HERE’S WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ST. TIM’S
Holy Week at St. Tim’s ended with an inspiring Easter service led by our new pastor, the Reverend Kathleen A. Kerin, pictured above with Tess and Maeve Cooney.
Music director Timothy Brown, guest brass instrumentalists, and our dedicated choir provided beautiful music. Thanks to all who donated flowers to brighten the sanctuary.
CHANGES IN CHURCH COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP
As a result of elections held at our April 14 annual Congregational Meeting, several longtime Church Council members are stepping off Council; other members are taking on different roles; and new members are joining. Installation of the 2024 Church Council took place on Sunday, April 28.
This is the new slate of Church Council members:
SUSAN FEOLA (PRESIDENT) 215-718-9600 or suefeola07@msn.com
VANESSA FINEBERG (VICE PRESIDENT) 215-605-2653 or vfineberg@comcast.net
CAROLYN DENZEL (SECRETARY) 215-205-4187 or cdenzel03@gmail.com
KATHY SWIFT (TREASURER) 215-813-0824 or kswift6267@comcast.net
JOHN CREEDON (PROPERTY) 267-249-8369 or ddirl@hotmail.com
TINA SNYDER (PARISH LIFE/SERVICE) 267-879-4637 or jimntina87@comcast.net
ELISA DAVIS (WORSHIP) 215-532-1773 or edsmjjdd@gmail.com
Anyone is welcome to attend a Council meeting, but Council does request notice beforehand. Similarly, feel free to bring up your suggestions, concerns, or questions to any Council member.
THE NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, MAY 20, AT 4:00 PM.
“POP-UP” PLANT
AND BAKE SALE
SATURDAY, MAY 4
Cloudy skies didn’t dampen the smiles of volunteers Sue Feola, Jeanette DiMeo and her husband, Howard, Tina Snyder, and Liz Soltan.
Thanks to Jeanette’s and Howard’s green thumbs and the talented bakers of St. Tim’s, passersby had a lovely of array of plants and goodies to choose from. (See photos below.)
St. Tim’s reaped a healthy harvest in sales and neighborhood visibility from this quickly-organized event.
Bounty from the Garden
Delights from the Kitchen
STEEPLE REPAIR COMPLETED
Years of icy storms and driving rain damaged the wood of our church steeple. The result? Leaks in our sanctuary.
To see how Memis Roofing repaired the steeple—and to get a new perspective on the community surrounding St. Tim’s, check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sttimslutheranchurch/foxrok
COMMUNITY LUNCHES—“HOPE’S TABLE” – TO RETURN
From May 2010 to February 2020, St. Tim’s offered our community a free lunch—including soup, entrée, and dessert--every third Saturday of the month. A dedicated group of volunteers enjoyed watching our neighbors, mostly elderly, many lonely, enjoy not only healthful food but equally important, companionship to nourish their spirit. Doesn’t food you don’t have to cook yourself—or food you eat with others—always taste better?
Pandemic restrictions forced St. Tim's to discontinue this ministry. But thanks to a St. Petri-Hope Grant to encourage outreach programs in the Northeast/Northwest Conference, St. Tim’s plans to open Hope’s Table again this summer.
Look for upcoming announcements or Facebook posts in the coming weeks for more information on how you can help by volunteering or by letting your neighbors know that everyone is welcome.
GET READY FOR SOME “TWISTS AND TURNS”
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL
PLANNING MEETING: THURSDAY, MAY 9, AT 6:30 PM
All who took part in last year’s VBS--the youngsters, teen volunteers, and enthusiastic teachers--agreed that our “Adventure on Discovery Island” was a summer highlight. This year’s VBS theme is “Twists and Turns,” a look at how Jesus guides us through the many twists and turns of life. We’re in the process of choosing a week for the evening program—the week of July 8, July 15, or sometime in August.
Once again, St. Augustus Lutheran Church of Trappe, Pa., is lending us a wonderful set. But as everyone knows, it’s the people involved who make all the difference.
Adult volunteers are needed in many areas: group leaders, music, games/recreation, opening and closing skits, snacks, and crafts.
Also, we need the entire congregation’s help in inviting their young neighbors to attend VBS—either as teen assistants (age 13 and up) or as students (from preschool to age 12). Monetary contributions toward the children’s snacks would be appreciated, too.
To volunteer, please come to the VBS planning meeting on Thursday, May 9, at 6:30 pm. Contact Sue Feola at 215-728-9600 or suefeola07@msn.com.
PRESCHOOL EVENTS PLANNED AS THE SCHOOL YEAR CLOSES
Separate excursions to Tyler Farmstead in Bensalem will be the last field trip of the year for both the three-year-old class and the Pre-K class. Besides meeting—and learning about—various farm animals, the children will finish their visits with pony rides!
Preschool educational director, Linda Yesenosky reports that the three-year-old class and their families will end the school year with an “ice cream social” on Wednesday, May 22.
On Friday, May 24, the PreK class will celebrate their graduation with a song-filled ceremony at 9 am in our sanctuary, followed by a gathering for the children, their parents, and families. All are welcome to attend. Expect to find yourself smiling!
We’re proud of our students and their hard-working, creative teachers.
QUESTIONS (AND REMINDERS)
* Do you miss Amazon Smile? Check out the Shop Raise fundraiser at https://shopraise.com/support/sttimsfoxchase
* Want to get rid of clutter? Keep bringing in those new and used sneakers, used eyeglasses and hearing aids, as well as printer cartridges.
* Feeling creative? Consider becoming a Holy Knit Wit. Val Filipenko and Anna Molnar (215-782-8562) will be happy to explain how to make prayer shawls for cancer patients.
* Like making people smile? Donate treats (baked or bought) for coffee hour. Call Tina Snyder at 267-879-4637 or jot your name on the sign-up sheet in the Café.
* Believe in the power of prayer? Join our Prayer Team. Call or text Rich Soltan at 215-828-1617 for more information.
* Have an idea or comment you would like Council to consider? Contact any Council member. We want to hear from you. OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, MAY 20, AT 4:00 PM.
FOOD MINISTRIES CONTINUE
Mother Teresa of Calcutta once said, “If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.” That’s something to remember as we head into the summer months. Local agencies that help the food-insecure face increased demand because families don’t have access to school meal programs.
Caring for Friends meal tins and instructions are in the Café area, and donations of food goods and personal care items for Feast of Justice can be left in the Library.
We’re also helping our neighbors at Memorial Presbyterian Church of Fox Chase to keep their food pantry stocked. Donations can be left in the Library, too.
SYNOD NEWS: WELCOME, BISHOP BRYAN PENMAN
Representatives to the 2024 Assembly of the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of Lutheran Churches, held May 3-4, elected a new bishop, the Reverend Bryan Penman. After serving for six years, Bishop Patricia A. Davenport had decided to retire.
Bishop Penman, who is currently pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Conshohocken and co-Director for Evangelical Mission in the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod, addressed the Assembly after his selection. In concluding his remarks, he said: “This Church is alive. The Spirit is moving, and the Spirit will guide us into a more beautiful church than we can ever imagine. This is work we will do together. I am so grateful for it.”
Carolyn Denzel and Kathy Swift attended as St. Tim’s lay representatives at the Assembly. Pastor Kathleen Kerin represented both St. Tim’s and St. Paul’s Olney. We appreciate their efforts and time.
For more news about the Assembly and other Synod news, go to www.ministrylink.org
NORTHEAST/NORTHWEST CONFERENCE NEWS
At its January annual meeting, our Northeast/Northwest Conference of neighboring Lutheran churches voted “yes,” to set up a new leadership Task Force. Its goal is to plan conference-wide events, service opportunities, and educational gatherings, and to encourage greater communication and fellowship among the conference churches.
Several representatives to the Task Force were elected, and more information will be forthcoming.
LECTIONARY READING for Upcoming Sundays
May 5
May 12
May 19
Ezekiel 37:1-14 (alternate)
Acts 2:1-21 (alternate)
May 26
June 2
June 9
June 16
June 23
June 30
Wisdom 1:13-15; 2:23-24 (alternate)