Newsletter November 2009
The Newsletter for the First Presbyterian Church of Edenton, NC
November 1, 2009
Pastor’s Corner
Trick or treat! Alleluia!
Dear Friends,
The beauty of fall is upon us. My favorite season. There is something so bracing and exciting about the extended season of fall in North Carolina. The leaves take their time saying goodbye and the colors seem to last longer. And best of all, in fall, the gnats flee back to the farms, where I am sure they are welcomed by creature and flora alike.
Fall, of course, is the season of Halloween and All Saints. What a combo. The reverent and the absurd. Halloween is the time when some churches try to terrorize us into remembering the inherent evil of the Halloween celebration, which makes Trick-Or-Treating with our grandchildren even more fun! I can’t help it. With all the struggles of the Gospel in this world, fear of kids dressed up in costumes to cutesy neighbors into giving them unhealthy treats is really low on my priority scale. Frankly, I worry more about kids running around after dark because of the risk of being hit by a car.
One year our granddaughter dressed as a witch. I was worried. Would this not damage her for life? Will she become a wiccan? Need I be afraid to sleep when I visit for fear I’ll get whacked in the head with a broom? Will this costume stunt her growth??? No. Caroline remained the same sweet, kind, loving child she was before she lost her identity to Halloween!
Halloween started as a way to wave a smile in the face of death. It took on our inner fears and superstitions about death and the night, and allowed us to flaunt them with laughter and reality testing. I’m a firm believer in “naming the demon.” By that I mean that it is often better for us to name what we fear, give it an identity, make it visible, audible, smell it in all its potential for damage, and discover that named means to some degree controlled.
Demons of Imagination
A person suffering from an illness that has yet to be diagnosed often goes through prolonged fear. They imagination all kinds of things as to what is wrong with them. The “demons” of imagination tug at their security, put in jeopardy their sense of well-being, and expand to infinity the horrible options of what will be happening to them. The future looks bleak. The consequences of the un-named illness become insurmountable, life itself seems near an end. Then the doctor comes back with the test results. Sometimes there is relief because it is nothing serious. Sometimes it is very serious. But just knowing what is happening, having a sense of next steps, naming the ailment, gives the person a greater sense of control and determination. Why? Because the demon has been named! You know the enemy! You know the course of action! And YOU are the one now making decisions for yourself.
Nothing causes greater fear for people than the reality of our own mortality. Part of that fear is the process of death itself, every bit as frightening as the fact of our own death. The Halloween dress up and play is a way to “name the demon,” death and the powers of death. It is also a way to let us laugh at its evil and celebrate anyway.
All Saints Day Our Victory Day
And so the night before All Saints Day we dress up, feast, laugh, and admit there is something we cannot defeat, but we will not let it claim us. And that is the power of the next day, All Saints Day. On this day we remember the named demon has already been defeated by the named Saving One, Jesus Christ. It is a day were we believers celebrate our participation in the living stream of saints, made one and eternal, through our shared belief in Jesus. The saints live eternally with Christ, in the presence of the Holy One, from baptism through resurrection. We are one and death will have no sway in our eternity.
By the way, a saint is not an especially good person who gathers up lots of extra credit because they have done more than the average person in good works, nor is it someone who can intercede on behalf of someone because of all those extra points. We need only one intercessor, and that is Christ. A saint, according to the scriptures, is a person who BELIEVES in Jesus Christ. We, by virtue of our belief, are saints. What family members may say about you to the contrary, your belief makes YOU a saint, too! And because of our sainthood through belief, we too can intercede for others – because we KNOW the Lord of Life whose purpose it is to redeem.
Teasing Death in Costume
Fall, the season of leaves “dying” in a blaze of glory, the daylight hours getting shorter, the weather turning cooler and cloudier, all pointing to death. Fall, the season where the world lights up even in death, the air becomes crisper, cleaner, promising. Fall brings us the teasing of death’s power through crazy costumes and perhaps a too-loud laugh or two. Fall also brings us the affirmation of our greatest hope: that we, and the one’s we love, are children of the promise – our life is not for nothing, but rather is eternal. We gather at the Lord’s table, where he has promised to meet us. We light candles. We ache, weep and long for those gone. We speak once more their names with reverence and hope. We share tears at “Pie Jesu,” “merciful Jesus,” and then we rise and sing with incredible joy:
“For all the saints, who from their labors rest
Who Thee by faith before the world confessed.
Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blessed
Alleluia, Alleluia!”
And we conclude with the verse that reminds us the best is yet to come, and it will be on the other side of that “demon,” death – we will all be together without fear or tear:
“And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong,
Alleluia, Alleluia!”
Our music says it so perfectly. So this Halloween, Jo and I will be tagging along with our little ones. Thumbing our noses at death. Laughing our heads off at such life to be found in the excited squeals of joy by little one’s so mysteriously clad! And return Sunday morning to weep, share the table, be touched by God and God’s children, give comfort to those seeking comfort, and sing at the top of our lungs God’s promise. Why? Because we believe. I can think of no better reason, can you?
Trick or treat! Alleluia! Alleluia! The Promise is ours.
Doug
Dates to Anticipate: Future Events
It’s that time of year again. We have lots of events coming up. Use the calendars in this issue and the following list to remind yourself. Some dates may be subject to change.)
Sunday, November 1 — 6 p.m. Fish Fry Dinner
Saturday, November 7 — Annual Yard and Bake Sale at church, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Sunday, November 8 — Pledge Sunday — Submit your pledge cards during Worship.
Saturday, November 14 — Family Breakfast, 9 a.m., Dennis Robison will speak on recycling.
Sunday, November 15 — Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes Due and to be dedicated during Worship Service.
Sunday, November 15 — following worship: a Congregational Meeting to receive and act on the report of the Nominating Committee for 2010 officers.
Sunday, November 15 — following the Congregational Meeting, Relay for Life Luncheon. First Church’s Relay team will provide the food. Donations to ACS are very welcome.
Tuesday, November 17 — Contributions to Church Ukraine Boots for Orphans Fund due. See story in this issue.
Thursday, November 19, 7 p.m. — Community Thanksgiving Service at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church.
Tuesday, December 1, 9 a.m. — Decorate the Church for Christmas. Come help!
Sunday, December 6, 6 p.m. — First Church Christmas Dinner
Sunday, December 20, 7 p.m. — Moravian Love Feast
{Note: The End of Life Planning Program has been postponed until January due to difficulty clearing out an acceptable date in November and December.}
Prayer List
For I the Lord, thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee. - Isaiah 41:1
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Pray for family and friends of Mary Perry, Brenda Toppin’s mother, who passed away last week from cancer. The funeral was Oct. 30th.
Pray for the family and friends of Thelma Weeks, who passed away in mid-October in Chowan Hospital Skilled Nursing at the age of 99 1/2.
Pray for Ella Ray Bates who is back at home but still recovering from a mild stroke.
Pray for Anna, daughter of Jody Welker, pastor of Kirk of Kildare Presbyterian Church in Cary, NC, who has non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. .
Pray for the family of Mary Jane Tyndall, Barbara Burroughs’ sister-in-law, who died recently.
Pray for Wayne Sawyer, a friend of Christine Harris and Barbara Burroughs who has lung cancer.
Pray for Joanne Eddy’s ’s cousin’s husband, Dave Shevlin, who has lymphoma which is gone to his brain. He had a setback which delayed his stem cell transplant.
Pray for Hope Hohenstein; Pryce Hohenstein’s sister-in-law, Debbie Hohenstein; Katherine Epps, Robbi Salak’s daughter, Gray; Marie Pierce, Barbara Burroughs, Fran Ward, Christine Harris, Cary Pittman IV, Gwendlyn Pittman, Hope Hohenstein’s mother, Florence Howe; Susan Moore Swinney, friend of the Burroughs family; Jack Lavery, Kirsten Sweatt, Allen Renz’s niece; and others engaging in recovery and on-going therapies.
Pray for Joanne Eddy’s continuing quest for funding for her job which is threatened by public funding cutbacks or for finding a new position.
Pray for our Armed Forces as they stand in harm’s way to preserve our liberty and defend freedom wherever they serve. Pray for the recovery of those injured; for the families of those who lost their lives, and for everyone impacted by the horrors of war and terrorism.
Pray for people impacted by natural disasters —storms, earthquakes, floods, etc.
Pray for people who have lost their jobs in the economic downturn.
Please Note: The First Church Newsletter collects information for this list from items voiced at worship services or via word of mouth. If you have someone you would like included on the list, please contact Allen Renz. If someone has recovered and can be deleted, also let Renz know. Thanks.
November Servants
Greeters: Tom & Linda Abbott
Readers: Marc Woodbury, weeks 1, 3 & 5
Debbie Burroughs, weeks 2 & 4
Ushers: E.C. & Brenda Toppin
Communion Service: Allen & Allene Renz, Cary Pittman and Tom Abbott
December Servants
Greeters: Jerry & Elaine Thompson
Readers: Cary Pittman, weeks 1 & 3
Janet Batton, weeks 2 & 4
Ushers: Marc & Liz Woodbury
Communion Service: Bob Harrell, John Mitchener, Allen Renz, Otis Strother
Thanks to all who serve, including the choir, music providers and hosts for fellowship.
Happy Birthday!
Debbie Burroughs Nov. 2
Stephen Mitchener Nov. 12
Andrew Michael Ward Nov. 16
Anne Perkins Nov. 17
Tom Abbott Nov. 20
Joe Tosh Nov. 20
Happy Anniversary!
Pryce and Hope Hohenstein Nov. 25
Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes Due in November
Time is running short to gather shoe boxes and gifts for Operation Christmas Child, reminds Janie Harrell. The boxes are due November 15th, and will be dedicated during worship service that Sunday. The boxes are boy-girl specific, and should be marked as such.
First Church has joyfully participated in Operation Christmas Child, a Samaritan’s Purse project, for six years. Questions? Call Janie at 482-8833.
Boxes are boy-girl specific.
First Church News is a monthly publication of the First Presbyterian Church of Edenton. If you have news about your committee, group, activity, etc., please provide it to Allen Renz, editor, at renzae@embarqmail.com or (252) 482-6796.
Mental Aerobics 11 a.m., 2nd, 4th Thursdays
Mental Aerobics continues every second and fourth Thursday of each month, led by Lois Lavery. But the time for the sessions is 11 a.m.-noon. Keep your brain nimble and have fun doing it. Anyone can attend. Invite a friend!
Rev. Ellis Thanks Congregation For Thelma Weeks Funeral Reception
The text of a thank you note from Rev. Edmund Ellis, Thelma Week’s nephew, follows:
“We deeply appreciate the kindness shown to those of us who Aunt Thelma called her family. In many ways those of you at the First Presbyterian Church of Edenton were also a family to her.
“We are grateful for the reception that the church provided for us following the funeral service. Your kindness will be long remembered.
Rev. Edmund Ellis on behalf of the remaining members of Thelma’s family.”
Drop Donated Items at the Church Nov. 5
Annual First Church Yard Sale Set Nov. 7, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Annual First Church yard sale is set for Saturday, November 7, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. , so start thinking about:
- Bringing the items you’re donating to Fellowship Hall on Thursday Nov. 5, between 3 and 6 p.m. If you need help with heavy items or otherwise need help getting donations to church, call Robbi Salak at 482-4680.
-Pricing the items
- Volunteering to help set-up or work at the sale on the 7th.
There will also be a baked goods sale. Please call Allene Renz if you’re willing to bake and let her know what you’ll bring. This will help insure a good variety of goods.
The proceeds of the sale go to the Edenton area Food Pantry. Given the economy, the Food Pantry can truly use all the help it can get.
And be sure to come looking for bargains at the sale!
Ashley Earns Shining Star Award
Ashley Birckhead was recently recognized for her outstanding work as an artist by the Council of Exceptional Children in Virginia. She received the Shining Star Award, inscribed “Rising Star Award, Shining Brighter with Time – Ashley J. Birckhead.”
Ashley is the daughter of Susan and Tom Birckhead and the granddaughter of Janie and Robert Harrell.
Relay for Life Luncheon After Worship Service November 15th
Stewardship Fish Fry At 6 p.m. Tonight! November 1, 2009
Don’t forget to attend the annual Stewardship Fish Fry tonight at 6 p.m. You can count on the usual fish fried to perfection, plus all the usual side dishes.
November 8th Pledge Sunday
Pledge Sunday is November 8th, so please — if you haven’t already — think and pray about your pledge for the coming year and prepare your pledge card to submit.
It’s the time for each of us to commit to return to God, in gratitude, a portion of the time, talents and treasures that He has so bountifully provided for us. Pledges and estimated giving amounts are critical to enable the Session to create a realistic budget for the next year.
As Mike Pierce, chairman of the Administration and Stewardship Committee, noted in his letter to members and friends of the church in October, “…as a community of God’s people we have much for which to give thanks. Each of us has many things personally about which we might also offer thanks. One of the ways we live thankfully is to return a portion of the material gifts God has entrusted to our care to him for the yearly ministry and witness of his church.”
Boots for Dobromyl Orphans: In 2006 the church helped sponsor Kendall Birckhead’s trip to the Ukraine to work with the Dobromyl Orphans. Susan Birckhead has received a plea for help for winter shoes for the orphans from missionaries currently in the area. Boots will be purchased in the Ukraine for $35/pair. If you wish to help, please make checks payable to Center Hill Baptist Church Ukraine Fund and note it is for Boots for Orphans. Give the checks to Susan Birckhead. It is hoped that the funds can be collected by November 17th.
Organ Dedication Service, Reception a Blessed Afternoon
A service of dedication of the Allen organ in the sanctuary, which was donated by Mr. and Mrs. David Klein, was conducted on October 18. The organ was one gift, and the afternoon was another — featuring Caroline Wright playing a series of beautiful compositions, the attendees singing a hymn accompanied by the organ, and a bountiful reception afterward.
Rev. Doug Eddy expressed First Church’s gratitude to the Kleins, who are from Wilmington, stating “Each service of worship we will give praise to God through its music and their generosity.”
