Fellowship Presbyterian Church

February 5, 2012 Volume 5 Issue 2

3406 Meridian Street, Huntsville, AL 35811 Office 256.539.2418 Fax 256.539.2492 e-mail:fpsecretary@hotmail.com

The HAND of Fellowship (Helpful and Nurturing Disciples)

From the Pastor’s Desk Reverend Gregory Jerome Bentley

In his bestseller The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey argues persuasively that the habits we form shape our character, and our character in turn shapes our destiny. The habit that speaks most pointedly to the issue of destiny is Habit 2: Begin with the End in Mind. This is a matter of vision, seeing the end that God has in mind for us. If we don’t have a sense of where we’re going, then any old road will get us there. But if we begin with the end in mind, we can effectively marshal the necessary resources and strategies to get us to the place where God would have us be and to do what God would have us do. The session has begun a vision study to begin the process of discerning the direction in which God is leading and calling the ministry of Fellowship. We are using prayer, the Bible, Experiencing God by Henry Blackaby, and The Power of Vision by George Barna as the primary resources in this discernment process. We invite the whole

Fellowship family to join us in prayer and discernment as we seek to capture and cast God’s vision for this ministry so that we can join God in God’s work in the congregation, in the wider Huntsville community, throughout the PCUSA, and the world at large. Opportunities for the session and congregation to engage one another in conversation and collective discernment are forthcoming. There is still a vision for the appointed time; it will surely come and not delay. And when it comes, let us boldly and joyfully embrace it and join God in God’s redemptive and transformative work of justice, peace, and righteousness in the world. In His Service, Gregory J. Bentley

“The Power of Vision” “Then the Lord answered me and said; Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so that a runner may read it. For

there is still a vision for the appointed time; it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it seems to tarry, wait for it; it will

surely come, it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2: 2, 3

DIRECTORY OF SERVICES Sunday School 9:45 a.m. Sunday Worship 11:00 a.m. Choir Rehearsals Inspirational (Tues) 6:00 p.m. Chancel (Tues) 7:30 p.m. Adult Bible Study (Wed) Noon and 6:00 p.m. Youth and Children Bible Study (Thurs.) 5:45 p.m. Choir Rehearsal 6:30 p.m.

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DATES TO REMEMBER February

6 - Worship Ministry Team meeting, Noon 6 - Leadership Training-Session, 6:00 p.m. 8 - Property & Maintenance meeting, Noon 8 - Witness and Service Committee meeting, 5:30 p.m. 9 - Stewardship & Finance meeting, 5:30 p.m. 12 - PW Circle meeting, 5:00 p.m. 13 - Leadership Training-Session, 6:00 p.m. 15 - Food distribution, 1:00 p.m. 17 - Stated Session meeting, 6:00 p.m. 18 - Presbyterian Men meeting, 8:00 a.m. 20 - Leadership Training-Session, 6:00 p.m. 22 - Ash Wednesday 22 - Senior High Youth meeting 27 - Leadership Training-Session, 6:00 p.m.

STAFF

Reverend Gregory J. Bentley Pastor

Mrs. Brenda Davis Director of Music Ministry

Mrs. Antoinette “Toni” Franklin Director Inspiration/Gospel Choir

Mrs. Janet Poles Children’s/Youth Choir Director

Ms. Darlene Richardson Assistant Children’s/Youth Choir Director

Mr. Theodus Friend Sexton

What is Your Session Doing?

• Session approved Worship Ministry Team recommendations:

◊ That the children’s choir be continued at no additional

cost to the church. ◊ That all worship leaders use a pew Bible or the same

version as the pew Bible during service to insure uniformity with scripture readings.

◊ That Reverend Bentley serve as youth speaker for 4th

and 5th Sunday services. ◊ That Session accept the display case given to the church

by the Theodore Dixie, Sr. family. ◊ That Session approve purchasing new Presbyterian

hymnals per strategy outlined by the Minister of Music to the Clerk of Session.

• A Self Governance Policy for Session was approved. • Session approved establishing a Children’s Church. • Session approved a continuing education event for Rev.

Bentley, February 6-9, 2012. • Session approved a trip to Montreat, NC, July 7-14,

2012, at no cost to the church for high school students. • Session approved youth activities with the stipulation

that activities are tailored to approved budget. Permission was granted for youth to raise addition funds required for activities with guidance from youth directors.

• Session approved a contract form for all employees of

Fellowship Church. • Elder Mary Mitchell was elected Clerk of Session and

Elder Frances Harris was elected Treasurer for 2012. • Session approved Elder Frances Harris assembling a

financial review team and reporting back to session. (Continued on page 8)

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Biography of Rhashell D. Hunter

The Reverend Doctor Rhashell D. Hunter is the Director of Racial Ethnic and Women’s Ministries/PW in the General Assembly Mission Council of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Her ministries include racial ethnic and cross cultural ministries, women’s leadership development, racial and justice ministries, and Presbyterian women. She is a contributor to Preaching God’s Transforming Justice: A Lectionary Commentary, published by Westminster John Knox Press in 2011, and writer of the PC(USA’s.) Celebrate the Gifts of Women resource for 2011. Her paper, “Gathering Everyone at the Center,” was presented at the Academy of Homiletics, and her article, “Preaching as Testimony: African American Womanist Preaching,” was published in The African American Pulpit. Prior to joining the GAMC, she served as Pastor of Community Presbyterian Church in Flint, Michigan, from March 1998 to April 2007. She is also an Adjunct Professor of Preaching, having most recently taught Anglican priests in Canada. Before her pastorate in Flint, Dr. Hunter served as Associate Pastor for Worship, Music, and the Arts at Fourth Presbyterian Church of Chicago, and she is past Moderator of the Synod of the Covenant. She was awarded the Doctor of Ministry in Preaching degree and the Master of Divinity degree from McCormick Theological Seminary, the Master of Fine Arts degree from Trinity University, the Bachelor of Arts degree and a

Texas Teachers' Certificate in Drama and Journalism from the University of Houston. She is a second career clergy person, having had a career in the performing arts in New York, Dallas and Houston. She has integrated her gifts in the performing arts with her ministry in the church and has provided experiences that integrate drama and dance into the worship life of the congregation. She has a love for preaching and also a commitment to building bridges in multicultural communities. Dr. Hunter was reared in Dallas, Texas, in multicultural congregations. She is the daughter of a Presbyterian minister, The Reverend Dr. Charles A. Hunter, and a homemaker/teacher, Mrs. Annie Mary Alexander Hunter.

Women’s Day Guest Speaker March 11, 2012, 11:00 p.m.

Reverend Doctor Rhashell Hunter

Attention: Presbyterian Women of

Fellowship Presbyterian Church

The Saturday morning activity planned for the Celebration of the Gifts of Women on March 10, 2012, is a Celebratory Brunch that will do just that! We will honor and celebrate the life and legacy of service of six prominent and gifted women in our community who have served as a “Preacher’s Wife.” They are Mrs. Nell Lane Bradford, Mrs. Sara Bush, Mother Willie Mae Draper, Mrs. Tommie G. Herndon, Mrs. Mable McCall, and Mrs. Georgia P. Snodgrass. Our pastor’s wife, Mrs. Diann Bentley, will be introduced at this time along with Reverend Bentley. The committee has made detailed plans that I am sure you will enjoy and garner support for. The honorees have been contacted and are very excited about the occasion. Their biographies and pictures have been solicited with a deadline of Feb. 6, 2012. They have also been asked to submit names of ten or more persons to whom invitations may be sent. Although the honorees and a guest will come free of charge, all others (including us) will attend at a cost of $25.00. Additionally, each honoree will have a TRIBUTE PAGE on which friends may submit a two-line or more congratulatory statement (limit 100 characters including spacing) for a cost of ten dollars ($10.00). As you can see, the possibility of revenue for our ever-diminishing PW treasury for the many projects and activities we continue to and would like to participate in is limitless, if we all participate wholeheartedly. Attendees at the brunch, through our undaunted efforts, will be our friends/families and neighbors; members of the honorees’ congregations, families and friends; and all pastors and their wives throughout the community and beyond. The usual annual request for each Presbyterian Woman to generously and willingly give $125.00 is still in place and would also bring in more than the usual revenue for PW weekend. We, the committee, want to make this a very memorable occasion for very deserving women as well as for us as Fellowship’s Presbyterian Women

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in the North Alabama Presbytery (USA). The affair will be held at J’s Special Occasions Center, 5080 Meridian Street, North. Your suggestions, questions and offering of your many gifts, talents and goodwill are prayerfully solicited. Your humble servants, Mary Mitchell, 2012 Women’s Weekend Chair (256-851-0555) Barbara Anthony, Brunch Committee Chair (256) 881-0935) Bettye Dixie Cheryl Johnson Johnnie Mae McAlpine Joyce Pettis Temple Geneva Wright, PW Moderator

Alexis Gaines was awarded an Auburn’s Founder's scholarship equaling four years of tuition based on ACT scores. Alexis is also a National Achievement Finalist. Her total scholarship package has a minimum total value of $55,604. Alexis will attend Auburn with plans to become a veterinarian.

Colorado Technical University’s Board of Trustees upon the recommendation of the faculty, has confirmed upon Doretha White Ross, the Associate of Science degree in General Studies (business) with all of the rights, privileges and honors appertaining thereto, granted the month of August 2011.

Doretha W. Ross, a native of Alabama, was born in Limestone County on January 15, 1953. This date would later become famous as Martin Luther King’s birthday. She attended public schools while living on the farm helping with work in the fields. In 1973, Doretha graduated from J.F. Drake Technical College with a certificate in business. She also attended Calhoun Community College and Alabama A&M University, accumulating academic credits in Early Childhood Education, Nutrition, Psychology, Sociology, and History. Doreatha has diverse work experience. She has worked as a day care instructor for 10 years for Alabama A&M University, eight years as coordinator for the Sirote and Permute law firm collections department, three years as the assistant manager of Reynolds Funeral Home in Decatur, Alabama, and managed a home-based business for two years as the Northern District Coordinator for Southerland Marketing Company. She has also worked as a cosmetics bay manager for Dillards Department Store. She is married to LTC Col (Retired) Thomas A. Ross, who is employed at Redstone Arsenal as a Logistics Management Specialist / New Equipment Training Manager. They have one son, Lavon White, who has given them four grandchildren and one great-grandson. Doretha also has four sisters, two brothers (one deceased) and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, and in-laws.

Matthew Gardner’s wish came true at the 27th Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Unity Breakfast, sponsored by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., Delta Theta Lambda Education Foundation, on Monday, January 16, 2012, when he was asked to sing with the Alpha Ensemble. Matthew gave the Senior Challenge at the 2011 event. Reverend Gregory Bentley was a platform participant, giving the invocation and the benediction.

Doretha White Ross A Wish Comes True

L-R: LeRoy Daniels, Tommy Lockhart, Charles Briggins, Anthony Briggins, Matthew Gardner

L-R: Charles Briggins, Anthony Briggins, Matthew Gardner

L-R: Anthony Briggins, Matthew Gardner

Photo Credit: Christopher Evans

Page 5 Volume 5 Issue 2

Installation of New Officers Class of 2014

The following officers were installed on January 22, 2012, by Reverend Gregory J. Bentley to the office indicated.

Deacons installed: Doretha Ross and Haley Bone. Ordained and installed: Charles Penn Elders installed: Rosalie Lane, Sarah Ford, and Frances Harris. Trustee commissioned: Dorothy B. Johnson

Installed Presbyterian Men Officers for 2012

President ~ Theodore Dixie Jr.

Vice-President ~ Enoch Temple Secretary ~ Bob Bodiford

Treasurer ~ Norman Fletcher Chaplain ~ Anthony Thompson

L-R: Robert Peagler (Stand-in for Bob Bodiford), Anthony Thompson, Enoch Temple, Reverend Gregory Bentley, Theodore Dixie, Jr., Norman Fletcher

L-r: Rosalie Lane, Doretha Ross, Dorothy Johnson, Charles Penn, Eddgra Fallin, Reverend Gregory Bentley, Sarah Ford, Frances Harris, Haley Bone, Tonya Gaines

Laying of the hands.

Magazine Donations to Huntsville Hospital

Thanks to Gloria Evans and Lois Thompson for donating magazines for Huntsville Hospital patient and family use.

Invite a friend to church.

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The children's choir sang a special song on 4th and 5th Sundays in January.

Fellowship Children's Choir

L-R: Kaylin Houston, Miriam Bentley, Tyler Williams, Callynn Williams, Eden Joy Craighead.

People brought babies to Jesus, hoping he might touch them. When the disciples saw it, they shooed them off. Jesus called them back. “Let these children alone. Don’t get between them and me. These children are the kingdom’s pride and joy. Mark this: Unless you accept God’s kingdom in the simplicity of a child, you’ll never get in.” Luke 18:15-17 The Message Bible

Stillman Choir

Ashley Jackson

Page 7 Volume 5 Issue 2

Fellowship, the community, and the Stillman Choir were blessed by the concert on Sunday, January 29, 2012. Our nearly-filled sanctuary of attendees, including many guests, and the generous offering of $1,770.00 were the results of cooperative hard work. All of us, including the choir and our own Ashley Jackson (member in the Stillman Choir), are looking forward to a repeat concert next year. Kyle Fallin and Bill Davis taped the concert.

Honoring Robert Wilson Robert “Bob” Wilson will be honored this year at the Rosetta James “Honoring Our Elders Celebration,” March 10, 2012, 5:00 p.m., at the Ernest Knight Recept ion Center, Alabama A&M University.

The honor will be bestowed upon Mr. Wilson in recognition of his stellar contributions to humankind, worthy community causes and activities, and commitment to educational excellence. Bob will be honored with nine other distinguished elders in the Huntsville-Madison County community.

February 5 Ryan Gordon and Destiny Canady

February 12

Wheeler Ogbu and Jeremy Crummie

February 19 Kyler Evans and Gakari Horton Burks

February 26

Demetrius Davis and Destine' Brown If there is a problem with the schedule, please contact Ollie Smith at 256-527-4147 or olliemsmith@aol.com Thank you in advance for your participation!!!!!!!!! We sincerely appreciate all the youth at Fellowship Presbyterian Church. Your service to Christ and His church does not go unnoticed.

Ollie Smith

Acolyte Schedule for February

• The church calendar of events for 2012 was

approved for publication. • Elders and deacons in the Class of 2014 were

approved by Session with installation of officers on January 22, 2012.

• Session approved hiring a secretary. (The

objective is to have the church opened Monday-Friday from 9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Elder Thomas McAlpine is responsible for recruiting.)

• The Annual Joint Meeting of Session and the

Diaconate is scheduled for February 16, 2012, at 6:00 p.m.

Submitted by Mary Mitchell, Clerk of Session

What is Your Session Doing? (Continued from page 2)

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Fellowship Presbyterian Church A special thank you to Fellowship Presbyterian Church for donating school supplies to Ridgecrest Elementary School and for meeting the needs of our students. Mrs. Dawn W. Ashley, Principal

Page 9 Volume 5 Issue 2

Mr. Willie Friend (center) celebrated his 90th birthday with family and friends on Saturday, January 21, 2012, at Fellowship Presbyterian Church.

2012 UNDERSHEPHERDS

ELDER FRANCES HARRIS Felix Battle Family 256 852-6849

Shirley Brown Family 256 539-2529

Norman Fletcher Family 256 536-8348/

797-2334

Bonita Mullins Family 256 852-5395

Martha Mullins Family 256 852-5395

Henry Muse Family 256 858-3852

W. C. Watson Family 256 859-0563

Geneva Wright Family 256 852-8518

ELDER CLIFTON CANADY Haley Bone Family 256 852-1751

Wilbert Cooper Family 256 534-5066

Tonya Gaines Family 256 533-9532

Tommie Herndon Family 256 859-3586

Edwin Hill Family 256 971-9280

Nathaniel Otey Family 256 536-5191

Jason Peagler Family 533-2593/541-4163

Robert Peagler Family 256 533-2592

Cerisa Rice Family 901 317-4053

ELDER SARAH FORD Carolyn Bone Family 256 852-7117

Theodore Dixie, Sr. Family 256 859-2436

Theodore Dixie, Jr. Family 256 508-7863

Carl Fallin Family 256 721-4521

Karla Fallin Lee Family 256-361-7759

Margaret Jackson Family 256 830-2081

Evelyn Rich Family 256 859-2374

Robert Wilson Family 256 830-5524

ELDER ROSALIE LANE Clara Bryant Family 256 859-0915

Jonathan “Jo” Ford Family 256 534-5768

Lloyd Gardner Family 256 534-4859

George Grayson Family 256 489-9981

Brendan Pierre Family 256 468-7926

Timothy Smith Family 256 864-0560

Anthony Thompson Family 256 859-3816

Justin Thompson Family 256 859-3816

ELDER MARY MITCHELL Michelle Adams Family 256 797-7664

Barbara Anthony Family 256 881-0935

Richard Evans Family 256 852-2586

Robert Franklin, Jr. Family 256 859-1323

Thelma Gardner Family 256 852-9477

James Hicks Family 256 852-7620

Marvin Jackson Family 256 852-6599

Kenneth King Family 256 851-9429

ELDER THOMAS McALPINE Gladys Bracy Family 256 859-1980

Gakari Horton-Burks Family 256 417-8205

Galik Horton-Burks Family 256 417-8207

Ingrid Burton Family 256 859-4574

Diedre Davis Family 256 261-5930

Stefanie Davis Family 256 852-6701

William Davis Family 256 852-6701

Phillip C. Ford Family 256 851-0787

Lirse Jones Family 256 852-7035

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ELDER KYLE FALLIN Gregory Dees Family 256 837-4852

Marvell Foard Family 256 852-9128

Paul Musoke Family 256 479-5863

Charles Penn Family 256 851-6300

Thomas Ross Family 256 858-2003

Monique Ryan Family 256 489-6458

Arinzie Steele Family 256 489-5060

Michele Washington Family 256 726-0541

ELDER JOYCE TEMPLE Jacquelyne Bennett Family 256 852-3616

Jerita Crummie Family 256 489-0948

Earnest Dees Family 256 859-3518

Robert Franklin III Family 256 828-1167

Willie Friend Family 256 852-7479

Donald Harris Family 256 464-9730

Cheryl Johnson Family 256 859-0588

Joseph Johnson Family 256 851-8673

Moses Ogbu Family 256 859-0966

ELDER PAULINE BODIFORD Linda Burruss Family 256 852-6489

Robert Burton Family 256 859-4574

Lois Dade Family 256 851-7919

Christopher Evans Family 256 722-8552

Gregory Evans Family 601 922-3690

Nathaniel Jackson Family 256 851-6586

Minnie Moore Family 256 890-0670

Mary Peagler Family 256 852-4786

PASTOR’S LIST Bob Bodiford Family 256 890-6558

Clifton Canady Family 256 430-1717

Kyle Fallin Family 256 714-4606

Calvin Ford Family 256 852-7643

Frances Harris Family 256 852-0881

Woodie Lane Family 256 859-3171

Thomas McAlpine Family 256 837-5384

Mary Mitchell Family 256 851-0555

Enoch Temple Family 256 830-9447

2012 UNDERSHEPHERDS

Page 11 Volume 5 Issue 2

The fellow who does things that count doesn’t usually stop to count

them.

Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, .. Philippians 3:13

Source: God’s Little Instruction Book

1 ~ Chanda Temple 5 ~ Gladys P. Bracy 9 ~ Ami Burton 11 ~ Barbara J. Anthony 11 ~ Jacqueline Bennett 11 ~ Ronald Cooper 11 ~ Robert Franklin III 16 ~ Nathan Jackson 17 ~ La Bron Bone 17 ~ Deborah Ford 18 ~ Sarah Ross 20 ~ Theodore Dixie Jr. 20 ~ Ashley King 25 ~ Sean Fletcher 27 ~ Tonya Gaines 29 ~ Myllicent Buchanan

Happy Anniversary

17 – Sarah and Calvin Ford

Please Remember to Pray for . . .

Ezekiel Bell Stephen Bennett

Clara Bryant Wilbert Cooper Constance Dees

Carmon Jackson Elston Antoinette Franklin

Mattie Ford Tonya Franklin Gaines

Thelma Gardner Flossie Henderson

Carolyn Jackson Margaret Jackson

Rosalie Lane Martha Mullins

Thomas Ross Luther Scales Arinzie Steele

Denita Gardner Walker Magnell Williams

Lou Helen Williams Prentice

Altar Flowers Donors for the Month of February

5 The W.C. Watson Family 12 The Jacquelyne Bennett Family 19 The Norman Fletcher Family 26 The Gladys Bracy Family

Pray for Those Who Mourn

We ask your prayers and expressions of Christian love for the Bodiford family. Mr. R. B. Bodiford, father of Bob (Pauline) Bodiford, passed away in Troy, Alabama. Funeral services were Monday, January 23, 2012, 11:00 a.m., at Little Baptist Hill Church, Rutledge, Alabama.

Mr. Bodiford was 100 years old.

Let us keep Bob and his family in our prayers.

ANNOUNCING FELLOWSHIP’S NEW WEBSITE

www.wix.com/fellowshipchurch/fellowship-church

Many thanks to Elder Kyle Fallin for his creative and technological skill in creating a new website.

Newsletter Deadline Articles for the newsletter should be submitted to Mary Mitchell at mitchell623100@bellsouth.net and cc the church secretary at: fpsecretary@hotmail.com not later than the 3rd Friday of the month.

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