OCTOBER 2024
Founder’s Day Founder’s Day Founder’s Day October 20th October 20th October 20th
Not long after the first Presbyterian cong Knoxville area built its first “Meeting House” in 1816, some disagreements arose among members of the congregation. The congregation ended up dividing over these disagreements and a “second” Presbyterian congregation was created.
Those who have studied our history have tried to pinpoint the single issue that caused this split. Was it a theological controversy that the denomination was dealing with at the time? Was it the issue of slavery? Or was it the amount being charged to rent preferred pews on Sunday mornings. (Though this last may sound odd to us, pew rentals were a common practice at the time for congregations that were paying for a new building )
Church, because of pew problems, would leave a fine new church building, walk two blocks down Clinch Avenue, and erect a moremodestbuilding ona shoestring.”
The reality is, it wasn’t any one issue, but a combination of several of them Where people landed on the theological controversy usually mirrored where they landed on the issue of slavery. It is well documented that the members of First Presbyterian Church were old school, traditional Calvinists who supported the institution of slavery So it makes sense that those who left to start a second church were new school, Hopkinsian abolitionists.
Interestingly, when the Presbytery of Union received “a petition from a number of inhabitants of Knoxville and others praying for the privilege of erecting a new church,” it was the pew rental issue, that was listed as the issue of disagreement. Here’s what I think happened: The theological controversy and slavery were hotly debated issues in society and in the Presbyterian Church at the time. Omitting issues that could have been explosive on the floor of Presbytery would have been a smart move by folks who wanted to start a new congregation So they chose pew rental But pew rental was only a pretext As Lowell Giffen writes in his history of 2nd, “It is improbable that the
The Presbytery denied the appeal for a “second” church in April 1818. That decision was appealed to the Synod, who granted the appeal in October 1818, and Second Presbyterian Church was born. We do not know the names of those who petitioned the Presbytery for the “privilege of erecting a new church.” As Arvilee and Helen Grant point out in their history of 2nd, the earliest register of members is a challenge to decipher, due to its faded ink and difficult-to-read handwriting. We do know that 42 males agreed to be financially responsible for the construction of the first building, which, given the average family size of the time, would mean the first congregation was around 100 people, but we do not know all of our founders’ names. We do know some, however.
Archibald Rhea, John McCampbell, Thomas Craighead, Joseph Brown, and John Taylor made up the first session. And among the earliest entries on the register of members are these four: “Jack, a man of color”, “Lucia, a woman of color”, “Jane, a woman of color”, and “Betsy, a woman of color.” Four of the founding members of Second were slaves.
On October 20th we will celebrate Founders Day, a day to reflect on the many years of service and blessings this congregation has had, and to thank God for the mostly nameless men and women –slave and free – who were our founders. We hope you will joinus!
Grace andpeace…
UPCOMING SERMON TEXTS & TOPICS UPCOMING SERMON TEXTS & TOPICS
During October we are continuing part 1 of our look at the narrative arc of the Bible. Entitled God’s Kingdom People, we are focusing on God’s relationship with the people he called to be his special nation, the Israelites. This month we will journey with the Israelites through the wilderness God saves them from the Egyptians and then extends the covenant he made with Abraham to all the people. The people agree to the covenant and then break it almost immediately. We will end October with the Israelites on the edge of the Promised Land, reaffirming their covenant with Yahweh.
October 6th
October 13th
October 20th
October 27th
Exodus 16 - 19
Exodus 20 -24
Exodus 32 Joshua 1-8
God’s Kingdom People: The Wilderness
God’s Kingdom People: The Covenant
God’s Kingdom People: The Second Fall
God’s Kingdom People: Covenant Renewal
On Sunday, October 27th, we will celebrate Reformation Sunday, the Sunday closest to Reformation Day (Oct. 31st).
This is the date Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany, in 1517. This public expression of his “protestations” against the Catholic Church initiated the Protestant Reformation.
2ND WEDNESDAYS 2ND WEDNESDAYS 2ND
October’s 2nd Wednesday dinner and program is on October 9th.
Dinner is at 6:00 p.m. with the program following dinner, usually around 6:30 or 6:45 p.m.
This month, the Connect Team will lead us in a Family Game Night.
All ages are welcome!
The Founder’s Day Celebration Committee invites all Second Presbyterian Church members and visitors to the church’s first Founder’s Day Celebration on Sunday, October 20, 2024, immediately after our Sunday worship service. If you can, bring a covered dish to supplement our meal being provided jointly by our Connect Team, the Founder’s Committee and the church.
Second Presbyterian Church was formed by descendants of Scots and Scot-Irish immigrants who faced a wilderness, two wars, isolation of surrounding mountain ranges, a major economic depression and growing unrest over the issue of slavery In spite of these challenges, the founders maintained their Reformed Presbyterian faith and their steadfast support for education for all. Second Presbyterian Church still stands 206 years later.
Come, join in thankful celebration for the church’s survival in the seeking of God’s love for all His children.
IF WE INADVERTENTLY MISSED SOMEONE...HAPPY BIRTHDAY! PLEASE HELP US UPDATE OUR RECORDS SO WE'LL HAVE YOUR SPECIAL DAY ON FILE.
Friendsandfamilyareinvitedtocelebrate LouiseJosephson onThursday,October24,2024,at3:00p.m. ThecelebrationwilltakeplaceatthePavilionbehind FirstUnitedMethodistChurch,locatedat3316KingstonPike. Thereisplentyofnearbyparkingwithaviewoftheriver. Itwillbeaninformalgatheringtosharestories,scripture,and celebrateabeautifullife.
econd Readers will meet at the uckingham Clubhouse Wednesday, October 9, at 11:30 a.m.
Our book for the month is essons in Chemistry by Bonnie Garmus.
ring your lunch, your thoughts on this book nd your smiling faces. uestions? Call Margaret Sullivan at (865) 363-3967
Gather with Presbyterian Women on Tue program on health care provided by the In All church members and visitors, men and Fellowship Hall from 10:00 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
The Center provides comprehensive, affo underserved individuals in the greater Knox and mental care, prescription assistance, and Melissa Knight, Executive Director of the Inte
Gather with PW as we continue our year ’ provide answers to many injustices to God’s
The Preschool would like to invite you to participate in our fall festival by volunteering to set up and run a booth.
TEAMS or individuals may choose a theme and decorate a table where they will pass out candy to our preschoolers.
The event is in the gym on Wednesday 10/30/24 @ 5:30 p.m.
Last year we had 12 booths and this year we would love to see at least 15.
This is a great way to get to know one of the largest missions of 2nd Presbyterian Church and minister to families of young children.
Questions? email Holly @ hgrimm@2ndpres.org or Linda Sue Byrd @ lsbyrd@2ndpres.org or simply call the preschool at 865-523-9997
In 2018, 2nd Presbyterian Church celebrated its 200th Anniversary by establishing a scholarship through the East Tennessee Foundation for students who attend either Maryville College or The University of Tennessee.
The recipients this year are Vallee Vanover, a sophomore social work major at UTK, and Jakob Scroggins, a junior at UTK studying materials science and engineering.
We hope to have them join us for our Founder’s Day celebration if their schedules will allow.
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 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. Next meeting is Thursday, October 3 at 1:00pm in the Barbour Room.
Disbursements:
Presbytery of East Tennessee - $1,100
East Knoxville Free Medical Clinic - $2,000. This all-volunteer clinic provides quality care in a safe environment The clinic sees patients with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, as well as other acute and chronic diseases The clinic is also able to obtain basic lab services for our patients for free and administer vaccinations. https://www.eastknoxfreemedicalclinic.com/
Interfaith Health Center - $1,000. InterFaith Health Center provides comprehensive, affordable care to working uninsured or underserved individuals in the greater Knoxville area. https://interfaithhealthcenter.org/
Volunteer Ministry Center - $1,000. Donation for the sponsorship of a table of 10 at the annual Carry the Torch Luncheon on October 24. https://www.vmcinc.org/carry-thetorch
Volunteer activities for September:
September 18 – 5 volunteers worked from 10am until 1:30pm at Love Kitchen packaging 700+ meals for the day’s lunch and next day delivery. The group also assisted in serving lunch to about 100 The folks at Love Kitchen also served the volunteers a delicious lunch as usual!
GOing and Serving in 2024 – Watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities at VMC, KARM, Love Kitchen, West View, Compassion Coalition and others in upcoming weekly newsletters. Coming up in October through December – Love Kitchen, KARM, and VMC
THE VOLUNTEER MINISTRY CENTER PRESENTS
THIS ANNUAL EVENT WILL BE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 24, 2024
KNOXVILLE CONVENTION CENTER
Mission Fair 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Lunch and Program 11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. / Book Signing 1:00 pm-2:00 p.m
FeaturingTracyKidder,PulitzerPrizeWinner,andBest-SellingAuthorofRoughSleepers andDr.JimO’Connell,PresidentofBostonHealthCarefortheHomelessProgramand AssistantProfessorofMedicine,HarvardMedicalSchool
SecondPresissponsoringaTablefor10atthisevent. Ifyouwishtobeatthetable, pleaseletLeonardBaileyknowbyOctober3rd. (865-207-4947/lbailey@chartertn.net)
Formoreinformationaboutthiseventortomakeadonation, pleasevisitwww.vmcinc.org/carry-the-torch
The Preschool will be having their annual Fall Festival in the gym on 10/30/24 at 5:30 p.m.
We are collecting candy beginning on Sunday 10/6- 10/29
Place your individually wrapped candy in the blue box in the atrium (no peanuts or peanut butter please)
2ND PRES KNOX
WELCOMING + FAITHFUL + HOPEFUL
CLERGYSTAFF
PastorTimReynolds
Pastor/HeadofStaff treynolds@2ndpres.org
PastorSarahMorgan
TransitionalAssociatePastorfor CongregationalLife&Mission smorgan@2ndpresorg
PROGRAMSTAFF
MatthewMimbs
DirectorofMusic&Arts mmimbs@2ndpresorg
HollyGrimm Children&YouthMinistryCoordinator hgrimm@2ndpresorg
SUPPORTSTAFF
JackRosamond ChurchAdministrator jrosamond@2ndpresorg
MartaP.Villalta
Media&CommunicationsCoordinator mvillalta@2ndpres.org
PRESCHOOLSTAFF
LindaSueByrd Director lsbyrd@2ndpresorg
HollyGrimm AssistantDirector hgrimm@2ndpresorg
CONTACTUS:
SecondPresbyterianChurch
2829KingstonPike
Knoxville,TN37919
Ph.865.523.2189
Fax8656372617
www2ndpresorg
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
Laura Turner
Terry Weaver
CLASS OF 2026
Leonard Bailey
Doug Barbour
Monica Casey
Clara Hardin
CLASS OF 2027
Betsy Foster
John Gill
William Owen
Cheryl Ragsdale
MINISTRY TEAMS & MODERATORS WORSHIP
Betsy Foster
John Gill CONNECT
Terry Weaver
Cheryl Ragsdale GROW
Zach Burch
Monica Casey
Laura Turner GO Leonard Bailey
Clara Hardin SUPPORT
Doug Barbour
William Owen
PRESCHOOL
Lisa Henley