August 12, 2022
Update from the Personnel Committee

We are continuing the PC-USA defined process of searching for a transitional pastor. We need to complete this search by successfully placing an interim pastor in our church before the formal search for a permanent pastor(s) can begin. The purpose of the transitional person is two-fold. 1) To perform the daily and weekly operations of the congregation and 2) to assist the session/congregation in determining the future and type of pastoring our congregation needs and desires. Although there is no specified length of time the transitional person would serve, experience suggests it will
likely be 12-24 months.

To date we have interviewed three candidates. One person, although possessing the qualities we desired for the position, withdrew from the process because of the driving distance from her home in Princeton, NJ. We continue to have discussions with another candidate. He is out of the immediate area as well but still wanting to continue the discussion.  
In the absence of interested local candidates the Personnel Committee will be expanding its search beyond the three local Presbyteries. We will begin working to write a Ministry Information Form (MIF). This document will then be posted on the Church Leadership Connection (CLC) which is the Internet based matching and referral system for the Presbytery USA. This will effectively reach a National audience in hopes of finding a good candidate. Other modifications to our search process will be considered to allow discussions with a wider candidate pool.  

If you have questions regarding the process or progress, please feel free to ask any committee member. And we hope that you are keeping our committee and our church family in your daily prayers as we journey together through this transitional time together.

Bill Campbell - chair, Donna Force,
Andy Lane, Fred Remelius, Heather Temple
Have you ever wondered about the people who wrote the words and music of the hymns we sing each week? What was their life like in the time in which they wrote these hymns? What was the church like then? Do the music and the words reflect their personal feelings and experiences and/or the feelings and experiences of their community?

Part of the diversity of our Presbyterian hymnal is the inclusion of traditional hymns, songs, and spirituals passed down through our African-American and Indigenous Peoples members and congregations. Since the composers of African-American Spirituals and Indigenous Peoples' songs are mostly unknown, no compensation was given to any organization for their use in the Glory to God hymnal. To right this wrong, the Presbyterian Publishing Corp. recently announced that it will donate royalties from sales of the Glory to God hymnal to organizations involved in reparative justice for every African-American spiritual and Indigenous Peoples’ song in the book.

In the link below, you can read about the PPC’s, as well as individual congregations,’ mission and commitment to actively participate in this important repair work for racial justice and healing. 
Please contact Dawn Skelly if you have any pastoral care needs. 
Dawn’s email address is [email protected]. 
She will be regularly checking her emails. 
During off hours, you can call 484-268-2919, which will be checked on a regular basis. There will be an on-call Pastor available for emergencies.  
At its meetings on August 3 the Session:
  • Welcomed Rev. Brenton Thompson as moderator
  • Shared joys and concerns
  • Received the Treasurer’s Report
  • Approved being a polling site for the November 8, 2022 general election
  • Received an update from the Personnel Committee on the Transitional Minister search
  • Received updates from committees
  • Heard plans for an outdoor prayer/music service on August 14, 2022
  • Approved the choir presenting a music service on December 18, 2022
  • Shared the passing of the peace with each other in closing
Being the Church This Week

Sunday, August 14
Service of the Lord’s Day - 9:30AM
Rev. Barry Moyer, preaching
Evensong Worship service – 6:30 PM – Peace Garden
                                  
Monday, August 15
Troop 146 - 7PM
                                                             
Tuesday, August 16
NO YOGA
Staff Meeting – 10:30AM   
 
Wednesday, August 17
Yoga – 9AM – Community Room
                                        
Thursday, August 18
Community Meals – 5PM – Fellowship Hall
                                                           
Friday, August 19
Yoga – 9AM – Community Room
Mission Partner
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!