Welcome, Vicar Kyle!
On Sunday, October 2, St. Timothy Church welcomed Dr. Kyle Schiefelbein-Guerrero as our vicar. He is pictured above with Sue Feola and Liz Soltan.
Vicar Kyle, a professor of Worship and Liturgy at the United Lutheran Seminary (ULS), has completed nearly all the steps toward ordination, except for the required one-year internship in a pastoral setting. Bishop Patricia Davenport has given him permission to preside at Communion at St. Timothy during his time with us. He will serve as our bridge pastor from October 1, 2022, to September 30, 2023, in a unique collaboration among the United Lutheran Seminary, the Southeastern Pennsylvania Synod of the ELCA, and St. Tim’s.
“I am thankful for the opportunity to be with you during this time of transition and learning,” notes Vicar Kyle. “My first month has already been formative, and I am excited by what is to come… even those things we have not even thought about yet.”
The Rev. Dr. Charles Leonard, director of Contextual Formation at ULS and pastor at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in West Oak Lane, will mentor Vicar Kyle. We are also grateful to Chairperson Sue Feola and the other members of St. Tim's Mutual Support Committee—Zeke Lyden, Sharon Maddon, Harry Munz, and Jackie Schmid. They will meet periodically with Vicar Kyle to share members’ perspectives.
Vicar Kyle’s scholarly learning (see his resume at Kyle K. Schiefelbein-Guerrero - United Lutheran Seminary) is bolstered by his tech savvy. Check out how he has already updated our website ( www.sttimsfoxchase.org ) and regularly posts on our Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/sttimslutheranchurchfoxrok).
Vicar Kyle’s office hours at the church are Tuesdays (morning and afternoon) and Friday afternoons. He can be reached at 267-495-4254 or drksg@comcast.net. Making an appointment in advance is preferred.
When he is not working, Vicar Kyle enjoys hanging out with friends, visiting museums, and watching TV. His spouse Rommel is currently living in the West Coast because of employment, but will visit St. Tim’s during the holidays.
Council Members Attend Synod Webinar
Several members of Council attended a Synod-sponsored online seminar on Tuesday, October 25. The topic? Improving Worship Attendance in a Post-Pandemic World. Some info worth considering:
--Surveys indicate that attendance at services was down in all denominations before Covid-19. Where attendance is now, not what it was decades ago, should be the focus.
--Churches that streamed worship services during the pandemic are gradually returning to in-person services but still offering online services. Reaching people through a hybrid approach may be the way forward.
--Churches should consider what those who are missing need/want, not just the preferences of those who are already attending, in planning services and outreach.
--Reaching younger people requires reaching out to them on multiple platforms—for instance, YouTube and social media.
--Keeping the focus on mission—and staying positive both about those we’re trying to reach and what we need to learn—is the best approach.
To see the recorded version of the webinar, click on this link:
Say it with Cake: Anniversary Coffee Hour Celebration
After a chorus of “Happy Anniversary to Us,” members of St. Tim’s enjoyed a slice of cake after our service on October 30. Special thanks to Stanley Victorek and Jackie Schmid, who stepped in before our service to re-hang pictures honoring past pastors at St. Tim’s. Those photos had been expertly framed by Janet Schwab, our church archivist.
COMING UP: MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR THESE EVENTS
Christmas Bazaar Set for Saturday, November 19, from 10 am to 2 pm
Co-Chairs Tina Snyder and Barbara Huber are busy planning the return of this much-loved tradition at St Tim’s. You can bring your donations on Sundays, or Tuesday and Thursday mornings, when our church office is open. One change this year: Please, no clothing, dishware, or glassware.
What is needed is baked goods for the Bakery, or items for our Crafts Shop.
And of course, if you have time to help set up our “Treasures Trove,” either in the week before or during the Bazaar itself, please get in touch with Tina Snyder at 267-879-4637 or jimntina87@comcast.net.
Concert added to the Christmas Bazaar
Our Music Director/Organist Tim Brown has offered to perform at 1 pm during our Christmas Bazaar (November 19) this year. Look for more details in upcoming worship bulletins, website, FaceBook page, or call 215-745-4453 for more details.
THANK-YOU
To my friends at St. Tim’s,
Many thanks to Liz and the congregation for the beautiful bouquet of flowers I received after my surgery. I truly appreciate the prayers and support that you have given me.
Fondly,
Barbara Huber
CHRISTMAS AT ST. TIM’S
Christmas 2022 will once again be a blessedly busy season at St. Tim’s. Here are some events and goings-on to keep in mind:
Toy Collection: Throughout November, we will collect gifts for the children served by Gemma Services (formerly known as Martin Luther-Silver Spring School). Bring your unwrapped gifts to church on Sundays, or Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
Online Advent Course: Vicar Kyle is working on setting up a course we’ll be able to access via our home computer. More details will follow via our church bulletins or email.
Christmas Decorating: Please plan to stay after our service on Sunday, December 11. After a quick pizza lunch, we’ll decorate the sanctuary in its Christmas finery.
Christmas Carol Singalong: Saturday, December 17, at 3 pm. Take a break from Christmas preparations to join in an old-fashioned treat, followed by cookies and cocoa or coffee. Kids welcome!
CHRISTMAS WORSHIP SCHEDULE
DECEMBER 24: Christmas Eve Service: 7 pm. (Musical prelude starting at 6:30 pm)
DECEMBER 25: Christmas Day/Sunday Service, 10:15 am
JANUARY 1: Lessons and Carols, 10:15 am
FOOD MINISTRY UPDATE
Because Fellowship Hall and the Library will be set up for our Christmas Bazaar, we must postpone our November Food Ministry Day. We’ll resume on Thursday, December 15.
Also, if you’re looking for a good use for your Thanksgiving/Christmas dinner leftovers, consider picking up some Caring for Friends meal tins to fill at home. For more information, call Liz Soltan at 215-828-1619.
PRESCHOOL NEWS
Linda Yesenosky, director of St. Tim’s Preschool, reports that our little students have a fun array of activities planned for the fall and Christmas season:
November 9: Firefighter Ray Clothier from Firestation 56 will stop by with his firetruck.
November 14: The Pre-Kindergarten class will visit the Briar Bush Nature Center to learn about the Lenape tribe and to take a nature hike.
December 7 and 9: Both classes will get a chance to buy Christmas gifts for their families at the Secret Santa Shop. Kathy Swift, St. Tim’s liaison to the Preschool, will be one of Santa’s elves/helpers.
December 22: The children will present their Christmas Nativity Pageant. All are welcome! (Time to be announced.)
VOLUNTEER NEEDED
The people of St. Tim’s have been very generous in donating personal care and household cleaning items for Feast of Justice. But now we need someone who can drop the donations off at the FOJ pantry at St. John’s of Mayfair (Hawthorne and Tyson) during the week. If you can help, please call Liz Soltan (215-828-1619).
SNEAKERS COLLECTION
Help the needy—and St. Tim’s
Millions throughout the world have no shoes, while many US citizens complain of cluttered closets (and eventually, overflowing landfills). Council member Kathy Swift has learned of a practical approach to this problem: A recycling agency will refurbish and distribute your gently-used sneakers to those in need. The agency will also donate money to St. Tim’s for each pair collected.
Please ask your family and friends to help us fill the brightly-decorated box Kathy has created.
PRAYER MINISTRY
The Prayer Team is ready to lift you or your concerns 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, and Verna Clohecy. Or you can email Verna Clohecy at vclohecy1@aol.co.
IMPORTANT REMINDERS
Please help us to provide good pastoral care. Please call Vicar Kyle or leave a message at the church office (215-745-4453). 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, or your phone number or email address has changed.
LECTIONARY READINGS
November 6
November 13
November 20
November 27
December 4
December 11
December 18
December 24
December 25 (Christmas Day)