As you receive this issue of Pine Street Life, it will be just in time for you to come and enjoy the final concert of the 2011 – 2012 season of Music at Pine Street. Our guest for this occasion is organist Caroline Robinson, a student at the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia and student of Alan Morrison.
Caroline is a native of Greenville, S.C., and distinguished herself early as a young organ prodigy. Being accepted into a class of only four new students each year at the Curtis certainly was a high achievement in itself. She has placed in several national organ competitions and is seen as one of the up and coming talents in the organ world.
as general music associate in one of the area’s most prestigious churches. Last summer she was chosen to represent the Curtis Institute as their representative to the Region III Convention of the American Guild of Organists held here in Harrisburg. Her playing at Camp Hill Presbyterian Church brought the audience to their feet and secured her a place in our series this spring. Her program will be wide and varied, and is sure to include something that you will find satisfying.
Currently she is the organ scholar at St. Paul’s Church, Chestnut Hill in Philadelphia, where she accompanies the choirs and serves
The program is scheduled for Friday evening, June 1st at 7:30 p.m. Please take the time to come and support this superb young player as she puts the Pine Street instrument through its paces. We have been fortunate to catch several rising stars early in their careers
Where Are The Sign Boards?
by George Kunkle
Have you ever really noticed the church sign boards near both corners of Third and Pine Streets? If you look closely at them they are beautiful works of art. We assume they were originally installed in the early 1900’s during one of the major renovations of the church. That would make them almost 100 years old and they were showing their age. Rust was threatening to destroy the
Bagels & Belief
June 3
“Pardon My Insistence”
Rev. Russell Sullivan
Summer Adult Forums
June 17 & 24
Earth Care
Mission Committee
July 1
Clean Politics, Clean Streams
Franklin Kury
July 8, 15, 22, & 29
Christian Faith and Interfaith Dialogue
Dr. Lee Barrett
August 5
Youth Mission Trip
Pine Street youth
August 12
Games of Faith
Joanne Smith
August 19
Prison Ministry
Dr. Charles ‘Buz’ Myers
August 26
Militant Christianity: Saints, Angels, and Martyrs in Sparkling, Colorful Glass
Ken Hays
September 2
Singing the Faith: A Look at Our New Hymnal
Ron Poorman
All forums are held at 9:40 a.m. in Fellowship Hall
SIGN BOARDS
Continued from page 1
beautiful ironwork of the support frames and the sign boxes were falling apart making it difficult to open the doors to change the letters each Sunday.
Restoration of the sign boards was recommended during the Capital Campaign, but insufficient funding caused the project to be cut. However, our sign boards have been saved through a generous donation from Estelle Hartranft and other members of the congregation. With money available, the Property Committee was able to find a local company capable of working with the many different types of materials and systems found on the sign boards. Restore-N-More from Manheim, PA was awarded the bid for the restoration and the boards were removed on April 8th. The company was excited to work on what they called “historical works of art.” They should be returned sometime in the middle of May.
When the boxes were disassembled, extensive deterioration was discovered, so it will take extra time and labor to restore them to their original beauty. One major change to the boxes will be the lighting. Originally, five 100 watt light bulbs were located at the top of the box to illuminate the boards. The restored boxes will have LED lighting strips located around the inside edges of the doors to spread the light completely around the perimeter of the boards. This will greatly reduce the cost of lighting the sign boards.
Additional work involved in restoring the sign boards includes jack hammering new holes in the sidewalk for the restored frames to sit in, concreting the frames in place and restoring the actual letter boards that sit inside the boxes. This work is being completed by Brad Wise, Building & Grounds Manager, and George Kunkle from the Property Committee.
Session Notes for May
The Session met with newly elected Elders and Deacons and discussed their Statements of Faith, and what each hopes to accomplish as an officer, as well as what gifts and skills each brings to the office.
Services of Healing and Wholeness will be held on June 3, July 1, August 5 and September 2, with communion being served by intinction.
Pine Street will participate in Vacation Bible School with Faith United Church of Christ.
Approved a motion that Pine Street host with Temple Beth Israel Synagogue, Derry Presbyterian Church and Silver Spring Presbyterian Church an interfaith event taught by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine on the subject of Jewish-Christian relations and dialogue. The costs will be shared by the churches and the synagogue. The final schedule has not been decided.
Gave approval for Pine Street to invite a youth group from Jewell Ridge, VA to visit Pine Street from June 9-16. These youth will perform local mission work and will stay on Pine Street property. Pine Street will then have a sponsored mission trip to Jewell Ridge, VA from June 16-23, to help with their Vacation Bible School.
A Huge Thank You
DDB sends a huge thank you to Thomas ClarkJones for his “orchestration” of the Annual DDB Benefit Concert. It was a lovely event which made $822 to support the soup kitchen. A huge thanks also goes to our performers, Pine Street’s own Jonathan Hays and his accompanist Jeremy Gill. The talents of these two young men were astonishing. Thanks also must be sent to the Pine St. Mission Committee who provided a lovely reception after the concert.
Kudos to everyone who baked for the event and to the DDB Advisory Board members who worked behind the scenes. Last, I would like to thank all of the Pine Street members who attended the Benefit Concert to support Downtown Daily Bread. This endeavor was a lovely effort of everyone coming together in community to help those in need. Thank you!!
Elaine Strokoff
Save The Date: Trip to Mission Central
by Debbie Olson
On Thursday, April 19, John and Sandy Cameron, Jo Dolbin, Jack and Shirley Leisure, and Debbie Olson visited Mission Central in Mechanicsburg. They were given a tour of the facility and then did some ‘mission work’ – confirming that birthing kits sent to Mission Central from other sites were accurately packed. During the tour they learned that Mission Central is a huge storage facility for ‘first response’ items for disaster relief. Also, old computers are refurbished, by volunteers, and sent to developing countries where they are often used in schools – over 12,000 computers have been sent out from Mission Central to date. They also learned that a ministry called New Digs offers home furnishings (beds, upholstered furniture, kitchen supplies, etc.) to people who are setting up homes (perhaps they lost their home in a fire, perhaps they are getting ‘off the streets’, perhaps . . .) at no cost to those in need. They learned that Mission Central has many medical supplies (bedside commodes, crutches, wheelchairs, hospital beds, etc.) Bethesda Mission stores items at Mission Central. Many local social agencies are involved in sending people to Mission Central to access these supplies.
Trustee Notes for April
Approved resolutions establishing the financial relationship with Bryn Mawr Trust regarding management of the assets of the Church.
Supervised the removal of the two outdoor signs.
Continued to work toward a solution to the leakage in the hallway west of the sanctuary.
Reviewed the March financial statements which reflected the new fund structure approved as part of the budget last year.
If you have computers / computer parts you no longer use . . . If you have household items you no longer need or use . . . If you have medical equipment you no longer need. . . If you have an hour or two to spare . . . THINK OF MISSION CENTRAL. This agency does so much for those in need.
We are planning another trip to Mission Central on Saturday, June 30. Please save the date and join us in a tour of this facility and some light mission work following the tour.
Spirit of God Descend Upon My Heart
by Ron Poormamn
The day of Pentecost, this year celebrated on May 27, falls fifty days after Easter. Pentecost is traditionally called the birthday of the church – a time when believers were given the gift of the Spirit…touched, surrounded, filled with the Spirit of God. I believe the old hymn expresses how we react to this idea: Spirit of God, descend upon my heart; wean it from earth; through all its pulses move; stoop to my weakness, mighty as thou art, and make me love thee as I ought to love.
Without the Spirit, you see, there is nothing to infuse our hearts with commitment to express God’s love here on earth. Once the believers in Jesus’ day had received the Holy Spirit, they found new energy and passion filling them “as tongues of fire rested on all of them.” The Spirit broke into their space – and they responded by going out to begin the work of the church.
The artwork which you see hanging in the sanctuary on Pentecost is the result of the creative work of the Arts Committee of Pine Street in 2002. In an article published in PSL at the time, Elder Joanne Alwine had this to say: “The art you see is our expression of the power, simplicity and awe with which we hear the story in Acts of the Holy Spirit breaking into the lives of humankind. The work is composed of bands of fabric that will cut through the space and move with the air currents creating a sense of ebb and flow. The movement is imperceptible, subtle, but significant. [It is] intended to evoke the sense of mystery, rather than be literal.”
The artwork is dedicated to the memory of Roberta Adams, wife of former pastor, Dick Adams, who encouraged the committee as it worked together to create something new. Take some time to think about how you are touched by the Spirit of God.
RENEWAL: A Film About the Opportunities to Heal the Earth
by Bonnie Peckham
Please join the Mission Committee (Creation Care team) on Sunday June 17 and 24th during Sunday School Hour (9:40) in Fellowship Hall. Learn how Americans of many faiths choose to make a difference through restoring that which needs healing in their communities.
I find it interesting that our relationship with nature is a powerful part of today’s cultural disconnect from the natural world. Many of us don’t understand how ecological systems work or how much we depend on them. For most of us our lives are so comfortable and predictable that we are oblivious to what goes on around us. We tune in, get the weather report. and tune out.
We don’t think about changes that have occurred in the natural world, changes that have occurred because of human action, and don’t seem to care all that much. Others like myself and our creation team are seekers and feel it is important to share what we discover.
In the Old Testament are references that show strong ecological insights (Genesis 1:27-31; Leviticus 25:23), but in the New Testament is the powerful statement about reconciliation made by Paul as he writes to the bickering church in Corinth (2 Cor. 5:19). In his article “Ministry of Reconciliation” (from Eco-Justice Notes, PC(USA)) Reverend Peter SawtelI explains, “In Christ God was reconciling the world — the cosmos — to God’s self.” Paul shifts the good news of God acting in Christ from reconciliation as something we receive, to something we do. “God has given us the ministry of reconciliation.” God is “entrusting the message of reconciliation to us.”
Our mandate from God is to be doing His work of healing what is broken. We humans need forgiveness and reconciliation that is spiritual, personal, social and ecological. That’s a message that comes from the heart of the Christian faith. Bringing about that reconciliation involves working in our communities and our world for justice, for eco-justice. It will bring us into contrast and conflict with the exploitative values and systems of our world. If we encounter that which is broken and go about making it new and whole, we will also be creating a human culture that is new and in right relationship with the whole creation. Let us be reconciled and connected to one another as God would have us be. Join us to see and discuss our options.
MOUNTAINS AND MISSION
By Carol Putt
Two great mission experiences are being planned once again for all of us at Pine Street. They both will involve our friends in the Jewell Ridge Presbyterian Church and our congregation. From June 9th to 16th a group of young people and adults from the coal mining community in Virginia will travel to Harrisburg to do mission work here in our area. With the Boyd Center as their residence for the week, they will become familiar with our local mission and the various agencies and organizations that we support. As part of their experience, we will work side-by-side in our church, Downtown Daily Bread, Joshua Farm, Mission Central and several other projects within the greater Harrisburg metropolitan area. We hope that anyone in the church who would like to experience any of this with our visitors will take a look at the schedule on the mission table in the Gathering Place, pick up a copy of that schedule and plan to come with us as it fits into your life. Also, there will be plans for recreation and sightseeing and times for socializing around meals at the Boyd and other locations. If anyone would like to host the group at your home or a nearby park for a picnic, please give me a call at 717-545-7236 or 717-571-9515 to arrange a date and time. I promise that you will grow to love these wonderful guests from a church we have known for 20+ years.
While we are on that subject, we have been making our way to “the ridge” to do mission work there and intend to do the same this year from June 16th until the 23rd. The project for this year is to help them with their annual Vacation Bible School at their church. There are many jobs to be done: assisting the teaching staff, preparing the snacks, decorating the rooms for the various activities involved, assisting with craft projects, participating in opening and closing ceremonies each session, singing, eating, playing games, sharing stories, etc. We also use the time outside Bible School to become familiar with the people and places in and around Jewell Ridge. We help with any needs of the community and listen to the stories of the mountain (which are many and varied) and its residents (which are few, but just as interesting). There are only a few hundred people in Jewell Ridge and about 50 of them are members of Jewell Ridge PC, but this Bible School gathers 60+ children from all over the neighboring ridges to come to have fun and hear about God. The congregation has asked us to help them continue a long tradition of reaching out to these children as the need grows and their staff needs to grow with it. We will drive there in our own vehicles, sleep and eat in the church, worship with them and experience the life of a community of faith in an Appalachian setting. If you have questions, let me know at the above phone numbers or email me at putt@unfranchise.com. Sign up at the Gathering Place for a mission trip the whole family can enjoy together! “I will lift up my eyes unto the hills. . .” for an unforgettable mission experience!
MAPS
Continued from page 1 here in our series, and we believe Caroline will soon make her mark nationally and internationally in the organ world. Suggested donation at the door is $10.00. Parking will be available in the South Street garage and childcare will be provided. Come and enjoy.
Jewell Ridge Presbyterian Church
Jewell Ridge,Virginia
Jewell Ridge members visit Pine Street, 2011
News From Our Church Family
ATTN.: Genealogists and Hoarders
We are looking for the names (and any other information) of those from Pine Street who served in combat in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, and any other post WWII action. Regrettably, our historical files contain very little information.
Please see John Cameron at church most Sundays or email him at sandj70@comcast.net
Bill Bauer Named Volunteer of the Year
Baptisms
Congratulations to Bill Bauer who was recently named “Volunteer of the Year” by Highmark Blue Shield and the Volunteer Center of United Way of the Capital Region for his work with Lend A Hand. After flooding due to hurricanes Irene and Lee, Bill was instrumental in coordinating Lend A Hand’s relief efforts and the many volunteers who mucked out, disinfected, repaired and rehabbed over 400 houses, saving homeowners over $1.5 million.
KOALA Club kids enjoy an 8-foot ice cream sundae. KOALA (Kids On A Lifelong Journey) Club meets Wednesday evenings at 6:00 and is open to children in 1st through 5th grades.
Men’s Breakfast
You are invited to join the Pine Street Men for “the best breakfast in town” on Saturday, June 9. This will be a time of fellowship and discussion. What a great way to start the day. Breakfast at 8 a.m., Fellowship Hall
PS: No men’s breakfast for July and August. Breakfast will resume in September.
A Little Night Music
Join us to see Theatre Harrisburg’s production of Stephen Sondheim’s romantic masterpiece A Little Night Music on Sunday, June 10 at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are $15. Sign up now at the Welcome Center.
April 29, 2012
Violet Claire Marchand
infant daughter of Chris & Jenny Marchand
Enjoy a leasurly afternoon walk with the Pine Streetwalkers at Wildwood Lake Sanctuary on Sunday, June 10, 2012. Meet at 1 p.m. at the Olewine Nature Center parking lot. This is a three mile loop hike mostly on blacktop with some gravel and wood chip trail along the canal tow path. This is also part of the Capital Area Greenbelt. Get this section in so you can work on the remaining sections in the future.
Wildwood Lake Sanctuary is located off of Wildwood Park Drive/Industrial Road which is accessible from Cameron Street (by the Farm Show) or from Linglestown Road to the north. For more information on Wildwood Lake Sanctuary go to www.wildwoodlake. org.
Pine Street Life (USPS 574-510) is published monthly by Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101. Periodicals Postage paid at Harrisburg, PA 17105. Postmaster: Send address changes to Pine Street Life, Pine Street Presbyterian Church, 310 North Third Street, Harrisburg, PA 17101.
