June 2021

The Supplement

A publication of Supplee Presbyterian Church - Maple Glen, PA

From the Pastor

Summertime and the Living is Challenging

Last year we didn’t anticipate all of the paraphernalia associated with COVID 19 would still be in the forefront of our everyday lives. For example trying to make plans for a summer vacation or a getaway has great deal of uncertainty Sunday, June 6 connected to it. Graduates Recognized Things like the following give us pause: 1. What if the pandemic doesn’t get better or gets worse? Sunday, June 13 2. What if you put down a deposit on a summer rental and the whole deal Congregational Meeting gets cancelled? 11:00 a.m. Church Picnic 3. What if June arrives and people are still uneasy about coming to church?

Sunday, June 20 4. What if we look back at the end of the month and become shocked Father’s Day about how much important education did not happen this year due to COVID 19. The things that I mentioned leave us anxious, empty, worried and upset. Thus, the question becomes, given our current circumstance what can we do? Suggestions 1. Call a neighbor and chat with them. Perhaps sitting in some chairs in a drive way will provide some need conversation. 2. Review with your children what they learned or didn’t learn in school this year so they realize how serious you take their education. Make it a time to learn from each other. 3. Take time as a family to pray for patience with COVID 19. Ask the Lord about ministry you can do to make this month productive rather than Important Sunday counterproductive. Worship Information 4. Go for walks outside and use it as an opportunity to praise God for the

9:30 a.m. - In-person beauty of nature. worship service 5. Memorize some passages of scripture Beginning at 9:15 a.m. there A. Psalm 23 will be a live stream of the in- B. Psalm 100 person service on Supplee’s C. I John 4:7-8 YouTube Channel. The D. I Corinthians 13:1-13 service can also be viewed E. Deuteronomy 5:21 on Supplee’s YouTube F. Deuteronomy 6:4-9 Channel after the live stream This month of June can be redemptive or wasted. Ultimately it is up to you. ends. Ask the Lord to guide you and you will be amazed as to what God can do through you.

Please join us! Serving Christ With You, Pastor Don

www.Suppleepc.org 1 Message From Session Regarding Pastor Don's Retirement

You may have read the two letters dated May 11, 2021, that were distributed by email to most of our members, and by regular mail to those who do not use email.

In case you missed them, the first was a letter from Pastor Don officially announcing his retirement date, September 12, 2021. [Click here to view the letter]. The second was a letter from Session stating that it has accepted and approved of Pastor Don's well- Congregational Meeting deserved retirement. It also said to save the date of September 12 for a celebration of Pastor Don's There will be a Special Meeting of the retirement, for which details will follow. [Click here to Congregation of Supplee Memorial view the letter]. Presbyterian Church on Sunday, June 13, The next step for Session is to hire a transitional 2021 immediately following the worship pastor to serve Supplee until a permanent pastor can service. The purpose of the meeting is to be found. There are several steps in the process and hear a report of the Nominating the Commission On Ministry (COM) of the Philadelphia Presbytery has been providing us with guidance. A Committee, to elect the COM representative is already assisting a special task 2021-22 Nominating Committee and to force consisting of Session members and others in the elect Elders and Deacons. No other creation of a job description for the transitional pastor. business may properly come before the It would be best if a transitional pastor be hired before meeting. Those not in attendance in the Pastor Don's retirement date, but there is no way to sanctuary will be able to attend the gauge how long the search will take. Likewise, it is meeting via Zoom. impossible to predict how long it will take to find a

- Frank Chmielewski, Clerk of Session permanent pastor. A permanent pastor could be found relatively quickly, or it could take some time.

If you have any questions on the issues raised in this June message, please speak with any member of Session. They will be happy to answer them to the best of their ability. (We are all still learning a lot about the process.)

Sincerely yours,

Frank Chmielewski Clerk of Session

Sunday, June 6 Facing the Challenge of Graduation Matthew 7:7-12 & John 17, 18-19, 25 & 26

Sunday, June 13 The Word of God II Timothy 3:14 - 4:5

Sunday, June 20 - Father’s Day Dad Deuteronomy 4:9-13

Sunday, June 27 Be Careful What You Say James 3:1-12

www.Suppleepc.org 2 Covid Update Mission of the Month

Starting June 13, 2021 Hunting Park Christian Academy www.hpcaphilly.org We will begin to relax some 4400 N. 6th Street of the COVID restrictions at our Philadelphia, PA 19140-2320

worship services at Hunting Park Christian Academy is an Supplee accredited Christian school for pre-K through 8th grade in the Hunting Park section of Philadelphia, The spiritual health of our congregation one of the poorest and most crime-ridden areas of is of the utmost importance to the the city. The mission of the school is to provide a Supplee leadership team. Caring for quality, affordable, Christian education that the health of our congregation during the pandemic continues to be of celebrates a diverse community and leads children paramount importance especially now to know and serve the Lord. They have about 200 that the positivity rate is declining in our students and have been serving the community for community and the vaccination rate is over twenty years. Tuition is low and there are no increasing. Supplee Session has restrictions on who can attend. Many of the children approved the relaxation of some of the attend on scholarship (some of which is provided by COVID restrictions in an effort to bring Supplee's Women's Association). The 8th graders us together for worship in a way that will all go on to high school--in an area where many feed our souls, begin reconnecting relationships and still be as safe as students do not continue to high school, and a possible. This in no way diminishes the importance of number of them continue on to college. The school maintaining our online presence so that we may continue to expects the teachers (who must be certified) to live also serve our Supplee family members who will continue to in the area, if possible---to be a part of the worship online. Our intention is to gradually have those who community. Supplee in the past has sent work wish to worship in person be able to do so safely within their parties to help with repairs, cleaning and painting. comfort zone. For many years we collected school supplies to take In response to the latest CDC recommendations and the latest report from the Montgomery County COVID-19 Update for to the school each September. They rely on Faith Based Organizations (May 25, 2021) the Supplee COVID churches and individual giving to make up the Committee has made the following recommendations which difference between tuition charged and actual costs. have been approved by Supplee Session (May 25, 2021). In their May Prayer Letter, they ask us to pray for

1.) Temperatures will no longer be required at the door as their teachers and administrators, for 2 new congregants enter. teachers needed for the 2021-2022 school year--

2.) Reservation forms will no longer be required for Sunday grades 2 and 5, for the students and their families, and for a middle school teacher battling cancer and worship. waiting for a match for a bone marrow transplant. 3.) Worshipers who are not fully vaccinated or are immunocompromised will be asked to continue to wear You can stay up-to-date and find other ways to help masks, remain socially distanced (6 feet) and seat by checking out their website at www.hpcaphilly.org

themselves on the left side of the sanctuary. Each month a different mission or missionary is

4.) Worshipers who have been fully vaccinated do not need highlighted in the Supplement and in the services. A to wear masks and may seat themselves on the right side of special offering is collected by Supplee for the

the sanctuary and do not need to be socially distanced. Mission of the Month; it goes to the mission or

5.) If you are fully vaccinated and do not feel comfortable missionary highlighted that month as a special gift. sitting close to others or if you simply are not ready to give up In your giving, just designate it Mission of the Month the mask, please sit on the left side of the sanctuary. to be sure it goes to that missionary. In June this gift

This may impact some families where, for example, the will be going to Hunting Park Christian Academy. parents are vaccinated but the younger family members may Please pray for this amazing ministry in not be vaccinated. In situations like this you may decide to stay Philadelphia. together on the social distanced side of the sanctuary wearing masks. Worship leaders will continue to wear masks and Pastor Don will continue to preach behind the plexiglass barrier.

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A Messaged from the Business Administrator's Desk by Nancy DeHaven

Making Your Summer Plans

Although summer doesn’t start until June, many members in our congregation have made most of their summer plans by Memorial Day. For this reason, Memorial Day is the unofficial start of summer for churches. Of course, church operations do not stop during the summer. At Supplee, this is a time for Vacation Bible School, Summer Youth Group meetings and mission trip, and building maintenance work. We hope to have more opportunities for meeting in person as restrictions are lifted and vaccines are readily available. Remember that your generosity makes Supplee’s work possible in these and all year round programs. We encouraged members to sign up for recurring giving before Memorial Day weekend through our ACH program, your banks bill pay system, or our online giving. If you have questions you can call Nancy DeHaven during office hours. And while you are away, remember you can still watch our weekly services on Supplee’s YouTube channel.

Amazon Shoppers, want to help make a difference while you shop Amazon? They'll donate a portion of your eligible purchases to us. There is no cost to you.

Shopping from a computer? Go to smile.Amazon.com and simply follow the instructions to select "Supplee Memorial Presbyterian Church" as your charity. Shop as normal.

Shopping from your phone? Follow the instructions below to select "Supplee Memorial Presbyterian Church" as your charity and activate AmazonSmile in the app. How it works: 1. Open the Amazon app on your phone 2. Select the main menu (=) & tap on "AmazonSmile" within Programs & Features 3. Select "Supplee Memorial Presbyterian Church" as your charity 4. Follow the on-screen instructions to activate AmazonSmile in the mobile app

So far 23 people have chosen to support Supplee this way, raising $88 from amazon smile with another check due in May. THANK YOU!

Please note

During the Summer months the church office will have re- duced hours. Please call before you come!

Adult Education classes will continue during the summer. (We hope to reinstate children and youth Sunday school classes in the fall.)

Discovery time will be available during the service.

Thank you!

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Please note no Sunday, Adult Ed Classes on Sunday, June 13 due to Church Picnic!

The Gospel of Mark: How Jesus Changes Everything

11 am via Zoom (ends June 6) Here's the link: 11 AM Adult Education Link Meeting ID: 893 3363 3856 Passcode: supplee

What’s So Amazing About Grace? New Class starting Sunday, June 20 at 11 am via Zoom New Link for this Class: 11 AM Summer Adult Ed Link Meeting ID: 826 3232 1768 Passcode: 669422

True grace is shocking, for God does not excuse sin but always treasures the sinner. God always extends his grace to individuals regardless of what they have done—for no one is unforgiveable in his eyes. Grace shakes our conventions with its insistence on getting close to sinners and touching them with mercy and hope. It forgives the unfaithful spouse, the racist, the child abuser. It loves today's addict as much as the tax collector of Jesus' day. In his recent video series, Philip Yancey explores the concept of grace. Grace seems scandalous because of its insistence on seeking out the immoral and the outcast. How are Christians doing at lavishing grace on a world that knows far more of cruelty and unforgiveness than it does of mercy? Yancey offers compelling and true portraits of grace's life-changing power. He searches for its presence in his own life and in the church. He asks how Christians today can contend graciously with moral issues that threaten all they hold dear. What does grace look like in action? How does it affect our attitudes and actions toward those we judge or with whom we disagree? Starting Sunday, June 20, we will be offering this six-week adult education class on Zoom at 11 am. After a brief presentation by Yancey, we will be discussing the implications of grace and forgiveness in our lives. Philip Yancey has written thirteen Gold Medallion Award-winning books and has received two Book of the Year awards for What’s So Amazing About Grace?

Sermon Reflections

Pastor Don is offering "Sermon Reflections" every Sunday immediately following worship (approximately 10:30 a.m.) until 11:00 a.m. This is a chance for you to ask questions or reflect on this week's sermon with Don. Those who attend in person will join Don in the parlor, and those at home can join virtually via zoom (Click here). We will have the same link every week. (If needed - Meeting ID 723 6140 6706; Passcode: Supplee)

Y.A.C.H.T Group Bible Study

Join us every other Wednesday (our next meetings are June 2 and 16) at 8:30 pm via Zoom. The link is on the events page of the church website. We will start off our study by reading and discussing the book, “Why Do You Believe That” by Mary Jo Sharp. Contact Janice Brunner or Evan Lehman for more details.

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Congratulations Graduates

th We will be recognizing Supplee’s graduates on June 6 . (sorry if we missed you, please let office know)

High School Graduates

Name High School Future Plans______Alexander Carson St. Joseph’s Prep High School University of New Hampshire/Computer Science Matthew Chmielewski North Penn High School University of Maryland/Aerospace Engineering Aiden Elvidge Central Bucks South High School workforce Sophie Freeston Germantown Academy Drexel University/Psychology & Art Ashley Gipson Hatboro-Horsham High School Moravian College/ Health Science Maddie Grande Hatboro-Horsham High School Penn State University/Business Zackery Knapp Wissahickon High School Northern Montgomery Co Technical Center/Culinary Arts Dan Lee Abington High School workforce Abby Mason Hatboro-Horsham High School Cosmetology Jordan McKnight Hatboro-Horsham High School workforce Ray Rivera Wissahickon High School Erica Lauren Rouse Upper Dublin High School Shippensburg University/Early/Elementary Education Katherine Stechert North Penn High School Temple University/School of Nursing Kayla Sucro North Penn High School Penn State University/Environmental Engineering

College Graduates

Name College/University Degree______Jason Alexander Northeastern University Bachelor of Science in Computer Science Megan Freeston University of Delaware Bachelor of Science in Mathematics Michael Gipson Chestnut Hill College Bachelor of Science in Computer and Information Technology

Conor Wilkinson Penn State University Bachelor of Science in Mathematics

Post Graduate

Name College/University Degree______Sarah Alexander University of California San Francisco Doctor of Medicine

www.Suppleepc.org 6 PLEASE JOIN US! SUNDAY, JUNE 13 AT 11:00 A.M. ALL CHURCH PICNIC Join us for our 2021 Church Picnic on Sunday June 13 at 11:00 AM on the church grounds. We still need to be sensitive to Covid concerns, but people are getting vaccinated, infections are down, and the CDC is relaxing some of the most onerous guidelines. As a result, the Fellowship Committee has decided to go forward with a modified church picnic this year. We’ll have a limited menu with hot dogs and hamburgers grilled by as few people as possible. Those will be paired with individual prepackaged servings of condiments, chips, water, soft drinks, and desserts. Everything will be handled by as few people as possible and handed to you on a plate, and seating will be spaced out in family clusters. The picnic will be more than food. We’re planning a number of COVID safe games, including some table games like bingo, trivia, and Telestrations. For more active people we’re planning games liker Minute to Win It, a Water Gun Race, Ladder ball, Cornhole, Volleyball, and a basketball shootout. It will also give us a long awaited opportunity to get together with our church friends safely outdoors. Please join us for the picnic. If you know you’ll be able to come please go through the events tab on the Supplee website and sign up. That will give us some feel for how many people to expect. However, if plans are uncertain and you can come at the last minute, please do so even if you didn’t sign up. We want to see as many of you as we can!

Supplee’s Week of Service - Over 40 volunteers worked together to serve the Lord and our community. Your hard work made this event a success and a blessing for families and individuals in our region. 30 Hours – Sorting Books and Stuffing Bedtime Bags at One House at a Time 40 Hours – Working on the new building for The Philadelphia Project 25 Blankets – Made for children to receive through the One House at a Time, Beds for Kids program 23 Blessing Baskets – Donated to Whosoever Gospel Mission for men transitioning to their own apartments

Congratulations on Your Retirement, Rick! by Clyde Hedgepeth and Evan Lehman

Rick Stechert will soon be retiring and moving to the Poconos. With this, the Property Committee and Supplee Youth Group would like to thank Rick for his faith, hard work, dedication, and overall support in service of these important Supplee ministries. Rick's carpentry skills and overall knowledge of construction were of great benefit to Supplee, and his willingness to share his talents on our behalf is much appreciated. The members of the Property Committee have enjoyed fellowship with Rick over these passed years are glad he is taking this well-deserved break, and are also comforted knowing he is still only a few hours away. Rick has been an invaluable member of Supplee Youth Group serving the past seven years as an adult small group leader, as well as going on retreats and mission trips. During his time with SYG, Rick has given too much of himself to truly summarize in a write up. Through the years Rick's biggest impact was through leadership and discipleship by being a constant presence in the lives of the teenagers at Supplee. Students thrive with consistent leaders and that is exactly what Rick was showing up each and every week to play dodgeball, lead by example, and talk about Jesus. We truly value Rick as an SYG leader and his presence will be sorely missed on Sunday nights. Thank you, Rick, for your service, and most of all for sharing your faith story, inspiring us all!

www.Suppleepc.org 7 Vacation Bible School

Register today to join the fun!!!

Sunday July 25th - Thursday July 29th 6pm - 8:30pm

Ages 4 through completed 5th Grade The cost is $25 for the first child in the family and $15/child for each additional child.

Click here to register

Vacation Bible School News from Supplee Nursery School Volunteers Needed! by Karen Kohler

Sunday, July 25 - Thursday, July 29 Hooray, hooray, hooray! We made it through the 6:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. 2020-21 school year! We were so worried last summer,

Planning time is already here and there is our heads spinning with ever-changing COVID numbers, much to do. Do you have a gift or ability you recommendations, supply needs and shortages. We tried to imagine children in masks, staying in pods, or how car can share with the children of the community as lines and sanitizing would work. We wondered how well we invite them to get to know Jesus on a all of the protocols would or could be followed. deeper, more personal level? Thanks to our wonderful parents, the amazing staff, the great During the week of Bible School, children children themselves and most of all to God, we had a happy, healthy, have an opportunity to enter into the Bible successful year of Nursery School, despite it all! stories in every aspect of our time together. Some things were different. Not all fieldtrips were held as some of our venues were not open, or we chose not to go. But we did have a Through music, fun songs and worship, crafts wonderful hayride in the fall with our 3-4’s at Kohler Farms, and an and activities, games and snacks, the Bible interesting and informative trip to the Elmwood Park Zoo with our Pre-K story is expanded and developed in classes. Outdoor Fun Day, with its bikes, bubbles, hoops, streamers, meaningful and practical ways. Children meet chalk, giggles, shrieks and smiles was as much fun as ever. Bike Day, new friends and learn that Jesus is their best with 50 children biking around the building on their bikes, went off friend. without any injuries or accidents, and so, so much enthusiasm, thanks Contact Janice Brunner at 215-646-4123 to our volunteer parents who were stationed outside along the route. Some events that parents usually attend were changed, but thanks to or [email protected] if you would like to Mrs. Janice Brunner and Kyler, the singing at Christmas and Mother’s be part of: Day was taped and shared with the parents. Thank you, Janice and • the planning team Kyler! And our traditional art and gifts were carefully made and sent • lead or help with crafts home as always. • recreation We are so grateful to everyone who helped make this year a • refreshments success. We thank the church members who very kindly did not enter the Nursery School portion of the building during school hours, to Mr. • bible story Bob Lee for all his disinfecting, cleaning and fixing, to Mrs. Nancy • childcare for children of staff DeHaven for helping with all of our grant money and endless forms, to the COVID committee for all of their support, to Pastor Don Hoagland for continuing to come in daily and cheering us on, and to Mrs. Julie Alexander and Mrs. Erin Wilkinson for their constant help in record keeping, sign postings, and general office help. Mrs. Wilkinson, we will miss you next year! I was continually amazed by how blessed we are with the staff in the Nursery School. Facing family changes from births to death, they pulled together, were the hands and feet of all who needed them, kept smiles on their faces and kindness in their hearts. Thank you, thank you, one and all!

www.Suppleepc.org 8 Scouts BSA Scouts BSA Troop 542 (Boys) News Troop 541 (Girls) News

Troop 542 Enjoys a Weekend of Competition It’s spring, the weather has been improving, and By Michael Rothkopf, Troop 542 Historian Troop 541 is back to camping outdoors. Our first campout of the season was at French Creek On Friday, April 16, Troop 542 Scouts headed State Park, an hour’s drive west from Maple to Resica Falls Scout Reservation in East Glen. Families dropped their Scouts at the campsite on Friday evening, and we set up our Stroudsburg, PA for a fun weekend of tent tents and settled in for the night. camping. There, patrols competed in a fire Saturday brought a full day of camping fun. The building competition, where Scouts had to build girls worked on requirements for their advancement in the fires quickly and correctly, as well as a Kan Jam morning. The older ones built camp gadgets using knots and competition. Kan Jam is a game during which two lashings, and the younger ones learned to use and care for the teams try to score points by getting their disc in knife, ax, and saw and how to build a campfire. After lunch we the opposing team’s can. Both competitions were went fishing in the nearby lake. The fish weren’t biting, but we judged by the adult leaders. In the end, the Eagle had fun trying. A few games in the afternoon preceded dinner. patrol won both events. Scouts also enjoyed The girls wrapped pork chops in bacon and put them in a foil pouch along with some veggies. The pouches were put into activities such as archery and rifle shooting at the the fire, and the resulting meals were delicious. An evening camp’s ranges. campfire with songs and skits closed out the day. Because of On Sunday, the Scouts paused for an threatening weather, we made the decision to head home after Interfaith service before heading home. All Saturday’s campfire, so we only spent one night in our tents, but attendees followed the latest COVID-19 safety everyone had a great time. guidelines. Troop 541 has more fun activities planned for the spring. In Scouts BSA Troop 542 meets every Monday May we’ll be camping on an island in a lake at Parvin State Park during the school year at 7:30 p.m. Check out our in New Jersey. We’ll paddle around the lake in rented kayaks and enjoy the other activities the park has to offer. In June we’ll web site at www.troop542.com if you spend a weekend in the Poconos which will feature a white- are interested. Boys who have th water raft trip on the Lehigh River. finished 5 grade and are not yet 18 Troop 541 meets at Supplee on Wednesday evenings, and we’d are eligible to join. welcome new members. Girls who are 11 years old, or who have finished 5th grade and are not yet 18 are eligible to join. Visit our website https://troop541.com or talk to Scoutmaster Jay Eibner to find out more

Card Care Connection

Each month we select members to receive greetings from the Supplee Church family. These are people who are temporarily unable or no longer able to attend church. This is an opportunity for us to let them know we think of them and miss their fellowship. You do not have to know the person to send them greetings. Please send a card, sign your name, and Supplee Church. This is a wonderful way to remind them that God cares and so do we. Bette Clark Sharon Pfeiffer 735 Susquehanna Road c/o Ron Pfeiffer Fort Washington, PA 19034 43 Downey Drive Horsham, PA 19044

Communication Hints

COME SEE US VISIT US 855 E. Welsh Road www.suppleepc.org Maple Glen, PA 19002 Here you can view Supplee Presbyterian Church and Supplee

CALL US Nursery School information, the church calendar, Sunday (215) 646-4123 bulletins, the Supplee Supplement Newsletter and listen to each Sunday worship service FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK SUBSCRIBE ON YOUTUBE FOLLOW US ON INSTAGRAM

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Remember

Dad

Father’s Day June 20

Supplee Presbyterian Church 855 E. Welsh Road, Maple Glen, Pennsylvania 19002 Tel. 215-646-4123 Fax 215-646-8895 e-mail: [email protected] website: www.suppleepc.org

Donald Hoagland, Pastor, Ext 11 Email: [email protected] Janice Brunner, Dir. of Children & Family Ministry, Ext 21, [email protected] Evan Lehman, Student Ministry Director, Ext 14, [email protected] Nancy DeHaven, Business Administrator, Ext. 15, [email protected] Matt and Janice Brunner, Directors of Music Susan Bishop, Organist Karen Kohler, Nursery School Director, Ext 16 Julie Alexander, Administrative Assistant, Ext 10 Bob Lee, Sexton

SUPPLEE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 855 E. Welsh Road Maple Glen, PA 19002

Phone: 215-646-4123 Fax: 215-646-8895 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.suppleepc.org

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