the selwyn spire - Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church

THE SELWYN SPIRE
Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church, Charlotte, North Carolina
June 2013
SAPC STAFF
Every year in June I am full of gratitude and not a little sadness as the Elders who have served so
wonderfully for the past three years complete their terms. Each one of these people, and all of them
together, have brought life and grace and care to every aspect of our life together.
Lori Burbank has been co-moderator of the Congregational Life Group. If you have enjoyed a
meal in the Fellowship Hall, a picnic on the lawn, a retreat, or if you have ever received a meal from
a Care Team, Lori has been part of that process and has seen that everything is done well.
Kevin Cumbus has worked tirelessly as moderator of the New Member Committee. He has
organized the orientation classes, welcomed visitors, guided new members, and encouraged everyone
to exhibit the gift of hospitality. Chuck Ellison has been Moderator of the Planning Committee
during a time when the Bates House has become fully utilized and when the Church needed
additional office space and a reworking of our telephone system. He also worked with the newly
adopted by-laws. J.P. Flynn has been our Youth Elder and has been active in Christian education
and mission efforts, including Montclaire Freedom School, Room in the Inn, Sunday school teacher,
and Presbytery Youth Council. Brian Halstead put his strength and expertise in management to use
as Moderator of the Property Committee, organizing several productive work days, supporting the
care of our 65 year old buildings and grounds, and being liaison with the CDC Board and staff.
Brian also has coached our championship softball team! Stuart Pfeifer has been Moderator of the
Child Development Center Board for the past two years, having recruited and welcomed a new
Director and Assistant Director, managed the annual budget of more than $1.2 million, and bringing
a calm and positive joy to staff, parents, and children. Bill St. George has done a sterling job as
Moderator of the Finance Committee, seeing to it that financial and benevolent obligations are met,
communicating with our banks and with the Presbyterian Foundation, reviewing budget proposals
and income, and projecting into the future—all during a major recession. Allison Tibe faithfully and
reliably helped lead our Christian Education programs for children and their families, and also
worked behind the scenes with special events and fellowship and support of people in need. As
Moderator of the Worship Group, Joy Widener has seen to it that Elders are prepared and ready to
serve communion, ushers are present each Sunday, choirs and music staff are supported, and
memorial services undergirded by SAPC members and Elders. Tony Windell led the Personnel
Committee, served as our liaison with the Presbytery Committee on Ministry, and also was a
member of the Presbytery’s Personnel Committee during a difficult period of transitions.
Please join me in thanking these strong and wise leaders. We all have grown spiritually because of
their talents and wisdom and devotion. As the Book of Order says of Elders, they have “served the
people with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love.”
Rush Otey, Pastor
Lori Raible, Associate
for Congregational Life
and Adult Christian
Education
Mary Bowman,
Associate for Mission
Emily Phillips, Director
Christian Education
Erin Mills,
Youth Director
Fred Spano,
Director of Music
John Siler, Organist
Marsha Cooper,
Church Administrator
Tonya Moore,
Church Accountant
Reba Hardaway
Administrative Assistant
Cynthia Kara, Director
Child Development Center
GROUPS
Worship
Joy Widener, Chair
Christian Education
Kim McGirt, Chair
Administration
Hank Hankins, Chair
Congregational Life
Meredith Burbank and
Lori Burbank, Co-Chairs
Mission
John Duncan, Chair
Child Development Center
Stuart Pfeifer, Chair
2929 Selwyn Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28209
Tel: 704-372-6836
Fax: 704-372-6910
www.selwynpres.org
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
We welcome
Carolyn Elizabeth Miller
In Memoriam
daughter of
Hunter and Catherine Miller
born on
May 13, 2013
Martha “Pipper” Rogers Byrum
October 26, 1942 – May 21, 2013
FATHER’S DAY MEN’S CHOIR
Fred Spano will rehearse with the men on
Sunday, June 9 following worship and at 9am on
June 16. All men are invited to participate. The
men will sing Bonse Aba in worship on
Father's Day, June 16.
Annual Spring Picnic
Sunday, June 2, following worship
What to Bring:



A blanket or chairs for the lawn.
Members often lay their
blankets out before worship.
A side item or dessert to share.
A friend.
What to expect:



Member, Mike Goodman's famous barbeque.
Jim Avett and his Gospel/ Bluegrass Band.
The chance to meet new and old Selwyn members alike.
Volunteer to help clean up through SignUp Genius:
www.SignUpGenius.com/go/30E094CABA92CAB9-2013/2570452
New Address
Cliff and Abbe Aaron
4416 Bellwood Lane
Charlotte, NC 28270
704-650-5626
In Nursing or Retirement Homes
Carriage Club - Margaret Cunningham
Eden Terrace, Spartanburg - Jewel White
Merrywood - Virginia Bratton, Jane Fairfax
Plantation Estates - Dorothy Mayo, Dick & Anne McMackin,
Martha St. George, Joe Welch
Sharon Towers - Lois Jordan
Southminster - Robert & Bobbye Linn, Catherine Mackelfresh
Springmoor, Raleigh - Evalyn “Pete” Purnell
The Cypress - Bobby & Mary Davis, Jean Rea
Births
Adelaide Partain, granddaughter of Emily and Randy Phillips
on May 7, 2013.
Deaths
Lois Terry Harper, mother of Tina Weinberg-Ryburn, on May 2, 2013.
Faith and Film
PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY
The next meeting will be in the Parlor,
June 9 after Worship.
Contact Anne Rutherford, 704-341-7585,
if you have any questions.
Mozart’s Sister
Set in the 1760’s, this is the story of
Wolfgang Mozart’s older sister Nanneri, a talented
musician in her own right. Witness how she copes
with living in the shadow of an exceptionally
talented younger brother at a time when few
recognized that women might also have the gift of
useful talents.
Selwyn Avenue Presbyterian Church
Men’s Softball Schedule
WEEK 9
WEEK 10
W 05-Jun UU vs SAP
M 10-Jun SAP vs AL
Mrs. Miniver
AL - Ascension Lutheran
SAP - Selwyn Avenue Pres.
UU - Unitarian Universalist
This classic film featuring Greer Garson and
Walter Pidgeon earned 6 Academy Awards, among
them Best Picture and Best Actress. Indeed,
Mrs. Miniver is no ordinary woman and her
character is beautifully inspiring.
All games will be played at Trinity Presbyterian Church
at 6:30pm.
June 5 - 1:30pm
June 19 - 1:30pm
SAVE THE DATE
Fellowship Point for All: August 25
Join us August 25 for swimming, picnicking
and worship. Details to come, but mark
your calendars now!
Rally Day: September 8
Stop Hunger Now: September 29
SAPC BOOK CLUB
Will meet at 6:30pm, June 18, at
Park Place Restaurant, to discuss
Room by Emma Donoghue. Contact
Eleanor Hahn at 704-554-8089
or Bettye Sue Newsom at
704-376-7902 with questions.
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Britta Patterson, and daughters Reagan and Grier joined on May 5, 2013.
3136 Selwyn Avenue, Charlotte NC 28209, 704-643-2559
Joe and Jackie Salinas joined on May 5, 2013.
3514 High Hampton Drive, Charlotte NC 28210, 704-544-0356
Jim Sanders and daughter Isabella joined on May 5, 2013.
5333 Chedworth Drive, Charlotte NC 28210, 704-549-8374
William and Mallory Trogdon joined on May 5, 2013.
3320 Mayfield Avenue, Charlotte NC 28209, 704-661-5454
(Please add this contact information to your church directory.)
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN
2013 PW Honorary Life Membership
Bettye Sue Newsom was recognized in the worship service on May 5, 2013 as the recipient of the 2013 PW
Honorary Life Membership. This award is conferred upon a woman for recognition of faithful service in the work
of PW and SAPC. Bettye Sue has held various leadership roles in the church and for many years has reached out to
visitors and newcomers to show the caring spirit of SAPC. Congratulations Bettye Sue!
Presbyterian Women 2013 Birthday Offering
Since 1922, Presbyterian Women have facilitated a long succession of new and often innovative
mission projects through the annual Birthday Offering. Women are encouraged to give one penny for
each year of their lives or $1 as a "birthday gift." This money has been used to support various projects
designed to help women and children around the world. At the Presbyterian Women's luncheon held on
May 5, $62 was collected. The money was sent to the 2013 recipient, the Westminster Neighborhood
Ministries in Indianapolis, IN. Thank you to all who contributed. It will help PW throughout the world
reach the goal of $500,000 and make a significant impact on the lives of children and families in an
impoverished area of Indianapolis.
In 1956, Presbyterian Women contributed $208,577 to build the Yodogawa Christian Hospital in
Osaka, Japan. The Presbyterian Women's gift, raised through the Birthday Offering, helped build a
76-bed hospital that has grown into a multi-faceted medical complex. In 2009, this hospital gave a gift
to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) representing the same amount that had been given to it as startup
money, with the request that the gift be used to further mission work in Asia. This is just one example
of how $1 can grow to help our neighbors around the world.
FINANCE
2013 BUDGETED PLEDGE RECEIPTS for Selwyn is $604,876. A weekly income of $11,632 is needed to cover our
budget.
May 19: Income received = $ 7,783
Income received as of May 26:
$326,620*
May 26: Income received = $5,739
Income needed as of May 26:
$244,272
Surplus or (deficit) year-to-date:
$ 82,348
* We have received a substantial amount in pledges earlier than usual -- thanks to all!
MISSION AND OUTREACH
HELP DONATE FREEDOM SCHOOL SUPPLIES
Please use the bins in the Spire Hallway to donate the following:
-New or gently used board games
-New or gently used soccer balls, kick balls, jump ropes,
basketballs
-Used paper towel rolls and coat hangers
-Cardboard cup holders
-Plastic grocery bags
-Full sized candy bars and candies
(as treats for our onsite staff)
FREEDOM SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
JUNE 24 - AUGUST 2
Please watch for a sign-up link in June for:
-Snacks (we would like to have 100 each day)
-Supply shopping (for curriculum items needed each week)
-Field trip chaperones (bring your kids and join in the fun)
We are so grateful for your support!
BRIDGES OUT OF POVERTY (CLASS MATTERS)
REFLECTIONS
"My biggest take away is how important it is to be respectful of
differences in middle class and low income cultures. One is not
better than the other, they are just different since each meets the
needs of the population in that culture. They are the ways we have
each learned to solve our problems."-Malyn Pratt
"Although I have worked in poverty areas and consider myself
empathetic, I certainly learned a lot that will assist me to be more
helpful in the future. Thanks for making this available to us. Our
Room at the Inn guests will greatly benefit." -Peggy Hormberg
BOOKS, BOOKS AND MORE BOOKS!
Our book drive was a wonderful success. Our thanks
to all of you who have been willing to sort through your
bookshelves in order to support Habitat and Montclaire.
We collected 290 children's books and 357 adult
books!
“I left the first session discouraged about whether there was hope
for any substantive relationship between those in the middle class
and those wrestling with generational poverty. But as the second
session progressed it became clear that with education and
sensitivity, and the basics that our parents taught us, such as
treating all people with respect and being empathetic to others and
what they are experiencing, there is much hope for meaningful
relationships between the classes.” -Eleanor Hahn
A story of motherly love and Freedom School
Article from Freedom School Partners, Inc. Newsletter
Financial support to provide children with the Freedom School experience comes from a broad
spectrum of the Charlotte community, and, a few weeks ago, eight Freedom School mothers
decided they wanted to contribute too. Moms from the Montclaire Freedom School site planned an
authentic Latino dinner fundraiser. The moms, whose native countries spanned the Spanish
speaking spectrum from Honduras to Mexico, worked for days cooking the meal. On Sunday,
April 28, over 200 people, including members of the two congregations supporting the site, families
whose children will attend Freedom Schools and Montclaire Elementary school employees ate in
fellowship together. Others joined in to support the fundraiser as well. The Montclaire Communities
In Schools Coordinator prepared and translated flyers to publicize the event. The son of the pastor of one
of the church partners translated for the attendees. The Freedom School scholars carved mangoes to look
like flowers and sold them for dessert.
We are excited to share our Montclaire moms raised over $2,200 for Freedom School. One mother
in particular, Rosio, was so grateful for what Freedom School had done for her two children that outside of
the event, she made and sold 200 tamales. She gave every dollar she received back to Freedom School.
She refused to be refunded for the cost of making the tamales, saying she just wanted to contribute to her
children's Freedom School experience. Parents contribute in a variety of ways throughout the summer to
show their children that Freedom School is important and will make a difference in their lives. We are
grateful that parents serve as one of our primary partners to show our scholars that a broad community
believes in them.
MEET THE NEW ELDERS - CLASS OF 2016
Ned Carroll has served at Selwyn in the areas of stewardship, property and maintenance, and
congregational life. He has taken part in two international mission trips, one to Mexico and
recently to El Salvador with Habitat for Humanity. Ned is a graduate of Davidson College and is
employed with Bank of America. In the community he is on the Board of Advisors for the UNCC
College of Computing. He is married to Amy, who is also an Elder, and they have two children,
Noah and Annie, and are active in the life of Trinity Episcopal School
Emily Cox grew up in Virginia and is a graduate of Hollins College. For most of her adult life,
she and her husband Sumter have been Charlotteans. Emily is a long-time Presbyterian, and at
SAPC has worked with the Care Teams, Prayer Shawl Ministry, Worship Group, Sunday evening
Bible Study, and the Covenant Class. Emily has also served through the Junior League and
PTA’s. She and Sumter have two adult children and are proud grandparents!
Ed Flynn is returning to the Session. He and Susan, an Elder also, are the parents of J.P. (our
outgoing Youth Elder), Mary, and William. A Davidson graduate, Ed has been a Sunday School
Teacher, Youth Advisor and Montreat Conference chaperone, as well as a supporter of Mission,
Fellowship, and Worship ministries. He is a social studies/psychology teacher at Myers Park
High School, and also is the head coach for both the men’s and women’s tennis teams there.
Mike Hinshaw is President of Hinshaw Properties, a real estate development company. He has
served on the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Planning Commission, and on the Board of Lenoir Rhyne
University. Mike and his wife Frankie have two grown sons, Michael and Steven, and several
grandchildren. He enjoys golf and fishing in his leisure time, and has supported a variety of
ministries at SAPC, especially Worship and Bible Study.
Eleanor Moore returns to the Session. She has been involved in almost every area of life at
SAPC—Choir Member, Music Committee, Doorstep Visitor, Moderator of Communications
Committee, Prayer Shawl Group, Freedom School Planning Committee, and the Mission Group.
She has participated in mission trips to Cameroon and to El Salvador, and enjoys reading, theater,
art, and cooking. Eleanor is a graduate of Mary Baldwin College and is a website designer with
her company, Moore Better Communications. Her adult daughter, Meredith, lives in Richmond
and often has been a participant and visitor at SAPC.
Vince Pratt also returns to the Session, where he has previously served as Clerk of Session,
member of Property and Maintenance Committee, and Mission volunteer with Habitat for
Humanity and Room in the Inn. A graduate of NC State, Vince is an engineer with Zapata
Incorporated. He and Malyn, also an Elder, have lived in many parts of the world, including
Central America and Saudi Arabia. They have three adult children, Michael and Marirose and
Elizabeth. Vince is currently near the end of section-hiking the Appalachian Trail, and serves as
a Board Member of Sharon Towers Retirement Community.
MEET THE NEW ELDERS - CLASS OF 2016 (CONTINUED)
Elizabeth Stearns graduated from Rice University and holds graduate degrees from UNC
Chapel Hill. She is a tenured professor of sociology at UNC-Charlotte. Elizabeth is married to
James Hart and they have two daughters, Lily and Lena, who were baptized at Selwyn. She has
served widely with the CDC Board (secretary for four years), nursery committee, and Mission
Group (especially with Freedom School where she has been the DEAR coordinator). She is a
Daisy Scout leader and was co-founder of the Never Left Alone group which advocates for child
protection in the community.
Rebecca Thompson is a lifelong Presbyterian and a graduate of Agnes Scott College. She
previously served as a Deacon and a long-time Board member of the Child Development Center.
Rebecca and husband John, along with their two daughters Caroline and Annie, have been active
with Room in the Inn and Freedom School, and all Christian Education and Fellowship events.
Rebecca has been a Sunday school teacher for elementary and middle school classes, and gives
her time also as a classroom volunteer in the CMS public schools. She is a contract consultant
for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina.
Joseph Vickers will be our Youth Elder for the coming year. Joseph is a student at South
Mecklenburg High School where he especially enjoys history classes and is active in the Navy
Junior ROTC program. Joseph is the son of Joe and Joy Vickers, and he first came to SAPC as
an infant in the Child Development Center! He was baptized here, and has become a leader in
the Youth Fellowship. He was one of the preachers in the recent Youth Sunday service, and will
again participate this summer in the mission trip with Appalachian Service Project and in the
Montreat Youth Conference. Joseph is also active in the Scout Troop 99 at Selwyn and has been
on several major trips with the Scouts. If you need advice about scuba diving, camping, or
fishing, see Joseph!
Lou Waple is a true Tar Heel, having grown up in Fayetteville and graduated from UNC
undergraduate and law school. He and Shelley are parents of Emma and Nelson. As a family the
Waples have been active in the CDC, and in Congregational Life ministries. Lou has helped with
property and maintenance work days, and in the community is a youth soccer coach and a
Y-Guide parent. Lou enjoys music, running and water sports, cooking, and gardening. He is an
attorney with the Kiger, Waple, and Houke Law Firm and has had a particular interest in serving
people with disabilities.
JUNE BIRTHDAYS
1
Nancy Budd
Ellis Patton
Dale Ramsey
Patrick Summers
Greg Sweet
2
James Barkley
3
Charlie Buchy
Casey Cothran
Alex Johnston
4
5
Mongai Fankam
Cameron Nauman
Kaitlin Hall
8
Chan Roush
Mary Beth Shore
9
Elizabeth Long
10 Sara Davis
Joseph Stafford
11 Kris Phillips
12 Lucy Caldwell
Ed Hastings
Margaret Long
Beth Ramsey
13 Robynn Long
Mollie McGirt
Herman Thomas
6
Andy Burgin
7
Laura Hankins
14 Noah Kobal
Karen Johnson-Aaron
Angie Madigan
Anne Rutherford
Jane Torbet
15 Anna Lowe
Val Jean Parks
Charlie Phillips
Nicole Shaw
Sandy Warner
21 Matthew Cooper
Melanie Duncan
Pat Wheatley
22 McKenna Baskerville
Michelle Bentley
Virginia Bratton
Ed Flynn
Alan Kincade
16 Mai-Lis Bahr
Liam Cameron
17 Marcie Linker
Christy Parbst
18 Joan Foard
Willa May Young
19 Lex Cooper
20 Mark Cantey
Jeanne Thomas
23 Carrie Astroth
Stuart Pfeifer
24 Matt Cauthen
Joshua Duncan
25 Jim Macholz
Kenny Smith
Jacob Walker
26 Jane Luckenbach
Mac McLennan
Sydney Pifer
Braxton Richards
27 Evalyn Purnell
28 Bill Budd
Grace Haruta
Vince Pratt
Vicki Walker
29 Finn Cauthen
Lisa McLennan
30 Megan Stuart
Robert Vise
CALENDAR
Sunday, June 2
9:00 Chancel Choir (S)
9:30 Sunday School
9:30 Combined Adult Sunday School
(FH)
10:00 Called Session Meeting (Parlor)
10:30 Worship Service and
Elder Ordination/Installation (S)
11:30 Annual Spring Picnic
(Front Lawn)
6:00 Administration Group
Meeting (P)
Monday, June 3
9:00 Church Notes Deadline
7:00 Boy Scouts (SH)
Tuesday, June 4
7:00 Cub Scouts (SH)
7:00 Scottish Dancers (FH)
Wednesday, June 5
1:30 Faith and Film (P)
Sunday, June 9
Youth Mission Trip
9:00 Chancel Choir (S)
9:30 Sunday School
9:30 Combined Adult Sunday School
(FH)
10:30 Worship Service
with Baptism (S)
11:30 Prayer Shawl Meeting (P)
11:30 Mission Group (FH)
11:30 Father’s Day Men’s Choir
Practice (S)
6:30 Salt Shakers (tbd)
Church Office Hours:
9am-5pm Mon.-Thurs.,
9am-1pm Fri.
Tuesday, June 11
Youth Mission Trip
7:00 Scottish Dancers (FH)
Wednesday, June 12
Youth Mission Trip
Thursday, June 13
Youth Mission Trip
Friday, June 14
Youth Mission Trip
7:00 Men’s Group (BH)
Saturday, June 15
Youth Mission Trip
6:30 Just Friends (Wheatley)
Sunday, June 16
9:00 Father’s Day Men’s Choir
Practice (S)
9:30 Sunday School
9:30 Combined Adult Sunday School
(FH)
10:30 Worship Service (S)
10:45 Urban Ministries Lemonade
(Offsite)
Monday, June 17
9:00 Church Notes Deadline
7:00 Boy Scouts (SH)
Tuesday, June 18
6:30 SAPC Book Club
(Park Place Restaurant)
7:00 Scottish Dancers (FH)
Wednesday, June 19
1:30 Faith and Film (P)
Monday, June 10
Youth Mission Trip
9:00 Church Notes Deadline
Sunday, June 23
9:00 Chancel Choir (S)
9:30 Sunday School
9:30 Combined Adult Sunday School
(FH)
10:30 Worship Service (S)
11:30 Session Meeting (FH)
Monday, June 24
Freedom School @ Montclaire
9:00 Church Notes Deadline
9:00 Spire Deadline
9:00 Rising 1st - 6th Graders VBS
Tuesday, June 25
Freedom School @ Montclaire
9:00 Rising 1st - 6th Graders VBS
5:00 Child Development Center Group
(P)
7:00 Scottish Dancers (FH)
Wednesday, June 26
Freedom School @ Montclaire
9:00 Rising 1st - 6th Graders VBS
Thursday, June 27
Freedom School @ Montclaire
9:00 Rising 1st - 6th Graders VBS
Friday, June 28
Freedom School @ Montclaire
9:00 Rising 1st - 6th Graders VBS
7:00 Men’s Group (BH)
Sunday, June 30
9:00 Chancel Choir (S)
9:30 Sunday School
9:30 Combined Adult Sunday School
(FH)
10:30 Worship Service with Baptism (S)
WORSHIP
COMMUNION WILL BE CELEBRATED
Sunday, September 8 during the 10:30am Worship Service
If you are unable to attend the worship service and would like to receive communion at your
residence, please notify the church office, 704-372-6836 or Joe Anne Cole 704-373-0456.
College Graduates Winter 2012 and Spring 2013
Jessie Hahn, from University of South Carolina, Bachelor of Science in Nursing, on May 10, 2013.
Stephen Lohr, from UNC Wilmington, major in Film Studies with a minor in Digital Arts, on December 15, 2012.
Lee Schuitema, from Furman University, Bachelors of Arts in Communication Studies, on May 4. 2013.
Clark Spencer, from UNC School of Law, on May 11, 2013.
Kristin Summers, from UNC Charlotte, Bachelors in Elementary and Special Education, on May 11, 2013.
Mary Ward, from Queens University McColl School of Business, MBA in the Executive Program, on May 3, 2013.
High School Graduates June 2013
Meg Brownlee
Ellis Burke
Rebecca Cann
Mitchell Cooper
J.P. Flynn
Nicole Shaw
Andrew Winkenwerder
Congratulations to All!
X
SELWYN AVENUE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
2929 SELWYN AVENUE
CHARLOTTE, NC 28209-1734