First Press
an online newsletter | June 2021 edition
We are pleased to welcome Creighton Holder as
FPC's Director of Music!
Creighton Holder currently serves as Director of Music (Organist/Choirmaster) at Highland Presbyterian Church in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, where he conducts multiple choirs and coordinates all concerts and musical events. Creighton is a graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi where he earned the Master of Music in Choral Conducting and the Bachelor of Music in Piano Performance. His primary instructors were Dr. Gregory Fuller and Dr. Ellen Price Elder. While at Southern Miss, Creighton was the collaborative pianist for multiple choral and musical ensembles, including the Concert Choir, Men’s and Women’s Choir, Chamber Singers, Hattiesburg Choral Union, and Hattiesburg Civic Light Opera. Through his work as a collaborative artist, he participated in multiple world premieres by award-winning composers including Mack Wilberg, James Quitman Mulholland, Richard Burchard, and Galina Grigorjeva. As an educator, he was an instructor through the Southern Miss Piano Institute and has presented interest sessions for the Mississippi American Choral Directors Association and the Mississippi Music Teachers Association. Creighton holds active memberships with the American Guild of Organists and the American Choral Directors Association. Creighton recently earned the Professional Certificate in Injury-Preventive Keyboard Technique from Salem College under Dr. Barbara Lister-Sink and continues to focus research and performance on women composers of sacred music.

Creighton's wife, Jessica, is an accountant and graduate of the University of Southern Mississippi. Their daughters Rosalie (4) and Lucille (1) love playing with new friends, swimming, and reading new books with their Mom and Dad!
Session Summary
 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
OXFORD, MISSISSIPPI

The Session of First Presbyterian Church held its stated monthly meeting on Monday, May 10th at 5:30 pm Eleven elders were present in the Fellowship Hall. Elders Allyson Ashmore, Pete Boone, Carmille Hovious and Ruth O’Dell were unable to attend. The minutes from the meeting are as follows:
                                                                                                                    
Communications: Clerk 
Captain Alexander, Bel Monteith and Henry Hyneman are nominated for the 2021 St. Andrew Presbytery Youth Council. 
 
Ministry Team Check-in:

  1. Finance – YTD date reports were shared electronically.  Elder Susan Abbott shared that it seems that giving rates are remaining on track.
  2. Property – Elder John Abernathy reported that Kevin McLeod has obtained a video from the city and has arranged for them to line the pipe that has been leaking into the basement.  Repair options and costs are being considered for the basement once the water issue is resolved. Improvements at the front steps railing are still scheduled. John Expressed gratitude for Bradley Goodwiller and Matthew Hall for operating the new AV system. There are significant exterior painting needs that will be to need to be addressed in the coming year. 
  3. Adult Faith Formation – Adult classes are back in session.
  4. Children & Youth Faith Formation – Elder Kathryn Elliott reported that the Baccalaureate celebration will be May 16th. A lunch is planned for families on the courtyard. Nursery and children’s church are still being offered. A meeting was held with Adult Faith Formation to plan activities for the summer and fall.
  5. Membership & Hospitality – Elder Kevin Christian reported that Reverend David Randolph’s reception went well. Summer lunches this summer. A welcome and celebration of the first year of Barrett’s service is being planned for June. Instructional information is offered in person on May 16th and 23rd to help members sign up for the Realm membership app. Beginning May 16th, coffee will be offered on the courtyard between the two services.  
  6. Mission – Elder Greg Patton reported that volunteers are being recruited for the Pantry for Tuesdays and Wednesdays in June. The ministry team will be contacting the agencies that FPC supports to see if volunteers are needed.
  7. Personnel – Elder Trey Byars reported that he and Goodloe Lewis conducted an exit interview with Reverend David Randolph. The search for Choir/Organist position is very close to completion. The Director of Children and Youth Faith Formation search still continues and is posted on the website.  The MIF for an Interim Associate Pastor is complete.
  8. Worship – no report. There was a discussion regarding the scholarship singers. Once the music director is hired, they will examine the situation. 
  9. Deacon’s report – Deacons and Elder usher training is forthcoming.  

Old Business:

  1. Strategic Planning for Ministry teams – Ministry teams are reminded to respond to some information gathering prior to meeting as a full session in a strategic planning retreat. Various Elders shared input from members. The session agreed to a dedicated meeting to address the topic and dissolved the Covid-19 task force.
  2. Services of Worship/Covid Task Force discussion – The Covid Task Force sent an updated set of recommendations that was previously accepted by emailElder Kevin Christian read a prepared statement for session consideration. Various Elders shared input from members. The session agreed to a dedicated meeting to address the topic and dissolved the Covid-19 task force.

General Announcements: Next stated session meeting will be June 7th at 5:30 pm. 
Financial Summary
As our church family continues ministering during this season of change, please continue to remember your faithful giving to our church. The ministry of FPC continues to make an impact within our congregation and throughout our community.
 
There are a variety of ways you can give:

 
If you need help with any specific ways to give, please contact Frances Saralvarez at fsaralvarezfpc@gmail.com.
Worship
Sunday, June 6, 2021
2nd Sunday of Pentecost
10:30 am worship with communion*

Sunday, June 13, 2021
3rd Sunday of Pentecost
10:30 am worship*

Sunday, June 20, 2021
4th Sunday after Pentecost
10:30 am worship*

Sunday, June 27, 2021
5th Sunday after Pentecost
10:30 am worship*

*online worship available
The Sacrament of Communion will be celebrated this Sunday, June 6 at the 10:30 am service. For those celebrating on-line, please remember to set up your worship space with the appropriate elements.
Join us for worship each Sunday at 10:25 am on Facebook Live. You do not have to have an account to join us. The video will go live on the church's public Facebook group. If you do not have a Facebook account, a message will pop up asking if you wish to join. Simply click, "not now" at the bottom of that message and it will go away. You may then enjoy the video as it plays live. 
Sanctuary flower dates are available June 6 and 13 and July 4, 11, 18, and 25. To provide flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one, contact Susan Joiner at sjoiner@oxford.ms or 662-808-3240. Contributions to the Flower Fund are greatly appreciated.  
Lectionary texts for June

June 6 - Genesis 3:8-15; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians 4:13-5:1; Mark 3:20-35
June 13 - Ezekiel 17:22-24; Psalm 92:1-4, 12-15, 2 Corinthians 5:6-10(11-13) 14-17; Mark 4:26-34
June 20 - 1 Samuel 17:57-18:5, 10-16; Psalm 133; Job 38:1-11; Psalm 107:1-3, 23-32; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41
June 27 - Lamentations 3:22-23; Psalm 30; 2 Corinthians 8:7-15; Mark 5:21-43
Remember in Prayer
 
FPC Members: Janet Barnes; Family of Shelby Smith; Teresa Flautt; Caroline McIntosh; Family of Walter Nance; Tommy Patrick; Family of Shirley Crawford; Helen Scruggs; Wil Howie; Martha Walcott; Family of Mary Sims; Lark Lindley Wells; Lydia Moak; Family of Pierce Buford; Max Williams; Family of Joe Burnett; Family of Marleah Hobbs; J. T. Davis; Becky & Joe Murphey; Lynton Dilley; Debbie McElreath
 
Family and Friends: Alex Sessions; Lynnette Porcelli; Betty Gurner; Family of Allen Leache; Deborah Cox; Donna Buckley; Family of William Gietzen; Family of Steve Milner; Daniel Kwak; Ellington Family; Family of Tom Mullen; Norma Myers; Family of Tommie Waters; Family of Florence Pulliam; Stephanie Polk; Taylor Polk; Family of Jane Chancey Dubberly; Family of Randy Lutz; Charles Moseley; John Hamauei and family; Rhona Justice-Malloy & Amanda Malloy; Joyce Sumners; Richard Bremer; Sarah LaPrade; Mary Tyler Browne; Patch Hailey; Family of Carolyn Stevenson; Sigrid Morrison Long; Pauline Dick; Bill Sessions; Roun McNeal; Jamie Henderson Turner; Lowry Davis; Brad Hovious; B. Jones; Pat Gillenwater; Linda Chavers; Mark Barnes; Joe Houston; Matt Branch; Erica Baggett; Mackenzie Stetz; Mike Smith; Parchman Prison inmates; Haven House residents; Our Haiti partners; Oxford & Lafayette County First Responders; Community leaders
 
U. S. Military: SSgt Jason Freeland, USAF 4th Air Support Operation
 
Please pray, too, for those with unspecified needs.
 
If you wish to have a name removed or added to this list, please contact the church office.
The FPC prayer chain is ready if you or someone you know is in need. This is a confidential list that is independent from the names listed above. Please contact Carlisle Wood at carlislewood@gmail.com or 662-832-8606. All requests are held in strict confidence.
Children
Please click on the button to sign up your child(ren) for this fun experience!
UKirk
As FPC begins to work its way back toward normal, UKirk Ole Miss is excited to be doing the same! We're still waiting on official word from the University about student organization guidelines for the Fall, but we're planning to welcome back Tuesday night meal providers this next semester! Our Fall schedule is available on our website here, and we hope you'll join us in supporting college students by feeding them on a Tuesday evening. We'll eat at 6pm each Tuesday, and homemade and restaurant meals are welcome. 
 
A new school year also means making new friends! We're busy representing UKirk at many of this summer's new student orientations, but a personal connection can go a long way in connecting a student with our community. If you know a student heading to Ole Miss in the Fall and would like to make sure we know them too, fill out this referral form. 
 
If you've got questions about either thing, find me (Allison Wehrung) at ukirk.olemiss@gmail.com
Etcetera...
The Membership and Hospitality committee would like to remind members to sign up for our new, online church directory! The Church is now using Realm, a web-based church management system, to support our staff and enable more interactive communications for our church community. One of the benefits of this software system is that it allows all of our members to create an online profile in the Realm Connect App. Once you’ve created a profile, you’ll be able to update your personal information, look up other church members, follow church announcements, manage giving, and create and join events. Another benefit is we are able to have printable directories as well! Once we have everyone signed up, we will be printing directories for those who want one. To get signed up, click on the links below or stop by the table outside in the courtyard after 11:00 am worship this Sunday. The Membership and Hospitality Team will be there with laptops and smart phones to take your photo, setup your account, and help with any other questions. If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to call the church office at 662.234.1757.
Mission
Half a century ago the Lafayette County Welfare Department, as it was then known, kept a box of donated groceries in a back corner for anyone who might need it. Eventually even that meager resource faded away. In 1982 five area churches recognized the need for a community pantry. Ann O'Dell coordinated FPC's early efforts in launching what would become the Oxford Pantry. An old wood frame house where the Fellowship Hall now stands was the Pantry's first home. Wil Howie salvaged shelves from a country store that was being torn down. In an attempt to maintain recipients' dignity, the Pantry was staged as a grocery store where screened clients could shop for their needs at no charge. Several years later FPC tore down the house to make way for the new Fellowship Hall. The Catholic Church offered a former block Boy Scout hut for the Pantry's new home. Though the hut had no heating or cooling, the modest structure was functional.

In 2001 Sunshine Mobile Homes donated a specially designed "store" that was placed on property adjacent to the Oxford Police Department. The Mid-South Food Bank, supported by the USDA, is a major source of supplies for the Pantry as are food and monetary donations generously provided by members of the Oxford community. The cost of providing food for one person for one week is approximately $11. The Pantry hosts about 14,000 visits annually.

In addition to providing food, other services are available. Ole Miss law students provide free legal assistance to those in need. Volunteer screeners have at times been able to find jobs for clients. There are former clients of the Pantry who are now gainfully employed who make monthly contributions to the Pantry in gratitude for the food they received in their time of need.

In the month of June the Pantry is once again being staffed by volunteers from FPC. Monte Ochs is coordinating this effort. Like to get involved? Contact the church office to learn when FPC will next be staffing the Pantry. Monetary donations may be made to Oxford Pantry, PO Box 588, Oxford, MS, 38655 or online at paypal.me/pantryoxfordms. Do you have a vegetable garden? If so, donate extra produce or, better yet, plant an additional row of veggies designated for the Pantry. Tis the season. Thank you!
Upcoming Birthdays and Anniversaries
June Birthdays

2 Irma Buchanan, Sloan Hollis, Emily Semmes, Gary Wright
3 David Flautt, Jane Henderson, Margie McLeod
4 Patsy Abbott, Hally Cascio, Elizabeth McLellan
5 Cecilia Jimenez, Bradley Mayo
6 Allyson Ashmore, Jacquelyn Gage
7 Jennifer Williams
9 Fay Grissinger, Ben Neff, Molly Tanner
11 Brum Abernathy, Lock Elliott, Thomas Franklin, Denson Hollis, Brian Hyneman, Sarah McLellan, Abigail Robbins
13 Bill Rogers, Will Rogers
14 Judy Edgar, Hunter Haney, Sallie Wilkerson
15 Katie Goodwiller
16 Teresa Flautt
17 Luke Harris, Lucy Manning, Cindy Snellgrove
18 Suzanne Black, Whitney Bolen
19 Lindsey Estes, Jimmy Williams
20 Mary Mize, Heath Stevens
21 Miller Callery, Jenna Lovelace, Rose Paris
22 Olivia Estes
24 Sam Haskell
25 Linda Abbott, Catherine Freeland, Keith Hayward, Talmadge Lewis
26 Edward Duke, Ruchell Phillips
28 Sharon Fenger, Mary Manley, Shelby McRae, Caroline Wigginton
29 Anna Grace Kennon, Anderson McIntosh

June Anniversaries

1 Caroline & Kerry Wigginton
2 Erin & Hayden Alexander
4 Maggie & John Abernathy
6 Betty & George Abdo, Allison & Nat Harris
8 Nila & Max Williams
9 Leigh & Kevin Christian
12 Sandy & Vaughn Grisham, Vicki & Michael Stevens
13 Barbara & J.T. Davis, Ferriday & Charly McClatchy, Abigail & Nathan Robbins
14 Rosie & Robert Cooper, Laura & Don Whitten
18 Nana & Francis Boateng
19 Blair Hobbs & John Edge, Julia & Scotty Jimenez
20 Katie & Bradley Goodwiller, Pat & Ernie Lowe
21 Mary Kate & Edward Duke
22 Kay & Ed Croom
23 Anastasia & Dunbar Jenkins
24 Carolyn & Randel Gibson, Catherine Servati & Taylor Webb
26 Stefanie & Greg Goodwiller
27 Becky & Joe Murphey
28 Hannah & Rush Mayo
29 Emily & Don Newcomb
The Session
 
 CLASS of 2021
Hayden Alexander, Pete Boone,
Julie Field, Carmille Hovious,
Ruth O'Dell
 
CLASS of 2022
Susan Abbott, John Abernathy,
Trey Byars, Kevin Christian,
Greg Patton
 
CLASS of 2023
Allyson Ashmore, Kathryn Elliott, Goodloe Lewis, Drew Mauldin,
Lee Miers
The Diaconate

CLASS of 2021
Thelma Curry, Karen Elliott,
Luke Harris, Brian Hyneman,
Niles Lovelady
 
CLASS of 2022
Gabrielle Chiniche, James Day,
Rob Howell, Cliff Smith,
Pattye Wilson
 
Class of 2023
Laura Jackson, Chloe Lloyd,
Allison McCord, Shae Orrell,
Adam Quick
Your Church Staff

The Ministers
Senior Pastor
Pastor, UKirk Ministry
Interim Choir Director
Office Administrator
Dir. of Communications
Property Manager