“What Would Jesus Say?”

Sometimes I wonder what Jesus would say if he were to show up at one of our worship services or if he sat in on a committee, diaconate, or session meeting. Would he appreciate our worship? What would he say about what he heard from the pulpit? Would he say our ritual practice is just “going through the motions”? Honestly, this is a frightening scenario to imagine for ministers. Jesus is not exactly easy on church leaders!

It does seem much easier to imagine what Jesus would say if he were to show up at the Greer Soup Kitchen on a Monday when it is packed with volunteers from our church. Or if he came to the Dunbar pantry while folks were stocking shelves or packing food or if he rode with a volunteer who was delivering the food to Dunbar or Greer Middle. It seems clear what he might say to a group of volunteers walking alongside refugees who are struggling to adjust to a new culture. I imagine he would have a big smile on his face if he walked into VBS next week and saw the joyful faces of all the children, youth, and adults learning and teaching about God’s love. Surely, he could not help but laugh with the rambunctious group of women who gather each week to knit prayer shawls. I do not think there is any question that Jesus would rejoice in the countless ways so many of you reach out in love to those who are suffering or grieving. The list of things we participate in and support as a congregation that I believe would cause Jesus to rejoice is long, as is the list of people who selflessly participate in loving and caring for others.

If Jesus were to join us for a few weeks, there is no doubt that there would be some hard questions. Jesus was never afraid to ask hard questions of church folks. Trust me when I say, most ministers wrestle with these hard questions concerning the churches we serve and our faithfulness to our calling. At the end of the day, part of life in the institutional church is living in the tension of knowing there is much that distracts us from living out Christ’s clear call to love one another and to “feed my sheep.” There are budgets to fund, property to maintain, programs to run, services to stream, bulletins to produce. This too is a long list! And there is really no way for us to simply stop doing them.

And so, we seek to live as faithfully as we can, in the tension. And faithfully living in the tension means that we will never reach an end point in our journey to be faithful to the call Christ places on our lives. We will never be a perfect faith community. We will never be as loving or as welcoming as Christ was and is to us. But faithfulness is not about perfection, it is about striving. Striving to follow Christ’s commandment to love one another, and being gracious to ourselves and to others around us who are striving to do the same.

Being a part of a faith community requires loving it and its people, warts and all. This does not mean we remain stagnate, but it does mean that we live with the understanding that we are wholly dependent on the grace of God, both in our successes and our failures. Therefore, let us not be afraid of the hard questions, nor defeated by the failings they expose, but rather, let us live in the tension, striving to be ever more faithful to Christ’s call to love. 

Grace and peace,

Will

Organ Fundraising Campaign Update

Thank you to everyone who has made a pledge or contribution to the Organ Fund! As of April 30th, we have received $294,743.00 in pledges and gifts towards our goal of $400,000.00.

It's not too late to pledge or make a one-time gift! Pledge cards are available in the pew racks and at various locations around the church. Every contribution will make a lasting impact on this congregation's legacy of inspiring people to faith and service.

Click HERE to go to the organ information page where you can make a pledge or a one-time gift.

FPC Greer Financial Summary

Year to Date Actual Income

as of 04/30/2024 = $340,871.00

Year to Date Budgeted Income

as of 04/30/2024 = $294,253.00

Variance = +$46,618.00

Thank you for your generous support of the

mission and ministry of FPC Greer!

Chancel Choir Ice Cream Social is June 19th at 7:45 p.m. A brief rehearsal at 7:30 p.m. will be followed by fellowship and sweet treats.  

Instrumental and vocal soloists are welcome to share their musical gifts for worship during the month of July. Please reach out to Lisa Dillard if you’re interested. 

VBS Sunday is June 9th! All VBS participants are encouraged to sing and lead music for 11:00 worship. 

Summer handbells: Available ringers please meet June 12th at 6:30 p.m. in the bell room. We will select repertoire and discuss worship dates. Contact Lisa Dillard if you would like to ring but can’t make this meeting. 

A Word from Ally

As Amanda Biggers shared this past Sunday during her Minute for Ministry, one of the few positive things that came out of 2020 was better acceptance of mental health. Over the last several years, conversations about mental health and mental health challenges have risen to the surface. We see books and movies that bring awareness to mental illness. Media covers the growing mental health concerns and ever evolving brain research that impacts peoples treatment. People talk more openly about their self care routines, including working with a therapist. It seems that everywhere you look, there is someone talking about it. And the church cannot be the exception. In many places, the church remains silent about mental health concerns or even perpetuates harmful stigmas by suggesting that mental illness does exist or is the result of moral failing. Both of which could not be more true! Throughout the gospel stories, we are introduced to people whose bodies, souls, and minds are impacted by the harsh realities of their day, realities that range from natural illness to systemic injustices.  And everytime, whether their mind, body, or spirit was burdened, Jesus cared and worked towards restoration and wholeness.

As the body of Christ today, we as the Church must continue working to welcome all people, including those who have been impacted in some way by mental health challenges. One of the ways we can do this is by raising awareness and fighting the ongoing stigmas that are still attached to mental health and mental illness.

So I invite you, friends, to join us in doing just that during the month in June! Stuart Mauney and I are excited to be utilizing the Sanctuary Mental Health curriculum as we work to better understand mental health and our call as the church to walk alongside one another in all things. You can read more about these conversations below.

I am grateful for a congregation that is willing to be vulnerable as we make this journey and grow together. 

Peace,

Ally

Mental Health Conversations

June 2, 9, 16, 23, & 30

in Kirk Hall

Join us during the month of June as we continue our conversation about Mental Health using The Sanctuary Course curriculum. This curriculum is designed to help participants redefine their understanding of mental health, learn about various experiences of mental illness, consider the impact of stigma, explore the process of recovery, discover the importance of companionship, and examine self-care practices. The goal of these conversations is to reduce stigma and raise awareness, both of which are important as we consider how the church can be a place where everyone, including those with mental health challenges, can experience safety, support, and a deep sense of belonging. 

Our time together will focus on discussing the weekly course topic. Each week, participants will be asked to read a chapter from The Sanctuary Course curriculum which will be available to them through Realm or on the Sanctuary Course website. While participants are strongly encouraged to read the curriculum each week, you are more than welcome to join us even if you have not read the material. 

Everyone is invited to participate! These conversations are for those who have questions about mental health, mental health professionals, those living with mental health concerns, and those supporting loved ones with mental healths. Everyone’s questions and insights are valuable and will enrich this important conversation!

If you have questions, please reach out to Ally Pexa or Stuart Mauney.

Course Schedule and Topics

June 2 at 4pm in Kirk Hall: Mental Health

June 9 at 3pm in Kirk Hall (note time change): Mental Illnesses

June 16 at 4pm in Kirk Hall: Stigma

June 23 at 4pm in Kirk Hall: Recovery

June 30 at 4pm in Kirk Hall: Course Wrap Up and Review

Youth Day of Service!

Join us as we head to Greer Relief to learn about their organization and to serve our neighbors.

Date: Thursday, June 13th

Time: 12:30-3:30

Place: Greer Relief

Mid and Sr. High students are welcome to participate. Please email Ally to register by June 6th.

Congratulations to our 2024 Confirmands!

Brianna Wright

Charlotte Buff

Carson Garrett

Barrett Marpes

The week of June 23-28, several children from our congregation are attending Camp Fellowship in Waterloo, SC. Receiving mail is an important part of the camp experience and our children love to hear from their church family while at camp. The easiest way to do this is for notes to be given to Maggie Wentzky by the morning of Sunday, June 23rd and she will deliver them to the campers.

Notes can either be generic so that they can be given to any child or we can provide you with a list of our children attending if you would like to write specific notes. For a list of attendees, please email Maggie at maggiew@fpcgreer.org. Feel free to include stickers or coloring pages along with your notes. 

Prayer Concerns

Luanne Baker

Jim Caldwell

Larry Caldwell

Sarah Cannon

Jo Earnest

Bill Greene

Barry & Diane Groce

Jack & Beverly House

Abbie McWilliams

Dave Macer

Bill Moseley

Judy Pearson

Stephen Smith

Susan Tompkins

Ron Vanderhoff 

Patty White

We extend Christian sympathy to Kathy Vanderhoff whose father passed away May 13th and to Susanne Cash whose father passed away on May 24th. 

To My Church Family,

Thank you for all the cards, calls, and prayers. I am grateful for your care and concern for me.

Love,

Billie Coker

Dear FPC Greer Staff and Members,

Bill and I want to thank you for all your thoughts, prayers, and cards. I am doing well and we are trying to get Bill set up for his treatment. We appreciate your continued prayers. 

Love in Christ,

Rita Moseley

Dear FPC Greer Family,

Thank you to all of my church family for calls, cards, texts, emails, and prayers for me and my family during the time my dad was ill, and on his passing. I surely felt the love and support you all sent to Ron and I. We are truly blessed to be a part of this congregation.

In Christ,

Kathy Vanderhoff

Click HERE to view the latest photos of FPC Greer events!

The next issue of First News is June 26. If you have content for the newsletter, please email it to Lisa Johnson at lisaj@fpcgreer.org by Monday, June 24.