J U L Y 2 0 0 9 N E W S

July 2009 1

Philo Pres

Pastor’s NoteDear Philo Friends,

I want to invite you to a special summer worship experience:

In June, we even had a stretch of days where temperatures were in the 90s and the “heat index” - whatever that is - was higher than that.

Heat seems to come up often in our exchanges about what is going on in the world, too:

Sunday School participants discussed global warming.

The conflict in Afghanistan is said to be “heating up”.

Protesters attempted to help Gov. Quinn hold legislators’ feet to the fire to come up with a balanced budget.

Health care reform is a hot topic, and so on an so on and so on.

Would you like a source of coolness and refreshment in the midst of all this heat?

A special worship service is planned for July 12, at 8 pm. In the cool of the evening, we will gather with some friends from Tolono Pres, in our sanctuary. The service of prayer, brief readings, and soft music, will offer us a chance to center ourselves and satisfy the longing of our souls that the Psalmist writes about:

As a deer longs for living streams, so my soul longs for you, O God.

Come cool and refresh your soul!

Love, Pastor Cindy

Reflecting the love of Christ to the world.

July 4 - 10Philo/Tolono Youth Group travels to Cass Lake MN to do mission on the Indian Reservation there. Please pray that they may be blessed and be a blessing to others, as well as for their safety and health.

July 10John Calvin’s 500th birthday. Party Hearty!

July 12Meet John Calvin at the morning worship service.

In the evening, come to Contemplative Worship, in our sanctuary. Tolono and Philo Pres. will share theis very simple, very beautiful service of prayer.

July 25

Synod of Lincoln Trails meets at Philo Pres. 9-3 pm.

Lunch will be served.

July 25

Outdoor worship at Walnut Point State Park. Zion Lutherans host.

July 25-29CUPS Vacation Bible School, 5:30-8 pm. At Countryside Methodist

A Monthly Newsletter

Deep calls to deep . . .

and at night his song is with me,

a prayer to the God of my life . . . Psalm 42

N E W S L E T T E R - J U L Y 2 0 0 9

2 July 2009

Planting in PresbyParkFor Summer, Supt. Mary Simon came up with a series of wonderful intergenerational lessons about Loving God’s Creation.

Each week we’ve explored one or another aspect of environmental stewardship, led by our SS faculty: Teri Patton, Terry Pratt, Mary Simon, Pete Freidemann, Suzanne Brock and Jeff Burlew.

On “air pollution” day, one of the activities that Terry and Pete came up with was doing some planting in the lot behind the church - which we are gradually turning into a little park. Plants improve air quality!

The photos above show Ron Pratt getting the ground ready, and various SS participants digging into the task.

It’s looking great out there!

Meanwhile, INSIDE . . .

In other business, Pete Friedemann donated and set up a new television for our Sunday school use. Thanks Pete!

“Break” time for SSAdult Sunday School meets year round at 9 am in Fellowship Hall.

There will be no Sunday School for children and youth on July 5, July 26th (picnic at Walnut Point) or during August.

Young people ARE invited to come and swing on the tire swing or play in PresbyPark while their parents attend SS, if they like.

Pray for the Youth Mission TripRemember our young people and leaders Mary Simon, Susie Fisher and Zach Woolard, during their mission trip to Cass Lake, July 4-10.

Fellowship in the ParkWe enjoyed roasting hot dogs over the fire on June 28, when the Moores, Rices and Martins hosted a Fellowship potluck/picnic. Close to 40 folks enjoyed a picture perfect evening together.

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Presbytery Mission Trippers Return

Sean Hartin and Caleb Reed joined youth from Mt. Vernon and Danville, on a trip to Tecumseh, MI. for a home-repair mission trip sponsored by our Presbytery. Below is a picture of Caleb and his work group, sitting on steps they rebuilt for an elderly Michiganer.

When Sean returned, he extended his service experience by spending a few days digging and finishing a fire pit for PresbyPark.

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P H I L O P R E S B Y T E R I A N N E W S

July 2009 3

F R I E N D S A N D F A M I LY

T R A N S I T I O N S

Nick Hatch has been a member of Philo Presbyterian, and a seminary student under care of the Presbytery of South Eastern Illinois. This Spring, Nick received his first “call” - his first job as a pastor in the PCUSA. Here’s a note from Nick:

In case you were wondering, I have been called to First Presbyterian Church of Great Falls Montana. Amanda and I have already moved and I have started my job. Amanda starts a NICU position at Benefis hospital in 3 weeks- her dream unit! So we feel very blessed, excited, and ready to start our respective careers.

The Associate position will be a generalist position with a focus on Youth and Outdoor ministries- both of which are plentiful in Montana. Great Falls is a really nice community with lots of activities located in the plains just east of the Rocky Mountains. the Missouri river RUNS THROUGH IT, a famous trout water. I also had the privilege of visiting Glacier camp up on Flathead lake which was beautiful and will offer some awesome opportunities. Meanwhile the head pastor is on vacation so I'm getting my feet wet to say the least.

I really appreciate all the work everyone has done to make this possible. Without the excellent supervision, teaching, and mentoring I have received over the years I certainly would not be nearly as prepared for this opportunity. I also appreciate all the time you have spent in contact with the various search committees over the past year. I hope this past year has been full of love, laughter, and dedicated service in the name of Christ.

In Christ,

Nick Hatch

Our Christian Sympathy . . . to the family Glenn Shipley, who passed away Monday, June 1. Please keep Shirley in your thoughts and prayers.to Marlene Evans, whose mother died in Iowa, after a long and full life. Services will be held later.

Jeff, Gretel, Inga, Clara and Carl to Michigan

We bid a fond farewell to the Van Wieren/Ericksen clan at worship June 21. Both Jeff and Gretel will be joining the faculty at Michigan State University. Their new address is available from the church office. The family has been a blessing to our congregation, and we wish them much happiness in their new home!

Wedding Bells

Wedding Bells - Congratulations to Reid Martin (Scott and Jeanneʼs son) and fiancee Kristy Boucher, who tied the knot on June 8, in a little Presbyterian church near Colorado Springs.

New Grandparents and AuntiesMaia Lillie is the name of the newest member of the Boucek family. Sue and Bob welcomed their first grandchild June 2, born to Connie and Alan Visoky, who currently reside abroad. Aunt Erin is going to Great Britain for a closer look. Is Aunt Lisa planning her own trip soon?

Birthday Calendar needs updating! The editor of the Philo Newsletter is not unaware that the birthday listings are occassionally incorrect. Some birthdays are missing. Some have the wrong name. . . The problem is that it has been a few years since anyone checked and revised the calendar used for newsletter purposes. If anyone would be willing to take on the job - that would be great! Call the office and let me know if you have the time and/or the inclination. Thanks! - - Editor 684-2317

A Belated Happy Birthday

to Bob Lauchner! (Bob’s birthday was June 25th)

You’ve Got MailCheck the bulletin boards in the cloak room for news and notes. Recent letters from Shirley Shipley and Bob Kramer are posted. So are thank you letters from some of the agencies which recieve mission support from Philo Pres.

There are also announcements of services from recycling to a Presbyterian website for women. You’ll be surprised at all you can learn, hanging out in the cloak room!

In and Out of the Hospital:Karen Talbott had outpatient surgery June 1 and is recovering well. Her sister, Nicole Green, is also home and recuperating from a stay in intensive care, where she successfully battled a bad case of pnuemonia.

P E N T E C O S T A T P H I L O P R E S

4 July 2009

The ladies in Lydia Circle recently finished up the Bible Study – Jubilee! Lukeʼs gospel for the poor. After taking a summer break we will resume bible study in September. In late March, Lydia Circle had a Lia Sophia jewelry party at the church. Alice Hauser (sales representative for Lia Sophia) said that any money she would make from our party sales she would contribute back to the Lydia Circle. Lydia Circle donated $142.00 for an acre of Philo farmland to participate in the growing project for Food Resource Bank. Proceeds from crops grown on the Philo farm will go to the Peru Chota Project. For more information log onto: www.foodsresourcebank.org. (Karen Silver)

Barbara Quickʼs Vivaldiʼs Virgins is the next book for Book Discussion Group. The groupʼs meeting is tentatively set for August 19th. Plenty of time to dig in to a good summer read!

Special Music has been a wonderful part of worship - and July continues the streak . . .

In May Carlyle Johnson brought his dixieland jazz group to lead us in a spirited Pentecost celebration.

A couple of weeks later, Tom Siders shared the stirring sound of his trumpet, between professional gigs in Miami, Florida and the famed Tanglewood Program of the Boston Symphony.

On July 5th, our able organist, Betty Rice, will be joined by pianist Leslie Thomas Lindgren and flautist Trenna Thomas.

And Contemplative Worship music on July 12 will be provided by Libby Grill, who plays both the piano and the flute (but not at the same time!).

We are truly blessed by the gifts of so many fine musicians!

Living in the SpiritThe New Orleans Jazz Machine at Philo Pres.;