The Spirit - August 18, 2022
THOUGHTS FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTER
Rev. David Clifford
Now that school is back in session, my family and I have found ourselves attempting to enter back into the routine. You might know this routine. The daily getting up and getting ready, out the door at the perfect time to get to the line of cars so that our kids can get into the building by the time they are supposed to be there. However, the routine is different for us this year. Now that we are parents of a middle schooler, the drop offs and pick-ups are different because we have students at two different buildings. Hadrian has started a new sport in cross-country and that brings with it new demands upon our schedules getting each child to the appropriate extra-curriculum activity.
One of the big changes at the new Jefferson Elementary is the library/media center. The library is at the heart of the building. The open concept library is the first thing you see when you walk into the building and is surrounded by the class rooms. The physical space drives the educational theory that leads the culture of the teaching. Having a number of teachers in my own family, I have heard stories of the various ways in which educational theory has influenced the physical space of schools over the years. I’m sure many of you can recall the open concept classrooms of years past.
Practically, the concepts and theories lead to physical changes that drive cultural changes. We can hope, and pray, and even debate if these changes are positive or negative. Yet, at the end of the day, we can only live into the changes if we continue to make the effort to utilize the resources given to us. I’m sure it will take a number of years to fully realize the various changes that the new Jefferson building will have upon the education of our community’s children. But can you imagine if we just stopped sending our children to school all together?
Our church is in a similar reality. There are structural and governing changes taking place (not just our own congregation, but at the regional and national level as well). These changes lead us into new routines, schedules, and demands upon our lives of faith. But we must continue to show up in order to continue our journey with Christ.
I want to encourage each of us to not fall into the trap of thinking we can take time-off from our faith. Have some patience with our church and its leadership as we attempt to figure the various things out moving forward. Continue to put in the work of showing up in your walk with Christ. Continue to search for ways to serve with Christ and Christ’s church. Our structure is changing and it will certainly take some time for us to learn to live into this new way of life. As Nic often tells our board, “Implementation is the more difficult task.”
I invite you to continue striving toward being the table people we are called to be—transformed by grace, living in light, and sent in service to others. Please continue to pray for our church as we begin the process of implementing our governance changes and continuing to search for the path Christ is laying before us. I am excited to be on this journey with you all and am anxiously anticipating the future that awaits us.
Peace Always,
Rev. David Clifford
Ministry Team Meeting
Disciples Class
In place of our traditional Pastor’s Bible Study, Rev. David will be leading a 4-week Disciples Class through the month of September. This “Covenant Conversation” will…
- Explore the concept of covenantal relationships within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
- Teach the way covenant works in the wider tradition of our denomination and congregations
- Engage in covenantal practices by imagining possibilities for new ways of being church
- Deepen our commitment to being who we say we are as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
September 9: God’s Covenant of Love: Recognizing What Binds Us Together
September 14: A Movement for Wholeness: Seeking Covenantal Relationships with a Living and Loving God
September 21: The Light of Scripture: A Bible Study on Romans 8:38-39
September 28: God’s Limitless Love: Covenant in Practice
Eastern Kentucky Flooding
Photo courtesy of the Herald Leader
Just when the people of eastern Kentucky were working toward a fresh start, and decreasing their economic dependance on coal, then came the devastating floods of July 28, 2022. To make matters worse, this event was only six months after another major flooding event that occurred in January and February of 2022.
Rev. Dr. Lon Oliver, a minister who served First Christian Church (DOC) Henderson, from 1992 - 2002 has a deep love for the people of Eastern Kentucky. At the present time, he serves as the District Minister for Region 3 which includes the Appalachian Area. Lon has spent many years nurturing, mentoring, supporting and lifting up the Appalachian people. So, since Lon has experienced the disaster first hand, I asked him to share his thoughts about the catastrophic damage and loss to the community.
- How many of the Appalachian DOC churches were damaged? The primary damage was in the central counties of Eastern Kentucky. No Disciples congregations had significant damage to their buildings. That said, many Eastern Kentucky Disciples congregation had members with family that were devastated by the flood.
- Is the church you serve, okay? I serve a congregation in Nicholasville, just outside of Lexington, so all is fine.
- Were there any members of your congregation lost or hurt in the devastating flood?That said, we have members whose families lost everything. The damage in the flooded counties is horrific …..You just cannot imagine.
- How did the members of the DOC congregations help one another? Our congregations have been wonderful. They are already responding with special offerings and volunteer groups. The Week of Compassion is already working in the area. The Disciples are a very close family and we have not forgotten our Appalachian sisters and brothers. It makes no difference if the flooding destroyed an Old Regular Baptist Church, Church of the Brethren, or Pentecostal congregation, our members are helping.
- How did members of your congregation help those who was negatively affected by the flood? Our members had grandparents, uncles, aunts, and cousins affected by the flood. A grandmother had a broken hip, an uncle lost his farm, etc. We have already had a special offering and our families are gathering the items needed for recovery. Several families are making weekly trips to the flood area.
- What kind of help has the Appalachian Area received from the larger DOC denominations? Important to keep in mind we are still in the search, rescue, and early stabilization stage of recovery. Next week early recovery efforts will be in full swing, and by next summer longer term rebuilding. Recovery will be a two or three year effort, but the Disciples will be working with our neighbors every step of the way. With that in mind, Western Kentucky still needs volunteer working on the tornado damage. The task of helping each other never ends.
- Are there any examples of love, compassion and news you can share with us here in Henderson? We want to pray and show continued support for our Eastern KY neighbors.
Many Appalachian families have family and friends living with them who lost homes to the flood. Appalachian families living in Lexington and Cincinnati are making trips home with supplies.
Everyone can find a place to help:
If you love music, give to Appalshop or Cowan Mountain School.
If you enjoy literature, give to Hindman Settlement School.
Want to help with the larger efforts, give to Week of Compassion or to consider a gift to “Team Eastern Kentucky Flood Relief Fund” https://secure.kentucky.gov/FormServices/Finance/EKYFloodRelief. Storms in Western Kentucky.
It’s Official: Theo Huber is Now an Elder Emeritus
After Sunday worship service on August 14, elders, friends and family gathered to celebrate Theo Hubert’s many years of service to First Christian Church of Henderson. The ceremony made official her request to become Elder Emeritus. At the left, she greets well-wishers after the ceremony.
THEO (HUNTER) VICKERS HUBER BECOMES AN ELDER EMERITUS
By Theo Huber
They both became deacons and then elders during the 1970’s. They served on the worship committee for many years, early on headed by O.B. Springer and then Patty Beaven. They especially enjoyed the group’s “Hanging of the Greens” at Christmas times through the years.
Bill sang in the choir, and Theo often served as lay leader in the worship services. They both served at communion.
They performed in some of the reenactments of the Easter story during the worship service.
In the summertime they often hosted church groups in their backyard to swim and to eat covered dish suppers. Elders and youth group and choir members were invited for get-togethers. Bill grilled hamburgers and individuals would bring cover dishes. One task they particularly enjoyed was taking communion to the church members who were in the hospital and those who lived in assisted living facilities.
Every time the doors of the church were open, you could count on Bill and Theo being there. Theo attended Sunday School with A.D. Sprague and Frank Sewell (and now Bill Aldridge), while Bill went to Sunday morning choir rehearsal.
During the years they attended yearly meetings of the elders to learn about new ways to expand their vision for the benefit of the church. Some meetings were held at St. Meinrad and others at New Harmony Inn.
Bill was one of the members of the church who served on the committee to remodel the church sanctuary. That was a monumental task.
One of the activities the two looked forward to during each year was the hosting of a small group of elderly members to keep them active: Martha Graham, Irma Dietze, and Hazel Chaney. They all went to annual fireworks on the Fourth of July and to New Harmony to attend theatre productions and to night services at church. How everyone missed those three beautiful ladies when they died.
Great memories involved family weddings and infant dedications, and the church provided a loving and meaningful funeral service when Bill died on July 18, 2004.
The Spirit July 3,2024
