THE MESSENGER
January 2015
College Hill Presbyterian Church 
A Theologically Progressive, Inclusive, Multicultural,
'More Light Presbyterian' Congregation (PCUSA)

 

  

712 S. Columbia Ave.
Tulsa, OK 74104
918-592-5800

  

 Church office hours: 

 Mon - Th, 9 am - 3 pm

Closed on Fridays


  

9:30 a.m. Church School-all ages 
11:00 a.m. Worship in English

 11:00 a.m. Worship in Spanish 


 

email

[email protected]

  

website:
 
www.collegehilltulsa.org  


 

  Like us on Facebook


 

Join us for coffee, juice, cookies 

 and conversation in the 

Fellowship Hall before
Church School 
and before Worship.  
  

 

Mission Statement 
Build an inclusive
community of faith.
  
Receive and openly
share the love of God.
  
Reach out with a
compassionate voice 
for peace and justice.
Quick Links
Join Our Mailing List

View the church calendar on our website 

 

January 2015 Calendar

Photos
Christmas Celebrations
Our beautiful sanctuary during Advent

 

 




The children of the church performed in a play 
entitled "No Room at the Inn" during the 
Christmas Eve Worship Service





Our Hispanic Fellowship met to enjoy 
the holidays together


Pat Valencia

Luncheon Club gathered in December for a 
delicious Christmas feast


View more photos on our Facebook page
Like us on Facebook
  
2014 Transitions
New Members
PJ Brobston
Michelle Brobston
Haley Brobston
 Parker Brobston
Rosie Brown
Elizabeth Carroll
Charlotte Carroll
John Carroll
Steven Rhoden
Nathan Swanson
Vance Vanderburg
Nancy Vanderburg
Amy Williamson
Baptisms
Isabelle Thomason

Cooper Thomason
 
Births

David Matthew Zerger

June 24, 2014

 

Ruby Oldham

November 4, 2014

 

In Memoriam
Ann Richards Ketcham
July 17, 1950 - September 21, 2014

Lois G. Erickson
March 31, 1928 - September 16, 2014

 
January Birthdays
 
 

  1 - Paulino Allande

  2 - Joey Hager

  4 - Megan Featherston

  6 - Damion Williams

  7 - Louis Coleman

  8 - Julia Allande

11 - Camellia McKenzie

14 - Jennifer Campbell

15 - Parker Brobston

19 - Fritha Watts Ohlson

20 - Jeff Dickason

25 - Ethan Buchner

27 - David Moser

27 - Tanya Patterson

30 - Dena Schone

31 - Nancy Foote

 

                          

Remember the 
Birthday Endowment Fund!

 

Music Ministry

    

 

CHANCEL CHOIR

 

The Chancel Choir of College Hill Presbyterian Church will return from the holidays for rehearsal Wednesday, January 7 at 6:45 p.m. Come join in the second story choral room (next to the church office) for singing, fellowship and lots of laughter!


If you are a singer wanting to use your talents, please see Director of Music, Kim Childs. We would love to welcome new members this upcoming spring season!  


BELLISSIMO 

HANDBELL ENSEMBLE

 

The BELLissimo Handbell Ensemble of College Hill Presbyterian Church will resume rehearsals after the holidays Wednesday, January 7 at 5:45 p.m.  if you are interested in playing in this fun ensemble, please contact Director of Music for more information. 
 


SPECIAL SOLO OPPORTUNITIES

 

We would like members of the choir and congregation that are interested in solo vocal/instrumental opportunities to contact our Director of Music. 

 

Click here to contact Kim Childs if you are interested in any of our music ministry opportunities.


 

To listen to past choir performances, click here


 

DR. KIM J. CHILDS, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC

MIKE GIBSON, ORGANIST

 
Word from the Pastor

It is my sincere hope that your Christmas season was meaningful and blessed in many ways.

 

I know I say this every year, but I've never been one for making New Year's resolutions, mainly because I prefer to avoid the guilt and disappointment when I break them (usually within the first week or two). That doesn't mean, however, that I don't strive for certain things, like to live my life in a more Christ-like way each day. Or as John Shelby Spong encourages:

 

- Live life fully

- Love abundantly

- Be who you are created to be

 

Though the above is never completely achieved, I think it's a noble goal for every person of faith.

 

As we turn the calendar to begin a new year, I am also reminded of one of the hallmarks of the Christian faith, that God is a God of new beginnings. I truly look forward to what this new year will bring, for I am very excited about what's going on in the life and ministry of this congregation.

 

Throughout this year ahead, let's focus on how our life of faith is like a pilgrimage, as we journey together, and as individuals, toward an experience of God's presence in our own lives and in the world around us.

 

Please keep the church staff, our Ruling Elders, and all the members and friends of this wonderful congregation in your prayers and acts of kindness, especially those in need. May each and every one of you have a truly blessed year!


 

Blessings,

 

Rev. Todd Freeman

 

News & Events
We are pleased to announce that your donations to Emergency Infant Services (EIS) during our Christmas Eve Offering, totaled
$2031.75! 

~Cash donations: 
$1,132.00 
~In kind (diapers, formula, etc.) 
$899.75! 

Your generosity is much-appreciated! 

 

  

 

       
Epiphany Service of Worship
 

On the Road with the Wise Ones: 

An Epiphany Celebration

Tuesday, January 6, 2015 at 6:00 pm

 

There will a soup supper in Fellowship Hall, followed by sharing stories of journeying and seeking "around the campfire after a day of travel."

 


Annual Session Retreat
Saturday, January 10, 2015

 

The Annual Session Retreat will be held from
9:00 am - 3:00 pm at Rev. Freeman's home. This is a very important gathering for the Session in order to reflect upon where we have been as a congregation during this past year and envision where we hope to journey in the year ahead. 

Ministry Team assignments for 2015 will also be discerned and chosen. Please keep the church Ruling Elders and staff in your prayers.

 Baptism of the Lord Sunday
Sunday, January 11, 2015
  

Communion

Ordination and Installation of Elders

 

Annual Congregational Meeting 
& Potluck Luncheon
Sunday, January 25

Please plan to attend the
Annual Congregational Meeting and Potluck Luncheon immediately following worship. The Ministry Teams will present their Annual Reports at this time.

Bring a covered dish to share and join us for this very important meeting of the congregation.
Youth Group Makes a Comeback! 
Sunday, January 11 

 

We're getting the band back together!

 

OK, maybe not the band, but we are getting the youth group back together. College Hill is joining with Fellowship United Church of Christ, First Lutheran, Bethany Christian and Eastside Christian. Each of these churches are in a similar place as College Hill - a small number of youth, but not enough for a "critical mass". 

 

Together this group hopes to provide an open, caring environment for everyone. Initially the group will meet once a month, with a heavy focus on fun activities and as time (and success) progresses, adding mission and study opportunities as well.

 

 

 

College Hill is lucky to have Brian Fink-Ward, Rebecca Howard and Joy Kelly (not pictured) serve as the youth group sponsors.

 

The first event, an afternoon of food and games, is scheduled for the afternoon of Sunday, January 11, 2015 at Eastside Christian church. 


  
G-Chat at Johnny Carino's
Sunday, January 24 at 6:00 pm 

You have TWO reasons to mark your calendar now for this date: This is the date of the first CHPC "G-Chat" dinner, a new supper club for LGBTQ members!  We'll meet at the Johnny Carino's at 41st and Sheridan for dinner and conversation at 6pm, and kick off the new year with this new fellowship event.  

The second reason?  Johnny Carino's will donate 10% of ANYONE'S meal purchase on Jan. 24th to Open Arms Youth Project - you just have to mention OYP when you order!  See you then!

 

DF7O8 Update 

Just a quick note to give a big thank you to everyone that hosted a fall dinner. We heard from several guests and hosts indicating that a wonderful time was had by all. 

As the holidays wrap up, we need to start planning for our winter dinners.  If you volunteered to host a winter Dinner For 7-8, you have already received your list of guests. If you need a new copy of this list please request that from
Clay Finck-Ward. Winter dinners for 7-8 will be held sometime in January, February, or March.

If you are a guest wondering whose home will be hosting, there is a master list posted in Fellowship Hall. 

If you have any questions or concerns feel free to (click name to) contact Clay

       
Celtic Spirituality Small Group

 

The Celtic Spirituality group will gather on Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 6:30 pm at the home of Mark and Gay Miller

 

We will be discussing the Gaelic festival of Imbolc which is also know as St. Brigid's day. Imbolc is a time for anticipating the end of winter and the rebirth of the natural world.  During our gathering we will also explore the feminine spiritual forces and be discussing hospitality.

 

Click (name) to contact Mark if you have any questions. 

 

Kendall Whittier News

Kendall Whittier, Inc. will be launching the Tipton Garden this month. More information will be available soon.

 KWI 1st Sunday Food Collection
Sunday, January 4, 2015
1st Sunday Food Collection

Our 1st Sunday Food Collection goes to the Kendall Whittier, Inc. Emergency Food Pantry.

Currently, there is an urgent need for canned goods, especially canned beans, canned meat (chili, spaghetti, stew, chicken, etc.), canned vegetables and canned fruit, as well as other food items. Cash donations are also always welcome.
  
Day Center for the Homeless Meal

Our Hispanic Fellowship will be preparing and serving dinner Saturday, January 24 at Tulsa's Day Center for the Homeless. 

Check out Caroline's Clipboard to contribute food or funds. 

 

College Hill
Recycle and Donation Center

 

We are re-purposing the old cabinets in the hallway outside of Fellowship Hall for use as a place to deposit recycling and donations. Temporary signs should be up by the time you read this with permanent signs to follow shortly.

 

Recycle bins will accommodate paper, cans, plastic bags, compact fluorescent lamps, batteries, and printer cartridges. 

 

Donation bins will be provided for diapers and baby care products, dry goods and hygiene items, and school supplies.

 

Something for the Spirit

 

New Year, New Beginnings

By Christine Valters Paintner, December 21, 2009

 

More people are taking the celebration of New Year's as a time for reflection on what has gone before, and for listening to their longing for what lies ahead. Here is a guide to celebrating the New Year in meaningful ways. It includes practices such as: Preparing; Reconciliation; Dream-Tending; Walking into the New Year; and Doing What You Love.

 

Know deep within that the God who keeps revealing new things to us, also fills us with hope for a future of peace.


 

Click here to read more.

        

Penny FundPenny
Thank you for your donations to the Penny Fund! You are always welcome to donate your pennies (or any loose change), in the red container on the Narthex table.  This money goes toward funding many College Hill events/needs!
Flower Chart
  
If you would like to bring flowers to decorate the sanctuary for an upcoming worship service, please sign up on the Flower Chart on the bulletin board in Fellowship Hall. There are many open dates available. Your dedication will also be announced in the worship bulletin.  
  
Flowers can be purchased from any store or brought from home. Please bring them in two containers the morning of the service for which you have signed up.
2015 Birthday Endowment Fund
 

2015 brings about another Birthday for each of us.

 

A meaningful way to celebrate this occasion is to donate an amount equal to your new age to the Endowment Fund.

 

This donation is also a wonderful way to honor others such as children, grandchildren and friends and allows the church to have funds available for special projects.


Birthday Fund envelopes are available on the Narthex table, under the Birthday balloon. Checks can be made payable to College Hill and marked "Birthday Fund" on the memo portion of the check.