For the last six months, we have been steadily moving towards our goal of defining the new mission for Pine Street. It began with a conference at Messiah College that discussed poverty on a local, national and global level. Following the conference, we had a brainstorming session where you all offered your ideas for a new mission initiative at Pine Street. From there, we took your ideas and had five research teams go into the Harrisburg community to determine what programs and organizations already exist for serving those needs. Finally, we presented our information so that you could have a say concerning the direction you believe we should go with our church.
taking the downstairs classrooms and creating a Pine Street GED Center. This mission was chosen by a margin of 3 to 1. For those of you who were not present, let me take a moment to explain what this entails.
6:00 pm
Family Service with Candlelight & Communion
Dr. Russell Sullivan narrates the Christmas Story
11:00 pm
Candlelight & Communion
Dr. Russell Sullivan, Preaching
The clear choice made by those who attended the presentations was
The GED center was one of the ideas from the brainstorming session back in April. During our research, we discovered that there are two major GED centers in Harrisburg. Perhaps the most effective is the one run by Jeff Woodyard at TriCounty OIC, a nonprofit that specializes in helping low-income individuals achieve their educational goals. We met with Jeff and asked if our church could be of any assistance to his program. He explained that, beginning in 2014, all GED testing will take place on computers. One of the
Advent And Christmas Music 2012
by Thomas Clark-Jones, Choirmaster
Several musical events will be happening during the Advent/Christmas season at Pine Street, events we hope all of our congregation will enjoy and help to make the season special. We start on the Second Sunday of Advent, December 9, with our annual Advent Music Sunday. The day will feature a sermon sung by the Chamber Singers at the eleven o’clock hour. Plans have changed a bit since summer when the Music
Bagels & Belief
January 6
The Pornography Effect: How Pornography is Changing Our Understanding of Sexuality
Pastor Lang
February 3
Human Trafficking: The Modern Slave Trade
Pastor Lang
March 3 Why Evolution Won’t Go Away
Dr. Ted Davis
April 7
The Culture of Disbelief
Dr. Ted Davis
May 5 It’s the Economy (again), Stupid!
Pastor Sullivan
June 2
Is it the End of Marriage as We Know It?
Pastor Sullivan
All forums are held at 9:40 am in Fellowship Hall
Results Continued from page 1
challenges he is facing is that he will not have the funding to provide the necessary computers so that the students in his program can take the GED test.
His comment resulted in a discussion where we offered the first floor classrooms as a space to create a computer testing lab and a space to teach students. In essence, we offered to become an extension campus of Tri-County OIC. This idea was something that Jeff very much appreciated and was the genesis of a much larger mission concept for the church.
Beyond housing the GED program, we would have an important role in helping it function. I believe that one of the most valuable commodities we possess at Pine Street is how many of our congregants are educated. A very high percentage of our congregation has a bachelor’s degree. Interestingly enough, in order to teach a GED class, one needs a bachelor’s degree. Therefore, our mission to the community would be to teach these classes.
There are two levels of involvement: tutors and volunteers. Tutors are the teachers in the classroom and require 12 hours of training before being allowed to teach a class. Volunteers are there to assist the teacher and work one-on-one with students. Also, anyone who wants to be involved would be asked to go through a poverty training course. This is necessary because the population we will be working with has a very different set of assumptions about how to approach life than ones with which we were raised. It is important that we understand these assumptions so that we can be more effective teachers.
At this juncture, session has given approval to move forward with more research. We need to assess all the variables to determine if this idea is truly feasible for our congregation. We need to assess the cost; how it will affect the building and our programs; issues of insurance and liability; congregational buy-in, etc. We plan to write for grants to help offset the cost and there is state funding available for every student we teach.
This is an exciting time to be at Pine Street. This new mission could truly invigorate our church and energize our community. If this is the way we end up going, I hope that you will plan to be a part of it. If you have any questions, please let me know. We’ll let you know once session has made a decision concerning how we plan to move forward.
Session Notes for November
Approved planning for a mission trip to Papago Presbyterian Church, Sells, AZ, February 16 –23, 2013.
Adopted, as amended, and recommended to the congregation approval, at the January, 2013 meeting, of revised and restated by-laws required as a result of changes to the Book of Order.
Approved sale of excess pews as proposed by Trustees except for those from the west transept with unsold pews to be donated to an educational institution or other similarly qualified organization.
Approved holding services of Healing and Wholeness at both Services and serving of communion by intinction at the 11am service on first Sunday of December 2012 and of January through May, 2013
Approved further development of a new Pine Street mission project to become a GED center with Tri-County OIC in Pine Street facilities which will, in addition, provide opportunities for handson involvement by Pine Street members.
Thank you Pine Street bakers who provided cookies for Share the Harvest:
Deborah Gruver
Lisa Milletics
Deborah Olson
Peggy Purdy
John Jewett
Miranda Jewett Your efforts are greatly appreciated!
GLEANING AT STRITES ORCHARD
Ten people met at Strites Orchard on Saturday, October 20 to glean apples and potatoes. Produce was given to the Central PA Food Bank and the Ecumenical Food Pantry. Those attending were Baiba Clemens, Jo Dolbin, Laura Messner, Debbie and Roger Olson, Barb and Terry Seaton, Raja and Lahta Tatipelli (and their 14 month-old son), and Rasa Zalite. We thank Strites for allowing us to glean produce every fall to support those who are hungry in our community.
Share the Harvest 2012
On October 12, 2012, the Downtown Daily Bread second annual fundraiser, Share the Harvest, took place at the Historic Harrisburg Association on N. Third Street, across from the Broad Street Market.
The former bank building sparkled with candles and twinkling lights, diamond-studded white pumpkins and glittering gold and silver bamboo stalks, amid the building’s original marble and brass. The guests enjoyed an assortment of wine and cheeses and specialty breads accompanied by appetizers followed by coffee and delicious homemade desserts. The ambience was enhanced by the sweet sound of the harp followed by that of the piano. Donated art from the Paxtang Art Association decorated the walls along with other quality raffle items. New this year, silent auction items were presented including a cocktail party for 20 at a private home and a gourmet cooking class and dinner at the Cornerstone Coffee House in Camp Hill. (If you are interested in the class, please let me know as there are still some spaces available.)
On the whole, the Share the Harvest Event was another wonderful evening and more importantly, a successful fundraiser for Downtown Daily Bread. We hope to see you at a special event next year when DDB celebrates 30 years of service to the community. It is not too early to commit to making another magical evening for Downtown Daily Bread. The clients who will benefit need your support.
Best wishes from all the staff at Downtown Daily Bread. Happy Thanksgiving! Elaine
Entertainment Books to benefit DDB are still available for $30, payable to DDB. They make great holiday gifts! Questions? Call Elaine 238-4717.
Trustees Notes for October
Reviewed the new format for reporting financial information to church committees.
Noted that a custodian had been hired through an agency and that the church’s intent is to hire him full time.
Discussed the current view of the Property Committee that the leakage on the Third Street tower is not through deteriorating pointing but through improperly sealed window sills.
Reinforced the view that “excess” pews should be sold only after all attempts to find suitable uses for them in the church and Boyd buildings have failed. Session has approved the sale of any pews not needed.
History: Do You See It?
Did you ever look at the offering plates when they come to you? What color is the at the bottom of the plate? Answers are in the Memorial Hallway display case.
It has been 3 ½ years since our last, wildly successful fundraiser that raised $6000 for subsequent youth mission trips to Chicago, West Virginia and Florida. In June, 2013 our youth will travel to Haiti, the poorest country in the Western hemisphere, to help with building projects and church Bible school activities. Because of the cost of this trip, over $1400 per person, we will be having a major fundraiser in March to offset a portion of the cost.
Please start thinking of items and services that you, your friends, families, or employers might like to donate for a “pick-a-prize” auction. You’ll be hearing more about the trip and the fundraiser in the new year.
Music
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at Pine Street brochures were printed. Instead of the previously announced work for this day, we will be presenting a Carol-Sequence entitled The Holy Birth by English composer, Herbert Sumsion (1895 – 1995).
Sumsion is one of the legendary Cathedral musicians of the twentieth century. His entire career was involved in music making at Gloucester Cathedral in the west of England, nearly on the Welsh boarder. After being a chorister in the boy choir there, he became an Organ Scholar and in 1928, at the age of 33, he was appointed Organist-Choirmaster of the Cathedral. His work there included working closely as part of the famous Three Cathedrals Festival each summer as the choirs of Hereford, Gloucester and Worcester join together in one of the great musical festivals of the world. Here he hosted the festival every third year and was responsible for some of the great choral commissions of the century. The work to be presented here was written after his retirement in 1967, and in his 89th year. Created for the Gloucester Choral Society, a community chorus, it sets five well-known English carols in his own inimitable style, with sensitive organ accompaniments and choral writing that lies beautifully in the human voice and makes a grand impression. You are sure to enjoy it. This will not ‘take over’ the service, but just be a ‘proclamation of the Word’. Communion will be served as usual, and at the 8:30 service, Dr. Sullivan will offer a spoken sermon.
The following Sunday, December 16 at 6:30pm, the Choir and Handbell Choir will present the traditional Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols. This year the musical fare includes carols of Alfred Burt, John Rutter, Steven White, Peter Warlock, Andrew Carter, William Mathias and several others. The Choir always takes
Superstorm Sandy Response
Lend A Hand, a mission of the Presbytery of Carlisle, has been working with several churches in the New Jersey area relative to Superstorm Sandy.
great pride in this offering which features the reading of the great Christmas narrative, choral carols and above all, the singing of all the favorite congregational carols. This has been a popular offering each year for the past decade. Please note that our traditional hour of four o’clock has changed this year to six-thirty.
Of course, Christmas Eve is always a great feast of music of the season. Join us at 6:00pm for the Family CandlelightCommunion service where the Children and Youth Bells offer music and then again at 11:00pm when the full choir helps to welcome the Newborn King in more great music of the season. We hope you enjoy the variety of the offerings, as well as being a part of the great singing of the carols of Advent and Christmas. Join in with us as we celebrate the happiest holiday of the Christian year!
We have been specifically asked to NOT send clothing, water or food. Storage, sorting and distribution are bottlenecks in the recovery process. Other agencies have already organized this effort.
Rather, we have been asked to send Lowe’s, Home Depot, Walmart or Target gift cards. The primary churches can then assist homeowners with the purchase of building materials (where expenses exceed the grant or insurance money) or with household items destroyed by the storm (lamps, furniture, beds and mattresses, small appliances, and other ‘necessities’). Please send the cards to Lend A Hand, 3040 Market Street, Camp Hill Pa. 17011 where they will be collected and forwarded to appropriate organizations in the disaster areas. “Muck out” and rebuilding teams will start as soon as possible and continue so long as volunteers sign up.
Last Chance to
POINSETTIAS ORDER FORM – 2012
If you would like to purchase a poinsettia that will be used for decorating the sanctuary for Christmas, please complete the form below. There will no longer be automatic renewals for ordering poinsettias.
The form can be either mailed or put in the box in the Gathering Place along with your check made payable to Pine Street Presbyterian Church (please specify in the memo that this is for poinsettias). The costs of the poinsettias are $8.00 each. Deadline for orders is December 16, 2012
WORDING OF DEDICATION:
In Memory of
In Honor of
Given by
Amount Enclosed*___________________
*Payment is due when order form is submitted.
Mailing address is: Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 N. 3rd Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101
WE MUST HAVE THE ABOVE FORM FILLED OUT AND PUT IN THE BOX IN THE GATHERING PLACE (BOX IS MARKED). IF YOU DO NOT FILL OUT THIS FORM, YOU WILL NOT HAVE YOUR MEMORIAL LISTED IN THE CHRISTMAS BULLETIN, EVEN IF YOU HAVE MADE ARRANGEMENTS TO HAVE IT DONE AUTOMATICALLY FROM YEAR TO YEAR.
Voting Day
Thanks to Joan Hays and Jane Hess for helping some of the residents of the Presbyterian Apartments on Tuesday, November 6. Joan and Jane provided transportation to their voting precinct polling place. Several other Pine Street members had offered to help the Apartment residents get official voter IDs — that wasn’t needed this year, but your willingness to help is appreciated.
Cookie/ Craft Bazaar
Don’t forget the Cookie/Craft Bazaar on Saturday, December 8, 2012 from 10:00am to 12:30pm Bring a friend and join us for our Christmas Cookie/Craft Bazaar. We will be offering cookies and fudge for $6.00 per pound, and sweet breads to be priced separately. We will also be offering a selection of craft items that could easily provide you with a gift for that special someone this Christmas!
All proceeds from this event will benefit the upkeep of our church kitchen.
Pine Street Book Club
January 13, 2013
Red Azlea by Anchee Min
Sandy Allen, hostess
Reviewed by Cynthia Hertzler
February 10, 2013 Folly Beach by Dorothea Benton Frank
Pam Bauer, hostess
Reviewed by Pam Bauer
March 10, 2013 If You Ask Me by Betty White
Sondra Fertig, hostess
Reviewed by Rita Falk & Barb Taylor
April 14, 2013 Rich Boy by Sharon Pomerantz
Estelle Hartranft, hostess
Reviewed by Eileen Kunkle & Estelle Hartranft
May 19, 2013
The Good Daughters by Joyce Maynard
Doris Coyne, hostess
Reviewed by Edna Andrews
Book Club always meets at 7:00 pm. Sign-up at the Welcome Center.
The Giving Tree
Remember to include the Giving Tree as part of your Christmas tradition. Look for the Star in the Gathering Place to choose the gifts you will bring. Sign-ups began Nov. 25th and will continue Dec 2nd and 9th. Return gifts to Pine Street on Dec 9th and 16th. For individual gifts, wrapped boxes that can be opened or gift bags work best. Checks for monetary contributions should be made out to that specific agency.
Details about gifts and agencies are available at the Gathering Place. Ask Mission Committee members if you have any questions. This project offers many ways to help others in need: individual gifts, gift cards, gloves, socks and children’s books as well as monetary contributions.
This year’s agencies:
Delta Community — assists homeless parents
• Gifts for individuals
HELP Ministries — provides emergency services such as shelter, rent assistance, and heating fuel
• Money for vouchers, which are sent directly to landlords or fuel vendors
Promise Place — a living facility for women just out of prison who are trying to turn their lives around
Community Check-up Center — provides compassionate and caring medical services
• New or gently used books to be used at the center as well as distributed to families to encourage reading
Arizona Mission Trip
Deaths
Eugene Thompson June 27, 1928 –November 5, 2012
Presbyterian Apartments
The mission committee will provide a Christmas party for the residents of the Apartments on Wednesday, December 5, 2012 at 12:00 noon Other members of PSPC and their families / friends are also invited. We will provide a holiday program that will include scripture, singing, eating, and gift giving. Sign-ups will be at the Welcome Center. This has been a successful time of sharing in the past and we expect nothing less this year. Hope to see you there!
For the 22nd year, Pine Street members and friends will be sharing their faith with members of the Papago UPC in Sells, AZ. The trip is planned for February 16 – 23, 2013. Thirteen people are able to stay in the work trailer on the church property. It will probably be advantageous to get flight reservations soon – flying into the Phoenix airport by noon or shortly afterward. So if you are interested in this mission opportunity, mark the dates on your calendar, sign up at the Welcome Center, and stay tuned for more news as the details develop.
Pine Street Life (USPS 574-510) is published monthly by Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Periodicals Postage paid at Harrisburg, PA 17105. Postmaster: Send address changes to Pine Street Life, Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
