September 2025

First sit down and estimate the cost…  Luke 14.28

What might I have to be willing to sacrifice to follow Jesus? Money, possessions, claims, attachments, that shield me from full and perfect generosity. Status, privilege, social acceptance, belonging, that tempt me to compromise my love. Comfort, having my life the way I want it, that prevent me from risking for the sake of others. Safety, security, staying out of jail for such is the cost of standing up for justice  when tyranny descends.

Steve Garnaas-Holmes

Unfolding Light

Dear Ones,

I debated about offering this for our Newsletter; because it asks us all a difficult question--it encourages us to a decision of which road to follow.  But then I realized, isn’t that always the question Jesus is asking of us?  Isn’t it always what Christ called his followers to when he walked the earth in sandals?  Isn’t it the question that he continues to call us to now? 

Spending the end of the day with my sister-in-law on the beach--sitting on the sand, watching the sun set, seeing the birds catch bits of sand crabs, and hearing the waves calling good bye--I realized yesterday that looking for the comfort of life and situating things the way I want them continues to lurk in the back of my mind these days. Controlling my own life has sometimes been a voice louder than the quiet, but insistent, voice of Jesus--calling me to pray, to wisdom, and to community. 

The grace-given work of caring for one another, listening and praying and giving where the needs arise is the work of the Church--and the movement of the Holy Spirit within our gatherings and within our spirits.  Beloveds, may your spirit be moved as we are Church together this year.

Grace & Peace,

Pastor Kathleen

WHAT’S HAPPENING AT ST. TIM’S

JUST A QUICK LOOK BACK—AND A GRATEFUL “YOU’RE TERRIFIC” TO THE “CAMP FIRELIGHT” VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL TEAM!

Pausing for a smile break after transforming the sanctuary into “Camp Firelight”

VBS included Bible stories, games, songs, and crafts, like the “lanterns” shown below.

For more pictures—and smiles-- check out our Facebook page. www.facebook.com/stimslutheranchurchfoxrok

COMING UP AT ST. TIM’S IN SEPTEMBER

SEPT 16: SENIOR ZUMBA

Meet us in Fellowship Hall on Tuesday, September 16, at 11 am, as we resume a twice-weekly hour of light exercise and laughs. Both are good for us!

SEPT 13: HOPE’S TABLE

Come and bring a friend to September’s Hope’s Table, our free community lunch, from 11 am to 1 pm. What’s cooking?  Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, stewed tomatoes, and more! Volunteers are also welcome and needed—call Liz Soltan (at 215-828-1619) or email her at soltan320@comcast.net.

SEPT 15: COUNCIL MEETING 4:30 pm, Library

COMING SOON: THURSDAY NIGHT ZOOM BIBLE STUDY. We will kick off a new season of study, discussion, and reflection in mid-September. Contact Pastor Kathleen (kathkerin@gmail) for the Zoom link. Look for details about an IN-PERSON, AFTERNOON BIBLE STUDY in your weekly bulletins.

LOOKING AHEAD TO OCTOBER

MARK YOUR CALENDAR FOR TWO SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES:

       EUCHARISTIC VISITOR TRAINING

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11

9:30 AM TO 4 PM AT ST. TIM’S

Join Pastor Sandra Brown in reaching out to our church family who cannot attend church on a regular basis and in sharing Communion with them.

Contact Pastor Kathleen (kathkerin@gmail.com) for more info.

“WHO IS OUR NEIGHBOR?”

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 18, 2025

8:30 AM TO 12:15 PM

ST. JOHN’S LUTHERAN CHURCH

3101 TYSON AVENUE

PHILADELPHIA, PA 19149

Join Pastor Kathleen in learning some new ideas on how to meet the people in our communities,  

and getting beyond the walls of our churches. 

Registration info on Ministrylink.com

UPDATE FROM COUNCIL ON MINISTRIES AT ST. TIM’S

We will have another congregation using our beautiful sanctuary for worship on Sunday evenings beginning in September. They are a group from “Calvary Orthodox Presbyterian Church,” soon to be known as “Fox Chase Reformed Church.” They are delighted to share our space, and we are happy to welcome them!

Most of you are aware that during the week, our building serves multiple purposes as a meeting place for other groups. Another congregation that we host is “Presbyterian Church of Philadelphia” (PCP), who also gather for worship and fellowship each Sunday afternoon. We have three AA groups and a Grief group that meet during the week, a nurses’ association that meets periodically, and a Boy Scout Troop that meets on Thursday nights in Fellowship Hall.

Of course, one of the most important and vital ministries we have is our amazing Christian preschool! They use our building on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 8:30 am until 2:30 pm from September until June. We are blessed to have a highly rated program with a fantastic staff who work closely with 3- and 4-year-olds from the surrounding community to prepare them for elementary school. We have always asked that people try to not come into the building during those days and times so that there is no interference with the programs that the children participate in.

Because of these important ministries at St. Timothy’s, we continue to try to create an inviting and appealing atmosphere throughout our building. We are working on renewing and updating areas that need improvement, including painting and basic upkeep. Stay tuned for opportunities for members to participate in sessions where we will work together to clear out and clean up to help beautify the space that houses our worship and ministry.—Susan Feola, Council President

MORE COUNCIL NEWS

OUR NEXT COUNCIL MEETING IS MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 15, at 4:30 PM. Anyone who wishes to discuss an issue with Council is welcome to attend, but we ask that you let us know ahead of time.

OF COURSE, IF YOU HAVE A QUESTION OR CONCERN AT ANY TIME, YOU CAN REACH OUT TO ANY COUNCIL MEMBER:

• SUSAN FEOLA (PRESIDENT) -- 215-718-9600 or suefeola07@msn.com

• VANESSA FINEBERG (VICE PRESIDENT) —215-605-2653 or vfineberg@comcast.net

• SHARON MADDEN (SECRETARY)—267-205-1560 or shmadden8133@gmail.com

• KATHY SWIFT (TREASURER) –215-813-0824 or kswift6267@comcast.net

• DAWN WEBER (EDUCATION)—215-828-6370 or ddirl@hotmail.com

• 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

• PASTOR KATHLEEN KERIN –201-638-8217 or kathkerin@gmail.com

PRESCHOOL NEWS: IT’S ANOTHER BEAUTIFUL YEAR TO LEARN

Our Preschool started its new year on September 2nd, with a Parents’ Meeting.

The Young scholars will attend “Get Acquainted” sessions on September 3th and 4^th, with regular classes beginning Monday, September 8. Pastor Kathleen will begin Bible stories and other lessons with the children in late September.

Every member of our dedicated staff (pictured above) will be returning: KATIE McALORUM (PrEP Lead Teacher and Assistant Teacher for the Threes Class); LINDA YESENOSKY (Preschool Director/Teacher for the Threes Class); MARCIA MAIO (Teachers' Aide); and COLLEEN FALCONIO and DONNA FORCINA (Co-Teachers of the Pre-Kindergarten Class).

Ø  YOU WILL HEAR DETAILS SOON ABOUT A KID-FRIENDLY “TEE-SHIRT SALE” TO RAISE FUNDS FOR A NEW “BUILDING BLOCKS” CENTER FOR THE PRE-K ROOM.

IMPORTANT REMINDER

To help us to provide good pastoral care, please call Pastor Kathleen Kerin at 201-638-8217 if:

 You are in need of prayer

 Are ill or hospitalized

 A baby is born in 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

SEPTEMBER SUNDAY LECTIONARY READINGS

SEPTEMBER 7: Deuteronomy 30:15-20; Psalm 1;Philemon 1-21;Luke 14:25-33

SEPTEMBER 14: Exodus 32:7-14; Psalm 51:1-10;1 Timothy 1:12-17; Luke 15:1-10

SEPTEMBER 21: Amos 8:4-7; Psalm 113; 1 Timothy 2:1-7; Luke 16:1-13

SEPTEMBER 28: Amos 6:1a, 4-7; Psalm 146; 1 Timothy 6:6-19; Luke 16:19-31

HOW TO REACH OUR PRAYER TEAM

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.

   Another way to reach out? Text or call Rich Soltan at 215-828-1617, and he will bring your concern to the Prayer Team’s attention.

    Want to join the Team? Again, talk to a Team Member, or text or call Rich Soltan.

*****COMING IN THE OCTOBER EDITION OF TIDINGS:  WAYS YOU CAN VOLUNTEER OR HELP OUT IN ST. TIM’S MINISTRIES.  Volunteering is a great way to use your skills—or maybe you’ll discover a skill you never knew you had!