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13 NE 36TH AVENUE
OCALA, FLORIDA 34470
www.fortking.org
fortking@earthlink.net
CONGREGATIONAL CARE
CONNECTIONS
Silver Springs Allliance Highlights
Springs/Ocklawaha Connection
The connections between Silver Springs and the Silver and Ocklawaha rivers will be
highlighted at the Silver Springs Alliances annual public forum, Silver Springs Restoration Includes a Free Ocklawaha River, 6 - 9 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, 2015, in the Fort King Presbyterian Church, 13 NE 36 Avenue, Ocala, Florida, 34470. Admission is free and everyone is invited to
attend.
The primary goal of the Silver Springs Alliance is to protect and restore Silver Springs and the Silver
River, said Dr. Robert (Bob) Knight, president of the Alliance. True restoration is not possible without reconnecting the Silver River to the St. Johns River by removing or breaching of the Rodman
Dam. A recent Memorandum of Understanding between the St. Johns Riverkeeper and the City of
Jacksonville offers real hope that this Ocklawaha and Silver River restoration can finally move forward
after 47 years of harm.
The evenings speakers include:
Buddy MacKay, Esq.
Esq., former Florida and U.S. legislator, Lieutenant Governor, and Governor of
Florida, will open the program with Earth StewardshipStarting at Silver Springs, remarks
about the civic responsibility to protect the publics commons, the Floridian Aquifer and Silver
Springs. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddy_MacKay)
Lisa Rinaman,
Rinaman St. Johns Riverkeeper, will speak about how Water Connects Everything and
provide details on the importance of the recent Memorandum of Understanding between the
Riverkeeper and the City of Jacksonville and plans for Ocklawaha restoration.
(http://www.stjohnsriverkeeper.org/ourwork/team/)
DISCIPLESHIP
Matt Keene,
Keene videographer and adventurer, will present his film, River Be Dammed, that provides an indepth history of the illfated Cross Florida Barge Canal and its effects on the Ocklawaha River. (http://riverbedammed.org/mattkeene/)
Whitey Markle of the SuwanneeSt. Johns Chapter of the Sierra Club will share his long history
with the wilder parts of the Ocklawaha River and his song, The Poor Old Ocklawaha.
(https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ra4uTlUvSZU).
Marion County is directly affected by the impacts of the Rodman Dam on the Silver and Ocklawaha
Rivers, said Heather Culp, secretary of the Silver Springs Alliance and associate director of the Howard T. Odum Florida Springs Institute (FSI). The degradation of these rivers and springs has a significant impact on Ocalas environmental and economic wellbeing. His forum will serve as an opportunity for the community to come together and learn about what restoration of our rivers and
springs means for our state and for our future.
Knight, an independent springs scientist who is the director of the FSI, has conducted research that
shows how Silver Springs and the Silver River are seriously impaired because of declining flow, increasing nutrient pollution, and the ongoing presence of the Rodman Dam on the Ocklawaha River. Removal of the dam is needed to reestablish the historic populations of migrating fish at Silver Springs,
because healthy populations of those fish are essential for a healthy springs ecosystem.
For more information, call Heather Culp at 727-859-2736 or Lucinda Merritt at 386-454-0415.
DISCIPLESHIP
Sunday Adult Study
Library Corner
Have you read Lena Lewin's latest story-poem The Mississippi River: Meandering and Magnificent"?
Our own poet laureate has given a copy of this delightful 20-page booklet to the church library for all to
enjoy. Each page is beautifully illustrated with a picture which portrays the verses on that page. Every
member of our FKPC family will enjoy reading this creative and educational poem (or having it read to
them). You might be so inspired that you will want to join the new Poetry Connections Ministry which
meets monthly here at the church!
The church library subscribes to "Christian History" magazine which is published about four times a
year. The current issue (Issue 113) is devoted to seven literary sages whose lives and writings have influenced Christian thinking for generations. These people are: George MacDonald, G.K. Chesterton,
Charles Williams, J.R.R. Tolkien, Dorothy L. Sayers, C.S. Lewis, and Owen Barfield. This issue's 51
pages are packed with fascinating information, including lists of books by and about these individuals
should you want to read even more. Magazines may be checked out for two weeks at a time, just like
books. The library is open on Sunday mornings; other times by request.
DISCIPLESHIP
Teacher Appreciation Breakfast
We will be recognizing all of our Sunday School teachers, High Tide leaders,
youth leaders, and nursery helpers at a covered dish breakfast on
May 17th from 9:15 -10:15 A.M. in the Fellowship Hall.
We are so blessed to have these Christian Servants who gave so much of their time during this
past Sunday School year to help our children and adults. Please plan to show your support for
them by attending and bringing your favorite breakfast dish to this event. As we enjoy our
breakfast, please keep in mind that many of our poverty- stricken children in our community go
without breakfast. You can help by bringing non-perishable food items to our Sunday School
mission project, Food4Kids.
JUNE 28 - JULY 2
2015
More details
coming soon!
GROUP ACTIVITIES
Crafty Ladies
Crafty Ladies meet every Thursday from 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. We
hope to see all of you there. If you would like to join our group, come for a visit and
see what we are doing and how you can help. We welcome new people and new talents!
Poetry Connection
The Poetry Connection meetings are temporarily postponed until further notice.
Sassy Seniors
All widows and single ladies are welcome to join Sassy Seniors on Wednesday, May
13th at 1:00 p.m. Mays luncheon will be at Eatons Beach. For directions please call
Fran York at 624-1824. Come join the fun!
GROUP ACTIVITIES
Presbyterian Women
All women of Fort King are Presbyterian Women and are invited to participate in all activities of Presbyterian Women.
Circle Meetings for May: Esther Circle will meet at 7:00 p.m. on May 11,
2015, at the home of Jo Ann Parramore. Deborah Circle will meet at
10:00 a.m. on May 19, 2015, in the Session Room of the church.
The Coordinating Team will meet on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at 10:00
a.m. in the Session Room.
Church-Wide Picnic
Mark your calendars now for the annual church-wide picnic sponsored
by Presbyterian Women immediately following worship on May 3rd, at
Coehadjoe Park. Presbyterian Women will provide fried chicken and
beverages and congregation members are asked to bring a side dish such
as salads, baked beans, desserts, etc. Casual attire. A fun time is being
planned for all.
Directions from Fort King to Coehadjoe Park:
Head North on NE 36th Ave toward Silver
Springs Blvd. Go approximately 2.5 miles and
turn right onto NE 35th Street. Go about 0.6
mile and the Park will be on the left.
MISSION MINISTRY
35
For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to
drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you
looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me. 37 Then the righteous will answer him, Lord,
when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we
see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or
in prison and go to visit you?40 The King will reply, Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the
least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me. Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV)
Interfaith Meals
Thank you to the Faith Leaders Group who served the Interfaith Meals during in February, the
Youth Group who served the March meals and the Presbyterian Women who served the April
meal. The Choir is scheduled to serve the Interfaith Meal in May.
Blood Drive
Save the Date: On May 17th, the Big Red Bus will be parked in our driveway. Bill Reed will have
the sign-up sheet available on May 10th. As always, walk-ins are accepted.
Pentecost Offering
This PC(USA)-wide collection enables the church to support a diverse range of youth programs: helping children at risk, providing opportunities for Young Adult Volunteers to serve
around the world, sharing the gospel and making connections through youth ministry, and creating bright futures through advocacy for and education of children. The Pentecost Offering is
your chance to give the positive influence of our faith to a young person who needs it today.
Look for envelopes in the May 24th bulletin to share in this Special Offering for Pentecost.
Mission Sunday
The Mission Ministry would like to expand on Mission Sunday when as a church we support 2
Cents a Meal and Food 4 Kids by offering items from Fair Trade. Additional items are now available.
Please support artisans around the world as they seek to improve their living conditions.
Guatemalan Honey
Organic Hot Cocoa
Organic Tea
Chocolate Bars
Organic Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
Organic Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
$6.00 each
$7.50 each
$3.00 /box
$4.00 each
$4.50 /bag
$4.50 /bag
PROPERTY MINISTRY
Church Spring Clean-Up
May 16th 8:00 a.m. to Noon
Come and help clean up the church - inside and out. Put on
your grubbies (i.e. old clothes) and join the fun. There will
be a sign up sheet in the Narthex.
SESSION
At its April 21, 2015 meeting, the Session approved /heard from:
Elder Marshall was elected as Commissioner to the May 5th Presbytery meeting at Montgomery
Conference Center with Elder Schlegel as alternate.
The Belhar Confession, under vote by the Presbyteries across the USA and to be voted on at our
May 5th Presbytery meeting was discussed. The consensus was that the PCUSA should adopt it.
Voted to hold a special congregational meeting on May 17th at 10:30 a.m., immediately before the
start of the worship service solely to receive the report of the 2015 Nominating Committee and to
elect one elder to fill the unexpired term of Jim Copeland.
May 7th will be celebrated as Sunday School Teacher Appreciation Day.
Day
The adult VBS will be related to Martin Luther King Jrs: Letter from a Birmingham Jail.
A motion was made and approved to establish a capital campaign committee to plan for a campaign, including items, priorities, specific goals, etc.- all in conjunction with the churchs 50th Anniversary.
The conduct of the May 17th worship service by Ray Ruark and the adult discipleship class was
approved.
It was also noted with thanks and appreciation that Troop 196 earned a Gold Award under the
BSAs Journey to Excellence (JTE) program, the highest level.
WORSHIP
Sunday Worship Time
Changes for the Summer
The Session voted to change Sunday Worship to 10:00 a.m. for the summer months.
This change begins June 7th and continues through August 26st. The hope is that the
earlier worship time will encourage you to linger a while after worship to visit with
members of your Church family. There will be no Adult Bible Classes during this time.
WORSHIP (continued)
HUH?
I think May is one of the best months of the year. I look forward to the coming of May because it is the month
when flowers begin to bloom and fill our yards and lives with beauty at the creation that was made by the Lord
God Himself. Remember the words from that song though April showers may come our way, they bring the
flowers that bloom in May?
And then there is Memorial Day. I am a fervent patriot. I love my country. And I appreciate all that our service men and women have done and will do so that I, and you, can enjoy to the fullest the freedom they have
provided for us. I pray for them and our country often and ask for Gods Almighty hand to protect them.
Ah, but Mothers Day is special, very special. Even though my Mom went to her heavenly home nearly 3 years
ago, there is not a day that goes by that I dont think of her. I recall all the things she did for me. I laugh at
some of the conversations we had or things we did. I cry when I recall how she tenderly cared for me when I
was ill. I honor her for my education in regards to how I should treat those around me. I give joyful praise for
her telling me about Jesus all my life. I believe she was the epitome of the scripture we find in Proverbs 31:2125:
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with
wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and
does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he
praises her: Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.
I look around the congregation on Sunday mornings from my vantage point and see many mothers who also
mirror this scripture. I see the joy of the faces of moms and grandmothers beam when Andy shows pictures on
the screen of the newborns who have come into our church family. I watch their facial expressions and laughter when a child says something funny during Andys time with the children. And you cant fool me. I see
your hearts swell with pride at the accomplishments of the children and young people when they return from a
mission trip, or play a character in the Christmas pageant or the activities of Vacation Bible School.
But there is one thing that gives me a reason to say HUH?
Always thinking about music in the coming Sundays ahead, I looked for a hymn that would be appropriate to
suggest to Andy that we might sing on Mothers Day. I looked for a hymn that would allow us to express thru
song the joy of Mom. I searched everywhere. I could not find anything in the Presbyterian Hymnal. I found
nothing in our new Hymnal Glory to God. I even researched other hymnals to see what I could find. Nothing there either. How can this be? Why, not even the Baptist hymnal had a hymn about mothers.
Then, thru the miracle of the internet, I found words that might be fitting. I think they exemplify the character of mothers and their relationship with our great God and their relationship with their family. It was written
by Mary Ryman in 2004. It is set to the music of John Zundel called Beecher. More familiar to us as the music to the hymn Love Divine, All Loves Excelling. Quite a fitting tune. Hum that tune to yourself as you
read the words.
10
WORSHIP (continued)
Come, sing praises to our Mothers
who have tuned our hearts to You.
You share praises with no others but these ones whose love is true.
They must hear our truest feelings
if they would know how we're blessed
by unwearied, careful teachings
given without thought of rest.
We raise up our grateful voices
for the patient love of Moms,
who have listened to the noises
of their screaming, childish throngs.
Hear us now cry thanks to God for
giving us the homes we need.
We will never leave your shelter
'til we all find Home indeed.
There we hope to find you, Mother,
at the right hand of our Lord.
How could there be any other
nurturing the Living Word?
Then forever we will worship
as you taught us when so young;
for the Lord alone is worthy
of these praises we have sung.
Well, what do you think? I am going to suggest to Andy that we sing this on Mothers Day.
In closing, another scripture comes to mind that I feel is appropriate that Moms all over the world must
have read. It is found in the Love chapter of Corinthians, chapter 13, versus 14 thru 17:
Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist
on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with
the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
I wish all of you moms a Happy Mothers Day and thank God for my mom and for all of you.
11
WORSHIP (continued)
STOP
STOP BEING SCHEMATIZED TO THIS AGE,
BUT CONSTANTLY BE TRANSFORMED BY THE RENEWING OF THE MIND
Romans 12:2
(My translation of the Greek text)
This is an incredible statement by the Apostle Paul +/- 57 CE/AD, one that is worth the effort to understand in
terms of his historical time and then in terms of ours. Indeed! Read on, please.
Nero was Emperor of Rome from 54 to 68 CE/AD, i.e. Paul wrote some of his epistles/letters to different congregations during the reign of and was beheaded by Nero in 64 CE in Rome the year Rome burned! Tacitus, a
Annals I, 2),
Roman historian, wrote: slavish obedience was the way to succeed (Annals
2 especially if one wanted to
benefit from life in/under the empire. In order to get cooperation from the common peoples other than by the
military power of the legions, propaganda was employed by:
* Roman coinage,
coinage with the image of the Caesar thereon. By imitating the image on the coin, I am reinforcing, consciously or unconsciously, the power of imperial Rome in my own life as also in my community.
The image
image of the Emperor becomes the focal point of my consciousness, my mind. To wit: I am, in the
process, losing my own self-identity as a person because I am fitting in with Caesars view of life, into his
scheme of things.
* Roman myths portrayed what the elite class of that society thought should be permanent values for
society and for life. They served one primary purpose: to have models to select from and to emulate (M.
Grant 1971 Roman Myths 224).
The point is this: to be conformed means to fit into the schematizations of life as set forth by the coins and the
myths, to imitate the Emperor, to pattern ones life after that of another person, one in supreme politico-military
and religious power. For Roman society, there was no place for personal religion or purely private concerns (Grant op cit. 228), only a view of life that would benefit the Empire and those in power!
The coup de grce is this: the process of Roman myth-making was not unconscious but fully conscious (Grant op cit. 227), with the specific intention that the propaganda and myths would serve as aa charter
for social action
action (Grant op cit. 228), again, to benefit the empire and those in power! Thus, Pauls challenge to
the Romans: Stop being schematized by/to the epoch/eon in which weve been socially conditioned, to conform
to the attitudes and behavior patterns that are current in society. NO! Be metamorphized by the renewing of
the mind!
mind
-
Metamorphosis:
Metamorphosis The same verb-form was used in the so-called transfiguration story of Jesus (See Mark
9:2-8//Matthew 17:1-8; Note that Lukes version omits the verb: Luke 9:28-36). Paul knew exactly what
he was saying and what he meant.
12
WORSHIP (continued)
Three observations are appropriate:
A. It is only when I choose my mental attitudes and behaviors that I can create a new future for myself!
This insight comes from B. Rosenblum and F. Kuttner 2006 Quantum Enigma: Physics Encounters
Consciousness 123! They are physicists at the University of California in Santa Cruz who teach and
research quantum mechanics! Their comment: Somewhere something incredible is waiting to happen! (p. 124); and, as soon as I change my mind (the meaning of metanoia, which has been
translated repentance), a new history is born!
B. Only human beings are fully intentional creatures Only persons can deliberate and can determine their conduct by practical reason. So said Stephen J. Morse, J.D. and Ph.D. who teaches both
law and psychiatry at the University of Pennsylvania Schools of Law and Medicine (his article:
New Neuroscience, Old Problems in Walter Glannon 2007 Defining Right and Wrong in Brain
Science 196).
C. Jeffrey M. Schwartz, M.D., a research professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, discovered that OCD-patients (O
Obsessive-C
Compulsive-D
Disorder), by focusing their mind on new behavior and thought patterns, can change the brains habitual neural pathways, i.e., to rewire brain
habits. As he put it: The brain may determine the content of our experience, but mind chooses
which aspect of that experience receives attention (J.M. Schwartz and Sharon Begley 2003 The
Mind and the Brain 370). Our physical brain does not shape our destiny (op cit. 373), an insight
that William James stated over one hundred years ago! Awesome!
Jesus of Nazareth intended precisely what the Apostle Paul said: Go, sell what you have and give it to
the poor (Mark 10:21//Matt. 19:21//Luke 18:22). Make a choice to change your view of life and the
meaning of life. For neither Jesus nor Paul was fence-sitting an option. Pauls challenge:
challenge Go beyond the
religious and sociopolitical togetherness that has been designed to channel our life-energies for the
benefit of the social designers and managers. As Arnold Toynbee said: be a creative minority in a controlled society---an awesome responsibility!
Constantly be transfigured by the renewing of the mind. And the reason/purpose for doing this? In
order to demonstrate what is the will of God!
God Uh huh! Thats what Paul said!!!
Plenty to think about.
Shalom,
Tom
13
WORSHIP (continued)
Flower Calendar
Thank you to these people as they share in donating flowers for the following worship services:
May 3, 2015
From Nancy Stephenson in loving memory of her parents, Ted and Violet Wikary.
From John and Jean Stewart in celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary.
June 7, 2015
In memory of our parents, Aleta, Max, and Robert, from the Repp family.
From Bernice and Bob Henry in celebration of their 55th wedding anniversary.
In celebration for three June anniversaries and four June birthdays in our family, and in
celebration of the life of my father, Gwynn Skelton, from Grynn and Cash Pealer.
In honor of our 53rd wedding anniversary from Charles and Mary Ellen Vowinkel.
July 5, 2015
God Bless America and a special Thank You to all those men and women who serve or
have served our country in any capacity! from Pat Brown
OPEN
OPEN
Praise the Lord for 50 years of marriage from Rhea and Keay Forman.
14
MAY 2015
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
9:30 Church
4:00-5:30
Women United Presbyterian
(First Pres Ocala) Pilgrimage
3
4
5
6
9:00-11:45 Library
7:30 Mens Bible
10:00 Prayer Shawl 10:00 PW
9:15 Adult Ed & Youth
Study
Ministry
Coordinating
10:00 Choir Practice
5:00 Property
Team
10:30 Worship
Ministry
11:30 Church Picnic at
5:30 Connections
5:00 TOPS (FH)
Coehadjoe Park
Ministry
5:30 Mission Ministry 6:00-9:00 Silver
4:00 Small Group
Springs
Study (off-site)
6:00-8:00 Marions
Alliance
7:00 Boy Scouts
5:00 PYC
United (CE)
10
Mothers Day
9:00-11:45 Library
9:15 Adult Ed & Youth
10:00 Choir Practice
10:30 Worship
4:00 Small Group
Study (off-site)
17
9:00-1:00 Blood Drive
9:00-11:45 Library
9:15 Teacher
Appreciation
Breakfast
10:00 Choir Practice
10:30 Congregational
Meeting/ Worship
1:30-5:30 Faith
Leader Reunion
4:00 Small Group
Study (off-site)
5:00 PYC
24 Pentecost
2 Cents-A-Meal
Food 4Kids
Equal Exchange
9:00-11:45 Library
9:15 Adult Ed & Youth
10:00 Choir Practice
10:30 Worship
4:00 Small Group
Study (off-site)
31
9:00-11:45 Library
9:15 Adult Ed & Youth
10:00 Choir Practice
10:30 Worship
4:00 Small Group
Study (off-site)
5:00 PYC
11
7:30 Mens Bible
Study
12
13
1:00 Sassy
Seniors
(off-site)
National
8
Day of Prayer
7:30-9:00 BNI (FH)
11:00 Discipleship
Adult Ministry
1:00 Crafts
3:00 Tai Chi
7:00 Choir Practice
7:00 AA (FH)
14
15
16 Armed
Forces Day
1:00 Crafts
3:00 Tai Chi
8:00-12:00
FKPC Spring
Clean-Up
21
22
23
29
30
1:00 Crafts
3:00 Tai Chi
6:00 Session
25
Memorial
Day
26
27
28
OFFICE CLOSED
7:00 AA (FH)
1:00 Crafts
3:00 Tai Chi
7:00 AA (FH)
15
Non-Profit
Organization
US Postage Paid
Ocala, FL 34478
Permit #100
Label