OCUS FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

Transcription

1 First United Presbyterian Church 695 Calvin Street, Fayetteville PRESORTED NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID FAYETTEVILLE, AR PERMIT NO. 151 F OCUS FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH VOLUME 44 Issue 9 November2010 Our Mission Statement: Called to be a light on the hill, we boldly proclaim and serve Christ, the Hope of our changing world. From the Pastor s Pen I will extol you, my God and King, and bless your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless you, and praise your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; God s greatness is unsearchable. (Ps. 145:1-3) For December Issue Focus Deadline is November 8 FUPC VISION STATEMENT WORSHIP that is vibrant, profound and transformative SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND EDUCATION that sustain hope, cultivate wonder and develop a joyful and genuine faith grounded in scripture EVANGELISM and FELLOWSHIP that welcome, nurture and draw us into a caring community SERVICE and OUTREACH through which God sends us out to work with others for justice, freedom and peace STEWARDSHIP of God s gifts that is enthusiastic, wise and faithful LEADERSHIP that is visionary, inspirational, and missional November just naturally seems to get us thinking gratitude, doesn t it? Part of it is that we re just about ready to celebrate Thanksgiving. All of those memories of loved ones gathering, the over-abundance of food, our warm and comfortable homes, and our cherished national freedoms stir up deeply thankful thoughts for us. But I think our sense of gratitude also comes from being far enough into another year that we can now look back and notice God s faithful hand in our lives. As the seasons change and we wake to a chill in the air and autumn leaves underfoot, we have an abiding sense that God is sovereign in this world, faithfully watching over creation. Even as we face personal circumstances that are challenging, still, there can be a calm as we remember that God doesn t change (like the seasons), but continues to be present with us. We know that the grace-filled love of Jesus Christ holds us. The long look back shows us what we may not have seen day by day. For each of us, God has been there amid our personal joys and sorrows. We can say with the Psalmist, Every day I will bless you... God s greatness is unsearchable. There are so many times in our lives when our hearts well up with gratitude. When God s grace first became real to me as a child, I couldn t stop talking about it. Later, as a college student, I remember walking across the campus daily with an overwhelming sense of God s goodness to me. When I got to pursue a call to be a pastor, I felt completely humbled and thankful. When we were married, when our children were born, as they headed off to college, I knew God had been present in every event. When I recovered fully and quickly from what could have been a fatal injury, I could only give credit to the healing power of God. My life has not been without difficult turns and transitions, but I live to praise God and count myself blessed. I m confident that you feel much the same. As we greet each day, we have the opportunity to consciously invite God into it. When we do, we notice God in places we might otherwise have missed. Come November, let us look back and be truly thankful. Better yet, may we extol God s name each day beginning again today. Blessings, Jan FUPC is a Stephen Ministry Congregation.

2 2011 STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN CHALLENGE BUDGET The committees and ministries of FUPC have been working together during the past month and have submitted plans for next year. As part of this process, our committees were able to find approximately $20,000 of items that were in the 2010 budget that could be eliminated in 2011 without impacting our mission or vision. This process has also been useful in identifying areas where we want to invest more, areas that need our help and areas where we have made commitments that we need to stand behind. We have summarized this information into the following narrative challenge budget: First United Presbyterian Ministry Needs for 2011 (sub-bullets indicate spotlight areas): Worship: $226,359 (33% of budget) Highlights this year: Upgrades the sanctuary and fellowship hall sound systems so all can hear Adds Sing the Faith hymnals, both for the sanctuary and intergenerational Sunday morning gathering in fellowship hall Refurbishes music library for more recent anthems; provides financial support of soloists and other musicians and adds more outreach to university students Spiritual Growth and Education: $203,156 (30% of budget) Highlights this year: Dedicates funds to youth ministry, including a portion of the Christian Education Director s position and continues the part-time youth leadership position Additional Support for Vacation Bible School Evangelism and Fellowship: $43,377 (6% of budget) Highlights this year: Increases help in the area of kitchen coordination and cooking for church related fellowship events Service and Outreach: $111,836 (17% of budget) Highlights this year: Collaborations with campus ministry and church outreach to college students Covers indirect costs and scholarships for First School to support this wonderful community outreach Stewardship: $24,910 (4% of budget) Highlights this year: Increased investment in building care and expanded landscape maintenance Adds more support for Fall 2011 stewardship campaign Leadership: $68,339 (10% of budget) Highlights this year: Fulfills commitment to our new co-pastors, including a move towards full-time status (instead of the initial ¾ time arrangement) First United Presbyterian Challenge Budget for 2011: Total (not including 1st school): $677,977 ($20,977 or 3.2% above 2010) We all need to prayerfully consider what our commitment will be to FUPC over the next year. Consider what it means to have God s grace in our lives everyday! ATTENTION, ALL ADULTS The group of youth and sponsors going on the ski trip to Keystone, Colorado, is looking for one non-skier to be our lodge bunny and kitchen assistant. We will take turns with meal prep duty, so this person is not preparing our meals alone, but assisting. The cost of your trip will be covered if you serve in this capacity. If you do like to ski, but this job description appeals to you, please contact Kristi to discuss options. Contact Kristi Button with questions or to express interest. kbutton@fupcfay.org YOUTH ARE SELLING FAIR TRADE COFFEE The youth going on the ski trip in December are selling fair trade coffee this fall. This variety of coffee is from an organization called 963 Missions. The name comes from Psalm 96:3 Tell his glory among the nations, His wonders among all peoples. We are working in conjunction with Roger Koeppe with regard to the Equal Exchange Coffee sold during the Alternative Gifts Market. Prior to, during and after the market, you can order 963 coffee from the youth. During the two Sundays of the AGM, the whole bean and Hazelnut ground varieties of coffee from Equal Exchange will also be available to purchase. Both organizations work with farmers across the world to help bring them out of poverty by paying them a fair wage for their product. The coffee is fresh and organic. It is roasted right before it is shipped to us. Look for youth on Sunday mornings to order your coffee. It is $12 for a 1 lb bag of coffee or hot cocoa. Money comes back to the youth group for our trip and we help coffee farmers earn a fair wage. Please visit for more information or talk to the youth on Sundays. Price Update: With the increase in coffee prices, the 963 missions is in the middle of a price and product update. Those who have already ordered coffee are getting a 12oz bag of coffee for $10. We placed our first order right in the middle of this transition time. As we are new customers, we were not yet on their mailing list for updates. The price and product update went into effect last week and they are transitioning from one size product to another in the coming YOUTH NEWS weeks. We apologize for any confusion. There is one woman in the 963 coffee office and she first updated current customers and is now moving to update their downloadable materials from the website. All future orders will be 16 oz packages of coffee for $12. Cocoa packages are 16oz and the price for those is also changing to $12. YOUTH IN NOVEMBER SUNDAY UPY CALENDAR November 7 : Youth Bells on this day only 4:00 pm NOTE Different Time for UPY: 5:00pm- 7:20 pm meet and go together for Worship, Dinner, and Fellowship at United Campus Ministry (UCM)- We will share this time with other NWA youth groups and campus ministry students. This is an annual event hosted by the for youth of NWA. November 14: UPY 4:00-5:30 pm November 21: UPY 4:00-5:30 pm November 28: NO UPY The University of Arkansas Department of Music and Dr. Todd Prickett request the honour of your presence in a celebration of marriage by Schola Cantorum This wedding of music and poetry will feature Daniel Pinkham s Wedding Cantata as well as something old, something new, something borrowed, and something blue on Monday, the first of November at 7:30 in the evening Baum Walker Hall, Walton Arts Center Following the celebration of love, Schola Cantorum will present a poignant requiem mass by English composer, Herbert Howells, to honour those who have gone before us. Tickets for this concert of "Love and Loss" are available for purchase at the Walton Arts Center box office.

3 FIRST SCHOOL NOTES The new elementary playground is now fenced after First School parents participated in several fundraisers raising the necessary $3200. The fence is very handsome, and most importantly, our children are safe. Before Halloween each class decorated a pumpkin, and we auctioned each of them off to highest bidder. The auction raised $443 dollars. 75 percent ($332) was sent to St. Jude s Children s Hospital in honor of Eleanor Suttle, a student in our school and a patient at St. Jude s. The other $111 was contributed toward the new fence. The classrooms have covered themes on farms, apples, pumpkins, bats and spiders. In November, we start the theme of safety with a visit from the Fayetteville Fire Department. The theme continues with our families and travel. Students will have a Thanksgiving feast, learn about Indians and Pilgrims, and will make butter and bake bread. During our Scholastic Book Fair, our lobby was filled with hundreds of books where our families could shop. Our proceeds from the sale totaled $1445. Each of our 8 classrooms were able to purchase $90 worth of books for the children, and we added three units for our listening centers. To make room for the new books in our classrooms, we cleaned out bookshelves and gave the Richardson Center a large box of books which were duplicates, or that were no longer applicable to our reading program. The Richardson Center staff were thrilled to accept the books. Cathy Hairston, Director PUMPKIN PARTY SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31: 3:00-4:30PM This event is for all ages. Pumpkin and other Fall-Themed Treats Pumpkin Decorating in teams (not carving) Sack Races Games Fun and Fellowship for all ages! While not a costume party, costumes are welcome. Contact person: Kristi Button kbutton@fupcfay.org Let Kristi know if you have a pumpkin treat to share. Elders, Class of 2013 Ellie Dugan Bill Hewat Nancy Mays Kenton Ross Christopher Talbert Logan Woodruff Elder, Class of 2012 (Filling unexpired term) Jim Price FIRST FELLOWSHIP THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 18 BUTTERFIELD TRAIL VILLAGE LODGE Join us at 11:30 am at the new Butterfield Trail Village Lodge, 1923 E. Joyce Street, Fayetteville (Just behind the main building). We will be served lunch in the lodge by the Butterfield Trail Village caterers. The cost for lunch is $6.00. Then we will go to the Convocation Center in the main building for 45 minutes of non-stop entertainment with Guy Wilcox. Guy is a pianist and singer who will bring us old favorites in an upbeat program. You don t want to miss the good food and fun. Butterfield Trail Village will provide transportation for those who need it to go from the Lodge to the main building. Please make reservations with your caller or by phoning the church office by noon on Monday, November 15. CONGREGATIONAL MEETING SUNDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2010 IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING 11:00 AM SERVICE IN THE SANCTUARY This is a Congregational Meeting to elect the Elders, Deacons and a Trustee for the Class of The Nominating Committee recommends the following candidates for election. Trustee, Class of 2013 James Ezell Deacons, Class of 2013 Carol Hanna Cathy Irwin WONDERFUL WEDNESDAYS SCHEDULE FOR NOVEMBER November 3 Whole Hog BBQ (Crew 5) All Saints Service of Healing and Wholeness - Intergenerational (Childcare for infant and preschool) November 10 El Sol (Crew 1 ) Lifestyles Children: Feeding the 5000 November 17 Mermaids (Crew 2) PW Together in Service Haiti Relief Children: Feeding the 5000 Cost: $5 per person with $20 family max; 3 and under gratis Serve dinner from 5:30-6:00 pm Elementary choirs at NEW time: 5:45-6:15 pm Children should eat between 5:30 pm and 5:45 pm, and will be given priority in the line Program for youth and adults 6-7 pm Elem Children s program 6:15-7:00 pm Adult Bells 6:15-7:15 pm Adult Chancel Choir begins at 7:15 pm GREENING the WW program: We have initiated a bring-your-own-plate campaign this year. Find some simple, plastic plates for your family, and some eating utensils. Bring them each week, and take them home in a bag to wash them for the next week. Let s see what kind of difference we can make by cutting down on disposable products this year. We ll have a door-prize drawing each week for those who remember their own bag of plates. ALL SAINTS SERVICE OF HEALING AND WHOLENESS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 3, AFTER DINNER, 6:00-7:00 P.M., SANCTUARY Wonderful Wednesdays will feature a special All Saints Worship Service. The service will have a quiet, reflective mood including organ, piano, and harp music. Much of the service will be devoted to prayer: remembering and giving thanks for saints who have gone before us into God s presence, seeking healing (physical healing, spiritual healing, forgiveness and grace, healing of memories) for ourselves and others, and praying for God s wholeness for the world. Please join us! Choir members will be free to leave for rehearsal at 7:00 p.m. PW TOGETHER IN SERVICE (MISSIONS) - HAITI RELIEF WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 17 Presbyterian Women Together in Service (Missions), with the support and blessing of our Session Outreach Committee, will present the program at the Wonderful Wednesday event on November 17. This program will be given by Susan Rose, Director of the University of Arkansas Campus Ministry, on one aspect of the Haiti Relief effort, Solar Under the Sun. Please plan now to join us as we learn more about how we can help this country that has been so devastated by earthquake, hurricane, and other natural disaster. Solar Under the Sun is a new ministry of the Synod of the Sun, Presbyterian Church (USA), which includes Arkansas as well as Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. Solar Under the Sun is initially working in partnership with the Synod of Living Waters (Mississippi and Alabama) to augment the Living Waters for the World Program. Many of us heard presentations last spring at the PW Spring Luncheon and the Men s Breakfast from Living Waters for the World and/or the Haiti Education Foundation. Living Waters for the World constructs simple, but effective, water treatment facilities, most of which get their electricity from gasoline-powered generators. The ability to operate for even a few houses a day on solarproduced electricity will save money on fuel, protect against shortages, and spread the use of clean, renewable power. As you have probably heard, Presbyterian Women have selected Relief for Haiti as one of their primary mission projects this year. We will eventually invite and encourage the whole congregation to join with us in a financial campaign to provide support for Haiti. As we learn more and more about the needs of the people of Haiti, this support may be directed toward the Haiti Education Foundation, Living Waters for the World, and/ or Solar Under the Sun.

4 11/1 Luke 6: /2 Luke 6: /3 Matthew 14: /4 Luke 6: /5 Luke 7: /6 Luke 7: /7 Luke 7: /8 Luke 8: /9 Luke 8: /10 Matthew 15: /11 Luke 8: /12 Luke 8: /13 Luke 9: /14 Luke 9: /15 Luke 9: /16 Luke 9:37-50 IT S YOUR BIRTHDAY, CELEBRATE! Irwin, Madeline 11/1 Mulloy, Oda 11/2 Odom, Grace Anne 11/2 Warren, Bill 11/2 Ezell, Jared 11/6 Hemphill, Ashleigh 11/6 Odom, Conrad 11/6 Rouse, Joseph 11/6 Hampton, Sharon 11/7 Zierak, Robert A. 11/7 Brandt, Julie 11/8 Dill, Bill 11/8 PRAYER LIST FOR CONGREGATIONS Presbytery of Arkansas November November 7 First, Marianna Westminster, Hot Springs November 14 First, Paragould Highland, Hot Springs Daily Bible Readings for November 11/17 Matthew 16: /18 Luke 9: /19 Luke 10: /20 Luke 10: /21 Luke 10: /22 Luke 10: /23 Luke 11: /24 Matthew 18: /25 Luke 11: /26 Luke 11: /27 Luke 11: /28 Luke 11:53-12:12 11/29 Luke 12: /30 Luke 12: /31 Matthew 18:21-35 Swain, Dominic 11/8 Daniels, Dana 11/9 Daniels, Shawn 11/10 Johnson, Don 11/10 McCann, Michael 11/10 Mitchell, Deeg 11/10 Hart, Kira 11/11 Rossetti, Maria 11/12 Shefte, Diana 11/12 Boushelle, Joseph (Jay) 11/14 Thompson, Becky 11/15 Van Scyoc, Carol 11/15 Price, Michelle 11/18 Williams, Molly 11/18 Wilson, Melissa 11/18 Curry, Brendan 11/19 Medley, Bill 11/20 November 21 Mountainburg Church, Mountainburg Retired Ministers November 28 Laotian Ministry, Fort Smith First, Stuttgart Stokenbury, Blakely 11/20 Talbert, Lisa 11/20 Warren, Andrew 11/22 Koenig, Sara 11/23 Stitt, Anna 11/23 Thurow, Brandon 11/24 Byars, Steven (Steve) 11/25 Brand, William 11/26 Hanna, Carol 11/27 Whitlatch, Jo Ann 11/27 Koeppe, Jessie 11/28 Kuntz, Douglas 11/28 Sharp, Steven 11/28 Turner, Amanda 11/28 Curry, Brittany 11/29 Wilson, Virginia 11/30 EDITOR S CORNER December FOCUS submission deadline is Monday, November 8 (moved up a week due to Thanksgiving Holiday). Please articles to both Melanie Dietzel at mdietzel@fupcfay.org and Ken Mays at nkmays@sbcglobal.net. Thank you to moderators and facilitators for contributing news and notices, highlights of happenings, and updates of upcoming events. Please continue to provide this information to keep the congregation informed by informing us. Ken Mays Thought for the Month: The church is supposed to be a hospital for sinners, not a hotel for saints. GRACE ABOUNDS Presbyterian Women 2010 Thank Offering In November, at each of the Presbyterian Women Circle meetings of First United Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian women will celebrate the 2010 Thank Offering. This is one of two monetary offerings by PW in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The Thank Offering began in 1888 when Eliza Clokey of Springfield, Ohio, urged each woman to give one dollar over and above her usual contribution to the Women s General Missionary Society of the United Presbyterian Church of North America as a thank offering to her Lord. A day was set aside for meetings that were to be a concert of prayer and praise and the gathering of the Thank Offering. The gifts presented represented much soul searching and self sacrifice on the part of many women; the impact was immeasurable. It has been said that women s giving saved the worldwide missionary movement at that time. After more than a century, the vision continues. A Thank offering to her Lord continues to be an important part of women s giving by United Presbyterian Women. Yes, everything is for your sake, so that grace, as it extends to more and more people, may increase thanksgiving to the glory of God 2 Corinthians 4:15. The Creative Ministries Offering Committee of PW met in Louisville, Kentucky, in February, 2010, and approved grants totaling $870,058 from the 2009 Thank Offering. Thirty-one projects were chosen from 84 proposals to receive money in 2010, 16 national and 15 international. Among these 31 recipients is the Vera Lloyd Presbyterian Home in Little Rock, Arkansas. Projects must meet criteria established by the committee, including consistency with the mission concerns and policies of the PC(USA), a purpose that meets basic human needs, provides a form of aid that relates directly to the people being served and is a creative project less than three years old or a new direction for an existing program. A variety of programs have been funded through the years: hospitals, schools, domestic violence shelters, homeless shelters, women s health, child and youth development, elder care, hunger, programs, and more. At least 40 percent of the Thank Offering funds go toward health-related projects. PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN CIRCLE SCHEDULE NOVEMBER, 2010 Circles 1 and 3: November 9, 9:30 am, Butterfield Trail Lodge; Kristi Button - leader for lesson 3 Circle 2: November 9, 6:30 pm, Home of Lisa Higgins, 3333 E. Carmel Ln., Circle 4: November 1, 1:30 pm, Home of Margaret Johnston, 2333 N. East Oaks Dr.; Rita Manske - leader for lesson 3 Circle 5: November 11, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm, Calvin 201 Covenant Group: November 7, 1:30-3:00 pm, Activity Center (Upper Witherspoon), Discussion of Chapters 6-8: Jesus, The Bible and Homosexuality; Lee Power - leader Hooks and Needles: Fridays, 10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Activity Center (Upper Witherspoon) PW HAT AND MITTEN TREE Presbyterian Women Together in Service (Missions) will once again sponsor a Hat and Mitten Tree during Advent. Beginning on Sunday, November 28, trees will be decorated with felt ornaments representing hats and mittens and placed in Fellowship Hall and in the west end of the Narthex. We invite all members and friends in our congregation to take one of the ornaments as a reminder to purchase and/ or make warm hats, mittens, or scarves to place on or about the trees. These hats, mittens, scarves will then be taken to the Fayetteville Public Schools Social Services Department to be given to students, elementary through high school, who do not have sufficient cold -weather gear to keep them warm during the winter months. Hooks and Needles will have hats, mittens, and scarves that they have crocheted and/or knitted available for purchase at the Alternative Gift Markets for those of us who wish to purchase some of their beautiful handiwork either for ourselves or for the Hat and Mitten Tree. Items for the Hat and Mitten Tree will be collected between Sunday, November 28, and Sunday, December 12, and taken to schools for distribution on Monday, December 13, We look forward to your help in keeping Fayetteville children warm this winter.

5 HOMECOMING SUNDAY IS OCTOBER 31! It s a time to come home and to invite others to come home. Let s reach out with the love of our church family to include those who are connected in any way with the church and may want to be with us for a special Sunday of fellowship, refreshments, and connecting. It s a time to reach out to neighbors, co-workers, school friends, and family members who have been part of our church in the past, or who may want to be part of our church family in the future. Special refreshments will be served between services, and we are planning an especially warm welcome for all. Please think of 2-3 families or individuals you can invite to join us either to come early before the 11:00 service, or to stay after the 8:30 service. Smiles and Sunshine At Dwight Mission Retreat 5 U of A - Campus Ministry Minute November West Maple Street ucm_chaplain@yahoo.com Rev. Susan Rose, Pastor Breakfast at the kid s table. What s Up? Pizza & Planning, Mondays, 11/1, 11/8, 11/15, 11/22, 11/29 11:30 am 1:00 pm Students gather for pizza, salad, fellowship and guest speakers from the area. Bible Study and dinner, Thursdays, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm. UCM Volunteer Opportunities Home Football Game Parking: Help park cars in the UCM lot on game days. Time commitment is about 2 hours, prior to kickoff. 2-3 people needed for each game. Dinner after UCM: We invite area church small groups to provide supper for students on the Sunday evenings we worship. Contact Susan if you would be interested. ALL CHURCH RETREAT AT DWIGHT MISSION Hanging Out In The Climbing Tree Homecoming Pre-Game Tailgate! Join us TWO HOURS BEFORE KICKOFF for pre-game snacks at the United Campus Ministry Center Saturday, October 30 Game time is 6:00 pm See what's new in the ministry and the updates to the building! New UCM t-shirts will be available for $12. Game day parking is $20. United Campus Ministry Center 902 W. Maple Fayetteville ucm_chaplain@yahoo.com or BUDGET NOTES SEPTEMBER 30, 2010 First School income and expenditures both about 11 percent above budget, but in balance 2010 budget plan (not including First School) was balanced using $46,000 in 2009 year-end carry-over funds Actual expenses to date approximately $30,000 below budget Actual receipts from pledge income, building use fees and plate/unpledged income approximately $21,000 short of budgeted amount, but traditionally, fourth quarter giving is greater. Carry-over funds from 2009 have been fully expended to meet expenses Great family time! A wonderful place to be away from Everything, no television, no video games, no telephone, no laundry, no cooking!! Good food. Peaceful time. Awesome campfire with s'mores and singing around the campfire. A great intergenerational time of worship! Thanks, Michelle Price ALTERNATIVE GIFT MARKET COMING IN NOVEMBER We will offer an Alternative Gift Market on November 14 and 21. The Market will offer items to benefit SERRV International, Arkansas Rice Depot, the youth coffee project, Heifer International, Zuni Presbyterian Home, Habitat for Humanity, LifeStyles and others; including items made by church members. Persons who want to offer crafts or other items for sale should contact Roger Koeppe rk2@uark.edu. CHRISTMAS TEA TIME It's time for tea! Mark your calendar now to join Presbyterian Women for our annual Christmas Tea in the Fellowship Hall on Sunday, December 12, from 2:00-4:00 pm. Come and enjoy fellowship and good food during the holiday season!

6 6 7 Session Highlights Clerk of Session Report Special Session Meeting of September 26, 2010 The session received faith statements from the following individuals and accepted them into membership: Sandra Davies, David Davies, Phil Harrington, Gwen Mattice, David McLaughlin, Marilyn McLaughlin and Zoe Sparks. Stated Session Meeting of October 3, 2010 Session Leadership Time... ~ Belhar Confession: Session studied the Belhar Confession in a discussion led by Rev. Phil in preparation of proposed adoption of the confession at future Presbytery and General Assembly meetings. ~ Vision and Objectives Review: Rev. Phil and Elder Bill Mitchell, Long Range Planning moderator, led discussion on the strategic planning process held during the session retreat. Committee moderators were asked to submit a rough draft of measurable action steps needed to accomplish the objectives of each FUPC initiative. Session approved... ~ Properties Committee request for authority to write letters to groups who regularly meet in Upper Witherspoon (Activity Center) offering them the opportunity to share in the cost of replacing the carpeting on the floor. ~Worship and Music Committee request for $5500 to upgrade the sound system as soon as possible. The upgrade would improve the quality of sound during a worship service, reduce interference and feedback, and provide wireless earphones for hearing impaired persons to use in the sanctuary. ~ Personnel Committee request to adjust the hours of Tommy Kidd, church custodian, in order that the church could also hire his wife, Carmen Kidd, as his assistant. ~ As a follow up to the Interfaith Dinner, a special service will be held in the sanctuary on January 19, 2011 to involve a Jewish rabbi, a Muslim and a Christian as worship leaders. The service will be from 6:30-7:30 pm with a dessert reception to follow. For further information, Session minutes and changes to church membership are available to members of the congregation from the church office, the Clerk of Session or from any elder currently serving on Session. Laurie Reh Clerk of Session FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MISSION AND VISION Reaffirmed by the Session August 27, 2010 FUPC MISSION Called to be a light on the hill, we boldly proclaim and serve Christ, the Hope of our changing world. FUPC VISION STATEMENT WORSHIP that is vibrant, profound and transformative EVANGELISM and FELLOWSHIP that welcome, nurture and draw us into a caring community SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND EDUCATION that sustain hope, cultivate wonder and develop a joyful and genuine faith grounded in scripture SERVICE and OUTREACH through which God sends us out to work with others for justice, freedom and peace STEWARDSHIP of God s gifts that is enthusiastic, wise and faithful LEADERSHIP that is visionary, inspirational, and missional FIRST UNITED PRESBYTERIAN OBJECTIVES Adopted by the FUPC Session August 27, 2010 As a community of faith committed to WORSHIP that is vibrant, profound and transformative, we will: 1. Glorify God by involving each member in worship that deepens faith, speaks to our needs, encourages discipleship and equips us to bear the Good News of Jesus Christ. 2. Incorporate different styles of worship into our existing services and consider the development of a contemporary service. 3. Partner periodically with other congregations in ecumenical and/or multi-cultural worship. 4. Nurture and broaden our music ministry and the use of other creative arts in worship. As a community of faith committed to SPIRITUAL GROWTH AND EDUCATION that sustain hope, cultivate wonder and develop a joyful and genuine faith grounded in scripture, we will: 1. Challenge, encourage and equip each of our members to regularly pray and study scripture. 2. Explore and implement fulfilling and challenging new models of Christian education and discipleship for children, youth, college students, and adults. 3. Support the development of new small groups for study and prayer. 4. Increase participation in and development of new educational ministries. As a community of faith committed to EVANGELISM and FELLOWSHIP that welcome, nurture and draw us into a caring community, we will: 1. Connect visitors and new members immediately with fellowship groups and ministries that match their gifts, interests and needs. 2. Draw children, youth, and college students into this church community, where they experience loving acceptance and are challenged to grow in discipleship. 3. Emphasize church fellowship activities that reflect our church s mission and purpose. 4. Expand development of small groups with a variety of emphases. 5. Provide loving and compassionate care for our church family and friends. As a community of faith committed to SERVICE and OUTREACH through which God sends us out to work with others for justice, freedom and peace we will: 1. Encourage a commitment from each member to hands-on involvement in mission. 2. Promote local, regional, national, and global service opportunities to encourage member involvement. 3. Commit annually to focused financial and hands-on involvement with 3-5 local missions, partnering as possible with others. 4. Commit to focused financial and hands-on involvement with one global mission project over a 5-10 year period, partnering with PCUSA global missions. As a community of faith committed to STEWARDSHIP of God s gifts that is enthusiastic, wise and faithful, we will: 1. Teach stewardship of God s gifts as a way of life for children, youth and adults. 2. Encourage each member to sacrificially give of his/her time, talents and monetary resources. 3. Raise the current and long-range financial support needed for the work and life of the church. 4. Provide and maintain attractive and functional facilities that meet the needs of our church. 5. Enhance and utilize the natural beauty of our location. As a community of faith committed to LEADERSHIP that is visionary, inspirational and missional we will: 1. Contribute our unique talents and gifts by serving as effective lay leaders. 2. Identify those with gifts for ministry and encourage and support them in responding to God s call. 3. Support our pastors and staff with our time, talent, insights and love. 4. Provide opportunities and encouragement for our pastors and staff to renew, refresh and grow. 5. Deepen ongoing leadership training to support the ministries of our Session and Board of Deacons. --TO GLORIFY GOD AND TO ENJOY GOD FOREVER.