A MINISTRY WITH HUNGRY CHILDREN – IS IT A CALL FOR YOU?
Wilkinsburg Community Ministry is looking for volunteers this summer. WCM provides free lunch for children living in Wilkinsburg, June 17 through mid- August from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. Lunch is served at the South Avenue Methodist Church. Volunteers would help sign in the children. For more info, or to volunteer, contact Flo Raisig 412-371-1182. WCM Giving Update: I sent an email to the congregation seeking support for WCM’s Critical Needs Giving Drive. If you were able to help, thank you! The drive netted $1470 according to the last report I saw. A $1000 match from Pittsburgh Foundation will add to that total. Additionally, the ministry received a $600 gift that will enable the ministry to purchase a much needed new refrigerator. Thank you for your prayers and financial report for this valuable mission. – Pastor Michael
HOLLINGSWORTH REV. DR. GERALD "JERRY"
Formerly of Wilkins Twp. and Edgewood, passed away on January 8, 2019. Dr. Hollingsworth was born to Rev. Chester and Esther Hollingsworth in Shoemakersville, PA on April 25, 1924, the younger of two sons. Jerry attended the public schools in Elizabethtown, PA, where his father was a Methodist minister. He was voted class president all four years of high school, graduating with the Class of 1942. He attended Franklin and Marshall College, which included a year at Jefferson Medical College. He then served in the U.S. Navy during WWII, onboard the USS Cross, a destroyer escort en route to the Invasion of Japan when Japan surrendered. He went on to graduate from F&M in 1946. Jerry married his Elizabethtown high school sweetheart, Frances Elaine Duffy, affectionately known as "Fran," in 1944. After the war, he enrolled at Princeton Theological Seminary, where he received his Master of Divinity in 1949. He was later awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree from Waynesburg College in 1971. Jerry was an active Presbyterian minister for over 41 years. His congregations were in Springfield, OH (1948-1950), Edgeworth, PA (1950-1955), and Waynesburg, PA (1955-1959). From 1959 until his retirement in 1989, he served as Senior Pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood. In 1983, he oversaw the successful merger of Edgewood Presbyterian Churchwith First Presbyterian Church of Wilkinsburg, creating the First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood. He was given the honorary title of Pastor Emeritus soon after he retired. His community service included membership on the Board of Sewickley Public Library, the Green County Board of Public Assistance, and Chaplain of the Edgewood Police Dept. He was vice chair moderator of the Pittsburgh Presbytery, along with chairing various Presbytery committees, which even included mentoring Fred Rogers prior to his career in public television. He was very proud to be part of the steering committee that created Pittsburgh Hospice, not knowing that in later years both he and his wife would receive wonderful care from hospice themselves. Rev. Hollingsworth's family includes a son, David (Margie) of Greenville, SC; and daughter, Carol, of Wilkins Township, PA; and five grandchildren, Jonathan Hollingsworth of New York City, James Maloney (Katie) of Florence, SC, Jerry Maloney (Ambray) of Effingham, IL, David Maloney (Andrea) of Colorado Springs, CO, and Caitlin Maloney of Ocean Side, CA and Wilkins Township; there are also eight great-grandchildren. His cherished wife, Frances, preceded him in death on June 27, 2017 after almost 73 years of marriage; and his beloved son-in-law, Joseph McKenna, passed away on March 11, 2018. Beginning in his youth, Jerry was an avid photographer, and in his later years, he and Fran enjoyed bi-annual trips to Hilton Head, SC. He loved watching college football and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Jerry was the unassuming anchor of his entire family, always leading with a sweet and gentle spirit, guiding but never directing, just as he had done with the congregations he served. He always treated everyone in the same manner that he carried himself, which was with dignity and respect. He will be remembered for his kindness, generosity, and devotion to his family and community. A Memorial Service will be held at First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood, 120 E. Swissvale Ave., on Saturday, January 19 at 11 a.m. The family will greet friends before and after the service. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that any donations be made to First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood or to charity. Arrangements by THOMAS L. NIED FUNERAL HOME, Swissvale. SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 12NOON TO 5PM? It’s that time of year again when FPCE is looking for volunteers to help run a game booth for Edgewood’s Community Day, August 25. We need 2 people to “man” the booth for an hour. Usually the booth is located by the field house; we bring down church brochures to spread the news about FPCE, interact with the children/parents, etc. We are looking for 2 people per hour. Look for upcoming bulletin inserts/blurbs for sign-ups, or call the Church Office at 412/241-4613 if interested. COMMUNITY DINNERS
JUNE 6, JULY 11, AUGUST 1, SEPT. 5 6-8PM, SIDE LAWN We’ll be grilling hot dogs and hamburgers and will appreciate any side dishes and dessert donations. Watch for bulletin inserts for the donations, as well as volunteer times for set-up and break-down. Please join us to have fun with our church family and the community. Whatsoever you do for the least of my brothers, that you did to me. Matthew 25:40
In response to our Conversations with the Congregation, Session has committed to working on a church wide mission project. In June, we will be helping Wilkinsburg Community Ministry and their mission to serve the hungry in Wilkinsburg and the 15221 zip code. WCM serves over 10,000 meals per year to the young, old, veterans, disabled, families in need and the homeless. We are asking for volunteers to serve lunch at South Avenue Methodist Church. Lunches are served daily from 6/11/18 through 8/24/18. We will work in teams of 3-4. Training and lunch is provided. Volunteers serve lunch, track participation and help clean up. Orientation is 6/11/18 at 10:00 am at SAMC. We are looking for a commitment of one day per week or one week in the summer (between 11:45 and 1:15). No experience is needed and I was told even one handed volunteers are welcome. If you are interested in working as a team member or captain , please see me or any of our Mission Committee. A free t-shirt is provided. Also, we will be assembling hygiene kits in the Fall. In June, we are asking for donations of shampoo. Thank you for considering WCM and our mission work. Grace and Peace to you. Rhonda Apessos, Charlie Baldwin, Lorraine Douthett, Nancy Ernst, Stephanie McGuigan Mars Home for Youth is asking for donations for these items. Donations’ box will be at the side entrance at the end of April. Collection will end on June 1.
MEMORIAL DAY SERVICE OF REMEMBRANCE AND HONOR will be held immediately following worship on Sunday, May 27. As a congregation we will walk across the street to gather in front of the borough’s Memorial plaque. Please plan to be part of this community event.
The Bible is a story of migration. A story of people moving. From Eden to the Land of Nod. From dry land onto an ark. From the Land of Ur to Canaan. From Babylon back to Jerusalem. From Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.
It is not only physical migration that the Bible speaks of. Spiritual migration is just as real. From loneliness to fellowship. From despair to hope. From being lost to being found. From death to life. We are in the midst of an immense, earth-moving, ground-shaking, cataclysmic, gut-wrenching, soul-shattering migration right now. Remember, we Presbyterians say we are “Reformed and always reforming.” Well, a reformation is occurring—now...and it’s a big one. Heather and I recently attended a day-long presentation by a pastor, writer, theologian, future-thinker, church planter, social movement leader named Brian McLaren. His most recent, and some say his most important, book is entitled The Great Spiritual Migration: How the World’s Largest Religion Is Seeking a Better Way To Be Christian. You will be hearing much more about this book and others like it over the next year. Here are a few insights for us to begin to think about…pray about…talk about:
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING immediately following worship on Sunday, May 6. We will elect an officer, receive update on the church renovation, a report from our stewardship chairperson, and how session continues to respond to the conversations we had last fall. Please plan to join us.
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