From the Pastor’s Heart…

“God has set eternity in the human heart.”

Ecclesiastes 3:11 Do you have a favorite pair of slippers or an easy chair that you just love and even though threadbare and worn you are hoping they last forever? It seems our homes and cars need constant attention, our clothes and our bodies wear out, relationships dissolve, friends and neighbors move away. Is there anyone or any-thing that will never die, wear out or break?

God is Eternal. We are easily overwhelmed with the problems of today, but God has a different perspective. If we think God isn’t paying attention we need to re-member our Lord is continually at work in history to fulfill His eternal purposes, purposes much greater than our limited understanding. “The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” (Deut. 33:27)

God’s Word is Eternal. In the 18th century French philosopher Voltaire predicted: “One hundred years from today, the Bible will be a forgotten book.” Hmmm. A lot of people don’t remember Voltaire or this quote, but the Bible still stands. “The grass withers and the flowers fall but the word of our God stands forever.” (Isaiah 40:8)

Today God’s Word has been translated into more than 3,000 languages! Even though many people ignore it, reject it or debunk it, the Bible is still the world’s best-selling book. Amazingly, God’s message crosses every boundary of time and culture. The Word of God transforms lives like no other.

Christ Followers are Eternal. Our time on earth is just a blip compared to the promised eternal life for those who believe in Jesus Christ. Scripture describes our forever life – not as disembodied spirits floating on clouds in perpetual boredom – but as fully restored humans. “We will not be spirits without bodies.” (2 Cor 5:3) Our hearts, minds, bodies and souls will be perfected to God’s original intention for Creation. Not only you, but every person who lived before you – your family of faith today and every Christ follower in the future will share eternal life! Doesn’t this challenge us to deepen our forever relationships, first with God and secondly with one another?

Fruitcake is Eternal. Okay, maybe not, I just wanted to see if you were paying attention. “A cheerful heart is good medicine.” (Proverbs 17:22)

Blessings & love, Holly

June 2021 Volume 15, Issue 6

Rev. Holly Davis

Dear Members & Friends,

The FPCW Covid Task Force met to update our guidelines based on CDC recommendations, the NC Governor’s lifted mask mandate, and the context of our wonderful congrega-tion. The plan is to carefully move forward with small changes to ensure safe and healthy gatherings of worship.

Here are some revised guidelines: ·Masks will be optional

instead of required. ·We will continue to

be diligent in cleaning and disinfecting the sanctuary. ·The ushers will

continue to seat us for now. ·We will stay in place

for the “Passing of the Peace.” ·Hymnals and Bibles

are back in the pew racks for your use.

Church Elders

Beth Johnson, Missions

Ruth Caldwell, Elder for Deacons

Rick Croskery, Building & Grounds

Charlotte Casey, Discipleship

Gregg Miller, Worship

Hughes Roberts, Finance

Lee Galloway, Communications

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

Kristi Siplon, Office Manager

Tony Caldwell, Sexton

Please Welcome Sexton Tony Caldwell!

WELCOME HOME!

If you are interested in church membership or you’d like to know more about FPCW, this invitation is for YOU. Pastor Holly is leading a 3-part class Sunday, June 20, June 27 & July 4th at 9:30 am.

We’ll celebrate new members on July 11th at the church picnic. Let Holly know if you’re interested!

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The Session met on May 10th at 1:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Attending were elders Ruth Caldwell, Charlotte Casey, Rick Croskery, Lee Galloway, Beth Johnson, Hughes Roberts, Ron Tingle, and Pastor Holly Davis. Gregg Miller was ex-cused.

For informational purposes and church records: Sunday in-person Worship Attendance in March: March 7: 50, March 14: 35, March 21: 39, March 28: 50. 10₵-a-Meal Offering: $ 261.00 for the Nickel-a-Meal hunger program. $ 261.00 for Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi.

Sunday in-person Worship Attendance in April: April 4: 51, April 11: 58, April18: 53, April 25: 61. 10₵-a-Meal Offering: $ 205.50 for the Nickel-a-Meal hunger program. $ 205.50 for Nkhoma Hospital in Malawi.

Pastor Holly opened the meeting with prayer. The devotional was a discussion of John 21: 15-19. After a report from Congregational Care leader Ruth Caldwell, Pastor Holly led prayers for intercession and praise.

Clerk Ron Tingle declared a quorum, the agenda was approved, and the minutes from the March 8th stated meeting were approved (Session did not meet in April).

Ron delivered a brief summary of the Presbytery meeting held online April 27th.

Hughes Roberts moved to approve the Haywood Hospice request (via Hospice volunteer Janet Tingle) to use the Fellowship Hall for a thank-you luncheon for its volunteers. The date will fall in late June or early July, depending on COVID-19 restrictions. Hughes’ motion was seconded and carried.

Charlotte Casey moved to approve a request from our Crafters Guild to use the Fellowship Hall for the annual craft fairs held on the same October Saturdays as the Apple Festival and Church Street Festival. Her motion was seconded and carried.

As Finance Team chairperson, Hughes Roberts delivered the Treasurer’s Report for the month ending April 30th. At 33% into the year, giving against pledges was a generous 41% at $99,270. April’s income of $20,874 was slightly be-hind monthly expenses of $21,602; but the year-to-date figures indicate that income remains well ahead of expenses. This follows a monthly pattern that has held true the last several years.

Beth Johnson discussed designating KARE as an approved organization to receive the “local” portion of the up-coming Pentecost offering. From Mission Committee, Beth moved that Session accept KARE as an approved organization to receive 40% of the Pentecost offering. While elders unanimously agreed that KARE is a worthy organization, under our current policy, vetting occurs only once annually in November. The elders asked Beth to convene the Vetting Team to meet before Session’s next monthly meeting, proposing any desired policy changes.

Ron Tingle, on behalf of Worship Team’s elder Gregg Miller, proposed purchase of special Honeywell branded masks for the choir, which have performed well for singers. Gregg and Tammy have used them, and report that it works as advertised. Each costs $20. Gregg is asking Session to approve funding these masks from outside the choir’s budget. Session agreed and the masks will be purchased from general funds.

Rick Croskery updated Session on physical construction activity of the Parking and Elevator project, the timeline and finances. Due to the delayed Walnut Street project, poles owned by AT&T are pending. Designers have been asked to incorporate as much of the current look and features of the church into the new construction.

Pastor Holly closed the meeting with a prayer.

Session Notes-Ron Tingle

Summer in the Park

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Yay! The church has reserved the picnic pavilion at Allen’s

Creek Park in Waynesville for June 13, July 11, and August 8.

Sunday School Classes, the worship service and a picnic afterwards will all be held in the shelter of the large pavilion, weather permitting. Mark your calendars now to guard these Sundays!

Want to help Marti Peithman coordinate? Call 828-734-9003.

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Mexican Street Corn

4 ears of corn

Toppings:

Butter, salt, pepper

Lime, quartered

4 T. Cilantro

2 tsp jalapeño, chopped

6 tsp Cotija cheese, crum-

bled

4 tsp Chili powder

Heat the grill, using direct

heat

Prepare the corn. Peel

away outside husk. Cut off

bottom and trim silk

Grill 15-20,minutes. For

first 5 minutes, cover corn.

Then, turn at 5 minute in-

tervals.

Husks should have grill

marks.

Butter corn and sprinkle on

other ingredients.

Cool for 5 minutes.

Pasar Bien!

Hughes Roberts, Endowment Chair

Reminder: Deadline for Applications is August 1, 2021!

Available to Members/Affiliate Members or children/grandchildren of Members/ Affiliate Members of First Presbyterian Church, Waynesville.

Find the application and description of a brief essay requirement at the church website: (https://fpcwaynesville.org), under heading “Resources, Documents and Forms, College Fund Awards.”

Questions: Please call Kristi Siplon, Office Manager, (828) 456-3243.

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$500 Undergraduate College Fund Awards

Budget Tracker-Nancy Thompson

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COVID Corner – Gregg Miller

May 2021

We have encouraging news over the past month! While the big football game between Pisgah and Tuscola, and family

gatherings over Easter did show a modest fluctuation in the number of cases week to week, those activities did not result in

a surge of new cases in Haywood County. There has been a steady decline in the new cases from week to week since May

5, 2021.

Data are current through the end of the day on Saturday May 14.

Vaccinations are now open to those ages 12 years old and up. The CDC and NC Governor Roy Cooper have updated guid-

ance that fully vaccinated people can resume normal activities without masks or distancing, except where required by oth-

er regulations. Our first step in that regard is to go to a ‘masks optional’ approach. We do so cautiously, considering:

• On any given Sunday, we will likely not know if members or visitors have been vaccinated,

• Some may not be vaccinated due to medical conditions or other reasons,

• While someone who is vaccinated appears to have a very low likelihood of being infected or transmitting to others, it is

still a possibility.

There are many who will feel more comfortable continuing to wear a mask; others will be glad to stop wearing one. Re-

gardless of mask preference, all are welcome, whether in person or online.

We will continue phasing in small steps that will move us closer to how things were “yesteryear”. Bibles and hymnbooks

will return to the pews (or may have already). Additional changes will be introduced gradually, while keeping a close eye

on the number of cases in the county.

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Healing Hearts-Pat Parker

Healing Hearts is an organization made up of people who have experi-enced the loss of a loved one and are seeking support in their grief jour-ney. 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 conversation. We may watch a video or listen to an invited speaker. In addition, discussion centers on topics peculiar to someone experiencing living alone for the first time.

Examples of recent conversations: • Can anyone recommend a good handyman? I have a honey-do list and no honey!• Would anyone like to share a package of hamburger buns, some celery, some tangerines? All

come in too large amounts for one person.• Have you remembered to rewrite your will, your health care proxy, your power of attorney?• Would anyone like to go out to dinner or to the movies? It's no fun to do alone!

As you might imagine, the conversation is spirited and informative!

If you or someone you know might benefit from Healing Hearts, we welcome new members at any time. We meet on the third Wednesday of each month at noon in the fellowship hall.

BUILDING AND GROUNDS WORKDAY

Rick Croskery

The Building and Grounds team held a workday

on May 15 for the purpose of cleaning and

reorganizing the storage area under the Fellow-

ship Hall ramp. Volunteers first removed every-

thing stored there and then swept out the space.

Broken and unneeded items were discarded or

donated, and everything was reorganized and

neatly replaced. We now know what is in there

and where it is—and there is an open path so we

can get to it! In addition to Presbyterian men Lee

Galloway, Van Davis, Dick Siegrist, and Rick

Croskery, Jim Day recruited a dozen young people from the Tuscola High School Junior

ROTC program. Having so many helpers freed up a couple of men to patch some “trip haz-

ard” holes in the church sidewalk, also. We hope to have several more targeted work days

over the next few months.

The slogan is “reduce, reuse and recycle”. The Mission Committee has found one way both to reuse and recycle the same item. Something that is just junk to you can be donated to a thrift store, and used by someone else. And, that is how some non-profits earn money to support their programs.

Here are thrift stores and the non-profits they help support. If you have large items, such as furniture, call and ask for pickup service.

• Goodwill (246-9233) has two stores – 229 Paragon Parkway, Clyde and 75 Plaza Loop in Canton. There is a truck stationed up at the Senior Center, on Hwy. 276, that accepts your items.

• Habitat ReStore (246-9135), 331 Walnut St., Waynesville, is one of the few thrift stores which does not accept clothes. It does pick up furniture and other large items. The spe-cialty is building materials and electronics.

• Haywood Christian Ministry (452-2909) is at 150 Branner Ave. in Waynesville and will ac-cept almost anything. There is a large thrift store, but there is also a need to furnish homes of clients, for example a family that had lost their home to fire.

• Open Door’s Second Blessing (456-9069) is located on Commerce St. and will accept clothes, dishes, housewares and even books.

• REACH (454-5998) has its Resale Store at 456 Hazelwood Ave., ready to accept your old clothes.

• Salvation Army (452-9728) has its thrift store next to the worship center at 330 Pigeon Street and seems to accept everything from clothes to furniture.

Missions Committee-Beth Johnson

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Ruth Circle-Laura Janson

Ruth Circle has always been described as a monthly time of fellowship and Bible study. This is true, but we are more than that. We are part of the international ministry, Presbyterian Wom-en, which is a mission-minded organization. This is evident when twice a year people are given the opportunity to participate in the Thanksgiving and Birthday offerings, which support missions both at home and around the world.

What is not well-known is that each month our Ruth Circle brings needed items for the Black Mountain Home for Children Youth and Families. We have collected such things as cleaning sup-plies, batteries, beach towels and backpacks. This month, we will be bringing yard/gardening tools. Sheryl Eller, Events and Community Relations Coordinator, is always very appreciative of the dona-tions which support this amazing ministry.

If you have been thinking about joining Ruth Circle, now would be the perfect time. We will be starting a new study on Tuesday, June 1, at 11:30, in the Fellowship Hall. The title is What My Grandmothers Taught Me: Learning from the Women in Matthew’s Genealogy of Jesus.

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Mission Drive Through Food Drive Melonie Gross

M ay’s food drive was our first collection when the weather did not cooperate. Ten cars came out in the rain (2 of them were Beth Johnson and myself) and 13 folks dropped off their canned soup prior to the collection day. Even with the rainy weather, we collected 364 cans of soup – all with pull tabs!

The next drive through food collection will take place on Wednesday, June 9 from 10:00 to noon. This month, Haywood Christian Ministry is making a different request than usual. The boxes of food they dis-pense usually contain ground beef and chicken. They have requested that we provide meals in a box, where their recipients only have to add the meat - Hamburger/Chicken Helper type items, and store brands are just as welcome as name brands. HCM has 6 pallets of dried pasta, and they respectfully ask that we do not donate dry pasta or noodles or ingredients and a recipe to then put together a meal. For some reason, their recipients prefer the easier the better options, and if everything but the meat is in a box, ready to quickly put together, (even if it may not be the healthiest), they are happiest.

Once again, thank you to all who donate – your generosity is so helpful to those less fortunate in our community, and the need continues.

Discipleship Team Charlotte Casey

The discipleship team met Tuesday, May 11, with Judy Bryson, Charlotte Casey, Van Davis, Laura Jan-son, and Billye Simmers attending. Laura opened the meeting with prayer. Minutes of the April meeting were read and approved as read.

In the Seekers Sunday School class, Lynn Hanna continues to lead a study of The Sermon on the Mount. Their next study will be on Creation. The Isaac class is finishing their study of Bonhoeffer’s book on Psalms with a video of his imprisonment and testament of faith.

Billye, Charlotte, Laura and Van met to complete the inventory of Christian Education materi-als. Some will be kept at First Presbyterian; some will be placed in the library and some will be sent to Presbytery with the expectation that they will be used by another congregation or Bible study group.

Do you have questions about hunger and poverty in Haywood County? WELL, Steve Nowakowski will speak at a joint meeting of the Sunday School classes before the picnic on Sunday, June 13, at Allen's Creek Park.. EVERYONE is welcome. Bring lawn chairs.

IT’S SHOWTIME!! The Sunday p.m. movies will start up on June 6, at 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. This month’s movie will be Chariots of Fire. This winner of four Academy Awards is a drama of Scotsman, Eric Liddell, a devout Christian and fellow countryman, Harold Abrahams, son of a Lithuani-an Jew, as they compete in the 1924 Olympics. Come share the fellowship and watch an inspirational film.

Message from your Editor

Kathi Armstrong Father's Day 2021 marks a bittersweet moment for me. My father passed away last

September, so for the first time in 70 years, I no longer have a father in my life. Not a

day goes by that I do not think about my Daddy and smile. I am comforted by Leo

Buscaglia's quote: "If there is any immortality to be had among us human beings, it is

certainly only in the love that we leave behind. Fathers like mine don't ever die."

Father's Day 2021 is also the first Father's Day for

our sons, Mike and Dan. Watching them parent

their baby girls has brought me untold happiness.

They are calm, affectionate, and playful with their

daughters, much like my father was with me. Both

Mike and Dan have been blessed with the love

and guidance of positive fathering models: Rich,

and both of their grandfathers, to help them navi-

gate this new adventure in their lives.

I hope Mike and Dan realize that they are setting the standard against which all other

men will be judged by their daughters. A father's most important job is teaching his

children that they are loveable, special, and capable, which in turn, develops positive

self-esteem and a sense of well-being, and prepares them to face life's challenges. So

far, both new dads have made a great start at fatherhood.

Happy Father's Day to all of you fathers, with gratitude for the many blessings fathers

bring to our lives and the legacy they leave to us.

First Presbyterian Church 305 North Main Street Waynesville, NC 28786

news@fpcwaynesville.org 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.

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