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Session News
This spring, MPC leaders will be reaching out to set up conversations with MPC's members and regular participants. These brief get togethers are simply a chance for MPC's leaders to get to know you better – what brought you to this congregation, your interests and hopes, your concerns about your community and the world. (Don't worry, no one will ask you to join a committee or make a donation!) Knowing more about each of you will help MPC's leaders as we seek to discern where God is calling this congregation and as we make decisions for the future.
So, when you get a phone call or email inviting you for a cup of coffee or a conversation after church, please accept!
*The Session, MPC's leadership board, is made up of ruling elders who are elected by the congregation for three-year terms. Current members of the Session are: Don Blakeley, Jane Clayton, Dorothy Grimes, Michele Pawlik, Casey Pilgrim and Carla Everett-Smith.
Pastor's Note
Dear friends,
This spring is bringing a big change for my family as we move from Montevallo to Homewood.
Mark and I first moved to Montevallo as newlyweds over thirteen years ago. We could not have imagined then how much we would come to love this community! We treasure Montevallo's rich cultural life, its natural beauty, and the extraordinary civic engagement of its citizens. But most of all, we are grateful for the deep relationships we have developed both within the church and with other friends and neighbors here.
Our move to Homewood takes us to the community where I spent my earliest years -- in fact, we will be just a couple of miles from the little church where I was baptized and grew up! We will also be much closer to Mark's parents and my parents, which will be a help for our family and will enable our boys to spend more time with their grandparents.
Although our home address is changing, please know that my sense of call to Montevallo Presbyterian has not changed. I continue to be excited and inspired by this community of faith, and I am eager to see where God is calling MPC in the future. Many thanks to all of you who have offered your prayers and encouragement during this time of transition!
Blessings,
Leanne
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Glorifying God
Worship at Living River, April 24
On Sunday, April 24, join us for an outdoor worship service at Living River! On this Sunday closest to Earth Day, we will enjoy worship in the midst of God's creation. We'll gather for worship at 11am at the Youth Chapel. Following worship, stay for a potluck lunch. Please bring a salad, other cold dish, or dessert to share! Drinks and paper products will be provided.
Holy Week at MPC
Many thanks to all who participated in and contributed to MPC's special services during Holy Week!
- Michele Pawlik, chair of MPC's Worship Team;
- Stacy Daniels, Music Director, Shari Boruvka-Roth, Accompanist, and the MPC Sanctuary Choir;
- Liturgists, ushers and children's time leaders;
- Gene Lightfoot, for the beautiful flowers on Easter, given in memory of Pete and Sassie Givhan and Martha and Dick Lightfoot;
- Joan Pickett, for coordinating our Easter potluck breakfast; and
- Tonia Mayton, for the wonderful photography.
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Palm Sunday
On Palm Sunday, the choir and children led a festive procession, waving palms and singing "All Glory, Laud and Honor." Each year, MPC uses Eco Palms, which are fair trade, sustainably harvested palms from Mexico and Guatemala. It's one more way MPC seeks to care for creation.
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Maundy Thursday
On Maundy Thursday, MPC held a joint worship service with University Baptist Church. On this night, we remember Jesus' gift of the Lord's Supper and the events of the Jesus' passion and death. The service featured stunning music by the combined choirs, directed by MPC Music Director Stacy Daniels, with UBC Minister of Music Jeremy Scroggs on piano and Kathleen Stallings on cello. We are so grateful for this opportunity to collaborate with our friends at UBC.
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Easter
What a festive celebration of Easter at MPC! With a light rain falling, we just moved the children's egg hunt indoors. Many enjoyed good food and fellowship at the potluck breakfast. We are especially grateful for our wonderful musicians, whose music enriched our worship.
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Lenten Lunch
On March 16, MPC Pastor Leanne Pearce Reed presented the message at the community Lenten Lunch. Many thanks to all who contributed food for the event, and to Joan Pickett and Judy Rogers for helping set up and clean up.
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Growing as Disciples
GIFT Guide Workshop
Saturday, April 9
9am-11am
Forbes House
“Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom." --Psalm 90:12
The “golden years” bring inevitable life changes. In this 2-hour workshop, you will receive a GIFT Guide workbook that will help you anticipate the challenges of growing older and plan for them! Each section of the workbook explores important questions and topics related to different spheres of your life -- legal, medical, custodial, spiritual and more. The GIFT guide invites you to address issues that affect you, your spouse, your children and grandchildren, your friends—everyone who loves you and cares about your wellbeing! To make realistic and workable plans about our futures is to give a great gift to our loved ones. Our later years bring with them inevitable decisions, decisions that will have to be made by someone. Shouldn’t decisions about you be made by you?
If you plan to attend, please RSVP by April 6 at 665-7360 or david@montevallopcusa.org so that we can be sure to have enough guides for everyone. If you cannot attend, but would still like a copy of the guide, please let us know -- we will be glad to save one for you.
Sunday School
On April 3, the Adult Sunday School class will begin a series of lessons called Bible Basics. This study is an introduction to how to study the Bible. It will be a refresher for those who have some basic education in how to study the Bible and an introduction for those who have never had the chance to do rigorous study of it. The eight-to-ten week series is written by Dr. Jason Byassee. He has a master's degree and a doctorate from Duke University and is Prof. of Hemeneutics at Vancouver School of Theology, a multi-denominational graduate school known for its theological innovations but rooted in Christian traditions.
All are welcome to become part of this discussion each Sunday at 10:00 a.m.!
Women's Fellowship Dinner, April 13 at 7:00pm
Come enjoy good food and good conversation at our women's fellowship dinner! We'll gather at El Agave on Main Street in Montevallo at 7pm on Wednesday, April 13. Bring a friend!
Men's Fellowship Breakfast, April 9, 8:00am
Grab a cup of coffee and a bite to eat at the men's fellowship breakfast on Saturday, April 9 at 8 AM at the Eclipse on Main Street in Montevallo.
Book Discussion Group, April 24 at 4:00pm
To recognize Earth Day, the book discussion group will view a documentary movie, Racing Extinction, followed by a discussion. The film is produced by Interfaith Power and Light. Join us at the Forbes House!
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Caring for People and Creation
Open Table, Thursday, April 7
On Thursday, April 7, MPC will be serving up a taco salad bar at Open Table. Every week the Forbes House is filled with UM students who are so grateful for a homecooked meal! Can you help serve? Please sign up at the church or contact Leanne at leanne.mpc@gmail.com.
Living River
Summer camping season is almost here! Summer Camps at Living River offer a fantastic opportunity for children and youth to explore God's creation and grow in their faith. Please consider this option for your children or grandchildren this summer! You can learn more here.
Green Team
MPC's Green Team has recently formalized a partnership with the University of Montevallo Environmental Club. This relationship is a terrific way to support the enthusiastic UM students who are committed to care of the earth. The Green Team is assisting the Environmental Club at UM's Earth Care Day event on Friday, April 22. Volunteers are needed from 2:00 - 7:00 p.m. Please contact Flo Peters at florencepeters@bellsouth.net if you can help out.
The Environmental Club is now set to participate in Alabama Water Watch (AWW), which helps monitor Alabama streams and rivers. The Environmental Club has designated three testing sites in the Montevallo area and will begin testing in April. Green Team will assist the club in three ways: (1) Support their efforts by supplying a chemistry kit and reagents; (2) Training and certification for new club members; and (3) Recertify current members as needed.
The Green Team has scheduled an upcoming AWW Workshop at the Forbes House on May 11, 2016. Chemistry and bacti training be offered from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
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