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August 2013
TABLE OF CONTENTS
(scroll to see it all)
(click on to JUMP TO)
 
From Our Pastors
BIrthdays and stuff 

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CHURCH SERVICES AT THE KNOLLS 

will resume in September.  See you then!
 
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Deadline for the SEPTEMBER
newsletter is August 20, 2013
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FROM OUR PASTORS 

 

 

As this newsletter goes to press, we're at the height of the summer season.  Yards and parks are lush and green and brimming with the variegated colors of flower and vegetable gardens.  The sanctuary is still decorated with the trees and flowers and artifacts from the wonderful Vacation Bible School just completed.  The church Facebook page is alight with pictures of beautiful Colombian children from our partner church and the school they run - posted by our adult mission team while they are in Colombia!  Youth are still talking about their experiences on the fun and meaningful work camp in Tennessee.  Signs of summer life and summer programs are all around us! 

          

 

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christine
christianeducation 
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 

 

Christine Garton, Director of Christian Education, can be reached at [email protected] or you can call or text her cell phone at 850-276-3231.

 

 IDEAS AND MEMBERS NEEDED!  The Christian Education Committee wants to hear your ideas for programs this fall!  Members include Sarah Miller, Dick Munson, Mary Shinn, Jennifer Walter and Diane Young.  WE ARE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE.  We meet the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the new youth room.  Please contact Christine Garton if you would like to join this committee. 

 



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CARES, CONCERNS, JOYS AND THANK YOUs

 

IN OUR PRAYERS

 

Keep these friends in your prayers:

W.W. Ridenour, Helen Martin, Cathy Fey, Marilyn Rettig, Brian Hitsman, Anne Goodell, Becky Bee, Jan Cromer

 

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JOYS

 

We share with Steve and Carol Flee the joy of the birth of their new grandchild Carys Estelle Flee.  She was born on May 28 to parents Travis and Katherine Flee

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We share in the joy of the birth of sweet little Amelia Johnson, daughter of Andrea and Larry Johnson.  Her siblings are Kennedy and Carter.

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Congratulations to Richard and Becky Quay who celebrated their golden wedding anniversary!

 

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THANK YOU

 

 

NEW MEDITATION GARDEN

 

Jack Staberg and Marty Miller have worked very very hard to create a beautiful Meditation Garden out of a space that was overgrown with weeds and grass This new Meditation Garden is located on the west side (Poplar Street side) of the Seminary and is a wonderful place to sit quietly in the shade of the large trees and reflect on the splendor of God's many gifts. We send a grateful thank you to Jack & Marty for their hard work and their creative design.  One of God's many gifts is men like Jack and Marty.

 

meditation garden

(And many Thanks to Chuck Crain for his ace reporting-ed.)

 

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THANK YOU to Paul Russell for a unique and upraising presentation on the undoubtedly un-ubiquitous unicorn.  It was an unqualified, unbeaten success.

 

  paul russell

 

 

 


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deacons
DEACONS

 

 

 

Do you know someone who needs a Prayer Shawl? We have all shapes, sizes and colors available.  If you have a friend or relative to whom you would like to give a Prayer Shawl, please call Sue Skillings 523-3120.

 

Answer to the question of the month: Prosopagnosia is a disorder in which people struggle to recognize faces. Faces are so important that humans have a brain area called the fusiform gyrus that specializes in recognizing them.

 

REMEMBER: the Deacons collect canned goods year round.  Please leave your donation in the narthex or by the office.  

 

 

 

 


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                   women
Oxford Presbyterian Church Women 

 

 circles

 

THE TUESDAY AFTERNOON CIRCLE

THE TUESDAY EVENING CIRCLE

resume meetings in September.  

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RUMMAGE SALE NEWS!

Ginny Staberg and Barbara Meckelborg have kindly stepped forward to be the co-chairs of the rummage sale this fall.  Thank you! Ginny and Barbara for stepping up to insure this important fund raising keeps going.

 

 

 

 

 

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annoucements
ANNOUCEMENTS  

 

meeting  

 

 

We welcome our new members

Bob and Ginny Swanson

Matt and Emily Lykins

 

  new members

 

 

"With joy and thanksgiving we welcome you to share with us in the ministry of Jesus Christ, for we are all one in Christ."

 

 
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community 
COMMUNITY
 

 

Host Families for Incoming Exchange Students Needed!

 

 AFS (American Field Service Intercultural Programs) seeks families like yours who are curious about the world, interested in other cultures, and ready to build a life-long friendship with a high school exchange student!  Host families provide a bed, food & loving support and can welcome a student for one semester, or a 

school year. To ask questions and learn more, contact: Kristi Campbell, [email protected]

 

  

 

 

 

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birthdays

 

 

August Birthdays

 

1       Tom Crist

3       John Bailer

4       Mary Niehoff

6       Mary Bachmann

8       Mel Derickson

8       Cornelia Browne

8       Carol Burkhalter

8       Amy Burke

9       Louise Limper

9       Marjory Leflar

11     Elaine Patterson

12     Amy McGoldrick

13     Janet Ziegler

13     Bryce James

14     Peggy Harrington

14     June Sheard

14     Diane Young

15     Matthew Lykins

16     Robert Smith

17     Eileen Jeck

18     Robert Simpson

19     Marjorie Smith

19     Cameron Shriver

25     Peggy Hughes

26     Sarah Barr

26     Harrison Green

29     Sandy Douglass

29     Jennifer Harvey

29     Rob Rollins

29     Katie Curry

 

 

August Ambrosia

for our Celebrants

 

The full moon on august 28th is known as the dog days moon.

 

 

 

 On  penny August 2, 1909, the Lincoln penny was issued.  If you find a Lincoln penny 1931-S, it's worth at least $49.

 

 

August 3rd is national watermelon day.A watermelon is 91% water.

 

August is the busiest month for tourism

 

On august 21st, 1911 the Mona Lisa was stolen from the Louvre.  It was not recovered until 1913. (nothing to smile about there.)

 

In 2011, the US Postal Service processed 167.9 billion pieces of mail, racking up 1.2 billion miles driven by letter carriers and truck drivers. This equates to about 48,000 trips around the world or 2,500 round trips to the moon.

 

You can't complete a real yawn with your eyes open.  Gooooo, aheadddddd and tryyyyyy it....

 

 

After Disney's "Princess and the Frog" movie came out, over 50 children were hospitalized with salmonella from kissing frogs.

 

The maximum of the Perseid activity in 2013 is expected during the meteor night of the 12th August 2013. During the peak, the rate of meteors reaches 60 or more per hour.

 

 

 

Question of the month: what is Prosopagnosia ? (let's face it, not many people will know this one!)

 

 

 

 

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pastors
From Our Pastors 
Full Article

 

 

As this newsletter goes to press, we're at the height of the summer season.  Yards and parks are lush and green and brimming with the variegated colors of flower and vegetable gardens.  The sanctuary is still decorated with the trees and flowers and artifacts from the wonderful Vacation Bible School just completed.  The church Facebook page is alight with pictures of beautiful Colombian children from our partner church and the school they run - posted by our adult mission team while they are in Colombia!  Youth are still talking about their experiences on the fun and meaningful work camp in Tennessee.  Signs of summer life and summer programs are all around us!

         

          But even in the full blossoming of summer, we are busy planning for the fall, together with Christine Garton and other staff, the session, and committee members. We'd like to get some dates on your calendars now, knowing how busy the fall can be!  There are some don't-miss opportunities coming up! So "heads up" and "save the dates"!  (And see information elsewhere in this newsletter.)

 

Church-Wide Retreat - Save the weekend of November 22-24!  The session has voted to bring in an extraordinary, nationally known retreat leader to lead us on Friday night and Saturday.  Dr. Nancy Copeland-Payton will be joining us from Sandy Point, Idaho. She is an experienced retreat leader, spiritual director and author. Nancy practiced medicine as a physician for over 20 years; then, after being ordained, she pastored churches for 12 years.  She currently writes a monthly column for Horizons Magazine. Her book is "The Losses of Our Lives: The Sacred Gifts of Renewal in Everyday Loss."

          Nancy's husband, Dr. Gary Payton, will come with her.  He has just retired as a mission co-worker with responsibility for Russia, Ukraine and other eastern European countries.  At a luncheon on Sunday, he will fill us in on the current situation in Russia and the Russian church. 

          The retreat will be held at a beautiful facility, Transfiguration Retreat Center, in Glendale (45 minutes away).  They have private rooms with private baths, and lovely common spaces and outdoor gardens.  Don't miss this great opportunity for renewal!  Scholarships will be available.

 

Special Worship Emphases

On Youth Sunday -- September 22 -- summer youth mission trip participants will share their stories and experiences, together with other youth helping to lead the service. 

 

On World Communion Sunday -- October 6 -- the adult mission partner trip participants will convey the amazing ministries and missions of our partner church in Colombia.

 

Later in October, there will be a special music and hymn festival service, designed by Lynn Jacobs, incorporating a variety of musicians and instruments, and the first Sunday of November we'll celebrate "All Saints' Sunday."

 

August Sundays - August 4 is the last Union service; on August 11 we'll worship together as a congregation in our sanctuary; on August 18 we'll welcome Miami first year students, kick off fall Sunday School and "bless the backpacks" as students return to school; and by August 25 all Miami students will be back in the swing.

 

Adult Learning, Fellowship and Nurture

        Three adult opportunities are planned for the fall:

  1. 1.      "Engage" One recommendation of the Holy Conversation plan, arising from group and congregational meetings, was to have an adult class helping us talk about our life and faith together with others.  This resource is designed to do exactly that.  Using Bible stories and contemporary references, it focuses on helping us engage with others about things that matter. Plan to sign up for either an evening group or an afternoon group, which will begin the week of September 8 and run for 7 weeks.
  2. 2.      "Enough" This resource (a small study book and a DVD resource) helps us explore this question: "Living in a fast-paced, me-first world, how do we find freedom in a life of gratitude, simplicity and satisfaction?"  Recommended by Dave Ramsey, the study includes ways we can change our relationship with money to live in a more satisfying way.  Again, there will be both evening and afternoon groups available.
  3. 3.      "Animals in the Bible" Back by popular acclaim, our member Dr. Paul Russell will offer a forum after church periodically, each time exploring a different animal in the Bible.  His June forum on the concept and symbolism of unicorns in the Bible and in history was well attended and much appreciated.

 

Fun and Fellowship

Youth - August 4 after church, "paint and pizza" - come help paint the new youth room and enjoy pizza together.

            August 18 - come to the youth picnic at the Hughes' home

 

Families - September 27 - Gather at church to watch a movie and enjoy snacks and fellowship together!   A Corn Maze and Hay Ride for families, as well as youth group, will be held Oct. 27.

 

Everyone - Enjoy the "Welcome Back Picnic" on August 8 in the church courtyard immediately after worship! The church will provide a good lunch, catered by a chef who is a graduate of the Midwest Culinary Institute in Cincinnati - and we'll have good fellowship and good conversation as we reconnect after summer trips and vacations. 

 

Mission and Outreach

Continuing missions include the deacons' monthly shopping for the Choice Food Pantry, as well as collecting items weekly in the bin at the back of the church.  Deacons also continue to work with elementary schools in our area to provide crucial clothing and school items for children in need.  The mission committee is exploring how we can help with ESL classes and tutoring for children in our school system and their parents who come from a variety of other countries.  We continue our support of mission co-workers on several continents, as well as the "go-el" project with our Colombian partner church to help poor children get schooling.  Watch for special hands-on community projects that are in the works.

 

Of course, there are many ongoing ministries not mentioned here, and others that are still in the "dream" stage.  At any time, share your ideas, hopes and dreams with a staff or session member!   And join in activities wherever you can.  We're gearing up for a wonderful fall together!

                                                             Mark and Barbara  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ed
Christian Education Full Article 

 

IDEAS AND MEMBERS NEEDED!  The Christian Education Committee wants to hear your ideas for programs this fall!  Members include Sarah Miller, Dick Munson, Mary Shinn, Jennifer Walter and Diane Young.  WE ARE LOOKING FOR ADDITIONAL MEMBERS OF THE CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE.  We meet the first Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM in the new youth room.  Please contact Christine Garton if you would like to join this committee. 

 

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL SPRUCE UP will be held on Saturday, August 17 from 9 AM-Noon.  If you are able to come help straighten up, dust and organize the Sunda

ySchool classrooms for the new school year, please contact Christine Garton.  Thanks in advance for your help!

 

BEANBAGS NEEDED for the Drama room!  If you are willing to donate a new or gently used beanbag to the Drama room, please let Christine Garton know.  The large brown corduroy beanbags are being used in the youth room on Sunday mornings for the high school class, so we need regular beanbags for the younger classes when they watch a DVD in the Drama room for Sunday School. If you'd prefer to make a monetary donation toward the purchase of beanbags, please contact Christine Garton.  It does not matter what color or pattern is on donated beanbags as long as they are in good shape.  We would like 7-8 beanbags.  Thanks in advance for your help with this!

 

2 COLLEGE INTERN POSITIONS AVAILABLE:

1) Preschool class teacher.  The preschool teacher will prepare the lesson for our preschool class each Sunday and teach the class.  Off during university holidays.  Payment is $350 to your bursar account per semester. 

2) Middle school youth intern.  Help lead weekly middle school youth group and attend special youth activities.  Off during university holidays.  Payment is $350 to your bursar account per semester.  For more information or to apply, please contact Christine Garton.  High School Youth Intern, Jenn Burns, will teach our high school Sunday School class and attend special youth events this year.      

 

SCHOOL SUPPLIES NEEDED! 

Our VBS Service Project this year was Project Backpack.  In keeping with the "God's Backyard" theme, we are collecting school supplies for the 3 elementary schools in our own backyard.  Supplies can be dropped off outside the secretary's office through August 12.  Thank you in advance for your donations!  The following supplies are needed:

*crayons (8, 16 or 24 packs)         

*1inch 3 ring binders

*glue sticks (small or large)

*#2 pencils

*baby wipes or hand wipes *disinfectant wipes

*tissues (box, not individual packs)

*plastic school supplies box

*colored pencils                             

*rectangular pink erasers/pencil top erasers

*bold Crayola washable markers (8 count)  

*5 inch Fiskars pointed scissors

*wide ruled notebooks (70 page)

*pocket folders

*pencil pouch

*highlighters

*loose leaf wide ruled notebook paper

*packs of 3x3 Post-Its

 

CHURCH T-SHIRT orders will be taken next month and the t-shirts will be delivered mid-October.  All proceeds will go toward the 2013 Youth Mission Trip to Jackson, Tennessee.  Any extra funds raised will go toward the 2014 Youth Mission Trip.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL KICK-OFF will happen August 18.  All children in the preschool through 5th grade classes and our youth classes are invited to celebrate with refreshments, games, and a discussion of their summer activities in the Geneva Room during Sunday School. 

 CHILDREN'S NEWS

 

VBS THANK YOU!  Thank you to everyone who prayed for Vacation Bible School.  Your prayers were felt!  We had 55 children and 30+ volunteers from Faith Lutheran Church, Oxford United Methodist Church, and Oxford Presbyterian Church. 

 

THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO VOLUNTEERED!  A special thank you to Mary Shinn and Zeke Groom, who created the banners (they represented towels hanging from the clothesline between the pillars) and made all the origami animals on the trees. 

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE Sunday School will be on the summer schedule through August 11, then we will return to the school-year schedule August 18.  Starting August 18, children will attend the beginning of worship and will be dismissed to Sunday School after the children's message.  Worship bags will be available for children to use while they are in worship.  Please return the bags to the basket at the end of worship.  Bags are geared toward 2nd grade and younger.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS NEEDED for the 2nd-5th grade workshop rotation classes this fall.  Teachers commit to teaching one workshop for 2 Sundays in a 3-Sunday block.  If you would like to teach Sunday School sometime this fall, please contact a member of the Christian Education Committee or Christine Garton. 

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHER ORIENTATION will be held on Wednesday, August 14 at 7 PM.  All volunteers who would like to teach the 2nd-5th grade Sunday School class for a 3-week block during the 2013-2014 school year are invited to the Geneva Room for a 45-minute meeting.  We will cover updates to the curriculum and an introduction to activity kits available for classes that need something to do toward the end of class.  If you cannot make it to this meeting, please contact Christine Garton so she can update you personally.  Thanks!

 

boy backpack BACKPACK BLESSINGS CEREMONY girl backpack AUGUST 18

All children and youth are invited to bring their backpacks to worship August 18 for a backpack blessing ceremony to kick-off the new school year.

 

3RD GRADE BIBLE BREAKFAST will be held in the Molyneaux Lounge on September 15 at 8:45 AM.  The whole family is invited to attend this breakfast as we celebrate our 3rd graders receiving their new Bibles.  Please contact Christine Garton to let her know how many people from your family will be in attendance so we have enough food on hand. 

 

YOUTH NEWS

 

mission group 2 THE YOUTH MISSION TRIP was a huge success!  The youth went canoeing on the Harpeth River Saturday, June 22, then went into Nashville that evening for dinner and a walk down Broadway.  Then we headed to Jackson, Tennessee to participate with youth and adults from 14 states to repair almost 60 homes in one week. mission group

 

 

 

YOUTH ROOM PAINTING PARTY will happen right after worship on August 4.  All youth entering 6th-12th grade are invited to help paint the room sky blue, then paint pizza clouds on the walls with white chalkboard paint.  Pizza will be provided.  We will finish up around 3 PM. 

PLEASE BRING OLD CLOTHES & SHOES THAT CAN GET PAINT ON THEM TO CHANGE INTO AFTER WORSHIP

 

 

NEWPORT AQUARIUM TRIP AUGUST 10.  All youth entering 6th-12th grade is invited to Newport Aquarium Saturday, August 10.  Meet in the alley behind church at 10 AM and we will return around 5 PM.  Cost is $23 shark for ages 13 and older and $15 for age 12.  PLEASE BRING $10-$20 FOR LUNCH AND SPENDING MONEY IN ADDITION TO YOUR ADMISSION.  Since we have to sign up for a specific admission time, we will wait until we arrive at the aquarium to buy our tickets.  If you plan to attend, please contact Christine Garton by Wednsday, Aug. 7 so she can provide enough transportation.  Thanks!

 

BACKPACK BLESSINGS CEREMONY AUGUST 18  All children and youth are invited to bring their backpacks to worship August 18 for a backpack blessing ceremony to kick-off the new school year.

 

YOUTH BACK TO SCHOOL PICNIC will be held at the Hughes' on Sunday, August 18 from 5-7 pm.  All youth going into grades 6-12 are invited.  The Hughes live at 2285 Oxford Trenton Rd.  We will play group games and grill hot dogs and make s'mores.  If you need a ride, please contact Christine Garton. 

 

NEW YOUTH GROUP SCHEDULE FOR MIDDLE SCHOOL AND HIGH SCHOOL YOUTH This fall there will be separate youth meetings for middle school youth and high school youth, along with special fellowship and service activities that will include both groups.  Parents and youth, please respond when you receive a mailing from Christine Garton in the coming weeks about your preferred day, time and frequency of meetings for your young person's age group.  Thanks in advance for your help!  Both youth groups will start in September.

 

YOUTH SUNDAY will be held on September 22.  The youth who went on the mission trip will be responsible for writing and leading the service with the help of other youth in our church.  The youth will tell more about their mission trip experiences during this service. 

 

spotlight MISSION TRIP PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT:

BREANNE PARKS

All 6 youth who went on the mission trip were asked to submit their answers to several questions to be shared in the newsletter over the next 3 months.  Here are Breanne's answers:

1) What kind of work did your crew do?  The work my crew did was we replaced siding, repainted the house and, fixed up anything else the resident asked us to do.
2) What were the highlights of your mission trip?  The highlight of this mission trip is I had a lot of fun and I opened up to a lot more people. By opening up I got to get to know more people as well as them knowing me.
3) Tell about one of your God sightings during the week.  One of my God sightings during the week was all the friends I made and how they cared about me. They wanted to know how I was, if I was okay and, how they could help. They really showed they cared by the things they helped me out with that week. They were real true friends. They were my God sighting.
4) You can include anything else you'd like to tell the congregation about the mission trip.  This was one of the best weeks of work I have probably ever had. Not only were we helping people who were in need we all had fun doing it. We all got closer to each other. I can't wait for next year's mission trip. If it is the same group that went this year or a totally different group, it will be just as much fun, maybe more. I would like to thank the congregation for supporting us in the mission trips we have been on so far. Thank you so much. It is such a good way to use some of the time in our summer. 

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COLLEGE NEWS

 

COLLEGE GATHERING.  Welcome back students!  We will start off the new school year with a gathering at Pastor Mark & Barbara Barnes home.  Watch next month's newsletter and your e-mail for the date and time.  Our college student Bible study will start next month and will be planned around the availability of interested students.  For more info, contact Christine Garton.

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FAMILY NEWS

 

THANK YOU to Pleasant Vineyard Camp for hosting our Family Swim Party July 27.  Find out more about the camp's activities at www.pvmcamp.com

 

WELCOME BACK PICNIC Don't forget the all-church picnic on September 8 immediately following worship!  This is a great opportunity for fellowship with your church family!

 

FINAL FRIDAY NIGHT FLICKS will resume next month on September 27 at 6:30 PM in the Molyneaux Lounge. 

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ADULT EDUCATION NEWS

 

2 ADULT STUDIES OFFERED THIS FALL

The first is called Engage: Gospel and is a faith-sharing study that focuses on our own stories and the redemptive stories of God in Scripture.  This is a 7-week course that will start during the week of September 8.  Dates, times and locations will be announced in next month's newsletter.  

 

The second is called Enough.  It is a DVD-based study that invites us to rediscover the Bible's wisdom on prudent financial practices.  This study is endorsed by Dave Ramsey, famed Christian finance expert.  More information about this study along with meeting dates, times and locations will be announced in the October newsletter.  Enough will start the week of October 27 and will run for 5 weeks.

 

 

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Contacts                                 
Newsletter Editor                            Church Office
Nancy Moeckel                               Elaine Patterson
[email protected]                  [email protected]
523-6003                                        523-6364                               
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