From My Open Door - Razor Planetmedia1.razorplanet.com/share/512948-9713/siteDocs/February 2013 final.pdfThe Session met on January 14, 2013, and conducted the following business:

Over the years Irsquove learned

(often the hard way) that there are

some things that can kill ministry

Sadly pastors and leaders are as

likely to participate in these

attitudes as church members Fact

is these dis-eases are often

contagious infecting the entire

church Just as with a virus these

attitudes prosper because they

have a host in and through which

they thrive and multiply Itrsquos

important to recognize them early

and guard against them refusing to

play host which will

eventually result in

a healthier church

and ministry

1 Rut thinking ndash

(or ldquoWersquove never

done it that way beforerdquo) This is a

paralyzing fear that stifles forward

movement It is the fear of doing

something different that might

make someone uncomfortable but

ultimately reveals a belief that this

church is ldquomy churchrdquo not Godrsquos

and that this ministry is for ldquomy

comfortrdquo rather than the growth of

those yet to come The only

difference between a rut and a

grave are the dimensions

2 Pessimism ndash where people focus

on whatrsquos wrong and gripes or

complains about it and points

fingers of blame A mature

Christianrsquos response to a problem is

to focus on solutions and how

working together it can be realized

3 Control freaks ndash Theyrsquore easy to spot because they like to be in

control and in the spotlight They

like to control a situation and

people and believe that when they

are in control everything gets done

properly (and decently) Control

freaks are glaringly insecure

overbearing accusatory and self-

righteous ndash all in an attempt to

cover their own poor self-esteem

4 Bottom-line thinking ndash (or

ldquobottom feedersrdquo as I call them)

are dangerous to ministry because

all they do is look at the bottom line

of a budget and wonder where

costs can be cut This is not the

same thing as being good stewards

of peoples financial support

Bottom-line thinking leads

to a budget that

determines ministry rather

than a ministry that is

fueled by a budget I

believe that budgets

should never determine ministry

Rather ministry and vision should

drive the budget

5 An unwelcoming spirit toward

those ldquonot like usrdquo - If it were not

for those who are ldquonot like usrdquo the

church would have died out long

ago Archbishop of Canterbury

William Temple once said ldquoThe

church is the only organization that

exists only for its non-membersrdquo

How true

This list is the first half of a two-

part article I hope that this has

generated some thought on your

part and that yoursquoll anticipate the

balance of my thoughts in March

See you in Church

From My Open Door

Jeffrey Bell Pastor

Providence Presbyterian Church wwwprovpresorg

There are some

things that can kill ministryhellip

Part I

In this Issue

February Birthdays

All in the Family Session Notes

Mission Outreach Evangelism

Womenrsquos Ministry Providence Post

Calendar

Dear friends let us love one another for love comes from God Every-one who loves has been born of God and knows God (1 John 47)

2

Because we are a people of

prayer who believe in the power

of prayer we ask you to keep in

your prayers those who are

unable to worship with us on

Sundays due to health concerns

At Home Members

Bob Collins

Edith Hill Virginia McBurney

Joyce Semones

Nursing Home

Doris Weber The Oaks of Brecksville Brecksville Ohio

Assisted Living Homes

Ivan and Mary Ann Cook Westminster Canterbury

Marilyn Jackson Atlantic Shores

Inge Keeny Chesapeake Place TC Rock

Chesapeake Place

Please notify the church office if you know someone who

needs to be added to this list

All in the family

0201 Ron Murphy

0201 Melissa Yurasko

0202 Katie Dixon

0203 Larry Walter

0203 Jeanette Flickinger

0204 Mike McDonald

0205 Floyd Gilbert

0205 Tracy Gilbert

0205 Ana Louise White

0206 Ed Easton

0206 Brandy Fry

0206 Martin Moore

0207 Hilda Dayrit

0207 Edith Lytle

0207 Karen Cagni

0207 Elizabeth Harker

0207 Lucy Fitzgerald

0208 Lee Anderson

0209 Sally Parsons

0209 Ray Maxwell

0210 John Briggs

0212 Jim Goodbow

0214 Pat Kirkpatrick

0215 Sue Passarella

0215 Jay Everton

0216 Bev Macek

0216 Rachel Schroeder

0217 Marjorie Hill

0217 Jamie Sipka

0218 Louann Bielmann

0219 Carolyn Knowles

0219 Bill Grover

0221 Linda Baker

0221 Betty Hanawalt

0222 Jodi Deck

0222 Jack Dixon

0222 Katie Snell

0224 Meredith Hill

0225 Sara Hickman

0226 Sean Grady

0227 Gary Parson

0228 Sue Shepard

0228 Jane Everton

January Birthday Prayer List

On the occasion of each onersquos birthday

take time to lift them to God in prayer

Session Notes The Session met on January 14 2013 and conducted the

following business

Received as new members Michelle Rice and Elizabeth

Rice

Nominated Kevin Daley and Gary Parson as the Session

Representatives on the 2013-2014 Nominating Committee

Fellowship Hour Volunteers February 3 Worship

February 10 Choir

February 17 Sacred Parenting

February 24 Presbyterian Women

Lost and Found The following items may be claimed in the church office

or call Karen 420-6159 for more information

Angel pin

Butterfly pin

Presbyterian Women pin

Diamond looking stone

Clip-on pearl earring

Medallion loop earring with topaz beadSilver and

pewter bracelet

Black button with white dashes on top

Childrsquos blue ball glove

Black ldquoImagesrdquo sunglasses

Ladies silver quartz watch

Ladies brown Timex watch with one bandKoss

earphones in a Chevy Venture Bag (found in parking lot)

Accu-Chek Glucose Monitor ndash new in box

(found in bag with Christmas food items)

Providence has WiFi This week a project to expand wireless

internet capability throughout the building

was completed at Providence

When selecting a network choose

provpres-guest

The password for this network is

provpres

Have a cup of coffee or tea in the

Coffee Bar area and enjoy WiFi

3

Mission Outreach Evangelism

ODU Ministry Our next ODU meal is scheduled for Sunday

February 17th Look for the sign-up sheet by the

Womens bulletin board Recipes will come from the

new Providence cookbook Thanks for your continued

support of this joyful mission

Partners-in-Education

Volunteer Opportunity Welcome to Katie Dixon

our newest volunteer at

Fairfield Elementary school

Katie will be working with

students in the Robotics

C lub on Wednesday

afternoons She even

changed her work schedule

to participate and is very

excited about being part of

this program Thank you

Katie and all the other

wonderful volunteers who

give their time and energy to support Fairfield

Elementary school The staff and students truly

appreciate your commitment

Please continue to bring in your Farm Fresh receipts

and Box Tops and place them in the specially marked

container at each entry to the sanctuary or drop them

off at the office So far this school year we have

collected 532350 receipt points and 292 Box Tops

Thank you and keep them coming

Detention Center Ministry Twenty-three excited and ready-to-start

detainees greeted us in January With New Yearrsquos

resolutions still fresh the youth were encouraged

to think about following through with changed

behavior thank yous apologies and even how

they might uplift someone with a kind or

encouraging wordmdasheven a smile

Deweyrsquos story of a student pilot practicing to

recover from a stalling plane taught how ldquoletting go of

controlsrdquo would save the plane and we too must turn

over control to Godrsquos plan to save our lives

Howard who always thinks of a sports-related

activity came with a plan to guess which team

they expect to win the NFL Superbowl playoffs

Donnie called Bingo which the kids never tire

of or is it the candy bar prizes that June and

Debbie give out that keep them interested

We still get prayer requests for court date outcomes

and family needs but also for staying out of trouble

clearing onersquos mind of negativity life-style changes

staying on the right path to achieve goals and for

salvation Carolyn closed with a beautiful prayer

Thank you for your support and prayer for this

ministry Louann Bielmann

Food Closet gets updated Soon our food closet ministry will partner with

our friends at St Markrsquos Catholic church on

Kempsville Road (near Indian River Road)

Why Because they have a much broader

ministry to the hungry and we feel we can better

serve those in need by combining our efforts

How is their food closet ministry broader

Each day volunteers from St Marks go to

participating grocers in our area for fresh food

items that are overstocked day old or out of

season They provide these fresh produce items

along with canned goods and allow folks to visit

every month Our food closet only distributes

canned goods and does not allow us to do so

more than once every six months Additionally

wersquoll be working ecumenically in partnership with

other Christians rather than

duplicating services and working in

competition with other food closets

Will we continue to ask for

donations of canned good money

and volunteers YES we will so

that our participation with St Marks

is a blessing and not a burden

Atlantic Shores Ministry Providencersquos ministry to Atlantic Shores has

continued to flourish at both Harbourway and Marina

Bay (formerly known as the Memory Center) Worship

services are provided on the 1st and 3rd Sunday of each

month for both units Communion is served to

Harbourway residents once a quarter with Marilyn

Jackson an ordained Elder in the Presbyterian Church

providing witness as required by the Book of Order

I also provide leadership for Bible Study at Marina

Bay on the 1st and 3rd Tuesday of each month and

substitute at Harbourway as needed

You can help support this ministry through prayer or

by providing Sunday refreshments (cookies donuts

cake etc) You are welcome to attend a 1000 worship

service and bring refreshments or if you are unable to

attend contact Marvin Brangan at 495-4293 to arrange

pick-up of your goodies I feel truly blessed to have this

opportunity to serve our Lord through worship and Bible

study at Atlantic Shores Retirement Community and

look forward to the coming year Thanks for supporting

of this ministry

Continued Blessings and in His Service

Marvin L Brangan

Welcome New Members Michelle Rice and her daughter Elizabeth were

received by certificate of transfer from Calvin

Presbyterian Church Norfolk They live at 2442

Jasper Court Norfolk 23518 ndash 587-8184

4

Providence Womenrsquos Ministries

H ello Ladies

Wow 2013 is off to a great start I hope you are enjoying your

new 35th Anniversary Celebration Cookbook If you did not get

one we ordered extras so please see or call me Cecilia at 479-5558 I will

make sure you get one The Cookbook makes an awesome giftmdash everyone

loves to enjoy those favorite meals captured in a church cookbook Cost is

$15 and we also have the old cookbook for $5

Our Mid-Winter Event ldquoThe New Year New EWE New Friendsrdquo was

enjoyed by all who braved snowy roads to join us We hope everyone went

home with some new healthy-living tips made new friends and were

inspired by guest speaker our very own Lisa Olson who shared her life

story and spoke about ldquoTrue Beautyrdquo It was exciting to have women from

other local churches join our Providence Women for this special event

Thank You for sharing our Providence hospitality with our guests and to

everyone who assisted in making the Mid-Winter Event a huge success

Our next event is open to all our family and friends Please join us as we host

our annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper on February 12 5 pm to 730

pm in the fellowship hall We need women who are willing to help set-up cook

serve and clean-up Use the sign-up sheet on the Womenrsquos bulletin to

communicate how you can help We always seem to have a great time in the

kitchen so please volunteer For those family and friends who want to enjoy

eating a stack of heavenly pancakes and fixings the cost is $6 per person or

$15 per household

Planning by our PPWCT will soon get underway for our Spring gathering We have received some

interest in a Spring Retreat If you have other ideas please speak to me or send an email to our Vice

Moderator karenmoore5coxnet Look forward to another Great Year

Cecilia

Womenrsquos Book Club What a Godwink author Liz Curtis Higgs blog is

featuring our upcoming February book club selection Her

Wednesday Bible Study Blog is walking through the

pages of her wee book EMBRACE GRACE Its a quick

read yet full of Godrsquos truth Join her http

wwwlizcurtishiggscomembrace-grace if youd like and

join us for fellowship light

r e f r e s h m e n t s a n d

di scuss ion Saturday

Feb16th at 1015 am

after Courtyard Graces

Contact Cathy Polychroni

424 -4591 w i t h any

questions andor ideas

Wersquore always looking for

titles to explore

Coming to Providence this summer

KINGDOM ROCK VACATION BIBLE

SCHOOL

Look for more details coming soon

Goodies for College Students

Immediately following worship on February 10 we will pack 26 Valentine goodie boxes for our college

students Bring your cookies candy soup popcorn cocoa chips crackers or other snacks to church by

Sunday February 10 We will use post office boxes so the weight doesnt matter but bulky things

make it tough Individually wrapped items make everyone happier Help us show our college students

we care about them

5

Providence Post

Courtyard Graces prayer devotion fellowship

gardening

Join us on Saturday February 16

9am - 10am We look forward to seeing you

Thanks to everyone who

came to help decorate the

church for the Christmas

season A good time was had

by all as we decorated

laughed and set up festive

reminders of the season throughout Providence ending

with a wonderful potluck supper Again many

wonderful members stayed after the service in early

January to take down and pack up decorations Many

hands truly do make light workhellipwell maybe not for the

climbers up the attic stairs but we thank you especially

for doing this Fellowship at Providence is such a joy

Robin Birdwell

Thank you to our Providence Family for the cards

and prayers during the recent passing of Kevinrsquos

father Rich Daley Also thank you for prayers and

encouragement for Ceciliarsquos dad Lester Loges who

continues to recover in FL from pneumonia and

congestive heart failure Your prayers during these

difficult times were a tremendous strength to our

family We are blessed to be part of the Providence

Church Family

Kevin and Cecilia Daley

Dear Providence Presbyterian Church Family

I want to thank each of you for your love

letters telephone conservations and most of all for

you prayers following my recent operation on my left

leg Your concern for me has motivated me to

continue to have a positive attitude toward life and

to strive every day to be a Good Christian

Although not completed healed I am on the verge of

being one hundred per cent healed-thanks to your

concerns and prayers

Love Floyd Gilbert

Dear Providence Family

I have many things to be thankful for following

my knee replacement surgery Your cards extra

prayers flowers Jeffrsquos visit in the hospital and the

prayer shawl all helped me get through a challenging

and painful time I am healing now and hope to be

getting around on my own soon I am very blessed

to have such a caring family Thank you ever so

much for taking such good care of me in so many

ways

Fondly

Nancy Lindgren

Hello from Property

February is our transition month in leadership as I

prepare to step down and Kevin Daley prepares to

assume the role of chair for our committee So if you

see me smiling and Kevin sighing more than usual yoursquoll

know why (ha ha) I do plan to stay on Property as a

member of the team but please refer all complaints hellip er

suggestions to Kevin come March ndash wink

Budget-wise wersquore in great shape rolling into 2013

We have 11 separate accounts but our overall budget of

$58K is sufficient to handle our service contracts

(HVAC ADT Security lawn amp landscaping service etc)

utilities (electric water gas etc) and maintenance

(building equipment bus repair etc) Volunteer

support still plays a major role in helping us keep our

costs down We canrsquot thank the congregation enough

for the role you have in this matter too Speaking of

which I especially want to thank Kempsville Lawn

Doctors for their years of pro bono work in keeping our

lawn green and weed free

Itrsquos been a fun ride I appreciate all your help

advice and comments along the way

From Property have a great day

Riley

Rick and Karen Moore

1403 Sommerton Way Chesapeake VA 23320

Phone 277-9447

6

Providence Post

Youth Work Camp Lexington NC June 2013 Our Youth thank everyone who purchased or made a donation to our

carwash fundraiser With your help we raised $25464 to help defray expenses for this yearrsquos work camp

Our next work camp fundraiser is March 3 at Ruby Tuesday at Kemps River Shopping Center

Please use this flier on the next page to invite all your friends and family to come We will have fliers

available at church in February Ruby Tuesday will donate 20 for every receipt when a flier is turned in

when the check is paid The flier can be used all day during the event

Lenten Soup and Rolls For five Wednesday evenings during Lent

beginning February 20 we will meet together in

the Fellowship Hall at 600 pm for soup rolls

and fellowship Following our meals Rev Tom

Chadwick will lead youth and adults in a weekly

meditation entitled ldquoBeneath the Cross of Jesusrdquo

a look at those who stood at the base of the

cross

We need volunteers

to take turns making

soup and others to

bring rolls for these

nights A sign-up sheet

is posted on the

Fel lowship bullet in

board

This could be YOU

receiving a scholarship

from Providence

T h e P r o v i d e n c e

Scholarship can be used

toward higher education

at an accredited 2- or 4-year college or

university a vocational school or a career

training program If you are a graduating

senior an active member of Providence

attend regularly and participate in church

activities the Christian Education Committee

invites to you apply Scholarship

applications can be obtained from the church

office or on the Youth bulletin board

beginning February 15 and must be

returned to the church office no later than April 15 2013 You can start thinking about

the essay portion of the scholarship

application now How do you plan to

incorporate your Christian principles and

beliefs into your goals for college or

vocational school and beyond

Makemie Woods Camp

Opportunities Makemie Woods Summer Camp teaches essential

life skills in a radically-accepting Christian

community Makemie Woods is our Presbytery ministry

supported by our churches The camp offers adventure

programs for children entering 1st grade - Senior High In

addition to traditional camp experiences Makemie Woods

offers specialized sessions in music drama caving

horseback riding hang-gliding and more Visit

wwwmakwoodsorg for additional information

Do you know a college-aged student looking for a

meaningful summer job Working for Makemie Woods

Summer Camp is a great way to develop valuable

leadership skills work with kids and grow spiritually

Interested candidates should visit wwwmakwoodsorg for

information and an application Many internship or

practicum requirements can be fulfilled by camp

employment Applicants should be at least 18 years old

and one year past high school

Providence Men

Invite YOU to our Annual

Valentine Dinner Saturday February 9 at 630 pm

All adults are invited to enjoy a

delicious surf and turf meal planned to

delight your palate Bring a baby or

wedding picture to share before dinner

Our very own Menrsquos Choir assisted by

Valetta will entertain us following

dessert Tickets are $750 per person

Sign up on the menrsquos bulletin board and

indicate if child care is needed

Volunteers are needed to help set up at 900am

Saturday morning and to clean-up after the event

7

Ruby Tuesday is extremely proud to be part of your hometown and

believes in giving back As a fellow member of the community we invite

you to participate in

Ruby Tuesdayrsquos Community GiveBack Program

Grab your family and friends and join us at the

1250 FORDHAM DRIVE

location on the date listed below

Please present this flyer to your server and

we will give back 20 of your purchase

to the organization

(We apologize but we cannot accommodate coupon usage or other discounts in conjunction with our GiveBack Program)

Organizationrsquos Name Providence Presbyterian Church

Event Name Youth Workcamp Fund Raiser

Dateof Visit March 3 2013

1250 Fordham Drive Virginia Beach Virginia For directions to the restaurant or a peek at the menu

Visit rubytuesdaycom

To make a reservation call us at 757-366-5260 or visit us online at rubytuesdaycom

8

Providence Post Seeking Care Team Leaders

A Care Team Leader is a spiritually led person willing to be responsible for a group of

five households This person will contact their household keep them in prayer and lend an ear when there is a need or concern Care Team Leaders will be a liaison

between the leaders minister and congregation assisting where needed helping to resolve problems and answering questions

Please indicate if you would be willing to serve as a Care Team Leader in 2013

Yes I will serve (name) _____________________________________

In the space below please list other members of our congregation who you feel

should be considered as members of the Care Team

____________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________

Please return this form to Nancy Whitaker or the church office by Sunday February 10th Thank you

Mid-winter Event 2013

The New Year New Ewe New Friends