First Edition
FPC April 2021
|
First Presbyterian Church
Post Office Box 1069
New Bern, NC 28563
Phone (252)637-3270
New Hours Beginning April 19th
Office Hours: Monday – Thursday: 9am – 5pm
Friday: 9am-1pm
Worship Service 10:00am Sunday (in person) & Virtually
|
First Presbyterian Church is a welcoming community of faith where Jesus Christ transforms lives: through worship, as we praise and glorify God; through outreach, as we embody God's love in service to the world; through education, as we listen for God's Word; through giving, as we express gratitude to God; through caring, as we invite all to join in God's work; through fellowship as we share our lives and faith together. |
|
Building Community * Transforming Lives * Engaging the World |
|
Trusting that God's grace embraces and makes covenant with all believers,
First Presbyterian Church intends to be an inclusive place of spiritual growth for all people. All persons are welcomed into this fellowship and membership regardless of age, sexual orientation, gender, ethnic or racial identity, economic or educational status, or political affiliation.
|
|
As we head into Eastertide, that season in the church’s calendar between Easter and Pentecost, the words that come to my mind are “hope” and “new life.” These are words for me that point to Resurrection. Death has been defeated and will not have the last word in our lives or in the world, and therefore there is always hope! Our old life is behind us and a new life is made possible in Jesus Christ - and there is such freedom in that because the old things do not hold us back! Because the love of God in Jesus Christ encompasses the whole world, we can expect to see the fingerprints of the resurrection everywhere. Where do you see resurrection in your life and in the world? Take notice of those stirrings of life and of love and of hope. One thing that stands out to me as I look at what is happening in the church is calling a new pastor - what a joy that is! We are stepping forward into this new partnership in ministry and I look with hope to what is to come!
Grace and Peace,
Maren
|
|
The Music Department has been busy rehearsing and recording music for our special Lenten and Easter services. We try to stay a couple of Sundays ahead in the recordings, which leads to confusion at times. “Have we recorded this piece?” and “What are we singing Sunday?” are questions I often hear. As many gatherings are becoming more acceptable, singing is still a major problem. Since we do not know if the vaccine prevents a person from spreading COVID, we are still restricting singing in worship. I dream of the day when we can sing with gusto in the Sanctuary! At least we can have services. Last Easter we were only online. So, there is much to be thankful for.
Many thanks again to our singers for their ongoing participation in worship. In the last newsletter I listed those who have assisted, and inadvertently left out Beth Foley. She’s a good sport, though, and understood what happened.
On Palm Sunday and Easter, with services held outside, we will have the opportunity for more choir members and the congregation to sing. So, don’t hold back!
Happy Easter!
Yours in Christ,
Pat Kerr Rowlett
Director of Music
|
|
PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE (PNC) |
|
Congregation Calls Pastor – Head of Staff
By Steve Mabie
On Sunday, March 28, 2021 the Congregation voted to call The Rev. Dr. Anna Pinckney Straight as Pastor – Head of Staff. The called meeting was held via ZOOM with nearly 100+ members in attendance. Associate Pastor Dr. Maren Sonstegard-Spray moderated the meeting. The presentation of the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC) and motion to call Dr. Straight was the only business considered.
“The PNC was unanimous, enthusiastic, and without reservation in its discernment that Dr. Straight should be our next Pastor and Head of Staff. Thankfully, she reached the same conclusion, accepted our offer, and agreed to terms of call with Church Treasurer Jim Briley. She recently appeared before New Hope Presbytery and was approved for this call,” said Dr. Wendy Moeller, Chair of the Pastor Nominating Committee.
Cille Griffith, PNC member remarked, “We considered many qualified applicants. Our committee reviewed 43 Personal Information Forms (PIFs), both those matched through Church Leadership Connection software and those self-referred. Candidates were interested in our church: we received PIFs from pastors not only from our own Presbytery but also from the West Coast to New England; from New York and the mid-Atlantic to Texas and Florida; and, of course, from West Virginia. Pastoral candidates ranged in age from their early 30s to over 70 years old. Nineteen had doctorates. Eight were women. We are thrilled with this match, and we know our congregation and staff will be as well!”
Steve Mabie, PNC Clerk and a member of last year’s Pastor Transition Team, added, “In fulfilling its task, the PNC carefully considered the Pastor Transition Team’s Mission Study and the results of the Congregation Assessment Tool (CAT) survey completed by church members during the pastor transition process. We paid special attention to the priorities that came out of the previous study. We intentionally sought a person who could help our church and our ministries grow stronger.”
The Rev. Dr. Anna Pinckney Straight comes to us from Old Stone Presbyterian Church in Lewisburg, West Virginia. She has served this historic church (1783), for five years, as Pastor and Head of Staff. Prior to her call to Old Stone, “Anna” served as Associate Pastor for ten years at University Presbyterian Church in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.
Anna grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. As a youth, she attended and was confirmed at Charleston’s Second Presbyterian Church (1809). She attended Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Georgia, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. In 1993, she enrolled at Union Theological Seminary in New York City, from which she was awarded a Master of Divinity degree in 1996. In 2007, Rev. Straight received a Doctor of Ministry degree from Wesley Theological Seminary in Washington, D.C. Her doctoral concentration was in preaching. During her 24 years in pastoral ministry, Dr. Straight has served churches in West Virginia, North Carolina, and Pennsylvania.
“Anna” is equally excited about the call to New Bern. “Now we stand on the brink of something new. Something good,” remarked Dr. Straight. “Something that both celebrates the faithful history of your congregation and takes steps forward into a future only God fully knows and sees. I could not be more excited, humbled, and honored to accept the call to be your pastor and am looking forward to getting to know you so we can learn, together, what God has in store.”
Dr. Straight and her family, husband Ben and daughter Sarah Allan, will be relocating to New Bern in the coming weeks. After a long-planned Montreat vacation at the end of June, her first Sunday in the pulpit will be July 4, 2021. Mark your calendars!
The PNC members ask for your continued prayers as together we seek to follow God’s leadership in supporting our new pastor. Please join us in welcoming Anna, Ben, and Sarah Allan into our church family!
|
|
We ended the 20/21 school year Backpack Blessing snack build with a bang! Friday, March 26th, we packed 3,300+ snack packs for kids weekend food supplements. This covers school children in three counties through Middle School age. This school year it should come as no surprise that our list of kids keeps growing.
This last build was an 'all ages, all stages' pack with many of our youth participating, about 25-30 First Presbyterian folks in all. Ruth Powers, who spearheads the ecumenical ministry, made the point that churches totally funded our efforts this year. I am pleased to report that, once again, our Presbytery Hunger Grant committee made Backpack Blessings one of its targeted ministries this year. A summer food program is in the works. As more information is available, our congregation will be informed.
You can find our morning group of First Presbyterian volunteers assembled. Many folks are 'old hands' at this, having served in this capacity many, many times in the past. We were delighted to welcome some new faces too. A whole different crew of First Presbyterian volunteers arrived for the evening build....but I don't have a photo of them. I would personally like to to say to each and every one of you, your persistence in serving this year has been such an inspiration to many.
Thank you, thank you!
Stacey Griffith
|
|
🌷🌷 Presbyterian Women Spring Gathering 🌷🌷
Please Join Us for the Virtual
New Hope PW Spring Gathering!
🌷 When: April 17, 2021
🌷 Time: 10:00- 1200
🌷 Where: Via Zoom
|
|
The Present Word
George Evans is leading "The Present Word class: Call in the New Testament". The class meets online Sunday morning at 11:15 am using Zoom. Please contact George Evans (gkevans4@gmail.com) to receive a meeting room ID and password. Book is available in the church office.
|
|
Women's Monday Night Bible Study
Leaders: Wendy Moeller & Marice DeBruhl
Began: March 29th New Book!
Meets: Monday 7 pm
Location: on Zoom
Text: Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner's Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven
The Sermon on the Mount, Matthew 5-7, contains some of Jesus' most profound and most memorable teachings. What might these teachings have meant to his disciples, and to the others who first heard them? How do they enhance our reading of the rest of the Gospel of Matthew, and how do they speak across the centuries to listeners today? How, if we pay careful attention to his words, does Jesus provide us a road map to living as God would have us live?
In Sermon on the Mount: A Beginner's Guide to the Kingdom of Heaven, Dr. Amy-Jill Levine introduces the major topics in the Sermon on the Mount, explains historical and theological contexts, and shows how the words of Jesus echo his Jewish tradition and speak forward to reach hearts and minds today.
Schedule for the Sermon on the Mount can be found on the website under the Education page.
We meet 7:00-8:30 each Monday evening. For information contact Marice Debruhl or Wendy Moeller. Schedules will be available in the church office.
|
|
Come join us for our journey through the Bible. This year we will continue to focus on the New Testament using the “Kerygma Program.” We have been using this study since September and are really enjoying the study. So we are inviting new members as we continue our journey. Our course times are each Wednesday– starting at 7 pm and lasting about 90 minutes.
Discovering the Bible is a comprehensive introduction to the Bible as a whole and we just finished the Old Testament. The course continues in the New Testament and would be a good opportunity to receive new members and fellow pilgrims in the journey. This course seeks to underscore the interest in seeing the interconnectedness of the many parts of the Bible; more than learning just the content about each book of the Bible. We will use Zoom as our format and Zoom links will be sent each week. There is nothing to bring except for your Bible, your workbook, your sense of humor, a computer, and yourself. The workbook is $35. Scholarships are available upon request.
Please call the office at 252-637-3270 or email cathy@firstpresnb.org if you would like to join the group and to get your workbook.
|
|
Thursday Morning Women's Bible Study
Every Thursday
Location: on Zoom
Text: "Holy Envy: Finding God in the Faith of Others" by Barbara Brown Taylor.
We will start the book on Thursday, April 15 and read it over 6 weeks, ending on May 20. We meet over zoom from 10-11am every Thursday. Friends, family, neighbors welcome!
A word about the book: Barbara Brown Taylor is a very engaging writer and this is written as a spiritual memoir, as her sharing an experience of how teaching world religions as a Christian helped her gain understanding of her own faith. You may not agree with everything she writes, but I don't think she is asking us to. There is value for us in listening to a story outside our own experience and in the end she discovers a new way to look at what we, as Christians, consider the greatest teaching of our faith: love of God and our neighbor.
You can purchase the paperback book or kindle version on Amazon - link below
Please contact: Rev. Dr. Maren Sonstegard-Spray (Maren@firstpresnb.org) to join and get on the mailing list for reading assignments and zoom meeting ID and password.
|
|
PILGRIMAGE OUTFITTERS
Equipping pilgrims for the spiritual journey
April 2021
Contemplative Worship: another opportunity for in-person worship: As more and more of us get our COVID vaccine, we can gather in-person in small groups. Contemplative worship on Wednesday at 5:00 pm is one of the places opening-up to in-person worship.
For those who have received their COVID vaccine can join us on Wednesdays in- person in the Koinonia Classroom or by zoom. The zoom meeting ID and PASSCODE will be sent upon request.
As we move from Lent into the Easter season, this 30-minute, midweek service is an opportunity to explore the disciples experience, the risen Christ and its implication for our own lives. Quiet time for prayer and reflection on the Biblical reading chosen for preaching the following Sunday renews and refreshes our consciousness of a divine presence walking with us. We would welcome your joining any Wednesday.
Lloyd Griffith
Trail Guide
|
|
Easter is right around the corner and we couldn’t be more excited to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus! This year our Youth Group is hosting the “First Presbyterian Easter Egg-stravaganza!”, similar to the egg hunts we’ve had in the past, with an added twist!
Join us by the Memorial Garden at 10:30 on Sunday for this one-of-a-kind Easter egg hunt that helps kids understand the gospel of Jesus.
If you are unable to join us in person, we would LOVE to help you make this experience happen from the comfort of your own home. If you provide the plastic Easter eggs and candy, we’ll give you the video and print materials to transform your hunt into a fun-filled, Gospel-centered experience. It’s so easy to do!
If you would like to join us in-person for our egg hunt, please RSVP by Friday, April 2 by emailing Marianna.
If you would like to participate in the at-home experience, click this link to download the print materials, then follow the easy step-by-step instructions in the directions document. You can preview the “Easter Egg-stravaganza” video here. Be sure to bookmark or save the link for later so you can play it when it’s time for the Easter egg hunt. We’ve also attached additional coloring sheets for you and your child to enjoy at home if you would like.
**We will have a few kits at the church office Thursday-Sunday with already printed materials and eggs for those of you that want to participate at home but need help obtaining the supplies.**
We hope and pray that this fun little experience helps lead you and your kids towards their ever-loving, ever-living Savior. Happy Easter!
In Him,
First Pres Youth
**Covid restrictions will still be followed during the in-person egg hunt - masks required for all adults and school aged kids!
|
|
Youth Family Contact
If you are not receiving Youth email updates and would like to, please contact Marianna Dunn at marianna@firstpres.org so we can get you added to our list!
|
|
Reception Desk Volunteer Opportunity
Would you like to help out at the Church Office’s Reception Desk?
Do you have 4 hours that you could give to the church to help man the reception desk? Our plan is to return to normal office hours by mid-April, but we need your help. Many of the previous faithful volunteers have moved or are not available to volunteer any more.
We are looking for those who can let their smiles show through in their voices on the phones or in their eyes when greeting visitors (we are still masking). Being at the reception desk is one of the most important jobs at the church. The receptionist is who makes or breaks the first impression of First Presbyterian Church for callers or visitors.
The job entails answering the phones, and directing the calls to the right person; answering questions; opening the doors for visitors (pushing buttons); helping out with odd jobs (like stuffing envelopes or doing some copying or making phone calls) as needed. Don’t worry if you are not familiar with the ins and outs of the office equipment. We are more than happy to teach you.
Hours of shifts are 9am-1pm or 1pm-5pm Monday through Thursday, and 9am-1pm on Fridays. You can take as many shifts as you desire; or decide on a certain shift for a certain day of the month (like every 3rd Tuesday for the morning shift). Whatever works for you, works for us.
If you are interested or have questions, please contact Priscilla Miller, Office Administrator. She can be reached at 252-637-3270, ext. 101, or at priscilla@firstpresnb.org. THANK YOU.
|
|
Facilities Update
In an effort to keep our beautiful buildings in good condition, preventive maintenance and repairs are an ongoing process. The following is an update report on our recent facility repairs by our master carpenter Bill Lessard.
The Church steeple is a continuing effort, the lift now is set up in the front area to complete the exterior siding and louvered vent replacement. The remaining shutters are restored, painted and ready for installation. The top of the front two columns have been cleaned of damaged wood debris; a waterproof material has been added to a sloped fashion to shed water. They're primed and painted to last the test of time; the two east side ones will be treated to the same fashion.
The Session House nearly completed effort is coming along very well. The exterior sanding, replaced clapboard siding, gable end returns repaired, added flashing to numerous areas, 28 shutters restored and ready for painting, and the exterior painting is nearly completed.
The front porch entry had active termite damage, Terminix was called to preview the damage. After Easter, the porch outer girder and decking damaged by termites will be replaced. The side porch had the same process done about 2 years ago, ground contact lumber and treated decking was installed at that time.
|
|
Job Opening
First Presbyterian Church, New Bern, NC is seeking a full time Office Administrator. This person must have a caring attitude and excellent “people skills” in addition to strong clerical, administrative and communication abilities. Interested applicants can send their resumes to: FPC, P.O. Box 1069, New Bern, NC 28563-1069 or by Email to church@firstpresnb.org.
If you know of anyone who might be a good fit, please send them our way!
|
|
Contribution Notes and Tips
One Great Hour of Sharing contributions can be made online!
First Presbyterian Church offers many options for contributing to the funds that you prefer. You can always contribute in-person at the church or by mail, but there are also options to contribute online, by text, or by bill-payments through your own bank. For those that prefer to donate through the church’s website, we also wanted you to know that we change the online giving options throughout the season. If you need help with any of these options or ever have any questions about giving, please feel free to reach out to the church’s Financial Administrator, Amber Zapffel. She can be reached by email at amber@firstpresnb.org, or directly at 252-637-3270 ext. 105.
A few reminders if you mail your contributions:
-
Make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church
- Do not mail cash or coins
- Do not write or sign your checks with a pencil or erasable pen
- Remember to sign and date your checks
- Mail checks to the church’s mailing address:
First Presbyterian Church
PO Box 1069
New Bern, NC 28563
|
|
Church Office Hours
The Church Office Staff is very happy to announce that beginning with the week of April 19, 2021, the Church Office will resume its regular hours.
Monday – Thursday: 9am – 5pm
Friday: 9am-1pm
Note: We will still be respecting COVID mandates of wearing masks, washing hands, and distancing. Thanks for understanding.
|
|
Blood Drive April 8, 2021 at First Presbyterian Church in the Session House
Hurry in to help meet the critical need for blood this spring. Just one donation may help save more than one life! You might make the difference that allows a patient to get back to gardening or go on a sunny walk outside with a loved one as days warm up across the country.
Plus, the American Red Cross is currently testing every blood donation for COVID-19 antibodies. Antibody test results may indicate a donor’s potential past exposure to this coronavirus or the presence of antibodies possibly developed after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. Your results will be available in the Blood Donor App or in your donor profile on RedCrossBlood.org one to two weeks after your donation. Please note the Red Cross is not testing donors to diagnose current or suspected illness. Only those feeling healthy and well should present to donate, and appointments are strongly encouraged.
If you’re healthy and able to give a wonderful gift to your community, please sign up today! Patients will be so grateful.
First Presbyterian Church New Bern
418 New Street
Thursday, April 8, 2021
9:00 AM to 1:30 PM
|
|
Grief Support Group
We will meet on Tuesday, April 20 at 12:30pm and we will meet in the Ministry Center in the large choir room upstairs. Bring your own lunch. We, of course, will require masks and will practice social distancing. If you have any concerns or questions contact me, Lloyd Griffith at the church 252-637-3720 or send me an email. lloyd@firstpresnb.org
|
|
Retirement Centers:
McCarthy Court
(252)637-7133
1321 McCarthy Blvd.
New Bern, NC 28563
Don Bailey, Apt. 208
Morag Cheesman, Apt. 209
Flo Jones, Apt. 303
Betty Elcan Apt. 314
McCarthy Court II
1325 McCarthy Blvd.
New Bern, NC 28563
Jean Hoffman, Apt. 39
Edna Harkins Apt. 34
Dean & Mary Ann Carzoo Apt. 11
Assisted Living Facilities:
Courtyards at Berne Village
(252)633-1779
2701 Amhurst Blvd.
New Bern, NC 28562
Mary Olstad, Villa #9
Brookdale
(252)558-1291
1336 S. Glenburnie Rd
New Bern, NC 28653
Kenny Baxter, Apt. 206
Joyce Krumnacher, Apt. 302
Riverpoint Crest
(252)637-4730
2600 Old Cherry Point Rd.
New Bern, NC 28560
Barbara Bell, Apt. 108
Croatan Village
(252)634-9066
4522 Old Cherry Point Rd.
New Bern, NC 28560
Lane Mitterling Rm 311
|
|
Thanks to all those who sent cards, flowers, texts & phone calls while I quarantined after getting my steroid shots. Funny thing, it wasn't that hard to quarantine, after all, we've all been doing it for a year! I truly appreciate the concern shown to me.
Martha Ryder
|
New Address:
Betty Elcan
1321 McCarthy Blvd. #314
New Bern, NC 28562
|
New Address:
Libby and Dick Fontaine
c/o Priscilla Avenue
Parma, OH 44134
|
New Address:
Rev. and Mrs. Dean Carzoo (Mary Ann)
1325 McCarthy Blvd. Apt 11
New Bern, NC 28562
|
Change of Address:
Marc and Gail Jessup
5301 Trent Woods Drive
New Bern, NC 28562
|
1 - Denton Dodd (90th)
4 - Maren Sonstegard-Spray
17 - Libby Fontaine (90th)
22 - Betty Elcan (90th)
30 - Priscilla Miller
|
|
April Meal
We will be doing a Pick-Up dinner on April 11 between 5:30pm and 6:30pm. Pick-up will be at the rear of the J. Murphy Smith Fellowship Center.
Our menu will include:
Easter Ham
Scalloped Potatoes
Fresh Vegetables
Cold Salad
Homemade Dessert
Sign up through the church office is appreciated.
Just call the church office (252-637-3270)
Deadline for signup is Thursday, April 8 at 5:00pm.
|
|
CHURCH LEADERSHIP & STAFF |
|
Pastoral & Program Staff
The Rev. Dr. Maren Sonstegard-
Spray, Designated Associate
Pastor
The Rev. Lloyd Griffith, Parish
Associate
Marianna Dunn, High School
Youth Coordinator
|
|
Music Program Staff
Pat K. Rowlett, Director of
Music
Vance Harper Jones, Organist
Susan Mabie, Director
Resurrection Singers
Cindy Sutton, Assistant
Organist & Pianist
Dru Wilkins, Music Assistant
|
|
Office & Support Staff
Tommy Hall, Facilities
Supervisor
Priscilla Miller, Office
Administrator
Cathy Wingfield,
Communications Facilitator
Amber Zapffel, Financial
Administrator
Kerri Wheeler, Children's
Worship & Director of
Preschool
Louis Foye, Sexton
James Briley, Jr., Treasurer
|
|
Session
Moderator Rev. Dr. Maren Sonstegard-Spray
Karen Reed, Clerk
Chair of the Commission is underlined
|
|
ADMINISTRATION
Marc Finlayson ’22
Phoebe Briley ’23
Jim Findley ’21
Julia Speight ‘22
EDUCATION
Gayle Hardy ’21
Addie Cheek ’23
Madison Crum ’22
Beth Paul ‘23
OUTREACH
Bruce Pollock ’21
Peggy Clark ’21
Mark Moeller ’23
|
|
CARE
Patti Fleming ‘22
Margaret Cooper ‘22
Margaret Pritchett ‘23
FELLOWSHIP
Kevin Avolis ‘22
Beth Foley ‘21
Middleton
Hinckley ‘23
WORSHIP
Janelle Haggard ‘21
George Moore ‘21
Mike Newman ‘23
Hal Vandersea ‘22
|
|
- Bulletin & News deadline Wednesdays 5 pm
- Newsletter Article deadline 3rd Friday
- April 4 Easter Worship 8:30 inside & 11:00 outside (weather permitting)
- April 4 Youth Egg-stravaganza 10:30
- April 4 One Great Hour of Sharing Offering collection
- April 8 Blood Drive in Session House
- April 11 Fellowship Meal Drive-Up
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
