Presbyterian Volume 56, Issue 3, April 2016

R E P O R T E R

Published by the First Presbyterian Church

11 Washington Street, Cumberland, Maryland 21502

301-777-3700 www.fpc-cumberland.org

“The Cup of Our Life”

Caroline M. Kelly, Pastor

In her book, The Cup of Our Life, Joyce Rupp shares her wisdom about the cup as a symbol of our spiritual

journey, “a constant process of emptying and filling, of giving and receiving, of accepting and letting go.”

In this poem, she describes this ongoing process.

May your cup be empty of clutter and full of the love of God!

Faithfully,

Generous God

so many times I’ve come

with my empty cup

a beggar of the heart

devoid of nourishment

depleted of energy

and you have filled

Generous God

so many times I’ve come

afraid of unknowns

full of negatives and no’s

fighting the challenges

closed and resistant to growth

and you have opened

Generous God

so many times I’ve come

a stranger to my spirit

crammed with cultural noises

caught in endless clutter

crowding my inner space

and you have emptied

Generous God

I come to you again

holding out my waiting cup

begging that it first be emptied

of all that blocks the way

then asking for its filling

with love that tastes like you

---Joyce Rupp

The Cup of Our Life

page 2 April 2016

March Session Highlights

The Session of First Presbyterian Church met in the church library at 8:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 17, 2016,

for its stated monthly meeting. The Rev. Caroline M. Kelly served as Moderator. Ann Kellermeyer served as

Clerk.

The Session took the following actions:

Approved a motion to examine Sam Kauffman for membership at First Presbyterian Church of

Cumberland at the May session meeting after completion of study with confirmation advisor, Julie

Courtney, and Pastor Caroline, of the membership questions and writing a statement of his faith. He has

committed to attend confirmation class at his new church home in the fall.

Authorized the Clerk to write a letter to the Berean Independent Baptist Church, expressing our

congregation’s sorrow at the loss of their church in a recent fire.

Granted the request of former clerk and church member Ruling Elder Mildred Ransom that her funeral

be held at First Presbyterian Church and that Rev. Howard Newman would be allowed to assist the

present pastor here.

Approved the year to date financial statements as of February 29, 2016.

Approved the serving of communion at the Women's Retreat on March 19, 2016 by the Rev'ds. Judy

Johnson and Caroline Kelly.

Approved the Worship and Music Committee's recommendation that the Rev. Walt Peters be invited to

preach on Sunday, May 15, while Caroline is away.

Approved the Worship and Music Committee’s recommendation that the Rt. Rev. Martin Townsend be

invited to preach on Sundays, June 26 and July 3, 2016, while Caroline is away.

Approved the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to hire Olivia “Beau” Hartman as the

Interim Director of Music Ministries.

Approved the recommendation of the Administration and Finance Committee that $1,000 from the

Non-Wills and Memorials gifts fund be used to pay for the food for Judie Brown’s retirement dinner.

Approved a motion from Carolyn Mathews to present a citation to Judie Brown during Easter worship

service thanking her for service to the church.

In addition the Session heard:

A report from Rev. Caroline Kelly that she and Debbie Streicher, co-founder of Milestones Ministry, met

with three families about the possibility of using Milestones Ministry as a tool for faith formation and

connection with the larger congregation.

An update from the Director of Music Ministries Search Committee that they have extended the

application period until the position is filled and have suggested in their new advertising that they

would consider splitting the position between a choir director and organist.

If you have any questions, please contact the Clerk or Moderator.

Connect with First Presbyterian Church

April 2016 page 3

Like us on Facebook!

http://wwwfacebook.com/First.Pres.Cumberland

Meet Our Interim

Director of Music Ministries

Olivia 'Beau' Hartman is a local

singer and keyboardist with a

diverse musical background. In

addition to studying music and

theater at Frostburg State

University, she has experience in

sacred music, the barbershop

singing style, vocal jazz, and

playing folk and rock music.

While attending college, she

served at St Ambrose Parish, St

John's Episcopal Church, and St

Peter's Episcopal Church. After

returning from Baltimore in 2012, she accompanied Emmanuel

Episcopal Church's chancel choir under the direction of Dr Karen

Soderberg-Sarnaker. During that time in 2014, she assisted First

Presbyterian Church as a substitute musician. Beau maintains a private

studio for vocalists and beginner to intermediate piano students,

directs children's performance groups, and promotes music in the

community, and performs as much as possible in the region.

Beau writes,

Thank you for giving me the chance to serve First Presbyterian Church

as the Interim Music Director. I look forward to meeting all of the

musicians in the congregation. Please introduce yourself!

Nurture

Birthdays

Bill Workman 3-Apr

Chris Gallo 5-Apr

Eleaner Johnson 13-Apr

Nancy Hodges 14-Apr

Bob Kazary 14-Apr

Ann Kellermeyer 14-Apr

Gwen Harris 15-Apr

Matt Young 15-Apr

Mary Gallion 17-Apr

Brenda Luger 17-Apr

Dale Corley 22-Apr

Joyce Macy 25-Apr

Sue Scott 28-Apr

page 4 April 2016

An Update from the Youth

Ministry Coordinator

March was a busy month for our Youth Ministry as we not only had our regular Youth Meetings, but also

reached out to the community through a special mission opportunity. Some of the highlights from this past

month include:

Serving at the Union Rescue Mission : The youth came together and prepared a meal of fried chicken, green

beans, scalloped potatoes, dessert, and drink for the residents of the Union Rescue Mission. After we

finished cooking the meal here in the church kitchen, we drove over to the mission, served the meal and then

joined the residents in sharing the meal. There was enough food left for the mission to make another meal

out of it, which made the staff quite happy. Both the youth and the parents that attended had a great time.

We will be continuing this new ministry quarterly, with the next meal being served in May.

Meeting with the Rev. Jan Dus: The youth had the opportunity to meet with Rev. Dus and learn about the

work that is being done in Moldova. It was both an interesting and eye-opening experience.

Youth Group Meetings: We continue to meet regularly on Sunday evenings. A special thanks goes out to all

the people who prepare a meal for the youth each Sunday. It makes my life so much easier and provides a

great opportunity for the youth to gather around the table each Sunday and fellowship. We still have a few

openings to provide meals between now and the end of May. If you are interested in providing a meal,

please let me know. The youth have continued their study using the series “Hypocrite”, which I described in

last month’s article. Most recently, we talked about God’s unfathomable love for us.

Guys Spring Retreat: This past weekend, the youth guys

from First Presbyterian and the Westernport Church of the

Brethren (my home church) joined together for a weekend

retreat at Camp Swatara in Bethel, Pa. We had 10 young

men attend along with John Taube, who served as a second

chaperone.

The weekend’s retreat activities focused on the theme

of “Becoming a Man of God”, which focused on four

struggles young men face in their faith walk: Pride,

Passion, Thoughtlessness, and Fearing Man’s

Opinion. The guys also enjoyed many fun activities,

including a high ropes course, climbing tower, hikes

along the Appalachian Trail, and a hike to the

summit of the mountain where you can see for well over 20 miles. (Youth Update continues on page 5)

(Youth Update continues on page 5)

Learn & Grow

April 2016 page 5

Learn & Grow

Faith Formation

for Families with

Children

For the past year, the Christian

Education Committee has been

exploring a new tool for faith

formation called Milestones

Ministry. Co-created by Debbie

Streicher, a nationally known

Lutheran educator (who lives in

the area), Milestones is a

multigenerational faith formation

practice designed to help families

and church families grow in their

understanding of how God is

present in everyday life.

This approach revolves around

significant milestones, like baptism

and confirmation, but also

milestones like losing the first

tooth, starting the first day of

school or taking those first steps,

among others. The curriculum is

designed for all ages and includes

milestones for all stages of life, but

we are particularly interested in

offering the ministry to families

with children elementary age and

younger. If you or someone you

know is looking for a way to help

your children or grandchildren

experience how God is working in

their everyday lives, please contact

Pastor Caroline.

Women’s Retreat: The Cup of Our Life

Ten FPC women gathered for an overnight retreat at the Peterkin

Camp and Conference Center in Romney, West Virginia on March 18-

19. We rocked on the front porch, talked, ate, laughed, prayed and

rested during our time together. The Rev. Judy Johnson facilitated

conversation based on Joyce Rupp's book The Cup of Our Life, helping

us explore how the cups we use everyday are a rich symbol of life,

with its emptiness and fulness, its brokenness and flaws, and all of its

blessings. Pastor Caroline led us in evening and morning prayer and

we closed with a communion service led by Rev. Johnson.

(Youth Update continued from page 4)

Upcoming Events:

Graduation Sunday: I hope that you will be able to join us for worship

on Sunday May 8th (Mother’s Day) as we hold a special recognition for

our four youth who are graduating high school this year: Kaitlyn

Kauffman (Allegany), Will DiNola (BW), Grace Bryan (Allegany), and

Garrett Corley (Mountain Ridge).

Thank you for your continued support of our ministry.

Blessings,

Robby May

Youth Ministry Coordinator

page 6 April 2016

Opportunities to Serve

The Great Dakota Giveaway! Soup & Chili Rodeo, Live and

Silent Auction

First Presbyterian Church

11 Washington St.

Cumberland, MD

Fellowship Hall

Sunday, May 15th at 12:30 PM

Auctioneer: Buck Belt

Help us raise funds to send 24 inspired volunteers to serve at a

summer learning camp for children in South Dakota _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

The Great Dakota Giveaway

Sunday, May 15th at 12:30 p.m.

Yes, I will come to support our volunteers and enjoy this fellowship and food event.

(All the food you can eat for only $5 per person!)

Name: _________________________________________________________

Phone:_________________________________________________________

Email:_________________________________________________________

Number attending:_____________

I can donate the following items:____________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

I can donate the following service to be auctioned (babysitting, car wash, consulting, teaching):

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

If you have any questions or if you would like to make a donation,

please contact Robin Bissell at rbissell444@gmail.com .

April 2016 page 7

Nurture

Worship With Us

Joys and Concerns

Congratulations to Brittney Corley on the birth of a second daughter,

Azlynn Lorraine Corley, on March 30, and to the grandparents, Dale and

Sheri Corley.

JOYCE MACY’S 90TH BIRTHDAY OPEN HOUSE: You are invited to stop in and

celebrate with Joyce as she turns 90 on Saturday, April 23 from 2:00-5:00PM.

Contact the church office at 301-777-3700 to RSVP and for further details.

Many thanks to Sandra Burton for arranging the flowers

for Judie Brown’s Retirement Dinner on Wednesday, March

30. Also, thanks to Sandra, Barbara Aber, and Renee Kiddy for serving during the

dinner. Additional thanks to John Brown for all of his help with set up for the

dinner.

Prayers and sympathy to Betty and Brenda Luger on the death of Betty’s husband

and Brenda’s father, Rich Luger, on Tuesday, April 5. A memorial service will be

held on Sunday, April 10, at 2PM at First Presbyterian Church. A reception will

follow the service in the library.

Farewell to Judie Brown

This week the congregation said “enjoy a happy retirement” and “we’re glad you are staying in the area” to

our Director of Christian Music, Judie Brown. The music of Easter Sunday was triumphant with strings and

percussion adding so much to our voices raised in hymns of praise for Jesus Christ our risen Lord.

During the worship service we presented Judie with a photo

album of memories lifted from various collections, the

children and youth decorated a huge “THANK YOU JUDIE”

poster with butterflies to remind her to have a renewal of

life as she emerges into retirement and a resolution was read

summarizing some of the highlights of her decade with us.

On Wednesday night we held a retirement party for Judie in

the Fellowship Hall. Over 70 members and friends of the

congregation enjoyed a catered meal with a variety of

delicious cakes for dessert. Reverend Caroline blessed our

meal and Julie Courtney, with much inspiration, coordinated

what was nearly a variety show of entertainment. Cindy Corley representing the congregation presented

Judie with our cards and a check from our hearts. Many people helped to organize, assemble, arrange,

coordinate and bring about this retirement celebration for Judie to send her out with our love.

page 8 April 2016

First Presbyterian Church

To Judith Brown - Well Wishes on Your Retirement

Be It Known: That on behalf of the congregation of the First Presbyterian Church of Cumberland, Maryland

In recognition of your 10 years and 6 months of dedicated and exemplary service WHEREAS: you brought your years of music experience in New York City, Manhattan and New Rochelle to the mountains of western Maryland; WHEREAS: you arrived in Cumberland in early October 2005 to play our Möller organ and direct our choirs as our Director of Christian Music; WHEREAS: you introduced us to Charpentier, Halley, and St. James Music Press while keeping Vivaldi, Handel, Rutter and the 3 B’s in our repertoire; WHEREAS: you added depth to our special music by inviting gifted vocalist friends, especially Pat; and guest instrumentalists from the Maryland Symphony, West Virginia University, Frostburg State University and Shenandoah University to join us; WHEREAS: you challenged our children over a number of years to enhance their musical knowledge and abilities and to offer their very best to God in worship and to participate at the Choristers Guild Festival in Gaithersburg in March of 2010; WHEREAS: twice you brought us to tears while directing the majestic Glenn Rudolph work “The Dream Isaiah Saw” for pastor installations; and WHEREAS: in addition to your service at First Presbyterian Church, you have also served the community as Artistic Director of The Cumberland Choral Society, Adjunct Professor of Organ at Frostburg State University, accompanist in the Music Department at Frostburg State University, as well as taught voice, piano and organ privately.

We sincerely thank you for your faithful service and for sharing your talents and musical gifts with us over these many years.

Blessings from the congregation and Session this 31st day of March, 2016

Pastor: Caroline Kelly Clerk: Ann Kellermeyer Session: Carl “Buck” Belt, Sandra Burton, Cindy Corley, Dale Corley, Bob Courtney, Kaitlyn Kauffman, Cathy Levitas, Carolyn Mathews, Bill McElvie, Sandi Rowland,

Judy Stern, and Bryan Wodaski

Worship With Us

April 2016 page 9

Worship With Us

Director of Music Ministries

Position Announcement

Position Description for this 20 hour/week position is available upon request from our

Executive Administrative Assistant.

We are seeking a Director of Music Ministries who is proficient and experienced on organ/piano and in

choral training and direction. We seek someone who loves music and is open to incorporating diverse

musical genres in worship, is well organized and plans ahead, is creative in contributing to an inspiring,

spiritual environment, demonstrates initiative and is willing to think "outside the box", communicates well

verbally and in writing, and will be flexible in collaborating with the Pastor, staff and Worship and Music

Committee. This person should be interested in keeping up with trends and changes in music in the larger

world. If need be, we could consider dividing the responsibilities between two people, a choral director and

an accompanist. We follow the Reformed tradition of worship in the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Minimum qualifications:

Bachelor's degree (BA, BS, or BM) in music, sacred music, music performance, or music education, with

emphasis in applied organ and/or choral conducting and two years’ experience in organ performance and/or

choral direction in church settings.

Compensation Package:

Salary is dependent upon education and experience. $18,000 - $21,000

Benefits may include major medical, pension, 4 weeks of annual leave, continuing education

To Apply:

Applicants must submit a resume and cover letter. Provide no more than 20 minutes of audio or video

examples of rehearsal and performance, with the applicant demonstrating his/her abilities in choral

conducting as well as organ and piano accompaniment. Preferred formats are streaming audio, attached mp3

files, or links to online videos.

www.fpc-cumberland.org

firstpresbyteriansecretary@gmail.com

Search Committee – DMM

Eleven Washington Street

Cumberland, Maryland 21502

Application Deadline:

These materials can be sent to the Search Committee until the position is filled.

Work Start Date:

To be determined.

page 10 April 2016

Address Service Requested

First Presbyterian Church

Eleven Washington Street

Cumberland, Maryland 21502

301-777-3700 www.fpc-cumberland.org

Sunday Worship Calendar

April 10: 11:00 AM Service for the Lord’s Day

Third Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:1-6; Psalm 30;

Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19

April 17: 11:00 AM Service for the Lord’s Day

Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:36-43; Psalm 23;

Revelation 7:9-17; John 10:22-30

Aprill 24: 11:00 AM Service for the Lord’s Day

Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 11:1-18; Psalm 148;

Revelation 21:1-6; John 13:31-35

We Thank God For: