A Message from Associate Pastor/Campus Minister, Caroline Barnett

Dear Friends, Members, and College Students of FPC Auburn/UKirk, 

Every year, UKirk welcomes new students into this faith community only to say goodbye to them when they leave Auburn someday. Since 2019, I have seen students come through this program, be a part of this church, and then move on to their next thing (though the doors are always open to them). I love including college students in the congregation for a time, even as I am sad to say goodbye. 

In a similar way, I’m writing to share with you my own upcoming transition. For some time I have been discerning what and where my next call will be and, as I’m figuring this out, I feel a pull to be closer to my family and community. I will be moving to Kansas City as I continue to discern where God is calling me next. My last Sunday with you will be October 1.

It has been a joy and honor to serve this congregation and campus ministry. For over three years, I have loved the work we have done together, the life we have shared, and the ways you have supported me in ministry. I am grateful to have approached the unpredictable challenges of the past few years with you. 

You may have questions about what this means for UKirk, and it is in capable hands. Nick, Kathy and I have already begun discussing how to ensure UKirk will continue to flourish during this transition and in the future. Plans being discussed with the Personnel committee include both short-term coverage between now and the end of the school year as well as ways the congregation might use this time of transition to evaluate how best to meet the programmatic and pastoral needs of the campus ministry program. I am confident FPC Auburn and UKirk will continue to be a place where Auburn students can find a faith community. 

Every transition contains joy and sorrow, and so while I am excited by the possibilities the future holds for me, I will miss this community. But I am confident that God is with you and me and will guide us all through all of life’s transitions. I hope you will hold me in prayer as I will for you.

In gratitude, 

Rev. Caroline Barnett 

Come join us Saturday, September 9 to volunteer at the Community Market with stocking, cleaning, assisting clients, and much more! All ages are welcome to join for either the full shift 9am-12pm or just part of a shift. Children ages 12 and under, bring an adult with you!

https://tinyurl.com/FPCSecondSaturday

Join FPC for September’s 3rd Wednesday Supper, hosted by UKirk Presbyterian Campus Ministry! UKirk students have volunteered to plan and serve our meal this month and will share with us what UKirk means to them. They will also take up an offering for future UKirk special events. 

This month’s meal will be catered and is provided by UKirk and the Congregational Life Committee at no cost to the congregation. 

Interested in learning how to serve as a head usher on Sunday mornings? We will have two Sunday morning training sessions-- you can come to either one, of both if you so choose! 

Join us in the Narthex at 10 AM on Sunday, September 17 to learn what is involved. We'll walk you through the whole process, and also show you where the "cheat sheet" of head usher duties is located (in case you're worried about having to remember everything).

Provide dinner for the college students this semester!

During the school year, UKirk meets for dinner provided by church members followed by a discussion group. We hope you’ll consider signing up for a Sunday this semester! 

Most nights, we expect about 15-20 students, and ask volunteers to bring a main dish, sides/salad, and dessert. UKirk will provide drinks, plates, and utensils. We would love for you to stay and have dinner with us, but understand if you just want to drop off the food. 

If cooking for a group seems daunting, consider teaming up with your friends, Sunday school class, or other church group to share the responsibility. But, if you don’t consider yourself a chef, you can make a donation to the UKirk Meal Fund which is used throughout the semester for additional events. You may write a check to FPC Auburn, with "UKirk Meal Fund" written in the memo line. 

Sign up to provide dinner here

Punch on the Lawn is rolling up the grass in October, so Sunday Sept. 24 will be the last Sunday for the year! That Sunday is still available to host - you may sign up to serve by clicking the Sign-up Genius link. Please contact Holly Mitchell with any questions.

This Week at FPC

September 10-16, 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 10 worship

Sunday Parking Map

2:00 PM - PW Fall Gathering (Conway Hall)

4:00 PM - Confirmation Class Information Meeting

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 begins this Sunday 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 begin this Sunday! 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#/

Confirmation Class begins September 10 - The first information meeting for confirmands, parents, and sponsors will be at 4 p.m. 7^th and 8^th Grade Youth, you should have received a packet in the mail with information and an enrollment form. Please return that form as soon as possible if you haven’t already. Feel free to email or call Chris Sarkowski if you have any questions.

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. 11 - Mike Williams, Grant Yost

Sep. 12 - Kelly Shaffer

Sep. 14 - Patty Disque, Kathy Reed

Sep. 16 - Herb White

Anniversaries 

Sep. 14 - Jim and Susan Parker

Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

• 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 healing and rest for Dan Henry as he continues to recover at home after successful heart surgery. Continued prayers for Donna Yeager as she cares for her husband Dan.

• 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 of healing for Kay Recknor’s friends the Rev. Mitzi Lesher-Thomas and her husband the Rev. Troy Thomas. Mitzi has glioblastoma brain cancer and has been undergoing chemotherapy.

• 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.