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On the INSIDE
Fellowship/CE ................ 2-3, 6
................................ back page
Mission ................................4-5
Youth ...................................... 6
Birthdays/Milestones .............. 7
A Publication of The Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia Lamp Led by the Holy Spirit, we glorify, nurture, witness.
May 2016
CE Volunteer Thank-You Reception All Christian Education volunteers for 2015-16 includ-
ing church school teachers; youth advisors; Wednesday
Fellowship leaders, cooks, committee members, dishwash-
ers; Worship Workshop leaders; Covenant Partners;
Nursery Committee members; Congregational Retreat
planners; Confirmation leaders; Christian Education
Committee members; and library volunteers; are invited to
a thank you reception on Sunday, June 12, from
2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Rowes’ home, 1605 Franklin Street.
We appreciate your time, dedication and commitment to
nurturing our congregation.
Spring Window Cleaning In the small farmhouse where I was raised, one of the annual chores was
cleaning the storm windows each springtime. While it was a large and messy
task, I was always glad to see the world through clean windows each time we
finished.
A favorite author of mine wrote : “If somebody claims that you have to take
the Bible literally, word for word, or not at all, ask him if you have to take John
the Baptist literally when he calls Jesus the Lamb of God. If somebody claims
that no rational person can take a book seriously which assumes that the world
was created in six days and man in an afternoon, ask him if he can take Shake-
speare seriously whose scientific knowledge would have sent a third-grader into
peals of laughter...Finally this. If you look at a window, you see fly-specks,
dust, the crack where Junior’s Frisbee hit it. If you look through a window, you
see the world beyond. Something like this is the difference between those who
see the Bible as a Holy Bore and those who see it as the Word of God which
speaks out of the depths of an almost unimaginable past into the depths of our-
selves.” *
What is it about your looking through scripture that helps you see beyond
yourself, your walls and yard and home? How is God encouraging you to a
new view of life and the world this Spring?
See you in worship,
*Frederick Buechner, Wishful Thinking: A Theological ABC
Page 2 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
Presbyterian Women Circles You are invited to join a PW circle which
meets monthly for Bible study and fellow-
ship.
Never Ending Circle, - May 1, 4pm, Gail
McGhee’s home, leader Trudy McNatt,
373-2852; Circle of Joy - May 2, 10am,
Church Parlor, leaders Kathryn Hower,
361-7435 and Gale Kehoe, 371-4570;
Faith Circle - May 9, 1pm, Church Parlor,
leader Kathy Stephen, 891-0313;
Friendship Circle - May 10, 10:30am,
Chancellor’s Village, leader Carol Johnson,
639-4700; Circle of Prayer - May 16,
12:15pm, Church Parlor, leader Jeanne
Ramsburg, 710-5891; Circle of Grace
(new)- May 15, 2pm, Ashley Raska’s
home; leader Heather Eland, 737-4449.
Lunch and a Museum Tour The Prime Timers are going to
Occoquan for lunch at Madigan’s
Waterfront Restaurant (201 Mill St,
22125) on Wednesday, May 11, at
11:30 a.m. After lunch we will have an
open tour of the Workhouse Prison
Museum, in Lorton, from 1:00 - 3:00
p.m. The exhibit highlights one of the
darkest periods of women’s history of
the Prison. The Art Center now shows
how the Workhouse is being used by art
designers. RSVP by May 4, to John and
Patricia Parkinson, 540-903-3526,
([email protected] or Parkin-
[email protected]). We will gather
in the church parking lot at 10:30 a.m.
and leave at 10:40 a.m.
Confirmation Journey 2016 The 2016 Confirmation Journey will finish their work in May and be confirmed
at the 11:00 a.m. worship on Sunday, June 5. During May the 12 Explorers, along
with their parents, will meet on Sunday, May 15, for a discussion of the Gospel of
Luke that all read. They will walk the labyrinth and explore prayer on Sunday,
May 1; focus on worship on May 8; and join with their covenant partners on May
22 to share what they believe. The Explorers will meet with members of the session
on Wednesday, May 25, at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle House. A reception for the
Explorers, parents, Covenant Partners and Session will follow at 8:00 p.m.
Please continue to be in prayer for our Explorers - Chris Hall, Ben Fidler, Langley
Polk, Emily Wright, Maddy Foreman, Nick Medina, Aaron Shirk, Will Doherty,
Gray Dameron, Thomas Hancock, Sam Rembisz and John Fartro.
Meeting for Overnight Trip Participants The West Virginia overnight trip
participants will meet on Tuesday, May
10, at 7:00 p.m. in the Middle House to
go over details for the trip and receive
nametags, baggage tags and other items.
The trip dates are May 31-June 2. Each
participant will be asked to make a
minimum donation of $5 toward the tip
for the bus driver. We will also discuss
where we want to leave our cars. One
stop will be BJ’s Wholesale and
possibly a few cars at church. All
payments for the actual trip should be
completed. Church School
The Christian Education
Committee invites you to a pic-
nic on the grounds on Sunday,
June 5, following the 11:00
a.m. worship service. Chicken
tenders will be provided along
with beverages and dessert.
Members are asked to bring a
vegetable or salad to share. We
will have the picnic indoors if it
rains. Please feel free to wear
casual clothes for a picnic to
worship.
Page 3 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
New to the Library The Presbyterian Church Library is located on the top floor of the Education Building
and is open to readers of all ages. The left side of the library contains reference books,
different translations and versions of the Bible, Bible commentaries, as well as other
adult-interest non-fiction books on Christian living, prayer, and devotions, in addition to
Christian fiction. The right side of the library contains both non-fiction and fiction
books for both teens and juveniles. The books in the church library are shelved by sub-
ject using the Dewey decimal classification. A check-out book, a basket for returns and
another basket for donations are located on the counter. The church library is always
happy to receive and review donations of new and gently used books as well as sugges-
tions for new books. Please stop by and browse the shelves.
The Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team has recently donated the following
books to The Church Library in memory of beloved women of the church:
Elizabeth Thompson, Presbyterian
Questions, Presbyterian Answers:
Exploring Christian Faith by Donald
McKim.
Joan Eck, Becoming a Blessed Church:
Forming a Church of Spiritual Purpose,
and Power, by Graham Standish.
Kathryn Massey, In God's Presence:
Encountering, Experiencing, and Embrac-
ing the Holy in Worship, by Graham
Standish.
Ruth Moffitt, Presbyterian Beliefs: A
Brief Introduction, by Donald McKim.
Jeanne Waite, Comforting Hearts,
Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based
on Heidelberg Catechism, by Starr Meade.
Roselyn Morris, Training Hearts,
Teaching Minds: Family Devotions Based
on the Shorter Catechism, by Starr Meade.
Elizabeth Ellis, If I Could Ask God
Anything: Awesome Bible Answers for
Curious Kids, by Kathryn Slattery.
Megan Ramsburg, Awesome Bible
Verses Every Kid Should Know, by
Rebecca Lutzer; My ABC Bible Verses:
Hiding God’s Word in Little Hearts,
by Susan Hunt; and Grace for the Moment:
365 Devotions for Kids, by Max Lucado.
Betty Beemiller, Ten Girls Who Made a
Difference, Ten Girls Who Didn't Give In,
Ten Girls Who Changed the World, Ten
Girls Who Used their Talents, and Ten
Girls Who Made History from the Light
Keepers Series by Irene Howat.
Mary Brown (mother of Trudy McNatt),
Ten Boys Who Made a Difference, Ten
Boys Who Didn't Give In, Ten Boys Who
Changed the World, Ten Boys Who Used
their Talents, and Ten Boys Who Made
History from the Light Keepers Series by
Irene Howat.
Louise Garrison, Gladys Aylward: The
Adventure of a Lifetime, Corrie Ten Boom:
Keeper of the Angels’ Den, Hudson Taylor:
Deep in the Heart of China, Amy Carmi-
chael: Rescuer of Precious Gems, Nate
Saint: On a Wing and a Prayer from the
Christian Heroes: Then & Now series by
Janet and Geoff Benge.
Church School
Schedule
will go through
Sunday, May 29.
Thank-You John and Debe Garrison have served as our church librarians for the last several years.
We thank them for their service and commitment to the library especially during this
transition time through the construction. They are stepping down. If you would be
interested in serving as a co-librarian, please contact Jen Rowe ([email protected]) or
Bruce Harvey ([email protected].
Page 4 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
Each year on Pentecost Sun-
day, we celebrate the arrival of
the Holy Spirit as a bringer of
new life. With the Spirit’s
coming, we no longer need to
settle for business as usual, but
can know the transforming,
redeeming love of God that
makes the impossible possible.
The Pentecost Offering is
one of the four Special Offer-
ings of the Presbyterian Church
(U.S.A.), and is about helping young people be-
gin life with a strong start--a solid foundation of
faith formed in the first third of life, from child-
hood through young adulthood. Gifts to the
Pentecost Offering unite young people in Christ
and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and
unique gifts with the church and the world.
Presbyterian congregations are finding new ways
to minister to children at risk in their own com-
munities. General Assembly programs are advo-
cating for children and developing youth and
young adult leaders.
Since 1988, Presbyterians of all ages have
raised more than $11 million for ministries that
benefit younger members of God’s family. We
believe we are called to do even more to support
and care for young people to build a strong foun-
dation of faith. They are the present and future
of our church and world.
Our church will keep 40% of the offering to
support School Dressing Days in August. This
money will help buy clothes and school supplies.
The remaining 60% of the offering goes to the
Presbyterian Mission Agency to support Young
Adult Volunteers program, Ministries with
Youth program, and education and advocacy for
children at risk. One of the youth programs is
Triennium at Purdue University where we have
6 or more of our youth planning to attend this
summer. Pentecost Sunday is May 15. Please
be in prayer for this offering.
Mission Trip Recap The 2016 Adult Mission trip to the West Virginia communities of Gilbert and
Hampden in Mingo County was a great success. We also worked here in 2015.
This part of West Virginia has been hit very hard by the economic downturn al-
though it came later than in the rest of the nation. Coal mining is essentially shut
down with the future very uncertain. This leaves many of the families and indi-
viduals with no real income except from unemployment and other government
assistance. The drug situation is rampant with prescription drugs being a main
culprit. Some families, especially the young, try to leave while others choose to
remain because it is the only place they have ever lived and have family ties
there.
Through WVMAW (West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy & Workcamps, Inc)
outside groups who want to help are scheduled in 6 locations in West Virginia.
The WVMAW site in Mingo County has close ties to Presbyterian Disaster As-
sistance and also works closely with Catholic Charities. Up until about seven
years ago the work was done through the Presbyterian Church in Gilbert but now
is coordinated by Pastor Cab and his wife, Bonita. In a dinner conversation with
Pastor Cab on Thursday evening at a local restaurant, we learned families contact
the Freedom Full Gospel Assembly House of Prayer with their needs, assess-
ments are conducted and plans are made on what can be done each year. Funds
are limited, which makes for difficult decisions each year on whom to help.
Many of the groups who come are youth groups, so the types of work vary de-
pending on skill levels.
Our group of 12 divided into three work groups. One group remained at the
church to finish drywall, mud and sand the drywall, and stomp the ceiling. There
One Great Hour of Sharing Many thanks to everyone who
contributed to the One Great Hour
of Sharing offering. We received
$4,284 that goes to support Presby-
terian Disaster Assistance, Self-
Development of People and the
Presbyterian Hunger Program.
PC(USA)
Page 5 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
was a little roof work. This new addi-
tion to the church will have some
classroom space and possible space for
future work groups to stay. Beth
Huber, Wayne Hibbeler and Leif
Johnston enjoyed this work and build-
ing a relationship with some of the
daily workers.
The next group was in Gilbert in one
of the “hollers.” This team consisted of
Marsha Luckett, Milton McNatt, Steve
Eckel and Gary Vaughn.
The Blankenship trailer was in need
of several things.
1. New kitchen cabinets & countertop.
2. Reinforcement of the kitchen and
dining room flooring.
3. New valves for hot and cold water
supply lines.
4. New stainless steel sink.
5. New dishwasher and electrical
hookup.
6. New electric stove.
7. Backdoor: we manufactured cus-
tomized flashing and drip-edge, and
installed doorstop and weather strip-
ping to seal out drafts and rain.
We were able to get to know the
family really well. James, the home-
owner, took the week off from work
(trash truck driver) to help out. His
wife works as the morning manager at
the local Hardees. They have two chil-
dren. All in all, it was a very success-
ful week and this family was very,
very appreciative of the work we did
for them.
The third group became known as
the deck and porch crew - Jim Christie,
Ellie Crane, Barry & Peg Jones and
Bruce Harvey. At the first trailer the
existing deck was barely usable. It
was decided the trailer needed two ex-
its. A new deck with ramp was in-
stalled on the backside of the house
before the new deck with roof was
added to the front. The trailer was lo-
cated on an old railroad bed. The hus-
band had lived there since the 1970s.
After finishing these two decks by
Thursday noon, the crew moved on to
the house in Gilbert to add a deck to
the back of the trailer.
The work is hard but very rewarding.
However, the highlight is the relation-
ships you build with the families of the
homes and sites where you work. It is
also with Pastor Cab and Bonita along
with the volunteer site coordinators,
who are there to help make decisions,
transport supplies and be of assistance.
These volunteers work many hours
with enthusiasm and many stories. The
area is depressed, but the people who
live there are resilient and still hopeful.
The week also provides great opportu-
nity to strengthen relationships with
the members of our own church
through the work, meals and sharing at
night.
The group did miss the services of
Bev Newlin and Clarke Newlin, who
had coordinated the meals and done
the majority of the cooking for many
of these trips. The group had good
meals provided by individuals on the
trip - Steve Eckel, spaghetti with a
homemade sauce made by Debbie
Eckel; Marsha Luckett, barbeque; Jim
Christie, white bean chili; and Peg
Jones, lasagna. Leif Johnston made
bread and shared homemade bacon.
Everyone brought snacks, and home-
made desserts were shared - Beth
Huber, Ellie Crane, Peg Jones. Peg did
most of the shopping.
Please stop any of the participants to
find out their insights about the trip.
We plan to go back to this West Vir-
ginia community next year. We are
changing the time of year to summer,
June 25-July 1. Mark your calendars
and plan to go.
YOUTH @ TPC Have a question? Contact Rachel Erb | Director of Youth Ministries |
Graduating?
Know Someone Who Is? Is someone you know graduating from
high school, college, or with a postgradu-
ate degree this year? Are you? CJ Forsing
is gathering information in the next few weeks so that we
can acknowledge those achievements and celebrate with the
graduates and with you, their friends and family!
For high school students, please share the name of the
high school from which they are graduating and the
student’s plans after graduation, and a photo.
For college and postgraduate students, please share the
school and their degree.
Please have this information to CJ Forsing
([email protected]) by May 9. Thank you!
Middle School May Schedule
May 1: We’ll prepare to honor our parents with a craft.
(Mother’s Day is May 8, and Father’s Day is June 19).
May 8: Youth Group will not meet in honor of
Mother’s Day. Enjoy spending time with your mom -
and don’t forget to give her your craft from last week.
May 15: The 8th Grade Slideshow has been on your
mind all year, right? Well, this is the night it happens
for 2016! Join us to send the 8th graders off from mid-
dle school to senior high in style!
May 22: Join us for the last Youth Group night of the
semester. The year has flown by, and we’re celebrating
with a night of food, fun, and fellowship!
Senior High May Schedule
May 1: The Senior Highs won’t meet due to their Fun in
Fredericksburg outing on Saturday, April 30. Enjoy a Sab-
bath afternoon!
May 8: Spend some quality time with Mom! In honor of
Mother’s Day, Youth Group will not meet.
May 15: This is our Senior Send-Off night. We are cele-
brating the contributions the seniors have made to Youth
Group throughout their time at The Presbyterian Church,
and sending them on for their next chapter in style!
May 22: Join us for the last Youth Group night of the se-
mester. The year has flown by, and we’re celebrating with
a night of food, fun, and fellowship!
Page 6 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
Cave Quest VBS Gear up for an underground
Vacation Bible School adven-
ture, and come help us ground
our children in the rock-solid
foundation of God’s love!
Volunteers are needed the
week of June 26-30. If you
are interested, please contact
coordinators
Robin Joel: 229-1421 ([email protected])
Rachel Hole: 903-0677 ([email protected]).
1. Tracy Mallory, Drew Makovsky
2. Dee Kindred, Gina Whitticar,
Peyton King, Rod Hughes,
Lisa Harrison, Chuck Penick
3. Bill Crawley, Samuel Rembisz
4. Sarah Hancock
5. Jack Plank, Jill Howard, Kristina Palangi,
Sean McPherson
6. Shirley Kutz, Amy McCullough, Bera Matako
7. Allison Wimberly
8. Lee Gibbons, Ian Norfleet, Jacob Poudrier,
James Rusbarsky
9. Mary Lou Cramer, Anna Carelock
10. Eva Lewis, Samuel Lewis, Frank Miraglia
11. Gordon Nash, Willy Werner
12 Garrett John
13. David Rice, Morgan Veil, Anne Tarzier, Skip Brandon,
Katherine Philpott, Cole Young
14. Thomas Ellis, Ian Duffy, Rebecca Hamlett,
Jakob Hughes, Barbara Barrett, Jamie Loder,
Alexis Loder, Meredith Beattie, Connie Gibbons
15. James Campbell, Caeden Ribel
16. Peg Langdon
17. Carole Green
18. Ken Leimer
19. Rachel Horne, Mike Blashford, Courtney Nix
20. Ryan Sweet, Phil Miller, Mary MacNemar,
Sarah Goggin, Jay Miller
22. Joyce Nichols, Thomas Hughes, Roberta Karch,
Katie Werner, Pat Parkinson
23. Diane Makovsky, Tim Sullivan
24. Jane Johnson, John Fartro, Becca Mahon
25. Gale Kehoe
26. Allison Brooks, David Johnson, Jerry Zekert,
Lindsey Campbell
27. Alex Fino, Grace Fino, Joe LeFebre, Karoline Rheborg
28. Lynne Rawlings, Lynn Hamb, Charlie McDaniel,
Will Toler, Jackie Reese
29. Sheila Baker, Jacob Veil, Mary Szymanski
30. Abe Rowe, Nancy Nash, William Robertson
31. Jim Gaines, Matt Bohmke
Bells, Brass, & More
A concert including all of our
musical ensembles
Sunday, May 22, 2016, 3:00 p.m.
Elders
Rachel Ball
Gene Bingham
Karen Boyles
John Conway
Doug Horstman
Vanessa Huffman
Donna Hughes
Leif Johnston
Susie Kuliasha
Ralph Lewis
Amy McCullough
Allen Polk
Ashley Raska
Jen Rowe
Becky Talmadge
Jeremy Vaughn
Tom Wimberly
Sarah Wright
Adam Zimmerman
2015-2016 Session
Moderator – Rev. Allen H. Fisher, Jr., Pastor
Clerk of Session – Patty Toler
Associate Pastor – Rev. Brittany Tamminga
Milestones Capsule of Concern: Richard Garnett
Continued Prayers: Rick Brehm, Marjorie Glassco,
Michael Hynden, Bob Snow, Bruce Stephen, Susie
Techlin
Heartfelt Christian love and sympathies are extended to
Trudy McNatt and family on the death of her mother, Mary
Bell Brown, who died on February 24, 2016;
Steve, Linda, and Jaeger Spratt, other family members and
friends of his aunt, Martha Spratt Helmen, who died on
April 11, 2016;
Bruce and Kathy Stephen and friends on the death of his sister,
Lily Read, who died on April 14, 2016.
Page 7 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
Just as the rustling of the leaves is evidence
of the wind, our dance is evidence of the
Lord’s love. Through a gesture and sway, we
express visually what the melody and words
are trying to convey.
We invite you to explore this form of
worship and prayer. Vicky Wilder 786-7227
Contribution Statements You should have received your Contribution Statement
recently by snail mail or by email. Please check it carefully.
Many people are giving to both the General Fund and the
Capital Campaign Fund; with so many gifts, it is possible
some payments have been posted to the wrong fund. Please
email Casey Naatjes, [email protected], with
any concerns.
Thank you for your gifts!
NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Fredericksburg
VA PERMIT NO. 193
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
810 Princess Anne Street
Princess Anne and George Streets
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
The Sacrament of
Communion
will be celebrated in
worship on
May 22
June 26
More Fun for the 20s/30s Fellowship Group The 20s/30s Fellowship Group is a place for young adults who are
studying or working, single, newly married, or have already started a
family to meet new friends and deepen relationships. Join us at The
Diamond on Saturday, May 21, at 6:00 p.m., as the Richmond
Flying Squirrels take on the Erie SeaWolves. Tickets are $10
each, please RSVP no later than May 8, to Pastor Tamminga, 373-7057,
Join Us at Riverside Theater May 15 The Fellowship Committee invites you to join them in seeing The Music of Andrew
Lloyd Webber at the Riverside Dinner Theatre on May 15, at 1:00 p.m. The ticket
price which is $61 each includes dinner, show, tax and gratuity. Your spot cannot be
reserved until your payment is received. Make checks payable to The Presbyterian
Church. To reserve your spot or to ask questions, contact Tracey Rembisz, 548-1813
([email protected]). Look for the signup table outside the sanctuary between
services.