From the Pastor

On Sunday we’ll be looking together at Matthew 23:1-12 where Jesus calls out the religious leaders of his day, accusing them of heaping heavy burdens upon people, while seeking attention and praise for themselves. At first glance, it’s tempting to simply view this text as indictment of religious leadership. However, the lectionary pairs this Gospel reading with Micah 3:5-12, which shows how much damage is done when those who call themselves God’s people pervert justice.

As I reflected on these two passages, I wonder how much of this happens today, where religious leaders and people in faith communities pervert justice? It’s just one of the questions I’m mulling over, but I believe ultimately God wants us as a faith community to not heap heavy burdens on people. Rather we should bring people together by working for justice and pointing them to God’s beauty — to the kind of world God desires for all of us.

Paul

Highlights of the October 25 Session Meeting

At its October 25 meeting, the Session:

• Approved a transfer of membership for Cara Bridgman Kinsey to Mills River Presbyterian Church in Mills River, NC. 
• Approved giving Dana Walker a sanctuary key so she can prepare for the Taize services, and giving keys to Barbara Hedspeth, who lives near the church, in case of emergency. The Session also took steps toward compiling and maintaining in the office a single list of people who have keys to one or both buildings.
• Approved allowing Ginny Brown to use the building to teach Chair Yoga on Mondays at 10:00 a.m. Beginning date has not yet been determined.
• Approved a joint effort with First Christian Church of Louisville to have a Build-A-Bed event on Saturday, December 9, and Sunday, December 10. First Christian will host the event and pay for lumber, hardware, and mattresses. CHPC members will be asked to provide sheets, pillows, toys, and other bed items.
• Elected Eva Stimson and Don Mead as commissioners to the November 10–11 Tri-Presbytery meeting at Harvey Brown Presbyterian Church.
• Approved taking $500 for a presbytery-sponsored building energy audit process out of building maintenance. The audit is free, but the $500 will help pay for any energy-saving recommendations.
• Heard a report from CHPC’s New Structure Task Force, which is recommending that church committees take a 6-month “interlude time,” only meeting if necessary. Session discussed how to take care of essential business, including building maintenance and inviting members to serve on task forces for specific tasks such as planning for Advent.
• Continued a discussion about the John Leake Memorial Garden and heard a report from several Session members about their meeting with Stephen Bartlett. A followup meeting with Stephen and representatives of SAL (Sustainable Agriculture of Louisville) is scheduled for November 2.
• Discussed recent interviews with two candidates for the part-time pastor position. Agreed to place an ad for the position in Presbyterian Outlook.
• Set dates for upcoming Session meetings: November 8 (instead of meeting Thanksgiving week) and December 13 for a potluck and examination of new elders and deacons.

Memorial Service for Beverly Machin

There will be a memorial service for Beverly Machin on Saturday, November 4, at 2:00 p.m., in the church sanctuary.

A reception will follow in fellowship hall.

An Opportunity to Pray for and Study the Middle East

The daily news of the horrors in the Middle East is devastating and hard to understand for those of us who have not followed the history of this region over the last 75 years. We are left to wonder what is happening with Father Abraham’s many children and what we as individuals and those of us in our little church can do about it.

Some CHPCers have said they would like to pray together. Others would like to delve into the history for a better understanding of how to respond personally. Don Mead, who has traveled in the Middle East and is knowledgeable about the region, is willing to meet with those of us who feel profoundly shaken about what is happening and wonder what the future holds.

The first session of this prayer and study group took place on Monday, Oct. 30. Please join us for the second session next Monday, Nov. 6, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., in the Gathering Room in the back building. We hope this will lead to other opportunities for prayer and study.

If you want to participate, please contact Soni Castleberry (502-417-6481 or soni.castleberry@gmail.com) as soon as possible. If you cannot make this study but have suggestions for other time slots or ideas for study, please let her know that too.