WAYNE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
WAYNE PRESS
www.waynepres.org
SPRING AND SUMMER CELEBRATIONS OF LIFE, HOPE, FAITH AND FELLOWSHIP
Midway through summer, our church seems busier than ever, and this issue of the Wayne Press highlights some of the important work we’re doing across the four pillars of our mission – worship, grow, serve and care. We’ve worshiped in person and online every Sunday, honored the lives of those we have lost, welcomed new members, baptized babies, enjoyed awe-inspiring music, discussed books, celebrated friendship, supported our neighbors and called a new senior pastor to lead us into our next chapter of ministry! We have some great programs coming in July/ August and we’re gearing up for an exciting fall season of programming – so please read about our many programs and think about where you might jump in and join us! And save the date: Fall programming kicks off September 15!
We hope you enjoy this issue of the Wayne Press, which highlights many recent events and upcoming programs, but it can’t cover everything we do! Please visit waynepres.org regularly for more information and updates. Also visit the online Member Portal at waynepres.org/member-portal/ or contact the Church office to keep your membership records updated to make sure you receive our publications.
A TRIBUTE TO REVEREND JOHN T. GALLOWAY, JR.
A recent service in witness to the Resurrection and in celebration of the life of Rev. Dr. John T. Galloway, Jr. was held at WPC. Many present were those whose lives were touched by John in his various roles and locations as a pastor.
John grew up in this church when his father, John, Sr. was the Senior Pastor. John was educated at Princeton University and Princeton
Theological Seminary and served on the Seminary board for a number of years. After serving Presbyterian churches in Greenwich, CT, Spencerport (near Rochester), NY, York, PA and Fox Chapel in Pittsburgh, John was called back to his home church, our church, in 1993 where he served until his retirement in 2007.
Rev. Katy Shevel presided over the service which included Rev. Dr. Craig Barnes, President Emeritus of Princeton Theological Seminary, who highlighted John’s true gift for his calling as a minister. He was considered the Pastor’s Pastor in that he was exceptionally good at caring for others in ministry. Rev. Barnes cited John 15:1-17 about which John had written a book called How to Stay Christian
John was a dedicated teacher, leader and brilliant preacher. His sermons were rooted in a deep theological understanding and an appreciation for story; they were insightful, thoughtprovoking and often sprinkled with humor. He demonstrated the compassion of Jesus Christ and the tough love of God’s word. Rev. Barnes reminded us to hold on to John’s legacy of love.
John’s sermons were broadcast on the radio while he was in Pittsburgh and for several years even after he was called to WPC. Because of his understanding of the Biblical call to help and serve those in need, John was an advocate for
mission. He was instrumental in founding what is now known as CHIP (Children’s Health Insurance Program) as a response to the needs of unemployed steelworkers in Pittsburgh. Here at Wayne, he encouraged the idea of the CityLights program which is still in existence in Southwest Philadelphia after 30 years. Many church members credit John with setting our church on a course of greater missionmindedness and commitment, and thus feel that WPC is a different church because of him.
Scott Galloway, John’s son, spoke about his dad being a brilliant mind, a voracious reader and mischievous. Scott shared some fun and touching memories. John was a thrice published author and a lifelong sports “Phanatic” of the Philadelphia Phillies and Penn State Nittany Lions.
The service was enhanced with traditional hymns and a special musical offering by cellist Robert Cafaro from the Philadelphia Orchestra. Especially moving was Brian Meneely singing The Lord’s Prayer accompanied by John Grecia and the choir.
Rev. Dr. Tony Sundermeier, Senior Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta, spoke about his time with John here at WPC when he was serving as a youth director. John encouraged him and mentored him throughout his journey. He focused on John’s sermon series from Genesis 32:22-32 called Wrestling with God. As Tony noted, John wrestled well and ran the good race.
Above all, John cherished family. He was a loving husband, dedicated to the care of Susan through her ALS disease and death, and then happily loving to his wife Nancy for the past 18 years. Likewise, he was a loving brother, father and grandfather. Affectionately known by family as “Revvie,” he was warm, encouraging and always funny.
This celebration service was a tribute to a man who has cast a long shadow among us and will be sorely missed.
JOHN GALLOWAY MEMORIAL RECEPTION
A message from our Deacons by Jan
Eberlein
What an honor and privilege that God blessed Wayne Presbyterian Church by sharing His faithful servant John T. Galloway, Jr. with us for so many years. How blessed our church is that God chose us to help celebrate such a wonderful life. Rev. Galloway, as the Rev. Dr. Craig Barnes reminded us, made the choice to “abide in God’s love.” Through John, our church received a glimpse of God’s Holy Love, and John’s life was a testimony to abiding in that Love.
The Deacons, as the “hands and feet” of God, were challenged with providing a reception to share God’s love with the family, friends and community at large. Indeed, that seemed like a daunting task, but then as Rev. Dr. Tony Sundermeier so graciously reminded us, God will bless us with what we need to meet the moment as He wrestles with us.
And so He did. Peter 4:10: “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” And so we did!!
The WPC staff, under the direction of John Pitocchelli, worked tirelessly for many weeks to organize John’s service and reception. This planning was invaluable to the Deacons in hosting the reception. Many helped by volunteering their time, talents and service so unselfishly. Thank you to the Deacons, Elders, Boy Scouts, youth and other church members who stepped up to help with the tasks – providing tasty treats, dessert plating, flower arranging, setting up the dessert and beverage tables, serving and caring for our guests, working in the kitchen, cleaning up the tent, Connector and Chapel areas and attending to every little detail that came up. God certainly knew what He was doing when He chose all of you to celebrate his chosen servant John!! Praise be to Him.
Enjoy looking at the following pictures of the event and feel God’s love and John Galloway’s legacy. As Dr. Sundermeier reminded us, “Love is the only thing you get to keep in life.”
THE REVEREND
JOHN T. GALLOWAY, JR. EDUCATION FUND
As a fitting tribute to our beloved former pastor John T. Galloway, Jr., and with his wife Nancy’s full support, a fund has been established to honor his legacy at WPC.
This memorial mirrors John’s emphasis in his life on the importance of education at all levels. This fund will be for the purpose of providing needed financial support for the theological education of worthy seminary students and also for ordained ministers who wish to further their religious education. It will be open for divinity students and ordained ministers studying at any qualified seminary.
Funds will be held and invested in a designated account and grant applications will be approved by a committee appointed by our senior pastor. John encouraged and mentored a number of our young members as they felt the call to seminary.
Please consider honoring John’s life by making a gift to this Education Fund. Ways to give:
1. Visit WPC Online Giving and select “John T. Galloway, Jr. Education Fund” from the drop-down menu or scan the QR code above.
2. Send or drop off a check payable to WPC with the notation in the memo line for the John T. Galloway, Jr. Education Fund.
LEADERSHIP UPDATE
WELCOME TO OUR NEW SENIOR PASTOR AND HEAD OF STAFF RYAN BALSAN
On Saturday, July 13, WPC held a Meet & Greet reception in the Chapel to introduce the candidate nominated by the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) for Senior Pastor and Head of Staff, Ryan Balsan. The event offered a great way for members to meet Ryan in a casual setting before the more formal proceedings the following day.
On Sunday, July 14, Rev. Balsan preached a wonderful sermon in worship entitled, “Where Are We Going?”
“I don’t know,” was his surprising answer, until he elaborated through scripture and metaphor that we don’t need to know where we are going because we know we will follow Jesus to get there. “I’m excited to start that journey – I’m excited to find out where we will go when Jesus leads us. I’m excited to find out what kind of church we will be and become when we follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. I’m excited to discover what God will do in us, and through us and with us when we continually focus on Jesus and His call for us to follow Him, and hear it, and believe it, live it. Then we will not only know where we are going, we also will become the people, and the church that God created us to be.” Click here to listen to Rev. Balsan’s sermon.
At a congregational meeting immediately following worship, members unanimously voted to elect Rev. Balsan as our next Senior Pastor and approve his Terms of Call. Members also voted to dissolve the PNC, as their work was officially completed with the vote to elect their nominee. The members of the PNC worked tirelessly since last summer to follow God’s lead during the intensive search and nomination process. If you see a PNC member, please thank them for their great work – Sal Ambrosio (Chair), Martin Akram, Pam Clark, Clyde Diehl, Weezie Duff, Mike Dziedziak, Jennie Hagin, Wendy Norman, Kevin O’Nell and Sarah Ziegler.
The congregational meeting was followed by a celebratory reception where members could welcome our newly-elected pastor, his wife, Jen, and two of his sons, Isaac and Marc, to our community. Thank you to Jennie Hagin and Bebe Forster for their organizational leadership, and the many members of the Community Fellowship Committee for hosting two wonderful receptions.
Ryan will spend the coming weeks conducting important transition work with his current congregation. He will begin his leadership at WPC on September 9 and begin preaching on September 22. Stay tuned for many opportunities to meet Ryan in the fall!
ADULT EDUCATION
WPC BOOK CLUB EXPLORES “HOW TO KNOW A PERSON: THE ART OF SEEING OTHERS DEEPLY AND BEING DEEPLY SEEN,”
BY DAVID BROOKS
About 35 people gathered in the Knox Room on June 23 for a delicious lunch and a lively discussion led by Pastor Katy regarding David Brooks’s recent book about the art and importance of really knowing others. We reflected on Brooks’s fascinating research into the importance of knowing each other deeply, and we discussed how God calls us to community and fellowship with one another –how can we do this well? We discussed Brooks’s definitions of “illuminators” and “diminishers,” and we studied how to be “illuminators” – by asking open-ended questions, paying attention, making people feel truly heard and loved just as they are, not judged or unimportant. Among many experts and writers, Brooks quotes George Bernard Shaw, “The worst sin towards our fellow creatures is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them: that’s the essence of inhumanity.”
JOIN US FOR THE NEXT WPC BOOK CLUB!
by Janice Mack
I’m excited to let you all know about our next book club selection! Kelli Masters, our Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries, is facilitating a discussion of the book, Grandma Gatewood’s Walk, by Ben Montgomery, on August 18, following the 10:00 service. We will serve a light lunch too!
From Kelli: “Why walk....alone....mile after mile....day after day? Grandma Gatewood set her mind to it and was determined to strive toward an incredible goal. May her story inspire, challenge and encourage us to aim high and step over obstacles.”
Perhaps during the coming weeks or months, each of us can practice the art of “seeing each other deeply and being deeply seen” – and see how it improves our relationships, lives and communities.
From Amazon: “Emma Gatewood told her family she was going on a walk and left her small Ohio hometown with a change of clothes and less than two hundred dollars. The next anybody heard from her, this genteel, farm-reared, sixty-seven-year-old great-grandmother had walked 800 miles along the 2,050mile Appalachian Trail. By September 1955 she stood atop Maine’s Mount Katahdin, sang ‘America, the Beautiful,’ and proclaimed, ‘I said I’ll do it, and I’ve done it.’”
I decided to listen to this book through Audible (it was free!) while hiking through Valley Forge and there is so much to think and talk about! Did you know that Kelli has gone on multiple long, adventurous solo hikes herself? I can’t wait to hear from her what she has learned from those experiences and how walking can draw us closer to creation and God.
WinGS (WOMEN IN GOD’S SERVICE)
THE WinGS WOMEN’S RETREAT
Quilting a Community in Friendship
The annual WinGS Women’s Retreat, held on April 26 and 27, was graciously hosted by the St. Raphaela Retreat Center in Haverford. Forty-seven women participated, with the option to stay overnight or join the day’s activities.
The Rev. Katy Shevel acted as the Retreat Leader and Keynote Speaker. Her topic, Friendship: Bonding in Spiritual Practices, encompassed various examples of relationships found in Scripture and ancient and modern-day prayer practices to incorporate into the women’s lives.
The Retreat offers a time away from the day-to-day busyness to explore one’s faith and connect with women at all different points on their walk with God. Participants are encouraged to traverse the Center’s beautiful grounds for prayer and meditation or enjoy the centering yoga class.
To commemorate their experience at the Retreat, each woman designed a quilt square. All forty-seven squares became the border of a larger quilt, representing friendship and community. The completed quilt will be on display in the Fireside Room.
Many thanks to Courtney Bodnar, Jeanne Kauffman, Rev. Katy Shevel and Lee Pretz, the entire WinGS Retreat Committee, Christina Sacco and Nicole Veith for all they do behind the scenes to ensure a successful event!
A SUNSET FOR A SUCCESSFUL YEAR
WinGS wrapped up its program year with a delightful evening of fellowship and refreshment.
On May 16, thirty-five women gathered at the picturesque Hilltop House in Devon. This was a perfect setting for a chance to catch up with old friends, sample some fine fare and enjoy the formal gardens, fountains and the historic Main Line mansion. The event was catered by Perfect Settings Caterers.
Many thanks to the members of the WinGS Board – Angela Tait, Courtney Bodnar, Jeanne Kauffman, Lee Pretz, Lisa Packer, Linda Teets, Debby Vogel and Rev. Katy Shevel (Moderator) for their time, many talents and devotion to the Women’s Ministry at Wayne Presbyterian Church!
If you would like to get involved in our Women’s Ministries, we would be thrilled to have you join us. Please contact Angela Tait at taitmaryangela333@gmail.com or Courtney Bodnar at courtneyabang@gmail.com for information.
FAITH IN ACTION
ONGOING CLOTHING COLLECTION –A NEW MINISTRY AT WPC STARTING SUNDAY, JULY 28!
Over the years, the Faith in Action Committee (FIA) has held “clothing drives” as needs for clothing arise in different communities. Just this past winter, we had a clothing drive to collect coats for immigrants who had come to Southwest Philadelphia and needed warm clothing.
Salt & Light Church, housed in The Common Place building, has begun distributing clothing as well as food every Saturday morning. The need for clothing is ongoing and constant. Considering this need, the FIA Committee has decided to begin an ongoing clothing collection ministry at WPC.
We will collect seasonal clothing, clean and in good condition, throughout the year. The ministry will begin on Sunday, July 28, with a Minute for Mission and a FIA table in the Connector where you will be able to pick up a clear plastic bag in which to put your donated clothing.
Here are a few guidelines on how to donate clothing for this new ministry initiative.
• Please leave donated clothing in the designated area by the door in the Connector that goes out to Lancaster Avenue.
• Seasonal clothing only. For now, we will be collecting summer clothing. In mid-October we will shift to fall and winter clothing.
• Please put clothing in clear plastic bags and label with gender, contents and size, e.g., Men’s t-shirts and shorts, size L.
• Please be sure that the clothing is clean with no stains or rips. Shoes are welcome. No underwear, please.
Please contact Jacey Fancher, jaceysf@gmail.com, or Susan Hirshman, sbhirsh@hotmail.com, with questions or concerns. Thank you!
MITCHELL ELEMENTARY CHESS TEAM CHAMPIONS
Huge congratulations are in order for our Southwest Philadelphia public school partner, Mitchell Elementary School. The Chess Team, coached by 3rd grade teacher Jason Bui, had their best competition season ever. First, the team, composed of six 5th graders, became Philadelphia City Champions, beating Masterman in a head-to-head finals match. In March, they competed in the Pennsylvania State Championships in Harrisburg and came in second to Tredyffrin-Easttown Middle School. A notable fact about the Mitchell Team is that every student across all skill levels secured points, compared to top teams like T/E where only two top-ranked boys secured their win. Also at the Pennsylvania State Championships, among the top 50 competitors, eleven were girls. Three of those girls were Mitchell students!
On April 16, Mitchell entered the Philly Girls Play Chess Tournament. It was the first time competing for four 3rd graders, who along with their more seasoned 5th grade partners, ended up winning that tournament. Mariam Kenneh was the overall champion.
In the 2024 National Elementary School Championships, Mariam tied for 11th in a tournament featuring 235 players from all over the country in her division.
A grant from the National Chess Federation financed out-of-town trips for this year’s team. In previous years, generous donations from Wayne members enabled these terrific students to enter non-local competitions. Travel, hotel and food expenses add up when the group includes coach, chaperones and team members. Thank you to all!
CORNERSTONE CHRISTIAN ACADEMY CONCERT AT WPC
If you missed the Cornerstone concert in May, you missed a delightful display of musical talent from charming children. Arranged by the Cornerstone Christian Academy Orchestra (CCAO) Advisory Board, we were treated to a performance by the CCAO as well as two of the CCA choirs. This was the last of the Music Transforms (MT) concerts for the season. Music Transforms was founded in 2013 by WPC member and violinist Joseph Kauffman and cellist Yoni Draiblate to support string instrument lessons for school children at Mitchell Elementary (in Southwest Philadelphia). Today, Music Transforms supports the CCAO. Music Transforms is making a difference in the
community by collaborating with world-renowned and local artists to create a series of chamber music concerts of the highest quality and caliber that perform in the WPC sanctuary. Joe Kauffman and his wife, Nellie, now teach all the students in the CCAO. After the concert, there was a wonderful reception hosted by CCAO founder Tim Zaro so we could talk with the musicians and their families.
To support this important music ministry, please consider attending future Music Transforms concerts, and visit Music Transforms to learn more and make a tax-deductible donation.
Philadelphia City Chess Champions!
Mariam Kenneh at National Tournament Excited 3rd grader Rabriana Rose with team trophy
WPC’S HAMMERS WITH HEART PROVIDES HANDS-ON HELP WITH
REBUILDING TOGETHER PHILADELPHIA
Hammers with Heart Ministry volunteers at Rebuilding Together Philadelphia “Block Build”
In April, WPC’s Hammers with Heart Ministry team volunteered at the Rebuilding Together Philadelphia Block Build. The Mission of RTP is “Repairing homes, revitalizing communities, rebuilding lives.” Their vision is “Safe homes and communities for everyone.”
One of the ways the organization helps people in Philadelphia is by organizing “Block Builds” multiple times a year. RTP identifies some contiguous blocks in a neighborhood where they feel there is a need for assistance with home and street renovations. The Block Build in April was focused on the 5100 block of Sansom Street and a few surrounding streets. The two days involve multiple volunteer groups working on several houses doing repairs and upgrades, plus street beautification projects such as planters and safety improvements.
The focus of the home renovations is to provide warm, safe and dry improvements because RTP believes: “Housing is a human right, it is fundamental to survival and home ownership gives a family the financialsecurityofbuildingequity(ratherthan payingrent)aswellasthesecurityhavingaplaceto call your own.”
Hammers with Heart served as “skilled leaders” to student volunteers from The Wharton School. The work performed included new flooring to replace
old and dangerously dirty carpet, installation of smoke and CO 2 detectors, repair of rotted stairs and improved lighting and painting. The volunteers’ work was supported by professionals that installed a new kitchen and electrical wiring.
The two days of work were very helpful to the homeowner who lives in the house with her daughter and her boyfriend, who is bedridden and requires 24/7 care. She would not be able to improve her living conditions without the help of RTP.
Hammers with Heart has been helping RTP with Block Builds for many years. That work is only possible because of the generosity and support of the members of Wayne Presbyterian Church.
If you like working with your hands to improve lives and communities, please contact Kevin Blackney at kblackney@blackneyhayes.com to learn more about WPC’s Hammers with Heart Ministry.
WPC’S
GIFT THAT KEEPS ON GIVING
From 2001 to 2006, the Mission Committee of Wayne Presbyterian Church, under the guidance of Associate Pastor for Mission Rev. Carol Clarke, awarded annual grants of $10,000, for a total of $60,000, to the endowment of the University of Pikeville, Kentucky, a liberal arts college in Appalachia. Today, it has 1,141 undergraduate students of which 74% are from Appalachia. UPike strives to provide relevant education to its students so that they may have gainful lives in their region which suffers from poverty and all its effects. Since the pandemic, they have been investing in facilities that offer education in biomedicine, business startups and agricultural research.
Since receiving WPC’s gift, the principal has grown, and the interest therefrom is awarded annually to two needy students. In 2023-24, that endowment had a fair market value of $87,410, earning dispensable income of $4,465, divided equally between the two student awardees – a woman majoring in biomedical sciences and a man majoring in criminal justice.
Over 23 years, WPC’s grant has helped at least 25 or more students afford college education in the underresourced Appalachian region. Thanks be to God!
DEACONS
THE DEACONS’ BIBLE IN A BOOKBAG DRIVE IS UNDERWAY!
Impacting the lives of students at Cornerstone Christian Academy in a tangible way!
Another year, another opportunity to support our youth in Philadelphia! Planning and fundraising for the 2024-2025 school year are officially underway, and so is our mission to meet the needs of these students. Help WPC Deacons provide a Bible and a book bag, filled with essential school supplies, for each of the 190+ K-8th students at CCA.
Click here for more information and to donate online. Donations in any amount are appreciated!
To see the many items your donation toward the Bible in a Book Bag Mission provides, visit their supply list here.
EARTH CARE
NEIGHBORS, BIRDS, BUNNIES AND BEES ENJOY THE BEAUTIFUL WPC POLLINATOR GARDEN
This summer marks the sixth year for the WPC pollinator garden, located on the east side of the Chapel. Our foundation shrubs (ninebark, beauty berry and St. John’s Wort) are all nearly 5 feet tall and thriving. Each is a flowering shrub which looks great against the grey stone walls of our Chapel in all seasons; however, the beauty berry really shines in late summer when it produces brilliant lavender berries.
Every spring and fall, to ensure variety in color, bloom time and pollinator appeal, the Earth Care Team thins out the herbaceous plants that are crowding out other species, and, consistent with the gardener’s love to share plants, tries to find them a new home. Perhaps you have taken some of these “extra” plants home for your own garden during one of our plant-sharing Sundays, or perhaps you have seen them growing in the rain garden at Tredyffrin’s Wilson Farm Park. The Earth Care Team also takes care to replace plants that prove unsuited to our conditions, continually experimenting to see what thrives and adds both beauty and nourishment to the garden. Our guiding principle is to use a variety of native plants which bloom in succession to create a colorful and eye-catching sight for human visitors and a healthy and nourishing buffet for pollinators.
The pollinator garden unquestionably brings attention to WPC’s efforts to conserve God’s green earth. One Saturday in early June, as members of the Earth Care Team were working in the garden, we were pleasantly interrupted by visitors who were curious about the garden and wanted to speak with us. One gentleman said that he walks by the garden regularly, enjoys its beauty as well as the birds it attracts, and complimented the church on maintaining such a space. Another group of two women had many questions about the native plants we cultivate; they were delighted when we gave them several perennial sunflower plants to take home. We also encountered a visitor of a different species – a small bunny who enjoyed coneflower leaves and other green delicacies this year from the garden.
The Earth Care Team is always looking for gardeners or would-be gardeners to help keep this space beautiful for all. Please contact Rutger Boerema (rutgerboerema@yahoo.com) or Pamela Jensen (jens0581@umn.edu) if you may be interested in working in the garden and sharing our enthusiasm for native plants and the visitors they draw.
The WPC pollinator garden on June 27, 2024. Note the variety of plants in bloom: St. John’s Wort; hoary skullcap; beebalm (monarda), lavender and red scented geranium.
SHARE GREAT MUSIC AND FELLOWSHIP WITH SUMMER CHANCEL CHOIR!
Summer Chancel Choir has welcomed 19 individual first-time visiting singers within the first four weeks of summer, many who return week after week. There’s still time for YOU to try out Chancel Choir by singing with us for a Sunday or two, or six this summer! Just show up in the choir room at 9 a.m. on any Sunday(s) to be greeted by an enthusiastic, welcoming group of singers and join in the fun as we enhance the worship service with our music.
SUMMER SING I: A GREAT SUCCESS!
The Wayne Oratorio Society holds two “Summer Sings” each year. This year’s first was held on July 9 with over 130 choir members, their guests and prospective choir members participating. It was a very good thing to run out of the music sheets we used for the evening of fun and beautiful singing as many more singers came than we anticipated! The Chapel was full of laughter, joy and music as new singers, returning singers and those interested in auditioning or just attending with a friend gathered and were introduced to our concert music for the 2024-2025 season. ALL are invited to participate in SUMMER SING II on August 6, 7:00-9:00 p.m. Come check us out!
Pictured here are (l to r) Renee Mackey, Betsy V.S. Armstrong and BettieAnn Brigham, WOS Leadership Team members (and WPC members), ready to welcome the WOS SUMMER SING I singers at the check in table in the WPC Connector.
GARDEN CONCERT EVENTS BENEFIT THE WAYNE ORATORIO SOCIETY
Don’t miss an opportunity to hear John Grecia (our Director of Music Ministries) and Friends at two Wayne Oratorio Society benefit concerts graciously hosted by a member of the Wayne Oratorio Society Choir at her beautiful home in Berwyn.
Tickets and information are available at the following links:
Tickets for Saturday, July 27 - “On the Jazzier Side”
Tickets for Sunday, July 28 - “Words & Music”
MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
DOUGLAS FELSKE HONORED AS GRAND MARSHAL OF RADNOR
MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
WPC member Douglas Felske has given a lifetime of Service to the Radnor community, the Commonwealth and our Nation. Doug has lived in Radnor Township his entire life, having graduated from Radnor High School, Denison University and Denver University (Colorado). After serving the Nation in the military through both the Korean and Vietnam Wars, he returned to Radnor and worked for more than 45 years with the American Pool Company. During that time and beyond, Doug volunteered with the Radnor Fire Company, serving in every level from probationary firefighter to Chief. He was recently recognized by the RFC for his 50 years of service! WPC also benefited from Doug’s years of service to the Property Committee in assuring fire safety in our extensive church facilities.
Source: Radnor Fire Company
Doug was one of the founding members of the Radnor Township Memorial Day Parade committee of which he now is the senior member. Bestowing the honor of Grand Marshal of the 2024 Memorial Day Parade on Doug is an extremely fitting tribute to his many years of service. Our sincere congratulations and thanks to you, Doug!
SAVE THE DATES
SUNDAY, AUGUST 4
RECOGNITION AND FAREWELL RECEPTION FOR REV. LIZ WAGNER
Please join us to celebrate and thank Rev. Liz Wagner for all she has done for WPC since she joined the staff in 2021. In recent years, she accepted additional responsibilities as Associate Pastor and head of staff, faithfully leading our congregation as we prepared to call a new Senior Pastor. We will celebrate in the Chapel with food and refreshments after worship.
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 8
END-OF-SUMMER PICNIC
Join us after worship on September 8 to celebrate the end of summer and look ahead to our fall programs! We will gather at 11:00 a.m. (right after our last 10:00 a.m. worship service) for lunch, fellowship, moon bounces, ice cream, face painting, music and more!
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 15
FALL PROGRAMMING KICK-OFF
Please plan to come back to WPC on September 15 for the start of our many fall programs! We will return to our worship services at 9:30 and 11:00 a.m., and we will kick off our fall education programs, including children’s and youth Sunday School and more.
CHILDREN’S & YOUTH MINISTRIES
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL WAS A BIG “SPLASH!”
SCUBA VBS was a deep dive into the love of God for 95 children and 50 volunteers this summer. Everyone had a fantastic time singing, crafting and exploring God’s word. We sang and celebrated our way through a glorious week. The kids and staff donated 612 articles of clothing for The Common Place clothes closet, surpassing our goal of 500! To God be the glory, and a huge thank you to all who made it happen! As the kids shouted throughout the week... “Thanks, God!”
WPC WELCOMES TWELVE NEW MEMBERS THROUGH CONFIRMATION
On May 19, we joyfully welcomed twelve youth into membership at Wayne Presbyterian Church. In preparation for this occasion, the confirmands completed a nine-month course led by Elder Angela Tait, exploring a wide range of topics related to theology, the Trinity, Presbyterian beliefs and polity, the foundations and meaning of Christian faith, grace, salvation, service, discipleship and more. A big welcome to (l to r) Perri Bruhns, Robbie Clark, Liam Coetzee, Maya D’Ascanio, Genevieve Ferroni, Mary Hagin, Larissa Kane, Chloe Konz, Nate Monte, Gill O’Nell, Ethan Shin and Matthew Shin. We look forward to walking alongside you on your faith journeys and as we share the light of Christ with others.
WPC YOUTH CELEBRATES
A GREAT YEAR OF FAITH, FUN AND FELLOWSHIP
Thank you to the amazing volunteers who helped make this year fantastic and successful! Throughout the year, we’ve been on an incredible journey exploring God’s love and grace through our conversations, fellowship and worship. Our youth had a blast, attending three awesome retreats, Sunday night youth groups and other fun community events. We have some amazing fellowship opportunities lined up for the summer. To stay in the loop, check out our Facebook page, “WaynePres Youth,” and our Instagram page, “wayne_pres_youth.” If you want more info on our summer events or are interested in volunteering, please feel free to contact Evelyn@waynepres.org.
JOIN US FOR AN ALL-CHURCH WORK DAY
Including ‘Serve & Swim’ for Youth
It’s time to roll up our sleeves and prepare the church for a new season! Meet us at the church on Saturday, August 10 from 1:00 - 4:00 p.m. We will be cleaning out the basement and focusing on some other cleaning projects around the church. All are welcome! Youth will head to the Castlemans’ house around 3:00 for swimming, dinner and games. Pick up will be at the Castlemans’ home at 6:00 (495 School House Lane, Devon). We encourage families to join any part of the afternoon.
Please email Marian Hollingsworth at mhholling@gmail.com if you’re planning to join us. For information regarding Youth participation, please email Evelyn@waynepres.org.
125 East Lancaster Avenue
Wayne, Pennsylvania 19087
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STAY CONNECTED!
• Rev. Katy Shevel, Associate Pastor for Congregational Life Katy@waynepres.org, x219
• Rev. Liz Wagner, Bridge Associate Pastor LWagner@waynepres.org, x226
• John Grecia, Director of Music Ministries JGrecia@waynepres.org, x214
• John Pitocchelli, Director of Operations and Finance Operations@waynepres.org, x216
• Kate Liguori, Executive Assistant to the Pastors Kate@waynepres.org, x212
• Christina Sacco, Events and Publications Coordinator Christina@waynepres.org, x225
• Nicole Veith, Digital Marketing & Technology Coordinator Nicole@waynepres.org, x220
• Kelli Masters, Director of Children’s & Youth Ministries Kelli@waynepres.org, x222
• Joy Collas, Accountant Accountant@waynepres.org, x210
• Sara Goldberg, Finance Assistant Sara@waynepres.org, x241
• Mike Burnham, Broadcast Specialist, Broadcast@waynepres.org
• Cathy Chandler, Head Housekeeper & Sunday Morning Facility Coordinator, Cathy@waynepres.org, x245
• Dana Arranz, Director of Nursery School
• Evelyn Widham, Youth Director Evelyn@waynepres.org, x237
• Julia Thompson, Children’s Ministry Assistant, x237