Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday

Celebrate the Gifts of Women Sunday:
Our Presentand Our Future

On Sunday, March 4, we will have the opportunity to celebrate the gifts of the women of our congregation. Also with the  session’s approval we will celebrate the sacrament of the Lord’s Supper for that day. We will have women leading the service with prayers, the time with the children, preaching, ushering, and serving Communion.

In 1993 The General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) took action to designate a “Celebrate the Gifts of Women” Sunday and it appears in the Presbyterian Planning Calendar each year on the Sunday closest to March 8, International Women’s Day.

The Pastor's Ponderings

On Being Green

Last Sunday evening I was glued to the television watching the Academy Award show. Many of the pundits predicted accurately and there were few surprises.

I was pleased to see “An Inconvenient Truth” get the Oscar for Best Documentary. I confess that I have not yet seen it, and hope that it will return to the theaters.

There seems to be some controversy surrounding issues involving global warming, the environment, and caring for creation. The day after the Academy Awards I heard a news report that an outspoken minister of the gospel says “global warming is Satan's attempt to redirect the church’s primary focus from evangelism to environmentalism.” The Rev. Jerry Falwell told his congregation in Lynchburg, Virginia, this past Sunday that “the jury is still out” on whether humans are causing, or could stop, global warming.

I checked the Presbyterian Church USA website (www.pcusa.org) for information we might have regarding the environment: “Christian stewardship is about the care, nurture, and responsible use of all creation – the earth, natural resources, and all living things. Genesis tells us that God created the world and everything in it and that this creation was good. Christian stewardship dictates that we live in ways that will maintain all that is good in creation.”

It would seem caring for creation is part of responsible Christian stewardship and that the environment and evangelism are part and parcel of the same task — to be faithful disciples of Jesus Christ.

Those attending the Presbytery meeting in February heard a presentation from the Virginia Interfaith Power and Light representative announcing workshops where churches can implement ways to conserve energy. The short-term benefit would be lower utility bills. The long-term benefit says that we care about those who come after us and want to respect the creation God has entrusted to us.

So, I’ll continue to drop things off for recycling, set the thermostat as low as I can, and walk to church on occasion. And I’ll look for other ways to lower my energy consumption. In doing so, not only am I living “green,” but I’ll be showing my care for others. Isn’t that what evangelism is all about - caring for others so that we can share with them the good news of Jesus.

Turning off the light to show others The Light,
Denise

Community Lenten Services Continue

We began with an Ash Wednesday service and continue through Holy Week. This is the schedule for the remaining services: The theme is: “At the Foot of the Cross.”

• March 7 - Rev. Forest Porter                               
• March 14 - Rev. Garland Day
• March 21 - Rev. Dan Payne
• March 28 - Rev. Rick Clore
• April 4 - Rev. Jess Reeves

   The service begins at 12:15 pm with worship followed by a light lunch. An offering will be received to support the Christian Emergency Council.

Tuesdays are Terrific!!

Come out for our first Terrific Tuesday on Tuesday, March 16, at 6:00 pm, for a Chili Cook-off and Hymn Sing. We will begin with the chili tasting and judging, then dinner. Following dinner there will be a time for singing some of our old favorite hymns led by Al and Barb Packard. We will end   around 7:30 pm. If you are interested in being a contestant in the cook-off, please call Sandy McLeod (672-2673) to enter. Prizes will be awarded!!! Fun will be had by all!!!

Coffee Hour

Volunteers are needed to host “Coffee Hour” after our worship service on Sundays. Please use the sign-up sheet in the East Room or call Dottie Tysinger (672-0105) to schedule a Sunday.

Thanks in advance for helping to continue this important time of fellowship. 

Hebrance Scholarship

The Joseph A. Hebrance Scholarship was established by the family of Mr. Hebrance upon his death in 1985 to provide financial assistance for two deserving students in the church family who are continuing their education after high school, either in college or in trade school. These awards are made directly to the scholarship winner’s school.

Applicants should submit a one-page typed essay which includes the following:

• A description of your future educational plans.
• A description of your activities within the community.
• A description of how the church and church family influenced your life and goals.

Please send this essay to the church office no later than April 1, 2007.  If you have any questions, please contact Marc Hogan at 672-0276.

Treasurer's Monthly Report

• February Income as of 2/28/07:  $14,349.56.
• February Expenses and Benevolent Gifts as of 2/28/07:  $11,667.06
• Year-to-Date Income: $27,970.72.
• Year-to-Date Expenses: $29,941.02
• Difference in Income and Expenses Year-to-Date:  (-1,970.30)

Please speak to me if you have any questions.
Gail Chapman, Treasurer

January Session Highlights

• Answered questions by Carol and Dick Schneider from First Presbyterian Church, Charlottesville, as part of the Triennial Visit by the Presbytery of the James’s Committee on Ministry.
• Approved unanimously the 2007 budget.
• Expressed thanks to Fred Lourenzo for his painting the doors in the Education Building.
• Approved unanimously celebrating the Gifts of Women Sunday with Communion on March 4, 2007.
• Heard a report from elders Newman and Sherwin, Presbytery commissioners at the Saturday, February 10th Presbytery of the James meeting in Charlottesville.
• Gave unanimously permission for the Orange Community Chorus concert on Sunday, March 11 at 7 PM, and to allow the sanctuary’s center section to be arranged to accommodate the musicians.

Camp Hanover Open House - April 1, 2007

Join us for Camp Hanover's annual Open House on Sunday, April 1, 2007 (no fooling!) from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Everyone is welcome, so bring your family and friends. This is a great day to enjoy being outdoors, hike the camp trails, taste a s'more, register for summer camp, enjoy a hayride, and so much more! In addition, photo albums from past summers will be on display for those who would like to reminisce about their childhood or find pictures of their parents and/or grandparents! (We have registration forms.) Directions: see the pastor for details or go to www.camphanover.org.

Preschool Opportunities for 2007-2008 School Year

Our church established the Presbyterian Weekday School in 1978 with Elinor Vasquez and Jean Berckman serving as the codirectors. We operate with a staff of three: a director and two teachers. Since 1992 Patsy Mollan has served as director, and is now stepping down to explore other opportunities. One of the teachers, Marsha Jacobs, is also leaving to work as the director of another preschool.

For the 2007-2008 school year we have openings for a director and a teacher. Job descriptions for both positions are available in the church office. Resumes should be sent to: Orange Presbyterian Church, Attention: Preschool Board, 162 West Main Street, Orange, VA 22960.

The positions will be advertised locally in mid-March. Please direct any questions to a member of the Presbyterian Weekday School Board: Ellen Kendall (chair), Susan Clore, Sharon Mohrmann, and Lynn Clements.

Needs at Love Outreach Food Pantry

The Love Outreach Food Pantry, is trying to help with the needy. Each month they are collecting different items.  Items can be bought to the narthex of the church and will be taken periodically to the Food Pantry. Look for a basket to place your items.  The items for the rest of the year are: 

• March:  dish liquid (small bottles)
• April: toothbrushes and shampoo
• May:  toilet paper
• June:  laundry detergent
• July:  paper towels
• August:  flour
• September:  sugar
• October:  cooking oil
• November:  body soap
• December:  cake mix and frosting.

 Thanks in advance for your generous support of this important ministry!

Alice Parcell

Mildred and Calvin Butts

Lavinia Phillips

Sandra McLeod