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.

From the Pastor

Sunday we’ll be looking together at Mark 1:21-28. After being tested in the wilderness for 40 days—and after his cousin John the Baptist is arrested—Jesus begins his Galilean ministry. After calling his first disciples, Jesus goes into a synagogue on the Sabbath and begins speaking. Those present, we’re told, are “astounded” at his teaching. Then a man with an unclean spirit begins to cry out, and Jesus demonstrates his new teaching, Scripture tells us, “with authority”: He silences and then casts out the man’s unclean spirit.

It's quite a story—and it leads to growing fame for Jesus. Join us Sunday, and don’t forget to bring your eight-word stories of grace that describe God alive in your life. There may be a time in the service for us to hear these testimonies of the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

As a reference, for those of you who weren’t with us last Sunday, here’s mine: “Feeling unworthy, unloved. Christ’s light breaks through. Praise.”

See you in church.

Paul

Join a 1-Hour Zoom Conversation

on the Middle East

January 31, 2024

Soon after the October outbreak of war in Israel/Palestine, CHPC organized two gatherings for prayer and study. In a related action, the Session is now considering three Israel/Palestine overtures (see last two weeks' newsletters).

Next week we have an opportunity to talk about whether/how we might continue to learn, pray, and act for peace, perhaps in conjunction with others in the presbytery. Join a one-hour online call on Wednesday, January 31, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m., on zoom. Contact Tricia Lloyd-Sidle at revtjls@gmail.com for the Zoom link.

Community Book Read and Panel Discussion

What does the Second Amendment really mean? Did framers of the amendment intend to give everyone in the U.S. a constitutional right to own guns, without restrictions? Guns to Gardens Louisville is sponsoring a Community Book Read and Panel Discussion to explore these questions on Tuesday, January 30, at 7:00 p.m. at Crescent Hill Baptist Church. Discussion will center on the book The Second Amendment: A Biography, by Michael Waldman.

Panelists for the event will be:

Charles Boteler, a retired district, circuit, and senior judge, and previous board chair of the Kentucky Judicial Campaign Conduct Committee

Elizabeth Jones Brown, a felony prosecutor with the Office of the Commonwealth’s Attorney, in Louisville, Kentucky

Hollan Holm, an attorney, survivor of the December 1997 shooting at Heath High School in West Paducah, Kentucky, and frequent speaker and writer on gun violence prevention

Dr. Steven M. Kelsey, a licensed clinical mental-health provider and former police officer, who has served as faith-based liaison in Louisville’s Office of Safe and Healthy Neighborhoods and currently serves in the city’s MetroSafe office.

Shelley Santry, a Jefferson County Circuit/Family Judge and former prosecutor in domestic violence, sexual assault, and child abuse cases

All are invited to join what promises to be a thought-provoking discussion. If you purchase the book at Carmichaels, you will receive a 20% discount. But please come even if you are not able to read the book. Get more information and a free ticket to the event here.

Guns to Gardens Louisville is the new name of the Gun Violence Prevention Team, an interfaith group that got its start in a youth/adult Sunday school class at CHPC. The group has sponsored three gun safe-surrender events and is taking steps to incorporate as a nonprofit organization.

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/

Community Chair Yoga

Each Monday, the Rev. Ginny Brown will be leading a Chair Yoga class at Crescent Hill Presbyterian church from 10:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m. Yoga is a beautiful journey of one’s body, emotion, mind, and spirit. 



Invite your friends and neighbors. Each person is required to fill out a waiver, and there is a suggested $10 donation to support the ministries of Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church. Upcoming Mondays we will meet in the Gathering room.



Please arrive early. For more information, contact the Rev. Ginny Brown at DHWVLB@Aol.com.