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I graduated from Seminary ten years ago this May.

I have been an ordained pastor for almost ten years. I worked in a church as an intern throughout seminary and worked in a church for the four years between college and seminary. I also worked during college as a youth director, camp counselor, and small group lead-er. I have been doing ministry, in some sort or another, for twenty years. On my 39th birthday, May 22, I will begin my very first sab-batical, where I will step away from ministry for twelve weeks. The thought of doing that is both exhilarating and terrifying.

This summer, I will be stepping away from day to day ministry and spending time with my family. We have trips planned to the beach and to the mountains. The kids are excited for their first plane trip that they will be able to remember. I have some vague plans for cleaning out my closet and doing a few things around the house, but mostly I want time to just be.

One of my favorite bible passages is “Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10.

I often repeat this verse as a prayer, shortening the verse each time:

Be still and know that I am God.

Be still and know that I am.

Be still and know.

Be still.

Be.

My prayer for this sabbatical is to spend time being. Being a child of God and spending time doing the things that I enjoy. Reading. I am working on a book list for the summer, so if you have a favorite, I would love to hear it. Running. Robert and I are train-ing for the Peachtree Road race! Savoring a cup of coffee or a glass of wine or a good meal. Enjoying the little things in life. Not only enjoying them, but taking time to notice them, to appreciate them, and to give thanks to God for them.

And to spend time being a mom. It seems like my kids were tiny when I first came here to be your pastor. Anderson was still in a crib and Stockton was in preschool. Now Anderson is reading all the time and about to finish kindergarten while Stockton is learning multiplication and almost done with second grade. The cliché about time flying and kids growing up in the blink of an eye feels suddenly very real. I want to be able to spend time with them this summer, having long boring summer days, filled with time at the pool, and popsicles, and staying in our pajamas all day. I want to just be with them instead of al-ways rushing off to practice or meetings.

I will also spend time away from being a pastor every day so that I can come back refreshed and renewed. I hope to read some ministry books to help give me some new ideas and insights for our ministry together. I will also spend some time planning for up-coming ministries at the church. Our Lent book study was a great hit, so I will plan some additional studies for us to do. I will also spend time planning worship for the fall, explor-ing the narrative lectionary and how that might be helpful for us to spend a cycle following. I have also been asked to participate in a cohort of other pastors from our presbytery that will begin in the fall. This cohort will work together with a clergy mentor to help our congre-gational leadership articulate a shared goal, encourage insight into future ministries, as-sess our assets, and devise a plan for growth.

I am very grateful to you all for allowing me to have this opportunity for Sabbath. Know that you will be in my thoughts and prayers while I am away. And I will look forward to all the ways that this Sabbatical will impact our ministry together for years to come.

Grace and Peace,

from Amanda DeBuc

Again, I would like to thank everyone for continuing to believe in the vision and mission of First Presbyteri-an Church and for supporting the church regularly through giving. I am proud to say we ended 2016 in the black! The Finance Committee worked diligently to ensure we stayed on target in 2016 and is contin-uing to ensure we keep on the same track this year. If you have not yet pledged regular giving, you can still do so for 2017! This helps the finance committee to plan accordingly for the budget and to help make

sound decisions on new, exciting things we want this church to do in 2017 and the future.

In regards to the Capital Campaign, we collected nearly $200,000 in 2016. We have officially made the first payment of $100,000 toward the mortgage in 2017, which results in lower monthly payments for us. We have collected nearly $10,000 through February 2017, with the one year mark approaching quickly. If you did not previously make a commitment to the capi-tal campaign, there is still time to do this as well. Quarterly statements will be mailed in the next few weeks as we close out the first quarter.

We look forward to 2017 and remain positive that we will be able to continue the ministry of First Presbyterian Church and even begin to expand in certain areas thanks to the joyful giving we continue to see.

Thank you for your gracious gifts as they are hard at work here at First Pres!

The last day of school this year is Friday, May 26, 2017. We assume the Summer Lunch Program will begin the following Monday, May 29. First Presbyterian will be participating in this very important and much needed ecumenical service program for the 1,000,000 children in Georgia schools who are eligible for the school lunch program. We will endeavor to provide nutri-tious meals to these children who may not get any other meal that day. Gift cards from Kroger, Publix, B.J.’s, Walmart, and

Sam’s help us provide the required supplies. Every child will also be given an age appropriate book each week to encourage reading over the summer. Your continued support of this program is very much needed and so appreciated. Remember, we need volunteers on Wednesday nights to pack lunches and on Thurs-days to deliver. These jobs will be as rewarding to you as they are to the children who receive the lunches. Think about joining us!

~Chuck and Jo Ann Wright, Summer Lunch Chairmen

The First Presbyterian Mission Team has set their budget for 2017. Fact sheets about what these missions do are available at the Welcome Center. The Mission Team is dedicated to using the gen-erous funds that our church members donate to outstanding causes and organizations. We wel-come your input for missions to serve in the future.

Presbytery of Greater Atlanta—$2500; Shelvis and Nancy Smith-Mathers, Missionaries—$2000; Calvin Center—$2000; Global Missions—$2000; Thornwell Home for Children—$1500; New Church Development Commission—$1500; Presbyterian Disaster Fund—$1500; Fayette Samaritans—$1000; Midwest Food Bank—$1000; Presbyterian Homes—$1000; Promise Place—$500.

TOTAL DISBURSEMENT—$16,500

Your Mission Team — Sheryl Watford, chair, Kathy Allgeier, Sharon Brickell, Carol Bryant, Candy Carson, Sandra Castle-Oh, Toni Dyer, Bob Morris, Susan Piraino, Phoebe Taylor

First Pres summer lunch stats for the 2016 program (10 weeks)

12 sandwich makers, peach washers, item sorters, and lunch packers 8 drivers

4 routes 27 stops 31 driving miles per week (310)

53 Elementary & middle school students 18 High school students

65 lunches per week (650) 85 sandwiches per week (850) 65 books per week (650)

150 peaches supplied per week (1500) 25 big jars of peanut butter 20 big jars of jelly

Joy and satisfaction to the packers, drivers, and participants in this program: INCALCULABLE!

SOUPER BOWL of CARING – Thank you to everyone who participated in this year's offering, especially our Souper Bowl chefs, Luke and Clark Isaacson. Thanks to your generous donations, we sent $467.47 to the Fayette Samaritans to assist in their mis-sion outreach.

The Souper Bowl of Caring offering was collected on February 5, which was also Boy Scout Sunday. First Presbyterian is proud to sponsor Boy Scout Troop 211. Since 1989, ninety-four young men from Troop 211 have earned the Boy Scout highest rank of Eagle Scout. The most recent 2016 recipients are Jackson O’Neal and Gunnar Pierson. Check out the Eagle Scout plaque by Smith Hall to see if you recognize the

names of our Eagle Scouts.

Plans for the summer include a week at Camp Thunder. The scouts are currently selling camp cards to help earn their way to camp. A select group of scouts will be attending Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico, a high-adventure camp for boys and adults located in 214 square miles of wilderness.

Troop 211 scouts have helped us with our Halloween Festival, and they may help this year with VBS. And by the way, it is the scouts from Troop 211 who set up our tables every Wednesday night for dinner.

MFB VOLUNTEERS—March 13, 2017

The Prayer Shawl Ministry has been busy knitting and crochet-ing items for members of our congregation. Their first lap robe was given to Barry Lee last fall, and Teddy Mack is the most recent (March 27) recipient. The Ministry also sent a small roy-al blue Prayer Square to Isaac Oh, who has been deployed to

Afghanistan.

If you would like to knit or crochet First Pres prayer shawls, please join the Ministry mem-bers on Mondays from 10-12:00 by the church library. If you are unable to come at that time, Cathy Olson can get a prayer shawl kit to you. Knitting and crocheting lessons are available.

Thanks to all who bought raffle tickets for the Prayer Shawl Ministry afghan. The raffle brought in $300, which will be used to restock yarn, hooks, needles, and other supplies. Sandra Pruitt was the winner of the beautiful afghan!

Midwest Food Bank’s mission is to help feed hungry people, and to also give our community

an opportunity to serve and provide support so they too can feel the joy of Sharing the Blessings. For the last eight months, a dedicated group of First Pres volunteers have felt the joy of sharing the blessings with those who have little in our community. We have packaged food, non-food items, hygiene items, blankets, pet food, baby diapers and for-mula, and “red nose” items.

Midwest Food Bank is currently building a loading dock and adding 8,000 square feet to their warehouse. See their website for a list of financial needs: peachtree.midwestfoodbank.org/donate. Any amount is gladly received. A $25 donation allows MFB to receive, store and distribute $625 in food. Midwest Food Bank is totally dependent upon private donations.

On March 21, New Day Circle provided lunch for 45-50 volunteers who helped “load out” or distribute the food to non-profit organizations. Come join this growing ministry on April 10 from 2-4:00 or on May 8 at the same time.

The mission of the Eden Project, www.eden-project.com, is to provide world class, community-based, reintegration programs for the warrior and his or her support group. Our philosophy is to create a holistic, multi-disciplinary support network in the community to facilitate rein-tegration for warriors and their families. We believe the path to success is built upon a founda-tion consisting of four main pil-lars: a Strong Support System, a Sense of Purpose, Personal Faith, and Exceptional Health Care. Come join us for a day of golf and fellowship on April 17, at Newnan Country Club, 1356 US-29, Newnan, GA 30263, sup-porting Veterans in Fayette and Coweta Counties. For more in-formation, please contact Sheryl Watford, 678-338-1430.

Supper with the dinner groups. These groups meet in homes or at restau-rants, usually for the school year. New groups will be forming for next fall, so watch for more information or call the office if you have questions now.

On March 5 eleven First Presbyterians participated in the 2017 Hunger Walk. After church the group carpooled to Atlanta and enjoyed lunch from the nu-merous food trucks that were available. The 3.1 mile walk began at the Turner Field parking lot, went by historic Oakland Cemetery, Six Feet Under restaurant, Grant Park, and Zoo Atlanta. Thanks to our walk-ers and donors, our church collected $175 that will benefit the Atlanta Commu-nity Food Bank. Hunger Walk/Run is an integral fundraising, community build-ing and awareness initiative of the ACFB. They distribute more than 60 million meals annually, throughout 29 Georgia counties, to over 600 partner agencies including pantries, community kitchens, daycares, and senior centers. Make plans to participate next year in the 2018 Hunger Walk/Run.

Breakfast with the men’s group. Come join the men of the church as they meet on the first Friday of the month at 8:30 at J. Christopher’s. These guys have been meeting for two years and the fellowship gets better each month. So, join them for great conversation, fellowship, and food! Newcomers are always welcome. Sign up at the Welcome Center or call Bob Morris, 770-789-2081.

St. Patrick’s Day 2017 at the Chapmans’.

Mark your calendars for 2018. You won’t want to miss this fun party.

Or this one!

Meet us at the church on April 8 at 9:00 a.m. for a Spring Work Day. We’ll be laying pine straw and spruc-ing the grounds as we prepare for our Easter service.

LET’S GO BRAVES!

First Pres Braves Night Out

Game Night: Friday, June 9, 7:35 p.m.

Braves vs. New York Mets; Tickets: $20

Bartolo Colon bobblehead night

Great fireworks display after the game

Sign up at the Welcome Center until April 16

Questions: Bob Morris, 770-789-2081

Hope to see you at SunTrust Park

New home of our ATLANTA BRAVES

Contact Dick Cassell or Bob Morris

if you have questions about this fun party.

Women of the Church. Ten women from the church took a field trip to La-Grange in January, first having lunch at the Taste of Lemon Restaurant, which is housed in an old church building, and then touring the Biblical Histo-ry Center.

Eight women from our congregation attended the Presbyterian Women’s Retreat: Jesus Thru the Lens of the Arts at the Calvin Center on February

17-18, staying overnight, eating meals, creating banners, and attending workshops. Members of the congregation donated paper goods that were given to Thornwell Chil-dren’s Homes and Villa International.

Elizabeth Hiatt and Sharon Brickell represented the First Presbyterian PWs at the 30th Annual Spring Gathering at Philadelphia Presbyterian Church in Forest Park on Sunday, March 19. Thirty women are going to attend a performance of the Church Basement Ladies at the Legacy Theater on April 30. First Presbyterian will be host-ing a training session for PW moderators and treasurers on June 3.

Now that spring is here, it’s a great time to find a good book in our church library and take time to relax and read outside or in-side. Our library is located on the lower level near the elevators and is open each Sunday morn-ing and Wednesday evening from 5:00-7:30. Our library is stocked with books of every genre. Just write your name on the card in the back of the book and put it in the box on the desk inside the library. Here are some nonfiction suggestions you might enjoy.

Too Small to Ignore: Why the Least of These Matters Most by Dr. Wess Stafford - The time has come, argues Dr. Wess Stafford, for a major paradigm shift: Children are too important and too intensely loved by God to be left behind or left to chance. Dr. Staf-ford issues an urgent call for change. His adventures as a boy raised in a West African village provide an often-humorous and always-captivating backdrop to his profound and inspiring challenges. Stafford lived the reality of “it takes a village to raise a child” and calls us to “be that loving village for children everywhere.” This book will encourage you to turn your good, loving in-tentions into strategic actions and empower you to help change the world—and the future—forever: one child at a time.

Ministry to Muslim Women-Longing to Call Them Sisters - Edited by Fran Love and Jeleta Eckheart, this book is a compilation of real-life experiences by women actively involved in reaching Muslim women for Christ. These articles approach the question of the gospel and Islam from a female perspective.

Tuesdays With Morrie An Old Man, A Young Man and Life’s Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom - Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher, or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, helped you see the world as a more profound place, gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly twenty years ago. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying, Morrie visited with Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in col-lege. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final “class”: lessons in how to live.

“Coram Deo Classical School students are enjoying this warm spring weather and developing spring fever. Focus, focus! The 2016-17 school year will be behind us soon, however, we are all abuzz as we anticipate and rehearse for our spring play, Rodgers and Hammer-stein's, The Sound of Music. Just listening to the nuns singing in Latin fills our heart with joy! Please come join us, Friday, April 28 at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary.”

With heartfelt thanks, Sarah, Cynthia, Toni, Susan—the Coram Deo Administrative Staff

“We have had an amazing year of ministry at Young Life Capernaum in Fayette County. First Presbyterian Church played a huge role in making that happen. Young Life Capernaum is a ministry focused on sharing the Gospel with adolescents (14-22) with developmental disabilities and special needs. Every other Friday, in Smith Hall, we gathered, shared a meal, sang silly songs, played ridiculous games, and most important, a leader proclaimed the Gospel in a way that our friends could understand and process. We have had themes from school spirit to superheroes to a wonderful St. Patrick's Day Party, put on by the amazing women of First Pres. Our ultimate goal is that our friends with special needs and disabilities will experience the fullness of life that Jesus offers. First Presbyterian has been the place where we have gotten to show them that love. We are so grateful for your partnership in this ministry. Thank you so much for providing a sacred space for the Gospel to be shared.”

Some First Presbyterian Chancel Choir and Alchemy Bell Choir members are returning to the mountains of North Carolina this summer for a week of rest, rejuvenation, fellowship, and great music at the Montreat Worship and Music Conference, June 25 through July 1. They will be participating in the Montreat Adult Choir, the Intermedi-ate and Advanced Bell Choirs, and some attendees will participate in the High School Choir. They will also take in the entertaining evening activities such as the Youth Talent Show, an organ recital in Ashe-ville, the Montreat Chamber Choir concert and the antiphonal Brass Across the Lake performance. Shop-ping in beautiful Black Mountain, golfing at the local courses, and exploring the spectacular hiking trails

are also popular with Montreat attendees.

Mac Howard, Capernaum Leader

SOME NEW FOLKS First Presbyterian welcomes the following new members to our church family.

We are a richer church with these additions, being blessed with their time, talents, and treasure.

Neil D. Cowling was born in New York City in 1942. He graduated from high school in Poseyville, Indiana. He received a B.A. in Philosophy and Religion from DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana, in 1964, and the M. Div, from the Yale University Divinity School in 1967. He was ordained to the Ministry of Word and Sacrament in 1967 and served churches in Weedsport, New York, Terre Haute, Indiana, Toledo and Clay Center, Ohio, and is Pastor Emeritus of the Kirk of Our Savior in Westland, Michigan. Neil filled in for Morgan in January and he will be our preacher again on Palm Sunday. He and his wife, Paula, now reside in Sharpsburg.

1point line.

January 29, 2017—Muriel and Jeff Bixler Muriel and Jeff moved to Peachtree City from New Paltz, New York in May 2016, after their daughter informed them that they would be grandparents to a baby girl. They have two daughters, Nancy and family live in Newnan, and Briana in Atlanta. Both Jeff and Muriel work from home as software engineers for IBM. They live next to Battery Way Park and Boat Docks so give them a wave as you golf cart, jog, or walk by. Muriel is a native New Yorker; however she says she does not miss the snow. She enjoys quilting, crochet, and golf. Jeff grew up in Pennsylvania and attended school in Allentown. He enjoys golf, skiing, and biking, and he also claims to not miss snow—especially shoveling it! When the Bixlers’ church in New Paltz sent their letter of transfer, it included a handwritten note saying they both had lovely voices and we should recruit them for our choir. (Hint to David Stivers)

February 12, 2017—Bill and Kimberly Hearn Bill and Kimberly live in Fayetteville and come to us from the Morrow Pres-byterian Church. Both Bill and Kimberly are musicians and graduates of Florida State University’s College of Music. They have two sons, Benjamin and Daniel. Bill obtained his doctorate in guitar from the University of Arizona. He is currently an adjunct professor of music teaching guitar, as well as on the faculty of the Music Preparatory School at Clayton State University. Bill plays several stringed instruments and together with two other guitarists performs as The Atlanta Guitar Trio. He enjoys reading and running (not at the same time). Kimberly teaches music at North Fayette Elementary School and directs the NFE Singing Dolphins. She also gives private piano lessons. She likes to cook and eat, read, and do anything outside.

February 26, 2017—Kristin Cassell Jewell Kristin says that she has come home to FPC where she grew up, was con-firmed, married, and baptized her oldest son. She is a graduate of McIntosh High School and Ohio Wesleyan University in Delaware, Ohio. Kristin is a Rodan & Fields consultant/owner and is currently searching for a teaching job in the area. She says her hobbies are her two children, her dog, and learning American Sign Language. She is the daughter of long-time members, Dick and Ann Cassell. Welcome home, Kristin.

YOU’LL WANT TO MEET

We would like to welcome CJ Utt to her new position as our First Presbyterian Kindergarten/Preschool Director beginning in August at the start of the 2017 school year. CJ has been part of FPK since 2006, as assistant teacher then lead teach-er. In addition, she is currently serving First Presbyterian Church as the Children’s Ministry Director until a new director is found. CJ is working with the present Preschool Director two days a week, shadowing her, to assure

a smooth transition. We are so excited to welcome CJ into her new role as FPK Director. God con-tinues to bless FPK with CJ’s enthusiasm and love for our children.

Rick and Anne Perry Rachel and Catherine August 26, 2007

Our beloved Anne Perry has served her last school year at First Presbyterian Preschool and Kindergarten. She has been the Kindergarten teacher at FPK since 2000. Anne and her family joined First Presbyterian Church in 2007. She has served on the Administrative Committee, she has volunteered at Vacation Bible School (many times), she is currently serving as a Deacon, and she became a sound technician assis-tant when her husband, Rick, became First Presbyterian’s “Sound Guy.” Anne has served the church and preschool faithfully and tirelessly. Our church deeply appreci-ates her service and the example she has shown to her students and fellow church members. The Perry family will move to a northern suburb of Atlanta due to a new job op-portunity for Rick. We wish Anne, Rick, Rachel, and Catherine well in this new chapter of their lives. With a grateful heart, the church will miss the Perrys deeply and we will pray for their continued happiness.

March 26, 2017—Kevin and Susan Lloyd After numerous moves around the eastern USA during their early marriage, Kevin and Susan settled in Florida for 22 years and raised their son, Daniel. They moved to Peachtree City last April to be near their pre-cious grandchildren, Riley and Hunter. They say they will miss their Florida friends, but plan to make many new ones here in Georgia. Kevin works remotely as a project manager for Veritas Technologies, Mountain View, CA. He says, “One advantage to this IT age is that I can work anywhere that has an internet connection.” Kevin enjoys golfing, landscaping, reading history, and especially likes drinking wine, watching Florida State football (we’ll forgive him), and the Pittsburgh Steelers. Susan is retired from work at Hospice House and human resources work at a home-care company. She is now a full-time grandbaby sitter (just think of the benefits)! Susan en-joys walking, baking, and yoga. She plans to volunteer for VBS this summer.

March 26, 2017—Jack and Cheryl Richardson Jack and Cheryl have lived in Newnan for sixteen years though they are original-ly from Kentucky. They have three grown children and one grandson. Jack and Cheryl attended the Christmas Eve Service and were made to feel so welcome that they just had to come back. Each of them has expressed how warm and welcoming our congre-gation is and that they feel right at home. Jack graduated from Georgia Tech and works in the automotive manufacturing supply industry. He enjoys gardening, golfing, photography, and tennis. Cheryl attended West Georgia and Lagrange Colleges and is a kindergarten teacher in the Coweta County School System. She enjoys gardening, reading, and scrapbooking. Their daughter, Catherine, visited the day Jack and Cheryl joined First Pres.

Welcome, Candi Scrivner, the newest member of our nursery staff. Candi is a mother of two, Gweneth and Lincoln (pictured here), and lives in Peachtree City. She enjoys spending time with chil-dren and looks forward to becoming a part of this church family.

If CJ is becoming the new FPK Director, someone is leaving. Susan Gilbert has been part of the First Presbyterian Kindergarten/Preschool family since the beginning. She began as a preschool parent in 1983, became a kindergarten teacher in 1988, and the director in 1998. What a blessing she has been to our FPK for the past 29 years! Now she is beginning a new journey and retiring at the end of this school year. Thank you, Susan, so much for all your service to First Presbyterian. You will be missed! (First Pres family, please join us in worship on Sunday, May 7 as we say good-bye to Susan.)

AND SADLY, WE SAY GOOD-BYE Susan CJ

VBS IS COMING THIS SUMMER, June 19-23 from 9:00am-12:00. Our theme is “Everywhere Fun Fair.” First Pres VBS is for children rising K to rising 5th grade. The registration fee is $15 and starts April 10-June 9 on-line at www.firstpresptc.org.

Our "Everywhere Fun Fair" theme will be about neighbors that are friendly, giving, bold, forgiving, and welcoming! We will be talking about God's welcoming love, to love our neighbors as ourselves, and treat-ing others as we would like to be treated. Come join in the wonderful message to our children!

When registering your child please be sure and include a tee-shirt size. Your child can wear the tee-shirt every day to VBS. Also note that preschool kids are only accepted for those adults who are volunteering to help.

We do need your help, and what we need most are volunteers that can attend during the week. All volun-teers are guaranteed to have the best week with the greatest children! They are so much fun to be with,

and what better gift to give them than the teachings of Christ!

There are many ways you can get involved! *We need leaders to help teach each station *Group guides to help usher the various groups of children from station to station *Craft donations in the form of Michael’s art store gift cards *Sam’s and Kroger gift cards for food and other needed items

There are sign-up sheets on the bulletin board at the church Welcome Center. Please first consider the areas that involve being at VBS if possible. We really need people to be at the church for the whole week.

For questions, contact Michelle Spears or Monica Lindstrom at FirstPresPTCVBS@gmail.com.

We are looking forward to a wonderful week of sharing God's word with our children!

Spring has arrived and we are looking forward to warm weather, outdoor play, and many special activities. Our FPK students have grown and learned so much during this year. We love to watch them as they develop independence and maturity. So much change in such a short time! April is packed with activity. We will celebrate the resurrection of our Savior in our classrooms and in chapel. We will watch caterpillars turn into butterflies. We will be entertained by "That Puppet Guy,” Lee Bryan, as he presents "Zany Zoo" on April 19. Our four-year-old classes and K-Town will take a field trip to the Legacy Theatre in Tyrone on April 25 to see "Miss Nelson Is Missing." One of our favor-ite days of the year is our annual Art Show on April 27 from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m. Our teachers have been sav-ing artwork from their students all year and we will decorate our hallways and classrooms with their crea-tions. We invite you to tour the preschool area and admire our masterpieces. May is a bittersweet month for us. We are so happy to see all that our FPK students have

learned during the year but we are so sad to see them leave for the summer. On May 8 and 9, we will have our Spring program at 11:00 in the sanctuary. We will sing for our families and friends and watch our annual slide show. Thanks to CJ and Gary Utt for compiling, editing, and presenting our slide show. It's always wonderful! The children will enjoy "water days" on May 11 and 12. They will wear swim suits to school and play in wading pools and at water tables. Our last day of school is May 19. Our K-Town Kids will have a special graduation ceremo-ny at 10:00 in the sanctuary. Our new school year begins August 21. Watch for information about the 2017-18 school year in the next newsletter. As I say goodbye as Director, I want to thank you, my First Presbyterian Church family, for your loving support over the years. I will always love this church and our precious school. I take wonderful memories and lifelong friendships with me. I am excited to see Christy Utt (Miss CJ) take over as Director. She is organized, creative, and enthusiastic! I know you will continue to support FPK, and Christy, in her service to the Lord. ~Susan Gilbert

Looking for fun activities for your preschooler this summer? Check out our Summer Fundays! Fundays are offered to any child who will be 2 years of age by September 1 through rising first graders. Fundays will be offered May 30-June 2 ($100); June 5-9 ($125); July 10-14 ($125); and July 17-21 ($125). You may enroll your child for any or all weeks. Hours are 9 - 1. Each week centers on a theme and concludes with Friday water play. Children are asked to bring a lunch and a drink. Registration for current FPK students and FPC church members begins April 10. Registration for the community begins April 24. Space is limited so register early. Check our website, www. fpkptc.org for registration information.

APRIL CLUB 345 and YOUTH GROUP

The Youth from Newnan Presbyterian will be our guests on April 30. In true Peachtree City style, we will show them around town on golf carts and have a scavenger hunt. Be sure to join us for the hunt, worship and dinner. We will all meet together from 5-7 instead of at our normal times.

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We will miss you.

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Interesting facts about the month of May.

The month was named for Maia, the Greek goddess of fertility.

In any given year, no month ever begins or ends on the same day of the week as May does.

No United States president has ever died in May. It is the only month with that distinction.

On May 1, 1931, the Empire State Building was officially opened.

May is National Asparagus Month.

Thank you,

Susan G

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