On Nov. 28, we had a remarkable day of worship. The children and youth helped us kick off Advent with the Hanging of the Greens and decorating the Chrismon Tree. Then we officially installed Rev. Patrick Messer as the 26th senior minister of First Christian Church with special guests Rev. Michael Swartzentruber and Rev. Dr. Don Gillett II. That day was one for the books!

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From L to R: Will Black, Tori Sizemore, Christian Snyder

We are delighted to welcome three Choral Scholars to our music ministry this fall. This program provides EKU students with solo and choral singing opportunities with our Chancel Choir as well as the support of a “home away from home” church family. Please welcome:

Will Black (tenor) is a sophomore vocal performance major from Richmond, KY.

Tori Sizemore (soprano) is a senior music education major from London, KY. (Tori sang with us for several months before the pandemic as well.)

Christian Snyder (bass) is a sophomore vocal performance major from Richmond, KY.

On October 3, we invite our church members to join our Kids & Youth to participate in the annual CROP WALK event in Lexington.

“CROP Hunger Walk– When you walk in the CROP Hunger Walk, you are raising money to help fight hunger but you are also walking in solidarity with all of those people around the world who are walking for food, for water, and for firewood each day. “

For our September Outreach, we are sponsoring our CROP WALK team.

There will be additional information set up in the Loggia about other ways to support and help with this great outreach opportunity.

FROM THE CHAIR 

OF THE SEARCH COMMITTEE

As a child, we played “Party Line.”  The first person whispered something to the second person, who would then whisper to the next person, what he heard – or thought he heard.  By the time “the whisper” got to the last person, what he/she had heard bore little resemblance to the original sentence.  Recently, someone told me she heard the Search Committee was about to decide between two finalists.  I wish that were true, but it is not.  We are just gathering names to contact to see if they are interested in being a candidate for our position.

When I have initial conversations with possible candidates, I have a list of congregational positives that I mention.

1.  We are the rare congregation that doesn’t have a family, individual, or group that makes all of the decisions.
2. The vast majority of our members realize – and are willing – to do things differently so that we might survive and thrive.
3. The vast majority of our members are ready to put personal preferences aside for the good of our congregation.
4. We may be going through a difficult time – but we have always achieved everything we have attempted – and we will this time.
5. We are a Disciples of Christ congregation – through and through – and recognize that we are not fundamentalists, evangelicals, independents, etc.  We believe that God calls women to service equally to men – and are not secondary Christians; that when science and faith disagree, we need to re-examine our faiths – God creates and science describes; the Bible was written by men – not God – who were expressing their love for God; and that God is not angry, looking for ways to exclude people from Divine Grace.
6. Because God loves all people unconditionally, we are called to love and help all people – unconditionally.
7. We believe in an educated clergy – and laity.
8. We have an excellent facility.
9. Our people are fortune and exceedingly generous.
10. We are close to the advantages of Lexington, Louisville, and Cincinnati and yet, have the advantages of a wonderful small community – and a great university!
11. Our congregation has found its greatest ministry in reaching out helping our local community.  
12.  Richmond grew 33% between 2002 and 2018.

And the list goes on and on!

Glenn

WEEKLY SEARCH COMMITTEE UPDATE May 11, 2021

This week Reid Singleton (Board Chair) and Glenn Birkett (Committee Chair) met with Dean Phelps, the transitional/interim regional minister of the Christian Church In Kentucky.  We learned how the regional office will help facilitate our search.  He explained the three methods of finding candidates:  the denominational “Search and Call” process; others he might know; and those we discover through the networking of our members.  We intend to use all three!  The full committee will meet this coming Monday at 7:00 p.m., when the Reverend Phelps will further explain the regional process, answer questions, and help us with the next steps.  If you have any suggestions or questions, contact Glenn or any member of the committee.