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SECOND EDITION JANUARY 2026

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2NDPRES.ORG

ON SECOND

Thought...

“Is the church growing?” It’s a question I’ve been asked almost once a week for the last 25 years. Other pastors ask it. People I’ve just met ask it. Family members ask it. Friends I’ve known most of my life ask it. Members of the churches I’ve served ask it. It’s a question I don’t like for one simple reason: it assumes that the whole point of church is to grow numercially. It wasn’t always this way. Prior to the 20th century, churches were not focused on numerical growth; they were focused helping members be better disciples of Jesus who were growing in holiness. The majority of congregations in the United States during this time were less than 100 people. Pastors were responsible for “the cure of souls” and expected to be spiritually mature in order to help their flock grow spiritually. Don’t get me wrong – some congregations grew quite large in size during this time, especially in urban areas, but numerical growth was never the goal. It was a byproduct of people growing in discipleship and the church serving the community in mission. In post-war America almost all congregations experienced rapid and unprecedented numerical growth. Again, this was not the goal; it was just what happened as America spread rapidly into the suburbs. Rural congregations continued to remain around 100, but urban and suburban congregations grew into the hundreds and even thousands as mobility gave rise to the megachurch. Churches didn’t have to work to grow numerically and most were still focused on meeting the needs of its members. Towards the end of the 1960’s, congregational growth began to level off and even decline slightly. This led to a movement in the 1970’s and 80’s known as the Church Growth Movement. The Church Growth Movement focused on applying sociology, marketing, and management principles to increase church size and membership through strategic evangelism.

Consumer-oriented strategies for designing church services and programs to attract and meet the needs of “seekers” became the hallmark of these churches. The assumption was that churches were supposed to be growing numerically, and if they weren’t, something was “wrong” with them. “Small” churches were looked down on as defective. Pastors were expected to be charismatic, entrepreneurial, CEO-types who could offer an entertaining sermon and “attract” new (hopefully younger and wealthy) members and were hired specifically to “grow the church”. The Church Growth Movement is built on very different goals than traditional things like community, sacraments, catechism, and doctrine. It’s all about excellence on Sunday mornings and being relevant and practical during the week. And it has been one of the most detrimental and harmful movements to the church in the history of Christianity. Since I arrived here almost 10 years ago, I have said very clearly I have a plan for health, not a plan for growth. Some people have recently said to me that this all sounds fine, but unless we grow we are going to die. A) I don’t buy that. It’s an assumption of the Church Growth Movement. B) I think part of the problem is that I haven’t been super clear with folks outside of the Session as to what I believe health looks like. I hope to change that. Over the next few months I plan to use this space to articulate what a healthy congregation looks like and how I believe this should be the goal of every congregation. In the meantime, I wish you a healthy, wealthy, and wise New Year! Grace and peace…

Table of Contents Worship Connect Grow Go Support

4 6 12 13 16

Upcoming Sermon Texts and Topics We are currently following the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) on Sunday mornings. January 4th

Ephesians 1:3-14

Adopted in Christ

January 11th

Matthew 3:13-17

The Baptism of Jesus

January 18th

Isaiah 49:1-7

A Light to the Nations

January 25th

1 Corinthians 1:10-18

Unity in Diversity

Pick up your January-February Upper Room Devotionals! Copies are available in the vestibule and narthex. NO LARGE PRINT AVAILABLE CURRENTLY DUE TO SHIPPING DELAYS

Worship Thank You

eryone who Thanks so much to ev mily with remembered our fa fts during the cards, emails, and gi ur Christmas Season. Yo is generosity and love , Tuesday, overwhelming. – Tim ynolds Seth & Lily Grace Re

Save the Date

The Annual Congregational Meeting will take place in conjunction with the Souper Bowl luncheon following worship on Sunday, February 8th. Mark your calendars now! Second’s Winter Weather Policy Now that it’s winter once again, we’d like to offer a reminder of our winter weather policies for inclement weather. Please remember to check Realm or the website if you are unsure. If we know of any cancellations, we will post them there. Sunday Worship: Worship will not be cancelled due to weather, though there may be some lastminute modifications to the worship service. Please use your own discretion, however, in deciding whether to come. Safety is of primary importance; stay home if you don’t feel you can make it here safely. You can always join virtually! All Other Activities (Choir, Committees, Fellowship, etc.): These will be determined on a case-bycase basis. The chairperson or director will make the call and contact participants. There is always the option of meeting virtually! The church office will be closed only in the event of extreme weather.

Connect Don’t Miss Out On...

2ND READERS

RY A NU TH A J 11

An d...

2nd READERS will meet in the Barbour Room on Wednesday, Jan. 21 at 11:30 and folks are welcome to bring their lunch. All are welcome. Our book is Theo of Golden by Allen Levi. Note: This is a change from Buckingham Clubhouse. In case of snow, we won’t meet. Contact Margaret Sullivan for more information.

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

The Presbyterian Women do not meet in January, due to the possibility of inclement weather. Our next meeting will be February 10th when we will study the story of The Prodigal Son.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! 1/5 1/5 1/6 1/6 1/6 1/7 1/9 1/9 1/14 1/15

Fay Carr Seth Reynolds Linda Cook Jeannie Ullrich Nancy Weigel Brentley Burch Williams Tim Wright Amy Cross Wayne Krabbenhoft Morton Rose

1/16 1/20 1/20 1/21 1/21 1/22 1/22 1/25 1/31

Leslie Testerman Peter Ullrich Mary Porter Fran McClean Susanne White Monica Casey Arleen Reilly Blythe Lundberg Jesse Liu

. E.. N EO M SO O D SS . E D S IS OR ILE M C Y RE N F TL R N U AY O O TE R E VE AY! DAT AL D D NA THD S UP PECI I WE BIR P U R S IF PPY HEL YOU HA ASE AVE E PL 'LL H WE

TROOP NEWS:

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Preschool Christmas Musical

YOUNG FAMILY CHRISTMAS DINNER, CRAFTS, AND...

...STORYTELLING

Grow Pastor’s Bible Study The Thursday morning Pastor’s Bible Study continues in the New Year. We will conclude our study of the book Second Thoughts About Hell this month. At the end of the month we will begin a study of the Hebrew Bible books of Ezra & Nehemiah. These small but important books (which are a unified book in the Hebrew Scriptures) chronicle the time after the Babylonian exile when the Israelites returned to Jerusalem and what happened when the people rebuilt their lives and their city, restoring hope and purpose to their community. Study books are available in the church office for $15.

Winter Quarter Growth Groups Registration for the Winter Quarter of our Growth Groups will be held January 4th-11th. You do not need to have been in a Growth Group this Fall to participate during the Winter Quarter. Similarly, if you participated in the Fall and want to take a break for the Winter, that’s fine, as well. Or if you would like to be in a different group, you may indicate that on your registration. You can sign up through Realm, on the church’s website, by calling the church office, or using the QR code. A signup table will also be available during Fellowship Time on January 4th and 11th. Groups will be finalized the week of January 11th and begin meeting the week of January 18th. Groups will meet for 9 weeks, concluding the week of March 15th.

West View Supplies Collection Box – This box located in the atrium 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. A large delivery of generously donated supplies were delivered to West View on December 4.

reeare r T e roup e fo v o l aft G ve Tre inter G d nd Cr d Glo ide w ew n t a Team aHat an o prov est Vi eded. a H GO the ults t at W re ne n e e g Th orin d ad ildre s wh n s a ch ult on sp ldren h for d ad i n t ch arm ry a a w t en m e El

GO Team Report – December 2025

Disbursements: Knoxville Family Justice Center - $776.50 – This is 2nd Pres 25% of Peace and Global Witness Offering. The Knoxville Family Justice Center provides a safe and supportive environment for victims of violence. Services include counseling and support services, education and resources, housing and shelter, legal assistance, orders of protection, referrals for additional social services, safety planning and support. https://www.fjcknoxville.org/

– s) $457 g n i p am the plies (L e over p s a u h S c p r e i ion Tr vailabl d to pu s a e s i s y l u M n s a o a or tw Cub gs ailable semen v r a u n b ampin s u i L s d e e i s h l i T p h T Cuba. th sup eople. o l p t a e n p i h a r b r t u g counte to the C pcomin y u l e p h p t u ts s on in shor upplie s e h t r live will de

le x v il 10 – o 6 n $ K le t in g e m b e r x v il r o o n K pp ec ts o f is su from D g a Uni d Pres s in r n nter y rent en t e c b g S e c o in g C e n y uar rmi rm Wa gh Febr ere wa plies as s. h p u ur thro e unit w ccess su ess ho n a ag si ch stor ore and sual bu hu r c e t u s h c a n d a f t e r it is in t e n d nee orage u st T he n g lo t. ki pa r

ion 6,500. Tuit $ n o ti a d n Utopia Fou hael is a arks - Mic M l e a h ic s for M aint Mark S e th m o r f e in young boy O r pha n a g d n a e m o H Children’s Tanzania. Food City Gift Cards for West View - $250 – Provided ten $25 Food City gift cards to help West View families as needed.

Bridge Refugee Services - $1,064 -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. https://www.bridgerefugees.org/

The GO Team is responsible for extending the ministry of 2nd Presbyterian beyond the church both locally and globally through financial donations and volunteer activities. They rely on the generosity of the congregation to fund their efforts and welcome recommendations for donations and volunteer opportunities.

Knox Street Medicine - $1,063 - Knoxville Street Medicine Outreach (KSMO) was founded in 2023 to address the healthcare needs of Knoxville’s unhoused population and restore their trust in the healthcare system. They provide free, high-quality medical care by meeting people where they are. They are committed to reducing negative stigma surrounding unhoused individuals while promoting compassion through education and service. https://knoxstreetmedicineoutreach.org/

ssee - $ e n n e T t as er y o f E Presbyt

Love Kitch en

- $1,0

1,150

Volunteer activities in December: Family Promise – Volunteers helped prepare the First Seventh Day Adventist house to host several families during the week of December 10. The volunteers also cooked and provided a meal for the families FISH Pantry-Volunteers met 2 days before Christmas to fill and deliver bags to provide much needed food and household items to the community

GOing and Serving in 2026 – Watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities at VMC, KARM, Love Kitchen, West View, Compassion Coalition and others in upcoming weekly newsletters. Coming up in January and February – VMC and KARM.

The team welcomes new members who wish to serve. Next meeting is Thursday, February 5 at 1:00pm, in the Barbour room.

Support

Meet Kathryn Paden Kathryn Paden is so excited to join the staff at Second Presbyterian! She has spent the last 7 1/2 years as the Executive Assistant at Christ United Methodist Church in North Knoxville, where she has overseen the majority of administrative support duties and all church communications. Previously, she's worked in public education and university housing, and for the past 15 years as a voice teacher (and has used SPC in the past few years as the space for student recitals with Matt Mimbs at the piano!) Kathryn is originally from Knoxville (Central HS grad), holds a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Tennessee Wesleyan University, and is now a local performer, recitalist, and church musician. She enjoys choral singing and performing in local theatres (fun fact...she met Pastor Tim while in the cast of 9 to 5 at Oak Ridge Playhouse in 2019!), and is now in her 4th season with the Knoxville Choral Society as the narrator for Musical Story Time, as well as a frequent performer in their education and holiday concerts. Kathryn's longtime church home is Fountain City United Methodist Church where she serves in multiple ways as a parishioner. She is also a twin sister, aunt of 3, and crazy cat mom of 1 (of whom you will see many pictures pop up in the office soon!). She looks forward to meeting as many folks as possible at SPC in the upcoming year!

I have had a great experience as the Interim Church Administrator! Thanks for allowing me this opportunity! Many skills have been learned along the way and I have had a blast getting to being creative as well. I have always wanted to have an office job. Now I can say I have gotten to do so! You guys are gonna love Kathryn BTW

urs o eH c i f ed f los of O c y e l b ance da l i i l e w erv y. Ho ffic obs da o li rch 1st in ’s Ho u h r e c uary Yea h T n w Ja Ne n e o th

December 2025 Session Highlights

No Session Meeting was Held this Month Fellowship and Food At the Reynolds’ Instead

NOVEMBER BUDGET REPORT

No Report Provided at Time of Printing

THE SECOND EDITION

2ND PRES KNOX

WELCOMING + FAITHFUL + HOPEFUL

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 2829 KINGSTON PIKE KNOXVILLE, TN 37919

CLERGY STAFF Pastor Tim Reynolds Pastor/Head of Staff treynolds@2ndpres.org Pastor Sarah Morgan Transitional Associate Pastor for Congregational Life & Mission smorgan@2ndpres.org PROGRAM STAFF Matthew Mimbs Director of Music & Arts mmimbs@2ndpres.org Holly Grimm Children & Youth Ministry Coordinator hgrimm@2ndpres.org Sarah Warner Organist swarner@bellarmine.edu SUPPORT STAFF Tuesday Reynolds Interim Church Administrator jrosamond@2ndpres.org

Responding in gratitude to God's love and grace, we are a welcoming, faithful, and hopeful community, following Jesus and serving him in the world.

2ndpresknox/

ELDERS

PRESCHOOL STAFF Linda Sue Byrd Director lsbyrd@2ndpres.org Holly Grimm Assistant Director hgrimm@2ndpres.org --------------------------------------------------CONTACT US: Second Presbyterian Church 2829 Kingston Pike Knoxville, TN 37919 Ph. 865.523.2189 Fax 865.637.2617 www.2ndpres.org

CLASS OF 2026 Leonard Bailey Doug Barbour Monica Casey Clara Hardin CLASS OF 2027 Betsy Foster John Gill William Owen Cheryl Ragsdale CLASS OF 2028 Geoffrey Kennedy Kathy Duggan Lauren Dodson Cleston Jones

SecondPresbyterianChurchKnoxville/

MINISTRY TEAMS & MODERATORS WORSHIP Betsy Foster John Gill CONNECT Geoffrey Kennedy Cheryl Ragsdale GROW Monica Casey Kathy Duggan GO Leonard Bailey Clara Hardin Lauren Dodson SUPPORT Doug Barbour William Owen PRESCHOOL Cleston Jones