Adult Director
To make and strengthen new disciples for Jesus Christ by providing Christian education, fellowship, outreach and service opportunities for adult friends and members of our congregation.
MaryMartha Melendy, Director of Adult Ministry, mmmelendy@firstchurchhastings.org
MaryMartha Melendy is a retired teacher. Spending nearly 30 years as a part of the Hastings Area School System, she taught English, Speech and Drama; “coached” the Drama Club and directed plays for 17 years. She also worked for many years in the school system’s libraries at all levels, “teaching” library science as well as working as a library assistant. Reading to the children was always a “bonus” activity as part of that position. She and her husband, Larry, are both graduates of Olivet College, in Olivet, MI. They have one daughter, Michelle, married to Christian Lahti. They live in Kalamazoo with their four children ranging in age from 7 to 17 (and one VERY active puppy!). The Melendys are grateful their family lives this close; after a couple of “stints” of out-of-state employment for the Lahti family, they are glad to have their grandchildren close enough for frequent visits.
MaryMartha and Larry had been retired for five years when the position of Adult Ministry Director became available. Not intending to seek further employment after retirement, “the call” to apply was too strong for MM to ignore, and they both feel grateful for the opportunity to be able to serve God through the work this position brings: “administrative and programming work” for MM, and lots of volunteer opportunities for Larry. New ideas for the Adult Ministries Team to consider are ALWAYS welcome whether currently sought or not; congregation members are urged to contact her whenever a thought for a new class, activity or opportunity arises!
Additional Groups
HOSPITALITY TEAM
A group of volunteers who provide food for those in need following or during medical crises; serve and provide food for dinners/luncheons for the church family throughout the year; serving as hosts for Presbytery events and other needs.
TRANSPORTATION TEAM
A group of volunteers who provide transportation for those in need for medical appointments, shopping for groceries or doing the actual shopping for shut-ins, or bringing those without their own transportation to church events.
MENDERS GROUP
Do you know who and what the MENDERS organization is? If you are close to or in retirement, this group is for you! We are people—singles, friends, couples – who meet (usually the 4th Friday of the month) for a pot-luck supper and a program, at 7:00 p.m. in the Narthex of the church. MENDERS is a group founded many years ago by a group of retirees who volunteered some of their time to do some “chores” and repairs in our former building, and decided to meet for fellowship in addition to their volunteer duties. Over the years, the name “Menders” has become synonymous with empathetic “mending” as well as fixing or maintaining physical areas in a building: it is a group with great compassion for those among our fellowship who suffer illness, loss of family members or spouses, or other difficult life changes. You are welcome to give us a try! There is no cost to the meetings (except for an occasional request for a donation for cards and stamps sent to shut-ins, etc.). We hope to see you at one of our potlucks! If you would like any more information, please call the Adult Ministries Office.
OUR WELCOME TEAM
A group of volunteers who commit to being sure visitors receive Welcome Bags and being “traffic directors” to Sunday School rooms, the nursery, as well as to the sanctuary and other areas. These volunteers are also available to answer any needs they can of people who walk through our doors, whether newcomers or “old-comers.”
OUR PRAYER MINISTRY TEAM
A group of volunteers who meet monthly to discuss special needs for prayer, but who also have committed to pray daily for specific ministries of our church, as well as for those individuals who request prayer for their own situations or concerns. This group also strives to create opportunities for directed prayer and meditation during Lent and in other seasons of the church year, and for special occasions.
Adult Ministry
In today's demanding world, we understand that as adults, we need all the help we can get. Challenging economic times, marriage, family, finances, and relationships all make demands on our life. We also know that God is in the details, He has a plan for each of us to lead a fulfilling and meaningful life. Our adult ministry program is here to assist you on your path to spiritual enrichment and a deeper knowledge of God's Word.
The Adult Ministry of First Presbyterian Church offers Sunday morning Christian Education studies for adults of all ages, week-day Bible Studies for men and women, church-wide small-group studies, a fall men's breakfast, a spring men's breakfast series which includes study sessions led by our Commissioned Lay Pastor, Dr. Jim Spindler, an every-other-year Women's retreat, and various women's programs. Download a complete listing of our current study, fellowship, and adult opportunities.
We encourage you to join other adults who are becoming passionate followers of Jesus Christ in Worship, Bible Study, and Christian Service.
Women's Ministry
Our Women's Ministry is designed to give women throughout Barry County the opportunity to experience joy and growth in their lives through a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is our goal to encourage one another to become women of godly influence and to pursue God wholeheartedly.
WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY
Starting September 20th, every Tuesday evening from 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. Those who are interested in the Tuesday Evening Women's Bible Study should contact Nancy Allerding or Sally Keller to be put on the contact list. You will be informed when your group will begin.
THE "KNIT-WITS"
Join the "Knit-Wits" who meet every Monday evening, at 7:00 p.m., in our main narthex. A group of women (men are welcome, too!) who meet in the Narthex to do needlework of their choice. A primary function of this group is to maintain a supply of knitted or crocheted Prayer Shawls to be taken to shut-ins or those who are ill or grieving, by our Deacons or Congregational Care Pastor.
Questions about the "Knit-Wits," call Barb Bell (948-8883) or Sunny Anderson (948-8811), or just show up on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m.! You don’t already have to be an “expert” – someone here is always willing to teach or help with patterns or skills!
Men's Ministry
Our Men's Ministry is designed to give men throughout Barry County the opportunity and resources to develop a Godly character, equip them to influence their world for Christ, and grow in their lives through a relationship with Jesus Christ. It is our goal to encourage one another to become men of godly influence and to pursue God wholeheartedly.
MEN'S BREAKFAST SERIES
Begins January 28, running through March 10, 8:30 – 10:30 a.m., Saturday mornings (not meeting on Feb. 25 due to Presbytery Youth Mix in our building). Hearty breakfasts are served in the fellowship hall promptly at 8:30 a.m., with a study following. This year’s study is based on (and includes) the movie, Courageous, recently in theaters nation-wide. The first week the film will be shown, and in succeeding weeks, the discussions will be based on principles and themes in the film. Leaders for the study are Dr. Jim Spindler, FPC’s Commissioned Lay Pastor and Congregational Care Pastor, and John Johnston, former principal of Central Elementary School in Hastings.
All-Church Small Group Lenten Study
All-Church Small Group Lenten Study begins the week of Ash Wednesday, February 19, running through the week of March 31.
The study will follow the DVD and study guide for the John Ortberg series, The Me I Want To Be. Ortberg states: “God wants you to become a new creation.
But new doesn’t mean completely different; instead it’s like an old motorcycle …restored
to its intended magnificence…You become more that person God had in mind when he first thought you up. God is not interested in mass-producing you, but rather, handcrafting you to be his vest version of you.”
During this series, Pastor Jeff’s sermons will focus on the principles of the study so there will be all-church reinforcement of the theme. We hope many of you will sign up to be hosts and small group leaders (the host forms are now on the Adult Ministries Bulletin Board) and that many more of you will sign up to participate as we consider giving something (our time and increased devotion to his Word) TO God during Lent, instead of merely giving something UP during that time period in response to the incredible sacrifice of our Lord.
Join a Small Group or an Adult Ministry Team
We'd love to have you and we encourage you to join other adults who are becoming passionate followers of Jesus Christ in Worship, Bible Study, and Christian Service. Please feel free to complete our online form below to sign up for an adult ministry team or small group and we will contact you back to welcome you to the team and provide you with any additional details required.
JOIN AN ADULT MINISTRY OR SMALL GROUP
*Adult Ministries welcomes new members-at-large to join our team. If you have ideas about activities, programs or events you would like to see offered to adults anywhere on the age spectrum, we welcome YOU to come to our monthly meetings and help us provide such opportunities to FPC’s adults and their families. We meet (with the other teams) on the 3rd Monday of the month at 7:00, and would very much appreciate YOUR presence with us!
