Liz Soltan
- Apr 30, 2021
- 4 min read

MAY AND JUNE ISSUE OF TIDINGS

ST. TIM’S WILL RETURN TO IN-HOUSE WORSHIP ON SUNDAY, MAY 9TH, AT 10:15 A.M.

Being able to return to worship in our beautiful sanctuary is good news, but we still must be cautious. The Philadelphia Department of Health recommends that all worshippers wear a mask, stay six feet away from others outside their household, and refrain from singing.

Pastor Deb has mailed a letter announcing our return to everyone in the congregation. We will observe the safeguards we used last fall:

* Masks must be worn in the church building at all times.

* Social distancing will be practiced.

* The building will be sanitized as needed.

* Hand sanitizer will be readily available for use.

* One person at a time in the rest rooms.

* There will be no fellowship hour following the service.

* Windows will be open during the service.

* Communion will be given out at the end of the service.

HELPING OUR NEIGHBORS THROUGH OUR FOOD MINISTRY

In March and April, St. Tim’s Food Ministry days resulted in 330 meals and 9 soups for Caring for Friends. We also donated two carloads of food and other needed items to Feast of Justice.

Next Dates for our Food Ministry: THURSDAY, MAY 20, AND THURSDAY, JUNE 17, FROM 11 AM TO 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. You can also bring your donations of canned goods, diapers, and hygiene products for Feast of Justice on those Thursdays.

Another option is to bring your Feast of Justice donations when the church office is ordinarily open-- Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 8 am to 12 noon. Please call first to let our church secretary, Katie McAlorum, know you are coming.

END OF YEAR ACTIVITIES FOR THE PRESCHOOL

Linda Yesenosky, director of our preschool, reports that the “threes” had a wonderful day at the Briar Bush Nature Center in mid-April. The staff at the center were as excited as the little students because St. Tim’s was the first school tour of the year. The “fours” (Pre-K) class will visit there soon, too.,

Both classes—as well as their siblings, parents, and grandparents—will get together for a “play day” at nearby Jarret Playground on May 21.

The preschool staff are also working hard to create a safe graduation ceremony for the Pre-K class. The plan so far is to use the sanctuary—observing all the distancing requirements we have in place—and to limit attendance to the students and their parents only.

Students in the three-year-old class will end their year with a special dismissal outside on the last day.

Congratulations to the children, their families, and our staff. Everyone did their best!

REST IN PEACE

Our condolences to the families of two longtime, faithful members of St. Tim’s--T. Ruth Garvin and Raymond (“Ray”) Winslow. Both will be missed.

SEPA SYNOD ASSEMBLY

Pastor Deborah Wolfe and Church Council President Liz Soltan represented St. Tim’s at the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod’s first virtual assembly on Saturday, April 24. (Due to the pandemic, last year’s assembly was cancelled.)

The assembly began the week before, with evening online presentations on proposed constitutional changes, an audit/budget review, and a tech how-to session. During the Saturday assembly, the attendees voted to streamline the SEPA synod council from 31 to 21 members, adopted the proposed budgets for 2021 and 2022, and voted for synod council members and representatives to the 2022 General (national) Assembly.

Liz Soltan reported that no matter her initial qualms about the virtual technology, the SEPA Assembly went very smoothly—and even offered some inspiration. “Despite the disruptive impact of the pandemic,” she explained, “churches in the SEPA synod, as well as ministries like the Welcome Church and Feast of Justice—not to mention churchwide efforts for refugees and immigrants--still provided tremendous help to people in need.”

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, 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.

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.

LECTIONARY READINGS

May 2

May 9

May 16