February 10, 2012

Souper Bowl

Thank you to all whom contributed to the Souper Bowl for Caring Collection on Super Bowl Sunday.  On Friday, February 17, our youth spent time at The Place of Forsyth serving in the food pantry and were able to present a check  for $1349.40 to The Place of Forsyth. We are continually overwhelmed by the generosity of our congregation, THANK YOU!  

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.   

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.

Adult Mission Trip to Kenya - Anyone interested in joining APC member Walter Dean for a Kenya mission trip, June 1-11, 2012 should contact Walter at 770-598-6553 or notify the church office this month!

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

Fun Wednesday  

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 22: Baked chicken, roasted red potatoes, steamed vegetable, fruit cup

Program - Ash Wednesday service in the sanctuary at 6:30 PM

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!