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FPC Happenings


Raleigh Youth Mission Team of 5 youth and 2 adults traveled to Raleigh the week of June 23-28th to participate in various types of ministries in the area. Raleigh Youth Mission (RYM) coordinated the mission immersion experience for the mission team. This year’s theme was “Worlds Apart”. The mission team was housed at First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh.

During the mission trip, youth and adults worked with Larson Refuge Center, Passage Home, Backpack Buddies, A Place At The Table, Love Wins, and The Shepherd's Table. Along with the agencies mentioned our youth donated the remaining blue hymnals to a Presbyterian Church in the Raleigh area. We also donated several hats to our refugee friends that were graciously made by our Senior Morning Out members. Lastly the girls handed out cold water bottles and their remaining snacks to those in need.

5 youth, 2 adults, and 1 RYM intern completed 125.50 total hours of service. This allowed the institutions we worked with to save $909.88 in funds that they would have had to pay an employee by volunteering. We were joined by 2 other churches, together we completed 500.50 and saved the various institutions $6,181.90 by volunteering.

But who better to share their experience better than the youth themselves.

"This was only my second time going to RYM. It was a lot of fun I got to experience some things that I didn’t get to experience last year. I think my favorite part of this entire week was when we went to a place at the table. It was really interesting to see all different types of people there. But I also loved everything that they where doing at the refugee camp. I think it’s really cool how it’s not at all like a camp. It’s more of a community. But the entire point of this week was to serve God and I think we did an amazing job of that this week. We got to see what it’s like to be in poverty and it completely changed my entire perspective on people who are in poverty. " -Sophie Job

"This is my third mission trip and this was a great trip. We went to a refugee housing facility and there were kids we got to play with and tutor. We learned how I kind felt to be a refugee, there was a paper and you put things that you like to and people you love and stuff like that. So while you are writing people mark out stuff or the paper will be throughout and it's like you losing stuff that you love." -Sarah Butterfield

"This was my first time at RYM, and my eyes have truly been opened up to a world people struggle to survive in everyday. Seeing people sleeping on concrete, benches and bushes showed me how blessed I really am. When we handed out the first water bottle and packs of crackers to the guy next to the church, hearing him rip open the pack of crackers and the bar immediately, made me think how hungry he and everyone else in his situation must be. I realize now, after experiencing working with the homeless, tutoring or playing with the refugees, and just overall helping the less fortunate, we have been taking our many blessings for granted and we should be more thankful for what we DO have instating of wanting more and more constantly. " -Emily Bumgarner

"This is my third time on this mission trip and I learn something new every time. This week my favorite part was working at a place at the table and it’s a restaurant where u can pay more or less then the price. I lived doing the dishes because the guy that was doing it was very funny. I have loved this week and I will definitely go back next year." -Payton Nolley

If you are looking for a church home or even a youth group to attend we invite you to come and join us. Contact Laura Sparks, Director of Children, Youth, and Family Ministries for more information. You can email her at lsparks@fpcnewton.com or call the church office at 828-464-0648.


Twelve youth and five adults from our church recently traveled to Eastern Tennessee to help refurbish homes for needy families.

The group stayed at the Cedar Creek Presbyterian Church Mission Center near Greeneville and worked to repair the porch railing of Cedar Creek Store and a Cedar Creek Presbyterian Church member’s deck railing. Other projects included repairing a roof, landscaping, placed posts for a deck to be completed by the new group coming the week after, cleaned up around the mission center, and spread 100 bags of mulch at a historic African American graveyard.

Team members also enjoyed meals, devotion, and free time together. But what better way to learn about what we did than hearing it from the amazing youth who went.

"This was my 3rd year at Cedar Creek, and it was also the year with the most rain. Even with the bad weather, we were still able to accomplish many projects and help many people in the community. One of my favorite things about this trip is the kindness and hospitality we are shown every year. From getting good morning hugs and home cooked meals, to smiles and popsicles on work sites, you can always tell how much our work is appreciated and the impact that it has on the people we serve. I’m grateful for the time we spent at Cedar Creek helping others and bonding with each other, even when we got lost on the way home!" -Christian Kelly

"I really like the work that we get to do at cedar creek because it’s more hands on and that kind of stuff I think brings everybody together and really work as a team. I thought I got to know more about some of my peers on this trip an become more connected with some of them. This is why I like cedar creek and also the food is amazing." -Mason Nolley

"This was my fourth year at Cedar Creek, I found this year, more than any other year, that our work directly impacted their lives instantly! The joy and generosity of these families toward us was unmatched from providing water to popsicles and inviting us back for a cookout next year at the house where we built a deck. All of our brothers and sisters in Christ showed such selflessness putting mission work for others above work on their own homes both financially and with their talents. We can all learn to serve more like the Cedar Creek brothers and sisters!" -Claire Stalnaker

"The Cedar Creek trip has been a formative part of my high school journey, and even on my last trip I still learned things I hadn't known before. Construction projects, such as fixing a roof this year, have taught be skills that I simply wouldn't have if I never came to Cedar Creek. Though I am excited for the next stage of my life, I know I will definitely miss the good food, fun, and meaningful work of Cedar Creek." -Joseph Inscoe

"Cedar Creek was (and always is) an environment where we not only learn to engage with people of a different socioeconomic background but also take the time to grow our relationships within our youth group. We tackled large challenges and worked hard together, which forced us to communicate directly (something that our generation could work on). I loved being able to stay in the middle of nowhere because it is the perfect atmosphere to connect with God in a meaningful way." -Sam Owensby

"This was my first year on the Cedar Creek mission trip and while I had minimal experience working construction at home (by minimal I mean I knew how to work a drill and a saw and I knew my way around a few tools) I was placed in the new group with Paul to basically build deck rails the whole week. The first day we ate breakfast and I finally understood why everyone was always talking about the food when they got back, then we went down the road to the little old store across from the church and started tearing things up. We were done with demo by lunch and had two of the bottom deck boards up by the time to go eat. After lunch we got as many more deck boards up as we could before four so all we had to do the next day, after another amazing breakfast, was pickets and Payton and I helped Paul with the stair rail. We finished the railing a little after lunch and moved on to the store

owners house to fix her railing. The people who built the railing at her house had the bottom deck boards flush (a new vocabulary word for me) against the deck of her house making it impossible for her to sweep. All we had to do to her railing was simply lift the boards off of the deck but it took 2 days to do that because of the rain. After we finished lifting the deck rails before lunch on the third day, we moved back to where we were staying to clean windows and move books. Finally, on the last work day both groups met up to spread mulch at an old african american cemetery in the morning and spent the rest of the day either relaxing, watching soccer, going to paint creek, or seeing a movie." -Taylor Job

"This was my first time to cedar creek and it was so fun.

My favorite thing that we did was seeing the finished product and being able to look back at those projects and get to say “ hey I helped build that”. I also loved the food it was really really good. I am definitely going back next year."- Payton Nolley

"My experience at Cedar Creek involved helping out many different people on many different projects all while being with my friends and making priceless memories. I love going to Cedar Creek and this being my last year in youth group I was excited to go but didn’t want it to end. I enjoy getting to hangout with the youth all week and have fun while helping others. From helping sort school supplies to rebuilding a roof and mulching a grave yard, it was another successful and fun mission trip." - Courtney Roquemore

Thank you to everyone who made this trip a huge success! If you are looking for a church family please consider visiting us! We would love to have you!



This past Sunday was Graduation Sunday at our church. We had 6 high school graduates recognized and 5 college graduates recognized. Our high school graduates were an extraordinary group of young men and women who have bright futures ahead of them. These seniors were extremely involved in church events and together had a class total of 1,078 total service hours. 1,078 HOURS FOLKS!! Thank you to everyone who helped encourage, empower, and love these seniors. God speed to all of our seniors. May God continue to bless and keep you and bless your next adventure!

Congrats Class of 2019!

Newton-Conover High School

Courtney Roquemore

Plans to attend Lenoir Rhyne University majoring in Youth Ministry

Parents: David and Susan Roquemore

East Lincoln High School

Elliott Lewis

Plans to attend Western Carolina University majoring in Music Education

Parents: Stephen Lewis and Cindy Baldwin

Discovery High School

Callie Inscoe

Plans to attend N.C. State University majoring in Animal Science

Parent: Lynette Inscoe

Joseph Inscoe

Plans to attend Appalachian State University majoring in Political Science

Parent: Lynette Inscoe

Callie and Joseph are the grandchildren of Francis Inscoe and Bill and Joan Inscoe

Addie Joplin

Plans to attend University of North Carolina-Greensboro majoring International Business Administration with a minor in Political Science with a focus in pre-law.

Parents: Greg and Laurie Joplin

Andrew Butterfield

Plans to attend Lenoir Rhyne University, majoring in Biology & Chemistry

Parents: Dwayne and Margy Butterfield

Part of FPC tradition is placing your handprints in the youth room when you graduate! This group did the same and left their mark on our wall and in our hearts.

Congratulations to our following college graduates as well!

Graduated in December 2018:

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill (School of Journalism)

Sara Edwards (December, 2018)

Masters Degree in Journalism, Mass Communications

Parents: Scott and Jane Edwards

NC State University

Sophie Davis (December 2018)

BS in Computer Science

Parents: Charles and Mary Davis

Graduating in May this year:

University of South Carolina

Samantha Yaussy (May 2019)

PhD in Biological Anthropology

Parents: Ken and Karen Yaussy

University of North Carolina-Greensboro

Devon Paul (May 2019)

Master of Arts in Communication Studies

Parents: David and Tracey Paul

University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill

Lauren Hodges (May 2019)

Public Policy & Political Science with a Minor in Philosophy, Politics & Economics

Parents: Ken and Sandy Hodges

 

Our church is so blessed by our children and youth! For the youth heading off to college or stepping into their adult life and new careers may you always know that FPC will always welcome you home!


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