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FROM THE THRIVING CONGREGATIONS TEAM
Hello GSPC Family –
I’m writing on behalf of the Thriving Congregations team to ask you to save May 5th on your calendars. Bo Perry, Mary Herndon Nordmann, Buzzy Riis, Nicole Riis, William Peebles, John Browning, Rebekah, and I will be sharing all that we have learned over the last two years with you at lunch after church.
When we started this journey, Rebekah encouraged us to be a “sailboat church,” listening and watching for the wind that is God’s spirit to guide us toward fulfilling the mission God has set for us. While several of us have a love/hate with the word “discernment” (as many of you may have as well), we have come to understand that patience and an open heart truly allows us to follow God’s path.
We will share the journey, what we have learned and set the stage for you to get involved. When the Callaways joined Government Street nearly 20 years ago, y’all told us to make sure we had our running shoes on. We hope you have yours dusted off for the next leg of GSPC’s journey.
Grace and Peace,
Casi Callaway
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GSPC News
Tuesday Lunch and Learn: Our thanks to Champ Napier, author and client advocate Mobile County Public Defender’s Office, who gave an inspiring presentation at the Tuesday Lunch and Learn this week! GSPC’s community lunch series continues weekly through April 30. Lunch is served at noon and the presentation begins at 12:30 p.m. Lunch is $12 and includes coffee, tea and dessert. Invite your friends and family to lunch! Here is the schedule of upcoming speakers:
April 9: Simone Eli, sports director and anchor, WKRG
April 16: Cam Marston, author and radio personality
April 23: Jon Carfagno, Executive Director, Mobile Museum of Art
April 30: Elizabeth Stevens, President and CEO, Downtown Mobile Alliance
Circles of Hope and Joy: The Circles of Hope and Joy will meet at the Guesnard House on Monday, April 8, at 5:30 p.m. Join us for food, fellowship and fun! If you are able, please bring a beverage or snack to share with the group.
Mark your calendars:
Thursday, April 18: The Interfaith Bible Study will be at 5:30 p.m. at Springhill Avenue Temple, 1769 Springhill Ave. All are welcome to join us for this session with the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar, the Rev. Trey Doyle, and Rabbi Ed Boraz.
Saturday, April 20: The Presbyterian Women will hold a Spring Gathering at the church that is open to Presbyterian Women throughout the region. The gathering is from 9 a.m. to noon and includes a delicious lunch by Shelia! The fee is $15. Please RSVP by April 10 by emailing Meredith Johnston or by calling the church office at 251-432-1749.
Tuesday, April 23: The 20s/30s Young Women’s Bible Study will meet at 6 p.m. in the Guesnard House. Contact: Mary Herndon Nordmann.
Other News
Office volunteers needed: The church office is in need of volunteers on Tuesdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Volunteers monitor the Jackson Street entrance, answer the phone, and assist Meredith Johnston with mailings and other duties. If you are able to volunteer, please email Stella Jackson.
New Book Club: Meredith Johnston is leading a new book discussion/club, which will meet each month in the Church Library and via Zoom. The focus will be on books about church history and biography. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, April 30, at 5:30 p.m. The group is studying "Galileo in Rome: The rise and fall of a Troublesome Genius," by William R. Shea and Mariano Artigas. Two print copies are available through the Mobile Public Library and the book is also available digitally on Hoopla through MPL. For more information, please contact Meredith Johnston via email or at 251-323-5954.
Sanctuary flowers: If you would like to place flowers in the Sanctuary in memory of or in honor of a loved one, please contact Ann Adams at Adams-marion@att.net or 251-591-8586.
VBS at GSPC: Vacation Bible School is planned for the week of June 17-24. Use the online link to register your child!
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Sunday, April 7
Join us this Sunday, April 7, as we continue our Easter journey. The Rev. Bob Madsen, Regional Presbyter for Presbyteries of South Alabama and Mississippi, will preach and preside at communion. Choral music will include Andrea Ramsey's setting of the text "God Be In My Head" and John Rutter's "The Peace of God” and organ music includes selections by J.S. Bach, Claude Debussy, and Richard Purvis.
Bulletin for April 7:
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Sunday, April 14
Join us next Sunday, April 14, as the Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar begins her new sermon series, “Practicing Resurrection,” with scripture readings from Psalm 4:1-8 and 1 John 3:1-15. Choral music includes Tom Fettke's "The Majesty and Glory of Your Name," and the Handbell Choir will play a challenging setting of "O Worship the King.”
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Talking Heads
This Sunday School class is meets on the second floor of the church each Sunday morning at 9:30 a.m.
Sunday Book Study
9:30 a.m. in the Church Library. The group is studying the Interpretation Bible Series "Romans."
Sunday School for Children and Youth
All ages are welcome at 9:30 a.m. Wee Worship is held for children aged 3 years through kindergarten following the children's sermon.
Spring Hill Women Bible Study
Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams. The group is studying Romans.
Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study
The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study meets at 10 a.m. at the church. For details, contact Mary Elizabeth Perry.
Men's Bible Study
The Wednesday Night Men’s Bible Study meets at 6 p.m. in the library. Contact: Bo Perry.
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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.
Blanket Sunday
The Presbyterian Women are collecting baby blankets, and the first Sunday of the month is designated as "Blanket Sunday" to remind the congregation to donate to the Blanket Ministry. The baby blankets are delivered to the Mostellar Clinic. Inexpensive items of any baby-appropriate washable fabric or yarn are appreciated. The babies we serve usually average 8 lbs. Store-bought or handmade items are welcomed. Donations may be left in the “Baby Box” at the Jackson Street Foyer, or you may order from Amazon and request delivery to the church, marked “Blanket Ministry."
Needs 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 creamy peanut butter and 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 donation box at the Jackson Street entrance.
McKemie Place
GSPC has agreed to provide lunch for up to 45 residents at McKemie Place on the second Friday of each month. Volunteers are needed to provide, deliver, and serve lunch to the residents at McKemie Place on April 12, May 10 and June 14. Please contact Lisa deShazo if you are interested in volunteering for this mission. In addition, the residents of McKemie Place are in need of luggage to carry their belongings when they are able to leave the shelter. Please bring donations of gently used luggage (with wheels, please) to the church office.
Barton Academy for Advanced World Studies
How Can You Support Barton Academy?
- 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 personal hygiene products (see details in the listing below) and used glasses. Below is a list of needed items:
- 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);
- 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);
- 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 2023-24.
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 lot, you will need to pay $5 for three hours of parking.
Premium Parking is handling our parking lot revenue. The company has added a service kiosk next to the Guesnard House patio entrance.
Church members whose vehicles are booted in the GSPC Parking Lot after the church office is closed should call or text Meredith Johnston at 251-323-5954.
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 a new vehicle tag to register, you may do so by emailing your license plate number to Meredith Johnston in the church office.
- If you receive a ticket, do not pay it. Please bring the ticket or send a picture of it to Barbara or Meredith in the church office and she will take care of it.
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