Second Presbyterian Church 

700 Pine Street

Chattanooga, TN  

Registration will begin at 9:30am and the meeting will begin at 10:00am.  The meeting packet is available on the Presbytery's website under Resources > Packets & Minutes. 

Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

             

Greetings from the Support Mission Team of the Presbytery of East Tennessee. You have been in our prayers during our recent gathering. We pray for your ministries and your congregations.

             

In the last week, letters from various denominational leaders have been sent out as we live into the decisions from the most recent General Assembly. We do not want to add to the information that is already available.

             

However, we do want to offer encouragement. Ministry is always a challenge, especially during times of change. We echo those voices who have reminded us that we serve a living, sovereign Lord who is aware of our circumstances. God, through the presence of the Holy Spirit walks with us and remains faithful through both times of joy and times of challenge. In this we rejoice together and encourage one another.

             

We also want to recommend that we engage one another in dialogue, both as congregations and as individuals. If you would like a resource to do so, the Marriage Task Force from our Presbytery created a video curriculum made for churches to engage in such a dialogue. The hope is for conversation around these important matters of our life together.

             

As we move ahead from General Assembly, we recognize that there may be increased anxiety rising in congregations and even among pastors. Knowing this, we would encourage teaching elders to connect with a minister support group, if you have not already done so. Such a community can provide support for ministry in challenging times (If you are not part of a group and do not know where to look, the Support Mission Team is happy to help).

             

Lastly we offer our own listening ears. If there is a need to talk about the changes, the dynamics, the duties, or even the delights of ministry, we would be glad to act as sounding boards for all.

             

Know that you are in our prayers, and we ask you keep us in yours.

 

All to the glory of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

 

Mrs. Loretta Bradley, ruling elder, Shiloh Presbyterian Church

Rev. David Webster, teaching elder, Concord Presbyterian Church

Rev. Leslie D. Rust, teaching elder, Mars Hill Presbyterian Church

Mrs. Allyson Streckfuss, ruling elder, Erin Presbyterian Church 

2014 INTERNATIONAL PEACEMAKER from Mexican border ministry

 

This year we are fortunate to have Rosario Jocabed Gallegos Viesca visiting our Presbytery from Friday, Sept. 26 thru Tuesday, Oct. 1.  Jocabed (Joca) is the Mexican Coordinator with Frontera de Cristo, a Presbyterian border ministry located in the sister cities of Douglas, Arizona and Agua Prieta, Sonora.  She is well acquainted with issues of violence, poverty, trade, health care and family life faced by these two cities on the U.S./Mexico border.

         

Joca graduated from the Presbyterian Seminary in Mexico City and served in the Presbytery of Chihuahua. She worked alongside her father in Hispanic ministry in So. Carolina for 3 years, then returned to Mexico to develop her own border ministry. She is a fourth generation Presbyterian, something that is uncommon in northern Mexico.

           

 Joca has already been much sought-after by several churches/venues. The only days/times still available are:  Friday & Saturday (Sep 26-27) all day or evening, and Sunday, Sep 28 evening. 

 

Please contact Donna Schall of the Presbytery Peacemaking Committee (schalldon@att.net, or 865-531-1788) to schedule this interesting International Peacemaker for your church/college.

 

PEACEMAKING OFFERING Materials

         

In the last few weeks, churches should have received a fold-out brochure asking that you advise the PC(USA) Distribution Center of materials you need for this year's Peacemaking Offering, which will be received on World Communion Sunday, Oct 5.  Not the usual format, the brochure listed materials your church received last year & required reply only if you want to change quantities/types of materials.

 

Clerk's Training & Session Minutes Reading 

Saturday, Sept. 13, 9:00am to 12:00pm

Mars Hill Presbyterian Church

205 North Jackson St.

Athens, TN

 

Register at  http://tinyurl.com/2014ClerksTraining

   

Tuesday, Oct. 21, 9:00am to 12:00pm

Farragut Presbyterian Church

209 Jamestowne Blvd.

Farragut, TN

 

Register at  http://tinyurl.com/2014MisconductPrevention  

A Retirement Planning Seminar
September 23-24, 2014
Mars Hill Presbyterian Church
205 North Jackson St., Athens
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., ET, both days

This free two-day seminar is for plan members and their guests who plan to retire within the next fifteen years. Look beyond finances to be informed, educated, and inspired for a journey toward wholeness in retirement living.

• Identify key questions for discernment
• Assess your finances
• Discuss healthcare and housing options
• Create next steps in life balance, relationships, housing, health, and finances

 Additional information and registration

A Financial Planning Seminar
September 25, 2014
Mars Hill Presbyterian Church
205 North Jackson St., Athens
8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., ET

This free one-day seminar is for plan members, seminarians, and their guests. It's an introduction to Board seminars and general financial planning. Attend and learn about:

• money danger signals
• how to build budgets
• clergy tax and terms of call basics
• saving and investing
• estate planning basics

Also, attending the entire seminar fulfills one grant application requirement for the Board's Seminary Debt Assistance Program.

Additional information and registration

The registration deadline for these seminars is August 22.

We need your help...

contacting students at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville!  If you know of a student at UT who might like to connect with campus ministry, please send us their contact information!  You can contact us at pcutk@utk.edu or kally.elliott@gmail.com.

CONTACT Care Line is a free, confidential crisis call center for East Tennesseans in need. Our trained volunteer listeners field nearly 19,000 calls each year to reduce social isolation and prevent suicide or violence toward others.

 

Our core programs are the Crisis Line, Reassurance, and Active Listening Training. The Crisis Line is open every day, including holidays, from 8am to 11pm. Daily Reassurance social calls, safety checks, and medication reminders help seniors live independently and give caregivers greater peace of mind.  

 

With funding from the Trinity Health Foundation, CONTACT will pilot Crisis Chat and Text in August 2014. For more details, please call Deb Patterson at 312-7451 or email deb@contactcarelinetn.org 

The next Art of Active Listening Training will take place Tuesday evenings from 7-9 pm September 2 through October 23 at the Tyson House Student Foundation, 824 Melrose Place, in Knoxville. Class discussions, video lectures, and role playing in a supportive atmosphere will help you discover the power of empathetic listening for problem solving and personal transformation. Cost for the general public is $50 and $25 for students. To find out more and to register online, go to at http://www.contactcarelinetn.org/training/.  

 

Prospective students and their families are invited to "Meet Maryville" on the following dates:  September 27, November 8 or April 11. 
http://www.maryvillecollege.edu/admissions/

Glory to God Hymnfest

 

On Sunday, October 12, at 3:30, Graystone Presbyterian (Knoxville) is hosting a hymnfest at 3:30 p.m. Members of churches in the East Tennessee Presbytery are invited to attend, as well as music directors and choir singers. Churches that have Glory to God know what a rich resource it is, including hymns and songs from many places and traditions. This Hymnfest will explore worship and music resources in Glory to God. More information to come; contact Kathy Tallent (music director at Graystone Presbyterian Church) at  tallentk@gmail.com or Anna Thomas (music director at First Presbyterian Church, Oak Ridge) at  aebeebe@hotmail.com.

Eusebia Church honors Revolutionary War veterans

Clad like early Americans, Appalachian Revolutionary 'pioneers' march in the procession opening Eusebia's "Service of Thanksgiving and Prayer for the Nation.

 

The Sunday before Independence Day children of Eusebia Church, Seymour, placed "Betsy Ross," 13-star flags on each of the 15 known graves of Revolutionary War veterans who rest in the cemetery.

           

Among worshipers in the service that followed were members of Daughters and Sons of the American Revolution chapters from as far away as Abingdon, Va., and Chattanooga. Many wore period costume. 

Lemonade, cookies, and conversation followed.             

 

One of the 13 patriot military officers in the graveyard is Joseph Black, founder of Black's Fort (later Abingdon), first English-speaking settlement west of the Blue Ridge. Since the event Eusebia members have learned of the burial of at least a 16th Revolutionary soldier there.