Celebrating Summer at John Knox Center  

 

Having enjoyed Labor Day weekend, we celebrate the end of a great Summer and look to the Fall with anticipation.  This summer Camp John Knox welcomed 200+ campers, staff and volunteers to this holy place.  We are blessed by the churches who partner with us in ministry by sending campers, chaplains and volunteers to be a part of our program.  At the recent Presbytery meeting we honored our top sending churches.  We are grateful for congregations like Bethel (11 campers), Rivermont (10 campers), Erin (9 campers), and Lake Hills Pres, First Sweetwater, Second Chattanooga, Fountain City, and Farragut (7 campers each) who are committed to sending campers to John Knox.  A special thank you to our Chaplains who connected with campers and staff around a cross and a campfire:  Jim Lunde (Graystone), Liz Peterson (4th United), Brad Palmer (New Hope Knoxville), and Jon Faraone (Center).   

 

To learn more about summer camp, Like us on Facebook.  As the saying goes, a picture is worth a thousand words.  If this old saying is true, then this Facebook album would make up a novel.  Please take some time to browse through and see what you made possible at camp this summer. 

 

Annual Family Picnic - Sunday, Sept. 21

Tickets: $10   

 

(Children 10 & under free when accompanied by a paying adult, limit 1 child per paying adult)

 

While summer camp may be coming to a close, our fall season is just getting started.  We invite you to come and join us for the Family Picnic, Sunday, September 21st.  All of your favorite camp activities will be open.  Come and enjoy good food and good fellowship at John Knox Center.  Event flyer 

 

Haunted High Ropes - Saturday, Oct. 25

 

On Saturday, October 25th, we will open up all of our high ropes elements for Haunted High Ropes.  Bring your family, scout troop, church group and friends for fun in the trees and trick or treating.  

More information and registration

Sept. 13 & 27 at Maryville College

This fall, the PET School of the Laity is offering Christian Ethics.  Ethics asks questions about how we should live and act in the world. This two-part course will explore both the underlying philosophical and theological bases of Christian ethics and some major approaches in modern Christian Ethics.

 

The class will meet on the campus of Maryville College on September 13 and 27, from 9:30am to 3:30pm, with lunch at the cafeteria provided.  The cost for this course is $65, and registration is due by September 8. 

   

The course will be taught by two Maryville College professors:

 

Sept. 13: Dr. Bill Meyer - Competing visions in Modern Christian Ethics: Reinhold Niebuhr and Christian Realism vs. Stanley Hauerwas and the Witness of a Distinctive Christian Community.

 

Sept. 27: Dr. Andrew Irvine - Foundations and Basics of Christian Ethics.

 

We are a group of very enthusiastic learners who would love to have you join us.

 

Information and Registration

 

For more information, contact Corita Swanson, swanlady200@gmail.com  

 

With the beginning of school comes the beginning of the new church year. Sunday School and youth groups are kicking off programming for the fall. The Presbytery's Youth Committee is dedicated to providing youth resources for the educational ministries in your local churches. Perhaps one of the most important functions of the Youth Committee is training Youth Council members who are leaders in our youth ministry programs. The 2014-2015 Youth Council kicked off the year with a planning retreat. Also, they participated along with the Youth Committee in the worship service at our August Presbytery meeting.

 

Middle School Retreat - Sept. 26-28, John Knox Center

 

Next on the agenda for Youth Ministry is the Middle School Fall Retreat at John Knox Sept. 26-28. The Rev. Kally Elliott is the keynote presenter. Registration forms have been emailed to all churches.  

 

Retreat Flyer 

Retreat Registration Form 

 

Please call Cheryl Child (865 -577-8510) for more information.

 

 

The theme of our PW Fall Spritual Retreats is "Come Be A Part."   

 

As Christians we are "apart" from this world; as Christians we are a part of the body of Christ; come be a part of Presbyterian Women, come be apart for a day.

 9:30 a.m. - 2:00 pm

 

Sept. 13         Lake Hills Presbyterian Church, Knoxville

Sept. 20         Rivermont Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga

Sept. 27         First Presbyterian Church, Lenoir City

 

Mission opportunities:

• Lake Hills - packages of diapers for local ministries.
• Rivermont & First Lenoir City - New Down Under - new, packaged 100% cotton underwear (male & female) all ages and sizes for Mission Haven.

Programs:

• Lake Hills: Mission speaker, Bible study overview, fabulous lunch, communion & worship & much more.
• Rivermont: Discovering Our Gifts by Judy Persons of PW Synod; Bible study tips, special music by Lucretia Meese of Holston Presbytery; communion and worship.
• First Lenoir City: Come hear from the International Peacemaker; Come learn Bible study tips; Come cook, tamale lessons; Come shop fair trade; Come Worship & Communion.

Retreat Information and Registration

PWP Fall 2014 Newsletter

VENUES FOR INTERNATIONAL PEACEMAKER 

Sept. 26-30

 

The Presbytery Peacemaking Committee announces the following venues for this year's International Peacemaker, Rosario Joca Gallegos Viesca. It is recommended that you call the church or listed contact to confirm times closer to the scheduled date.

 

Friday, Sept. 26 

7:30 pm:   First Presbyterian, Knoxville.  Contact: Bill Myers. 865-584-7429 or myerswilliamf@gmail.com. Please notify Bill at email if you plan to come. This is the only venue within Knoxville, so First would like to know how many people to expect.

  

Saturday, Sept. 27

am & lunch: Presbyterian Women's Fall Retreat at First, Lenoir City.  Contact: Caroline Best, 865-414-1066 or broady307@hotmail.com.

 

Sunday, Sept. 28

9:30 am: Sunday school & worship (11:00am) at Bethel Pres. in Kingston: Rev. Wendy Neff, 865-405-5475

 

6 pm: Talk & dinner at First Pres., Spring City.  Contact: Rev. Linda Springer, cell 937-474-4669

 

Monday, Sept. 29

Evening program - New Hope, Chattanooga.  Contact: Marilyn Suber, 423-432-8866

 

Tuesday, Sept. 30  

AM: Maryville College classes. Contact: Rev. Anne McKee, 865-982-8298, cell 865-659-1314

 

1:15 pm:  Maryville College Weekly chapel service. Contact: Rev. Anne McKee

 

5 pm: Dinner at New Providence, Maryville. Contact: Corita Swanson (swanlady200@gmail.com)

 

7 pm: Program at Highland Presbyterian.  Contact: Corita Swanson

 

Rosario "Joca" Gallegos Viesca, this year's International Peacemaker, is the Mexican Coordinator with Frontera de Cristo, a Presbyterian border ministry in the sister cities of Agua Prieta, Sonora and Douglas, AZ She is well acquainted with issues of violence, poverty, trade, health care, and family life faced by these two cities. Joca is a graduate of the Presbyterian Seminary in Mexico City and has served in the Presbytery of Chihuahua. Previously she worked with her father in Hispanic ministry in So. Carolina for 3 years. She is a fourth generation Presbyterian, not common in northern Mexico.

 

Due to a significant increase in the price of the Presbyterian Mission Yearbooks and the reduced savings from ordering in bulk, the Presbytery Office will not be ordering printed copies of the Yearbook for 2015. You may still order printed copies for your church by contacting Presbyterian Distribution Service at 1(800) 524-2612. The current per book price is $34.95 plus shipping.

 

A cost free way to access the Presbyterian Mission Yearbook readings is to go to this webpage:

http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionyearbook/

 

The daily reading, prayer lists, and daily lectionary readings are right there. You can also use the handy calendar provided to see another day's reading with just a click.

 

You can also sign up for an email subscription to a weekly digest of Mission Yearbook readings (and many other Presbyterian publications) - go to this webpage:

 

http://www.pages03.net/presbyterianchurch/Presbyterian_Church_Newsletter_Subscriptions/

Are you a ruling elder and feel God calling you to explore the ministry?

 

Have you heard of the Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE)?

 

The Commissioned Ruling Elder Subcommittee is always taking applications for the next class of Commissioned Ruling Elders. The application process, our presbytery's requirements, as well as what this entails is found on the presbytery website under Mission Teams > Support > Committee for Commissioned Ruling Elder Training.

 

In the midst of our changing denomination, the office of Commissioned Ruling Elder will become a very important component in the presentation of the Reformed Witness. We would welcome opportunities for dialogue with anyone ascertaining a call to this important office.  

 

Dr. Brad Palmer, subcommittee moderator

nhpcpastor@gmail.com 

In response to Christians in peril of persecution and other recent expressions of violence in the world, Sequoyah Hills Presbyterian Church (3700 Keowee Avenue SW. Knoxville) has set apart a "Day of Prayer" on Wednesday, September 3, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the chapel. You are welcome and encouraged to join us. There will be resources available to help aid you in your prayers.

In response to the recent events in Ferguson, Missouri, the Rev. Dr. Holton Siegling shares his reflections here - "Let's Go Down to Ferguson."

First Pres., Oak Ridge to offer Alpha Course  

Sept. 14-Nov. 16 

 

Why is there suffering in the world? What is the meaning of life? What is the Holy Spirit?

 

These questions are addressed by the 37-year-old Alpha Course that millions of Christians and people curious about Christianity have taken worldwide.

 

The free Alpha Course will be offered on Sunday evenings from Sept. 14 through Nov. 16 at First Presbyterian Church of Oak Ridge, 1051 Oak Ridge Turnpike. Supper and childcare will be provided. The classes will run from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. in Room 102, Activities building.  A one-day retreat will be held on Saturday, Oct. 25, at another location.  Additional information.

 

If you are interested in registering for the course, please visit the website:  www.fpcor.org and click on "Register for the Alpha Course" or call the FPCOR office at 483-1318.

 

In between shopping and games you can indulge in famous fried pies, homemade cookies and cakes, hamburgers and hotdogs and lots more. We will even have a band to keep your toes tapping.

 

All proceeds from the Fall Festival benefit local Roane County ministries: Michael Dunn Center, Mid-East Senior Nutrition Program and 2nd Harvest's Backpacks for Kids.

 

Ya'll are invited to come enjoy a day on the lake, eat great food, buy wonderful crafts and support local ministries.

 

Bethel Presbyterian Church

203 S Kentucky St

Kingston, TN 37763

www.bethelpcusa.org

 

More information

Glory to God Hymnfest - Oct. 12

 

On Sunday, October 12, 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.

 

 

Cross lines that divide. Eliminate stereotypes. And share Christ's love. Spend an Urban Plunge weekend or a City Serve week-long mission trip with CROSS Missions, a ministry of Myers Park Presbyterian growing together as disciples and loving those in need through the power of relational ministry. Our unique urban outreach ministry combines worship, education\reflection and service. Be transformed, returning home inspired to meet the needs of your community.

 

Weekend Length: Friday evening through Sunday, serving at two sites on Saturday.  Meals provided - Saturday: breakfast, lunch and dinner; Sunday: breakfast. Cost: $85-$95/person for three day experience

 

Week-long Length: Sunday evening-Friday morning, serving at two sites per day Monday-Thursday.  All meals included.  Total Cost: $245/person for 6 day experience.

 

Housing included: Cornerstone home or Outreach Center

Worship: Intentional devotion\worship and post-ministry site debriefing

 

http://cross.myersparkpres.org  @crossmissions on twitter and instragram and on facebook at CROSS Missions Myers Park Presbyterian Church http://www.myersparkpres.org/ 

We invite you to share your news with us.  All articles and news items must be submitted by the 20th of the month prior to publication.  Send your information to Dana Hendrix, dana@presbyteryeasttn.org.