The Messenger Newsletter

Over the last several weeks, many of you have had the opportunity to learn about one of the most important missions of Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church – our Child Development Center, or the CDC, through which we serve children and our community.

The CDC has been struggling financially the past two years.  As a result, the Stewardship and Finance Committee recommended to Session that a CDC Recovery Committee be formed.  The CDC Recovery Committee is charged with making the CDC self-sustaining by mid-2005.

The Committee has been reviewing all aspects of the CDC, including all expenses, and changes have already been implemented. While we believe we can achieve our goal by mid-2005, the rest of 2004 will be a struggle financially as a result of our inability to attract new children due to the physical state of the current facility.

In order to reduce our 2004 losses, we are asking each family in the church to consider adopting one or more expenses of the CDC for the rest of the year.  We have identified recurring monthly expenses ranging from $3 for pudding to $380 for drama expenses.  These expenses have been identified on the flowers in the narthex of the church.  You can help support the CDC financially by planting one of the flowers on the bulletin board and covering some of these expenses.

We want to thank the families in the congregation who have already shown their support of the CDC through physical improvements to the CDC facility that have been undertaken and financial support totaling almost $5,200 through May 16.

If you want more information, please contact one of the members of the CDC Recovery Committee – Cinda Koch, Hilary Puckett, Rebeka Stephens, Ginger Williams and Tammy Mackesey, or contact Sammye Wood, chair of the ongoing CDC Committee.

CDC Recovery Committee

LHPC teams up for the third year with St. James Episcopal for this fantastic and exciting event.  This year’s theme is "Patch Work Parables"

Patch Work Parables is the 2004 VBS developed just for LHPC and St. James Episcopal Church together.  It was written to accommodate the changing needs of this community.  The week will be spent learning about Bible stories and comparing them to modern-day children’s picture books.

Exploring Bible stories and the stories that children hear in school, at home or in the library will give them the opportunity to see Christian values and virtues in their own secular world; i.e., public school, sporting events, friend's homes etc. The hope is that children will find God/Jesus/Comfort in places where His name is never mentioned.

The books were selected because they are on the approved public school book lists and they contain Christian beliefs.  The books we will study are The Quilt Maker’s Gift, My Baby, The Piñata Quilt, The Keeping Quilt, and The Giving Tree.

Children will also work on quilts throughout the week and learn about some of the area agencies that our two congregations support.  These quilts will then be donated to these agencies at the end of the week.

This VBS is designed for children ages 3-9.   Youth ages 10-18 lead the VBS along with adults.   These youth spend a week training to be Big Brothers and Sisters to prepare them for this wonderful leadership opportunity.  Big Brother/ Sister training will be June 1-4.

We want all of our LHPC children and youth to participate this year.  You can get more information and registration forms from the display in the Narthex at the ARC or contact Meg Richardson.

The 174th General Assembly of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church will meet in Irving, Texas on June 21-25 at the Sheraton Grand Hotel , 4440 Carpenter Freeway (TX 114), between Beltline and Esters Blvd.

The General Assembly is the highest judicatory, or governing body, within our Presbyterian system. It isn’t often that a meeting is close by, allowing us to see the Assembly in action. All activities, except committee meetings, are open to you as an observer.

The Assembly convenes on Monday afternoon; much of the rest of the day is taken up in organizational and procedural matters. Tuesday and Wednesday are given to committee work. Reports from committees are received, debated and acted upon by the Assembly on Thursday and Friday.

General Assembly activities of particular note:

Monday, 2:00 p.m.: Organization of the GA and Opening Worship, Sermon by the Rev. Dr. Charles McCaskey, Retiring Moderator

Monday, 7:30 p.m.: The Moderator’s Reception at St. Timothy Cumberland Presbyterian Church, 3001 Forest Ridge Dr., Bedford

Tuesday, 4:00 p.m. Barbeque Dinner and Centennial Anniversary of the Cumberland Presbyterian Children’s Home, Denton – Everyone is invited! The location is 1304 Bernard St. at Greenlee (in Denton, exit IH-35E at Avenue A {1st exit north of US 377}; immediate right on Greenlee; right on Bernard)

Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.: Worship and Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, Sermon by the Rev. Perryn Rice, Pastor of Faith Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America, Dallas, and former Associate Pastor of LHPC

Missy Rodgers will host a scrapbook workshop at her home, at 4326 Margate, from 7:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. on Monday, June 14th.

Who is invited?  Anyone interested in working on their photos and scrapbooks, anyone who is curious about scrapbooking, or anyone who just wants to enjoy an evening out with friends!

Creative Memories Consultant, Barb Hall will spend the evening with us showing the new products for scrapbooking and helping those who are beginners get started on organizing and preserving their precious photos and memories.

A portion of the proceeds will go to help fund Barb’s church mission trip to Russia this summer.  Please RSVP Missy Rodgers at 214-902-9935.  If you are a new scrapbooker, please bring $10 for supplies and 8-10 pictures to complete a memories album page.  Bring a friend and get a special gift!

Robert’s Ramblings:  Property Update:  The State of Construction Or, at this Point, Destruction
As this is written in mid-May:

• The parking lot awaits completion of utility lines and necessary easements before paving
• The connecting corridor between the present buildings is gone
• The fellowship hall is just a shell in preparation for its enlargement
• Exterior walls for what will become the office complex are being put up and
• Piers for the new classroom building are being bored and poured!

By the time you receive this issue of The Messenger even more progress will have been made.

Do you want to track the construction?  Visit the web site, www.lhpres.org.  Webmaster Richard Klein has posted updated photos. Also, aerial photos, taken monthly, are on display in the Narthex. Best of all, see for yourself the progress from week to week as you come to worship. A few weeks ago I quoted Ladell Ritchey’s quip in a sermon.  He said of the construction, “I’m looking forward to looking back on this experience.”  I still agree;  I’m looking forward....  But do you know something?  I’m enjoying the experience now.  And I resonate with one member’s comment when she came into church:  “Look at this mess!  Isn’t it beautiful!” YESSSS!!!!

--Robert E Shelton

(See photo’s)

Just to keep you up to date, the following are notes gleaned from the minutes of May 10 and 11, 2004...

The CDC Recovery Team reported that over $5,000 in sponsorship gifts for the CDC have been received from the congregation to date and that 18 of the 23 children formerly enrolled in the MDO program transferred into the same program under the CDC.

The Property Development Committee reported that demolition/restructure of the old Education/Fellowship Hall Building has begun.  An easement has been granted to the City in order that the necessary utility lines can be installed.

The Stewardship & Finance Committee has submitted a proposal for a planned giving program following the guidelines of the Texas Presbyterian Foundation.  Session will be asked to vote on this proposal at the June meeting.

The Appreciative Inquiry Team noted that a meeting is being planned for the latter part of the month, which will include not only the Team, but also the chairs of the Program Committees and other leaders of church groups.  The purpose of the meeting will be to update these leaders so that they and their committees can help with the implementation of the next phase of the program.

Note was made for the record of the deaths of Mary Lee Kelly on April 20, Frank Harnden on April 23, and Charles Smith on May 5, 2004.

The Nominating Committee announced that it will be actively seeking the names of persons who would be interested in being nominated to serve the session in the Class of 2007.

The Youth Director announced the summer schedule for the youth; the schedule will be posted in the newsletter and Sunday bulletins.

The session approved the recommendation of the Worship Committee to donate one of the three sets of choir robes to a religious organization since there is not a need for that many sets of robes.

The Commissioner to the last meeting of the Red River Presbytery (CPC) reported that the presbytery has accepted the invitation of LHPC to hold their Spring 2005 meeting at our church.  It was further announced that all subsequent meetings for the presbytery will be held at Lake Murray, Oklahoma.

The session voted to approve the purchase of a new 20-channel mixer, which is available from another of the community’s church for approximately half of its original cost.

Don’t forget to check the bulletin board on Audelia Road to read the complete minute from the last Session meeting!

Congratulations to all our graduates
We will be honoring our High School Graduates during 10:45 a.m. worship on Sunday, June 6th.

Congratulations to all our graduates!

On Tuesday, June 8th, at 7:00 p.m. our own Roger Emrich will be the guest speaker.  Roger will give you a rundown on and comparison of Texas and Louisiana politics.

Roger, as a reporter, covered the Texas Legislature in Austin for a time.  Although born in Texas, he grew up in New Orleans and has an insight into the politics of both states.

Roger also learned a lot about Lyndon Johnson while in Austin and San Marcos where he and LBJ attended college.  Roger is currently a sports announcer on KRLD.  Come and bring your own meat to cook on our grill.  Don’t miss it!

June 1-4  VBS Big Brother/Sister Training
June 7-11  VBS w/ St James Episcopal Church
June 20-25  Sr. High Camp @ Camp Gilmont
June 25-29  Jr. High Camp @ Camp Gilmont
July 11  Frisco RoughRiders Baseball Game
July 16  Six Flags
July 18  Forth Worth to visit our friends at St. Luke CP
August 21  Trip to Water Park

Congratulations to Ryan K., upon receiving the Eagle Scout award on May 2nd at LHPC.

Help the Youth & the Earth!
Wondering what the heck to do with those empty laser and ink jet cartridges from your computer?  Does your office throw an awful lot of Xerox toner containers in the trash?  Well, we can help you out!

The youth group is now collecting all those old inject, laser and Xerox cartridges.  Just bring them to the church with you and drop them in the special marked boxes that will be in the Narthex.  We will mail them to US Recycling and they will send the youth a check.  It’s a great way to help out the kids and the earth at the same time!

Dear Friends at Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church,
     Nancy and I thank you so much for the flowers you sent in sympathy at Mother's death.  This church meant so much to her and it was so comforting to receive the love and support offered by so many during her illness and death.

     Thank you for the friendship and solace that you gave Mother and our family throughout her life.

     With gratitude,

     Leeann Enright

Dear Friends:
     Thank you for all the ways you ministered to Marylee Kelly and to her family.

     Her church family was dear to her and you showed your love to her faithfully.

     She so looked forward to worship services followed by lunch with the girls when health would permit.

     Pastors Dr. Shelton and Dr. Shelton, encouraged Marylee spiritually during her illness and the family in the days following her death.

     Kay and the other secretaries; also Collene Ziegenfuss and the women who provided a meal following the memorial were a comfort and blessing to the family. We appreciate your gracious service and expressions of sympathy.

     In Christ,

     Bob and Carol Kelly

Dear Friends,
     Thank you so much for your expression of sympathy in the death of my brother, Harold Box.  He was a wonderful father, brother and friend to so many. We will certainly miss him and will always remember his Christian attitude and love for his family. We are indeed blessed to have him a big part of our lives for so many years.

     Friends like you have made it easier for all of us.

     God bless each of you.

     Jay & June Faircloth

Dear Church Family:
     Jack and I deeply appreciate your prayers, flowers and cards during his recent illness.  Thank you so very much.

     God bless each of you.

     Nelda and Jack Walker

Dear Church Family:
     Thank you for your constant love and care and prayers during Bob’s recent illness. Bob and I are deeply grateful for all you do, and for all you are. We feel, as does our family, that our lives have been enriched by the warmth and ministry of the Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church congregation and staff.

     Again, our heartfelt thanks,

     Bob and Lin Johnson
     Robert Johnson and Frank Johnson

To our dear church family,
     We can't begin to thank each of you enough for the joy you have added to our lives during such an important and holy step for us!  Your kind words, thoughts and prayers have acted as petals for our feet in our journey toward marriage!  It has been a blessed walk with all of you cheering us on!

     All our thanks and God's blessings!

     Jeff and Hollie Higgins

Eloise Hawthorne Town North Antique Club Mary Lee Kelly Rich & Tammy Mackesey J.B. & Mary Lou Pendergrass CDC Recovery Gifts Ralph & Jan Gifford The Hollis Jacobie Family Rich & Tammy Mackesey Glen & Geri McCleskey Steve Moore Mason Puckett Pete & Hilary Puckett Herman & Pattye Sawyer The Kim Titus Family

The best thing about the future is that it comes only on day at a time.

The church expresses Christian sympathy to the family of Charles C. Smith, Jr. who died on May 5, 2004. A memorial service was held on May 8 at Sparkman/Crane Chapel.

The church expresses Christian sympathy to the family of Eugenia (Gene) Grote, Paul Logan's grandmother, who died on May 7.

The church expresses Christian sympathy to the Halliburton Family in the death of Don Moulden of Sioux City, Iowa, Lisa Halliburton's father.

September 21-23
“Hobbits and Wizards: A Theological Inquiry”
Lecturer Rev. Dr. Fane Downs discusses the Harry Potter books and The Lord of the Rings books.

September 30- October 2
“The Task of the Church in Our Divided World”
Lecturer Rev. Dr. Shirley Guthrie discusses what God is saying and doing in our individual lives and in the church.

October 19-21
“Christian Faith in a World of Faiths”
Lecturer Rev. Dr. Cynthia M. Campbell explores the important question of living the Christian faith and understanding the continuing vitality of multiple religious traditions.

November 9-11
“Paul the Poet: Metaphors for the Christian Life”
Lecturer Rev. Sara Covin Juengst discusses the ways in which the Apostle Paul used metaphors to weave complex relationships between ideas and to lead the listener into fresh ways of conceiving the gospel and God’s activity in the world and in our lives.

Cost per person is $212.  Those interested should contact Mo-Ranch at 1-800-460-4401 or email at program@moranch.com.  Their webpage address is www.moranch.com

Due to construction we will not be having our usual intergenerational Vacation Bible School.  All children and youth can join us for the joint VBS with St. James Episcopal Church.  Watch for special events at the LHPC this fall!    more...

It is that magical time of the year again; school is out, we are hitting the road on vacations in exotic places and the Nominating Committee is seeking input from the congregation. We are looking for “a few good people” to serve as Elders in the Class of 2007.

The nominations window will be open during the month of June and the committee will meet several times over the summer preparing a list of possible candidates for the Session. Please think about all the wonderfully talented people in our congregation and make your recommendations. Nomination forms will be available throughout the month of June.

The committee members are John Brown, Dan Wadley, Hollis Jacobie, Chris Jacobie, Carol Greenman, Sara Secor, and Steve Moore.

The nominating committee needs your suggestions for five slots in the Class of 2007 which will take office on January 1, 2005. Your suggestions to the committee will be appreciated. Please note:

Session members must meet the requirements of both denominations for qualification to office. These are general and will be posted on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

The following currently serve on Session:

Suggestions for Session, Class of 2007 - Please drop in the offering plate or mail to: Lake Highlands Presbyterian Church, 9400 Plano Road, Dallas, TX 75238 or email to LHPC@lhres.org

For adults 55+
There will not be a June meeting due to construction at the church. Please look in the church bulletin for information on the July meeting.