Worship at 10am Sundays. All are Welcome!
As we head into 2024, let us remember what has happened in the past 3 years that led us to this point in time. Rev. Karen Kinney designated 3-year term as our Pastor concluded on December 31, 2023, and we are very appreciative of her services and time spent with us at Christ Presbyterian Church of the Slate Belt. A farewell party to celebrate her time spent with us was held on December 31, 2023, with over 60 members and guests in attendance. The luncheon was a success, and everyone had a great time at this celebration. Many thanks to Rev. Kinney for her time spent with us and the work she accomplished here at CPCSB. She has lead us on a path forward and with her guidance, determination, patience, and many hours spent with multiple leaders and members from our church, we believe that we should follow this path heading into 2024 to try to accomplish goals that have been set for us at CPCSB.
Our Session will meet monthly during 2024 with Rev. Ed Freeborn as our Session Moderator. He will always be available if help is needed. Our Session has 4 new members heading into 2024 and we are very appreciative of other Session members and other leaders of the church since our merger back in 2019. Many things have been accomplished here at CPCSB since the merger and we need to continue this momentum as we proceed into 2024. Our Team/Committees will continue to meet and discuss items that need attention at CPCSB. In this Session Newsletter you will see what was discussed, especially leading up to Easter as we work our way through the first quarter of the year. If you need anything and if you feel we can be of help to you, please call the church office at 610-588-4864.
Thank you, the Session!
We would like to welcome Makayla Pickens, Diane Newman, Mary Detrick, and Joseph Zito as new Elders serving on our Session and would like to thank all Session members who have served in the past. THANK YOU!
Our Session met on Sunday, January 21, 2024. Here is a summary of the meeting: Welcoming of new Moderator, Rev. Ed Freeborn, and our new Session members, approval of meeting minutes from December 2023, financial reports for December and 2023 and Team/Committee reports. There were numerous active members who agreed to serve on Teams/Committees, Active members who took on responsibilities dealing with our Finance Team and church staff, Worship business including Pulpit Supply discussion, Communion schedule and Lenten service schedules that lead up to Easter Sunday, Mission Team Events for 2024, Nominating Committee Chairperson elections, Youth Team discussion, Membership discussion, Pastor Nominating Committee discussion, Snow Emergency discussion, Annual Meeting to approve Team reports for 2023 (date TBA), Per Capita and Mission Pledge support for Presbytery, Reports being submitted to Lehigh Presbytery, Lehigh Presbytery’s next meeting and Membership visitations and Home Communions. Our next meeting is scheduled for Sunday, February 18, 2024.
Our Session met on Sunday, February 18, 2024. Here is a summary of the meeting: Administrative Commission and Finance Commission will now be the “Operations” group. Finance Reports for January 2024 approved. The Lenten schedule completed through Easter Sunday with pulpit supplies to preach all Sundays through Easter, Shared Ministry Book Review of the book “A Witness at the Cross” (our church hosting two times starting on February 21st), Mission Team has started it’s Back- Pack Buddies program which ended on February 25th, along with OGHS which just started. Non-perishable food items always being collected, Hospitality Lunches have started back up in January, Property Team met with planning for 2024, Nominating Committee to elect three active members to serve on their committee for 2024, Youth Group Shared Ministry gathering at our church on February 25th, Commissioner representation from our church at a Lehigh Presbytery meeting in February, Pastor Nominating Committee still searching and interviewing for full time Pastor, Mother’s Day Tea Celebration on May 11th, Sight and Sound Trip planned in the spring, Year-end reports from Committees/Teams reviewed and scheduled a Congregational Meeting on March 10, 2024 to review and approve reports from 2023 with our Stated Session meeting the same day, Maundy Thursday service at East Stroudsburg Presbyterian Church and Good Friday service at Stroudsburg First Presbyterian Church.
Our Session met on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Here is a summary of the meeting: Earlier in the day there was a Congregational Meeting to approve Team/Committee/Financial Reports from 2023. The meeting was a success and was Moderated by Rev. Ed Freeborn. Session met after this meeting and approved our Financial Report and the Finance Team and Personnel merged into the Operations Group. Our Elders were approved to conduct and serve Holy Communion and that was a success. Maundy Thursday service was held at the East Stroudsburg Presbyterian church and the Good Friday service held at the Stroudsburg Presbyterian Church while we had our Easter service led by Rev. Byron Leasure. Our Joint Ministry Lenten Book Study on 6 consecutive Wednesday nights was completed and successful. Great participation and “FOOD!!!” Our Mission Team continues their projects, and our Property Team also continues to take care of our property and has donated Bibles, Old Hymnals and two 8 MM Projectors and one Reel to Reel Projector. Our Nominating Committee has three new members elected from our Congregation to serve for one year on the Committee. Youth Shared Ministry continues their gatherings and at their latest gathering they made soap and talked about the meaning of each soap created. Our Pastor Nominating Committee continues their search to find us a new Pastor. We have started to review our current church policies and will shortly finish all reviews. Our next Session meeting has not been scheduled. Stay tuned for further updates from our Session.
We are always looking for members and friends of CPCSB to help serve our church.
We Support Local Nonprofits such as: P.U.M.P., Meals on Wheels, and Bloom for Women.
During the Season of Lent and Easter, we promoted the One Great Hour of Sharing offering which supports our neighbors-in-need around the world through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and the Self-Development of People Program. These 3 programs help to advance the causes of justice, resilience, and sustainability.
We have ongoing mission outreach by collecting food items for PUMP food pantry, coins for Meals on Wheels, monthly Hospitality Luncheons (last Saturday of month, January through October). Out prayer Shawl Ministry is active in providing shawls to anyone needing comfort during difficult times. We also contribute needed items to both the area school districts through the Slater Family Network and Families First Networks.
Our Property Team donated 75 Bibles to the Wyoming Valley Presbyterian church, 50 hymnals to the Wyoming United Presbyterian church, 2 eight-millimeter and 1 reel-to-reel slide projectors to be refurbished and gifted to a good home and has sold 84 metal chairs and a chair cart for $425. Also recycled many items at Staples. We are looking to purchase two signs to be installed on Route 512 and Kennedy Drive. Landscaping has also been restarted at our Cemetery. If you are interested in a plot purchase, please see a team member.
Please join us for a family-friendly Victorian Tea. Hosted by Christ Presbyterian Church of the Slate Belt
Date: Saturday, May 11th 2024
Time: 1-4 pm
Location: Fellowship Hall
332 Kennedy Drive
Bangor PA 18013
No charge ~ Reservations are required
(There will be a craft table for the children.)
Please contact the church office
610.588.4864 or office@christpcsb.org
April: Valerie Blakeslee, Chrissy Dania, James Davey, Mary Detrick, Kelsey DiBilio, Jane Miller, Alyson Mucha, Bryan Stout, Barb Taylor, Betty Woolley.
May: Rich Altemose, Laura Falcone, Sarah Kiefer, Jason Iaccio, Mia Livingston, Kari Pickens, Bob Smith, Ethan Stout, Al Zito, Rev. Karen Kinney, Nancy Stump.
Janet Pickens, Donna Bisher and Pat Lambert are now part of our Nominating Committee representing our Congregation for 1 year. Congratulations.
There are Youth Group activities on the horizon. Last gathering, “soap making” and the spiritual meaning behind each soap. Pastor Nicki Vogel at East Stroudsburg PC will be organizing them. Her contact information is pastornickiv@gmail.com or call the church at (570) 421-5821.
New Elders Mary Detrick, Dianne Newman, Joseph Zito, and Makayla Pickens were installed and/or ordained during a worship service.
As the Pastor Nominating Committee continues to do its work, please welcome the following:
April 7: Rev. Byron Leasure
April 14: Rev. Byron Leasure
April 21: Rev. Jan Carter
April 28: Rev. Byron Leasure
May 5: Rev.
May 12: Rev.
May 19: Rev.
May 26: Rev.
Liturgist and Communion servers for 2024 wanted!
Look for the sign-up sheets on the table with the bulletins.
Ruling Elders took part serving the Elements for Communion during a worship service.
Home Communion to our members has been served by Elders and helpers this year. If you know of any members who would like Home Communion, please let us know.
Our Finance Team and Personnel Committee are now in one group: Operations!
Thanks to everyone who took part in submitting year end reports for 2023. Job Well Done!
Session has started to reaffirm our current church policies for 2024.
Our Lenten Shared Ministry Book Study was a success. Thanks to everyone who participated from all churches and thanks to everyone who helped prepare the meals.
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