WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ST. TIM’S
**RE-OPENING FOR WORSHIP
On August 16, St. Tim’s returned to in-house worship. As Pastor Deborah Wolfe explained in her letter to all members, the service has been adapted to meet our responsibility to protect everyone’s safety. At present, Philadelphia’s public health commissioner recommends restricting inside gatherings to 25 or fewer people, so we continue to offer two services—one at 9:30 am and one at 10:30 am. If and when the recommendation changes, we’ll consider returning to one service.
The Return to Worship task force appreciates everyone’s cooperation, and we welcome your feedback. (Call Liz Soltan at 215-828-1619.)
**SUMMER FOOD MINISTRY ENDS, FALL FOOD MINISTRY BEGINS
St. Tim’s members responded generously to the call to support food relief in Northeast Philadelphia. From May to August, St. Tim’s donated over 1,300 meals and soups to Caring for Friends, and we collected 10+ carloads of nonperishable food, personal hygiene items, and diapers for Feast of Justice. Thanks to all!
In September, we’ll move to a once-a-month schedule—the third Thursday of the month. As before, between 11 am and 1 pm, please bring your meal donations – a protein, starch, and vegetable—to the Fillmore Street entrance. Volunteers will package your contributions into the special tins Caring for Friends provides.
The new schedule begins Thursday, September 17. Subsequent dates are Thursday, October 15; November 19; and December 17.
You can also bring your donations for Feast of Justice on those Thursdays, or when you come for service on any Sunday.
**OUR PRESCHOOL STAFF IS WORKING HARD TO REOPEN SAFELY
Every year provides educators with challenges, but perhaps none more daunting than in this year of the pandemic. Our preschool will re-open in stages, with careful assessment of safety procedures and cooperation from parents built into the process.
A great deal of thought, with the children’s and staff’s safety uppermost in mind, has gone into the re-opening plan, and we have reason to be proud of our staff: Linda Yesenosky (preschool director and threes teacher), Colleen Falconio and Donna Forcina (fours co-teachers), Katie McAlorum (threes assistant teacher), and Aileen Haley (teaching assistant). May God bless their efforts.
LOOKING AHEAD: CHANGES IN OUR FALL EVENTS
· GOD’S WORK, OUR HANDS—SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13
· For this ELCA-wide event, as always, we will focus on outreach to our neighbors. In past years, we have gathered together after worship to cook meals or fill soup containers. This year, we will gather diapers for the needy families served by Feast of Justice. From 9:15 to 11:15 am, we will “join hands” with other Lutherans in the USA by bringing in packages of diapers—any size, from infant to adult.
· MILESTONES, our seniors’ group, regrets that there will be no meetings for the rest of 2020. Check your Tidings or weekly bulletins for info about meetings in 2021. Until then, stay safe and healthy, friends!
· NO CHRISTMAS BAZAAR OR CHRISTMAS CONCERT THIS YEAR. To protect everyone—and to comply with local public health advice about avoiding large crowds, we have cancelled these traditional events, so enjoyed by our members and the local community. If possible, here’s hoping (and praying) we can hold a Spring Fling in 2021.
APART. BUT STILL TOGETHER
Changes--in how we worship, in how we get together to do service, and in how we share Christian fellowship--can make us discouraged. But the why we do those things—to show our gratitude for our salvation—remains both unchanged and our greatest encouragement. Though apart, we can still be together in spirit. Below are a few suggestions:
· Include your fellow members and Pastor Wolfe in your daily prayers
· If you can’t come to St. Tim’s to worship, try an online Sunday service. (Check out YouTube for Redemption Lutheran’s service, or Facebook for St. David’s.)
· Read the scripture readings for Sunday services (see “Lectionary Readings”)
· Join the St. Timothy Prayer Team (see “Prayer Ministry” on reverse)
· Knit or crochet a prayer shawl (call Val Filipenko or Anna Molnar at 215-782-8562, or Barbara Huber at 215-379-3648 for advice on getting started)
· Craft an item for our (tentatively-planned) Spring Fling, or set aside some gently-used treasures.
· Make meals or soups for Caring for Friends. Call Liz Soltan—215-828-1619--for more info.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Please help us to provide good pastoral care. Call Pastor Deborah Wolfe (at 610-506-6097) if:
· You are in need of prayer
· You are ill or hospitalized
· A baby is born into your family
· You are planning to marry
· You want to receive the sacraments of Baptism or Holy Communion
· You are moving
· Your phone number or email address has changed
Please be sure your next of kin has the pastor’s phone number in case of emergency. Business cards are available with phone numbers listed that you can put with your insurance cards so you and your family have easy access to them. Ask Pastor Wolfe if you would like one.
PRAYER MINISTRY
The Prayer Team is ready to lift you or your concern in prayer. No concern is too small or insignificant. If you need prayer, talk with one of our team members: Barbara Huber, Tina Snyder, Marcia Richter, Isabel Hyczko, Carolyn Denzel, Rich Soltan, Vanessa Fineberg, Verna Clohecy, and Pastor Deborah Wolfe.
Email Pastor Wolfe at pastorwolfe@comcast.net, or Verna Clohecy at vclohecy1@aol.co.
LECTIONARY READINGS
September 6
September 13
September 20
September 27
October 11
October 18
October 25