A Voice in the Pines Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines newsletter
What’s the future of the Kirk in the New Year? To get his “take” on that question, we sat down with Pastor Bill Bailey. Pastor Bill thinks the Kirk is a wonderful, healthy church. It is a caring, welcoming community where members have a strong hunger to learn and to grow and are heavily involved in the church. Attendance is up at Kirk-sponsored community events. It is hoped more of these events can be planned, because it introduces the community to the Kirk.
Volume XXXIII, Issue 1, January 2017
Those who visit the Kirk for worship generally stay and become members. And, Bill says, most visitors come because members have invited them. Financially, the Kirk will begin 2017 with more people pledging than last year and 83 families raising their pledges. “That is a hopeful sign things are happening,” says Bill. As a result, we will be able to increase our
When we meet Sunday worship service begins at 10 a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study 9 a.m. in Hoffius Hall.
Saturday informal service 5 p.m. in Hoffius Hall
Thursday Discussion Group 9 a.m. in Hoffius Hall
Sunday children’s class 10 a.m. in the Journey Room
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January 2017
Maybe you have heard this one. An irate man called the local newspaper and demanded to know why his Sunday edition was not delivered. Without stopping to take a breath, he loudly informed the employee he paid good money for this paper and demanded an explanation. The employee responded politely, “But, sir, today is Saturday. The Sunday paper will not be delivered until tomorrow, on Sunday.” There was a pause on the other end of the phone, followed by this moment of recognition. “Well, I guess that explains why no one was at church, either!” The friend who sent this to me added, "You will not fully appreciate this until you retire.” That's not entirely true. I am already beginning to appreciate how easy it is to lose track of time and forget things. I’m also beginning to understand this can be unsettling. Who would believe we would make it until 2017? A New Year is before us, filled with all kinds of opportunities as well as challenges. Opportunities to be faithful as well as challenges to test our courage, convictions and faith. We can be certain the coming year will bring important changes – some good, others not so good.
Still, we can be certain our Lord will be with us as a guide and friend. Come what may in 2017, we can be confident our Lord is at work in this world, calling us to follow him in working for and praying for God’s kingdom to become a reality. Thinking about this New Year, I am reminded of these words from St Paul: “Let your love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another, outdo one another in showing honor. Never flag in zeal, be aglow with the Spirit, and serve the Lord. Rejoice in your hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality.” (Romans 12:9-12) Let us strive to continue putting these words into practice. Happy New Year, 2017!
mission giving by about $22,000 next year. That is quite impressive, since our membership continues to decline due to death and moving away. Since Bill became pastor, he has conducted an average of 20 to 25 memorial services a year. Another 12 or more members move away. On the other hand, we average 15 to 20 new members a year. Doing the math shows us membership is declining. Generational shifts can explain much of the “why” of the decline. It was the Eisenhower Generation, now coming to an end, which was involved in churches and civic groups and who built new churches. The Baby Boomers are not as excited about church membership and volunteering. This declining trajectory does give rise to anxiety. However, Bill thinks “plenty of people are looking for a place to call home.” He feels we need to
continue to reach out and make the Gospel attractive to successive generations. Division in the country is a concern, and the Presbyterian Church continues to have challenges regarding ordination standards and views about social justice. “The Kirk can be a model of a way to be a Christian community in a divided world, country and church. We can continue to be friends in spite of differences.” A major event in 2017 will be Pastor Bill leading a group to visit Israel in March. There are 32 persons signed up to go on the nine-day inspirational trip. Another happening may be the return by popular demand of the Faith and Film program, where participants watch a film, then meet to discuss it. All in all, 2017 will be a year when the Kirk continues to worship, study the Bible, visit the sick, do mission, be good stewards of our monies and property, make music, all to the Glory of God. – Dotty Rector
January 2017
Review of 2016 Jan. 1, 2016 – members: 367; family units: 244. Dec. 9, 2016 – members: 359; family units: 238. New members received: 12. Reasons for losses: • Requested their name be removed from the roll: 7. • Transferred to another church: 5. • Members died during the year: 8. Affiliate Members: Two asked to have their names removed and one died during the year. Affiliate Members are not counted on the roll. Budget Preparation The Finance Committee is working hard to complete the 2017 budget. If you have not sent in your pledge, please do so as soon as possible. This will help the committee complete the budget so committee moderators will know what they will have to work with this next year. This is especially important for the Mission Committee as they begin to prepare their budget outlining what monies will be available to support the agencies supported by the Kirk. Memorial and Grounds Committee
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This committee works with the Finance Committee to make sure monies paid when a member buys a lot or a columbarium site will be there when needed. They also set aside funds for maintenance of the Memorial Garden. Building Committee This committee evaluates ways to make the Kirk a safer place to work and worship. Session will be voting on safety items at the January meeting. Fellowship Committee Report There were 79 members and guests at the Thanksgiving Dinner. This was a few more than last year. There were 84 at the Christmas Appetizer "Sing Along" supper.
The Rev. Bill Bailey with the Session class of 2019 Elders. New committee moderators are (from left) Jim Erickson, Administration; Pat Kuntz, Education; Charles Reece, Finance; Vicki Rosenquist, Fellowship, and Gary Clark; Mission. Robert Sonnen photo
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Kirk in the Pines Financial Report year to date through Nov. 30, 2016
January 2017
The pledges have been coming in, and at this time we can report that we have been very pleased with the results of our 2017 stewardship drive. As of Dec. 7, we have 149 pledges totaling $360,846 in the General Fund compared with a total of $346,564 in 2016, a 4.1-percent increase. Eighty-three families exceeded Jim Adams’ challenge to increase their giving by $4.00 a week, giving an average increase of $6.88. The Building Maintenance Fund has 71 pledges, the same as last year, totaling $46,151, missing last year’s total of $46,590 by less than 1percent. If you have not yet been able to submit your pledge card, you can drop it in the mail, leave it in the Kirk office, or place it in the offering plate any Sunday. A more complete report will be published after the late pledges are submitted. – Denny Zymboly, Stewardship Committee
Total: Budget: $373,330.83 Received: $371,162.17 General Fund Budget: $33,939.17 Receipts: $28,117.00 Paid: $38,130.79 Building Fund Budget: $4,114.17 Receipts: $2,742.00 Paid: $2,414.03 Reserve & Designated Funds: $123,139.38 Endowment as of Dec 8: $503,628.26 Program Fund as of Dec 8: $50,473.73 Luke 12:48 Fund as of Dec 8: $75,394.29 Ceiling Giving: $47,118.00 Goal: $137,631.31 To those who continue to give, Thank You! – Sharon Gardner, Moderator Finance Committee, 2014-2016
Thank you for generously supporting our Mission Dollar campaign by placing your single dollar bills in the offering plate. A total of $691 was collected in November. If you wish to give more than a dollar, please use the envelopes in the pew racks. We are always grateful for your generous gifts and prayers.
The Wednesday morning Bible study resumes its study of the Gospel of Matthew on Jan. 11, and the Thursday morning discussion group continues with Introduction to Judaism on Jan. 12. Both classes begin at 9 a.m. in Hoffius Hall. Everyone is invited to join these informative and lively discussions.
January 2017
Recently I received questions about the Endowment and Program Funds. I must assume others share them as well. Here are the questions and my responses: • When was the Endowment set up, how much have people given to the fund and why is an Endowment so important to the long-term future of the Kirk? The fund was started Sept. 17, 2007. Gifts ranging from $13,000 to $200,000 have been received, money given by individuals to the Kirk in their estates as well as by members still living who want to support the future ministries of this church. A recent gift of more than $75,000 was received from a member who wishes to remain anonymous. The money was placed in the Luke 12:48 fund. To date approximately $475,000 has been given. Some donations are general and some earmarked. The designated money is given to education and missionary interests of the donor. Endowment funds are invested and have grown to a current value of approximately $578,000. To date, another $70,000 has been withdrawn and given to missions important to the Kirk and community. As noted in the November newsletter, an Endowment is structured to preserve the original gifts while providing market value increase to support efforts of the organization. For the Kirk, that gives us funds to provide programs and mission support over a longer period of time than if the gift was used all at once. • Is money withdrawn each year, and how is the Endowment invested? Money withdrawn each year comes from increases in market value of the Endowment and Program Funds. The original capital given to the funds is never touched. This way they can continue to grow. The funds are in a balanced fund operated by the Texas Presbyterian Foundation (TPF). When the
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market goes way up, we don’t make as much money as we might in more aggressive funds, but when the market goes way down, we don’t lose as much either. For over 90 years, TPF has developed a rich heritage that continues to strengthen their organization’s goal and helps clients and partners expand mission for Presbyterian churches all over the country as well as other non-profit organizations. We are invested for the long term, not short term. We are not doing stock trading. On a 12-quarter rolling average, we hope to see 10-percent steady growth, adjusting for inflation over time. We expect to use 3 to 5 percent of market value for our missionary and education interests. • Are there examples of how income from the Endowment has been spent other than Missions? How does Missions spend the money? All withdrawn money to date has been used for Missions and Education. Some recipients are designated by the giver. The Session determines the amount of money to be withdrawn and how it will be used. If it is designated for missions, the Mission Committee reviews all charities requesting assistance. The committee investigates how the charity uses the money to assure the charity is a worthy recipient. It is the committee’s job to divide the money to the vetted charities. • Can you describe in greater detail the difference between the Endowment and the Program Funds? Both funds are placed in the Balanced Fund at TPF. The Endowment will be preserved and not available for use. Only a percent of the market value is taken each year. The Program Fund is a “reserve” fund for programs or projects as determined by the Session. One example was the ceiling repair. The principle in the Program Fund is available for use.
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We all know how important volunteer activities are for the people helped by our efforts, but did you know volunteerism can also be good for you? Numerous studies have shown volunteering helps provide a sense of purpose for the people who donate their time, allowing them to feel less isolated and more socially connected. Volunteering may be particularly helpful for older Americans undergoing a life stress, with one study finding bereaved individuals who engaged in volunteer activities experienced a shorter course of depression. And if that’s not enough, there is also a growing body of evidence suggesting people who give their time to help others may be rewarded with better physical health, including maintenance of memory and thinking skills, stress reduction, lower blood pressure, and a longer lifespan. The New Year may be the perfect occasion for you to look for new opportunities to help others and yourself at the same time. If so, I suggest you start by looking at the article on the next page for ways you can help our Kirk committees, even if you don’t want to attend meetings and become an official committee member. If you would like to broaden your time and effortgiving horizons even further, I would be happy to share the wealth of information I gleaned while at-
• If I want to give to the Endowment or Program Fund in my estate or give to either fund now, how would I do that? Contact Pastor Bailey, the office or any of the elders and they will walk you through the process as well as connect you with an expert who can present the options available. – Sharon Gardner, Moderator Finance Committee, 2014-2016
January 2017
tending the recent Senior Services Expo at the Coronado Center. Examples include becoming a Senior Companion or Certified Volunteer Ombudsman for the Area Agency on Aging; providing pet therapy or making phone calls to caregivers about supply needs for Arkansas Hospice; or listening to lonely people for the Village Police Department. In short, there are needs out there that fit your abilities, from providing physical labor or driving people to appointments or sharing prior professional knowledge by telephone, something you can do from home. Please contact me at 9220672 for ways you can make a difference. Oscar Wilde once said: “The smallest act of kindness is worth more than the grandest intention.” So let your New Year’s resolution be one of small acts rather than grand intentions. – Martha Nielsen, Moderator Congregational Care Committee
Christian service comes in many flavors. It can be as simple as the covered dish you take to a neighbor who isn't feeling well, or as complex as donating a kidney to a complete stranger. Well, maybe we're too old to donate a kidney, so let's look at some alternatives. Our Kirk committees organize and parse out the necessary tasks of maintaining our house of worship. If there were no ushers or lit candles when we arrive, no attention paid to members in need of help, no planned activities, no education, no selfmanagement of funds or involvement in community affairs, we wouldn't be a church. Ever wonder how the Kirk runs so smoothly?
January 2017
Below are brief descriptions of the Building, Congregational Care, and Education committees and the vital work they do. We will feature more committees in subsequent issues.
Building Committee The Building Committee does whatever’s necessary to keep the building in top working condition and looking great to visitors and to our congregation. Mostly we fix or upgrade equipment and furnishings as needed. We meet once a month to discuss issues and opportunities and decide what the best solutions might be. Being a member of this committee does not mean you have to get dirty or strain your back, although small projects might be undertaken. Mostly we just try to make logical, thoughtful decisions on what to do or not do and then find professional help to get it done. – Barron Gage, Moderator Phone: 209-9569
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Congregational Care Committee The stated purpose of the Congregational Care Committee is to maintain contact with and assist those in our congregation with special needs due to illness, hospitalization, bereavement, or confinement to home. We pray for, make visits to, and provide services for members who need them, as well as passing on information about how to handle life’s challenges. Our greatest needs today are for volunteers willing to help with the following: • Transportation to church or doctor appointments for members unable to drive within the Village, to Hot Springs, and/or to Little Rock. • Provide handyman services for simple household chores and repairs. • Provide non-professional consultation about financial, tax-related or legal issues. • Visit shut-ins or provide occasional respite care for caregivers.
Continued from page 6 Behind this efficient operation are committees meeting regularly to make decisions, come up with ideas, and roll up their sleeves to do what needs doing. Serving on a committee is a wonderful way to give of your time and talent. Each Kirk member should serve on a committee, enjoy your fellow members, and grow together as our church grows. Where to begin? See the article on committees higher on this page. "Show up" events are the second level of service. These intermittent service efforts include delivering Meals on Wheels, reading to children at the Ouachita Children's Home, serving meals at Jackson House or Samaritan Ministries, cooking with the Greenhorns, building houses with Habitat for Humanity, or mentoring a teenager at Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home. These efforts supply a necessary element of human concern by showing those down on their luck someone cares enough to show up and give a bit of themselves. There are some hard jobs, such as becoming a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in either
Garland or Saline County. CASA volunteers get a week's training (yes, all day, all week) and are appointed by the Juvenile Court judge to a foster child for regular visits to home, school, daycare, court hearings, and Department of Human Services. The Mission Committee needs members to be involved with a specific charity to vet their staff, work, and outcomes. We have 37 charities and most committee members take several, but we have openings. Members become the charity’s advocate on the Mission Committee. The Mission Committee, now headed by Elder Gary Clark, has myriad service opportunities – from easy to hard. Grab one. Try it on for size. Get another if you don't like the first one. It's not rocket science. – Ed Baldwin, Moderator Mission Committee, 2014-2016
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January 2017
Boulders found in the woods were placed at the south edge of the parking lot. Joyce Leeming photo
On Dec. 2, as some folks pulled into the church parking lot, they noticed a "deere" hard at work. This particular "deere" was a John Deere front-end landscape loader. After spending a year surveying our grounds, inspecting the health of the forest and with the advice of consultants, a decision had been made to have some work done. Several dozen dead trees of various sizes, numerous stumps standing tall out of the ground, and trailer loads of dead debris were removed. What remains between the parking lot and Carmona Road are several beautiful acres of healthy forest. Many pines remain with room to grow along with many red and white oaks. Other varieties of deciduous
Continued from page 7 • Be a daily phone friend to someone living alone. • Help deliver Greenhorn meals to our shut-ins once a month – Martha Nielsen, Moderator Phone: 922-0672
Education Committee The Education Committee is seeking new and returning members to help guide the Kirk’s adult learning, active library use, and provide a safe and happy weekly nursery during Sunday worship. This last year, adult learning included supporting Pastor Bill's Bible and Book studies, the Kirk Speaker
trees in multiple sizes also have room to grow and show their shape and colors. A bonus appeared in the form of numerous hidden landscape boulders. Our contractor agreed to transport 10 of them to help define, decorate and outline the south side of the main parking lot. The boulders not only add character to the grounds, they also add some safety in front of a steep drop-off eight feet away from the parking lot curb. The end result is an attractive and healthy forest as well as a safer parking lot with some unexpected charm. The next Memorial Garden/Grounds workday will be Friday, Feb. 3. – Tom Hayek, Moderator Grounds Committee Series, music and art classes, and summer supper speakers. The Kirk library has been wonderfully revamped under the leadership of committee member Lowell Gardner, who has overseen summer book studies and resorting materials. He writes a monthly column – Carnegie Corner – for this newsletter. In addition, work is underway for easier check-out via computer. The Kirk nursery, organized by Rosalyn Halbert, provides a safe and nurturing space for babies and children whose parents attend the Kirk worship on Sunday morning. We are always looking for dedicated ladies to serve in our nursery. – Pat Kuntz, Moderator Phone: 204-4385
January 2017
Around 80 Kirk members braved the cold to attend the Fellowship Committee’s caroling party Dec. 7. Guests filled their plates from a groaning board of potluck hors d’oeuvres and then settled at tables to
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enjoy an evening of Christmas music by the quartet Treble in the Village. Members Fran Stroud, Kay Crews, Sharon Gardner and Patty Van Cleve sang a variety of songs, from the delightful Holiday Dinner Party, about the challenges of entertaining in an age of food restrictions, to the beautiful Mary Did You Know? The audience joined in singing familiar carols, along with a spirited rendition of The Twelve Days of Christmas. A big thank you goes to Treble in the Village for a wonderful program, to the Fellowship Committee for all its hard work, and to outgoing Fellowship Moderator Norma Stevens for persevering with her idea to have a sing-along to usher in Christmas. – Judy Carroll Treble in the Village (above) led the music at a joyous holiday gathering organized by Norma Stevens (right). Photos by Jamie Federick and Jerry Carroll
January 2017
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Could you pass a "Christmas IQ Test"? Pastor Bill Bailey entertained the Presbyterian Women with a 28-question quiz at their Christmas Gathering on Dec. 12. We quickly learned that much of what we thought we knew about the first Christmas is not in the biblical accounts! When would you say Mary and Joseph arrived in Bethlehem? Was it the evening before Jesus' birth? The Bible doesn't say. What it does say is, "While they were there, the time came for her to be delivered." Didn’t the Innkeeper tell Mary and Joseph "there is no room in the inn"? No, the innkeeper didn't say that. The Bible says Mary laid Jesus in a manger "because there was no place for them in the inn." Mary and Joseph probably stayed in an adjacent room in the house where animals lived close to the family. Was Jesus born on Dec. 25? No, the Bible doesn't even say it was winter. The Dec. 25 date was settled on in the 4th Century A.D. when church leaders took the Roman Winter Solstice and turned it into a Christian holiday. Following the worship service, the women enjoyed a delicious luncheon prepared by the Greenhorns and then were entertained by Treble in the Village – Kay Crews, Sharon Gardner, Patty Van Cleave and Fran Stroud. Many thanks to Moderator Christine Hoagland, Vice Moderator Becky Wakefield, and Least Coin representative Dotty Rector who planned and led the event. Members of Circles 1 and 5 hosted the luncheon. – Madelyn Young
Becky Wakefield, Christine Hoagland and Dotty Rector. Madelyn Young photo
Circle 1 members were hosts for the PW gathering on Dec.12.
January 2017
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Who enjoyed the carols the most? Was it the audience? Or was it the performers? In early December, choir members, adorned in festive sweaters, gathered at the Good Samaritan chapel to sing favorite Christmas carols. Each song was applauded, and some in the audience joined in to sing with us. What fun! We then drove across the Village to Mount Carmel, where we repeated the performance to an appreciative audience. Some of us were close to hoarse by this time, so it is good we had only two performances. Caroling at these two lovely facilities has become
a tradition with the choir. It brings Christmas cheer to the residents, and to the choir it brings the joy of sharing our gifts.
Look for recent emails to see when the new Shepherd Group information meetings will be in January. At these get-togethers, you will learn more about what it means to belong to a group, and you will also have an opportunity to select your group’s Shepherd Leaders. A separate meeting is planned for each group, so make sure you know
to which group you have been assigned. An information board will be in Hoffius Hall for the next few weeks to help you confirm the group you selected. At the end of January, we will have a Leaders' Meeting to be sure everyone is ready, and then in February, the new group meetings will begin. We look forward to meeting with all of you. If you have any questions, call us at 209-9569 or send us an email at
[email protected]. – Wendy and Barron Gage Head Shepherds
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January 2017
Staying together are “Black Sheep” (from left) Harry Marshall, Martha Wilson, Jim White, Mary Ann Krieger, Gary Rector, June Moore, Shirley Siska, Nell White, Ellen Marshall and Dotty Rector. Harry Marshall photo.
The Kirk’s “Black Sheep” met Dec. 3 for our annual holiday party. "Black Sheep" is the name we gave ourselves because of our unofficial nature. We are a Shepherd Group formed of new members in 1993 and 1994. After being together for two years,
Please pray for those people who are serving away from home: Captain Mark Oldford, son of Lucy Allen, Air National Guard, is deployed by the U.S. Air Force in Kuwait. ••• If you have family members serving in the military whose names you would like us to list, please email
[email protected].
we were instructed to disband and join other groups. We agreed to join other groups, but not to disband. So we have gathered each year since our formation to renew our friendships and reminisce. Thanks to emails from Harry Marshall, we have also kept abreast of each other’s important events throughout the year. This year, June Moore had the great idea of meeting at Good Sam. Therefore, we were relieved of preparing for our usual potluck dinner in one of our homes. And what a dinner we had! The food was great, especially the perfectly cooked filet. We had a small, private room, just the right size for the 10 of us remaining Sheep. A letter from former pastor Sam Pope and his wife, Cora Jane, also Black Sheep, was read and enjoyed. We got caught up on each of our lives, and once again, enjoyed just being together. Until next year … – Dotty Rector
January 2017
The Finance Committee and I would like to thank you for your pledge responses. It makes the job of the Finance Committee so much easier when preparing the budget. We appreciate the willingness of over 80 families to trust God and increase their pledge this year. It shows we have a congregation that cares about the Kirk’s mission. Because you advise us what you anticipate giving, we can plan for the Kirk’s future and support the Kirk mission as well as missions outside our doors. May God bless you for your faithfulness! I would also like to thank Denny Zymboly and the Stewardship sub-committee for all their work on the Pledge Drive. They have done an outstanding job! As I leave the Session, it's also good to know Charles Reece will take the helm, and it's good to know the Kirk family will support him in his efforts. – Sharon Gardner, Moderator Finance Committee, 2014-2016
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The Kirk’s Mission Committee and Kirk Presbyterian Women also gave generous undesignated grants to Small Group which can be used for other projects benefitting the clients. These grants are a blessing as there are many needs other than for Christmas gifts. Thank you, Mission Committee and PW, for including SGT among your recipients. On behalf of SGT, the appreciative clients, and the “Christmas Elves,” thank you, one and all. We are grateful to have your continued support as a Friend of Small Group Therapy. Blessings and Happy New Year! – Joyce Leeming, Coordinator Friends of Small Group Therapy
Thanks to the generosity and loyal support of many Kirk members and other Friends of Small Group Therapy in the community, gifts were provided again at Christmas for 81 men and women residents disabled by mental illness. Excitement about receiving things they need begins months before Christmas, as for most, these are the only gifts they receive. Most requests were for clothing, shoes, toiletries, and gift cards. Kirk members Gail Salmen, Jean Fisher, Carol Clark, Sally Fink, Martha Nielsen, and Jamie Federick were among the 12 volunteers who shopped in November to fill the wish lists. Thirteen gift wrappers included Jean, Carol, and Gail, plus Sandy Adams, Emily Faulk, Barbara Kalsbeek and Sue New. The gifts were beautifully wrapped and finished with bright ribbon and bows. Both are big jobs and could not be possible without their time and efforts. The appreciative clients call the helpers “the Christmas Elves.” Seeing the joy Kirk members’ Christian love and generosity brings each year is a heart-warming experience and makes all the effort worthwhile.
During January, the Kirk is collecting non-perishable food for Jackson House. They need canned meat, fish, vegetables, soups, stew, Spam, chili, pasta and pasta sauces, dry boxed dinner helpers for hamburger, chicken and tuna, macaroni and cheese, dry rice, beans, and milk, dry hot and cold cereals and canned milk and juices. We thank Jackson House for the work they do, and we thank you for helping them.
The PW Coffee Closet will be open Jan. 8 after the Sunday worship service. The Closet has the finest Fair Trade decaf and caffeinated blends of coffees and teas.
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New Year's Eve of 1976 was the occasion of my being pulled over by the Wisconsin Highway Patrol for driving too slow. I was serving as a chaperon and providing transportation for a group of high-school youth on a snowmobile outing at a church member family's cabin. The location was about five miles from the town of Ashland, Wis. There were sufficient numbers to require several vehicles. During the trip, one driver developed engine problems and could not accelerate above 20 miles an hour. Since emergency lights were not in vogue at the time on passenger sedans, it was determined that I would travel behind the disabled vehicle for safety reasons.
Each March the Kirk congregation has volunteered to deliver Meals on Wheels in the Village. Again this year, we are dividing the driving time in half by separating deliveries between the east and west sides of the Village. Two people are needed for each side, one to drive and one to navigate. That means we will need four volunteers each weekday during March. You can volunteer as a couple, go with a friend, or we can match you with a partner. Substitutes are needed to provide back up as well. Meals on Wheels provides hot meals to Villagers who need
January 2017
While in route, we did notice a patrol car pass going in the opposite direction. Since we weren't speeding nor engaged in any illegal activity, we weren't concerned – until, of course, the car made a U-turn and its flashing lights went on. Once we explained our situation, the patrolman very kindly escorted us to our destination. The new year is a traditional occasion to review the past year[s] and evaluate things done. This then provides opportunity to envision future challenges or alterations to managing use of "time, talents and treasures:" How better to study "His Word." How more effectively to manage old habits. How best to enrich existing relationships or build new ones. Our church library offers many suggestions, study books, self-help manuals and other materials. Check it out.
assistance. Lunches and delivery directions are packed and ready for pickup by 9 a.m. at the McAuley Center on Hwy 7N outside the Main Gate. Sign-up will begin Saturday evening, Jan. 28, and Sunday morning, Jan. 29, and will continue through February. Choose your partner now, and bring your calendar to church, so you can pick a time that best fits your schedule. If you have any questions, call Vicki Rosenquist at 922-0302 or 706-3712877. Thank you for your help in making this year’s Meals on Wheels a great success. – Vicki Rosenquist
January 2017
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Happy dates Jan. 1 Jan. 2 Jan. 3 Jan. 4 Jan. 6
Jan. 3 Jan. 16 Jan. 23
Wayne Copeland Jerry Carroll Dot Stroupe Jeanne Lowenthal Martha Parry Don Elsenheimer Marsha Huff
Dotty and Gary Rector Helen and Don Van Stone Cynthia and Jim Chaffin
Jan. 9 Jan. 10 Jan. 12 Jan. 14 Jan. 17 Jan. 18
Mike Carpenter Priscilla Hayek Debra Cordell Karen Ammann Darell Fisher Jane Harless Jean Brown
36 years 57 years 64 years
When the weather is really bad, the Pastor or the Clerk of Session decide if the church should be closed. They may check with families living near the Kirk and ask how things look. After a decision is made, they’ll contact the Office Administrator who will: • Email information to the congregation. • Put a message on the Kirk’s answering machine.
Jan. 23 Jan. 26
Jan. 18 Jan. 19 Jan. 20 Jan. 22 Jan. 25
Ted Sampsel Jerry Bingham Betty Reece Jerral Johnson Halene Strautman
Jean and Darell Fisher Marty and Art Volkema
57 years 60 years
• Post a notice on the Kirk web site: www.kirkinthepines.org Sometimes problems near the Kirk may not be known to the Pastor or Clerk, such as a local power outage affecting the church. Families near the Kirk should inform the Pastor or Clerk as soon as possible. If the church is open, members should still make their own decision about whether it is safe to travel.
Twenty-three members of the Games Night Shepherd Group met Dec. 6 in Hoffius Hall for their usual card and domino games and a festive and scrumptious covered-dish dinner. Barbara Worthley photo
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January 2017
We would all like to see the Kirk grow in membership by introducing new people to our church. As members, we’re very proud of the sermons by Pastor Bill Bailey and the warm, friendly people in our congregation. An easy way for you to support the church is to help your friends learn more about us by sharing the Kirk in the Pines website on Facebook. Our goal is to have them visit us and become members. Wouldn’t it be fun to have your friends come and sit next to you in church? Here’s how to get started: 1. Go to the Kirk website, www.kirkinthepines .org.
The Kirk office will be closed Monday, Jan. 2, to mark the New Year holiday. It also will be closed on Monday, Jan. 16, for Martin Luther King Day.
William B. Bailey – Senior Pastor Sylvia Tate – Elder Leader, Informal Worship Randy Toney – Director of Music Donna Toney – Organist/Pianist Janie Smith – Visitation Coordinator Joyce Leeming – Secretary Beverly Schaumburg – Business Administrator Paul Stivitts – Sexton A Voice in the Pines is a monthly publication of Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines. It is produced and edited by the Kirk’s Communication Committee – Judy Carroll, Moderator. Its email address is: kirkvoice@ sbcglobal.net
2. When you see a blue Facebook Share button on a Kirk website page, click it. 3. When the window pops up, simply add your comment where it says “Say something about this.” 4. Click the blue Post to Facebook button . That’s all there is to it! Thank you for helping the Kirk grow! – Ralph Greene Presbyterian Kirk in the Pines 275 Asturias Drive, Hot Springs Village, AR 71909 Phone: 501-922-1333 Fax: 922-6005 Email:
[email protected] www.kirkinthepines.org
