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First Press
an online newsletter
June 2022 edition
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Before there was Camp Hopewell in our lives, there was Burnamwood. Set amongst the undulating hills of eastern Kentucky, Burnamwood was the summer camp that called us home. Carrie and I both attended there as children, then as youth, and finally—for me at least—as a fixture on the summer staff. There were friendships fostered that have lasted decades. There are memories that continue to bring joyous tears and smiles today. And there were “God Moments” that spoke to our souls when our souls were still open to God Moments. There also were messy games and inspired pranks and chilling ghost stories and—my personal favorite—counselor tomfoolery, which every now and then became far more than we expected.
I believe it was my second summer on staff that I had an idea. (Or, was it divine revelation?) Fishline tied to a branch in the top of a pine tree. A kerosine-soaked roll of toilet paper. And a lighter. What could go wrong? It was night…the final worship service of the week. The logs in the firepit were aligned just so. I had climbed the aforementioned pine tree. With the campers gathered ‘round, the opening prayer was said (and a silent one was uttered by me), and WHOOSH! Out of the tree came a fireball, descending into the fire pit, exploding into an eruption of light and heat [kids, don’t try this at home].
For me, it was thrilling that it had worked. For the other staff, it was miraculous that no 911 calls had to be made. For the campers, it was wonderous. For them, my inane stunt had been the culmination of a week of searching and feeling, of wanting and finding. Light and heat, commotion…and then peace. Songs sung, prayers said, tears cried. Peace.
As we enter these lazy days of summer, I can’t think of them without thinking of camp and without thinking of the peace that accompanies these sun-soaked weeks. There is the exuberance of Easter, the glory of the Ascension, the unruliness of Pentecost…not to mention the more secular End of School. And then the cumulative sigh we all breathe in summer. Chaos into peace. Light and heat and commotion…and then peace.
As we enter summer, let us take a moment to reflect on the peace that can come if we just allow it in. May we take a moment to breathe in the Spirit that will soon descend upon us. May we take a moment simply to be. And may we to proclaim with the Psalmist: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul…”
Friends, slow down. Breath deeply and long. Eat a popsicle with a child…and let its coolness drip down your hand. Read a book just for fun. Lie down in the pasture and gaze at the clouds. What do you see? Wander beside the still water of your neighbor’s pond. Go to camp, for goodness sake! Allow the Good Shepherd to restore your soul once again…with peace.
With hope,
Barrett
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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. Click here for the link to Facebook 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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Ministry to the Farthest Pew
Unable to get to in-person worship? Missing communion? We will come to you. On the first Sunday of each month, elders and deacons will be extending the table to meet you, wherever you are. So if you would like to be included, please let us know. Just call the church office or drop us a line. We’ll look forward to seeing you.
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The Lectionary Texts' of June
June 5 (Day of Pentecost): Acts 2:1-21; Genesis 11:1-9; Psalm 104:24-34, 35b; Romans 8:14-17; Acts 2:1-21; John 14:8-17 (25-27)
June 12 (Trinity Sunday): Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31; Psalm 8; Romans 5:1-5; John 16:12-15
June 19: Semi continuous- I Kings 19:1-4 (5-7) 8-15a; Psalm 42 and 43
Complementary- Isaiah 65:1-9; Psalm 22:19-28; Galatians 3:23-29;
Luke 8:26-39
June 26: Semi continuous- II Kings 2:1-2, 6-14; Psalm 77:1-2, 11-20
Complementary- I Kings 19:15-16, 19-21; Psalm 16; Galatians 5:1, 13-25; Luke 9:51-62
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Sanctuary floral arrangements are available June 26. The following Sundays in July are available as well: 10, 17, 24, and 31. 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. | |
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Remember in Prayer
FPC Members: Thomas Wade Simpson; Ann Luckett Montgomery; Jeffrey Butler; Family of Stevie Campbell; Family of Nolan Waller, Family of Helen Scruggs, 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; Teresa Flautt; Lydia Moak; Michele Howie; Margaret Fancher; Family of Betty Mullen White; Joe Murphey
Family and Friends: 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; Family of Lauren "Lo" Chastain; Peter C. Wood; 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 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.
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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. | |
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Summer Church Office Hours
The church office will be closing at 12:00 pm on Fridays for the summer. Office hours Monday - Thursday will remain the same,
8:30 am - 4:30 pm.
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Hungry for Bible Study?
Join us on summer Wednesdays at 10:00 a.m., beginning June 1 for The Flawed Family of God: Stories about the Imperfect Families in Genesis. We’ll meet in the Upstairs Conference Room. There are a few copies of the book available in the church office, and you can also order for yourself on Amazon. Click here for the link to purchase a book. Please read the Introduction for our June 1st class. Looking forward to seeing you!
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The best stories in the book of Genesis involve families. The issues these stories raise—married vs. single life, sibling rivalry, infertility, family relocation, blended families, and the like—are startlingly relevant to families of today. This Bible study examines the families of Genesis, starting with how the Adam and Eve story encompasses far more ways of being family than most of us think. It looks at the sibling rivalry of the Cain and Abel story, pointing to the jealousy and violence to which the whole human family seems addicted. It uses the ups and downs of the relationship between Abraham, Sarah, Hagar, and Ishmael can help us understand the complicated dynamic of blended families. Carol Helsel and Suzie Park invite readers to consider these and many other connections as they reexamine the joys and complications of modern family life. | |
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VIP's!!
Our last event of the school year will be Thursday, June 2 at
6:00. Martha Kelley has graciously invited us to her home.
Please bring your favorite picnic dish or appetizer and, as
always, BYOB. Since this is in town, please consider carpooling
as the bus will not be going. Martha has a double wide driveway. She is asking that we all park to the right side and leave the left lane open. This will make it easier for people to get out without others having to move. There is a sign up sheet in the church office. Please stop by/call the church to sign up. Be thinking of things you'd like to do next year.
Hope to see you all at Martha's.
-Sally Hines
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Come one, come all to welcome Kate Hill and Dave Garvey to our church staff on June 5, at our first June Lunch! We’ll gather in the Fellowship Hall immediately after the Congregational Meeting to show Kate and Dave our welcome and get to know them. Suggested donation $5 per individual, $15 per family.
This is only the first of our four lunches through the month of June. Don’t forget to come to church hungry for the Word and for fellowship. We’ll enjoy spending some time together!
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FPC Children & Youth Fellowship | |
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Vacation Bible School
Join us on the Passport to Peace! A VBS that explores five Bible stories that encourage children to listen to and learn from people who are different, notice the needs of others and seek to help, creatively work to keep everyone safe, and refuse to respond to conflict with violence.
WHEN: Mon, Jul 18 - Thu, Jul 21
WHERE: First Presbyterian Church
Kids from Pre-K to 4th grade can participate! We encourage older kids and parents to volunteer to help out as well. We will meet at starting at 9am every morning and pick up will be at 12pm.
You can register your child through Realm by clicking here. The deadline to register is June 30th. Please contact Dave Garvey (@dgarveyfpc@gmail.com) if there are further questions.
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All students going into 6th grade through graduated seniors are invited to join the PYF youth group during our summer activities. This is a way for students to get involved in the church, have fun, and make life long friendships. If you have any questions, please email Dave at dgarveyfpc@gmail.com. | |
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Missions
The Mission Ministry Team's monthly meeting is June 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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Begun in a closet at FPC in the 1980's, the Pantry now feeds thousands of local area residents each year. FPC continues to coordinate volunteers for staffing the Pantry each June. This year many in our congregation have already signed up to volunteer, and we thank you. Friends from Oxford First United Methodist Church are joining us as well. There is still a need for a few more to serve, particularly on June 22nd and 23rd. Please click here to signup. We look forward working together at the Pantry once again. | |
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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. FPC hosts the Step 2 Dinner the second Tuesday of each month. The dinner provides an opportunity for current clients to sit at table with successful alumni of the program. We thank Thelma Curry and Christina Torbert for hosting last month. Jo Turner, the DOH social worker, is particularly grateful for FPC’s support, “Thanks for all you do for our Step 2 meetings. I think it helps our ladies to see that someone takes an interest in them as they are so often overlooked.” | |
In December of 2021 tornadoes decimated portions of western Kentucky. Volunteers from around the country are now participating in the reconstruction effort. FPC is recruiting members to travel to Madisonville, Kentucky July 21-24 to assist. We will be housed at the First Presbyterian Church there. Teenagers are also welcomed to attend with a parent. Please signup by clicking here. If you would like more information, contact Niles Lovelady at 662-801-9200. We hope you can join us! |  | Though members of FPC have not been able to visit our brothers and sisters in Bongnotte, Haiti since 2018, we continue to supplement the Living Waters for the World (LWW) water purification system there. This solar powered system has been in operation for five years now. It provides clean water to local residents, two cents for five gallons. Last month a community wide program to educate families about better water hygiene was held in the village; over 80 residents attended. Dr. Gladys Memnon, a local nurse practitioner, and a LWW technician coordinated the event. All remain deeply grateful to FPC for your ongoing concern and support. | | |
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Arc Benders is an ecumenical fellowship group with members from FPC and Oxford First United Methodist Church. Last month over 25 gathered for fellowship at Billy and Julie Chadwick's farm. Arc Benders exists to actively practice Christ's call to serve "the least of these" and to seek authentic reconciliation in the Oxford community. The group meets the first Sunday of each month at 5:00. All are invited to participate. For more information contact Ruth O'Dell at delloruth@gmail.com.
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Curious about the various FPC mission activities? An email account is available 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.
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First Presbyterian Church - Oxford, Mississippi
Congregational Summary of Stated Session Meeting
May 9, 2022
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1. Announcement from Creighton Holder. Director of Music Creighton Holder presented an overview of the Music at First Piano Studio planned for the fall. He reported that approximately 25 potential students had already expressed interest in advance of the upcoming interest meeting.
2. Consent Agenda. A request for membership for Cade Smith was submitted to the Session under the consent agenda and was accepted and approved.
3. Ministry Team Reports.
a. Finance (Susan Abbott, 2022 & Richard DeVoe, 2024):
The Finance Team reported that expenses were down, resulting in a year-to-date net positive. The team also reported that it will be appointing two individuals to head the annual stewardship campaign.
b. Property (John Abernathy, 2022 & Bradley Goodwiller, 2024): The Property Team reported that they had been reviewing the use policy for the Fellowship Hall, and that historically the church had a form application for Fellowship Hall use. They are continuing to review this process for possible recommendations.
The Property Team made a motion to allow the “Women’s Forum” to use the Fellowship Hall in April 2023, provided that church events will take priority should a scheduling conflict later arise. The motion was approved.
c. Children & Youth Faith Formation (Kathryn Elliott, 2023 &
Catie Hester, 2024): The CYFF Team reported that they will be working with the Membership & Hospitality Team to host a lunch on June 5 to welcome Dave Garvey and Kate Hill.
d. Membership & Hospitality (Kevin Christian, 2022 & Lee Miers, 2023): The Membership & Hospitality Team presented its proposed social media plan and moved to approve and adopt the plan. The motion was approved.
e. Mission (Greg Patton, 2022 & Melissa Hall, 2024): The Mission Team reported that sign up for the Pantry has gone well, with only a handful of spots to fill in throughout the month. The team further reported that Dave Garvey is working to recruit additional volunteers. The team also reported that Niles Lovelady is continuing efforts to coordinate a weekend trip in July for the Kentucky relief efforts.
f. Personnel (Trey Byars, 2022 & Goodloe Lewis, 2023): The Personnel Team moved to approve the Music at First Piano Studio as conceptually presented by Creighton Holder, with remaining logistics to be worked out with the Personnel Team. The motion was approved. The Personnel Team also moved to extend an offer to Lizzie Kelly as interim nursery coordinator with a designated end date at the start of the fall semester. The motion was approved.
g. Deacons: The Deacons reported that they had discussed the possibility of seeking additional assistance from the congregation for communion and funeral services and would like additional feedback from the Session. The Deacons were encouraged to seek additional volunteers for ushering at funeral services and their comments regarding ushering for communion services were referred to the Worship Team for further development.
4. Communications. The clerk reported that the Session received letters from a number of church members following the congregational listening session moderated by Rev. Greg Goodwiller on May 5, 2022, and presented the letters the Session for review and consideration. The clerk also reported that the Session received a memo from Greg Goodwiller regarding his observations following the congregational listening session, a copy of which was provided to the Session in advance of its meeting.
5. Continued Business.
a. Discussion of Congregational Listening Session. The Session discussed the congregational listening session at length, including possible responses. Following discussion, the Session opted to re-convene at a later date to allow for further individual prayer and discernment.
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First Presbyterian Church - Oxford, Mississippi
Congregational Summary of Called Session Meeting
May 17, 2022
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1. Approval of Agenda. The agenda was approved with the single stated item of meeting to discuss and prepare a written congregational response.
2. Preparation of Congregational Letter. The Session collectively worked on a draft congregational letter. After significant discussion and general agreement with the content of letter, the Session adjourned with the expectation that remaining discussed revisions would be incorporated and the final draft would be circulated by email for final approval.
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Memorials & Honorariums
~ With gratitude for contributions to First Presbyterian Church ~
In memory of:
Stevie Campbell
Steve & Marty Mauldin
Babe Carr
Martha P. Hitch
Dr. J.T Davis
Hal & Carole Haney
Ann Caroline McIntosh
Hal & Carole Haney
Nolan Waller
Dana & Jean Brammer
Dean & Yung Chow
Hal & Carole Haney
In honor of:
The Graduating Class of 2022: Sallie Abernathy, Emory Barrios, Charles Byars, Ella Chiniche, William Lewis, Beckham McCord, and Hassell Wilkinson
Hal & Carole Haney
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Upcoming Birthdays & Anniversaries | |
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June Birthdays
2 Irma Buchanan, Mike Fagans, Sloan Hollis, Gary Wright
3 Jane Henderson, Margie McLeod
4 Patsy Abbott, Elizabeth McLellan
5 Cecilia Jimenez, Bradley Mayo
6 Allyson Ashmore, Jacquelyn Gage
7 Jennifer Williams
9 Fay Grissinger, Ben Neff, Molly Tanner
11 Brum Abernathy, Lock Elliott, Thomas Franklin, Brian Hyneman, Sarah McLellan, Abigail Robbins, Porter Webb
12 Rosalie Holder
13 Bill Rogers
14 Judy Edgar, Sallie Wilkerson
15 Katie Goodwiller
16 Teresa Flautt
17 Luke Harris, Cindy Snellgrove
18 Suzanne Black, Whitney Bolen
19 Lindsey Estes, Jimmy Williams
20 Niles Lovelady, Mary Mize, Heath Stevens
21 Miller Callery, Jenna Lovelace, Rose Paris
22 Olivia Estes
24 Sam Haskell
25 Keith Hayward, Talmadge Lewis
26 Edward Duke, Ruchell Phillips
28 Sharon Fenger, David Hanson, Mary Rhodes Manley, Shelby McRae, Caroline Wigginton
29 Anne Grace Kennon, Anderson McIntosh
June Anniversaries:
1 Kerry & Caroline Wigginton
2 Hayden & Erin Alexander
4 John & Maggie Abernathy
6 George & Betty Abdo
8 Max & Nila Williams
9 Kevin & Leigh Christian
11 Luke & Heather Harris
12 Vaughn & Sandy Grisham; Michael & Vicki Stevens
13 Charles & Ferriday McClatchy; Nathan & Abigail Robbins
14 Robert & Rosie Cooper; Don & Laura Whitten
18 Francis & Nana Adjekum-Boateng
19 John Edge & Blair Hobbs; Scotty & Julia Jimenez
20 Bradley & Katie Goodwiller; Ernie & Pat Lowe
21 Edward & Mary Kate Duke
22 Ed & Kay Croom
23 Dunbar & Anastasia Jenkins
24 Taylor Webb & Catherine Servati; Randel & Carolyn Gibson
26 Greg & Stefanie Goodwiller
27 Joe & Becky Murphey
29 Don & Emily Newcomb
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The Session
Adult Faith Formation - Allyson Ashmore (2023)
Children & Youth Faith Formation - Kathryn Elliott (2023) & Catie Hester (2024)
Clerk of Session - Drew Mauldin (2023)
Finance - Susan Abbott (2022) & Richard DeVoe (2024)
Membership & Hospitality - Kevin Christian (2022) & Lee Miers (2023)
Mission - Greg Patton (2022) & Melissa Hall (2024)
Personnel - Trey Byars (2022) & Goodloe Lewis (2023)
Property - John Abernathy (2022) & Bradley Goodwiller (2024)
Worship - Hale Freeland (2024)
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The Diaconate
Class of 2022 - Gabrielle Chiniche, James Day, Sarah McLellan, 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
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