Reading - Carmel Presbyterian Church

Carmel
Courier
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February, 2016
Carmel Presbyterian Church of Glenside, PA 19038-3099
Observe Ash Wednesday on February 10
By Worship and Sacraments Committee
Where to Look
Baptism
Birthdays . . . . . . . . . . . . 12,
Boards
4Choir . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Christian Education
Christmas Brunch . . . . . . . .
Christmas Decorating
Death . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Hospitalized
Kids Korner . . . . . . . . . . . .
Lectionary Readings
Library . . . . . . . . . . . .23 &
Meals on Wheels
New Members. . . . . .
3,
Nursery School
Officer Biographies
Deacons . . . . . . . . . . .6 &
Session
13 &
Pastoral Message . . . . . . . .
Prayer Labyrinth
Shepherds . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Stewardship
Thank You . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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19
5
10
11
12
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20
20
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24
17
15
15
7
14
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18
11
10
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Join us for dinner and worship on Ash Wednesday, February 10. In keeping with the spirit of penitence and preparation during Lent, Carmel will have a
simple meal, followed by a service of worship which
will include Imposition of Ashes and the Lord’s Supper. The dinner will begin at
6:30 PM in Carmel Hall, and the
service of worship will be in the
Chapel at 7:30 PM.
Homemade soup will
again be provided, along with
rolls. The soup making pot and
ladle has passed from Floss and
Harry Gutekunst to Melissa Deacon. Carmel extends heartfelt thanks to Harry and
Floss for their many years of faithful soup making and
also thanks Melissa for stepping up this year.
Please bring your own soup bowl, salad plate
and utensils. This helps to cut down on setup and
cleanup time, and allows the evening to end at a reasonable hour for families with young children. Please
bring a dish according to the following alphabetical
listing: Cupcakes, A-H; Salads, I-Z.
See ASH WEDNESDAY page 3
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A Pastoral Message
ASH WEDNESDAY – THE
BEGINNING OF LENT
After his baptism and call, Jesus
retreated into the wilderness and fasted for
forty days to prepare for his ministry. For
him, it was a time of contemplation,
reflection, and preparation. When observing Lent, Christians join Jesus on his
retreat and use it also as a time of contemplation, reflection, and preparation for the
events of Holy Week and what it means to
their lives.
Lent consists of the forty days
before Easter. In the western Church, we
skip over the Sundays when we count the
days of Lent, because Sunday is always the
joyful celebration of the Resurrection.
Therefore, the first day of Lent in the
western Church is always a Wednesday.
On this day all the faithful, according to the custom of the early church, were
asked to approach the chancel at the
beginning of the service of worship, and
there the clergyperson, dipping his
thumb into ashes
previously blessed,
marked the forehead
of the worshipper
with the sign of the
cross, saying the words: “Remember that
you art dust and to dust you shall return.”
It is called the “imposition of ashes.”
In ages past, people relied heavily
on wood fires for heating and cooking,
which meant that keeping ashes under
control was a major housekeeping task.
Then as now, if a person was preoccupied
with something serious, they didn’t always
tend to the housekeeping -- it was the least
of their concerns. For example, if there
were a death in the family, the ashes would
not have been paid attention to anymore
than was absolutely necessary. Even the
normal washing became a neglected task.
If a friend stopped by to pay their respects,
they might notice a ragged
appearance and gently ask,
“Do you know you have
ashes on your face?”
So ashes became a
sign of remorse, repentance, and mourning. You can find biblical
examples of this in 2 Samuel 13:19, Esther
4:1-3, Job 42:6, and Jeremiah 6:26. During
Lent, early Christians, reflecting on the
crucifixion, mourned their sins and
repented of them. Thus, it was appropriate
for them to physically “wear” their
repentance by having ashes on their
foreheads. Traditionally, the ashes for the
Ash Wednesday service came from
burning the palm fronds from the previous
year’s Palm Sunday celebration.
The custom has persisted in the
church as a significant metaphor. Though
forgotten for a while, many Protestant
See PASTORAL page 17
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Triplet baptism a special day
Carmel welcomes new members
December 27 was a very special
day for Scott and Terri Thompson and
their family.
Their triplets,
Aidan Brian,
Cole David,
and Allison
Jean received
the Sacrament
of Baptism
during morning
worship at Carmel with Dr. James
Thornton officiating. That date was also
the triplets’ first birthday. Their
grandfather, ordained Carmel elder James
Thompson, Sr., assisted in the service.
Carmel welcomed David Durvin
and Meghan Watkins as new members on
December 27. Meghan and their son,
Patrick Durvin, were also baptized during
the service. Young Patrick has been a
regular Children’s Story Time and
Children’s Worship participant this year.
The family resides in Hatboro. Please
welcome all three into the
Carmel family.
(Note: An introduction to the
Durvin/Watkins family will
be coming in a future
Courier issue.)
Nicole Bohlander
was baptized and publicly
received into Carmel
membership on December 20. (See her
new member interview and photo on page
15.)
ASH WEDNESDAY from page 1
This is the first time during his
ministry that Dr. Thornton has baptized
triplets. The numerous family members
present included the triplets’ grandmother,
Barbara Thompson, and their big brother
Jacob.
Please make reservations for the
number coming from your family by filling
out the sign-up sheet at Fellowship Hour or
calling the church office at 215-887-1074.
The Presbyterian Women’s Circles who are
setting tables want to be sure there are
enough tables prepared.
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Board Updates
Session Notes
Submitted by Nancy Pinkowicz
The following items were among
the business conducted during the Regular
Meetings of the Session in December and
January:
Session approved to once again
provide Carmel Hall as a location for the
AARP free tax service during tax
preparation season.
At the December meeting, Debbie
Spade, Chairperson of the Personnel
Committee, presented 2016 salary recommendations and analysis for pastoral and
non-pastoral church staff. The proposed
2016 operating budget presented by the
Stewardship Committee was approved. On
the recommendation of the Property Committee, Session approved the acceptance of
the elevator construction proposal from
Happ Contractors at a base bid of
$219,064.
Session also discussed in December an e-mail recommendation from
Presbytery that local churches take action
regarding the recent hate incident against
the Al-Aqsa Islamic Center in lower
Kensington. Session suggested that a
message of support be placed on the corner
signboard, which was subsequently done.
Session decided that committee
reports for the Annual Meeting of the
Congregation on January 31 will be
presented in oral form, rather than printed
booklets. This will save both paper and
considerable office time. The financial
reports will still be printed
Once again we are blessed to begin
the New Year with a full slate of
enthusiastic officers to serve on our boards,
accompanied by a dedicated and capable
staff. Session welcomes the following new
and returning elders: Class of 2016: Steve
Brunozzi, Beth Cherry, Joyce Kornfeld,
Bonnie Miller, Barbara Podrost, David
Rice; Class of 2017: Linda MacFarland,
Bruce Miller, Anne Newman, Nancy
O’Brien, Nancy Pinkowicz, Debbie Spade;
Class of 2018: David Campbell, Joan
Cramp, Lynne Schutt, Janet Simon, Connie
Tolton and Gail Warburton.
Session established the following
2016 Session Committees, chairpersons
denoted with an asterisk: Christian
Education - *Janet Simon, Bruce Miller;
Church Officer Nominating Committee *Linda MacFarland, Gail Warburton;
Congregational Life - *Connie Tolton,
David Rice; Evangelism - * Beth Cherry,
David Campbell; Finance, Investments and
Insurance -* Bonnie Miller, Steve
Brunozzi; Personnel - *Debbie Spade,
Joyce Kornfeld; Property - *Lynne Schutt,
Nancy O’Brien; Worship and Sacraments *Barb Podrost, Joan Cramp; and
Stewardship – *Anne Newman, Joyce
See SESSION NOTES page 14
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Deacons Notes
Camp, and Presby Inspired Life Low
Income Housing.
Submitted by Heidi Lindsay
All told, the Board of Deacons
distributed a grand total of over $35,000 in
2015 (excluding casework), fairly in line
with annual giving in recent years. We
encourage you to support our ministry
through monthly envelope giving. Without
your generosity we would be quite limited
in our ability
to support our
Deacons Fund
groups.
First, let’s get some end of the year
business out of the way. December
mission disbursements from the Deacons’
Fund included $1,500.00 each to
Norristown Hospitality Center, Depaul
House, and One House at a Time. Depaul
House, right down the street in Germantown, serves men ages 20-65 and offers a
residentially based program including case
management, employment assistance,
education, therapy, financial literacy and
budgeting, and peer support. Ambler’s
One House at a Time focuses on its Beds
for Kids program which provides children
living below poverty with a bed, sheets, a
blanket, several books, a toothbrush, a
handmade pillow case and a stuffed
animal. Additional $500 disbursements
from the Deacons’ Fund were made to Aid
for Friends, Cradle of Hope, Interfaith
Food Cupboard and the Mattie N. Dixon
Community Cupboard.
Interest from
Trust Fund B enabled
the board to assist
groups or projects
supported by the
Presbytery of Philadelphia or PC(USA) as
a whole. This includes $1,500 in
undesignated funds for our presbytery and
an equal amount for Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance. Receiving $2,000 each were
Broad Street Ministry, Kirkwood-Brainerd
Many
bags of toys were delivered to The Village
to be given to resident and foster children
at Christmas and throughout the year. Also
care cards were hand delivered to our
youth in Children’s Worship. In late
December, 13 bags of groceries were
delivered to Interfaith Food Cupboard, and
several trips were made to Impact Thrift
Store from our Care and Share project.
Many thanks to Heide Miller for delivering
wreaths and swags while visiting some of
our members. You’ve heard me say it
before, but here we go again…once a
Deacon, always a Deacon. Even though
her term ended in December, Sue Lohoefer
has graciously offered to continue leading
Carmel’s Prayer Community. Carmel is
blessed, that is all I can say.
Now that that is over with, let’s
move on to current stuff. Comprising the
2016 executive team are Heidi Lindsay
(Moderator), Lorrie Raquet (Vice Moderator), John Bottinger (Treasurer) and Alice
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Jacobs (Secretary). Mid-January brought
our first meeting, and we officially
welcomed new and returning Deacons
Karen Bogle, Florence Dyer, Rebecca
Lohoefer, Carol Moll, Kerri Strike and
Kim Williams.
Late January brought our first
cook-in for Aid for Friends. We scooped
lots of meals, poured out lots of peas and
bagged lots of trays for delivery to local
shut-ins. Thank you to everyone who
made the day a success. AFF serves the
Philadelphia area, including over 400
Montgomery County residents. Although
all are in need of meals, not all are elderly
as about one-half are under the age of 75.
Putting on my Moderator hat, I am
asking for feedback from the congregation.
I would love to see congregation become
more involved in the work of the Deacons.
What interests you? Mission work is a
pretty broad
thing. Do you
want to be
involved in
one day small
projects at
Carmel? Do you want to want us to
organize off-site work days? Interested in
becoming one of our Meals in a Moment
cooks or joining the Prayer Community?
Are you able to provide transportation once
in a while? Give it some thought and let
me know.
Meet Carmel’s new Deacons
Rebecca Lohoefer, also known as Becca,
joins the Deacons as a third generation
member. Her parents Bob and Sue have
been very active Deacons in recent years,
and her grandfather Jack Badger was also a
Deacon. Like the Rose family, Rebecca’s
Deacon participation was probably
inevitable. She is excited about serving as
a first year Deacon. Rebecca has been a
dedicated Sunday morning Nursery
volunteer with Carmel’s youngest and has
also served as a co-Sunday School teacher
and VBS volunteer.
Rebecca has been a Carmel “life
member” for 24+ years and grew up here
with her sister, Julia Lohoefer-Kozak. An
Oreland/Upper Dublin native, she now
lives in Horsham. This year she assumed
the position of Director of Communications at St. David’s Episcopal Church in
Wayne. Rebecca has been a cheerleading
coach for over 10 years with the Upper
Dublin Junior Athletic Association. She
coaches two teams in competitive cheerleading: 12 and under and 8 and under.
Kim Williams served several terms as a
Deacon during the 1990’s. Most recently
she has used her graphic design skills to
help get the Carmel website to its current
design and diligently works to keep it up to
date. She has also designed publicity and
advertising for Carmel music programs and
worship services, as well as creating the
logos for Carmel’s 125th Anniversary
celebration and the Celebrate Carmel
campaign.
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Kim has two sons, Derek Granieri
and Tyler Blaetz. She works full time as a
graphic designer and part-time as a pet
sitter. A long-time yoga enthusiast, she is
also a yoga instructor at the Amma Yanni
Yoga Center in Glenside. In 2015 she
completed a 500 hour yoga teacher training
program. A Glenside native, she now lives
in Ivyland, where she participates in a
weekly oil painting class. In the winter she
skis, and during the warmer months she
bikes. She also
enjoys knitting and
many other crafts.
Florence Dyer is a
returning Deacon (once a Deacon, always a
Deacon). She has been a Carmel member
for about 27 years, along with husband
Kent. Their two sons, John and Joseph,
grew up at Carmel. Florence grew up in
Reading, PA, and now lives in Glenside.
She is a former social worker and sign
language interpreter and is now caring for
her 1 ½ year old granddaughter Addelyn
two days a week.
At Carmel Florence has been a
member of the Bunch, the Shepherds, the
Kitchen Task Force, and a VBS volunteer.
She was in charge of decorating the
Sanctuary for Christmas and Easter for a
number of years and organizing the holiday
memorial flowers. Her interests and
hobbies include sewing, quilting, cross
stitch, candy making, baking, crafting and
reading.
Kerri Strike has been a Carmel member
for 2 ½ years, and the Deacons are her first
involvement at Carmel. She was an Elder
at First Presbyterian Church in Springfield
for six years and led their Personnel
Committee for six years. Her young niece,
Rylee, frequently accompanies her to
Carmel. A lifelong Presbyterian, Kerri
grew up in Chambersburg, PA and now
lives in Maple Glen.
Kerri is an area director for TMobile and has spent most of her career in
wireless communications. She loves
spending time with her niece and nephew.
She also likes to spend her leisure time
gardening, jogging, playing with her dog
Spencer, or playing golf.
Karen Bogle is returning to the Deacons
after a year off. She was very involved
with the Deacons’ Meals in a Moment
project. Karen is very devoted to the
children of Carmel through the Children’s
Worship program. A Carmel member for
about 15 years, she has faithfully served on
Carmel committees, including Property,
Worship and Sacraments, Christian Education, Personnel, and the Nursery School
Board. Karen also decorated the Sanctuary
for Christmas for a number of years.
Karen is a retired registered nurse
who worked mostly in critical care and
pediatrics. Born and raised in Philadelphia’s East Falls, she raised her family of
three children and lived in Oreland for 31
years. Karen loves being retired (although
rarely idle) and is now happily settled in
See MEET DEACONS page 17
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Thank You
To my Carmel Family,
I was so delighted the evening that
the Youth Group caroled. So many people
were on my porch singing! I invited them
in and was happy to see so many from my
Sunday School class years ago. Some even
remembered the Daisy Song and Pitter
Patter Pit.
and I hope everyone at Carmel is well.
Stay warm and happy holidays.
Thank you all again.
Brooke Clouse
Thank you so much for my lovely
plant. It was such a lovely surprise, and I
appreciate the thought from everyone.
Then, the Sunday after Christmas,
David Campbell delivered a poinsettia. He
was another former Sunday School
student! It was so nice to realize that these
boys and girls who were 3 and 4 years old
in Sunday School years ago are still active
in church.
My hope is good health and peace
for the coming year. Again I appreciate the
thought and care of everyone.
Thanks very much for the music,
flowers, and pleasant memories.
Once again it’s my pleasure to
extend my thanks for the beautiful
poinsettia plant that graced the church at
Christmas.
Sincerely,
Pat Newman
Thank you so much for your letter
and all your kind thoughts and prayers. It
is much appreciated. All these kind
members are good medicine from Dr. God.
Al Cherry and wife Beth
The care package was a welcome
surprise! This week has definitely been
stressful, but having this eases my mind. I
can’t wait to dig in! Thank you so much
Jean Oberholtzer
Dear “Carmel Saints”—
Your remembrance of me warms
my heart and reminds me of the outgoing
warmth that exists at Carmel. A lovely
short visit from Mary Ellen Thomas was
the “icing on the cake.” Thank you so
much for your thoughtfulness!
So sincerely,
Toddy Tomkins
Dear Carmel friends,
Thank you for the lovely, huge
poinsettia delivered by Doris Golingan. It
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looks beautiful in our garden window and
will thrive well into the summer months. It
was an unexpected gift and we appreciate it
very much.
We wish all of you a happy,
healthy New Year.
Rich and Ruth Kucera
Thank you for the beautiful
flowers delivered by Shepherd Louise
Robinson. Your kind thoughts are
appreciated.
Alan Cherry
Thank you to the Shepherds and
especially Mary Ellen Thomas and Linda
Parker for delivering a beautiful red
poinsettia plant and Sunday flowers after
my leg injury. I appreciated
being remembered.
Sincerely,
Georg Simon
Photo taken by Nancy
Lefferts Higgins,
December, 2015
Thanks due for Sanctuary
Christmas decorating
We want to thank those who
helped decorate the sanctuary for this
Christmas season. The church would not
have looked as beautiful without the help
of our merry men, Walt Newman and Rod
Hackman. Thanks also to Karen Bogle, our
go-to-for-all advice on the season, and to
Nancy O’Brien for helping whenever
needed.
Heide and Bruce Miller
I would like to thank Deb Gates
for obtaining and placing the poinsettias in
the sanctuary this Christmas season. I
would also like to thank Linda MacFarland
and Nancy Pinkowicz for placing the
decorations on the Christmas trees.
Bruce Miller
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Carmel Family Activities
Enjoy barbershoppers with ROAM
Souper Bowl of Caring
By Gene Morris
February 7 is a day that many
football fans know as Super Bowl Sunday.
At Carmel it is Souper Bowl Sunday! Our
youth will be
holding soup pots
for all of us to
contribute. As of
this writing, they
have not decided
where the donations
will be sent.
ROAM will start
the New Year with lunch
and a special program on
Wednesday, February
3. We'll begin with lunch at
12:30 PM in the Fellowship
Lounge. Please bring a dish
to share. Following lunch
we'll be treated to a program of Barbershop
music by a quartet from the Bucks County
Country Gentlemen.
If you can't make it for lunch, join
us at 1:30 for the program. Call Karen
Bogle or Gene Morris to make your
reservation. HOPE TO SEE YOU
THERE! Retirees On A Mission!
Stewardship topics
By Anne Newman,
Chairperson
Per Capita Envelope
In the front of your
envelope box, you will find a
blue envelope marked $30.00
for per capita. Carmel is asked to pay about
$10,000 for the three higher denominational bodies to do ministry. This $30.00 is
the per capita amount for each member of
the congregation. Please help us with this
amount in addition to your normal giving.
In 1990, Brad Smith, a seminarian
in Columbia, SC offered this simple
prayer, “Lord, even as we enjoy the Super
Bowl football game, help us be mindful of
those who are without a bowl of soup to
eat.” This began the Souper Bowl in South
Carolina. It has spread throughout the
country. It is still urgently needed.
New Committee Structure
2016 has begun with new
leadership on committees. The Stewardship
committee is always open to new ideas and
new hands in doing its work. Please contact Anne Newman with suggestions and to
volunteer to work with this committee.
Celebrate Easter - Join the Choir
By Abby Palmisano
You are invited to join our
Sanctuary Choir to help form a special
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Festival Choir for our Good Friday and
Easter services. Carmel members and
friends who cannot make that weekly
Thursday night commitment throughout
the year, but would like to sing in a choir,
are invited for these special services.
Anyone who can match pitch and can smile
is welcome to sing.
Rehearsals for Easter begin on
Thursday, February 25, at 8:00 PM in the
choir room. Rehearsals will run for five
weeks: Thursdays, February 25, March 3,
March 10, March 17 and
Wednesday March 23 at
8:00 PM. We will be
singing for the Good
Friday service on March
25 and the 10:00 AM
Easter service on March
27.
Please contact Abby Palmisano
and let her know that you can come, or just
come to as many of the rehearsal dates as
you can make. Hope to see you then. If you
have any questions please call 215-8871074 and press #3.
Thanks to the Shepherds;
welcome new Shepherds
By Mary Ellen Thomas
As we look back to 2015 and are
reminded of everything we are grateful for,
I would like to thank our four “outgoing”
Shepherds who volunteered their time and
energies delivering flowers to members of
our congregation
and preparing bread
for our communion
services. Heartfelt
thanks to Bertha
Campbell, Heather
DiSandro, Mary
Hausher and Betsy Manzinger. Your commitment and dedication are both notable
and greatly appreciated.
Being a Shepherd provides a
unique opportunity to meet and connect
with members of the congregation whom
we might not otherwise encounter in our
day-to-day activities as members of
Carmel. That personal connection is so
important in strengthening our church
community. A delivery of flowers and a
brief conversation with someone who has
had a recent illness or other unfortunate
family event or the joy of a birth or a
significant birthday or anniversary, can
leave a meaningful, lasting impression.
Thank you for your service.
I would also like to welcome
aboard our four new Shepherds - Patricia
Agbote, Denise Abraham, Joan Kohn and
Ruth Kucera. Welcome to our team and
thank you for choosing to serve.
Save the Date:
A new Adult Education Class will
Begin on Sunday, February 7 in
Carmel Hall with Seminarian Bridget Wendell
Details coming in the Bulletin
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Kornfeld Spacone, Nancy O’Brien, Judy
Vincent, Jess Tolton, Taylor Tolton and
Julianna MacFarland.
A belated Happy 90th Birthday to
Bob Gerhard, Sr., who celebrated his 90th
birthday milestone on December 23. Congratulations and best wishes, Bob.
One of the biggest hits is always
the Omelet Station, run by Chef Kristen. A
popular new addition this year was an ice
cream station. Reports were that the
brunch was fantastic, the food was
excellent, and all had a great time.
Another great Christmas brunch!
By Connie Tolton
I just want to give a quick shout
out to all of our members who attended
Carmel’s 4th Annual Christmas Brunch on
December 20, as well to all of the
Congregational Life Committee and
additional volunteers who made it possible.
A total of 127 people attended this popular
and delicious event.
Our time and energy spent on this
event is so worth it to see the smiles when
Carmel members come
down the steps to see
what we added to transform Carmel Hall. Sincere thanks to all of those
who helped: Linda
MacFarland, Nancy Pinkowicz, Melissa
MacFarland, Joyce
Kornfeld, Alice Jacobs,
Carol Moll, Andrea
If anyone is interested in helping
with any Congregational Life events, we
are always welcoming helping hands,
young knees and feet and of course talents
and gifts to add some fun, flair and
funkiness.
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Meet Carmel’s new Elders
In returning to Session, Lynne Schutt,
brings expansive experience as a former
Trustee and Elder. Over the years, Lynne
has served on just about every committee:
Personnel, Stewardship, Insurance,
Property, Worship and Sacraments, and
Pastor Nominating. Lynne has been a
driving force behind many of the
Property Committee’s campaigns
including the stained glass window
restoration and the much anticipated
elevator and serves as the committee
chair. Actively involved in
Carmel’s music program, she
accompanies the Children’s Choirs
and has also been involved with the
Bell Choir and Concerts at Carmel.
Lynne grew up in North Hills and
now resides in Doylestown. A former
teacher, she was a paralegal for many
years and has been enjoying retirement
(with lots of time put in at Carmel). Born
and baptized at Carmel, she has been most
active for the last 15 years.
Gail Warburton was ordained and
installed as a first time Elder this past
January but has faithfully served Carmel
in many capacities since joining in 1964
(52 years ago). Perhaps Gail is best
known for being our church’s Librarian,
dutifully heading the library staff and
caring for our books. She has worn many
hats including Sunday School teacher
(kindergarten), Vacation Bible School
volunteer, Treasurer and Circle Leader in
Presbyterian Women, and Deaconess
(Carmel’s precursor to Shepherd).
Having raised three sons, Gail and
husband Doug live in Roslyn and enjoy
their seven granddaughters and one
grandson. As her boys were growing, Gail
was also involved in Carmel’s Nursery and
Jr. High fellowship (similar to
current day Refuge) as well as their
school and athletic activities. Now
retired, Gail was formerly with
Prudential and a Glenside dental
practice. She enjoys the beach,
reading, sewing, crocheting and
needlepoint.
Janet Simon continues her service to the
Board of Session and again chairs the
Christian Education committee. In
addition to being an Elder for 20+ years,
Janet has served Carmel’s congregation as
a Deacon, Sunday School Coordinator,
chair of the Worship and Sacraments
committee, library volunteer, Circle
member, and Chair of the Associate Pastor
Nominating Committee which brought us
Rev. Abigail Visco Rusert. Currently, she
is co-editor of the Carmel Courier and
handles much of the publicity for Carmel
events. Mission is close to Janet’s heart,
evidenced in part by her participation in
five of Carmel’s expeditions to Honduras
and the Dominican Republic, and she even
co-led one trip. All told, Janet has been a
member of Carmel for 34 years and is
proud of her family’s long Presbyterian
heritage in southern Lancaster County
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She and Georg live in Glenside,
where they have lived for 40 years and
raised daughters Jeanne and Linda, who
were active in Carmel choirs, youth group
and mission trips. Janet and Georg travel
extensively, both internationally and
domestically and are dedicated
Philadelphia Flyers fans. She also enjoys
skiing, reading, photography, journalism,
volunteering at the Penn Museum,
needlework and book club. Prior to
retirement, Janet was a librarian at
Abington Senior High School.
Also making another go on Session is
Connie Tolton, who will again head the
energetic Congregational Life committee.
Connie’s involvement with Carmel can be
traced to helping in the Nursery even
before the twins were born. Since then,
she has served as Elder, Shepherd, Mission
Trip leader, Confirmation Class mentor
and Vacation Bible School volunteer and
currently also works with Refuge.
Connie is married to Lee and is
mom to twin daughters Taylor and Jess
(both age 23) and son Dan (age 21). She is
a Health Coach with Living by Design and
USANA Health Sciences. Born and raised
in Philadelphia, she settled in Ardsley after
marrying and her neighbors have become
family. The Tolton’s have been Carmel
members for nearly 30 years. Connie
enjoys meditation, dancing, training for her
second half marathon and vacationing in
Clearwater, FL as often as possible.
Joan Cramp rejoins the Board of Session
this year. After 58 years at Carmel, one
can certainly believe that Joan has been
involved at some time with just about
everything that Carmel has to offer. She
has previously served as Trustee, Elder,
Deacon, Aid for Friends visitor, worked
with Carmel Nursery School, the Carmel
Library, served on numerous committees
and has worked well with her district.
Some may remember her performances in
comedy skits during the Talent Shows,
which highlight her great sense of humor.
Son Randy and daughter Janice
grew up at Carmel, and Joan can often be
seen on Sunday mornings chaperoning
granddaughter Delaney who sings in choir.
After living in Ardsley for 59 years, Joan
recently settled in at Rydal Park. Joan
enjoys the theater and Philly Pops concerts,
as well as spending time locally with
Delaney and granddog Cindy as well as her
other grandchildren.
SESSION NOTES from page 4
Kornfeld. Nancy Pinkowicz will assume
the duties as Clerk of Session in 2016. A
complete list of elders and deacons
assigned to Session committees is posted
on the bulletin board in the church office.
Please feel free to ask questions and share
suggestions or concerns with your church
officers!
As you hear the Word proclaimed
in worship, and as you read through
weekly worship bulletin inserts and
monthly editions of the Courier, may you
be led by the Holy Spirit to consider
prayerfully your role in God's plan for the
ministries at Carmel this year
15
This and That
Carmel Nursery School News
By Leslie Rupp, Director
Carmel Nursery School celebrates
community helpers during the month of
February. Exploring the jobs of police
officers, fire fighters, doctors, nurses,
teachers, librarians, and many more
professions that serve our community will
be part of the curriculum.
We look forward to our
yearly visit from Officer
Shannon Gallagher of the
Lower Gwynned Police
Department and a local dentist
to tell the children what a day
of work is like for them. This month we
will also visit the Upper Dublin School
District’s planetarium at Sandy Run
Middle School.
Members of the Suburban Dog
Training Club will be showing off their
dogs to the students on Wednesday,
February 24. It is
amazing to see how
smart these beautiful
animals can be. And
how much our
children love them!
The Nursery
School will be having a candy sale fundraiser. If you would
like to order some delicious Gertrude
Hawk candy, our orders are due on
February 23rd, and the candy will be in the
week of March 7th, , just in time for
Easter!! Look for order forms in the
Church Office or go to www.gertrude
hawk.com, click on the fundraising button
and enter the code 703475 in the Group
Member Sign Up box . Click on Carmel
Nursery School and start shopping! Thank
you for your support.
Meet new member
Nicole Bohlander
By Janet Simon
December 20 was a special day for
Nicole Bohlander as she was baptized and
received into membership at Carmel,
fulfilling her dream of becoming a member
before Christmas day. Nicole is a familiar
face at Carmel since she has been singing
in the soprano section of the Sanctuary
Choir for several years.
16
Nicole and her husband Tom
Bohlander, who grew up at Carmel, were
married here on April 15, 2000 (tax day,
she laughs). Although she is driving a
distance twice a week from their home in
Quakertown, Nicole wants to attend and be
a member at Carmel because it feels like
home. “People are so caring and friendly,
with hugs and conversation,” she
says. She also likes the beautiful
sanctuary.
She is very happy to be
able to sing in the choir, which she
loves. Nicole enjoys Abby Palmisano’s directing and appreciates Abby’s
help with learning to sing and follow the
music. Nicole sang “Amazing Grace” at
her mother-in-law Eunice Bohlander’s
memorial service as a tribute to her love
for Eunice, who had also been a long-time
member and soloist of Carmel’s choir.
Nicole, whose birth name is Yoke
Ling, is a native of Malaysia, where she
grew up in the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Her
large family of 12 included 8 brothers and
3 sisters, most of whom still live in
Malaysia. Malaysia is a very multi-cultural
country of Malay, Indian and Chinese ethnic groups, and Nicole speaks five languages. They include the national
language Malay, English the second
language, her family dialect of Hailum,
Cantonese, and Mandarin. She has
returned many times to Malaysia to visit
her family and may make her next trip
back this spring.
In March Nicole will celebrate 20
years in America. In 1996, she joined her
brother’s family in Warminster, where they
had come for her nieces’ and nephew’s
education. She worked as a waitress and
attended Bucks County Community
College, where she received an Associate
Degree in Graphic Design and was a
member of the Phi Theta Kappa
Honor Society. While waitressing
in a Chinese restaurant in Warrington, she met Tom, who had
come with a friend for a “Moon
Cake Festival.” To her surprise,
Tom had been in Malaysia twice on
business. Nicole became an American
citizen in December, 2005.
Waitressing didn’t permit her to
attend church regularly, and Nicole’s
prayers for a new job were answered when
she was hired in 2014 as a graphic designer
for “Penny Power,” an advertising
newspaper in Coopersburg. Although her
family background was Buddhist, one of
Nicole’s English teachers here was also a
Bible teacher and used reading the Bible as
part of her English lessons. She likes Dr.
Thornton’s sermons, which explain Bible
passages.
Together, Nicole and Tom enjoy
watching movies and going out to eat at
restaurants. She admits that she doesn’t
share Tom’s interest in ham radio. Nicole
considered Tom’s parents, long-time
Carmel members Eunice and Paul
Bohlander, very special people who loved
her as a daughter and helped her during the
citizenship process.
17
Carmel welcomes Nicole as a new
member and thanks her for her enthusiastic
support for our church, which keeps her
driving about 120 miles a week for choir
rehearsal and Sunday worship.
Can you help Meals on Wheels?
The Glenside Meals on Wheels
program runs out of Carmel Presbyterian
Church Monday through Friday mornings.
The program sorely needs
volunteers to either partner or drive. If you
can spare two hours one morning a week, it
would be greatly appreciated.
Please call Karen Smith at 215-619
-8863 (afternoons are best).
PASTORAL from page 2
churches have reinstituted the imposition
of ashes practice over the last 50 years and
the liturgy for it is found and encouraged in
the current Presbyterian Book of Common
Worship, put out in 1993. It is most
appropriate on Ash Wednesday, when we
begin a period of sober reflection, selfexamination, and spiritual redirection, to
use the metaphor of ashes to mark this
occasion and particularly to begin the
season of Lent. You will have the
opportunity to do that during this year’s
evening Ash Wednesday service in Carmel
Hall and the Chapel on February 10. I
hope to see you there!
Dr. James W. Thornton
MEET DEACONS from page 7
her new home in Penllyn. She enjoys
reading, crocheting, knitting, sewing,
crafting, and best of all being with her
grandchildren. The beach at Long Beach
Island is a favorite destination.
Carol Moll is another returning Deacon,
who was also a primary coordinator for
Meals in a Moment. She has been a
Shepherd, Christian Ed and Congregational
Life Committee member, Sunday School
teacher, VBS volunteer, and youth group
leader. She participated in the 2015
Asheville Mission Trip. Carol and
husband Gary have been Carmel members
for approximately 20 years.
They live in Ardsley, where they
raised their son Tyler. Carol is a native of
Northeast Philadelphia and has a twin
sister, hence her “twin 2” e-mail address.
She is the Primary Care Unit Coordinator
at the University of Pennsylvania School of
Dental Medicine. Carol loves to cook,
especially from her Italian heritage. She
has been a co-chef for Carmel youth
spaghetti dinner fundraisers. Her favorite
place to be is on the beach. She was also
an ice hockey mom during son Tyler’s long
involvement in youth and scholastic ice
hockey.
18
Walking the prayer labyrinth
in Lent
By Dr. James W. Thornton
[Editor’s note: Carmel’s prayer labyrinth
was begun during last year’s Lent at Carmel Wednesday night programs. With considerable additional time by Gene Morris
and Dr. Thornton to tape and paint lines,
the labyrinth was completed in time for use
during the 2015 Advent season.]
A labyrinth is a path which leads, via a
circuitous route, to the center of an intricate design and back out again. A labyrinth’s route is unicursal; that is, it has only
a single path. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth is designed
for ease of navigation, and it is impossible to get lost
within one.
A prayer labyrinth is a labyrinth
used to facilitate prayer, meditation, spiritual transformation, and/or global unity.
The most famous prayer labyrinths today
include an ancient one in the cathedral of
Chartres, France, another in the cathedral
of Duomo di Siena, Tuscany; and two
maintained by Grace Cathedral, an Episcopal church in San Francisco. While prayer
labyrinths have been used in certain cathedrals for centuries, the past half century has
seen a resurgence in their popularity, especially within Christian groups that empha-
size “quietness” as an aid to the spiritual
life.
Labyrinths have been used by a wide
variety of cultures for at least 3,500 years.
Evidence of ancient labyrinths exists in
Crete, Egypt, Italy, Scandinavia, and North
America. Ancient labyrinths had what is
usually called the “classical” design of seven rings, or circuits. The Hopi Indians saw
the labyrinth as a symbol of Mother Earth,
and the hundreds of stone labyrinths along
the Scandinavian shoreline were used as
magic traps for trolls and evil winds to ensure safe fishing.
In the Middle Ages, the Church
adapted the labyrinth for its own purposes
within its cathedrals. The classical form
gave way to a more intricate design of 11
circuits in 4 quadrants, usually called the
“medieval” design. Within Christianity, the
labyrinth could symbolize several things:
the hard and winding road to God, a mystical ascension to salvation and enlightenment, or even a pilgrimage to Jerusalem for
those who could not make the actual journey.
Groups involved in the modern resurgence of the labyrinth have called it a
“divine imprint,” a “mystical tradition,” a
“sacred path,” and a “sacred gateway.” Its
purpose is “to transform the human spirit,”
thus walking the Labyrinth is seen as a personal practice for healing and growth, a
tool for community building, an agent for
global peace and a metaphor for the blossoming of the Spirit in our lives.
19
Some have suggested that walking a prayer
labyrinth involves 3
stages: purgation
(releasing), illumination
(receiving), and union
(returning).
“Purgation” occurs as
one moves toward the
center of the labyrinth.
During this stage, one
sheds the cares and distractions of life and
opens one’s heart and mind.
“Illumination” occurs at the center of the
labyrinth where we have a simple cross;
this is the time to “receive what is there for
you” through prayer and meditation.
“Union” occurs as one exits the labyrinth
and involves joining God as a healing force
at work in the world.
Regular patrons of prayer labyrinths
speak of using it to become enlightened,
realigned with the universe, and increasingly empowered to know one’s Self and to
accomplish the spiritual work of the soul,
as well as a renewed commitment to the
Divine will. Whatever experience you find
in it, our labyrinth will be out and available
for use during the season of Lent. You are
invited to walk.
Dr. James W. Thornton
From the ………...
Emma Lindsay was again selected to perform with the Montco High School Band
and will participate on February 19 at
Abington Senior High School. Emma
plays the flute.
Kevin Rumsey and Bella Lent were both
honored recently with the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Peace Award at Copper
Beach Elementary School. Congratulations to Kevin and Bella, and to their proud
parents, Mandy and Jason Rumsey and Lisa
and Nate Lent.
Happy Birthday to our Carmel youth:
Madison Morosky, 2/5
Audrey Abraham, 2/8
David Schwanbeck, 2/12
Madison Fisher, 2/20
Brett Taylor, 2/25
Lily Taylor, 2/25
Brent Walter, 2/26
Patrick Deacon, 2/27
20
Sunday Lectionary Readings
February 7
Transfiguration of the Lord
Exodus 34:29–35
Communion
Psalm 99
2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2
Luke 9:28–36 [37–43]
February 10
Ash Wednesday
Joel 2:1–2, 12–17 or Isaiah 58:1–12 Communion
Psalm 51:1–17
2 Corinthians 5:20b—6:10
Matthew 6:1–6, 16–21
February 14
Deuteronomy 26:1–11
Psalm 91:1–2, 9–16
Romans 10:8b–13
Luke 4:1–13
First Sunday in Lent
Longtime Carmel member
Jeane Kaufmann joined the
church triumphant on January 9 at
the age of 98.
Please remember her
family as they mourn her loss.
February 21
Second Sunday in Lent
Genesis 15:1–12, 17–18
Psalm 27
Philippians 3:17—4:1
Luke 13:31–35 or Luke 9:28–36
February 28
Isaiah 55:1–9
Psalm 63:1–8
1 Corinthians 10:1–13
Luke 13:1–9
Third Sunday in Lent
Receiving hospital care or
surgery over the last month were
these Carmel members and friends:
Everett Robichaux
Josh Robichaux
Georg Simon
Anne Newman
Please remember them and
those on the Sunday blue list with
prayers and cards.
21
Kids Korner
22
LIBRARY from page 24
TRACKS IN THE SNOW: A little girl
investigates tracks in the snow, trying to
determine what could have made them.
This unassuming book will be enjoyed
for its petite trim size, its wintry charm,
and the gently humorous solution to its
small mystery. By Wong Herbert Yee.
(jF Ye)
SNOW: As snowflakes slowly come down,
one by one, people in the city ignore
them; only a boy and his dog think that
the snowfall will amount to anything.
By Uri Shulevitz. (jF Sh)
around the house. She’s making something special. It’s red and lacy and very
pretty. Snip! Snip! Snip! What will it
be? By Lauren Thompson. (jF Th)
VALENTINE MICE! Four spirited mice
go sledding on Valentine's Day to
deliver holiday greetings to their friends
in the forest, only to discover one is
missing, and the search is on. By
Bethany Roberts. (jF Ro)
STRANGER IN THE WOODS: Forest
animals, awakened by the birds'
warning that there is a stranger in the
woods, set out to discover if there is
danger and find, instead, a wonderful
surprise. By Carl R. Sams II & Jean
Stoick. (jF Sa)
TODAY IS VALENTINE’S DAY! A child
describes Valentine's Day at school and
the special cards the children give and
receive. By P.K. Hallinan. (jf Ha)
LITTLE MOUSE’S VALENTINE:
Follows the adventures of Little Mouse
as he goes to purchase a valentine.
Young children will love the hilarious
story of a tiny mouse’s action-packed
jaunt into a very big world. By Dave
Ross. (jF Ro)
MOUSE’S FIRST VALENTINE: Early
one morning, Mouse follows his sister
This month’s editor
Janet Simon
Next Courier Deadline —
February 14, 2016
Editor of the month — Doris Golingan
23
Carmel Memorial Library
By Gail Warburton, Librarian
The following 6 books are gifts of Everett
& Joan Kohn
THE SWITCH: From author Sandra
Brown comes a riveting novel of
suspense, revenge, and illusion…where
a labyrinth of twists and turns
culminates in a final, stunning
revelation. By Sandra Brown, (F Br)
THE FINAL CUT: Scotland Yard's new
chief inspector Nicholas Drummond is
on the first flight to New York when he
learns his colleague, Elaine York, the
"minder" of the Crown Jewels for the
"Jewel of the Lion" exhibit at the
Metropolitan Museum of Art, was
found murdered. Special Agents Lacey
Sherlock and Dillon Savich from
Coulter's bestselling FBI series don't
hesitate to help Drummond find the
cunning international thief known as the
Fox. Nonstop action and high stakes
intensify as the chase gets deadly.
Nicholas Drummond, along with his
partner, FBI Special Agent Mike Caine,
lays it on the line to retrieve the
diamond for Queen and country. By
Catherine Coulter. (F Co)
KINDRED IN DEATH: Lieutenant Eve
Dallas and her team investigate the
brutal murder of the sixteen-year-old
daughter of a newly promoted captain
of the NYPSD. By J. D. Robb. (F Ro)
CALCULATED IN DEATH: When Marta
Dickenson, a well-off accountant and a
beloved wife and mother, is murdered,
Lieutenant Eve Dallas immerses herself
in her billionaire husband Roarke's
world of big business to discover who
arranged a hit on an innocent woman.
By J. D. Robb. (F Ro)
UNNATURAL EXPOSURE: Dr. Kay
Scarpetta becomes both investigator and
victim when she is contacted over the
Internet by a murderer who is
threatening to loose a deadly virus on
the world. By Patricia Cornwell. (F Co)
HORNET’S NEST: Three individuals-forty-two-year-old Deputy Chief
Virginia West, Police Chief Judy
Hammer, and twenty-two-year-old
journalist Andy Brazil--search for a
serial killer, exploring the seedy
underbelly of Charlotte, North Carolina,
while trudging through their own
personal struggles, from unhappy
marriages to obsessions with their jobs.
By Patricia Cornwell. (F Co)
————————————————
FOREIGN AFFAIRS: A Stone Barrington
Novel. When he's apprised at the last
minute of a mandatory meeting abroad,
Stone Barrington rushes off to Europe
for a whirlwind tour of business and, of
course, pleasure. But from the start the
trip seems to be cursed, plagued by
24
suspicious "accidents" and unfortunate
events, and some of Stone's plans go up
in flames--literally. Not a believer in
coincidence, Stone sets out to learn the
true source of his curious misfortune
and finds that what appeared to be bad
luck may, in fact, have been a warning.
From the chic streets of Paris to Italy's
spectacular Amalfi Coast, Stone is
pursued from all sides ... but when the
tables turn, the hunted may become the
hunter. By Stuart Woods. (F Wo)
CAMPBELL SOUP COMPANY; Images
of America. This book traces the history
of a small, southern New Jersey canning
concern that made its products staples
of American living. Journalists and
author Maratha Esposito Shea and Mike
Mathis compiled these photographs
from the archives of the Campbell Soup
Company, the private collection of
retired longtime employee Harry
Nelson, and Burlington County Times
photographer Dennis McDonald.
(874.5 Sh)
For Younger Readers
FOR THE PRE-TEEN AND EARLY
TEEN READER
THEODORE BOONE: THE FUGITIVE.
Aspiring lawyer Theodore Boone is still
dispensing legal advice to friends and
family when a new case comes up. This is
the fifth of the Theodore Boone Books by
John Grisham. (jF Gr)
FOR THE MUCH YOUNGER READER
It’s February! The month of
“Presidents Day” and “Valentine’s Day”
and a good possibility of SNOW in the
weather forecast. The following books are
a good read for the month of February.
GEORGE WASHINGTON; First President
of the United States. George
Washington was a real person. He was
born in 1732. He died in 1799. This is
his story. By Carol Greene. (J 973.4 Gr)
IF YOU GREW UP WITH GEORGE
WASHINGTON: A different time….a
different place…What if you were
there? What did you do to have fun?
Could you hear the news on radio or
TV? How did you light your house at
night? This book tells you what it was
like to live back then.
By Ruth Belov Gross.
(j973.4 Gr)
OUR ABE LINCOLN;
An Old Tune With
New Lyrics : “Old
Abe Lincoln Came
Out of the Wilderness”
was a popular song during Abraham
Lincoln’s campaigns for the Presidency
and was sung to the tune of “The Old
Grey Mare”: This song has been
adapted by Jim Aylesworth into a
biography of this famous American.
Illustrated by Barbara McClintock.
(j923 Ay}
See LIBRARY page 22