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The White Spire
OCTOBER 2014!
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF ELIZABETHTON!
VOLUME VIII, ISSUE 9
In this issue:
2014/2015 Pledge Campaign: What We Value
Autumn Worship Guide: The via negativa
Interconnectedness of All Things
Youth Gathering
And more!
From the Pastor’s Computer
Dear Friends,
This month I am
passing the From
the Pastor’s
Computer page to
David Roane, chair
of Stewardship,
Finance, and
Personnel Committee.
What do we value?
It’s fall. We all see the colors
emerging and feel the freshening of
the weather, and mostly, we
welcome the change. The seasons
are stunningly beautiful in
southern Appalachia. As the forest
fall color eases down the sides of
the mountains I feel the sense of
awe and realize one of the things I
value in living here.
And that’s a segue to our pledging
season, in which our theme is:
“What do we value?” The idea is
that we are all willing to support
the things we value most, and
some of those things come
119 West F Street
Elizabethton, Tennessee
37643
www.FPCelizabethton.org
through our church. And our
church needs support.
For me, I value the community of
the church. I value being in the
same space as you as we both
seek solace and something higher. I
value our freedom to think and
explore far beyond the bounds
conventional, confining theology. I
value church’s emphasis on
embracing the precious reality
around us, and the absence of the
need to embrace the narcissistic
thrall so common elsewhere. I
value the church’s strong mission
of inclusion and its work for
justice. I honestly feel it is what
Jesus would have us do.
Throughout my life I’ve never felt
accepted in church just as I am,
until I discovered First Pres. In
private moments I value the
spiritual growth, as I’m drawn
towards a sense of oneness within
and throughout, the sense of
connectedness to all that is and
the feelings of transcendence and
the touch of the ineffable.
And it is in this vein that, this year,
this season, we want to take our
pledging program to a deeper level
by giving every member of the
congregation the opportunity to
meet with deacons, elders and
other members to talk about what
we value, and how that which we
value is expressed through and
connected to our church.
In the next week or so, there will
be an invitation in your mailbox.
It’s an invitation to a Fall Gathering
of members in the home of one of
us. Please be encouraged to accept
the invitation, and join in this
gathering in support of those
things we richly value.
Warmly,
David
First Presbyterian invites you to become a part of our fellowship as we worship God and
serve others in the spirit of Jesus Christ. With a commitment to achieving a just and
peaceful world community, our congregation welcomes those of every age, gender, sexual
orientation, race and ethnic identity.
Connect with Us!
Online:
Religion for Life
Web page:
FPCelizabethton.org
John’s blog:
Religionforlife.com
Find us on Facebook!
@John Shuck
@First Presbyterian Church of
Elizabethton, Tennessee
@First Presbyterian of Elizabethton
Youth
Email:
John A Shuck, Pastor
[email protected]
Don Steele, Assistant to the Pastor:
[email protected]
Sandra Garrett, Office Assistant:
Tue-Thurs., 12:00 - 6:00
[email protected]
Religion is too important a topic to be left alone and too controversial to be left
to the zealots. People do want to hear intelligent programs about religion as it
relates to politics, sexuality, science and more. Religion For Life is a half hour
program that explores the intersection of religion, social justice, and public life
from an educational point of view. Upcoming episodes feature the following guests and
topics:
October 9: Heath and Peggy Rada
Heath is the moderator of the PCUSA General Assembly. He and his
wife, Peggy, are traveling across the
country and around the world as
ambassadors for the church. They
visited with John in the WETS studio
to talk about some of the
controversial decisions as well as the
hope they see regarding the church
of the 21st century.
Elaine Kolp, Treasurer:
Mon. & Wed., 12:00 - 6:00
[email protected]
October 16: Ruth Taylor Read She talks to John about Religion, Reproduction,
and Politics in light of TN Amendment 1.
Beverly Shuck, Music Director:
[email protected]
Mike Elder, Christian Education
[email protected]
Find us here, too!
Church Office and Pastor:
423.543.7737
423.542.4321 (fax)
Don Steele's cell:
505-870-9655
Religion for Life
October 23: Joel Baden, The Historical
David: The Real Life of an Invented Hero
October 30: Sea Raven, Theology from
Exile A progressive lectionary commentary.
Thursdays at 8:00p with rebroadcast
Sundays at 2:00p on WETS, 89.5 FM
Mondays at 1:00p with rebroadcast
Sundays at Noon on WEHC, 90.7 FM
Live streaming at www.wets.org and
www.ehc.edu/wehc.
R4L podcasts are available on the
church website.
The R4L program blog is at
religionforlife.me.
November 6: Peter
Enns, The Bible Tells Me
So: Why Defending Scripture Has Made
Us Unable to Read It
Worship Guide for October
October 5th World Communion
Sunday/Peacemaking
Offering
Theme: Wrestling in the Dark
Text: Genesis 32:22-32
At the River Jabbok, Jacob
wrestles until dawn with the angel.
For his efforts he earns both a
blessing and a new name, Israel,
which means “one who struggles
with God.” For those who
struggle with God, in whatever
manner that might mean, this text
is for you. This is not a sunny,
confident, credulous spirituality.
For those who would rather hunt
than “be fed” this text is for you.
With Jacob, we explore sacred
doubt and holy struggle.
October 12th Theme: Praying in the Dark
Text: Mark 1:35
“In the morning, while it was still
very dark, he got up and went out
to a deserted place, and there he
prayed.” The dark and the
deserted places are those in which
we can encounter the holy. When
our senses are not bombarded by
lights and sounds we can hear and
see new sounds and sights. When
the moon is absent you can see
the fainter stars. In the darkness
we can sometimes see farther.
Solitude is not necessarily
loneliness.
October 19th Theme: Walking on Water in the
Dark
Text: Matthew 14:22-33
The darkness can be the place
where we face new challenges. We
are invited to test our limits, to
risk our comforts, to question our
certainties. Walking in the dark is
a way of practicing courage.
Courage is not the absence of
fear, but is walking amidst our
fears.
October 26th
Theme: Climbing the Mountain in
the Dark
Text: Exodus 19:9-25
The Mysterium Tremendum is the
holy fear. We experience this
when we face the power of a
storm or when we watch the stars
or find ourselves lost in the forest.
The universe is much larger and
much wilder than we are. The
Torah (law, teaching, way) is
revealed amidst the holy terror of
the mountain. This business of life
is not to be taken lightly or for
granted. The Mysterium
Tremendum, the way of holy
darkness reminds us to be in awe
of life and of God.
View, Download or Print the entire Fall 2014 Worship Guide at
FPCelizabethton.org
Worship
Worship Guide
Small Groups
Dear Friends, I am very excited about starting a
new small group ministry to coincide
with my autumn sermon series. I am
hoping you will sign up to
participate. It is easy, fun, and has a
short-term specific commitment. The groups will consist of
8-12 people and will meet in
homes four times during midOctober to mid-November.
Each meeting will last one
hour. The theme is "Learning to Walk in
the Dark: The Via Negativa." It is
based on my sermon series that is
based loosely on the book by
Barbara Brown Taylor, Learning to
Walk in the Dark. I will provide a
study guide for the four sessions so it
will be easy for a facilitator to lead
the group. You don't have to read
the book to participate. To participate: John will form the groups soon. Email [email protected]
or use the print form on the next
page. This form will also go on the
church webpage under the heading
"Small Groups." Complete this form and mail it
to:
First Presbyterian Church
119 West F Street
Elizabethton, TN 37643
You can also go online to
www.FPCelizabethton.org ➟
Activities and Teams ➟
Worship at FPCe ➟
Small Groups and click the link
to get the Google form.
Or simply email the information
to
[email protected].
Groups are already being
formed, so act quickly!
Stewardship 2014/2014: What We Value
We value the community at
FPC Elizabethton. At our
summer retreat it was said that
our congregation is an oasis
and a beacon. Our emphasis
on justice, earth care, and free
thinking are some of the unique
contributions our community
offers to the larger area. We
value FPC Elizabethton.
We demonstrate our value by
giving our time, our talent, and
our treasure. We are in a
position of transition at FPC
Elizabethton. As we welcome
many new faces and try to make
this community a home for all, we
also recognize that we are
spending our savings to meet
expenses. We are stepping up our
stewardship awareness this year.
By the time you receive this
newsletter you should receive in
your mailbox a card. This card is
an invitation to attend an autumn
make a financial commitment for
2015, and if possible a
commitment for the remainder of
2014. You will be asked to RSVP. If
you cannot make the event to
which you were invited, your host
can direct you to another
gathering that is more convenient.
The financial commitments will of
course be discreet, sealed in an
envelope and seen only by our
financial secretary.
gathering hosted by one of our
elders or deacons. Nine of these
gatherings will be held between
October 18th and November 2nd.
If you didn’t receive an invitation
due to an oversight or if you are
relatively new to our
congregation, but would like to
attend one of these gatherings,
please contact our deacon
moderator, Aubrie Abernethy, at
[email protected].
These gatherings will be an
opportunity to share and to hear
what we value about First
Presbyterian of Elizabethton.
Everyone will also be invited to
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Financial Update
Offering Recap:
Sept. 07th:
$1440
Sept 14th:
$2962
Sept. 21st: $1191
Sept 28th: Spiritual Wellbeing
What do you consider essential to your spiritual
life? Bible study? Meditation? Prayer? Church?
Relationships? Joy? Participation? Communing
with nature? Daily Devotions? Sharing? Caring?
Perhaps many more, all of the above, some of
them come to your mind. I recognize all of them
are important to me but I find there is another.
I invite you to seriously consider the other which
has grown in importance in my spiritual journey
—stewardship of my financial resources. I’m
pretty sure most of you have heard “the gift is to
the giver”. Never have I found that to be truer
than in giving to the church. What I gained in joy,
in commitment, in knowledge and my allegiance
to that which is greater than myself has led to
spiritual growth I never expected.
In retrospect I think my financial support was
more because the church was important to me, I
wanted it to still be there and that meant the
financial support of the congregation as a whole,
including me, to ensure its continued survival and
operation. That is still true, of course, but, oh,
how much more meaningful it became when I
began to recognize it as needed for my spiritual
growth. I think that is when I began to
understand that wonderful verse from Galatians
5:22, “the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace,
patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
gentleness, and self-control”. Who would have
thought financial stewardship would lead one to
want to grow in those qualities.
Try it. Whatever your resources give something
regularly and simply
increase it as you are
able. Watch yourself
grow in love and
generosity. Watch
your church grow in
love and service.
Elder Jean Hall
Steps to Membership
1. Introduce Yourself!
Let one of us know that you are here and are interested in
uniting with us. We want to make certain you are warmly
greeted and welcomed.
I1. Attend an Inquirer’s Class
This is a brief, monthly gathering after Worship Service. Attendees will be greeted by a member of the Membership
Team, and will have an opportunity to ask questions of Rev.
John Shuck or Rev. Dr. Don Steele. You will never be
pressured to join. No one will knock on your door. Inquirer’s Class will take place one Sunday a month beginning
October 19th, 2014. III. Join us for a Prospective Member Luncheon
This quarterly event will be hosted by the Membership Team
and the Deacons, who will prepare a delicious lunch. This
luncheon will include an opportunity to meet and greet
other prospective members and learn more about
established members and staff, their roles and
responsibilities, what drew them and what keeps them
involved in FPCe, and more. It will finish with a tour of the
building, underscoring the various ways in which our
Federalist-style church and the beautiful park-like grounds
are used by the congregation and the community.
You will be encouraged to ask questions - any questions about FPCe.
Again, you will never be pressured to join. However, if you
are interested in joining, you will have an opportunity within
2 to 3 weeks, at the next Joining Sunday.
IV. Attend Joining Sunday
You will be warmly received as full members of FPCe during
a special section of the Joining Sunday Worship Service. Rev. Shuck will ask those wishing to join to come forward. You will be accompanied by and introduced to the
congregation by an established member. After the
introductions, you will be asked the Questions of
Commitment for joining and will be given a Certificate of
Membership.
V. Celebrate!
We love to celebrate here at FPCe, and welcoming YOU as a
member is one of our favorite causes for celebration! Once the Worship Service is complete, you will be warmly
welcomed once again by Rev. Shuck, then accompanied by a
member of the Membership Team to the Carolyn and John
Martin Fellowship Hall, where refreshments and fellowship
await.
Everyone is Welcome at the Table!
October 2014
Sunday
SEE COMPLETE CALENDAR DETAILS ONLINE AT
HTTP://WWW.FPCELIZABETHTON.ORG/FPC_ELIZABETHTON/CALENDAR.HTML
Monday
Tuesday
28
29
9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
5:30 PM Aerobics
REMINDER:
9:45
AM Adult Forum THE SMALL GROUPS WILL BE
11:00
AM Worship ServiceSOON! PLEASE CHECK THE
SCHEDULED
12:10 PM Elder/Deacon
Pledge
Meeting CALENDAR FOR SMALL GROUP
ONLINE
2:00 PM Religion for Life
DATES.
Radio
Program INFORMATION WILL ALSO BE
7:00
PM
Dances of UniAVAILABLE
IN UPCOMING CHURCH NEWS
versal Peace
Wednesday
30
Thursday
1
2
10:30 AM Thursdays with
Jesus
5:30 PM Aerobics
8:00 PM Religion for Life
Radio Program
8
9
10:30 AM Thursdays with
Jesus
5:30 PM Aerobics
8:00 PM Religion for Life
Radio Program
9:00 PM Set up for FfTM
Yard Sale
6:00 PM Youth Gathering
6:30 PM Bell Choir Rehearsals
7:00 PM Meditation
Friday
Saturday
3
4
EMAILS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS.
5
9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
9:45 AM Adult Forum
11:00 AM Pledge Drive
11:00 AM World Communion Sunday
11:00 AM Peacemaking
Offering
11:00 AM Worship Service
2:00 PM Religion for Life
Radio Program
12
9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
9:45 AM Adult Forum
11:00 AM Pledge Drive
11:00 AM Worship Service
12:15 PM Second Sunday
Social
2:00 PM Religion for Life
Radio Program
6:00 PM The Social Gathering
6
13
7:00 PM Session
6:00 PM Youth Gathering
6:30 PM Bell Choir Rehearsals
7:00 PM Meditation
20
26
9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
9:45 AM Adult Forum
11:00 AM Pledge Drive
11:00 AM Worship Service
2:00 PM Religion for Life
Radio Program
7:00 PM Dances of Universal Peace
27
6:00 PM Women's Group
16
10:30 AM Thursdays with
Jesus
5:30 PM Aerobics
7:00 PM PFLAG
8:00 PM Religion for Life
Radio Program
17
21
22
6:00 PM Youth Gathering
6:30 PM Bell Choir Rehearsals
7:00 PM Meditation
23
10:30 AM Thursdays with
Jesus
5:30 PM Aerobics
8:00 PM Religion for Life
Radio Program
24
29
6:00 PM Youth Gathering
6:30 PM Bell Choir Rehearsals
7:00 PM Meditation
30
10:30 AM Thursdays with
Jesus
5:30 PM Aerobics
8:00 PM Religion for Life
Radio Program
31
28
11
9:00 AM FFtM Yard Sale
15
6:00 PM Youth Gathering
6:30 PM Bell Choir Rehearsals
7:00 PM Meditation
5:30 PM Aerobics
5:30 PM Aerobics
10
9:00 AM FFtM Yard Sale
14
5:30 PM Aerobics
19
9:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
9:45 AM Adult Forum
11:00 AM Worship Service
11:00 AM Pledge Drive
12:00 PM Inquirers' Class
2:00 PM Religion for Life
Radio Program
7:00 PM Science & Spirit
Study Group
Eastern Time Time Zone
7
5:30 PM Aerobics
18
25
8:00 AM Food for the
Multitude
1
Page 1/1
Keep in Prayer
Youth News
Youth Gathering Schedule
for October
Oct. 1: We're baking bread for
World Communion Sunday!
Oct. 8: Potluck Harvest Meal
Celebrating the Sukkot
Oct. 15: Outing (TBD)
Oct. 22: What Makes Music
"Religious?"
Oct. 29: Corn Maze! Bring a
Brown Bag Dinner and let's
have fun!
Youth Gatherings take place in
the Tom Dixon Room at 6p most
Wednesdays and include dinner!
Sundays and Youth at FPCe
Nursery: Our nursery, professionally
and lovingly staffed by Tricia and her
team of volunteers, opens at 9:45 and
is able to accommodate wee ones
from birth to school-age.
Sunday School: Bobbie Connelly
guides youth through lessons and
activities in the Tom Dixon Room.
9:45 a.
Time with the Children: Youth
Leader Sam Davison, Rev. John, and an
occasional guest offer topics geared for
young, curious minds as a special part
of the Worship service.
Children's Church: Sam Davison
and others provide lessons and
activities for children 5 and older that
engage their curious minds and tie in
with the theme of the Worship
service.
October Birthdays
10/03
10/04
10/05
10/08
10/09
10/12
10/14
Addie Burdett
Megan McElwee
Kadie Connelly
Patrick Connelly
Kay Davis
Finn Stamey
Ben Brown
Taylor Brown
Ryan Pinkerman
10/17
10/19
10/20
10/23
10/24
10/27
10/29
10/31
Ellie Lagergren
John Martin
Amy Pinkerman
John Dunbar
Heather Cowan
Jim True
Beverly Brown
Jax Richardson
Susanne Baughman
Emily Williamson
Peter Blatchly
We remember the following in prayer:
• Hazel Betts
• Amy Bower, on the death of
her mother
• Grace Broome
• Linda Burrows, Barbara
Knisley's sister
• Cathy Ciolac
• Susan Clark's brother, Jim
• Bob Davison
• Laura and Chris Harrington
• The Hege family, friends of
Susan Clark
• Stella Hiortdahl, friend of
Andrea Frye
• Terry Hoeve; the Connellys'
friend
• Holly Lynch, Deb Ilves'
granddaughter
• Vanessa McQueen
• Tony Morrell
• Ginger Oaks
• Amber Sparks, Laura
Harrington's cousin
• Margaret Street
• Susan Sutton, Jim's mother
• Don & Carole Watkins,
Jeffrey's father and stepmother
• Fran Watkins, Jeffrey's mother
• Amy Willingham
• Nancy Wood
The Interconnectedness of All Things:
What Your NO Vote Could Mean
When you go into a Tennessee voting booth this November
you will have an opportunity to vote on an amendment to
the Tennessee State Constitution. This is a very important
vote concerning the reproductive health of women in our
state. The amendment reads:
Nothing in this Constitution secures or protects a right to
abortion or requires the funding of an abortion.The people
retain the right through their elected state representatives and
state senators to enact, amend, or repeal statutes regarding
abortion, including, but not limited to,
circumstances of pregnancy resulting from
rape or incest or when necessary to save the
life of the mother.
A very informative article, What Does ProChoice Really Mean?, appeared in
Horizons: The Magazine for
Presbyterian Women (May-June
2006). Sylvia Thorson-Smith of
Presbyterians Affirming Reproductive
Options (PARO) described the complex
and often contentious issues surrounding
the right of women to make decision. She
states:
Gratefully, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has consistently
affirmed that women as well as men are fully capable of making
moral decisions, particularly about matters that pertain to their
own bodies. Our community of faith has resisted the notion that
women should be coerced into carrying a pregnancy to term
against their will, by the government or anyone else.
For more information on the PCUSA statements visit their
website at https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/
phewa/presbyterians-affirming-reproductive-options/
Recently, the Adult Forum hosted our own Pat Buck along
with Ruth Taylor who spoke on "Religion, Politics, and
Reproduction." They provided background information
on laws regarding abortion, contraception, and childbearing,
especially Tennessee's Amendment 1, which if passed will
impact abortion rights. Pat and Ruth, who are supporting
the Vote No on 1 campaign, explained that Amendment 1
will allow politicians to usurp women’s rights to make their
own reproductive decisions, with no regard for when a
woman’s health is in danger or when she has been a victim
of rape or incest. Pat and Ruth also stressed that it is not
only important to vote NO on the amendment but to vote
in the governor’s race as well (regardless of the candidate
for whom you vote).
In order for the amendment to pass and become
part of the Constitution, two things must happen:
1) The amendment must get more "yes" votes than
"no" votes; and
2) The number of "yes" votes must be a majority of
the votes cast in the gubernatorial election.
The fewer votes cast for Governor, the fewer it takes to
pass the amendment. The more votes cast in the
gubernatorial race, the more difficult it will be for
Amendment 1 to pass.
Rev. Adam Kelchner, pastor at Belmont United Methodist
Church, summed up his view on Amendment 1
in A Sacred Calling To Vote No.
“We should turn our hearts and our resources to
empowering young people with the education and
tools necessary to experience the sacred gift of
sexuality with health and wholeness.We should
value the rights of women and families to follow
their conscience when making important decisions
about reproductive health care with health-care
professionals.We should work to ensure greater
dignity and equity for all Tennesseans.
The ballot initiative in November rejects a
compassionate and just approach to abortion care
and reproductive health.That is why I’ll be voting no on the
initiative.”
Earth Care: "Too Political" for
Church?
You are invited to attend a panel discussion hosted by
Green Interfaith Network on October 19th,
from 3-5p at the Summit Leadership Foundation,
3104 Hanover Rd, Johnson City.
The panel will feature the Reverend Dr. Jerry Cappel,
representing the Environmental Ministries of the
Episcopal Church as well as GINI representatives and
other local faith leaders.
First Presbyterian Church
119 West F Street
Elizabethton TN 37643
US Postage Paid
Non-Profit Org. - Permit 267
Elizabethton TN 37643
CURRENT RESIDENT OR:
Check out our website!
www.FPCelizabethton.org
Go Green!
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Go online or email [email protected].
First Presbyterian Church
Mission Statement
With joyful hearts and open
minds we welcome all
persons as diverse, unique,
and individual expressions
of the image of God as we:
Affirm the unconditional love of God
for all people as expressed in the life
of Jesus Christ.
Celebrate God’s grace and creative
work through ritual, sacrament,
music, art, movement, and play.
Honor our Christian heritage while
we explore the knowledge and
wisdom of multiple religions,
science, philosophy, humanities and
psychology to deepen and enrich
our spiritual journeys.
Nurture one another through
fellowship and compassion in a
community that seeks to offer
wholeness.
Embody our faith through local
ministries and in actions that
promote environmental
sustainability, peace, and justice for all
people and Earth.
In awe and gratitude for the
Divine Mystery that dwells
within each of us and
pervades our Universe, we
seek to create a Christian
community that honors our
past, is vitally connected to
our present, and looks with
hope and vision to the
generations after us.
FPCe: What We Value