From the Pastor

Sunday we’ll hear two Scripture passages, Isaiah 40:21-31 and Mark 1:29-39. Verse 31 in each of these readings caught my attention this week:

Isaiah 40:31 “but those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength, they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.”

Mark 1:31 “He (Jesus) came and took her by the hand and lifted her up. Then the fever left her, and she began to serve them.”

In Isaiah we have this beautiful image of God promising a weary people that they will have wings like eagles—as they wait for the Lord. Did you ever notice how eagles fly? Not with constant flutters and flaps, rather they unfurl their wings and catch a breeze. The word for wind in Hebrew is Ru’ah, which also means breath and spirit.

We “fly” when we unfurl or open ourselves to the wind and breath of the Spirit, which sustains us, allowing us to glide like eagles. Isn’t that beautiful?

In Mark, we see how the touch of the living Christ renews Simon Peter’s mother-in-law, who responds by serving Jesus and his disciples. I’m still working it out, but somehow I believe these two passages are meant to remind us of what I said last week: just because things are the way they are does not mean it is the way they always have to be.

So, as we wait on the Lord, let us also be open to Christ’s touch and to the Spirit. Let us unfurl our wings, so to speak, to the wind, so that we too can fly and glide along.

See you in church,

Paul

Highlights of January 24 Session Meeting

At its January 24 meeting, the Session discussed 3 overtures to the 2024 General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) related to the conflict in Israel-Palestine. Session members voted to endorse one of the overtures, which directs the denomination’s Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) to begin focused engagement with General Electric (GE) and Palantir Technologies Inc. and report back to the 2226 General Assembly with possible divestment recommendations.

The goal of focused engagement, the overture says, is “moving these companies away from actions that create human harm, are a barrier to peace, and violate human rights.” The overture notes that military items produced by the companies have been linked to human-rights violations in Israel-Palestine and elsewhere. The CHPC Session is asking Mid-Kentucky Presbytery to vote at its February 24 meeting to submit the overture to the General Assembly, which meets June 25–July 4 in Salt Lake City.

Among its other actions, the Session:

• Set Sunday, March 10, as the date for the annual congregational meeting, with February 25 as the deadline for annual reports from committees and other groups.
• Authorized Guns to Gardens Louisville to use the CHPC address as its official address for incorporation purposes, USPS mail, and a bank account to be opened after incorporation as a nonprofit is complete.
• Voted for CHPC to become a member of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM).
• Approved Ken Cordle’s request for funds to tune the piano in the sanctuary, fix an issue with the organ, and purchase a dolly for moving the piano.
• Approved Don Mead as liaison for Tim McNinch, candidate for the ministry under care of CHPC.
• Appointed Barbara Hedspeth to head up a scholarship committee to solicit and review applications for camp and college scholarships.
• Appointed Eva Stimson and Beth Yeager to co-chair the nominating committee (joining at-large members Ben Langley and Janine Linder and deacon Gail DeMarsh).
• Elected Perry Chang (retroactively) as commissioner to the called January 17 meeting of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery, and Soni Castleberry and Eva Stimson as commissioners to the February 24 presbytery meeting.

2023 Financial Highlights

from CHPC Treasurer Jack Marcum

Income: $173,244.31 (near the expected amount of $177,411.04). Pledges came in at $153,373.48 ($11,116.52 less than anticipated). Other income sources: pledge payments for prior years ($3,100), non-pledge payments (named individuals who gave but did not pledge, $8,517.30); building rental ($3,085.00); interest income ($3,073.42); loose offerings (anonymous cash gifts, $1,079.68); and per capita apportionment ($828.62).

Expenses: $155,033.28. Salaries, benefits, and other staff costs were budgeted at $114,338.20, but came in at only $97,908.47, because of various staff changes. The pastor nominating committee and other church committees, deacons, and session also spent less than budgeted. Other lower-than-anticipated expenses included insurance, utilities, and building maintenance.

Churchwide Special Offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing Offering, $2,182.40; Peace & Global Witness Offering, $1,453.50; Pentecost Offering, $1,345.00; and Christmas Joy Offering, $1,051.00.

Other: The church received a bequest of $27,120.76 and memorial fund donations of $25,600.00 in 2023. 

From Your Deacons

When CHPC re-instituted the office of Deacon a few years ago, their call included leading all of us in the ministry of care and compassion. In order to expand the opportunities to show love for one another, Deacons have developed Care Groups, each group composed of members of the congregation and a Deacon.

When the Deacon of the Month learns of a particular need in the congregation or community, she will make contact with the person in need and find out what might be most helpful. She will then notify her care group by email or phone. You may be asked to help in a variety of ways: pray, send a card, provide a meal, make a visit, provide transportation. You won’t be expected to respond to everything, but hopefully you will be able to help in some way.

If you have particular questions about this, please talk to one of the Deacons (Gail DeMarsh, Claudia Foulkes, Shannon Langley, or Patti Marcum). If you would prefer not to be included in this, please let us know and we’ll note that. If at that time it feels like too much and you’d rather opt out, you can always just let the Deacon know.

We pray that the Care Groups will allow each of us to do an even better job of caring for one another.

February 11: Pancakes, Banners, and More!

CHPC is doing Shrove Tuesday on Sunday, February 11 (we’ve always been a little different!), and everyone is invited. Wear your Mardi Gras beads and come to worship (Rev. Paul Seebeck’s last Sunday with us), followed by a Pancake Potluck lunch and intergenerational banner-making in the fellowship hall. Ken Cordle will head up the pancake-making team. Ben Langley and Jerry Van Marter will grill bacon and sausage outside, weather permitting. The rest of us are invited to bring pancake toppings, beverages, and side dishes.

After lunch, Beth Yeager will lead youth and older folks in creating some simple banners for Lent. Artistic talent is not required!

Because February 11 is Super Bowl Sunday, we will be collecting donations for United Crescent Hill Ministries (as with our previous Souper Bowls). UCHM particularly needs diapers and personal grooming items (shampoo, conditioner, tampons, deodorant, soap, etc.).

Please also plan to attend the Ash Wednesday service in the sanctuary, February 14 at 7:00 p.m., as we prayerfully enter the season of Lent together. And please invite friends and neighbors to join us for any of these special events.

Update on Pastor Search

An offer to be our part-time stated supply pastor has been made and accepted by a candidate. At a called meeting on Sunday, January 14, the Session approved a revised salary and benefits package to present to the candidate. The candidate is willing to begin serving our congregation February 15. Please continue to pray that the way be successful for Mid-Kentucky Presbytery's Committee on Ministry to approve the one-year contract when it meets on February 5. Once COM approves, the new pastor will be introduced to the congregation.

Spirit of Sophia

Spirit of Sophia invites you "Into a Sanctuary of Women with Jan Richardson" for a virtual retreat on Saturday, February 10, from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time.  Join us for a conversational retreat exploring themes such as prayer, thresholds, thin places, and longings – among others. In the presence of women past and present, we will be asked to enter into the mysteries that lie at the heart of who we are. 

To learn more and register: https://spiritofsophia.org/a-conversation-with-jan-richardson/

Free Tickets Available for August Wilson Play

Free tickets are available to see the University of Louisville African American Theatre Program’s presentation of August Wilson’s “Gem of the Ocean” on Sunday, February 25, at 3 p.m.

Mid Kentucky Presbytery and the Presbyterian Center have purchased half of the seats at The Playhouse (1911 S. Third Street) so Presbyterians can enjoy this play that is directed by Peace Presbyterian Church member Dr. Shona Tucker. The play explores African American history and the Black experience in the U.S. in the 20th century through the lens of Wilson, a Pulitzer Prize–winning playwright.

This is a great way to be together during Black History month — and to enact our Matthew 25 commitment to dismantle structural racism. Tickets are first come, first served. Get them here:

https://presbytery.wufoo.com/forms/z16rccr51i3a0mf/