August 30, 2013

Are you interested in learning more about the life of the church and joining APC in membership? This class is for you!  APC's next New Member Class will be held on September 29, October 6, and October 13 from 9:45 to 10:45am in the theater. New members will be introduced to the congregation on Sunday, October 20. Please speak with any of the pastors to express your interest, or contact Carol in the church office to RSVP carol@alpharettapres.com.   

Mark your calendars:  Sunday, September 15 from 12:30 - 2:00pm for a luncheon in the APC Fellowship Hall.
 
The lunch is open to all Presbyterian elders, whether currently seated on APC's Session or you have previously served here or in another congregation. It is an opportunity to provide fellowship for our church officers, learn about ways you can be of service to APC, and receive updates on changes facing the denomination. Please bring a dessert that serves 6-8 to share.  After the lunch, we will discuss APC's Long Range Plan.

A link to RSVP can be found on the APC church website.

RSVP's can also be emailed to APC-CollegeOfElders@alpharettapres.com      

All Elders are encouraged to reply (whether planning to attend the lunch or not), in order to keep our ACS database current.  Your prompt response will also help us plan appropriately for the luncheon.  Any questions may be directed to Mike Marcin.

The APC Open Arms Ministry will be sponsoring a special church service on September 22 at 11:00am in the sanctuary to include people with disabilities. Come help us worship God with special music, liturgy, and a sermon designed to be inclusive.

Visit Holy Innocents, Ticotelette, La Gonāve, Haiti.APC's fall trip to La Gonāve Haiti to visit our sister church, Holy Innocents, has been postponed from September, to October, 21-28. The estimated cost is $1,300.  Travelers will have an opportunity to see a beautiful part of Haiti, learn from the lives of fellow Christians and share their faith, joy and talents. The trip agenda will reflect the interests of those traveling.  We hope to bring a treadle sewing machine and introduce its use, starting with simple sewing projects. If this change in schedule opens up a time for you and God has touched your heart with interest in being a part of this work, please let me know. For more information, contact Sydney Schneider  sydschneider@comcast.net or 770-664-0942.   

First Wednesday Dinners are starting Wednesday, September 4! The adult program will be highlights of APC's "Summer Youth Trips" presented by our youth and their adult leaders.  

Time:   Dinner    6:00-6:45 PM in Fellowship Hall    Reservations required for dinner.

Adult Program     6:45-7:30 PM

Children's Activities      6:45-7:30 PM

Dinner Menu will be:   Salad bar with grilled chicken and flank steak, assorted rolls, drinks, and strawberry shortcake for dessert.

Reservations can be made in three ways:   Make your reservations by Sunday noon of September 1:  (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.

Contact person is Sheryl Wentworth at 770-777-1229 or sherylwentworth@comcast.net

Whiz Kids Tutoring needs volunteers!  Since 1999, APC has been tutoring elementary students who need extra help with reading and math.  Volunteer tutors work one-on-one with an assigned child one hour a week.  Whiz Kids tutoring is held from October through March and meets in Fellowship Hall on Mondays 3:15-4:15pm when Fulton County schools are in session.  School supplies and learning materials are provided.  Volunteers from APC also tutor at Mimosa Elementary in Roswell on Monday evenings from 6:15-7:15pm.  Both tutors and substitutes are needed.  For more information or to signup contact Sue White at 770-772-4667.

Dear Friends of Istanbul Center,

We would like to invite you and your community to join us for an upcoming interfaith program featuring Presbyterian Minister and Public Theologian Tom Buchanan. 

APC School Supplies Drive has been extended to September 15, to benefit APC Whiz Kids Tutoring Program, North Fulton Community Charities, Foster Care Support Foundation and The Place of Forsyth. Please consider donating any of the supplies shown on the display near the door to the multipurpose room. There are lists to take with you in the envelope on the display. Please leave items in the blue Mission bin next to the display. If you prefer to make a cash donation, please note "school supplies drive" on the memo line of your check. Thank you for your support. Questions, contact Sue White at 770-772-4667 or whitesbassets@bellsouth.net.  

Just what is an Elder? Our Book of Order says Elders should be "persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit."

And what is a Deacon? Our Book of Order defines the ministry of deacons as "...one of compassion, witness and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ..."

The nominating committee is requesting nominations for our slate of officers for the upcoming year.  Now that you know the qualities we are looking for, we hope that you will share with us the names of those members who you believe have these qualities or let us know if you are interested in serving.  You may send in your nominations through our website at www.alpharettapres.com/nomination; by email at nomination@alpharettapres.com or by putting the names in the nominating box in the narthex or give the name to the church office by September 1.  

Roadside Religion: Forming Our Faith within Popular Christian Culture

Now - September 8, 9:45-10:45am, theater

What does it mean to be a Christian in the world today? Here in the Bible Belt, a myriad of bumper stickers, billboards, and Christian radio stations promise quick answers to this complex question. However, the version of Christianity that we find in these examples of "roadside religion" does not often mesh with what the church has proclaimed throughout the centuries. What can we learn from popular Christian culture and how can we begin to formulate our own faith perspective within this context? This adult education series will explore these and other issues, including how the Reformed tradition might respond to common (mis)conceptions about the message of the Gospel, the theology of Scripture, the function of the church, and the nature of faith. All are welcome to join us!

·         9/1 - The Drive-Through Church: Rediscovering an Embodied Spirituality

·         9/8 - Marketing the Messiah: When Evangelism meets Madison Avenue   

A Presbytery Conference on Justice Issues in Israel/Palestinewill be held on Saturday, September 7 from 9:00am-4:00pm at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.  The conference is being organized by "Joining Hands for Justice in Palestine/Israel." The registration fee is $30 per person and includes a light lunch.

To register or learn more, please contact: Rev. Fahed Abuakel, 404-441-2702 or email fabuakel@gmail.com.

Career Transition

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

Sympathy & Celebrations  

Celebration - To Ed and Pat Rea on their 50th wedding anniversary on September 7.

Celebration - To our new staff:  Rev. Caitlin Phillips, Ministry Associate; Patricia Chiroux, Director of Communications; Dianne Berry, Administrative Assistant for Youth and Children

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  

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!