Being Church in Uncharted Waters
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In the past several days the seriousness of the continued spread of the Covid-19 virus has become more apparent to most people—and the need to “flatten the curve” (slow the increase of the spread) so that our health system is not overwhelmed. Local and State government leaders have closed public schools and ordered restaurants and bars shuttered (with takeout and delivery still available). I suspect the “introverts” among us are weathering the self-imposed “social isolation” better than the extroverts, but it looks like this will be our new “normal” at least for the next several weeks—and maybe longer.
So, how can we as a community of faith continue to support one another when it is not possible to “congregate?”
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We will continue to offer Sunday morning worship at 11 am on our church Facebook page and plan to post recorded versions of the service on YouTube (because some people do not have Facebook accounts).
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The Christian Education Committee with the help of Rachel Vogado are putting together a “virtual” Sunday School via Zoom, a “virtual” Youth Hangout using either Zoom or Google Hangout and home resources for parents and children for faith formation.
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The Visitation Team of the Deacons with the help of Lynne Keel is planning to step-up their phone contact with members and friends of the church who are 75 and older to make sure they are OK and to address needs in a timely manner. The Deacons are also contacting agencies in the community that we partner with (like CCM, Opportunity House and WM Irvin) to find out what emergency needs they may have.
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A Bible Study for adults will be offered via Zoom shortly after April 1
st
. Stay tuned for time and details!
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Church Committee work will continue via phone, email, and Zoom.
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The work of the Senior Pastor Nominating Committee proceeds apace.
Note that the church pastoral and administrative staff continues to work full time—either from the church office or at home. We continue to respond to pastoral care and counseling needs as they arise and are continually consulting with members of Session, the Deacons, Committee Moderators, and other volunteers to keep the congregation as informed and as connected as possible during this unusual and difficult time.
Thank you in advance for continuing to pay your pledges, tithes, and offerings either through the mail or online on the church website, or through this
link
. Even though we are not meeting as a community for the time being, we still have our same regular expenses (although we are saving a bit with reduced utility costs!).
Please continue to keep in contact with neighbors and friends via phone, text, or email in the coming weeks. Social isolation is a real and debilitating problem for many people. Also, please do not hesitate to contact the staff at the church office with any concerns or suggestions to make this time better for everyone.
Blessings,
Rev. Dr. Scott M. Kenefake
Interim/Transitional Minister
scott.kenefake@firstpresconcord.org
P.S. Pastor Lynne’s cell # is:
(704)995-5058
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As we all work to "Flatten the Curve," let's Lenten the Curve as well! Since we had to cancel our Thursday Centering Prayer gatherings, we are going to host a time of Lenten devotion online Thursdays at 12pm via Zoom. You may join Zoom via a link:
https://zoom.us/j/520285905 or call (646)558-8656. The meeting ID is 520 285 905. For more information about how to use Zoom, please read below.
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Notes about Digital Connections
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As we continue to work on ways to worship and deepen our faith as a church when we cannot physically meet, we wanted to share some information about to stay connected with us digitally.
We will be using the church Facebook page and Instagram to share videos, engage with faith practices, and find ways to worship. Both those accounts can be found by searching for @firstpresconcordnc
We will be also using Zoom for many different ways to connect! Zoom is an app based program that allows us to have digital meetings and gatherings with both phone call and video connections. Zoom accounts are free, and anytime we host a gathering via Zoom you can access the event via the link that is posted or emailed out.
Clicking the link to join a meeting will take you to the page to set up an account if you have not already done so. I encourage you to go ahead and get an account and get familiar with the program.
If you are looking for more information about zoom, and needing some questions answered, here are some helpful quick video tutorials:
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GIFT Sunday March 22, 2020
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You're invited to join us for GIFT Sunday, which is a time of hands-on intergenerational learning. All ages are welcome to experience GIFT Sundays, GIFT, Generations in Faith Together, and this time around we are meeting in the virtual world! We will meet at 9:30 a.m. on Zoom; you can access the meeting here:
https://zoom.us/j/727498067
or call (646)558-8656 and use Meeting ID: 727 498 067
See the above article for more information about Zoom. To participate fully, I'd suggest the clickable link, because that way you can see and hear. Gather your family around the computer as we learn and grown in faith together!
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Session Highlights from the March 10, 2020 Meeting
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The Session reviewed and approved the Ministry Information Form (MIF) that was developed by the Pastor Nominating Committee (PNC). The next step is for the Presbytery to approve the form and then it will be uploaded for potential candidates to review! Thank you PNC!
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Lengthy discussion was held about how we as a congregation treat and support our ministers. The Session is committed to fostering positive interactions and not tolerating demeaning, threatening, or bullying type behaviors.
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The Administration & Personnel committee presented information about the Healthy Pastors, Healthy Churches Program and nominated Rachel Vogado to be a participant. The Session approved Rachel’s participation and a $1000 donation to the program.
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The Building & Grounds committee reported that air quality testing took place in several areas of the Fellowship house and indicated a need for remediation and repairs in both of the associate minister offices.
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The Christian Education Committee announced that Cathy West will be the co-director for Vacation Bible School. Thank you Cathy! This year’s VBS theme will be the
Great Big Beautiful World and registration information will be coming soon.
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The Worship & Music Committee reported that the group meetings to discuss the placement of the flags are currently being scheduled.
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Approved the baptism of William Lane Niblock for Sunday, April 26. Parents are Deaven and Thomas Niblock.
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The Deacons shared a wonderful new video about the Commons Prayer Room dedicated to the memory of Mary Katheryn Ewart.
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A concerted effort is underway to increase communication and community awareness of First Presbyterian Church and our programs and services.
Share your pictures of Church activities with the church office so that they can be used to tell our story!
As Presbyterians, decisions affecting our worship, education, spiritual nurture, physical property, and budget are made by our elected leaders. To connect with church officers, all Elders and Deacons and their committee assignments are listed on the church website under the “ABOUT” tab, “Staff and Leadership.”
The Session meets monthly on the 2
nd
Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Minutes are open and available by request after they are approved at the following month’s Session meeting.
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First Presbyterian Church Habitat Build - SUSPENDED
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When
Our Habitat Build scheduled for this Saturday, March 21 has been suspended for now. Habitat will be reassessing the Covid- 19 situation at the end of April and will advise when we are rescheduled.
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Memorial Garden Spring Cleaning Giveaway
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The Spring House (the tiny brick building which is part of Memorial Garden on Spring Street) is in the process of being emptied of its contents. While most of its contents are not worth keeping, there are 4 pieces of furniture which may be had at no charge to anyone who is interested in them.
The pieces include an extra-long Chippendale style sofa, 2 wing chairs and a small case piece that currently sits beside the sofa. That piece is neither a table nor a small chest, but it is about the height of the top of the arm of the sofa and does provide a small amount of storage space. All the furniture is very sturdy. The sofa and the 2 chairs need to be reupholstered and cleaned; the case piece needs a good cleaning.
Anyone interested in any or all pieces should contact Robert Jolly, the manager of the garden. His hours at the garden are 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. Whoever wants the furniture is responsible for moving it. While there is no charge for the furniture, a donation to Memorial Garden would be appreciated
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Potluck Lunch - Cancelled
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The Potluck lunch scheduled for this Sunday, March 22, has been cancelled. We will let you know when a new date has been scheduled.
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If you are in charge of a group that meets on our campus for any activity, please email Suzanne in the office to let her know if your group will still be meeting in March. The calendar will be updated as information come in.
suzanne.russell@firstpresconcord.org
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Lay Liturgists
Sign up
here to be a lay liturgist to
read scripture in worship on Sundays.
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Sanctuary Flowers
To give the congregation a gift of
to sign-up for one or more Sundays
during the year.
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Shepherd for Sunday School
Sign up
here to be a Shepherd in our Elementary and Middle School Sunday School.
A Shepherd helps our teachers by being another adult in the room, to make sure that we have a safe classroom, and to fulfill the requirements of our Child and Youth Protection Policy. If you have questions about what it means to be a Shepherd, please reach out to one of the members of the Christian Education Committee or Rachel Vogado.
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Youth Newsletter
Sign up here to receive the Youth Newsletter for detailed information
about all events related to youth who are in 6th-12 grade.
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Sunday, March 22, 2020
Rev. Lynne Keel preaching
John 9:1-41
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Thursday, March 19
12:00 p.m. Prayer Class on Zoom
Sunday, March 22
9:30 a.m. GIFT Sunday School on Zoom
11:00 a.m. Worship on Facebook
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Monday, March 23
11:30 a.m. AA
Tuesday, March 24
7:00 p.m. Al Anon meeting
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Birthdays
March 19 -
Elizabeth Cain, Peggy Carlough
March 21
- Elizabeth Barnett, Kae Bradley, Francey Brown, Bella Burke
March 22
- Toby Prewitt Jr.
March 23
- Thomas Campbell II
March 25
- Trey Davis III, Mary Mangum Weaver, Barney West
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Scott Kenefake
Interim Senior Pastor
Associate Pastor
for Care and Mission
Associate Pastor
for Christian Formation
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Director of Music and Organist
Choirmaster
Church Administrator
Financial Secretary
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Heath Ritchie
Maintenance Superintendent
Director of First Kids
Church Hostess
Wedding Director
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First Presbyterian Church
70 Union Street North
Concord NC 28025
Mailing Address:
PO Box 789 Concord NC 28026-0789
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday, 8:00 am - 4:00 pm
Closed Friday
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The Commons Prayer Room Hours:
Monday: Closed
Open for scheduled groups:
Tuesday,Thursday, Friday
Open to Public:
Wednesday: 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
Saturday: 10:00 am - 6:00 p.m.
Sunday mornings for FPC
Memorial Garden:
(704) 786-8009
36 Spring Street SW
Concord NC 28025
Garden Hours:
Tuesday - Saturday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
Sunday, 1 p.m. - 5:00 pm
Closed Monday
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