The other day driving to Gillette along Hillcrest Road, which is heavily tree lined, I tried to determine what looked different to me. After a few minutes pondering this question, I finally realized what it was...the leaves were starting to fall. I then thought about the date and since it was mid September, I knew we were in for a change of seasons. It was that time of year when the leaves start to fall, daylight hours begin to grow shorter and a bit of chill is beginning to be felt in the air. This is just one of a series of changes we have all faced. Change is inevitable.
Think about the changes that have occurred in our lifetimes. As a child, I remember that watching TV consisted of looking at a small screen with a fuzzy black and white images. Now we have TV's almost as big as movie screens with high definition and surround sound. Another change vivid in my mind is the telephone. As a child everyone had a black rotary telephone with a cord that would always become a tangled mess. Then the phone took on different colors, became an item we could hang on our wall, some styles were called "Princess" and eventually the rotary dial was replaced with push buttons. But did we stop there? No! Just look around today and you can see that almost every teenager has a cellular phone that goes with them everywhere.
Think back on the changes that have occurred at St. Peter's. There was the fire that destroyed our church, the retirement of Pastor Gonzalez, the demolition of the house next to the church, the calling of a young twenty something minister in 1974, the demolition of the garage next to the church, and now the retirement of Pastor Anderson, that same twenty something pastor that started at St. Peter's over 30 years ago. How did the previous changes affect St. Peter's congregation and how will this new period of change affect St. Peter's?
Our Sunday Worship has changed. There is a different minister each Sunday. And the service sometimes looks a bit different; the minister is standing in a different place than we are used to. Some ministers chant the service and others speak the service, and, in rare instances, we even sing the wrong things. We have all done a great job coping with both these foreseen and unforeseen changes.
Our lives at home and at Church continue to change. It is the uncertainty of what is to come that makes us dislike change so much. We are uncertain as to the future of St. Peter's. Will we be able to call and financially support a new minister? Will we have to merge with another congregation? Will individuals leave the church before a final decision is made? Will St. Peter's close its doors and everyone go their separate ways? I am sure that these thoughts have crossed your minds. I know they have crossed my mind.
In order to understand the challenges that face St. Peter's and to help answer these questions, the Congregation Council has formed a Pastoral Call Committee. The committee consists of Irene Plitz (Council Representative), Evelyn Troy, Odessa Lemley, Barbara Henriksen, Patrick Salaman and myself, Art Klatt (Committee Chairperson).
The first step in the Call Process is to complete a Congregational Mission Profile. This document describes our congregation's history, ministry, membership, community and leadership needs. It also causes the committee to review our financial strength and help us answer the questions that were mentioned above, as well as, many other questions that will come up for discussions over the next several months.
The Call Committee will have its first meeting in the next several weeks to begin this process. I believe that the most important part of the Call Process is to maintain open and honest communications with all members of the congregation. I will be looking for everyone's input as we develop this Mission Profile. Please, if you have a question or concern about the church, voice it to a member of the Call Committee or Congregation Council.
At this time in the history of St. Peter's and during this period of change, we need to commit to open and honest communications so we can get through this period together.
Our September 13th meeting was opened with devotions pertaining to Acts, Chapter 6.
Pastor Richard J. Kiesling introduced himself to us. He is currently serving as pastor at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church, South Plainfield. He will serve as Vice-Pastor to St. Peter's during this transition time. He told us he would be available to anyone who needs pastoral assistance 24/7.
Under correspondence, requests were made to use our church by FISH Hospitality on October 12th and Church Women United on September 17th. Council approved these dates.
Christian Education has received their new materials and are ready for Sunday School.
Pat Johnston will teach the Confirmation Class with approval from Pastor Kiesling.
The Evangelism Committee delivered a loaf of bread to a visitor, Stella Chute, and she came back the next Sunday. She then received the flowers from the altar, as is St. Peter's usual practice.
The Social Ministry Committee needs volunteers for our McCutchen Home programs. The Junior Girl Scouts will sing there in October and Dorothea Sundvall will be a presenter in November. Please call Barbara Shebey or Olga Bruce if you have a program. The program need only be about one half hour in length.
Worship and Music will be taking a survey to determine what time our members would like to have the Christmas Eve service(s). Olga Bruce will be the Communion Assistant Chairperson.
The Property Committee reported that the roof repair is on hold until September 24th, as the needed shingles were diverted to repair roofs in Florida that had hurricane damage. In the meantime, over the summer, light bulbs were replaced and various items around the church were either repaired or replaced. Ballasts in the Council Room were replaced, as well as two emergency lights, chair screws, and a door check. Some 3-way wiring was redone, stage doors were adjusted, door hinges and a door lock were repaired. The exterior lock box requested by the fire department was installed outside the Mercer Avenue entrance. At the advisement of our insurance company, the wall and ceiling in the upstairs room over the offices is going to be repaired. This will be done with the help of Bela Plitz, who is so very handy with these projects. Special thanks to Ken Troy, Art Klatt, Tony Pasquarello, Gary Johnson, Dave Wilson, Jan Henriksen, Bill Shebey and Bob Hassard for all their donated labor over the summer.
A timer will be installed for the bell tower light as the outside area needs lighting as we get into our cars.
St. Peter's Homeless Ministry has put out an urgent call for volunteers. Please give this some thought.
Under New Business - Art Klatt was appointed Chairperson of our Call Committee along with other members: Irene Plitz, Barbara Henriksen, Odessa Lemley, Patrick Salaman and Evelyn Troy. These members were approved by Council. Also, a Procedure Committee has been formed, with Irene Plitz as Chairperson, to review a list of unassigned tasks that were presented at the Council meeting.
Having no further business, the meeting was closed with the Lord's Prayer.
Our full schedule of worship and events resumed on Sunday, September 12th. It was a great day! We were so pleased to welcome guests at church and also to welcome back our fine choir and all of our Sunday School staff and students.
Sunday Worship Service - 10:30 A.M.
At a special Council meeting held on Sunday, September 26th, Council approved the offer by Linda Nietmann to lead a Prayer Service each Sunday at 8:30 A.M., focusing on that week's lessons. Communion will be celebrated once a month, presided over by the supply pastor for that week, if he or she is available.
Office Hours
Effective September 3rd, the church office returns to its usual hours of Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 8:30 A.M. - to 1:00 P.M. If the door is not unlocked, please ring the bell or knock.
Adult Forum
Our Adult Forum, under the leadership of Pat Johnston, invites and encourages all of us who are just a bit older to continue the ongoing process of Christian Education.
Our Sunday Church School program for all ages is held at 9:15 A.M. every Sunday morning!
In Sympathy
Since the last issue of the Friendly Messenger, we have been saddened by the loss of three friends of St. Peter's. Former member, Sonia Berentsen, died on August 7th, in Maryland; and the Troy Family is grieving the deaths of Ken's brother, George Troy, on July 1st, as well as his sister, Martha Troy Rosalin, on September 2nd. May we take comfort, as always, in the hope of Christ's resurrection.
College Addresses
At this time of the year we wish our college students well as they go off to school. The church needs to know all college addresses. Please let us know very soon so that the church may keep in contact with our young people.
Ministry to Persons Without Homes
Several volunteers met over the summer to discuss our homeless ministry and the feasibility of continuing it.
We saw several problems. One was that we lost many overnight volunteers. FHP does have a list of floating volunteers, but most are not available during the week. I contacted several churches to see if they could help us out by covering a night (dinner, early evening and overnight), but there are no takers as of yet. Sunday morning cleanup (before church) is very tiring for just two people.
The core of volunteers has been doing this ministry for the entire fourteen years and we're not as young as we used to be. If you are able to volunteer for any of the time slots, please let me know.
Pat Klatt
C.R.O.P. Walk
The 32nd Annual Plainfield/North Plainfield CROP Walk, to help fight World Hunger, is taking place on Sunday, October 24th, leaving from Watchung Avenue Presbyterian Church at 12:15 that afternoon. If you would like to participate, please sign up to walk. If you wish to serve as a sponsor, please see a walker.
Women of the ELCA
The Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (WELCA) invite all women to participate in their many activities. Meetings with a specific theme or activity are usually held at the church on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 PM. Our Katie's Quilters usually meet twice a month on a Wednesday morning at 10:00 and a Friday evening at 7:30. In June, 2004, our women delivered 110 quilts, plus health kits and used clothing to Lutheran World Relief center in Maryland. Food items for FISH, the local food bank, are continually collected and delivered. They assisted our Lutheran Men in Mission at our Annual Dinner Theater. Thankoffering Sunday was held in November. Many other opportunities for fellowship and service are coming along. As you can see, our women are very active. To find out how you can join in, and to find out what's happening when, please talk to an active member, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin, or call the church office (908-754-0530)for further information and/or the name and phone number of the proper contact person. Our Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America look forward to welcoming you!
Upcoming Events: WELCA State Convention on September 27th at St. John's, Summit; Thankoffering Sunday on November 14th. Please remember to bring food for FISH to church, and bring completed Health Kits to the October 12th monthly meeting. Thanks!
Lutheran Men in Mission
Our Lutheran Men in Mission (LMM) meet the first Tuesday of each month at 7;30 PM at the Church. All men of the church, young and senior alike, are welcome and encouraged to attend. We need you! If you need a ride, please see or call Ken Troy. LMM sponsored our Annual Picnic, a Philadelphia theater trip to see a son of the congregation perform, and Mother's Day refreshments and carnations. They organized and cooked for our Annual Dinner Theater which took place in November. Work days at the church are also scheduled when a need arises. Many other opportunities for fellowship and service are coming along. As with the Women's Group, to find out how you can join in, and to find out what's happening when, please talk to an active member, watch for announcements in the Sunday bulletin, or call the church office (908-754-0530)for further information and/or the name and phone number of the proper contact person. Our Lutheran Men in Mission look forward to welcoming you!
News and Events: LMM will take one Sunday a month to sign up for Fellowship Time, starting in October. The pastor's office will be painted and the carpet cleaned. A brighter light fixture will be added. An office desk has been obtained from St. Luke's Church. The pastor's office is in need of a desk chair, if anyone has one to donate to the church. Please speak to Ken Troy. Don't forget the food basket for FISH! Thanks!
The Lutheran Men in Mission Annual Spaghetti Dinner (with Entertainment!) will take place on Saturday, November 6th, in Fellowship Hall. Watch the Sunday Bulletin for more information
Hurricane Charley Disaster Alert
Hurricane Charley and now Ivan have caused massive destruction in our nation's southeast - especially in Florida. Homes, communities and lives have been ripped apart. You CAN help by giving directly to our ELCA's Domestic Disaster Response:
ELCA DOMESTIC DISASTER RESPONSE
P.O. Box 71764
Chicago, IL 60694-1764
Please give generously, and continue to pray for those whose lives have been uprooted by this disaster and for all those involved in relief efforts. You can find more information on the Hurricane Charley disaster response at www.elca.org/disaster. Thank you.
Besides supporting EPES weekly in Santiago, Chile where local residents of the shanty towns are trained as Health Monitors, I would like to share info about another mission we do locally.
For years, our Friendship Circle has visited annually our LSM Piscataway Community Residence, housing 9 developmentally disabled women. Pastor Anderson would play his guitar and give a simple message to the women. Then refreshments would be served and gifts given.
Odessa Lemley of Katie's Quilters has delivered all leftover pieces of fabric to them to sell as rags, the proceeds of which helped towards the women's summer vacation.
It was mentioned in one of Lutheran Social Ministries' publications, &Quot;Reaching Out,&Quot; how the Job Corps Alliance trainees benefit the Piscataway Home as they give their time in working with these women.
Mission, mission, mission, big and small all over the world. We are Christ's ambassadors!!!
There are Sundays available in October, November and December for remembering a deceased loved one, or honoring someone's birthday, anniversary or accomplishment.
Have a Blessed Fall,
Evelyn Troy
Congregational Mission Interpreter
