FROM THE SESSION
March 24, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Seventy-three years ago, Guilford Park opened its doors (not really, as there were no doors to open). Sixty-one charter members met under the oak tree in the parking lot at Fairfield Avenue and Fernwood Drive. Thus, we began our church, which has had a rich history of growth and celebrations, including weddings, births, baptisms, confirmations, Easters, Christmases, etc. We have also experienced sadness as we mourned the members we have lost through deaths or leaving Guilford Park for whatever reasons.
Many of us are greatly saddened by the resignation of Jeff. However, the Presbytery has done an exemplary job of helping us begin the transitional task that lies ahead. The Reverend Joe Blankinship, a retired Presbyterian minister, will be Transition Responder/Liaison and Moderator of Session until a Transition (interim) Pastor is hired. There is a Transition Team in place and working diligently to hire a transitional pastor. The team will keep in touch with Guilford Park members through eNews and other means of communication.
Once again, we are at a crossroads in our church’s history. Guilford Park has been through the loss of a pastor in 2009, and now Jeff. Some never fully healed from that first loss. This time, we must take the time to fully heal, understand each other, and move forward, hopefully, as a united Christian family. This time, we can stay angry and hurt and abandon the church, or we can be complacent and do nothing by not addressing the hurt which will stagnate us, or we can choose to move forward and challenge ourselves to build a better church, and face and learn from our mistakes.
As the Session, elected by the congregation, we may have let you down in not being transparent about what was occurring. However, we were in the process of addressing members’ concerns.
In the future, the Session will strive to be as transparent as possible. We may make mistakes; you may not agree with us, and that is fine. Please contact one of us if you have questions or concerns. Session members are listed on the church website: guilfordpark.org/leadership.html
We are asking members to do their part. The Presbyterian Book of Order states that “a faithful member…supports the work of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents.” The church must be supported financially, even during discord.
Please, when we can all get back into a normal way of life, challenge yourself to do one or more things at church that you may not be doing. Serve on a committee (or two), be a liturgist, participate in Hot Dish and Hope, attend fellowship functions, etc. Let us rejoice when we can again attend church together by participating in all we can. If we challenge ourselves to work together and do more, we will reach even greater heights.
Remember, this is not our church, but it is God’s church. With God’s help, we will emerge stronger.
In Christ,
Guilford Park Presbyterian Church Session
Below is a link to a website “Guidelines for Presbyterians During Times of Disagreement.” This is a valuable document and was adopted by the Session on January 26, 2020.
pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/peacemaking/pdf/guidelines.pdf
March 24, 2020
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Seventy-three years ago, Guilford Park opened its doors (not really, as there were no doors to open). Sixty-one charter members met under the oak tree in the parking lot at Fairfield Avenue and Fernwood Drive. Thus, we began our church, which has had a rich history of growth and celebrations, including weddings, births, baptisms, confirmations, Easters, Christmases, etc. We have also experienced sadness as we mourned the members we have lost through deaths or leaving Guilford Park for whatever reasons.
Many of us are greatly saddened by the resignation of Jeff. However, the Presbytery has done an exemplary job of helping us begin the transitional task that lies ahead. The Reverend Joe Blankinship, a retired Presbyterian minister, will be Transition Responder/Liaison and Moderator of Session until a Transition (interim) Pastor is hired. There is a Transition Team in place and working diligently to hire a transitional pastor. The team will keep in touch with Guilford Park members through eNews and other means of communication.
Once again, we are at a crossroads in our church’s history. Guilford Park has been through the loss of a pastor in 2009, and now Jeff. Some never fully healed from that first loss. This time, we must take the time to fully heal, understand each other, and move forward, hopefully, as a united Christian family. This time, we can stay angry and hurt and abandon the church, or we can be complacent and do nothing by not addressing the hurt which will stagnate us, or we can choose to move forward and challenge ourselves to build a better church, and face and learn from our mistakes.
As the Session, elected by the congregation, we may have let you down in not being transparent about what was occurring. However, we were in the process of addressing members’ concerns.
In the future, the Session will strive to be as transparent as possible. We may make mistakes; you may not agree with us, and that is fine. Please contact one of us if you have questions or concerns. Session members are listed on the church website: guilfordpark.org/leadership.html
We are asking members to do their part. The Presbyterian Book of Order states that “a faithful member…supports the work of the church through the giving of money, time, and talents.” The church must be supported financially, even during discord.
Please, when we can all get back into a normal way of life, challenge yourself to do one or more things at church that you may not be doing. Serve on a committee (or two), be a liturgist, participate in Hot Dish and Hope, attend fellowship functions, etc. Let us rejoice when we can again attend church together by participating in all we can. If we challenge ourselves to work together and do more, we will reach even greater heights.
Remember, this is not our church, but it is God’s church. With God’s help, we will emerge stronger.
In Christ,
Guilford Park Presbyterian Church Session
Below is a link to a website “Guidelines for Presbyterians During Times of Disagreement.” This is a valuable document and was adopted by the Session on January 26, 2020.
pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/peacemaking/pdf/guidelines.pdf
Members of Session
|
Class of 2020
Jason Beale Ed Cheshire Jan Heywood Levina Kollar Donna Schumacher George Setzer Drew Surrette- Youth elder |
Class of 2021
Donna Barrier Mary Lois Brugler Pam Hawkins Rak Kreager Sarah Scott Jody Wood |
Class of 2022
Brit Farmer Laura Harrington John Parker Steve Sandercock Becky Stump Kenny Thompson |
Adult Education: Chairperson—Donna Schumacher
Children and Youth: Chairperson—Jody Wood, Laura Harrington, vice
Congregational Care: Chairperson— Levina Kollar, Sarah Scott, vice
Fellowship: Chairperson—Jan Heywood, Kenny Thompson, vice
Finance & Stewardship: Chairperson— Ed Cheshire
Justice and Peacemaking: Chairperson—Mary Lois Brugler, Becky Stump, vice
Mission: Chairperson—Steve Sandercock, Rak Kreager, vice
Membership: Chairperson—Brit Farmer, Pam Hawkins, vice
Personnel: Chairperson— Jason Beale
Property: Chairperson—John Parker
Worship: Chairperson—George Setzer
Clerk: Donna Barrier
Pastor and Moderator of Session – vacant
Associate Pastor – vacant
Bridge Pastor– Dr. Kit Schooley
Bridge Pastor– Dr. Fred Beck
Clerk of Session – Donna Barrier
Moderator of the Presbyterian Women 2019/2020– Kay Cheshire
For more information about Presbyterian Women at Guilford Park, please contact Kay Cheshire.
Transition Team:
George Setzer, Laura Harrington, David Taylor, Sarah Carroll, Marge Cromer, Levina Kollar
Children and Youth: Chairperson—Jody Wood, Laura Harrington, vice
Congregational Care: Chairperson— Levina Kollar, Sarah Scott, vice
Fellowship: Chairperson—Jan Heywood, Kenny Thompson, vice
Finance & Stewardship: Chairperson— Ed Cheshire
Justice and Peacemaking: Chairperson—Mary Lois Brugler, Becky Stump, vice
Mission: Chairperson—Steve Sandercock, Rak Kreager, vice
Membership: Chairperson—Brit Farmer, Pam Hawkins, vice
Personnel: Chairperson— Jason Beale
Property: Chairperson—John Parker
Worship: Chairperson—George Setzer
Clerk: Donna Barrier
Pastor and Moderator of Session – vacant
Associate Pastor – vacant
Bridge Pastor– Dr. Kit Schooley
Bridge Pastor– Dr. Fred Beck
Clerk of Session – Donna Barrier
Moderator of the Presbyterian Women 2019/2020– Kay Cheshire
For more information about Presbyterian Women at Guilford Park, please contact Kay Cheshire.
Transition Team:
George Setzer, Laura Harrington, David Taylor, Sarah Carroll, Marge Cromer, Levina Kollar