Community Thanksgiving Meal

On November 17th we had the Community Thanksgiving Meal at Rock of Ages Lutheran Church in Stone Mountain. I had contacted a few of my player friends earlier in the week to help me with the music for the night. We arrived early to set up and do a sound check. We were expecting another holiday church gig that we have done so many times before and were happy to provide music for this event.

 

What we experienced was far more than we expected. After getting all the logistics and last minute instructions, the guests began to arrive. We, and the other volunteers from surrounding churches were met with smiles and hand shakes from more than a dozen homeless men and women that were grateful for the "party" we were throwing in their honor. We ate together, laughed together, heard some real "whopper" stories and worshipped together.

George Tatro from Memorial Drive Pres. served as the MC and got the ball rolling. Each of the other pastors also had a few words that emphasized the theme of love and concern from the heart of God towards those in our number that had fallen on hard times and as a result were homeless. The message of love was not only for the homeless but extended to the needs of the larger community. The ladies and gentleman from the attending churches took turns in serving our guests an amazing dinner and making sure that they were welcomed and appreciated. The smiles and warm words were cathartic and sincere as fellow Christians rolled up their sleeves and met the needs of those that were hurting and without.

One of the songs that we sang together captured the spirit of that night. "...Lean on me when you're not strong and I'll be your friend. I'll help you carry on, for it won't be long...'til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on..." By time the event was over, the guys in my band were thanking me for a powerful night of ministry. Their level of gratitude for the church... being the church was heightened.

What better way to celebrate Thanksgiving than by serving others. I am grateful to all those that attended, served, organized and participated in the 2012 Community Thanksgiving Meal. I am especially grateful for being asked to participate in an event that could be the start of a movement to bless Stone Mountain authored by God and his church. I was proud and honored to be a believer that night.

Allan Wiltshire, II

The Mission Minded Artist.

 

Elder D'Jaris Canty Wallace - MDPC Intern

 

Elder D’Jaris Canty Wallace is the President of the Greater Atlanta Chapter of the National Black Presbyterian Caucus, the Vice Moderator of the Presbyterian Women Coordinating Council of the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and is currently an Inquirer in the ordination process with the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta.

 

Elder Canty Wallace has been a licensed minister since 1991 and ordained in 2004.  She has served as the Assistant Pastor of the Reynoldstown Christian Ministries from 1992-1994, Co-leader of the Nurture Ministry (1991-1992), the Planning, Evaluation and Publication Ministry Leader (1994 – 2002), and Director of Protocol (2002) at Saint Peter Missionary Baptist Church.  While there she was also a teacher and Curriculum Specialist in the School of Christian Living, and in 1999 developed a “Leadership Development Program”.  Following the direction of God, she united with Word of God Tabernacle in 2002 and was a part of their Ministerial Alliance. Elder Canty Wallace was also very active in the Full Gospel Baptist Church Fellowship, where she served as Assistance Conference Coordinator for the West Central Georgia District, and served on the State of Georgia Conference Team since 1999 as Youth Liaison, Assistant to the State Adjutant and Conference Registrar for 2001 and 2002. Before its closing, she developed a progressive Christian Education Program for Southwest Atlanta Presbyterian Church, teaching two Bible classes.  In May 2010, she and her husband Bruce were commissioned as coordinators of the Congregational Care Ministry at Rice Memorial Presbyterian Church. 

 

Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, she is a 1973 graduate of Southwest High School in Atlanta, a 1977 graduate of Talladega College in Talladega, Alabama with a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and a minor in Mathematics.  She has done graduate studies at Atlanta University with a concentration in Economic Development and minor in Finance, taken Continuing Education Extension courses through The Interdenominational Theological Center.  She has also received a Computer Skills Certificate and Mortgage Lending Diploma from the Georgia Institute of Banking.  Elder Canty Wallace, worked for the Internal Revenue Service, Crawford and Company, and is a former associate professor of Economics at Tuskegee Institute, and the faculty advisor for their Society of Economics Advancement, as well as a former Mortgage Banker and Corporate Trust Supervisor and was the Owner and Managing Broker of Anchor Partners Realty. 

 

Elder Canty Wallace is an Advanced Certified Human Behavior Consultant through Uniquely You Ministries, a Certified Clinical Pastoral Care Counselor, and Certified Leadership Trainer through Walk Thru the Bible Ministries.  She is also a member of the American Association of Christian Counselors, Black African American Christian Counselors, Christian Community Development Association, Religious Conference Management Association, Society of Church Consultants and the Presbyterian Church USA’s Company of Pastors.  Currently she is a Middler at Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary at The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, pursuing her Master’s in Divinity, concentrating on Pastoral Care. After graduating and completing her ordination exams, she plans to pursue parish ministry and becoming a Licensed Pastoral Counselor.

Fall Berries on the MDPC Campus

By Carol Cromley

1. Holly
2. Dogwood
3. Nandina

Lunch Box Program

By Carol Cromley

 

The Memorial Drive Lunchbox Program started in May, 2010 with people volunteering from St Timothy Methodist Church, MDPC and Rock Of Ages Lutheran Church. Each church was taking one or more days a week to be responsible for serving those in need. As it began, we gathered folks from the three churches and walked around the tables filling lunch containers, much like what we do now for Bountiful Bags on Thursdays. Now there is a fourth church, A New Thing Christian Church, that serves on Wednesdays.

 

To start with, we gave out less than ten lunches a day, and we have grown to 50 or 60 on many days. The "working poor" are also being served...those who have part time jobs only, like the sign-holders you see along the road. Bottled water is included for each lunch. Summer times we serve a lot more children, too, and we try to add drink boxes for them or other special treats.

 

Bananas are an addition to the daily menu, and the folks at Rock of Ages donate & make up fresh sandwiches to replace some of the packaged items we used to purchase. The sack lunches are placed in grocery bags, to keep costs to a minimum.

 

Your cash donations (checks marked for Lunchbox) are used for the packaged items put in the bags with the sandwiches. 

Those who hand out the lunches frequently hear happy "thank you's" and "bless you" for being there.

 

 

 

 

So "Thank you and Bless you" for the all your help that makes this program continue for our neighbors in need.

 

 

 

 

Clifton Sanctuary Ministries

By Doris Hoenig

Clifton Sanctuary Ministries is an emergency shelter for men 35 years and older including those living with HIV/AIDS, addictions and mental illness.  CSM is celebrating 33 years of night hospitality.

Last Sunday evening, 78 men were recognized for having successfully worked to eliminate the stigma associated with being homeless.  These men are now either employed, have reconciled with family, completed their GED or Job Training program, and/or receiving Social Security benefits.  The overall success rate reached 70%. 

The program continues moving forward providing the best services for their guests with the help of church partners, funders and a large number of volunteers.

The heart of Clifton's success lies in the relationships with volunteer organizations.  In the future Clifton hopes to foster more relationships with area churches, community groups, Boy Scout and Girl Scout troops, and others interested in learning what makes Clifton unique and the best program of its kind in the area.

MDPC is a volunteer partner in the program.  Every third Monday, for an hour, a team packs 50 lunch bags.  MDPCCP participates by decorating the lunch bags. 

If you would like to participate or want more information, contact Doris Hoenig, 770-469-5984.

Hackwin L. Devoe

 

 

Truth, justice, and peace are essential in the life of any community.  I seek daily to speak truth, execute justice, and live peaceably with all my neighbors.  My name is Hackwin L. Devoe, and I am a disciple of Jesus the Christ.  I was born in Covington, Georgia on August 15, 1969.  I graduated from Columbia High School, Georgia Perimeter College, and Shorter University.  I am married with children, and I am a veteran of the U.S. Army, Airborne Rangers Regiment.  There is something to be said about someone who jumps out of a perfectly good airplane at 1,250 ft in the air.  And that something said is that “God must be with him!”  This is profoundly true.

I accepted Christ Jesus as my Lord and Savior at a young age.  However, it was after my call to duty in the armed forces for service of Country that I answered the call to duty for serve of God.  At age 27, I began to walk in the calling of ministry in the Baptist tradition, in which I am a licensed and ordained minister of the Gospel of Jesus the Christ.  I am pursing a Masters in Divinity at Columbia Theological Seminary.  During my sojourn here, I hope to gain experience in the pastorate, develop a deeper understanding of God, and grow with my new family at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church.  My trust is in the will of God in which I find great rewards in honoring him and serving his people.  Together—by the grace of God—we can build a community of truth, justice, and peace.   

 

Grandfriends

Grandfriends

by Anchor Shepherd

If I ever doubted the veracity of “The Lord moves in mysterious ways,” I do no more. In March, Shallowford hosted a communications conference.  George Tatro, Pastor of Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church, was a participant and introduced me to Caitlin Hill, a teacher from Indian Creek Elementary.  As a retired elementary educator, I was interested in hearing about her school and students.  We chatted, and I asked her if anyone had ever come to read to her students.  Her  response was, “No one has ever come to   our school to read!”  When I asked if she would be interested in having some readers, her enthusiasm was infectious.  And thus, Indian Creek Grandfriends was born.

 

For the last seven years, I have been a Grandfriend at Hawthorne Elementary, and it has been some of the most rewarding work with which I have been involved.  The Grandfriends program was conceived and implemented by Kristy Fuqua, and dozens of grandparents, friends, and neighbors have been reading at Hawthorne for years.  In addition to children being exposed to the wonder of stories, books, and authors, bonds have been formed and lasting friendships, too.  It’s great fun!

 

Why couldn’t we – Shallowford Presbyterian Church and Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church - share our love of reading with Indian Creek as well as the Bountiful Bags?  We could help feed young minds as well as young bodies. When I contacted Caitlin and Diana Lam, the founders of Bountiful Bags, and asked them if they thought their Principal would be open to such a program, the reply was a resounding YES.  Knowing that there were only a few weeks of school left, it was decided we needed to start out small and determine if this was a viable activity and if so, expand it for the 2012-2013 school year.  I contacted George and asked if he could recruit five readers from Memorial Drive, knowing we could get five from SPC.  He did, and we did, and after meeting with the Indian Creek Principal, Shallowford hosted an organizational meeting.  Armed with a mountain of books and ideas, we started the first week after Spring Break.  Then, every week, ten of us read to Pre-K, Kindergarten, first, second, and third grade students.  We were greeted with smiles and hugs.  They were eager to hear a new story or another book by an author they enjoyed.  They shared what they learned.  They helped celebrate my birthday, requested pictures of our families, and moaned when it was our last day to read.  One Grandfriend assured me he had reaped far more benefits from the reading than the children had. 

 

As the word spread, more and more Indian Creek teachers requested a Grandfriend, so some of us took on more than one class.  With that in mind, we now plan to recruit more Grandfriends – 30 – in order for every homeroom, Pre-K through third grade, to have a Grandfriend.  I secretly hope that fourth and fifth grades will also “catch the spirit” and request Grandfriends.

 

So, that’s our story.  Let us know if you would like to join us. 

 

Shallowford Youth Choir at MDPC

Last night the RUACH of God flowed through the voices of the Shallowford Youth Choir and blessed the entire sanctuary. The REASON why this evening was so special is because God was being glorified in our sanctuary and we were invited into God's presence through song. I can think of nothing more important than being in God's presence. So for this and every blessing, praise be to God!

Bernice McGriff

Congratulations Bernice McGriff - confirmed as a member of MDPC on May 27, 2012.

Aiden Trammell

 Congratulations Aiden Trammell on graduating from Kindergarten.

Team Edge

Team Edge Tutoring Program is held every Thursday from 7 pm - 8 pm at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church - Donnell Building.

Flower Pots

Our preschool teachers and children enjoy working hard at making school treasures for sale at the fundraisers, but they seldom get a chance to make something they can keep for their rooms. This month they decorated flower pot "keepers" for their own rooms. Each class could personalize any way they could imagine. You can visit the classes to see the pots in-the-round to get the full effect of their charming talents. Spider plants were selected from the Child Safe list, and for the easy rooting of new plants. If you love plants too, you can be a "vacation plant tender" as a way to support the school. Contact Carol Cromley for more information. Plants and supplies provided by the Cromley family, Lee, Carol and Marla Cromley Jones.

Soul Journers Studio

Article by Sandra Tate

I want to thank all who came to the open house reception for the new Soul Journers Studio on May 20.  I hope you were able to get a sense of excitement around art therapy. I want to thank Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church for their support of this wonderful opportunity to bring therapy/counseling to this church and to the greater community. In particular, the wonderful “junk” that Sara Osborn donated are a useful addition to our construction materials.  In addition, if any one has any old, damaged, broken jewelry or left over sequins, scrapbook stuff etc. please consider donating them to the studio.

Soul Journers Studio’s first group is set to begin July 26, 10-12. This group is for those who are taking care of family members with chronic illnesses. This includes dementias of all types, terminal cancers, mental illnesses, and brain traumas. While each person’s story is unique, the particular feelings and spiritual tasks around this type of care giving can be shared bond. In art therapy you will be able to focus on your own struggles with being a caretaker in this unique situation. Art therapy can help you express the inexpressible and find your way through this part of your journey. Groups are limited to 6 people so please call Sandra Tate, 404 455 8530 for an appointment and to reserve a place in one of the groups.

Team Edge

Auction Bid Springs Special Day

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice paid a visit to Presbyterian Village in Austell last December 19 and had lunch with several dear friends of Presbyterian Homes of Georgia. The luncheon with Dr. Rice was one of the unique and most highly sought-after items at Presbyterian Homes’ annual Ceilidh Auction held last fall. The once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was won by Neal and Joan Pope. Other guests included: Mr. Pope’s brother Tom and his wife Kay; ardent Presbyterian Homes supporters Will and Latvia Alston and Greg and Debra Morrison; Presbyterian Homes’ President and CEO Dr. Frank McElroy, Jr. and his wife Edna; and Mrs. Alston’s and Dr. Rice’s beloved “Aunt G,” Genoa McPhatter. Dr. Rice is a first cousin of Mrs. Alston, who along with her husband Will, arranged the luncheon as an auction item. Dr. Rice also took the time to tour Presbyterian Village, meet staff and pose for photos. Presbyterian Homes is deeply honored and grateful to all who made possible this extraordinary event.

From The Messenger - Presbyterian Homes of Georgia, Spring 2012

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Blue Dragonfly

Picture Id: 1252944

A blue dragonfly lands on a blade of grass.

Location:

Photographer:

KATIE ARCHIBALD WOODWARD/National Geographic My Shot/National Geographic Stock

Congratulations Bernice!

Welcome New Members

Donald and Barbara:

Welcome to Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church!

The Story of Jonah

The Story of Jonah as Told by The Cutest Little Girl - Shared by Carl Line

 

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z4VrujheblY

Thank You

To My MDPC Family:

Thank you so much for all the wonderful cards, prayers and best wishes.

Love,

Alma Abernathy

AMIS - By Doris Hoenig

Last week AMIS held an International Student and Host dinner.   My table of 8, my students this year and I, represented five continents.   They are:  Shuman &  Songling from China, Asia; Monica and William from Columbia, South America; Nora from Hungary, Europe; Zahara and Adia from Uganda, Africa; and me from Georgia, North America.   It's a small world after all.    

Jeffrey Kawan - By Doris Hoenig

Jeffrey Kawan, son of Rebecca Kawan, is Captain of his Attack Soccer Team.   The team won their game last Saturday by a score of 7 - 2.  Jeffrey scored two goals.  

MDPC Badminton Club Takes 1st Place - By Dil Premji

The 2012 Emory Open Badminton Tournament was held on Saturday March 24 and 25 at the Emory University Gymnasium. 

A total of 115 players participated from:
Vanderbilt University, University of Alabama Huntsville, Homewood Badminton Club, North Carolina Badminton Club, Emory University, University of Mississippi, Florida State University, Georgia State University, University of Alabama Birmingham, Georgia Tech, University of Tennessee Knoxville, Auburn University, Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church Badminton Club, Perimeter Church Badminton Club and Dunwoody Church Badminton Club.

Memorial Drive Badminton Club brought home:
1st Place Men's Doubles,
1st Place Singles,
2nd Place Singles,
3rd Place Singles,
3rd Place - Senior Mixed Doubles
2nd Place - Mens Senior Doubles

I am very proud of my son Adil Premji, who brought the 1st Place Men's Doubles and 2nd place Singles.

Congratulations MDPC!

We are thankful to MDPC for letting us use the gymnasium for all our practices.

Proud Grandmother - By Doris Hoenig

For two Sundays I was missing from church services.   But it was very important for me to be in Dallas, Texas.

 

My grandson, Jerod Simek, is a Junior at Truman State University in Kirksville, MO.  He was swimming in the NCAA Division II National Swimming Championships.   He did well.   He placed 10th in the 1650 yard freestyle with a time of 15:40.6; 10th in the 1000 yard freestyle with a time of 9:19.75; and 22nd in the 500 yard freestyle with a time of 4:34.82.  This is definitely not his race!

 

I am extremely proud of Jerod.   Most proud because he was happy for his friend and chief competitor, Jason Bell of Drury University, who placed 8th in the 1650.   He is a senior and this was his last college competition.   Way to go, Jerod.    

 

Doris Hoenig

Congratulations Carl Line

Carl Line finished his 6th Full Marathon on March 18th. He beat his best record by about 7 minutes.

Bountiful Bags - Picture by Don Brim

Thank You - By Ray and Kay Pinkerton

To the MDPC Congregation:

Many Thanks for making our 50th Anniversary so special with cards, delicious food, support and friendship.  It is such a joy to be a part of our Church Family.  Best Wishes to each of you.

Love

Ray and Kay Pinkerton

Our MDPC Campus Lovelies - Pictures By Carol Cromley

 



Confirmation Retreat - By Steven Bohn

MDPC youth participated in an amazing presbytery-wide confirmation retreat at the Calvin Center the weekend of 3/16-18.  We experienced worship led by Rev. Jonaire Adrian of College Park Presbyterian Church, and listened to wonderful keynotes by Rev. Patrick Day of Northminster Presbyterian Church.  Calvin Center staff led us in activities that challenged everyone to think of their understanding of the sacraments and what they mean to us in our faith.  We also went off the zipline on the ropes course, played a wild variation on ‘capture the flag’, and ate some s’mores.  Sunday morning worship was at Calvin Center’s very own vineyard where we all shared in the Lord’s Supper.  This retreat was a wonderful opportunity for our youth to explore more what their faith means to them and continue to articulate their own personal statement of faith.

Georgia Connection - By Carol Cromley

Last Saturday, March 17, The Georgia Connection sang their musical tribute to the 60's at Smoke Rise Baptist Church.
The show was loosely based on Laugh-In, including the wall of doors, with appearances by ''goldie", the judge, "cher" , the park bench visitors, and various unnamed costumed flower children, all singing in harmony.
Those whom we might know, (should we care to admit it) Carol Cromley, Kathy Rall, & Amy Johnson, current or former members of MDPC.
The show program included a complementary ad for the pre-school, MDPCCP.
This group was originally led by Mark Rusch, our former director of music.

Taking Our Church Communication To The Next Level - By Dil Premji

This past Saturday, March 17, 2012, I attended the workshop "Taking Your Church Communication To The Next Level".  I was inspired to implement what I learned at the workshop.  This may be a venue where we can all come together, connect, share stories, and get to know more about each other.