March 29, 2013

The meeting opened with a devotion led by Elder Ferrell White and closed with a time of prayer for the church and world led by Dr. Wagner.

Rev. Butcher shared that she led the APC women's "Spring Gathering" and will lead the women's retreat at Northminster Presbyterian April 19-21, 2013. 

Dr. Wagner reported that he and Rev. Butcher will attend an evangelism seminar at Shallowford Presbyterian church.  He thanked David Neal and Mary Busman for their excellent work filling in for the Property Manager and Director of Music, respectively. The STARS senior fellowship group will hold a session on wills and estate planning with leadership from the Presbyterian Foundation.  Dr. Wagner suggested that as directed by the PCUSA General Assembly and in light of ongoing changes in states' laws, APC should begin study and conversation about Christian marriage.

Session approved the following:

·         The hiring of Drew Bowers as the Director of Music, effective April 15, 2013. 

·         The hiring of Jessica Wardrup as a nursery worker and substitute teacher for the Promise Class.

·          The membership report which reflects an active membership of 940.

·         Approval of the baptism of Jonathan Daniel Lockett, Jr. on Sunday June 9, 2013.

·         Replacing the sparsely attended Kinderkirk at the 8:30 service with a children's activity in the Rainbow Room under supervision of nursery staff.

·         The election of APC members, Susan Manthey and Lara Moore, to two year terms on the Dayschool's Board of Directors. 

·         The continuation of the popular Afterschool Enrichment Program at the Dayschool for the 2013-14 school year. 

·         The election of Jennifer Autian as the Deacons' representative on the 2013 Nominating Committee.

Additionally, the following committee updates were shared:

·        An update on the work of the APC Security Task Force was received.

·        Four commissioners will attend the Presbytery Meeting at Eastminster Presbyterian Church.

·        Susan Manthey will serve as assistant webmaster.  Website changes should be sent to:  webmaster@alpharettapres.com.  Directory photos have been loaded into the Access ACS online directory. 

·        Print copies of the new church directory will be available in late April.

·        APC's first week hosting homeless families through the Family Promise program went well. We next host families June 16-23, 2013.  Many volunteers will be needed!

·        Open Arms sponsored another successful Parents' Night Out.

·        A committee chaired by Ted Lynam and including Charles Moriarty and Pat Hudson has formed and begun searching for a new Property Manager.

·        Worship plans for Holy week services were reviewed.

·        Summer worship services will be conducted in the multi-purpose room from June 17 to August 17 while the sanctuary is renovated.   

Second Wednesday Dinner, April 10

Winter is almost behind us and Spring is on the way.  We will be having our April dinner on the second Wednesday of the month rather than the first due to Spring Break.  Dinner begins at 6:00 PM.  The adult program begins at 6:30 with an update on APC's Long Range Plan.  Children's Ministry will provide activities for the children from 6:30-7:15 PM and nursery will be available.

Dinner fees are:  $4.00 for children 8 years and younger; $6.00 for adults/youth. Reservations are required for dinner.  Make your reservations by noon on Sunday, April 7:

(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 entering  info on the bright lime green sheet posted by the APC kitchen

      door.    

Dinner Menu will be: BBQ pork ribs and chicken, baked beans, mac & cheese, coleslaw, rolls, salad and strawberry shortcake. 

You created every part of me, knitting me in my Mother's womb. For such handiwork, I praise you. Awesome this great wonder!  Psalm 139:13-14

Prayer Shawl Ministry Information Session

We are reviving APC's Prayer Shawl Ministry. If you knit or crochet (or just want to learn) and you'd like to share your craft with those in need, please plan to join an information session on Tuesday, April 16 from 1:30 - 3:00pm in the Youth Lounge. We'll decide on the format and frequency for future meetings and share fellowship and inspiration. If you have any shawls or lap robes (even unfinished ones!), please bring them. And of course, please feel free to bring works-in-progress or even just yarn and needles/hooks to get started on a new piece. If you plan to attend or if you have any questions, please contact Mary Rogovin at msrogovin@gmail.com or 404-386-5591.   

The APC Annual Church Picnic will be Sunday, April 14. Please join us after the 11:00 service for lunch in Fellowship Hall and on the patio. The Fellowship Committee will provide fried chicken and drinks. Please bring a side dish to share: last names beginning with A-I green or fruit salad; J-Q vegetable or pasta/potato salad; R-Z dessert. Make plans to attend a great afternoon of games, food, fun & fellowship. Please make a reservation either online or at the table in the lobby.  

Church Directory Update - If you had your picture taken earlier this year for our updated church photo directory, you may be wondering when the directories will be available.  A "proof copy" supplied by the photographer was reviewed by APC staff and has been returned to the photographer for final publication.  We should receive the printed directories in about 30 days or so.  However, we have already received a digital file from the photographer containing all of the directory portraits taken during the photo sessions, and these pictures were recently uploaded into our Access ACS system.  You can find them in the "Directories" portion of the system. 

For those of you who were unable to schedule a portrait session with the photographer, did you know that you can still upload a picture of yourself, or your family, into Access ACS?  Instructions for doing this can be found on APC's website by clicking on the "Access ACS" menu item near the top of the main page.  This will take you to a page listing some "Frequently Asked Questions", one of which is how to upload a photo.  If you encounter problems or still have questions, you can contact APC's ACS support at acssupport@alpharettapres.com.          

Auditions soon: ACT1's "Give My Regards to Broadway!" Combine the greatest show tunes of George M. Cohan with a sparkling story and you have the most entertaining, charming, toe-tapping musical of the season. Dick Foster is opening a Broadway show but is having problems with both money and his leading lady. Enter Mary Collins, an aspiring actress from New Rochelle, plus "Legs" Ruby, a Damon Runyon-type bookie who is on the run from the mob. Just as all appears lost, a financial "angel" appears with the money to do the show, and Mary gets her big chance at stardom. The play is filled with fascinating character roles, including the "Donald O'Connor-type" pianist, Betty the Virginia belle in the chorus, and a bevy of chorus girls, gangsters and other assorted characters. The Cohan songs are among his most memorable: "Give My Regards to Broadway," "You're A Grand Old Flag," "Mary's A Grand Old Name" and many more. Here's a show in the tradition of "42nd Street" and the great Broadway musicals - an audience pleaser for sure! Auditions will be held April 16 and 18 at 6:30 PM in the theater; singing and non-singing roles are available. Scripts may be checked out in the church office, or call Lisa Matchen at 678-371-3079 with questions. Productions run July 19 - August 11. 

Property Manager, Alpharetta Presbyterian Church -  APC is seeking a full-time Property Manager to coordinate facility use and assure it is prepared for daily operation. Competence in building maintenance, grounds keeping, basic computer and organizational skills are essential. A full job description is posted at www.alpharettapres.com. Applicants should submit a letter of interest and resume with three references to search@alpharettapres.com by April 5.

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. Trips available are: June 22-29 and June 29 to July 6.  

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. 

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!