News & Views. M a y I ns ide this is s ue:

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1 M a y V o l u m e 1 7 I s s u e 5 News & Views I ns ide this is s ue: New Music Minister 2 Lael Work Party 2 Mission Weekend 3 Food & Fellowship 3 News Briefs 4 Pentecost Offering 4 Deacons Corner 5 Remembrance Vigil 5 Family Ministry 6 Thanks from Sydney 7 Calendar 9 In the grey days of winter and early spring, I sometimes find my mood becoming grey as well. I can be so influenced by the context around me. How easy it is to focus on the negative when in this mood. It compounds what seems to me a human proclivity for finding out and pointing out what is wrong. And when I begin to think about what is wrong and how can I keep from doing the wrong things, it feels a little like I am living my way through a field of land mines. I just want to miss them all. So while it probably is good to think about what is wrong and avoid it, this does not seem enough to me. Also, I just don t always seem to have all the information or judgment needed. And how can we live if life is all about avoidance? Will we end up avoiding life? 1 Peter 1:18 suggests that we get caught up in the futility of our ancestors. Romans 4-5 suggests that dependence on the law lets us know we sin, we have not missed all the land mines, we have gone astray; but law simply leaves us with our sin. Paul seems to be pointing to the futility of focusing on simply trying to be law-abiding. For this is abiding in something that is partial and not life giving. This seems a little like paying attention to the fence that is set up to protect us and not turning to see the green pastures behind us. Both John the Baptist and Jesus invited their hearers to repent. That word in Greek means to turn around - to turn around and turn toward God. Another way that 1 Peter talks of that, I believe, is that through Jesus, his followers have come to trust in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are set on God. And when we have turned our attention to God and the reality God describes to us, we move beyond the futile ways so that you have genuine mutual love, love one another deeply from the heart. This seems to me to move us from looking at the fence, the law that is designed to help us limit the damage we do to one another, and moves us toward how we actually do what is good for one another. I suspect we all know that all is not right in our world. We have done and too easily continue to do things that we know are not good May 14 Continued on Page 2...

2 P a ge 2 M a y From the Pastor...continued from Page 1 or good for others. We can so easily point the finger of blame, and know that there is real blame. Others around us, and too often the systems we have created, do things that are not life-giving. Yet if we simply point at the other, we miss the opportunity to see what good we can do. If we simply say it is the other the other person, the society, the culture, the government, or whatever other we point toward we absolve ourselves. What I believe Jesus invites us to do is to look beyond the blame. We cannot absolve ourselves since only he can do that, which he does, and in absolving us he enables us to look toward what is good. He invites us to follow him and in doing so, to overcome evil with good. (Romans 12:21) Indeed, we are invited to live into the resurrection, to be resurrection people. We look to the good and the good we can do. We can lament what is wrong, but we cannot be stuck in lament, for we are called to do what is good. To focus on love is not to focus on having a feeling, but to care for and value the other in a way that leads us to attempt to do what is good for all. In this way, love is a verb. To have genuine love is to bring our ability to act to bear or bring about the good as best we can, for it is our calling. I believe this is what we attempt to do in being a church; we attempt to be good for each other and encourage each other to notice the love and grace of God. God invites us to journey together on this path, a path that has a goal: to do the good God would have us do. This is not simply avoiding pitfalls, but is actively engaging in the will of God what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2b) May the grace of God and the peace of our Lord Jesus Christ be yours, Norman Introducing Our New Music Minister The Personnel Committee is pleased to introduce Erika Whittington, who was hired on April 25 to lead our music ministry. Erika will lead the Praise Team, direct the Chancel Choir, and oversee our music ministry. Erika has been musically involved in church since a young age, first in small ensembles, and later as a member of youth and adult worship teams. After attending a Bible College for a year, she transferred to the University of Idaho. She will graduate this spring with a bachelors in music (vocal performance). At UI, Erika participated in several choral groups including the Vandaleers, where she served as a section leader. Her experience and education, as well as her enthusiasm and energy will add much to our music ministry. Erika has a passion for leading worship and is excited to be able to share that passion with us. Lael Work Week Siding Going Up May 1-6 Volunteers will be out at Lael beginning May 1 to replace the siding on the Barn with metal siding. The crew will work from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day until the project in completed. More help is always welcome, and lunch will be provided each day. Volunteers should bring work gloves, hammer, crow bar, lawn chair, and water. Contact the church office with questions.

3 N e ws & Views P a ge 3 Looking for a Great Family Event to Kick Off Your Summer? Circle June 2-4 on your calendar and pick up a registration form for a fun and fruitful intergenerational weekend at beautiful Camp Spalding! This is a great opportunity to support our Presbytery's summer camp through a variety of service projects, while also enjoying some free time to boat or hike around the lake and grounds. We will also experience inspirational worship together on Sunday morning led by Pastor Norman, and time in the evenings for fellowship. Work projects are typically geared toward our team make-up, with simple maintenance to more complex projects that match individual interests and skills. Children can team up with their parents or other adults to help with cabin cleaning, grounds cleanup, etc. More skilled projects over the years have included building tent platforms, dismantling an aging shed, and building transitional stairs on a hillside. Our accommodations this year will be in the classic cabins which are heated and have beautiful views of the lake. Once again we will enjoy delicious meals prepared by the Camp Spalding chefs. We typically drive up to camp Friday afternoon/ evening and stay through Sunday lunch, but your participation is welcome for all or part of the weekend as your schedule allows. Registration forms with more information are now available in the church office and on our website. Wednesday Supper Fellowship Spring BBQ May 10 Please join your church family for our final Wednesday Supper Fellowship dinner for the Spring, on May 10. We will enjoy grilled hamburgers and hotdogs with all the fixins', salads, baked beans, lemonade and desserts. PLEASE NOTE NO WEDNESDAY SUPPER FELLOWSHIP ON MAY 3 A heartfelt thank you to the many, many people who have so generously given of their time and talents to help make our Spring dinners a warm and welcoming time of good food and fellowship. Buy a Brownie, Support a Scout Eagle Project to Benefit Lael Jed Wallen has an ambitious Eagle Scout project goal of building a gazebo out at Lael overlooking the pond. The cost will be high, so he is planning to do some fundraising. His first fundraiser will be on May 21st. He will be having a well-stocked bake sale at the church featuring breads, muffins, apple tarts, pocket pies, brownies, various cookies, cakes, and cupcakes. Consider donating to his cause and taking home some goodies too! Another fundraiser Jed is running is selling lasagnas made by the Wallen family and himself. Order forms will be available in the pew racks and also in the office. You can leave your order with Kathy in the church office. Both meat and meatless lasagnas are available. The cost is $16 for a large, 9 x 13 pan and $12 for a medium, 11 x 7 pan. Remember to tell your friends too! There will be a pickup day on May 28 at the church or for $2 extra it can be delivered. Lasagnas will be frozen for easier transport. If you would rather place an order by phone, call the Wallens at

4 P a ge 4 M a y News Briefs CAROL RENFREW CIRCLE will hold our last Bible study meeting for this spring on Thursday, May 25 at 1:30 in the Chapel room. Lesson four will take us through Who is Jesus? from the perspective of John. Please read background scripture from the Gospel of John, chapters 1, 9, and 10. The key scripture for the lesson is John 9:1-7. All women are welcome to this time of study and fellowship. Circle meetings will resume in the fall on September 28. SUNDAY, MAY 7, IS DEACONS BENEVOLENCE SUNDAY The Deacons have designated the first Sunday loose offering to go to the Camp Spalding Scholarship Fund. This fund will help defray the cost of summer camp for children and youth associated with our church. The Deacons also encourage donations of non-perishable food and household products for the food bank. You may bring items of your choice, or items to fill out this month s menu for the Give-a-Meal-a-Month program. Look for menus and yellow bags in the narthex. CONGRATULATIONS, TO OUR GRADS! These young women will graduate from the University of Idaho in May and we will recognize them in worship on May 7th: Lauren Nancarrow, BS in Wildlife Resources Brianna Wallen, BS in Elementary Education with endorsement in English Erika Whittington, BA in music, vocal performance Amy Pendegraft, MA in History SUMMER SCHEDULE BEGINS MAY 28 Worship at 9:30 a.m. No Sunday School Summer schedule runs Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day weekend. Regular schedule returns September 10. Finance Report As of March 31, 2017 March YTD Receipts $ 20,673 $ 84,331 Disbursements $ 22,622 $ 92,940 YTD Surplus/(Deficit) ($8,609) Cash Balance (checking/savings) $60,766* *includes Capital Campaign funds Pentecost Special Offering Each year on Pentecost Sunday (this year on June 4), we celebrate the arrival of the Holy Spirit as a bringer of new life with an offering intended to nurture the faith of youth. As one of the four Special Offerings of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Pentecost Offering unites us in a church-wide effort to support young people in Christ and inspire them to share their faith, ideas, and unique gifts with the church and the world. The Offering supports PC(USA) programs that advocate for children and develop youth and young adult leaders. In addition, our congregation will retain 40% of the Offering to minister to children at risk right here in our own community. By giving to the Pentecost Offering, we participate in the promise of the Holy Spirit which is for you, for your children, and for all... (Acts 2:39). Learn more about the offering at pcusa.org. Look for the Special Offering envelopes in the pew racks, or just indicate Pentecost Offering in the memo line of your check. Thank you for helping to support and care for young people as they build a strong foundation of faith.

5 N e ws & Views P a ge 5 Deacons Corner As FPC moves to encourage togetherness as the body of Christ (one of the four points identified in our recent discernment process), the Deacons are presenting brief interviews with church members. We hope that this will help us learn more about the people who are in our church family and will act as a springboard for deeper conversations. Jim Robinson remembers living on Orchard Avenue with his parents and two brothers when it was still surrounded by farms. While it has changed a lot, Jim loved his town and neighborhood enough to stay, and now lives about a block from where he grew up. Jim married Mary twenty years ago at Lael, and together they raised four children. Today, they get to travel a lot to visit their kids and grandkids. Jim's career started with four years as a machinist, and he spent the last forty years as a farm and car mechanic. He enjoys many hobbies including restoring old cars and flying radio-controlled helicopters. His journey with First Presbyterian began when he decided his daughter should go to church, and he found that maybe he was the one who really needed it. His favorite memory in our church was his baptism by Pastor Gary Mathison, and he feels that each pastor in the church has helped him cultivate his spiritual life in new and unique ways. Jim's favorite thing about First Presbyterian is working with the church family. He knows that change will always be with us, but is encouraged with the knowledge that God does not ever change. ~ Harper Wallen Jacob Wells grew up in Sidney, Ohio. In his younger years his family lived out in the country surrounded by fields of corn. He, his 2 sisters, and friends enjoyed playing and hiding in the cornfields. Around the age of ten, his family moved closer to town into a wooded area. Jacob and his future wife, Amanda, started dating in his senior year of high school. In the fall after high school graduation, Jacob enlisted in the Marine Corps. He served for 4 years, including time in Iraq and Norway, and still has close friends from that time. Jacob and Amanda were married during his final year in the Marines. He describes his life as time spent reaching for the stars and carrying a song in his heart. He said, If you dream it, and work hard, you can achieve it. Jacob is a forester for the US Forest Service. He and Amanda have 2 sons, Levon age 6 and Gideon age 4. Their family moved back to Moscow from Genesee in March Jacob loves to spend time with his family; he enjoys listening to music and playing guitar; he likes to fish. Jacob is inspired by his wife, Amanda, and their sons. A favorite Church memory is attending Church camp in the summers! His favorite Bible story is about Noah. He enjoys the people and the music ministry at FPC, and currently serves as an elder. ~ Linda Fleener Vigil of Remembrance On May 19th, the 10th anniversary of the tragic shooting that took the lives of four people and injured two more, the Moscow Interfaith Association is sponsoring a community event to remember the lives lost and reflect on the grace of God that enabled us to recover and move forward together. Beginning at Friendship Square at 7 pm, we will follow a path lit by luminaria, pause at each of the sites where people were shot, and eventually make our way to the sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church for a prayer vigil. All are welcome.

6 P a ge 6 M a y Sydney Craft Rozen Interim Director of Family Ministry fpcsydney@aol.com M A Y N EWS Somebunny Thanks Volunteers for Egg Hunt and Crafts & Treats Party Little girls in spring dresses, small boys wearing bunny ears, and smiling children toting baskets all found more than 400 plastic eggs in our church s sanctuary Saturday morning, April 15. By the end of the hunt, every child s basket or treat bag was stuffed with eggs filled with candy, stickers or small toys. After the egg hunt, parents and grandparents joined the children as they headed downstairs to Fellowship Hall. There, they sampled a colorful buffet of spring-themed treats, visited tables set up for crafts, coloring and take-home puzzle booklets, and relaxed in conversation. Without the generous help of volunteers, Granny Bunny would have been a frazzled, cottontailed mess. Many thanks to the following fabulous women, who helped make this intergenerational, community event so joyous: Amanda Wells: Chief Assistant Egg-Hiding Bunny; cookies, fruit kabobs, snacks, and crafts table hostess Barb Olsen: Assistant Egg-Hiding Bunny, treats, and cookie decorating co-hostess Sally Amador: Cookies, frosting, and cookie decorating co-hostess Corinne Carey: Rice Krispies treats Susan Roberts: Fruit and cheese platter Lauren Wenny: Bottles of juice Kathy Pitman: Cookies, frosting, sprinkles, and crafts table hostess Linda Fleener: Treats and crafts table hostess Mary Jo Van Gerpen: Fruit platter Donan Nealon: Crafts table hostess Families, Friends, Former Youth Groupies Invited to Honor our Graduates on May 21 We will share joy, music and happy memories during FPC s annual Youth Sunday service at 10:30 am on May 21. Celebrating the upcoming graduation of seniors McKenzy Bogden, Kieren Daley Laursen and Emma French from Moscow High School will be part of the worship service that morning. Current members of our two Youth Groups will lead all elements of worship on Youth Sunday. We also invite all former members of Youth Group to attend this joyous service at our church. We will also honor former FPC member, high school senior, Madison (Maddy) Vanderwall of Utah, and current MHS juniors William Murphy and Ashton Raines, both of whom are moving away with their families this summer.

7 N e ws & Views P a ge 7 Giving thanks with a grateful heart for ministry with children and teenagers By Sydney Craft Rozen My ministry with children and teenagers began at FPC nearly seven years ago. Each day I spent with them no matter how mischievous a child or squirrelly a teenager might be the wisdom of two scriptures helped guide me. Both verses are from 1 Corinthians, Chapter 13: If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. In my first six years, I served as a volunteer with Family Ministry Director Claire Murphy. Claire and I quickly recognized our sisterhood. We shared a deep belief that children and teenagers need adults to listen to, encourage and support them; to help guide them spiritually, and to love and accept them exactly as they are. (We also knew how to think fast when one of our carefully laid plans took a zigzag turn. This happened nearly every week at Youth Group meetings, because we let the kids take the lead whenever possible unless the teenagers wanted to use the church roof as a cool hiding spot for a game of Sardines. ) When Claire accepted her dream job, teaching music education at the University of Idaho, FPC's Family Ministry took a big hit to the heart. I shamelessly badgered Pastor Norman and Bruce Pitman, head of Personnel, to hire me because I loved the kids. I needed a full-time job as much as I needed a big honkin' hole in the head. But I was familiar with the children and teenagers of our church and the community kids who found their way to our door. Because of my longtime work with Claire, I also knew many of the steps to the frantic tap dances we performed behind the scenes to keep the youth programs up and running every week. Pastor Norman and Bruce Pitman hired me as Family Ministry's interim director in mid-august, a few weeks after Claire's departure. I am very grateful to Pastor Norman for his encouragement, kindness and wise counsel, and to Bruce for his support and compassion. From my first day at work, Kathy Pendegraft was a literal Godsend. To call her our church's office administrator is like describing Andrea Bocelli, the brilliant classical tenor, as a guy who sings OK. Kathy has bailed me out so many times that I should be mortified. She guided me through the bookkeeping for our holiday wreath sales, kept me posted on upcoming church events, turned my childlike attempts at computer graphics into art for posters, fliers, and newsletter articles; answered a hundred million questions, and rehearsed a cast of high-energy, bouncy children into singing Away in a Manger like angels. Above all, Kathy is a woman of kindness, patience so much patience humor and faith. She is a blessing in my life. While a volunteer committee began a thoughtful search for a permanent director, I scribbled frenzied notes in the giant-size desk calendar I bought for my new office. I realized very fast that none of the ministry's programs for Christian education, youth and children's groups, community outreach or special events could even begin without help. Without you. Continued on next page...

8 P a ge 8 M a y From Sydney...continued from Page 7 More than two dozen of you, many of whose own children are grown, immediately responded to my panicked Minute for Mission in late August. You volunteered and helped organize schedules for: Sunday School: Helen Brown, Donan Nealon, Jennifer Strampher, Delaney Piper Youth Group and GIA: Julie Hopper, Harper Wallen, Susan Roberts, Linda Fleener, Mary Stormo Children's sermons: Pastor Norman, Donan Nealon, Jeremiah Nealon, Julie Hopper, Janice Anderson, Amanda Wells FOON (Pizza ministry): Mary Jo Van Gerpen (coordinator,) Jeremiah Nealon, Corinne Carey, Linda Fleener, Susan Roberts, Mary Stormo, Kathy Warren Youth fundraisers / outreach events: Ellen Johansen, Andy Johansen, Barbara Aaron, Sally Amador, Susan Billin, Geoff Billin, Helen Brown, Celeste Brown, Chris Williams, Corinne Carey, Marissa Rudley, Carol Crimmins, Karen Huntington, Barb Olsen, Patrick Olsen, Kathy Pitman, Nadine Morton, Dianne Daley Laursen, Steve Daley Laursen, Louise Avery, Audrey Norman, Ed Schaper, Suzie Trail, Kathleen Watrous, Bill Ward, Lauren Wenny, Kathy Pendegraft, Harper Wallen, Tammy Wallen, Julie Hopper Christmas play rehearsals, costumes, treats: Claire Murphy, Amanda Wells, Tammy Wallen, Barb Olsen, Jacob Wells, Kathy Pendegraft, Mary Read, Mary Robinson, Mary Stormo, Corinne Carey, Pat Carey, De Bush, Donan Nealon, Hollie Mikami, Matthew Mikami, Lauren Wenny, Ellen Johansen, Barbara Aaron, Kathy Pitman, Andy Johansen, Continuing encouragement, support and prayer: Lee Rozen, Joann Jones, Susan Roberts, Mary Stormo, Susan Billin, Bruce Pitman, Jacob Wells, Sherrill Richarz, Doris Billingsley, Mary Donohoe and many more among our church family I'm stepping away with a grateful heart and a million thanks to all of you. You have helped to keep this ministry of family, faith, hope, and love thriving in a year of change. Literally nothing could have happened without you. Soon after Youth Sunday on May 21, my interim directorship will end. On June 1, we will welcome Jeremiah Nealon as Director of Family Ministry. Our beloved church is ready for a new vision and new outreach. Jeremiah is a family man who is a student of theology and lives his faith. He also can lead kids and parents on outdoor adventures, field trips and outings without creaky knees or a bookworm's tendency toward solitude. I'll still spend time catching up with the kids at Wednesday Night Suppers, and will write and direct them in this year's Christmas play. I always will love each of the children and teenagers I have helped encourage and guide in these seven years at FPC and 14 years at my former church near Seattle. They have brought tears to my eyes with their vulnerability, made my sides ache with laughter with their humor, asked and discussed challenging spiritual questions, and shared their faith journeys. They are people of true goodness, acceptance and love and they already know that the greatest of these is love. Thank you all, from my heart.

9 N e ws & Views P a ge 9 May 2017 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 7p Scouts 2 6:30p Stephen Ministers 7p T344 Committee Pastors Retreat and Presbytery Gathering at Camp Spalding 3 12:30 Women s Prayer CCC 5:15p GIA 5:30p Taizé (No Supper this week) 6:30p Youth Group 4 6:30a Men s Shari s 11a Theology Discussion Group 12p FOON 5:00p Praise Team 5:30p Girl Scouts 6:30p Choir 5 6 Be sure to visit the Heifer Cannoli Booth at Ren Fair Lael Siding Replacement Work Week 7 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship (communion) 10:50 Children s Church 2p Nursing Home Services 8 7p Scouts :30 Women s Prayer CCC 5:15p GIA 5:30p Taizé 6p Final Supper Fellowship BBQ 6:30p Youth Group 11 6:30a Men s Shari s 11 Theology Discussion Group 12p FOON 5:00p Praise Team 5:30p Girl Scouts UI Commence ment 14 MOTHERS DAY 9:15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship 10:50 Children s Church 15 7p Deacons 7p Scouts Pastor Norman gone through May :30p Stephen Ministers 17 5:15p GIA 6:30p Youth Group 18 6:30a Men s Shari s 12p FOON 5:00p Praise Team 5:30p Girl Scouts 5:30p Lael Board 19 7p Remembrance Walk and Prayer Vigil :15 Sunday School 10:30 Worship (Youth Sun.) 11:30a Scout Bake Sale 22 7p Scouts 23 NEWS & VIEWS DEADLINE 24 5:15p GIA 6:30p Youth Group 25 6:30a Men s Shari s 12p FOON 1:30p Carol Renfrew Circle Meeting 26 5p Wedding Rehearsal 27 3:30p Waitman/ Pliego wedding 28 BEGIN SUMMER SCHEDULE 9:30a Worship 29 MEMORIAL DAY HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSED :15p GIA 6:30p Youth Group 1 JUNE 2 3 Camp Spalding Mission Weekend through Sunday 4 PENTECOST 9:30a Worship (communion rescheduled to June 11) 5 6p Strategic Planning Team & Session

10 Follow Us On Facebook! Did you know that First Presbyterian Church now has an official public Facebook page? (Not to be confused with the unofficial page.) See it here: -Presbyterian-Church-of-Moscow / You can help spread the word about the church and our upcoming events by Liking our page and inviting your friends to Like it, too. We will still maintain our private group page for in-house sharing and communications, but this new page will enable us to be present in the wider community. Be sure to follow our page for the latest church news, events, and other items of interest. 405 South Van Buren Street Moscow, Idaho Phone: Facebook: Moscow FPC Web: fpcmoscow.org As part of a plan to gain more exposure online, we have been working with a company called DataSphere to get ads placed on Facebook and LocalSaver, as well as on the KREM website. Ads are targeted to people in the Palouse region. As part of this, we now have a short video ad describing our church. To view it, go to or visit our website at fpcmoscow.org and click on the video on the homepage. We would love to hear your suggestions and comments. First Presbyterian Church Growing in Christ Through May 21 st : Sunday Worship 10:30 a.m. Followed by coffee fellowship Sunday School for all ages 9:15 a.m. Beginning May 28 th: Sunday Worship 9:30 a.m. ALL ARE WELCOME! Office Hours: Monday Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday 9:00 a.m. to noon Pastor Norman Fowler fpcpastornorman@gmail.com