Fellowship Friday - October 23, 2020

This Sunday is Reformation Sunday: a day when we celebrate the defiance of the man pictured above - Martin Luther. Luther didn't care for the direction that the Catholic Church was going and let them know by nailing 95 theses to the doors of the Church. 503 years later, we understand how the church is "Reformed and Always Reforming" - particularly in these difficult times.

The Presbyterian Mission Agency says this about Reformation Sunday:

"As Christians, our faith began with the followers of Jesus. But the beginning of our Christian faith as Presbyterian is in the Reformation. The Reformation marks something significant for us in this part of the universal church: the coalescence of our focus on the Holy Spirit’s ongoing reform of us as a church and as individuals. Martin Luther helps us to understand and acknowledge that the institution of the church is not equal to God. We are called to worship the triune God alone, to claim Jesus Christ as Lord of the church, and to seek the ongoing sanctification of the Holy Spirit. God’s ongoing sanctification of us is a gift for how we live together as the church, responding to God. This is why serious study of scripture for all people is an ongoing practice, in addition to communal worship and celebration of the sacraments. This is why we place such a high value on communal discernment in committees and sessions and decision-making. And while we have so much to learn, it is why our habits of conversation push us to listen to every single voice God brings into our midst."

We will celebrate our rootedness in Jesus Christ as followers as we think about how we continue to be reformed thanks, in part, to the Holy Spirit. I pray that this will take place outside during our parking lot worship service. However, rain is unfortunately in the forecast for this Sunday. We will make the call by 8 am and communicate that decision no later than 8:15 by Facebook and email. Whether inside or out, the service will still be streamed by its usual online platforms.

Either way, I look forward to "seeing" you for worship this Sunday!

Until then,

Pastor Kathryn

Sunday (Virtual) Worship Information

Worship via Zoom requires a password - please see below.

Sunday worship is available though Facebook Live and Zoom.

Worshipping via Zoom allows for worship participants to, at the least, see each other during worship, should a participant join through computer. Zoom also allows for worship participants to join by phone, should they not have access to a computer.

To join by phone, there are six options to call:

+1 646 558 8656 US (New York)
+1 301 715 8592 US (Germantown)
+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)
+1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose)
+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)
+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)

When you dial in you will be asked for a meeting ID number: enter 847 7231 7808. The password is: 658602. Depending on the time you dial in, you may not hear anything to start with. When the Prelude begins, you will hear audio.

To access worship by Zoom via computer, please click here. (If you'd prefer to access the worship service through the Zoom website, please enter Meeting ID 847 7231 7808 - the password is: 658602.)

To access worship by Facebook Live, please click here.

Don't forget - you can access this week's bulletin via the church's website or by clicking here.

The Outdoor Parking Lot Service is

THIS Sunday October 25^th at 9:30 AM!

We hope that many will attend.

The Getting Back to Normal Task Force and Session mandate that the following be in effect to ensure the health and safety of everyone:

o Please do not park in spaces designated with an X; parking lot ushers will be able to help direct you.

o Mask use will be enforced:

If you choose to remain in your car, you are not required to wear a mask.
If you choose to sit outside of your car, please bring your own chair and wear a mask. Each chair needs to be within an arm’s reach of the car. Singing will be permitted as long as you wear your mask and remain socially distanced (at least 6 feet apart).

o Please do not walk around and visit other cars.

o Access to the building and rest rooms will be prohibited.

o Should weather be a factor, cancellation of the outdoor service will be decided by 8 am and announced no later than 8:15 via Facebook and email. Should the outdoor service be cancelled due to weather, the service will be held virtually in the sanctuary, starting at 9:30 via Facebook and Zoom.

o Please note: for those who may be uncomfortable with attending the outdoor service in person or are unable to do so, the service will also be available via Facebook and Zoom.

Next Sunday, November 1st

Daylight Savings Time ends next Sunday, November 1, at 2 am. Make sure to “Fall Back” and set your clocks back an hour or you’ll be early for worship!

All Saints Sunday – a day in our worship calendar when we recognize and celebrate those whom we love who have died. To honor those whom we love next week, we will need your help. If you would like to recognize a loved one whom has died, please submit a picture to Martha in the church office no later than Thursday, October 30, at noon so they may be used during worship next week. The picture can be digital (via email) or framed. Should you like to say a prayer or meet with Pastor Kathryn for prayer and reflection during this week while dropping off the picture, the sanctuary will be open the following times: Monday: 2-3 pm, Wednesday: 1-3 pm, Thursday: 8 am-noon, or by appointment.

Communion will be celebrated during worship – please make sure to have bread and juice on hand to fully celebrate in the meal together.

Food Drive and Pennies for Hunger collection will take place immediately following worship until noon. Please plan to drop off canned goods and nonperishable items (including Mac and Cheese, Canned Fruit, and Peanut Butter) for Greensboro Urban Ministry and change for Salem Presbytery’s Pennies for Hunger.

New Member Class Forming!

Do you consider yourself a part of this Fellowship Family but have never "officially" joined? Do you know someone who you think would like to be a part of this Fellowship Family? Thanks to the virtual nature of our worshipping community, you do not have to live in Greensboro to be considered part of this great family of faith. The first of the New Member classes will be Wednesday, November 4, from 6:30-8 pm via Zoom. If you would like more information, please contact Jeanie Harrison or Carol Morgan, co-chairs of the Outreach Committee or talk to Pastor Kathryn.

Women's Bible Study Update

Fellowship’s Women’s Bible Study new study, Unshakable Hope by Max Lucado began October 6th via Zoom. This is a twelve-week study which will be split by a break for the holiday season. Each participant is encouraged to purchase her own study guide ($7.55) AND book ($12.56) for this series. All women are invited; if interested, please contact Mimi Carter.

Text Link

This year as in the past, Fellowship will be providing a Thanksgiving feast for 10 refugee families in Greensboro. In order to welcome these new residents of Greensboro we will deliver food items that are both traditional American Thanksgiving foods as well as foods they are most familiar with.

The items listed below may be donated before Friday, November 20:

Jasmine rice

Potatoes

Onions

Vegetable Oil

Garlic

Because much of what is needed requires purchase just prior to delivery, you may also provide monetary donations so the Mission Committee can make those purchases like turkeys, fresh fruit, and other vegetables. Please label your contributions "Thanksgiving Feast." Thank you!

Chef Traci Rankins, the newest member of our Fellowship Family, is a world-class chef. She is selling scratch-made pumpkin pies for this fall season in time for Thanksgiving. Each 9-inch pie is $25 plus tax and will be delivered on Saturdays in November and on Wednesday, November 25th, in time for Thanksgiving. Please call or email Traci directly at (336)337-8682 or email her.

Traci is donating 10% of all of sales directly to the church!

Creative Hearts & Hands is having a special holiday fundraiser. Holiday-themed facemasks with filters and a wire nose-bridge will be available from Nora Burleson for $5 each. Proceeds will go to the Creative Hearts & Hands Fund. Please call Nora at (336)375-5518 to order your masks. Pick up and payment will be through the church office.

Masks make great stocking stuffers for 2020!

Worship and Building Use Update – September 22, 2020

Part 1: Worship

With the Fellowship Family's health in mind, in conjunction with the CDC, World Health Organization, and Gov. Roy Cooper's office, the Session decided that virtual worship will continue through the current streaming platforms through at least the month of October - Session will reevaluate at its October meeting and make its decision on a month-to-month basis. Not only will worship continue to be available through Facebook Live, but will also be streaming through Zoom, should members of the Fellowship Family want to see each other.

Part 2: Building Usage

As of September 28^th, the church will allow approved meetings with groups of 25 or less, with the following requirements:

Everyone who comes into the building MUST wear a mask
Each meeting must be approved by the church office.
The meeting room and restrooms are the only areas that are available. It is recommended that one person utilize the restroom at a time
Each meeting must have a host, who is responsible for:
Preparing the room
Asking all attendees the following health questions, which must each be answered in the negative:
Have you been around anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19?
Do you have a fever or felt feverish in the past 14-21 days?
Do you have shortness of breath or other difficulty breathing?
Do you have a cough?
Are you suffering from other flu-like symptoms such as gastrointestinal upset, headache or fatigue?
Have you experienced a recent loss of taste or smell?
Have you traveled to any regions affected by COVID-19 in the past 14 days?
Taking attendees’ temperature (touchless thermometer is available at the front door with the check-in sheet)
All attendees will complete a sign-in sheet which will be kept in a notebook on the welcome kiosk outside the Day School Office.
Explaining the requirements of attendance.
Cleaning the room after the meeting (cleaning supplies available in the meeting rooms)
Hosts will need to inform attendees that they may bring their own bottled drinks, but they must take the container home with them. No food or drink may be provided.
The staff of FPC continue to work hard in the office. Should you need to come to the office to speak with any of them, please plan to abide by the same guidelines as for groups, including wearing a mask and signing in at the kiosk outside of the Day School's office door.

Should you have any questions regarding the session's decision, please contact Julie Davis, Clerk of Session, or Pastor Kathryn.

This Week’s Events

October 25, 9:30am: Parking Lot Worship on Facebook Live and Zoom
October 27, 6:30pm: Women’s Bible Study via Zoom
October 28, 7am: Men's Faith Exploration Study @ Panera Bread (Lawndale)
October 29, 9am & 1:30pm: Meyler Oil in the Fellowship Hall
November 1, 2 AM: DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME – FALL BACK!
November 1, 9:30am: All Saints Worship with Communion on Facebook Live and Zoom
November 1, 11-12: Food Drive and Pennies for Hunger collection

Congregational Cares and Concerns

Gwen Knott's abdominal surgery on Monday went well. She is home recuperating and Hal says she has a good caregiver.
Terry Anderson had extensive foot surgery that went well Tuesday. She is home recuperating and expected to be off work for 2 weeks. The doctor will then determine if it will extend as far as 3 months to heal properly.
Steve Brandt still has some pain, but no kidney stone.
Sarah St. Cyr celebrates that her discomfort has passed and she was given an "all clear" by the doctors!
Carrie Simpkins, and her children Nola, Fin, Brooks and baby Hutch are recovering from serious injuries sustained last week in a horrific car crash. Carrie is niece to Donna Steele and daughter of Corky Cotter. Corky reported that everybody is home, staying with Carrie's in-laws. The family is receiving assistance from their church family.
Scott Loupos is still having pain, but feels better overall.
Carol Morgan continues to improve from back surgery.
Bruce Weaver is receiving treatment for bone cancer.
Prayers for our homebound: Ruth Trace and Lea Groves.
Continued prayers are sought for: David Wood, Gwen Flowers, Dorothy Archambault, Ruth Steele, Bill Roane, and Roe Roe Tucker.
We continue to pray for essential workers – doctors, nurses, police, emergency personnel, custodial crews, grocery employees, and others who continue to put themselves at risk for the sake of the community’s success. We also pray for those who have been affected by COVID-19.
Hubert Lathan reported that no memorial service is planned at this time for Margie Lathan, and requested that those who would like to contribute to her memory may make donations to Huntington's Disease organization, HDReach at https://www.hdreach.org/give-hope/donate.html.
We pray for those across the country who are affected by racial injustice and events that occur because of it.

This is Riley, who is John and Judy Meyler's first granddaughter. October 20th was her first birthday. She belongs to Scott, their oldest son and lives in Charlotte, N C. We have been waiting to share the good news in person but since the virus doesn’t seem to be leaving anytime soon we wanted to share the good news on her first birthday!

Hunter Kirstner and Donnie Jackson were married on Saturday Oct. 17 at their home in Charlotte. The Rev. Joel Long officiated the ceremony with son Jackson looking on. We have lifted up this wonderful young family in our prayers for 3 years as they have struggled through challenges of little Jackson's medical issues.