News From the Presbytery of Transylvania
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Is There No Balm In Rural America?
by Scot Robinson
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*editor's note- Scot Robinson is serving at First Presbyterian Church, Pikeville as a post-seminary resident.
During my second year at Vanderbilt Divinity School, I had the opportunity through the field education program to intern at the
Tennessee Justice Center
, a nonprofit law firm representing clients who navigate the complex, state run health care system called Tenncare (our version of Medicaid) and advocating for health care policy in Tennessee. Going into the internship I was most interested in how nonprofits work and engage faith communities around justice issues. I was initially anxious, recognizing I am nowhere near a health care policy expert and admittedly, even after a year with the Tennessee Justice Center, health care policy is still incredibly complex to navigate and understand.
During my time there, I interned as a faith community liaison working with the advocacy team. My task was to explore ways of connecting with community clergy. The hope was to spread more awareness of the advocacy efforts of TJC and faith leaders were to receive resources to initiate conversations in their communities around the harm being done by health care systems in our state. It was interesting work, especially as someone from rural, eastern Kentucky, a state that expanded Medicaid eligibility requirements in 2015. I was able to begin to understand the vast difference in health care accessibility for the financially vulnerable in both states.
In Tennessee in 2017/2018 there were about 280,000 people in the coverage gap. This gap is where many people fall who do not fit into the narrow requirements for Tenncare (only provided to children 19 and younger and their parents, pregnant women, women with breast or cervical cancer, and some people with severe disabilities). This leaves the small business owner just opening a new business or a young adult who just graduated college working an internship and a part time job in the “coverage gap”. Those in the gap cannot seek preventive care, regular screenings, or have lifesaving surgical procedures.
From a rural perspective, this conversation is vital. In 2014-2015, Medicaid provided health coverage for 45 percent of children and 16 percent of adults in small towns and rural areas compared to 38 percent and 15 percent, respectively, in metropolitan areas. The Affordable Care Act’s Medicaid expansion is having a disproportionately positive impact on small towns and rural areas. The rate of uninsured adults in expansion states decreased 11 percentage points in the small towns and rural areas of these states between 2008-2009 and 2014-2015, with a decrease in 3 percentage points for uninsured children.....
Read the Full Article
HERE
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TRI-PRESBYTERY YOUTH RETREAT
REGISTER NOW!
November 8 - 10 2019, @ Cedar Ridge Camp, Louisville, KY
Psalm 121 - "See And Be Seen"
How do others see you? How do we see ourselves? How does God see you?
Featuring Co-Moderator of the PC(USA) Vilarie Cintron-Olivieri, Keynote
All youth 6th - 12th Grade from across Kentucky
Fellowship and Fun with our Presbyterian friends in Kentucky!
CONTACTS: Hannah McIntyre, Danville (hannah@presbydan.org)
COSTS (includes listed meals, all activities, tee shirt):
Full weekend (two nights, Breakfast, lunch, dinner Saturday; breakfast, lunch Sunday) $70
One night: lunch, dinner Saturday, breakfast, lunch Sunday: $50
Daytime only: Lunch, dinner Saturday, lunch Sunday: $30
ACTIVITIES are first come/first served, however all must be involved/present in activities during those times (there is no ‘free time’ option other than after 3pm Saturday). Chaperones may participate in activities as space available, but must be in attendance with their group. Assignments/adjustments will be made as necessary.
WHAT TO BRING: Casual Clothing for a weekend spent mostly outdoors. Warm clothing. Clothes that can get dirty. Linens, or sleeping bag, pillow, towel, toiletries/personal hygiene items. Bible, Water bottle, flashlight, outdoor play equipment (frisbee, balls etc). Signed Camp Release Form. Any medications you take (and separate instructions for leaders).
GROUP LEADERS ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR BRINGING MEDICAL FORMS FOR EACH YOUTH AND TRACKING MEDICINES.
WHAT NOT TO BRING: Electronic equipment/games. Phone service is virtually non-existent and phones will not be allowed during our group sessions. Anything illegal.
The registration deadline is October 20. All youth currently in 6th-12th grade are eligible to attend. A ratio of 1 adult to 7 youth is required, with both genders represented. Churches must certify adult chaperone child protection status (proof of background check).
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Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Serving Faithfully
"I Shall Not Want"
Olanda Carr - September 17, 2019
Throughout my ministry, I have worked with multiple ruling elders and congregations in the area of stewardship. I am frequently asked by these elders to assist them by providing programming, calendar planning, and other related suggestions to rejuvenate their stewardship programs. I usually address these requests by immediately delivering a bit of bad news—redefining stewardship for a congregation typically does not occur overnight. In fact, it can take much longer—often weeks or months—to fully re-envision stewardship. Why? Perhaps because most of us have taken the term “stewardship” and overused/misused the term so significantly that it takes a proverbial journey to think of it in a new and exciting way. In this new mind frame, Psalm 23 can be the basis to outline a couple of key components of what this journey may look like.
Break the ties of fear and scarcity
Note the tense of Psalm 23. The Lord is my shepherd. I shall not want. He leads. He prepares. These are all words that speak of a present-tense God, a God of the here and now. While this sounds obvious, many of us tend to worship and remember the “God of the good old days.” This nostalgic lens often carries over into our stewardship efforts. We remember the days when our finances were “running over” (pun intended) and we didn’t really need to talk about stewardship. Folks just came to church regularly and gave. That’s just how it was. If we are not careful, these sentiments of yesteryear can cause us to become a bit downtrodden, perhaps even a bit bitter, about our current state. God didn’t just live back then, however. To the contrary, God is an ever-present God, very much with us now. Sure, times have changed. God has not. God is still our shepherd, supplying our needs....
Read the full article
HERE
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Walnut Hill Church
Ecumenical Sunday
October 6, 2019
Featuring: Dr. Alton Pollard III
Dr. Alton Pollard III, President of Louisville Seminary, will be the featured guest at Walnut Hill Church on Sunday, October 6, for the congregation’s
Ecumenical Sunday
observance. Held annually on the first Sunday of October,
Ecumenical Sunday
provides an opportunity to celebrate and explore Walnut Hill’s identity as “an Ecumenical Church.” Dr. Pollard will talk informally during the 10am hour and preach at the 11am worship, which will include the Lord’s Supper. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the worship hour. For more information, call the church office (859-263-5304).
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Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering Saturday, October 5th
Camp Burnamwood
Theme: Shining a Light on the Opioid Crisis
Guest Speaker: Jennifer Webb, Paralegal Specialist for the U.S. Attorney’s Office
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Kentucky Council of Churches Annual Assembly Registration is now Open!
October 24-25
First Baptist Church, Morehead, KY
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RECLAIMING JESUS!
We are living through perilous and polarizing times as a nation, with a dangerous crisis of moral and political leadership at the highest levels of our government and in our churches.
It is time to be followers of Jesus before anything else—nationality, political party, race, ethnicity, gender, geography—our identity in Christ precedes every other identity. We pray that our nation will see Jesus’ words in us. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
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MESSAGE FROM THE COMMISSION ON REPRESENTATION
It’s that time of year when Commission on Representation seeks names for nomination to the various presbytery commissions and ministries. Good news: many folks have already agreed to serve and the nominations are coming along nicely. COR has identified two teaching elder slots on Administration Commission, preferably female teaching elders (for parity). If you would be willing to serve in this way, please contact COR chair, Janet Prewitt, at
janet.prewitt@icloud.com
.
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Church Openings and Other Jobs
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There are a number of Pastoral Opportunities available in the Presbytery. If you know of anyone who might be interested in one of the following positions, please share this information with them.
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CHILDREN & YOUTH DIRECTOR- First Presbyterian, Winchester
First Presbyterian Church of Winchester has an immediate opening for a part-time Children & Youth Director. The Director would function to assist in the development and implementation of the mission and ministry of the children and youth of the church. The Children/Youth Director will: plan a program and curriculum for the children/youth with the assistance of the CE Committee and the Pastor, meet with the children/youth or their parents outside of the Sunday service, and plan activities that are not part of the normal Sunday service. This is a 10 hour per week position with 4-5 hours per Sunday. The remainder of hours are to be used to meet with the children/youth or their parents, 1-2 times per week. If interested, candidates should submit their resume to Pastor Ryan at:
ryanbradney@gmail.com
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First Presbyterian Church in Paris- Part-time stated Supply
First Presbyterian Church is located 18 miles from Lexington on the scenic Paris/Lexington Road, is looking for a part-time stated supply minister to lead worship and preach each Sunday, administer the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, moderate the session and congregational meetings, visit the sick and shut-in, and lead funeral services upon request.
We are a small church but have a strong music program and a full-time Music Director. We are active in the community with music and art after-school programs.
Please consider our congregation if you are looking for a part time position. Direct inquiries to Rogers Barde, Clerk of Session, 859-987-1225.
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White’s Memorial Presbyterian-Berea
Part-Time Stated Supply (20 hours/week)
White's Memorial has been in existence as a congregation for over 135 years. Beginning in another location known as Silver Creek, White's members and friends have a deep relationship with the land and community of Berea, Kentucky. We are looking for a part-time (20 hour) stated supply minister to provide pastoral care, lead Sunday worship, and guide mid-week services. Our church is only a few miles out of Berea toward Richmond. If you are considering a call, we’d ask you to prayerfully consider our congregation. Please direct inquiries to Mickie Hudson, Clerk of Session, at (859) 582-2576.
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September Upcoming Events
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SEPTEMBER
24- Clergywomen's Lunch, Newk's- Richmond Rd., Lex, 12:00 pm
-Administration Commission, Second Lexington, 3:00 pm
25- Pastoral Transitions Commission, First Winchester, 10:00 am
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SEPTEMBER
22-Lisa Eye-17 years
23-Lorilyn Howie-Kipphut-12 years
24-Janice Stamper-30 years
25-Betsy Steiner-31 years
28-Jay T. Silence-22 years
May God continue to bless your ministry!
If we have missed your ordination anniversary or have incorrect information, please email
rjustus@transypby.org
so we can update your information.
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