From the Pastor’s Heart…
Let me introduce you to our Elevator Parking Project Manager, Lee
Boston. Lee is one of the most hard‐working guys I know! Every day
he is on site before 8 am, standing at his “desk”, pouring over archi‐ tectural drawings and overseeing crews of workers to make these plans come to life. It’s a complicated job – especially finding con‐
struc on ma‐ terials and workers these days ‐ but we know Lee will not give up un l the project is done. When the “Grow For‐ ward” Team started think‐ ing about our needs several years ago, we prayed for our Lord’s guidance and wis‐ dom. A er polling our congrega on, everyone agreed on the need to provide safe parking and an elevator. Imagine our surprise when an anonymous donor provided a million dollars for this project! What a confirma on of God’s faithfulness! Like any construc on project, unexpected issues have driven up the cost. Yet, our contrac‐ tors have helped us save money in other areas along the way. God is faithful s ll.
We have quite a few months to go un l the project is complete, but in the mean me we see again and again: God is faithful. God has been faithful to this church in the past. God demonstrates His faith‐ fulness to us right now. Therefore, we will trust God to be faithful in the future!
With much love & gra tude for you, Holly
July 2021 Volume 15, Issue 7
Rev. Holly Davis
Church Elders Beth Johnson, Missions Ruth Caldwell, Elder for Deacons Rick Croskery, Building & Grounds Charlo e Casey, Discipleship Gregg Miller, Worship Hughes Roberts, Finance Lee Galloway, Communica ons Ron Tingle, Clerk of Session Deacons Beverly Benson Stan Briggs Bill Covin Lee Hutchison Janet Tingle Sylvia Lonnee Church Staff
Joel Lillethun, Minister of Music Diane Combs, Organist Kris Siplon, Office Manager
Beth Johnson, Missions Commi ee
The Mission Commi ee is asking that the whole congrega on help with gathering supplies for 520 students at Hazelwood Elementary School and their teachers. We donated supplies to the Fi h grade in August 2019, but COVID prevented us from delivering supplies in 2020.
A decorated collec on box is in the breezeway. The supplies will be delivered the week teachers return to school –August 10. The last day to bring supplies to the church will be Sunday, August 8.
Supplies Needed:
Marble composi on notebooks Pocket folder with brads
Colored pencils Crayons
#2 lead pencils (Not mechanical) Wide‐ruled notebook paper
Disinfec ng wipes Boxes of ssues
THANKS for all your help with this project.
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ELEVATOR AND PARKING PROJECT UPDATE – Rick Croskery
Phase Two of the construc on process is underway! Trenches for the new structure founda on have been dug, and concrete will be poured soon. Once the founda on is in place, the building addi‐
on will begin. Construc on includes the tower for our new elevator, the elevator lobbies on each floor, a handicapped accessible restroom near the first‐floor elevator, a covered drive and new building entrance, and the mul purpose room adjacent to the sanctuary built over the drive canopy. All of this will take about ten months, with comple on an cipated by March of 2022. The parking area is essen‐
ally complete, and it is beau ful. Go look at it! It will be paved later this summer a er the heavy equipment moves out.
Our new addi on is designed to look and feel like part of the original building, with matching roof les, brick, and stucco. The design also includes familiar gothic arches suppor ng the drive cano‐ py. To that end, we also intend to include some original pieces in the new building. The small back porch had to be removed, but its walls have been dismantled in order to reuse the arch details as vent openings in the elevator tower. The leaded glass window looking out from the Heritage Room will be‐ come a doorway, but the window is to be saved. It, and two other matching windows which have been saved for many years since the previous church remodeling, will be cleaned and restored and used as interior accents in front of some of the new windows. An original cupboard matching the church wood‐ work has also been in storage, and will be installed in one of the nooks created by construc on. Several of our founda on plan ngs had to be moved to make room for the new founda on. They have been carefully dug, burlapped, and stored in a shady spot outdoors to be tended through the summer. Hopefully, they will stay healthy and return as part of our new landscaping.
It feels good to modernize the church to make it safer and be er, yet honor the beauty of the building and the vision of those folks who built it a century ago. We thank God for our rich blessings.
Some old things we are reusing (L to R): Porch arches; trim from arches; lead‐ ed glass window; cabinet
Healing Hearts‐Pat Parker
Healing Hearts is an organiza on made up of people who have experienced the loss of a loved one and are seeking sup‐ port in their grief journey. It is not a sad place, nor a pity party. Yes, there may be a few tears shed, but primarily you will hear laughter and spirited conversa‐
on. We may watch a video or listen to an invited speaker. In addi on, discus‐
sion centers on topics peculiar to someone experiencing living alone for the first me.
If you or someone you know might benefit from Healing Hearts, we welcome new members at any me. We meet on the third Wednes‐ day of each month at noon in the fellowship hall.
‐“Let’s do this again!” was the response to our first Worship & Picnic at Allen’s Creek Park in June. It was a glorious day – thank you, God! We heard from Steve Nowakowski, Director of Haywood Chris an Ministry at 9:30, and then, our own Bluegrass Band led us in a joyful me of Wor‐ ship. A erwards we enjoyed a box lunch from Yummy Catering. What a gi to be together again for fellowship and “catching up” a er being apart from each other for so long!
So, let’s do this again! Our next “Worship in the Park” is Sunday, July
11th. Come at 9:30 am to hear more about “Christ Working in our Com‐ munity” with Bluegrass and Worship following at 10:45. This me, we are asking for you to pay for your own lunch. Please make your selec on and either submit your form to the office or give Kris a call at 828‐456‐ 3243. See you soon!
The choices are each $10.
Sandwich box: Ham, cheddar cheese, tomato and le uce on a home‐
made roll. Mayo and mustard on the side.
Pasta salad with vinaigre e dressing. Chocolate chip square.
Salad Box: Spring mix salad with tomatoes, cucumbers, carrots, broccoli
and cauliflower. Choice of Ranch or Italian dressing.
Pasta salad with vinaigre e dressing. Chocolate chip square.
DEADLINE to order your box lunch(es) = Monday, July 5th. 4
WORSHIP in the Park
Healthy Berry Frozen
Yogurt
Ingredients
Instruc ons
2 cups frozen berries 1/2 cup plain
yogurt low‐fat, Greek, or full fat
Blend frozen berries, yogurt, and honey in food processor
Blend for 2 minutes un l creamy
Freeze at least 2 hours in freezable container
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The Valley House Restaurant in Maggie Valley
is the caterer of choice for the July Box Lunches.
Please use the form below, find one in the Sunday bulle n, or
call the church office 828‐456‐3243.
Please know you may also bring your own lunch, if you prefer.
Mission-Melonie Gross
Thanks to all who donated food in June! We collected over 240 boxes of Hamburger Helper,
Chicken Helper, Tuna Helper, and other boxed meals.
The next drive through food collec on for Haywood Chris an Ministry will take place on
Wednesday, July 14, from 10:00 to noon. They have requested canned yellow or orange veg‐
etables – corn, squash, pumpkin, wax beans, carrots, yellow beets, potatoes, yams, etc. – preferably in
pull‐top cans.
Once again, thank you to all who donate – your generosity is so helpful to those less fortunate in our community.
July Celebra ons
There are many ways to celebrate in July. Hope these make you
smile and maybe perk your appe te. Here is a sampling:
July 2‐Made in USA Day
July 3‐Na onal Eat Beans Day
July 4‐Independence Day
July 5‐Na onal Graham Cracker Day
July 6‐Na onal Fried Chicken Day
July 7‐Na onal Chocolate Day
July 9‐Na onal Sugar Cookie Day
July 10‐Na onal Pina Colada Day
July 11‐Na onal Mojito Day
July 13‐Na onal French Fries Day
July 14‐Pandemonium Day
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ee, Ian, Paula, Gwen & Will
Christ Followers in Taiwan
We help support the Reverend John McCall who is a mission co‐worker in Taiwan. He was formerly the Pastor of Black Mountain Presbyterian. Several mes a year he writes a newsle er. The complete news‐ le er is on the Mission bulle n board near our church office. This is just a summary.
Jin Chen Church is located on the ground floor of huge apartment block, consis ng of a sanctuary, a small Fellowship Hall and a small kitchen. Sunday School classes are held in nearby homes of member. The church has large, clear windows, so anyone walking by is able to see what is happening. While Rev. McCall was there, he had dinner with teenagers (o en totally unchurched) from the neighborhood. He talked about the Bible verse: “We love because God first loved us” (1John 4:19) On Sunday, he preached twice, in both English and Mandarin. The Jin Chen Church had invited overseas factory workers from the Philippines to join in worship; to make them feel welcome, the service had to be in English. Rev. McCall was “amazed at Jin Chen Church’s openness in sharing Christ’s love with so many different folks”.
Discipleship Team
Charlo e Casey
The Discipleship Team on June 8 with Van Davis, Laura Janson, and Charlo e Casey in a endance. Laura reported that the Seekers class is studying the Stewardship of Crea on, Caring for God’s Earth, led by Judy Covin. The Isaac class finished their study of Bonhoeffer’s book on Psalms. Van Davis will lead a study of Hosea next.
Eleven people gathered to watch and discuss the movie, “Chariots of Fire” on June 6. On July 18th, we will watch the movie, “The Mission”, the story of 18th century Jesuits who establish a mission among a remote South American tribe. They became entangled in colonial poli cs when the tribe was threat‐ ened by the rule of pro‐slavery Portugal. This film explores themes of sin, redemp on, commitment, and the struggle to preserve faith.
The theme for speakers at Summer Worship in the Park is "Christ Working in our Community." At July's picnic, we will hear from Amy Murphy‐Nugen, PhD, chair of the Waynesville Homeless Task Force, on the “Process and Progress of the Homelessness Task Force." August's speaker will be some‐ one from law enforcement.
Message from your Editor
Kathi Armstrong
We didn't' t know we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun.‐Winnie the Pooh.
During the pandemic, I decided a worthwhile ac vity would be to scan old photos. There are companies that do this for you and save them to the Cloud. So, not only do you reduce the clu er in your closets, but you also preserve precious photos for your descendants‐and save them from going through your clu er.
I gathered up our albums, shoeboxes filled with pictures, and tapes, and organized them by year. Each photo was bun‐ dled with 50 others, and placed in a Ziplock, and placed in the box the scanning company provided. In all, we sent off 1000 photos, spanning about 100 years, each capturing a moment of me that will never be experienced again. We laughed so hard, we almost cried. I have to say, the photos that really resonated with me were those taken during my high school years in France and Germany.
Both Rich and I grew up as military brats, traveled the world, and lived in places that seem exo c now that we are adults. Rich a ended 3 high schools, and I a ended 5. At the me, my biggest concerns were the friends and grandparents we le behind with each move. Yet, no ma er where we ended up, both of us adapted to our new lives. We made new friends, found new adventures, and created memories. Not many kids were lucky enough to live in Paris, Wiesbaden, or Stu gart! We adjusted, wherever the wind sent us!
Did you know that the dandelion is designated as the official flower represen ng military brats? If you are a gardener, you know dandelions are resilient‐they put down roots and grow, wherever the wind takes them. Military kids are like that, too. Brats do not have any say on where the wind will take them but learn to put down roots and form new rela on‐ ships before the next wind blows them somewhere else. They also learn that there were good people everywhere‐you just have to reach out to them. I like to think our experiences as brats made us both resilient, tolerant, and apprecia ve of other cultures. For certain, when the wind blew us to Waynesville, we found new adventures and wonderful friends, many right here at First Presbyterian. Hope you have a Happy 4th of July!
First Presbyterian Church
305 North Main Street
Waynesville, NC 28786
[email protected]
828-456-3243
The First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville is a vibrant community of faith to call home. Everyone is welcome and each of you is valued. Our varied backgrounds and stories woven together produce a beautiful tapestry of faith,
bound together with a common mission of loving God and our neighbors.