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Under the Bell Tower
JANUARY, 2013
Our January Agenda
December 1 I presented my letter of retirement to our church’s moderator, John Downs. The
church’s bylaws call for 60 days’ notice when the pastor-parish relationship is terminated, so that
works out to the end of January. My last Sunday in the pulpit of People’s Church will be January 27.
John read the letter to the Annual Congregational Meeting on December 9, and the meeting voted to
accept it. Now we’re all just trying to get used to the idea.
Harriet and I feel that you have been family to us for these ten-plus years. We love the church,
and we love the people. Leaving will be difficult. We will miss greeting you in the corridors, or at a
restaurant, or at a cook-out. We will certainly miss eating with you—your table fellowship is an
experience that’s almost a sacrament. Over these forty two years I have served eight churches as the
installed pastor, and two churches as an interim minister; but People’s Church has been the most
peaceful, progressive, thoughtful, supportive, caring church I’ve served. Not that everybody agrees on
everything, but because you have the wisdom and the Christian maturity to disagree with love and
respect; and that is a rare quality in these times.
We will be moving to the Richmond, Virginia, area to be near our son and his family: we are in
the process of buying a house there. Harriet said, ―I want this to be our last move‖ (we’ve moved
thirteen times in our marriage). Harriet wants to find a doctor and get her knee fixed so she can walk
again—all her life she has enjoyed a good walk. I would like to do some college teaching, and I’ll
make myself available to churches for short projects and maybe an interim ministry or two. We will
certainly be involved in what President Bush 41 called ―the grand-children business.‖ And for a history
nut like me, living in the area of the longest and most expansive battle of the Civil War will be a treat.
We will think of you often. May God bless each one of you, and bless The People’s Church of
Dover in the years to come. But I will not come back to perform pastoral duties—baptisms, weddings,
funerals: these are times of deep meaning that you will need to share with your next pastor and build
a strong relationship. But for now, January, let’s do a good job of simply saying goodbye: that is our
January agenda.
-Dan
STEWARDSHIP REPORT THROUGH
December 31, 2012
Annual Church Budgeted Income $199,143
Income Weekly
3,830
Income Received
Income members
Transferred from Investment savings
Expenses to Date
Net Difference
Budgeted
144,143.00
55,000.00
-199,143.00
0.00
Actual
139,130.60
55,000.00
-201,784.92
-7,654.32
Difference
-5,012.60
0.00
-2,641.92
- 7,654.32
ATTENDANCE FOR DECEMBER
2011
2012
offerings
12/04
125
12/02
121
4,191.50
12/11
115
12/09
119
2,921.50
12/18
130
12/16
130
3,570.00
12/24
95
Savings
10,000.00
12/23
192
3,427.50
12/25
63
12/24
89
315.00
01/01
73
12/30
78
2,024.50
601
729 $26,450.00
__
_
JANUARY Birthdays
01/01
01/05
Adam CARROLL
Judith REE
01/05
01/06
01/08
01/08
01/08
01/10
01/14
01/15
01/18
01/20
01/20
01/21
01/21
01/23
01/24
01/25
01/25
01/27
01/27
01/28
01/28
01/29
01/31
Ethel SEDULE
Cole PETROSKY
Ruth Ann KEMP
Arthur S. "Art" LEWIS Sr.
Barbara VAN SANT
Sarah COLE
Robert ROOS III
Phyllis TARBURTON
Clara DOWNES
Tina POTTS
Tracy SALMON
Peter BORTZ
Walter "Bud" WOREK
Avery MAYAN
Jessica CHASE
Jennifer GOLDSMITH
William WHARTON
William MUNTZ
Joseph ZINGARO
Jane KENT
Nevaeh RUMBLEY
Sylvia LATOURETTE
Elinor Lee BAKER
If we missed anyone, please notify the
church office to get your name on the list.
THANK YOU
I would like to thank all those church family members for their prayers, cards, and their expressions of
good will during my recent stay in the hospital and rehab.
JOHN DOWNS, SR.
The Prayer List for Members & Friends of the Church
The list is kept current. For a copy please call the church office: 674-4177; [email protected]
PRAYERS FOR MEMBERS
Millard Biddle – Westminster Health Center: suffering from the dementia of age
Monti Bowen – Westminster Independence Living, enjoying each day
Joan Caulk – receiving chemotherapy: at home
Irene Deamer—at home, cared for by daughter Pat Hufnal and her other children
Daisy Hill—at her son Rick‘s home, well but still has difficulty speaking
Sylvia Latourette – enjoying her home, but has grown weak
Thelma Lewis – in the Alzheimer‘s unit at State Street, still a happy and welcoming lady
Betty Reznak – receiving Hospice care at home
Connor Rumbley – testing tumors on both optic nerves
Fred Stites—at home, being cared for by Elva
Betty Tomlinson—Westminster Health Center, a lively mind, but a weak body
Florence Tressler – fell Christmas, broke hip and shoulder: will be in phys. Therapy awhile
Adolf Weissenfluh—at home, dealing with advancing Parkinson‘s disease
PRAYERS FOR FRIENDS
Julian Elaine – Cleah Muntz‘s great-nephew, newborn with collapsing veins.
Samuel Lennox – Jim Miller‘s uncle: extreme back pain.
Jeff Leonard – Cleah Muntz‘s nephew: fell 17‘ from a tree he was trimming, damage to shoulder & spine.
Keith Nicolls – Fred Hotchkiss' uncle: kidney failure.
Tiffany Niehorster – Jackie‘s granddaughter: in rehab.
Scott Reeves – Jackie Niehorster‘s grandson: in rehab.
Jean Tilley—Billie Boehmer‘s mother in PA: Parkinson‘s Disease and increasing age dementia.
Wayne Warwick—Suzanne Kreisher‘s brother-in-law, has a brain tumor.
PRAYERS FOR CANCER PATIENTS
Norman Betts—Phyllis Simpkins‘ cousin
Sean Carhart – Jennifer Childears‘ nephew in New Jersey
Bill Dorey – Phyllis Simpkins ‗ cousin
Kevin Gilliam – former pastor
Bill Ramsay – Ruth Ann Kemp‘s son
Lillian Schrantz – Cleah Muntz's sister-in-law
Thank You All
We have received beautiful Christmas cards, wonderful gifts, thoughtful notes, personal words of
blessing over the holiday season, and we thank everyone for your kindness. We have also received
your friendship, your prayers, your understanding and your hope over these past ten years, and for
these we shall ever be grateful. God bless you all.
-Harriet & Dan Griggs
Thank You
"Just saying thank you hardly seems adequate, but to all those who helped make our Christmas music a joyful
noise unto the Lord, thank you so very much. Thanks to Laurie Biddle (and parents of bell players)for organizing
the bell players (Alexis Jones, Sage Cole, Amanda Middleton, John Downs Jr, Louise Warfield, Alyssa Senato,
Alyssa Middleton-Yates, Erin Biddle, & Ti'yan Williams) and to Philip Betts for all his musical contributions.
Thanks to the other fine musicians, Kathy Hanebutt, Louise Warfield, Ian Gallihue, and Joe Zingaro for their
talents; to the horn players (Nancy Jaywork, Alyssa Middleton-Yates, Jacqui Sedmonte, Ti'Yan Williams, Wyatt
Hotchkiss, & Rich Johnson); and to all the choir members who faithfully lend their voices to the music ministry.
Thanks to Rev. Griggs for his support and prayers over the last 10 years. Lastly a special thanks to my wife
Kathy for her patience and support over the many weeks of preparation. Blessings to all. Peace. - Paul"
THANK YOU
I‘d like to thank everyone for the gracious Christmas gift this year it is greatly appreciated.
Cynthia Hotchkiss
SATURDAY BREAKFAST & WORK-DAY FOR WOMEN & MEN
Saturday January 5: 8:00 AM – Church Dining Room
Breakfast donation $5; bring some tools
There are a hundred ―little jobs‖ that need doing around the church: those are what we are going to
do.
To the Chairpersons of the Boards:
Your ANNUAL REPORT to the congregation
about your board’s work in 2012 is DUE JANUARY 14 in the church office. Please submit your report
in a Word for Windows format on disc, flash-drive or attached to an email; or on paper. Cindy cannot
open freeware texts or modify PDF documents for publication in the Annual Report booklet. Thank
you.
JANUARY 20 CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
11:10 AM in the church sanctuary: to receive the 2012 Annual Reports
PRAYER SHAWL WORKSHOP
People‘s Church has been invited to participate in an interfaith prayer shawl workshop hosted by members of Holy Cross
Catholic Church. The next workshop is tentatively scheduled for Monday, January 28 at 10 am in the Noble's Pond
Clubhouse, 13 Noble's Pond Crossing, Dover. Bring your needles, hooks, and yarn and come share your creative spirit with
us. Instruction will be provided to individuals wishing to learn how to knit or crochet. Items created at these workshops are
given to local churches and to Bayhealth Oncology patients. The workshop coordinator generally schedules workshops on
the last Monday of each month. If you are interested in attending the workshops, please send your email address to
Suzanne Kreisher at the address below. You will be put on a notification list to receive information regarding scheduling of
the workshops. For more information or directions to the meeting site, contact Suzanne Kreisher
at [email protected] (302) 741-0291.
SHAWLS & LAP BLANKETS NEEDED: Our prayer shawl ministry was established in May, 2010 and to date over 70
people have been recipients of our shawls and blankets. We are always in need of shawls and lap blankets. If you can knit
or crochet, we would very much welcome your donation of an item. Shawls and blankets should be very generously sized
(bigger is better). Shawls should be ―snuggly‖ and large enough for the recipient to easily wrap the shawl around
themselves (like a big hug). Lap blankets must be large enough to comfortably cover an adult in a seated position and
should measure no less than 36‖ x 48‖. Donations can be left in the church office or given to Jean Hitchens or Suzanne
Kreisher. If you donate an item please pin your name to it. We attach a tag to each item stating it is from the Ladies of
Peoples Church and put the maker's first name and last initial on the tag. Information on the ministry, as well as suggested
patterns for items, is available on the People's Church website at http://peopleschurchofdover.org/Churchwebpage021211.htm. For more information contact Suzanne Kreisher at [email protected] or (302) 741-0291.
KNOW SOMEONE WHO COULD USE A PRAYER SHAWL OR LAP BLANKET? We happily provide items to
those in need but we don't always know who could use one. Recipients do not have to be members of Peoples Church....you
can request an item for anyone in need. If you are aware of someone who would benefit from receiving an item, please give
their name, indicate whether the recipient is an adult or child, and reason for the need to Rev. Griggs or Cindy Hotchkiss.
Inventory permitting, we will fulfill all requests for items.
CHURCH VAN MINISTRY
If you or someone you know is interested in riding to worship and back home each Sunday in the church van,
OR if you would like to volunteer as a van driver for this ministry, please call the church office and let us know.
The Van Ministry began on November 21, so everything is in place to respond to your call.
VOLUNTEERS
Flowers
01/06
01/13
01/20
01/27
Charles & Virginia Stewart
Ruth Ann Kemp
Cheryl Goldsmith
Louise Ferguson
01/06
01/13
01/20
01/27
01/06
01/13
01/20
01/27
Greeters
Sandy McNinch
Cheryl Goldsmith
Jo Ellen Smith
Cheryl goldsmith
Ushers
01/06
Ann Miller
Bill Miller
Louise Warfield
Terry Warfield
Sermons & Scriptures
Liturgist
Phyllis Tarburton
Courtney
Glenn Hitchens
Jim Caldwell
01/13
Mary Johns
Jane Zink
Ron Zink
John Paradee
01/20
Ann Miller
Bill Miller
Jackie Niehorster
Bill Hufnal
01/27
Jackie Niehorster
Jerry Rice
01/06 ―Faith Is a Subversive Activity‖
Revelation 6:1-8; Matthew 2:1-12
Communion Sunday
01/13
―The Body of Christ‖
Romans 6:1-11; Luke 3:1-3, 21-22
01/20
―Temptation‖
Genesis 3:1-13; Luke 4:1-13
01/27
―Jesus’ Inaugural Address‖
Nehemiah 8:1-3, 5-6, 8-10; Luke 4:16–21
BOARD OF DIACONATE
"The PEOPLES CHURCH CHRISTMAS MUSIC SPECIAL with the Bell Choir, Brass horns and
clarinets, violins and mandolin, a harpsichord and adult voices strong! Wasn’t it amazing? Wish you
could see it again or maybe see it anew because you missed it the first time? Have a child, friend, or
family member who helped perform and you would like to have that memory forever? Well that’s all
possible. DVDs of the entire service will be available in a short while for only $10.00 each. All proceeds
will go to Peoples Diaconate Fund to help those in need. Place your orders with church office."
"Thank you to everyone who helped toward the staff gifts this year."
Our Church's Website
Have you looked at our church's website lately? www.peopleschurchofdover.org Special thanks to
Elinor Baker for all the work she puts into her job as our webmaster.
BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The Board of Christian Education wishes the entire People's Church family a very Happy New Year!
We have much to be thankful for, as we begin 2013:





successful Advent Workshop, under the leadership of Cheryl Goldsmith. The Sunday School
youth made sheep ornaments and candy canes, enough to share with our homebound,
wonderful Handbell Choir, featuring 6 youth and 4 adults, under the inspiring leadership of
Laurie Biddle, from the CE board, and Paul Hanebutt, our very able music director
youth musicians, joined by adults, who added greatly to our Christmas celebration.
eight youth, who baked cookies for Delaware prisoners and our church's Angel Tree mission
project.
successful and fun Spaghetti Dinner, supported by our entire board and all of the youth.
We begin 2013, a year of transition at our church with strong spirit. We say "good-bye" to Michelle
Caulk, who served 6 years on our board, and welcome Wendy Reed, our newest elected member. We
look forward to the Adult Learning Opportunity, moved to February, so we can honor Dan, our retiring
pastor. We will plan pizza/game night again for our youth, confirmation class for our pre-teens, and,
hopefully, a trip to Washington for our jr./sr. high students. We continue to "recycle" magazines, in the
Women's Fellowship Room, to add to our Youth Treasury.
We thank Connie Biddle and John Downs, jr., who donated a new TV and DVD player, to our Sunday
School! The nursery now has curriculum to follow, with music and video to help teach and entertain.
The Christian Education Board will meet Sunday, January 13, after worship, in the Bride's Room.
Jean Hitchens, chairperson
BOARD OF MISSION & OUTREACH
Annual Christmas Fund for Veterans of the Cross
The contributions to the Christmas Fund was $739.00. Thank you very much for you
donations they are much appreciated.
Food Bank Sunday is January 6th The items needed this month include Beef Stew, Spam,
Applesauce (cans), Jello, small boxes, and any other non-perishable items. All donations will
go to First Baptist Church Food Bank. Thank you for your kind donations, they are greatly
appreciated. People’s Church is asking that all checks be made payable to the People’s Church of
Dover, so that one check can be given to the designated Food Bank for that month. Thank you for all
your generous donations.
There are folders provided in each pew hymnal rack containing Food Bank envelopes.
Your donation can be put in the collection plate on any Sunday.
Thank you for your kind donations to the Holy Cross Samaritans Food Bank for the month
of December. There were 25 food items donated and $70.00 collected. All gifts were given to the
Holy Cross Samaritans Food Bank for the month of December. Your generous offerings are
greatly appreciated.
Sue Hunt and Mary Johns - - Board of Mission & Outreach
Women’s Fellowship
The December 2nd meeting of the Women's Fellowship started with a wonderful covered dish
Christmas luncheon for 15 members.
The members voted to schedule our meetings on the second Sunday of each month and try 2pm
unless we are planning a luncheon.
We sold cranberry relish and night lights for $150 at the
November 18th Christian Education
spaghetti dinner. Funds were approved for Stockley Homes and for Caring Hearts Helping Hands.
The members also asked Christine Hopkins and Marion DePue to purchase Christmas gifts for our
Stockley client.
Suzanne Kreisher has offered to teach us how to make curly scarves at our next meeting on Sunday
afternoon, January 13th at 2pm. We will also be electing officers, approving a budget and approving a
program for 2013.
If you are interested in learning how to knit or crochet a curly scarf. Here's what you need:
1 ball RedHeart Boutique Sashay (at Walmart, JoAnns, and probably at Michaels, too)
sewing needle and thread
KNIT:
Size 9 knitting needles
There is a good video showing how to knit the scarf at http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/frilly-knitscarf. Recommend you look at this before we have the workshop.
CROCHET:
Size L crochet hook
2 stitch markers
There is a good video showing how to crochet the scarf at http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/frilly-crochetscarf. Recommend you look at this before we have the workshop.
Caring Hearts Helping Hands (698-1900)
Thank you!! Thank you for your donations to our Christmas program where each child received
new toys and clothes as needed. Each family also received a $50 food gift card. We served over 300
children this year.
We are accepting gently used and new children’s clothing, furniture, small appliances, kitchen
items, linens, toys and board games (with all the pieces included) and always need cleaning supplies,
paper products, personal hygiene items, and gifts for teen birthdays. No adult clothes please.
Staring again on Jan. 8th, our office hours are every Tuesday, 10 am - 2 pm; the first
Wednesday evening of each month, 4:30 pm - 6:30 pm and the first and third Saturday of each month,
10 am - 12 pm. Please feel free to come by any time. Check out our website: “chhhde.org” or email us
at [email protected]. .
If you are interested in helping or know of any teens or college students who need hours of
community service, we would be happy to have their help as well. If you like to shop but are reluctant
to sponsor a family for Christmas, we are also looking for shoppers.
Thanks again for all your support.
BJ Van Kavelaar
JANUARY, 2013
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
1 church
Wednesday Thursday
2
3
Friday
4
Saturday
5
8
9
11
12
Dover Clergy
Meeting
10 Care Givers
NA & AA
meetings
1 PM C.O.D.A.
office closed
for NEW YEAR
DAY
6
Holy
Communion
Baptism
Take down
decorations
4 Bible Study
7
NA & AA
meetings
AA meeting
13
14
Installation
Sunday
11 - Coffee
2:00 Women’s
Fellowship
Annual
Reports DUE
20
21
22
23
11 Congregational
Meeting
11:30
Diaconate
4 Bible Study
NA & AA
meetings
AA meeting
NA & AA meetings
27
28
29
30
11:15 Adult
Learning
Opportunity
11:30 Board of
Management
NA & AA
meetings
AA meeting
NA & AA meetings
10
NA & AA meetings
F.A.I.R.
7:00 Choir
15
16
17
18
19
AA meeting
NA & AA meetings
8 AM Men’s
Breakfast
NA & AA
meetings
1 PM C.O.D.A.
25
26
NA & AA
meetings
1 PM C.O.D.A.
NA & AA
meetings
F.A.I.R.
7:00 Choir
24
F.A.I.R.
7:00 Choir
31
FEBRUARY

F.A.I.R.
7:00 Choir
1
3
Holy
Communion
10
11 AM Pancake
Brunch
2 PM Women’s
Fellowship
8 AM
Breakfast &
Work Day
1 PM C.O.D.A.
4
5
AA meeting
6
NA & AA meetings
NA & AA
meetings
11
NA & AA
meetings
7
F.A.I.R.
7:00 Choir
12
13
AA meeting
ASH
WEDNESDAY
NA & AA meetings
14
F.A.I.R.
7:00 Choir
2
NA & AA
meetings
8 AM
Breakfast &
Work Day
1 PM C.O.D.A.
8
9
NA & AA
meetings
1 PM C.O.D.A.
15
16
NA & AA
meetings
1 PM C.O.D.A.
Congregational Meeting: January 20: 11:10 AM – to receive annual reports
ASH WEDNESDAY – February 13: Lenten Suppers & Study begin
PEOPLE’S CHURCH
46 South Bradford Street
Dover, DE 19904-7316
THE PURPOSE / MISSION STATEMENT OF THE PEOPLE’S CHURCH OF DOVER
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST
The purpose of this church shall be to worship God who embraces all people;
to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ as our Revealer, Lord and Savior;
to celebrate the sacraments; to facilitate spiritual growth;
to practice Christian fellowship and unity within this church and the Church Universal;
to proclaim the Bible as the story of our faith and to educate and nourish that faith among all ages;
to render loving service towards humankind;
to be faithful in our stewardship responsibilities with our time, talent and treasures;
and to strive for righteousness, justice, and peace.
Church Office – 302-674-4177, Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Email address: [email protected]
WebPage: peopleschurchofdover.org
Rev. Dan Griggs, Pastor (302) 674-5454, Email: [email protected] office 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 M-Th
Worship Service
10:00 AM
Philip S. Betts
Organist
Kathy Hanebutt
Assist. Organist
Louise Warfield
Treasurer
Cynthia Hotchkiss
Adm. Assist.
John Downs
Gerald Rice
Mark Biddle
-
Sunday School
Moderator
Diaconate
Management
10:00 AM
Dr. Paul Hanebutt
Randal Revay
R. Jefferson Reed
Board Chairpersons
Sue Hunt
- Mission and Outreach
Jean Hitchens - Christian Education
John Downs, Jr. - Finance
**DEADLINE FOR JANUARY 2013 NEWSLETTER IS DECEMBER 20, 2012**
Choir Director
Sexton
Head Usher