In these bodies we will live, in these bodies we will die

Where you invest your love, you invest your life

These lines from “Awake my Soul” by Mumford and Sons sums it up. Don’t you love to feel

renewed? I love a restful day: a walk in the Botanical Garden, taking in a baseball game,

spending time with friends or family, worshiping with our church family. I look at folks this

time of year and think we all need resurrection! April amps up in this community. Students

buckle down and squirm with spring fever, a challenging combination. Travel sports teams

take off. The community fundraising efforts, runs, walks, galas, are all competing for our

attention and our money this time of year. It all has to be done by May since we live in a

college town, the recitals, the competitions, the concerts.

But all our busy-ness can lead to burn-out, stress, and little fulfillment. When Jesus

approached people he offered himself. He gave companionship, healing, joy, and peace. He

made a big deal out of little fish and a loaf of bread shared over a campfire. He held a dinner

party with all the wrong people who somehow broke down barriers so they become friends.

He held out a hand to Peter when he was sinking offering him trust instead of fear. And he

spent time with the poor and the vulnerable. This is the way to abundant life Jesus told us.

Spend time with Jesus and his people. Invest your love and your life in the ways of Christ.

We have some ways to invest time, energy, and love this spring that bring abundant life. In a

few weeks our 8th grade confirmands will make a statement of faith and commit to live as

disciples of Jesus. Our children will lead us in worship on Sunday, April 24 at 10:45 telling us

the story of God’s love through the musical “The Tale of Three Trees.” We will send out

mission travelers to El Faro in Guatemala. Our spring scholar in residence, Dr. Rodney

Sadler, of Union Presbyterian Seminary will teach and challenge us by dealing with the Bible

and racism on April 10-12. Our Fellowship Ministry will host a Coffee House April 8 and a

retreat, a time of renewal to Montreat April 29-May 1. Our youth have lock-ins and service

days planned. Choose to spend your time on things that matter this busy spring.

As the world is renewed, God’s grace renews us as we gather, learn, and serve in the ways of

Christ.

May your soul be awakened to

the richness of God’s

abundant grace in this season

of Resurrection.

In Christ’s Service,

Laura Smith Conrad

Pastor

101 Edgewood Avenue

Clemson, SC 29631

(864) 654-2061

www.forthillchurch.org

Laura Smith Conrad, Pastor

Mary Morrison, Associate Pastor for

Discipleship

Kelly Roman, Associate Pastor for

University Ministry

Maggie Alsup, PSA Intern for

University Ministry

Cyndi Davis, Children’s Ministry

Coordinator

Margaret MacKay, Director of Music

Judy Bonham, Organist/Handbell

Choir Director

Becky Bowman, Pianist

Lori Houck, Administrator

Judy Crawford, Administrative

Assistant

Scott Thrailkill, Facilities Caretaker

Joining together on a journey of Christian faith, we seek to be Disciples of Christ and

to share God’s love in our community and around the world.

We do this as we Glorify God, Grow Disciples, Meet Human Needs.

Scriptures for Sunday Worship 2

Welcome New Members 3

Choir Corner 3

Scholar in Residence 4

Seminary at The Fort 4

Mission Outreach 5

Announcements & Concerns 6

News from Presbyterian Women 6

Congregational Retreat 6

Children’s Ministry Update 7

From the Finance Ministry 7

Mark Your Calendar Back

Page 2

4/3 2nd Sunday of Easter

Acts 5:27-32’ Ps. 118:14-29;

Rev. 1:4-8; John 20:19-31

4/10 3rd Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:1-6 (7-20); Ps. 30; Rev.

5:11-14; John 21:1-19

4/17 4th Sunday of Easter

Acts 9:36-43; Ps. 23; Rev.

7:9-17; John 10:22-30

4/24 5th Sunday of Easter

Acts 11:1-18; Ps. 148; Rev.

21:1-6; John 13:31-35

The Window Deadline

The deadline for announcements, articles, and

features for the May issue of The Window is

Friday, April 15th, 2016.

Please email your item as a Microsoft Word document to

the church office at window@forthillchurch.org or type the item directly into

your email and send. If possible, please keep your

articles to 500 words or less.

Many thanks to everyone who

came to PSA's profit-sharing

fundraiser at Peppino's!

We raised $163 thanks to your

generosity. It was wonderful to

see students and congregation

members breaking bread

together.

The beautiful Easter lilies in the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday were given . . . In Memory of

Maggie Alsup in memory of James O. and Margaret Melton; Alvin L. and Irene Alsup

Jayne Fort in memory of Roberta Horn, Irene Ruoff, and Ron Trenholm

Hap and Jeanette Carr in memory of Dr. and Mrs. Chalmers R. Carr; Mr. and Mrs. Gary

DeWitt; Col. and Mrs. Marvin “Slick” Ellison

Gregg and Cathy Morton in memory of our parents

Blair Bolen in memory of Aunt Mary Lou Walker and Aunt Virginia Bolen

Ben, Cynthia, Ever and Mills Deaton in memory of Everett and Elizabeth Davis, Carrie

Thomas, Herman and Clara Minchew and Ralph Saylor

Harold and Arlene Cheatham in memory of Bob Goodrow

Gaston and Lib Gage in memory of Libby Crowther

Frank and Rita Van Lenten in memory of our parents and sister

Larry and Jayne Horne in memory of Dan and Phyllis Seymour and Gene and Loretta

Horne

Joan Egan in memory of Joe Egan and Eleanor Egan Tudo

Polly Peters in memory of Dr. and Mrs. W.H. Jamieson , Mr. and Mrs. Harold Peters,

Norman Peters

Donna, Jim and Corey McCubbin in memory of Betty Cruickshank

Wes and Judy Koch in memory of C.W. and Dorothy Sapp and Wesley and Elma Koch

Anne Cash in memory of Emilie McLaughlin

Chuck Cruickshank in memory of Betty Cruickshank

Bob Mixon in memory of Lou Mixon

In memory of E.G. (Buddy) Sparks from his children

Bob and Carol Stout in memory of Bob’s mother, Roberta Horn

Laura, Chuck, Avery and Hallie in memory of Charles W. Conrad, Sr; Joyce and Carroll

Smith

In memory of Tom Wooten by his family

In Honor of

Maggie Alsup in honor of PSA Students

Gregg and Cathy Morton in honor of Charlie Morton and Neeley Morton

Bob and Nan Jones in honor of the Staff of Fort Hill Presbyterian Church

Ben, Cynthia, Ever and Mills Deaton in honor or Argielean Saylor

Gaston and Lib Gage in honor of Ruth, Gaston, Gage and Grace Knox; Lizbeth and Jake

Crowther

Hunter Crenshaw in honor of Jane and Katherine Sosebee

Frank and Rita Van Lenten in honor of our children and grandchildren

David and Debbie Collins in honor of our granddaughter, Grace Cameron Collins; and

our goddaughters, Audrey and Bridget Sehorn

Jack and Billie Jackson in appreciation for Wednesday Bible Study

Susan Beckwith in honor of Cathy Spragins

Donna, Jim and Corey McCubbin in honor of Chuck Cruickshank

Lisa Britt in honor of Bill and Cyndy Britt

Chuck Cruickshank in honor of Jim, Donna, and Corey McCubbin

In honor of Hazel B. Sparks from her children

John and Marcia Sherman in honor of Margaret MacKay.

Page 3

Happy Spring Everyone!! Oh, it is a glorious season, isn’t it? New life is bursting

forth, warm days with longer light give us seemingly more time, and God brought

Christ out of death into life. Lots to celebrate!!!!!

All of the choirs, ringing and singing, worked hard to provide wonderful music

during Lent and Easter. Our Children/Youth choirs have been rehearsing the

musical The Tale of the Three Trees by Allen Pote and Tom Long since January and

will present it as part of the Children’s Sunday on April 24 at the 10:45 service.

Parents are making sure their loved ones are present for rehearsals and people of

all ages are helping with the set, props, logistics, etc. that make it all happen. This

musical was last done at Fort Hill in 1999 when Judy Bonham was the Children’s

Choir director. With music that transcends the years and a story that has been

around for a long time, you don’t want to miss this special day. Based on a

traditional folk tale, many of you may have the book, The Tale of the Three Trees, by

author Angela Elwell Hunt that was published in 1991. Wait until you hear it told in

musical form and with scenery and action. Our goal is to make a beautiful story

come to life for us all.

We appreciate your prayers as we prepare and rehearse to do our best to glorify

God with all of our many gifts.

And by the way, now is a great time for all of you hiding your singing talents in the

pew to become part of a choir at Fort Hill. Joyful Noise provides special music for

our 8:30 service and the Chancel Choir for our 10:45 service. Now is the best time to

burst forth into song. Let a choir member, Judy Bonham, or me know of your

interest. “All God’s children got a place in the choir!!!!”

Smiling-n-Singing,

Pastor on Call

4/3 Mary Morrison

4/10 Laura Conrad

4/17 Mary Morrison

4/24 Laura Conrad

Elder at the Font

8:30 Service

4/3 Gregg Morton

4/10 Dick Shick

4/17 Mike Worley

4/24 George Dunkelberg

Elder at the Font

10:45 Service

4/3 Ben Sawyer

4/10 Helen Wooten

4/17 Bill Cato

4/24 Erika Hays

Infant - Infant/Toddler

4/3 Janna McKale

4/10 Allison Young

4/17 Marcia Barker

4/24 Audrey Thompson

2 & 3 Year Old Nursery

4/3 Susan Beckwith

4/10 Amy Worley

4/17 Katie Schoonover

4/24 Donna McCubbin

4 & 5 Year Old Nursery

4/3 Jacqui Hudak

4/10 Katie Wilson

4/17 Emily Bartels

4/24 Janet Johnson

Grant Wilson is a bio-engineering major at Clemson. He

is a member at St. Giles in Greenville, where he was

very involved in the youth group. He is active in PSA,

serving as the fundraising chair. He is joining Fort Hill as

an affiliate member.

Scott Roberts, a sociology major at Clemson, is a member of

Westminster Presbyterian in Snellville, Georgia, where he was

a youth elder. He is an active member of PSA at Fort Hill. He is

joining Fort Hill as an affiliate member.

Chandler is an electrical engineering major at Clemson. He

is from Charlotte, NC and attended Charlotte Christian

School. Chandler is on PSA council. He is joining Fort Hill

as an affiliate member.

Page 4

Seminary at The Fort is pleased to

welcome the Rev. Dr. Rodney S. Sadler,

Jr., as our Visiting Scholar for the

Spring of 2016. Dr. Sadler is Associate

Professor of Bible (Charlotte) and former

Chair of the Bible Department at Union

Presbyterian Seminary and recently the

interim pastor of Sardis Baptist Church.

He is the managing editor of the African

American Devotional Bible, associate

editor of the Africana Bible, and the

author of Can a Cushite Change His Skin?

An Examination of Race, Ethnicity, and Othering in the Hebrew

Bible. He has also written numerous articles in scholarly

journals and research publications. In addition to the topics he

will be sharing with us, Dr. Sadler also focuses his work on the

development of African American biblical interpretation in

slave narratives. Dr. Sadler has been invited to serve as an

expert on matters of race by Churches Uniting in Christ, the

National Council of Churches, and the World Council of

Churches.

Sadler’s teaching experience includes courses in biblical

languages, Old and New Testament interpretation, wisdom

literature in the Bible, the history and religion of ancient Israel,

and African American biblical interpretation. His first authored

book, Can A Cushite Change His Skin? An Examination of Race,

Ethnicity, and Othering in the Hebrew Bible, was published in 2005.

He frequently lectures within the church and community on

Race in the Bible, African American Biblical Interpretation, the

Image of Jesus, Biblical Archaeology, and the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Sadler was the managing editor of the African American

Devotional Bible.

Sadler served as a visiting lecturer and interim co-director of

the Office of Black Church Studies at Duke Divinity School in

Durham, NC, and was an associate minister in Durham, NC.

Scholar in Residence Schedule:

Sunday, April 10

“Somebody Told a Lie and We Believed It” Genesis 3:1-11; Romans 12:1-5

8:30 am —Worship in Tartan Hall 10:45 am —Worship in the Sanctuary

“Race and the Face of Jesus”

6:00 Dinner and 7:15 pm Program Presbyterian Student Center,

401 College Avenue

Monday, April 11

“Do We Worship the Same God?”

Noon—Club Room Lunch with local pastors

“The Church as Source of Racial Division”

7:00-8:30 pm in Tartan Hall

Tuesday, April 12

“The Church as Hope for Racial Harmony”

7:00-8:30 pm in Tartan Hall

Christians today are called to examine the intersection of race and Scripture, the impact of our images of Jesus for the

perpetuation of racial thought in America, and the racial divide that is both consciously and unconsciously promoted in the

church.

Join us for a new five week study beginning Wednesday, April 27.

Half Truths--God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn't Say by Adam Hamilton.

Each Wednesday from 10-11:30 am in the Club Room. Contact Mary Morrison if you plan to participate.

Sunday mornings during The Bridge, 9:30–10:30 am.

Netmenders (Room E210) continues 24 Hours That Changed The World

Seekers (Room E205) continues What’s So Amazing About Grace?

Sojourners (Club Room) continues Invitation to the Old Testament, A Short-term Disciple Bible Study

Page 5

Pictured is the new operating room

in El Faro with two teams of

doctors working at the same time.

It is so exiting to see, as it is like a

dream come true as Fort Hill

Church is such part of the project.

Recently, (February 19 to March 5)

Bob and Susan Brown, Raenota

Merrill, Beth Tanner, Sissy O'Daniel

worked in this room.

This room carries Fort Hill's “flag”

since the first eye surgery took

place there this Spring.

Recently, a group representing FHPC spent 2 weeks at Mission El Faro in Guatemala participating in medical mission work. We

experienced two very different weeks:

First Week: We were part of an annual health screening/treatment project sponsored by El Faro for the folks who live

in the area. This involves roughly 100 volunteers—mostly from the Chicago area, and included those of us who were there for

the eye surgery the following week. Our eye group was there a day or so before this screening began and watched in awe as

the El Faro staff started the preparations. What an undertaking! We watched as truck after truck was loaded with tables,

chairs, tents, construction materials, medical equipment, beauty shop sinks (yes, you read that right)—everything that would

be needed to serve the hundreds of people who were waiting in the villages. Keep in mind that we were in a different village

each day, and the same equipment was needed in each place—more loading and unloading of trucks who had to travel over

very rough roads to get to the next day’s location. It was amazing to watch and see it done with precision and with team-

work— the El Faro staff to showing God’s love to their neighbors.

In each village, residents were served by general practitioners, pediatricians, dentists, ophthalmologists, nurses, pharmacists

and their teams. There were game & song leaders for the children and women and girls could get a shampoo and have their

nails done—caring for the soul as well as the body. While all this was going on, a constructions project was undertaken in each

village—new guttering to solve a rain run off problem in one place. In another village a playground with playground equip-

ment was built—we watched children playing on it before we left that afternoon.

Being there for this huge undertaking gave us a greater understanding of both the lives of those who live in the villages near El

Faro and the amazing organizational skills needed to “pull off” such a project. We said our good-byes to our fellow workers as

they returned home and we prepared for the eye surgery week.

Second Week: You’ve heard many reports from the eye surgery teams over the years—it’s a wonderful story of the miracle of

restoring sight to those who would never have had such an opportunity. It wouldn’t have happened if not for Bob & Susan

Brown’s decision (41 trips ago) to answer a call to this mission. You, the members of Fort Hill, opened your hearts and your

wallets to support their dream. The best part of the story is that a pebble was tossed when this started and the ripple effects

just keep growing, not only in Guatemala, but all over the world. A very concrete (literally—it’s concrete) result at El Faro is the

new surgery center that was inaugurated with the eye surgeries that were done on this most recent trip. Because of your sup-

port in sending teams there, the head of the foundation that runs the mission saw the need for such a facility and had it built.

It will be well used, not only for eye surgery, but for medical teams who do surgeries that can be done without general anes-

thesia. You can see by the photo that it’s a giant leap from the primitive sites that are usually adapted for surgery. (Bob Brown

says that when he looks at it, he sees in his heart a FHPC flag flying over it!)

Those of us who travel on mission trips are a very small part of the FHPC mission team. Our church’s team has had literally

hundreds of members over the years and it’s continuing to grow to include non-medical teams. Each person who supports the

travelers with prayers, their loving interest and by contributing financially is part of the firm support on which the travelers

stand. We thank God that you care so much for people you will never meet that you reach out to make the miracles happen.

God bless each of you!

Page 6

Christian Sympathy is extended to:

Bob and Carol Stout and

family in the death of Bob’s

mother, Roberta Horn on

March 2, 2016.

Jack Stevenson and family in

the death of Phyl Stevenson on

March 22, 2016.

Piper Mae Wilson,

daughter of Geoff & Alex

Wilson, born March 2, 2016

in Greenville, SC. Piper is the

granddaughter of Nathan and

Shelly Wilson.

Theodore James Duncan

son of David and Mary Kathleen

Duncan, born on March 17,

2016. Teddy is grandson of

Raymond and Margaret

MacKay.

Abigail Josephine MacKay

daughter of Ray and Stephanie

MacKay, born on Thursday,

March 24, 2016. Abby is the

granddaughter of Raymond

and Margaret MacKay.

Quentin Ryan Harper son of

Ryan & Amanda Harper arrived

on Thursday, March 24, 2016.

Quentin is the grandson of

Dusty and Nancy Oates.

During the month of April, Presbyterian Women (PW) will be collecting paper goods

(paper towels, Kleenex, toilet tissue, etc.) for Helping Hands of Clemson - a home for

foster children. Please bring your paper goods donations to the kitchen next to the Club Room beginning April 1. Please designate on the bags that they are for Helping Hands.

Thanks!

It is time to mark your calendars for the Annual PW Birthday Luncheon to be held at Fort

Hill Presbyterian on Saturday, April 2 at 11:30 am. ALL women attending Fort Hill

Presbyterian are invited to this special gathering. Our speaker will be Chandra Coleman, the Advancement Officer from Thornwell Home for Children. Please plan to attend this

fun and informative program.

Please remember to come prepared to contribute to the Birthday Luncheon Offering. Our donations will go towards projects chosen by Presbyterian Women, fulfilling our

mission to improve the lives of others.

Presbyterian Women, please collect and bring in your Campbell Soup labels and Box Tops for Education for Thornwell Home for Children. Laurie Lefevre is asking for

the Presbyterian women to place your donations in a basket on the side of the

refrigerator in the small kitchen across the hall from the FHOG Office. We will give these

to Thornwell. Each label is worth 10 cents. Thank you for your generosity!!!

Presbyterian Women are invited to visit Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA,

for Come See Columbia Day, April 21, 2016. In 1949, Columbia Friendship Circle, (CFC)

was established in order to pray for the students and staff of Columbia Seminary, to

encourage young people to enter the ministry, and to raise funds for necessary

projects. The money raised by CFC is awarded as scholarships to seminary

students with families. On April 21st we will get to hear their faith stories and how CFC

has changed their lives. We will also tour the campus and have lunch with the seminary

students. Come and join us for an inspirational experience. Contact Nan Jones

(jones4927@bellsouth.net) if you wish to attend.

All are asked to please go through their closets prior to this trip and glean any

gently used, seasonally appropriate clothing suitable for wearing to church and

school. Your clothing donations for the seminary students and their families need

to be in the Collections Room to the left of the stairs across from the Club Room by April

7, 2016. Contact Nan Jones

April 2 PW Birthday Luncheon

April 3-10 Family Promise at Fort Hill Presbyterian.

April 21 Come See Columbia Day

April 29th—May1st: Congregational & Confirmation Retreat at the

Montreat Conference Center. Cost is $50 per adult and $20 per child. This is also the Confirmation Retreat and Youth Ministry Team is planning to have a

youth house for the retreat. Contact the church office to reserve your space.

Page 7

Spring has sprung!

As I think about so many activities and children that Fort Hill is blessed to have, I wanted to share two topics that are

important all of the time, but certainly this time of year.

Pew Pals While enjoying Facebook pictures of our church family, a comment about one of our children caught

my attention. It read “She is my little ‘pew pal’ at church.” Another friend mentioned their pew partner has been absent

for several Sundays. It is important to have a place in a church family where folks know you by name, and where it

matters when you are missing. Make it a priority for your family to be committed attendees so people know your

children well enough to call them by name. These same people will miss you when you are not at church. I challenge all

in our church family to contact at least one person you have missed seeing. Let them know

they are important. What if we made this practice a habit?

Vacation Bible School is June 20-23 for K4-fifth grade. Once again we will partner with

First Baptist Church to offer a full day experience in combination with their “Nothin’ But

Net” basketball program. I am asking for volunteers to help in either or both the morning

VBS session (9:30-12:30) and afternoon session (1:00-4:00). We need help as greeters,

shepherds, snack preparers and small group leaders. Please email

cyndi.davis@forthillchurch.org for more information or to volunteer.

Blessings to you,

Through the first 2 months of 2016, total income was $142,017 while expenses were $122,874 for a surplus of $19,143. Overall

expenses are at 13.04% of budgeted, while income is at 15.4% of budgeted. Spending in January and February is normally below budget as ministry chairs implement their plans for 2016. Your financial support enables Fort Hill to continue its

ministries to members, community and around the world.

Bridging Generations Update: Total income year to date: $70,120.66. Total expenses year to date: $298,515.67.

Non-Profit Organization

US POSTAGE PAID

Clemson, SC

Permit #11

101 Edgewood Avenue

Clemson, SC 29631

(864) 654-2061

www.forthillchurch.org

Return Service Requested

April 3rd: We will have our first nature walk of the year, an easy and flat route. Some early flowers are already out. Meet at the

church (upper parking lot) at 2:00 pm. We will be back by 4:00 pm. Contact Ben Sill with questions 864-506-1920.

April 3rd: Fort Hill will host Family Promise of Pickens County for a week. This is a program to assist homeless families in crisis.

Please consider volunteering to be a host, prepare a meal, spend an overnight at the church, set up the rooms, do a load of

laundry, purchase snacks, prepare Saturday breakfast, or organize a Saturday activity. Contact Linda Gahan glinda1942@gmail.com 864 654-2953.

April 8: Coffee House in Tartan Hall at 7 pm. Prepare your best fun to share! Questions? Ask Frank & Rita Van Lenten or a

member of the Fellowship Ministry team.

April 10-12: Seminary at The Fort Scholar in Residence, the Rev. Dr. Rodney S. Sadler, Jr. will lead us in an examination

of “Race, Social Justice and Political Reform.”

April 20th: Fort Hill / First Baptist Spring Blood Drive will be Wednesday, 3-7:30 pm. The Bloodmobile will be parked in the Fort Hill parking lot on Edgewood Avenue. Tell a friend! If you have any questions, call Judy Blackwell, 863-4153.

April 24th: Children's Sunday: Children & Youth Choirs Present the musical, The Tale of the Three Trees at our 10:45 Worship

Service.

April 29th—May1st: Congregational / Confirmation Retreat—Montreat Conference Center.