Dear Beloved of God,

As your transitional pastor, I know that your hearts are eager to resolve the conflicts of 2021. Please be patient with the Session and me as we discern the best way forward. Timing is essential, as is the process. I do not want us to jump into something too quickly just for the sake of doing something. We need to design the best process we can to help everyone feel heard, bring healing, rebuild trust, and give us the capacity, imagination, and energy to engage in vital and healthy ministry for years to come. 

I have been praying for God’s guidance in how to proceed and am convinced that getting to know you is an essential step. That’s why much of my time is dedicated to meeting with as many of you as I can. I want to hear your perspective on what took place last year and your hopes for your church. Thank you to those of you who scheduled meetings with me. 

If you have not yet signed up (https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A9A92BAAF9C61-visits) or called Faith to make an appointment with me, I urge you to do so, even if you are not participating in the worshipping community at this time.

Be assured that we WILL move forward. With God’s help, we will bring healing and closure for your congregation and envision a new future for you. 

We have a big task before us, one that I am confident we can do together. For now, keep the congregation, the Session, Deacons, and staff in your daily prayers. Hold fast to the promise that “it is God who is at work in you, enabling you both to will and to work for God’s good pleasure.” (Phil. 2:13)

Peace,

Peggy

Children of all ages are invited to Zoom Sunday School, each Sunday morning from 9:45–10:15. Please join us for songs, Bible stories, prayers, crafts, and more!

As word spreads about Zoom Sunday School, we’ve been blessed to have participants from as far away as Washington State and Costa Rica. We will be joined at least occasionally in the new year by Sid (aka Luke Van Marter), who no doubt will continue to make us smile as he completely misunderstands the day’s Bible lesson.

Teachers are Eva Stimson, Jerry Van Marter and Bev Machin. Please contact Eva or Jerry if you are interested in being part of the teaching team in 2022 or if you want to be added to the list to receive the weekly Zoom invitations.

If you have any questions or comments, please call or email Eva Stimson or Jerry Van Marter.

We call ourselves a connectional church. Our belief that, “the congregation is the basic form of the church, but it is not of itself a sufficient form of the church” is written into our covenantal documents.

The main way we financially support the larger church is through per capita giving. Our per capita gifts support the church’s national and international work through the Office of the General Assembly, the regional work of our Synod of Living Waters, and the local work of our Mid-Kentucky Presbytery. For additional information on per capita, please see the Per Capita Sunday website.

This year’s per capita, the amount CHPC contributes for each congregation member, is $25.03. Please help us support our larger denominational family by making a special one-time gift to CHPC (by a check mailed to the church or through CHPC’s online giving page) for $25.03.

Peace,

The Stewardship Committee

Spirit of Sophia presents:  TENDING A RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF:

Learning to balance your own self-care and growth with the needs of a thirsty world.

A Virtual Mini Retreat for Women on Saturday, January 29th from 10:00 am to 12:15 pm EST

Cost: $55 (partial scholarships are available)

Join us to explore taking greater responsibility for being fully alive. What do I need to see about myself? What keeps my pain stuck and my voice at times silent? Am I able to say “yes” to life’s necessary pruning? Rumi teaches, “Stop looking the other way. Look inside yourself. You already have the precious mix that will make you well.”

We encourage you to take this Saturday and set it aside for you. If at all possible, plan to spend time in solitude after our time with Paula – perhaps using a spiritual practice that takes you deep within to reflect on the wisdom shared and what has risen up in you.

Dear Friends,

To schedule a visit with Peggy, click the link below: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0F45A9A92BAAF9C61-visits.

If you are uncomfortable signing up online, please call the church office.

Please have all newsletter submissions turned in every Wednesday by noon. Use this link for submissions and follow the prompts. Thank you!

Allen Bridgman is our Deacon of the Month. If you or someone you know is in need of a kind gesture, please reach out to Allen at j.allenbridgman@gmail.com or call 502-314-5884.

Don Mead is our Elder of the Week. He can be contacted by phone at 231-649-3800 or via email at mead@msu.edu.