Our Motto The loving place that is Reaching, Growing, and Sending people with Christ. August 2016 Volume 9 Issue 8

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1 August 2016 Volume 9 Issue 8 Our Purpose Fellowship is called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to make disciples by reaching, growing, and sending people with Christ to do justice, to live mercy, and to walk humbly with God. Our Motto The loving place that is Reaching, Growing, and Sending people with Christ. It doesn't seem possible that four more years have passed. Time does not wait for anyone. On Saturday, August 6 at 2:00 PM, Alexis graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree. This last semester has been a whirlwind for Alexis, spending a month on Auburn's campus and the final weeks at UAB training in the Heart Transplant Intensive Care Unit (HTICU). Her interests are critical care and emergency medicine. Alexis asks for your continued prayers and support as she begins the interview process and prepares to take the NCLEX (National Council Licensure Examination) to obtain her nursing licensure. On June 19, 2016, the University of South Alabama in Mobile presented white coats to its third year medical students. That White Coat Ceremony marks the entry of a class of students into the medical profession. It symbolizes the trust being bestowed upon them to carry on the noble tradition of doctoring. It was a proud day for Blair as well as his family. Chris and Tonya, Alexis, Uncle Rob, and Granddaddy Robert were in attendance. (Continued on page 2)

2 Page 2 Staff Reverend Gregory Jerome Bentley Pastor Mrs. Brenda Davis Director of Music Ministry Mr. Wallace Lee Inspirational Choir Director Ms. Darlene Richardson Youth and Children s Choir Director Ms. Tiffany Sledge Pianist, Youth/Children s Choir and Praise Team Director Mr. Ryan Felton Percussionist Mrs. Yvonne Jones Secretary Mr. Theodus Friend Sexton 1 Worship Ministry Team meets at noon 6 Evangelism Ministry Team meets at 10:00 a.m. 6 Back-to-School Event at 9:00 a.m. 8 Christian Education Ministry Team meets at 6:30 p.m. 9 Property & Maintenance Ministry Team meets at noon 15 Witness & Service Ministry Team meets at 5:30 p.m. 20 Presbyterian Men meets at 8:00 a.m. 14 Food distribution preparation 15 Food distribution preparation 16 Food distribution preparation 17 Food distribution 25 Session Working Meeting at 6:00 p.m. Church Office Hours 9:00 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Directory of Services Early Morning Service Sunday Breakfast Sunday School Sunday Worship Choir Rehearsals Inspirational (Tues.) Chancel (Tues.) Praise Team (Wed.) Adult Bible Study (Wed.) Prayer Service (Wed.) Youth and Children (Thurs.) Bible Study Children Choir Rehearsal Youth Choir Rehearsal Newsletter Team Dr. Barbara Anthony Mrs. Pauline Bodiford Mrs. Gladys P. Bracy Ms. Cheryl K. Johnson Mrs. Mary E. Mitchell Dr. Joyce Pettis Temple Mrs. Lois N. Thompson Photographers Mrs. Gertrude Hicks Dr. James Hicks Mr. Christopher Gaines 8:00 a.m. 9:30 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. 7:15 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Noon 5:30 p.m. 5:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Etiquette To maintain the overall neat appearance, it is with utmost importance that we ask you to not post anything on the church s general announcement bulletin board. When extra announcements need to be posted, place your item(s) in the appropriate slot outside the church office. Your item will be posted at the earliest convenience. Thank you for adhering to this policy. Session (Continued from page 1) Blair has entered an exciting time in his career. He started his internal medicine rotation in June where he makes daily rounds, interviews, and evaluates patients in the hospital. He works up to seventy hours per week. It has been an eye-opening experience for him. As he talks about his experiences, one can feel the empathy, compassion, and connections that he has with his patients. Blair thanks you for your continued love and support.

3 Page 3 Elder Frances J. Harris is the recipient of the 2016 National Membership Services Alumnae Sisterhood Award. The winner was announced on July 16 at the 2016 Southern Regional Conference, Kissimmee, Florida. Frances is a member of the Central North Alabama Alumnae Chapter, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and has served as its president, vice-president, and previously served for four years on the Southern Regional Leadership Team ( ). Under her leadership, the chapter s first Go Red (Heart Health) Luncheon in the North Alabama area was begun, February Most importantly, Elder Harris strives to be a better Sister in Christ, as well as a Sister in Delta. Congratulations to Frances for this prestigious and deserving honor. We are indeed proud of her accomplishments. Magazine Donations Many thanks to the men and women who contribute to the magazine donations for Huntsville Hospital. Gladys Bracy, Lucille Grayson, Jackie Bennett, Barbara Anthony, and Joyce Pettis Temple are the current contributors for the month. Please donate your slightly used magazines dated Do not include sales catalogs, alumni bulletins, etc. Mr. Theodus Friend Sexton and Friend to All Known as simply Ted to the congregation, he is the son of the late Mary and Willie Friend, who was a member of Fellowship PC. Ted is technically sexton and has served in that capacity for over twelve years. But he is much more to the church, always with a smile on his face. Ted is an example we can all follow. When he is called upon, he goes beyond what is in a job description. You can call him to unlock the church doors to let a member or maintenance worker in regardless of the time: He s there; when Mrs. Dorothy Johnson needs a truck to prepare for food distribution, he is there; when we purchase new furniture and need assistance to unload or setup, he is there; when the facility is utilized by nonmembers and no one else wants to supervise the event at the church, you can count on Ted: He ll be there. When the weatherman predicts 20 degrees or below, Ted is there checking to ensure proper heat is on to avert frozen pipes. When the youth needed a youth minister, he was instrumental in encouraging his son, now Reverend LaBryant Friend, to deliver the message, and on Sunday morning you may look on the back pew, and Ted is sometimes there worshipping with Fellowship. Ted puts in more hours at Fellowship than any member and none of the events listed above are in his job description. Ted is an example of what it means to serve selflessly, to go beyond the call of duty. Many of our young and old folks can learn from this example. We take so much for granted, but at this moment we say thank you to Theodus Friend. When you see him the next time, say Thank You.

4 Cultural Trip Comments from Former Member Tommie Herndon What a marvelous trip! To use a few words to describe it is next to impossible! I must say that it was one of the best-planned and executed trips I have taken in my 70+ years! It was a living adventure of American history, African-American history, and United States history all in one! The committee did an excellent job with the selection of food stops, rest breaks, motel accommodations, water breaks, and timing. All major and minor details were covered. (I needed such an experience!) The trip to the Slave Plantation was an unforgettable experience that cannot be summed up in a few words. I wish more Americans of all races could be privy to such an experience! I came away with a sense of Black Pride that I have never experienced before proud of my heritage and a little bit more understanding of what we as a race have gone through and are still going through in this present age based on some of the real, visual historical facts that we witnessed on this trip. I was especially proud of the children on the bus. They were so well-behaved, polite, helpful, and respectful. There was real evidence that the combination of what children learn in church and good home training truly make a difference in the outcome of their successful development. All of us were proud of our children. We were one big family, taking care of each other. God took care of us all! He orchestrated the weather to our benefit! He blessed us with an extremely competent bus driver who was knowledgeable, helpful, patient, and kind. He blessed us with excellent tour guides. He gave us an excellent planning committee. God was with us and blessed this trip! The Katrina Tour in New Orleans, Louisiana, was equally amazing as it focused on the city s diverse heritage and architectural designs, all of which were evidence of God s grace and the determination of its people to keep moving forward. That was so powerful! The take-away from the trip for me can be summed up in the words of the song we sing at church: Look Page 4 where the LORD has brought us from! He has brought us out of darkness, into the marvelous light, placed our feet on straight street, gave us strength to fight. I m fired up and ready to really Make America Great Again in a way that some politicians have no idea of because they haven t recognized that God is in control, and He has already blessed America. Our job is to honor Him and do as He has commanded in His Word. Let s start by voting in this election! A Cultural Trip to Louisiana Johnnie M. McAlpine The trip to the Whitney Plantation was an awesome experience. Because of the intergenerational nature of the trip, the experience was an added benefit. Children and adults formed relationships across the board and enjoyed the social camaraderie and intellectual stimulation. The following comments and pictures on page six were submitted by persons who accompanied us on the trip. Dear Fellowship Church: Anna Grace Tucker I really enjoyed myself and learned about the Whitney Plantation. I learned about how bad people got treated during slavery. I enjoyed the tour of New Orleans and seeing the levees on the tour. It was also nice eating at a black-owned restaurant in New Orleans. Tucker Family On behalf of the Tucker Family, I would like to thank you for inviting us to travel and learn with you in New Orleans. We had a really good time. Because of your generous invitation, we learned a great many things about our history and the Whitney Plantation. For instance, the order of importance put slaves farthest away from the main house. The closer they were to the main house the more important they were considered to be. The slaves who had to build their quarters the farthest away from the main house were considered lower than animals on the plantation. The house itself was built with a design that the slaves brought from Africa. It was built so that the house would stay cool. We also enjoyed the tour of New Orleans. We learned a lot about the city. The Tucker Family is (Continued on page 5)

5 (Continued from page 4) forever grateful for the opportunity to learn, travel, and fellowship with you. Darlene Richardson The trip to the Whitney Plantation was surreal. Hearing about slavery and actually standing in the spot where people died for my freedom left me awe struck. I will never forget that feeling, and it has put a new type of determination in my heart. Nia Richardson I liked the trip because it gave me insight into the things about slavery I did not know. I felt sad about the little child that was a pet. It made me feel like we have at least come a long way from that. Janice Jackson (Arinzie Steele's sister) Touring the Whitney Plantation Museum was a great experience for me to gain further insight about the grave injustice of slavery bestowed on our ancestors. From the mid 1700's to the end of slavery in 1865, there were approximately 357 [black people] enslaved on this plantation. The number count came from sale and census documents as well as notarial archives. A Wall of Honor, where their names are listed, was dedicated to them. This plantation began with harvesting rice and indigo, and later, sugar cane became the most harvested crop. The plantation museum also housed the living quarters of those enslaved. This was just some of my highlights of my visit that was most interesting to me. Thank you for allowing me to tag along. Lois and Anthony Thompson My family and I thoroughly enjoyed the trip. It was very educational and informative. Jeremiah and Jacob enjoyed the hotel and their own room. Jacob asked several questions during our tour of the plantation. He also found his name on the Memorial Walls. Kimberlee and Jeremiah were excited to find their dad's name (Justin) on the wall. Jeremiah was also fascinated by the water going across the bridge both ways. I also purchased a beautiful basket from the gift shop that has been admired by many [viewers]. Page 5 General Assembly Mission Board, I have visited New Orleans many times. I was elated that others had the experience of visiting the area. Some of our history as African Americans has been influenced by two of the first U.S. Senators who were natives of Louisiana. Kaylin Houston The Whitney Plantation talked about the slaves and how they were treated. They took us to their cabins. We looked at their bedrooms. One bed was a rope and another bed was a sheet and a pillow case. If you were a boy slave, you could not get your pants until you were ten. Next, our tour guide talked to us about how white people treated us. If you said no to a white person, you got whipped twenty-five licks. If you just looked at a white person the wrong way, you got hung from a tree. After [the tour] we went to eat, then went to our hotel. The next morning we ate breakfast, then we got on the bus and had a tour. Then we came home to Alabama. The important thing was that I had fun and learned some black history. Johari Bentley I liked the food and had a lots of fun. I remember going to the cemetery and the hotel. I really had a good time. Miriam Bentley I remember the tour guide telling us that the white lady who lived in the big house couldn't have children so she used one of the slave children, Anna, as a pet. But in spite of how she was mistreated, Anna's descendants went on to do great things. What our people went through was horrible and we take too much for granted. Note: A fantastic article Inside America's Auschwitz (A new museum offers a rebuke-- and an antidote to our sanitized history of slavery. Smithsonian. com) gives an overview of the history and meaning behind the history of the Whitney Plantation. The information included in the article is very beneficial to the education of our youth as well as adults. Reverend John Herndon It was an awesome experience. I will limit my comments due to the numerous past opportunities [to which] I have been exposed. As a member of the Tour Guide speaking to the children.

6 Volume 9 Issue 8 Page 6 Evangelism Ministry Team Tour Guide Pots - Sugar cane kettles Slave children of the Whitney Plantation Reverend and Mrs. John Bush and Reverend Bentley Holding cage for slaves Janice Jackson (Arinzie Steele's sister) Reverend John Herndon Antioch Baptist Church Slave bed Art - Slave ship Slave children in church Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Ross, Reverend Bentley, Mrs. Tommie Herndon, Kaylin Houston Thompson and Tucker Children Diann Bentley Dana Bone, Carolyn Bone, Destine Brown Photo Credit: Johnnie McAlpine

7 Page 7 Yolanda R. Cal, Ph.D. Assistant Dean and Associate Professor College of International Communications Dr. Yolanda Cal selected as assistant dean in the Eugene M. and Christine E. Lynn College of International Communication, in Boca Raton, FL. Dr. Cal will handle student relations, oversee academic assessments, analyze academic and professional success, and support recruitment. She will also teach undergraduate and graduate classes. We can't do the work of the Lord until we become the people of the Lord. Sermon, Closing the Value Gap, July 17, 2016 Dr. Cal previously served as assistant professor of marketing at Alabama State University, advertising sequence head at Loyola University New Orleans and assistant professor of advertising at Florida International University. Additionally, she consulted for the cities of North Miami and Miami Gardens, as well as Miami-based Thinking Media and Charesse Chester & Associates public relations agencies. Dr. Cal received a B.A. in English literature and psychology and M.A. in advertising and public relations from The University of Alabama, and a Ph.D. in advertising from University of Texas at Austin. Yolanda is the daughter of Mildred and Jimmy Cal, former members of Fellowship PC. Contact Information for Yolanda: Yolanda R. Cal, Ph.D. Assistant Dean and Associate Professor College of International Communications Lynn University 3601 North Military Trail Boca Raton, FL T: lynn.edu Elizabeth and Tiffany Sledge Tiffany Sledge presented her initial sermon on Sunday, July 11, 2016, at Eagles Nest Ministries Church. Her scripture was Ephesians 5: 11-19, Ten Lepers Cleansed. Tiffany is Fellowship s musician for Youth/Children and Director of the Praise Team. Tiffany s mother Elizabeth shares a hug with her at the service. Photo Credit: Linda Burruss

8 North Alabama Presbytery Transition Announcement August 1, 2016 North Alabama Presbytery 1428 Weatherly Road, Suite 103 PO Box 4031 Huntsville, AL Dear Fellow Presbyterians, It is with much sadness that we announce the transition of the Reverend Dr. Tammy Gregory Brown from North Alabama Presbytery. Her anticipated date of departure is August 31, During the past two years Tammy has shared her talents with us and for that we are grateful. This was a mutual decision agreed to at the Summer Stated Meeting of North Alabama Presbytery. Your prayers and best wishes are requested as Tammy moves into a new call to serve our Lord as he has planned for her. Tammy will be in touch with Presbytery later this month. In Christ s Service, Sarah Martin, Moderator Tammy Gregory Brown, Executive Presbytery/ Stated Clerk Page 8 Evangelism Teachable Moment Diann Bentley Disciple Making and Growth If we want our friendship, evangelism, and discipleship ministries to continue to grow and our churches to experience healthy growth, we must have periodic training classes to prepare these ministry teams to minister to the church and the community. The Best Way to Glorify God Jesus desires that we glorify him in this way: that ye bear much fruit, so shall ye be my disciples. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit. Here we are talking about two types of fruit, the fruit of the spirit and the fruit of witnessing. The fruit of the spirit shows itself in Christian character--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Such fruitfulness comes as a result of abiding in Christ, by maintaining an intimate relationship with Jesus. Jesus also desires that we are properly pruned, healthy branches in right relations to the vine (Jesus) and that we produce abundant, visible fruit-- that is disciples! Therefore, Jesus commissions us, Go ye therefore; teach and make disciples of all nations. Through our witness, we are not merely to obtain decisions, we are to obtain disciples--visible fruit. What is a disciple? Disciple implies that the person not only accepts the views of the teacher, but he/she also practices them. Discipleship is demanding. Source: Evangelism Explosion CHURCH HUMOR Church Bulletin Bloopers Miss Charlene Mason sang I will not pass this way again, giving obvious pleasure to the congregation. Don t let worry kill you off let the Church help. Original source unknown. Submitted to newsletter team by Dr. Barbara Anthony.

9 Page 9 What is Session Doing? Approved: Leave request for Reverend Bentley for Sunday, July 31, The donation of the old maroon and gold choir robes to a new church in need of robes. The Stewardship and Finance Ministry Team plans to launch the Stewardship Campaign 2017 on Sunday, August 21, Postcards will be mailed to the membership regarding the campaign. Financial requests to the William Hooper Councill Alumni Association; Second Mile Development, Inc. (Kid Kit backpacks); Saint Paul Primitive Baptist Church, Pine Hill, Alabama (Church Anniversary); and Edmonton Heights Picnic. A church bulletin board etiquette policy. General Information: A schedule of which choirs will be singing on fifth Sundays in 2016 was formulated and reported by the Worship Ministry Team. The Inspirational Choir sang in January, 2016; the Unity Choir sang in May The Youth Choir is scheduled to sing on July 31, 2016, and the Praise Team will sing on October 30, The Music Ministry met and formulated this schedule along with a schedule for rehearsals in December Fall Revival will be September 26-28, Church Anniversary activities are being planned for November 11-12, culminating with the worship service on Sunday, November 13, Reverend Dr. Mark Lomax, First African Presbyterian Church, Lithonia, Georgia, will be the guest minister. The August Stated Session meeting will be a working meeting. Confirmation classes will begin on Sunday, August 7, Conferees will meet each Sunday for roughly one hour after breakfast until Sunday, November 6, 2016, when they will be received by the congregation as members. We are grateful for your much needed help. In our, my times of need. If it wasn t for your kindness shown what would I do? I pray that God continue to bless Fellowship Church and its congregation. May God continue to bless Fellowship and its wonderful, caring, and loving congregation. That shows and shares its love and blessings from God with others less fortunate. Thanking you again. Your much needed act of kindness were truly appreciated. Irma Wilson A recipient of the Reevis Beecher Hill Benevolent Fund The Reevis Beecher Hill Benevolent Fund Benevolence is defined as an act of kindness, charitableness, good will, generosity or expression of Christian love intended to address the needs of the poor and distressed. Late charter member Reevis Beecher Hill exemplified these characteristics in life; her motto was, If I can help somebody, I will. Her legacy of generosity as well as her service and devotion to Fellowship Presbyterian Church (FPC) inspired her granddaughter and grandson-in-law, Karla and Patrick Lee, to donate $5, to establish a benevolent fund in her memory in The fund is able to assist members of the church and the community who are experiencing a financial crisis or other hardships. The only regular source of income for the benevolent fund is the special offering, which is taken on the first Sunday of each month.

10 Page 10 2 Steve Anderson 7 Thomas Ross 8 Carolyn Jackson 12 Gakari Horton 19 Diann Bentley 21 Dana Smith 21 Lee Overton 23 Thelma Canady 24 Sharon Ford 24 Alexis Bunley 25 Gloria Evans 25 Haley Bone 25 Lula Jones 27 Sean P. King 29 Bettye W. Dixie 31 Theodore Dixie, Sr. Parents, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately on their scheduled Sunday! August 7 Parker Ford and Destiny Canady August 14 Dezmyn Coleman and Dana Bone August 21 Leyanda Jones and Kyler Evans August 28 Miriam Bentley and Kaylin Houston Please wear black pants or skirts/dress on your scheduled Sunday If there is a problem with the schedule, please contact Ollie Smith at or Sarah Ford at or Diann Jannie and Cyrus Jones 4 Margaret and E.C. Jackson 6 Carolyn and Nathaniel Jackson 8 Arthello and Robert Peagler 10 Doretha and Thomas Ross 20 Dorothy and Joseph Johnson 21 Gloria and Richard Evans 25 Johnnie Mae and Thomas McAlpine 31 Debra and Gregory Evans Thank you in advance for your participation! We sincerely appreciate all the youth at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. Your service to Christ and His church does not go unnoticed. Again, thank you, Ollie Smith 7 The Mary Mitchell Family 14 The Enoch Temple Family 21 The Tim Smith Family 28 The Richard Evans Family Newsletter Deadline Articles for the newsletter should be submitted to Mary Mitchell at mitchell623100@bellsouth.net and cc the church secretary at: fpcsecretary1@gmail.com not later than the third Friday of the month.

11 Fellowship Member Sick List The Prayer of Faith James 5: Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. The Jackie Bennett Family (daughter Monica and twin sons, Stephen and Michael Bennett) Richard Evans Mattie Ford Joann Jackson Geneva S. Wright Fellowship Family Mrs. Martha Cooper 2004 Mrs. Mammie Browne 2010 Mrs. Tommie Bradford 2004 Family and Friends Isaac Pulley 1961 Rubye Thomas Ross 1970 Maggie Dees 1979 Fred Buchanan 1979 James R. Ford 1989 Ira Lee Woods Cyrus W. Daniels, Sr Sick List of Family and Friends of Fellowship Members Doris Bradford (Sister of Haley Bone) Thomas Brooks (Uncle of Bonnie Mullins) Page 11 Robert Larry Cleveland (Brother-in-law of Bettye Dixie and Carolyn Jackson) Arzell Dunmore (Sister of Lucille Grayson ) Flossie Henderson (Mother of Barbara Anthony) Lucille Hicks (Aunt of Bonnie Mullins) Stokley Gardner (Brother of the late Lloyd Gardner) Roosevelt Johnson (uncle of Yvette Evans) Ailean King Peoples (Mother of Kenneth King) Shielda Yvonne Ross (Sister of Thomas Ross) Lina Mae Sanks (Aunt of Eddgra Fallin) Luther Scales (brother of Geneva Scales Wright) Ann Thomas (aunt of Yvette Evans) Fannie P. Thompson (sister of Lois Dade and Eulasteen Muse) Valerie Thompson (Sister of Debra Evans) Hattie Wall (Sister of Charles Penn) Roderick Wall (Nephew of Charles Penn) LaVon White (Son of Thomas and Doretha Ross) Dorleen and James Witchard (Sister and Brother-in-law of Doretha and Thomas Ross)

12 STAYING INFORMED AND CONNECTED TO THE PRESBYTERY Reverend Dr. Sterling Morse, named Coordinator African American Intercultural Congregational Support Office, PCUSA