Pentecost Offering, May 19

Psalm 71 testifies that a foundation of faith established during childhood helps ensure lifelong faith and service. By donating to the Pentecost Offering, you are nurturing the faith of those who are the church to come — children, youth, and young adults.

This year, The Young Designers Sewing Program will receive the local portion of the Pentecost Offering (40%). This program teaches youth in grades 4-12 the art of sewing as well as providing opportunities to explore their community and other parts of the world, enrich their academic and social skills, examine business skills, and experience positive consequences associated with helping others. Participants meet twice a week at the sewing studio on Gaines School Road with founder Lillian Kincey and a team of sewing mentors, including FPC member Carol McKay. Each spring, the Young Designers host a fashion show at the Athens Country Club, where participants model their original designs. To learn more, visit youngdesignerssewing.org. The remaining 60% of the offering is used to support children at risk, youth and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.

Please mail your check to the church office, or go to our website firstpresathens.org/giving, then select “Pentecost Offer” under “Select a Fund.” Thank you for your generosity!

Confirmation Sunday

May 19

Our 2024 Confirmation Class has been meeting, working with their mentors, and growing as a group since October 2023. This Sunday, they will join the church and make their profession of faith. Please join us as we welcome them into our church family. Reception following in Fellowship Hall.

Installation Service for The Rev. Whitney Booth Lockard

May 19, 3:00 p.m., Sanctuary

The Northeast Georgia Presbytery invites you to the Installation Service of The Rev. Whitney Booth Lockard on Sunday, May 19, at 3:00 p.m. in the First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary. Reception to follow in the Atrium.

Summer Schedule

This Sunday, May 19, is our last Sunday with two services. Over the Memorial Day weekend, May 26, we will go to our summer schedule of one service at 10:00 a.m. Regular Sunday School classes will not meet over the summer. In June, you are invited to join us for a special Summer School class:

Called as Partners in Christ Service

On June 2, 9, 16, and 23, please plan to join us in Moses Waddel Room for a special Sunday School series that highlights some outreach organizations and ministries in connection with FPC. We will hear stories from leaders and volunteers, learn about the needs of our neighbors near and far, and discover opportunities for engagement with the important work of these groups. A detailed schedule of weekly speakers will be available shortly.

New Member FirstThings Class

Join us for our next FirstThings gathering on Sunday, June 2 from 11:15 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. This will be a time to get better acquainted, to meet the church staff, and to talk about what makes First Presbyterian Church unique. To RSVP, please call the church office (706-543-4338) or e-mail Lucy Bell Johnson at lbell@firstpresathens.org by Tuesday, May 28.

The schedule for the upcoming class is:

Sunday, June 2, 11:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Moses Waddel Room

“First Things” Informational class, lunch provided

Sunday, June 9, 9:15 a.m. - Church Parlor

New Member Coffee/Called Session Meeting to meet and be received into membership by Session (our governing board).

Following the Called Session meeting, new members will be presented and introduced to the congregation during the 10:00 a.m. service. A reception in your honor will follow in the Atrium, so everyone can be welcomed by our members.

Caring Hands Offering

This month, a special Caring Hands offering will be collected to benefit the Caring Hands Fund of Presbyterian Homes of Georgia. Presbyterian Homes is a ministry that serves our most vulnerable population - our seniors. This annual offering is the largest source of funds for benevolent care for Presbyterian Homes’ six communities in Georgia. Your contribution directly supports the care of residents who have outlived their financial resources. Our congregation joins Presbyterian churches statewide to support this vital ministry.

Please mail your check to the church office, or go to our website firstpresathens.org/giving, then select “Presby Homes/Mother’s Day” under “Select a fund”. Alternatively, you can visit phgainc.org/donate/ to make a direct donation.

Women’s Connection Conference at Montreat

Save the date and plan to join us for the Women’s Connection the weekend of August 9-11, 2024 in the beautiful mountains of Montreat, North Carolina. This year’s keynote speaker is Becca Stevens, a nonprofit leader, entrepreneur, priest, survivor, and founder and President of Thistle Farms.

Sign up today to stay at the Georgia Lodge as space is limited! Cost per person is $85 for both nights: tinyurl.com/FPCWCC2024. 

Registration and information about the conference can be found at montreat.org/events/wc-2024. Conference registration costs $247 (and increases to $272 after June 25). 

Please contact Beverly Phares (beverlypphares@gmail.com or 706-255-6990) or Julie Jagmin (juliebjagmin@bellsouth.net or 678-852-7310) if you have any questions. If you need scholarship assistance, contact Rev. Whitney Booth Lockard (whitney@firstpresathens.org).

Support Bethlehem Ministry’s fundraiser

Kids for Change is a campaign to empower women in Haiti. By donating to this cause, your money will support the initiative to give mature goats that will essentially be a savings account for the family. Included in the gift are veterinary services for the first 2-3 years.  Women in the community can breed their goats to multiply their earning potential as well as provide milk and meat for their families. The women form community groups to breed their goats and to assure their goats are healthy. 

To make a donation, please go to Bethlehem Ministry's website.

Books for Keeps Book Drive

Since 2009, Books for Keeps has given more than one million books to children from low-income families in grades Pre-K through 12. FPC has become a large supporter of Books for Keeps with our annual book drive.

You can help make sure no child in our community goes a summer without great books to read. Please bring your used books to the bins in the Atrium or church office. Books for Keeps can accept books of all kinds except textbooks and encyclopedias. Any books that are not right for their program go to the annual BFK Book Sale, with proceeds used to buy new children’s books. To learn more about the organization, go to booksforkeeps.org. Thank you!

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