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CHURCH CURRENTS First Presbyterian Church 210 S. Wayne Street
Milledgeville, GA 31061
phone: 478-452-9394
www.fpchurch.org
Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid
Permit No. 113
We seek to glorify God through:
Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth,
Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice
and environmental stewardship.
August 2014
We are on the radio Our worship service is broadcast on WKZR
(102.3 FM.) every Sunday morning at 11:00AM
FALL LINE FARMERS MARKET
FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 5-8PM
Connect with Our Main Street First Friday Community:
Coming to the Fall Line Farmers Market makes shopping a pleasure.
The market is a place to meet up with your friends, bring the children,
enjoy meandering among local farmers, artisans and bakers.
Take a break and listen to the sounds of
“Reception Jazz Band”
of Milledgeville
from 5:30 - 8:00 PM
Coord. of Children &
Youth Ministries:
Gloria Burns
Issue No. 221 August 2014
First Presbyterian Church
Organist:
Flint Dollar
Director of Music:
Jennifer Flory
Admin. Asst.:
Dianna Hendricks
Child Care Providers: Robin Poole Jason Poole
Dear Church Family, Some of you have expressed interest in knowing how to obtain information about the larger church, specifically the
Presbytery and the General Assembly. In regard to the latter, I encourage you to familiarize yourselves with the
PCUSA website, for news and resources at any time. That site is located at: www.pcusa.org
Concerning news from the recent General Assembly meeting, I share with you here a letter from our Transitional
General Presbyter, Hilary Shuford (who refers us also to reports by our presbytery’s commissioners to the meeting).
Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have questions, desire more information, etc. Blessings!
Martha A Word from Hilary Dear Members of the body of Christ in Northeast Georgia Presbytery, I witnessed God's Spirit present during the 221st General Assembly of PCUSA in what I heard, saw and experienced. I
know we live in difficult and changing times, not only in the world but in our beloved community of the Presbyterian
Church (U.S.A.). As a member of the community, I express my deep and abiding love for Jesus Christ and each of
you, called to be his body on earth. Despite where one may cast a ballot on any particular issue, we are called to unity,
peace and purity. Significant decisions made by this Assembly included the decision to divest denominational holdings from Caterpil-
lar, Motorola, and HP and to change the definition of marriage found in the Directory for Worship (which change can-
not occur until approved by a majority of presbyteries). However, the Assembly took a more immediate action of issu-
ing an Authoritative Interpretation which effectively allows Teaching Elders to officiate at "same gender" marriages if
legal in the State having jurisdiction. Also this AI protects Teaching Elders whose conscience will not allow them to
conduct such service and protects Sessions which have prohibited the use of church property for that purpose. For more information – FAQ – on both these topics, you can copy and paste into your web browser:
http://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/5/24/faqs-middle-east-and-civil-union-marriage/ During my time in Detroit, I observed a generational change and remember the psalmist's words, "From generation to
generation, you are God" (90:2). I noted a comfort level with technology at an all-time high, and a more youthful, and
paradoxically a more patient, assembly. The rancor of previous assemblies was absent; and I was glad in the peace
which pervaded the room. This generational change also was exhibited in the larger-than-expected margin by which
the marriage language passed. Yet we still find ourselves firmly in the middle of the Middle East issue as shown by
the 310-303 vote on divestment. Listening at the open hearings in the committee for Middle East issues I was struck by the fact that until the speaker
identified his or her position, I did not know whether he or she spoke for or against divestment. We are called to
peace, but we disagree as to how to achieve it. It gives me confidence in God's continuing grace that the most closely
contested issue before the Assembly challenges us to remain "close" to one another in the unity of our purpose to
bring peace to the world. Many folks are upset by G.A. decisions but that is the result of our following the middle way of governing our com-
mon life together. My hope remains strong in Jesus Christ who is our purity, peace and unity in the Church. I was
blessed to be present in Detroit as your Transitional General Presbyter; and I hold up to you our commissioners and
young adult advisory delegate. Jan Lewis, Jim Hiers, Holly Shoaf-O'Kula, Bob Prim, and Olivia Aldridge represented
you well. They were diligent, collegial, and prayerful as they attended to the Spirit in their midst and to the work of
the church before them. Their observations can be read by copying and pasting into your web browser:
http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101390026739-442/
Commissioner+reports+from+the+221st+General+Assembly+2014.pdf
Interim Pastor:
Rev. Martha
Starnes
Elders: Class of 2014: Rosemary Begemann, Sue York, Frankie Holder
Class of 2015: Dave Baarda, Anne Smart, John Bradley
Class of 2016: Marianne Edwards, Sam McChesney, Nancy Miller Deacons: Class of 2014: Deanna Bivins, Mary Jordan, Doris Moody
Class of 2015: Bill Werts, Margie Dodd, Millie Murphy
Class of 2016: Alice Tenold, Joseph Dean, Rob Grimes
FLANNERY O’CONNOR
DISCUSSION GROUP
10:30AM at
Andalusia
Please come join us on the Front Porch;
we will be reading and listening to the audio of
“A Late Encounter with the Enemy ”.
We always have lively discussion
and it is a great time of fellowship.
If you have questions, call Sue York 478-454-3288.
Hope to see you there!
CHURCH NEWS
FRESH FLOWERS FOR SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP
Do you have fresh flowers in your yard/garden?
Want to share a couple of bouquets on Sunday morning?
Please call Dianna at the church office “to sign up”.
Thank you in advance!
NURSERY SCHEDULE
August 3 Joel Burns
August 10 Anne Smart
August 17 Doris Moody
August 24 Nan Rogers
August 31 Margie Dodd
If you cannot participate on the Sunday indicated,
please call someone on the list to exchange dates. It
is very important to have at least 2 adults in the
nursery. Thank you for your dedication to this min-
istry.
CHOIR NOTES
Our choir will sing responses and an anthem
on Sunday, August 3, meeting at 10:15AM.
Our normal rehearsal will resume on
Thursday,
August 7, at 7PM.
All who would like to make a joyful
noise are welcome to join.
Northeast Georgia Presbytery
Our new location is:
186 Ben Burton Circle Suite 100, Bogart, GA
We’re dedicating our new office space
with an Open House.
Thursday,
August 21st
You Are Invited...
Saturday, August 23
10am - 11:30am
Brief Dedication Service at 11am
Drop by to see your new Presbytery Office, enjoy
some morning coffee, and chat with the staff.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
THE HEART OF CHRISTIANITY Ask yourself why it is important to you to bring your children to church. Being part of the church is about living
the Christian life and Marcus Borg tells us that that is about our relationship to both God and neighbor, about
both Spirit and behavior, about both God and the world. To accomplish this, we engage in Christian practice.
Paying attention to our relationship with God matters because we ourselves are ultimately relational. It is not that
we first become selves and then have relationships. Rather, we are constituted by our relationships; they shape
and form us. So also paying attention to our relationship with God will shape us. The Wednesday Night group
has finished its study of The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg, and now we would like to offer this class to
our youth and their parents (as well as anyone else who is interested). Please speak with Gloria if you are
interested in participating in this class. We will set a time based on who is interested – maybe a Sunday morning
or afternoon. FALL PROGRAMS The Christian Education Committee will be contacting the parents of our children and youth to survey your
interest in the programs we would like to offer this fall. Please let us know what you are interested in, and to
what you are willing to commit. CHILDREN’S SUNDAY AFTERNOON FUN Afternoon Fun Sundays have been held from 3-4:00 for the children. On July 6th, with the help of Joseph and
Catherine Dean, Anne Smart, and Gloria Burns, children explored the story of Jonah with play dough
sculptures. On July 20th the children played noodle games and reviewed the story of Jacob’s Dream, which
they had heard in worship that morning. The following activities are planned for August:
August 3 – Bubbles (wear old clothes, consider
sunscreen and insect repellent)
August 17 – Table and Indoor Games
August 31 – Outdoor Games
YOUTH GROUP Youth will meet at the church at 4PM on August 3rd, 10th,
and 24th. Bring your calendars to plan activity dates. Please consider coming to help with the children’s afternoon fun
events each week. As always, if you need a ride, let Gloria Burns (478-454-6285) or Joseph (478-491-2779) know.
We have declared the Miniature Golf
Course at the Georgia War Veterans Home
complete. Joseph and Gloria worked to
complete the task with the gracious help
of Alex Musser on July 13th. It has been a
hot, sweaty job, but we are glad to be the
first group to actually finish the project.
Thanks to our Youth who have assisted in
this project over the last year.
CHILDREN AND YOUTH
Watch for information about music time and choir practice to begin next month!
FALL LINE FARMERS MARKET FIRST FRIDAY
Support the Fall Line Farmers Market
Thanks to everyone who attended and helped with our previous markets. We had some
outstanding seasonal produce, and the baby barnyard animals from Oasis Family Farm
in Sparta were a big hit with everyone. The freshly picked blackberries, peaches, and seasonal veggies along with farm-fresh
eggs, award-winning honey, coastal shrimp and bakery items were all popular, and we
anticipate all of this and more at the August market on August 1st. Special thanks to our musicians who add to the ambiance and entertain our market
goers, giving them an opportunity to sit and relax and listen to some of our great local
talent while on their shopping adventure at the market. Thank you to all the volunteers who help to pull this off! We can always use more hands
and you don't have to commit to every market. If you would like to help with either or
both of the two remaining markets in August and September, just let any of us know!
Thanks to Marion Robinson, Faye Heal,
Don Steward, Joseph Dean, Rob Grimes, Reba
Vaughan, Elizabeth Baarda, Anne
Dennis, Johnnie Wilson and Debbie and Bruce
Harshbarger.
Connect with Our Main Street First Friday Community:
Coming to the Fall Line Farmers Market makes shopping a pleasure.
The market is a place to meet up with your friends, bring the children,
enjoy meandering among local farmers, artisans and bakers while
listening to live music.
GREEN INITIATIVE
SEE YOU AT THE MARKET!
August 1st, September 5th
“Reception Jazz Band”
of Milledgeville
from 5:30 - 8:00 PM
CANTALOUPES AND STRAWBERRIES
Caring and Sharing What a nice surprise it was for Café Central Tuesday, July 22nd. We received a call here at the church, a local vendor
from the Tuesday Milledgeville Market had produce picked and he was not going to be able to attend the market, so
he phoned to donate it to our food pantry. This is a pure testimony of feeding the hungry, giving freely of one’s own
self. The vendor brought the cantaloupes and strawberries to us to make sure that it was delivered to a food pantry
or other source of program to be distributed to the hungry of the community. Being that our pantry had closed, we
delivered the produce to Café Central where the produce was welcomed with warm smiles and grateful hearts.
We thank this vendor and pray that everyone recognizes the needs in our community. Hunger is, unfortunately, a
real issue that faces many people daily. If you have the opportunity to volunteer at Café Central, please contact
Donna Gautier. Café Central is open Tuesdays and feeds approximately 400 people a week from 11:00-1:00.
You will be able to witness the true meaning of caring and sharing.
VIP’S CORNER (Visually Impaired Persons)
VIP’S ENJOY ANNUAL PICNIC
G o o d f r i e n d s , g o o d
memories and good times
made the annual VIP indoor
picnic fun for all. VIP’s
brought sack lunches and
enjoyed socializing and
sharing information. The
group will meet next on
August 20th at 10:30 am
and Wendy Mons of Mons
International will be the speaker. Her topic will be Project
Independence. Anyone interested in learning more about this
program or about the support group for people with visual
impairment are cordially invited to attend.
Milladene Harry Marjorie Anne
SAMARITAN MINSITRY
Thank you all for your continued donations to the Samaritan
Ministry. Because of the generosity of the members of FPC
and our successful yard sale, we continue to serve three families
in the community each month. These funds are used to pay for
electric or water bills for families who without this assistance,
would have their utilities shut off. Our ministry continues
to need your support to assist those families
who come to us for help on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.
Volunteers are always needed.
Please contact Bill Werts, or the church office at 478-452-9394,
if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.
JUNE PRISON FAMILY LUNCH On Saturday, July 19, there were about 45 people
that came from Atlanta with the Open Door to visit
their loved ones in prison here in Milledgeville.
We so often see the same people that it is like
entertaining friends as they come through the door.
We greet each other with smiles and hugs.
Saturday's welcome was an especially warm one,
as our dining room looked so festive. We had
beautiful blue table cloths that were donated by
Gloria and Joel Burns. Charlotte Owens and Margie
Dodd had beautiful arrangements of summer flowers
on each table. Our group decided that July would be
the perfect time for a summer picnic. Everyone
enjoyed hot dogs, potato chips, salads, coleslaw,
watermelon, desserts and ice cream. Our thanks goes out to the people that donated food
to make this meal so special. Thanks to our
volunteers: Nancy Holbrook, Margie Dodd,
Charlotte Owens, Millie Murphy, Gene Gunter,
Alice and Mike Tenold, Holley Cowen, Sunda
Coleman and Mary Baker. Our next prison family luncheon is August 16th.
Please consider volunteering or donating food.
Both are much needed and appreciated. Thank you.
Millie Murphy and Margie Dodd
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
FOOD PANTRY Our food pantry is very grateful for all donations and
funds we receive to assist feeding those in our community who
are struggling to feed their families. During these hard times,
we ask that you give as you are able, which all of you at FPC
have continued to do so generously.
The food pantry continues to be in need of canned fruits,
canned meats, spaghetti sauce and pasta noodles, snack foods
and crackers. Peanut butter, jelly and any other non-perishable
goods are always accepted and very much appreciated.
We will continue to collect the food offering on the first
Sunday of each month--your donations help round out the
basic items that are purchased for the pantry. Donations may
also be brought to the church office Monday-Thursday, 8:30 -
4:30. If you would like to know more about the food pantry
and how we operate, please call Mary Baker at 478-453-2626.
Illnesses: Tom Murphy, colon cancer, Kathy Carroll’s brother
Robbie White, cancer, Betty Hattaway’s friend
April McMillan, cancer, Jeanene Vinson’s granddaughter
Bill Brenner, prostate cancer, Bill Flory’s uncle
Amy Smith, cancer
Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman’s son, eye issues & stroke
recovery
Leigh Humphrey, friend of Bill & Ruby Werts, kidney
failure
Judy Powell, friend of Letha & Sandra, diagnosed with
MDS
Angela Brewster, Lexington, KY, friend of Jackie
Northington, breast cancer
Thomas Manley, recovering from a car accident
Ben Gautier, home, visitors welcome
Tammy Bledsoe, Tom & Mary Lucik’s granddaughter
Gloria Burns
Cephas & Jean Starnes, Martha’s parents
Marty Flory, Jennifer’s mother-in-law, ongoing health
issues
Mary Barbara Tate
Charlie Morgan, foot surgery, recovering at the Flory’s
Sam McChesney, shoulder surgery July 31st, then
recovering in NC for two weeks
Kevin Naylor, back injury, at home
Elsie Espich, friend of Deborah Pettepher, cancer
Assisted Living: Banny Lundy, Green Acres, Milledgeville
Katherine Lyda, Louise Sallstrom’s mother,
Green Acres
Jonnie Tenold, Savannah Court, Mike
Tenold’s mother, Savannah Court
Mary Jane Deckard, Green Acres
Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns’ mother,
Savannah Court
Harold Gillis, Sr., Lee Gillis’ father, 2200 Elm
Ave. Apt. 212, Laurinburg, NC 28352
Laurette Smith, Harbor Chase Room 319, 1385
Silver Bluff Rd. Aiken, SC 29803
Hazel Miller, Nancy’s mother-in-law, Green Acres
MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS
The Congregational Life Ministry Team (CLMT) will be
working with those FPC Members who are in need of
certain types of services, i.e.:
Transportation: Doctor Appointments, Pharmacy Visits,
Grocery Shopping, Other Errands
Sitters: When Primary Caregivers are Unavailable, Have
Appointments or Run Errands
Meals: Due to Illness or Death in the Family
Visitation: Nursing Home/Home Bound (Phone Calls
or In-Person Visits) Please call the Church Office at:478-452-9394, or Deanna Bivins, Chair, CLMT at 478-932-0013 or
478-955-8801 if you, or someone you know, may be in need of any assistance so the necessary arrangements
can be made. This Ministry Team also needs people who are available to provide the above services. If you
would like to assist with this ministry, please contact the church office or Deanna Bivins.
The Deacons of the Church are committed to this ministry. Additional help from the Congregation is
welcomed and needed. Thank you for your continued support!
FROM THE TREASURER: June 2014 Year-To-Date Undesignated Income $19,588 $107,716
Budgeted Expense $17,085 $119,053
Net Income/(Loss) $ 2,503 ($ 11,337)
Recently, in a discussion of our church's finances,
a member said "Why don't people use the Online
Giving? It's so easy to give every month and I
never have to think about it!" If you feel it's
important to support First Presbyterian regularly
(and it is vitally important), go to
www.fpchurch.org and click on
Online Giving and follow the
prompts or call Dianna in the
office and she'll be glad to walk
you through the process.
As always if you have any questions about the
finances of FPC, please get in touch with me at
[email protected] or 478-451-7118.
The congregation & our life & ministry together during this transition time.
Birth
days
Anniversaries
Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat “This is the day
which the LORD hath
made;
we will
rejoice and be
glad in it.”
1
Fall Line
Farmers Market
5-8PM
2
3
9:45 Sunday School
10:15 Choir
11:00 Worship with
Communion
3:00 Children’s Fun
4:00 Youth Group
4
5:30 CE
5
9:30-10:30 Food
Pantry is open
6
6:30 Pot Luck
7:15 Bible Study
7
6:30 IOBI
7:00 Choir
8
9
10
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
12:00 Deacons
4:00 Youth Group
11
5:30 Stewardship
& Finance
6:45 Property
12
9:30-10:30 Food
Pantry is open
13
10:30 VIP’s
5:15 Green Initiative
6:30 Pot Luck
7:15 Bible Study
14
10:30
Congregational
Life
7:00 Choir
15
16
12:00 Prison
Family Lunch
17
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
3:00 Children’s Fun
18
6:30 Session
19
9:30-10:30 Food
Pantry is open
9:30 Samaritan’s
Ministry
20
10:30 VIP’s
5:15 Green Initiative
6:30 Pot Luck
7:15 Bible Study
21
10:30 Andalusia
2:00 LIR Reading
3:00 LIR Writing
6:30 IOBI
7:00 Choir
22
23
24
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
4:00 Youth Group
25
6:00 GS Leaders
26
9:30-10:30 Food
Pantry is open
5:15 Kiwanis
6:30 Bridge
27
6:30 Pot Luck
7:15 Bible Study
28
5:00 MCGA
7:00 Choir
29
30
August 3rd
Kyle Dennis
Linda Watson Kaufman
John Hunter Lane
August 5th
Beth Baarda
August 7th
Bob Lamb
Jane Tipton
Ruth Treptow
August 11th
Winn Jefferson
August 16th
David Ritchie
August 17th Clyde Tipton
August 22nd
Mrs. Gerry Califf
August 23rd Sue York
August 25th
Sarah Applebury
August 2nd August 5th John & Louise Sallstrom Jason & Amy Smith August 22nd August 30th Ben & Donna Gautier Joel & Gloria Burns
AUGUST
31
9:45 Sunday School
11:00 Worship
3:00 Children’s Fun
1
OFFICE CLOSED
Labor Day
2
Dianna will be
out of office