Newsletter September 2022
The monthly newsletter of First Presbyterian Church
1025 Fifth Avenue – Grinnell, Iowa 50112
Worship is at 10:30 a.m.
September 2022
Garden of Readin’...
I am a part of a group of pastors and elders from three Iowa Presbyteries working on a faith statement for our time and place. As most of you know, writing statements of faith, or confessions, at various times in history is an important part of our denomination’s tradition.
Our group is asking three basic questions. First, how is our world, and specifically our state, broken? Second, what are the beliefs, narratives, and worldviews that are fueling or sustaining this brokenness (and how are we complicit)? And finally, what does our theology have to say to all of this? Those are paraphrases of the questions, but it gives you the basic sense of what we’re doing: Looking for hope in the midst of the pain and suffering around and within us.
“Hope” has always been a word that tripped me up. I don’t know if my brain is broken or just different from most peoples’, but hope is not something I have ever been able to get my head around. It seems to assume that somehow the future is going to be radically different from the past for some (unforeseeable?) reason. When I look at history, I just don’t see radical breaks in the basic truths and realities of the world.
Writing a declaration of faith in the PCUSA tradition of past confessions feels like hopping on a hamster wheel and running as fast as I can.
But recently, I went back and read some of our declarations and confessions (The Barman Declaration, The Confession of ‘67, The Belhar Confession, and the Sarasota Declaration to name a few). Written in 1934, 1967, 1982, 2017 respectively, these faith statements reminded me that hope can be found in the past as much as in looking toward the future. People of faith, always profoundly flawed and limited, have time and time again proclaimed God into a broken world. They have done this, well, faithfully. And every time they have offered the world a truth, a narrative, or a worldview that is contrary to the destructive ones that seem to be winning at the time.
This faithfulness, and this faithful proclamation over time, gives me hope. The sustained proclamation of God’s word in the world is not trivial, and that is something I want to be a part of. Our declaration here - in a state in the middle of the country – and at this time - when we are barely on the other side of a global pandemic, struggling with mental health issues at an unprecedented level, and watching as gun violence melts into being a common part of our communal life – could provide hope for those who come after us as well as inspire change right here and now.
In a poem called “God’s Grandeur,” Gerard Manley Hopkins uses the forces of nature to describe hope found in what has always been true. In his first stanza, he writes about the relentless march to destroy what God has created (“Generations have trod, have trod, have trod / And all is seared with trade; bleared, smeared with toil; / And wears man’s smudge and shares man’s smell:”). Then, the second stanza proclaims the alternate truth, the opposite force that cannot be destroyed. He writes,
And for all this, nature is never spent;
There lives the dearest freshness deep down things;
And though the last light off the black West went
Oh, morning, at the brown brink eastward, springs –
Because the Holy Ghost over the bent
World broods with warm breast and with ah! bring wings.
Hope for me is not found in some radical departure from what has come before. It is found the drum beat of inevitable sunrises, and in the steady voice of the faithful over time no matter how bad things get. May we all be a part of that hope, for the world around us now, and for those who will come after us.
Peace,
Pastor Kirsten
Lectionary Bible Study – CHANGE OF MEETING DAY
Beginning August 31, the Lectionary Bible Study will be meeting on Wednesdays instead of Fridays. We will still meet at noon and continue using zoom. If you would like to join, here is the information:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86734735135?pwd=UDRtNUoxOGlqSDMzd2tCVDhIbFQ1QT09 Meeting ID: 867 3473 5135 Passcode: 942323
All are welcome to this bible study at any time. You can come regularly or drop in when you are able. The group looks at the texts for the coming Sunday (listed in each month’s newsletter).
Liturgists For September
September 4 – Karla Kriegel September 11 – Evelyn Freeman September 18 – Dan McCue September 25 – Donna Ricks
September and October Sunday Servants
September 4 - Acolyte: Lydia Klepfer Coffee: Jill Kaiser
Greeter: Chrissy Hazlett
September 11 - Acolyte: Ash Poush Coffee: Phil McCune Greeter: Montie & Suzanne Redenius
September 18 - Acolyte: Graeme McCue Coffee: Memorial Committee Greeter: Iann Veldhuizen
September 25 - Acolyte: Wolf Poush Coffee: Evelyn Freeman Greeter: Chris & Dennis Day
October 2 - Acolyte: Hanna McCue Coffee: Char Ewan
Greeter: Al & Donna Ricks
October Sunday Servants Continued
October 9 - Acolyte: Margie & Merry Poush Coffee: Char Ewan
Greeter: Janet Carl
October 16 -Acolyte: Slane McCue Coffee: Chris & Dennis Day Greeter: Dallas & Lola Sterk
October 23 - Acolyte: Lydia Klepfer Coffee: Janice Logan Greeter: Char Ewan
October 30 - Acolyte: Ash Poush Coffee: Misty Poush Greeter: Carey & Joy Krull
September Session Money Counter: Phil McCune October Session Money Counter: Jack Gustafson
Fellowship Time . . . Every Sunday Following Worship . . . Join Us!
The survey taken by many of you several weeks ago indicated the desire for a coffee fellowship time following worship. The worship committee took that to heart, and starting in July, coffee/hot tea/lemonade are now served each Sunday following worship. Sometimes there have been treats, too! We are hoping the numbers of those sharing a beverage and fellowship together will grow as the days become cooler. Depending on the need, coffee might be served before worship, too.
Please stay, as our coffee fellowship time will be re-evaluated soon to determine if the need is there. If you have any comments, please share them with Char Ewan or Donna Ricks.
If you haven’t been assigned to host a Fellowship Time and would like to, please let Donna know.
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Lectionary Texts
September 4 – Jeremiah 18:1-11; Psalm 139:1-6, 13-18; Philemon 1:1-21; Luke 14-25-33. September 11 – Jeremiah 4:11-12, 22-28; Psalm 14; 1 Timothy 1:12-27; Luke 15:1-10. September 18- Jeremiah 8:18-9; Psalm 79:1-9; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 1:1-13.
September 25 – Jeremiah 32:1-3a, 6-15; Psalm 91:1-6, 14-26; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31.
Sunday School
Sunday School will begin on Sunday, September 11 at 9:15 a.m.
A Music Note – It’s Almost Choir Time!
It’s almost choir time! The choir will begin practicing Sunday, September 11 at 9:15 a.m. in the sanctuary. This is the same Sunday that Sunday School is starting. We will practice every Sunday morning at 9:15 a.m. but to help us get back into the swing of things, we will initially only be signing two Sundays per month during the service.
If you’re interested in joining the choir, you’re welcome to just show up Sunday morning for practice. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to email me at mark@mas-jr.com or call or text me at 641-777-2741. I hope to see you there! – Mark Shultz
Summer Read Discussion Dates Set
Two dates have been set for the discussion of the “summer read,” Into the Forest: A Holocaust Story of Survival, Triumph, and Love, by Rebecca Frankel. Those who have been participating in the reading program are invited to gather for a discussion of the book on either Tuesday, September 13, at 1:00 p.m., or on Thursday, September 22 at 6:30 p.m. Both discussions will occur, in-person, at the church. Additionally, the September 13 discussion will be “zoomed,” so those who prefer to join, electronically, can easily do so from their remote location. The two sessions will be similar in format, so there is no need to attend both discussions.
A set of discussion questions will be emailed to those who registered for the summer read. There is still time to read the book, which can be accessed through the Drake Community Library, or through an on-line purchase. It is also fine to attend one of the discussion sessions and then read the book sometime later this fall or winter. Questions? Give Al Ricks a call at 319-269-3475.
September 18th -- Memorial Dedication and Honoring of Those Recently Lost
The last two years have brought many changes into our personal lives as well as the life of our church. One of those changes was the loss of six members and friends of our congregation. Pastor Kirsten is planning a special sermon on September 18th to honor those lost: Arlene Bennett, Betty Day, Mary Lou Doty, Art Heimann, Bonnie Rutherford, and David Sears. We are doing this now because COVID prevented us from having a full funeral service in the church at the time for several.
Additionally, the Memorial Committee has planned a dedication of memorials purchased for the church from memorial donations over the last two years. These memorials will honor John Peak, Art Heimann, Bob Hoisington, Gladys and Norman Hockett, Karen Choate, Marie Allbee, Elliott Uhlenhopp, Bob Weisskopf, and Bonnie Rutherford.
Following worship, a light catered lunch will be held for family members and those in the church who wish to visit with these guests. Because it is catered and numbers will be important, a sign up at church will be held on Sundays August 28, September 4 and 11 or you may call or email Donna Ricks will your RSVP: 319-269-9626 or
th djrteach@ msn.com no later than September 11 .
Food Recovery Volunteers Needed!
Food Recovery is looking for some additional volunteers to help either package food or deliver food. Please contact David Cranston if you can help.
Highlights of the June 2022 Session Meeting
(Please note: these minutes are several months old, but we did not meet in July)
New Candidates for membership are Vanessa Preast and Misty Poush. Both introduced themselves at the beginning of Session having previously taken the membership class with Pastor Kirsten.
Working Group Reports
Personnel – An invitation was extended for July 10, 2022 to celebrate Pastor’s recent completion of her master’s degree and the congregation’s support of her as she worked on her degree.
Facilities – The third tree has been planted as well as six shrubs. Volunteers are needed to water these new plantings. A new hot water heater has been installed at a cost of $1,400. The committee will review and update the Building Usage Policy and the form completed by outside users which was last updated in 2016. Pastor will talk with David Cranston about how much the church can be used if Food Recovery is here every day.
Worship – Results of the Sunday Servant survey were shared. A motion was passed to approve greeters and Fellowship time with coffee/cold drink be offered July and August. This fellowship time will be held after church using compostable cups. The choir sang one Sunday in May and will resume in the fall. Mark will partner with choir members to work out special music during the summer months. Some problems are developing with the organ, and Mark has contacted Allen organ for a service call.
Members of the Technology Task Force include: Pastor, Mark, Carey Krull, Dan McCue, Misty Poush and Wolf Poush with Mark as chair.
Finance –The Committee conducted an audit of the financial statements for the year ending 2021 and indicated they are in good standing. Clarification on designated funds was needed, so Pastor will ask the office manager to provide a detailed balance sheet on a monthly basis to the Finance Committee. The Committee discussed the Elsie Johnston Fund and how to disburse funds and when. The Finance Committee will make a recommendation to the session that a budgeted amount of funds be used for local mission with recommendations as to how to spend the monies. The Finance and Mission Committees will work together to present specific projects for approval. The Committee will create a Finance Committee Handbook.
Memorials – Session approved the motion to obtain the remaining ordinary time paraments handmade by Nancy Keay, owner, Northwest Liturgical Design, Tacoma, WA. The paraments for the pulpit and communion table are given in memory of Bob Weisskopf.
Logistics Task Force – Session approved the motion made by the Task Force to approve the building opening, Deacons – The deacons reviewed the persons they are caring for and discussed the way communion is now being provided – plastic cups and bread broken by Pastor and given to worshippers. The deacons would like to bring back van driving on Sunday mornings.
New Business
Session approved new members Vanessa Preast and Misty Poush who join by profession of faith. They will come before the congregation on Sunday, July 10, 2022 during worship.
Pastor Kirsten served communion to homebound members.
Pastor’s Report
Pastor will be on vacation from June 21 through July 5. During this time the deacons will provide pastoral care. Cindy Ray will lead worship on June 26, 2022 and Al Ricks will lead worship on July 3, 2022.
Thank You Phil McCune for additional mulch for the new north side plantings.
Carey Krull and Paul Parmley for continuing to water.
Carey Krull for installing a new replacement water filter and doing some other repairs.
Al and Donna Ricks and Paul Parmley for moving tables.
Kim Uwate for making the trip to Grinnell to be with us in person after worshiping online with First Presbyterian for over two years! Also, thanks to Kim for providing amazing viola music during worship and in a lovely concert that same afternoon. What a gift!!
THANK YOU from the Facilities Committee
The church kitchen is taking on a new glow due to many hands taking on many cleaning jobs. Scrubbing, washing and organizing have been done by Sharon Falck, Char Ewan, Chris Day, Miriam Baumann, Joy Krull, Karla Kriegel, Chrissy Hazlett, Vanessa Preast, Selva Lehman, Janice Logan, Roger Bortell, Misty Poush, Iann Veldhuizen, the Deacons, and Custodian Erica White. THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
-- Donna Ricks
A Thank You from a Member of Our Extended Community
Thank you to the Presbyterian Church of Grinnell and Sheryl. Your ministry has meant so much in helping me as you’ve helped me get to my over 20 appointments in Iowa City and Coralville at the University of Iowa Hospital and Clinics. May God bless you as you chose to help others in need.
The deadline for the October newsletter is Monday, September 19, 2022.