ENCORE! Encore Leader: Jerry Farlow Editorial Director: Marsha Allen Producer: Donna Guhr Contributing: Sybil Cunard Ronda Farlow Mary Gunsalus Jane Baker Encore! A monthly publication of First Wesleyan Church. A magazine for those journeying in their walk of faith. We welcome your comments. Contact us at First Wesleyan Church 1701 Westchester Dr. High Point, NC 27262 Telephone: 336-884-1111 Website: firstwesleyan.org Email: dguhr@firstwesleyan.org Encore! Is a free publication. For a copy, call 888-4523 or e-mail your name and address to: dguhr@firstwesleyan.com and indicate Encore! Subscription Volume 3, Issue 3 FIRST WESLEYAN PASTORAL STAFF Doug (and Tina) Taubin, Towne Centre Service Host Pastor/Spiritual Formation Inthava (and Pat) Inthisane, Asian Ministry
MARY JACKSON When faced with devastating loss and destructive disease, who do you run to? Mary Jackson s found the secret! Her consistent life of prayer and trust in Jesus gives her the strength to carry on day by day. Encompassing her deep love for Jesus, Mary shares, I ve also found a close circle of women in my care group at First Wesleyan to give me support! It was a good day for Mary and her mother, Helen Gravensen, when they discovered home at FWC in 2003. Peggy Fulp, one of Mary s Care Group friends, relates, Many times when driving home from Charlotte--upset and needing someone to share my burden--mary has talked me through the journey home. She is someone who doesn t give up or hold pity parties! Mary grew up in Oneonta, New York, and moved to Florida with her husband Bob and daughters, Kelly and Tara. After 31 years of marriage, her husband died of colon cancer and shortly thereafter, she was diagnosis with Multiple Sclerosis. In 2001, Mary and her mother moved from Florida to Archdale to be close to her daughter, Tara. Constantly engaged in the battle against MS, Mary does not give up. Visiting her mother Helen at the Manor, Mary relates, My walker makes an ideal carrier for mother s needs at the Manor! Additionally, she daily picks up her grandchildren from school.
Raised in a Christian home, Mary feels her walk with Christ is her life. A member of her care group, Shirley Routh, shares, One thing about Mary is that she is a strong prayer warrior for her family, friends, and church. Although she faces adversity, she always faces it with determination and a positive attitude. When advising young Christians, Mary urges them, Never quit! The dividends are well worth the fight! Many times, Mary has quoted Psalm 46:10, Be still and know that I am God. She relies on this verse over and over counting on His still small voice. What a blessing is our friend, Mary Jackson! What a beautiful Christian example! Submitted by Ronda Farlow
WOW!!!! What a fantastic time we had. These 28 adults were the most compatible people I have ever traveled with. Michie Tavern at lunch was quite a hit. The location on top of the mountain was perfect and the weather was gorgeous. Our driver was so helpful and seemed to enjoy being a part of the group. Monticello was very interesting and quite a lot to learn in a short period of time. Jane Baker
UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL WITH DONNA GUHR G-U-H-R! Why does Donna s last name puzzle so many?! Although it looks like Grrrr, it s pronounced Gore and NO, she s not related to with Al Gore! With that cleared up, let me introduce our staff member, Donna DeVriend Guhr: wife of Keith, mother of Brittany and Josh Reich, Christina and Shuane Campbell and grandmother of Eathan, Taylor and Madison. Donna joined the staff at FWC in 2009, and her responsibilities include ENCORE! Ministries for upper adults and missions. Donna hails from Burlington, Vermont, and attended Notre Dame College and GTCC. She met Keith at an Amway meeting and although she never sold Amway, she came away with a great find! Over the years, Donna has taught Sunday School, led Bible studies and a moms prayer group for prodigal children, aided the homeless and poor, ministered in Zambia, Africa on a missions team and so many other ministries. Donna has a true servant s heart! Donna found Christ while living on a military base when a friend invited her to her church! At first Donna just attended, and then, she asked Jesus into her heart. Isn t that an encouragement to invite, invite, invite! Hiking, eating out, swimming, playing games or traveling to the mountains or beach with family are among her favorite things. The movie, Ever After is a Top Pick as well as Hallmark movies. Donna is a gifted artist and musician (piano and clarinet) along with decorating for parties and special events, but it doesn t stop there! She enjoys cooking as well and creating fancy desserts and decorative cakes. WOW! More Favorites? Restaurants include Longhorn and Claddaugh; although she claims to have no favorite food. (Who said, I never met a food I didn t like? ) Sports teams include the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Bears. Authors? It s Jim Cymbala (he always inspires her) and Beth Moore (she ministers to Donna).
Did you know Donna lived in Leon, France as a child? And most embarrassing moment? Oh, dear! On a very busy street on a very windy day, a gust of wind took her dress over her head! Now that s the stuff of nightmares! Donna s bucket list is fascinating! She d LOVE to travel to Germany (the Rhine and Black Forest), Austria, and Guatemala, all of course, with Keith. Her list also includes: Disney World with her family; starting a discipleship group with children, and most deeply, seeing her grandchildren serving the Lord, and leading people to Christ. Donna has a passionate heart for evangelism. We re so blessed that Donna s on the team at First Wesleyan! Thank God for her extraordinary gifts and a heart that yearns for a deeper walk with Jesus Christ. God bless you, Donna! Submitted by Sybil Cunard
Price Includes: Amish Tour Snack in Amish Home Sight & Sound Moses Dinner at Good N Plenty Hersey Chocolate World 2 Night Lodging (Cork Factory Hotel) Transportation Rockvale Outlets Bird in Hand Market Kitchen Kettle Village
A NEW SEASON Come to Me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28 We have a new group at FWC called A Widow s Friends. We meet the third Wednesday of each month for fellowship and sharing with ladies who desire to make friends with those who have experienced this journey. We are learning that it is ok to laugh again and have fun despite our circumstances. If this is your journey, please join us and become a part of our Wednesday Widows for encouragement and fellowship. We are having a delightful time. Submitted by Jane Baker