Frequently Asked Questions
What is the purpose of the garden area and the Labyrinth?
Our church feels the need to offer a place of sanctuary and calm for the entire community. The labyrinth was designed and built by several of our church members. There is an information box at the entrance to the labyrinth where, from time to time, you can find suggestions on ways to use the labyrinth in your meditations and prayer. At the center of the labyrinth is a cairn or stone marker. Feel free to add a small rock to it. The garden is filled with flowers and herbs given by members and friends of the church. We can always use help in keeping it weed-free and beautiful.
What is the big stone chalice in the front of sanctuary?
Two of our members built that lovely chalice for World Communion Sunday three years ago. It has become an essential part of our church. Feel welcome to write a prayer request (slips are available on the small shelf in front of the chalice) and place the request in the chalice. FCC has several members who have committed to taking those slips and praying over them with you in an environment of complete confidentiality and love. Several times a year those slips are taken to the labyrinth, and burned on the cairn in a simple service to signify the burden that is lifted when two or more are gathered in prayer offered to a loving and caring Listener.
What are the First Sunday lunches all about?
They are the brainchild of our own Sarah Chaney for a way to have fun and fellowship AND kick in some extra bucks for the Operating Budget. Everyone is invited to stay after church and have lunch in the Fellowship Hall. The lunch is provided by kind members volunteering their time and resources - usually five or six folks will get together - and can be anything from soup and sandwiches to something more elaborate. Those attending will then contribute money proportional to what they might have spent at a restaurant. It's a great way to get to know folks and help the church at the same time. Questions about volunteering? Ask Sarah Chaney or Elizabeth Reffitt.
What other events happen around here?
Each year our deacons provide a SOUPER BOWL luncheon on the Sunday of the Super Bowl. Everyone has an opportunity to buy a chance on the outcome of the game! We celebrate Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday with our friends at Faith Presbyterian and alternate locations for those services. The Ash Wednesday service is preceded by a joint meal. We hold an annual Congregational Meeting on the first Sunday of May, and our youth provide the entire worship service the second Sunday of May. Each fall we have a great time with our combination Birthday Dinner and Silent Auction; we celebrate everyone's birthday by sharing a table (and yummy dessert) with those born in the same month, AND bid on lots of interesting items (tickets, food, paintings, jewelry, etc.) at a Silent Auction. The proceeds usually are earmarked for a particular mission or something for the church.
What is the Kroger Card Backpack Outreach?
Our church contributes fresh food and healthy snacks to the Rowan County School's Backpack Program, a system that makes sure students have food to eat between Friday afternoon and Monday morning during the school year. Our contributions are ordered through the Fuzzy Duck and delivered to the schools by our own Jim Fred Cassity. We fund this outreach using designated Kroger gift cards for groceries, gas, and pharmacy purchases. The cards can be reloaded over and over again and have numbers that are assigned specifically to FCC Morehead. Most all members have cards and many friends near and far use them as well. Each month our church receives a check from Kroger for .45 of the total amount spent with our cards. Interested in participating? Ask a member of the Outreach Committee or contact the church office.
What is the Christmas outreach about?
Our church helps Santa provide Christmas for over 20 families in Rowan County. In addition to toys, shoes, coats, and clothes for all children, each family receives groceries and sundries to help them through the winter. This outreach spills over into the rest of the year, providing scholarships for school trips to Washington, D.C., ecology camps, and Kids Kollege. We can always use more contributions!
What is the Task Tree that is mentioned in the bulletin?
On the first level of the church is a large wooden tree, upon which hangs paper "fruit." On each fruit there is a specific task or job that needs to be done here at church - there is always something new hanging there, from helping with youth, to writing cards, to cleaning out refrigerators! Take a fruit, sign the white one underneath it so we know who is handling it (and leave the white one on the tree), then return the original one, signed, when the task is completed! This is a great way for people to help the church on the their own timetable. (But don't forget to do it once you've signed on.) P.S. - the little shrub by the large tree holds fruit for our younger members. We all do our part around here!
What sort of other opportunities are available here?
FCC has many kinds of events and classes. At least twice a year the minister offers a 90 minute Inquirer's Class open to anyone who might be interested in knowing more about this church or the denomination. Pastor's classes are held when young people express an interest in joining the church and being baptized. Yoga is offered here on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 - 7 p.m. The cost of yoga sessions is a donation of cereal to the Christian Social Services food bank. FCC has a handbell choir and a chancel choir - we use a wide variety of music here in our worship AND we have child care available for chancel choir. Book studies, Feldenkrais lessons, meditation groups, prayer ministries as well as other opportunities are offered throughout the year.
What do you have available for children/youth?
During services we have a nursery available for little ones through the age of 4. A children's church is offered as well for those school age youth who have not been through Pastor's class. Elementary youth also meet during the school year for youth group monthly, as do the middle and high school group.
What about accessibility?
Our church has an elevator that goes to all three floors, and our sanctuary is handicap accessible. We have hearing assists for those who might need them.
Our church feels the need to offer a place of sanctuary and calm for the entire community. The labyrinth was designed and built by several of our church members. There is an information box at the entrance to the labyrinth where, from time to time, you can find suggestions on ways to use the labyrinth in your meditations and prayer. At the center of the labyrinth is a cairn or stone marker. Feel free to add a small rock to it. The garden is filled with flowers and herbs given by members and friends of the church. We can always use help in keeping it weed-free and beautiful.
What is the big stone chalice in the front of sanctuary?
Two of our members built that lovely chalice for World Communion Sunday three years ago. It has become an essential part of our church. Feel welcome to write a prayer request (slips are available on the small shelf in front of the chalice) and place the request in the chalice. FCC has several members who have committed to taking those slips and praying over them with you in an environment of complete confidentiality and love. Several times a year those slips are taken to the labyrinth, and burned on the cairn in a simple service to signify the burden that is lifted when two or more are gathered in prayer offered to a loving and caring Listener.
What are the First Sunday lunches all about?
They are the brainchild of our own Sarah Chaney for a way to have fun and fellowship AND kick in some extra bucks for the Operating Budget. Everyone is invited to stay after church and have lunch in the Fellowship Hall. The lunch is provided by kind members volunteering their time and resources - usually five or six folks will get together - and can be anything from soup and sandwiches to something more elaborate. Those attending will then contribute money proportional to what they might have spent at a restaurant. It's a great way to get to know folks and help the church at the same time. Questions about volunteering? Ask Sarah Chaney or Elizabeth Reffitt.
What other events happen around here?
Each year our deacons provide a SOUPER BOWL luncheon on the Sunday of the Super Bowl. Everyone has an opportunity to buy a chance on the outcome of the game! We celebrate Ash Wednesday and Maundy Thursday with our friends at Faith Presbyterian and alternate locations for those services. The Ash Wednesday service is preceded by a joint meal. We hold an annual Congregational Meeting on the first Sunday of May, and our youth provide the entire worship service the second Sunday of May. Each fall we have a great time with our combination Birthday Dinner and Silent Auction; we celebrate everyone's birthday by sharing a table (and yummy dessert) with those born in the same month, AND bid on lots of interesting items (tickets, food, paintings, jewelry, etc.) at a Silent Auction. The proceeds usually are earmarked for a particular mission or something for the church.
What is the Kroger Card Backpack Outreach?
Our church contributes fresh food and healthy snacks to the Rowan County School's Backpack Program, a system that makes sure students have food to eat between Friday afternoon and Monday morning during the school year. Our contributions are ordered through the Fuzzy Duck and delivered to the schools by our own Jim Fred Cassity. We fund this outreach using designated Kroger gift cards for groceries, gas, and pharmacy purchases. The cards can be reloaded over and over again and have numbers that are assigned specifically to FCC Morehead. Most all members have cards and many friends near and far use them as well. Each month our church receives a check from Kroger for .45 of the total amount spent with our cards. Interested in participating? Ask a member of the Outreach Committee or contact the church office.
What is the Christmas outreach about?
Our church helps Santa provide Christmas for over 20 families in Rowan County. In addition to toys, shoes, coats, and clothes for all children, each family receives groceries and sundries to help them through the winter. This outreach spills over into the rest of the year, providing scholarships for school trips to Washington, D.C., ecology camps, and Kids Kollege. We can always use more contributions!
What is the Task Tree that is mentioned in the bulletin?
On the first level of the church is a large wooden tree, upon which hangs paper "fruit." On each fruit there is a specific task or job that needs to be done here at church - there is always something new hanging there, from helping with youth, to writing cards, to cleaning out refrigerators! Take a fruit, sign the white one underneath it so we know who is handling it (and leave the white one on the tree), then return the original one, signed, when the task is completed! This is a great way for people to help the church on the their own timetable. (But don't forget to do it once you've signed on.) P.S. - the little shrub by the large tree holds fruit for our younger members. We all do our part around here!
What sort of other opportunities are available here?
FCC has many kinds of events and classes. At least twice a year the minister offers a 90 minute Inquirer's Class open to anyone who might be interested in knowing more about this church or the denomination. Pastor's classes are held when young people express an interest in joining the church and being baptized. Yoga is offered here on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30 - 7 p.m. The cost of yoga sessions is a donation of cereal to the Christian Social Services food bank. FCC has a handbell choir and a chancel choir - we use a wide variety of music here in our worship AND we have child care available for chancel choir. Book studies, Feldenkrais lessons, meditation groups, prayer ministries as well as other opportunities are offered throughout the year.
What do you have available for children/youth?
During services we have a nursery available for little ones through the age of 4. A children's church is offered as well for those school age youth who have not been through Pastor's class. Elementary youth also meet during the school year for youth group monthly, as do the middle and high school group.
What about accessibility?
Our church has an elevator that goes to all three floors, and our sanctuary is handicap accessible. We have hearing assists for those who might need them.
