THE BELL AND THE WELL April 2016

Transcription

1 THE BELL AND THE WELL April 2016 Volume 50 Number 3 Unseasonal Faith The days we use to celebrate the faith pass all too quickly and then fade. For many, Christmas is over in a day while Palm Sunday bleeds quickly into Holy Week s betrayal, cross, and the uncertainty of Holy Saturday. Meaningful days with a meaningful message; but, still, days that fade away. The culture tries to extend the life of such days with decorations, cards, and different foods; eventually, everything is put away until next year. If we take our cue from the culture, we become seasonal people advocating a seasonal cause. That is why we need to pay attention. That is why our mission and witness is so vital, so current, so demanding, so alive. The church doesn t need bunnies or decorations to nail down what we believe. What we believe and Whom we believe in is before us and all around us. Our clue is found in the neatly folded, left-behind grave clothes. An empty-tomb absence points us to an ever-present Lord. Here s the irony: some conclude Christ is absent; others believe Christ is with us, always with us. The gospels record the risen Jesus with the disciples, with us at table, listening, hearing, responding. Soon, it becomes clear that Resurrection Day is unlike all other days. Resurrection Day does not, cannot, will not fade. Resurrection Day is our day of living. It is everyday of our being. That is why every Lord s Day is a Resurrection celebration. Every time we pray, break bread, pour the cup, every time we call out, Let us worship God, every time we baptize and unite in marriage, every time we welcome the new member, we celebrate Whom is right before us, the very One Who never fades away, Who is never set aside in favor of some decoration or clever greeting card. That is why we greet each other with timeless words: Christ is risen! That is why such words do not fade, why such words cannot be put into storage until next year. Resurrection Day becomes the rest of our days, all our days until that day when we look into His eyes and by faith find ourselves risen, risen! That is why we believe all the time, everyday, Christ is risen, indeed! Faithfully, Gus Succop, Pastor Wednesday, April 20 Mission Covered-Dish Dinner, 6 p.m. Saturday, April 30 Red Hat Ladies Tea, 2 p.m.

2 News, Events, & Happenings in and around Quail Holla Resurrection Time April 2016 Wednesdays OASIS & Small Group continues with the Nooma video series of parables paired with games, discussion, and prayer. We'll meet every Wednesday this month and (possibly) attend the Mission Dinner presentation on April 20th. Church School Church School meets from 9:45 a.m. to 10:45 a.m. Sunday mornings in the Youth Room. During the month of April, we ll dig into more Messy Stories of the Old Testament talking about Moses, maybe do a little wandering with him and some friends, and find out how a loving God embraces a weird group of people through whom salvation for the whole world has come. Upcoming Events: *** Keep posted for upcoming events

3 PAGE 3 PW@QHPC NEWS 2016 PW Leaders Moderator - Peggy Nelson Treasurer - Phyllis Brown Secretary - Cheryl Mims Missions - Mary Hice Search - Debbie Ferguson Morning Circle Leader - Peggy Warstler Morning Bible Study Leader - Grace Mitchell Evening Circle Leader - Gracie Kattenhorn The QHPW will meet for Bible Study and fellowship on Tuesday, April 12th in the Betty Lambeth Parlor. Our Morning Circle meets at 10:00 am and the Evening Circle meets at 7:00 pm. We are continuing our study entitled, Come to the Waters. Ladies - mark your calendar- We will celebrate the Presbyterian Women's Birthday with a luncheon on Sunday, May 15, following Worship. Stay tuned for more details. Your Invitation to The Ladies of Quail Hollow 8 th Annual Tea & Fashion Show featuring Versona sponsored by the QHPC Red Hat Ladies Saturday, April 30 th, :00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Johnston Hall $20 per ticket Tickets go on sale April 3. For information contact: Peggy Warstler 704/ or pegg0328@yahoo.com

4 PAGE 4 April Scripture Lessons Indeed, the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword. (Hebrews 4: 12) April 3, 2 nd Sunday in Easter: Guest Preacher: Valerie Phillips, Pastor-at-large April 10, 3 rd Sunday in Easter: John 21: 1-19 Pastor Succop preaching: Same Old, Same Old April 17, 4th Sunday in Easter: Guest Preacher: Hunter Roddey, Chaplain, Novant Health Systems April 24, 5 th Sunday in Easter: Acts 11: 1-18 Pastor Succop preaching: One Bad Habit Men's Fellowship Breakfast Friday, April 8 & 22 at 7 a.m. Join QH Men on Friday, April 8 & April 22 at 7 Amelie's, Carmel Commons Shopping Center, 7715 Pineville Matthews Rd. for a "Dutch Treat" breakfast and time to visit/catch-up. No reservations and free parking. Look for Waldo Miller, Dick Ridley and Jerry Mathers!

5 PAGE 5 Monthly reminder: We have a ministry to help neighbors who are in need of receiving groceries (oatmeal, grits, canned fruits, vegetables & meat, etc.) and personal items (soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, etc.). We serve with the Loaves & Fishes Food St. Giles Presbyterian Church. The pantry serves families per week. Place your gifts in our Mission Manger outside the choir room. Through us, the Lord is making a difference! In March and April, we will be serving with the Charlotte Rescue Mission by giving needed items such as bath towels, soap, and toothpaste. Look for the Charlotte Rescue Mission barrel by the choir room. Mission Covered Dish Dinner - April 20 at 6 p.m. Our speaker is Bahekelwa (Baim) Imatha and his wife, Matumaini (Mimi) Furaha, natives of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They founded People to People Liaison in Greensboro, NC in 1999 to deliver humanitarian support directly to war-torn eastern Congo. The mission of the organization is to empower families from the eastern region of the Congo to be self sustaining by providing funds for education for children, vocational training for young men and women and microcredit to help women start or grow a small business. Bring a delicious dish or two to share as well as friends and neighbors to learn how the church is changing lives, one by one. Let s keep praying for a Nursery Coordinator. S/he will coordinate nursery staff and maintain the schedule. Might it be you? Questions? Speak to Fay Miller ( ). Upon recommendation of the Personnel Committee, the Session is excited to announce the selection of Dr. Randy Haldeman to serve as our new Worship Director effective early April. With a Ph.D. from FSU, Randy is currently the Director of Choral Studies at UNCC. Let s give thanks to God for sending Randy our way to serve with us.

6 PAGE 6 Quail Hollow Preschool is celebrating! After a successful registration, QHP is looking at the school year with almost ALL of its classes at capacity! As we continue through the Spring, we look forward to recognizing the accomplishments of our students. During the week of April 11-15, we will celebrate The Week of the Young Child! In addition to our normal day, we will bring in extra enrichment for the students. Among other things, the children will take a Karate class and see a production of The Tortoise and the Hare by the Charlotte Children's Theatre. In addition, we will continue the tradition of raising money for St. Jude s Children's Hospital by holding our Trike- A-Thon! Look to sponsor a young Preschooler or contact the Preschool office to see how you may support St. Jude s. And last but not least, we hope to see everyone at our Spring Sing which will take place on April 14th at 5:30 p.m. Erin Gillis, Preschool Director A Community Conversation: April 24th Rich Bonnell & Joel Aelick, Co-Clerks of the Session What is a Community Conversation? A Community Conversation is a Session convened conversation. The Session holds Community Conversations to facilitate faithful, transparent and effective communication between the Session and congregation. Oftentimes, each conversation will have no specific agenda, although one subject may prevail at certain times. One of us serves as moderator. The congregation is invited to bring to the conversation questions, comments, complaints, and compliments. When necessary, the Session may convene a Community Conversation at a specific time to impart specific information to the congregation. Each conversation is convened after worship, lasts about an hour, and is held in the Sanctuary.

7 PAGE 7 Loving God... loving neighbor -- that's what is printed on our bulletins and newsletters, and we take it to heart. There are many ways to love one's neighbor, but intercessory prayer -- praying on behalf of other people -- has got to be the most potent. We pray for one another and God listens. In James5:16 it says, "The prayer of a righteous man has great power in its effects."james 5:19-20 says, "My brothers and sisters, if anyone among you wanders from the truth and is brought back by another, you should know that whoever brings back a sinner from wandering will save the sinner's soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. There are many in Kershaw Correctional Institute who have wandered from the truth and who have committed crimes that range from petty to deadly. At Mission dinners, we've heard from men who tell us that Kairos turned their lives around. Their witness is powerful. Prayer is one key to fulfilling God's purposes at Kershaw. Prayer for the outside team members, the prisoners, the prison authorities, and especially the inside team members who are witnesses everyday after the weekend is over. Prayer Vigil sign-up sheets, along with a take-away sheet with various things to pray for, are in the Narthex. Please sign up to pray at specific times during Kairos Walk #33 (April 7-10). Questions? Contact Le Johnson (leonaejohnson@aol.com; ). Kairos Kookie Bake - April 3 after Worship (Lunch will be provided) Lots of servants are needed to bake many dozens of cookies for the April 7-10 Kairos Walk. Donations of any of the items below are greatly appreciated and may be dropped off in the kitchen. Please bring any cookies you are baking at home to the kitchen on April 3. Items needed: baking soda, vegetable oil, brown sugar, powdered sugar, Crisco bars (plain), lots of unsalted butter, lots of eggs, milk, plain peanut butter, and the loan of hand mixers. Many hands make light work so please join us! During worship on March 20, Paul Caldwell, on behalf of the Kairos Community, presented with appreciation to the QH congregation a plaque (left). QHPC s participation in and support of the Kairos ministry at the Kershaw Correctional Institute, Kershaw, SC was championed passionately by the late Reid Johnson, and which is now sustained in no small measure by Le Johnson, Reid s wife. Kairos provides a short, weekend course on Christianity to incarcerated men at the prison, many of whom have never heard the gospel nor made a commitment to Christ.

8 PAGE 8 Donna Wood 1132 Village Lake Dr Monroe, NC (603) Donna is the daughter of Betty and the late Warren Phillips. Carolyn & Jack have lived in Charlotte over 40 years. They credit friends, neighbors, and God for bringing them to Quail Hollow. They are both retired from Insurance Sales and Office Manager backgrounds and enjoy golf, bridge, and sports. Jack & Carolyn Blair Willowhurst Ct Charlotte, NC (704) Bobby & Megan have lived in Charlotte 10 years. In addition to their daughter, Caroline, they have also a pet turtle named Tarheel. Bobby is a mortgage banker with Allen Tate, and Megan works for Stella & Dot in Training/ Coaching. They enjoy sports, and they attend together games, hiking, and traveling. They love the feel of Quail Hollow, and have found it very welcoming. Bobby & Megan Maloney (Caroline, age 1 year) Hanover Hollow Dr Charlotte, NC (704)

9 PAGE 9 Martha & Jack Rand have lived in Charlotte over 25 years. Jack s mother, Nan, moved to Southminster and, upon visiting Quail Hollow with her, decided they really enjoyed it themselves. Jack works for Accenture, an IT consulting firm & enjoys gardening, BBQ, Panthers football, and Hornets basketball. Martha runs the Learning Center at Christ Church Kindergarten & enjoys yardwork and cooking. Martha & Jack Rand 3020 Brookmont Place Charlotte, NC (704) John & Ann Collar 7240 Quail Meadow Ln Charlotte, NC (704) Ann & John have lived in Charlotte over 32 years. Both have retired, although John is presently working. John enjoys playing golf, and Ann loves to cook & read, although as a grandmother, she finds less time for hobbies. Ann also sings in the QH Bluegrass Band. Friends & neighbors brought Ann to Quail Hollow, and Ann brought John. Will & Ronni Bishop (Reed, age 2.5 years) Hanover Hollow Dr Charlotte, NC (704) Ronni & Will love the location and sense of family they find at Quail Hollow. They have lived in Charlotte over 18 years. Both have banking backgrounds, but Ronni has recently left Wells Fargo to stay home with their daughter, Reed, and the new baby they expect, soon. Reed attends the QH Preschool. They love to travel. Ronni is a vegetarian, and, while Will married a vegetarian, he still loves buffalo wings!

10 PAGE 10 Jack Rand April 1 Becky Aelick April 4 Erin Gillis April 4 Pily Barger April 5 Sebastian Adkins April 6 Jamie Hearn April 6 Alex Federal April 11 Kip Hice April 11 Mary Rose Adkins April 12 April Griner April 14 Frank Stack April 14 Sharon Renfroe April 19 Anne Washam April 20 Greg Baskwell April 22 Don MacLaren April 22 Bill Shakespeare April 23 Larry Baker April 24 Nancy Geiter April 24 Hannah Brandt April 25 Susan Andre April 27 Julia Bonnell April 27 Justin Aelick April 28 Ed Boger April 29 Ronni Bishop April 30 Rita Blackwelder April 30 Kathryn Hewett April 30 Holy Communion will be celebrated on Pentecost, May 15th April 3 April 7-10 April 8 & 22 April 20 April 30 May 15 Kairos Cookie Bake after Worship Kairos Walk Kershaw CI Men s 7 a.m. Amelie s Mission Covered-Dish Dinner Red Hat Ladies Tea PW Birthday Luncheon (after Worship) QHPC Members & Friends April Newsletter Articles & Information Deadline: Friday, April 15 Copies of the current The Bell & The Well are available on our website ( and in the Narthex. If you prefer to have the newsletter mailed to you, please call the church office ( ). Are you receiving the Weekly Update? If not, call Liz Hambly (church office) to be put on the distribution list. Submit your articles to qhpcnewsletter@gmail.com UPDATED PHONE DIRECTORIES Updated phone directories are available in the church office. One per family, please. Contact Liz (liz@qhpc.org) in the office with any corrections and to request an electronic copy.

11 PAGE 11 Remaining current with your pledge is part of our promise to be faithful members. If you have not made your pledge for 2016, Giving Cards are available in the pews, Narthex & church office. Gifts were received from the following members & friends of Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church: February 2016 Financial Report In memory of Dawn Ridley February Tithes and Offerings YTD Tithes and Offerings YTD Budget for Tithes & Offerings: YTD Actual Tithes & Offerings vs. Budget $24,129 $58,708 $53,784 +$4924 Amelia Aguilar & the OT/PT/APE ladies of CVSD200 Jan Federal Charles & Eunice Pinckney In memory of Joan Cobourn YTD Total Church & Preschool Actual Revenues (offerings + other revenues) versus Expenses: + $53,885 Debt Retirement Update Outstanding Loan balance: $331,578 Dick & Marg Davis In memory of Dick Davis brother, Dr. Robert V. Davis, Jr. Charles & Carol Crumbley Remember: If a portion of your giving is meant specifically for Debt Retirement, please indicate your intent on your check. In memory of Jackie Page s mom, Betty Harris April Ushers THE CHURCH WEBSITE: Megan & Bobby Maloney Martha & Jack Rand Dick & Marg Davis Usher Coordinators: Allen Smith & Steve Nelson 2016 Pledge Update 2015 Pledges 2016 Pledges to date 102 Pledges Pledge Total: $278, Pledges Pledge Total: $265,165 To be the church in 2016, the Lord desires us to be an every member & friend giving-congregation. That s the only way we will make a difference through our mission and witness. The Lord is calling each of us to give cheerfully by submitting a 2016 Giving Card. By returning a Giving Card we say, Yes, to the Lord and, No, to evil! Giving cards are available in the Narthex and church office.

12 Class of 2016 Session Class of 2017 Loving God...loving neighbor Class of 2018 Marybet Hudson Scott Kusel Pettus Lilliott Grace Mitchell Joel Aelick, Co-Clerk Rich Bonnell, Co-Clerk Bill Navarro Linda Patterson Virgil Adkins Fay Miller Moderator: Gus Succop, Pastor VISIT US ON THE WEB! Visit us on Facebook! CHURCH OFFICE HOURS: Tuesday Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Friday: 8:00 to 12:00 p.m. Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church (USA) Learning Hour: 9:45 a.m. Worship: 11 a.m. Church Office: Preschool: Office Fax: Newsletter published monthly from Quail Hollow Presbyterian Church 8801 Park Road Charlotte, North Carolina 28210