February 10, 2012

As we enter our building, we all know how to get to the sanctuary.  Passing the restrooms along the way, we also know which hallway leads to the nursery, and even the roundabout route to the theater and classrooms.  However, these familiar places are not obvious to visitors. Our convoluted structure is intimidating for them.

Throughout our building, the Communications Committee aims to keep the spirit of hospitality going.  On Sunday mornings, it staffs two locations, an actual booth in the narthex and the desk in the upstairs lobby where gracious volunteers provide answers to basic questions about worship, our church life and  logistics.  They even walk visitors to their destinations.  APC relies on these new faces to grow and enhance our church.  We must make every effort to welcome them.  If you encounter a visitor and cannot offer guidance, please direct him or her to an information station. 

During January, our elders have attended the information stations. The committee thanks them for their time.  The Diaconate will help in February, and the Worship Committee has volunteered for March. The committee hopes each APC ministry will adopt a month going forward.

Although hospitality appears effortless, it takes deliberate scheduling. Please contact Mike Marcin, marcinmikeapc@gmail.com or Amy Rogers, amyrrogers@bellsouth.net. if you wish to help.  Thanks.      

The Women's Retreat is ready for you! Registration is now open for the APC 2012 Women's Retreat, Saturday, March 10, at Deer Creek Shores Presbyterian Church in Cumming from 9:00am to 4:00pm. The retreat is open to all APC women and their friends. For all the information about the retreat go to the APC website by using this link: www.alpharettapres.com/womensretreat. To register for the retreat, go to this link www.alpharettapres.com/womensretreatreg.  Remember if you register online you will need to make your registration payment as stated on the registration form.  A Women's Retreat table display will be in the church hallway on February 12, 19 and 26. We hope to see you at the retreat! Contact person:  Sheryl Wentworth at sherylwentworth@comcast.net.   

Come join us as we will be Celebrating - 25 Years of APC Women!

Sunday, April 22, 2012, is APC's 25^th year anniversary celebration, which includes a guest minister, who grew up at APC, preaching at 8:30 and 11:00, followed by a picnic and other activities at noon.  Mark your calendar and spread the word to any former members you know how to contact.   

The Liturgical Art Team invites you to take a look at the niches just outside the sanctuary doors.  You will see two new artworks, both inspired by the creation stories in the Bible.  As you face the doors, in the niche on the left is a two-part sculpture entitled Where the Earth Meets the Sky.  Molly Elkind made this piece out of handmade paper, stitching and hand-dyed silk.  A dyed fabric backdrop evokes the starry spaces in which our earth and its atmosphere find their home. In the niche on the right is Nancy Langham's mixed-media sculpture entitled And It Was So. The altered book and "tree" allude to both the Genesis story and the Prologue to the Gospel of John. Artist's statements accompany both pieces.   

These installations mark the start of a new project by the Liturgical Art Team to exhibit in the niches a selection of art on spiritual themes. We would like to change out the art three or four times a year.  Members and friends of the congregation who make art or fine craft are invited to contact Molly Elkind mpelkind@comcast.net or Sheryl Wentworth sherylwentworth@comcast.net about displaying their work in the niches.  Final selection rests with the L'Art team.  Let's use our God-given gifts to glorify God! 

Childcare Volunteers are needed for North Fulton Community Charities' new Education Center.  NFCC is looking for volunteers to provide care for children while parents take classes. Contact Eden Purdy at 678-387-4459 for more information. Volunteers are needed weekdays, evenings and Saturdays.

February is Have a Heart for NFCC month. Their goal is to raise $200,000. Check out their calendar of events and find out how you can help at http://helpfornfcc.org

Trying to find ways to get involved at APC?  The Parent Advisory Board for APC Dayschool will have three open positions for the 2012-2013 school year. If you want to learn more about the responsibilities of The Parent Advisory Board, please contact the Dayschool office at 770-751-3862. The deadline to submit your letter of interest is Thursday, March 1.

Adult Mission Trip to La Gonave, Haiti - Are you ready for a meaningful encounter and to put your faith into action?  Join the Adult Mission Trip to Haiti this fall to the beautiful Island of La Gonave to visit the site of APC's mission work for the past 12 years.  During the October visit (Oct. 6-10, 2012, pending final confirmation of dates and Session approval) we will visit the comprehensive ministry of healthcare, education, economic development and water/sanitation projects under taken jointly with the Haitians. Youth age 14 and older accompanied by a parent are invited. Trip cost will be about $1,200 to $1,300. APC member Sydney Schneider and partnershipmember Deb Griffin will co-lead the trip.  For questions or signup, contact Sydney Schneider at 770-664-0942 or sydschneider@comcast.net.  View more about the ministry at La Gonave Haiti Partnership.

ACT1 Play

The New Kid on the Block by Pat Cook 

Produced by special arrangement with Eldridge Publishing Co.
March 2 - 25

Carl, Lloyd and Parker, three older gentlemen who share a large home, need to rent out their fourth bedroom to help with bills. Their problem seems answered when Will shows up...except Will turns out to be a lady... and brings a whole host of hysterically funny new problems. Why do Carl and Will fight like brother and sister? Who's planting rumors that they are sweethearts? Why is Lloyd in fatigues and running night maneuvers through suburbia? Why is Parker sneaking around the neighborhood with his walkie-talkie? Who is the mysterious Woman in Black? This comedy has more turns than your uncle's map to grandma's house. And you'll finally find out just who really is The New Kid on the Block.

http://www.act1theater.com/schedule.html  APC members use coupon code APCCC at check out for special rates.  Box Office 770-663-8989

ACT1 is very grateful to all who donate artifacts, jewelry, prop items etc.  We just got through organizing a considerable amount of donated jewelry this Sunday and find we have a very nice collection!  Thanks to all who gave us their treasures! We can still use a few old fashioned pocket watches if anyone has any to entrust to us!

A recent safety inspection has revealed that sometimes well-meaning folks donate their left-over paint and other items by leaving it in the backstage area.  Whilst we are grateful for your kindness, please do not do this without talking to an ACT1 department head before bringing in your stuff. Some of the donated paint turned out to be oil-based which is flammable and not permitted in our existing storage, besides being of no use to us as we only use latex, water-based paints for our work. If you have items you think we might be able to put to good use, please contact Lisa Matchen lkmatchen@bellsouth.net or Anne Voller vollera@bellsouth.net and we will be glad to put you in touch with the appropriate department head.

While we are thinking of safety issues, please be aware that the backstage area is not a suitable environment for unsupervised children and they should not be permitted to investigate back there, however fascinating that may be! The very nature of backstage is a dark place; that alone is a hazard! The floor, due to the evolution of the space through a succession of re-models, is on various levels increasing the risk of tripping and there are large and small set pieces which may be run into or upset by unwary visitors!

Please keep the children safe by keeping them out of the entire stage area at all times.

If you wish to see, or let your children see, what is back there, why not come and join us in a production?  We are always looking for help in all departments; on-stage or off stage there is a place for you!

Thanks to all for your continuing support!

FW Dinner UPDATE! 

We hope to see you at  Fun Wednesday Dinners. Reservations are no longer required for dinner. Please sign in when you pay for your meal. Dinner for February 15: Mardi Gras style meal- Sausage, red beans & rice, vegetable, bread, salad & King cake 

Adult program - "UNWIND on Wednesday." A brief and informal time of Scripture, song and prayer beginning at 6:30pm. 

APC Career Transition Program - Recently the unemployment rate in Metro Atlanta dropped from 10.2% to 9.9 %. When individuals are no longer job hunting, as well as those who seek full-time jobs are counted, the real rate of unemployment is a conservative figure of 15%. Since 2007, Georgia has lost 360,000 positions, so the state now has approximately the same number of jobs that existed in 1999. Elder Bill Harris leads efforts at APC to address the employment concerns and needs your help.  We are trying to get a handle on how many of our members are unemployed and underemployed and whether or not they participate in the Career Transition Group at APC. If you would like employment assistance, please email Bill at w.m.harris@att.net.

If you work for or lead an organization, we would appreciate any information on positions that might represent opportunities that become available or contact names that would ensure a more effective outreach. We need our employed professionals and executives to reach out and make information available that will give a competitive edge to members of our congregation who are endeavoring to gain a sense of the real jobs and hidden market versus Internet postings. In the Lobby, the Career Transition Bulletin Board is now up and running. Please email Bill with any assistance you can offer as we renew our commitment to serve our members, veterans and the community in this challenging and prolonged Recession.

The Session

Class of 2012                                     Class of 2013                                        Class of 2014

Dianne Berry-Children's Ministry            George Bancroft-Property                Scott Doll-Membership/Youth Ministry

Michelle Burton-Youth Ministry              Jodie Barger-Children's Ministry        Molly Elkind-Worship

Morris Estes-Finance                             Lynn Danson-Fellowship/Mission     Stu Laubenstein-Personnel

Jim Gray-Clerk of Session/CE                Pat Dennis-Open Arms                      Anne Mahone-Dayschool/LRP

John Shevlin-Mission                             Stacy Guy-Commitment/Commun.      Charles Moriarty-Property/CE

Jessie Prigge-Youth Ministry                 Nancy Hill-Personnel/Nominating        Sarah Provow-Open Arms/Commitment

Amy Rogers-Communications               Jan Hughey-LRP/Finance                   Ferrell White-Worship/Fellowship

Jean Williams-Nominating/Membership  Kylie Vacko-Open Arms

Deacon Care Teams

Hospitality - John Hicks, 678-513-4570, hicksjc@bellsouth.net

Companion Care - Carolyn Dillon, 770-751-3799, csdillon@bellsouth.net

Hospital & Recovery - Paul McChesney, 678-234-8471, paulsmcchesney@gmail.com

Sympathy & Celebrations, Steve Ludlow, 770-722-5473, ludlowst@comcast.net 

Find us on Facebook!  That's right Alpharetta Presbyterian Church has a facebook page!  You can "like" APC at http://facebook.com/alpharettapres.  Look for the latest information about activities and missions of the church!