First Press
December 2019 edition
As we enter into the month of December, your staff is feeling a bit of deja vu. Are you? We’ve been here before…in this place of transition…in this in between time …and it’s not the departure of a staff member, but the arrival of Advent that makes us feel that way. Christmas trees fill the parking lot, our doors seem to be open 24/7 for services of worship, the children’s Christmas musical, community Christmas events and regularly scheduled meetings. It’s a busy time for everyone, but it’s important that we not be so busy that we forget the meaning of the Advent season and its traditions.

One of those familiar traditions is described by the Office of Theology and Worship of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in this way:

“In the ancient world, various people lit fires to mark the turning of the light into winter’s season and to pray for the return of the light. The church has Christianized that practice in the lighting of the Advent wreath. To us, these candles are signs of the growing light of Christ who is coming again in all fullness into the darkness of our world. Until the dawning of that Great Day, we watch and wait in Holy Spirit for Christ’s coming into the darkness of our world, lighting candles of hope, peace, joy and love and remembering God’s promises with prayer.”

One of the questions for us to ponder this season as we light the candles of the Advent wreath each Sunday is how will we as individuals or as a church family bear the light of Christ into our community and our world. There are lots of opportunities scheduled for us to share that light with one another but how is God calling us to bear the light into places and to people who are hurting, hungry, or lonely? What are the gifts God has given each of us that offers light to others? Ponder that this season as you watch the growing light of the Advent wreath. Act on it. Shed a little light into the dark corners of someone’s life and let them know they are not alone, for the one whom we await is called Emmanuel, God with us.

Grace and peace,

Ann & David
PNC Update
PNC Committee:

Richard DeVoe - Moderator
Catharine Servati - Secretary
Hayden Alexander
Pete Boone
Gabe Chiniche
Carole Haney
Hassell Wilkinson
Lisa Hickman-Tollison
Brent Hardin

Commissioned on Sunday June 23

The first meeting was on Monday the 24 th. Richard was out of town, so obviously, we elected him moderator. Greg Goodwiller was there to explain the process.
First Business Meeting was July 16. We went over the process again and started on the Church’s Ministry Information form (MIF). The MIF was filled out according to what the Holy Cow Survey presented as to what our congregational needs are.

The PCUSA has a “match” system known as the Church Leadership Connection (CLC) which matches potential candidates with churches. The MIF is entered in this system and the executive Presbyter runs a match.

We would meet about every two weeks as we moved forward to complete the MIF.

Once the MIF was completed and prepared, it was presented to the Session and approved in their August Meeting.

Our MIF went live on August 22 nd. The executive Presbyter ran an initial match filtering out candidates that did not fit our guidelines. We initially got about 15-16 matches. We also accepted suggestions from members of the congregation as well as self-referrals.

We spent the next two weeks reviewing these and watching sermons on the internet as most pastors and churches have these uploaded to a website.
Once we had gone through them there was a discussion as to how to see more potential candidates, (cast a wider net). We decided at this point to get Greg Goodwiller to open the CLC filter so we could see them all. We also decided to put an ad in Presbyterian Outlook. Greg ran another match and we had 155 hits. So, we spent the next two weeks going through these. The ad would not run until the following month which we were in September at his point, so we let that process play out. We also contacted sources at Columbia theological seminary and posted the job on their website.

We spent most of September getting the list down to 10 or so good matches and we also used this time to formulate questions for an interview as well as written questions. We then contacted them to see if they were interested. Most were interested but some declined for various reasons. We finally got our list down to 4 candidates and scheduled interviews with them November 5 th and 12th via Facetime.

We have now finished the interviews and are awaiting written responses to our follow up questions.

Thank you for your continued prayers as we move forward.
Stewardship
Stewardship season continues as our church family discerns God’s call to give Beyond Sunday Morning in 2020! Over the past few weeks, members of our congregation have shared about the many ways FPC ministers through out the whole week. James Day's story is one such example. Hear his story on our website about why FPC means so much to him and how important it is to serve Beyond Sunday Morning.  
Thank you to everyone who has already turned in their pledge card and completed an invitation to ministry form! Pledge cards can continue to be turned in with Frances Saralvarez in the front office or  can be completed online here . Thank you for prayerfully considering how God is leading each of us to give of our time, talents, and treasures as we share Christ's love with all.
Financial Summary
Session Summary
Ministry Team Check-in:
Finance:  
  • Elder Dana Williams reviewed the cash balance. 2019 Income is about $17,000 below budget, but remains ahead of last year, given the predicted end of year giving. Unpledged giving remains favorable. Expenses are under budget by $87,000 and are also ahead of last year. The variance is favorable year to date and we should end the year under budget, with less of a deficit than predicted.  
  • Stewardship update is that 76 units have pledged as of November 10th, representing 45% of the total giving units that pledged last year. There are new pledges that have been turned in and several increases in existing pledges. Outstanding pledges are still coming in.  

Adult Faith Formation:  
  • The David Freeman Lecture took place November 3-4, with guest speaker, Dr. Leanne Van Dyk, President, Columbia Theological Seminary.
  • December 15th will be a Faith Formation opportunity for participation for multiple age groups in conjunction in with the children’s Christmas play. This will consist of a gathering in the fellowship hall with food, hot cocoa with the Chadwicks leading carols.  
  • Elder Matthew Hall added that the ministry team has discussed spring plans at length. 

Children and Youth Faith Formation:   
  • Elder Ruth O’Dell reported that we will be able to sell Christmas trees. Sales will begin Friday, November 29th. Additional fundraising opportunities are being explored.  
  • Wednesday night Children’s program will pilot a new program beginning in January for three year olds through fourth grade. Fifth and sixth grade will form a club that will meet at the same time.  
  • The youth will be selling hot cocoa and coffee during the Doors of Hope holiday home fundraiser in early December. 

  Membership & Hospitality:   
  • Elder Monte Wood reported that membership rolls have been updated prior to submitting the statistical report to Presbytery.  
  • Carols and Cocoa will be December 15th. The children will decorate some ornaments for a tree in the fellowship hall.  
  • The online pictorial directory is available through the ACS system that we already have. There is an additional fee that is associated with member management. This is a one time charge of $350, but then the monthly fee decreases and will cost less than what we are currently paying. The goal is to have this in place by January. There will be an app that members can use or the directory may also be printed. Photos and information may be updated by members themselves or with assistance from the ministry team or staff. Session approved.

Mission:  
  • The church workday had to be cancelled due to weather. 
  • The November 2nd family disaster preparedness event was only mildly attended. 
  • The ministry team is proposing a food calendar for Advent season. This will be distributed along with the advent devotional. The Pantry has requested help and has an immediate need for food donation. Dr. Gladys will be here November 24th and will be available during the Sunday school hour. The church will not take a mission trip to Haiti this year due to the unrest there.
 
  Worship:  
  • Elder Ann DeVoe reported that the worship schedule is complete through December 31st. 
  • Plans for Advent services and decorations are in place.  The Advent Devotional book is being printed and will be distributed. 
  • The Wholeness and Healing services are planned for December 3rd, 10th and 17th.  
 
  Old Business:
  1. PNC update- PNC has started FaceTime interviews and is still actively pursuing candidates. 
  2. Presbytery Support –The Reverend Ann Kelly invite Greg Goodwiller to attend a meeting with the session regarding First Presbyterian’s budget for monetary support provided to the Presbytery.
 
New Business:
  1. Homebound Communion was offered on November 10th.  Session approved.
  2. Session approved the of Wedding of Grace Ann Wilbanks to Bryant Carlton at First Presbyterian Church on August 15, 2020 with the Reverend David Randolph presiding.
  3. Update on sanctuary sound system – A new sound board has been installed and the resulting issues it created are being addressed in a meeting on 11/12/2019. Hearing aid microphones are not functioning optimally. Wade is looking into an upgrade to resolve the problems. 
Worship Hours:

10:30 am - Worship with communion
9:30 - Sunday School
Nursery weekly: 9:15-11:45 am
Upcoming worship schedule:
Sunday, December 1, 2019
9:30-10:15 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship (communion)
First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 8, 2019
9:30-10:15 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship (communion)
5:00 pm Lessons & Carols
Second Sunday of Advent

Sunday, December 15, 2019
9:30-10:15 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship (communion)
5:00 pm Children's Christmas musical
Third Sunday of Advent
Sunday, December 22, 2019
9:30-10:15 am Sunday School
10:30 am Worship (communion)
Fourth Sunday of Advent

Tuesday, December 24, 2019
4:00 pm Worship
5:30 pm Worship (communion)
Christmas Eve
Advent Wholeness & Healing services  are offered on Tuesdays, December 3rd, 10th, and 17th,  at 5:30 pm in the Sanctuary. These 30-minute services offer peace and solitude for all during the busy Christmas season and incorporate prayer, scripture and communion. FPC's Nursery Ministry will be available for all three services. 
Lectionary texts for December

December 1 - Isaiah 2:1-5; Psalm 122; Romans 13:11-14; Matthew 24:36-44
December 8 - Isaiah 11:1-10; Psalm 72:1-7, 18-19; Romans 15:4-13; Matthew 3:1-12
December 15 - Isaiah 35:1-10; Psalm 146:5-10 or Luke 1:46b-55; James 5:7-10; Matthew 11:2-11
December 22 - Isaiah 7:10-16; Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19; Romans 1:1-7; Matthew 1:18-25
December 24 - Isaiah 9:2-7; Psalm 96; Titus 2:11-14; Luke 2:1-14 (15-20)
December 25 - ( dawn) Isaiah 62:6-12; Psalm 97; Titus 3:4-7; Luke 2:(1-7) 8-20
( day) Isaiah 52:7-10; Psalm 98; Hebrews 1:1-4 (5-12); John 1:1-4
December 29 - Isaiah 63:7-9; Psalm 148; Hebrews 2:10-18; Matthew 2:13-23
Sanctuary flower dates are available throughout Advent (seasonal greenery and berries only). The dates available are December 22 and 29 and January 5. To provide greenery and berries during Advent in honor or in memory of a loved one, contact Margaret Fancher at fancherm@bellsouth.net or call 662-234-1359. Contributions to the Flower Fund are greatly appreciated.
Music
Meet Your New Church Officers
ELDERS

Susan Abbott has been a member of First Presbyterian Church since 2015. After graduating from Ole Miss, she lived in Memphis for several years working in public accounting. In 2015, she moved back to Oxford and married Todd at FPC. Now, she is the Controller at Next Gear Solutions, LLC here in  Oxford. During her time at FPC, she has served on the Membership and Hospitality Ministry and the Finance ministry teams. She is a member of a Young Adult small group and in 2017, she went on the Haiti mission trip. Todd and Susan welcomed their daughter, Elizabeth, in November 2018. Susan is honored to asked to serve as an Elder in the class of 2022.

John Abernathy has been a member of First Presbyterian Church for approximately 24 years. He and his wife Maggie married at FPC in 1994 and moved to Oxford in 1995. He has served a member of the Property Ministry Team, Sunday school Teacher, Officer Nominating Committee and Elder. All four of their children were baptized and confirmed at FPC. He has been a member of the Men’s II Sunday School Class since its inception.

Trey Byars has practiced law with the same firm since graduating in 1992 and has been in the Oxford office since it opened in 1995. He and Jane Lyle were married in 1995 and joined FPC in 1996. He has served two terms on the Session, once as Clerk for a couple of years and most of the rest on Personnel. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees of the Presbytery  of St. Andrew since 2012 and currently serves as President. He is a member of Men’s Class II and his children participate in PYF.  
 
Kevin Christian grew up in Oxford, attended Oxford High School (1980), and graduated from Ole Miss in 1984. He joined the FPC in 2011 after moving back to Oxford after living in New Orleans and Memphis. He served as a Deacon from 2016-2018 on the Funeral Committee, the Adult Faith Formation Ministry Team, and most recently, the Officer Nominating Committee. He is married to Leigh Garner Christian and together they have 3 children: Tyler Christian, Aberdeen, MS, Megan Garner, Collierville, TN, and Will Christian, Oxford, MS and one granddaughter, Ansley Christian. He works for Pedigo Products, Inc based in Vancouver, WA and has served as Vice President of Sales for the past 10 years.

Greg Patton is originally from Leland, Mississippi and has been a member of FPC since 1989 when he moved to Oxford to start his medical practice. Greg has been a PYF leader, taught Sunday school, served as an Elder, chaired an FPC capital funds campaign, coordinated the church's landscaping efforts, and led mission trips to Haiti. Greg currently serves on Saint Andrew Presbytery's Committee on Ministry. In the Oxford community he established a teen pregnancy prevention program. He has served as an Assistant Scout Master for Troop 45. His children, Spencer and Kathleen, attend Ole Miss and the University of Colorado, respectively. Greg lives on a farm near Yocona where he enjoys tending his garden and horses. 

DEACONS

Gabrielle Chiniche and her family joined FPC in 2012.   They have enjoyed becoming a part of this energetic church community. Teaching Sunday school, serving on the Adult Faith Formation ministry, serving communion, participation in Esther Etheridge Circle and most recently serving on the PNC are ways she has given her time and service. She considers it an honor to be asked to serve as deacon. She is a wife to Paul, and a mother to Lucy and Ella and finds spending any time possible with them her greatest joy. Another great joy and purpose of her life is her work as a full time Occupational Therapist and Certified Hand Therapist at Elite Physical Therapy. 
                  
James Day and his late wife, Janellen, retired from New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina and moved to Oxford in 2010. They joined FPC in 2011. In 2013 Janellen was diagnosed with cancer and this church stepped in with food and visits throughout her treatment until her death in 2015. James has since served as a deacon (2016-2018) enjoying all the duties that entails, hosted Eagle Scout ceremonies for the Boy Scouts, worked in the kitchen on Wednesday nights, and helped with minor maintenance projects and the greening of the sanctuary. James says that it has been very rewarding to help in God’s work here at FPC.
         
Rob Howell has been a member of First Presbyterian Church of Oxford since 2012. Originally from Haleyville, Alabama, he is a graduate of Samford University in Birmingham. He served two years as a Teach For America Corps member before entering law school at Ole Miss. He is active in the church’s Young Adult ministry and attends the Adult Men’s Breakfast Bible Study at the Beacon. He has also participated in some of our congregational Bible studies. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve as deacon and looks forward to aiding our church’s mission over the next three years.

Cliff Smith has been a member of First Presbyterian Church of Oxford, MS for 5 years, having transferred his membership from First Presbyterian in Greenville, MS. He served on the diaconate from 2016-2018 and is currently a member of the Children’s Faith Formation Ministry Team. He and his wife Sarah have been married for 20 years and have a 9-year-old son, Sterlin.

Pattye Wilson was a member of First Presbyterian Church in Greenville, MS for 44 years. She is an ordained Elder in the PC (USA) and served as Clerk of Session and has also served as a Deacon in Greenville. Patty and her husband Jerry retired and moved to Oxford two years ago and joined First Presbyterian. She has loved being a member at FPC and is honored to be asked to serve as a Deacon and sharing the love of Christ in any way she can.   
Thank you to the Officer Nominating Committee

Many thanks to the members of the 2018-2019 Officer Nominating Committee for their discerning work in selecting a slate of nominees for elder and deacon. Their work was made much easier by the suggestions made by members of the congregation. Members of the ONC are: Kevin Christian, Trey Cobb (Elder), Elizabeth Coon, Ed Croom (Diaconate), Jenna Lovelace, Susan Meredith, Monte Ochs and Karen Stockton (Elder).
Children's/PYF Faith Formation
Adult Faith Formation
A special Advent Bible study will be offered the first three weeks of December. Two classes will be offered: Tuesday evenings at 6:00 pm after the Wholeness & Healing service and Wednesdays at 10:30 am. The book is "Light of the World, A Beginner's Guide to Advent" by Amy Jill Levine. Books are $10 and are available in the church office. Call 234-1757 if you are interested in participating.
Young Adults! Mark your calendar for an Advent event on Saturday afternoon, December 14th, from 4:00 to 6:00 pm in Fellowship Hall. We'll have a conversation with activity about creative spirituality in light of the Advent season. Using a combination of recycled materials and new supplies, we’ll individually reflect on the Advent theme of waiting. Even if art is a little (or a lot) outside of your comfort zone, we hope you’ll join us in the midst of this busy season for a late-afternoon of reflection and fellowship. RSVPs are needed to ensure enough materials are prepared. RSVP today with David Randolph at drandolphfpc@gmail.com. Parents - FPC's Nursery Ministry will be provided. Please include any children in your RSVP. 
Mission
Though political unrest in Haiti will prevent FPC from sending a mission team to Bongnotte in 2020, there are still ways that we can support our friends in Haiti. Discopelban is a U.S. based charity with 501c3 status that was established several years ago as the fund raising arm for the medical clinic in Bongnotte. Gladys Memnon, Susan Abbott (treasurer) and Greg Patton, among others, serve on the board. All contributions are tax deductible. Checks may be made payable to Discopelbon and mailed to Susan Abbott at 512 Woodland Hills Drive, Oxford, MS. Donations are then wired to an account in Haiti. Honorariums and memorial gifts may be made as well. Every dollar donated goes directly to the clinic to supplement doctors' and nurses' salaries, purchase medications and furnish the new clinic building. This continues FPC's partnership with Dr. Gladys and the people of Bongnotte and helps improve the health of the people in this community. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Give to the Christmas Joy Offering
Sunday, December 15
A Perfect Gift for this Advent Season

In the lead up to Christmas, many of us spend time in search of the perfect gift — the gift that communicates to friends and family how much we know and love them. We search our memories for indications of what gift might cause the faces of our loved ones to light up. We scour the stores and shops, hoping to come across the thing that will communicate a depth of love that our words cannot.

As important as gifts to loved ones are, we have an opportunity to give gifts that help many people we do not know through the Christmas Joy Offering. These gifts in particular draw us back to the manger and God’s perfect gift to us — Jesus Christ.

Jesus came to live among us, bringing light into darkness, and reconciliation to God and to one another. A perfect gift from a gracious God. During this Christmas and Advent Season, we celebrate leadership; past, present and future through support of the Christmas Joy Offering. We do so because church leaders greatly impact our lives of faith, walking with us down the path to be more like Jesus. We want those church leaders and their families who find themselves grappling with a critical financial need to have the resources they need which are provided through the Assistance Program of the Board of Pensions. We also support the offering to help our future leaders in the church and world, like those educated at our Presbyterian related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. Supporting these students helps the whole church develop leaders who reflect the wideness of God’s intended diversity. For those supported through the Christmas Joy Offering, this help is truly a gift from above. May our gifts, and the leaders who receive them, point us always to the truth of the one whose birth we celebrate, Jesus Christ — the truly perfect gift.

Please give generously:
To learn more about the Christmas Joy Offering, please visit:
Lovepacks  donations are an easy way to help relieve hunger among Oxford and Lafayette County school children. If you'll bring your donations with you to church and deposit them in the church office or the narthex, volunteers will get them to the Lovepacks office for you. Items needed are:   
·    10-18 oz Pop-Top Chicken Noodle or Vegetable Soups
·    Pop-Top Ravioli
·    Snack Pack Pudding Cups
·    Cheese/Peanut Butter Crackers
·    16 oz. Jars of Peanut Butter
·    Pop Top Beanie Weenies
·    Granola Bars
·    Pop Top Canned Fruit (Please, No Fruit Cups)
The holiday season is just around the corner and plans are well underway for the  Doors of Hope Transition Ministries   Holiday House Tour   2019 ,  which will be held on  Saturday, December 7, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  The tour will feature five beautifully decorated homes located in the Rowan Oak area in Oxford. In each home, there will be lovely holiday décor, docents who will give fun and historical information, local entertainment and several raffle items. Tickets for the event will be $20.00 for pre-purchase or $25.00 day of the tour. Raffle tickets are $20 a piece or 5 for $100.  Check in and parking is located at the Kudzu Parking Lot at Old Taylor Road and Hwy 6. Transportation is provided to the homes. 
Etcetera...
Christmas Extravaganza - Sunday, December 15th!
Bibles & Brews,  a bible study held on the first Wednesday of each month, continues on December 4th   at the Growler from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. Join in this conversation as we bring and share different scripture passages about a topic picked by the group. This month’s topic is “Joy” and all are welcome!
VIPs are Very Important Presbyterians, aged 55 and older, who gather for fun, fellowship, travel, learning, service and more. Anyone is welcome to be a part of the VIPs. Please remember that reservations are important to help with planning and are made by calling the church office. Here is what’s happening with VIPs!

  • The annual Christmas gathering for VIPs will be this Thursday, December 5 at 5:45 at the home of Melissa and Matthew Hall, 227 St. Andrews Circle. This is always a fun and festive gathering! VIPs are asked to bring their favorite appetizer along with the recipe. Call the church office at 662 234-1757.
  • A Dutch treat dinner will be January 16 @ 5:45 pm at the Sipp
 
Don’t miss out on the fun and fellowship! Call the church office today and reserve your spot for these events.
Members are invited to help decorate the Sanctuary for Christmas by purchasing poinsettias for $12 each in memory or in honor of friends or loved ones. The deadline for ordering is Monday, December 2 nd . Please click here for the order form. Be sure to list your information as you would like it printed in the bulletin and return it to the church office with your payment attached. 
Moderator - Mary Glynn Wright -  mgw0804@yahoo.com
Vice - Moderator - Kathryn Elliott -  kelliottwhnp@yahoo.com
Secretary - Whitney Bolen -  whitneybolen80@yahoo.com  
Treasurer - Margaret Fancher -  fancherm@bellsouth.net
Historian - Marianna Ochs -  mochs360@gmail.com
Ex-Moderator - Mary Haskell -  haskellfam@aol.com
News from the Pews
Memorials and Honorarias

~ With gratitude for contributions to First Presbyterian Church ~

In memory of:

Eddie Crawford

Rosie & Robert Cooper

Fannie Elliott

Elliott Lumber Employees: Stan Abel, Alan Bianco, Charles Bishop, Tim Bratton, Don Davidson, Charlie Heard, Timmy Jones, Judy Mitchell, Kaleb Strickland, Andy Waller
Benefit Administration Services
Hammett Gravel Co., Inc.
Lakeland Premier Womens Clinic
Betty & George Abdo
Dorothy Lou & Mack Aldridge
Doug & Captain Alexander & Kristina Carlson
Mary Martha & Kelly Allen
Julia Aubrey
Carol T. Barnes
Betty Barrett & Denton Rogers
Lesca Black
John R. Bradley, Jr.
Mr. & Mrs. John Rodgers Brashier
Mr. & Mrs. Rodgers Brashier
Martha Briscoe
Cindy Brown
Amy & Hardy Brumfield
Mary Frances & Frank Brumfield
Shanon & Jay Brumfield
Terry & Harris Brumfield
Debra Bryson
Jean Morgan Bush
Bette & Jeff Butler
Rosie & Robert Cooper
Anne-Murray Cotten
Allison & Jon Crawford
The Shirley Crawford family
Mary Ann & John Cropp
Rebecca Dykes Evershed
Hardy Farris, Jr. Kim & Trip Farris, Cathy & Craig Miller
Sally Featherstone
Gage & Webb Franklin
Mary Freeman
Marietta Gafford
Carolyn Garrard
Kathy Gibson
Hannah Graham
Mr. & Mrs. Heyward C. Green
Jim Greenlee
Laura & Walton Gresham
Kathy & Ben Griffith
Fay & Earl Grissinger
Sandra & Ronny Guest
Bitsey & Tom Hail
Mr. & Mrs. Jack Harris
Susan Curtis & John Harrison
Susan Sadler Hayman
Ms. Bertie Holaday
Ruthie Hollis
Mr. & Mrs. Whit Johnson III
Melissa M. Jones
Beth & John Kakales
Joyce Kennedy
Carolyn & Donald Kessinger
Sabra & Ronald Laumbach
Dorothy & John Laurenzo
Scottye Lee
William Lewis, Jr.
Sara & Ben Lloyd
Mr. & Mrs. Lawrence Long
Tara A. & Kurre Thomas Luber
Mr. & Mrs. Charles F. Marion
Dr. & Mrs. Bo Marsalis
Cecilia & Sam Marshall
Libby & Leon McCullouch
Mr. & Mrs. Drew McDowell
Mary Kay McDowell
Bobbi & Mickey McGuire
Georgia McPherson
Allison & Jerry Montgomery
Tina & Tony Montgomery
Lesley & Rush Mosby
Tina & Olivia Naegle
John Neville
Emily & Don Newcomb
Don Noblitt
Virginia W. Owen
Mrs. Charles Palmer and family
Rose Paris
Edd Tate Parker
Mindy & Quinton Perry
Rosalyn N. Perry
Adalene & Ben Pettis
Judy & Gary Pickering
Mary Eva Presley
Donna Ruth Roberts
Angela & George Rutherford II
Mary Schiele & Pat Scanlon
Debbie & Arliss Swindoll
Linda & Tim Tatum
Pat Tatum
Becky & Greg Taylor
Johnny Thames, Jr.
William Threadgill
Mr. & Mrs. Ken Toler
Dr. & Mrs. Robert G. Traylor
Kay & Larry Tyler
Mary & Charles Walker
Mary Edith & George Walker
Connie & Larry Wamble
Nila & Max Williams
Polly & Parham Williams
Carlisle Wood
Mary Glynn Wright

Sue Treas

Betty & George Abdo
Dorothy Lou & Mack Aldridge
Mary Martha & Kelly Allen
Wilbrod St Amand
Beth Bartlett
Bette & Jeff Butler
Rosie & Robert Cooper
Rebecca Dykes Evershed
The Herman L. Gray family
Kathy & Ben Griffith
Emily & Don Newcomb
Adalene & Ben Pettis
Betty Savage
Kay & Larry Tyler
Mary Edith & George Walker
Nila & Max Williams
Polly & Parham Williams
Carlisle Wood
Mary Glynn Wright
Birthdays and Anniversaries

December Birthdays

1 Baxter Elliott, Brett Estes, Kathy Griffith, Brent Hardin, Jimmy Heidel
2 Margaret Fancher, Sandy Grisham, Tyler Lovelace, Mary Kay McDowell, Kay Meadors
3 Ashley Abraham
4 Monte Gibbs, Ernie Lowe
5 Mary Clark Hayward, Robert Williams
6 Charles Cascio, Dean Chow, Ty Gillespie
7 Ralph Kersey, Steve McCord, Tom Meredith
8 Sandra Webb
9 Rosie Cooper, Sharon Lovelace
10 George Abdo, LeAnne Neal, Syd Shaw
11 June Goza, Miles Luster, Ben Pettis, Damein Wash
12 Emma Flautt, Allison McCord, Jenny McPhail
13 Guff Abbott
15 Kristina Carlson, Thomas Embry, Vaughn Grisham, Mary Miers, Laura Whitten
16 Kate Rosson
17 Debbie Boutwell, Logan McPhail, Wes Snellgrove
18 Marty Mauldin
19 Gracyn Ashmore, Derek Baker, Joyce Gibbs
20 Matthew Chow, Hale Freeland, Grace Gillespie, Mary Sims
21 Julie Field
22 Maggie Abernathy, John Edge, Robert Hall, Mike Lovelace, Davis McCool, Randall Mize
23 Jack Hill, Robert Lake, Liza Orrell, Entje Webb
24 Lee Mize
25 Lynton Dilley, Marjorie Selvidge
26 Luke Gibbs
27 Cliff Smith
28 Allison Crawford, Lainey Schuesselin
29 Kristen Phillips
31 Ashley Callery

December Anniversaries

4 Lu Ann & Tommy Smith
5 Susan & Todd Abbott
6 Machelle & Ernie Williams
8 Maribel & Doug Sullivan-Gonzalez
11 Laura & Charles Montgomery
12 Jenny Kate & Sparky Luster
21 Ann & Bill Dickens, Jody & Pick Scruggs
22 Patsy & Guff Abbott, Ann & Richard DeVoe, Susan & David Shaw
24 Marianna & Monte Ochs
28 Mary & Sam Haskell
29 Joyce & Monte Gibbs, Trenia & Bruce Reynolds
30 Lucia & Louis Brandt, Sarah & Trey Bridgers, Julie & Ed Field, Cynthia & Hale Freeland, Lele & Guy Gillespie, Marjorie & Roy Selvidge
First Dates

The Prayer Shawl Ministry will meet Monday, December 2 at 1:00 pm in Room 101.
The Children's/PYF Faith Formation Team will meet Wednesday, December 4 at 5:45 pm in Room 101.
The Finance Ministry Team will meet Monday, December 9 at 4:30 pm in Room 101.
The Session will meet Monday, December 9 at 5:30 pm in Fellowship Hall.
The FPC Book Club will meet Tuesday, December 10 at 1:30 pm in Room 101.
The Director of Music/Organist Search Committee will meet Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30 pm in Room 101.
The Property Ministry Team will meet Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30 pm in the Session room.
The Membership & Hospitality Ministry Team will meet Thursday, December 12 at 5:30 pm in Room 101.
The Adult Faith Formation Ministry Team will meet Tuesday, December 17 at 6:00 pm in Room 101.
The Session
 
  CLASS of 2019
Trey Cobb, Jon Crawford, Margie McLeod, 
Karen Stockton, Dana Williams
 
  CLASS of 2020
Ashley Callery, Ann DeVoe, Ben Griffith,
Matthew Hall, Monte Wood
 
CLASS of 2021
Hayden Alexander, Pete Boone, Julie Field, 
Carmille Hovious, Ruth O'Dell
 
The Diaconate

CLASS of 2019
Lee Borden, Kristina Carlson, Dean Chow,
Pick Scruggs, Amy Wilkes
 
CLASS of 2020
Todd Abbott, Rosie Cooper, Ed Croom,
Lisa Hickman-Tollison, John Schuesselin
 
CLASS of 2021
Thelma Curry, Karen Elliott, Luke Harris,
Brian Hyneman, Niles Lovelady
Your Church Staff
 
The Congregation
Ministers
 
Interim Associate Pastor
 
Associate Pastor
 
Pastor, UKirk Ministry

Interim Choir Director
 
Director of Elementary Music
 
Office Administrator
 
Director of Communications
 
Property Manager
 
Nursery Director
First Presbyterian Church | fpcoxford.net