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the good news
MEMORIAL PARK CHURCH
what's
inside
03
Welcome New Staff to MPC
05
Financial Update
06
Summer Happenings
08
A Night of Worship: Keith &
Kristyn Getty in Concert at MPC
09
EPC College & Student Ministry
11
Women's Ministries
12
Upcoming Events
THE GOOD NEWS
03 | STAFFING
Welcoming new staff to MPC
B Y J A N E Y
M A T H E R
If it’s true, according to Dale
might be deepened via activities
Assistant for Stewardship
Carnegie, that a smile says, ‘I like
and events on Sunday morning
Ministries. Her duties include
you. You make me happy. I am
as well as during the week.
overseeing building scheduling,
glad to see you,’ then MPC has
Recruiting volunteers, planning
providing support to department
many reasons to be smiling.
for Summer Surge, and
directors, and updating
Newcomers Jessica Parker, Julia
designing learning experiences
membership databases.
Wrightstone and Katie
for this age group are only a few
Securing the right location for
Yarzebinski are integrating their
examples of Jessica’s focus. With
every activity at the right time is
talents and enthusiasm into the
her love of children and
“like one big puzzle,” Julia admits,
fabric of our MPC family and
administrative qualifications,
though her efficiency and
what follows is a brief
Jessica is equipped with a full
attention to detail have kept all
introduction to start the
range of competencies for the
events running smoothly.
conversation with each.
job. Graduating from Grove City
Growing up in Chardon, Ohio,
College on May 20, 2017 with a
Jessica’s family includes her
major in business management,
parents (Anne and John Parker)
Jessica Parker is already
and older sister Janna. Two dogs
assuming responsibilities in her
and a cat complete the family
role as Early Childhood
portrait. Additionally, Jessica
Coordinator in Family Ministries.
admits to being a lover of
Working closely with Hannah
anything sweet (brownies,
Gourley and Martha Daniel,
anyone?), plus board games,
Jessica will be developing
puzzles, and volleyball.
relationships with families and
young children so that their faith
Jessica Parker
Early Childhood Coordinator
Julia Wrightstone
Administrative Assistant for
Stewardship Ministries
A graduate of Virginia Tech (B.S.
When asked to describe her
in Apparel Design &
sense of humor, her answer is
Merchandising), Julia brings
“silly…because I think made-up
much professional experience to
and unrealistic situations are
MPC. She has worked as a
really funny.” With
branch specialist at AAA in
unpredictable behaviors of our
Wexford, a secretary for Marshall
littlest worshippers, Jessica will
Township Municipal Sanitation
surely fit in well to her new
Authority, and a financial advisor
position at MPC.
for One Valley Bank in
Charleston, WV. ***
Julia Wrightstone is applying her
She and her husband Greg
administrative talents to the new
married and moved to
position of Administrative -continued on page 4-
THE GOOD NEWS
04 | STAFFING
Pittsburgh in 2000, blending
from every department within
located directly in front of the
their new family and raising
our ministries. Her challenge,
receptionist’s desk. Katie would
three boys and a daughter in
she admits, is to “preserve
love for visitors to stop by and
their McCandless home. A
individuals’ freedom of
say hello.
recent joy has been her new
expression while---at the same
granddaughter Chloe!
time--- keeping a collective focus
***
to what is made public.”
You may be surprised to know
We extend a warm welcome to
that Julia conquered the zip line
Jessica, Julia, and Katie and look
in the jungle of Costa Rica, but
forward to seeing their gifts
she admits that cooking and
flourish in our ministries. entertaining are her favorite
hobbies now. “I am happiest
when I am with family and
friends over a nice meal,” Julia
commented recently. “Gracious
and helpful” is her description of
her, and in turn, they are grateful
Katie Yarzebinski
Communications Coordinator
for all her contributions in
A graduate of Mt. Lebanon High
Stewardship Ministry.
School, University of Pittsburgh
MPC staff who work alongside
(Johnstown), and Chatham
***
University (Writing), Katie lives in
West Deer with her husband,
Finally, Katie Yarzebinski is the
Eddie, and black lab, Cody. She
new Communications
began her tenure at MPC on
Coordinator who is managing all
March 1st, and was most
external and internal messaging,
surprised by the staff’s birthday
plus social media. Formerly
cake for her on March 23rd. Even
employed in marketing and
as a new employee, she feels
admissions at Providence
appreciated and celebrated. One
Heights Alpha School, Katie
fact that might interest readers
brings her aesthetic design and
is that Katie spent a brief chapter
artistic eye to every publication
of her former life as a barista at
that exits her office. Old Faithful Inn in Yellowstone
FUN FACTS!
Match which ride at
Kennywood Amusement Park
is the FAVORITE
of each of our
featured newcomers
(answers can be
used more than once):
A. Pirate Ship
B. Swings
C. Log Jammer
D. Roller coaster
E. Merry-Go-Round
National Park. Currently, she is creating an MPC
Once you enter the
in color scheme and format to all
administrative area of the
visual and written communiqué church, her office is
Answers:
Jessica - D
Julia - D
Katie - B
‘brand’ that will bring consistency
THE GOOD NEWS
05 | FINANCIAL UPDATE
The Home Stretch!
B Y C A T H Y
P A V L O C K
When you hear “end of the year,”
Expenses continue to be well
money we needed when the unit
you probably think of snow and
under budget primarily due to a
broke. The expense savings year-
Christmas, not tulips and Spring!
mild winter and staff positions
to-date have allowed us to put an
But with the change in our fiscal
that have not yet been filled. This
extra $50,000 aside into our
year that Session approved in
year we were able to add line
Emergency Reserve Fund at
2015, our year now runs from
items in our budget for Long
Session’s direction to be used
June 1st - May 30th, so we are
Term Maintenance and a Reserve
towards correction of our water
coming into the home stretch. Fund. They started at 1% each in
retention issue. If we meet our
the 2016-2017 budget with a goal
giving budget, we plan to set aside
After starting the year strong in
of growing to 5% each over the
additional funds toward this
the summer and early fall, giving
next several years. Just like in
project.
lagged budget through the
your family budget, it is
middle of the year except for a
important for us to plan ahead
As always, if you have any specific
very strong December. In
and be prepared for obstacles or
questions, feel free to contact me
response to a reminder from
opportunities that come our way.
by phone (412.364.9492 x-105) or
Session in April, several people
The Long Term Maintenance
email at
realized that they weren’t where
budget provided funds for
[email protected].
they intended to be as far as
refinishing the Huston Room
Your tithes and offerings make
their tithes and offerings, and
floor, upgrading parking lot
the work we all do for God at
they generously “caught up,” so
lighting, and replacing a large
Memorial Park Church possible.
giving is now almost $3000
HVAC unit in the Clayton Center
Because you give, we are able to
AHEAD of budget going into our
that unexpectedly died. While
go where God is leading in our
final month of the year. Based
we were not able to set aside any
congregation, our community, our
on last year’s giving, we
money for future maintenance
country, and His world!
budgeted for another strong
needs, it was nice to start
month in May, so we need
catching up on some deferred
approximately $230,000 to end
maintenance and have the the year on target. Won’t you
take a moment to review your
giving and prayerfully consider
whether you have some catching
up to do as well? Please help us
finish strong!
THE GOOD NEWS
06| SUMMER HAPPENINGS
"Summer
Surge
Impact just
keeps on
getting
better!"
Above: Campers have a ball at Summer Surge.
Summer Surge
B Y
M A R T H A
D A N I E L
Summer Surge is quickly
begin memorizing Psalm 23!
is easy and online. To sign up,
approaching and we're excited
Junior Campers will have a
go to the MPC website, click on
for our 18th year! This year,
blast at the Maker's Fun
the banner or visit the
Session 1 is June 26-30;
Factory during their half-day
Children's Ministries page, and
Session 2 is July 10-14; and
camp. Crafts, games, snacks,
then on to Summer Surge.
Summer Surge Impact is July
stories, and all activities are
Please register as soon as
17-21.
"geared" for our younger
possible for the best choice of
campers!
electives in Day Camp. Friends
are definitely welcome. Invite
We're bringing back all your
favorite electives in Day Camp,
Summer Surge Impact just
your neighborhood or school
some with new twists. We're
keeps on getting better!
to join you!
also going to be doing a bunch
Besides the Climbing Wall,
of Initiative Games campers
Skyzone, and Kayaking at
Questions about camp can be
said they have missed. Our
Moraine, we have a few more
directed to Hannah Gourley
awesome staff is nearly
fun surprises for you. Kids
(Junior Camp) or Martha Daniel
complete, but there are still
currently in 5th or 6th grade
(Day Camp).
places where you can help.
can sign up for this
adventure camp. Registration
If you want to get a jump start,
THE GOOD NEWS
07| SUMMER HAPPENINGS
Summer Missionary Visits
B Y D O N
C R E A S Y
Partnerships, Relationships and
Overlapping by a few days in June,
Later in June and arriving in time to
Friendships. That is what has
our friends from Christian Camping
attend this year’s EPC General
developed over the decades with our
International will be arriving June 12:
Assemble (June 20-24) is Mr.
missionaries from around the world.
Dr. Lisa Umaña, her husband,
Samuel Sesay, our partner with
We have visited many of them over
Alfredo, and their two kids, Victor
EduNations in
the years. Very often we all get to
and Valerie. Lisa grew up here at
Sierra Leone. Samuel has just
spend time with them right here at
MPC and has been a missionary with
recently been appointed the
MPC, and this year is no exception.
Christian Camping International for
President of EduNations, so be
several decades. Lisa’s ministry
sure to say congratulations when
Our partners serving at Camp
focuses on developing curriculum
he visits! Samuel was on the
Kikomar in Mexico, Mirna Sotomayor
for Christian Camping in the Latin
ground in the midst of the Ebola
and Diana Garrett, will be visiting us
World. Last year Lisa's organization
crisis and not only
June 1-17. These two god-centered
provided camping training for our
survived, but flourished as
women, who have been partnering
partner in Sierra Leone! On June 26,
the Holy Spirit gave him great
with us for over 20 years, will be
North Park EPC will be hosting Lisa's
boldness to navigate unimaginable
staying with several MPC members
"Latin Lattes & American Pie"
situations. We hope you'll join us in
who have visited them in Mexico in
event, where you can hear, first-
welcoming our visitors this
the past. You'll be seeing them
hand, how our partnership with Lisa
summer!
coming and going, so be sure to say
is reaching thousands of kids in Latin
hello and give them a warm MPC
America with the Christian Camping
welcome! Maybe even invite them
experience. They will be around until
for lunch or a walk at North Park.
July 25, so be sure to say hello!
THE GOOD NEWS
08 | A NIGHT OF WORSHIP
A Night of Worship: Keith &
Kristyn Getty in Concert at MPC
B Y K A T I E
Y A R Z E B I N S K I
On April 30, Memorial Park
modern hymn writers. In re-
of 2016. It is estimated that 1.1
Church welcomed members,
inventing the traditional hymn
million people in 100 countries
friends, and neighbors for a
form, they have created a
across the earth sang the song
night of music and worship
catalogue of songs teaching
on that single day. The studio
with contemporary hymn
Christian doctrine and crossing
album, which is conceived
singer-songwriters Keith and
the genres of traditional,
from this hymn and its global
Kristyn Getty. This amazing
classical, folk, and
participation, features the
night couldn’t have turned out
contemporary composition
Getty’s band, live
better, and with the help of
which are sung the world over.
congregational singing, and
fresh global sounds as well as
staff and volunteers, all who
attended enjoyed the music
The concert was part of the
guest appearances by John
and incredible sense of
global release of “Facing a Task
Patitucci, Fernando Ortega,
community that brought us all
Unfinished” – the song, album,
and artists from around the
together in our faith.
and tour. The Gettys, together
world.
with global partners,
Keith and Kristyn Getty occupy
spearheaded the unparalleled
Bringing together the
a unique space in the world of
global hymn sing of “Facing a
surrounding community to
music today as preeminent Task Unfinished” in February
share in our faith was an
amazing experience, and we
can't wait for other
opportunities like this one to
share our spiritual gifts and
love of music with our friends,
family, and neighbors! We
hope to see you all for our next
event!
THE GOOD NEWS
09| EPC MINISTRY
"Hearing their
stories of seeing
children to young
adults being
transformed through
their congregations
has been an
incredible
encouragement."
Above: EPC ministry members gather for the committee dinner in April 2017. Pictured,
from left to right: Andy Koesters, David Baer, Drew Henderson, Enid Flores EPC College & Student Ministry
B Y A L L Y S O N
S V E D A
Since 2014, I have represented
to take a holistic view about
through the family life stages?
our Presbytery (the Presbytery
what we are calling “the arc.”
• How are congregations
of the Alleghenies) as part of the
The arc is a continuum. It
fulfilling their covenant promise
EPC’s Student and College
articulates what we as a
to children? Ministries Committee. Martha
denomination would like every
Daniel, Memorial Park’s Minister
life stage (from babies to young
These are fundamental
to Families, is also part of this 18
adults/adults) to learn and
questions that we are seeking to
member committee that meets
experience within the church.
answer. We want to build a
semi-annually at the EPC Office
We are asking important
solid Biblical foundation---one
of the General Assembly which
questions like:
that isn’t dependent on a
has recently moved from
• What specifically would we as a
particular church’s budget or a
Livonia, MI to Orlando, FL. church like people to know
congregation’s size. about the Bible and Jesus at this
Last year, our committee
particular life stage? At our most recent meeting in
merged with the Christian
• Do parents know that they
April, we discussed the EPC’s
Education Committee as we
hold the primary responsibility
strategic partnership with the
began our transition into what is
in educating their children about
CCO (Coalition for Christian
to become the “Next
Jesus?
Outreach, ccojubilee.org) and the
Generation Ministries Council"
• How can our denomination
recent Jubilee conference for
effective July 1, 2017. This
better equip these parents in a
college students, Reformed strategic consolidation allows us
very practical way as they go
-continued on page 10-
THE GOOD NEWS
10| EPC MINISTRY
Youth Ministry (middle and high
• Discussing the hiring and
motivated to follow the Lord’s
school students’ ministry,
retention of youth ministry staff.
leading and each member fully
rymonline.org), and World Outreach
• Updating website content and
understands the Kingdom impact
(Young adults, epcwo.org). I would
links.
for current and future generations
encourage you to learn more
• Finding ways to engage families
of Christians.
about these dynamic EPC partners
in covenant education. (Helping
and their distinctive missions.
parents to teach and disciple
Though I will still be helping on
While looking at the EPC website
children and congregations fulfill
committee work through the 2017
(epc.org), you can also learn more
their covenant/baptism promises
GA before my term ends, I wanted
about available resource materials.
to children).
you to know what a blessing this
• Creating blog, database, or web
group has been to me. It has been
Recent committee projects and
formats to share education
a pleasure to work alongside Rev.
current discussions are also
curricula throughout EPC church
Dr. Bill Enns, EPC Associate
addressing the areas of:
network.
Executive for Collaborative
• Establishing an evaluation tool for
Ministries and the amazing
• Planning presentations to
congregations to help select
committee members from across
highlight several of the “arc” age
curricula and study materials that
the country. I've met Teaching
groups for the General Assembly in
meet EPC standards.
Elders and Ruling Elders from
June 2017-Theme of Generation to
• Developing a document
Washington, California, Missouri,
Generation and “Reaching the Next
addressing adult training and
Michigan, Illinois, Georgia, Texas,
Generation for Jesus Christ.”
discipleship.
North Carolina, Florida, Iowa,
• Identifying and recruiting other
• Partnering with the Theology
Indiana, Colorado, and Puerto Rico.
Strategic Partners to complete the
Committee to update The
Hearing their stories of seeing
“Arc of Discipleship.”
Leadership Training Guide.
children to young adults being
transformed through their
• Collaborating with a focus group
While there are many projects that
congregations has been an
Training Guide.
are in different stages of incredible encouragement. They
completion, this committee is are now my friends and a
snerhA ekuL ,trawetS nwahS ,serolF dinE :thgir ot tfel morF
reviewing the Adult Leadership
wonderful network of believers. Thanks for your support in
allowing me to represent our
Presbytery and congregation on
this national level. It has truly been
an honor. Above: From left to right: Rev. Dr. Bill Enns,
Ruth Enns, Allyson Sveda, Carolyn Hiller
THE GOOD NEWS
11| WOMEN'S MINISTRY
"There’s something
so sweet in spending
time to enjoy each
other after we’ve
studied God’s Word
together."
above: Ladies gathered to serve together creating Mother's Day Spa baskets for Light of
Life Rescue Mission
Working for Light of Life Women's Program
B Y M I C H E L E
H O L M E S
What do Paul’s Letter to the
to bless them with spa baskets for
Galatians, spa baskets, and DiBella’s
Mother’s Day and to pray that they
subs have in common? They were all
too would be blessed by Christ’s
enjoyed by a group of MPC ladies
freedom in their lives.
this past week!
The contents of these baskets were
The Houston Room has been packed
the result of 2 months of gathering
on Wednesday mornings for the
spa products from our church
past month, full of women thirsty to
family. Joleen and I were so blessed
grab hold of what freedom in Christ
by the witness of generosity MPC
means. Our study of Galatians has
showed in this gathering process! If
been rich with challenge, as Paul
you stepped into our office at any
urges the Galatians to step into the
point in March or April, you couldn’t
fullness of gospel freedom and God
miss the literal mountain of spa
has been urging each of us to do the
products that poured in and
same.
cascaded in piles around our desks!
Thank you, MPC, for your giving
As a response to this freedom in
hearts and for playing your part to
Christ, some of these ladies chose to
bless these women on Mother’s
join us in blessing the ladies of the
Day! Light of Life Women's Program.
These women's lives have been
And what about those DiBella’s
seriously derailed by homelessness,
subs? Yum! That was the
addiction, and abuse. We gathered
celebration that we enjoyed once
the work was done, the baskets
packed and prayed over, every
woman receiving a hand-written
note of encouragement from one
of our ladies. There’s something so
sweet in spending time to enjoy
each other after we’ve studied
God’s Word together and
participated in serving others as an
outpouring of what God’s working
in our hearts.
Sound fun? We’d love to have you
join us next time! Women’s
Ministries is beginning a 5-week
summer study using “For the Life
of the World” on Wed. May 31 at
10:00 a.m. and again at 7 p.m., and
we’d love to have you join us! Sign
up online or call the Women’s
Ministries office. We’re looking
forward to hearing from you!
THE GOOD NEWS
12| UPCOMING EVENTS
SAVE THE DATE!
THE GOOD NEWS
VOLUME 01 | ISSUE 01 MAY 2017
Memorial Park Church
8800 Peebles Road, Allison Park, PA 15101
412.364.9492 | www.MemorialParkChurch.org
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