SUMMER FAMILY CAMP
It is time to head up to Camp Eaton for our annual
Summer Family Camp! We will be there from July 9-15 so
come on up and join the fun. Everyone is welcome; let
your friends and family know they can come for a day, a
few days or the whole week. Scholarship funds are
available so don’t let finances be a reason not to come. We
always have a great time playing kickball, baseball, ping
pong, and swimming. There is an activity for everyone; we
even have big puzzles to work on and a movie night as
well. Don’t miss out!
BUILDING NEWS
Our window replacement project is finally complete, our
new windows have screens and everything! Our next
project is the removal of all the plants and shrubbery in
front of the church to be replaced with succulents and
cactus. We want to show our neighbors that we care about
our environment and water conservation. Before the new
plantings are done we will be having the exterior of the
church painted; we are also looking into having Fellowship
Hall painted. Keep an eye out for these exciting updates.
CHRISTMAS BOUTIQUE
It may seem early to talk about our annual Christmas
Boutique, but we all know how fast time goes around
here. Save November 11th in your calendar so you can join
us for the sale.
RECYCLING
If you have any old batteries, light bulbs, or old small
electronics you want to get rid of, you can bring them to
the church. We take them to a local hazardous waste
collections site where they can be safely and ecologically
disposed of. Also, there is a recycling bin in the small
room off the kitchen where you can put your clean plastic
bottles. Steve Calhoun faithfully takes the bottles to a
local recycling center and the church receives money the
bottles generate.
Please visit our website at www.oxypres.org
Greetings to you brothers and sisters in Christ! I hope you
are all staying cool as the weather heats up. This month
we will once again celebrate the national holiday Fourth of
July. My guess would be that for many people, this year’s
holiday will be a bittersweet one. Some Americans, both
inside and outside the Christian faith, have had
significant difficulties with the direction and tone of our
current political landscape. Many mainline
denominations, like our own PC(USA), have been vocal
about disagreements with political policy changes. It’s an
interesting time to celebrate the United States. But, we are
part of a tradition within Christianity that celebrates and
even highlights the opportunity and freedom of individuals
to disagree. In the Presbyterian form of government,
minority opinions are always recognized and remembered,
and the freedom of the individual conscience is upheld as
a God-given gift. As a denomination that seeks continual
reform, we are one that validates and hears all voices.
What’s interesting is that the American form of
government is based off of the Presbyterian government
(James Madison studied political philosophy under
Presbyterian clergyman and fellow founding father John
Witherspoon). So the Unites States government is also
founded on the freedom to disagree, the freedom to
dissent, the freedom to seek out change. And those are all
qualities worth celebrating. So this 4th of July, whatever
you might think about the state of our country, celebrate
the fact that we have the freedom to disagree, perhaps
even the responsibility to disagree, and that we have a
country where we can do that safely, without fear of
reprisal.
On another note, Summer Camp is coming up July 915 at Camp Eaton. If you haven’t signed up already, do so
soon! It’s going to be a fun time up in the mountains.
We’ve got some great outside speakers and leaders
coming, as well as all the fun activities led by church
members. Hope to see you there.
Friends, ours is a God of peace. May God’s peace be a
continual part of your lives!
Blessings,
Pastor Erik