Hope Is Topic of Leith Lectures in August

Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana will bring her message about hope as our Leith Lecturer on August 17-18.

A graduate of Columbia Theological Seminary, Dana is a pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Herndon, Va., and a writer, speaker, and life coach. 

Her messages will be based on Hope: A User’s Manual (William B. Eerdmans, 2022), which has been the focus of three book study groups here this summer. This passage from the book will serve as a preview of what we can look forward to.

Leith Lecture Leader: Hope Is Not Optimism

In Hope: A User’s Manual, Leith Lecturer MaryAnn McKibben Dana devotes attention to what hope is NOT and what it IS. In doing that, she differentiates between hope and optimism:

In talking to people about hope, I find one of the biggest sticking points is the distinction between hope and optimism. Many folks use the terms interchangeably. But there’s a vital difference. Optimism does its best work in the Before—when the evidence points plausibly in a positive direction, when you can still anticipate the best possible outcome, when things could work out OK. But when the facts suggest otherwise, optimism isn’t enough. This is when hope comes in, rolls up her sleeves and says, “Optimism, take a seat.”

I’ve heard optimism described as a mathematical construct, an equation in which past experience + present striving = future greatness. Optimism relies on external circumstances lining up a certain way. Hope isn’t mathematical; it’s philosophical, physical, maybe even musical. True hope defies cause and effect and has impact regardless of outcome.

Having seen the facts and reports from every organization studying the climate, I have no optimism about avoiding the ravages of climate collapse. When the worst comes to pass, I don’t know whether people will rise to the occasion or if there will be enough of us to blunt the full horrific impact. But I know that’s the work I have to do: to embody that kind of hope. As Rabbi Jonathan Sacks says, “Optimism and hope are not the same. Optimism is the belief that the world is changing for the better; hope is the belief that, together, we can make the world better.” (pp. 10-11)

In a later chapter, Dana explains why hope “is what we do.”

-- Terry Ley

Spots Available for Leith Lecture Discussion Dinner

Sunday, August 18 

We have a limited number of spots left for a special small group gathering with our Leith Lecturer, the Rev. MaryAnn McKibben Dana. This gathering is open to anyone who has read her book, Hope: A User's Manual, even if you did not attend the summer book club gatherings. If you are interested in attending this dinner at discussion event at 5pm on Sunday, August 18, please contact Kathy Reed at kreed@fpcauburn.org no later than Wednesday, August 7 to reserve your spot!

Join us at the Community Market of East Alabama on Saturday, August 10 from 9am-12pm or anytime in-between. All ages are welcome (kids 12 and under please bring a grown up with you!) We will sort, stock, clean, assist clients - anything that needs doing.

Sign Up Here! 

If you have never volunteered at the Community Market before and have questions, please contact Kathy Reed at kreed@fpcauburn.org

Fall Lay Readers

God's children of all ages are invited to sign up to serve as a lay reader for our 11am worship service this fall. You will be provided with the readings and prayers for the Sunday on which you serve. We love having a diversity of voices in worship leadership - families are welcome to sign up to serve together!

Sowers & Knitters

It's time for us to meet again this coming Monday, August 5 at 10:00 in the Project Room at the church. We have a bunch of dog bone pillows that have been sewn up and are ready for stuffing. We would also like to complete more baby receiving blankets for the layette project.

If you are able to come for the whole time on Monday or any part of it, we would love to see YOU there!

This Week at FPC

Aug. 4-10, 2024

Sunday

9:00 a.m. - Worship Service with Weekly Communion (Chapel)

9:30 a.m. - Coffee (no donuts for the summer) & Fellowship (Baird Hall)

9:45 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages

11:00 a.m. - Worship Service (Sanctuary)

Bulletin for August 4 worship

Sunday Parking Map

Wednesday

8:00 a.m. - Men's Bible Study

9:30 a.m. - PW Coordinating Team

7:00 p.m. - Youth First Wednesday

Our last VBS of the summer was awesome! I want to say THANK YOU to our volunteers who made this summer's VBS a success. Trish Dimick, Madison Dimick (science), Chris Greer, Sally Boswell, Maddie Hochard, Carey Lovell, Lizzy Lovell (story time), Noah Dimick, Jonah Dabbs, Fritz Michel, Caleb Dimick (recreation), Julie Price, Staci Sarkowski, Mary Dahlrymple (craft), and all of the youth shepherds. It could not happen without you! 

Children and Youth News

Intergenerational Sunday School with Children and Youth meets this Sunday in Baird Hall from 10 - 10:45.

Children Pre-K through 5th grade

• Worship bags are available for all children during worship.
• Children's Church: After the Word to Grow By (at 11 a.m. worship), children ages 4 to 2nd grade will go to the Godly Play room for the remainder of the worship service.
• Worship Readiness: Attention 3rd graders!!! Worship Readiness begins September 8th and class will continue for six weeks. The children will be recognized in worship October 20.

Jr. and Sr. High Youth

• First Wednesday Fellowship August 7: Meet in the church parking lot at 7pm. We will walk downtown and get ice cream and then head on over to Samford Lawn for fellowship. We'll be back to the church by 8. Bring a friend!
• Volunteer at the Food Bank August 10: Saturday, August 10 is our day to volunteer at the Food Bank. Meet in the church parking lot at 8:45 to ride the bus or meet us at the Food Bank at 9. We will be done by 11:45 

Birthdays 

Aug. 4 - Christy Cochran

Aug. 5 - Don Ball, Joy Elam

Aug. 6 - Lynn Hecathorn

Aug. 8 - Henry Helmke

Aug. 9 - Kim Hollon, Nathan Wohleb, Emil Wright

Aug. 10 - Bob Cochran, Tom White

Prayer Concerns & Celebrations

• Prayers of comfort the family and friends of Cheryl Grisham as they grieve her unexpected death, especially prayers for Cheryl’s spouse Callie and their daughter Kate.

• Prayers of healing for Nathan Hall as he recovers at home after surgery and multi day stay at EAMC.

• Prayers of healing for Henry Brandhorst as he recovers from injuries from a car accident. Prayers of healing for the other driver who is in serious condition.

• Prayers of healing for Debbie Duin as she recovers at home after successful knee surgery.

• Prayers of healing for Dorothy Hinkle-Uhlig as she navigates health issues.

• Prayers of healing for Dorothy Bock as she gets stronger each day as she recovers from health issues.

• Prayers of healing for Olyne Fischer’s daughter-in-law Chell Fischer. Chell has recently been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and will have surgery in a few weeks. Prayers for Olyne as she cares for Chell and her son Gary from afar. 

• Prayers of healing for Denise Salo’s brother Tom Garrick as he begins treatment for cancer diagnosis. Prayers for Denise as she cares for her brother from afar.

• Please continue to pray for many members of our church who are recovering from successful surgery, dealing with significant health issues, surrounded by grief and difficult circumstances but at this time do not wish to be mentioned by name. Prayers of healing, wholeness, and comfort for many in our congregation.

• Prayers healing and comfort for Sarah Wolak’s brother Chris French. Chris has been diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome and is receiving treatment for his symptoms. Continued prayers of healing and comfort for Sarah’s mother, Susan French, as she also navigates health issues.  

• Prayers of healing for Joan Foil’s granddaughter Kate Mouchet as she recovers from surgery.

• Prayers of healing for Amanda Covington Anderson as she continues treatment for her recent cancer diagnosis. Prayers for Frank and Carole and all of Amanda’s family as they care for her. 

• Prayers of healing for Karen and Bob Cochran’s friend Randy Tucker as he undergoes a stem cell study for his cancer treatment.

• Continued prayers of healing for Henry Helmke as he navigates health issues at home. 

• Prayers of healing for Don Ball’s son, Kelly, who is undergoing chemotherapy treatment for recurrence of cancer.

• Prayers of healing for Daniel and Amanda Johnson’s nephew James Ivey as he receives critical care. Prayers for the doctors and caregivers who are caring for him, especially his parents and family..

• Prayers for former Ukirk student Shannon Smith as she recovers at home after having a stroke.

• Prayers of healing and wholeness for Becky Buchanan’s family friend Hughes Allen who has been diagnosed with cancer.

• Prayers for Amy Kilner (daughter-in-law of Dorothy Moran) as she recovers from a kidney transplant.

• Prayers for Jim Foil and his family as they continue to manage Jim’s health.

• Prayers for Catherine Wolfe Riley’s father, Ned. Ned has a recurrence of cancer and will be undergoing treatment over the next few months. Prayers for Catherine as she cares for her father.

• Prayers of healing and rest for Donna Yeager’s mother, Patsy Yeager, as she navigates health issues.

• Continued prayers of healing for Chris Greer. We especially pray for good healing and rest as Chris recovers from successful treatments. We continue to rejoice with Chris because the latest scans show no sign of cancer. We are so grateful the chemotherapy treatments have been successful. Chris will continue a plan of treatment for the upcoming months. 

• Prayers for Brooke Myers as she cares for her father, Charlie Myers. Charlie is recovering from a fall and has moved to Morningside.

• Prayers of healing for Debbie Duin’s friend Ann Suttles who is undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.