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January 2018 It's a New Day. Its, a New Year.............. WE HAVE A NEW PASTOR Welcome, Pastor Kari Olson, to East Falls Presbyterian Church AN OPEN LETTER FROM PASTOR KARI OLSON Dear East Falls Friends, As you say, "At East Falls, there are no strangers...only friends we have not met yet." I am so excited to meet and get to know all of you at EFPC! One of the ways I knew God was calling me here was that I felt like I could be myself with the PNC and we enjoyed each other's company. As we begin a new year with a new pastoral relationship, I thought I'd begin by telling you a bit about myself. Born and raised in Seattle, the combination of mountains and water will probably always be my favorite landscape. I am excited to be in a neighborhood right along the river here in Philadelphia! I picked up the guitar in middle school and have not put it down since. While that's the only instrument I currently play, music was a big part of my growing up. I took piano lessons as a child, played the French horn for 6 years in middle and high school, and dabbled in a few other instruments along the way. My first travel outside of North America was a trip to Japan with my high school orchestra. I look forward to being part of such a musical congregation! Some of my most formative faith experiences happened while participating in mission projects or trips as a middle and high school student. I am eager to serve a congregation that is so passionate about mission, to share with you about my formative experiences in mission, and to hear your stories of being engaged in mission. I have been a vegetarian for about four years (I don't eat meat or fish, but do eat eggs, milk, cheese, etc.). I am delighted to be back to living in a city, where there are so many food choices for me! My younger sister is a nurse in Portland, Oregon, where she does home palliative and hospice care. My parents still live in Seattle. My mother is active at church and my father's latest adventure has been living his childhood dream running trains for Union Pacific Railroad. I am already enjoying living close to the friends I have in Philadelphia and I can't wait to become a part of the EFPC family! Blessings, Pastor Kari A WORD FROM REV DAVE POLAND Dear East Falls Friends, When I was invited by Rev. Lori Kosinski to be your "Advent Supply Pastor," I was delighted simply to have a congregation to serve for the month of December. Sometimes we retired preachers feel that "a shepherd without a flock is just a dude (or dudette) sitting around in a field." But you have been so much more to us than just a congregation to be with on Sundays for a few weeks! Honestly. When I told Linda of this assignment, she said she would probably come with me once or twice, but she got hooked on your welcoming grace and love, and so did I. You are an easy bunch to fall in love with, and I just know that you and Pastor Kari are going to have so much to offer each other! I look forward to hearing great things about that relationship in the coming months and years. Embrace her wholeheartedly, even as you did us during our brief sojourn with you, and you will be following God's own recipe for success. Thank you. No! THANK YOU for the privilege of enjoying your company as we traveled through this one Advent season together! We will look forward to worshipping with you again some Sunday when I'm not engaged in pulpit supply elsewhere. You really are one of Philadelphia Presbytery's hidden treasures...and I, for one, am not going to keep that a secret! God bless you all a whole bunch...and then some! Love in Christ, Dave (& Linda) Poland FROM THE MUSIC DEPARTMENT The choir looks forward to the return in Mid-January of our dear bass member , Dave McClenahan who has been on leave. Welcome Back to Choir, Dave! If anyone is interested in joining our choir, please contact Brenda. We meet on Tuesday nights at 7:30 PM. The choir will perform, "This Child" from the Christmas concert for Pastor Kari's first Sunday at East Falls. There were many requests to have this stirring anthem sung again, so we look forward to presenting it once more on January 7, 2018. Submitted by Brenda Advent events were attended and enjoyed by many members and friends of our congregation. It's been reported that in excess of 90 people attended each event. COMMUNITY CAROL SIGN, HELD ON DECEMBER 13TH Several years ago, the East Falls Library established the community "CAROLING IN THE PARK". At that time "Falls Pres" volunteered to host an after caroling "get together" with cider, cookies and a lot of music. As the years past, an unfortunate change in the weather (rain) put a damper on the gathering in the Park, so we (Falls Pres) invited everyone to the Sanctuary for the actual caroling event. Another year, the weather turned cold (as it did this year) an again everyone was welcomed into the Sanctuary for the "traditional" good time. This year was no exception, and while the Sanctuary was not packed we had an opportunity to welcome our neighbors in from the cold for a terrific time caroling and enjoying the goodies. Our own Rebecca Davis, this year, as in the past, arranged for cookies, and other goodies for everyone to enjoy. If you missed this years "CAROLING IN THE PARK", as I did, keep an eye out in December 2018. It's something you will truly enjoy..... providing the weather cooperates. THANK YOU FROM LINDA DUTTERA ! So many church family members shared the time and talents to make this past Advent and Christmas Season meaningful. Special thank yous to: Rev David Poland for spiritually guiding us (having his lovely wife, Linda, join us was a bonus.) Brenda Browne, the Chancel choir, Youth and children, guest choir members: Matt Murphy, Jean Rust, and Christina Woody, instrumentalists: Roberta Goren (violin), Jane Roberts(cello), Gayle Koster and Anne Glass (handbells) for inspiring music. Bethany Mandes, Cathy Michini, Brenda Browne, Rebecca Davis, Heather Cowley, and Julie Haines, our children, youth and all the parents who brought us the wonderful Children's pageant. Jane Wilson for her artistic talents designing and creating the Chrismons for the windows, bulletin art and children sermon handouts. Advent candle lighting and readers: Jane and Joseph Wilson, Cate and Mac Haines, Jessica Richardson and Carolyn Wallace, Michael Davis, Cynthia and Grace Jickling. Children's Sermon facilitators: Amy Baker, Michael and Naomi Davis, Victoria Cowley, Linda Duttera. Bob McClenahan, Julie and Cate Haines, Jane and Joseph Wilson, Linda Duttera for Hanging the Greens in the Sanctuary. Brad Collins, the Cowley and Haines families for decorating the Fellowship Hall. The Deacons (especially Starla Richardson, Julie Haines, Lynne Schneider) and many others for providing food, setting and cleaning up for the Chancel Choir Concert and numerous other times throughout the season. Janelle Spedding for sharing the Advent Stations in the Fellowship Hall. Bob McClenahan for his wealth of knowledge in keeping me apprised of all the things I forgot. All the people who just stepped up when I had too many balls in the air and got bulletins folded, inserts photocopied, candles placed and lit, and a myraid of other things. Ken Ross for his support in getting that first bulletin printed. Matt Murphy for figuring out the glitch in another bulletin. And Julie Haines and Starla Richardson for keeping me sane. Linda Duttera, Worship Co-chair Worship Committee Meeting The Worship Committee Meeting has been moved from the first Sunday of the month (Pastor Cari's first Sunday) to the following week, January 14, 2018. We will be looking ahead to Lent which begins Ash Wednesday on February, 14, 2018 (yes, already). Linda Duttera and Brenda Browne, Co-chairs, hope to meet with Pastor Cari before then. We will also be discussing Pastor Cari's Installation. Submitted by Linda Duttera (Un) Hanging of the Greens As beautiful as the Sanctuary looks for the Advent and Christmas Season, it must all come down and be packed away. Typically this happens after the service (1/7/18)following Epiphany. That will be Rev Cari Olson's first Sunday; therefore, we will wait until sometime during the following week. If you can help, please contact Linda Duttera (717.873.0492 or laduttera@gmail.com) when you might be available. Submitted by Linda Duttera THE MISSION COMMITTEE The Mission Committee is planning for the next several months. Stay tuned! Let us all pray for a peaceful and safe 2018 |