making our way - firstpressarasota.org · † making our way frequently the scriptures speak of the...

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February

2015

• Making Our Way

Frequently the Scriptures speak of the Christian life as a journey, and indeed, you and I fi nd ourselves on a trajectory through our earthly days.

We are surrounded by the gifts and nurture of parents and family at a very young age. We grow and thrive, celebrating graduations and other milestones. We perhaps marry and perhaps raise children. We enjoy the experience of vocation, and the meaning that comes from answering our callings, through our occupation and/or through our servant leadership opportunities in and beyond the church. Finally, we discover the depth of the insight of that gifted pastor and priest, the late Roman Catholic Cardinal of Chicago, Joseph Bernardin: “Death is life’s fi nal calling.”

Through it all, we examine our lives. We witness over and over the gracious presence of God in Christ within and around us through the power of the Holy Spirit. Thanks be to God for the Lord’s care through every moment!

As we move forward on this journey, let me invite you to a special celebration of Ash Wednesday, February 18 at 7:00 p.m. in our fellowship hall. What a diverse experience it will be!

Some of the youth will be writing a litany of repentance for the service. We will all sit at round tables, and have the opportunity during worship to color or write images of the things we regret, and then (as we are able) walk up to the cross to leave them there with God. This action not only fully welcomes all our children and grandchildren (inviting them to color and to walk up with us), but enables each of us to “let go” of the burdens of failings and sins during the past weeks and months. We hope our service will also include leadership by Deacon Clara Ordoñez, from our Sunday Hispanic worship service We also look forward to a classic hymn accompanied by Jack Levick on the piano and a praise song led by Ted Eastmoore and two or three other vocalists from the New Song Band.

My hope and prayer is that this occasion of refl ection may lead you into these weeks of Lent, culminating at Easter, so that you may be strengthened for the journey.

Peace,

CROSS CONNECTIONS FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SARASOTA FEBRUARY 2015 2

• Love Notes Our sincere thank you for your thoughtfulness: Glen, Melanie, “We Care” poster artists, deacon Jennifer Hall who delivered the poster on such a cold day, and Jane Messimer and the Woodys who came to hospital after Judge’s fall. We hope to get back soon to our regular service at First Presbyterian. Thanks to Doris and Duane Harff for keeping their end of “our” pew occupied and even off ering to pick us up for church.

With love to y’all,Francis (The Judge) and Joan Maxwell

Dear FPC family, Your many cards, notes, calls and, most especially, your prayers have meant so much to us and our family during Ray’s illness and the days since. Thank you for praying with us through Glen Bell, Melanie Kim, Jinny and Ron Miller and Cheryl Track. Thank you for joining us in the Celebration of the Life of The Rev. Dr. H. Ray Woody. The music, complete with choir, worshipful preludes and postlude, all directed by Ray’s favorite punster, Jack Levick, was fi lled with praise and gratitude to God. Glen’s meditation, assisted by fellow Ministers of the Word, was uplifting to all. Ray fi nished his days in joyful anticipation of fellowship with our Lord. Thanks to all of you for making this time go smoothly for me and our family.

Gratefully, Pat Woody

Thank you for celebrating my ten-year anniversary as the operations manager at FPC. It is an honor to work with you all. Every day I wake up looking forward to going to work. I feel blessed that God has called me to serve here. As I look back over these ten years I refl ect on all the people I’ve worked alongside, all the projects, events and adventures we have had, I’m proud and honored to have been a part of it all. I’m looking forward to many more years on staff to love and learn and grow with this wonderful church.

Rachel Martin

• Campus Clean-Up Thank you to the volunteers who participated in the January campus clean-up:

Scott Carter, Jerry Claiborne, Beverly Eckert, Anna-May Jacobsen, Leif Jacobsen, Jane Nicholl, Ric Saba, Marcia Schaper, James Slaydon, and Anne Whiteside (with help from 4-year old)

They worked outside mulching and cleaning the grounds and inside cleaning and organizing the fellowship hall kitchen.

If you have left behind kitchen items from past events, there will be a table set up for you to pick up forgotten items on Sundays.

Please join us on March 7 for the next campus clean-up. If you are interested in learning more about this exciting new project for FPC, contact Karen Olson, the work-day coordinator: [email protected], or 554-8023.

• Youth SundayMark your calendar for Youth Sunday on March 8. There will be a combined service at 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. There will be no 8:15 a.m. service on March 8.

• The Annual Congregational Meeting This meeting will be held Sunday, February 15, at 12:00 noon in the sanctuary. On the agenda will be receiving reports of the session, deacons, and other organizations of the church; transacting any business of the church corporation; and reviewing and approving changes in the pastors’ terms of call.

• Ash Wednesday Service February 18Please join us as we begin our Lenten journey towards the cross and Easter. There will be one service for Ash Wednesday for the entire church, at 7:00 p.m. in the fellowship hall.

• Presbyterian Women Gathering

February 3, 2015

Our guest speaker for our Tuesday, February 3 Presbyterian

Women gathering will be Anna Hanson Bedford. Anna was born in Kunming, Southwest China to Welsh missionaries, but grew up in Cardiff , Wales. After moving to the United States, she earned her bachelor of arts degree in communications and her master’s degree in oral literature. She was also associate editor of Horizons magazine. Anna wrote the storybook Shanti Means Peacefor the Children’s Peace Day she attended in the Philippines last October. This storybook was written for them. Beginning at 11:30 a.m., punch and coff ee will be served with lunch at 12:00 noon. The cost for lunch is $7. If you bring a salad or sandwich, the cost is $2 (punch, coff ee and dessert). Please call our church offi ce at 955-8119 by 12:00 noon on Monday, February 2 to make your reservations. Don’t forget to bring pop-top cans for our food pantry. All members from FPC and the community are welcome to join us. Come hear what all the children did when Anna gave them their own autographed storybook.

WWW.FIRSTPRESSARASOTA.ORG 3

• Presbyterian Women Lightby Jean Luker, PW co-moderator

Janet Churn (co-moderator) and I are enjoying the opportunity to get to know each other, and all of the women who participate in Presbyterian Women. We have become convinced that every volunteer job should be shared! As the co-moderators, we feel it has so many advantages. God has given us compatible gifts and contrasting ones that make serving together an exciting, and delightful opportunity. In fact, we will be asking the membership to consider serving with a partner leader in the future. At an informal gathering on January 6, 2015, Presbyterian Women decided that we will meet again in March, April, June, July, August, September, and October for PW Light. Our fi rst PW Light will be in the fellowship hall on March 3, at 11:30 a.m. These gatherings will be new in many ways. First, bring your own lunch, but bring pop-top cans, as usual. Coff ee and tea will be available. Be prepared to make the fi nancial gifts that we make to PW, and we will have a very informal program, one of many that Janet and I found at the PC(USA) Presbyterian Women website! There will not be a Coordinating Team (CT) meeting in March. The C.T. meetings will be on a need-to-meet basis. Your co-moderators are joining with each of you to greet new days, new ways, new ideas and new people, while we preserve the things that mean so much to us all.

PW members explore new directions for PW at First Presbyterian. Shown left, Glen Bell and Melanie Kim with PW members during January 6, re-visioning meeting. PW members seek to share the mission of PW in ways that invite all women to consider joining in PW's 200 year-long line of saints. To fi nd out how you can get involved with this wonderful organization, call Jean Luker (366-1279).


• Why You Should Take a CPR Class This Month at First Presbyterian!submitted by Cheryl Track,

faith community nurse

Anyone can learn CPR – and everyone should! Sadly, 70 percent of Americans may feel helpless to act during a cardiac emergency because they either do not know how to administer CPR or their training has signifi cantly lapsed. This alarming statistic could hit close to home, because home is exactly where 88 percent of cardiac arrests occur. Put very simply: The life you save with CPR is mostly likely to be someone you love. The American Heart Association is calling on all Americans to learn how to give Hands-Only® CPR by watching a simple one-minute video at heart.org/cpr.

WHY LEARN CPR? Cardiac arrests are more common than you think, and they can happen to anyone at any time.•Nearly 383,000 out-of-hospital sudden cardiac arrests occur annually. •Many victims appear healthy with no known heart disease or other risk factors.•Sudden cardiac arrest is not the same as a heart attack. Sudden cardiac arrest occurs when electrical impulses in the heart become rapid or chaotic, which causes the heart to suddenly stop beating. A heart attack occurs when the blood supply to part of the heart muscle is blocked. A heart attack may cause cardiac arrest.

WHO CAN YOU SAVE WITH CPR?The life you save with CPR is mostly likely to be a loved one.•Statistically speaking, if called on to administer CPR in an emergency, the life you save is likely to be: a child, a spouse, a parent, or a friend.•African-Americans are almost twice as likely to experience cardiac arrest than Caucasians, and their survival rates are twice as poor as for Caucasians.

WHY TAKE ACTION?•Failure to act in a cardiac emergency can lead to unnecessary deaths.•Eff ective bystander CPR provided immediately after sudden cardiac arrest can double or

triple a victim’s chance of survival, but only 32 percent of cardiac arrest victims get CPR from a bystander.•Sadly, less than eight percent of people who suff er cardiac arrest outside the hospital survive.•A study published in the March 8, 2011 issue of Circulation: Cardiovascular Quality and Outcomes showed that people who view a CPR instructional video are signifi cantly more likely to attempt life-saving resuscitation.•Hands-Only CPR (CPR with just chest compressions) has been proven to be as eff ective as CPR with breaths in treating adult cardiac arrest victims. The American Heart Association has recommended Hands-Only CPR for adults since 2008. Taken from www.heart.org

First Presbyterian Church will be hosting an American Heart CPR class Monday, February 23, 9:15-10:45 a.m. and 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the forum. Cost $25; the certifi cation is good for two years. Call church offi ce, (955-8119) by Wednesday, February 18 to reserve a space.

• Don’t Wait To See The Doctor If You Are Expriencing Flu Symptoms

submitted by Cheryl Track,faith community nurse

This fl u season looks like it could be worse than usual, due to an aggressive strain of infl uenza called H3N2. Past death rates from H3N2 have been more than double that of other fl u strains, according to officials from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Five children have already died from the fl u this season. H3N2 viruses were predominant during the 2012-13, 2007-08 and 2003-04 fl u seasons, the three seasons with the highest death rates in the past decade. Because vaccine protection is likely to be shakier than usual this season, CDC offi cials are urging doctors to use antiviral drugs as soon as possible for any suspected fl u cases. They are most eff ective when given within two days of the onset of symptoms. Antivirals can’t prevent fl u, but will reduce the amount of time people are sick. Antivirals aren’t a substitute

(cont. on page 5)


• Grief Share Support Group GriefShare resumes Friday, February 6, from 10:00-11:30 a.m. Please arrive at 9:45 a.m. for the fi rst session. We will meet in the parlor on February 6, and in room 203 on the dates to follow. GriefShare support group is for those who are grieving the loss of a spouse, child, family member or friend. This program is open to the community, so please invite anyone you know who may be in need of support. You are welcome to begin attending at any session, so don’t be discouraged if you can’t attend all 11 weeks (we will not meet April 3). Each session is “self-contained” so you do not have to attend in sequence. You will fi nd encouragement and hope whenever you begin. Please call the church offi ce, 941-955-8119, to reserve your space and workbook. The cost of the workbook is $20. If you already have a workbook from a previous session, there is no cost. For more information, please contact Cheryl Track, faith community nurse (941-320-3828 or [email protected]).

for vaccination. Vaccination prevents fl u, but antivirals are an important second line of defense to treat the fl u. This year, treatment with antiviral drugs is especially important, particularly for people who are at high risk for serious fl u complications or for people who are very sick with fl u. Symptoms include some or all of these: comes on suddenly, fever or feverish feeling (you don’t have to have a fever to have the fl u), cough, sore throat, fatigue, runny or stuff y nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea (more common in children).

• It’s a New Year, Why Not Try Something New? Gentle Yoga classes are off ered Tuesday and Thursday weekly in the forum from 9:15-10:30 a.m. The cost per class is $8, and credit cards are accepted. Bring a yoga mat, water and a friend! You will love our yoga teacher, Annie Murphy! Annie was introduced to yoga in 1988, but truly began her personal journey of discovery and teaching through yoga in 2004, becoming a registered yoga teacher in 2007. Also a licensed massage therapist, Annie brings practical know-how regarding body mechanics and safety to her yoga students. On her personal path, yoga has been a blessing through tough times, bringing strength, comfort and balance to the mind and heart, as well as the body. Annie’s classes off er the opportunity for you to release stress, build strength, restore balance and connect your heart to God’s Supreme Love.

Yoga family tree, Michelle Rencher, her daughter, Natalie, and mother. Three generations of yogis!

• Don’t Wait To See The Doctor If You Are Expriencing Flu Symptoms (cont. from page 4)

• 2015 Health and WholenessA special thank you to all who participated in the Health Ministry Check-Up! 40 surveys were returned. It's never to late for your input if you did not complete one in December. Turn it into the church offi ce any time. The Health and Wholeness Ministry will be looking at ways to put your valued input into practice. Keep your eyes open for 2015! Don't forget to check out the Health and Wholeness bulletin board (in the hallway next to church offi ce) with lots of community and health information that is changed monthly.

• Future Jubilation Brass DatesInvite your friends, coworkers and neighbors to hear our fabulous Jubilation Brass on the following Sundays at the 11:00 a.m. services.

February 8 March 15

April 5 May 10


• Ending Hunger One Step At A Time CROP Hunger Walk, Sunday, March 1 The stories are varied and yet they remain the same. The pain of hunger and despair are real. We are blessed; programs under the auspices of Church World Service off er specifi c assistance and hope. We walk one step at a time on March 1 as congregants from many churches in the greater Sarasota area to become an integral part of Church World Service’s ministry. We walk with grateful hearts thanking God for the lives we lead and that we are blessed by those who support us. Our walking together brings hope to those who will be the recipients of better health and care. We walk because we believe in the 2015 CROP Hunger Walk to help alleviate hunger. Maria Williams’ shares her gratitude, “We are happy because our lives will be prolonged and remain strong and healthy to take care of our families. I’m sincerely grateful for this project.” Debra states, “I can truly say that I am forever changed and more optimistic about the simple joys of life.” Another adds, “This is going to be very benefi cial to our community. That is wonderful.” We share the hope as we hear, “I want to say thank you to Church World Service for what you have provided us.” There’s still time to sign up to walk on March 1 or make a donation to the CROP Hunger Walk. Come to the courtyard after services. Someone will be there to answer your questions—and better yet—sign you up to be a walker or a donor. One quarter of the proceeds from our Sarasota CROP Hunger Walk will stay in Sarasota and will be given to All Faiths Food Bank.

I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these, you did for me. - Matthew 25:40

• Our Mission Connections FPC Mission Update Mission is the lifeblood of a congregation.

Family PromiseBarbara Chase and Suzie Hatatah are our new FPC coordinators. They spent time recently cleaning/organizing the Family Promise House on School Avenue. There were no families to host during our December week. New families are being interviewed to enter the program.They thank everyone for their support.

Kenya Mission PartnershipNew mission team-making preparations for their February 26 - March 13 mission trip. Received word that plastering of all inside walls of new church building is complete. Work yet to be done: Plaster outside pillars, fi t window panes, purchase lumber and materials for pew construction, tables, seats and fl ooring. Outside landscaping. They plan fundraisers in February and July. Dedication of the new church building is planned for March, 2016.

Nicaragua and CEPADOur latest support used for psychosocial program in Matagalpa and Jinotega areas, as well as water fi lter production and food sustaining programs. Also used our donations to purchase a cow for propagation, composting, and fertilizer use. CEPAD is moving into fi ve new communities this month with their fi ve-year plans for living improvement. The leaders send their thanks for our support for programs that empower the poor of Nicaragua to lift themselves out of poverty.

RHINOTeam of 19 leaving for New Orleans Sunday, February 8 and returning February 15. This is the largest mission team assembled from FPC. Working with Habitat for Humanity in helping to build/restore housing. Prayer Guide coming soon for you to remember them daily in prayer. Rachel Martin is the team leader.

Thoughtful GivingThank you for your support of Thoughtful Giving during our Christmas season. Over $6,000 was raised for our many mission effi orts. This endeavor makes gift-giving more meaningful while helping others in need. Jennifer Yahraus was the coordinator for this project.

• Of a Peacemaking Persuasion I am concerned about any discrimination, of any people, regardless of race or other physical diff erences. We are all God’s children and deserving of his rewards. - Rosa Parks

*BE THE CHANGE* At All Faiths Food Bank on January 10, keynote speaker David LaMotte challenged our Presbyterian youth to BE THE CHANGE! He wanted those gathered to begin to actively tackle the problems of hunger—right here in Sarasota. The youth and their advisors from FPC, Pine Shores, Church of the Palms, Peace and Vanderbilt Presbyterian churches heard his message. From an All Faiths Food Bank supervisor, our youth learned what work was expected for the day. With a mind-set on accomplishing much, they set out to work. Their hands-on participation to tackle hunger brought good results. Our Presbyterian youth sorted 39 large food bins of donated food, totaling 15,722 pounds. This will provide 13,102 meals that will feed 12 people for one year. This was accomplished in less than two hours! Blessed with the support of the FPC mission and ministry committee, and the leadership of Clarisse Durnell, the peace and justice ministry team served lunch to 125 youth and adults. We have a better understanding as we begin to tackle hunger as individuals and acknowledging there is a problem and we work together so we can be the change. By contributing to the Souper Bowl of Caring February 1, and walking, or supporting a walker, for the Church World Service Hunger CROP Walk on March 1, we become part of the change to alleviate the ravages of hunger.


• Getting to Know the Daughters for Life Students at New College Meet Leen Al Fatafta, from

Amman, Jordan. A graduate in the Scientifi c Stream from Jubilee School in Amman, Leen joined a language certifi cate program in Turkey after graduation from high school. In addition to volunteer work with refugees (Jordan has a large number of refugees from Iraq)

and starting a reading club, she participated in debate through Jubilee Model UN, Model Arab’s League, and her high school’s Arab Summit and Parliamentary Council. Leen's primary academic interests are in political science and gender studies, stemming from growing up in the Middle East. Leen says her guiding principles are freedom of choice, freedom of speech, and equity. Leen's goals for the future are to fi nish her education and travel for long enough to gain a better understanding of diff erent cultures and to work on improving the impression people have of her own Arab culture. Leen is leaning towards academia as a career. Because she believes in the power of knowledge and the enormous impact for good that can come from knowledge, Leen is planning to be an educator. Therefore, she is invested in the pursuit of both education and diverse cultural exposure. Leen is confi dent that education and travel will ensure that she will reach her true potential while broadening her world view.Learning the full Rosa Parks story

A beehive of energy and commitment

Princeton Theological Seminary in May 2012 receiving both her master of divinity and master of arts in Christian education. Since August 2012 Megan has served as the campus minister of the Christian association at the University of Pennsylvania. She is also a parish associate at Arch Street Presbyterian Church and believes that her title of “Minister for Curiosity, Learning, and Wonder” may be the best she’ll ever have! In her free time you are likely to fi nd her working on a craft project, watching NCIS or college sports, reading, baking, and spending time with family and friends. After having grown up in Arizona she has learned to like living “out East” although she has still not adjusted to the humidity!

Rev. John Leedy, Associate Pastor University Presbyterian Church Austin, Texas

Rev. John Leedy was raised in Houston, TX and is a life-long

Presbyterian. He graduated from Abilene Christian University with a bachelor of arts in youth and family ministry and, after marrying his wife, Krystal, in 2006, moved to Austin and completed a master of divinity degree from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary in 2011. While at Austin Seminary he served as the student body president, participated in the Chapel Beadle program, and received the John C. Spragens graduate award in Christian education. John was ordained and installed at University Presbyterian Church in Austin as the associate pastor for youth and family ministries in December of 2011. In addition to his youth ministry responsibilities John serves as the pastoral liaison to the diaconate, as well as the liaison to the worship and mission committees. He also serves the Mission Presbytery as the ecumenical delegate to the Texas conference of churches, chair of the worship task force, and advisor to the youth connection division. In John’s spare time he enjoys exploring Austin, hiking and camping, gardening, and is an avid fan of Netfl ix.

• Pastoral Development Seminar Participants February 4-8, 2015

Our Pastoral Development Seminars are designed to enable young pastors to:• Interact with the keynote speaker of the Faith Focus Weekends,• Grow in their skills and abilities as pastors through the guidance of gifted church leaders, and• Relax in this beautiful setting and experience the warm hospitality of this congregation.

We are delighted that these fi ve young pastors will be a part of our Pastoral Development Seminar, Wednesday, February 4, through Sunday, February 8. Please pray for each of them.

Rev. Hallie M. Hottle, Associate Pastor Miami Shores Presbyterian Church Miami Shores, Florida

Rev. Hallie M. Hottle grew up in the cornfi eld plains of Illinois. Hallie graduated from Coe College in Cedar Rapids, IA, and Princeton Theological Seminary. She was an intern, and later a part-time interim at Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. Through the “For Such a Time as This” residency program of the Presbyterian Church (USA), she became pastor of the Brickell Presbyterian Church, Miami, FL. She also served a one-year residency at Morton Plant Hospital, Clearwater, FL, and she is now serving as associate pastor at Miami Shores Presbyterian Church, Miami Shores, FL. Hallie and her husband recently celebrated their wedding onDecember 13, 2014.

Rev. Megan LeCluyse, Campus Minister University of Pennsylvania and Parish Associate, Arch Street Presbyterian Church, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Rev. Megan LeCluyse grew up in Phoenix, AZ and attended the University of Arizona for her undergraduate studies. She graduated from


Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. RigbyFaith Focus Weekend – Keynote Speaker, February 4-8, 2014

Rev. Dr. Cynthia L. Rigby, professor of theology at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, grew up on Long

Island, N.Y. and is the daughter of a pastor and an educator. She is a dynamic speaker with a relevant message. Her Ph.D. in systematic theology and M.Div. are from Princeton Theological Seminary. She has been on the faculty of Austin Seminary for ten years. Dr. Rigby has been cited as one of the great theologians of our time who can “span the gap between church and society. Her attention to theology, politics and sociology allow her to shape the world, not just follow in its wake” (William McKenzie). Dr. Rigby is the author of more than thirty articles and book chapters. Cindy and her husband, Bill, have two children: Xander (11) and Jessica (9). She enjoys singing, laying the piano, reading, and family hikes.

Rev. Dr. Thomas W. Walker, Senior PastorPalms Presbyterian ChurchJacksonville Beach, Florida2014-15 Pastoral Development Seminar – Resource Leader

Rev. Dr. Tom Walker, pastor and head of staff , was born and adopted in Raleigh, NC. He grew up in the Presbyterian Church. Tom studied biology at Davidson College, received his master of divinity at Columbia Theological Seminary and his Ph.D. in Old Testament studies at Princeton Theological Seminary. Tom has served local congregations and taught in seminaries. He has a deep passion for local congregations learning about their faith by exploring biblical texts, theological themes, and their own journeys. Tom and his wife, Jan, live in Ponte Vedra, FL, and have two sons, Worth, a recent college graduate from Wake Forest University, and Chris, a freshman at UCF.

Rev. Lolimarta “Loli” Reiter, Pastor Seff ner Presbyterian Church Seff ner, Florida

Rev. Lolimarta Ros Reiter was born in Puerto Rico of missionary parents. Loli attended Rollins

College and graduated from the University of South Florida with a degree in social work. She is a graduate of Union Presbyterian Seminary, Richmond, VA. Rev. Reiter has served as associate for youth and Christian education at First Presbyterian Church, Rock Hill, SC, and is currently serving as pastor of the Seff ner Presbyterian Church, Seff ner, FL. She is married to Rev. John Reiter, Director of Cedarkirk Camp and Conference Center. They have two daughters, Olivia and Isabel. Loli has a love for camp and conference ministry and is fascinated by the daily miracles of serving in a small church setting.

Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis, Co-PastorProvidence Presbyterian Church Providence, Rhode Island

Shavon Starling-Louis was born and raised in St. Petersburg, FL. She studied the clarinet and was fl ag captain in her marching band. Shavon graduated from St. Leo University with a degree in psychology and from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, with a master of divinity with special honors in practical theology. She served in her fi rst pastorate call at First Presbyterian Church in Midwest City within the metropolitan area of Oklahoma City, OK. In November 2014, Shavon was excited to begin her service as co-pastor of Providence Presbyterian Church in Providence, Rhode Island. Shavon and her family have spent the last several months settling into their new home. She is married to a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, Kirk Louis. They have an exuberant fi ve-year-old daughter, Sariah. Shavon enjoys the arts and cultivating the transformative power of community. She fi nds joy in helping members within the family of God discover their calling in the daily offi ces of life.



by Clarisse Durnell, director of Christian education for children and youth

#Youth Ministry Opportunities Sunday, February 1-The youth will collect money at the four worship services for the Souper Bowl of Caring. The collection will go towards a Stop Hunger Now event here at the church.Sunday, February 1- The deposits for the Montreat Youth Conference and the Massanetta Springs Middle School Conference are due.Sunday, February 8-The youth will begin preparing for Youth Sunday. Saturday, February 14 and Sunday, February 15-The Senior High Youth will go on their mystery trip.Sunday, February 22-The youth will do rotation workshops on the Five Love Languages and how God uses them for us to experience God’s love.

(Girls night out and boys day out with Captain Jay Swick)

• Tweeted Educational News

(The middle school mystery trip landed in Orlando where they “stepped out on faith” and went indoor skydiving!)

#Children’s Ministry Opportunities

Wednesday, February 4-Everyone is invited to come to be “Surrounded in Love” at our next Wacky Wednesday. Wear your Valentine’s Day colors as you eat a fabulous Mexican meal and play games from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the fellowship hall. For our meal planning, please be sure to RSVP to the church offi ce at 955-8119 no later than Monday, February 2.Friday, February 6-The 4th and 5th graders of Club 45 will go to Lunar Miniature Putt-Putt Golf. They will meet in the loft at 5:30 p.m. for dinner and then head out to putt-putt. Arrival back at the church will be 8:00 p.m.Saturday, February 21-The children and youth Sunday school teachers will have a gathering to dine and play games together at Robyn Collins’ home from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

#Save the DateVacation Bible School (VBS) June 8 through June 12 Children in preschool through fi fth grade will explore Bible stories with a host of fun activities, crafts, songs, and games! More information to come.


#LOGOS Update Our LOGOS board is excited to announce that the LOGOS program for children, K through 5th grade, will begin this fall on Wednesday, September 9, 2015 and run weekly through Wednesday, April 27, 2016. LOGOS is a mid-week, camp-style experience that builds Christian relationships. The board is designing fun experiences for both children and adults. There are many opportunities for volunteers, and we need you! Please consider sharing your gifts with this program by... • Being a Bible study teacher • Being a table parent • Being a dinner dean • Helping to prepare meals as part of a cooking team • Assisting with games and crafts • Assisting with music

Leadership training will be held on a Saturday in the near future. More information will come! Please contact Patricia Roby at [email protected] or call 780-4589 with questions.

(“Toasting the Kings” at Wacky Wednesday! We had fun making a star from yarn and playing “star” hot potato.)

#College/Young Adult Ministry Opportunities

Please pray for our college/graduate students as they return back to school.

Turner AllenMatt BellOlivia CainTiff any CampbellRose CardinalVanessa CohelloCarla CruzJacob DiDonatoJohn GarciaAustin GarrausMadison GarrausSteven Giff ord-BellEmily Harding

Molly HardingA.J. JonesAnna MarshallJake MartinCaleb MasonSarah MooreDaniel MorrisAlexandria MorrisonMolly NurczykBrandon Taaff eMcKayla Taaff eTravis Taaff eTodd Williams

• Preschool Newsby Clare Carter, Director

The Seniors are enjoying their study of “Famous Artists” including Claude Monet, Michelangelo, Paul Klee, George Seurat, Jim Lambie, and Jackson Pollock. The children’s amazing art work is proudly displayed on the “gallery/wall” outside their classrooms. Stop by and have a look. You will be astonished by their talent! The Juniors and Almost 3s are learning about pets and ways to care for them. The Humane Society will be visiting the preschool to introduce the children to some therapy pets and to show them diff erent ways pets help people. We will be collecting pet food, toys, old towels, kitty litter, collars, etc. for the needy animals at the Humane Society. To see their complete wish list, look in the preschool’s February newsletter, which can be found on our website. Do you know anyone with preschool age children? If so, please be sure to let them know registration for the 2015 – 2016 school year begins February 12! Our nationally accredited and award-winning preschool accepts children ages 2 through 5 years. Our classes fi ll quickly, so call 366-2000 or email the preschool offi ce at preschool@fi rstpressarasota.org ASAP to arrange a tour! Thanks, as always, for all you do to support this wonderful children’s ministry!


Academy of Christian Discipleship Classes

Job: Three Views of One of the Bible’s Most Human CharactersTaught by Dr. Maurice Luker

With Dr. Luker as a guide, this class will provide an opportunity to delve into a most interesting life - one that raises issues and questions we all face every day. As Job's drama plays out we will discover that there is more to this man than just "patience."

Spiritual and Moral Issues in Modern FictionTaught by Dr. John Parks

Once again Dr. Parks has selected an engaging list of short stories and chapters of contemporary literature. The weekly readings will provide the grist for discussion of the intersection of faith and decisions of our daily lives.

These classes begin on Sunday, February 1, at 10:00 a.m. On February 8, the Faith Focus Weekend will off er a course at that hour. Regular classes will resume on February 15 and run through March 29. The registration fee for each class is $10 (which will be waived if requested).

• God’s Call to Mission: An Invitation to Step Into the CircleFirst Presbyterian Church of Sarasota and Peace River Presbytery invite you to:Meet the Rev. Dr. Hunter Farrell, Director of World Mission.

Hear about the church’s worldwide mission activities.

Connect with other Presbyterians and the larger church in mission.

Saturday, February 28, in the fellowship hall Refreshments at 9:30 a.m. Presentation at 10:00 a.m.

Sunday, March 1, Hunter will preach at all three English-speaking worship services and bring greetings at the Spanish-speaking worship service.

Hunter Farrell serves as the Director of World Mission for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). He served as a Presbyterian mission worker in the Congo and Peru for 15 years. Hunter earned his

Master of Divinity at Fuller Theological Seminary and his doctorate in cultural anthropology examining the relationship between culture and violence in a Peruvian Andean community. Among his greatest teachers have been the Congolese and Peruvian Christians with whom he worked. Hunter’s articles on mission, justice, and congregation-based mission work have been published in the Latin American Journal of Theology, Christianity Today, Horizons Magazine, and several books.

• Getting Down to the Nitty Gritty

Our annual First Presbyterian Yard Sale on March 13 and 14 is just a little more than a month away! We look forward to receiving your glassware, pots and pans, dishes, kitchen wares, lamps, toys, sporting goods, collectibles, books, jewelry and accessories, purses, costumes, holiday décor, pictures and artwork, tools, furniture, and children's and teen clothing (no adult clothing).

Donations will be accepted on: Sunday, March 8 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Monday, March 9 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, March 10 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Wednesday, March 11 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sale Days: Friday, March 13 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Saturday, March 14 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.


• Birthdays

February

Anniversaries

Cross Connections is a monthly publication of First Presbyterian Church of Sarasota, Florida, Volume 33 Issue #2. Please submit articles for the next issue by February 15, 2015.

1 Robert Noble, III Jeannetta Mouncey Barbara Epperson Kara Delaney Charlotte Chapdelain Spencer Chapdelain Ida Tidwell2 Allison Lindell Judy Kelly Sue Nurczyk Diana O'Neill Dwight Ferguson Rogers Knopik3 Claire Steiner Jack Levick, Jr. Kym Biggar, III Betsy Cairns Kathleen Harmon4 Lauren Van Nostrand5 Robert Schwartzkopf6 Ernestine Harris Shawn Gantert-O'Malley7 Barbara Hostetler Jon Raynor8 Cajun Camastro9 Leigh Armstrong Jim Porteous Emma John10 Wesley Hord Siena Cook Stephanie Tarnowsky Joel DeVane11 Jo Ann Heburn Rob Harrison Linda Parks Julie Kerr Shelby Tatum Nikki Garraus12 Julia Boehm Kevin Ronan

1 Bill & Linda Wishart3 David & Maryann Boehm4 John & Elizabeth Allen5 Bill & Judy Bosold Chuck & Carolyn Duddingston13 Jerry & Heather Blanton14 Tony & Lisa Ciraolo Bob & Carol Putnam Steven & Hilda Gaeta16 Denis & Julianne Romanenko17 David & Karen Johnston18 Bob & Diane Bittner

13 Sally Scott Tyler Sunseri Amy Weeks14 Doris Stelzer El Gesell15 Wes Burquest, Jr Dick Schlup Betty Fee16 Tristan O'Neill Stephen Giff ord-Bell17 Eleanor Strait Cy Wofsy Jeff Steinwachs Al Washington18 John Bice Martin Sabin Jack O'Neill Tammy Taaff e19 Chad Anderson20 Susan Morrison David Soper22 Linda McCausey Beth Knopik23 Matthew Ulsh Jim Tschirgi Lynn Riechmann Lydia Chapdelain Suzanne Messick24 Irene Halstead Beverly Koach Candice Martin Avalon Martin26 Emily Rickloff 27 Cindy Balistreri Sharon Oxley28 Jeanne Baum Ray Hord

25 Jerry & Roxanne George26 Charlie & Dee Stottlemyer Bill & Jo Ann Heburn Todd & Emily Weitekamp Phil & Jodilyn Khuu28 Ed & Alia Wilson

Non-Profi t Organization U.S. Postage

PaidPermit No. 757Manasota, FL

Cross ConnectionsFirst Presbyterian Church2050 Oak StreetSarasota, FL 34237-7093

(941) 955-8119www.FirstPresSarasota.org

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