NOVEMBER ISSUE

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.

PASTOR’S MESSAGE

Dear Ones,

Intentional consideration for the food that we feed our minds with is always important. What is that saying …. You are what you eat? Indeed. I think that evermore so in THIS moment of our community and our nation, what we feed our thoughts and our spirits with deeply matters.

Below is a daily meditation from Richard Rohr that I read, and was, subsequently, bowled over with how helpful it could be to walk with us through the coming days. We are what we eat. Dear ones, fill your bodies, your minds, AND your spirits with God’s gracious and redeeming love. Become what you eat. More information can be found at the link at the end of this reflection.

“Sikh activist and author Valarie Kaur places love at the center of our ability to bring about wholeness in a divided world:

What does it mean to return to a kind of wholeness where the way that we love informs what we do in the world and what we do in the world deepens our love?

What I want to remind us all is that as much as we must fight for our convictions and stand for what is just, remember that all those people who vote against you are not disappearing after Election Day or Inauguration Day. We have to find a way to live together still. The only way we will birth a multiracial democracy is if we hold up a vision of a future that leaves no one behind, not even our worst opponents. So you might be in the position to have that conversation with the neighbor down the street or the uncle at the family table or the teenager who doesn’t want to vote because she’s too cynical. People who are isolated can risk becoming radicalized – in ways that are not caring … or loving …. or kind.” *

Perhaps you might listen deeply to one another …. and know that this act is one in which you risk. Your risk is that what you hear may change you. Or make you feel uncomfortable. That is the work of the Gospel, beloveds: What you hear giving you an insight into someone else.

The practice of Revolutionary Love is vital for making a new

way forward in the world. It may, indeed, be a new role and we know that newness and transition are hard. But we don’t do the work alone. God at work in the world speaks through hearts that dare to try.

Peace, dear ones.

Pastor Kathleen

*https://cac.org/daily-meditations/a-politics-rooted-in-gods-love/

THANK YOU

Beloveds, what a gracious and kind remembrance you shared with me for Minister’s Appreciation month! I was a little speechless (for a minute anyway, lol); it was a joyful surprise! I know that transitions are hard. Adjusting to change (and perhaps holding a little grief) is always a work in progress. I am honored to be a part of the faithful community that is St. Tim’s. I am honored to lead worship and to praise God in the midst of all that the world lays at our doorstep …. Together.

God’s peace, dear ones,

~Pastor Kathleen

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ST. TIM’S

OFF TO A GREAT START: A LOOK AT SEPTEMBER’S MISSION MAKERS

Serve. Learn. Create.

You may have heard someone say that we at St. Tim’s are small, but mighty. Well, our first Mission Makers event on Sept. 28 was just that - small, but mighty! Those who gathered, including a family from the community, enjoyed a time of service, learning, and creating.

Fifteen backpacks were filled with all the essentials a student needs. These backpacks were donated to GEMMA Services to supply children who come to GEMMA throughout the year. Pastor Kathleen led the group in an innovative way of looking at prayer. Things that we often offer up in prayer - worry, sadness, hurts, and troubles - were written in marker on tissues. The tissues were then immersed in water. As we continued to listen to the lesson, the words we wrote on the tissues began to fade; just as God hears our prayers and lessens our load.

Our time together finished up with a craft and pizza. The time flew by as we socialized with one another, another tenet of Mission Makers which is to get to know those in the communities of Fox Chase and Rockledge. All in all, the inaugural session of Mission Makers was a success. We look forward to many more as we come together to serve, learn, and create. – Kathy Swift

For details on upcoming Mission Makers, please check your weekly bulletin and St. Tim’s Facebook page for details. www.facebook.com/stimslutheranchurchfoxrok

OCTOBER’S “BIRTHDAY BASH” MISSION MAKERS TO BE RESCHEDULED

We were ready—thanks to Kathy Swift’s organizing skills, a grant from Thriven Financial, donations of birthday treats for food banks, and a lesson well-planned by Pastor Kathleen, but turnout from the community was disappointing on October 26. Undaunted, the attendees from St. Tim’s spent the scheduled time (after a brief break for levity, as shown above), in brainstorming ideas. The big question: How can we best get the word out about this innovative program aimed at all ages?

One idea is to ask members to invite their school-age, pre-teen, and teen neighbors to give Mission Makers a try. Many young people are looking for ways to connect with each other and to “do something” to make the world better. By including a service project, Mission Makers appeals to that generous spirit. The crafts involved are simple, concrete, and done in one session. Snacks are provided.

If you have ideas on how to publicize the program, or other suggestions, please contact Pastor Kathleen or Kathy Swift. Better yet, why not attend the next event on November 23 to see for yourself what Mission Makers is all about?

COMING UP AT ST. TIM’s

ü DON’T FORGET TO SET YOUR CLOCK BACK SATURDAY NIGHT: EASTERN STANDARD TIME BEGINS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 3!

NOVEMBER 3: All Saints Day service, 9:15 am.

NOVEMBER 7: Bible Study returns after a break for Halloween. Contact Pastor Kathleen Kerin for the link to join the Zoom sessions, Thursday evenings, from 7:30 to 8:30 pm.

NOVEMBER 9: Hope’s Table, 11 am to 1 pm.

Come and bring a friend to our community lunch. On the menu: Thanksgiving Favorites

IF YOU’RE ABLE TO HELP PREPARE SOUP OR STUFFING, PLEASE GIVE LIZ SOLTAN A CALL (215-828-1619).

NOVEMBER 14: Packing Party at Feast of Justice, 5 to 8 pm.

Help pack bags of Thanksgiving staples for our neighbors in need. Contact Pastor Kathleen for more details.

NOVEMBER 23: Mission Makers, 3:30-5:00 pm

STILL GOING STRONG: Zumba for Seniors

Tuesdays and Thursdays, at 11 am

Some of us may have “age-appropriate” T-shirts (see below), courtesy of Carolyn Denzel, but all you truly need for these informal classes are comfortable clothes and sneakers All are welcome!

Zumba class members stop to welcome back a statute of St. Francis Assisi to our side courtyard. Many thanks to office administrator, Katie McAlorum, and her family for their gift.

Thank You from Our Preschool

The preschool wishes to thank all those who purchased T- shirts from the preschool that helped to raise the money for them to purchase a beautiful blue sandbox for the children! They are all enjoying playing with the new addition!—Susan Feola, Council President

WHO’S WHO ON COUNCIL

If you have a question or concern, reach out to any member. If you wish to attend a Council meeting—usually held the third Monday of the month-- please let us know beforehand.

· 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 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

THE NEXT CHURCH COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, AT 3:30 PM

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: Carolyn Denzel, Sue Feola, Vanessa Fineberg, Barbara Huber, Isabel Hyczko, Tom Lyden, Tina Snyder, Rich Soltan, Verna Clohecy, and Pastor Kerin.

LECTIONARY READINGS

November 3

November 10

November 17