JULY 2018 www.cscfamily.org Phone: (610) 584-4480 Dear Church Family, This will be the final update from the Catalyst Team, as we prepare to enter into the next phase of our church revitalization plan. As we follow the recommendations of our consultants, this work moving forward will be led by an “Implementation Team”. The Implementation Team (IT)will operate as a sub-committee of Church Council, and will have the following primary objectives: 1) Develop the detailed 3-year Revitalization Plan. This team will identify the steps and actions to best achieve the Vision presented by the Catalyst Team at our Congregational Meeting in February. The goal is to have our draft Revitalization Plan & Timeline compiled and ready to share this fall. Of course, this initial plan may be changed as we learn and grow as a church through this process. 2) Recruit and direct “Task Teams” over the life of the 3-year Revitalization Plan. The Task Teams are at the heart of how change and revitalization will occur. The Implementation Team will recruit Task Teams from our congregation based on your gifts, skills, interests, passions, and availability. For example, a Task Team may be formed to plan and run a “community connection” event. Another Task Team may organize a parenting seminar to support our young families. You can be sure that more information about opportunities to participate and serve will follow once the detailed Revitalization Plan has been prepared. The members and leaders of the Implementation Team have been approved by Church Council. We are hopeful to fill the remaining slots in the very near future. Individuals were selected to represent the diversity in our congregation, and who are excited to bring fresh ideas for how we can reach our community, grow disciples, and build the Kingdom. Please pray for them and the work of this team. We acknowledge our complete dependence on God to guide these plans in their concept and in execution. Implementation Team: Co-Leads: Peter Colvin & Carl Sensenig Members: Dr. David McKinley, Sue McGinnis (Trustees liaison), communications lead (TBD) Priority #1: One Church, One Family Co-Leads: (TBD) & Dr. Drake Williams Members: Gary & Ruth Baltozer, Steve & Sandy Desirey, Diane Elshimy, Mark & Jane Krupp, Jen Mahoney, Beth Anne Mininger, Nancy Simon Priority #2: Community Connection Co-Leads: Todd Colombo & Julian Scavetti Members: Gene Cestrone, James & Amie Kipp, Ron & Julie Martiello, Brandon Martin, Tumi Ojutalayo, Will Singer Priority #3: Reach & Retain the Next Generation Co-Leads: Bruce & Linda Rothenberger Members: John & Brittany Bickel, Angela Colvin, Greta Henery, Mike & Robin Neff, Andy & Amy Ramsey, Bryce & Brianna Simon, Wayne & April Wurtz We have just (mid-June) finalized membership of the Implementation Team, with the intent to kick-off the work in the next few weeks. The team members are still familiarizing themselves with their role and expectations, so please be patient during this transition process. Any immediate questions, concerns, feedback, and especially your ideas for church revitalization can be directed to Peter Colvin and Carl Sensenig, and we will be happy to chat with you. We look forward to seeing where God will lead and provide on this next step of our revitalization journey! In Christ, Peter Colvin, Carl Sensenig, Vern Seipt, Rev. Dr. David McKinley #123: Schwenkfelder Ministers, Part 1 Schwenkfeldianna, volume 1, number 2, goes into detail about 5 early Schwenkfelder Ministers: George Weiss, Balthasar Hoffman, Christopher Kriebel, Christopher Schultz and Christopher Hoffman. The first Schwenkfeldianna, volume 1, number 1, was dedicated to Christopher Schultz. This Caspar’s Corner begins an occasional series about other Schwenkfelder Pastors, some with much we know about them, some with very little information we know, at this time. Some of the information we know is from the 1923 Genealogical Record of the Schwenkfelder Families (GR), some from the 1879 Genealogical Record (1879), some from the minutes of General Conference meetings, some from Schwenkfeldian, some from other sources of information. This series will look at the Schwenkfelder Pastors chronologically and will not include those covered extensively elsewhere. Most of the Pastors to be presented were pastors of Schwenkfelder churches, a few served other churches in other denominations. ----------------------------------- George Kriebel, born November 3, 1732; died December 1, 1805; son of Caspar and Susanna (Wiegner) Kriebel; married by Rev. Balthasar Hoffman October 11, (or possibly April 4), 1758, to Anna Anders, born April 8, 1736, died June 4, 1822; daughter of Balthasar and Anna (Hoffrichter) Anders. George Kriebel came to Pa. in 1734 with his parents. He bought land in Lower Milford Twp., in 1765. He was naturalized April 10, 1755, and is buried in Kraussdale Schwenkfelder Cemetery. George Kriebel was well educated and was chosen to serve the Schwenkfelders as a spiritual leader, or what we could call a Minister today. We do not have record of the year he was elected as Minister, but we do know he was well respected and filled the position very acceptably. He served as a trustee of the Schwenkfelder parochial schools for a number of years and subscribed $30 to the agreement to support the schools when first established in 1763. When some of the teachers in these schools began to teach doctrines contrary to the Schwenkfelder tenets, Rev. Kriebel was selected to act as teacher, in which capacity he served from 1781 to 1789. He was imprisoned for a time in the Easton Jail for not complying with the Test Act (see Caspar’s Corner #71 for more information). He was frequently engaged as a conveyancer and in settling differences in his community. After retiring from the school room as a teacher, he continued his interest in education by visiting the schools from time to time to give words of encouragement and advice, sometimes delivering sermons to the pupils, copies of which are still in existence, and also writing letters to the pupils commending them for their industry and scholarship. That Rev. Kriebel was a man of great influence in the affairs of the Schwenkfelders, especially after the death of Rev. Christopher Schultz, Sr., is shown by the many papers and letters written by him that are still preserved. He participated in nearly every Gedächtnistag celebration from 1788 through 1803. His years of service as pastor of the Upper District are listed in different places beginning as early as 1787 and ending as late as 1805. In the General Conference minutes of October 26, 1798, George Kriebel mentions that he is the only Pastor in the Upper District, but not enough persons from the Upper District are in attendance at the conference that day to have an election for an additional person to help him, so no action was taken at that time. John Schultz was eventually elected in 1804 or possibly as early as 1802, as a pastor of the Upper District. In the Schwenkfeldian, 1934, supplement to 1931 volume, pg. 25, in the article “Unveiling of Ministers Tablet at Palm Church”, Rev. Dr. Elmer E.S. Johnson was quoted as saying, “George Kriebel, a scholar, set apart as trustee and later, too, a teacher in the Schwenkfelder parochial schools, possessed of lands and wealth nevertheless of an humble and contrite spirit, beloved and honored by his fellowmen, a Christian statesman and gentleman of pronounced conviction and fortitude, a recognized pacificator at home and farther afield, a preacher acceptable to young and old, in school and church, he faithfully served as minister in the congregation 1787-1822.” [This ending date of service is an obvious error as he died in 1805.] Caspar’s Corner is provided monthly to The Schwenkfelder Church by the Schwenkfelder Library & Heritage Center Greetings from the Netherlands! Dear Family and Friends in Christ, Greetings from the Netherlands for the last time. We hope that this finds you well and enjoying your summer. We just had graduation at Tyndale. Eleven graduated this year. Graduates were from the following countries: the Netherlands, Spain, Ghana, Nigeria, Myanmar, and Pakistan. At the ceremony, the school honored our 13 years of service here. While there is some sadness in leaving, it is time to move on as I shared with you in our previous letter to the congregation. As I write, we are in the midst of moving. There will be stories to tell beyond what I am writing now. However, some of the more interesting things about this move are the following: Abby is finishing her International Baccalaureate (high school) in the middle of our move. This involves a week of 4 hour long exams. Then, she finishes with 3 oral exams from outside examiners in the beginning of July. Her graduation is two days before the movers come. Sam is taking his exams in the middle of June. He will then be doing a two week work experience as he finishes his school year. We are trying to sell a car and a house within 4 weeks. The market is good, but still. We are making arrangements for Skittles our dog to fly with us. “Doggie valium” has been purchased. I am preaching two farewell messages at the churches which we served while here. Several farewell events are planned. Besides moving, we must de-register at the Community Hall (Gemeente). If you would keep these matters in your prayers especially in the beginning of July, we would greatly appreciate it. We look forward to being with you soon. You will likely see us all in church on July 15. With Christian Greetings, Drake, Andrea, Abby, and Sam Williams Mission agency address: European Christian Mission. P. O. Box 1006. Point Roberts, WA 98281 Praise and Worship at Fischer's Park st Sunday, July 1 , 10:35 a.m.