Photos from the March 29 Presbytery meeting

 

Work Day Tomorrow!

Tomorrow (Friday, March 28) is our final work day before the Presbytery meeting at our church on Saturday the 29th.  We still need help with the following jobs.  Please stop by any time after 10:30 am if you can work.  Thank you!

• Blowing the courtyard clean
• Setting up tents, tables, and chairs in the courtyard
• Food prep (slicing croissants, putting muffins in baskets, icing bottles of water, arranging cookies on plates, washing strawberries)
• Setting tables in Swain Hall
• Setting up the Fireside Room as a coffee station
• Putting up the pew candles in the Sanctuary

Thought for the Day

Presbyterian Women Update

Ten ladies from our church traveled to Scottsdale to the Franciscan Renewal Center for the Spring Gathering Retreat. We had a time of renewal and fellowship. Rev. Tim Smith was our speaker. His theme was the Holy Spirit and he gave us Images of the Holy Spirit. He discussed meditation and gave us the opportunity to meditate. The Facility was inspirational. It did rain heavily all day so we were not able to do the outdoor meditation as was planned. Thanks to PW Presbytery for the opportunity to be together there.

Women who read 5 or more books were recognized. From our church the following were given a small gift: Ida Borhauer, Nancy Wilson, Billie Lewis and Gail Bickel. Good reading ladies, you will love the new books.

Speaking of books, it is at this Spring Gathering we are introduced to the books for the coming year and given their names and a short review. They were so good it was hard to make a choice so we bought all 9 of them! They will be on the PW rack in Swain Hall soon. I will highlight one of the books in this article to encourage your interest.

My Name is Malala: The Girl Who stood up for Education and was shot by the Taliban, Malala Yousafzai with Christina Lame. The book describes the life of the young Pakistani student who advocated for women’s rights and education in the Taliban-controlled Swat Valley, survived an assassination attempt and became the youngest nominee for the Nobel Peace Prize.

Save this Date! April 12th, 2014 - Introducing the 2014-2015 Horizons Bible Study. Reconciling Paul: A Contemporary Study of 2nd Corinthians. To be held at Desert Palms Presbyterian Church. Registration is at 8:30 am. Overview begins at 9:00 am. and ends at 11:00 am. Bev Phillips and Chris Casanova will be the leaders of the overview. This is especially helpful to our Bible Study leaders.

Coordinating Team will meet at 9:00 am. on Wednesday, April 2nd in Annex 2.

April 23rd will be our Gathering. It will be our Spring Tea with Installation of Officers. It promises to be a lovely event.

The orange ribbons that we introduced at our last Gathering in February will be available at our April Gathering. This is to help us continue to remember violence against women and remember to seek ways through prayer and action to help.

Blessings to all,

~Diane Nestlebush, Moderator

Rejoice!

April University of Life

Clarke Memorial Service

Dennis and Eileen Clarke arriving at the 50th anniversary gala

Reverend Dennis W. Clarke became the Senior Installed Pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Sun City on February 5, 1995. Rev. Clarke spoke with a delightful brogue, having been reared in Ireland. He received his seminary training in Belfast and ordination in Maghera, County Londonderry, Ireland. Rev. Clarke had participated in two successful exchange programs; after his family had returned to Ireland a call came from a Presbyterian church in Canada, and the family moved to Canada when Dennis was 35 years old. The Clarkes have three children, two born in Ireland and one in Canada. Rev. Clarke served a church in Atwood, Ontario, Canada (1970-1976); one in Sarnia Ontario, Canada (1976-1989); and then one in Greenville, Ohio, for six years. He met Jane and Fred Bell when they visited Greenville; Jane convinced him that he belonged in Sun City. During his first year as Senior Pastor at the First Presbyterian Church he visited with every church member in their home. He retired in February of 2001.

We are sorry to report that Rev. Clarke passed away in hospice on Monday. His memorial service will be this Friday, March 21, at 1:00 in our Sanctuary. Rev. Clarke will be greatly missed.