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Friday, August 26, 2022 Newsletter
SUNDAY SERVICE
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE VIA FACEBOOK LIVE:
10:00 a.m. Summer Worship in the Sanctuary
(* also available on our website and via phone)
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MESSAGE FROM THE REV. LINDSEY ALTVATER CLIFTON:
225th General Assembly Recap
This week we’re sharing a summary of the results of the 225th General Assembly held earlier this summer by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A). We are a busy and fruitful organization, taking on many timely issues!
Israel/Palestine, fossil fuel divestment, OGA/PMA unification among major issues addressed - by Rick Jones & Mike Ferguson, Office of the General Assembly
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Louisville
The Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace (left) and the Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis, Co-Moderators of the 225th General Assembly, receive stoles from Stated Clerk the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II following the Moderators' election on the first day of the Assembly, June 18, 2022, at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville. (Photo by Rich Copley)
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Church leadership
Key positions in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) were filled during the assembly. The Rev. Ruth Santana-Grace and Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis were elected co-moderators of the 225th General Assembly. The assembly confirmed Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett’s re-election to a second term as president and executive director of Presbyterian Mission Agency. The assembly confirmed the re-election of the Rev. Dr. Tom Taylor as president and CEO of the Presbyterian Foundation, his fourth term. The assembly also confirmed the 2021 election of Rev. Dr. Asa Lee, president of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
Israel/Palestine
The General Assembly voted 266-116 to approve INT-02, a “Recognition that Israel’s Laws, Policies and Practices Constitute Apartheid Against the Palestinian People.” It declares that the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) “recognizes that the laws, policies, and practices of the government of Israel regarding the Palestinian people fulfill the international legal definition of apartheid.”
Fossil fuel divestment
General Assembly approved ENV-10 calling for divestment from five oil and gas companies: Chevron, ExxonMobil, Marathon Petroleum, Phillips 66 and Valero Energy. The assembly said the companies were not doing enough to slow global warming.
Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) reports that this is the first time the PC(USA) has voted to divest from companies out of compliance with GA’s environmental policies (which was established in 2018).
Unification and National Structure
On a vote of 321-54, General Assembly approved FIN-10, which calls for the appointment of a commission to oversee and facilitate the unification of the Office of the General Assembly (OGA) and the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) into a single agency. The assembly also approved MOV-02, which moves Mission Engagement and Support (MES) from the Mission Agency to the Administrative Services Group, which supports both OGA and PMA.
Unified budget/per capita
The assembly approved FIN-14, which includes unified budgets for the Office of the General Assembly, Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Administrative Services Group of the PC(USA), A Corporation. The budget for the three agencies and entities totals $88.3 million in 2023 and $89.5 million in 2024. The breakdown of the budget will be 16% for OGA, 79% for PMA, and 5% for ASG.
The assembly voted to approve FIN-13 which assesses a per capita rate of $9.85 per member in 2023 and $9.80 per member in 2024. The current per capita rate is $8.98 per member meaning an 87-cent (9.6%) increase next year while the 2024 rate will drop by five cents (0.5%) in 2024. The per capita budget for 2023 was approved at $15.2 million and $15.6 million for 2024.
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Immigration
By a vote of 340-25, the General Assembly approved IMM-06, allowing the church to declare itself a “Sanctuary and Accompaniment Church.” The assembly’s Immigration Committee says the decision sends a message that the church is committed to working for justice in U.S. immigration policy.
Gun violence
General Assembly approved a motion that the church renew its commitment to end gun violence by developing a 10-year campaign, the Decade to End Gun Violence (2022 – 2032).
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The assembly also voted to direct Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) to engage with Walmart, Dick’s Sporting Goods and Kroger, three publicly traded companies held by either the Board of Pensions or Presbyterian Foundation, that sell guns not classified as semi-automatic and assault-based weapons.
Ukraine
The assembly also voted 374-1 to approve INT-19, a commissioners’ resolution condemning the Russian military invasion of Ukraine and crimes against humanity, and calling for a cease-fire and the immediate resumption of internationally mediated negotiations.
Race and gender justice
Commissioners and advisory delegates approved several items of business from the Race and Gender Justice Committee (RGJ), including RGJ-07: “A Resolution Addressing the Lack of Installed Pastoral Leadership in People of Color Congregations in the PC(USA) — From the Racial Equity Advocacy Committee” and RGJ-08: “On Offering an Apology to African Americans for the Sin of Slavery and Its Legacy.”
A two-hour plenary ended with votes overwhelmingly approving both items, and with white Presbyterians reading aloud “A Litany of Repentance” found in RGJ-08, which begins with the words: “As white Christians we repent of our complicity in the belief in white supremacy.”
The assembly also approved RGJ-12 calling for a new special committee to expose white supremacy within the denomination and make recommendations for improvement. In addition, the assembly approved RGJ-13, directing the Presbyterian Mission Agency and the Presbyterian Publishing Corporation to “create educational resources for congregations to identify and interrupt practices and policies that perpetuate the adultificaiton of Black girls and criminalization of adolescent behavior."
Commissioners and advisory delegates passed a resolution, RGJ-14, denouncing violence against Asian women and Pacific Islanders.
The Church will form a committee to write a new PC(USA) confession.
226th General Assembly
The assembly voted to change the format of the 226th General Assembly, whereby committee meetings will be held online, with in-person plenaries being conducted on site in Salt Lake City, Utah, in 2024. The assembly is expected to cost approximately $2.8 million.
Mid councils
Commissioners and advisory delegates approved MC-10, which creates a task force to explore the theology and practice of ordination for ruling elders and recommend any changes to the 226th General Assembly (2024). The task force will include representatives who identify as BIPOC, immigrant congregations and New Worshiping Communities. Several amendments and motions were considered, but the overture was approved as amended by the committee.
I hope you will consider these actions and how they may be incorporated into our own congregation's actions.
Blessings,
Lindsey
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FOR THIS SUNDAY
Luke 10:25-37
Click the link to read the verses
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- This week’s sermon: Won't You Be My Neighbor? by The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton
- We post the video of each week’s
services and sermon text and audio
on our website: fpc-bethlehem.org
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FOR SUNDAY MORNING
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The Building Reopening Task Force has issued a new guideline: they encourage that people wear masks, especially if they are in a high risk category, as an additional precaution to protect themselves and others.
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Child care will be available from 9:45-11:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings; please ask an usher for directions.
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We offer nametags for folks to wear – these are for everyone! You can pick up as you enter the worship space; please clearly PRINT your first name.
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JOIN US AFTER SUNDAY WORSHIP | |
Our popular “Lemonade on the Lawn” social time is offered after our 10 a.m. Summer Worship service.
Stop by the front lawn for a cool drink, snack, and fellowship. We’ll head into the North Link in case of bad weather.
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- Every Sunday we encourage you to look for the table at Lemonade on the Lawn, where you can sign cards for our friends who are sick or hospitalized.
- If you have excess garden bounty to share, we’ll have a table available for you to put it out – and others to take what they can use. Give and get!
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DO YOU FEEL CALLED TO SERVE?
As a congregation, we will soon be embarking on the important process of selecting our next group of leaders. Over the next few weeks we will be introducing you to the various positions that will be available, and meet some of our current leaders.
Deacons
The Deacons are the caregivers of the church. They minister to the individual members through home communion and visits, hospital and prayer ministries, and providing support to those in difficult situations. Deacons serve a three year term and typically meet monthly.
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Says current Deacon Jane Masters (pictured, right): “Being a deacon in our church, for me, is a privileged position in that it involves me in the lives of old friends and new friends.
“People really appreciate having a deacon to help with their everyday lives under trying circumstances. It is rewarding to me to be trusted by the people that allow us into their lives.”
Deacons currently serving along with Jane are: co-moderators Jeff Csatari and Phil Fair, Alesia Dietrich, Melody Engel, Yvonne Green, Barbara Hjorth, Jane Mackie and Pam Swank.
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HELPING HANDS PLANS NEXT TRIP | |
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The Helping Hands Care Team of Lehigh Presbytery has scheduled a mission work trip to New Bern, NC, from Saturday, October 29 – Saturday, November 5.
Volunteers are needed to assist with the recovery efforts after hurricanes and flooding caused extensive damage to the churches and homes in that area. It takes years for areas to recover from these storms and every “helping hand” makes a difference in the lives of people who lost so much.
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There are no specific skills or experience required, other than to be flexible and provide whatever help is needed. There are jobs for every skill level and we have experienced volunteers to help train you. We do, of course, welcome those with plumbing, electrical, roofing, and dry wall installation skills.
As previous volunteer Leslie Pohl (pictured) writes
“We are looking for folks to join us on the trips. No skills are required, but you will need to try new things and use big person toys. For this you'll be greatly rewarded. Sense of accomplishment and pushing your boundaries will be the reward. Meeting new friends and seeing other parts of our country are a given. The best part is that you'll be helping the folks that really need it.”
The cost is $250.00 per person and participants must register by Thursday,
October 6. Partial scholarships may be available from First Pres.
If interested in participating, or in getting more information, and/or in scholarship information, please send an email to info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message at
610-867-5865.
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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
To make it easier to connect with ways to help in our community, we’ve created a new website page with listings of FPCB and community volunteer opportunities, like these:
- Hi Neighbors Coordinator
- Donegan Elementary School mentors (starts in October)
We’d also like to add additional organizations, or specific volunteer tasks. If you have any to share, please contact us at info@fpc-bethlehem.org or leave a message at the church office, 610-867-5865.
fpc-bethlehem.org/volunteer
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LOOKING AHEAD…
Sunday Servic
For this Sunday, August 28 and next Sunday, September 4 we will continue with our Summer Worship schedule – offering one service at 10 a.m. in the Sanctuary. We will keep you apprised of any changes in that schedule, as those plans are firmed up.
Faith Crawl
The Bethlehem Interfaith Group is planning its third Faith Crawl, in which bus travelers will visit three SouthSide houses of faith. The event is planned for Sunday, Sept. 18 from 3-6 p.m. and there is no charge to participate, although a $5 donation is suggested.
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Registration: All participants must register using the easy online sign-up form.
You can also call the First Pres office to register everyone in your party.
The tour will include:
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St. John’s Windish Evangelical Lutheran Church, with a presentation on a historically ethnic congregation and how it is transitioning to a new ministry.
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Packer Church at Lehigh University, for a presentation on campus ministry in a diverse and interfaith setting.
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St. John A.M.E. Zion Church, for a presentation on ministry in the first and oldest African-American congregation in the Lehigh Valley.
Those with mobility issues can contact BIG at info@bigbethlehem.org or call the First Pres church office at 610-867-5865.
Hi Neighbors
Our popular weekly series – featuring presentations on a wide variety of topics – returns on Monday, September 19. Sue Pizer Yoder will kick things off with “Us/Them Mentality Must Go: Making Neighbors Out of Strangers.” There is a fellowship time at 9:30 a.m. with the program at 10 a.m.
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POSITIONS AVAILABLE
We currently have these employment opportunities available at First Pres - if you know of someone who might be interested in additional information, please have them contact us at HR@fpc-bethlehem.org.
- Pastoral Associate (part-time)
- Director of Early Childhood Education (full-time)
- Coordinator of Extended Care (part-time)
- Assistant Coordinator of Extended Care (part-time)
- Two Preschool teacher positions (part-time)
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LAST SUNDAY'S PRIDE EVENT
It was a great opportunity to share our story - and hear others' stories - at last weekend's Lehigh Valley Pride event. This is the second year for us to collaborate with First Presbyterian Church of Allentown.
Many thanks to all who who supported this wonderful community effort!
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The Rev. Taylor Hall (left) from FPC-Allentown and The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton | | |
From left, Froy Thompson, Melody Engel and The Rev. Sue Bennetch | | |
UPDATED: IF YOU ARE HOSPITALIZED…
We would like to know when our members are entering the hospital. Please tell the hospital that your church ID is 724. We contact the hospitals on weekdays to get that information. If you enter the hospital on Friday-Sunday, you can contact Phil Fair at prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org to keep us up to date.
PRAYER REQUESTS...
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Send us your news and photos to share:
**Deadline for next week's newsletter is
WEDNESDAY at noon**
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Your likes / comments / shares help us spread the word about First Pres!
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THIS SUNDAY
- 9:45 – 11:30 a.m.: Child Care (ask ushers to direct you)
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10 a.m.: Summer Worship Service, in-person in the Sanctuary AND livestream on Facebook Live and our website; below, to join us online
- 11 a.m.: Lemonade on the Lawn hospitality time
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TO JOIN OUR LIVESTREAM WORSHIP SERVICES
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Visit our Facebook page and look for the post with our live feed
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If you don’t have a Facebook account, go to our website to view the service - click on the "Watch the Service" button
- Please check in with a comment so we know you’ve joined us!
- Captions will now be available on our livestream, for those who would like to use that feature
To watch a video – available after the services have aired: Visit our website archives
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IF YOU DO NOT HAVE INTERNET ACCESS: You can participate on your phone to listen to the Summer Worship Service
To listen on the phone (audio only): Call 929-205-6099; when prompted enter the Meeting ID: 848 4170 9518, followed by the # key. You will be asked for the participant ID – press the # key again.
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TUESDAYS: 10 a.m.-1 p.m.: Crafters, Room 408 (everyone welcome)
WEDNESDAYS: 7 p.m. - Overcomer’s Outreach Christian 12 Step Recovery Group weekly meeting, via Zoom (Meeting # 380 435 9056 / Password: overcomer)
CHURCH OFFICE AND BUILDING INFO:
Regular office hours are Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. The South entrance will be open during these hours, and on Sunday mornings.
Many of the office staff are continuing to work remotely for some of the time, so please make an appointment if you need to see someone specific. The answering service (610-778-7003) can take your urgent pastoral concerns, 24 hours a day.
CARE CONCERNS AND HOSPITAL VISITS: If members of the FPCB congregation are hospitalized and would welcome pastoral and hospital ministrant visitors and/or prayers, please contact: Phil Fair, Prayer Ministrant (prayer@fpc-bethlehem.org).
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FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF BETHLEHEM | |
First Presbyterian Church of Bethlehem, 2344 Center Street, Bethlehem, PA 18017 610-867-5865 | info@fpc-bethlehem.org
The Rev. J.C. Austin, Pastor/Head of Staff: ext. 213, JAustin@fpc-bethlehem.org
The Rev. Lindsey Altvater Clifton, Associate Pastor of Formation and Justice; LClifton@fpc-bethlehem.org
David Macbeth, Director of Music Ministries: ext. 202; DMacbeth@fpc-bethlehem.org
Kevin Konczyk, Facilities Maintenance Manager; KKonczyk@fpc-bethlehem.org
Pam Marth, Administrative Coordinator: ext. 228; email: PMarth@fpc-bethlehem.org
Carol Burns, Communications Manager: ext. 238; CBurns@fpc-bethlehem.org
Laura Hawk, Preschool Director; phone: 610-867-2956; LHawk@fpc-bethlehem.org
Cindy Matthews, Bookkeeper; CMatthews@fpc-bethlehem.org
Website: www.fpc-bethlehem.org
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