Evangelism/Assimilation

The Evangelism Committee considers itself the front door of the   church. Its purpose  and goal is to reach out to new families in the community as well as to our visitors. When you enter as a visitor, you are greeted by someone at the welcome desk and given a name tag. Our  committee keeps a record of all visitors who sign the friendship pads found in the pews. If visitors give us information, the pastor will greet you usually through a letter as well as at the door following worship. On your second or third visit someone from our committee will visit with you if it is convenient for  you. 

  Once you have made the decision to unite with the church, you are    invited to attend an inquirers class for several weeks. These classes help you become familiar with the activities of the church and introduce you to ways you can serve. Once you have made the commitment, you will be assigned a shepherd to introduce you to the congregation and the life of the church. Your shepherd usually becomes your first and best friend. These classes are held three or four times a year depending on demand.

  We are a warm, friendly and growing church. We would welcome your visits and/or your questions.
 

  The year 2011 has brought us three additional groups of new members, totaling 46 individuals and 18 family groups.  Again several of the individuals were retired Presbyterian ministers who are considered members of the Presbytery rather than of the individual church.

In April 2011 there were 7 family groups introduced to the church after several sessions of new member classes.  These family groups included three with from 2 to 4 children each.

Again in August there were 11 family groups who were accepted into membership on August 7 and actually introduced to the membership on Sunday, August 28.  Three of these families included 10 children.  Consequently our children's ministry is growing at about the same pace as our adults!

Then on November 6 eleven additional family groups were accepted into membership and presented to the congregation.  Four of these families include 7 children, for a total of 25.          

We heartily welcome all these new 2011 members to BMPC as their new church home.

 
Transportation for Blind Members 

Four volunteers (plus several subs) are responsible for transporting our two blind members from the McCune Center for the 11 o’clock service each Sunday.      

Highland Farms Bus driver for January 2012:
      Billy Banks


Drivers to McCune Center:
1st Sunday:  Mike Duckworth
2nd Sunday: Jack Williams 
3rdSunday:  Gerry LeVan 
4th Sunday:  John & Cathy Moore
Subs:  Kevin Brandon, who also drives on 5th Sundays
Still need substitute drivers.            

Presbyterian Women           

Our Presbyterian Women’s organization is composed of over one hundred twenty women who are led by a Coordinating Team of officers.  The women are divided into eight circles who meet in homes or at Highland Farms on the first Tuesday of the month in the morning, afternoon, or evening.  Bible study in each circle is led by members of the circle.  Circles participate in service opportunities throughout the year including:  visiting homebound women, greeting at church on Sunday mornings, writing monthly letters to the church’s missionaries, setting up the fellowship hall for Thursday Night Live suppers and programs and Gatherings, providing meals for bereaved families, and furnishing refreshments for various church receptions or other functions. 

Three special Luncheon Gatherings are held during the year:  The Thank Offering Program in October, the Missions Emphasis Program in February, and the PW Birthday Program in May.  Special offerings go for grants that help disadvantaged women and children worldwide. 

The Presbyterian women are committed to: 

·         nurturing their faith through prayer and Bible study

·         supporting the mission of the church worldwide

·         working for justice and peace

·         building an inclusive, caring community of women that strengthens the Presbyterian  Church and witnesses to the promise of God’s kingdom

Thursday Night Live  (The new 2012 church year is bringing more changes, noted in the righthand column.)

     This is a monthly activity, usually on the second Thursday of each month, that strives to present interesting educational, informational, entertaining programs of all kinds that will appeal to a large and diverse segment of the congregation.  The program is preceded by a meal, either catered or pot-luck, with time for visiting with each other, celebrating birthdays or other important events, and in general enjoying each other’s company. 

     This is a good time to invite visitors and new members to get to know church members in a smaller group.

The Nurture Committee decided to forego having a January 2012 program, since the month started out with a "snow day" cancellation of activities and it is feared the month's weather may bring some more cancellations.

On February 9 we will resume the program schedule, with new member and writer Ina Hughs presenting a program of readings from some of her Scripps-Howard columns.  More information will be in the upcoming January and February Windows.

Bereavement/Compassion Committee 

This committee of five volunteers, with the help of designated PW circles and the nurture committee, arranges for either receptions or dinners for the family after funerals or memorial services, depending upon the wishes of the family members. 

   Salt Shakers
  The year 2011 saw the revival of the small groups known as  Salt Shakers.  The groups continued through the summer months and are active in 2012.  There were about sixty people who signed up as interested in being in a Salt Shaker group, so they were divided into five groups.  One or two of the original groups formed four years ago had survived and were still active, but we wanted to offer this to the rest of the congregation, especially because we have had so many new members in the past two years.  These are groups of from 8-14 members who get together once a month for either a pot-luck dinner in one of the member's homes, or perhaps to go to an event such as a ball game, or a play at Flat Rock, or to eat out at some special restaurant, or to hike, or to take a Black Mountain guided tour, or whatever activities each group chooses to do.  It is an excellent way to get to know a smaller group of your fellow members, especially if you aren't in a Sunday School class or the choir.  If an individual finds himself in a group he doesn't enjoy, he is free to move to another one!  No one is locked into it for a year, though all groups may choose to do a fruit-basket-turn-over after a year in order to meet a new group of people.  It is hoped that two new groups may be formed in the early part of 2012 to include more of the newer members.

Stephen Ministry (Currently not active)

Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who receive special training to provide one-to-one Christian care to people in our congregation and community who are experiencing grief, loneliness, divorce, hospitalization, disability, job loss, and many other life difficulties.  Stephen ministers are trained to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. 

The care you receive is confidential, free, and very helpful.