Meet Rev. Margaret (Maggie) Gillespie

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1 Faith Presbyterian Church April 2013 Newsletter Date Meet Rev. Margaret (Maggie) Gillespie has chosen the next Pastor to lead us into the future. The PNC presented Rev. Maggie Gillespie on March 3 and she was approved by the congregational vote to begin as our pastor on June 1, Rev. Gillespie is presently in her sixth year as an ecumenical campus minister at Bloomsburg University, a public university in central Pennsylvania. She was raised as a Lutheran in Illinois and became a Presbyterian when she moved to Bloomsburg in While she and Kim were raising their four children, she became active in their church s Christian Education program, eventually spending three years as the Director of Christian Education at the First Presbyterian Church in Bloomsburg. From this experience she felt compelled to answer the call to ministry, receiving her Master of Divinity in 2004 from Lancaster Theological Seminary (UCC) and was ordained at First Presbyterian Church in Sunbury, PA in 2005, spending two years there as designated pastor. During her tenure at Bloomsburg University, Rev. Gillespie has established several educational programs for faculty/staff and for students. In addition, the numerous service activities that she has initialed have become a hallmark of her ministry, acting out the concept of God s justice, so students can understand and articulate the essential role that serving others has in our faith. Leadership development has also been a key component in her ministry, helping students discover their gifts and callings, and guiding them in their journeys toward adult faith. She provides students with opportunities to serve these churches and develop their leadership skills. Prior to entering ministry, Rev. Gillespie earned a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Illinois and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Texas. Her husband, Kim Hill, is an attorney in private practice and adjunct professor at Bloomsburg University. Daughters Kira, 27, and Willa, 22, live in Bloomsburg; son Joe, 20, is in AmeriCorps in New Orleans; son Henry, 17, is a junior in high school. Kim will remain in Bloomsburg while Henry finishes high school and will wind down his law practice. He will join Maggie in Huber Heights in June, Inside this issue: From the Pastor s Pen...er, Computer 2 Committee Reports 3-5 Who s in the Pews? 6 Prayer Chain 7 Kids Page 8 Calendar 9 Maggie s hobbies include reading, watching movies, cooking,, walking, and bicycling. We welcome Rev. Maggie Gillespie to our Faith family and look forward to this new phase in the life of Faith Presbyterian Church. Celebrations 10

2 Page 2 The Disciple From the Pastor s Pen...er, Computer It s official now: the Rev. Maggie Gillespie will be your new pastor as of June 1, 2013! And I will be leaving as of May 12, I ve been reflecting on what this means and what we need to do to say goodbye. Above all, I want our time together to end well. Below are some reflections about ending well that I found online. 1. Ending well means acknowledging pain: Ending usually hurts. There are good times to celebrate that will be missed. There are people who have been important that we will not see. Something that once had meaning for us will no longer be there. Even if the event or person has been challenging, there is a lot of ourselves we have put into the experience. Sometimes there is the acknowledgement that dreams we thought would come into fruition have not. Endings are about limits, something we humans generally find painful. 2. Ending well means expressing gratitude: Often our gratitude is obvious students can give thanks for teachers and what they have learned; mourners can give thanks for the time they had with their loved one. But God can use any experience, even the hard ones. There is much to be grateful for. 3. Ending well creates space for what is next: Ending well is really the first step for what comes next. Releasing something or someone means that our hands are now free to receive whatever is the next call. We will be more open to the next job, next relationship, next task if we have lived fully into our goodbye. I will be seeking ways over the next six weeks to express my gratitude to all here at Faith, to acknowledge how much I will miss you, and to make space for what is next in my life. And I encourage you to do the same. I d love to have lunch or a chat with you as part of saying goodbye and as part of being open to the new things God is doing! Grace and peace, Karen Upcoming Preaching April 7 Luke 24:13-35 The Emmaus Road April 14 John 20:19-23 Jesus offers peace April 21 John 20:24-31 Jesus and Thomas April 28 John 21:1-14 Jesus appears in Galilee May 5 John 21:15-19 Jesus instructions to Peter May 12 Luke 24:44-53 Jesus Ascension The Disciple is a monthly (except July) publication of (PCUSA) Int. Pastor: Rev. Karen Cassedy Office Hours Editor: Naomi Henry Office phone: Pastor: Mornings, T-F faithchurch5555@aol.com Home phone: Secretary: 9:00-12:00 M,W-F Printing: Profile Digital Printing

3 Page 3 The Disciple Admin Corner Jim Harris, Chairman February and March were fairly busy for the Administration Committee. We replaced Pastor Karen s computer printer and Greg installed a new faucet in the kitchen. Elite Roofing, out of Columbus, spent several hours on the roof where they cleaned loose debris, patched seams and vents, and resealed all of the blisters. They also cleaned all the drains so the roof will drain properly. We should be ready for a wet spring. They will be back in the fall and get us ready for winter. Recently, Bonham Electric repaired a broken light in the sanctuary. Another item we are looking into is the expanded use of the Commemorative Garden. We have finished up the Faith Wish List! Highlights are: Near Term (12 months, finances permitting) Repair front doors Replace garage entry door Mid Term (12-24 months, finances permitting) Replace cabinet doors Replace circulation fans in the sanctuary Long Term (12-60 months, finances permitting) Replace front doors Replace selected sanctuary windows with stained glass. Way Out There ( months, finances permitting) Cover sanctuary with insulated interior Convert entire flat roof to sloping roof There s lots more! Check the list on the Admin Corner bulletin board. Jim, Gwynne, and Greg The Admin Committee we would very much appreciate it. Cakes cookies brownies whatever! Please bring them on Thursday or Friday morning. All items must be wrapped and packaged for sale. Robyn O'Bryan, Chairman Faith Preschool Rummage and Bake Sale Our annual Rummage and Bake Sale will be held this year on Thursday, April 25 from 9-5, and Friday, April 26 from 9-3. We will be accepting donated items during normal Preschool hours, April We do accept children s clothing, but not adult clothing. If you would like to donate baked goods, Please come out and shop with us on April 25 and 26! We appreciate your continued support. Summer Learning Center Learning Center will be held this summer for ages 3-8 during the worship service. Children will leave the sanctuary after the Children s Sermon. We need volunteers for the 15 Sundays. You may do an art project, read stories, sing, or whatever you wish to do. Please see Ernie Stockton to sign up. Thanks for your help Ernie

4 Page 4 Faithful Few Continues to Support Ronald McDonald House For April, we are collecting the following items: canned soup, pasta, and chili. JAM continues to meet at 12:30 the second Thursday of each month for lunch and games. Everyone is welcome to enjoy an afternoon of fellowship and games. Bring a dish to share, your favorite games and a friend. All else is provided. Mark your calendar now for April 11. See you then. Presbyterian Women in Faith meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month, September through May at 1:00 in the parlor. This month s meeting will be on April 9, The lesson is from 1 John 2; 2 Peter 2-3; and Jude 1-16, entitled, The Bad Seeds. Cyndi Adams, Chairman Last month I asked for project ideas to replace our bazaar. Something that would give us the opportunity to get together as a group and work on something as an outreach project. I found a project I think will work. It is called Project Linus. People gather to make blankets knitted, crocheted, sewn, quilted or tied and send to places in the community that house the homeless or less fortunate. What do you think? We all have a lot of yarn, material and sewing items to get started. (I know I do) Summer will be here soon, but we can get together to see if there is interest and start from there. Watch for more information in the bulletin. In May a Habitat for Humanity house is being built in East Dayton. The main building will begin May 25 and continue for four to six months. We have provided lunches and sometimes labor for these projects. Watch for more information In God s peace Cyndi Adams Each lesson will be presented by one of the members. Please sign up on the bulletin board if you would like the serve as Facilitator or Hostess for any of the meetings. If you are interested in joining the PW or want more information contact Barbara Grayson at Did you know that Easter is not just one day, but a season of fifty days? There are seven Sundays of Easter. Here are some of the special days of this season and immediately following. Mar 31 Easter Sunday, the Resurrection of our Lord May 9 The ascension of the Lord, the day when Jesus ascended to Heaven; usually celebrated on a Sunday. May 19 The Day of Pentecost, a traditional Jewish festival, but now also the day when we celebrate the giving of the Holy Spirit to the church; Pentecost marks the end of the Easter season. May 26 Trinity Sunday, a day set aside by the church to acknowledge the mystery of the Trinity.

5 Page 5 Join us for Adopt-A-Park on April 20 Now that spring is here, it s time to get ready for Five Rivers MetroParks 25th annual cleanup event, Adopt-A-Park! This year, the event will be held on Saturday, April 20 from 9-11:30 a.m. at various sites all over Montgomery County. Celebrate Earth Day (on April 22) by participating. Gloves and trash bags will be provided. Please bring your own drinking water. Wear suitable clothing for the weather and boots or thick-soled shoes. A FREE T-shirt will be given to each participant registered by April 7. Last year our church group was assigned to help at Rip Rap Park. Our assignment this year has not been confirmed. All volunteers are invited to a complimentary luncheon after the event. If you would like to join in this event with friends from church, please register on the bulletin board in the parlor. If you have any questions, contact Diane Grycz. NEWS FROM THE PRESBYTERY OF THE MIAMI VALLEY Spring Youth Retreat The Annual Spring Youth Retreat for you in grades 7-12 and their advisors will be held April at Kirkmont Center, Zanesfield and is sponsored by the Presbytery Youth Connection Network of Presbytery of the Miami Valley. The Voice: Listening for God is this year s theme. The retreat will be led by Gina Abbas, youth leader at Shadow Mountain Community Church, El Cajon, CA. The registration fee is $70 per person. We hope that you will join us as we celebrate God s peace, love and creation by relaxing, singing, playing outside, worshipping, reflecting, seeing old friends and making new ones! If you have any questions, please contact us at MiamiPresbyYouth@yahoo.com or call Kirkmont Center Volunteer Weekend April 5-7 Join us for a volunteer Weekend at Kirkmont Center Friday, April 5 beginning at 5 until Sunday, April 7 at 4. Kirkmont Center is seeking volunteers for part or all of a work weekend. Tasks include tree removal, brush clean-up, log splitting, trail trimming, improving signage, preparing Cabents for the summer, and the cleaning and preparation of the Nature Center, Shelter House, and Pool House. If you are interested or would like more information, please call the office at or Kirkmont@kirkmontcenter.com. Food and lodging will be provided. WHEELCHAIR / WALKER AVAILABLE For your convenience we have a wheelchair and walker available for anyone needing assistance. If you or someone you know needs help please ask there s always someone around to assist. Although the equipment is primarily for use within the church, it may be available for temporary home use. We ask that you not remove either before checking with the staff office. Thank you.

6 Page 6 Who s in the Pews Gwynne and Jane Jones joined Faith Presbyterian Church February 9, Jane, the eldest of three children, spent her early years in Alexandria, VA. She was born with a cardiac ventricular septal defect, for which she successfully underwent a daring and fairly new surgical procedure at Johns Hopkins Hospital at the age of six. Because of her restricted activity level, the curious and mentally active child became a bug collector (and still has a critter interest today). Her frequent interaction with the medical community spurred her interest in science, chemistry, and later, the study of medicine.. It was about this time her family moved to Annandale, VA in Fairfax County. Jane completed her degree in chemistry at George Mason University and was accepted into the School of Medicine at the University of Virginia. Meanwhile, Gwynne, the second of four children, is also a product of Fairfax County, VA. He can trace his ancestors to Pocahontas and to Thomas Jefferson (descended from Jefferson s maternal uncle.) His interests lied in how things worked, and he became an electrical engineer at the University of Virginia. Both were on Air Force scholarships. Upon graduation from Med School, Jane came to Dayton, OH as a resident in Internal Medicine at WPAFB Hospital. Gwynne came to Dayton, as well, following graduation at the University of Virginia. He was studying for a Master s Degree in Engineering at WPAFB Air Force Institute of Technology. Thus, they both grew up in Fairfax County, both attended the University of Virginia at the same time and were both at the same Air Force Base at the same time but still never encountered each other. Each of them had a sister who worked in the same office in Washington DC. When Gwynne and Jane both returned to Virginia for Christmas break in 1981, their meeting was arranged by their sisters. On return to Dayton, they dated for six months until Jane left to begin her residency program in neurology at Bethesda Naval Hospital, MD. They continued to date longdistance and married in September In June 1985, Jane was assigned back to WPAFB hospital. Son, Randy, joined the family in July In January 1987 they were at March AFB in southern California, where Jane was the staff Neurologist (brain doctor) and Gwynne worked on the Peacekeeper Missile Project (rocket scientist, maybe). Jane resigned her commission in 1989 to become a full-time mom and they returned to WPAFB in Gwynne was RIF d (Reduction in Force) in 1994 and began teaching at ITT. Jane took this opportunity to learn computer programming at ITT and worked as a software programmer in Springboro, OH. Gwynne joined WPAFB as a civilian employee in 2002, where he still works today. Their involvement in our community is very active. Gwynne is currently serving this second term as an Elder and a member of the Administration Committee. Jane is known to many through her efforts in organizing, working with and volunteering hours at the local FISH food pantry, where she is now the manager. Another of Jane s contributions to Faith Presbyterian Church is as designer of our website a little over a year ago. We have become known to those looking for a church home through this site. Their hobbies and outside interests are many and varied. They both enjoy playing bluegrass, gospel, and folk music on banjo and guitar. Jane loves gardening and has tried a variety of unusual veggies (like yellow beets). She also has a pet Russian Tortoise named Boris. Gwynne has developed a talent for welding and is refurbishing the body and engine of a 1973 Dodge truck. Their son Randy is now attending college in Northern Virginia and living with his aunt. Gwynne and Jane Jones are very interesting people, and a joy to talk to. Please take a few minutes to engage the brain doctor and the rocket scientist in conversation. You will be glad you did. by Norma Lesher

7 Page 7 The Disciple Memorial Sunday The First Sunday of each month, the Worship Committee places two flower arrangements in the chancel in memory or honor of loved ones of the Family of Faith. If you would like to provide an arrangement in memory or honor of a loved one, please return the following form with your donation. The arrangements cost $18.00 each or $36.00 for two. (Please make checks payable to Faith Presbyterian Church). Your gift will be recognized in the bulletin unless you ask otherwise. Please check the form if you would like to pick up the arrangement after worship, otherwise, it will be delivered to someone who needs a little cheer. For more information please contact Barb Grayson, Memorial Flower Gift Please accept my donation of $18 $36 for the Memorial Flower Fund in Memory of / Honor of Given by : I would like to pick up the arrangements) Your prayers are requested for Bill Carroll, Bill Hall, Maxine Kawanishi, Alice Hild, Carol Hoel, Marilyn Bennington, Bonnie Smith, Greg Jones, and Frans Liem Refreshments Request!! There is a new sign up sheet on the board for April-May refreshments. Thank you to those who have signed up already. There are still some open spaces so please take a look and see if you can help. When you sign up please check all areas you are willing to cover (snacks, set-up, clean-up coffee and other drinks). It would be helpful if coffee volunteers would sign up for a month at a time. An additional list has been added for anyone who is willing to donate the following items: coffee, filters, tea bags, hot chocolate, napkins, dish soap, etc. Sami Adams, Coordinator Next Disciple Deadline is April 14 for the May issue Kitchen Coordinator We are happy to report that we have a Kitchen Coordinator. Thank you to Ernie Stockton for stepping up. She has been really busy cleaning and organizing the entire kitchen. We welcome contributions to the upkeep of the kitchen. A list of needed items are posted on the bulletin board and on the refrigerator. If you bring something, please leave it on the counter so we know what has been purchased.

8 Page 8 Just For Kids

9 Page 9 The Disciple April 2013 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 Boy Scouts Choir 7: Boy Scouts 7 14 Disciple Articles Due 15 Boy Scouts 7 9 Presbyterian Women 1:00 pm Donations for Preschool Rummage and Bake Sale 10 Choir 7: Choir 7:30 11 JAM 12:30 Girl Scouts 6 Session Adopt-A -Park 9-11:30 a.m Boy Scouts 7pm Donations for Preschool Rummage and Bake Sale 28 Election of Officers 29 Boy Scouts 7 pm Choir 7:30 25 Girl Scouts 6 Preschool Rummage and Bake Sale Regular Sunday Worship Sunday school 9:30 a.m. Worship Service 10:30 a.m. 26 Preschool Rummage and Bake Sale To ensure your activities are included on this calendar, please update the calendar in the church office Date Worship Greeter Usher Acolyte 7 Don Niece Robert & Emily Christian Vaughn Beams Tyler Sturgill Communion Servers: Norma Lesher, Paul Brown, Darlene Liem, Fred Gonzalez, Pat Farrar 14 Ernie Stockton Susie Ngalle & Family Beverly Brown Kyle Hughes 21 Jan Schroeder Terry Harmeyer Greg Hughes Amber Sturgill 28 Julius Brodbeck Norma Lesher Manuel Gonzalez Wilma Shields Daniel Brown