Whoever wrote “April showers bring May flowers” clearly wasn’t a southerner.  These past couple weeks of February, as I’ve been around Oxford, whether it’s cruising down North Lamar, ambling across a friend’s pasture, or trekking up my own driveway, I once again rejoice at the coming of spring in the South, even as a month remains in our calendar winter. Daffodils and forsythia, red maples and purple tulip trees emerging after the brownest winter I believe I've ever known.

As Lent begins, so much of our country remains ensconced in deep winter, yet down here, we get a taste of Easter hope, of Easter renewal, of Easter life during the whole of Lent.  Awakening bulbs stretch their arms to warmer days and the light above their darkened soil homes.  Songbirds have returned to grace us with their hopeful, bellowing, and melodious chirps.  The promise of greening limbs and budding bush is, once more, catching our eyes from afar.  And we, as a people of faith, while prayerfully wandering through these Lenten days, can look ahead with anticipation to all that will be.

            Of the Lenten season, Pope Francis once stated that “Lent comes providentially to awaken us, to shake us from our lethargy.”  Thanks be to God for this time of awakening and renewal.  Thanks be to God for the promises of life and light and love in abundance.  Thanks be to God for the springtime signs of newness all around us that help us to remember God’s intention and plan is life…again!  I pray that these Lenten days will prove life-giving and hope-filled, and I pray, too, that the Spirit’s awakening with springtime will shake us all from our collective lethargy. 

With hope,

Barrett

In Person Worship: 9:00 am & 11:00 am 

Remember in Prayer 

FPC Members: Family of Nancy Rogers; Family of Alisa Reed Elliott; Sarah, Cliff, and Sterlin Smith; Mary Kay McDowell; Keith & Cheryl Hayward; Scottye Boone; Jean Blackston; Leon McCullouch; Family of John Edge, Family of Joe Murphey; Jane Henderson; Family of Dr. Bobby Kennedy; Doug & Margaret Fancher; Thomas Wade Simpson; Family of Nolan Waller, Family of Helen Scruggs, Family of Janet Barnes; Family of Ann Caroline McIntosh; Family of J.T. Davis; Marianna Ochs; Family of Lynton Dilley; Max Williams; Lydia Moak; Michele Howie

Family and Friends: Family of Richard Flautt; Family of Barbara Callery; Mike Flautt; Family of George Caffey; Family of Pat Ewing; Family of Dr. and Mrs. Gerry Foret; Family of Helen Nielson; Family of Shirley Bragg Donnelly; James Chavers; Kathy Bremer; Susan Treas-Ewing; Nancy McPhail; Charlyn Wilson; Family of Thomas Mayo; Family of George Walker; Family of Gloria Smith Griffith; Valentina Iepuri and Ukraine family; Charissa Johnson; Sarah Luchin and Family; Sigrid Morrison Long; Connie Whelan; Lenoir Stanley; Doors of Hope Families; Bob Flautt; 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 17th Special Tactics Sqaudron 

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.

Sanctuary Floral Arrangement dates are available April 23, May 21, June 4, 18, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.To provide flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one, contact Margaret Fancher at mfancher42@gmail.com or call

662-234-1359.

Contributions to the Flower Fund are greatly appreciated.

If you want a particular date to provide flowers on Sunday morning, please reserve the date early.

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

Membership & Hospitality

Our church community had a wonderful time celebrating Mardi Gras with a parade & pancake supper! Read more about the event and see all of the pictures here!

Adult Faith Formation

Children & Youth Faith Formation

Look for us on the First and Third Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. at the Growler. Join us as we discuss the news of the day through the lens of scripture. 

The Mission Team meets the first Monday of each month at 5:30 in the Session Room of the Sanctuary building. Please join us as we seek creative and effective means to serve “the least of these.” If you would like more information, call the church office or contact David Shaw, dcshaw82@gmail.com.

Cents-Ability is a PCUSA initiative to combat hunger in local communities. In 2022

St. Andrew Presbytery awarded $8,000 to hunger assistance programs in north Mississippi. All FPC members are invited to participate. 

Last Sunday containers for collecting donations were distributed. More are available in the church office. Place the collection container on your dining table and drop in a few cents at each meal. Paper bills and checks work just as well!

Periodically, on “Collection Sundays” members will be asked to bring their donations to worship. The collective savings power of one congregation can be impressive. A congregation with 100 families donating a nickel per meal can raise over $5,000 annually.

Thank you for your participation!

News from the Pews

Memorials & Honorariums

~ With gratitude for contributions to First Presbyterian Church ~

In Memory of:

Alisa Reed Elliott

Carmille Hovious

Billy and Carlisle Wood

Sally Booke

Robyn Callaway

Edward A. Morgan Jr.

Peggy, Walt, Sean, Mary, and Brian Reed

Robbie and Charlie Schuchard

Kay and Larry Tyler

Max and Nila Williams

Emily and Don Newcomb

Dr. & Mrs. Buddy Spencer

Nancy McLeod Rogers

Mr. and Mrs. Weldon Doe III

Greg Patton

Dr. & Mrs. Buddy Spencer

William Lance Greer

Libby and Leon McCullouch

 First Presbyterian Church

Oxford, Mississippi

Congregational Summary of Stated Session Meeting –

February 4, 2023

The Session of First Presbyterian Church held its stated monthly meeting on Saturday, February 4, 2023 at the cabin of Richard and Ann DeVoe, immediately following a leadership retreat for the current Elders and Deacons.

1. Communications

Elder Mauldin reported that the Session had received from the Presbytery a request for its year-end statistical report, and that the Church secretary was in the process of compiling the necessary data for submission.

2. Ministry Team Reports.

a. Finance (Richard DeVoe, 2024; Brent Hardin, 2025). Elder DeVoe reported that the anticipated annual budget for the upcoming year was approximately $1.1 million in its current form, and that it would soon be ready for review. He also reported that Elder Hardin had sent follow-up inquiries to giving units that had not yet pledged, and that the committee was hoping to soon have both anticipated expenses and pledges finalized for the upcoming year. He reported that, once finalized, the budget would be submitted to the

Session for review and approval and then presented to the Congregation at a called congregational meeting, to be scheduled shortly after the Session’s approval.

b. Property (Bradley Goodwiller, 2024; Bo Elliot, 2025). Elder Goodwiller reported that the portion of the Education Building affected by the recent water overflow would be stripped down to the existing tile flooring and then re-finished, rather than having the prior-existing carpeting replaced. He also reported that the insurance claim had been approved, and that the insurer would be covering a portion of the damages. He reported that some of the cabinetry would also need to be replaced, but that the existing cabinetry had already been in need of repair.

c. Adult Faith Formation (Mary Haskell, 2023; Carole Haney, 2025). Elder Haney reported that the Adult Faith Formation Team would be hosting a Lentin supper series focusing on readings from Meeting Jesus at the Table, beginning March 1. Elder Hassell reported that the meals would follow the template of the past year. She encouraged those planning to

attend to RSVP.

d. Children & Youth Faith Formation (Kathryn Elliott, 2023; Catie Hester, 2024). Elder Hester reported that the CYFF team would be planning Lentin Sundays and Sundays Together events at their next meeting, and that CYFF was currently holding three Sunday evening youth programs with the recent addition of Kids Club for 4th and 5th grades.

e. Membership & Hospitality (Lee Miers, 2023; Angela Manley, 2025). Elder Miers reported that the second annual chili cookoff would be held following the upcoming 11 a.m. service, and that the team was also working on plans for the annual Mardi Gras parade held in conjunction with St. Peter’s Episcopal Church, with a pancake supper to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

f. Mission (David Shaw, 2025). Elder Shaw reported that the Mission team would be meeting the following week with plans for rolling out the Cents Ability program, which raises money for food insecurity programs within the Presbytery.

g. Personnel (Goodloe Lewis, 2023; Melissa Hall, 2024). Elder Lewis reported that Kate Hill would begin her maternity leave on Friday, February 10, and that she would take a full six weeks of leave. Elder Lewis moved to hire Christian Garvey to provide office support for a period of six weeks during Ms. Hill’s leave, with Reverend Milner to coordinate the final details. The motion was seconded and approved. Reverend Milner additionally provided an update on APNC progress.

h. Worship (Hale Freeland, 2024). Elder Freeland reported that the Worship Team would be meeting the following week.

i. Deacons: Reverend de Boer reported that Laura Montgomery had started a “Take Them a Meal” campaign for Cliff and Sarah Smith’s family, which had been published on the Church Facebook page. She also reported that the Deacons were enthusiastic about the new year and excited to build on their outreach efforts.

Financial Summary 

Upcoming Birthdays & Anniversaries