THE VIEW. Presbyterian Hill. We View Life Through the Cross ANNUAL MEETING AND PRESENTATION TO JIM HIERS. February 2019 Volume XVI Issue II

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1 THE VIEW FROM Presbyterian Hill We View Life Through the Cross February 2019 Volume XVI Issue II Inside this Issue Jim Hiers 1 Interim Pastor Call 3 Session News 3 Building the Altar Cross 4 Presbyterian Men 4 Missions News 5 Things I learned in Sunday School 5 Calendar 6 Birthdays 7 Ordination and Installation 7 Flowers 7 Upcoming Events 8 Facebook Q&A 8 January Lunch Bunch 8 Pres. Women Calendar 8 Education News 9 Church Info 10 ANNUAL MEETING AND PRESENTATION TO JIM HIERS The congregation voted with a standing ovation to award Jim with the title of Clerk Emeritus. A proclamation was presented by the new Clerk of Session, Bruce Morgan. At the Annual Meeting of First Presbyterian Church, held Sunday, January 27, Jim Hiers was honored for his service to the church, including 21 years as Clerk of Session, the governing body of the church and as president of the corporation. Hiers was the first member of the church s Steering Committee and chaired the building committee that resulted in the addition of the sanctuary that overlooks North Main Street. He also provided start-up legal services to the church and served in several positions for the Northeast GA Presbytery. Serving the church is just one of Jim Hiers many accomplishments. He attended Ga. State, Northwestern and Mercer before Emory Law. He served as president of the Mercer Alumni Association (CLA) for 3 terms and in 1999 was awarded the top award, Distinguished Alumnus Award. As a young lawyer he passed the Bar exam more than a year before finishing law school at Emory (1958). In 1965, Hiers and 3 others founded Swift, Currie, McGhee & Hiers in Atlanta, which today is the Southeast s largest litigation firm--now with 150 lawyers. He served as president of the Federation and Defense and Corporate Counsel, an international bar and professional organization founded in 1936 and 9 terms as Chair of its Foundation. After retirement as Of Counsel from the law firm, he took his required training for becoming a mediator at Harvard Law School Program for lawyers and did this for several years mediating 1,200 cases. In 1992, Jim Hiers and his wife Barbara fell in love with the Northeast Georgia Mountains and a grand old Victorian house in Cleveland, Georgia. According (continued on page 2) FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF CLEVELAND 147 N. Main Street, Cleveland, GA (706)

2 to Hiers, it was too big and too expensive but after many visits and some careful negotiations with the owner they ended up buying it anyway and moved here. Jim was a Methodist, Barbara was a Baptist when they married, but they had friends who were Presbyterians and they decided to worship with their friends. In 1992, Presbyterians in Cleveland didn t have a church. As they were organizing one, with the Steering Committee, the founding attendees worshipped at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church, the Seventh Day Adventist Church, and even held services in the steak house located on the present site of Mountain Valley Bank, the original site of Jim and Barbara s home. On November 30, 1997, First Presbyterian Church was chartered by the Northeast Georgia Presbytery in a special service. Dr. Bill Hines was appointed Moderator and preached and donated his services until a new pastor was called. The church needed its own place of worship and moved forward to purchase the Mauney House Restaurant building with Hiers instrumental in helping secure a mortgage. It was a beautiful piece of property, the structure built in the Craftsman style. Originally it was a private residence of the Mauney family that had been transformed into a restaurant. After worshipping for several years in the main dining room of the restaurant, the members began to plan for a new sanctuary. With Hiers as chair, the concept for the addition and the fund raising necessary to accomplish it led to Atlanta architect Jim Ditzel and Ron Cantrell Construction who completed the beautiful new worship space. On November 18, 2007, with then US Congressman Nathan Deal and many others in attendance, the building was dedicated. There was one more finishing touch needed. The east wall was designed with a big window. Hiers and Pastor Jeff Hutcheson believed that rather than plain pieces of glass which would overlook Main Street and be subject to glare on a sunny day, the perfect solution was a stained glass window. This was before the days of GoFundMe pages, so to pay for the stained glass Hiers spearheaded a funding campaign which raised thousands of dollars in individual donations to help pay for the design and installation. The design features the huge sun that shines down on all of God s people, the manger depicting Christ s birth, the Dove representing Christ s baptism and the Butterfly, his resurrection. A large wooden cross, made by congregation member Dale Williams from a Maple tree that was removed during construction, hangs in the center of the window, inspiring the church s motto, We View Life through the Cross. Jim and Barbara Hiers were active in all facets of the church. For the past 21 years, Hiers has served as Clerk of Session, the governing body of the church, and president of the corporation for First Presbyterian, a church that he was so instrumental in making a reality. It should be noted that he may well be the longest serving elected Clerk in the Presbytery. Hiers still lives in that same Victorian house in Cleveland, now known as the Miller-Dixon-Hiers House. His three children are grown and Barbara, unfortunately, passed away in June last year. Hiers continues to be active in the church, the Cleveland Rotary, and other philanthropic organizations including Community Helping Hands Clinic (Chair Emeritus.). He was listed in Who s Who in American Law as well as Best Lawyers in America. He was named by the most respected law rating association, Martindale Hubble as a Preeminent Lawyer (AV), its highest rating. He was a member of the American Board of Trial Advocates. Jim Hiers is truly a man of many accomplishments. 2

3 WE WELCOME OUR NEW INTERIM PASTOR TO THE PULPIT Arch Baker was born into a Presbyterian family: Both of his parents were Presbyterian, as were his grandparents, on his mother s side a Presbyterian minister, and on the other an elder. He grew up in Dallas, TX, attended Bryan Adams High School and Arch Baker went to St. Andrews University in North Carolina. Before he was ordained, he was a member of First Presbyterian in Bryan, TX, where his grandfather had been Pastor for 19 years. He worked at that time as a professional photographer. Arch graduated from Austin Presbyterian Seminary in 1988 and has served churches in Texas, Oklahoma, and Georgia. For the last 10 years he has specialized in transitional ministry, most recently in Moultrie, GA and Acworth, GA. He is currently retired, but continues to love smaller churches in transition. His wife, Pat, recently retired as Gwinnett County Director of Health and Human Services and is currently at St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Tucker, GA, where she works as Director of Older Adult and Caregiver ministries. She will join in worship with us as her work allows. Arch is looking forward to serving us and wishes our search committee the best of luck in calling your next real pastor. At the January session meeting, your session: SESSION NEWS Welcomed our new moderator, Arch Baker, and new elder, Dick Frost, Heard a report from the PNC, Received Thank yous from the food pantry, BackPack Buddies, Habitat for Humanity, Operation Christmas Child, and the Free Clinic, Enjoyed hearing a note from a family with two happy children in The and a couple who enjoyed the Cantata, Approved the use of the church for two wedding parties, Approved the 2019 budget and planned the annual meeting where it will be presented to the congregation, Approved additional Handicapped parking spaces, Approved some personnel policies and benevolence payment to Presbytery. Approved the communion schedule to continue on the first Sunday of the month, Prepared for the retirement of Jim Hiers as Clerk and honoring him at the annual meeting, Elected a new Clerk of the session effective with his retirement, Prayed for the concerns of the church and its members, Reviewed the calendar for upcoming special services. The next meeting was scheduled for February 17th. 3

4 BUILDING THE ALTAR CROSS The idea for making a cross from an ancient Maple Tree on the Mauney Homestead property came from a conversation my wife and I were having as the congregation exited the church to attend the ground-breaking ceremony for the new sanctuary on October 29, As a member of the Building Committee, I took the idea to them, saying, I would like By: Dale Williams to make an Altar Cross for the new sanctuary from the maple tree in the front yard. This tree had been gracing the front lawn of the property since well-before there was a state of Georgia. The decision was made, voted on, and approved. On the day the tree was cut down, I brought my dump truck and Rob Patrick and I loaded the downed tree onto the truck and took it to a local saw mill on Duncan Bridge and 115 East of Cleveland. Rob had spoken to the owner who agreed that he would mill the wood for us. After milling, I brought the lumber gleaned from the tree to White County Molding Company where they placed it in a kiln for 6 weeks to bring the moisture to an acceptable level to insure the wood would be stable and not warp. By the time this was accomplished the new sanctuary had a roof, windows, siding, and the rock work was nearly finished. It was time to finalize decisions on how the cross would look and how it would adhere to the East wall of the sanctuary. The building contractor said they would mount it to the wall with bolts tapped into the steel beam that centers the East wall. Slots were routed out of the back of the cross, and the cross sits on two bolts spaced apart to accommodate the weight, thus making the cross removable if necessary. Before mounting the cross, I sat outside the kitchen door at the rear of the church and distressed the surface to make it more closely resemble the cross that Jesus carried on his fateful journey to Calvary. The cross was stained and sealed and then mounted to its present location. It was an emotional and moving experience for me. This is another wonderful story of the faith, pride and effort that contributed to the building of our beautiful First Presbyterian Church Sanctuary where we worship each Sunday. The cross made by Dale Williams is the inspiration for, and integral part of, our motto We View Life through the Cross. PRESBYTERIAN MEN The Presbyterian Men will hold their monthly dinner and fellowship one week earlier than normal at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, February 5th. We'll recap our pancake breakfast and plan projects and outings for the coming weeks. All our men are invited to join the fellowship. By: Bruce Morgan 4

5 2019 Missions Calendar February Souper Bowl of Caring March Habitat for Humanity April One Great Hour of Sharing May Our Journey June Jericho House July Christmas in July August The September Family Promise October Circle of Hope November Operation Christmas Child Packing Party December Angel Tree MISSIONS NEWS: SOUPER BOWL SUNDAY Get ready, the big day is quickly approaching. Start collecting your change to make some noise on February 3. All of your pennies, By: Nanette Baughman nickels, dimes and quarters (checks and greenbacks) will add up to a big win for the White County Food Pantry. So, don t just settle for a field goal, when you can make a touchdown! Help us help those on our community s home team as we Rock This House with the noise of coins going for this great cause. THE THINGS I LEARNED IN SUNDAY SCHOOL The Daniel Fast gains in popularity The Daniel Fast is a religious partial fast, based on scripture. It is popular among Evangelical Protestants in the United States. In the book of Daniel, Chapter 1, verses 5-16, the basis for the Daniel Fast is established. Four young men, Daniel (Belteshazzar) and three friends, Hananiah (Shadrach), Mishael (Meshach) and Azariah (Abed-Nego) are brought before King Nebuchadnezzar who honors them By: Jean Kelly by offering luxurious royal foods hoping to encourage their development. Daniel refuses to eat these foods and instead asks for a diet of vegetables and water for him and his friends. After continuing with the diet during three years of training, they are judged by the King to be mentally superior. He found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all of his realm. Today, the Daniel Fast continues to gain in popularity. It is a program of prayer and fasting in which meat, wine and other rich foods are avoided in favor of vegetables and water for a typical period of three weeks. Hollywood star Chris Pratt of Toy Story 2 is now following it. A new book by Rick Warren, Pastor of the Saddleback Church in Southern California, entitled The Daniel Plan: 40 days to a Healthier Life, details a lifestyle plan that helped him lose 65 pounds in 2011 and inspired Warren s followers to follow suit. In January of the year, many churches now encourage members of their congregation to take the Daniel Fast Challenge as a means of spiritual renewal. The Daniel Fast has also gained popularity during Lent since it restricts meat, processed foods, sweeteners, alcohol, preservatives and dairy for a 40-day period. A lesson to be learned from this is found in a favorite hymn, Trust and Obey following God s teachings is beneficial to the health of the body and soul. (Much of the Information for this article is attributed to Wikipedia and Google) 5

6 Sun Mon First Presbyterian Tue Church Wed of Cleveland Calendar Thu Fri Sat November :30AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship- Souper Bowl of Caring 10 9:30AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship 17 9:30AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship 12:15PM Session Meeting 24 9:30AM Choir 10AM Sunday School 11AM Worship PM Rotary 6PM Pres. Men Dinner 7PM Nar-Anon 11 6:30PM Lion s Club 12 12PM Rotary 7PM Nar-Anon PM Rotary 7PM Nar-Anon 25 6:30PM Lion s Club 26 11AM Rotary Board Mtg 12PM Rotary 7PM Nar-Anon 6 Growing Place 3:30PM PW CT Mtg 3:30PM Kids 1st 5:30PM Dinner for all ages 6:20PM Adult Study 7:30PM Choir 13 Growing Place 3:30PM Knit and Stitch 3:30PM Kids 1st 5:30PM Dinner for all ages 6:20PM Adult Study 7:30PM Choir 20 Growing Place 3:30PM Knit and Stitch 3:30PM Kids 1st 5:30PM Dinner for all ages 6:20PM Adult Study 7:30PM Choir 27 Growing Place 3:30PM Knit and Stitch 3:30PM Kids 1st 5:30PM Dinner for all ages 6:20PM Adult Study 7:30PM Choir 7 8PM NA 14 10:00AM PW Bible Study 5PM Free Community Clinic Mtg 21 1PM Lunch Bunch 8PM NA 28 8PM NA 1 9AM PNC 4-9 PM Reserved for Rehearsal Dinner 8 9AM PNC 7PM NA 15 9AM PNC 7PM NA 22 9AM PNC 3:30-5:00PM Yonah Pickers 7PM NA 2 9AM Pancake Breakfast PM Oliver at Habersham Theater 23 6

7 HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY GOD BLESS YOU HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU FEBRUARY BIRTHDAYS February 6 Abby McGrath February 8 Rachel Romfo February 11 Lindalee Walters February 12 Dot Pardue February 16 Bill Francis February 22 Callie Rades February 23 Bob Murdoch February 23 Kyrsten Buote February 26 Bruce Morgan February 27 Natalie Leonard February 28 Nanette Baughman Please accept our apologies if we missed your birthday this month. Please notify the church office so we will remember next year. ORDINATION AND INSTALLATION OF SESSION AND DEACONS During worship on Sunday, January 6, the Rev. Dr. Bill Hines conducted a service of Ordination and Installation for newly elected church Elders and Deacons. In a simple but moving ceremony, Elder Dick Frost was ordained and installed. Elder Jean Kelly and Deacons Rachel Romfo, Linda Leslie and Walter Bogart were installed. See page 10 for a complete Elder and Deacon listing. These beautiful flower arrangements were on display during worship in December. Please sign up in the Narthex to provide flowers for upcoming Sunday services. 7

8 UPCOMING EVENTS AT FPC Pancake Breakfast: Come out on Saturday, February 2nd at 9:00am for pancakes and fixin's prepared by the Presbyterian Men and learn from local EMTs about using the Defibrillator and also the latest CPR techniques. It will be fun, informative and fill a hungry spot too. PNC Roundtable Discussion: During Wednesday night Adult Study on February 6 the PNC will be conducting a roundtable discussion with the following Questions: 1) What have you liked about our church in the past? 2) Why are you here today? 3) What are ideas about the vision you see for our church in the future? PNC will be providing soup and sandwiches. Please sign up in the Narthex. Lunch Bunch: Good food and fellowship are on the menu at [TBD] on February 21st at 1pm. Sign up in the Narthex if you plan to attend. Oliver at Habersham Theater: Join us on February 16th at 2pm for a showing of Oliver at the Habersham Theater. Advanced tickets are advised; please sign up in the Narthex. FACEBOOK FOR FPC Q&A PRESENTED BY COMMUNICATIONS TEAM On January 9, kicking off the first Wednesday Night Study Group of the Year, the Communications Team presented a Q & A on the Why and How of Facebook for First Presbyterian Church. Kim Ciriello led the presentation which outlined the program we joined through the Presbytery to enhance community outreach and awareness and encourage visitors and new members to our church. There was also discussion on livestreaming our worship service on HELP WANTED The communications team is looking for a volunteer to help with Facebook Posts and the Live-Streaming each week. If you are interested please contact Jean Kelly or Kim Ciriello. Lunch bunch met Thursday, January 24, for a delicious meal at Cottage House restaurant in Cleveland. It was an opportunity to get acquainted with our new interim, Rev. Arch Baker, and to fellowship together. PW CALENDAR CT Meeting - February 6-3:30 PM Knit and Stitch - February 13, 20, and 27 3:30 PM Men s Dinner on February 12 will be prepared by Bonnie Frost and Becky Clark. Women's Bible Study - February a.m. We will be studying Lesson 4 "God With Us When We Seek God". Jannie dewaart will be the Study Leader, and Betty Royds will be the Hostess. Dates to save: March 16 - NEGA Presbyterian Women Annual Meeting in Augusta - Our own Elaine Wiegert will be installed as Moderator, and Betty Royds will be installed as Secretary. April 25 - Come see Columbia Day in Decatur. 8

9 THE VIEW from Presbyterian Hill SOUP LUNCH FUNDRAISER FOR THE GROWING PLACE PRESCHOOL If it s Sunday it s a great day for homemade soups, breads and desserts after church at First Presbyterian, Cleveland. On December 30th it was a fundraiser for The Preschool. Well attended and enjoyed by all, almost $450 was raised! THE GROWING PLACE PRESCHOOL STUDENT OF THE MONTH 9 January 2019

10 First Presbyterian Church 147 N. Main Street Cleveland, GA Phone: Fax: Website: Chairperson & Editor Jean Kelly Publisher Lindsey McGrath Committee Members Bruce Morgan Kim Ciriello Bonnie Frost Dick Frost Elaine Wiegert THE SESSION Bruce Morgan, Clerk of Session Debbie Wessely, Assistant Clerk of Session Rev. Arch Baker, Moderator Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Melody Thomason Nanette Baughman Dick Frost Education Missions Building & Grounds Lindalee Walters Becky Clark Kelly Membership Worship Communications Judy Winski Administration & Finance DeWayne Nix Congregational Care THE DIACONATE Betty Smith, Moderator DeWayne Nix, Session Liaison Class of 2019 Class of 2020 Class of 2021 Betty Royds Walter Bogart Linda Leslie Betty Smith Kim Ciriello Rachel Romfo Hugh Walters Tony Clark