ePulse from Second Presbyterian Church

October 18, 2012

Dear 2PC family,

This past Tuesday, Rev. Dave Bianchin, Rev. Dean Kladder,
Rev. Andrea Haughton Kladder, Rev. Mike McGaughan, Ruth Chinn, Ruth Gabor and myself all attended our standing Presbytery of Great Rivers (PGR) Assembly meeting. You can visit the presbytery website here. This site includes helpful and interesting information about our local mission partners.

Our presbytery covers a large geographical region. The "great rivers" referenced in the presbytery name are the Mississippi and Illinois Rivers. Our presbytery stretches from LeRoy in the east, to the Quad Cities in the north and Quincy in the south. You can find a map of the presbytery area on the presbytery website.

Two things strike me as being important about being a member
of the PGR. The first is the connections we share with other
Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations and the second is the inspiration I get from my colleagues across the presbytery. The
connections we share are both relational and mission-focused. It
is a great gift to know the other pastors and elders in the local area. Getting to know our ministry partners at St. Luke's Union of
Bloomington, and First Presbyterian Church of Normal, has been a gift. We actually travel and attend our youth winter retreats with the youth of St. Luke's. I am inspired by the ministry at the other churches in our presbytery and also by the quality of the people that are serving in this geographic area.

The churches in our presbytery range in size from under 50 members to 2PC at 1,700 members. But when I am at our presbytery meetings I think of the passage from 1 Corinthians 12 (The Message), "I want you to think about how all this makes you more significant, not
less. A body isn't just a single part blown up into something huge. It's all the different-but-similar parts arranged and functioning
together." We all need one another and I am grateful to have
partners in ministry of all different shapes, sizes, color and so
much more!

Want to know more about our presbytery experience? Ask any of us who attended the Tuesday meeting. There is great ministry in the PGR!

In Christ,

Josh

2PC News

Sermons on YouTube

You can click on the date below to watch that morning's sermon.

PW Circle Meetings | Today

Ruth Circle | 7pm, Thursday, October 18 | Rita Park's home

For more information on Presbyterian Women, contact Sandy Groves at 452-4956.

All-Church Study | Begins Sunday
Everybody's Normal Book

The 2PC fall all-church study begins Sunday and it isn't too late to join! Come to Grace Hall at 10am to register.

Rev. David Bianchin and Dr. John Florell will be the presenters and share on true friendship, authenticity, empathy, conflict and gratitude. You are encouraged to join in this time of learning and fellowship!

Community of Care Brunch | Sunday
If you have ever been widowed, even if you are remarried, you are invited to attend brunch this morning at 10am in Fellowship Hall. Dr. Webb will share a brief message and friends are welcome to attend.

Baptisms | Sunday
At the 9am service today, Ellasyn Lu Stoller, daughter of Jaime and Sarah Stoller, will be baptized. At the 11:11am service, Kacy Jo Bersche, daughter of Jay and Katy Bersche; and Eve Beatrice Kladder, daughter of Dean and Andrea Haughton Kladder, will be baptized.

Home Sweet Home Ministry Art Show | October 23

Art classes are currently being offered by 2PC artists at HSHM. A few pieces of clients' work are now on display in the 2PC south entry as a preview to their October 23, 6:30-8pm event. Please enjoy the art on display at 2PC and also plan to attend the event at Home Sweet Home Ministry.

Gathering of Men Lunch Series | October 24, 31

Men, mark your calendars for Wednesdays, October 24 and 31 for a great inspirational speaker and meal at 11:30am. The October 24 speaker, Mike Murray, is the Director of Development for Illinois State Athletics. Mike is a former coach of the Bloomington Extreme and was previously on the football coaching staff at Illinois Wesleyan. Mike and his wife, Anne, have raised their family at 2PC. You are encouraged to bring a friend or co-worker. Contact Rev. Josh Erickson with any questions.

Merge 20s/30s Bonfire | October 27

On Saturday, October 27, from 6-8pm, Branden and Dana Sholty (1307 W Elm St., Bloomington) will host a bonfire with a hotdog roast and s'mores. Kids may attend and you are welcome to bring a pumpkin to carve. Contact Rev. Andrea Haughton Kladder with any questions.

Caring for a Loved One With Alzheimer's | October 28

If you, or someone you know, is providing care to someone with Alzheimer's, you are invited to this Sunday, October 28, 2pm seminar in the 2PC Parlor. A DVD including three interviews with experts will be shown with small-group discussion between each video segment. Flyers with additional information about this event are at Connection Point. To RSVP or ask any questions, please contact Rev. Michael McGaughan.

Volunteers Needed | November 3 HSH Anniversary Benefit Dinner

Great is God's Faithfulness is the theme of the Saturday, November 3, Priority Partners logo

HSHM benefit banquet celebrating God's faithfulness over the past 95 years. Phil Newton, author and CEO of Peoria's South Side Mission and Chef Paul's inspiration for 2PC's Culinary Arts Training Academy, will be the speaker.

Volunteers are needed that day to set tables, prepare food, serve, assist guests and clean up. Various shifts are available and you may sign up for as many as you wish. Sign-up sheets are located near Connection Point and Marquis Chapel on Sundays. During the week, please call Kim Pare.

You may also still sponsor a ticket for $20, a table of tickets for $200, or donate any other amount with a check payable to 2PC with HSHM on the memo line. Please contact Rev. Dean Kladder with any questions.

2PC Congregational Meeting | November 4

A congregational meeting will be held on Sunday, November 4, after the 11:11am service in the sanctuary to vote on a change in the terms of call of Rev. Andrea Haughton Kladder. All members should be in attendance, and all visitors are welcome. Andrea has requested a change from full-time to part-time work. This has been approved by the Personnel Committee and endorsed by Session.

Hospital Stays

Federal law greatly restricts the disclosure of patient information by hospitals. As a result, 2PC pastors may not know that a member has been admitted to the hospital. If you are hospitalized, and would like to notify a pastor, please call Kim Pare during the week at 828.6297.

American Red Cross Blood Drive | Thank You

The October 11 American Red Cross Blood Drive at 2PC collected 76 units of blood. Thanks to all the donors and volunteer workers who made this a successful effort.