Dear Friends,
Despite the unusual times we find ourselves in, the work of the Congregational Nominating Committee has been completed and the committee is very happy to present the following slate of 14 nominees to serve as Elders and Deacons in the class of 2023, and two Deacon nominees to serve 2-year terms in the class of 2022.
As instructed by the Session and in accordance with our Manual of Procedures for the Congregation, we make the following nominations:
Nominated for Office of Elder
Dale Carpenter
Merl Hamilton
Harris Morrison
Amy Murphy
Susan Otteni
Susan Smith
Erwin Spainhour
Nominated for Office of Deacon
Linda Barnett
Tripp Carpenter
Kimberly Leatherman
Jeff Nelson
Ellie Sherrill
Dakeita Vanderburg
Amanda Williamson
Deacon Nominees for 2-year terms: Class of 2022
Kate Morrison
Scott Verner
Since we are not able to be together for a congregational meeting as was scheduled, the Session has approved a process for a congregational vote to be held online.
The Nominating Committee gave very serious and prayerful consideration to the nominating process and greatly appreciates the many recommendations that were submitted. Special thanks go to the nominees who so readily agreed to serve our church and community.
Prayerfully,
Gina Goff
Chair, Congregational Nominating Committee
Clerk of Session
As set-forth in our Manual of Procedures, the Nominating Committee included:
Elder-at-Large - Hunter Morrison
Moderator of the Board of Deacons - Janna Mitchell
Moderator of Presbyterian Women - Susan Hannah
Sunday School Representative - Kevin Garrison
Youth Representative - Elizabeth Anne Dover
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Election of New Church Officers (Elders and Deacons)
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Dear Friends,
With all the extra challenges of this time, the congregational vote for the election of new church officers will happen digitally this year.
The congregational vote will be held on Sunday, May 10th, via a congregational email that will be sent out through constant contact. We will be able to track how many people both open the email and click- which will help us navigate a digital quorum.
We are asking for people to respond to the email by Monday, May 11th; essentially you will have 24 hours to respond. We will also mail the letter to folks who don't receive the newsletter, and people can call the church voice mail to leave their vote.
Thanks for your patience and understanding with this process. We are all trying to keep the work and mission of the church moving forward during this difficult time.
Blessings,
Scott Kenefake
Interim Pastor
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You're invited to join us for virtual Sunday school as we will gather to connect, hear stories from and for our faith, and learn together. All ages are welcome! It is probably helpful to have some paper and something to write or draw with close by as there will be time to reflect and create. We will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom; you can access the meeting here:
Password: 050485
or call (646)558-8656 and use
Meeting ID: 859 2563 3966
Password: 050485
Gather your family around the computer or phone as we learn and grown in faith together!
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Film Discussion Series Thursdays at Noon
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Please join us for a seven week film discussion series where Walter Brueggemann discusses key concepts from his new book,
Materiality as Resistance: Five Elements for Moral Action in the Real World. We will be discussing who we are called to be in the world through the lens of loving God, loving ourselves, and loving our neighbor. It is not necessary to purchase or read the book to participate in the discussion. We will begin this Thursday April 30th at noon via Zoom.
Meeting ID: 834 6299 6997
Password: 082231
Or call (646)558-8656.
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This Sunday, May 3rd JOURNEY will begin virtual Sunday School via Zoom for the first four Sundays in May. The link below will be used for all four meetings, which will be live on Sunday's at 10 a.m.
Topic: FPCC Journey Sunday School - May 2020
Time: This is a recurring meeting Meet anytime - live meetings Sundays 10:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
Meeting ID: 965 475 4450 (No Password is needed to enter this meeting)
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What
:
Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others
, by Barbara Brown Taylor
When
: Wednesday evenings (May 6, 13, & 20), 7 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Where
: Zoom
Who
: all curious adults
A summary of the book is
here
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Session Meeting Highlights from April 21, 2020
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·
The Session met on April 21
st
using Zoom Internet video and audio. It was good to “see” everyone while we can’t meet together in person!
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The Session encourages members to continue with offerings and pledges as possible during this time. We have experienced some decline in offerings and significant decline in investment income that supports a good portion of our budget. We are fortunate to have received a Payroll Protection Program loan to help offset anticipated losses. Many thanks to Christy Canupp and Toby Prewitt for their prompt and skilled completion of the application!
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In light of the continued NC stay-at-home order and discussion about the state of things locally, the Session voted to continue our distance worshiping until our next Session meeting on May 12.
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The Administration & Personnel committee reported that Jayne Maurer is retiring at the end of April. We have thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated Jayne as our Church Hostess for 5 years and she will be missed immensely! A covered dish dinner honoring Jayne will be held at a later date.
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The Building & Grounds committee reported that the HVAC duct-work has been cleaned in the Fellowship House and the assessment of repair work needed on the roof and gutters continues.
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The Christian Education Committee reported that Sunday School and Youth meetings continue to be offered using Zoom and First Kids teachers continue to host lessons and weekly chapel on Facebook.
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The Deacons request that the congregation share information with them about any congregational or community needs. A drive-through food drive for CCM was held at the church on Sunday, April 26
th
.
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The process for electing new church officers was discussed and is being announced this week.
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The Pastor Nominating Committee reported that they are continuing with weekly meetings and review of candidates and will be interviewing when it is most advantageous given the current situation.
As Presbyterians, decisions affecting our worship, education, spiritual nurture, physical property, and budget are made by our elected leaders. To connect with church officers, all Elders and Deacons and their committee assignments are listed on the church website under the “ABOUT” tab, “Staff and Leadership.”
The Session meets monthly on the 2
nd
Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Minutes are open and available by request after they are approved at the following month’s Session meeting.
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Girl Scout Sunday March 8, 2020
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Our active, live version of Girl Scouts came to an abrupt end shortly after Girl Scout Sunday. We look forward to meeting in person again soon. Our Brownies, Juniors, and older Girl Scouts are continuing to work on badges, community service projects, and higher awards during this time via e-mail. All the work is optional, and girls and families can pick and choose what activities will work for them, completing activities on their own schedule. If you have a daughter or granddaughter in 2nd-12th grade who may be interested in trying Girl Scouts during this time, please e-mail Rene Prager at: thepragers@yahoo.com.
Our weekly schedule:
Meet the Troop Monday
Thoughtful Thursday (community service based)
Fun Patch Friday (stand alone activities)
Tues/Wed/Sat/Sun - badge work
We just completed a virtual trip to Yellowstone National Park and are currently working on a CSI/Forensics badge. Previous activities included Outdoor Art, Cross-Training, New Cuisines, and letters to nursing homes.
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Successful Food Drive and Drop!
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First Presbyterian Church Members and the community walked, rode bikes, hiked, and drove to provide over 1600 pounds of items for the Cooperative Christian Ministry food pantry at our "Drive & Drop" on Sunday, April 26! We were so grateful to see all the smiling faces. Lots of pics coming soon.
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Rise Against Hunger 2020 Update
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We are delighted to announce that the meals from your Rise Against Hunger Experience on 2/9/2020 have been shipped in a container totaling 285,120 meals from our Charlotte warehouse.The meals will be received by our in-country partner ORPHANetwork in Nicaragua.
ORPHANetwork is an organization that nourishes lives through food assistance and other services in Nicaragua. To learn more, please visit our partner/country spotlight on the Impact Stories tab and click and drag on our World Aid Map at https://www.riseagainsthunger.org/global-impact/.
As the meals you packaged reach the hands of those in need, we invite you to continue your impact by donating today. Every contribution enables people in need around the globe to rise!
Thank you for generously giving your time as a volunteer with Rise Against Hunger. We are sincerely grateful for your dedication and for sharing our vision of a world without hunger.
Gratefully,
Rise Against Hunger
Stay in touch!
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Deacons Response to Covid - 19
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Since the stay-at-home order was issued in NC, our Deacons have approved discretionary funds for the following:
* $750 to supplement our Coltrane Webb Back Pack program with Food Lion gift cards
*$3,000 to help Meals on Wheels create additional shelf stable meals, and
*$1,000 to CCM for the food pantry
Additionally, Deacons have been calling our older adult members along with our Visitation team to chat and receive prayer requests. We will continue to listen for the needs of our congregants and our community and respond with Christ's love. If you are aware of additional needs or would like to become involved with these and/or other efforts, please let Lynne Keel or Janna Mitchell know.
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Lay Liturgists
Sign up
here to be a lay liturgist to
read scripture in worship on Sundays.
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Sanctuary Flowers
To give the congregation a gift of
to sign-up for one or more Sundays
during the year.
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Shepherd for Sunday School
Sign up
here to be a Shepherd in our Elementary and Middle School Sunday School.
A Shepherd helps our teachers by being another adult in the room, to make sure that we have a safe classroom, and to fulfill the requirements of our Child and Youth Protection Policy. If you have questions about what it means to be a Shepherd, please reach out to one of the members of the Christian Education Committee or Rachel Vogado.
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Youth Newsletter
Sign up here to receive the Youth Newsletter for detailed information
about all events related to youth who are in 6th-12 grade.
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Sunday, May 3, 2020
Rev. Dr. Scott Kenefake preaching
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Thursday, April 30
12:00 p.m. Zoom film discussion
Sunday, May 3
9:30 a.m. Sunday School via Zoom
10:00 a.m. Journey Sunday School via Zoom
11:00 a.m. Worship on Facebook
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Tuesday, May 5
7:00 p.m. Al Anon meeting
Wednesday May 6
2:00 p.m. Zoom Staff Meeting
7:00 p.m. Spring Book Discussion via Zoom
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Birth
Congratulations to P.J. and Lauren Faust on the birth of their son, Roan Alexander Faust, born on April 10 in Concord, NC. Grandparents are Pete and Ellen Faust, and great grandmother is Carolyn Perry.
Birthdays
April 30
- Abigail Rohrer
May 1
- Abbie Bauman, McKenzie Bauman, Sara Beth Caldwell, Reven Fulghum, Mack Harrison, Susan Schneider
May 2
- Spencer Hillman, Michelle Patrum, Dalton Sloop
May 3
- Susan Bethune, Harris Morrison, Julia Schneider, Samuel Schneider
May 4 -
Lou Anne Clark, Lata Eapen, Rachel Vogado
May 5
- Ashley Fischer, Michael Fischer, Elizabeth Maroney, Meghan Maroney, Noah White
May 6
- Lynn Neal
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Associate Pastor
for Care and Mission
Associate Pastor
for Christian Formation
Director of Music and Organist
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Director of Music and Organist
Choirmaster
Church Administrator
Financial Secretary
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Heath Ritchie
Maintenance Superintendent
Director of First Kids
Church Hostess
Wedding Director
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First Presbyterian Church
(704) 788-2100
70 Union Street North
Concord NC 28025
Mailing Address:
PO Box 789 Concord NC 28026-0789
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Closed Friday
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The Commons Prayer Room Hours:
Monday: Closed
Open for scheduled groups:
Tuesday,Thursday, Friday
Open to Public:
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 am - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday mornings for FPC
Memorial Garden:
(704) 786-8009
36 Spring Street SW
Concord NC 28025
Garden Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm
Closed Monday
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