Paul Gilmore was raised in Normal, Illinois, son of Presbyterian parents, who were active in the church serving as elders. His father is Professor Emeritus of mathematics at Illinois State University and his mother was a music teacher. Both were passionate about social justice issues, which strongly influenced Paul's decision to major in Religion and Philosophy at Manchester College in Indiana with an emphasis in Peace Studies. He is the youngest of three children and the family remains closely tied by their roots in faith and a love of
music. Paul has two sons, one who is a sophomore at Occidental College in Los Angeles and another who graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University and is teaching in an inner city school in St. Louis in the Teach for America program.

Following graduation from college, Paul attended McCormick Seminary in Chicago intending to pursue a career in teaching
religion/peace studies but found his calling in pastoral work and guiding a congregation. He completed his Masters of Divinity at
Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky in 1983. Paul's first call was as Associate Pastor in Plano, Texas
and then as Associate Pastor and Interim Head of Staff in State College Pennsylvania. When his two sons were young, Paul took a
call as Solo Pastor in Lincoln, Illinois to be closer to family and remained for ten years until his current call in Stillwater, Minnesota
where he has been for the last seven years.

In addition to being a full-time Pastor/Head of Staff, Paul has worked as an editor for the "Church and Society Magazine" and been Chair of the Peacemaking Advisory Committee for the Peacemaking Program of the PCUSA.

Paul maintains a balance in his personal life by making time for meditation and reflection, exercising regularly (loves sports!), and reading voraciously (it might actually be exercising voraciously and reading regularly), and keeping a keen sense of humor.

Thoughts from the PNC...
Paul is a strong and articulate preacher. His sermons are challenging and inspirational, seeking to make God's Word relevant to daily life with humor and warmth.

He is theologically progressive with strong commitments to ecumenical programs and social justice issues.

He wholeheartedly supports the ministry of music and believes that it is an integral part of worship.

He places tremendous importance on the ministries to children and youth, seeking to serve a church where children are nurtured and loved and the talents and insights of young people valued.

Paul has been instrumental in developing strong mission partnerships at his present call, which support local schools and churches and relief efforts farther afield.

Paul is gifted in the area of pastoral care, stemming from his engaging and compassionate personality and how well he relates to people of all ages.

He has demonstrated fiscal responsibility by eliminating a $636,000 debt on the building of his current church, while simultaneously expanding staff and facilities.

His administrative leadership style is collegial, yet decisive, helping others work to their strengths and passions.

Words from Paul...
I am grateful for this opportunity to serve a church where worship is the life-blood flowing through a welcoming, inclusive body that lives for mission and service a "thinking person's church" where God is worshipped with minds as well as hearts¡K where there
are tears of pain and heartache, wonder and joy where laughter is the anthem of the people and the choir the very voice of God.

AT THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
178 Oenoke Ridge Road, New Canaan, CT (203) 966-0002

Sunday, February 14th at 11:30 am
*Coffee Concert:
VALENTINE'S DAY CONCERT
Holland Kerker soprano, with Sean McCarthy, piano
Music of Robert Schumann

Sunday, February 28th at 4:00 pm
PRO ARTE SINGERS, Arthur Sjogren, Director
Concert for Women's Choir
Tickets/Info: 203.322.5970 www.proartesingers.org

Sunday, March 28th at 11:30 am
*Coffee Concert:
VIOLIN AND ORGAN
Yuko Naito, violin, and Sean McCarthy, organ
Music of Rheinberger and Karg-Elert

Sunday, April 18th at 11:30 am
*Coffee Concert:
PIPE ORGAN SPECTACULAR
T. Jared Stellmacher, Organ; Virtuoso Organ Favorites

Sunday, May 16th at 11:30 am
*Coffee Concert:
PIANO DUO
Music for two pianos and four hands by Mozart and Schubert
Carole Clarkson and Jonathan Thackery, pianists

*Coffee Concerts : 30 minutes of music, conversation, coffee and biscotti. Childcare provided.
Unless noted otherwise, all concerts are free with donations accepted at intermission.

Sunday, April 18th at 4:00 pm
PRO ARTE SINGERS, Arthur Sjogren, Director
Music of Beethoven, Mendelssohn, and Rossini

"Named God's Own"
Paul E. Gilmore

Luke 3:15-17, 21-22/Isaiah 43:1-7
The Baptism of the Lord (C)
January 10, 2010

First Presbyterian Church
New Canaan, Connecticut

As the eyes of the world turn to Haiti, let us join our hearts in prayer:
God of compassion
Please watch over the people of Haiti
And weave out of these terrible happenings
wonders of goodness and grace.
Surround those who have been affected by tragedy
With a sense of your present love,
And hold them in faith.
Though they are lost in grief,
May they find you and be comforted;
Guide us as a church
To find ways of providing assistance
that heals wounds and provides hope
Help us to remember that when one of your children suffer
We all suffer
Through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives
and rules this world with you. Amen.
(Adapted from Book of Common Worship)

You, too, can be a part of God’s answer to prayer for those affected by this disaster. Information on the situation and prayers and worship resources are available through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Funds from One Great Hour of Sharing are already helping with the initial response. You can give to the ongoing relief through PDA account number DR000064. You can go directly to www.pcusa.org/pda or contribute to First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan and mark your gift for “Haiti Refund.” Thank you!

A New Year has begun - - and what a special time to meet new church members and some who have been here a long time! Dining Around dinners are informal and relaxed, often with stimulating conversation. Each month we have four or five dinners at different homes of members. The guests bring part of the meal. You are under no obligation to attend all dinners. One signs up for each dinner separately. Give it a try!
Any questions give me a call or email me at karenh81@optonline.net.
It will be fun!
Karen Hanson – 203-966-5140
Elizabeth Stuart – 203-972-1334

Dr. Gary Wilburn’s book “Lots of Love” is now available for sale! If you would like to reserve a copy, please call 203-966-0002 or just stop by the church office.

"Lots of Love" is an important book for those who need to rebuild their capacity to love after a divorce, tragic loss or personal disaster - written by a worldly man with a spiritual center, who has taught many a congregant that faith, hope and love are three legs on the stool of a successful life. - C. Meyrick Payne, Congregant of First Presbyterian Church of New Canaan, CT.

"And now these three remain: faith, hope and but the greatest of these is love."
I Corinthians 13:13

New FPCNC Website Posted: fpcnc-mission.org:

http://www.fpcnc-mission.org

What Are Your Spiritual Gifts?

Share your time and talents for the benefit of our church, our community and God’s world.

*Help feed the hungry! Volunteer your time to prepare or serve a meal at New Covenant House in Stamford. Shifts are only 2 hours, and the return on this modest investment of your time is priceless. Ask anyone who’s been there! FPC serves on the first Saturday of the month, September to June. Contact Elizabeth Tolla at etolla@optonline.net to volunteer.

*Help Make our Church Even More Welcoming
Provide a sweet or savory snack for Coffee Hour. A small commitment of a baked good or savory item for two dozen just once a year is a great way to get involved in the fellowship of our church. We need a Hospitality Coordinator and volunteer families.

*Are You a Shutterbug?
Anyone with a knack for photography is encouraged to snap away! Photos are needed for Tidings, local press and our Bulletin Boards.

*Designing Women (and Men) Needed!
Individuals with graphic design skills are needed to help Committees with ongoing campaigns and special events. Whether you have a little time to spare or a lot, your talents will help re-brand our Stewardship effort and showcase Music, Youth and other ministries.

*Tina’s Helpers
Office help is needed from time to time to answer phones, assist with mailings, etc.

*PR and Publicity
Help spread the word in our community about the wonderful happenings at FPC. If you can write a press release, the rest is easy!

These are but a few of the many ways to connect to your church family. Call Tina in the office at 966-0002 or email the Membership Involvement Committee at membership@fpcnc.org.

“As you sow, so shall you reap.”

Pastor's Forum Presentation April 19, 2009

2009 Congregational Study

Download CIF document

This note is being written as I depart for Geneva and the International Conference, Calvin and His Influence, 1509-2009, sponsored by the University of Geneva. I will be returning to New Canaan on June 6 and be with you in worship on the following day. Yesterday was another full but exciting day as the Presbytery Committee on Ministry approved our Mission Study and the new session met with dedicated commitment to tackling the many challenges before us. We are blessed with some wonderfully committed servants!

Let me say here a word of thanksgiving for the ministries of Jamie Harris Martinez and Joan Withers Priest. I will truly miss them as staff colleagues as they move on to new callings. Each
has touched so many lives with compassionate witness and faithful ministry. I thank God for their loving spirit and their caring friendship.

Here is an old chestnut, but it contains an important reminder to all of us in this “time of transition.”

An out-of-towner drove his car into a ditch
on a rural road. Luckily, a local farmer came
to the rescue with his big strong horse name
Buddy. He hitched Buddy to the car and
yelled, “Pull, Nellie, pull!” Buddy didn’t
move. Then the farmer hollered, “Pull,
Buster, pull!” Buddy didn’t respond. Once
more the farmer commanded, “Pull, Coco,
pull!” Nothing. Then the farmer called out,
“Pull, Buddy, pull!” And the horse dragged
the car out of the ditch.
The motorist was most appreciative and curious.
He asked the farmer why he called his
horse by so many different names. The
farmer relied, “Oh, Buddy can’t see, and if
he thought he was the only one pulling, he
would not even try!”

Probably all of us know that feeling. If we had to support the work of the church and felt no one else was feeling the same commitment we feel, soon our commitment would lag, would it not? But the good news at First Presbyterian Church, New Canaan is that we are surrounded by people who feel as strongly as we do about the ministries in and through our church. I see involvement increasing with the Americares mission day, the Spring Clean-up day, and so much more.

I know that many of you are making a great commitment to FPC, New Canaan. Thank you!

And for those who are thinking over their commitment, I say: “Pull, Buddy, pull!”

Charlie