The Good News - This Week

The Good News - This Week is a publication of Alpharetta Presbyterian Church for its members and friends.

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Kelly's Korner

What an amazing journey we had to Anse-a-Galets, La Gonave Haiti. Sydney Schneider, Cynthia Hale, and I returned late Tuesday evening from visiting La Gonave Haiti Partnership projects. La Gonave is an island of Haiti located to the west-northwest of Port-au-Prince in the Gulf of Gonâve.

The intent of the trip was to visit the partnership work which includes healthcare, education, economic development and water/sanitation. Our primary mission was to be a "Ministry of Presence", given the opportunity to listen and to learn from our fellow Christians, about their lives and needs and how the projects address some of their concerns. We began our journey by worshiping at Saint Francois Episcopal Church of Haiti and celebrating the Feast of Saint Francis. Saint Francis was inspired to devote himself to a life of poverty. He preached to man and beast the universal ability and duty of all creatures is to praise God, and that man has the duty to protect and enjoy nature.

We continued for the next few days visiting other partners in Ticolette and Nouvelle Cite. It was interesting to hear the concerns of the people in the communities and to speak with the leadership and staff of the Bill Rice Clinic, the goat pen, the schools and the churches. Listening to the mothers in the community speak about the need for clean water and the concern for the education of their children, was especially moving for me. Can you imagine having to walk three hours for clean water or not having the basic needs for the children's school? We were able to share that we will hold their situation and needs up before God in prayer and that He may strengthen them and the partnership.

Before visiting La Gonave I could only imagine the conditions through pictures and listening to the passion of the La Gonave partnership from Sydney. Now La Gonave and our brothers and sisters in Christ there, has become a place that will live and dwell in my heart. These few days opened a whole new part of God's beautiful world and this mission has touched my life in ways like no other.

Please join my friends and me as we share with you of our journey to La Gonave, Haiti on Wednesday, November 7. If you are unable to join us please check out the partnership website at http://lagonavepartners.com.

Peace

Kelly Edwards

All Saints' Day Service

On "All Saints Day" we will hold our annual worship service remembering and giving thanks for the lives of those who have joined the church triumphant. The All Saints Day service will be held at 7:30pm on Thursday, November 1 in the sanctuary. Child care will be provided. All are welcome and invited to attend this beautiful evening service.

Congregational Meeting

There will be a congregational meeting on Sunday, November 4 at noon in the sanctuary for the purpose of electing new officers and four at-large members of the nominating committee.

Harvest Food Drive

The harvest display on the communion table today this Sunday, October 21 is calling our attention to APC's Harvest Food Drive. Members of the mission committee will be distributing empty food bags following worship. Instructions for the offering are stapled onto the bags. Thank you for sharing generously with your neighbors in need!

Friends & Fellowship Reception

Please join us this Sunday immediately after the 11:00 service in Fellowship Hall for a combined New Members and Friends & Fellowship Reception hosted by the deacons. Light refreshments will be served. It is a great time to meet our newest members and catch up with old friends!

Care Packages

The APC Youth Group will be preparing care packages for over 40 APC members that are away at college this Sunday, October 21 at 5:30pm. If you would like to donate cookies or candy, or assist in creating the packages please contact Amy Neal amy87@comcast.net or Kelly Edwards kelly@alpharettapres.com.

The Deacon Hospitality Committee will be preparing care packages for our APC members or family members that are in the military on Sunday, October 14, at 12:15pm in the Fellowship Hall. If you would like to donate supplies for this effort, please contact Heidi Alatar halatar@comcast.net or John Hicks john.c.hicks@gmail.com.

Reformation Sunday

Next Sunday we will be celebrating the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper as part of Reformation Sunday. APC will also be honoring the 400^thanniversary of the King James Version of the Bible. Please bring your family or favorite Bible next Sunday for a temporary display in Fellowship Hall.

Mom's Morning Cafe

Mom's Morning Cafe is a group of APC Dayschool moms who meet weekly for faith, fun and fellowship - and some coffee! Join us Tuesday, October 23 at 9:15 AM in the theater at APC. Free childcare in the nursery, coffee and snacks served and great conversation with other Dayschool moms. The more the merrier so bring your friends too! To RSVP or for more information email momsgroup@alpharettapres.com.

Foster Care Support

The APC Foster Care Support Mission Team invites you to join them for their monthly volunteer day in Roswell this Tuesday, October 23. 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 more information, please contact Marianna Raffensperger at 770-442-3672 or theraffs@juno.com

Property Workday

Property Workday, Saturday, October 27 - We will be working on the grounds from 8:00am until noon. All are welcome to come and help. We will work to beautify the Memorial Garden
grounds, prayer labyrinth and any other projects as time allows. If you have any questions, please contact Chuck Watson at chuck@alpharettapres.com.

Fall Festival

APC Fall Festival, Wednesday, October 24 - Children (and adults, too) get your costumes ready! The Fall Festival will be held on Wednesday, October 24. Dinner is from 6:00 - 6:30PM in Fellowship Hall. We will have chicken bites (BBQ, Buffalo, and plain), French Fries, coleslaw, pumpkin pie, apple crisp and caramel apples. Children will parade in their costumes before going up to the multipurpose room for an evening of games, prizes, and lots of fun provided by the Alpharetta High School Key Club. Children's Activities begin at 6:30PM.

Make your reservations by noon on Sunday, October 21 by either (1) going on-line at http://www.alpharettapres.com/acs ; (2) by filling out a card on the table in the hallway, or (3) by using the bright lime green sheet posted by the APC kitchen door.

Dinner fees are: $4.00 for children 8 years and younger; $6.00 for adults/youth.

A Fond Farewell

Joel Lillethun, our Music Director, will be leaving APC at the end of this year. Joel and his wife Pam are relocating to western North Carolina to enjoy the cooler climate in the mountains. We wish Joel the best as he continues to pursue his music ministry there.

Ladies Night Out

Channel your inner artist! Come join your friends on Thursday, November 15 from 7:00-9:00pm at Masterpiece Mixers Paint & Party Studio in Johns Creek. For $25 you can create your own masterpiece. Anyone can create a lovely portrait, no experience necessary! Please bring an appetizer to share and spirits are allowed. RSVP to Amy Ordahl at 678-637-6489 by November 14.

Sound System Operators

The Worship Committee is hoping to add a few new sound system operators to help conduct Sunday morning worship services. Training will be provided. If you are able to help, please contact Carol in the church office, carol@alpharettapres.com.

Safety and Security

Please help APC with safety and security issues by locking your car, alerting staff to any suspicious behavior you witness on the property, and locking the exterior doors when you leave from evening or weekend meetings. Safety is everyone's concern and we all need to be involved to help. Take responsibility for turning out lights and locking doors when you leave - don't assume someone else is doing it. Thank you.

C.S. Lewis Series

The Sunday evening C.S. Lewis lecture series continues. Jim Motter, an APC member and C.S. Lewis scholar, will lead a 10-week Sunday evening lecture and discussion series on C.S. Lewis' masterwork, Mere Christianity. The lectures will be held in the theater now through November 11, from 5:30 to 7:00pm. The public is invited. The class will NOT meet this week, October 21.

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

Sunday October 21, High School Youth Group, College Care Packages and Middle School - Game Night. Dinner will be in Fellowship Hall and is $4 per person.

Sunday, October 28 - Youth Group to Uncle Shuck's Corn Maze - 6:00-9:30 PM. Cost is $10 per person. Signup online or outside Kelly's office.

Weekly Prayer Breakfasts - West Side meets Wednesday morning, 7:00 AM, at Crabapple Starbuck's. East Side meets Tuesday morning, 7:00 AM, at Bronx Bagels. Additional details on the Youth Website.

We need parents to help with meal prep for Youth Group. Contact Wendy Curl to select your date.

Please update your information in Access ACS! The Youth Ministry will begin transitioning all sign ups for events and volunteering to this system over the next few weeks and we want to make sure that we have current information for everyone. If you are having trouble, please contact Michelle Burton for assistance.

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

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 - rising 2nd graders) will be during the 11:00 service only during the summer. Preschool classes will meet in Room 101 and Kindergarten and rising second graders in Room 102.

Sympathy & Celebrations

Sympathy - To Eva Wardrup and her family at the death of her uncle, Robert Outlaw, on Sunday, October 14 in Raleigh, NC. Services will be held Saturday, October 20 in Goldsboro, NC.

Sympathy - To Miriam Douglas and her family at the death of her sister-in-law, Carolyn Ghigliotty, on Tuesday, October 16 in Manahawkin, NJ. Services will be held in New Jersey and Pensacola, FL.

Sunday Volunteers

Serving as acolytes this Sunday: Duncan Moehring and Ellie Agler at 11:00

Serving as greeters this Sunday: Volunteers needed

Serving as ushers this Sunday: Kim & Valerie Fulkerson, Sybille Johnstone, Alan Crowell, June Fortson at 8:30 & Ed and Pat Rea, Jeff Stewart, Ralph Pollifrone at 11:00

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 Nancy Hill-Personnell/Nominating Charles Moriarty-Property/CE Adult

Jessie Prigge-Youth Ministry Jan Hughey-LRP/Finance Sarah Provow-Open Arms/Commitment

Amy Rogers-Communications Kylie Vacko-Open Arms Ferrell White-Worship/Fellowship

Jean Williams-Nominating/Membership

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).