OUR MISSION: "Sparked by Grace
to Transform the Church
for the Good of the World"
January 26, 2023
"Instructing and Teaching"
"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you."" ~Psalm 32:8
Welcome to the MIDWEEK MUSINGS,
our bi-weekly newsletter to equip, spark and grow
our mutual ministries.
Dear <<First Name>>:
Our mutual ministries continue to blossom and grow with opportunities throughout the Presbytery. Be sure to scroll the entire edition ... you won't want to miss a thing! May you find at least one special nugget that speaks to you in today's issue.
Official Call to Meeting
Special Called Meeting of Presbytery
The official notice of the Called Meeting of Presbytery, February 7, 2023, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom was emailed today to all distributions within New Castle Presbytery. Please note the specified order of business includes voting on the proposed amendments to the constitution.
For additional details, visit the Presbytery webpage. Quick links include:
The docket for the meeting will be posted to the meeting webpage seven (7) days in advance.
Leadership Equipping Day
Last Saturday's Equipping Day included participants from 30 of the Presbytery's 47 churches and we are thankful to all who participated. Today we have two recordings available on the Presbytery's YouTube channel:
Working Through Conflict; and
Statistics and Other Topics for Clerks of Session
Connect to the recorded sessions here. Watch this space for additional information regarding future leadership opportunities.
2023 Bay Retreat - Register today!
"Last year, I left the retreat so energized. The music, fellowship
and worship were magnificent! I challenge anyone to not be
moved by the Holy Spirit. The staff thought of everything and the experience added joy and enlightenment that touched my soul.
I honestly cannot say enough good about things I have been blessed with since last year's retreat." ~Debbie Reeves, Head of Christiana
*Overnight accommodations guaranteed
through February 14. Register here today!
Click on the image to access the full brochure
Installation - Sunday, February 5, 5:00 p.m.
JOIN US!
All are cordially invited to attend the contemplative candlelight installation of The Rev. Mark Parsons II, Sunday, February 5, 5:00 p.m. The service, featuring music of Taize as well as The Presbyterian Church of Dover Chancel Choir and Bells of Praise, will be offered in-person and livestreamed via YouTube and Facebook.
On-street parking in addition to parking in the adjacent business lots (given the Sunday service date) is available. A presentation of the word will be led by The Rev. Dr. Tracy Keenan and The Rev. Brooke Scott. A reception will follow the service. Minister members are invited to wear red stoles and join the processional line of march from the narthex.
We're back with another three-part book club - starting on Tuesday, February 7 at 5:00 p.m. (note new start time!)
Confronting structural racism requires having difficult conversations about how racism manifests itself throughout our society. Many of us avoid such conversations because we feel we do not have the tools to do so. This winter's book club offering, I Never Thought of It That Way Before: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times, by Monica Guzmán, offers some tools to help us have successful conversations on difficult topics.
Here's what Google Books has to say about this offering:
We think we have the answers, but we need to be asking a lot more questions.
Journalist Mónica Guzmán is the loving liberal daughter of Mexican immigrants who voted—twice—for Donald Trump. When the country could no longer see straight across the political divide, Mónica set out to find what was blinding us and discovered the most eye-opening tool we’re not using: our own built-in curiosity.
In this timely, personal guide, Mónica, the chief storyteller for the national cross-partisan depolarization organization Braver Angels, takes you to the real front lines of a crisis that threatens to grind America to a halt—broken conversations among confounded people. She shows you how to overcome the fear and certainty that surround us to finally do what only seems impossible: understand and even learn from people in your life whose whole worldview is different from or even opposed to yours.
Drawing from cross-partisan conversations she’s had, organized, or witnessed everywhere from the echo chambers on social media to the wheat fields in Oregon to raw, unfiltered fights with her own family on election night, Mónica shows how you can put your natural sense of wonder to work for you immediately, finding the answers you need by talking with people—rather than about them—and asking the questions you want, curiously.
In these pages, you’ll learn:
How to ask what you really want to know (even if you’re afraid to)
How to grow smarter from even the most tense interactions, online or off
How to cross boundaries and find common ground—with anyone
We hope you will join us on February 7th! Access the Zoom link by clicking on the event on the Presbytery online calendar . Books available on Amazon.
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*The Montgomery Group’s purpose is to engage NCP and our various communities more fully to dismantle structural racism, breathing creativity, resourcefulness, and perseverance into this struggle through:
Educational Focus: Spotlighting present-day and historical facts and effects of racial injustice on everyone in the U.S.; and
Experiential Focus: Getting out of our heads and into our hearts, so that failure to act is more uncomfortable than acting.
Action Focus: We are seeking to co-partner with those individuals, churches, and community partners interested in this work.
Youth/Adult Camps & Conference Scholarships
2023 Applications Available for Scholarship Funds
Youth and adult scholarships are available from New Castle Presbytery to assist congregations in providing financial assistance to youth (through college age) and adults to attend and participate in faith-centered camping experiences, conferences and mission trips. Congregations submit the application and all approved funds will be disbursed to the congregation.
Funds are limited and will be made available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Maximum amounts offered per camp/conference/mission trip include:
Questions? Contact the Presbytery officevia emailor phone (302) 366-0595.
Our Partnerships - Guatemala
Guatemala Partnership have landed in Guatemala City!
A group from New Castle Presbytery are traveling to Guatemala from January 24-31 to strengthen our partnerships there. This is the largest delegation ever sent, with 16 travelers representing 8 churches! You can follow along with them each day as they travel by subscribing to their Blog on the partnership website. Sign up here!
Our Churches/Our Youth
All middle and high school youth are invited to come together on February 25, 2023 from 10:00am to 3:00pm for an NCP Youth Service Day! Bring a few or a bunch of students to Georgetown Presbyterian Church for a day of making new friends, playing games, worshiping God, and learning from and serving alongside theCode Purple Emergency Shelter at GPC as they care for those experiencing homelessness.
Lunch will be provided, so we would appreciate a rough headcount of youth and adult chaperones coming from your church. Please respond no later than February 21, 2023 to Rev. Lisa Salita.
*Georgetown Presbyterian Church is located at
203 N. Bedford St, Georgetown, DE 19947.
The parking lot entrance can be accessed from N. Front Street, behind the church.
**Inclement Weather Date - March 11, 2023
Health Ministry
New Year's Resolutions ... And Why They Fail
Happy New Year NCP friends!
Have you made a New Year's Resolution to becoming a healthier, happier version of you? Have you made similar resolutions in the past, but found that you slowly slip away from your goals? You are not alone! In fact, 60% of us suffer from "False Hope Syndrome", making ourselves promises year after year, but failing to stick with our plan.
This month, I challenge you to, BREAK THE CYCLE. Visit our NCP Health Ministry webpage today, to find out ways to prevent False Hope Syndrome, break the cycle of misplaced optimism, and become a healthier, happier YOU this Year!
In Good Health,
Stephanie
Stephanie Scully Eskridge, BSN RN
Health Ministry Editor
Racism in America Training
Synod of the Mid-Atlantic - Grant Deadline, 2/01/23
Caregiver Training Shared by Interfaith Peacemaker, Rev. Tom Davis
Employment Opportunity
Hanover Presbyterian Church
Transitional Pastor
Seeking a 12-18 month transitional pastor to lead worship provide pastoral care and community outreach and serve as Head of Staff. The search committee is open to the possibility of the Transitional Pastor becoming the Installed Pastor. View the position description and resume submission details here.
First Presbyterian Church-Newark Office Administrator - Part Time
Hiring a part-time, 20-hour/week Office Administrator who has a working relationship with the boards, committee and members and will report to the Pastor/Head of Staff
Demonstrated proficiency with:
Microsoft Office and Outlook (Publisher is desired)
Internet applications such as Facebook, Twitter, MailChimp and WordPress
IT to manage FPC's digital platforms
For a copy of the position description and to apply, email FPC Human Resources here.
Limestone Presbyterian Church Director of Living Waters
Seeking a part-time, non-exempt Director reporting to the Heads of Staff/Pastor, Worship and H.R. Director will support the church's mission and ministry throigh the modern worship music typically played during the modern service offered weekly at 9:00 a.m. September through May and monthly June through August (subject to change). Must be available for special services during the liturgical year.
The Director will manage and direct all functions of Living Water and provide instrumental accompaniment as needed and will provide musical leadership. Candidate must be an accomplished musician with instrumental, choral and directing skills, be of Christian taith, strong leadership skills ad outgoing.
The NCP physical office is now permanently closed, however the staff are available via email and phone. Business phone now provides seamless access through staff cell phones (VOiP). Call the NCP business line, 302-366-0595, and follow the prompts to connect you. For your additional information:
