Pine Street Life - June 2010

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V o l u m e 3 0 , Is s u e 6 June 1, 2010

P INE S TREET L IFE INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Final MAPS Concert

2

DDB

3

Session Notes

3

June Calendar

4

June Scripture

5

Christian Education

5

PSL deadline • Articles for the July issue of Pine Street Life are due

by June 15. They can be emailed to:

psl@pinestreet.org Looking ahead to June • Independence Day (Church and Boyd Offices closed), July 5

L ITHUANIAN MINISTER V ISITING P INE S TREET

By William Bauer The Rev. Rimas Mikalauskas, General Superintendent (Moderator) of the Evangelical Reformed Church of Lithuania, and his wife, Renata, will visit Pine Street in June. The Rev. Mickalauskas will present the Focus on Mission at both services on June 13. There will be a reception for the couple after the 11 a.m. service.

The Rev. Mikalauskas is traveling to Grand Rapids, Mich., to represent his denomination at the World Communion of Reformed Churches. He will also present a major paper on the unification of all reformed traditions in Europe into a single organization. He helped develop this paper at a meeting that took place in Geneva, Switzerland, earlier this year.

The Rev. Rimas Mikalauskas and his wife, Renata Minneapolis to attend the PCUSA Lithuania and Latvia. Pine StreetGeneral Assembly; as a guest of ers are invited to sign up for this Church World Mission trip. A return visit to Birzai, the In June 2011, the Presbytery will headquarters of the ERCL will be again sponsor a mission team to part of the trip.

• Stephen Ministry Supervision, July 11, 26

He and his wife will then travel to

• Junior High retreat, July 1214

FAMILY TWISTS, TURNS TO CHRISTIANITY

• Central Pa. Forum for Religion and Science, July 12, 19, 26 • Vacation Bible School (Faith United Church of Christ in New Cumberland), July 2630

On May 2 we held our annual Kirkin of the Tartan during the 11 a.m. service. I had the privilege of debuting my kilt for you all during that service. I had many people approach me after the service and say, “I never knew you were Scottish.” This placed me in an awkward position because I’m not Scottish. Much like the cassock, there is a story behind why I wear the kilt and its impor-

tance to my history with Christianity.

I am primarily of Hungarian descent.

Hungarian Jew to be exact. My great great grandfather’s last name was Lefkowitz. He fled from Hungary to escape religious persecution in the early 1900s. His family immigrated to Scotland and his son, my great grandfather, served in the Scottish regiment of the British army during (Continued on page 2)

Rev. Alex Lang

Page 2

V o l u m e 3 0 , Is s u e 6

P I N E S T R E E T , M A R K E T S Q UA R E R E U N I T E … S O R T O F

By Thomas Clark-Jones The final concert of the Music at Pine Street series this year is an historic occasion … the reunion of the choirs of Market Square Church and Pine Street.

Jim Brown, pastor of Market Square dropped in on a rehearsal a few weeks ago and claimed that it is possible these two groups have not sung together since 1862! We’re not sure about that, but it is a joy for the choirs of center city Harrisburg’s two great Presbyterian congregations to work together.

During the past season, the Pine Street Choir sang two of Mr. Chilcott’s works during the Lenten season, and enjoyed them very much. This joint concert gives us a chance to sing some of the larger, more complex works of the composer. We began working together in the Market Square choir room in mid-April so we would become a real ensemble.

This is quickly happening, and the results are quite remarkable.

A superb 60-voice choir results from this union, and it is sure to be an event remembered for many years.

Singing for a composer has its challenges! He knows if it’s right

You are cordially invited to come and bring your friends! This will all come to pass at 8 p.m. on June 5 in the Market Square sanctuary.

like this man, and yet, share nothing in common? So my dad explained to me how our family came to be divorced from our Jewish heritage.

tor suggested he change his last name. My grandfather weighed his options and decided he would change his name and abandon his Jewish heritage in favor of finding employment. My father showed me the college yearbook with my grandfather’s photo. Next to his photo read the name ‘Harold Lefkowitz’. My grandfather had crossed out Lefkowitz and written Lang underneath.

him in and gave him the opportunity to maintain his Jewish heritage without threat of persecution. I find it sad the United States, a land founded upon religious freedom, placed our family in a position where we had to choose between our religious identity and economic prosperity. Had that not happened, I might have been Rabbi Lefkowitz as opposed to the Rev. Lang.

PA R S O N (Continued from page 1)

World War I. Before he left for the war, a picture of him was taken in his full military uniform, which, for the Scottish regiment, included a kilt (see photo, right).

My father showed me this picture a month before I left for college. I thought my father was playing a trick on me and had taken my face and superimposed it onto an old photo. My father said, “Nope, that’s your great grandfather.” He and I looked strikingly alike. My uncle, upon seeing the photo, said to me, “Isn’t it amazing how features from so long ago can become dominate in later generations.”

I was fascinated by the photo and I asked my dad to tell me more about our family history.

This guy was Jewish, not Christian. How could I look so much

or wrong, and our musicianship and tenacity in learning the more difficult passages will be rewarded (we hope) with a “well done” from the man himself!

Included in the concert are two major Chilcott works — “Jubilate” (a superb setting of this great morning canticle) and “Canticles of Light,” which sets three obscure, but beautiful texts from the various canonic hours in a challenging and dramatic work.

This concert has been many years in the making. Some six years ago, Pierce Getz, then choirmaster at Market Square, suggested such an endeavor.

We tried to find something that interested both of us, and something always came up to make the venture not possible. As Eric Riley, Pierce’s successor, and I have become working colleagues over the past few years, we decided it was time to make Pierce’s dream a reality. So we have engaged Bob Chilcott, the distinguished British composer, to come and conduct us in some of his works.

My great grandfather immigrated to America following World War I and established himself in Synecdoche, N.Y. He had a son, Harold, my grandfather, who attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for college. My grandfather was a very talented engineer and graduated at the top of his class for mechanical engineering. During his senior year, which was in the late ‘40s, Harold’s mentor sat him down and explained to him that with a name like Lefkowitz, there was no way that he could help him find a job — the anti-Semitism in the United States was too great. His men-

My grandfather found a job and was very successful. He married a woman who was Anglican, so they decided to raise their children Unitarian as a compromise. Thus, when my father married my mother, he had no real religious affiliation and became Presbyterian as that was important to my mother. Thus, my religious upbringing was in the Presbyterian Church — a far cry from the Hungarian Jewish roots of the man to whom I bear a resemblance.

Regardless, as much as I have been distanced from my heritage, it is hard to escape it. The woman who I married is of Hungarian Jewish descent. I had no knowledge of that when I met her and fell in love. Her maiden name was Rubin and her father, like mine, converted to Christianity. That said, I wouldn’t trade who I am today for anything. I love being Christian and I believe strongly the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Who knows, maybe my great grandchild will look like me, convert to Judaism, beI asked for the kilt as a present come a rabbi and wear a casfor my 20 birthday. I wear the sock in honor of me. Stranger kilt in honor of my great grandthings have happened. father because Scotland took

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Pine Street Life

Downtown Daily

Page 3 generosity of the community for funding and donations. Both have a clothing bank and refer individuals to human services agencies.

Last, both base their operation on the words, “…all who are hungry, let them come and eat.”

There are also ways in which the soup kitchens differ. First, CarTwo months ago, I embarked on mei Ha’ir is located next to a a tour of Israel. I saw a huge part market place. Merchants from of the country, which is as big as the market arrive at the restauthe state of New Jersey. Surpris- rant in the early morning with ingly, a highlight of my trip was a donations of food to be cooked visit to Carmei Ha’ir, a for that day’s meal. “restaurant” (soup kitchen) in Downtown Daily Bread orders Jerusalem. The Israelis call the food in advance that is either soup kitchen a restaurant in an purchased or financed by grants. effort to preserve the selfThe kitchen at Carmei Ha’ir is esteem and dignity of their guests. My group of friends and I strictly kosher; DDB is strictly had the opportunity to help pre- “unkosher!” Carmei Ha’ir is set up like a restaurant with volunpare a meal and serve lunch to teers serving individuals using some very grateful Israelis. real plates, glasses and silverThe similarities between Carmei ware. DDB uses metal trays, Ha’ir and DDB are numerous. plastic utensils and paper cups; clients are served cafeteria style.

Both serve men, women, and At Carmei Ha’ir, a box sits inside children without any cost to the the door for those who wish to recipients. Both serve over 100 drop a couple shekels on their people every day of the week. way out. Most have no extra Both rely upon volunteers to money and pay nothing. There is serve the meals but have paid staff to cook. Both rely upon the no such box at DDB.

By Elaine Strokoff

HELP HAITI

At DDB, English is the spoken language except for a smattering of Spanish from time to time. At Carmei Ha’ir, one hears Hebrew, Hungarian, Polish, German, Yiddish and Arabic. Much of the clientele is made up of immigrants from Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Hungry, Poland and other eastern European countries. Some patrons are holocaust survivors.

The newer immigrants come from Ethiopia and France. In Israel, there are many people living below the poverty line, but the country takes serious care of the homeless. In an Israeli soup kitchen, it is not uncommon to see young men and women in uniform. These are soldiers on leave who are far from home.

They are warmly welcomed at the kitchens. DDB and Carmei Hair both realize that “poverty is more than a lack of finances.”

We call our facility a “soup kitchen” and the Israelis can call theirs a “restaurant.” We both feed the hungry, nurture the body and the spirit, and believe in the dignity of each individual…

Israeli or American, soup kitchen or restaurant, … what’s in a

Approved a trip for the Middle School youth to Tuscarora for a retreat.

Approved a motion from the CNE and the Evangelism Committees jointly to make changes in the commissioning of youth at Pine Street, beginning with the academic year 2010-11.

The Deacons are making arrangements for a new congregational photo directory.

Met with, examined, and approved new officers installed May 23.

R E C OV E R B Y P R OV I D I N G S U P P L I E S

Relief, recovery and reconstruc- need people who can sew cloth bags for the school kits. The tion in Haiti are ongoing .

“God is our refuge and Mission Committee will provide As one part of the effort to help, strength, a very present help in the cloth. Third, volunteer for the Presbytery of Carlisle and trouble. Therefore we will not the kits assembly gathering in Presbyterian Church (USA) are fear, though the earth should late June (the specific date, asking churches and their conchange, though the mountains time and location to be angregations to assemble kits of shake in the heart of the sea; nounced) when volunteers will materials needed in Haiti. though its waters roar and assemble items into individual Throughout June, Pine Street foam, though the mountains kits. Call Mission Committee will be compiling and building a Chair Deb Olson at (717) 533tremble with its tumult.” — “Hygiene Kit” and “School Kit.” 4548 to volunteer to sew and/ Psalm 46:1-3 Our goal is 50 of each kind. or to assemble kits.

Even though they are no longer There are three ways to help: in the headlines of the daily The need is great. Please help First, bring items for the kits’ news, the people of Haiti still us help Haiti. We need voluncontents (see lists below) to the teers! suffer from the devastation of the earthquake that occurred in collection area in the Gathering Hygiene Kit January. The situation remains Place. One can bring materials 1 hand towel (approximately 16x 28 for complete kits, or select spe- inches dire. The need for help and cific items from either list and assistance remains great.

1 washcloth supply those items. Second, we 1 wide-tooth comb

By John Jewett

Approved a motion from the Worship Committee to establish a memorial gifts list.

1 nail clipper (no metal files or emery boards) 1 bar of Fels Naphtha soap 1 toothbrush (in individual and original packaging, (please no multiple toothbrush packs)) 6 adhesive bandage strips Please do not add toothpaste to the Hygiene Kit. Seal all items in a 1gallon plastic bag with a zipper closure.

School Kit 1 pair of rounded-tip metal scissors 3 70-count spiral notebooks. No loose leaf paper.

1 30-centimeter ruler (12 inch) 1 hand-held pencil sharpener 6 new pencils with erasers 1 large eraser 1 box of colored pencils (no crayons) 1 finished cotton cloth bag with handles; pattern available at www.pcusa.org/pda/help/gohschoolkitbagpattern.pdf.

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V o l u m e 3 0 , Is s u e 6

June 2010 SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

4

5

Staff Worship, 8:45 a.m.; Staff meeting, 9:10 a.m.; Session meeting, 7:30

6

7

8

Choir rehearsal (Market Square Presbyterian), 7

9

10

MAPS: Works of Bob Chilcotte (held at Market Square Presbyterian), 7:30

11

Program Committee meetings, 7

13

14

15

12 Men’s breakfast, 8 a.m.; Kitchen maintenance cleaning, 9:30 a.m.; Shawl Ministry, 10 a.m.

16

17

18

19

23

24

25

26

Staff Worship, 8:45 a.m.; Staff meeting, 9:10 a.m.; Trustees meeting, noon; Deacons Adm. Committee meeting, 6:30; Deacons meeting, 7

20

21

22 Presbytery meeting (Great Conewago Church), 6; Admin & Finance Committee meeting, 7

27

28

Youth Mission Trip Stephen Ministry begins; New mem- Supervision, 6:30; Central Pa. Forum bers picnic for Religion and Science, 7

29 Staff Worship, 8:45 a.m.; Staff meeting, 9:10 a.m.

Personnel Committee meeting, 7:30

30

Pine Street Life

JUNE SCRIPTURE Tuesday, June 1 Ecclesiastes 2:16-26 Psalm 54 Matthew 13:53-58 Wednesday, June 2 Ecclesiastes 3:1-15 Psalm 65 Matthew 14:1-12 Thursday, June 3 Ecclesiastes 3:16-4:3 Psalm 143 Matthew 14:13-21 Friday, June 4 Ecclesiastes 5:1-7 Psalm 88 Matthew 14:22-36 Saturday, June 5 Ecclesiastes 5:8-20 Psalm 122 Matthew 15:1-20 Sunday, June 6 1 Kings 17:8-16 Psalm 146 Galatians 1:11-24 Luke 7:11-17 Monday, June 7 Ecclesiastes 7:1-14 Psalm 62 Matthew 15:21-28 Tuesday, June 8 Ecclesiastes 8:14-9:10 Psalm 12 Matthew 15:29-39 Wednesday, June 9 Ecclesiastes 9:11-18 Psalm 96 Matthew 16:1-12 Thursday, June 10 Ecclesiastes 11:1-8 Psalm 116 Matthew 16:13-20 Friday, June 11 Ecclesiastes 11:9-12:14 Psalm 84 Matthew 16:21-28 Saturday, June 12 Numbers 3:1-13 Psalm 63 Matthew 17:1-13 Sunday, June 13 1 Kings 21:1-10, 15-21a Psalm 5:1-8 Galatians 2:15-21 Luke 7:36-8:3 Monday, June 14 Numbers 9:15-23, 10:29-36 Psalm 5 Matthew 17:14-21 Tuesday, June 15 Numbers 11:1-23 Psalm 42 Matthew 17:22-27 Wednesday, June 16 Numbers 11:24-33 (34-35) Psalm 89:1-18 Matthew 18:1-9 Thursday, June 17 Numbers 12:1-16 Psalm 97 Matthew 18:10-20

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N E W FA L L P R O G R A M W I L L ENRICH CHILDREN’S LIVES

By Cheryl Goode We dedicate ourselves to many things in life, but, for parents and grandparents, being dedicated to raising our children and grandchildren is our top priority. We work hard to ensure that our little ones have as many advantages as possible in our competitive world.

gram and its importance to the growth of our children’s faith.

For now, we ask that you prayerfully consider the role of the Christian faith in your child’s life. If the faith is something that you consider central to your child’s development, then please consider making a serious commitment to Koala Club in the fall because we believe this program will be instrumental in the formation of your child’s faith for years to come.

This is never more apparent than when we talk about our children’s education. Education represents the building blocks for a brighter future.

The next adventure for the fall The better a child’s education, is a family/children’s retreat. the more likely he or she is to The subcommittee of Carol succeed.

Mader, Stevi Sharp, Barb The same is true of the Chris- Conklin and I have begun tian faith. Without education, planning for this event. It will be held on Nov. 5-6 at Camp our children cannot be successful Christians. As parents Hebron. The campgrounds are spacious and beautiful. There who want to provide every is a gym on site and walking advantage for your children, trails for those who love walkwe at Pine Street want to ing and the outdoors. make sure your children receive the best possible Chris- This will be a weekend to tian education. spend some quality time as a Therefore, I would like to chal- family and to build friendships lenge all the young families of with other Christian families in the church. Oh, I almost forgot Pine Street to dedicate your time to some new adventures … you don’t have to cook! The food at Camp Hebron is prefor you, your children AND pared for you and is great!! their friends this fall.

So please mark your calenAlex, Courtney and I have dars and plan to join us for been working diligently on an this adventure too. exciting new children’s program for the fall that will be a Exodus 20: 9-10 tells us crucial building block in laying “Work and get everything the foundation of your child’s done during six days each faith. It is named KOALA Club week, but the seventh day is a day of rest to honor the Lord (Kids On A Lifelong Advenyour God.” When you think ture). about your busy schedules This program will be offered to and feel like you can’t breath elementary-age students, or do one more thing, think grades 1 through 5. There will about a possible day of rest be Bible memorization, with God at the center. Join us games, worship and a lesson at Camp Hebron in November. each week. In the coming months, we will be divulging more details about the pro-

JUNE SCRIPTURE Friday, June 18 Numbers 13:1-3, 21-30 Psalm 51 Matthew 18:21-35 Saturday, June 19 Numbers 13:31-14:25 Psalm 104 Matthew 19:1-12 Sunday, June 20 1 Kings 19:1-4, 8-15a Psalm 42 and 43 Galatians 3:23-29 Luke 8:26-39 Monday, June 21 Numbers 16:1-19 Psalm 135 Matthew 19:13-22 Tuesday, June 22 Numbers 16:20-35 Psalm 123 Matthew 19:23-30 Wednesday, June 23 Numbers 16:36-50 Psalm 15 Matthew 20:1-16 Thursday, June 24 Numbers 17:1-11 Psalm 36 Matthew 20:17-28 Friday, June 25 Numbers 20:1-13 Psalm 130 Matthew 20:29-34 Saturday, June 26 Numbers 20:14-29 Psalm 56 Matthew 21:1-11 Sunday, June 27 2 Kings 2:1-2, 6-14 Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20 Galatians 5:1, 13-25 Luke 9:51-62 Monday, June 28 Numbers 22:1-21 Psalm 57 Matthew 21:12-22 Tuesday, June 29 Numbers 22:21-38 Psalm 54 Matthew 21:23-32 Wednesday, June 30 Numbers 22:41-23:12 Psalm 65 Matthew 21:33-46

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V o l u m e 3 0 , Is s u e 6

Downtown Daily

Financial picture for March Year to date pledges received $110,646.97

By Elaine Strokoff The Doctors Kienle chapter of the Gold Humanism Honor Society (GHHS) was initiated at Penn State College of Medicine in 2003. Each year, a select num-

$141.640.74

Pledges in arrears

-$30,993.77

This year, we expressed interest in bringing a life skills session to the clients of Downtown Daily Bread. We have organized an hour-long presentation designed

to help prepare individuals for job interviews. Our emphasis is placed on basic communication skills necessary to impress employers and secure jobs.

We also wish to discuss some basic aspects of job interviewing, such as the resume and what consists of appropriate attire. Our hope is to aid those in search of occupation, providing them with basic skills that will prove helpful when applying for a job.

P A I R P R OV E T H AT S O M E T I M E S H E L P O N LY N E E D E D O N S E A S O N A L BA S I S

By David An DDB client counselor Several clients were here temporarily due to the season and their line of work.

Year to date budgeted pledges

ber of graduating medical students are nominated by fellow students for induction into the Society. Nominations are based on a combination of clinical skills and compassion in medicine.

Each year, members of the GHHS participate in a community service project.

For instance, I had one guy who worked for a circus and one who worked for a fair. Obviously in the winter they do not work. They're getting ready to head back on the road to tour across the country to run those fairs and circuses. Their hours are long and the work is hard, but they get paid well and can always rely on going back to work in March.

“I would like it even more if those gentlemen have a place to stay during the winter or spend their winter somewhere warm.� sometimes described as "business."

in terms of their future and the next winter / off-season.

I would love to see them again and have positive attitudes around our agency, but I would like it even more if those gentlemen have a place to stay during the winter or spend their winter somewhere warm.

I guess the point is, we run into many people seeking assistance; including low income, fixed income and transients Although these men were homeless, it was a temporary situation rather than ongoing and cyclical. They were no stranger to the streets so I assume this has happened to them in the past. Hopefully I will receive some postcards soon with their reassurance of taking care of themselves this winter.

Either way neither client had saved enough to have a place to live during the off-season. One of the clients were reassured they would be able to stay with their For them this agency provided family only to come here and be them with warm meals, hot put out on the street. We proshowers, clothing and other per- vided them with their sustenance sonal care items (deodorant, during one of the harsher winters razors, etc.). Although they were we've seen in years. I had greatly on unemployment, it was not encouraged them to think about Also something interesting to enough to pay for a place to this past winter as they were note. A few of the "regulars" who stay. They utilized the shelters working and traveling. have been around for years have and other social services to get gone to Carlisle and Lebanon to I advised them to save some by. seek services due to the promoney and perhaps stay someI spoke to both clients personally where warmer next year. Algrams available to them. I beto learn about their situation and though they were very polite, lieve they have a little more in why they were here. In general cooperative and sometimes help- terms of shelters, and shelter they had "business" to take care ful (giving back by cleaning out programs. Although many people of in Harrisburg. This can involve the showers when everyone was have told me that guys go over visiting family or friends. Frethere and find women that will finished, keeping an eye on the quently people are bound to clothing room while it was open, take them in, which is also intercome back to Harrisburg to take or organizing the clothing room) I esting. It’s just something to care of legal issues, which is had to give them positive advice think about.

Pine Street Life

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June 2010 SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

FRI

SAT

1

2

3

4

5

Staff Worship, 8:45 a.m.; Staff meeting, 9:10 a.m.; Session meeting, 7:30

6

7

8

Choir rehearsal (Market Square Presbyterian), 7

9

10

MAPS: Works of Bob Chilcotte (held at Market Square Presbyterian), 7:30

11

Program Committee meetings, 7

13

14

15

12 Men’s breakfast, 8 a.m.; Kitchen maintenance cleaning, 9:30 a.m.; Shawl Ministry, 10 a.m.

16

17

18

19

23

24

25

26

Staff Worship, 8:45 a.m.; Staff meeting, 9:10 a.m.; Trustees meeting, noon; Deacons Adm. Committee meeting, 6:30; Deacons meeting, 7

20

21

22 Presbytery meeting (Great Conewago Church), 6; Admin & Finance Committee meeting, 7

27

28

Youth Mission Trip Stephen Ministry begins; New mem- Supervision, 6:30; Central Pa. Forum bers picnic for Religion and Science, 7

29 Staff Worship, 8:45 a.m.; Staff meeting, 9:10 a.m.

Personnel Committee meeting, 7:30

30

Pine Street Presbyterian Church 310 North Third Street Harrisburg, PA 17101

Check us out at pinestreet.org