Lamp - Presbyterian Church of...

A Publication of The Presbyterian Church, Fredericksburg, Virginia Lamp

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

January

2014

1. Donald Heinz, Christmas: Festival of Incar-

nation (Minneapolis: Fortress Press, 2010), 27.

On the INSIDE

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

Mission.......................... 5,6

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

Birthdays/Milestones ....... 7

Dates to Remember

Sunday, January 5 – 9:30 a.m. Church School brunch

Sunday, February 2 Youth Sunday, Souper Bowl Offering and Stop Hunger Now Sunday, February 9 – Worship Workshop for 1st-3rd graders & parents Saturday, March 8 & Sunday, March 9

Congregational Retreat at Camp Hanover

Perhaps you can recall from childhood

being in the Christmas pageant at

church. A friend writes, “I remember

that I never made a starring role, the an-

gel appearing to the shepherds or one of

the Magi wearing a crown. Once I held

the star, and once I was a sheep. I was

glad to be a part of the story, but I recall

friends who were sad when they did not

get one of the central roles.”

That childhood memory resonates with

larger themes from the celebration of

Christmas through church history.

Different characters during different eras

have figured prominently, or nearly not

at all, in the retelling of Christ’s nativity,

Joseph in particular. Sometimes Joseph

has been shunted to the side. In many

paintings he is in the shadows while

Mary and the child are bathed in light.

But these earlier presentations of Joseph

sometimes give way to a much bolder

focus. “The development of holy family

devotions in the fifteenth century helped

to rehabilitate Joseph. He became a

responsible husband and father tending

animals and a vigorous worker earning a

living and supporting his family.”1

Given how important Joseph is in

Matthew’s account of Mary’s pregnancy

(Matthew 1:18-25) and the escape to

Egypt following Christ’s birth (Matthew

2:13-23), this might be a good year for

us to bring Joseph out of the shadows

once again.

What intrigues me most is not Joseph’s

intrinsically decent character—Matthew

describes him as “a righteous man and

unwilling to expose (Mary) to public dis-

grace”—but the theological insight that

God depends on Joseph to see Mary

safely through her pregnancy and then to

preserve the life of the mother and child.

Preachers often speak of the unfathom-

able wonder of God dwelling among us,

and that is indeed a theme that needs to

sound again and again. But we need

equally to hear about and reflect on how

that wondrous God depended upon both

Mary and upon her husband Joseph, a

human being who dared to do what God

required of him. That is a role for us to

enact not just in the Christmas pageant

but in the daily drama of our lives.

With prayers for your faithful disciple-

ship in 2014 -- see you in worship!

Warmly,

Out of the Shadows in Christmastide

The Lamp The Presbyter ian Church

All are invited to join the Prime Timers

on their 2014 overnight trip to the Sight

& Sound Theater to see Moses and

Amishlands in Pennsylvania, May 14-15.

The price of $214 includes: 1 night’s

lodging, 1 breakfast, 1 family-style

dinner, ticket for Moses, Kitchen Kettle

Village, souvenir gift, luggage handling,

taxes & meal gratuities, and motor coach

transportation. The price of $214 is

based on 40 paying participants. It will

be $10 more per person if numbers are

between 33 & 39. A deposit of $50 per

person is due by January 12. For more

information contact Bruce, 373-7057

([email protected]).

Empty Nesters fellowship group are

invited to the home of Lynn and Preston

Simms on Saturday, January 11, 5:00-

9:00 p.m., for games and conversation

upstairs; and dancing lessons with Vicky

and Marty Wilder downstairs...swing?

waltz? tango? shag? Bring your own

beverage and an appetizer or dessert.

RSVP to Lynn and Preston, (540) 775-

2763 ([email protected]). They live at

12092 Mt. Rose Drive, King George;

Mt. Rose is off Rt. 3 near the King

George Y. Don’t forget your dancing

shoes!

Winter Fun for the Empty Nesters

The Third through Fifth Grade Fellow-

ship Group will meet on Sunday, January

12, right after the 11:00 a.m. worship

service for pizza and games led by

Bruce. Please make a reservation by

January 5, by contacting the church, 373-

7057, ([email protected]).

Fun & Games for the 3rd-5th Grade Fellowship Group

It’s not too soon to be thinking about

the upcoming church retreat at Camp

Hanover, March 8-9, 2014. This year’s

theme is Stories of the Church Family.

There will be plenty of fun with crafts,

hikes, and singing around the campfire.

Save the dates on your calendar and look

for a sign-up table after the worship

services coming soon.

Looking for a Weekend Full of Fun and Fellowship?

January Prime Timers’ Outing

The Forever Young Fellowship Group

will meet on Tuesday, January 28, at

11:30 a.m., in the dining room of the

Church House. For a reservation, please

call Jean Ravinsky, 710-5350, by

January 21, and also let her know if you

need transportation. The menu will in-

clude hot chicken salad, rice casserole,

green beans and dessert.

Forever Young Luncheon

May Prime Timers Overnight Trip ~ All are Invited

The Prime Timers fellowship group

will meet on Wednesday, January 8,

(Ruby Tuesday, 2591 Plank Rd.) at

11:45 a.m. for lunch. We will order off

the menu and pay separately. If you

plan to go, please contact the church

office by January 5, 373-7057

([email protected]).

mailto:[email protected]


January 12, Deadline to Sign up for Suppers for Seven

Monthly Presbyterian Women Circle Meetings

Circle of Joy Mon., Jan. 6, 10:00 a.m., Church Parlor. Leaders: Kathryn Hower (361-7435); Gale Kehoe (371-4570).

Faith Circle Mon., Jan. 13, 12:30

p.m., Church Parlor. Leader: Susie Kuliasha (370-1710).

Circle of Prayer Tues., Jan. 14, 12:15

p.m., Middle House. Leader: Jeanne Rams-burg (710-5891).

Friendship Circle Tues., Jan. 14,

Chancellor’s Vil-lage, 11:30 a.m., lunch & 12:30 p.m., lesson. Leader: Ashley Conway (972-8124).

Never-ending Circle Sun., Jan. 5, Home

of Trudy McNatt, 12:30 p.m. Leader: Trudy McNatt (373-

2852).

Confirmation Journey ~ 2014

The 2014 Confirmation Journey will

begin at 6:30 p.m., on Sunday, January

12, with an orientation meeting for the

youth, their parents, covenant partners

and leaders. If you are an 8th-10th grader,

you are invited to be a part of the Confir-

mation experience. The regular class

sessions will gather on Sunday mornings

from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., usually on the

2nd floor of the Middle House, and on

special occasions in the Fellowship Hall

with covenant partners.

Each explorer will have a covenant

partner that will stay in touch with them

on a weekly basis throughout the five-

month experience. The youth and their

parents will read the gospel of Luke and

meet on Friday, May 2, to discuss it.

The explorers will be strongly encour-

aged to participate in, at least, the Satur-

day activities of the Congregational Re-

treat at Camp Hanover on March 8. In

April, they will pick up the food order

for the Food Pantry at Wegman's and

bring it to the pantry. The group will

also be asked to volunteer at the commu-

nity dinner on the 3rd Saturday of the

month at least once during their experi-

ence. Confirmation Sunday will be on

Sunday, June 1, at the 11:00 a.m. wor-

ship service after their meeting with the

Session on Wednesday, May 21, at 7:00

p.m. The leaders for this year’s class are

Porter Blakemore, Della Hall, Jen Rowe

and Bruce Harvey.

The young people who have indicated

they want to be a part of the 2014 Con-

firmation Journey are Amanda Conway,

Gillian Conway, Jessica Conway, David

Deaderick, Olivia Fartro, McCray Fidler,

Noah Fellinger, Lizzie Hamlett, Emma

Harrison, Matthew Rembisz, Mitch

Spinnanger, Zack Whelan and Andrew

Wright. Please be in prayer for them,

their families, their covenant partners

and the leaders. The Confirmation

Journey will meet on Friday, January 17,

from 6:30-8:00 in the Middle House for

pizza and games. This is for the youth

only.

This is a wonderful opportunity for

you to get to know some of the members

of our church in an informal way. This

fellowship opportunity will begin after

the 1st of the year. We divide the names

of the people who sign up into groups of

approximately seven. Over the course of

6 months or so, the different couples and

singles in the group either host a meal in

their home or meet in a restaurant. If

you are interested in being a part of the

fun, sign up between worship services, or

call the church office, 373-7057.


A ll members are invited to begin the

Winter/Spring semester by coming to the

Church School Brunch on Sunday, January

5, at 9:30 a.m., in the Fellowship Hall All

the food and beverages will be provided by

the Christian Education Committee. We will

dismiss the children and youth to their

classes at 10:00 a.m., while the adults will

remain in the Fellowship Hall. Meghann

Cotter, the director of Micah Ministries, will

present an update on all that Micah Minis-

tries is currently involved in, especially in

the area of housing. We will also have a

brief overview of the four adult classes

that will begin on Sunday, January 12, at

9:45 a.m.

A dults will have four classes to choose

from during the winter/spring semester. All

are continuing from the fall semester:

Faith Seeking Understanding will have

three new six-week studies: Seeing Jesus in

John’s Gospel (January 12-February 16);

Seven Days to Glory (February 23 - March

30) and Discipleship: The Way of Jesus

(April 7 - May 11). This class will meet in

the Middle House, 1st floor.

The Faith & Movie class will meet in the

Church House, 2nd floor, back room.

The Parenting Class will move to the 1st

floor of the Church House, front room and

will use a DVD/book series entitled Parental

Guidance Required: How to Enhance, Ad-

vance and Influence Your Children's Rela-

tionships.

All Things Good class will assemble in the

Undercroft and continue to discuss stories of

faith, including personal stories.

N EW CLASS LOCATIONS FOR

CHILDREN: Beginning on January 5,

some of the children’s classes will have new

locations due to the renovations in the

Education building. The 3-year-old class

will combine with the 2-year-old class in

Room 14 on the 1st floor. The 4-year-old &

Kindergarten class will move down from the

2nd floor to Room 13 on the 1st floor.

The 1st & 2nd grade classes will combine and

move over to the 2nd floor of the Middle

House, front room. The 3rd grade class will

join the 4th graders in the basement of the

Middle House. Covenant Choir rehearsal

will resume on Sunday, January 12, in the

Sanctuary and it will include the 1st graders.

The Carol Choir will have rehearsal in the 4-

year-old & Kindergarten classroom on the 1st

floor of the Education building.

We thank the adult teachers who taught during the fall semester. Some who will

take a break beginning in January are: Betsy Lewis, John Howe, Pastor Fisher,

Preston Simms, the Rev Bob Azzarito, Don Newlin, Carol Mayer, Carrie Szlyk and

Bill Nix.

We also thank Denise Hamlett for her many years of teaching in our 3-year old

classroom.

The Worship Workshop for 1st through 3rd

graders and their parents will be on Sunday,

February 9, following the 11:00 a.m. worship

service. There will be a light lunch followed

by workshops on the Lord’s Prayer, the

Apostles’ Creed, the Order of Worship, the

Doxology & Gloria Patri, Hymnbook Mark-

ers, Finding Scripture and the Sanctuary

Game.

The purpose of the workshop is to partner

with parents and children as the children are

welcomed into the worshiping community.

Church School News

Worship Workshop


Our church along with other churches in the

Presbytery of the James have sponsored Cindy

Corell as a missionary to Haiti. Cindy has

worked in Haiti for six months getting to know

the people and geography of this poor country.

Bill Nix, along with some others from the POJ,

will travel to Haiti to meet with Cindy and find

out more ways we might be able to lend sup-

port. The POJ is the only presbytery in the PC

(USA) that fully sponsors a missionary. Over

the next few years, the churches in the presby-

tery will take the full responsibility of support-

ing Cindy and her work which will be about

$60,000 a year. On Sunday, January 5, we will

hear a minute for mission from Bill Nix detail-

ing more of Cindy's mission in Haiti, and on

Sunday, January 12, we will take an offering to

support her work. Please be in prayer for

Cindy and the mission group that will be going

to Haiti.

The Mission Committee has approved send-

ing $1,000 to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance

to aid the relief effort in the Philippines.

Members are invited to join this effort. Your

checks should be made out to the church with

“Philippines relief” in the memo. We will send

a check to PDA at the end of the month

designated for Philippines relief.

Our church has had a connection in the

Philippines for many years Through the Peace

for Education ministry founded by former

members Bob & Lydia Collett. This ministry

is located in the northern part of the country,

and the typhoon hit the islands in the central

portion of the country.

The Wednesday Fellowship Dinners and

activities will take a break during the winter/

spring semester. If you have ideas and input

about our mid-week programs, please get in

touch with our Christian Education elders Tris-

tin Fidler and Tamie Pratt Fartro, or Bruce Har-

vey, our Coordinator of Christian Education.

The Discovering the Bible class that meets

on Tuesday evenings at 7:00 p.m., in the

Undercroft will resume on Tuesday, January 7,

and go through April 15. We will focus on the

New Testament. If you were a part of the

study in the fall but had to stop, we invite you

to continue. If you wish to begin in January,

please check with the leaders Jen Rowe, Pastor

Fisher, or Bruce Harvey.

STOP HUNGER NOW will return on Sun-

day, February 2. There will be a change this

year as we will join members from St George's

Episcopal Church in their fellowship hall to put

20,000 meals together. All ages are encour-

aged to participate as we put together the meals

of dehydrated beans, vegetables, rice, vitamins.

The meals will go to children, youth and adults

in a third-world country.

Wednesday Fellowship

Discovering the Bible Class

Missions in Haiti

STOP HUNGER NOW

PDA—Relief Effort In the Philippines


Flowers for the Pulpit Every Sunday our pulpit is graced with a

beautiful floral display given by member(s) of

the congregation. These displays may be dedi-

cated to the memory of a loved one, given in

honor of an individual or group special in

your life, or displayed in celebration of the

Lord’s blessings that you or your family wish

to share with the congregation.

All members of the congregation may add to

our worship experience by helping to enhance

the pulpit with floral arrangements. If you

wish to be a part of this ministry, contact Liz

Thompson at 540-371-4366.

Blessings from the Worship and Music Com-

mittee

Thoughts From Brittany

January Youth Group Schedule: Middle School:

1/5 - Game Night

1/12 - Mission Project - making cards for our shut-ins

1/19 - Discussion and Games

1/26 - A night with Katie Sue

The Senior High Youth Group will spend Sundays in January planning

for Youth Sunday, February 5.

Thanks to the congregation for all of your support and congratulations

as I begin this new position at The Presbyterian Church. I am very ex-

cited and look forward to working with all the youth in our church, and

the adults connected to them.

Members of the senior high youth group thank the congregation for

all of your support and giving in the Angel Tree ministry this past

Christmas. We were able to provide holiday assistance to 42 children in

13 families in the Fredericksburg area.

We thank the many volunteers from

our church who have reached out to

make a difference in our community

and beyond during the past year.

Many people have been fed through

Stop Hunger Now, the Heifer Project,

5-Cents a Meal, Micah sandwiches

(Karen & Johnny Boyles, Gary & Fidelia Boshears,

Judy Lowman, Joan Gaston); Community Dinners

(Karen Johnson & her team) on the 3rd Saturday of

the month; and the Food Pantry (Bob Piersall, Wayne

Hibbeler, Marsha Luckett and Helen Fortune). Our

Senior Highs went to Memphis and our adults to

New York City on mission trips. Through Rebuild-

ing Together (Steve Spratt, Gary Vaughn and many

others) a home was repaired in Fredericksburg. We

reached out to the homeless children in the Spotsyl-

vania School system with school supplies. We rang

the Salvation Army bell. Through the Good Samari-

tan Fund many in our community were able to make

ends meet on their utility bills. We provided clothes

and school supplies through School Dressing Days

and the leadership of Becky Paul. Our Middle

School youth raked leaves at the Presbyterian Group

Home. We give thanks for the leaders listed above

and for all who either contributed time and/or mone-

tary gifts to these efforts and others not mentioned.

Some of the gifts given for Angel Tree


Elders

Rachel Ball

Margaret Beattie

Gene Bingham

Dave Bohmke

Karen Boyles

Gaye Copley

Joan Darby

John Garrison

Tristin Fidler

Wayne Hibbeler

Rod Hughes

Robin Joel

Jeff Kunkler

Andrea Kuliasha

Amy McCullough

Allen Polk

Tamie Pratt-Fartro

Jeff Spinnanger

Adam Zimmerman

2013-2014 Session

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

Clerk of Session - Patty Toler

Milestones Capsule of Concern: Charlotte Mims, Gerry Smart,

Bill Eye, Joan Eck, Clark Hower, Jerry Evans, Dora

Mae Crooks

Continued Prayers: Lou Garrison, Marjorie Glassco,

Ruth Moffitt, Jeanne Waite, Michael Hynden

Birth: Sullivan Brehm Powell, was born December 9,

2013. Sullivan is the son of Ryan and Brooke Brehm

Powell. His grandparents are Rick and Donna Brehm, and his

aunt is Samantha Brehm.

The Sacrament of Baptism was celebrated on Sunday, Decem-

ber 22, 2013 for:

Ian Osborne and Samuel Wynne Rainey, born July 22, 2013.

Anna & Thomas Rainey are their parents, and siblings are Jack

& Mary Kate.

Natalie Renee Sebring, born February 1, 2013. Her parents

are Scott & Regan McNatt Sebring, her brother is Quinn, and

her grandparents are Trudy & Milton McNatt.

Penelope Riese Vaughn, born July 21, 2013. Her parents are

Adrienne & Jeremy Vaughn, and her grandparents are Doreen

& Gary Vaughn.

Heartfelt Christian love and sympathies are extended to

Donna DeSimini and family on the death of her father, Louis

A. Salamone, who died on November 30, 2013, in New York.

Congratulations to Nicole Wilder who graduated from the

University of Hawaii on December 21, 2013, with a Master in

Japanese Language and Literature

1. Libby Humes, Scott Theado, Tom Wimberly

3. Brent McGhee

4. Mollie Cass, Jeremy Stoddard

5. Linda Spangler

6 Mark Hughes, Joan Darby

8 Haley Dameron

9 Bud Baker, Sarah Gormley, Mike Gillenwater,

Anne Thompson

10 Harry Farley, Bridget Harvey, Lily Read,

Thomas Digges, Fidelia Boshears

11. Eric Dowling, Lillian Remsen, Ruth Moreau,

Laura Digges

12. Mike Foreman, Ginger Oplinger

13. Pete Kolakowski

14. Gary Scheibel, Allison Worthington

15. Lou Cralle, Duane Hansen, Neil Sullivan, Anne Betz,

Kristina Brough, Eleanor Bailey

16. Susan Harrison, Anne Shotwell, John Baer

17. Jane Williams, Erica Foreman

18. Rick Banez

19. Greg Medsker, Missy Dodson, Wendel Gouldman,

David Godshall, Carole-Jean Forsing

20. Don Wilson, Chris Repp, Miguel Pineda,

Meredith Goggin

21. Ben Middleton

22. Nellie Kate Dameron, Austin Rapkins

23. Nancy Wilson, Madison Early

24. Jeff Kunkler

25. Liz Thompson, Fred Betz

26. Harry Lewis, Sam Lowery

27. Seth Rapkins, Jamie Gillespie, Adam Bentley

28. Sue Stone, Don MacNemar, Claire Fritz, Anna Rainey

29. Ellie Bell, Bruce Harvey, Brian Baker, Silas Lacey,

Kim Liska, Clara Liska, Courtney Stone,

Paula Steven, April Stevens

30. Joan Eck, Kaileen Coffman, Don Doherty

31. Lynn Norfleet, Suzanne Broman, Robert King

A Note of Thanks Thanks to my church family for your many expressions

of sympathy and support following the loss of my mother.

The comfort provided by your outpouring of love is so im-

portant at times like these and is deeply appreciated.

Thanks,

Milton

Dear Friends,

Thank you for your prayers and the support that you have

given us during this difficult time. We are finding healing in

God’s tender love and embrace and in knowing that others

care.

We are especially grateful to the Congregational Care Com-

mittee for the beautiful reception after Bob’s service and the

delicious food that they prepared. You lifted a burden off our minds and hands and we will always remember the love and

kindness that you bestowed upon us.

God Bless You Linda Benn and Family

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

Know Your Deacon Our deacons provide a ministry of caring, joy, concern

and prayer for our church family. If you have a need or

concern that our church can help with, feel free to contact

your deacon. Your deacon is here for you.

If your last name begins with: Your Deacon is:

A-B John Howe

C-D Jane Kolakowski

E-Ge Emma Lewis

Gi-He Jeff Peterson

Hi-J Amy Talmadge

K-L Jim Toler

M Mary Lou Cramer

N-Ra Ed Foresman

Re-Ste Roxanne Nance

Sto-Z Ashley Conway

Upcoming dates for the Community Dinners are January 18, February 15, March 15.

Great news! The renovations of the Education Build-

ing have begun, and Fredericksburg United Methodist

Church has offered space to us for our dinners. The

dinners will take place at the Methodist Church on the

3rd Saturday of the month from 2:00-6:00 p.m.

Although the address for the church is 308 Hanover

Street, volunteers will enter through the lower kitchen

door on Princess Anne Street.

Extra volunteers will be needed to deal with the

logistics of the

new location.

As always,

brownies will also

be appreciated.

To help, contact Karen

Johnson, 371-2719,

[email protected].

mailto:[email protected]

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