7 from Kevin - November 2023
Kevin Jeske-Polyak • November 16, 2023
- In 2011 a group of 8 congregants, including John Mark, decided to have some fun and perform an art project. The life of our patron Saint, St. James, became the subject. Each congregant decided on one aspect of St. James' life and painted an image of that. Four of those 8 recently rediscovered paintings are currently on display in the Administration wing hallway. Eventually, the full set will be displayed along with a short story about each painting.
- Linda Goins has been lending her exacting and creative talents to compile, edit and publish our weekly service bulletins for many years. It's not as easy as it looks. It requires great organizational skills, patience, and concentration. Linda is always at the ready whenever the need arises to produce bulletins for special holiday and memorial services as well. Recently, she responded to an "emergency" situation when it was necessary to print bulk mail envelopes one by one on short notice!
- In addition to lining up performers and food vendors for the annual Neighbor Day Concert, there is much more work that goes on behind the scenes. Thanks to Ashley, Bill Y, Butch, Carol, Carla, Drew J-P, Hoyt, John Mark, Kevin, Rick B, and the folks at HP Video for all their help in planning and managing our Third Annual Neighbor Day Concert in the Parking Lot! Special thanks to all of you who attended the event and enjoyed the music provided by the New Dismembered Tennesseans bluegrass band.
- Jere Myers & DeAnna Franklin certainly know how to organize pancake breakfasts! Through four of six events, the number of participating neighbors has steadily increased every week. Thanks to their skill in budgeting and managing the actual tasks performed, the costs associated with all six Saturdays was covered after the first 3 Saturdays. The rest of the money raised during the final 3 Saturdays will be used to support our ministries.
- Balancing HVAC energy efficiency considerations with the individual comfort preferences among hundreds of assembled guests is a challenging task. Add to that, the dynamics of meeting & event schedules and the effects of the constantly changing weather conditions in East Tennessee. We are so thankful for Colby with Trane Technologies and Ed with J&F Mechanical who are working so conscientiously and patiently with us as we continue to tweak the schedule.
- Now that renovations have been completed, our focus has shifted to doing everything necessary to ensure preventive and corrective actions are promptly taken to care for an maintain our spaces. An important part of that has been contracting with a professional part-time housekeeper through DT's Housekeeping Services. Although Suzette only works in the mornings, (Mondays and Fridays), she has already proven to be a very conscientious, thorough and efficient part of our team!
- Carol & Butch Yates provide enormous assistance in helping us
reorganize items stored in and around the church. They also help us dispose of
"clutter" and
useless items that seem to collect in these areas over time. In addition to all of that, Butch & Carol perform other
"home improvement" tasks like replacing light fixtures, mounting brackets, and hanging window blinds. We appreciate everything everything they do to help us keep our spaces
organized and
comfortable.
Lent is a season when we are particularly called to consider our sins and to amend our ways. Many of the messages we hear in our culture tend to focus on the sins of an individual. The witness of scripture places as much emphasis on corporate sins. In the story of Jonah, the whole city is called to repent. Prophets like Amos deliver the call for all those in power to stop mistreating the poor. In Nehemiah 5, we hear the story of Nehemiah gathering a great assembly to call for the leaders to stop the unfair lending practices harming their community. As faithful people, we are called to consider the ways that our life together touches the lives of others.
I am writing this on the Feast of St. Joseph (March 19). This character in God's salvation story has an intriguing supporting role. He chooses to protect Mary and the expectant child despite the possible scandal. Joseph finds himself fleeing for Egypt to protect the newborn Jesus. We don't otherwise hear much from or about Joseph in scripture. He is a faithful person who sought to follow God in tough situations.
Get ready to jingle all the way to the "Smoky Mountain Ring" - a sensational showcase of talent and community spirit! Join us on Saturday, April 5 @ 4:30 pm at Grace Lutheran Church, (9076 Middlebrook Pike), where The Bells of St. James will be ringing in harmony with several other talented handbell choirs under the expert guidance of clinician Brenda Austin. This vibrant concert is more than just a musical event; it's a heartwarming celebration of connection, inclusivity, and the joy of coming together as a community. We can't wait to see you there!
Friends and Neighbors, We enter the season of Lent. Lent can seem very focused on the individual. For sure, we are called to consider our sinfulness and mortality. We do not stay there, but turn our hearts to God's forgiveness and grace.
Get ready to flip for joy because Shrove Tuesday is THIS TUESDAY (Mar 4)! Join us in the Parish Hall at 6 pm to 8 pm for a delightful evening filled with fluffy buttermilk pancakes and a smorgasbord of toppings that'll make your taste buds dance! Were even bringing out some classic, time-honored shrove pancake recipes that are sure to warm your heart. But wait, theres more! Come hungry and bring your family and friends for a night of fun, laughter, and the chance to snag some awesome door prizes! Trust us, you won't want to miss out on this delicious community gathering. Tickets are flying fast, so grab yours now for just $5 (adults) and $2 (children). And hey, if you're feeling the call to help out, we'd love to have you volunteer! Arrive at 5 pm to help with setup and prep so we can make this event a huge success together! RSVP at THIS LINK today! Remember, this isn't just about pancakes; it's about coming together as a community, sharing joy, and supporting our outreach initiatives.
Friends and Neighbors, I don't want to get too far ahead, but Lent is approaching. The tradition of the Church calls for a time of fasting and repentance. That often involves giving something up or taking something on. I recommend that folks keep it simple and be kind to themselves. We aren't doing these things to earn God's favor. We take up these practices to turn our hearts towards God. This turning of our hearts could be called "devotion".
Friends and Neighbors, We live in a world that bombards us with information. Here I am adding to the mix of ideas and thoughts coming your way. I am reminded of how Jesus often took time to go away to pray. Even without cell phones and constant news, Jesus and those around him were well aware of their world's contentious politics and problems. Jesus spoke to those problems and acted to meet the needs of people. He also empowered his followers to do the same things he did. Jesus took time to pray, teach, and be with folks at meals. Connecting with God and our community nurtures and feed us in the midst of all the demands on our attention.