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TABLE OF CONTENTS Deepening our Discipleship 1 Germantown Festival........... 2 Youth ..................................... 3 Elementary ........................... 4 Day School News .................. 7 Yucatan Mission Trip ........... 8 Presbyterians in the News ... 9 Presbytery Events ................ 10 Upcoming Events.................. 11 Acolyte Schedule .................. 11 Birthdays ............................... 12 Committee Meetings ............ 12 September 2015 Rev. Rebecca Luter Deepening our Discipleship T hroughout September we continue taking a closer look at the symbols and architecture of our worship space and their relationship to our beliefs. On Labor Day, we will focus on the Cross. What does it mean to be saved by grace through faith rather than works? How does predestination aid us in understanding that our salvation is not a result of our works? The following week, we will turn our attention to the Hymnal. What is the role of music in worship, and what about people who really can’t sing? On the 20 th of September, we will explore the symbolism and grace of God in the Sacrament of Baptism. Finally, on September 27 th we will celebrate Children’s Sabbath. The children’s choir will be singing and children and youth will be leading worship. September is one of my favorite months of the year because school has begun and the routine is resumed, but we aren’t tired of it yet! For those who may be beginning to tire by mid-week, those who just don’t want to cook, and those who like to enjoy time with friends, be sure to sign up to attend Wednesday Night Dinners! Not only is the food delicious, the programs will feed your spirit as well. The Farmington youth gathered August 30th to devour a massive 20 scoop concoction at Ben and Jerry’s on Poplar. Read about it on page 3.

New Vision September

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Church sermon series, the Vermonster, initiative, and a look at the part-time threes day school class. Also, our newsletter is now ad free and downloadable!

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Page 1: New Vision September

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Deepening our Discipleship 1

Germantown Festival ........... 2

Youth ..................................... 3

Elementary ........................... 4

Day School News .................. 7

Yucatan Mission Trip ........... 8

Presbyterians in the News ... 9

Presbytery Events ................ 10

Upcoming Events. ................. 11

Acolyte Schedule .................. 11

Birthdays ............................... 12

Committee Meetings ............ 12

September 2015

Rev. Rebecca Luter

Deepening our Discipleship

T hroughout September we continue taking a closer look at

the symbols and architecture of our worship space and

their relationship to our beliefs. On Labor Day, we will

focus on the Cross. What does it mean to be saved by grace

through faith rather than works? How does predestination aid us

in understanding that our salvation is not a result of our works?

The following week, we will turn our attention to the Hymnal.

What is the role of music in worship, and what about people who

really can’t sing? On the 20th of September, we will explore the

symbolism and grace of God in the Sacrament of Baptism. Finally,

on September 27th we will celebrate Children’s Sabbath. The

children’s choir will be singing and children and youth will be

leading worship.

September is one of my favorite months of the year because school

has begun and the routine is resumed, but we aren’t tired of it yet!

For those who may be beginning to tire by mid-week, those who

just don’t want to cook, and those who like to enjoy time with

friends, be sure to sign up to attend Wednesday Night Dinners!

Not only is the food delicious, the programs will feed your spirit as

well.

The Farmington youth gathered August 30th to devour a massive 20 scoop concoction at Ben and Jerry’s on Poplar.

Read about it on page 3.

Page 2: New Vision September

Farmington Presbyterian will host 2 booths at the event. One serving nachos

and root beer floats to raise funds for youth summer trips. The other booth

will serve tacos and chocolate covered bacon to raise funds for FPC missions.

Mark your calendars for September 12-13.

Page 3: New Vision September

O n August 30th, 5 youth, 4 adults, and

1 Nicholas Luter gathered at Ben and

Jerry’s on Poplar for a feast of epic

dairy consumption. The Vermonster is a

bucket filled with 20 scoops of ice cream

covered in brownies, cookies, bananas,

fudge, caramel, whipped cream, and 4

toppings (chocolate chips, Oreo cookies,

sprinkles and M&Ms). It weighed 8.13

pounds, half of which were the toppings! We

were warned to limit the number of ice

cream flavors we added because it does tend

to run together. This advise was wise and we

settled on mint chocolate chip, chocolate, and

vanilla. Towards the end of the battle the

Vermonster was divided into manageable

parts by the finishers of the feast. Michael

Wann took the last helping of Ice cream

while pitching the remaining bananas to

Cydnee Young. Finally Rebecca Luter

stepped in to drink the final “milkshake” left

in the bucket. The Vermonster Bucket now

sits in a place of honor in the Youth Room.

Come see the remains of a worthy and

delicious foe vanquished by the Farmington

youth group.

Youth Schedule

September 6 - No Youth group for Labor Day

weekend.

September 12 - 13 - Germantown Festival.

Join us at Germantown Civic Club

Complex. Sign up to work the Youth

Booth and raise money for our summer

retreats!

September 20 - Big Game Day - We will get

together for a night of BIG games. Big

battleship, Big foosball, Big board games,

and more. 4pm - 6pm.

September 27 - Big Story II - We continue

the story of Genesis with Rebellion. May

we find ourselves in this epic story.

Dinner Provided. 4pm -6pm.

Youth @ Farmington

Christian Education

Doug Barr, Sam Bryant, Rebecca Luter, Camille Young,

Michael Wann, Elizabeth Demaree, Bailey Oiler, Cydnee

Young, and Nicholas Luter.

Page 4: New Vision September

When you walk into a room and you look around, do you notice what you need to notice? Have you ever wondered why there are some people who can see things that other people just don’t see? It seems like some people just have this knack for looking around a room and noticing things that others don’t. Maybe they notice that there are three crooked pictures on the wall or three people are wearing orange shirts. Sometimes they might even notice that there’s a job to be done—like cleaning up a spilled glass of soda or emptying an overflowing trashcan. Now, what if this ability to notice things has more to do with being trained to open your eyes instead of a simple natural ability? Because when it comes down to it, seeing what needs to be done is not just about training yourself to see what’s around you; rather, it should be more about doing something about what you’ve seen.

But let’s be honest for a second, sometimes what you end up seeing are jobs that are pretty dirty, huh? Not many people like taking out the trash, cleaning up the yard after the dog has been out there, or those bathrooms that just never seem to clean themselves. But somebody’s gotta do those jobs. If they don’t, life will get pretty messy, pretty fast.

But dirty jobs aren’t just about cleaning the house. Sometimes, we see a relationship that needs to get fixed or someone that needs some encouragement. Are we really aware of what’s happening around us to take notice and take action?

The same goes for our kids. Shouldn’t we train our children to open their eyes, to be aware of their surroundings and get involved? What would happen if we started teaching our kids how to really look at the world around them and actually do something about what they see? What would it be like if our children could begin to notice things that need to be done and do them without being asked? What could happen if they look at the people in their life that need help and take the initiative to help them?

Or what about when it comes to their own life? What if they saw things that needed to be changed and changed them? These don't have to be huge. It could be something simple like brushing their teeth or taking a bath or keeping their room clean. That’s why we’re taking this whole month to discover more about initiative.

Initiative is seeing what needs to be done and doing it. Initiative isn’t just some practical principle; it’s really a spiritual principle that starts with God. Initiative is part of God’s character.

Help your kids see life in a different way. Start asking the question, “What do you see?” When you walk into a room, when you walk by someone and when you’re trying to teach children to see themselves from a different perspective, train your kids to notice things they would not ordinarily notice and encourage them to do something about what they see..

Elementary

Want to keep the lesson going at home?

Cut the next page out of the newsletter and put it in a

frame at home. Work with your children to commit this

verse to memory! Have a preschooler? Use the back of the

page for their lessons for the month.

Page 5: New Vision September
Page 6: New Vision September
Page 7: New Vision September

Gretchen Burch

Day School News

W hat a busy 3 weeks! We have started

back to school with a bang. With 292

kids registered, you know we have kept

busy. From 3 year old part time, to 3 and 4 year

old full time and our before and after care

program, we serve a wide range of ages and

students!

The preschool program has been learning about

the number 1, the color red and about circles.

Their unit is “All About Me”. Students have gotten

to make sponge painted apples with handprint

leaves, learned how to say hello and goodbye in

Spanish and heard how Jesus is their friend in

chapel. The kids are learning their new routines

and are having lots of fun going to art class,

Spanish class, music, science and chapel! They are

making new friends and giving the teachers many

reasons to smile each day.

Assistant Teacher - Karen Smaili

How long have you been

teaching? 17 years

What do you enjoy most about

teaching at FPDS? The feeling of

making a child feel loved and

secure in an environment that is conducive to

learning.

What motivates you to come to work each

day? The love of children and my coworkers.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Movies, being with family, and shopping

What is your favorite vacation spot? The

beach.

Lead Teacher - Karen Dickinson

How long have you been teaching? This

will be my fourth year.

What do you enjoy most about

teaching at FPDS? The Children! I love

their carefree attitude and innocence

What motivates you to come to work each

day? My incredible coworkers! I love being a

part of this teaching family.

What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

Reading and spending time with my husband

and our two boys.

What is your favorite vacation spot? The

beach! Give me a good book, a beach chair and

umbrella by the shore and I am set.

Meet the teachers of our Part time

Threes!

Page 8: New Vision September

Yucatan Mission Trip

Have you ever wondered what “that mission trip” is all about? Why are we making such a fuss and talking about going to Mexico? Are we ever going to do anything different? I have. I want to go on a mission trip but I am concerned about going to Mexico! As I spoke to Rev. Rebecca Luter, the glow in her eyes and the telling of her story answered it all.

As she put it the trip engenders "gratitude, humility, and love" and not necessarily in that order! When you land in Mexico, it feels like you’re going to Cancun--no big deal. Then you’re in the van driving to Xpujil--it takes a while. There are a few stops, yes, by Mexican police, but then you reach the village in the Yucatan. The Chol people were given this land, in a relocation much like the American Indians experienced. This land is rough. It does rain 6 months out of the year but it does not rain for the other 6 months of the year. When it's dry, and you haven't saved enough rainwater for 6 months, you have to walk miles to get dirty water, carry it home in buckets, and boil it—every day-- just to get a drink of water, shower or wash clothes. Most people run out of water quickly unless you have a cistern which collects rain water.

That's what we get to help build! “It's unbelievable,” Rev. Luter stated, “At first the villagers are shy-they are not sure what to think. Then we start to work on the cisterns for the families and everything changes! The shyness starts to disappear, families make food (sometimes you know they are giving you all the food they have to eat) but they are showing you how grateful they are--they have no one to help them. You feel guilty eating it but you don't want to hurt their feelings and it is definitely from their heart--you can see it in their eyes.”

As the week progresses language is no longer a barrier. This is the poorest of the poor and just to get free rainwater is a blessing. Now all you feel is love with laughter and hugs. As Rev. Luter spoke, it was by far the best vacation I have ever had. I hope that I soon get to go, but more importantly I am excited that I am already a part of this mission work. I hope all of our church members get to go. It will definitely change their lives; my life has been changed just knowing more about it.

Mary Shelley Ritchey

Upcoming Yucatan Mission Trip

Join the effort to build cisterns in

Xpujil Mexico.

January 12 - 19

For more information contact Steve

Demaree

Page 9: New Vision September

August 11, 2015

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – When St. Therese of Lisieux – the “Saint of the Little Way” – said more than a century ago that people in distress could be saved by small acts of kindness, she may not have been thinking about food and shelter for women who are survivors of trauma and homelessness. But a Memphis non-profit has used the teachings of the Little Flower, as St. Therese is known, as an inspiration to build community with and for women who are looking to rebuild their lives after being on the streets.

And when the Memphis-based Community of St. Therese of Lisieux approached United Housing, Inc. (UHI) in need of space for three women in transition, the message resonated. Thanks to a partnership with the Lisieux Community, UHI, the Presbyterian Women (PCUSA) and Landmark Community Bank, those women now have a safe place to live as they work to get back on their feet. “We participated in the national Community Stabilization Trust program that resulted from the settlement with the major national banks affected by the financial crisis. The banks provided foreclosed properties to non-profits like UHI for use as affordable housing,” said Amy Schaftlein, director of development and communications for UHI, a non-profit affordable housing agency that serves families

in the city of Memphis, Shelby County and West Tennessee. “When organizations like St. Therese have a need, those properties could be fixed up and rented for a dollar a year for two years with an option to purchase, and meanwhile address a critical social challenge.” Lisieux Community President Sandra Ferrell says a grant from the Presbyterian Women (PCUSA) allowed her organization to take the next step, not only purchasing the house but also making needed renovations. Landmark Community Bank in Memphis provided the low-cost loan through a state-level community reinvestment program. “A foreclosed house had been sitting vacant for years, and now these three women have a home. It’s such a wonderful partnership of local and national organizations working together to make a difference on several levels,” Ferrell said. “Many times, people who find themselves on the street never learned to live as part of a family, and we help provide them with education, life skills, employment assistance and other programs. As St. Therese taught, we can do small things that add up to mean a lot to these women’s futures.” Now two of the participants are starting at Southwest Community College, and everyone involved has felt the impact. Landmark Community Bank Senior Vice President Bryan Jones says the bank selects opportunities to support local non-profits each year. “This initiative has such a direct impact on Memphians who desperately need the help and want to get back into society,” Jones said. “We’re blessed to have organizations like United Housing and the Lisieux Community in our midst, and Landmark Bank was honored to play a small role in connecting the dots and offering the financing that provided a stable home.” The home has a capacity for five women to participate in the two-year program. The Lisieux Community has made tremendous strides in helping women transition back into the workforce and community. For more information, visit www.lisieuxcommunity.org.

Landmark Community Bank Offers Low Interest Loan To Facilitate Purchase

Printed courtesy of www.memphischamber.com – Contact the Greater Memphis Chamber for more infor-mation. 22 North Front Street, Memphis, TN 38103­2100 – (901) 543­3500 – [email protected]

UNITED HOUSING, ST. THERESE TEAM TO PROVIDE HOME FOR WOMEN

Presbyterians in the News

Page 10: New Vision September

Presbytery Events

Presbytery Baseball trip

Wednesday, September 9

Game time in St. Louis – 12:45pm

Depart (place TBA) at 6am Return same night.

$61 per person covers game ticket, transportation, snacks en

route.

Meals on your own

14 tickets available

Contact Lucy Cummings [email protected] or 901.652.4055 OR

Ted Dennis [email protected] or 901.430.3411

Gathering begins at 8:45am

and light lunch will be served.

$25 per person

Register:

[email protected]

OR call (901)878-1247

Page 11: New Vision September

Acolyte Schedule

Sept 6 Elizabeth Luter

Sept 13 Cole Ritchey

Sept 20 Mia Mittag

Sept 27 Nicholas Luter

Oct 4 Meredith Oest

No Potluck - There will not be a potluck

September 13. Everyone is encouraged to

attend the Germantown Festival and visit

Farmington’s Booths.

Fellowship Coffee - September 20

Eat at Moe’s - Sunday, September 27

Wednesday Night Dinners - will

resume on Wednesday night, September 9.

Enjoy a Mexican Dinner and test your skills in

end of summer trivia.

Upcoming Farmington Events

Men’s Film Study

FPC Men’s group will

continue a study of

redemption and

f o r g i v e n e s s

watching the film

"Unbroken.”

Join us Friday, September 11, at 6:30

am.

We meet at FPC in the youth room and enjoy

McDonald breakfast sandwiches, mixed fruit, and

Ray's coffee. We always enjoy a time of fellowship

and support. This month we will also share

stories from FPC’s Mission Trip to the Yucatan to

build cisterns for families in need of a clean water

source. Plan to come and invite a friend.

This month: Cereal, Oatmeal, and Grits

Each month we collect a different item to

donate to the Feeding Fayette Food Pantry.

September is all about Breakfast foods! Bring

your donation of Cereal, Oatmeal, or Grits and

add it to one of the donation bins in the halls of

the church.

Feeding Fayette Collection

First Annual Day School

Family Appreciation Supper! Thank you for being an incredible part

of the Farmington Church and Day

School Family. Mark your calendars;

we want to show our appreciation for

you by treating your family to a FREE

Spaghetti Supper! All families with

children in the Day School are invited.

September 24th

In the Fellowship Hall

Sunday School Classes

Each Sunday, classes begin at 9:30 am. The chil-

dren gather in the Sanctuary with music and then

proceed to their classroom (A6) for the lesson. The

youth gather in the youth room. Adults choose be-

tween Hosea in the Interpretation Bible Study in

the East Room and Mark in the For Everyone Bible

Study in the room closest to the West door.

Page 12: New Vision September

Farmington Presbyterian Church and Day School 8245 Farmington Blvd. Germantown, TN 38139

www.Farmingtonpres.org

If you have content for the October edition of New Vision, please email Doug Barr no later than

September 23 at [email protected]

Session Members

Administration – Kirsten King

Christian Education – Laurinda Ingram

Clerk – Melanie Oest

Congregational Care – John Hazen

Fellowship – Mary Shelley Ritchey

Property and Grounds – Jerry Hosier

School Board – Charlie Smithers

Service – Bonnie Blair

Worship – Sandy Wann

Staff Extensions

Rev. Rebecca Luter, Pastor, Ext. 23

Doug Barr, Director of Christian Education, Ext. 29

Cyndi Bevington, Administrative Assistant, Ext. 21

Rhonda Pearsall, Bookkeeper, Ext. 22

Jenny Howell, Executive Director of Day School, Ext. 28

Linda Turner, Managing Director of Day School, Ext. 24

Gretchen Burch, Program Director of Day School, Ext. 32

Anthony Jones, Maintenance Technician

If your birthday is not listed, please contact

the church office to be added. We would

like to celebrate with you.

1 Keith Betsch

3 Paula Patterson

Elizabeth Nagel

5 Hadley Barr

6 Lauren Rushdi

7 Cydnee Young

8 Drew Howard

10 Melissa Still

11 Perry Main

16 Mary Hudson

18 Rev. Rebecca Luter

20 Grigg Schneider

21 Mary Elizabeth Ward

22 Laurinda Ingram

27 Blanche Hamilton

29 Brenda Widner

September Birthdays

Congregational Care

10:00 am Tuesday, Sept. 1

Christian Education

6:00 pm Tuesday, Sept. 8

School Board

5:30 pm Thursday, Sept. 10

Service

7:00 pm Monday, Sept. 14

Administration

6:30 pm Monday, Sept. 14

Session

6:00 pm, Monday, Sept. 21

Committee Meetings

Session Report

Three items of business were approved at

August's session meeting. John Hazen and

Bonnie Blair were elected to be our

commissioners to Presbytery meeting on

August 24th. The purchase of PC(USA)

elder training material from the Being

Reformed series was approved. The use of

Word-Share-Prayer from Vital Churches

Institute and John Ortberg's All the Places

to Go in adult education were approved.