This month's newsletter is my yearly opportunity to encourage us, gently but oh-so- insistently, to spend a little more time with our noses in books this summer. We sometimes have more leisure time, many of us have vacations that lend some time, and I am still convinced that the more we read, the better it will be for us (see your scrapbook of past June newsletters for my reasons for that--or just ask me!).

If you only could read one thing this summer, let me not surprise you by saying, Read your Bibles more! Very few of us read Scripture as much as we could. In God's Word we will discover Who God is, and who we are to be as God's people, plus a lot of other fascinating stuff. After you've begun your daily Bible readings, and you're wondering what else to turn to, let me share with you some of the fruits of my reading in the past year. We'll start with some of the fun ones:

The Good Husband of Zebra Drive is Alexander McCall Smith's latest in the No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, called an "international phenomenon." If you haven't yet begun this sweet series set in Botswana, there are wonderful people to meet, with hilarious and sometimes heartbreaking encounters along the way. Smith has remarkable insight into human nature and people's characters, and his vision for community and how we are to treat one another, as expressed by Mma Ramotswe, the main character, is well worth the church's attention.

If you might be intrigued by a young, hip look into theology, I've really enjoyed Searching for God Knows What, by Donald Miller. He tries "to present an explanation of the gospel in relational language," always with an eye to our shared human story, from Adam and Eve on down to CNN and the daily paper. His chapters on Morality and Religion alone are worth your reading the book. Miller essentially asks what it might mean if all of our deepest longings exist for a reason, and how our lives might be changed by receiving the gospel not as mere words, but as an invitation to a relationship with God which will satisfy those longings.

Another book that is a surprisingly easy read is Anatomy of Hope: How People Prevail in the Face of Illness, by Dr. Jerome Groopman, a hematologist/oncologist who has treated cancer and AIDS patients, among many others, often facing the most difficult medical situations. He sees hope "as the very heart of healing," and his stories of those who have found hope, sometimes against all odds, is really uplifting. And most of the really technical medical stuff (for those of us who want it) is in the footnotes. The stories themselves are easy to read and gripping.

In the more difficult category, I have been touched by reading Ishmael Beah's A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, recounting his teenage years growing up in Sierra Leone, in the middle of a civil war. If you happened to see the movie Blood Diamond, with Leonardo DiCaprio, you have seen in split seconds of horror what Beah is able to explain in a less gruesome but still horrifying way. Far too many conflicts have been made more atrocious by the use of child soldiers, and the remarkable thing about Beah's life is how profoundly he has changed since those terrible days. I've seen interviews with him and heard him, and he is brilliant, kind, and his story is a powerful account of change and deliverance and redemption.

And now, I'm out of room, so if you want more suggestions, just ask. Have a blessed and bookish summer.

In Christ,
David

FROM THE PASTORAL COMMITTEE MODERATOR

Since becoming the moderator of this committee, this is the first time I have been on the receiving end of their activities and I want to say to everyone that I am very proud of our “church family” and their caring of others in need. The cards, phone calls and food are always greatly appreciated and our very caring members, “The Church” makes First Presbyterian a great place to worship!!

Jim Allen
 

Myself

I have to live with myself, and so
I want to be fit for myself to know.
I want to be able, as days go by,
Always to look myself straight in the eye.
I don’t want to stand, with the setting sun,
And hate myself for things I’ve done.
I want to go out with my head erect,
I want to deserve all men’s respect.
For here in the struggle for fame and self
I want to be able to like myself.
I don’t want to look at myself and know
I’m bluster, a bluff and an empty show.
I never can hide myself from me;
I see what others may never see.
I know what others may never know,
I never can fool myself, and so,
Whatever happens, I want to be
Self-respecting and conscience-free.
 

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU Presbyterian Women!

Thanks for the wonderful way in which you honored me on Sunday, May 6th when I received the Honorary Life Membership Award. Truly I was dumbfounded, flabbergasted and surprised beyond belief when Lelia Frazier spoke my name to be the recipient. So, I just couldn’t say many words—perhaps, mumbled or stumbled something. I don’t know what! I came home that afternoon, put the pin on and hung the beautifully framed certificate, and believe me when I say that I have worn it everyday since. I’m just as proud of this award as anything I have EVER received, and I hope that I can live up to the standard it sets for me. Again, I say “thank you from the bottom of my heart!”

Grace

There is a great radio station with exclusively Christian music and informational programming available for you to tune in to. It’s WRTP out of Raleigh/ Durham. You can find it at 88.5 on you FM dial. The music is Contemporary Christian and it’s quite uplifting! Give them a listen sometime when you’re in your car. For those of you who spend a great deal of time at your computer, you can listen online at www.hisradio.com

Susan Ferguson
 

May 27th is the last Sunday for Children’s Sunday School and Children’s Church. The adult classes will combine and meet with the Covenant Class for the summer. Sunday School for all ages, Children’s Church and Youth activities will resume in full swing when school starts in the fall.
 

Roanoke Rapids High School

Corri Michelle Knudson
John Robert Patterson
Courtney Brooke Powell
Kevin Jacob Spragins
 

PRAYERS AND CONCERNS

Mike Anderson
James Barmer (Father of Ray)
Carolyn Mercer
Catherine Carter (Mother of Susan Barmer)
Dwight Cranford
Capt. Scott Cranford (Serving in Kuwait)
James Gaylor (Father of Dennis)
Freida Hayes
Andy Howard
Carolyn Mercer
Debbie Overton
Margaret Ann Pruden
Martha Russell (Lelia Frazier’s Sister)
Cheryl Thiel
Dorothy Topham (Mother of Nancy Mueller)
 

From the courage shown by baby Moses’ family, Level 1 agents will learn to TRUST in God’s Plans.

Following Esther’s example, Level 2 agents will be encouraged to UNITE with God’s People.

To help them make wise choices like Daniel did, Level 3 agents will learn to TRAIN for God’s Service.

Just as Jeremiah obeyed God even when it was difficult, Level 4 agents will learn to FOLLOW in God’s Path.

Finally, like Joshua and Caleb, Level 5 agents will get ready to LEAD Others to God’s Promises.

Diana Dillard East Carolina University

Judy Oglesby Halifax Community College

Matthew Knudson The College Conservatory of Music at The University of of Cincinnati