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The First News

First Presbyterian Church

July/August 2019

From Pastor Taylor

Dear Friends,

Summer is a funny time in church life. We both slow down and revel in activities like vaca-tions and long weekends but we are also in hyper-drive mode planning for the fall, spurts of energetic meetings to make sure we’re ready for what is to come. When you receive this, I’ll be with my family in Montreat on vacation, having already spent one week there and finishing out this holiday week there, too. We’ve never had this time together as a family in the summer because I (joyfully!) was on youth trips for about a month total in my previous call so I thank you, FPC friends, for giving the Hartmans some space to rest and be with our immediate and extended family. I packed a stack of books to read on the porch so

when I get back, hold me accountable for some oral book reports!

We’re hard at work here, too! In the past month, the staff and Session worked through some big-picture ideas for the year and is working hard to get those launched. We’re excited about using Brian McLaren’s book We Make the Road by Walking as our church-wide guidebook for 2019-2020. We’ll use it in worship, Christian Education, fellowship, and personal devotion. Look deeper into the newsletter for more information about this journey. The Session is also coor-dinating our calendars church-wide so that we can be more intentional about the time we spend together. On a detailed committee level, elders have taken to heart your words and wisdom from our Fish Fry visioning night. Congregational Care created new prayer request cards for worship; Worship Council is busy recruiting more folks to volunteer in wor-ship. Mission is faithfully figuring out how to best serve our neighbors, especially through our food ministries. Chris-tian Education is supporting our campus ministry - UKirk - as they prepare to welcome students in August (make sure you’re here for our Lemonade on the Lawn welcome for GS students August 18). Facilities is tending to our list of building needs including working on the carpet in the sanctuary. Administration is planning our Stewardship Campaign and Fellowship has thought about the flow of our gatherings so we can best deepen our relationships.

Our June-July Sermon Series is on Joy and I can tell you this: y’all bring me such effervescent and resounding joy because of your love of Christ that you pour out to our community and to one another. May you find joy wherever you go this summer!

In Christ,

Pastor Taylor

The First News Page 2

The First News

FPC To Spend A Year Making The Road By Walking We Make the Road by Walking: A Year-Long Quest for Spiritual Formation, Reorientation, and Activation is an in-vitation to a walk deeper into our faith as individuals and as a covenant commu-nity. The First Presbyterian Session is excited to name this as our theme for the year 2019-2020. We’ll use this book as our guide in worship, Sunday School classes, and small groups.

Why this book? Our hope as a Session and staff is that it will bind us together as a community and provide a common language and experience. We’re already a healthy bunch and are prepared as a people to explore our faith. This will book will allow us to do that in a way that makes space for the Spirit to stir our imagina-tions and enliven our conversations.

On August 25 at our Rally Day Breakfast (9:45am, Carlton Hall), Pastor Taylor will present the introduction of the book, provide a reading calendar, and give an over-view of our year together. We are able to offer 50 free copies of the book (one per household) to those who haven’t purchased it yet. This is made possible by a gift to the church in honor of Pastor Taylor’s friend Amy who passed away in Decem-ber and was an avid walker, runner, and reader of devotionals.

If you’d like to learn more about this journey, Brian McLaren’s website offers the first few chapters of the book and other resources: https://brianmclaren.net/we-make-the-road-by-walking-2/

Becoming Mrs. Lewis is

August Book Club Selection

Author C.S. Lewis called Joy Davidson, “my whole world”.

Becoming Mrs. Lewis, the August selection of the Book

Club for All Seasons explores their

unconventional love story.

When poet and writer Joy Davidman

began writing letters to C. S.

Lewis—known as Jack—she was

looking for spiritual answers, not

love. Love, after all, wasn’t holding

together her crumbling marriage.

Everything about New Yorker Joy

seemed ill-matched for an Oxford

don and the beloved writer of

Narnia, yet their minds bonded over their letters.

The book club will meet on Monday, August 26, at 11:30

am in the Fielding Russell Room. Everyone is invited to

come enjoy the journey of Becoming Mrs. Lewis.

A Note From: Elder Nominating

Committee

Your recently elected Elder Nominating Committee

asks that you begin prayerful consideration as to

which individuals you would like to have serve as

ruling elders for the Class of 2022.

The PC(USA) Book of Order describes a ruling

elder as one who seeks to discern the Holy Spirit in

guiding the congregation in discipleship.

Look around you in the weeks ahead and think

about those among us who you feel could best serve

in this important role.

We will begin taking nominations on August 4, and

will close on August 25. Nomination forms will be

located on the table in the narthex and should be

returned to the adjacent box. Election will be held

on September 22. Thank you for your participation

in this important process in the life of our church.

https://brianmclaren.net/we-make-the-road-by-walking-2/

The First News

In July; August Brings

Us Back To The Basics

We’ll continue our Joy Series for the rest of July, exploring Joy in Exile, Joy and Laughter, Joy as Re-sistance, and Complete Joy. For August, we’re launching a one-month series called “Back to the Basics.” We are a congregation full of people with insights, skills, and wisdom about a wide array of subjects. For this series, a few folks have volun-teered to explore their faith through their lens of study and offer us fresh perspectives on texts we hold dear. The sermon will be expansive in this se-ries, with Pastor Taylor and members dialoguing and coming to the same text different ways. This worship series is coupled by a Sunday School forum in Carlton Hall from 10-10:45 August 4, 11, and 18. Here’s what we’ll explore together:

August 4 - Science August 11 - Math August 18 - Arts August 25 - History

July Birthdays

Chloe Radford 7/2 Robert Brooks 8/6

Bob Scherer 7/2 Logan Chappell 8/6

Lauren Thomas 7/7 Nicole Riggs 8/6

Worth Presley 7/9 Christopher Toth 8/6

Brockman Presley 7/10 Anne Nevil 8/8

Julia Basquin 7/11 Charles Webb 8/8

Charles (CJ) Mann 7/12 Andrew Allen 8/11

James Christy 7/14 Bill Barnes 8/11

Paige Haymons 7/17 Mike Herndon 8/12

Katrina Toth 7/17 Jay Broucek 8/14

Phoenix Eyrich 7/21 Jo Callaway 8/14

Ruth Baker 7/25 Jill Nevil 8/15

Nan LoBue 7/26 Chaz Shepherd, Jr. 8/17

Bill Broucek 7/27 Linda Kimsey 8/19

Tucker Dennis 7/27 Carlita Slatky 8/20

Mark Davis 7/28 Lauren Massee 8/23

August Birthdays

Marti Schriver 8/2

Christine Brooks 8/5

Allison Strickland 8/25

Jim Lobue 8/27

Timothy Cariney 8/29

Get ready for a new Sunday School year at Rally

Day, August 25.

Rally Day Breakfast - 9:30 am in Carlton Hall.

Bring a covered dish to share.

Pastor Taylor will introduce our theme/book for

the upcoming year, “We Make the Road by Walk-

ing” by Brian McLaren. We will have books avail-

able at the breakfast (1 copy per household).

Our Sunday School teachers will also have an op-

portunity to share information about their classes.

Rally Day


The First News

Session Highlights June 2, 2019

CONSENT AGENDA

Approved the Minutes of the April 14, 2019 Stated Meeting of Session

Approved the Worship Theme “We Make the Road by Walking”

Approved a small committee to meet with staff to brainstorm ideas for newsletters and communication

Elected 2 Elders and nominated 3 at large members to serve as a Nominating Committee. Lynda Webb (chair) and

Patti Moore will serve from Session and Burke Basquin, Jim LoBue and Verdery Kennedy were nominated as the at-

large members. The committee was approved at a Congregational Meeting on June 16. The timeline for the elder

nominating process is included in dates below.

The Facilities Committee has gotten approval from Session to begin clearing out some of the brush at the back of the church property to improve the safety of those who walk through the woods there. Some signage will be placed to encourage walkers to refrain from littering. The Committee will inquire of the city if some lighting could be placed there for added safety.

TREASURER’S REPORT TO SESSION – See Page 5

IMPORTANT DATES:

Mission Monday: July 1

Rebecca’s Café: July 9

Nomination for Elders open: August 4

Nominations for Elders close: August 25

Session Approves Slate of Elders: Sept. 8

Slate announced to congregation: Sept. 15 and 22

Congregational Meeting to elect Elders: Sept 22

The next Stated Session Meeting is scheduled for July 14, 2019 at 9:30 a.m.

Blessing of the Backpacks

Sunday, July 28, 11 am Worship Service

We will have a special “Blessing of the Backpacks” during

worship. Our FPC students are invited to bring their back-

packs to be blessed as they begin a new school year.

We are also asking for donations of new backpacks for our

Backpack Buddy children at Mill Creek Elementary school.

If you can purchase one (or more), please bring the back-

packs to the church on or before July 28. See Susan Parrish

for more information

The First News

OVER OVER

Revenue Budget Budget Expenses Budget Budget

$27,597.13 $20,499.98 $7,097.15 $27, 265.79 $25,815.92 $1,449.87

OVER UNDER

Revenue Budget Budget Expenses Budget Budget

$107,559.41 $102,500.14 $5,059.27 $106,505.66 $109,086.28 ($2,580.62)

Stewardship Report - May, 2019

May, 2019

For this month we collected MORE money than planned. Expenses were GREATER than planned.

The net income for the month was $ 331.34

This was MORE than planned by $5,647.28

2019, Year To Date

Year to date we collected MORE than we planned. Expenses have been LOWER than planned.

The net income for MAY, YTD was $1,053.75

This was MORE than planned by $7,639.89

Pilgrims and Prodigals 5/31 balance $1,007.33

Backpack Buddies 5/31 balance $2,783.85

Our recently established Legacy Funds are now officially working for us. At the end of 2018, three funds were es-

tablished for Capital Facilities, Ministries, and Mission/Benevolence. The goal of these funds is to prepare for

FPC’s future. Monies will not be used until the balance of the three funds reaches $100,000.

Jan 1, 2019 March 31, 2019

Facilities $2,000.00 $2,021.25

Ministries $2,000.00 $2,021.25

Mission $2,000.00 $2,021.25

If you haven’t updated your email address, or haven’t provided one previously, I would welcome your update.

(Providing quarterly contribution statements by email saves the church postage fees!)

Linda Kimsey, Treasurer


The First News

JULY Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4

Church Office closed

5


6

7

11 am Worship and Communion

8 9

10 am –2pm Rebecca’s Cafe

10 11 12 13

10 am –2pm Silver Lining Club

14

9:30 am Session Meeting

11 am Worship

15 16 17 18 19

20


21

11 am Worship

22 23 24

Calendar Planning Meeting 6-7:30 pm

25 26 27


28

11 am Worship Blessing of the Backpacks

29 30 31

Open/Close Elder: Andrew Allen

Liturgist: Carolyn Broucek

Ushers: JD and Doty Dunn

The First News

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4


5


6

7


8 9


10 11 12 13


14

9:30 am Session Meeting

11 am Worship

15 16 17 18 19

20


21

11 am Worship

22 23 24

Calendar Planning Meeting 6-7:30 pm

25 26 27


28

11 am Worship Blessing of the Backpacks

29 30 31


August


1 2 3


4

10-10:45 am Back to the Basics


Nominations for Elders opens

5 6 7 8 9 10


11


11 am Worship

12:30 pm Session Meeting

12 13


14 15 16 17


18

10-10:45 am Back to the Basics 10:45 am Lemonade on the Lawn

11 am Worship Noon Lemonade on the Lawn 12:30 –1:30 pm Small Group Leader Training

19 20 21

6-7 pm Youth Kickoff/Parent and Youth Meeting

22 23 24


25

Rally Day

9:30 am Rally Day Breakfast 10-1L45 am Back to the Basics 11 am Worship

12:30 pm Session Retreat Nominations for Elders closes

26

11:30 am Book Club for All Seasons

27

11 am –1 pm Boro Browse on GSU campus

28 29 30 31

Open/Close Elder: Stacey Basquin


1 2 3


4



Nominations for Elders opens

5 6 7 8 9 10


11


11 am Worship

12:30 pm Session Meeting

12 13


14 15 16 17


18

10-10:45 am Back to the Basics 10:45 am Lemonade on the Lawn

11 am Worship Noon Lemonade on the Lawn 12:30 –1:30 pm Small Group Leader Training

19 20 21

6-7 pm Youth Kickoff/Parent and Youth Meeting

22 23 24


25

Rally Day

9:30 am Rally Day Breakfast 10-1L45 am Back to the Basics 11 am Worship

12:30 pm Session Retreat Nominations for Elders closes

26

11:30 am Book Club for All Seasons

27

11 am –1 pm Boro Browse on GSU campus

28 29 30 31


The First News

THANK YOU

to all of our wonderful VBS volunteers!

What a fantastic week that we had with the children learning how to LOVE like Jesus!

Every one of you made a difference.

Music

Worship

Group leaders

Delicious suppers

Bible Story

Leader

Games

Crafts

Drama

Decorating

Clean Up

Inviting friends

And more!

Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Looking forward to VBS 2020!

Susan

Church Staff

Ministers: All Members of the Church

Pastor: Taylor Lewis Guthrie Hartman

Christian Education Director: Susan Parrish

Music Director: Allen Henderson

Organists: Duke Miles & Glenn Haynes

Office Administrator: June Bryant-Hackle

Youth Director: Alex Gilbert

2019 Ruling Elders

Clerk of Session: Eileen Bayens

Administration Committee: Brett Curry (19) & Andrew Allen (20)

Christian Education Committee: Stacey Basquin (20) & Doty Dunn (21)

Facilities Committee: Carlita Slatky (21)

Mission Committee: Patti Moore (21)

Pastoral Care Committee: Frank McDonald (19), Charlotte Wynn (20)

& Lynda Webb (20)

Worship Committee: Bill Mase (21) & Ann Henderson (19)

Service Committee: Annette Smith (19)


First Presbyterian Church 1215 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

Find us on facebook!

First Presbyterian Church 1215 Fair Road

Statesboro, Georgia 30458

Phone: 912-681-2053 ~ Fax: 912-681-2399

[email protected] ~ www.fpcstatesboro.org

Mission Statement

The mission of the First Presbyterian Church of Statesboro, Georgia

is to be a Christ-centered family of believers called and committed to worshipping,

growing spiritually, and sharing God’s love and grace.

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