Highlights of the April 3, 2024, Session Meeting

Pastor Tami Recob opened the meeting with a reading about making meetings more effective. She stressed that most effective organizing starts with individual relationships.

Among other actions, the Session:

• Heard a report on filming by a local film company in the church sanctuary and office scheduled for April 3, 4, and 9. In an email vote March 20, Session approved renting space to the company for the project.
• Received treasurer’s report indicating finances are well in the black so far this year because of rental income and several pledges paid in advance.
• Approved a proposal from Stephen Bartlett for use of church property for Summer Garden Camps the weeks of June 3–7 and June 10–14. Appointed a sub-group to follow up with Stephen to draft a written agreement on maintenance and use of the garden space.
• Approved a new committee structure to be implemented at a gathering open to all on Wednesday, May 1, beginning with a catered meal at 6:00 p.m.
• Authorized a small group to explore the possibility of commissioning Craig Kaviar, the local blacksmith partnering with Guns to Gardens Louisville, to create a piece of art from parts of chopped-up guns for CHPC’s front plaza.
• Elected Jack Marcum to be a commissioner to the May 20 meeting of Mid-Kentucky Presbytery (at Springdale Presbyterian Church) and noted the need for an additional commissioner.
• Discussed plans for Pentecost Sunday, May 19, including possible local recipients of the congregation’s 40 percent of offering receipts.

Food for Thought Gathering About the Middle East

This Sunday, April 14, Tricia and Phil Lloyd-Sidle will share their transformational experiences from being in Palestine and Israel in February as part of a "Solidarity with the Suffering" delegation. Tricia will do a Minute for Mission in the 11 a.m. service and both will speak from their hearts at a gathering in Henry Young Fellowship Hall at noon right after worship. Light refreshments will be served, followed by a 45-minute presentation and question-and-answer time. Phil and Tricia are also willing to stay for conversation afterward. Please invite anyone that you believe would be interested. Feel free to post on your websites and social media and encourage others to do so too.

Tricia and Phil were part of a 35-member, mostly PC(USA), delegation that responded to a call from Christian partners in the Middle East to bear witness and express solidarity with all who are suffering during this time of unprecedented violence. Since their return, they have spoken to other congregations, elected officials, and activists. Their messages are about grieving over the thousands who have been killed or starved to death. They also urge prayer and support for Palestinians and Israelis engaged in nonviolent actions to bring food, supplies, and justice to those in the region, stop further bloodshed, and return Palestinian prisoners and Israeli hostages. 

Questions? Contact Soni Castleberry at 502-417-6481 or soni.castleberry@gmail.com.

Second Sunday with Sid April 14

Our next once-a-month Second Sunday with Sid (the puppet) gathering on Zoom will be Sunday, April 14, from 9:45 a.m. to 10:15 a.m. We will show several Sid videos, discuss the Bible stories, and catch up with each other. All children and the young at heart are invited join us, and feel free to bring pets and friends. We look forward to seeing everyone!

Please contact Jerry Van Marter at Jerryvanmarter@gmail.com or Eva Stimson at Eva.stimson@gmail.com to be added to the list to receive the Zoom link for our monthly Second Sundays with Sid gatherings.

Guatemalan Connection

The Guatemalan Connection will be meeting after worship, at 12:00 p.m. on Sunday, April 21, in the Gathering Room of the back building.

May 1: Off to the Races

Everyone interested in being involved in the mission of CHPC is invited to a special Derby-week event in the Henry Young Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, May 1, at 6:00 p.m. CHPC committees have taken a break from regular meetings over the past few months—but now we are “Off to the Races” and ready to try out a new committee structure!

After much discussion, Session has authorized the creation of 2 committees to plan and oversee the ongoing work of our congregation:

• OPS (Operations) Committee—Guides work formerly coordinated by the Stewardship Committee (finances, budget, upkeep of building and grounds, etc.). Also oversees work of the Personnel Committee and continues the work of the Generosity Team and Building Use Task Force.
• NOW Committee—Guides programmatic work of the congregation, activities formerly coordinated by the Nurture, Outreach, and Worship Committees (including music and worship, Christian formation, earth care, gun violence prevention, garden ministry, etc.).

Because the congregation is smaller than it used to be, Session believes it makes sense to have fewer committees—instead of 2-3 people gathered for each of the 4 committee meetings each month, we will have more people around fewer tables. The goal is to multiply ideas and creativity and improve communication.

Our schedule for May 1: Catered supper at 6:00 p.m., followed by an introduction to the new structure, and initial gatherings of the 2 committees. Please think and pray about where your gifts can be best used and how God is calling you to serve. Then find your seat at one of these 2 tables. With everyone’s participation, CHPC will soon be Off to the Races!

Woosley-Leake Scholarships

Woosley-Leake Scholarship applications for the 2024-2025 school year are now available. Any Crescent Hill Presbyterian church member or immediate family of a church member who will be enrolled in an undergraduate college or training program is invited to apply. Applications need to be completed and returned to the church office by May 1. Contact Patti Marcum at pdwmarcum@gmail.com to request an application.

Jean Leake Scholarship Fund

The Jean Leake Fund offers assistance to the children and youth of Crescent Hill Presbyterian Church for camping opportunities. Applications for scholarships are now available. Please contact Patti Marcum at pdwmarcum@gmail.com or 502-403-8269 to request an application or ask questions. Deadline for applications is April 15. Scholarship applicants will be notified of their award amount by

May 1. Payment will be made according to information provided in the application.

Prayer Group for the Middle East

You are invited to join with members of CHPC and other churches in prayer each Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., on Zoom. Paul Seebeck offered to lead this group after several folks met together a couple of times to share information and support each other during the aftermath of renewed violence in the Middle East. Here is the Zoom link if you would like to join in:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81578416917?pwd=cTBLeDd0WFBRbTliclE1aGZVMERwdz09

Meeting ID: 815 7841 6917

Passcode: 972269

Bus Tour Honoring the Legacy of African Americans

On Saturday, May 18, from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., join your friends in Mid-Kentucky Presbytery for a historical bus tour in the Louisville area. The bus will be departing from Central Presbyterian Church (318 West Kentucky Street).

The tour will visit sites from the slave to civil rights eras as well as Roots 101 Museum. One stop will be Second Baptist Church in New Albany, a stop on the Underground Railroad. Louisville historian and Highland Presbyterian Church member Tom Owen will guide a portion of the tour.

Tour participants must be middle-school age or older and be able to get on and off a school bus. The $25 fee includes a box lunch and admission to all sites. Seating is limited. Click here to register.

For more information, call Bill Williamson at 502-415-5469.