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The Chimes nline
Newsletter of First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta
SUNDAY Schedule Sunday, May 29 • Prayer breakfast for Homeless persons - 6:30 am, Fifield Hall • Communion Service 8:30 am, Winship Chapel • The Mustard Seed Bookstore 9:00 am - 12:00 pm • Sunday School for all ages 9:00 am • Worship Service - 10:15 am, Sanctuary • Fellowship Hour - 11:15 pm, Fifield Hall
reminder The Chimes is published bimonthly. In months where there are five Sundays (as in May), the fifth Sunday will be printed as a single issue. In the single issues, we will place a greater focus on editorial content and relevant points of interest.
May 29, 2011,
Rev. Craig N. Goodrich will preach “The Laid down Life.”
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his Sunday we begin our summer schedule with communion in the chapel at 8:30, Sunday school for all ages at 9:00 and worship in the Sanctuary at 10:15. The Scripture lessons this Sunday are 2nd Samuel 23:8-17 and John 15: 12 -17. The first tells the story of David’s three mighty warriors who upon hearing David say longingly that he desires a drink from the well of Bethlehem, break through enemy lines and return with water from the well. When David realizes what they have done, he pours out the water “to the LORD” exclaiming “[c]an I drink of the blood of the men who went at risk of their lives?” (2nd Samuel 23:17).
Order the chimes online The e-chimes is a great alternative to the traditional printing of The Chimes, considerably decreasing the expense of both print and postage. Help conserve our resources by switching over today. Simply send your correct email address and your mailing address to pstorey@firstpresatl. org or call 404-228-7702.
S u mme r S che dul e
In the second passage Jesus is with his disciples on the eve of his death. He gives them a new commandment, “to love one another as I have loved you,” and continues, “no one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:12-13). And, of course, this is exactly what Jesus did. On this Memorial Day Weekend, our themes are love and devotion, risk and sacrifice. We remember with gratitude those who have given their lives in the service of our country. And we know that sometimes love calls us to sacrifice our own comfort and security. So let’s ask ourselves this question, where is the love of God in Jesus Christ calling us? Might it be to a place of risk and sacrifice? How might we be called to lay down our lives in his service? The sermon is entitled “The Laid r e down Life.” m Sum ule d God bless you this Memorial sche ins beg y! Day Weekend. da Sun
6:30 am – Prayer Breakfast for Homeless Persons, Fifield Hall 8:30 am – Communion Service, Winship Chapel 9:00 am – Sunday School for All Ages 10:15 am – Worship Service, Sanctuary 11:15 am – Fellowship Hour, Fifield Hall
Faithfully Yours,
Craig
The Chimes Care, Growth & Events
Prayers for THOSE IN MILITARY SERVICE This is a list of known servicemen/women in our Church family. To add names, please call 404.228.7719.
Pray for: Chaplain Capt. Jamison Bowman ABE3 Gregory Bridges Sgt. Isaiah Bridges Lt. Col. Bradford W. Cousar LCPL Austin W.P. Eskew First Airman Kevin Lee Captain Alexandria Victoria Miller Captain John Warren Robey Captain Gabriel Rulewicz Ensign David B. Sibley USN Commander Ryan Tewell Col. Roderick G. Turner III 1st Sgt. Antonio G. Whitfield MC2 Tyler Wilson
Pastoral Care Report (As of May 18, 2011)
Hospitalized: Sonia Mize, Julie Webster
Recuperating: Steve McMillan
Deaths: We extend our deepest sympathy and lift up in prayer: Kay Whipple & family following the death of her mother, Bobbie Chrissey, on May 6th; Henry Wyche & family, and Caroline McLean & family, following the death of their aunt, Dr. Kate McKemie, on May 6th; the family and friends of our former member, Susan Whipple Sikes, who died May 7th; and Betsy Johnson & family following the death of her husband, Doug Hanny, on May 17th.
FPC Vacation Bible School 2011
Are YOU TRAVELING THIS SUMMER? Don’t forget to take us along. Worship with us live from any place in the world. http://www.firstpresatl.org or www.firstpresbyterian.tv Sundays 9:00 a.m. & 11:15 a.m. 10:15 a.m. this summer
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June 6th-9th, 2011 June 10th - Elementary Optional Bonus Day Register OnlineToday! www.firstpresatl.org/vbs Fp C
Christian Education
The Chimes programs & events
The Wedding Ministry is pleased to announce the following weddings at First Presbyterian Church:
July 11, 2010 – Kathleen Elizabeth “Betsy” Duggan Johnson and Douglas “Doug” Philip Hanny
Ancestors in the Making: You can enhance the future of First Presbyterian by remembering the church in your will. Legacy Giving Committee
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he word “legacy” has two different, but related, meanings. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, a legacy is “a gift by will especially of money or other personal property.” Also according to Merriam-Webster, a legacy is “something transmitted by or received from an ancestor or predecessor or from the past.” When you look around First Presbyterian Church, you see many examples of what our ancestors created and left behind for us since our church was founded in 1848. There are the magnificent Tiffany stained glass windows in the sanctuary; the peaceful gardens tucked within the church walls; special Christian Education programs; a spacious community ministry building--all made possible through numerous bequests, personal donations, and memorial gifts to the church. You are an ancestor of the future. You have the opportunity to reciprocate the generosity of those who came before you and create a lasting legacy
July 17, 2010 – Mary Jane Stacy and James Oliver Brent July 22, 2010 – Janice Carol Bryant and Roy “Rick” Allen Echert, III July 24, 2010 – Janna Elizabeth Lang and William “Will” Lampton
for the church members who follow you. By remembering the church in your will and becoming a member of the Legacy Giving Group, you will help ensure that the property and programs of First Presbyterian Church are preserved and enriched. Unless otherwise specified by the donor, legacy gifts are placed into the Church’s endowment, a permanent fund that is professionally managed. Such planned gifts are an excellent way to make a gift to First Presbyterian Church that will last beyond your lifetime. Your legacy gift, whether it be a little or a lot, will honor your church and what it has meant to you and your family. There is an old Chinese proverb that reads: The best time to plant a tree is twenty years ago. The second best time is now. We are reaping the benefits of the gifts that our ancestors, our predecessors, made to our church in the past. Now we get a chance to make a difference in the future. For more information on how you can remember First Presbyterian Church in your will, please contact Craig Goodrich: cgoodrich@firstpresatl.org or (404) 228-7714.
Aug. 7, 2010 – Sally Dowd Wood and Niko Douglas Schutte Sept. 11, 2010 – Dr. Margaret Allison Cobb and Dr. Austin McNees Barrett Dec. 11, 2010 – Frances Richardson Howell and John “Jack” Thomas Parrish Jan. 15, 2011 – Lydia Ann Jones and Benjamin “Ben” Downey Chastain Mar. 19, 2011 – Kathleen “Katie” Patricia McNulty and Brett Dale Fowler Apr. 2, 2011 – Kathryn “Kate” Elizabeth Brown and Wesley “Wes” Peyden McDavid Apr. 9, 2011 – Ann Read Simons and Timothy “Tim” James Futch Apr. 30, 2011 – Sarah McCaslan Marriner and Matthew Michael Oatts May 7, 2011 – Ashley Ann Holt and Charles Bion Sears May 14, 2011 – Julie Henderson Shepherd and David Patrick White May 14, 2011 – Susan Lea Butler and William Wyman Clanton
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The Chimes PROGRAMS & Events
The gift of greeting Next time you walk up the steps to church, stop and think about the hand that is reaching out to welcome you.
CHURCH GROWTH
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n a recent article in the Alban Institute’s Congregations magazine, Tim Dolan states, “I have never come across a congregation that bills itself as the ‘unfriendly church.’” Yet, Dolan continues, most churches “are not always as welcoming to first time visitors as they like to think they are.” When reading this, I was reminded of the comments of Dr. Rodger Nishioka, a professor of Christian education at Columbia Theological Seminary and our most recent FPC retreat keynote speaker. Dr. Nishioka spoke to
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us about his research on young adults and the decline in mainline church attendance. He challenged us to find new ways to be a vital church in the 21st century—one capable of serving emerging generations that aren’t as tied to old ways of being church as we are—and said, to achieve this goal, a welcoming congregation is something we MUST learn to be. Another thing that Dr. Nishioka made clear to us: being a welcoming congregation is not something that a few people, even key leaders, can do on their own, and Dolan’s article in Congregations backs this up. He writes that, when it comes to making the church a more welcoming environment, “the most important thing church members can do is be more intentional when it comes to welcoming visitors. This seems fairly obvious, but it is often overlooked.” Church members being intentional about welcoming visitors is perhaps the most vital component in a church becoming a welcoming congregation.
That’s why I hope that you all will think about ways that you can be intentional about making new and frequent visitors—even regular attendees who haven’t joined yet—feel welcome at First Presbyterian Church. Dolan’s article suggests many ways that congregations can be more welcoming, and there are just a couple I would like to lift up: 1. if someone is sitting in your regular seat, instead of being annoyed and asking them to move, sit nearby and strike up a conversation with them, and; 2. after you get to know a new person at the church, especially in worship, make a point of introducing that person to others. One final thing I want you all to consider: Dolan writes that, “Official ‘greeters’ at the church door can be helpful if they truly have the spiritual gift of greeting.” I know that there are plenty of people at FPC who have this gift. In the two and a half years that I have served this congregation, I have met many people who have reached out to me and made me feel welcome, as if it really mattered that I was a part of the life of this congregation. As we move through this summer and into the fall, I will be engaging in conversations with many people at FPC about how we might help make our congregation more welcoming by renewing a ministry of greeting. But all of our plans won’t amount to much if those of you with the gift of greeting don’t take part. So please think about the ways that you can help welcome new people into our midst at FPC—think about how you might get to know the next new person you see in worship. And if you have that gift of greeting, keep your eye out for news about a greeting ministry at FPC; because it can’t really happen without you. peace,
Hardy H. Kim
The Chimes PROGRAMS & events
Rives Edwards – Woodward Academy to University of South Carolina Hannah English – Lovett School to University of Georgia Campbell Gitomer – Lovett School to Emory University Sarah Grady – Westminster School to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Shelby Grady – Westminster School to University of Mississippi Anna Greene – Westminster School to University of Virginia Hayden Hosch – Whitefield Academy to University of Georgia Morgan Ivey – Lovett School to University of Georgia Kyra Johnson – Greater Atlanta Christian School to Louisiana State University
First Presbyterian Church and our Youth Department celebrate with our 2011 High School Graduates! Below you will see where they graduated from High School and where they will be attending college in fall 2011. Congratulations!
Dianne Loftis – Westminster School to Rhodes College Duncan McColl – Westminster School to Auburn University Joanna Olsen – Westminster School to University of Georgia Emily Payne – Woodward Academy to College of Charleston
Kevin Bell – Holy Innocents to University of Colorado
Jason Piper – Woodward Academy
Tinsley Birchfield – Pace Academy to Wesleyan University
Alex Smith – St. Pius X Catholic High School to Valdosta State University
Rachel Brannon – Paideia School to University of Georgia Devon Bullock – Grady High School to University of Georgia
Eric Summins – Woodward Academy to Georgia Institute of Technology
Rebecca Carter – Riverwood High School to Valdosta State University
Perrin Turner – Grady High School to Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts
Haley DuPre – Westminster School to Auburn University
Lee Vian – Grady High School to Emory University at Oxford
May 29
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The Chimes nursery/preschool & elementary
youth
Thank you to all the children, teachers, parents and volunteers who helped with Children’s Weekend. It was a pleasure to serve, learn and worship with you. David Florence
THANK YOU!
Thank you all the dedicated volunteersSunday school teachers, Worship Education leader, LOGOS leaders, Elementary and Nursery/Preschool Rotators, and Committee Members.
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lann hip P s r e d Lea treat Youth Re
S U M M E R 2 0 1 1 M I S S I O N T R IP S May 29-June 4
Summer Schedule Don’t forget that we change to the summer schedule on Sunday, May 29th. 9 a.m.- Sunday school 10:15 a.m. - Worship Service Craddock Center Trip Please keep this important family mission trip in your prayers. We leave on May 27th and come home May 30th. ·Thank you to everyone who has donated books for the Story Book Express!! You have until the end of May to drop them off. · Contact Morgan Moore at 404-2161593 or mmoore@firstpresatl.org. Vacation Bible School 2011 June 6 - 9 (optional elementary day on June 10) - Make your reservations now for the SHAKE IT UP Café!, where kids carry out God’s recipe! June 6 – 9 (optional elementary day on June 10) for VBS 2011 at the Shake It Up Café - where kids carry out God’s recipe! In this kid-friendly café, kids will explore the Bible as a cookbook filled with recipes for living out God’s word. For more information, please contact Margaret Evans at mwevans76@gmail.com or Ann Council at anncouncil@ gmail.com. To register, please visit the VBS site: www. firstpresatl.org/vbs. 8
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College Mission Trip to Haiti
June 5-11 Sr. High Mission Trip to Jamaica
June 12-18 Jr. High Mission Trip to Jamaica
July 10-16 Passport Mission Trip to Missouri
July 23-30 Family Mission Trip to Honduras
YOUTH SUMMER SUNDAY SCHOOL All 6th-12th Grader Youth are invited to join us each Sunday beginning June 5 through August 28 for our annual Youth Summer Sunday School class, “Faith in Films.” We will watch clips of movies then discuss the faith issues seen and how they inform and encourage us as Christians! Join us each week at 9:00 AM in B111. NO YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOL ON MAY 29 (MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY) OR SEPTEMBER 4 (LABOR DAY HOLIDAY) YOUTH VOLUNTEERS – VBS Youth Volunteers are needed for our Vacation Bible School – June 6-10, 2011. Please let Allison Per-Lee know if you are available to volunteer. Youth volunteers are very valuable to the success of VBS. So please serve God, our church and our children this summer. Youth will not have Sunday School on May 29. Please join the combined class in Fifield Hall to celebrate Memorial Day.
The Chimes adult sunday school
GEORGIA JUSTICE PROJECT SERIES Take a look at what’s happening during the Sunday School hour this summer. CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
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e start out the summer with a wonderful Memorial Day Celebration and Breakfast on Sunday, May 29th in Fifield Hall, Led by Rev. Chris Moore-Keish, Rev. Hardy Kim and Renee Boone. Come one and all as we thank God for our country, enjoy patriotic songs and honor our veterans. On Sunday, June 5, June 12 and June 26th we welome back to FPC, Doug Ammar, Executive Director and Project Attorney for the Georgia Justice Project as he continues his series on Les Misérables and continues to share the wonderful work done this great organization.
GEORGIA JUSTICE PROJECT SERIES
June 5: Les Misérables continued Jean Valjean’s Impact Doug will continue by discussing ex-convict Jean Valjean and his experience of redemption.
June 12: Lost Lessons from Groundhog Day Doug will use the film Groundhog Day as a launching point to discuss the potential for personal and relational transformation through public engagement and service to the poor. June 26: What Does Danny Glover, Crime, and a Big Hole have in Common? Doug will use the movie Grand Canyon to discuss the similarity among the three. Doug Ammar has been associated with the Georgia Justice Project (GJP) since began in 1986. First as a volunteer, then as a staff lawyer in 1990, and currently serves as the Executive Director. He has served in that capacity since 1995. Doug earned a Bachelor of History degree from Davidson College in 1984 and earned his law degree from Washington and Lee University in 1989. Transforming Our Community For 25 Years - The GJP Approach GJP’s holistic approach has three key components: First, our attorneys
provide high-quality legal defense at no charge. Our goal is to ensure the criminal justice system functions properly and that our clients are afforded due process. As their case is being resolved, we assign each client and their family to a member of our social work staff, who offer a range of counseling, job training, and referral services. Our goal is to ensure that our clients’ life circumstances change so living crime-free lives is not only possible but actively supported. Should our clients have to serve time in prison, we do not abandon them. Rather, we communicate regularly and visit several times a year. We also help arrange for families to visit so support networks are maintained. Every year, we receive hundreds of requests for assistance from people who have no money to hire an attorney. We have to turn away the vast majority (over 90%) of the people who ask for assistance because of our limited resources. The individuals who become our clients have a criminal case in its beginning stages; however, they are selected as a client because they want to make life changes. Many clients are referred from other social service agencies such as long-term drug treatment programs or teen outreach groups.
The Internationals Class May 29 Summer Session Begins – Memorial Day Celebration Rev. Tino Ballesteros – A Successful Mexican Immigrant’s Story Sundays, Room 327 9:00 – 10:00 am
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The Chimes
Worship for May 29
“Without music, life is a journey through a desert”
For information about private music instruction and group music, dance, and art classes, please visit us on the web or call: Kate Breytspraak, Director www.PSPAonline.org (404) 404-228-7762 kbreytspraak@firstpresatl.org
Graduation, wedding, baptism... we have gifts and cards appropriate for all occasions. Let us assist you in making a selection.
the Mustard Seed
Wednesdays 9-1 Sundays 9-1 (404) 201-6442 info@themustardseedbookstore.com
y Drop b d an ! say hi
Communion Service - 8:30 am, Led by xxxxx Sunday School for all ages 9:00 am, Worship Service at 10:15 am Rev. Craign Goodrich preaching Fellowship Hour- 11:15 am
Music for May 29 Prelude Anthem Offertory Ben Rsp Postlude
Requiescat in Pace – Leo Sowerby Valediction – Conte Simple Gifts – Pooler, arr. Threefold Amen Psalm XIX - Benedetto Marcello
The Chimes Bi-weekly Newsletter of
First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta 1328 Peachtree Street, NE Atlanta, GA 30309-3209 HOW TO CONTACT US Phone/404-892-8461 Fax/404-228-7760 E-mail: youbelong@firstpresatl.org Web: www.firstpresatl.org WORSHIP Sunday Communion Service - 8:30 am Sunday Worship Services -9:00 am & 11:15 am Sunday School 10:05 am WEEKLY BROADCASTS Sundays live at 9:00 am & 11:15 am On demand anytime www.firstpresatl.org/servicesonline AIB Cable Network (Comcast Channel 5; Smyrna Channel 22) Wednesdays at 8:00 p.m.
The Chimes
Summers are cool at FPC Check out a few of the “cool” events happening down at the church over the next few months.
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ave you ever headed out of church thinking “gee, I wish I had some ice cream”? Are you one of many who have been requesting an old-fashioned Hymn Sing? Are you any good a bowling? Kickball? Potlucking? Well, you are going to love the summer fellowship opportunities at FPC! The staff members have been hard at work preparing an entire summer full of activities for all generations in all walks of life. According to Lindsay Armstrong, “We want to make sure that everyone knows we aren’t closing up the church for the summer season. We want to have opportunities for members and friends to socialize, have fun, and fellowship together.”
We’ll start of the summer right, with an Ice Cream Social and VBS Kickoff on the playground on June 5th. The following week, the halls will be flooded with almost 200 children and volunteers, having fun at the “Shake It Up Café” for Vacation Bible School. “Every day, children will dance, sing, craft, and play their way through a different festival of the church year,” says Margaret Evans, this year’s VBS Director, “We’re really looking forward to another awesome year of VBS!” Throughout the month of June, there will also be a Date Night, Book Club and, perhaps the most-anticipated event of the summer, FPC Game Day. According to the committee, we’re going to take over a local park, bring our own picnics and tailgates, and have a game – kickball or softball – perhaps even pitting the staff against the members or men against women. It promises to be the hit of the Summer season!
July will bring more opportunities for fellowship, kicking off with an oldfashioned Hymn Sing and Ice Cream Social on July 3rd, a “Girl’s Night Out” planned for the ladies, and a “walkin” movie for all ages. Who can resist popcorn? Or bowling, for that matter? We’ll once again bring out the competitive spirit in everyone with a Bowling Night at a local bowling alley. In July and August, we’ll have several Potluck Picnics in different area parks. Members and friends will be welcome to bring lunch and activities to share. August plans include another Hymn Sing and a possible white water rafting trip. While we’re discussing Summer, don’t forget that the Worship schedule shifts for Summer - 8:30 Communion, 9:00 Sunday School, 10:15 Worship. Summer at FPC promises to be a great time! Even if you can include just one of these dates on your calendar, it is a great way to meet new people and connect to others in our church family. So, get in your bowling practice, start working on your picnic recipes, and we’ll see you around this summer!
FPC 2010 Annual Report Available for pick-up or view online at www.firstpresatl.org Church Members who would like a copy of the 2010 Annual Report, may pick one up at the Reception desk anytime during normal working hours.
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The Chimes
P L E A S E
T A K E
N O T E
report from our Annual Meeting
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he Session called a Congregational Meeting for May 1, 2011 at 11:15 a.m. immediately following the one worship service that day, which was at 10:15 a.m. Provided below is a recap along with highlights from this important gathering.
William M. Earnest
In his Executive Director’s report, among other things, Rev. Craig Goodrich thanked Pauline Storey for her long, wise and faithful service as Executive Assistant for Administration. Pauline will be retiring in June after 15 years at FPC.
Annual Meeting brings good news
Elder Ginger Jeffries gave the Personnel Committee report and made the motion that the congregation approve a 3% raise, effective April 1, 2011 for all called clergy. The congregation unanimously approved the motion. The Session had previously approved the same raise for the non-ordained staff. It is the first time in three years that our staff has gotten a raise.
as well as a few surprises!
Elder Tom Shields gave the Stewardship Report and it was all good news. He reported on the success of the Annual Giving Campaign, “In God We Trust” led by Stuart Bondurant, Tad Little and Eddie Newsom. Through the generosity of the congregation we exceeded our goals of 800 pledges and $3.8 million. Totals were 809 pledges for $3,807,644. Tom also noted that Peggy McCurdy, Director of Accounting, and Pam Carver, Assistant Director of Accounting, were celebrating 20 years with FPC in May.
On a beautiful Sunday morning, preceded by inspiring worship and followed by a wonderful picnic, the congregation assembled in the Sanctuary for the Annual meeting. Presided over by Moderator and Pastor George Wirth, the congregation Annual received several significant reports.
Continuing the good financial news, elder Charlie Ginden gave the Board of Trustees report. The Board Meetin g under the authority of the Session oversees the After declaring a quorum to be present, Bill Ernest as invested funds of the Church. As of March 31, 2011 the Clerk of the Session brought forth the slate of nominees Endowment of the church stands at $13,522,000. These to serve on the Nominating Committee, Class of 2013. funds are managed by Alesco Advisors and each year The congregation unanimously elected Greg Council, Eve approximately 5% of the market value of the endowment Earnest, Nancy Peterson and Wil York to serve alongside Peter is contributed to the operating budget of the Church. Boorn, Brant Ferrell, Lloyd Flood, Lena Galindo, Missy Madden and
RECAP
Anne Neikirk as well as two elders to be appointed by the Session.
During his report, Moderator George Wirth spoke of his gratitude for this church and its leaders. George thanked the congregation for the wonderful celebration of his 20th anniversary the preceding May, and referenced the 2010 Annual Report, prepared by the Communications ministry. The Annual Report was handed out to all attendees. George also thanked Florence Inman and her daughter Helen for making possible from a bequest from the estate of Sam Inman the republication of the church history book, A Church on Peachtree. Originally published in 1998, the new version includes an additional chapter written by our member Gayle White. Copies of the book, one per member family, were distributed after the meeting. 6
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Finally, elder Richard Felker gave a report on the Legacy Giving program which encourages members to remember the church in their planned giving and so help sustain the ministry of First Presbyterian in perpetuity. There are currently 47 members of the Legacy giving group and all members will be receiving a mailing in the month of May. The business of the congregation completed, the meeting was closed with prayer by Rev Goodrich after which and all proceeded to enjoy the church picnic which featured delicious barbeque, Brunswick stew and other delicacies provided by long time caterer Karin Davis and Roadshow. Fellowship and food was enjoyed by all ages as we spread out through Fifield Hall, the Ministers Garden and the Reception Room.