SECOND EDITION
ON SECOND Thought...
“Areyouintheoffice?”shesaid,“DoyouhavetimeifI comeoverrightnow?IneedtotalkwithyouASAP!”
A few seconds earlier my phone had rung and the CallerIDtoldmeitwasamemberofmycongregation, someone I knew quite well. Upon answering she blurted out the above. No hello, no how are you, no pleasantriesatall.Justafranticpleatomeetwithme assoonaspossible. “Sure,I’mhere.Comeonby.”
Ten minutes later she was in my office. I had spent that10minuteswonderingwhatwassopressing.Had shereceivedadevastatingdiagnosis?Hadsomeone in her family been in a terrible accident? Had she discoveredherhusbandhadbeenunfaithful?Allsorts ofthingsgothroughyourheadwhenyougetaphone calllikethat.
Itturnsoutitwasn’tanythingashorribleaswhatIhad imagined. It was, however, a big deal to her at that moment.Her5-year-olddaughterhadaskedher–out oftheblue,itseems–“Mommy,whatishell?”
“Whatdidyoutellher?”Iasked.
“I didn’t know what to tell her so I didn’t tell her anything! Then I called my mom and asked if she could watch my daughter for a half hour and then I calledyou!WhatdoItellher?!?!”
“Letmeaskyouthis,”Ireplied,“whatdoyouthinkhell is?”
Pitchforks. A bearded guy with horns. Fire. Punishment. Her idea of hell included all the usual things.Toher,hellwasaterrifyingandhorrificplace of condemnation and damnation where people were punishedforalleternityforhavingnotlivedrightfora few decades on earth. No wonder she didn’t know whattotellherdaughter.
Wespentthenexthalfhourtalkingabouthell.What theBiblesaysaboutit.Thedifferentideasaboutit. Thedifferentversionsofit.Whereherversioncame from.Whatshemighttellherdaughtertosatisfyher curiosity. Because, at the end of the day, her daughterjustwantedananswer.Kidsarelikethat.If you give them a simple answer they will usually acceptitandquicklymoveontosomethingelse.But if you don’t give them answer them at all, or you make the answer too complicated, or if you give them an adult answer full of adult fears and adult anxieties, then there are going to be a LOT more questionsaboutit.
Anyway, she realized that her reluctance to answer herdaughterthatmorninghadmuchmoretodowith her own preconceived ideas about (and insufficient theology of) hell than it did her daughter being worried that she might spend a fiery eternity being punished by a laughing, horned demon with a pitchfork. Her daughter had simply heard the term andwantedtoknowwhatitmightmean.
Ifyou’relikethedaughteranddon’treallyknowwhat hell means but would like to, or if you’re like the mother and have a very scary idea of what hell means, or if you’re like a lot of people and really haven’tgivenitmuchthoughtbecauseitallsoundsa littleweirdtoyou,thenIhopeyou’lljoinmeforour Bible study on Thursdays at 10:30 this fall as we read and discuss the book, Second Thoughts on Hell:UnderstandingWhatWeBelieve.
Graceandpeace…
Upcoming Sermon Texts and Topics
We are currently following the Revised Common Lectionary (RCL) on Sunday mornings. The RCL is a widely used three-year cycle of Bible readings for use in Christian worship, designed for use by various denominations. It provides a structured way to engage with Scripture throughout the liturgical year, encompassing major festivals and seasons, and provides a common set of readings from Scripture that Christians across the world hear together.
October 5th
October 12th
October 19th
October 26th
2 Timothy 1:1-14
2 Timothy 2:8-15
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5
Joel 2:23-32
The Journey of Faith
The Church’s Gospel
Scripture & Authority
The Sovereignty of God
Reformation Sunday
On Sunday, October 26 , we will celebrate Reformation Sunday, the Sunday closest to Reformation Day (Oct. 31 ). 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.
Kirkin’ of the Tartans
On Sunday, October 19 , we will celebrate our Presbyterian Scottish heritage with a Kirkin’ of the Tartans Service during worship. “Kirkin’” comes from “kirk,” the Scottish word for church, so the phrase literally means the “Churching of the Tartan.” Most people, however, take it to mean “blessing” of the tartans and the families, regions, and regiments they represent. If you are interested in participating by carrying a tartan, please contact Charles White at cwhite90@utk.edu.
All Saints Sunday
All Saints Sunday is November 2 . If you have a friend or loved one who has passed away in the last year and would like their name to be read in worship, please email Pastor Sarah (smorgan@2ndpres.org).
October15,wewillbemeetingatthe churchintheMaryChambersroom Our bookisADeathinDiamondsbySophia BennettandLizwillleadourdiscussion.All meetingsareat11:30andhopefullyyouwill bringyourlunchandjoinus.
Ifyouhaveanyquestions,pleasecall MargaretSullivanat(865)363-3967
PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN MEET OCT. 14
Presbyterian Women meets the second Tuesday of each month. This month’s meeting is Tuesday, October 14, 2025 from 10:15-11:30 in the Fellowship Hall. Join us for the second Bible lesson of the fall series on “Finding Our Resilience”. It is not surprising that a woman is featured in the scripture of Luke 10:38-42. Women in both the Old and New Testaments struggled with many challenges to test their ability to develop resilience in the Jewish patriarchal society!
Lesson two features Mary “of a certain village” who ignored a standing Jewish law—that women did not worship the same way as the men and certainly not with the men!
All are welcome to join our Bible study at any time and participate with Pastor Tim’s monthly Hymn Sing as he leads us in learning about some old, much loved hymns and in song together.
IF WE INADVERTENTLY MISSED SOMEONE...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
PLEASE HELP US UPDATE OUR RECORDS SO WE'LL HAVE YOUR SPECIAL DAY ON FILE. 10/3 10/3 10/4 10/4 10/5 10/5 10/5 10/6
Tammy Akers
Geoff Duggan
John Butler
Sandra Butler
Ed Batts
Mark Turner
Ruth Penmore
Glenn Lamping 10/8 10/10 10/11 10/14 10/25 10/25 10/26 10/28
Cheryl Ragsdale
Theresa Stone
Lily Reynolds
Ethan Kite
Arlys Milligan
Ann Wallace
Jim Cotton
Sunny Sweitzer
Preschool Fall Festival
ThePreschoolwouldliketoinviteyoutoparticipateinourfallfestivalbyvolunteeringto setupandrunabooth.TEAMSorindividualsmaychooseathemeanddecorateatable wheretheywillpassoutcandytoourpreschoolers.
TheeventisinthegymonWednesday10/29/24@5:30p.m.
Lastyearwehad15boothsandwewouldlovetoseeatleastasmanythisyear. Thisisagreatwaytogettoknowoneofthelargestmissionsof2ndPresbyterianChurch andministertofamiliesofyoungchildren.
Helping Mamas
as
September 21st. In July, several members of the Go team toured Helping Mamas, a non profit that supplies essential items to mothers for their children. We were very impressed with the operation. Not only do they supply diapers, but almost everything needed for a baby from formula to cribs. They also provide period products to girls so they won’t miss school . We are now partnering with Helping Mamas and will be distributing diapers, wipes and period products through our Fish ministry at no cost to us Please check their website for more details about this great program Tennessee helpingmamas org
Second Pres Family Game Day
What Do You Believe About Hell?
Join us on Thursday mornings at 10:30 this fall as we read and discuss the book, Second Thoughts about Hell: Understanding What We Believe. Beginning with the voices of the Hebrew Bible, extrabiblical, and New Testament texts and then proceeding through the voices of the early, medieval, Reformation, and modern church, authors Ronald Allen and Robert Cornwall will guide us through a historical interpretation of hell. They conclude with the three main Christian views today, along with some other contemporary theological positions, as they challenge the reader to decide which views make the most theological sense to them. We hope you will come be a part of the conversation!
StaffNews
GreetingsBrothersandSistersinChrist–
Asyouareaware,ourChurchAdministratorJackRosamondacceptedapositionwith UTK’sDepartmentofDigitalLearningwhichbeginsthefirstofOctoberWehavehireda newChurchAdministratorbutsheisnotavailabletobeginherdutiesuntilJanuary1.In themeantime,thePersonnelTeamhasaskedTuesdayReynoldstoserveasourInterim ChurchAdministrator.Shewillbeinthechurchofficeduringourregularofficehours (Monday-Thursdayfrom9am-4pm)andwillberesponsibleformostoftheregularduties oftheChurchAdministratorposition.Becausesheisamemberofthecongregationand thepastor’sspouse,thePersonnelTeamdeterminedthatsheshouldnothavedirect accesstoanyofthefinancesofthechurchorhaveanyresponsibilityforcontributions andpledges.Shewillprocesscheckrequests,reimbursements,andfacilitatepayingbills, justasJackdid,butcontributionsandpledgeswillbeloggedintotheRealmdatabaseby thosewhohavebeenpreviouslyauthorizedtocountcontributions.Webelievethatthisis agoodchoicefortheinterimandwillresultinaneasytransitionattheendoftheyear.If youhaveanyquestions,pleasedonothesitatetocontactme.
MargieGill Chair,PersonnelTeam
*PLEASENOTE:TuesdaywillcontinuetousethesameemailaddressasJack.Allemails, checkrequests,newsitems,bulletinannouncements,etc.willcontinuetobesentto jrosamond@2ndpres.org.
GOTeamReport–September2025
TheGOTeamisresponsibleforextendingtheministryof2 Presbyterianbeyond thechurchbothlocallyandgloballythroughfinancialdonationsandvolunteer activities.Theyrelyonthegenerosityofthecongregationtofundtheireffortsand welcomerecommendationsfordonationsandvolunteeropportunities. nd
TheteammeetsonthefirstThursdayofeachmonthat1pmintheBarbourRoom. OurnextmeetingisOctober2nd.
TheGOTeamdidnotmeetinSeptember.
Disbursements:
PresbyteryofEastTennessee-$1,150.Thiswillbethemonthlydisbursement fortheyearforatotalof$13,800.
VolunteeractivitiesinSeptember:
August29–VolunteersprovidedandservedbreakfastintheResourceCenter atVolunteerMinistryCenter.
September16–EightmembersofthecongregationattendedtheCompassion CoalitionFund-RaisingLuncheon.TheGOTeamsponsoredatableatthe luncheon.
WeekofSeptember15–TheGOTeamparticipatedwithotherWestView Elementarycommunitypartnerstorecognizeandexpressappreciationtothe CommunitySchoolsCoordinators.TheWestViewcoordinatorisSavannah Smith.
WestViewSuppliesCollectionBox–Thisboxlocatedintheatriumhasacurrent listofsuppliesneeded.Pleasecheckthecurrentneedslistedatthecollectionbox astheywillbeupdatedfromtimetotime.
GOingandServingin2025–WatchforupcomingvolunteeropportunitiesatVMC, KARM,CompassionCoalition,LoveKitchen,WestView,andothersinupcoming weeklynewsletters.
VolunteerMinistryCenterCarrytheTorchLuncheoniscominguponDecember10 –Thisyear’sspeakerwillbeChamiqueHoldsclaw.Asusual,2 Preswillsponsora table. nd 9
Received Pastor Sarah’s Sabbatical Report. Received a Vision Task Force update.
Approved Letters of Transfer for Dana Hendrix and John Lasater.
Approved spending up to $10,000 for the Memorial Fund to repair the sound system in the sanctuary.
Elected Kathy Duggan to serve as the 2 elder on the Nominating committee, joining Betsy Foster
O c t o b e r 2 0 2 5
S A T U R D A Y
F R I D A Y
W E D N E S D A Y T H U R S D A Y
T U E S D A Y
M O N D A Y
1 : 0 0 p m : Z e i g u n f u s s V o i c e
S t u d i o ( F e l l o w s h i p H a l l )
S U N D A Y
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
HollyGrimm
Children&YouthMinistryCoordinator hgrimm@2ndpres.org
SarahWarner
Organist swarner@bellarmine.edu
SUPPORTSTAFF
TuesdayReynolds InterimChurchAdministrator jrosamond@2ndpresorg
PRESCHOOLSTAFF
LindaSueByrd
Director lsbyrd@2ndpresorg
HollyGrimm
AssistantDirector hgrimm@2ndpres.org
CONTACTUS:
SecondPresbyterianChurch
2829KingstonPike
Knoxville,TN37919
Ph.865.523.2189
Fax865.637.2617
www2ndpresorg
THE SECOND EDITION
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 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
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