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Just Around the Corner - August 2017
Pastor’s Pen
The majority of my faith formation has come from within the Presbyterian Church (USA). I was baptized in a small PC(USA) church in what was a quickly developing suburb of Birmingham. For many years, our family worshiped at a United Methodist Church that was essentially across the street from the second home I knew as a child. It was in the UMC that I was confirmed, but it was not in the UMC that our family stayed. Shortly upon moving to the last house I would know as a child, we returned to the Presbyterian denomination. From that church and that presbytery, I would come to hear and eventually follow my call to become a Minister of Word and Sacrament.
I’m a Presbyterian. I’ve embraced the Reformed tradition and the theology that has grown from the days of John Calvin to Karl Barth and continues to evolve to this day. I grew up hearing Reform-minded sermons and was inculcated, for better or for worse, with Reformed theology in seminary. I like how Presbyterians govern the church. I love the focus on being connectional, believing that churches can and should work together at every level of governance to evangelize, strive for social change, minister to those in need, and all in all, share the love that was made known to us in Christ.
The motto, Ecclesia Reformata, Semper Reformanda, has long been used by Presbyterians and other Reformed Christians as a reminder of who we are and who we intend to be. ‘The church reformed, and always being reformed.’ It is a reminder that we are not perfect and are always reliant upon God's grace. It is a reminder that our God is a living God who cannot be bound to any one tradition or context. It is a reminder that tradition is important, but we cannot simply reiterate what our foremothers and forefathers of the faith have said.
I’ll be teaching a class on the Reformed tradition and Presbyterianism, Sunday mornings at 9:30 (August 20 - September 24), that will delve into what this motto has meant and means for us today. We will cover a sweeping amount of theological issues, and with each issue, using the Book of Confessions, see how the church’s belief is under constant reform. These classes will culminate the weekend of October 8 when Shady Grove will host the Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), Rev. J. Herbert Nelson, who will share with us his experiences and thoughts on being a Presbyterian church in the world today.
This theological tradition and this denomination is how I have come to know and love a sovereign and endlessly loving God. It is, among others, where my faith has found growth, my mind found insight, and my heart found assurance. Don’t get me wrong. I have my qualms, but in a vast sense, the Reformed tradition reflects my beliefs.
I invite all to come to learn and to grow, to challenge and discuss what it is we believe knowing that we are all beloved children of God, ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’.
Be Blessed and Be a Blessings,
Rev. Will
Will@shadygrovepres.org
269-512-2018
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Community
Join a Team
Team meetings are Sunday, August 6th after church. The Formation Team will split into Outreach and Education this month.
August Gathering
Rodney & Regina Rastall will host the next get together. It will be held August 12th at 2 pm at 2714 Tangbourne Drive, Memphis 38119. All are welcome to swim and Rodney will grill hotdogs and hamburgers. You are welcome to bring a side dish or dessert.
Sausage Biscuits
The Formation Team will be offering sausage biscuits (and plain biscuits) for sale to raise funds for the annual St. Luke's Christmas Dinner. They will be offered on August 13th and will cost $3.00. Your support is greatly appreciated!
Session Meeting
They will meet Monday, August 14th at 5:30 pm in Room 13.
Birthday Lunch
Will resume in September.
Saturday Supper
On Saturday, August 19th, come serve at St. Luke's United Methodist Church on Highland @ Mynders. Plan to stay from about 3:00 pm to about 5:30 pm. Call Susan Baldwin with questions 605-7704.
Qigong Meditation
Cynthia and Bill Mealer are offering Qigong, a mind body exercise similar to tai chi, each Sunday at 10:00 am in the fellowship hall. If there are questions, Cynthia can be reached at: 833-1746.
Trip to Heifer Ranch
Shady Grove Kids are in the process of raising funds for Heifer International. They will celebrate their success with a trip to the Heifer Ranch in Perryville, AR on September 16th for an Animal Connections experience. For additional information, contact Jeanine Akers at jakersinmemphis@gmail.com. Also, we will have a Giving Stick in the church office if you would like to donate.
2017 Pledge Progress
As of August 28, Shady Grove is at 61% of reaching our goal of $305,000!
Mustard Seed
Help is greatly needed! If you would like to volunteer to work in the store, please see Bonnie Dodson or sign up in the narthex. Come check out the new arrivals!
Food Pantry
Most needed items are regular size cans of beans, cans of main dishes with meat (not tuna), boxes (not bags) of rice, dry pasta and saltine crackers.
Want to share?
If you would like to contribute to the monthly newsletter, please submit the details to Angie by the 20th of each month. Weekly email and bulletin information by Thursday at 12 pm. Please include this information: date, time, location, and the who, what, and why for the occasion. Angie@shadygrovepres.org We look forward to hearing from you!
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SHADY GROVE PRAYER LIST
Rev. Don Wilson & Mary Ann Wilson (Curt & Peggy Wilson)
Mary Fischer (Henry & Janet Bartosch)
Sandy Smith (Ned & Sandra Smith)
Sherry Morrison (Pam Hinds)
Chuck Campbell (Sonny & Avalon Robinson)
Agnes Sanders (Avalon Robinson)
Bob and Kathy Farmer (Sarah Strong)
Polly Heimberg
Mike Hastings (Jeanine Akers)
Adam Cruthirds (Connie Cruthirds)
Kevin McDevitt (Meghan McDevitt-Murphy)
Maria Julia Garcia-Brake (Mary Alice Brake)
Ruth Ingram and Family
Okan Demirmen (Elizabeth McFadden)
Oliver Pace (Ann Miller)
Connor Boyd (Elizabeth Boyd)
Juliana Judge (Carolyn King)
Patrick Herrington and family (Kay & Anna Ericksen)
Lynn Douglas (Shelley Gray)
The Family of Jere Morris (Bob Isgren)
Avalon and Sonny Robinson
Frierson Graves
Garland Smith
Helen Wofford & Family (Kay Ericksen)
Ned and Sandra Smith
Matthew May (Frank & Margaret Sousoulas)
Nancy Gray and Family
Marie Johnson and Family
DeAnn Pace (Ann Miller)
Rosaline Walker (Ann Miller)
Gloria Zotkiewicz and family
Don and Charlotte Haynes and family
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