Congregational Survey - August 31: Last Day to Respond!
Many thanks to those of you who have already responded to our congregational survey. The information we are receiving from these responses has already been helpful in many ways as we are seeking to carefully and intentionally provide opportunities for connection. If you have not already taken the survey, the Congregational Care and Children and Youth committees encourage you to take a moment to respond before this Tuesday, August 31.
Thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts with us; your response will help guide us as we plan new opportunities for congregational connection.
This is your last chance! Please click here to respond to the brief congregational survey |
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WORSHIP SERVICES AT 9 AM & 11 AM
Please read carefully!
In response to the outstanding attendance we have experienced as well as our commitment to maintain safe social distancing protocols in worship, the FPC Session Elders approved the following motion:
Motion to Session Re: Resuming Early Service
That in addition to the 11am worship service, the church begin offering a 9am service in the sanctuary. Like previous services we have held this year, this service will include an abbreviated liturgy lasting roughly 30min. Unlike the former 8:30am service, for the time being we will not observe weekly communion at the 9am service. This service will follow all current COVID protocols being observed at the 11am service, including sign-ups, masking, social distancing, etc. In the time between the 9am and 11am worship services, volunteers and staff will implement any cleaning/sanitizing procedures recommended by the church’s COVID task force.
Because the decision to add this service has been made somewhat quickly, please know it is likely that the order/musical offerings/organization of the 9 a.m. service will evolve over the next few weeks as we assess attendance, availability of volunteers, and other contributing factors.
A few important items of note with our new worship schedule:
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for Families of Nursery Aged Children - The nursery will continue to be available at the 11 a.m. service each Sunday and by request for the 9 a.m. service. If you would like to have the nursery available at the 9 a.m. service, please contact Chris Sarkowski at csarkowski@fpcauburn.org (no later than 5 p.m. Friday) so that arrangements may be made.
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for Families of Children and Youth - Sunday School will continue to be held at 10:15 a.m. until September 12, when Sunday School will begin at 9:45 a.m. At this time, there will be no children’s church during the 9 a.m. service and Worship Readiness will only be held during the 11 a.m. service beginning September 12. However, should attendance patterns suggest that a children’s option needs to be added to the 9 a.m. service this will be reevaluated as soon as possible.
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for those attending Adult Sunday School - Our hope is that the 9 a.m. service will last no more than 30 minutes, allowing you plenty of time to begin your Sunday School class at 9:45 a.m.
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for all attending worship, Sunday School, and Punch on the Lawn - Please continue to be mindful of varying comfort levels in our congregation regarding hugs, handshakes, and proper distancing. With more opportunities to interact comes an increased responsibility to keep our church family safe and healthy.
Regular Worship Reminders:
How many people can sign up per pew?
In order to maintain six feet of social distance, one family unit may sign up per pew. A family unit of four or five can comfortably sit in a pew together, depending on your own preference for personal space. Those attending in the high-risk category are encouraged to sit in the back (higher numbered pews) for better ventilation and the ability to exit first.
Can I sit with someone who does not live in my household?
We recognize many church members, especially those who are now fully vaccinated, may wish to share a pew with church “family” who do not live in their household. Individuals are encouraged to communicate ahead of time and sign up together. Please be respectful and do not sign up to sit in someone else’s pew unless you have communicated with them beforehand.
How will I know which pew to sit in?
Pay attention to which pew number you sign up for. Each pew will be numbered along the side and center aisles. An usher will be happy to to help direct you to your pew. (Ushers will have a copy of this sign up.)
Do I need to wear a mask?
Masks are once again required for all people at all gatherings inside the building, including worship. This change was based on the recommendation of the FPC COVID Reopening Task Force and approved by the Session at a called session meeting on July 26.
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Provide a Meal for College Students!
With the university back in session, UKirk is restarting dinner and Bible Study on Sunday nights at 7 p.m. If you are interested in providing dinner for UKirk, you may sign up for a Sunday here.
When you volunteer for a Sunday, we ask that you provide dinner and dessert for 15-20 students, including a vegetarian option for those who do not eat meat. UKirk will provide the utensils, plates, and drinks. You are welcome to join the students for dinner, drop off a meal beforehand, or make a donation to our meal fund (to donate: please make a check out to FPC with “UKirk Meal Fund” written in the memo line). All meals will take place in our courtyard to ensure the greatest level of safety.
If you are interested in providing a meal, but Sundays do not work for you, please contact Caroline; there are mid-week events where we also provide dinner!
Thank you so much for your willingness to support our UKirk students!
--The University Ministry Committee
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Music Staffing Update
Earlier this month we announced that Dr. Damion Womack would be leaving his position as FPC's Director of Music due to his new full-time role at Mississippi College. However, we are happy to share that after some creative thinking by our Personnel Committee, Heads of Staff, and Director of Music, Damion will be continuing on in his role at First Presbyterian. You can look forward to soloists, ensembles, instrumentalists, and the FPC choir sharing their musical gifts during worship as COVID protocols and circumstances allow. We are very grateful that we are able to keep Damion on as our Director of Music -- his gifts our a blessing to our staff and congregation!
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Sanctuary Flowers
After a long hiatus, we are resuming sign-ups for Sanctuary flowers starting in September. If you would like to cover the cost of flowers for Sunday morning worship, please sign up for a date on our SignUp Genius page. If you are unable to sign up online, you may contact Sarah Wolak at 334-728-7853 to sign up for a date. While the Sign-Up Genius page only has one slot available for each week, you are welcome to split the cost with another family-- just be sure to write both names in the comments section. 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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Session Notes
During its Zoom on-line meeting on August 16, the Session…
• welcomed Noah Riley as a new member by transfer of membership from Sardis Church in Hartford, Alabama;
• learned that the church’s income for July 2021 was $56,226; expenses, $43,771; and net income, $12,525; and, for January through July 2021, income was $444,543; expenses, $416,568; and net income, $27,976;
• elected Marianne Cone as commissioner to the presbytery meeting on August 19;
• approved the wedding of Catherine Wolfe and Noah Riley in our sanctuary on December 17, 2022;
• approved UKirk’s request to move their monthly communion date from the first to the fourth Thursday;
• learned that the Worship Committee will resume having flowers in the sanctuary for Sunday worship, that flowers for August will be purchased from the flower funds, and that members will be encouraged to use a Sign-up Genius page to sponsor flowers for the remainder of the year;
• that UKirk will temporarily move their seating to the balcony, leaving more easily accessible seating on the ground level for those who need or require it; and
• learned that a second worship service, at 9:00 a.m., will begin on August 22.
Church members may read the complete, approved minutes for this meeting in the church office after the office has reopened.
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What My Grandmothers Taught Me
Did the stories you heard as a child from the women in your family help shape your life? This year, our PW Bible study shares the stories from the women in Jesus’ family tree that helped shape him. We invite you to join us as we hear the stories of Tamar, Rahab, Ruth, Bathsheba, and Mary, and how God used them to fulfill the Good News about Jesus Christ.
You are cordially invited to join us at our Fall Gathering as we kick off the 2021-2022 PW Bible Study on Sunday, September 12 at 2:30 in Conway Hall. It is our great honor to have Rev. Kathy Reed join us to teach lesson one, and to share some of her Sabbatical experiences in Scotland.
If you are not already a part of PW, you are most welcome to join us. You will find PW monthly Circle meetings a welcoming place of friendship & fellowship, and a place to nurture your faith through prayer and study. Please feel free to call Marianne Cone 404.375.3940 for more information.
We will observe our church covid protocols, including masks. We look forward to seeing you soon!
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Alabama ARISE Annual Meeting
Our church is a group member in the Alabama Arise organization. Every fall Arise holds an Annual Meeting for their members to choose the legislative issues they want the organization to work on in the spring legislative session. Because of COVID the meeting will be on ZOOM on September 25, from 9:30-12:00. Each group member can have six voting persons. If you would like to volunteer to attend the meeting on behalf of First Presbyterian please let Marilyn Garrett know. Her phone is 334-246-3115 or email marphilgarrett@gmail.com. The organization has an extensive web page if you would like to know more about them. |
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Adult Christian Education Opportunities
Masks are once again required to be worn by anyone inside our church buildings.
NEW Adult Classes beginning Sunday, September 12 at 9:45 a.m.:
Modern Families
In her book, More Than Words: 10 Values for the Modern Family, author Erin Wathen explores what it means to practice family values such as compassion, sabbath, authenticity, and joy. While this class was initially requested by parents of our church's youth and children, it is open to individuals, couples, and families of all walks and phases of life. Participants are encouraged to purchase a copy of the book. If you are interested in attending, please contact Rev. Kathy Reed so that we can determine which space in the church will best accommodate this group.
Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living
This fall, the Burton Bible and Bible Basics classes will be combining to explore a new PC(USA) curriculum, "Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living." Based on practices followed by Jesus and that he taught us to do as faithful followers, this new curriculum examines where these practices are found in the Bible and how they have been used in Christian faith then and now. If you are interested in attending, please contact co-teachers Jim Bannon and/or Henry Brandhorst so that enough participant guides may be ordered.
CONTINUING Opportunities for Adult Education:
Old Testament Walkabout Class
9:30am, Baird Hall OR Zoom
The Old Testament Sunday school class has resumed meeting in person in Baird Hall. We also offer a live Zoom option. Our current study is what many refer to as Second Isaiah (Isaiah, chapters 40 thru 55). Class begins at 9:45. Please join us either in person in Baird Hall or contact Gayle Andress, if you wish to receive a Zoom invitation.
Bible Journaling Small Group
Tuesdays, 2pm, Library OR Zoom
You do not have to be an artist to find a great deal of meaning in the practice of Bible journaling. Join us in the church library (or, if you are more comfortable, via Zoom) every Monday as we reflect upon the previous Sunday's sermon and Scripture text and explore various kinds of drawing, painting, and journaling techniques. For more information, please contact Susan Fillippeli. |
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Children and Youth News
We’re having a Kickoff Cookout!
Sunday, September 12, children, youth, and their families are invited to join together in the church parking lot for a time to celebrate the beginning of the new program year. There will be more details to come but mark your calendars, you don’t want to miss this awesome opportunity to reconnect as a church family!
Parents of Children and Youth - please see the update in Adult Christian Education Opportunities about the new “Modern Families” class that will begin September 12. If you have any questions, please contact Kathy Reed at kreed@fpcauburn.org.
Children Pre-K through 5th grade
• Worship Readiness will begin September 12. This year, Worship Readiness will be offered for 2nd and 3rd graders. Each Sunday for six weeks children will learn about all of the different pieces of worship and why we worship the way we do. At the conclusion of Worship Readiness, our 2nd and 3rd graders will be prepared to stay in worship for the entire service.
• The nursery is now available from 10 until noon on Sunday mornings for children birth to age 3.
• Children’s church is back! After the Word to Grow By (at 11 a.m. worship), children ages 4 to rising 3rd grade will go together to the preschool room 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 10:15 – 10:45 in Conway Hall.
• Masks are required indoors for children 3 & over and youth, as well as all adults working with them.
Jr. and Sr. High Youth
• Youth Sunday school will meet this Sunday from 10:15 – 10:45 in the Senior High room.
• Jr. and Sr. High Youth will meet at the church this Sunday from 5 – 6 pm for a good ol’ fashioned bus washing! We will give the bus a thorough cleaning inside and out. Don’t miss it!
• Mark your calendars! Jr. and Sr. High Youth and their families are invited to tailgate in the church parking lot on Sept. 10, at 5:30 for the AHS Football Game (vs. Dothan H.S.). We will have food and fellowship before the Auburn High School football game. Hope to see you there!
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Sunday, August 29
✵ 9:00 & 11:00 a.m.: In-Person, Indoor Worship - If you attend one of the indoor services in coming weeks you will notice many differences from our "normal" sanctuary worship. At this time, based on recommendations from our COVID Task Force and Session, we will have a very simple service without congregational singing, passing of the peace, and several other elements you might be looking forward to sharing with your church family. However, as local conditions and guidelines continue to improve it is our greatest hope that we will begin adding back in all these elements of worship we know and love. Thank you so much for your patience and grace as we try to maintain the greatest level of safety for our congregation, musicians, worship leaders, and our greater community.
At the sign-up link below (and the email containing the sign-up sent on Thursday), you will find detailed information on our current protocols for worship attendance.
✵ 11:00 a.m.: Virtual Worship - We are pleased to announce that we are live-streaming our worship service at 11 a.m. What this means is that those worshiping from home will be able to watch the service live as it is happening in the sanctuary. To view the service you can go directly to our church’s YouTube Channel via your computer, smartphone, or Smart TV app (https://tinyurl.com/t7dl8vh) or you can access the worship service through our website or Facebook page.
If you are unable to watch live at 11 a.m., a recorded version of the service will be available at these same links later in the day.
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Sign Up!
Fall Lay Reader (for In-Person Worship at 11 a.m.)
Members of all ages are welcome and encouraged to help lead worship and you can sign up HERE for a particular date.
Host Punch-on-the-Lawn
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As the fall semester approaches, UKirk Auburn is excited to welcome returning and new students to our ministry! The best way to reach new students is through word-of-mouth and a recommendation from someone they trust.
The UKirk Campus Ministries of our presbytery (Auburn, University of Alabama, Birmingham, and Jacksonville State) would love to be introduced to any and all college students who may be interested in a Presbyterian campus ministry. You can refer students through this form, and don’t forget to tell your college students to look for “UKirk” when they arrive on campus.
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Update to Our Covid Re-opening Plan
Updated July 26
At a called session meeting on Monday, July 26, the session voted to require masks for all participants for worship and indoor gatherings. They also voted to reinstate six feet of social distancing between family units in the sanctuary. These changes came as a recommendation from the COVID Taskforce in light of the high positive infection rate for Lee County, advice from EAMC health officials, and a growing concern over the Delta variant.
These changes were not made lightly but are being put into effect based upon the high infection rate for our county, advice from EAMC health officials, and a growing concern over the spread of the Delta variant. With these practices in place, we hope the church campus can continue to serve our congregation safely.
What is changing?
- Masks are required for all people attending indoor gatherings, including worship.
- Each pew can accommodate one family unit (approximately four- five people) in order to ensure six feet of distance between units.
What stays the same?
- Worship continues in-person, online, and over the radio. If you wish to worship in-person, a sign-up is required. The sign up email is sent out on Thursday and is open until 10:59am Sunday morning. If you are having trouble with the electronic sign up, please contact Katie Cooper (770-630-4634), Denise Salo (313-215-3091), or Kirstin Yost (910-309-1671 or kmyost97@gmail.com), and they would be more than happy to make sure you are signed up for worship properly.
- Groups wishing to meet in the building must sign up with their designated staff person and keep a list of attendees. Groups are also able to meet in a hybrid style (in-person and via Zoom) or entirely over Zoom. If you have questions about how your group can meet, please contact your ministry’s staff person.
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Procedures for In-Person Meetings in Church Facilities
As you read the information below, please note that the church building is NOT yet open for general use. PLEASE do not enter the building without first contacting a staff member (preferably as outlined below, via email at least 48 hours in advance) so that we can continue to provide the greatest level of safety and sanitation.
If I am a part of a small group (circle, committee, bible study, etc.) that would like to meet on site, what steps should I take?
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PRIOR TO YOUR GATHERING - Contact your group’s designated staff member (please see below for a full list of staff resource persons for each ministry area). Work with your staff person to schedule a time and space for your group to meet. They will explain to you which entrance, exit, and restrooms your group should utilize for the time you are schedule to meet at the church.
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DURING YOUR GATHERING - Masks are now optional (unless children are present), although please be respectful of the level of comfort within your group. Proper social distancing should be observed and no food or drinks may be provided.
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AT THE END OF YOUR GATHERING - Coordinate with your designated staff person to ensure that a list of all attendees is submitted to the church (for contact tracing purposes), the space is properly cleaned and the church doors are locked upon exiting.
Who is my designated staff person and how do I contact them?
Please send an email at least 48 hours before your group would like to gather so staff members have plenty of time to communicate and avoid overlapping groups.
Please contact the following staff members with any questions or concerns in the
following areas:
Ministry Area | Staff Contact
Adult Education and Presbyterian Women | Kathy Reed
We thank you in advance for your patience and grace as we do our best to transition into this next (exciting!) phase of our reopening. Please know that in the weeks ahead we may find need to institute a more formal scheduling system in order to facilitate groups that desire to meet in the building. We will use the weekly email newsletter as a place to share these updates.
With much gratitude, The FPC Staff
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Birthdays
Aug. 29 - Amy Wells
Aug. 30 - Marty Anderson, Hatcher Herring
Aug. 31 - Thomas Pope, Callum Prater
Sep. 2 - Mary Elliott Martin, Elizabeth White
Sep. 3 - Susan Fillippeli
Anniversaries
Aug. 31 - Mark and Janie Fisher
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Prayer Concerns & Celebrations
For the time period in which our church family is worshiping virtually, our pastors have decided that prayer concerns will be shared via weekly email. These individuals will most certainly be prayed for during our Sunday worship service, but their names and specific concerns will not be shared via broadcast.
Concerns:
• Prayers of comfort for Janie Fisher as she grieves the death of her uncle Sid Hays.
• Prayers for Kathi Kishkorn who has moved to Phenix City Rehab following a cardiac procedure.
• Prayers for Dave Lindahl, who is navigating a severe back injury and will be receiving treatments in the weeks ahead
• Prayers for Liz Lindahl, who has moved to Azalea Place. Her new contact information is: 334-209-1942; 1601 Professional Parkway, Apt. 105, Auburn, AL 36830.
• Merilyn Hozer who has moved to Auburn Assisted Living. Merilyn does not have a phone number at her new residence yet but you may send her a card at: 350 Samford Village Ct. #223, Auburn, AL 36830.
• Prayers for the Spencer family for healing and strength.
• Prayers for Gerri Talley who is recovering from back surgery. Also prayers for her son-in-law, Gary Sagunsky, and his family as he begins chemotherapy as well as dialysis for multiple myeloma.
• Prayers of healing and rest for Kevin Wells as he recovers from successful cardiac surgery.
• Prayers for Belinda Wright, friend of Karen Herring & Leslie Carter, who is undergoing cancer treatment.
• Prayers for Rodney Greer’s mother, Dixie, as she recovers from surgery.
• Prayers for Bob Webeler's sister, Sue, who was receiving rehab in Phenix City but is now at EAMC following some setbacks in her health.
• Prayers of healing for Tom Webb’s sister as she recovers from successful surgery. Prayers for Tom as he cares for his sister in Oregon.
• The Cochran family’s friend Sarah Andres, scheduled for a kidney transplant in Philadelphia, PA.
• Prayers for Melanie Jackson, Jessica Barnes’ childhood friend, who was diagnosed with cancer.
• Prayers of healing for Amy Well’s friend Suzi Bonifay undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
• Prayers of healing for Amanda Smith’s co-worker and friend, Susan Scales, as she undergoes cancer treatment.
• All who are dealing with significant health and wellness issues but do not wish to be mentioned by name at the moment.
• All who are suffering from COVID-19, particularly the Delta variant.
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