The Rev. Taylor McWilliams Potter, 84, passed away Dec. 6, 2011, in Pasadena, Calif. Loved ones were at his side when he peacefully left this life to spend eternity with our Lord. More...
Stephen Ministers Are Available
Stephen Ministers are available to help people get through tough times anytime of year. Please call Diana Toillion 625-1875, Karen Cabral 623-1596, or Barry Nupen 623-3538 if you are in need of care.
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The Church of the Open Doors
Reaching Out and Welcoming In
with the Good News of God's Saving Love
in Jesus Christ
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ABOUT OUR SUNDAY MORNINGS,
DIRECTIONS, AND PRESCHOOL.
SUNDAY MORNINGS Worship
9:00 - 10:00 AM Sunday School
10:30 AM - for all ages
NEW YEAR'S EVE WATCH NICHT SERVICE Saturday, December 31, 11:45 p.m. Bring in the New Year with prayer in God's house following an old Scottish tradition.
Taylor Potter, Our Minister and Servant of The Lord
Taylor was born in Centre Hall, Pa., on July 1, 1927, to Nancy McWilliams and Henry (Harry) Potter. He was proud to have been one of the first paper carriers for the Centre Daily Times and manned the CDT tent at the Grange Fair.
After graduating from Centre Hall-Potter High School in 1945 he served a two-year stint in the U.S. Army Air Corps. Taylor earned a B.S. in architecture from the Pennsylvania State University in 1950 and spent the following year as an architectural draftsman for the firm of Kewell, Kocher, and Benedict in Los Angeles. In 1952 he entered the San Francisco Theological Seminary, earning a master’s degree in divinity in 1954.
He spent the summer of 1953 in French Cameroon designing and erecting buildings in Metet and Bibia. During his theological training, he was appointed to the Fremont Presbyterian Church in Sacramento, Calif., as student assistant pastor and on completing his studies became assistant pastor there.
On Dec. 11, 1954, he married Elizabeth (Betty) Joan Yaw of Sitka. June 1956 marked the beginning of his decades-long work for the Presbyterian Church overseas. In July 1957 he and his wife traveled to Thailand, where for many years he was pastor of the Wattana Church and chaplain for the Wattana Academy. Thailand was where his architectural knowledge and theological training fully meshed. In addition to his pastoral duties he designed and oversaw the construction of more than 100 projects including schools, hospitals, residences, chapels, and churches throughout the country. From 1958 to 1966 he headed the architectural office of the Church of Christ in Thailand. All four of the Potter children were born in Thailand.
On furlough from Thailand, he spent 1961 and 1962 as a Visiting Fellow at Princeton University. He returned there four years later to pursue his studies under the auspices of a Guggen heim Fellowship. From 1968 to 1970 he worked as an architectural consultant for the Presbyterian Church (USA), consulting in more than 40 countries and developing more than 20 projects, including schools, hospitals, and churches.
The Rev. Potter was called to ministries in the United States in 1971. He served as chaplain and Architect in Residence for Lewis and Clark College in Portland, Ore., (1971-77); as assistant to the president at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, (1977-80); an associate pastor at Market Square Presbyterian Church in Harrisburg, Pa., (1980-82); and finally as pastor of the Mililani Presbyterian Church in Mililani Town, Hawaii (1982-92).
In 1992 he retired to the 18th-century family homestead in Centre Hall, Pa. Taylor loved basketball and enjoyed playing well into his 70’s. Throughout his service in Christian ministry and mission he was always active as an architect as well. At Lewis and Clark College he consulted in designing its theater, its science and law libraries, and designed the campus gatehouse and furniture for the student commons.
At Sheldon Jackson College he designed and built the Caroline Yaw Chapel and also did fund raising, property management and worked on the Campus Master Plan. In Harrisburg, he continued as an architectural consultant to churches and schools nationally. While in Hawaii he helped design and construct a new 300-seat sanctuary for his congregation. In retirement he continued to work as a consultant in the United States and abroad. In Centre Hall, along with renovating his farm house he worked with the local State College chapter of Habitat for Humanity.
He is survived by his wife, Betty Jo, his children, Terry of Pullman, Wash.; Dee Ann (Wylie) of State College, Pa.; Lance of Chiang Mai, Thailand; and Taylor of North Bergen, N.J.; eight grandchildren; his sister Eleanor of Melbourne, Fla.; his brother Bill of Melbourne, Fla.; and many beloved nieces and nephews.
Calls to Action
PER CAPITA ENVELOPES
Now that most of you have received your MPC giving envelopes for 2012, you may be wondering what the "Per Capita" envelope is for. "Per Capita" is the Presbyterian Church USA way of covering administrative and other costs for the denomination each year. Every congregation is asked to contribute $ X per member each year to Presbytery. This year it is approximately $37.25 per member. We've budgeted for some of this but are hoping that each member will chip in that amount over and above their annual pledge. We hope you will help out with this gift. Just place it in the "Per Capita" envelope or designate it on the check or on your regular giving envelope. Thanks.
The holidays are sometimes stressful in spite of it being a time for joy. For some it can be depressing, remembering families on the mainland or other parts of the world who are far away, or it might be that family relationships were especially painful during the holidays and remembering is not pleasant. All the other usual stressors can be present as well, which can create anxiety and sadness.
For more information please contact, Karen Cabral, 623-6663, Diana Toillion, 625-1875 or Pastor Gamley, 623-6663. We can direct you to a Stephen Minister who will be honored to be of help. All is confidential.
Blessings to you this time of year and all the year through. Gal. 6:2a "carry each other's burdens…"
NEW YEAR'S EVE
WATCH NICHT SERVICE Saturday, December 31, 11:45 p.m.
Bring in the New Year with prayer in God's house.
This service is an old Scottish tradition that Pastor
Tony brought to us last year. In the old days, people
would gift a lump of coal after the service to their
neighbor as a token wish that there would always be
warmth in the home and fuel for the cooking. The practice
was known as "first footing". They would then return and feast until dawn.
Well, we may not 'feast' but we will have light refreshments on the lanai at 12:15 a.m., January 1, 2012!
Congregational
Meetings Don't miss it - Sunday, January 15
A meeting of the congregation will be held in the sanctuary following the morning worship service on Sunday, January 15, 2012, for the purpose of electing Elders and one Deacon to the leadership of Mililani Presbyterian Church. Our annual congregational meeting has been scheduled for January 29, 2012 immediately following the morning service. There are several matters of business requiring the congregation's vote, including reception of reports for the past year and the budget for the upcoming year, plus election of the pastor nominating committee; so please plan to join us.
The Potluck for January will be held at noon on January 29, 2012 (5th Sunday) to coincide with our annual Congregational Meeting. Please plan on joining everyone for our first potluck of 2012. The February Potluck will move back to the fourth Sunday of the month. See you on the Lanai!
OPEN HOUSE New members and visitors are invited to dinner at an Open House where they
can meet others, ask questions, and get acquainted with the Church. Where:
At the home of Mary Ross Winsley, Deacon Moderator
95-320 Hakupokano Loop in Mililani When:
January 21, 2012, from 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.
Deacons and Elders are encouraged to attend as well. Please RSVP to Mary Ross Winsley at 625-2533 or mwinsley@yahoo.com
1/3 - BEACH DAY BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS! TBA
❖ Let's have a day to relax before
we get back to the grind!
❖ Bring beach gear, games, and
sunscreen
❖ Friends welcome but all need
permission form
1/8 -YOUTH GROUP @ 1PM AT
LORI'S HOME
(leadership 12:30pm)
❖
Bring your Bibles, $ for Floyd.
❖ Don't forget swimsuit, towel &
permission form!
❖ As always, friends welcome.
1/15 -YOUTH GROUP @ 1PM AT
LORI'S HOME
(leadership 12:30pm)
❖
Bring your Bibles, $ for Floyd.
❖ Don't forget swimsuit, towel &
permission form!
❖ As always, friends welcome.
JOIN US FOR THE NEXT EVENING OF SERVICE AT RIVER OF LIFE MISSION!
WHEN: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Meet at MPC at 5:30 p.m. to carpool or meet us at the Mission by 6:30 p.m. WHERE: 101 N Pauahi St. NEEDED: Food donations, cooks,
and most importantly volunteers to come down to the Mission and worship with and serve our guests.
Stay tuned for more information and signups to be held on the lanai. Never came before? Don't let that stop you! Kick off your new year by helping us help the less fortunate.
For more information contact Dave Keim at 927-5170.
Bible Studies
TUESDAY MORNINGS Ladies Bible Study
Join us the first Tuesday and every Tuesday thereafter. You will enjoy our sisterly love, support & prayer
(as well as) study group!
At 8:30am in the conference room. Call Kathryn in the church office to sign up. You can also watch the Sunday bulletin for a form to drop in the offering plate. It is our hope to continue to meet the needs of our church family through learning God’s word and supporting each other.
Deployment packages will be mailed out the 2nd Sunday of every other month. Please support our MPC members and friends overseas by donating items like magazines, cards, crossword puzzles, candy, gum, and special items from Hawaii (Spam, li hing mui, etc.) These brave soldiers look forward to these gifts. Thank you for your support and God Bless our troops!
If you have any questions please call Lori Wright at 623-7366.
The holidays are sometimes stressful in spite of it being a time for joy. For some it can be depressing, remembering families on the mainland or other parts of the world who are far away, or it might be that family relationships were especially painful during the holidays and remembering is not pleasant. All the other usual stressors can be present as well, which can create anxiety and sadness. 
Bring in the New Year with prayer in God's house.
The Potluck for January will be held at noon on January 29, 2012 (5th Sunday) to coincide with our annual Congregational Meeting. Please plan on joining everyone for our first potluck of 2012. The February Potluck will move back to the fourth Sunday of the month. See you on the Lanai!
New members and visitors are invited to dinner at an Open House where they
WHEN: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Deployment packages will be mailed out the 2nd Sunday of every other month. Please support our MPC members and friends overseas by donating items like magazines, cards, crossword puzzles, candy, gum, and special items from Hawaii (Spam, li hing mui, etc.) These brave soldiers look forward to these gifts. Thank you for your support and God Bless our troops!