Eastminster Edition - November 2011

IN THIS ISSUE

The “State of EPC” and YOU!

It has been well over year since I was given the honor and privilege of serving as your interim pastor, and I have discovered one of healthiest congregations in this presbytery in a number of very important categories.  Let me share a few of them with you:

First, EPC is a delightfully diverse congregation.  The members and friends of this church are young and old, male and female, of mixed economies.  We don’t all look alike.  We don’t all think alike.  Our living arrangements find us in Simpsonville, Greer, Mauldin, Greenville & Gray Court.  Yet every one who calls this church their spiritual home truly loves the Lord and seeks to serve this church every gift they have been given!

Second, (and logically following) EPC an active congregation.  The percentage of members involved in the life of this church when measured against our total number far exceeds that of the average church in this area.  Of the 226 of us members, a great number of you are deeply involved in the leadership, worship, fellowship, educational, music & outreach of this congregation – something to be uniquely proud of.  You love this church and its uniqueness!!

Third, EPC is a congregation that takes its mission of growing disciples seriously.  This is a congregation that understands that our primary mission is developing disciples of Jesus Christ.  The educational ministry of this church is focused and intentional, with the stated purpose of growing and challenging disciples to live the life of Christ in this community and in the world.

For these three reasons alone (and there are many more) this congregation needs and deserves your continuing wholehearted support as your elected elders prepare next year’s Mission Budget.

2012 will be a hallmark year in the life of Eastminster Presbyterian Church as your Pastor Nominating Committee draws closer to calling your next installed pastor.  Let’s present your new Spiritual Leader the gift of a financially sound congregation … one ready and able to begin writing and living new chapters of faithfulness as God’s People at Eastminster.

The Stewardship Team is challenging all of us to “Step Up” our financial support in order to meet the missional needs of this congregation – underwriting a strong staff and ministry.  I have no doubt that you will do just that, for I have experienced the unique and special qualities that make Eastminster the special church that you are – God given qualities offered in service to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

The future of this congregation is secure – through your faith and commitment!!

Pastor Steve

When Fall Comes…

A kaleidoscope of color hanging gingerly from the trees, blue skies, and a cold nip in the air can only mean one thing, fall has arrived.  The fall season also brings another annual occurrence, Eastminster’s Fall Festival and Chili Cook-off.  The air was filled with the aroma of a mixture of many chili pots carefully planned and prepared just for this day, along with the hum of conversation being drowned out by the laughter and shrieking of children playing.  No doubt, this is EPC living life abundantly. 

Around one-hundred children and adults spent the afternoon sampling chili, eating hotdogs, and playing.  Chili Cook-off contestants exhibited good sportsmanship as they vied for first place and the coveted Elvis portrait.  After sixty votes were cast among the many contestants’ tables, Barry & Amy Campbell’s chili came away with first place.  Second place went to Rick, Lyn, & Katie Owens, they won the bowl made from a Neil Diamond album, and best display went to Audra Pierce & Syble Drake, meaning they won the spoon head-dress and get to announce next year’s fall festival. 

Generosity was in abundance on this fall day as the Youth Ministries Team had decided earlier to give monies raised to Children’s Ministries…that generous gift totaled $640.00.  The children played and shouted with glee as though they knew of the generosity bestowed on their behalf.  They jumped with delight in the giant tiger-bounce house, shrieked as they slid down the 15 foot inflatable slide, and ran from the various games set-up across the field. 

The multitude of chili pots, trunk-or-treat displays, and costumes added to the wonderful fall atmosphere.  Folks got to catch-up with one another and meet the many visitors under the beautiful blue sky.  As the sun tipped-over and began its slow decent into dusk, Mike Ferney, Laura Supra, and friends gathered around the bonfire to sing songs while children roasted marshmallows in an effort to construct the perfect S’more.  As the sun set, one thing was obvious, God is good and Eastminster is truly blessed.  Thank you to everyone that helped make the day be truly beautiful.

Steven Putnam

A Message From Luke...

PNC UPDATE

If there’s one thing I’ve learned from this search process, it’s that Anita Harley likes to talk. A lot. And not only does she like to talk, but she’s really good at it, too. She’s engaging and witty and her laugh is contagious. What a blessing she has been during interviews with candidates! It’s amazing to see how God brought together a random group of EPC’ers with just the right gifts for finding a pastor. You may think Jim Stewart is a big teddy bear, but he’ll ask the tough, direct questions without batting an eye (all of our candidates are a little afraid of him). Eileen Osteen does a phenomenal job keeping us on track with her organization and attention to detail. Barry Campbell brings a wealth of church experiences, an opportunity for bald jokes, and a good dose of Southern charm (he’s our only native Greenvillian). Lisa Ferney has great intuition and an ability to really connect; if Lisa likes them, we know they’re good people. Brian Norton is a brilliant leader who can make us double over in laughter and ponder life’s biggest mysteries all in the same breath. And me? Well, in this crazy group, somebody has to be the normal one… 

So where are we now? After 8 months and nearly 90 PIF’s, most of our focus is now on a small handful of folks who have continued to impress us through phone calls, reference checks, face-to-face interviews, sermons, and site visits. The great thing for the members of EPC is that we can’t go wrong with any of these candidates. The hard thing for the members of the PNC is that, well … we can’t go wrong with any of these candidates. We recognize that we play a part in everyone’s journey whether they end up at EPC or not, but our final decision means that we must part ways with people we now call our friends.  We appreciate your continued prayers.

Grace and Peace,

The PNC

EPC PHOTO DIRECTORY

Since the photo directory company allows changes only once a year, we are trying to arrange to photograph a few more families.  The online directory should be ready by the end of November, and we've made the decision to have the printed version completed after the search for our called minister is completed.  If you have not made arrangements to have a makeup photo, please contact Carol Stewart at 915-6162 or carolbstewart@aol.com.  She will be happy to work with you on a time (and even a location) that is convenient.  We want EVERY PERSON AT EPC to be in our directory!

MEMBERSHIP GIFTS

God calls us to use our gifts, and the Membership Team would love to hear from you!  How would you like to be more involved at EPC?  Some examples: Diane Hughs and Nina Hufstetler love to garden; have you seen the beautiful fall plantings they added at the front entrance?  Lauren Landers loves to sing and now she's part of the EPC choir!   Devon Cortright has mechanical gifts and uses them for building needs at EPC.  Elaine Wiegert loves children and is involved in Children's Ministry (as well as many other areas).   The list goes on and on, and we guarantee to help you find an area where you can use YOUR gifts, even if you are very limited on time.  Thanks be to God for our gifts and resources AND our EPC family!

LADIES’ CIRCLE

Ladies’ Circle invites you to join us the second Thursday of each month.  We are currently studying the Beatitudes and recently took part in United Ministries Poverty Tour led by Beth Templeton through her Our Eyes Were Opened Program.  Our mission outreach project this year supports United Ministries Place of Hope which is in need of coats and gloves at this time of year.  

Our next meeting is November 10 at 10:00am.  Place will be announced in the bulletin. Please join us for fellowship and study as we seek to learn what it means to speak the truth about who God is calling us to be.  For more information contact Carol Irick 423-1401 or carolirick@charter.net.

EPC Readers

The next meeting of the EPC readers group will be November 14th at 7 pm at church.  They will be reading the "Immortal Life of Herietta Lacks" by Rebecca Skloot.

JOYS AND CONCERNS

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.

David Jacobs is under a cardiologist’s care after suffering a heart attack on Oct 6 in Charleston.

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

Scott Carlson’s father under care for a recurrence of melanoma.

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

Sherry Hirt’s daughter Ashley O’Mara in (Union NJ) is struggling with identifying and treating severe head aches and no small amount stress.

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.

HOMEBOUND MEMBERS/FRIENDS

Emily Phillips is home and is very much herself … the effects of the stroke are minimal and she loves visits.  She has 24 hour home care.

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

November Birthdays

Eastminster Staff

Interim Pastor - Steve Vance

Director of Christian Education - Steven Putnam

Choir Director - Luke Browder

Accompanist - Kelly Herd

Administrative Assistant - Sherry Hirt

Treasurer - Wanda Grant

Eastminster Session