The Pastor’s Page

                                                Dr. Charles B. Hardwick
                                                Pastor / Head of Staff

A New Ministry for Pastoral Care

Today you have the opportunity to explore all sorts of ways to serve Christ at 2PC and throughout the community at the Servant SampleFest from 8:30 to 12:30. I want to draw your attention to a new ministry which might be right up your alley!
Pastoral care is a vital ministry in the life of Second Pres.  As members and friends go through difficult periods (illness, grief, unemployment,divorce, etc.), they receive care which helps them to experience the presence of the Holy Spirit. Most recently this care has been primarily in the hands of the pastors, and, in particular, Dr. Roane Deckert.
Roane’s multifaceted ministry here has been an amazing resource, and I personally am so very grateful for all the wisdom he has given me. When he retires at the end of December, Roane will leave a superb legacy, but also the need to replace some of his pastoral care to the congregation. We are currently seeking a half-time parish associate for pastoral care, as well as a half-time coordinator for pastoral care, but even these two additional staff members will not be able to offer all of the necessary care.

I have asked the Deacons to form a ministry to help serve these caring needs, and, working with Roane, they are in the process of developing a new ministry called the Deacon Parish Ministry. The plan gives the opportunity for 4 small groups of 10 persons with the heart and touch of the Holy Spirit to care for a 25 family parish. This will involve at least 2 phone contacts per family per year, and possibly some visitation as circumstances require. While of course the pastoral staff and the new parish associate for pastoral care will continue to offer care in the most urgent circumstances, the network of care provided by the participants in these small groups will be able to watch over a much
larger group of people, over a much more extended period of time, than is possible by the pastors.

Please see Ken Gerstein in the display area for more details about this exciting and important opportunity. I know many of you have the heart and desire for this ministry. You have just been waiting for the Holy Spirit to direct you. This may be your time!

Thanks for considering this and all the other ministries at the Servant SampleFest!

Chip

PS I will be on vacation beginning tomorrow through Friday, October 10. I look forward to returning to the pulpit to begin the stewardship campaign on October 12.

EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Merge 20s/30s Retreat          

Join the 20s/30s ministry of 2PC at Timber Pointe October 3-4 for fellowship and a discussion of authenticity before God and each other. Cost is $5 per person. Contact Andrea Kladder TODAY for more info, or to sign up (andrea@secondpres. or 828-6297).

Heinavanker Concert            

The Illinois Wesleyan University School of Music presents the Estonian vocal ensemble Heinavanker in concert in the Second Presbyterian Church sanctuary on Friday, October 3 at 7:30 p.m. The six-member ensemble will present a program of English Renaissance sacred choral music and Estonian religious folk song. Free admission.

Community of Care Ministry Brunch        

You are invited to our first annual Community of Care Ministry Brunch. Plan to have good food, fun, and fellowship. BRING A FRIEND AND JOIN US!

WHO: Anyone who has been widowed
DATE: Sunday, October 5, 2008
TIME: 10 A.M.-12 NOON
PLACE: Fellowship Hall F100B

Please RSVP to Kim TODAY at 828-6297 or Kim@secondpres.info.

New Orleans Mission Trip Meeting         

There will be an organizational meeting for the November mission trip to New Orleans on October 12, at 12 noon in F202 (the Parlor).  If you are interested in participating in this trip, please come to this meeting and find out how you can make a difference.

Preschool Board Members Sought

The Preschool Board is seeking one or more new members. Please contact Angie Buckley if you are interested in serving on this committee related to the manamgement of the Second Presbyterian Church Preschool. Contact Angie at 275-8247.

Televsion Donation       

The 2PC Christian Education department is in need of a 32-inch television. If you are upgrading your television this fall, the church would be glad to have a serviceable TV. Please contact Don Crittenden at 828-6297.

DVD of Organ Demonstration Event Available for Purchase                                              

The Organ Demonstration Event was a great success—it was fascinating to hear John-Paul Buzzard’s description of all that has gone into creating the new organ so magnificently. If you or someone you know was unable to attend, DVDs of the presentation are available for purchase ($10.00) at the Welcome Center or by calling the church office (828-6297).

Four from 2PC will join P.C.U.S.A. Mission Trip to China

On October 30, John and Marcia Florell and Bob and Janice Lewis will join 23 people from Presbyterian churches all across the U.S. on a mission to China under the auspices of the Outreach Foundation, a mission arm of P.C.U.S.A. During their trip, they will be listening for discernment from theHoly Spirit regarding any future 2PC involvement in mission opportunities there. Please keep them in your prayers.

Celebrating Servanthood

“A Servant SampleFest”                                        

TODAY!                                                     

8:30am - 12:30pm

This festival will be a time for our church family to celebrate past and current volunteers as we open doors for new servants to enter and sample involvement in 2PC ministries and our community.

Crop Walk  

    
The Bloomington-Normal CROP Walk Against Hunger takes place Sunday, October 5. It begins at 1:00pm at 2PC. A light lunch will be served at its conclusion. Join the fight against hunger! Sign up today at the Welcome Center.

Adult Christian Ed Information:         

A New Class Begins Next Sunday

Junior High Cookout            

 EVENTS AND ACTIVITIES

Sunday Dinner for Congregation & Guests                                             

TODAY!
11:00 am - 1:00 pm                                                             
Cost is $5

Once again 2PC has an opportunity for you to reach out
to your friends and your community by hosting an all church dinner.

Purchase tickets at the Welcome Center and pick up
free guest tickets and invite a friend or two.

Celebrating Servanthood             “A ServantSampleFest”                                                

Sunday, September 28                            

This festival will be a time for our church family to celebrate pastand current volunteers as we open doors for new servants to enterand sample involvement in 2PC ministries and our community.

Join a Small Group

Find the small groups sign-up tables in the South entry near the Welcome Center TODAY before and after services and get excited about what Christwill do in your faith journey through small groups!

Midwest Food Bank Concert

A fundraiser featuring The Booth Brothers, a southern gospel music trio. The concert is at 4:00pm TODAY at Second Presbyterian Church. Tickets are $15 and $20 at at the door.

Presbyterian Women (PW) Fall Event

Presbyterian Women(PW) will have their Fall Gathering on Thursday, September25 in Grace Hall.  Dinner begins at 6:00pm with the program beginning at 7:00 pm. The evening will feature a presentation by Carl Lauer andBarbara Grootenhuis as they preview the Bible study for the year: Luke: The Gospel for the Poor. Call the church 828-6297 to RSVP by September 22.
 

Merge 20s/30s Retreat

Join the 20s/30s ministry of 2PC at Timber Pointe October 3-4 for fellowshipand a discussion of authenticity before God and each other. Cost is $5 perperson. Contact Andrea for more info or to sign up (andrea@secondpres.
info or 828-6297). Deadline is September 28.

CROP Walk

CROP is an interfaith organization that fights world hunger. Bloomington-Normal has a Walk Against Hunger scheduled for Sunday, October 5. The Walk begins and ends at 2PC. You can walk to raise funds to provide relief in the U.S. and abroad. Go to www.cropwalk.org for more information. You can sign up to walk at the Welcome Center.

Community of Care Ministry

There will be a brunch on Sunday, October 5 at 10:00am for all those who have been widowed, whether recently or long ago. Even if you have remarried you are still invited to attend with your spouse. We are trying to establish a list for this brunch and further ministry. Please call if you are elgible or know of someone who is elgible. Invitations will follow. E-mail Kim at kim@secondpres.info or call the church at 828-6297. Questions? Call Ellen Wylie @829-6246 or Martha Miller @663-0188.

Preschool Board Members Sought

The PreSchool Board is seeking one or more new members. Please contact Angie Buckley if you are interested in serving on this committee related to the manamgement of the Second Presbyterian Church Preschool. Contact Angie at 275-8247.

 Televsion Donation                

The 2PC Christian Education department is in need of a 32-inch television. If you are upgrading your television this fall, the church would be glad to have a serviceable TV. Please contact Don Crittenden at 828-6297.

DVD of Organ Demonstration Event Available for Purchase

The Organ Demonstration Event was a great success—it was fascinating to hear John-Paul Buzzard’s description of all that has gone into creating the new organ so magnificently. If you or someone you know was unable to attend, DVDs of the presentation are available for purchase ($10.00) at the Welcome Center or by calling the church office (828-6297).

Four from 2PC will join P.C.U.S.A. Mission Trip to China

On October 30, John and Marcia Florell and Bob and Janice Lewis will join 23 people from Presbyterian churches all across the U.S. on a mission to China under the auspices of the Outreach Foundation, a mission arm of P.C.U.S.A. During their trip, they will be listening with discernment from the Holy Spirit if 2PC should be involved in any of the mission opportunities there. Please keep them in your prayers.