On the INSIDE

Fellowship/CE ..................... 2-5

Mission ................................ 5-6

Youth ..................................... 6

Birthdays/Milestones.............. 7

A Publication of The Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia Lamp

Led by the Holy Spirit, we glorify, nurture, witness.

February 2015

Blessings

Recently, we received a Christmas card with the following hand-written

note:

“Thank you to everyone and your volunteers for being there

this year. I would like to say thank you for working with me since

I can’t do stairs because of my handicap and yours was the only

church that would help me (have my neighbor serve for me with

my ID).

I was born over 60 years ago when my Doctor told my parents

I would live 6 months. My mother prayed everyday and God was

listening. I was 68 years young this year. Still don't give up; He’s

still with me.

Happy holiday to you all and a good New Year. Thank you all

again.”

We have not been able to determine if this person was helped by our

Food Pantry, utility assistance through the office, the Community Sup-

pers, or some other outreach ministry of our congregation.

Please note there are many opportunities for you to help spread the

compassion and gospel of Christ. Your faithful support of our Church’s

ministries bring blessings to people we can not always know or name.

Thanks to you all!

See you in worship, and in other forms of service!

Warmly,

Page 2 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church

Presbyterian Women Circles

Never-ending Circle Sun., Feb. 1, 1:30pm, Donna Hughes’ home

Leader, Trudy McNatt - 373-2852.

Circle of Joy Mon., Feb. 2, 10am, Church Parlor Leader, Kathryn Hower - 361-7435,

Leader, Gale Kehoe, 371-4570.

Faith Circle Mon., Feb. 9, 1pm, Church Parlor Leader: Susie Kuliasha, 370-1710.

Circle of Prayer Tues., Feb. 10, 12:15pm, Church Parlor, Leader: Jeanne Ramsburg, 710-5891.

Friendship Circle Tues., Feb. 10, 11:30am, Chancellor’s Village Leader: Paula Kallay, 898-6169.

It’s the Bavarian Chef for Prime Timers The Prime Timers will meet at the Bavarian Chef, 200 Lafayette Blvd, at 11:30 a.m.,

on Wednesday, February 11. Please call either Helen Fortune, 374-9831, or Jane Eger,

989-7166, by February 8, for a reservation. We will order from the menu and will pay

individually.

May Trip Update Reminder to the Prime Timers, Empty Nesters and their guests that the monthly

payments of $86 continue through the end of March. The one payment option is

$430 per person. The dates for the trip are May 5-7. If you have questions,

please let Bruce know.

Let’s Go Bowling The Fellowship Committee is hosting a family bowling event on February 8,

from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m., at Liberty Center located at 5801 South Pointe Center

Blvd, Fredericksburg, across from DMV. The cost is $10 per person (adults or

children) and includes bowling for two hours, bowling shoe rentals, and unlim-

ited pizza. Drinks can be purchased at the food concession stand. Participants are

encouraged to arrive 30 to 45 minutes early (4:15 - 4:30 p.m.) to complete regis-

tration. This will allow the Presbyterian group to be located together in adjoining

bowling lanes to enjoy everyone’s company! This is a wonderful opportunity for

families - and the youth group that meets on Sunday evenings – to have some fun

together and enjoy an evening at one of the local bowling alleys! You may sign

up outside the Sanctuary or contact the church office, 373-7057,

(bharvey@fredericksburgpc.org).

Congregational Retreat Are you ready for some fun? Mark your calendar for the Congregational

Retreat Saturday, March 14, and Sunday, March 15, at Camp Hanover in

Mechanicsville, Virginia. Come learn more about “What is The Church?”

Check-in is around 11:00 a.m. We will have group activities during the day and

evening around the campfire and will have some free time as well to just hang

out with other church members. Don’t miss the fun! Sign up before or after

church starting February 8, or complete the registration on the back page of this

newsletter. See you there!

What is

the

Church?

Forever Young February Lunch The Forever Young fellowship group will meet on Tuesday, January 27, at

O’Charley’s in Central Park at 11:30 a.m. Please call the church office,

373-7057, for a reservation.

Page 3 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church

Church School Attention Adults - It is not too late to join one of our Adult Church

School classes:

Parenting Class will use Chip Ingram’s DVD Effective Parenting

in a Defective World, featuring pastor, author and speaker Chip

Ingram. Vanessa Huffman and Kim Liska coordinate this class. It

meets on the 1st floor of the Church House.

Faith & Movie The class picks a movie to watch during the week

and then comes to class to discuss it. The movie is listed in the

bulletin each week for the next week. Marty & Vicky Wilder, Susan

Worrell & John Iacunato coordinate this class, and it meets on the

2nd floor of the Church House, back room.

Biblical Financial Disciplines (new) As we read the Bible, we

find that Jesus talks about money - a lot! While the gospels contain

some 500 verses about prayer and a similar number about faith, there

are over 2300 verses about money. This class explores what the Bible says about

money and how being faithful with talents entrusted to us strengthens our

relationship with God. Dorothy Mondak leads this class, which meets in the

Undercroft.

Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding The Confession of Belhar

(January 11 - February 15) - Jen Rowe teaches the first course. Theology for

Presbyterians (February 22 - March 29) and More Theology for Presbyterians

(April 12-May 17) - will be led by the Rev. Anders Pedersen. The class meets in

the Middle House, 1st floor, back room.

Exploring Gay Marriage and Related Issues Our church, denomination and

society have wrestled with the LGBT issues for many years. This class offers an

opportunity to discuss these matters in a Christian setting looking at the scripture

passages and other materials from all points of view. Leaders for the class are

Diane Peterson, David Johnson and Mary Szymanski. The class meets in the

Middle House, 1st floor, front room, and just started on January 25.

Our classes for 2-year olds through 12th graders continue in the Education

building and Row Houses. CHURCH SCHOOL BEGINS AT 9:45 A.M. The

Covenant choir (1st-5th grade children) meets in the sanctuary at 9:40 a.m. each

Sunday with the children going directly to their classes after rehearsal. The Carol

Choir (4-year olds - Kindergartners) meets at 10:10 a.m. in their classroom on the

2nd floor of the Church House, front room. If you have questions about any of these

classes, please contact Bruce Harvey, 373-7057 (bharvey@fredericksburgpc.org). February 18

Page 4 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church

Sunday, February 1, Schedule The Senior High Youth group will lead worship at both services focusing on the theme

“The Bread of Life” as part of Youth Sunday. Please be in prayer for our youth as they

prepare for this worship service.

The Middle School Youth group will have soup containers for donations to the Souper

Bowl offering that will help support the 29-cents-per-meal for Stop Hunger Now. They will

also provide refreshments after both services and before the 11:00 a.m. service.

Stop Hunger Now event will happen on this day as well. Those not attending a Church

School class, are invited to join members of St. George’s Episcopal Church in their

fellowship hall to put together 10,000 meals at 10:00 a.m. Everyone else may come after

the 11:00 a.m. worship service to put together an additional 10,000. There will be a light

snack provided. The 20,000 meals will be shipped in a few months to school children and

their families in the third world. You may sign up at http://events.stophungernow.org/

thepresbyterianchurch. We will need volunteers to help unload the truck at 8:45 a.m. at St.

George’s. Please let Bruce know if you can help.

New in the Belk Memorial Library (located in the rear of the Church Parlor)

The Presbyterian Deacon by Earl S. Johnson

In this highly useful book, Earl S. Johnson, Jr. explores the role of the deacon in the

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The author explains the freedom for churches to define the

roles of deacons while also supplying many helpful suggestions. Johnson examines the

ministry as it is described in sections of the Book of Order and analyzes how the word

“deacon” is used in Scripture. In addition, Johnson provides historical information regarding

the inclusion of women and offers innovative ways to incorporate the ministry of deacons into

the larger ministry of the church. Fully revised based on the new Form of Government of the

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), this book is invaluable for new deacons preparing for their role,

while also helping pastors and leaders who are training prospective deacons.

Earl S. Johnson, Jr. is an adjunct professor of religion at Siena College and a regular

columnist for Presbyterian Outlook. Now retired, he was previously Pastor of First

Presbyterian Church in Johnstown, New York. He is the author of several books, including

Selected to Serve, 2nd Edition; The Presbyterian Trustee; and Witness without Parallel: Eight

Biblical Texts That Make Us Presbyterian published by Geneva Press.

The Presbyterian Church Ruling Elder by Paul S. Wright

This accessible resource on the Presbyterian ruling elder is especially

designed for those considering becoming ruling elders and those who

have been elected to this ordered ministry. It explains the meaning of

the term “ruling elder” and the qualifications and duties of this

ministry. The book explores the relationship of ruling elders to other

elders, the role of the ruling elder on session and in the presbytery, and

the relationships to pastors and to the whole church. Fully revised

based on the new Form of Government of the Presbyterian Church

(U.S.A.), this book is invaluable for new ruling elders preparing for

their role.

Paul S. Wright was Pastor of First Presbyterian Church and

theologian-in-residence at Lewis and Clark College, both in Portland,

Oregon.

Page 5 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church

2015 Confirmation Journey Please keep our 2015 Confirmation Journey in your prayers. The explorers and

their covenant partners are: Caroline Bowling/Carrie Szlyk; Sydney Coffman/Betsy

Lewis; Guy Gormley/Dick Balch; Sam Harrison/Bill Nix; Sam Horn/Allen Polk;

Libby Humes/Hannah Porter; Nils Pedersen/John Conway; Claire Rehm/Lynn

Simms; Will Rowe/Pete Kolakowski; Reid Schattgen/David Wright; and Rachel Tal-

madge/Terri Kunkler.

During February the explorers will talk about sin, faith, the Apostles’ Creed and

baptism. You may see some of our explorers and covenant partners ushering and/or

greeting between now and the end of May. The youth and their parents will soon

begin to read the gospel of Mark as they prepare for a class discussion in May. The

teachers for the journey are Tricia Garner, Della Hall, Porter Blakemore and Bruce

Harvey.

2015 Adult Mission Trip The 2015 Adult Mission trip is April 5-11. This year the group will go to

repair and refurbish homes in Hampden, West Virginia. They will stay in a

church sleeping on cots. Clarke Newlin will prepare the dinner meals. There is

no cost. If you are interested in going, please contact the church office at

373-7057, or Bruce at bharvey@fredericksburgpc.org.

Our church sponsors a Community Dinner every month

on the 3rd Saturday. During the construction, the dinners

are temporarily located at the Fredericksburg United

Methodist Church. Upcoming dates: February 21, March

21, and April 18. Come for 1 hour or come for 4! Contact

Karen Johnson, 371-2719, (ksjohnson422@msn.com) to

volunteer or to make brownies for dessert.

Walk, Walk, Walk Have you missed the CROP Walk the past two Octobers? Would you like to take a

leadership role and/or be part of a team to bring the CROP Walk back to downtown

Fredericksburg in October? The 3-mile walk is an ecumenical event to raise money

for international, national, and local poverty and hunger issues. Seventy-five percent

of the money collected goes to Church World Service, and twenty-five percent stays

in the Fredericksburg community. The last CROP Walk on October 21, 2012, raised

over $14,000! Contact Karen Johnson, 371-2719, (ksjohnson422@msn.com) if you

are interested in being part of the organizing team.

Page 6 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church

High School

February

1 - Youth Sunday, and Super Bowl Party at the Talmadges

6-8 - Massanetta Retreat and Ski Trip

15 - Skating or Bowling

21 - Help with Community Dinner

Middle School

February

1 - Souper Bowl of Caring Offering. The middle school youth

group will provide hot beverages and baked goods after church services.

8 - Mission Project

15 - Game Night

22 - Discussion and Games

Youth Schedule

Special Needs Ministry By Betsy Lewis

When the Session decided a few years ago to set aside

funds from the Capital Campaign to explore the possibility

of establishing a Special Needs Ministry, a group of

interested members—many of us who have family

members or who work with people with special needs—

started exploring the idea. Since then, we have taken some

small steps toward this goal. A group of special education

teachers provided training for our Church school teachers

about reaching children of different abilities. We held a

series of workshops with the children based on the

curriculum “Your feet, my shoes” that helped them

understand and accept people with disabilities.

Since last September we have been investigating how we

might make our church a more welcoming and supportive

place for individuals (and their families) with intellectual,

physical or emotional disabilities. A book titled Leading

a Special Needs Ministry, learning what other congrega-

tions have done and are doing in our region, conversations

with the directors of Human Kind (formerly Presbyterian

Group Home), and examination of curricula available for

Bible study for special needs groups have all been very

helpful in shaping our discussions.

Soon our Christian Education building and Fellowship

Hall will be completely accessible, which along with the

elevator in the sanctuary makes taking on this sort of

ministry possible. Our next steps will be to continue

studying and praying, and to develop closer, more

individualized relationships with the six residents of the

group home at Human Kind (located behind Shoney’s on

Rt. 3), as we plan how we might approach this ministry,

tentatively set to begin in the fall of 2015. Are you

interested in joining us? Our next meeting will be on Feb-

ruary 11, at 7:00 p.m., in the Middle House. We’d love to

see you there. Also be on the look-out for a special study/

prayer group to begin later in the spring.

Page 7 The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church

Elders

Rachel Ball

Gene Bingham

Dave Bohmke

Karen Boyles

Joan Darby

Tristin Fidler

Wayne Hibbeler

Doug Horstman

Donna Hughes

Rod Hughes

Robin Joel

Leif Johnston

Susie Kuliasha

Amy McCullough

Allen Polk

Hannah Porter

Tom Wimberly

Sarah Wright

Adam Zimmerman

2014-2015 Session

Moderator – Rev. Allen H. Fisher, Jr., Pastor

Clerk of Session - Patty Toler

Milestones Capsule of Concern: Rick Brehm,

Sara Broyles, Joan Eck, Macon Fino,

Michael Hynden, Virginia Lynch,

Ray McAfoose, Andrew McCullough,

Kristina Palangi, Ron Rebman, Judy

Schulken, Preston Simms, Bob Snow

Continued Prayers: Lou Garrison,

Marjorie Glassco, Ruth Moffitt,

Jeanne Waite

Birth: Arlo Jackson Wyant, born January 2, 2015. Arlo is

the son of Rachel and Edwin Wyant.

Oliver Guthrie Morris, born January 15, 2015. Oliver is the

son of Brittany Harvey and Russell Morris. His grandpar-

ents are Bridget and Bruce Harvey, and his uncle and aunt

are Bryan and Gillian Harvey.

Heartfelt Christian love and sympathies are extended to:

Judy Schulken and family on the death of her husband, Jim,

who died on December 28, 2014;

Patty Toler and family on the death of her mother, Jane

Fuller, who died on January 2, 2015, in Savannah, Georgia;

Michael Fritz and family on the death of his father, Gordon,

who died on January 9, 2015;

And the family and friends of Liz Thompson, who died on

January 17, 2015.

1. Karen Chichester, Elizabeth Adams, David Scott

2. Winnie Vyverberg

4. Marty Wilder, Judy Lowman, Paula Kallay

5. Polly Estes, Julie Young

7. Kathleen Kuker, Preston Simms,

Steve Cunningham

8. Jeanne Ramsburg, Laura Polk, Mason Bako

9. Ruth Moffitt, Laura Jaworski,

Noah Fellinger, Lee Pugh, Regina Payton

10. Cameron Brandon

11. Keren Pritchett, Beth Valasko

12. Porter Blakemore, Addam Marcotte

13. Rosie Morris, Opal Stroup

14. Jeanne Carelock, Anita Holle, Carl King,

Gay Sullivan

15. Lynda Starnes, Steve McCullough,

Corey Chewning

16. Scott Bushman, Marilyn Lloyd, Susan Ranels,

Robin Medsker, Cory Almeida

17. Walker Steven, Justin Garrison, Will Jacobs

18. Carol King, Polly Furr, Douglas Ryan

19. Carson Pugh, Brian Raska

20. Kylie Keffer, Larry Glassco, Anna Lowery,

Amy Spinnanger, Mike Harrison,

Megan Thomason, Morgan Hughes

21. Andy Grussendorf, James Avery, Ryan Hughes

22. Erin Bushman, Lou Garrison, Lisa Kuiper,

23. Theo Blashford

24. Josiah Rowe, Christie Doherty, Collin Stoddard

25. Di Johannsen

26. James Miller, Judy Balch, Finian Joel,

Sophie Statler, Adrian Stocker

27. Joyce Allison, Louis Illi, Evan Sullivan,

Dave Bohmke, Kyle Coble, Dave Farley,

Monica Cox

28. Les Johnson, Matthew Green

NON PROFIT U.S. POSTAGE

PAID Fredericksburg

VA PERMIT NO. 193

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

810 Princess Anne Street

Princess Anne and George Streets

Fredericksburg, VA 22401

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

The Sacrament of

Communion will be celebrated in worship on:

Feb. 22, 2015

April 2, 2015

April 12, 2015

2015 Congregational Retreat Registration Name(s) of all attending

Tel # ___________________________ Email

Staying Overnight* #___ $32 for 12 & over# ___ $15 for ages 4-11 Total $ _____

Saturday only #___ $22 for 12 & over #___ $11 for ages 4-11 Total $ _______

Sunday only #___ $15 for 12 & over #___ $10 for ages 4-11 Total $ _______

____check if need financial assistance – (will be kept in confidence)

* Family max - $99, children 3 and under are free

Dietary Restrictions (e.g., peanut butter) __________________________________

☐ I need assistance getting to/from Camp Hanover. ☐ I am interested in helping with an activity.

Please make checks payable to the Presbyterian Church with “Congregational Retreat” in notation.

What is

the

Church?