The Pastor's Ponderings

The New Year Begins

The New Year has not always begun on January 1, and it doesn't begin on that date everywhere today. It begins on that date only for cultures that use a 365-day solar calendar. January 1 became the beginning of the New Year in 46 B.C., when Julius Caesar developed a calendar that would more accurately reflect the seasons than previous calendars had.

The Romans named the first month of the year after Janus who was always depicted with two faces, one on the front of his head and one on the back - so he could look backward and forward at the same time. At midnight on December 31, the Romans imagined Janus looking back at the old year and forward to the new. The Romans began a tradition of exchanging gifts on New Year’s Eve by giving one another branches from sacred trees for good fortune.

It is believed that the Babylonians were the first to make New Year's resolutions, and people all over the world have been breaking them ever since. The early Christians believed the first day of the new year should be spent reflecting on past mistakes and resolving to improve oneself in the new year. Popular modern resolutions might include the promise to lose weight or quit smoking. The early Babylonians’ most popular resolution was to return borrowed farm equipment.

I’m sure that many of us have made New Year’s resolutions in the past and not long into the new year found that our resolve did not last. Maybe it’s time for us to begin making resolutions that reflect our love of God and the church. Why not resolve to make worship on Sunday the most important thing you do every week? Why not volunteer to serve on a church committee and serve it faithfully? How about volunteering to serve a meal at Sheltering Arms? Let’s make a resolution to read the Bible, pray, and love others.

A new year is fast approaching, and we wonder what the new year might bring for us and for our families. Will it be a prosperous year? Will it be a time of sadness and loss? None of us know the answers to these questions, but we do know that God will be with us.

Looking forward to a new year,
Denise

New Elders for the Class of 2011

At a congregational meeting on Sunday, November 9, 2008, the following persons were elected as sessions members in the Class of 2011. They have been meeting with the pastor for elder training sessions and are scheduled to be examined by the session on Friday, January 2, 2009.

Judson “Bugs” Gardner”

Judson and his wife, Elaine, have been long-time members of OPC and coordinate the sanctuary decorating for Advent and Christmas. Bugs has served on the session previously. His address is P. O. Box 185, Orange, VA 22960; Ph: 672-3753; Email: wahoojmg@aol.com

Robert Kendall

Robert teaches at Woodberry Forest School where he and his wife, Ellen, reside with their children. Robert has served previously as Clerk of Session. His address is 43 Woodberry Sta., Woodberry Forest, VA 22989; Ph: 672-3081; Email: Robert_Kendall@woodberry.org

Cindy Reid

Cindy and husband, Jim, reside at Woodberry Forest. Cindy is actively involved in mission work and Habitat for Humanity. Her address is: 439 Woodberry Forest Station, Woodberry Forest, VA 22989; Ph: 672-3461; Email: Cindy_Reid@woodberry.org

Gail Hassmer

Gail is relatively new to the church. She is a member of the choir and the PW evening circle. She lives at 1465 Monterey Drive, Charlottesville, VA 22901; Ph: 434-249-5535; Email: hassmerg@charlottesville.org

December in our preschool was filled to the brim with Christmas activities. We made The Twelve Days of Christmas books, cinnamon ornaments, and edible wreaths and trees. The children had great fun decorating the tree from Mr. Willis.

“Elfie” from The Elf on the Shelf kept an eye on us during the day and reported to Santa each night. Debbie Rexrode read The Polar Express to a wiggly crowd but instantly captured their attention and thrilled each child with a silver bell at the end of the story.

Special thanks to Ellen and Robin Kendall and Dianne and Elsa Haberland for providing an extra hour of preschool on two days. The children brought their lunches, made ornaments, and enjoyed holiday desserts. The four-year-olds spent endless hours practicing for their program on the 19th, and everyone did a great job. Only a few were stage struck to the point of not singing.

We now have a total of 17 three-year olds and 28 four-year olds. I can’t thank the church enough for the constant support of our program. I am filled with pride every morning when I walk in, turn the lights on, and look at our warm, happy space. We have a board that cares about the children, and the children have a wonderful relationship with Pastor Denise.

Kim Szydlowski, (Mrs. “Ski”)
 Preschool Director

Presbyterian Women begin Coffee Project

Through the Presbyterian Coffee Project, we can enjoy delicious coffee, tea, and chocolate while helping small-scale farmers in Latin America, Africa, Asia, and the U.S. as they build a better future for themselves and their families. For each pound of coffee, tea, or chocolate purchased, Equal Exchange makes a contribution to the Presbyterian “Small Farmers Fund.”

The Orange Presbyterian Women are supporting the Presbyterian Coffee Project by providing coffee, tea, hot chocolate, pecans, and almonds for you to purchase in the Narthex immediately following the worship services.

Upcoming Circle Meetings

The Morning Circle will meet on Tuesday, January 6 at 10:00 a.m. at the home of Nancy Crowder. For more information call Nancy at 672-2965.

The Luncheon Circle will have their meeting on Thursday, January 8 at 12:30 pm in the East Room. Call Elinor Vasquez at 672-3292 for more details.

The Evening Circle will meet on Thursday, January 22 at 7:00 p.m. in the East Room. Sandy McLeod is the hostess, and Gail Hassmer is the study leader.

Meals for Sheltering Arms

We are continuing our second Thursday dinner ministry for the residents of Sheltering Arms. Please consider volunteering for one of the dates on the calendar located in the Narthex. The routine is simple:

• Call the day before to get a head count
• Prepare a wholesome meal
• Deliver the meal about 5 pm on Thursday
• Plan to remain to share dinner

The residents enjoy both the meal and your company. For more information, call Jean Berckman at 672-5546. Please see the sign-up sheet in the Narthex to choose a month to serve. Someone is needed for February. Special thanks to all those who served meals in 2008!

Angel Food Ministries partners with churches and other community groups all across the country to provide food for hundreds of thousands of people from all walks of life. In Orange several churches have benefitted from being part of a program that provides nutritious food at very reasonable prices.

In addition Angel Food makes a contribution to our food pantry with each box sold. Once a month pickups are made at the Orange Assembly of God located at 12386 James Madison Highway. Additional information about the mission of the program, as well as the nature of the food provided, can be obtained online at www.angelfoodministries.com .

December (as of Dec 28)

Income for Operating Expenses -- $ 13,577.91  
Budgeted Expenses -- $ 16,881.88
Income needed monthly to cover budgeted expenses: $ 15,153.00

2 Cents-a-Meal -- $204.97
Joy Offering -- $359.00

Final figures for the month of December will be in the January 4 bulletin.
Gail Chapman, Treasurer

(If you have not turned in your 2009 Pledge Card and Time
and Talent Sheet, please drop it in the mail or bring it by the Church Office.)                 

Session Highlights

At the December 18, 2008 meeting the session:

• Session joyfully received Kurt, Catherine, and Sarah Nordman into membership by transfer of letter and approved Ella Nordman to receive the sacrament of baptism (to be scheduled at a future date).
• Session approved two Christmas Eve services: one at 5:30 pm for the Christmas pageant and one at 7:00 pm for the Candlelight service.
• The Session Class of 2012 will be examined on January 2 and the ordination/installation service is set for Sunday, January 4, 2009.
• The Session Retreat will be held on Friday, January 2 and Saturday, January 3 at the Church.
• Session approved the date for the annual congregational meeting to be held on Sunday, January 18, immediately following worship. The congregation will receive reports from committees and vote the pastor’s terms of call.

Faithfully submitted,
Suzanne Sherwin, Clerk

Acolytes

Children’s Church

Don & Joanna Davies

Dean & Ted Sherwin   

Hannah Frobom

Normie & Steve Sanford

Eric Frobom, Kim Dukes and family

If you are unable to help on the day assigned, you are expected to obtain your own substitute and call the church office so that the correct information will appear in the Bulletin each Sunday.
If you are unable to serve on your scheduled Sunday, please secure your own substitute.
Thank you for sharing in our common ministry.