New Castle Presbyterian Church January 2024 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 7 - Baptism of the Lord Sunday with Communion,
Young-ish Women Gathering from 12-2 Tuesday, January 9 - Grief Support Group at 2 p.m. - 6 week meeting Sunday, January 21 - Suicide Awareness Speaker during Coffee Hour Sunday, January 28 - New Member Gathering at Noon |
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Our Christmas Eve Services reminded us of Christ's grace in light and darkness. Merry Christmas! |
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Saturday, January 6, is Epiphany, when we celebrate the Wise Men meeting the Christ Child. Learn about the history of "Star Words" and click here to receive one. |
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RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE & NOTE FROM THE PASTOR |
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Many thanks to all members of the congregation for a successful Stewardship Season in 2023! The members that shared their stories about why they support New Castle Presbyterian Church with their time, talents and treasure were truly inspiring. We did end 2023 with an over $20,000 deficit, and while the Resource Development Committee and our Treasurer are monitoring our financial position, our overall finances are strong. 2023 had some non-recurring expenses (mainly the temporary pastors during Pastor Miriam’s maternity leave) and our pledges for 2024 are running well ahead of 2023. if you have not yet made a 2024 pledge, please consider it. - RD Committee |
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Many thanks to everyone for my end of year gift. In honor of our fabulous staff and members, I've made a donation to Friendship House, remembering our collective Matthew 25 commitment to care for our neighbors in need. What a joy it is to serve Christ with each and every one of you. Thank you! In Christ's love, Pastor Miriam |
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SUNDAY MORNING LEADERSHIP We are in need of ushers and worship leaders in January!
Take a moment to sign up today. We’re in need of volunteers for First Sunday coffee hours. Sign up in the Fellowship Hall! |
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WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY RESUMES Our weekly Bible Study with the Pastor will resume Wednesday, January 10 at 2 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We'll be studying the upcoming Sunday's scripture passage. Any questions, contact Pastor Miriam. |
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CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE |
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SUNDAY SCHOOL & NURSERY Sunday School and Nursery are back on January 7. We are in need of volunteers this Winter/Spring so we can continue to offer this programming.
If you are interested in volunteering, please contact: For Sunday School: Melissa Boris & Stephanie Foltz For Nursery: Molly Shaw |
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CONGREGATIONAL LIFE COMMITTEE |
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YOUNG-ISH WOMEN'S GATHERING Our fellowship group for women between the ages of ~25 and 50 will gather next on Sunday, January 7 from 12-2. Let Pastor Miriam know if you're able to attend or would like to be included on the list for future gatherings. Childcare will be available! |
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GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP NCPC will offer a six-week grief support group this winter. Beginning on Tuesday, January 9 and running through February 13, gather in the library at 2 p.m. with Minerva Lermond and Toni Marley to discuss Your Particular Grief (Oates). Copies are available for purchase from the church office ($15), or order your copy here. If you are struggling with grief, but can't attend the in-person sessions, go ahead and read the book, then reach out to Pastor Miriam or a Deacon for further assistance. |
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JANUARY 21 SPEAKER ON SUICIDE AWARENESS Mark your calendars for a Coffee Hour talk on January 21 by New Castle resident Leah Reynolds. Beyond her day job running Kennett Area Community Service, Leah is a passionate campaigner for suicide prevention, awareness, and change. Recognizing the intersectionality of suicide, we will provide information about different resources in our area. In Christ's name, we are called to remove the stigma around mental illness and addiction, encouraging compassionate support for individuals and their families. This event is co-sponsored by the Deacons and Congregational Life.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR AND PURCHASE YOUR TICKETS EARLY March 16th at 6:00pm Blue Coats basketball game at the Chase Fieldhouse. Wish winter goodbye by watching the Delaware Blue Coats play the Birmingham Squadron; the game starts at 6:00 pm. We have 16 premium seats reserved together in Section 7. Tickets are $21 each. Please contact Greg Fogarty cell is (302) 437-4731 for tickets. |
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COVENANT CONVERSATION Over 70 folks from around the Presbytery - and six folks (and a a baby) from NCPC - gathered at the Presbyterian Church of Dover on November 11 for worship, education and the celebration of LGBTQ+ leadership in our Presbytery. Reach out to Pastor Miriam if you'd like to be involved in our ongoing ministry of inclusion and allyship. |
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A NEW TWIST TO UNDIE SUNDAY - CLOTHING BANK FIELD TRIP! |
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Our always popular Undie Sunday is returning on Sunday, February 4 and we've added a new twist this year! Between now and then, we're collecting new underwear for Friendship House. All shapes, sizes and colors are needed for men, women and children (even beyond extra-large, like 2X, 3X and 4X), including socks! Donations can be dropped off in the CE building baskets in the entryway. |
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And for something new this year, our friends at the Clothing Bank have invited us that same day (Feb. 4) to tour their Wilmington facility and volunteer assisting the staff in their duties. Bring a brown bag lunch, and we'll head out around Noon. Those of you (ages 6 and up, please) who would like to join our visit/volunteer opportunity, please contact Scott Selheimer (selheime@udel.edu) no later than Feb. 1. Once we get an idea of how many will attend, we can arrange carpooling. |
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GUATEMALA FUEL-EFFICIENT STOVE PROJECT Our Guatemalan Partnership's fuel-efficient stove project raised enough to sponsor another 100+ stoves next year, surpassing our goal! This means that more families will save time and money, their health will improve, trees will not be cut down, and the five workers who make and deliver the stoves will have secure employment for another 12 months. Thank you to everyone who gave so generously! For a full report from Carrie Saathoff, click here: https://mailchi.mp/14bbf62db481/stoves_delivery-update-13587055 |
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MEALS ON WHEELS One week each month, NCPC volunteers deliver meals to our homebound neighbors. The route takes about 60-75 minutes and covers just the New Castle area. We are looking for a few additional volunteers to deliver meals one day a month or on a substitute basis. Please give this volunteer opportunity your prayerful consideration; together, we get to do Christ's work of feeding and visiting our homebound neighbors. If you want more information, please contact me at 302-328-7346 or email me at suzieflook@hotmail.com. Thank you! - Susan Flook, Meals on Wheels Coordinator. | | |
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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. Once again we have over-achieved our goal to contribute $3,600 to the St. Vincent de Paul Society at St. Peter’s Church. In 2023, we donated $4190 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 2024. Be on the lookout for special collections or just use the Gifts of Love envelopes in your pews. Thank you and thank you for sharing. |
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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. 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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DEACONS NEWS & MEMBER UPDATES |
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BROWNIES Thank you all for your generous donations of cookies for Jim Stoudt's funeral reception and also for our Spirit of Christmas celebration. We had so many leftovers that we are able to send them to Emmanuel Dining Hall in lieu of our regular donation of brownies. |
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We will back to donating brownies in February, so look for brownie box mixes on the bench in the CE building at the end of January. Your support is greatly appreciated. Brownies are due back on or before the sixth of each month. Feel free to bring them early and put them in the freezer marked for Emmanuel Dining Hall. |
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WELCOME, CHILD OF GOD! Congratulations to Mariah Graham, daughter of Kathy & Gary Graham, and her partner Johnny, on the arrival of Chloe Idalia Trujillo on December 10. Welcome, beloved child of God! |
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SYMPATHY OF THE CONGREGATION - JOAN SMITH The sympathy of the congregation surrounds the loved ones of Joan Smith who died to this life at the age of 88, on December 21 at Kentmere Healthcare.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 10:30 am until 11:30 am on Saturday, January 13, 2024, in the Meeting House, and the memorial service to celebrate Joan's life will begin at 11:30 am, with a reception to follow. Joan's full obituary can be found at Spicer-Mullikin. |
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SYMPATHY OF THE CONGREGATION - BRUCE GORDON The sympathy of the congregation surrounds the loved ones of Bruce Gordon, husband of Kay and longtime member of NCPC. Bruce died to this life at the age of 92, in the early hours of December 22, at home with his family. A visitation for family and friends will be held from 1 p.m. until 2 p.m. on Saturday, January 20 in the Meeting House, and the memorial service to celebrate Bruce's life will begin at 2 p.m., with a reception to follow. Bruce's full obituary will be available soon on Spicer-Mullikin's website. |
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THE GIFT OF MARRIAGE - MACKIE FAMILY We celebrate with Mallory and Brendan Mackie and their beautiful family as they got married at White Clay Creek State Park on Saturday, December 30, 2023. We give thanks to God for the gift of love and the covenant of marriage! |
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FAREWELL TO BRICE HANSEN For the past year and a half, Wilmington University student Brice has been worshiping with NCPC and singing with our choir. She's transferring to Mercyhurst University this semester, and we send her off with much love and many blessings.
Go in peace to love and serve the Lord, Brice! |
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