In just a few short days, I’ll be embarking on what has become a favored annual tradition since arriving in Oxford: chaperoning our high school youth on their trek to Montreat.  Yes, it’s a 10 hour drive (longer if you’re driving our illustrious church van).  Yes, it’s late nights and early mornings.  Yes, it’s breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the camp cafeteria.  Yes, it’s learning a whole new language in texting.  And yes, it’s one of my favorite events I attend all year.  


It's energy and compassion.  It’s noise and reverence.  It’s irreverence and wonder.  It’s one of the few places I’ve found where the divine intersects with the mundane; where God meets God’s children, clad in t-shirts and Chaco’s.  It’s where tough ideas are tackled while scurrying up boulders.  It’s where new understandings arrive, while standing on the banks of a babbling creek.  It’s where relationships are forged while skipping rocks over or casting a line into Lake Susan.  It’s where we all come to be fishers of people.


Jesus said, “Come follow me, and I will make you fish for people.”  What a better place to become a fisherman than in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina, surrounded by eager young people in search of a deepened faith; in search of a little more hope; in search of community in our faith tradition. 


So as we begin this wonderful summer season, I’m pleased to be able to tell you that I’ll be fishing, and I do so hope to find out that a few of you will be too.


With hope,


Barrett

Summer In Person Worship: 10:00 am

If you can't join us in person, join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 9:55 am on Facebook Live. The video will go live on the church's public Facebook group. Click here for the link to Facebook live.


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 worshippers 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."

Click HERE to download a printable version of this calendar!

Remember in Prayer 

 

FPC Members: Ann O'Dell; Family of William "Wylie" Coleman; Family of Trenia Reynolds; Family of Mary Kay McDowell; Family of Martha Walcott, Family of Nancy Rogers; Family of Alisa Reed Elliott; Sarah, Cliff, and Sterlin Smith; 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; Family of Jeffrey Butler; Thomas Wade Simpson; Family of Nolan Waller, Family of Helen Scruggs, Family of Janet Barnes; Family of Ann Caroline McIntosh; Family of Lynton Dilley; Max Williams; Lydia Moak; Michele Howie; Family of Betty Mullen White

 

  

Family and Friends: Family of Don Howie; Family of Richard Flautt; Mike Flautt; Family of George Caffey; Family of Pat Ewing; Family of Dr. and Mrs. Gerry Foret; Family of Shirley Bragg Donnelly; Kathy Bremer; Susan Treas-Ewing; Family of Nancy McPhail; Charlyn Wilson; Family of Thomas Mayo; Family of George Walker; 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 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.


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.


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

New Executive Director for

Camp Hopewell! 


David Mills joined the team at Camp Hopewell last month as its new Executive Director. David grew up in Hot Springs, Arkansas and loves calling the south his home. He completed his bachelor's degree at the University of Arkansas. He spent a year as a PC(USA) Young Adult Volunteer in Northern Ireland and later returned to earn a master's degree in Conflict Transformation and Social Justice from Queen's University, Belfast.

David is a lifelong Presbyterian and ordained Elder who has previously spent time working in churches and camp/conference centers in Arkansas, Texas, South Carolina, and New Mexico. In his free time, David enjoys his ABCs: archery, backpacking, and calling the Hogs!

David is currently seeking rental property in town or in the county, preferably a modest house. If you are aware of any such available property, please call Camp Hopewell at 234-2254. Welcome David!

Membership & Hospitality

VIPs & Young-ish Adults



Our joint get-together will be

June 8th from 6:00 to 8:00 at the home of Martha Kelley. It's important to call the church to sign up so that Martha can plan accordingly. When you call please tell Kate whether you will be bringing an appetizer or beverages (for more than just you). It will be a great time for us to get to know each other better and eat some delicious goodies. Hope all of you will stop by, meet our new associate and have a bite to eat.  

The Diaconate

The mission of a deacon is one of compassion, witness, and service. The Diaconate of FPC strives to fulfill this mission. With that being said, we wanted to update our church family of the many ways the board has been faithfully witnessing to the members of FPC.


The Deacons continue to send cards, provide meals, and call/visit those in need of our love, support, and prayers. We also continue to support committees and groups with programs, lunches, brunches, and bereavement. We work to make sure the majority of our budget goes to supporting our mission of witness and service for our church family, while reserving a small portion that is dedicated to community outreach and service.


The Deacons have come together to form several new outreach ministries. We have begun serving communion to our homebound members and sending out cards to our members each month to wish them a Happy Birthday. Our newest outreach program is a Hospital Hospitality group, which is comprised of doctors and medical personnel who are anxious to visit church members while in the hospital. Please reach out to Allison McCord if you or a loved one wish to be visited during a hospital stay.



Much of our work is behind the scenes, but the more we hear from you, the more we can serve and witness to our church family. Please never hesitate to reach out to anyone of the Diaconate with questions, comments, concerns, or information that will help us minister and love our FPC family better.


Peace and Blessings

Allison McCord: 662-609-5274 (allisonjmccord1967@gmail.com)

Jennifer Williams: 662-816-2500

Co-Moderators

Stewardship Committee

The finance committee Elders Hardin and DeVoe announced the formation of the Stewardship Ministry Team for FPC oxford as follows: Susan Abbott (chair),

Ann DeVoe, Ben Griffith, Brent Hardin, Drew Mauldin, David McPhail, and

Matt Nielson.


We have a total of 139 family units participating in the pledges out of approximately 250 potential giving units. 72 of the 139 families who have pledged increased their level of giving for 2023, and expected total gifts exceeds total gifts received last year by $50,000. Our stewardship team is both encouraged and heartened by this display of generosity and faithful stewardship, and we invite all to join the ranks of the pledged givers so we can meet our goal of 100% of our congregation participating in pledged giving. 


The credit card fees will be paid by the giver beginning June 1.

We can avoid these fees by signing up for direct deposit

or using a bank draw through Realm.

Children & Youth Faith Formation

Sign Up Here!

PYF isn't going anywhere this summer. Dave and Feagin are excited to hang with your kids all summer long at Sunday night PYF and special weekday events at church. All rising 6th to graduated seniors are invited!


Email Dave at dgarveyfpc@gmail.com with questions. 

PYF Fall Break Mission Trip


Join us on the First Annual Fall Break Mission Trip with the PY group from First Presbyterian Church of Oxford. Our PYF group will be partnering with the Son Servants organization to serve a community in Huntsville, AL. Students grades 7 through 12 and their parents are welcome to sign up to serve in helping with minor construction projects, serving an impoverished community and learning more about the way God is working through them from Sunday October 8th through Thursday October 12th. Price will be determined at a later date. Scholarships will be available. 

Sign Up here!

The Mission Team meets the first Monday of each month at 5:00 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 at dcshaw82@gmail.com.


Arc Benders is hosting Senator Nicole Boyd for a question/answer session this Sunday, June 4, 5:30 pm, at Oxford First United Methodist Church. The church is located at 102 Dylan Avenue, off Old Sardis Road next to Mary Cathey Headstart Center. All are welcome.

 Medications for Bongnotte

Since 2013, FPC has partnered with the hamlet of Bongnotte, Haiti, to support medical services in the area. In 2018 Dr. Gladys Memnon, a Haitian American physician, single handedly financed the construction of the new clinic building pictured above.  In spite of political upheaval and increasing violence in Haiti, the clinic treated 1,600 patients in the past six months. Operating six days a week, the clinic recently hired two new doctors who will soon provide family planning services and a children’s vaccination program. Last month FPC purchased and coordinated shipment of medications through Blessings International that will provide approximately 1,500 prescriptions for the Bongnotte clinic at a cost of $1.20 per prescription. Our Haitian sisters and brothers remain deeply grateful for FPC for its ongoing support and prayers.

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.

News from the Pews


Memorials & Honorariums


~ With gratitude for contributions to First Presbyterian Church ~


In Memory of:



William "Wylie" Coleman

George & Ann Ellis

Gage & Webb Franklin

Mike & Cindy Hawkins

Mark & Kay Kimmel

Connie Lawrence

Greg Patton

Virginia Walcott


Lynton Dilley

Martha Burnett


Alisa Reed Elliott

Martha Burnett

Richard & Ann DeVoe

Allison McCord


Mickle Hayward

Martha Burnett


Dr. Bobby Kennedy

Martha Burnett


Mary Kay McDowell

Martha Burnett

Linda Fedow

Allison McCord

Judy Shannon


Ann Caroline McIntosh

Martha Burnett


Walter Nance

Martha Burnett


Nancy Rogers

Martha Burnett

Allison McCord


Helen Scruggs

Martha Burnett


 First Presbyterian Church

Oxford, Mississippi

Congregational Summary of Stated Session Meeting –

May 8, 2023

The Session of First Presbyterian Church held its stated monthly meeting on Monday, May 8, 2023 at approximately 5:30 pm in the Session Room. 


1.      Ministry Team Reports.

a.      Finance (Richard DeVoe, 2024 & Brent Hardin, 2025). Elder DeVoe reported that the Finance Team was continuing its efforts to analyze the budget for any excess expenses. He further reported that the Church was in the process of implementing its administrative change to pass credit card fees through to credit card users.


Elder Hardin made a motion to begin communication with St. Andrew Presbytery regarding a potential downward adjustment of the Church’s future annual benevolence contributions to the Presbytery from $72,000 to $36,000, absent a change in stewardship. After discussion, the motion to discuss the potential future adjustment with the Presbytery was seconded and approved.


Elder Hardin also reported ongoing discussions regarding use of the annex building, and recommended that Finance and Property begin discussions to consider best uses for the annex building.


b.     Property (Bradley Goodwiller, 2024 & Bo Elliot, 2025). Elder Bo Elliott reported that the Church bus had been listed for sale, and that the Property Team was working on hiring a brick mason to construct a sitting wall around the sugar maple in the courtyard.


c.      Adult Faith Formation (Mary Haskell, 2023 & Carole Haney, 2025).  Elder Haney thanked Reverend Milner for leading the recent Philippians Bible study.


d.     Children & Youth Faith Formation (Kathryn Elliott, 2023 & Catie Hester, 2024). Elder Kathryn Elliott reported that 3 graduating seniors would be participating in Senior Sunday, that VBS planning was ongoing, and that PYF would continue to meet throughout the summer.


e.      Membership & Hospitality (Lee Miers, 2023 & Angela Manley, 2025). Elder Manley reported that the team was continuing its planning for the August luncheon series, and that a welcome event for Associate Pastor Andy Spaulding would be held on Sunday, June 18.


f.       Mission (David Shaw, 2025). Elder Shaw reported that suitcases of medicine would be transported to Haiti on behalf of FPC, and that the Church would be assisting The Pantry with a mobile food distribution on June 7 in the JC Penney parking lot in light of ongoing facility renovations at The Pantry’s permanent location.


g.      Worship (Hale Freeland, 2024). Reverend Milner reported that the Worship Team had recommended a continuation of two services for the upcoming fall and a single service at 10:00 am for the summer beginning on June 4.


h.     Deacons. Rev. de Boer reported that the Deacons were working on member notes for incoming Associate Pastor Andy Spaulding and were also continuing efforts to connect with their 2:4 groups.

Financial Summary 

Upcoming Birthdays & Anniversaries 

The Session

 

Adult Faith Formation

Mary Haskell (2023) & Carole Haney (2025)


Children & Youth Faith Formation Kathryn Elliott (2023) & Catie Hester (2024)


Clerk of Session

Drew Mauldin (2023)


Finance

Richard DeVoe (2024) &

Brent Hardin (2025)


Membership & Hospitality

Lee Miers (2023) & Angela Manley (2025)


Mission

David Shaw (2025)


Personnel

Goodloe Lewis (2023) & Melissa Hall (2024)


Property

Bradley Goodwiller (2024) &

Bo Elliott (2025)


Worship

Hale Freeland (2024) 

The Diaconate



Class of 2023

Chloe Lloyd, Laura Lovelady,

Allison McCord, Shae Orrell,

Adam Quick

 

Class of 2024

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

Jennifer Williams


Class of 2025

Teresa Flautt, Scotty Jimenez,

David McPhail, Laura Scott,

Laura Whitten