From the interim pastor

           in’ – ter – im n. [L., meanwhile < inter: see INTER-] the period of time between; meanwhile – adj. for or during an interim; temporary; provisional.

Living in the period of time between is challenging. We live in a world where we focus on getting to our destination as fast as we can. We want fewer delays at airports, better roads, faster food, and instant information. And so it is, that you may well be wanting to get another pastor called to Reformation as soon as possible. Yet, there is a richness to the experiences of the period of time between if we are able to trust that God is with us throughout the journey – and not just some end point companion. Consider some examples of journeys through the period of time between.

God’s people left the harsh life of slavery in Egypt for the Promised Land. The journey was not a quick one, but took forty years. During the period of time between the two places, God provided an interim leader named Moses. God’s people learned anew what it meant to be God’s people – to trust in God to provide manna from heaven and water in the wilderness. They received the Torah – the Law – as a gift to guide them in their relationships with God and one another. They reached the Promised Land ready to move forward to the challenges ahead.

Jane and Michael Banks needed someone to take care of them and the Banks family needed to re-center themselves in what it means to be a family. Enter Mary Poppins, Interim Nanny. She helped them to play with imagination, such as riding horses through the countryside of a sidewalk drawing. She made the children take on responsibilities and chores like cleaning the nursery. The Banks family struggled with issues of money and employment while finding laughter and joy in each other’s presence. When the family was ready to move forward, the winds shifted and Mary Poppins departed.

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Throughout the New Testament many marvelous things happen on the way to get somewhere else. In the midst of a crowd a woman reaches out in faith to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment while he is on his way to heal another. A blind man received sight, calling out to the Son of David for mercy while he passed by. While resting at a well in the midst of a journey through foreign land Jesus kindled the faith of a woman who was separated from others. On the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus followers of Jesus felt their hearts burn within them as the unrecognized risen Lord revealed to them the Scriptures.

 

At Reformation we are in the period of time between pastors who you have called to serve our Lord in this place. I am serving as your pastor at this time, which would make me your Interim Pastor. This role, like a regularly called pastor, includes administering the sacraments, leading worship and preaching, providing special services (funerals and weddings), teaching, visiting, and being a resource to committees and organizations of the congregation. An Interim Pastor, however, has additional tasks to address in partnership with the congregational leadership: coming to terms with and celebrating the congregation’s history, examining leadership and organizational needs, preparing for new leadership, developing a sense of identity for the congregation grounded in a vision for mission and ministry as God’s people in this place and time.

 

While there is a certain degree of uncertainty, which is inherent during the period of time between, it is also a great opportunity to grow together as God’s people. It is my hope that during this time we will rely on God’s continuing grace to guide, heal, and feed us. And, when the wind of the Holy Spirit blows in a new direction and calls a pastor through you, I will leave knowing that the same grace of God remains with you. With that in mind, I share with you this prayer from the LBW Vespers service:

 

Lord God,

you have called your servants to

ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown.

 Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go,

but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

 

I look forward to journeying with you during this period of time between.

Your’s in Christ,

Pastor Jeff Ziegler

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CAMP RC 2006

 

ANNOUNCES NEW DIRECTOR AND AVAILABLE JOB POSITIONS

 

      Ted Horne has been named as the director of Camp RC 2006.  Ted brings to this position more than 30 years as a teacher in the public school system, as well as the management of city recreation playgrounds.  Listed below are the positions that are open for summer camp this year:

Ø      ASSISTANT DIRECTORS

Ø      CAMP RC COUNSELORS

Ø      CAMP RC P.M. COUNSELORS

Ø      CAMP RC JUNIOR

Ø      COUNSELORS

Ø      CAMP RC BEFORE AND

Ø      AFTERCARE COUNSELORS

       Details regarding the above positions and additional information are available in the church office. The deadline for completed applications for the assistant directors is April 9,2006 and for the counseling staff the deadline for completion application is April 12, 2006.

 

 

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My Reformation family,

 

What can I say? My thankfulness is overflowing. What a wonderful send-off Sandie and I were given in our last days at Reformation! Your good wishes were expressed in so many ways, and they did not go unnoticed. I am thankful for the many who spent hours in preparation for the wonderful reception, for the choir that sang their hearts out at the Sunday morning services and the Sunday afternoon farewell, for the many who gave thoughtful (and entertaining) presentations, for those who helped to organize it all and for the countless others who chipped in to make the last Sunday such a special day. Sandie and I are thankful for the many gifts that we received, some given individually, and many given through the congregation. Your generosity was overwhelming. The financial gifts will, I’m sure, be of help as we set up our new home, and Sandie is definitely headed for the spa!

 

Most of all I am thankful for the nineteen years at Reformation. What a wonderful blessing they have been. The memories will last forever!

 

Peace and Love,

 

Pastor Gordon Simmons

 

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STEWARDSHIP CORNER

 

“FIRST FRUITS” SUNDAY

 

On Sunday, April 2, 2006 we will have another opportunity to come forward during the 9:00 and 11:00 services with our gifts of thanksgiving. The Stewardship committee invites you to join in the celebration of “first fruits” giving. The Old Testament says the best tenth of the “first fruits” should be set aside and offered in thanksgiving to God for the blessings we are given.

The account of the Festival of First Fruits is found in Leviticus 23:9 –14. The Israelites were not allowed to eat from their harvest until they offered the first crops to God. Even today God still expects us to set aside His portion first, not last.

 

             “I will not offer God sacrifices that cost me nothing” II Samuel 24:24

 

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S T R E T C H ACADEMY NEWS

 

Spring is here and the students of Stretch Academy have been discussing ways to make their summer fun and financially favorable! We are working on a

plan to start a grass cutting business during the summer break. Services to be provided include cutting, trimming, raking and bagging grass and some minimal planting. We need adult volunteers who are willing to assist in locating equipment, overseeing the work, and/or helping make this project a great learning experience. If you are interested in becoming a customer or working with the youth, please speak with Charlene Jenkins or Jim Redmond.

 

          Speaking of summer, our reading program will start immediately after school closes. We will hold reading circles for children ages 6 to 12- Monday through Thursday afternoons at 3PM here at the church. If you are willing to be a reader or you have some great books to donate, please contact Charlene Jenkins at the church. College tour- Spaces are still available for the Spring Break College Tour, April 10-12, 2006. Contact any member of the Scholarship Committee for details.

 

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Council Corner

 

Actions from February’s

Council Retreat/Meeting

 

Despite Pastor Simmons departure, Reformation is back to business as usual. Council had their annual retreat on February 18, 2006 which was lead by Susan Ericsson. The Interim Pastor and Council Members participated in several team building exercises which were extremely successful. Council is looking forward to another productive year.

·         5 goals were selected at January’s Annual Congregational Meeting for 2006; Reformation will work diligently to achieve these goals throughout 2006.

·         Interim Pastor Jeffrey Ziegler will serve Reformation until the permanent pastor is selected.

·         Ted Horne was approved as the Summer Camp Director for Camp RC.

·         Linda Walker was approved as the Assistant Director for Camp RC. She will be organizing and leading the “Before and After Day Care Program”.

 

Reminders

·     “Members Concern/Suggestion Sheets” are available in the narthex for members who would like to make suggestions and/or express their concerns to improve our ministry.

·     During Lent 2006, we will begin taking pledges to dedicate a room at the Seminary in honor of Dr. Addie Butler. It will cost $50,000 spread over the course of the next 3 years. For additional information, please see any member of Council.

·     Reformation will be sponsoring our 1^st Annual Picnic at Mermaid Lake

 

 

Prayer concerns…for healing: Patsy Smith, Nicole Mayrant, Herbert Bomar, Kathy Mattis, Ruth Robinson, George & Sophia Edwards, Rosetta Singleton, Nicole Matthews, Dorothy Taylor, Gladys Holder, Joyce Rose, Maryellen Brown, Dorothy Wilson, and the family of Gloria Myers.

 

 

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Calling Post Messages

To retrieve the most recent calling post message just call 1-800-925-7443, ten digit group ID 125 324 3733

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April Birthdays

 

1. Yvette Rodriquez

2. Reginald Rouse

3. Gwendolyn Brown, Dorothy McKnight, Maya Pressley, Gwen Redmond,

4. Gloria Parkin, Desiree Thompson

5. Addison Bradley, Sharon Miles

6. Beverly Boyd

7. Lottie Dawson, Kyesha Vann

8. Amirah Dales, Sheena Johnson

9. Markita Speight

10. Brenda Morris

11. Brita Bell, Priscilla Curet

12. Latece Blackwell, Brandon Ocasio

13. Joauna Riley

14. Christopher C heatom, Grace Copes, Barbara Frederick, Marjorie Muir,  Alisha Nicholson, Hiree Peoples

15. Darryl Smith

16. Gloria Johnson

17. Cassandra Wynne

19. Mark Ehlers

20. Marva Buchanon, Marquis Holland

21. Donald Rutherford

23. Corrin Artwell, Shaneh Bradley, Michael Edwards, Dawn Larmond

24. Alyce Williams, Bill Wright

25. Dianna Blakely

27. Tevin Barnett, Gianna Graham, William Grazier, Nile Lyons

28. Trina Allen

29. Stephanie Ammons, Santi Butler

30. Dorothy Bernard, George Rouse

 

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 Vicar’s Column

Gifts That Keep On Giving

           Everybody likes to receive presents. That’s why Christmas and Birthdays are so popular. As we grow into adults, we may try to hide some of that enthusiasm, but it is still there. Most of the time, we like to use our gifts, but we also have some gifts that sit unused in our garages and forgotten in our closets. Did you know that God gives us gifts as well? The Bible tells us that we have spiritual gifts from God, and like our earthly gifts, some of these gifts get used, and some are left unused or forgotten – and some you may not know you have!

           With this in mind, I am starting a new project here at Reformation as part of my internship project: a Spiritual Gifts Assessment. That sounds like a complicated thing, but it really just means this: I want to help you find out what your spiritual gifts are and how you can use them. In order to do this, I will be doing a collection of one-time classes over the next couple of months with groups and individuals. Each class will have three parts: a brief Bible study, a questionnaire that will help identify your gifts, and discussion about what your gifts mean for you and how you can best use them. My hope is that this study will raise up awareness, excitement, and some volunteers for the good of the church and the community. So please look for classes and take the opportunity to dig your spiritual gifts out of the closet.

Vicar Ari

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           THRIVENT BUILDS

          Volunteer, Volunteer, Volunteer! Reformation Lutheran church is in the “full speed ahead mode” in our efforts to rehabilitate a house in the West Philadelphia area.

           Our newly appointed “Congregation Champion” is Mrs. Imogene Jones. Mrs. Jones’ responsibilities will include educating and inspiring members to get involved in Thrivent Builds efforts, working closely with the Thrivent Builds specialist, recruit volunteers within the congregation, and oversee congregational fundraising efforts to support Thrivent Builds Homes. She has already well demonstrated her fund raising skills.

          The on-site starting date is April 8^th. In the coming weeks and months as we offer our service to such a worthy cause, the recipient will realize the blessing of this home. May those who labor also receive a blessing ten thousand fold. Our Chapter Specialists are Arthur Muir and George Rouse.

 

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Vision Ad-Hoc

 

             May 6^th is less than two months away.

Committee Chairs are reminded that there is not a great deal of time left for you and the members of your committee to decide how best to SHOWCASE your group. Remember, you want to make people aware of your existence, let them know what you do, inspire them to join your

committee, and introduce the members of your group. Don’t forget, presentation counts.

 

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POSITIONS AVAILABLE AT BEAR CREEK CAMP

 

FOOD SERVICE AND HOUSEKEEPING MANAGER: Responsible for providing quality food service and housekeeping for summer and retreat season programs of Bear Creek Camp. Full-time during the summer, 15-20 hours week during retreat season. Competitive salary and benefits.

 

SUMMER AND PERMANENT MAINTENANCE MANAGER: Responsible for maintaining safe and well cared for facilities, grounds, and vehicles for the programs of Bear Creek Camp. Full-time year round position with competitive salary, benefits, housing.

 

SUMMER CAMP COUNSELORS AND SUPPORT STAFF: Many positions available including counselors, day camp counselors, photographer, kitchen, maintenance. One year post-high school for counselors, high school graduate for all other positions.

 

For more information see www.bearcreekcamp.org/employment_opportunities.htm or contact Bear Creek Camp at 570-472-3741.

 

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SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE

Date	9:00 AM	11:00 AM
March 26:	Healing Service	Healing Service
Ø    Highlighting Health Professionals
April 2:	Communion	Communion
Ø    First Fruits
April 9:	Communion	Communion
Ø    Palm Sunday
April 16:	Communion	Communion
Ø     Easter Sunday

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TO CONTACT THE CHURCH, PLEASE CALL THE OFFICE:  215-548-4332. (fax:  215-548-4334)  The office secretary is Sandra Wilson.  The parish administrator is Evelyn Trent.   The vicar is Ari Mattson.   Pastor Ziegler's home phone number is 856.627.1983.

Reformation Lutheran Church

1215 E. Vernon Road

Philadelphia, PA  19150