New Castle Presbyterian Church January 2023 Newsletter |
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND JOIN US IN-PERSON FOR: Hybrid Worship Every Sunday at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, January 8 - Worship with Communion at 10:30,
Sunday School and Nursery Care Resume
Sunday, January 15 - No Cure for Being Human Discussion at 12:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 22 - Guatemala Delegation Commissioning during Worship Sunday, January 29 - Soup-Stravaganza and Word to Word Workshop with Sharon Moore at 12:00 p.m. |
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WORSHIP & RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEES |
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VOLUNTEERS FOR SUNDAY MORNINGS We are in need of ushers and worship leaders in the coming months. Take a moment to sign up today! The sign-up sheet for First Sundays is posted in the Fellowship Hall. Sign up with a friend for February 5, and learn how our fair-trade coffee gets made! |
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PASTORAL COVERAGE THIS SPRING Pastor Miriam will begin her maternity leave in mid-March, and Pastors Bill Hathaway and Alison Halsey will provide pastoral coverage through Sunday, June 4. Our bridge pastor search committee was particularly excited about their commitment to issues and causes close to the heart of NCPC's mission. Stay tuned for a full introduction of Pastors Alison and Bill in our February Newsletter! |
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Caroling in New Castle - Thanks to all our singers and for the Mayhew's hospitality |
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Christmas Eve - Family Service |
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CONGREGATIONAL LIFE COMMITTEE |
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SOUPS, STEWS AND STORIES On Sunday, January 29, during Coffee Hour, we'll gather for a soup-stravaganza and "Word to Word Workshop" with Sharon Moore. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall to bring a crockpot of soup or stew and compete for illustrious prizes as coordinated by Congregational Life. Plan to stay from 12 to 1:15 as storyteller Sharon Moore prompts us to begin writing our own stories. |
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SPIRIT OF CHRISTMAS THANK YOU A resounding thank you to everyone who helped make Spirit of Christmas possible! We rejoice that the day brought joy to all of our visitors and will bring joy to our neighbors at Friendship House, especially as we raised over $2,500 for their incredible ministry. Keep up with Friendship House throughout the year: www.friendshiphousede.org |
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE |
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SUNDAY SCHOOL & NURSERY Sunday School and Nursery care will resume on Sunday, January 8.
We are in need of volunteers this Spring! If you are interested in volunteering, please contact: For Sunday School Diana Kenis-Reilly For nursery: Molly Shaw All volunteers must complete background checks and child protection training. |
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Every June during Pride month we decorate the walkway with the rainbow flags as an outward sign of our support and love for the broader LGBTQIA+ community, but there is still so much more we can do throughout the year! We would love for you to join us in creating new events, reaching out to our friends in the community; and becoming a part of this fun, yet important ministry! If you are interested in being a part of the LGBTQIA+ Task Force please contact Diana Reilly. Here is a link to the More Light Presbyterian website. |
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MISSION AND OUTREACH COMMITTEE & TRUSTEES |
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¡VAMOS A GUATEMALA! Candy Dunson and Amy Selheimer travel to Guatemala with our Presbytery's delegation in later January. As they meet with our mission partners, learn about the challenges facing our Guatemalan neighbors, and see the impact of our partnership projects, keep up with their travel blog through the partnership's website: https://ncpguatemala.com/blog/ |
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EPIPHANY HOUSE DINNER SIGN-UP Epiphany House (722 N Union St.) is one of Friendship House's transitional homes for women. NCPC provides a dinner on the second Thursday each month, and we're excited to share that community meals are back! Two volunteers are asked to arrive with food at 5 and plan to stay for the meal. Dinner is over by 6, and residents clean up! For meal inspiration and dates, the sign up sheet is in the Fellowship Hall. Contact Scott Selheimer with any questions. |
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TRUSTEE UPDATES The Trustees are kicking off 2023 with some exciting projects to preserve and improve our historic campus. The Meeting House will be better protected from both fire and water! Until recently, it's not been physically possible to have a fire alarm system in our Meeting House, but with recent changes, our worship space will at long last be protected. Anaconda Protection Services will install a new fire alarm system with detection equipment to cover both our Meeting House and CE Buildings during the week of January 9. Additionally, once we receive historical approval, the Meeting House basement doors will be repaired to keep water and leaves from backing up in the entryway. The Manse is also receiving some TLC. At the end of 2022, Serve Pro cleaned up the basement walls, ceiling, and floors, vacuuming up dust and debris. The basement is now cleaner, much safer, and more usable; it will be much easier to keep it in this condition. During the week of January 9, contractors will begin work to update the kitchen, including installing a free-standing stove and oven, a microwave, and refrigerator. They will also update the flooring and repair the cabinetry. Many thanks to all of our Trustees for their diligence and care! |
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JANUARY 15 BOOK DISCUSSION Kate Bowler has a recent book called No Cure for Being Human (and Other Truths I Need to Hear). It’s a memoir for all of us who understand we are more limited than we may have realized, trapped by fragile bodies, commitments, dependents, geography, money, and circumstances. Join us after worship on January 15 for a time of conversation and resource sharing as we all acknowledge - there's no cure for being human, but in life and in death, we belong to God! |
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GIFTS OF LOVE In Romans 12:13, Paul urges us to "Share with God's people who are in need”. Thank you so much for your generosity and hospitality in over-achieving our goal to contribute to $3,600 to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Peter’s Church. In 2022, we donated $4080 to pay for overdue utility bills, oil deliveries, rent and mortgage payments for our neighbors in need. Not ones to rest on our laurels, we will continue to support those who are in need through our Gifts of Love contributions during 2023 with special collections on January 8th, April 2nd, September 10th and December 3rd. Know that you have helped to provide heat for families without oil, reprieves for families about to have their electricity turned off, housing for neighbors about to be evicted. Unfortunately, the needs will go on; but fortunately, so does the willing spirit of people like you who are able and willing to “Share with God’s people who are in need.” | | |
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Blessing of Deacon Moderator Salina Brett On January 1, Salina preached the good news, and we blessed her and her partner, Marshella, as they move to Maine! We're grateful for all of Salina's ministry while a member at NCPC. Go in peace to love and serve the Lord! For Salina's updated address, please contact the church office. |
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BEAR MINISTRY Do you know someone who couldn't bear without one of these comforting friends? | | |
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A NOTE FROM PASTOR MIRIAM |
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Paul writes in his letter to the Corinthian church, "I thank my God every time I remember you, constantly praying with joy in every one of my prayers for all of you, because of your sharing in the gospel from the first day until now." As we begin 2023, I am so thankful to God for your generous support of NCPC's ministry and for your loving kindness towards me, especially through your end-of-year gift. In appreciation of your thoughtfulness, I have passed on part of the gift to those in particular need this season, making a contribution through our Gifts of Love program. In prayer, in praise, and in action, here's to another year of sharing the Good News of God's love together. Blessings in the New Year and many thanks! ~ Pastor Miriam |
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