Twenty-Five years ago, in his book Bowling Alone, Robert Putnam discussed the ways in which Americans were disengaging from community involvement and social interaction. “The single most common finding from half a century’s research on life satisfaction,” he wrote, “is that happiness is best produced by the breadth and depth of one’s social connections ” The problem, Putnam pointed out in the year 2000, is Americans were becoming increasingly less involved in civic organizations, religious groups, labor unions, parentteacher associations, veterans’ organizations, fraternal organizations, and other groups where regular social interactions occur.
During the intervening years this trend has not gotten better A recent article in The Atlantic by Ellen Cushing points out that it used to be commonplace for Americans to go out on a regular basis to a club, to church, or to somebody’s home where they’d see their friends. Between 2003 and 2024, however, there was a 50 percent drop in time spent by Americans either attending or hosting a social event Shockingly, about 1 in 8 Americans say they have no friends, and those that do say they rarely see them in person
Cushing points out in her article that Party City has recently closed due to the lack of Americans having parties anymore. She thinks the prescription for better social health and happiness is to have more parties. She says that if every American hosted two parties a year, things would get better Maybe There is another way, though
Small Groups Human beings were made for meaningful relationships, significant relationships. We were created for connectedness. Connecting with other human beings in small groups where significant relationships can be created and built is not only a wonderful way to experience satisfaction and happiness in life, it’s THE way we experience God’s kingdom and grow as his disciples
Jesus didn’t leave a Golden Curriculum. He called 12 people to live in community with him and with each other for 3 years and then said, “The kingdom of God is among you. (That’s a plural you – y’all!) Now, go into the world and do this ”
It is possible to grow as a disciple with many different curriculums and programs, or with no curriculum or program. But it is impossible to grow as a disciple without having significant relationships with others. For this reason, we are starting a small group ministry at 2nd Pres Knox. We are calling them Growth Groups, because the primary focus will be to grow in our relationship with God, grow in our relationships with one another, and grow as disciples of Jesus Christ
Maybe you already have a group of people you do life with regularly. If so, great! Keep it up! But if you are one of those Americans who is tired of “bowling alone”, if you are someone who has been craving real community and connection with others, if you are someone would like to invest in building significant relationships with some of your fellow church members and doing life together, then I’d like to invite you to join a Growth Group this fall
There will be an information session on Wednesday, September 3rd, that will explain how Growth Groups will work, for those who would like to know more. Hope to see you there!
Grace and peace
Upcoming Sermon Texts and Topics
This program year we are going to be 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. Each week the RCL provides 4 different Scripture passages: one each from the Hebrew Bible, Psalms, Gospels, and Epistles. Pastors Tim & Sarah will choose one of these passages to preach on each week. There are many RCL devotional resources online, if you would like to engage more deeply with the passages. (The passage for Sept. 7 is unavailable at the time of this printing as Sarah is scheduled to preach and has not yet returned from her sabbatical.)
Sarah Morgan Preaching
The Main Thing Praying for Our Enemies
Dangers of Wealth
A Celebration of Life for Ed May
will be held on Saturday, September 6 at th 10:00 a.m. in the sanctuary. The family will receive friends in the Fellowship Hall immediately following the service
Peace and Global Witness Offering
The Peace and Global Witness offering will be received on Sunday, September 28 and October 5 . Our gifts to the Peace and Global Witness offering help to our neighbors in need; those who live in our area, and across th th the globe.
-25% of this Offering stays with our Congregation to support peacemaking and reconciliation in our own community. -25% of this Offering goes to our Presbytery to join with other congregations to support peacemaking work in our region. -25% of this Offering supports the work being done by Presbyterians across the globe.
On July 31, 2025, the Preschool celebrated fifteen graduates. Ten of the fifteen children have been a part of the 2 Presbyterian Preschool program from Infants until graduation. Children who are a part of our program from infancy to pre K have the advantage of learning skills throughout each classroom that prepares them to be ready learners for kindergarten. Your preschool also provides a faith based curriculum that allows us to meet our program mission statement of providing the best environment whereby each child can grow in the fullness of his or her potential as a child of God. The Preschool recognizes that this wouldn’t be possible without the support of the church, and we once again thank you for your continued support. nd
UKirk Strategic Planning
UKirk at UTK is going to be engaging in a strategic planning process over the next 6-8 months. Pastor Tim has been asked to serve on the UKirk Strategic Planning Committee. If you have any thoughts/ideas about UKirk and its future ministry, particularly our partnership with them, please contact Pastor Tim to share what’s on your mind.
Fall Bible Study
Our Tuesday morning Bible study will resume on Tuesda , September 23 t rd
The GO Team is responsible for extending the ministry of 2 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. nd
The team meets on the first Thursday of each month at 1pm in the Barbour Room. Next meeting September 4
June Disbursements:
Presbytery of East Tennessee - $1,150. This will be the monthly disbursement for the year for a total of $13,800.
Compassion Coalition - $1,000. Table sponsorship at the Seedling Level for the annual Compassion Coalition fundraising luncheon. https://compassioncoalition.org/ Living Waters for the World - $4,000. Living Waters for the World trains volunteers to establish and lead water mission teams that partner with communities to implement and operate sustainable water purification systems and health education programs. https://www.livingwatersfortheworld.org/
Love Kitchen - $1,000. The Love Kitchen provides meals and emergency food packages to homebound, homeless and unemployed people of all races and faiths. https://thelovekitchen.org/
Volunteer activities in August:
August 2 – 25+ Volunteers from Second Pres worked to prepare the school grounds and helped teachers prepare their classroom for the beginning of the school year. This is the 17 year that Second Pres has led this activity. Volunteers from Westminster Pres and Clear Defense Pest Control also assisted with the total number of volunteers approaching 50.
th
August 24 – 31 Family Promise - Volunteers will help prepare the house at SDA Church for incoming homeless families. Volunteers will also prepare and serve a meal during the week and assist with closing the house at the end of the week.
August 29 – Volunteers will provide and serve breakfast to participants in the Resource Center at Volunteer ministry Center.
West View Supplies Collection Box
This box located in the atrium has a current list of supplies needed Please check the current needs listed at the collection box as they will be updated from time to time.
GOing and Serving in 2025 – Watch for upcoming volunteer opportunities at VMC, KARM, Compassion Coalition, Love Kitchen, West View, and others in upcoming weekly newsletters..
Received Treasurer’s report.
Angela Jones was elected Clerk of Session.
Reverend Reynolds gave a report on Celebrations and Concerns and Administrative Issues and Activities.
Clara Hardin reported back from the Presbytery meeting on Aug hu h
1 0 : 0 0 a m : E d M a y F u n e r a l ( S a n c t u a r y ) 1 0 : 3 0 a . m . : 2 P
1 2 : 0 0 p m : N i c h o l e D u r a n B i r t h d a y P a r t y ( G y m )
5 : 3 0 p m G r o w t h G r o u p s I n f o r m a t i o n a l M e e t i n g
( F e l l o w s h i p H a l l )
R
6 : 3 0 p m : C o S S e s s i o n M e e t i n g ( B a r b o u r R o o m )
1 2 : 3 0 p m : C C R & R ( F H )
1 0 : 0 0 a m : A r t s a n d C r a f t s ( R o o m 2 2 7 ) 1 : 0 0 p m : G o T e a m M e e t i n g ( B a r b o u r R o o m )
3 : 0 0 p m B u d g e t a n d F i n a n c e T e a m ( Z o o m ) 10:00 am Presbyterian Women (FH) 4 :00 pm: Ryan Fogg Recital (Sanctuary) 6:00 pm: Worship Team (Barbour Room) 7:00 pm: Boy Scouts 9:00 p.m. Ukirk Basketball
L i f e G r o u p
L a d i e s L i f e G r o u p 6:00 pm: Session Meeting (Barbour Room) 7:00 pm: Scouts 9:00 p.m. Ukirk Basketball (Gym)
