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Quarterly Issue Volume 3-2018
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Recap
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by Lindsey Odom, Children’s Program Director Intern
Our summer sizzle program has been full of adventure! The children of EPC have spent moments of fellowship together, studied God’s word, and have formed memories that will last a lifetime! Activities that we have done this summer include traveling to Babylon for Vacation Bible School, going to Montreat for Passportkids!, taking day trips to Helen, GA, to go tubing and to Callaham Farms, getting wet at water day, and taking part in many different camps like basketball camp, Sprout day camp, Soar day camp, and Arts camp. I had the opportunity to plan two day camps this summer. One of them is called SPROUT, which is for K5-2nd graders that focuses on learning and growing together in faith through fellowship, Bible study, and one or two service activities. SOAR is a service orientated camp for 3rd5th graders that incorporates Bible study, fellowship, and recreation. These camps were truly an experience that I will never forget! For Sprout Day Camp, the theme was “Growing”, and children learned about the importance of having a strong foundation and “good soil” to grow in. This camp also taught them that although they are small, they have the ability to grow in their faith and do great things knowing that Jesus is always with them. By learning about the parable of the mustard seed, parable of the sower, and fruits of the spirit within this day camp, it taught children that their roots and faith are always in God, and that they have a mission to do, which is to keep learning, growing, serving and loving others! At the end of the week, they even received the opportunity to experience one small act of kindness by serving and loving the residents at the Foothills Presbyterian Community!
For Soar camp, which is a service orientated camp, the theme was “RAK,” which stands for Random Acts of Kindness. Soar day camp helped children understand that serving others is an act of ministry that shows God’s love to others. During this week, children were able to practice serving others through small acts of kindness around Easley and at the Presbyterian home! Soar day camp helped children understand how important it is to be in connection with Christ so that they can become better equipped to reflect the light of Christ out into the world through serving and loving others in their daily lives! Working at Easley Presbyterian church this summer as the Children’s Program Director intern has truly been an amazing experience!
Being able to watch the children grow in their knowledge and understanding of faith and be surrounded by such a loving and caring community of faith at EPC, has truly been a blessing! Thank you all for your hospitality, love, and support that has made my summer such a memorable experience!
“Thank you all for your hospitality, love, and support that has made this summer such a memorable experience.”
Lindsey Odom, Children’s Program Director Intern
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Montreat Youth Conference by Thomas Clanton
n July, 28 high school youth and 3 adults attended the Montreat Youth Conference. The theme for this year was “Lift Every Voice�. Through daily keynotes, small groups, and worship time we learned how to find the voice and confidence to proclaim the love of God to all people. We had a great time doing energizers and signing classic and modern worship songs. We were able to gather back at the house after these worship sessions to recap what we had learned and grow closer as a group. The cool air and mountain landscape gave oppor tunities for us to rest and listen to what God was teaching us. Montreat is a week of growth and renewal equipping us to go into the new school year looking to be the hands and feet of Christ.
EPCMiddle Mission Trip by Thomas Clanton
This June, 22 Middle School Students and 4 adults spent a week serving the city of Asheville through Asheville Youth Mission. Our group returned to First Presbyterian Church of Asheville to spend the week., sleeping on floors and eating in makeshift Sunday School rooms. Throughout the week the AYM staff sent us out to work at various local ministries. This summer was EPC’s 5th summer serving the Asheville community. This familiarity has allowed our middle school youth to see the growth and change that takes place over the years. This year we returned to the Veterans Restoration Quarters, an old hotel converted to house veterans in transition. The VRQ receives a large amount of clothing donations each year. However, they do not have an adequate place to store these donations. The clothes were left in an old building on the churche’s property and had not been sorted or organized. Our group was able to help with the sorting and organizing process. We tackled large piles of pants, shirts, and shoes and were able to make progress throughout the day. When we were finished, you could begin to see the start of a place that could make use of these donations.
We were also able to return to the “12 baskets” meal program. “12 baskets” is an organization in West Asheville that offers free lunch Monday-Friday. All of the food at “12 baskets” is donated by local restaurants and is of high quality. The meeting area is designed to look like a restaurant. People come in, sit down, and a volunteer or staff person takes their order and delivers their food. It is a place where all are welcomed and all can get a quality hot meal with dignity. Our group helped take orders, serve food, and talk with the customers. It was very impactful to see all different sorts of people interacting and enjoying themselves in such a loving way. We also had new experiences that helped change our perspective. We helped serve in community gardens where we were able to get our hands dirty and learn about how these gardens help provide quality food for the members of the community. We also got our hands dirty helping clean the French Broad River. There was flooding in the Asheville area in May and our group helped clean up from the impact of that flooding. After we finished our service, we would end each evening reflecting on our service and learning how God creates space for his Spirit to move in the world. After this week of service our hearts have grown in love and connection with the city of Asheville and look forward to seeing its continued growth.
EPCHigh Mission Trip by Thomas Clanton
On June 24, 28 high school youth and 6 adults meet at 4 AM at GSP airport. We had a layover in Atlanta and then flew to Albuquerque, New Mexico. From there it was a 3-hour drive into the desert. After navigating some dirt roads, we finally arrived at our destination. We spent our week at a church in the Bisti community on the Navajo Reservation. We stayed with a missionary family who has been serving the area for over 20 years. This small Baptist church served the Christian community in this vast desert area. The missionaries and the staff from Experience Missions assigned us several different work projects during the week. We were asked to build a fence for a neighboring church, fix the roof of a congregation member, dig trenches and latrine holes, and put up drywall. Each group was able to work alongside local members of the community.
The most impactful part of the week was being able to talk and build relationships with them. We were able to learn about Navajo traditions and culture and share our own South Carolina culture. Youth found many similarities and were able to talk about baseball, movies, and anything else. We were blown away with the hospitality of the people in the community. The women in our group had the unique opportunity to host a women’s night at the church. During this time, they were able to do a craft with many ladies from the community and share about our church in South Carolina. The women were also able to share a devotion time and worship God together. The whole group was also invited to the Wednesday night prayer service at the church. During this service, members of the congregation stood and shared their stories or sang songs. Our group sang the song “Sanctuary” in front of the congregation. It was a wonderful time of sharing in God’s word! Our time with the Navajo was full of love and relationships. It was a powerful experience getting to know others from a different culture. We are thankful for the opportunity Easley Presbyterian has given us to serve in these unique places and learn of the unique works God is doing in this world.
Welcome New Members! Don & Joan Erdman 205 Bud Nalley Dr G110 Easley, SC 29642 864-807-7880
Baptisms
The Sacrament of Baptism was administered to Thomas Luke DuBose on May 13, 2018. He is the son of John and April DuBose, and the grandson of Dial and Kathy DuBose.
The Sacrament of Baptism was administered to Carolin Elise Boozer on May 20, 2018.
Congratulations! Congratulations to
Congratulations to
Kristen Norris & Jordan Brittingham
Paisley Lewis & Paul-Louis Azra
married on May 26, 2018
married on June 16, 2018
Congratulations to
Sarah Maxwell & George Dubose married on July 14, 2018
Congratulations to
Congratulations to
Will & Heather Lake
Samantha & Grant Hollis IV
Anne Frances
Grant Wendell V
Grandparents: Matt & Tracey Lake
Grandparents: Matt & Tracey Lake
on the birth of their daughter born May 22, 2018
on the birth of their son born June 23, 2018
The Preschool Summer Camps The Preschool had 2 very successful Summer Camps! Our fun themes were: Space Camp and Little Luau. Twenty-two children were in attendance.
• Our enrollment for the new school year is at 50 children!! • Our “Meet the Teacher Night” is on Thursday, August 30 from 6-8 pm. • The First Day of Preschool is on Tuesday, Sptember 4, 9:00 am-1:00 pm! We are looking forward to a fun and exciting new year!
Contact Jen Willey, Preschool Director @ 859-0737 or jen@easleypresbyterian.org. Also, visit The Preschool on Facebook!
Amazing Grays Amazing Grays
Coming up ... • September 20 - Chatooga Belle Farms • October 18 - Pontoon boat ride on Lake Jocasee • November 29 - Grove Park Inn • January 27 - Greenville Symphony “Arabian Nights and Wintery Dreams”
The Amazing Grays took a sunny pontoon ride on Lake Keowee in May and visited the State House in Columbia, SC in June.
Please contact Jennifer Graham, Ruth Rice, or Janice Pritchett for more information.
PW Attention Women of All Ages! Are you looking for Bible study, fellowship, good times, growth and support from our circle of EPC women? Look no further! Join a circle! There’s one waiting for you. Imagine a group where you can have Bible study, share joys and concerns, and have love and support from fellow EPC women. You’ll find that there is a place for you. Check out a circle in September. We would love to have you join us! FROG meets on the second Thursday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in Room E203 at the church. Journey meets on the third Sunday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in a member’s home or the church library for a potluck supper. Joy meets on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. in a member’s home or the church parlor.The May and December meetings begin at 6:30 p.m. Sisters in Christ meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. in a member’s home or the church library. Wednesday AM meets the second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the church library.
School Supplies for UCM Our Summer Mission Project is collecting school supplies to share with United Christian Ministries. Please place items in the Church Parlor.
Visit www.easleypresbyterian.org for more information and to sign up.
CHURCH-WIDE PANCAKE BREAKFAST Fellowship Hall 10:00 AM Children and Youth will go to their promoted class after they eat. Adults will remain in the Fellowship Hall.
RALLY DAY SUNDAY, AUGUST 26 ARRAN FARM Home of Daniel & Janice Lee 800 Lenhardt Road, Easley, SC 29640 3:00-7:00 PM Games & Fellowship, Mutt’s BBQ Dinner ($9/plate), Worship Sign up online for the meal.