“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!” 2 Corinthians - 17
The Pine Street Church building has never been static. It has undergone many renovations since its construction in 1858, some of them very early in its life. The main doors to the sanctuary, for example, were moved from their original position to their current place at the base of the tower. A Sunday School was added behind the chancel. New entrances were created. The entire building was added to and reconstructed during the Ralph Adams Cram renovation of the 1920s.
west transept. The medallion Jesus and the Children was installed in the tympanum arch above the oak door. In the renovation of 1958 (for the 100th Anniversary of the founding of Pine Street Church), the creation of the cloister (Memorial Hallway) necessitated their removal to the south end of the newly created cloister/ hallway. The medallion was placed in storage at that time and remained in storage until now. At this time, Seiler Chapel was created where the Gathering Place now stands.
For 15 years (1943-1958), The Reformers window was part of an oak door that opened to a small courtyard in the south wall of the
When Seiler Chapel was removed in the early 1990s renovation, we
Music Director Search Committee Elected
by Dr. Russell Sullivan, Pastor
The great hymn states perfectly the goal of all music ministry: “when in our music God is glorified.” Through our music in all of its aspects, Pine Street has given praise and glory to God. Each and every Sunday and at other times I am in awe of what Tom, the choir, soloists, and instrumentalists achieve to keep our hearts and minds in tune with the praise of God. With Tom’s retirement, Pine Street will now be seeking a full time organist and choir director to continue this faithful work. (The title of the position has
Continued from page 1
made an attempt to create a new chapel space in the east transept of the sanctuary. Pews were removed and the Seiler chapel pulpit was installed in the corner. The Seiler chapel communion table was also placed in the space. In reality, however, the chapel was never achieved and little used; the space was often a storage location, especially during Christmas and Easter.
In the fall of 2012, the Worship and Arts Committee invited a group of members to consider the feasibility of creating a real, small worship space in the transept. The group included Dr. Sullivan, Tom Clark-Jones, Joanne Alwine, John Cameron, George Kunkle, Sondra Fertig, John Hertzler, Peggy Purdy, Craig Kegerise, and the chair, Ron Poorman.
Our goal was to create a small, flexible worship space for services, Bible study, public prayer; we want to be creative and really use the space. An additional goal was to use any materials that were already on hand, such as the Seiler chapel pulpit, the communion
table, wooden screens that were in front of the first pew, and, perhaps, the stained glass windows of the Reformers.This time, however, we considered bringing the three pieces together again for the first time since 1958. To this end, we used Bahret Church Interiors, a local church design firm that offered to provide design ideas for a very minimal cost.
We explored the church to look for cast away objects that could be a part of this project. One such object, not cast away, but hidden, was Pine Street’s original communion table that was stored in an upstairs classroom. With Bahret’s design help we envisioned a worship space with the old communion table as its center, and the focal point being the set of three stained glass windows, in graceful walnut shadow boxes lit from behind. The Reformers (John Calvin and John Knox) and the medallion Jesus and the Children were installed and dedicated in September 1943. John Calvin and John Knox are dressed as clerics, and each carries a Bible. The windows were given by Mrs. Sarah Mateer Palmer in memory of her husband, J. Frank Palmer, an elder, deacon, teacher and young people’s worker.
Session Notes
Session does not meet in July or August
The stained glass was designed and created by Henry Lee Willet of the Willet Studio in Philadelphia, whose successor firm Willet Hauser restored 31 of our stained glass windows in the renovation project of 2008.
The new chapel is created entirely from historic parts of the church. The Seiler chapel pulpit appears as central wood panels under the windows. The Seiler communion table is reconfigured and can serve as a lectern for talks or lessons. In the center of the new space is the historic communion table from 1858. Rounding out the space is an oriental-style rug under the table and sanctuary chairs matching the colors of existing pews and cushions. Sanctuary chairs were also included in the first three rows of the nave to provide greater flexibility during special services and concerts.
We invite you to come to the chapel before or after worship for a moment of quiet prayer and to look for scheduled events in the future.
Medallion and Reformers windows can be seen in the courtyard door at the right of this photo.
Weekend Cook Needed
DDB is looking for a dependable, capable cook for the weekend and occasional weekdays. Applicant must have experience as a cook and work references.
Resumes can be sent to estrokoff@ pinestreet.org or mailed to Downtown Daily Bread, 310 N. Third St., Harrisburg, PA 17101.
Volunteers Still Needed
DDB is still looking for volunteers to help with showers, clothing closet, and related tasks on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday from 9:00am to 12:00pm. Interested perrsons may contact Chris at 238-4717 or at estrokoff@pinestreet. org.
The Poverty of Time
by Elaine Strokoff, Executive Director DDB
I read an article last month which shed some light on people living in poverty. It stressed the effects of financial poverty and the poverty of time. One always goes with the other. We tend to think of poverty only in financial terms. We should also consider the poverty of time. Pressures caused by a shortage of time can cause stress which reverberates into other parts of life. For many Downtown Daily Bread clients, the demands of the moment often override the demands of the future. This can, in turn, make the future harder to reach.
People living in poverty face many time constraints. The rent has to be paid on time, or there will be an eviction. The utilities have to be paid on time, or there will be a penalty. Food has to be bought, or the children will be hungry. Which gets paid first: food or utility bill; rent or clothing; gas or telephone? No sooner is one bill paid than another comes along. Consider the challenges of paying for all the bills with one or more part-time jobs and a minimum wage salary. Could you do it?
People living in poverty are always doing a juggling act. They never have the leisure to sit back and take a break. They are the working poor who make up one-third of the clients who come to Downtown Daily Bread. They are the hardworking, sometimes single parents, who care for their children and grandchildren. They live with constant stress and pressure trying to make ends meet. They cannot take a vacation to clear their heads or rest their bodies. They cannot take a vacation from poverty.
As you enjoy what’s left of the summer, please think about those less fortunate. Think about the men and women who eat at Downtown Daily Bread so they can save on their food budget and pay their other bills. Please remember the children who depend on these hard working parents trying to provide for them. A $50 tax deductible donation to Downtown Daily Bread will pay for 25 meals ($2 per meal). One hundred dollars will pay for 50 meals, etc. Please help us continue to serve the “working poor” as we do the homeless in our community. Thank you in advance for your generosity.
Trustee Notes
Trustees do not meet in July or August
Mark your calendars for September 7, 2014 from 9:40 to 10:40am to kick off the 20142015 program year! We will have a continental breakfast with a program showcasing all the exciting things going on at Pine Street. The hour will end with a serenade by our youth. A signup for the breakfast is available at the Welcome Center.
Search
Continued from page 1
not yet been determined.) On the recommendation of the Personnel Committee, Session has elected an outstanding committee to serve as the Music Director Search Committee. Elected to serve are Robert and Chantal Atnip (CoChairs), Susan Wilson, David Devries, Nathan Garman, Anne Guenin, Lisa Milletics, Leslie Luciew, and Russell Sullivan (Staff Liaison). Before it begins the actual search, the committee will craft both a vision of music ministry for Pine Street and a job description.
Representative of the diversity of Pine Street, the committee has two members of the Chancel Choir, three members of the hand bell choir, 5 women and 4 men, younger adults, a budding organist, a talented pianist, a member of the Session, a member of the Trustees, a member of the Board of Deacons, and a good mixture of musicians and non-musicians. In addition, it has two members who served on the prior music search committee and who bring knowledge of the process. This is an outstanding group who will work well together and listen to God’s Spirit at work in our congregation. Keep this committee in all of your prayers and thoughts.
Music At Pine Street Looks to 2014 – 2015 Season
Even as our Organist and Choirmaster, Tom Clark-Jones packs his office, the Music at Pine Street Committee nabbed him between boxes to help sort out our next season. It will be designed as an ‘interim’ season: that year between Tom’s ever-present leadership and that of our next musician. Gathering in MAPS chairman Bob Wilson’s back yard a few weeks ago, the committee put together a proposed program for the next season, and will work throughout the fall and into the new year to make wonderful music continue to pour from Third and Pine.
Here are some highlights of what came from that planning session.
The season opens with Choral Evensong in the English tradition, which has always been a part of our series, and will continue to be so. Two are scheduled, one on November 14 and another on May 8. As usual, the Chamber Singers will staff this service as the choir of the evening, singing some of the great settings of the evening canticles and chanting the psalms. Following the November 14 service, organist Brian Rotz from St. John’s Church, Carlisle will present an organ recital, and following the May 8 service, Beverly and Jonathan Hudson will sing sacred music for alto and tenor, including Benjamin Britten’s wonderful, Canticle II: Abraham and Isaac.This talented couple has been a part of many MAPS presentations in the past and we are pleased to have them once again this season.
On December 14, a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, which has become our traditional Christmas offering will be presented. Wonderful carol settings and beautiful readings from the King James Bible set this service apart as very special.
Then for some fun, and to raise funds for our very own Downtown Daily Bread, the Glee Club from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia will entertain us on March 28. Our own Teddy Guenin is a member of this group, and he’s anxious to share Pine Street hospitality and generosity with his fellow Penn student singers.
On April 8 Pine Street will host a recital co-sponsored by the Harrisburg Chapter of the American Guild of Organists and presented by Mark Laubach, Cannon Musician of St. Stephen’s Pro-Cathedral in Wilkes Barre. A graduate of the Eastman Schoolof Music, Mark is internationally known as a soloist of the highest rank, and he understands exactly what to do with the magnificent Pine Street organ.
A final choral concert of the season is still in the planning stages, so save May 29 for another wonderful presentation by the choir.
We hope this will be a season of inspiration and hope as we continue to affirm the great traditions lain down by our past musical leadership and look forward to another chapter in the great history of Music at Pine Street.
Because of the smaller number of elementary age students in the Koala program, there will be some changes this fall. The name of our program will be KOALA Family and will include all families of preschool through forth grade students. KOALA stands for Kids On a Life Long Adventure Parents, we need you to come along on this adventure too! Students along with parents will meet once a month on the second Wednesday of the month from 6:007:15P.M. in Fellowship Hall. Our first meeting will be September 10, 2014
Families will begin the evening with games or energizers. The core time together will focus on a theme of the month and will include an activity or craft. We will close our meeting with a devotional time.
Sign up at the Welcome Center. There is no cost other than your time and effort to be here. Come join us on this adventure of faith and fun! If you have any questions please contact Cheryl Goode at 238-9304X105 or cgoode@pinestreet. org
Covenant Bible Study Begins September 29th
Covenant is an in-depth adult Bible study to be led by Rev. Heather Sigler and Commissioned Ruling Elder Craig Kegerise. It will begin Monday September 29 at 7:15pm at the church. Sign-up sheets are in the Gathering Place. Participant’s books will cost $ 10.00 each.
Covenant centers around our relationships with God, with each other, and with the world. It differs from other Bible studies in that it emphasizes the biblical concept of Covenant — the enduring commitment between God and people — as a unifying pattern throughout the entire Bible. It underscores the unique relationship that God chooses with us as God's people.
Covenant is a 24-week study (broken into three, eight week modules) that covers the whole Bible by moving between the Old and New Testaments — discussing books from each in a way that shows the interconnectedness of scripture as a whole.
Module #1 – Creating the Covenant (Fall 8 week study begins September 29 and concludes November 17). This module examines how the Covenant community is created and established.
Module #2 – Living the Covenant (Winter 8 week study) focuses on how the community lives out its Covenant in faithful love — how it’s applied to actual relationships in everyday life.
Module #3 – Trusting the Covenant (Spring 8 week study) looks at the crises that sometimes call Covenant life into question, and how we are restored to trust in God when troubling things happen.
Those who commit to this study will covenant to read and study the Bible individually and together for an extended period of time. The group’s purpose is to deepen commitment to live as faithful followers of Jesus Christ. The Covenant experience will lead participants into disciplined daily Bible reading, prayer, and holy conversation.
Participants learn these skills by responding to participant guides, study Bibles, videos, and devotional meditations. The experience becomes accountable at weekly meetings in a group setting for fellowship, learning, and the shared practice of interpreting scripture. This setting is where scripture meets everyday experience within and beyond your church life.
The Time Has Nearly Arrived (or The Time is Nigh?)
by Kathleen White
In the weeks and months ahead each of you will be hearing more and more about the new mission project at Pine Street — the Adult Learning Center (ALC). Your first chance will be on September 7th, both at the Rally Day activities and during the worship services. This also is the date for an ALC organizational meeting beginning at 12:15pm in Fellowship Hall for our volunteers, both those already signed on and potential new recruits! These ALC volunteer “Learning Facilitators” will serve as academic tutors, mentors, life coaches and quite possibly new friends to the adult students who enroll in the program, which is scheduled to open in the Boyd Memorial Building on October 20, 2014. If you have ever thought you would be good in one of these roles mentioned above, then now is definitely the time to speak up, step forward, and consider joining the Adult Learning Center team.
To get more detailed information and to reserve a place for yourself at the September 7th meeting, contact Kathleen White by email at just.for.kwhite@ gmail.com or by phone at 717-737-4073 now. Don’t let this golden opportunity to become a charter member of the Pine Street ALC Learning Facilitators pass you by.
All-Church Orchestra
by Sue Black
This Christmas the Evangelism Committee is supporting Pine Street’s first ever all-church orchestra to play carols before the family service on Christmas Eve. Everyone who has ever played an instrument is invited to participate. The focus is on fun, not virtuosity!
This will be a wonderful way for Pine Streeters of all ages to connect over a shared love of music and a great reason to invite family and friends to share in Christmas at Pine Street.
Annual “Kirkin’ of the Tartans”
by John Cameron
Once each year, Pine Street honors a small part of the Presbyterian history. We all know about Calvin, but less so about Knox, and not much about how Presbyterianism came to America, even though Presbyterian ideals and practices are reflected by the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and certainly laid foundations for the PCUSA today.
The Kirkin’ of the Tartans reflects a tradition of the Church of Scotland, the mother church of the Presbyterian Church. The American church version was instituted by Dr. Peter Marshall in Washington DC in 1941.
The historical basis dates back to the period after that 1745 Rebellion by, principally, the Highland Clans against the English Hanoverian King. Their defeat led to a banning of the wearing of tartan. The Scots, never very obedient to authority, continued to revere their tartans and would bring scraps to services held in the glens to have them and their Clans blessed.
So, in our day, representatives of the Scottish Society of Central PA join with us in the Kirkin’ on Sunday, September 28 to take us back to the origins of our denomination and to the nation whence it was born.
Congratulations to Lorrie Cooney
So start working on your embouchure, drag out those books of études, or have your bow rehaired now!
More information and signups coming soon.
Lorrie Cooney, a member of Pine Street, has for some years lived in Syracuse, New York, with her family. A candidate for ordination to the ministry, Lorrie has accepted the call to be the pastor of New Hope Presbyterian Church in Parish, New York. She will be ordained on Sunday, August 24, at 3:00pm. If you wish to send a note of congratulations, you may mail it to her address: 5078 Bergenfield Way, Fayetteville, New York 13066. Lorrie will be coming to visit us in the near future, and we will recognize her ordination in worship then.
