January 2026

Liz Soltan
Feb 2
6 min read

JANUARY 2026

Tidings is published monthly. If you have news you would like to share with the congregation, please get in touch with Liz Soltan (215-828-1619 or soltan320@comcast.net)

23 – Val Filipenko

God’s blessings to all who are celebrating a birthday in January. Please join us at our coffee hour after our service on the first Sunday of the month for a birthday treat.

HAVE WE INADVERTENTLY MISSED YOU IN OUR BIRTHDAY AND ANNIVERSARY GREETINGS? PLEASE LET US KNOW AS WE START THE NEW YEAR, SO WE CAN UPDATE OUR LIST.

A MESSAGE FROM PASTOR KATHLEEN

God has chosen us as beloved children to receive the abundance of divine grace, to dwell in the presence of the one who created us and knows us. How will you live as a child of God this week Knowing that God extends the same abundant grace to everyone around you, how might you treat them?

Connections Worship Companion p. 56.

Dear Ones,

Welcome to 2026! Joyful blessings for a year of abundance in 2026! The first Sunday scriptures for the new year speak, in some manner, of abundance. As John 1 says, the Word that is the Light and the Light that IS the Word of God. The Christ. Jesus. Our salvation. Our Savior. Into that beautiful beginning comes inheritance, accomplishment, and purpose; a gathering of the scattered, radiance in goodness, and gladness for sorrow.

An announcement of abundance - a treasury of goodness - all a gift for us as we enter the new year. Words sent outward, covering the people of God, bringing us into the light and the LIFE of abundance in Christ who is our Salvation.

In my vacation of solitude this past November, I happened to wander into a welcoming bookstore in Portsmouth, NH. I picked up a copy of a book entitled "Abundance." It had a picture of the earth sliced horizontally in half, with the bottom half acting as the ground for a picture of the architecture of cityscapes standing beside a garden of trees, flowers, plants, and animals. I picked up the book and read the book jacket. I discovered that this was not a book engaging in biblical narrative--at least not in so many words.

Near the end of the Introduction, I read, "There is a word that describes the future we want: abundance. We imagine a future not of less but of more." I was hooked. But I also recognized that even in its doable length, this book wasn't going to be a quick read. It was going to make me think, taking up more of my time than I would like. Basically, abundance isn't about "moreness." It is the weaving together of physical and cultural factors between humanity, nature, the human impact on the world of nature itself. In other words, abundance is about connection and relationship; characteristics of action that create abundant life. Well, well. That's no surprise. Yet, it WAS a surprise that this is not a theological book.

Faithful people recognize the term abundance ... and scarcity. We talk about it when we think about Stewardship and Budgets ... and God. Abundance is a church word; but its goodness lies in the fact that it's not a word owned solely by the Church; it's a word most people are also familiar with. In that, it might just be what brings the Church and the rest of the world together.

Building on a foundation of abundance in speaking, sharing, learning, and gathering – oh, what a year we get to walk into! Let’s nurture connection and relationship with one another and with our surrounding community!

God Bless You with the Gift of Abundance! Pastor Kathleen

….. AND THANK YOU …..

I'm very grateful for your care and support this past year. Thank you for the generous Congregational Christmas Gift.

I did put much of it in the bank but also enjoyed an evening out!

God's Peace,

Pastor Kathleen

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ST. TIM’S

MARK YOUR CALENDAR:

JANUARY 10—HOPE’S TABLE, 11 AM TO 1 PM
JANUARY 19 – COUNCIL MEETING, 3 PM
JANUARY 27 – IN-PERSON BIBLE STUDY RETURNS, 4 PM TO 5 PM
JANUARY 29 – ZOOM BIBLE STUDY RETURNS, 7:30 PM TO 8:30 PM

AND LOOKING AHEAD….

FEBRUARY 22 – ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING, IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE 9:15 SERVICE

HOPE’S TABLE THIS SATURDAY, JANUARY 10

Come to our monthly free community lunch—bring a friend or make a friend. We’ll be serving an Italian feast with vegetable soup, baked ziti and meatballs, salad, and a “lemon fluff’ dessert. Drop in anytime between 11 M and 1 PM. If you would like to help with cooking or serving, give Liz Soltan a call or text at 215-828-1619.

WHO TURNED ON THE LIGHTS?

Things are looking brighter at St. Tim’s, thanks to brand new lights above the altar and replacement lights in the ceiling over the hallways and café area.

FOX CHASE REFORMED CHURCH EXTENDS ITS HOURS.

Our newest cost-sharing partner, currently worshiping at St. Tim’s the first and third Sunday of the month, will begin weekly Sunday evening services on January 4. In April, the congregation will move their Sunday worship to an earlier time.

NEWS FROM THE SYNOD

Consider these events sponsored by the Lutheran Synod of Southeastern Pennsylvania:

FAITH ALIVE WORSHIP LEARNING LAB

January 10, 2026, from 9 am to 2 pm

Lutheran Church of God's Love, Newtown

How can we best serve our young people both IN WORSHIP and outside of it? Let's learn new ways to welcome and include children. Join with Pastor Kathleen for this free, informative program.

ENGAGING GENEROSITY, A ROADMAP FOR VITALITY

Meet the Synod Stewardship Team for a day of new ideas and worship!

January 24, 2026, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 1000 West Main Street in Lansdale. Choose from more than 9 workshops--each one focusing on a different perspective of good Stewardship planning in our congregation. Come join Pastor Kathleen. St. Tim’s will cover the registration fees for the day.

COUNCIL NEWS

IF YOU WISH TO ATTEND A COUNCIL MEETING -- USUALLY HELD THE THIRD MONDAY OF THE MONTH -- PLEASE LET US KNOW BEFOREHAND.

OF COURSE, IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR CONCERN, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO ANY COUNCIL MEMBER:

SUSAN FEOLA (PRESIDENT) -- 215-718-9600 or suefeola07@msn.com

VANESSA FINEBERG (VICE PRESIDENT) —215-605-2653 or vfineberg@comcast.net

SHARON MADDEN (SECRETARY)—267-205-1560 or shmadden8133@gmail.com

KATHY SWIFT (TREASURER) –215-813-0824 or kswift6267@comcast.net

DAWN WEBER (EDUCATION)—215-828-6370 or ddirl@hotmail.com

JOHN CREEDON (PROPERTY) –267-249-8369 or creedonsr@comcast.net

TINA SNYDER (PARISH LIFE/SERVICE) – 267-879-4637 or jimntina87@comcast.net

ELISA DAVIS (WORSHIP) —215-532-1773 or edsmjjd@gmail.com

PASTOR KATHLEEN KERIN –201-638-8217 or kathkerin@gmail.com

OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, JANUARY 19, AT 3 PM.

PRESCHOOL NEWS

Now that Christmas break is over, the Preschool classrooms are once again filled with the happy sounds of children learning through play. On January 26, the children will bring that same enthusiasm and curiosity to Fox Chase Farm on their first field trip of the new year. Chaperoned by their teachers and parents, the children will see a demonstration of “maple sugaring.”

****LET YOUR FAMILY, NEIGHBORS, AND FRIENDS KNOW THAT PRESCHOOL REGISTRATION FOR THE ‘26-’27 ACADEMIC YEAR BEGINS ON FEBRUARY 1. ADVISE THEM TO ACT FAST—THE AVAILABLE SPACES FOR NEW STUDENTS FILL UP QUICKLY.****