What makes for a healthy congregation? This is the question we’ve been looking at the last few months. This month and next we are considering anxiety in a congregation.
Anxiety is natural; it is part of being human. It affects all human relationships, communities, and systems. Anxiety is defined as an automatic reaction to a threat, real or imagined. Anxiety is what protects us from potential risk or harm; it is a natural reaction designed for self-preservation. Ordinary anxiety helps us cope with life. It keeps us alert to potential changes in the environment and helps us assess whether or not those changes are a threat to our survival.
At an elevated level, however, anxiety can be a paralyzer, causing us to freeze. When it’s intense and prolonged, anxiety has a strangling effect, depleting our energy, disturbing our thinking, and dividing our loyalties. We have a hard time making decisions, our ability to think critically is diminished, our functioning becomes impaired, our resiliency is limited, and we find it harder to avoid extremes.
High anxiety provokes the forces of self-preservation. Highly anxious people want safety, first and foremost, and do not respond well to insight, reason, logic, clear thinking or loving gestures. Instinct takes over. We are preoccupied with our own anxiousness. Reactive people are not receptive people.
This same behavior happens in congregations. When anxious reactivity takes over, people look for simple solutions, someone to blame, and strict enforcement of rules. They will do anything they can to lower their anxiety. For instance, when the Israelites are released from Egypt, they become restless. They are anxious about their lives in the wilderness and look for an easy answer, believing they were better off in Egypt. They erect a Golden Calf. They blame Moses. Healthy congregations learn how to navigate and manage anxiety. They are not always peaceful, tranquil,
or at ease. Tensions may exist between members, or between the congregation and its context. However, healthy congregations make room for challenge as they exercise control over their reactions to stressful situations. This means being able to use our higher order brain functions to manage anxious situations.
Human beings essentially have 3 different brains. The Reptilian brain is the survival center. This is where the fight or flight reflex is centered. The Mammalian brain is the emotional center. If you’ve ever said something like, “I can feel it in my gut,” or, “I usually follow my gut,” you’re referring to the Mammalian brain. The Thinking brain (neocortex) is where our higher brain functions are regulated. This is where things like imagining, problem solving, and decision making are located.
When we are anxious, the lower brain functions tend to overwhelm our higher brain functions. Beliefs, values, convictions, logic, reasoning, and other higher brain functions are bypassed and our instincts prevail. When we are using our Thinking brain, however, we are able to work through different responses to threats, real or perceived, and choose the best path forward.
Healthy congregations develop behavior patterns that enable them to analyze what is happening, evaluate the situation calmly, develop multiple responses, and then decide what to do. They are governed more by the Thinking brain, using insight, reflectiveness, and objectivity to assess threats, real or perceived.
Pastors and church leaders in healthy congregations learn to be aware of their own anxieties and then set them aside in order to address challenges. This helps lower the anxiety present in a congregation. But what raises the anxiety in a congregation in the first place?
Stay tuned!
Grace and peace…
Table of Contents Table of Contents
Worship
Upcoming Sermon Texts and Topics
We are currently following the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) on Sunday mornings.
April 5th
April 12th
April 19th
April 26th
John 20: 1-18
John 20: 19-31
Luke 24: 13-35
John 10: 1-10
He is Risen!
Thomas & the Wounds of Christ
The Road to Emmaus
The Good Shepherd
Holy Week Worship Opportunities
April 2 | Maundy Thursday Worship | 7:00 p.m. | Sanctuary A joint service of communion with Church of the Savior.
April 3 | Good Friday Prayer Service | 12:00 noon | Graystone Pres. A noon prayer service based on the passion narrative. This will be a joint worship service with 3 other PCUSA congregations.
April 20 | Easter Sunday Worship | 10:30 a.m. | Sanctuary A celebration of the Resurrection with the Flowering of the Cross.
MaundyThursdayCommunionService
On Thursday, April 2nd, we will celebrate the sacrament of communion at a service commemorating Maundy Thursday. “Maundy” comes from the Latin word maundatum, which means “commandment”. It refers to the Last Supper when Jesus, after washing the disciples’ feet, instructs them, “I give you a new commandment. As I have done for you, you also should do for one another.”
The service will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary and will last approximately an hour. This will be a joint worship service with the Church of the Savior.
GoodFridayPrayerService
On Friday, April 3rd, we will gather at Graystone Presbyterian Church for a reflective and contemplative prayer service. This will be a joint worship service between 2nd, 4th United, Lake Forest, and Graystone Presbyterian Churches
WorshipNews &Updates
The Flowering of the Cross
Everyone is invited to take part in our annual “Flowering of the Cross” on Easter Sunday morning! Bring flowers from your yard, garden, the store, or even the side of the road with you to worship. Then on Easter Sunday morning prior to the service, come and place your flowers on the cross as you enter the sanctuary before you take your seat. Following the service (weather permitting), the Flowered Cross will be placed outside for our Fellowship Time.
Communion
Due to Easter falling on the first Sunday of the month, we will celebrate the Lord’s Supper on April 12th.
Church of the Savior update
Church of the Savior’s last Sunday to worship in our space will be Sunday, April 12th. They will be making a presentation during our worship service to thank us for our hospitality this past year.
Next Meeting: April 14
Gather in April on Tuesday, April 14, when the Presbyterian Women continue their monthly study on Paul and his joy while in Philippi in prison. A funny thing about Paul is that he evangelized his Philippian jailer. Paul found a way of responding to and living one’s life with joy.
Gather with us on April after Easter is celebrated and unite in fellowship, song, and “togetherness” in the Fellowship Hall from 10:15–11:30. All are welcome!
Join us for Arts & Crafts!
The Arts and Crafts group of PW meets on the FOURTH WEDNESDAY at 10:00 a m in room 227 upstairs) Come and enjoy the fellowship!
Check out the Arts & Crafts group ’ s latest project!
The Arts & Crafts group has begun a new project of making birthday cards to send to church members! You are probably already receiving a card on your birthday, thanks to the efforts of Leslie Matthews, and we would love to add some handmade cards to the card collection! It will take a while for us to make enough to start sending them out, and we would welcome anyone who’d like to join in on the fun! We have card stock, envelopes, and a few other art supplies, but you are welcome to bring what you are used to using (of course, those who still wish to knit and crochet are also welcome!) Join us each month on the 4 Wednesday at 10 a.m. for fun, fellowship, and creativity! th
Our NEXT Food & Friends is Sunday, April 12th, and all college students and young adults are invited for lunch and fellowship at a local restaurant! If you are interested in hosting a future Food & Friends, let Pastor Tim know.
Thanks to all who attended the Connect Team’s Pizza and Bingo event on March 22. We had a great time of fellowship and fun!
A fun day at
Our youth and youth alumni spent a lovely day during spring break taking their best swings at TopGolf!
"Given for you."
Beginning on May 3, the Connect Team is launching "Long Table Lunches," giving members of the congregation the opportunity to connect with one another over a meal. These Long Table Lunches will take place on the first Sunday (communion Sundays) of each month, and they are for anyone who would like to go out to lunch as a group following worship. The group will gather at a local restaurant, but unlike our Food & Friends lunches, participants will be responsible for picking up their own tabs. We hope you will take this opportunity to extend our table fellowship beyond the sanctuary walls. Stay tuned for more details in the Friday email and bulletin announcements, but in the meantime, mark your calendars for the first Sunday of each month beginning in May!
Congrats to these graduates on what’s ahead for them! We hope you’ll join us on April 26 to honor and recognize their accomplishments. All are welcome! If you’d like to honor the graduates with cards or gift cards, you are welcome to do so.
A great time at the
MARCH 28, 2026
4/1 David Horne
4/4 Matt Casey
4/6 Lauren Dodson
4/7 Dean Farmer
4/11 Natalie Pruitt
4/21 Gerald Cook
4/22 Faye Penmore
4/23 Dick Dodson
4/23 Dale Henley
4/15 Mary Snider Howard
4/19 Laura Turner
4/19 Ginny Williams
4/24 Anne Armstrong
4/25 Tracy Horton 4/28 Ann Simpson
IF WE MISSED SOMEONE...HAPPY BIRTHDAY! PLEASE HELP US UPDATE OUR RECORDS SO WE'LL HAVE YOUR SPECIAL DAY ON FILE.
EASTER EGG HUNT
Make plans to attend our Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday morning, April 5th, at 9:30 a.m. in the preschool playground areas. This is always a fun and joyful event for our youngest disciples, and all families with young children are invited to participate.
SPC PRESCHOOL SPRING MUSICAL
The Preschool’s Spring Musical will take place on Thursday, April 23rd, at 5:30 p.m. in the sanctuary.
Vacation Bible School | June 22-24, 2026
We will be combining forces with our neighbors at First Presbyterian this summer for VBS, and we will have more information in the weeks ahead!
Summer Camp at Westminster
July 20-24, 2026 | 9 a.m.- 2 p.m. with After-Care available
Westminster Presbyterian Church 6500 S. Northshore Drive
Open to Pre-K through 8th grade Fellowship, Music, Formation, and FUN! Watch for more details soon! Contact: edie@wpcknox.org
GO Team Report – March 2026 GO
volunteer activities. The team relies on the genero fund their efforts and welcomes recommendations r opportunities. The team welcomes new mem Next meeting is Thursday, April 2, at 1:00pm
Disbursements:
Presbytery of East Tennessee - $1,300. This is the monthly pledge of 2 Presbyterian nd Maryville College Scholarship - $2,500
Bridge Refugee Services - $2,000
Bridge Refugee Services assists refugees, humanitarian parolees, asylees, and entrants through orientation and case management to learn how to live in the US, and early employment. Prior to a family’s arrival, case managers and staff arrange for housing, household items, food, job interviews, etc. to help the family begin making Knoxville or Chattanooga its home. In the succeeding months, case managers work with clients to assess their goals, set them up with English classes, connect families to local schools and other educational opportunities and help them navigate their new communities. Bridge provides unique, personalized support that sets up clients to be successful and self-sufficient as soon as possible.
GoingandServingin2026
Watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities at KARM, West View Elementary, Compassion Coalition, Family Promise and others in upcoming weekly newsletters.
West View Supplies Collection Box
As always, this box is located in the atrium, and has a current list of supplies needed. Please check the current needs listed at the collection box as they will be updated from time to time.
When I see the daffodils and red buds blooming, I know that spring is coming.
-Nancy Montgomery
I love the start of gardening season. I get excited about planting new flowers and starting on the veggies in the greenhouse.
-Charleigh Austin
We have a small cherry tree in our front yard. This year it was in full bloom by the first weekend in March. The foliage was thick and a beautiful shade of pink. Even now the tree is pretty with green leaves.
-Leslie Matthews
I like that the days get longer and it’s not dark at 4:30 anymore!
-Matt Mimbs
month, we ask: What is the #1 selling Easter candy? a.) Jelly beans b.) Reese Cup eggs c.) Cadbury eggs d.) Peeps Answer will be revealed in the May 2 Edition. nd
March 2026 Session Highlights
Reviewed the treasurer’s report and ministry team reports. Received reports from Pastor Tim and Pastor Sarah on Celebrations, Concerns and Administrative Issues and Activities. Discussed Vision Task Force recommendation.
Moved communion to the 2 Sunday in April due to Easter falling on the 1 Sunday. nd st
Church of the Savior’s last Sunday at Second will be April 12 . They will join us for part of our worship service that day to thank us for our hospitality. th Set new elder installation/ordination for Sunday, April 26th.
