FROM THE PASTOR
Rev. Alexandra Hutson
Following our Easter celebrations last weekend, I have experienced what I can only imagine is that "resurrection hope" that we speak of. Somewhere between the babies and children hunting Easter Eggs, the trumpets, the Hallelujah Chorus and the amazing story of Easter, it has caused me to feel filled to the brim with joy. I hope that you, too, find yourself filled as we enter this season of Easter. As you go through this weekend, think about the places in your life that cause you to feel filled to the brim. Where do you see joy that comes from the hope of resurrection?
Grace and peace,
Alexandra
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Sunday Assistants
Jane Hale
Stella Jackson
Wee Worship/ Nursery
Lisa deShazo
Susan Ashbee
Click below to view the bulletin for Sunday, April 24:
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Christian Sympathy
is extended to the family and friends of
Martelle Scott
January 25,1924 - April 19, 2022
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Martha Ellen (Martelle) Owens Scott, former GSPC secretary, youth leader and church officer, was born on January 25, 1924, in Yokena, Vicksburg, Miss., to Ellen Hyland Owens and Bernard Cecil Owens.
She graduated from Mississippi State College for Women in Columbus, Miss., in June 1945 with a degree in Secretarial Science and Social Studies. After graduation, she came to Mobile to work at GSPC as church secretary.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 29 years, John M. Scott Jr., whom she married on October 1, 1949. After moving to 1212 Selma Street, Martelle and John often put out the red carpet for guests and became known for their exceptional hospitality, entertaining many hundreds in their Oakleigh home. They also were known for their love of Broadway shows and traveled regularly to New York to see first-run productions. Martelle shared that love with many over the years via her semi-annual "Broadway Sing-a-Longs" at her cherished grand piano.
Her hobbies and activities included her back yard nursery business; okra pickling; entertaining in the summer house; square dancing; working with youth at GSPC; and attending summer conferences at Montreat.
A GSPC member since her 1945 arrival in Mobile, Martelle served as both Deacon and Elder. She was also a member of the 1940s group that Dr. Frist called the "NWs" – Newlyweds, Near-weds, and Never-weds. Her first love at the church was serving as a Volunteer Youth Director for more than 20 years. She enjoyed close relationships with countless young people to the end of her life. Forty-five of them attended her 90th birthday party, traveling from all over the country.
Martelle loved to travel. Her “lifelist” included visiting 47 countries on six continents. She also spent two memorable, inspiring, and life-changing years serving as a PCUSA Volunteer in Mission in Democratic Republic of Congo (then Zaire) from 1985 to 1987.
She was active in the Junior League, Shakespeare Club, and in Le Salon, a monthly gathering of Mobile women of which she was a founding member in 1976. She was also a lifelong reader of good books, especially non-fiction, and her annual Christmas Letter with its book recommendations was much anticipated by its 200-plus recipients.
A Witness to the Resurrection will be held at Government Street Presbyterian Church on Tuesday, April 26, at 11 a.m. The service will be live-streamed on Facebook and on the church's YouTube channel. After the service, a reception and celebration of her life will be held in the Guesnard House.
Memorial Contributions may be made to Government Street Presbyterian Church, 300 Government Street, Mobile, AL 36602. (If desired, indicate the ministry/ mission of your choice.)
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Meetings
YOUTH
GSPC Youth will meet in the Church Library immediately following the April 24 service to finalize plans for Youth Sunday on May 1.
SESSION
The Session will meet on Tuesday, April 26, at 5:30 p.m. in the Church Library.
DIACONATE
The Diaconate will meet on Thursday, April 28, at 5:30 p.m. in the Church Library.
Elders and Deacons are asked to notify the church office if they are unable to attend.
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Children
Sunday School is held weekly at 9:30 a.m.
Youth
Sunday School is held weekly at 9:30 a.m., and the regular Youth Group meetings have resumed. The Youth/Senior Sunday will be held on Sunday, May 1. Youth are asked to meet with the Rev. Alexandra Hutson after church on Sunday, April 24, to finalize plans for Youth Sunday.
Wee Worship
Wee Worship is an important part of the faith formation of the children at GSPC. In order to gain knowledge of the children's experience, make sure volunteers are equipped and supported, and ensure the success of the program, Pastor Alexandra leads Wee Worship once a month. Thanks to all of our Wee Worship leaders!
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Talking Heads
This Sunday School class meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Multi-Purpose Room
on the second floor.
Sunday Book Study
9:30 a.m. in the Church Library and on Zoom.
Spring Hill Women Bible Study
Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams.
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
Tuesdays at 10 a.m. Contact: Mary Elizabeth Perry.
Men's Bible Study
Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the Library; Zoom available. Contact: Bo Perry.
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GETTING TO KNOW GSPC || Sunday, May 1 || 9:30 A.M. || Multi-purpose Room
All new members and visitors are invited to learn more about the past, present, and future of GSPC. Come learn how you can serve and grow in this church family.
Contact Rebekah Abel Lamar with questions.
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Baytreat Rentals
Ready to plan a stay-cation on the Bay? Baytreat is now listed online for rental. Click here to view available dates and to book the property.
All rental inquiries are now being handled by Shelley Springer, who can be reached at shelley@shelleyspringer.com. Please contact Shelley if you have questions that aren't addressed on the website.
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Coming up: Vacation Bible School
June 20-24, 2022
All are invited! Our theme is "Passport to Peace." Children will travel through the world learning how to be peacemakers. They will make friends, sing fun songs, meet peacemakers in the Bible, do art projects and science explorations and play active games. Your children will practice strategies for experiencing peace inside and learn how to live at peace with others.
Please sign up for VBS on the church website: gspcmobile.org/vbs.
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Opportunities for Service
Please remember the people our church is serving and those who work with them daily in your prayers.
Help for Ukraine
The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance program is our denomination's means for helping in times of disaster and crisis. The PC(USA) is in touch with our partner churches in Ukraine, Russia, Poland and Hungary. While it is difficult to get funds into Ukraine, the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance workers are doing their best to meet needs. In addition, they are sending supplies to partners in Hungary and Poland to help with the mounting refugee crisis in those countries. If you would like to help, you may give online or by text. https://pda.pcusa.org/situation/ukraine/
PB&J for Meals on Wheels
Our 45 Meals on Wheels recipients receive a sack lunch each day, along with a hot meal. Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches are often on the menu, and donations of grape jelly are needed to help fill the pantry. Our clients also receive an individually wrapped snack, and snack donations are needed: peanut butter/cheese crackers, chips, cookies, cereal bars, Cheez-its, etc. Please leave your Meals on Wheels donations in the donatoin box at the Jackson Street entrance.
McKemie Place
GSPC has agreed to provide lunch for up to 40 residents at McKemie Place on the second Friday of each month. Thank you to everyone who has volunteered for this mission over the last year. We are in need of volunteers to provide, prepare, and serve lunches on June 10, July 8, and August 12. If you can help with this mission on any of these dates, please contact Lisa deShazo at 251-591-1077.
Junior League Diaper Drive
During the month of April, Junior League of Mobile is hosting a Diaper Drive at various locations, including GSPC. Everyone is invited to donate diapers to the Junior League Diaper Bank, which is especially in need of the smaller preemie, newborn, sizes 1, 5, and 6, and any toddler and adult size diapers. Leave your donations in the box at the Jackson Street entrance.
The Junior League Diaper Bank, the only diaper bank in Mobile, supplies diapers to the Central Presbyterian Church Food Pantry and other agencies that support families in need. The Diaper Bank is a project of the Provisional Class, of which the Rev. Alexandra Hutson is a member.
Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies
How Can You Support Barton Academy?
- Send monetary gifts to the church to provide assistance to families purchasing uniforms. Checks should have the memo "Uniform Assistance."
- Bring the following items to stock a Hygiene Closet for the school: Clorox wipes, Tissue, Deodorant, Black socks, Paper Towels, Toothbrushes, Toothpaste.
The Mobile Area Interfaith Conference (MAIC) is a non-profit agency that provides services for inmates in Metro Jail and released inmates returning to the community. This agency was formerly known as the Council of Downtown Churches, of which GSPC was a major participant. MAIC currently has an urgent need for white underwear (see details in the listing below) and used glasses. Below is a list of needed items:
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Personal hygiene products for men and women, including full size shampoo and conditioner (must be able to see through the containers), full size deodorant (no roller balls), full size soap, full size toothpaste, white cotton socks (no anklet style);
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Clothing, including men's white cotton briefs or boxers (no snaps), white cotton T-shirts with sleeves (men and women use these, so all sizes welcome), women's white cotton underpants (all sizes), women's white cotton bras (all sizes);
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Reading material, including Bibles (softbound only, large print editions especially needed), magazines with neutral content such as food, decorating, self-improvement, health, shopping, geography, history, etc., and books (soft bound only, with mild non-violent content, non-fiction also appreciated).
- Small containers of shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, and soap are also welcome.
If you have any questions about any of these missions, please contact Lisa deShazo, Chair of the Urban Ministries Committee.
Habitat for Humanity SW Alabama here in Mobile is looking for volunteers to help out – just yourself, or a group. Our volunteers come out on Wednesday through Saturday. Hours are 7:45 a.m. to noon. What a great way to focus on team-building with your co-workers and friends!
Please email and let me know when you would like to be added to the Habitat calendar for 2022.
In Partnership,
Sue C. King
Habitat for Humanity SW Alabama
Development Coordinator
3712 Airport Blvd.
251-476-7171, Ext. 229
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Parking lot
We suggest that all of our members park in the GSPC lot, double parking if necessary. If you wish to park in the lot next to GSPC's, you will need to pay $5 for 3 hours of parking.
The State of Alabama has begun issuing new tag plates with current year tag renewals. Please make sure that you update your new tag number as you receive them. You may submit new information at this link, or to the church office.
We began our agreement with Premium Parking in November and continue to anticipate a significant boost to the church income for 2022 as a result. As we have made the transition, we are aware that some members have experienced difficulties with getting their vehicles registered or with receiving tickets. Please remember to update us if you have a new tag and or vehicle.
Please remember:
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GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
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If you have not registered, you may do so at online at gspcmobile.org/parking
- If you have difficulty registering your vehicle online, please contact Heather or Barbara in the church office.
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If you receive a ticket, do not pay it. Please bring the ticket or send a picture of it to Heather or Barbara in the church office and they will take care of it.
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Blankets and more: A ministry of the GSPC Presbyterian Women
All are invited to donate items to be delivered to USA Children’s & Women’s Mother/Baby/At Risk department for full term babies of needy families (not the NICU) and to the Mostellar Clinic. Here are suggested items and sizes:
- Baby blankets (greatest need) approx. 28-36” square/rectangles 30-34”x40-46”
- A few hats and booties
- (USACW only): No-scratch mittens (must be fabric, not yarn)
Inexpensive items of any baby-appropriate washable fabric or yarn are appreciated. No large items, please: The babies we serve usually average 3-5 lbs. Store-bought or handmade items are welcomed. (Please do not donate unmade fabric.)
Donations may be left in the “Baby Box” at the Jackson St. entrance, or you may order from Amazon, etc., and request delivery to the church, marked “Blanket Ministry.”
For details, email Charlotte Naylor.
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