THE IDLEWILD
Welcome to Our Community of Faith!
CHIMES
A NEWSLETTER FOR THE CONGREGATION AND FRIENDS OF IDLEWILD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN MEMPHIS  DECEMBER 2014
Prayer Vigil for Human Rights is December 3
Please join us for a candlelit prayer vigil in the garth at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday,
December 3. We will be lifting prayers for neighbors near and far whose human
rights are questioned, mistreated or denied. We stand firm in faith that we are all
entitled to these God-given rights. Where it affects one child of God, it affects every
child of God. (December 6 is Human Rights Day.)
Children are Encouraged to Participate
in the Early Christmas Eve Service
PRAYER VIGIL
FOR HUMAN RIGHTS
December 3
12:30 p.m. - Garth
WEDNESDAYS IN ADVENT
December 3, 10, 17
Noon - Worship
12:30 p.m. - Luncheon
This year’s Family-Friendly Christmas Eve service at 3:00
p.m. is called “Christmas: A Family Album.” There will
be giant picture portraits (created by Lee Anne Roehm)
and children dressed as Jesus’ family, beginning with the
creation of Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah and on
to King David. Other pictures include the Angel Gabriel,
the Holy Family, the Wise Men and all of us today.
All children are encouraged to wear angel, shepherd or
wise man costumes from home to the service. There will
also be simple costume headpieces available at the
church. The Cherub Choir will sing and the children will lead this service. The
Cherubs will sing during the prelude (starting about 2:55), and the service will end
before 3:45. There will be nursery care available, but babies and toddlers are very
welcome in the service.
There are three Christmas Eve services, at 3:00, 5:00 and 11:00 p.m. Childcare is
available at 3:00 and 5:00. See the back page for details.
CHRISTMAS EVE
3:00 p.m.
FAMILY-FRIENDLY SERVICE
5:00 p.m.
LESSONS & CAROLS
Wednesday Noon Advent Services
Each week during Advent, a noontime service is held in the
Trippeer Chapel. Meaningful holiday stories from church
members add to worship and prayer as we prepare for the
coming of the Christ Child. The service is at 12:00 each
Wednesday (Dec. 3, 10, 17), followed by a light lunch at 12:30.
All are welcome!
11:00 p.m.
YOUTH-LED SERVICE
See the back page for
complete information about
Christmas Eve services.
Your Advent Calendar Is Inside!
Servants with Glad and Generous Hearts, a special Advent calendar, is inside
the Chimes. Each day has an activity and a very short prayer. On Advent
Sundays, those who have participated in the week’s activities can put stars
on a tree outside the sanctuary. Pull out the calendar, post it in your home,
and create a more generous Advent for yourself and others.
December 21 is Waffle Sunday
On December 21, gather in the T.K. Young Room for waffles, juice and coffee. Jim Eikner will read
The Christmas Story. It’s a holiday treat for adults, youth and children (1st-5th grades).
Kindergarteners (PK/JR/SK) will have regular classes and Cherub Choir that day.
Cherub Choir will sing in the 11:00 service.
Children’s Holiday Sunday Schedules
Sunday, Dec. 21 – Children in 1st-5th grades will attend the Waffle Sunday gathering.
Primary Choir will not meet. Kindergarteners (PK/JR/SK) have regular classes.
Cherub Choir sings at 11:00.
Sunday, Dec. 28 – Children’s crafts in the T.K. Young Room. No classes or choirs.
Sunday, Jan. 4 – Classes combined: PK/JR/SK in Room 203W; elementary children in 310E. No choirs.
Sunday, Jan. 11 – Regular classes and choir rehearsals resume.
More Than A Meal on Christmas Day
More Than A Meal is ALWAYS held on Thursdays, including Christmas and New Year’s Day.
Worship at 5:00, dinner at 5:30, no cost — and all are welcome!
Order Poinsettias for the Sanctuary
Christmas poinsettias will be in the sanctuary on Sunday, December 21, and names will be printed
in the bulletin. Individual acknowledgements cannot be sent. Order deadline is December 15.
Pick up an order form at church, or order poinsettias at www.idlewildchurch.org/registrations.
(There’s a $3.50 processing fee for online orders.)
IDLEWILD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA)
The Mission of Idlewild Presbyterian Church is to
pursue, personify, and practice as Presbyterians the
good news of reconciliation and salvation in Christ
through worship, education, fellowship, and outreach.
DEADLINE FOR THE JANUARY 2015
CHIMES IS DECEMBER 11
The Idlewild Chimes is a publication of Idlewild Presbyterian Church (USA), 1750 Union Ave., Memphis TN
38104. The newsletter is published monthly September–
June to inform members and friends of church programs,
news and events. The Chimes is online in News and
Events at www.idlewildchurch.org. Editor: Ginny Moore,
[email protected].
2
1750 Union Memphis TN 38104  www.idlewildchurch.org
Office 901-726-4681  Fax 725-4535  Recreation 725-4165  Children’s Center 725-7941
For staff phones and e-mails call 726-4681 or visit www.idlewildchurch.org/who_staff.html
IDLEWILD’S MINISTERIAL AND PROGRAM STAFF
Stephen R. Montgomery
Pastor
Anne H.K. Apple
Associate Pastor for Pastoral
Care and Evangelism
Margaret Burnett
Associate Pastor for Outreach
Ministry
Elizabeth Gayle Walker
Associate Pastor for Adult
Ministry
Denton McLellan
Parish Associate
Corinne Nienhuis
Parish Assistant
Stephen R. Haynes
Theologian in Residence
Barry Oliver
Director of Music Ministry
Ashley Gordon
Director of Recreation Ministry
Elizabeth Houston
Director of Children’s Ministry
Frank Kelly
Director of Youth Ministry
Tanzy Johnson
Interim Children’s Center Director
Cheryl Ward
Kindergarten Director
Betty Anne Wilson
Chief Administrative Officer
We Need a Little Advent Rejoicing
“Oh we need a little Advent, right this very minute…”
Oops. That’s not how the lyrics go, do they? The ones in which we sing ...
“Haul out the holly,
put up the tree before my spirit falls again.
I may be rushing things, but deck the halls again now.
For we need a little Christmas
Right this very minute.”
A nice, uplifting, secular bit of Christmas cheer. But as for me, I need a
little Advent now — right this very minute. For if Christmas is a celebration of the invasion
of earth by Almighty God, then the church’s new year begins by anticipating that divine invasion. Advent —
from a Latin word meaning “to approach,” or “to come,” is the season in which we prepare for the coming of God
into the world.
I need some time to be alert to the awareness that in every circumstance, there
is the possibility of the presence and power of God.
In our new hymnbook there are 25 hymns for Advent. (Yes, I counted them!)
Every one of them speaks of divine grace bursting forth in a dark world. While
Christmas may take us tenderly to the manger in Bethlehem, Advent dares us to
imagine a cosmic transformation of the created order and of our broken and
hopeless world.
A letter to the congregation
from Pastor Steve Montgomery
“O Come, desire of nations, bind all peoples in one heart and mind.
Bid envy, strife and discord cease…”
Does anyone expect that to happen anytime soon?
“Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.”
And before we can catch our breath, the chorus resounds with the answer to the
prayer:
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel!”
I need a little Advent
like that right now. Whether looking at the radical terrorist groups
that seem to get more and more evil each day; or the widening gap
between rich and poor in our own country; or the number of new
diagnoses of cancer, ALS, Alzheimer’s and other diseases from people I know and love, I need to be reminded of
C.S. Lewis’ words that he spoke to college students at Oxford, England, on the eve of World War II: “The
permanent condition of human life is that there is no real security to be found in life, but only with God.” You
know how it is. You get all settled in, you feel safe and sure that everything is set, and then the invasion comes. An
unexpected illness. The marriage falls apart. The job is lost. The only sure and certain reality is that in every
changing circumstance, in every loss and in every time of risk, we will never be abandoned by God.
So I hope you will sing the Advent hymns with me this season. I hope you will come to each Sunday as we light one
candle, and then another in anticipation. And I hope you will live with courage and not fear, expectantly and not
with cynicism.
For as someone much wiser than I said: “You cannot prove the promises of God in advance, but if you live them,
they turn out to be true, every one.”
“Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel.”
Yes, indeed. I need that.
3
We Give in Gratitude for His Coming
by Mary Lou McCaa
“…with glad and generous hearts” (Acts 2:46)
That phrase sounds like it might be about Christmas,
doesn’t it? Now that I think about it, it expresses exactly
why Christians celebrate: we are so glad God generously
came to be with us, we can’t help but be generous
ourselves — to our family and friends, to organizations
and charities and to our church. Idlewild is where I
publically affirm my faith in the God who lived among us,
Jesus Christ. Idlewild is where I am aligned with you, my
fellow believers, in deep gratitude for His coming.
And so, how can I do any less than pledge my life and my resources to Him with
a glad and generous heart.
The Global Market was a great success!
Your purchases help support craftsmen
and their families around the world.
Thank you!
ALL 2014 CONTRIBUTIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY NOON ON DECEMBER 31
2014 contributions are due
by noon December 31
Gifts of securities must be
transferred by December 31
Electronic transfer forms
due December 17
All contributions—whether in cash or
securities—must be received
by noon on Tuesday, December 31,
2014 in order to be reported as 2014
contributions. Cash and securities that
are being delivered to the
church must be at the church by noon
Tuesday, December 31.
For gifts of securities, the IRS requires
that the donor must instruct his or her
broker to irrevocably transfer the
securities to Idlewild’s account; this
must be done by the end of the day
on Tuesday, December 31. The value
of the donation will be the mean
between the high and the low trading
prices on the day of transfer or day of
delivery, whichever is applicable. The
transfer of securities can be a very
simple task, but in some cases may
take longer than expected—so it’s
best to make your gifts early.
If you choose to use electronic
transfer for your pledge, you must fill
out a new form each year. The
deadline for submitting the form for
your 2015 pledge electronic transfer
is Wednesday, December 17.
Forms are available in the church
office. If you need more information
contact Tonya Moses at 726-4681 or
[email protected].
CHURCH OFFICES WILL BE CLOSED DECEMBER 25-26
4
Winter Weather
Whenever public schools are closed
due to inclement weather, Idlewild
classes, dinners and meetings will be
cancelled. For questions about specific
groups, please check with your
committee chair, group leader or
contact person.
More Than A Meal is held on
Thursdays — including Christmas Day
— regardless of the weather. Worship
at 5:00, dinner at 5:30. No cost.
Everyone is welcome.
Notes & News
Christmas Eve is a joyous time for all who open their hearts and minds
to our loving Creator. Let us allow the true meaning of Christmas
to stir up love within us.
Create a Subway Art Panel for Your Home
Create a work of art! On Thursday, December 11, there will be a two-hour class at
Me & Mrs. Jones in Cooper Young. Learn the basics of using chalk paint & soft
wax as well as stenciling as you create a subway art panel to take home.
Choose from a variety designs — “subway stops” from several different cities, an
inspirational stencil, or a thanksgiving design — to put on a 12 x 18” wooden
panel, plus learn some favorite distressed paint technique to use on your furniture
too. The two-hour class starts at 6:00. Cost is $45. Limited to 8 participants. Contact Ashley Gordon, 726-4681 or [email protected].
Breakfast forum is on Wednesday,
Dec. 17. All men are invited—bring a
friend! Arrive early for the free
continental breakfast at 6:30. The
program starts at 6:45, and at 7:15 a
full breakfast buffet ($5) is served.
Lenten lectionary groups are
inspirational, as individuals gather in
members’ homes to read scripture for
each week’s worship services and
explore the Christian faith. Planning is
currently underway for this coming
winter’s groups. (Lent begins with Ash
Wednesday on February 18.) Watch
for details.
Do We Have Your
2015 Pledge?
If you haven’t turned in your 2015
pledge, please do it now. The annual
budget is finalized in December and
has to be based upon pledges
received. A pledge, made prayerfully
and with full consideration of one’s
resources, helps prevent financial stress
and makes the church perform more
effectively.
Pledge at www.idlewildchurch.org/
giving — OR — Mail a pledge card to
the church, or drop one in the offering
plate — OR — Send an email with
name, address and pledge amount to
[email protected].
Micah’s Missionaries and Small Samaritans packed Christmas gift bags
for children in Douglas, Arizona and Agua Prieta, Mexico.
Advent Traditions
In early church history Advent began as a time of repentance. It served as
preparation for Epiphany, which was the second most popular day for baptisms
(after Pentecost). Common traditions during the Advent season, including
wreaths and candles, add to the anticipation of Jesus’ birth. Another tradition is
to leave the manger empty when you set up your nativity scene; during Christmas
morning celebrations, you can place the newborn baby Jesus in his “bed.”
5
Special Events
Chris Williams is studying at McCormick Seminary in Chicago, where he is also
serving as the Director of the AmeriCorps Chaplaincy for the McCormick
Theological Seminary Center for Faith and Service.
Nov 30 ........... 1st Sunday of Advent
Dec 2 .............. PW Circles
Dec 3 .............. Advent Service & Lunch
Dec 3 .............. Prayer Vigil for Human Rights
Dec 4 .............. Trezevant Communion
Dec 7 .............. First Sunday Lunch
Dec 7 .............. BASIC Christmas Party
Dec 8 .............. Vision Council
Dec 10............. Advent Service & Lunch
Dec 14 ............. Youth Selling Soup
Dec 14 ............. Compassionate Friends Service
Dec 16 ............. Daycare Christmas Program
Dec 17 ............. Breakfast Forum
Dec 17 ............. Advent Service & Lunch
Dec 18 ............. Kindergarten Christmas Program
Dec 21 ............. Waffle Sunday
Dec 21 ............. Young Adult Christmas Party
Dec 21 ............. Christmas Joy Offering
Dec 24 ............ 3pm Family-Friendly Service
Dec 24 ............ 5pm Lessons & Carols
Dec 24 ............ 11pm Youth-led Service
Dec 25 ............ Christmas Day
Dec 25 ............ More Than A Meal
Dec 25-26 ....... Offices Closed
Dec 28 ............ Gay-Straight Fellowship
Dec 31 ............. Noon Contributions Deadline
Jan 1 ............... New Year’s Day
Jan 1-2 ............ Offices Closed
Alex Chambers is currently working on a doctorate degree in religion at
Vanderbilt University.
Committee Meetings
Brittany Barbee is serving as our intern for young adult ministry. She recently sat
for the LSAT, and is exploring possibilities for a dual degree in law and theology.
These meetings were scheduled as of Nov. 17.
Please check with your committee chair or
the church office if you have questions.
Our Ministry Inquirers and Candidates
Idlewild currently has several inquirers and candidates under the care of the
Session and the Presbytery of the Mid-South’s Committee on Preparation for
Ministry (CPM).
Inquiry is a time of discernment about preparing for ordained ministry. Inquirers
from our congregation are Chris Williams, Alex Chambers, and Brittany Barbee.
Candidacy is the focused time of preparing for ordination and includes several
steps including sitting for ordination exams in the areas of worship and
sacraments, theology, exegesis, and theology; participating in clinical pastoral
education; and going through a psychological examination process. Candidates
from our congregation are Lucy Catherine Strong, Matt Whittington, and Eric
Osborne.
Lucy Catherine Strong will be ordained as a teaching elder in February. Idlewild
will host this Service of Ordination for the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta on
February 22, as part of the 11:00 worship service. Currently, Lucy Catherine is
serving as a U-KIRK Presbyterian Ministry Chaplain at Agnes Scott College. She
and her partner, Sarah, will celebrate a blessing of their civil union on April 18 at
Central Presbyterian Church in Atlanta.
Matt Whittington received news that he passed his ordination exams this fall. He
will sit for the exegesis exam in early winter. Matt is set to graduate from
Columbia Seminary in May 2015. Matt and his partner, Bethany, will be married
in Chattanooga on April 10.
Eric Osborne, the nephew of Jeff and Nancy Thompson, is currently serving as a
lawyer.
6
Dec 3 ...... Outreach Leadership Team .. 8:30am
Dec 3 ...... Budget & Finance ................5:30pm
Dec 4 ...... COM.................................. 11:00am
Dec 4 ...... Adopt-A-School .................. 1:00pm
Dec 7 ...... Diaconate ........................... 12:15pm
Dec 8 ...... Congregational Care ......... 6:00pm
Dec 10..... Budget & Finance ................5:30pm
Dec 14 ..... Community Support.......... 12:30pm
Dec 16 ..... PW Coordinating Team .... 10:00am
Dec 16 ..... PW Bible Moderators .......... 1:00pm
Dec 17 ..... Session.................................7:30pm
Please remain mindful of
keeping your pledge payment
current. Thank you!
Transitions in
Our Church Family
“The mystery of the humanity of Christ, that he sunk himself into our
flesh, is beyond all human understanding.” –Martin Luther
CELEBRATION OF BAPTISM
Bernie Says “Thanks!”
May Kathleen Webb
On November 9, Bernie MacKinnon was honored
for his 15 years of service as our security guard.
Each morning Bernie greets all the preschool and
kindergarten children and their parents by name,
making their day brighter and their welcome
warm. At the reception, he was presented with a
big book of notes, cards, and pictures drawn by
the children. Bernie sends a special thank you to
the congregation and staff:
daughter of Andrew & Erin Webb
Anna Honig Witte
to join in December
NEW MEMBERS
Natalie Hoepp
by letter of transfer
Daisy Laird
by affirmation of faith
Colton Popp
by reaffirmation of faith
“Thanks to your thoughtfulness, last Sunday will resonate for the rest of my
life, and I will always be grateful. I have never doubted that this is a special
place.”
David Ruch
by letter of transfer
Linda Scholl
by letter of transfer
Leah Scruggs
by reaffirmation of faith
Don & Lisa Street
by letter of transfer
WEDDINGS
Margaret Louise Cannon and
Stuart Douglas Finlay
November 1, 2014
DISMISSED
Elizabeth Tilghman McFadden
to Shady Grove Presbyterian
Church
Anna Bryden Teekell
to Saint Mary’s Episcopal Church,
Middlesboro, Kentucky
REMOVED FROM ROLL
Hugh Crafton
David Moore Pontius
Larrie Rodriguez
Rod Rodriguez
Erin Schmertz
William Smertz
Memorials
SUZANNE BAKER
Dr. and Mrs. Tom Grizzard
Mr. & Mrs. Henry T.V. Miller
Meredith Pritchartt
Donn & Faye Southern
GRIFF BURR
Kate Wellford Pritchard
FRED IVY
Jo Ann Acuff
Julia Allen
Lucille Amis
Carol Beachey & Don Voth
Regina Benson
Terry & Carol Bishop
Bede Burr
Margaret Carloss
James P. Cole & Suzanne
Henley
Skip & Faye Daniel
Adrienne Davis
Barbara Denley
Dr. & Mrs. Richard L. Dixon
William C. Douglas
Jim Eikner
George D. Eubanks
Anne & Joseph Fisher
Camille & William Gotten
The Grymes Family
Wil & Sally Hergenrader
Ruth Daly Ivy
Mackie S. Johnson
Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Jones
Lynn Jones
Florence Leffler
Dr. & Mrs. Robert R.
Llewellyn
Dr. & Mrs. William E. Long
Gordon McIntyre, III
Janet McIntyre
Dorothy Bryce Morton
Terry Nelson
Buddy Nix
Phyllis Nofzinger
Ruth P. Owen
Frances C. Perkins
Deborah Pittman
William L. Pritchard
Shirley S. Prothro
Jean & Gene Reynolds
Maizie Rhea
Celia Ridley
Jane Roberts
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J.
Schroeder
Donn & Faye Southern
Beth Simpson
Larry & Shari Tucker
Judge & Mrs. Harry W.
Wellford
Mrs. Johnny White
Page & Gail Williamson
Grace Willingham
Mydelle Wilson
VIRGINIA KLETTNER
Kate Wellford Pritchard
CLAUDE McCORD
Julia Allen
Cannon & Company, PC
Margaret Carloss
James P. Cole & Suzanne
Henley
Community Foundation of
Greater Memphis
Bill & Peggy Douglas
Jim Eikner
Alan & Minna Glenn
Mary Catherine Grymes
Larry J. Hardy
Jean L. James
Mr. and Mrs. Henry W. Jones
Lucy Carrington Jones
Nancy & Herman Kohlmeyer
Florence Leffler
Dianne & Dick Magevney
Frances C. Perkins
Kate Wellford Pritchard
Jean & Gene Reynolds
Mr. and Mrs. Robert J.
Schroeder
Shari and Larry Tucker
Eugenia Weathersby
Judge and Mrs. Harry W.
Wellford
Tom Williams
World Cataract Foundation
JANET NIX
Wil & Sally Hergenrader
EARLE WRENN
Perre Magness
Honoraria
DR. JOE HAWES
John & Glenda O’Connor
BERNIE MacKINNON
Jody Hunter
BARRY OLIVER
Idlewild Adult Choir
7
THE IDLEWILD CHIMES
IDLEWILD PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
1750 UNION AVENUE
MEMPHIS TENNESSEE 38104
Celebrating the Nativity of Jesus Christ
Gather with us on Christmas Eve as we welcome the Christ Child with three beautiful services in the sanctuary.
Nursery care available at the 3:00 and 5:00 services. Children are always welcome in worship!
3:00-3:45 p.m. Family-Friendly Service
Everyone is invited to this happy celebration of the birth of Jesus! Children are encouraged to come dressed as angels,
shepherds or wise men. (Simple head pieces will be available at the church.) There will be a time for all little ones to come
forward and participate. Nursery care is available, but babies are very welcome! Read more about the service on page 1.
5:00 p.m. Traditional Lessons & Carols
The Sanctuary is alight with candles and joyful music! The choir presents beautiful choral literatures of Christmas amidst
traditional Bible lessons and well-known carols. All ages are welcome to attend this inspiring service. Nursery care available.
11:00 p.m. Youth-led Candlelit Communion Service
Music, readings and celebration of the Lord’s Supper lead to the joyous lighting of candles at midnight. This festive service is
led by clergy and members of our senior high fellowship group. All ages are welcome to attend. No childcare available.