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et’s reflect for a moment about church finances. Con-sider this the prequel to our annual stewardship cam-paign.

Specifically, I want to talk about where our money comes from—because that is an important part of our life together. The money that supports our church on a day-in, day-out basis comes from two sources: those who pledge and give, and those who already gave to our endowment. In some ways, you could say our income comes both from our living members, and those who have already entered into the church triumphant.

Our endowment, which is valued at $8.17 million at the time of this writing, represents the faithfulness of bygone generations. We are very fortunate that members of our church made this particular witness at their life’s end. Our offi-cers have done two things to maxi-mize the effectiveness of our en-dowment. First, there are ongoing efforts by our planned giving com-mittee to cultivate the Buttonwood Circle. These are our members who have pledged to remember First Church in their wills. (In round numbers, a gift 20 times the amount of your annual pledge endows that pledge in perpetuity, allowing your witness to outlive your earthly life.) These members, past and present, who support our endowment pro-vide a vital source of income for our church.

The second step that leadership has taken is to actively begin a process of reducing our dependence on the endowment to support our needs. There are two ways this oc-curs. The first is by cutting costs. When First Church moved away

from a staffing model that included a full-time associate pastor in favor of multiple part-time staff members, we reduced our personnel costs. This is an example of good stewardship of our resources. Likewise, undertaking timely repairs on the church building, even using a mortgage to do so, prevents repairs from becoming even more costly over time due to neglect. Our ses-sion decided some time ago to begin a phased reduction in how much we draw from our endowment so that we can be certain that the principal grows and is not diminished. The decision was a good one, but in recent years, we haven’t been hitting our target goals for reducing our dependence because of capital

needs, and cost-cutting measures alone won’t get us there.Which leads us to the second way that we reduce our dependence on the endowment: By growing in our pledges and offerings. When Bill Enright was with us this past spring, he asked our leadership an impor-tant question: Is our annual giving keeping up with inflation? We know that costs go up—does our personal commitment to the church go up each year by the same percentage, or better? If our answer is “no,” join me in giving some thought to how we address this.This year, your stewardship commit-tee is going to set a goal. We’ll reflect more about this next month, but if I can leave you with a thought, it’s that question Bill asked… are we keeping up with inflation?Or to put it another way, “How faithfully are we caring for what God has given us?”

—Baron Mullis

LA Word About Stewardship

OCTOBER 6Habakkuk 1:1–4; 2:1–4

Psalm 37:1–91 Timothy 1:1–14

Luke 17:5–10

OCTOBER 13Jeremiah 29:1, 4–7

Psalm 66:1–122 Timothy 2:8–15

Luke 17:11–19

OCTOBER 20Genesis 32:22–31

Psalm 1212 Timothy 3:14—4:5

Luke 18:1–8

OCTOBER 27Jeremiah 14:7–10, 19–22

Psalm 84:1–72 Timothy 4:6–8, 16–18

Luke 18:9–14

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October 2019 at a GlanceTuesday, October 1 7:00 pm Women’s Bible StudyWednesday, October 2 7:30 pm Constitution Seminar (MacColl Room)7:30 pm T&T GroupThursday, October 3 6:30 pm Trustees6:45 pm DeaconsSunday, October 6 9:00 am Celebration! Worship (Old Buttonwood Hall)9:45 am Children’s Sunday School (Cochran Room) Adult CE (MacColl Room)11:00 am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)12:15 pm Fellowship (Old Buttonwood Hall)12:30 pm T&T First Sunday Brunch1:30 pm Memorial Service for Dode Barker5:00 pm First@Five Choral EvensongMonday, October 7 11:00 am Congregational Care TeamTuesday, October 8 7:00 pm Women’s Bible Study7:30 pm T&T Group - Books Though Bars VolunteeringWednesday, October 9 12:00 pm Worship Committee7:30 pm Constitution Seminar (MacColl Room)Thursday, October 10 6:30 pm TrusteesSaturday, October 12 9:00 am Men’s Breakfast Group (Café at DiBruno’s)10:00 am Constitution Seminar (MacColl Room)Sunday, October 13 9:00 am Celebration! Worship (Old Buttonwood Hall)9:45 am Children’s Sunday School (Cochran Room) Adult CE (MacColl Room)11:00 am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)12:15 pm Fellowship (Old Buttonwood Hall)3:30 pm T&Ts & First Church Families Linvilla Orchard Trip

Tuesday, October 15 9:30 am WiseRetirees6:30 pm Session7:00 pm Women’s Bible StudyWednesday, October 16 6:30 pm Women of Wit & Wisdom (Old Buttonwood Hall)7:30 pm T&T GroupSunday, October 20 9:00 am Celebration! Worship (Old Buttonwood Hall)9:45 am Zia Presentation: Breakfast in the Classroom9:45 am Children’s Sunday School (Cochran Room) Adult CE (MacColl Room)11:00 am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)12:15 pm Fellowship (Old Buttonwood Hall)Monday, October 21 3:00 pm Adult CE CommitteeTuesday, October 22 7:00 pm Women’s Bible StudyWednesday, October 23 7:30 pm T&T GroupThursday, October 24 7:15 pm Parish Choir RehearsalFriday, October 25 6:30 pm T&T Group - UPENN CA Trivia NightSunday, October 27 9:00 am Celebration! Worship (Old Buttonwood Hall)9:45 am Children’s Sunday School (Cochran Room) Adult CE (MacColl Room)11:00 am Traditional Worship (Sanctuary)12:15 pm Fellowship (Old Buttonwood Hall)7:00 pm Halloween Silent Film The Golum with organ accompaniment hosted by T&T group (Sanctuary)Monday, October 28 4:30 pm Missions CommitteeTuesday, October 29 7:00 pm Women’s Bible StudyWednesday, October 30 10:30 am Field Trip to the Arc7:30 pm T&T Group - Pumpkin Carving

ZIA FOOD DRIVE October 6th - November 3rd

First Church is sponsoring a food drive for Zia’s food bank operated at Laura W. Waring Elementary School. This food bank provides the ingredients for 8-10 meals a month for almost 30 member families. The following non-perishable items can be dropped off in Old Buttonwood Hall and will be added to fresh food that Zia secures for the Food Bank, to provide complete balanced meals.

Skippy peanut butter Welch’s grape jelly

Swanson chicken or beef broth Ken’s Italian dressing

Hellmann’s Mayonnaise Parmalat Milk

Spices (cinnamon, oregano, garlic powder, chili powder, etc.)

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LISTENING DEEPLY TO SCRIPTURE:

The Practice of Lectio Divina

Lectio divina, which means “divine reading,” is an ancient practice of reading and contemplating scripture that is intended to promote communion with God through God’s Word, and communion with one another. It is based on listening—listening to the reading of the scripture text, listening for its meaning in our lives, and listening to one another’s experiences.

On five Sundays this fall—October 6, 13, 20, 27, and November 3—from 9:45 A.M. to 10:45 A.M., Barbara Chaapel will lead an adult education session of lectio divinausing the lectionary texts for each Sunday. We will read the biblical text together and be led in contemplative reflection and sharing, listening for God’s Word in our lives with what the Benedictines call “the ears of the heart.”

We offer this opportunity as a spiritual discipline for Ordinary Time, a season in the church year marked by the progression of time between the liturgical seasons of Advent, Lent, Easter, and Pentecost. We invite members and guests to practice this prayerful approach to scripture together. Our practice will include silence and prayer, as well as listening to and focusing on the texts. Those who participated in lectio divina during Lent last year found a deeper understanding of scripture and also a deepened relationship with others in our community of faith. We invite anyone who wants to experience an old, yet new, approach to the Bible to join us.

—Barbara Chaapel

October Missions Update Our thoughts will be with First Church Missions Trip volunteers Beverly Cowart,

Dave Huting, and Hardy von Auenmueller, as they are off to Mexico this month, with volunteers from Bryn Mawr Presbyterian, to assist Urban Mosaic in its efforts in the most vulnerable communities of Mexico City from October 12 to 19.

October has a number of significant Missions activities and opportunities planned!

! Food drive for Zia, October 6th through November 3rd, as we support its mission of addressing food insecurity in Philadelphia schools, and especially to students and families at Laura W. Waring Elementary School, (18th & Green Sts.), where 100% of the students live at or below poverty level and where Zia operates a food bank.

On October 20th, at 9:45 A.M., a presentation will be held between the Celebration! (9:00 A.M.) and Traditional (11:00 A.M.) worship services. to learn more about Zia’s Breakfast in the Classroom Program, provided in two 3rd grade classrooms on Monday mornings, which is financially supported by First Church. Light refreshments will be provided!

! Field trip to the Arc of Philadelphia on Wednesday, October 30th (after the Arc’s Minute for Mission on the 27th), for all ages, with a tour and lunch. We’ll leave from the church around 10:30 A.M., returning around 1:30 P.M. The mission of the Arc is “to advocate with and for all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, to promote active citizenship, self-determination, and full inclusion,” and First Church has supported the Arc’s Youth Leadership Program for some time. Please RSVP to missions@fpcphila.org if interested or you would like to know more. It will be a good opportunity for education, inspiration, and fellowship!

Volunteer opportunities are also available this month, as noted on the First Church website and the 2019 Fall Program Guide.

—Andrea Bowman

The Christian Association at the University of Pennsylvania is having a Quizzo fundraiser night on Friday, October 25th at 6:30 PM! Gather a team and come up with a team name. There will be a prize for the winning team, and also for the team that decorates their table best! There will be ten rounds of questions, and opportunities to get a little help if needed. There will also be a raffle, and a few other games to play. Pizza and drinks will be provided, but feel free to bring snacks for your table as well.

If you want to participate but don't have a team, please contact upennca@gmail.com to register.

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ca-quizzo-fundraiser-tickets-70671439177—Megan LeCluyse

Quizzo Fundraiser for the CA!

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Penn’s Village is about Relationships We often stress the services provided by Penn’s Village

volunteers (rides to the doctor, companionship, computer support) or the programs our members enjoy (talks on current events or a health-related topic, French conversation, men’s group, knitting circle, happy hour), but it is the relationships formed between members or between a member and a volunteer that are the essence of the organization: neighbors together—connecting, engaging, thriving. Over the next few months, we will describe special bonds that have occurred through Penn’s Village.

Meet Dawn, a Penn’s Village volunteer with a variety of skills and tasks. She reads to members, helps with Internet and phone software, frequents the farmers market with a member, and performs general house repairs. In short, Dawn is “Ms. Fix-It.”

She recounts an instance that was very powerful and heartwarming to her. One day she helped a member set up a CapTel phone in their home—a phone with real-time closed captions for hearing-impaired people. Learning about this type of phone excited Dawn because she had an aunt with similar hearing problems, and Dawn never knew such a device existed. After leaving that Penn’s Village member’s house, Dawn ordered one for her aunt and said the phone worked wonders. “I still have my aunt’s voicemail telling me how much she loved having the phone and that it worked wonderfully. She could now hear people on the phone; she had a new lease on life.”

Volunteering with Penn’s Village, according to Dawn, was the impetus causing her to change her career to a helping profession. After taking an early retirement from a telecommunications company, she began training for a new job as a caseworker. When she looks to her future, she mentions helping “the greater good” in any capacity that it takes. She is thankful that Penn’s Village gave her the opportunity to find her niche.

Dawn says volunteering for Penn’s Village was win-win situation for her. Dawn claims she has “gotten back tenfold what she has put forth.”

For more information on volunteering or membership, visit www.pennsvillage.org, or call 215-925-7333.

After a hiatus of several years, the Twenties & Thirties group is sponsoring a silent film for Halloween!

On Sunday, October 27 at 7:00 P.M., Andrew Senn will cast his spell over the organ and improvise a complete musical score for the classic film, The Golem (1915).

In this version of the golem legend, the golem, a clay statue brought to life by Rabbi Loew in 16th century Prague to save the Jews from the ongoing brutal persecution by the city's rulers, is found in the rubble of an old synagogue in the 20th century. Brought to life by an antique dealer, the golem is used as a menial servant. Eventually falling in love with the dealer's wife, it goes on a murderous rampage when its love for her goes unanswered.

Halloween Silent FilmBack by Popular Demand!

At the Celebration service on September 8, the congregation (adults and children alike) made banners to illustrate Psalm 98.

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Member NewsBaptisms

On September 1, the Church joyfully celebrated the long-awaited baptism of Arabella Nicole and Anthony Justin Senn, children of Andrew and Edward Senn. The baptism was presided over by Dr. Mullis and as-sisted by the Rev. Rachel Pedersen of Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church and the Rev. Dr. Frank Senn, father of An-drew. As befitting the children of musicians, the occasion was filled with the sound of joyful music offered by friends and family.

Weddings

Charles Murphy and Margaret “Maggie” O’Connor were married at First Church on September 21st by Dr. Baron Mullis. Maggie is currently an M.D./Ph.D. student at Drexel Univer-sity, where she focuses on immunolo-gy and neuroimmunology research. Charles finished his studies at the University of Virginia in Char-lottesville, VA earlier this summer and is enjoying Philadelphia. They joined First Church in February 2019.

Deaths Dorothy "Dode" Barker passed away at the age of 87 on September 2, 2019. In her obituary, she was remembered for the many ways in which her generous spirit helped make the world a better place. She loved her family and supported her hus-band and her children in their own pas-sions and pursuits. She devoted much of her time at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania where her husband was Chief of Surgery from 1983-2001, volunteering, organizing, and fundraising. Here at First Church, she is remembered as a dedicated member and leader, serving as an Elder and on the Council for Community Concerns. She also helped organize the year-long celebration commemorating the 300th anniversary of the founding of First Church. She is survived by her husband Clyde, her sister Jean, and four children, who were all baptized at First Church. She will be deeply missed. A memorial service for Dode will be held at First Church on October 6th at 1:30 PM.

Twenties & Thirties Group The T&T Group has lots going on in October! We’ll have

our First Sunday brunch on October 6th after the 11 AM worship service. Meet during Fellowship Hour in Old Buttonwood Hall and we’ll walk together to the Irish Pub. We’ll have our regular Wednesday night gatherings at 7:30 PM on October 2nd, 16th, and 23rd. Other special events are listed below:

✦ Tuesday, October 8th - Books Through Bars Volunteering - 7:30 PM

✦ Sunday, October 13th - Linvilla Orchards Trip for Apple Picking and Hay Ride - 3:30 PM; meet at Church

✦ Friday, October 25th - UPENN CA Trivia Night Fundraiser - T&Ts will have a table - 6:30 PM

✦ Sunday, October 27th - Silent Film hosted by the T&Ts - 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary

✦ Wednesday, October 30th - Pumpkin Carving - 7:30 PM

Contact Annie LeCluyse (youngadults@fpcphila.org) for more information and join the First Presbyterian Church Twenties & Thirties Facebook group (www.facebook.com/groups/209251485885387/).

—Annie LeCluyse

SOUL TALK: An Evening of Wine, Women, and Poetry

Women of Wit and Wisdom will gather on Wednesday, October 16 at 6:30 P.M. in Old Buttonwood Hall for an evening that will explore poetry as a carrier of spiritual wisdom.

Joy Harjo, our first Native American poet laureate, calls poetry “soul talk.” Poems can connect us to the earth, to the world of the Spirit, and to each other. Poems can carry our dreams and help us reimagine ourselves, create community, and change the world.

Barbara Chaapel will lead us in exploring the wisdom within poetry, looking at poems by Joy Harjo, Mary Oliver, Emily Dickinson, Alice Walker, Toni Morrison, Walt Whitman, Pablo Neruda, David Whyte, John Donne, and others—and through the poems we will look at ourselves.

All women of the church and their guests are warmly invited to this evening of wine, women, and poetry—and community!

—Barbara Chaapel

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Church Staff The Rev. Dr. Baron Mullis, MinisterThe Rev. Megan LeClyuse, Celebration Team LeaderMr. Andrew Senn, Director of Music & OrganistMs. Sue Riemann, Church AdministratorThe Rev. Jerry K. Foote, Minister for Congregational CareThe Rev. Sarah Weisiger, Minister for Membership and Faith FormationMrs. Patti Sassoli, Director of CommunicationsMs. Annie LeCluyse, Young Adult LeaderThe Rev. Barbara A. Chaapel, Parish AssociateThe Rev. Kenneth J. Ross, Parish AssociateThe Rev. Herbert D. Valentine, Parish Associate

the Messenger Patti Sassoli, Executive EditorOwen Robbins, Layout Design

Volunteer Opportunities

Please submit all information for the November issue of The Messenger to communications@fpcphila.org by Friday, October 18th.

Elders Class of 2020Susy ChristensenHeather CoyneCynthia DecrucqStella TsaiClass of 2021Carol CookRebecca MelleyLarry SlagleShellie UngerClass of 2022Andrea BowmanKaren MarstonWilliam (Mac) McLarinPatricia Sassoli

Deacons Class of 2020Jack MelvinCynthia Olds-GreeleyDon WilliamsClass of 2021Ruth CamisaJoão MagalhaesWilliam SwoopeJean WitmerClass of 2022Joshua BanksEdna DickChuck HodgkinsonDave HutingAnita McLarin

Trustees Class of 2020Rebekah HorowitzMorgan KlinzingRobert LinckCade MasseyKarl MillerClass of 2021Jeannie BoehnerElaine RothbauerClass of 2022Carolyn CregoKatherine CrockettJennifer Gay

The University City Hospitality Coalition (UCHC) provides hot meals to anyone in need on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and, during the academic year, Sundays, at sites in the University City area. Volunteers to serve meals are needed during the summer and academic breaks, when students are not available. In addition, First Church sponsors quarterly casserole “blitzes,” in which we prepare 30–40 casseroles to be served at UCHC meals.

The Arc of Philadelphia advocates with and for all children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, to promote active citizenship, self-determination, and full inclusion.

Reading Buddies is a program pairing elementary school students with adult volunteers for an hour of reading together each week. Reading Buddies meets Monday mornings at 10 AM at First Church during the school year. If you're interested in volunteering, please contact Jeannie Boehner (jeannie.boehner@fpcphila.org).

Zia is a non-profit whose mission is to provide balanced and nutritious food for Philadelphia children. Volunteers are needed for a number of activities. For more information please contact Paula Gross (paulajgross@gmail.com).

Habitat/West Philadelphia Repair Initiative (WPRI) is an urban ministry that assists homeowners in West Philadelphia with repairs to their homes. The organization needs volunteers. Work can involve painting, installing sheetrock, windows, flooring, carpentry, etc. Volunteers do not need any experience. First Church volunteers several Saturdays a year; specific dates will be announced.

MANNA, an organization founded by First Church, provides assistance to those at nutritional risk due to critical illness. MANNA relies on volunteers to assist in the kitchen, cooking and baking, prepping and packaging, and delivering meals to clients. To learn more, contact Taylor Perkins (tperkins@mannapa.org) or visit www.mannapa.org/volunteer/.

Wintershelter, a small homeless shelter for about 20 men, located in the basement of Trinity Memorial Church (22nd & Spruce Streets), is seeking new helpers for the cooking and/or serving of dinners on Monday evening, from November through April. Please contact Terry Hirshorn (tnewirth@haverford.edu) for more details.

FOR INFORMATION ON VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES CONTACT missions@fpcphila.org.

The First Presbyterian Church I N T H E C I T Y O F P H I L A D E L P H I A2 0 1 S O U T H 2 1 S T S T R E E T, P H I L A D E L P H I A , P A 1 9 1 0 3 $ 2 1 5 - 5 6 7 - 0 5 3 2 $ F P C P H I L A . O R G

First Church Facebook PageFirst Church Facebook Page

now available2019 Fall Program GuideBe sure to get your copy of our 2019 Fall Program Guide, available in the narthex and in the church office. The guide is also available on our website (fpcphila.org). The program guide con-tains an overview of everything that’s go-ing on at First Church through the end of the year.

2019 Fall Program GuideBe sure to get your copy of our 2019

Guide, available

and in the church office. The guide is also available on

(fpcphila.org). The program guide con-tains an overview of everything that’s go-ing on at First Church

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