Recipes and Remnants. Faith Alive

Transcription

1 Recipes and Remnants My grandmother made the most amazing pickles (if you like pickles, that is). She died in 2003 and before that she was in a health care facility, so it s been more than 20 years since I ve had her pickles. Last summer, I had a spontaneous conversa on with Warren Quarrels about canning produce and, without knowing about my grandmother s pickles, he commented that he had been looking for a good pickle recipe but hadn t landed on one. I told him that I d see if I could track down my grandmother s recipe from my mom and by the fall I gave Warren a copy of my the recipe and asked him to let me know how they turned out whenever he got around to making them. A week later, Warren sent me a lovely note, and this is a por on of what he wrote: Recipes are like sharing memories and good ones. They evoke great feelings of sharing good mes and food with family and friends, and when someone shares a family recipe I always feel honored. I had forgo en about the recipe un l, in May, Warren stopped me in the parking lot at the church to say he had begun the pickle process which involved lots of steps, lots of cucumbers and lots of sugar over the course of at least 8 weeks! I knew then that a labor of love was in the making! Once again, the recipe went onto the back burner of my mind. In mid July, my heart was heavy for our congrega on as so many were grieving death, or learning of a significant illness, or struggling with transi ons in their lives. It was one of those weeks when all the news was bad news and, as your pastors will tell you, our hearts hurt alongside yours on days and weeks like that one. In the midst of my heavy heart, u erly unexpected, Warren walked into the church with the giant jar of pickles! Only I would have regarded it as such, but I knew immediately the absolute treasure he held in his hands! That labor of love wrapped up in a plas c bag was my grandmother s pickles and I felt a li le like a resurrec on was occurring before my eyes. We ducked into the parlor kitchen and I pulled out two forks as Warren and I opened the jar and dug in. As soon as those pickles hit my palate, I began to weep (shocking, I know ). My mind immediately went back to my grandmother s kitchen table when I was a kid digging into her pickle jar on a hot summer day. It was overwhelming how the memories came back in to wash over my weary soul that day. It was a remnant from my past that had been recreated with careful precision by someone who only in the last few years had been appointed by God to be part of my life now. That s the neat thing about recipes they are a remnant from the past that, when we recreate them, become comfort for today and hope for the future. It wasn t about the pickles in that jar to begin with it was about the past intersec ng with the present at exactly the right moment when I needed it, which only God could have designed to be that way. Recipes, like sharing memories, are remnants of the people and places that mean so much in the shaping of our lives. And it can be anything really; anything le over can be remade in new and crea ve ways, if only we have hope that they can be made anew. Mark Nielsen says it like this: continued on pg. 3 Faith Alive

2 Presbyterian Women News Save the Date: Presbyterian Women Kickoff Dinner Wednesday, August 23 6:00 p.m. You Can Help... SHERWOOD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL NEEDS OUR HELP Information Session August 20, 4:00 PM Parlor Christi Jolley, Parent Involvement Specialist will share opportunities such as lunch buddies, reading buddies, mentors and other ways we can help. Both men and women are encouraged to share time to help our community. If you need child care, please let us know. Contact Gloria Hickson if you have questions: SAMARITAN S FEET (see page 4). RISE AGAINST HUNGER Formerly Stop Hunger Now will be October 15, Noon2PM in the. This annual dinner is open to all Presbyterian women. Lauren Vanacore will introduce us to the year's Bible study, and circle members may pick up their own study books. Watch for more information in coming weeks. Please mark your calendar, and plan to join us for this always-fun, always-filling event as we head into a new PW year! Moderator of Presbyterian Women Margaret Lindsay Mackie I am honored and please to be asked to serve as Moderator of Presbyterian Women this coming year. I was not raised Presbyterian, however I love First Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Women's long tradition of caring for others and those in need. I was born and raised in Morganton, NC and grew up Baptist. I joined White Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh when I married and moved there with my husband, Spurgeon. When Spurgeon was transferred to Gastonia we quickly became members of First Presbyterian and enrolled our children in the Presbyterian Weekday School; which came with a glowing recommendation from the White Memorial Weekday School Director as being "...the best PreSchool in the state." And, in our opinion, she was right. Our children, Haddon in Raleigh, Anna in Washington, DC, and Leila in Philadelphia, have wonderful memories of PWS and of growing up in our church. Through the years I have had the privilege to serve as a Deacon and Elder and on the Nominating, Pastoral Care, Hospitality and Membership Development Committees. In addition, I enjoyed my time helping teach in our children's Sunday School. I am looking forward to working closely with the wonderful women of the Women's Council. Each one brings special gifts to our Council. You'll find them here at First Presbyterian Church happily involved in many activities both internal and outreach programs. Nominating Committee Report The following members of the congregation have been nominated for office in the class of Also, 5 at-large members of the nominating committee have been proposed for They will stand for election Sunday, August 27 at the 11:00 service at a congregational meting called by the Session. Elders: Les Dix (Wor ship and Music), Hub Hickson (Congr egational Car e), Ellen Cinq-Mars (Missions), Robbie Lineberger (Building & Grounds), David Ratchford (Personnel), Janet Spencer (Christian Education), Marsh Spencer (Finance). Deacons: J eff Beaty, Lillian Osei-Boateng, Carol Goode, Mary Lauren Keeny, Ernest D. Sumner II, Judy Thiele, Tom Wallace, Cindy Wilson At-Large Nominating Committee: Nancy Har r ill, Malinda Lower y, Kevin Schultz, Kar en Simmons, Rober t Spencer

3 ADULT MINISTRIES PRAYER LUNCH Will resume in August at noon in the Fellowship Hall. Come to be fed body and spirit! FAITH & FICTION The next meeting will be Sept. 3. Make A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner part of your summer reading in preparation. Wild & Wacky Wednesdays Aug 9th Destination: Morning Mission at the Garden & Sky High Sports*, Charlotte Cost: 2 hours of jumping $18.50 ($ st hour & 2nd hour $8.50) Lunch Details: Brixx Pizza - $7.00 Drop Off Time: 9:00 a.m. Pick Up Time: 5:30 p.m. Aug 16th Destination: Riverbanks Zoo, Columbia Cost: $13.50 General Admission (ages 2-12) & $5.00 ice cream Lunch Details: Bring a bag lunch to eat in picnic area Drop Off Time: 8:30 a.m. Pick Up Time: 5:30 p.m. Participants are encouraged to invite friends. So we can plan vehicles, please try to register a week ahead of time. To register your child for trips, please Jill Kimbirl at jkimbirl@fpcgastonia.org or call Wild and Wacky Wednesday trips are for rising 2nd thru 5th graders. Chaperones and drivers are needed. Please contact Jill Kimbirl to volunteer. Permission forms will need to be filled out by guests *Sky High requires a waiver for all participants. The online waiver can be found at Continued from pg. 1 When you make curtains or a dress or a tablecloth, there are always li le bits of cloth le over. The pieces worth saving are called remnants, and they can be used for other projects like quilts or napkins. God makes use of groups of people in the same way families, Bible study groups, churches no ma er if they are large or small. What ma ers is that they believe in the saving power of God. 1 Over and over again, I see how God uses individuals and groups of people to reflect the saving power of God whether it s through my family, through my closest friends or through this por on of God s kingdom here at FPC. We remain a remnant of those who have gone on before us, even while we look forward with hope to a bright and faithful future, giving thanks for the wisdom and the recipes (literal or proverbial) that guide us into this future. The shared partnership of ministry we enjoy is deepened by the rela onships that go beyond the surface of a hello and a handshake on Sunday morning. It s found in places like youth mission trips to Alaska, shoe distribu on to kids at the Boys and Girls Club (Friday, August 18!), slinging a hammer on the Habitat worksite (new house construc on begins Saturday, September 2), helping behind the scenes to set up elements for the Lord s Supper (the first Sunday of each month), or any number of opportuni es where groups of us Presbyterians gather to not only affirm the saving power of God, but to live it out in deep and meaningful ways. In these final weeks of summer, I encourage you to start thinking about how God is using you, as a valuable member of this remnant, to extend God s saving power beyond our walls, beyond our corner on East Garrison Boulevard and beyond our community. Believe it or not, your inspira on may even start by pulling out one of your grandmother s recipes. And the remnant will con nue forward Peace, 1 Mark Neilsen. Wake Up to Joy: Family Devotions for Advent. (Fenton, MO; Creative Communications, 2008), p.19. Bible Camp (VBS) is Almost Here! June 19-22

4 The congregation is invited to attend the wedding of Rev. Dr. John L. Frye, Jr., and Celia Brewer Cook Saturday, August 26, 3:00 p.m. Sanctuary of First Presbyterian Church A reception will follow at the church. No gifts, please. ATTENDANCE: Date Traditional Thrive 7/2 combined service: 126 7/ / / / th Sunday (7/23 at 5:30 P.M) 50 The Presbytery of Western North Carolina and The Session and Congregation of The First Presbyterian Church invite you to the Service of Ordination as Minister of Word and Sacrament for Matthew David Conner Sunday, August 13, 2017, 3:00 p.m. Sanctuary, 1621 East Garrison Boulevard Gastonia, North Carolina Reception to follow. Worship and Music Notes Fourth Sunday: A Gathering of Grace & Prayer observed its first worship service July 24 at 5:30 in the Chapel. Forty-eight members and guests attended. The 30 minute service was beautifully presented and wonderfully received. It included a time of intercessory prayer, laying on of hands and communion by intinction. The second opportunity for this service will be the fourth Sunday, August 27 in the Chapel. Rev. Jason Davenport, our Business Administrator, will offer the devotion and preside over communion. First Press Samaritan s Feet We provide new shoes to children in our community who need them. Many jobs are available. Some wash feet, some are runners, some sort shoes, some cook hot dogs, etc. There will be a job for you! Friday, August 18 Training at 4:00 p.m. Event 5:00-7:00 p.m. At the Boys and Girls Club Sign up online or after worship in the weeks leading up to the event. PERIODICALS US POSTAGE PAID Gastonia, NC

5 August 2017 FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 1621 EAST GARRISON BLVD GASTONIA, NC PHONE: WEB: FB: Calendar of Events Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Communion 10:00 AM Seekers Class Committee 10:30 AM Pastoral Care Planning 1:00 PM Pastoral Care 9:30 AM Staff 6:00 PM Building and Grounds Mtg. 6:00 PM Youth Ministry 7:00 PM Thrive Rehearsal 8:30 AM Wild & Wacky Wednesday 12:00 PM Prayer Lunch 5:00 PM Personnel Ministry Mtg. 10:00 AM Small Group Prayer Beads Newsletter Deadline for the Aug. 16 edition :00 AM Henderlite Class Breakfast 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Five Cents A Meal 12:15 PM Diaconate 3:00 PM Ordination Service and Reception for Matthew Conner 7:30 AM PET 9:30 AM Staff 4:30 PM Communication Ministry Mtg. 5:00 PM Adult Ministry 5:30 PM Membership Development Ministry 6:15 PM Worship & Music Min. Mtg. 8:30 AM Wild & Wacky Wednesday 10:30 AM Roadrunner Mtg. 12:00 PM 90 th Birthday Lunch 1:00 PM Mail Newsletter 07:30 AM Finance Ministry 4:00 PM Samaritan s Feet PWS Consignment Sale 9:00 AM RoadRunners Trip PWS Consignment Sale

6 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday :00 AM Sunday School 4:00 PM Sherwood Volunteer Session 9:30 AM Staff 5:30 PM Missions Ministry Mtg. 6:30 PM TED Talks Small Group 7:00 PM Thrive Rehearsal 12:00 PM Prayer Lunch 6:00 PM Presbyterian Women Kickoff Dinner Sept. 1 Sept. 2 10:00 AM Rally Day Gathering 10:00 AM Youth Habitat Framing (PAD) & Congregational, Dedication of Habitat Door 5:30 PM 4 th Sunday Gathering of Grace and Prayer 6:00 PM Session Mtg. 9:00 AM Bible Moderators 10:00 AM Presbyterian Women Council 9:30 AM Staff 7:00 PM Thrive Rehearsal 12:00 PM Prayer Lunch 5:35 PM Handbells 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal Newsletter Deadline for the Sept. 7 edition Sept. 3 Sept. 4 Sept. 5 Sept. 6 Sept. 7 Sept. 8 Sept. 9 10:00 AM Sunday School 11:00 AM Communion 5:00 PM Faith & Fiction Labor Day Holiday Church Office Closed 11:30 AM Staff 12:00 PM Prayer Lunch 5:30 PM First Kidz 5:35 PM Handbells 7:00 PM Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal 9:00 AM 1:00 PM Mail Newsletter 7:00 PM Children s Ministry Committee 3:00 PM Wedding of John Frye and Celia Cook 9:00 AM Habitat Framing Day at the Hilton s Home FPC has great After School (Janeen Silver), Mothers Morning Out (Cheryl Mims) and Presbyterian Weekday School programs (Fran Sitton). Share the word and invite your friends and family to check them out! Contact the directors of these programs (named above) with questions or to enroll by calling the church at Everyone is invited to celebrate our 90+ year old members at the 90 th Birthday Luncheon on August 16. RSVP to the Reception Desk no later than Monday, August 14. Share the word about the PWS Children s Consignment Sale, August 18 & 19. See kdayschool.org/consignment -Sale.html for more information. This is an important fundraiser for our school. RoadRunners Trip to Boone You can place flowers in the Sanctuary in honor or memory of someone by contacting Mary Sumner or Rissie Bryant. Upcoming Parish Nurse Ministry Events: Wednesday Health Education Awareness Series: 1) Aug 9- Understanding the Difference Between Home Care and Home Health, 12:00 at FPC Program is free, lunch is $6.00. RSVP to by Aug 7. 2) Purses for a Purpose- Fundraiser for Alzheimer's Association August 25, 12:00pm- 4:00 pm at Catherine Booth Apartments, Union Rd. Please plan to go and support this cause. Also, if you have gently used purses to donate, please bring them to the parish nurse office by Aug 18.