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Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church Over 170 Years of Christian Witness

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Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church Over 170 Years of Christian Witness March 2016 The Communicator Chestnut Grove Presbyterian Church Over 170 years of Christian Witness ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING Childcare As part of a continuing Chestnut Grove tradition for the Lenten season, during the month of March, we will be participating in the “One Great Hour Mar. 6: Gilbert of Sharing” sponsored by our denomination. OGHS began over 60 years ago during World War II and immediately following, when Protestant Mar. 13: Znamirowski churches made appeals for relief and reconstruction. At the prompting of newly-elected Presiding Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill of the Episcopal Mar.20: Bowen Church in 1946, a goal of one million dollars per year was set for World Relief. On nationwide radio, he challenged members to raise “one million Mar. 27: TBD dollars in one hour” to help people and communities in need. During the first three years, Episcopalians raised $3.8 million. Bishop Henry Knox Sherrill In 1949, church leaders from several denominations formed an ad hoc committee to organize an appeal aimed at supporting the separate cam- paigns of American churches. Their joint statement in support of this effort, in essence, con- veyed the importance of strengthening the vitally important relief and rehabilitation work of the churches overseas. Pulling together, they could prove to the world the great power generated when Christians united in a common cause. In 1950, the title “One Great Hour of Sharing” was used for the first time. Its goal was to make !IMPORTANT the love of Christ real for individuals and communities around the world who suffered the effects of disaster, conflict, or severe economic hardship, and for those who serve them through gifts of CHANGES IN money and time. NEWSLETTER DELIVERY! Over the years the program has expanded and is now present in more than 100 countries. Today, it includes not only disaster relief programs but also hunger programs and self- This issue of The Commu- development of people programs. The Disaster Assistance Program works with communities nicator will be the last after natural and human-caused disasters to provide reconstruction (Superstorm Sandy, Ebola issue that will be printed crisis in Africa, and earthquakes in Nepal). The Hunger Program focuses not only on alleviating and mailed for wide hunger but also on its systemic causes (supporting Fair Trade products and developing alterna- distribution. tive food systems in rural and urban settings). The Self-development of People Program partners The newsletter is availa- with communities with tools for development and education to alleviate poverty, oppression, ble for viewing and down- and injustice (supporting community co-ops and skill development projects). We are invited to load on our website. An pray for the needs of our neighbors and support the church’s programs that sow seeds of hope, email notice will be sent community, and caring. Look for the blue envelope in the church pews to make your donations to you each month when and give generously and prayerfully. the issue is ready and posted on the website. And for the kids, the children will receive a Fish Bank—Gracie—in Sunday This change is being done School on Feb. 28 to collect donations which should be returned on March to save the church funds 20, for our Palm Sunday celebration. Fish Banks are a fun way for chil- for paper and toner sup- dren, youth, and families to live out their faith during Lent as they partici- ply as well as the 49ȼ pate in our offering. It’s wonderful to know that our coins and dollars will postage, roughly about bring relief to people when they are experiencing a crisis. We can be like $1,000 overall annually. the boy who gave his loaves and fish (John 6:9-13). God will multiply our We recognize that not all gifts! of you are computer savvy or even have access to a computer. So, if you still What’s up inside: want/need to get your The Pastor’s Corner……...……….……… page 2 First Friday.…….. …….. ..………...……page 7 Communicator by mail, Children’s Ministry………….……………….page 3 Calendar…………………………...….......page 8 please let Gayle know by calling the office at 410- Contemporary Theologians……….….....page 4 592-9121. CDC News, Chestnuts and more……...page 5 The Cave and more………………………....page 6 NOTES FROM THE PASTOR VISITATION & OUTREACH Pastor Gathman is available for In many ways, this has been a difficult time for the Chestnut Grove family. In January, we lost Joyce home, hospital and extended care deKozlowski, a beloved member who left a lasting visitation. In addition, home com- legacy on our Children’s Ministry. In early February, munion is available for those who we lost Perry Carroll, a pillar of the Jacksonville com- desire or are in need. If you need munity and longstanding member of Chestnut Grove. to get in touch with Pastor Andy, And in the last few weeks we unexpectedly and tragi- you may reach him at his church cally lost Jeff Snodgrass, who was an elder, teacher, email address at: andygath- and future Presbyterian minister. [email protected]. To reach Andy by phone, call the church office I know that many in our congregation are deeply during his office hours Tuesday— saddened by the passing of these dear friends. While Friday, 8:30 am-4:30 pm. we all carry some grief over these events, in some cases, the sense of loss has become even more acute because of our relationship to the one who died or the nature of their passing. We may find ourselves struggling to regain a sense of normalcy, even as others around us seem to have moved on. What’s more, those who have helped provide compassionate care for these families in their time of need no doubt are feeling weary—both from the practical work and the emotional burdens they’ve taken upon them- selves. Prayers for the Aging and Infirm: Barbara Powell; Doris Eiring, Don It is times like these that we are forced to come face to face with our mortal- Smyth; Betty Craig, Dick Hirsch and ity and our frailty. Much as we would like to hold the forces of illness and Elaine Gerlach. death at bay, we are powerless in the end to do much about it. Just drawing near to those who grieve challenges our emotional and spiritual capacities, Prayers for those in difficult times: such that we are left wondering how those closest to the loss can carry on at prayers for Cecil Baker’s son, Rus- all. sell, who is has Stage 4 cancer; for I’m reminded of the passage in John 11 when Jesus learns of the death of Ashley King’s cousin, Brittany, his friend Lazarus. As Jesus enters the village, he is met by Lazarus’ sister whose cancer has returned with Martha, who asks him, pleading, why he didn’t do something to save his minimal options; Wendy Schein- friend. Rather than scold her for her audacity, he responds by doing one bet- berg’s cousin, Don, with cancer; ter, telling her that her brother will rise from the dead. Then he declares the and, Anne Keyes for ongoing health truth we profess at all Christian funerals: “I am the resurrection and the life. Those who believe in me, even though they die, will live, and everyone who issues. Prayers for Caroline’s son, lives and believes in me will never die” (vv. 25-26). Andrew, who struggles with Leuke- mia and for Jeanette Gaede’s This understanding does not exactly take away our grief and in some ways friend, Sharon, who fell from a sharpens it. It shows us that death is contrary to God’s designs and the horse and is now paralyzed. shadow it casts reminds us how broken the world really is. And in any case, we remain, for the moment, separated from those we have lost. Jesus Continue to pray for Pat Snodgrass acknowledges this by his display of emotion at the tomb of his friend. His sisters and many mourners gather at the entrance to the tomb and in that and her daughters, Grace and moment, Jesus begins to weep and is “greatly disturbed in spirit and deeply Hope as they mourn for their hus- moved” (vv. 33, 35, 38). He is not aloof from their grief but affirms it and band and father, Jeff, who passed shares in it. No doubt Jesus shares in our grief as well. away recently, coupled with the one year anniversary of the sudden But Jesus does not allow grief to turn to despair. It is in that very moment that he calls his friend from the tomb, a sign of his power over death. Still in passing of their, son and brother, his grave clothes, Jesus commands those who witness it: “Unbind him, and Philip. let him go.” (v. 44). Death does not have the final word, and the one who was dead is restored to life, restored to his family, and restored to freedom. Pray for all those families who suf- fer from poverty, hunger or lack of The story of Lazarus is a picture of what is in store for all of us who trust in warm, dry shelter. Pray for families Jesus. But we are not yet at the end of the story. We’re left in the middle— and caregivers as they strive to left much like Martha, struggling with our grief and wondering why Jesus has allowed our loved one to die. So for us, the question Jesus asks Martha after care for ailing children or parents. he proclaims himself to be the resurrection and the life is probably the most Pray for new parents for health, important of all: “Do you believe this?” In effect, he is pointing her to hope much love and happiness.
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