FROM THE PASTOR'S PEN ...
Dear Friends,
In a few weeks Disciples of Christ from all over Kentucky will gather here in Lexington. The Regional Assembly of the
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Kentucky will be held September 9 - 11 at Central Christian Church. The theme
for the assembly is 'Tis the Gift, and the schedule for the assembly reflects that much of the time spent together will lift
up and explore the many ways that Kentucky Disciples are experiencing the gift of being called and of being neighbors.
There will be worship and music and opportunities for fellowship and learning.
As many of you already know, the
region is in the middle of a transformation process. A number of congregations throughout Kentucky have been meeting
with Dr. Alan Roxburgh, who is the Missional Church Consultant for the region. Dr. Roxburgh will be one of the speakers
at the assembly, along with Rev. Amy Gopp, Executive Director of the week of Compassion; Dr. William Lee, Pastor of Loudon
Avenue Christian Church in Roanoke, Virginia and former Moderator of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ); Regional
Minister, Rev. Greg Alexander; and others!
The board elected Lynda McMillen and Beverly Troy as our voting delegates
to the assembly. I am going to attend and have heard several other people are planning to go as well. I hope lots
of us will go! It is a wonderful gift to have the assembly so close. So mark your calendars, pick up some of the
information about the assembly (on the tables outside the sanctuary or go to: www.ccinky.net), and participate in this
year's assembly!
Peace and Joy to you,
Kris
PREVIOUS NOTE FROM THE
PASTOR
Dear Friends,
OK! We have a new "fancy doorbell" and a chair lift at our
back double doors! Now, we just have to learn how to use them well. The doorbell and its intercom system became
operational the second week of July. The chair lift is still being hooked up and tested. But they are both there,
and they are allowing us to welcome people into our building in new and safe ways.
I say "fancy doorbell",
because it is not a regular doorbell. It connects to an intercom and also the door's locking system. Last week
I spent some time testing the doorbell with others, from both the inside and outside. Just a few test tries reveal that
it is going to be a great help to those staffing our office and to all people coming to our building. The doorbell allows
for a particular set of doors to be unlocked without requiring someone to walk to the doors and open them from the inside.
A few test tries also reveal that a simple "buzz" is not enough to welcome people in ... conversation is
required. And since there's an intercom with the doorbell, the new system is designed for conversation. So, when
you come up to the doorbell (during office hours) and push it, expect a "hello" and then give your reply.
Friendly guidance in helping you as the door is unlocked should follow.
The doorbell can be accessed from several
telephones in the church building (the church office, the pastor's office, the first-floor meeting room, and the kitchen).
This is to allow for us to respond to those who wish to use the door after hours (for committee meetings and activities in
the Fellowship Hall). But again, conversation will be needed. On Sunday mornings and at other times, the doors
will be unlocked so that everyone can simply walk on in.
Like the doorbell, the chair lift is going to be a great
help to us. The lift has a chair that folds down to allow someone to sit and go up the stairs. It also has a feature
that allows someone to remain standing to go up the stairs. We all will be learning more about how to use the lift.
Plans are being made to develop a group of people who will know how to use it in order to help others use it as well.
These technological "tools" will seem strange to use at first. They will not replace people, but they will
allow people to help one another better as we learn to use them. Fortunately for us, God designed us as creatures who
do learn ... and often find joy in learning!
Blessings to us all as we learn to use the new technology at our doors,
Kris