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First Press
An online newsletter
July 2022 edition
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A dear friend and former colleague once wrote, “You probably know someone who always manages to put you behind the eight ball. Without saying a word, that person can bring out the worst in you—like weeds in the garden. Then, too, you may know someone in whose presence you know you are better than your usual self—like a dose of Miracle Grow in the garden.”
I know we can all name friends and acquaintances who we can put in either camp: the ones who make us our best…and the ones who make us slightly ashamed of our own behaviors. But have you ever stopped to consider what you are? Have you stopped to consider whether you are the weed or the Miracle Grow? Have you ever contemplated whether your presence brings discomfort or peace to another? Do we build up, or do we break down? Do we overshadow with doubt, or do we serve as reflectors of grace?
I recently read a story about the “Miracle Grow Effect” we can have upon others in our orbit. Years ago, there was a family living in the American West. From time to time, a Native American woman would stop by the home of one of her neighbors as she made her way to the village where she lived. The woman usually brought a small gift—some fresh berries or eggs—and she would sit with the mother and the young daughter who lived in the home. The girl and her mother shared tea and cookies with their guest, and while they sat together often, they rarely spoke, as none understood the other's language. However, on departure, the Native American woman always made the same remark, which the little girl eventually learned and mimicked. Years later the young girl, now grown, met someone who translated the statement spoken repeatedly by the woman. Her parting words were a high compliment: “I shall come again, for I like myself when I am near you.”
What might it take to ensure that every beloved child of God who crosses our path, who works alongside us, who visits our church can say upon departing: “I shall come again, for I like myself when I am near you”? May this be our hope and our prayer. May this be our aim. And may we learn both to embrace and to celebrate that good truly does surround us, as we reflect a spirit of grace-filled hospitality, radical inclusivity, and generous welcome to our world and as we live into our calling to be a family of faith wherein all are truly welcome.
With hope,
Barrett
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If you can't join us in person, join us for worship on Sunday mornings 10:25 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 July
July 3: II Kings 5:1-14; Psalm 30; Isaiah 66:10-14; Psalm 66:1-9; Galatians 6:1-16; Luke 10:1-11, 16-20
July 10: Amos 7:7-17; Psalm 82; Deuteronomy 30:9-14; Psalm 25:1-10; Colossians 1:1-14; Luke 10:25-37
July 17: Amos 8:1-12; Psalm 52; Genesis 18:1-10a; Psalm 15; Colossians 1:15-28; Luke 10:38-42
July 24: Hosea 1:2-10; Psalm 85; Genesis 18:20-32' Psalm 138; Colossians 2:6-19; Luke 11:1-13
July 31: Hosea 11:1-11; Psalm 107:1-9, 43; Ecclesiastes 1:2, 12-14; 2:18-23; Psalm 49:1-12; Colossians 3:1-11; Luke 12:13-21
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Sanctuary floral arrangements are available the following Sundays in July: 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: MaryAnn Cropp; Jerry Wilson; Thomas Wade Simpson; Jeffrey Butler; 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; 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. 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. 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. | |
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.
Please contact Dave Garvey (@dgarveyfpc@gmail.com) if there are further questions.
We are still looking for adult volunteers for the week!
If you're interestd in helping out with this great week of learning and fun, please contact Dave Garvey.
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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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The Mission Ministry Team's monthly meeting is July 6 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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The Mission Team thanks Mary Haskell, Marty and Steve Mauldin, Kay Meadors, Rex Brunt, Jan Huckaby, Barbara Wortham, Martha Burnett, Kathy Griffith, Ann DeVoe, Pat Lowe, John Cropp, Christina Torbert, Carla and Bruce Johnson, Debra McGlawn, the PYC, Dave Garvey, Carlisle Wood, Peggy Nance, Sally Hines, Pattye Wilson, Carmille Hovious, Laura Whitten, and David Hansen for staffing the Pantry this month. Thanks to these volunteers and many others throughout the LOU community, thousands of area residents have access to groceries throughout the year. We are grateful to everyone who gave their time to this important ministry. | |
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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! | |
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
June 13, 2022
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1. Announcement from Jenny Kate Luster regarding Social Media Subcommittee. Jenny Kate Luster presented on behalf of the Church’s recently formed Social Media Committee to introduce a template online form for submitting information for social media placement. The Social Media Committee hopes that the form will provide a streamlined way for the Church’s ministry teams to submit information for social media. At least one content creator will monitor the submissions, and then upload the content to the Church’s social media channels. The Social Media Committee recommended that ministry teams consider possible submissions at their monthly meetings, and emphasized that coverage should not be limited to the announcement of upcoming events.
2. Ministry Team Reports.
a. Finance (Susan Abbott, 2022 & Richard DeVoe, 2024). On behalf of the Finance Team, Elder DeVoe reported that collections were close to the budgeted amount for pledges. He reported that unpledged amounts were somewhat down, but reduced spending had equated to a current net surplus of approximately $15,000.
b. Property (John Abernathy, 2022 & Bradley Goodwiller, 2024). Elder Goodwiller reported that the Property Team has explored several options regarding the bee infestation immediately above the front doors of the sanctuary, and removal would be extremely difficult given the necessity of removing the metalwork above the door, potentially requiring refabrication of those elements. The Property Team reported that they will continue to work toward a resolution.
c. Adult Faith Formation (Allyson Ashmore, 2023). Elder Ashmore reported that the Adult Faith Formation team met last month and reflected on the recent Encanto pop-up event. She reported that the team is working to emphasize that intergenerational events are not aimed only at families with young children, and it is their hope they can engage a broader range of the congregation in such events. She also reported that there seems to be a shared desire for a church-wide Wednesday night program in the fall, and they are considering options regarding a possible format.
d. Children & Youth Faith Formation (Kathryn Elliott, 2023 & Catie Hester, 2024). Elder Hester reported that the youth were at Montreat, and the Children and Youth Faith Formation Team is preparing for vacation bible school in the coming weeks. She reported that approximately 60 children are currently signed up, but they anticipate approximately 100 to actually attend. She also reported that Dave Garvey has brought a lot of energy and excitement to the team’s efforts, and that they are considering some possible modifications to more fully utilize the space in the Education Building.
e. Membership & Hospitality (Kevin Christian, 2022 & Lee Miers, 2023). Elder Christian reported that the summer luncheons have been going great, with over 100 attendees at the first lunch and approximately 96 present at the most recent lunch. He reported that the Men’s Sunday School class will host the upcoming lunch, with the last month in June to be hosted by Sally Hines and a group of members. He also reported that the team is working on planning opportunities to enable church members who have been absent from in-person events to get to better know the Church leadership.
f. Mission (Greg Patton, 2022 & Melissa Hall, 2024): Reverend de Boer reported that the Church is still continuing to staff the Pantry on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, and encouraged anyone willing and able to participate to reach out to Thelma Curry.
g. Personnel (Trey Byars, 2022 & Goodloe Lewis, 2023): Elder Byars reported that the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee has begun meeting regularly and is moving forward with the search process. The Personnel Team also received an update from the Board of Pensions regarding possible healthcare options for the upcoming year and will meet with Finance in the coming weeks regarding those options.
h. Worship (Hale Freeland, 2024): In addition to the Worship Team’s written report, Reverend de Boer reported that the team is considering possible options to increase parking accessibility on Sunday mornings for members with mobility issues.
i. Deacons: Revered de Boer reported that the Deacons have been pleased with communion operations, and are considering ways to increase participation with the home communion outreach efforts.
3. Continued Business.
a. COVID 19. Elder Goodwiller noted that the Session’s last recommendation regarding COVID protocols of August 19, 2021 was out of date and inconsistent with the Church’s current practices, and moved to remove the COVID-19 Updates from the website and the mask recommendation. The motion was seconded and approved.
4. New Business.
a. Letter of Support from Pastor Nominating Committee. The Session received and discussed a letter sent on behalf of and with support of all members of the Pastor Nominating Committee responsible for calling Reverend Milner to FPC Oxford, which expressed support for the Church’s leadership and encouragement for Reverend Milner and the Church’s ministry team.
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Upcoming Birthdays & Anniversaries | |
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July Birthdays
1 Martha Burnett, Wendy Carmean, Mary Douglas Hester
3 Carter Wilkes
4 Nancy Jetton
5 Woods Newman
6 Carolyn Abbott
7 Tom Franklin, Matthew Hall, Alice Wilkes
8 Kay Croom, Martha Kelley
9 Betty Abdo, Paul Chiniche, Sparky Luster
10 Connor Jimenez, James Thompson
11 Jean Blackston
12 Ann Louise Miers
13 Alicia Bouldin, George Moak, Adam Robinson
14 Pauline Lewis, Neely Mullen
15 Joe Huggins, Charles Montgomery, Beth Pace, Stuart Schuesselin
16 Duke Goza, Bruce Reynolds
17 Pat Carpenter
18 Ann DeVoe, Tricia Barrios
19 Baker Quick
20 Leigh Bundren, Merrick McCool, David Shaw
21 Miller Elliott, Daniel Hall
22 Erin Goforth, Campbell McCool, Buddy McRae, Michelle Rounsaville
23 Billy Chadwick, Carey Hanson, William Mayo, Ophelia Orrell
24 Lauren Abbott, Kate Byars, Coy Manley, Charlie Robbins, Louise Waller
25 Bette Butler
27 Robert Cooper, J.T. Davis, Rob Williams
28 Ed Field, Abigail Pace
29 Patty Atkinson, Weldon Wilkinson
31 Richard Atkinson, Vance Byars, Hayes Hollis, Chloe Lloyd, Tina Montgomery
July Anniversaries:
4 Pete & Scottye Boone; Brett & Lindsey Estes
7 Jon & Allison Crawford; Dick & Gail Hercules
8 John & MaryAnn Cropp
11 Donald & Becki Felts; Al & Kim Ling
12 Earl & Fay Grissinger
13 Kevin & Margie McLeod
17 Bill & Cherri Mayo
18 Richard & Pat Atkinson; Jimmy & Jennifer Williams
20 Jason & Alicia Bouldin; Michael & Missy Morrison
21 Hal & Carole Haney
23 Thomas & Nina Patrick
24 Harry & Sharon Alexander
25 Ed & Besty Holcomb; Jim & Nancy Jetton
26 Bo & Karen Elliott
28 Allen & Kathryn Elliott
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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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