Prayer and Share
On Tuesdays at 9:15 a.m. we will gather for our "prayer and share time". This is a time to bring your joys and concerns, personal and private, global and public to the Lord.
There may be meditations, readings from Scripture, selections of poetry or hymnody, perhaps communion by intinction, or a time of silent prayer and meditation. It can be anything that those present need it to be. We will conclude in time for a break before the 10 a.m. Bible Study. All are welcome! Hope to see you there.
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Small Dinner/Luncheon Groups
The perfect way to get to Know and meet new “faith friends”!
We will be putting together small groups for dinners or luncheons in June. If you would like to be included, please call Roda Wright in the church office at 974-3611 by the end of September.
Groups will meet in June, July, August, September, in either our homes or restaurants.
Singles are most welcome! Come, join in the fun and make new friends.
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Spiritual Growth
Many of us survived a record-breaking summer right here in Sun City. Many others escaped the heat by visiting other places where temperatures were much milder. However, the time has come to settle in here at Sun City for the next seven delightful months. We’ll be involved in favorite sports, creative work, and our Faith Presbyterian Church activities. This is a special season for developing our faith and our relationships with God, with our Christian community, and with ourselves.
These relationships are summed up in the two Great Commandments that shape and govern us...to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind and to love our neighbor as ourselves. When we observe both commandments, our Spirituality becomes both contemplative and active. Let’s ask ourselves, “How healthy is my prayer life?” We can’t separate prayer from work or leisure. As we involve ourselves in our church and community this season, it is a time to practice our prayer life, to deepen and strengthen our awareness of who we are. It has been said, to know one’s own soul is not a self-centered exercise. It is preparation for a healthy self-critical spirituality - one that will lead us to be active disciples.
Here’s to practicing your prayer life this season! Start with setting aside time alone with God each day. Talk to God; listen for God’s word. Read the scriptures. Be surprised at how your spiritual life grows!
Submitted by: Wini Gard, Spiritual Growth Committee
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Quilters
Faith Quilting was organized in 1991 and came into being when Jay Confair, former minister at Faith, called on Marvin and Grace DeWeerdt when they were new residents in Sun City. During this visit, Grace expressed regret that Faith Church had no quilting group, as she had very much enjoyed the quilting group she led at the Northminster Presbyterian Church in Tucson. Jay promptly recognized and jumped on an opportunity. He asked if she would be willing to start a group at Faith -- Grace’s reply was in the affirmative. After several sessions of instruction, the group embarked on their first real quilt and they have been going full speed ever since.
The quilters’ chief priority continues to be New Life Center, a 104-bed emergency domestic violence shelter for abused women and children located in Goodyear, Arizona. The Center offers safety, shelter, and comprehensive services to women and children victims of domestic violence. Unfortunately, the need for domestic violence services far outweighs the amount of services that are actually available to victims. As such, due to lack of space, New Life Center must turn-away one family for every one they are able to help.
Despite the reality of on overall lack of resources for victims of domestic violence, there is hope at New Life Center. Over 90% of the women who complete the program do not return to the abusive environment from which they came. This indicates that real change is occurring and women are setting in motion lasting change for themselves and their children. Through education, advocacy, and the tireless support of the local community, New Life is a haven of hope and healing for the many families that pass through the doors. The revenue the quilters receive from making and selling quilts is used to buy fabrics and supplies for “cuddle quilts” and teddy bears, which they make and deliver to New Life Center. For most of the residents, it is the only personal possession they have, as they left their home quickly to escape violence and abuse.
Over the years, the quilters have expanded their services to include teddy bears for the Faith Welcome Center in the narthex. They have also completed quilts to be given to the new owners of Faith’s Habitat for Humanity home. From January 1, 2008 to June 1, 2008 Faith Quilters have made 68 quilts, 4 throws, 14 items of clothing, 11 hats and 161 toys.
The quilters’ mission of helping the needy and underprivileged, especially children, is on going. They continue to quilt for others and since they are financially independent of the church budget, the donations of fabrics, yarn, cash, etc. from members of the congregation are greatly appreciated and utilized to the fullest.
As we continue to serve those in need and reach out to still others, we welcome additional quilters who will make it possible for us to do still more. Not all of our members are quilters and it isn’t necessary to be a quilter to work with our group. Some members construct, tie, and bind the “cuddle quilts” and stuff toys, while others quilt at the frame. Each of you is invited to visit the quilters and we would be delighted if you choose to stay. We meet weekly on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. until Noon in the Knox Room at the church.
Lay Ministry Seeks Recruits
Donna Buchanan is the Elder in charge of Lay Ministry. If you need volunteers or would like to volunteer your services for any church activity, please contact Donna through the Church Office.
Faith Presbyterian Prayer Chain
Attention folks! We'd like more people to come on our Prayer
Chain. You know prayer is important for our well-being.
The Lord listens to us and helps the people we pray for
and ourselves, too. We
pray for people in our congregation as well as for their family
members and friends.
The Prayer Chain takes little of our time and effort. Do
sign up for the call that is so important.
The way the chain works: as our chairperson, Happy Sargol, receives
news about someone who needs lifting up, each leader receives
a call, who then calls a person with the information. That
person calls the next one in line who calls the next one (so goes
the chain). There are two morning groups and one in the
afternoon. Each person called calls another and uses
that name in his or her devotions. Please
sign up by contacting Happy Sargol or speak with Pastor Dave.
