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Midweek Musings January 31, 2018 edition
Souper Bowl of Caring
February 4th
New Castle PresbyteryWord of the Day
Every morning, I get the Merriam Webster “Word of the
Day” in my email “in box”. Most mornings, even before I get
out of bed, I read a couple of daily devotions on my
phone. My favorites include the PCUSA Mission Yearbook,
d365, and Becca Stevens Daily Meditation. I always read
the “Word of the Day.”
On January 8, the Word of the Day was: Mutatis Mutandis.
Ever heard of it? Merriam Webster told me it was an
adverb, and it is pronounced, myoo-TAH-tis-myoo-TAHN-dis.
Just like it looks.
What’s it mean? Here are the two definitions:
1: with the necessary changes having been made
2: with the respective differences having been
considered
I liked it immediately.
Upcoming Events 3/2-3/17 – Beach Retreat and
839th Stated Meeting
View Presbytery calendar:
http://www.ncpresbytery.org/news/calendar
Midweek Contents
Beach Retreat – REGISTER NOW!
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Comm. Announcements . . . .15
Employment Opportunities. . . 14
Health Ministry . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Healthy Boundaries . . . . . . . . . . 6
Interfaith Peacemaker . . . . . . . 8
Midweek Musings . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Mission Advocate . . . . . . . . . . 10
Our Members . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Our Pastors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Photo Prayer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
PCUSA News . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
PCUSA World Mission . . . . . . . . 4
Presbyterians Today . . . . . . . . . 7
Related Organizations. . . . . . . 18
Share the Joy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Thank you . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
With Sympathy . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 2 of 18
When I was elected to serve as your Stated Clerk, I understood that it was a three year term, and
my term would come to an end around April 1, 2018. I further understood that part of my task
was to serve in a transitional role, helping our transformation process along, making necessary
changes and considering respective differences. Mutatis Mutandis.
I’m excited by the changes God has set before us in
New Castle Presbytery as we seek to be a more
missional church. Thank you all for your commitment to
being and doing church here on the Eastern Shore of
Maryland and in Delaware.
Bob
Bob Schminkey, Stated Clerk
PCUSA – This Week’s News (January 31st)
This week in PCUSA News:
New Jersey church seeks release for member picked up by federal authorities
Gambrell to receive Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary distinguished alumni
award
Top 10 films for Visual Parables in 2017
Partnerships help YAVs become the next generation of globally aware, faithful
leaders
Registration open for 2018 Compassion, Peace and Justice 2018 Training Day
Evangelism Conference on “Sabbath Rest” to help PC(USA) rethink evangelism
And more!
Click here to view full articles.
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 3 of 18
2018 Beach Retreat
Registration Needs your
Attention!
This year’s beach retreat
beckons “All Aboard!” with
registration now open with an
extended registration! A
rooming list is required by the
hotel earlier this year, therefore room availability is only
guaranteed through February 1st at noon! Any registrations
after that date/time must be confirmed with the Presbytery
office prior to registration, however PLEASE CALL US! We would
love to have you participate!
We welcome all members of our congregations, friends and
colleagues! The link to registration is on the home page of our
website (www.ncpresbytery.org) OR here.
Bill Carter with the PresbyBop Quartet will be with us for worship
and Friday evening’s “swinging pulse of faithful jazz party”.
You won’t want to miss it!
Questions? Call the Presbytery office (302) 366-0595 or email
Ocean View P.C.
Welcomes New
Pastor …
the Rev. Terry
Dougherty!
“God, the Holy Spirit, is
active in people of faith.
The Spirit begins and
strengthens faith, growing
our concern and love for
others. My own joy in the
Spirit has set my
relationship with God right.
The Spirit guides our
understanding of Scripture
and the Church.”
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 4 of 18
Presbyterian Mission
Mission Matters – January 18th
“In this month’s Mission Matters column,
Tamron Keith, associate director of World
Mission, writes about “intersectional, Yet Faithful” service in God’s mission.
I have been thinking about “intersections” lately — an odd point of
contemplation, you might say. This perspective is countercultural in a
society where we are most often focused on the “destination” rather than
the intersections in between. And, it is important to note, in the context of
moving objects, that intersections are places that must be negotiated
carefully, for need of avoiding a collision at all costs.
Acts 6:1–7 (NLT), describe some interesting “intersections.” The first two
verses describe the scenario quite well. “But as the believers rapidly multiplied, there were
rumblings of discontent. The Greek-speaking believers complained about the Hebrew-
speaking believers, saying that their widows were being discriminated against in the daily
distribution of food. So the twelve called a meeting of all the believers. They said, ‘We
apostles should spend our time teaching the word of God, not running a food program.’”
Read the full article here.
UPDATE: Tamron Keith will be attending our 2018 Beach Retreat and will lead a workshop!
Call the Presbytery office to register today!
Former NCP Treasurer – Rev. Doug Gerdts
It was been a pleasure and an honor to serve as your Treasurer these past
12 years. I strove to protect the assets of the Presbytery while identifying
resources to enable a wide diversity of ministries that you created or
supported. Very little of it was actual work — I truly loved doing it and found great satisfaction in
even most mundane of accounting challenges. You gave me a wonderful way to serve and I’m
grateful.
Grateful too for the Orvis gift card — already spent on fly fishing paraphernalia — and also the
generous allotment of funds to be distributed to charities of my choice. Those are also underway!
Lastly, we are in excellent financial care between Emma Blair, our bookkeeper,
and Lynette Kenton, the new NCP Treasurer!
Be well and may 2018 be a year of challenge, blessing, and growth! Doug
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 5 of 18
Our Pastors – The Rev. Nona Holy,
LUMOS/Presbyterian Campus Ministry
Ministry … A “Gig” that Matters
Ministry. It’s one of those gigs - like
parenting, writing, art, really anything
that is about relationship and
communication and impacting the
future – where you just wonder sometimes whether it matters,
what impact is this having? And then you get a text from a
former student, someone who used to live in the campus ministry house owned and run
by the Presbytery. He’s coming into town with another former resident and wants to
know if you have time to meet.
Back and forth go the texts and you land on a time and surprisingly, they don’t want to
meet somewhere for food, free food even. They ask if we can meet at the campus
ministry house.
And so we do. We talk for more than two hours about how things are going for them,
these two young men, committed to intentionally living their lives in the
image of Jesus, holding themselves accountable to beliefs few in their
peer group claim as guiding principles. We talk, as we have before,
about what it’s like to be a single young adult in this highly sexualized
culture. We talk about loneliness as both have moved to new places
after leaving UD and now find themselves strangers. They shared their
experiences of trying to find a faith community that felt like a good
match for where they are on their faith journeys, of their desire to be
known and not just as young adults fitting the missing demographic in
our pew, but as individuals who have talents and service to offer and needs and
questions too.
It’s been two years since these two were part of the community in the campus ministry
house. And still they have a connection to the place, the others who lived there too,
Caitlan and I, who companioned them along the way.
Do I know what that connection means going forward? Yes and no. Am I grateful to
have been able to be part of their lives and offer them the community of Christ’s
church? You bet. It’s a good gig. I hope you have a reminder soon that what you do,
the way you serve God and God’s people, makes a difference. Peace – Nona
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 6 of 18
NCP Healthy Boundaries –
Beyond Basics Update
A healthy boundaries beyond basics
classes are now posted on our
website. The first class of 2017 will be
available just prior to the beach
retreat in Ocean City, Maryland
(March 1st, 1-3:30p)! The class will be offered to minister members, inquirers/candidates
and ruling elders. Minister members requiring this class in 2018 as part of the “every
three-year commitment” will receive an email invitation shortly with a link to registration.
If you are aware that your commitment is required this year, no need to wait for an email
invitation! The information to register is available on our Healthy Boundaries webpage.
For additional details, view the NCP Healthy Boundaries webpage here.
Our Members – Alice Davis and Hazel Brown
Alice Davis (Hanover Street Presbyterian Church) and
Hazel Brown are gardening partners at the Shearman
Street Community Garden on the East Side of Wilmington,
Delaware. Through their instructors, community youth
experience the joy of gardening and its benefits. These
wonderful ladies received an award from the Delaware
Center for Horticulture for volunteer service in educating
youth about gardening.
Congratulations Alice and Hazel!
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 7 of 18
With Sympathy
Elder and tireless saint, M. Lorraine
Graves, died in December,
peacefully at home, at age 93.
Lorraine served for years on every
Presbytery Committee she could.
She served Presbyterian Women all
over the Presbytery. She is survived
by a daughter, Lynn Carter, 3
grandsons, and one great-
grandson. We, at the Seaford
Presbyterian Church, miss her
dearly, even as we are grateful she
is in a place of peace and joy!
There will be a Memorial Service,
celebrating her life at the Seaford
Presbyterian Church, February 24 @ 11 am. (click here for
full obituary)
Presbyterians Today – Faith and Sports (February/March 2018 issue)
We Americans are passionate about sports. But
sometimes — maybe even often — our faith and our
love for sports seem to conflict with each other: Sports
encroaching on Sunday worship. Controversies over
kneeling versus standing for the national anthem at
football games. Praying before the big game to crush
the opposing team. So-called “improper benefits” to
college athletes. Athletic departments looking the
other way when it comes to risks of brain injuries.
This issue of Presbyterians Today explores how morals,
ethics and faith intersect with the world of sports. Click
here to read more in this invaluable publication.
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 8 of 18
INTERFAITH PEACEMAKER, New Castle Presbytery
Rev. Tom Davis
Power Breath
In December other IVW members, Sid Jacobs and Ted Garrison and I completed
a five-day Power Breath Workshop for veterans and family members of
veterans. This as a free offering, due in part to the funding generosity of a not-for-profit,
www.HelpTheVeterans.org, started by two local high school students, Meera and Raghav Garg.
Thanks so much, friends! There were ten other participants in the workshop, some from the
Vietnam era, and some from Gulf wars. Some had already done considerable work dealing with
past trauma, and some were still struggling.
The breathing exercises we learned were
surprisingly simple. How they change a
person's emotional state is by no means
obvious though. Basically, here's what takes
place: one learns to breathe deeply and
rhythmically in certain repetitive patterns.
There is no religion involved, although similar
techniques are used by mystics in various
religious traditions. When the participants
were asked to share what they experienced
after even the early practice sessions, there
were several who reported a positive
emotional influence. They felt more centered,
less troubled, calmer. The teacher said that
Power Breathing helps to lower blood pressure,
increases metabolism, and contributes in some
cases to improved memory. I can understand
how increasing oxygen to the body would promote such physical changes. But what about the
emotional ones?
The teacher said that the breath connects the body and the mind. I've been pondering that.
How does it connect the two? Partly from reading Bessel Van der Kolp's excellent book about
healing trauma, called The Body Keeps the Score, here's what makes some sense to me: A
portion of the brain (at the bottom and back) takes care of basic bodily functions which carry on
automatically and unconsciously, such as the beating of the heart, breathing, and activities of
the endocrine system. Another portion of the brain, at the front and top, takes care of reflection
and deliberate actions. Severe trauma affects both portions of the brain. To survive continuing
combat, the portion of a warrior's brain governing unconscious functions develops habits for self-
defense. These unconscious habits remain intact after a combatant returns home, keeping one
aggressively vigilant. This angry disposition of mind feels frightfully wrong in a civilian context, but
the former warrior doesn't know how, by a deliberate decision, to relax the aggression. The
reactive, self-protective habits against attack are firmly embedded in the unconscious part of the
brain. How can they be reached and dissolved?
By the breath. Ordinarily breathing is an unconscious, automatic activity. But it can become
very intentional, very conscious, if one concentrates on it. The reflective part of the brain is
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 9 of 18
made anxious and sometimes frenetic by trauma. That executive part of
the brain wants to DO SOMETHING to make the pain stop. But, the more
it strives to think what's required it worries more and more. That's where
concentrating on breathing instead can come in handy. A Power
Breather gives the executive brain something else to do besides
thinking, besides worrying, namely CONCENTRATE ON YOUR BREATHING!
And just that, nothing else. If something else intrudes into one's thoughts,
one can calmly slip back into paying attention just to one's breathing. To the extent that one is
able to pay attention only to one's breathing, the anxious part of one's brain becomes otherwise
employed and thus distracted, and becomes a willing partner with the bottom and back of the
brain, which usually does its duty with no recognition whatsoever. When the Executive gets in
sync with the Automatic Pilot something remarkable happens: one's mood levels out, one gets a
little mellow. I don't understand how just concentrating on breathing affects the emotions so
quickly. But it most certainly does. Some veterans report that learning to breathe in such a
disciplined way healed their symptoms of post-traumatic stress entirely. It seems almost like
magic because it's so simple.
Peace, Tom
TCDavis
President, Interfaith
Veterans Workgroup; 302-
507-6012 mobile; E-mail:
WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION
ON THE STEWARDSHIP
KALEIDOSCOPE IN MID-
FEBRUARY!
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 10 of 18
MISSION ADVOCATE, New Castle Presbytery
Terry Lee Dykstra
Presbyterian Mission Co-Worker Robert Rasmussen dies at
age 90 (As reported in PCUSA Mission Around the World 1/31/18)
Read the full article here.
Blessings and peace, Terry
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 11 of 18
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Health Ministry
January – National Birth Defects Prevention Month
Every 4-½ minutes,
a baby is born with
a birth defect in the United States.
That means nearly 120,000 babies
are affected by birth defects each
year. Birth defects are the leading
cause of infant deaths, accounting
for 20% of all infant deaths. January
is National Birth Defects Prevention
Month. This month, visit the NCP
Health Ministry page to learn more
about the causes of birth defects
and how to prevent them! View this
month’s edition here.
Be safe, be well!
Stephanie Scully Eskridge, RN, BSN Questions? [email protected]
View archived articles from 2016 through 2017 including bleeding disorders, allergies, radon
poisoning, breast cancer, diabetes, pandemic flu and more! Click here.
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 12 of 18
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 13 of 18
PHOTO PRAYER
The Washington Island Forum is a 40 year tradition and is sponsored by the
Wisconsin Council of Churches and The Christian Century magazine. It is four
and one half days of worship, workshops, discussion, and contemplation in
an ecumenical retreat setting on Washington Island, just north of Door
County Wisconsin. The week begins with a welcome and opening picnic
Monday afternoon at Trinity Lutheran Church. Tuesday through Thursday
enjoy morning prayer and workshop sessions at the Trueblood Performing
Arts Center (TPAC) and optional afternoon discussion groups. Friday begins
with a Eucharist, a final workshop and discussion, with departure at noon.
This year’s presenter is Anna Carter Florence with the theme “Reading the Verbs: Finding the
Script in the Scripture”. She is Professor of Preaching at Columbia Theological Seminary in
Decatur, Georgia and an ordained minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA).
In the past we have had participants from all four corners of the country and many places in
between attend. More information can be found on our web site at:
www.wichurches.org/calendar/event-list/2018-washington-island-forum-2/
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 14 of 18
NEXT Church is an organization described as a purposeful relational community of Presbyterian
leaders whose mission is to strengthen a vibrant and thriving PC(USA) that shares the good news
of Jesus Christ in ways that matter to and have impact on God’s evolving world.
Their national gathering is scheduled for February 26 – 28 in Baltimore, with exciting presenters
and workshops scheduled. As New Castle Presbytery moves toward a more missional presbytery
model, the Ignite team would encourage you or someone from your congregation to consider
attending to catch the spirit of the event. Click here for more information.
Position Church/Organization Contact 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 no later than
1/31/18 to:
missionalpresbyter@
ncpresbytery.org
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 15 of 18
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 opportunities … embrace, celebrate and share!
February
events at
Hanover PC
Hanover Presbyterian Church
18th Street & Baynard Boulevard, Wilmington, DE
2/3/18, 9:00a-12:00p - The Freedom Forum welcomes
Kathryn Jakabcrin, President of the board of directors
of the ACLU of Delaware and Kathleen Macrae,
Executive Director. The will address the First
Amendment with ongoing challenges of “freedom of
speech”.
2/11/18, 11:00a – Mardi Gras Jazz and Soul Food
This worship service recognizes the Transfiguration of
the Lord and will feature the music of the Dixie
Ramblers! Annual soul food luncheon will follow the
service.
2/25/18, 4:00p – Gospel Vespers will include The Twin
Poets, Dr. Amanda Kemp and Michael Jamanis,
Michael Hunter, Brian Gray, The Melodic Dancers, The
Rev. Aaron Moore, Denika M. Knox and the Hanover
Choir
2/9/18,
7:00p
First Presbyterian Church
101 S. Walnut Street, Milford, DE
Amos Fayette of the Delaware Music School will visit
and lecture on Violin Info.
Admission is free and no membership required. Light
refreshments will be available.
2/10/18, 7-
8:30p
First Presbyterian Church-Newark
292 W. Main Street, Newark, DE 19711
The Joyful Noise Coffee House presents CrossFire
The Joyful Noise Coffee House featuring live
music on the 2nd Saturday of the month is held in
Memorial Hall (located behind the church)
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 16 of 18
2/17/18,
7:30p
Presbyterian Church of the Covenant
Concert Series
A native of the upper Midwest, Chad Fothergill
received degrees in organ performance from Gustavus
Adolphus College (St. Peter, MN) and the University of
Iowa where he studied with David Feinen and
Delbert Disselhorst. Presently a Ph.D. student in
musicology at Temple University (Phila., PA), he
researches the Lutheran Kantor tradition in both its
Reformation-era and present-day contexts. Teacher,
writer and researcher, he remains active as an organist
and harpsichordist in solo, collaborative, and liturgical
settings.
Organist Chad Fothergill will
present a varied program of
masterworks on Church of
the Covenant’s 1977
Schantz Three Manual Pipe
Organ.
4/20-23/18 Ecumenical Advocacy Days for Global Peace
with Justice: “A World Uprooted
The 16th annual National Gathering in
Washington, has discounted early bird
registration open now at the Doubletree Hotel in
Arlington, Virginia.
Register and book now to save! Speakers and
workshops will be available in the coming weeks.
For more information, click
here.
4/20-22/18 Presbyterian Women in New Castle Presbytery
Annual Retreat – “The Lord is my Shepherd”
Dunes Manor Hotel, 2800 N. Baltimore Avenue,
Ocean City, MD
For registration, call Marty Cropper (410) 213-
1592 or Mabel Rogers (410-641-5883) or email
4/24-27/18
Princeton Theological Seminary
Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry
The Forum gathers Christian leaders who are
passionate about young people and the
church. Youth ministers, Christian educators,
pastors, ministry innovators, and emerging
scholars from the USA and beyond gather
annually for this 4-day event on the campus of
Princeton Theological Seminary. This year, our
theme is IMAGE.
For more information, click
here.
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 17 of 18
5/5/18,
9:00a-2:00p SEEKING CRAFTERS NOW who would like to sell
their creations or, if you have wonderful items
that are cluttering up your home! Rent space!
The Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian
Church Newark are planning a Country Market,
Crafty Creations & Funky Finds.
Spaces are $25 for either inside or outside. If you
would like to rent a space or have a question
contact Jean Williams kjeanwill@ aol.com.
Midweek submissions: [email protected] Page 18 of 18
NCP INCLEMENT WEATHER
POLICY:
The office follows the Christina
School District office closings
with staff working remotely
and available via email and
cell phone
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 (2018) Jeff Howard, Moderator
Dianne Deming, Vice Moderator
NCP Resource Personnel (2018) · Rev. Tom Davis, Interfaith Peacemaker
· Lynette Kenton, 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
· 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
