For the last several months we’ve been discussing what makes a congregation healthy. Last month we said that healthy congregations respond to anxiety by staying calm, being reflective, and choosing to respond thoughtfully, reasonably, and rationally, rather than emotionally. Even the healthiest congregations, however, will not always be able to do this perfectly. Mature, responsible, thoughtful people will not always agree with one another. Certain issues are more emotionally charged than others. The desire to relieve our anxiety will often override our desire for unity. Conflict in a congregation is inevitable.
Conflict in a system is a given. It is a natural way of dealing with anxiety in an emotional system. The presence of conflict is not a failure, it is not dangerous, and it should not be avoided. It is conflict’s replication, not its onset, that can threaten the health of a congregation, and conflict is replicated when it is managed in unhealthy ways.
There are many different ways of avoiding or denying conflict in order to relieve the unpleasantness of it. Some believe Christians should be unified in all they do and that any conflict is sinful. Some see inappropriate or malicious behavior but fail to act to confront it. Others minimize any conflict that is present, hoping everything will just go back to the way it was. Some don’t want to lose their social standing in the congregation, so they refuse to choose one side or the other. Pastors often avoid conflict out of fear of losing their job. All of these are unhealthy ways of managing conflict that actually aggravate the conflict and increase the unpleasantness in the congregation.
In addition to avoidance and denial, there are two other unhealthy ways of managing conflict in a congregation. The first is scapegoating. Scapegoating is when a person or group is blamed for the conflict, usually the person or group seen as most responsible or most vulnerable. Instead of looking for a healthy resolution to return to peace, the system looks for a villain to blame.
The second unhealthy way we deal with conflict is to seek a quick-fix solution. While finding a quick fix might seem like the preferrable option, it actually inhibits the healing process, silences voices that need to be heard, and limits both our resiliency and repertoire of responses. Finding a quick and easy fix is usually the path most favored by those who are least imaginative and least able to exhibit mature critical thinking skills.
Avoidance, denial, blaming, and seeking easy fixes limit the possibility of learning from pain. Without learning, the chances are good that people will repeat their behaviors again and again. To break these cycles, congregations must learn to manage conflict in healthy ways. The way to do this is by focusing, working, and building on our strengths during times of relative calm.
You may have noticed the recent trend in healthcare of focusing on wellness rather than disease. This philosophy says that instead of building healthcare around responding to symptoms and illnesses after they arise, we should take a holistic approach to wellness, focusing on our health and well-being to create a more balanced, resilient, and fulfilling life. This is an ongoing process that requires self-awareness and consistent effort, but it leads to less disease in general and more positive outcomes when faced with disease (not to mention lower healthcare costs). Healthy congregations take the same approach.
The key to managing conflict in a healthy way is how it is understood and processed. Early detection of conflict is the best treatment, before, as we say, “It gets out of control.” If we focus, work, and build on our strengths when anxiety and conflict are low, then when anxiety rises and conflict happens, we are better equipped to manage them early on in healthy ways. We will discuss what that looks like in August. Before we do, however, there is one more response to anxiety we must look at: Triangles. Tune in next month!
Grace and peace...
TableofContents TableofContents
Upcoming Sermon Texts and Topics
June 7th
Matthew 6:5-14
June 14th
Acts 15:1-31
June 21st
Romans 8:28-30
June 28th
1 Corinthians 10:6-13
Holy Home Décor: Our Daily Bread
Religious Mythbusters: The Mathematics of Religion
Religious Mythbusters: Everything Happens for a Reason
Religious Mythbusters: God Won’t Give Us More than We Can Handle
Holy Home Décor Sermon Series
When Pastor Sarah preaches this summer (June 7th, July 19th, August 23rd & 30th), we'll be looking at our 'Holy Home Decor,' diving deeper into the texts that find their way onto the wall hangings and throw pillows that decorate our homes.
Religious Mythbusters Sermon Series
Remember the TV show Mythbusters?
Each week the hosts would use elements of the scientific method to test the validity of rumors, myths, internet videos, or news stories. Beginning June 14th, Pastor Tim will preach a 5-part sermon series called Religious Mythbusters, using Scripture to test the validity of religious myths (often clichés) that have a ring of truth to them and which most people think are Biblical. Upon closer examination, however, they do not actually hold up as either Scriptural or reflecting the promises of God.
Liturgists Wanted!
We are currently looking for folks who are interested in serving as a liturgist for worship. Pastor Tim will provide a training this summer and you will be worked into the rotation beginning in September. If you are interested in serving in this important role, please email Pastor Tim at treynolds@2ndpres.org.
Are you looking for an opportunity to serve at Second Presbyterian? Join the Ushering Team! Among other things, ushers greet folks arriving at church and are often the first contact a visitor makes in our congregation. Kim Hudgens and Janis Smith coordinate the ushers' schedule and would love to talk with you about the simple but gratifying responsibilities of ushering at SPC. If you are interested please contact either or both of them via text message: Kim (865) 567-6477; Janis (615) 260-7784. Thank you for considering this opportunity!
New Ministry Team Leadership
With the Class of 2029 taking its place on the Session and the Class of 2026 rolling off, we have new Ministry Team Leadership for the coming year. Below are the elders leading each Ministry Team of the congregation. If you have questions or want to find out how to get involved in a particular ministry of the congregation, please reach out to one of the people listed below: -Worship-
BetsyFoster|betsyfoster47@gmail.com
JohnGill|jwgilljr@bellsouth.net
AndrewButler|andrewleebutler@gmail.com -Connect-
CherylRagsdale|cherylintennessee@yahoo.com
GeoffreyKennedy|geoffrey.n.kennedy@gmail.com
RebeccaKite|rebeccabkite@gmail.com -Grow-
KathyDuggan|kduggan55@gmail.com
Photos taken on May 24 as Glenn Lamping and Andrew Butler were installed as two of our newest Elders of SPC!
Connect
Summertime Gatherings
Stay tuned for more information regarding Presbyterian Women’s events this summer!
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!
Second Readers will meet at the Buckingham Clubhouse at 11:30 on June 17. Our book for June is Saving Emma by Allen Eskens. Liz Peebles will lead our discussion. All are invited to join us so bring your lunch and plan to spend an hour or so with this casual reading group. Questions, call Margaret Sullivan at 865-363-3967. No reservation required.
The Connect Team invites you to go to lunch with friends on the first Sunday of each month. These lunches are for anyone who would like to go out to eat with others following worship on the first Sunday of the month.
The group will meet 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, June 7th, and we hope you’ll participate!
Our Give/Get a Ride program is ongoing as long as there are folks needing rides to worship on Sundays. If you need a ride to worship, whether on an ongoing or temporary basis, please call the church office and let us know. Also, if you are willing to GIVE someone a ride to worship on Sunday morning, please call the church office or let Pastor Sarah know. Thank you so much!
Old Fashioned Lemonade Recipe Ingredients:
Directions:
Combine hot water and sugar until the sugar has dissolved.
1 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice
2 cups hot water
2 cups sugar
12 cups cold water
In a pitcher, combine cold water and lemon juice. Add the warm sugar water to the pitcher and stir until well combined.
Serve over ice with fresh lemon slices or any other fruit of your choice, and enjoy!
6/15 Ellen Moscardelli
6/5 Kim Hudgens
6/5 Barb Lamping
6/7 Tim Reynolds
6/7 John Henley
6/8 Jim Thuesen
6/10 Aria Robertson
6/14 Mary Alice Callaway
6/15 Beatrice Eldrige
See a name that we missed? Let us know in the church office so we can update our records accordingly!
6/17 Mike Turner
6/18 Jess Tucker
6/23 Mary Farmer
6/24 Janis Smith
6/26 Margie Gill
6/28 Owen Wall
6/28 Lochlan Kennedy
6/30 Sherri Lee
Vacation Bible School June 22-24, 2026
Grow
Join us for Kingdom Quest: An Epic Journey to Discover God’s Kingdom! Kids will explore the story of Jesus through five incredible adventures and the whole family is invited. While children discover what it means to be called courageous, made new, and sent by Jesus, adults may also take part in a companion study running at the same time (note: you do NOT have to have a child at VBS to register for the adult class!). Dinner is provided free of charge for everyone each evening, and friends are welcome to attend! Volunteers are still needed for leading classes from one place to another, and we hope you’ll consider this rewarding experience! Click the QR code here or visit the homepage of our website to register – adult and child participants AND volunteers may register through this form. Contact Holly Grimm (hgrimm@2ndpres.org) or call the church office (865-523-2189) if you have additional questions.
Starting June 18th, the Thursday morning pastor’s Bible study will begin studying the book of Revelation. Often deemed the most enigmatic New Testament book, the book of Revelation overflows with peculiar, intense, and occasionally violent imagery. Despite its challenging nature, the book serves an important purpose. Revelation provides a remarkably clear glimpse into God’s ultimate design for the entire creation. It shows how Jesus overcomes the powerful forces of idolatrous and oppressive political systems. It shows Jesus’ followers how to be faithful witnesses of God’s love in a world rife with violence, hatred, and suspicion. We will be using N.T. Wright’s, Revelation for Everyone, as a guide. This beloved, 20 year-old classic makes the book of Revelation accessible for readers of all backgrounds. We invite you to come and engage this ancient narrative with Pastor Tim and discover its timeless resonance with our spiritual context of today. REGISTRATION DEADLINES:
Participants: June 12
Volunteers: June 15
Revelation for Everyone : Summer Bible Study
Growth Groups will be taking a short break for
the summer, and we look forward to starting
them back up in the fall. It’s been a great year
for our Growth Groups, and we hope you’ll
consider being part of one next Fall!
See below a fun outing our Monday women’s
group took recently to bowl at Maple Hall
Bowling Alley downtown! As temperatures rise this summer,don’t forget to stayhydrated and drink plenty of water everyday!
A churchwide Fall Retreat is still in the early planning stages - and, it’s the first one in over a decade! We are still asking for volunteers to be part of our Planning Committee to help organize the details and discuss what we would like this event to look like. If you are interested in being part of this exciting opportunity, please contact Patricia Kennedy at patricia.w.kennedy@gmail.com Leslie
p g ministry of 2nd Presbyterian beyond the church both locally and globally through financial donations and volunteer activities. The team relies on the generosity of the congregation to fund their efforts and welcomes recommendations for don volunteer opportunities. The team w new members who wish to ser Next meeting is Thursday, June 4, at 1 the Barbour room.
GO Team Report – May 2026 GO
Disbursements:
·Presbytery of East Tennessee - $1,300. This is the monthly pledge of 2 Pres. nd ·Sunset Gap - $3,000. Sunset gap community center is a Christian based organization uniting people of all faiths by providing programs that contribute to the physical, social, economic, and spiritual growth of the people of Cocke and Sevier counties. https://sunsetgap.weebly.com/
SPECIAL DISBURSEMENT:
West View Elementary - 5 Grade Trip to the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont May 13-15. $5,571 from the West View Designated (restricted) fund was used to send 23 5 grade students and 2 teachers to Tremont for a three-day and two, night educational trip and adventure.
Activities in May:
May 1 – Six members attended Emerald Youth Foundation Prayer Breakfast at the Knoxville Expo Center.
·May 1 – Numerous members volunteered and attended at the West View Elementary School Carnival Donations from the church included approximately 30 cakes for the cake walk, and MANY jazzy jars! 2 Pres operated the popcorn concession and the Beauty/Nail Salon. West View raised a record $9,400 this year!
May 4 – 2nd Pres joined with Westminster Pres to provide free ice cream (Smiley Swirl Ice Cream Truck) to teachers and staff at West View Elementary school celebrating the beginning of Teacher Appreciation Week.
May 3-10 – 2nd Pres members including the Mixed Growth Group worked with First Seventh Day Adventist Church and Family Promise to prepare the house for unhoused families and prepared and served meals during the week
May 11 – Five volunteers cooked supper for Ukirk and dined with the students.
May 20 – Seven volunteers served lunch at KARM serving around 200 meals.
WeIt’s been a great semester for our friends at West View Elementary, and our Go Team was proud to sponsor a few concessions and activities for their annual spring carnival, as well as donate financially toward the 5 grade trip to Tremont in the Smoky Mountains. Read up on the Go Team Report for more details on their great work, and enjoy these photos from all the fun that was had by WVES students (and SPC volunteers!)
Grateful for the kind notes and certificate from WVES students!
Summer Staff Vacations
Summer means vacation time, family trips, continuing education and service to the larger denomination! Staff members will be out of the office the following dates:
Pastor Tim will be on vacation June 6th – 12th and August 17th – 30th.
Pastor Sarah will be serving as a commissioner to the PCUSA’s General Assembly June 22nd –July 2nd and then will be on vacation July 3rd –11th.
Nichole Duran will be on vacation from July 5th – 9th and July 20th – 23rd.
Review of the treasurer’s report and ministry team reports
Motion to uphold installation of Glenn Lamping Pastors’ report on celebrations/concerns and update on activities and administrative issues
New elder installation/ordination on Sunday May 24th
