2ND EDITION. MAY 24

Last month I wrote about how we are Ea and Alleluia is our defining song But let’s We don’t always feel like Easter people We don’t always feel like singing Alleluia. We don’t always feel the indestructible hope and love that Easter has given us. Life can leave us grumpy and exhausted; illness can knock the hope out of us When we read about human mayhem, war, political division, and natural disasters in the headlines, we are shocked and depressed and find ourselves asking – Where is the Easter in all of this? How in the hell can I sing Alleluia? How in this hell can anyone sing Alleluia?

response of the women was mostly confusion and worry. They weren’t yet looking ahead. Their friend, Jesus, was alive, but they didn’t know it yet, didn’t feel it yet, didn’t understand it yet. It wasn’t real for them yet.

Now, that’s a good theological question, but one we don’t always treat with respect in the church Sometimes we call it “doubt” and repress it Sometimes we look around at everyone else and they all seem to be doing fine, so we wonder if it’s just us –if we lack faith. Sometimes we think we just need to try harder – to believe, to have faith, to sing Alleluia and mean it, to sing it without the sadness of knowing how many people in this world are suffering as we sing, without the depression of knowing how many tyrants are still upon their thrones.

A number of years ago at a congregation I served, the choir sang a piece that wasn’t particularly familiar. It also wasn’t particularly triumphant sounding. There was no brass, no big crescendos, no big finish There was an Alleluia at the very end, but it wasn’t particularly cheerful, and the whole piece was in a minor key. It was poignant, wistful, and mysterious.

After worship, more than a few people remarked to me that they didn’t care for the piece the choir sang. “It just wasn’t very Easter-y,” seemed to be the consensus. But I disagree I think it’s a mistake to think the only real Easter joy is triumphant and loud, that the only real Easter songs are up-tempo anthems in the key of D with soaring descants and blaring trumpets.

You may remember that the first Easter happened while it was still dark, that Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, that the stone was rolled away, and the

They came to the tomb that morning to be with his body one last time, but it was gone. The stone was rolled away, but they didn’t know why. They were in mourning and didn’t even have a body to weep over. Like the family and friends of those who died in the World Trade Center, or the African immigrants who drowned at sea, or the Ukrainians and Palestinians buried under the rubble of bombed-out buildings. No body to weep over. Just an emptiness where a living presence once was.

That, too, is Easter. Or, at least, how Easter begins. Easter begins in the midst of tears. Easter begins in death. And death gives way to life.

So I think that minor key Alleluias are as Easter-y as major key ones. I think our best Alleuias are sung at the grave, and in the ruins, and in the places of pain and doubt and sadness and fear. It’s not a matter of having more faith or better faith or perfect faith. We don’t have to wait to sing an Alleluia. We can just sing it wherever we are with whatever we have. Anyone can sing in the sun. It’s when we are caught in the rain and refuse to stop singing no matter what, that’s when the world knows that Easter is real. That Easter is true.

I think that they point to the reality of living as Easter people in a world that is not yet fully redeemed, Judging by the number of people I noticed weeping during the anthem that year, along with the number of people who commented to me how moving the piece was, I would say that more than a few stones were rolled away from tombs that morning. Friends, that’s as Easter-y as it gets.

Grace and peace…

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UPCOMING UPCOMING UPCOMING

During the month of May we will continue to examine Our Most Critical Questions up through Pentecost (May 19th). At the end of May we will begin a new sermon series called Dinner with Jesus. More will be written about this series in the June 2nd Edition, but we will be looking at all of the instances in the Gospel of Luke where Jesus shares a meal with others.

May 5th

May 12th

May 19th

May 26th

John 9:1-41

John 11:1-45

1 Cor. 13:8-13

Luke 5:27-39

Our Most Critical Questions: Does God Still Work Miracles?

Our Most Critical Questions: It is Okay to be Angry at God?

Our Most Critical Questions: Why Does God Allow So Much Suffering?

Dinner with Jesus: Levi’s House

BRUCE FOSTER

PAUL SEXAUER

KATHY DUGGAN

MARTY MCLEAN

GREGG PRUITT

GEOFFREY HELVESTON

JOYCE WHITE

CLESTON JONES

MCCLELLAND

JOE BEALS

TUESDAY REYNOLDS

XAVIER PEREZ

MATT MIMBS

HOLLY GRIMM

NEAL HENLEY

MARGARET SULLIVAN

LESLIE MATTHEWS

P R E S B Y T E R I A N W O M E N

M E M B E R S A T T E N D G A T H E R I N G

Three members of Second Presbyterian Church’s Presbyterian Women spent Saturday, April 20, 2024, in Chattanooga at New Hope Presbyterian Church. The three Donna Matlock, Leslie Matthews, and Helen Grant—represented Second Church at the annual spring Gathering of Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of East Tennessee. New Hope Church served as the host for the day’s activities.

Along with the annual business meeting and worship service, the mission highlight was an excellent presentation on the history and current operation of the Newton Child Development Center located in the westside community of Chattanooga. The child care center provides high-quality child care (for ages 4 months to 4 years old) to families in need, allowing parents to seek and maintain gainful employment and continue educational studies. The PWPET members brought various gifts of needed items to the Gathering as mission gifts to Newton.

The Racial Justice Task Force of the Presbytery of East Tennessee reported on their February Civil Rights trip to Atlanta.

Presbyterian Women Plan May Meeting at Second Church

On Tuesday, May 14, 2024, Presbyterian Women will hold their monthly meeting at Second PresbyterianChurchintheFellowshipHall,from10:00-11:45,topresentaspecialmediareview of a segment from Season 2 of the television series “The Chosen”. This particular segment includesscenesofthecrippledmanwhocrawlswithhishandstoapoolofwaterinJerusalem, seekingtobehealed.ThisTVseriesmaybedescribedashistoricalfiction,butisbasedonthe New Testament life of Jesus’ ministries along with his chosen disciples. We will consider the segmentweviewintwoways:

1. ThedifficultyofseparatingthefactsoftheN.T.from“TheChosen”.2.

The difficulty of transferring the bare bones of the N. T. scripture written from different disciplestoaflowingdramaticpresentation.

If you have viewed “The Chosen” already, come and help us understand this excellent but different kind of media study. REMEMBER ALL ARE WELCOME Ladies, gents, church membersandvisitors!

The Women’s Connection Conference is a great opportunity to spend time with God and connect with both old and new friends.

If you're interested in attending, please inform Pastor Sarah.

To find more information about the Conference, visit https://montreat.org/events/wc-2024

Second Readers will meet next Wednesday, May 8th, 11:30 a.m. at the Buckingham Clubhouse. The book of the month is “Spider Woman’s Daughter” by Anne Hillerman

The children are enjoying Children's Church and Music.

Join us for a picnic on the church grounds as we get ready for Summer!

(If the weather cooperates, we’ll be outside. If not, we’ll move inside.)

Dinner will include fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, green beans, cole slaw, and biscuits and cornbread from Cracker Barrel.

The program will be a presentation and discussion on understanding poverty and interacting with people in need.

Carolyn Hanson, who is the Outreach and Research Coordinator for the Compassionate Coalition, will be the presenter.

We’re looking forward to seeing you on the 8th!

Volunteering can boost self-confidence, self-esteem, and life satisfaction.

2nd Presbyterian seeks ushers, nursery volunteers, and more. Ask us how can you volunteer!

2nd needs your help!

On March 19, the GO Team provided an after-school celebration for about 50 West View Elementary School teachers and staff. The celebration included decorations in the library with treats including bundtinis, cheese trays, grapes, chips and dip, a veggie tray, and soft drinks and water. This celebration was in recognition of West View being named one of the 24 Reward Schools out of the 94 schools in Knox County. West View faces many challenges, and this is a true accomplishment for the children, families, teachers, staff, and partners. Reward schools have a high federal accountability score. The score is measured using four indicators which include academic achievement, growth measured by standardized test scores, absenteeism, and English language proficiency. 2nd Pres has been a partner and supporter of West View for many years.

As partners with West View, there are many opportunities for volunteers from the congregation including classroom helpers, lunch escorts, lunch buddies, spring carnival volunteers, cleanup workdays, and others.

Get involved! Be part of our group of volunteers!

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.

April Disbursements:

Presbytery of East Tennessee - $1,100

2nd Pres Preschool Scholarship Fund - $5,000. This is an annual contribution from the GO Team to the scholarship fund which is administered by the Preschool Board UKirk - $6,000. UKirk UTK seeks to be a “home away from home” and a ministry to the campus that welcomes all students regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation or denominational affiliation Students are encouraged to stay connected to the larger Church while providing a kind of on campus “church” at which college students feel comfortable and can worship and serve.

Emerald Youth Foundation - $1,000 2nd Pres is hosting a table for 10 at the upcoming Emerald Youth Prayer Breakfast.

West View Elementary - $500 approved. These funds will pay for the school year 2024-2025 car pickup line hang tags 2nd Pres will be the sponsor for the tags which will include the student’s name on one side and information about the church on the other.

Volunteer activities for April:

April 17 – Seven volunteers served lunch at KARM. 225 meals were served We will be serving at KARM again on July 15

March 29 – Three volunteers provided and served Chick-fil-A breakfasts to about 30 in the Volunteer Ministry Center Resource Center.

GOing and Serving in 2024 – Watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities at VMC, KARM, Love Kitchen, West View, and others in upcoming weekly newsletters. Coming up in May and June – Love Kitchen, West View, and VMC.

The GO Team is changing the team meeting time from 1 pm to 6:30 pm on the first Thursday of each month. This change is to provide an opportunity to serve those whose work schedules prevented attending afternoon meetings. This change is for a trial period from May through September and will be continued if there is interest YOU are invited and encouraged to join the team. The next meeting is May 2.

Patricia and Geoffrey Kennedy

Please join us for a baby shower honoring June 2nd at 2 p.m. / Fellowship Hall

Please look for links to their Registries in our Friday E-News!

The Pentecost Special Offering will be received on Sunday, May 12th, and Pentecost Sunday, May 19th. The offering will be divided among 40% to local youth programs, and 25% to young adult volunteer programs, 25% to nationwide ministries with youth, 10% to children at risk.

OFFICE CLOSINGS & STAFF VACATIONS

The Church Office will be closed on Monday, May 27th in observance of Memorial Day.

Bonnie Smith will be out of the office on vacation from Wednesday, May 15th through Saturday, May 25th. Due to Memorial Day, she will not be back in the office until Wednesday, May 29th. Julie Hill and Tuesday Reynolds will be providing office coverage while she is gone Both John Lasater and Holly Grimm will be away on vacation Sunday, May 12th.

Sarah Morgan will be away May 17th – May 19th on vacation. Matt Mimbs will be away on Sunday, May 19th playing for the Kirkin’ of the Tartans Service at the Smoky Mountain Scottish Festival in Townsend.

UKirk is honoring its 2024 graduating seniors with a goal of having 2,024 people donate at least $10.

Please consider donating $10 or more to honor UKirk’s Senior Class of 2024.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM THE APRIL STATED SESSION MEETING

Received the Treasurer’s Report. Received reports from the Preschool and Ministry Teams as information.

Approved incoming Elders Betsy Foster, John Gill, William Owen, and Cheryl Ragsdale and approved to ordain and install them on Sunday April 28, 2024.

Accepted the resignation of Elder Elizabeth Seastrunk from Session due to her schedule.

Elected Elder Bailey to represent the Second Presbyterian Church at the May Presbytery Meeting.

Approved the recommendation by the Worship team to use memorial funds to purchase guest books for families to use during a funeral.

Approved the recommendation by the Worship Team to authorize up to $6,000 from the Memorial Fund for the purchase of 27 new choir robes and stoles.

A Y 2 0 2 4

M5:30 p.m. Compassionate Cuisine (Atrium) 6:30 p.m. Bible Study (Library) 11:30 a.m. Interfaith Group (Mary Chambers Room) 6:30 p.m. GO Ministry Team Meeting (Barbour Room)

9:30 a.m. CCR &R (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 p.m. Session Class 2027 Orientation (Barbour Room)

10:00 a.m. Staff Mtg. (Barbour Room) 3:00 p.m. Budget Finance Support Team (Zoom) 5:30 p.m. Preschool Staff Small Group (Youth Room) 5:30 p.m. Vision Task Force (Barbour Room) 4:30 p.m. Connect Team (Barbour Room) 5:00 p.m. Facilities Support Room (Zoom ) 11:30 a.m. 2nd Readers (Buckingham Clubhouse) 5:30 p.m. GROW team mtg. (Small Conference Room) 6:00 p.m. 2nd Wednesday Dinner & Program Outdoor/Fellowship Hall) 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice (Sanctuary)

9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Faith, Science & The Future Class (Barbour Room) 10:30 a.m. Worship

Childrens

9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Faith, Science & The Future Class (Barbour Room) 10:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 a.m. Childrens Church 5:30 p.m. Preschool Staff Small Group (Youth Room) 10:00 a.m. Presbyterian Women Mtg. (Fellowship Hall) 6:00 p.m. Worship Team (Barbour Room) 5:30 p.m. Compassionate Cuisine (Atrium) 6:30 p.m. Bible Study (Library) 10:00 a.m. Arts & Crafts (Room 227) 9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Faith, Science & The Future Class (Barbour Room) 10:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 a.m. Childrens Church 9:15 a.m. Choir Practice 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Faith, Science & The Future Class (Barbour Room) 10:30 a.m. Worship 10:45 a.m. Childrens Church 10:00 a.m. Staff Mtg. (Barbour Room) 4 :00 p.m. Deadline 2nd Edition Articles 5:30 p.m. Preschool Staff Small Group (Youth Room) 6:00 p.m. Preschool Board mtg. (Zoom) 6:00 p.m. Session mtg. (Barbour Room) 6:30 p.m. Bible Study (Library) 6:30 p.m. Bible Study (Library) CHURCH CLOSED MEMORIAL DAY 9:00 a.m. FISH Pantry. (Fellowship Hall) 1:00 p.m. GROW team mtg. (Zoom)

2ND PRES KNOX

WELCOMING + FAITHFUL + HOPEFUL

CLERGYSTAFF

PastorTimReynolds Pastor/HeadofStaff treynolds@2ndpresorg

PastorSarahMorgan

TransitionalAssociatePastorfor CongregationalLife&Mission smorgan@2ndpres.org

PROGRAMSTAFF

MatthewMimbs DirectorofMusic&Arts mmimbs@2ndpresorg

JohnLasater Organist jdlasater77@gmail.com

HollyGrimm

Children&YouthMinistryCoordinator hgrimm@2ndpres.org

SUPPORTSTAFF

BonnieSmith ChurchAdministrator bsmith@2ndpresorg

MartaP.Villalta Media&CommunicationsCoordinator mvillalta@2ndpres.org

JulieHill

Receptionist 2ndpresJulie@gmailcom

PRESCHOOLSTAFF

LindaSueByrd Director lsbyrd@2ndpres.org

HollyGrimm AssistantDirector hgrimm@2ndpresorg

CONTACTUS:

SecondPresbyterianChurch

2829KingstonPike

Knoxville,TN37919

Ph 8655232189

Fax8656372617

www.2ndpres.org

SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH

2829 KINGSTON PIKE KNOXVILLE, TN 37919

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.

ELDERS

CLASS OF 2025

Zachary Burch

Lisa Henley

Terry Weaver

CLASS OF 2026

Leonard Bailey

Doug Barbour

Monica Casey

Clara Hardin

CLASS OF 2027

Betsy Foster

John Gill

Bill Owen

Cheryl Ragsdale

MINISTRY TEAMS & MODERATORS

WORSHIP

Betsy Foster

John Gill

CONNECT

Terry Weaver

Cheryl Ragsdale GROW

Zach Burch

Monica Casey GO

Leonard Bailey

Clara Hardin

SUPPORT

Doug Barbour

Bill Owen

PRESCHOOL

Lisa Henley