The Vine Winter 2016 17

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Winter 2016-2017

Fall Church Retreat Holy Habits - Prayer Holy Habits - Service Trunk or Treat

Fall Church Retreat onnected in

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Kanuga Conference Center, Hendersonville, NC On November 7 & 8, over 75 folks from EPC joined together at the beautiful Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC. We laughed and learned, sang and shared, prayed and paused as we discovered what it means to be “Connected in Christ.” As Elizabeth Link, our retreat speaker reminded us, one of the first things Jesus did when he began his ministry was to gather a group of 12 friends to help him along the way. Through Bible study and discussion, we reflected on what it means to stay connected to the vine, so that as Christ’s disciples, we can bear much fruit.

Friday evening ended with singing around the campfire and s’mores, of course!

Saturday was filled with delicious meals, yummy snacks (yes, we ate A LOT!), and more time of connecting with Christ and one another. We closed the weekend with a meaningful time of worship with Ali Riehm leading us with beautiful music, the word preached by Elizabeth Link and joining around the communion table.

Many thanks to the Retreat Committee: Mario DiPietro, Billy Waddell, Denise Rettberg, Angela & Greg Lucas and Deborah & Richard Mintz for planning and putting together such a wonderful weekend. ~ Ginna Lister

This year was the first time that I had ever attended the retreat for the entire church even though I have attended all but one of the ladies’ retreats. Since I live alone as my children are grown and on their own, I thought that I would feel out of place when other people had their whole family. I was so very wrong as I was not the only one who attended solo. Even if I had been the only one, it would not have mattered as everyone treated each other as part of one big happy family. All sessions were wonderful and well planned, the accommodations were nice, the food was great, and the comradeship was super.

I was most impressed with the young people as they took such an active part in all of the group discussions and presentations.

The parents in our church have done an outstanding job raising such sweet and well-mannered children. They seemed as comfortable with adults as with each other.

I look forward to attending many more retreats. ~ Wilma Shealy

This year our family signed up for our first church retreat. Four years ago, we had a conflict and really hated that we could not participate. This year, Britt had to schedule knee surgery and it happened to fall the day we were to leave for the retreat. Not wanting to disappoint the kids we made arrangements for his mom to come and stay with him Friday evening and Saturday. After getting him home and settled from surgery, I rushed to finish packing and get the kids from school. By the time we left, I was a bit frazzled and wondering if it was worth all the rush and worry to attend. I am so very glad that we did.

Friday evening, we had a nice dinner at the dining hall with friends. Being able to just sit and enjoy the meal with the kids and friends was a nice way to end what had been a frazzled day. There was no cooking or cleaning to do and after dinner we went to our cabin, which was tucked up in the woods and perfect for a comfortable stay.

The evening programming was a nice way to gather and remember how blessed we are by the community at EPC. Wyatt enjoyed going to the Baker building with the other kids and Mrs. Ginna for a lesson and crafts. Mary Fran and I enjoyed the session together and it was really great to see the youth there working within the adult groups. They actively participated and seemed to really enjoy being part of the discussions.

One of the best parts for the kids was having time for worship by the lake with the fireplace and ending the night making s’mores in the fire. We then headed up to the Inn where there was more fellowship watching the remainder of the Clemson game.

Saturday we had more meals together, more sessions aimed at teaching the importance of community, and more time to fellowship with friends. For the kids this time with friends at Kanuga was the best part. They walked around the lake during breaks and just enjoyed the peaceful setting. For me, seeing them truly enjoy this community that we are part of was what will bring me back again.

We very much look forward to another opportunity to spend time with the EPC community in such a beautiful, relaxing setting. ~ The Burnett Family

Prayer The Holding Cross

One EPC Member’s Story of Prayer

As I sat in my chair at the hospital, after having surgery, a dear friend of mine stopped by to visit. She asked how I was feeling and we talked for a while. As she was leaving, she handed me a small, wooden, hand-carved cross and told me to keep this with me during my recovery. I thanked her and set it on the table next to me and didn’t really think too much more about it.

That night, when I was getting into bed, I took the cross from the table and put it into my hand. That was really the first time I had actually looked at it and felt it. As I held it in my hand, my fingers wrapped around it. Perfectly. It fit perfectly into my hand! I could feel the texture of the wood with my fingers as I moved it around and around in my hand. And I felt much more. I felt a connection.

It came over me like a wave as I was lying there in bed with this small, wooden cross in my hand. I realized that this was much more than just a small token of faith given to me by a friend. This suddenly became my direct line to God. I could feel him there with me as I gripped that cross and I knew that this cross was going to become much more to me than just a token of appreciation.

As the days and weeks passed, I held that cross in my hand every morning and every night, praying to the Lord for help during my recovery; and that somewhat rough cross became smooth as a beach-washed stone. It rarely left my side, unless I left my house. It truly was my link to God as I prayed and as I recovered.

Recently, I had some friends over and, after they left, I could not find my cross anywhere. I looked all over the house, but it was gone. I was devastated. I felt like my link with God, my ability to communicate, my connection with his hand holding mine as we prayed, was lost. I soon realized that this was not the case. God never left my side and he never stopped communicating with me. Just the same, it felt that way. I am glad to say that I recently received a new cross and we have picked up where I left off. I go to bed at night with this cross in my hand and thank God for watching over me. And I know that that small wooden cross has had a huge impact on my renewed relationship with God and on my recovery thus far.

Hand-carved holding crosses are based on an ancient design of “comfort crosses” designed to fit into the palm of your hand and to be used during the holy practice of prayer.

Members of EPC create these unique symbols of the true hope, real comfort, and unfailing mercy of Christ who holds us.

Service Dream Center Opportunity Village

On Saturday October 22, many of our church members helped the Dream Center begin the work on their Opportunity Village. The Opportunity Village will provide small temporary housing for those suffering from homelessness. The Village will provide 10 transitional homes to those working through a program that will encourage independence. Easley Presbyterian provided our bus to help shuttle workers to and from the project.

Others helped lay concrete and hammer nails. Our church members practiced their holy habits by sacrificing their time on a Saturday to humbly serve their community.

Smiley Bags

On October 12, the congregation helped package over 400 Smiley Bags that were to be delivered to a Title 1 school in Columbia.

We practiced being cheerful givers by packaging candy, toys, and treats to provide a sense of normalcy to children suffering in our own state. A group of youth, led by Abigail Caldwell, delivered the bags to the school in person. Abigail and her friends have delivered these bags many times and the relationships that are being formed allow both children and youth to show the love of Christ to the world.

Stop Hunger Now

On November 16, Easley Presbyterian will help

package over 20,000 meals for the hungry. Stop Hunger Now provides us with the opportunity to partner with their hunger relief ministry. In 2015, we packaged 10,000 meals that were delivered to schools in Haiti. This year we will double our production and our impact!

Trunk or Treat 2016

October 30, 2016 must go down as one of the largest crowds at our annual Trunk or Treat event! We again partnered with the Methodists and moved across the street to their lot.

There were lots of fun costumes, lively music, creative trunks, and LOTS of candy for all!

John Dockery commented that it was so much fun to help the church and the community!

EPCYouth has had a great Fall 2016!

by Thomas Clanton

EPCHigh has been meeting on Sunday nights and learning great lessons, such as: what it means to be made in the image of Christ, what Christ did for the world, and why creeds and confessions are so important. They spent time growing closer to each other in fellowship during our annual scavenger hunt and trunk or treat event. These high school students are growing more and more each day into spiritually mature adults!

EPCMiddle has been meeting on Wednesday afternoons and evenings.

After school time on Wednesday is a great time where students from Gettys, Wren, Powdersville, and other schools spend time doing homework and having recreation time together. On Wednesday evenings they spend time focusing on the Word of God. This fall they have learned about the wisdom literature in the Bible, what makes the book of Jonah unique, and what the Gospel of Mark is really about.

These 6-8th grade students are building friendships and the vital knowledge that will be necessary to propel them to the next level of their academic and spiritual lives.

Welcome New Members!

Dewitt Harrison 316 Park Way Easley, SC 29640 864-346-6568

Eric & Anna Goodwin Elizabeth & Sally 307 Four Lakes Dr. Easley, SC 29642 864-306-8596

Welcome our new Financial Secretary , Lesly Shelton!

Lesly lives in Liberty, SC with her husband Rob, and her four daughters, Sarah(16), Leah(13) and twins, Kyleigh & Katelyn(11). Her family is active in Fellowship Community Church in Liberty. Lesly has Church Secretary experience and she is excited to join the EPC Staff.

Baptisms The Sacrament of Baptism was administered to Brooke Carolyn Davidson during the 11:00 AM service on September 25, 2016.

She is the daughter of Matt and Krissy Davidson.

Congratulations!

Congratulations to

Will & Ellen Young

on the birth of their son

Congratulations to

Anna Catherine Caldwell &

Derrick Morris married on October 15, 2016

Paul Harris Young

born August 23, 2016 Grandparents: Paul & Pat Cook

Congratulations to

Katie Howerton & Stephen Rosenberry

on the birth of their daughter Congratulations to

Bill & Joanna Griese

on the birth of their daughter

Lilly Burch Griese

born September 2, 2016

Baileigh Grace Howerton born October 25, 2016 Grandmother: Bunny Deener Great-Grandmother: Grace Hamilton

Thank You Notes I would like to thank everyone who made or brought cookies for the Kairos Weekend. It means a lot to our Kairos team and all of the residents of McCormick Correctional Institution.

Just to inform you of the purpose of Kairos, if you don’t know or have forgotten: 1. To take the knowledge and love of Jesus Christ, our Savior and Lord, to incarcerated men and women.

2. To those who know Christ, we take the Love of God, so they know they are not forgotten.

3. To form small groups of individual for encouragement, support and love for one another.

4. For the residents to learn to trust and have faith God is with them always.

5. To enter the prison monthly so residents will know God’s presence is not a one-and-done deal.

Thank you again for your support of a most important ministry!

Blessings, Tracy Barnes

Thank you so much for thinking of us.

Your donation is greatly appreciated.

Please thank all the SOAR Group (Day Camp) for their decision.

May God Bless you, Shine Soup Kitchen Staff

SOAR Day Camp, Thank you for your donation. We appreciate you. Thank you for your effort and hard work in all that you did.

Matthew, Megan & Amanda Pickens County Humane Society

Amazing Grays

Coming up next • December 4 Christmas Choral Concert at Presbyterian College We will meet at the Church at 12:00 and eat lunch at a restaurant in Easley before heading to Clinton to hear one of our Church members, Danielle Nunnery, sing in the wonderful concert at 3:00. We will return to the Church by 6:30.

• January - Bingo at Foothills Presbyterian Community Look for more details soon!

Amazing Grays rode up to Camp Greenville and enjoyed the beautiful fall view from Fred W. Symmes Chapel, also known as “Pretty Place,” in October.

PW Craft Bazaar Thank you to all our crafters who donated items and to all who shopped our Craft Bazaar in October. We will donate approximately $3,000 to Samaritan Health Clinic.

Christmas Mailbox Fundraiser It's that time of year again when the Easley Presbyterian Women hold their Christmas Mailbox Fundraiser. We will be offering fresh greenery and a festive red box to decorate your street-side mailbox or you can buy one for someone special as a gift!

The cost is $30.00. You need to complete the form and return it to the church office no later than Sunday, November 27, 2016!

NO late forms will be accepted!

The mailboxes will be decorated the week of December 5th, 2016.

The profits from this year's fundraiser will benefit The Thornwell Children's Home, the UCM Winter Heating Fund, and Our Neighbor's House!

If you would like to volunteer to be a part of our decorating team, please contact the church office!! It's a fun way to express your creativity and have a good time while working with friends!!!!

Coming in January: Our Annual Soup Sale Be looking for more information and order forms after the Holidays!

Advent2016

• Sunday, November 27

5:00 pm - Advent Wreath Workshop 6:00 pm - Dinner & Program - “Journey to Bethlehem”

• Sunday, December 4

11:00 am - Lessons and Carols Service

• Wednesday, December 7 6:15 pm - Gift Making Workshop Ten Thousand Villages Adult Classes

• Wednesday, December 14

6:15 pm - Children’s Musical

• Sunday, December 18

5:00 pm - Christmas Caroling

• Saturday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Services

5:00 pm - Family Candlelight Service - special music

by the children and youth choirs

8:00 pm - Candlelight and Communion Service

• Sunday, December 25 - Christmas Day Service

11:00 am Only -- No Sunday School

• Sunday, January 1 - Service & Communion 11:00 am Only -- No Sunday School

Coming February 26, 2017 We welcome, guest speaker, Skye Jethani, who is an author, speaker, consultant and ordained pastor.

He will preach in both of our Sunday morning services and continue Sunday evening with two keynote sessions and dinner.

Look for more details after the holidays!