Dear Friends,
I
recently returned from the Montreat Conference Center
in Montreat, North Carolina. This is one of three national conference
centers affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA, and is located in the beautiful mountains of Western North Carolina.
Part
of my week was spent at the 30th Annual Wee Kirk (Small
Church) Conference for pastors, elders, and church members of churches
with less than 100 members. I was grateful for the opportunity to visit with
others, many who have returned to the conference year after year for the encouragement and support it provides for small church
ministry.
As
I conversed with others about the variety of activities and ministries that other small churches are doing, I felt ever so
blessed to be a part of this particular church community. While APC may be small
in numbers we are big in service to God through our ministries, outreach, and prayers.
Nearly each month APC has a special mission project ranging from the Angel Tree, Blanket Sunday, collecting shoes and
backpacks for those less fortunate that we are; to the three denominational offerings we contribute to. These include the Peacemaking Offering in October, the Christmas Joy Offering in December, and the One
Great Hour of Sharing during Lent. The Deacons have a monthly mission cause through
the Cents-Ability offering and our Presbyterian Women’s Circle also has a project nearly every month including giving
layettes to needy mothers through Crozer Medical
Center in Chester. APC also has a faithful group of folks which show up at City Team the third Monday
of each month to help serve supper and lead worship. Many of you also go out
share God’s love with neighbors, friends, and co-workers and other activities known only to God. Indeed, we all are blessed to be part of a church community where serving others is a priority. With the many opportunities we are presented with, we are each able to share as God calls us and as we
are able.
While
many small churches are only “open for business” on Sunday mornings, we are blessed to have our building used
seven days a week. It is super stewardship to have the Day Care Learning
Center sharing our space throughout the week, with the evenings and weekends
providing meeting space for Girl Scout Troops, AA, and other community needs that arise.
Each of these, particularly the Day Care, adds tremendously to the outreach of APC as affordable day care is provided
to working families.
The Session is in the process of putting together the budget for 2010.
As has been the case for the last number of years, we again predict a shortfall of about $26,000 as we compare expenses
with projected income. I foresee that the Session will move forward in faith
as we are running a church, not a business, and we trust God will provide us exactly what we need so the mission and ministry
of APC will continue to be faithful our mission of serving God. On behalf of
the Mission and Stewardship Committee and the Session, I encourage
you to pray about what you are able to pledge to the church during the coming year as we strive to achieve a balanced budget. We are currently blessed with an investment account that has allowed us to meet
our shortfall, but it in recent years we have been drawing heavily from the principal, depleting the balance. As you pray about how you will be able to support the ministry of APC through your annual pledge, you are
also encouraged to prayerfully consider remembering APC in your will. The investment
account is in place because former members who have done just that as a lasting legacy of thanksgiving. For those of us who love and are nurtured by the church today, remembering APC in your will is one way
to assure that the ministry of your beloved church continues for generations to come.
Grace and peace, Rev. Jane
It is hard to believe that we are now at
the beginning of November 2009. November is the month in which we begin by remembering those who have served the Church and
have now gone to be with our Lord in the great Church Triumphant. This is also the month when we give thanks to God for his
many blessings and when we recommit ourselves to serving Christ’s Church with our time, talents and treasure. We take a moment to look back a previous Novembers in the life of Aston Presbyterian as we prepare to face
the future.
Five years ago- Pastor Pam’la discussed the upcoming
Presidential election and the famous I Want You recruiting poster of Uncle Sam in her newsletter article as she said that
the Church wants You in its’ service. The Open Door Service celebrated it 10-month anniversary. The VOLT Youth Group
played flag football and participated in a discussion of Faith & Politics led by Paul Kugelman. APC was the host congregation
for the Community Thanksgiving Service. The Memories Column made it debut in the November 2004 Newsletter.
Ten years ago- Interim Pastor Paul Tuttle, wrote about God’s
Timing in his final newsletter article as he prepared to leave to become the Interim Pastor at the Church On The Mall. The
Day Care/Learning Centers’ 20th anniversary celebration was enjoyed by all with Dr. Bob Boell bringing the message
at worship entitled “If You Build It They Will Come” on October 10th. Tanya
Warren, of the Thomas M. Thomas Presbyterian Church, was the PW Praise Service speaker.
Fifteen years ago-Scott Cupp, in his Ex Cathedra Column,
wrote about Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses on the door of the Wittenberg
Castle Church in protest of
the Catholic Church’s policies. Alfred and Connie Nickey Marchese spoke on his home country of Peru at a luncheon sponsored by Mariners. Colleen DiRaddo, wife of Jim DiRaddo,
Pastor at Country Liberty
Church was the PW Praise service preacher.
Twenty years ago-Rev. Scott Cupp wrote in his Ex Cathedra
Column concerning accepting change within the Church. Capt. Fred Hagglund of the Chester Salvation Army Corp spoke at a Soup
and Sandwich Luncheon concerning their work in the Chester
Community.
The Mixed Adult Class was studying a book by A. W. Tozer and the Adult Class was beginning a study of Revelation led by Scott
Cupp. The Session voted to rename the All-Purpose Room, the Fellowship Hall.
Twenty-five years ago-Session voted to start a group for
retired men of the church to be known as The Fellowship of St. Andrew. The following young people of APC were attending college:
David and Mary Sidoriak were at Penn State,
Steve Bomhoff was at the University of Southern Alabama,
Michael Monaghan was at Kutztown University
and David Schneeman at James Madison
University.
Thirty Years ago- Rev. Bob Boell,
in his newsletter column, wrote about giving being like priming a pump to bring up water. As Jesus said: “When you give
it will be given to you.” First Baptist
Church now Middletown
Baptist Church, hosted the Aston
Presbyterian
Congregation
at a dinner in appreciation of using our building while they’re new
Building
in Middletown was being constructed. Dr. Dorothy Chacko, Physician
and Bible Teacher was the Praise Service Speaker. The Adult Class was learning about“The Apostle’s Creed under
Jim Lawton’s leadership.
Thirty-five years ago-Rev. Bob
Boell related various reasons for not attending football games
to those people also give for not attending Church. Arthur Plummer, a student
at Eastern Baptist Seminary, was hired by the Session as a “Minister In Training”. Dr. Boell was elected as one
of the Vice-Moderators of Philadelphia Presbytery for 1975. Gary Hartley, a member
of APC, was award his Eagle Scout Rank in a ceremony at Mt.
Hope where he belongs to the Boy Scout Troop.
May
each of the families of Aston Presbyterian give thanks for God’s blessings on them and on the Aston Pres. family as
we gather around the table this Thanksgiving Day. I pray that the grace, peace and love of Christ our Savior, the love of
God and the power of the Holy Spirit will fill all of us this month and always.
In
Christ’s Love, Bill
DEACONS HUNGER COMMITTEE
Where your pennies
go!
The Cents-Ability collection for the month of October was $35.00.
This money was given to a local family made know to us by Michele Kane.
DEACON’S CORNER
Please remember that the first Sunday
of every month is food Sunday. The foods are collected for Chester Eastside Food
cupboard, which can use any non-perishables. We appreciate all of the food donations
that are provided by the congregation.
The Christmas dinner
has been set for December 13th. Stay tuned for more information in
the coming months. We hope everyone attends!
We need to have a minimum tonnage each month in order to keep the recycler on the church grounds, so please consider
bringing your paper recycling if you are not already doing so – and thanks to those who are already helping out! If you have any questions about this program, you can call Debbie
Smith.
If you or anyone you know is in need of transportation to or from church, or
in need of any assistance, please contact a member of the Deacons.
God Bless, Michele Kane.
GOATS FOR SALE!
Cents-Ability collected November 1st could buy a GOAT for an impoverished family!
If we can collect $90.00, Food for the Poor will take a goat to a needy family
in Haiti or the Dominion
Republic in our name. They will also teach them how to
care for it. A goat for a poor family provides milk and cheese, offering hungry children an important source of
nutrition as well as providing the family with a source of income. Goats are inexpensive to maintain and reproduce easily.
Cents-Ability is asking you to remember those who are hungry by putting aside
2 pennies each time you have a meal.
Your
gift of a GOAT will change the life of a needy family.
The
Deacons
NOVMEBER BIRTHDAYS
11-01 Fran Slawter
11-07 William Schuler
11-08 Josie DiMaio
11-08 Jennifer Cisco
11-09 Brianna DiMaio
11-13 Staci Gawne
11-15 Tammy Buckalew
11-15 Megan Kok
11-15 Abby Jane Gawne
11-20 Ellen Beggs
11-23 Katie Beddow
11-24 Thomas W. Zebley
11-30 Ashley Zebley
NOVEMBER ANNIVERSAIRES
11-15 Carol
and Brian Jones
11-19 Ellen and Paul Beggs
11-22 Martha and Larry Wood
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November is here! The children have been having fun playing outside in the beautiful
leaves. We are so excited that our new playground is almost finished. The children will be learning some new Thanksgiving
songs and making lots of turkeys this month. The Kindergarten is studying daily life of the pilgrims and about the Indians
who helped them. They will start off their studies with a trip to Colonial Plantation on November 3rd. The Pre K is learning
about food groups this month and leaves. The toddler and Preschool classes will be learning about how animals prepare for
winter and about pilgrims and indians.
Pumpkin
day will be on November 11th. The whole school will wear orange. The children will read a pumpkin story, have a special pumpkin
treat and make a pumpkin craft. On November 11th and 13th the children aged 2 thru 5 will have their vision tested.
Pride day will be on November 17th. All the children will wear their Aston Pres. Shirts. On November 25th the whole school
will participate in our big Thanksgiving Feast. Each class will make a part of our meal.
If
you participated in the Gianni's fundraiser you can pick up your order on November 4th from 12pm to 6pm. Thanks for your support!
We
all are thankful for the many blessings in our lives. We wish all of you a Happy Thanksgiving!
Lauren Wooters, Ass’t Director
If I speak in the tongue of men and of angels,
but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all
mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give
all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.
Love is patient, love is kind... Love never
fails." 1 Corinthinas 13:1-4
Our Staff
Pastor:
Rev. Jane Ritterson
Church Secretary:
Lori Clements
Musician: Jim Sredenschek
Music Leader: Andrea Sampson
Learning Center Administrator:
Sally Bechtold
Janitor:
Larry Wood
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