CHILDREN’S MINISTRY

Family Advent Celebration

Children’s Ministry stepped into Advent with a glorious family event on Sunday afternoon, Nov. 27. Twenty-three families came together to create precious Nativity scenes. Several families had three generations present. What a delight to watch grandparents making sweet memories and keepsake crafts with their grandchildren. Craft making was followed by carol singing in the Sanctuary. Many thanks to Kirsten Santos Rutschman for leading us in festive song. We rounded out the evening with a delicious pasta and pizza dinner. What a delightful way to usher in the Advent season!

It was a dream come true for your Director of Children’s Ministry Kelli Masters!! A children’s Christmas pageant on Christmas Eve!! 43 children came together to tell the amazing story of Jesus’ birth. We had the help of two high school seniors, Samantha Armstrong and Adam Bernholdt, who were perfect as the narrator and the ‘big angel’. Baby Jesus was newborn, Christian Woytowich, lovingly held by his big sister Ellie, who played the part of Mary. Naomi Conard was a wonderful Joseph, and Ellis Herbert brought them safely to Bethlehem as the faithful donkey. Our cast was rounded out by adorable Wise Ones, very excited angels, a host of shepherds and their rambunctious sheep, an enthusiastic innkeeper, and a show-stopping STAR. Many, many thanks to the parents who worked diligently on costumes and sets, and to Sarah and Heidi Berholdt for helping to keep track of the shepherds and angels.

Perhaps the greatest joy is in knowing that these children have experienced the greatest story in an unforgettable way. Our prayer is that the truth of God’s Great Gift is written on their hearts.

If you missed the pageant and would like to view the recording, please reach out to kelli@waynepres.org for the link. Also contact Kelli if you would like more information about Children’s Ministries, or to join her team or help with an upcoming event!

The Common Place Orchestra

byDr.JosephKauffman, Artistic Director of Music Transforms and TCPO

Almost ten years ago, Wayne Presbyterian Church said ‘yes’ to revitalizing and restoring the historic building housing New Spirit Presbyterian Church (Now Salt & Light Church) in Southwest Philadelphia and began planting seeds that have continued to blossom at The Common Place.

The Common Place Orchestra (TCPO) is one of those seeds that is beginning to bear fruit. TCPO provides free string lessons and the string orchestra experience to the talented youth in Southwest Philadelphia. We believe an expressive musical spirit lives inside everyone, and we aim to help our students discover and liberate theirs through TCPO’s programming. Private string lessons are given to students during and after school, and the orchestra rehearses on Saturday mornings, but not before enjoying a delicious hot breakfast prepared in Carl’s Kitchen! On December 18th, after weeks of practicing and rehearsing, TCPO performed “Silent Night” during Salt & Light’s Christmas program, “Miracles on 58th Street.” At the conclusion of the performance, the sanctuary vibrated in thunderous applause. TCPO is certainly one of the miracles happening on 58th Street! https://www.shelbygiving.com/app/giving/wayne.

We were very proud of our students’ many accomplishments this past year. The ultimate measure of our work comes not only when we see our students perform, but also as we watch them grow intellectually, academically, and emotionally. If you would like to get involved or donate an instrument, please contact TCPO’s Operations Director, Nellie Kauffman, at elenasmith@thecommonplacephilly.org. If you would like to contribute financially, you may do so by supporting Music Transforms at WPC.

We are thankful to the Holy Spirit for blessing our program, and to the generous members of WPC for their prayers, instrument donations, and financial support.

Volunteer Opportunities At Grow Bustleton Esl Ministry

GROW Bustleton is an English as a second language (ESL) ministry that serves the immigrant and refugee communities in NE Philadelphia. Once a month GROW has conversation cafes, which are opportunities for 1-3 ESL students to talk with a native English-speaker (you!) in casual conversation. WPC members have been volunteering at GROW conversation cafes since Spring 2022 and have enjoyed the time getting to know refugees from Brazil, Albania, Ukraine, Russia, China and Turkey. If you like to meet new people, this is the perfect way to serve!

Winter Café Dates:

Monday January 16 – 11 a.m. - 12p.m. – MLK Jr. Day!

Tuesday January 17 – 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Wednesday February 15 – 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Thursday February 16 - 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

• Monday March 13 – 11 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Tuesday March 14 - 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.

Time commitment: 1 hour

Experience required: None. All you need is curiosity and a love for people. Training: None. GROW provides conversation prompts

Address: GROW ESL Bustleton, Seven Mile Road Church, 525 Welsh Road, Phila, PA 19115

If you would like to volunteer on any of these dates, please email Seena Raj, Assistant Director - GROW Bustleton, bustleton@growesl.org. If you are interested in carpooling from the Wayne area, please copy WPC Mission team member Carol Diehl, ccdiehl8@verizon.net on your email to Seena.

Another volunteer opportunity also exists at GROW - GROW Bustleton is looking for a volunteer to teach Level 4 (advanced level). This would begin in January or ASAP and would be a commitment of one and a half hours a week, either Monday or Wednesday, 10:30-12:00pm. Training is provided, as is the curriculum. If interested in learning more or applying, email Seena Raj, Assistant Director – GROW Bustleton, bustleton@growesl.org or find more information at Volunteer – GROW (growesl.org). Make sure to let Seena know you are from Wayne Presbyterian Church.

HELP SEND MITCHELL SCHOOL’S CHESS TEAM TO NATIONALS

During the month of February, please visit a table in the connector to learn about the inspiring chess team at Mitchell Elementary, Wayne’s long-time partner in southwest Philadelphia. These students have worked hard to become strong chess players and they have earned opportunities to compete at the national level, however, they need support to cover travel expenses.

Chess builds many important skills, including concentration, confidence and resilience. Because of this, every student at Mitchell takes a chess-based class called Critical Thinking. It is taught by Jason Bui, who also coaches Mitchell’s chess team. As of November 22, 2022, Mitchell’s chess team was in first place in the Philadelphia School District Elementary Division. Coach Bui seeks $6,000 to fund trips this spring to the High School Nationals in Washington, DC and the Elementary Nationals in Baltimore.

Commentsfromacurrent7thgradestudent:

WhenIwasin5thgrade,myteacherstoldmethatwhenIstartedplayingchessmygradesstartedtogetbetteragain,andI believedthem.IthinkitwasbecauseIwasabletofocusmore.IthelpsmeimprovemyconfidencebecausewhenIplayhigh schoolplayersIfeellikeIcanbeatthem,andwhenIfeellikeIcanbeatthem,IfeellikeIcanbeatanyone.

For more information, stop by the City Lights table between services, visit waynepres.org, or contact Wendy Norman (wnoprmanpa@yahoo.com, 610-608-2572) or Jane Beatty (jnbeatty@verizon.net, 610-688-7529). Donations can be made online at waynepres.org/giving and select Mitchell School from the Fund dropdown or send a check to the church office with “Mitchell School – Chess” in the memo line.

Deacons

Christmas Angel Tree Project Serves 95 Families

The Board of Deacons Community Service Committee held a very successful annual Christmas Angel Tree project providing holiday meals along with pantry food items and small gifts for 95 families. While the original goal was to help 80 families, the generosity of the WPC community enabled additional Angel Tree families to be served.

This year’s project marked the second year that the family selection process was available via the website and in-person during the coffee hour in the Connector on multiple Sundays in November and December. With the decorated Christmas Angel Tree by our side to herald this vital annual ministry, we had the opportunity to talk inperson with familiar and new worshippers at the Angel table, bringing additional joy and fellowship to the project.

In an effort to continue to improve this ministry, new this year was the option to use heavy-duty reusable/recyclable cardboard boxes provided at the Angel table. The boxes were cost effective, eco-friendly, and appreciated by those who utilized them.

The out-pouring of kindness, enthusiasm, and generosity from those who participated in the Angel Tree project was truly inspiring. It is the joy of giving to families we know need support and it is an expression of the loving care our faith asks of us. As a result, ninety-five families from three of our mission partners were surely overwhelmed with your heartfelt gifts of food and treats.

On behalf of the Deacons and the Deacon’s Community Service Committee, thanks for your exemplary support of mission outreach programs at WPC!

Deacon Blood Drives Help The American Red Cross Save Lives

Six times a year the Deacons sponsor blood drives at our church. The drives are Wednesday afternoons and the dates are publicized on the Red Cross website and church calendar. Upcoming blood drives are scheduled for April 12 and June 7.

In 2022, we were proud to have facilitated the donation of 298 pints of blood, with each pint being able to assist multiple people. Despite blood being so vital, we often don’t think about its availability until we or a loved one needs it. We TRUST the supply will be there. The Deacons hope anyone who is able will sign up for the drives (myths about not being about to donate are on the Red Cross website) and/or volunteer to help us promote the drives in their social circles. Reminders re: the drives will be provided as we grow closer to the events, and can also be found at redcrossblood.org by entering sponsor code: waynepres We are grateful in advance for your support!

Top right: Blood drive leader Lynne Samson shows how easy it is to give blood! Bottom right: Connie Layman, John Larkin and Mary Bollinger are active donors and volunteers

Music

ON CHRISTMAS NIGHT ALL CHRISTIANS SING, TO HEAR THE NEWS THE ANGELS BRING

The Advent-Christmas season is always a favorite for our music ensembles. The Wayne Oratorio Society closed out the year 2022 with four concerts: Faure’s exquisite Requiem and Dan Forrest’s lively Jubilate Deo on November 5 and 6, and Handel’s beloved Messiah on December 3 and 4, all under the leadership of John Grecia.

Advent activities included music of the season in Sundaymorning worship by the Te Deum and Selah bell choirs and WPC Orchestra, as well as caroling during the Family Advent Celebration and with the Youth Group. On Christmas Eve, following a carol-filled Pageant at 4pm, the Westminster Youth Choir (7:00pm) and Chancel Choir (10:00pm) filled the Sanctuary with music in praise of the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, together with New City Brass.

MUSIC IN 2023 Winter/Spring Classes

The new year 2023 opens with two Music Transforms concerts: the The Arcadian Trio (January 15) and the Pyxis Piano Trio (February 12). Both concerts are at 4 p.m. and are free, with a free-will offering benefitting music education at The Common Place in Southwest Philadelphia.

Our music program welcomes new participants throughout the year. Do you like to sing? Do you play an orchestral instrument – or have you played one in the past and would like to brush up your skills? Are you interested in learning how to ring handbells? Contact Kirsten Santos Rutschman, Interim Director of Music, at kirsten@waynepres.org or (610) 688-8700, x227 for more information.

SANTA VISITS WPC DURING “CHRISTMAS IN WAYNE”

On a cold, rainy day in December, WPC opened its doors to welcome Santa and Wayne families into the warm connector for hot chocolate, cookies and Christmas cheer! Santa arrived on a fire engine after the Santa Parade through Wayne, and children lined up to sit on his lap and chat. Given the Covid restrictions in recent years, this was the first time some young ones had met Santa, and they had time to warm up to the idea of having a conversation with Santa in the festive and welcoming Connector. The Wayne Business Association (WBA) coordinated the event, bringing decorated Christmas trees donated by Braxton’s, wrapped boxes to put underneath them, and balloons to give to the kids. Mad Anthony’s Café donated the hot chocolate and cookies, and WPC provided Advent Coloring Calendars, Advent Devotionals and ornaments for families to take home. We also had 14 energetic volunteers to help welcome the community into our church. Visitors expressed appreciation for the event, with some noting it was the first time they had been in our church. It was a wonderful opportunity to partner with the WBA to support a community event and engage with our neighbors.

If you would like to join the Church Growth & Evangelism Task Force to help organize similar opportunities to connect with the community, please contact Elizabeth Castleman at epcastleman@earthlink.net.

Poinsettia Tree Set Up

Your Chancel Committee and its elves were very busy decorating our church for the holiday season. Two hundred six thirsty poinsettia plants arrived on the scene the week before Christmas. After a drink and inspection they were off to the Sanctuary for placement in the poinsettia “trees,” staff offices, Connector, and Chapel. The “trees” were carefully assembled with lights and potholders. From that day through the New Year, a member of the Chancel Committee watered and pruned the poinsettias to keep them healthy and attractive. Many thanks to those pictured – Ellie and Janice Mack, Pearson and Susi Bruhns, and Angela Tait. Also other Chancel Committee members Clara Meyers, Joan Spillman, Judie Elliott, Georgia Hogeland, Beth Brake, June Hamilton and Marian Hollinsworth; and committee leaders Angela Tait and Lani Fabere. And big thanks to Bill Gillespie and his team for their annual installation of the spectacular Christmas tree in the Connector! Please contact Angela at taitmaryangela333@gmail.com or Lani at lanifabere@gmail.com if you’d like to help with future decorating efforts.