The Messenger
COLLEGE HILL
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
Progressive Theology, Traditional Worship, Inclusive Congregation (PCUSA)
Affiliated with More Light Presbyterians and the Covenant Network of Presbyterians
February 2022
712 S. Columbia Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74104
918.592.5800

Church Office Hours:
Mon - Th, 9 am - 3 pm
Closed on Fridays

Rev. Freeman is now working from home on Mondays.

Worship Schedule:
11:00 am Sundays
Worship services have resumed in the sanctuary.
Services are also live streamed.

Church Email:

Pastor Email:

Website:

YouTube Channel:
Word From the Pastor
Constantly needing to pivot in response to the latest health information and circumstances is a difficult balancing act.

I recognize that our ongoing disconnection (even with our many efforts to stay connected) is taking a toll - a toll on us as community of faith, the Session, and to be honest, on me, as well. Even us introverts need fellowship and human contact :-) Therefore, I pray that we all remain hopeful as well as vigilantly and responsibly cautious.

Having to suspend in-person worship for a few weeks in January, and at least for the first week in February, certainly contributes to this sense of disconnection.

The pandemic continues to be a complex and fluid situation, and the answers are not easy. Or rather, sometimes the answers are obvious, yet come with consequences. As stated by the moderator of our Re-Union ministry team, Dr. Todd Redding, "Pandemic fatigue and disconnection are real. So are hospitalization, death and exhausted medical staff." Please read the Re-Union article in this newsletter for more important information.

On another note, February 12 is the 110th Anniversary of College Hill. There will be a special recognition of this milestone during worship on February 13.

Also, let us all do something meaningful in support of Black History Month. Here's a link to the TulsaPeople guide of Black owned businesses that you may choose to support.

Blessings,
Rev. Todd

p.s. Our Annual Congregational Meeting has been moved to Sunday, February 27.
CHPC 110th Anniversary!
Sunday, February 13

We will recognize our 110th Anniversary of College Hill during the service.
Annual Congregational Meeting
Sunday, February 27
after worship

Please plan to join us in the sanctuary after worship for this very important meeting of the congregation. The Ministry Teams will present their Annual Reports and the congregation will vote on the Pastor’s Terms of Call.

To review the College Hill 2021 Annual Report, please click the button below.
New carpeting on the second floor choir room, church office and work room!
Visit our Facebook page
for more photos! Click below.
Green Team leader Mark Miller also leads our Celtic Circle group. Not surprisingly, his recent invitation to celebrate the Celt’s observance of Imbolc this month fits beautifully with our Green Team philosophy.
 
Without darkness you can’t see the stars.

Imbolc is the Celtic celebration of the returning of the light. It marks the end of the darkest three months of the year. It is the time when the days are getting longer and time to look for signs of new life in our gardens and in the outdoor world.
 
However, Imbolc is also a time to look back into the "dark" months and see sacred moments in the darkness. A time to find the beauty in resting and enjoying long slow evenings and the flicker of light of a candle. The dark months are a good time for reading and thinking. And making soup!
 
Imbolc is generally observed on the first day of February but any day will do. I suggest that you take a few minutes and discover the sacred darkness. Turn down the lights, light a candle or two, and sit back and enjoy the darkness. Maybe listen to some music that takes you into a peaceful place.
 
The next morning, go out and enjoy the sunrise. Look for the signs of new life all around you.
 
Discover the sacred in the light and in the dark.
2022
Birthday Endowment Fund

A meaningful way to ring in the New Year and celebrate your Birthday, is to donate an amount equal to your new age to the Endowment Fund.

This donation is also a wonderful way to honor others such as children, grandchildren and friends and allows the church to have funds available for special projects.

Checks can be made payable to College Hill and marked "Birthday Fund" on the memo portion of the check.
2 - Barbara Perry         
 5 - Molly Dickason
 5 - David Zerger
 6 - Alicia Odum
 7 - Ann Franklin
 8 - Joseph West      
11 - Jordan Burrows
11 - Jack Robertson
11 - Kevin McAnally
12 - Joy Kelly
12 - Barb Nole        
14 - Shelta Sneed
14 - MaryGrace Livingston-Gainey
19 - Katie Fox
19 - Monica Rodriguez
20 - Lindsey Smith
20 - Phyllis Wimer
24 - Dylan Watts
25 - Michelle Collins
26 - Chris Allande
26 - Tandi McAnally
26 - Debbie Chase
26 - Harper Fogarty
28 - Pat Fox
29 - Claudia Brierre
  
   Remember the 
Birthday Endowment Fund!
While data confirms the Omicron-variant causes less severe disease overall, the high transmissibility of this virus results in many more cases and a high absolute number of mod-severe disease, primarily among the unvaccinated. Decisions that protect not only College Hill but the larger community remain prudent.

The team listened to and discussed concerns about the negative impact caused by a temporary return to all-virtual services and the need to balance that with the potential negative impact of meeting in person, which has been the predominant consideration over the past month. The Re-Union team will endeavor to look at how we seek this balance when faced with future surges and this will be a primary topic at the next Re-Union meeting.

Based on this review and CDC guidelines, the Re-Union Ministry Team made the following motion that was unanimously approved by the Session on February 1.
Motion
The Re-Union Ministry Team moves that in-person activities at College Hill remain suspendedthrough Tuesday, 02-08-22. The Re-Union team will continue monitoring COVID-19 metrics, meet on 02-06-22, and bring recommendations or motions for the next interim (02-08-22 through 03-08-22) to the next Session meeting on 02-08-22.
COLLEGE HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC

Dr. Kim J. Childs, Director of Music
Mike Gibson, Organist

SUNDAY MORNING MUSIC OFFERINGS
February 2022

Due to Covid safety precautions due to the rampant spread of the omicron variant, including for those who have been vaccinated and boosted:

Rehearsals and Sunday Worship performances have been SUSPENDED until further notice for both the Chancel Choir and the BELLissimo Handbell Ringers.

FEB 6- Come, Follow Me - Elly & Steve Kupferschmid
Kim Childs, Tenor Solo

FEB 13 - Blessed Is the Man - Jane M. Marshall
Kim Childs, Tenor Solo

FEB 20 - The Eyes of All - Jean Berger
Kim Childs, Tenor Solo

FEB 27 - Be Thou My Vision - John Rutter
Kim Childs, Tenor Solo
Flower Chart
Sign Up

If you would like to bring flowers to decorate the sanctuary for an upcoming worship service, please sign up on the Flower Chart on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall.

There are many open dates available for the new year. Your dedication will also be announced in the worship bulletin.

Flowers can be purchased from any store or brought from home. Please bring them in two containers the morning of the service for which you have signed up.
Reading Partners
Volunteers Needed

Sign up to help students become proficient readers. Both in-person and virtual tutoring opportunities available!

Please click the button below to view additional information about this non-profit literacy program, including Tulsa schools map.

COLLEGE HILL Mission Statement
~ Build an inclusive community of faith
~ Receive and openly share the love of God
~ Reach out with a compassionate voice for peace and justice