STAFF NEWS

After several weeks of prayer, conversation, and discernment with the search committee and pastoral staff, we are delighted to announce that Courtney Rockness was unanimously approved by the Staff Committee as our new Director of Student Discipleship!

Over the last several months, Courtney has been leading, discipling, organizing, encouraging, and investing in students and our interns with tremendous faithfulness and joy.

We are incredibly grateful that the Lord brought Courtney to FPC, and we are excited to see how He will continue to use her in shaping the lives of our students and their families.

If you see Courtney around the church campus, please take a moment to congratulate her, encourage her, and promise to lift her up in prayer.

JUNE 21st FATHER’S DAY CHOIR

Calling all men! With Father’s Day approaching, First Pres Men’s Discipleship will be hosting a very special men’s choir at both our 8:30am and 11:00am services on June 21. Sign up and invite your son, father, brother, or friends! To participate, simply email Charlie Buchanan at cbuchanan@firstpresgreenville.org.

PATRIOTIC SERVICES JUNE 28

Over the next few weeks in towns and cities across the nation, people of all ages will unite to enjoy our 250th birthday. Celebrating an event as consequential as our semiquincentennial anniversary will become a moment that remains in our collective memory for generations to come. To mark the significance of this occasion, we at First Pres will be holding two special Patriotic Services on Sunday, June 28, in the Sanctuary. The first service will be at 9:00am and the second at 11:00am. There will be no 8:30am or 10:45 services that morning. As we gather, we will be giving thanks to God for His faithful and providential care over us as a nation. Each service will include patriotic themed hymns, a military color guard, the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance, and the singing of the national anthem. We invite you and your family to join us for what we hope will be an exceptional experience that reminds us of the importance of our National Motto, “In God We Trust.”

FISCAL YEAR-END GIVING

June marks the final month of our fiscal year and the beginning of summer. We are grateful that the 2025–2026 fiscal year has been strong to date, and we thank you for your continued generosity and faithful support of the Ministry Budget.

As we approach year-end, our prayer is to finish the fiscal year well. If you are traveling or away during the summer, you can still give in several convenient ways:

• Online giving
• Mail-in gifts
• IRA distributions (RMD or Qualified Charitable Distributions)
• Donor Advised Funds or Trust distributions
• Gifts of appreciated stock

If you have questions about any of these giving options, please contact Kristy Service at 864.565.0929 or Bobby Hoffman at 864.565.0962.

2025-26 GRADUATES LIST AVAILABLE

Congratulations to all of our FPC members and family members who are graduates of High Schools, Colleges, Graduate Schools, and Seminaries. For a complete list of names, click here. Printed lists are available in the literature racks.

LOOKING AHEAD

JUNE
12: In the Land of Wooden Shoes Exhibit Opening/Reception
16–17: Now and Not Yet Women’s Bible Study Begins
17: Summer Ice Cream Social
19–21: Cultivate 2026: ROOTED Retreat
26: Hidden Pictures Exhibit Opening/Reception
28: Patriotic Sunday Services

JULY
1: Proclaim Liberty Concert
3: Church Campus Closed for July 4 Holiday
15: Summer Ice Cream Social

For more events and details click here.

Discipleship Ministry, Claire Ripley
ICE CREAM SOCIAL THIS WEEK

Adults are invited on Wednesday, June 17, at 1:00pm in Fellowship Hall for a delightful summer afternoon of delicious ice cream, warm fellowship, and encouraging discipleship. Bring a friend and enjoy meaningful conversation and community together. No registration is required—just come and enjoy! $3 at the door. The next two Ice Cream Socials are July 15 and August 12.

Women’s Ministry, Tiffany Boggs
RADIANCE SMALL GROUP REGISTRATION

Are you a woman in your 20s to early 40s looking for a small group? Join Radiance! Groups meet in mentor leaders’ homes for dinner and Bible study on Tuesday or Wednesday evenings from 6:30–8:00pm. Together, we “do life” as we grow in faith, enjoy retreats and fun activities, and serve our Greenville community. Registration is open now through August 8 for the Fall and Spring 2027 semesters. Participants are placed in groups with others in a similar life stage. . Click here to sign up. Questions? Contact Diana Orders at dianaschmittorders@gmail.com.

Women’s Ministry, Tiffany Boggs
REGISTER NOW: WOMEN’S SUMMER BIBLE STUDY

Registration is open for the First Pres Women’s Summer Bible Study: Now and Not Yet by bestselling author and artist Ruth Chou Simons. Too often, we feel disappointed with our “right now”—our life circumstances, our relationships, our lack of progress towards our dreams and goals, our daily grind. Simons reminds us of God’s powerful provision and faithful promises for those “who have ears to hear.” The study will be offered on Tuesdays, June 16–July 28, 9:30-11:00am and 6:00-7:30pm, and Wednesdays, June 17–July 29, 9:30-11:00am (with childcare). We hope you will join us this summer! Click here to register.

Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
OPENING NIGHT: IN THE LAND OF WOODEN SHOES, A HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE

Join us for an Opening Night Reception on Friday, June 12, at 6:00pm in Building A and Lenz Gallery. This powerful exhibition, a collaboration between the Anne Frank Center and South Carolina artist Mary Burkett, tells the stories of children affected by the Holocaust through moving visual portraits and storytelling. More than an art exhibit, it is an immersive experience of remembrance—honoring young lives, fostering empathy, and inviting reflection. The exhibition runs through November and is open to individuals, families, schools, and community groups, with guided tours and special programming available. For more information or group bookings, contact Chelsea Fraser at cfraser@firstpresgreenville.org.

Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
CULTIVATE 2026: ROOTED RETREAT

Cultivate 2026: ROOTED is coming to First Pres June 19–21. This in-person retreat will gather faithful creatives and leaders for a weekend of keynote speakers, workshops on writing and publishing, worship, guided prayer, and meaningful community in the heart of downtown Greenville. Space is limited, with fewer than 10 seats remaining. Registration is $250 and includes special offerings such as a free Friday community dinner, professional author/artist head shots, and unique breakout experiences. For more details and to register, click here.

Fine Arts Ministry, Chelsea Fraser
JUST ANNOUNCED: HIDDEN PICTURES EXHIBIT

Join us for the opening reception of the Highlights Hidden Pictures Exhibit on June 26 from 6:00–8:00pm in the Galleries at First Presbyterian. This unique collection features the work of local artist Tim Davis, who created more than 600 Hidden Pictures during a 20-year partnership with Highlights magazine. The exhibit showcases 28 illustrations containing more than 350 objects hidden in plain sight, inviting visitors to look beyond the obvious and discover unexpected details. Inspired by the way Scripture often reveals truth to those who seek it, these illustrations encourage careful observation and fresh perspective. Visitors will find a list of hidden objects for each illustration—take your time, look closely, and see how many you can discover. The exhibit will be on display throughout July and August. For more information, click here.

Children’s Ministry, Tina Jones
THE NEXT BUDDY BREAK IS JULY 24

Do you know of a family raising a child with special needs? Once a quarter we hold a Buddy Break to give these parents a respite. Our next Buddy Break is Friday, July 24, 5:30–8:00pm. Please share this information and consider serving as a “Buddy.” Training is provided. If you have questions or would like to serve, please email our Special Needs Coordinator, Dr. Brenda Harper, at buddybreak@firstpresgreenville.org.

Children’s Ministry, Tina Jones
HELP SHAPE THE NEXT GENERATION OF FAITH

Are you looking for a meaningful way to invest in others? Do you have a heart for helping children grow in their faith and come to know Jesus? We invite you to join our Children’s Ministry team for the 2026–27 ministry year.
We have a variety of opportunities available, including:

• Leading Children’s Worship
• Caring for infants and toddlers
• Teaching or assisting in Sunday classes
• Serving as a buddy for a child with special needs
• Greeting families and helping children get to their classrooms

Most volunteers serve just one Sunday each month. To learn more, contact Tina Jones, Children’s Ministry Director, at tjones@firstpresgreenville.org or review the available volunteer roles at FirstPresGreenville.org/ChildrenServe. Your investment today can have an eternal impact on the life of a child.

First Presbyterian Academy, Rob Brown
HOST FAMILIES NEEDED FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS COMING TO THE ACADEMY

First Presbyterian Academy is excited to partner with iGoGo International to welcome exceptional international students from Brazil and Spain for the upcoming school year (five young women and two young men). We are seeking seven Christian families willing to host and mentor these students by welcoming them into daily family life, offering spiritual encouragement, and sharing the love of Christ in a meaningful way. Learn more about the students and this unique ministry opportunity by clicking here.