First Presbyterian Church April 2017 Whiteville, NC FIRST NEWS. ttto. To be a Light in our Community Reflecting Christ s Love and Compassion

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1 First Presbyterian Church April 2017 Whiteville, NC FIRST NEWS ttto To be a Light in our Community Reflecting Christ s Love and Compassion George and I are filled with gratitude for our time with you all. Though we will now be in full time ministry with congregations and pastors throughout Coastal Carolina Presbytery, you will remain in our hearts and in our prayers. May you continue to discover grace for your journey! Lenten Blessings, Beverly and George SESSION HIGHLIGHTS The Session of First Presbyterian Church, Whiteville, met for its stated monthly meeting on Wednesday, March 8 th. Among items on its agenda that night, Session: Set the dates for Vacation Bible School to be Sunday night, June 11 th and Wednesday night, June 14 th (limited to two nights), with the theme, Campout Elected Kaye Pope as Commissioner to the March 25 th presbytery meeting in Morehead City Following an extensive review of the membership roll, moved 41 names to the congregation s inactive roll and deleted the names of six members who have joined other congregations Elected Ben Kilpatrick President of the Corporation, as per church Bylaws, Art. VI, Sect. 1, and approved two small additions to that Section, pertaining to the office of Treasurer Added five hours per week to the schedule of Administrative Assistant Karen Ware, until the arrival of a new pastor Approved a request from Cub Scout 513 to use Fellowship Hall March 24 th and 25 th for its Pinewood Derby Gave permission for the Rev. Lenora Powell, of the Liberty International Pentecostal Churches, to officiate at the wedding in the FPC sanctuary of Andrew Scott and Erin Branch, Saturday, May 27, 2017

2 Message from Pastor Nominating Committee April 2017 The journey to find a new pastor had the promise to be exciting, tedious, joyful, spiritually fulfilling, frustrating, inspiring, lengthy, and purposeful. It was to be a process, an exercise in discernment. The challenge would be to listen to the congregation as it worked through the development of the Ministry Information Form, but more importantly, to attend to God s will in the search for that person best suited to lead this congregation as it expresses its mission and ministry in the community. The promise is being fulfilled in its entirety. Each Pastor Nominating Committee member can describe moments when the group has experienced intense excitement and deep disappointment, as well as moments when she or he felt drawn to an individual only to discover that the feeling wasn t widely shared within the group. The primary source of referrals has been the denomination s online database of Personal Information Forms (PIF) at the Church Leadership Connection (clc.pcusa.org). In that document pastors seeking a call, or open to a call, describe their personal background (education, pastoral service history, special training or certification), activities at the presbytery or wider level, personal strengths and areas that could be improved, links to personal websites or sermons or blogs, and a statement of belief. (Please note that this is an abbreviated list of the PIF s contents.) We have studied over 300 PIFs. Names of people who have not posted a PIF on the Church Leadership Connection have come from individuals who know of our need for a pastor. Our studies have led to over 20 telephone interviews. Those interviews resulted in joining three people for their Sunday worship services. Two people were very attractive and continued the conversation over several phone calls. We were disappointed when the attraction turned out not to be mutual. One of the non-clc referrals led to an intense period of discernment with a candidate. We arranged a special worship service for that person. Unfortunately, that person s prayers did not lead to further consideration. You may have questions from time to time about the committee s work and its sense of progress. We are free to comment in general terms; however, the subject of individuals must always remain confidential. Maintaining that confidentiality within the PNC is of the upmost importance; it is an issue of integrity, trusting God in the process, and spiritual leadership. It ensures that the identities of the prospective pastors are protected. We know that you are praying for us. We know that you are experiencing some of the same emotions we are as we go through this period of discernment. We are individually in prayer continually. Recently a committee member brought a message from a devotional: when we pray, be specific. Although the Lord already knows what we want before our mouths speak, He has said that the Holy Spirit will intercede for us. So we are now praying, Lord, you already know that person who can share our vision and help us live into it faithfully. Help us to be so tuned to your will that we will soon see what you are ready to reveal. May it be so. Believing in God s favor, we are Your Pastor Nominating Committee Paul Pope, Will Scott, Susan Smith, Mary Anne Tyndall, and Mary Wheatley.

3 During the interim time, until a new pastor arrives, please contact your Sonlight Group Elder if anything is needed. Debbie Viets: d_viets@hotmail.com / Charlene Hinnant Hinnant Family Neisler Family Clark Family Ann Coburn Anna Jane Collier Grainger Family Cook Family Waldron Family Joan Dorsett: joan.dorsett@columbusco.org / J. Brooks Family Edwards Family D. Medford Family Parker Family Kenneth Smith Williamson Family Gerald Hege Bannerman Family Mandy Horne: amandathurstonhorne@outlook.com / Walter Strickland J. E. Thompson Family John Thompson Family Tyndall Family Trogdon Family Douglas Spivey Ware-Rudnik Family Kaye Pope: ktwppope@gmail.com / Yoder Family Shelburne Family D. Smith Family S. Smith Family C. Smith J. Smith Family Royal Family M. Smith Family David Bivens Ben Kilpatrick: bkilpatrick@ec.rr.com / Ellen Thurston K. Thurston Family Chandler Thurston Bethany Thurston J. Horne Family Annette Powell Butch Row Kelly Prince Michaud Family Blackmon Family Douglas Spivey: dspivey100@embarqmail.com / Miriam Schulken M. Thompson Family M. Thompson Family J. Hooks Family Alex Hooks Lacey Hooks Diane Scott N. Logan Family M. Spradley Family G. Palmer Family Coke Gray III: rcgray@ncdot.gov / P. Pope Family B. Love Family Ri Love Miriam Marks R. Maxwell Family Sara Cartrette M. Bair Family M. McLean Family S. Gibson Family E. Grigsby Family Sara Cartrette: lvndixie@yahoo.com / L. Thomas Family M. Spivey Family Freddie Stell B. Stocks Family D. Stocks Family D. Harritan Family B. Blanchard B. Rooks Family Geraldine Becker Peggy Blanchard: pegblanchard@yahoo.com / F. Meekins Family Kate Meekins Betty Monds Walter Munroe R. Nelson Family B. Kilpatrick Family B. Turner Family J. Holden Family D. McNeill Family Fuller Royal: fullerroyal@mac.com / J. Klara Family M. Scott Family J. Krahnke Family P. Kindschuh Family C. Moody Family Ethan Scott: elscott382@gmail.com / C. Gray III Family B. Wheatley Family D. Hester Family B. High Family J. Medford Family D. Smith Family T. McColsky Family M. Capps Family Sally Medford: sallyjo@sallyjoart.com / W. Scott Family E. Scott Family Nathan Sellars D. Williams Family R. Lewis Family Jayne Smith W. Richardson Family J. Hall Family Delores Harris Coke Gray II: rcg3869@gmail.com / J. B. Elkins Emily Owens Mary Eplee Tom Caperton T. Burney Family D. Viets Family J. Lee Family C. Branch Family R. Worley Family Greg Blackmon: gblackmon53@gmail.com / B. Crutchfield Family T. Owens Family J. Kamberger Family Amber Dorsett S. Dorsett Family C. Smith Family H. Salyer Family C. Gray II Family F. Stroud Family W. Gray Family

4 Report on Presbytery Meeting Presbytery of Coastal Carolina Meeting First Presbyterian Church, Morehead City, NC March 25, 2017 Attendance 209 After the official opening, a worship service was held, including communion and the installation of the Reverend Clarence Page as Central Community Mission's coordinator. Committee reports were heard. Official actions: --One person approved for candidacy for the ministry. --One person approved for ordination and as associate pastor for Highlands Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville. --Approved the call of the senior pastor for First Presbyterian Church in Fayetteville. --The sale of a portion of a church's property was approved. --The 2017 and 2018 budgets were decreased by $50, The recognition of staff changes included the honorable retirement of the Reverend Drs. George and Beverly Thompson. --Eleven proposed amendments to the Book of Order were approved. Full information is available in the Presbytery packet at Look for "Complete Packet all 48 pages." Thank you for allowing me to represent the church. Kaye Pope April 13, :30pm FPC

5 1 Thad Thomas 1 Sandra Love 3 Reagan Parker 3 Lake Stocks 4 Greg Blackmon Anna Capps 4 Fuller Royal 5 Kim Neisler 5 Maggie Williamson 7 Ethan Scott Mary Gregg Williamson 10 Judy Harritan 8 Susannah Blanchard 14 Emily Kea Gray 10 Amber Dorsett 17 Mark Smith Matthew Smith 19 Suzanne Blackmon 11 Sally Medford 22 Margaret Gray 17 Alexander Scott 25 Janet Royal Christopher Scott Rachel Smith 18 Don Harritan 29 Mack Thompson 21 Rick Edwards 30 Miriam Schulken 22 Layton McLean 25 Sarah Moody 26 - Sara Rain Thompson 29 Bethany Thurston FPC - Whiteville First Presbyterian Church 511 North Thompson Street Whiteville NC 28472

6 Sundays: Handbell Choir 6:00 pm Tuesdays: NetworX of Hope 5:30 pm Wednesdays: Choir Rehearsal 6:00 pm Thursdays: Chicks with Sticks 10:30 pm Church Calendar Sunday, April 2: Tuesday, April 4: Wednesday, April 5: Worship led by The Reverend Clarence Page Last Ladies Bible Study for Spring - 9:30 am Circle #1 11:00am Easter Lily Dedications Due ($5.00 each) Session Meeting 6:30 pm Sunday, April 9: Mother, Daughter, Ladies Tea 3:00 pm Palm Sunday Worship led by the Congregation Monday, April 10: Evening Circle, Mary Janet Maxwell 7:00 pm Passover Begins at Sundown Thursday, April 13: Maundy Thursday Service at First Presbyterian Church, Whiteville 6:30 pm Friday, April 14: Good Friday Service at Westminster Presbyterian Church, Whiteville 6:30 pm Sunday, April 16: Easter Sunday, Worship led by Dr. Sam Murrell Monday, April 17: Spiritual Development/Outreach Meeting 6:30 pm Saturday, April 22: Earth Day Sunday, April 23: Worship led by Jerry Bron Wednesday, April 26: Family Night Supper 6:00 pm (Elders in Charge Peggy and Sara) Sunday, April 30: Worship led by Bob Hankins Monday, May 1: Oratorio Concert Oratorio Concert The Southeastern Oratorio Society spring concert will be presented in our sanctuary on Monday, May 1, at 7:30 p.m. The concert will be dedicated to the memory of Carol and Mickey Greer, longtime members of the Oratorio Society and influential supporters of music in schools, their church, and our community. We hope you will join us at this program of both sacred and secular music by American composers. Anyone who would like to help defray the cost of the concert may send a contribution to the Oratorio Society at P.O. Box 4, Whiteville,