Quarterly Magazine
TABLE OF CONTENTS
A Letter from the Desk of Rev. James
The Session Expression
An Update from the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee
House and Grounds Update
FPC awarded GIPL Grant
A year of growth for the children and youth program
Digital Ministry growing at FPC
2024/2025 Task Force Updates
Childcare & Montessori experience good year in 2024
Fine Arts gearing up for more performances
News from the pews
Looking back and looking ahead
we believed would define the year ahead for us. Perhaps you’ve heard of people who do this; perhaps you’ve done it yourself. Popular choices are “balance,” or “adventure,” or “resilience,” or “change.”
I went a different route; for my word, I chose completion… for a number of reasons really. For instance, over the next month, I will be looking to complete my Doctor of Ministry thesis. I am also excited about completing our children’s first ever trip abroad when we head to Scotland with the church over Spring Break. There are a number of projects (some described within the following pages) for which I anticipate completion in 2025.
Yet, this 2025 word isn’t only about what lies ahead; it’s also about looking back at what we completed in 2024. Both of which encapsulate this issue of News from the Pews: The Annual Report Edition.
Looking back. And looking ahead.
First Presbyterian Church, including: our upcoming partnership with Aspen Group that will formulate a church campus master plan (among other things); the progress being made by the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee (or APNC); our year-end financial status and our 2025 Generosity campaign (which both went very well); our formation, worship, and mission ministries; and more.
The writer of Philippians notes, "I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” What good works have we completed? What completions are on the road ahead? Read on to find out.
Rev. James Goodlet
The session expression
Each and every January, the elders of First Presbyterian Church (FPC) — collectively called the Session — attends to what is the most chock-full agenda of the year.
They began by welcoming new members Liz and Brock Barber and their children to the fold.
Then, the Session moved to approve a number of items required by our bylaws. This year, those items included: the election of our slate of clerks, including Jeff Brown, Danny Guy, and Ann Sellman; the formal selection of a number of church committees and councils, including the Finance Council, Trust Management Committee, Montessori Board, Personnel Council, and Columbarium Board; the approval of all 2025 fundraisers, such as the Listen LaGrange Music Festival (April 27), denominational offerings at Easter and Pentecost, the Tolbert Grant request in June, and various Christmastime fundraisers; and the appointment of churchsponsored signers for our various bank accounts.
Following those approvals, the Session heard reports from the Associate Pastor Nominating Committee, the Education Task Force, and the Campus Task Force. Most notably, the elders unanimously approved a motion giving Campus the authority to enter into contractual negotiations with Aspen Group regarding the creation of a church campus master plan (see the enclosed article in this edition of News from the Pews for more information on that partnership).
The Session also received a report from the Finance Council, who informed the elders of a $53,356.38 surplus at the end of 2024.
Per Finance’s recommendation, that surplus was approved to replenish FPC’s contingency funds account.
A number of other motions were unanimously approved by the Session, including:
the election of a two-person team — Speer Burdette and Buddy Cashwell — to facilitate an internal review of FPC finances per Presbyterian polity; the planning of an FPC Easter Sunrise Service in partnership with First United Methodist Church at The Fields Golf Course, April 20, 2025, 7:00 am; research commencing into a fixed installation by the pulpit that will be used to stabilize the cross each Sunday; an invitation being extended to the Rev. Dr. Jim Harrelson to preach on March 30, 2025.
Finally, the Session received information from Kimberly Asbell pertaining to the 2024 Statistical Report. There were a number of key findings from that report, including:
a net increase of 16 members from 2023 to 2024 (26 new; 10 losses; does not include unconfirmed children);
a total membership of 475 people, which does not include children/youth who have not yet been confirmed (of which there are approximately 75);
113 people ages 12th grade and under; 42 people ages 18-25; 93 people ages 26-40; 75 people ages 41-55; 91 people ages 56-70; and 156 people over the age of 70;
a demonstrated need to update the rolls of the church, which will take place in 2025.
For further information, please contact your 2025 elders: Aidan Blackwell, Jeff Brown, Stuart Countess, Heather DeBardeleben, Judy Gilliam, Danny Guy, Jake Jones, Sarah Jones, Anna Knight, Scott Landa, Julie Patton, Maranah Sauter, Leah Selbie, Ann Sellman, Luke Scanlon, Connor Smith, Alicia Simpson, and John Westmoreland.
2024-2025 fpc financial report
AN UPDATE FROM THE ASSOCIATE PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Greetings from your APNC! We welcome the opportunity to update you on the search for FPC’s Associate Pastor for Youth and Families.
During November, we compiled and analyzed the results from the survey and other sources of congregational input. All of the suggested interview questions were organized into themes and prepared for future use during our interview process. Another focus was building our candidate pool, through communicating with Presbytery and following up on leads and referrals. During our meetings, we brainstormed and developed a detailed plan for further networking and grassroots recruitment of potential candidates.
We kept busy during the month of December, communicating with seminaries and laying the groundwork for implementing our plans in the post-holiday season. One of our tasks was working with Jenna to expand the APNC website to include more information about the position, our church, and the community of LaGrange. We invite you to take a look.
We hit the ground running in January, and we are solidifying plans for an upcoming call fair and meet and greets at seminaries. We’re eager to share our excitement about our church and this position with seminary students who are ready to receive a call.
We have faith that as we move step by step towards the right candidate, that same candidate is making their way towards us. We ask for the congregation’s prayers as we continue on our journey towards selecting FPC’s Associate Pastor for Youth and Families.
Enhancing Safety, Functionality, and Sustainability House and Grounds Update
2024 was a productive year for First Presbyterian Church, despite challenges with HVAC malfunctions due to the age of the equipment. Significant efforts were made to enhance the beauty, safety, and functionality of the church campus. These improvements were made possible through the dedication of the House and Grounds Council, Sexton Tim Emory, and part-time Sexton Jeannie Hendrix.
A variety of projects were completed throughout the year, showcasing a commitment to maintaining and improving the church's facilities. They were:
New security cameras were installed by Precision Services Group for $9,585. A dome camera was installed on the playground. The original playground camera was moved to the rear of the Gallant Building for views of the parking lot. Another dome camera was placed on the front porch at the office entrance.
It was decided that it was time to replace the roof on the Gallant Building. Bids were received from West Georgia Roofing out of Carrolton, GA. and Base Roofing Co. located in Canton, GA.
We replaced the closers on the doors located in the breezeway entry to the Gallant Building for $2,501.
We accepted bids in June 2024, provided by WGR and Base Roofing. The bid from Base for $145,250 for an EPDM roof was accepted and work began in August.
Session approved the development of a Pollinator Garden.
The Middle School Lounge remodel was completed and the Craft Room was opened. The work included clearing out the room of all furniture and painting the floor and walls. Furniture was purchased and installed and supplies were organized.
The 3rd floor of the Gallant Building was painted.
A new front door was installed at the Eric Brown Building.
The Narthex roof was cleaned and coated with an acrylic product to eliminate leaks.
A grant was awarded by Georgia Interfaith Power and Light for funds to create a kitchen and pollinator garden. The grant was received in December for $650.
An insurance walk-through took place in December. It was noted that the security that has been provided in our building is much superior to most he has seen. It must be noted that our Sexton, Tim Emory, performs a safety walk-through each morning making sure the building is secure and that all safety systems are in working order.
A year in harmony with the fine arts
By: Andrew Harry
2024 was an exciting year for the First Arts music ministry of FPC.
The Chancel Choir presented six music services and performances, five services in the sanctuary and a Christmas performance by invitation at the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC. Across the year, the Chancel Choir learned and sang over 90 anthems.
Coming up, in collaboration with St. Mark's Episcopal Church and St. Peter's Catholic Church, the Chancel Choir will be presenting a concert for Holy Week on April 12-13, featuring a Requiem. We are on the lookout for new choir members, ages youth through adult. Contact Andrew Harry if you are interested in singing.
The Handbell Choir has become more advanced and its members are made up of a diverse age range.
We are excited to be acquiring a new threeoctave set of hand chimes in the coming weeks.
The Handbell Choir will be leading the congregation in worship on Maundy Thursday in a Tenebrae service. We are currently in need of additional ringers, 5th grade and up, so if you have any interest in joining us, please contact Andrew Harry.
The Kairos Kids Choir has grown and is now led by two directors, Lauren Collins, leading 1st-5th grade, and Rebekah Dell, leading PreKKindergarten. Be on the lookout for announcements regarding the Children's service on March 23rd.
In 2024, First Arts was happy to present 25 concerts by local ensembles, music studios, and Troup County schools. Updates regarding concerts in 2025 will be coming soon.
PresbysintheSnow
Connecting and Growing our youth
By: Leighton Parker
What a year it has been for our youth ministry. As we look back on 2024, we are filled with gratitude for the growth, the friendships, the service, and the countless moments of joy that have shaped our community. This has been a year of deepening faith, trying new things, and building connections that will last a lifetime.
Each week of the school year, we meet at Springwood and LaGrange High for a chicken biscuit and morning devotion. Our program is growing, and with that growth came an exciting additional Biscuits & Blessings at Chick-fil-A with LaGrange Academy youth members.
Fifteen high schoolers attended Montreat, six middle schoolers dove into their own Montreat experience, and a fantastic group of 14 middle and high schoolers volunteered a week of their summer at Camp Viola. We hosted lock-ins filled with laughter, late-night games, and deep conversations, plus multiple retreats, including a college ski trip that brought snowy adventures and meaningful fellowship. We even snuck in our annual Christmas pilgrimage to see Fantasy in Lights at Callaway Gardens!
Our time together wasn’t just about the big trips—our weekly gatherings were just as impactful. We dug into the Old Testament, exploring stories of faith and leadership. We gained new youth group members, made new friendships, and learned more about one another in ways that strengthened our bond. We also refined our four square skills, consumed more Chick-fil-A chicken biscuits than we care to count, and discovered new energizers while perfecting some old favorites.
Creativity and service were at the heart of our year. We hosted a yard sale fundraiser, contributed to worship arts with original creations, and even wrote liturgy for the Advent season. We played countless rounds of UNO (and its many variations), filled our nights with Sardines, and participated in mission events that allowed us to serve our community with love and purpose. And, of course, no year would be complete without the legendary candy salads—if you haven’t heard of them yet, just ask our youth!
Ultimately, 2024 was a year of faith, friendship, love, and support. We laughed, we learned, we grew, and we built a community where everyone belongs. As we look ahead to 2025, we can’t wait to see where God leads us next. Thank you to our amazing youth, parents, and church family for making this year one to remember.
Here’s to another year of adventure, growth, and way too many chicken biscuits.
By: Margaret Goodlet
Wow—what a year it has been in the Children's Ministry at FPC LaGrange! 2024 was filled with faith, fun, and incredible growth as we watched our children deepen their understanding of
Our Kairos Kids Wednesday night program explored both the New and Old Testaments, bringing Bible stories to life with hands-on activities led by our dedicated volunteers. It has been a joy to see our children grow in faith and understanding! This fall, we expanded our program by launching a new class for 3-4-year-olds and forming two separate choir groups on Wednesday nights.
Throughout the year, we hosted events that brought all generations together. BINGO Night was always a favorite, filled with laughter and friendly competition. We celebrated the seasons with a community Easter Egg Hunt and our ever-popular Trunk or Treat event. These gatherings fostered meaningful connections and created special memories for our children and families. Summer 2024 was an exciting season. Camp Firelight welcomed over 100 kids from FPC and the wider community, where they learned how to trust God in all circumstances. Additionally, our children embraced the call to serve others, packing backpack snack bags for our Thursday Lunch friends and even helping serve lunch one Thursday this summer to gain a deeper understanding of this vital ministry.
We successfully completed an entire year of the Young Children and Worship curriculum during Children’s Worship on Sundays. This curriculum takes children through the entire Bible—from Creation to Pentecost, incorporating many beloved parables along the way. Our Christmas Eve pageant was a highlight of the year, with over 40 children joyfully participating in a beautifully chaotic telling of the story of peace. It was a heartwarming celebration of Christ’s birth and a wonderful way to end the year.
None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers who give their time, energy, and love to our children. Whether teaching, leading, or organizing events, their dedication has made a lasting impact. If you see one of our volunteers, please take a moment to thank them! And to our church family—thank you. Your prayers, support, and generosity fuel this ministry and help shape the faith of our children.
As we look ahead to 2025, we are filled with excitement for new opportunities to grow, learn, and serve together. Thank you for making 2024 such a special year—we can’t wait to see what God has in store next!
Going Digital with the good news
By: Jenna Eady
The First Presbyterian Church online presence continues to grow and serve as an important avenue for connecting people to our church both online and in person and advancing the vision: That All May Know God’s Love. Through digital worship and engagement, we were able to reach individuals near and far, offering them a way to participate in the life of our church. Throughout the year we made it a point to continually post to social media in ways of videos and photos to not only inform the congregation of upcoming events, but also to show those on the outside what it is like and what it means to be a member of FPC.
Here's a look at the impact we've made this year:
Online Worship
7,000+ Worshippers Online — Over 7,000 people joined us online for worship via Youtube and Facebook (measured by engagement for at least one minute). This demonstrates the reach and importance of our virtual worship offerings for those unable to attend in person.
Social Media Impact:
24,000 Views — This is the total number of times our content (including reels, posts, stories, and ads) was played or displayed in 2024.
5,300 Total Reach — Our reach grew by an incredible 539.3% compared to 2023. Reach refers to the number of unique users who saw our content. This was without boosting or running any ads on our social media platforms. This is partly accredited to posting more video content (reels) to our page.
1,759 Content Interactions — This includes likes, reactions, saves, comments, shares, and replies to our content.
85,269 Views — Facebook continues to be a key platform for reaching the FPC congregation and community. Our Facebook page offers an opportunity for those to watch our Sunday live feed, special services, and more. This platform is used not only for live streams but also to share photos from FPC events, keep members informed about the latest happenings at First Presbyterian Church, provide a glimpse into what it’s like to be part of our church community, and, most importantly, share the gospel.
9,844 Total Interactions — This is a 29.8% increase from 2023. The interactions on our Facebook page include likes, reactions, comments, and shares.
From Followers: 7,774 interactions
From Non-Followers: 2,070 interactions
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Website Engagement
8,596 Total Visitors — This is a 21% increase from 2023! Our website remains an essential tool for sharing information, resources, and opportunities for involvement with First Presbyterian Church and its ministries. We revamped the heading and added a few more pages to the mix so that visitors and members can find the resources they need from/about FPC.
Lewis & Broad Media
This year we recorded season seven of Lewis & Broad, our digital storytelling ministry via podcast. This season focused on the theme, of leadership, which featured a diverse array of leaders as guests.
1,107 episodes were downloaded from Jan 01, 2024, to Jan 01, 2025 — At this time, Buzzsprout (our Podcast hosting platform) cannot directly track the number of times the podcast was played, only the amount of times someone actively downloaded the audio to their phone or computer.
New to Lewis & Broad Media was the addition of Southern Word in 2024. This podcast dives into the world of Southern faith and language.
We are committed to expanding our digital reach in 2025 to further First Presbyterian Church's mission. We are in the planning stages of 2025 Listen LaGrange, which will be held on April 27 at PureLife Studios. We hope you all will participate this year by attending or even sponsoring the event. Additionally, preparations are underway for the eighth season of the Lewis and Broad podcast, which will continue to highlight meaningful stories from our community.
We have also set a goal to complete an overhaul of our church website to give it a fresh new look and ensure that both congregation members and visitors can easily find the information they need. The numbers in 2024 may be hard to top, but we hope to see an even bigger uptick in followers, subscribers, and listeners in 2025.
Be sure to follow us on all digital platforms to stay updated on what’s happening, and see behind-the-scenes look at events, special services, and the daily workings of FPC.
FPC exploring Future Campus Vision with Aspen Group Partnership
In November 2022, the Session unanimously approved a recommendation from the Vision Team that a Campus Task Force be created. Per the minutes from that meeting, the task force would "assemble the spatial needs of the current and future church campus.” For the last two years, Campus has been looking hard not only at 120 Broad Street, but also at adjacent properties to discern any possibilities for growth.
After exhausting those possibilities, Campus turned back to our current space and began vetting potential partners for architecture and development.
In December, the Campus Task Force presented the Session and the incoming elders with information about a prospective partnership with Aspen Group. Based out of the Chicagoland area, Aspen has worked with churches around the country to design and build new facilities, additions, and renovations. They have also partnered with the prestigious Barna Group in publishing a comprehensive analysis on creating sacred space(s) in the 21st century church. They were recommended to James Goodlet by a contact at Horizons Stewardship.
After some initial conversations, Aspen representatives living in South Carolina and Florida trekked to LaGrange for further exploratory dialogue with members of Campus. Aspen then proposed a contract with First Presbyterian Church that would entail the following:
A completed campus master plan.
A conceptual design and floor plans for the very next phase project. This includes interior and exterior elevations and often a fly-through.
Early input from engineering and other trade partners who, though not yet started on engineering documents, can speak to other important cost considerations of the project.
Cost modeling with a construction estimating team to ensure we are on track for a design that matches a potential church project budget.
Mutual understanding of the path to construction for this concept.
For new construction, an engineering estimate from a local site/civil engineer to provide enough information to get us into the ballpark on the conceptual cost model.
In order to complete that process, Aspen would lead a robust Discovery Process with all segments of the congregation in order to gather an understanding of our culture, our priorities, our hopes, and our dreams for future ministry.
The price tag for this approximate 6-month process is $105,000, with an additional $20,000 cost if FPC were to work with Aspen but not utilize their services and work for a subsequent buildout.
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After a discussion in December and a second lengthy conversation at its January meeting, Session approved the recommendation that Campus be authorized to enter into negotiations on a contract with Aspen. Any money spent on this process will come from Trust Management.
Please understand that this process does not mean First Presbyterian is bound to any capital buildouts in the near or immediate future. This is simply an initial step in discerning our campus needs and establishing how those needs integrate with our missional priorities. Pending a signed contract with Aspen, we anticipate this process beginning late winter or early spring.
If you have any questions, please discuss with members of Campus, including: James Goodlet (staff), Megan Hudson, Brian Patton, Steve Pelham (chair), David Selbie, Ricky Wolfe, and Tracy Wood.
Education Task Force Advances Plans for Growth and Teacher Support
For the last two years, the Education Task Force has been taking a hard look at our onsite schools and evaluating potential areas for growth and expansion. We are enormously proud of both the First Presbyterian Childcare and Montessori, led by Tasha Owens and Kristin Kirby, respectively. While our work is not nearing completion, progress is most certainly being made by our group.
You may have read in a recent edition of the LaGrange Daily News that we are speaking with DASH — Dependable, Affordable, Sustainable Housing — about a potential partnership. Those discussions have centered around a housing benefit for our Childcare workers similar to a model we discovered at the Friends Center for Children in New Haven, CT. While we are not prepared to say that the partnership is firmed up and ready to go — that will only happen with Session approval — those conversations do signify that we are serious about finding new ways to support our underpaid, under-benefited teachers.
We are also researching possible ways to expand our work — not only from a numbers perspective, but from the standpoint of expanding accessibility. Education has identified our community’s need for affordable childcare as a potential ministry and mission point, and we are examining possibilities there.
If you have questions, please feel free to ask any member of the Education Task Force. We covet your prayers and feedback!
The task force includes: Susan Cashwell, Kim Crawford, James Goodlet (staff), Margaret Goodlet (staff), James Hobbs, Debbie Hutchinson, David Sellman, Todd Simpson (chair), Lacy Tumambing
Meeting milestones at fpc childcare
By: Tasha Owens
As we reflect on another incredible year at FPC Childcare, we are reminded of the joy, growth, and love that fill our halls. This year, we celebrated many milestones and traditions that brought our community closer together.
Our childcare center continues to thrive with an end-of-year enrollment of 75 children out of 81 available spots. We are grateful for the 24 dedicated staff members who nurture and teach these children every day. Their commitment to excellence makes FPC Childcare a safe and enriching environment for all.
This holiday season, FPC Childcare participated in the Tinsel Trail on the Square, a beloved tradition in LaGrange where local organizations and businesses decorate trees to bring holiday cheer to the community. Our childcare tree, beautifully adorned with decorations created by the children and their families, was a highlight of the trail. We are so thankful for the parents who joined in the fun and helped bring our festive vision to life.
We also want to extend a heartfelt thank-you to everyone who donated books and toys to our childcare program. The children have delighted in exploring new stories and playing with their new toys. Your generosity has brought countless smiles and endless hours of joy.
This year, we revived the cherished "Children Deck the Halls" tradition at FPC. Children created festive plates, adding a personal touch to our holiday décor. Our 3- and 4-yearolds were also thrilled to meet Ms. Claus, making their holiday season extra magical. As we move into the new year, we look forward to continuing to serve the families of LaGrange with love and dedication. To learn more about FPC Childcare, please visit our website at www.fpcchildcare.org. Here’s to another year of growing, learning, and sharing in God’s love!
a great year for FPC Montessori
By: Kristin Kirby
FPC Montessori ended its 23/24 school year in May with 69 students and 11 staff members. In the 23/24 school year, we added a two-day toddler program to our school. It has been a great addition allowing FPC Montessori to accept more toddler families to our program. We also worked towards accreditation for our program which is now complete. There was never a dull moment at FPC Montessori during 2024 between Spirit Nights, Easter egg hunts, trash pick-up days, walking field trips, Earth Day celebrations, Art Auctions, dress-up days, Thanksgiving festivities, and Christmas programs. We had three fantastic summer camps that were at capacity with waitlists throughout the summer. In the fall of 2024, we partnered with Keyal Loveland to have our very own gardening program. We have new raised flower beds, and she comes in monthly to provide a real-life, hands-on lesson about gardening to our children. We are currently growing fall/winter vegetables and many herbs. Within the walls of FPC Montessori during 2024 relationships were made, materials were learned, and life skills were taught and practiced.
The most recent happenings of our program include making herb bundles for cooking over the holidays, cooking Friendship soup to be served for the Thursday lunch program, and all things Christmas. Classrooms worked hard to make ornaments and presents for their families as well as adorning a tree that was purchased to support Circles of Troup County for the Tinsel Trail on the square. Our Christmas program took place which allowed for families to see the joy of Christmas. We also loved having a big gingerbread party for our pre-k and kindergarten students.
We currently have 75 sweet and loving children with 11 staff caring for them. Our toddler rooms are booming and at full capacity with a waitlist. We are planning to open another toddler learning environment in August 2025. As of January 2025 we are fully accredited (no longer pending) for Pre-K and Kindergarten. Our program is able to extend both the pre-k and kindergarteners’ day to match normal school hours now.
At FPC Montessori our vision is to ignite the spark of learning for all. We look to do this by providing a faith-based educational learning environment that is based on Montessori principles that is both challenging and respectful for all children. Within our daily programs you will see children working on our core values which are respect, compassion, kindness, responsibility, honesty, and awareness. 2024 was filled with lots of learning and memories. We look forward to growing and learning more in 2025.
WELCOME NewMembers
FPC Grows with GIPL Grant
First Presbyterian Church of LaGrange was awarded a grant from Georgia Interfaith Power and Light’s (GIPL) rewilding program to support the development of a garden space that will provide food for the church’s Thursday Lunch Program and serve as an educational resource for children in the Montessori and childcare programs.
Georgia Interfaith Power and Light inspires and equips communities of faith to organize, implement practical climate solutions and advocate across Georgia on issues of climate change and environmental justice and community resilience.
Through GIPL’s rewilding program, FPC attended a workshop at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, who is also a member of the organization. This workshop focused on the advantages of planting native plants and utilizing small unused spaces for food production. By attending this learning opportunity, the first step was completed in applying for a grant to provide funding for FPC to use a small space behind the church kitchen to grow vegetables for the Thursday Lunch Program.
Any funds that are not spent on the kitchen garden will go to the beginning of a pollinator garden that will be placed in front of the church in an unused flower bed where the sunlight is perfect.
The process will begin in March when the weather is more temperate by preparing the space for two to three raised beds. The plan includes planting cool-weather vegetables followed by summer varieties. After completing this area, the ground for the pollinator garden will be prepared, and native species will be sourced and planted.
There will be volunteer opportunities to prepare the beds and plant crops, weeds, or water during the growing season. For more information about this project or if you would like to volunteer, call/text Deb Sargent at (706)333-8647.
