Welcome, Emmett!

Matt and Tara Megill are grateful to announce the healthy arrival of Emmett Hadriel Megill at 9:36 pm 9/20/07, 8 lb 1 oz. For those of you who may be wondering about the origin of the name: We named him "Emmett" after the Hebrew word meaning "truth"; "Hadriel" means "splendor or glory of God" in Hebrew. Here is a picture with big sister Irene.

September 30 Congregational Meeting Child Care

Go to www.tenth.org for child care registration details (free but preregistration is required). Pack a lunch for your child.

Christian School Database

Looking for a Christian school? Here is a database of more than 7,000.

At-Risk Ministry

When we think of “at-risk” people we usually visualize those who are in great need—those who are vulnerable, or on the edge, or terminally ill. But the persons most at risk in ministry situations are you and I. We generally don’t want to come along side of others because we fear how they will respond—we are afraid they will object to what we do or say and may not even like us afterward.

Learn how to take the risk out of ministry and replace fear with confidence at the Saturday, September 29 Ministry Seminar, 9am-noon at Tenth Presbyterian Church, 1701 Delancey St., Center City Philly. Sponsored by Tenth and MercyNet. Registration at the door $5. For information, contact Dr. David Apple, Director of Mercy Ministries, dapple@tenth.org.

Eye Visit

Just got back from an eye checkup with Harry Landrum. Both Ginger and I went. Sometime soon we will be wearing spiffy new glasses. I do recommend Harry as an excellent optometrist. He has an office in S Philly and across the river. Office number is 215.334.2020.

We ran into Ellen Bachman there. She and Steve celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary with a romantic visit to Niagara Falls after dropping off Victoria at Calvin College.

Capital Campaign Report

The information regarding the proposed capital campaign that was made available on Sunday and is in the mail now is also on the church's website. Click the link on the right for Tenth Church. You will see on the front page a link titled "Information related to the feasibility study."

Short-Termers

Be praying for present short-term workers - Howard Blair teaching Bible in Ukraine; Machiko Whittaker translating for Christ Bible Seminary in Japan; and Danya teaching English in Asia.

GO Luncheon

The Global Outreach Luncheon is this Sunday at 1:00 in Fellowship Hall. The Maranatha and Odessa Choir short-term teams will be reporting.

Paul Jones

September 16, 2007

Dear Paul,

The Session and the congregation of Tenth Presbyterian Church give thanks to the Lord for the service you have faithfully rendered to the church and to God’s greater kingdom for the past ten years. By your labors and under your leadership, you have expanded the offerings and influence of music throughout the congregation, enhancing the worship of God and edifying people of all ages...

Click here for more.

A New Call

From Jerry McFarland:

My Dear Tenth Family,

I am writing with a heart filled with mixed emotions. I have accepted a call to a pastoral position in a PCA church in Cary, NC. It has been an agonizing six months of prayer and soul searching trying to determine the Lord's work in our lives. If you would have told me six months ago I would be writing this email declaring a move to NC, I would have laughed - I'm a Philadelphia guy! I've never lived more than 200 miles from my home!! What was I thinking?!

My role at Tenth has been a dual blessing. It has satisfied my desire to continue in my first calling as an ordained minister. I love the church of Christ and it has been an honor to minister the Word to you formally and informally. The other blessing has been the way you have ministered to me and my family. Our move here from Maryland twelve years ago was exciting but difficult, but we found a home at Tenth.

Over the past few years I have sensed a growing hunger for more in terms of ministry in the church, and though I have loved being a part of the Tenth staff it was just a tease for more! My ministry at Westminster has been a rich blessing as well but I found myself burdened for the covenant family and the leaders of Christ's church.

"Out of the blue" I received an email from a young senior minister from Cary, NC saying my name had been mentioned as a possible candidate for the position, Associate Minister for Pastoral Care. He said he told his session upon becoming senior minister that he wanted to hire a seasoned pastor for the purpose of shepherding this flock, encouraging and training the elders, along with mentoring their pastor.

Bev and I believe nothing in the Lord’s providence is “accidental,” so we would at least have some initial conversations knowing nothing would materialize. In each step of the process it became very apparent that they saw my gifts matching perfectly with the needs and personality of the church. We still had our doubts, especially with the thought of leaving you and this area. Our continual interviews and interactions made it clear on paper this was what I was looking for.

We count our time in Philly and especially at Tenth as a place and season in which the Lord has given us a "home." It's hard to imagine saying goodbye, so we won't right now! Our plan is to leave after the first of the year so there will be time. We solicit your prayers for our move and all the arrangements that need to be made.

Thank you on behalf of Bev and our family. We will be eternally grateful!

With love and thanksgiving in Jesus,
Jerry and Bev

Tenth Running Club

Hi Pastor Clark,

My name is Rebecca Saadeh, I've been a member of Tenth for about a year and a half now. I was hoping you can post this, if you feel it is suitable! I've started what I call the "Unofficial Tenth Running Club" and we'd like to get the word out. There are only a few of us meeting right now, but it's been a great way to deepen friendships and get to know new people. We meet at the railroad tracks at 25th and Locust at 6:15 on Friday mornings. We generally run between 2-4 miles on the trail by the river, dependent on mood, time, and/or personal endurance! All ages and fitness levels are welcome! Anyone who is interested in joining us should contact myself at rlsaadeh@yahoo.com or come chat with me at the 11:00 or evening service.
Thanks so much, Pastor Clark! Maybe we'll see you and Ginger out there some morning?!

In Him,
Rebecca Saadeh

Hi Rebecca,

Ginger and I jogging at 6:15 in the morning? Gee whiz, we would love to join you, but it just so happens we are sleeping at that time. We'll volunteer Phil and Lisa Ryken to join you.

Marion

Marion

Bruce McDowell

September 16, 2007

Dear Bruce,

The Session and the congregation of Tenth Presbyterian Church give thanks to the Lord for the service you have faithfully rendered to the church and to God’s greater kingdom for the past twenty-five years. You first began serving Tenth in the fall of 1982 as a part-time staff person coordinating the International Students Christian Fellowship. You were the first paid staff person to fill this position, and under your leadership the ministry grew and flourished as many internationals have been led to a saving faith in Christ through your direct ministry and oversight...

Click for more.

Picnic Pics

From our staff picnic August 30. Nancy and Jim Hala invited us to their swimming club.

Ball of Fury

The battle of ping pong titans. For the record, we split two games, although the total score was decidedly in my favor.

Esperanza volunteers needed

We continue to have a big need for volunteers for some key office work that needs to be completed pre-move (date of which continues to be in flux…)

Specifically, we’re looking for people who can contribute at least a couple of hours a day this week, and preferably for 2-3 days or even all week, to help us organize and purge medical records. This is to help us determine what records are to be sent to long-term storage vs. sent to our new site. We are looking for people who have attention to detail and are ok working in an office environment.

Contact Ted Voboril at tv@esperanahealth.com with any questions.

Art Museum Area Apartment Available

Quiet street, family neighborhood, 2br/$1250.00, with heat included. In a desirable neighborhood in the Art Museum area, a clean two bedroom apt., bright wood floor, eat-in-kitchen, dishwasher, disposal, microwave oven, lovely living room area, air conditioning, washer/dryer, and lots of storage is now available. Heat and water/sewer is included. No animals please. Call for an appointment. 973-919-1907.

Home Bible Study

Ginger and I are hosting a Bible study in our home. We meet the 1st, 3rd, and 5th Wednesdays of the month from 6:30-8:30. We are presently studying passages in Mark that present encounters with Jesus. Our address is 2601 Pennsylvania Avenue, #848. We are across Kelly Drive from the Water Works behind the Art Museum. To contact us, email at mclark@tenth.org or call 215.301.9095.

Clark's City College and Career Click

City College and Career (formerly known as Tenth College Union) has its own website and has even earned a link on my blog. See the righthand column under Tenth Related Links and give it a click.

Anniversary Letters

I will be posting one a day the Session letters to Cora Hogue, Bruce McDowell, and Paul Jones. The first is to Cora.

September 16, 2007

Dear Cora,

The Session and the congregation of Tenth Presbyterian Church give thanks to the Lord for the service you have faithfully rendered to the church and to God’s greater kingdom for the past twenty-five years. In the fall of 1982, you came on staff as a part-time Pastoral Assistant. Since that time your work grew into a full-time position as your ministry grew... Click for more.

At Worship

If you can't come to the Lord's House, then bring the Lord's House to you. Donna and her buddy Turk listen to Pastor Ryken with rapt attention.

And the Winners Are...

The Childrens Ministry Fair on September 9 included a Scavenger Hunt! The winners are:
1st Place Tie - Julia Peterman and Josh Ryken
2rd Place - Michaela Fallon
3th Place - Samantha Tom

Here are the first four questions they had to find the answers to. Click here for the whole list.