In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Eve both disobey a divine command when they eat the fruit of the forbidden tree. When God comes to Adam for an explanation, Adam blames Eve. This will not resolve the conflict between Adam and God, but it does make Adam feel better and lowers his anxiety.
This is actually the upside to triangles; they work temporarily to make people feel better. Sometimes it helps to just “vent” to a friend about someone else, and it goes no further than that. Temporary triangles are a normal part of congregational life.
One of the fundamental truths about humanity this story teaches is that relationship triangles – or what some call triangulation – occur naturally when anxiety is present. In fact, relationship triangles are the most stable relational form, which explains why they are so common and so difficult to escape. A relationship triangle occurs when two people are in conflict with one another, at odds with one another, upset or angry with another, or one person is just perturbed at something another did, and a third party is pulled in to ease tension or avoid conflict.
We see this happen again in the New Testament. Martha is upset that Mary is sitting at Jesus’ feet rather than helping out in the kitchen. Instead of talking with Mary about it, she complains about Mary to Jesus and says, “Tell her to help me.”
Triangles abound in the life of a congregation. Mary doesn’t like how Susie decorated the tables for the fellowship dinner so she goes to Beulah and complains about it. Frank isn’t happy that the choir director changed the time of choir rehearsal, so he goes to the pastor and asks the pastor to tell the choir director to change it back. Debbie is upset by something the pastor says in a sermon but instead of speaking with the pastor directly, she goes to her friend Bob and says something needs to be done.
Triangles can easily multiply in congregations. Take the last example – Debbie tells Bob, Bob agrees and says he knows Janet has been upset by the pastor’s sermons for a while. So Debbie goes to Janet who tells her that Paul is so upset about it he has stopped coming to worship and won’t come back until the Session speaks to the pastor. You see how it can go.
The thing that all these triangles have in common is that no one is speaking directly to the person they have the issue/conflict with. This is often done unintentionally because, like we said, human nature, but also because it is stabilizing to the system.
The downside to triangles, however, is they are only a temporary solution because the two individuals with the conflict have successfully avoided working out their differences. Or, as in the case of Debbie above, the pastor isn’t even aware there is a conflict, so has no opportunity to help resolve it. Triangles in a congregation become unhealthy when triangulation becomes the habitual way of doing church relationships and people stop speaking directly with one another about things that concern them.
Because triangles are often created unintentionally, we have to be intentional about what we do when we find ourselves involved in them. When we allow ourselves to be triangulated, it can unwittingly reinforce unhealthy behaviors in a congregation. Learning to recognize and manage our own anxiety is important, as is learning to recognize when someone is pulling us into a triangle. Resisting the pull of a triangle can make us as anxious as being in one, especially if we aren’t used to it. Learning to say, “Have you spoken with that person about this? You really should be speaking with them,” can be very empowering and help direct others into healthier behaviors.
In healthy congregations, individuals speak directly with the person they have a conflict with when conflict arises. This, too, can be uncomfortable for those who aren’t used to it. It may be helpful to invite a mediator – such as a pastor – to be present in the room with us when we do. A good rule of thumb to remember is we do not speak about someone who is not in the room, especially when it comes to serious issues.It’s also important to remember that we are not responsible for and cannot change someone else. The only person you are responsible for is YOU!
Grace and peace...
Upcoming Sermon Texts and Topics
Pastor Tim will conclude his Religious Mythbusters sermon series on July 12th and then begin a series on the book of Ruth on July 26th. Pastor Sarah continues her Holy Home Décor series this month.
July 5th
Matthew 18: 21-35
July 12th
Luke 18:9-14
July 19th
Proverbs 27:1-22
July 26th
Ruth 1
Ruth Sermon Series
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Religious Mythbusters: Forgiving Means Forgetting
Religious Mythbusters: God Loves Us More
Holy Home Décor: Friendship
The Book of Ruth: The Family We Choose
On July 26 , Pastor Tim will begin a 4-part series on the book of Ruth. The book of Ruth follows Ruth, Naomi (her Moabite daughterin-law), and Boaz (a farmer) during the time of the judges. Though God is rarely mentioned directly, he works through their everyday faithfulness, inviting us to reflect on the question of how God is involved in the day-to-day joys and hardships of our lives. Their story of tragedy-turned-to-joy becomes part of the line of King David and, ultimately, the Messiah.
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!
Our book for July is Peace Like a River by Leif Enger. Please feel free to bring your lunch and join us for a discussion of this book lead by Leslie Matthews. We welcome all comers and this is a casual group of people who just enjoy reading and sharing our thoughts on the books we choose. We plan to meet in the SPC library this month, rather than our usual location. Questions - call Margaret Sullivan at 865-363-3967.
Long Table lunches will continue every first Sunday. These lunches are for anyone who would like to go out to eat as a group following worship on the first Sunday of the month. Anyone who plans to go meets at the baptismal font and disperse from there to a designated restaurant. A reservation is not required, but if you know you're going to attend, we'd love for you to let us know by calling the church office or emailing Pastor Sarah (smorgan@2ndpres.org) during the week prior. The next Long Table Lunch will be Sunday, July 5th, and we hope you’ll participate!
Pick up your July-August edition of The Upper Room devotional series! Copies are available around the church building in regular and large print.
Join us for a churchwide wedding shower honoring
Blythe Lundberg & Seth Reynolds
Sunday, July 19th after worship (around 11:30 a.m.)
SPC Fellowship Hall
The Connect Team invites you to come and celebrate this special couple as they prepare for their wedding in August.
Congrats, Seth and Blythe!
Scan this QR code to view their gift registry and their website on
JJULY JULY ULY BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS BIRTHDAYS
7/1 Zach Burch
7/7 Kirsty Bleyl
7/7 Patsy Wright
7/9 Marion Frazer
7/10 Liz Peebles
7/10 Lily Wu
7/20 Cathy Briscoe
7/20 Dick Smith
7/23 Nina Perez
7/25 Rachel Penmore
7/25 Daniel Robertson
7/28 Helen Grant
7/30 Jackson Sharp
See a name that we missed? Let us know in the church office so we can update our records accordingly!
Summer 2026 Memories loading...
We asked, and you delivered! We are excited to have gotten some photos from you all with fun things you’ve been doing this summer, from vacations and staycations to summer shows and special guests. We’d love to include MORE in the August Second Edition, but here’s what we’ve gotten so far. Enjoy!
Glenn and Barb Lamping had an exciting trip to Las Vegas last month (who agrees that they should take us all next time?).
Paris adventures for Kathy Duggan and family!
Nancy Montgomery has had some very fun travels this summer, including a beach trip and a cruise, but wanted to give the Ford’s Garage restaurant in Gainesville, FL an honorable mention!
Our Church Administrator, Kathryn, brought some pretty sweet assistants (her nieces and nephew) to the office while they were in town visiting from Atlanta. It’s always fun to have extra help!
Marcelis, Robert, and James enjoy friendship and play at a pool party - one of the best parts of summer!
You may have heard that Tuesday and Pastor Tim were cast in Oak Ridge Playhouse’s season opener, “Come From Away”, and they have been hard at work this past month preparing! This musical production runs from July 10-26, and you can find out more about the show and ticket info at www.orplayhouse.com
Lily Reynolds has been in rehearsal with the Word Players this summer for their summer musical, “Hairspray”, which will run from July 10-12 at the Bijou Theatre. Ticket information can be found at www.wordplayers.org. Congrats, Lily!
Vacation Bible School 2026:
94 participants
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Thank you to all who participated, planned, volunteered for, and prayed over this year’s VBS! See you next year!
The GO Team is responsible for extending the Presbyterian beyond the church both locally and financial donations and volunteer activities. The team relies on the generosity of the congregation to fund their efforts and welcomes recommendations for donations and volunteer opportunities. The team welcomes new members who wish to serve. Last month we welcomed Matthew Lowe to the Go Team! Next meeting is Thursday,August 6, at 1:00pm, in the Barbour room. Disbursements:
-Presbytery of East Tennessee - $1,300. This is the monthly pledge of 2 Pres. nd -Preschool Scholarship Fund - $5,000 -Preschool Teachers Luncheon - $622.35
Going &Serving in 2026
Watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities at KARM, West View Elementary, Compassion Coalition, and others in upcoming weekly newsletters.
Activities in June:
June 17 - meeting at West View Elementary to plan work day. th Photos from June 17 work day meeting at West View. Look for sign-up information coming soon for our annual WVES Work Day! th
Support Summer Staff Vacations
Pastor Sarah will be serving as a commissioner to the PCUSA’s General Assembly June 22 –July 2 and then will be on vacation July 3 – 11 . nd nd rd th
Nichole Duran will be on vacation from July 5th – 9th and July 20th – 23rd.
Review of the treasurer’s report and ministry team reports
Pastors’ report on celebrations/ concerns and update on activities and administrative issues
Approval of a facilities recommendation on rental of Fellowship Hall and similar spaces as previously rented to Church of the Savior to another congregation for worship
No session meeting for July
We’llMissYou!
Our dear friend and brother in Christ, John Reynolds, will be relocating to Nashville, TN to be closer to his son and daughter-in-law. This move is set to take place Friday, July 3 , following his scheduled discharge from Well Park Health and Rehab, and he would love to hear from as many of you as possible (he can be reached at 865-2668310). After many years of membership and friendship at Second Pres, we are sad to see John go, but wish him the best as he continues to navigate this next chapter of life alongside his family. rd
John’s family thanks Second Pres for the love and kindness shown to him over the years, and for calling, visiting, and praying in these recent weeks. John would love to stay in touch after he moves; for now, you may use the following mailing address until he is settled in to his assisted living facility in Nashville:
John Reynolds c/o Mark Reynolds 5100 Kincannon Dr. Nashville, TN 37220
