Pastor on Call
For an emergency over the weekend, please contact our Associate Pastor Cathy Church Norman.

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Sunday, October 7, 2007
Cathy Church Norman, preacher

Scripture:
Lamentations 3:19-26
Luke 17:5-10

Sermon:
"Small Faith, Big Love"

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Kirk Monthly Food and Pennies for Hunger Offerings
Please bring your food donation and your Pennies for Hunger offerings to church this Sunday. Suggested donations for the food closet include crackers/snacks, soup, pasta, cereal, peanut butter, and macaroni and cheese. Please leave your food offering in the basket located in the narthex closet.

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Fellowship:
Please join other Kirk members and visitors for a time of fellowship and refreshments following worship on the patio. Refreshments this week will be provided by the Fellowship Committee.

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Attendance Sunday, September 30:
8:45 a.m.: 140
11:00 a.m.: 312

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Do you play the piano?

On Sunday afternoon October 7, Kirk members are invited to come and “test drive” the Fazioli! Our Director of Music, Mary Kay, will meet interested players in the sanctuary from 1:00 -3:00 p.m. If you play a little or play a lot, children piano students and adult pianists are welcomed! Mary Kay will be on hand for guidance and questions.

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Jody's Journal

Dear Family and Friends at the Kirk,

We are enjoying an exciting fall at the Kirk. Wednesday Night Live is in full swing. Disciple Bible Study classes are going strong on Mondays and Wednesdays. A Centering prayer group is forming. The New Orleans Mission group has returned from what I’m told was an outstanding week. Sundays are alive with enriching Sunday School for all ages. Youth groups are off and running. Throughout the week there are choirs, meetings of members engaged in ministry, scouts, community groups, and so much more. In homes small groups gather to develop relationships with one another and God. Members of the Kirk are working football parking lots to raise money for mission and music programs. In October many of our visitors will participate in Exploring the Kirk (the new member’s class). We will begin training the officers you just elected. Sharon and I are excited to be leading a Marriage Enrichment Retreat for members of the Kirk and White Memorial. It is wonderful to be a part of a congregation where members give their energy, love and commitment to the ministries of Jesus Christ.

This past Sunday we began Stewardship season. Someone suggested that we call it Pledge season. Perhaps they are right. It is the season we are asking you to pledge yourself financially to the work of Christ through the Kirk. The theme chosen this year is “Got Commitment?” The stewardship committee wants us to think about our giving as an expression of our commitment to the causes of Christ. Commitment is an outward expression of an inward desire that we want to see prosper. Ask a college coach about the role of commitment in the success of a team. Ask a healthy couple about the role commitment plays in their relationship. The same is true for our relationship to the church. When Jesus invited people to follow him, he asked them to make a deep commitment. He talked about discipleship in terms of counting the cost and taking up crosses. He knew that if the Kingdom of God was to prosper, it would take deep commitment from people who cared. I want to thank the Stewardship Committee for getting me to think about commitment. I encourage you to do the same when you read the signs around the Kirk that ask, “Got Commitment?”

I know one committed group at the Kirk are the members of the Long Range Planning Taskforce. They have met faithfully for about a year now and are almost done with guiding us through the process of discerning our immediate future. They will help us set priorities among the goals and will guide the Session in the steps to implement them. I want to thank them for their commitment and work.

Grateful for your commitments,

Jody

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Circles

Martha Circle will meet Monday, October 8 at 9:30 a.m. at the home of Pattie Stephenson.

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Lydia Circle will meet on Tuesday, October 9 at 7:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

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Glenaire Circle will meet on Wednesday, October 10 at 10:30 a.m. at Glenaire.

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Joy Ruth Circle will meet on Thursday, October 11 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall.

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CROP Walk Sunday is the day! The CROP Walk assists locally as well as globally. 25% of the funds donated stay in Wake County, supporting Christian Community in Action, Western Wake Crisis Ministry, and Meals on Wheels. If you have not already sponsored someone, please look for walkers after worship on Sunday or donate online at www.cropwalk.org.

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Men of the Kirk Breakfast Meeting
Kirk member Phil Martin will present a program on "Kick Walking" at the Men's Breakfast on October 13 at 7:30 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. Phil is the NC State Champion in Kick Walking in his age group and will have some pictures plus demonstrate how to do it. Join us for a great breakfast for $2 plus the accompanying fellowship for a great way to start the day. Contact the church office (467-4944) if you are coming, so Chef Frank Rogers will know how much breakfast to prepare.

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What is Eat with Eight?
Check out this program if you are interested in having dinner together with a few other Kirk members at least once per month (November, 2007–March, 2008 or beyond if you wish). The Eat With Eight program sets up groups of 7-9 adults. Each group determines their own menu, meeting times and places. Ideas include having a potluck meal, eating out, or sharing a meal in some other way each month. The groups can meet as often as they choose. The Small Groups Committee simply organizes the groups from the respondents on the survey. Sign up for Eat with Eight on the portico October 14 - 28. You may also contact Ann Grundstrom if you have questions.

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Scotch Bonnet
All ladies of the Kirk are invited for lunch and Christian fellowship on Monday, October 15, 11:30 a.m., at Lone Star Restaurant (Shoppes of Kildaire Shopping Center). No need for a reservation, just come! If you have questions, please contact Debbie Eakes.

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50+ Group
The 50+ Group will meet on Thursday, October 18 at 6:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall to enjoy a potluck supper. All are welcome to come and hear our own Tom Droessler talk on "Was George Washington Really Our First President?" If you have questions, please call Marcia and Boyd Schroeder or Carolyn Conarroe.

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Trunk-or-Treat The Wake County Autism Society Trunk-or-Treat festival will be at the Kirk on Saturday, October 20, beginning at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Trunk-or-Treat is an event to bring the fun of Halloween to special-needs children of the Triangle. The festival features inflatables, carnival games, craft stations, face-painting, and plenty of food and drink. The night ends with children 'trunk-or-treating' through the parking lot in order to fill their bags with candy and treats. Please see the table in the office hallway for further information or to donate craft supplies. Thanks You!

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Marriage Enrichment Retreat - October 26-27
Marriage Enrichment is an opportunity for couples to celebrate and nurture their marriage and relationship.

Couples from the Kirk and from White Memorial Presbyterian Church will join together for this retreat at St. Giles Presbyterian Church in Raleigh. Jody and Sharon Welker are the leaders. The retreat starts with supper at 6:30 p.m. on Friday. Meeting times will be 6:30 - 9:00 p.m. Friday and 8:30 a.m. - noon on Saturday. Registration is limited to six couples from the Kirk. Cost is $40 per couple, plus $5 if you need childcare. Register for the retreat by calling the church office (467-4944) or e-mailing Bonnie Pendleton. If you have questions contact Jody or Sharon Welker.

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Next Week at Wednesday Night Live! Entree - Pork Loin Events of the Night

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Faith and Theology Adult Sunday School Class
The Faith and Theology (FAT) Class began last week a study of Frances Taylor Gench's new book "Encounters with Jesus: Studies in the Gospel of John." The book examines thirteen central texts of John in a thoughtful and engaging fashion. Books are $12. If interested, contact Cader Howard. We meet in the Session Room. Come and join us!

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New Testament From Scratch Openings
There are still a few open seats in the New Testament From Scratch class held at 9:45 a.m. in Room A-6 of the Activity Building on Sunday mornings. This class provides an overview of the history and contents of the New Testament. Resources and study techniques are also addressed. It's a great introduction to the New Testament! Please contact Dot Rascoe or the church office to sign-up.

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Offering Discipline
The High School Sunday School Class has adopted the discipline of receiving an offering each Sunday morning. The class will determine the organization(s) to receive the funds at Christmas time. We would like to encourage all groups that meet at the Kirk to begin this practice as a way of reaching out beyond our small circles of influence.

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Parents of last year's HS graduates
We would like to send a "goody" package to your graduate, but we need their current address. Please e-mail this information as soon as possible to Nancy Stokes call the church (467-4944). Thanks!

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Do You Have Left-over Study Books?
Many Sunday School class participants purchase their own copies of books. We would like to collect sets of books so that other classes can study the same books without having to purchase new ones. If you have books that you are willing to donate, please bring them to the library and put them in the designated box. Thanks!

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KOALA (Kirk Outreach Afterschool Learning Academy) KOALA needs tutors to work from 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursdays. Tutors work with Kindergarten - second graders. Tutors help with homework, reading and often play fun games. This is an easy and meaningful way to change a child's life. To volunteer contact Tricia Pannill.

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Montreat Small Group Leader
One of the major parts of the every Montreat Youth Conference is the small group experience. It requires many adults to lead these small groups. All leadership materials are provided. Any adult interested in youth can serve in this vital role. Please consider this great opportunity to spend part of your summer in the beautiful NC mountains helping youth grow in faith. Some Kirk members who have been small group leaders in the past are Susan Mazzara, Allison Stafford, and Craig Nygard. See any of them for further information. Registration materials are in the youth kiosk

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Mission Matters

Peacemaking Offering
The Peacemaking Offering will be received this Sunday, October 7. Seventy-five percent of this offering is sent to Presbytery to support peacemaking efforts throughout the church, and 25% is sent to a recipient designated by the Kirk's Mission Committee. This year's recipient is Project Restore Ferry Place, a Habitat for Humanity effort where the Kirk mission team served last week. (See the Katrina article in this edition of the Krier.) Please make out your check to the Kirk, and write "Peacemaking Offering" on the memo line. Thanks!

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October Food Drive for Seniors During October the Kirk is collecting food for the elderly in our community. Many seniors have dietary restrictions or needs that are not met with items collected by most food drives. Products sought during this drive include nutritional drinks (e.g., Ensure, Boost), and low-sodium, low-sugar fruits, meats, soups, and vegetables. No glass, please. The posters around the church mention a collection barrel outside the office, but you will notice that it looks remarkably like a cardboard box. The proceeds will be taken to the Food Pantry, run by Urban Ministries of Wake County. Thank you for the gift of food.

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Stephen Ministry News

Join Us for Continuing Education
The congregation is invited to join the Stephen Ministers for our special October continuing education session.

October 15, 2007
Ministry Related to Retirement Home Decisions
Fellowship Hall, 7:00-8:00 p.m.

CE Leader: Meredith Bratcher, Chaplain, Glenaire

Meredith will lead a conversation with Stephen Ministers and others from the congregation about how to support persons who are facing the decision to enter or not enter a retirement community. She will also help us think about how to best support those who have made the move.

Please join us in learning more about this important life event.

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Would A Stephen Minister Be For You?
Sometimes we are surprised by the degree of emotion we experience over something we think is normal in the course of events. A "child" is suddenly ready and leaving for college-where did the time go? How does it feel to suddenly have an "empty nest"? Or the anniversary of the death of a loved one, though years have gone by since that death occurred, raises feelings of great sadness. No problem is too small. Stephen Ministers are willing to listen, to care, and to meet with you for as long (or as short) a time as you may wish. Please contact Kathy White, for a confidential referral to a Stephen Minister.

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Dear Kirk family,
We have felt the blessings of being a part of the Kirk during David’s bypass surgery and recovery. Thank all of you, our brothers and sisters in Christ for the prayers, cards, calls, meals, visits and all of the good wishes that have been such an uplifting help during this time. May God bless you all.

Pat and David Gauck

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Prayer Request Of The Week - On this World Communion Sunday week, please include in your prayers your brothers and sisters from other churches.

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Praying for Your Elders: Each week we highlight one elder and ask that you pray for him or her as they seek to lead at the Kirk. The staff is also praying for this elder. This week’s elder is Chris Mazzara. Please remember Chris in your prayers.

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Prayers: We pray for Jim Leonard (ankle surgery, 10/8), Faye Ubinger (outpatient foot surgery, 10/4), Ann Grundstrom, Linn Cannon, Paul Miller (surgery, 9/21), Tori Mottin, Erwin Bigger (skin melanoma), David Gauck (bypass surgery, 9/10), Kathie Bell (knee surgery, 9/7), Brenda Armstrong, Beth Brown, Louise Harter, Helen Floyd, Janice Coats, Jeff Slack, Alan MacIlroy, Colleen Calwell.

If you would like more information regarding any of our concerns, please contact the church office.

Glenaire Healthcare Unit: Ruth Wagnon, Nedra Chesnutt, Martha Haake, Louise Harter, Mary Frances Webb, Lillian Soo-Hoo.

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Nominations Being Accepted
This is the final call for nominations for one Kirk woman to be recognized at the Christmas Brunch with an Honorary Life Membership. The nominee must meet the following criteria:

1. Must have been a member of the Kirk for at least 8 years.
2. Must be actively involved in the life of the Kirk.
3. Must be actively involved in Presbyterian Women.
4. Has not received this award at the Kirk or another church.

All letters of nomination must follow these guidelines:

1. Include specific examples of why the nominee should be honored.
2. Should be sealed.
3. May be submitted either anonymously or signed (although it is preferred that nominators sign their letters so that if their nominee is selected, they can be included in the award ceremony).
4. May be submitted by email only if it is sent from the private email address of the nominator directly the committee chairperson at her private email address. For the sake of confidentiality, no email nomination should be sent to the church office.

Please send all letters of nomination to the chairperson:
Amy Woynicz.

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Katrina Team Clears Overgrown Lot,
Builds Habitat Houses
After arriving in New Orleans twelve of us-John Billotte, Monty Brekke, Linda Bruggers, James Crawford, Dave Earley, Leslie Gordon, Annette Homiller, Bill Kammerer, Jim Leonard, Jan Marallo, Chris Mazzara, and Mai Wickelgren-spent Monday September 24 morning clearing a vacant lot for a new community center and then Tuesday through Friday helping to build two houses in Ferry Place, a neglected block in the Seventeenth Ward, under the patient and skilled supervision of Habitat and Americorps workers.

On Monday afternoon we toured some of the flooded areas in groups led by members of St. Charles Ave. Presbyterian Church, which hosted us. Despite still considerable evidence of destruction and broad stretches of boarded-up houses, the Crescent City has made some progress. The scattered boats and rusting hulks of cars are mostly gone, the traffic signals are back, and pockets of new construction can be found here and there, as in Musicians' Village, a Habitat community on which Kirk veterans of previous Katrina trips-among them Jan, John, Leslie, Linda, and Monty-had worked in the spring of 2006.

All in all, it was a wonderful week of hard work and fellowship for the Kirk members who went, but it could not have happened without the financial and emotional support of the many who did not. Thank you. Our service, and that of countless other volunteers, now and in the years to come, is vital to the citizens of New Orleans and to this irreplaceable part of Americana.

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MIDDLE SCHOOL

CROP Walk October 7 Meet after worship for lunch in the Fellowship Hall this Sunday, Oct 7. We will go as a group to Cary High School for the walk. Parents may pick youth up around 4 p.m. at Cary High School. No evening meeting.

 

Service to the Kirk October 14 Wear old clothes since we will serve the Kirk by washing windows and painting. These jobs are much more fun when you do them at church with friends so come and have a great time!

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HIGH SCHOOL

Movie and Discussion October 7
No lock-in on Saturday, October 6 as printed on fall calendar. Instead we will meet from 6-8 p.m. on Sunday night, October 7 in Fellowship Hall for a movie and discussion.

Potluck Supper & Small Group Study October 14 All high school youth come to the home of Helen and John Anthony at 6 p.m. on Sunday October 14. Do NOT come to the Kirk. We will have a

potluck supper. Those with last name A-G bring a main dish; last name H-R bring a side dish; and last name S-Z bring a dessert. Following supper we will begin a small group study led by youth. This is a new opportunity to grow closer to each other and to God. Join us.

HS Presbytery Retreat
This retreat is FREE for the first six high school youth who sign up. Dates are October 26-28 at Camp Don Lee, Arapahoe, NC. We will partner with Cary Presbyterian to share advisors and transportation. This is a great opportunity particularly for Kirk youth council members to enjoy and learn from a retreat without having to lead. Registration forms are in the youth kiosk in the narthex and are due October 14.

We have our ASP dates-June 22-28, 2008! Look for sign-ups and deposit soon.

High Schoolers Invited to "Continue the Journey"
Your faith journey did not end with confirmation! This year, we are organizing a "Continuing the Journey" opportunity, which will be a mid-week group that meets to explore deeper faith issues and to do mission projects together. The exact content of the class will be decided by the group. If you are interested in participating (AND have at least one free afternoon or evening per week!), please come to the organizational meeting on October 14th after worship in the office. You may also let Stephanie Arnold know.

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FOR EVERYONE

State Fair Parking Lot The parking lot starts Friday, October 12. Remember to leave home early so you are there to begin your shift on time. You should have received a confirmation e-mail with the date and time of your shift and full details about the parking lot. If you have questions please contact Harlan Stafford.

Youth Council
The next youth council meeting is Sunday, Oct. 14 at noon in the Great Hall. Lunch provided.

Youth Calendar

Oct 7: MS: CROP Walk, noon. No evening meeting.
HS: Movie/discussion. 6-8 p.m.

Oct 14: Youth Council, noon
MS: Service to Kirk, 6-8 p.m.
HS: Potluck, small group at Anthony's, 6-8 p.m.
HS Presbytery Retreat registration due

Oct 18: Planning team meeting in the youth lounge, 7 p.m.

 

 

 

 

 

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