FALL 2025

News for SSPC friends and members

Students are back in school, and fall colors are beginning to show around the area, signaling that Fall is well underway at SSPC!

As autumn arrives, leaves begin their transformation. During summer, chlorophyll, denoted by a green color fed by the sunlight, fill the leaves as trees flourish in growth. But as daylight wanes and the air cools, the chlorophyll fades, revealing each tree species' hidden, unique beauty of golds, oranges and reds. Eventually, leaves dry, lose their pigments and fall, completing a natural cycle that both conserves energy and actually prepares the tree for winter and protects it. Each year, they repeat this glorious cycle.

What seems like an ending is actually preparation for renewal, which we experience in the spring. In the same way, our faith moves through seasons. In times of abundance, God's presence feels vibrant and alive, like those colors of red, orange and yellow. In seasons of loss or change, the deeper colors of faith - trust, hope, resilience - sustain us, and hopefully are evident in our expression, and we emerge even stronger, like the trees in the springtime and summer after their winter's rest. Let us trust in God's love and provision through Jesus Christ during all of our seasons, and let Christ be the power in our lives. Remember what Christ tells us in the Gospel of John - I am the vine, you are the branches. This is true - regardless of the season we find ourselves. - Pastor Lisa

(U.S. Forest Service, the Science of Fall Colors, the Holy Bible, the Gospel of John)

Love is patient, love is kind. (1 Corinthians 13:4)

 Congratulations to Tracy Wieseman!

Congratulations are in order as she is our new Director of Music! We are pleased to share more information about Tracy and her family in this month’s SSPC Spotlight section - see below!

Tracy, Matt, and their son Nathan began attending SSPC in 2017, when Tracy joined the Gathering Band. 

Tracy grew up in Lemoyne and she and Matt were married at Grace United Methodist Church there. Nathan is a college freshman this year at Messiah University, majoring in Music Education with a focus on viola. Matt has been the Director of Bands/Music Teacher at West Perry High School since 1999. He has a BS in Music Education from West Chester University and an MM in Wind Band Conducting from Messiah College.  

Tracy is the new Director of Music here at Silver Spring Presbyterian Church. She is starting her 5th year as a high school music teacher at Commonwealth Charter Academy.  Tracy has a piano and voice studio of around 20 students (including several church members!), and she is also the Interim Collaborative Pianist for the Central PA Womyn's Chorus.  Tracy has a BS in Music Education from West Chester University and an MM in Choral Pedagogy from Westminster Choir College.

Nathan's favorite church activity has been CORE Youth group because he gets to connect with other people in the church in something outside of the regular church service(s). Matt enjoys participating in music ministry and serving as a Deacon. Tracy is enjoying stepping into her new role as Director of Music. She enjoys working with the choir and performing with the Gathering Band, which is her weekly music therapy.  Tracy and Nathan wrote and performed a song during the COVID shutdown and had fun recording it, especially with the cat fights in the background.

The Wiesemans have three cats! As for hobbies, Nathan enjoys playing video games, practicing his viola, watching sports, and playing wiffle ball. Matt enjoys golfing and watching sports, especially with Nathan.  Tracy enjoys playing video games with Nathan and spending time with friends and family in her spare time. Tracy says that Matt can strike up a conversation with almost anyone (including a slug!), and Tracy is an excellent a cat whisperer!

On August 24th, longtime Music Director Dr. Kyle Weary, was honored at a reception during the two church services. Thank you Kyle for many years of making beautiful music together! God Be With You Til We Meet Again.

Our Church Community

Worship Music

The church’s choirs are always singing and open to new members!

The Intergenerational Choir will resume its practices shortly. This choir is for all ages. We practice from 10-10:15 a.m. in the Children's Sunday School room. Stay tuned for more information! The Sanctuary Choir members resumed their rehearsals on Wednesdays from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the choir room. We begin Cantata rehearsals on October 8. Please email Tracy Wieseman at tracy@silverspring.org if you have any questions. 

From the Deacons, Megan Crompton, Moderator

The Deacons continue their activities assisting the congregation with cards, prayer shawls, and meals as needed. The Deacons are also once again preparing for a successful Angel Tree gift collection drive as the holiday season approaches. Building on the support from previous years, Deacons are organizing efforts to ensure that children in need at 5 different CV schools receive thoughtful gifts that reflect the church's ongoing commitment to serving the community with compassion and generosity. The Angel Tree will be up in the Gathering Place on November 16, 23, and 30, for the congregation to select angels to buy for, and gifts must be returned by December 14th.



Also, the Deacons have many lovingly knitted prayer shawls, chemo caps and newborn baby hats which are available for anyone in the church community. These handmade items can be found in the chests located in the church parlor. If you would like to take one for someone, please make a note of it on the sheet inside the chest so the Deacons can keep track of who is receiving them.

Our Preschool - from Mrs. Cocores

School started in early September with lots of smiles and giggles!

The preschool received a Continuation and Expansion Grant from the state and we are so very thankful! We will put these funds to good use.

We may have an opening in our PreK classes, if you are interested please email preschool@silverspring.org!

Fall Faire

Fall Faire is Saturday October 25! Consider donating items for the White Elephant (please see the announcements for accepted items and drop off times), and volunteering to help prepare or the day of! A sign up Board is located in the Gathering Place. We are also organizing a Silent Auction; early bidding will begin Sunday, October 19th.

Care Communities

Our new Care Communities are well underway, and captains are currently being recruited. This is an extra level of care that does not need to be time-consuming for those providing the compassion care for others in our congregation. If you are interested in learning more about the Care Communities at SSPC, please contact Pastor Lisa or Carol Anderson.

Youth Ministry

Austin Shoop is in place as our new Youth Director! Recently we had Core Calendar kick off to discuss the 2025-2026 year of events. We had some Core youth members help usher at the outdoor service on August 31st. The youth did a wonderful job! And most recently on September 7th Core youth showed up to Rally day to let the congregation know a little bit about what Core is, and how people in the congregation can get more involved. There is a photo below of a recent Meet-and-Greet for Austin!

Earth Care members provide important friendly, alternative solutions in how to live our busy lives and care for God's earth simultaneously.

Below: the CORE Youth Group table displays different aspects of this very meaningful ministry to middle and high school youth - including great board games!

Deacon Betty Hawk explains some of the many important jobs the SSPC Deacons perform in caring for the SSPC congregation to Pat Pierce.

Below: Youth Director Austin Shoop, and Young Adult Pathfinders Group Ty Headly greet table visitors with friendly smiles!

Stephen Ministry leader Kathryn Ressler does a masterful job coordinating our dynamic and empathetic Stephen Ministries team.

Below: Lin Pomeroy and Jim Bogar volunteer on the dynamic and fruitful Committee and Legacy Committee, providing information to the 1734 Society.

More photographs please click here for the SSPC Rally Day Photo Album

YROAR Trip to Asheville, NC

Christian Education

Our young people are loving the new technology added to Youth Church, which meets on Sundays at 10:10 in room 112.

Lots of excitement playing a lesson-enhancing game!

A sample of one of the video lessons the youth have.

Vacation Bible School (VBS) was held in late June with our “Jesus Saves” theme, inspired by Confirmation graduate Jayme Whittle. Stories included Jonah, Daniel and the Lion's Den, the Disciples, and more! Nautical-themed decorations and crafts complemented lessons, games, and food. Planning for 2026 is already underway. The theme for SSPC VBS 2026 is "Our God is An Awesome God!" The dates are August 3 - 7, 2026; right now, only morning sessions will be available. More information will be provided in January 2026.

Here are upcoming events and recaps from your energetic CE Committee!

Blessing of the Backpacks: CE and CORE youth helped usher, cook, serve, and clean up during the service.

Sunday School & Bible Study: Began Sunday, Sept. 14 for all ages. Monday and Wednesday Bible Studies continue, along with CORE youth group most Sunday evenings.

Rally Day: CE and CORE youth staffed tables and served finger food for attendees.

Youth Garden: Planted coneflowers by the gym this summer. Fall plans include cleanup and planting mums for the Fall Faire.

New Youth Ministries:

• Storyboard: Prayer board in the Gathering Place for weekly youth-led prayers.
• Laundry Ministry: Collecting quarters to purchase laundromat cards. Over $600 raised so far, many laundry cards paying for wash and drying have been distributed monthly with blessings.

Earth Care Forum: Rev. Kevin Long held a forum on Environmental Justice on June 1st, 2025 during Sunday School (10:10–10:50 AM, Room 204).

CORE Youth Events: Summer fun included bowling and Dave & Buster’s. A September hike and pizza outing is planned.

Coming Up: November’s Meal with a Mission, fall Lock-in, Trunk Or Treat, Bowling with Pastor Lisa, Advent Parent Drop-off, Advent Feast, Christmas Breakfast, Christmas Eve Children’s Service, and various church and community service days.

Gathering Band vocalist Mandy Bevenour, a sophomore at Messiah University, has one of the most beautiful soprano voices you'll ever hear! She is also an excellent illustrator and artist. Mandy has completed three of four panels to be hung in our new Youth Church room 112. Come to room 112 to view these exquisite works of art!

Bring your four-legged, warm or cold-blood-ed or feathered family members to receive a special blessing at our Drive-thru Blessing of the Animals. Pets will receive a laminated prayer that the family member can then keep and then pray for the animal, and a bag of treats! The event is held, rain or shine, and will be held from 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Just simply pull your vehicle up to the front of the church, and a team of folks will be there to pray over you and your much loved companion. Click here for the Facebook Event Page.

Ann Marshall Dill Witherspoon Walker Dedication

October 26, 2025 - 10 a.m.

A member of the Descendants of the Signers of the Declaration on Independence organization, formed in 1907, contacted SSPC last year and said that they would like to recognize and honor Ann Marshall Dill Witherspoon Walker with a bronze plaque. She is buried in our church cemetery.  

Ann Marshall Dill Witherspoon Walker was the 2nd wife of John Witherspoon, a signer of the Declaration of Independence and Presbyterian minister. This was a second marriage for each since their first spouses had died. They were married in 1791. At that time Ann was 24 and John was 68 years old. The couple had two children. John died in 1794 and buried at Princeton Cemetery in New Jersey. Ann later married David Walker. Ann died in 1811 and David in 1824. They are buried next to each other.   

The dedication of the Ann Marshall Dill Witherspoon Walker bronze plaque will be held on Reformation Sunday, October 26, 2025, at 10:00 am in the SSPC Cemetery. - Fred Voigt, Co-Chair, Buildings and Grounds

Rev. John Witherspoon (1723-1794), one of the country's earliest Scottish-American Presbyterian ministers, was a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He was the sixth president of what became Princeton University. His wife Ann is buried in our cemetery.

Ann Witherspoon Walker's tomb is located in SSPC's historic cemetery.

Veterans Day Reception November 9, 2025

Mark your calendars for our second annual Veterans Day reception, organized by our energectic and fun-loving Fellowship Committee. Please check the Gathering Place to update information for the Power Point. Thank you for your service!

Meal with a Mission 

November 19, 2025, 5:30 – 7:00 PM

 Let’s share a meal – and share God’s love through service!

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength, and with all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself.” (Luke 10:27) 

At Silver Spring Presbyterian Church, we take this command to heart! That’s why we launched the Meal with a Mission program in the fall of 2024 as a ministry designed to bring our church family and community together around a shared meal, followed by a meaningful act of service.

All are welcome to attend this free, simple supper of homemade soups and fresh salads. Please bring  your friends, family and neighbors. Afterwards, we’ll all lend a hand to pack emergency food boxes for New Hope Ministries to provide critical support to individuals and families facing food insecurity. Shelf-stable items to include in the kits are needed. Please consider donating: peanut butter, snack bars, pouches or cans or chicken or tuna, microwavable rice pouches, microwavable soups, instant oatmeal, canned fruit or applesauce, and canned vegetables.  Look for the Meal with a Mission donation bins in the Gathering Place, near the Gym, and in the Preschool lobby.

Around the Church...

Christmas Angels Kathy Furr and Carol Bogar, along with their expert sewing-quilting team members are making some new costumes for our Nativity Play for Christmas Eve.

Christmas Day is 94 Days away (as of 9/23!)

Our next Newsletter will be distributed at the beginning of Advent, and will includes articles, dates and times for the many Advent and Christmas Programs at SSPC. Deadline for the next newsletter will be November 15th. Please send all articles to lisa@silverspring.org. In the meantime, prayerfully consider if you would like to help edit our future Enlighten Newsletter. It is a great team effort with minimal time involvement. Thank you to Heather and Amy for all your years of service!

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