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Eastern Panhandle Mission Community: 
Berkeley, Jefferson, Morgan Counties

Mission Community Events

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Convener
Shirley McDaniel

Secy/Treas
Carolyn Bennett
 Eastern Panhandle Mission Community
Fifteen Churches and One Chapel
January 25, 2010

In attendance:  Berkely Springs (Osborne/Rybern), Bunker Hill (Cooper), Falling Waters (Chamblin/Cushwa), First (Smith), Hedgesville (Houck/Howard), Kearneysville (Cress), Little Falls (Howard), Mountain Chapel (Langdon), Shepherdstown (Tremba), Tabler (Moore), Tomahawk (McDaniel/Wolverton), Tuscarora (Brown).  Not represented: Elk Branch, Halltown, Charles Town, Gerrardstown.   Guest:  Doug Sensabaugh (Presbytery)

Meeting called to order at 7:00 pm and began with devotions by Berkeley Springs.  Bunker Hill is asked to lead devotions at the March 16, 2010 meeting. November 17, 2009 minutes  approved as submitted. 
Agenda for this meeting approved as corrected.  Corrections include the following additional items under new business:  Doug Sensabaugh report, Christmas International House and  hygiene kits.

Reports

Church “Good News” Reports and Announcements of Upcoming Events
Berkeley Springs – no report due to time constraints
Bunker Hill – held Christmas program/dinner in January, collected $297 for Christmas Joy Offering, hosting community steak dinner 01-30-10, 4-7 pm, collecting  Souper Bowl offering for Loaves and Fishes. To crown Mr/Mrs Valentine at Valentine luncheon.
Charles Town – No report.
Elk Branch – No report.
Falling Waters – new organ installed.  Christmas program went well.  Five new members joined.
First – held Christmas Eve  svc, $1 200 donation to Haiti, Hygiene Kit drive on-going, Souper Bowl collection to  be taken, soup/sandwich luncheon 01-31-10 following 11 am svc/Blanket and Tool offering, church secy began 19 years ago in December, free childcare opportunity for 2-5 year olds, Wee Tales Told Pgm.
Gerrardstown – No Report.
Halltown – No report.
Hedgesville – Loaves and Fishes collections, house beside church torn down/land to be graded and seeded in future, Ruth Donaldson ordained as Deacon, Elders installed,  guest minister Dr. Henry Christie 01-17-10/guest minister CLP/Elder William Moore 01-24-10.
Kearneysville – No report given due to time constraints
Little Falls – will host Music Festival to honor Haiti on 02-28-10 at 4 pm.
Mountain Chapel – preparing to replace furnace, assembling Hygiene Kits for Church World Service, collecting food for Loaves and Fishes of Berkeley County.
Shepherdstown– No report given due to time constraints.
Tabler –   A free magic show will be held 02-20-10 at 7:00 pm.
Tomahawk – No report given due to time constraints.
Tuscarora – No report given due to time constraints.

Convener (McDaniel) – The budget was reviewed during the Executive Committee meeting.
Vice Convener – (Cushwa) – No report.

Secretary/Treasurer (McDaniel for Bennett) – Final 2009 Budget report provided  via email.  Proposed 2010 budget submitted to Executive Committee.  Presbytery cut 2010 budget from $7000 to $6440. 

Presbytery Council Representative (Brown) – Council met 01-12-10. Nominations Cmte out of order regarding membership; new layman must be nominated.   2010 budget revised to adjust for a 2.5% salary increase for Presbytery staff.  Lutheran-Presbyterian Campus Ministry at Madison Univ has been dissolved, however, the Presbyterian half of the ministry will continue to function and hire a part-time director.  Fall Presbyterian Women’s gathering, leadership school and mission fair to be combined into one event to be held 09-11-10 at Massanetta Springs Conference Center.  Potomac Highlands Mission Community requested prayer asking God to lead a person to serve on Presbytery Council; 2 overtures to be presented at the Feb Presbytery mtg. Last mtg minutes available at Shenpres website:   http://www.shenpres.org/council.html 

Shenandoah 2010 (Brown for Thatcher) – Session questionnaire responses due 03-15-10. Questionnaires will also be sent to the mission communities.  Shenandoah 2010 to talk to Camp Paddy Run, SPYCE, Presbytery Corp, Presbyterian Women, Massanetta Springs Camp/Conference Center, Ethopian Partnership, Disaster Response Team, Pilgrimage and Rehoboth. 

Updates on EPMC Activities

Mission
•    Tri-County Mission Support (Bennett) – No report .
•    Christmas House International 2010 (Moore/Howard) – Hosted 11 students in 2008.  Committee will be looking for commitments from host families sooner.  Families may host for one or two weeks.
•     Vespers in the Park (Cushwa) – Rev. John Cushwa to contact ministerial assoc about date and give sermon.  Bennett to arrange for picnic pavilion.
•    *300 Club (Bennett) – No report.
•    Missionary Events ((Wolverton/Howard/Burton/Cushwa) - The cmte to meet.  Nadia leaving soon to work with Roma children in Ukraine. 

Education
•    Sessions Enrichment Program [formerly Presbyterian School for Excellent Leadership (Burton/Temba)] – No report.
•    Officer Training (Clark DeSarro-Raynal) –No Report.
•    Presbyterian Annual High School Banquet Committee (Moore/Tremba) – Dinner  held 11-22-09 with 60 in attendance (30 were high students).  Several current college students and 3 Elders spoke.  A concern is noted that there were 80 reservations and only 60 atendees. 
•    Shepherd University Campus Ministry (Tremba) - Committee held its first meeting yesterday with Richard Coffinberger as our representative; next meeting will be 02-21-10.  The group will focus on a spiritual foundation and has chosen the name, Connections.  $5000 from Westminster Foundation to be used to fund a part-time minister.  They will begin holding dinners twice per month and need the names of students to send invitations to. 
•    Youth Council (Chamblin) – No Report.
•    Music Fest (Smith) – Next music fest to be held 02-28-10, 4:30 pm, Little Falls Presbyterian.  An offering will be received for Presbytery Disaster Assistance and the joint choir will sing a song written for Haiti.

Promotion
•    Ads/Media (Cushwa) – No Easter ad campaign; all designated money to be used at Christmas.  It was noted that a time should be given for church services. 
•    EPMC Website (Bennett) – Send changes/additions to the website through Bennett at mailto:dvb46@comcast.net  
•    Historical Tour (Moore) – No Report.

New Business
•    2010 Budget (Executive Committee) – Hedgesville Loaves and Fishes designated a larger donation to compensate  for  error in amount donated to them from 2009 budget.  Funds not designated  to be moved to discretionary fund.  Executive Committee to discuss 3 year planning goals previously required by Presbytery.  Amount of money designated for Music Festivals, was discussed, but no changes to the budget at this time. 
•    Doug Sensabaugh - Web design class 03-06-10; registration 8:00 am, bring your own laptop.  Leadership School to feature class for Presbyterian churches on using social networking programs.  Churches can order Ecopalms as part of Presbyterian Hunger.  Palms arrive the week prior to Palm Sunday.   Baja Mission Trip, 07-25–31 has 30 spots left.  On previous trips they built 30 houses.   Montrea/Triennium have 18 spaces each that  must be claimed by 02-15-10.  Hygiene kits should be taken to First Presbyterian NLT 02-03-10, contact the church office to let them know you are coming.  Jim Salmon to deliver kits to the warehouse.  

Announcements
--Announcements were covered under church news and committee reports. In future please make 20 copies of any events/announcements to hand out to attendees to take back to their respective churches.
--At all future meetings a 5 minute warning will be announced to mark the intent to end the meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 8: 30 pm. Next meeting March 16, 2010, 7:00 pm  (Executive Committee meets at 6:30 pm); Bunker Hill is asked to provide devotions.

Respectfully submitted,
Pam Chamblin

For Carolyn A. Bennett
Secretary/Treasurer, EPMC



Eastern Panhandle Mission Community
Fifteen Churches and One Chapel
Tuesday, March 17, 2009

In attendance:  Berkeley Springs (Osborne) (Leslie Cooper), Falling Waters (Chamblin/Cushwa), First (Burton/Smith), Hedgesville (Donaldson/Howard), Little Falls (Howard), Mountain Chapel (Myers/Bennett), Shepherdstown (Tremba),Tabler (Hutzler/Moore), Tomahawk (McDaniel/Wolverton), Tuscarora (Brown/DeSarro-Raynal).  Excused:  Bunker Hill, Gerrardstown. Not represented: Charles Town Elk Branch, Kearneysville, Halltown. Guests:  Doug Sensabaugh (Presbytery), J. Brown, Grace Mitchell, Judy Mitchell, Ann Pence, Dorothy Peters, Ed McLaughlin.

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. and began with devotions led by Shepherdstown.  Tabler is asked to lead devotions at the May 18, 2009 meeting.

January 26, 2009 minutes approved as submitted.  The agenda for this meeting approved as submitted.

Reports

Church “Good News” Reports and Announcements of Upcoming Events
Berkeley Springs – Palm Sunday service features the Living Springs Chorale & Sleepy Creek Children’s Choir. Maundy Thursday service features Communion and a pot luck meal.  11:00 a.m. Easter Service to feature special instrumentalists music.  Individual and group spiritual direction is available through the church.
Bunker Hill/Charles Town/Elk Branch – No report.
Falling Waters – Easter events: reenactment of Last Supper Maundy Thursday, children’s play Palm Sunday, Sunrise service followed by Easter breakfast, egg hunt and Children’s Sunday School, regular service at 10.00 a.m.  Easter Bunny comes to Family Fun Night, 4/25.  New Testament Bible Study begins soon.
First – Lost Dr. Maurice Vaughn, deacon/ trustee/ 50+ year member, on 2/25.  He will be sadly missed.  Recent member Beth McIntyre conducts Artist/craft group, Tuesday mornings, 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. All interested in water color/pastels, sketching, still life, etc. invited to attend, also encouraged to do your own crafts and have fun fellowship.  Participated in Links of Love program for Sunnyside Retirement Center (First donates directly to Sunnyside) and Church Worldwide Blanket Fund Pgm.
Gerrardstown/Halltown/Kearneysville –No report.
Hedgesville – Pictures for church directory toexpected soon.2/8, Boy Scout Troup/Cub Scout Pack #137/leaders (chartered by Hedgesville PCUSA) participated in worship service/fellowship luncheon.  “Duty to God” patches presented to Scouts making this accomplishment. Church Members collected soup and money for “Souper Bowl Day of Caring”.  3/15 Men’s Breakfast.  3/21, Eagle Scout Court of Honor. 4/11 Easter Egg Hunt /party for church/community children. 4/12. Hedgesville, PCUSA/Hedgesville UMC/Mt. Zion Church planning joint Easter Sunrise Service, 6:30 a.m. at Hedgesville Presbyterian. Breakfast to follow at individual churches.  There is progress in the purchase of 9 acres of adjacent land.
Little Falls – For the first time in 34 years, commissioned a Sunday School Superintendent.  Adult 7 week study of “The Bible from Scratch: Old Testament for Beginners” is completing with good, diverse participation; will likely do the New Testament.  Community outreach event planned for 6/10. Congregation now participating in Presbytery’s Hunger a 4 cents a meal offerings.
Mountain Chapel – Celebrated February birthdays (one celebrant is our oldest member, 88 years young). Rev. Brad Langdon to conduct services 1st/2nd/3rd Sundays each month. Rev. Rob Hill retires at the end of May.
Shepherdstown – 2/21, Prof. Paul Galbreath, author of “Leading from the Table,” presented forum on “Praying around the Communion Table: Cultivating a Spirit of Thanksgiving”.  3/25 9:30 a.m. Lenten Retreat at Priest’s Field, cost $17. 4/19 at 7:00 p.m., Community Gathering to Pray for the Earth at the Presbyterian Meeting House, brings people of various religious and spiritual traditions together to sing/pray for renewed care of the earth.  Admission is free.
Tabler – An eventful year is planned celebrating the 100th anniversary of the church.  Activities begin with a Christmas Open House and Quilt show.  Evangelism team is making progress.  3/28, 7:00 p.m. Tabler will present The magic & Ministry of Michael T.; admission and refreshments are free, everyone is welcome.
Tomahawk – 2/28 reception following worship honoring 4 new members.  2/14 Valentine party for youth and a guest.  Purchased sound system for praise band with Moffett Fund grant. Will elect/install class of 2011 elder.  Still receiving  4 cents a meal offering, 3rd Sunday each month and contribution for local missions including Rescue Mission/Women’s Shelter/Hedgesville Loaves & Fishes/Bethany House.  Planning Sight & Sound trip.  Maundy Thursday service w/supper 6:30 p.m., sanctuary will be stripped of all removable objects that are reminders of Christ.  Easter Sunrise Service, 7:00 a.m. with breakfast to follow, worship service 9:00 a.m.
Tuscarora – Hosted EPMC Music Fest/ refreshments, 2/22. Combined choirs of adults and of children were well received.  Annual St. Patrick’s Day dinner, 3/15 in church hall, with Irish theme for food/decorations/games for children.  6/13 second annual Community Day,food/games/entertainment/bargains; a car show/quilt show, etc. Monthly Presbyterian Men’s meeting 4/4 at 7:30a.m., in meeting room across from City Hospital cafeteria, Buy a good breakfast and join in good fellowship/Bible study/guest speakers.

Convener (Moore) – No report.
Vice Convener – (McDaniel) – No report.
Secretary/Treasurer (Bennett) – Updated 2009 budget. 
Presbytery Council Representative (Brown) – Applications being accepted for camping scholarships. Council seeking projects for funding. Massanetta Springs has developed 2009 schedule. 11/13-15/09, Youth Leaders Conference.  Next council meeting 4/14, let Brown know of any issues.  5/12, Winchester 1st to host the Presbytery Meeting. Last meeting minutes available at:  http://www.shenpres.org/council.html 

Updates on EPMC Activities

Mission
•    Tri-County Mission Support (Bennett) – No report.
•    Christmas House International 2010 (Moore/Howard) –no further reports until 2010. 
•     Vespers in the Park (Moore) – Scheduled for 7/12 at War Memorial Park in Martinsburg.  Tabler coordinating event, Moore conducting service, Mountain Chapel will coordinate picnic.
•    *300 Club (Bennett) – No report

Education
•    Sessions Enrichment Program [formerly Presbyterian School for Excellent Leadership (Burton/Temba)] – No report. 
•    Officer Training (Clark DeSarro-Raynal) – No report.
•    Presbyterian Annual High School Banquet Committee (Moore/Tremba) – No report.
•    Youth Council (Chamblin/Mitchell) – No report..
•    Music Fest (Smith) – Tomahawk to host the September Fest, 9/27.

Promotion
•    Ads/Media (Cushwa) – An Easter campaign is not planned.  Ads will run as the 2009/10 school year begins.
•    EPMC Website (Bennett) – Send changes/additions to website through Bennett mailto:dvb46@comcast.net
•    Historical Tour (Moore) – No report.

New Business
•    Panel discussion/dialogue led by representatives from Falling Waters, Tuscarora, First, Little Falls, Hedges and Tomahawk  sharing their churches experiences in reaching out to the communities, working together to attain common goals and effective evangelism, utilizing the services of the Church Transformation Group which helps a church measure its health.
•    Doug Sensabaugh – Handed out bulletin inserts for World Water Day, reminded everyone calendars, books, etc. can be ordered through ShenPres website. CCDev Evangelism Program sponsors the InfoUSA.org.  This is a free service to all churches.
 
Announcements
  • Announcements were covered under church news and committee reports. Please make 20 copies of any events/announcements to hand out to attendees to take back to their respective churches.
  • At all future meetings a 5 minute warning will be announced to mark the intent to end the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8: 15 p.m. Next meeting May 18 (Executive Committee meets at 6:30 p.m.).


Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn A. Bennett
Secretary Treasurer, EPMC



Eastern Panhandle Mission Community
Fifteen Churches and One Chapel
Monday, January 26, 2009

In attendance:  Bunker Hill (Leslie Cooper), Falling Waters (Chamblin/Cushwa), First (Burton/Smith/Mullenax), Gerrardstown (Stewart), Hedgesville (Houck/Howard), Little Falls (Cloud/Howard), Mountain Chapel (Bennett/Myers), Shepherdstown (Tremba),Tabler (Moore), Tomahawk (McDaniel/Wolverton), (Brown).  Excused:  Berkeley Springs. Charles Town, Tuscarora. Not represented: Elk Branch, Kearneysville, Halltown. Guest:  Doug Sensabaugh (Presbytery)

Meeting called to order at 7:00 p.m. and began with devotions led by the Mountain Chapel (Myers).  Shepherdstown is asked to lead devotions at the March 17, 2009 meeting.

November 24, 2008 minutes approved as submitted.  The agenda for this meeting approved as submitted.

Reports

Church “Good News” Reports and Announcements of Upcoming Events
Berkeley Springs – No report.
Bunker Hill – Christmas program “Clown of a Reason”, collected $312 for Christmas Joy Offering. Collecting canned/boxed food for Loaves and Fishes, “Souper Bowl”. Steak Dinner, 4p – 7pm 1/31/09, Valentine Brunch 2/15/09 and Ash Wednesday service 2/25/09. 
Charles Town – No report.
Elk Branch – No report.
Falling Waters – Family Fun Night with Santa, Christmas International House dinner and music with Daryl Bryarly, Children’s Christmas Pageant and Dulcimer Concert with meal, Christmas Cantata with Tuscarora, Christmas Eve Service. Choir and children sang Christmas carols for shut-ins.  One infant baptism.  2009 focus will be evangelism.  Upcoming events: Valentine Fun Night, Shrove Tuesday dinner and Ash Wednesday service.
First – 5 new members received since November. One elder and five deacons ordained for class of 2011.  Christmas events included Caroling to shut-ins, ringing Salvation Army bells, movie night and Festival Service, “Lessons and Carols”.
Gerrardstown –Updates made to the manse making it more energy efficient and to modernize the kitchen and bathroom.  Youth to go bowling and have game night.
Halltown – No report.
Hedgesville – 2/3 pictures for church directory and historical information. Meeting with Hedgesville Methodist and Mt. Zion churches to discuss combining for local events and cooperative efforts to serve needs of adults and teens in Hedgesville.  Investigating the possibility of participating in the distribution of “Angel Food”.  In the process of purchasing land located next to the church.
Kearneysville – No report.
Little Falls – Christmas caroling with CIH students, finishing Evangelism in the Small Church study group, “The Bible from Scratch, The Old Testament for Beginners,” taking directory pictures, 2/4/09.  Collecting items for Community Networks in 01-02/09 and 4 Cents a Meal to coincide with Loaves and Fishes offering. Began food distribution for the Angel Food program.
Mountain Chapel – Celebrated November/December/January birthdays.  Rev. Brad Langdon to continue conducting services 2nd Sunday each month, indefinitely. Completed necessary repairs to Chapel and trimming of ancient Oak in parking lot.
Shepherdstown – 02/21/09, Prof. Paul Galbreath, author of “Leading from the Table,” to present forum on “Praying around the Communion Table: Cultivating a Spirit of Thanksgiving,” 10 a.m. - lunch. Please bring bag lunch.
Tabler – Assisting with “Meals on Wheels,” will celebrate birthdays in February.
Tomahawk – December activities:  Youth Lock-in at church, Christmas program featuring youth, Youth Christmas caroling and delivery of fruit baskets to shut-ins, group attended Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster.  2/8 church will receive 4 new members.  Received $1000 grant from Presbytery from Moffett Fund to organize a praise band.
Tuscarora – No report.

Convener (Moore) – Reminisced about EPMC or Mission Community A, as it was called then rocky beginning as two ministers viewed the accompanying budget as an opportunity to spend, but not for EPMC programs with other churches.  As it progressed we learned how to run the organization. Moore credits Tremba with playing a major role in building a successful mission community.   Now, how do we learn from each other to make the EPMC even more cooperative between churches and congregations?
Vice Convener – (McDaniel) – No report.
Secretary/Treasurer (Bennett) – The 2008 budget was presented.  The proposed 2009 budget was approved. 
Presbytery Council Representative (Brown) – no report. Last meeting minutes are available at the Shenpres website:   http://www.shenpres.org/council.html 

Updates on EPMC Activities

Mission
•    Tri-County Mission Support (Bennett) – 2009 Charities donations remain the same as 2008 at $250 each.
•    Christmas House International 2008 (Moore/Howard) –11 students from 11 universities, ages 18-25 hosted by 8 families. There was good involvement by Charles Town and Shepherdstown and much help from various churches, Falling Waters and Charles Towns served great welcome and closing dinners.   There was involvement from Maryland. None of the students were Christians and one boy was a Muslim.  There were some special food needs and a gracious request not to be photographed with a cross in the background.  They enjoyed many wonderful activities including the Museum of the Shenandoah Valley. 
•     Vespers in the Park (Moore) – Scheduled for July 12 at War Memorial Park in Martinsburg.  Tabler coordinating event, Moore conducting service, Mountain Chapel will coordinate picnic.
•    *300 Club (Bennett) – No report

Education
•    Sessions Enrichment Program [formerly Presbyterian School for Excellent Leadership (Burton/Temba)] – No report. 
•    .Officer Training (Clark DeSarro-Raynal) – No report.
•    Presbyterian Annual High School Banquet Committee (Moore/Tremba) – Planning for 2009.
•    Youth Council (Chamblin) – Tuscarora proposes 4 events during school year for grades 9-12, location can be one church or many.  $400 has been approved for this project.
•    Music Fest (Smith) - Tuscarora, 2/27/09, 4:30 p.m. Need volunteer for September Fest.

Promotion
•    Ads/Media (Cushwa) –No report.
•    EPMC Website (Bennett) – Send changes/additions to the website through Bennett at mailto:dvb46@comcast.net   incorrect phone number for Tabler and other corrections needed.
•    Historical Tour (Moore) – Moore will begin work on a booklet this winter.

New Business
•    “List of Proposed Amendments to the Constitution”, discussion and dialogue lead by Dr. Rufus T. Burton.
•    Doug Sensabaugh announced, forthwith, he and Lisa Hedrick will represent Mission Communities throughout the Shenandoah Presbytery. They will visit on a regular basis and present concerns to Presbytery, answer question and provide support.

Announcements
  • Announcements were covered under church news and committee reports. In future please make 20 copies of any events/announcements to hand out to attendees to take back to their respective churches.
  • At all future meetings a 5 minute warning will be announced to mark the intent to end the meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 8: Tuesday, March 17 (Executive Committee meets at 6:30 p.m.); Shepherdstown is asked to provide devotions.


Respectfully submitted,

Carolyn A. Bennett
Secretary Treasurer, EPMC