Hosting General Assembly, June 17

General Assembly is a little over a month away. FDP is hosting roughly 40 guests from around the country on Sunday 17, 2018 at the Old Meeting House. We will be having a special service and a catered lunch after.

We are needing some volunteers to help with the event. If you are available here are the   areas we could use some help:

· 2 Members to ride with the commissioners on the bus from the Convention Center to FDP. The two members will need to be downtown by 8:30 to help escort them  on the correct bus.

·  Members who will help set up at the Old Meeting House. (Tables & Chairs)

·  Members that will donate bottled waters, soda, bottled tea, Coolers

·  Members who will want to help with clean up.

Please let Danny Mortimer, Erica Abbett, or Ashley Laws know if you can help.

June 3rd, Graduation Celebration

After worship, join us for a celebration cake for our youth who are moving to a next step in their life journey:

Those starting Kindergarten are Ellis Ludlow and Brooklyn Payne. Mathew Willock will be moving on to Middle School.

We want to embrace each youth in these significant steps with FDP congregation's shared best wishes.

UKirk

UKirk                                                                                                                                                Are you a college student spending the summer in the St. Louis area? UKirk (the         Presbyterian Campus Ministry in St. Louis) hosts fellowship gatherings for college students like you! E-mail Pastor Miriam (ukirkstl@gmail.com) to get on our contact list about planned events. (A June pool party is in the works!) Our last gathering for this  summer is on July 31 from 7-9 p.m. at Trinity Presbyterian Church; we'll meet for dinner and an information session about the Montreat College Conference (January 1-5, 2019). 

Thank You

We welcome the Rev. Vanessa Hawkins, designated associate leader of the Presbytery of   Giddings-Lovejoy, as our preacher this Sunday, May 20.  

On Sunday, May 27 we will welcome Rev. Jay A. Summerville as our guest preacher.  Rev. Summerville served as chaplain at Aberdeen Heights in Kirkwood from July 2016 through April 2018.  He is a lifelong Presbyterian and has been active at the  Presbytery level since his ordination in September 2016.

Thank You - Celebration for Annie and Family

Faith Des Peres Members and Friends - Thank you for your support of the farewell           celebration for Annie and the Epling family. Because of your generosity, we were able to host a wonderful farewell luncheon for Annie, Terry, Tommy, Julia and Charlotte (and Henry, in spirit), as well as purchase a few St. Louis-themed gifts for Annie and the whole family. In addition, we had an advent-themed stole custom made for Annie with our Faith Des Peres vision embroidered on the inside of the stole. See this weeks blog for photos of the stole. Thank you again for your generous support to show our love for Annie and family.                                               

Sincerely, Session

Postponements for PALS, Other May 20 Activities

Due to numerous conflicting schedules, PALS will not meet on Sunday, May 20 at 9:30 a.m.  We will reschedule the last PALS event of the current church year in June or July.  Please watch the Sunday bulletin and the weekly blog for more information.

We also have to postpone the celebration for our "graduates" that was schedule for May 20, due to conflicting schedules.  We'll find a day to reschedule when Ellis Ludlow, Brooklyn Payne and Mathew Willock are available.

The adult discussion on Gun Violence, Gospel Values, also scheduled for May 20, will be postponed until sometime in the fall.

Congratulations Laura Rakestraw and Family

Congratulations to Laura & Family on the birth of their son,  Aiden Lee Rakestraw. He was born on Thursday, May 3, at 3:18 am. Welcome to the world Aiden!                                                                                                                

Hosting General Assembly, June 17

General Assembly is a little over a month away. FDP is hosting roughly 40 guests from around the country on Sunday 17, 2018 at the Old Meeting House. We will be having a   special service and a catered lunch after.

We are needing some volunteers to help with the event. If you are available here are the   areas we could use some help:

· 2 Members to ride with the commissioners on the bus from the Convention Center to FDP. The two members will need to be downtown by 8:30 to help escort them    on the correct bus.

·  Members who will help set up at the Old Meeting House. (Tables & Chairs)

·  Members that will donate bottled waters, soda, bottled tea, Coolers

·  Members who will want to help with clean up.

Please let Danny Mortimer, Erica Abbett, or Ashley Laws know if you can help.

Who is Doing What at FDP

As we head into the time of transition here at FDP, we wanted to let you know who to        contact when you need to talk with someone about what is going on at the church. Tiara Payne, our administrative assistant, will continue to be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  You can reach Tiara by calling the church office, 432-8029, or emailing her at adminasst@faithdesperes.org.  Also, if you have information that should be published in the Sunday bulletin or posted on the weekly blog, please get that to Tiara by noon on Wednesdays. 

Members of the Session also are available to answer your questions and are going to be  working with Tiara to provide communications through the weekly blog and Sunday              bulletin.  You can either contact one of the members directly or ask Tiara to put you in touch with them.  The members of the Session are:

Erica Abbett, moderator, Mission and Ministry, for information about Buddy Packs and  other mission projects and activities.                                                                                                       Ashley Laws, member, Worship Arts Center, who can help answer questions about worship services.                                                                                                                                           Dianne Modrell, moderator, Faith Formation Center, for information about PALS, Disciples Gathering and other faith formation activities that are planned from time to time.                        Danny Mortimer, moderator, Worship Arts Center, for information about worship services, music and the status of the search for a new director of music.                                                  Kathy Sherrick, moderator, Administrative Center, has oversight for the finance committee, stewardship, building and grounds and personnel.                                                                        Beth Willock, moderator, Membership Expansion Center, for information on membership retention, outreach and growth.                                                                                                     Barbara Abbett, clerk of Session, for information about the work of the Session and also about the planning and process for the search for a new pastor.

A Note From Annie

Dear Faith Des Peres Friends,

Thank you so much for hosting the lovely luncheon on my last Sunday with you all. I so appreciated the time to say goodbye, share memories, and celebrate our many years of ministry together. The food was delicious, and the champagne added a festive touch!

We wore our Cardinals shirts to our first Tincaps game (Fort Wayne’s minor league team) and met other Cardinals fans. So don’t worry, we won’t start rooting for the Cubs! The keepsake with your signatures, reminding me of you, will hang in my new office. And, of course, I’ll wear my stole proudly! Thank you for your thoughtfulness.

As I said in my last sermon, even though I no longer call you “my congregation “ and you no longer refer to me as “your pastor”, we can always call each other friends. I look forward to maintaining a friendship with you! Know that I think of you often and wonder how you all are doing.

With blessings and many thanks,

Annie

PS: my new address is 1927 Inverness Lakes Crossing, Fort Wayne, IN, 46804, and email is anne.epling@gmail.com. Cell is the same.

Looking Ahead at FDP

Sunday, May 20, Rev. Vanessa Hawkins will be our guest preacher.  Rev. Hawkins is the         designated associate presbytery leader of the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy.  She has served previously as a Presbyterian campus minister, mission partner, pastor and staff at denominational and presbytery levels.                                              

Sunday, May 27, we will welcome Rev. Jay A. Summerville as our guest preacher.  Rev.             Summerville served as the chaplain at Aberdeen Heights, a senior living community in Kirkwood, from July 2016 through April 2018.  He is a lifelong Presbyterian and has been  active at the Presbytery level since his ordination in September 2016.

Please join us for worship on May 20 and May 27 to welcome Rev. Hawkins and Rev.               Summerville.  We will be at the Clayton Road Church both Sundays

Who is Doing What at FDP

As we head into the time of transition here at FDP, we wanted to let you know who to        contact when you need to talk with someone about what is going on at the church. Tiara Payne, our administrative assistant, will continue to be available on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.  You can reach Tiara by calling the church office, 432-8029, or emailing her at adminasst@faithdesperes.org.  Also, if you have information that should be published in the Sunday bulletin or posted on the weekly blog, please get that to Tiara by noon on Wednesdays. 

Members of the Session also are available to answer your questions and are going to be  working with Tiara to provide communications through the weekly blog and Sunday              bulletin.  You can either contact one of the members directly or ask Tiara to put you in touch with them.  The members of the Session are:

Erica Abbett, moderator, Mission and Ministry, for information about Buddy Packs and  other mission projects and activities.                                                                                                        Ashley Laws, member, Worship Arts Center, who can help answer questions about worship services.                                                                                                                                           Dianne Modrell, moderator, Faith Formation Center, for information about PALS, Disciples Gathering and other faith formation activities that are planned from time to time.                        Danny Mortimer, moderator, Worship Arts Center, for information about worship services, music and the status of the search for a new director of music.                                                  Kathy Sherrick, moderator, Administrative Center, has oversight for the finance committee, stewardship, building and grounds and personnel.                                                                                                                                        Beth Willock, moderator, Membership Expansion Center, for information on membership retention, outreach and growth.                                                                                                                                        Barbara Abbett, clerk of Session, for information about the work of the Session and also about the planning and process for the search for a new pastor.

Thank You

Faith Des Peres would like to thank Rev. Craig Howard for being out Guest Speaker last week. 

Thank you

Madeline  O’Meara would like to thank everyone for coming out and making her “A Night at the Opera” concert a great success!

California Pizza Kitchen Fundraiser, Monday, May 14th (canceled)

Fundraiser canceled for lack of participation. Please look for other fundraising opportunities in the future.

Ladies Tea, Saturday, May 19th at 1pm

Join the Presbyterian Woman for our Annual Ladies Tea Hosted by  Lori Gilley at 1pm  For more information contact 585-230-3179 or lori.a.gilley@gmail.com.

PALS , Sunday, May 20th at 9:30am, A Special Day in Many Ways

PENTECOST! That will be the theme for the youth gathering.                                                  Pals will have the last school-year gathering at 9:30 AM. All adults are invited to be part of a discussion on Gun Violence, Gospel Values. With special guest, Rev. Susan Andrews, in the adult room-upper level. What is being done and what can be done. Please be sure to join us!

After worship, join us for a celebration cake for our youth who are moving to a next step in their life journey: Those starting Kindergarten are Ellis Ludlow and Brooklyn Payne. Mathew Willock will be moving on to Middle School. We want to embrace each youth in these significant steps with FDP congregation's shared best wishes.

Hosting General Assembly, June 17

General Assembly is a little over a month away. FDP is hosting roughly 40 guests from around the country on Sunday 17, 2018 at the Old Meeting House. We will be having a   special service and a catered lunch after.

We are needing some volunteers to help with the event. If you are available here are the   areas we could use some help:

· 2 Members to ride with the commissioners on the bus from the Convention Center to FDP. The two members will need to be downtown by 8:30 to help escort them    on the correct bus.

·  Members who will help set up at the Old Meeting House. (Tables & Chairs)

·  Members that will donate bottled waters, soda, bottled tea, Coolers

·  Members who will want to help with clean up.

Please let Danny Mortimer, Erica Abbett, or Ashley Laws know if you can help.

JOIN US AS WE START A NEW JOURNEY AT FDP

We will be welcome visiting clergy to our weekly worship services as we start our journey to the next chapter in the life at FDP.  Please be sure to join us on a regular basis on Sunday mornings in May and throughout the summer.

Sunday, May 6 -- The Rev. Dr. Craig Howard, transitional presbytery leader, will be our guest minister.  Rev. Howard will also join us in the Gathering Space after worship for a Q&A roundtable and light lunch, when he will answer our questions and talk with us about the process of calling a new pastor for Faith Des Peres.Sunday,

May 13 --  The Rev. Miriam Foltz, pastor of UKirk - St. Louis, will lead us in worship.  Rev. Foltz (whom we have all come to know as Miriam) has been with us on various occasions and is always welcome at FDP.

Sunday, May 20 -- The Rev. Vanessa Hawkins, designated associate presbytery leader, will be our minister for worship service.  Rev. Hawkins came to the Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy earlier this year and we look forward to having her with us.

Sunday, May 27 -- More information to come about this holiday weekend in the next week or two.

St. Louis Story Telling Festival Today

The best kept secret in St. Louis and it's free! Once again Faith Des Peres Presbyterian Church will host the 39th. annual St. Louis storytelling festival Today starting at 7:00 PM.  Featured Storytellers: David Gonzalez, Gayle Ross, Donald Davis, Bobby Norfolk,  Regi Carpenter, Alton Chung and Peter Cook with adult stories that inspire