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MAPC UPDATE

Vol. XXXII, No. 10
December 2007

 

 

 

 

At Christmas time, when we feel especially blessed, many of us ask how we might help those who are not as fortunate as we at MAPC. The Christmas Joy Offering is a wonderful way to do that by supporting individuals in need in the Presbyterian community.

This annual offering provides assistance to two groups. Half the funds provide financial assistance to nine racial ethnic schools and colleges supported by the Presbyterian Church (USA) that provide a quality education to students in the profession of their choice. What makes these schools unique is a learning environment that supports and nurtures students’ racial heritage, with special programs that help students gain the confidence and skills they need to go out into the world in leadership positions. The other half of the Christmas Joy Offering provides financial assistance and emergency grants to retired and active ministers and church workers in financial need. These resources help them to maintain independence in retirement, to meet housing needs, and to pay for medical or other needs in an emergency. Recipients say the financial assistance is important, but knowing the Church stands with them at their time of need is just as important! Please give generously to the Christmas Joy Offering on the Fourth Sunday in Advent, December 23. Offering envelopes are included in this issue of UPDATE in case you will not be in worship that day, but will also be inserted in the bulletins for that day. Thank you!

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Congregational Nurture Calendar

Sunday, December 16, 1 pm; the 20s/30s will meet for a special holiday gathering.

Wednesday, January 9, 8 - 8:30 am; Parents’ Prayer Group meets in the Phillips Lounge. Parents of teens and young adults are invited to attend this group that meets for a half hour every other Wednesday morning. Participants reflect together on a scripture passage, share prayer concerns and pray together. The group provides valuable support to one another as they parent their children through these challenging years.

Friday, January 11, 8 pm; The Mid-Timers have a block of fifteen tickets for the Irish Repertory Theatre’s production of George Bernard Shaw’s The Devil’s Disciple. Tickets are $30 each, and we will find a restaurant nearby for dinner before the show. If you would like to attend, please contact Beverly Bartlett at 212-288-8920 x247 or bab@mapc.com.

The Irish Repertory Theatre says, “The Devil’s Disciple”, Bernard Shaw’s crackling comedy set in the middle of the American War of Independence, is the story of the rascal, Dick Dudgeon, a young revolutionary brought up in a harshly puritan home, who finds himself starved for a true religion. His passionate belief in the right to human happiness lands him smack in the middle of a masquerade which could result in dangerous, indeed, life-threatening consequences. Shaw's superb wit and wisdom send us reeling toward a series of delicious revelations in this timely play which could well have been ripped from tomorrow’s newscast.”

Saturday, January 12, 10 - noon; Families with Young Children will meet on the 5th floor of the Church House. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet and enjoy the company of other MAPC families. Families with children ages 5 and under, and older siblings, are welcome. We’ll have a light breakfast of bagels and fruit, lots of play and conversation, and at 11:15 we’ll have music followed by a story. RSVP to Arabel Bello at the church office, 212-288-8920 x 245, or aeb@mapc.com.

Monday, January 14, 3pm; Seniors Unlimited will meet in the Parish Hall. Our special guest will be Peter James Spielmann of the Associated Press. Mr. Spielmann will share with us his experiences and video from Antarctica. In 1995 he was sent to Antarctica for the Associated Press and spent two weeks at the McMurdo base. He also visited the Scott Base run by New Zealand and was fortunate enough to spend three days at the South Pole base. He will speak with us briefly, then take us on a flight to Antarctica through the video tape he shot, which shows life on the bases, the landscape–and penguins. Mr. Spielmann is currently an editor and supervisor on AP’s North America desk. He has taught at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism since 1989. Come enjoy this unique opportunity to learn about and view a part of the world most of us will never see first-hand.
Please let us know you’re coming so we’ll have plenty of refreshments. RSVP to Arabel Bello at 212-288-8920 x245 or aeb@mapc.com. Bring a friend!

Tuesday, January 15, 10:30 am to noon; the MAPC Knitters will meet in the Hood Library. This group is open to knitters and crocheters of all levels. You are welcome to bring a project you are working on for yourself, or to knit items to be given to the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter or Inwood House. Scarves and hats for people who are homeless and baby items for the residents of Inwood House are always welcome. For more information contact Beverly Bartlett at the church.

Wednesday, January 23, 8 - 8:30 am; Parents’ Prayer Group meets in the Phillips Lounge.

Save the date!!
January 25, 2008 is our annual cabaret evening. You won’t want to miss “Live from MAPC: It’s Improv Night!” Our special guests this year are members of the Improv theater group, “Improvolution.” The evening will begin at 6:30 pm with appetizers, followed by dinner and the evening’s entertainment–with fellowship and laughter throughout! With Improvolution, we are all part of the show, as they take our ideas and suggestions and act them out on the spot. This will be an event that is sure to brighten a cold January evening. The cost for the evening is $30. Watch for sign-up sheets during fellowship hour on January Sundays. You can also make reservations through the church office by calling Arabel Bello at 212-288-8920, x245, or aeb@mapc.com.

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The 921 Fund Passes Critical Milestone

We recently passed the $7 million mark and are now well on our way to The 921 Fund’s $20 million goal! This sets us over one-third of the way there, with only 20% of MAPC’s members pledging so far. Those who have pledged have already made payments of $3.5 million toward satisfying their obligation; please remember to make your annual installment before the end of the year.

If you have yet to pledge and would like to do so before the New Year, please contact the offices of The 921 Fund at MAPC 212-288-8920 x256.

– Jack and Nancy Hobson

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Malawi Christmas Cards

As part of our partnership with peoples of faith in Africa, MAPC sells Christmas cards from Malawi. Under Reverend Kachipapa’s leadership, young women and men draw and paint the cards. This year’s collection depicts different parts of the Christmas story as reflected in the culture of Malawi. We encourage you to view this collection that reminds us again that Christ’s message is for people throughout the world.

Cards will be on sale after both morning services through Sunday, December 16. The larger cards are 4 for $5 and the smaller cards are 5 for $5. All proceeds from card sales go to the Nkhoma Synod Youth Department in Malawi.

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Year-End Contributions

This is my annual reminder of the IRS rules concerning year-end contributions of cash and securities. In general, the delivery date determines the year in which a contribution can be claimed as a deduction. More specifically, checks mailed with a postmark of December 31, 2007 or earlier will be credited as a contribution in 2007. Hand-delivered checks, before December 31, 2007, will be credited as Year 2007 contributions; after January 1, 2008, they will be credited as Year 2008 contributions.

For gifts of securities, the date of mailing is the delivery date; if hand delivered, the date of receipt by the charity is the delivery date. When securities are delivered from a donor’s bank or broker, the delivery date is the date the securities are transferred to the charity.
The Church Business Office can assist you in making year-end gifts of securities by using its account with Merrill Lynch. Please call me for the Merrill Lynch DTC number and the Church’s account number, so the transfer of shares can be made electronically.
Please note that the Church offices will be closing at 1 pm on Monday, December 31, 2007.

Note: The above is not meant to be tax advice. It is presented so that you can complete your gift and receive a tax deduction in the year that you want it. If you have any questions about year-end gifting of securities, please consult your accountant or tax advisor.

– J. Richard Frey, MAPC Business Manager

Important Notice

To ensure the deductibility of your church contributions, please do not file your 2007 income tax return until you have received a written acknowledgment of your contributions from the church. Under IRS rules currently in effect, you may lose a deduction for some contributions if you file your return without the church’s written contribution acknowledgment. We will make every effort to provide you with documentation by January 31, 2008.

Year 2008 Offering Envelopes will be available in the Church House Lobby by Sunday, December 23.

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Additional Information

Also, see:

• MAPC Home Page
• Worship Services
• Christian Education Programs
• MAPC Calendar
• St. Andrew Music Society Concerts

 

 

 

 

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