Words of Appreciation

Thank You from Jack Marcum

Former church treasurer Jack Marcum was recognized in worship last Sunday, March 23, for his service to CHPC. He sends these words of appreciation:

“Thank you so much for the recognition (and gifts!) during worship last Sunday. As I said then, it has been my honor to serve Crescent Hill PC, and over the years I have received more in return than I have given. This congregation has been and continues to be an important part of my life. I am grateful for you and the opportunities this community has given me to serve.”

Updates from Our Mission Co-workers

Jeff and Christi Boyd, long-time members of Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church, have announced their retirement after 35 years of service as Presbyterian mission co-workers in Africa. They sent a letter this week to their supporting congregations, including CHPC, explaining their decision. Read the Boyds’ letter here.

CHPC has also learned that Leslie Vogel and Eliane Menezes, mission workers in Guatemala that our congregation supported, have ended their missionary service this month due to budget cuts and restructuring of PC(USA) global mission. The CHPC Session will send a letter to these friends thanking them for their service and assuring them of our continuing prayer support.

Master Gardeners Craft Days

The Master Gardeners will be gathering in the Fellowship Hall on March 27, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m, on March 28, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., and on March 31, from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., to make crafts for their upcoming fundraiser. CHPC members are invited to join in and make crafts, such as cute shadow boxes, to donate for the fundraiser or to take home with them (at a nominal charge). This is a great opportunity to make some new friends!

A Lenten Opportunity — Lectio Divina

CHPC is offering a Lenten group devoted to contemplative reading of Scripture. Phil Lloyd-Sidle will be facilitating, using a method of prayerful reading that dates back to the early church called Lectio Divina — “divine reading."

When?

Five Thursday evenings in Lent, 5:00-6:30 p.m. The remaining dates are March 27, April 3, and April 10. There will be no group during Holy Week.

Where?

The Gathering Room of the back building.

What is Lectio Divina?

It is a method of contemplative reading that seeks to invite our hearts and minds into an ever-deepening experience of God and God’s word as it comes to each of us in Scripture. We will be reading passages in Matthew and Luke that lift up various aspects of Jesus’ teaching and ministry.

Some details:

As a group process this practice can be very profound. Please be punctual. Things to bring: a Bible version you like, a journal (or paper). Some people like to draw; feel free to bring some colored pens or pencils. Also, it is encouraged that people try to make all five sessions, if possible. There is a great gain in trust and companionship as we each commit to this small-group experience.

Volunteers Needed for Our CHPC Kitchen

The NOW Committee seeks three CHPC folks willing to volunteer as a Kitchen Team to look at our space and things in the back building once a month and handle any needed tasks.

Possibilities include: straightening up counters or drawers, donating to a charity any type of excess items we have accumulated, disposing of old, unlabeled or undated items in the refrigerator, and light cleaning as needed.



Groups using the kitchen are expected to do their own clean-up and Tim Miller, our custodian, does the floors. The team would need to inventory extra supplies in the storage room next to the kitchen, restock kitchen shelves with disposable serving and cleaning supplies, and let Megan Cahill, our administrative assistant, know when to place orders. The team will arrange its own work schedule and a key will be made available. If you are willing to serve our church in this way, please let Beth Yeager or Soni Castleberry know.

Jean Leake Scholarship Fund

The Jean Leake Fund offers assistance to the children and youth of Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church for camping opportunities. Applications for the Jean Leake Fund are now available.

Please contact Patti Marcum at pdwmarcum@gmail.com or 502-403-8269 to request an application or ask questions.

Deadline for applications is April 15. Scholarship applicants will be notified of their award amount by May 1. Payment will be made according to information provided in the application.

Healing the Earth

Members of the CHPC community are invited to donate to an exciting art project that will be a visible witness to our commitment to earth care and ending gun violence. The Session has agreed to contract with local blacksmith Craig Kaviar to create a six-foot iron sculpture for the front plaza. The art piece, called “Healing the Earth,” will be made of pieces of guns chopped up at Guns to Gardens Louisville safe-surrender events.

The cost of this project is $28,514, plus stand, lighting, and installation. Session has set aside $10,000, plus $548 from the Peace and Global Witness Offering, toward the art piece. The remainder of the cost will be covered by grants and donations. If you would like to donate, please make your check out to CHPC and specify in the memo line that the donation is for the sculpture. Or you can use the QR code below.

If you have a tool or other item that you would like to donate for possible use in the sculpture, please contact the church office. Please make sure the object is iron (attracts a magnet).

Guns to Gardens Louisville, which grew out of a Sunday school class in our congregation, has so far received 88 unwanted guns to transform into garden tools, art, and jewelry. Craig Kaviar is a valued partner in this effort. His art piece—along with the gardens flourishing on church grounds—will symbolize to the community our commitment to healing and caring for God's creation.

DID YOU KNOW?

What Presbyterians Believe"

In the 20th century, the church engaged Presbyterians and society at large across a range of issues, including justice for women, African Americans, migrants, and LGBTQIA+ Presbyterians. Denominational reorganization and lower church membership affected church life at the turn of the 21st century, with the PC(USA) looking for more ways to serve all of God’s kin-dom inside and outside the sanctuary — including through new worshiping communities and outreach to individuals affected by systemic racism and poverty.

https://pcusa.org/about-pcusa/who-we-are/history

April Birthdays

Please remember these wonderful folks in prayer and, if possible, reach out to them with a card, phone call, text, email or however you choose to honor them.

To double-check your listing, contact Soni Castleberry at soni.castleberry@gmail.com or phone or text at 502-417-6481.

April 1 - Jim Bartlett Turner

April 4 - Lee Cybulski

April 9 - Jeff Boyd

April 10 - Claudia Foulkes

April 13 - Barbara Hedspeth

April 16 - Megan Cahill

April 22 - Tessa Hartmans

April 25 - Tim McNinch

April 28 - Annie Yeager