P res ress

September 2016 A monthly publication

Spring Branch Presbyterian Church 1215 Campbell Rd, Houston, TX 77055 713-464-7659

Dear Friends,

As I shared in my sermon last week, I always inform guest preachers and speakers to

expect lots of “peace passing” at the beginning of worship. It’s true- we are a loving, family

-oriented community of faith, and we care deeply about each other. It is this kind of

loving, faithful community of believers that Paul is calling his followers to become in this

verse we hear from Colossians.

Paul has just recently finished talking about the divisions in human culture, between

ethnicities and nations (sound familiar?) and he says that doing away with the old self, and

putting on the new clothing of Christ-like qualities is part of putting the broken human

race back together. And how do we do away with the old self? Through the peace of God

which rules in your heart. And what's the peace of Christ? It's the rock solid belief,

confidence and conviction that we are those things Paul says several verses earlier- we are

holy, set apart, chosen and loved by God.

As the fall approaches and families begin new routines after closing out the

summer, let us allow peace to rule in our hearts- a peace that assures us we are precious,

and God’s beloved. We will kick things off this fall by growing in our faith at the Festival of

Faith, then we will talk with our young saints about what it means to come to the Lord’s

table at our Children at the Lord’s Supper class, then we will worship with our brothers and

sisters around the world in celebration of World Communion- before we know it, Advent

will be upon us!

My prayer for each and every one of us, is that, no matter what storms may swirl

around us, may we continue to be the people God has called each and every one of us to

be—and be thankful!

Blessings along the journey!

September’s Mission of the Month is

Westside Homeless Partnership

Westside Homeless Prevention has been providing hope and the

opportunity for a better future to homeless children and their families

in Houston’s Spring Branch Independent School District since

1994. And beginning in March 2016 WHP has expanded to Katy ISD!

WHP Mission Statement

Westside Homeless Prevention’s (WHP) mission is to prevent and end homelessness

for families by providing them with resources and supporting services that lead to

self-sufficiency. WHP’s program is designed to empower families with children within

the Spring Branch Independent School District (SBISD) area to achieve self-sufficiency

and permanent housing through personal effort, education and growth.

One major objective is to protect the children’s education by preventing the families

from having to move from one school to another during the same school year.

WHP Core Values

We are guided by the belief in the inherent worth and dignity of families with children

struggling with homelessness or facing home eviction.

We will treat all persons equally and with respect and maintain client confidentiality.

We respect all people’s race, religion, ethnicity, gender, age and socioeconomic status,

and we will not allow differences to affect a person’s opportunities.

We believe homelessness is not a crime.

We will act with integrity, openness, and honesty in all relationships, dealings, and

transactions and will operate in accordance with all applicable laws.

We recognize that the achievements of our clients are through their efforts and we

serve only as an agent of change.

The PW Welcoming Gathering held on Sunday, August 14, was attended by 60 women from

our church and guests. Carol Davis did a superb job organizing this affair. Jan Fitts organized

food that Jesus would eat such as lentil soup, tabbouleh, hummus, different bread, date bars,

fruits and vegetables of the area. Several members decorated the tables with that theme: Lu

Taylor, Barbara Tremble, Nora Aden, Anne Johnson, Delia Nix, and Carol Davis. There were

prizes abound from gift cards to scarves, various toiletries, tote bags, insulated bags, kitchen

accessories, jewelry, serving pieces, baskets and a little wooden wheelbarrow holding a plant.

Prizes for the benefit drawings were donated by Beverly Cook, Kay Craig, Carol Davis, Sarah

Dikeman, Laurie Mitchell, Patti Nanney, Delia Nix, Lu Taylor, Julia Tremble, Denise

Wilborn, and Doris Wright. All proceeds from the raffle go to the PW mission/scholarship

fund. This amount along with donations totaled $893.50.

Patti Nanney gave a talk on “What did Jesus eat?” enlightening us with the scriptures

mentioning food, what some of the food was, why certain people in the region would eat certain

ones depending on whether one was poor or wealthy at the time. She related it to the stories we

know about the times of food served and the ones we didn’t know.

Sarah Dikeman gave a brief introduction of this year’s Bible Study, “Who Is Jesus? What a

Difference a Lens Makes.” There were also displays and discussion of various ways the

members of the congregation can be involved in PW activities – such as Happy Hands,

PCHAS, Mission work, Zip trips, monthly Bible Study and Unwind fellowship dinners.

A great big thanks to those who provided the food. Patti Nanney, Anne Johnson, Doris Wright.

Kay Craig, Lu Taylor Carol Davis, Sarah Dikeman, Laurie Mitchell, Jan Fitts, Dorothy

Savage, Barbara Tremble, and Marguerite Priest.

Thanks to the table set up crew of Ken and Linda Crawford and Sarah and Matt Dikeman, and

all those present who helped take down the chairs and tables at the end. A grand hand to Carol

Davis for organizing and planning this affair. To the office staff, especially Shelley Broussard,

for designing the E-vite: sending it and keeping PW posted on the returns. We are thankful!!

What a great start to a new year!

Connect with Montreat

Presbytery of New Covenant Retreat

October 25th—28th, 2016

Plan to join women and men from churches across our presbytery for a retreat at

one of the national conference centers for the PC(USA). What a perfect time of

year to encounter God through relationships, renewal, recreation, and rest in the beautiful mountains of western North Carolina.

Not only will we learn about Montreat Conference Center, we will have the op-

portunity for Bible study using the St. John’s Illuminated Bible. A caravan along

the Blue Ridge Parkway has also been scheduled. Everyone will be responsible

for his or her own transportation to Montreat. Housing and meals will be in the

newly renovated Assembly Inn. Costs and registration information are available

at http://tinyurl.com/jam2jo3.

Questions? Contact Anne Wilson at anne.aiko.wilson@gmail.com or Sara Jean

Jackson at sjj10223@gmail.com. You can also contact SBPC member, Carol

Davis, for information on airlines going to the 4 cities nearest Montreat in North

Carolina, more about the Bible study on the “I am’s” from the Book of John,

and some of the optional activities.

Welcome to a new PresPress feature! These will be YOUR suggestions on books, podcasts, current movies or Netflix movies, etc. that have helped you grow in your faith or have been meaningful in some way in your life. Here are the suggestions for September:

Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes by E. Randolph Richards, published in 2012; available in Kindle, Amazon (hardback and paperback), Google Play e-book, and Barnes & Noble e-book. Kate Cross says, “These days I’m slowly reading “Misreading Scripture with Western Eyes.” It’s like meeting a friend from the other side of the world---and two thousand years ago---for coffee and having them explain their worldview and give context to scriptures that are too easily taken at face value in a modern context. It’s an accessible, dense collection of the precious little fact nuggets that-make-you-go-hmmmm, the kind normally found in well-researched Bible studies and sermons.

The Joys and Science of the New Grandparenting: Becoming Grandma by Lesley Stahl (from CBS’s “60 Minutes”), published April 5, 2016. Available in Kindle, Amazon (hardback and audio CD), Google Play e-book, and Barnes & Noble e-book. Paperback comes out April, 2017. Available in Harris County Libraries. Recommended by Sarah Dikeman. Amazon says that Leslie Stahl uses her “60 Minutes” skills in researching and interviewing to explore how grandmothering changes a woman’s life, interviewing friends like Whoopi Goldberg, Diane Sawyer, and even grandfather Tom Brokaw. She also spoke with scientists and doctors about physiological changes that occur in women when they have grandchildren; anthropologists about why there are grandmothers, in evolutionary terms; and psychiatrists about the therapeutic effects of grandchildren on both grandmother and grandfather. It’s a timely and affecting read that redefines a cherished relationship.

Join us for food and fellowship 6:00 PM every

Wednesday evening starting September 7th!

9/7—Hamburgers 9/21—Lasagna

9/14—Chicken Fingers 9/28—Taco Soup

CHILDREN AT THE

LORD’S SUPPER CLASS S ep t emb er 19 t h

PW Unwind Dinner Group will gather for food and

fellowship at Goode Company BBQ, located at 8911

Katy Freeway, Houston ,Texas 77024. Text Denise

Wilborn at 713-725-2816 or email her at

dwilborn55@gmail.com to let her know you are com-

ing. Bring yourself. Bring a friend.

PW At A Glance

PW MODERATORS meet 9/7 at 9:30 AM in

Conference Room. (Every 1st Wednesday of the month)

PW BOARD meets 9/7 at 10:15 AM in Conference

Room. (Every 1st Wednesday of the month)

PW CIRCLE (“WHO IS JESUS? STUDY) meets 9/14 at

9:30 AM for Circle and Luncheon. Please bring a salad.

Circle 1 meet in Conference Room and Circle 2 in

someone’s home. (Every 2nd Wednesday of the month)

PW ZIPS meets 9/21. We will tour historic places

(Fort Bend Home and 1883 Moore Home) as well as the

Bricks and Mortar Kitchen on the Grand Parkway.

(Every 4th Wednesday of the month, except in December)

“Hallo-luia” Party

SAVE THE DATE—October 29th

Kristi and Wes Blankman have

offered the use of their new home for a fall

Fellowship party. Join us for fun, food &

games from 10 AM to 2 PM. Everyone is

welcome. Wear a costume if you like! More

details coming in the October PresPress.

CHILDREN’S MOMENT

If you are interested in signing up for Children’s Moment please contact Marguerite

Priest at 281-435-3941 or mepriest@hotmail.com.

Sign up for our Church News Would you like to be added to our church

news email list?

Feel free to sign up via our Church website at

www.springbranchpres.org and click on the

box titled “sign up for our Mailing List”.

PRESPRESS features are

DUE no later than the 20th

of each month!

BULLETIN information is

DUE no later than the

Wednesday before service.

Deadlines Church’s Prayer Chain List?

A Prayer Chain Email is sent to

our “prayer warriors” when we

receive word about someone in

need. Contact Church Office

or Sarah Dikeman if you’d like

to be added.

BEAUTIFY the CHURCH

INTERESTED in beautifying the sanctuary on Sunday mornings while honoring a

loved one or commemorating a special occasion? The Sign-Up Calendar is located

in the Narthex! The cost per arrangement is $65.00. Contact Jorida in the church

office for details!

Having trouble hearing in worship?

We have hearing assistance aides available in the

narthex! Please let an usher know if you would like

access to one!! They will be happy to oblige!

When I count my Blessings

I Always Think of You...

Thank You so much! I was not ex-pecting the surprise of the

church donating school supplies to my kids. Thank you so much for

everything! (Academy Teacher)

MAM Back-to-School Drive SBPC collected $2,031 for the 2016 MAM Back

to School uniform voucher drive. Working in

conjunction with school nurses and guidance

counselors in the Aldine, Cy-Fair, Houston, and

Spring Branch school districts, MAM will

provide $50 uniform vouchers to the families of

needy students. The vouchers can be redeemed

at participating local stores for a complete

school uniform - shoes, socks, underwear, belts,

skirts or pants, and blouses or

shirts. MAM will distribute 5,900

vouchers this year. Thanks to

everyone who gave so generously

to this year’s drive.

Prayer s . . .

Prayers for Dorothy Briley, who is recovering from a broken wrist.

Prayers for Rebeca and Joel Alegria- Rebeca's grandmother had surgery to remove a

tumor on her kidney Monday August 29th.

Prayers for Grace & Catherine Daley. Grace fell backwards down an escalator and broke

her shoulder. Catherine is hospitalized for kidney rejection.

Prayers for Codie Hill, who had hernia repair surgery on Friday August 26th.

Prayers for Janna Heitshusen Knizely- Garth & Susan's daughter. Janna received a heart

transplant and is recovering well- thanks be to God!

Prayers for Steve Nanney's aunt Lorene who is recovering from knee replacement

surgery as well as complications related to medication.

Prayers for Sandra Russell who was hospitalized for high ammonia levels due to liver

function. She is now at Memorial City Health & Rehab, room #215.

Prayers for Nina Rach, who broke several toes this month.

Prayers for Dorothy Savage's daughter Sarah, who is scheduled to have shoulder surgery

on September 6th.

Prayers for Anna Belle Anderson who fell recently. She has a deep gash on the back of

her head, but is recovering.

The sympathy of the Congregation is with Shelley Broussard who lost her cousin

suddenly.

Thank you for your continued fervent prayers for our SBPC family!

Paul Craig 9/19

William "Bill" Fairchild 9/20

Warren Ballesteros 9/20

Angela Arce 9/21

Frances Millar 9/22

Grace Daley 9/24

Colin Gray 9/25

Jake Miller 9/26

Caleb Michael Burns 9/26

Lu Mitchell 9/27

Zachary Arce 9/27

Bruce Blome 9/28

Sarah Dikeman 9/30

Ron Fake 9/30

James M. "Mike" 9/1

Marcos Franco Jr. 9/1

Robert "Bobby" Balli 9/2

Donal McRoberts 9/4

Colleen Lanan Rust 9/4

Cole Jon Cassidy 9/5

Alex Norris 9/5

Rev. Mark Plunkett 9/6

Lisa Merritt 9/7

Ron Tremble 9/8

Jonathon "Jony" Hammond 9/10

Abigail Arce 9/10

Garth Heitshusen 9/12

Sara Lanan 9/12

Carol Davis 9/13

Liam Rust 9/13

Lindsey Rene Craig 9/15

Katie Fairchild 9/15

Ruden Vakiari 9/15

Del Kennedy 9/16

Beverly "BJ" Cook 9/17

Dylan Mancilla 9/17

Joseph Vaden 9/18

Daphne Holder 9/18

Theresa "Tessie" Morris 9/18

Jessie Skinn 9/18

Angel Parra 9/18

Jospeh Hill 9/18

Aubrey and Dauris Galbreath 9/2

Jean and Dr. Gene Boisaubin 9/6

Jennifer and David Fuller 9/1

Lane and Leslie Kennedy 9/8

Laurie and Gary Mitchell 9/2

Ludovic Massamba and Edda Chirwa 9/15

Rev. Pat and Tom Ryan 9/15

Stephen and Bunnie Lezon 9/22

Sponsored By:

Spring Branch Presbyterian Church 1215 Campbell Road Houston, Texas 77055 (713) 464-7659

GOD ONE ANOTHER WORLD