Banner Elk Presbyterian Church December 2015 “To Know Christ and to Make Christ Known” Equipping Saints since 1893 Banner Elk Presbyterian Church PO Box 158 Banner Elk, NC 28604 NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID BANNER ELK, NC 28604 PERMIT NO. 8 PHONE: (828) 898-5406 FAX: (828) 898-7615 WEB PAGE: www.bannerelkpresbyterian.org EMAIL: [email protected]Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 8:30 am - 2:00 pm For the Newsletter to be received by the first day of each month, Session has set the deadline for all submissions to be on or before the 15th of each month (via e-mail or diskette only). We extend a sincere welcome to everyone to join us for worship and any events you see listed in the newsletter. CHURCH LEADERSHIP & STAFF Moderator: Rev. Feild Russell Clerk of Session: Susan Carter Class 2015 Allen Clark - Worship Donna Dicks - Missions Don Hilsmier - Membership Outreach Class 2016 Rick Owen - Personnel Dorothy Pullease - Stewardship/Finance Class 2017 Tony Fortune - Communications Cathy Richmond - Congregational Care Carolyn West - Congregational Care Permanent Funds Ministry – Jim Swinkola Treasurer: Dr. Ronald L. McGowan Asst Treasurers: Allen Clark, Rob Clemmer, Jean Eells, Bruce Pendergast, Dorothy Pullease Church Staff Rev. Feild Russell, Pastor Mobile: 757-846-1105 Email: [email protected]Rev. Leslie Piper, Parish Associate Rev. Dr. Ed Donnell, Parish Associate [email protected]Rob Clemmer, Office Administrator [email protected]Director of Music: Diane Rydell [email protected]Admin. Assistant: Dedy Traver [email protected]Housekeeping: Margaret Trivette BEPC Preschool: Shane Parker, Director [email protected]Jim Taylor, sixOfive Music Director Office Telephone: 828-898-5406 SUNDAY WORSHIP SERIVCES 9:30 am Sunday School 11:00 am Worship - traditional 6:05 pm Worship - informal Tis the season of giving. We celebrate God giving his Son, Jesus, to us, as one of us. We respond with outpourings of our own; surely the Christmas season is when we are most generous to one another, and to those in need. By now, most of us are thinking about what gifts to give to those we love at Christmas. In some ways, the present congregation of BEPC is getting ready to give a gift to future members and friends: the property across the street from the cemetery. That’s right: as of this writing, everything seems to be moving smoothly along for the purchase to be made early this month. We are currently in the “due diligence” time period, and hope to have all details in order to close on December 10. Purchase of this property will give BEPC flexibility for years to come. Perhaps only parking in the short term, but it is a good thing to have options as the congregation grows and changes over time. At the same time, this opportunity poses a challenge. The availability of the property came so quickly that we haven’t had time to develop plans, much less a strategy for raising the money to pay for it. We do have enough to make the initial down payment and several months of 2% seller financing. But a Capital Campaign is on the horizon. Now that it appears the sale will go through, Session has begun serious consideration of how to utilize the property. A comprehensive plan will be brought to the congregation during the first part of next year, with a Capital Campaign put in place to raise funds for both the purchase and development of the land. Saturday’s Chili supper following the Hanging of the Greens will be an initial opportunity for that, but Session welcomes any and all input. Even if you are a seasonal resident, consider an email to me or to any Session member. You can direct Dedy to forward an email sent to [email protected]. In the meantime, some of you have expressed a desire to make contributions to this cause this calendar year. A special fund has been established to receive such designated gifts. That kind of generous spirit, which seems so pervasive here at BEPC, is an appropriate reflection of the anticipation, hope, and joy we Christians celebrate at Christmas! - Feild From the Pastor….
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For the Newsletter to be received by the first day of each month, Session has set the deadline
for all submissions to be on or before the 15th of each month (via e-mail or diskette only). We extend a sincere welcome to everyone to join us for worship and any events you see listed in the newsletter.
Once again, I feel privileged to have been able to represent Banner
Elk Presbyterian Church on our recent trip to visit our sister church,
Arca de Noe. Sadly, on the day we arrived in Guatemala, our hosts,
Selvin and Myra Gonzales had a death in their family, Selvin’s
grandfather, who was like a father to him. Despite this time of
grief,Selvin was adamant that our visit was anticipated, while his
abuelo’s death was not. Perhaps it was a blessing in disguise in that
it gave the family something to focus on other than their grief.
We were blessed to be able to meet almost all of the children who
had just completed their 3 year scholarship cycle. We gave out
certificates of completion to all the children with a small gift to
each. The church provided a meal for all attendees after the service. We got to meet Pastor Luis this visit; he led the
memorial service for Selvin’s grandfather, which was attended by several hundred people. The sisters in the Church made
over 1000 tamales to serve after the memorial service, a very labor intensive effort and truly a labor of love.
Once again, Banner Elk Presbyterian Church showed its generosity to our sister church when we purchased over $700 worth
of food and dry goods which will be presented to 60 of the poorest families in the church to make their Christmas a little
brighter. We also paid for the luncheon held by the church and prepared by many of the women of Arca de Noe. What these
people lack in material goods they more than make up for in love for community and each other. The Christian Spirit is alive
and well in Arca de Noe, as described in 2nd Peter 1:3-7. Our brothers and sisters in Morelia look after each other and their
walk of faith is strong.
As we begin the next 3 year scholarship cycle, we recommended to the elders that they increase the number of scholarships
for the middle school children from 10 to 15 and for high school/trade school from 3 to 5. This puts a greater emphasis on
continuing education, while still providing 20 scholarships for elementary school children. I urge our congregation to take a
look at the book provided to us by Arca de Noe that accounts for every dollar we donated to the scholarship program and puts
faces to the children we have helped. The next recipients will be selected prior to the beginning of the school year in January.
Education is the greatest weapon we can provide to combat the poverty that is so rampant in Guatemala.
Once again I came back renewed and my faith fortified that we are doing God’s work in Guatemala. Our dear brother Selvin
will pay a visit to Banner Elk in January. I encourage you all to make an attempt to get to know this kind and generous man.
Although he speaks very little English and most of us don’t speak a lot of Spanish, God’s love needs no translator. He and his
family have become my family too. Next year will mark the 20th anniversary of the partnership we have with our sister
church, Arca de Noe. God willing, I will be there next year to help commemorate it.
- Kathy Ward
Have Needle, Will Mend (Someone who is very handy with needle-work would like to offer her sewing talents as a gift of ministry. Those who use this mending service may make an appropriate donation to the church.) How many times have you picked up a favorite shirt, skirt or pair of trousers, only to realize you
cannot wear it because a button is missing, a seam has split, or the hem is dragging? Help is
here! Bring your clean, mendable items to the church office in a bag marked “Mending”, and
include your name and contact information. They will be returned to you repaired and ready to wear
again! Here are some possible candidates for repair:
Missing buttons (Please safety pin the button to the garment. Shirt buttons can be provided; specialty buttons must be
attached.)
Socks (Darning will be color-matched as closely as possible, sturdy and serviceable, but noticeable.)
Seams, hems and trim where stitching has come undone (Please don’t send items to be lengthened or shortened, or other
alterations – that is beyond our scope!)
Small holes and tears (Repairs will be done as carefully as possible, but may be slightly noticeable.)
Shepherds’ Program for 2016
Comforter Dedication
The Comfort Makers are dedicating a beautiful blanket to Katie
Fletcher. Katie, along with her late husband Paul, have made the
grounds of our church beautiful with flowers and shrubs for years,
rotating them as the seasons altered. The two have also been major
positive influences in our church and we are sad to have lost Paul but
celebrate both of their lives with this comforter. Our comforters are
given various organizations such as RAM, Habitat for Humanity and
other deserving institutions.
It is time for those who are interested and willing to make a commitment to their church
family. As a member of Banner Elk Presbyterian, you have promised to be involved in
the ministry of Christ’s Church. Being a shepherd is a wonderful way to help fulfill that
promise. Our new Shepherd year begins the first of January 2016 and runs through
December. If you have never served as Shepherd for a month, you will find you will
receive much more than you will ever give. Couples, two friends, or new friends can
serve as Shepherds . You will receive instructions on what your responsibilities for the
month will be. There will always be someone to help or answer any questions you might have.
We know that many of you have returned to your winter homes; however, you can still sign up to be a shepherd! It is impor-
tant to have people commit to this program as soon as possible for 2016. After signing up, if something occurs to prevent you
from serving, please notify Emily Garrett at 828-297-7577 or Carolyn Jones at 828-733-6902 to make changes. Sign up early
to select the month of your choice. For more information please call Emily or Carolyn. We appreciate your giving of yourself
for others.
Blessings and have a wonderful winter.
On the Mend…..
Guatemala Trip 2015
As we head in to the latter part of the year, it is evident the money in the IT'S TIME FOR A
CHANGE account will not last until the end of the year to fill the needs of the babies we are trying
to assist. We try to help RAM with diapers and formula, with formula being the greatest need as it
is so very expensive. We usually try to go to Sam's and purchase a special formula there which has
proven to serve these babies well. If you have a few extra dollars you would be willing to give to
help these babies, it would be most appreciated. Just send a check to the church, (BEPC), with the
notation "IT'S TIME FOR A CHANGE" and we will shop for these items for you. Thank you for
your support for this important ministry. If you have questions, call Carolyn Jones - 733-6902.
It’s Time for a Change
Church Happenings
December Birthdays
JULIETS
The Juliets ( Just Us Ladies Informally Eating Together)
enjoyed their November get-together at Reids Catering Cafe
and will gather to celebrate the holidays on Wednesday,
December 9 at Over Yonder in Valle Crucis. The time is
12:30pm and the restaurant is located across the street from the
Mast Store. We have a room reserved and will be ordering off the menu which you
can access on line. Please sign up or call the church or Marge Bailey (387-4628).
We need to have everyone's name so that we can call in case of inclement weather.
Hope to see you all there!
Walking with Shadows
The support group for those who are friends or family of persons with mental illnesses will meet
December 14th this month at 7:00pm. We will be continuing to map our own lives to better
understand how we respond to the challenges presented by those with mental illness. Any further questions may be directed to Janet Speer [email protected].
Psalm 34:17: “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of their trou-
bles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.”
January Visitor from Guatemala
American Red Cross Blood Drive
BEPC sponsors the American Red Cross Blood Drives
several times a year. The next one will be held Thursday
December 3rd from 2:00-6:30pm. It will be in the King
Fellowship Hall. Sponsoring a blood drive is an important
community responsibility and helps many people in this
community. Please mark your calendars and, if you are
able, please help the Red Cross reach their goal!
Support Group
.
Guatemala Calendars
The Presbytery of Western North Carolina has started a new initiative in conjunction with our
Guatemala ministry called the Building Hope Campaign. This program is an extension of our
scholarship program that will provide scholarship monies to deserving students to attend college or
seminary. Education is the primary means to overcome the poverty that is so prevalent in Guatemala.
To start Banner Elk Presbyterian’s campaign, we are selling 2016 calendars, called “Faces of
Guatemala”. These calendars are
professionally produced by Shutterfly, with boxes large enough to write events on and many of the church’s events listed.
Calendars will be sold for $20 each. A limited number are left. These also make great gifts. Get yours before the are gone!
A copy is available for review in the church office. Please consider supporting this worthwhile project and get something you
can use in the process.
Guatemala Calendars
Visitor from Guatemala in January
Brother Selvin Gonzalez will be visiting us beginning on January 4
until January 11, 2016. This will be his second trip to Banner Elk, but
never in the winter! He received his visa in November (rare for a
Guatemalan man these days), and we were disappointed to learn that
it was only issued for only three months, expiring on February 3. We
talked at length when I was in Guatemala in October about the
challenges for a man from Central America enduring the January
weather in Banner Elk, but he decided that he had hoped to visit us
and that he would be just fine. I have arranged to borrow some warm
clothing from Jay Maveety from New Hope Presbyterian in Ashe-
ville. (Jay is of small build much like Brother Selvin.)
It is my hope that some of you might like to host Selvin for a meal,
lunch or dinner during his stay here. (Some families may wish to work together to host a meal.) He would love to get to know
us as we have gotten to know the families in Morelia over the past many years. I know he will be welcomed in our wonderful
BEPC way. I am planning to take him to several of our weekly church event: ROMEOS (if they will allow a woman to come
along as Selvin speaks no English), come to choir practice, hand bells and other scheduled activities. Of course, he will be
with us for both Worship Services on January 10th. Selvin will begin our year of celebrating 20 years of partnership with
Arcá de Noe which began in 1996 when the Session voted to enter into a covenant relationship with a church in Guatemala.
Many of you know this, but it bears telling again. When the Session was given the list of churches available for Partnership in
Guatemala, Ann Swinkola was clerk of Session. At that time she was the owner of Noah’s Ark Travel Agency here in Banner
Elk. Ann saw the name
Arcá de Noe (Noah’s Ark) and it was a no-brainer. So began our enduring and wonderful relationship of 20 years.
If you would like to schedule a lunch or dinner with Selvin (and me tagging along as translator), please call or email me at
898-5148H, 898-7218C or [email protected]. I will be out of town from Dec. 3rd through Jan. 3rd. Email would be the
best way to contact me.
We are looking forward to his visit as is he.
- Barbara Hosbein
Beautiful Greeting Cards by Our Parishioners and Friends
The Arts Ministry team, in an effort to promote the visual
arts, selected the work of four artists (Joan Rhyne, Jerry Ol-
sen, Ramona Humphrey and Tom Culver) to appear on greet-
ing cards. On the back of each card is a biography of the
artist. The inside is blank. Our main goal is not to make
money but to promote our artists in the Banner Elk Presbyte-
rian community. The cost of a set of 10 cards is $10. The
cards will be available in the church office and make excel-