june 10th ~ 8:30 & 10:00 am b worship sunday e a rs · director of youth & family...
TRANSCRIPT
Erie City Mission Lunch
Blood Drive
Urban
University
Create
a
New H
ome
Sunday Suppers
The Caring Church in the Heart of the City!
June 1, 2018 Volume 35, No. 6
Sundays
June 3rd ~ 8:30 & 10:00 am
~ Second Sunday after Pentecost ~ ~ Communion ~
~ Officer Ordination & Installation ~
~ Confirmands ~
Rev. Chris Weichman,
Installed Pastor
June 10th ~ 8:30 & 10:00 am
~ Third Sunday after Pentecost ~ ~ New Member Sunday ~
Kyle Schumacher
CCO, Campus Minister
June 17th ~ 8:30 & 10:00 am
~ Fourth Sunday after Pentecost ~ ~ Father’s Day ~
Britney Knight,
Director of Youth & Family Ministries
June 24th ~ 8:30 & 10:00 am
~ Fifth Sunday after Pentecost ~
Rev. Charles Cammarata,
Retired, Fairview Presbyterian
In 2017, we tried something new for the sum-mer & it was so fruitful that we decided to do it again! In June, we will kick off another "Very Best Summer" of ministry opportunities unique to June, July & August! Very Best Summer is a way for us to get outside of the walls of our church & partner with our community, build relationships with our neighbors & see how God is at work in us, through us & around us. Everything is intergenerational, volunteer friendly & impacts our neighborhood & church in a BIG way!
VERY
BEST
SUMMER
Worship
How do I get involved?
Ministry has hands and feet; it is not passive. Pick two or three & make this your "Very Best Summer" for ministry! Can't decide where to help? Contact Seph Kumer at 814.566.0287 for help matching your talents & time available to a ministry that needs you! For more details on these events & contacts for each ministry opportunity, please turn to page 6.
B
l
o
c
k
P
a
r
t
y
Our West
Bay-fit
*NO Faith Formation classes, Kids’
Church or Nursery Care through Labor
Day weekend. The nursery will be open
for parents & guardians to utilize during
the services in the Summer.
“Drive-in” Movies
National
Night
Out
Brighten a School & Community Center
PAGE 2
THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5
VOLUME 35, NO. 6 THE COVENANT CHIMES
PAGE 2
Our mission at First Presbyterian Church of the Covenant is: “To awaken all people to our need for a life-changing encounter
with the living Lord Jesus Christ, and to encourage and equip each one to become His fully-devoted follower.”
From Pastor Chri s I love the story Craig Barnes tells about when he was in Sunday school as a child. His teacher would make the stories of the Bible come to life using a flannelgraph board. Those of you who are old enough know what I am talking about, if you don’t, Google it. As the teacher was telling the story, she would allow various children to put the charac-ters on the flannel-graph. One Bible character stood out, the apostle Paul. Flannel Paul had seen better days. He was partially stained red from fruit punch. One of his arms was partially torn off when two children fought to attach him to the board. Someone had col-ored his hands and feet with a purple marker. The first grade Sunday school had been rough on Flannel-graph Paul. This is often the case for those who are well loved, for those who are used by God.
Paul over his years of proclaiming good news accumulated many wounds and scares. If Paul is doing what God wants shouldn’t he be blessed rather than wounded? Wounds and scares are often thought of as a lack of God’s presence or care. In fact, there are times when they are a sure sign that you are exactly where you are supposed to be. No one wants the hurts and the pains, but they come along with faith and living life in general. For followers of Jesus though, our wounds do not go unredeemed.
We hold up Paul and Jesus as glorious examples of faith. We can think of others today, even in our own church, maybe someone when you were a child you looked up to as faithful. One thing is certain for Paul, Jesus and anyone else. No one who is glorious lacks wounds or is unscarred.
There is an ancient Japanese method for repairing broken ceramics with a special lacquer. After the lac-quer bonds the broken pieces together, gold is used to cover the lacquer. The result is beautiful veins of gold running through the piece. The philosophy behind the technique is to recognize the history of the ob-ject and to visibly incorporate the repair into the new piece instead of disguising it. The process usually re-sults in something more beautiful than the original. I think this is a wonderful image of what Christ has done for you. Christ’s healing our brokenness has made you more beautiful.
~ Chris
The Communion Table will be set by God for you on...
Sunday, June 3rd.
Communion 2018 Year to Date Pledge Totals: Totals are both pledge & non-pledge revenue
(as of 05.20.18)
2018 YTD Budget: $164,171 2018 YTD Received: $144,985
Kyle Schumacher has served as a First Covenant campus minister with Gannon students for two years. His last Sunday with us will be June 10, when Kyle will preach and share what God has taught him during his time in Erie. Kyle will be working in campus ministry in Northeast Ohio and planning a 2019 wedding with Nicole Russo.
Come, wish Kyle well on June 10 during the fellowship hours fol-lowing worship.
Good Luck, Best Wishes and Thank you, Kyle for your love for students and ministry with FPCC!
Thank you, Ky le !
PAGE 3
VOLUME 32 NO. 5
*Please pray regularly for our ministry.
We have listed below some of our
congregational joys & concerns as
The Covenant Chimes goes to press on May 29, 2018:
Prayer Concerns…
for God’s healing presence for those
discharged from hospitals since
the last edition of The Covenant Chimes:
Kenneth Anderson, Julie Copen &
Kathleen Dandoy
* If you know that you are going to be hospital-ized & would like to be visited please contact
the church office.
VOLUME 35, NO. 6
Congregational Concerns
PAGE 3
If you have a maintenance or housekeeping suggestion please stop by the office & fill out a pink Housekeeping / Maintenance Request Form located to the right of the wall clock. This helps John & Luba keep track of & follow up with the many request they receive.
Help Us… Help You!
Do you have an extra hour or so a week? Are you willing to sit at the front desk to greet guests & answer the phone during the noon lunch hour. To volunteer, contact Anne Sauer, 456-4243 x100.
Join the “Lunch Crew” If you notice an incorrect or missing birthday or one that is listed that should be removed,
please help us by calling the church office at 456-4243 so that we can update our records.
June 2 Tim Campbell Sr.
Linda Holmes
Morgan Sesler
June 3 Derek Golembeski
June 4 Todd Powers
James Dauer
Katie Ryan
June 5 Steven Reichert
June 6 Elaine Morse
Abby Thomas
June 7 James Blackman
John Magee
June 9 Crystal Gleason
Wendy Elliott
June 10 Alec Reese
Dan Hicks
John Elliott
June 11 Debra Dauer
Amy Vilushis
June 12 Michelle Reichert
June 13 Jeffrey Campbell
Winston Elliott
June 14 Bryleigh Paluchak
Richard Fetzner
June 15 Suzanne Magee
Ronald Fabich
June 17 Robert Baker
Gary Raimy
Iona Hilliard
Jerry Thomas
Tim Campbell, Jr.
June 19 LuAnn
Shidemantle
Allen Bieber
June 20 Patricia Ackerman
Alan Schaal
Crystal Dunn
June 21 Paul Carpenter
Nancy Kern
Nancy Jean Fair
June 22 Nancy Sturtevant
Ryan Smith
June 24 Laurence Briggs
June 25 Frederick
Barringer
June 26 Katrina Johnston
June 27 Eric Carlson
Betty Cornman
Lorie Fritts
Greg Cooper
June 28 John Gregory
James Jones
June 29 Jasper Allen
Dale Shidemantle
Time Change Is Here On Sunday, May 27th, we switched to our summer worship schedule. That morn-ing, worship began at 8:30 & 10:00 a.m.
The Fall times & Faith Formation hour returns in September after Labor Day Weekend.
Dear FPCC Friends, Please attend
the celebration on Sunday, June 17, 2018 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Honoring Rev. Stephen Morse’s
50th Anniversary of Ordination
Eastminster Presbytery 2320 East Lake Road
You’re Invited
To Everyone at FPCC… Thank you for making my two years here with the ECO so memorable. To be able to use your beautiful church has been a great privilege
and I can not thank you enough. All the best!
~ Camille Pierce, General Manager,
Erie Chamber Orchestra
Thank You’s!
PAGE 4
VOLUME 32 NO. 5
VOLUME 35, NO. 6
PAGE 4
THE COVENANT CHIMES
Church Calendar To all Elders, Heads of Committees & Groups: please keep Anne informed when plan-ning or changing a meeting date, time or location. It is helpful for scheduling other church functions, outside meet-ings & a night host.
~ Thank you!
Volunteers Needed! Interested in helping others? If so, please con-tact Vic Glembocki at 864-9096 to volunteer your time to prepare & serve the many guests they see daily at the City Mission Kitchen, 1023 French St. the first Thursday of every month be-tween 10:00 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
The June date is the 7th!
Clerk’s Corner
May 2018
At the stated meeting on May 21st Session:
Voted to receive into membership the following members of the 2018 Confirmation Class: Anna Koebe, Caitlyn Koebe, Colin Fabich, Ethan Holmes, Rachel Holmes, Paige Irwin, Keegan Vilushis, Bryliegh Paluchak, and Will McBrier.
Voted to receive the following new members Kaitlyn Falk, John “JD” Zwigart, Jenna Zwigart, Peter Aus-tin, and Amanda Austin.
Approved the use of up to $5,000.00 from the Foundation Fund for partial payment of expenses for this summer’s youth trips to North Carolina and Tennessee.
Voted to approve the following dates related to 2018-2019 Faith Formation programing: Begins Septem-ber 16th and ends May 19th; no classes on November 25, December 30, or April 21.
Approved the use of the sanctuary by the Erie Philharmonic Chamber Series for rehearsals and a concert on September 7th and 8th.
Voted to accept the resignation of elder David Doupe from session with regret and appreciation for his service to First Covenant and the kingdom.
Thanked elders Sandy Herman, Scott Sesler, Marlene Spires, Richard Sheasley, and Phyliss Tarno for their service as their terms on session come to an end.
~ W.D. Holmes, Clerk of Session
Music Notes Summer Music Opportunity: We would love to have you share your gifts with us during worship services this summer. If you would like to play an instrument or sing for the Offertory this summer contact Leslie Weber ([email protected]) or Monty Service ([email protected]).
Missional Music Opportunity: We have been us-ing music to welcome our Sunday Suppers guests. If you are interested in sharing your gifts during this
time, whether it be vocal or instrumental, one song or a set of music, a solo or group, please contact Monty Service at 814.456.4243 x107.
These are dates to remember to help rehabili-tate a home on Buffalo Road for an Erie family in June: 12 & 21. Three workers are needed each day from 7:45 a.m. to noon. No experience necessary.
Contact Tim Tracy at 864.6118 to be the hands & feet of Jesus with this Habitat for Humanity minis-try! Pictured at right... Ray Fritts & Andrew Spriegel at the Summer 2017 build.
12 + 21 = New Home!
PAGE 5
VOLUME 32 NO. 5
VOLUME 35, NO. 6
PAGE 5
Another Chance to Serve...Erie
ServErie, the nonprofit that connects volunteers with community renewal projects, is partnering with Pfeiffer-Burleigh Elementary School and the Booker T. Washington Center for its newest school initiative this summer. Volunteers will converge on the school, 235 E. 11th St., and the center, 1720 Holland St., from Thursday, Aug. 2 through Saturday, Aug. 4, 2018, to complete work ranging from cleaning, painting, and landscaping to drywall and roof repairs.
First Covenant will be sponsoring a team for this initiative, headed up by Seph Kumer, Greg Sesler, Ray and Lorie Fritts. Watch the weekly bulletin & next month’s Chimes for more information or to check out their website go to serverie.com or the GoErie.com newspaper articles for a brief overview of the scope and needs of this project.
Awesome Job, Gordon! The Erie County CROP Walk recently held their annual appre-ciation luncheon and awards ceremony, celebrating their 42nd walk last September.
CROP Walk funds go to combat hunger, with 25% staying lo-cally, and 75% going to overseas efforts. At the lunch, 14 local agencies received funding checks.
Churches were noted for their level of contributions, and Covenant was in the top tier "platinum" level. And the CROP Walk team announced their first ever "Lifetime Achievement Award", which went to our own Gordon Osborn.
It was noted during the presentation that during Gordon's 34 years as the Covenant captain, walkers here raised an estimated $290,000.00 ~ Congrats Gordon!
"On Your Knees" Raised $700! The Friday night gathering at the church last month for an art show and sale, 12-step speaker and dance, "On Your Knees for Recovery", raised $701.50 for Gaudenzia's House of Healing. House of Healing is a residential program for substance-recovery that allows women and their children to remain together. Fifteen pieces of art created by folks in 12-step re-covery from across Erie (and friends) were sold.
"On behalf of all of Gaudenzia, I wanted to thank First Covenant & Alkeme Restaurant for everything that you did and for having us be a part of the event. You guys are rock stars!"
~ Jason Kisielewski,
Community
Affairs Manager, Gaudenzia
Another Study Space is
in the books! Study Space
2018 was a hit and we
could not have done it with-
out you! 600 students were
welcomed into our building
for studying, coffee, and
fellowship! We had 60
church members and 8 student led organizations vol-
unteer this semester! It is amazing to see how the
building comes alive during Study Space. Whether
you helped students sign in, bought or baked deli-
cious snacks, or lifted us up in prayer, we are grate-
ful. Because of the love and care of our church family
Study Space continues to be a success. Thank you for
the countless ways you continue to partner with us
to help college students thrive. We are excited and
look forward to see how the Lord will bless Study
Space in the semesters to come!
Study Space
PAGE 6
VOLUME 32 NO. 5
VOLUME 35, NO. 6
PAGE 6
THE COVENANT CHIMES
Worship ~ Don't miss an opportunity to gather on Sundays for worship at 8:30 or 10:00 a.m. Communion will be served on the first Sundays in June, July & August. Note the early service times which allow you to get on the beach or golf course, in the pool or lake, or to a picnic for a full day of enjoying God's gift of sunshine & warm temperatures! To be a liturgist, call Tracey
Townsend at [email protected] or to provide special vocal or instrumental music, contact Leslie Weber at [email protected]
Sunday Suppers ~ Maybe during the summer you would like to give "Sunday Suppers" a try. Help set-up, serve, welcome guests, visit with guests, clean-up. Between 150-200 neighbors come to Knox Hall for a meal, for the companionship, for the "family" atmosphere. It's fun. It's a minis-try. It's a way to show & receive...God's love. Two dates still need a group to organize the meal: August 5th & September 2nd. To help contact Pat Tracy at [email protected]
Create a New Home ~ Learn or share your remodeling skills on Habitat for Humanity work days in June. Share a morning (7:45 a.m. to noon) on June 12 or 21 to renovate a home on Buffalo Road (near Meadowbrook Dairy). A local family will purchase this home with a low, interest-free mortgage. Contact Tim Tracy at [email protected] to volunteer.
“Drive-in” Movies ~ Parking lot movie night was such a hit for all ages, we've added 2 this year! June 22 features the live-action "Beauty & the Beast", pop-corn & other treats. July 27 is "Coco". It's free & kicks off at 9:00 p.m. Catch 2 great films under the stars. Meet neighbors, students & families. Help set-up/clean-up, welcome guests & serve treats. Bring a lawn chair &/or blankets. Rain? We'll move to Knox Hall. To be part of the crew, contact Linda Majewski at [email protected]
Urban University ~ During late June & early July, we'll be hosting 4 "classes" for Erie City Mis-sion's Urban University. Middle school students will have a Culinary Arts 1 & 2 class, a theater & dance class & an authoring/illustrating class throughout the church building. Share Jesus through helping middle schoolers explore possible vocations. Help greet, teach, or sign your kids up to at-
tend! To extend hospitality with the Urban U. kids, contact Monty at [email protected] or Rose Marie Lackey at [email protected]
Our West Bayfit ~ On July 11 we will begin a new partnership with "Our West BayFit" at Bayview Park, several blocks from the church, adjacent to the Erie County Health Department--with a spec-tacular view of the Bayfront. Kids explore sports, fitness & nutrition. FPCC will provide storytell-ing on 6 consecutive Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. for early elementary neighborhood children. En-courage reading & life-giving values: read a story of hope, love, sharing, community! Interested contact Kristin Headley at [email protected]
Brighten a School & a Community Center ~ Serve Erie with ServErie. On August 2-4 you can help bring new life to Pfeiffer-Burleigh school or the Booker T. Washington Community Center. Collab-orate with churches & groups from across Erie. Contact Lorie Fritts at [email protected] to help.
NNO & Block Party ~ We'll begin & end August with large community gatherings: National Night Out at Gridley Park on Tuesday, August 7, 6-8 p.m. And our Annual Block Party in the church parking lot on Wednesday, August 29, 6-8 p.m. Your help is needed with both! Monitor a bounce house, lead games with kids, help with set-up/clean-up. Contact Seph at [email protected] to help with NNO or reach out to Dale Sweet at [email protected] to volunteer with the Block Party.
Give Blood ~ June 30 & August 25, 8:00 a.m. to noon. Give the gift of life & help keep local blood levels steady through the summer months. Contact Tim Campbell at 397-8570.
Let's Do Lunch ~ Help prepare & serve lunch at the Erie City Mission June 7, July 5 or August 7. from 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 3-4 helpers needed! Contact Seph at [email protected]
Hope to see everyone get involved!!!
Very Best Summer… (continued from Cover)
PAGE 7
VOLUME 32 NO. 5
VOLUME 35, NO. 6
PAGE 7
www.
FirstCovenantErie.org
“Free Little Pantry” Anniversary I feel blessed that I am a part of two faith-based organizations, my church family at FPCC, and Gannon University. It has been one year that the “Free Lit-tle Pantry” has been up and running. Our nursing students provide donations as well as the faculty of the Villa Maria School of Nursing, and the Honor Soci-ety of Nursing, “Sigma” Eta Xi Chapter, but that was not enough to sustain this mission to assist in feeding our neighborhood… the need is great.
We are so grateful for church members individual contributions to the pan-try, and also for the Deacons. They have consistently donated $100.00 a month toward this important mission. This money is prayerfully and consci-
entiously spent to purchase food items; which allows the pantry to be filled approximately three times a month. Without this generous ongoing donation, I know that we would struggle to meet the needs of many who depend on this avenue for food.
The pantry is stocked twice a week, and as we enter the summer break at Gannon, I am prayerfully ask-ing for parishioner’s assistance to keep this vital response to addressing the food insecurity in the down-town area alive. Together we can help many! If it is one thing I have witnessed, the church members of FPCC are giving and truly care for our downtown neighbors.
Thank you for all you have done and will continue to do to support this vital mission.
Love ~ Carol Ann Amann
If you enjoy spending an afternoon on the golf course with friends, please plan to join us for the Dave Briggs Invitational Golf Outing on Sunday, August 26, 2018 at Fox Run Golf Course, 2123 Strong Road, Waterford, PA.
The outing begins at 3:00 p.m. Players need to arrive & be ready for team drawings by 2:30p.m.
Entry fee is $30.00 per person. This covers the cost for the nine hole tournament, a riding cart (everyone rides!), prizes, dinner & includes all taxes & gratuities.
Only the first 20 golfers are assured a spot alt-hough we will add additional tee times if neces-sary. If interested, please contact Atchley Holmes at 397-8349 or Dave Gaither at 431-0890.
Save the Date
Students from Gan-non shared 6 boxes of canned and boxed goods with the Little Pantry at the end of the school year. Unopened, unused items were gathered as students were moving out for the summer. Thank you, Khalid Alane-
zi and Sadun Alshammari (pictured) for helping care for our neighbors!
Give a Little
Don’t forget to sign up to give blood for when the blood drive is in our church parking lot on Saturday, June 30th from 8:00 a.m. until Noon.
Invite a friend, co-worker, neighbor or family member to donate with you! Then mark your calendar for Saturday, August 25th for your next opportunity this sum-mer to donate. Call Tim Campbell at 814-397-8570 or visit him in the Welcome Cen-ter after worship.
You are always welcome to go into the Community Blood Bank located at 2646 Peach Street & donate blood on behalf of Church of the Covenant.
Give Life this Summer!
PAGE 8
THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5
VOLUME 34, NO. 9
PAGE 8
VOLUME 35, NO. 6
The Bible Brought to Life
Fe l lowship Hour ~ Thank You ’s
There are many people in our midst at First Covenant who give generously of their time & talent. Fellowship on Sundays has been hosted by several groups & dozens of indi-viduals. I would like to thank the special people who served with me on the Fellowship Committee the last several years. Fellowship after both services each Sunday is an enjoya-ble time of hospitality, sharing, & celebration. The Parlor is full of warmth, energy & laugh-ter. In addition, committee members assisted in special Presbytery & church events.
Thank you to Beverly Anne Doupe who created centerpieces so the table looked beautiful each week. It was her idea to experiment by having groups and individuals sign up to host fellowship. She implemented a sign up system for Fellowship and designed a sign up sheet that has been very successful. Beverly Anne & David hosted Fellowship many times & ensured that it carried on during summer months. David’s lemon bar cookies were a favorite.
Scott & Mary Ann Sesler have hosted Fellowship thirty times...that totals about two thousand of Scott’s deviled eggs! Each time they provided a wonderful array of baked goods including the delicious peanut butter fudge.
Lorie & Ray Fritts were always there when needed. Lorie’s enthusiasm & positivity were great. One time I called Lorie when I was ill &asked her to cover Fellowship with store bought cookies. Instead she & Ray served a selection of homemade soups!
And everyone enjoyed Beth Spriegel’s vegetable pizza! I am so appreciative of her help with various events.
The least visible but much appreciated member of our committee was Sue Magee. She stationed herself in the tiny kitchen, anticipated what needed to be done, & kept things moving smoothly. She was always there for clean-up & was the last to leave the Parlor on Sundays.
Thank you to a hard working and much appreciated committee! ~ Sandra Herman
Scenes from our celebration of God's gift of music during May. The choirs will take a summer break during June, July & August. Add your voice in the Fall!
Contact Leslie Weber (adults) at [email protected] or Monty Service (children & youth) at 814.456.4243 x107 for more details.
On April 28th, over 30 people gathered to listen to internation-ally acclaimed Biblical storyteller, Tracy Radosevic. Children and adults were captivated by her retelling of the stories of Creation, The Fiery Fur-nace, and the Sower of the Seeds Par-able. Some children also got to try out their acting skills as they recreat-ed a few scenes with Tracy.
We Appreciate Music
THE COVENANT CHIMES
PAGE 9
THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5
VOLUME 34, NO. 9 VOLUME 35, NO. 6
PAGE 9
Sunday Supper
Mary's Hospitality
Many thanks to all who baked the wonderful lasagnas and pies and/or helped serve Sunday Supper on May 13th. The meal was very well received by our guests, and we once again had the joy of several guests volunteering in the kitchen and on the serving line that day. It is a joy to have found a way to “do with” some of our guests rather than to always “do for” them.
June meals will be prepared and served by New Hope Presbyterian Church, Church of the Nativity, The Erie Women’s Club and FPCC.
Your help will be needed with food preparation on June 24th. We will be serving hamburgers, cheesy po-tatoes and ice cream for dessert. You will have opportunities to sign up following worship a few weeks pri-or to June 24th or you can contact Pat Tracy at [email protected] or 864-6118. Volunteers will be need-ed to prepare the cheesy potatoes and to serve the meal. The potatoes can be brought to church on the 24th UNBAKED. We will bake the potatoes at the church. See the recipe for the potatoes below.
Looking ahead, we may also need to prepare and serve the meal on July 1st. I’m working hard on filling that date, but I’ve been trying to do that for over a month. If that date doesn’t get taken, we will need volun-teers on July 1st as well.
Thanks to those of you who say yes as often as you can to support this ministry. Thanks also to those who support Sunday Suppers through prayer and/or through finances.
Cheesy Potatoes ~
Ingredients: 1 bag of frozen shredded hash brown potatoes 2 cans of cream of chicken soup undiluted 8 oz. of sour cream 2 cups of shredded cheddar cheese Cornflake crumbs
Directions: Mix together all ingredients except the cornflake crumbs. Place in greased 9 x 13 pan. Top with cornflake crumbs.
July Chimes Articles Due by:
Friday, June 15th
Mary Concoby welcomes Gannon students in significant, personal ways. She routinely opens her heart and life. Students enjoy being invited to her home to play dominoes and/or share dessert. She has taken students for rides outside of Erie "to the country" and to Chautauqua Institution. She shares very "American" Bob Evans meals with students. And students know she loves them.
Students love Mary too--she heard from 10 wishing her a "Happy Mother's Day" this year. Two recent grads dropped off a card and flow-ers for Mary's garden to her home. It has been said that
all ministry is about relationship. Mary's acts of opening her heart and home and life to international students far from their moms and grandmothers and aunties has touched the lives of many! She is asked questions about faith, life and what it means to be American all the time. Thanks, Mary, and everyone else doing the same, for adding “hanging out with students” to your already busy lives!
PAGE 10
THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5 VOLUME 34, NO. 9
PAGE 10
VOLUME 35, NO. 6
Our Neighbor’s Place Thank you to all who participated in making the 2017-2018 season of Our Neighbor’s Place successful. It takes a congregation to shelter those without homes, and once again, for the sixth year in a row, the congregation of FPCC has stepped up in a big way. Thank you for setting up and tearing down the shelter, helping in the kitchen nightly before the shelter opened, volunteering for a shift, preparing and serving food, purchasing items from the “giving tree,” praying for the ministry, supporting the ministry financially and helping with a myriad of other things. A special thank you goes out to the FPCC staff who work tirelessly while the shelter is here to keep everything as it needs to be.
Our humble appreciation goes to Jackie Jones, who stays the night EVERY night the shelter is at FPCC. We could not run the shelter as we do without Jackie, and we thank God for his love for this ministry. Our guests thank God for Jackie’s love of cooking as they truly enjoy his hot breakfasts.
The shelter was housed at FPCC for just six weeks this year. FPCC sponsored the shelter for 3 weeks and the First United Methodist Churches sponsored the shelter for three weeks. During our three weeks, we provided shelter, dinner, showers, clothing, toiletries and breakfast for 927 total bed nights. 548 bed nights were provided for two weeks in November and December with an average of 30 men and 10 women per night. 379 bed nights were provided for one week in March averaging 41 men and 9 women per night. Our busiest night was March 19th when we housed 59 people, and our lightest night was opening night on November 22nd when we housed 30 people.
Three churches have participated in a night of ministry by providing dinner and volunteers for an entire night. Church of the Cross and the Cathedral of Saint Paul have done this all season and Fairview Presby-terian Church joined them in March. Many groups within our congregation and many different churches provided dinners throughout the season, and we had a surprise when Chick fil-A volunteered to bring a din-ner that our Deacons served.
We noticed a few trends this year. The homeless population using Our Neighbors’ Place is getting younger with many guests in their late teens or early twenties, and we are seeing more guests with intellec-tual challenges. These trends bring a new set of challenges in running the shelter.
The community instituted a new call in number this winter to coordinate the needs of those seeking shelter. Although this system has experienced some growing pains, it has been fairly effective. They report being overwhelmed with calls and the lack of beds in Erie since the overflow shelter has closed for the sea-son. Yes, FPCC provides a very valuable ministry during the winter months.
It takes an entire congregation to run a shelter and we cannot thank you enough for opening your hearts, your schedule and your pocketbook in support of Our Neighbors’ Place.
Joy and peace, ~ Dale and Pat
Five of our Gannon Pike fraternity friends graduated and were among ROTC students commissioned as Second Lieutenants in the US Army in May. Seph Kumer attended the ceremony. This group has been studying at, and assisting with, StudySpace for their whole college career. Here is a note received from Joseph Centrackio, pictured second from the left:
"Thank you for everything!! I honestly don’t think I would have gradu-ated on time if I didn’t have the church to study at! We all appreciate the support you’ve given us over the years. Please stay in touch." ~ Joseph Centrackio
We'll miss these guys!
THE COVENANT CHIMES
PAGE 11
THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5
Thank you to all the adult volunteers who have assisted with leading & co-leading classes for Nursery through 12th Grade Faith Formation including Youth Group.
In addition, thank you to Pastor Chris, Bill Holmes, Rob Baker, Monty Service & Seph Kumer for leading adult faith formation classes, small groups, & Connections during the year.
VOLUME 34, NO. 9
PAGE 11
VOLUME 35, NO. 6
Wow, What a Year!
Our women’s small group that has been meeting now for over a year is taking the sum-mer off. However, we are already gearing up for the fall with a new book to discuss! We decided that we are moving on from spiritual memoirs and toward books that talk about how our faith informs social issues. We decided as a group that our first book in the fall will be Executing Grace: How the Death Penalty Killed Jesus and Why It’s Killing Us by Shane Claiborne. Our first meeting in the fall will be on Tuesday, September 11th. We will contin-ue meeting the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of every month at 7:00 PM at the Cathedral of St. Paul. Please let Britney Knight know if you would like to purchase a copy of the book. She will be placing the order for books by June 18th.
Also, Joan Chittister is coming this summer to Chautauqua Institute on Monday, July 30th at 2:00 PM. She is speaking at the Hall of Philosophy for this day only. Tickets are $17.00 each for a pass that can be used from 12:00 PM-8:00 PM that day. Britney will be on maternity leave but if a group of women would like to go and carpool, she would be happy to purchase the tickets as a group. Please let Britney know by June 28th. ([email protected] or 456-4243 x112)
Wine & the Word: Looking Ahead
The adult bible study that meets every Wednesday at 10:30-11:30 in Room 116 will have its final meeting of the 2017-2018 Faith Formation year on June 13th. We will (hopefully) finish our study of 2 Kings.
This past year we have spent much of our time together in the Old Testament, studying the Books of Minor Prophets Hosea and Amos and 1 & 2 Kings. We also looked at the Advent passages and studied the Book of Galatians.
We will be taking the summer and beginning part of the fall term off but picking back up again in Octo-ber when Britney returns from maternity leave. Stay posted for what book we will dive into next!
Wednesday Morning Bible Study
THANK YOU for Supporting Youth Summer Trips! The FPCC Youth hosted two fundraisers this year for their trips to the P.C.(USA) Montreat Youth Confer-ences in North Carolina and Tennessee. A total of 10 teenagers and 3 adult volunteers will be attending these conferences in July. Because of your support, $3,196.08 was raised through our Max and Erma’s FUNdraiser and the Annual Youth Spaghetti Luncheon and Dessert Auction! Thank you for making these trips affordable for youth to attend! See below for highlights from the luncheon and auction!
PAGE 12
THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5 VOLUME 34, NO. 9
PAGE 12
VOLUME 35, NO. 6
Confirmation Class of 2018 On June 3rd during the 10 AM worship service, 9 teenagers will be reaffirming their baptism by confirm-ing their faith in front of the congregation. These students began their confirmation journey early in 2018, attending confirmation class during the Faith Formation hour, journaling during the weeks, and talking to adults and one another about what they believe. Nancy Irwin, Deb Loney, and Britney Knight had the privi-lege of witnessing these students transform in their faith over the past several months. On May 21st, they met with the Session of FPCC to deliver their joint faith statement. Please join us in welcoming the follow-ing students on June 3rd:
Colin Fabich, Ethan Holmes, Rachel Holmes, Paige Irwin, Anna Koebe, Caitlin Koebe, William McBrier, Bryleigh Paluchak, and Keegan Vilushis
Below are a few highlights from their personal faith statements that they picked for one another:
“I believe that the Holy Spirit is the mystery and power of God’s personal presence or God’s spiritual being.” ~ Colin Fabich
“Resurrection means salvation because Jesus came back from the dead and made it so that we don’t have to worry about death and the sins that we might make.” ~ Ethan Holmes
“I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who was fully human and walked with his disciples on this earth.” ~ Rachel Holmes
“I realized that almost everything we did circled around one topic; God is everywhere, not just in church.” ~ Paige Irwin
“I believe in the Church, a community of people that organize and work together to learn and prac-tice their faith.” ~ Anna Koebe
“What is faith? To me faith is putting forth confidence, trust, and belief in God.” ~ Caitlin Koebe
“The fact that we are getting to understand the world and faith through confirmation and the jour-ney of our lives, is the remarkable thing about religion—that it’s not just worship and singing, it’s the connection with God inside and outside the walls of the Church.” ~ William McBrier
“A faith journey is like a long winding rough road, when it starts it never ends, there will always be challenges and difficult spots in it.” ~ Bryleigh Paluchak
“What I believe God does for me is he talks and listens to me, loves me, will always forgive me, watches over me, has a plan for me, and is a part of me.” ~ Keegan Vilushis
PAGE 13
THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5
Abby Blankenship, Campus Minister Nsanbeh (Danté) Epizitone, Sunday Host
Ian Headley, Weeknight Host Lisa Hiegel, Director, Covenant Preschool
Seth Hiegel, Weeknight Host Jackie K. Jones, Covenant Cook
Britney Knight, Director, Youth & Family Ministry Luba Kovalchuk, Custodian
Seph Kumer, Director, Community Engagement Marsha MacKinnon-McKinley, Website Editor JoAnn Peters, Finance/Records Administrator
Anne Sauer, Administrative Assistant John Scepura, Building & Maintenance Mechanic
Mary Schmidt, Hostess Kyle Schumacher, Campus Minister
Monty Service, Coordinator, Missional Music Kevin Stevenson, Covenant Cook
Leslie Weber, Organist & Choirmaster Rev. Chris Weichman, Pastor/Head of Staff
Church Staff
Rev. Chris Weichman, Moderator of Session William D. Holmes, Clerk of Session
Dale Sweet, Associate Clerk of Session
Trustees
Class of 2021 Richard Bernardini
Margaret Matthews
Bill Tauber
Tim Tracy
Class of 2020 Charlotte Foresther
Charles Kibler
Allen Sheasley
Derek Sweet
Class of 2019 Bill Holter
Jennifer Koebe
John Marsden
Greg Sesler
Deacons
Class of 2021 Carol Beach
Sue Evans
Mary Lou Neithamer
Sheila Sweet
Karen Weichman
Class of 2020 Linda Altof
Deborah Bernardini
Lorie Fritts
Melany Kramer
Scott Steva
Class of 2019 Julie Copen
Jason Fisher
Ronald Robertson
Cindy Kerchoff
LuAnn Shidemantle
Elders
Class of 2021 Matthew Allen
Michael Burns
Richard Sheasley
Tracey Townsend
Nancy
van den Honert
Class of 2020 Gregory Cooper
Nancy Irwin
Linda Majewski
Dale Shidemantle
Diane Sutton
Class of 2019 Patricia Bieber
David Doupe
Paul Diefenbach
Andrew Spriegel
Scott Wright
Church Officers
VOLUME 34, NO. 9
PAGE 13
VOLUME 35, NO. 6
AMS
Picture of the Month
Have you liked “First Presby-terian Church of the Covenant” or friended “FirstCovenantChurch” on Facebook? This is one way to
share good news about God’s work with FPCC. Also, if you take photos you think help tell our ministry story, be sure to share them to the church pages and/or tag the church!
Check Us Out
Sophia Ginader came to Covenant Connections dinner one Spring Wednesday night with this paint-ing she created at school. What a colorful, creative depiction of the west side of the church! It now hangs in the church office near the copier for all to enjoy. Thank you & great job, Sophia!
THE COVENANT CHIMES
In June we kick off another "Very Best Summer" of ministry oppor-tunities unique to June, July & August!
Ministry has hands & feet; it is not passive. Grow in how you follow Jesus
in new ways this summer!
The Return of "Very Best Summer"
VERY
BEST
SUMMER
PAGE 14
THE COVENANT CHIMES VOLUME 32 NO. 5
PAGE 12