November 2021
Introducing Frank Hancock, your new pastor
beginning January 1, 2022
Frank is a new Commissioned Pastor within Pittsburgh Presbytery with years and years of experience through the Commission on Ministry considering and dealing with the highs and lows of being the church of Jesus Christ.
The Book of Order G-2.10 gives permission to Presbyteries to select, train, and commission Ruling Elders for pastoral service within the Presbytery. A commissioned pastor comes under care of the Commission on Preparation for Ministry when recommended by the elder’s home church. The preparation lasts over two years before CPM and COM accept the elder as ready for commissioning and a call.
Frank Hancock is a ruling Elder at Oakmont Presbyterian Church. He has completed his preparation for ministry. Frank currently serves as co-chair of the Commission on Ministry. He has also served as Moderator of Pittsburgh Presbytery. Through his years on COM Frank, in his words, learned to love small churches and the nuances that make them thrive and flounder.
In September Brian Wallace suggested possibilities to Session for your next pastor: covenant, interim, short-term supply, then came back to Bonnie Jackson and Sam Shaneyfelt (Clerk and Chair of Personnel) to introduce the Commissioned Pastor opportunity.
Bonnie and Sam, on behalf of Session, met with Frank to review his PIF (Personal Information Form) and get an idea of his sense of ministry in comparison to the needs of this church. They reported back to Session that they recommended meeting Frank as a potential Commissioned Pastor for PCPC. Session met Frank on Monday evening October 25, reviewed his PIF with him, had some questions, and learned more about Frank’s sense of call to PCPC. After a brief deliberation Session voted to offer the full-time Commissioned Pastor position to Frank beginning January 1, 2022 and he accepted! Frank's contract will be similar to a covenant pastor agreement, renewable by Session.
Frank worked in Information Technology with Westinghouse for 40 years, among other things. Within our Presbytery Frank has worked as a transition liaison for churches and pastors. Frank is very knowledgeable about what PCPC has gone through. Beyond knowledge Frank is compassionate about and hopeful for your future as a church of Jesus Christ. To God be the glory! In his statement of faith Frank writes: “I believe that by faith given to us by God, we who are believers in Christ are called to be part of the emerging kingdom of God on earth by spreading the good news to all who will hear and by caring for the least of these.”
Until January Frank will continue as a part time pastor for a local congregation in need. I invite you to begin praying for your new pastor, as he is already praying for you.
During this season of giving thanks to God, let us be especially thankful
for God’s provision for ministry at our church!
Winter Coat drive for the Plum Food Pantry
The Deacons would like to thank those who donated a coat for our recent winter coat drive. Through your generosity, we were able to help 20 adults and children from our area to stay warm this winter. Thank you, Plum Creek family!
Change Sunday - November 7
While Daylight Saving Time comes to an end on Sunday, November 7th, the Deacons will continue to spread their light by collecting change for their ministries. The donations collected after services will help support Helping Hands Ministry and other special deacons’ ministries.
A Season Set Apart
This is a season set apart for giving our gifts that warm the heart,
as we celebrate Christ’s birth in a season set apart.
A season set apart for showing how much we truly care,
for those we share our lives with and miss when they’re not there.
A season set apart for going that “extra mile”,
to help a needy stranger and leave him with a smile.
A season set apart for loving all creatures great and small,
in honor of the Christ Child who loved them one and all.
It’s a season of thanksgiving for all we have received,
for once upon a Christmas day, he came and we believed!
Clay Harrison
HELP US PROVIDE CHRISTMAS DINNER
TO A NEEDY FAMILY IN PLUM!
Your mission committee, in partnership with the Plum Food Pantry, is going to collect “Christmas dinner” bags. We will provide you with a bag and a grocery list. We have chosen all the ingredients to prepare a delicious holiday meal. The food pantry will supply gift cards for the meat. You can get your bag and shopping list in Church on Sunday, November 7, 14, or 21. If you are worshipping with us virtually, you can provide your own brown paper bag, and use the list we have provided for you below. We will collect the bags on Sunday, November 28. We ask that you stick to the list, but if you want to add something extra you are welcome to do so. If you cannot provide all of the items, just choose a few from the list and return your bag. You can also include a Christmas Card in
your bag.
Box of instant mashed potatoes
2 envelopes of turkey gravy mix
Box of Stove Top stuffing mix
Can of cranberry sauce
2 cans of green beans
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
2 pouches of cookie mix
According to the Plum Food Pantry there is a greater need for Christmas this year. We have changed our Food Pantry outreach to Christmas, however, we will collect during November. We hope that you will join us and go that “extra mile”, to help our needy neighbors and give them reason to smile.
Your mission committee
FLU SHOT
Don’t forget to get your flu shot immediately after services on Sunday, October 31st. The Deacons will be holding a flu vaccine clinic in Fellowship Hall. To get an accurate number of how many vaccines will be needed, please sign up in the narthex. Please bring your insurance card.
CPR Class
Our Deacons will be holding a CPR class for anyone interested. Dates to be announced! It will be held in our fellowship hall and will be Covid safe instruction.
SOUP and APPLESAUCE!
An applesauce sale is going on now – sign up sheet is in the Narthex.
$6 per quart and $4 per pint. It will be ready for the holidays. ALSO – watch for detail on upcoming soup sale.
REMINDER – Please return any mason jars that you may have (to the church kitchen). Thank you, Soup Team
ZUMBA with Traci
Hey – What is happening in fellowship hall on Saturday mornings? Starting November 6, a Zumba Class! If you are interested in joining the fun, email Traci Hairston – sky024@verizon.net. They meet from 10-11 on Saturdays and the cost is $25 per person per month.