Window | Fall 2025

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FALL 2025 | VOL 7 7 | I SSU E 2

VISIT THE JOHN N. LUKENS LIBRARY B Y G I N N I R OBE RTS ON, IPC LIBR AR IAN

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he John N. Lukens Library is located adjacent to the elevator on the same floor as the Great Hall.

Our library contains a wide variety of resources for Bible study, spiritual development, family life, the arts and music, history, biography, fiction, and books for preschool and elementary age children. The library is always open even though lights may not be on. There is an automatic switch which turns lights on when you enter the library. In the entrance to the library are display shelves with books pertaining to IPC history, current classes, new books, and seasonal books. These books may be checked out. We also subscribe to several publications which may be of interest: The Christian Century, Christianity Today, The Presbyterian Outlook, and Presbyterian Women.

BOOKS FOR FALL 2025 The books for your Sunday morning classes are available for you to check out. The text for the Reform Class is

INSIDE IPC'S JOHN N. LUKENS LIBRARY, 2025

Life Together, by Dietrich Bonhoeffer.

This book is a study of how to effectively and faithfully build a meaningful community through mutual affection for Christ and each other. The Wonder Years, taught by Rabbi Adam Wright of Temple Emanu-El, will study The

Hebrew Prophets and Their Social World: an introduction, by Victor H. Matthews. Drawing on archaeology and ancient Near Eastern texts, the prophets are examined chronologically, placing them and their message into historical context. Bridges & Crossroads will use

MINISTRIES

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS

IPC NOW & FOREVER

FOCUS ON FAITH

Find Your Place at IPC this Fall P G 4

See our upcoming midweek programming PG 6

Endowment Campaign Update PG 7

Learn about our 2025 speaker PG 8

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CONTINUED ON PG 3

UPCOMING

Events See complete calendar online including details and updates: ipc-usa.org > connect

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SEPTEMBER 1 Labor Day, IPC Closed 3 Wednesday Night Programming & Dinner Resume: The Christian Doctrine Class, 5 pm, RM 305-306; Youth Grant Team, 5 pm, Youth Room; Dinner, 5:30 pm, Great Hall; Kids ROCK, 5:30 pm, Ground & 1st Floor; Bible Study with the Pastor, 6 pm, RM 218 7 Together Again Breakfast, 9:45 am, Great Hall; Regular Worship Schedule Resumes; Morning Services, 8:45 & 11 am, Sanctuary; Evening Service, 5 pm, Highland Hall; Youth Group Resumes, 5 pm, Garage 10- Oct. 1 Traveling the Path of Labyrinth class, 6 pm, RM 301 13 IPC Hiking Group 14 All Sunday School Classes Resume, 10 am; Acolyte Installation, 11 am, Sanctuary; Choral Evensong, 4 pm, Sanctuary 15 Beer & Hymns, 7 pm, The Grocery 21 Grace Group Registration Begins 22-25; Serve at First Light 27, 29, 30 27 456 Retreat, CFAF, 9 am – 2 pm 28 Fourth Grade Bible Presentation, 11 am worship service, Sanctuary 30 Lunch Bunch, 11:30 am OCTOBER 5 World Communion Day, Extended Atrium for Levels 2 & 3 8-29 “The Dangerous Act of Worship” Focus on Faith Intro. Class, Room 309 11 IPC Hiking Group 12 Grace Groups Begin 14 Joint Officer Dinner, 5:30 pm, Clubhouse on Highland 19 Fall River Fest, Living River 19-Nov. 23 Harvest for Hunger Campaign 20 Beer & Hymns, 7 pm, The Grocery 28 Lunch Bunch, 11:30 am 29 Kids Rocktober, Highland Hall Green Space 31 IPC Day School Halloween Parade

CONSIDER THIS

“How Might We Become More of a Family?”

Dear IPC Friends, Several weeks ago, the Long family got back from our annual summer trip to spend time with our extended family in North Carolina. It’s always good to step away from the busyness and pressures of daily life and be with the people who helped shape us into the people we are today. It’s also wonderful for our children to get to know their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins so that they can learn more about who they are and from where they have come. It was good to be with family.

Theologically speaking, however, it is when we returned to Birmingham that we came back to our true family, the church.

In each of our baptisms, we were adopted into a new family, the family of the triune God, which supersedes all other familial relations. We have been claimed by Jesus Christ, and together we make up his body. We are now brothers and sisters in Christ. Therefore, “we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ” (Rom 8:16-17). The church is our true family, and God’s kingdom is our inheritance.

This Fall I am going to continue preaching about some of the earliest members of our Christian family in the book of Acts. In August, we looked at more of Peter’s story after the gospel spread out from Jerusalem following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. But now we turn to the dramatic story of the Apostle Paul, a Jewish Pharisee who once was an enemy of the gospel but who became the greatest missionary of the early church after he was encountered by the risen Savior on the road to Damascus.

Hopefully, by looking at our ancestors in the faith, we can learn more about who we are and from where we have come as well as gain a greater understanding of what it means to be a part of this special family that Christ has called together.

One of the best parts about this family is that we get to have family reunions at least once a week! But we also get to eat together, work together, study together, and pray together. I hope in the coming months that we can begin to think about how we might become even more of a family here at Independent Presbyterian Church. As I begin my fifth year with you, I want you to know how grateful I am that you called us here to be a part of your church. And though it was nice to be away on vacation, it is wonderful to be back with you all again. After all, it is good to be with family.

In Christ,

Rev. Kevin J. Long Pastor

GET CONNECTED Join your family of faith this Fall at IPC Scan our Fall QR Code with your smartphone to find opportunities to worship and take part in discipleship and fellowship.

two books; Woven: Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn’t Need to Heal From, by Meredith Miller, and Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again, by Rachel Held Evans. The text for In the Trenches, a new class designed for young parents of younger children, is Faithful Families: Creating Sacred Moments at Home, by Traci Smith. The purpose of this class is to focus on practical ways to grow faithful families within the home.

Books for weekday classes are also available. The Wednesday 5:00 pm class taught by Bill Casey and Lant Davis will study Christian Doctrine, by Shirley Guthrie. Susan Clayton’s Tapestries class, which meets 1st and 3rd Tuesdays, will use The Amen Effect: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts, by Sharon Brous. Susan’s Thursday noon class will be studying 1st, 2nd, and 3rd John. We have several commentaries that will be useful for this study. The text for the Bill Shanks Bible Study for men at 6:30 Friday mornings will be Paul, and Jesus, How the Apostle Transformed Christianity, by James Tabor.

The Grace Groups fall study is Matthew: The Gospel of Promised Blessings, by Matthew L. Skinner.

We invite you to visit our library, and we hope you will find something of interest. If you have questions about our library, please contact Ginni Robertson by email at ginni.robertson@gmail.com.

THE CHILDREN'S BOOKS SECTION OF THE JOHN N. LUKENS LIBRARY

The Window is a publication of Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue South.

The Window is published for church members and friends.

JOINING IPC

If you are new to IPC or considering a new church home, we would be delighted for you to contact us.

Stacy Pulliam, Engagement & Assimilation Coordinator (205) 933-3690 | spulliam@ipc-usa.org

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CON TIN U E D F RO M CO VER

M IN I S T RY

FIND YOUR PLACE AT IPC THIS FALL

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et ready for an exciting new season at IPC! This fall, we invite everyone in our congregation to explore the latest ways to connect with your Faith family. Keep reading to discover all the opportunities to find your spiritual home at IPC.

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ADULT MINISTRIES

By: Neal Hutchinson, Adult Ministries Chair and Liz Saunders, Adult Education SubCommittee Chair After the long, hot summer, welcome back to a fall season lineup of fabulous faith formation offerings! Autumn is a time to open doors, reunite our family of faith, and nestle into our church home.

Adult Ministries, which includes Adult Education, the Library, and many small groups, including Grace Groups, oversees meaningful ways to engage. At IPC, members can learn in a Sunday School class, explore a passion through an interest group, study quietly in the library, or join large intergenerational gatherings like IPC Connect. And don’t forget to mark your calendar for our Focus on Faith Speaker Mark Labberton's visit, November 1-3.

See page 8 for details. All classes are open, welcoming, and require no prior Bible knowledge.

Sunday morning classes begin September 14 and include: "Finding Resilience, Joy, and Identity in Jesus Christ" for Presbyterian Women. "The Gospel According to Bonhoeffer": A discussionbased class studying Christ’s call for each of us to lead a life of discipleship and faithfully build a Christ-centered life.

"Nurturing a Faith Your Kid Doesn’t Need to Heal From" for parents, grandparents, or anybody who has children or loves children. "Walking with God" for young adults studying the New Testament.

"Faithful Families: Creating Sacred Moments at Home," an offering for our newest class, for parents of children mostly under age six. And back by popular demand, Rabbi Adam Wright of Temple Emanuel-El will lead us through the Hebrew prophets in their full historical and

social context.

If you can’t make Sunday or just want more faith foundation opportunities, join us for Wednesday night dinner and classes beginning September 3. Adult offerings include the Pastor’s Bible Study, an experiential class on the IPC labyrinth, a theology class exploring the reformed tradition in light of today’s world, and a study on The Dangerous Act of Worship. See page 6 for details, times, and dates.

Bring a friend and we look forward to seeing you on campus. Visit ipc-usa.org/ adults to learn more.

CHILDREN'S MINISTRIES

By: Ashley Lyerly and Gracie Evans, Past and Present Children's Ministries Sub-Committee Chairs After another successful summer season of children’s programming, the IPC’s Children’s Ministry is welcoming young families back into the fall cadence of Sunday and Wednesday programming.

In May, nearly 100 of our youngest members, as well as children within the community, “Start(ed) the Party” at our preschool VBS. A 90s disco themed celebration bursting with balloons and glow sticks left a lasting impression with all of those in attendance that Jesus is always a reason to celebrate!

The Children’s Fresh Air Farm was filled with songs, laughter, swimming, games of gaga ball and learning about the “Story of David” in early June, 105 elementary kids and 45 youth joined this beloved IPC children’s ministry tradition of role playing as the twelve tribes of Israel to learn about the many talents of David while living life in the times of the Old Testament. Each tribe was shepherded by our Youth “Tribal Assistants" as well as church volunteers.

Building off the fun of summer, our IPC halls are ready to be filled with children during the Sunday School hour this fall as well as on Wednesdays, starting September 3, for Kids ROCK. Looking forward to January 4, 2026, the children’s ministry team will be launching a new Sunday program called “WOW” (Working on Worship) for kids in 1st-3rd grade. It’ll take place during

IPC'S LUNCH BUNCH SMALL GROUP

the 11 am worship service.

Save the date for the Living River Elementary Retreat on November 7-9! We are excited for the year ahead and invite you to join us this fall in our vibrant Children’s Ministries!

YOUNG ADULTS & FAMILIES' MINISTRIES

By: Anna Hartzog, Bridges Leader This summer marked 10 years of summer camp at Living River, the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley’s retreat center and camp on the Cahaba River. 10 children from IPC attended the elementary camp week, and nine children and seven parents from IPC attended the weekend You-and-Me Camp for younger children in June.

When asked what their favorite activities at camp are, IPC kids respond with things like canoeing, looking for salamanders in the river, searching for fossils on fossil ridge, cooking marshmallows over the bonfire, fishing, completing the low-ropes course, practicing archery, playing messy kickball, hiking, singing camp songs, crafting, and swimming in the lake (which includes bouncing each other off the blob)! In addition to the activities, kids (and parents!) appreciate the comfort offered by the camp, which boasts clean and airconditioned cabins. For some, like You-and-Me camper Emmett Hartzog, even sleeping in bunk beds can be a highlight of the experience!

IPC YOUTH & CHILDREN AT THE CHILDREN'S FRESH AIR FARM

Fall Elementary Retreat (November 7 - 9), Youth Retreat, Cahaba Lily Adult Retreat, You-and-Me Camps, and of course, summer camp! Visit livingriver.org to learn more about ways to reap the benefits of this incredible presbytery resource.

YOUTH MINISTRIES

By: Cammie Ashworth, Director of Youth and Grace Daniels, Assistant Youth Director We’ve had a lively summer full of weekly programming, special events, and beloved Montreat conferences. We love summer at IPC because it gives us the gift of extra time together, and it serves as a beautiful reminder that faith grows in fellowship.

Montreat is a space where young people are invited to ask big questions, encounter God’s presence, and form lifelong friendships. This year, we were excited to take 15 youth to the Middle School conference, our biggest group yet! We had another wonderful week in Montreat with 20 high school youth. We returned home reminded that we are called to reflect the light of Christ to those around us and that light shines in the darkness and the darkness cannot overcome it.

As we reflect on a wonderful summer, we’re also looking forward to what’s next.

Sunday night Youth Group returned with a kickoff at Blackjack Farm. We are excited to gather back as a group this fall. We had so much fun with our first annual camping trip last year, and we look forward to doing that again this October. Our Juniors and Seniors on the Youth Grant Team will begin their discernment process as they review grants, carry out site visits, and prepare their recommendations to the Foundation. Join us for their presentation on Sunday, November 16 during the Sunday school hour.

Returning this Spring, for our 9th and 10th graders, Confirmation will kick off with a presbytery-wide retreat in January at Living River. We are excited for this opportunity to collaborate with other churches in this retreat.

As we move from a season of summer adventures into a fall full of opportunities, we celebrate the many ways God is moving in the lives of our youth.

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Join a Grace Group Grow in faith and fellowship this fall by joining a Grace Group at IPC. From the week of October 12 through November 16, small groups will meet for six weeks to study Matthew: The Gospel of Promised Blessings by Matthew L. Skinner.

The Gospel of Matthew portrays Jesus and his message as both tenderly compassionate and urgently challenging. This six-part study explores the central themes and tensions of Matthew’s Gospel, including blessing and comfort, judgment and retribution, the meaning of discipleship, Jesus' vision for the Church and the world, and how Matthew continues to speak to us today.

Each Grace Group is led by members of IPC and meets at various times and locations, so you can find a group that’s a good fit for you. All groups follow the same study and offer a welcoming space to explore scripture in community, reminding us that faith is something we’re meant to grow in together.

Registration opens Sunday, September 21 Reserve a spot online or sign-up in the Parlor. To learn more or find your group, contact Connie Logan at clogan@ipc-usa.org or (205) 9331830.

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Throughout the camps, kids are divided into small groups for Bible studies, and guest chaplains lead large group talks that provide Biblical direction for the session.

Veteran camper Evie Cate Murphy says, “It’s a really fun camp! I always feel loved and safe there because the counselors are so nice!” Susan Murphy, Evie Cate’s mom, echoes her daughter’s feelings about camp.

“As a parent, I love that it’s close by (just an hour away from Birmingham) and has a small feel with about 60 kids per session— everyone at the camp gets to know your child. And, our kids get to meet friends from other PCUSA churches that they’ll see for years to come at camp and youth retreats.”

The camp’s directors, staff, and counselors (trained college students who the campers are convinced hung the moon) are among the best things about the camp. Their dedication to creating a memorable summer experience for kids and adults is evident in everything they do, with safety always being the top priority.

I was fortunate enough to attend You-and-Me camp with my youngest this summer, and in the past I was able to attend the Fall Elementary Retreat with my oldest. I cannot overstate what a fabulous job Living River does in creating a home away from home for its campers. We are so fortunate to have a place where we can gather with our church, our family, and members of our presbytery. It has strengthened bonds between our children at IPC and helped them forge bonds with other kids across the state. And, the parents who attend these camps as chaperones always leave feeling inspired by what’s happening at Living River.

There are events for all ages throughout the year, like Fall River Fest (October 19),

MISSIO N

CH U R CH L IFE

W E D N E S D AY N I G H T S S TA R T O N S E P T. 3

Faith, Fellowship & Family

Wednesday nights are back this fall on Wednesday, September 3, offering opportunities for adults, youth, and children to connect and grow in faith. IPC invites you to explore a full line-up of midweek programming designed to nourish the spirit and build community.

PURCHASE A PRINT!

Snapshots of Church Life

Whether you’re hoping to deepen your faith, enjoy a shared meal, or engage in meaningful activities, Wednesday nights at IPC offer a welcoming space for all ages.

WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNER Join us for a delicious meal in the Great Hall at 5:30 pm, prepared by IPC’s own Kim Martin. Dinner options are available for both adults and children, and the salad bar is officially open again. To-go meals are also available and may be picked up between 5:30 and 6 pm.

Please place your order by noon on Tuesdays. If you need a later pick-up time, Kim or Nick Mathes will be happy to accommodate.

Questions? Contact Nick at nmathes@ipc-usa.org.

CLASSES FOR ALL AGES Adults can choose from several engaging classes: Rev. Kevin Long will lead Bible Study with the Pastor, focusing on the upcoming Sunday sermon text. A four-week experience series with a Veriditas certified labyrinth facilitator will begin on September 10, Traveling the Path of Labyrinth. Followed by another four-week series, a mini introduction to this Fall’s Focus on Faith Speaker, Mark Labberton, beginning Oct. 8. This class will study his book, The Dangerous Act of Worship. These classes all begin at 6 pm. IPC’s fourth offering is the return of Bill Casey and Lant Davis to lead a theology class at 5 pm focused on how to faithfully live out the reformed tradition in today’s world.

Youth in rising 11th and 12th grade are invited to join the Youth Grant Team, which meets from 5 to 6:30 pm. Students will review grant applications, visit local nonprofits, and help award IPC Foundation grants.

Children can participate in Kids ROCK, a fun and meaningful program for ages 18 months through 6th grade, from 5:30 to 7:30 pm. This fall, kids will explore what it means to worship God and how gathering in Jesus’ name draws us closer to one another and to Christ.

IPC CHOIR REHEARSALS

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IPC Choir rehearsals take place on Wednesdays from 6:30 to 8:30 pm in the Music Suite. Interested in singing? Contact Dr. Jeff McLelland, Director of Music & Fine Arts, at jmclelland@ipc-usa.org.

For more information or to register for Wednesday night programs, visit ipc-usa.org.

As you step onto the second floor at Independent Presbyterian Church, you're greeted by more than just a hallway. You’re welcomed into a thoughtful, living photo gallery that tells the ongoing story of life at IPC. The gallery is coordinated by IPC member Virginia Jones, who brings her eye for beauty and storytelling to this meaningful project. Virginia not only curates the selections and manages the displays but is also the most frequently featured photographer.

But this isn’t a solo effort. Virginia works with fellow members who lend their time and talent to help select, print, and hang the images.

The gallery is refreshed regularly with new themes. As the seasons at IPC unfold from Easter and Advent to mission projects, events, and fellowship gatherings—the photos remind us of the joy of belonging at IPC. Next time you walk through, take a moment to look around.

Love what you see? Prints from the current gallery (and past galleries) are available for purchase ($30).

For inquiries or to request a print, contact Lindsay Jones at ljones@ipc-usa.org. Payments can be made to IPC.

IPC NOW & FOREVER: BUILDING ON A STRONG BEGINNING

B Y I P C N O W & FOR E VE R CAMPAIGN AMBAS SADORS

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MORE THAN 130 MEMBERS ATTENDED THE IPC NOW & FOREVER KICK-OFF DINNER ON APRIL 25.

early progress is encouraging, we recognize that there is still much work to be done. We are still contacting current Edmonds Society members, and for those who have been contacted, we are thoughtfully gathering updated information. Like the legacy of Dr. Henry M. Edmonds, our founding pastor, the Now & Forever effort is rooted in vision, relationship, and faith. It will take time, care, and the continued commitment of our entire congregation.

“We are so grateful for the interest and engagement so many have shown already,” said Sheri Cook, campaign chair. “We cannot wait to speak with additional members of the IPC family to learn why you love the church and how you hope to see it thrive for future generations.”

ALL ARE INVITED TO PARTICIPATE This fall, we will host a series of small in-home dinners for those who missed the kickoff event or simply want to learn more. If you're interested in attending one of these dinners, please contact Margaret Lane Hollingsworth at mhollingsworth@ipc-usa.org or 205933-3731.

In the coming months, we’ll also begin sharing inspirational stories from IPC members about why they give and the impact they hope to see. These reflections will help bring to life the spirit and purpose behind IPC Now & Forever.

For more details or to access campaign materials, visit ipcforever.org, where you’ll also find the Henry M. Edmonds Society form if you wish to solidify your legacy commitment.

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n April 25, more than 130 IPC members gathered in the Great Hall to celebrate the launch of the IPC Now & Forever Endowment Campaign. Since that special evening, our Foundation and church leadership have been working alongside a group of dedicated ambassadors to begin following up with Henry Edmonds Society members and other attendees of the dinner. While those one-on-one conversations are still in the early stages, we want every member to know they are valued and will have an opportunity to learn more and participate. This campaign is a thoughtful, long-term process, and we are committed to connecting personally with as many people as possible in the months ahead.

This campaign represents a meaningful step forward in strengthening the IPC Foundation, which provides lasting resources for the ministries we cherish. We are pleased to share that we’ve already reached 32% of our $50 million campaign goal. Although this

COM M U N I T Y & C E L E B R AT I O N S

FOCUS ON FAITH: FINDING OUR LIFE IN GOD

B Y R O B E RT P OS E Y, IPC FOCUS ON FAITH COMMIT T EE CHAIRMAN

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his year’s Focus on Faith speaker is Dr. Mark Labberton, the former President and Professor of Preaching at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, CA. Dr. Labberton grew up in Yakima, Washington, in what he describes as a home that disdained religion. He embraced Christianity during his undergraduate years at Whitman College, and then went to Fuller for his Masters of Divinity.

He earned a Ph. D. in theology from Cambridge University. Dr. Labberton was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) and served in pastoral ministry for three decades. Before he became Fuller’s president, he served for 16 years as senior pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley, CA. He is the author of several books, including The Dangerous Act of Worship: Living God’s Call to Justice; The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus; and Called: The Crisis and Promise of Following Jesus Today.

He also hosts a weekly podcast, Conversing with Mark Labberton,

which brings together a diverse array of leaders at the intersection of theology and culture.

In preparation for Dr. Labberton’s visit, a discussion of his book, The Dangerous Act of Worship, will be offered on Wednesday nights (Oct. 8-29). Existing small groups are also encouraged to include discussion of this book focusing on the “disconnection between worship and justice in churches today."

Recalling the prophet Micah’s call

to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God,” he argues that “faithful worship means finding our life in God and practicing that life in the world, especially for the sake of the poor, the oppressed, and the forgotten.”

Dr. Labberton will be visiting November 1 through 3, and his Sunday sermon at IPC will be based on his book The Dangerous Act of Loving Your Neighbor: Seeing Others Through the Eyes of Jesus.

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HELP FILL OUR FOOD PANTRY AND BLESSING BOXES

OCTOBER 19 - NOVEMBER 23

Each fall, IPC hosts Harvest for Hunger to stock our Food Pantry with non-perishable food, hygiene items, and paper products for our Blessing Boxes and Weekend Buddy Bags. The Blessing Boxes are used daily by neighbors facing food insecurity, and Weekend Buddy Bags are delivered twice a month to Hayes K–8 students to help feed children over the weekend.

Pick up a Harvest for Hunger grocery sack at IPC on Sunday, October 19.

Needed items will be listed on the sack and online at ipc-usa.org. Please return filled bags by Sunday, November 23, Harvest for Hunger Dedication Day.

I P C S TA F F U P D AT E S

Celebrating Beth Grauel's Retirement

NEW

S TA F F

B Y D E N I S E W. MOOR E , E XE CUTIV E DIR E CTOR IPC F OUNDAT ION AND F INANCE

My heart almost stopped a few months ago when Beth Grauel came in my office with a look on her face that I knew wasn’t good news. She let me know that she is retiring September 15 after 33 years of working as IPC’s Manager of Accounting. My favorite saying when I talk about people leaving is that “everyone is replaceable, but some are harder than others to replace.”

Beth absolutely fits the harder than others to replace category. In fact, in all my years of working with people, she is at the top.

Marion Dukes

Director of the Children's Fresh Air Farm

In case you don’t know Beth very well, I’d like to share a few things with you about her. She is 100% dependable, never leaves her desk to go chit chat in the hall, arrives on time everyday and leaves either on time or late. In fact, I mentioned to Jonathan (our guard) on my way out last night that Beth would be leaving. His immediate response was that she is always one of the last ones out of the building.

Beth is also quiet. She takes her work seriously which is obviously good for someone in her role. For you as church members, this is very important because you know that you can trust her with your information. No one has ever had to worry about their social security number, birthday, pledge amount, or other confidential data being used inappropriately. The staff love her because we all know that we can depend on her to process our paychecks accurately and timely, and she makes sure that the church bills (and there are a lot of invoices to pay) are paid timely and recorded accurately.

To put in perspective how much Beth has accomplished in her 33 years at IPC, here are some fun facts:

•

Executive Assistant to the Pastor

Beth has processed over 66,000 checks Beth has processed over 79,200 payroll checks–that may be surprising but don’t forget that the IPC Day School employs a lot of part time teachers not to mention the Children’s Fresh Air Farm teachers in the summer months She has worked with 9 senior pastors including interim pastors. You might be interested to know who they are: Scott McClure, Morgan Roberts (interim), Jim Carter, Jerry Shetler (interim), Conrad Sharps, Lucy Turner (interim), Bill Carl, Steve Goyer (interim), and Kevin Long.

Please take the opportunity in the coming weeks to wish Beth well in her retirement. We will be collecting a gift to let her know how much we appreciate all that she has done for IPC, so feel free to send a check or go on line and make a donation in honor of Beth Grauel.

We are also so pleased to announce and welcome Amanda Moore as IPC's new Accountant following Beth's retirement.

Amanda Moore Accountant

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• •

Helen Mayo

NEW M E M B E R S

Welcome T O I P C

Elizabeth and Pat Adams New Members

Parker Cobbs and Pruett Singleton

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New Members

Abby Driggers New Member

Missy and Charlton Bargeron New Members

Avery Cope with Bobby and Lucy

Will Bellande

Lauren and Bo Bledsoe

Melanie and Chip Cornelius

EanJu and Brian Davis

New Member

New Members

New Members

New Members

New Member

Casey Epps New Member

Shari and Lew Garrison New Members

Elinor Grantham with Jack and Monroe New Member

Welcome T O I P C

New Member

New Members

Frances Lehman with Chandler Pulliam New Member

Hannah McRight New Member

Maggie MIlls Rose with Chambers Joyce New Member

Becca Parsons New Member

Kendyl Partridge with Grace New Member

Katherine Shepherd with Jim New Member

William Loveless and Grace Redden New Members

Constance Perkins New Member

Wendy and Josh Simpson New Members

Cesar Pozas New Member

Cecelia Yang New Member

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Marian Johnson

Elizabeth and Wayne Hester

November Organ Recitals A N I P C T RA D IT ION SIN CE 1965

Sunday, November 2 • 4 pm • Sanctuary RENÉE ANNE LOUPRETTE Bard College Annandale-On-Hudson, New York Sunday, November 9 • 4 pm • Sanctuary BÁLINT KAROSI Director of Music at First Presbyterian Church Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Sunday, November 16 • 4 pm • Sanctuary DOUGLAS CLEVELAND Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago, Illinois Sunday, November 23 • 4 pm • Sanctuary JAMES KEALEY Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, Pennsylvania

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Sunday, November 30 • 4 pm • Sanctuary JEFF MCLELLAND AND FRIENDS Featuring IPC’s own Dr. Jeff McLelland and other local Musicians All recitals will be in the Sanctuary and livestreamed on IPC's YouTube channel @IPCBirmingham.

Details: ipcmusic.org