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Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ,
I want to begin by letting you know that our churches, Lancing and Wartburg, in Morgan
County did not sustain damage in the tornado last week. Thankfully, their members are also fine. However, there was a lot of damage in neighboring communities the churches serve as well as a family in the community who lost two members. I have been in touch with Ann Myers and Carolyn Anderson, the pastors of the respective churches, and I’ve already heard from Jim Kirk at PDA. We will continue to work together to address needs as they arise.
Laura Becker, Doris Thomas and I gathered at First Presbyterian, Lenoir City for the Presbytery meeting on Saturday morning. It was much longer than I anticipated, so thank you all for hanging in there as we sorted out motions, amendments, and votes. Doing things decently and in order, as is our Presbyterian way, sometimes seems onerous but the goal is always good deliberation and participation. Saturday, I was quite aware that zoom makes that process all the more challenging. If you closed your computer Saturday afternoon feeling exhausted, you weren’t the only one!
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While Saturday may have been a “sometimes it’s hard to be a Presbyterian” day, Sunday was an “I’m so glad to be a Presbyterian” day. I had the privilege of being with the Caledonia congregation for worship, lunch, and a session meeting. The worship service, food, fellowship, and welcome were wonderful. What made it such a great day, though, was witnessing how they welcome the children in their midst. There were around 30 people in worship and 4 of them were children – elementary age to infants. The church puts out trays for the kids, in the pews were they normally sit. The trays have crayons, pencils, coloring books and paper as well as snacks. They each also have a dollar that is tucked into the drink holder of their tray so they have something for the offering.
As soon as the offering was announced, Charlie ran down the side aisle, dollar bill in hand, and put it in the plate before the ushers had even turned around to face the congregation. He was so proud and stood up front while the ushers walked through the pews. After worship, I asked Lila, one of the oldest children if I could take a picture of her tray to share in our newsletter. She obliged. Finley, who was a bit younger, proudly told me she too had a tray and led me to see hers. I asked her, and her mom, if I could take her picture with her tray for our newsletter. The trays are a simple, yet important way, to include the children in worship. Well done, Caledonia!
Please read through the entire newsletter. There are several resources for Christian Education, an update from the PCUSA, and a survey around Christian Education resources that you can take to help the office plan for what churches need. In addition, you will find the link to register for the lunch and learn on Feb 20 th with Ben Johnson. Ben will share resources our insurance company has for all our congregations as well as helpful information about church insurance in these days. And lastly, though not the least by any measure, this Sunday, Feb 16 the presbytery will celebration the installation of Pete Ullman as the pastor at First, Huntsville. The installation service is at 4pm. You are all invited to this service of the presbytery.
Grace and peace,
Wendy
https://calendly.com/wendyneff
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Has your church submitted their
pledge for 2025?
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We hope you will prayerfully consider what part your church can play in the Presbytery's 2025 budget. | |
BOP Transition to College Grants | |
Installation Service of Rev. Pete Ullmann | |
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You are invited to the Installation Service of
Rev. Pete Ullmann
February 16th at 4:00pm
First Presbyterian Church, Huntsville
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February 20th
11am - 1pm
Mars Hill Presbyterian Church
205 N Jackson St, Athens, TN 37303
If you want to know the answer to this question: “Why is my insurance going crazy?”, then come to our next lunch and learn to find out from our guest speaker, Ben Johnson, President & Owner of Bob Johnson Insurance. You’ll find out why premiums have been going up so much, why coverage is changing, and your specific questions will be answered. We’ll also talk about other areas of help for payroll processing, church safety & security teams, and how to get free legal assistance for many of the questions your church may have.
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Better Together Black History Service | |
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For those who would like to sing in the joint choir, there will be a couple of rehearsals. Please contact Barbara Adamcik to join, 865-207-2674
COME & ENJOY THE HISTORY, FELLOWSHIP & FOOD
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Christian Education Resources Survey | |
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The 226th General Assembly (2024) directed the national office of Christian Formation and Presbyterian Publishing Corporation, in collaboration with Research Services, to determine the current Christian education practices and resource needs in order to respond to those needs. They are to return to the next General Assembly with a proposal. The following survey is one way we are gathering information. Your response is important, and your time is much appreciated as you answer these questions before the end of March. Please pass the word to leaders in all congregations and worshipping communities and even consider setting aside a few minutes for these to be completed at a meeting.
https://surveys.pcusa.org/s3/PCUSA-CESurvey
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Office of Christian Formation
Upcoming Webinar Opportunities and Mr. Rogers Day
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Creating a Dementia-Friendly Worship Service —Join the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network (POAMN) for this free webinar on Feb. 24th at 2 p.m. ET/ 11 a.m. PT. Nurturing the spiritual health of someone with dementia is an act of Christian love that preserves their dignity and affirms their personhood. As churches, we have a unique opportunity to respond to this need by finding ways to make worship accessible to people experiencing cognitive change. In this zoom workshop, you will learn how to create a modified worship service, either in-person or pre-recorded for your faith community. Rev. Ben Lindstrom and Eliane Burrell from Point Loma Community Church in CA will be leading. Register here.
Small Church Community Circle—Join Christian Formation Leaders on Feb. 25th at 1:00pm EST for a time of sharing resources and ministry areas with those who serve in the variety of contexts with small numbers. Register here.
Around the Table Community Circle—Join on February 19th at 1:00pm EST to learn more about the Around the Table Cohorts for leaders wanting to think about faith formation at home in their contexts. Also learn updates about Around the Table Resources. Register here.
On March 20, the PC(USA) celebrates Mr. Rogers Day as one of our special emphasis days with resources for congregational worship, education, mission, and fellowship. Make plans now for when your congregation will take extra time to be neighborly just as Presbyterian Pastor Fred Rogers did on and off screen. Here is a complete list of resources.
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From the Stated Clerk and Executive Director | |
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Leader Formation Webinar
For Ruling Elders and Deacons
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Registration for the next webinar in the Leader Formation series, “Pondering God with Presbyterians: What Do We Believe and Why?” is now open through February 26, 2025. The event will be held on Zoom March 6, 2025; 7–8:30 pm (EST).
This webinar will explore some basic theological convictions of our faith, including what we hold in common with other Christians and peculiar treasures of the Reformed tradition. Want to learn more about the mystery of the Trinity, justification by grace through faith, or the puzzle of predestination? Come join the conversation!
This event is led by Martha Moore-Keish, the J.B. Green Professor of Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary. Interpretation in Spanish and Korean is available and a recording in English will be available following the event (registration is not required for access). Please pass along this link for more information and for registration.
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Better Together Civil Rights Trip | |
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PWPET Spring Gathering
Save the Date
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Saturday, April 26, will be our annual Spring Gathering! This joyful event will be at Powell Presbyterian Church, 2910 W Emory Rd, in Powell, near Knoxville.
Like last year’s Spring Gathering at New Hope Presbyterian Church in Chattanooga, it will deliver good fellowship, spiritual sustenance, and a chance to plan new directions together.
The Rev. Dr. Katina Sharp will lead worship. More information is to come!
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February Ordination Anniversaries
Rev. Dr. Scott Rollins, February 14th, 32 years
Rev. Dr. Katina Sharp, February 18th, 7 years
Rev. Rachel Penmore, February 19th, 8 years
Rev. Ben Garris, February 28th, 9 years
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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. | | | | |
