Don Mead, a beloved member of our church family, died early Saturday morning, August 30. There will be a memorial service for Don in the chapel of Episcopal Church Home, 7504 Westport Road, at 4:00 p.m., on Saturday, September 20. The work of the Palestine Justice Network was close to Don’s heart. Contributions to support the work of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza can be made through American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, PO Box 411814, Boston, MA 02241-1814.

Don and his many contributions to CHPC and the wider church will be greatly missed. He served faithfully as an elder (2022–2024) and on the OPS Committee, was active in Guns to Gardens Louisville and Build-a-Bed events and was a key member of the Middle East Prayer Group, among other things. He also served on the Coordinating Commission of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery. Don’s life reflected wisdom, compassion, and a commitment to working for justice. To send a note of sympathy to Carol Mead, you may use this address: 7522 Dudley Square Dr., Louisville, KY 40222.

OPS/NOW Meeting and Community Meal

Everyone is invited to gather in the Henry Young Fellowship Hall for pizza at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 10, and to stay for continued discussion of our church community and mission.

Our discussions will take place in two committees:

• OPS (Operations) Committee—Guides the work of stewardship and giving, finances, budget, personnel, upkeep of building and grounds.
• NOW Committee—Guides programmatic work of the congregation, including music and worship, Christian formation, earth care, gun violence prevention, garden ministry, outreach to the community, Guatemala partnership and overseas mission.

Even if you are not sure about serving on a “committee,” please join us for the meal and a chance to get to know others in our church community.

Highlights of the August 27, 2025, Session Meeting

Among other actions, the Session:

• Confirmed an email vote to approve use of the fellowship hall on Tuesday, September 30, for a meeting on ways to get involved in education and advocacy for Palestine, to be organized by the Middle East Prayer Group.
• Approved use of the fellowship hall and kitchen on Saturday, September 20, for a fundraising and educational event being planned by the Master Gardeners.
• Approved a proposal from the Master Gardeners for building two large, raised plant beds in the grassy area along Westminster Court beside the playground.
• Heard a report on a new contract for ongoing use of the church building by Bunbury Theatre.
• Discussed ways to strengthen CHPC’s connection with United Crescent Hill Ministries, including a visit to UCHM by Pastor Tami, a minute for mission in worship, and seeking a volunteer to take donated food and other items to the UCHM pantry.
• Approved a revised financial report for June and July 2025 from Treasurer Aaron Baer.
• Elected Eva Stimson and a second elder TBD as commissioners to the September 15 meeting of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery.

Choir Practice

Choir Practice will resume on Thursday, September 11 at 7:00 p.m.

All are welcome to join!

Presbyterian Disaster Hygiene Kits

The Presbyterian Women’s Circle invites the congregation to participate in donating components for the Presbyterian Disaster Hygiene Kits that are distributed to people in areas where a disaster has occurred. Rather than publishing the entire list, PW has selected several items that we will concentrate on, including:

Single washcloth

Single toothbrush (in original packaging)

Single bath size bar of soap (in original packaging)

Single travel size toothpaste (3.4 oz. or less, expiration date of at least one year.)

PLEASE DO NOT SUBSTITUTE. All items should be NEW. You may bring as many items as you please but be certain to follow the stated instructions.

There will be a box in the room off the narthex where you may put your donation. Please donate items no later than SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 2025. PW will see that the donations are brought to Beulah Presbyterian Church, where the hygiene kits will be assembled.

Questions?? Contact Diana Stephen at dasky@bellsouth.net.

The 2025 Annual Prayer Service of Presbyterian Women of Mid-KY

"WHEN WOMEN PRAY” will be Saturday, September 13, at Peace Presbyterian Church, 4210 E. Indian Trail, Louisville, KY 40213. Coffee/refreshments and fellowship will begin at 10:30 a.m. and worship at 11:00 a.m. The offering will benefit Peace's Dare to Care Food Pantry. Packaged non-perishable items such as pasta, cereals, etc., will be collected as well.

Here is the link to Spirit of Sophia's webpage for more information: https://spiritofsophia.org/a-contemplative-service-for-healing-and-hope/

Nourish Our Future 

Thursday, October 30, 2025

8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Bread for the World is sponsoring Nourish Our Future: Seeds of Hope for Kentucky, a conference at South Frankfort Presbyterian Church, in Frankfort, Kentucky, on Thursday, October 30, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Why is eliminating hunger important from a faith perspective? How can we move forward with our goal in Kentucky? What is already being done in our state? How can we more effectively advocate for a just food system? These are some of the questions to be addressed at this event.

Participants will spend time discussing where we are now in the fight against hunger and why it is important to keep moving forward. There will be an opportunity to interact with legislators and policy leaders and learn how to use our voices effectively.

All are invited to attend and share information about the event with your friends and networks.

REGISTER and learn more at the following link: http://www.bread.org/kentucky

Prayer and Action for Middle East

Feel free to join us Thursdays on Zoom, in-person, or both. This group has enabled such support for one another as we all struggle to cope with the tragedies in the Middle East and the on and off cease fires and prisoner releases. We would be grateful to have others join us. Email Soni at soni.castleberry@gmail.com to get the Zoom link and be added to the group email list for regular communication.

Did You Know? Tidbits About Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Since 1948, Presbyterian General Assemblies have repeatedly addressed the Middle East, especially Israel and Palestine. Historically, Presbyterians have supported Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign state within internationally recognized borders, as well as the right of Palestinians to self-determination, including the right to establish a neighboring, independent, sovereign state as a means to establish a just and lasting peace. https://pcusa.org/how-we-serve/global-engagement/israel-palestine-ministries.

To read a new statement on the genocide in Gaza, by the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA) General Assembly: https://pcusa.org/news-storytelling/news/2025/7/31/rev-jihyun-oh-calls-urgent-accountability-devastating-crisis-gaza.

September 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.

9/4 - Christi Boyd

9/8 - Aaron Davidson

9/13 - Emily Pauw

9/18 - Marsha Myers

9/19 - Stewart Bridgman

9/21 - Beth Yeager

9/22 - Stephen Bartlett

9/23 - Stephanie Gregory

9/28 - Donna Burch

To double-check your listing, contact the office at office@crescenthill.church or call 502-893-5381.