July/August Harbor Light 2016 - Presbyterian Church of Palm Harbor

Harbor Light
Pcph.org
Presbyterian Church of Palm Harbor
July/August 2016
Reflections from Pastor Penny
Hello PCPH friends,
When Benjamin Franklin wished to interest the people of Philadelphia in street lighting, he didn’t try to persuade them by talking
about it – instead, he hung a beautiful lantern on a long bracket
before his own door. Then he kept the glass brightly polished, and
carefully and religiously lit the wick every evening at the approach of dusk.
People wandering about on the dark street saw Franklin’s light a
long way off, and came under the influence of its friendly glow
with grateful hearts. It wasn’t long before Franklin’s neighbors began placing lights in brackets before their homes; soon the entire
city awoke to the value of street lighting and considered the
matter with interest and enthusiasm.
It’s the power of example. Children learn to walk, talk, eat, argue,
love, and more from their parents – and they don’t miss anything!
So parents must choose what they want to teach their children –
how will they guide, mold, and shape their tiny students? Will they
model integrity, honesty, kindness, and compassion?
Jesus taught by example again and again in the Gospels. He
went to great lengths to prepare his disciples for their role as healers and evangelists after he was gone. Hey disciples, pay attention! Watch, listen, and learn, said Jesus.
Today we are all disciples – and the best way to teach the good
news of Jesus Christ is to live in the joy and love that bless us as
Christians. To live the Gospels is both a privilege and a responsibility for us as followers of Christ. It’s a powerful message.
Blessings on the journey!
A Safe Harbor where
the Light of Christ
Jesus directs all who
are adrift to anchor
themselves in Him.
Pastor Penny
Creating Connections
Through Christ
Creating Connections Through Christ
July/August 2016
Creating Connections Through Christ
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Fall Registration
The Growing Tree has openings for all ages for the 2016-2017
school year. The Growing Tree is a nationally accredited preschool.
Please let your family, friends and neighbors know!
Sign up information is on our website: www.gtpreschool.org.
The Growing Tree seeks to provide sound educational experiences within an environment of Christian faith and love. We are
committed to developing your child’s sense of identity as a
unique and special person. Our students engage in a variety of
activities which encourage cognitive development, emotional
growth and kindergarten readiness. If you know of anyone
interested, please spread the word!
CHURCH LIBRARY NEWS
The library committee wishes everyone a safe
and happy summer. Even though schools are
closed, our church library remains open, so
come on in to browse anytime. Just sign, date,
and put your phone number on the check out
card that is found in the back of the books. Put
the card in the container on the counter. That
is it! No one has to be there with you when
you check out a book.
Harbor Light
Deadlines
August 17
September 21
6:00pm - 7:00pm
October 19
Bulletin Deadline
Please submit your bulletin announcement by 1:00pm on Tuesday afternoon.
If not received by then, your announcement may not appear in the Sunday
bulletin.
July/August 2016
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Call for Growing Tree Board Members!
The Growing Tree Board of Directors is now recruiting new members for
the 2016-2017 school year! The Growing Tree, a ministry of PCPH, seeks
to provide sound educational experiences within an environment of
Christian faith and love. We have a wonderful staff who do an amazing
job achieving this mission but also need board members to provide
administrative guidance and leadership. The board oversees the finances
of the school, contracts for teachers and staff and other business items.
No previous experience is needed and Board Members carry no liability
on behalf of the school.
Requirements are the ability to attend our 45-minute meetings (typically 9:45am-10:30am) 8 times over the
school year, an interest in helping the Growing Tree achieve its mission and goals, and the ability to offer
your ideas and suggestions. The total time commitment for the school year is 6-10 hours. We are a fun and
collaborative board where all ideas are welcome and we treat each other with respect and dignity.
In addition to needing members-at-large, we need to fill the officer positions of Vice President and Secretary.
The VP’s main task is to be available in the event the President is not and the Secretary records and distributes the minutes. Officers must be members of PCPH while members-at-large do not.
Meeting dates for the 2016-2017 school year are:
August 18
September 8
October 13
November 10
January 12
March 9
April 13
May 11
This is a wonderful way to support the development of our young children in both their education and their
faith! Please contact Cathy Driscoll, Growing Tree Director at growingtree@pcph.org or Leslie Fann, GT Board
President at lesliefann@gmaill.com for more information.
July/August 2016
Creating Connections Through Christ
1
Betty Johnson
23
Jon Sjostedt
2
Kaye Pollock
25
Larry Hayward
4
Rey Xaxni
25
Patricia Hoover
5
Linda McGlone
26
Dean Milliron
5
Amanda Smith
27
Brian Chaulk
8
Peggy Berge
27
Ken Ray
10
Helen McAllister
27
Pat Schneck
14
Margaret Beem
29
Delores Abell
14
John Hackett
29
Kate DeVault
16
Donald Crombie
29
Jane Klaebel
17
Richard Zirk
29
Madison Smith
23
John Gordon
30
Carol Anne Haslam
2
Iris & Dick Thomas
20
Nancy & Lee Lahr
7
Mindy & Rick Bacon
27
Darlene & Scott Maze
7
Brenda & Tom Collias
28
Elizabeth & Ken Hahn
8
Pat & Rick Whissel
31
Lori & Rick Gottlieb
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July/August 2016
Creating Connections Through Christ
1
Anna Bauer
11
Helen Crombie
1
Wenda Behm
14
Jan Harding
1
Clyde Roper
15
Ginny Sewell
4
Diane Farrel
19
Louis Almendarez
4
Judy Gammonley
19
Jeff Drain
4
Samuel Horste
23
Angela Ashe
4
Rose Hough
23
Charlotte Hendricks
7
Larry DeVault
23
Sandra Salinas
9
Arden Bradshaw
26
Bob Greenleaf
9
Laura Davis
30
Heidi Wingard
11
Mellie & John Gordon
18
Deborah & Brian Sawyer
12
Ann & Larry Hayward
20
Cathy & Doug Driscoll
13
Laurie & Theodore Prindle
24
Corinne & Tom Krisa
14
Mechelle & Ritchie Henley
28
Jenn & Rob Saner
17
Vance & Cynthia Dill
30
Doris & William Harting
17
Joan & Art Ruddle
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July/August 2016
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May Year to Date
Income and Expenses
Income:
$117,077
Expenses: $107,661
Net Profit:
$9,416
Follow the Yellow Brick Road: Pastor Penny and the Session are moving forward in our journey toward calling an installed pastor. Our next step is to hold small group meetings of the congregation. We’re using a Wizard of Oz theme, to make things more interesting and possibly spark some
new ideas. Our goal is to listen to the desires and opinions of the church family by asking a few
key questions. Then we will compile the results and form a mission statement and our vision for
our future. We need your input, so please consider attending the following group.
Wednesday, July 6th
Jon and Gail Schier
3:00pm at St. Mark Village, Village Room
Thank you to Marty Platt
for stepping up to send
out birthday cards to our
PCPH congregation! We
know you will do a
wonderful job and we are
so happy that you
volunteered!
Thank you for the generous gifts and thoughtfulness that you displayed. We can’t wait to meet our new arrival and are blessed by
our family at PCPH.
July/August 2016
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Presbyterian Church of Palm Harbor
Children’s Ministry
Pre-School - 5th Grade
Summer Sunday School
Summer has arrived, and our Children’s Sunday School program will take a twist
during these hot summer months! Each week our Sunday school children will
meet in one classroom, (Room 112) where they will alternate between a Summer
Science Sunday school lesson, and Biblical movie “Adventures in Odyssey”!
On movie weeks popcorn and water will be provided, and our Sunday School
classroom will be set up like a movie theatre! If you have any questions, please
contact Malissa Garcia or Huiran Xaxni!
Sunday School Teaching Schedule
Children’s Sermon Schedule
July 3rd — NO SUNDAY SCHOOL
July 3rd -
July 10th -
July 10th - Bianca
Cathy and Bianca
Huiran Xaxni
July 17th – Carrie and Bianca
July 17th - Pastor Penny
July 24th – Huiran and Bianca
July 24th - Huiran Xaxni
July 31st - Lori and Bianca
July 31st - Noisy Bucket
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STUDENT MINISTRY
Presbyterian Church of Palm Harbor
Southwind Summer Camp
2016
Cost: $250.00
Who: 6th - 8th Grade
nd
th
When: August 2 - 6
Be sure to register for
Southwind Summer Camp,
2016 spots are limited!
Middle School Youth
Summer Pool Party!
Where: Hardaker House
When: Monday July 11th
Time: 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Dinner, Bible Study, Fellowship
Find Malissa for all details!
High School Ministry
at PCPH
9th - 12th Grades
Please be in prayer for our 10 high school
students who will be serving over 300 plus
middle school students at Southwind
Summer July 27th - August 6th
May they be the hands and feet of Jesus!
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Middle and High School Annual Fall Kick Off
September 9th-11th
Rock the Universe
All students who are in grades 6th-12th, we welcome you to join us for our
annual fall kick off to Rock the Universe! We will rock, ride and rejoice at
Rock the Universe® only at Universal Studios®. Experience two nights of
soul-stirring songs from Christian music’s hottest stars, alongside awesome rides and attractions. It’s an unforgettable weekend of faith, fun, and
fellowship
Cost: $85.00 - Payment Due September 1st
Park Ticket to Universal and Islands of Adventure Friday - Sunday
Hotel Stay (2 nights)
Transportation
Breakfast Saturday and Sunday Morning
July/August 2016
Creating Connections Through Christ
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General Assembly Notes
The Assembly took several historic actions — choosing female co- moderators; adding the Confession
of Belhar from South Africa to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Book of Confessions; and electing the PC
(USA)’s first African-American stated clerk — this felt to many like a time of turning for the church.
Themes of reconciliation and justice — particularly racial justice — were woven through the week. Plenary sessions began with personal testimonies — for example, Therese Taylor-Stinson, moderator of National Capital Presbytery, describing her rise in leadership in her church and then hearing someone say:
“The little colored girl is in charge today.” Participants recited together almost as a litany sections from
the Belhar confession, affirming the biblical mandate of unity won for us in Jesus Christ.
Some highlights of the assembly:
BELHAR. It took the PC(USA) two tries and more than six years to adopt Belhar — which was written
in the heart of South Africa’s struggle against apartheid. It becomes the first PC(USA) confession from the
global south. Godfrey Betha, vice moderator of the Uniting Reformed Church of Southern Africa, told the
assembly: “Your decision affirms you say to your children, you say to all, ‘When you come to us looking
for a glimmer of racism, don’t come to our church.’”
NEW AND DIVERSE LEADERSHIP. This assembly marked an historic change in leadership. On June 24,
the assembly elected J. Herbert Nelson II, a third-generation Presbyterian pastor and the director of the
denomination’s Office of Public Witness, to a four-year term as stated clerk, replacing Gradye Parsons,
who is retiring. Nelson becomes the PC(USA)’s first African-American stated clerk. The assembly also
made history in choosing T. Denise Anderson and Jan Edmiston, both teaching elders, as its comoderators. It’s the first time an assembly has elected co-moderators (rather than a moderator and vice
moderator) and the first all-female moderatorial team; Anderson — who is African-American — is, at 37,
the youngest moderator ever elected.
2020 VISION TEAM. Responding to an idea from its The Way Forward committee, the assembly voted
to create a 15-person “2020 Vision Team” to set a new vision for the denomination by 2020. The vision
team will draft a guiding statement to “help us to name and claim our denominational identity as we seek
to follow the Spirit into the future.”
ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION. Responding in part to concerns raised by review committees for the
Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly, the assembly voted to create a 12member administrative commission with the power to determine the structure and function of General
Assembly agencies.
MIDDLE EAST. The assembly adopted an amended version of a report called “For Human Values in
the Absence of a Just Peace” — which addresses Israel’s violations of Palestinians’ human rights. The assembly also reaffirmed the PC(USA)’s long-standing call for a two-state solution in Israel-Palestine.
FOSSIL FUELS. Choosing an approach some described as a “middle way,” the assembly voted 391-161
to pursue a process of trying to influence energy companies through stockholder engagement rather than
divesting comprehensively from fossil fuel companies. Some commissioners contended Presbyterians
have a moral obligation to act swiftly and boldly to reduce their carbon footprint.
APOLOGY. By a vote of 463-51, the assembly stopped short of issuing an outright apology to people
who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, queer or questioning — but voiced the church’s deep
“regret that, due to human failings, any person might find cause to doubt being loved by God” and the
denomination’s “deep sorrow” over members and congregations who have left over disagreements regarding sexual orientation.
HOPE. The new leaders both challenged the PC(USA) to become more diverse and engaged with a
hurting world, and sounded a theological vision of hope. Edmiston called on Presbyterians to “look at
what breaks God’s heart in your neighborhood,” and then to act.
“We are not dead. We are alive,” Nelson said of the PC(USA). Led by God, “we are transforming the
world, one person at a time.”
BY LESLIE SCANLON, Outlook national reporter