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November 2017 Meet Pastor Kari OlsonPastor Kari was born and raised in Seattle, Washington with her parents and younger sister. Growing up, she was very active in her home church (University Presbyterian)—helping in Sunday School classes, leading music at youth group, and participating in other church activities. Pastor Kari began to articulate a sense of call to pastoral ministry when she was in high school and was encouraged to continue studying Scripture and exploring that call. Pastor Kari attended Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington where she double majored in Theology and Speech Communication with a minor in Biblical Languages. While in college, Pastor Kari volunteered as a Young Life leader at a local high school. Before seminary, Pastor Kari spent a year after college working as the “intern pastor” at a church in Spokane, where she worked with the interim pastor and two associate pastors to preach, teach, provide pastoral care, and participate in a wide range of the church’s life. Pastor Kari attended Princeton Theological Seminary, where she was active in campus life, including serving as the co-moderator of the Women’s Center, teaching assistant for Greek, and student representative to the biblical studies department. She received awards in New Testament, Reformation Theology, and Speech Communication in Ministry. Following graduation from seminary, Pastor Kari accepted her first call to serve as a solo pastor. She feels called to solo pastor ministry especially because preaching has always been central to her sense of call. Pastor Kari enjoys the variety of a solo pastorate—working with infants through nonagenarians, preaching, teaching, cultivating generosity, casting vision for new ministries, and leadership at the presbytery level. Pastor Kari especially enjoyed supervising a seminary intern this past summer. Pastor Kari is also active with Young Clergy Women International, an ecumenical organization for ordained women under 40 years old, and participates in the PCUSA Company of New Pastors program. Pastor Kari enjoys playing guitar, cooking vegetarian meals, reading, walking, and traveling—especially visiting friends and family scattered across the country and occasionally the world. She is excited to get to know the East Falls neighborhood and the City of Philadelphia. As a Seattle native, one of her first priorities will be finding the best coffee shops in Philadelphia, so be sure to let her know about your favorites! WORSHIP COMMITTEE All Saints Day, will be celebrated on Sunday, November 5th. We will be giving time during Prayers for people to mention loved ones who have passed. We will also have a bulletin board on the easel in the narthex for people to write names and place on bulletin board. Christ the King Sunday is November 26nd. submitted by Linda Duttra DEACONS UPDATE A huge thank you to everyone that contributed to a wonderful Lemonade on the Lawn season of food and fellowship! Stay tuned for updates on the beginning of Coffee Hour. After the launch of our Care Circles last year, the Deacons plan to further enhance this new initiative. You should receive an update on your Care Circle Deacon assignment in the month of November. Care Circle assignments provide you the name of a specific Deacon to contact in times when prayer or other types of ministerial care are needed. Of course, all Deacons are available to assist you; but this initiative is intended to help make deeper connections between the Deacons and their Care Circle members. As the end of the year approaches during months that can often be difficult for friends, family, and strangers, please do not hesitate to contact the Deacons if you or someone you know has a need that could potentially be met by prayer, communion, food, or fellowship. submitted by Jessica Richardson . MISSIOIN COMMITTEE It's that time of year again! PIHN's Annual Empty Bowl Dinner Tickets are Now Available MISSION COMMITTEE As stated above, the Interfaith Hospitality Network is holding their Empty Bowl Diner on Thursday, November 15th at the United Lutheran Seminary located at 7301 Germantown Ave (see link below). As a group, we will attend the 7:00 seating. Last year we filled 2 tables and are hoping to do the same again. Please join us for a night of giving, fellowship, and incredibly tasty soup! I will have a sign-up sheet in the Narthex on Sunday. You can also email me if you are able to attend. The Mission Committee will cover the cost of tickets. Children are welcome to attend. Thank you! And please forward this to anyone I might have missed. Have a great week! submitted by Meghan Goddard PROPERTY COMMITTEE Property News: As the seasons change, so does our focus; our kitchen project is ready to begin construction. Please view the plans on display and feel free to ask any questions. We are working with Chris Hanson of Hanson Builders and Fred Vidi of Reliable Contractors. The final contract was signed on 10-24-17. The total will be around $118,000.00. We are still looking for anyone who wants to be SafeServe certified to allow us to meet Health Department Requirements. Permits are being obtained and work should begin in November. After permits clear the project will take a maximum of 90 days for completion. Interested in being on the Property Committee? Talk with Steve, Dave, Linda, or Aaron for information! submitted by Steve Wallace PRESBYTERIAN DISASTER ASSISTANCE You can donate to hurricane relief through your church! To donate online, go to the PC(USA) national website: pda-pcusa.org, or leave a check in the offering plate today. Your gifts can de designated by noting "DR000194-Irma" OR "DR000194-Maria" on the memo line. UPDATE FROM SESSION Session has authorized gifts to acknowledge bereavement of Sandy Mcilvaine & Kathlen Gillord. The Session learned that the congregation gave $420.00 to the Presbytery’s 300 Anniversary. Session matched part of their gift with a contribution of $300.00. Members of Session Class of 2017 Cliff Haines Bethany Mandes Steve Wallace Class of 2018 Matt Connolly Emily Nichols Cathy Michini Class of 2019 Meghan Goddard Doug Allcorn Allison O'Callaghan Members of Board of Deacons Class of 2017 Julie Haines Carolyn Wallace Class of 2018 Jen Connolly Jessica Richardson Starla Richardson Class of 2019 Heather Allcorn Lynne Schneider Joseph Wilson |