Highlights of October 8 OPS and NOW Meetings

Members of the Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church community enjoyed fellowship and a chili dinner October 8, followed by meetings of the OPS and NOW committees.

OPS Committee—This group oversees the nuts-and-bolts, day to day operations of the church, including building and grounds, maintenance, stewardship campaign, budget development, investments, online giving, personnel and payroll, AV, marketing and social media, insurance, and church policy. Actions included:

• Discussed seeking grants from the presbytery for kitchen renovation and other projects to promote better use of church facilities. Kitchen committee includes Pastor Tami, Chris Bischoff, Aaron Baer, and Claudia Foulkes.
• Reviewed proposed church budget for 2026.
• Planned a timeline for Stewardship Season, including a letter and pledge cards to be mailed in mid-October and Dedication Sunday November 2.
• Discussed how to promote tithing through wills and bequests, including reaching out to members who are unable to attend worship in person because of disabilities or health issues.

NOW Committee—This group guides programmatic work of the congregation, activities formerly coordinated by the Nurture, Outreach, and Worship Committees (including music and worship, Christian formation, earth care, gun violence prevention, garden ministry, mission beyond church walls). Actions included:



• Discussed All Saints Sunday, November 2, including a presbytery-wide worship service in the LPTS chapel at 4:00 p.m. and a potluck lunch following 11:00 worship at CHPC to share memories of saints who are no longer with us.
• Agreed to have an In-Gathering on November 23, the Sunday before Thanksgiving, inviting worshipers to bring canned goods and other nonperishable items to be donated to United Crescent Hill Ministries.
• Began planning worship and other activities for the Advent/Christmas season, including lighting of the Advent Wreath in worship and a possible Advent-themed play reading before worship December 14 and 21.
• Shared (mostly positive) feedback on the Gaza-themed World Communion Sunday service, October 5.

Next meeting of NOW/OPS: Wednesday, November 12, opening with a fellowship meal at 6 p.m.

Congregational Meeting, October 26

The Session has called a congregational meeting to elect new church officers on Sunday, October 26, immediately following worship. The Nominating Committee has been hard at work seeking CHPC members to serve as elders, deacons, and at-large members of next year’s Nominating Committee. We are grateful for those who said Yes to God’s call to lead our congregation!



The slate of nominees is here. If you wish to make nominations from the floor, please make sure to contact the nominee(s) and get their permission. All members are encouraged to stay after worship October 26 for this brief but important meeting.

https://spiritofsophia.org/day-retreat-with-artist-toby-penney/ 

Prayer Shawls

Prayer shawls are a way to show care to someone in need. Prayer shawls are available in a bin in the church office. Notes of care are also available in the bin. It is helpful if you would note the recipient and date on a list found in the bin. Thank you for showing care in this way. Questions? Contact Patti Marcum (pdwmarcum@gmail.com or (502-403-8269).

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.

October 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.

10/1 - Ben Langley, Richard Recob

10/3 - Jack Marcum

10/5 - Lucy D. Steilberg

10/8 - Martha Gee

10/12 - Perry Chang

10/19 - Ginny Brown

10/23 - Brad Castleberry

10/26 - Gayle Collins

10/27 - Luiz Kemmerle, David Wilding

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