Presbytery Newsletter

Being Presbyterian means we are part of a connectional church. Our local governing body is the Presbytery of East Tennessee and at the link below you can read the weekly newsletter that provides updates to events and ministries that are happening all around us. You can also sign up to get the newsletter by going to the Presbytery’s website and going to the bottom of the homepage.

Newsletter link for week of January 2nd

Warming Shelter

Highland is again participating in The Warming Shelter at First Baptist Church. We will be on call for Thursdays in December, January and February. Any Thursday that the temperature is forecast to go below 25 degrees overnight, we are on. Volunteers will be needed to be there from 4:00 or 5:00pm until 9:00 at the latest. We will help set up cots, heat up and serve meals, and interact with guests.

In addition to in person volunteers, we will be needing casserole makers (dinner or breakfast). If you would rather, gift cards are also needed for fast food breakfast or pizza. They prefer generic cards (Visa, MC, etc).

If you would like to help in anyway, please let Sandy Miller know. We hope to have a pool of volunteers to pull from, as everyone is not available every time the temps drop. We will usually have 48 hours notice when we are on.

Thank you for your continued support of this program that is so needed in our community. Help us continue to live out the Matthew 25 Initiative.

PW BIBLE STUDY for 2022-2023

“Celebrating Sabbath”

Highland’s Presbyterian Women’s Circle will gather on Thursday, January 5, 2023 at 1:30 pm in the church parlor to discuss Lesson 5 of the 2022-2023 PW Bible study “Celebrating Sabbath”. Guests are always welcome!

Lesson 5 is titled “Sabbath and Servitude” and we will refer to Genesis 2 and 3 and Exodus 31, 35 and 36 to explore the idea that “work without Sabbath is servitude”.

More about the upcoming Lesson:

You can read the author’s blog of Lesson 5 online at:

https://www.presbyterianwomen.org/2022/11/09/celebrating-sabbath-lesson-five/

A commentary of Lesson 5 by Pastor Rosalind Banbury can be viewed online at:

https://pres-outlook.org/2022/11/horizons-celebrating-sabbath-sabbath-and-servitude/

Questions? Contact Diane Brown, Circle Moderator, at dianebrowntn@gmail.com

“…Sabbath reminds us to honor God who honors us by giving us a day each week to reset our pace, our priorities, and our lives.”

The December newsletter of the Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of East Tennessee can be viewed at:

https://mailchi.mp/c380748e39ab/december-newsletter-of-presbyterian-women-of-east-tennessee?e=e1348ae634

Check it out! There is news and history from Highland Presbyterian Church, and an article about celebrating an earth-friendly Christmas! And much more!

PWPET also has a page on our Presbytery’s website. See it here: https://www.presbyteryeasttn.org/shared-ministries/presbyterian-women-of-the-presbytery/

Malipo House Update- GREAT NEWS!!!!

We are so thrilled to say that through the hard work and persistence of David Kemp, the Malipos have a short-term rental house that they will be able to get into in December and stay there through June or July. We are so thankful to know that this family will be safe and together!!

Pastor Matthew’s Vacation and Georgia’s Baptism

Pastor Matthew will take a week of vacation the week of December 26-Jan 1 and our guest preacher on Sunday, January 1^st will be Beth Ragsdale. Matthew will also take a week of study leave the week of January 2-8 but will be in worship on January 8^th. Session has approved the baptism of Georgia Benz-Whittington on January 8^th with Matthew and his wife Bethany baptizing Georgia and Bethany’s congregation, Eusebia Presbyterian, will be invited to attend worship. The Rev. Dr. Cindy Benz will guest preach that Sunday.

Georgia Benz-Whittington's Baptism Celebration

Please join us in celebrating Georgia Benz-Whittington and her family following her baptism on Jan 8th! Immediately following the church service we will have a potluck luncheon in the Fellowship Hall. We are anticipating several visitors for this special celebration and are therefore asking that you bring a couple of dishes to share. The Fellowship Committee will furnish the dessert and drinks. If you have any questions, please contact Stacey Nordquist, Jan Bell, Kathy White or Carole Schenk. We look forward to seeing all of you for this time of fellowship and fun!

Highland Annual Meeting Sunday, January 22

Following worship on Sunday, January 22 we will hold our Annual Meeting to present the budget, reports from committees, elect elders and vote on pastor’s salary package. A report will be available by January 15. We will also have a potluck lunch that day following the meeting, so let the Hospitality Committee know if you can bring something.

Please pray for our members, families, and friends.

We lift-up prayers for those among our community who are shut in. Be with them as they are separated in body from their loved ones.

Judith Gregory-  Judith is recovering well and continues to regain her strength. She is so thankful for all the prayers she has received.

Linda Furstch- Linda was able to come home from the hospital on Christmas Day and is doing well.

Bruce Watt- Bruce has been moved from Asbury to The Latern at Morning Point Knoxville (9647 Westland Dr. Knoxville, TN 37922. Room 308) and is receiving wonderful care.

Covid-19- All in the world who are suffering from Covid-19, especially for patients, the mourning survivors of those who have perished, and the heroic medical professionals who are fighting the battle for us.

Mental Illness- Prayers for those suffering from mental illness and those who help to treat them. 

Homelessness- Prayers for those who struggle to find a place to live. 

Ukraine- Prayers for the country of Ukraine and the unknown future that is coming upon them. May we all strive for peace and harmony throughout the world. Visit the PCUSA Mission page here to donate to the refugee fund of the mission agency.