J.J. White Memo!al

Presbyte!an ChurchAugu# 2013 Newsle$er

Let every%ing %at has brea% pra&e ' Lord. Pra&e ' Lord.Psalm 150:6

Lots of New Friends and Some Old Ones-

Deanna and I are very thankful for the gracious way you continue to welcome us into your lives here in McComb. Be patient with us as we learn and remember names. We are enjoying meeting lots of new friends as we settle into our new surroundings.

Some of you know something about the circumstances of our move to join you in ministry. We come to you from the Nashville area, but we have had a house on the market in Florida since we left there a couple of years ago. You can ask Bill Mitchell about the work involved in moving from two locations. It wasn’t fun, but the good news is that it’s done. Deanna had spent more time than I did at the Florida house while I lived in two temporary locations in Tennessee. There were several things that stayed behind in Florida including many of my books and other things that had been part of my work life for years. I was a new church pastor in Florida, so many of those books and other things had been in storage. I’d pull things in and out of storage since we had limited space in my office. Getting reunited with all those things that have been so much a part of my life has been one of the fun parts of moving into my new work space here at J. J. White. Each box I’ve opened (and there are still several to work through) is filled with memories that surround the books, pictures, and other things that have been part of my life and ministry through the years. It’s like reconnecting with old friends. A picture of a child from a mission trip. Books that bring floods of memories. Art works done by friends and pictures of other friends with whom we’ve shared good times. Every box I unpack is like reconnecting with an old friend. You’ll get to meet some of the old friends represented by all those things in those boxes as they visit, we hope.

The Psalmist says in Psalm 90 that God has been our dwelling place in all generations. I’ve enjoyed looking back over how God has led our lives and brought us here. I look forward to seeing how God will continue to lead here in McComb and J. J. White Church. God has called us together for a purpose, and God will reveal that purpose as we worship, learn, and grow together. I’m happy to spend these early days getting acquainted with new friends while I reconnect with some old ones. I’m even happier when I think ahead to all the good things God has in store for us together. Thanks for your welcome and for your commitment to ministry together.

Grace and Peace, Bob

The Reverend Bob Phelps

a message from our pastor...

JJ White MPC Welcomes Two New Members

Nicky and Joanna Barr officially became members of JJ White on July 7, 2013, but were already considered to be a part of our church family. Nicky is a Production Operator at Denbury in Brookhaven. He loves golf, canoeing, camping, and riding dirt bikes. Joanna is a fourth grade teacher at Higgins Middle School in McComb. She loves teaching swimming, canoeing, and working with children. Joanna has already been involved with children’s activities at JJ White. Both Nicky and Joanna obviously love anything outside or to do with water. They also enjoy time with family and friends. Nicky and Joanna celebrated two years of marriage on June 11. They have an English Springer Spaniel named Churchill.

It is a joy to welcome the Barrs to JJ White!

Update on Will Ratcliff

JJ White MPC has the honor of sponsoring Will Ratcliff as he works toward completing his candidacy for the ministry at Columbia Theological Seminary. He sends us this update on his summer internship in Kingsport, Tennessee:

“This summer I have been interning at Waverly Road Presbyterian Church. WRPC is located in Kingsport, TN, which is in northeast Tennessee near Bristol and Johnson City, TN. So far this summer I have been involved in the life of the church leading worship, teaching, and participating in Bible Study classes, attending committee meetings and going on pastoral visits. This summer has been a great experience for me and has given me a chance to develop skills that will be helpful to me in my future ministry. I have helped preside over three funerals while I have been here which were new and challenging experiences for me having never done a funeral before. It hasn’t all been work though I have had a chance to get out and about around town enjoying the many parks located in and around Kingsport, including Baysmountain Park, going to local concerts, enjoying local restaurants, and I even went to a couple of Kingsport Mets baseball games. Even though I have enjoyed my time here at Waverly Road in Kingsport I am getting a little anxious to get back to school and finish my last year at Columbia strong, but I also plan on being back in McComb for a couple weeks before school starts.”

J.J. White Honors Charles and Carolyn Ray

On Sunday, July 14, the congregation of JJ White honored Pastor Charles and Carolyn Ray for their service to our church with a luncheon and other recognitions. Elder Noggin Wild read a

proclamation emphasizing all that Charles has done for JJ White in years past. To show appreciation for this service Charles and Carolyn were presented a monetary gift as well as a gift card for a trip of their choice. Also, the JJ White library will from now on be know as the Charles and Carolyn Ray Library. A plaque was shown that will be used to designate the room as such. Charles’s spiritual leadership during the past six years has kept J.J. White strong and given us hope to move forward. We wish for Charles a more relaxed schedule and more time to do the things he enjoys. We thank Charles and Carolyn for their dedication to JJ White Memorial Presbyterian Church.

Presbyterian Women News

✤ Carol Wood and Carolyn Ray, representing PW of JJ White and Magnolia Presbyterian respectively, attended the Alabama/Mississippi Women’s Conference held at First Trinity Presbyterian Church of Laurel on July 18. They participated in workshops and Bible study related to the theme of this year “God Is on the Journey”.

✤ The PW Bible Study Circle of JJ White MPC will meet on Tuesday, August 6, at 11:30 a.m., in the fellowship hall. Plans will be made for the fall study. The group is currently studying Women of the Old Testament by J. Ellsworth Kalas. All women are welcome to be a part of this casual and friendly gathering.

Ms. BessRemembers...

On the August birthday dates Eileen Cato will soon have a birthday.   She is older than I am--but guess who often waits to help me return to my vehicle after Church Service is over. Yes, Eileen!     Her  story of how  her husband  Joe's family came to McComb and became members of our church can be a 'mission lesson' to us.       This was nearly a century ago, Longtime member Ewell Martin's father owned a shoe repair shop on North Front Street. He died.  Mr. Ewell sold the business to a fellow named Cato. Our mission-minded member

Martin asked the Cato family to come worship with us. Joe grew up, learning the trade. In time Joe, now married to Eileen, moved his shop to Main Street. Barber Jimmy Neal's shop was nearby. He and his wife Bessie began attending our church They were almost second parents to the Catos’ son James, who lives right up the street from his mom, Eileen.    Martin's extended hand and asking these new friends, the Cato family, to worship with us.  brought them into our church family. The “Ewell Martin Room” on the first floor was designated in his honor. What blessings can come from an

outreached hand!

Carl McDaniel Recognized for His Service to the Salvation Army

Carl McDaniel, longtime supporter of JJWMPC, was recognized with a proclamation from the session in appreciation of his service as a volunteer with the Salvation Armyʼs kettle ministry. Elder Robbie DeCoux, chair of the evangelism committee, presented the award. Carl has faithfully worked on this mission project for years and helps to keep things running smoothly throughout the Christmas season by personally filling multiple shifts whenever needed.

Carl McDaniel (left) and Robbie DeCoux

J.J. White Memorial Presbyterian Church... Backstories

________________________Dr. Ralph Brock_____

Captain White served with the Confederate Army and was captured after the Battle of Vicksburg. After he was released, he settled near Summit, Mississippi, where he built a large lumber mill and began increasing land holdings and wealth.  He moved the lumber mill to Whitestown, 3 miles southeast of newly formed McComb City in 1873.  His family settled in houses around an oval shaped area with J. J.’s house at the East end.  I saw this house a number of times as a young boy when it was empty and my family drove by it on the way to Holmesville to swim in the Bogue Chitto River. The only house remaining today is the Saunders home (a daughter).                                                                                                                                                                   

The Liberty-White Railroad went from Whitestown to Liberty, then  extended to Columbia when the Lumber Mill and corporation  headquarters moved to Columbia in 1912. I became very familiar with the remaining roadbed as I walked along five miles of it as part of my requirement to become an Eagle Scout in 1940.                                                                                          

 George W. Andrews (my wife’s uncle) ran the large Commissary for the J.J.White Corporation, and when the move to   Columbia  took place in 1912, they let Uncle George run it as a private business. In Whitestown.  When he retired, he lived with his brother Fred Andrews in Magnolia, and he was living there when I started dating Billie in 1944.  Incidentally, George’s wife, Lillie Kell Andrews along with Ben Heidenreich were largely responsible for developing Hollywood Cemetery during the 20’s and early

30’s.                                                                                                                                                                                          The picture at left shows the J. J. White family arriving for Sunday services at the First Presbyterian Church on the corner of Delaware and Third.  Judging from the size of the children, it must have been made about 1890. This building was moved one block west on Delaware in 1919. 

J.J.White, Jr., was the chairman of the Building Committee for our present  building.

 

Mausoleum of Capt. White in Hollywood Cemetery facing 7th Street

Captain J.J. White

Christian Ed News

School is starting, and it is time to begin a new Sunday School year at JJ White!Sunday, August 11, is “Rally Day” for children and adults’ Sunday School.

Children are invited to bring their school backpacks to church on Sunday, August 11, for the “Blessing of the Backpacks”. Pastor Phelps will bless the backpacks during the children’s time of the morning worship service.

Wednesday, August 14 - All Wednesday Night Activities resume.

 Watch for more detailed information on these activities by email soon.

Ushers/GreetersTommy Ratcliff, CaptainRobbie DeCouxJohn DrummondStacey MoakBillie NanceMark StathamPhil Terrell

Men’s Interdenominational Breakfast Group

7 Bill Mitchell, Tom Dupree, Jim Alford14 Randy Burris, Tommy Ratcliff21 John Drummond, Randy White28 Phil Terrell, Kennon Singley

August Schedules and Lists

August

4 Keith Sanders6 Spike Simmons13 Deanna Phelps14 Jane Walman 16 Phil Terrell17 Kyle Phelps18 Beverly Yates19 Ron Yates21 Martha Simmons25 (Drew Parker)26 John Boyd

(Gary Russell) 27 Don Wickens 30 Eileen Cato

Flowers4 Dana and Curt Lamar11 Mary Ann and Tommy Ratcliff18 June and Barry Hart25 Karen and Keith Sanders

Children’s Church 4 Libby Simo11 Susan White18 India Warshauer25 Linda Miller

Elder of the Month: Jose′ Simo

September1 Noggin Wild Lily Estes Patti Brabham3 Bryan Travis Margy Wicker

Stephen Williams4 Andrew DeCoux 5 Gracie Senner 7 Sara Beth Williams10 Darrell Smith13 Mary Ann Ratcliff17 Rose Ann Johnson19 Wayne Hutchison

Shep Ray20 (Carolyn Statham McKay)27 Barbara Hebert

Ed Wolff28 Dottie Burt

Stacey Moak29 Berde Nickerson

Happy Birthday to...

1 1

Knutty Knitters

7:00 PM

2 3

4

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30 Worship

Communion

5

Christian Ed. Committee.

meets5:00 p.m.

.

6

Presbyterian

Women’s Bible Study

11:30 a.m.Fellowship

Hall

7

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

Finance Comm meets 3:00 p.m.Worship Comm.meets 4:30 p.m.

5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)

8

Knutty Knitters

7:00 PM

9 10

11

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30: Worship

6:00 Session

s

12

Nursing Home Visitation

3:00 PM

13 14

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship (all ages)

15

Knutty Knitters7:00 PM

16 17

18

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30: Worship

19 20 21

7:15 am Men’s Breakfast

5:30 Wed. Night Fellowship

(all ages)

22

Knutty Knitters 7:00 PM

23 24

Abdalla WeddingJJ WMPC Sanctuary

25

MICA

9:00 Breakfast9:30 Sunday School

10:30: Worship

26 27 28 29

Knutty Knitters

7:00 PM

30 31

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

.August2013

“Anyone who stops learning is old,

whether at twenty or eighty.”

Henry Ford 

Back to school this month!