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The CAT has arrived! As per the plan, interpretation of the CAT was presented to the Session first on May 24. In the fall, the whole congregation will have an opportunity to attend small group discussions to understand the CAT and discuss its consequences
for our future mission and ministry. This is done before we can begin the process of a pastoral search, so that we have real clarity on where we are headed in mission and ministry. It all links together.
Future Mainstreams will contain information about the small groups so that you may add your wisdom to this process.
The CAT results show GPC to be a healthy, vital, generous congregation that is highly diverse, both theologically and ethnically, but at the same time highly adaptable. It indicates that we are “sitting pretty,” with strengths in numerous areas, but also with room for improvement to become fully transformational.
One of the highlights: GPC is well above the norm in terms of generosity. Our average percent of household income given is extraordinarily high! Indeed we stand at the 96th percentile compared to all US congregations. The average GPC household gives double the average for Presbyterian congregations and nearly triple the average for all religious charitable giving.
Karen Chamis, our CAT interpreter, in the Executive Summary she prepared for us, said:
“Only 8% of your congregation is unsatisfied with how things are in your church. Only 11% believe that you are “just going through the motions.” This means that, compared to other congregations, you’re average in terms of energy and satisfaction. What makes your congregation most satisfied is when worship is exceptional in terms of quality and spiritual content. You have no singular “driver” of energy… which suggests there is not one single area of ministry that most members find exciting but rather there are many.”
Because there are many “drivers” of GPC energy, GPC would most likely benefit from conversations to define and refine our mission focus. That is precisely why there will be small group discussion opportunities for the whole GPC community to have the CAT interpreted for discussion and feedback.
Shalom,Rev. Dr. D. Jay Losher
Interim Senior Pastor
From the Heart of Pastor Jay
THE CAT has arrived!
CONNECT with GPC!
THE MAINSTREAM
Vol. 49, No. 7 | Ju ly–August 2017
GAITHERSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, GAITHERSBURG, MARYLAND. A CONGREGATION OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (U.S.A.)
www.gpchurch.org Find Us on Facebook:Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church
(301) 948-9418 (301) 869-3043
1 The Cat Has Arrived!From the Heart of Pastor Jay
Connect with GPC!
5 Member Spotlight: Anna Newton
School is out for Summer
10 FourthNight Adult ElectivesMen’s Fellowship BreakfastCraft GroupVIPS
2 Staff Contact InformationGPC | GPP&K | Mainstream
Sundays in July & August
15 May Finance Committee Report
14 Christian SympathyCaring ConcernsWelcome to the World!Congratulations: I Do!
8 Help Cook for the MCCH Men's Shelter!Red Cross Blood DriveBlood Drive Volunteer Needed
11 Employment Support Group2nd Friday Book ClubChurch Library NotesIs Your Contact InformationUp To Date?
3 More BlessingsFrom the Congregational Life Ministry
9 PDA Mission Trip #24Help Needed with Sanctuary Chairs
Congrats to our College Grads!
IN THIS ISSUE
4 Music Notes
6 Children and Young Families
7 Youth and Young Adults
13 Meet Our New Church Officers!
12 Meet Our New Church Officers!
THE MAINSTREAM | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | 2
Sundays in JUly AND AUGUSTJULY 2
Rev. Dr. D. Jay Losher preaching
JULY 9 Rev. Mary Beth Lawrence preaching
(11:00) CWF Dedication
JULY 16 Rev. Dr. D. Jay Losher preaching
JULY 23 Rev. Dr. D. Jay Losher preaching
(11:00) Vacation Bible School Celebration
JULY 30 Rev. Dr. D. Jay Losher preaching
GAITHERSBURG PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH STAFFTelephone: 301-948-9418 | Fax: 301-869-3043 | Website: www.gpchurch.org
The Rev. Dr. D. Jay Losher, Interim Senior Pastor ................................................................... [email protected] Rev. Mary Beth Lawrence, Associate Pastor .......................................................... [email protected] Rev. Jacob Rodawla, Parish Associate ............................................................................. [email protected] Larsen, Director of Youth and Young Adult Ministries ..................................................clarsen@gpchurch.orgCarolyn Hayes, Director of Children and Young Families ........................................................ [email protected] McCoy, Director of Music and Worship Arts .................................................................tmccoy@gpchurch.orgPaul Byssainthe, Jr., Assistant Director of Music and Worship Arts [email protected] Lee, Accounting Manager ............................................................................. [email protected] Gosnell, Facilities Manager ............................................................................................ [email protected] Kalu, Office Manager ........................................................................................................... [email protected] Obermiller, Communications Manager ................................................................... [email protected]
GAITHERSBURG PRESBYTERIAN PRESCHOOL & KINDERGARTEN STAFFTelephone: 301-977-5787 | Website: www.gppk.com
Jessica Coughlin, Director ................................................................................................................... [email protected] Fantacci, Administrative Assistant ...............................................................................schooloffice@gppk.com
The Mainstream is published monthly by Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church, 610 South Frederick Avenue, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20877-1297. The newsletter is a product of GPC’s Communications Committee: David Mecklenburg, chairman, and Rev. Mary Beth Lawrence and Jenna Obermiller, staff liaisons. Copies are available in the church’s Narthex and Main Office. Copy deadline is by the 15th of each month unless otherwise specified. Submit material electronically to Jenna Obermiller, Communications Manager, at [email protected].
STAFF CONTACT INFORMATION
AUGUST 6 Rev. Mary Beth Lawrence preaching
AUGUST 13 Rev. Mary Beth Lawrence preaching
AUGUST 20 Rev. Dr. D. Jay Losher preaching
AUGUST 27 Rev. Dr. D. Jay Losher preaching
3 | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | THE MAINSTREAM
How does Congregational Life support the GPC family in celebrating the love of our Lord?Congregational Life is a ministry of fellowship and congregational care. It strives to facilitate a loving and caring connection with God and all people of God through fellowship and service. This ministry is generously supported by the Angel Network, with individual contributions of work time in the church kitchen and by bountiful donations of delicious food. To join the Angel Network, please contact Paul Njofang at [email protected] or Shari McCann at [email protected]. Participating in the Angel Network supports the various functions offered by the Congregational Life ministry and at the same time provides opportunities for collaboration and fellowship while working in the kitchen.
Congregational Life’s Regularly Scheduled Events and Activities
With the support and generous contributions of the Angel Network, the Congregational Life ministry coordinates and implements a variety of activities and events.
MORE Blessings | FROM THE CONGREGATIONAL LIFE MINISTRY
Sunday Coffee FellowshipParade of Nations
Ministry of the WeekNativities Around the World
Souper SupperReceptions
Pictorial Church DirectoryTribute to MothersTribute to Fathers
International Coffee HourGPC Library
Men’s MinistryTribute to Teachers & Students
Easter Sunrise ServiceVIPS
FourthNightDeck/Undeck the Halls
Manage & Maintain GPC Kitchen
WHAT'S HAPPENING: JULY & AUGUS T
Weekly Coffee Fellowship
Seasonal EventsMinistry of the Week
Special Recognition
Receptions
KEY
3002
DONUTHOLES
09
POPCORN;No coffee fellowshipafter 11:00
service(CWF celebration)
15
DEEP CLEAN GPC KITCHENContact Paul
or Shari to volunteer
23
LET'S CELEBRATE SUMMER!
16
BAKED GOODS;No coffee fellowshipafter 11:00
service(VBS set-up)
23
ICE CREAMSOCIAL
TREATSprovided by VIPS
06DONUTHOLES
13POPCORN
20VEGGIE SUNDAY
27TEACHERS &STUDENTS
27BAKEDGOODS
27BACK TOSCHOOL
JULY
AUGU
ST
MUSIC NOTES |You may have noticed an announcement in the bulletin over the last few weeks saying that GPC needs more sound and projection volunteers in worship. Well, guess what? WE NEED MORE SOUND AND PROJECTION VOLUNTEERS IN WORSHIP! The Vital Worship ministry is actively recruiting folks for our teams, and you should give serious thought to whether this might be a way for you to get more involved in the worship of
God in this place.
In general, we tend not to notice those people behind the big desk—until something goes wrong, of course! As long as everything hums along correctly, we take our sound and projection volunteers for granted, but as soon as someone tries to speak into a microphone that isn’t turned on, or a song lyrics screen doesn’t come up instantaneously, all eyes turn toward the technicians. It’s like a tennis match where everyone’s head turns at the same time! But this is unfortunate, because our audio/visual volunteers do a great job most of the time. When is the last time you said, “good job,” as you went by the desk on your way out of the Sanctuary?
If you know a bit about computers or technology—which these days is most of us—you could be trained to operate the sound board or the projection software on a laptop computer. We don’t expect you to come at 7:00 a.m. and stay until 1:00 p.m., but we also need help with set-up and breakdown, too, and that requires no specialized training. Don’t say that you can’t do it!
The Vital Worship ministry facilitates all aspects of the preparation, set-up, execution, and clean-up of worship services. Think about all the small tasks that get done each week: flowers ordered and delivered, guestbooks stocked and placed on each row, Bibles and hymnals put under each chair, chairs straightened and hooked together, candles trimmed, the communion table uncovered, the brass wiped down, glasses filled with water for liturgists and worship leaders (thank you!), microphone stands and cables set up, microphone batteries tested, parishioners greeted and bulletins handed out, communion bread purchased and cut into little cubes, gift bags for visitors stocked and ready to hand out, extra handicap signs put out in the parking lots—and I could go on. It’s a giant checklist, and our volunteers make it look easy, but they need reinforcements.
We are actively seeking:
• Sound board operators • Projectionists • Ushers • Communion preparers • Chair straighteners
What’s your gift? Are you waiting to be personally asked? Are you too busy with other ministries? If you’re not a morning person and can’t get here early, could you come for half an hour during the week? The next time you’re sitting in a worship service feeling inspired or fed or challenged, consider volunteering. Or, the next time you’re sitting in a worship service thinking, “This row of chairs doesn’t have enough room,” or “They misspelled that word on the projection screen,” or “I see the same people ushering week after week,” then I pray that your response will be, “Maybe I should volunteer for a small task with the Vital Worship ministry.” Many hands make light work.
“I was glad when they said to me, “Let us go to the house of the Lord.” —Psalm 122:1Soli Deo gloria!
Teresa Violett McCoyDirector of Music and Worship Arts
MANY HANDS, L IGHT WORK
Handbell choir members polish all of our bells every year in June.Handbell choir members polish all of our bells every year in June. Bells are inspected and repaired, if needed.
THE MAINSTREAM | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | 4
Member spotlight |I often joke that I’ve been going to GPC since before I was born. Like a true Presbyterian, I believe that I was predestined to be here. Gaithersburg has been my home as much as Bethesda has for 19 years and, although I’m excited to go off to college in Grand Rapids, Michigan, in the fall, I’m most apprehensive about finding a church home there. Perhaps it’s a result of never having moved before, or perhaps it’s just because GPC has truly done so much for me and shaped my faith in ways that I could never articulate.
As I get ready to head out, I want to share with you some of my reflections on GPC. We are a congregation built on love. I remember the hullabaloo surrounding the change in our mission statement. People fought tooth and nail to preserve the phrase “global caring community of faith” because they wanted it to be a reminder of who we are called to be, if not who we are yet. The way we celebrate each act at Shrove Tuesday, regardless of how traditional the artistry is, fills me with such joy. And it’s something I see all the time in youth group, so rest assured, the love’s not dying.
GPC has helped me grow my faith in many ways, but the one with the most impact to me, as I write this on a hot June night, is that I see Christ in each person. I see Him in the ushers, in the kitchen workers, in the Sunday School teachers, in the pastors, in the library workers, in the nursery staff, in the janitor, in the members, in the greeters, in the visitors, in my peers, and in the people involved in music. I see Him in you, and I hope that you’ve seen Him in me.
“I believe in Christianity as I believe that the Sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
—C.S. Lewis
ANNA NE W TON
5 | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | THE MAINSTREAM
SCHOOL IS OUT FOR THE SUMMER BUT GPC CONTINUES TO SUPPORT SUMMIT HALL Elementary • The donations collected at Alicia Gordon’s Senior Recital in June will help
Linkages to Learning at Summit Hall meet some of the increased needs of families when all the children are home while school is out. We hope that some families will have an opportunity to enjoy the water park nearby.
• Summer School is in session at SHES. Several volunteers have been helping serve breakfast to all the participants. Children of all ages go through the cafeteria line in about 10 minutes and it is rewarding to help the youngest of them make their selections quickly.
• The book room reorganization is underway so that teachers may more quickly select reading books at the level of each student’s abilities. This project is staffed by GPC volunteers!
• Speaking of books . . . Please save any elementary age ones that you are finished with. Around April, we will request that they be brought to the SHES box at GPC. Next year, with our help, the reading specialist wants to send each of the more than 700 children home for summer break with a book.
Thank you for your support!
—Marilyn Morrison, [email protected] Stuart Morrison, [email protected]
The Color Run at the PTA Spring Fair
CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG FAMILIES’ MINISTRY
The teaching staff requests that parents email Carolyn ([email protected]) if their children will be joining us for Sunday School on a given date. (Of course, if your plans change at the
last minute and you are in town, your children are welcome to attend Sunday School.)
Note: Children’s Sunday School continues in July and August at 11:00 a.m.Our Nursery is available for very young children on Sunday mornings:
• 8:00 & 9:30 – Newborns through 4-year-olds • 11:00 – Newborns through 3-year-olds
SUNDAY MORNINGS 11:00 a.m.(3-year-olds – Rising 5th Graders)July 2 and July 23 – There is no Children’s Sunday School, so it’s “Take Your Parents to Church” day.
July and August – Children will start in the Sanctuary—either with their parents or with Sunday School teachers if their parents are participating in Summer Sunday School/Small Group Classes. After the opening of the Mystery Box, children are welcome to either stay with their parents in the Sanctuary or join other children in Fellowship Hall for Summer Sunday School.
Note: Following the worship service, parents or an authorized adult must sign out each child from Fellowship Hall after Sunday School.
9:30 a.m.There will be no Children’s Sunday School during this hour, so families are invited to enjoy a more family- and child-friendly worship service.
9:30 & 11:00 a.m. The Mystery Box returns for the summer except on July 2 and August 6 (Communion Sundays). On both of these days, children begin and end in Fellowship Hall.
Carolyn HayesDirector of Children and Young Families
Vacation Bible School will be July 17–21, from 9:00 a.m. until noon, for children who are pre-registered. VBS concludes during the 11:00 a.m. worship service on Sunday, July 23.
Fall Sunday School classes will begin on September 17 at 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.
SUMMER/FALL
Programming resumes on September 13.WEDNESDAY EVENINGS (FOURTHNIGHT )
New Adult Summer Sunday School/Small Group Classes – Three classes are being offered at 11:00 a.m.:
• A study of the minor prophets of the Bible, beginning with Obadiah, with elder and biblical scholar James McCoy (Room 206) • Bible study format based on The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel (Room 202) • Discussion format based on Playing for Keeps by Reggie Joiner, for those who regularly interact with children (Room 205)
Note: Although these classes are open to all church members, we hope that families will plan to attend the worship service at 9:30 a.m. and educational classes at 11:00 a.m. for both children and adults.
THE MAINSTREAM | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | 6
CHILDREN’S AND YOUNG FAMILIES’ MINISTRY YOUTH & YOUNG ADULTS’ MINISTRYFAMILY FUN NIGHTSYouth and their families are invited to Family Fun Nights from 6:30–9:00 p.m. on the following Fridays: July 7 & 21, and August 11. We will have burgers and hot dogs for dinner. Please bring your favorite side dish to share. Each week there will be a different theme. Please see youth parent emails for more information on theme and address. Jim & Dawn Downey will be hosting us for the Family Fun Nights! Look forward to seeing you there!
SUMMER COLLEGE GATHERINGS College age students and recent high school graduates are welcome to participate in the Collective—a multi-church gathering for worship and fellowship. The weekly gatherings are held at Seneca Creek Community Church, 13 Firstfield Road in Gaithersburg.
FALL KICK-OFFFall kick-off will be September 10 with a parent brunch, and then the Wednesday Night Youth Group program begins September 13! Looking forward to starting another year with you!
On The Journey <><,Carrie Larsen
Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministries(562) 777-5364 (mobile)
SUMMER YOUTH TRIPSSummer youth trips are finally here! There are two mission trips and one camp. A group of 15 is going to Brownsville, Pennsylvania, where we will be working on homes of the disabled, elderly, or low income families through an organization called Reach Mission Trips. We will be completing such projects as exterior and interior painting, wheelchair ramps, and roofing repairs. Shortly after that trip, a group of 21 is going to Belize to work at on orphanage. We will complete light repair projects around the orphanage, lead a VBS camp, and have a sports camp in the afternoon. The last week of July, 15 students will head out to Great Escape, a middle school camp. They will participate in worship and small groups, hear amazing speakers, and fellowship with friends. All of these summer trips are going to be an amazing experience for our youth. Please keep them in your prayers as they travel.
SUMMER TEACHING SERIESThis year at our Sunday morning youth gatherings we will be taking an INSIDE look at our thoughts and feelings (based on the Disney/Pixar’s Inside Out movie). We will take an INSIDE look at joy and anger, and discuss how we apply them OUTSIDE these walls as followers of Christ. Join us in Spencer Hall!
7 | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | THE MAINSTREAM
THE MAINSTREAM | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | 8
RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVEThursday, July 27 | Lindsay Hall | 1:00–7:00 p.m. Blood donations typically decrease during the summer because people take vacations, yet the need remains the same or greater. Recruit a friend, co-worker, or neighbor and bring them with you to donate blood and enjoy the delicious jams, cookies, and fellowship. Donation sign-up sheets for the next blood drive will be in the display case behind the Welcome Center on July 9, 16, and 23. By giving blood, you give the greatest gift of all—the gift of life. You walk away knowing that you have done something that will truly help someone in need.
Who can give blood? Donors must:
• Be in generally good health
• Be at least 17 years of age, or 16 with parental consent
• Weigh no less than 110 pounds
• Not have donated whole blood within the past 56 days
• Not have gotten a tattoo or piercing within the past year
Additional eligibility questions for donating blood can be answered by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.
To schedule an appointment, or if you have questions, please contact Marcia Haller at 301-977-0648.
BLOOD Drive volunteer needed
Due to the recent death of our beloved Rutha Glover, we need a new volunteer. For years she greeted and signed in donors from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. If you would like to help out with this—for the July blood drive or on an ongoing basis—please call Marcia Haller at 301-977-0648. She needs your help!
You can help our homeless neighbors!
For the third month in a row, GPC will be partnering with KindWorks and Nourish Now to cook meals for the MCCH Men’s Shelter in Rockville. Nourish Now supplies the ingredients for hot breakfasts or dinners for 80 residents, GPC will supply the kitchen, and KindWorks and GPC will supply the volunteers.
Meals are delivered directly to the shelter so that residents can enjoy them that weekend.
UPCOMING DATESJULY 28 & AUGUST 25
1:00 AM to 1:00 PM at GPC
PLEASE RSVP so we know how many helpers
to plan for. Sign up at kind-works.org/news/new-
project-help-cook-hot-weekend-breakfasts-mens-shelter
or contact Denise Schleckser at [email protected].
HELP COOK FOR THE MCCH MEN'S SHELTER!
9 | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | THE MAINSTREAM
PDA MISSION TRIP #24 GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE
October 1–6, 2017
GPC will sponsor this trip to help rebuild following the devastating fire last fall in this beautiful town in the Great Smoky Mountains. And yes, we will stay at GPC—Gatlinburg Presbyterian Church! Join us for this trip to a place where the fire will not have destroyed all of the fall colors. We are accepting sign-ups now and hope to add your name to our list!
Contact Mary & Bob Wasik at 301-519-9426 or [email protected], if you are interested.
April 2017 Mission Trip
CONGRATS TO OUR COLLEGE GRADS!
ALEXANDRA CANTRELLUniversity of California, Los AngelesB.A. in Human Biology and Society
ELLEN GIRACleveland Institute of Music B.A. in Cello Performance,
with a minor in Russian
GRACE MALDARELLIThe University of Maryland
School of MedicineM.D.
ANDREW STUART McCOYMarshall University
(Huntington, WV) B.A. in International Affairs
BROOKE PATTON
State of Maryland AccreditationRegistered Dietician
TOM REDDYThe University of Maryland
Baltimore CountyM.P.S. in Cybersecurity
CALDER WILSONWest Virginia University
B.S. in Psychology, with a minor in Sociology
Help Needed with Sanctuary Chairs
The Vital Worship ministry is looking for volunteers to help keep the Sanctuary chairs straight. We love that our Sanctuary is well used, but it means that the chairs are frequently moved. This important job takes one person about an hour a week, but many hands make light work. The rows need to be straightened weekly. If you are willing to serve God on the chair team, contact Kris Maldarelli, [email protected].
| MANY HANDS, L IGHT WORK
THE MAINSTREAM | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | 10
craft groupSundays, July 9 & August 6 | Rooms 30–31 12:15 p.m.
Bring your lunch and come join the fun as we sew, crochet, and knit. Come start or finish projects! If you have a special project in mind, would like a materials list, or have questions, contact Barbara Clark at 240-988-9572 or [email protected].
Our first meeting this fall will be September 10.
men’s fellowship breakfast
Our summer meetings will be held at the restaurant in the Gaithersburg Airpark. Come for breakfast and fellowship, and watch the airplanes take off and land. (Attendees pay for their own breakfasts.)
Our first fall meeting will be September 9 in Lindsay Hall.
Saturdays, July 1 & August 5 8:00 a.m. | Airport Café
VERY IMPORTANT PRESBYTERIAN SENIORS {VIPS}Tuesday, July 4 | Clubhouse at the Villas at Asbury Methodist Village 4:00–7:00 p.m. | Annual 4th of July PartyLet’s come together to celebrate the birthday of our country with fellowship, good food, and patriotic songs and activities! Please bring an entrée, a side dish, or a dessert to contribute to the potluck dinner. The Clubhouse is located at 400 Russell Avenue. If you have questions, please contact Nancy Sanders at 301-963-1357.
Note: VIPS will be on vacation during August, so there will be no regular meeting. Looking forward to enjoying fellowship at our meeting on Thursday, September 7!
Fourthnight adult electives | YOUR IDE A S? Although GPC’s FourthNight is on summer break, planning for this fall is underway. Every Wednesday night, after a scrumptious dinner, there are special FourthNight programs for children, for youth, and for adults. Adult programming frequently includes more than one option—conversations, classes, and presentations—each week.
WE NEED YOUR HELP as we plan the fall program of Adult Electives! What topics would interest you as Conversations? What Classes would you like to see offered? Are there Presentations (speakers) that you would like to hear on FourthNight?
CONVERSATIONS – informal group discussions with a facilitator, sharing thoughts, experiences, insights, and questions on a different topic each week
CL A SSES – teaching on a particular subject, sometimes continuing for several weeks
PRESENTATIONS – talks (e.g., by a visiting missionary)
The FourthNight Adult Electives are for YOU, so we really want your ideas and input as we create the best possible program for the fall. Please send your suggestions to Steve Olin at [email protected]. Thank you!
GPC EMPLOYMENT SUPPORT GROUP
Monday, July 10 & Tuesday, July 25 andMonday, August 14 & Tuesday, August 29*
Room 202 | 7:00 p.m.*August schedule is modified so that
meetings are 2 weeks apart.
This group provides a supportive Christian environment for those who are unemployed, about to be unemployed, underemployed, or seeking a career change. Meetings are free, open to the community, and typically last about an hour.
Good news from our newest ESG graduate! A few months ago, after moving to Maryland from California, Cindy and her husband came to worship at GPC and saw the advertisement for our group in the bulletin and on a welcome slide. She attended the next meeting and was put in contact with a church member who is a professional in her (Cindy’s) field. Recently, Cindy said that she felt as though God had blessed her by leading her to accept a full-time position and that the ESG was a part of His path for her.
If you have questions about the ESG, please contact Clara Pratt at [email protected].
11 | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | THE MAINSTREAM
Church Library Notes by Linda Hastings Summer is here, when you might have a little more time to read. Here are some suggestions from four authors, featuring 11 books.
ALBOM, MITCH. Five People You Meet in Heaven. Heaven is where we finally learn what our life was about. Albom has also written Tuesdays with Morrie, the story of an old man, a young man, and life’s greatest lesson. Or try Have a Little Faith. “Belief can come upon us in unsuspecting ways – and mentors might be hiding in plain sight.”
L’ENGLE, MADELEINE. Her first novel, The Small Rain, is the story of young Katherine Forrester, a talented pianist, as she grows to womanhood. A Severed Wasp finds Katherine in her retirement years. Two-Part Invention is the story of L’Engle’s marriage.
TENBOOM, CORRIE. In The Hiding Place and He Sets the Captive Free, Corrie tells of her family’s experiences doing resistance work in the Netherlands during World War II. In Tramp for the Lord, she writes of her travels after the war.
VANAUKEN, SHELDON. A Severe Mercy. Sheldon and his wife, Davy, search for faith and enjoy their friendship with C. S. Lewis before the untimely death of Davy. In Under the Mercy, Sheldon tells of his grief and turning away from God, and his turning back.
Is your contact information up to datE?GPC is updating its database, so please make sure that we have your current street address, phone number (preferred contact number), and email address. You may email Karma Beal directly ([email protected]), complete the electronic contact form on the GPC website (gpchurch.org/contactform), or complete a pink form on Sunday morning and place it in the black Guest Books or designated boxes in the Narthex or Lindsay Hall.
2nd Friday BOOK CLUB
Fridays, July 14 & August 11 Spencer Hall | 7:30 p.m.
The group will continue to discuss America’s Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America by Jim Wallis. The book’s author urges Christians to cross a new bridge toward racial justice and healing. Please join our group—
we’ve had great discussions and will continue with Chapter 6. All are welcome, so come and bring a friend, even if you haven’t read the book.
For more information about the group or to be added to our email list, contact Cindy Cenname, [email protected], 240-498-6330.
Our first meeting this fall will be September 15.
THE MAINSTREAM | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | 12
MEET OUR NEW CHURCH OFFICERS!The following people were elected at the congregational meeting on Sunday, June 11.
AARON CARUSO | ELDER “I’m humbled by the opportunity to work with the GPC staff, session members, and congregation to respond to Christ’s command to love and serve God and our neighbors.”
MALVIN DUNCAN | ELDER“Around 1990, I discovered my spiritual gift of caring for infants and toddlers—a gift
that has absorbed my heart. . . . Although I’ve held various positions over the years, the only position that matters for me is the one I have with Jesus Christ and the
children whose lives He has blessed me to be a part of all these years.”
ART EISENHOUR | ELDER “I was raised a Christian through the leadership of my mother, who was widowedbefore I was 2 years old . . . I missed having a dad but God has been a father to me all my life. . . . I believe that God will help me continue to grow and be the person that He would call an Elder.”
SHARON MASTRONI | ELDER“Our family has been richly blessed by GPC and I am honored to be nominated
for Elder service, welcoming the opportunity to partner with the congregation in continuing GPC’s mission and grow in service to the Lord.”
ROB McCLELLAND | ELDER “I was raised as a Presbyterian, although my view of Christian life has been most influenced by such writers as C.S. Lewis, N.T. Wright, and Raymond E. Brown.”
13 | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | THE MAINSTREAM
MARY SPENCER | ELDER “I feel that faith is both personal and communal, and God has gifted me with loving, supportive church families everywhere I’ve gone. I feel called to get involved wherever God lands me, and growing community and service are my passions. GPC holds a special place for me, though, because it is home. I am excited and humbled to be called onto Session and look forward to growing in my faith as I serve GPC.”
ELIZABETH HOLDRIDGE | DEACON“I . . . have participated in many ministries [at GPC] over the years. I’ve been a ruling
elder on three separate occasions. . . . [and] I look forward to serving GPC in the role of Deacon.”
ELISA McCLELLAND | DEACON “[My husband,] Rob became a member of GPC in 1998 and the spirit called me to join in 2000. Over the years I’ve been involved with many programs, including Sunday School and youth programs, Vacation Bible School, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance mission trips, and such local missions as SOME.”
STEVE OLIN | DEACON“Gaithersburg Presbyterian Church is my spiritual family. I joined GPC . . . , attracted particularly by the Adult Christian Education Program and the opportunity for Christian growth and fellowship . . . . At GPC there are so many ways the Lord may call us to serve. As an Elder, I have served on Session. . . . I also have served as a
Stephen Minister and am looking forward to serving in a new role as Deacon.”
MAXINE BROWN | TRUSTEE “I have been an active participant in nearly all aspects of GPC activities. . . . As long as I am able, I will continue to volunteer with the Mission Team on Presbyterian Disaster Assistance trips. . . . In consideration of my many blessings, I stand ready to serve God wherever He calls.”
To view the church officers’ full bios, visit www.gpchurch.org/bios
THE MAINSTREAM | JULY-AUGUST 2017 | 14
Caring ConcernsTHANK YOU
I would like to thank all the church members who provided support and assistance at Stephanie’s memorial service on June 17—especially those who worked in the kitchen. You did a marvelous job and our family really appreciated your efforts! A big thank you to Ed Markley, Donna Householder, and James Menzies as well for their incomparable sound, video, and picture support. James was able to take the images from a flash drive and incorporate them into the service. And finally, thank you to Teresa McCoy for her wonderful vocal solo, which so many people were ecstatic about.
I hope that those who attended the service learned a lot about Stephanie’s life and now have a better sense of what a magnificent person she was.
—Tom Curtis
If you would like to share a family milestone with the Mainstream, please submit material electronically to [email protected] on or before the 15th of each month.
Christian SympathyThe sympathy of our congregation is extended
to the friends and family of
Fern Chajkowski (mother of Art Eisenhour and mother-in-law of Sue Eisenhour)on her death at Asbury in Gaithersburg, MD, May 29, 2017
Stevie Limparis (brother of Suzie Ward)on his death in Gaithersburg, MD, May 18, 2017
Karen Harris (former GPC member, wife of James Harris)on her death in Denver, CO, June 17, 2017
congratulations!Sarah Mecklenberg and Andrew Polack
said, "I DO!" on June 11, 2017
Welcome to the World!Congratulations
toKekeli and Ely Messan,the proud parents, of
ELIAS EYRAM MESSANborn June 9, 2017
WE've MOVED! Please make a note of our new information
in your church directory.
AL & BETTY VARGO14431 Traville Garden Circle #105, Building D
Rockville, MD 20850-7565
#240-660-2848
