Co-Pastors' Sabbatical Update
This upcoming week as our children wrap up the school year, I am excited to begin my sabbatical by heading out with two of my best friends from seminary to spend time in a place I’ve always wanted to go: Ghost Ranch Conference Center in Abiquiu, New Mexico. Several of you have been to Ghost Ranch before and have done an excellent job helping me with my packing list: Bible, journal, hiking shoes, and lots of lip balm for the dry desert air!
One of my spiritual guides for this sabbatical time is conservationist John Muir, who was born and raised in Scotland but eventually became the “Father of the National Parks” here in the United States. The following quote of his is one I discovered on a trip to DeSoto State Park in March 2020, just days before the COVID-19 pandemic brought our lives to a screeching halt:
Everybody needs beauty as well as bread,
places to play in and pray in, where nature may heal
and give strength to body and soul. - John Muir
I’ve come back to this quote over and over throughout the last year as we rediscovered our neighborhood on long, long walks attempting to keep the kids busy during quarantine. I’ve thought about it during the hours spent on my back porch, running through campus, and throughout the few getaways we were able to take in 2020 to the North Carolina mountains and the Gulf Coast. In it I hear echoes of the Psalmist:
O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory above the heavens…
When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars that you have established;
what are human beings that you are mindful of them,
mortals that you care for them?…
O Lord, our Sovereign,
how majestic is your name in all the earth!
- selections from Psalm 8
No matter what our profession, vocation, and/or stage of life, Muir's words are true for all of us. Everybody needs beauty and bread, time to play and pray, and spaces where we can connect with God through the beauty of creation to strengthen us for what lies ahead. This will be my prayer for each of you this summer, whether you stay right here in Auburn or set out on your own adventure. Thank you, thank you, thank you for all of the ways you have supported and encouraged our family over the last six and a half years. My great hope is to return this August with spirit and soul renewed for whatever the next six years here at FPC Auburn hold for all of us!
With love and gratitude,
Kathy Reed
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Sunday, May 16
✵ 11:00am: In-Person, Indoor Worship - If you attend one of the indoor services in coming weeks you will notice many differences from our "normal" sanctuary worship. At this time, based on recommendations from our COVID Task Force and Session, we will have a very simple service without congregational singing, passing of the peace, and several other elements you might be looking forward to sharing with your church family. However, as local conditions and guidelines continue to improve it is our greatest hope that we will begin adding back in all these elements of worship we know and love. Thank you so much for your patience and grace as we try to maintain the greatest level of safety for our congregation, musicians, worship leaders, and our greater community.
At the sign-up link below (and the email containing the sign-up sent on Thursday), you will find detailed information on our current protocols for worship attendance. As always, masks and social distancing are required at all times.
✵ 11:00am: Virtual Worship - We are pleased to announce that we have begun live-streaming our worship service at11am. What this means is that those worshiping from home will be able to watch the service live as it is happening in the sanctuary. To view the service you can go directly to our church’s YouTube Channel via your computer, smartphone, or Smart TV app (https://tinyurl.com/t7dl8vh) or you can access the worship service through our website or Facebook page.
If you are unable to watch live at 11am, a recorded version of the service will be available at these same links later in the day.
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Nominations Needed for Elders, Trustee, and 2022 Nominating Committee
The 2021 FPC Nominating Committee is asking the congregation to submit nominations for the positions of elder, trustee, and the 2022 nominating committee. HERE you will find an online form where you may submit nominations.
2021Nominating Committee: Wesley Anne Barnes, Marianne Cone, Graves Lovell, Tracy Parsons, Stites Whatley, Elizabeth White.
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Our House Shoe Drive
May 14 – June 14
The Mission Committee’s annual Our House Shoe Drive starts tomorrow! Remember how much fun it was to get your new school schools? It’s still exciting for little kids and we want to make sure all the kids at Our House get to experience the pride in having new school shoes.
Want to be part of this very worthy effort? Here’s how:
· The very best and most efficient way to provide the gift of new school shoes is to give a gift certificate or card.
· Click here to choose a child and get their shoe size. Suggested amounts are $40 for youth size, and $50 for adult sizes. · If you choose to purchase shoes, please provide athletic shoes only. No sandals or dress shoes.
· A sales or gift receipt for shoes and gift cards/certificates is required.
· Deliver your cards and shoes to Cheryl Grisham at 530 Forestdale Drive, Auburn AL 36830. **Please include a personal note or card with the child’s name so they know the shoes were chosen especially for them.**
· Questions? Contact Sarah Hill (704.995.49620) or Kate Irwin (334.663.7323)
The Mission Committee extends it thanks to the congregation for considering being part of this effort in what has been an especially difficult year for families in need.
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Adult Christian Education Opportunities
Office Hours Bible Study, Psalms -
Wednesdays, 12PM via Zoom (*if you are interested in participating but cannot attend at this time, please contact Harriette Huggins - the meeting day and time are flexible!)
The Office Hours Bible Study series on the Psalms livestreams on Sundays at 8:30am on FB Live and Zoom. You can join the course on the Faith Formation Network here: https://tinyurl.com/2abfzzkw. Once you've joined, you'll have access to the syllabus as well as learning resources for going deeper. Be sure to check it out and then join FPC Members for weekly discussion via Zoom.
Old Testament Walkabout Class
9:00am via Zoom
The Old Testament class has followed the story of Israel from its beginning as a people through the establishment of its nation to the downfall of that nation and the dispersion of its people. We are now in the period of the Exile. In this section of our study, we will explore exilic and post-exilic writings to try to gain a better idea of what exile was like and, also, attempt to see the impact of this new chapter in the history of Israel’s life and faith. To receive the zoom link for this class, please contact Gayle Andress .
Bible Journaling Small Group
Mondays, 12pm, Baird Hall OR Zoom
You do not have to be an artist to find a great deal of meaning in the practice of Bible journaling. Join us in Baird Hall (or, if you are more comfortable, via Zoom) every Monday as we reflect upon the previous Sunday's sermon and Scripture text and explore various kinds of drawing, painting, and journaling techniques. For more information, please contact Susan Fillippeli. |
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CE News
Mark Your Calendars!!!
Vacation Bible School will take place June 21 – 24. We are working on making sure in-person VBS will be safe for our children and volunteers, and the Children and Youth Committee has begun the work of putting together all of the details. Stay tuned for more info about all safety protocols as well as registration.
Children Pre-K through 5th grade
Every other Sunday through May, we will have in-person Sunday school in Baird Hall from 10:15 – 10:45. We will be alternating Sundays with Jr. and Sr. High Youth since Baird Hall is the only large space available as of now. As always, masks are required and social distancing will be observed.
There will also be a Zoom option at 9:15am on the days that class meets.
Children’s Sunday school class schedule
May 16
May 30
Pre-K through 5th graders will also continue meet from 2 – 2:30pm on Sunday afternoons in Baird Hall for fellowship and recreation. Masks are required. Please have your child bring a water bottle.
Jr. and Sr. High Youth
Jr. and Sr. High Youth will meet in-person every other Sunday through May from 10:15 – 10:45 in Baird Hall, alternating Sundays with children since Baird Hall is the only large space available as of now. As always, masks are required.
Youth Sunday school class schedule
May 23
Jr. High youth will meet at 4pm on Sunday evenings in Baird Hall for youth group. Sr. Highs will meet at 5pm on Sunday evenings in Baird Hall for youth group.
Parents, don’t forget to join other parents of youth and children in the courtyard at 10:15 for a BYO coffee hour of fellowship!
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Procedures for In-Person Meetings in Church Facilities
As you read the information below, please note that the church building is NOT yet open for general use. PLEASE do not enter the building without first contacting a staff member (preferably as outlined below, via email at least 48 hours in advance) so that we can continue to provide the greatest level of safety and sanitation.
If I am a part of a small group (circle, committee, bible study, etc.) that would like to meet on site, what steps should I take?
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PRIOR TO YOUR GATHERING - Contact your group’s designated staff member (please see below for a full list of staff resource persons for each ministry area). Work with your staff person to schedule a time and space for your group to meet. They will explain to you which entrance, exit, and restrooms your group should utilize for the time you are schedule to meet at the church.
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DURING YOUR GATHERING - Masks must be worn at all times, proper social distancing (6ft apart) should be observed, no food or drinks may be provided, and we ask that, before you leave, your group wipe down all surfaces with cleaning supplies provided by the church.
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AT THE END OF YOUR GATHERING - Coordinate with your designated staff person to ensure that a list of all attendees is submitted to the church (for contact tracing purposes), the space is properly cleaned and the church doors are locked upon exiting.
Who is my designated staff person and how do I contact them?
Please send an email at least 48 hours before your group would like to gather so staff members have plenty of time to communicate and avoid overlapping groups.
Sabbatical Summer Staffing Plan
from May 23 until August 8,
Please contact the following staff members with any questions or concerns in the
following areas:
Ministry Area | Staff Contact
We thank you in advance for your patience and grace as we do our best to transition into this next (exciting!) phase of our reopening. Please know that in the weeks ahead we may find need to institute a more formal scheduling system in order to facilitate groups that desire to meet in the building. We will use the weekly email newsletter as a place to share these updates.
With much gratitude, The FPC Staff
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Birthdays
May 17 - Evan Pope, Clara Ragan, Kay Recknor
May 21 - David Boswell, Emma Greer, Madelyn Wheeles
May 22 - Sarah Caroline Joiner
Anniversaries
May 18 - Jeff and Wia Fergus
May 21 - Doug and Laura Booth
May 22 - Derek and Kim Holman
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Prayer Concerns & Celebrations
For the time period in which our church family is worshiping virtually, our pastors have decided that prayer concerns will be shared via weekly email. These individuals will most certainly be prayed for during our Sunday worship service, but their names and specific concerns will not be shared via broadcast.
Concerns:
• Prayers of comfort for John Tamblyn and all the Tamblyn family as they grieve the death of John’s mother Abbie Tamblyn. Mrs. Tamblyn lived in Mobile and we are so grateful that John was able to spend time with his mother these last few weeks.
• Prayers of healing and rest for Kevin Wells as he recovers from successful cardiac surgery. Kevin and Amy plan to return back to Auburn this week.
• Prayers of healing and comfort for Joy Elam who is now home after successful surgery.
• Prayers of safe travels for Lila Wright, as she travels to Norfolk, Virginia, to assist with COVID-19 vaccinations for high school students. We are so grateful she can serve in this capacity.
• Prayers of healing for Tom Webb’s sister as she prepares for surgery in Oregon.
• Prayers of healing and recovery for church members who had successful surgery and are now beginning the rehab process of their recovery.
• Continued prayers of healing and wholeness for many in our church family and their loved ones who are dealing with significant health and wellness issues but do not wish to be mentioned by name at the moment.
• Prayers of healing for Mary Dalrymple’s brother-in-law Charles Otto. Charles suffered a serious stroke and is currently in a hospital in Rhode Island. Prayers for Mary’s sister Carol as she tends to her husband’s health.
• Prayers of healing for Amy Well’s friend Suzi Bonifay undergoing treatment for breast cancer.
• Prayers for Carolyn Williams’ family friends Carole and Mallory who are undergoing cancer treatment.
• Prayers of healing for Amanda Smith’s co-worker and friend, Susan Scales, undergoing cancer treatment.
• Prayers for Rev. Kathy Reed as she begins her sabbatical on May 15th.
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