Stewpot Medical Clinic celebrates 10th anniversary
This month marks the tenth anniversary of the founding of the medical clinic at The Stewpot. The idea for creating this program resulted from a casual conversation between Rev. Bruce Buchanan and Dr. Elgin Ware in the early spring of 1999, and the concept culminated in opening the clinic in July of that year. Initial efforts to involve the First Methodist Church as part of the Harwood Crossings project proved unsuccessful.

Patients were initially seen in a small room next to the dental clinic, now serving as the examining room for the ophthalmology clinic. As a result of a remodeling of the Stewpot, and with the financial aid of a bequest from the estate of an admirer of the Stewpot, the clinic now comprises two examining rooms, a large waiting area, nurses’ station and a laboratory area.

The medical staff has consisted of all volunteer physicians, as many as six at one period of several years and with a total of 14 having served at some point during the past 10 years. To date 3,270 patients have been seen and treated with total patient visits numbering 11,025. Over 250 diagnoses have been recorded.

An open house at the clinic is scheduled for Wednesday, July 8, from 2:00 to 3:30 to mark this anniversary, and all are welcome to help celebrate this true milestone for the clinic.

Congrats to Cheryl Taylor
Congratulations to FPC member Cheryl Taylor, candidate for the Ministry of Word and Sacrament, who has accepted a call to pastor the Presbyterian church in Rockwall, Texas! Pending approval of the call at the September 11 meeting of Grace Presbytery, her ordination will be celebrated on September 27. Please keep Cheryl, husband David Moore, and their daughter Kelsey, in your prayers during this exciting time.

Miatta Wilson: “All in the genes”
Our very own children's director was featured in an article published in several PCUSA communications pieces. It was written by Emily Enders Odom. Click here to read it.

Daniel O’Connor scores big win in Albuquerque
Daniel O’Connor, son of Pat and Diana O’Connor won 1st place on Sunday at the regional convention of the American Guild of Organists in Albuquerque. Daniel earned the spot to compete in Albuquerque after winning the local AGO contest in Dallas last March. His next step will be to compete at the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists next summer in Washington, DC.

The young artist competition of the AGO is arguably the most prestigious organ competition in the nation. It is open to students up to 22 years of age who compete first at the local level. The winners of the local contests proceed to one of the nine regional conventions (our region this year was in Albuquerque), then the nine regional winners compete at the national convention for the top prize. The winner of the national competition receives a generous scholarship, an entire calendar of concert dates, and concert management representation.

Daniel grew up at FPC and studied organ during his high-school years with FPC organist Tom Froehlich. In September of 2008 he matriculated at Lawrence University in Wisconsin, where he is working towards undergraduate degrees in organ performance and economics.

Click here to read more about Daniel's achievement.

PCUSA Young Adult Volunteer Cameron O'Bannon
The India Partnership veterans from FPC Dallas recently met and shared stories of their travels to India with Cameron O'Bannon and his family. Cameron, recently graduated from Georgetown University, a child of First Presbyterian Church, and an elder, will head off in August for a year as a Young Adult Volunteer for the PCUSA, assigned to the Church of South India in Kerala. You will remember that FPC Dallas is partnered with CSI Immanuel Church in Ernakulam, Kochi, Kerala. The YAV program sends young people around the U.S. and the world for a year in ministry and partnership. Recent YAVs from First Pres have included Sarah Cooper Searight (Belfast, Northern Ireland), Megan Brown Saavedra (Tucson, Arizona),and Jenna Carl (San Antonio).
 
Cameron will keep us updated through a blog which can be found at http://cameroninkerala.blogspot.com/

There is a lot of interesting information about our PCUSA Young Adult Volunteer program at the YAV website: www.pcusa.org/yav/

The YAVs in India have a wonderful website of their own at www.yavindia.net/

If you would like to support Cameron in this year of service in Kerala you can do so at http://www.pcusa.org/yav/support.htm. Click on Support International YAVs and you will find his name listed.
 
Cameron, our prayers go with you.

Summer schedule for pastor’s Bible study

7/8/2009          Acts 9:1-20    
7/15/2009        Acts 9:36-43    
7/22/2009        TBD    
7/29/2009        Acts 11:1-18    
8/5/2009          Acts 15:1-21    
8/12/2009        Acts 23:11-24    
8/19/2009        Acts 24:1-21    
8/30/2009        Acts 28:17-31

Twenty-First Century Disciples
There's a new church school class for adults of all ages. The class will focus on timely topics in theology, social justice, Christian living and popular culture. All topics are viewed through the lens of scripture and our Reformed faith.

Hank and Regina Hunt are serving as moderators for class dialogues of contemporary issues which Christians should consider. The class content will utilize the thoughts of current Christian publications and contemporary authors and theologians. “We see this class as an opportunity to serve as a conduit for the profound theological reflections of persons more brilliant than we. We are looking forward to many interesting and lively exchanges.”

The class meets at 9:30 a.m. in the Westminster Room. If you are interested in challenging topics in Christian thought, we invite you to join us. If you have any questions please feel free to contact the moderators at hank.hunt@att.net or regina.hunt@att.net

Camp Grace - August 3-7
Camp Grace is a new day camp for rising 4th-6th graders at FPC Dallas. Camp Grace is an opportunity for community and friendship building between elementary children and senior citizens. Camp Grace will take place at Grace Presbyterian Village in Oak Cliff each day. Miatta Wilson will be directing the week with other adult counselors. Leadership will also include the Director of Activities and Director of Spiritual Life at Grace Presbyterian Village as well as some FPC program staff.

Each day will include worship, study, recreation, group building, and interaction with the resident at Grace Presbyterian Village. The schedule will vary a bit each day. This camp will be limited to 15 children. All leadership will be trained and have completed a background check.

Click here for a downloadable brochure and registration form.

Marvelous Mission Opportunities - Summer 2009
(For those who have completed 3rd-6th Grade)

Are you interested in helping others and learning about mission?
Are you interested in bonding with others your age?
Did you enjoy our January outing to Family Gateway?

Click here for more information.

Young adult mission weekend
Young adults, if you would like to do hands-on ministry, please consider the Young Adult Weekend Mission Trip to Galveston July 9-12. We’ll join others from our church to give assistance to those still suffering the devastation of Hurricane Ike. The young adult group will leave Thursday, July 9, at 4:00 p.m. and return Sunday evening, July 12. Sponsors are Jerry and Gale Wallace and Bonnie Edwards.

We’re working through Good News Galveston, an inter-faith organization. We’ll do two full days of work (Friday and Saturday) and take time on Sunday for worship and the beach before returning to Dallas.This trip dovetails with the all-church mission trip to Galveston, July 5-11, which approximately 13 others will attend.

Cost is a mere $29/day, which includes lodging and three meals. Scholarship assistance is available, making this a very affordable trip!

Visit www.goodnewsgalveston.org for more information and for a registration form which must be completed and given to Bonnie Edwards at the church. Contact Bonnie if you have questions at 214-748-8051, ext. 225, or bonniee@firstpresdallas.org

Good news Galveston: Hurricane Ike Relief

Registration forms are by the reception desk.

Mission Trip July 5-10
$29 per day or $174 for the week

We have partnership with a new group called Good News Galveston. It’s a ministry established to help rebuild Galveston. This group has no requirement on age. If you wish to come with your whole family you can do so. You will be housed at Alamo Elementary School which the Galveston School District has graciously provided.

Good News Galveston volunteers will enjoy:
. Air conditioning
. Classrooms equipped with cots
. A spacious cafeteria
. Hot showers
. A laundry facility
. A wireless network and computer lounge
. An entertainment lounge
. Three meals per day

For more information contact Frank Diaz 214-748-8051, ext. 250, or Kelly Ingrum at 214-726-2666.