What's Happening at FPC
“Share the Spirit” Christmas Mission Market starts Sunday, November 23
You are cordially invited to the fourth annual Share the Spirit Christmas Mission Market kickoff on Sunday, November 23, after the 10:50 a.m. worship service at The Stewpot. Lunch will be provided. The festivities will include a brief awards ceremony honoring FPC Community Ministries Outreach programs, which include meals served at The Bridge to aid the homeless.
If you are wondering what special gift to buy a child’s teacher or a friend or relative who has everything, this a perfect alternative. Your monetary gift to one or more of FPC’s mission projects can be made in honor of your loved one. The honorary recipient receives a Christmas card illustrated by a child of the church telling them that money has been given in their name to a specific program helping someone in need. It’s a wonderful way to honor your loved one and help those in need.
On November 23 (Community Ministries Sunday), you will be given a shopping list that includes specific needs for each mission project and the suggested price of each need. A card is provided for each honorary gift (minimum of $5 per gift). Shopping lists are also available online at www.presbyterians.org and can be mailed with donations to FPC, 408 Park Ave., Dallas, Texas, 75201, attn: Beth Hernandez. Then cards can be picked up at church. The mission market will continue up until Christmas.
FPC mission projects include:
- The Stewpot’s Adopt a Family, Saturday School, Transportation to find a job, Hot Lunch programs
- Mexico Mission in Ciudad Juarez and Mi Escuelita in Dallas
- India Mission for Immanuel Children’s Home and Anakkulam Day Care, and Sunday School Curriculum Project
- South African Mission Supporting 40 AIDS Orphans
- Good Shepherd Preschool and Community Center / Christmas Angel Tree
- Grace Presbyterian Village Caring Fund
- Dallas Area Habitat for Humanity
- Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services
- Interfaith Housing Coalition
- Youth Village/Prison Ministry Program
The Christmas Mission Market is co-sponsored by the mission and benevolence and the community ministries committees.
Annual Stewpot Women's Tea
The annual Stewpot’s women’s tea will be held this year on December 10. This tea was initiated in December 2000 by the caseworkers of the Stewpot. We had observed that women were less likely than men to reach us for services. Yet women were on the streets, homeless, and showing up for lunch. The tea was designed as an outreach to attract the attention of the women and offer services specific to their needs.
The tea offers women a special afternoon with a speaker and several social agencies to inform them of their specific services. The women are also treated to a fashion show, a gift bag filled with cosmetics, jewelry and a gift card and of course, wonderful tasty teatime treats. It is a fun-filled afternoon that includes Santa and Christmas carols.
We are asking for donations to help fill the gift bags. Small pieces of jewelry, sample fragrances, lipstick and other cosmetics are needed. Gift cards of $5-10 to convenience stores or fast food places are also wanted. If you can help with any of these items, please bring them to the Stewpot or leave them with the receptionist at the church, please mark them ‘Women’s Tea’.
Advent festival: creating together
Come one, come all! Begin your Advent right but joining us Sunday November 30 as we celebrate with the annual Advent Festival. Folks of all ages are encouraged to join in the festivities which help us begin to prepare for the coming of our Savior as a baby in a manger. A Spaghetti Dinner is served at 6:00pm in Byrd Hall. Cost is $5 per person with $15 family max. Homemade cookies are part of the tradition, so please mark them ADVENT and drop them in the kitchen when convenient for Brenda. We will sing and hear a story. Then we make our way to the gym for seasonal crafts (some new and some old) and continued fellowship. One can create an advent wreath or wrapping paper; pack a care box for college students or make an ornament for your tree. Some activities will be messy so wear appropriate clothes (or we will have paint shirts).
This is an intergenerational event with engaging activities for all ages and a place the generations can create together. For many, the evening is full of memories creating together over the years with Gene Crissman. For others this is a new tradition. But for all of us it can be the opportunity to invite friends, call a friend you haven’t seen recently, or bring someone who does not drive after dark. The Advent Festival is a special evening filled with love, hope, anticipation, and creativity. See you November 30th!
An open invitation for production volunteers
Gian-Carlo Menotti’s Amahl and the Night Visitors
December 20, 21, and 22
If you would like to share your talents, known or waiting to be discovered, in support of the production effort for Amahl and the Night Visitors, please contact John Maxwell at ext. 303 or Mary Jane Cooper at ext. 305.
Discover the pleasures of working behind the scenes. Learn to talk like a stagehand. Make new friends. Join a fun group of people and a great tradition of theater at FPC.
Associate Pastor search
Opportunity is not just knocking; it is pounding on the door of FPC with both the potential for spiritual growth and growth in numbers. Housing in Dallas’ downtown area is growing at an exponential rate. To reach out to the mostly unchurched young adults who are moving into our neighborhood and to those young adults from our church family who no longer play an active role in the church, we seek a minister of the word and sacrament with strong communication and interpersonal skills. This person needs to be one who is both an independent self-starter and able to be a team player as a member of an experienced pastoral staff.
We welcome one with a creative personality who is tolerant of multiple views – both theological and worldly, and who will be able to develop new programs to attract urban residents. In addition we seek one whose love of preaching and sharing the gospel is equal to the love of fellowship and community service. This person must have good written and oral communication skills, a lot of energy and enthusiasm, and a warm friendly personality. If this sounds like you, we want to hear from you.
For a detailed position description, Download a PDF here
Save the date!
Pine Cove family retreat
March 27-29, 2009
While you’re putting your calendar together for the next few months, please plan to participate in the FPC Family Retreat Weekend at Pine Cove. It’s a great weekend spent with friends and family, and everyone is invited. More info to come!