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Midweek Musings October 25, 2017 edition
Published the second and fourth
Wednesday of the month
REFORMATION SUNDAY –
10/29/17
“For it is by grace you have
been saved through faith…”
~Ephesians 2:8
New Castle PresbyteryA Paean of Praise!
Although the New
Testament isn't
organized this way, First
Thessalonians is the
earliest writing in that
section of the Bible and
is one of only seven
undisputed letters by
the Apostle Paul -
despite the ascribing of
many more to his
authorship.
Given those facts, the opening words of that letter (after the
salutation) are perhaps even more noteworthy as they serve
to set the tone for much of what follows:
We always give thanks to God for all of you and mention you
in our prayers, constantly remembering before our God your
work of faith and labor of love and
steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.
Upcoming Events 12/2/2017 – 838th Stated
Meeting of Presbytery
View Presbytery calendar:
http://www.ncpresbytery.org/news/calendar
Midweek Contents
1001 Training Workshop . . . . . . 4
Board of Pensions . . . . . . . . . . 6
Church on Main Gathering . . 5
Comm. Announcements . . . 17
Employment Opportunities . . 15
Guatemala Partnership . . . . . 12
Health Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Heifer International . . . . . . . . . 8
In Sympathy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Interfaith Peacemaker . . . . . 10
Mission Advocate . . . . . . . . . 7
Our Churches . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Our Pastors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
PCUSA News . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
PCUSA World Mission . . . . . . . 13
Photo Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
P.I.L.P. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Related Organizations. . . . . . 20
Share the Joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Social Security . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
We’re Hiring! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
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It's those three phrases that close the sentence that capture me:
Sharing
Work of faith
Labor of love
Steadfastness of hope
Faith, love, and hope...where have we heard those before?
(Hint: you may want to check out I Cor 13!)
Paul holds up those three as THE Christian Virtues -- the qualities that every Christian
should aspire and embody, and by extrapolation, every Christian church should display
in word and deed.
So, in response to Paul's paean of praise, I suppose our only question is,
"How are we doing?"
Be well and God bless,
Rev. Douglas D. Gerdts
NCP Treasurer and Pastor Head of Staff, First & Central Presbyterian Church
View how this turned into a short sermon here.
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We’re Hiring!
Join the
Presbytery
Staff
New Castle Presbytery is actively receiving applications!
For more information, view the position descriptions on the
home page of our website here. Applicants may email
resume of interest for the following positions via the
corresponding email:
Connectional Presbyter
[email protected]
Missional Presbyter
[email protected]
Treasurer (part-time)
[email protected]
Please share this information with those whom you feel may be
interested.
PCUSA Young Adult
Volunteers
The 2018/19 application is
now live! Encourage
young people to consider
a year of transformational
service, accompaniment
and faith-development in
22 sites around the world
and in the United States.
Need more information?
Apply online here
View the program here
Subscribe to their quarterly
eNewsletter here
OR
Speak to Blake Collins,
Associate for YAV
Recruitment at
(502) 528-5936
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1001 Training Comes to
New Castle Presbytery!
Workshop, December 7, 2017, 10a-3p
SIGN UP TODAY!
The Presbytery of New Castle, in concert with the 1001 Worshipping Communities
initiative, will be hosting a daylong event “Exploring Missional Leadership” on Thursday
December 7th at the Presbyterian Church of the Covenant (503 Duncan Road,
Wilmington, DE).
This workshop engages
participants in an assessment of
personal skills and aptitudes
important to leadership in planting
new worshipping communities.
Through presentations, active
learning and group conversation,
participants will be introduced to
the nature of missional church
planting and the competencies
needed to do that work. Participants discerning a call to start a new worshipping
community will be guided in identifying next steps to take in their own skills
development. Strong candidates for this event would include:
Congregational leaders intrigued with or interested in
planting a new fellowship to reach a younger generation,
immigrant or multi-cultural population.
Individuals eager to explore the option of becoming a
New Worshipping Community pastor/evangelists….full time or
part time!
Committee personnel whose responsibilities include mission
outreach and evangelism initiatives.
Space is limited to twenty four individuals and invitations will go out to our neighboring
presbyteries. REGISTER TODAY TO SECURE YOUR SEAT here.
Leading the “Exploring Missional Leadership” workshop are Michael Gehrling, Regional
Director for 1001 New Worshipping Communities and Ann Steigerwald of Artesia
Resourcing, LLC.
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OUR CHURCHES – Church on Main
If at First You Don’t Succeed! (by Jim Moseley, NCP Executive
Presbyter)
The decision by NCP to close the Forest Congregation in Middletown
(5/14/2016) in order to reopen as a new fellowship was a difficult one
and fraught with unknowns. First among these was determining what
new expression of ministry might take root in a smaller community
experiencing rapid growth. The start- up we imagined under a full-time
organizing pastor did not launch as expected. These last six months have
been ones of reflection. A committee of Presbytery’s has continued to oversee the facility.
Several groups make use of space at C.H.O.M. including Friendship House Ministries, a Saturday
morning YOGA class, Sunday afternoon worship for Tabernacle Fellowship and the use of the
church parking lot by the local high school band for car washes.
Many who had become acquainted with the church during the
past year have wished to see NCP make a new start. This past
Sunday morning at 10:10 twelve of these folks gathered in the
church fellowship hall to discuss beginning again. Enthusiasm ran
high and a decision to host weekly worship beginning with the first Sunday in Advent was
unanimous. Services will be Sunday mornings at 10:10.
The group is copying some of the design and experiences gained by our Riverfront, “1001 New
Worshipping Community “church plant. We have also defined other features of the fellowship
we hope will be attractive to seekers and others.
The preacher/speakers will be afforded time to respond to questions and comments during
the service.
Guest musical artist(s) will be scheduled week to week.
The metrics of growing partnerships over formal membership will be our first focus.
Financial support will come from pledging, “Crowd sourcing” for mission initiatives,
fundraising events, presbytery grants and other applications to denominational and
ecumenical groups.
An openness to ecumenical and interfaith dialogue will be a high value.
As a fellowship seeking to provide an alternative worship experience and to identify a “niche”
among the many churches active in Middletown we seek to provide:
An Inclusive fellowship seeking discourse and understanding.
A Missional fellowship leading in mission through relationship.
A Creative Fellowship celebrating the arts in worship, learning and service.
A Restorative Fellowship attending to healing and wholeness.
A Spirit- Led Fellowship led by the love of Christ.
The prayers and support of our brothers and sisters across the presbytery are so important to
sustaining us in these first months of ministry. As time and expertise allow we will refresh our
Facebook and post other happenings and opportunities.
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PCUSA – This Week’s News – October 25th
PC(USA) agencies join global
#GivingTuesday movement
Hosts of international peacemakers share excitement over recent visits
Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations celebrates United Nations Day
What Presbyterians Believe: “Thoughts and Prayers”
PC(USA) documentaries selected to screen at esteemed film festivals
Kang named 1001 New Worshipping Communities central region associate
Critical deadlines approaching in dialogue around immigration issues
“No Innocent Bystanders” provides guide for social justice work
And much more! Click here to view this week’s articles.
Board of Pensions
Did you miss the October issue of “Employer News”? This issue includes:
Annual Enrollment Update: Eligible employees, whether new or existing, must
complete the annual online enrollment commencing October 30th through
November 17th. Employers may view employee elections and costs with an
option to download the information to a spreadsheet starting the first week in
December.
Pastor’s Participation Dues Calculator is now available
Retirement Savings Plan reminders
Call to Health completion requirement
View the full edition here.
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MISSION ADVOCATE, New Castle Presbytery
Terry Lee Dykstra
Even if the Sky Falls:
Mission Co-Workers Cathy Chang
and Juan Lopez
Dear Friends,
Cathy Chang and Juan Lopez are PC(USA) Mission Co-Workers in
Manila, Philippines who help global partners address issues of
migration and human trafficking. They work with Asian churches
and non-governmental organizations to help coordinate efforts related to the scourge of
modern-day slavery.
Connect with their profile on the Presbyterian Mission Agency website here and view their
video below to learn of their passion for people whose dreams have been denied.
“Out of God’s desire to bless all of the families of the earth, we also desire to serve as a
channel of God’s blessings for many families of the earth”, Juan says.
Blessings and peace, Terry
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ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIVING!
The Christmas season is almost upon us! For many people, giving
gifts is the highlight of the season - but sometimes can be the
most stressful part as well. For people of faith, the meaning of the
season runs much deeper. We still like giving gifts though, and
many of us look for gifts that will have more of an impact.
As you may know - Heifer International works to eliminate hunger and poverty by providing
livestock animals and environmentally sound agricultural training to families in need. With
support and prayers from many churches – including congregations in the New Castle
Presbytery - in our 70 years we have helped more than 30 million families in over 125 countries
(including the USA) become more self-sufficient!
If you are thinking about how your giving, and that of your
community, might be more meaningful, make the world a
better place, and also (just maybe?) be a little easier – please
consider a Heifer Living Gift Market (LGM). It can be as simple
as setting up an alternative giving center in your foyer or
vestibule. OR your LGM could be a grand affair with booths
that represent various animals that your "shoppers" visit to learn
and decide what life-giving gift they want to get for everyone
on their list. The Full LGM Kit includes everything you need: Gift
Order Forms, Honor Cards, Animal Insert Cards that share the
benefit of your gift with the "receiver", and more! You can also
order a table top poster listing gift options, which makes
shopping real easy!
If you have any questions or there is any support I can offer - please do not hesitate to contact
me. I'd love to give you an update on our work, share ideas with you, help you decide the best
resources, and offer whatever help I can. Thank you New Castle Presbytery for the work you
have enabled us to do!
Yours for a better world,
Valerie Danzey
Heifer Coordinator for DE, NJ, & PA (working from Cherry Hill, NJ)
[email protected]
501-907-8879
856-395-9519 (cell)
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OUR PASTORS – Rev. Chuck Taber, Pitts Creek/Beaver Dam
Notes from the Wee Kirk 2017 Conference
The Wee Kirk Conference, held annually throughout regions within
the United States, aspires to provide Christ-centered opportunities for
inspiration, encouragement and community among leaders of small
membership churches so they an do the same in their congregations
and regions. Pastor Chuck attended the 2017 conference several
weeks ago where the conference provided specialized tracks which focus on areas such
as:
Pastor’s and CRE/CLPs and their spouses who are serving
in their first call
Essential principles of partnering in mission
Spiritual formation for “soul shepherding” and spiritual
renewal
Global engagement to see what God is doing in the
world
Some of the interesting statistics shared within the conference included:
Of the top 25 denominations, only two are growing
Eight-nine percent of young adults are willing to listen to people tell them about what
they believe. Good discussion starters are:
o “Tell me the God you do not believe in, and I probably don’t believe in him either.”
o “Can I tell you a story about whwat happened to me?”
o “Hey, if you want some prayer, I’ll be glad to do so for you. Here’s my businses card
and let me know”. In this method, the giver of the card needs to write something
down on the card to make it personal: a short message or phone number. Many
times later, away from the view of friends, an unchurched person will call or some
by for prayer, which will start a spiritual conversation.
New plants have been plateauing at 100 members.
Socialogists regard running a church as the fourth toughest vocation.
Additional items from the conference included quotes for inspiration, including:
“We will never change the world by going to church. We only
change the world by being the church.”
View Pastor Chuck’s notes here.
The next Wee Kirk conference is scheduled for October 8-10,
2018 and will include a workshop titled “Take Two, Form One”,
which will be about merging two congregations together.
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INTERFAITH
PEACEMAKER, New
Castle Presbytery
Rev. Tom Davis
A Song for our Time
Friends,
On Sunday evening, October 22nd I
video recorded a wonderful concert
at Silverside Church. The repertoire
was very diverse and the performance were excellent. At the end, an original choral
piece was sung, written by the church’s music director Melissa Heieie along with a
fellow collaborator. The words struck me as so apt for today and Melissa has graciously
given me permission to disseminate the words and video I produced. Read the words
below and then click on the link to view the video.
Dark shadows haunt the soul of our land; Storm clouds threaten our dignity.
Fear stalks the outcast as wintery tide; Hopes tumble, invisibly, silently.
Many are lonely, depressed, and rejected,
Shunned by power and pride. We turn our hard stares on people not like us;
Our hearts die a little inside.
When we reach through the rain, When we heed a neighbor’s sigh, When we lift those in pain
We are arcs across the sky. When we dare take a stand, We will rise above the tears. When our love takes command
We are rainbows over fear.
How shall we answer the call of our time?
Let resentment and fear come un-done! How shall we answer the call of our faith?
Let compassion be shown to each one! May the walls in our hearts just crumble to dust,
May our enmity soften through grief; May the pow’r of love transform selfish want;
May resolve meet our challenging need.
Watch the video of this song here.
Peace, Tom
TCDavis
President, Interfaith Veterans Workgroup; 302-507-6012 mobile; E-mail: [email protected]
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EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Health Ministry
October – International Walk to School Month
Have you ever walked to school? Did you
let your child walk to school? Did you know
that children who walk to school have been
found to have higher academic
performance, higher degree of
pleasantness, lower levels of stress, and
higher levels of happiness, excitement and
relaxation?
his month, visit our NCP Health Ministry page
here to learn more about walking to school
safely, the many other benefits of walking
to school, and how you can promote a
child’s walking to school, even if it’s just for one day a year!
Stephanie Scully Eskridge, RN, BSN Questions? [email protected]
P.S. Archived issues from the Health Ministry are available online as well. Did you miss the edition
on allergies? How about meningitis, breast cancer or diabetes? Visit the health ministry
webpage here to learn more.
Board of Pensions TELADOC
A new offering by the BOP this year includes the opportunity to access a doctor by phone.
Members also receive periodic emails with interesting information. Two interesting articles
appeared in the October edition: “Everything you need to know about bacon” and “What are
probiotics and why should I care?”. View them here.
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NCP Partnerships – Guatemala
Recent Midweek newsletters included updates on trips
supporting the MAM Christian Women for Development
where mission partners traveled to the Western Highlands
of Guatemala to listen, learn and enjoy being with Clinica
Maya director, Rosario Diaz and the women in the
association.
The most recent October, 2017 report
is now available with full details and
photos. Click here to experience their
accomplishments this year. Interested
in their progress? Follow them on our
NCP webpage here.
Alternative to the Black Friday
Doorbuster Dash
Click here to view tips for a fun and successful
event. It’s a wonderful way to get people
together for a great cause and ring in the
Holiday Giving Season!
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Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program
Visit PILP online at
https://pilp.pcusa.org
more information.
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Position Church/Organization Contact
Connectional
Presbyter
New Castle Presbytery
Energized and excited to serve its
congregations in new ways, NCP is seeking a
diverse pool of applicants for its newly
created Connectional Presbyter position.
View the full position description here.
Send PIF/resume no later than
November 1st to:
connectionalpresbyter
@ncpresbytery.org
Treasurer
New Castle Presbytery
Part-time, salaried staff member charged
with direct supervision of its financial functions
and services. View the full position
description here.
Send PIF/resume now to:
[email protected]
Missional
Presbyter
New Castle Presbytery
In our re-structured model, our new Missional
Presbyter serves the presbytery in ministry that
brings enthusiasm and hope to our churches,
engages the churches in connecting with
one another and works with the Committee
on Coordination and the Committee on
Leadership. This is a newly created position
with the position description here.
Send PIF/resume now to:
missionalpresbyter@
ncpresbytery.org
Church
Administrator
(full time)
Hanover Presbyterian Church
1801 N. Jefferson Street, Wilmington, DE
Hanover Presbyterian Church is currently
seeking a full time Church Administrator. The
position description is available here or by
calling 302-658-5114. Please send letters of
interest, along with qualifications and work-
related experience, and three references to:
Romain Alexander
Personnel Committee Chair
Hanover Presbyterian Church
1801 N. Jefferson St., Wilmington, DE, 19802
Letters will be received up to
Friday, November 10.
Transitional
General
Presbyter
Salem Presbytery, Clemmons, North Carolina
Seeking a Transitional General Presbyter for
the 9th largest Presbytery in the PCUSA. For
position description, click here.
Consideration of applications
will begin on November 15th.
Send PIF/resume with letter of
interest to:
statedclerk@salempresbytery.
org
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PHOTO PRAYER
Request for Information: Potential Social
Security Stay-at-Work/Return-to-Work
Demonstration Projects
Social Security and the Department of Labor’s Office
of Disability Employment Policy are seeking public input for Information on Potential Stay-at-
Work/Return-to-Work Demonstration Projects. Through this research, we hope to identify
effective strategies for supporting workers who want and are able to keep working while
living with a disability.
Specifically, we are asking for recommendations on the early intervention strategies to be
tested (to promote labor force attachment, coordinate employment and health services,
and support injured and ill workers in returning to and remaining at work) and on the design
of a potential demonstration.Please read the
Federal Register notice to learn more. The notice
includes the questions we want help with
answering and instructions for submitting your
comments by Internet, fax, or mail. It also provides
contact details for the Department of Labor in
case you need further information. Comments are
due no later than October 30, 2017. Click here to
submit your information.
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COMMUNITY ANNOUNCEMENTS & NEWS
(Submit your information and provide the link to your flyer on your webpage/Facebook for inclusion
in subsequent editions. Click on each event for additional information)
Life is full of interesting things … embrace, celebrate and share!
10/28/17,
8:45a-1:30p Presbyterian Women, New Castle
Presbytery’s Fall Gathering
Presbyterian Church of Dover
54 S. State Street, Dover, DE
View the invitation online
here
10/29/17,
4:00p
11/1/2017,
9:00a-6:00p Policing in Communities of Color in Delaware Widener University, Delaware Law School
Ruby R. Vale Moot Courtroom
4601 Concord Pike, Wilmington, DE 19803
What are the challenges and solutions from
the perspective of both the community and
the police? View the agenda and additional
information here.
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11/2/2017,
7:00p Christians Living Under Occupation St. Joseph on the Brandywine
10 Old Church Road, Greenville, DE 19807
Join us for an inspiring evening with Dr. Sa’ed Atshan,
Assistant Professor of Peace and Conflice Studies and
an alumnus at Swarthmore College, who will speak on
the situation of Palestinian Christiana living under
occupation and their vanishing population in the land
where Christianity was born. He is a Christian who grew
up in Palestine.
Light refreshments will be provided dureing this free
event, open to the public.
For questions or to RSVP, please
email: [email protected]
11/10/17,
7:00p
Re-Entry: A Performance Tribute to Veterans
Baby Grand Theater
818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE
This dynanic performance, supported by the
Delaware Division of the Arts, begins with WWII
and moves forward in time to present day
military operations. Dance choreography,
original music, historic artifacts and literary
research with storytelling based on interviews
with veterans and their families. For further
performance information, click here.
FREE ADMISSION! Click here to register
11/10/17,
7:00p
First Presbyterian Church
Veteran’s Day Talk by the Dover AFB Air Mobility
Museum
101 W. Walnut Street, Milford, DE
Admission is free with light refreshments
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11/11/17,
9a-3p
Trinity Presbyterian Church,
Winter Bazaar
1120 Darley Road, Wilmington, DE 19810
Come shop for the special people on your list! More details, check out their Facebook ad here.
11/12/17,
11:00a
Rock Presbyterian Church
30 Rock Church Road, Elkton, DE 21921
Worship service to celebrate our rich blessings.
All are invited to join the congregation for this
special day and lunch following the service in
the church house.
11/23/17,
8-10:30a
Newark Senior Center
31st Annual Thanksgiving Day Breakfast
200 Whitechapel Drive, Newark, DE 19713
Enjoy Thanksgiving Day breakfast with your
friends and neighbors. Seniors 60 and over are
free; advance registration is suggested.
Registration for under the age of 60 is $3 in
advance and $6 at the door.
Call the center at (302) 366-7000 for more
information. Volunteers are needed as well.
Click here to volunteer
12/2/17,
9:00a-2:00p
Rock Presbyterian Church
Annual Country Christmas Bazaar
30 Rock Church Road, Elkton, DE 21921
Beautiful holiday decorations, ornaments, gifts,
wreaths, baked goods and lots more! Lunch will
be served. Bring your friends and family!
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New Castle Presbytery
1102 W. Church Road Newark, DE 19711–2506
(302) 366-0595 office ● (302) 366-0714 fax
www.ncpresbytery.org Hours: Monday-Thursday
8:30 am—4:00pm
Friday (Office closed)
Staff · Rev. James L. Moseley, Executive Presbyter
· Bob Schminkey, Stated Clerk
· Donna L. Scully, Office Manager
Officers (2017) · Winnie Wagner, Moderator
Jeff Howard, Vice Moderator
· Mark Olson, Chair of Council
NCP Resource Personnel · Rev. Tom Davis, Interfaith Peacemaker
· Rev. Doug Gerdts, Treasurer
· Rev. Nona Holy, LUMOS Campus Minister
· Emma Blair, Bookkeeper
· Terry Dykstra, Mission Advocate
· Pam Ruarke, Disaster Recovery Coordinator
· Martha Reisner, Board Of Pensions, Church
Consultant
PCUSA Communications
Presbyterians Today
Related Organizations
· The Speer Trust
· Presbyterian Church (USA)
· Synod of the Mid-Atlantic PC(USA)
- Board of Pensions
· Administrative Personnel Association
PC(USA)
· Lumos/Presbyterian Campus Ministry
(UD)
· Interfaith Resource Center
· Meeting Ground Inc.
· New Hope Pastoral Counseling
· Pacem In Terris
· PCUSA Investment & Loan Program
- Pilgrimage Ministries
· Presbyterian Foundation
· Presbyterian Men
· Presbyterian Women
· Teledavis
· Westminster Village
Presbyterian Outlook
Presbyterian News Service
Presbyterian Mission Yearbook
