February 15, 2013

The following is a brief summary of the January 24, 2013 Stated Meeting of the Session and the January 26, 2013 Called Meeting, which was a Session retreat held at APC.

The January 24 meeting opened with a devotion led by Dr. Ollie Wagner and closed with a time of prayer for the church and world.

Elder Molly Elkind was elected to serve as Clerk of Session for 2013.

Rev. Butcher reported on her recent continuing education, and that she has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Lionheart School. She continues to serve on the Presbytery's Committee on Preparation for Ministry.

Dr. Wagner instructed the Session on matters of procedure and reporting. His continuing education will be in February at the Large Church Conference.

The Session approved the following:

• Current membership stands at 903. A new member class begins February 3, 2013 and Joining Sunday is February 24, 2013.
• Officers were elected for Alpharetta Presbyterian Church, Inc., as follows: President: Steve Wardrup; Vice President: Christina Appen; Treasurer: Mary Shevlin; Agent: Mike Bray.
• Two Elders were elected to serve on the Nominating Committee: Nancy Hill (Chair) and Stu Laubenstein (Vice-Chair).
• "Kingdom Rock" curriculum was approved for VBS for summer 2013.
• Rev. Phil Ott was approved as the preacher for 9:50 service on Sunday, February 24, 2013.
• The PCUSA's Pentecost Offering will be received on May 19, 2013 to support APC youth wishing to attend the Triennium conference.
• Curriculum was approved for a new Bible study for Youth entitled "What is Your Spiritual Gift?" to be held on Sunday afternoons.

Additionally:

• Session elected commissioners to attend the Saturday, February 9, 2013 Presbytery Meeting at Pleasant Hill Presbyterian in Duluth: Elders Tyler Jones, Dave McKemey, Jodie Barger and Nancy Hill.
• The APC Child and Youth Safety Policy and The APC Manual of Administrative Operations will be reviewed and updated.
• Additional security measures for the Dayschool are being put into place and a Building Security Task Force will be named to make recommendations for improvement.
• Session heard an update on our 2013 Stewardship Campaign, "Make a Difference," which will conclude shortly.
• Elder Jan Hughey reported that APC finished the year 2012 in the black by $19,000, $52,000 ahead of budget.
• Work in the front and side of the church related to the new turn lane is almost finished.
• The next Stated meeting of the Session will be February 28, 3013.

At the Called Meeting on January 26, which was also a retreat for Session:

• Rev. Butcher opened the meeting with worship and prayer.
• Session enjoyed a time of group-building, reflecting back on 2012 and discussing in detail the book Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations written by Robert Schnase.
• A calendar of Session meetings for 2013 was approved.
• Congregational meetings on March 3, 2013 and November 3, 2013, at noon, were approved.

Guatemala Mission Trip 

Summer 2013 Mission Trip for adults and/or families with children over 14 years old - A wonderful mission experience will be available in Guatemala this summer. Work in communities, side-by-side with volunteers and residents planting trees and building stoves. AIR Guatemala is an organization started and run by Anne Hallum, a local resident of north Atlanta. She fights hunger and poverty there through sustainable farming and education. $650 includes all expenses (except airfare) for a week you'll never forget! See www.airguatemala.org or contact Anne Hallum at anne.hallum@airguatemala.org or 386-956-4321 for more information. Weekly trips begin June 8 and end June 29. Deadline is March 15.  

Next Sunday, we look forward to new members uniting with us through the ministry of membership at the 8:30 and 11:00 services. We give thanks to God for calling these friends to join with us and look forward to welcoming them and serving together. A reception will follow the 11:00 service in their honor. 

Next Sunday, we look forward to welcoming Rev. Dr. Phil Ott to the pulpit for our 9:50am service. Phil is a retired United Methodist minister whose career has been in higher education. He and his wife Karen are active participants in worship and Disciple Bible Study. We look forward to the message he will bring.

Family Promise Update ~ More volunteer needs posted 

Please feel free to drop off any family-friendly DVDs, books (adult novels & children's books), board games, puzzles and small stuffed animals (new or barely used) in the Mission bin in the lobby. We will use these to keep our guests entertained during their stay with us. Travel sized toiletries, especially shampoo, conditioner, soap and lotion, are needed as well.

In addition, we have other donation items and volunteer needs posted on the  APC website Family Promise page  Click the links below to view current volunteer and donation needs:

• Volunteers Needed
• Donations Needed 

The Bowling Green State University Men's Choir will be visiting APC on Saturday, March 2 to offer an exciting evening of music. The 60-voice men's choir will perform a varied concert during the evening and return to be part of our worship on Sunday morning. Members of the choir hope to stay in homes in the Alpharetta area. If you are interested in hosting students the evening of March 2, please contact a choir member or Mary Busman for more information.   

WANTED:  Eager voices to join the APC Chancel Choir. Prior experience fabulous but not required. Rehearsals Wednesday evenings from 7:30-9:00pm. Priority seating provided on Sundays!  To inquire speak with your local choir member or email Mary Busman mary@alpharettapres.com.  

Tickets on sale now! "Every Little Crook and Nanny," by Pat Cook. Lillie Scones is a sweet retired nanny who runs a boarding house with one resident and "a cat the size of the Louisiana Purchase." Then Stuart, an old charge of hers, rents a room. Lillie is tickled to have him around again, not knowing he is planning on robbing the bank on the corner! In the spirit of Frank Capra, this tale of a bank heist and nannies has all the classic comedy twists and surprises fit for any audiences. Performances on Fridays, Saturdays and matinees Sundays, March 1 - 15.  Special pricing for APC members! Adults, $10, seniors and kids under 12, $8.  Tickets available in the lobby on Sunday or call Lisa Matchen at 678-371-3079.

The 2013 Flower Donation Chart is now up! APC members and friends are invited to donate flowers to beautify our sanctuary on Sunday mornings. The flowers may be placed in memory or honor of  loved ones, or to mark a special occasion such as an anniversary, birthday or baptism. As many as three donors may participate on any given Sunday. The cost for each donor is $65. Our deacons take the flowers to homebound members after the service. The Flower Donation Chart is located outside the church office. Please complete a yellow form when you sign up and return it with your check to the church office. 

  Guitar Lessons

All children ages 7 and older are welcome to join Ollie Wagner for group guitar lessons which are held on Mondays from 4-5:00pm in the Choir Room. The lessons are free and guitars are provided. Parents are welcome to join their child in learning! To confirm your participation please email ollie@alpharettapres.com.

Career Transition

Sympathy & Celebrations 

The Session

Class of 2013                                     Class of 2014                                         Class of 2015

George Bancroft-Property                      Zach Berry-Youth Ministry                              Gerard Ballard-Mission

Jodie Barger-Children's Ministry            Scott Doll-Youth Ministry/Membership            John Bullock-Membership

Lynn Danson-Fellowship/Mission          Molly Elkind-Clerk of Session/Worship            Julie Jagmin-Children's Ministry

Pat Dennis-Open Arms                          Stu Laubenstein-Personnel/Nominating          Tyler Jones-Communications

Nancy Hill-Nominating/Personnel           Anne Mahone-Dayschool/LRP                        Dave McKemey-Youth Ministry

Jan Hughey-Finance/LRP                      Charles Moriarty-CE Adult/Property                Steve Wardrup-Finance/Commitment

Mike Marcin-Communications                Sarah Provow-Commitment/Open Arms         Beverly Williams-CE Adult/Fellowship

Kylie Vacko-Open Arms                         Ferrell White-Worship

Deacon Care Teams

Hospitality - John Hicks, john.c.hicks@gmail.com

Companion Care - Janice Armistead, janice.armistead@att.net

Hospital & Recovery - Eva Wardrup, zumaland@aol.com

Sympathy & Celebrations - Jennifer Autian, jautian@hotmail.com  

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!