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Friday, September 9, 2022

FROM THE PASTOR

Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

I had a friend who thought he was very clever when he nicknamed me "Ral," my initials sounded out. He thought he was especially clever every fall when Rally Day rolled around and he would tell me (again), "It's your day!"

He was partially right, because I have always loved the kick-off to the program year, the return of a routine to church life, and the enthusiasm that Rally Day brings. (It is also true that I like Rally Day a whole lot more than I ever liked my friend's jokes!)

I hope you and your family plan to be present this Sunday. Kids and teachers will be back in their classes, Wee Worship will begin again, and some adult classes will be back after a summer hiatus. If you haven't been involved in Christian Education ministries lately, this is a great time to jump in.

I look forward to seeing you Sunday for OUR day!

Grace and peace,

Rebekah

Sunday Assistants

Sally Ericson

Ashley Oswalt

Click below to view the bulletin for Sunday, September 11:

GSPC News

At the River Film Screening 9/26: GSPC will host filmmaker Carolyn Crowder on Monday, September 26 from 6-9 PM to view and discuss her documentary At the River. The film shares the experiences of many southern Presbyterian ministers who took risks to stand for Civil Rights in the 50s and 60s. Vernon Hunter, Billy McLean, and Jim Lowry are just a few of the pastors she interviewed along with family and friends like our own Martelle Scott and Martha Tissington. The community is welcome.
Diaconate Meeting: The Diaconate will meet on Monday, Sept. 12, at 5:30 p.m. Please email Heather Hamilton if you are unable to attend.
Presbyterian Women Fall Kick-off: Monday, September 19 in Guesnard House

Talking Heads

This Sunday School class meets each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Heltzel Room on the second floor.

Questions Jesus Asks led by Rev. Rebekah Abel Lamar

Sunday Book Study

9:30 a.m. in the Church Library

Study of Ezekiel

Spring Hill Women Bible Study

Tuesdays at 8 a.m. at the home of Ann Adams.

Study of Genesis

Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study

The Tuesdays at Ten Bible Study will resume in-person meetings on September 13 at 10 a.m. at the church. The group will continue its study of the Psalms and teh sermon text for the following week. For details, contact Mary Elizabeth Perry.

Men's Bible Study

The Wednesday night Men’s Bible Study meets on Wednesdays at 6 p.m. in the church library and also via Zoom. Study of lectionary or sermon texts. Contact: Bo Perry.

Sunday School for Children and Youth

Sunday School for Children and Youth begins at 9:30 a.m. each week.

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 creamy peanut butter (no Jif, please, because of the recent recall) 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 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 October 14, November 11 and December 9. If you can help with this mission on any of these dates, please contact Lisa deShazo at 251-591-1077.

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 your donations of gently used luggage (preferably on wheels) to the church office.

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:

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 2022.

In Partnership,

Sue C. King

Habitat for Humanity SW Alabama

Development Coordinator

3712 Airport Blvd.

251-476-7171, Ext. 229

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:

GSPC members park for free in the lot at all times.
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.
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.

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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