Presbyter's Ponderings

Greetings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ,

On Thursday last week, I spent the better part of the day with campers, counselors and JKC staff. It was the last full day of marathon camp, at the end of a week long heat advisory that had scrambled schedules and taxed AC units. You might expect that everyone would be dragging, a little grumpy, and ready to call it quits early. But that is not what I experienced from any of them. The kids were all still smiling, happy, and energetic about the two weeks, the talent show happening later that week, and the dinner menu! Counselors happily belayed kids on the ropes the course and planned their own night of fun once the campers went home. The staff were so happy about two weeks of camp that were fun and full of joy.

It was really great to be there and see how happy everyone was. I got to catch up with Bethel kids I hadn’t seen in nearly 4 years, eat delicious breakfast sandwiches donated by Swaggertys - THANK YOU!, talk with the campers about their time and learn the best things about camp: the waterfront, old and new friends, card games, the food – especially pasta night, and the staff; and I was able to worship with them all. None of them mentioned what I thought might have been a special perk at JKC this summer – Rocky, the comfort dog. Rocky is the nurse’s dog who gives cuddles and comfort to the campers – those who need bandaids and those who just need to be able to pet his head for a second. Well done OMT, JKC staff, and counselors! Thanks for inviting me to join you.

In the rest of the newsletter, you will find the Outlook’s suggested page turners, links to podcasts about ministry today, and update on Special Offerings, and the new date for the Iconography lunch and learn we had to postpone earlier. Be sure to check it all out. Lastly, Jaclyn will be on vacation this week. The office email will be forwarded to me so I can respond to anything time sensitive. If you call the presbytery office this week, please click my extension.

Grace and peace,

Wendy

https://calendly.com/wendyneff

Around the Presbytery

Lunch and Learn

Join Keenan Rodgers, Church Consultant with the Board of Pensions, for lunch and some learning! At this lunch & learn, he’ll talk about the medical coverage landscape, spotlight the new partnership with Spring Health for mental/emotional health, and discuss how the benefits and programs the Board of Pensions offers weave together to support Benefits Plan members.

*This Lunch and Learn is for active pastors and benefits decision makers.

Keenan is hosting a lunch for our Retired Ministers and Survivors on Friday, June 8th at Mimi's Cafe in Turkey Creek. Be on the look out for an invitation soon!

Presbytery Pre-teen Retreat

Mark your calendars for an exciting overnight retreat at the John Knox Center designed especially for rising 4th and 5th graders! The retreat begins after dinner on Friday, August 22, and concludes just after lunch on Saturday, August 23 — a great option for those experiencing their first overnight camp.

Throughout the retreat, participants will enjoy classic Christian camp experiences including vespers, s’mores, high ropes, activities at the River Ridge Environmental Center, shared meals, Bible study, and crafts. Now in its 15th year, this retreat has welcomed children and chaperones from across the Presbytery of East Tennessee. Each church brings their own children and chaperones, even if it's a small group. Friends are always welcome to attend!

More details and a registration form will be available in the July editions of the PET newsletter. For questions or to express interest in bringing a group, please contact Rev. Mark Lampley at MLampley@SequoyahChurch.org or call (865) 522-9804.

Save the New Date!

Amplify Login Request

Would your church or Sunday School Class like access to the resources available through the Presbytery's Amplify subscription? Simply fill out this short request form below!

PC(USA) News and Events

Churchwide Special Offerings

We wanted to share an update regarding the decision of the 226th General Assembly (2024) to update the menu of Churchwide Special Offerings beginning 2026.

The Special Offerings team, alongside partners in the Interim Unified Agency (IUA), are hard at work preparing and implementing these updates and plan to keep you updated as we move forward so that you know what to expect. You can read the full text of the approved report and the rationale created by the Special Offerings Review Task Force.

We will be sharing more information with you as we move closer to the 2026 One Great Hour of Sharing season, including refreshed logos, unique branding for each offering, and new ways for you to interpret each Churchwide Special Offering in your congregation and mid council.

A Snapshot of Changes Coming in 2026

• The number of Offerings will move from 4 to 3.
• All three Offerings will support causes that inform the ministry envisioned by General Assembly decisions and policies.
• Gifts will continue to support causes such as hunger, ministries with youth and assistance for church workers and disaster relief among others.

What’s staying the same?

• Free resources to help plan, prepare and interpret each churchwide Special Offering.
• The connectional nature of the Special Offerings
• Resources and videos for download on our website.
• Personalized support from the Special Offerings team Monday-Friday 8:30a.m.-5:30 p.m. ET. Email us at special.offerings@pcusa.org.

The Outlook's Page Turners

One year on Scout Sunday, I sat in my church’s pulpit as a Boy Scout color guard marched the American flag down the center aisle. As the boys stood at attention, I prepared to begin the call to worship, but a Scout mom ran up to the chancel to whisper, “They’re supposed to lead us in the Pledge of Allegiance!” 

While I imagine this is what the Scouts were used to in their meetings, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance was not something we had practiced for the worship service. I locked eyes with our senior pastor; we subtly and simultaneously nodded a gentle “no.” Mouthing my thanks to the Scout parent, I quickly stood to call the congregation to worship God.

Pledge of Allegiance in a worship service? Patriotic hymns on the Fourth of July? An American flag in the sanctuary? How to best honor Juneteenth? These types of questions often arise at this time of year, and they can present a kind of minefield for pastors.

I love God. I love the United States. And I love that our Book of Confessions includes several historical documents in response to governments that conflated love of God and country, creating a false – and dangerous – witness to Jesus’ gospel. (Germany’s The Barmen Declaration and South Africa’s The Belhar Confession are our clearest examples.)

So, how do we live as Christians in a democracy? And how do we both celebrate and handle responsibly the freedoms we enjoy? Two recent releases tackle these themes, and they make for terrific summer reading as we approach July Fourth and reflect on Juneteenth’s importance for this time and place.

Happy Reading,

Amy Pagliarella

Book Review Editor

P.S. Looking for that perfect summer read to take to the pool or on the plane? Check out my conversation with Outlook Social Media Producer Jesy Littlejohn about my recommendations for summer reading.

Pivot Podcast

Is your congregation feeling stuck? Are you trying to figure out what it means to be church today? Have you been wondering what kind of ministry God is calling you to do where you are?

The Pivot Podcast by Luther Seminary’s Faith and Lead program may be a good partner as you ask these questions: https://faithlead.org/podcasts/

Presbyterians for Earth Care

Calling all young adults (18-35) who are passionate about climate justice and creation care! Presbyterians for Earth Care is building a faith-based network of young people who are leading the way in environmental advocacy - from local congregations to the PC(USA) to the national stage. Is that you? Or does it describe someone you know? Join us by completing our interest form: bit.ly/PECYANetwork. Then, tag a friend who’s ready to take action and share this with your community.

Hilborne Roosevelt Opus Organ

Hilborne Roosevelt Opus 233 (1886)

$10,000

Click here to view specifications and dimensions.

A lovely organ built by Hilborne Roosevelt, restored in 1982. Ready to move to your home, church, or chapel.

This organ is of modest size and can comfortably accompany a good sized choir and a large congregation of about 200-300. It can fit in most churches given its small size, compared to larger organs commonly available. 

We would hate to see this organ thrown away and we are hoping that it can find a home in east Tennessee. The asking price is $10,000. Disassembly, moving, and re-assembly would likely be a similar price. 

If you have any questions, you can reach Sam Atchley (member at West Emory) by email or his father, Scott, by text or voice at 865-806-7418.

Ordination Anniversaries

July Ordination Anniversaries



Rev. Thomas Gilliland, July 1, 45 years

Rev. Gradye Parsons, July 1, 46 years

Rev. Charles Farmer, July 1, 46 years

Rev. Dr. William Carl, July 1, 52 years

Rev. Dr. James McTyre, July 7, 34 years

Rev. Max Reddick, July 11, 32 years

Rev. Samantha Hudson, July 12, 13 years

Rev. Sharon Younds, July 12, 38 years

Rev. Dennis Maxey, July 17, 48 years

Rev. George Preston, July 17, 58 years

Rev. Dwyn Mounger, July 18, 60 years

Rev. Candace Worth, July 22, 24 years

Rev. Lyn Oakley, July 23, 2 years

Rev. Jerome Ferrari, July 23, 36 years

Rev. Ron Sabo, July 25, 26 years

Rev. Mark Lampley, July 27, 28 years

Rev. Wyn Bryant, July 27, 45 years

Rev. John Stuhl, July 29, 46 years

Rev. Jon Faraone, July 31, 37 years

Resources for Congregations

The PET website has a lot of resources to help our congregations. Check it out at www.presbyteryeasttn.org.

If you need to find someone to preach and lead worship, here’s the link to the pulpit supply list: https://www.presbyteryeasttn.org/wp-content/uploads/Pulpit-Supply-Directory.pdf

Want to learn more about the Commissioned Lay Pastor program, click here: https://www.presbyteryeasttn.org/clp/.

You can find all of this information and much more at the PET website under the resources tab. Check it out!

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.

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