Dear Church Family:

Juli and I are so grateful for all the kind wishes and warm greetings that were so eloquently expressed last Sunday. Your beautiful and thoughtful cards, unexpected gifts, and affirming words left us speechless (which is hard to admit for a preacher).You have outdone yourselves in welcoming us and we are looking forward to how, working together, this wonderful congregation can embrace the bright future that God has prepared for you.

Peace!

Pastor Osy

 

Session reviewed membership lists and will reach out to those members we have missed seeing in church during the past year. We hope they will soon join us again for worship and fellowship.

A motion was made and seconded to move to the Inactive Roll: Keith Drugas, Chris Garner, Janice Davis, and Dylan & Gerard Jalowski. The motion was approved.

Inquirers Classes for those interested in formally joining our congregation will be scheduled before the end of the year. 

A motion was made to have Donna Ferry call different restaurants in the area to see if we could partner with them for fund-raising (as we have done with restaurants in the past). The motion was approved.

A motion was brought by the Personnel Committee to recognize the additional responsibilities undertaken by Sara Hoey during the absence of a choir director. The motion was approved.

A motion was made and seconded for Deb Brendler to exhibit on a bulletin board elders and deacons' photos with committee information to educate all members about the activities everyone can be involved with. The motion was approved.

Lynn Hahm and Jacque Thornton will serve as PPPC Commissioners to Presbytery meetings. Amanda Rauffer will serve as Alternate.

Plans for an audit of church financial records are ongoing, with Jim Conway and Deb Brendler hoping to complete the audit by Thanksgiving.

There will be a bulk pickup of discarded items by Point Pleasant Beach on October 31st. Items should be put out the night before. Call Kim in the office to inform her what type of items you are putting at the curb and she will notify the town.

The Stewardship Committee announced the theme for the 2019 stewardship campaign and will be presented on October 21. Stewardship Sunday when pledges for the coming year will be dedicated is scheduled for November 18th.

Homebound Communion has been and will continue to be served by both Deacons and Elders. The Worship Committee will coordinate with the Board of Deacons to serve as many homebound members as desire to participate. 

Police Chief Joseph Michigan and Detective Derek O'Neill conducted a safety review of the Sanctuary, the entrances, exits, offices, and other rooms of the church building on October 8th. They have written their recommendations to make the church safer. These recommendations will be reviewed by the Resource Committee and phased in as time and financing allow.

On the last Wednesday of October, the 31st,  the Presbyterian Women will meet at 6:00 p.m. at the Shrimp Box with other witches and goblins to dine!  Please join us there for some fun and fellowship.  Call ahead to Maggie Giaise, 732-295-0908, or Lynn Hahm at 732-920-7133, so we can reserve space for all.  But don't hesitate to join us if you had not called.  PWs  know how to make room for other PWs and their friends!!

See you there!  

It was just a couple of weeks ago that we hosted IHN.  We will once again be hosting IHN starting on November 4th.  The hosting schedule had to be moved around due to conflicts with Christmas events at various worship centers.  Our Christmas Toy Distribution conflicted with our original scheduled week, so we are much sooner this time than expected.

Please see the sign up board for November in the Narthex.  Volunteering at any capacity can be very rewarding.  As anyone who previously volunteered with IHN can tell you, the families that are our guests for the week are usually some of the most thankful and grateful people you will come across in your week.   From preparing dinners, to evening and overnight hosts, there is a volunteer position for everyone. 

Why not get your kids involved and aware?  Families can sign up for a meal one night as a way of teaching the valuable life lesson of serving others.  Having your kids plan, help shop and prepare a meal for our guests is a great way for the entire family to extend kindness and empathy.

This week we learned letter E.

Our Nursery read The Ear book,Ernest the Moose Who Doesn't Fit, and The Earth and I. Some of their activities were Earth Marble Painting, making elephants, and making elephant tracks. Their American Sign language word was "elephant".

Our Pre-K read Elephants Can't Dance,Elmer, Heal the Earth, and Emeraldicious. Their sign language and sight word was "eat". They made elephant faces,a patchwork Elmer, and an E eye craft. They sang Elevator Elevator Operator,Happy Tappin' with Elmo,Me and My Energy, Do Your Ears Hang Low and Walking Like an Elephant.

We had our MWF visit from the Point Pleasant Beach Fire Department, who came to our morning and afternoon classes. After lessons on fire safety, each of the children were able to explore the fire truck and spray the hose! Everyone went home with a hat and other goodies.

George the Therapy Dog came back for a visit to our T/Th classes. The children were all able to give tummy rubs to George, who was just as happy as they were! Thank you to the Reids for taking time out of their day for our school.   It was an excellent week!

*We will be participating in the collection of candy for the troops again this year. If you would like to donate, please bring wrapped candy to the school during school hours, or you may leave it with Kim Gaydos during office hours. Thank you!

We are delighted to announce that Session has approved the appointment of Ms. Melanie Chambers as the new Chancel Choir Director for Point Pleasant Presbyterian Church.

Melanie holds a Bachelor of Arts (BM) in Music Education with Vocal Concentration from Rutgers University - Mason Gross School of the Arts (May 2016), where she was in the Dean's List every year, acknowledged as a Rutgers Trustee Scholar (2012-2016) and recognized as a National Merit Scholar from 2011 to 2016. Since August 2016 she has been the Choral Director for Highland Park High School and Middle School, where she directs all choral activities including responsibilities for the music for the Spring musical. From 2014 to 2016 she served as the Music Coordinator for the Livingston Theater Company and since 2016 she has been the Associate Conductor of the New Jersey Chamber Singers.

Melanie has freelanced as a soprano section member and soloist for different churches and ensembles for the last several years. She has also sung with our choir on several occasions, including being featured as a soloist in a presentation of Handel's Messiah and, just this month, at the service honoring our past Choir Director William R. Shoppell, Jr.

Melanie will be seen in her new role on October 28, when the Chancel Choir is next scheduled to participate in worship on Reformation Sunday. Make sure to greet Melanie during Coffee Hour that day.

Do not be afraid, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you. (Isaiah 41:10)

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is offering immediate aid to the communities impacted by Hurricane Michael. This joins responses already underway for those impacted by Hurricane Florence, Typhoon Mangkhut, and other international disasters that have suffered a lack of media coverage. 

Hurricane Michael struck the Florida panhandle with devastating winds and storm surge, causing loss of life. The storm then cut a path across the southeast, moving through the same areas impacted by Hurricane Florence just a few weeks ago. 

PDA is deploying teams to affected presbyteries. Emergency aid, assistance in the development of a short-term response plan, as well as a ministry of presence will be the priorities of the initial response. 

Meanwhile, areas impacted by Mangkhut and Florence have received aid and support through the gifts of Presbyterians like you. In humility, with God and your continued support, we will continue to help draw hope out of the chaos, together.