Weekly News & Updates

It's been quite a whirlwind of a week with the start of school for Guilford County on Monday. Perhaps by the end of next week - or maybe the week after - I hope that the rhythm and schedules of the Fall will settle in and my spirit can rest a bit...and pray that yours can too if you're in a similar boat as me.

I heard from many of you that last Sunday's joint worship service with Guilford Park Presbyterian Church at Bur-Mil Park was one you enjoyed. As we continue to do more of these joint worship services, I look forward to our respective church families growing in relationship with one another as we worship and connect with God and each other.

If you haven't been by the church lately - particularly since we weren't physically there on Sunday - I encourage you to stop by the playground. Dedicated over ten years ago as "Alicia's Place" by Fellowship Day School, the playground was named in honor of Alicia Riddle, a Day School teacher who died from lung cancer in 2012, having never smoked a day in her life. Last Friday, members of the local workout group Females in Action (FiA) and additional members of their families helped give "Alicia's Place" a much-needed freshening up, spreading more than 2 pallets of rubberized playground mulch, planting new perennials around the outside of the surrounding fence, and attending to the sandbox as well. As you can see from these pictures, it was a great group that worked hard - and maybe played hard a bit too - completing the desired tasks in less than 2 hours. As I said to them while sharing dinner in the Fellowship Hall afterwards, I cannot thank them enough for the hard work they put in and the results that came from that hard work. Perhaps you've heard me talk about this group of which I've been a part for more than seven of the ten years of its existence, but maybe through these pictures you'll see why I willingly get up at 5 every weekday morning to meet them to exercise together. The rededication of Alicia's Place: The Alicia Riddle Memorial Playground at Fellowship Presbyterian Church next Saturday at 1pm will make that much more of an amazing impact due to their hard work.

Exactly ONE WEEK from today, Martha Bassett will be stepping onto our outdoor stage (weather permitting; our Sanctuary, if inclement weather) to perform at the start of our 60th Anniversary weekend. Tickets continue to be on sale for both her concert and the post-worship brunch on Sunday. REMINDER: PLEASE BRING A LAWN CHAIR OR BLANKET TO SIT ON TO ENJOY THE CONCERT. You are also invited to bring dinner or some sort of snack to enjoy during the event.

Saturday will be a GREAT time with the congregation and members of the community at our Block Party from 11-2, including the rededication of Alicia's Place, mentioned above. It's set to be an amazing time - but we need help from as many of you as possible! There are many opportunities throughout the weekend to volunteer your time - please sign up to help in the ways you're able. The 60th Anniversary Task Force is aware that there are some with limitations in the amount of time they can stand or, perhaps, do some of the more physical tasks. If you believe you fit into this category but have a heart to help, please let me know - there ARE places for you to help! Please see the link below to sign up. Thank you in advance for any time you're able to give.

Sunday serves to be an equally exciting time: worship, starting at 10am, followed by the brunch! Both "jazzy" events are shaping up to be great. While worship does not need a reservation, the brunch does. And as I mentioned up top - and you may see in other places in this email as a "subtle" hint - the deadline to purchase tickets and make your reservation for the brunch is THIS TUESDAY, September 2.

I am not the only one in leadership who believes that financial strain should NEVER be a reason for anyone to not participate in a church-sanctioned event. If you would like to attend either event (or both) and are under financial strain, please see me to obtain a ticket to either of the events, whether Friday or Sunday.

Knowing this to be the case and confident that the weekend's costs could mount, an anonymous donor has offered to establish a ticket fund for both weekend events, MATCHING any donations made to this fund, up to $1,000. What an incredibly generous offer! Per the discussion with said-donor, the priority of any collected monies' use is:

1. Assisting ALL members of the Fellowship family to attend.
2. After all of those tickets have been distributed, any donated funds not used for this purpose will be used to pay for tickets for honored guests of the events.
3. If any funds remain after the sole purpose of tickets, they will be donated to Backpack Beginnings and Greensboro Urban Ministries.

If you are interested in contributing to this ticket fund to be MATCHED by donor funds or want to attend the weekend and desire a ticket to either of the events (or both!), please see Pastor Kathryn.

I continue to give thanks for the many ways we do ministry together. I hope to see you Sunday in worship, back in our Sanctuary, at 10am, whether in-person or online. Believe it or not, there are also things going on after September 7th at Fellowship Presbyterian Church, so please be sure to look over things below and mark your calendars!



With love,

Pastor Kathryn