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GOODNEWSFROMST.ANDREWS
St.AndrewsPresbyterianChurch,Kilmarnock,VAOctober2017●Volume5,No.10
www.saintandrewspc.org
_______________________ OnOctober16thI’llbetakingupthepostof interimpastoratGreenAcresChurchinPortsmouth,VA;about25minutesfrommySuffolkhome.I’llbedoingasimilarministryasIhave been doing at St. Andrews Church for the last 18 months. Like here, I’ll lead thecongregationthroughamissionstudy,reflectontheirhistoryandfuturehopes,surveytheirministry needs and community footprint and then help them prepare for a pastor searchcommittee.I’llprovidepastoralleadershipandpreachattwoservicesaweek.I’mhopingtoretireat thecompletionof that interimandenjoymanyof theopportuntiesthatsomanyofmySt.Andrewsfriendsenjoyinretirment.Butnotyet. Lookingback,Ican’tbelievewe’vebeentogetherforayearandahalf.Wow!DebandIwillmissyouallandwehavefondmemoriesofourtimeintheNorthernNeck.WestartedoutinourtraveltraileratGrey’sPointand ended up at the Ryan cottage in themiddle of a corn field in Browns Store.What an adventure. Newmembers, funerals, baptism, bag pipes, dinners for 8, JTB, CS4, VBS, WOW, PNC, PACC, and everything inbetween.It’sbeenahighlightofmyministryandI’llbewearingmySt.AndrewstatantieandclergytartanstoleonmyfirstSundayatGreenAcresChurch. AfterOct. 1st, I’ll no longer be your interim pastor and professional/ethical bounderiesmeans that Icannotprovidepastoralservicestothechurch.Ihopetokeepinformedofwhat’sgoingonviathenewsletterthough.I’llberootingforyouandyournewpastortobethatgrace-filledandvibrantchurchIknowyoucanbewithGod’shelp.
Now,inthisbrieftimeofwaiting,patiencewillbeneededandprayerswillbeappreciatedasthePastorNominatingCommitteeworkstosecureanewpastorforthechurch.God’satworkandsoarethegoodmembersandfriendsofSt.AndrewsChurchforthesakeofChristJesusourLord.
WhenourAssociatePastor,Judyretired,shegaveabrieffarewellinchurchthatIthoughtwasgrace-filledandperfectforthatmomentandIsaidtomyself,“I’mgoingtousethatoutlineforwhenIhavetosaygoodbyetothecongregation.Heroutlinewassimpleandwentsomethinglikethis:Thankyou,I’msorry,Iforgiveyou,IloveyouandI’llmissyou.
Thankyou!YouwelcomedDebbieandmeintoyourchurchfamilywithsmilesandgoodwishes.YougavemefreedomtodotheinterimworkIwascalledtoofferthechurch.EventhoughIwasarookieinterimpastor,youstilllistened,volunteered,didthenecessaryworkoftransition,andriskeddoingsomenewthingsthatturnedouttobegood.Youacceptedmypastoralcareandofferedfriendship.Youencouragedmeandchallengedmeandhelpedmeinmyministry.Thankyousoverymuch.
I’msorry.It’simpossiblenottorufflefeathersandstepontoesasanintentionalinterimminister.Infact,often,that’sthejob.Ifmypushing,pressing,insistenceandnaggingemailsgotyouupset,frustratedortired,pleaseforgiveme.ItwasforapurposeandagoalofmakingsurethechurchdidtheworknecessarytomakesureSt.Andrewsisreadytowelcomeanewpastorandsupporthisorherministryfullyandwithexcitement.Othertimes,I’msureIsteppedontoes,forgotthings,messedupandwastoobusydoing‘ministry’toreallylistenandfocusonapastoralneed.Itwasn’tintentional.I’msorryifImessedupsomethingimportanttoyouordidn’tdosomethingyouexpectedmetodoaspastor.I’mnotperfectbutIdoknowwe’reallforgiveninGod’ssight.
Iforgiveyou.Yes,sometimesIfeltletdownorlefttodoitbymyselforwaitedforapromisedphonecallthatnevercame.Pastorsgethurtfeelingstoo,althoughwetrytohidethat.Soforgivenessgoesbothways
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andifyou’rewonderingifyoudidorsaidsomethingalongthewaythatmayhaveoffendedorlookedbadinthemoment,don’tfretit.Ileavethisphaseofmyministrywithnohardfeelings.Afterall,we’rehumanandChristwholovesusforgivesus.
Iloveyouandwillmissyou.Asfellowtravelersonlife’sjourneywithChrist,itwasimpossiblenottogetattachedtothechurchandthegoodmembersofSt.Andrews.Imadesomelife-longfriendshipsfromamongthecongregation.Lotsofgoodmemoriesandafewsurprisessprangupalongtheway.WhatpreacherwouldnotwanttopreachinfrontofthreeretiredseminaryprofessorseachSunday?Thatwasafunchallenge.St.AndrewsishometosomeoftheNorthernNeck’sgreatpeople;folkswithsuperresumesandheartsofgold.MostofthetimeIjusthadtomentionanideaandsomeonewouldpickuponitandrunwithit.That’sthekindofmembershipapastorwillsurelymiss.WorkingwiththechurchstaffandkeyvolunteersmadecomingintotheofficeonMondaysomethingIlookedforwardtoeachweek.I’llmissthechildrenrunningupfortheirmessage,theexcitementofVBS,andseeingthoseLittleLibrariesallovertheplaceandknowingitwasSt.Andrewswhoputthemthere.I’llmissStevie’sIceCream,too.
IknowtheLordhasgreatthingsinstoreforSt.AndrewsChurchandanewpastorisonlyalittlewayaway.God’speaceandShalomtoyouall.Blessingstoyouallandpeace. KeithCurran,InterimPastor
VolunteerNeeded:ChurchHistory Ifyoulike‘scrapbooking’orcreatingphotoalbums,thisjobmaybeforyou?We’relookingforavolunteertocollect,organizeanddocumentourlocalchurchhistorythatwillbepreservedin‘photoalbum’style,andthatiskeptinourParlor.Thisissomethingonecandoathomeandupdateaboutonceamonthorso.Contactthechurchofficeifinterestedtohelpout.
Here’salittledittythatFrankMillercameupwithinresponsetoDr.Curran’ssermononLaborDaycalled:NoPerfectPeopleAllowed.It’sinthepoeticstyleoftheBurmaShavesigns.Ifyouareperfect,Passonby,Ifyouarenot,Comeinandcry,
Ifyouarenotperfect,Comeinandcry,Godwillhearyou,Andnotaskwhy.
RememberSt.AndrewsChurchinyourwillandplannedgiving… Createalegacyoffaithbyincludingthechurchinyourwill.ThereisnobetterwaytoexpressyourloveforGodandthechurchthantomakesurethatSt.AndrewsChurchwillbeabletoreachouttogenerationstocomeandcontinuetosharethegospelofChristfordecadestocome.
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Checkoutthelatestphotos,happeningsandinformationaboutSundayworship.Theaccountnameis St. Andrews Presbyterian Church. Here you’ll find news, photos, and suggestions for spiritualreflection.Checkitoutoften.LikeourpageandfollowusonFacebook.
StillLooking……ChildCareWorkerNeeded St.AndrewsisstilllookingforapaidnurseryworkerforSundaymornings.Whileweareseekingapermanentperson,whocanprovidecaremostSundays,wealsoareopentocollegestudentsthissummer.Studentsinterestedcouldhelpthissummerandpossiblyatkeytimesduringtheyear,suchasChristmasbreaks.Italsowouldallowustocontinuelooking,whilehavingamplecoverageinthecomingmonths.Pleasethinkaboutneighbors,friends,andacquaintanceswhomayfitthebillorhaveasonordaughterwhodoes.Thechurchofficehasaone-pageapplicationforinterestedpersonstofilloutandquestionscanbedirectedtothechurchoffice,ClaudiaCalhoun,orTerriPerkins.Thankyouforyourhelpasweministertothelittlestofourchurchfamily!
SummerServiceProject-THANKS! 56bagsofschoolsupplieswerepackedupatafellowshipmealonSept.12th.ManyhandsmadequickworkoftheprojectthatisinpartnershipwithChurchWorldService.Rev.CurrandeliveredthebagstotheCWSdropoffcenterinHampton,VAwheretheywillbedistributedaroundtheworld.AlladditionalsuppliesweredeliveredtoLancasterPrimarySchoolsolocalchildrenwillbeabletoenjoylearningabouttheworldthatGodcreated.ThisisaprojectofourServiceMinistry.OurGuestPreachersforOctober/November11amWorshipOct.8MarkFavazza;Dir.YMCA(Congregationalmeetingtoelectelders)Oct.15 AlanRock:HospitalChaplain,RGH,KilmarnockOct.22 DougWalters:Director,CampHanoverOct.29 JimGodwin:RetiredUMCpastorNov.5 openNov.12 MarkFavazzaNov.19 ClaudiaCalhoun(St.Andrewelder)Nov.26 ClayMacaulay:UnionPres.Sem.Staff(FeastofSt.Andrew&KirkinoftheTartan)Dec.3 BeverlyZink-Sawyer:Un.Pres.Sem.Preachingprofessor-retiredDec.10 LouisWeeks:Un.Pres.Sem.President-retiredDec.17&2411am TraditionalChoirandChildren’sChristmasmusicprograms
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JourneytoBethlehemSetforDec.9,2017 Onceagain,ourchurchwillhosttheJourneytoBethlehemdrivethroughnativitystoryincooperationwithlocalcongregations.Setsarebeingpreparedandvolunteersgatheredtohelpmakethiscommunityserviceprojectevenbetterthanourinauguralyear.
Ifyou’dliketohelp,[email protected].
FeastofSt.AndrewService TheannualFeastofSt.AndrewworshipserviceandKirkin’oftheTartanwillbeheldonSunday,Nov.26that11am.Ablessingoffamiliesandbagpipeswillbepartoftheservice.You’reencouragedtowearatartanorfamilycrestorotherrecognitionofyourfamilyheritagetoworshipthatday.Checkthebulletinforupcomingdetails.
CreationCareAlliance
CONNECTIONS “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.”
So reflected John Muir [1838-1914], the Scottish-American founder of environmentalism whose father, a Presbyterian minister, required him as a youngster to memorize much of The Holy Bible. Muir’s observation calls to mind the “six degrees of separation” theory that – through inter-connected, personal contacts – each of us is no more than six steps away from anyone else in the entire world. Then there’s the notion that a butterfly fluttering on our Northern Neck can trigger a sandstorm in Saudi Arabia, or a pebble dropped in the Potomac River can cause a ripple that can set off a tidal wave in the Sea of Japan. Far-fetched? Possibly. Yet people living at the Susquehanna River’s headwaters in New York State produce contaminants that add to the pollution of our Chesapeake Bay – or, hundreds of miles west of us, the Ohio River Valley’s industrial smokestacks spew toxins that can foul the air we breathe here. For generations, we’ve been aware that coalfield mine acid kills fish in nearby rivers and creeks. And for decades, we’ve known the devastating effects, on people and terrain, of “valley fill” operations taking mountains apart to mine coal.
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But some human intrusions hurtful to nature are less obvious. Note a three-year study suggesting that Pennsylvania’s bird populations are affected adversely by oil and natural gas drilling in the Appalachian Mountains. The study, conducted by Penn State University’s College of Agricultural Sciences, shows bird communities in northwestern Pennsylvania’s Allegheny National Forest have been altered by the drilling there of 14,000 active oil and gas wells. Margaret Brittingham, Penn State professor of wildlife resources, says the study found birds “that inhabit the interior forest – such as black-throated blue warblers, ovenbirds and Blackburnian warblers – being pushed out, and species that prefer living in edge habitat and near people and development – such as robins, blue jays and mourning doves – moving in.” Such a conceivably subtle change to some folks might, instead, be a warning of greater environmental impacts in the future, along with much greater consequences. “We are going to have resource extraction in [Pennsylvania],” Brittingham concedes, “but the forests on top of it are providing clean water, clean air, climate regulation and a host of other ecological values. We need to maintain them as healthy, functioning ecosystems while extracting the gas. “We hope our research will help to determine where thresholds of change occur, and to identify areas where gas development should be avoided, or minimal at best, to protect these valuable ecological services that are provided free-of-charge to all of us.” Connections? Yes, indeed. Some obvious; some less so. God made each of them when he created the Earth, magnificently acclaimed in the treasured hymn, “All Things Bright and Beautiful.” Its text was written in 1848 by Cecil Frances Alexandria to teach children about the Apostles Creed’s phrase: “I believe in God, the Father almighty, Maker of heaven and earth.” We say these words during our Sunday worship services. Reflect on them. Please. And be alert that some connections, when we abuse them, harm the very Creation over which God gave us dominion. by Bill Kling for the Creation Care Alliance ThanksRev.andMrs.Curranwishtothankthemembersandfriendsofthechurchforallthebestwishes,fondfarewells,andgesturesofkindnessandlove,astheyconcludetheirtimewithusasinterimpastor.HewillbeservingasinterimpastoratGreenAcresPresbyterianChurchinPortsmouth,VAforthenextyearorso,asheassiststhatcongregationprepareforanewpastor.September Session Highlights
• TheSessionmetonSept.27th.• ApprovedAugustmeetingminutes• ReviewedAugustfinancialreports• 2018BudgetpreparationandstewardshipprojecttobegininSept.• Approvedapolicyconcerningpass-thrumissiondonations• SetRev.Curran’slastSundayasOct.1st• InvitedCampbellMem.Pres.ChurchtoworshipwithusontheFeastofSt.Andrew,Nov.2611am• Receivedthelistofguestministersforfall2017• ApprovedRev.BillArnoldtomoderatecongregationalmeetingandOct./Nov.Session
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AugustFinancials
TotalIncome $19,393Expenditures $20,553 Balance$-1,114 Yeartodatebalance$-3518EarmarkFundBalance$16,180WellsFargoAcct.$28,247Keepyourgivingstrongduringthemonthsaheadsowecanenterthenewyearongoodfinancialfooting.
Ifyouwouldlikeanupdateonyourdonationreportfromthechurch,[email protected].
PastorNominatingCommitteeNewsFrankMiller,DeanMcBride,JackieOren,SueBurton,PaulRyan,andSusanMay
KeepyourPNCinyourprayerseachday.
#
AcongregationalmeetingiscalledforSunday,Oct.8thfollowingworshipforthepurposeofelectingthreeelderstoserveonSession(andastrustees)forathree-yeartermstartingJanuary2018.Nominatedare:ClaudiaCalhoun,PaulRyan,&GiniNowakoski.
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PrayersfromSibOn Universalism
We believe, O God, that you waste nothing, that you save it all. We believe that you cherish all your creatures to which you give
being and even life. We believe you have reserved a place in the world to come for all Israel, all Christians, all people everywhere who. . . . .
We are just not quite sure how to finish that sentence. Help us in our studying and our preaching to learn how to fill it out. In Jesus' name we pray, AMEN.
Sib Towner ProfessorEmeritusofOldTestamentUnionPresbyterianSeminary
Youth News NorthernNeckYouthwillmeetagaininthefall. YouthChurchSchoolClasscontinueseachSundayat9:45am
Little Free Libraries News Bookdonationareacceptedanytime.Donationboxis
locatedatCEWingentranceinbackparkinglotofthechurch.Thankyouforyourdonationsandsupport.
SeeSusanMayfordetailsandvolunteeropportunities.
COMMUNITYEVENTS
(PleasecheckouttheCommunityNewsBulletinBoardinOfficeHallwayforDetailsandInformationaboutcommunityevents)
St.AndrewsPresbyterianChurch“Seeking,Celebrating,andServingChrist”
435EastChurchStreet●Kilmarnock,VA22482●804-435-3948●www.saintandrewspc.org
DeadlineforthenextNewsletterIssueisthelastSundayinthemonth.
