Thoughts from Ground Level o you remember during the summer I shared about Jonah’s question related to toy cars? For him, a toy car is worth playing with if its wheels

move. In California this summer whenever he saw a toy car, he would ask, Do the wheels move? In a Disney Store he had been surprised by a large toy car that didn’t turn out to be a toy car at all. It turned out to be a big car-shaped pillow. If you want to read more about this, it’s in the August Pisgah Post archived at the church web site. My point in sharing that story over the summer was that Jonah’s question is a great question to ask about the church. Do the wheels of Pisgah Church move? I wrote emphatically that they do move and we, as a church, are moving forward into God’s future, engaging the world in mission and ministry. Well, Jonah now asks another question about his toy cars. If they pass the “wheels-moving” test he now asks a second question: “Do the doors open?” Jonah likes to examine his toy cars very carefully looking at them from all angles inside and out. He watches them up close as he rolls them on the fireplace hearth. He wants to see inside his toy cars and look at the seats, steering wheel, and whatever else has been miniaturized and included. “Do the doors open?” Again, he has asked a good question for the church of Jesus Christ. Do the doors open? I hear that as a two-part question. The first part of that question is about what happens inside the buildings. The second part of that question is about how we welcome people inside our open doors.

Do the doors open? The first part of that question is about how is Pisgah Church more than a picturesque spot on a bend in a county road. Pisgah Church is more than a rural church surround by beautiful horse farms. It’s more than an historic stone building with an old cemetery with Revolutionary War veterans buried there. Our doors open, and that means there something is happening inside! Inside the church, we gather for worship and study and fellowship. Inside the church we hear again God’s claim for the world in Jesus Christ and we are sent back out through those open doors to share that news with the world. The “something more” that is Pisgah Church happens because our doors are open and people come inside. Inside we gather as living stones masterfully crafted

by God. We are, however, not yet finished products. God is still shaping us. Paul wrote to the church in Philippi and told them, “I am confident of this, that the one that began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ.” (Phil. 1:6) Begun, but not yet complete. That’s us. Living stones being built together into a spiritual house (1 Peter 2:5). I like the image the doors of the church open and inside are living stones, still being shaped and set into place by the Master. Our open doors hang on the entryway of a masterfully crafted stone building that was built to welcome people into worship. Do the doors open? The second part of this question is about how we welcome others to come inside and share in our gathering. To a person, everyone who has joined the church in the last few years has said how warmly they were welcomed and how friendly we are as a church. I am so grateful when I hear someone share

that. Have you seen the banner in front of the Central Baptist Church on Nicholasville Road? It simply states: Everyone Welcome. No Exceptions. I like the invitation that conveys. Jonah would be pleased to know that their doors open, too. To do anything less is to stand in God’s place—maybe even to stand in the doorway—and decide who is worthy to come inside and hear a message of grace or mercy or love. The person who comes through our open doors may be hoping to

hear just such a message. Why would we turn them away? The activities of Pisgah Church in October are all about our open doors. On the first Sunday this month, we gathered around the table for World Communion Sunday. During worship that day, we continued a tradition and went outside for communion. The service began inside the church and ended outside under the canopy of the heavens which we share with the whole world. The stewardship season will begin this month and we will be challenged as a church to keep on keeping our doors open. It should surprise no one to learn that God still has plans for this place and its people and we are rolling forward! In stewardship moments this month and at the stewardship fair later in October, you will hear about some of those plans, and about our mission and ministry for 2007. Also this month, 2nd and 3rd graders will receive Bibles, an infant will be baptized, and we will celebrate our Reformed heritage. Simply put, in October, the doors of the church will be open. Come and join in all that will be happening. Grace and peace, Jon

D

The Pisgah Post Pisgah Presbyterian Church October 2006 Versailles, Kentucky

Our Mission: to worship God, study the Scripture, practice the teachings of Jesus

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October 29, 2006! We will recognize Reformation Sunday during both services on the last Sunday of October. There will be special music and a few other surprises!

Recording of the Service We are currently sending an

audio CD of the service to eleven of our members. If you would like to receive a weekly recording of the service, please call the church office.

October Fifth Sunday Offering Mobile Medical Unit On Sunday, October 29, 2006 Pisgah will be holding its special 5th Sunday Offering. This month the Mission Committee chose a wider reaching mission by, sponsoring the PC(USA) Mobile Medical Unit. As you can imagine, the unit is very similar to a bookmobile traveling in the U.S. from one medically under served community to another. The purpose of the van is to offer medical supplies, diagnosis, as well as education, screening, and health risk intervention. This fund will also make available “grants” to local churches to help develop “hands-on” health ministries for children and adults in that region. The Committee hopes you will prayerfully consider the extreme need of many Americans around the country and give generously.

On Sunday, October 29, 2006, Remember to…

Snippets o Chauncey Hill auditioned for and was selected to

be part of the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra. Chauncey will be performing with the Preparatory Orchestra, which offers young string and wind instrumentalists an opportunity to play in a full orchestra. (Check out http://www.ckyo.org)

o Congratulations to Sarah Kindred, sixth grader, for making the Woodford County Middle School Girls Volleyball team. Last month, at the KBA Tournament held in Lexington, her team placed 5th out of 18 teams. In addition to volleyball, she plays percussion in the band. Remember the duet she and her dad played at the talent show?

o David and Becky Prater and thrilled for their daughter, Callie who recently became engaged to Heath Freeman.

o Courtland Johnson is playing football for Woodford Middle School and his team is undefeated! Way to go!

o Top of the Mornin’ to you! We have had several of our members touring Ireland recently. Carol Landry and her mother were flying out of the airport in Ireland as Don and Dottie Schmidt

and Andrew Johnson were flying in. Ask them about their trips!

Additional “Snippets” are posted on the Pisgah Fridge in the Academy Building.

Session Notes The Session met in the Academy Building at 7:00 pm on September 26, 2006.

• Deacon Jim Cullen attended the meeting.

• Approved a recommendation to baptize Emily Wolf on October 22 during the morning worship service.

• Approved a recommendation from the Worship committee for our Christmas Eve schedule.

• Approved a recommendation from the Mission and Evangelism Committee for the October fifth Sunday offering.

• Called a congregational meeting for October 15 at 10:55am to hear the report of the nominating committee.

The minutes of all Session meetings are available for anyone in the congregation to read. The Session Committee chart and monthly financial report is posted on the Session bulletin board in the Academy Building.

The Pisgah Post is published monthly by the Pisgah Presbyterian Church, 710 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY 40383. The deadline for the November 2006 issue of the newsletter is October 17. Please submit articles to the church office or email them to office@pisgahpresbyterian.org.

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Participate in an Oral History of Pisgah Presbyterian Church. The Board of Deacons is interested in publishing a periodical containing an oral history of Pisgah as told through the eyes of her congregation. We are hoping to have the book completed in time for Pisgah’s 225-year anniversary in 2009. Members interested in sharing a personal remembrance of the Church may sign up to contribute. All entries may be submitted either in writing or by speaking into a hand-held tape recorder that will be provided. For more information on this exciting project please contact Jim Cullen at (859) 269-8635.

Pick Up and Put Away All of us love our beautiful little church. For many Pisgah Church has been and continues to be an integral part of our lives. Many of our activities and functions are centered around the church -- the many potluck meals, picnics, Bible camps, classes for the little ones all the way up to the adults -- too many to list here. As a result, the structures get used frequently and heavily, which is their purpose. However, it has been brought to our attention by several members that the Academy rooms are frequently left in disarray after meetings and classes. Chairs, tables and papers are left wherever the last persons used them. As a courtesy to the next group using a room and as responsible caretakers of our church, we would like to remind people to pick up and put away after each function. It takes only five minutes, which certainly most of us can spare. Thanks for your help and caring.

Adventures of Troop 1784 By Ian O’Canna Troop Historian

Greetings, Pisgah church members. This is the first of many blurbs about what were doing in Troop 1784. At our August Court of Honor, attended by some church members, we served hamburgers and hot dogs (courtesy of Congleton Freezer Beef) and awarded around eighty merit badges and ranks. We worked hard all summer to achieve these badges. Our next Court of Honor is in December and all church members are invited. On our last monthly trip, we took our families to Cave Run Lake. We had many parents and siblings attend. We swam, fished, canoed, and jumped off a pontoon boat. We cooked shrimp jambalaya for the entire group (around thirty seven) as part of our cooking merit badge. Did you notice our bright green porch? During our last service project we painted the porch and cleaned the Scout House. With about thirty five scouts and parents, we got a lot done. Thank you for giving us this nice place to meet. We are very exited about our upcoming trip to Via Ferrata, a rock climbing facility. Meanwhile Sondra and Ted O’Canna, Joe Johnson, and Dan Hill will be doing the highest form of adult scout training, Wood Badge.. We’re glad going rock climbing instead! To support our actibvities, we are selling popcorn and having a donut sale in October. Please help if you can. Hope you enjoyed our first edition of Adventures of Troop 1784. Thank you for your support.

Operation Christmas Child 2006 We all remember experiencing the joy of Christmas morning as a child. For millions of children throughout the world, however, there are no presents under the tree on that day. Operation Christmas Child is a program of Samaritan’s Purse, a Franklin Graham Ministry, which tries to make sure as many children as possible experience the joy of opening a present on Christmas Day. Between now and November 20, 2006 we will be collecting wrapped and filled shoeboxes for shipment abroad. Brochures with information about what to include in your Christmas box are available in the Academy building. Empty shoeboxes are there as well. Wouldn’t it be exciting to collect at least one box from every household at Pisgah? Be sure and stop by our Operation Christmas Child booth during the

Stewardship Fair on October 29th. We’ll be celebrating Christmas early! Mission and Evangelism

Pisgah Presbyterian Church

Woodford County

Kentucky

Oral History Project

1784 - 2009

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Seasoned Citizens This Month BODY RECALL Seasoned Citizens will meet on Thursday, October 12th at noon in the Academy Building. Good food, fun, and fellowship are on the agenda! Lunch will be first matter of business and then a program! Dorothy Chrisman, from BODY RECALL in Berea, will be joining us on October 12th. She is bringing part of her team to demonstrate her physical fitness program for adults who wish to improve muscle tone and flexibility or for persons in a recuperative phase. BODY RECALL has delivered an impact at national meetings on aging and exercise. The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports recognized Dorothy Chrisman and members of her traveling team for their

contribution to adult fitness. AARP has named BODY RECALL an exemplary exercise program nationwide. Her program can even be done in a chair! We have extended an invitation to senior groups from other local churches to join us. Please let Willa know if you plan to join in the fun. She can be reached at 539-4410. We want to be sure we have enough food for all to enjoy! Just thinking about the BODY RECALL program can make you work up an appetite!

Willa

DCE Notes While living in Orlando, one of the things I missed the most was the change in seasons. Although it was nice having pleasant weather most of the time (except during hurricane season) there were no clear distinctions of change. I am definitely a spring and fall person. I took so many pictures of the grounds with the blooming dogwood last Easter to send to my folks. It was last October that I came to interview with the search committee and the “added bonus” was seeing the beautiful fall colors. I like the fall season for another reason too. It is nice going back to a two-service schedule and having the Academy building full during the Sunday School hour between services. Just about every available space is being used on each level. Since my arrival, I have had a couple of conversations with people as to “why we do what we do” in Christian Education with regard to Sunday School and thought I would share a thumbnail sketch of the basic reasons and goals for each age level.

Children Our goal is to convey the church as a safe and loving place. It touches my heart when I see children “owning” the building—that is, knowing where their rooms are and wanting to be there. Rhonda Ball does a great job caring for the youngest ones in our congregation. Jamie Torp and Kelly Hill make their room welcoming to our preschoolers. Shelia Baker and Linda Scott express their love and commitment to the children by taking a personal interest in their students and being creative in ways that help children learn. I love watching the faces of the children singing as Aimeé Baston brings the joy of music to all ages. And this year, we are thankful to have a piano downstairs. One of the main questions I have been asked is “why do we seem to repeat the same stories over and over?” Just as in the days of oral histories, we tell the stories so that children are able to recognize and retell them. This is foundational. Children do not study the depth of meaning in the verses, but rather focus on the event and storyline. It is during this time that children are given bibles taught how to use them. They look up passages and are encouraged to read through the stories.

Youth For youth our goal is to encourage them to do some abstract thinking. Up to this point, the bible has been

Happy Birthday to You in October 1 Libby Jones 3 Wendell Harris 5 Jennifer Chandler, Marlin Yawn, Steven Hayes 6 Todd Cassidy 7 Sandi Bromagen 8 Stuart Brown, Ruth Miller 10 Aimeé Baston, Amanda Rose Holt, Laura Mancuso, John Baston

12 Jeff Davis, Larry Jones 14 Pam Stilz, Bobbi Sweeney 15 Garrett Shropshire 18 Zjelko Ulm 19 Garrett Shropshire, Jr. 21 Johnnie McClanahan 22 Ward Crowe, Ann Hayes, Jadranka Ulm, Jimmy Van Meter

23 Bob Berryman, Mary Dan Raider 24 Hunter Baker 25 Betsy Fishback 26 Jack Pryor 27 Sarah Howard 28 Tony Raider, Anna Rachael Cullen 29 Levon Kadamyan 30 William Andrew Cullen 31 Ed Harris, Dale Wolfram And in early November… 1 Mary Louise Quisenberry 5 Sarah Cox 6 Frank Snipp 7 Crawford Ifland 8 Sandy Marting, Annie Stilz 9 Pam Stokes Please help us keep this list up to date!

5 stories, but now can be seen as a guidebook. It is during this time when we begin to ask them “what is this passage saying to you?” This is an important time, because up to now, they have primarily been in Sunday School class listening and repeating bible stories. Middle Schoolers are challenged to think about, interpret and articulate passages in their own words. Understandably, this is often difficult for kids but it is part of the growing in faith process. It is also interesting to an adult to hear what a passage says to them at this stage in their lives. Laura Lilly has been building a trusting relationship with the youth and has the patience to help them share their questions. Jon and I also encourage this during the Confirmation process when youth make the decision to make the faith their own. High school students are encouraged to apply biblical truths to issues they face today. The “characters” of bible stories learned in the past are now more clearly seen as being “human.” As older youth, they begin to see that the Bible addresses the challenges, problems and temptations that they face. Cathy Johnson and Todd Cassidy are encouraging and sharing with the Sr. Highs.

Adult In a single word, adult Sunday School is “Enrichment” and is meant in the broadest sense of the word. Christian Education is meant to enrich a person’s faith and touch every aspect of their life. It is a means for embracing the Christian lifestyle. One of my favorite phrases is “Into the Word, Into the World.” Adult Sunday School is our largest and most diverse population of people. (Post High School through Seasoned Citizens). Everyone learns at a different level, bringing with them a variety of life experiences and are at different points in their faith journey-- but each person is enriched, as well as encouraged, by the sharing and fellowship of what happens in a Sunday morning class or small group study. You are all teachers and have something to offer. We are fortunate to have Jon as a teaching pastor. We are equally blessed to have Sarah Cox, a teacher and organizer of the Philippians class. They are moving into shared leadership for this study. Linda Jones and the choir are considered to be a small group study, who blend their talents, sing scripture and serve as worship leaders during the service. With this being said, I do want to encourage everyone in our church be enriched this year by trying out a class.

See you in church! Sue

Rotation Model Sunday School By the time of this printing, we will have finished our first unit on Noah and the Ark of the Rotation Model, “Unlocking the Treasures of the Bible.” This month, our unit will focus on Abraham, Sarah and Isaac. Great Opportunity! I am in need of guest Workshop Leaders. This requires a two-week commitment – teaching the same lesson to two separate age groups of 6-8 children each. The lesson materials are provided and

the permanent teachers will be there to assist. Ask Janet Lake about how she liked being a guest workshop leader last month. If you can assist us or want more information, please talk with Sue.

Bible Presentation to 2nd and 3rd Graders on Sunday

October 15th..

Kids of the Kingdom This ministry is a Children’s Fellowship for Grades 1-5. Lunch provided after church.

October 8: Celebrate Fall Fun Day—Boyd’s Orchard (Noon to 2:30pm), Cost: $5.00

November 12: Service Project—Operation Christmas Child with Dollar Tree field trip and Shoebox assembly (Noon to 2:30pm) Bring $5.00 to spend

Needed: Once a Quarter Volunteers. Would you be interested in working in the nursery once or twice a quarteror helping with children’s Church? Please talk with Sue

Coffee Fellowship We are so excited about the kick-off to the Fall Sunday School with our very well received Coffee Fellowship. Coffee Fellowship begins each Sunday at 9:30am where we serve coffee and some sort of munchie. Included are not only adults but also youth from the middle and senior high school classes. The elementary kids are also having snacks downstairs before their classes begin. Please make sure you think about coming and catching up with all of us!!!!! We would like to let you know about a few “needs” to keep this fellowship happening. We would like for you to consider volunteering for either purchasing, setting up or clean up. A basket has also been placed on the coffee table for money donations. This is not part of our education budget. Everyone is loving this time together and we feel it is important to continue serving something good each week. Please call Peggy Graddy, (873-0628) or Becky Prater, (253-1474) when you decide how you would like to help. See you Sunday!

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Stewardship Season Schedule

Fall brings the excitement of Stewardship to Pisgah. Over the next several weeks you will be hearing brief “Stewardship Moments” during the Church Worship hour. Fellow congregants will share personal thoughts about what it means to volunteer time, commit to a tithe amount, or share a talent with their church family. Mark your calendar and plan to attend the Stewardship Fair on Sunday, October 29th. You may use your talent at cooking to participate in the annual chili cook-off. Men of all ages are invited to participate in a cake baking contest as well. There will be balloons and hot dogs, booths and prizes. You won’t want to miss the fun. See you at the Fair! Your Stewardship Committee: Lisa Johnson, Abe Fosson, Liz Jacobson, and Becky Wilder

Add One to the Board of Trustees The Board of Trustees has for several years been comprised of one permanent member and four members elected for three year terms by the congregation. As you know, our permanent Trustee has resigned. The Board of Trustees, through the work of the nominating committee, has proposed that the number of Trustees be increased to six and that the six Trustees be elected to serve in classes in a three year cycle. (See the back of the church bulletin to see how the Session and the Board of Deacons rotate in classes.) As a result of the resignation of the permanent Trustee, the constitution of the church requires that all Trustees rotate in classes in the same way that Elders on the Session rotate. (Book of Order, G-7.0400) The recommendation to change the number of Trustees will be brought to the congregation at the congregational meeting on October 15.

Wooden wedding shoes from Holland

Items from the International Dinner Here are some of the items that were brought to the international dinner last month. Many item from around the world were on display on the tables during the meal.

Noah’s Ark in Folk Art from South Africa

Decorative ceramic pots from Germany

Rocks collected from Egypt, Ireland and France.

Tummy Warmer from India

7 Sundays at Pisgah Church

8:45a.m. Early Worship 9:30a.m. Coffee Fellowship 9:45a.m. Sunday School 11:00a.m. Morning Worship

The Staff Email Jon: pastor@pisgahpresbyterian.org Sue: dce@pisgahpresbyterian.org Laura: youthdir@pisgahpresbyterian.org Peggy: office@pisgahpresbyterian.org

Presbyterian Web Sites: Presbyterian Church (USA): www.pcusa.org Transylvania Presbytery: www.transypby.org Synod: www.synodoflivingwaters.org Pby. New Service: www.pcusa.org/pcusa.brief.htm Presbyterians Today: www.pcusa.org/pcusa/today

Pisgah Church Staff Jon Martin, Pastor Linda Jones, Organist Sue Henry, Director of Christian Education Laura Lilly, Youth Director Peggy Graddy, Secretary Ted Bendis, Bookkeeper Bob Keller, Groundskeeper

The Pisgah Post October 2006 Pisgah Presbyterian Church 710 Pisgah Pike Versailles, KY 40383 Address Service Requested

Non-profit (bulk rate) U.S. Postage Paid Versailles, KY 40383 Permit No. 192

Web: www.pisgahpresbyterian.org, Voice and fax: (859) 873-4161, email: office@pisgahpresbyterian.org