Sunday School

Session Highlights  

Maryellen Curtis reported that the books of the Presbyterian Women have been audited and found to be in good order. Treasurer Marj Watson is doing an excellent job.

A Mission Study Team of five members is being formed to begin meeting after the last meeting of the New Beginnings discernment group with facilitator, Jeanne Radak. The Mission Study Team will present a report to Session which will, in turn, present a report to Presbytery's Committee on Ministry.

Lenten Bible Study, Introduction to the Gospels, led by Rev. Eileen Lindner, will be held on four Wednesdays at 11:00 AM: March 13, 20, and 27 and April 3. Soup and bread will be provided for participants during a time of fellowship following the study.

A motion was made and seconded to offer plants for sale to celebrate Mothers' Day as a fundraiser for Christian Education activities. The motion was approved. Prices and forms to pre-order certain types and colors of plants will be available in advance of Mothers' Day.

Twenty-six letters were sent to families in our congregation to determine the number of youth interested in participating in Confirmation classes. Several have responded and plans are in place with curriculum and teachers.

Alissa Pazienza Hudak will be meeting with Personnel Committee members to finalize an agreement to work as Director of Youth Ministries. A motion was made and seconded to empower the Personnel Committee to offer Alissa a ten month contract and $500 seed money for program expenses. The motion was approved.

Session mourns the passing of Elder Deborah Brendler. At PPPC, she was an enthusiastic participant in Session as Chairperson of Worship, a beloved member of Lydia Circle, a Kitchen Crew member for Communion Brunch, a Vacation Bible School volunteer, and a dedicated follower of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. In her many caring notes to fellow Presbyterians in our congregation, she signed her name after these words: IN HIS GRIP. Deb was an inspiration to all of us.

Diane Manzo has volunteered to assume the role of Worship Committee Chairperson.

The Annual Clothes Drive will be held April 13th. Donations of WEARABLE clothes suitable for any season, sheets, and other items are being accepted. Pairs of shoes should be bagged separately from other clothing. Questions? Contact Diane Manzo or Karen Norby.

Craig Lambie reported that offerings in February were off to a good start, but income is $2700 less than outflow.

Frank Jones reported that the CE Annex Door Upgrade has been made. Kim has the access codes and rules governing access in the Office for those with official business in the CE Annex.

Vacation Bible School will be held from 9:00 AM to 12:00 noon, August 5-9. The theme is Powered Up.

A motion was made and seconded to allow Basking Ridge PC Middle Schoolers to sleep overnight from Wednesday through Sunday, August 7-11. Participants could be as few as five, or as many as 20. They will be out of the Annex by 8:00 AM, so there won't be a conflict with Vacation Bible School activities. The motion was approved.

A motion was made and seconded to allocate $500 for a hanger system that North Gallery Chairperson Karen Norby has requested. The motion was approved. The new system will allow exhibits to use different sizes of hardware and to change heights of displayed items from a stable track.

A special committee to administer the care and maintenance of the Memorial Garden has been formed. Members of the Memorial Garden Committee are Jacque Thornton, Lynn Hahm, Brian Potter, Dee D'Amore, and Ginny Claeys.

Beginning of Lent

Lent is to be a time of preparation, reflection and renewal. Everyone is invited to begin the Lenten journey at the annual Ash Wednesday Soup Supper and Service.

In the Community 

Beginning on Tuesday April 23rd, 2019 the Little Point Bookshop will host a monthly book discussion group focusing on Finding Faith Expressions in popular graphic novels. The discussions will be led by Rev. Donald Stevens, the Senior Pastor of Central United Methodist Church on Arnold Avenue in Point Pleasant Beach.

The first book that we will read and discuss is American Gods Vol. 1: Shadows, written by Neil Gaiman with art by P. Craig Russel and Scott Hampton. This graphic novel is based on the award winning fiction novel by the same author, and is intended for mature audiences only. 

All are welcome to join us for what promises to be a lively and engaging group. So pick up your copy at the Little Point Bookshop and join us there on April 23rd to be a part of the discussion!

This Week at Point Beach Prep

Dramatic play helps children explore different roles and situations as children play with items and tools adults use in everyday life. Role play also helps children learn about their community, their surrounding environment, and a variety of careers. Our Dramatic Play Area this week was a construction site. Through the staging of materials, the children used their imaginations to paint, hammer and use other tools to build.  During this pretend play, they also built thinking skills and developed social, emotional and language skills! Our dramatic play areas change with the children's interests.  We have had bakeries, Veteranarian's offices, post offices, fishing boats, grocery stores, pizza shops, puppet areas, flower shops, along with many others. No matter which themes and materials we include, this dramatic play learning center is entertaining and educational for the children!

North Hall Gallery

Jeff Childers "Glimpses Around the World" exhibit will continue until the end of March.   All photos are available for purchase with 50% of the proceeds going to our Church. 

Matted, Framed 5x7 Photos - $50

Matted, Framed 8x10 Photos - $60

Matted, Framed 11x14 Photos - $75

Photos are available in any size by request.

After Jeff graduated from college, he packed up and headed to China. He accepted a position teaching English to elementary school students which ended up being a year full of adventure, phenomenal food, silly confusion, abundant hospitality, and lots & lots of laughs. Throughout the year in Ningbo and for many months thereafter, Jeff continued to seek out new places and experiences which led him overland throughout most of China, Mongolia, and throughout countries in Southeast Asia such as Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Laos, & Thailand. His display of photography illustrates the beauty of the people he met along the way, and the incredible landscapes he encountered.