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Chris Leonard is scheduled to present his MFA Exhibition--Claus/Claws: A Journey Through Leonardland's Multivalent Meanings at fellow UTPA graduate student Jesus De La Rosa's Progreso Gallery this summer. The show is scheduled to run from July 4-13, 2003. An opening reception is scheduled for Friday, July 4 from 7:00 - 10:00 PM. Chris is graduating with an emphasis in ceramics; there will be a mix of functional, semi-functional, and sculptural clay along with two-dimensional work on paper and canvas. The work could be classifies as both narrative and contemplative; it derives from attempting to achieve some sense of balance in a sea of mixed messages and multicultures. In part attempt to be somewhat politically correct, in part to indirectly incorporate both his home and working environment, (The Leonards have five cats and a dog who thinks she may be one/ He spent five years as a Northern Iowa and twelve years as a Weslaco Panther) cats and cat images will proliferate. Webster's lists eight separate possibilities for the definition of cat, tem possibilities for pet. When you factor in various synonyms there is plenty of material for a contemplative core. Chris encourages cat lovers and non-lover of all ages to partake of the opening. "My stuff isn't syrupy sweet fluff. Like one of my clay heroes, David Gilhooly, I've tried to weave life situations that are quite serious with humor and fantasy. I want kids to participate. If I had to put a rating on the show it'd be PG-13, so families should participate together. It should certainly raise some dialogue." Progresso Art Gallery is located at Ave. Benito Juarez 124 Altos, Nuevo Progresso, Tamps. Mexico. The galleries website is www.progresoart.com, proprietor Jesus De La Rosa may be contacted at jesusdlr@yahoo.com, and Chris Leonard at Leonardskirules@hotmail.com. (posted May 29, 2003)
Friday, July 18, 2003 will be First Presbyterian's night at the ball park for the Roadrunners game. The cost is $12 a person which includes a dinner of hamburgers/hot dogs, potato salad, beans and drink plus a game ticket. Food is served from 6:00-7:00 PM and the game starts at 7:05. We have reserved seats together so plan to come. Rebecca will have the tickets available starting June 1 after church on Sunday's and during the week in the office. Take the family and meet your church family at the ball park! (posted May 29, 2003)
Sunday, June 1st is Celebration Sunday. We will celebrate birthdays and anniversaries for the month of June. We will also bid farewell to Ben & Peggy Smith, Bruce Williams, and Bill, Teresa & Muriel Margaret Cotman. (posted May 29, 2003)
Get that favorite recipe into the office THIS WEEK to be included. The count is very near our goal of 400 recipes. Thank for the great response. Pre-orders will be on going. See Sandy Pierson or Carol Moore this Sunday, June 1st for order forms. Pat Moyer (posted May 29, 2003)
Ahh, the energy and exuberance that comes to us vicariously through our Youth. As anyone who’s worked with young people will attest, their enthusiasm is contagious. They are our future and I’m here to tell you, the future’s lookin’ pretty good! Teenage years are such an interesting time, you’re not old enough to be on your own but old enough to “be your own”…your own person, having your own vision, bursting with creativity and new perspectives. As a teacher trainer, I worked with young men and women who were on the cusp of their careers. They were the greatest group of teachers because they were new, fresh, enthusiastic, and ready to change the world. They came in with innovative ways of doing and reaching and achieving. And they were the leaders. Their work and vision inspired and motivated all of us. New blood is a good thing. It keeps us on our toes and points us to the possibilities that occur when we stretch ourselves and open ourselves up to new ways of doing things. Our Youth also have these characteristics. They are a group to be proud of. Youth Sunday was one more example of the talents we have here. Many people have commented on how moved they were by that service. For their music, their expression of worship, and their commitment to the work of the church comes out of who they are and what their experiences have taught them. Let us be respectful of their teachings for as my momma used to say “we learn one from the other.” We adults don’t have the market on talent and we aren’t the only ones with answers. I’m blessed to have the opportunity to work with these young people. They’re a group to be proud of. (posted May 29, 2003)
We're going to offer something new this summer for Sunday school. We will have an Intergenerational Sunday School class for ages 5-100! The classes will have a different topic every month and will begin at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. The nursery will be available for kids 0-4 years of age. (posted May 29, 2003)
The final school bell is about to toll. Summer beckons. So do family vacations. But don’t think for a minute that our church hallways will be bustling any less in the coming weeks. Just as the disciples were uplifted following Jesus’ resurrection, the church’s activity calendar will still be full of spirit and youthful vigor over the next couple of months. For instance, on Sunday, May 18, the Taize Service will be conducted in the Fellowship Hall at 6 p.m. This could be the final Taize until August, so if you were unable to attend one of the previous three meditative sessions, don’t skip this one. You’ll be silently surprised. Also this month, the Senior Highs will be turning in their raffle ticket sales on Friday, May 16. If you haven’t purchased your $5 ticket, try to do so soon. The proceeds go towards their trip to the Montreat West conference in Colorado from June 22-28. After all the tickets are submitted and counted, the much-anticipated prize drawing will be conducted on Sunday, May 18, during the Senior Highs’ final meeting before school lets out for the summer. All winners will be subsequently notified of their prize.) At the end of May, on Wednesday the 27th, the Worship Committee will hold a planning session for the upcoming church year. Any suggestions or ideas are highly encouraged and can be relayed to committee chairperson Anna Bohart. On Saturday, June 7, the new Children’s Choir will be honored with a swimming party at the Harlingen Country Club from 2-6 p.m. Vacation Bible School, from June 11-14, also helps usher in the summer for our younger children. The theme of this year’s bible school is Lighthouse Kids: Shining God’s Light and is open to all kids entering kindergarten to 5th grade next year. Registration is available on-line at fpcmcallen.com/vbs or you can contact Rebecca Villarreal, Director of Christian Education, for more information. “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” (Matthew 19:14) The Worship Committee (posted May 16, 2003)
Below are some activities FPC has planned for the summer months: June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 - Intergenerational Sunday School Classes June 3 - Teacher Appreciation Dinner for all Sunday School Teachers June 4 - Confirmation Planning Session June 7 - Swim Party for Children's Choir June 11-14 - Vacation Bible School July 13, 20, 27 - Intergenerational Sunday School Classes July 18 - First Presbyterian night at the Roadrunner game August 3, 10, 17, 24 - Intergenerational Sunday School Classes August 23 - Education Conference Watch your newsletter and bulletin for more info on these upcoming events. (posted May 16, 2003)
In education, the concept of teaching across age levels has gained momentum. The program used with early childhood in the McAllen school district, Hi Scope, recognizes the natural learning that occurs when kids of different ages get together. After all, isn't that what neighborhoods look like. I know Lauren plays with little girls ages 5, 7, 8, and 9 and Patrick's friends on our street are 6, 8, 10, and 11. It is, after all, an intergenerational world. Whether in the workplace, church, or neighborhood we work and play and worship with people of all ages and many different backgrounds. That's why I'm so excited about out plans for Sunday School this summer. We will be offering intergenerational classes all summer in the Fellowship Hall. Kids from 5-105 will come together on Sunday mornings for a bit of singing, a simple story, and an activity done together. Here's a bit of a preview:
We hope you will put us on your summer itinerary! It promises to be a learning experience for all! Rebecca Villarreal CE Director (posted May 16, 2003)
Registration has begun!! You can either pick up a registration form in the Narthex or can register online at fpcmcallen.com/vbs. Please get your registration info in by May 25 so we will have a count of how many to expect, but registration will be going on until June 11. VBS is open to any child entering Kinder- 5th grade in the community so invite your neighbors, friends, etc. There will be prizes for the kids who bring the most friends, so get the word out! I could still use some help in gathering the following: 40 gelatin boxes An inflatable raft or a canoe (inflatable or other) Crusty old sea faring type items like: an anchor, life preservers, buoys, oars, etc. (posted May 16, 2003)
We're going to offer something new this summer for Sunday school. We will have an Intergenerational Sunday School class for ages 5-100! The classes will have a different topic every month and will begin at 9:00 AM in the Fellowship Hall. The nursery will be available for kids 0-4 years of age. For more info see the Christian Education Director's article. (posted May 16, 2003)
A planning session will be held on Wednesday, June 4, 1:00-4:00 PM, in the Parlor for those adults interested in assisting with Confirmation classes in the Fall. We will be reviewing the curriculum, planning a retreat, and aligning Confirmation classes with Youth Group and Sunday School. We need leaders/mentors for this important work with our young people. Please call Rebecca at 682-2836 if you're interested or have questions. Thanks! (posted May 16, 2003)
On June 1st we must bid farewell to some faithful members. Ben and Peggy Smith are moving to Ft. Worth to be near their daughter and Bruce Williams is retiring and moving to Kansas. First Presbyterian, McAllen will surely miss all of them ! Please join us in the Fellowship Hall immediately following Worship on that Sunday morning to wish them well during a reception in their honor. Sincerely, Fellowship committee (posted May 16, 2003)
Thanks for all the great recipes!!! To date we have the following:
We’d like to acquire 400 recipes for our book which will be available in Sept. for $15.00.We will start taking Book reservations May 11, Mother’s Day.Recipes will be received thru May 31.Additional forms are available in the church narthex on Sundays and the church office during the hours of 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (posted May 7, 2003)
I went to see my dad last week. He lives in Victoria, which is not that far away, but I only see him about 3 times a year. He’s 76 years old and lately I’ve felt the urgency to spend more time with him, to soak up his stories and his knowledge, because even though his health is good, I can’t help but wonder how many more visits I’ll get with him. In Rethinking Christian Education, Mary Elizabeth Mullino Moore points out that people over 70 often reflect “high faith maturity” yet are under utilized in their churches. A mature faith might be conceived as integrating the following:
If you search the pews in our church you’ll discover a few who’ve reached such a level of maturity. Although you don’t have to be in your 70’s to achieve it, age and wisdom do help. One of our church members has come to me because she recognizes the wisdom that age brings and wants to tap into the knowledge and experiences of these folks. I agree with her, their stories and life lessons could benefit all of us. The young people in church could learn so much about church history if presented with real examples of the way it was and all of us and all of us could use a dose of wisdom now and then. Our society puts so much emphasis on youth and those with power are often younger but let us not forget the wisdom that comes with age. Rebecca Villarreal CE Director (posted May 7, 2003)
May 18 will be our Youth Sunday. If you haven’t been to one before you won’t want to miss it. The morning worship service is done entirely by our Youth and it promises to be inspiring. After worship we will have a luncheon to honor our graduating seniors. Hope to see you there! (posted May 7, 2003)
Pre-registration for VBS will begin May 12. We have a great group of leaders lined up and plan to have a super time with our theme “Lighthouse Kids, Shining God’s Light. It’s open to kids entering kinder - 5th grade in the Fall so make plans for your children, grandchildren, or friends to attend VBS on June 11-14. Registration & More information (posted May 7, 2003)
The 2003 Souper Bowl of Caring raised more than $3.4 million this year. The event is held every year on Super Bowl Sunday.Young people in more than 12,000 congregations, representing more than 50 denominations in all 50 states and Canada, Puerto Rico, and Germany, took part.Presbyterians from about 2,240 congregations in 48 states collected a record $719,452 for Souper Bowl in 2003.Since the event went national in 1993, participants have raised more than $20 million. (posted May 7, 2003)
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