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CHURCH CURRENTS First Presbyterian Church 210 S. Wayne Street

Milledgeville, GA 31061

phone: 478-452-9394

fpchurch@windstream.net

www.fpchurch.org

Nonprofit Organization U.S. Postage Paid

Permit No. 113

We seek to glorify God through:

Inspiring worship in Word and music, Inquiring study for adults and youth,

Inclusive hospitality locally and globally, Industrious outreach for social justice

and environmental stewardship.

August 2014

We are on the radio Our worship service is broadcast on WKZR

(102.3 FM.) every Sunday morning at 11:00AM

FALL LINE FARMERS MARKET

FRIDAY, AUGUST 1, 5-8PM

Connect with Our Main Street First Friday Community:

Coming to the Fall Line Farmers Market makes shopping a pleasure.

The market is a place to meet up with your friends, bring the children,

enjoy meandering among local farmers, artisans and bakers.

Take a break and listen to the sounds of

“Reception Jazz Band”

of Milledgeville

from 5:30 - 8:00 PM

Coord. of Children &

Youth Ministries:

Gloria Burns

Issue No. 221 August 2014

First Presbyterian Church

Organist:

Flint Dollar

Director of Music:

Jennifer Flory

Admin. Asst.:

Dianna Hendricks

Child Care Providers: Robin Poole Jason Poole

Dear Church Family, Some of you have expressed interest in knowing how to obtain information about the larger church, specifically the

Presbytery and the General Assembly. In regard to the latter, I encourage you to familiarize yourselves with the

PCUSA website, for news and resources at any time. That site is located at: www.pcusa.org

Concerning news from the recent General Assembly meeting, I share with you here a letter from our Transitional

General Presbyter, Hilary Shuford (who refers us also to reports by our presbytery’s commissioners to the meeting).

Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have questions, desire more information, etc. Blessings!

Martha A Word from Hilary Dear Members of the body of Christ in Northeast Georgia Presbytery, I witnessed God's Spirit present during the 221st General Assembly of PCUSA in what I heard, saw and experienced. I

know we live in difficult and changing times, not only in the world but in our beloved community of the Presbyterian

Church (U.S.A.). As a member of the community, I express my deep and abiding love for Jesus Christ and each of

you, called to be his body on earth. Despite where one may cast a ballot on any particular issue, we are called to unity,

peace and purity. Significant decisions made by this Assembly included the decision to divest denominational holdings from Caterpil-

lar, Motorola, and HP and to change the definition of marriage found in the Directory for Worship (which change can-

not occur until approved by a majority of presbyteries). However, the Assembly took a more immediate action of issu-

ing an Authoritative Interpretation which effectively allows Teaching Elders to officiate at "same gender" marriages if

legal in the State having jurisdiction. Also this AI protects Teaching Elders whose conscience will not allow them to

conduct such service and protects Sessions which have prohibited the use of church property for that purpose. For more information – FAQ – on both these topics, you can copy and paste into your web browser:

http://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/5/24/faqs-middle-east-and-civil-union-marriage/ During my time in Detroit, I observed a generational change and remember the psalmist's words, "From generation to

generation, you are God" (90:2). I noted a comfort level with technology at an all-time high, and a more youthful, and

paradoxically a more patient, assembly. The rancor of previous assemblies was absent; and I was glad in the peace

which pervaded the room. This generational change also was exhibited in the larger-than-expected margin by which

the marriage language passed. Yet we still find ourselves firmly in the middle of the Middle East issue as shown by

the 310-303 vote on divestment. Listening at the open hearings in the committee for Middle East issues I was struck by the fact that until the speaker

identified his or her position, I did not know whether he or she spoke for or against divestment. We are called to

peace, but we disagree as to how to achieve it. It gives me confidence in God's continuing grace that the most closely

contested issue before the Assembly challenges us to remain "close" to one another in the unity of our purpose to

bring peace to the world. Many folks are upset by G.A. decisions but that is the result of our following the middle way of governing our com-

mon life together. My hope remains strong in Jesus Christ who is our purity, peace and unity in the Church. I was

blessed to be present in Detroit as your Transitional General Presbyter; and I hold up to you our commissioners and

young adult advisory delegate. Jan Lewis, Jim Hiers, Holly Shoaf-O'Kula, Bob Prim, and Olivia Aldridge represented

you well. They were diligent, collegial, and prayerful as they attended to the Spirit in their midst and to the work of

the church before them. Their observations can be read by copying and pasting into your web browser:

http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1101390026739-442/

Commissioner+reports+from+the+221st+General+Assembly+2014.pdf

Interim Pastor:

Rev. Martha

Starnes

Elders: Class of 2014: Rosemary Begemann, Sue York, Frankie Holder

Class of 2015: Dave Baarda, Anne Smart, John Bradley

Class of 2016: Marianne Edwards, Sam McChesney, Nancy Miller Deacons: Class of 2014: Deanna Bivins, Mary Jordan, Doris Moody

Class of 2015: Bill Werts, Margie Dodd, Millie Murphy

Class of 2016: Alice Tenold, Joseph Dean, Rob Grimes

FLANNERY O’CONNOR

DISCUSSION GROUP

10:30AM at

Andalusia

Please come join us on the Front Porch;

we will be reading and listening to the audio of

“A Late Encounter with the Enemy ”.

We always have lively discussion

and it is a great time of fellowship.

If you have questions, call Sue York 478-454-3288.

Hope to see you there!

CHURCH NEWS

FRESH FLOWERS FOR SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP

Do you have fresh flowers in your yard/garden?

Want to share a couple of bouquets on Sunday morning?

Please call Dianna at the church office “to sign up”.

Thank you in advance!

NURSERY SCHEDULE

August 3 Joel Burns

August 10 Anne Smart

August 17 Doris Moody

August 24 Nan Rogers

August 31 Margie Dodd

If you cannot participate on the Sunday indicated,

please call someone on the list to exchange dates. It

is very important to have at least 2 adults in the

nursery. Thank you for your dedication to this min-

istry.

CHOIR NOTES

Our choir will sing responses and an anthem

on Sunday, August 3, meeting at 10:15AM.

Our normal rehearsal will resume on

Thursday,

August 7, at 7PM.

All who would like to make a joyful

noise are welcome to join.

Northeast Georgia Presbytery

Our new location is:

186 Ben Burton Circle Suite 100, Bogart, GA

We’re dedicating our new office space

with an Open House.

Thursday,

August 21st

You Are Invited...

Saturday, August 23

10am - 11:30am

Brief Dedication Service at 11am

Drop by to see your new Presbytery Office, enjoy

some morning coffee, and chat with the staff.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

THE HEART OF CHRISTIANITY Ask yourself why it is important to you to bring your children to church. Being part of the church is about living

the Christian life and Marcus Borg tells us that that is about our relationship to both God and neighbor, about

both Spirit and behavior, about both God and the world. To accomplish this, we engage in Christian practice.

Paying attention to our relationship with God matters because we ourselves are ultimately relational. It is not that

we first become selves and then have relationships. Rather, we are constituted by our relationships; they shape

and form us. So also paying attention to our relationship with God will shape us. The Wednesday Night group

has finished its study of The Heart of Christianity by Marcus Borg, and now we would like to offer this class to

our youth and their parents (as well as anyone else who is interested). Please speak with Gloria if you are

interested in participating in this class. We will set a time based on who is interested – maybe a Sunday morning

or afternoon. FALL PROGRAMS The Christian Education Committee will be contacting the parents of our children and youth to survey your

interest in the programs we would like to offer this fall. Please let us know what you are interested in, and to

what you are willing to commit. CHILDREN’S SUNDAY AFTERNOON FUN Afternoon Fun Sundays have been held from 3-4:00 for the children. On July 6th, with the help of Joseph and

Catherine Dean, Anne Smart, and Gloria Burns, children explored the story of Jonah with play dough

sculptures. On July 20th the children played noodle games and reviewed the story of Jacob’s Dream, which

they had heard in worship that morning. The following activities are planned for August:

August 3 – Bubbles (wear old clothes, consider

sunscreen and insect repellent)

August 17 – Table and Indoor Games

August 31 – Outdoor Games

YOUTH GROUP Youth will meet at the church at 4PM on August 3rd, 10th,

and 24th. Bring your calendars to plan activity dates. Please consider coming to help with the children’s afternoon fun

events each week. As always, if you need a ride, let Gloria Burns (478-454-6285) or Joseph (478-491-2779) know.

We have declared the Miniature Golf

Course at the Georgia War Veterans Home

complete. Joseph and Gloria worked to

complete the task with the gracious help

of Alex Musser on July 13th. It has been a

hot, sweaty job, but we are glad to be the

first group to actually finish the project.

Thanks to our Youth who have assisted in

this project over the last year.

CHILDREN AND YOUTH

Watch for information about music time and choir practice to begin next month!

FALL LINE FARMERS MARKET FIRST FRIDAY

Support the Fall Line Farmers Market

Thanks to everyone who attended and helped with our previous markets. We had some

outstanding seasonal produce, and the baby barnyard animals from Oasis Family Farm

in Sparta were a big hit with everyone. The freshly picked blackberries, peaches, and seasonal veggies along with farm-fresh

eggs, award-winning honey, coastal shrimp and bakery items were all popular, and we

anticipate all of this and more at the August market on August 1st. Special thanks to our musicians who add to the ambiance and entertain our market

goers, giving them an opportunity to sit and relax and listen to some of our great local

talent while on their shopping adventure at the market. Thank you to all the volunteers who help to pull this off! We can always use more hands

and you don't have to commit to every market. If you would like to help with either or

both of the two remaining markets in August and September, just let any of us know!

Thanks to Marion Robinson, Faye Heal,

Don Steward, Joseph Dean, Rob Grimes, Reba

Vaughan, Elizabeth Baarda, Anne

Dennis, Johnnie Wilson and Debbie and Bruce

Harshbarger.

Connect with Our Main Street First Friday Community:

Coming to the Fall Line Farmers Market makes shopping a pleasure.

The market is a place to meet up with your friends, bring the children,

enjoy meandering among local farmers, artisans and bakers while

listening to live music.

GREEN INITIATIVE

SEE YOU AT THE MARKET!

August 1st, September 5th

“Reception Jazz Band”

of Milledgeville

from 5:30 - 8:00 PM

CANTALOUPES AND STRAWBERRIES

Caring and Sharing What a nice surprise it was for Café Central Tuesday, July 22nd. We received a call here at the church, a local vendor

from the Tuesday Milledgeville Market had produce picked and he was not going to be able to attend the market, so

he phoned to donate it to our food pantry. This is a pure testimony of feeding the hungry, giving freely of one’s own

self. The vendor brought the cantaloupes and strawberries to us to make sure that it was delivered to a food pantry

or other source of program to be distributed to the hungry of the community. Being that our pantry had closed, we

delivered the produce to Café Central where the produce was welcomed with warm smiles and grateful hearts.

We thank this vendor and pray that everyone recognizes the needs in our community. Hunger is, unfortunately, a

real issue that faces many people daily. If you have the opportunity to volunteer at Café Central, please contact

Donna Gautier. Café Central is open Tuesdays and feeds approximately 400 people a week from 11:00-1:00.

You will be able to witness the true meaning of caring and sharing.

VIP’S CORNER (Visually Impaired Persons)

VIP’S ENJOY ANNUAL PICNIC

G o o d f r i e n d s , g o o d

memories and good times

made the annual VIP indoor

picnic fun for all. VIP’s

brought sack lunches and

enjoyed socializing and

sharing information. The

group will meet next on

August 20th at 10:30 am

and Wendy Mons of Mons

International will be the speaker. Her topic will be Project

Independence. Anyone interested in learning more about this

program or about the support group for people with visual

impairment are cordially invited to attend.

Milladene Harry Marjorie Anne

SAMARITAN MINSITRY

Thank you all for your continued donations to the Samaritan

Ministry. Because of the generosity of the members of FPC

and our successful yard sale, we continue to serve three families

in the community each month. These funds are used to pay for

electric or water bills for families who without this assistance,

would have their utilities shut off. Our ministry continues

to need your support to assist those families

who come to us for help on the 3rd Tuesday of each month.

Volunteers are always needed.

Please contact Bill Werts, or the church office at 478-452-9394,

if you have any questions or would like to volunteer.

JUNE PRISON FAMILY LUNCH On Saturday, July 19, there were about 45 people

that came from Atlanta with the Open Door to visit

their loved ones in prison here in Milledgeville.

We so often see the same people that it is like

entertaining friends as they come through the door.

We greet each other with smiles and hugs.

Saturday's welcome was an especially warm one,

as our dining room looked so festive. We had

beautiful blue table cloths that were donated by

Gloria and Joel Burns. Charlotte Owens and Margie

Dodd had beautiful arrangements of summer flowers

on each table. Our group decided that July would be

the perfect time for a summer picnic. Everyone

enjoyed hot dogs, potato chips, salads, coleslaw,

watermelon, desserts and ice cream. Our thanks goes out to the people that donated food

to make this meal so special. Thanks to our

volunteers: Nancy Holbrook, Margie Dodd,

Charlotte Owens, Millie Murphy, Gene Gunter,

Alice and Mike Tenold, Holley Cowen, Sunda

Coleman and Mary Baker. Our next prison family luncheon is August 16th.

Please consider volunteering or donating food.

Both are much needed and appreciated. Thank you.

Millie Murphy and Margie Dodd

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

FOOD PANTRY Our food pantry is very grateful for all donations and

funds we receive to assist feeding those in our community who

are struggling to feed their families. During these hard times,

we ask that you give as you are able, which all of you at FPC

have continued to do so generously.

The food pantry continues to be in need of canned fruits,

canned meats, spaghetti sauce and pasta noodles, snack foods

and crackers. Peanut butter, jelly and any other non-perishable

goods are always accepted and very much appreciated.

We will continue to collect the food offering on the first

Sunday of each month--your donations help round out the

basic items that are purchased for the pantry. Donations may

also be brought to the church office Monday-Thursday, 8:30 -

4:30. If you would like to know more about the food pantry

and how we operate, please call Mary Baker at 478-453-2626.

Illnesses: Tom Murphy, colon cancer, Kathy Carroll’s brother

Robbie White, cancer, Betty Hattaway’s friend

April McMillan, cancer, Jeanene Vinson’s granddaughter

Bill Brenner, prostate cancer, Bill Flory’s uncle

Amy Smith, cancer

Chris Pearson, Sunda Coleman’s son, eye issues & stroke

recovery

Leigh Humphrey, friend of Bill & Ruby Werts, kidney

failure

Judy Powell, friend of Letha & Sandra, diagnosed with

MDS

Angela Brewster, Lexington, KY, friend of Jackie

Northington, breast cancer

Thomas Manley, recovering from a car accident

Ben Gautier, home, visitors welcome

Tammy Bledsoe, Tom & Mary Lucik’s granddaughter

Gloria Burns

Cephas & Jean Starnes, Martha’s parents

Marty Flory, Jennifer’s mother-in-law, ongoing health

issues

Mary Barbara Tate

Charlie Morgan, foot surgery, recovering at the Flory’s

Sam McChesney, shoulder surgery July 31st, then

recovering in NC for two weeks

Kevin Naylor, back injury, at home

Elsie Espich, friend of Deborah Pettepher, cancer

Assisted Living: Banny Lundy, Green Acres, Milledgeville

Katherine Lyda, Louise Sallstrom’s mother,

Green Acres

Jonnie Tenold, Savannah Court, Mike

Tenold’s mother, Savannah Court

Mary Jane Deckard, Green Acres

Marguerite Owens, Gloria Burns’ mother,

Savannah Court

Harold Gillis, Sr., Lee Gillis’ father, 2200 Elm

Ave. Apt. 212, Laurinburg, NC 28352

Laurette Smith, Harbor Chase Room 319, 1385

Silver Bluff Rd. Aiken, SC 29803

Hazel Miller, Nancy’s mother-in-law, Green Acres

MEMBERS HELPING MEMBERS

The Congregational Life Ministry Team (CLMT) will be

working with those FPC Members who are in need of

certain types of services, i.e.:

Transportation: Doctor Appointments, Pharmacy Visits,

Grocery Shopping, Other Errands

Sitters: When Primary Caregivers are Unavailable, Have

Appointments or Run Errands

Meals: Due to Illness or Death in the Family

Visitation: Nursing Home/Home Bound (Phone Calls

or In-Person Visits) Please call the Church Office at:478-452-9394, or Deanna Bivins, Chair, CLMT at 478-932-0013 or

478-955-8801 if you, or someone you know, may be in need of any assistance so the necessary arrangements

can be made. This Ministry Team also needs people who are available to provide the above services. If you

would like to assist with this ministry, please contact the church office or Deanna Bivins.

The Deacons of the Church are committed to this ministry. Additional help from the Congregation is

welcomed and needed. Thank you for your continued support!

FROM THE TREASURER: June 2014 Year-To-Date Undesignated Income $19,588 $107,716

Budgeted Expense $17,085 $119,053

Net Income/(Loss) $ 2,503 ($ 11,337)

Recently, in a discussion of our church's finances,

a member said "Why don't people use the Online

Giving? It's so easy to give every month and I

never have to think about it!" If you feel it's

important to support First Presbyterian regularly

(and it is vitally important), go to

www.fpchurch.org and click on

Online Giving and follow the

prompts or call Dianna in the

office and she'll be glad to walk

you through the process.

As always if you have any questions about the

finances of FPC, please get in touch with me at

faye.heal@gcsu.edu or 478-451-7118.

The congregation & our life & ministry together during this transition time.

Birth

days

Anniversaries

Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat “This is the day

which the LORD hath

made;

we will

rejoice and be

glad in it.”

1

Fall Line

Farmers Market

5-8PM

2

3

9:45 Sunday School

10:15 Choir

11:00 Worship with

Communion

3:00 Children’s Fun

4:00 Youth Group

4

5:30 CE

5

9:30-10:30 Food

Pantry is open

6

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

7

6:30 IOBI

7:00 Choir

8

9

10

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

12:00 Deacons

4:00 Youth Group

11

5:30 Stewardship

& Finance

6:45 Property

12

9:30-10:30 Food

Pantry is open

13

10:30 VIP’s

5:15 Green Initiative

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

14

10:30

Congregational

Life

7:00 Choir

15

16

12:00 Prison

Family Lunch

17

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

3:00 Children’s Fun

18

6:30 Session

19

9:30-10:30 Food

Pantry is open

9:30 Samaritan’s

Ministry

20

10:30 VIP’s

5:15 Green Initiative

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

21

10:30 Andalusia

2:00 LIR Reading

3:00 LIR Writing

6:30 IOBI

7:00 Choir

22

23

24

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

4:00 Youth Group

25

6:00 GS Leaders

26

9:30-10:30 Food

Pantry is open

5:15 Kiwanis

6:30 Bridge

27

6:30 Pot Luck

7:15 Bible Study

28

5:00 MCGA

7:00 Choir

29

30

August 3rd

Kyle Dennis

Linda Watson Kaufman

John Hunter Lane

August 5th

Beth Baarda

August 7th

Bob Lamb

Jane Tipton

Ruth Treptow

August 11th

Winn Jefferson

August 16th

David Ritchie

August 17th Clyde Tipton

August 22nd

Mrs. Gerry Califf

August 23rd Sue York

August 25th

Sarah Applebury

August 2nd August 5th John & Louise Sallstrom Jason & Amy Smith August 22nd August 30th Ben & Donna Gautier Joel & Gloria Burns

AUGUST

31

9:45 Sunday School

11:00 Worship

3:00 Children’s Fun

1

OFFICE CLOSED

Labor Day

2

Dianna will be

out of office