THE MESSENGER
 September 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 


 

Church email: 

[email protected]


 Pastor 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


The church office will be closed Monday, September 7, in observance of Labor Day.

 

View the church calendar on our website 

 

September 2015 Calendar


Welcome New Members


Conner Fields

Donovan Hamilton

Eric Hamshar

 
 
September Birthdays
 
 

  3 - Jim Brown

  3 - Rev. Todd Freeman

  3 - John Carroll

  5 - Taylor Brennan

  7 - Bob Lucy

  9 - David Hensley

  9 - Nora Featherston

10 - Jim Campbell

11 - Sharon Coleman

11 - Steven Rhoden

15 - Adam Brennan

16 - Julio Melendez

17 - Bill Nole

19 - Kim Childs

19 - P.J. Brobston

19 - Aubrey Hovenga

20 - Diane Buchner

20 - Laura Wimer

22 - Katie Abercrombie

24 - Spencer Livingston-Gainey

24 - John Gammie

25 - Amy Williamson

30 - Sofia Emma Ohlson

30 - Jesper Nils Ohlson

30 - Sandy Farler-Hoyt

30 - Miles McAnally

 

                          

  Remember the 
Birthday Endowment Fund!

 


Photos

Game Night
August 3




~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Celtic Service of Worship
Bagpiper Bill Tetrick
August 9

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Family Fellowship Pool Party
at Nancy & John Gammie's home
August 29

 
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
New Carpet in the Pastor's Study


Replacing the carpet in the Sanctuary






View more photos on our Facebook page
Like us on Facebook
  
Book Club
September 20

The Unlikely Pilgrimage 
of Harold Fry: A Novel
by Rachel Joyce
 
Described as a "gorgeously poignant novel of hope and transformation" by O: The Oprah Magazine, Rachel Joyce's debut novel has also been heralded by other authors as having "tremendous heart" (Paula McClain), "marvelous" (Helen Simonson), and "original, subtle and touching" (Claire Tomalin).  The USA Today review stated "I can't think of a better recommendation for summer reading."  

So for these last days of summer, pick up The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry: A Novel and then begin fall by joining us for Book Club!

This book is available at book stores, your local library, and other book sources. 

Book Club will meet for lunch and discussion at Panera Bread (1624 E. 15th St., just west of Utica on the south side of 15th st.) immediately following worship service (about 12:15pm).

Click (name) to contact Fritha Ohlson for more information about Book Club.


Luncheon Club
Thursday, September 17

Luncheon Club meets the third Thursday of the month at noon in Fellowship Hall.


Join us for wonderful 
food, fellowship and fun!
College Hill
Recycle and Donation Center

 

The cabinets in the hallway outside of Fellowship Hall have been repurposed for use as a place to deposit recycling and donations. 

 

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.

 

2015 
Birthday Endowment Fund
 
A meaningful way to celebrate this year's Birthday 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.

  

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!
Word from the Pastor
First of all, I hope all of you have a fun and safe Labor Day Weekend! Our thoughts and prayers are also with all our folks, and their families, who have returned to school.
 
Each September in our eNewsletter, I like to quote the Old Testament prophet Joel, "'Yet even now', says the Lord, 'return to me with all your heart.'" Even though that passage is usually used as the liturgical call to observe a Holy Lent, I like to use it as a way to say that as summer comes to a close it's going to be great seeing everyone back in the weekly fellowship of the congregation. For those of you who have been away, know that you have been missed!! But how wonderful to take a break.
 
Sunday, September 13, is our annual Rally Day, beginning with a Pancake Breakfast at 9:00 am. Church School classes will then meet briefly at 9:30 am, including a tour of the classrooms and church facility. During worship on that day we will have our annual Commissioning of Church School Teachers and Worship Connection Volunteers. As you know, we are blessed by many talented and dedicated teachers and volunteers in our Christian Education program.
 
I want to take this opportunity to send out a special thank you, and my deep appreciation, to the Ruling Elders who are currently serving on the Session of the church. Their dedication, wisdom, and strong leadership continue to make all the difference in the life and ministry of College Hill. I ask that each one of us act as 'encouragers' to all our church leaders, keeping them in your thoughts and prayers.
 
And as always, know that I and the Congregational Care ministry team (currently moderated by Gini Fox) are truly interested in knowing if you or your family has a pastoral concern (illnesses, surgeries, death in the family, special needs, as well as joys and celebrations). Our level of nurturing support and care for one another in this community of faith is indeed one of the most meaningful aspects of our ministry together.

 
Blessings,
Rev. Todd 



  
News & Events
Sunday, September 13 

The day will begin at 
9:00 am with a delicious Pancake Breakfast, followed by a brief introduction to classes and an open house tour of all church school classes. 

We will formally celebrate the new church school year and Commissioning of Teachers on Rally Day. 

After worship, John and Nancy Gammie will host a pool party at their home for the children and their families.
 

Monday, September 14
6:00 pm

Do you enjoy playing cards, dominoes or board games? Then join us the first Monday of every month in Fellowship Hall. 

We'll begin with dinner provided by the Fellowship Ministry Team (donations appreciated to offset the cost) with games to follow. Please (click name to) RSVP to Clay Finck-Ward or the church office so we'll know how much food to provide. 

If you require childcare, please let Marilyn Hill or the church know. We'll have lots of games, but if you have a favorite game, feel free to bring it! We look forward to a fun night of fellowship!

 

Annual Mission Fair
Sunday, September 20

Outreach & Mission Ministry Team is sponsoring our second annual Mission Fair.  As with last year, we will ask you to prioritize four causes selected by O&M for our unrestricted mission funds in 2016.  

There will be balloons, breakfast pastries of some sort a special guest and information on the following four causes: 
  • Kids Against Hunger - Tulsa Program
  • Community Food Bank of Eastern Oklahoma
  • Solar Under the Sun and
  • Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
Look for information on each of these in our weekly bulletins.

For more information, (click name to) contact 
 
Taste of Kendall Whittier 2015
September 29, 5:00-9:00 pm

The most delicious night of the year in Kendall Whittier is back!

This year's Taste of Kendall Whittier trolley-led restaurant crawl will once again start and end at Marshall Brewing Company (618 S. Wheeling Ave.). After an appetizer at the brewery, you'll board trolleys to go sample delicious dishes at restaurants throughout Kendall Whittier. This year, we've added several new stops!

Individual tickets are $35, which includes all food and beverages. We're also offering a special Conductor Package on a first-come, first-serve basis, which includes:
  • 4 tickets
  • 4 extra entries in the raffle drawing
  • Name recognition as a Conductor Sponsor in the event program
The Conductor Package is $250. Of that amount, $110 is tax-deductible (the portion over and above the price of four individual tickets).

Individual tickets and Conductor packages may be purchased online or by check (payable to KWMS, 2318 E Admiral Blvd, Tulsa 74110). 

Proceeds benefit three neighborhood nonprofits:
Circle Cinema Foundation, Kendall Whittier Inc. and Kendall Whittier Main Street.

Please don't wait to buy your tickets! Taste of Kendall Whittier sold out weeks in advance last year.

Thank you for your support and we look forward to seeing you on September 29!

 

  

On May 31, College Hill took a 5th Sunday offering for 
Kendall Whittier Elementary uniforms. 

You generously provided $415 for this effort.  
 
On Tuesday, August 11, Charlotte Slemp and
Pat Fox took advantage of Target's 55% off sale and snapped up supplies before the back to school rush.  With your donated funds and their donated time, they loaded
28 items into three big sacks.  This was enough for uniforms for fourteen students just in time for back-to school night!  

In the words of KWE's Rhonda Kesler, "Many of our students will blessed by [the uniforms].  A special thanks goes to the ladies that did the shopping." 

Thank you College Hill, and thank you 
Charlotte and Pat!

 
Day Center Meal
September 26

Our Hispanic congregation will be cooking up another delicious dinner for the meal at the 
Day Center for the Homeless.

Sign up on Caroline's Clipboard to donate food, money or services.

Many thanks to all who contribute to this ministry! 

 
Music Ministry

CHANCEL CHOIR

The Chancel Choir of College Hill Presbyterian Church continues its rehearsals Wednesdays 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 fall season! Click here to contact Kim.

 

BELLISSIMO HANDBELL ENSEMBLE

BELLissimo Handbell Ensemble of College Hill Presbyterian Church continues rehearsals at 5:30 p.m. If you are interested in playing in this fun ensemble, please contact the 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.

  

Choir

 

 KWI 1st Sunday Food Collection
Sunday, September 6

Our First Sunday food collection will go to the Kendall Whittier, Inc. Emergency Food Pantry

We will again be collecting canned vegetables and canned fruit, which are especially needed, as well as other food items. Cash donations are also always welcome. They are also in desperate need of canned meats and/or entrees at this time.

  
Something for the Spirit

A Call for Christians 
to Act Like They Are Christians
- from the blog, "The God Article" by Mark Sandlin 
on the patheos.com website

Do not say that it is na�ve to think we can love everyone, even our enemies. It is not na�ve; it is Christian.

Do not say that it is politically na�ve to be forgiving of those who hurt you. It is not na�ve; it is Christian.

Do not say that it is na�ve to ensure everyone's basic needs are met, even for the least of these. It is not na�ve; it is Christian...

Jesus never said that following in his way would be
practical - he said that it would be difficult. Tell me that your faith is big enough to take the first step into matching your Sundays and your weekdays. Tell me that you are so committed to the teachings of Jesus that you will risk loving your enemy. Tell me that the image of Christ is carved out in every face you see and that you could never sit idly by as politicians and big business conspire to step on the least of these. Tell me that God's love lives in you...

Tell me with your words.
Tell me with your actions.
Tell me with your political positions.
Tell me with your life.



To read the entire article,
click here


Translator Needed
College Hill Hispanic Fellowship

Our group is in need of a Spanish-speaking liaison who is willing to help with our Hispanic Fellowship Group this next year. 

If some of our new members would be interested, that would be great! We need someone who can translate and be liaison for the group.

If you are interested, please (click name to) contact Pat Valencia.

Flower Chart Sign Up
  
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 dates for 2015 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.
     College Hill 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