The Good News - This Week

Summer is quickly approaching and if you are like me, you are most likely looking forward to not hearing the alarm clock and are anticipating the long days of summer. Many youth advisors are busy finishing plans for our summer mission trips and retreats. When I was in high school we would spend our spring anticipating the changing season and planning our summer schedule. I can't believe how many mission trips and retreats I've been a part of, but I can tell you that there hasn't been a greater environment that has impacted my spiritual life more than mission trips.

When I think about mission trips there are four elements that were taught to me by a colleague and are the key to the environment that will be created on our mission trips to West Virginia, North Carolina and Eatonton, Georgia. There are Worship (Reflecting God's Glory), Instruction (Teaching of the Word), Fellowship (Community) and Expression (Prayer).

If you take a look at these four elements, you'll see that they mimic the elements in the early church described in Acts 2 during the time of Pentecost (the coming of the Holy Spirit). "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers". Acts 2:42 NRSV

We have worked hard, planned well and listened to the Holy Spirit to create the unique environment where God's power has the potential to work in mighty ways in the lives of the 80 youth and adults that will represent APC this summer. Please join us in worship this Sunday in commissioning all participants for mission trips.

Peace,

Kelly

New Summer Series

Don't Miss the Summer Adult CE Series! Molly Elkind will offer a five-week series of slide talks called Seek His Face: Images of Jesus in Art beginning Sunday, June 3 at 9:45am in the theater. Come see the wide variety of ways artists and believers have pictured Jesus over the centuries, beginning with the Roman catacombs and going right up through modern times. Some of the questions we'll consider are: How has art reflected both Christian truth and the culture of its time and place? How can these images of Christ inform and deepen our faith-not just illustrate it? Can we as reformed Christians reclaim Christian visual art as meaningful for us today?

Foster Care

The APC Foster Care Support Mission Team invites you to join them for their monthly volunteer day in Roswell this Tuesday, May 29. We carpool from APC at 9:30 in the morning, help sort clothing, and fill mail orders for children in foster care. We then enjoy lunch and fellowship at a nearby restaurant before returning to the church by 2:00 PM.

For information, please contact Marianna Raffensperger 770-442-3672 or theraffs@juno.com.

Save the Date!

The 8th Annual Miss Mary's Ice Cream Crankin'

will be held Sunday, August 26 from 2 - 4:00 PM on the Square in Roswell. For a $5 donation ($20 max per family,) guests are invited to sample a vast array of homemade ice cream brought by an army of volunteer "Crankers". All proceeds benefit "The Drake House," an emergency housing facility for homeless women and children in North Fulton County.

Camp Hollywood

Remember the wonderful days of summer camp - playing with old friends, meeting new ones? Messy art projects, group games and great music? Children with multiple disabilities have few opportunities to attend summer camp; their medical, physical, or cognitive needs cannot be managed by most camps. FOCUS day camps offer the care the children need - and the fun children should have!! While fees are charged for day camps, scholarships are available. Here at APC during the week of June 4-8 we will be hosting Camp Hollywood - Camp Hollywood makes all children feel like STARS!! Campers enjoy a week of art, music, science, cooking and recreation based on the themes of popular children's movies. Counselors are paraprofessionals and teachers who have experience with children with developmental disabilities. There are also many volunteers that come to play with the children. For more information check out www.focus-ga.org. We would love to have members of APC make a few simple donations so that FOCUS knows that we welcome them with Open Arms to our church. Suggested donations: paper towels, wipes, adult snacks, stickers. Please just mark them for FOCUS and leave with Rev. Jamie Butcher.

ACT1News

HONORED WITH MAT AWARD NOMINATIONS!

Over the past few days we have learned that ACT1 has received nominations for several MAT Awards and we are proud to announce these achievements by our hard-working players and crew!

"To Kill a Mockingbird"

Eli Hutchison and Kealy Ford were both nominated for Youth Award (Play)

Anne Voller was nominated for Best Costume award (Play)

"Oliver!"

Joe Baxter - "Mr. Sowerberry, Mr. Brownlow, & Chairman" - Oliver! - ACT1 Theater - Minor Supporting Actor (Musical)

Lauren Baxter - "Workhouse Asst, solo 4, Chorus" - Oliver! - ACT1 Theater - Youth Award (Musical)

Sarah Miller - "Oliver" - Oliver! - ACT1 Theater - Youth Award (Musical)

Here is what Sarah's mom, Amy, had to say about Sarah's achievement and her appreciation of the work we do encouraging young actors at ACT1:

"It is a great boost for Sarah. However, it's also a positive commentary on your efforts last year, taking a completely green 10/11-year old through the motions of learning to act on a stage and improving so much within the time frame of even one show. Sarah absolutely loves being involved with ACT1, and I appreciate your willingness to take a chance on her for Oliver so she could begin her journey of learning drama, which I'm sure will continue for many years. As her mom, I also appreciate that she's able to keep learning in such a positive, supportive environment, which I know all of you work tirelessly to create several times a week in that theater. So thanks."

We would also like to mention APC Member and ACT1 Board of Trustees member, Barbara McFann was nominated for her role in The Miracle Worker at Gypsy Theater.

VBS Registration

VBS Registration has begun and spots are filling up fast. Don't miss out on the fun! Sign up today! At this years theme, SKY, kids learn that with God everything is possible. VBS is for ages 3 (potty trained) through rising 6th graders and will be held July 10-13 from 8:45-12:00. Adult and Youth volunteers are needed as well. Don't wait! Sign up online today at www.alpharettapres.com/VBS.

Sports-N-Faith Camp

Sports-N-Faith Camp (June 6-8, 9:00am-noon) Signup sheets will be posted outside the Disciples' Village Sunday School gathering place; the Solid Rock Theater. This camp is open to rising Kindergarteners through 3^rd graders, whose families are members of (or regularly attend) APC. We are looking forward to a few fun-filled days of activity! We also welcome additional youth and adult volunteers to join us. We hope everyone interested will sign up ASAP! Please contact Kathy Ailts at kathy@alpharettapres.com for more info.

Career Transition

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.

Youth Ministry News

Youth Group will not meet this Sunday.

During the summer, we will not send a weekly newsletter via e-mail, rather, we will send periodic information about summer activities and mission trips as needed. Please continue to refer to the Good News and the Youth Website for information.

For questions or more information, please contact Kelly Edwards, Director of Youth Ministries at kelly@alpharettapres.com or 770-751-0033.

Children's Ministry News

Disciples' Village will not meet during the summer. We will welcome everyone back on Rally Day, August 19.

Nursery care is provided on Sundays from 8:15am - 12:15pm for ages 0-2 in the nursery.

Promise Class is provided on Sundays during the 11:00 worship service for our special needs students in the Blue Room.

Kinderkirk (Children's Worship Education for children ages 3 - First Grade) will be during the 11:00 service only during the summer. Preschool classes will meet in Room 105 and Kindergarten and first grade in Room 108.

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Isobel Still at 8:30 & Nick and Tyler Heydinger at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Joyce Komala at 11:00

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Beau and David Armistead, Kelly Vandever, Donny Matchen, Marian Cunningham at 8:30 & Stu and Kyle Laubenstein, Dave and Zach Berry, Drew Rhoades, Mary Rogovin at 11:00

11:00 Kinderkirk volunteers this Sunday: Ashley Guzman & Kristin Hicks

Promise Class volunteers this Sunday: Volunteer Needed

APC Church Officers

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

APC on Facebook

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!

The Good News - This Week

Alpharetta Presbyterian Church.
You can visit the church on line at www.alpharettapres.com or contact the office during regular business hours at 770-751-0033 (Mon-Thurs, 8:00am-4:00pm and Friday, 8:00am-1:00pm).