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FROM THE PASTOR…
 
Earlier this summer a task force of seven church leaders was appointed by the Session to conduct a thorough study of the staffing design of each position of church employees.  Several factors have come together to warrant this type of approach at this point in the life of our church.  The departure of Mike Sears this spring to pursue a call, and the need to assess the role of youth ministry.  Heather announcing her resignation as Kitchen Coordinator which will occur this month.  The Health Cabinet has recently conducted a thorough review of the role of the Parish Nurse before we add her salary in the church budget for the first time starting January 2009.  [The Parish Nurse position has been funded during 2007 and 2008 with M.A.D.E. 5 monies for two years only.]  In addition, with recognition that Kathy Parse has been serving as a “temporary DCE” for several years now, it seems that the most faithful response to all these issues was to re-examine the whole staff design and see what model best meets our needs.  Added to these factors, the economic recession we have faced in 2008, require us to be as cost efficient in our effort to meet the needs of our growing congregation. 
 
Under the leadership of Church Consultant, Marylyn Huff, who led the Task Force one evening through a very effective process of assessing church needs and constructing job descriptions to meet these needs, we are now evaluating our staff design with confidence in our approach.
 
The Task Force includes John Heilman and Steve Demiter from Personnel, David Fletcher and Jim Rostan from Stewardship and Finance, Laura Lafferty from Christian Education and  Kathy Parse and myself as staff members.  We are a team with a set timeline working diligently to bring a proposal to members of Session to study in September, and once adopted by Session, to bring to the congregation during the month of October when the fall Stewardship drive is underway.
 
We will not fill the Kitchen Coordinator position until Session has acted on the staffing design proposal.  In the meantime, we ask that you bear with the short-term inconvenience and that you pray for the Task Force and your Session as we seek God’s wisdom and guidance in the coming weeks ahead.


                 - Kevin Frederick

INQUIRER’S/NEW MEMBER’S CLASS STARTING SEPTEMBER 14TH
 
An Inquirer’s/New Member’s Class will begin in Room 400 on the first floor of the Tron Hall Building.  All persons interested in membership and those who have recently joined the church are encouraged to come to this class.  It will meet each Sunday for four consecutives weeks September 14-October 12 at 9:30am excluding September 28.  The class will cover the following topics:  Presbyterian Beliefs and History, Waldensian History, Presbyterian Worship, The Church’s Organization and Government, and Our Mission Outreach.  Inquirers in this class will be invited to join the church on Sunday, October 12 during worship at 11am.

A Bold Plan for Stewardship
 
This year we are going to do something different with our stewardship season. Based on the five major congregational goals that Session adopted this summer and was written about in the August newsletter, we are taking a longer view towards stewardship. Rather than focus on a one-year theme, we are building the theme of, “Equipping the Saints” with a three-year focus. This year our stewardship theme is “Equipping the Saints -Opening Ourselves to Christ.”  With it we will be looking at ways to strengthen our understanding of our relationship to Jesus Christ through Bible Study, and other worship and educational opportunities to grow our faith in Christ .  We will also grow in an understanding of the Presbyterian Church and Reformed/Waldensian Theology as our particular identity within the Body of Christ.  We will not only lift this theme during the weeks of a stewardship season, but we will develop our educational focus for youth and adult education ministry during the coming year around that theme.
 
Next year we will focus during stewardship on what it means for us as a congregation to actively engage in the theme “Equipping the Saints- Building the Body of Christ” with a focus on fellowship experiences and opportunities for all age groups in the church.  And the third year’s theme will focus on “Equipping the Saints- Beyond the Doors” through which we will focus on serving the larger community beyond the local church.
 
During September and early October, we will center our worship services around each of the five congregational goals introduced to you last month in the newsletter.
 
September 7- Equipping the Saints Through Education- Kathy Parse
September 14- Praising and Proclaiming God and Christ
September 21- A Witness of Good News
September 28- Gathering Together as God’s People- (Worship at the Winery)
October 5- Living An Ethic of Response.
October 12- Special Speaker- Marylyn Huff- Treasure in Earthen Vessels.
October 19- Renewing Our Commitment to Christ and His Church – A Dedication Sunday Theme.
 
During the first Sunday in October each member will be given an opportunity to identify how you as an individual can serve Christ through this church and its many ministries.  Every member will also have the opportunity to hear more about our plans, ask questions and come to a deeper understanding of the direction of our church in the next several years.

CHURCH-WIDE RETREAT – SEPTEMBER 27-28, 2008
 
Join us at the Waldensian Winery for our church-wide retreat for  church members of all ages Saturday, September 27, and Sunday morning, September 28.  One of the biggest goals identified by the leadership of the church at our officer’s retreat last February was to provide the membership of the church with consistent opportunities to create fellowship between members in ways that enrich our life together as God’s people.
 
The church-wide retreat at the Waldensian Winery is designed with that primary goal in mind.  We will gather at 5:00pm for Boccie, Frisbee, and games.  A potluck dinner is planned for 6:00pm followed by the Circle of Strings playing music for a half hour.  Around 7:00pm we will be led in intergenerational activities which illustrate biblical hospitality by Beth Bannerman Gunn.  Beth is a professional recreational ministry leader.  Her father is Glenn Bannerman, retired professor of recreational ministry at the Presbyterian School of Christian Education.  The evening will conclude with a vespers program for all participants led by Kevin Frederick and the Circle of Strings.
 
The theme that ties this weekend together is “Biblical Hospitality.”  This theme is first explored in the Bible between God and Abraham, but is further built upon in the life of Jesus.
 
On Sunday morning, we will reconvene for a continental breakfast at 8:30am.  Several activities will be planned for the different age groups to explore biblical hospitality.  Adults and children will work together to construct different parts of the worship service.  At 11:00am we will all participate in worship together culminating in the sacrament of communion.  The 11:00am worship at the Winery will take the place of worship at the Waldensian Church that morning.
 
Shuttle service will be provided to the Winery for all who wish to park at the church.

The Retreat will conclude with sharing a meal together at the Winery.  A tent will be available onsite in case of rain or sunshine.  More details will follow in the coming weeks.

IT’S COLLEGE STUDENT “CHURCH MOUSE” TIME AGAIN! (Shhhhh…be quiet as a mouse!)
 
It’s hard to believe, but our college students will be packing up and leaving home soon to begin their new year in college.  So we need to re-boot our Church Mouse program and help provide for their emotional and spiritual needs while they are away at school.
 
What is the “Church Mouse” program?
 
It takes two people to make this program work.  One is the individual student and the other is YOU!  Each fall we submit the names of our WPC students, and then someone “adopts” them as a secret pal for the school year.  Once you choose your student, remember them during the special times of their year, such as birthdays, holidays, test times, etc. by sending them cards, goody packages, and, of course, praying for them daily.  Some things you may want to send could include the items listed below, but you are encouraged to be inventive and original in your thinking.  If you would like to ask someone else to partner with you in sponsoring your student, please feel free to do so.  You are asked to remain anonymous until the end of the school year, and then reveal yourself to them.  The element of surprise is part of the fun!

Church Mouse Item Suggestions

 If you are interested in sponsoring a student, please contact the church office (874-2531).

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
 
Our Habitat for Humanity workday for September is the second Saturday, September 13th.  If you are willing to work at the site or help prepare a meal, please contact Jeff Price or Coleman Lanning.  Workers for Habitat do not have to be experienced in any field of building.  You only need to be 16 years old, have a desire to help and energy enough to work several hours. 

OUR FIVE CENTS A MEAL HUNGER OFFERING will be received on September 7th.  This is a way to support the needy locally, as well as in other parts of the world.  Our August offering was $593.71.

~ ATTENTION CONGREGATION ~
 
The WPC Middle and High School Youth need your help!
 
For a youth service project, we will be collecting school supplies to be distributed to our local schools to help children who cannot afford the items they need to start back to school.  Collection boxes will be placed in the narthex for you to drop off your items.  The last day of the collection will be Sunday, September 7th.
 
Below is a list of items needed:  

·        Back Packs
·         Kleenex
·         Hand Sanitizer
·         Notebooks
·         Scissors
·         Pencil Boxes
·         Notebook paper
·         Pencils #2
·         Colored Pencils
·         Erasers
·         Pencil Sharpeners
·         Crayons

 THANK YOU FROM THE WPC YOUTH!

The Call Commission 

God uses us as he calls people with varying gifts to do His ministry in the church.  Our Call Commission has assessed the needs in our Christian Education ministry for the coming year.  They have prayed for God to lead them and members of our congregation, as they fill positions in our program.  They have talked to, encouraged, and explained expectations to those people who they felt like God was calling.
 
Many members were ready, willing and happy to accept the call.  We still have a couple of ministries to fill, but are assured, God will provide.

Thanks to Pam Pons and the members of the Call Commission, who accepted the Call.

YOUTH CLUB Is just around the Corner!
 
Parent Night/Dinner……………………… Sept. 10th
 
Staff Dinner………………………………. Sept. 17th
 
Kick-Off,
      First Day of Youth Club…………….. Sept. 24th
 
     Bible Study
        Recreation
           Music
               Family time – Dinner
                    For all children, K-5th Grade

 

Christmas Eve is Coming…Please Help Us Plan
 
As the Worship Committee prepares to plan our annual Christmas Eve Service we would appreciate your input.  Please give us your opinions and turn this into the church office or the offering plate. 
 
What type of service would you like to have for Christmas Eve?  Should it be staff led, member led, children oriented/led?  How long should it last?  What is the best time for it to begin?  Would you like for it to include Communion?

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