News
Join the fun at the annual Church Family Picnic
Sunday, September 21
Tims Ford State Park
Shelter 2
Fun, fellowship and games will begin at 4:00 p.m., and the covered dish supper will be at 5:30 p.m. We invite everyone to join us for this annual event. Bring your lawn chairs and a dish to share with everyone. The park is a great place to enjoy God’s creation. Walking trails and bike trails are available, or you can relax at the shelter and enjoy the fellowship. Please plan to join us for a time of fun, food, relaxation and fellowship!
Youth and young adults head to Sunset Gap on mission trip/retreat
The past two Labor Day weekends the youth went on a wonderful journey of mission to Sunset Gap in Cosby, Tennessee. The experience was so incredible that they have decided to go again on August 29 – September 1. This year young adults are included also. Sunset Gap has been serving the families in the Appalachian Mountains for more than 70 years. Many of the families in this area need help with clothing, food, shelter, and many other things. Sunset Gap also runs a preschool for underprivileged children. They host churches and other organizations at the center for mission work. You can find out more by going to www.sunsetgap.org on your computer.
The FPC group will leave on Friday, August 29, and return on Monday, September 1, in the late afternoon. Friday through Sunday nights they will stay on site in the dorms at Sunset Gap and will work on a project designated by the director. The cost for the days and nights spent at Sunset Gap (including meals) is approximately $64.00 per person, plus enough money for 2 meals (Friday night and Monday on the way home).
Christy can’t wait to take the group back to the simplicity of the mountains. In this age of “drive thrus,” video games, and cell phones, it is essential for our group to understand the importance of helping people who are in need and to understand the meaning of serving God by helping others. Thank you so much for your continued support of the Presbyterian Youth Connection. Please contact Christy by August 15 if you are interested in attending or chaperoning.
Good Samaritan Ministry needs for September
The Food Pantry is in need of hot and cold cereal, soups and canned meat, as well as any other nonperishable food items. Paper goods, soaps and diapers are also needed. Please bring your contributions to worship with you on Mission Sunday, September 14.
The Pentecost Offering is a mission emphasis for September
The Pentecost Offering is traditionally received on the day of Pentecost (May 11, 2008). However, here at First Presbyterian Church we have chosen to emphasize this special offering during September. The Pentecost Offering provides a direct way to meet the needs of children at risk, youth, and young adults. Congregations are encouraged to keep 40 percent of the Offering to support ministry with children at risk in their communities.
The General Assembly’s portion (60 percent) provides leadership development opportunities for Presbyterian youth and young adults and supports children-at-risk programs at the national level. Since 1998, Presbyterians of all ages have raised over $7 million for these ministries that benefit younger members of God’s family.
Throughout September there will be inserts in the Sunday bulletins about how the offering is used. Please take time to read the insert and give generously to the Pentecost Offering.
Recycle aluminum cans to support Habitat for Humanity
We continue to support the recycling project of collecting aluminum cans to benefit Habitat for Humanity. Bring your cans (preferably in plastic bags) to the Fellowship Hall kitchen. There is a collection container there. When it is full, the cans are taken for recycling, and the money is given to the local Habitat for Humanity to continue their work.
In August we had 19 pounds of aluminum cans which netted $14.25 for Habitat for Humanity. Thanks to Mike Bradley for taking the cans for recycling.
Tullahoma FPC "stars" again in CROP Walk
Nashville CROP Walk was held in Centennial Park on Sunday, April 6. Of the 40 participating groups, ten were from the Presbytery of Middle Tennessee (PMT). A total of $18,584 was raised to help fight hunger locally, nationally and globally. Participating churches from PMT were (listed as church, number of participants, and money raised)
Bellevue – 21 - $310
FPC, Nashville – 10 - ?
FPC, Pulaski – 7 - $180
FPC, Smyrna – 4 - $725
FPC, Springfield - ? - $390
FPC, Tullahoma – 8 - $1,460
Hillwood – 1 - $100
Old Hickory – 13 - $445
St. Andrew’s – 8 - $242
Trinity – 10 - $575
Thank you to everyone who participated – both walkers and contributors.
NOTE: We are working toward having a CROP Walk in 2009 right here in Tullahoma! Watch for more information as the details are worked out.
Presbyterian Coffee Project - What is it?
Perhaps you've noticed coffee, tea, and chocolate for sale around church recently, and have wondered “What's going on?” Good question! These are all products available through the Presbyterian Coffee Project, in which our congregation has started participating. The project is part of the Equal Exchange Interfaith Program that is committed to fair trade standards on 100% of their products.
Small farmers who grow coffee often struggle to make a simple living. Isolated from markets, most must sell their coffee through middlemen. As world coffee prices have collapsed to their lowest point in decades, farming communities from Latin America to Africa and Asia are facing a crisis. As their incomes have plummeted, thousands of farmers are abandoning their farms; many risk losing their land because of debt to local moneylenders; families are going hungry, and children cannot attend school because their parents cannot afford enrollment fees.
Through the Presbyterian Coffee Project over 1600 congregations, middle governing bodies, seminaries, camps and conference centers across the country are making a difference. By purchasing fairly traded coffee, they are ensuring that farmers receive a fair price, have access to affordable credit, and are able to invest in their families and communities. By choosing organic and shade-grown coffees, they are helping to protect the environment for future generations. In 2003, Presbyterians purchased over 44 tons of fairly traded coffee, tea and cocoa through the project, making an enormous difference in the lives of small farmers and offering their families hope for the future.
To participate, all products must be ordered through our church. There are many types of coffee, tea, and chocolate available from many places around the world. We will be placing a church order about once a month, with a sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board near the kitchen. Products must be ordered by caseload (6 bags of coffee, 6 boxes of teabags, or 12 chocolate bars per case), so it may take us awhile to try out all the available products. If you are interested in trying a product, please sign up and we'll order it as soon as we get enough interest. Kathy Nichols will be placing the orders and can answer questions.
Fair Trade items available on MIssion Sunday
Here's what we have:
Ground coffees
Tanzanian, Colombian, Breakfast Blend; all $6/bag Decaf, $7/bag
Whole bean coffees, all $6/bag:
Breakfast Blend, Colombian, French Roast
Snacks, all $5/bag:
almonds, pecans, cranberries
Large chocolate bars, all $2.50:
Very Dark, Dark with almonds,
Chocolate with espresso bean pieces
Mini chocolate bars, 20 cents each
Hot chocolate/cocoa mix, $5/can
Tea bags, $3/box
FPC Book Club meets monthly
The meetings are usually on the fourth Thursday of the month at 7:00 p.m. By consensus Book Club participants select the books to read. Bring your suggestions and join us.
The September meeting is on Thursday, September 25, in the home of Mike and Martha Bradley.
Get ready for our rummage sale - October 11
The Mission Committee has scheduled its sixth annual “church family” rummage sale for October 11. Last year’s sale was a success and great fun as well! The sale will be held in the parking lot/gymnasium from 7:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and is open to the public. Proceeds will go to local mission projects. Items may be brought during the week prior to the sale and placed in the gym, since the preschool children are out of school for fall break at that time. A sign-up sheet will be placed on the bulletin board in Williams Family Center for persons needing items picked up and delivered to the church. No items are refused – one man’s junk is indeed another man’s treasure!
Time to plan to attend the Church Family Retreat at NaCoMe
It’s time for signups for our Fall Family Retreat at NaCoMe again. This year the retreat will be held from October 24 (Friday) through October 26 (Sunday). Signups are due by October 12. The cost is the same as last year: adults - $28/night or $44 for both nights, kids (3-12) - $20/night or $34 for both nights, breakfast -$6, lunch - $7, supper - $9, kids meals - $5 (you only pay for the meals you eat). Help us have a record attendance year. Enjoy the great outdoors, fun, fellowship, great meals, boat race, etc.