First Friends Celebrates Our Own

The coming months hold inspiration, blessings and joyful surprises as “First Friends Celebrates Our Own.” For years Planning Committees have scoured Middle Tennessee, seeking interesting speakers for our Thursday Luncheon programs, and no doubt, we have been successful in hosting outstanding guests. This year, it occurred to the Planning Committee that we have people right here among us, fellow members of FPC, with some of the most compelling stories around. We invited some of these remarkable persons to share from their life experiences at the Thursday Luncheon program, and they all graciously accepted. You will personally know some of the speakers; others you may not know, but our hope is that after hearing their stories this year, we all will feel more connected. We will be hearing from the military, CEOs, refugees, an attorney, farmers, a broadcaster — all with stories of struggle and faith.

Luncheon programs are held in Courtenay Hall the third Thursday of the month. We will enjoy a buffet lunch at noon, followed by “A Word from the Pastor” and then the guest speaker. Everyone is encouraged to come help us celebrate the outstanding contributions these friends have made. Watch for notices in First Edition and Sunday Edition for the speaker of the month. Reservations for lunch ($6) should be made by Monday of the week of the program.

In addition to the Thursday luncheon, First Friends enjoys other times of fun and fellowship. The third Sunday of each month, following the 11:00 A.M. worship, we have lunch together at a local restaurant. Sign-up is due by the Friday before. We also enjoy Day Trips. Look for notices of them in First Edition and Sunday Edition. For bridge lovers, we offer First Friday Bridge; contact Betsy Davies (377-3048) for information. The last event for the fall season will be our Christmas Dinner/Holiday Lights Tour. Put the date on your calendar — December 20, 5:00 P.M. — and watch for details.

First Friends Chicago Trip 2013

Thirty-seven First Friends enjoyed a great 5-day trip to Chicago, May 27-31. Aside from the sparkling fellowship we saw the sights and sounds, smells and tastes of the Windy City. Everyone is asking, “What’s next?”

“First Friends” is First Presbyterian’s name for our Older Adult Ministry. The Older Adult Committee plans a variety of opportunities for members to laugh, cry, eat, travel, learn, share, serve and worship together. This year’s theme is “Explore Nashville,” much of which we will do without leaving Courtenay Hall, as speakers from various sectors of the Nashville community will be coming to us.

Be sure to follow all of our upcoming events on our calendar.

Make all reservations with Ginny Tindle at 383-1815 or gtindle@fpcnashville.org.

Members of the Older Adult Committee: Hal Sauer, Chair; John Earthman, Vice Chair; Sue Bishop, Patti Bryan, Carol Dillon, Barbara Fletcher, Anita Goodcase, Joan Johnson, Mary Pillow Kirk, Olga Kravtsov, Bob Loflin, Marjorie Miller, Georgeanna Payne and Brenda Geise, staff. Please pass along suggestions for programming to any of these members.

Fabulous time in Savannah, Jekyll Island, St. Simon’s Island and Beaufort

First Friends’ 5-day trip to Savannah, Jekyll Island and St. Simon’s Island, and Beaufort, South Carolina, was a delight to the forty-six fellow travelers.  On Memorial Day we boarded our Grey Line motorcoach and travelled the entire journey, taking rest stops along the way and enjoying two meals.  On arriving at our hotel we found our accommodations pleasant and comfortable, and the next morning were greeted with a hearty breakfast served in the food area.  Our first tour was to the Savannah Museum and to historic River Street with its artsy shops and enticing eateries.  In the afternoon our Tour Guide took us to Beautiful Savannah’s historic district and famous homes, including the birthplace of Juliette Gordon Low, founder of the Girl Scouts.  While there our own Phyllis Heard was awarded a special pin for her years in Girl Scouts.  At St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Sandra Randleman gave a meaningful devotional with our group, reminding us of God’s beauty which surrounds our lives, even as we sat there, surrounded by the exquisite stained glass windows of the cathedral.  In the evening we enjoyed dinner at a Banquet Center and danced along with two other tour groups we had connected with on our trip to Savannah.

The next day we travelled to St. Simons Island.  A very knowledgeable and communicative Tour Guide told us the history of St. Simons.  She took us to Christ Church Frederica which John and Charles Wesley established on their missionary journey to the United States.  After some free time to shop and eat lunch we motored to the Historic District of Jekyll Island where we had a tram ride through the moss covered trees and flowering gardens surrounding the restored “cottages”  of the Vanderbilts, the Roosevelts, and other millionaires before the Depression, known as the private “Millionaire’s Club.”

Our last day to tour consisted of a trip to Parris Marine Base where we were allowed to go through the Museum.  Much activity was taking place at the Base—young cadets with eyes wide with wonder and graduating marines already displaying their strength and discipline.  It was another poignant reminder of those who serve.  The rest of the day was devoted to enjoying Beaufort, South Carolina.  We were free to choose from among several activities—eating in an interesting restaurant (which everyone chose), shopping the cute places on Main Street, taking a carriage ride, touring historical homes, enjoying the waterfront. 

Every day was different, but wonderful.  The trip home was easy, but even with as much fun as we had, it was good to be home.  Good friends, good fellowship, new places—we felt so blessed!