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Nominations Needed for Elders, Trustee, and 2023 Nominating Committee
The 2022 FPC Nominating Committee is asking the congregation to submit nominations for the positions of elder, trustee, and the 2023 nominating committee. HERE you will find an online form where you may submit nominations.
Questions or suggestions? Please contact any member of the 2022 Nominating Committee: Wesley Anne Barnes, Paul Dimick, Carol Griffin, Susan McChesney, Amanda Smith, Jeffrey Stewart, or Kevin Wells.
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Renovations Update!
Our Christian Education Renovations are progressing right along - although we still have a ways to go, we invite you to take a look up on the third floor anytime you are at the church to see the beautiful new spaces that we hope to have finished by the end of the summer.
Beginning in August/September, available on the third floor will be four multipurpose Adult Education rooms (a classroom, conference room, gathering room, and work room), a Youth Gathering Room, Jr. High Sunday School/Breakout Room, Sr. High Sunday School/Breakout Room, and a new Handbell Choir Room. Under construction at the moment are two new children's classroom spaces on the ground floor as well as a children's gathering area.
We continue to accept financial gifts toward this renovation effort. You may send a check into the church or give online at fpcauburn.org/give. Please be sure to mark your gift as designated for the "renovation fund."
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Mission Update
Earlier this spring our church’s Session generously tithed $11,200 of its 2021 budget surplus to the Mission Committee with the suggestion that these funds be shared with organizations in our community reflecting First Presbyterian’s commitment to strive to be, “a nurturing community of faith that loves God and loves our fellow human beings as we love ourselves, giving special attention to those whom Jesus called the least of these – the poor, hungry, sick, lonely, imprisoned, and oppressed.”
For several weeks to come we will feature one of the organizations we were able to gift a donation of almost two thousand dollars to support their work. We give thanks to God for our local partners in ministry and the many ways they serve those in need with mercy and love.
This week’s featured organization:
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On average in the United States, 20 people per minute are experiencing physical, sexual, emotional, psychological, spiritual, cultural violence or verbal abuse by an intimate partner. In Lee County, Alabama in 2020, there were 2,733 domestic violence incidents for every 50,000 residents.* The 2020 population of Lee County was 163,461/50,000 = 3.269 X 2,733 = 8,934.7 domestic violence incidents in Lee County in 2020.
The Domestic Violence Intervention Center is the only organization of its kind in a five-county service area, providing emergency shelter, legal advocacy, child advocacy, counseling, referrals to community agencies, support groups and transportation.
First Presbyterian Church is a long-time supporter of the Center through the generous gifts of the congregation. In June, the Mission Committee voted to provide $1,900 in support of the work of the Center, and in their overall mission to eliminate domestic violence in the lives of men, women, and children in our five-county area, helping them gain the self-confidence and self-sufficiency that makes them less likely to return to their abuser. Find out more about the work of the DVIC at: http://dviceastal.org/about-us/
*crime.alabama.gov
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Second Saturday Volunteers Needed - July 9, 9am-12pm
If you have not yet had a chance to join us for a Second Saturday at the Community Market, now is your chance! Volunteers are needed on July 9 from 9am to 12pm. All ages are welcome - children 12 and under should bring an adult with them. You are welcome to come for just part of a shift, please just make a note in the sign up so we know when to expect you!
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Community Garden
Throughout the spring and summer seasons, the FPC Garden has produced many successful harvests to offer the Community Market. According to Mattie Subba, coordinator of the market, our harvests have been very appreciated by the families that come to the Market.
The garden is beautiful and continues to grow and change. We have many existing plantings such as green beans, onions, and kale. Our newer plantings are the tomatoes, cucumbers, zucchini, butternut squash, & eggplant. They are flourishing! Sarah Wolak has been our amazing planner, planter, and constant worker. Thank you Sarah!
If you are interested in participating in our garden, please contact, Elder Katie Forster at forster306@charter.net. She will be glad to get you connected with watering, weeding, harvesting or delivering to the market.
Current Garden Needs:
- Watering: We are in need of a regular person to water each Thursday morning before 10 a.m.
- Weeding: The weeds are loving this summer weather! "One Great Hour of Weeding" will take place on Tuesday evenings at 5:30 and Friday mornings at 8:00. You do NOT need to sign up to come!
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Sanctuary Flower Sign-up
There are many available Sundays beginning in July for sponsoring flowers for our Sanctuary! The sign-up sheet is located outside of the receptionist’s office in the main church office building.
If you are unable to sign up in person, you may also contact Sarah Wolak at 334-728-7853 to sign up for a date. You are welcome to split the cost with another family-- just be sure to write both names on the line. The cost of the flowers has been increased to $50 per arrangement, not including tax and delivery fee. As before, you are welcome to bring the arrangements home after the service, or to leave them to be delivered to other members of the congregation.
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We Need YOU to Host Punch-on-the-Lawn!
Great Opportunity for Families to Serve!
Join us in the courtyard following the 11 a.m. worship service for a time of fellowship and refreshment. Greet your neighbors, introduce yourself to visitors, and enjoy God's creation as we spend time together in community.
Volunteers are needed to serve punch throughout the summer months. Please see this sign up link to reserve your date - you will be contacted ahead of time with details about setup and clean up. For more information about volunteering, please contact Kirstin Yost at at kmyost97@gmail.com or 910-309-1625.
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Children and Youth News
♢ We are heading to Montreat! Ten senior highs and three adults are leaving early Sunday morning for a week in the North Carolina mountains at the Montreat Youth Conference. This year’s theme is More Than Enough. We will spend the week engaging in scripture through keynote, worship, small group, music, recreation, and back home group discussion. Please keep us and the all of the conference attendees and leadership in your prayers throughout the week. And follow us on Instagram at @fpc_auyouth for the latest updates and pictures from the conference!
♢ Don’t forget about our Google calendar! Go to the link below and follow the instructions to add our Google calendar to your device. For the safety of our children and youth, this calendar is private and can only be accessed through this link.
♢ Parents please note, due to the renovations going on upstairs continuing throughout June, July, and August, Children’s Sunday school will meet in Baird Hall and Youth Sunday school will meet in the Round Room below the chapel
Children Pre-K through 5th grade
• Children’s Church: After the Word to Grow By (at 11 a.m. worship), children ages 4 to 1st grade will go to the Preschool Room to worship together for the remainder of the worship service.
• Worship bags are also available for all children during worship.
• Children’s Sunday school will meet this Sunday from 9:45 – 10:45 in Baird Hall.
Jr. and Sr. High Youth
• Jr. and Sr. High Youth Sunday school will meet this Sunday from 9:45-10:45 in the Round Room below the Chapel.
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Birthdays
July 10 - Chuck Gerards, Barbara Wild
July 11 - Dotty Wells
July 12 - Melissa Wheeles
July 13 - Susan Bannon, Ed Jones
July 15 - Bob Webeler
Anniversaries
July 10 - Ken Autrey and Janne Debes
July 15 - Eric and Allison Moore
July 15 - Nathan and Elisha Wohleb
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Prayer Concerns & Celebrations
- Please continue to pray for many members of our church who are dealing with illness, significant health issues, and grief, but at this time do not wish to be mentioned by name. Prayers of healing and comfort for many in our congregation.
- Prayers of healing for Mary Burkhart as she recovers from successful heart surgery.
- Prayers of healing for Jo Cooper as she recovers from injuries sustained from a fall. Prayers as well for Raymond as he cares for Jo from a far. Hopefully Jo will be able to go home soon to Oak Park.
- Prayers of healing for Wyatt Yost as he recovers from successful surgery for his broken collarbone.
- Prayers of healing and wholeness for Dorothy Hinkle-Uhlig’s sister who is very sick from cancer. Prayers for Dorothy and all of her family as they care for her sister and surround her with love and compassion.
- Prayers of healing for Kathy Rushing’s family friend Jeb Barnard. Jeb is recovering from surgery in Virginia after fracturing his back in an accident.
- Prayers for Tripp Hinkle’s mother as she recovers from successful surgery. She also received wonderful news that her latest scan was all clear.
- Prayers of healing for Catherine Wolfe’s grandmother, Sue Goolsby. Sue fell a few weeks ago and is now moving into assisted living.
- Prayers of healing for Kay Recknor who is dealing with health issues with her knee.
- Prayers of healing and wholeness for the friends of the Barnes Family, Wes and Melanie Jackson. The Barnes family shared that Melanie will begin hospice care. Prayers for Melanie and all the Jackson family during this difficult time, and prayers for the Barnes family as they care for them from a far.
- We pray for the nation of Ukraine and we pray for peace as they face senseless violence and war from another nation. We pray that all will come to a peaceful solution and no more people will be injured or killed.
- Prayers of healing for Jason Banks (Margaret Brinkley’s neighbor). Jason is now back at work. However is recovering from successful shoulder surgery.
- 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.
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