Seen Around Church: Week of November 26, 2023

Hark the Sound of Kettlebells

The Gaines family and the Wilcox family kicked off our Salvation Army kettlebell ringing for the season! There are still a few spots open to ring on December 2, 9 and 16.

“It was such a great way for us to spend time together,” said SMPC member Denise Wilcox. “It filled my heart with joy and hopefulness by witnessing such generosity and kindness from others.”

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Brrrr! It’s Beginning to Feel a Lot Like Christmas

Sunday morning’s temperatures dipped low enough that we brought lemonade and cookies inside. Expect the sweet treats to remain inside through the winter unless we get an unusually warm morning (which is totally possible in Charlotte). This Sunday we will have snackables during Alternative Gift Market!

…And It’s Beginning to LOOK a Lot Like Christmas

Thank you to our SMPC elves who decorated the Chrismon tree on Sunday, November 26. “Chrismon” is a combination of the words Christian and monogram. More than 375 of the delicate, handcrafted ornaments adorn the 14-foot tree that stands in our narthex.

SMPC’s initial collection of 30 Chrismon symbols was crafted and gifted to us by Donna Brown’s mother, Dot Elliott. A friend from her church in Jamestown, NC introduced Dot to Chrismons, and SMPC is the beneficiary of her passion.

First Angel Tree Donations Arrive at Church

Thank you to all who have already taken Angel Tree tags from the tree in person or virtually! Good news! Donations are already coming in. SMPC member Cara McCoy dropped off our first Angel Tree donations to the church on Tuesday, November 28. Donations are due to the church by Thursday, December 14. More details below.

‘Pancake Pat’ Honored for his Dedication to Center of Hope

The Missions and Outreach Committee recently honored Pat Hopkins (also known as “Pancake Pat”) for his 10 years of service with the SMPC team that serves breakfast at the Salvation Army’s Center of Hope each month. Pat has been a dedicated pancake flipper and scrambled egg cook for a decade. Over the years, he has also brought his son, Chris, to volunteer. Preparing pancakes and eggs for 300+ guests and managing a huge commercial skillet are very big tasks!

“Pat has been a great member of the early morning breakfast crew,” said SMPC member and Center of Hope breakfast coordinator Bob Williamson. “We appreciate his experience and reliability at the Saturday breakfasts as well as his donations to the SMPC purchases for the kitchen and dining room at the Center of Hope.”

Thanks to “Bacon Bill” Ramsey for thinking of the name for the apron and thanks to Judy Jones for finding the ‘flippin’ awesome’ apron design!

Williamson noted that recent breakfast prep chatter resulted in a bit of alliteration. “It is a privilege and pleasure to properly prepare Pat’s patented perfectly proportional and pretty Presbyterian pancakes.”

Those interested in joining this breakfast crew to help cook and serve or those who would like to donate mix for ‘Presbyterian pancakes’, eggs, bacon, tang, fruit, etc. can sign up below.