The Compass
FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN
May/June 2015
CHURCH –Po rtl an d
The ‘Stan-Point’
Mother’s Day is May 10, and it is always hard for a preacher to know what to do with this particular holiday. Do I take the sentimental route, extolling the virtues of motherhood and exhorting us all to be good role-models for others? Do I take the practical route and preach on one of
the mothers of the Bible, for example, Mary the mother of Jesus? Or do I stick with the lectionary and ignore the day altogether?
In America Mother’s Day has taken on the quality of a sacred holiday, with great expenditures
of money for flowers, gifts, cards, and dining out. Ironically, the founder of Mother’s Day, Anna
Jarvis, took great umbrage at what Mother’s Day became. As is true of most things in American,
the holiday quickly became commercialized, with companies like Hallmark and candy markers
profiting greatly from it. Ms. Jarvis spent the rest of her days advocating for people to appreciate and honor their mothers by writing personal letters to express love and gratitude, rather than
buying gifts and pre-made cards.
There is also the fact that Mother’s Day is painful for those who have recently lost their mothers,
for women who wanted to be mothers but were unable to have children of their own, and for
mothers (and fathers) who have suffered the tragic death of a child. And not every mother measured up to the ideal of loving and unselfish service that Anna Jarvis sought to celebrate.
Nevertheless, Mother’s Day is here to stay, so here’s how I suggest we celebrate it. First, if your
mother has died, honor her memory in the way that seems right to you. While she wasn’t a perfect mother (none are), she did bring you into the world. So at least be grateful for that. If your
mother is living, spend some quality time with her. Write her a letter. Plant flowers in her garden. Fix dinner for her instead of fighting the crowds at the restaurant. Second, be sensitive to
the pain felt by those who, for whatever reasons, don’t fit the Mother’s Day ideal. Third, as a
Christian community let’s go back to the original meaning of the holiday
and honor the memories of the two remarkable women who gave us
IN THIS ISSUE
Mother’s Day.
Ann Reeves Jarvis, the mother of Mother’s Day founder Anna Jarvis, was
quite a force for good in her community of Grafton, West Virginia. In
1858, she helped organize Mothers’ Work Days to improve life in the
communities of Appalachia. During the Civil War she mobilized women
to care for the wounded on both sides. After the war ended, she arranged
Mothers’ Friendship Day picnics where mothers gathered in an effort to
heal the hatred lingering from the war. She held meetings with men to
persuade them to lay aside their bitterness and enmity. She worked tirelessly despite the personal tragedy of losing four of her children to disease. In all, eight of her twelve children died before reaching adulthood.
(“Stan Point”-Continued on Page 2)
Inquirers’ Class
Easter @ FPC
New Roof Needed
PW Spring Brunch
Bread of Life Recap
Memorial Day
Day of Prayer
Birthdays
Bridal Shower
Pentecost Offering
Thanks
Calendar
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(“Stan Point”-Continued from Page 1)
The second woman who proposed the observance of Mothers’ Day was Julia Ward Howe, a Christian activist,
abolitionist, and poet best remembered as the author of the great Civil War anthem, “The Battle Hymn of the
Republic.” We do not know whether Julia Ward Howe knew of the efforts of Ann Reeves Jarvis. What we do
know is that in 1872 Howe proposed that Mothers’ Day be a day “devoted to the advocacy of peace doctrines”
in the light of what she called “the august dignity of motherhood and its terrible consequences.” Howe had
lived through the bloodiest of all American Wars, the Civil War. When the Franco-Prussian war broke out in
1872, she was again struck by the cruelty and futility of war-making. She proposed an annual Mothers’ Day
for Peace, which was celebrated on June 2 in most northeastern cities for the next 30 years.
This is the heritage of Mother’s Day that we would do well to keep in mind. Perhaps as people of faith we can
follow the examples of Ann Reeves Jarvis and Julia Ward Howe in working to heal the hurts of our communities and bring together those who are divided by race, class, politics, economics, and sexual orientation. In this
way we can have a lasting impact and carry on the tradition of women like Ann Reeves Jarvis and Julia Ward
Howe.
As for what I plan to preach on Mother’s Day, you will have to come to find out!
********
The other important event in May that I would like to highlight is Conformation Sunday on May 17. Four of
our young people have been in confirmation class since last fall. Together we have studied the nature of God,
Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Bible, the church, the Christian Life, Presbyterian polity, the reign of God, and quite
a few other topics. The four candidates will meet with the session on May 13 and, assuming an affirmative
vote by the session, they will be presented to the congregation to be confirmed on May 17. I invite you to be
praying for Emiley, Emma, Joey, and Kathryn and plan to be present to support them as they confirm their
baptisms in the presence of God. This is one of the most joyous days in the life of any congregation, so let’s
fill the sanctuary that day to celebrate the work of God in the lives of these fine young people.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Stan
INQUIRERS’ CLASS OFFERED
BREAD OF LIFE
The next Community Meal the
First Presbyterian Church will host is on
Monday, June 29.
If you want to
help serve or if you
would like to provide
some of the food,
please contact Julia
Schwomeyer
at
726.4761 or call the
church office at 726.8462.
Are you new to First Presbyterian
Church? Have you recently become a member or
are considering doing so? Then Pastor Stan has a
class for you. Having spent the last six months
teaching confirmation class to our young people, he
has lots of information to share about what it
means to be a Christian and a Presbyterian.
He will be holding two inquirers’ classes for
new and prospective members after the worship
services on May 31 and June 7. We will meet in
the Parlor for about 40 minutes and discuss the
basics of reformed theology and how Presbyterian
churches are organized and governed. Longtime
members who would like a refresher are also welcome. Please let Stan know if you plan to attend.
Page 2
EASTER AT FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
This year’s Lenten season at First Presbyterian Church found the entire church in a
concerted effort to study “I Am” sayings of
Jesus. Pastor Stan’s Monday evening Lenten
Study delved into the book “The God We Can
Know: Exploring the ‘I Am’ sayings of Jesus”
by Rob Fuquay. The youth Sunday School
classes offered a curriculum that also focused on the “I Am” sayings. And, Stan’s
Sunday sermons offered more insight into
what Jesus actually meant when he said “I
Am...the bread of life; the light of the world;
the good shepherd; the true vine; the way, Hyacinths, Lilies and Tulips graced the Sanctuary at Eastthe truth and the life; and the resurrection er this year. Photo by Claire Smith.
and the life.”
New this year for Easter, the Deacons offered a wider selection of flowers instead of
the traditional lilies; they also offered hyacinths and tulips. Thirty-two Easter flowers decorated the sanctuary providing a fragrant reminder of the celebrated Resurrection. Thank
you to the Deacons and Debbie & Dennis Ford for arranging these lovely flowers in the sanctuary for us to enjoy.
The Chancel was beautifully decorated on Easter
Sunday in honor of the Resurrection. Photo by Dennis Ford.
Students in the youth Sunday school classes worked each Sunday of Lent on preparing a banner featuring the “I Am” sayings
of Jesus. The students proudly unveiled their banner during
worship on Easter Sunday. Photo by Debbie Ford.
Page 3
A ROOF TO COVER OUR HEADS IN WORSHIP
Last year our Church replaced the roof over the fellowship hall and education wing. Since that time the
Stewardship and Administration Committee has studied the roof over the sanctuary, chapel, and adjoining areas.
This is a much bigger project. But, it is also necessary as the roof over the old section of our Church building is in
severe need of replacement. The current asphalt shingle roof was installed 35 or more years ago over another layer of asphalt shingle that was installed over the original slate roof.
As we reported to you during the last stewardship campaign, the roofing project will be costly. We cannot
put another layer of shingles on top of the current roof. Instead, it will be necessary to remove all three existing
layers before laying on a new roof.
The project is also complicated. For that reason, the Session approved hiring the architectural and engineering firm of MartinRiley. This step allowed us to be certain of the structural condition of our building, assure
that we chose our best options for replacing the roof, and be confident that the contractor hired will do the job
right.
We are now at the bid phase. At its April meeting the Session approved going to bid for two major options
for roof replacement: a faux slate shingle and asphalt shingle. The projected cost for the project will be $250,000
to $310,000.
We cannot reasonably postpone the project. The project will not be any less expensive a year, two or three
from now and the roof will continue to deteriorate in the meantime. There are a number of repairs that will also be
addressed when the roof is replaced, such as tuck pointing, some brick replacement, replacing stone copings, and
glazing our stained glass windows. These repairs should all be done at the same time.
You may have already noted the table in the fellowship hall with shingle samples and other information
(including some interesting photos of the roof). If not, you may want to take a look
Given the size of the roof project, the funds to cover this cost are currently planned to be drawn from the
Foundation. Unfortunately, this will draw down Foundation funds to a figure close to or below $1,000,000. This
will significantly impact the Foundation’s ability to provide annual support to our Church in the years ahead. As
you probably know, our Church is heavily dependent on the Foundation for funding of our Church operations.
Indeed, we are already tapping the Foundation well beyond the amount of income that it annually generates.
I mention the financial impact of the roofing project on the Foundation with the thought that you may have
it in mind to help with the cost of the project. If so, this could be of great help in protecting the ability of our
Church to serve in the years ahead.
We expect to award a contract for the project at the May Session meeting. If you have questions, please
feel free to ask any member of the committee, which includes Bev Arnold, Phil Frantz, Tonya Hyatt, Pam Rogers,
John Young, and me.
Please give this message your prayerful consideration. Thank you!
Eric R. Rogers
Chair
Stewardship and Administration Committee
Page 4
PW SPRING BRUNCH THIS SATURDAY
The Presbyterian Women’s Spring
Brunch will be held this Saturday, April 25 at
10:00am in the Fellowship Hall. Julie Tarr,
child advocate
with Compassion
International
and Director of
Children’s,
Youth,
and
Young Adult ministries at Asbury United Methodist Church, will be the guest speaker. She
will be speaking about the mission of Compassion -- Releasing Children from Poverty in Jesus' Name -- and her recent trip to Bolivia to
see the ministry in action and visit her own
sponsored children. Through stunning pictures
and heart-wrenching stories, you will be transported to this beautiful country to see how God
is at work amongst the poorest of the poor and
to learn how you can join Him in His work of offering hope to the hopeless.
BREAD OF LIFE SERVES 95
By Julia Schwomeyer
The Church
Office
will be closed
Monday,
May 25
in honor of
Memorial
Day.
Bread of Life Community Family meal was
hosted by our church group on Monday, March
30. A big “thank you” goes to the people who
made this meal possible. Our helpers were Mary
and Jim McCord, Linda and Phil Frantz, Lisa
Vogler, Joyce and Tom Young, Janice and Rogers
Durham, Sarona Goodrich, Gloria Green, Pam
Rogers, Janice Calhoun, Janet Barrett, Vecil and
Mus Heniser, David Loyd, Bill Knight, Jerry and
Julia Schwomeyer and Jennifer Rupe. A total of
95 meals were served including carry-outs. A
great time of fellowship was enjoyed by all!!
Page 5
04
05
07
08
13
15
19
28
31
May
Eric Rogers
Rachel Vogler
Emiley Bailey
Joey Bailey
Robert Snyder
Jay Goodrich
Emily Byrum
Jim Runkle
Audi Ford
Cassandra Byrum
Lee Haggenjos
02
03
06
21
June
Christian Runkle
John Young
Dave Hyatt
Christina Myers
RUAS-HAGGENJOS BRIDAL SHOWER HELD
By Claire Smith
On a beautiful spring April 11 morning, approximately thirty-five church members and
members of the Haggenjos, Wilson, and Ruas
families gathered in the Fellowship Hall to
celebrate the upcoming nuptials of Stephanie Ruas and Lee Haggenjos.
A delicious
luncheon was prepared by Carolyn Scott and
Michelle Trinidad. The hall and tables were
beautifully decorated by Debbie Ford. Lee
serenaded us on his guitar as we dined. After opening their gifts, the couple told us of
their future plans. They will be married on
July 4 in Minneapolis.
In August they will
begin a yearlong medical mission trip to Guatemala and when they return Lee will complete medical school at Northwestern.
It
Stephanie Ruas and Lee Haggenjos celebrate their upcoming
was a beautiful celebration and we pray for wedding with a celebration at First Presbyterian. Photo by
God’s blessings on this special young couple Claire Smith.
as they begin their life together.
Page 6
PENTECOST OFFERING 2015
“From my youth you have taught me, and I still proclaim your wondrous deeds.” (Psalm 71:17)
It is commonly said that the youth of today are the church of tomorrow, including the Presbyterian
Church (USA). But if you’ve spent any time at one of our church-wide youth gatherings such as the Presbyterian Youth Triennium or Faith in 3D event or with the four young people who are currently in confirmation class
at First Presbyterian Church Portland, you may be inclined to argue the validity of that statement, as wellmeaning as it may be. Instead, you’re likely ready to proclaim that these young people, unabashedly on fire for
Christ, are actually its present.
Each year on Pentecost Sunday we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit as a bringer of new life.
With the Spirit’s coming, we no longer need to settle for business as usual but can know the transforming, redeeming love of God that makes the impossible possible.
The Pentecost Offering is one of the four Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (USA). When
you give to the Pentecost Offering during Sunday morning worship, you help bring God’s transforming, redeeming love to children at risk, guide and nurture young people’s growing faith, and provide opportunities for young
adults to become spiritual leaders—all in the name of Jesus Christ.
Forty percent of the Offering stays within our own congregation and in the past has been used by the Mission
Committee to support the work of the Youth Services Bureau. The remainder is sent to the Presbyterian Mission Agency to support other programs that help youth and young adults and advocate for children at risk.
Plan now to give a generous gift on Pentecost Sunday, May 24. Thank you for your support.
As I looked around the room at the
beautiful bridal shower hosted by Carolyn
Scott, Michelle Trinidad, and Deb Ford, I was
struck by the congregation that formed the
young man before them.
This congregation teaches. From Preschool, Sunday school, Bible school, choir and on
into the public school and Arts Place, this congregation has shared its knowledge and shown
by example how to live Christian lives.
Our children have learned the scriptures, had the Bible brought to life in Bible
School, and gained the love of music through
this congregation. I thank you church family.
In Christian love,
Donna Haggenjos
We would like to offer our sincere
thanks to the anonymous individual(s) who purchased Easter hyacinths of appreciation in our
names. While we believe it is a privilege to
serve God through our service to this congregation, it is gratifying to know that you appreciate us in return.
With our thanks!
Dennis & Debbie Ford
Pastor Stan
Barbara Cortner
Reminder: You can view, download and print
a color copy of this newsletter from the
church website—www.firstpcportland.org.
Page 7
FIRST
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
402 North Ship Street
Portland IN 47371
Phone: 260.726.8462
Fax: 260.726.3680
mailto:[email protected]
http://www.firstpcportland.org
Our Vision Statement
“T o provide a ministr y whic h
will lead people to strengthen
their faith in Jesus Christ and
reach out with God’s love.”
CALENDAR
03
05
07
10
13
14
17
May
Communion
Confirmation Class
4:30pm Stewardship & Admin. Mtg.
National Day of Prayer
5:30pm Choir Practice
Mother’s Day
Confirmation Class
6:00pm Confirmation Candidates
Dinner with Session members
6:30pm Session Meeting
6:30pm Deacons Meeting
5:30pm Choir Practice
Confirmation Sunday
Sunday School Teacher Recognition
Final Sunday School Session until Fall
24
25
31
07
10
21
29
May (continued)
Pentecost Offering
Presbyterian Heritage Day
Memorial Day-Church Office Closed
Inquirers’ Class
June
Communion
Inquirers’ Class
6:30pm Session Meeting
First Day of Summer
Bread of Life Dinner
Church Office hours:
Monday-Thursday 8:00am-2:00pm
Closed on Friday.