A couple of years ago, as the chaos of yet another school year’s end came into view, I was introduced to the term “May-cember.” For those of you unfamiliar, the term was coined in 2016 (I was a bit late to the game) to describe the frenetic pace of the end of the school year, somewhat like the end of the calendar year in the lead-up to Christmas. And even if you’re not familiar with the term, I know you’re familiar with the sentiment. In our family alone, we have orchestra concerts and state meets, final exams, AP exams, and state testing, Courts of Honor, tryouts for next season’s sports, lining up summer jobs, birthdays to celebrate, and friends’ graduations to attend…and that’s just our children’s schedules!! Throw in Mother’s Day and weddings and just the normal “stuff” of life, and it’s easy to see why we all need a summer break! 

The reality is, far too few of us know what it is to take a moment to relax, to breathe, to reflect, even—I dare say—to pray. Too many of us are so caught up in “just getting by” that we fail to take the time to appreciate all that is right before us. We fail to take the time to appreciate the beauty of the familiar: the windchimes tinkling on a cooler-than-expected late spring day, the basketball thumping away on the driveway, the hug from the neighbor who shows up with banana muffins “just because,” the tiny purple blooms on the flowers growing in the lawn weeds you haven’t mown, the chattiness of a child when you could probably be getting something else done. 

As I write this, I am reminded of a beloved Kentucky author, Wendell Berry, whose “formula for a good life and a good community,” said Paul Kingsnorth, “is simple and pleasingly unoriginal. Slow down. Pay attention. Do good work. Love your neighbors. Love your place. Stay in your place. Settle for less, enjoy it more.” 

As we enter the coming days of summer, I want to challenge each of you to slow down a bit. Even if just for 15 minutes in the morning over a cup of steaming (or iced) coffee. Take a few minutes to be still, as the Psalmist implores. To pray. To reflect. To begin a daily devotional habit (I have some great books I would be happy to recommend). To appreciate all that is wonderful and beautiful and funny and charming and sitting right before your eyes. 

I leave you with the words of John O’Donohue, as you (hopefully) adopt a new—less chaotic—practice this summer.

On Waking

I give thanks for arriving

Safely in a new dawn, 

For the gift of eyes

To see the world,

The gift of mind

To feel at home

In my life.

The waves of possibility

Breaking on the shore of dawn,

The harvest of the past

That awaits my hunger, 

And all the furtherings

This new day will bring.

(John O’Donohue – To Bless the Space Between Us)

With hope,

Barrett

Worship: 10:00 am

Remember in Prayer 

FPC Members: The Family of Richard Atkinson; David Flautt; The Family of Chad Russell (Jeannice Russell’s son); Jane Henderson; The Family of Jim Gilbert; Larry Hadenfeld; The Family of Sarah Smith; The Family of Syd Shaw; Lee Borden; The Family of Max Williams; Vaughn Grisham; William Rogers; Carey Hanson; Katie Ochs; Lilly Biedenharn; Kay Tyler; Duke Goza; Keith Hayward; Tommy Smith; Becky Murphey; Ann Dickins; Scottye Boone; Leon McCullouch 

Family and Friends: Ed Parker; Brett Hoyer and Family; Our sister Presbyterian Church in Jagüey Grande, Cuba.; Clifford Cobb; The Family of Carolyn McClinton; Ray Balach; Ray Poole; The Family of Dan West (Emily Freeny); Fel Macias; Jhon Johnson; The Family of Ariadne Welch; Amy Kennedy; The Family of Craig Hayden; The Family of Pat Howard; The Family of Lynda Grimes Ferris; Marshall Roberson; Lynessa Erler; The Family of Helen Dupree Brandon; Richard Bremer; Helen Luckett; Minor Atkinson; Melissa Cribbs; Mike Flautt; Steve Mistilis; Sigrid Long; Eileen Cheney and Family; Thomas Hines; Olivia Flautt; Dr. Gladys Memnon and Friends in Bongnotte, Haiti; Doors of Hope Families; Lafayette County Detention Center inmates; Parchman Prison inmates; Haven House residents

U. S. Military: SSgt Jason Freeland, USAF 17th Special Tactics Sqaudron

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.

Sanctuary Floral Arrangements dates are available May 3, 17, 31, and June 7, 14, 21, and 28. To provide flowers in honor or in memory of a loved one, contact Kate at the church office, 662-234-1757, or kohillfpc@gmail.com. Contributions to the flower fund are greatly appreciated. If you want a particular date to provide flowers on a Sunday morning, please reserve that date in advance.

Anyone interested in an FPC member directory can call the church office at 234-1757; one will be printed for you.

Sunday School

Sunday School for FPC’s youngest members continues every week. Recently Ms. Ruth helped the children consider how to be at peace within, so that they can be peacemakers out in the world. Just take a look at the solid things that appear on the dry erase board. The children always enter into Sunday School discussions with gusto and a surprising level of understanding. Won’t you come along and join us? We have a lot of fun in the process…giggle muscles are guaranteed to be exercised.

FPC in April

Easter 2026

Confirmation

Last month, we welcomed 8 new confirmands to our membership role. Congratulations to the Confirmand Class of 2026!

Confirmands & Mentors (left to right):

Tom Embry (Mentor: Shae Orrell not-pictured)

Frey Hamilton (Mentor: Cliff Smith)

Hampton Hardin (Mentor: Jimmy Williams)

Lauren Goodwiller (Mentor: Alicia Bouldin)

Sarah Margaret Hester (Mentor: Carrie Milner)

Mary Rhodes Manley (Mentor: Jennifer Williams)

Jack Bridgers (Mentor: Greg Patton)

Harry Embry (Mentor: Robert Cooper)

Children & Youth Faith Formation

Sign your kids up for our annual Vacation Bible School here at FPC. From July 21 through July 24 join us as we celebrate who we are, learn how to use our voice, and share our gifts with our community, working through the JUST like ME VBS curriculum! Click HERE to register. If you have questions or would like to volunteer, call or email Dave!

Join the CYFF on May 22 on the front lawn at FPC for our annual popsicle celebration for the end of the school year! Just come after school ready to play, eat popsicles, and celebrate. 

On May 17th from 6pm to 8pm, all youth students are invited to join the PYF group at the Oxford Swim Club on Bramlett Blvd for a pool party! Swimming, pizza, friendship and even a cannonball contest will ensue!

Parents of 4th & 5th graders, mark your calendars for this month's bible study on the front lawn!

UKIRK College Ministry

UKIRK wrapped up their semester this week with a celebration at the Chadwick’s farm. Thank you to everyone who has shared about UKIRK, helped to make this crew of folks feel welcomed into our church family, or provided a meal this semester!

Our students will be taking finals next week & then setting out on summer breaks where they will work, travel, study, and hopefully relax a little! Consider including them in your prayers next week & in the months ahead until they return to us in August!

Music at First

We have two Music at First events this month. Join us on Sunday, May 17, following the church-wide luncheon, to see all the piano students' hard work pay off in their recital. On May 26, we welcome back the talented Ora Reed for a concert at 6:00 pm. Both events are free of charge.

VIPs

Our May get-together will be at Martha Kelley's on May 14 at 5:30. You know the drill---bring your own beverage and an appetizer. We always have a great time at Martha's so do try to be there.

Sally Hines

Hello Summer!

Join us after worship on Sunday, May 17, for a luncheon hosted by The Mission Team and Membership & Hospitality Team. The purpose of this lunch is to celebrate the arrival of summer, plus learn more about our most recent visit to our sister church in Cuba! Scroll down to the Mission section for more info! Be on the lookout for the lunch menu as well!

The Pantry needs our help!

The Oxford Pantry provides groceries to approximately 700 area families each month.  A vital component of this ministry is the volunteer staff that stocks the shelves and serves the clients. For decades FPC has provided those volunteers for the month of June. All have participated—from the PYF’ers to the VIP’ers. Stronger backs are generally needed on Tuesdays to unload food deliveries and stock the shelves.  Clients are served on Wednesdays and Thursdays. If you would like to participate in this meaningful outreach, click the button below. Thank you!

Presbyterian Women

It is time to update our PW Directory for 2026-2027. If your email address, home address, or cell number has changed, please contact Kathy Griffith, PW Moderator, and give her those changes. Also, if you would like to join a circle or plan to change circles this fall, just let Kathy know. Her contact information is 662-202-2929 or kathy@glawms.com. 

The Mission Team meets the first Monday of each month at 5:00 in the Session Room of the Sanctuary building. Please join us as we seek creative and effective means to serve “the least of these.” If you would like more information, call the church office or contact Laura Montgomery.

 Estás Invitado!

You are invited! Please join us for lunch following worship on Sunday, May 17, for an update on FPC's recent visit to our sister Presbyterian Church in Jagüey Grande, Cuba. During the visit, the friendship with our Cuban brothers and sisters deepened as we visited members in their homes, shared a game night of Uno and Cuban dominoes, learned more of the church's ministries to their neighbors, and made plans for the installation of a Living Water for the World water purification system in November. Last month the installation of a solar power system on the roof of the church was completed. This reliable source of electricity will alleviate some of the challenges from the daily power blackouts our friends endure. There is much more news to share. So make plans to enjoy some Cuban fare, hear more of the recent trip, and learn how you too can support this enriching ministry with an endearing people. 

  Send a kid to camp!

A cornerstone of its ministry, Camp Hopewell's scholarship fund provides financial assistance for any child who wishes to attend camp. Various programs for children with Down's Syndrome, diabetes, and those with an incarcerated parent have provided a means for disadvantaged children to experience Hopewell. Last year 86 of 416 campers benefited from financial assistance. 29 of those children were residents of Lafayette county. The cost of sending a child to camp for one week is $420. If you would like to contribute to the Hopewell scholarship fund, please click here. Be sure to click the box "Scholarship Fund" to designate your gift. Recurring gifts are greatly appreciated. No amount is too small (or too large!). Thank you for providing a camping experience for a child this summer.

On the second Tuesday of each month FPC hosts the Doors of Hope Step 2 Dinner. Approximately 30 single mothers and children are served. Following the meal an educational program is presented to the adults, while crafts and outdoor recreation are made available for the children. FPC volunteers are needed to serve the meal. It's easy! Volunteers pick up a prepared meal at Larson's, serve it, and sit at table with new friends. For more information or to volunteer to help serve a meal, click here.

LovePacks (lovepacksofoxford.com) is an in-school pantry that provides food for 250 children in Oxford and Lafayette County schools who experience hunger at home. This month's item is packs of ramen noodles. Please deliver your donation to the church office.

Need a helping hand? 

In Good Order is a group of FPC volunteers available to assist members who may need a little extra help with a yard project or light home repairs. FPC volunteers are available to change light bulbs, replace air filters, haul off a large limb in the yard, etc.  

If you would like assistance or know of someone who does,

 please contact the church office at 662-234-1757.

Memory Makers of Oxford (memorymakers@maxxsouth.net) is a respite day service for those with memory loss. Structured activities provide enrichment for participants while allowing a much needed respite for caregivers to take a break from the daily responsibility of caring for their loved one. They welcome donations of items on their wish list or volunteers to assist with programming. For a list of requested items, click HERE. Donations can be delivered to Memory Makers, 1558 Skyline Drive, between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Monday through Thursday. Or a Virtual list is available here. If you are interested in volunteering, contact Memory Makers at 234-3332 for more information or visit their website at www.memorymakers.org.

 First Presbyterian Church

Oxford, Mississippi

Congressional Summary of April 20, 2026

Stated Session Meeting

The Session of First Presbyterian Church held its monthly stated meeting on Monday, April 20, 2026, at First Presbyterian Church.

1. Communications. Elder Servati reported the Session received a thank you letter from Richard DuBose, President of the Montreat Conference Center for FPC’s gift to the Conference Center. Deacon Ochs withdrew his request to resign from the Diaconate.

2. New Business.   

a. The Session approved Elder Ling’s motion to direct the Nominating Committee to begin compiling a slate of nominees for the formation of an Associate Pastor Nominating Committee.

b. The Session approved Elder Byars' motion to honor Deacon Todd Abbott’s request to resign from the Diaconate.

3.Ministry Team Check-In                                                                                

a. Finance – Richard DeVoe (2027). Elder DeVoe gratefully reported giving continues to exceed the amount budged this far in 2026.

b. Property – Hank Spragins (2027) & Anne Doty (2028). Elder Doty reported on various ongoing maintenance projects including replacing the broken water fountain in the fellowship hall as well as exterior light fixtures. The Property Team intends to retain a contractor to routinely service the HVAC units and perform preventative maintenance.

c. Adult Faith Formation – Irma Buchanan (2026) & Ashley Callery (2028). Elder Buchanan reported Wednesdays Together averaged around 75 participants weekly. Fall programming will resume on October 14, 21, and 28, and November 4. Stay tuned for more information on a 4-week Bible Study led by Reverend Milner in July that will meet during the lunch hour. Elder Buchanan shared a positive report on UKirk – attendance continues to grow, and FPC families have supplied their meals through the end of the semester.

d. Children & Youth Faith Formation – Brynnen Quick (2026) & Corey Mauldin (2027). Elder Mauldin shared the CYFF Team continues to recruit volunteers for spring and summer programming. She reminded the Session of the following dates: May 3: Senior Sunday; May 17: PYF end-of-the-year swim party; June 7-13: Montreat; July 12-18: The Great Escape; July 21-24: Vacation Bible School.

e. Membership & Hospitality – Matt Nielson (2026) & Angela Manley (2028). Elder Nielson reported a new member class is in the works, and a summer kick-off luncheon is scheduled for May 17.

f.  Mission – Laura Montgomery (2026) & Michael Portner (2028). Elder Montgomery shared the Mission and Membership and Hospitality Ministry Teams are organizing a Cuba luncheon on May 17 to report on FPC’s recent trip. The Mission Team requested to host a fundraiser for the water system that will be installed in Cuba this fall. Elder Byars moved to approve the Mission Team’s request, the motion was seconded and unanimously approved.

Elder Portner is looking to utilize a full-size truck every Tuesday morning in June for use at the Pantry. Please contact Michael if you would like to share your vehicle or offer yourself for this opportunity.

g.  Personnel – Al Ling (2027) & Trey Byars (2028). No report.

h.  Worship – Whitney Bolen (2027). Elder Bolen gave a positive report of all the Holy Week and Easter-related events at FPC. She shared that Creighton Holder welcomes any hymn requests and asks that they be directed to him personally.

i. Deacon’s Report. Deacon Hickman shared a positive report on the Diaconate’s work contacting FPC members and stated the Diaconate remains focused on being visible and available to all members. Deacon Walker provided information on the Diaconate’s card and baking ministries. Elder Buchanan volunteered to attend the Diaconate’s May meeting.  

Financial Summary 

Upcoming Birthdays & Anniversaries 

Session

Adult Faith Formation

Irma Buchanan (2026)

Ashley Callery (2028)

Children & Youth Faith Formation Brynnen Quick (2026)

Corey Mauldin (2027)

Clerk of Session 

Catherine Servati (2026)

Finance 

Richard DeVoe (2028)

Membership & Hospitality

Matt Nielson (2026)

Angela Manley (2028)

Mission

Laura Montgomery (2026)

Michael Portner (2028)

Personnel

Al Ling (2027)

Trey Byars (2028)

Property 

Hank Spragins (2027)

Anne Doty (2028)



Worship

Whitney Bolen (2027) 

Diaconate

Class of 2026

Stefanie Goodwiller

Marty Mauldin

Brad Mayo

Kathy Neff

Nina Patrick

Class of 2027 

Heather Harris

Caroline McIntosh

Monte Ochs

Dee Walker (clerk)

Class of 2028

Rebecca Black

Jessica Holder

Elizabeth Miers

Ben Pettis

Lisa Tollison (moderator)