Newsletter

4/4/2019

North Kent Presbyterian Church: 04/07/2019

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ANNOUNCEMENTS

SOUP FOR LENT Thanks to all who signed up to provide Soup Supper during the six weeks of lent. April 18 is Maundy Thursday; no soup supper that evening.

CAMP STAMPS!   Children and Youth, do you want to go to Camp Greenwood this summer?   Camp Stamps will let you earn up to 100 % of the cost of your camp! Ask about the new Lenten daily task that will allow you to earn up to 40 Stamps!

GOING to CAMP! The Greenwood tree in the narthex is bare, and we need your green dollars to make it leaf out this spring and summer to send our kids to camp!  Contribute to the NKPC Greenwood Scholarship Fund today!

GREENWOOD MINISTRIES NEWS.   It has been awhile since an updated "Tales from Camp Greenwood", we have had so many great things going on. With so much amazing stuff happening it didn't fit all into one email, so please check out our website for the March 2019 Tales from Camp Greenwood
As Always, Camp Greenwood Forever!

MISSION NOTES. Thank you all for adding coins to your fish banks every day to support the One Great Hour of Sharing. This project originated many years ago as, literally, one hour when many churches of all denominations collected funds for worldwide relief projects. While we spread it out a bit, the laudatory goal is still the same.

Our other project for Lent is to find 40 clothing items that could help someone, men or women, in an interview or work situation. I haven't worked in a while and am short on that type of clothing, but I am now sorting thru shoes and jewelry and scarves...all of which dress up an outfit and make people feel "turned out". Digging deeper is kind of fun. Because we have a big event at the church between now and Easter everything is going to be collected the week after Easter. Sorry you have to store things, but we want everything to look nice at church for the big Garden Club regional event Mary B and Deb N are hosting. AND, it gives us more time to look in the hidden closets!

Thank you to everyone. This is by far the most generous group I've ever know. To cite one of my favorite quotations, perhaps from the Talmud:
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world's grief.
"Do justly, now.
                    Love mercy, now.
                    Walk humbly, now.
                    You are not obligated to complete the work,
                    but neither are you free to abandon it."

NKPC YOUTH CREW NEWS:

Hunger Fast 2019 will be on Friday April 12th through Saturday April 13th from 6:00 pm to 6:00 pm, and we will be spending the night at the church.
We are inviting church members to hang out with us from 6:30 pm to 9:30 on the 12th, there is a signup sheet in the Narthex so that way we know you're coming!
Reminder: Brunch Fest will be on April 14th right after church, and there is also a signup sheet in the Narthex. We ask that you pledge at least $1 for World Vision when you sign up, thank you.
If you would like to help the Youth gather Pop Cans as fund raiser on the 14th, contact Youth Crew at the email below.

Please email nkpcyouthcrew@gmail.com with your questions. Thank you :)

SAVE THE DATE.  May 18th: Micki Kelly Concert for Camp Greenwood Scholarships!

Invite your friends!
EASTER EGG HUNT, PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 14th after worship!

WRAPPED CANDY NEEDED! If you would like to donate supplies for the Easter Egg hunt after worship on Palm Sunday, April 14th, please drop off wrapped candy at the church office. We have enough plastic eggs now. Thank you for your generosity!

40 FOR 40! This lent, we will be gathering women (and men’s) job interview and work appropriate clothing.  Pants, shirts, sweaters, suits, belts and shoes that are clean and in good ready to wear repair (no rips, stains or missing buttons) will be collected and given to the Women’s Resource Center and NKC Service Center.  See if you can find 40 items during the 40 days of Lent! Please drop off your items starting 4/14!   Thank you!

LORD’S PRAYER SERMON SERIES
This Lent, we will seek to deepen our understanding of our Christian faith by exploring the prayer that Jesus taught us.  Our worship services will focus each week on one of the themes found in the Lord’s Prayer:
April 7: “Temptation…Evil”
April 14: “Thine is the Kingdom” (Palm Sunday)

DEACONS MEETING. Next Sunday, April 14 at 12:15 pm after worship.

The NKPC 2019 Fishing Contest will start accepting entry photos after Easter, but any fish you catch in 2019 until October 20th are eligible.  Remember to take a photo of your big catch next to a tape measure!

MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP SERVICE
A trio of churches will be gathering at Bostwick Lake UCC church at 7 pm on 4/18/19 for a special Maundy Thursday service. Pastor Karen will be preaching.  Come prepare your heart for Easter morning at 7979 Belding Rd NE Rockford.

GOOD FRIDAY COMMUNITY WORSHIP SERVICE
You are invited on Friday, 4/19 at 7 pm to this Rockford Community Worship Service at Bella Vista Church, 5100 Belding Rd NE Rockford.

If you are involved in serving communion, please check for important updates to our communion distribution process!

Summary of REGULARLY SCHEDULED SESSION MEETING MINUTES
March 18, 2019

The meeting opened with prayer and worship led by Pastor Fitz La Barge. The basis for worship was Matthew 25. Pastor Karen enthusiastically reported on the Next Church Conference she attended and presented to in Seattle.

Treasurer’s Report: The report was received. Operating cash balance as of February 28 was $26,181.83. Mike mentioned that some givers have paid their yearly pledge in advance.

Pastor's Report – Besides preparing for her presentation at the Next Church Conference, and attending the conference, Pastor Karen followed her usual busy schedule of meetings.
In addition she met with Pastors Laurie and Tom from First Congregational in Rockford and Bostwick Lake United Church of Christ about Ash Wednesday services and Good Friday services. She took part in the Ash Wednesday service.
She will also be writing articles for the Squire five times in the coming year.

Clerk of Session Report: Proposed setting the 2019 Annual Congregational Meeting on December 8, 2019, and schedule installation of elders and deacons elected at that meeting on December 15, 2019. Approved.

Session approved by consensus that annual reports from the various parties should be submitted to the church office by January 19, with publication following after a reasonable time.
Presented draft policies for Session votes on matters needing to be decided before the next regularly scheduled meeting, and for teleconference meetings. Discussion followed and suggestions were made with instructions to bring back rewritten policies in April.
Wide ranging discussion about preserving and protecting Session documents. Discussed the possibility of having our books of minutes and rolls and registers digitized by the Presbyterian Historical Society, and stored in their climate controlled storage. Instructed the clerk to find out more about this to present to Session at a future date.
Clerk will research the Book of Order to see if there is any requirement for when the Annual Report to the congregation should be issued.

STANDING COMMITTEES

Missions – One Great Hour of Sharing fish were distributed in church, the 40 day closet purge is proceeding. Motion by Laura to support the offer of a concert by our pianist, Michaeleen Kelly, to raise funds for the Camp Greenwood scholarships North Kent is offering to our children. Laura will communicate with her on details. Second by Jake. Approved.
Laura reported that there is enough participation in North Kent County so that Family Promise will be moving forward.

Christian Ed. - Children & Youth - Some Youth Crew played bells on Sunday, the Youth Crew is collecting items for the Easter Egg Hunt. They wish to invite members of the congregation to come the first evening of the Hunger Fast to learn about the Hunger Fast purpose. Sunday School participation is spotty.

Christian Ed. - Adults – Joy Bible study continues meeting on Tuesdays. Sunday morning discussion group is watching and discussing Painting the Stars.

Membership – The committee is reviewing the rolls, and will be sending letters to those who may now live elsewhere, have become interested in another church, or have stopped participating for unknown reasons, asking if they wish to continue their membership. Pastor Karen will compose a letter.

Worship – May investigate an organized way for selecting elders to serve communion.

Facilities & Stewardship – Routine maintenance is proceeding, including efforts to bring the nursery up-to-date. The cracked ceiling boards are normal and not structural. Review of finances is scheduled for the end of April.

Old Business - Jake attended the March 16 Presbytery meeting and reported the following..

Stated Presbytery of Lake Michigan Meeting March 16th, 2019 Re-cap
Worship and Keynote speaker: Susan Cancro Executive Director of Advent House Ministries talked about the impact that we have when we give one on one care, compassion, and love in abundance. She spoke of stories from the advent house ministries and how that literally can help shape people lives.
Ashley Bair - Examination for Ordination, her statement of faith, was very poetic. If you get a chance I believe you should read it. She has an amazing heart for justice, and love that you could just feel as she read and answered examination questions
Daniel Van Beek - Examination for Candidacy, his faith journey was read, and it was wonderful to hear about how and what shaped his faith. It mentioned how he found his call at Camp Tall Turf, and when asked how that shaped his journey he said he doesn't believe he would be where he is today without his time at Camp Tall Turf
Both moved forward in their journey.
Book of Order amendments were approved,
Cal spoke about the Strategic planning (Vital Congregations) that the presbytery wants our churches to go through, yet only 13 churches have currently signed up out of the 66 we have.
Budget and finance (assuming in response to North Kent’s questions of the budget and where our money is going) brought forth two documents, a balance sheet, and an operating summary for 2018. The Presbytery ask no questions about it at all. Even though there were some questions that should have been asked.
There was one motion brought forth for the GAC about changing the Dec 4th motion and there were no questions asked about that.
Towards the end of the meeting during the last few motions, I looked and saw that there were only 42 people in the room, which begs the question, “Do we have a quorum?” at that point.
Overall, it seemed as though the beginning of the meeting was dragged out and when it came to the actual business meeting people were too tired or didn't care. I was very disappointed to see the lackluster response to things happening within our presbytery.
Much of the business of Presbytery is happening late in the day, after many commissioners have left.

Next Regular Meeting Date – April 15, 2019 at 7 PM.
Adjournment at 9:25 PM with prayer led by Pastor Karen.

This Week of April 07, 2019 through April 14, 2019

Sunday April 7
9:15 am: Discussion Group
11:00 am: Traditional Worship Service

Monday April 8
10:30 am: Free Play Group
7:00 pm: Boy Scouts
7:00 pm: Facilities & Stewardship

Tuesday April 9
7:30 am: Men’s Breakfast (Mr. Burger, 5181 Northland Dr.)
1:15 pm: Joy Bible Study
7:00 pm: Women’s AA

Wednesday April 10
8:00 am: Women’s Breakfast (Russ's 3966 Plainfield Ave.)
7:00 pm: AA

Thursday April 11
8:00 am: Rockford Garden Club – Fellowship Hall
5:30 pm: Lenten Soup Supper
6:30 pm: Bell Choir Rehearsal
7:30 pm: Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Friday April 12
9:00 am: Morning AA
6:00 pm: Hunger Fast begins

Saturday April 13
6:00 pm: Hunger Fast ends

Next Sunday April 14
9:15 am: Discussion Group
11:00 am: Traditional Worship Service
12:15 pm: Deacons Meeting
12:15 pm: Hunger Fast Brunch by Youth Crew
12:30 pm: Easter Egg Hunt

NKPC Memorial / Funeral planning booklets are now available in the narthex.  Please fill one out and drop off a copy of your forms to the church.

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