January 2017


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L E TTER JANUARY 2017

| Volume 16, Number 1

The official monthly newsletter of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Worth

Make the Most of 2017 THREE SPIRITUAL FORMATION OFFERINGS IN THE NEW YEAR

Discipleship Group

Grief Support Group

Enneagram: Next Step

A montly Discipleship Group begins in January and will use Joyce Rupp’s book, May I Have This Dance: An Invitation to Faithful Prayer Throughout the Year. Joyce is well-known for her work as a writer, spiritual leader, and conference and retreat speaker. The group will include prayer, sharing, and will use guided meditations written by Joyce.

From January 10-February 7 (5:307 p.m. in Room 305), FPC offers a five-week Grief Support Group. Led by Travis Weber, this group offers a supportive and encouraging space in which to experience God’s presence, comfort, and strength. 

Broaden your knowledge and understanding of yourself and others by using the wisdom of the Enneagram. Beginning January 7, 2017, and continuing through June, monthly meetings will be held at FPC on the first Saturday of each month from 10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. in the Youth Room.

The group begins meeting January 3 in Fahrenkamp Music Room at 5:30 p.m., then the first Monday of each month. Please contact Martha Zaborowski at 817.335.1231 or marthaz@fpcfw. org with questions or if you would like to sign up for this discipleship group which is limited to 8 people.

Travis is a PhD candidate in Pastoral Theology and Pastoral Care at Brite Divinity School. He received his Master of Divinity Degree from Yale Divinity School. In addition to his PhD studies at Brite, Travis serves as a Chaplain at Texas Health Southwest Hospital in Fort Worth. Register with Celeste in the church office or email her at [email protected].

Please register by contacting Celeste in the church office at 817.335.1231, ext. 261 or [email protected]. (Childcare offered if a minimum of 2 children have given an RSVP by the one week deadline to Alyssa Martin at ext. 254.) Learn more about the Enneagram at https://lifeinthetrinityministry.com/

PASTORS’ LETTER Dear Friends, Each year is full of surprises, some of which we gladly receive and others which we reluctantly endure. Whatever 2016 has been for you (and, if we are honest, it has encompassed a myriad of experiences and emotions), we give thanks for God’s strength to receive or endure its celebrations and challenges. Now, on the brink of this new year, we pray the same prayer: thanking God in advance for divine presence that sustains and surrounds us, no matter what may come. It is the prayer not just of a new year, but of each moment on this Christian walk of faith in which we trust God for provision to take each step, relying on the Spirit’s accompaniment and empowerment. As one faithful church member has taught me, each moment - even (and especially!) the challenging moment - is another opportunity to trust God. We practice this is in our individual lives and also as Christ’s church. We trust in the promise of God’s faithfulness as we live out our call to be salt and light in this world.  We sing a Kirk Franklin song at WOW that I have come to love. The chorus says: “Oh I know that I can make it. I know that I can stand. No matter what may come my way, my life is in Your hands.”  Friends, there’s our prayer for 2017. Happy New Year! Peace,

SUBMISSIONS Submissions for the February issue of the Penn Street Letter is Wednesday, January 18. Please send to Teresa Tysinger at [email protected] or bring by the church office. The Penn Street Online, FPC’s weekly email newsletter, is sent every Wednesday. Submissions for that are due to Teresa the Wednesday prior to when you’d like the information to run.

PSL CHANGES... Beginning with this issue, this print newsletter will be printed and mailed monthly. It includes all of the same timely updates and announcements. If you’d like to sign up receive the Penn Street Online, FPC’s weekly email newsletter, visit fpcfw. org/news/join-mailing-lists/ or contact Pam Burkholder in the church office.

365-DAY CALENDAR

FPC MEETS SYRIAN REFUGEE FAMILY At worship on Sunday, December 4, the congregation was introduced to the family currently being sponsored by the FPC Refugee Welcome Team. The family, from Syria, includes Taha and Miriam and their children Zeid (10 year old boy), Rosol (6 year old girl), Ayed (3 year old boy), and Mohammed (2 year old boy). To date, the team has furnished an apartment, provided uniforms for the schoolaged children, mentored the family on language and currency literacy, purchased warmer clothes for the winter, taken the family on fun outings to local attractions, and even provided weekly homework tutoring to the children. Ongoing thanks is extended to members of the Refugee Welcome Team for their important work engaging the world in this way. To all of FPC, please continue to pray for Taha, Miriam, and their family.

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Visit the church office to pick up your 365-Day FPC 2017 Calendar. Compliments of the Stewardship Committee. One per family, please.

The Penn Street Letter (USPS 019-125) is published monthly by First Presbyterian Church, 1000 Penn Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102-3496. Periodicals postage is paid at Fort Worth, TX and at additional offices. Editor: Teresa Tysinger; Managing Editor: Pam Burkholder POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Penn Street Letter at 1000 Penn Street, Fort Worth, TX 76102-3496.

January Brunch Celebrates New Beginnings Brunch on January 8 Celebrates New FPC Members and Blue Zones Milestone On Sunday, January 8 all are invited to attend the next all-church brunch in the Great Hall. Seatings are at 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. This brunch will celebrate new beginnings -- that of new members who have joined FPC within the past year, as well as the church’s recent distinction as a Blue Zones Project Approved Faith-Based Community. If you are a member who joined in 2016 or during the first week of 2017, please look for the name tag table to check-in. This is a great time to meet others in your church family. The Wellness Committee is graciously hosting this brunch, making the meal complimentary (no cost to you). Menu: Pork Loin; Rice & Peas Provencal; Roasted Asparagus; Beet, Apple, and Raspberry Salad; Brownies; Almond Bark; and Mini Blueberry Cheesecake. All side dishes are Blue Zone Project approved. Recipe books will be made available. Representatives from Fort Worth’s Blue Zones Project will be at the brunch to present FPC with memorabilia in recognition of the certification. City councilwoman Ann Zadeh will also speak on her and the city’s enthusiasm for the project and how important it is to Fort Worth and all its citizens. You are also welcome to attend a 30-minute free seminar on the BZP following the end of the second seating.

WWW.FPCFW.ORG

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ADULT CHURCH SCHOOL CLASSES Alpha and Omega: (60’-70’s) Wisdom of Jesus study led by Karen Hosch in Room 241

LEARN in January Below are some opportunities to study and learn together this January at First Presbyterian Church.

Bible in Depth: The Rev. Dr. Betsy Pense on The Minor Prophets in Room 237 Boomers: (50’s-60’s) Faith Topics coordinated by Nancy O’Malley and Paul Conner in Room 102 Faith Practices: Spiritual disciplines led by Barb Heptig in Room 305 Geneva: (70’s) Bible study led by John Thompson in Room 304 Growing Families of Faith: Faith Conversations led by the Rev. Robyn Michalove in Room 236 Journeys: Book study coordinated by Ann Christian in Room 242 Maj-Jo: (Seniors) Bible study led by Martha Zaborowski in Room 310 Maranatha: Bible study led by Dr. Steve Brotherton in Room 239

Presbyterian Women’s Next Tuesday Together On January 17, 2017 all women are invited to the next Presbyterian Women’s Tuesday Together. Each of us has a story to tell. Dee Wadsworth, church gerontologist at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church, will help us preserve and frame our stories for ourselves and future generations. Don’t miss this powerful program to explore thoughts of the Christian life well-lived and well-remembered. Please feel free to invite a friend to this informative Tuesday Together. Call Celeste at the church office by Monday, January 9 to secure your reservation.

Book People Monthly Book Club The Book People Book Club will meet for the first time in 2017 on February 13 from 12 - 1 p.m. in Room 305. The book of the month will be Mrs. Lincoln’s Dressmaker, by Jennifer Chaiverini, a novel about Elizabeth Keckley who made clothes for Mary Todd Lincoln. This reading and discussion book club is open to everyone. The group meets the second Monday of each month. Books are available in the library, and from Amazon in print and for e-readers. No reservation is required just come. For additional information, contact coordinator Elizabeth Johnson Pense. More at fpcfw.org/bookpeople.

SYS: (40’s-50’s) Faith Conversations coordinated by Bill Goodwin in Stripling Conference Room Westminster: (Seniors) Bible Study led by Dr. Toni Craven in Room 238 YOMAC: (Seniors) Present Word Bible Study led by Martha Brooks and Sue Barham at Trinity Terrace Young Adults: Faith Conversations led by Eric Varnon in Room 230

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FPC Music Academy Interested in learning a music instrument or training your singing voice? Classes are available for all ages through FPC’s Music Academy. Visit fpcfw.org/music-academy for details on current offerings.

MOMS Meetings MOMS (Mothers Offering Mothers Support) meets in 2017 on the first Thursday and third Wednesday (Thursday, January 5 and Wednesday, January 18) from 11-12:30 in Room 305. Please RSVP for childcare and lunch at fpcfw.org/moms.

SERVE in January Below are some opportunities to engage the world through FPC mission outreach efforts this month. For a complete list of ongoing opportunities, visit www.fpcfw.org/serve.

Donate to First HAND These items are needed at Community Crossroads. Please drop off at the church in marked bins. Volunteers can also receive donations at Community Crossroads (1516 Hemphill St.) on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9:30-10:30 a.m. Pull in the parking lot and knock on the glass doors. • Sturdy, gently worn or new shoes for men, women, and children (PLEASE NO HIGH HEELS) • Children’s clothing, sizes 6-16 • Clothing for women, most needed sizes 16-2x • Clothing for men. Most needed are jeans and pants with waist 30-38 and shirts 2x and 3x. • Coats for men and women, most needed sizes XL and larger. • Coats for boys and girls in all sizes. • Sheet sets bundled, size marked. • Blankets/quilts, folded size marked. • Bath towels, face towels, wash cloths. • Misc. items: ball caps, purses, gloves, scarves, winter caps or hats.

Count the Night 2017 A census of homeless persons will be taken the night of January 26. More than 500 volunteers are needed to help canvass Tarrant County. Register at www.ahomewithhope.org/evrplus_ registration/.

Elves from 8 to 80’s Make Toy Store a Success

MLK Day of Service Join in this nation-wide day of service honoring the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 16. Over 40 service opportunities are available for all ages. Learn more and register as an individual or as a group online at www.tarranttogether.org/

Room in the Inn Monday evenings in January and February (as well as July and August) FPC hosts Room in the Inn, welcoming 14 homeless guests for an evening of warm shelter, food, and hospitality. Volunteers are needed to help each Monday beginning at 3:30 p.m. Learn more at fpcfw.org.

Peanut Butter Sunday Every 3rd Sunday of the month is Peanut Butter Sunday at FPC. You are invited to donate jars of peanut butter for the First HAND Food Pantry at Community Crossroads. This staple goes fast and is always in demand. Bring jars on January 15 to marked bins throughout the church.

What started this past summer with the Christmas in July collection event resulted in a very successful Christmas Toy Store on December 10. Here are some details on the special day: • 200 stars selected by church members to purchase toys for a specific child. • Almost 60 volunteers working on Friday and/or Saturday, helped setup the Toy Store, stock the toy store, serve as translators and/or shopperguides, and cleanup. • 80 families were served, with over 250 children • Volunteers ranged in age from 8 to in their 80s! • In addition to the parents’ choice of two toys for each child, FPC offered a book, a package of socks and underwear per child, and a board game per family. • Two volunteer shoppers even used personal vehicles to assist shoppers getting home who faced particular hardships with transportation. A huge thank you goes to the volunteers and those who contributed items and money for making this year’s Toy Store a big success.

WWW.FPCFW.ORG

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GROW in January

New Member & Visitor Dessert Gathering

In addition to those listed on page 1, below are some opportunities to be inspired and grow on your spiritual journey this January at First Presbyterian Church. remember them. Enjoy the beauty and the solitude of the Columbarium, Memorial Garden, and Labyrinth. Thanks be to God for this sacred space.

Sacred Space at FPC This fall we have celebrated the addition of the Columbarium, Memorial Garden and Labyrinth to our Penn Street campus. This beautiful sacred space on the north west corner of the campus has become an important part of our faith community. Several inurnments have occurred in the Columbarium, ashes have been scattered in the Memorial Garden, and several families have made provisions for future inurnments, interments, and scattering. Names now appear on niches and on the Memorial Garden plaque. In addition, the Labyrinth has been used by individuals and groups – most recently an Advent walk on December 4. If you have not yet taken time to visit this space, or haven’t been recently, plan to visit over the next weeks. Read the names of the saints now a part of this sacred space as we

Presbyterian Women (PW) Circles It’s never too late to join a PW circle here at FPC. Fifteen circles meet monthly or bi-monthly, some during the day and some in the evening, for fellowship and support along our faith journeys. Please contact Martha Zaborowski in the church office if you would like to join a circle.

Men’s Retreat We invite new registrations for the Men’s Retreat (January 21-22), though the deadline has passed. We cannot guarantee a hotel room but will check availability. Contact Patty O’Brien in the church office for details.

Tuesday, January 31 7 p.m. Parlor Come spend an evening meeting other visitors and new members of First Presbyterian Church as we gather for a special dessert gathering. A few of our pastors will be there to share exciting aspects of the ministry of FPC. Come and enjoy a great time of fellowship. Contact Martha Zaborowski at [email protected] or 817.335.1231 for more information.

If you’ve not yet done so, be sure to pick up a copy of Journeys, FPC’s Spiritual Formation quarterly publication. The first issue is now available at the church as well as online at fpcfw. org/journeys. Find articles about the monthly theme related to spiritual formation, how to practice the theme through FPC offerings, book recommendations, retreat announcements, and more.

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JOYS & CONCERNS

CALENDAR HIGHLIGHTS

Following are the joys and concerns shared as of December 19, 2016 (due to printing deadlines). To respect the privacy of those listed, names are included only when the individuals grant their permission.

Below are some highlights of special events and meetings happening in January. For a complete calendar, please visit fpcfw.org or pick one up at the church.

Our loving sympathy to... John and Mary Jane Witt on the death of her mother, Margaret Reta Speer, who died December 1 in Lee’s Summit, Missouri Family and friends of Virginia Maples, who died December 10. Surviving family includes FPC member Phyllis Wright. Family and friends of Rush Klein, who died December 18. Our loving thoughts and prayers are with... Glynda Coffey, Bill Shaffer, Chuck Sullivan, and Lou Hopps, who are recovering from surgery or injury. David Nation, Corinna Nation, Lisa Shiner, Jacquitta White, Clark Williams, Marge Shiner, Ben Mathias, Elizabeth Bean, Neil Zipp, Frances Blake, Bill O’Grady, Gene James, Carolyn Lischio, Jane Drew, Mac McCoy, Nancy Nelson, Ed Martin, and Dalia Scott, who are dealing with illness or undergoing treatment. Jane Watson, who is on hospice. Our caring prayers for extended family include... Susan Williams (cousin of Pat Gordon), John DeMore (son-in-law of June Sprott), Mary Krueger (sister of Wanda Williams), Lisa Koenig (niece of Clark Williams), Bill Schmid, Sr. (father of Bill Schmid, Jr.), and Kathy Kline (Maxine Kruse’s daughter). Marty Kinard (Larry and Bettye Kinard’s daughterin-law), Mark Bryant (Joanne Sarsgard’s son), and Susan Chenault (Frances Chenault’s daughter). Prayers for peace in our world, for the safety of Nathan Gunter (Russell and Vivian Norment’s nephew) who is stationed in Korea. Also for the safety of Diego A. Saldivar, who is serving in the US Navy; Diego is the son of Becky and Rene Saldivar. Our congratulations and best wishes to... Clayton and Megan Sordini on the birth of Cecilia Marie Sordini on November 24. Cecilia is the granddaughter of Richard and Jan Sordini.

Make Your 2017 Pledge If you’ve not yet done so, pledges for 2017 are still being accepted by the Business Office. Extra cards are available at church, or submit your pledge online at www.fpcfw. org/give.

WORSHIP ON SUNDAYS 8 a.m. Worship Service (Chapel) 9 a.m. Worship Service (Great Hall) 10 a.m. Church School for All Ages (Various Rooms) 11 a.m. Worship Service (Sanctuary) WORSHIP ON WEDNESDAYS 5:30 p.m. Worship on Wednesdays (Comm. Crossroads) TUESDAY, JANUARY 3 5:30 p.m. First Meeting of New Discipleship Group (Fahrenkamp Music Room) SATURDAY, JANUARY 7 10 a.m. First Meeting of Enneagram: Next Step Class (Youth Room) SUNDAY, JANUARY 8 11 a.m. & All-Church Brunch & Blue Zones Celebration 12:15 p.m. (Great Hall) MONDAYS, JANUARY 9, 16, 23, 30 3 p.m. Room in the Inn (Gym) TUESDAY, JANUARY 10 5:30 p.m. First Meeting of Grief Support Group (Room 305) SUNDAY, JANUARY 15 5:30 p.m. Labyrinth Walk (Outdoor Labyrinth) 6 p.m. Taizé Wholeness & Healing Worship (Chapel) MONDAY, JANUARY 16 All Day MLK Jr. Day of Service (Community Wide) TUESDAY, JANUARY 17 10:30 a.m. PW Tuesday Together (Great Hall) 7 p.m. Blue Zones Project Purpose Workshop (Gym) SATURDAY-SUNDAY, JANUARY 21-22 All Day Men’s Retreat (Granbury, TX) TUESDAY, JANUARY 31 7 p.m. New Member/Visitor Dessert Gathering (Parlor) VARIOUS DAYS IN JANUARY Presbyterian Women’s Circle Meetings (See complete calendar for each circle’s schedule)

WWW.FPCFW.ORG

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Inspiring Disciples... Engaging the World

First Presbyterian Church 1000 Penn Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 PERIODICALS POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Penn Street Letter, 1000 Penn Street Fort Worth, TX 76102 Church Office Ph: 817.335.1231 Fax: 817.335.5663

WWW.FPCFW.ORG

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Lifetime Presbyterian Women Memberships were presented to FPC members Barbara Reece and Donna Laminack, and FPC staff member and longtime PW supporter Celeste Falter at the PW Christmas Celebration on December 13.

For daily photos of FPC in action, FOLLOW at...

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The Fellowship Committee would like to thank the congregation for helping make the Taste of Christmas event on Sunday December 18 a wonderful experience of all of the different flavors of Christmas. The cookies that you all shared were beautiful and delicious. We hope you enjoyed sharing and experiencing a little taste of Christmas. Merry Christmas! -- The Fellowship Committee

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