August 2015
8531 Macon Hwy
Athens, GA 30606
706-543-6077 (office)
706-543-6199 (fax)
www.gotofriendship.org
Sunday School @ 9:40 a.m.
Sunday Worship @ 11:00a.m.
Wednesday Bible Study
@ 10:00a.m.
Pastor:
The Rev. Tara Bulger
706-621-3692 (cell)
Church Administrator:
Donna Rigsby
Please check out our website @
www.gotofriendship.org for our
online calendar
A Word from the Pastor
Dear Friends,
This past Sunday in worship everyone was given the opportunity to
anonymously fill out a slip of paper that said, “I came to church today
because…” The answers were as varied as the people who filled them
out.
Some of the answers received were:
I came to church today to feel closer to God.
I came to church today to see my friends, to listen and
pray and to hear the choir too.
I came to church today because I want to become closer
to God and I was feeling distant from Him.
I came to church today because our small church makes a
big difference in my life.
I came to church today so I can polish some of my rough
edges.
There are many more responses that I’ll be sharing with you over the
next few weeks. But for today, I want to share with you one simple
answer that was given: “I came to church today because I was invited.”
This simple answer reminds us that all it takes sometimes is an
invitation to bring someone in to our faith community. If we take all
those reasons that we come to worship here at Friendship and share
those with our friends, an invitation may be all that is needed for them
to join us here. We ask them to join us because we have found
something precious here at Friendship and we want to share that with
others. The Gospel truly is Good News—and who couldn’t use a little
more of that in our world?
Grace and peace,
Rev. Tara Bulger
October 2015
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Words of Friendship
Circle will meet at 9:45am at the
church on the second Tuesday the
13th. There will be a Presbyterian
Women’s Retreat in Clayton in
November. Please call Pattie Ivy for
more information. Santa Claus Express
for residents of Presbyterian Homes will be coming to
Athens just after Thanksgiving!
LAST OF THE YEAR GARDEN RAILROAD
OPEN HOUSE!
All are invited. Children are especially welcome.
160 Plantation Dr., Athens, GA 30605
(At end of Cedar Shoals Dr., turn left; go 500 feet, turn right;
7th house on right)
706-543-3753
Caren & Maurice Snook will host their last of the year Garden Railroad Open House on
Saturday, October 24, 2015, from 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm (weather permitting).
Men’s Club will meet Oct8 at
7:00 pm in the Friendship
Room. All men are invited.
Sunday, October 4, 2015 is World Communion Sunday. On that day,
we will take communion together as churches all over the world do the
same. Invite a friend or loved one to the service—because the Lord’s
table just wouldn’t be the same without them!
Sunday, October 4, immediately following worship, we will have called
congregational meeting for the purpose of electing a nominating committee.
This committee will be responsible for electing elders to serve for the next 3
year term.
Please pray for the formation and work of this committee. And as we all know
churches need dedicated and gifted leaders, pray for our future elders.
Examine, too, your own hearts and be willing to serve if you are called upon.
We are a small church, but we have a big mission, and we need elders to
serve.
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Words of Friendship
Liturgist Money Counters
4 Monica Graham Marks Towles
11 Bruce Hildebrand Alan White
18 Wallace Salter Barbara Remmers
25 Kathie Shinholser Bev Davis
Communion Servers
October 4, 2015
Dori Allen,
Linda Kelly
Chester Lee
Ted Walker
Session Actions September 3, 2015
submitted by Marks Towles, Clerk
In recognition of the schedule and hours routinely worked by the Pastor (most recently impacted
by the preschool director vacancy), the Session approved a bonus for the remaining four months
of the year. This action brings her effective pay up to Presbytery minimums for a full time call.
The contract with Azevedo Properties has been signed. Interior painting has been completed and
the property manager will start showing the property to prospective tenants. The total cost of
renovations is expected to be approx. $7,500.
Tara has been appointed to a search committee for a new Executive Presbyter for NE GA
Presbytery.
A friend who is a member of Athens Church has asked Tara to lead a bible study which meets at
Tara’s home on Thursdays.
We have an intern (Catherine Warren) funded by the Waddell scholarship. Among her duties will
be timely updating of media outlets (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) re Friendship news and activities.
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Words of Friendship
RICHARD FARRANT
The choir will be offering “Lord, for thy tender
mercies’ sake” by Richard Farrant (ca. 1525-1580), so some
information about this little-known English composer might
be welcome.
Farrant’s early years are not well documented. His name
first appears in 1552, in a list of the Gentlemen of the Chapel Royal. This elite group of
priests and singers provided church services for the monarch; it dates back to the 13th
century and continues today. In his twelve years as a member of the Chapel Royal,
Farrant would have been active in other royal ceremonies as well. He participated in
coronations for Mary I and Elizabeth I and funerals for Edward VI and Mary I. After his
work there, Farrant took the post of organist at St. George’s at Windsor. In addition, in
1569 he assumed the position of Master of the Chapel Royal choristers. Farannt moved
back to London in 1576 and began a public theater where he produced his own
compositions, both music and plays.
One of Farrant’s important contributions to English drama was the creation of the
Blackfriars Theatre. This began as a venue for the Children of the Chapel Royal, who
were child actors associated with the chapel choirs; from 1576 to 1584 they staged plays
for the Queen. The Theatre was built on the grounds of a former Dominican monastery,
and the black robes worn by the monks lent the Theatre its name. The Blackfriars
company premiered plays by a number of dramatists of the period, among them Ben
Jonson, George Chapman and Francis Beaumont. Also of importance, the Blackfriars
playhouse was a source of innovations that would transform English commercial staging,
such as their employing artificial lighting and music between acts.
Farrant was one of the earliest composers who mixed the two mediums of music
and drama. He also wrote a number of plays which have not survived but whose titles are
recorded. Titles like Ajax and Ulysses, Quintus Fabius and King Xerses suggest that
Farrant preferred to develop serious themes with classical plots.
Apparently Farrant did not write much liturgical music, though his several
anthems and a setting of the mass proved to be popular and appeared in many editions.
These pieces reveal a sensitive, if restrained, feeling for text setting.
Musical Notes
by: Kevin Kelly
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Words of Friendship
At the end of September, Boy Scout Troop 149 held its semi-
annual troop Court of Honor, recognizing our Scouts (and
adults!) for their accomplishments since this spring. 13
Scouts have advanced in rank, and nearly 70 merit badges
have been earned, plus a number of special recognitions
ranging from the 50-Miler Award, the Mile Swim, and religious awards. The Cub Scout Pack (elementary
school aged boys) has begun meeting, and is planning a family campout in
October and a winter trip to the Yorktown Aircraft Carrier in January. The
Venturing Crew (Scouting’s co-ed program for high schoolers) held a
planning meeting in September as well, and will be recruiting new
members next month.
The troop’s September camping trip at nearby Lake Oglethorpe, focused
on the Fishing merit badge, plus some boating and other advancement
activities. (As usual, it rained!) Also, participants from our troop and two
other local troops who are signed up for Philmont Scout Ranch for next
summer hiked 11 miles on the Appalachian Trail earlier in the month,
enjoying great fall weather and scenes including sunrise atop Blood
Mountain. In October, the troop will invite the 5th grade Cub Scouts to
camp with us for our annual “pumpkin chunkin’” trip, where the Scouts
work in teams to build catapults to launch balls and the occasional
pumpkin—always fun!
At this month’s troop meetings, the Scouts have worked
on finishing off partially-completed merit badges for the
Court of Honor, as well as continuing to work on
Personal Fitness, first aid, pioneering, and backpacking.
At September’s District Eagle Board of Review, Harper
Cline became our troop’s newest Eagle Scout, and Grant
Fordham is scheduled for his Board in October.
Congratulations!
Thanks for your continued support of the Boy Scout
Troop, Venturing Crew, and Cub Scout Pack.
Scouting at Friendship
By
Scoutmaster Paul Matthews
Scouts on top of Blood Mountain at dawn
Boating at Lake Oglethorpe
Kennon fishing at Lake
Oglethorpe
Mini Pizzas during
camping trip at
Lake Oglethorpe
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Words of Friendship
Scouts competing
in a speed-
The Preschool
Children have been
learning about
Community Helpers
and enjoyed a visit
from Curbside
Services.
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Words of Friendship
Ever wonder who carries out the mission of Friendship Preschool? We have an
incredible staff of gifted and dedicated teachers who guide the students in our care.
The youngest children who come to our preschool are welcomed into the First
Friends class (ages 18 months to two years) by Heidi Jaeger and Christina Williams.
Heidi Jaeger is married to Kevin and is mother to Sophie, age 10, and Luke, age 7.
Her favorite parts of teaching this class are the sweet hugs and fun conversations
she has with her students. When the kids from her class go home each day, she
hopes that they leave her classroom knowing they have been loved and cared for
here at Friendship.
Christina Williamson is married to Matthew and is the mother of twins Cole and
Dylan, age 12 and Ava, age 6. Her favorite part of teaching this class is when the
kids walk in and run to give her a hug. She hopes that each child goes home knowing
that they can learn and that they have discovered some new skill they did not even
know they had.
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Words of Friendship
Worship Attendance & Giving in September
Sept 6 Sept 13 Sept 20 Sept 27
Attendance 39 45 49 36
General Giving $2665.00 $4635.00 $550.00 $4477.00
Friendship Presbyterian Church
Year-To-Date Through August, 2015
Selected Assets and Liabilities
Inflows Year to Date
Outflows Year to Date
Cash in Bank -- General Fund 7,787
Cash in Bank --Restricted Fund 3,962 6,306 4,778
Total Cash in Bank 11,749
Due from PreSchool 10,000
Kerry Hill Educational Fund -- Oconee State 6,751 205 0
Savings -- New Covenant Securities 54,412
Mortgage Debt 41,398
Income Statement Summary
Year to Date (Actual)
Year to Date (Budget) Actual vs. Budget
Receipts from Congregation 89,510 92,507 (2,997)
Dye House Rent 4,888 6,460 (1,573)
Support from Preschool 28,701 36,934 (8,234)
All Other Income 1,214 367 847
Total Receipts 124,312 136,268 (11,956)
Administration Expenses 48,531 50,902 2,371
Personnel Expenses 75,709 79,570 3,861
Discipleship Expenses 350 267 (83)
Membership Development & Care 137 1,267 1,129
Mission/Bldg & Grounds Expenses 8,895 12,133 3,238
Worship Expenses 1,075 1,967 892
Total Operating Expenses 134,698 146,105 11,407
Net Income / (Deficit) (10,386) (9,837) (23,362)
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Words of Friendship
October 2015
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday
27 Hannon Bulger 9:40 AM Adult Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship Service
28 6:00 PM Troop Court of Honor 7:00 PM Recorder Ensemble Rehearsal
29 Don Harris Ken Swindle 7:30 PM Athens Chamber Singers Rehearsal
30 Amy Ivy Linda Kelly 10:00 AM Bible Study 7:00 PM Friendship Choir Rehearsal
1 7:00 PM Pack Committee Mtg
2 David Coons
3
4 9:40 AM Adult Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship Service 12:00 PM Called Congregational Meeting 4:00 PM Girl Scout Troop
5 7:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 149 7:00 PM Recorder Ensemble Rehearsal
6 Evelyn Montgomery 7:30 PM Athens Chamber Singers Rehearsal
7 10:00 AM Bible Study 7:00 PM Friendship Choir Rehearsal
8 7:00 PM Men's Club 7:00 PM Pack 149 Den 1
9 10
11 9:40 AM Adult Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship Service
12 Preschool Closed 7:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 149 7:00 PM Recorder Ensemble Rehearsal
13 9:45 AM Circle One 7:30 PM Athens Chamber Singers Rehearsal
14 10:00 AM Bible Study 7:00 PM Friendship Choir Rehearsal
15 7:00 PM Cub Scout Meeting
16 17
18 9:40 AM Adult Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship Service 4:00 PM Girl Scout Troop
19 7:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 149 7:00 PM Recorder Ensemble Rehearsal
20 7:30 PM Athens Chamber Singers Rehearsal
21 10:00 AM Bible Study 7:00 PM Friendship Choir Rehearsal
22 7:00 PM Pack 149 Den 1 7:00 PM Troop Committee Meeting
23 24 Alan White
25 Ted & Doris Walker 9:40 AM Adult Sunday School 11:00 AM Worship Service
26 7:00 PM Boy Scout Troop 149 7:00 PM Recorder Ensemble Rehearsal
27 7:30 PM Athens Chamber Singers Rehearsal
28 Chester & Anne Lee 10:00 AM Bible Study 7:00 PM Friendship Choir Rehearsal
29 30 31
Friendship Presbyterian Church
8531 Macon Highway
Athens, GA 30606
Friendship Presbyterian Church 8531 Macon Highway Athens, Georgia 30606
Phone: (706) 543-6077 Website: www.gotofriendship.org Email: [email protected]
FRIENDSHIP PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH MISSION STATEMENT
As followers of Jesus Christ, assured of God’s unconditional love for everyone, we strive to be an accepting and joyful
community that centers upon worship, encourages personal growth, celebrates diversity, nurtures individual gifts, and moves
beyond boundaries to share, through service, Jesus’ love, compassion, and justice in an uncertain world.
Please submit news for November’s Newsletter
to the church office no later than
Sunday, October 26, 2015. Due to office schedule submissions after this date may not appear in next month’s newsletter.
All submissions are subject to editing.