Attention to Attendance
by Rev. Alexander lang
When I came to Pine Street two and half years ago, I was so very excited that I had been called to a church with such a vibrant community of Presbyterians. I felt so blessed that out of all the candidates who had applied, your APNC felt I was the right fit. That said, I also felt overwhelmed by all the new names and faces. Often people would have to introduce themselves to me three or four times before I could remember who they were. Over time I became more used to names and faces, but I still had trouble recognizing when people were present in worship and when they had been absent for a number of weeks. Ultimately, this didn’t bother me too much, until an event occurred that really caused me to reassess how I looked at our congregation.
one of our parishioners was in the hospital. I drove out to see her and when I entered the room we began chatting. I asked her how long she had been in the hospital. I assumed she had been there for one or two days. Her response: six weeks! She was unconscious for most of that time, so she couldn’t tell the doctors to contact us. What I couldn’t believe is that she had been in the hospital for six weeks and no one had noticed she was absent from worship. She sits in the same pew every single week and yet no one thought to ask: where is she? I felt as though both I and the Pine Street community had let her down.
A few months after I began serving Pine Street, I received an e-mail that
When we restructured the deacons, I wanted to devise a system that would help us to know who had been attending worship and who had been absent so something like this wouldn’t happen again. The
See CARING on page 2
Rethinking retirement: a Workshop by David Rich
by Ron Poorman
On Saturday, March 3, 2012, David Rich will present a workshop that will challenge how we think about retirement. David, a noted retreat leader and husband of former Pine Street pastor, Deborah McKinley, will ask us to answer some questions about our lives and to reconsider what our lives can be
Bagels & Belief
January 8
“The Timid Soul”
Rev. Alex Lang
February 5
“Seasons of the Soil”
Rev. Russell Sullivan
March 4
“The Sad Story of the Embarrassed Farmers”
Rev. Alex Lang
April 1
“Loves Always Wins . . . Sometimes”
Rev. Heather Sigler
May 6
“Why Doesn’t God Like Religious People”
Rev. Alex Lang
June 3
“Pardon My Insistence”
Rev. Russell Sullivan
All forums are held in Fellowship Hall at 9:40 a.m.
system has gone through several iterations and I feel like we finally have a functioning method for collecting attendance. If you’ve been in worship over the last six months, you’ve probably noticed that the deacons have been particularly vigilant about collecting the pew pads so that we can record the attendance of who is worshipping with us each week. If you have been absent from worship for four weeks in a row, a deacon is assigned to give you a phone call to make sure you are doing okay and to let you know we missed you in worship.
Thanks to this new system, we have kept more connected with the pulse of the congregation. More than 75 people have been contacted over last six months. Many of the people who we called were surprised that we noticed they were gone and were thankful for the personal attention. In some instances, we discovered people were sick or dealing with difficult issues in their life, which enabled Russell and me to provide pastoral care. Had it not been for those phone calls, we wouldn’t have known there was an issue. Our average worship attendance has risen from 131 when we started in July to 179 in November. Some of this rise in worship attendance is due to the ebb and flow of the seasons, but we know that some people have returned to worship because we care enough to notice when they are absent.
The bottom line is that the people in our congregation are feeling more cared for than they have in a long time. This system has taken a long time to perfect, but I feel it was certainly worth the effort. If you have a moment before or after worship, thank the deacons for all of the hard work they put into caring for our community. Lastly, I would like to thank you, the congregation, for taking the time each week to fill out the pew pads. If you didn’t make that effort, we would not be able to care for you the way we do. Keep up the good work and we will keep caring for you!
Bad Weather. . . Are We Having Church?
It’s that time of year again, so if it’s snowing on Sunday morning or while you’re getting ready for a meeting, you can find revised schedule and cancellation info on our website, www. pinestreet.org, and on Channel 21 (WHP-TV) or Channel 27 (WHTM-TV). Remember ... even if church is being held, you need to be comfortable driving in whatever weather conditions have come our way. . . be safe first.
A Reminder . . .
On Sunday, January 1 we will only have one worship service at 11:00 a.m. As usual, Church School for all ages will be at 9:40.
acebook Users
Remember to "tag" Pine Street church when you upload photos from church events to your Facebook page. It’s one more way to reach beyond our doors and invite others to share in all of the exciting things happening at Pine Street.
DDB is offering Entertainment Books for $30, payable to DDB. These are wonderful holiday gifts, hostess gifts, birthday gifts...etc. Benefit DDB (we get $5 for each book sold) while purchasing a gift for your friends and family. Please pick up books in the Pine Street office or call Elaine at 238-4717. Thanks!
Best wishes for a wonderful holiday season from the staff at Downtown Daily Bread! Elaine, Brenda, Chris, Cody, and Keith.
SIMPLE ACT OF KINDNESS
Letter to the Editor, The Patriot-News November 24, 2011
Last week during the media frenzy of the Penn State sex scandal, a quiet act of kindness went unnoticed. The counselor at Downtown Daily Bread, Christine Patrick, solved a “missing persons” case.
When a DDB client who had been eating at the kitchen for several months inquired about shelter, the counselor did an intake and learned that “Sally” had a mental health problem.
She had been staying in a hotel until her money ran out. After that, she slept in a laundry mat. The counselor referred Sally to CMU (Case Management Unit) for a mental health evaluation which Sally refused. However, Sally did give CMU a phone number which was passed on to Chris. The next day, Chris called that unidentified phone number and to her surprise heard screams of joy from Sally’s daughter. Sally had been missing for six months.
Sally had already left DDB when the call was placed, so Chris came back into town that night looking for Sally. She was not to be found. The next day, Saturday, a DDB client called Chris to let her know that Sally was at Downtown Daily Bread for lunch. Chris came to the kitchen on Sunday at lunch time but Sally did not come that day. In the meanwhile, Chris spoke with Sally’s family and a detective from the Ohio missing person’s bureau. Finally, on Monday morning Sally walked into DDB for a shower. Chris, not wasting a moment, made the call to connect her to her family. That night, DDB paid for a hotel room for Sally. The next day, after lunch, Sally was escorted to the bus station where she got on a bus headed for Ohio.
A simple act of kindness along with the hard work and dedication of one person made a very special Thanksgiving for a family many miles away.
Elaine Strokoff Executive Director Downtown Daily Bread
Sanctuary Painting Complete
Because of the damage done by a steam leak in the church last Spring, we have been able to repaint the Sanctuary, thanks to the hard work of our insurance dollars. The colors are now restored to their original shades . . . for many of us, seeing them for the first time . . . our recent recollection being of those same colors faded by forty years of wear.
Pine Street Goes Live
On Christmas Eve, Pine Street became the first church in the Harrisburg area to broadcast, or “stream” its church service live over the Internet. While over 270 people attended the 11 p.m. candlelight service in person, more than 1100 people checked out the live stream web page, 82 watched some of the service and about 40 people watched from beginning to end.
Pine Street will continue to reach out to those who are unable to come to church and to people who want to check us out before actually visiting, by streaming the 11:00 a.m. service every Sunday morning at http://www.pinestreet.org/live-stream/.
Continued from page 1
now that we no longer have the same concerns that we had when our children were young. The workshop will be geared for those either contemplating retirement or already retired.
David Rich is a retired minister (PC-USA) has experience as teacher, retreat leader and life/work planning facilitator for individuals and churches on such topics as: “What is your Mission in Life?”, “Here I am... But where am I Going?” and “Redefining Retirement.” He trained with Richard Bolles, author of What Color is your Parachute? and served as the Director of the Retirement Planning program of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (USA).
Retirement is changing. Today, we are living longer. We are healthier. We still have a lot of energy. We need to take time to pause and reflect on what we want to do in the vital years before us. Workshop talks and group exercises will include such topics as:
• Who am I and who does God call me to be in my later years of life?
• What are my gifts and talents gleaned from my life and work?
• How will I utilize my time?
• How can I re-define work? Does my work have to be my identity?
• Where will I/we live and what kind of living space is needed?
• What support network (family, friends, and community will I need?
• Discussing and answering these questions will give shape to your retirement!
The workshop will run from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 3, 2012. Come shake off the winter doldrums. Watch for registration at the Welcome Center in February. The cost is $25.00 per person, which includes lunch and printed materials.
Whether retirement is right around the corner or several years in the future, please come and join in this time of discernment and reflection. And, bring a friend. NOTE: This workshop does not deal with financial planning.
News From Our Church Family
Baptisms
November 27, 2011
Cole Andrew Mader
infant son of Tim & Katie Mader
New Members December 11, 2011
Festus Akoso
Scott Cleveland
David DeVries
Susan Ewing
Michael Rathfon
The Congregational Life Committee and the Kitchen Committee would like thank everyone who participated in the “Christmas Cookie Bazaar”. It was a rousing success and due to your generosity we raised $1348.00. The proceeds will definitely help replenish broken dishes, torn and worn table cloths, and all other things needed for the kitchen.
Thank You!
Men’s Breakfast
Make that New Year resolution and then keep it by having Breakfast with the Pine Street Men for “the best breakfast in town” at 8:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 14. This will be a time of fellowship and discussion. What a great way to start off the new year.
Pine StreetWalkers will not meet in January.
Cookie Bazaar a Sweet Success
Sunday, January 1
First Sunday After Christmas
Psalms 98, 150
1 Samuel 1:1–2, 7b–28
Col. 1:9–20
Luke 2:22–40
Monday, January 2
Psalms 48, 145
1 Kings 19:1–8
Ephesians 4:1–16
John 6:1–14
Tuesday, January 3
Psalms 111, 146
1 Kings 19:9–18
Ephesians 4:17–32
John 6:15–27
Wednesday, January 4
Psalms 20, 147:1–11
Joshua 3:14—4:7
Ephesians 5:1–20
John 9:1–12, 35–38
Thursday, January 5
Psalms 99, 147:12–20
Jonah 2:2–9
Ephesians 6:10–20
John 11:17–27, 38–44
Friday, January 6
Epiphany of the Lord Psalms 72, Ps. 148
Isaiah 49:1–7
Revelation 21:22–27
Matt. 12:14–21
Saturday, January 7
Psalms 46 or 97, 149
Deut. 8:1–3
Col. 1:1–14
John 6:30–33, 48–51
Lectionary Readings for January
Sunday, January 8
Baptism of the Lord
Psalms 104, 150
Genesis 1:1—2:3
Ephesians 1:3–14
John 1:29–34
Monday, January 9
Psalms 5, 145
Genesis 2:4–9 (10–15) 16–25
Hebrews 1:1–14
John 1:1–18
Tuesday, January 10
Psalms 42, 146
Genesis 3:1–24
Hebrews 2:1–10
John 1:19–28
Wednesday, January 11
Psalms 89:1–18, 147:1–11
Genesis 4:1–16
Hebrews 2:11–18
John 1:(29–34) 35–42
Thursday, January 12
Psalms 97, 147:12–20
Genesis 4:17–26
Hebrews 3:1–11
John 1:43–51
Friday, January 13
Psalms 51, 148
Genesis 6:1–8
Hebrews 3:12–19
John 2:1–12
Saturday, January 14
Psalms 104, 149
Genesis 6:9–22
Hebrews 4:1–13
John 2:13–22
Sunday, January 15
Second Sunday after Epiphany
Psalms 19, 150
Genesis 7:1–10, 17–23
Ephesians 4:1–16
Mark 3:7–19
Monday , January 16
Psalms 135, 145
Genesis 8:6–22
Hebrews 4:14—5:6
John 2:23—3:15
Tuesday, January 17
Psalms 123, 146
Genesis 9:1–17
Hebrews 5:7–14
John 3:16–21
Wednesday, January 18
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins
Psalms 15, 147:1–11
Genesis 9:18–29
Hebrews 6:1–12
John 3:22–36
Thursday, January 19
Psalms 36, 147:12–20
Genesis 11:1–9
Hebrews 6:13–20
John 4:1–15
Friday, January 20
Psalms 130, 148
Genesis 11:27—12:8
Hebrews 7:1–17
John 4:16–26
Saturday, January 21
Psalms 56, 149
Genesis 12:9—13:1
Hebrews 7:18–28
John 4:27–42
Sunday, January 22
Third Sunday after Epiphany
Psalms 67, 150
Genesis 13:2–18
Galatians 2:1–10
Mark 7:31–37
Monday, January 23
Psalms 57, 145
Genesis 14:(1–7) 8–24
Hebrews 8:1–13
John 4:43–54
Tuesday, January 24
Psalms 54, 146
Evening Ps. 28, 99
Genesis 15:1–11, 17–21
Hebrews 9:1–14
John 5:1–18
Wednesday, January 25
Week of Prayer for
Christian Unity Ends
Psalms 65, 147:1–11
Genesis 16:1–14
Hebrews 9:15–28
John 5:19–29
Thursday, January 26
Psalms 143, 147:12–20
Genesis 16:15—17:14
Hebrews 10:1–10
John 5:30–47
Friday, January 27
Psalms 88, 148
Genesis 17:15–27
Hebrews 10:11–25
John 6:1–15
Saturday, January 28
Psalms 122, 149
Genesis 18:1–16
Hebrews 10:26–39
John 6:16–27
Sunday, January 29
Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Psalms 108, 150
Genesis 18:16–33
Galatians 5:13–25
Mark 8:22–30
Monday, January 30
Psalms 62, 145
Genesis 19:1–17 (18–23) 24–29
Hebrews 11:1–12
John 6:27–40
Tuesday, January 31
Psalms 12, 146
Genesis 21:1–21
Hebrews 11:13–22
John 6:41–51
