Announcements
HPC Garden of Grace
Turning a new “leaf”! Amid the COVID19 pandemic in 2020, the HPC Garden of Grace was created as an outreach effort of the Engaging in Justice and Service ministry, led by Liz Blankstein, to bring together talent and energy to support local efforts to feed food-insecure families in our area. Key supplies for building the garden were generously donated. The folks who “had a hand” in its creation along with Liz, included: Stan Krystek, Bob Hayton, Josie Blankstein, Joanne Tonkin, Doug McCleery, Becky Ludeke and Anne Hayton.
For three growing seasons, 2021, 2022 and 2023, this small garden produced fresh vegetables that were delivered to the Chubby’s Project for incorporation in prepared lunches sent out to the community. Vital summer watering of the garden was performed by Liz Blankstein, Lori Horton, along with Jennifer Stoveken, friend and neighbor of HPC, and Anne Hayton. Many pounds of Swiss chard, snap peas, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and green beans were grown, harvested and delivered to the Chubby’s Project. In total, just over 200 lbs.!
But we’re at a junction. The Chubby’s Project now receives ample fresh produce from several local farms, including the Fairgrown Farms collaborative, headquartered nearby on land owned by the Watershed Institute. With this, we can take this garden in a new and different direction. Some options include continuing to grow vegetables for distribution locally to families in need, or for growing fresh flowers to be used for bringing cheer and blessings to members and friends.
Do you have ideas for how these 3 raised beds might be used to continue to serve others? To bring hope, love and joy in our community? Please bring your ideas to Anne Hayton. Thank-you!
Coming to Lunch & Learn on April 7th - Led by Ian Burrow
A Fox pretends to be dead in order to catch unwary birds. As pictured in a French Bestiary (Book of Beasts) of about 1450.
SHARING THE EARTH WITH ANIMALS: THE VIEW FROM THE MIDDLE AGES
In the Middle Ages in Europe, people believed that the natural world had been created in part to instruct us and help bring us closer to God. From the seventh century onwards, illustrated instructional books called Bestiaria (“concerning beasts”) or “Bestiaries” were prepared all over Europe.
These books describe and explain the character of numerous animals: some real and some (to us) mythological. In many cases a moral or theological lesson is drawn which the reader is encouraged to apply to his or her own life.
The Fox provides a good example. This is a typical bestiary entry:
“There is an animal which is called the Fox. It is a crafty and deceitful animal that never runs in a straight line, but only in circles. When it wants to catch birds to eat, the fox rolls in red mud so that it appears to be covered in blood. It then lies apparently lifeless; birds, deceived by the appearance of blood and thinking the fox to be dead, land on it and are immediately devoured.
The fox represents the devil, who pretends to be dead to those who retain their worldly ways, and only reveals himself when he has them in his jaws. To those with perfect faith, the devil is truly dead.”
As part of the class, each participant will write, illustrate and share their own bestiary entry. This can be:
one of the animals (real or mythical described in the bestiaries, with a new slant)
a real animal not mentioned in the bestiaries, or
a mythical animal created by the participant.
The emphasis will be on fun.
Meet Beth Scibienski
Last Sunday, Session announced the selection of an Interim Pastor for HPC. Pastor Beth Scibienski, who is currently finishing her commitment at Clover Hill Reformed Church in Hillsborough, will be joining us for worship on Sunday, April 14. Pastor Beth will be moving into the Manse prior to the 14th and she will reverse commute to Hillsborough for a few weeks. So, in case it looks like someone is living in the Manse...yes someone (and a Bernadoodle named Sam) will be living there. We can't wait for Beth to begin her ministry at Hopewell Presbyterian Church!
Following is a brief bio to help you get to know her a little better.
Beth Scibienski is an imaginative thinker and an entrepreneur; her leadership style is deeply rooted in relationship and collaborative action. She enjoys the process of leading teams of people to create vision together. And she delights in seeing teams of people use their gifts together to build their collective vision.
Pastor Beth has served as Head of Staff in the Presbyterian Church USA and the Reformed Church of America for the past 18 years during which time, she led several significant changes such as creating a Community Wellness Center, managing a successful merger with a neighboring congregation, and designing a versatile building to serve as sanctuary and community center.
Pastor Beth was trained in Leadership Coaching for Organizational Performance by Heidrich and Struggles through Rutgers University. She is certified through the ICF (International Coaching Federation.) She holds both a BA in Organizational Communication and a Master of Divinity. She has specific certification in Transitional Leadership.
She is twice published. The first book is a memoir that chronicles the first seven years of her journey with her late husband, after his diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis. The second is an edited work published by the New Worshiping Communities initiative at Pittsburgh Seminary. Her chapter tells the story of the creation of a Community Wellness Center. For seven years, she was also the co-host of the podcast, Two Pastors Podcast.
Pastor Beth is a stepmother of two and a grandmother of three. She enjoys cooking, crocheting and gardening. She listens to podcasts faithfully. She is always “reading” several books but if she is honest, she’s not reading. She’s playing with her Bernedoodle, Sam.
Most importantly, she has been praying for us for months and looks forward to getting to know us, individually and collectively. She trusts the Holy Spirit to guide us toward love and trust as we begin this new season of worship and work together.
Update from Friends for Health in Haiti
The past two weeks have been very quiet in Jérémie and we’ve been able to go up the mountain to our clinic in Gatineau without any problems. Each week, we’ve seen over 200 patients and they’re grateful to have us there to take care of their health needs once again. The situation in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas has been much worse than previously, with gangs taking over key locations in the capital. Last week, they broke into the main prison in Port-au-Prince, releasing over 3500 prisoners, some of whom were gang leaders. They attacked several police stations, government offices and the local and international airports. We had made plans to follow the US Embassy advice for all Americans to leave the country, but now that the airports are closed, we’re not sure what will happen. As long as things are quiet here in Jérémie, we will continue to keep our clinic open as we follow the events in Port-au-Prince.
As always, we thank you for your prayers.
Coming to Lunch & Learn in February - What Does It Mean to Be Presbyterian?
Led by Andy Hall
Week 1 (Feb. 11): Presbyterian Confessions
What does it mean to be grounded in a centuries-old tradition of Reformed faith while also remaining open to the new movement of the Holy Spirit? In this class, we'll look at a few ancient and modern expressions of Christian faith found in our Book of Confessions, and ask what it means to follow Jesus in a Presbyterian way.
Week 2 (Feb. 18): Presbyterian Worship
Why does a Presbyterian worship service proceed the way it does? What is a sacrament, and how many of them are there? What does it mean to be a worshipping community in the Zoom era? We'll look for answers to these and other Presbyterian worship questions in the PC(USA) Book of Order?
Week 3 (Feb. 25): Presbyterian Polity
How do Presbyterians make decisions? Who gets to decide what? How does the local congregation and session connect to the presbytery, synod, and General Assembly? And how is the Presbyterian system designed to function in times of church conflict, division, or impropriety? Our Book of Order will provide some insights about what it means to be a connectional church.
MLK Day of Service
Monday, January 15, 2024 9:00 - 12:00 PM
This event will help support local non-profit organizations including the Chubby's Project, Rescue Mission of Trenton, Seeds to Sew, I Support the Girls, and others.
The event is open to all ages. Children age 10 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Please do not sign up as a group (scouts, youth, church) to allow space for a variety of volunteers. Groups are welcome to sign up as individuals.
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C094BAAAA292-47071979-2024
Questions:
Email: HPC.MLKDayOfService@gmail.com
Phone: (609)466-0758 HPC Church Office
Community Thanksgiving Meal
Save the Date!
Hopewell Presbyterian Church, along with The Chubby’s Project, will host a Community Thanksgiving meal in Fellowship Hall on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 23rd, between 2 - 5pm. This event is a long -standing tradition, lovingly started years ago by Dick Scheetz, and his wife Linda. We look forward to continuing this tradition as a way of honoring Dick’s memory and life of service in our community, and because we are all called to share God’s love in our lives, within our church family, and among our neighbors.
When: Thursday, Nov. 23rd, 2 – 5 pm
Where: HPC Fellowship Hall
Who: Everyone is invited!
We will need donations of vegetables, salad, sweet potatoes and dessert. Also, set up help, clean up help and turkey cookers. A sign up sheet will be available on Sunday.
More to follow! If you plan to join us, please contact Sandy Ogg and Anne Hayton. Thank-you!
Intergenerational Advent Activities - During Coffee Fellowship
This year as we prepare our hearts for Christmas we HOPE you will join us in spreading PEACE and JOY. Is there someone you haven’t seen for a while, someone who will be alone for Christmas, someone who feels the loss of a loved one deeply this time of year or someone who just moved into the neighborhood? Over the course of three weeks we will create containers to fill with cookies and deliver them to friends, neighbors and family who could use an extra dose of LOVE this season.
December 3rd - 1st Sunday of Advent Card Making and Cookie Box Decorating
December 10th – 2nd Sunday of Advent Ornament Making – Make one to take home and one to share
December 17th – 3rd Sunday of Advent Christmas Cookie Decorating
If you have a name to add to our list of recipients or would like to volunteer to make a delivery after church on December 17th, please reach out to the Church Office.
Sunday of Service - 11/5/23
On Sunday, November 5th, instead of gathering in the sanctuary for worship we will be participating in the Hopewell Council of Churches Sunday of Service. A commissioning service will be held at Calvary Baptist Church at 9:00 AM. Projects begin at 10:00 AM.
Stomp Out Hunger 5k Walk
We will once again do the Stomp Out Hunger 5K Walk at the St. Michael’s Preserve to benefit the Chubby's Project. Go to https://www.thechubbysproject.org/upcoming-events to sign up. There is a suggested $15 donation. Please bring non-perishable food for The Chubby’s Project.
Bags for Chubby’s Project at HPC
Three days each week Chubby’s meals are delivered to about 20 families in the area by volunteers. The volunteers need large, sturdy, reusable bags for these deliveries. Last year we customized premade bags with label pockets, reinforced hems, and stiff bottoms. They were a great help, but now more are needed. The skills and equipment needed:
· IRONING the bags (we need 3 ironing boards and irons)
· CUTTING out vinyl for pockets to hold a card with the clients’ names (bring scissors or rolling cutters and cutting boards)
· MACHINE SEWING the vinyl pockets in place and reinforcing the top hems (bring a portable sewing machine)
· CUTTING corrugated plastic board to reinforce the bottoms of the bags (we will have box cutters for this)
· PRESSING logo labels onto the bags
Paper bags also are needed for the deliveries, and we will decorate them with messages of love and encouragement, all materials supplied. If you have questions, contact Carlana Sargent at woolytriumph@comcast.net.
Painting Project at 135 W. Broad
Please join Hearts and Hammers for the day to help a Borough senior citizen by painting her one-story Cape Cod house at 135 W. Broad. We will be painting the front of the house, spot painting on the sides, and then scraping / painting the trim. Many hands will make easy work of this assignment! So please join us - and if you can, bring your own paint brushes! That would be a big help. Sean Jackson is coordinating this project and it would help for planning to know who can participate. Please call Sean at 609-468-8835 or email at: tseanjackson@outlook.com if you are able to join. Many thanks!
Creating Encouragement Cards at Hopewell Methodist
Join a group at Hopewell Methodist making encouragement cards to go with the meals that Chubby’s Project delivers. All supplies will be provided.
There will be a pizza party and celebration Vespers at 6pm at Calvary Baptist Church
Garden of Grace
Thank you so much to Anne & Bob Hayton, Liz Blankstein, Jennifer Stoveken, Lori Horton for all that you have done to nurture and maintain the raised bed crops in the Garden of Grace. We experienced another very good year of fresh produce grown and delivered to the Chubby’s Project. These vegetables were either incorporated into prepared meals or delivered “as-is" for families to enjoy as they wish.
Here's our 2023 season-end tally:
Sweet peas: 8 lbs
Swiss chard: 21.75 lbs
Cucumbers: 35.75 lbs
String Beans (purple): 3.5 lbs
This resulted in a total of about 69 lbs of fresh produce. This yield is less than last year; a couple of possible contributing factors might include:
· Nearby trees are thriving (a good thing!) but some areas of the garden appear to experience more shade.
· An extreme dry spell in the middle of the season might have impacted the cucumbers.
· Goldfinch loved the swiss chard and it was challenging to beat them to the perfect leaves.
· The string beans were unremarkable. Very pretty but not very tasty. We opted to not deliver them to Chubby's after the first large yield.
New Officers
Elders
Chelsea Hall
We've been attending Hopewell since Fall of 2021 when Andy was looking for possible internship placements. We have felt immensely loved and welcomed ever since. When I became an Elder back in Arizona several years ago it really allowed me to get to know the folks of my church on a much deeper level, and I am looking forward to becoming even more familiar with the life and work of Hopewell.
Favorite Bible verse: The entire chapter of Job 38, highlight reel includes 38:4-18.
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell me, if you have understanding.
5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know!
Or who stretched the line upon it?
6 On what were its bases sunk,
or who laid its cornerstone,
7 when the morning stars sang together
and all the sons of God shouted for joy?
8 “Or who shut in the sea with doors
when it burst out from the womb,
9 when I made clouds its garment
and thick darkness its swaddling band,
10 and prescribed limits for it
and set bars and doors,
11 and said, ‘Thus far shall you come, and no farther,
and here shall your proud waves be stayed’?
Pat Swartz
I came to HPC so my daughter, Lela, would be baptized, on Memorial Day weekend 1992. I’ve been a member for 32 years.
I don’t have a favorite Bible verse. I have different ones that come to me at different times. A recent verse is Nehemiah 8:10 “…The joy of the Lord is my strength. “ This life’s you up.
One from my Confirmation is Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” No matter what happens in life God is there with you.
The following two always spoke to me.
John 11:45 “Jesus wept”, the shortest verse in the Bible. It shows us he experienced and understood the same feelings as the people around Him. He identifies and empathizes with our hurt.
Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report, if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Who needs the multitude of, how to be happy books, when you have this verse. It says it all. Fill your mind with positive thoughts.
Deacons
Breeann Blumenthal
I have been a member at HPC for a year and a half! When I moved to Princeton in 2021, to finish my MDiv at Princeton Theological Seminary, I was looking for a church home. A few friends recommended HPC! After attending a few Sundays, I fell in love with the people, the community, and how focused HPC is on outreach. It is such a joy to be part of this congregation!
I am excited to serve as a deacon to continue getting to know the congregation and becoming more involved with the needs of our community.
My favorite Bible verse is 1 Samuel 16:7. “But the Lord said to Samuel, ‘Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the Lord does not see as mortals see; they look on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.’”
Anne Hayton
I've been a member of HPC since around 1995. Bob and I joined HPC after our first son John was born. We were married at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in 1989. I was raised within a Catholic family, Bob was raised within a Protestant family. I began attending services at HPC in the early 1990's and was really drawn by the strong sense of togetherness and caring among congregants that I hadn't experienced at other faith denominations. I was also drawn by the fresh (perhaps more expansive) look at scripture which rang truer to my sense of faith. I found the interpretation of scripture, through the sermons and activities at HPC, to be very inspiring and compassion-action oriented. We decided to join as a family in 1995, when we also prepared for John's Baptism. Our second son, Mark, was also Baptized here.
Joyce Homan encouraged me to join the Deacons many moons ago. For several "rounds", I had declined, feeling uncertain and ill-equipped. But Joyce is kindly persistent. I finally joined, over 7 years ago, and then served two terms in succession. From the get-go, I was continually inspired by each one of my deacon peers. I learned everyone brings their own unique gifts to the table. And sometimes you don't really know what that gift might be, until you're in a role that brings it out. Mostly, I loved how everyone works together in service. I was recently "off" Deacons for a bit, but I look forward to serving in this role again.
A favorite prayer of mine is the Prayer of St. Francis -- for me, it captures the essence of many of the parables in the New Testament.
Jimena Hijak
I came to Hopewell Presbyterian Church to use the kitchen to make empanadas three years ago. Because everyone is so friendly and makes you feel like family, I joined HPC in May of 2022.
I am excited to be a Deacon because they help people and it is my nature to always help others.
My favorite Bible verses are:
The Story of the Widow in Luke 7:11-17. “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’” Luke 7:13
The Story of Abraham in Genesis 22. “and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.” Genesis 22:18
The Last Supper in Matthew 26:17-30 where we learn how God feeds all of us and I enjoy feeding people.
Carlana Sargent
I have been a member for over 40 years, drawn in and kept here by the caring community in this church.
I am excited to serve in order to continue this spirit of caring, to be Christ’s hands and feet here in this time and place.
One of my favorite Bible verses is Christ saying in Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
Got a Green (or Purple) Thumb?
You're invited to help grow beautiful vegetables in HPC's Garden of Grace! This garden of 3 raised beds along Louellen Street was started 2 years ago under our former Engaging in Justice and Service Ministry.
The impetus for this garden was, and continues to be, providing fresh vegetables for the Chubby's Project, a local, nonprofit, community service organization lending a helping hand to those facing food insecurity and other concerns. The Sharing Garden at St. Michael's Preserve provides the bulk of vegetables needed by the Chubby's project, which is also supplemented by produce from several generous area farmers. However, the Garden of Grace is small but mighty! Last year, in addition to other vegetables, we provided over 80 lbs of cucumbers and 9 lbs of snap peas, the core source of these particular vegetables to the Chubby's project last year. Snap peas are once again in the ground and we're looking forward to this new growing season!
Please consider joining us in this fun and "fruitful" endeavor! No gardening experience necessary! We welcome individuals and families of all ages and abilities to help us plant seeds or seedlings, water the garden, and harvest the goods in the coming growing season. If interested in helping in some way, please sign-up here.
If you're not quite sure, but interested to learn more, contact Anne Hayton or the Church Office.
Creation Care Service Project
On Sunday, April 2nd, twenty people (including 4 children) came out to volunteer at the Sourland tree nursery. The day was a great success!
Letter from Sourland Conservancy
I want to thank you and your team again for all of the hard work performed on April 2nd at the tree nursery. It may seem like a simple nursery reorganization but it goes a long way for our effort at reforestation in the Sourland Region. It gives our staff more time to put toward planting and other projects and also increases our efficiency. The tree nursery is an essential part of our operations and it's upkeep as you saw, can be quite the chore.
I hope your group was able to enjoy the day and experience a little of the beauty that comes with working outdoors and meeting some of its more slithery locals. We will definitely have more work if you would like to join another event whether it be at the Farmstead or in the woods. The Hopewell Presbyterian Church is always welcome.
Thank you so much,
Robert Aluck
Stewardship Director
Sourland Conservancy
Creation Care Service Project
Our April Lunch and Learn series is focused on Creation Care and how we are called to be good stewards of God's creation, earth -- home and wondrous gift to all earth's inhabitants! Our first Creation Care activity/reflection will be an outside Service Project on April 2nd, Palm Sunday, in partnership with our friends at the Sourland Conservancy, a local organization aimed at protection, promotion, and preservation of the unique character of the Sourland Mountain region – a refuge of natural and cultural diversity in our region. Following Palm Sunday worship service, we'll travel to a beautiful piece of land on Hollow Road, Skillman, NJ (just 4 miles from here), managed by the Stoutsburg Sourland African American Museum (SSAAM) and the Sourland Conservancy. The Sourland region is experiencing a devastating loss of trees from invasive pests and disease. Our goal is to create a protective buffer of compostable cardboard and wood chips around the Sourland Conservancy's new tree nursery at that location. The tree nursery is a temporary staging area for native, healthy young trees -- to be planted elsewhere later this year to help restore our forests. Join us for as little or as much time as your schedule allows!
Here are the details:
Date: Sunday, April 2nd
Time: 12:00pm -2:30pm
Location: 183 Hollow Rd., Skillman NJ 08558
NOTE: We will have access to a building with a restroom and kitchen. Light refreshments will be provided.
We hope you can join us! To learn more and sign-up, please click here.
Questions? Please contact Anne Hayton. Thank-you!
HPC Deacons, a Ministry of Collaboration
Serving You, and Serving With You
For many years, one of the primary ministries of the HPC Deacons has been to support the church’s members and friends through a Member Care network. This thoughtfully arranged system pairs Deacons with individuals and families to provide an ongoing channel of care. They seek to: be a resource and point of contact; to stay in contact with everyone, as best they can; and to help meet special needs as they arise. Those needs often center around life transitions like births, changes of address or employment, illness, and death.
Supporting people with special needs, or in times of unexpected difficulty, is a multi-faceted ministry. Deacons are prepared to offer prayer and companionship as well as delivered meals, transportation, and coordinating other types of assistance. But they don’t do it alone!
A great blessing at HPC, and one for which the Deacons are deeply grateful, is the large corps of “helpers” in this ministry – all of you who regularly assist with Member Care tasks. Your hands and feet can make meals, visit the lonely or ill, send encouraging cards, make phone calls, welcome new community members, and walk alongside people going through tough times. You might be the person who’s in the best position to do these things, or you might just want to be part of a team that can make Jesus’ teaching a reality.
‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did it to me.’
from Matthew 25:31-40
If you have a need, you can reach out to your Member Care Deacons directly, and they will work with the pastor and others to offer help. If you don’t know who your Deacons are, please check with Lucy Semple in the church office, lducko@hopewellpres.org. Often, Lucy can also point you to specific connections or resources that might be useful.
If you’d like to help meet some of those needs, Kathie Sutton is the Deacon who coordinates meals and transportation.
Supporting Your Desire to Serve
On behalf of HPC, the Deacons also seek to support your own service and outreach efforts. That’s why they were able (and very pleased) to make a $500 donation to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation when Chloe Hogan had her head shaved last week as part of a fund-raiser at her school.
Cat Fulmer-Hogan, Chloe’s mom, explains,
“Chloe has been watching this initiative year after year at her elementary school under the leadership of her wonderful Principal at Bear Tavern Elementary, Chris Turnbull. She has wanted to participate, but was too afraid. She told me recently that all of the local actions she engaged in at my side…the marches, rallies, vigils, and forums made her feel brave enough to do this thing. This made her Mama cry.
Chloe lost both her Pop Pop and her Godfather to cancer. She doesn’t want any child to go through what they went through.
St. Baldrick’s, the largest charitable funder of pediatric grants, is pretty remarkable. Less than 4% of their budget goes towards administrative costs. As an individual who devotes a lot of time to the nonprofits I serve, I can assure you that this is remarkable.”
Pastor Melissa brought this outreach opportunity before the Deacons, who enthusiastically voted to support Chloe’s goal. To see her participant page, and consider adding a personal donation, please go to https://www.stbaldricks.org/participants/ChloeHogan – where Chloe herself says, “Kids with cancer need our support now more than ever. St. Baldrick’s is the largest non-government funder of childhood cancer research grants, and the pandemic has slashed donations, slowing down the progress to find cures. Cancer kills more of our kids than any other disease, and research can change that.”
The Board of Deacons has a budget fund to be used, at its discretion and in confidence when necessary, for various types of congregational care. Occasionally, that allows them to make donations that celebrate and support outreach efforts personally made by HPC members and friends. If you’d like to know more, please speak directly with Pastor Melissa or Deacon Moderator Laura Morreale.
“For it is in giving that we receive.”
from the Prayer of St. Francis
Rise Against Hunger Recap
10,000 Meals! Along with ingredients, so much love and hopefulness directed towards our far-away neighbors and shared among our nearby church family and friends. Many thanks to all who participated in some way, through either planning, pre-event preparations, workstation set-up, meal packaging, and break-down -- all of which made this event both fun and successful! Keep an eye out for news regarding the final destination of the Rise Against Hunger meals we packed on March 5th. Thank-you!
Session News and Actions February 2023
One of the joys of Session’s work is the way in which we begin each meeting by sharing things for which we are grateful in the life of the church, and we end it with gratitude for the way in which we feel our work has been blessed. These practices keep us focused on our common purpose and calling.
Two more baptisms are on the way: May 7th Luca Jose Sanchez, and May 29th Bodhi Miles Watkins.
Mission Trip this summer. This church has had a long history of undertaking intergenerational mission trips. This tradition is back! Session agreed to participate with Flemington Presbyterian Church in a mission trip to Mission to the Eastward in Maine between July 22nd and 29th. More details to follow.
A detailed update from the Sanctuary Taskforce indicated that although some costs had (unsurprisingly) increased, the work was progressing well. There has been a change to schedule which will be announced this coming Sunday. Session voted to approve an addition to the work scope: recarpeting the Welcome Center with the same carpet as is being used in the sanctuary. The existing carpet is showing its age after 10 years of intensive use, and Session feels that the addition is in keeping with the mission of the Sharipen bequest, and will provide impetus for improving the way the Welcome Center does its job.
Rise Against Hunger event Sunday March 5th: Session voted to provide $5750 to this event, allowing us to accommodate 50 volunteers and prepare over 10,000 meals.
The 2022 church Annual Statistical Report has been sent to Presbytery. Two takeaways: 1. We have 166 active members (a net increase of eight from 2021) and 86 friends. 2. Numbers in weekly worship remained virtually the same at an average of 80.
The Financial Stewardship Ministry has provided suggestions for addressing the continued shortfall between receipts from tithes and offerings and the expenditures for the day-to-day running of the church. This generated a productive discussion. Fundraiser events, focused on specific aspects of the church’s work, we felt to be a promising idea. Watch this space.
Session received with gratitude the final draft of the Hopewell Presbyterian Church Employee Handbook, prepared by the Personnel Committee. This comprehensive 70-plus page document is an essential tool for our church as we change and grow. Many thanks to those who have worked so hard and diligently on this major task.
We received reports from both Creative Connections Play School and Hearts & Hammers.
Staffing: Session is in the midst of a discussion about a salaried position focusing on Children and Family Ministry and will be seeking input from the congregation on the why, how and if of this.
Gratefully,
Ian Burrow
Clerk of Session
Annual Youth LBI Retreat
All youth are invited to join us for our annual youth retreat to Long Beach Island. We will leave from Hopewell Presbyterian Church (Louellen side) on Friday, March 17 at 4:30pm and will return to Hopewell Pres on Sunday, March 19 by 12:00pm. This retreat will take place at a large beach house and will include time to connect, to play, to laugh, to rest, and to have robust conversations around the support our youth need in their lives as they navigate climate change, mental health crises, and so much more. We won't solve all the world's problems, but maybe start with some good ideas of how to navigate all of this in our local Hopewell community. This retreat will be led and chaperoned by Deborah Jodrey, our HYC intern, Lauren Ghighi, and our faithful volunteer, Mary Kyner. Please use this link to to sign up. Sign ups and paperwork must be in by March 12. Don't hesitate to reach out with any questions or concerns.
Mission Trip with Flemington Presbyterian
Flemington Presbyterian Church (FPC) has an ongoing partnership with Mission at the Eastward (MATE), a building projects nonprofit in Maine, and has sent volunteers for mission trips there in the past. FPC will be hosting another trip this summer and has invited HPC to come along. This trip is open to all adults and youth, rising 9th graders and up. If a middle schooler would like to join, a parent or guardian would need to accompany them on the trip. The trip will be July 22 to 29, 2023. There will be a series of fundraisers between now and then, coordinated by FPC that we are also invited to participate in. The trip costs $75 for adult participants, $150 for college students, and $250 for youth. The fundraisers aim to bring these costs down. We are very excited to also share that representatives from FPC will be joining us for worship this Sunday, 3/12, to share a little more about the trip, and will stay after to answer any questions. HPC is so excited to get back into an annual tradition of participating in a summer mission trip!