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A Publication of The Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia Lamp
Led by the Holy Spirit, we glorify, nurture, witness.
January
2014
1. Donald Heinz, Christmas: Festival of Incar-
nation (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2010), 27.
On the INSIDE
Fellowship/CE ............... 2-5
Mission.......................... 5,6
Youth ............................... 6
Birthdays/Milestones ....... 7
Dates to Remember
Sunday, January 5 – 9:30 a.m. Church School brunch
Sunday, February 2 Youth Sunday, Souper Bowl Offering and Stop Hunger Now Sunday, February 9 – Worship Workshop for 1st-3rd graders & parents Saturday, March 8 & Sunday, March 9
Congregational Retreat at Camp Hanover
Perhaps you can recall from childhood
being in the Christmas pageant at
church. A friend writes, “I remember
that I never made a starring role, the an-
gel appearing to the shepherds or one of
the Magi wearing a crown. Once I held
the star, and once I was a sheep. I was
glad to be a part of the story, but I recall
friends who were sad when they did not
get one of the central roles.”
That childhood memory resonates with
larger themes from the celebration of
Christmas through church history.
Different characters during different eras
have figured prominently, or nearly not
at all, in the retelling of Christ’s nativity,
Joseph in particular. Sometimes Joseph
has been shunted to the side. In many
paintings he is in the shadows while
Mary and the child are bathed in light.
But these earlier presentations of Joseph
sometimes give way to a much bolder
focus. “The development of holy family
devotions in the fifteenth century helped
to rehabilitate Joseph. He became a
responsible husband and father tending
animals and a vigorous worker earning a
living and supporting his family.”1
Given how important Joseph is in
Matthew’s account of Mary’s pregnancy
(Matthew 1:18-25) and the escape to
Egypt following Christ’s birth (Matthew
2:13-23), this might be a good year for
us to bring Joseph out of the shadows
once again.
What intrigues me most is not Joseph’s
intrinsically decent character—Matthew
describes him as “a righteous man and
unwilling to expose (Mary) to public dis-
grace”—but the theological insight that
God depends on Joseph to see Mary
safely through her pregnancy and then to
preserve the life of the mother and child.
Preachers often speak of the unfathom-
able wonder of God dwelling among us,
and that is indeed a theme that needs to
sound again and again. But we need
equally to hear about and reflect on how
that wondrous God depended upon both
Mary and upon her husband Joseph, a
human being who dared to do what God
required of him. That is a role for us to
enact not just in the Christmas pageant
but in the daily drama of our lives.
With prayers for your faithful disciple-
ship in 2014 -- see you in worship!
Warmly,
Out of the Shadows in Christmastide
Page 2 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
All are invited to join the Prime Timers
on their 2014 overnight trip to the Sight
& Sound Theater to see Moses and
Amishlands in Pennsylvania, May 14-15.
The price of $214 includes: 1 night’s
lodging, 1 breakfast, 1 family-style
dinner, ticket for Moses, Kitchen Kettle
Village, souvenir gift, luggage handling,
taxes & meal gratuities, and motor coach
transportation. The price of $214 is
based on 40 paying participants. It will
be $10 more per person if numbers are
between 33 & 39. A deposit of $50 per
person is due by January 12. For more
information contact Bruce, 373-7057
Empty Nesters fellowship group are
invited to the home of Lynn and Preston
Simms on Saturday, January 11, 5:00-
9:00 p.m., for games and conversation
upstairs; and dancing lessons with Vicky
and Marty Wilder downstairs...swing?
waltz? tango? shag? Bring your own
beverage and an appetizer or dessert.
RSVP to Lynn and Preston, (540) 775-
2763 ([email protected]). They live at
12092 Mt. Rose Drive, King George;
Mt. Rose is off Rt. 3 near the King
George Y. Don’t forget your dancing
shoes!
Winter Fun for the Empty Nesters
The Third through Fifth Grade Fellow-
ship Group will meet on Sunday, January
12, right after the 11:00 a.m. worship
service for pizza and games led by
Bruce. Please make a reservation by
January 5, by contacting the church, 373-
7057, ([email protected]).
Fun & Games for the 3rd-5th Grade Fellowship Group
It’s not too soon to be thinking about
the upcoming church retreat at Camp
Hanover, March 8-9, 2014. This year’s
theme is Stories of the Church Family.
There will be plenty of fun with crafts,
hikes, and singing around the campfire.
Save the dates on your calendar and look
for a sign-up table after the worship
services coming soon.
Looking for a Weekend Full of Fun and Fellowship?
January Prime Timers’ Outing
The Forever Young Fellowship Group
will meet on Tuesday, January 28, at
11:30 a.m., in the dining room of the
Church House. For a reservation, please
call Jean Ravinsky, 710-5350, by
January 21, and also let her know if you
need transportation. The menu will in-
clude hot chicken salad, rice casserole,
green beans and dessert.
Forever Young Luncheon
May Prime Timers Overnight Trip ~ All are Invited
The Prime Timers fellowship group
will meet on Wednesday, January 8,
(Ruby Tuesday, 2591 Plank Rd.) at
11:45 a.m. for lunch. We will order off
the menu and pay separately. If you
plan to go, please contact the church
office by January 5, 373-7057
Page 3 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
January 12, Deadline to Sign up for Suppers for Seven
Monthly Presbyterian Women Circle Meetings
Circle of Joy Mon., Jan. 6, 10:00 a.m., Church Parlor. Leaders: Kathryn Hower (361-7435); Gale Kehoe (371-4570).
Faith Circle Mon., Jan. 13, 12:30
p.m., Church Parlor. Leader: Susie Kuliasha (370-1710).
Circle of Prayer Tues., Jan. 14, 12:15
p.m., Middle House. Leader: Jeanne Rams-burg (710-5891).
Friendship Circle Tues., Jan. 14,
Chancellor’s Vil-lage, 11:30 a.m., lunch & 12:30 p.m., lesson. Leader: Ashley Conway (972-8124).
Never-ending Circle Sun., Jan. 5, Home
of Trudy McNatt, 12:30 p.m. Leader: Trudy McNatt (373-
2852).
Confirmation Journey ~ 2014
The 2014 Confirmation Journey will
begin at 6:30 p.m., on Sunday, January
12, with an orientation meeting for the
youth, their parents, covenant partners
and leaders. If you are an 8th-10th grader,
you are invited to be a part of the Confir-
mation experience. The regular class
sessions will gather on Sunday mornings
from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., usually on the
2nd floor of the Middle House, and on
special occasions in the Fellowship Hall
with covenant partners.
Each explorer will have a covenant
partner that will stay in touch with them
on a weekly basis throughout the five-
month experience. The youth and their
parents will read the gospel of Luke and
meet on Friday, May 2, to discuss it.
The explorers will be strongly encour-
aged to participate in, at least, the Satur-
day activities of the Congregational Re-
treat at Camp Hanover on March 8. In
April, they will pick up the food order
for the Food Pantry at Wegman's and
bring it to the pantry. The group will
also be asked to volunteer at the commu-
nity dinner on the 3rd Saturday of the
month at least once during their experi-
ence. Confirmation Sunday will be on
Sunday, June 1, at the 11:00 a.m. wor-
ship service after their meeting with the
Session on Wednesday, May 21, at 7:00
p.m. The leaders for this year’s class are
Porter Blakemore, Della Hall, Jen Rowe
and Bruce Harvey.
The young people who have indicated
they want to be a part of the 2014 Con-
firmation Journey are Amanda Conway,
Gillian Conway, Jessica Conway, David
Deaderick, Olivia Fartro, McCray Fidler,
Noah Fellinger, Lizzie Hamlett, Emma
Harrison, Matthew Rembisz, Mitch
Spinnanger, Zack Whelan and Andrew
Wright. Please be in prayer for them,
their families, their covenant partners
and the leaders. The Confirmation
Journey will meet on Friday, January 17,
from 6:30-8:00 in the Middle House for
pizza and games. This is for the youth
only.
This is a wonderful opportunity for
you to get to know some of the members
of our church in an informal way. This
fellowship opportunity will begin after
the 1st of the year. We divide the names
of the people who sign up into groups of
approximately seven. Over the course of
6 months or so, the different couples and
singles in the group either host a meal in
their home or meet in a restaurant. If
you are interested in being a part of the
fun, sign up between worship services, or
call the church office, 373-7057.
Page 4 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
A ll members are invited to begin the
Winter/Spring semester by coming to the
Church School Brunch on Sunday, January
5, at 9:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Hall All
the food and beverages will be provided by
the Christian Education Committee. We will
dismiss the children and youth to their
classes at 10:00 a.m., while the adults will
remain in the Fellowship Hall. Meghann
Cotter, the director of Micah Ministries, will
present an update on all that Micah Minis-
tries is currently involved in, especially in
the area of housing. We will also have a
brief overview of the four adult classes
that will begin on Sunday, January 12, at
9:45 a.m.
A dults will have four classes to choose
from during the winter/spring semester. All
are continuing from the fall semester:
Faith Seeking Understanding will have
three new six-week studies: Seeing Jesus in
John’s Gospel (January 12-February 16);
Seven Days to Glory (February 23 - March
30) and Discipleship: The Way of Jesus
(April 7 - May 11). This class will meet in
the Middle House, 1st floor.
The Faith & Movie class will meet in the
Church House, 2nd floor, back room.
The Parenting Class will move to the 1st
floor of the Church House, front room and
will use a DVD/book series entitled Parental
Guidance Required: How to Enhance, Ad-
vance and Influence Your Children's Rela-
tionships.
All Things Good class will assemble in the
Undercroft and continue to discuss stories of
faith, including personal stories.
N EW CLASS LOCATIONS FOR
CHILDREN: Beginning on January 5,
some of the children’s classes will have new
locations due to the renovations in the
Education building. The 3-year-old class
will combine with the 2-year-old class in
Room 14 on the 1st floor. The 4-year-old &
Kindergarten class will move down from the
2nd floor to Room 13 on the 1st floor.
The 1st & 2nd grade classes will combine and
move over to the 2nd floor of the Middle
House, front room. The 3rd grade class will
join the 4th graders in the basement of the
Middle House. Covenant Choir rehearsal
will resume on Sunday, January 12, in the
Sanctuary and it will include the 1st graders.
The Carol Choir will have rehearsal in the 4-
year-old & Kindergarten classroom on the 1st
floor of the Education building.
We thank the adult teachers who taught during the fall semester. Some who will
take a break beginning in January are: Betsy Lewis, John Howe, Pastor Fisher,
Preston Simms, the Rev Bob Azzarito, Don Newlin, Carol Mayer, Carrie Szlyk and
Bill Nix.
We also thank Denise Hamlett for her many years of teaching in our 3-year old
classroom.
The Worship Workshop for 1st through 3rd
graders and their parents will be on Sunday,
February 9, following the 11:00 a.m. worship
service. There will be a light lunch followed
by workshops on the Lord’s Prayer, the
Apostles’ Creed, the Order of Worship, the
Doxology & Gloria Patri, Hymnbook Mark-
ers, Finding Scripture and the Sanctuary
Game.
The purpose of the workshop is to partner
with parents and children as the children are
welcomed into the worshiping community.
Church School News
Worship Workshop
Page 5 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
Our church along with other churches in the
Presbytery of the James have sponsored Cindy
Corell as a missionary to Haiti. Cindy has
worked in Haiti for six months getting to know
the people and geography of this poor country.
Bill Nix, along with some others from the POJ,
will travel to Haiti to meet with Cindy and find
out more ways we might be able to lend sup-
port. The POJ is the only presbytery in the PC
(USA) that fully sponsors a missionary. Over
the next few years, the churches in the presby-
tery will take the full responsibility of support-
ing Cindy and her work which will be about
$60,000 a year. On Sunday, January 5, we will
hear a minute for mission from Bill Nix detail-
ing more of Cindy's mission in Haiti, and on
Sunday, January 12, we will take an offering to
support her work. Please be in prayer for
Cindy and the mission group that will be going
to Haiti.
The Mission Committee has approved send-
ing $1,000 to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
to aid the relief effort in the Philippines.
Members are invited to join this effort. Your
checks should be made out to the church with
“Philippines relief” in the memo. We will send
a check to PDA at the end of the month
designated for Philippines relief.
Our church has had a connection in the
Philippines for many years Through the Peace
for Education ministry founded by former
members Bob & Lydia Collett. This ministry
is located in the northern part of the country,
and the typhoon hit the islands in the central
portion of the country.
The Wednesday Fellowship Dinners and
activities will take a break during the winter/
spring semester. If you have ideas and input
about our mid-week programs, please get in
touch with our Christian Education elders Tris-
tin Fidler and Tamie Pratt Fartro, or Bruce Har-
vey, our Coordinator of Christian Education.
The Discovering the Bible class that meets
on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., in the
Undercroft will resume on Tuesday, January 7,
and go through April 15. We will focus on the
New Testament. If you were a part of the
study in the fall but had to stop, we invite you
to continue. If you wish to begin in January,
please check with the leaders Jen Rowe, Pastor
Fisher, or Bruce Harvey.
STOP HUNGER NOW will return on Sun-
day, February 2. There will be a change this
year as we will join members from St George's
Episcopal Church in their fellowship hall to put
20,000 meals together. All ages are encour-
aged to participate as we put together the meals
of dehydrated beans, vegetables, rice, vitamins.
The meals will go to children, youth and adults
in a third-world country.
Wednesday Fellowship
Discovering the Bible Class
Missions in Haiti
STOP HUNGER NOW
PDA—Relief Effort In the Philippines
Page 6 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
Flowers for the Pulpit Every Sunday our pulpit is graced with a
beautiful floral display given by member(s) of
the congregation. These displays may be dedi-
cated to the memory of a loved one, given in
honor of an individual or group special in
your life, or displayed in celebration of the
Lord’s blessings that you or your family wish
to share with the congregation.
All members of the congregation may add to
our worship experience by helping to enhance
the pulpit with floral arrangements. If you
wish to be a part of this ministry, contact Liz
Thompson at 540-371-4366.
Blessings from the Worship and Music Com-
mittee
Thoughts From Brittany
January Youth Group Schedule: Middle School:
1/5 - Game Night
1/12 - Mission Project - making cards for our shut-ins
1/19 - Discussion and Games
1/26 - A night with Katie Sue
The Senior High Youth Group will spend Sundays in January planning
for Youth Sunday, February 5.
Thanks to the congregation for all of your support and congratulations
as I begin this new position at The Presbyterian Church. I am very ex-
cited and look forward to working with all the youth in our church, and
the adults connected to them.
Members of the senior high youth group thank the congregation for
all of your support and giving in the Angel Tree ministry this past
Christmas. We were able to provide holiday assistance to 42 children in
13 families in the Fredericksburg area.
We thank the many volunteers from
our church who have reached out to
make a difference in our community
and beyond during the past year.
Many people have been fed through
Stop Hunger Now, the Heifer Project,
5-Cents a Meal, Micah sandwiches
(Karen & Johnny Boyles, Gary & Fidelia Boshears,
Judy Lowman, Joan Gaston); Community Dinners
(Karen Johnson & her team) on the 3rd Saturday of
the month; and the Food Pantry (Bob Piersall, Wayne
Hibbeler, Marsha Luckett and Helen Fortune). Our
Senior Highs went to Memphis and our adults to
New York City on mission trips. Through Rebuild-
ing Together (Steve Spratt, Gary Vaughn and many
others) a home was repaired in Fredericksburg. We
reached out to the homeless children in the Spotsyl-
vania School system with school supplies. We rang
the Salvation Army bell. Through the Good Samari-
tan Fund many in our community were able to make
ends meet on their utility bills. We provided clothes
and school supplies through School Dressing Days
and the leadership of Becky Paul. Our Middle
School youth raked leaves at the Presbyterian Group
Home. We give thanks for the leaders listed above
and for all who either contributed time and/or mone-
tary gifts to these efforts and others not mentioned.
Some of the gifts given for Angel Tree
Page 7 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church
Elders
Rachel Ball
Margaret Beattie
Gene Bingham
Dave Bohmke
Karen Boyles
Gaye Copley
Joan Darby
John Garrison
Tristin Fidler
Wayne Hibbeler
Rod Hughes
Robin Joel
Jeff Kunkler
Andrea Kuliasha
Amy McCullough
Allen Polk
Tamie Pratt-Fartro
Jeff Spinnanger
Adam Zimmerman
2013-2014 Session
Moderator – Rev. Allen H. Fisher, Jr., Pastor
Clerk of Session - Patty Toler
Milestones Capsule of Concern: Charlotte Mims, Gerry Smart,
Bill Eye, Joan Eck, Clark Hower, Jerry Evans, Dora
Mae Crooks
Continued Prayers: Lou Garrison, Marjorie Glassco,
Ruth Moffitt, Jeanne Waite, Michael Hynden
Birth: Sullivan Brehm Powell, was born December 9,
2013. Sullivan is the son of Ryan and Brooke Brehm
Powell. His grandparents are Rick and Donna Brehm, and his
aunt is Samantha Brehm.
The Sacrament of Baptism was celebrated on Sunday, Decem-
ber 22, 2013 for:
Ian Osborne and Samuel Wynne Rainey, born July 22, 2013.
Anna & Thomas Rainey are their parents, and siblings are Jack
& Mary Kate.
Natalie Renee Sebring, born February 1, 2013. Her parents
are Scott & Regan McNatt Sebring, her brother is Quinn, and
her grandparents are Trudy & Milton McNatt.
Penelope Riese Vaughn, born July 21, 2013. Her parents are
Adrienne & Jeremy Vaughn, and her grandparents are Doreen
& Gary Vaughn.
Heartfelt Christian love and sympathies are extended to
Donna DeSimini and family on the death of her father, Louis
A. Salamone, who died on November 30, 2013, in New York.
Congratulations to Nicole Wilder who graduated from the
University of Hawaii on December 21, 2013, with a Master in
Japanese Language and Literature
1. Libby Humes, Scott Theado, Tom Wimberly
3. Brent McGhee
4. Mollie Cass, Jeremy Stoddard
5. Linda Spangler
6 Mark Hughes, Joan Darby
8 Haley Dameron
9 Bud Baker, Sarah Gormley, Mike Gillenwater,
Anne Thompson
10 Harry Farley, Bridget Harvey, Lily Read,
Thomas Digges, Fidelia Boshears
11. Eric Dowling, Lillian Remsen, Ruth Moreau,
Laura Digges
12. Mike Foreman, Ginger Oplinger
13. Pete Kolakowski
14. Gary Scheibel, Allison Worthington
15. Lou Cralle, Duane Hansen, Neil Sullivan, Anne Betz,
Kristina Brough, Eleanor Bailey
16. Susan Harrison, Anne Shotwell, John Baer
17. Jane Williams, Erica Foreman
18. Rick Banez
19. Greg Medsker, Missy Dodson, Wendel Gouldman,
David Godshall, Carole-Jean Forsing
20. Don Wilson, Chris Repp, Miguel Pineda,
Meredith Goggin
21. Ben Middleton
22. Nellie Kate Dameron, Austin Rapkins
23. Nancy Wilson, Madison Early
24. Jeff Kunkler
25. Liz Thompson, Fred Betz
26. Harry Lewis, Sam Lowery
27. Seth Rapkins, Jamie Gillespie, Adam Bentley
28. Sue Stone, Don MacNemar, Claire Fritz, Anna Rainey
29. Ellie Bell, Bruce Harvey, Brian Baker, Silas Lacey,
Kim Liska, Clara Liska, Courtney Stone,
Paula Steven, April Stevens
30. Joan Eck, Kaileen Coffman, Don Doherty
31. Lynn Norfleet, Suzanne Broman, Robert King
A Note of Thanks Thanks to my church family for your many expressions
of sympathy and support following the loss of my mother.
The comfort provided by your outpouring of love is so im-
portant at times like these and is deeply appreciated.
Thanks,
Milton
Dear Friends,
Thank you for your prayers and the support that you have
given us during this difficult time. We are finding healing in
God’s tender love and embrace and in knowing that others
care.
We are especially grateful to the Congregational Care Com-
mittee for the beautiful reception after Bob’s service and the
delicious food that they prepared. You lifted a burden off our minds and hands and we will always remember the love and
kindness that you bestowed upon us.
God Bless You Linda Benn and Family
NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Fredericksburg
VA PERMIT NO. 193
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
810 Princess Anne Street
Princess Anne and George Streets
Fredericksburg, VA 22401
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Know Your Deacon Our deacons provide a ministry of caring, joy, concern
and prayer for our church family. If you have a need or
concern that our church can help with, feel free to contact
your deacon. Your deacon is here for you.
If your last name begins with: Your Deacon is:
A-B John Howe
C-D Jane Kolakowski
E-Ge Emma Lewis
Gi-He Jeff Peterson
Hi-J Amy Talmadge
K-L Jim Toler
M Mary Lou Cramer
N-Ra Ed Foresman
Re-Ste Roxanne Nance
Sto-Z Ashley Conway
Upcoming dates for the Community Dinners are January 18, February 15, March 15.
Great news! The renovations of the Education Build-
ing have begun, and Fredericksburg United Methodist
Church has offered space to us for our dinners. The
dinners will take place at the Methodist Church on the
3rd Saturday of the month from 2:00-6:00 p.m.
Although the address for the church is 308 Hanover
Street, volunteers will enter through the lower kitchen
door on Princess Anne Street.
Extra volunteers will be needed to deal with the
logistics of the
new location.
As always,
brownies will also
be appreciated.
To help, contact Karen
Johnson, 371-2719,