Eastminster Edition December 2011 - January 2012

THE PRESBYTERIAN DIFFERENCE

The office of Elder in the Presbyterian Church (USA)

One of the unique features of the Presbyterian Church is that we annually elect from our membership men & women to serve the church in leadership & service as “elders” serving in a church council we term the “Session.”  These servant leaders are chosen, selected, trained, ordained and installed respectively by the congregation and the Session.  They serve for terms of up to three years each.  Congregations are led to determine who these individuals are through a process that involves three deliberative steps:

First, the congregation annually elects a Congregational Nominating Committee (CNC) consisting of two elders presently serving on the Session and three “at large members.”  This committee is charged with developing a slate of “elder-nominees” drawn from the active membership of the church who are considered to be, “persons of strong faith, dedicated discipleship, and love of Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.  Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel in the church and in the world” (Book of Order: G-2.0104). 

Second, the CNC, upon developing a slate of nominees asks the Session to call for a meeting of the congregation to hear the report of the process and to elect the slate – with opportunity offered for nominations from the floor.  The slate may be elected by acclamation, it may be elected by majority vote (hand or ballot), it may be augmented by nominations from floor … the requisite number being elected. 

Third, following a series of training classes for these elders-elect led by the pastor (teaching elder) they stand before the Session and are examined as to personal faith, knowledge of the doctrine, government, and discipline contained in the Constitution of the church, and the duties of their office.  Following approval a date and time for these folks to be ordained and installed is set.

This is what makes us Presbyterian – congregational servant leadership (elders) discerned and called forth by representative bodies (i.e., CNC) and confirmed by the congregation and the session.  It is a process we follow annually in the election of elders.  It is a process that we follow in the calling of pastor.  It is a process that makes us uniquely Presbyterian.

Pastor Steve

NEW MEMBERS/INQUIRERS’ CLASSES

On two consecutive Sundays in December: 4 & 11, Pastor Steve will be offering a set of New Member/Inquirers classes in the Conference Room at the Presbytery Office adjacent to the church.  These two sessions for all who wish to know more about Eastminster and the Presbyterian Church and are considering membership as well as those who have joined EPC since the last set of NM/I Classes.

On Sunday, December 4, at a luncheon following worship the Session of Elders will meet to receive into membership those whom the Holy Spirit is calling to make a commitment to this Body of Christ.  Please call Pastor Steve for more information.

Last call for the photo directory!  

Carol Stewart will have her camera on December 4: before church, after church and at Hanging of the Greens that evening.  Be sure and have your family's photo snapped (2 minutes or less, quick and painless guaranteed!) before we send everything to the Portrait Cafe for the online directory (and later the printed version).  We want EVERYONE, both members and friends of EPC, to be included!  Won't be here on December 4?  Call Carol and she will arrange a time to take a photo in her back yard, 915-6162 or carolbstewart@aol.com.

Christmas Jolly News

THE YOU IN EVANGELISM: Churches grow when church members invite family, friends and neighbors to worship, church programs and ministries.  Advent is a great time to invite people, and personal invitations are the best way to do this. You are the most important communicator of the Good News!

SERVICE OF LESSONS AND CAROLS - December 11 at 10:30 am

Join us for a special worship service as the choir leads us with a special musical offering.

WOMEN'S BREAKFAST - December 18

F.U.N. DROP-IN - December 18

CHRISTMAS IS COMING! Gill and Sally have invited the F.U.N.(fifties up network) group to their home December 18 for a drop in from 3:00-5:00. Gill and Sally's address is 2 Towbridge Ct. Simpsonville. Mark your calendars and come celebrate with us. 

  Education Ministry in a Season of Hope

Advent is a time of hope and preparation…hope for a new day, a new life. But this hopeful season also calls us to prepare. We are given hope through a gracious God, yet, at the same time, God calls on us to prepare…hope is undergirded with preparation.

How do we support and perpetuate our hope? Author Diana Butler Bass in her book, The Practicing Congregation, talks about being a community of practice: practicing our beliefs, practicing our sacred rituals, and practicing creating & maintaining relationships…all as part of faith formation.

One element of preparation is EPC’s Education Ministry. The Education Ministry program’s task is to provide faith formation through classes and events. Below are some of what Education Ministry is offering this Advent season and beyond through our adult classes.

Seeker’s Forum (This class meets in the Adult Classroom at the back of the sanctuary):

• 11/20 – 12/18 Advent Study: Hallelujah a study of Scripture used in Handel’s Messiah. Sessions include:  Comfort, Comfort My People; Who May Abide the Day of His Coming?;For Unto Us a Child is Born; Glory to God in the Highest
• Starting in January 2012: A study of The Lord’s Prayer
• Dates TBD: The Gospels: Four Stories, One Jesus, N.T. Wright leads this DVD discussion on the four gospels. (6 weeks)

Faith & Life (This class meets in the Resource Room in the Presbytery office):

• 10/30 – 12/18: Advent Conspiracy, a study to open eyes and hearts to the true meaning of Advent and Christmas in light of the consumerist message that prevails today.
• Dates below may be modified somewhat as the year progresses.
• 1/8/12 – 2/5/12: The Journey, a study of the Christmas story by Adam Hamilton.
• 2/12/12 – 3/11/12: The Good Samaritan, a study to help Christians live-out Christ’s love in world-changing ways, hosted by John Ortberg.
• 3/18/12 – 4/22/12: Gospel in Life, intensive eight session study on how the gospel is lived out in all of life, hosted by Timothy Keller.

On our Horizon “Future Plans”

• Summer 2012 Adult Sunday School: A study of Revelation.
• Sunday evening adult series’ that will run 2, 4, or 6 weeks at a time

Youth Activities

December 2^nd - 3^rd LOCK-IN at EPC.

December 4^th – Hanging of the Greens

December 11^th, Christmas Party, watch for further information. Check the EPC website

Welcome to our newest members! Take a minute to introduce yourself and make them feel welcome.

Luke L. Browder- Luke joined Easminster’s staff to fill the position of Director of Music.  Now he joins the Eastminster family through Reaffirmation of Faith.  What a beautiful gift he gave us the first Sunday we heard him sing a solo anthem.  Luke brings youth and vitality to our choir, a shot in the arm we all agree we needed.  As our choir numbers grow and our programs expand we look forward to all the exciting opportunities he will share with us.

Lewis Van (Skip) Cheek – Skip is a retired employee of the U.S. Government.  Skip joins Eastminster by Profession of Faith and will be baptized at a later date.  On March 27, 2010 Skip married his high school sweetheart, Libby and they have just celebrated their 1^st Anniversary.  Now Libby was already a member of Eastminster but had taken a leave of absence. When she returned home Skip followed her to our doorstep.  It wasn’t long after his arrival he just jumped in with both feet and assisted Libby with Eastminster’s Vacation Bible School program.  It does not stop there for Skip though, every Sunday you will him nestled behind the sound booth as our technical expert and periodically you will find him perched in the bucket of the Handy Herman repairing our Sanctuary lights.

Brian and Lisa Cuppett (with Andrew, age 7 and Nicholas, age 5) – Brian and Lisa join Eastminster through Reaffirmation of Faith.  Brian and Lisa live in the Ledgestone subdivision.  Brian is in Sales at Scan Source.  Lisa is a very busy stay at home mom raising their two active boys, Andrew who is in the 2^nd grade and Nicholas who is in Kindergarten.  The boys attend Oakview Elementary school.

Jim and Cathy Parrish – Jim is Technical Editor at Fluor Corporation. Cathy is a retired music teacher.  From 1987-1997 as members of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Jim served as an Elder on Session and both he and Cathy were active in the music program.  From 1999 to 2010 they continued to share their love for music as lay people in the music program at John Knox Presbyterian. How fortunate for us that they have joined us here at Eastminster and continue to share their love for music.  Jim and Cathy now serve in the ministry of music working with Luke Browder as leaders of our hand-bell program.

Leisa P. Rice Shea - Leisa is an Adolescent Counselor at the Greenville County Solicitor's Office.  She joins Eastminster through Letter of Transfer from First Baptist Simpsonville, West Campus.  She is interested in getting involved in Women’s ministries as well as activities for couples here at Eastminster.  Leisa and Eastminster member Mike Shea were recently married.   

LADIES’ CIRCLE

The Thursday morning circle will meet at the home of Jane Couch (209 Middle Brook Rd., Greer) on December 9 at ten. Visitors are always welcome.  

For more information contact Carol Irick 423-1401 or carolirick@charter.net.

EPC Readers

The EPC Readers will meet January 23, at 7 pm, at church. We will be reading "The Day The World Came To Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland" by Jim Defede. Contact Jane Couch (randjcouch@gmail.com) with any questions.
 

JOYS AND CONCERNS

A word of thanks . . .

On behalf of my mother, Doris McLellan, I would like to thank the youth and their leaders for their visit on November 20, the gift basket full of thoughtful goodies, and the big card signed by her Eastminster family.   My mother asked me to write and tell you how much she appreciated your visit and how much she and all the residents in Memory Care at Emeritus enjoyed the singing.   Music can touch the heart when words cannot, and your being there and sharing your gift of song meant more than you can ever know.   Thanks to each of you and your leaders for giving of yourselves in such a special way.

Carol Irick

Steve James had successful cardiac surgery to replace the aortic valve and to repair a defective stent with a bypass on Tuesday 11/22 at GHS Memorial. 

Scott Carlson’s father Bruce died 11/23.  Services were held 11/30.  He was a member of St. Giles Presbyterian, here in Greenville. 

Ann Coleman had out patient endoscopy (diagnostic) on Tuesday 11/22.  Test results are pending.

Barbara Kurta is doing well following rotator cuff surgery on Nov 8 and is in the midst of physical therapy.

Ann Broom’s great nephew Jody, age 15, (in GA) diagnosed with testicular cancer.

Cheri Felipe, Bud Granger’s daughter (in Miami, FL) has received an initial diagnoses of ALS … seeking second opinions.

EPC’s Pastor Nominating Committee as they follow the lead of the Holy Spirit in discerning this congregation’s next installed pastor.

Susan Carlson’s mother is continuing to wage her battle with cancer.  She has a tumor on her spine that is making it increasingly difficult to walk.

Anna George … prayers for strength and endurance during her first year a Union Seminary, Richmond VA.

Claire George … prayers for wisdom and peace as she begins ordination exams as a third year student at Union.

Taylor Stevenson, teen age son of Sherm and Sally (former members of EPC now living Georgia) is dealing with a recurrence of cancer in same location where a cancerous tumor was removed from his brain a year ago.  On a three months “watch” to determine next steps.

HOMEBOUND MEMBERS/FRIENDS

Emily Phillips is home and is very much herself … the effects of the stroke are minimal and she loves visits. 

NURSING HOMES/CARE FACILITIES

Betty Brantley                                            Rolling Green Health Care, Room #25

Sylvia Meyer                                              Rolling Green “Evergreen”                 

Doris McLellan Carol Irick’s mother           Emeritus Senior Living Center

Mary Grace Fleitz Jim Fleitz’s mother         Palmetto Assisted Living Center