2016 05 wsprint web calendarfiles.ctctcdn.com/8cbb25cd001/43a812a0-00ee-429d-aad1...a progressive...

First Presbyterian ChurchA Progressive Christian Community

119 West F StreetElizabethton, Tennessee

37643www.FPCelizabethton.org

CONNECT WITH US!

Online:Web page: FPCelizabethton.org

Email:Donald Steele, Pastoral Assistant [email protected]

Office:423.543.7737

Office Assistant: Jackie Edmondson Tue-Thur, 10 am-5pm [email protected]

Elaine Kolp, Treasurer:Wed., 12:00 - 6:[email protected]

Find us on Facebook!

First Presbyterian Church of Elizabethton, Tennessee

and FPCe Youth!

MAY 2016! ! VOL X, #5

White Spirethe

FPCe invites you to become a part of our fellowship as we worship God and serve others in the spirit of Jesus Christ. With a commitment to achieving a just and peaceful world community, our congregation welcomes those of every age, gender, sexual orientation, race and ethnic identity.

Thank you, Faithful Church Musicians

Continued on page 3

We are so fortunate to be blessed with such dedicated folks who tirelessly practice and offer beautiful music to enhance our weekly worship.

Led by Phil Haga, our music director, there are two choirs, the Chancel Choir and the Grace Notes Bell Choir and so many talented people who support our music program from time to time.

Barbara Knisley provides beautiful accompaniment throughout the service with the prelude, special music, hymns and postlude. All these folks are committed to our worship experience and work many hours behind the scenes to provide inspirational music for our services.

Members of our Chancel Choir include:• Director, Phil Haga• Accompanist, Barbara Knisley (Roddy Bird as back-up)• Carol Ann McElwee, Jill Oxendine, Cindy Godwin, Nancy

Jane Earnest, Ginger Oaks, Linda Sorrell, Don Steele, Roddy Bird, Wayland Dykes, Frank Knisley, Bill Plumer, Brent Leach and Jim Wilson

Continued on Page 2

A Progressive Christian Community119 West F StreetElizabethton, TN 37643

Speakers for May!You'll have a chance to learn more about fellow members and hear visiting pastors. You also don't want to miss Rev. Don Steele's farewell sermon on May 15! See you in church!

• MAY 1: Rev Joe Hoffman, Friend of the congregation, Asheville, NC

• MAY 8: Jim Austin, Interim Director, Holston Presbytery Camp

• MAY 15: Rev Don Steele• MAY 22: Rev John Martin• MAY 29: Jennifer Hann, Elder

http://www.FPCelizabethton.org

http://www.FPCelizabethton.org

mailto:[email protected]




https://www.facebook.com/groups/54412446600/




Members of our Grace Notes Bell Choir include:• Director, Phil Haga• Bobbie Connelly, Don Steele, Ginger Oaks, Beth Barber, Aubrie

Abernethy, Wayland Dykes, Jane Woodside and Elaine Kolp

In addition, the Harmonic Winds Ensemble plays several times each year. Thank you to

• Linda Sorrell• Ginger Oaks• Nancy Jane Earnest

Our occasional musicians include:

•Jim and Cheri Miller, strings

•Frank Wing, banjo, mandolin and fiddle

•Nancy Jane Earnest, anything she wants to play

•Ginger Oaks, flute and percussion

•Linda Sorrell , accordion

•Frank Knisley harmonica

•John Gardner, percussion

Another group includes: Ginger Oaks * Phil Haga * Nancy Jane Earnest all on Bowed Psaltery!

A special thank you to Carolyn Bailey who has just retired from the Chancel Choir! You will be missed!

Please take the time to personally thank members of our choir for their beautiful contributions to our services.

We will be celebrating them soon with special music events - so be sure to join us!

Rebecca Nunley

Ele

ct P

NC

Cha

ir a

nd C

lerk

Con

duct

con

greg

atio

nal m

issi

on s

tudy

CO

M v

isit

and

coun

sel P

NC

Cre

ate

PNC

and

Cle

rk o

f Ses

sion

C

hurc

h R

efer

ral S

ervi

ce o

nlin

e lo

g-in

PN

C c

ompl

etes

the

Min

istr

y In

form

atio

n Fo

rm

MIF

is a

ppro

ved

by S

essi

on &

C

OM

MIF

goe

s on

line

live!

Rev

iew

Per

sona

l Inf

orm

atio

n Fo

rms

from

Pro

spec

tive

Min

iste

rs C

ondu

ct r

efer

ence

che

cks

PNC

Inte

rvie

ws

pros

pect

ive

past

ors

CO

M in

terv

iew

of p

oten

tial p

asto

rs

CO

M a

ppro

val o

f ter

ms

of c

all

Cal

l is

exte

nded

to

past

or, p

endi

ng

con

greg

atio

nal a

ppro

val

Con

greg

atio

nal m

eetin

g to

app

rove

c

all

Ser

vice

of O

rdin

atio

n an

d/or

In

stal

latio

n

3 - 6 Months 6-12 Mo. 1 - 3 Months

PNC Progress ReportThe Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has worked hard evaluating candidates’ PIF’s, reading, listening to, and watching sermons. The Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) has worked hard evaluating candidates' PIF's, reading, listening to, and watching sermons. We have narrowed our list of interviewees to three and have scheduled weekend visits for each of them. This has been difficult, but we are particularly excited about our choices. Visits will take place near the end of May/early June. They will visit the area, meet with the PNC, see our church, and preach at a neutral pulpit. We will make our decision shortly after that and notify the congregation!

Keep in Prayer• Grace Broome• Cathy Ciolac• Susan Clark's brother, Jim• The Davison family• Laura Gurdak• Laura and Chris Harrington• The Hege family, friends of Susan Clark• Deb & Juri Ilves

• David and Carol Landis• Megan McElwee• Glenn Moore• Catherine and Ray Phillips,

Vickie's parents• Susan Sutton, Jim's mother• Fran Watkins, Jeffrey's mother• Amy Willingham

• Charlie Hann's sister, Betty Shandley• Keith Connelly, father of Patrick• Julie Martin• Jim Sutton• John & Mary Ellen Morrison• Brenda Wardeska• Barbara Knisley

Due to increasing health problems our beloved Don Steele is retiring from his voluntary retirement position as Assistant to the Pastor, effective May 15. He will continue to moderate Session until a new minister arrives and will be available for funeral services should the need arise. Don has been tireless is his ministry of pastoral care, and we have loved him for this devotion since his arrival among us. His ministry here in pastoral care has been his call and his heart as well as the culmination of his active years in official ministry. Rain, sleet, snow, hot or cold he carried on with a depth of love that was a joy and a comfort for all in his path. We feel sadness that he needs to take this step. We feel joy with the good news that he will still be with us.

He is not leaving FPCe. Hooray!! May we be the comfort to him in this life-altering move that he has been for so many of us. The Session

For Pastoral CareDuring this transitional time Aubrie Abernethy, moderator of the Deacons, has graciously agreed to be the person to contact when there are congregational needs. The Session and Aubrie have arranged a monthly rotation schedule for the Elders and Deacons as may be needed for the various aspects of pastoral care. Don is arranging for another minister to serve should that be necessary. For any of these needs please call or email Aubrie @ (423) 534-7708 or email [email protected]

Pastor Don Steele



Reflections...I was thinking about the past nine month in regards to the children’s and youth ministry at FPCe and it occurred to me that’s a pregnancy term! Wednesdays have been our flagship event each week as we have shared dinner and a program that has focused on: service, study, worship, or recreation. Fueled by a meal provided by our AWESOME parents, we have helped ARM to care for their building and those they serve, provided hygiene kits along with winter weather attire for Shepherd’s Inn, stocking stuffers for residents at a senior living facility, supplies for Boroko school, and a fund raiser to support youth programs and camp tuitions.

We have learned and practiced compassion and justice as we have served but also had special programs to learn about the Jewish tradition of Rosh Hashanah, life in Boroko village from Kip Elolia, and worship traditions. We love to play and we have some experience at this as our pictures can validate from Watagua Lake cookout and swim, walking the Tweetsie Trail, and our themed game nights. We baked bread for World Communion Sunday, participated in Lenten services for Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday. This past week the youth led worship for Youth Sunday.

We averaged about 9 youths a week this year on Wednesday nights and the ages ranged from 9 to 18. They attended 6 or 7 different schools, but their different ages, schools, and personalities did not define them. Instead it created a community of inclusivity, respectfulness, compassion, and adventure! Youth Sunday provided a glimpse of 15 amazing youths who have allowed me to be a part of their lives, learn from them, and experience God’s creation bursting with heart, energy, hope, and compassion. Tears fill my eyes as I write these words, for you have provided such a gift……yourselves. Thank you for this privilege and allowing me to share myself with you. Alice Blanton, Director of Christian Education

Sunday Morning Groups, 9:45-10:45 a.m.

• Nursery and Preschoolers experience a caring environment and are welcomed as children of God. Age appropriate play, simple Bible stories, and activities are offered. Teachers: Patricia Pilkington and volunteers. Location: Nursery and Pre-school rooms.

• Sunday School is taking a break this summer beginning May 1st.• Adult Forum, youth and adults. Adult Forum blog, Living the Questions http://fpe-ltq.blogspot.com/

Location: Martin Hall.

May Youth Gatherings

Sunday, May 1, Holston Presbytery Youth will meet at Colonial Heights Presbyterian Church, 213 Colonial Heights Road, Kingsport from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. A meal, games, and sharing faith journeys will be offered and all that is asked is that you email Shane Smith [email protected] by 2:00 p.m. on May 1st to let him know you are coming. Bring $3.00 to help cover the food cost.

Tuesday, May 24, roll over to Holiday Lanes in Johnson City for bowling at 6:30 p.m. hosted by Mike & Myra Elder. All youth will have their shoes, games, pizza, and drinks covered. Adults are invited to join us and see if you’ve got game! Please email Myra to give her a heads up that you are coming so we can make sure we have enough lanes. ([email protected])

FPCe Children, Youth & Families





A Farewell to Alice Alice Blanton, Director of Christian Education at FPCe, will step down on April 30. “Doctors told me 8 years ago that I would need a knee replacement sooner rather than later," Alice said. Alice first came to us as an intern for the 2014 Fall semester. She needed two credits to finish her Master’s Degree in Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary.

“I remain grateful to John Shuck for providing me with two semesters of credits to finish my Master’s. I have learned so much about working with Christian Education in a smaller church, and I learned a great deal through the church’s commitment to be a green congregation. I am also grateful for the continued guidance by Don Steele and Bill Lindeman,” she said. Alice worked with us for several months as a volunteer and did so with complete commitment. She officially became our Director of Christian Education in August 2015. “I feel so honored to work with these families, to see the parents bring meals on Wednesday nights, to fellowship and pray together. I think this is what it must have been like for the early Christians,” Alice said.

We pray for Alice’s speedy recovery, and we are grateful for her full engagement in her roles with our youth and her participation in the life of our church.

Beginning in May, the Wednesday youth program will go on hiatus for the summer, but keep an eye out for exciting events for families over those summer months. After April 30, Myra Elder will serve as the point of contact for youth programming. Myra is the moderator of the Christian Education committee and can be reached at [email protected]. A note from a parent: "Alice will be greatly missed by all the youth, including my sons, Luke and Teagan, who attend youth group assemblies on Wednesdays. She is always prepared with themed activities that accommodate the age ranges (elementary through high school). Most importantly, Alice is personable with everyone - a good listener, amused with others and herself, and seems to be happy to be around the young. We'll miss her!"



May 2016Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

19:45 AM Adult Forum11:00 AM Worship Service with Rev. Hoffman

2 35:30 PM Aerobics7:00 PM LGBT AA MTG

46:30 PM Rehearsals for Bell Choir7:00 PM Meditation7:30 PM Chancel Choir Rehearsal

510:30 AM Thurs. w Jesus5:30 PM Aerobics

610:00 AM Yoga

7

89:45 AM Adult Forum11:00 AM Worship Service with Jim Austin12:15 PM Got Questions?6:00 PM Social Gathering

97:00 PM Session

105:30 PM Aerobics7:00 PM LGBT AA MTG



138:00 AM FFTM Yard Sale at VFW10:00 AM Yoga

148:00 AM FFTM Yard Sale at VFW

159:45 AM Adult Forum11:00 AM Worship Service with Rev. Steele



1910:30 AM Thurs. w Jesus5:30 PM Aerobics7:00 PM PFLAG

2010:00 AM Yoga

21

229:45 AM Adult Forum11:00 AM Worship Service with Rev. Martin2:30 PM ARM Ice Cream Social

236:00 PM Women's Group

245:30 PM Aerobics6:30 PM Youth Bowling at Holiday Lanes7:00 PM LGBT AA MTG



2710:00 AM Yoga

288:00 AM Food for the Multitude

299:45 AM Adult Forum11:00 AM Worship Service with Jennifer Hann




310:00 AM Yoga

49:00 AM Stream Clean-up, Hike & Picnic





610:00 AM Yoga

7


97:00 PM Session










2010:00 AM Yoga

21






2710:00 AM Yoga






310:00 AM Yoga






610:00 AM Yoga

7


97:00 PM Session










2010:00 AM Yoga

21






2710:00 AM Yoga






310:00 AM Yoga


Page 1/1Eastern Time Time Zone

Committee ReportsMEMBERSHIP TEAM

WORSHIP COMMITTEEThe Worship Team identified several topics for problem solving, simplifying communion, planning worship and finding a new way to schedule ushers.

Roddy and Wayland volunteered to take responsibility for communion preparation and securing elders to serve.

Invitations were offered to all committee members and anyone from the congregation who is interested in

joining a planning team for worship.

Phil Haga indicated music planning follows the church lectionary and is planned until August.

We would also like to identify someone from the committee or new member to direct a reorganization of ushering duties.

Respectfully submitted, Rebecca Nunley

The Building and Grounds Team oversees the maintenance and care of the church buildings, including repairs, oversight of renovations, and oversight of insurance issues. We also care for the grounds, including lawn, trees, shrubs and ornamentals, walks and terraces, and the parking lot.

In addition to taking care of problems as they arise, we oversee scheduled maintenance that is contracted out and done automatically. Scheduled items are gutter cleaning, furnace and AC, and fire extinguishers. We also contract snow removal as needed and an ongoing plan to care for our historic trees.

This past year we had both interior and exterior painting done in anticipation of our new pastor's arrival. Another paint job yet to be done is a spruce-up of the downstairs restrooms—and we're looking for volunteers.

There are a number of members who are happy to lend a hand for minor emergencies and repairs, and others who volunteer their gardening skills. Or just show up!

Jeff Wardeska (Building), [email protected] Buck (Grounds), [email protected]

BUILDING & GROUNDS

The team has selected a new name for the Inquirer’s class. It will now be known as the Got Questions? class and will meet the second Sunday of each month for 20-30 minutes following the worship service. Below are the dates. If you know of anyone who expresses an interest in FPCe, please refer them to this class. There is no pressure to join; it's for information only.

For the past two months our team has been discussing what brings people to our church, what expectations do they have and what expectations does the church have for members. Especially in discussing the stewardship expectations we have been reading Tony Robinson’s book, "Stewardship for Vital Congregations."

Ralph Parr has joined Kathy Wing in an effort to welcome all visitors. We encourage the congregation to join in this effort! For details, email [email protected]

Our current members are Tony Hedrick, Ralph Parr, Lee Kirkwood, Don Steel and Kathy Wing

Our current members are Ginger Oaks, Roddy Bird, Carol Ann McElwee, Tony Hedrick, Brenda Wardeska, Wayland Dykes, Barbara Knisley & Phil Haga.

May 8June 12July 10August 14

September 11October 9November 13December 11





Committee Reports, continuedCOMMUNITY OUTREACH

Community Outreach Team Report:

•Purpose: To encourage and help coordinate our congregation's outreach to the local community especially through ARM (Assistance Resource Ministries), Food for the Multitude (FFTM) and Shepherd's Inn. This includes promoting the 5-cents-a-meal offering.•Meeting time: 3rd Sunday of each month, following worship, in Tom Dixon room. •FFTM dates for 2016: 5/28, 7/2, 8/6, 9/3, 10/15, 11/19, 12/31.•The team completed and shipped 84 hygiene kits to Church World Service for Syrian refugees. Thanks to all who contributed!•Food for the Multitude: 273 meals were served on March 19. This was a larger amount than usual. It was a bit like dividing the loaves and the fishes, but all were fed! Thanks to all the workers and cookie bakers!•Food for the Multitude Yard Sale: May 12-14 at VFW in Elizabethton•ARM Jam Session/Ice Cream Social: May 22 at FPCe church

The Thursdays with Jesus book group is currently reading "Convictions: How I Learned What Matters Most," by Marcus Borg.

Borg, who died a year ago, was a preeminent progressive theologian and scholar (and was interviewed several times by John Shuck). TWJ begins 10:30 am each Thursday. Join us for coffee & lively conversation! Email: [email protected]

FFTM YARD SALENew location: VFW, 2001 W. Elk Ave., Elizabethton

Set-up: May 12 at noon

Sale is May 13-14• Friday - 8 am - 5 pm• Saturday - 8 am - 2 pm• Clean-up begins at 2 pm on Saturday

Needed: Volunteers, items to sell and shoppers. A lot of help is needed during set-up and take-down! This is a HUGE sale!

Donated items can be brought to the VFW during the set-up or as early as possible during the sale.

Contact Kathy Wing (kep50@hotmail) or Kathie Peterkin ([email protected]) for more information or if you can help.

Committee Reports, continuedCOMMUNITY OUTREACH

First Presbyterian Church, Elizabethton, has had a Board of Deacons since 2008 as an outreach to the extended congregation in times of need and to help connect the church community in caring and meaningful ways.

Members and active friends of our congregation have been divided into Care Groups; one for each of the nine Deacons .You may get in touch with a deacon if you have a need of any kind--illness, bereavement, service of healing, home-cooked healing, etc.

We also want to celebrate with you the joys in your life--birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and exciting news. We, as Deacons, are always eager to serve you in any way we can, and we count on you letting us know your needs.

Please feel free to contact us at any time. If your needs are confidential, they shall remain so at your request.

In addition to the direct care ministry, we:• Maintain the bulletin board of celebrations and

news• Post photos of new members• Work with the membership committee to

coordinate information• Take responsibility for keeping the kitchen tidy• Help plan prospective member luncheons• Organize new member receptions

We meet annually to plan for our year and at other times, as needed. If you are interested in serving as a deacon, please let a member of the committee know.

Aubrie Abernethy: Moderator, [email protected]; Dwight Cope: Liaison to Session Tamlyn Bernshausen, Beverly Brown, Kathe Crossley, Jennifer Gardner, Lee Kirkwood, Phillis Lenske, Ginger Oaks, Tony Hedrick, Jan Barnett

BOARD OF DEACONS

Community Outreach team members: Dwight Cope, Dawn McDaniel, Cheri Miller, Elaine Kolp, Kathy Waldrep Don Steele, Susan Allen and Moderator: Kathy Wing ([email protected])

Jam Session & Ice Cream SocialJoin the Community Outreach Team for a fun afternoon of strumming, singing, and home-made ice cream in support of ARM.

DATE: Sunday, May 22TIME: 2:30- 4:30 p.m.

LOCATION: Tom Dixon Room

If possible, please bring diapers (any size) for ARM. Monetary gifts are fine.

Bring your instruments. The treats will be provided.



Committee Reports, continuedPEACEMAKING TEAM

he following is an excerpt from Commencement - Address to the Class of 2009 University of Portland, May 3, 2009 by Paul Hawken.

When asked if I am pessimistic or optimistic about the future, my answer is always the same: If you look at the science about what is happening on earth and aren’t pessimistic, you don’t understand data. But if you meet the people who are working to restore this earth and the lives of the poor, and you aren’t optimistic, you haven’t got a pulse.

What I see everywhere in the world are ordinary people willing to confront despair, power, and incalculable odds in order to restore some semblance of grace, justice, and beauty to this world. The poet Adrienne Rich wrote, “So much has been destroyed I have cast my lot with those who, age after age, perversely, with no extraordinary power, reconstitute the world.” There could be no better description. Humanity is coalescing. It is reconstituting the world, and the action is taking place in schoolrooms, farms, jungles, villages, campuses, companies, refugee camps, deserts, fisheries, and slums.

You join a multitude of caring people. No one knows how many groups and organizations are working on the most salient issues of our day: climate change, poverty, deforestation, peace, water, hunger, conservation, human rights, and more. This is the largest movement the world has ever seen.

Support Refugee Resettlement: Oppose H.R. 4731Earlier this month, H.R. 4731 passed out of the Judiciary Committee of the House of Representatives. House leadership is now considering whether to bring the Refugee Program Integrity Restoration Act to the House floor for a vote. Many refugee resettlement organizations and faith groups, including the CRC’s Office of Social Justice, have major concerns about this bill.If enacted, H.R. 4731 would

• drastically reduce and cap the number of refugees admitted each year.• change the definition of a refugee.• allow states and localities to stop refugee resettlement to their areas.• place refugees under continual surveillance.• discriminate against Muslims.• create new procedures that would significantly and potentially indefinitely delay resettlement for many

refugees whose lives are in danger, including Central Americans, Syrians, and Iraqis.

Check out the Peacemaking Table for more info about writing letters to your representative.

THANK YOU! Our 2016 Pies for Peace raised $1,075.00. This money will be used to purchase solar panels as well as two cows which will provide milk for school lunches at the for Boroko Primary School in Kenya. We are very grateful to all the pie bakers, the pie servers and the pie buyers. Together we are making a difference and having a lot of fun in the process!

Optimist or Pessimist?T

______________________________________________________________________________________________To join our fun and active Peacemaking Team contact the co-moderators, Gary and Nancy Barrigar at [email protected]. Members are: Aubrie Abernethy, Mark Braswell, Kathe Crossley, Becca Davis, Jim Gorny, Dora Hutchens, Elaine Kolp, Carol Landis, John Morrison, Rebecca Nunley, Lydia Roane, Randall Rogers, Lynn Williams, Nancy Wood



2016 05 wsprint web calendarfiles.ctctcdn.com/8cbb25cd001/43a812a0-00ee-429d-aad1...a progressive...

Documents