FROM PASTOR DAVE What’s in a Mission Statement? New Mission Statement launches search for the next pastor.

There are three “audiences” in mind as a church mission statement is created: the congregation, visitors to the church, and the community. The congregation needs a brief statement of who it is, to focus what it is called to do. In this regard, the writing team, approved by the Session, looked at several sources of what it means to be disciples of Jesus Christ. Is our statement consistent with the Apostles Creed? Does it express the Great Commandment (to “love God and neighbor”) and the Great Commission (to “go make disciples of all nations”)? Does it express the best of our church’s heritage and gifts? (Much of this came from our congregational “listening sessions” in January and February.) How does it compare with mission statements of other churches?

Visitors to our church, who are looking for a church home, were the second audience considered. Visitors need a brief statement that is clear, inviting, and motivating. In considering our former mission statement, which has served this congregation well for the last twenty years, the writing team noticed a couple of things right away that could help give visitors a clearer snapshot of our church. The opening line of our former mission statement read, “Our mission is to provide worship and education in the Reformed Tradition…” Would visitors know what “the Reformed Tradition” is? Would it not be clearer to put Jesus Christ as the first emphasis?

On the other hand, the former mission statement was wonderfully clear about “expressing God’s love in our community and throughout the world.” The new statement that was approved by the Session at its March 18 meeting is as follows:

With Christ as our Savior and Guide, We seek to know God’s love and share it With each other, our community and the world. We invite you to join us in this journey of discipleship!

On Communion Sunday, June 3, elder Jennifer Ellis will speak for the Session as to how this process evolved, and how the new mission statement may help us find God’s choice for the next pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Clarksville.

See inside this issue for the latest on the progress of the Pastor Nominating Committee.

--Interim Pastor Dave Handley

June 2012

Pastoral Pastoral Pastoral CareCareCare

PLEASE KEEP IN PLEASE KEEP IN PLEASE KEEP IN

YOUR PRAYERSYOUR PRAYERSYOUR PRAYERS

LongLongLong---term Care:term Care:term Care:

Becky Keene

Sue Reynolds

Sylvia Atkins

Linda Guinn

Barbara Hutton

Tom & Bonnie Coffman

Pat Schmidt

Louise Snider

Linda Lyle

Deaths:Deaths:Deaths:

Shirley Vance

Pat Schmidt

Sally Hamilton

Family Members:Family Members:Family Members:

Jim Carbary-Tim

Carbary’s father

Richard Dwyer–

Preschool parent

Mr. Walton, Greg

Walton’s grandfather

TO NOTIFY THE CHURCH OF ILLNESS, HOSPITALIZATION, BIRTH, DEATH, OR PRAYER REQUEST,

CONTACT NEESA HAWKINS AT 931-645-6551 or FPCClarksville@gmail.com

FFirstirstirst PPresbyterianresbyterianresbyterian

CChurchhurchhurch

213 Main Street, Clarksville, TN 37040

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP 8:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

ON THE WEB AT

www.fpcclarksville.org

TELEPHONE Voice: 931-645-6551 Fax: 931-645-9962

OFFICE HOURS

Monday through Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Friday 8:00 a.m. to noon

Sunday School Classes

Classes for all ages

meet each Sunday,

9:45-10:30 am

in the Christian

Education building.

CHILD CARE

is provided for

infants and toddlers

on the 2nd floor..

PRESCHOOL

2-year-olds through

Kindergarten meet

on the 2nd floor

CHILDREN &

YOUTH

1st through 12th

graders meet on the

4th floor

ADULTS

4 different

classes meet on the

2nd and 3rd floors

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The PNC truly appreciates the prayers of the congregation. We feel God has someone chosen for us who will be a great blessing to our church family. We realize this is an important task and appreciate your confidence in electing us for it. Also, we want you to know what your PNC is doing now.

Our Church Information Form (CIF) has been approved and online for pastors to review and apply since the first week of April. We have over 70 applicants interested in being our church’s pastor.

Your PNC has begun the process of critiquing each of the Pastor Information Forms (PIF) and choosing the top candidates for telephone interviews. Some of these we can even use Skype to see them on screen as we talk. We have interviews 4 and have 4 more set up to interview soon over the phone or computer. We plan to ask the same questions of each candidate in order to have good comparison benchmarks. Please remember that the average time it takes a church our size to find a pastor is at least 18 months.

Your PNC wants to prayerfully consider each candidate and to do God’s will for our church. We would like to ask your help in these three ways:

Pray for us to make the right decisions. Prayer could be at home or, if you can, join to listen or pray with others each Tuesday morning at 9:30 in the library.

If you know of a Presbyterian pastor that you or your family thinks is great who would possibly be interested in a change of churches, just let any member of the PNC know so we can contact them. Sometimes word of mouth is the best form of advertisement for sure!

Finally, if you have concerns or hear a rumor that you question, please contact one of us for clarification. Because of the confidentiality we must have about the candidates, we cannot tell you any names. However, we want to keep you informed on our progress as much as we can.

Here are our names and contact info. Sincerely, Diane Miner PNC Chairperson

Diane Miner, Chair dianeminer8@gmail.com 249-5273 cell, 648-4821 home Rhonda Banasiak rhb2227@hotmail.com 980-8184 Don Beck donlbeck@cdelightband.net 648-4609 Kelly Duncan mkduncan8@gmail.com 220-0581 Steve Griffey griffey@bellsouth.net 801-7649 cell, 368-1326 home Susan Marks slmarks45@yahoo.com 615-696-1820 Sam Mills sammillsjr@charter.net 801-6542 cell, 552-9770 home Scott Sitter spssrs2@aol.com 320-5833 Vicki Wallace, Secretary vickitwallace@gmail.com 801-3664 cell, 358-3299 home Pastor Dave Handley david.stull.handley@gmail.com 847-477-6990 cell, 645-6551 office Jim Vowell, Committee Liaison jlvowell@comcast.net 615-478-2588

PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE UPDATE

CONTACTING AND/OR MEETING WITH PASTOR DAVE david.stull.handley@gmail.com

cell: 847-477-6990 Office hours: Monday-Friday 9:00 am-6:00 pm or Saturdays when circumstances require it.

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CONFIRMATION 2012-2013 If you (or your child) is a rising 7th grader and plan to participate in this fall’s Confirmation Class, please call or email the church office. This will enable the Christian Education Committee to prepare in advance on ordering curriculum and supplies. Thank you!

CHILDREN IN WORSHIP DURING THE SUMMER There will not be any Children’s Church through the summer; children are invited to sit with their families through worship. Nursery is provided for ages birth through rising Kindergarten. We will continue to have a Children’s Moment during worship services where children will come down front for a special learning time with Pastor Dave and Ms. Maggie.

OUR HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATES Congratulations to Senior High Graduates Betsy Bashore, Sarah Ellis, Paul Havens, Katelyn Jones, Dawson Nicholson, Liz Olson, Charlie Politi, Grant Sonneby, Katherine Telford, Stevie Wood, and APSU Middle College graduates: Robert Grigsby and Daniel Hart.

SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL

Pre-school through 6th Graders will study “The Gospel According to Dr. Seuss”. 7-12th Graders will study “The Gospel According to ‘The Hunger Games’”. Both classes meet on the 4th floor. Nursery is available for little ones and Ms. Helene will be using the Play-n-Worship Curriculum in the nursery. All adult classes: Friendship, Brotherhood, Gospel Seekers, and Explorers, will continue to meet as usual. PRESCHOOL ACHIEVEMENT First Presbyterian Church Preschool has again earned the 3 Star Quality rating for the 10th consecutive year. Each spring the preschool must meet the requirements for licensing by the State of Tennessee Department of Human Services. Seven areas of achievement must be met, including an on-site classroom assessment of our program. Due to the outstanding work and dedication of the staff, our preschool was able to achieve the highest rating possible. We appreciate the support of the Preschool Board and this congregation for making it possible to offer an excellent program for the families of this community. Congratulations to member and director, Mary Linn Sadler, and her great team of teachers!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

REG LOWE AND JOEL THOMAS DO

REPAIRS AT NACOME DURING THE

MEN’S RETREAT IN MAY.

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Join us for

Operation Overboard- Dare to Go Deep

with God VBS July 9-13 from 9:00 to 12:00.

All children ages 2 through entering 6th grade are welcome to be seekers.

Early Registration is encouraged!

(Please fill out a separate form for each child.)

Child's name_________________________________________________ Birth date____________Gender____ FPC Member? ___yes ____no FPC Preschool Attendee?___ if yes, which 2011-2011-2012 class? _________ Allergies or other conditions which may limit activity: __________________ _________________________________________________________________ Please check the appropriate age group for your child: ____Age 2 ____Age 3 (must be potty trained) ____Age 4 or 5 (preschool, but not entering Kindergarten) ____Entering Kindergarten ____Entering First ____Entering Second ____Entering Third ____Entering Fourth ____Entering Fifth ____Entering Sixth

Address__________________________________________________________ Home Phone______________________________________________________ Email ___________________________________________________________ Parent or Guardian name ____________________________________________ Work or Cell _______________________________ Primary contact in case of emergency (Name and 2 phone numbers) ________________________________________________________________ Secondary emergency contact and phone ________________________________________________________________

Parent signature _____________________________________ Date _____________ Childcare is available for all volunteers’ children not old enough to attend VBS. If you need childcare, please give the name(s) of your nursery-

age children and their date of birth. Name________________ Age______ Allergies____________________ Name________________ Age______ Allergies____________________

~ THEOLOGY ON TAP ~ Theology on Tap is a group of 15-20 folks who meet each Monday at 5:00 pm at Guadalajara Grill (on Riverside Drive across from the Big Lots store). Come, join us for conversations about theology and real life!

~ WEDNESDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY ~ You are invited to join Pastor Dave and the group of 10-15 folks who gather for Bible study on Wednesday mornings each week. Please join us at 10:00 am in the church library!

~ PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN ~

We will not meet in June or July but will begin again in August with a “kickoff ” Dinner. The

Morning Circle and the Night Circle will also begin monthly meetings in August.

~ MEN’S MONTHLY BREAKFAST ON HAITAS ~

We will take June, July and August off and will resume our monthly breakfasts beginning Monday, September 10. All men, all ages, are invited to participate in conversations about life and faith! The breakfasts are held at 7:00 am at the Shoney’s (corner of Kraft and 2nd Streets) usually on the first Monday of the month with a brief devotional after the meal.

~ REPORT ON NACOME MEN’S RETREAT~

Thank you to the 12 men who went down to NaCoMe on May 11-12. We were able to work on a

variety of projects to include: assembling new benches for the prayer chapel, constructing new bunk

beds in a cabin, building stairs to a storage area, digging holes for new signs, as well as replacing a

gate on a wagon. Pictures are in this newsletter.

~ LET ME SOW LOVE~ Thank you FPC! The senior high youth have been overwhelmed by the support our pastor and congregation have given to their project. They have sold a number of bracelets, key chains, and shirts. We had about 50 people come out and support the walk! Rather than making a $450 donation with just their seed money from the youth mission fund, the youth will be making at least a $2000 donation to the International Justice Mission (www.ijm.org)!

ACTIVITIES AND SMALL GROUPS Page 6

The purpose of these Notes is to give the congregation information on items discussed and/or decided at the latest Session meeting.

Opening – Pastor Dave led the Session in Lighting the Christ Candle and a responsive reading which welcomed Christ to the meeting and asked for His guidance. Vicki Wallace gave the Opening Reflection on Genesis 31:48-49, the Mizpah, and a prayer.

Christian Education – A revised mission statement and covenant sheet for the 2012-13 Confirmation Class were presented for information.

Finance – Monthly totals showed improvement, but year to date figures are still a concern.

Congregational Life – Monthly lunches will resume in August.

Local Witness – New Member dinner will be held June 2 at the home of Tom and Charlotte Graves.

Pastor Nominating Committee – Two interviews, through Skype, have been held with 2 more scheduled. The committee is continuing to review the 70 PIFs (Pastor Information Forms) received and will continue to interview.

Presbyterian Women – Planning day for the new board will be June 7. Meetings will resume in August.

Property – Memorial Garden Committee’s proposal to allow burial of ashes in the garden was approved. There will be a plaque for names and a signed agreement with families. A monetary gift will allow for the purchase of the plaque and lighting which will illuminate the garden and sanctuary windows. The committee will now finalize all plans and make them available to the congregation.

The roof and steeple have been repaired. The AC in the AOC kitchen has been repaired.

Service – The committee will be closed for July and October, as they usually are. Training for using the AOC during disasters will be held July 7.

Worship – Usher Chairs are reminded to refer to their list of duties and be sure they are all completed every Sunday.

The choir will suspend practice for the summer and resume August 1.

A proposal to try one service at 10:00 with Sunday School at 9-9:40 for July was presented. The idea came from the Table Talk discussions in January and February. After discussion, the idea was tabled for future discussion after more conversation with the congregation.

Old Business – By-laws for the Scout Troop were approved. The troop will be asked to take on the continuous service project of keeping the church court yard areas clean.

The new church Mission Statement will appear on the bulletin May 27. Jennifer Ellis will explain the thought/writing process behind the Statement on June 3.

Gathering Time will continue through the summer.

New Business – Session will not meet in June. The next meeting will be July 15.

NOTES FROM SESSION MEETING ON MAY 20 Page 7

~ INVITATION FROM MACEDONIA PRESBYTERIAN~

Macedonia Presbyterian Church (on Briarwood Road in Cumberland Heights) invites our church

to participate in their annual homecoming to be held on Sunday, June 3, with worship beginning

with 10 am and a covered-dish lunch at 11:30 am. The church will provide meat and drinks. Please

RSVP to Rev. Kathy Fox, 503-3045 or Laura Palmer, 645-4260.

~ APRIL STEWARDSHIP REPORT ~

Income for April $43,425.46 Expenses for April $40,352.19 Net Operating Total for April $3,073.27

2012 year-to-date income $162,656.05 2012 year-to-date expenses $165,519.33 Year to date Operating Total -$2,863.28

~ NACOMECAMP AND CONFERENCE CENTER ~

We have 25 children and 12 adults attending camp this summer!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

PASTOR DAVE ASSISTS JOEL THOMAS REPAIR BENCHES DURING

THE MEN’S RETREAT AT NACOME IN MAY.

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MEMORIALS

Louise Taylor Shiela Foust

David Blythe Shiela Foust Sam & Pixie Mills

Terri Bowland Shiela Foust Sam & Pixie Mills

Florence Smith Hansi & Dale Russell

Bobbye Thomas Hansi & Dale Russell

Sally Hamilton Mary Lou Gilbert Clay & Jill Gilbert Chris Gilbert Aubrey & Charlyne Harvey

Cynthia Marks Alan & Linda Crear

MEN’S WORK RETREAT @

NACOME

MAY 2012

-photos by Greg W

illiamson

JUNE 2012

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

New Members’

Dinner at Tom

& Charlotte

Graves’ home

3 8:30 & 11:00

am worship

9:45 am

Sunday School

2:30 Bus to

NaCoMe

4-6 Middle

School Youth

4 5

5:30 pm Yoga

6

10 am Bible

Study

6:30 pm Sr.

High Youth @

Wendy’s

7

9:00 am PW

Planning

Meeting

8

6:30 pm Worship Comm

BBQ @ Rod &

Niesha Wolfe’s

home

9

10

8:30 & 11:00

worship

9:45 am

Sunday School

4-6 pm Middle

School Youth

Group

11 12

5:30 pm Yoga

13

10 am Bible

Study

6:30 pm Sr.

High Youth @

Wendy’s

14 15 16

17 Father’s Day

8:30 & 11:00

worship

9:45 am

Sunday School

4-6 pm Middle

School Youth

Group

18 19

5:30 pm Yoga

20

10 am Bible

Study

6:30 pm Sr.

High Youth @

Wendy’s

21 22 23

24

8:30 & 11:00

worship

9:45 am

Sunday School

4-6 pm Middle

School Youth

Group

25 26

5:30 pm Yoga

27

10 am Bible

Study

6:30 pm Sr.

High Youth @

Wendy’s

28 29 30

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~ THANK YOU FROM NEESA HAWKINS~

I felt all of the congregations love through your many cards, thoughts, prayers and well-wishes during my recent medical leave! I deeply appreciate all of the time and effort that volunteers devoted to helping out. The church office worked smoothly due to everyone’s endeavors. Sue Reynolds, Ivy Prall, Vicki Wallace, Charlyne Harvey, Hank Livingstone, Virginia Lowe, Millie Armstrong, Jill Black, Ann Waddle, Kitty Boaz, Charlotte Graves, Susan Marks, Liz Thomas, Diane Miner, Rhonda Banasiak, and Linda Crear helped out in countless ways. Dave Handley, Connie Parker, Maggie Brown, and Mary Linn Sadler (staff) also pulled “double duty” during my absence. God has truly blessed me through the relationships with members of the congregation and the above-mentioned volunteers. Thanks again, everyone! -Neesa

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GRACE GILES, MARISSA PRYOR, LIAM NOLAN, MADI AYERS,

KATIE KEEN, LAURA KEEN, CALEN KIMMELL (CONFIRMATION

CLASS MEMBERS), STAND WITH PASTOR DAVE, AND TEACHERS

SHARON DUNCAN AND DAVID ELLIOTT, IN FELLOWSHIP HALL ON

MAY 13. -PHOTO BY BOB GANDY

YOUTH GROUP JUNE MEETINGS

SENIOR HIGH YOUTH NO SUNDAY NIGHT MEETINGS IN JUNE.

WE WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAYS AT WENDY’S (Madison Street), June 6, 13, 20 and 27 at 6:30 p.m. Please bring $$ for the meal. We will eat and then hang out till 7:30 pm.

If you have questions, contact

MARK BANASIAK at 980-8185.

CLUB

345 NO

MEETINGS

IN JUNE OR

JULY

…

SEE YOU IN

THE FALL!

MIDDLE SCHOOL YOUTH

Sunday, June 3, 4-6pm, Youth Group. We will have a devotion and play

games.

Sunday, June 10, 4-6pm, Youth Group. We will have a devotion and play

games.

Sunday, June 17, 4-6pm. Youth Group. We will have a devotion and play

games.

Sunday, June 24, 4-6pm. Youth Group. We will have a devotion and then

go eat at a fast food restaurant (please bring money).

If you have any questions, call Mikey Dahlke at 931.216.0975.

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Bring a friend!

BROCK AND MIKEY AT THE PARK DURING CLUB 345 ON MAY 27

~ NEW MEMBERS~

Arland Batson , 2301 Dogwood Lane, C larksv i l l e , TN 37043.

Leong Lee & Amy Loh Lee , 668 White Face Drive, Clarksvi l l e , TN 37040. Candace Gordon & Ryan Sample , 224 Cherokee Tra i l , Clarksvi l le , TN 37043. C la ire Mer iwether , 521 Hiet ts Lane, Apt . 1 , Clarksvi l le , TN 37043. 2012 C ONFIRMATION CLASS MEMBERS :

Madison Ayers , 246 Longwood Lane, Clarksvi l le , TN 37043.

Grace Giles , 111 Hi l lcrest Circle , Clarksvi l le , TN 37043.

Kat ie & Laura Keen , 391 Louis Ussery Road, Clarksvi l le , TN 37043 .

Ca len Kimmel l , 2158 Al lenda le Drive , Clarksvi l le , TN 37043.

L iam Nolan , 2996 Edgemont Dr ive , C larksv i l l e , TN 37043. Mar issa Pryor , 3713 Edd Ross Road, Cedar Hi l l , TN 37032

~ MEMBERSHIP TRANSFERS~

G lenn & She l i Chi lders to Hi l ldale Bapt i s t Church, Clarksvi l l e , TN.

Lee & Nancy Borders to Fi rs t Presbyter ian Church, Wetumpka, AL.

L iz Stachour to Westminster Presbyter ian Church, Alexandria , VA.

~ NO 2ND SUNDAY LUNCHES IN JUNE OR JULY ~

Thanks to everyone who has participated in the lunches! The Congregational Life Committee will begin

cooking again on Rally Day, August 12.

~ WANT TO DO MORE TO SUPPORT FPC CHILDREN & YOUTH PROGRAMS? ~

The church office has re-chargeable gift cards from Kroger that support our programs with 4% of your

purchases on groceries, gas, and pharmacy items. All you have to do is regularly re-charge the card using cash,

check, or credit card and then use it at any Kroger, anytime, and Kroger sends the church 4%. The more you re

-charge the card, the more Kroger donates to our youth! To date we have received $6,497.65 from Kroger

through your purchases. Cards are available only in the church office.

~ CHURCH BUS DRIVERS ARE URGENTLY NEEDED ~

Contact Neesa Hawkins in the church office if you are interested in obtaining a Commercial Drivers License.

The church pays all licensing fees.

~ VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED FOR USHERING ~

If you are interested in ushering occasionally, please leave your name in the church office.

~ IF YOU PARK IN THE NEW LOT DURING THE WEEK …

and do not display a church hangtag, you will be ticketed ($40) by the Parking Authority! FPC designated

parking spots are the 36 closest to Main Street. Hangtags are available in the church office at no cost to you.

MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION

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2ND SUNDAY LUNCH FELLOWSHIP HALL MAY 13, 2012

-photos by Bob Gandy

TOM PRESLER USING HIS SKILLS DURING THE MEN’S WORK

RETREAT @ NACOME

-photo by Greg Williamson