CPC: Happy New Year! January Update

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Chatham Presbyterian

News, Events and More!

January 1, 2014 Newsletter

Issue 22

Dear ones,

I'm so excited for what God is going to bring for each of you and for Chatham Presbyterian Church in 2014. I've been working on a 7-week sermon series based on Christ's teachings, and I can't wait to share it with you starting this Sunday. There is so much to be excited about. Don't miss a single opportunity to worship our Lord!

I love being your Pastor for Now.

Ken Macken

SAVE THE DATE! MEET OUR FULLTIME PASTOR CANDIDATE AND HIS WIFE

Saturday, January 18th: Open House in Olsen Hall from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 19th: Worship Service with sermon followed by Congregational Meeting.

Look for more details in the near future. Until then, here is the report given to the Session about our candidate. "It is the unanimous recommendation of the Pastor Nominating Committee that Session and the CPC congregation pursue terms of call to secure this candidate as our new pastor."

His leadership competencies include compassion, preaching and worship leadership, spiritual maturity, communication, willingness to engage conflict, organizational agility, strategy and vision, collaboration, interpersonal engagement and motivation. He believes that "together we worship God in joy and celebration, care for each other in the difficult moments, laugh and dance with each other in the celebrations of life, and seek to earnestly deepen our love and devotion to God." He also believes strongly that "hands-on mission is a key part of his spiritual life." A strength in his ministry is "to help congregations develop clear vision as to what God is calling them to be." He reminds us that Proverbs states "without a clear vision the people will perish."
Personal: He is in a happy long-term marriage, and he and his wife have two grown children, both adopted from Columbia. He enjoys working in his wood shop, playing the trumpet, golf and model trains. They have a cat named Lilly and she is also a Presbyterian. The PNC found him to be kind, thoughtful and deeply spiritual saying, "It is a complete joy to be in the candidate's presence and he has an amazing amount of insight and wisdom in spiritual and church matters."
References: The PNC analyzed thorough discussions with the candidate's references and conducted a two-day on-site visit with both the candidate and his spouse. The visit consisted of dinners, a church tour, in-depth discussions and observance of a sermon at a neutral church site. The candidate himself conducted a very thorough review of all available documents regarding CPC's organization, policies/procedures and financial reports. He is bubbling with excitement at the prospect of coming to CPC and the feeling is unanimously mutual with all members of the PNC.
Education and Experience: The candidate earned a B.S. in 1978, earned a Masters of Divinity from Louisville Presbyterian Seminary (LPS) in 1985, and earned a Doctor of Ministry from LPS in 1998. His continuing education includes Dealing with Difficult People, Shepherding the Spiritual Life of a Congregation, Strategic Planning for Congregations, Spiritual Leadership from Within, and Clergy Development Institute. He has more than 28 years of service as a solo pastor and head of staff at a new church development, as well as positions as associate pastor, student minister, student intern, youth minister and CE oversight in other churches. He worked in construction for a number of years before entering ministry and has used those skills in the many mission projects in which he has led and actively participated.

**Stay tuned for more information about the candidate and his family in an email blast and the bulletin in the next week.

THE CLUBHOUSE: FRIENDS, FAMILY, FUN!

The Clubhouse tree will bloom into a January Friendship tree.

January 5: Jesus Visits Mary and Martha; Luke 10:38-42; We can have a friendship with Jesus.
January 12: Jonathan Helps David; 1 Samuel 18:1-4; 19:1-7; We show we love God by loving others.
January 19: Peter Denies Jesus; Luke 22:54-62; We show we love God by making right choices.
January 26: David and Mephibosheth; 2 Samuel 9:1-11; We get along with others.

February Sneak Peek - Cornerstone Construction Zone.

Children's Ministry News: Increasing attendance in our nursery and preschool area brings expanded volunteer opportunities beginning in February. Looking for something new to do in 2014? We have openings in a variety of jobs and with several age groups. The work is rewarding, and the pay is great - all the hugs and smiles you could want. If we call on you, please say yes. Even better, call us first and volunteer. Contact Laura VanProyen at 494-0503 or christianed@chathampresbyterian.org.
Mandatory training for all children's and youth ministry volunteers set for February 9 - Mark your calendar now.The Human Resources Team in accordance with the church's Policy and Procedure on Sexual Misconduct, will hold training on Sunday, February 9 from 11:00 to noon. This training is mandatory for all volunteers in our Nursery, Children's Ministry and Youth programs - adult and youth volunteers. Light refreshments will be served and child care may be arranged if needed.

If you cannot attend, you will need to contact Pam Bruzan, Patrick Hansen or Laura VanProyen to arrange for an individual session.

Thank you to all students and adults who grocery shopped and assembled food baskets for the Angel Tree Ministry! Nearly 30 local families received baskets before Christmas. We appreciate Mary Byers' work to coordinate this project.

Sunday, January 5: Olsen's Cafe opens at 5:45. Youth worship and fun activities go from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 12: Olsen's Cafe opens at 5:45. Youth worship and fun activities go from 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, January 19:Olsen's Café opens at 5:45 pm. Youth worship and fun activities go from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.
Sunday, January 26: Olsen's Café opens at 5:45 pm. Youth worship and fun activities go from 6:30 - 8:00 pm.

Youth Retreat at Lake Williamson on Sat. 1/11. Leaving church at 5:00 p.m., heading to Virden for dinner at DiCarlos, then Carlinville. Worship time led by Greenville team as well as swimming, dark dodge ball and other fun activities. Breakfast and lunch also provided. Will be back on Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Cost is $50.

Mission trip deposits due now. Questions? Call Amy Bifano at 483-4204.
Special thanks to Diane Hobson, Todd Marvel, Amy Bifano, and Thornton Woerner for providing "Finals Week" lunch for our high school students.

College Care Ministry. Thank you to all those who donated gift cards, candy, snacks or wrote words of encouragement for the college care packages. Diane Hobson continues to coordinate this important ministry for our students. If you'd like to help with Valentine's Day and birthday care packages, please email Diane here.

New Signage for Crossroads Counseling Center

After more than a decade, Crossroads Counseling Center installed a new sign at the corner of Walnut St. and Gordon Drive. It serves as a visual reminder for the community that Crossroads is committed to offering guidance and comfort for those in need.

As a church, we know God brings comfort through the presence, care, and verbal encouragement of other believers. Through our trained, accredited marriage and family counselors, Crossroads has a long tradition of providing specialized guidance on difficult problems such as marital conflict, divorce, grief, interpersonal relationships, fear, and anxiety. Crossroads' counselors Margie Wheelhouse and Brenda Booker continue to offer flexible scheduling hours. and can always be reached at 483-1224.

JOYS!

Celebrating the birth of Christ!
March to the Manger and the gifts brought to the King.
Birth of Gwendolyn Maribeth on 12/17. Proud parents are Ian and Bekah Robertson and proud grandparents are Mark and Mary Miller.
All God's miraculous work and fellowship at CPC in 2013
Anticipation of meeting our new pastor candidate!
Great appreciation for all the hard work done by the Pastor Nominating Committee.
Frontline Youth leading the Angel Tree Ministry to help needy local families.

Concerns and Prayer Requests Let Us Pray For You

All kids and families facing major trials and illnesses.
Sympathy to Janet & Tom Gatschenberger on the passing of her father, John Stone, in Arkansas, and also her aunt's passing.
Sympathy to Dean and Polly Hulcher on the passing of his father, Gary Lee Hulcher.
Victoria Wilson, Food Pantry Coordinator, suffered broken arm and bruised ribs from recent fall.
Carrie Bearup, serious health challenges.
Jennifer Bearup, recovering from a car accident.
Natalie Armstrong: Her grandfather is ill with bone/liver cancer.
Severs Family: Health and family concerns.
Laura Black: Continued prayers for her and her family as she continues treatment for a brain tumor.
Dougherty family needing wisdom and clarity.
Jan Day: Her sister Melissa diagnosed with ALS and sister Phyllis who is her caregiver.
Prayers for April Woerner's father, Frank Alves, who is fighting throat cancer.
Lisa Edmison: Brother-in-law fighting kidney cancer.
Dwight Knollenberg:TJ's and Emily's grandpa, age 85, fighting cancer.
Margaret Carroll, Marsha Marvel's mother, under hospice care in Peoria.

Military Members

Aled Fain, Eric Anderson, Brody Correll, Drew Correll, Margaret Siemer, Brad Miller, Seth Baker, Gary Kirchner, Clay Kuetemeyer, Josh Yakle.

Shut-Ins

Twila Juraska
Maxine McCoy, Lewis Memorial

Boosters: For those in need of extra prayer Clifford, Dave, Corrina & Isaac Dahl; The Baird Family, Irma Gobleman, Dwight Elliott, Mary Jane Elliott, Lois Siemer, Paul Spindler, Bill and Carolyn Templeton, Cynthia Wilson, Chuck Hendricks.

Please email us your praises and prayer requests.

March to the Manger

A beautiful morning about the best gift of all -

our Savior.

De-Hanging of the Greens, January 4th

The church was so nicely decorated for Christmas, but it will soon be time to carefully put everything away for next year's celebration. We will be "de-hanging" the greens on Jan. 4, beginning at 10:00 a.m. We would greatly appreciate any and all help. Please contact Amy Bifano at 483-4204 or email sabiffers@aol.com if you'd like to help us clean and organize.

Holiday Children's

Book Drive

was a great success! CPC donated 63 books and $550 toward the purchase of new books, according to CPC coordinator Jane Byram. Overall, the drive was able to provide books to 4,387 underprivileged kids in the Springfield area. Your generosity is a blessing!