June 2019 Volume 12 Issue 6

Fellowship Presbyterian Church USA

Our Purpose Fellowship is called by God and empowered by the Holy Spirit to make disciples by REACHing,

GROWing, and SENDing people with Christ to do justice, to live mercy, and to walk humbly with

God.

Our Motto

The loving place that is Reaching, Growing, and Sending

people with Christ.

Sunday School 9:00 a.m.

Sunday Worship

10:00 a.m.

Choir Rehearsals Thursday Evening

Adult Bible Study (Wed.)

Noon 6:00 p.m.

DIRECTORY OF SERVICES

Designed by Linda Burruss

Lula Jones and Reverend Dr. Thomas attending the reception for the dedication

of former pastors’ portraits.

Lula Jones and Reverend Dr. Thomas attending the reception for the dedication

of former pastors’ portraits.

Portraits of Former Pastors Dedication Portrait of Reverend Dr. Thomas held by Demetrius Davis (L).

Reverend Thomas, Yvonne Moore, and her oldest daughter having fun at a Christmas program.

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Men’s Day Celebration All men are asked to wear a dark suit, white shirt, and red tie. All men are asked to be at the church at 9:30 a.m. for group photos.

Presbyterian Men

Felix Battle Gregory Bentley Maurice Bone Lamar Braxton, Jr. Randall Bunley Robert Burton Anton Canady Clifton Canady Dezmyn Coleman Jeremy Crummie Demetrius Davis William Davis Earnest Dees Theodore Dixie, Jr. Theodore Dixie, Sr. Christopher Evans Richard Evans Carl Fallin Kyle Fallin Marvell Foard Calvin Ford Parker Ford Phillip C. Ford Robert Franklin Robert Franklin III Ted Friend Gordon Fykes Blair Gaines Christopher Gaines Matthew Gardner Traevon Grays

George Grayson Delonzo Harris James Hicks Galik Horton-Burks Nathan Jackson Nathaniel Jackson Joseph J. Johnson Lirse Jones Kenneth King Sean King Thomas McAlpine Henry Muse Moses Ogbu Wheeler Ogbu Nathaniel Otey Herbert Peagler Robert Peagler Charles Penn Kerry Pettus Brendan Pierre John Reed Thomas Ross Timothy Smith Enoch Temple Anthony Thompson Justin Thompson W. Charles Watson Walter Watson, Jr. Henry Warren Robert Wilson

Seth Alexander Sigmon graduated from Huntsville High School on May 23, 2019. Seth is the grandson of Shirley Brown.

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Each year, Vacation Bible School (VBS) is named after a charter member of the church. This year, VBS is named in honor of Geraldine Booker Hereford.

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250 Little Dresses for Africa Submitted by Linda Burruss

The SENDING HOPE MISSION PROJECT was the collaboration of many volunteers from two local congregations. Fellowship Presbyterian Church members purchased pillow cases, cut, pinned, and sewed. They included Mary G. Peagler, Mary N. Peagler, Maureen Young, Savannah Foster, and Lucille Grayson; Felix Battle constructed the dress rack for the display cabinet; Barbara Anthony donated two sewing machines; Arthello Peagler, Mary Mitchell, and Pauline Bodiford contributed pillow cases or/and made a financial contribution. Union Hill Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America members purchased pillows cases and sewed. They included Elder Laverne Askew, Mother Dorothy Barefield, Mother Darlene Briggs, Mother Beverly Burruss, Sister Rosa Crutcher, Mother Felecia Drake, Sister Georgia Edwards, Sister Ella Ford, Deacon Annie Haygood, Mother Joyce Jordan, Mother Tessie Lyons, Sister Beverly McWhorton, Elder Marsha Readus, Mother Catherine Robinson, Sister Eloise Whitaker, and Master Seamstress Sister Carrie Copeland Appreciation certificates were given to all Union Hill CPCA members at the May 12, 2019, worship service.

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PW 2019 BIRTHDAY OFFERING Sunday, June 2, 2019

The Presbyterian Women’s Birthday Offering has helped fund mission projects that improve the lives of women and children around the world. In recent years, Riah Rose, founded by Fellowship members Carolyn and Nathaniel Jackson, has received funding from the Birthday Offering.

Fellowship Family’s Relatives in Path of Tornados

For hundreds of families in Dayton, Ohio, Monday night, May 27, 219, will go down in infamy like many dates that mark unfathomable damage caused by nature’s storms—April 11, 2011, in Huntsville, for example. Multiple tornados struck Ohio and surrounding states, and many of them cut a path of horrible destruction. Family members of Robert Franklin and Tonya Gaines live in Dayton, Ohio, and Robert was there visiting. Thankfully, the Dayton relatives were not injured; they were without electricity as late as May 30, Thursday evening. Tonya reports that the first tornado bypassed her grandmother’s neighborhood. However, the second round of storms hit her aunt’s home, which the aunt had just moved out of. She still had belongings there, including a car in the driveway. Every home on that street was hit. The best news is that Robert and Tonya’s relatives, and Robert, were not hurt.

The congregation just might noticeably swell on the second Sunday in May. Why? Well, because many grown-up sons and daughters return to Fellowship to worship with their mother. Often, these adults grew up in Fellowship, so they are returning ‘home’ to a sanctuary that provided spiritual nourishment during their early years. In other instances, family members worship together on Mother’s Day, perhaps siblings, to remember together their mother who has gone on to glory. Or, grandparents and grandchildren may gather as they might on any Sunday. Whatever brings family together in church, it’s often a happy and memorable time. Thanks to Eddgra Fallin for capturing the photos of those who came together on Mother’s Day 2019 at Fellowship.

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Barbara Anthony Attends Concert in Honor of Her Mother

Human relationships can be intricate and complicated, but they can also bridge lives and cultures and highlight the best qualities of being human by illustrating love, respect, and gratitude. The best qualities of being in relationships were illustrated on Sunday during and after an organ recital at The Episcopal Church of the Epiphany in Guntersville, Alabama. The concert, was given in loving memory of Flossie Mae Henderson (April 26, 1920-November 27, 2018). The Benefield family was Mrs. Henderson’s employer during her working years. The recital, performed by mother and son organists Kay McCormick Benefield and Dr. William Henry Benefield, Jr., consisted of religious selections by European composers and one contemporary American composer, Dan Locklair. The Benefields also included “A Mighty Fortress is Our God,” words by Martin Luther, father of the Protestant Movement. The audience was invited to sing while W. Benefield, Jr. played the familiar hymn music written by Johann Pachelbel. Benefield, Jr. also provided a brief oral narrative about the selections and their composers, which enhanced audience appreciation and enjoyment. Mrs. Benefield has enjoyed a career in music including teaching piano and serving as organist and Director of Music at the Episcopal Church of the Epiphany since 1984. W. Benefield Jr., accomplished in numerous areas outside performing piano and organ at concert level, is also a Gregorian Friar in the Brotherhood of St. Gregory. Both recital performers received a prolonged standing ovation. Barbara’s heart was touched and ‘full’ at this ongoing recognition for Mrs. Henderson’s value in the lives of the Benefields and the Guntersville community. At the post

L-R: Barbara Anthony, Dr. William Benefield Jr, Mrs. Kay McCormick Benefield with husband William Henry Benefield, Sr.

L-R: Dr. Bernice Richardson, B. Anthony, and Joyce Pettis Temple, friends who accompanied Barbara to the concert.

Photo credit: James (Jim) Coleman

Anthony’s Guntersville friends and her paternal Aunt Mary in forefront.

Photo credit: Joyce Pettis Temple

recital reception, nearly all of the women and some of the men (including her mother’s lawyer) from the audience interacted with Barbara, sharing memories of Mrs. Henderson as did Mrs. Benefield, her husband, and son William, Jr.

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2019 NBPC Biennial Convention “Seeking Racial Justice and Equality!

Where Do We Go from Here?”

You may register in one of two (2) ways: 1. You may register on the National Black

Presbyterian Caucus homepage at: https://nationalnbpc.org/

2. You may register on the PC(USA) registration site at: https://ogaevents.pcusa.org/accounts/login/?next=/register/nbpc-2019/

Fellowship will reinstate the tradition of family camp June 29-30, 2019. The family camp experience will commence at noon on Saturday, June 29 and culminate on Sunday, June 30, 2019. In keeping with tradition, there will be one service (on that 5th Sunday) on the grounds of Camp Maranatha, beginning at 10am. A meal and fellowship will follow service. All FPC members are welcome and encouraged to attend. We must fully vacate the camp grounds by no later than 3pm on Sunday, June 30, 2019. The cost for the overnight “camp experience” will be $100 per family occupying one room in Lakeside lodge and $40 for those opting for overnight cabin accommodations. The “experience” includes food, lodging, and land-to-water activities. The overnight camp experience for Golden Charmers and retirees is $50 per person with no less than double occupancy at Lakeside Lodge. Overnight accommodations will be fulfilled on a first come, first served basis. Individual day campers (those who opt not to stay overnight) can pay $35 per person (per day) to cover meals and activities. Contact Lauretta P. Moore at 612-281-4254 or laurettapmoore@yahoo.com or Tonya Gaines at 256-783-4968 or gainesgo@aol.com to register and render fees. Those who require transportation for Sunday service at Camp Maranatha, please contact Thomas Ross at 256-858-2003 (Home) or email at taross1@att.net All transportation requests and fees are due by no later than noon on Sunday, June 23, 2019.

Christian Education Ministry Team

2 William Davis Family 9 Men of the Church 16 Carl Fallin Family 23 Evelyn Rich Family 30 Michele Hicks/Lauretta Moore Families

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Photo Credit: Chris Gaines

Celebrating older adults and the service they bring to Fellowship Presbyterian Church USA (FPC) throughout the year has been part of the church calendar for several years. It’s a weekend affair with special programming on Saturday and a special guest preacher on Sunday.

On Saturday, an informative workshop on dementia was presented by Linda McWilliams, staff member of Alabama Education and Resource System, accompanied by Golden Charmers’ member, Bettye W. Dixie. Golden Charmers Members and guests learned the anatomy of the brain and about various kinds of dementia. Alzheimers was the focus. Items were used to imitate the state of Alzheimers, so attendees could feel what it's like having this fatal disease. Attendees were also given tips on care for affected persons, including how to effectively use colors for calming specific situations. After all questions were answered, attendees enjoyed a delicious lunch.

Several elements of worship on Sunday marked the service as distinctive. Jackson Lanier (right), grandson of Elder Frances Harris, touched hearts with his talent for playing the tenor saxophone. Accompanied by his aunt, pianist Mary Curry, Jackson played the prelude, “Amazing Grace,” and later performed “Great is Thou Faithfulness” as a musical tribute to older adults. Litany #75 from the African American Heritage Hymnal, offering a perspective of Black elders historically preserving and providing leadership for their communities and families, set a directive tone for service. Elder Robert

Wilson, founder of the Golden Charmers—an organization of seasoned adults totaling thirty-six members—spoke during Moment of Mission, emphasizing the service role of the group. Wilson and Eddgra Fallin (left) were

Older Adults Weekend Celebrated

May 4-5, 2019 honored with awards for their work with the Golden Charmers. Bettye Dixie made the presentations.

Reverend Dr. John C. Bush (left), honored guest and previous interim preacher at FPC, delivered a provocative sermon titled “Old as Methuselah,” a choice that dovetailed well with the program theme, A Celebration of Preparation for Tomorrow When You Grow Old. Rev. Bush was

accompanied by his wife, Sara Bush, and (re)introduced to the congregation by Joyce Pettis Temple. Mrs. Bush was acknowledged for introducing the acolytes’ activity to FPC during her husband’s tenure as the interim pastor. During communion, Rev. Bush assisted Reverend Bentley. Anthony Thompson served as pulpit assistant or liturgist.

As it typically happens at FPC, this special worship service was followed by a delicious lunch catered by Tim Smith and held in the Dorothy B. Johnson Fellowship Hall.

Members of the Golden Charmers with Reverend Bush.

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“There’s a rootlessness that has led to winglessness. The antidote is to get grounded and rooted in God . . . . The process of getting rooted in God is ritual. . . . . If you want to go where God wants you to go, you have to develop some rituals for God.”

Sermon: “Roots and Wings” December 31, 2017

What is Session doing?

Session met on Thursday, May 23, 2019, for its regularly stated session meeting. Approved: • Reverend Bentley being absent from the pulpit

on June 23 and June 30, 2019. • Authorizing a search for a minister of music. • The creation of a search committee for the

minister of music. The committee members are Barbara Anthony, Jacquelyne Bennett, Reverend Gregory Bentley, Pauline Bodiford, Lamar Braxton, Jr., Randall Bunley, Thomas Ross, Joyce Pettis Temple, and three (3) members under the age of 30 years old. Elder Thomas Ross will chair the committee.

• Seal coating, crack sealing, patching/repair, striping (painting the parking lines) the asphalt in the parking lot.

• Having worship service at Camp Maranatha on June 30, 2019, with no service at Fellowship.

• The formation of a Fourth Day Group at Fellowship. The fourth day is the day back home from attending the Cursillo three-day retreat weekend. Any group which prays, studies, and acts is a “fourth day group.” There is no need to have attended a Cursillo retreat weekend in order to be a part of a Christian group which prays, studies, and acts together. Elders Tonya Gaines and Lauretta Moore will spearhead the Fourth Day group jointly.

• The installation of approximately five wheelchair bars on the back pews in the sanctuary.

Information: Reverend Rosemary McMahan, Fellowship’s liaison to the North Alabama Presbytery Committee on Ministry, visited the meeting to introduce herself to session and conduct a survey.

3 - Worship Ministry Team meets at noon 9 - Day of Pentecost 9 - Pentecost offering 9 - Presbyterian Men Celebration 10-14 Vacation Bible School at 5:00 p.m. 11– Property and Maintenance Ministry Team meets at noon 15-Presbyterian Men meets at 8:00 a.m. 16-Father’s Day 16-19 Food distribution preparation 19- Food distribution at 1:00 p.m. 20-World Refugee Day 23– PCUSA World Aids Sunday 27 - Session Meeting at 6:00 p.m. 29-30 – Church camp at Camp Maranatha

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Parents, please make sure your child is dressed

appropriately on their scheduled Sunday!

June 2 Parker Ford and Miriam Bentley

June 9 Kaylin Houston and Kimberlee Thompson

June 16 Maya Fykes and Johari Bentley

June 23 Kaylin Houston and Kimberlee Thompson

June 30 Maya Fykes and Johari Bentley

♦♦ Please wear black pants or skirts/dress on your scheduled Sunday, and please arrive at least 15 minutes

early ♦♦ If there is a problem with the schedule, please contact Ollie Smith at 256.527.4147 or Sarah Ford at 256.509.8066 or Diann Bentley at 205-233-2140 Thank you in advance for your participation! We sincerely appreciate all the youth at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. Your service to Christ and His church does not go unnoticed.

Again, thank you, Ollie Smith, Acolyte Coordinator

Website: www.fpchuntsville.org

Facebook: www.facebook.com/fpchuntsville

Twitter: @TheShipHSV

2 Margaret Gardner 3 Sharon King 6 Cerisa Johnson Rice 7 Zachary Overton 7 Patricia Wilson 9 Felix Battle 10 Mary Mitchell 10 Madison Canady 11 Lois Dade 11 Dana Bone 11 Lisa Overton 15 Harold Buchanan 16 Keith Bennett 16 Stephen Bennett 16 Evelyn Rich 17 Lucille Grayson 20 Phillip C. Ford 20 Margaret Arbogast 25 Mary Davis 25 Christian Campbell

7 Brenda and William Davis 10 Haley and Walter Bone 15 Gertrude and James Hicks 17 Patricia and Robert Wilson 19 Eddgra and Carl Fallin 19 Diann and Gregory Bentley

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Sick List of Family and Friends of Fellowship Members

Benjamin Andrews Uncle of Yvette Evans

Doris Bradford

Sister of Haley Bone

Polly Brown Cousin of Gloria Evans

Deaunna Campbel

Daughter of Beverly and Henry Warren

Arzell Dunmore Sister of Lucille Grayson

Dorothy Franklin

Mother of Robert Franklin

Lila and Alvin Grayson Sister-in-law and brother of George Grayson

LaChauna Headen

Daughter of Beverly and Henry Warren

Gussie Jackson Mother of Arinize Steele

Roosevelt Johnson

Uncle of Yvette Evans

Horace Mitchell Husband of Mary Mitchell

Ailean King Peoples

Mother of Kenneth King

Mitchell Pearl Purdy Cousin of Gloria Evans

Shielda Yvonne Ross

Sister of Thomas Ross

Ann Thomas Aunt of Yvette Evans

Fannie P. Thompson

Sister of Lois Dade and Eulasteen Muse

Roderick Wall Nephew of Charles Penn

Nathanial Williams

Brother of Bettye W. Dixie and Carolyn W. Jackson

LaVon White Son of Doretha and Thomas Ross

Dorleen and James Witchard

Sister and Brother-in-Law of Doretha and Thomas Ross

Fellowship Member Sick List

The Prayer of Faith James 5:13-16

“ 13 Are any among you suffering? They should pray. Are any cheerful? They should sing songs of praise. 14 Are any among you sick? They should call for the elders of the church and have them pray

over them, anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise them up; and anyone who has committed sins will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

Stephen and Michael Bennett

Bill Davis Richard Evans

Mattie Ford James Hicks

Lula Jones Eulasteen Muse

Charles Penn Dana Smith

In Memory of Fellowship’s Members

In Memory of Family and Friends

Asha Marcus Ogbu – 1978 Reverend M.D. Machen – 1984

Nora Davis – 1985 Leander Patton – 1989

Sim Gullett – 1993 Odere Mosley – 2005

Reverend Dr. Oscar Williams – 2005 Curtis Lanier – 2005

Leonard Raymond “Mickey” Horton, Jr.- 1985 Leonard Raymond Horton, Sr. – 1992

Mary B. Cooper – 1995 Theda Horton – 2011

Johnnie Mae McAlpine -2017

In Memory of Family and Friends