Called Congregational Meeting - September 24


The session calls a congregational meeting for Sunday, September 24 following the 11:00 a.m. worship service for the purpose of:


- Electing Elders for the class of 2026, Trustees for the classes of 2025 and 2026, and the 2024 Nominating Committee;


- Dissolving the pastoral relationship between Rev. Caroline Barnett and the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Auburn effective October 15 (Caroline's last Sunday will be October 1 and her employment with FPC will officially end October 15);


- Amending the terms of call for Rev. Nick Reed and Rev. Dr. Kathy Reed to reflect compensation for coverage of campus ministry until a long-term plan for coverage is put into place. View the proposed changes here.

Nominated Elders for Class of 2026

David Burkhart has been a member of First Presbyterian of Auburn since his baptism in May of 2011. He served on the FPC Session from 2015-2017 on the Generosity Committee. David’s parents are Mary and Barry Burkhart. He was born in Auburn, and he graduated from Lee-Scott Academy. He then attended Presbyterian College, where he graduated with a B.S. in Political Science and a minor in Religious History. After college graduation David worked in various places around the US before returning to Auburn in 2009.


Graves Lovell is an Opelika native. He got his degrees at AU in wildlife and fisheries management and became a fisheries biologist for the state of Alabama. He met his wife, Ashley, at AU and, after living in Clanton for 10 years, they moved back to Auburn and found FPC in 2014. Ashley began the Alabama Prison Birth Project assisting young mothers in Tutwiler prison. They have two red-headed daughters, Lizzy and Carey, who are both actors, singers, and musicians. Graves joined the FPC choir in 2022. When not squeezing fish, Graves is either supporting his “dramatic” family or taking care of the family farm in Oak Bowery.


Holly Mitchell moved to Auburn in 1982. She began attending First Presbyterian with Mike, Carolyn, and Katie Williams soon after and joined in 1989. Over the years Holly has taught Sunday school, volunteered for VBS, and served on the boards for the Welcoming committee and Presbyterian Women. She and her husband, Doug, enjoy making dinner for the UKirk students and serving punch on the lawn. Holly and Doug have one daughter, Connie, who is a junior at Ole Miss in Oxford, MS, and is studying marketing with a focus on sales. They also work together in the life insurance business. Holly enjoys traveling, cooking, the beach, reading, and spending time with family and friends.



Julie Price grew up in the Presbyterian church and is the daughter of a retired Presbyterian minister. She and her husband, Clay, began attending FPC when her parents moved to Auburn in 2009. She has been an active member of the Children & Youth and Congregational Life Committees. She is a retired schoolteacher and enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and solving word and logic puzzles. Julie and Clay have three grown children and love being “JuJu and Bud” to their three young grandsons.




Adele Whatley is a lifelong Presbyterian who has been a member of FPC almost all of her life! She has served as a Sunday School teacher, Vacation Bible School leader and helped start the Godly Play program at FPC. Adele has also served as a member of the Church Nominating Committee. Adele and her husband Stites have two sons, Duncan (17) and Stewart (15) who have grown up at FPC.









Todd White is a life-long Presbyterian and has been a member of FPC Auburn for over thirty years. He is married to Elizabeth H. White and is the father of three young adult children (Olivia, Harris, and Owen.) 








Jeff Yost and his family joined First Presbyterian in 2017 after moving to Auburn following their life in the Air Force. He and Kirstin grew up in the Lutheran Church but attended Lutheran, Methodist, non-denominational, and Presbyterian churches as they moved around the world. Jeff is a head usher, Community Market volunteer, expert weed puller for the Community Garden and member of the Children & Youth Committee. They are blessed with three wonderful children—Wyatt (senior at Auburn University), Grant (freshman at the Air Force Academy) and Gwyn (8th grade at AJHS). Jeff enjoys traveling with Delta, and running, biking, hiking, and paddle boarding.

Trustees:

Don Ball—for a two-year term as trustee to replace Jim Disque (Class of 2025) 

Robbie Barnes—for a three-year term as trustee (Class of 2026) 


2024 Nominating Committee: 

Harriette Huggins 

Jeffrey Stewart 

Jan Widell 

Two Session Members to be determined in 2024


World Communion Sunday - October 1


“Communion of Empty Hands” to Support the Food Bank of East Alabama*

On October 1, as we celebrate World Communion Sunday, we are mindful of the hunger that exists in the 7-county region served by East Alabama Food Bank (EAFB). The Psalmist asks, “How can I repay the Lord for all his goodness to me?” (Psalm 116:12) On this particular Sunday, members are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food item to place in a basket before receiving communion – nourishing others as we are nourished by the sacrament of communion.  


Peace and Global Witness Offering

On October 1, 2023, we will also receive the Peace & Global Witness Offering, which enables the church to advocate for peace, justice, and reconciliation in cultures of violence.


Our congregation retains 25% of this offering to assist the Domestic Violence Intervention Center in eliminating violence in the lives of men, women, and children. Serving community members in five counties, (Chambers, Lee, Macon, Randolph, Tallapoosa), the DVIC provides survivors direct services such as shelter, legal advocacy, counseling, and transportation so they may achieve self-sufficiency and be less likely to return to their abusers. 


You may give to the 2023 Peace & Global Witness Offering by visiting FPCAuburn.org/give and choosing “Special Offering” or by mailing a check to the church office, or by giving your offering on Sunday, October 1. 



*a collection bin will be available at the church throughout the month of October to collect non-perishable food items for the Food Bank of East Alabama

All are invited to participate in a three-part monthly Sunday School series that will take place in the chapel on September 24, October 22, and November 19. This class is based on Rev. Dr. Kathy Reed's doctoral research project, in which she studied the phenomenon of acedia (spiritual apathy or indifference) as it affects the lives of preachers. The class will be part lecture, part discussion, and all are welcome to attend!


The Congregational Life Committee is planning to create a new pictorial directory. Starting this Sunday, sign up in the church narthex for dates in October to have your picture taken for the directory. If you have any questions please contact Nick Reed.

Flu Clinic - October 8


As we move into Fall I want to alert you to our annual Flu Clinic on Sunday, October 8 from 9:30 to 12:30 or until everyone is seen. As we have successfully done the last couple of years, the Clinic will be a drive-by event in the parking lot by the overhang area. Janie Fisher has graciously agreed to oversee the clinic along with me. Many of you have commented on how easy this makes flu prevention available for families with several children. Others have told me that having the flu vaccine available in a convenient location makes it easy.


For those who may be new to our clinic, you can walk up to the table under the overhang or you can drive up and put your arm out the window. If you have already participated in this clinic last year, your insurance information is already known unless you have changed companies. If you are new, just bring your insurance card.  


Your Parish Nurse,

Jan Widell

Presbyterian Women (PW) Touching Lives!

This Week at FPC

September 24-30, 2023


Sunday

9:00 AM - Worship Service with Weekly Communion (Chapel)

9:30 AM - Coffee and Fellowship (Baird Hall)

9:45 AM - Sunday School for All Ages

11:00 AM - Worship Service with Communion (Sanctuary)

Bulletin for September 24 worship

Sunday Parking Map

12:00 PM - Called Congregational Meeting (Sanctuary)

5:00 PM - Youth Dinner & Fellowship (Baird)

7:00 PM - UKirk Dinner and Bible Study (Student Center)


Children and Youth News


Children Pre-K through 5th grade

  • Godly Play: After the Word to Grow By (at 11 a.m. worship), children ages 4 to 2nd grade will go to the Godly Play room to worship together for the remainder of the worship service.
  • Worship Readiness for 3rd graders during the 11:00 worship service, 3rd graders will leave after the Word to Grow By and meet in their Sunday school room for the class.
  • Acolytes! 3rd – 5th grade parents, click the link to sign your child up!
  • Worship bags are available for all children during worship.


Jr. and Sr. High Youth

  • Jr. and Sr. High Youth will meet this Sunday for dinner in Baird Hall at 5 and Youth Group in the Youth Lounge from 5:30-6:30.
  • Jr/Sr High parents, if you haven’t yet, click the link below to volunteer to help park cars for one of the AU Football home games. The money raised helps to keep the cost of our summer retreats/conferences reasonable.

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30e0d44ada82faaf85-aufootball#/


Coming Soon - Mark Your Calendars!

Fall Presbytery Retreat for Youth at Living River– October 7-8

Winter Children’s Retreat at Living River – November 9–11

Birthdays 


Sep. 26 - Pete Rouillard

Sep. 28 - Jack Arnold, Mandy Wisdom

Sep. 29 - Jane Reeves



Prayer Concerns & Celebrations


• Prayers of healing and rest for Beth Schwartz as she recovers from successful surgery.

• Prayers for Jim Foil and his family as they continue to manage Jim’s health.

• Prayers of healing and rest for Graves Lovell’s mother as she recovers from successful hip surgery. Prayers for Graves as he cares for his mother.

• Prayers of comfort for Mandy Wisdom and all the wisdom family as they grieve the death of Mandy’s mother, Hope Shannon.

• Prayers of comfort for Katie Lee as she grieves the death of her aunt.

• Prayers of healing for Phil Garrett as he navigates health issues at home.

• Prayers of healing for Donna Yeager as she navigates significant back pain.

• Please continue to pray for many members of our church who are dealing with illness, significant health issues, grief, and difficult circumstances but at this time do not wish to be mentioned by name. Prayers of healing, wholeness, and comfort for many in our congregation.

• Prayers of healing and rest for Joan Duffet as she navigates some health issues.

• Prayers of healing for Doug Klinkenborg as he recovers from successful surgery.

• Prayers of healing for Daniel Johnson and his mother as they recover at home after successful kidney donation. 

• Prayers healing and comfort for Sarah Wolak’s mother Susan French. Prayers of comfort and strength for Sarah and all her family as they care for her mother.

• Continued prayers of healing for Chris Greer. We especially pray for good healing and rest as Chris recovers from successful treatments. We continue to rejoice with Chris because the latest scans show no sign of cancer. We are so grateful the chemotherapy treatments have been successful. Chris will continue a plan of treatment for the upcoming months. 

• Continued prayers for Jesse Joiner’s mother Ann Joiner after her hip surgery. 

• Continued prayers of healing for Susan Stanley’s sister Ginger Hester. Ginger has been receiving treatments for health issues. Prayers for healing for Ginger and prayers of thanksgiving for all those who are caring for her. Prayers for Susan as she cares for her sister.

• Prayers for Brooke Myers as she cares for her father Charlie Myers. Charlie is recovering from a fall and has moved to Morningside.

• Prayers of healing for Todd White’s sister in law Patty. Patty is improving and walking.

• Prayers of healing for Debbie Duin’s friend Ann Suttles who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.

• Prayers of healing for Carolyn William’s sister Beverly Huey as she navigates health issues. Prayers for Carolyn as she cares for her sister.

• Prayers for Amy Kilner and her family (daughter in law of Dorothy Moran). Amy is in need of a kidney transplant and is currently looking for a donor.

First Presbyterian Church |[email protected] | (334)887-5571 | www.fpcauburn.org
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