Happenings

NEWS & EVENTS

How Can I Help Hurricane Victims?

Here are two places you can give to support the relief and rebuilding efforts from Hurricane Helene through our denomination: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance - Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (pcusa.org)  and Montreat Conference Center (which suffered great damage).  Presbyterian Disaster Relief (PDA) work  will be national in scope and long-term.  Presbyterians normally mobilize and show up to help rebuild and stay for the long term. Please consider giving to one of these!

Conversation on Depression with Professor Dan Hale

Sunday, October 6 at 7 PM

Sponsored by the FLPC Board of Deacons and Stephen Ministry, join a special Zoom conversation with Professor Dan Hale, author of Out of the Darkness and Into the Light, in coordination with Depression Awareness Month (October). Dr. Hale is a faculty member at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore and is willing to talk about his experience with depression, his book, and how to move forward. This is open to FLPC and the greater community.

Click here to register.

Ed Black will email the Zoom link to all registrants as we get closer.

Click here to learn more about Dan’s story.

Gills Creek Cleanup

Saturday, October 19, 10:00

Come help us clean up the creek! We'll meet behind Schiano's on Forest Drive by the new Forest Acres park. Keep the Midlands Beautiful named this section of Gills Creek for Forest Lake Presbyterian because of our commitment to keep it clean. Come help us beautify our creek and community! Bring work gloves, trash bags will be provided.

My Neighbor's Voice Supper Club Groups

September and October

DID YOU KNOW?
  • That a member of FLPC is a retired US Marshall?
  • That a member of FLPC once met Bridget Bardot in France?
  • That a member of FLPC taught school in Nicaragua?
FLPC is full of fascinating people. If you would like to get to know the folks you worship with, then consider registering for a My Neighbor’s Voice Supper Club! Members and Guests are invited to choose up to three dates on which you will gather (with 7 others) for supper in a member’s home. As we eat, we will answer questions provided by the My Neighbor’s Voice card deck. Everyone has the chance to LISTEN to their neighbors as they answer questions on a wide variety of topics. Participants do more listening than talking, and you will be AMAZED and DELIGHTED at what you learn! Register here to pick your My Neighbor’s Voice Supper Club dates!

Director of Communications Job Opening

We are looking for a part-time Director of Communications and Administration. The position is often the first contact people have with our congregation, so composure and warmth are essential skills. The position coordinates communication both within and outside of the congregation. This includes everything from creating weekly bulletins to managing the church’s website and social media accounts.  Good administrative skills and experience, and excellent communication skills (interpersonal, digital, written) are essential.  Must be proficient in Microsoft Office 365, Adobe Acrobat, and database management software. Thirty hours a week. Annual salary $32,760.  No insurance or pension benefits are included; however, the work environment is wonderful, and the office schedule has flexibility.
Please complete this Application and email us at contactus@flpc.org.

Fall 2024 Faith Formation Lineup is Now Available

Get engaged at FLPC this fall! Our education ministry has just released the Fall 2024 faith formation offerings, so please click here to find ways you can grow in your faith with the FLPC family this fall. Questions? Please contact Ed Black: edblack@flpc.org

Youth Basketball

We are now registering boys and girls 2nd-12th grade for our FLPC basketball teams with the Christian Youth Basketball League. Practices will be held at Shandon Presbyterian (day and times of practices tbd). Cost of registration is $80 per player. Please go here for more information and registration. Deadline to register is October 14. Questions, contact Jennifer Webb or Pete Pigeon.

Gleaning Retreat

November 1-3, Efland, NC

Come join us for a beautiful weekend rescuing good food we will give to those living in food insecurity. This trip is planned through the gleaning organization, the Society of St. Andrew. Gleaning means volunteers like us come in and pick viable produce after the farmer has harvested the field. This produce would otherwise go to waste. All produce is donated to those in need.

This trip is a nice mix of volunteer work, learning about hunger and there will be time for relaxing and enjoying the beauty of Camp Chestnut Ridge where we will stay. Go here for more information and registration. Cost of the trip is $150 per person and a maximum of $300 per family. A $75 deposit is due upon registration.

Men's Prayer Breakfast

Tuesdays, 7:30 starting September 10

Guys, join a group for breakfast and discussion on Tuesdays starting September 10 at 7:30 in the Fellowship Hall, contact Steve Etheredge for more information, .

Hygiene Collection

Did you know that some female students have to miss school because they can't afford period protection? A 2021 study by Kotex revealed that two out of three people who menstruate in the US have struggled to afford period supplies at some point in their lives. (allianceforperiodsupplies.org)
Our Presbyterian Women Circles are collecting feminine hygiene items that will be donated to Richland Northeast High School and Dent Middle school. In addition to those items, the schools have asked for women's leggings (all sizes) and men's spray deodorant. Items may be left in the collection box downstairs at church. Volunteers are needed to help deliver supplies. Contact Sheree Ansley if you can make an occasional delivery.

OA Meeting

Overeaters Anonymous meets for one hour at 7:30 am on Fridays in the Community Room.

All are welcome.

FLPC PODCASTS!!?

The FLPC Education Ministry has made it possible for FLPC to begin to experiment with podcasts to get the Good News out into the world beyond our walls.  Ed and Ellen are working on two separate podcasts!  See below for descriptions and how to find them. We hope you will listen and subscribe to these two podcasts! Let us know what you think. Stay tuned!

TRANSFORMING FAITH

FLPC’s podcast is where we are invited to talk frankly about what needs to change in us, in the Church and in the world, even as we follow and worship a God who doesn’t change.  We say that our Church’s purpose is “transforming head, heart, and hands in the service of Jesus Christ!”  What does this transformation look like?  On Spotify.com or Google Podcasts, search for “Forest Lake Presbyterian Church” or “Transforming Faith.”  Or click this link:  https://open.spotify.com/show/2M8f8qPl5voN2YWA2tTEVn

ABRAHAM’S TABLE

Ellen Skidmore, Rabbi Jonathan Case, and Imam Omar Shaheed have joined forces to continue our tradition of interfaith conversations in creating a second podcast series.  The Christian, Jewish, and Muslim faith all share Abraham as a father of our faith, and we invite you to a lively and respectful interfaith discussion. We do not always agree, but we all love God, and we recognize that every human being is made in God’s image.  Join us as we talk about issues that affect our everyday lives.  From spiritual disciplines and Scriptural instructions for living, to discussions of immigration and mental health, please join us at Abraham’s Table.  On Spotify.com or Apple Podcasts search for “Abraham’s Table”.   Or click this link:  https://open.spotify.com/show/6GOlaVIBFa0z6JfAfKH1N8

Now Collecting:

Non-perishable Food - We have an ongoing collection of non-perishable food for Rehoboth Global Methodist Food Pantry. Pasta, mac and cheese are always needed, but any meal/pantry staple is greatly appreciated. There is a collection box downstairs at church.

Pet Supplies for Final Victory Animal Shelter and Columbia Animal Services - Supplies needed:  sheets, towels, blankets, pet food (can be opened), cat litter, laundry detergent, pet toys (new or GENTLY used), leashes, collars, carriers and crates. The collection box is located downstairs in the welcome area.

Recycling - Our Environmental Stewardship team keeps this church focused on the ways we can take care of God's Creation.

The following items can be recycled in our recycling closet found downstairs on the right before the library.

  • Dental hygiene items - Please make sure they are clean: used toothbrushes, empty dental floss containers, empty toothpaste tubes, toothbrush and toothpaste outer packaging.
  • Razor blades, razors and their plastic packaging of any brand.
  • Socks - Old clothing is a huge portion of landfill space, so socks are an easy way to reduce what we send to landfills!  These can be used knee socks, sport socks/footies, or other socks of any fabric. The only exception is tights/stockings/panty hose which are not accepted. They do not need to paired up, and holey socks are fine - just submit them clean and dry, please!
  • Ink jet cartridges (no toner cartridges please). These are donated to Fellowship Camp and Conference Center.

Café Justo Coffee

You can order Café Justo coffee locally! This coffee cooperative is supported by our mission partner, Frontera de Cristo. Café Justo is a Grower owned Coffee Cooperative based in southern Chiapas Mexico, formed to address the poverty and migration issues from Mexico to the U.S.A. By supporting this coffee cooperative, you bring more money to the coffee farmers of Mexico - even more than Fair Trade coffee!

Coffee can be purchase locally from Rowena Nylund.  This organic coffee is available in whole bean or ground and your choice of Arabica Decaf, 100% Arabica mild roast, 50% Arabica 50% Robusta, 100% Robusta (strongest), and 50% Arabica Decaf and 50% Arabica. If you want to reduce your caffeine intake, try the half decaf and half Arabica!

The coffee is $11 per bag for the 100% and $12 per bag for 50/50 and decaf. Gift certificates are also available.