First Press


an online newsletter

March 2022 edition

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In his book, Whistling in the Dark, author and theologian Fredrick Buechner writes the following about Lent:

 

      In many cultures there is an ancient custom of giving a tenth of each

year's income to some holy use. For Christians, to observe the forty days of Lent is to do the same thing with roughly a tenth of each year's days. After being baptized by John in the river Jordan, Jesus went off alone into the wilderness where he spent forty days asking himself the question what it meant to be Jesus. During Lent, Christians are supposed to ask one way or another what it means to be themselves…It can be depressing business all in all, but if sackcloth and ashes are the start of it, something like Easter may be at the end.

 

      For us all, the Lenten season proffers a unique and transformative opportunity to ponder the difficult questions of faith and to spend just a bit more time with our God—a God who cherishes nothing more than to listen to our every prayer and who holds us close, now and always. The Lenten season challenges us to look and to dig deep within ourselves, to recognize and to name the things that may keep us from taking those next steps in following Jesus as his disciples. It's a season that calls for movement beyond humdrum routines, away from life's distractions, and into the light and hope of God's amazing grace. 

 

      For you and for our entire First Church family, it is my heartfelt hope that this season of Lent may be one of deep and honest reflection, transforming challenge, life-giving growth, and fearless commitment to reconnecting with our adoring and ever-present God.  May our journey be one of abundant blessing and optimistic expectation.  And may we all embrace the hope in knowing that it is Christ who leads us to the foot the cross...and beyond!   

 

Peace and grace,


Barrett   


Session Summary

  FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH - OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI

MINUTES OF THE STATED SESSION MEETING

February 12, 2022


1.      Ministry Team Reports.

  • Finance: Elder Abbott reported that the Finance Team is working on a running total of all investment accounts.
  • Property: Elder Abernathy, on behalf of the Property Team, moved to approve a disbursement from the Nabors fund in the amount of $120,000.00 to be applied toward necessary exterior work such as new gutters, cornice repair, and other exterior work, consistent with the estimates previously obtained and submitted by the Property Team.
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The Session approved using $120,000 from the Nabors Fund for the above specified work.

  •  Adult Faith Formation: The Church’s music ministry is starting a children’s choir in March. Both parents and children will be invited for dinner, with a class for parents to be held during the children’s choir lesson. This event will be held in the Fellowship Hall during Lent.
  • Children and Youth Faith Formation: CYFF will be offering multiple events for kids in the late afternoon on two Sundays during the Lent season. The CYFF and Membership & Hospitality teams will also be taking over the planning of the children’s Easter egg hunt from Presbyterian Women. CYFF is also very excited to welcome Dave Garvey next month.
  • Membership and Hospitality: The Chili Cookoff was a tremendous success, with approximately 80 people in attendance. The team is also working on developing the church’s social media strategy, as there is not currently an overarching vision for the various platforms or profiles used by the church. On behalf of the Membership and Hospitality team, Elder Christian moved to create a social media subcommittee of M&H to lead the effort in developing the church’s social media strategy. The motion was approved. 
  • Mission: Elder Patton reported that the Mission Team is investigating participating in the Oxford Community Market’s program which assists community members with buying produce as well as collecting donations from farms. Elder Hall has also reached out to CYFF about possible joint participation in Cents-Ability, a PC(USA) program that collects funds for people without access to food. This could be incorporated during the children’s program on Sundays, and all money collected would go toward grants within the St. Andrew Presbytery. The team has also been meeting with its current community partners, and recently met with Lena Wiley of the Interfaith Compassion Ministry, who expressed her gratitude for the church’s commitment to their work.
  •  Personnel: Elder Lewis reported that Dave Garvey is expected to arrive on March 1 and that Kate Hill will begin on March 14.
  • Worship: Rev. de Boer reported that discussions are ongoing regarding an early service, and the team has targeted next Rally Day, after summer break, as a possible date to return to two services. The team has also been working on some minor revisions to the church’s funeral policy, which will be brought to the sessions as a recommendation at the next meeting. Worship is again considering an early Easter service followed by an 11 o’clock service.
  • Deacons: Rev. de Boer reported that the deacons are reconfiguring their 2:4 groups to account for and address some changes in the church population since the initial assignments, including the addition of new members.  

2.      Continued Business

  • The Session took no action on the Church’s current COVID-19 recommendation.

3.      New Business.

  • Elder Goodwiller indicated that additional videographer volunteers are needed for Sunday services, and that he may be hosting a training session for interested members.

4.  General Announcements. In light of the spring break holiday and anticipated travel plans, the next Session meeting will be held March 21 at 5:30 p.m. 

Financial Summary

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Worship

March 6, 2022

First Sunday in Lent

9:45 am Sunday School

11:00 am Worship w/ communion*


March 13, 2022

Second Sunday in Lent

9:45 am Sunday School

11:00 am Worship


March 20, 2022

Third Sunday in Lent

9:45 am Sunday School

11:00 am Worship


March 27, 2022

Fourth Sunday in Lent

9:45 am Sunday School

11:00 am Worship

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The Sacrament of Communion will be celebrated Sunday, March 6 at the 11:00 am service. For those celebrating on-line, please remember to set up your worship space with the appropriate elements. 

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If you can't join us in person, join us for worship on Sunday mornings 10:55 am on Facebook Live. The video will go live on the church's public Facebook group. If you do not have a Facebook account, a message will pop up asking if you wish to join. Simply click, "not now" at the bottom of that message and it will go away. You may then enjoy the video as it plays live. 


Online worshipers may now find the weekly bulletin on the church's website under the Online Worship page. Click here for the Online Worship page, then click the link titled "Weekly Bulletin."

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Ash Wednesday Offerings

Ashes to Go


Imagine: It’s an ordinary weekday, and in the middle of your daily tasks, you stumble into a moment of prayer. The street corner, the coffee shop, or some other ordinary place is suddenly a place where God has come to meet you.  The church has come out from behind the comfortable pews and doors to be in the places where the rubber meets the road. It’s Ash Wednesday, and you’re invited to wear your ashes, to claim repentance, grace and deep relationship with God for the challenges of your daily life.


“Ashes to Go” is about bringing spirit, belief, and belonging out from behind church doors, and into the places where we go every day. It’s a simple event with deep meaning, drawing on centuries of tradition and worship to provide a contemporary moment of grace.


We’ll be on the sidewalk of 924 Van Buren, under the arch, from 11:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2. You are welcome!

Ash Wednesday Evening Service


All are welcome to join us for an Ash Wednesday service this Wednesday, March 2 at 7 pm in the Sanctuary.

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Sanctuary floral arrangement dates are available all Sundays in March. To provide flowers 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.

Lectionary texts for February


March 6: Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13;

Luke 4:1-13


March 13: Genesis 15:1-12, 17-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1;

Luke 13:31-35


March 20: Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9


March 27: Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Luke 15:1-3,

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Remember in Prayer

 

FPC Members: Family of Janet Barnes; Family of Ann Caroline McIntosh; Jerry Wilson; J.T. & Barbara Davis; Tommy Patrick; Marianna Ochs; Family of Lynton Dilley; Max Williams; Louise & Nolan Waller; Teresa Flautt; Lydia Moak; Susan & Tom Meredith; Michele Howie; Margaret Fancher; Family of Betty Mullen White; Joe Murphey

 

Family and Friends: Sarah Luchin and Family; Sigrid Morrison Long; The family of John “Nat” Sumner, Connie Whelan; Lenoir Stanley; Family of Lauren "Lo" Chastain; Peter C. Wood; Doors of Hope Families; Bob Flautt; Family of Elise & William Winter; Lafayette County Detention Center inmates; Parchman Prison inmates; Haven House residents; Our Haiti partners; Oxford & Lafayette County First Responders; Community leaders  

  


 

U. S. Military: SSgt Jason Freeland, USAF 4th Air Support Operation

 

Please pray, too, for those with unspecified needs.


 

If you wish to have a name removed or added to this list, please contact the church office.

The FPC prayer chain is ready if you or someone you know is in need. This is a confidential list that is independent from the names listed above. Please contact Carlisle Wood at carlislewood@gmail.com or 662-832-8606. All requests are held in strict confidence.

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Anyone interested in an FPC member directory can call the church office at 234-1757. One will be printed for you.

In Gratitude

FPC 2022 Mission Ministry Budget

$188,450

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Regional

St. Andrew Presbytery general benevolences and

per capita

Montreat Conference Center


Local

Outreach agency support

UKirk Director

Pastor's discretionary fund

Camp Hopewell


International

Bongnotte, Haiti medical clinic and Living Waters

purification system


Total



$106,650

$600



$40,000

$26,000

$4,000

$1,200




$10,000


$188,450

FPC financially supports the following nine local outreach ministries: Interfaith Compassion Ministry, Doors of Hope, Oxford Medical Ministries, the Christmas Store, the Pantry, Memory Makers, More Than a Meal, Lovepacks, and Holding Hands. In the coming months each of these ministries will be featured to keep FPC up to date on their services. Please know that such outreach would simply not be possible without your ongoing financial support of First Presbyterian Church. Your participation is deeply appreciated by so many far beyond the walls of our Sanctuary.


At last month’s Mission Ministry Team meeting Lena Wiley provided a history and overview of Interfaith Compassion Ministry. ICM was founded in 1999 as an ecumenical effort to address the needs of the “least of these” in Lafayette County. It was first located in the FPC education building. In the twenty-three years since its inception, ICM has been a critical resource for those in need. In 2021 ICM received $456,000 in contributions from area churches, individuals,

civic groups and government grants. It provided assistance to thousands of Lafayette County residents in the form of rent/mortgage assistance, utility assistance, prescription medications, medical supplies, domestic violence shelter, transportation, grocery vouchers, meals, clothing, financial counseling, school supplies, etc. Lena expressed her sincere gratitude to FPC family

for its donation of $14,400 to ICM in 2022. Your generous giving directly impacts lives. For more information, Lena invited anyone to call her at 662-236-3482.

Adult Faith Formation

Curious about Jesus’ life connects to our lives today? Pick up a copy of Ron Allen’s The Life of Jesus for Today in the Church Office. It provides an exciting introduction to the life of Jesus and an engaging discussion of what Jesus' life means for modern-day believers. Setting Jesus in his ancient context, Allen examines many stories about Jesus' life and shows how these different stories relate to one another to express the core of Jesus' message--a message that, as Allen helpfully shows, is of central importance for believers today. 


We’ll meet with Rev. DeBoer at 12 noon in the Fellowship Hall on Wednesdays, beginning March 2, and Thursdays on Zoom with Ruth O'Dell at 6:30 p.m. beginning March 3. Click here for the zoom link. This week we will review the Introduction and Chapters 1 and 2.

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Congregational Adult Sunday School, 9:45 a.m.


Join us in the Fellowship Hall for an informal discussion on the lectionary passages each Sunday at 9:45 am. All you need to bring is your curious mind, open heart, and a willingness to delve into what the scriptures might have for us. No preparation required, and you can drop in any given Sunday without losing the thread. If you’ve got a favorite translation of the Bible, bring it. If not, don’t worry. We’ll have fun and learn from each other as listen for the Spirit in each other’s voices.

Ongoing Sunday School Offerings


Women of Faith: Led by Ann DeVoe (meets in Fellowship Hall)

Men’s Class 1: Led by Hale Freeland (meets in the 2nd floor Conference Room)

Men’s Class 2: Led by Trey Byers (meets in the Annex Building)


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Adult Faith Formation is offering Bibles and Brews again beginning in January! Bibles and Brews is open to any adult. We plan to meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month through the spring semester. We will gather at The Growler beginning at 4:30 pm for a time of fellowship, Bible study and engaging conversation. Please join us March 2 and 16 at 4:30! For more information, please contact Allyson Ashmore at allyson@camphopewell.com or 662-816-8544.

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Lenten Study @ Panera


A study group led by Ruth O'Dell and Cade Smith will meet every Tuesday at 5:30 from March 8 - April 5. The material is a PDF that you can find by clicking here. Use it as it works for you and then join us for a meal and conversation at Panera.

Music

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Please join us this Friday, March 4 at 7pm for a very special performance. QueensSound Ensemble, a trio of voice, violin, and keyboard, will join us as part of their national tour. The group is traveling from New York City and will perform works by a variety of composers listed on the poster below. The concert is free and the community is warmly invited. See you there!

FPC Children

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We are excited to offer new musical opportunities for the children of FPC beginning this Wednesday, March 2Check out the flyer above for details on Children's Choir and Handchime Ensemble.


Also note the book study offering for parents during the rehearsal hour. We have a few books available to pick up in the church office. Please contact Creighton here with any questions. See you on March 2!

Upcoming Events

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We need everyone for the Mardi Gras Parade TONIGHT! Join us at St. Peter’s Parking Lot at 5:15 p.m. for the pre-parade staging, and get ready to fling some beads. We love folks in strollers, in wheelchairs, on bicycles, on foot and in wagons. We love those accompanied by dogs or family. We also need spectators — so if you aren’t feeling like parading, we would love to see you around the square. Parade begins at 5:30 p.m.


We are so excited to welcome everyone again to the Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper at FPC! As soon as you have paraded, or witnessed the parade, around the square, join us for pancakes and sausages in the Fellowship Hall. We will feed all hungry bead-wearing folk who turn up!  

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Camp Hopewell's 2022 Women's Retreat


Camp Hopewell is excited to invite all women to its 2022 Women’s Retreat — Here I Am, which will be held from April 8-9. Guided by the story of Moses at the burning bush along with the Enneagram personality type indicator, we’ll spend keynotes, worship, and personal reflection time digging into who we are in the world and what God has to do with it. Programming will take place Friday evening, starting with registration and sabbath time at 4PM and going through Saturday evening at 6PM! Those interested can sign up here.


Please email Lindsay Fournier at info@camphopewell.com with any questions!

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Attention VIP's:


Our March get-together will be at 5:30 PM this Thursday,

March 3 in the Fellowship Hall. There will be a complimentary

catered dinner followed by BINGO! Each person will need to

bring a gift to be used as a bingo prize. Also, since the

dinner will be catered we will have to have an exact number

to plan for, so sign up through the church office today. 


Hope you can all come!


Thanks,

Sally Hines

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Oxford First United Methodist Church and First Presbyterian Church are cohosting a Service of Prayer and Remembrance Saturday, April 2 from 1:00-1:30. All are welcome to attend this ecumenical service on the courtyard at FPC. The public dedication of the lynching memorial plaque follows at 2:00 on the Square. 

Lenten Calendar

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Mission

The Mission Ministry Team's monthly meeting is March 7 at 5:00 in Room 101 in the Sanctuary building. The courtyard door will be unlocked. If you'd like to learn more about mission at FPC, please join us!

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The war in Ukraine has inflicted great suffering. There are a number of humanitarian agencies providing relief to the Ukranian people. If you would like to donate, click here for more information.



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The Family Crisis Services of Northwest Mississippi is a comprehensive victim organization. FPC continues to collect new stuffed animals for the 15-20 children the facility receives each month. Volunteers will soon be needed to assist in promoting FCS's services on campus and in the Oxford Community. Look for a Signup Genius or contact the Mission Team email above.


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Doors of Hope is an outreach program housed in the FPC education building. DOH makes available to single parents with young children temporary housing support, budget management, and other life skills training. The Step 2 Dinner meets the second Tuesday of each month in the Fellowship Hall. The dinner provides an opportunity for current clients to sit at table with successful alumni of the program. If you would like to volunteer to host, email the Mission Team at missionteam@fpcoxford.net or call the church office.  


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Leap Frog Program is a non-profit after-school literacy and tutoring program serving at-risk students in Oxford and Lafayette County. FPC is committed to providing snacks for the sixty students enrolled in the program. We thank the Carol Barr Circle for their active participation in this ministry. The 'healthy' snack consists of juice and a finger food such as fruit, peanut butter crackers, etc. For more information or to sign up please email Patty Abbott, peaccc-slp@sbcglobal.net. This could be your mission!



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At noon the second Tuesday of each month St. Andrew Presbytery sponsors a zoom meeting for anyone interested in learning more about Matthew 25 activities in congregations throughout our Presbytery. It is hosted by Kendal Cox, Elder First Presbyterian Church, Greenville and our own Allison Wehrung. If you would like to participate, email Allison at ukirk.olemiss@gmail.com, and she will send you a link.



Curious about the various FPC mission activities? A new email account has been created specifically for keeping FPC members abreast of mission plans, outreach programs, committee minutes, etc. If you would like to be kept in the mission loop, contact the Mission Team at missionteam@fpcoxford.net. Your name will be placed on Mission Ministry's contact list. We look forward to keeping everyone informed of FPC's outreach opportunities.

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Arc Benders is a FPC fellowship group that seeks to actively practice Christ's call to serve "the least of these" and to seek authentic reconciliation in the Oxford community. All are invited to participate. Our next meeting will be held this Sunday, March 6 at 5pm, via Zoom. Please contact Ruth O'Dell for the link at delloruth@gmail.com

Etcetera...

Presbyterian Women Officers for 2021-2022

 

Kathryn Elliott - Co-Moderator

Caroline McIntosh - Co-Moderator

Lisa Tollison - Vice-Moderator

Whitney Bolen - Secretary

Margaret Fancher - Treasurer

Marianna Ochs - Historian

 

Thank you for your willingness to serve FPC in this way!

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News from the Pews

Memorials & Honorariums


~ With gratitude for contributions to First Presbyterian Church ~


In memory of:


Ann Caroline McIntosh

Ashley Abraham

Mack & Dorothy Aldridge

Randy & Amy (Arledge) Allen

Irma Paris Buchanan

Cheryl Cannon

Bob, Cindy, & Rob Field

Walter & Carolyn Griffey

Ben & Kathy Griffith

Frank & Martha Hill

Brad & Michelle Hoover

Kyle & Allison Koestler

William & Jami Laws

Diane Lindley

Sandy Minor

Edward Morgan Jr.

Don & Emily Newcomb

Jim & Sylvia Pryor

Larry & Kay Tyler

Max & Nila Williams

Billy & Carlisle Wood

Mary Wright

The Gerry Duvall Circle


Janet Barnes

The Gerry Duvall Circle

Billy & Carlisle Wood


Susan Dehmer

Max & Nila Williams


Fanni Elliott

Beckett & Mary Howorth


Joe Houston

Billy & Carlisle Wood

Upcoming Birthdays & Anniversaries

March Birthdays:


2 Trenia Reynolds

4 Alice Abbott

5 William Burton, Harper Harris

6 Robbie McCurdy, Lauren McRae

7 Jack McGraw, Max Williams, Brett Person

8 Danny Kelly, Trey Cobb, Thomas Patrick

9 Adalene Pettis

10 Cal Montgomery

11 Winn Hutchcraft, Phillip Embry

12 Lenore Hobbs, Ashley Wilkinson, Maddie Grace DuBard

13 Jason Freeland, Emily Whalen, Charles Roos

14 Claire Stevens, Justin Cluck, Brooks Williams, Ann Person, Fowler Staines

15 Neil Eads, Ella McIntosh, Carolyn Gibson

16 Evelyn Angle, Hannah Mayo, Olivia Sherman, Susan Joiner, Henry Haney, Griffin Tanner

17 Elizabeth Coon

18 Leighton McCool, Robert Gowdy, Wes Estes, Captain Alexander, Anne Tanner, Mary Matthews

19 Brynne Ashmore, Alexis Longsdorf, Hayden Alexander, Lucia Brandt

20 Kim Ling, Molly Neff, Samuel Logan, David McPhail

21 Greer Smith, Harry Embry, Ava Manning, Amy Sherman

22 Hampton Hardin

23 Erin Alexander, Frances Saralvarez, Jim Deloach

24 Renee Sullivan-Gonzalez, Bel Monteith, Nan Davis

25 Sophie Semmes

26 Josh Gibbs

27 Frances Abernathy, Jess Edge, Mary Anna Wright

28 George Brock, Joel Edlin

29 Spears Alexander, Chris McCurdy

30 Sterlin Smith

31 Greg Patton, Elizabeth Monteith, Kim Funderburk



March Anniversaries:

3 Meg Bartlett

5 Henry & Rose Paris

7 Eric & Cindy Snellgrove

10 Jeb & Sarah Brooke Bishop, Bill & Melinda Freeman

11 Michael & Ashley Abraham

14 Scott & April Wallace

15 Caroline Croom, Scott & Angela Manley

19 Steve & Rosie Vassallo

20 Bryan & Karen McCartney, Art & Jene Smith

22 Mark & Natasha Atkinson, Hassell & Taylor Wilkinson

25 Tad & Amy Wilkes

30 David & Jenny McPhail

31 Tom & Nan Davis

The Session

 

 CLASS of 2022

Susan Abbott, John Abernathy,

Trey Byars, Kevin Christian,

Greg Patton

 

CLASS of 2023

Allyson Ashmore, Kathryn Elliott, Goodloe Lewis, Drew Mauldin,

Lee Miers

 

CLASS of 2024

Richard DeVoe, Hale Freeland, Bradley Goodwiller, Melissa Hall, Catie Hester


The Diaconate



CLASS of 2022

Gabrielle Chiniche, James Day,

Sarah McClellan, Cliff Smith,

Pattye Wilson

 

CLASS of 2023

Laura Jackson, Chloe Lloyd,

Allison McCord, Shae Orrell,

Adam Quick

  

CLASS of 2024

Patrick Bolen, Tommy Cribbs, Lindsey Estes, Kathy Orr Griffith, Jennifer Williams


Your Church Staff


The Congregation

The ministers


Rev. Barrett C. Milner

Senior Pastor


Rev. Deb de Boer

Interim Associate Pastor


Rev. Allison C. Wehrung

Pastor, UKirk Ministry


Creighton R. Holder

Director of Music


Frances Saralvarez

Office Administrator


LaShaunda Sisk

Nursery Director


D. Wade Simpson

Property Manager