Upcoming Congregational Meeting
Save the dates for the next congregational meeting!
January 31 - Annual Congregational Meeting - 11:30 a.m.
(This will be a Zoom meeting and the link will be available the Wednesday before the meeting)
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January Anti-Racism Conversation
This month's conversation will take place on Sunday, January 17 from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. This month’s session will have a more prayerful focus as we spend time sitting with a prayer of lament written by a First Pres member, reflect on where we as a country and where we as a community have traveled since we started this anti-racism work last summer, and where we hope to go from here. This session coincides with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday and we hope many of you will join us for this time of remembrance and reflection.
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Youth Spaghetti Fundraiser
Traditionally, we would be gearing up as a Youth Ministry to welcome you all to our Annual Spaghetti Dinner at the end of January. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, we won't be able to host this dinner. However, we want to still see those funds used to help meet the needs of some of our Mission partners. Our goal is to raise enough funds to provide at least one meal for each person served by the following agencies:
- Safe Harbor of Chester County
- Friends Association
- Church Street Towers
We are partnering with Limoncello Ristorante to prepare the meals safely. All we need you to help with is the funds to cover the meals! Just serving one meal to the clients of the above listed organizations is around 150 meals! We need your help! Our students will be sharing a video in the coming weeks as well as helping to facilitate safely delivering the meals to some of the organizations. To read more or to donate, visit firstpreswc.com/spaghetti.
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Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
This Monday, January 18, is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a special weekend in the life of our church and our nation. Rev. Anderson Porter will be joining us virtually for portions of both worship services. In addition, we'll also be sending out an email on Sunday morning with a few helpful links and resources as we seek to honor and remember the legacy of Dr. King. Join us for worship at firstpreswc.com/live at 9:00 or 10:42 a.m. and look for that email on Sunday morning.
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Congratulations to Newly Elected Officers!
At this past Sunday's congregational meeting, officers for the class of 2023 were elected. Congratulations to all those elected and thank you for your commitment, service, and leadership to our church. The elected officers are as follows:
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Elders Class of 2023
Jennifer Ray Beckman
Kathy Bird
Amanda Blevins
Rachel Briggs
Tracy Burke
Suzy DeGeorge
Beth Farcht
Deacons Class of 2023
Nancy Ferdik
Jean Frick
Gwyn Heaver
Maddie Hendricks
Carolyn Hitchcock
Barbara Lade
Gordon Leidy
Deb Lobb
Jacquie Rode
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Deacons Class of 2022
Irene Clapper
Cynthia Menan
Deacons Class of 2021
Connie Kohler
Trustees Class of 2023
Glenn Burkland
Thom Clapper
Becky Gamble
Dave Russell
Joe Schorn
Nominating Committee
Beth Congdon-Martin
Scott Gamble
Kelly Pruden
Craig Single
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Deacon Parishes
This year the deacons are re-organizing into parishes with the goal of increasing connection and fellowship during this period of separation. Watch your email on Friday for an update on this exciting new ministry. For questions, contact Pastor Caroline (ccupp@firstpreswc.com).
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Zoom Lunch with the Pastor
All members and friends are invited to join Pastor Bob for lunch every Tuesday at noon for “Zoom Lunch with Your Interim Pastor.” There is no agenda for this 60-minute lunch gathering. I simply want to see your smiling faces and visit a while during our lunch break. Come and join in the fun of getting acquainted! Please email Bob (bsheldon@firstpreswc.com) to get the Zoom link.
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Got Questions?
Over the next few weeks, the Sunday sermons will be in a dialogue format where pastors Bob and Caroline will answer questions submitted from the congregation. This is the perfect time to ask that question that has been rolling around in the back of your mind that you haven't had the opportunity to ask. Questions can be about the church, about God, the Bible, or anything else that seems relevant. Please submit your questions to Bob (bsheldon@firstpreswc.com) or Caroline (ccupp@firstpreswc.com).
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Spiritual Connections
All women are welcome to participate in Spiritual Connections on the 2nd and 4th Mondays of each month at 6:30 p.m. Starting February 8, the next book discussion will focus on Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others by Barbara Brown Taylor. We will seek to find the sacred in unexpected places. Please obtain your own copy of the book. Questions or requests for Zoom links: Ellen Endslow (eendslow@verizon.net)
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Family Hike
First Pres families will be gathering at ChesLen Preserve on Saturday, January 30 at 10:00 a.m. for a family hike! Bring your kids, dogs, water bottles and masks, and we’ll enjoy being together in the great wintery outdoors. We may need to make a last minute change depending on weather, so please let Sara Pantazes know if you plan to attend.
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Together Group
In this time of social distancing, we’ve been missing a sense of belonging. We would like to invite you to help us create that! Join us bi-weekly on Zoom to chat life, faith, your dreams, doubt and everything in between! Let’s encourage one another and laugh a ton as we get to know each other better. This is happy hour style so enjoy your favorite snacks, drink, or meal while we hang. Price of admission - bring your favorite meme to share with the group! The first date is Friday, January 22 at 6:30 p.m. Contact April or Eric Hankins for more details and the Zoom link (apriljhankins@gmail.com or ehankins@firstpreswc.com).
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Online Piano Classes
Looking for a new hobby? Dreaming about playing the piano? Would you love to make music instead of just listening to it? If your answer is yes to any of these, join the Music Ministry's new project offering an online group piano class. The class is designed for those who would like to acquire basic piano skills in a stress-free environment. Learning piano has never been so easy! You will need an instrument (Grand, upright, or keyboard), and a method book. Classes will be held via Zoom on Thursdays from 7:30 - 8:15 p.m. and are open to all age groups! The first class will be on January 14. To sign up or enquire further, email Sándor Kádár (skadar@firstpreswc.com). Sign up soon!, there are only two more available spots!
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Pastoral Transition Prayers
As we enter a new year, we do so with great gratitude for all God has done and continues to do for us as individuals but also collectively as a congregation. We will be continuing the Prayer Initiative with the request to pray weekly on Thursday at Noon. Our virtual prayer sessions will meet quarterly rather than monthly, with dates to follow.
The Topic for this Week is: Pray for staff such as Eric, Sara, Cole, Elizabeth, Sandor, and other staff as they work diligently to identify ways to expand the use of technology to keep us connected as a congregation, to move us along our faith journey, and to help us know how best to serve the local and broader community.
Pray also for our country in this troubled time - for safety for our leaders, law enforcement and residents of DC, and for efforts to bring unity to our nation - at the national level but also within our own community and our church.
You don’t need to only pray for the topic of the week, but you can continue to pray for previous topics as well or anything that God lays on your heart.
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First Presbyterian Church | 130 W. Miner Street | 610-696-0554
Take care...
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