St Croix Reformed Church

ANNOUNCEMENTS from ST CROIX REFORMED CHURCH

Dick Smith Passes

We are saddened to learn of the death of Dick Smith on June 3rd. He passed away due to complications from surgery. We will greatly miss him.

His wife, Blanche’s address is

203 Dove Lane

Marmora, N.J. 08223

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! 

With school summer vacation here My Brothers’ Table needs volunteers. This church-sponsored feeding ministry serves up nutritious lunches Monday through Friday. It is located on Queen Street in Frederiksted one block north of the post office.  Volunteers help serve drinks and meals from 11:45 to 12:45. 

Elizabeth Peacock is the Volunteer Coordinator. Her number is 778-8226. Rides are available if needed.

Do you have some time this summer to donate to cleaning or painting? We have some small projects around the building in need of attention. Contact Pastor Rod.

Visit our website for photos and more announcements. http://stcroixreformed.org

Please forward this announcement to other friends in the church and invite them to SUBSCRIBE to our website’s email newsletter feature.

Jazz Vespers’ Las’ Lap for the Season is Sunday, June 6th at 5:30.
Take a musical journey of original compositions and other great music with Elvis Pedro, He’s joined by Marsvyn David, Loren Hughes, and Toby Derima. Refreshing vocals by Khema Loving June 6th 5:30-6:30 at the St Croix Reformed Church. Please bring friends and free will offering!

In other news: HALLELUJAH! ….the potholes on the road leading up to the church have been filled. Please show your appreciation by repeatedly driving over them to join us for worship and upcoming events.

Several important announcements….

The Consistory Nominating Committee is beginning the work of identifying new elders and deacons. The committee members are: Ethel Ritch, Carole Wells, Dulce Crowther , Julie Hansen-Hodge, Harold Jenkins, and the pastor. If you feel they should consider someone –please suggest that name to one of them.

The consistory would like to establish a Long Range Planning Committee. If you would like to be part of that committee please raise your hand or talk to the pastor.

Palm Sunday Volunteer Decorator Needed:
In previous years Dick Smith has decorated our church for Palm Sunday. This year he has to pass this opportunity to someone else. Please talk to the pastor or Dick Smith if you can handle this opportunity.

Also, we need a volunteer to teach the Middle Sunday School on Mar 21 and 27. Please talk to the pastor if you are willing to do this.

Thanks,

Rod

StXRevRod@aol.com

http://www.stcroixreformed.org

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Just Added:

I have just received this prayer request from World Vision, and organization that many of us support.

Dear Pastor,

It is with a sad heart that I write to you about a terrible loss to the World Vision family. Six staff members were killed in a brutal and senseless attack on our offices in the Mansehra District of Pakistan. Additionally, eight employees are hospitalized with injuries after the unprovoked assault by gunmen. Four of the staff have been released from the hospital.

World Vision has temporarily suspended our operations in Pakistan, but we remain committed to helping children, families, and communities in this country.

As World Vision mourns our colleagues we ask you to join us in praying for the families of our staff members and the people they serve in Pakistan, including those who respond to kindness with violence.

President, World Vision

Rick Stearns, President
www.worldvision.org

Jon Norton, Executive Pastor of The Synod of New York, to which our church belongs,  recently visited St Croix and posted some notes about our church and the St. Thomas church in his newsletter to the Synod.

I’ve excerpted some of his comments here:

REGIONAL SYNOD OF NEW YORK
SECOND WEDNESDAY NEWS
February 2010

REGIONAL SYNOD WEBSITE IS UP and RUNNING…The address is www.nysynod.com.  It contains the latest news and events, columns, prayer chapel, picture gallery, media player, and even your local classis pages.

NOTES FROM the CARIBBEAN…

            The churches of the Regional Synod have responded generously to the Haiti relief effort. In addition to monetary gifts, other churches have been working at uniting orphaned children with their families here in the States. Many are assembling cleaning kits, baby kits, school kits and personal hygiene kits.  Thank You All  for your generosity and your prayers!

            I was supposed to have been in the delegation from the RCA that was in Port Au Prince when the earthquake struck.  I would have been in the house with Rev. James Seawood, current General Synod President and pastor of Brighton Heights Reformed Church, Staten Island, when it collapsed.  Because I went to St. Thomas for their 350^th Anniversary celebrations, I missed the Haiti trip.

            More than 350 people came for the 350^th celebrations at St. Thomas.  The church was packed and the balcony filled.  There were 5 preachers, most of whom stayed within their 5 minute time limit.  There was lots of music, lots of smiles and lots of happy remembrances.  It was a day of rejoicing!  In addition to the anniversary celebrations, the church family is excited about their call to the Rev. Jeffrey Neevel to be their new pastor.  Jeff has been a very effective associate pastor for a while and is moving quickly into the hearts of the people and the many effective ministries of the church within the community.

            Rev. Rodney Koopmans is the pastor of the church at St. Croix.  They have a very lively Jazz vespers that meets on a regular basis.  As a co-sponsor of an ecumenical feeding program, the needs of some of those in financial crisis on the island are met. 

The St Croix church also houses a school for challenged children founded and run by Janie Koopmans.  It is one of only a very few such schools in the whole Caribbean.  They have a waiting list of children wanting to attend.  As always finances are a challenge; contributions would be welcome.

            We can be proud of our two churches in the Caribbean and their ministries.  We can be proud of the work we are doing to help found the Reformed Church of the Dominican Republic.  All these churches are growing in numbers as they minister in the name of Jesus Christ.

 –Jon Norton, RSNY Executive Minister

OPENING DOORS TO DISCIPLESHIP…Online training program equips educators…

Go to the website: www.openingdoorstodiscipleship.com.  You will need to register first, then log in.  The RCA denominational code 59315 is needed to register. If you have questions or need help, please contact Kathy Dykhuis (kdykhuis@rca.org).

–

from www.stcroixreformed.org

Our Spaghetti Dinner and Auction takes place this Friday, January 29, 2010 at 6 pm.

Tickets are on-sale at the door. Volunteers are needed for set-up, serving, and clean-up. 

Thank-you

Pastor Rod

Thursday December 31st, at 5:45 a.m. Interfaith hosts World Peace prayer service at the gazebo by the fort in Christiansted. Join us for this neet predawn service.

Stay after church on Sunday January 3rd and help take down the advent and Christmas decorations.

<span style="font-family: arial; color: black; span style=”font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;”>Remember Jazz Vespers at 5:30 Sunday the 2nd as well.

Friday Jan 8, 2010 5:45 p.m. (notice the time difference!), Cruzan Cocktails at Koopmans. Ron Lockhorst, our interim pastor from 1996-97 will be here for a brief visit.All welcome.

Consistory approved a budget line for some secretarial hours for the church office. If you would like further details please contact the pastor.

Wishing everyone a happy and blest new year.

-Rod

The annual Hurricane Thanksgiving Service is November 11, 5:00 p.m. at the clock tower in Frederiksted, bring a friend.

The Women’s organizational group meeting will be held at 5:30 Wednesday November 11. Bring a sack dinner and drink. We will discuss plans for the angel tree, our annual Christmas party and Yankee Gift Exchange, and the spaghetti dinner.

National Hunger and Homeless Week is November 15-21. Members of Congregations are asked to bring donations of non-perishable foods and be in prayer for those who are severely economically disadvantaged.

Thanksgiving Day, November 26, you are invited to the Koopmans at 33 Longpoint for Thanksgiving Dinner. Event begins at 3:00 pm. Bring your favorite dish to share, or call to find out what is needed or if you need directions.

The Advent Preparation “Soup , Salad, and Sandwich” Luncheon follows the November 29th worship service. Bring something to share, help decorate the church for Advent, set up the stable, etc. Sign-up sheet on the back table as you enter the Fellowship Hall.

May 28, 2009

Exciting events are occurring here in the Carribean. With help from the Reformed Church in America, a new Reformed denomination has been launched! The Dominican Reformed Church was launched this past week.

For further details see: http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=5705

Next week I’ll be attending General Synod in Holland, Michigan

The webpage for that event is: http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=2059

Also, the Kingshill School, which is a mission of St.  Croix Reformed Church is featured in the spring addition of RCA Today,  find the article at: http://www.rca.org/Page.aspx?pid=5604

(reposted for Rev Rod by Neil)

I found this interesting link. It is an on-line book about the history of the Reformed Church on St. Thomas and St. Croix.

Click here for the link to the online book