Announcements
Stained Glass Window & Stewarship Update
Submitted by Scott Megaffin
A two-part message and update of Stewardship and the impact gifts can have on Hopewell Presbyterian Church.
As many know HPC was the recipient of a very generous gift from Eunice and Alex Sharipen. The love that Eunice and Alex held for our church was fractionally reflected in their gift, but perhaps even more so in their desire to provide an enduring impact on the Hopewell Community.
The main sanctuary window is just one example of how their financial gift is being utilized to support the mission of HPC. As the accompanying pictures illustrate; age, weather and insects had an effect on the window. The timing of God’s grace and the gift from Eunice and Alex has provided HPC the opportunity to work with Epiphany Studios to restore the window and bring back the brilliance it represents to the HPC Sanctuary.
The Epiphany team of window restorers removed the original window, transported it to Maryland to their shop and fully resorted both the lead structures that hold the stained glass, but also the lead and framing which comprise the window itself.
This is a meticulous process of first tracing the window, matching the glass colors and then reapplying the lead so that the glass is securely fitted. They have also removed the wood frame and are currently reconstructing the framing with construction grade mahogany. Epiphany is also matching the trim work so that it is exactly like the original design. They ordered custom wood carving tools and have cut and crafted each piece of the new trim to the same design as before.
The window is targeted for re-installation before Thanksgiving of this year.
Wise people have said that our goal as followers of Christ is NOT to know every detail of the future. Instead, OUR GOAL is to hold the hand of the One who does; and NEVER, EVER let go!
On Sunday, Melissa preached from First Kings, the story of Solomon. He lived a life wholly for God and a life tragically fragmented by divided love.
As the son of David, Solomon understood that his love of the Lord, if to prosper must find application in the ways in which he led his people. So he undertook the building the Temple in a way so that it would secure their prosperity in God’s kingdom. As Solomon pursued the Lord in his statecraft, he found successes without precedent. He was a very prolific and successful king.
As I shared on Sunday morning, Jennifer and I discussed my message. She encouraged me to “keep it short and simple” - - to which I replied, “what do you recommend?”
She said, “God loves a cheerful giver” – which was obviously sage advice.
“The Solomon Principle” is described as one of “Joy and Productivity”, interpreted as being cheerful. Solomon could have chosen anything he wanted – courage, strength, even more money, or fame, in his relationship with Good.
Solomon chose to request an understanding heart.
Similar to Solomon, we need not know every detail of the future, yet through giving of our time, talent and treasure; while listening, learning and growing our UNDERSTANDING HEARTS.
We can, together, here at HPC – support the ministries of the present and the future.
Give generously. Give freely. As we grow in Love for Him.
In doing so, we are provided the opportunity to reach up and take hold of the HAND of the One that knows the future.
Hopewell Youth Collective Update
The Hopewell Youth Collective has been hard at work building a float for the Chubby’s Project as one of the many floats that will be featured at D&R Greenway Land Trust’s Halloween event, The Masquerade Parade! If you are a youth and are interested in helping, we need help finishing the float on October 30th from 1:00-5:00 PM. On the day of the event, we need help setting up, (hu)manning the float from 12:00-5:00 PM, and clean up afterwards. Please reach out to Deborah Jodrey at dgjodrey94@gmail.com if you are interested in helping out!
Anyone in the community is invited to sign up to attend the event and support the youth in the community, The Chubby’s Project, and D&R Greenway Land Trust! Check out their website to sign up to attend.
Thanksgiving Lunch with Chubby’s Project
Linda, Dick, George, Barbara, and Cathe at the 2019 Thanksgiving Lunch hosted with Family Promise at HPC.
Partnering with the Chubby’s Project, Hopewell Presbyterian Church will be hosting those in our community who are looking for a community with whom to celebrate Thanksgiving. The idea for this event was inspired by the life and ministry of Dick Scheetz who with Linda led HPC in hosting guests from Family Promise for Thanksgiving Lunch. In celebration of Dick’s life we will continue to host this lunch.
This year the guests of honor will be those served by the Chubby’s Project. The Chubby’s Project is a hyperlocal program dedicated to food justice and building connections within the Hopewell community. Folks from the wider community and church will also be invited to attend, to contribute a side or dessert to share, and/or to cook a turkey to share. Turkeys have graciously been provided through the Chubby’s Project by the Elks.
When: Nov. 25 (Thanksgiving Day) 2:00-5:00pm with hors d’oeuvres at 2pm and dinner at 3:00
Where: HPC Fellowship Hall (80 W. Broad Street)
Who: Anyone looking for a community with whom to share Thanksgiving!
To sign up to join and/or to contribute a side, dessert, or your turkey cooking skills, click below. If you are contributing but are not planning to attend write in your RSVP “Turkey ONLY” or “Dessert ONLY” or “Side ONLY.” If you would like to help set up on Wednesday afternoon at 2pm contact Sandy Ogg or the Church Office. The Chubby’s Project will be providing to-go containers so that left overs may be sent to the homes of the many people supported through the project. Those who sign up will also help put those together!
By signing up you affirm that you feel physically safe meeting for dinner indoors, in-person, in a mask optional setting, with what we can only presume would be mostly vaccinated people.
Sunday of Service - Rise Against Hunger - Sunday, 11/7/2021
This year for Sunday for Service, The Hopewell Council of Churches is planning an event called Rise Against Hunger. It will be held at Hopewell Elementary on Sunday, November 7th, at 9:30 AM. Participants need to sign up online. Click here.
You do not need to donate any money, but if you feel called to offset the cost to the Council of Churches, you may make a donation when you sign up.
Rise Against Hunger is an organization that seeks to feed hungry people around the world and their ultimate goal is to end Global Hunger. The Philadelphia branch of RAH is coming to Hopewell to organize us into meal packing teams. There will be a job for everyone in the school cafeteria. Parking will be easy, right in the lot behind the school. The cafeteria is right on the ground level. Please lend a hand on Sunday November 7th.
There will be a worship service in the evening, held at HPC at 7pm. You may attend in person wearing a mask, or on zoom from the comforts of your home.
T.A.S.K. Update
If you are interested in volunteering to do dining room prep work and meal service at TASK (Trenton Area Soup Kitchen), we have a small group going on the following dates:
Tuesday, November 2
Tuesday, November 16
Friday, December 3
Per TASK, volunteers must be at least 16 years old and able to work on their feet for 3 1/2 hours. All volunteers must show proof of COVID vaccination upon entering TASK.
If you are available (9:30 - 1:00) on any of these dates, you can sign up directly on the TASK website. Use the Volunteer Tab and then click on Sign Up to Serve Meals. Scroll to the Calendar. Select the date and fill in the information requested. There is a limit of six volunteers per day. If you would like to car pool, we will be meeting at the church at 8:45 on those dates.
While we want to offer the opportunity to serve in fellowship with other church members, you are of course welcome to sign up for any day that works for you personally.
Please reach out to Joanne Tonkin if you have any questions via email joannemdtonkin@gmail.com or phone (908)-334-8324.
New in the Library - October 2021
Thanks to donations, our church library continues to grow. Among the new titles you will find some of the books recently used in group studies – Inspired and Searching for Sunday by Rachel Held Evans, If These Stones Could Talk by Elaine Buck and Beverly Mills, and Jesus For Farmers and Fishers by Gary Paul Nabhan. Over 40 other books were added from the libraries of members and “finds” at the rummage sale.
Whether you are looking for deeper understanding of a Bible passage, poems and writings to enhance your devotional time, guidance for raising your children, Christian fiction, or an inspirational biography, you will find it in the Church Library on the second floor of the education wing. Books are arranged alphabetically in categories such as “Individual Christian Living”, “Bible Reference”, or “Healing”. There is a card catalog to assist you. A special section of children’s books is located on the second floor landing of the education wing. Stop by with your child between Sunday School and church!
To sign out a book, write your name and the date on the card in the back of the book, and place the card in the file box on top of the card catalog. If you would like help finding a particular book, or have donations or suggestions for new books, please contact Carlana Sargent.
Jesus for Farmers & Fishers Book Study
Join the Hopewell Council of Churches for a six-week book study on Gary Paul Nabhan's new book, "Jesus for Farmers & Fishers," to learn about food justice as we dive into Jesus' parables through an agricultural lens. We will meet at Chubby's on Mondays at 7PM, Oct 11 - Nov 22. Sign up here.
Hopewell Youth Collective Update
Greetings friends,
Throughout the summer I have had the opportunity to meet with many of the youth connected to the Hopewell Community and hear about what problems they see in the community and passions they have in their own lives. In these conversations I was also able to share with them some of the hopes and dreams for this Collective including the focus on it being a youth-led, youth organized platform for development, community engagement, mutual support, and spiritual growth. In sum, our hope for the Hopewell Youth Collective is that it will be a space that is safe for the youth in this community to serve, lead, and build relationships with one another. These conversations and relationships led to the identification of a few topics the youth in this community care about: racial justice, environmental justice, economic equality, and mental health. On September 14th, we had our first Hopewell Youth Collective interest meeting where any interested youth and their friends were invited to eat ice cream, begin to develop relationships with one another, ask questions, and share their ideas around these four topics and share additional topics they care about including the LGBTQ community. 14 youth came to this initial meeting held at Aunt Chubby’s where a majority shared an interest in serving in the inaugural HYC Youth Leadership Team. We laughed, met new friends, and shared excitement for next steps. These next steps will include a leadership specific meeting in order to have a designated leadership team for this year, a newsletter and a fall service project. Our next meeting will be next Tuesday at 7:30pm on October 5th to specifically discuss our fall service project. If you or a youth you know would be interested in jumping on board this exciting new opportunity in Hopewell, please don’t hesitate to reach out or join for our next meeting!
Peace,
Deborah Jodrey
Director of the Hopewell Youth Collective
Hopewell Youth Collective Leadership Meeting
Join us at Aunt Chubby’s on September 28 at 7:30pm!
Join us at Aunt Chubby’s!
September 28, 7:30 pm
Volunteer at TASK
HPC would like to resume dining room prep work and meal service at TASK. If you are interested and available on Friday, September 24th from 9:30 AM -1:00 PM or would like more information, please contact Joanne Tonkin by email (joannemdtonkin@gmail.com) or phone / text (908-334-8324) by Tuesday, September 21st. Only six volunteers total are allowed per day. All volunteers must show proof of COVID vaccination.
Summer Session Updates
Session met in June, took a break in July, and resumed regular meetings again in August. As always, there has been much to discuss and much to decide. Here is a short summary of what Session has been up to:
Finalized the new Ministry and Mission Structure for the church. Much of the hard work on this was done by the ministries themselves and by our extraordinarily dedicated staff. Click here to learn more about this new structure and click here for a closer look at our new Generosity Ministry.
Approved the installation of a new expanded fence at the Manse. This is now in place.
Continued to review and monitor the church health and safety policies for worship and use of our buildings. This has included approving protocols for resuming in-person choir rehearsals, establishing masking policies for the Rummage Sale, and endorsing revised protocols for our Boy Scout Troop.
Accepted two dedicated gifts, each of $10,000. One will help provide special needs/benevolence support and the other is from Hillsborough Presbyterian Church and is for the work of the Hopewell Youth Collective.
Appointed Katie Rosensen as Children's Ministry Lead, which is a temporary role to help launch our Godly Play program and Sunday Morning Wisdom & Wonder for kids.
Adjusted Lucy Ducko’s terms of employment to make more money available for her retirement plan.
Authorized a donation of $3500 to our supported mission Friends for Health in Haiti, who are dealing with the aftermath of the severe earthquake and tropical storm there.
Heard an update from Michael Mills of the Sanctuary Task Force on the developing proposals to improve our worship space.
Session is also prayerfully seeking ways in which we can build trust with each other and the community, and how we can be a more invitational church.
Your Serving Elders are:
Bonnie Altieri (2024), Liz Blankstein (2022), Becky Ludeke (2024), Doug McCleery (2023), Barbara Pauley (2023), Molly Peterson (2023), Doug Robbins (2022), Sandy Sherrard (2024), Pat Swartz (2022).
Moderator: Pastor Melissa Martin
Clerk of Session: Ian Burrow
Ian Burrow
Clerk of Session
Generosity Committee
As we continue our mission to love like Jesus, the Generosity Ministry is a newly formed committee that has been charged by the Session to provide guidance in dispensing HPC funds to support our relationship with God as well as each other and the community. These relationships will be strengthened by focusing on being an “invitational” church.
The task of this committee is two fold:
Recommendations will be made to the Session by this committee regarding the dispensing of the 11% tithe from the church income.
It will also make recommendations regarding the distribution of monies from the Endowment Fund which was formed by the generous Sharipen gift.
Those serving on this committee are:
Pat Swartz (Session Rep)
Dick Scheetz (Deacon Rep)
Jamie Sapoch (Sharipen Task Force Rep)
Bev Mills
Joe Bevis
Ruth Mortensen
This is such a wonderful time in the life of our church to show are love to those in need with the generous financial resources we have been given. Sure to come up in our meetings over the course of the next months are our many mission partners. Organizations like: Friends for Health in Haiti, who needs help to provide health services, as countries such as Haiti are struggling having recently experienced an earthquake followed by a tropical storm. Citizens here in our own country depend upon others to provide food, clothing and shelter in times of disaster. The Presbyterian Disaster Relief Fund lends a helping hand and needs assistance to do so. Many women suffer domestic violence and abuse and survive only because of organizations such as Womanspace. Those who suffer with mental illness are supported by the National Alliance on Mental Health.
There is so much help HPC can provide. We can put our mission to love like Jesus into action. This is truly an amazing moment in the life of our church!
Ruth Mortensen
Generosity Committee
Youth: Tubing on the Delaware
The youth are going tubing!
Save the date! We’re going tubing August 22 after worship.
Hopewell Council of Churches VBS at Home: Compassion Camp
What’s Compassion Camp?
“Compassion Camp” is taking the place of this year’s traditional in-person “Vacation Bible School” by the Hopewell Council of Churches. Compassion Camp is an at-home/virtual camp designed to help us follow God and figure out what it means to have compassion for others, ourselves, and the world—even and especially in the midst of a pandemic as well as the racial and political tension in our country and world.
What does at-home/virtual camp actually entail?
While at-home/virtual learning is new to us too, the Hopewell Council of Churches is providing each family that signs up with two components:
Daily email: July 19-23 you will receive videos, PDFs of coloring sheets, and and example pictures of activities in your email inbox.
At-home-packet: For those who would like a binder with instructions and supply, we will deliver or mail a packet to you. (It will also include a few extra goodies!)
Both of these will contain…
Daily Story: Each day of will center around a story from the Bible. These stories will be told by the pastors of Hopewell. While there will be a video, sometimes it’s good to act stories out. The daily story printout will include ways you can embody the story at home. These stories include: “The Prodigal Son,” the story of Ruth & Naomi, & Jesus healing the man who was paralyzed.
Daily Song Video:
Mr. Charlie will teach a song on each day of the week. You will get a video of each song in your email every morning. There is also sheet music available for those who want to learn the music as a family.
Compassion in Action Activities:
Compassion in Action actives help us think creatively about sharing compassion. These simple, small, tangible acts help us express God’s deep compassion for each other, ourselves, and the world. These activities include: making a centerpiece for your family table, sending mail to people who need love, and planting “seeds of change.”
Create & Play Activities:
Each day features a few craft opportunities, games, and coloring pages. These are designed to help us practice our compassion skills and have fun. Examples include, a “Feelings Matching Game,” daily prayer coloring sheets, instructions for a “kindness hug” made out of paper and string to send to someone who needs a reminder of God’s love.
Movement Activity
The daily email will include a video from Miss Barb who will take us through movement practices to help us connect our wiggly bodies, busy minds, and spirits to God. She will show us how to focus our breathing alongside some basic yoga poses to embody the themes of Compassion Camp.
Who is invited to join? While this camp is geared toward both preschool-aged children and K-5th graders, it is extremely flexible, adaptable, and fun for the entire family—maybe older siblings or even the “young-at-heart.” (All you need is a willing heart and a “family guide” who can read and navigate email.)
Open to all — not just the Hopewell Community!
Summer Book Study with Student Pastor Ryan
You are invited to join us for a Summer Book Study. We will read and discuss “INSPIRED: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again” by Rachel Held Evans.
This Hybrid Zoom/In-person Book Group will meet on Tuesdays from 4-5 PM, starting July 20. If you are interested in this group, please contact the church office.
If you need help obtaining a copy of this book, don’t hesitate to reach out to the church office.
Restructuring Ministries
“Striving to be a well of hope in Hopewell, Hopewell Presbyterian’s mission is to love like Jesus, building up our relationships with God, each other, and the community.”
In the last year, not only has Session led the congregation in considering the mission God has called us to, but Session has been thinking carefully about “how” we go about achieving that mission. Part of that is determining a “focus” action for each program year (the 2021-22 focus is coming soon!) and part of that is analyzing the ways our church is set up to help us achieve the mission.
As Session did this analysis we also took into account some feedback received from our ministries. Feedback like…
‘Training new leaders and transitioning leadership with ministry committees can be difficult.’
‘Sometimes we leave ministry work feeling burnt out.’
‘We aren’t always sure what’s going on; communication could be better.’
On top of that, in this last year we have learned that there are a few areas where we want to dedicate more focus. These include:
Stewardship
Investment
Congregational/Community/Pastoral Care
Justice & Service
To respond to the feedback we received and to provide for the areas listed above, Session worked with Pastor Melissa to make two changes: 1) to provide resources for ministries to help them plan and communicate; 2) to change the ministries and their responsibilities to cover all the responsibilities listed above. The following is a “quick sheet” listing each of the ministries, their responsibilities, and a contact person (click the image for a downloadable PDF). For a summary of major changes, see below.
Changes include:
Splitting “Finances” from “Facilities,” making Financial Stewardship and Buildings & Grounds.
Putting Finance with Investments and Stewardship to make Financial Stewardship. Going forward this will be a ministry of people called by Session to serve 3 year terms.
Creating Generosity to oversee (1) mission giving and (2) dispersement of income from the investment made as a result of the Sharipen Bequest. Going forward this will be a ministry of people called by Session to serve 3 year terms.
Supporting the Deacons as they lead us in congregational and individual community care through more 1-on-1 care (much like Stephen Ministers) and through Benevolence/Special Needs Financial Support, etc.
Continuing the work of “Engaging in Justice & Service” as Justice & Service, to communicate and provide opportunities to share the love of God with our community.
As we move to this structure, everyone is encouraged to prayerfully consider if God is calling them to serve on one of the programming ministries. As we make these changes for the 2021-22 program year, the church leadership looks forward to your support in giving this new thing a try and your feedback.
Contribute a Book to the CCPS Library
Creative Connections Play School is hoping that the congregation would enjoy helping to build their library. They have some favorite authors and have compiled a list of titles by these authors that they do not yet own. See below for a complete list. To donate a book, contact Director, Liz Blankstein.
Harold's Treasure Hunt by Crockett Johnson
Will Spring Be Early or Will Spring Be Late by Crockett Johnson
Time For Spring by Crockett Johnson
A Picture For Harold's Room by Crockett Johnson
Scaredy Squirrel by Melanie Watt
Scaredy Squirrel at Night by Melanie Watt
Scaredy Squirrel Has a Birthday Party by Melanie Watt
Scaredy Squirrel Goes Camping by Melanie Watt
Bear Says Thanks by Karma Wilson
Bear's Loose Tooth by Karma Wilson
Bear's New Friend by Karma Wilson
Bear Sees Colors by Karma Wilson
A Big Guy Took My Ball by Mo Willems
Let's Go For a Drive by Mo Williams
Waiting Is Not Easy by Mo Willems
This tree will be in the HPC office. When you choose your book, take your leaf so that you don’t forget your title!
2020-2021 Annual Report
Take a few moments and read our Annual Report and Financial Appendix.
Welcome Ryan MacLean!
My name is Ryan MacLean and I am originally from Sacramento, California but moved to New Jersey last August with my wife Abigail to attend Princeton Theological Seminary. I have grown up in the PCUSA but have been blessed to spend significant time with friends from other Christian traditions. I have been involved in various ministries for most of my life, doing everything from leading white water river rafting trips at summer camp to working with low-income communities in a Christian community center, as well as traditional church ministry. I love the outdoors, bread baking, craft coffee, and Old Testament studies, so please feel free to ask me about any of those things or anything else that may come to mind. I am excited to get to know and be a part of the community of Hopewell Presbyterian Church and look forward to meeting you (virtually or in-person) soon!