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VBS Review, General Assembly update, PW Luncheon, and Promotion Sunday. All this and more.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Deepening our Discipleship 1
GA Letter to the Church ...... 2
Day School News .................. 3
Youth Fellowship ................. 4
Promotion Sunday ............... 5
VBS ........................................ 6
PW luncheon ........................ 7
Upcoming Events ................. 7
Session Report ...................... 8
Acolyte Schedule .................. 8
Birthdays .............................. 8
Rev. Rebecca Luter
Deepening our Discipleship
E very person on the planet has a story. Each of us was born in some place, raised in some way, and is shaped by some experiences, events and other people. I have been thinking this
week about someone who was most certainly born in another place than I was and was raised in another way than I was, and has been shaped by much different experiences, events and other people than I have been. Our meeting certainly was a non-event for this person and, while a pleasant experience for me, was not life-shaping at the time…that I knew.
I was in the airport in Istanbul. I was hungry and weary from travel. I had not yet exchanged money, but I had found and picked up one small silver coin with a hole in the center. I went to the kiosk hoping for a piece of candy sold individually. Perhaps I could combine my American dollar with this Turkish coin and strike a deal. The kiosk keeper was likely the owner. He was older, his face told the tale of years of work and life. In a language that was neither English nor Turkish, we communicated. He indicated to me that I should try some almond wafer cookies. I indicated that I only had this one coin and an American dollar. Surely, it wasn’t enough. With kindness in his eyes, he pressed the cookie package into my hand and accepted only my Turkish coin. It was hospitality.
I grieve the events of terror in our world today, and I recognize that for many of us Paris and Orlando are more painful because we have been there or wanted to be there. And I share that I have been to the Istanbul airport, and I have a friend there - a friend for whom I grieve because he has a face and kind eyes. And I am reminded, every person on the planet has a story and is born in some place with kind eyes. Lord, in your mercy, hear my prayers.
July 2016
Jesus wakes to calm the storm during Vacation Bible School June 16. 120 children rode the waves of God’s
amazing love at Surf Shack VBS.
PC(USA) leaders issue post– GA letter
“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.” Ecclesiastes 3
Brothers and sisters in Christ, there is a new season in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), as witnessed by the
actions of the 222nd General Assembly (2016). The body of 594 commissioners who gathered June 18-25 in
Portland, Oregon, elected Co-Moderators Denise Anderson and Jan Edmiston, and J. Herbert Nelson as the
Stated Clerk. Both were historic, and both signal a new way forward for our church.
The business decisions made by the body also were transformative for the 1,572,660 members and 9,642
churches of the PC(USA). The work wasn’t easy, and involved careful deliberations. Collectively, the body
acted on nearly 100 overtures by discerning the will of Christ.
Among other things, we now have a new addition to our Book of Confessions – the Confession of Belhar. It is
the first of our confessions that comes from the global south. And, the PC(USA) has a new Directory for Wor-
ship; andChild/Youth/Vulnerable Adult Protection Policy and Procedures. God is truly guiding us to be more
faithful and just to all of God’s creations.
Much discussion has been taking place around the identity and purpose of the denomination, and this week the
assembly voted to create a 12-member Way Forward Commission “to study and identify a vision for the struc-
ture and function of the General Assembly agencies of the PC(USA),” and a 15-member 2020 Vision Team to
“develop a guiding statement for the denomination and make a plan for its implementation.”
To quote Stated Clerk-elect J. Herbert Nelson, “We are not dead ... we are alive, we are reforming and we are
transforming this world, one person at a time.”
Looking outward, the assembly voted to engage in selective, phased divestment from fossil-fuel companies
through the PC(USA)’s Mission Responsibility Through Investment committee, and re-affirmed a two-state
solution for Israel-Palestine.
Please know this is only a snapshot of the actions taken, and just a glimpse at where God is leading this de-
nomination. Complete business actions can be viewed at www.pc-biz.org.
We are, brothers and sisters, in a new season. It’s exciting, but also a little scary. Yet in the midst of it all, take
comfort that God is still guiding and controlling all – and we need not fear. God is calling us to hope, and to
God be the glory!
The Reverend Gradye Parsons
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
The Reverend Denise Anderson and the Reverend Jan Edmiston
Co-Moderators of the 222nd General Assembly (2016)
Ruling Elder Tony De La Rosa
Interim Executive Director, Presbyterian Mission Agency
End of the School Year
Day School News
I t is hard to believe we are half way done with summer
camp here at Farmington Presbyterian Day
School. We started off the summer with Circus Week.
All ages enjoyed a weightless aerial acrobat troupe and
learned about the circus. We enjoyed being weightless in
the bounce house and eating cotton candy. Week 2 taught
us all about animals and things in the zoo. Our school age
children went to the Zoo and to Lichterman Nature Center,
where they pet a snake and even an opossum! Even though
we are all trying to beat the heat, the children had fun
playing games for Sports Week. The older children
cheered on the Red Birds, and we took 42 children to the
bowling alley. Wouldn't you know their air conditioning
was out!!! The kids didn't seem to mind, but I am glad I
found a chair in front of the fan! We enjoyed a fun day at
Cameron Brown park where there was lots of shade and a
nice breeze to keep us cool.
To round out the half way mark of summer camp we
kicked off Aloha Week. We all enjoyed splash day and the
19 foot Tiki Water Slide and plan to end the week with a
Luau before the 4th of July Holiday. Speaking of which, we
want to wish all our staff, families and children a
wonderful and safe 4th of July. We will see you on the 5th
to wrap up our next four weeks of summer fun!
- Gretchen Burch, Program Director
Farmington Youth Fellowship (FYF)
A t the beginning of July, I will be headed to
Montreat, NC to take a course in
Christian Education called “Worship,
Sacraments, and Education.” This course allows
me to accomplish several goals. First, to use the
credits I earned years ago at Memphis
Theological Seminary to begin the process of
Certification as a Christian Educator in the PC
(USA). I only lack a few credits so it is a goal I can
attain in the next couple of years. This trip is
also a much needed retreat to the mountains for
some reflection and relaxation with my family
and friends in a location dear to our hearts.
Finally, this course will help me prepare for the
coming year when a group of Middle Schoolers
will join the youth group and begin the journey
of Confirmation.
Beginning this school year, we will need several
extra hands, hearts, and minds to lead this group
of rowdy rabble rousers as they join the ranks of
the young and independent. In my opinion,
there are specific gifts that make a person an
excellent teacher for youth. If this is you, please
come speak to me about serving as a Youth
Advisor.
Hands to serve. Youth need an example to
follow. Someone who is willing to serve in
the Soup Kitchen, Room in the Inn, Stop
Hunger Now, etc. We have several places we
would like to serve but chaperones are often
scarce. A person that will take precious time
out of their busy schedule to serve with
young people is the MVP of youth ministry.
Ears to hear. Youth require someone that will
hear them out even when they seem to be
wrong. They are speaking from a different
perspective than adults often do and a leader
is someone that will hear what they say and
consider that angle. God gave us two ears
and one mouth, that means we should listen
more than we talk.
Mouths that speak the Truth. Not my truth, or
your truth, but the Truth. “See what great
love the Father has lavished on us, that we
should be called children of God! And that is
what we are!” 1 John 3:1 Begin there, and
respond with questions and answers that
grow out of that.
Feet that walk, not run, into faith. Often it can
seem like the words of a young person are
leading them away from where we assume
they should go. Did you have it figured out at
their age? How many twists and turns and
growth spurts has your faith seen in its years?
Instead of directing the path, try walking it
with them.
Hearts that love God and others. Sometimes
there is a lesson plan and other times there is
a lesson. We often do Highs and Lows with
the youth. We share times of great joy and
times of struggle. This could take 5 minutes,
but we are prepared for it to take the whole
hour. Sharing our questions, struggles, and
joys takes tremendous trust and can only
happen if we approach the God in each other
with love.
If you are curious about being a youth advisor for
our incoming Middle School or High School group,
consider the cost. Nowhere did I say you must
have all the answers, be great at Mushroom Ball (a
great game we play when there are enough
people), or of a certain generation. Maybe, some
of the five criteria I gave are struggles for you but
you feel called to serve anyway. Consider the cost,
but also consider the joy. Speak to me if you are
interested. We would love to have leaders for
Wednesday nights, Sunday Mornings,
Confirmation, and Sunday Night Youth
Fellowship. If you are an elder at Farmington,
consider being a Confirmation Mentor to one of
our incoming youth. Information about this will
be shared after the beginning of the school year.
G raduation is a special milestone in every
student’s life as they step into new
responsibilities and move up the
educational ladder. Promotion Sunday is when
we celebrate the new classes being made and the
students set to fill them. All children and youth
Sunday School Classes will move up to their new
grades August 7. Don’t miss this special Sunday
celebrating the ministry of our Christian
Education to children and youth.
Promotion Sunday
Sunday, August 7
V acation Bible School was an incredible
week of faith sharing and growth as we
rode the wave of God’s amazing love. 120
children from the neighborhood, the church, and
the Day School gathered to share a week of stories
that stretched back to the beginning of time and
forward into stories that are timeless. Thank you,
to all who shared their set building, storytelling,
child holding, dancing, singing, awe inspiring,
craft making, cat herding, steady hands to the
cause!
Congregational Care
10:00 am Tuesday, July 5
Property and Grounds
7:30 am Friday, July 8
Christian Education
5:30pm Monday, July 11
Worship
12:30 pm Sunday, July 24
School Board
5:30, Thursday, July 28
Session
6:00-8:00 pm, July 5 and 6
Upcoming Events
The best way to celebrate our independence is with a plate
full of Barbeque. Bring in cans of nonperishable meats
and proteins for our monthly donation to the Fayette food
pantry. Donation bags are located in the hallway at each
end of the building.
Sunday School is at 9:30 am and
Worship is at 11:00 am. Join us!
Children gather in the Sanctuary with music and then
proceed to their classroom (A6)
Youth gather in the youth room at 10 am for The Story:
Finding yourself in the narrative of the Bible.
Adults choose between Hosea in the Interpretation Bible
Study in the East Room and a study of John Ortberg’s
Faith and Doubt in the room closest to the West door.
FPC Men will meet on July 8 to continue their study of key
sermons by Billy Graham. Join them at 6:30am in the Youth
Room. Coffee and McDonalds breakfast are available.
Property and Grounds committee will meet immediately after
the study.
Men’s Prayer Breakfast
Friday, July 8 @ 6:30am
Feed Fayette Food Pantry
Committee Meetings
M ark your calendars to attend the Presbyterian Women salad luncheon Saturday, August 13 at 11:30 am in the East Room. It will be a time of
fellowship, and Kirsten will introduce the 2016-2017 Ho-rizons Bible Study for the coming year.
Bring your favorite salad to share. Beverages and dessert will be provided.
Sign up sheet for the luncheon and Bible study workbook will be on the Women’s bulletin board or you may call Carolyn Demaree at 754-4944.
Farmington Presbyterian Church and Day School 8245 Farmington Blvd. Germantown, TN 38139
www.Farmingtonpres.org
If you have content for the August edition of New Vision, please email Doug Barr no later than July 25
at Doug@farmingtonpres.org
Acolyte Schedule
July 3 Nicholas Luter
July 10 Natalie Lively
July 17 Camille Hempel
July 24 Meredith Oest
July 31 Olivia Mittag
Session Members
Administration – Kirsten King
Christian Education – Laurinda Ingram
Clerk – Melanie Oest
Congregational Care – John Hazen
Fellowship – Mary Shelley Ritchey
Property and Grounds – Jerry Hosier
School Board – Susan Bryant
Service – Bonnie Blair
Worship – Sandy Wann
Staff Extensions
Rev. Rebecca Luter, Pastor, Ext. 23
Doug Barr, Director of Christian Education, Ext. 29
Cyndi Bevington, Administrative Assistant, Ext. 21
Rhonda Pearsall, Bookkeeper, Ext. 22
Linda Turner, Managing Director of Day School, Ext. 24
Gretchen Burch, Program Director of Day School, Ext. 32
Anthony Jones, Maintenance Technician
If your birthday is not listed, please contact
the church office to be added. We would
like to celebrate with you.
June Birthdays
Session Report
Session approved procedures for serving Holy Communion by
both intinction and by shared meal which will be distributed
each month via email to Communion Servers. In addition, we
discussed the primary goals in Rev. Luter's workplan for the
coming ministry year.
2 Sherry Knight
2 Scott Hutchins
3 Lauren Wideman
4 Annette Main
5 Beverly Bivens
7 Stephanie Nagel
7 Mary Buchholz
12 Paul Bourassa
13 Barbara Taylor
15 Elsie Black
16 Vickie Street
17 Charles Billings
17 Paul King
18 Carol Blooding
24 Carolyn Demaree
24 Susan Bryant
24 Kelsey Whittaker
27 Jane Egan
28 Barbara Whited
29 Emma VanFrank
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