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✞ Choir Invitation
✞ Deacons’ Corner
✞ State of the Church
✞ Children’s Ministry
✞ Empty Bowl Dinner
✞ Family Promise
✞ Prayer
Inward 3-7
Upward 8
Outward 9
Community 10
PCUSA Corner 11
Leadership 11
Calendar 12
Special points of interest:
Inside this issue:
S m a l l C h u r c h , B i g H e a r t
Ash Wednesday is a Christian holiday (holy day) that is not a biblical re-quirement (just like Christmas and Easter, which are not commanded in Scripture). Nevertheless, it has been honored by Christians for well over ten centuries, falling at the beginning of Lent, a six-week season of prepa-ration for Easter. In the earliest centuries, Christians who had been stuck in persistent sin had ashes sprinkled on their bodies as a sign of repen-tance, even as Job repented “in dust and ashes” (Job 42:6). Around the tenth century, all believers began to signify their need for repentance by having ashes placed on their foreheads in the shape of a cross. Notice: even this sign of sinfulness hinted at the good news yet to come through its shape. Ash Wednesday is not some dour, depressing holy day because it symbolically anticipates Good Friday and Easter.
Today, celebrations of Ash Wednesday vary among churches that recog-nize this holiday. More and more Protestant and even evangelical churches hold some sort of Ash Wednesday services. On February 18 at 7:00PM, Unionville Presbyterian Church will celebrate an Ash Wednes-day service. The distinctive activity of Ash Wednesday services is the “imposition of ashes,” which we will include. Ashes are placed on the foreheads of worshipers as a reminder of our mortality and sinfulness. The person who im-poses the ashes quotes something like what God once said to Adam after he had sinned: “You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19). This is the bad news of our sinfulness that prepares us to receive the good news of forgiveness in
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U n i o n v i l l e P r e s b y t e r i a n C h u r c h
The LinkThe LinkThe Link FEBRUARY 2015 Ash Wednesday Enriches
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Of course our own fears concerning our own de-mise match our cultural squeamishness about death. We don’t want to think about our own mortality, and we do many things to pretend that it is not approaching. We dye our graying hair. We cover our age spots with make-up. We get cosmetic surgery to preserve the image of youth. Rarely do we seriously think about our own death. As a pastor and hospice chaplain, I’m amazed at how unusual it is for someone to make plans for his or her own memorial service, or even to leave notes for the family. These are things we’d rather not have to bother with.
And so it is for Christians on Ash Wednesday. We can face death. We can admit our own mor-tality. We can talk openly about the limits of this life. Why? Because we know that through Christ we have entered into life eternal, the fullness of life that will not end when our bodies give out.
The emotional result of Ash Wednesday obser-vance isn’t depression or gloom, but gratitude and new energy for living. When we realize how desperately we need God, and how God is faith-ful far beyond our desperation, we can’t help but offer our lives to God in fresh gratitude. And when we recognize that life doesn’t go on for-ever, then we find new passion to delight in the gifts of each and every day, and to take none of them for granted.
Blessings,
Pastor Annalie
Christ.
There is no biblical commandment that requires us to observe Ash Wednesday. Thus, I believe this is one of those practices that Christians are free to observe or not to observe. The theological core of Ash Wednesday is, however, shaped by a biblical theology of creation, sin, mortality, death, grace, and salvation. It also enacts bibli-cal injunctions to “weep with those who weep” and to “confess your sins to one another.”
What I value most about Ash Wednesday wor-ship services is the chance for us all to openly acknowledge our frailty and sinfulness. In a world that often expects us to be perfect, Ash Wednesday gives us an opportunity to freely confess our imperfections. We can let down our pretenses and be truly honest with each other about who we are.
Lent is a time that we remember that we all are mortal and will someday experience bodily death. The denial of death . . . it’s all around us. When people die, they are often alone, seques-tered in hospitals far away from the sad eyes of friends and family. If someone happens to die at home, the corpse is quickly sent away from the grieving relatives. In “polite society,” one doesn’t talk much about death. When it’s necessary to say something that has to do with dying, nifty euphemisms keep us from confronting the brute facts.
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the distant, nearly impassable regions where these mysterious religions still cling to survival. He lives alongside the Man-daeans and Ezidis of Iraq, the Zoroastri-ans of Iran, the Copts of Egypt, and oth-ers. He learns their histories, partici-
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Several months ago a religious group called the “Ezidis” was in the news. In my efforts to find more information about this an-cient religion I found a book titled “Heirs to Forgotten Kingdoms” by Gerard Russell.
Russell, a former diplomat, ventures to
On The Pastor’s Night Stand
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The Deacons’ Corner
Thank you to all who made our Poinsettia dedication a success. Our church always looks so spe-cial during the Christmas holi-days. Putting flowers in church is a wonderful way to show your love and appreciation for some-one special. Thank you to the Deacons who wrapped and placed each Poinsettia.
Welcome to our new Deacons - Betty Bryer, Judy Jackson, Jane Burgarella and Brian Rob-erts. We are blessed to have so many members ready to serve.
A special thank you to Jane McCray for her years of dedicated service as Deacon. We are pleased that Mardette Alexander has agreed to extend her service for another year.
ability to read music would prove very helpful. (There are presently choir members who are limited in this regard, yet have proven to be quite valuable!)
If you enjoyed listening to our Christmas Can-tata, you'll love being in the choir for our Easter Cantata, arranged by the same musician, Russell Maudlin. So go ahead and give Bill Johnson a call at
(610) 444-1035. You'll be glad you did!
Now is a great time to join the choir. Rehearsals are only once a week, and almost always on Tuesday evenings, at 7:00pm.
Being in the choir is a fun and easy way to serve your church. Al-though previ-ous choir ex-perience (whether in school or perhaps at another church) is not necessary, the
Join the UPC Choir
another believes that their followers are reincar-nated beings who have existed in various forms for thousands of years. These religions represent the last vestiges of the magnificent civilizations in ancient history: Persia, Babylon, Egypt in the time of the Pharaohs. Their followers have learned how to survive foreign attacks and the perils of assimilation. But today, with the Mid-
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pates in their rituals, and comes to understand the threats to their communities.
Despite its reputation for religious intolerance, the Middle East has long sheltered many dis-tinctive and strange faiths: one regards the Greek prophets as incarnations of God, another reveres Lucifer in the form of a peacock, and yet
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Youth Ministries to reflect the busyness and shifting priorities of our young families. More than ever, attending church and church activi-ties are at the bottom of a long list of activities available on any given day, especially Sundays.
We recognized that our congregation does not need, and cannot sustain, a lead-ership slate (Elders and Deacons) of 24. We have streamlined our Elders and Deacons to nine each, three classes of three.
Stewardship-wise, the WWII Builder generation, who give because they were taught that’s the right thing to do, is dying out. The Boomers, who shop around to get the most “bang for the buck,” now aging and living in an era of decreased return on their investments, live in a “time share” relationship with the church – decreasing both their offerings and in-volvement. This translates into a slow and steady decline in attendance and offerings over the last 8 to 10 years, with the pace accelerating in the last three years.
The good news for UPC is that we do have an endowment fund, however we try not to over use that fund. It is designed for the maintenance and upkeep of the church and its mission, however, and we have many large repair projects that need to be ad-dressed in the very near future.
As the pastor, I see a (narrowing) gap between the needs, preferences, beliefs, and practices of our present congregation and those not yet part of UPC. The traditional theology is familiar and works for many in our congregation – the wine skin containing the Gospel stretched as far as needed and is adequate for many. For others
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Sometimes when I visit an older person at home or at the hospital and I ask them how they are doing, they reply, “I’m in pretty good shape for the shape I’m in.” Overall, I think that state-ment describes Unionville Presbyterian Church.
In some ways, our vital signs are really good. We bless the commu-nity in many ways, par-ticularly our support of the Kennett Area Com-munity Services. We keep involved in ongo-ing ministries like the Prayer Shawl Ministry, the Deacons, Vacation Bible School, and discipleship for all ages, the Pet Blessing, and many opportunities for con-gregational fellowship. We continue to host a vibrant and growing Alcoholics Anonymous group, and continue our support of the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts as they use space in our building.
We bring the children and youth into leadership of worship services once a month. Our Youth
Group is growing and the kids are taking real owner-ship of the pro-gram. We are grateful to the leadership of
Kevin McCray. Our Children’s program minis-ters to our youngest and our Director of Chil-dren’s Ministry, Holli Cialini, continues to ex-pose our kids to service projects – practical ways to be the Body of Christ in the world.
We are challenged to rethink church as we see some of our historic ministries yielding dimin-ishing results. Adult Sunday School and Bible study opportunities don’t bring the crowds they used to. We have rethought our Children’s and
State of the Church
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which many Christians worship God as if they have the only way. They back away from a God who seems to care about only a small percentage of the human population on the planet, who seems all too human, and a Jesus who is unap-proachable and not human enough. They stum-ble over reading even selected passages in the Bible literally, or interpreting them from a 2000 year old context, and have trouble relating them to here and now.
Jesus has a universal message that will speak to all of us, that will point us in God’s direction and guide us all on that jour-ney. However, unless we put His message in new wine skins, the church will continue to decline.
I sense an inclusiveness at UPC that brings me great joy! This is such a welcoming and caring church. I am encouraged by the group of folks that want to learn about religions other than Christianity – discovering the many things we have in common. It brings pleasure to reflect on the last meeting of the recent Confirmation Class – a meeting of the kids, the elders, and members from my Interfaith Group.
I truly believe that UPC is poised for growth – on so many levels! It is a privilege to be part of this journey!
who have no prior church experience or carry scars from trying to be a Christ-follower with the integrity of their post-modern worldview – they need us to put the Gospel in new wine skins that can stretch, grow, and keep pace with the both-and-inclusive-everything’s changing “real world” they inhabit.
The phrase, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” might be the norm for many in our congregation. For others not yet here, whom we are called to invite, their phrase might be closer to, “I’m still search-ing because it never worked in the first place.” This is not to judge or find fault with the traditional faith but to under-score the difference in basic faith views. The gap is as wide (or wider) as that between “Jews” and “Gentiles” in the early church.
Anything that leads to an exclusive-we-have-the-only-truth method is seen as irrelevant to those who experience and embrace people of different traditions, religions, philosophies, practices, and outlooks on a daily basis. Life is all about diversity – a diversity that was intentional from the very beginning!
What they balk at is not God, but the way in
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to the West in search of greater freedoms and job prospects, these religions face the dire possi-bility of extinction.
I invite you to obtain your own copy and join me over a cup of coffee (or ice cream) and talk about it. If you need assistance purchasing the book, just let me know. If there is enough inter-est, we can certainly form a discussion group. Happy reading to you!
dle East in turmoil, they face greater challenges than ever before.
Historically a tolerant faith, Islam has, since the early 20th century, witnessed the rise of mili-tant, extremist sects. This development, along with the rippling effects of Western invasion, now pose existential threats to these minority faiths. And as more and more of their youth flee
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Finance Ministry Team Update
Income & Expenses
As of December 31, 2014, income received ($225,364) for the year is greater than operating expenses incurred ($200,607). We did transfer $19,999 from the UPC fund which is included in "income re-ceived". Without this transfer, income received would be greater than operating expenses by $4,758.
Below is a chart comparing income received each month vs. operating expenses for the month. We closed the gap during the later portion of 2014, a trend we would like to continue into 2015!!
The Finance Ministry Team will continue to monitor and report income and expenses on a monthly basis and look for ways to control expenses. If you have any questions, suggestions, or com-ments for the FMT, please feel free to contact its chair, Rob MacPher-son. You can do so in person, by email ([email protected]) or by phone (610-742-7941). You may also contact the church treas-urer, Mary Hewes, by phone at 610-347-2327 or by email at [email protected].
It Was A Very Good Year….
We received many blessings as a church in 2014, finances among them. Some highlights:
✞ Offerings totaled $195,154; an increase of more than $25,000 over 2013. And we achieved that
with a 20% decrease in giving units since 2012 (86 in 2014).
✞ While we transferred $19,999 from the UPC Fund to help cover expenses, we ended the year
needing only $5,727 of that.
✞ We funded over $11,000 in mission and outreach efforts. That did not include other endeavors,
such as food items donated for the Kennett Food Bank, consignment and bake sales, Perkins dinner nights, Operation Christmas Child and La Iglesia Christmas. Think of the lives we touched!
✞ Stewardship – 65 commitment cards were received (an increase of 13
over 2014, +25%) and $183,836 was committed (an increase of $28,258 over 2014, +18%).
In summary, “we done good!” With God’s continued grace, we will do even better in 2015.
Remember the church in your will.
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Per Capita Share
The start of a new year marks a time for us as a church to begin collecting per capita shares.
As you may be aware, per capita is an annual per member assessment by Donegal Presbytery on UPC. The presbytery uses these funds for its op-eration and to provide various operational and ministerial re-sources to the churches in the presbytery. This money is sent directly to the presbytery.
As a church within the pres-bytery, we are responsible for paying the per capita assess-ment for each person reported to be on our membership roll. That is the case whether each member contributes their share or not. For 2015 we are assessed $32 per member. Thus, for example, if your family has four church members (two adults and two con-firmed children), your per capita amount is $32 x 4 = $128.
If you have already submitted your per capita share, thank you. If you have not, please try to submit it as soon as possible. Please con-sider: Any shortage in what our members offer in per capita share has to be made
up with church operating funds.
Any questions concerning this may be directed to Rob MacPherson, chair of the Fi-nance Ministry Team. Feel free to contact him in person, by email ([email protected]), or phone (610-742-7941). You may also contact the church treasurer, Mary Hewes, by email
([email protected]) or church telephone (610-347-2327).
Fellowship Events
The Fellowship Team is planning a Val-entine's Day Coffee on February 15. Please join us after church for food and fellowship. Our March event will be a Coffee on Palm Sunday, March 29.
The team is planning one activity each month through June. We will be re-questing your input into possible activi-ties over the coming weeks. If you have any ideas for fellowship activities, please let one of our team members know.
The Fellowship Team:
Mary Ann Gorko
Karen Statz
Jane Burgarella
Robin MacPherson
Brian Roberts
Janice Mahan
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Engaging Our Children
Special dates:
2/8 – Blastoff
2/16 – Children’s Ministry Team Meeting @ 7:00 all are welcome!
2/22- Serving Sunday
Reminders:
-Sunday Blast meets from 10:15-11:15.
-Parents please re-member to sign your children in and out of Blast every Sun-day.
-Pick up and return your Bible Detective cards each Sunday.
-If anyone borrowed a book from our Ad-vent table, please re-turn it to Holli.
As always, I can be reached at [email protected] for any questions, com-ments, or concerns.
Dear Friends, Happy New Year everyone! Congratulations to all the chil-dren for their wonderful per-formance in the Advent Play.
Sunday Blast is in the midst of a 4-week study titled, “Epic Adventures.” This theme will guide the children through the book of Genesis, focusing on GOD’s creation and promises. The age-appropriate lessons continue to be bibli-cally solid, learner-based, and engaging. Children are growing in love and faith, and forming lasting rela-tionships with GOD.
Please remember to pick up a take-home sheet each week so that you can extend the lesson at home.
Multi-Faith Discussion
Join me on Mondays, February 9 at 11:00 a.m. and 23 at 10:30 a.m. in the library. We will study their sacred texts and discuss the many
ways in which we are alike.
Bring your questions and be will-ing to accept that we are more alike than different.
We have more in common than you think! We are “People of the Book,” as are Muslims and Jews. All of hu-manity is created in the image of the God Who loves us. The path to peace begins with under-standing.
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Sharing God’s Love
to the our cupboard at the back of the sanctu-ary. Low sodium and low sugar options are pre-ferred, when available: canned soups, vegeta-bles, fruit, tuna/meat; cereals; flour; powdered, canned or boxed milk; and toilet tissue.
Your donations will make a difference!
Many thanks to everyone who provided gifts for Operation Christmas Child and the chil-dren at La Iglesia in Toughkena-mon.
You shared God’s love through your thoughtful and generous gifts for twenty-five children at our sister Hispanic church and for filling 138 shoeboxes to be distributed throughout the world by Operation Christmas Child.
You can support the efforts of the Kennett Food Cupboard by contributing any of the following
Empty Bowls Dinner
The Empty Bowls Dinner is designed to raise awareness of hunger and food insecurity in our
community while raising funds to support the Food Cupboard.
A simple meal of soup and salad will be served. Attendees will learn about the food cupboard’s services, enjoy a silent auction and receive a handmade bowl as a reminder of the families in need living in our community.
Last February the event was a great success. With more than 380 par-ticipants, over $23,000 was raised for the Food Cupboard.
UPC will be a sponsor again this year. There will be some tickets available through the sponsorship. Please plan to attend to support the cause, if you can.
The 4th Annual Empty Bowls Dinner, a fundraising event of the Kennett Area Food Cupboard, is to be held on Feb-ruary 26 at 6:00 p.m. in the Red Clay Room, Ken-nett Square. Pro-ceeds will help KACS eliminate hunger in our com-munity, assisting the growing num-ber of families that need support.
The Food Cupboard currently provides nutritional food to over 1,600 individuals each month.
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learn more please contact Reverend Annalie. This is a great way for us to live our motto of “the small church with the big heart.” It is a way to live out the biblical command to “Love our neighbors as ourselves” and make a difference in the lives of families experiencing homeless-ness.
Being a part of this interfaith project will strengthen our community and transform not just those we serve but US. Help us to entertain angels!
"Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
No hands but yours,
No feet but yours,
Yours are the eyes through which to look out
Christ's compassion to the world
Yours are the feet with which he is to go about
Doing good;
Yours are the hands with which he is to bless men now."
-St. Teresa of Avila
The book of Isaiah asks that we feed the hungry and shel-ter the homeless. The book of Hebrews suggests that by welcoming strangers we may entertain angels. As people of faith, what is our responsi-bility as families face home-lessness right here in South-ern Chester County?
A new affiliate of Family Promise has been formed in Southern Chester County to help families experiencing homelessness. In 2013, 284 students were impacted by homelessness in Southern Chester County school dis-tricts (Unionville, Kennett, Avon Grove, and Oxford). There are no family shelters here. Many of today's fami-lies are caught between high housing costs and low wages. An illness, job loss or a fire can leave families without the resources they need to get back on their feet.
UPC has decided to help! Congregations in many parts of the country are networking to pro-vide overnight ac-commodations, meals, and com-passionate assis-tance to families caught in a home-less situation.
If you would like to
Entertaining Angels
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Class of 2015 Kay Dunkle
Bettie Hughes Edie Marson
Class of 2017 Rob MacPherson
Pat Montague
Class of 2017 Betty Bryer
Jane Burgarella Judy Jackson Brian Roberts
ELDERS
Moderator: Rev. Annalie Korengel
Clerk of Session: Sue Minarchi
DEACONS
Moderator: Kay Dunkle
Class of 2015 Mary Ann Gorko
Kevin McCray Ed Murphy
STAFF
Pastor/Head of Staff: Rev. Annalie Korengel Director of Children’s Ministry: Holli Cialini
Director of Music: Bill Johnson Financial Secretary/ Treasurer: Mary Hewes
Secretary: Judy Krug
Leadership of Unionville Presbyterian Church
Class of 2016 Kevin Flanigan
Curt McCray Sue Minarchi
Cherie Pudleiner
Class of 2016 Carolyn Crossan
Tom Ogurcak Mardette Alexander
How to Be a Faithful Presbyterian
Follow and imitate Jesus Christ by frequent prayer – whether by reciting prayers,
silently contemplating God’s grace, reading Scripture, singing Psalms or hymns, or
praying in another way.
Unionville Presbyterian Church
812 Wollaston Road
Kennett Square, PA 19348
Phone: 610-347-2327
Fax: 610-347-0154
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.unionvillepc.org
INWARDINWARDINWARD UPWARDUPWARDUPWARD OUTWARDOUTWARDOUTWARD
February 18, at 7:00 p.m.February 18, at 7:00 p.m.
