After the congregational meeting held after church yesterday, on April 30, I am thrilled to help welcome our new Associate Minister, Andy Spaulding. Andy will be a great asset to our already wonderful staff, and I can't wait to see how the Spirit leads him here in our beloved church home. Please keep Andy in your thoughts and prayers as he makes the transition to Oxford, and don't be a stranger to him once he arrives in town!


I also cannot fully express my gratitude for all who have contributed to this transition in our church: for our APNC who worked tirelessly for the past 10 months, praying faithfully and working diligently, reading about, interviewing, and visiting with potential candidates; for members of our presbytery's commission on ministry, as they affirmed Andy's call to serve St. Andrew Presbytery; and most certainly for Deb, who gave us so much of herself, who taught us in creative and useful ways, and who aided in preparing us for this next chapter in our church's life.


I am filled with both gratitude and hope!


Barrett

Hey, y'all!


I'm the Rev. Andy Spaulding. I'm thrilled and overjoyed to have the opportunity to serve alongside y'all as the Associate Pastor for Adult Faith Formation and Congregational Care here at the First Presbyterian Church of Oxford.



I've spent the past three-and-a-half years serving as the Associate Pastor for Campus Ministries at the First Presbyterian Church of Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I can assure y'all that any and all allegiance I might have to the Crimson Tide is limited by geographic proximity. While at FPC Tuscaloosa, I developed a deep love of all aspects of congregational ministry. Because of

this developing deep love, I felt the Spirit push, shove, and nudge me to seek a new call. By the goodness and grace of God, my search and discernment process has led me to FPC Oxford.

Before entering ordained ministry, I obtained my Master of Divinity from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA. While this was the start of my post-grad academic career, I had prior church experience. I interned at the First Presbyterian Church of Ann Arbor, Michigan. My duties included doing everything I was told to do. My time at FPC Ann Arbor offered me an opportunity to fully grasp all that goes into a life of ministerial leadership.

Speaking of Michigan, I was born and raised in Grand Rapids. My parents (Dan & Trish) live there, and my sister and her family live about half an hour from my folks. Although my parents are retired, they are (mostly) full-time grandparents and are kept busy keeping up with my niece and two nephews. I thoroughly enjoy all the benefits of being an uncle. At the very top of the list is the ability to have solid family time with my niece and nephews, knowing that I'll be able to leave them without a deep sense of guilt.


I graduated with a degree in Political Science from the University of Arkansas. I'm not one to actively follow the Razorbacks, but if you give me a chance to call the hogs, I'll do it. I'm a huge Michigan Wolverines and Jim Harbaugh fan. My Saturdays in the Fall revolve around the Wolverines, although I'm pretty excited to experience the Grove. Unfortunately, I'm also a huge Detroit sports fan (Lions, Tigers, and Red Wings). Being a part of this fandom has taught me that hope springs eternal and how heavy the crushing weight of unmet expectations is.



I love a good book, a good beer, and a good hike. I've never met a dog I didn't like and would happily dog-sit if ever needed. I love people and hearing their stories. I'm also a big proponent of a Sunday afternoon drive. I'll gladly take any recommendations of places I need to see and restaurants I need to eat at.

I cannot wait to walk alongside y'all as we embrace all God has planned for us at FPC Oxford.


With Gratitude & a heartfelt Hotty Toddy,

Andy

In Person Worship: 9:00 am & 11:00 am

If you can't join us in person, join us for worship on Sunday mornings at 10:55 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: 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; Marianna Ochs; 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 May 21, June 4, 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.

Congrats to one of our own and talented members for making the Oxford Magazine cover!

Fundraiser for InterFaith Compassion


InterFaith Compassion is selling $5 tickets for the Belk Charity sale going on May 5-7. Buy a ticket and you will get $5 off your item plus 25 % off. Tickets are available for purchase at the church office.

Office Update

I wanted to give another reminder that I am back from maternity leave. Please email kohillfpc@gmail.com with any questions/information you want added to bulletin, Fast Facts, or Newsletter. I am excited to be back and figured this was a good way to introduce my beautiful baby girl :)

Membership & Hospitality


Please be ready for good food and good fellowship on Thursday, May 18. We will have lunch in the Fellowship Hall at 11:30. Please call the church office to sign up. Hope all will attend.

Adult Faith Formation

Children & Youth Faith Formation

Sign Up Here!

We can't wait to see you this summer! Be on the look out for weekly get togethers and mission opportunities in your

emails and on our Instagram.

A hearty thank you do these people who provided Tuesday dinners for UKirk this Spring! 


  • Lula Gregory Circle
  • Greg Patton
  • Marty & Steve Mauldin
  • Maribel Sullivan-Gonzalez
  • Robert Hall & Lindsay Fournier 
  • Cherri & Bill Mayo
  • Matt & Christy Neilson
  • Lele & Grace Gillespie
  • Greg & Stephanie Goodwiller
  • Julie & Billy Chadwick



Even as UKirk wraps up one school year, we are already getting ready for the next! If you know an incoming Ole Miss student, we'd love to meet them. Use this form to tell us about a student you know, or to introduce yourself if you are one! And as always, contact Campus Minister Allison Wehrung with any questions.  

Look for us on the First and Third Wednesdays at 4:30 p.m. at the Growler. Join us as we discuss the news of the day through the lens of scripture. 

The Mission Team meets the first Monday of each month at 5:30 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 .

Following the deadly tornado that struck Rolling Fork, MS, on March 24th, there has been an outpouring of support and aid. The day after the devastating storm, there were 65 representatives coordinating logistical planning from various organizations including FEMA, MEMA, the Red Cross, Cajun Navy, Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster, World Kitchens, etc. Shelters have opened. Food and water is being distributed. 


If you would like to support the recovery effort, tax deductible donations can be made to the Community Foundation of Washington County. Designate your contribution for the South Delta Disaster Recovery Fund. 

Donate Here

Since 2013 FPC has partnered with the hamlet of Bongnotte, Haiti, to help provide clean water through Living Waters for the World and to support the medical clinic. FPC ships medications and subsidizes the salaries of the nurses and physicians who work there.  


Dr. Gladys Memnon, a Haitian-American physician, single handedly financed the construction of the new clinic building pictured here.  In spite of the political upheaval and increasing violence in Haiti, the Bongnotte clinic continues to see approximately 150 patients each month. 


Dr. Gladys and the people of Bongnotte remain deeply grateful for FPC's ongoing support in these particularly difficult times. 

In the Oxford School District behavior coaches are teachers with the added responsibility of assisting those students with emotional and/or social challenges. The behavior coaches often have students with difficult circumstances that require more professional input. 


Dr. Latonya Robinson, Chief of Student Services in the Oxford School District, oversees the behavior coaches. Last summer Dr: Robinson approached Arc Benders seeking aid for the coaches. Arc Benders contacted the mental health professionals at The Wellness Center of Oxford. The counselors there enthusiastically volunteered at no cost to assist and further train the behavior coaches in the schools. The counselors now meet monthly with the behavior coaches to advise them on the most effective means to assist their students. 


This new partnership has been quite effective.  Dr. Robinson reports, "The counselors' assistance has been amazing! When the counselors come they sit with the behavior coaches and lean in to the issues. Several have given applicable strategies to try and offered additional services for students. What has been an unintentional bonus has been the validation the coaches feel after hearing from the counselors. I didn't realize how depleted the coaches were. We now have more legitimacy from the community. Parents are less afraid of the behavior coaches, and they are less tied to black and brown kids as they were traditionally. More good news! Parents now see the coaches as support for all. It's been fabulous!"

Arc Benders, an ecumenical partnership between FPC and Oxford First United Methodist Church, holds its outreach meeting the first Sunday of each month and its book study the third Tuesday. All are invited to participate. 

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:


Alisa Reed Elliott

Sally Featherstone

Richard & Ann DeVoe

David & Laurie Duchaine


Don Howie

Greg Patton


Mary Kay McDowell

Richard & Ann DeVoe

Melissa Perry Dooley

Sally Featherstone

Van Lucas

Greg Patton

Brant Perkins

Martha Perry

Max & Nila Williams


Nancy Rogers

Sally Booke

Richard & Ann DeVoe

JJ Jones

Tom & Susan Meredith


Martha Walcott

Richard & Ann DeVoe


 First Presbyterian Church

Oxford, Mississippi

Congregational Summary of Stated Session Meeting –

April 10, 2023


The Session of First Presbyterian Church held its stated monthly meeting on Monday, April 10, 2023 at approximately 5:30 pm in the Session Room.


1. Action regarding Gated Parking Lot Access Policy. Elder Goodwiller presented a report regarding the Property Team’s efforts to examine and revise the Church’s gated parking lot access policy. After discussion, Elder Goodwiller, on behalf of the Property Team, moved to approve the policy as

submitted. The motion was seconded and approved. The new policy, which will be summarized and distributed to the Congregation by the Property Committee, will require a $75 annual fee beginning July 1, 2023.


2. Ministry Team Reports.

a. Finance (Richard DeVoe, 2024 & Brent Hardin, 2025). Elder Hardin reported that the Finance Team was examining expenses and expected to be able to reduce expenses in the upcoming year, but that the team would also continue efforts to increase giving. He further reported that of approximately 250 active giving units, 139 units were currently pledging. He also reported that beginning in June, the Church would impose a surcharge for credit card fees imposed by Realm, which could be avoided by users setting up a bank draft or ACH withdrawal rather than utilizing a credit card.


b. Adult Faith Formation (Mary Haskell, 2023 & Carole Haney, 2025). Elder Haney reported that the Wednesdays Together series had been very successful, and that the AFF Bible Study would begin the upcoming week with a study on Philippians. Reverend Milner expressed his gratitude to Elders Haskell and Haney and the many volunteers who orchestrated and

carried out the Wednesdays Together dinner and devotional series.


c. Children & Youth Faith Formation (Kathryn Elliott, 2023 & Catie Hester, 2024). Elder Hester reported that CYFF had met the past week. She reported that all summer sign-ups were complete, with 17 youth signed up for Montreat and 8 middle school youth signed up for Great Escape. She reported that the Church had welcomed 6 confirmands on Confirmation Sunday and would have 3 seniors for Senior Sunday. She also indicated that Dave Garvey

had been working on plans for a youth fall break mission trip.


d. Membership & Hospitality (Lee Miers, 2023 & Angela Manley, 2025). Elder Miers reported that the team had a great turnout for the Confirmation Brunch, and they were planning an open house event to honor and thank Reverend de Boer for her service on Sunday, April 23 during the Sunday School hour. He also reported that the team would be moving the June

summer lunch series to August for the upcoming year, and that the annual Church picnic would be held on the front lawn of the Church immediately following Sunday worship in the September.


e. Mission (David Shaw, 2025). Elder Shaw reported that the team was very pleased with the coin collection for Cents-Ability, and that the Team was looking for opportunities to contribute to the rebuilding efforts in Rolling Fork

.

f. Worship (Hale Freeland, 2024). Elder Freeland reported that the had received extraordinary feedback, and that there had been approximately 550 people in attendance for the slate of Easter Sunday services.



g. Deacons. Rev. de Boer reported that the Deacons had served as greeters and collectors for the Wednesdays Together dinners, and that they were working on connecting and re-connecting with their 2:4 Groups. Elder Hardin also reported that the Deacons were working on a Hospitality for Hospital outreach program for members who might want visitors during

stays in the hospital, and that they were recruiting a group of physicians and nurse practitioners to serve in that capacity.

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