November 2007

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Upcoming Events

Monthly calendar

Due to limited availability of mission team members, the June mission trip to Gautier, Mississippi, has been postponed until the fall. 
Please watch for further announcements later this summer.

More below.

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Notices

Women of all churches are invited to a Special Fall Celebration, November 3 at the Unitarian Fellowship 105 N. Parrish. The schedule will be: A Business Meeting 11:30 a.m. A Sack lunch at noon The Program- Anna Jackson “Circle of Friendship, Circle of Love A Depiction of Black Women in History.”

November Fellowship Event - Unsung (S)Hero Dinner - November 10 During the month of October, we had the opportunity to nominate folks within the congregation as unsung heroes and sheroes.  On Saturday, November 10, at 6 p.m. we'll gather in Fellowship Hall to recognize and thank all of those who were nominated.  Your attendance is needed to make this a truly special thank you to all the volunteers who go above and beyond! BBQ sandwiches will be provided.  Please bring a side dish or dessert to share, and indicate your preference on the sign-up sheet in the narthex. Feel free to bring a friend or neighbor along to join the fun.  Remember, fellowship events are a great way to introduce new folks to First Presbyterian.

Join us in reaching out to our college student members with a "Semester's End" student spirit sack. The usual green crates will be in the Church's main hallway between Nov. 11 and 25th. Donations of sweet and salty snacks and powdered drink mixes will be packed in 6X6X6 inch boxes and bags and will be mailed or delivered during the first week of December.

Baby Gift Bags in the Narthex Yes, those were baby gift bags. . .and it is all a part of the ministry of the Yarning to Make a Difference small group.  In addition to the current tasks of making blocks for afghans and prayer shawls, the group is making baby blankets for the newest arrivals in the Infant Day Care downstairs.  Using the Desmond Tutu quote: You don't choose your family. They are God's gift to you, as you are to them - we are welcoming them to the our extended church family.  Seven infants joined the day care over the summer and early fall.  Join us the first Sunday of the month for a time of working on our projects. You are also invited to linger over the items on the table at any time, and say a prayer over them - asking God to bless those who will be receiving the items.  Patterns are available in the binder with the display if you are unable to attend our gatherings.  We also have yarn available, see Pastor Janice for more information.  If there are folks who would like to be a part of a group, but who cannot meet on the first Sunday, let Pastor Janice or Dorothy Baker know and we can see about setting up another group.  Do you have knitting needles or crochet hooks sitting around that you are no longer using? We have some beginners in the group who could benefit from your unused items.  You can leave these items on the display table.

PERSONNEL / Sabbatical Update Our Presbytery's Committee On Ministry has approved Pastor Janice's request for an April-July 2008 Sabbatical.  The COM is responsible for naming a moderator for our session meetings during this period.  The final step in the Sabbatical process will occur during our annual meeting in January 2008 when we consider her terms of call. Janice's Sabbatical proposal is available on the counter outside the church office door for your information. Our Presbytery (The Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois) recommends to the sessions of its churches that full-time Pastors be granted a compensated sabbatical of at least three (3) months and up to six (6) months after six years of service to an individual church.  Their rationale includes the following: “A sabbatical will enable the pastor to be renewed through the vital pursuit of continuing education, extended time spent in spiritual formation, or fresh mentoring by respected teachers.  A sabbatical enables a pastor to return to the responsibilities of the parish with new energy, spiritual vision and effectiveness.” Janice will complete her seventh year as our pastor in April 2008.  The Personnel Committee unanimously approved her proposal for a sabbatical for the period April through July 2008 and recommended its approval to Session.  Session unanimously approved her proposal in August.  Janice earns two (2) weeks professional development leave per year (with accumulation of up to three (3) years) as part of her terms of call and four (4) weeks of this accumulated professional development leave is included in the April-July period.  In addition, it is anticipated that one (1) week during this period she will be with our mission trip to Honduras.  Janice is typically given six (6) Sundays off from preaching each year as part of her terms of call.  These six Sundays in 2008 will be folded into the April-July period. We estimate that the additional expenses needed to cover pastoral care, sermons, etc. during the leave period will be around $7845.  The proposed sabbatical will be part of the terms of call for Janice for 2008.  Any changes in terms of call require a vote of the congregation.  This will occur at the January annual meeting.  In addition to everything else she does Janice has spent countless hours and an enormous amount of energy over the past six years in helping members of the congregation who serve on the various boards (Deacons, Session, and Trustees) to renew their faith as well as learn what it means to be a Presbyterian.  She has earned and deserves this opportunity for her own renewal. We hope that if you have questions you will feel free to speak to any session member.  On going communications about our Pastor’s upcoming sabbatical plans will appear in future newsletters. Neal E. Foland, Chair of Personnel Committee..

PERSONNEL / Music One of the main goals of your Personnel Ministry over the past several months has been to improve the church music.  A poll of the congregation last year found that improving our music was our highest priority, and it is to this end that we have recommended and made several changes.  We have redefined the position of Music Director.  This is to be a ten month position, and the duties as well as the salary will be expanded over the old position.  We have entered into a mutually beneficial relationship with the SIUC School of Music, particularly with Dr. Susan Davenport, Director of Choral Music.  We expect to be able to contract the services of a qualified student (probably, as now, at the graduate level) for our position.  Because of the salary and experience provided by that position, it should be highly sought after by qualified student musicians.  The first to fill the position is Carlyn Zimmermann, a graduate student of choral conducting.  She has already transformed our choir by her enthusiasm and musicianship.  She has recommended, and we concur, that we compensate at a modest level the four SIU students who will serve as choir section leaders and solo or small group performers.  We are not at the present time seeking an Accompanist/Organist, as this need can be met by several musicians who will be paid by the performance rather than by salary.  Kathy Manfredi is generously contributing her unmatched talents as rehearsal accompanist and coordinator of congregational accompanists/organists.

Celebrating . . . The church family celebrates with members Flossie and Chet Langin upon the marriage of their daughter Serena Langin to Kevin Loyd on Saturday, October 20, 2007

THE WORSHIP MINISTRY is looking for folks to help with preparing the sanctuary for worship each week.  Duties would include polishing the brass vases and candleholders as needed, refilling the permanent candles with oil, tidying the pews, and changing the paraments as the church seasons change.  This could be done each Saturday or even earlier during the week.  If you, your family and/or friends are interested in taking at least a couple of weeks during the upcoming year,  please sign up on the list in the Narthex.  Thank you!  Many hands will make light work!

Youth Group Our next meeting will be Sunday, November 4, at which time the youth would like to have a progressive dinner. If you would like to host the youth group in your home for one of the courses (e.g., soup, salad, main dish, dessert) and have an opportunity to meet all of these fun and energetic youth, please contact Cindy Buys. Contact Cindy Buys with any questions.  Looking forward to seeing you all soon!

COMPUTER GAMES NEEDED Good Samaritan has received a computer from the Regional Office of Education, to be used by the children who stay in the shelter.  We’re asking for donations of educational children’s programs and games, which your children might have outgrown.  You can call Good Sam at 457-5794, or take them to your Church office.  Thank you!

Children's Christian Education Gateways to God's Galaxy, the Sunday morning Christian education program for children ages 4 through 5th grade, has been very busy.  The lessons on "Creation" resulted in some interesting creations.  The children made paper, took pictures, worked on the computers, and enjoyed a very artful video.  Now, they will get to know young David, as a shepherd, the chosen future king, the slayer of Goliath, and the creative singer of songs.  Every Sunday, the children hear, see, and participate in activities that help them to know what David had done.  Before the month is over, the children will follow angels as the Advent Story is told.  The angels will lead the children through their activities right up to Christmas morning.  All children are welcome to be part of Gateways, even friends and visitors.  Come to room 140 at 10:30 am and feel certain that the hour with other children and all the activity leaders will be very rewarding. Angel pictures are needed for that Advent lesson.  Drop them into the box near the office, labeled "Angels".  Old Christmas cards or other pictures are needed for one of the projects. Kids In Christ will go trick or treating for UNICEF, on Sunday afternoon, October 28.  Beth Forsberg will meet the families at church at 3:00 pm.  Costumes may be worn by everyone.  After the trick or treating, everyone will return to church for their own treats (pizza and more), and no more tricks. The Youth Group, the teens in middle school and high school, will meet under the leadership of Cindy Buys.  Montreat is already one of the things the group will be considering.  The Confirmation Class will also begin their meetings.  Information about the class will be sent to families, or you might contact Ken Simpson about that. Debakumar has moved. He is now 17 years old.  The children and families at First Presbyterian Church had been sending monthly support to him and his family for 10 years via the Christian Children’s Fund.  We wish him well and hope to hear from him occasionally.  See the display in the narthex that chronicles his growth and development over those years. So there is a new child from India to be the recipient of our monthly support.  Jitendra Gahan is 7 years old (birthday, March 10, 2000), living with his parents, a brother and a sister.  His father is a farmer.  He started pre-school this fall.  He enjoys playing ball games.  All of the money that the children bring to Gateways as their offering is used to provide that monthly support.  We know that this support can help Jitendra and his family.

Faith Dialogues for November Join us for thought provoking discussions on a variety of topics. All are welcome. Transcripts and/or audio CD of the Speaking of Faith programs are available in the church office two weeks before the each meeting. November 4 Speaking of Faith: The Spirituality of Parenting Leader: Pat Manfredi From the website: “More and more people in our time are disconnected from religious institutions, at least for part of their lives. Others are religious and find themselves creating a family with a spouse from another tradition or no tradition at all. And the experience of parenting tends to raise spiritual questions anew. We sense that there is a spiritual aspect to our children's natures and wonder how to support and nurture that. The spiritual life, our guest says, begins not in abstractions, but in concrete everyday experiences. And children need our questions as much as our answers.” http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org/programs/spiritualityofparenting/index.shtml November 11 Children's Literature and Spirituality Leader: Janice West Join us for a discussion of spiritual themes in classic and popular children’s books. November 18 Tween Literature and Spirituality Leader: TBA Join us for a discussion of spiritual themes in “tween” literature. November 25 No Adult Education Advent 2007 Hallelujah: The Bible and Handel's Messiah Leaders: John Baker and Al Bennett Watch for an announcement about the availability of a resource book for this series.

Small Groups The Men's Group ... Joe Cash can give you more information. Presbyterian Women . The Movie-Pizza Group .... Contact Diane Cash for more information. Fair Ladies of Faith invites women from our church community to join us in our covenant group for the upcoming year.  We are a small group that has covenanted with each other to meet regularly for Bible study and prayer with the goal of building up collectively our spiritual lives and sharing our relationships with Christ.  The small group experience can be intimately rewarding and uplifting, and we welcome new members to share in our fellowship. Our first meeting for the 2007-08 year will be a salad supper on Thursday, September 20, 2007.  Please bring a salad topping to share with others.  Lettuce and dressing will be provided.  For more information, please speak with Tracy Prosser (893-2965) or Phyllis Beck (549-9819). Homebound Ministries, recently organized, was formed to minister to the homebound members of our congregation. We will be attending a training session sponsored by Southern Illinois Health. The group would welcome other members of our congregation whowould like to participate in this ministry. If you would like to help in this way, contact Evelyn Engelking at 549-0136. Restaurant Group.  "This month the RESTAURANT GROUP will meet at 5:30 p.m. on THURSDAY, November 15, at Hunan Village.  If you plan to be there, please contact Gene/Mary Mantovani.  All are welcome.

Long Range Planning Please see our Mission Affirmation.

YOUTH CONNECTION   More about Youth Connection.

Transportation If you need a ride to church, phone Brenda Myers or Tom Hippensteel ahead of time to make these arrangements.  For other needs, please phone John Holt or Mary Boyle. If you find it difficult or impossible to attend church, and would like to have members visit you and serve communion to you, please contact either the church office (549-2148) or Bill Martens, who has volunteered to coordinate this ministry.  If you in turn feel the call to participate in this ministry, please let Bill know, as he is trying to put together several teams.

Older notices

 

Mission / Social Action Ministry

Their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
Psalm 19:4

We're going back, and we want you to come along!  June last year and again during Thanksgiving week we sent several members to spend a week as missionaries to a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) volunteer village in Gautier (prounounced Go-shay), Mississippi.  That group helped two families rebuild their homes after the destruction of Hurricane Katrina last summer, but so much more needs to be done!  The Mission Committee has committed to continue the church's rebuilding efforts with additional mission trips to Gautier.

• Due to limited availability of mission team members, the June mission trip to Gautier, Mississippi, will be postponed until the fall.  The benefit brunch, originally scheduled for June 3rd will also be postponed until further notice.  Please watch for further announcements later this summer.

Please contact Jim Calloway or Tracy Prosser if you have questions or concerns.

It is not necessary to be a skilled construction worker to make a difference.  Although it would be nice to have volunteers experienced in construction, even the most unskilled people are able to accomplish basic construction tasks.  Before the future trips, we hope to have some basic training sessions for skills that will be needed on those trips.

THANKS

Worship News

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Communion will be served November 4 (All Saints Sunday) and November 25 (Christ the King Sunday).

Seasons of the Church Year

Special days and seasons

Daily lectionary   /   Links to additional resources for study and devotion

 

Worship is a participatory occasion.  Click here for a list of opportunities to participate in church life.

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

All children are welcome.  Friends visiting for the day are welcome.  Family children here from out of town are welcome.  Your neighbor's children are welcome.  We have a great program with terrific people involved.  Just ask the children

Gateways to God's Galaxy is our Christian Education program for children in Kindergarten through fifth grade.  They gather in room 140 at 10:30am Sunday morning before going to one of their rotation activities.

More about Gateways.

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Follow the links below for more information.

If You OPEN a Door,
You May OPEN a Mind

Come now and join us, the Christian Education Ministry of the 1st Presbyterian Church of Carbondale, every Sunday during the school year.

Our children will find behind their doors each month a new and exciting workshop in our 'Gateways to God's Galaxy' classes.  The middle and high school groups will discover a more personal relationship with God and each other in a more casual atmosphere.

Step right into our new adult education class we call "Faith Dialogues" to listen, reflect and share thoughts on timely issues; open the door to a new 'Sermon Discussion' group that will look deeper into the delivered message of the week; or step into the established 'Bible Study' group for a meaningful look at the written Word.

Whichever door you choose to open, there will be ideas, thoughts and God's love to help us on our faith journey. 

Grocery Gift Cards / Certificates

For those of you who have been using these:  THANK YOU!!!  Using Arnold's, Kroger, and Schnucks gift cards & coupons is the major fund-raiser of the high school youth.  If you would like to begin using these, it's easy.  Just stop by our table in the Narthex after services on Sundays and ask.  The youth will be selling these gift cards and coupons on the first and third Sundays of each month.  These gift cards and coupons can also be purchased during the week in the church office from Barb Stewart.  Thanks again for your valued support!

Adult Christian Ed

Adult Christian Education 10:30 - 11:30, during the school year.  Special occasions during the summer.

• Please see the poster in the narthex for exact dates, and check the bulletin each Sunday for topics.  Hope to see you in class!

• Bible Study (in the parlor), 10:30 on Sunday Morning.
   
• Faith Dialogues (in the chapel), 10:30 on Sunday Morning. 
  

• Sermon Discussion will resume meeting as soon as there is a discussion leader.  People are welcome to gather in the back of the sanctuary at 10:30 for discussion.  Bring your coffee and your ideas.  Any one interested in leading that group should contact Bart or Kitty Trescott. 
   
• Thursday Bible Study continues at 7:30 AM Thursdays.  Call the Church office for details (549-2148).

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Click here for a list of opportunities to participate in church life.

SMALL GROUP MINISTRY

Small Groups enable small numbers of members of the congregation to meet for study, prayer, mutual support, and service.  There are presently several groups meeting on a regular basis.

Historical Tidbits

[See church history]

Deacons

Need a ride to church?  Call a deacon!

One of the services the Deacons are happy to be called on to perform is that of providing rides to church and church meetings.  When you would like a ride to church, just call the church office, and they'll either give you the Deacon's name and phone number or call the deacon for you.  You'll get a ride right up to the church door, under the porte-cochere, even in the worst weather you won't get wet or blown about!  The Deacons take turns providing this service.

Presbyterian Child Development Center Day Care

We have had a busy month.

We have sold Candy and Butter Braids as a fundraising activity.

We have taken many field trips.  We went to the Fire Station #2, and to Bandy’s Pumpkin Patch, and the Preschool children went to Klassics for Kids.

We have had a work day and accomplished a lot like cleaning walls, carpets and the big room.

We had picture day. Planks Photos came and took the children’s pictures.

Preschool

The months of September and October flew by in the" wink of an eye" for the Preschool.  The all school picnic was very successful at Turley Park the end of Sept.. Children and adults alike had a great time with plenty of good food and wonderful weather.  In the month of October the Frogs walked down to campus to a session of Klassics for Kids and enjoyed themselves--again the weather was great. Archway came in and tested children for any delays.  The classes had school pictures taken a few days later.  Of course, the Frogs and Tadpoles had their annual Fall Sing and Halloween Party the 31st in the Fellowship Hall.  As usual. it went well and was a hit with the parents!.

The 2 year old class is full right now and the parents are very pleased with the program set up by Miss Beth and Miss Lucia.  The program's good name has spread among the parents and there is now a waiting list for the Polliwogs.  The Frogs have 13 children with a possible 16 spaces, the Tadpoles have 14 children with a possible 15 spaces and the Polliwogs are full at this time with 10 children.  The programs are "holding their own " at this time. . .

The Preschool wishes everyone a Happy Thanksgiving . . . !!!

Presbyterian Women

Join the Presbyterian Women meeting on the third Tuesday at 1 p.m. 
Please call the church office for meeting location.

Memorial Gifts
have been received during the past month:

In Memory of:	In Honor of:

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Donations to the Memorial Fund of the First Presbyterian Church of Carbondale may be made in honor of someone living or in mamory of a deceased individual.  Contribution envelopes are available in the Narthex, or you may mail your check (made payable to "First Presbyterian Church") to 310 South University Ave., Carbondale, IL 62901.  Please indicate for whom the memorial is given.

Informative Notices from Older Newsletters

Debakumar is the child in India that First Presbyterian Church has been sponsoring for more than 10 years. He is now 16 years old. He lives in a village in southern India. Here is a brief translation of his latest letter to us: Dear Friends, Best wishes to you all.  Thank you from your sponsored child.  It has been a long time since I last communicated with you.  So sorry for that.  Today I have this opportunity to write to you.  Hope you are happy to receive this letter.  Now I am reading in class-X.  Our final examinations will be March 7, 2007, so I am preparing myself for this. I hope I will secure good marks.  We have celebrated the festival, Saraswati Puja, on January 23rd.  Now it is the winter season.  We feel the cold.  People of our village are busy harvesting in the paddies. We eat together at home.  We have planted some vegetables in our yard.  I am well here. I pray to God that you may be well there.  May God bless you.  Goodbye. Your loving child, Debakumar Singh

Our Coffee is Special! Coffee -- ahh, that wonderful aroma welcoming us to Fellowship Hall.  But did you know that the coffee you enjoy on Sunday morning is helping people in need and supporting fair-trade practices?  The Presbyterian Coffee Project is part of a new PC(USA) initiative called Enough for Everyone:  Global Discipleship.  The Presbyterian Church (USA) co-sponsors the Coffee Project with Equal Exchange, an employee-owned certified fair trade company which purchases 100% of its coffees directly from the farmers.  They trade with democratically organized small farmer cooperatives, paying a fair price with a guaranteed minimum -- no matter what the commodity market is at the time.  Equal Exchange's mission is "To build long-term trade partnerships that are economically just and environmentally sound, to foster mutually beneficial relations between farmers and consumers and to demonstrate through our success the viability of worker-owned cooperatives and fair trade." A neutral third party certifier, TransFair USA, the only independent fair trade certifying agency in the U.S., monitors every step involved in getting coffee from the crop to your cup.  The Equal Exchange quality control systems start with an inspection of the sample "direct from farmers" to ensure the beans meet the strict requirements of specialty grade.  Their buyer then 'cups' the sample to ensure the beans are of the highest quality, which involves roasting, grinding and brewing the beans to allow the buyer to test the aroma, body, acidity and overall flavor of the bean.  Finally, if the bean makes it through the cupping, a pot is served up to see how it copes with the rigors of cream and sugar! By drinking fairly traded coffee, we help support small-scale farmers, enabling them to farm sustainability, preserving wildlife habitats and protecting the environment. For more information on this project go to: http://www.equalexchange.com/interfaith/pcusaproject.html

SOUTHERN ILLINOIS CAREGIVER TELEHEALTH PROJECT Do you care for an older friend or loved one?  Even in the best of circumstances, the added responsibilities of helping another person can add a lot of stress to someone's life.  There is help available for caregivers facing the stress of caring for a loved one.  The Telehelp line for Caregivers, or TLC, offers training, support, and information right over the phone to busy caregivers.  Our caring and supportive team of caregiving specialists are available seven days a week from 8:00am to 9:00pm. to assist you with the challenges involved in being a caregiver.  And best of all, it's free!*  So pick up the phone and all us, toll free, at 1-800-GETS-TLC -- that's 1-800-438-7852.  Or visit us online at http://tlc.siu.edu/telehelp. We know that caregiving can be a challenge, and TLC is here to help you when you need it. * Supported by grants from the National Institute of Aging and the National Institute of Nursing Research.

FIVE WISHES PROJECT There has been much in our national media about the right to die, and how to ensure you receive the care you deserve (and want) in case you become seriously ill.  In June, we will offer an evening of "Five Wishes" -- a program which lets adults of all ages "plan how they want to be cared for in case they become seriously ill."  Five Wishes invites people to make choices about who they would like to make health care decisions for them, the types of treatments they want (or don't want), how comfortable people in serious illness want to be made, how they wish the people around them to treat them, and what they want their loved ones to know.  Five Wishes comes out of the Aging with Dignity organization, and you can read more about this project by visiting their website, agingwithdignity.org.  Look for the June date for this project in upcoming publications.

WOMEN'S CENTER NEEDS AND WISHES The Women's Center has indicated a continuing need for DIAPERS of all sizes, BABY WIPES, and BABY MONITORS.  They have also expressed a wish for any item that a child might need to be healthy and happy. Gift cards, gas cards, and phone cards are always much appreciated, along with household items such as pillows, sheets and towels. As a reminder, the Women's Center is not accepting donations of used clothing.  Thank you as always for your generous donations. Women’s Center in Need of Volunteers The Women’s Center is in need of volunteers to sort clothing and other items that have been donated to the shelter.  If you are interested, please contact Susie Delmar, the director of the shelter program, at 618-549-4807 x 230.

SUMMER MISSION TRIP 2006 We welcome back our missionaries, from Gautier, Mississippi.    The summer 2006 mission trip to Gautier, Mississippi, was a success.  Tracy Prosser, Jim Calloway, Mary Louise Cashel, and Pastor Janice West spent the last week of June working with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and other church teams from Missouri, Tennessee and Michigan.  Our team assisted two families in the reconstruction of their homes in Gautier.  Their homes and many others were significantly damaged as a result of Hurricane Katrina last year.  Highlights of this trip were shared in the Sunday service on July 9, 2006.  Efforts are currently underway to organize a return trip(s) over the next year.  Those interested in participating in such trips are encouraged to contact Mary Louise Cashel or other members on the Mission Team (Margo Tesch, Kathy Manfredi, Jane Swanson, Cindy Buys). Interested in the church's mission ministry? We are recruiting new members for the Mission / Social Action ministry team.  Our main tasks are to support and coordinate congregational engagement in mission activities and to raise awareness of ongoing needs and opportunities for service.  Scheduled projects include organizing an international mission trip.  Please contact Jane Swanson if you are interested in joining the team.   MORE MISSION OPPORTUNITIES Mission Yearbook, with prayer requests   Local Mission Regional and World Mission Within Our Church   Click here for a list of opportunities to participate in church life.

Click here for a list of opportunities to participate in church life.

Last Update 10.29.2007