April 29, 2022
Artist Diego Velazquez paints the scene of one of our favorite stories in the Bible, the risen Christ appearing to disciples in the supper at Emmaus on the evening of the resurrection, Luke 24:13-35. But instead of painting it with the table in the center foreground, Velazquez imagines the scene from the vantage point of the kitchen, and the maid who serves the supper to her master and his surprise guest.     

The poet Denise Levertov saw this painting and was inspired to stand where the kitchen maid stood, and write this poem:
 
The Kitchen Maid with the Supper at Emmaus
(A Painting by Diego Velázquez)
She listens, listens, holding her breath.
Surely that voice
is his—the one
who had looked at her, once,
across the crowd, as no one ever had looked?
Had seen her?
Had spoken as if to her?
Surely those hands were his,
taking the platter of bread from hers just now?
Hands he’d laid on the dying and made them well?
Surely that face—?
The man they’d crucified for sedition and blasphemy.
The man whose body disappeared from its tomb.
The man it was rumored now some women had seen this morning,
alive?
Those who had brought this stranger home to their table
don’t recognize yet with whom they sit.
But she in the kitchen,
absently touching the wine jug she’s to take in,
a young Black servant intently listening,
swings round and sees
the light around him
and is sure.
- Denise Levertov

Levertov observes that the disciples seated at the table with Jesus had been walking with him for seven miles and still had not recognized him. But the maid, the Moorish servant girl stands rapt with widened eyes and body tensed – we can almost feel the goosebumps on her skin. Can it be that this serving girl who lives on the margins of her society recognizes the risen Christ even from the kitchen? How often it had been this way while Jesus was among us, that the ones who are poor, overlooked and invisible in the world see what is invisible to many who are at the center. “It is only with the heart that one can see rightly;” wrote Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in The Little Prince, “what is essential is invisible to the eye.” Where have you seen with the eyes of your heart the Risen Christ appear in your life?
 
Christ is risen!
Carter and Kerry
Support the CROP Walk this month
Thanks to all who have walked this month or donated to the FPC team for this year’s virtual CROP Walk. To date we have raised over $2300 thanks to Team members (thus far) Mike Bleyer, Evan Deegan, Laura Hazeltine, Kurt and Sharon Holloway, Lauren Hoyt, Sara Kehs, and Carter and Kerry. 
You can still walk or make a donation:
25% of the money we raise stays here in Pottstown to battle hunger and poverty through the Cluster. 
75% addresses hunger and poverty and provides assistance to refugees through Church World Services.
Mark 12:31 Book Discussion of When the Emperor Was Divine
on Sunday, May 1 at 4PM
Join us as we meet at the church to discuss this award-winning novel
by Julie Olsuka. 
Session Digest – April Meeting

  • With great joy, the Session heard reports and professions of faith from confirmands, Rita Whitlock, Evan Deegan, Viv Kyler, and by elder commission: Gabe Erickson. They will be received into membership upon their public profession of faith in worship.

  • With great joy, heard the reports and professions of faith by, and approved the examination of, new officers, Ida Detar, Susan Stark (by Zoom from New Zealand!), Ben Drago, Lauren Hoyt, Klara Orzechowski, Scott Houting, Jim McClimon (deacons) and Chuck Krueger and Don Kisela (elders).

  • Received the Treasurer Report from Mary Ellen Urquhart and approved the monthly allocations to Mission and Capital Improvement.

  • Received the Co-pastors report and approved the upcoming baptisms of Naomi Eloise Socci on Sunday, May 22 and Everett Morgan Kolb and Aidan Joan Kolb on May 22. Everett and Aidan are the children of former member Allison Shutt Kolb and Jayson Kolb, who are members of a New Jersey church but would like to have their children baptized at FPC.

  • Approved Kerry and Carter taking vacation May 5-15 and approved Frank and Brittany Hynson, missionaries with our mission partner, Co-Laborers International to preach and lead worship on Sunday, May 8, and Rev. Ashley Rossi, to preach and lead worship on May 15.

  • At the request of the Decorating Committee, approved up to $2500 from the Memorial Fund to replace some Christmas decorations

  • Received reports form the Director of Children, Family, and Youth Ministries, Clerk, Admin., Endowment, Hospitality, Mission, Spiritual Formation, and Worship Committees, along with the Deacons, Porter Broward Taskforce, and Mark 12:31 Team.

  • Recognized and thanked outgoing elders Donna Force, Rosie Roseo, Karen Stacks, and Barbara Winter.

  • Please keep in your prayers the following committee requests:
  • the search for our transitional pastor (Personnel) guidance for completion of projects (Admin),
  • guidance for updating the Endowment policy statement (Endowment),
  • thanksgiving for all responsible for our Easter worship, breakfast and reception (Worship),
  • thanksgiving for the returning structure of our Sunday School classes (Spiritual Formation),
  • continued presence of visitors and that they will feel welcomed (Hospitality),
  • discernment for this year’s grants (Porter Broward Taskforce),
  • continued thanksgiving for the resources we have to share with our mission partners and wisdom about how best to distribute the money (Mission)
  • the upcoming book discussion (Mark 12:31 team)
Being the Church This Week

Sunday, May 1
Sunday School 9:15AM
Service of the Lord’s Day 10:30 AM
Celebration of the Sacrament of Lord’s Supper
Ordination and Installation of Elders and Deacons
Garden Committee Meeting – 3PM – at the Church              
Mark 12:31 Book Discussion – 4PM
Mark 12:31 Team Meeting – 5PM 
  
Monday, May 2
HENS – 9AM-1PM
Music & Rec - 4:30PM
Cub/Troop – 7PM
                                                                                  
Tuesday, May 3
Yoga – 8AM – Community Room 
Staff Meeting – 10AM
Lectio-Divina – 7:30PM 
 
Wednesday, May 4
Yoga – 8AM – Community Room
HENS – 9AM-1PM
Girl Scouts – 5:30PM
Girl Scouts – 6PM
Evening Prayer – 7:15PM
Committees – 7:30PM
                                           
Thursday, May 5
Sisters of the Way Bible Study
Girl Scouts – 5PM
Community Meals – 5PM – lower parking lot
Chancel Handbells Rehearsal –6:30PM
Chancel Choir Rehearsal – 7:30PM
 
Friday, May 6
Yoga – 8AM – Community Room
HENS – 9AM-1PM
Mission Partner
Pottstown Beacon of Hope Mission
Every good gift, every perfect gift, comes from above. These gifts come down from the Father, the creator of the heavenly lights, in whose character there is no change at all.  (James 1:17 CEB) 
 
At FPC Pottstown, we believe that our time, our talents, our earthly treasures are not our own; they are gracious gifts from God. God entrusts them to us, and calls us to use our gifts and our lives to make God's love known in the world.
 
We continue to clothe, feed, educate and uplift one another, and our neighbors in need.  This work requires offerings of time, talent and treasure. Your giving makes that work possible. Thank you!