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Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
I’m writing to you from the lobby of a hotel in Chicago, where I am for Monday and Tuesday for a Board of Pensions conference. I’m particularly interested in learning more about the shared ministry grant and how we may take advantage of that in our PET congregations. More to come!
This past week I was delighted to join several different committees and groups in our presbytery. I left each meeting/gathering excited about the creative, thoughtful, and faithful conversations as well as the ministries being planned. Many thanks to Rev. Mark Lampley for organizing a gathering of educators – PEG. PEG meets several times a year for fellowship, resources, and planning. Mark shared a number of resources that your congregations might be interested in. RealKidsRealFaith.org is one of those resources that even has some free things to help your children and families. I encourage you to check them out. At the May presbytery meeting, you will learn more about a really great opportunity CRDT approved at their meeting this week. Its focus is also on Christian Formation and will be available to every congregation. Watch for the exciting reveal in May.
I want to say thinks to First, Knoxville for bringing Dr. Amy-Jill Levine for their Pettway Lectures. I was privileged to attend the Friday afternoon event for pastors and educators. Dr. Levine was an amazing combination of humorous and profound all at once. I’ve read many of her books, including her children’s books, and still learned from her on Friday. Sitting in the room with lots of PET pastors as well ecumenical and interfaith siblings, I was struck that THIS is the witness our fractured world needs: faith leaders gathered together learning with and from each other. Well done, First Pres, Knoxville and thank you.
Finally, OMT met on Saturday. Along with Penny, OMT is doing really good work to faithfully steward the gift that is John Knox Center as well as plan for its ministry into the future. I worshiped with the First United, Athens congregation on Sunday. They are small in number but great in Spirit. It was a joy to share worship and communion with them. I invite you all to join me on April 24 th to share with one another resources for seeking and doing justice in these days. There is more information about this lunch and learn, as well as a link to sign up, further in the newsletter. Blessings to each of you this final week of Lent.
Grace and peace,
Wendy
https://calendly.com/wendyneff
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Big Win at Erin Presbyterian Church
Thanks to the Small Church, Big Win Grant!
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In Erin’s time of transition, one of the things we wanted to focus on was strengthening our core ministries, including our Creative Expressions program, a drama ministry which has a children’s program, the Sonshine Company, and a middle and high school program, Journey 7. These two programs serve Christ through offering free theater education and expression to young people both in and outside the church. Participants grow in faith and in expertise, learning music, dance, play-writing, production, and acting, all in a Christian context.
Last fall, Erin applied for and received a Small Church/Big Win grant to help purchase new headset microphones and sound system improvements, so the joyful noise of our young people can be more audible during performances. The mics made their debut in Journey 7’s festival of short plays in March, and we are excited to see them in action again the weekend of April 11-13, when the Sonshine Company presents its spring production, “The Shadow Effect.”
This play, written by our middle-school writers’ lab, is the story of a National Elementary Science Fair finals, where unexpected visitors have the potential to change the chemistry of the event. This fun show will allow us to hear the voices of our actors singing and speaking, as well as help all of us – participants and audience alike – better speak for compassion, truth, and joy in the world.
The headsets are a small thing (designed not to be noticed!), but they build confidence and improve performance. We are so grateful to the presbytery, through the Congregational Relations and Development Team for supporting us, as well as other churches in the wide variety of vital ministries across the presbytery.
And you’re invited to come see our new mics being used at the show, Friday and Saturday April 11 and 12 at 7:30, or Sunday April 12 at 2:00, at Erin Presbyterian Church, 200 Lockett Road, Knoxville.
Tickets can be purchased here.
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Journal for Preachers
Choosing the Inefficiency of Relationships: Preaching Easter Hope in a World Augmented by Artificial Intelligence
by Rev. Dr. Andy Morgan
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Journal For Preachers (JFP) is a quarterly academic journal that focuses on homiletics and biblical interpretation (for both academics and practitioners) and describes itself with (from their website): "For over four decades, the Journal for Preachers has stood as an unwavering pillar, providing preachers worldwide with an indispensable wellspring of wisdom. As ministers committed to the craft of preaching, we recognize the significance of sermons that reflect meticulous biblical study and thoughtful social analysis. The Journal for Preachers serves as an invaluable resource, curating articles and sermons contributed by esteemed scholars and preachers from across the nation."
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The Rev. Dr. Andy Morgan's article, Choosing the Inefficiency of Relationships: Preaching Easter Hope in a World Augmented by Artificial Intelligence was published in the Easter 2025 Edition of JFP. The article is about the need to resist the allure of efficient technologies (like AI and LLMs) that erode human relationships. The article is really a call for people to embrace inefficacy, like Christ did, because that's the only space where real relationships and love can be cultivated.
From Andy:
It was a fun article to write, and I think some of my humor comes out in it (I talk about a prayer for the closure of a hooters restaurant in WV in my opening line) but the message of it is really important. I teach AI seminars and webinars at least twice per month with churches, institutions, and groups around the country (I have some big ones coming up for the Office of Faith Formation and Princeton Theological Seminary) and my "elevator speech" after all this time of research and teaching would be that human relationships are more important than any efficiencies that can be gleaned from technology. That isn't to say that AI isn't super helpful and can be a means of offloading certain tasks in order to actually focus on relationships, but the more a person gleans perspective and information from an LLM the more isolated we each become (not to mention the fact that the LLMs are not at all neutral and perpetuate cultural bias). I am glad that God chose the most inefficient method possible to redeem humanity (to live with, work alongside, cry and laugh with, and ultimately die for us). Certainly, God could have chosen a different method but if God did, how would we ever relate and love God? Generative AI presents so many ways to supercharge our efficiency but it comes at such a great cost, the space to relate to and love one another by being challenged, learning from, and sharing our hearts. This is something that AI can't do and I believe the church's call in this moment is to leverage AI in such a way that helps us prioritize human relationships where love flourishes.
Classes Andy currently offers:
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AI, Faith, and You (1.5 hours) A class for lay church members to understand what generative AI is, how it works, and the promises and challenges it presents for faith communities.
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AI, Ministry, and You (1.5-2 hours) Geared toward ministry professionals, this session covers the same foundations as AI, Faith, and You but also explores ethical workflows and considerations for incorporating AI into ministry practices (or deciding not to).
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The Church’s Voice in a Digital World (1-1.5 hours) A deep dive into the ethical challenges of AI and how the Church can play a role in shaping conversations and policies around AI development.
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Bricks and Bits: AI, Sabbath, and Rediscovering our Humanity (1 hour) Designed for youth and college students, this session explores how we are often expected to function like machines of productivity—and how ethical AI use can help us reclaim the restorative Sabbath rest that reconnects us to our humanity.
| | Events Around the Presbytery | | |
One of the most important American theatrical experiences of the 20th century, this is the Pulitzer prize winning first part of Tony Kushner’s gay fantasia on national dilemmas. Angels in America follows the intersecting stories of eight people set in the backdrop of the AIDS epidemic of the 1980’s in New York City. Confronting politics, spirituality, and sexuality with sharp humor and a sage observational eye, this great American epic shows us how community and connection can be forged in even the darkest of times.
This production contains strong language, explicit content, viewer discretion for children under the age of 13 is advised.
Performances: April 10, 11, and 12, 2025 at 7:00 PM April 13, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Tickets: General Admission $15.00 plus fees and tax
Seniors and Students $10.00 plus fees and tax
Maryville College Students, Faculty and Staff are free but must obtain at ticket at the CCA Box Office
| | Farragut Presbyterian Church | | Second Presbyterian, Chattanooga | | Please join us on April 13 for a very special concert to benefit the ongoing disaster relief efforts in the areas impacted by Hurricane Helene. The UTC Chattanooga Singers, Chamber Singers, and Symphony Orchestra will combine with the Second Presbyterian Chancel Choir to present Requiem by Steve Dobrogosz, followed by Will Todd’s Footprints Suite. Funds will be donated to these efforts through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, which is still extremely active in these regions, providing ongoing assistance. This will be a truly inspiring and meaningful afternoon of beautiful music. | | |
This month for Small and Mighty, we are going bowling! We will meet at Strike and Spare Bowling in Knoxville (213 Hayfield Rd. Knoxville, TN 37922) at 5:30 on Sunday, April 13th. The bowling alley is just a few minutes away from Farragut Pres. We are asking everyone to bring $10, but if someone isn't able to pay, please know that everyone will be welcome! Since we are reserving space at the bowling alley, please let us know how many your group will be bringing by Wednesday, April 9th by registering at the link below.
We can't wait to see everyone there!
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Annual Spring Gathering
Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of East TN
| | GA Amendments Info Session | | |
General Assembly Amendments Information Session
Tuesday, April 29
2pm via Zoom
Join our Stated Clerk, General Presbyter, and 2024 GA Commissioners for an Information Session via Zoom about the proposed amendments to the Book of Order that the Presbytery of East TN will vote on at the May 13 Stated Meeting.
Please be sure to share this information with commissioners who will be at the May meeting.
You can read the full text of the proposed amendments here: https://pcusa.org/resource/proposed-amendments-constitution
You can register for the Information Session Zoom here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/nqOblEReSpSt0aC69K74Lg
| | Presbytery Wide Mission Trip Opportunity | | |
Presbytery Wide Mission Trip
Opportunity
May 7- 9 (10?), 2025
It has been 6 months since Hurricane Helene devastated parts of Western North Carolina and East Tennessee. One of the places most impacted by the storm was our sister Holston Presbytery’s camp in Banner Elk, NC. As they prepare for the summer season, we have an opportunity to help them in hopes of clearing the road to one of their group ropes course areas.
Who do they need? People who can safely manage chain saws, loppers, and/or have the physical ability to pile brush. We have volunteers who will take a skid steer and a tractor with Grappler to move the trees and piled brush. Another skid steer would be great to have.
Where will we stay and what about food? We will stay at the camp in the retreat center. Be sure to bring bedding items (sleeping bag, sheets, blankets, and pillows) for your stay. In addition, the camp will provide food for us because of our willingness to help clear debris.
Is there a cost? There is no cost except for fuel to get there.
How and when do we get there? Each volunteer can invite others to carpool together to the mission site. It would be difficult to coordinate a meeting place to caravan together, so we will meet at camp on Wednesday, May 7 at 6pm to settle in and start work Thursday morning at 9am.
Saturday, May 10, is Holston’s own Presbytery-wide cleanup day; we can stay and work with them or head home Friday evening.
Please prayerfully consider joining us for this mission opportunity. If you have questions, please feel free to contact Rev. Dr. Jon Faraone via email or cell phone.
In Christ’s Service,
Rev. Dr. Jon Faraone
jfaraone@bellsouth.net
270-705-2914
| | Maryville College’s KT Global | | |
It’s a lofty goal, but if Maryville College alumnus Kin Takahashi (1895) and his classmates can dig and fire the clay for 300,000 bricks to build Bartlett Hall, then their successors can undoubtedly put in 2025 service hours across five continents during the month of April.
Such an objective, which also includes five regions of the United States and five continents around the globe, is part of the College’s annual KT Global challenge, a worldwide give-back program in which Maryville College alumni take part in community initiatives to “connect through service to do good on the largest possible scale,” according to Jennifer Phillips Triplett ’07, director of Alumni Affairs, which organizes the event alongside the KT Global Taskforce of the Maryville College Alumni Association.
This year’s donation-based project supports the Presbytery of East Tennessee’s Disaster Response Fund to support our neighbors in Tennessee and North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Helene. Starting April 1, click on the link to give at least $25 as a KT Global supporter.
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A Faithful Approach to Disability & Inclusion
PC(USA) Store
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Accompanying Disability by Topher Endress offers a theologically grounded and deeply personal exploration of what it means to walk alongside — rather than simply care for — loved ones with disabilities. Through biblical reflection, advocacy principles, and his own family’s experience, Endress challenges assumptions about disability and invites the church to embrace relationships of mutuality, dignity, and love. This book is an invaluable resource for shaping more faithful and inclusive communities, offering both practical insights and a compelling vision for transformation.
Read an Excerpt | Download the Reading Group Guide
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PAM Worship & Music Conference:
“Clothed In Love”
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Join musicians and worship leaders for the most widely attended annual conference of the PC(USA) denomination, June 15 – 20 and June 22 – 27, 2025, at the Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, North Carolina! Together, we will create music, learn, and worship. Your participation is an investment in the dynamic growth of our denomination as we explore the promising future together.
Register now.
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April Ordination Anniversaries
Rev. Chad Wright-Pittman, April 2, 8 years
Rev. James Gray, April 20, 45 years
Rev. Rachel Parsons-Wells, April 20, 12 years
Rev. Dr. Richard Coble, April 23, 8 years
Rev. Mark Curtis, April 23, 19 years
Rev. Bethany Benz-Whittington, April 24, 9 years
Rev. John Stuart, April 30, 39 years
| | Resources for Congregations | | All articles must be submitted by Wednesday of the week prior to publication. Repeat publication of articles is at the discretion of the editor. Send your submissions to office@presbyteryeasttn.org. | | | | |
