Aug sept 2015

In This Issue Feature Articles Radical Hospitality by Monty Oxendine..……….. 2 Let Everything that Has Breath

by Robert Norris…………………………………... 3 Why I Joined EPC by Samantha Kennedy..……… 4 Proverbs 226 Ministry by Carolyn Schmidt……….5 Letter from missionary, Les Morgan………………...6 Feature Events Life Lessons in Belize……………………….…………….. 8 Favorite Moments From VBS………………….………. 10 Camp Buc………………………………………………………. 12 90 is the new 20! …………………………………………...14 Member News Welcome ………………………………………………………. 15 Baptisms & Births ………………..………………………. 16 Thank You….…………………………………………………. 17 Current & Upcoming Events Amazing Grays……………………………………………….18 Calendar………………………………..….………………….. 19 Birthdays & Anniversaries………………...………….. 20

Radical Hospitality

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Radical Hospitality. What a scary sounding idea! Actually, it’s not scary at all. This year, radical hospitality has been the theme of the Evangelism Committee. From the leadership of our chairperson, Karen Cooper, and the training of Reverend Gravely, we have chosen to make this notion one of our top priorities. According to Robert Schnase, Bishop of the Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church, in his book, Receiving God’s Love - The Practice of Radical Hospitality, “Vibrant, fruitful, growing congregations practice radical hospitality. Christian hospitality is the active desire to invite, welcome, receive, and care for those who are strangers so that they find a spiritual home and discover for themselves the unending richness of life in Christ.”

But what is radical hospitality? Radical means outside the norm or strikingly different from ordinary practices. By radical, our committee is not suggesting that aggressive, in your face, highly emotional behavior is appropriate for welcoming visitors to our church. Instead, we believe it is important for us to do our very best to exceed expectations and go the extra mile in extending a warm Christian greeting to all those (visitors and members) who enter our church doors each and every Sunday.

With this said, you have probably noticed quite a number of different individuals serving as greeters this year (our Hospitality Team!). Over 50 church members have been a part of our expanded efforts and have received the training mentioned above. Not only are we providing a welcome at the 9:00 and 11:00 worship services, but on most Sundays, we are also greeting at the 10:00 hour so that we may direct families and individuals to their respective Sunday School classes. Several of our Hospitality Team members have communicated to me that serving in this ministry has truly been a blessing to them. Charlene Brock told me: “Greeting has given me the opportunity to point out visitors to other members of the congregation so that they can speak to them as well.” Debra Gantt commented: “The Evangelism Team has simply been a blessing! It has given me the opportunity to truly extend a loving and warm welcome to my fellow parishioners. Because my children were with me on one of my shifts, they were able to see and participate in the outreach!” Amy Moore wrote me saying: “I have certainly enjoyed greeting as it has begun to assist me in meeting and getting to know all of the new, young members of EPC. I recall feeling so very welcomed when we first joined many years ago and it is great to sort of pay it forward!” What wonderful testimonials of how God can bless us while serving Him and others!

Finally, Bishop Schnase summarized one of his chapters by writing: “Radical hospitality…begins when one person treats another respectfully and loves the stranger [or church member] enough to overcome the internal hesitations to invite that person into the life of Christ’s church.” Let us all strive to make radical hospitality an integral part of the life and culture of Easley Presbyterian Church.

Monty Oxendine

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Let Everything That Has Breath Meditation: “Let Everything That Has Breath” Robert Norris, Director of Music Ministries Psalms 148, 149, and 150 all command creation to sing praise to the Creator. Psalm 148 begins: “Praise the Lord from the heavens. Praise him in the heights above.

Praise him, all his angels. Praise him, all his heavenly hosts. Praise him, sun and moon.

Praise him, all you shining stars. Praise him, you highest heavens and you waters above the skies. Let them praise the name of the Lord.”

The Psalm continues to command each tree and plant, each bird and fish and animal to praise the God, the Creator. Psalm 150 ends with: “Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!”

The heat of Summer is upon us. And it just seems like everything is bursting into glorious songs of praise. The plants and trees and flowers are bursting into color (and pollen — do sneezes count as sounds of praise?) The birds are singing away, the tree frogs are chirping merrily. Even the rain and thunder have to join in the cacophony.

I have read that scientists have now catalogued approximately 5,400 species of singing animals. Some creatures even show the capacity of learning and repeating musical lines, improvising melodies, and composing new tunes. Just sit in your backyard and listen to the varied music of creation around us.

God created this universe with a capacity for song, from the tiny cricket to the massive blue whale. All of creation is designed to sing his praises. I don’t want to be left out!

Let everything that has breath praise the Lord!

Great Creator and Giver of every good and perfect gift, You have created us for praise. You have given us this glorious gift of music, and we now give it back to You. May each note, each song, each breath, each sigh be a gift of gratitude to You.

Amen.

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Why I Joined EPC

by Samantha Kennedy

I first started to attend Wonderful Wednesday shortly after my sister joined EPC. When I first arrived I was greeted by at least five different people, and then several more came over to say hello shortly thereafter. The second time I came to visit, those same people came up and said hello again, this time calling me by name. Then I started to attend the Sunday morning early service, followed

by Sunday School Class. Everyone was so welcoming. And the messages and prayers (especially the ones when the children come to the front of the chapel) were delightful. I found myself excited to hurry back each week. One Samantha Kennedy day in particular comes to mind, I was having a really bad day, when I got home and checked my mailbox and there was a card from the church saying that they had prayed for me that day. I wasn't even a member and they prayed for me, I thought. That was the moment I realized that I had found my new church family, and I couldn't wait to be a part of it. I have been asked to help with: children's church, VBS, Wonderful Wednesday, Journey Circle, and being a greeter in the mornings. I was even asked my opinion of our new logo!

Another wonderful thing about EPC is to see my nieces love church so much and what it brings to them to really know the Lord. To even now, still sing the songs and even do the hand motions to the songs we learned at VBS. To hear them talk about Jesus.

This church really does spread the Word and the messages that are given each Sunday during the service are so well thought out and just speak the truth. I once had someone ask me, "aren't you glad you're now part of this group?" and I couldn't be happier that I am. So glad to be part of such an amazing group of people that I now call family.

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Delicious home baked cookies by EPC families and cards from some of our children.

Proverbs 226 Prison Ministry I will always be thankful for another opportunity to be of service to Jesus, in another capacity.

A group of dedicated people (with the permission of the prison authorities) put Proverbs 226 into action, getting fathers and mothers together with their children (while the parent is in prison).

My opportunity was as a volunteer. Volunteers were responsible for one or more children.

We met briefly at Main Street Methodist Church to be assigned our child(ren) and have time to get acquainted with them. I was assigned a young man named Henry who is 14 years old and very gentle. Henry’s two sisters also were part of the day. They had a separate volunteer.

All three children were visiting their mom that day. Many officers, the Chaplain, and the Warden helped make things run smoothly.

There was a professional basketball player from Furman that came to give a demonstration and let the children do activities with her. The children really enjoyed that. There were many activities for the children to engage in with their mothers, on their own or with other children.

The highlight of the day was when the mothers washed the children’s feet and all the children got a new pair of sneakers. Lunch was pizza and lemonade, there were snacks, and also a birthday cake. It was a very sweet day all in all. It was mothers enjoying their children and without incident. At the end of the day, we all went outside to send balloons off.

P.S. Henry was so excited about his new shoes, he wore them home from the prison, he told me he wanted to get used to them.

Thank you Jesus for allowing me to be part of the Proverbs 226 Prison Ministry.

Carolyn Schmidt

A letter from Les Morgan serving in Bangladesh MAY 29, 2015 - EMPOWERED FOR MISSION Whoever welcomes you welcomes me, and whoever welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. … And whoever gives even a cup of cold water… truly I tell you, none of these will lose their reward (Matthew 10:40 and 42).

Dear Friends, The hardest day was in early February. Cindy had just finished teaching a spiritual formation class at St. Andrew’s Theological College in Dhaka and was about leave the campus when six cocktail bombs exploded outside the front gate. Within minutes 20 policemen, thinking the bombs had been thrown from inside the campus, stormed the premises with guns drawn.

Since early January opposition political parties, demanding fresh elections, had been enforcing a countrywide road and rail blockade, and scores of people had been killed and hundreds more injured by firebombs thrown at trains, trucks, buses, cars and autorickshaws. There was little the police could do. How do you stop a network of paid political thugs lurking amidst a population of 165 million?

After Cindy’s brush with the rampant violence, we hunkered down in our apartment and followed the news.

There was concern internationally that extremists would take advantage of the political chaos in this predominately Muslim country to gain a foothold for advancing their radical ideologies.

Such dangerous times cause us to think anew about our work. Is it worth all the hardship, tension and risk? If so, from where will we get the strength to continue?

Our confinement meant that I could not cross the Buriganga River to Keranigonj, a poor area in south Dhaka where I run occasional small clinics and follow up on patients in their homes as part of the outreach of the Church of Bangladesh Social Development Mission Co-Worker Les Morgan runs small Programme. I had especially wanted to visit Joshim, clinics and visits patients in their homes in a Muslim man gravely ill with pulmonary tuberculosis. After a local government treatment poor areas of Dhaka, Bangladesh post had inappropriately stopped his TB medicines, he had come to me with profound weakness, high fever and difficulty in breathing. Fearing he would not survive without prompt, aggressive medical care, I had advised his immediate admission into a government hospital and sent along a note for him to show the doctors there. So I was anxious to find him and make sure he had received the care he needed.

By the end of the month the political violence had calmed down enough for us to be able to return to the theological college to attend an evening retreat at St. Thomas Church. Cindy’s students were leading the retreat as their practicum for her course. At sunset we climbed into a rickshaw and wove our way through the older part of the city. We entered through the tall, heavy doors of the 200-year-old church, into the atrium, and then through an inviting archway of lush foliage constructed by the students. Inside the darkened sanctuary 65 small terracotta lamps—open clay saucers of mustard oil with short wicks of twisted cotton— illumined the sacred space.

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7 As I sat silently with the other retreatants in a semicircle on the floor of the sanctuary, I saw in the light of the surrounding lamps the answer to the question of where Cindy and I would find the strength to continue serving as missionaries in this country. For there, shining in the darkness, merged into a sacred Light enveloping us and encouraging us on our journey, were the faithful ones—those through whom the Holy Spirit empowers us to do what we do.

There was the first grader in Arkansas who keeps Cindy’s and my picture propped up on her bedroom dresser and prays for us nightly; there was the church in Georgia that regularly sends us cards to remind us of their presence with us; there was the church in Louisiana that dedicated their Christmas Eve offering to support ministries of healing in Bangladesh; there was the high school student in Kansas who contributes toward our support every month with a portion of what he makes in his part-time job; there was the pediatrician in Georgia who prays for us every morning; there was the lawyer in Rhode Island who in gratitude after back surgery contributed generously to our medical work; there were the hundreds who join us each week in praying for individuals in need in Bangladesh; and there were numerous other individuals and congregations who, in a variety of ways, support us and the work of Christ’s church in Bangladesh. These are the ones who in faith empower us to lead the body of Christ into a direct spiritual and healing relationship with the lost, the oppressed, and the sick in the urban slums and rural villages of Bangladesh.

Soon after the retreat I ventured across the Buriganga River to look for Joshim. I didn’t know where he lived, but with help I found his place deep in an enclave of one-room slum dwellings. He was lying on a thin cloth pad on the cement floor in the corner of the bare room where he and his wife, Momota, live with their four children. The two older girls, age 13 and 9, have never gone to school but instead work in a garment factory six and a half days a week, 10 hours a day, to earn a monthly salary of $50 each—an income that barely keeps their family from starving.

Although Joshim was breathing more easily, he was still too weak to stand. As I sat on the floor next to him, he told me, in short, labored sentences, that when the hospital doctors saw my note, they gave him special attention and sought a consultant’s advice on his evaluation and treatment. After two weeks Joshim had improved enough to come home and had found a neighbor to give him the daily injections that were integral to his continuing treatment.

While Joshim and I visited, Momota went to a nearby shop and purchased a cold bottle of Sprite, some apples and chocolate cookies. She poured the Sprite in glasses, cut up the apples and laid them on a plate, then opened the package of cookies and, there on the floor, the three of us shared the feast in celebration of our friendship and the hope of healing.

Joshim and Momota are among those in Bangladesh with whom the Holy Spirit has empowered me to share a deep bond of human compassion, and their kindness toward me has encouraged me on my missionary journey. I can tell you truly that they, along with each of you, will not lose their reward.

Your fellow servant,

Leslie Y. Morgan The 2015 Presbyterian Mission Yearbook for Prayer & Study, p. 232 Read more about Les and Cindy Morgan's ministry Write to Les Morgan Write to Cindy Morgan Individuals: Give online to E200389 for Les and Cindy Morgan's sending and support Congregations: Give to D506770 for Les and Cindy Morgan's sending and support

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Twenty-six High school youth served along Family of God Church (Iglesia Familia de Dios) in the heart of rural Belmopan, Belize. The students with their 5 chaperones stayed in the small church sanctuary with no air conditioning and only fans to cool the sweltering jungle heat of Belize. When we arrived we were greeted very kindly by the local mission team staff. There were two staff members who grew up in Belmopan, Jannie and Minor, and one intern from Puerto Rico, Axel. They introduced us to our cook, Rigo, and the local pastor, Nelson. Their hospitality put us right at home and they instantly began treating us like part of their family.

The next day mission team leaders took us to the Xunantunich Myan Ruins. The youth were able to explore four different Myan structures and learn a little about the Myan culture. It was an exciting beginning to our trip and allowed us to relax before the week of hard work began.

The next day began our service work. The Family of God Church is a growing denomination of churches in Belize.

Their headquarters is located in Belmopan, where we were staying. The denomination holds conferences in a fellowship hall in the center of the community. People come from near and far to attend these conferences. One of the necessities missing for these conferences is the access to adequate shelter for those visiting from other regions. The mission team in Belize assigned our team of youth to help with the construction of a dormitory where conference attendees can stay.

9 During the week our youth helped put in the support structure for the second story roof in this three story building. The youth lifted sand to the second story in buckets, cut rebar, mixed concrete, poured concrete, and got their hands dirty in many other ways. The youth would work from 9-12 in the morning and 1-3:30 in the afternoon. At the end of the week we accomplished our goal and were pleased with the results.

However, the trip was less about our physical labor and more about the relationships that each one of the youth formed with the local people. The first language in Belize is English.

While most Belizeans also speak Spanish they have little trouble understanding our communications. Throughout the week each youth interacted with different adults and children on the work site and where able to learn about a culture different from their own.

In the afternoons the local church also hosted a time of children’s Bible study called Kids Club. Three or four youth would stay back from the work site each day to help with this event. Each youth who participated was able to show the love of Christ to several children each day. Because the children could speak English, the youth were also able to learn from the children as well. They were able to have meaningful conversations and immerse themselves in the culture.

On a trip like this, you learn just as much from the locals as they learn from you. We are very thankful for our friends in Belize and the lessons we learned from them will impact us for a lifetime.

Favorite Moments From VBS

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What do you get when you gather over 250 children, youth and adults from First United Methodist Church and Easley Presbyterian Church? You get a week filled with laughter, learning, creativity, music, dance, play and growth. When you add in a church transformed into the busy town of Nazareth, a working, bustling Marketplace filled with hands-on projects and animals- you get something really special.

There were so many “favorite moments” from that week –too many to recount. One of my favorites involves the idea that two churches located right across the street can come together, plan together, work together and make a week where children will forever remember what is was like when Jesus was a boy. In a world that is marked by division and conflict, it is so refreshing to work hand in hand with our Methodist brothers and sisters in Christ toward one common goal.

My other favorite moment was during our closing celebration where our children turned it into a holy moment. I knew the children had learned a song called “You Gave” to sing at our closing. What I didn’t know is that they would lead us in such a powerful and moving time of worship and praise to God. As each child moved from the gym floor to a cross in front of the stage, each placed a flower on the cross until it was beautifully decorated all while sweetly singing these words.

Lord I want to be pleasing to You in everything I do And I want to love You more, more than yesterday More than words can say.

Cause You gave your life You lived and died for me, for me You paid the price, you sacrificed for me, for me.

And now the least that I can do is live my life for You.

11 Here are a few more “Favorite moments” from the week of VBS: “The best part of VBS is being on the bus together listening to music and singing while we collected canned goods for United Christian Ministries.” -Charlie Greene, 5th Grade Mission Madness

“My favorite part of VBS is the Marketplace because we get to go around and see how it was in the old days.”

-Kirsten Miller, 2nd grade

“This is a rewarding and fun experience. It’s one of the best things I’ve done in a long time.

It’s been very positive seeing kids experience God in this community” -John LaBrash, Tribe Leader

When we go around from activity to activity, the teachers make it fun!

-Kaitlyn Ellsion, 5th Grade Mission Madness

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Camp Buc…where a week lasts a lifetime!

What an awesome summer it has been at Camp Buc 2015! Our theme was Power Up! Where we learned about the power the Holy Spirit has in our lives. We had a wonderful time enjoying God’s beautiful creation in that secluded little piece of heaven in Sapphire, NC. Every morning began with polar bear and morning watch…a time to hear the Scripture of the day and then into the chilly lake for “Good morning Camp Buc!” From there we headed to breakfast and then the day was really underway. Most days were spent with a variety of activities: canoeing, swimming, creek walks, a trip to Trinity water falls, the famous hike to Rock Face, campouts, archery, arts and crafts and don’t’ forget FOB (flat on bunk or feet on bunk), right after lunch. Our older campers took on white water rafting, rock climbing and the high ropes course.

As the sun began to set there were always all camp games and then on to worship and campfire. Some of my favorite memories were hearing the voices singing at worship and seeing all the laughter at campfire each night.

Thank you to Dianne Durham for serving as our camp nurse. Here are some of Dianne’s favorite moments: In 2010, Camp BUC started a volunteer medical professional program & I decided to volunteer for a half week while a group of our youngest campers ( 2nd graders !!!) including my youngest daughter, Olivia, would be attending for the first time. My oldest daughter, Isabel, had been attending Camp BUC for two previous years & loved it more each time. After that successful first year, I've been able to return each summer since for the "EPC week" when most of our church kids are attending. What a blessing this has been to my life! Every summer when I look at my busy schedule, I wonder how in the world I can fit that week in - to be away from home, family, work, daily responsibilities ... & then once I am at BUC, I wonder how I can come home!

BUC is an incredible place & I love being a part of it. Full of natural beauty, outdoor experiences , and staff who love God & His people. Being there as the nurse, I administer medications, bandage knees, hug a homesick camper, pray for peace when they are worried or scared. Seeing how the campers learn to trust themselves, & each other as the week progresses is amazing. The kids who are dropped off on Sunday are not the same ones picked up Friday afternoon. God has been busy - molding & shaping them into the leaders & world changers they are called to be. I thank God for allowing me to be a part of Camp BUC. Dianne Durham

13 "My favorite thing at Camp

Buc this year was white water rafting on the Nantahala. It was really fun!" -Victoria Rose Brock, rising 7th grader

“This may have been the best camp week ever! The best memories include having fun and fellowship with EPC friends. Camp wouldn't be the same without all the friends. Of course the food was great too!” -Ethan Lee, rising 6th grader

“My favorite thing I did at camp was rafting. My favorite part of camp was being with my

friends. “

-Katherine Graham, rising 7th grader

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NONAGENARIANS HONORED AT LUNCHEON The Congregational Care Committee hosted a luncheon on Saturday, April 25, at noon to honor the members of the Easley Presbyterian Church who are ninety years old and above. Each nonagenarian was allowed to invite a guest. The luncheon was held in the multi-purpose room and valet parking was provided by Richard Mintz and Jon Coon.

Our church is fortunate to have thirteen members who fit in this category. They are Frances Blakely, Buck Collins, Kay Cowan, Dardie Dilly, Virginia Gower, Deedie Hancock, Bob Heaton, Herb Mann, Ellen McDaniel, John Moore, Rusty Ritter, Alpha Stark, and Frank Ward. Only Frances, Virginia, Deedie, Herb, John, and Alpha were able to attend.

Everyone seemed to enjoy themselves. As a result, the committee hopes to make this an annual event.

90 is the new 20!

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Please welcome Robert Norris, his wife Marianne and their 2 daughters , Caroline (10) and Abigail (7). Robert is our new Director of Music and Marianne will be our organist.

Robert grew up in Anderson and a member of Flat Rock Presbyterian Church. He is a graduate of Erskine College where he majored in Biology and minored in Music. After working several years as a botanist and greenhouse manager, he followed his passion for church music and earned a Master’s degree in Church Music from Southern Seminary in 2000.

Since then he has served as Director of Music Ministries in several churches in Georgia and Alabama. “My greatest gift is creativity. I love music and art and gardening. I also love learning and discovering new things.”

Marianne is a native of Anderson. She graduated from TL Hanna High School in 1993 and Anderson University in 1997. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Music Education and a Master’s Degree in both Christian Education and Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She has taught in public schools and a private school in American Samoa. She has served as organist/pianist in several churches in South Carolina and Georgia and she is very glad to be back in the upstate of SC!

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The Sacrament of Baptism was administered to Charles “Charlie� Phillip Cox during the 11:00 AM Service on June 21, 2015. He is the son of Brandon and Liz Cox.

Stephanie & Jason Hartis

Russell & Laura Patterson

on the birth of their daughter

on the birth of their daughter

Riley Samantha,

Lillian Grace Patterson

born June 17, 2015

born July 14, 2015

Grandmother: Mecia Hartis

Lucas & Ashely Durham

Matt & Krissy Davidson

on the birth of their son

on the birth of their daughter

Watson Rice

Brooke Carolyn

born July 19, 2015 Great Grandparents: Bill & Anne Lewis

born July 22, 2015

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The retirement party on June 28th was a thoroughly enjoyable event for Mary and me! Each of the 11 people who played an instrument or sang a solo for the retirement concert in the sanctuary did an excellent job; the delicious food and the joyful "well-wishing" in the Fellowship Hall will always be fondly remembered by Mary and me; the delightful remembrances and humorous comments made by several church members regarding events that have happened over the 27 years of my EPC tenure were particularly appreciated! Of course, my wife, Mary, was her inimitable self - giving nearly everybody several "belly laughs"! Mary surely showed that her "job" in retirement could be a standup comic!

The very large love offering retirement gift was almost enough to make me fall off the stage again; but, thankfully, Phil Lyles kept me away from the edge of the stage when I opened the love offering envelope! I am most thankful to you all for your "over-the-top" generosity!

So far, retirement for me has been an enjoyable and busy time. Mary and I bought a "fixer-upper" mill house in Easley a few months ago; and since my retirement from EPC, I have been busy sanding hardwood floors, wiring electrical receptacles and lights, painting, installing replacement windows, and laying "floating" flooring, ... all under the guidance and mentorship of Duane Hurne. I am preparing this house for a renter to move in hopefully by September 1st. The home renovation skills that I am learning from Duane will help me in my volunteer work during retirement for Habitat for Humanity or some other similar organization that helps poor people to obtain decent housing.

Again, thanks is extended to the retirement planning committee and the EPC congregation for a delightful send-off party!

Love, Ralph and Mary Boggess

Dear Church, “I know my life would not be what it is now without MARYS House. I am so thankful for all they have done for me and for everything the community gives to keep MARYS House going.” - A shelter client Thank you so much for your $301.65 donation for MARYS House. Because of generous donations from community members like you, we are able to keep the doors of the shelter open and provide a safe place for victims of domestic violence to live as they get their lives back together.

If you would like more information about our ministries, you can check out our website at www.maryshouse.com. You can also search Facebook group “Friends of MARYS House.” Please don’t hesitate to contact us for more information.

Thanks again for your generosity.

Sincerely, Kim Clevenger MARYS House

Amazing Grays

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Farm Days-September 2

We will leave the Church at 10:00am and travel to Chatooga Belle Farm in Oconee Co. We will eat lunch and walk around the farm to view the beautiful scenery. Sign up in the Church office

by August 26th. We may need to place our lunch orders ahead of time, so go to www.chatoogabellefarm.com to look at the menu. Denise will let you know if we need to order ahead of time.

Fall Colors Boat Ride-October 7th We will leave the Church at 9:30 am and return by 4:00 p.m. Please bring your own picnic lunch and we will stop at Falls Creek Landing to eat on our way to the northern end of Lake Keowee to see the Jocassee Dam. The cost of the boat ride is $25. Sign up in the church office by September 30th.

Christmas Living Gallery at Bob Jones Tickets for this go on sale September 1st, so if you want to go to this show on Thursday, December 3rd at 4:30, please sign up in the church office by August 30th. Tickets are $12. We will plan to eat dinner out after the show. More details to come later.

Dear Amazing Grays, Thank you so much for my dinner last month. It was great to be with you all and enjoy a delicious and relaxing meal. The gifts were all so thoughtful and fun. The biggest gift of all has been the past 10 years of fun that I was able to enjoy with you. You all enriched my life in so many ways. I know that Denise will feel the same way that I do.

Thanks so much!

Cynthia Waddell

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AUGUST

SEPTEMBER

MONDAY, AUGUST 3—FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 SOAR Day Camp, 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon

TUESDAY, AUGUST 11 Middle School Rafting Trip

WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 Amazing Grays Outing, 10:00 a.m.

Children’s Choir/Handchimes, 4:45 p.m.

Youth Handbells, 4:45 p.m.

Youth Choir, 5:45 p.m.

Wonderful Wednesday begins Dinner, 5:30 p.m.

Classes, 6:15 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 12 Adult Choir begins again, 7:10 p.m.

MONDAY, AUGUST 17 Book Club, 7:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 6 Handbells begin, 6:15 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 23 Rally Day at Hagood Park, 3:00-7:00 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 7 Church Office closed for Labor Day

TUESDAY, AUGUST 25 SHINE, 4:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 13 Diaconate, 6:00 p.m.

WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26 EPCMiddle begins, 3:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 20 Session, 6:00 p.m.

SUNDAY, AUGUST 30 EPCHigh begins, 5:30 p.m.

MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 21 Book Club, 7:00 p.m.

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 22 SHINE, 4:00 p.m.

SUNDAY OPPORTUNITIES 9:00 a.m.

10:00 a.m.

11:00 a.m.

6:15 p.m.

Worship Service Sunday School Worship Service Adult Handbells

Other Weekly Meetings Prayer Group, Tuesdays at 10:00 a.m.

Men’s Bible Study & Breakfast, Thursdays at 7:00 a.m.

WEDNESDAY OPPORTUNITIES 4:45 p.m. Children’s Choir & Handchimes 4:45 p.m. Youth Handbells 5:30 p.m. Dinner 5:45 p.m. Youth Choir 6:15 p.m. Classes 7:10 p.m. Adult Choir

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Karie Ellison Joe Wilson Alyssa Easlick

1 1 1

Joan Blackwelder Mary Crittendon Austin Jordan Stephen Jordan Will Drawdy

2 2 2 2 2

John Rollins Linda Foster Dawson Black

4 4 4

Jo Tutt Pat Young Laura Anthony Kelsey Darity

5 5 5 5

David Weaver Eric Anthony

6 6

Jane Hart Myra McDonald Terri Miller Eydie Col贸n

7 7 7 7

Kay Craig Phil Barker Casey Dulin Clayton Mueller Tanner Mueller

8 8 8 8 8

Troy Carter Sarah Norris Julie Cassell Ben Robinson

9 9 9 9

Kitty Garber Todd Rampey Debbie Whittemore Taryn Lorey Cooper Wilson

10 10 10 10 10

Geoff Lanford Marcene Cornwell Patrick Ledbetter Paul Seabrook Mary Weaver Chris Wise

12 12 12 12 12 12

Hoyle Smith Betsy Lewis

13 13

Jack Drawdy Whitley Fulcher Allison Gwinn

14 14 14

Sue Ross Madison Syracuse Clayton Graham Wyatt Stuckey

15 15 15 15

Colt Wilson Lilly Essary

29 29

Mary Elizabeth Chapman Weston Miller

30 30

Corinne Williams Mary Sullivan Peggy Garrison Sarah Whittemore

16 16 16 16

Angela Lucas Anna Leieritz Will Lake

31 31 31

Brett Southerland

17

Karen Cooper Robin Miller Hunter Cutchin Michael Biege

18 18 18 18

Cliff Collie Madison Cook

19 19

John Orr Brent Greer Heidi Roach MaLee Thompson

20 20 20 20

Scott Beane

21

Monty Oxendine Tammy Darity Bailey Cooper Ali Latham

22 22 22 22

Mary Robinson Liz Cox J.T. Youngblood Donovan Stettner Griffin Scott

23 23 23 23 23

Alpha Stark Lynn Robertson Porter Thompson Liam Dawkins

24 24 24 24

Skip Hendrix

25

Debbie Cutchin Charlie Edwards Ella Cook

26 26 26

Paul Dulin Ann Hancock Clay Herron

27 27 27

Janice Lee Stacy Sanders

28 28

Nancy Walsh Jim Rivard

29 29

Eric & Elizabeth Hausbeck Chris & Lori Wise Frank & Joan Blackwelder Mel & Jeanette Brock Mark & Theresa Schonhar Dennis & Cherie Latham Ed & Joyce Holzapfel Steve & Betsy Lewis Geoff & Kim Lanford Jerry & Jennie Allen Paul & Marcia Humbert Tom & Judy Seeley Marty & Karen Kwasniewski Stewart & Cheryl Bauknight Rob & Debbie Whittemore David & Rosemary Cook Bob & Janet Hunt David & Elizabeth Weaver Mike & Nancy Welborn Jay & Mimi Edwards Harold & Betsy Weaver Sean & Brenda Faulkner Fri & Gail Frierson Edward & Christie Gravely Dan & Clare Nunnery Rob & Krissy LaFata John & Phoebe Rollins Chris & Kelly Stover

1 1 2 2 9 10 11 11 13 14 14 16 17 19 19 20 20 20 20 21 22 23 23 23 26 28 29 30

21

June Pace David Kearns Greg Welborn Traci Mathvink Ali Riehm Amanda Hawkins Aidan Moore

1 1 1 1 1 1 1

Cherie Latham Griffin Cassell Caroline Mitchell Jake McAlister Emma Kate Miller Read Miller Mason Elgin

14 14 14 14 14 14 14

Carol Ferree Hal Smith Phil French Ron English

2 2 2 2

Joe Foster Blaze Bauer

15 15

Andrea Southerland Chris Stuart

3 3

Linda Winemiller Stacey Elgin Tyler Westfall Sherry Myhand

16 16 16 16

Bill Seel Kay Cowan David Mitchell Ella Bishop Will Bishop

4 4 4 4 4

Katie Braddock Ethan Lee

17 17

Susan Julian Paisley Lewis Roland Cobb

18 18 18

Malcolm Rogers Heather Foster Mattson Williams

5 5 5

Jerry Allen Josh Schonhar Sarah Freeman

19 19 19

Rosemary Cook Lori Brock Mollie Lewis

6 6 6

Grace Hamilton Scott Kavanagh

20 20

John Moore Mike Meece

7 7

Frank Mitchell

21

Jake Foster Christian Dean

8 8

Nelda Moss Lauren Miller

22 22

Jo Anne Fox Phillip Myhand Jonathan Davis Asher Howerton

9 9 9 9

Nancy Kearns Cliff Lutz Ryan Bowick

23 23 23

Mary Ann Merritt Sara Margaret Coats

10 10

Kathleen Bossert Susan Dockery Shakey Meece

24 24 24

Kelli Dulin Jennie Allen Avannah Lewis Jacob Summerell

11 11 11 11

Carolyn Schmidt Maggie Lowery

25 25

Robin Easlick Billy Fusco Drew Welborn

26 26 26

Mary Jo Phail

12

Herb Mann Ann Furr

13 13

Glenn Farrow Becky Ross

27 27

Tal Seabrook Leslie Ledbetter Addie Sanders

28 28 28

Kim Seabrook Bree Cooper James Weaver Rose Kwasniewski

29 29 29 29

Joel Ledbetter

30

Jim & Sharon Mahanes Wayne & Talita Prins Charlie & Cathy Clark David & Mandy Cook Duane & Shari Hurne Charlie & Elizabeth Syracuse J. B. & Kelli Stuckey Bill & Lilibet Lowrance Gregg & Melanie Branham Robert & Phyllis Sams Will & Ellen Young Greg & Angela Lucas Jason & Stacy Sanders

5 6 7 8 9 9 15 18 19 21 25 28 29

Easley Presbyterian Church 200 South 1st Street Easley, SC 29640 OFFICE 864.859.4220 FAX 864.859.0212

www.easleypresbyterian.org

Church Staff

Worship: Sunday 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.

Sunday School: 10:00 a.m.

Church Officers

Pastor

Session

Rev. Dr. Bill Seel

Associate Pastor Rev. Christie S. Gravely Director of Christian Education Ginna Lister Director of Youth & Missions Thomas Clanton Director of Music Robert Norris

Class of 2015 Stewart Bauknight Scott Beane Karen Cooper Joel Ledbetter Phil Lyles Monty Oxendine Carl Walsh Scott Wilbanks

Organist Youth Choir Director Youth Handbell Director Bunny Deener Kindergarten Director Libby Dodson Church Secretary Jonene Garrett Financial Secretary

Class of 2017 Nick Caldwell Tracey Lake Dennis Latham Richard Mintz Ruth Rice Alfred Robinson Billy Waddell David Weaver

Elder Emeritus: Bill Robinson

Marianne Norris Angela Weisner

Class of 2016 Phil Barker Floride Caldwelll Paul Cook John Cutchin Chuck Dawkins Terri French Kathy Lyles Dan Nunnery

Diaconate Class of 2015 Linda Black Rick Gantt Jennifer Graham Meg Jewell Steve Lewis Wilma Shealy Elizabeth Weaver David Whittemore

Class of 2016 Barry Brock Dottie Grantham David Houck Greg Lucas Deborah Mintz David Mitchell Heidi Roach Will Young

Class of 2017 Gregg Branham Kelli Burnett Rachel Coon Clare Nunnery Rex Rice Chuck Riehm Robert Sams Carey York

Kathleen Steen Christian Education Secretary

Trustees

Cynde Whitmire Building Superintendent

Hubert Bowick

Dan Spearman

Dexter Rogers

Tony Brock Asst. Building Superintendent Mel Brock

The mission of Easley Presbyterian Church is to reach out and invite people to join in the life and love of Jesus Christ, to nurture them in the Christian faith within the tenets of Presbyterianism and to send them into the world to serve.