At the recent FPC All Church Retreat in Montreat, we spent a lot of time discussing hospitality, and how as a church, we practice Christian hospitality. Alice Winslow Moore, one of this year’s Honorary Life Membership award winners, embodies Christian hospitality. She has a smile that can brighten the darkest room, and an infectious laugh that can be heard for a country mile. And, don’t get me started on her hugs. I’ve known Alice for many years, but I’ve really gotten to know her on Wednesdays while helping in the kitchen for Midweek Service lunches. She’s never met a stranger. And, her Wednesday laughter, smiles and hugs provide comfort to many in the middle of a busy week. They beckon to you. I invite you to sit a spell, while I tell you a little more about my friend Alice Winslow Moore.
Born in Tarboro and raised in Oak City, NC, Alice met her husband Carl Anthony Moore in college 48 years ago. They have been married for 44 wonderful years. Alice is a retired educator, having taught Kindergarten in Knightdale for 31 years. I can only imagine that class with Mrs. Moore must have been filled with much fun, learning, adventure, and laughter.
Alice and Carl have two grown married children, Kimberly Moore Elsen and Adam Moore, who were both raised in the life of the church and participated in choir and youth at FPC. Alice is the proud grandmother of Scarlett Alice Elsen and Maverick Moore and is looking forward to the birth of a third grandchild later this year.
Alice joined First Presbyterian Church in Raleigh on June 28, 1992 and quickly became involved in the life of the church. She is a former member of the Ed Greer Church School class. Many Sundays, Alice can be found in the back of the church running the sound board, which she has been doing for 25 years. On Wednesdays, you can find her in the kitchen as Mitch Crisp’s sous chef, as they work to prepare the Midweek Service lunch. She has been a nursery worker, Vacation Bible School teacher, and Church School teacher to toddlers, as well as Middle Schoolers and Senior Highs.
As a church leader, Alice has served two terms as a Deacon. She is a founding member of Couples Circle 10, former Circle Treasurer and current Circle Leader. Alice is also the Host Circle Volunteer Coordinator for Presbyterian Women. She has served on the Congressional Care, Sound, Worship, and Offering and Ushering Committees and is a Bereavement team member. Alice’s hospitality extends outside of church too. She volunteers with Note in the Pocket, a non-profit that provides clothing to impoverished and homeless schoolchildren in Wake County, and frequently visits the elderly and homebound.
A cute story about Alice: When she first started texting, Carl noticed she would end a number of texts with LOL. Since it didn’t seem to always fit, Carl asked Alice what it meant. To Alice….it meant Lots of Love. I can think of no better story to describe my friend Alice Winslow Moore. To me and many others, Alice means LOL…Lots of Love.
Remarks prepared by Kathryn Johnson
March 15, 2020