August - Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church

The Torch
Volume 56, No. 8
August 2013
JOY IN THE JOURNEY
In a recent Sunday sermon I explored the connection between joy and suffering. These two
dimensions of human experience at first seem diametrically opposed to each other. On the other
hand, the apostles James, Peter and Paul all seem to believe that good lessons can come in the experience of suffering. They never declare that suffering itself is good but that it can produce good
results. Peter urges his readers to have the same attitude Christ had in his earthly suffering. James
counsels, “consider it pure joy when you face trials of many kinds because you know that the
testing of your faith develops perseverance…” And Paul likewise reminds us that we rejoice in
our sufferings because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance (produces)
character and character (leads to) hope.”
My friend Jackson Harrill commented on the sermon: “I was waiting for you to mention C.
S. Lewis’ Surprised by Joy.” His observation is a good one. Lewis’ biography bears that striking title and describes his personal journey to find true joy. He invokes the German word, ‘sensucht,’
that carries the connotation of intense longing for something beautiful and nourishing. Lewis understood his faith in Christ as a surprising experience of joy that satisfied his intense longing for
that he could not name. The hymn writer puts it this way, “he satisfies my longings as nothing
else can do.” Lewis also fell in love with Joy Gresham and their marriage was another experience
of joy. So his autobiography has a lot packed into the title.
In my sermon I sought to distinguish happiness (contentment due to pleasant circumstances) and joy (a deep inner contentment that carries you even in unpleasant circumstances).
Years ago Francis Schaeffer wrote a little book titled, The Mark of the Christian. Yes, Schaeffer’s distinguishing mark for Christ followers is “joy.” He believed we are called to exhibit the “joy of the
Lord” to others. Such joy is a sense of well being that comes from knowing God loves you unconditionally and that He sent Christ to forgive you and redeem you. And comes from knowing that
God sends the Spirit to cleanse you, refresh you and empower you—and sends people into your
life to show you love and to receive it from you. It is hard to talk about “joy” without referring to
love as well.
Looking at life as a journey where God leads you and cares for you can make all the difference. Seeing the world as God’s created order enables you and me to delight in a flower’s scent
and color, in a hummingbird’s flight path and in a baby’s first step. Such delightful moments may
be counted as gifts. Perhaps joy is not simply what lies at journey’s end but also gathers all those
moments of delight and refreshment along the way. The perspective that helps us to recognize
God’s gifts and to trust in His goodness and greatness has inspired a number of hymns. I conclude with lines from one of my favorites:
Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, God of glory, lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee, Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness; Drive the gloom of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness, Fill us with the light of day.
Blessings to you all, Richard
The monthly Newsletter of Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church, 7000 Park Avenue, 804-282-2860;
www.tuckahoepres.org
FROM THE PASTOR’S STUDY
RICHARD’S FINAL SUNDAY,
AUGUST 18TH
The time is drawing near to say goodbye to Richard Haney as our Interim Pastor
and to his wife, Pam. Richard’s tenure at Tuckahoe has provided leadership, direction,
connection, teaching, preaching and healing. The two and half years we have shared with
Pam and Richard have been sweet and fruitful. As we prepare for the arrival of Patrick
Dennis as our next Pastor/Head of Staff, we know you will want to express your thanks to
Richard and Pam for their ministry and presence among us.
Richard’s last Sunday with us is August 18. We will hold a celebration reception
after worship that day to say thank you to Richard and Pam. Many of you have asked
about a chance to contribute to a gift for Richard. If you would like to make a gift of appreciation to Richard, please make your checks to Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church and
mark in the memo line, “Richard’s gift.” You may place your gift in the offering plate or
leave it/mail it to the church office. We will present him with a check at the reception.
Also, if you would like to contribute food for this special reception, please let Ruth Ann
Hoge know that you can help out.
Many of you may be away on vacation during Richard’s final weeks with us; but, we hope that
you can join us on August 18. Feel free to call Richard or send him a note of appreciation if you cannot
be with us.
INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
A & P RECOMMENDATION
At the recommendation of the Administration
& Personnel Division, Session is considering
recognizing Reverend Haney’s 2 1/2 years of
dedicated service to Tuckahoe with a portrait
on the wall outside Duntreath Hall
beside the portraits of the other Senior
Pastors who have served at Tuckahoe in the
past. If you have any questions or concerns,
please contact Ray Hoge (740-2781) or
Tim Beane (754-0496).
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From the Pastor
1
Plans for Richards Departure
2
Children’s Ministries
3-5
Youth Ministries
6
Outreach
7-8
Around the Church
9-12
Calendar
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
A WEEK OF NEIGHBORS AT VBS!
Our 2013 Vacation Bible School, “Everywhere Fun Fair – Where God’s World Comes
Together!”, was held July 15-19. It was another exciting and fun VBS week with nearly
70 children in attendance. Children, youth, and adults shared a week of neighborly
experiences, exploring neighbors in the Bible and neighbors from other countries, while
practicing being loving neighbors to each other.
Thank you so much to all who helped before and during Fun Fair –
without you it would not be such a success!
Teachers: Hilary Robinson, Candace Martin, Heather DeBolt,
Marielle Pool, Meg Packard, Ruth Anna Langdon, Carter Blevins,
Jennifer Dodson, Angie Smith, and Morgan Turner
Activity Leaders: Laura Brady, Colin Hogg, Matthew Mahoney,
Dick Mateer, and Jim Mcleskey
Assistants: Cheryl Arrington, David Mel, Gail Miller, Carol
Berger, Ginger Spence, Julie Guller, Ryan Neil, Ormonde
Wilkinson, Tim Beane, Tony Jenkins, Emily Theuer, Martha
Burgess, Mickey Mateer, Terry Brady, Anna Thurmond, Whitney
Berriman, Sarah Paige Werner, and Cathy Moore
Youth Helpers: Grace Kane, Langdon Martin, Davis Thurmond, Jay Guller, Callie
Fabrie, Shannon Galt, Phebe Martin, Olivia Thurmond, Trayvon Jenkins, Savannah
Arline, Paul Guller, Harrison Carr, Allison Neil, Virginia Neil, Diana Neil, Tabitha
Piwowarski, Sarah Galt, Suzanne Muldowney, Marshall Cooke, Daniel Kane, and Claire
Galvin
Decorating / Construction: Shelly Blackstone, Sarah Galt, Shannon Galt, Christian
Hawkes, Amelia Adair, Kathy Mahone, Kaye Keyes, Joan
Thornhill, Abbey Thornhill, Sarah Thornhill, Ginger Spence, Tim
Beane, Bob Glass, Heidi Juan, Heather Marcel, Laura Brady,
Jennifer Albertson, Angie Meadows, Hilary Robinson, the
Discovery Class, and the Outreach Division
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
Photographer: Jane Werner, Bob Glass
Nursery Caregivers: Pat Miller, Mary Sprouse, and Sarah Pugh
Snack Buyer/Servers: Nancy Fabian, Karen Cooke, Anna Hingst
Break Room: Ruth Ann Hoge, Barbie Keatts, Ann Watson and all who anonymously
donated food
Registration: Angie Meadows
Signs: Lucky Wroniewicz and Bill Carter
Assembly Leaders: Marshall Cooke and Richard Haney
Journals: Jane Werner
Prayer Cards: Ruth Nauman
Supply distribution: Karen Cooke
Name tags: Camellia Wroniewicz, Karen Cooke, Mickey Mateer, and Hilary Robinson
Everyone who donated supplies for VBS crafts. All the participants had a great time
making homemade kazoos, map frames, and paper Mache globes (to list a few of the
projects incorporating donated materials).
Our Interim Pastor, Richard Haney
All who donated or loaned items for decorating or food items for the break room.
All children who participated, and the parents and grandparents who brought them!
Love the Lord your God…and love your neighbor as yourself. –
Luke 10:27
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES
SEPTEMBER 8 IS RALLY DAY!
LET’S FILL ALL CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL
OPPORTUNITIES BEFORE THEN!
Here’s how YOU can help in the 2013- 2014 Children’s Sunday School:
Remember that serving in the Children’s Sunday School does not mean you aren’t
attending a Sunday School class. Our former and current teachers and assistants
will assure you that they learn something new every week! Snack buyer/servers
can still attend adult classes, though they may miss a little class time.
We strongly encourage those of you who are not parents of our Sunday School
children to “take a turn” by helping for one term. Many people don’t realize that
it can benefit both the children and their parents when others, besides parents, are
teaching and assisting. Children get to know other members of their church family, and parents can spend some time in adult Sunday School!
Please look over the opportunities below and let Becky Loggins know where you
can help, if you would like to “shadow” for a day, or if you have questions. Email
Becky at [email protected] or phone 201-0571.
Most urgent needs are listed first. All needs must be filled.
1) Teachers needed in 2 classes for Sept.–Nov. 3: 2-3 year olds’ class and 3rd-5th
grade class
2) Assistants needed in 2 classes for Sept. 8 – Nov. 3: 2-3 year olds’ class and 1st2nd grade class
3) Snack buyer/server for Sept. 8–Nov. 3
4) Teacher needed in 1 class for Nov. 10–Dec. 22: 2-3 year olds’ class
5) Assistants needed in 2 classes for Nov. 10–Dec 22: 2-3 year olds’ class and 3rd5th grade class
6) Snack buyer/server needed for Jan. 5-March 2
7) Snack buyer/server needed for March 9–April
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8) Teachers needed in 2 classes for April 20–May
25: 1st-2nd grade class and 3rd-5th grade class
9) Assistants needed in 3 classes for April 20–May
25: 2-3 year olds’ class, 1st-2nd grade class, and
3rd-5th grade class
10) Snack buyer/server needed for April 20-May 25
It only takes one generation to make Christianity
extinct. Children’s Ministries needs YOU!
-Becky Loggins, Director of Children’s Ministries
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YOUTH MINISTRIES
YOUTH GROUP KICK-OFF
The new year of “Youth Group” will kick-off on Sunday,
September 8 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. with a covered dish
supper. Stay tuned for more details via emails and the
September Torch.
YOUTH GROUP CALENDAR
August 2
6:00—8:00 p.m.
Bring your own dinner, your friends, your
Bible, a towel and prepare to “get messy”!
September 8
6:00—8:00 p.m.
Youth Group Fall Kick-Off
SUNDAY SCHOOL
TEACHERS FOR MIDDLE AND
HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES
NEEDED
The curriculum is going to look a lot different
this year, so the more exciting you can make it
sound, the better. If you are interested in
helping with this great group of kids...come see
what we're up to! Teachers can choose to teach
for a whole semester, the whole school year, or
we can break it up liturgically. Let Sarah Pugh
know if you are available and interested.
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“THANK YOU”,
FROM SARAH AND ANDY
Thank you so much to everyone that
planned, attended, and/or sent positive vibes
and well wishes to the shower on July 14th. I
have felt so welcomed and loved by the TPC
community since day one, and the
outpouring of support for Andy and me is
yet another example of these feelings. You all
mean so much to me—and Andy and I truly
appreciate the support that we feel from each
and every one of you.
Blessings, Sarah
OUTREACH
STOP HUNGER NOW
LAMB’S BASKET NEEDS
NON-PERISHABLE FOOD
DONATIONS
Food collection for LAMB’s Basket thus
far for the month of July was 47.6 lbs.
Although food is collected early in the
month, items may be brought to the
church at any time. Especially needed are
peanut butter, spaghetti sauce, and dry
pasta products.
OUTREACH PRAYER
REQUEST OF THE MONTH
Each month the Outreach Division
will be asking for your prayers for
individuals in the community and/or
organizations we support. During the
month of August, please pray for the
children and families and the Tuckahoe
volunteers participating in the annual
YMCA Bright Beginnings project.
Mark your calendar for Saturday,
October 19, 2013. Tuckahoe will be hosting a
Stop Hunger Now event in Duntreath Hall.
We will need approximately 75 volunteers to
package 15,000 meals. We will form teams
and package the meals for shipment to places
around the globe. Church members, family
and friends from ages 4 through senior adults
are all welcome to participate in this fun-filled
activity. Set-up for the event will begin at 8:00
a.m. and we will begin packaging at 9:00 a.m.
Ending time will be around 11:00 a.m., with
clean-up to follow.
In addition to volunteers we will need to raise
$3,750 to pay for the raw materials needed to
go into the meals. There are two ways to sign
up to participate in the event and/or donate:
1) via the internet at http://
events.stophungernow.org/TuckahoePres,
and 2) you can also call the church office.
Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger
relief agency that, in 2005, created a meal
packaging program consisting of food that
stores easily, has a shelf-life of five years and
transports quickly. Stop Hunger Now provides over 70% of its meals to support school
feeding programs, vocational training programs, early childhood development programs, orphanages, and medical clinics.
Please consider volunteering to help
support this worthwhile organization by either participating on October 19th or through
a monetary donation.
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OUTREACH
YARD SALE FOR MISSION
Our September Yard Sale, scheduled for September 14th, is just around the corner! This
fundraiser helps keep Mission Trips affordable for TPC volunteers. But we need help
from a lot of you in a lot of ways! Can you...
 Help pick up donations and deliver to TPC? We need strong arms and big
trucks.
 Help set up items? We need volunteers for shifts from Tues (5-8), Wed (9-8),
Thurs (9-8), and Fri (9-5:30) the week of September 9—14.
 Help price items? We need pricing assistance Friday, 9/13. If you know
how to price, come. If you can just help put prices on stickers, come.
 Help gather bags and boxes for our shoppers? Bring these whenever you
like.
 Help our TPC workers and Yard Sale shoppers on Saturday? We need sales
assistants from 6:45 (that’s AM!) to 12:45. You can work a shift if you prefer.
 Donate GENTLY-worn clothing, household items, bedding, tools, sporting
equipment, children’s toys and equipment, jewelry, and other treasures?
Talk with someone who has worked our Yard Sales in the past and you will hear…
 “It’s fun, it’s chaos, it’s amazing to see all that stuff!”
 “It’s a Mission in its own right, bringing neighbors and needy people to
Tuckahoe.”
 “It’s work, but it helps Mission Team families by donating hundreds of dollars to their trip, so they can represent Tuckahoe wherever they work.”
Contact Nancy Millsaps (288-0996 or [email protected]) with questions. Sign up
sheets are on the Outreach Bulletin Board, in the hall near the Office. Contact Bill
Stallings if you want to help the pick-up and delivery efforts.
Remember…Many Hands Make Light Work.
We need Many Hands to Make This Work!
Will You Lend Yours?
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AROUND THE CHURCH
LUNCH BUNCH IN AUGUST!
Lunch Bunch will meet on Monday,
August 12th, at noon in Duntreath Hall. The menu
will be a cold salad plate with dessert and iced
tea. Please join us for a refreshing lunch
during these hot summer days. Sign up on the
friendship pad or call the church office so we know
how many plan to attend. Again, there is no cost;
however, donations to The Lambs Basket
are appreciated
SAVE THE DATE
FALL ALL-AGES RETREAT
TPC's 2013 All Church Retreat is
scheduled for October 12 & 13. Please
save the date on your calendar and look
forward to another wonderful get-away
to Camp Hanover.
More details to follow, with sign-up
during Fellowship Hour, in September.
Our Christian sympathies are extended
to Arline Dowdy and her family on the
death of her husband,
Naumann Dowdy, on July 2.
GRANDBABY NEWS!
Stan and Donna Sauer
announce the arrival of their new
grandson,
Hudson Evans Sheehan,
born on July 2nd.
Congratulations!!
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AROUND THE CHURCH
SEE SOMETHING THAT NEEDS
REPAIR OR REPLACING?
Light bulbs out? Doors not locking properly? Air conditioning malfunctioning? If
you see something that needs attention, please let the Property Division know. There
is a Work Order Request Form that can be filled out and returned to the Division for
any work you would like to request throughout the church. You can find the forms
in a folder on the storage closet just outside the Parlor. Please take the time to fill out
the form, sign and date it and return it to Lucky Wroniewicz’s mailbox in the hallway. Below is a copy of the form, in case you would like to keep it handy!
PROPERTY DIVISION
WORK ORDER REQUEST
PROBLEM:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
LOCATION:
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
Property will return this form to you when the job is completed.
YOUR NAME _____________________ DATE OF REQUEST ________________
FROM PROPERTY: DATE WORK COMPLETED _______________ BY: ____________________
NEW CHURCH DIRECTORIES
AVAILABLE NOW
New editions of our Tuckahoe Member Directory
are available through the church office. Please stop by
and get your copy (one per family, please!). If you are unable to get to the office to get your copy of the directory,
please contact your Deacon to have your directory delivered to you.
We haven't published a directory since 2009, so this
one is full of updated member information.
Many thanks to Barbie Keatts for the untold hours of research, correcting, and
correcting again that she put into making this happen! If you find an error in your
information, please let the church office know. We will publish a page of
corrections/changes in the future.
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AROUND THE CHURCH
A NEW PLAYGROUND
FOR TUCKAHOE!!
Mark 9: 36-37—36Then he took a little child
and put it among them; and taking it in his
arms, he said to them, 37 “Whoever welcomes
one such child in my name welcomes me, and
whoever welcomes me welcomes not me but
the one who sent me.”
In late spring 2013, discussions began among the staff at Tuckahoe about the
critical need for a safe, up-to-code, accessible playground to replace our 1960’s
equipment and give our children an exciting place to play and grow together.
Because this was a component of the Visioning Process, Christian Formation
endorsed the idea and forwarded the idea to Session.
At its May meeting the Session approved the formation of a Playground
Committee to plan and implement the project. The committee began its work
in July and is composed of representatives from each of the Divisions directly related
to the project--A & P, Outreach, Property and Christian Formation, in addition to
at-large members and staff. Members of the committee are: Judy Bice, Shelly
Blackstone, Pam Burch, Ross DeBolt, Becky Loggins, Mary McGee, Steve St. John and
Jason Pool, Moderator.
Unless you have children or grandchildren between the ages of 2 and 12, you
may not have even noticed the condition of our playground equipment. There is an
acute need to update our long-outdated playground and make it safe, accessible and
a visual “draw” for the church and the neighborhood and, at the same time, give our
children creative components to inspire them to play, exercise and create together.
The vision for a new playground is a structure for broad-based neighborhood
participation, with intergenerational appeal and long-term benefits to the
children of our church and our neighborhood.
There will be more detailed information in the September Torch as the
committee begins working on the plans, layout, timeline and funding
requirements for this exciting project. The goal of the committee is to have the
plans and funding in place to allow us to demolish the old and rebuild the new space
by mid-fall 2013! If you are interested in the project and would like to participate
in any way, please let Jason Pool ([email protected]) or the church office
([email protected]) know how you can help.
We are interested in man/woman-power, tools and equipment and
financial assistance at all levels!
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AROUND THE CHURCH
FOOD & FELLOWSHIP
We hope you will join us each Wednesday night this year from 6:00—7:30 p.m. for
evenings of good food, fellowship and programs. We will continue the meal format from
last year with two catered meals, one prepared by a TPC cooking team and one covered
dish supper each month. Menus are not yet finalized for each evening, so stay tuned for
more information in the September Torch. You can help out by: (1) volunteering to be on a
cooking team or (2) bringing dessert on a night that we have the catered meal. Contact Gail
Miller or Ruth Ann Hoge if you would like to help!
And if you have program ideas, please give Pat Macaulay
a call at 323-1190 or email her at [email protected].
Children will continue to participate in the Music &
Motion Kids program during the adult programming.
Our first fall Wednesday night is September 4 when the
Fellowship Committee will host an Ice Cream Social at 6:30 p.m.
Fun for all ages! Ice cream and all the fixin’s will be provided.
Come join this casual gathering and meet
Patrick, Sarah and their family.
DATE
September 4
TIME
6:30 p.m.
September 11
September 18
September 25
PROGRAM
Ice Cream Social—Meet the Dennis Family!
No WNS due to Yard Sale set-up
6:00 p.m.
Dinner
6:30 p.m.
M & M Kids ; “The Tonight Show” - host Jim McLeskey
interviews Patrick Dennis
6:00 p.m.
Dinner
6:30 p.m.
M & M Kids; Speaker, Doug Walters, Director of Camp
Hanover
FROM OUR MEMBERS
Harriette Kent writes, “Dear Tuckahoe Friends, Your prayers,
visits and cards encouraged me so much during my recent illness.
The beautiful lilies Betti Prentice brought and the visits from
Richard, Ginger and Barbara constantly reminded me of your
thoughtfulness and care for one another. Love, Harriette
Flossie Quensen writes, “To my Church People, Can’t thank you enough for being so
nice. Thank you so much for my flowers. It helps so much to have all of you. I love you .
My prayers are with all of you. Keep me in yours. Thanks again, Flossie”
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AUGUST 2013 calendar
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TUCKAHOE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
7000 Park Avenue
Richmond, VA 23226-3624
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage Paid
Richmond, VA 23232
Permit No. 1962
*RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED*
TUCKAHOE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Tuckahoe Staff
Richard Haney, Interim Pastor
Mark O. Cain, Music Director
Rebecca Loggins, Children’s Ministry
Mary McGee, Office Administrator
Joan Neff, Assistant Organist
Sarah Pugh, Youth Ministry
Ginger Spence, Director of Visitation
Telephone: 282-2860
E-mail: [email protected]
OUR MISSION STATEMENT:
Called by God, to be the heart,
voice, hands and feet
of Christ where
the Spirit leads us.
The Torch is a monthly newsletter of
Tuckahoe Presbyterian Church.
Deadline is the 18th of each month.
Editor-Mary McGee; email: [email protected]