Decatur Presbyterian Church Nov. 15-30, 2011

S T U DY W I L L H E L P U S P L A N B U I L D I N G I M P R O V E M E N T S T O M A T C H O U R G R O W T H

Decatur , Georgia

DECPRESS

Marcia Daniel Profile 2

Service of Healing 3

Baby Shower! 4

Presbyterian Heritage 6

Stewardship Update 6

Endowment Grants 7

Steve Ortlip Booked 8

(404) 378-1777 | decatur-presbyterian-church.atlpcusa.org

W hat would you change first at Decatur Presbyterian Church? Parking? Our “underground”

fellowship hall? Tiny, aging bathrooms?

We completed a long-range master building plan this year as part of our capi-tal campaign. With our consultants, we counted heads, measured square feet and looked at our programs and activities to come up with a list of priorities before we begin the next capital campaign.

We are a healthy congregation enjoy-ing steady growth, thanks to our thriving community as well as our programs, pas-tors and evangelism efforts. This study has helped us understand how to prepare for our projected growth and have the spaces needed to accommodate our programs.

Presentations of Study

The findings of this study have been pre-sented to your session. Dr. Todd Speed provided an overview for all who attended a recent Wednesday Night Program. Donna Stroup of the new elder class of 2014 commented, “This is obviously a careful and considered analysis, based on evidence. It’s a good problem to have and we need to be good stewards of our prop-erty. ”

Jane Boswell liked what she saw. “Young families need to know about this plan. They are the ones who will benefit most from it.”

Dr. Speed is scheduling additional events so everyone has a chance to catch

up and understand the findings, which are summarized below. Watch for dates and times in the bulletin.

In the coming year, we will form a task force to begin developing more spe-cific plans based on this study. “We must give this prayerful discernment, and see what kind of church we feel called to be in the coming years,” says Dr. Speed.

Capital Campaign Accomplishments

As 2011 draws to a close, we are complet-ing the “Preserving Our Heritage, Prepar-ing for our Future” phase 1 capital cam-paign. We can look back with gratitude for all that has been accomplished:

our cherished new organ console,

waterproofing the exterior of the sanctuary and chapel,

remodeling bathrooms for the chil-dren in the Bradley Building,

upgrading our youth space at Syca-more House, and

the beautiful new great room for the Retreat Center at Lake Lanier.

We are in the final planning stages of a landscaping and signage project that will guide visitors and enhance the beauty and functionality of our corner of Decatur. These two latest projects also have been funded by the current capital campaign – as well as a recent bequest from the es-tate of Gene Morse.

Continued on Page 5

We are beginning the

season of

Preparing Together in

Christ .

A calendar of Advent and

Christmas services and

activities at Decatur

Presbyterian Church is

provided as an insert with

this newsletter.

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I n 1991 the Dead Sea Scroll was un-veiled, George H. W. Bush was president, and “The Silence of the

Lambs” was showing at the movies. And that year Marcia Daniel came to work at Decatur Presbyterian Church as Financial Secretary.

She was looking or a part-time job so she could spend more time raising her two little girls. Now Erin is a college graduate working in Atlanta and Jennie is a junior at Auburn. “I have always ap-preciated the flexibility this job has pro-vided me,” she says.

Marcia may be less visible than other members of the staff, but her con-scientious work ensures that bills are paid, payroll is done on time, and that our members have the information they need about their pledges.

“I am rather secluded in my office,” she says. “I know the names of everyone in the congregation, but have never met most of them. I am happy to answer all the questions I get by phone and email

Page 2 Nov. 15-30, 2011

about pledges, being reimbursed for ex-pense, or council budgets.”

Her office is just inside the church of-fice door, and Marcia works most Mondays. Depending on the payroll schedule (which includes all DPCC teachers) she works Wednesdays or Thursdays. Each January, the CPA devotes three to four days a week closing the books.

A graduate of The College of William and Mary, the Virginia native trained as a social worker. Marcia’s first job was in a hospital for children with emotional issues. Her focus shifted to accounting, and she has been serving churches ever since then. She and her husband, Randy, moved to At-lanta after he graduated from the Medical College of Virginia and began his dental practice. The family will return to Virginia for Thanksgiving and to celebrate her par-ents’ 60th wedding anniversary.

Marcia spends much of her time away from DPC at her own church, Smyrna Campground and Presbyterian Church in Conyers. This historic church established in 1827 still hosts week-long camp meetings, traditionally held between planting and harvest. There is a “Decatur Presbyterian Church” cabin on the grounds, which pre-date our current Camp Calvin.

She attends Bible study on Tuesdays, and tutors a boy from the Ukraine. She teaches second and third graders in Sunday Schools, helps with Vacation Bible School, and belongs to a Presbyterian Women night circle. Marcia devotes her time to two churches, and we both benefit from her talent and energy.

20 Y E A R S : T H E N U M B E R S A D D U P F O R F I N A N C I A L S E C R E TA RY M A R C I A D A N I E L

Marcia Daniel checks the mailbox for bills and pledges. Less visible than other staff members, she is in the office two days a week and has cele-brated 20 years working for DPC and this congregation.

“I have been amazed at how the members of DPC have been so supportive with their pledges, despite the economy,”

Marcia Daniel

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DecPress Page 3

W E P R E PA R E F O R T H E S E A S O N O F J O Y W I T H O U R O W N N E E D S F O R H E A L I N G

By Ronnie Roe

I have experienced numerous losses in my life, but nothing can compare to the lost of my beloved wife, Janet,

from ovarian cancer Sept. 20, 2009. I was her caregiver for three and a half years, but we never prepared for her eventual death. The journey that began then was the most difficult of my life. From loneli-ness and depression, I asked God to take me, and let me be with her. Friends and family sometimes try to rush you through the grieving process, but shouldn’t.

A dear friend told me about a grief class at his church that would be in ses-sion for the holidays. I checked it out be-cause I was now an angry person with no sense of direction. The class was created by Grief-Share, a Christian-based organization, and started each week with a DVD featuring a noted speaker

who had experienced loss. “Grief is the price we pay for love,” I learned from one speaker.

We would separate into small groups to talk about these speakers, and used a workbook to write down our private feel-ings. Without this class, my life would not be what it is today.

DPC gave Janet and me so much love and care during her illness. Todd and Nath were there on a daily basis even though we weren’t members of this church. My life has not been the same spiritually since I joined this church in December 2009. I credit Grief-Share for giving me the will and direction to live with my loss and to

find a church that has the love and devotion this church has. I also want to thank PW for the prayer quilt they gave her. It was among her prized possessions and remains on her bed today.

In this season of peace, hope, love and joy, our thoughts are drawn to those we have lost or to sorrows in our daily lives due to illness, finances, employment, or other chal-lenges. We begin the Season of Advent with a Service of Healing and Wholeness in Scott Chapel at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 30, to help us cope and prepare. The service is for all who need healing and wholeness, or those who pray for them. In this letter, one member of the congregation relates how grief nearly overwhelmed him, and how he found comfort and healing.

E njoy an old fashioned Christmas with the Senior Adult Ministry (SAM) on a tour of historic Madison Sunday afternoon, Dec. 4. Everyone is invited – no age restric-

tions! We’ll carpool and take the DPC bus a short drive east of Atlanta, stopping first for lunch at the Madison ChopHouse Grill on Main Street. Then we’ll tour four historic homes, enjoying their Christmas decorations, architectural features, and interior fur-nishings.

Use bulletin inserts or call the church office by noon Wednesday, Nov. 23 to re-serve your space. The cost is $40 for lunch and the tour ticket. Checks should be made out to DPC and submitted with your reservation.

S A M S P O N S O R S C H R I S T M A S T O U R O F H I S T O R I C M A D I S O N F O R A L L D E C E M B E R 4

Leah Vaughan & family on the 11/7 death of her grandmother, Virginia Kelly, AL

Myra Cavan & family on the 6/21 birth of great-granddaughter, Raine Leigh Marsh

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Santa Claus

Express

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B A B Y S H O W E R S S T O C K T H E N U R S E R Y A S W E A W A I T A C H R I S T M A S D E L I V E RY

J ennifer and Ryan Filpi are expecting their Christmas bundle of joy a few

days early. Baby Filpi is due Dec. 22. Pres-byterian Women hosted a shower for Jennifer, our Director of Youth Ministries, Sunday afternoon, Nov. 13, in Slack Fel-lowship Hall. Plush toys, blankets, one-zees and car seats were greet with “oooooh!” and “aaaaah!” as the wrap-ping paper came off.

Jennifer was joined by her mother , Janice Simpson (L) of Rock Hill, SC, and mother-in-law, Annette Filpi of Wake Forest, NC, for the reception.

The youth and their parents had sur-prised Jennifer with a shower in October, so the nursery is nearly stocked for the young family.

Jennifer will be on maternity leave for 90 days. She says, “A wonderful DPC staff, dedicated youth advisors and Sunday School teachers, and parent volunteers will help make maternity leave possible.”

Rev. Dr. Todd Speed will lead the discussion of The Beatitudes for the Tuesday, Dec. 13, meeting of Presbyterian Women. The program begins at 10:30 a.m. in the Crusaders Classroom followed by circle meetings at 11:30 and lunch at noon. Lunch costs $7 and the menu includes beef stroganoff with buttered noodles, spinach salad, yeast rolls and a holiday dessert. Childcare is provided. Reservations should be made by calling the church office by Friday, Dec. 9. The December benevolence is the “Thank Offering” in which 33% is allocated to medical missions and 67% for new areas in mission.

The Night Circle will meet at 7 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 15, at the home of Elinor Cook and the Mom’s Group continues to meet Tuesdays at 10 a.m. in M306.

Presbyterian Women celebrate the holidays with residents of the health services centers at Presbyterian Homes in Quitman and Presbyterian Village in Austell through a program called “The Santa Claus Express.”

The men and women residents appreciate toi-letries and cosmetics, pa-jamas, art supplies and games. Gifts can be pur-chased from a store or home made, but should not be previously owned.

Please bring your un-wrapped gifts by Nov. 28 to the church office.

The items are given out at Christmas parties or to honor birthdays during the year, to welcome new residents, or as prizes for games and therapy ses-sions.

D E C . 1 3 P W M E E T I N G F E A T U R E S D R . S P E E D

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Sanctuary

Decorations

DecPress Page 5

T he Task Force for Faith Develop-ment has been busy for several months exploring the needs and

expectations of the congregation in four areas:

Adult education: what do we need to know?

Faith in action: what does our faith cause us to do?

Spiritual practices: how do we dem-onstrate our Christian values?

Small groups: what kinds of small groups are needed?

This task force of the Adult Education Committee has visited other churches,

both Presbyterian and those of other de-nominations. They have interviewed members of the staff and the congrega-tion, and created a web blog to receive feedback. The final report and recom-mendations are anticipated by next sum-mer.

To review the work of the task force, visit the web site at tffd.wordpress.com

To provide input to the task force, visit the web blog: http://tffd.wordpress.com/newhorizons

For questions or comments, contact Dave Williams, task force chair at dave-williams@bellsouth.net

T A S K F O R C E C O N T I N U E S T O E X P L O R E O U R S P I R I T UA L P R A C T I C E S

In addition, five percent of the funds raised by this capital campaign have been allocated to global and local missions.

For the “long-range master building plan” component, we hired a consulting firm last spring: AEComm provided archi-tects and planners with extensive experi-ence helping churches look at their con-gregation, their programs, and their prop-erty.

We quickly outlined several issues with our buildings and grounds, familiar to all of us, including confusing circulations and multiple entrances, a nursery sepa-rate from the pre-school, and programs for middle and high school youth in three different buildings.

The good news is that our sanctuary, one of the most expensive spaces to build, seats 650-700 people. We are en-joying five percent or more growth in at-tendance each year now, and can add a second service when needed.

The presentation provides diagrams

What better way to get into the holiday spirit than by helping to install Christmas decorations at DPC?

Ron Warren has of-fered his services to re-fresh and redesign our decorations. He will be leading volunteers to dress the sanctuary and chapel in wreaths, rib-bons and candles on Sat-urday, Dec. 3. We will get started at 9:00 a.m., with plans to finish no later than 5:00 p.m. Lunch and childcare will be pro-vided.

We will be installing completely new decora-tions this year and will need as many capable hands as possible to get everything done.

B U I L D I N G F A C I L I T I E S S T U DY | F R O M P . 1

on how are spaces are used now, and demonstrates changes – in broad terms – that could make our buildings more func-tional. Dreams include:

A new fellowship hall and kitchen along Church Street

DPCC with improved drop-off and check-in areas and nursery and classrooms overlooking playgrounds

Better flow from building to build-ing, and more clearly defined en-trances

Middle and high school youth pro-grams in a new, realigned Sycamore House with more parking in front

Fewer but larger restrooms with more stalls and better handicap ac-cess

This study is helping us maximize what we have, understand any bottle-necks or barriers to our growth, and how best to spend our energy and our money to support that growth.

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P R E S B Y T E R I A N H E R I TA G E C E N T E R A P P E A L S T O A T L A N TA P R E S B Y T E R I A N S J A N UA R Y 1 9

Nov. 15-30, 2011

S ave the date for a special event in January to benefit the Presbyterian Heritage Center in Montreat. “A

Heritage Celebration for Atlanta Presby-terians” will be held from 6 – 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 19, 2012 at the Pied-mont Driving Club. Ted Wardlaw, Presi-dent of Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, and former Senior Pastor at Central Church, At-lanta, will be the featured speaker.

The members of the Board of Directors of the Presbyterian Heritage Center hope this inau-gural event in Atlanta will edu-cation and inform members of Atlanta’s Presbyterian congregations about The Center’s exciting mission to promote, pro-claim, and preserve the history of the

Presbyterian and Reformed heritage and its worldwide mission.

In addition, the PHC is the preserva-tion center for the history of Montreat. Through an impressive permanent col-lection of art and artifacts; exhibits and events; online access to books, docu-ments, and maps, the Presbyterian Heri-

tage Center is rapidly becom-ing a major repository and re-search center for our Presbyte-rian heritage.

Thousands of visitors who come to Montreat each year now have “hands-on” ac-cess to their Presbyterian roots

by visiting the Presbyterian Heritage Center. In addition, downloadable pro-grams on Presbyterian history, missions, and more, including leader guides and group materials, offer “at a distance” opportunities for children, youth, and adults who seek to enhance their knowledge of Presbyterian history and mission and deepen their commitment to and understanding of the Reformed traditions. The online materials are also a rich resource for church educators and those who lead training for church officers and communicants’ classes.

The PHC board members’ vision is to inform and inspire Presbyterian lead-ers in Atlanta about the mission and goals of The Center so that they, in turn, will inform and inspire others.

Contact Dr. Todd Speed if you are interested in the event and this goals. There are opportunities to serve as event Steering Committee members and serve as Founding Members of the PHC Heritage Society. Additional infor-mation about the Presbyterian Heritage Center can be found at www.phcmontreat.org.

A N N U A L C A M P A I G N P R O G R E S S I N G B U T P L E D G E S S T I L L N E E D E D F O R 2 0 1 2 B U D G E T

A s the Stewardship Council reported during our Nov. 13 worship service, this year's annual campaign is off to a strong start, but

further support from our congregation is needed.

Vice-Chair Bo King noted that more than 40 percent of those mem-bers who have pledged in the two weeks since Commitment Sun-day have increased their pledge from last year! Also, 15 percent of our pledges have come from members who did not pledge in 2011.

While the generosity of each of our members who has pledged is inspiring, the total amount pledged thus far would leave us 20 percent below our 2011 budget. As less than half of the families in this church have pledged, however, closing this shortfall is well within our reach. "Every Sunday is Commitment Sunday," Bo noted. So if you are still crunching numbers or simply haven't had a chance to submit your pledge, please pick up a pledge card in the pews, narthex, or church office. The Stewardship Council thanks you for your faithful steward-ship.”

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Whose November

Birthday Is It?

15. Cage Reeder

16. Lori McMahan, Carrie Shevlin

17. Michael Levy, Amy Sickeler, Amy Wall

18. Jane Boykin, Caroline Grimes, Julie Harris, David Jones, Flossie Royall

19. Florence Fivecoat, Chad Foster, Lauren Justice

20. Scott Bailey, Ann Gardner, Benjamin Gatchel, Joseph Looper

21. Jim Broom, Rosemary Hall, Sally Williamson, Kelli Wilson

22. Mardia Brown, Sarah Elizabeth Crenshaw, Lib Kennedy

23. Justice Brogan, Virginia Tuggle, Mary Katherine Vaughn

24. Louise Bransby, Jennifer Campbell, Dorothy Owen, Caroline Taylor

25. Ellen McClure

26. Sarah Carlson, Bob Matthews, Hayes McCracken, Stephanie Pride, Tammy Putnal, Brandi Timmons, Alex Wilson

27. Heather Borowski, Ethan Fantz, Jay Owen, Nellie Grace Smith, Margaret Thrasher, Savannah Wall

28. Blake Candler, Josh Russell

29. Homer Allen, Laura Wall

30. Opal Lehman, Fran Mastrogiacomo, Donna Stroup

DecPress

T he growth of our Endowment Fund has finally made it possible for grants to be awarded, ena-

bling our councils and committees to re-alize dreams and reach goals beyond what DPC’s annual budget can support.

The Endowment Fund was created in the mid ‘90s with the provision that no grants be awarded until we could build

enough principle through addi-tional gifts plus earnings in in-vestments to pro-vide reasonably significant awards. The amount agreed upon was $1 mil-lion, which we

achieved in the first quarter of 2011.

Now the Endowment Committee, headed by Dan Shelles, is preparing to receive grant applications from various

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D R E A M S C O M E T R U E : E N D O W M E N T F U N D A C C E P T S A P P L I C A T I O N S F O R 2 0 12 G R A N T S

H O S P I TA L & H E A L T H C O N C E R N S

June Dollar, cancer John Hamilton, brother of Dorothy Hamilton, prostate cancer Kaitlin Brady from Spring City, TN, teenage grand-niece of Daryle Ma-roney, 2nd and 3rd degree burns Leslie Miller’s father, Herb Miller, broken hip, pneumonia, stroke Kathryn Russell’s friend Jennifer Ear-nest, heart arrhythmia and upcoming surgery to correct Pat Bach, broken leg, has moved to Presbyterian Village, Austell Allen Butler, son of Ben and Laura Butler Gail Perkins, former DPC associate pastor, fell and broke upper arm near the shoulder Sarah Carlson fell, nothing broken,

rehab at Cumming Nursing Care JoAnn Murphey had redo of knee re-placement on 10/10 Jo Anne Hutton, pneumonia Myra Cavan, foot surgery 11/7 Margaret Thrasher, declining health, moved to Hospice at Emeritus Marion Owen’s father, David Kaylor, bypass surgery on 11/4, Asheville, NC Sara Pruitt, fall, broken ankle, now at Golden Living on Meridan Mark Road in Atlanta Former DPC member Charles Briley had surgery to remove portion of co-lon 11/7, SC Earth Covenant Ministry’s Kate McGregor Mosley’s husband Larry, had a cardiac episode, not an attack, on 11/7, monitoring

DPC councils and committees to support their work in the church. Awards will be made only to organization with direct connection to DPC and none will be made to individuals.

Along with the application form, guidelines have been created for distrib-uting these funds each year. Awards will be made for four broad purposes, above what has been budgeted for them:

Church missions

Church program enhancements

Facility and ground enhancements

Major maintenance

Applications are due January 1st, and grants will be announced during the first quarter of 2012. If you would like more information about the program, or re-ceive application forms or guidelines, contact Dan Shelles at fundraiser-too@comcast.net or (404) 289-7419.

Please consider a gift to the church as part of your personal financial and estate planning.

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ST E V E ORL I P FE ATUR ED FOR ME N ’S BRE AK FAST DE CE MBER 10

NONPROFIT ORG POSTAGE

PAID DECATUR, GA

30030 PERMIT NO. 557

Return Service Requested

(404) 378-1777

Decatur-Presbyterian-church.atlpcusa.org

● 9 a.m. Sunday School

for all ages

● 10:15 a.m. Sunday

worship service

● Office open from

8:30 a.m. to 4:30

p.m. Monday

through Friday

E njoy the holiday Men’s Breakfast on Saturday, Dec. 10, when we will honor and hear from Steve

Ortlip. Steve is one of the founders of DPC’s highly renowned music program and is Music Director Emeritus of The Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde.

He and Dr. Phillips were honored for

their 90th birthdays at a DPC concert with The Atlanta Young Singers last November. Two new major works were commis-sioned for the event.

In 1975 the director of Callanwolde approached Steve when he was choir di-rector of DPC and asked him to start a co-educational singing group for children. With community support, Steve and the Callanwolde Fine Arts Center created a new kind of choir dedicated to “Bringing Music to Life.”

Over the years, the child-centered music program took its place as a leader in the national children’s choir movement – a movement that now provides a com-munity-based choral experience to thou-sands of children nationwide.

Come honor and listen to Steve. He may just lead the men of DPC in song!

Breakfast catered by Zest Atlanta costs $6 and is served at 8 a.m. followed by the program. Please make your reser-vation by using bulletin inserts or calling the church office by Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Before the arrival of our new organ console “Amelia” this fall, Steve Ortlip af-fectionately gave a kiss to the old one named “Agnes” that he played for many years as a predecessor to Matt McMahan.