August 2008 www.cpcaustin.org Monthly Publication Volume 33 Number 8 Contents of this Edition: AAIM Book Club.....................................8 About the Central Thought.....................9 August Prayer List..................................5 Caring for the Body..................................8 Child Care Opening................................4 Food on the First......................................2 >From the Pastor......................................1 Give Peace A Chance Concert................8 Ice Cream Social - A Success......... ........2 I Teach Sunday School...........................2 Manos de Cristo Back to School..............5 Music Notes............................................6 Poetry.......................................................9 Save These Dates.....................................9 Session Highlights..................................6 Team Meeting Night................................8 Thursday Noon Concerts........................4 Toiletries Drive for SafePlace................6 Vacation Bible School.............................4 Wednesday Night Programs...................5 Women's Luncheon - Aug. 23.................4 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my thoughts. See if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. -Psalm 139:23-24 From the Pastor by Greg McDonell News from the 218th General Assembly The 218th General Assembly of The Presbyterian Church (USA) is now history. As a local congregation that is seeking to be "Deliberately Diverse and Fully Inclusive," I want to applaud the Assembly's decision to send a proposed amendment to the denomination's 173 presbyteries that would delete the current paragraph G-6.0106b in the Book of Order. G-6.0106b requires church officers to live in "fidelity within the covenant of marriage between a man and a woman or chastity in singleness" -- and replace it with a new G-6.0106b. This new proposal ties ordination decisions more closely to assent to the ordination vows currently in the church's Book of Order without singling out a sexual conduct standard. I am also very excited to share with you that at the Synod of the Sun luncheon during GA, our very own John Evans was honored with a named scholarship. John recently retired after many faithful and fruitful years of service to our denomination. I can think of no one more deserving. It was announced that with very short notice $25,000 has been raised. If you would like to add to this total, contact Donna Scott at Austin Seminary, 512-472-6736. While I was away on Sabbatical... ... I had a perfect opportunity to reflect on and pray about our life together at Central. While we face ministry challenges due to our location and zero parking spaces, and struggling budget, God is continuing to find ways to call us to action. I believe we have arrived at a good point in our life together. I say that because I sense a convergence of factors that I consider real blessings. Let me mention a few. See if you agree. Perhaps you would have additions. 1. The first one is our strong conviction that God has called us to be an open and inviting faith family. This theological and, I would add, biblical stance has served and is serving us well. People are finding their way to Central because of our belief that all of God's children are welcomed here. 2. Next is the ever- growing number of young adults finding their way to Central. This demographic has shown to be folks who are looking for something to sink their teeth into other than doctrine. They are looking for relationship and service; they want to make a difference. And more and more are finding that opportunity at Central. 3. The revitalization of Downtown Austin and East Austin, as well as growth south, has seen an increase of visitors in these zip codes. We need to find a way to reach out to our new neighbors. 4. When only a few months ago our building was empty during the week, we are now being blest with a daily buzz of activity. The Austin Adult Literacy Coalition has rented space on the third floor. Refugees from all over the world, under the Austin Area Interreligious Ministries ESL Program, fill up three classrooms four days a week. This summer our fellowship hall is full of the children of the refugee families, and they are being taught by volunteers from Agudas Achim Jewish Congregation. God must be smiling on that as children from Cuba, Africa, Burma, Thailand, et al., learn from Jewish folks in this Presbyterian space. Twelve Step Programs and After Care programs are promoting healing in the lives of many. 5. Our commitment as a site for SWSW and our Annual Interfaith Arts and Music Festival continue to demonstrate to the city our desire to be good neighbors. 6. The Music Program at Central continues to offer quality work. I expect to see the largest choir at Central when it starts back up in August. The Thursday Noon Day concert is still one of the best-kept secrets in Downtown Austin. 7. And lastly, I am so proud of those members of Central who have been around for many years and who have helped to bring about an openness and awareness that has and will allow Central to change and grow in every good way. So as this summer winds down and we take the needed rest we as individuals and groups need, let us renew our commitment to Central. Join me in prayer. Join me in faithful giving. Join me in inviting others to this wonderful place we call CPC! Food on the First August 3 is the first Sunday of the month, and we're collecting for the food pantry at Manos de Cristo. Let's see if we can outdo ourselves and collect more than the two big baskets full that were brought up during the offering on July 6. Pick up a few extra items whenever you shop for yourself or your family. Food pantries in the area are being inundated with requests as the downturn in the economy persists; need has increased by at least 30 percent. Particular needs for Manos right now are nonperishable items such as powdered milk, flour, sugar, cooking oil, cereal, peanut butter and beans. Remember that smaller quantities (1-2 lb. bags of beans and rice rather than 5- 10 lb.) are better, as some clients rely on the bus for transportation. Is this something you'd like to say? The new Sunday School program year is fast approaching, and the CE Team is ready to add your name to the list of teachers. Our elementary classes will again use a Workshop Rotation Model, which means that teaching our children gives you an opportunity to share with them your particular skills and interests -- in such areas as Storytelling, Crafts, Music and Cooking. You need commit only for one month -- but you can always come back for a second or even a third one! Each month has a particular theme and Bible memory verse, and curriculum resources are provided. If you'd like a way to be involved with the children on a regular basis, but not have to teach, please consider serving as a Shepherd for one of the classes. Shepherds commit for a semester at a time; they provide continuity for the students as they move through changing teachers and workshops. Shepherding is an excellent means of getting to know our congregation's children. Contact Kathy Escandell at 472-2554 or kescandell@cpcaustin.org for more information or, even better, to let her know you want your name on that teaching calendar or Shepherd list. Ice Cream Social A Great Success!! Fun was had by all at Joyce and John Harmons' on July 20. Kids of all ages frolicked in the pool, and there was ice cream in a multitude -- yea, a plethora -- of varieties, even some homemade, along with other goodies. You don't know what you've missed if you didn't get some of Jim Lancaster's masterpiece of a blackberry cobbler. If you didn't make it this time, make yourself a note in your calendar for July 2009. Don't miss it again; it's a wonderful opportunity for fellowship. Thursday Noon Concerts Come take a lunchtime break in the cool of the sanctuary and enjoy some music: Aug. 7 Seetha Shivaswarmey & friends Aug. 14 Thales Smith - 15-yr-old Classical Guitarist Aug. 21 Dr. Matthew Hinsley - Classical Guitar A light lunch is served following the concerts. Reservations are required. E-mail reservations to concerts@cpcaustin.org with "lunch" in the subject line or call the church, 472-2445, no later than 10 AM on the day of the concert with your reservations. The cost is $5 per person. EASY PARKING: Park in the Perry Brooks Building parking garage just north of 7th St. on Brazos (turn into the garage on the west side of Brazos). >From the 3rd level, go to the north wall and enter the door there; take the elevator down to 1; you come out across the corner from the church. Bring your parking ticket to the church office to get stamped; then it will cost $3 instead of $7-10. CHILD CARE OPENING The Staff and Christian Education Team are beginning the search for a new Child Care Supervisor. This person will work with our current child care staff to provide quality care for church members and visitors on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings and during special services and activities. Do you know someone who might be interested? Do you know of a school or work location where we might post a job notice? Contact Rick Carlson or Kathy Escandell in the church office for more information or a copy of the job description. Vacation Bible School: Come to the rainforest for VBS this year August 11 15. The theme is Rainforest Adventure, and it should be a grand adventure indeed for children ages Pre-K through 5th grade. There are leadership spots available for both adult and youth volunteers, so give some thought to a week spent trekking through some lush Bible terrain. Contact Kathy Escandell at kescandell@cpcaustin.org for more information. Registration forms are available on the website as well as in the fellowship hall after church on Sundays. Women's Luncheon: August 23 WHO: All women of Central Presbyterian Church and their guests WHAT: Salad Luncheon WHEN: Saturday, August 23rd, 11 a.m. WHERE: Smoot Hall. WHY: Delicious salads (provided by Circles II & III)-- Music by some of our wonderful musicians-- Program by our Mission Team: Come hear about the trip to El Salvador -- And delightful company! Please RSVP to the church office (472-2445) by Sunday, August 17. Questions? Contact Marcia Tompkins, Virginia Stotts or Barbara Beckett. August Prayer List 1 Gray, John & Sandy, Shelly, Blakely 2 Greene, Judson Jr., Judson III 3 Guenther, J. Seymour & Nancy Fly 4 Haggard, Joe & Carolyn, Genevieve 5 Harmon, John & Joyce 6 Harren, Herman & Margaret 7 Harris, Don & Linda 8 Harris, Jim & Catherine 9 Hartigan, Ruth, Scotty 10 Hastings, Mark & Kathi Thomas, Lettie, Marilynn Thomas 11 Haverlah, Kirsha, Alexa 12 Headley, J. Craig 13 Hedrick, Mary 14 Henderson, Arden & Carol Watson, Carter Calkins 15 Henkel, Sarah 16 Hennessey, Terry 17 Hill, Dorothy 18 Hogan, Bill & Lara, Kennedy 19 Hooks, Ann 20 Hoover, Ann Marie 21 Hovenga, Mary Nell 22 Howard, Margaret & Dion Melton 23 James, Sarah 24 Johnson, Cletus 25 Johnson, Kim & Carol, Pete, Tommy 26 Johnson-Carson, Keith & Julie, Jessie, Micah, Jules, Isaac, Rebekah 27 Jones, Jan 28 Kafka, Steven & Kim, Alex, Sara 29 Kalb, Jon & Judy 30 Kern, Emily 31 Kindle, Jean MANOS DE CRISTO BACK TO SCHOOL 2008 Back-to-School Volunteer Opportunity August 5-9 & August 12-16, TUESDAY-SATURDAY 8:00 a.m.-12 noon or 1:00 pm.-3:00p.m. Hand out backpacks, school supplies, help in craft room or with registration, clothes closet, fitting children, sorting/replenishing items in the afternoon. Location: 51st & I-35 or 49 « and Airport (Manos de Cristo's Administrative Building: 4911 Harmon Avenue, Austin, TX 78751) For more information: Call Victoria at 477-7454 or e-mail mdc@manosdecristo.org. Speaking of Wednesday Night Programs... We'll be having a different theme each month. In September our topic is "Sustainability"; October, "Voting, What are YOUR Values"; and November, "Life Choices for Integrity." Speakers will include folks such as the group who will be going to El Salvador to talk about the sustainable project they will have done for the children there; Annie Brudno, who has a degree in sustainable business; Sen. Kirk Watson (tentative); Rep. Donna Howard; and Rev. Karen Thompson. Kathi Thomas still working on other speakers, but you can see that this is going to be an exciting set of Wednesday night programs, and your CE Team hopes you will all make them a priority in your lives. Be watching for some announcements about dinner arrangements, too. Things are exciting on Wednesday nights! Women's Toiletries Drive for SafePlace SafePlace provides safety and healing services to thousands of victims of sexual and domestic violence in Austin/Travis County. These families are often forced to leave behind personal possessions and basic necessities when they go to SafePlace emergency shelter. A donation drive is being held on Sunday, August 17, at CPC. Please bring your items to church with you on the 17th and place them in the buckets designated by the Sanctuary doors. This donation drive is a great way to give back to the community. They are in dire need of toiletries and items such as: diapers (specifically size 6); unopened toiletries, such as shampoo, conditioner, deodorant, shaving cream; and feminine hygiene products.  Music Notes We have wonderful musicians providing music while the choir is on break from rehearsing and singing on Sunday mornings. Thank you to everyone who is providing music! The choir will begin rehearsing again on Wednesday, August 13th. It would be so nice to have some new members! I know that there are those who could really contribute to the choir. It really does not take that much time--7:30 to 9:00 on Wednesdays. Music is truly so valued by this congregation and we need the support of a few more singers. We rehearse music up to six weeks in advance, so if you need to miss a Wednesday or a Sunday, you will still know the upcoming music. Please consider sharing your talent with the choir. You will find that you go home happier than when you came! Becky Clark will be working with the children at VBS in August. She does such a wonderful job with our children. They sound great and are treated with such kindness and care. The children's choir will be starting rehearsal again on Rally Day--September 7th. They go to children's choir after the children's sermon. Also on Rally Day, we will be singing our commissioned work. It was written in honor of Herman Harren for his many contributions to Central Presbyterian, especially the music program. The composer, M.L. Daniels, will also be in attendance for this premiere. Session Highlights Stated Session Meeting June 23, 2008, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting was called to order by the moderator at 6:30pm. The devotional was brought by Susan Richter; a set of short poems by Rumi, and thoughts on anxiety and faith. After an opening prayer, a quorum was declared to be present and the agenda approved. The minutes of the stated Session meeting of Monday, May 19, 2008 were read and approved. Communion was celebrated in the 11:00 service on June 1, and every Sunday in June at the 8:45 service. Membership: No new members or deaths. We sent a letter of transfer for Joanne Hemenway (inactive) to her new church in Tennessee. The number on the active roll remains at 242. The Clerk pointed out that CPC sent no Elder delegates to the Session meeting in Kingsville on June 13-14, where our seminarian under care Laura Walters was advanced to candidacy. It was suggested that Presbytery meeting schedule be announced to the Session a year in advance, so that people could better make plans to attend. The Clerk will oblige. Pastor's Report Tom Estes reported that Pastor Greg's wife Celeste has joined him in Mexico on sabbatical. Ministry Reports Support Ministries Facilities: No recommendations requiring a vote. Plans are well underway to replace all the light bulbs in the Sanctuary, since so many are burned out. Coordination/Administration: No recommendations requiring a vote. A Summer leadership retreat is being planned for August 16. Communication: No report. Spiritual Growth Ministries Worship: No report; team is on hiatus until August. Education: No recommendations. VBS planning and registration continues; Young Adults and Lectionary classes are on summer hiatus. Relationship Building: No report; team is on hiatus until August. Stewardship Ministries Finance: No recommendations. Planning for Stewardship campaign continues; there will be a different approach this year, due to sparse participation in the small-group meetings last year. Session accepted the May 2008 financial statement. Staff: No report; team is on hiatus until August. Membership/Connection: No report; team is on hiatus until August. Outreach Ministries Mission: No recommendations. Mission trip fundraising and planning is continuing, and the group is growing! Fundraising efforts are garnering support, and the Synod of the Sun approved a $2000 grant for the trip. Evangelism: No report; team is on hiatus until August. Partnership: No recommendations. Planning team for the 4th Interfaith Arts Festival in October is meeting; participation from other faith communities is very solid. Other Business Jerry King brought information about the "Brazos Street Project", also known as the "Streetscape Improvement and Reconstruction Project". The City is inviting response from businesses and establishments on Brazos as they plan extensive rework. Included in the plan is a decision of whether to make Brazos a two-way street (it is currently one-way heading north). Session members raised several concerns and questions, and Jerry will put those into a letter and send it to the City office that's in charge. Rick Carlson raised the concern that Steven Tanner is leaving his rental arrangement with Central because he cannot cater from our kitchen due to deficiencies that don't satisfy the codes. This means that not only do we lose the rental income, but we have to find some other way of feeding people on Wednesday evenings. Alternatives include: don't have a meal, but only a program; have volunteers from the congregation provide meals every week; engage an outside caterer and charge the attendees whatever that would cost. No resolution, but a committee comprising Kathi Thomas, Kathy Escandell, Karen Foree and Dan Chamberlin will explore these possibilities and come up with a recommendation before Rally Day. John Nyfeler raised the question of how effective our early worship service is, given that attendance remains very light (averaging between 8 and 15 people per Sunday). Positive comments were made by several Elders, with the sense that the numbers are not the only measure of success. After the closing prayer, the Elders passed among themselves the peace of Christ and were adjourned at 7:35pm. Caring for the Body Pray for comfort and continued healing Gail T.A., Michael B., Audley B., Sharon B., David B., Steven E.'s family, Jay H., Herman H., Ann H., Mary Nell H., Ada J., Howard L., Riva L., Kitty M., Chris M. & family, Deanna N., Dan P., Emily R. and family, Charlie R., Elizabeth R., Lee R.,G.G. T., Bette Lou V., Jack Y., Evelyn Y. AAIM Book Club Book People, at 6th and Lamar, and Austin Area Interreligious Ministries offer a Spirituality Book Club. The group reads spiritual writings from different faith communities, and the members are from a variety of faith traditions. August 11 - Sabbath by Wayne Muller >From Amazon.com: "In today's world, with its relentless emphasis on success and productivity, we have lost the necessary rhythm of life, the balance between work and rest. Constantly striving, we feel exhausted and deprived in the midst of great abundance. We long for time with friends and family, we long for a moment to ourselves. "Millennia ago, the tradition of Sabbath created an oasis of sacred time within a life of unceasing labor. Now, in a book that can heal our harried lives, Wayne Muller, author of the spiritual classic How, Then, Shall We Live?, shows us how to create a special time of rest, delight, and renewal--a refuge for our souls." Meetings are from 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm, on the third floor of Book People. Team Meeting Night August 13 is team meeting night. Come for supper at 5:45 p.m. in Smooth Hall or just join the meetings at 6:30. Come share your talents with Central. "Give Peace A Chance" Concert This year, Sept. 11 is on a Thursday. For our Thursday Noonday Concert, we will have a "Give Peace a Chance" Concert, starring Sara Hickman! The concert is from 12:05-12:35. In addition to the concert, we'll have peace groups with tables, either out in the courtyard or in Smoot (depending on the weather), so that you can talk to folks who have made peace a real mission. Rather than dwelling on the horrendous loss of life on the one day, Sept. 11, we'd like to dwell on the thought that we can promote peace, and work for reconciliation throughout the world. Parking for concerts is in the Perry Brooks parking garage. Bring your parking ticket into the church office to get stamped. That way, it will cost $3 instead of the usually $7-10. If you plan on staying for lunch, please remember that reservations must be in no later than noon the day before the concert. (concerts@cpcaustin.org or call the church office-472-2445.) The Only Way by Laurel Stoddard The only way out is through -- is my mantra more days than I would like when my desk is piled and my brain is full and everything needs to be done at once. And I tell myself to take one file one task one step one breath and then another and another and respect the moment and the task. The devil may be in the details but grace is in the rushing in of the Spirit into the breath spaces of our lives. Save These Dates: Rally Day - September 7 Interfaith Arts & Music Festival - October 17 - 19 All-Church Retreat at Mo-Ranch November 14-16 Getting Moving by Katy Dyer Sometimes it 's just so hard to get going To pack up all that is real And organize it into a real day. Sometimes it's hard to grasp yourself And what you mean to yourself Hoping it will not all go astray. Sometimes it's hard When inaction takes over Can't see the light in the tunnel Can't find the beginning of the day. A prayer to the Lord Jesus Christ That all who suffer from this Will find relief And the joy that comes from doing >From all that's inactive. About The Central Thought The Central Thought is a monthly publication of Central Presbyterian Church. 200 East Eighth Street Austin, Texas 78701 512-472-2445 (voice) 512-472-2446 (fax) 512-370-WORD (9673) Office Hours 9:30-1:30 Monday-Friday Pastor: Greg McDonell x101 greg@cpcaustin.org Parish Associate: Tom Estes Business Manager: Rick Carlson x102 rick@cpcaustin.org Administrative Assistant: Win Bent x100 askcpc@cpcaustin.org Concert Schedule: concerts@cpcaustin.org Webmaster: Win Bent webmaster@cpcaustin.org Newsletter Editor: Laurel Stoddard newsletter@cpcaustin.org