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Church Family Thanksgiving Dinner

On Sunday November 23 the church will gather for its annual in-house Thanksgiving dinner.  The meal will be shared at 12:30 p.m. in Fellowship Hall.  Sign up boards will be available beginning Sunday, November 2 for everyone who wishes to attend and share a dish. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to join your church family for food, fellowship, and fun.  We hope to see you there.

FPC ChatterCommunity Thanksgiving DinnerThursday, November 27, 11:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Fe!owship Ha!

The Thanksgiving Day dinner is a community event with hundreds of volunteers as well as many faith communities and businesses joining together to give back to the community.

Your help is needed. Sign up sheets are on the hallway bulletin board. Donations of baked turkeys, pies, cakes, and money are needed. Please

make checks payable to First Presbyterian Church with “Thanksgiving Dinner” in the memo.

Home delivery will be available. Please call 540-336-4580 to schedule a home delivered meal or meals

For more information call Bob Cleaver at 540-336-6209 or Bill Stewart at 540-336-5902.

NOVEMBER IS NATIONAL HOSPICE MONTH

Take this moment to realize that, ". . . understanding what is important to someone is central to honoring their dignity." Have you completed your Advanced Medical Directive? Five Wishes is one way to do it.

The Five Wishes are: Wish 1: The Person I Want to Make Health Care Decisions for Me When I Can't; Wish 2: The Kind of Medical Treatment I Want or Don’t Want;

Wish 3: How Comfortable I Want to Be; Wish 4: How I Want People to Treat Me; Wish 5: What I Want My Loved Ones to Know

For more information about Five Wishes, please visit: http://www.agingwithdignity.org/five-wishes.php

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WEEKDAY SCHOOL NEWSA Grandparent By Any Other Name

By Lara Davis, Director

Nana, Poppa, Oma, Opa, Gran, Pop Pop, Babushka . . . all names that children lovingly call their grandparents. We have heard countless times, “There’s nothing better than being a grandparent.”

What memories might you have of visits with your grandparents? Did you go somewhere special? Did you do something special together? Did you share a unique ritual? For my children, Gran’s house was where you went and were treated like royalty, where you learned to bake bread and cookies, to garden, to tease, and, of course, to take scraps and feed “Annie’s pigs.”

In an article entitled, “Time With Your Kids: A Special Family Bond with Grandparents” (www.bblocks.samhsa.gov/family/Time/grandparents.aspx), the author lists these benefits of spending time with grandparents.

Grandparents:

• provide a sense of family continuity and history;

• have stories to tell and are great transmitters of the family’s cultural heritage;

• contribute to the children’s sense of belonging and security;

• become additional role models;

• often have more time than do parents for reading stories, teaching new skills, and playing games; and,

• have a vested interest in the well-being and healthy development of their grandchildren.

At the Weekday School, we will celebrate our grandparents by hosting “Grandparents’ Day” on November 13 and November 14. Grandparents are invited to spend time in the classrooms with their grandchildren. The children feel so proud to show off their grandparents! This ritual is one that honors and supports the special bond that children have with their grandparents. Look for photos on the bulletin board in the main hallway of the church.

Weekday School Book Fair: November 13 and 14Fe!owship Ha!

The Weekday School will be hosting a book fair courtesy of Winchester Book Gallery. Come browse a wide selection of literature for children of all ages! Remember: books make great Christmas gifts!

Save the Date: January 18-19, 2015

Community Forum on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking

You may have seen the October 17 Winchester Star article by Stephen Nielsen on Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking. He states, “About 12.3 mi!ion people worldwide are enslaved in forced labor, bonded labor, forced child labor, and sexual servitude and involuntary servitude.” Concerned about this issue for some time, First Presbyterian Church’s Mission Council applied for and recently received a grant to provide educational opportunities for the community on that very topic through guest speakers from the International Justice Mission and the Central Virginia Justice Initiative. The speakers are scheduled to be with us on Sunday, January 18th and Monday, January 19th . Circle the dates on your 2015 calendars and watch for more information.

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STEWARDSHIP NEWS: IF NOT US, THEN WHO? The 2014 stewardship theme is If Not Us, Then

Who? Taking a Leap to Faithful Stewardship. The theme was inspired by Jesus’ parable of the talents in Matthew 25. Jesus stresses to us that a talent is useless unless it is used. Although safety and relative comfort of keeping things the way they have been can be desirable, it is not what followers of Jesus are called to do. First Church has been blessed this year with the completion of the successful “One and Done” effort to significantly reduce the building debt, the initiation of summer Sunday School and FPCWEDS midweek renewal, and the painting of Donegal House and repointing of Boyd Chapel. Additionally, the congregation continues to be blessed with an amazing church staff who informs, leads, and cares for us.

It would be easy to rest and bury our talents in the ground, but we are called to take the leap to looking faithfully forward. Our leadership is planning for an expanded emphasis on youth ministry, the creation of a visual arts choir, a start on

necessary repairs to our stained glass windows, and new mission initiatives in caring for those in need.

In keeping with our theme, it is not someone else, but we who are challenged to provide for the needs of the church as we serve Christ through First Presbyterian Church. The Narrative Budget, which was mailed to each household of the congregation the last week of October, breaks down total expenses for 2014 in four categories of ministry -- Serving Locally and Beyond: $260,000 or 27%; Celebrating Through Worship: $318,000 or 33%; Caring for Members: $165,000 or 17%; and Growing in Faith: $222,000 or 23%.

Please pray about your pledge for 2015. Consider how the Lord will use your talents in His service.

Yours in Christ,

The Stewardship Team: Sara Gardner, chair; Barry Carper, Mark Catlett, Bryan Corsnitz, and Tara Holmes

CCAP -- Congregational Community Action Program -- will be providing the "fixins" for Thanksgiving Dinner to local families on Saturday, November 22 at the CCAP building on Kent Street. The project needs 200 frozen turkeys (13-15 pounds preferred). Turkeys and frozen vegetables can be taken directly to CCAP any day before the

giveaway day. All other items will be collected in the regular CCAP

bins in our man hallway and taken each Monday.

A list of requested items is posted near the bin, but anything you would include in your family's Thanksgiving meal will be greatly appreciated. Thank you for helping others celebrate Thanksgiving dinner in their own home. 

HIGHLIGHTS OF OCTOBER SESSION MEETINGThe ruling and teaching elders of the Session in their monthly stated meeting [3rd Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. in the

Graham Room], among other items of business, took the following actions:-- Approved the recommendation of the Youth Renovation Team and the Task Force on Church Staffing to restore

Maren Sonstegard-Spray to full-time ministry with additional hours to be devoted to the leadership of the youth ministry;

-- Adopted a 2015 budget of $983,407, which represents a 1.9% increase over the 2014 budget;-- Authorized improved outside signage better identifying to visitors buildings of the church’s campus, e.g. the

Youth Center and Fellowship Hall.

CCAP REQUEST DONATIONS FOR ANNUAL THANKSGIVING FOOD DISTRIBUTION

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YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS

October has been a busy and exciting month for our youth ministry!  The 5-6th graders served at Jubilee Kitchen at the beginning of the month and then played at the Corn Maze at Hill High Farm!  The 7-12th graders were thrilled to stay up all night at the Halloween Lock-In.  We had a huge turn out and special thanks to all the

adults who helped out (Beth Thompson, Lisa Alwine, Dennis Painter, Craig Love, Brad Felix, Scott Bowman, Tim Lawrence and Cheryl Burton)!  We are looking ahead to a "Lock-Out" at the end of November and planning for the youth-led Christmas Eve service! 

CONVERSATIONS WITH THE PASTOR: NOVEMBER 23, 9:45 A.M., LOUDOUN HALLConversations with the Pastor is a monthly Sunday morning opportunity to speak with one of the pastors in a group setting about a topic or topics of your choice.  The November conversation will be with Maren Sonstegard-Spray.  Have a question, a comment, an idea, a concern?  Plan to share it with Maren and others this Sunday.

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CELEBRATION OF GOSPEL MUSIC: NOVEMBER 15 IN THE SANCTUARY

A musical celebration of African American style Gospel Music (both traditional and contemporary) is planned for Saturday, November 15in First Presbyterian’s Sanctuary. Several vocal groups have partnered for (what is sure to be) a foot-bouncing-hand-clapping-spirit-lifting good time. Music begins at 4:00pm.!Our own hard-working Chancel Choir begins the Gospel Celebration. Despite an ambitious Christmas music rehearsal schedule this fall, as well as providing regular choral support for two Sunday morning worship services weekly, they’ve somehow found time. Bless them! Their director, Josh O’Dell also leads a vocal ensemble of friends who call themselves Valley Spirit. This multi-generational, ecumenical, and spiritually charged group of musicians focuses on creating a quality music ministry. And…minister they do!! Mosaic Harmony is a multi-cultural interfaith community choir of the Washington Metropolitan Area that draws on the rich heritage of African-American inspirational music. The singers, all volunteer, are led by The Reverend David North. As a human mosaic, they strive to illustrate and encourage unity in the midst of diversity, one song at a time. They infuse joy and lift the spirits of their audiences through music and its message. They offer encouragement to those struggling through difficult times. Their goal is to remind audiences, and themselves, that anything is possible.! The event is free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken to benefit Shenandoah Valley Discovery Museum’s Children’s Scholarship Fund.

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James Laster, Joan Claybrook, and Opal Davis will present a musical program of Broadway show tunes entitled “From Broadway with Love” that explores the

themes of love, courtship, and marriage. The program includes “You Are Sixteen” from The Sound of Music, “Old Fashioned Wedding” from Annie Get Your Gun, “Get Me to the Church on Time” from

My Fair Lady, and “Do You Love Me” from Fiddler on the Roof.

The original production of “From Broadway with Love” featured fifteen singers/actors and lasted two hours. Laster, Claybrook, and Davis’ production, which involves two singers and a pianist, is abridged to thirty minutes.

After the program at the church, the Ageless Adventurers will gather for lunch at Perkins Restaurant of Millwood Avenue.

[Photograph: The Ageless Adventurers in &ont of the Mimslynn Inn in Luray, the site of their October luncheon outing.]

THE ADVENT JOURNEY: FIRST CHURCH’S BLOG OF ADVENT REFLECTIONSThe Advent Journey will feature reflections by members and friends of First Presbyterian Church, Winchester, Virginia on the daily scripture readings from the Christian lectionary for the season of Advent [November 30 through December 24].  Advent is a season in the Christian liturgical calendar when Christians wait expectantly and prepare for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus Christ, Christmas.  Advent means coming.If you are a friend or member of the congregation and wish to submit a

reflection, please do so at dan@fpcwinc.org  Reflections should grow out of one of the daily readings.  Somewhere around 300 words seems about right.  In developing your reflections, consider what the scripture may have said to those who first heard it and what it is saying to you now.  As a follower of Jesus, how does the passage impact the way you view the world and conduct yourself in the world?  Allow the Spirit to spark your imagination.Here is a link to the readings for the 2014 Advent season:http://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/daily/2014/11/30/There are several readings for each day during the season of Advent.  You may select any one of them for your reflection.Thank you for sharing your journey with others.  Peace.

DERITERS [ALSO KNOWN AS THE AGELESS ADVENTURES] HOST“FROM BROADWAY WITH LOVE” ON NOVEMBER 18 AT 11:00 A.M. IN FELLOWSHIP HALL

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MUSIC MINISTRY NEWS: HYMNAL TASK FORCE UPDATE

A task force has been established by the Worship and Discipleship Council to explore the purchase of the newly published Presbyterian hymnal Glory to God (2013).  The members of the committee are Ellen Cunningham, Carl Hess, Ray Hillyard, Pam Keim, Janet Thompson, and ex-officio members Rich Reifsnyder, Josh O’Dell, Pat Byers and Amy Bowman.  On Saturday, Novmber 15 at 10:00 a.m., our church will host the Winchester Chapter of the American Guild of Organists as they join with our Hymnal Task Force to hear a presentation by Eric Myers on “The Anatomy of the New Hymnal”.  The Rev. Dr. Eric Myers, a graduate of Shenandoah University, studied

organ with Dr. Steven Cooksey.  Dr. Myers is presently the pastor at Frederick Presbyterian

Church in Frederick, Maryland and was an editorial board member for the new hymnal.  All are welcomed to join the group in the choir room to hear how a new hymnal is put together and sing through several new hymns. 

On Sunday December 14 at 5:00 p.m. the Music Ministry will present a program of Christmas music favorites in our Sanctuary entitled, "An Old Town Christmas." The concert will feature our Children's Choirs, Middle School Music Ensemble, High School Praise Band, New Stone Worship Team, Chancel Choir, Handbell Choir,

and instrumentalists. The concert is free.

! There will also be a catered Christmas dinner after the concert in Fellowship Hall. Dinner tickets will go on sale in November. Mark your calendars. You will not want to miss this wonderful celebration of the birth of Christ!

ETHIOPIAN PARTNERSHIP GLOBAL MISSION BANQUETCome celebrate 25 years of mission partnership between Shenandoah Presbytery and Illubabor Bethel Synod! Shenandoah Presbytery’s annual Ethiopia Partnership banquet will be held this year at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Staunton on Friday, November 14, with registration starting at 5:30 and the meal at 6:30. The speaker will be the Rev. Dr. Carolyn Webber, a PCUSA Mission Worker recently returned from Addis Ababa. More information and registration forms are available on the Shenandoah Presbytery website’s Ethiopia Partnership page. If you’re interested in car-pooling, please contact John Fisher (540-955-7078).

MUSIC MINISTRY NEWS: AN OLD TOWN CHRISTMAS

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Editors

SUSAN KAGEY

DAN MCCOIG

BirthsOctober 1

Kinsey Virginia Feltner, daughter of Josh and Stephanie Feltner and granddaughter of Barry and Deborah Carper

October 6

Alice Jean Black, daughter of Buster and Caroline Black and granddaughter of Joe and Ginny Kalbach

In Memoriam

September 30

Larry McCauley, father of Lynn McCauley

October 1

William Napier, father of Beth Kane

Winchester Area Thermal Shelter Seeks Help Staffing Christmas Week

As many of you may have noticed, there is a WATTS bulletin board located outside the sanctuary door.  On that board are post-it notes listing the volunteer opportunities available to help with WATTS on December 25 and 26.  WATTS will be housed at the Round Hill Ruritan Hall the week of December 22. Area congregations are providing the necessary volunteers to staff the shelter.

Please consider taking a post-it note if you haven’t already.  When you do, please email or call Sarana Donaldson to let her know which volunteer opportunity you have taken.  Sarana’s email address is on the post-it note and her phone is (540) 542-1893.

Thank you very much.

Looking ahead: First Presbyterian Church will host the shelter the week of March 9, 2015. 

Shenandoah Presbytery’s Fall Meeting: November 15 at Bath County High School in Hot Springs

First Presbyterian Church’s ruling elder commissioners are: Lesley Covington, Fran Jeffries, and Charlene Truban. The alternate elder commissioner is Jessica Swiger.

Shenandoah Presbytery is a covenant body of 110 congregations where: Congregations are empowered to be centers for mission; People of God are equipped to be Disciples of Christ in a challenging world; church leaders and members are nurtured and strengthened for service; open communication and information are used constructively and creatively to keep us connected.

Sunday Worship

7:30 a.m. in Boyd Chapel8:30 a.m. New Stone Gathering in

Fellowship Hall8:30 and 11:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary

Reminder: Daylight Savings Time ends at 2:00 a.m. on Sunday, November 2. Please turn your clocks back one hour.