Matawan Food Pantry in the News

The Matawan Community Food Pantry published a letter of thanks and gratitude to the community for its support this past year, in the Bayshore Independent.  The pantry is a social safety net program run by members of the community, and directed and coordinated by the First Presbyterian Church and Cross of Glory Lutheran Church.

Specifically acknowledged were Hazlet Boyscout Troop 92, the Matawan High School Summer Theatre, and Temple-Shalom Reform congregation of Aberdeen.  Temple-Shalom made a generous donation during Yom Kippur.

The letter was signed by Tammy Cavanaugh, of First Presbyterian Church, Matawan, and Kathleen Odell, Cross of Glory Lutheran Church, Aberdeen.

PCUSA Churches in the News - Pyung An Presbyterian, Auburn, WA

My Korean is a little rusty.  I think I learned how to welcome missionaries to our church last year.  So that's about it.  But when my "Google Alert" for PCUSA churches opened up to an article about the Pyung An Presbyterian Church in Auburn, WA offering FREE medical clinics, I just had to check this out.


The church is offering (in partnership with the PCUSA), goodwill medical services to those who are in need of care. The clinics offered include free examinations and treatments in the following areas: general medicine and consultation; internal medicine; obstetric; pediatric; chiropractic; dental examination and consultation; optical/vision service; neurology; orthopedic; nursing care; pharmaceutical consultation; Oriental medicine; acupuncture; massage therapy; flu shots.

I thought of the astounding impact these types of clinics would have on Matawan, especially to the spanish speaking community.

The church is relatively new, and I found a July 2010 article in the Auburn Reporter commemorating it's opening in the area. The Pyuang An church web-site is in Korean, but there's also a rough Google translated version.   I found a link to them on Facebook, but you have to send a friend request (which I did).  Afterall, we're all friends, right?

Approach of winter complicates Pakistan flood relief

pc(usa) has contributed $250,000 through pda; much more needed

OCTOBER 5, 2010

Presbyterian News Service

Earlier this month, Christian Hospital in Taxila,
Pakistan, delivered bed sets to 54 families in the
city of Charsadda in the district of Peshawar, which
was devastated in the flooding. Each set includes three
steel beds, mattresses polyester quilts, sheets,
pillows and pillow covers.
 —Photos courtesy Taxila Christian Hospital

BY BETHANY FURKIN

As winter approaches, the summer monsoon-induced floods in Pakistan threaten to lead to more deaths and illness.

The flooding, which began in northern Pakistan and has spread to cover almost a quarter of the country, has affected more than 21 million people, according to a Sept. 24 update from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

About 1.8 million homes have been destroyed or seriously damaged, leaving about seven million people homeless. These people will be among those vulnerable to disease brought on by cold weather.

"Snow begins as early as October in parts of the north," said Dr. Qamar Zaman, medical coordinator for PDA partner Church World Service Pakistan-Afghanistan. “Winter is approaching, and with freezing temperatures there are a greater number of cases of lower respiratory tract infection."

In addition to respiratory infections, poor nutrition and food shortages put more people — especially children and the elderly — at risk of death this winter.

Government health care facilities have been widely damaged, leaving Pakistanis to rely on services provided by the UN and NGOs. NGOs are supporting basic health care units through infrastructure repairs, medical equipment and qualified staff, and by ensuring that essential medicines are provided at the sites.

PDA, as a member of ACT Alliance, is helping to provide free consultations, essential medicines and maternal and child health services at mobile health units. About 80 percent of patients are women and young children.

The units are also emphasizing education to prevent the spreading of water-borne disease. Another emphasis is WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). As floodplains clear, the remaining water and animal carcasses might contribute to disease outbreaks. Because affected communities continue to live in temporary settlements, there is also an accumulation of waste, with no permanent water and sanitation facilities.

Doctors give the bedding to affected families. The hospital and staff donated about $3,500 to buy the materials.

PDA is providing access to drinking water, sanitary facilities and emergency medical services, with a focus on the needs of girls, women and the elderly. Staff are providing hygiene kits, buckets, aqua tabs, water disinfectants and mobile water treatment units.

Along with its partners, PDA is providing shelter kits to some of the thousands of displaced families. These kits contain tents, blankets, plastic sheets, cooking utensils, jerry cans, oil lamps and oil.

As floodwaters recede in the north, parts of the south are still submerged. On the weekend of Sept. 19, Manchar Lake overflowed, displacing 100,000 people in Sindh province’s Dadu and Jamshoro districts.   

Estimates suggest that the floods have affected more than 21 million people, including 3 million children, making this one of the most serious disasters in a generation.

"While the number of deaths is relatively small compared to large disasters like the Haiti earthquake and tsunami, in terms of the numbers of people affected and the ongoing impact, the scale of these floods is unprecedented, and the larger challenges are ahead," the PDA situation report reads.

The second appeal from ACT, released on Sept. 16, increased the amount of the appeal by more than three times, from a target of about $4,102,000 to a target of about $12,441,000.

As of the beginning of September, PDA had sent almost $250,000 through partner agencies to aid in flood relief efforts.

Presbyterians are urged to donate to PDA through the One Great Hour of Sharing offering as well as the designated Pakistan account: DR000038 – Pakistan.

Individuals can donate online or send a check indicating the account to:

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Presbyterians are also encouraged to act by staying informed about the situation and sharing information with others. And prayer is always needed.

"Please continue in prayer all those affected by this flooding and for those who are offering assistance. Pray for the displaced families to know they are not forgotten," the report reads.

Information furnished by Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Walking with Haitians Video

Use this three-and-a-half-minute video to stimulate conversation and reflection about the destruction and hope that Haitians endure as a result of the January 2010 earthquake.

Note this is a large file and may take several minutes to download.

(28.8 MB)

Provided as a Resource by General Assembly Mission Council

PCUSA News:Board of Pensions appoints special committee to consider same-gender benefits

Nine-member panel to carefully deliberate on GA’s recommendation
OCTOBER 22, 2010

FT. MYERS, FLA.

Thomas C. Paisley, chair of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Board of Pensions (BOP) today announced the appointment of a special committee of the board to consider same-gender benefits under the BOP's healthcare and pension plans.

The nine-member special committee will be charged with developing the BOP's response to this summer's action by the 219^th General Assembly "to urge the Board of Pensions to extend benefits to same-gender domestic partners of plan members and to the children of those same-gender domestic partners."

excerpted from Presbyterian News Service

BY JERRY L. VAN MARTER link here For full article

Info Updates as of October 26, 2010 - Around the World

New Book Neighbor - Christian Encounters with "Illegal" Immigration

The PCUSA News Service announced 21 Oct a new book by a pastor that says that the national immigration issue is not only a political and economic issue, but a spiritual one as well. The author, Rev. Ben Daniel serves at Foothill Presbyterian Church, in the Presbytery of San Jose, which includes people from more than 20 countries. "I started out writing this book thinking 'who is my neighbor?'" Daniel said, referring to the New Testament passage in which Jesus is asked that question. Jesus responds by telling the parable of the Good Samaritan.

Link to PCUSA on Facebook!


On Oct. 9, two Latin American denominations, both mission partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), merged at an assembly in Argentina's agricultural heartland.

2010 Cholera Outbreak in Haiti Reported by the CDC

An outbreak of cholera was confirmed in Haiti on October 21, 2010. Cholera had not been documented in Haiti for decades so cholera outbreaks were considered unlikely in Haiti immediately following the earthquake in January, 2010. For a cholera outbreak to occur, two conditions have to be met: (1) there must be significant breaches in the water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure used by groups of people, permitting large-scale exposure to food or water contaminated with Vibrio cholerae organisms; and (2) cholera must be present in the population. While it is unclear how cholera was re-introduced to Haiti, both of these conditions now exist.

CDC's Role in the Cholera Outbreak

CDC is assisting the Haitian Ministry of Health and its partners with assessments regarding adequate treatment supplies, recommendations on how to manage illness in ill persons, and how to prevent illness in those persons who are well. These efforts are in coordination with a broader U.S. Government response being led by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

Multicultural Institute Event
NOV. 8 - 12, 2010

For more information

Aldenice Lemes
(800) 728‐7228, x5252

MONTREAT, NORTH CAROLINA | MONTREAT CONFERENCE CENTER

The Multicultural Institute offers courses to enable and inspire clergy and laity in cultivating God’s biblical vision to gather people of diverse identities into inclusive communities of faith...

PCUSA Homepage of the week is...
Lloyd Presbyterian Church of LaGrange, Georgia

Lloyd Presbyterian Church
LaGrange, Ga "just off Hwy 29"

Lloyd PC came to me via my google PCUSA church searcher this week.  This is a church not unlike our own, a congregation of about 200 members with an average age of 45.  I hope you enjoy their web-site.  Next time you are down in the neighborhood, why don't you drop right in and say "Hey"?

What is Reformation Sunday? - 31 October 2010

The Church celebrates Reformation Sunday on the last Sunday of October, commemorating a significant event in the history of the Reformed tradition. It was on October 31, 1517, that Martin Luther posted his 95 theses on the door of the church in Wittenberg.
The Presbyterian Historical Society supports congregational celebrations of this Sunday by the creation of a special reproducible bulletin cover. This year's bulletin discusses John Calvin's (1509-1564) involvement in civil government and social issues.

Reformation Exhibit

The online exhibit, Foundations of the Faith, draws on images and objects from PHS's rich collections in reformation history. It includes materials relating to such early humanists as Bernard of Clairvaux and Erasmus; the early reformers Martin Luther, Ulrich Zwingli and Philipp Melanchthon; and the founders of the Presbyterian tradition, John Calvin, Theodore Beza, and John Knox.

Monmouth Center for World Religions Sponsors "United We Sing" 21 Nov

Local Interfaith Peacemaking

Submitted by Joe Ritacco

On Sunday, November 21, 2010 at 4:00 pm come and enjoy the 10^th annual

“United We Sing” event which features music, word and dance of different faiths and cultures raised in joy and gratitude. Children are especially welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards. The event will take place at the Unitarian Universalist Meetinghouse at 1475 West Front Street, Lincroft, NJ. This event is sponsored by the Monmouth Center for World Religions and Ethical Thought (MCWRET, www.interfaith-mcwret.org). If you have questions contact Joe Ritacco of FPC Mission Commission and Board Member of MCWRET.


View the flyer!

PNS Family Seeks to "Get by with a Little Help from My Friends" 3 Nov

Please Help!

On Wednesday, November 3, from 4-9 pm, Friday's on Route 9 in Old Bridge will be hosting a fundraiser for a Presbyterian Nursery School family in need of our help.  Please come out and have dinner and make this a success! All proceeds will go directly to the family.  To help, take a flyer, found in the narthex, which you will need to show at Friday's so that funds will be credited to the family.  Any questions call Jackie Haines or Corky Farry (numbers available in the church directory) or through the church office at 732-566-2663.

Many thanks!

First Presbyterian Launches "Ignite the Spirit" Campaign 24 Oct 2010

Today officially launches First Presbyterian's 3-year capital campaign to renew, rebuild, and revitalize the church building and ministry.  Jerry Godbehere explained the concepts to the children during the Children's Chat with a Treasure Chest.  Later in the service, Barbara Tuttle gave testimony to the joy of giving of all that she has, her time, her talents, and her treasures, in thankfulness for the wonderous pleasures of life in Christ.  After church, everyone was free to pick up a packet of materials about the campaign (and if you were not there, expect a visit).

Enthusiastic volunteers  assembled "Ignite
 the Spirit" packets on Saturday afternoon

I should know about that packet.  I was on hand yesterday at the church to see the assembly line (photo provided).  Inside each package you will find the following:

1. A large Tri-fold Brochure - this is a keeper folks.  Besides a pocket to hold all the inserts, the booklet shell itself contains most of the vital information about the campaign, including a calendar of events.  The cover picture of FPC at night is gorgeous!  If you or your children have done anything in the past few years at all, you might find yourselves in one of the several dozen photos on the various panels.
2. A cover letter explaining the contents of the packet.
3. A sheet showing who is on what committee, from executive director, Jerry Godbehere on down (Guess who's the "print coordinator"?)
4. A Campaign "Giving Map" to test our logic skills.  Okay this is easy, really.  If you look at the Weekly Commitment column at the bottom, and see that if 20 people, gave $5 a week that would result in a three year donation of $780 per person, or $15,600 for all 20 pledges.  So even youth can make sacrificial pledges that have a tremendous impact!
5. A New Testament with a daily prayer reminder bookmark.
6. A brochure from Generis Partners, explaining how to make an "Over and Above" gift.
7. A DVD explaining the FPC Capital Campaign.  I was going to show you this but at 18 minutes, it's a doozy.  (I will try to see it I can put it up in segments of a few minutes each on youtube and embed it here).

Handbell Music rings in "Ignite the Spirit" Campaign

As for how to make an over and above donation?  Especially if you are already giving all that you can for your annual pledge, this could be tricky if you don't know the secrets.  This 3 year gift is meant to be s-a-c-r-i-f-i-c-i-a-l.  Which means, for me, if I forsake my 5 times a week Starbucks "grande americano" at $2.70 each, and buy a tall regular coffee, I have $5 a week available for the capital campaign.  And if I settle for the coffee I could make at home at least 3 times a week, that adds up to about $10 a week "sacrificed" to transform our church, or  $1560!! 

Looking ahead at the Campaign Calendar panel on my packet, I see we can look forward to "Emphasis Sunday" and "Big Event" Sunday.  I won't give away the dates; you can check your packets, (but I hear there's going to be a party).

Coffeehouse a "Splash" for Mission Matawan 22 Oct 2010

"Common Thread" performs at the semi-annual FPC
Coffeehouse

First Presbyterian's family-oriented coffee house was a big success on Friday 22 October, raising a record amount for Mission Matawan of over $500.  Mission Matawan is a social safety net program that helps needy homeowners with home maintenance and yard work in the greater Matawan-Aberdeen area.  Funds collected help feed the volunteers who do the work, and provide extra supplies for job work.  Last year we helped 34 families during one 7-day period in June, plus other families throughout the year.

The program included many performances from church members, plus groups from the around the region (look for more info at the web-site).  One former member, Dave Sturt, drove 1700 miles to visit, and played and sang with Dennis Callahan.  The pair received thunderous applause.

During the course of the evening, a contest was held to guess the most hymn tunes.  Yours truly got to thank everyone for coming, and Starbucks of Matawan for the Donation of Coffee, Hot Chocolate, cups, and all the trimmings.  The choir and other members of the congregation very generously brought snacks to accompany the beverages.

In all, $518 was received!

The unfinished hot chocolate, apples and assorted snacks were graciously received by the Senior Highs for their lock-in and breakfast.  They helped with break down and clean up at the end of the evening.

Thank you all once again, and see you at our next coffeehouse, the first Friday in June.

Children in Worship

This Sunday's worship service at First Presbyterian Church of Matawan involved children in a number of ways: the rite of holy baptism, the awarding of Bibles to third graders, a rendering of Jesus Loves Me from a choir of enthusiastic tots, and the delivery of our traditional Chat for Children. The presence of children in worship is always a joy. They are both a present symbol of Christian vitality and a bellwether of church growth.

Barbara Ackland conducts the chat for children.

Rev Loril Hawk performs the rite of baptism.

219th General Assembly of the PCUSA in Minneapolis

The 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church USA (PCUSA) was held 3 - 10 July 2010 in Minneapolis, MN.Plenary meetings took place at the Minneapolis Convention Center on the southern edge of the city. The event was attended by 712 commissioners representing 173 Presbyteries and 200 advisory delegates, including 173 young adults, 25 theology students, 8 missionaries, and 15 ecumenical guests. Nearby Westminster Presbyterian provided hospitality.

The work of the General Assembly resulted, among other things, in proposals to revise The Presbyterian Book of Confessions (notably the addition of the Apartheid-era Belhar Confession), The Presbyterian Book of Order, and ordination standards. The GA also produced its first comprehensive report on peace in the Middle East in thirteen years.

FPC's very own Susan Ritacco served as a delegate of the Presbytery of Monmouth to the 219th Assembly.

From the Google Alerts: FPC in Bessemer City, NC

Sometimes I receive "Google Alerts" about things "Presbyterian".  Today I received this web page from the First Presbyterian Church in Bessemer City, North Carolina.  FPC Bessemer has been serving its community since 1896.

According to the Presbytery of Western Carolina, the church has a membership of about 39 and is led by pulpit supply.  However the church is cared for by co-pastors Mike Johnston and Ken Humphreys.  Their web pages, though limited, pack a punch!

PCUSA Churches in the News - Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church

Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church, answering the call of the PCUSA to "Grow Christ's Church Deep and Wide", published this message in its marquee for September 30, 2010.  "Freedom of Religion Blesses All", and "Ramadan Kareem Noble Month to our Neighbors".  The PCUSA news service picked up the story, which was published in a couple of Akron newspapers.

The sign at Goodyear Heights Presbyterian Church in Akron, Ohio, celebrated Ramadan and served as a symbol of hospitality to the church’s Muslim neighbors. —Photo by the Rev. Christy Ramsey

According to Pastor Christy Ramsey, the church is responding partly to the anti-muslim response in the controversy surrounding the issue of a proposed mosque close to the site of the World Trade Center in New York City.  The other reason is to show love and support to a local muslim family that fellowships at the church (Beacon Journal article in Ohio.com)