August 2014 - Presbyterian Church of Chestertown

Presbyterian Church
of Chestertown
905 Gateway Drive, Chestertown MD 21620 410-778-6057
Presbyterian Church
of Chestertown (PCC)
Worship Service and
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Sara Holben, Pastor
John Ames, Parish Associate
Jules Scheidel, Pastoral Asst.
Earl Brooks, Pastor Emeritus
Kate Bennett, Music Ministry
Terri Gloyd, Christian Educ.
Caitlan Quinn, Youth Ministry
Carol Taylor, Administration
Wayne Bedwell, Sexton
The Presbyterian Church
of Chestertown is a
connectional church,
part of the New Castle
Presbytery, the Synod of
the Mid-Atlantic and the
General Assembly of the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
August 2014:
Volume 250
Notes from Sara
B
ehind the scenes, the Nominating Committee is quietly
preparing for a slate of nominees to present to the
congregation for election as elders and deacons. So, what
is it that these elders and deacons do?
Ruling Elders serve on the Session (the governing body)
of our congregation. “Ruling elders are so named not because
they ‘lord it over’ the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because
they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its
fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its
faith and life.” [G-2.0301, PCUSA Book of Order]
Elders carry out those responsibilities by keeping track of
what happens on a day-to-day basis and also by keeping a focus
on the larger picture of what it is that we as PCC need to be
doing to be faithful to our ministry.
The Deacons have a list of responsibilities that they take
care of – flower delivery after Sunday services; special care for
those in need in our congregation; sending greeting cards for
important dates in our members’ lives; providing transportation
help for members; providing bereavement care when a member
of PCC dies … the list keeps evolving each year as the needs of
our congregation and community grow.
Being a deacon takes willing hands and time spent “doing
things” behind the scenes, usually unnoticed by most of us.
Deacons bring to their service open hearts, open hands, a sense
of call, and an expression of Christ’s love to all. I am deeply
grateful for the extraordinary witness and service of all the
Elders and the Deacons of this congregation.
The election for our newest elders and deacons will take
place late this fall. As the Nominating Committee continues
its work during the summer please, we invite you to suggest
Continued on page 2
WWW.PRESBYTERIANCHESTERTOWN.ORG
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From Sara, cont.
SESSION
Clerk of Session
Dal Holmes
Class of 2014
Ned Leverage – Finance
Tom Speakman Jr. – Personnel
Sue Willits – Discipleship
Class of 2015
Sabina Baker –
Christian Education
Betsy Miller –
Congregational Life
Dave Nickle – Property
Class of 2016
Alice Bradshaw –
Communication Liaison
Gwen Meyers – Mission Liaison
Ruth Vietri-Green – Worship,
Music and the Arts Liaison
D EA C O N S
Class of 2014
Jerry Ferguson
Jim O’Harrah
Karen Wright
Brooke Cunane, Youth Deacon
Class of 2015
Sarah Arnold
Courtney Sjostrom
Cindy Thorp
Class of 2016
Curtis Blouch
JoAnn Connolley
Jan Taylor
names of those people who you think bring the gifts and skills to
serve as Elders and Deacons of this congregation. Serving as an
officer of a Presbyterian congregation is both a privilege and a
challenge. Above all, it is a calling from God to use one’s talents
and gifts in service to the Lord through the work of the church.
Please be in prayer for the Nominating Committee and for
those who will be asked to serve – whoever it will be. Nominating Committee members are: Elders Ned Leverage
and Sue Willits (co-chairs of the committee); Sarah Arnold
(representing the deacons); and Dallas Higginbotham, Lorraine
Nickle, Sandee Trakat, and Lansing Williams (elected at-large by
the congregation at the annual meeting this past January).
May God’s blessing and peace be with all of you during
these closing days of summer and may you find your spirits
renewed and refreshed!
In Christ’s service,
Music Notes from Kate
Have you ever wanted to try singing in the choir or ringing
in the handbell choir, without committing to actually joining?
Here’s your chance! Intro to Handbells, Saturday, Aug. 30,
10:00 – 12:00—for anyone who would like to try ringing and see
what it’s all about! Meet in the choir room. And Pick-up Choir,
Sunday, Aug. 31—for anyone who would like to try singing.
Meet with Kate in the choir room at 8:45, and we will rehearse a
simple anthem to sing in worship at 9:30.
I am looking forward to a wonderful year of music with you!
For those who wish to join the Chancel Choir or Handbell Choir
for the year, here is the schedule:
Chancel Choir
Saturday, Sept. 6, 10:00 – 12:00: read-through of music for the Fall, in the choir room
Sunday, Sept. 7: begin singing in worship for the year.
Sunday schedule: 9:00 a.m. warm-ups, 9:30 worship service, 11:00 – 12:00 rehearsal, in the choir room.
Handbell Choir
Thursday, Sept. 11: begin Thursday rehearsals, 4:00 – 5:30,
in the choir room. The handbell choir plays in worship
approximately every 6 weeks. - Kate Bennett
2
Christian Education News
Summer Sunday School continues with Jesus’ stories of the
parables. Children learn about God’s constant love for us, even when
we go astray. Consider joining our CE team for a discussion meeting
coming soon (watch the bulletin)!
Help Wanted: The Nursery is looking for a team of helpers
to rotate and help when we have little ones to attend to on a
Sunday morning. If you love little ones, please see Terri Gloyd for an
opportunity to help.
Many thanks to all those who helped to make our week of
Vacation Bible School a success! About 60 children learned
to imagine, build, grow, work and walk with God while having fun
with crafts, games, science experiments, songs and stories from the
Bible. It took our church family and our Sacred Heart friends and of
course some divine intervention for this week to achieve the mission
of building God’s kingdom! We raised funds for water purification in
Malawi and gathered many craft supplies for local organizations. Stay
tuned for more opportunities to reach out to families and children.
Got Ideas? Please feel free to share ideas for activities to enrich
your faith experience. Sabina Baker, Terri Gloyd, pastor Sara and
Caitlan Quinn will be having some brainstorming sessions and may
even send you a survey to gather ideas for your input! PCC wants to
continue to grow deeply in Christian faith opportunities for all ages.
Share your ideas today!
Youth News
It has been a busy season for our youth! We began the summer with
an ice cream party, welcoming our rising sixth grade students and
reviewing our summer calendar.
Following Vacation Bible School, we began our 12-week Bible study
which mirrors the series we are following in worship this summer.
At the end of June, one of our youth, Rebecca Strootman, and
I attended the Massanetta Springs Middle School Conference in
Harrisonburg,VA. I would invite you to speak with either of us about
the people we met and things we learned when we went “Beyond the
Manger!”
Our youth will finish out the summer by continuing through the
Bible study, making trips to the beach and Six Flags, and volunteering
at the Humane Society. - Caitlan Quinn
Worship on the
Beach
What a delightful day PCC
members shared on July 13,
2014! Many of us gathered
at the beach of Howell Point
Farm for worship in the bright
sunshine with the sparkling
water of the bay just about
within reach. Pastor Sara Holben
led the service assisted by
Caitlan Quinn. Special music
was provided by Jean and Ned
Leverage.
At the close of worship the
under 20 set headed straight
to the water for a great swim.
Thank you to the adults who
served as lifeguards!
By 11:00 a.m., beach
worshipers were joined by
sanctuary worshipers (John Ames
led that service) for a wonderful
picnic lunch provided by PCC.
Fried chicken, salads, chips,
watermelon, rolls and butter
quickly disappeared just in time
for ice cream and brownies.
Many gallons of lemonade,
iced tea and cold water kept
everyone hydrated and refreshed.
Many, many thanks to our
hosts, the Blevins, as well as all of
those PCC members who never
fail to give their time and energy
for preparing the beach, setting
up before worship, serving lunch,
cleaning up and returning many
things to the church. Thanks to
all of you, it was a great time!
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Sophia Schmidt
Troy Mishaw
Bill Trakat
Cindy Moore
Alex Payne
Kate Bennett
Owen Fry
Taylor Richardson
Cole Taylor
Ned Leverage
Caitlan Quinn
Patsy Alverson
Brad Moore
Carolyne Grotsky
Dennis Jacobs
Charlie Gloyd
Bobbie Chase
Pat Ferguson
Tom Speakman
Logan Leverage
Jan Cayce
Jean Leverage
Barbara Brillhart
Bill Williams
Adrian Baker
John Hellwege
Garrett Shirk
Kimberly Penny
Joanne Clarke
Martha Nickless
Dorothy Blevins
Anna Shirk
Brian Arnold
Tom Pierson
Mark Kamon
Mary Alice Munson
Sandy Winquist
David Brown
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From John’s Study
Happy
Birthday
August 2
August 3
August 3
August 5
August 5
August 6
August 6
August 6
August 7
August 8
August 8
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August 30
A
few weeks ago I did a “Children’s Time” on Henry
Highland Garnet, for whom the local elementary
school is named. My reason for doing so was
that the Kent County Historical Society was planning a
children’s program on Garnet, which our church was asked
to publicize. Normally we don’t announce events sponsored
by other groups, but this seemed too good to miss. A couple
of adults asked me to say more about one of Kent County’s
most illustrious sons, and so by a vote of 3 to 0 – (with 312
abstentions) I’ll do that here.
In my “children’s time” I bemoaned the fact that no portrait
of Garnet hung in the school. I based that silly assertion on a
very brief visit, several years ago, in which I didn’t notice a
portrait. Maggie Jackson and her parents, Kate and Luke, took
the trouble to do what I should have done, which is to pay a
visit to the school. The portrait is there – hung prominently in
the entrance hall. I know nothing about the integration of Kent
County Schools, which must have happened in the late 1960s,
but I’m very glad that the newly integrated elementary school
kept the name “Garnet.”
Henry Highland Garnet was born a slave on December 23,
1815 in New Market, Maryland. I’m not sure exactly where
that was, but I think it was a few miles west of Millington,
on “Old Morgnec Road.” When he was about 9 years old his
family was given permission to attend a funeral, after which
they escaped – aided by Quakers and hiding in the false
bottom of a farm wagon – to Wilmington, Delaware. From
there the Quakers helped them make their way to New York
City. Henry attended the “African Free School” in New York
for a few years, but left school to become a cabin boy on a ship
sailing from New York to Havana.
While he was away at sea his family was found by “slave
catchers” from Maryland. His mother escaped by jumping
from a second story window and was hidden by neighbors,
and his father bluffed his way out; but his younger sister
was captured and brought back to Kent County. Henry
later purchased his sister out of slavery and the family was
reunited.
He was able to continue his education, which was very
difficult for an African-American in the 1830s, and after
attending several schools ended up at the Oneida Institute in
Whitesboro, New York. This was an institution established by
“New School” Presbyterians which, amid great controversy,
Continued on page 5
From John, cont.
had begun to admit African-Americans.
Henry became a Presbyterian and was ordained
to the ministry about 1839 as pastor of the Liberty
Presbyterian Church in Troy, New York. He also became
a very effective orator for the abolitionist cause and
was a prominent leader in the American Anti-Slavery
Society, which had been organized by William Lloyd
Garrison, and the American Colonization Society –
which sought to re-settle freed slaves in West Africa.
In 1843 he delivered a very famous speech to the
National Negro Convention in Buffalo, New York called
“A Call to Rebellion.” The radicalism of this speech
caused the abolitionist leaders – Garrison and Frederick
Douglass – to break with Garnet, fearing that he would
alienate white supporters.
He traveled to England and Scotland and became
renowned as a spellbinding orator. Later, during the
Civil War, Queen Victoria gave him credit for galvanizing
the British people against slavery and against the
Confederacy.
Returning to New York, he became pastor of the Shiloh
Presbyterian Church (now the St. James Presbyterian
Church) in Harlem where he served until 1863. He then
turned to the task of recruiting African-Americans into
the Union Army, and came to Washington, DC to support
these “Colored Troops” who were often subject to harsh
discrimination in the Army. He founded the Fifteenth
Street Presbyterian Church in Washington – the first
black Presbyterian Church in DC – and on February 12,
1865 was asked by Abraham Lincoln to speak to a joint
session of Congress to celebrate the adoption of the 13th
Amendment, abolishing slavery in the United States.
Thus he became the first African-American to address the
US Congress.
He was appointed US Minister to Liberia by President
James Garfield in 1881 and fulfilling a life-long dream he
went to Africa. He died shortly after his arrival, however,
and is buried in Monrovia, Liberia.
I think it is wonderful that the local elementary school
is named for a Presbyterian minister and a distinguished
resident of Kent County who deserves to be much better
known. And I’m glad that there is a picture of him in the
school. - John Ames
Happy
Anniversary
Jon & Karen Wright
Chad & Gwen Myers
David & Sharon Brown
Jason & Jill Payne
John & Jackie Urlock
Jeffery & Carolyne Grotsky
Scott & Deeann Jones
Don & Linda West
Bill & JoAnn Bowdle
Christine & David O’Neill Ed & Marian Fry
Don & Dianne Cantor
David & Lorraine Nickle
August 3
August 6
August 7
August 12
August 12
August 13
August 15
August 23
August 25
August 26
August 28
August 28
August 29
Thank You Note
Dear PCC Family,
Thank you for your prayers, love,
support, encouragement and cards.
This has sustained me through my
hospitalization and continues to
help me through my weeks of rehab.
Each day I feel stronger and more
optimistic about a full recovery.
Special thanks to Pastors Sara
and John for their visits, prayers and
sermon copies.
Cole and I feel that God has
led us to Heron Point and to PCC.
We’re so blessed to be part of this
caring congregation.
In Christian love,
Jan Taylor
5
August 2014
PCC News Vol. 250
The PCC newsletter is
published monthly except
in January and July. It is
distributed to member families
and friends as a means of
communication and outreach.
Comments may be directed to
the editor through the church
office. Articles for publication
should be submitted in writing,
including the author’s name,
address and telephone number.
All such articles are subject to
editing before inclusion and
become church property.
E D IT O R
JoAnn Fairchild Wood
September deadline:
August 20, 2014
The Presbyterian Church
of Chestertown (PCC)
905 Gateway Drive
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: 410-778-6057
Fax: 410-778-9780
E-mail: pcofc@verizon.net
www.presbyterianchestertown.org
a
“Keep your thoughts positive
because your thoughts become
your words. Keep your words
positive because your words
become your behaviours.
Keep your behaviours positive
because your behaviours
become your habits. Keep
your habits positive because
your habits become your values. Keep your values positive
because your values become
your destiny.” - Gandhi
6
Our Necessary Losses
H
ave you ever thought that death either comes too late
or too early? My wife of 25 years died at age 60; and a
relative, a wife and mother of two, died just recently at
age 40. At both funerals many mourners were heard to say, “It’s
just not right. It’s just not fair.”
Those among us who have suffered the unexpected loss of a
loved one can readily identify with these sentiments. After all, it
is not fair. Is it?
But wait! Introducing the concept of fairness implies justice
or what should have been. But surely we all have come to
experience the reality that life is not always fair. Yes, maybe
the human condition requires necessary losses. After all life is
fragile, tomorrow is never guaranteed to any of us. This despite
what actuarial statistics tell us about life expectancy.
If no one died prematurely or unexpectedly we would
never appreciate longevity. This is just one of many paradoxes
inherent in human life. Some other examples of this dialectic:
If there was no evil we would never cherish goodness; If there
was no blight we would not be in awe of beauty; if no fear then
we would not aspire to serenity; no anxiety would result in our
not appreciating peace of mind. Alas, the human condition can
often be a perplexity.
Accepting the nature of the human condition minimizes our
tendency to assign blame for unexpected losses. It inhibits us
from playing God, from asking how this loss could possibly be
part of God’s plan.
A failure to embrace our humanity often results in a crisis of
faith. Listen to Gilbert O’Sullivan on the death of his parents:
“Reality came around to knock me down…leaving me to doubt
all about God and his mercy, who if he really does exist why did
he desert me?” Yes we are human and we tend to rage against
what we perceive as unfair losses, but to quote Jiminy Cricket,
responding to Pinocchio’s many why’s: “That’s the nature of
things!”
I conclude with this from Hubert H. Humphrey: “It’s not
what gets taken away from you that counts. It’s what you do
with what you have left.”
Ralph Surette is a retired psychologist and a PCC member. Comments
welcomed at ralphsur@gmail.com.
P a s to r S a r a H o l b e n
August 2014
Dear PCC family and friends,
About a month ago, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) General Assembly met
in its biennial national assembly and undertook a wide range of business related
to the ministry of our denomination. New missionaries were commissioned and
decisions were made to support and develop ministries of evangelism, education,
and compassion. Along with these actions, however, were several decisions that
have generated national publicity and a lot of reactions and responses both positive
and negative—not only in the denomination but also in our own congregation. The
Session of our congregation came together in early July to hear an update on these
decisions and they will be continuing their discussion over the coming weeks and
months.
The two issues receiving the most media attention and generating the most
concern across the church are:
1. A very narrow vote (310-303) to divest funds invested by the General Assembly
in three U.S. companies. These funds are primarily held by the Presbyterian
Foundation and the Board of Pensions. The three companies are Caterpillar, HewlettPackard, and Motorola Solutions whose products are considered to be used by Israel
to continue and make more oppressive the occupation of Palestine. The church has
been studying this issue for 10 years and has made numerous attempts to work with
the three companies, and others, in a resolution of this issue. Understand, though,
the action is not divestment from Israel, as it is often described, NOR is it a boycott
of the products of these companies. NOR does the denomination expect that any
individual congregation or person do the same if they should happen to hold stock
in these companies. This is a decision that only affects denominational investment
funds and those investments will be sold. (Just as a footnote: The PCUSA has a long
history of socially-responsible investments of its own funds that includes no denominational
funds being invested in tobacco products, alcohol, and weapons production.) In the action
that was taken the PCUSA is explicit in affirming the right of Israel to exist as a
sovereign nation and advocating for the rights of both Israelis and Palestinians to
live in peace, free from the threat of violence. The close vote of the General Assembly
indicates that even Presbyterians who have taken time to study the facts and hear
the opinions presented could not reach clear consensus.
2. The second issue relates to two different actions by the General Assembly
on the issue of marriage and the changing understandings of marriage that are
Continued on next page
7
General Assembly update cont.
emerging in the U.S. This action was approved by about a 2/3 vote of the General
Assembly. The Assembly granted discretion to teaching elders (pastors) in determining
whether or not to conduct same-gender marriages, and granted discretion to
sessions in determining whether to permit the use of church facilities for these
marriages in civil jurisdictions where such marriages are legal. This change affects all
congregations in Maryland as we live in a state in which same-gender marriage is now
legal. This action does not involve a change in the Book of Order and so it is effective
immediately. It is important to recognize that the Assembly took great care to be sure
not to bind the conscience of any teaching elder (pastor) or session: no pastor will be
compelled to officiate same gender marriages, and no session will be forced to allow
the use of church property for any use that they find contrary to their interpretation of
the Word of God.
In a separate action, the Assembly approved sending out for presbytery approval a
constitutional amendment to the Book of Order that would change the constitutional
definition of marriage from “between a man and a woman” to “between two people,
traditionally between a man and a woman.” That amendment will be before our own
presbytery for discussion and a vote in September). This proposed change in the Book
of Order will not take effect unless the amendment is approved by a majority of the
172 presbyteries by June 21, 2015.
All of this news brings a variety of reactions, emotions, and questions. I have heard
from members of PCC who are angry and distressed by each of these actions, and
others who welcome them and are thankful. As your pastor I thank all of you who
have taken time to let me know of your concerns and opinions. Our congregation has
always been a place that has welcomed people of diverse backgrounds, opinions, and
commitments. That does not always make it comfortable, but it does remind us of
our need to find ways to live together as the body of Christ. (Additional information
on these topics can be found at www.pcusa.org and in some hand-outs that are in our
Narthex.)
A Pastoral Letter from Presbyterians for Renewal and the Fellowship of
Presbyterians (both organizations opposed the changes in the marriage policies)
reminded those who support the action and those who oppose it that we as
Presbyterians are still being called by God “… to continue to proclaim the good news
of Jesus Christ and to testify to the transforming power of his love that is available to
everyone. … Let us commit to one another, and to Almighty God, that we will seek to
embody the grace and love of our Savior across our theological differences….”
We believe as Presbyterians that God is always calling us to discern and hear God’s
word to the Church for the times in which we live. In this challenging time for the
Church, please join me in prayer as we seek together to discern God’s guidance for
these days.
In Christ, 8
Three Generations of Speakmans
T
he Discipleship Committee is currently interviewing families with three generations who
actively participate in the life of PCC. This month features the Speakman family.
After living and marrying in Pennsylvania, Tom and Sue settled in Still Pond with their
two young children after searching for the perfect location to start a wholesale nursery and
landscaping business. Tom has been growing plants since he was sixteen years old and Sue
remembers his backyard where he grew chrysanthemums. With lots of hard work and dedication,
Speakman Nursery has been in business for twenty-five years.
Soon after they moved to Kent County, neighbors and PCC members Ken & Marie Thomas
stopped by to introduce themselves. They told Tom & Sue about a new Presbyterian Church that
was located on Philosophers Terrace in Chestertown. Earl Brooks was the pastor and there they
found a welcoming church home for their young family.
Throughout the years, Tom and Sue and their family have remained active PCC members. Sue
has served as an elder and continues to help many families who experience the death of a loved
one as chairman of the bereavement committee. In her spare time, she loves to quilt. Tom planned
for and planted the beautiful Memorial Garden at PCC that still remains Tom’s “pride and joy and
a very special place.” The garden was donated by Tom and reflects his spirituality.
Son Tommy and his wife Kelly have two children, Megan & Will, who regularly attend Sunday
school. Tommy is currently on Session serving his third year as elder. Daughter Patty Hamsher
lives in Cordova, MD, with her husband Doug. She is a busy mother of two girls who also writes
for an Eastern Shore publication.
“We all love boating, fishing, swimming and cooking,”exclaims Sue, “but family is the most
important thing in my life.”
PCC is indeed blessed to have three generations of Speakmans in its midst. — Sue Willits
A recent photograph of
the Speakmans taken
during Sue Norris
Speakman’s family
reunion shows, from left
to right: Kelly & Tom
Jr. (Tommy) with their
children Megan and
Will; Doug and Patty
Speakman Hamsher with
their children Sariah and
Gabriella, and Tom Sr.
& Sue.
9
The Presbyterian Church of Chestertown
905 Gateway Drive
Chestertown, MD 21620
Phone: 410-778-6057 / Fax: 410-778-9780
www.presbyterianchestertown.org
E-mail: pcofc@verizon.net
Non-profit Org.
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Permit No. 68
Chestertown MD
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all
Joy—we give you thanks and praise.
10