Quiet Days
Quiet Days, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Southeast Conference, will be held on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3, 2024, at the church from 9:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Please press the Handicap Button to open the door for entry to the Roberts' Room.
​
Please bring your own morning drink, snacks, and lunch. Coffee and tea will be provided. For any questions, please contact Gail Gerhard, telephone number 215-679-6523.
Women's Fellowship
Tuesday, April 2nd at 1:00 p.m. in the Confirmation Room located on the lower level of the Christian Ed Building. Our guest is Mr. Dan Boylan, Beekeeper and past President Montgomery County Beekeepers Association, who will offer his presentation From Flower to Bee to Honey: Beekeeping and Beyond.
Take a tour of the world of beekeeping in this program presented by Montgomery County beekeeper Dan Boylan. You’ll learn the difference be-tween the various stinging insects you find in your garden and the different roles honeybees have in the hive. A little beekeeping history is also thrown in as well as how bees keep order in the hive. After the lecture, you’ll be able to taste the honeys and sample other products from the hive.
Everyone is invited to join in this informative gathering. Refreshments and a brief Women’s Fellowship business meeting will follow the presentation.
Installation of Rev. Erick Kern
The Ursinus Association and the Pennsylvania South-East Conference of the United Church of Christ are pleased to install the Rev’d Erick Kern as Associate Pastor of New Goshenhoppen Church on Sunday, April 14 at the 10:30 a.m. service.
Rev’d Erick and his lovely wife, Dona, came to New Goshenhoppen following his retirement from full-time parish ministry in January 2023. Rev’d Kern said, “I’m retired and give me a year to rest and restore.”
Pastor Dave gave him a year and then asked if he would consider joining the staff of New Goshenhoppen. He and Dona pondered the request and said, “yes.”
(Yes, we will have the 8:00 a.m. service that day with a different liturgy.)
Sunday School
Sunday, April 14 is Bring a Friend Day to Sunday School! Everyone should ask a friend, neighbor, parent, or grandparent to join them in Sunday School that day. We will have a special snack and a gift for each visitor!
​
Youth Groups are Busy in April!
On Saturday, April 13th we will be helping serve at the Outdoor Ministries Spaghetti Supper from 4:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. We need as many helpers as possible for this service project.
On Sunday, April 21st the Youth Groups will be gathering after late church for a faith builder activity and fun event. The location is TBD.
Outdoor Ministry Spaghetti Supper Fundraiser
Saturday, April 13th from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.
Spaghetti (all you can eat), salad bar, dessert, and beverage.
Adults $13 and children 5 to 12 $6. Children under 5 are free.
Tickets at the door.
Proceeds support our summer programs and New Goshenhoppen Camper Scholarships.
Organ Dedication Concert
Sunday, April 28th @ 3 pm, Maestro Hector Olivera
​
Maestro Olivera sitting at the former console of the great pipe organ of the Cathedral of Notre Dame.
Our new Allen Hybrid Pipe-Digital Organ was designed by Maestro Olivera and our console bears a signature plate with his name. This concert is a gift from Allen Organ to our congregation and community. Please invite your friends and family to join us for this spectacular afternoon of music.
Since entering the Buenos Aires Conservatory as a child prodigy at age six, Maestro Hector Olivera has become one of the most sought-after and revered international concert organists of the present time..
“The Times Reporter” describes an evening with Mr. Olivera as: “An event, a happening, a joyful celebration of the sheer power and pressure that a true virtuoso like Hector Olivera can unleash in a concert hall.”
Born in Buenos Aires, Mr. Olivera began playing the pipe organ when he was three. At age five, he played for the legendary Eva Perón; at twelve, he entered the University of Buenos Aires and, by eighteen, had performed for heads of state and celebrities throughout Latin America. When offered a scholarship to the renowned Juilliard School of Music in New York, he moved to the United States.
Maestro Olivera has performed solo concerts throughout the USA, Europe, Asia, Australia, Central and Latin America, and as a guest soloist with prominent symphony orchestras worldwide.
In 2023, Maestro Hector Olivera received the prestigious “Delta Omicron Gold Crest,” awarded to musicians with an outstanding musical career, reputation, and international renown.
Hector Olivera continues to dazzle audiences with his prodigious technical proficiency and his charismatic stage personality. Whether in a prestigious venue like Carnegie Hall, Royal Albert Hall, Cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris, Constitution Hall, or Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, the most sophisticated and demanding organ aficionados claim that Maestro Hector Olivera is “one of the finest organists in the world today.”
Full Moon Campfires are Back!
The first campfire for this season is on Tuesday, April 23rd.
We will gather at the Prayer Wall around 7:30 p.m. Sunset is close to 7:45 p.m. and the full moon is technically at 7:48 p.m.
Hoping for a clear sky that evening. Rain cancels, of course. Since we are at the first campfire, there will be hot dogs to roast if you are interested.
Feel free to bring a snack for sharing. Bring a lawn chair and your own beverage.
Summer Camping Programs
The Day Camp and Mission Camp schedules and registration forms are available at the Fellowship Hall entrance, Sanctuary entrances, and Social Room. You can also find all the information on the camping page >
Full day camps are for campers ages 5 to 12. Full day campers must have completed kindergarten. There is a half day option for pre-school ages 4-5.
The first camp is the week of June 17th due to park scheduling. It is a sports themed camp. The regular day camp schedule begins July 5th and camps end July 26th.
There are Christmas and Science themed camps and also the last camp of the summer is called “Just Plain Camp.”
The Mission camp, for campers ages 13 to 17, is a short event beginning Saturday morning, June 29th and ending Monday afternoon, July 1st.
There is an Early Bird price special which ends April 30th.
Outdoor Ministry is looking for volunteers to help in a variety of support services: pre-paring meals for Mission Campers, doing Jesus time for the week or even for one or two days, preparing snacks, and more.
Outdoor Ministry is also accepting applications for paid positions as staff for the season. For additional information email camp@newgoshucc.org. All volunteer and paid positions require background clearances. We will help you with that process.
Capital Campaign
As approved by the Congregation in November at the Annual Meeting, a mailing announcing and seeking pledges and gifts over a 3-year period will arrive in your mailbox by early March to fund several capital projects that need immediate care around the church property.
The roof on the parsonage has reached the end of its useful life and if you look at the roof you will discover several replacement shingles put in place where we have lost a shingle. In March, Jurin Roofing Services will replace the roof by removing the old roof, installing new barrier material, and then putting on new shingles.
The flooring throughout the Christian Education Wing dates to the construction of the building in 1959. Much of it is asbestos and will need to be properly sealed and
then a new floor covering placed over it. Also, the carpeting in the vestibule and staircases will be replaced as it has reached the end of its life. Finesse Flooring of Green Lane has been selected to perform the work.
The total cost of the project will be $165,000.00. By action of the congregation, we will borrow those funds from the Meadows Fund to be repaid in a three year period. It is the hope of the Consistory that we can retire the debt “sooner than later” as we prepare for the 300th Anniversary of the New Goshenhoppen Church.
Outdoor Ministry Committee Spring/Mother's Day Fundraiser
OMC is taking orders for Wendy’s Flowers Gift Cards. Each gift card costs $25.00 and is redeemable at Wendy’s Flowers locations in Gilbertsville and Barto. Gift cards may be used to purchase any item(s) in Wendy’s shops (gifts, vegetable plants, flowers, etc.) with a total value of $25.00. Gift cards are valid until May 2029. Outdoor Ministry receives $5.00 for each gift card purchased.
​
Orders may be placed on the forms available on the table in the Social Room or the table outside Fellowship Hall. Or contact Delores Schuler, Debra Brauner, Lois Anastas, Gail Gerhard, or Donna Fried to place an order. The deadline to order a gift card is April 28th. Gift cards may be paid for and picked up on Sunday, May 5th after worship services.
​
Questions? Ask any of the people listed above. Why not buy two gift cards? Buy one for a special person and one for yourself!
Women's Fellowship
Please join us Saturday, May 4th at 11:00 a.m. in Fellowship Hall for “Ladies Tea.” Bring your favorite teacup, if you wish. Join in the fun and fellowship as we enjoy various teas, tea sandwiches, soup, and sweets. Tickets are required. Price is $11.00 per person age 12 and older. (Under 12 are free.) Deadline for purchasing tickets is Sunday, April 28th.
​
Women’s Fellowship will continue to meet through the summer months as follows:
Monday, June 3 at 9:30 a.m. in the Church Park for coffee klatch. Please bring your coffee cup and a lawn chair.
​
Monday, July 1 at 5:00 p.m. in the Church Park for a doggie roast. Please bring a covered dish to share. Hot dogs, rolls, and cold beverages will be pro-vided.
​
Monday, August 5 at 1:30 p.m. in Church Bell Garden for an ice cream social.
Make Music Upper Perk
Make Music Upper Perk plans are well underway for the 12th Annual Event, this year on Friday, June 21st. This community wide music festival is FREE! And Open to the Public!
Beginning on February 1, Musician Registration opened and will remain open until April 20th. All ages, musical styles, and abilities are welcome to register for the June 21 event, held in five different towns in the Upper Perkiomen Valley.
Solo acts, duos, groups of any size can sign up to participate in this free community-wide music festival. If you’d like to join in as a musician or volunteer, or know someone who might, go to ValleyArtScene.wordpress.com for more information.
During the month of March, the focus is on the “Make the Music Happen” campaign, gathering funds from grass roots supporters who enthusiastically choose to help finance this fun day. There’s much to celebrate as the community comes together on the longest day of the year to enjoy music and friendship. All donations are welcome via Pay-Pal or printing a form and mailing a check, both accessible at ValleyArtScene.wordpress.com.
Mark your calendar to join the fun and enjoy the music on Friday June 21st! Sing -- play – listen – volunteer -- donate!.