Blog

Saying Goodbye -
Looking Ahead with Hope

Frank's Goodbye Celebration –
This Saturday, May 15 – 5pm

The time has come to say good-bye to Frank and his family and celebrate our last eighteen years together. Frank’s last day with us will be this Sunday, May 16. We would like to invite you to join us this Saturday evening, May 15 at 5pm, to honor Frank and his family and the time served with us in ministry together. We will gather in the parking lot at church and bring our own picnic food and lawn chair. This will be similar to the tail-gate picnic we had in the fall when we burned the mortgage. All attending will need to practice social distancing and wear a mask when not eating. It looks like the weather will cooperate so we look forward to seeing you there!

This Sunday at John Knox

You are invited to join us for worship - either in-person or online - at 9:00am or 11:00am this Sunday, May 16, 2021. If you wish to join us online for either service, you may do so through Facebook Live and our website. Click here to watch our streaming live services. Please note: You do not have to have a Facebook account to view our services.

It was exciting and hopeful to hear the CDC's recommendations yesterday that people who are fully vaccinated can stop wearing masks both indoors and outdoors, based on research on the efficacy of the vaccines. While that is great to hear, please note that we are not changing our protocols at John Knox yet. We will continue to wear masks indoors and not sing during the worship services. As has been the case throughout this pandemic, the Session will communicate with the congregation any updates and changes to our safety protocols, and they will be meeting on May 24 to review these new guidelines. Thank you for continuing to be respectful and mindful of everyone's health as an Open. Caring. Community!

Patty McKinnon Resumes Adult Education This Sunday

You are invited to join Patty McKinnon in Fellowship Hall starting this Sunday at 10am for Adult Education. After a break during the pandemic, we look forward to having Patty back to lead us in discussion of where we see God in our every day lives. Please be aware that you will be required to wear a mask and socially distance yourself. This will be an ongoing class.

Pentecost Offering / Pyoca Scholarships

We will celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost on May 23, and on that day we will dedicate the Pentecost Offering, one of the four special offerings of the Presbyterian Church (USA). This offering goes to support children, youth, and young adults throughout the church, and at John Knox we keep 40% of what is given to help send children and youth to summer camp at Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center. Pyoca is holding summer camp in-person this year, and we have at least seven children and youth from John Knox who will be attending. As in past years, we would love to send these children to camp at no cost to their families. Please consider making a financial contribution to the Pentecost Offering and/or to Pyoca Scholarships at John Knox and know those monies will help these youth have a formative, life-changing experience this summer! If your child wishes to receive a scholarship, please see Lisa Crismore for a scholarship application. Thank you for your generous support of our children and youth!

Race Weekend Service

Due to the Indianapolis 500 Race, there will be no activities at the church on Sunday, May 30. As a result. we are going to have worship the night before, on Saturday, May 29 at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary. The service will be livestreamed on Facebook, as well. Come and join us for this special opportunity to worship God other than on Sunday morning!

Summer Camp at Pyoca

Summer will be here before you know it – what better way to spend a week of summer than at camp! Pyoca Camp and Retreat Center has a wonderful offering of programs this summer for children and youth, everywhere from 3-days to a full week. You can learn more about what is offered this summer, and register online, at Pyoca’s website www.pyoca.org. Pyoca is offering camps this summer with reduced capacity and safety protocols in place. If you wish to participate, please register now – spaces are filling-up fast!
 

Go In Peace

It is hard to believe this day has finally come. When I shared the news with you in March that we were accepting a new call, it felt like May 16 was far off in the distance. Alas, if there's one thing in our lives that is relentless it is time. And so, we have reached the point where it is time to say goodbye and travel on new, separate paths.

I will share some reflections on our past when we gather tomorrow evening outdoors at the church. There is much we can look back on together and give thanks to God for over eighteen years in ministry. I'm sure we will all have stories to tell - it's been fun to relive many of those memories with you over these last several weeks!

But I'm not one who tends to live in the past - I have always preferred to look forward to the future, imagining what God has planned next. So while we will be saying goodbye this weekend, I know that we will always be connected through the Spirit as we each walk our lives of faith. Just as I am sure you are hopeful and excited for this next chapter in our family's journey, know that I am full of hope and expectation for what God has in store for John Knox Presbyterian Church in the months and years to come. It has been my greatest joy and honor to be called as your pastor, and I pray God's grace and blessings on each of you as you continue to serve as disciples of Christ as part of this Open. Caring. Community.

With a full and grateful heart,
Frank

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