August Newsletter: Chatham Presbyterian Church

Chatham Presbyterian Church

News, Events and More!

August 1, 2012 Newsletter

Issue 5

Greetings!

Sing to King 3 So many joys in July, and much to look forward to in August! Enjoy the pictures provided by Lisa Rigoni from the "Sing to the King" worship concert on July 18th where more than 150 people praised the Lord and raised $1,000 to benefit Kailey's Krew Foundation and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois.

Also, in late July, our Mission Trippers experienced a "mountain-top" experience at Group Work Camp in Michigan. We are so grateful that God provided for their safety and their spiritual growth during a packed week of work, worship and fun. Thanks to all in the CPC family who helped support their efforts by donating countless hours, raising money and offering prayers for these young people and their adult helpers.

August is here, and we are moving forward with many exciting opportunities for folks and their families at CPC and in the community. Be sure to take a few minutes and read the updates below. You'll learn about what's cooking with The Clubhouse and Frontline Student Ministries. Crossroads Counseling plans to launch a new fall initiative called H20: Hope. Healing. Overcoming. with GriefShare and Divorce Recovery classes in September.

Don't miss a detail below! And when you decide what ministry you want to help with this upcoming year, be sure to email volunteer coordinators Amy Bifano or Polly Hulcher. We'll be delighted to set you right up!

Enjoy this issue of the newsletter.

Last Summer Picnic: "Lunch on the Lawn" August 12th from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. This has been such a pleasant opportunity to relax with other CPC families this summer. Come join us for fellowship and fun. Pack your family a lunch, bring your lawn chairs or a blanket and picnic with other CPC families. Drinks and dessert will be provided. Informal games like kickball, four-square, bubbles and chalk will be available for the kids.

The Clubhouse: Friends, Faith and Fun! Bring your kids to the Clubhouse this month as they learn about how Kids Can Serve God.

August 5: Worship with Mission Trip Youth.
August 12: We use our special gifts to serve God. (Exodus 35:30-33; 36:1-6)
August 19: We serve God with our family. (Joshua 24:14-18)
August 26: We serve everyone because God wants us to. (Luke 10:30-37)
September Sneak Peek: Star Quest!

Snack Attack! Thank you to the Prost, Durbin and Hulcher families for providing tasty treats for us in July and to those who brought goodies for our snack pantry as well. Snacks are a favorite part of our Sunday school time together. If you'd like to help us in this way you may:

Sign up to bring treats for 25 to 30 on a specific date ~ this may be fresh fruit, homemade goodies or store-bought items (easy to serve finger food - nothing fancy) OR
Donate non-perishable items for our snack pantry for use as needed ~ animal crackers, teddy grahams, fruit snacks, goldfish crackers, etc (individual or bulk packaging are welcome).

Mission Accomplished! Thanks to all the kids who helped decorate and fill 55 bags for the Mission Trippers. They greatly appreciated the goodies and the thought and love that went in as well!

Don't miss Sunday worship on August 5th as the Mission Trippers lead the services at 9:30 and 11:00 with music, videos and testimony from their week at Group Work Camp in Michigan. Then later that night, at 6:00 p.m., The Gathering is back! Open to all 6th - 12th graders, this is a great opportunity for the youth to worship the Lord and enjoy fellowship time with one another.

Fall Student Needs: It takes a HUGE amount of time and effort to lead our student ministries during the school year. We need dedicated adults willing to donate just (1) Sunday night or (1) Wednesday night a month to help with our Senior High Students and Middle School students. We have needs in our CORE Group Leadership for both age groups -- the Middle School Wednesday night program and the Senior High Program on Sunday nights. Even if you can serve as an extra helper, that is awesome also! Please e-mail Durbin about your availability this upcoming school year.

Promotions and Farewells - Ready for the New School Year

The Clubhouse welcomes those 4-year-old preschoolers who will begin kindergarten in August of 2013! They will join this year's kindergarteners in our ORANGE GROUP on August 5. Students in 1st and 2nd grades will be our GREEN GROUP, and those in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades will make up the BLUE GROUP.

Seeking Volunteers To Help Teach

While many of our wonderful Clubhouse staff will continue with us for this new school year, we are looking for additional large group and small group teachers to join us. If you might consider helping just one week each month and want more information, contact Laura VanProyen at 494-0503 or christianed@chathampresbyterian.org or plan to attend the Sunday school staff social on Sunday, August 26.

Staff Families Ice Cream Social & Meeting

Sunday, August 26 ~ 3:30 - 5:00 pm

~ ice cream sundaes for our great staff and their families

~ brief but important meeting for the staff

~ movie entertainment and fellowship for their families

Watch your e-mail for detailed information in mid-August and thank you in advance for your attendance and ongoing commitment to Children's Ministry at Chatham Presbyterian Church.

Finally, we say goodbye to our friends in 6th and 7th grade as they move on to join middle school CORE groups and youth activities. We will miss them, but look forward to seeing what God has in store for them next. Parents, be watching for information coming from Frontline Student Ministries or contact Brian Durbin if you have questions about the new opportunities for your young people.

HELP WANTED!

Crossroads Counseling Center Prepares to Launch: H2O (Hope, Healing and Overcoming) Support Groups to Begin Sept. 6

Help us spread the word to your friends and acquaintances in the community. A new outreach support group, Divorce Recovery: A Time for Healing AND the returning GriefShare: Grief Recovery Group will both begin Thursday, Sept. 6 at 6:30 p.m. and continue for 9 and 13 weeks respectively at CPC.

Our Crossroads Counseling Center therapists, Donna Thurston and Margie Wheelhouse, as well as lay leaders with firsthand experience of divorce and bereavement, will walk along side participants through the emotions and struggles, leading toward healing and renewed life.

Registration deadline for Divorce Recovery is August 20, and GriefShare registration is open-ended. Free child care is available with advance registration. A $15 fee includes workbook cost for each program. To register, call Crossroads at 483-1224.

Joys and Concerns

Joys!

Our 45 Mission Trippers and 9 chaperones grew in Christ and His love at Group Work Camp in Michigan.
160 people praised the Lord at "Sing to the King."
Our "Diaper Drive" delighted the Anderson family at conclusion of Keith's summer service to CPC.
New families attending CPC.
People answering God's call to serve in different tasks at CPC.

Prayer Concerns
The family of Claire Steffan. Claire, 90, passed away Sunday evening.
Chuck and Nan Hendricks. Nan is hospitalized at Memorial.
Devon Edmison, complications from dislocated knee.
Jan Day, continued eye issues.

Jack Nika, continued recovery.
Jeff Jackson, continued recovery.
Betty Creasey, eye challenges.
Susan McCann, cancer treatment.
Jean Lane, eye problem from cancer treatment.

Boosters: For those with ongoing needs for prayer
Taylor Cooley, Dwight Elliott, Mary Jane Elliott, Keith Gentry, Irma Gobleman, Pastor Bob Hanson, Wendy Housel, Tina Knollenberg, Mae Marie Koster, Todd Marvel, Shirley McGrew, Lois Siemer, Paul Spindler, Bill and Carolyn Templeton, Cynthia Wilson.

Military Members
Eric Anderson, Margaret Siemer, Brad Miller, Seth Baker, Gary Kirchner, Clay Kuetemeyer, Josh Yakle, Denver Ford.

Shut-Ins
Mary Aidich, Villa East, Sherman
Sandy Eades' mother, Maye McMechan
Twila Juraska, Illinois Presbyterian Home
Ann Kirk, Christian Garden Villa, Springfield

Maxine McCoy, Lewis Memorial

Please email us your praises and prayer requests.

REQUEST FROM FAIR HILLS RESIDENCE OF THE ILLINOIS PRESBYTERIAN HOME

Jeannette Miller emailed the following: "As you are cleaning out your belongings this summer, please consider donating your good condition items for our Fall Bazaar & Porch Sale.

The Volunteers will be doing this event on the first Saturday of October (10/7) and we need lots of donations to make our sale a success. Items can be dropped off at the Residence up on the hill at the corner of Chatham Road & Lawrence any day from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. (No clothing items please). Call Cheryl White at 787-2095 for a tax receipt or questions."

Session Updates

Ken Macken At the July 30th Session meeting, a motion was approved to invite Pastor Ken Macken to provide pulpit supply from August 19 -September 30th. He has agreed to serve CPC in that capacity. Stay tuned for more information on him in the August 15th Session Update.

Meanwhile, the Youth Mission Trippers will lead the service on August 5th. On August 12th, Pastor Joanne Hinds from Sherman will deliver the message and conduct the sacrament of communion.

The interim review process is ongoing throughout the next several weeks.

Save the Date! A Congregational Meeting has also been scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on August 26th for the specific purpose of ordaining four session members and five deacons with installation to follow at the 11:00 service. Details on this congregational meeting will follow in the August 15th Session Update.

Business Manager Matt Nixon reported July offering:
Projected offering $33,250
Donations: $24,800

Matt presented and the Session approved a Revised Budget for the last five months of 2012 staff. Hard copies are available in the office upon request.

The Session welcomes your questions, comments or concerns.