November 2, 2014 Volume 7 Issue 11

Fellowship Presbyterian Church USA 3406 Meridian Street, Huntsville, AL 35811 Office 256.539.2418 Fax 256.539.2492 e-mail:fpcsecretary1@gmail.com

The HAND of Fellowship (Helpful and Nurturing Disciples)

Reverend Gregory J. Bentley, Pastor

Motto The loving place that is Reaching, Growing, and

Sending people with Christ.

Vision

Fellowship is a Christian ministry that glorifies God and transforms humanity by doing justice, living

mercy, and walking humbly with God.

Mission

Fellowship is called to make disciples by leading

people into a personal relationship with God

through Jesus Christ and equipping them for the work of ministry in the

church, community, and world.

Leaving Your Church a Faith Legacy: Special Presentation at Stewardship Dinner

Special guest at the 20th Anniversary Stewardship Campaign Dinner, Robert Hay (left), the Ministry Relations Officers, Southeast Regional Representative of the Presbyterian Foundation (PCUSA), focused his power point presentation on leaving a spiritual legacy. If someone reads your will, will they be able to tell

you are a Christian, Hay provocatively asked. Leave your faith in your will, he answered. Pass your faith on as a legacy to your church. The speaker then offered several end-of-life and during life ways to do that.

• Use your will, and leave an unrestricted gift to the church. (By the way, the average estate in the United States is $300,000.)

• Update a beneficiary form. This method is easy and can add the

church into the will. One may use this method also to update the beneficiary form in a retirement plan.

• Real estate can be given to the church. A home may be willed to the church while its owner retains life rights and continues to live in the home until death.

• A Donor-Advised Form. This method is almost like a family foundation. The minimum gift to the fund is $2,500.00. Capital gains can also be placed in the donor-advised fund and given as a charitable gift.

• Charitable Remainder Trust. A form of trust in which the donor places substantial funds or assets into an irrevocable trust (a trust in which the basic terms cannot be changed or the gift withdrawn) with an independent trustee. The assets are to go to

(Continued on page 3)

The HAND of Fellowship Page 2

STAFF

Reverend Gregory Jerome Bentley Pastor

Mrs. Brenda Davis Director of Music Ministry

Mrs. Antoinette “Toni” Franklin Inspirational Choir Director

Ms. Darlene Richardson Children’s/Youth Choir Director

Mr. Jason Sellers Pianist, Children’s/Youth Choir and

Director, Praise Team

Mr. Ryan Felton Percussionist

Mrs. Wanda Williams Secretary

Mr. Theodus Friend Sexton

DIRECTORY OF SERVICES

Early Morning Service 8:00 a.m. Sunday Breakfast 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsals Inspirational (Tues.) 6:00 p.m. Chancel (Tues.) 7:30 p.m. Praise Team (Wed.) 6:00 p.m. Adult Bible Study (Wed.) Noon Prayer Service (Wed.) 5:30 p.m. Youth and Children Bible Study (Tues.) 5:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal (Tues.) 6:30 p.m.

Church Office Hours

Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

256.539.2418 fpcsecretary1@gmail.com

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

Dr. and Mrs. James (Gertrude) Hicks

DATES TO REMEMBER November

1 - All Saints’ Day 1 - Evangelism Ministry Team meet at 10:00 a.m. 1 - New Officer Training meet at 10:00 a.m. 2 - Christian and Citizen; Stewardship Commitment 2 - Daylight saving time ends 3 - Worship Ministry Team meeting at Noon 3 - Golden Charmers Fitness Program at 1:30 p.m. 5 - Christian Education Ministry Team meet at 5:30 p.m. 6 - Call Session meeting at 6:00 p.m. 7 - World Communion Sunday 7 - Peacemaking Offering 9 - 54th Church Anniversary 9 - Presbyterian Women meet at 5:00 p.m. 11-13-Property & Maintenance Ministry Meet at Noon 12 - Witness & Service Team meet at 6:00 p.m. 15 - Presbyterian Men meet at 8:00 a.m. 19 - Food Distribution at 1:00 p.m. 23 - Christ the King/Reign of Christ 27 - Thanksgiving Day 30 - 1st Sunday of Advent

Daylight Savings time ends today, November 2, 2014.

November 30, 2014 1st Sunday in Advent.

The HAND of Fellowship Page 3

Welcome to our new member, Mr. Eden Louis. Eden joined the church on September 28, 2014, and is a candidate for baptism.

charity on the death of the donor, but the donor (or specific beneficiaries) will receive regular profits from the trust during the donor's lifetime. The IRS will allow a large deduction in the year the funds or assets are donated to the trust, and the tax savings can be used to buy an insurance policy on the life of the donor which will pay his/her children the proceeds upon the donor's death. Thus, the donor can make the gift to charity, make a return on his/her money, and still arrange to make a large gift at death to his/her heirs.

• Charitable Lead Trust. An arrangement in

which property income or investment income is given to a charity while the donor is living, but the principal passes to other designated parties upon the donor’s death.  

Robert Hay offered his services for further discussion should Fellowship members wish to avail themselves of any of the above ways to leave a faith legacy.

(Leaving Your Church A Faith Legacy Continued from page 1)

Officers and Nominating Committee Elected at the Congregational Meeting

October 19, 2014

Elders Class of 2017

William Davis Bettye Dixie Lauretta Moore

Deacons Class of 2017 Steve Anderson Diann Bentley Moses Ogbu

Trustees Class of 2017 Calvin Ford

Officer Nominating Class 2016 Felix Battle Jerita Crummie Enoch Temple (NOTE: Session will appoint two elders and the diaconate board one deacon to complete the Nominating Committee.)

Visit http://www.presbyterianfoundation.org/ for additional information.

Where will you be sitting in eternity?

Smoking or non-smoking?

20th Anniversary Stewardship Campaign Dinner: A Celebration

Page 4 Volume 7 Issue 11

On October 16, a lovely Thursday evening, church members gathered in the fellowship hall for the annual ritual of pledging their time, talent, and treasure. But this wasn’t just another year: 2014 marked twenty years of dinners where the Stewardship and Finance Ministry Team has planned a special program to further educate the congregation on spiritual giving and to solicit its participation. The theme for the twentieth year was Life Transformed by Gratitude, Grace, and Generosity. Special speaker, Robert Hay, the Ministry Relations Officers, Southeast Regional Representative of the Presbyterian Foundation (PCUSA), focused his power point presentation on leaving a spiritual legacy. (See separate article.) Convenor Frances Harris presented him with an acrylic plaque from Fellowship to thank him and to commemorate his appearance at this special event. Executive Presbyter Reverend Tammy Brown also attended. Other elements of the evening were a church financial report presented by Robert Peagler and a presentation by Calvin Ford on the recently

instituted online giving. Shirley Brown (right) presided over the meeting. Thanks to caterer Tim Smith and his team, the 20th anniversary dinner was outstanding, especially the perfectly baked pork tenderloin and its thyme-seasoned cornbread stuffing. Eiffel tower-styled vases filled with fall-hued chrysanthemums and trailing ivy adorned the tables, establishing a festive and welcoming atmosphere for all attendees. The magic of October was prevalent in the room, perhaps because all twenty of the dinners have been held in October.

Members of the Stewardship and Finance Ministry Team are Felix Battle, Jerita Crummie, Earnest Dees, Shirley Brown, Calvin Ford, Sarah Ford, Norman Fletcher, Robert V. Franklin, Jr., Mary Mitchell, Robert Peagler, Lois Thompson, Walter C.

Watson, and Frances J. Harris (left), Convenor.

At the Synod level, Sarah Ford (left) is Synod Representative for the Coordinating Team (SCT). She will serve a non-repeatable term of three years. Every three years, the position goes to one-of-four states; then within the state, the position rotates among

the presbyteries in the states. She is also a member of the Synod of Living Waters Coordinating Team. Additionally, Sharon King has a position on the SCT. Finally, Bettye Dixie has concluded tenure as Vice Moderator for Justice and Peace on the SCT. These women are worthy of congratulations and good wishes as they use their talents and extend their services.

Magazine Donations

Thanks to Gloria Evans, Gertrude Hicks, Eddgra Fallin and Lucille Grayson for magazines donated to Huntsville Hospital..

Page 5 Volume 7 Issue 11

Fellowship Women in Leadership Joyce Pettis Temple

Women of Fellowship Presbyterian Church are well represented in the North Alabama Presbytery (NAP), in the NAP organization of women (NAPW), and in the Synod of Living Waters of the World. There are four geographical clusters in the NAP. Sarah Ford serves as coordinator of the Huntsville North Cluster and on the Session Minutes Review Committee, whose job is to review, annually, the

minutes of churches in the cluster. The review is done during the quarterly meeting of the NAP. Additionally, in the NAP, Eddgra Fallin is a member of the Mission Strategies Resources Team, and Minnie Moore (left) serves on the Peacemaking Committee.

In the NAPW, Eddgra Fallin recently completed the position of cluster leader, and Sarah Ford completed her term as moderator of women. Currently, Gladys Bracy (right) serves as treasurer of the women’s group, NAPW; and Sharon King is the Together-in-Service Coordinator. Bettye Dixie is a member of the NAPW search committee as well as NAPW liaison to Mission Haven and secretary/historian for Mission Haven. Mission Haven is owned and operated by Presbyterian Women in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina and Tennessee. It is a home away from home for missionaries of the Presbyterian Church (USA) who work in countries around the world. Located at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, Mission Haven provides short-term lodging for missionaries on furlough, those studying in the area, or those in transition after retirement or the end of their term.

Bettye Dixie, Sharon King, Eddgra Fallin

“That which does not adapt becomes extinct.”

Sermon: “Stand Firm in the Lord”

October 12, 2014

Reverend Bentley’s Quips and Quotes

Page 6 Volume 7 Issue 11

What is Session Doing? • Session approved receiving a new refrigerator as a gift

to replace the inoperative refrigerator. • Session approved twenty-five percent of the Peace and

Global Witness Offering collected will be designated for the North Alabama Peacekeeping Committee.

• Yvette Evans was approved as the chair of Administration Ministry Team for 2015-2016.

• Session approved a recommendation from the Administration Ministry Team to advertise and recruit for positions temporarily filled in 2014.

• Session approved adding “teachable moments” to the 8:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services on 2nd and 3rd Sundays. The “teachable moment” will be 2-3 minutes in length providing tools to our congregation on how to evangelize.

• Reverend Bentley proposed and session approved the formation of “The Dream Team.” What is the Dream Team? The Dream Team will be 3-5 members of Fellowship who will engage in a deliberate process of, to borrow from Man of La Mancha, dreaming the impossible dream for our ministry...to see and to help the rest of us to see what God is calling us to that is way beyond our capacity presently to achieve. How does this differ from the strategic planning effort? One word: achievability. Strategic planning will look at what is achievable over the next 5 years whereas the Dream Team will look at what is seemingly impossible and unachievable. The Dream Team will be under the supervision of session and will report to session as needed. Elder George Grayson has agreed to chair this team. 

General Information

• Session will not hold a stated meeting in November. The stated meeting for December will be December 11, 2014.

• Evangelism will start a prison ministry of donating Bibles.

• Shades are scheduled for installation in the sanctuary on Monday, October 27-28, 2014.

• Reverend Bentley will make arrangements to baptize Eden Louis and Brandie Hampton.

• A Call Meeting of Session will be held on November 6, 2014, for the purpose of addressing recommendations made by the Strategic Planning Committee.

• The ink cartridge recycling program will be revitalized with Theodore Dixie, Sr., Earth Care Team Leader, in charge

• New officer training will start on November 1, 2014, and officer examination will be on December 11, 2014, at 6:00 a.m. Officers will be ordained and/or installed on January 11, 2014.

(Continued on page 7)

20th Anniversary Stewardship Campaign Dinner: A Celebration

in Pictures

Photo credit: James Hicks

Page 7 Volume 7 Issue 11

1 George Grayson 2 Davi Moore Alexis R. Gaines 3 Brenda Davis 6 Clifton Anton Canady 7 Linda Burruss Thomas McAlpine 9 Carl Fallin 11 Shirley Brown Gregory Evans 20 Richard Evans 30 Arthello Peagler

Checkout Fellowship on the web: www.fpchuntsville.org

www.facebook.com/fpchuntsville

24 ~ Yvette and Christopher Evans

A New Little Blessing The McAlpines welcome their latest grandchild, Ayanna Celeste. Their children, Kanika and Lewis Singleton, are the blessed parents of a beautiful baby girl. Ayanna was born on October 22, 2014. She weighed 5 lbs. 11ozs.

and was 18 inches long. Her big brother, Benaiah, recently visited Huntsville with his Grandma Johnnie and then to Los Angles to see Uncle Keidane. He returned home to New Jersey just in time to welcome his little sister into the world. Benaiah is enjoying helping his mom take care of her. Ayanna is truly a special gift from God.

Acolyte Schedule

Parents, please make sure your child is dressed appropriately on their scheduled Sunday!

2 Gakari Horton Burks and Destiny Canady 9 Destine' Brown and Dana Bone 16 Kyler Evans and Leyanda Jones 23 Miriam Bentley and Parker Ford 30 Ryan Gordon and Dezmyn Coleman

**Please wear black pants or skirts/dress on your

scheduled Sunday** Parents, if your child is not available on his/her scheduled Sunday, please call or text me, Ollie Smith, at 256-527-4147, so that I can find a replacement.

Altar Flowers

2 The Frances Harris Family 9 Church Anniversary 16 The Christopher Evans Family 23 Open-Contact Sarah Ford, if

interested 30 The Moses Ogbu Family

• Elders Frances Harris, Jane Ford, and Robert Peagler will

review the pastor’s call and present recommendations. • Reverend Billy Honor, New Life Presbyterian Church,

Atlanta, Georgia, is the guest speaker for church anniversary.

(“What is Session Doing?” continued from page 6)

Page 8 Volume 7 Issue 11

Fellowship Member Sick List

The Prayer of Faith James 5:13-16

“ 13 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 Bennett and twin sons Stephen and Michael Bennett)

Clara Bryant Richard Evans Jonathan Ford

Antoinette “Toni” Franklin Thelma Gardner

Brandie Hampton Dana Smith

Geneva Wright

Sick List of Family and Friends of Fellowship Members

Fannie Brooks Adams (Aunt of Martha Mullins)

Doris Bradford

(Sister of Haley Bone)

Robert “Larry” Cleveland (Brother-in-law of Bettye Dixie and Carolyn Jackson)

Mary B. Dixie

(Mother of Theodore Dixie, Sr.)

Flossie Henderson (Mother of Barbara Anthony)

Stokley Gardner

(Brother of Lloyd Gardner)

Shielda Yvonne Ross (Sister of Thomas Ross)

Luther Scales

(brother of Geneva Scales Wright)

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)

Fellowship Member Constance Y. Dees – 2013

Family Members

S. Allen Jones -1964 Reverend E. J. Daniels- 1982

George Jackson – 1985 Annie Canady Sutton - 1992

Hannah Hines Evans Taylor – 1992 Eve W. Hicks – 1995

Annie M. Craft – 2000 Virgil Williams - 2001

In Loving Memory