemaking efforts in Israel, witness and advocacy at the US-Mexico border, education in Pakistan and Tanzania, medical care in India, Kenya, Guatemala, and Uganda, and community organizing in Haiti, Mexico, Peru, Egypt, and Nepal.
Our programs include visits from our mission partners, who offer presentations about their life and work, and opportunities for mission travel and study to enrich our working partnerships and deepen our global relationships. Through our partners, we learn about challenges that face Christians everywhere and the amazing things that God is doing in our world.
For more information, contact:Rebecca Kirkpatrick, Associate Pastor, [email protected] Schmidt, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Swanson, WWM Chair, [email protected]
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Deacons MinistriesAccording to the Presbyterian Book of Order, “It is the duty of Deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith.” To address this charge, our Deacons focus on congregational care,
including visitation to those who are homebound or living in nursing or retirement facilities and delivery of meals to members with acute needs. The deacons’ activities are augmented by our:
Congregational Care Council, which coordinates care for BMPC members to complement that of the pastors and professional staff.
BMPC’s Care Manager, who assesses needs among our senior adult and other frail members, maintains contact with community agencies, serves as an advocate for members without nearby family or necessary resources, and identifies areas of frequent need within our congregation.
The Middleton Center for Pastoral Care and Counseling, which offers counseling, spiritual direction, support groups and educational programs to help people experience life to its fullest.
Deacons also conduct an annual Deacon’s Blood Drive to help the American Red Cross meet its ongoing need for this essential element of life.
For more information, contact:Richard Wohlschlaeger, Interim Pastor, [email protected] Bauer, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Steck, Deacons Moderator, [email protected] (Flo) Zeller, Deacons Secretary, [email protected] Benovic, Care Manager, [email protected] Krajian, Director of The Middleton Center, [email protected] Ryan, Chair of Congregational Care Council, [email protected] Matthai, Blood Drive, [email protected]
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Shared MinistriesThere are many opportunities within BMPC to help others. You can participate once a year, once a month or once a week, either at the church or in the community. Here are a few of the ways you can serve:• Assist at Wednesday Night Dinners • Volunteer as a receptionist• Support a BMPC youth as a mentor
or “Secret Saint”• Tutor elementary school students• Work with children/youth• Knit a “prayer shawl”• Feed the hungry at a casserole blitz• Drive older adults to medical
appointments • Usher • Participate in a “Day of Service”• Join a prayer group
For more information, contact:Donna Barrickman, Membership Director, [email protected]
Specialized MinistriesProperty CommitteeOur Property Committee is a committee of the Board of Trustees which supports the church through stewardship of our building and landscape resources. Members of the committee offer varied skills to the church including construction project management, commercial real estate services, energy systems consulting, architectural design, materials engineering, mechanical engineering, interior design, landscape design, and project finance services. In the past five years, the committee has helped deliver, joyfully and with gratitude for generous donors, projects that include:
• Renovation of the west transept of the Sanctuary including removal and restoration of the stained glass “Pentecost” and “Lord’s Prayer” windows and rebuilding of the masonry and roof systems.
• Restoration of the church tower including replacement of the spire
cont...
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For more information, contact:Pete DiRocco, Director of Facilities and Maintenance, [email protected] (Meg) Holdsworth, Property Comm. Chair, [email protected]
For more information, contact:Donna Barrickman, Communications Director, [email protected] Weaver, Communications Coordinator, [email protected] Hughart, Communications Committee Chair, [email protected] Ledwith, Technology Committee Chair, [email protected]
• Major repairs and enhancements to the campus heating, ventilating, and air conditioning systems to provide for more effective use of our spaces and better management of our energy use.
• Implementing an interior design manual to guide selection of furniture and finishes for the manses and meeting spaces.
Specialized Ministries, cont.
Communications CommitteeThe Communications Committee supports and helps advance BMPC communications to assure that our messaging is informative, effective, well-designed, and efficient. Responsible to the Session, the committee considers the use of our vehicles in a communications plan; overall editorial coverage; marketing and branding strategies; and the use of media and online resources. Recent projects and initiatives included:
• Redesign of our church website (www.bmpc.org)• New editorial focus and publication schedule for The Messenger• Increased use of email communications • Coordination of the Annual Report and other special projects • Publications guidelines and style standards
An editorial subgroup focuses on content, and a marketing subgroup helps to brand and position BMPC as a vibrant, engaging community of faith. Committee members also provide hands-on operational support as volunteer proofreaders, editors, and writers. Other church volunteers support communications through photography.
While the Communications Committee attends to the form and function of our messaging, a newly-formed Technology Committee considers the church’s hardware and software needs and the use of new technologies.
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Stewardship“Forwhereyourtreasureis,thereyourheartwillbealso.”
- Luke 12:34 Where would you like your heart to be? With these words, Jesus Christ tells us that if we wish to serve our God, our community, and our world, we must first put our treasure there.
Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church has a long-standing heritage of giving. This gift giving enriches our church and our community, and in turn, enriches our lives. We are called “to live in gratitude and faith, not anxiety and fear,” with the knowledge that God has provided us an abundance – and with such we shall continue forward, thanking God by having faith that we will continue to be provided for.
BMPC achieves its mission in the world through the generosity of our congregation. The primary source of our financial support comes through the annual stewardship campaign. In the fall, we ask each family to make a pledge for the upcoming year (an estimate of giving). The Joint Budget Management Committee uses this information to create the annual budget.
The annual stewardship campaign is led by the Stewardship Committee, which is comprised of volunteer church members and is supported by dedicated staff and pastors. This committee seeks to assist our members in bridging the gap between our faith and our giving. The committee also supports efforts to educate the congregation about the missions of our church and celebrates the beneficial impact that results from our church’s giving. For more information, visit www.bmpc.org/giving.
For more information, contact:Sarah Miciek, Finance Manager, [email protected] Colleen Wickstrum, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Mark and Susan Dawejko, Stewardship Co-Chairs, [email protected]
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BMP c FoundationThe BMPC Foundation encourages and receives contributions for the endowment of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church. Composed of more than 30 individual funds, the Foundation provides sustained revenue to support more than 25% of our church’s annual operations. It also supports other ministries and mission commitments of the church as well as long-term and special needs. Gifts to the BMPC Foundation, however great or small, leave a rich and timeless legacy that will strengthen this congregation and the Christian community beyond our walls for years to come. Some funds include:
The Ethel B. Foerderer Memorial Fund enables us to conduct a broad and caring ministry to the elderly, sick and needy.
The William Hamilton Miller Fund provides grants and scholarships to young men and women preparing themselves for ministry.
The Ruth Anchors Fund provides assistance to people in need of food and housing.
There are funds that contribute to the preservation and updating of our physical facilities. Other funds support the Theologian-in-Residence program, Fine Arts Ministry, Youth Ministry, local outreach, and the Middleton Center for Pastoral Care and Counseling. Some funds are designated to provide grants, including:
The Richard Shaull Fund was established as part of the mission component of BMPC’s Worship, Music and Mission capital campaign launched in 2002. It provides an annual award for special mission projects consistent with the goals of our Worldwide Ministries Council: to establish relationships to help overcome causes of needs and injustices and to support empowering, transformational ministries.
The Eugene C. Bay Fund for Urban Ministry enhances the life of residents in the inner city areas of Philadelphia and the community of Chester through grants for projects that strengthen the physical, emotional, educational and spiritual lives of children. It is awarded biannually.
The Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church Foundation is a Pennsylvania corporation with a board of directors elected by the trustees of the church. A member of the Foundation Board will be pleased to address any questions you have regarding the Foundation or your contribution. For more information, visit www.bmpc.org/giving/bmpc-foundation.
For more information, contact:Sarah Miciek, Finance Manager, [email protected] Colleen Wickstrum, Administrative Assistant, [email protected] Black, The BMPC Foundation Chair, [email protected]
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Elected Leadership 2015-2016
(Y) Indicates a youth serving a one-year term as Elder or Deacon. + Indicates a person is serving his or her second three-year term.
SessionSteve Udicious, clerk
Elder Class of 2016 Brad BaturkaJen Bowers +Susan Bravo +Bob Guthrie +Amy HughartSusan Joseph +Gavin McKendrick (Y)Natalie Stevens (Y)Eric Swanson
Elder Class of 2017 Bill AdelhelmJohn Frazier+Janet HaasMorris KayMary Beth Pratt+Steve Udicious (Clerk)+Susie Valerio
Elder Class of 2018 Bill Black +Becky BrinksBonnie Bay CallahanGene ChangKaren Dunkman +Krista Vaughan +Janet White +
Clergy Agnes Norfleet Kellen Smith Rachel PedersenRebecca Kirkpatrick Richard Wohlschlaeger
Board of Deacons
Gretchen Steck, moderator
Deacon Class of 2016 Emily CieriKyleen Considine (Y)Bryan HauptfuhrerCraig JohnsonLaurie KoziolChris Libson +Jane MackieBill Matthai +Diana Rossi +Janney Ryan +Andrew Schmid (Y)Holly StaffordGretchen Steck +
Deacon Class of 2017 Tim BickhartDarryl Brown+Anne ChamberlinMary Beth ChelohaMarian ChitesterKirstin Engelman+Linda Griska+Tod GuernseyMary Hodgkinson+Julia KoeppeKay Miller+Didi RiegerCindy Stewart+
Deacon Class of 2018Bart BastianLinda Callans +Dave Hastings + Jen Huth +Debbie Kay +Sally NelsonSherri ShieldsJeff SwarrNancy TaylorFlo Zeller +
Board of Trustees
Rick Ware, president Trustee Class of 2016 Mark DawejkoTom Gadsden +Peggy HermannMeg Holdsworth +Kevin NicholsonNancy Page
Trustee Class of 2017 Bill Bosch+Judy EhrmanJean HuntJonathan LiggettCarol Pyle+Rick Ware+ (President)
Trustee Class of 2018Martin Bond +Mark CahillLouise HillLisa KimbroMark StaffordBrian Walsh +
