Winter 2014-15 - Kirk in the Hills

Winter 2014–15 • Issue 232
Kirk in the Hills is a Christ-centered Community Called to Deepen Faith, Serve Others, and Foster Fellowship
Christmas Eve Services
Service for Young Families with
Very Young Children
11:00 a.m. – Rev. William L. “Tres” Adams
Kirk in the Hills
Sunday Worship
9:00 a.m. – Family Service
11:00 a.m. – Traditional Service
Christian Education
10:10 a.m. – Adults and Children
Cedarholm Chapel
Communion Service
8:00 a.m. – First Sunday Monthly
In This Issue:
Worship Schedule
2
Dr. Pritchard’s Column
3
Music
4
Congregation News
6
Parish Register
8–9
Outreach & Mission 11
Children, Youth & Families
15
Adult Education
18
Small Groups
20
Kirk Women
21
Men of the Kirk
23
Kirk Seniors
24
Highlights of Recent Events
25
Farewell to Dr. Pritchard
26–27
Family Service for Younger Families
4:00 p.m. – Rev. Troy Hauser Brydon
Family Service
6:00 p.m. – Rev. Carol A. Tate
Holy Night Service
8:30 & 11:00 p.m. – Rev. Robert L. Sheldon
Inspiring Music to Grace the Season
Sunday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Advent Chancel Choir Concert
presented by the Chancel Choir and Orchestra
($12 general admission, $10 seniors, $5 students)
Sunday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m.
Carol Festival
presented by the Youth Choirs (no admission charge)
Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 p.m.
Service of Lessons and Carols
presented by the Chancel Choir (freewill offering)
All of these music events take place in the sanctuary.
Bring a friend or invite a neighbor to experience the
Kirk during the Advent/Christmas season! For more
details on all music events, please see pages 4–5.
Session Approves Interim Senior Pastor
The Pastoral Administration Committee of Session, chaired by Elder Ford Meiser, Jr.,
conducted a search for an Interim Senior Pastor and reported to Session on
October 9 on their four-phase search.
The search included review of personal information, rankings on 10 identified
competencies, recorded sermons as well as phone interviews, live interviews and
a live worship in Cedarholm Chapel.
At the meeting on October 9, it was approved unanimously to proceed with the
engagement of Rev. Robert L. Sheldon as Interim Senior Pastor/Head of Staff
at Kirk in the Hills effective December 1, 2014.
More information can be found in the article on page 7.
Worship Schedule
Sunday Worship
Family service in the sanctuary at 9:00 a.m., traditional service at 11:00 a.m.
Cedarholm Chapel Communion
A brief service of Holy Communion with meditation on the first Sunday of every month
at 8:00 a.m.
December 7
January 4, 2015
February 1, 2015
Service of Comfort and Hope
Sunday, December 21
7:00 p.m. – Sanctuary
Kirk pastors along with our Stephen Ministers are
planning a Service of Comfort and Hope. The service
will be held on Sunday, December 21 at 7:00 p.m. in the
sanctuary. This service of remembrance and healing is
for those needing God’s special touch during the holiday
season. If joyousness is hard to find this year, if sadness
or loss cloud your thoughts at Christmastime, then join
us for this very special service.
Ash Wednesday Service
February 18, 2015
7:00 p.m. – Sanctuary
We mark the beginning of Lent with
an Ash Wednesday worship service
on Wednesday, February 18, 2015
in the sanctuary. The service includes
the imposition of ashes – marking a
cross on one’s forehead.
The Annual Meeting of the
Congregation and Corporation
will be held in the sanctuary on
Sunday, January 11, 2015 at
9:50 a.m. following an abbreviated
first service. Nominations will be
made for service as Elder, Deacon,
and Trustee for the class of 2017
and the pastors’ terms of call will
be presented for approval.
On Sunday, January 25, the new
officers will be installed: Deacons
at the 9:00 a.m. service; Elders and
Trustees at the 11:00 a.m. service.
Lenten Pancake Breakfast
On Wednesday, February 4, the
reports of the life and work of the
congregation will be presented at
the annual Celebration of Kirk Life
congregational gathering. Plans for
the meeting are still being formulated.
Please look for updated information
in January in @ The Kirk and on
the website.
Mark your calendar for this
wonderful time of fellowship
as we prepare for the start of Lent!
Reminder: Year-End
Contributions
Date: Sunday, February 15
Time: 10:10 a.m.
Place:Refectory
Any year-end contributions must be
received in our office by the close of
business on Tuesday, December 30
or, if mailed, must be postmarked by
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 to
be eligible for 2014 tax credit. Kirk
offices are closed on Wednesday,
December 31 and Thursday,
January 1, 2015. We are grateful for the
contributions received to date in 2014!
You are dust, and to dust you shall return.
Genesis 3:19
Join us for food, fellowship,
crafts and Christian education
for the children.
2
Annual Meeting and
Reports to the
Congregation
Thanks, Farewell and God’s Richest Blessing
By Dr. Norman M. Pritchard, Pastor
As November comes round, people’s thoughts turn towards the upcoming holiday season.
Thanksgiving comes first, one of the loveliest of holidays that offers us an opportunity to
reflect on all the good things that enrich our lives. Some of these things are so unfailingly
present that we can take them for granted unless we make the effort to notice, appreciate
and give thanks. So family, loved ones, friends, home, and health feature regularly on most
people’s lists. But we can go further.
I always want to start with faith, because I want to remain grateful for the grace and love of
God that offers meaning to life, and summons us to more than self-fixated living.
Immediately after faith in my thank-you list comes church and the freedom to worship. There are
Christians in other parts of the world who face harassment, persecution and even death simply
for the fact of their faith and the act of joining with others in worship. When we remember how
high is the cost of discipleship for brothers and sisters elsewhere in the world, the privilege of
worship, in the promised presence of our Lord, should be a constant source of gratitude.
And so my list goes on, as, I’m sure, yours does too.
This year, our hearts—Joan’s and mine—are particularly full of thanksgiving for the
Kirk and the privilege I have had of ministering here for the past 19 years. In one
sense, we wonder where the time has gone—the years seem to have flown past so
quickly. On the other hand, our lives here have been so full, it is hard to remember
earlier chapters.
I know the middle of November might seem an odd time to leave a congregation,
but I was happy to pass over a more manageable departure over the summer to see
the Kirk through the appeal stage of the Capital Campaign. I was glad to do so,
because I strongly believe the campaign offers a wonderful opportunity for the Kirk
to step forward boldly into the future in ministry and in mission. The developments
planned for the Kirk facility and the ministry and mission initiatives are all projects
that will enrich and enhance the impact the Kirk can make in ministry and service
for years to come. If you have not done so yet, please participate faithfully and
commit generously. The future is looking good!
Of course, Joan and I will be very sad to leave, even though an exciting and
unexpected chapter awaits us in Florida.
One of the things our Presbyterian system takes pains to secure is that there is
nothing more former than a former pastor! Each pastor who leaves a congregation,
for whatever reason, is asked by the Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry to sign
the Presbytery’s Professional Ethics Statement, which establishes the proper
parameters for clergy conduct. Part of that statement reads as follows:
When a Minister Leaves a Congregation – When the pastoral relationship between the permanent, designated, or temporary
minister and the congregation is dissolved, the minister shall announce to the congregation that he/she is ending the pastoral
relationship, and therefore, is not available for pastoral services. This includes funerals, weddings, baptisms, visiting the sick, and
counseling. This fact is to be made clear in the liturgy of the final service, in the church newsletter, and in a personal letter from
the minister to each member of the congregation.
I gladly signed this statement, to allow the Interim Pastor and the Kirk’s fifth Pastor to develop their own ministries in
their own God-given styles and while there may be future occasions when I might wish to be part of a pastoral occasion at
the Kirk, I firmly believe in the rightness of the Presbyterian policy.
So, dear people of the Kirk, thank you for the blessings we have shared these past years. Stay faithful and strong for the
years to come, and enjoy the goodness of our generous God.
3
Music
Annual Advent Chancel Choir Concert
Sunday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Annual Service of Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 21 at 4:00 p.m.
The Chancel Choir and orchestra present its annual
Advent concert on Sunday, December 7 at 7:30 p.m. in
the sanctuary. The concert includes part I of Handel’s
popular oratorio, “Messiah,” and a variety of Christmas
selections sung by the choir, with carols sung by all.
The annual Service of Lessons and Carols, an oasis of
beauty and peace during the frenzy of the holiday season,
will be presented by the Chancel Choir on Sunday,
December 21 at 4:00 p.m.
Tickets are $12 general admission, $10 for seniors
and $5 for students, and are available from the Music
Office or at the door. All are welcome; come and hear
our acclaimed Chancel Choir as they help usher in the
holiday season!
Annual Advent and Christmas Carol
Festival Presented by our Youth Choirs
Sunday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m.
The service presents readings from Holy Scripture which
trace the prophesy and birth of Christ, read by the clergy
representatives from various congregational organizations
and governing bodies, along with carols sung by the
congregation and choral music which ranges from chant,
spirituals, and works by John Rutter.
If you are looking for a worship opportunity that is separate
from the frenzy of our Christmas Eve schedule, or if you are
going to be out of town on Christmas Eve but desire a
chance to worship at the Kirk during the holiday season,
the Service of Lessons and Carols is for you. This is also an
excellent opportunity for members of the Kirk to reach out
to their friends and invite them to experience the Kirk
during this most beautiful time of the year. A free will
offering will be received. All are welcome to attend.
Christmas Eve Music
One of the highlights of the
church year is Christmas Eve,
and with all of the various
worship opportunities offered
at the Kirk, the choirs are kept
very busy as follows:
On Sunday, December 14 at 6:00 p.m. the Youth
Choirs (Senior Boys’ and Girls’, Intermediate Girls’,
Treble Boys’, Junior Girls’ and Young Children’s
Choir) will present their annual Advent and Christmas
Carol Festival in the sanctuary. There is no admission
charge, and all are welcome to attend. Following the
festival a holiday reception will be held in Heritage
Hall honoring our choristers.
The Carol Festival is an annual highlight of their work
and ministry, and celebrates the meaning of the season
through the presentation of a variety of music. Each
year new selections are presented alongside favorites
that have become a tradition for our choirs. The
festival opens with “Once in Royal David’s City” and
progresses through carols and anthems from many
countries, culminating with “O Come, All Ye Faithful.”
Come support our choristers as they celebrate the
holiday season!
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At the 4:00 p.m. Family
Service for Younger Families,
the Young Children’s
Choir will be singing, with
favorite carols sung by all.
At the 6:00 p.m. Family Service, music will be provided by the
Senior Boys’ and Girls’, Intermediate Girls’, Treble Boys’,
and Junior Girls’ Choirs and the Youth String Ensemble.
Their offerings will include selections sung during the prelude
as well as anthems and carols during the service. Favorite
carols are also included in this service for all to sing.
At the 8:30 and 11:00 p.m. Holy Night Service, music will
be provided by the Chancel Choir with harp. The prelude
to each service begins 45 minutes prior; great and beloved
choral music abounds, featuring various soloists from the
choir, along with some new works and congregational carols.
Kirk Chancel Choir
Christmas Compact Disc
Sing, Choirs of Angels, our Chancel
Choir’s compact disc (CD), is
available from the Music Office.
These “sounds of the season”
make an excellent Christmas gift.
The price of the disc is $15.
The disc presents a wide variety of seasonal favorites,
including “Carol of the Bells,” “In the Bleak Midwinter”
(featuring soloist Judith Zorn), “Mary Had a Baby”
(featuring soloist Nicole Greenidge Joseph), and other
choral works. Also included on the disc are selections
for organ, harp and violin performed by Kirk organist
Glenn Miller, harpist Patricia Masri-Fletcher and violinist
Laura Rowe and carillon selections performed by Kirk
Carillonneur Dennis Curry.
Detroit Symphony Orchestra William
Davidson Neighborhood Concert Series
The Detroit Symphony
Orchestra William
Davidson Neighborhood
Concert Series includes
four Saturday evening
concerts at the Kirk
(all at 8:00 p.m.):
January 10, 2015 Leonard Slatkin, conducting
March 14, 2015 Featuring the Mozart Clarinet
Concerto
May 16, 2015 Haydn and Bach
July 18, 2015 Rossini, Vivaldi and Mozart
The DSO Neighborhood Concert Series has been
enthusiastically received, with all concerts selling out well
in advance, so if you are planning to attend any of the
concerts at the Kirk, purchase your tickets early! Tickets
are only available through the DSO box office. Details
about the series are available in the literature racks or by
visiting www.dso.org/neighborhood.
Nine Keyboards Organ Recital –
The Trumpets Shall Sound!
Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
On Sunday, January 25, 2015
at 4:00 p.m. Kirk Director
of Music and Organist
Glenn Miller will present
his annual organ recital,
which features all three of
the Kirk’s pipe organs.
The recital will begin in
Cedarholm Chapel, which is
comprised of 19 sets of pipes
and is quite complete in its
own right. While seating
is limited in the Chapel, we’ll be using the Fireside
Room and Kirk House hallway for additional seating.
From there everyone will move to the sanctuary, where
the program will continue with the 6 stop Schreiner
chamber organ which was built in 2006 and conclude
with the large main, 85 rank instrument originally built
by the M. P. Moller Company. A highlight of the
selections played on the main organ will be music that
utilizes the most commanding stop on this instrument,
the Trompette-en-Chamade, which was removed during
the installation of the new sanctuary heating and cooling
system and has since been restored and renovated.
Tickets are $10 general admission, $8 for seniors and
$5 for students, and are available from the Music Office
or at the door.
An Afternoon of Song
Sunday, March 1, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
Members of the Kirk Chancel Choir will show their
vocal prowess in a recital of songs and arias on Sunday,
March 1, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. in the refectory. We are
blessed with a great wealth of talent in the Chancel
Choir, and this program will provide an engaging
opportunity for all to hear them perform a wide range
of music and music that most definitely would not be
heard on Sunday morning! Tickets are $10 general
admission, $8 for seniors and $5 for students, and
are available from the Music Office or at the door.
All are welcome!
5
Congregation News
Legacy Giving
Mom-To-Mom Sale
Springtime in Paris
Saturday, May 2, 2015
Bienvenue à Paris! The Legacy
Auction Committee invites you
to celebrate Springtime in Paris,
the Kirk’s third gala dinner/
auction on Saturday, May 2, 2015 at
5:30 p.m. The evening will be filled with the aroma
of spring flowers, musical sounds and entertainment
of Paris, hors d’oeuvres and a sit-down dinner
prepared by Kirk member and chef, Jack Leone.
The main focus of the event will be on the exciting
auction of many items donated by Kirk members,
local businesses and treasures from the Kirk.
This is more
than just a party!
While the event
offers a wonderful
opportunity for
Kirk members
and friends to
come together in
fellowship and
community, there
is a greater mission
behind Springtime in Paris. That mission is to
raise awareness of the Kirk’s Legacy and Special
Giving opportunities. Our past two events,
Broadway on the Lake and Little Italy on the
Lake, raised approximately $50,000 for the Kirk’s
Endowment Funds, benefitting ministries within
our walls and throughout the wider community.
You can help make this evening a success! Perhaps
you have an item or service that you would like to
donate. Ideas for auction items include various
types of gift certificates, event tickets, themed gift
baskets, sports memorabilia, golf outings, art,
jewelry, and vacation home opportunities. Some
of our creative Kirk members may wish to donate
their craft (e.g. painting, jewelry, sculpture) or a
special service.
Watch for ticket information in early 2015.
For auction donations/questions, contact
Sydrena Epstein at (248) 646-1910 or
[email protected], or John King
at (248) 644-6427 or jrkqualitative.com.
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On Saturday, September 27, the refectory and foyer, St. Andrew’s
Room and Galilee Hall were packed with moms as well as many
grandmothers seeking out great bargains of gently used baby and
children’s items. Shoppers were lined up at 7:30 a.m. waiting for
the doors to open.
This was the Kirk’s seventh Mom-To-Mom Sale, raising a
combined total of $12,236.14 for the Kirk’s Children, Youth
and Families Ministry Endowment Fund. Under the guidance
of Katherine Herb and Andrea Yakima, this is a win-win event.
Shoppers left with bags of great finds, the Kirk raised money for
our youth and at the same time, we created a positive presence
in the community.
The Kirk’s Children, Youth and Families Ministry Endowment
Fund helps to underwrite the cost of youth ministry programs
and furthers the Christian education of the children and youth
at the Kirk.
Mark your calendar – the next sale will be held on Saturday,
March 21, 2015!
Become a Kirk Docent
In the early 1940s, Colonel Edwin S. George developed a dream
of establishing a church modeled in the style of historic Melrose
Abbey in Scotland, on property he owned in Bloomfield Township.
Construction began in 1948 and the consecration and first
service was held in the sanctuary on November 23, 1958. Thus
began the history and legacy of Kirk in the Hills.
There is so much fascinating history behind our church. We
receive many requests to tour our magnificent facility, from
individuals, various groups, visitors from other countries and
even students. In addition to conducting the general tour, our
docents have led art tours, stained glass tours and architectural
tours. This is a very easy and rewarding volunteer job that does
not require a major commitment of your time.
Would you like to receive training to become a docent and share
the history and legacy that has continued to grow through the
years? Contact Crystal Thomas at (248) 926-9737.
The Kirk Welcomes
The Reverend
Robert L. (Bob) Sheldon
Interim Senior Pastor/
Head of Staff
Session approved a contract with the
Presbytery of Detroit and Robert L. (Bob)
Sheldon to provide Intentional Interim
Ministry starting December 1, 2014.
Bob comes to us from
Crossroads Presbyterian Church,
Mequon, Wisconsin –
the largest Presbyterian Church in
Wisconsin, where
he served as their
Interim Pastor/
Head of Staff. As a
professional Intentional Interim Pastor, Bob has served ten
congregations in Wisconsin, Virginia,
North Carolina, Missouri, Montana, and in
his home state of Colorado. Additionally,
he served ten years as the Director of
Funds Development of the Synod of
the Rocky Mountains, serving 240 local
congregations, and speaking, consulting
and coaching across our denomination to
help the church to fund its mission.
Bob is a self proclaimed “off-the-chart
extrovert” who takes every opportunity
to meet—and help—people. He’s spent
most of his adult life trying to help
people experience God’s grace in their
personal and corporate lives. He also
brings strong organizational skills
combined with the proactive care for
people to work us through this transition
phase and prepare for the next called
Senior Pastor.
Construction Update As you read this, the new Kirk
House offices are complete and
occupied. The Adult Ministry and
the Outreach and Mission Ministry
staff members are pleased with the
larger and quieter spaces. The Children,
Youth and Families Ministry team
had to make an interim move to
temporary offices on the third floor
of the Abbey while they wait for
their second floor Abbey space to be
renovated. The renovations include
a new gathering space—a lounge with
tables and chairs conducive to small
meetings, private reading or sharing
a cup of coffee with a friend. In
addition to these larger renovations,
two new barrier-free lavatories have
been added—one on the second floor of the Kirk House and one on the
third floor of the Abbey where previously there was none. Completion of
the Abbey and second floor gathering space is expected by mid-December,
with the office completion expected in February.
We are still awaiting the completion of our elevator, new staircase and the
new entry area that will be located in the space between the Kirk House
and the Abbey. This is a very complex undertaking: the planning took more
than two years and the execution of the plan requires painstaking care so as
not to disturb the Kirk House or the Abbey foundation. We expect this part
of the project to be substantially completed by March 2015.
We invite you to visit the new office spaces and learn where each of our
associate pastors are now working and inspect and (we hope) admire the
quality of the work that has been done so far. And—just a quick reminder—
this work, like many other facilities projects, is made possible by the generosity
of current and past members of the Kirk who have graciously donated to
our Endowment Funds. Their foresightedness is a wonderful legacy to all
who visit and worship at Kirk in the Hills.
Bob and his wife, Ginger, enjoy camping
and hiking, snowshoeing, running
errands and watching “good” movies.
Bob also likes playing sports (especially
volleyball and basketball), reading, talking,
listening and dreaming.
7
Alzheimer’s Caregivers’ Support Group
A diagnosis of dementia can be heart wrenching for both the patient and their
loved ones. Whether the patient is your parent, sibling, spouse or dear friend,
you may feel a sense of helplessness as you face Alzheimer’s. The Alzheimer’s
Caregivers’ Support Group is a confidential and loving place to discuss these
feelings and to increase your confidence in caring for your loved one with
dementia. We meet on the second Wednesday of each month at 1:30 p.m. in
Abbey 29. (Please note: There will not be a meeting in February 2015). Feel free to
contact Laura Ambrose at (248) 952-5186 with any questions.
Open Door Volunteers Needed
Every weekday from 10:00 a.m.–noon and 2:00–4:00 p.m. the Kirk sanctuary is
open to members, guests and visitors seeking time to come in to meditate or visit.
This is possible because of our Open Door Volunteers who sit in the Narthex
and greet guests when they arrive. Volunteers are needed to serve as greeters so
that we can keep the Kirk open to the public. Any member who can give two
hours a month or more can help. For more information on how you can assist,
please call Ellen Kittendorf at (248) 844-9374.
Parish Register
Deaths
Dorthie Hertzler
Oliver L. Fretter
Thelma Psenka
Eugene L. Klein
D. Donald Hoexter
Alfred J. Artzberger
William C. Adams
Peggy Louise McDermott
Barbara Jean Dolliver
Andrew Reading
Staff Announcements
Charles G. MacGregor
Kirk in the Hills has two new staff members to introduce.
Rebecca Krupa joined the Children, Youth and Families
Ministry team as the Administrative Assistant in early
October. Rebecca had a 10–year career in Public and Media
relations and extensive volunteer experience with her
children’s schools. She has also been involved in children’s
ministry in her home church.
Baptisms
Erica Ginter joined the Kirk as Administrative Assistant
to the Business Manager in late October. She came from
another Presbyterian church and brings her wide-ranging
skills to assist with all of the activities of the business
office of the Kirk. Erica was raised and educated in
California and has been in Michigan for nine years. She
has three adult children and a dog.
Elowen Melissa Mathews
Please join the rest of the Kirk staff in welcoming both of
our newest employees.
Poinsettia Memorials
If you’re interested in donating a poinsettia
memorial for Christmas, please send a check
payable to Kirk in the Hills for $25 per person,
with the name of the person you would like
to memorialize. Send requests to the Kirk
Office (attention: Marsha Rogers) by Sunday,
November 30.
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Samantha Grace Baker
Ainsley McKenna Hay
Keegan Elizabeth Albertie
James Henry Leslie
Cameron Catherine Murdough
Duncan Thomas Murdough
Grace Macpherson Murdough
Marshall Clarke Murdough
Marriages
Stephen Thomas McInerney and
Lisa Lynn Topley
Christopher Glenn Graham and
Kecia Lynne Brady
Nicholas Alan Jennings and
Sarah Scheele Burkett
Dwight Timothy Gammons
and Tetyana Dwyer
Robert Lloyd Goldsworthy and
Wendy Marie Gray
Matej Cresnik and
Lena Michel Mass
Daniel Gregory Johnson
and Nicole Renee Weddle
Joseph Charles O’Donnell and
Charlotte Elise Eriksen
Mazen Munthir Alsaqa and
Dalia Mosa Yousif
Board of Deacons
Adopt-a-Family
By Glenda Herb
Every year, the Christmas season brings
joy and happiness to many families.
Unfortunately, there are so many
families that are not able to share in the
joy of giving and receiving gifts. This is
where you can help. Our Adopt-a-Family
letters were mailed to every Kirk Member
in October and November. You can
help by sharing your treasure, shopping, wrapping or delivering the gifts. Your
donations will be used to buy gifts, clothes, food and household items for families
in need. The organizations that we support include: Salvation Army (both
Royal Oak and Pontiac), Baldwin Center, Grace Centers of Hope, Judson
Center, Lighthouse of Oakland County, Haven, Bethany Christian Services
and South Oakland Shelter.
This is what Christmas is all about—celebrating Christ’s birth and sharing
Christ’s love with others. So when your Adopt-a-Family letter arrives or it is
sitting on your desk, remember to give generously. We need you and appreciate
your support!
Christmas Cactus Delivery and Outreach
By Dorothy Gerych
Social Media & The Kirk
Stay connected to the Kirk the
same way you connect in your
daily life!
Like us on Facebook!
Follow us on Twitter!
In December, about a dozen Kirk Deacons will set out to pay pre-Christmas
visits to congregation members who are no longer well enough to attend services
at the Kirk. Although visits take place throughout the year, in December we
bring a small, blooming Christmas cactus for display on a table or a window
ledge. The plants are small, but the visit, complete with smiles, prayers, and
conversation from a Deacon, expresses the inclusion and remembrance from
our entire congregation. God’s love and forgiveness free us to take our eyes off
ourselves and to meet the needs of others.
A Touch of Home: College Care Packs
Many of us remember leaving home to go to college. It’s a great time of life,
but we also missed home. The Board of Deacons, working with the Children,
Youth, and Families Ministry, wants to make sure our Kirk college students
know their church is praying for them and caring for them.
This year, the Deacons will be putting together two care packages, one sent
during fall semester finals and one during the winter semester. These packs
include a note from the Deacons, snacks, candy, hot chocolate, and a few fun
surprises. Our prayers join these packs as we hope our college students are
preparing not just for a career but also for a lifetime of faithful Christian living.
If you have a college student in your family, please make sure that the church
has your student’s updated address. These addresses tend to change annually,
so making sure we have the most recent address ensures that your student
receives this gesture of love from their church.
9
Membership
6:35 @ The Kirk
Relaxed. Relevant. Relational.
By Rev. Troy Hauser Brydon
Plans continue to come together to offer a Sunday evening
service at the Kirk in 2015. My excitement for this service
grows, not just because it’s new, but because it’s a great
chance for us to invite others to the church. In a uniquely
beautiful setting that overlooks Island Lake, we are going
to have a service that seeks to be relaxed, relevant, and
relational. Let me explain.
Relaxed. As our culture becomes more informal, I am
reminded that Jesus welcomed people to his side just as
they were. We are creating a space for people to come
without pretense before God in worship, a space where
they don’t have to worry about being disruptive or out of
place. We also hope that people experience deep joy that
comes from worship.
New Member Information Series
Sundays, January 18 – February 15, 2015
10:10 a.m. in Abbey 17
Are you interested in membership at Kirk in the Hills?
Have you been attending services, and now feel a call to
join? The Kirk offers a five-week New Member Information
Series several times a year. The class reviews the basic
tenets of Christian faith, life at the Kirk and some best
practices for becoming an engaged and active member.
All are welcome to attend the class. Have questions? Please
email [email protected] or call (248) 626-2515,
ext. 126.
Hello. My Name Is…
Relevant. For many people, the Bible is just an old book
that has nothing to do with life today. We don’t believe that
to be true. In fact, we hold that God and God’s Word have
much to say about life today. We are eager to help people
make connections between the Word and the world.
Relational. The world is changing rapidly, but our need
for deep relationships remains. We want this service to be
a time when people work on their relationship with God.
We also want it to be a place where genuine Christian
community grows.
The service time comes from John 6:35, where Jesus says,
“I am the bread of life. No one who comes to me will ever be
hungry, and no one who believes in me will ever be thirsty
again.” We pray that 6:35 @ The Kirk is a place where people
meet Jesus, are fed by him, and are forever changed.
I am eager to see this happen, and I hope you join me in
inviting others as the day approaches!
10
The Membership Committee wishes to thank the
congregation for its willingness to wear nametags at
church throughout September. It was a great way for us
to build community, and we hope that you met some
new friends along the way. One unintended, but positive,
outcome was that pastors and elders really loved having
the nametags during communion so they could make
the sacrament more personal.
With our Interim Senior Pastor, Rev. Bob Sheldon,
arriving this Advent, the Membership Committee is
planning to bring back the nametags once again, opening
our hearts and lives to being friendly and open to each
other. Please come to church expecting to meet others
who will journey with you in faith! God has given us each
other and calls us to love each other with the love of God.
What a privilege it is to be the church.
New Member Luncheon
Outreach & Mission
Global Mission Update
Outreach and Mission Funding Report
By Rev. Troy Hauser Brydon –
Associate Pastor for Missional Renewal
The Outreach and Mission Committee makes
recommendations to the Kirk’s Session about the
church’s mission funding. It gives money from the
offering plate back into the world to organizations
that are serving Jesus. It is part of the way this church
takes seriously its mission to the world. Over the past
several months, this committee has given funds for
these purposes:
I believe with all my heart that one
of the reasons God has me at the
Kirk is to widen our missional reach
globally. I have had many people
mention how much outreach and
mission needs to happen right here,
and I agree. But I also believe that
God commands us to go into all of
the world to share the gospel. Our global witness informs our
local mission and vice versa.
While maintaining a strong, consistent local mission program,
I have been thrilled to see our Outreach and Mission
Committee prayerfully help the Kirk make significant global
connections. Here are some of the highlights from 2014:
• We are working with
PC(USA) World Mission
to support our denomination’s efforts to spread
the gospel. In particular,
we have begun to support
Michael and Rachel
Ludwig in their mission
in Niger, West Africa.
We have also extended
support to mission co-workers in northern Iraq, whose
work has been greatly impacted by the Islamic extremism
we see in the news daily.
• Through the Capital Campaign, doors are opening to us in
Nicaragua and Colombia that will support local churches
and schools, as well as give us opportunity to serve on site
with them through short-term mission trips for all ages.
• We continue to support longer-term partners in Russia
and in Haiti, as we look for ways to serve with them.
• Following the great success
of the youth mission trip
to Belize, we have begun
to support Pastor Ed Perez
of Koinonia Ministries,
as he trains churches
throughout Central
America in effective
children’s ministry.
• Baldwin Center’s after school program (Pontiac)
• Grace Centers of Hope’s shelter and food services,
life skills and after school programs (Pontiac)
•Fort Street Mission’s Open Door Program (Detroit)
•Russian Leadership Ministries to help with Ukrainian refugees
•Koinonia Ministries to continue church
construction (Belize)
•Theological education
•Campus ministry in the Presbytery of Detroit
•Presbyterian mission work in Niger and Iraq
•Covenant House (Detroit)
•Vista Maria Christmas Program
This list is only a small sample of what members of the
Kirk have been able to do through supporting
the mission of the Kirk in the offering plate. In fact,
it only covers funding since the beginning of this fall!
Praise God for the privilege of sharing in his mission!
Mission Hamper Collections
Our Mission Hamper
collections continue
through the rest of the year,
and we need your help!
During the month of
December, we will collect
warm clothing, coats,
scarves, hats and other
winter wear to distribute to
organizations in Pontiac.
“Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality,
tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects
one directly, affects all indirectly.”
— Martin Luther King, Jr.
What a joy it is to see God’s kingdom coming around the
world! I hope you join me in celebrating this growing ministry.
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Ministry With Pontiac
By Linda Juracek-Lipa
The Kirk’s Ministry With Pontiac started the school year by partnering with
three other organizations and providing every student (over 600) and classroom
at Whitmer Human Resource Center (WHRC) Elementary School with supplies
to start the new school year. The Kirk also donated new uniforms that were
desperately needed.
Our programs opened with lessons on the night sky for grades 2–6. As the pupils
entered the large inflatable sky dome in the gymnasium, the sun set and—
WOW— suddenly the dome illuminated with a galaxy of stars. With facts, fiction,
myths and mystery, the narrator held the fascination of the students and
sparked their interest to “look up.”
In October, the naturalist from Seven
Ponds Nature Center (Dryden, MI)
introduced some of Michigan’s
wildlife to students in grades 2–3. In
their classrooms they learned about
the animals’ habits as they were able
to view and touch them. Safety and
respect of all creatures, including their
peers and adults, were emphasized.
Even the most reluctant pupils became
eager to investigate and handle the
specimens by the end of period.
Some of our tutoring students who have been with us for multiple years went with
us to a Detroit Tigers baseball game in late September. They loved everything: the
bus ride, walking downtown, the stadium, the game, the souvenirs and the excitement.
Many of them even ran into PAWS and had their photo taken with him!
October 2014 marked Kirk Tutors’ 18th year in Pontiac! Our students were excited
to see us and thrilled when they were able to select gently used Halloween
costumes generously donated by families from the Kirk.
Christmas Mission Ideas
for Families
Christmas is such a blessed time of
year, and when we are blessed, it is
vital to bless others. In the busyness
of life, Christmas break offers a
chance to do something as a family
for others. Here are some simple
ideas for mission projects to do as a
family this Christmas:
• Make cards to send to our
missionaries in Belize, Niger, and Nicaragua.
• Bake cookies to bring to a
neighbor who could use some light and joy. (Remember, we are missionaries wherever we are!)
• Collect new or gently used toys and games and donate them to others who would enjoy them.
• Bless those who serve your family
in the church. Give a card to your
child’s Sunday School teachers.
Pray for your pastors—or take them out for coffee! Bake some cookies for the music staff.
There is no end of ways to be
intentional about sharing God’s
love this Christmas. We hope you
can carve out some space and time
to do one of these as a family, and
may you know God’s blessings this
Christmas!
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Faith Communities Coalition
on Foster Care
Serving Our Neighbors at Thanksgiving
By Sheri Falvay
Kirk in the Hills hosted the Faith Communities
Coalition for Foster Care meeting on
September 16. The Faith Communities
Coalition is a grass roots collaboration that
provides a catalyst to educate and motivate
congregations to engage in at least one project
or program that will support the 14,000 foster
children or aging out youth in Michigan. The
September 16 meeting featured a panel that
included a Juvenile Court referee, Department
of Human Services staff, private agency staff, a
foster parent, a former foster care youth, Fred
Gruber of Michigan Children’s Law Center,
and Kate Thoresen who heads up the Faith
Communities Coalition. The meeting was
a great success; the panel speakers were very
informative, eighteen foster care and adoption
agencies were present with information about
their services and recruitment for foster and
adoptive parents, and all were very appreciative
of the wonderful food and of the beautiful
setting at the Kirk.
The Outreach and Mission Committee is eager to help connect
every member with a mission. With that in mind, the committee
offered concrete ways to serve our neighbors around Thanksgiving.
First, we helped sponsor Thanksgiving meals for people pre-approved
by the Baldwin Center. Through your contributions, we were able
to provide 91 of the 225 meals this year. Several Kirk members also
helped distribute those meals.
Second, in partnership with First Presbyterian Church of Pontiac,
members of the Kirk helped prepare Thanksgiving meals for residents
of the Presbyterian Home in Pontiac. We also sought volunteers
who could serve meals on Thanksgiving Day. Our partnerships in
Pontiac are growing in strength, and this is thanks to all of you who
serve and give to make this possible. Thank you!
Kirk App – Now Available!
The Kirk supports projects for foster care
children and youth, including camperships
for Camp Skyline, diapers and baby clothes
for Bethany Christian Services Baby Closet,
and hosts meetings and provides speakers for
the Michigan Youth Opportunity Initiative
for youth in transition from foster care. If
you are interested in supporting this mission,
you can join the Kirk Foster Care Committee.
Please contact Sheri Falvay at (248) 425-7065
or Yvonne Rundell at (248) 214-6718 for more
information.
We are excited to announce that a new Kirk
App is available (free) from the App Store (iOS/
Apple) and Play Store (Android)! The Kirk App
allows members access via a secure, password
protected login. Non-members will be able to give online and
register for events. Here are some of the features for members:
• Access/update personal information
• Search Kirk directory
• Register and pay for events
• Give online
• Access giving history
• View sermons
• and more!
New features will be added, providing additional ways for our
church family to stay connected 24/7!
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Saturday Morning Bible Study –
Giving Back in Our Communities
Being a member of the Saturday Morning Bible Study
means more than just talk—this group has been giving
back to our communities for years! Here are stories from
two of the long-term members of this small group about
their outreach efforts:
Saturday Morning Bible Study Provides Pizza in Pontiac
By Sam Clark
When prison inmates are released, they typically go
through a step-down process. Many are confined to living
quarters during their paroles; so after several months in
halfway houses, they move into what are known as threequarter houses. There are several of these in Pontiac.
Our ex-offender ministry at the Kirk began when a man
we knew was released from prison and came to live in
one of the Pontiac three-quarter houses. Several of us
gained the landlord’s permission to bring pizza and a
Bible study to his house on a weekly basis. Recently, we
completed our third year of this ministry.
The format is simple. Two of us show up at 6:00 p.m.
every Thursday. After greeting one another, we dig into
the pizza and pop we’ve brought. At about 6:45 p.m., we
begin our Bible study that usually consists of questions
from the Serendipity Bible. We wrap up at 8:00 p.m.
The landlord asked us to bring our program to additional
houses; however, to do that we need more volunteers. If
you are interested in sharing the good news of Jesus in a
setting just a bit different from the Kirk, please call Sam
Clark at (248) 433-3476, Bob Heuer at (248) 855-5063,
or Dave Lau at (248) 645-1895.
Saturday Morning Bible Study Delivers Food to Seniors
By Bob Heuer
Delivering food to seniors can be a rewarding experience.
Besides sustenance to the food recipients, it fulfills the
Kirk’s mission of deepening faith, fostering fellowship
and serving others.
So one Saturday a month, a group of Kirk men (and
once in a while, women) carpools down to Focus: HOPE
headquarters in Detroit, loads up a van with about 20
boxes of non-perishable food, and heads downtown. For
a decade or so, we delivered to the Griswold Apartments
on Griswold St., but in early 2013 that building was
purchased for conversion to high-end loft apartments/
condos. So we watched as our friends (and a number of
them had become friends) sought out new places to live,
and dealt with the hassles associated with leaving your
longtime home. As we said “so long” to them, we were
introduced to a new group of folks residing at McAuley
Commons on Detroit’s east side, where we now deliver.
At this building, as with our last, we will ask the residents
to whom we deliver how we can ask God to bless them
in their lives (the line is not original to us—it was at the
heart of Reggie McNeal’s message to us when he spoke at
the Kirk in January of 2010). We get all kinds of requests
for prayer and blessing. Over the years, we have also
received Christmas cards, candy, and even $5 pressed
into our palm with the demand that we buy ourselves a
cold drink one especially hot day.
Ex-Offender Ministry Visits Homes in Pontiac
14
And those are just a few examples of the gifts and the
blessings we receive from our food recipient seniors, and
from each other. Some of the richest conversations we
have in a given week happen on the drive downtown and
back. That’s where the “fostering fellowship,” which is a
hallmark of the Kirk’s small group ministry, comes in.
Children, Youth and Families
Acolyte Resurgence
By Rev. Tres Adams –
Associate Pastor for Children, Youth
and Families Ministry
To be an acolyte at Kirk in the Hills
is an honor and a privilege. It is also
a position of reverence and humility.
The acolytes have the responsibility
of leading the choir and the clergy
into worship, and the joy of leading
the gathered congregation out of the
sanctuary to serve God in the world in the name of Jesus
Christ. Acolytes are servants of Christ, leaders of worship,
role models for children, and living examples of Christ’s love
to their peers and the entire worshipping community.
We have recently made
a few enhancements
to the Kirk acolyte
program that allow for
the acolytes to take on
a greater responsibility
in organization and
leadership. Currently,
there are five acolyte
teams, including a team made up of Senior Boys’ and Girls’
Choir members. Each team is led by a senior captain and a
junior captain. The captains are each responsible for their
individual team’s attendance, operation, and even some training.
You will note the various leadership roles by the crosses that
all acolytes wear: a gold cross for a senior captain, a pewter
cross for a junior captain, and wooden crosses for the majority
of our acolytes.
We are blessed to have our committed acolyte coordinators,
Jim Devlin and Josh Bitterman, to guide and mentor the
Kirk’s acolytes. Kirk youth in grades 8–12 who are interested
in serving as an acolyte are encouraged to speak to a current
acolyte to learn more about how you can serve!
Family Advent Celebration
Sunday, November 30
10:10–11:00 a.m. in Heritage Hall
Preschool – Grade 12
Join us to celebrate the start of the Advent
season here at the Kirk! We’ll have stories, skits
and crafts for the whole family.
Children’s Sunday School Happenings
By Christy Hay – Director of Children’s Christian Education
Praise God for a wonderful start to our Sunday
School year! The beginning of a new Christian
education year is always a blessing for the Kirk. The
energy and excitement of all the children and youth,
compounded this year by the construction and
changes to the Abbey, make for a wonderful time of
“Faith Under Construction.”
Be sure to mark your calendars for our two upcoming
fun family events. The Family Advent Celebration
is on Sunday, November 30 at 10:10 a.m. in Heritage
Hall. We’ll mark the beginning of this holy season
with the Christmas story, fun crafts and food. The
Epiphany Celebration is Sunday, January 4, 2015
at 10:10 a.m., when we’ll talk about the Wise Men,
have some treats to celebrate the return to Sunday
School, and head off to class.
The lessons in January and February challenge us to
follow Jesus, and He “will make us fishers of people”
(Mark 1:17b). We’re eager to share these lessons from
Jesus’ ministry with our children and youth as we all
grow in our faith and understanding of our Lord’s
love and grace.
15
Youth Update
By Kevin Krawczyk – Youth Director
Each year of my ministry at the Kirk is a blessing. The youth continue to
grow in their understanding of discipleship with a missional heart, and I am
able to witness it standing in complete awe. The CROP Hunger Walk was
supported and completed by both the Mid and Senior High youth. They are
inviting friends to hear about Jesus in our weekly meetings and planning
ways to connect outside of the church. Over the next few months, the youth
groups will be celebrating Christmas, sledding, and enjoying their lock-ins.
Each of these events is full of discussion about a youth’s faith and how to
live that faith out in a world where it is not always understood. They’re
already planning summer ministry with the first of their fundraisers, the
Souper Bowl of Soup, on January 31, 2015. The Mid Highs will be returning
to The Pittsburgh Project and the Senior Highs will be returning to Belize
in 2015. Please come and support them as they generously give of themselves
to help others. Through your prayers and continued vision of growing a
strong youth program at the Kirk, both the Mid and Senior High Youth
Groups are blessed and doing amazing things in the world.
Photo submitted by a Senior High Youth – Kirk Reflection
Mid High Youth Group at Bowers Farm
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Epiphany Celebration
Sunday, January 4, 2015
10:10–10:30 a.m.
Let’s celebrate the visit of the Wise
Men and the return to the Sunday
School classes in the new year!
All welcome! (Location will be
announced in @The Kirk.)
Thanks to our Sunday
School Teachers!
Kirk in the Hills Preschool
Kirk in the Hills
By Pauline Jackson – Preschool Director
Thank you, God, for Jesus,
Who was born on Christmas day.
He came to teach us how to love,
To live, to give, to pray. Amen
Kirk in the Hills Preschool
Enrolling for Fall 2015
Preschool
The above prayer and our monthly Bible verse, Matthew 2:1 – Jesus
is born, will be the focus of Kirk in the Hills Preschool during the
month of December when the children will learn about the birth of
Jesus. Highlights of this festive month will include creating homemade
Christmas gifts, a trip to the sanctuary to hear the Christmas story
told by Rev. Tres Adams, and caroling with Kirk Music Director,
Glenn Miller. Be sure to check out our classroom Christmas trees, as
they will be adorned with sparkly ornaments and colorful paper chains.
Preschool families are invited to our annual Christmas concerts and
celebrations where children will create Christmas ornaments and
decorate cookies.
After the holidays, we will ring in the winter months with the Bible
verse, John 1:3 – God made all things, and begin to explore the snowy
world outside. The children will sled on the playground hill and
learn about the hibernation habits of winter animals. We hope that
conducting science experiments with snow, ice and salt will keep
young minds from freezing!
The preschool has limited openings in its Parent/Tot classes starting
in January 2015. Please email Pauline Jackson, Preschool Director,
for more information at [email protected].
Kirk in the Hills Preschool has been offering a
Christian-based preschool program to families for
more than 25 years. Our mission is to provide
a program that is “rooted and grounded in
God’s love,” and one that encourages each
child to develop a positive self-image, a joy of
learning and respect for themselves and others.
We provide a positive foundation for learning
by offering a curriculum that encourages the
intellectual, social/emotional, spiritual, and
physical development of each child. Music and
science enrichment, storytelling, field trips,
special visitors and family activities provide
additional learning experiences. Our curriculum
also includes Handwriting Without Tears® writing
readiness activities. Extended day options
include Lunch and Learn, which offers children
enrichment activities in a small group setting,
and a Spanish extended day program with
Bright Loritos.
The Junior Kindergarten class, geared towards
young five-year-olds waiting a year to enter
kindergarten, meets five mornings a week. In
addition to our Junior Kindergarten, the
preschool offers Parent/Toddler, Three-Year-Old
(2 or 3 days) and Four-Year-Old (3 or 4 days) classes.
The preschool is currently enrolling children for
the 2014–15 school year. Kirk members have
priority through January 31, when registration
will be opened to the public. Please call
Pauline Jackson, Preschool Director, at
(248) 626-2515, ext. 132 or email
[email protected] for more
information or to schedule a tour.
17
Adult Education
From Where I Sit…
By Dr. Carol A. Tate –
Associate Pastor for Adult Ministry
Before we know it, the air will
turn cold, the trees will shed their
splendid leaves, and we will gather
around our Thanksgiving tables,
grateful for good food, for our
lives, and for one another. Still
thinking about Thanksgiving,
in the space of three days, we will
return to worship only to find that a new year has quietly
begun. A new liturgical year will begin on November 30.
“O come, O come Emmanuel” we will sing and settle into
weeks of pondering what the coming of Christ has meant
in the world and in our own lives. If we fully understand
the richness of the season of Advent, we will ponder what
the world has become and where it is headed in the light
of the One who is not finished with this world yet, the
One whom scripture heralds as coming again. In all the
grandeur of Kirk worship, we will celebrate the Incarnation
with five services on Christmas Eve, one service the first
Sunday after Christmas, and communion in all services on
Epiphany Sunday, the first Sunday in January. “Joy to the
World!” we will sing at Christmas, followed shortly by “We
Three Kings” on Epiphany.
But beware. The calendar speeds onward toward an early
Easter and soon after mid-February we must come forward
in penitence to receive ashes on our foreheads and face the
brevity of life. “Love Came Down at Christmas” will quickly
become “Ah, Holy Jesus, How Have You Offended?” What
response have we made to his call to follow? So quickly
celebration turns into introspection, a taking stock of who
we really are in Christ.
Every year, the rhythm of the church year is the same.
But we are not. We have lived a whole year since the last
Advent and the richness of our personhood is burnished
by good experiences and by bad. There are no secrets
before the God who has given us life, Christ who has
redeemed us, and the Spirit that hovers and infuses our
daily life. The cycles come and go with the years, and if
we are attentive to the Mystery in our midst, we grow ever
more deeply shaped into the followers of Christ.
“Making love visible” is how one writer puts it—what
greater hope can we have for ourselves and for our
congregation? A new cycle begins. Where have you
encountered the Mystery—what worship experience, what
class, what conversation, what encounter, what challenge to
re-think what you have always thought—what deepening has
occurred in your life as we enter this new year together?
Making love visible—what a new year’s resolution!
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Highlights of Adult Education Fall Series:
The Future of the Church
Clark Durant – New Common School Foundation
Dr. John Stewart – Princeton
Theological Seminary
Dr. Ted Wardlaw – Austin
Pres. Theological Seminary
Ellen Sherby – Presbyterian Church (USA) World Mission
Dr. Ron Cole-Turner – Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Adult Passport 2 Faith Opportunities
There is something for everyone each Sunday
morning during our Passport 2 Faith: 2 Hours
Together. In addition to our Adult Education
offering, Advent and Art (featured at right), you
can choose from several other options:
The Daily News and The Good News: A Discussion Group
Sundays all year • 10:10 a.m. in the Upper Room
If you are looking for a way to connect faith with the world
around you and recent news stories, this may be the class for you.
The Between Services Bible Study
Sundays, September – June • 10:10 a.m. in Abbey 29
Join this group of committed learners who have been studying
together for years. All are invited to this welcoming Bible study
and ready-made community.
Bible Study with Your Pastors
Sundays, September – June • 10:10 a.m. in Abbey 22
Have you always meant to study the Bible and just never quite got
around to it? Come to the Pastors’ Bible Study! The study offers a
Bible for Beginners study for all who are interested. This is the perfect
class for parents of teens or toddlers, for people of all ages who
are ready to spend a little time learning some of the foundational
truths of our faith. Explore the New Testament with our pastors
and others who desire to grow in faith and understanding.
New Member Information Series
Sundays, January 18 – February 15, 2015
10:10 a.m. in Abbey 17
This five-week series serves as an orientation for prospective new
members of Kirk in the Hills. Together we will learn about basic
Christian faith, life at the Kirk, and some best practices for becoming
a fully engaged member of the Kirk. This class will also be a place
where you may make your first friends at the Kirk. All are welcome to
attend this class to explore membership at Kirk in the Hills.
The Formation of the New Testament Canon
Sundays, January 4 – February 15, 2015
10:10 a.m. in the St. Andrew’s Room
The most important book in the history of Western civilization
was written nearly 2,000 years ago by more than a dozen different
people to young Christian communities. The variables they had to
overcome while composing these writings included, but weren’t
limited to: fear of Roman rule; Jewish tradition; no libraries to
research; no internet; few, if any, eye-witnesses of Jesus’ life on
earth; translation and transcription issues (Aramaic, Hebrew,
Greek...and more...); and they were written 3–9 decades after
Christ’s resurrection. It’s little wonder that not one of the more
than 5,400 manuscripts we now have of New Testament writing
is exactly the same! Come spend seven weeks with us to explore
how the New Testament Canon, as we know it, came to be.
Advent and Art:
An Adult Education Series
Sundays, Nov. 30 – Dec. 21
10:10 a.m. • Refectory
The season of
Advent marks
the momentous
occurrence of
God’s arrival in
our midst. This
coming is not just
something that
has happened in
the past, but it is a
possibility here in
the present. How
artists have
grappled with this
dual aspect of
Advent throughout time will be the topic of this
series of talks. From depictions of the apocalyptic
Second Coming to the equally earth-shattering
Annunciation to the Virgin Mary, the art of
Advent explores the ancient longing for the
Messiah, in all of its awe-inspiring aspects. Artists
serve a role, akin to the prophets, to help us to
see the unseen (or what is yet to be seen), to
picture these events in a way that carries an
immediacy of message, offering relevance to our
everyday lives.
Kirk Member Tracee Glab is Curator of Collections
and Exhibitions at the Flint Institute of Arts.
She completed her BA at the University of
Michigan-Dearborn and MA at Wayne State
University in Art History. Tracee came to the
FIA in 2009 as Associate Curator to research and
write on the Viola E. Bray Renaissance Gallery,
culminating in the 2011 publication, Magnificence
and Awe: Renaissance and Baroque Art in the Viola
E. Bray Gallery at the Flint Institute of Arts. Since
that time, she has curated over a dozen special
exhibitions, including the most recent, About
Face: Portraiture through Time. Prior to her time
at the FIA, Tracee worked for ten years at the
Detroit Institute of Arts.
19
Small Groups
Book of the Month Club
Trinity Stitchers
Ladies, if you love to read and discuss books, then mark
your calendar and plan to come to Book of the Month
Club at the Kirk! We meet on the second Thursday each
month at noon in Abbey 27—and because that’s lunch
hour, some bring a sack lunch. We limit our formal
discussion to an hour—with the option to linger longer
after our closing! Our December meeting is our one
exception in the schedule; realizing how busy the month
is, we traditionally don’t have an assigned book and
instead meet at an area restaurant simply for a fun
Christmas lunch together. Please check @ The Kirk in
December for details and join us. Books are available
for purchase through the Kirk’s Adult Ministry Office,
[email protected] or (248) 626-2515, ext. 117.
No need to RSVP for the book discussions—attend as
you can, and feel free to bring a friend!
Fourth Tuesdays Monthly
1:00–4:00 p.m. • Abbey 27
Faith and the Arts – Art Deco Detroit
Walking Tour
Trinity Stitchers is a friendly group of people who knit
and/or crochet baby afghans, prayer shawls, lap robes,
and full size afghans. Because of these projects, each child
who is baptized at the Kirk is presented with an afghan.
Other items are shared, as appropriate, with members
whose circumstances indicate that they might benefit from
an extra personalized caring touch from their church.
By Anita Pinson
We had perfect weather and a great turnout for the Art
Deco Detroit walking tour on Saturday, October 11!
We are working on developing a church walk of some of
the art inside the Kirk. Our church holds some amazing
pieces of art that we pass by and would like to know
more about. Look for a date and time in @ The Kirk
soon for some ‘walk, talk and tea’ time together.
An exciting opportunity to reach beyond our Kirk family is
currently being explored in conjunction with the group of
Kirk members who regularly share joint Bible studies, via
Skype, with Central Baptist Church in Moscow, Russia.
We hope to extend an even greater personal connection
between the Kirk and our sister church by sending handcrafted baby afghans and shawls to be similarly distributed
to members of that congregation.
How can you help? If you either knit or crochet we invite
you to join us on the fourth Tuesday of each month
from 1:00-4:00 p.m. in Abbey 27 (or any part of that
time you can drop in). People with all levels of ability are
welcome. We also have a number of members who are
unable to join us at that time but contribute completed
items made on their own time. Donations of yarn are
also appreciated.
For further information, please contact Sue Gelbach at
(248) 683-0464, or Ellen Kittendorf at (248) 844-9374.
20
Kirk Women
Mind, Body, Spirit
Advent by Candlelight
Wednesday, December 3
7:00–9:00 p.m.
We are excited to continue a series of
events that speaks to women’s spirituality
and helps deepen the community of
women at the Kirk. This initiative,
which began in January of 2014, has
been outstanding, based on feedback
from the women who participated in events such as healthy
cooking classes, yoga, meditations, silk scarf dyeing and more.
Check out what’s coming up!
Healthy Cooking Class –
Thursday, January 29, 2015
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Kirk Women are pleased to sponsor this annual
celebration of hope and anticipation of the
Christmas season. Our worship service will begin
in the sanctuary at 7:00 p.m., followed by dessert
and fellowship in the refectory and St. Andrew’s
Room. The evening will conclude by 9:00 p.m.
Hostesses and guests are encouraged to support
the Kirk’s Ministry With Pontiac by bringing
a donation of children’s underwear or school
supplies, to be distributed to students at WHRC
Elementary School.
Reminder to Hostesses: set up times are
5:00–8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2 or
9:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3.
Questions about Advent by Candlelight can be
directed to Grace Guthrie at (248) 879-1124 or
by email to [email protected].
Join us as we venture to the
Henry Ford West Bloomfield
Demonstration Kitchen for a
Just Soups cooking class. Together
we’ll learn how to prepare great
food that is healthy, natural, and
full of flavor and personality. The
cost is $23 and includes a light
supper taste test of delicious and nutritious soups. Participants
will receive copies of all recipes demonstrated by the chef who is
accompanied by a dietician explaining health benefits.
February – Health Presentation
(date to be announced)
Join us for a health presentation
by oncologist and surgeon,
Dr. Nayana Dekhne, M.D., FACS.
Dr. Dekhne is the Corporate
Medical Director of the Breast
Care Program and Fellowship
Director at the Comprehensive
Breast Care Centers at Beaumont
Hospital in Royal Oak, Troy and West Bloomfield. Dr. Dehkne
will discuss breast cancer, how to detect it, and how to best treat
it along with general breast care. Watch @ The Kirk for details.
March – Jewelry Making at BBAC
(date to be announced)
Join us for Jewelry Making at the Birmingham Bloomfield Arts
Center. Kirk Women will enjoy a private jewelry making lesson
and great fellowship. Watch @ The Kirk for details.
Contact the Adult Ministry Office at [email protected]
or (248) 626-2515, ext. 117 to register for any of these classes.
21
Kirk Women’s Retreat at Gull Lake
Relax, Reflect and Renew with
Dr. Cynthia Rigby – April 10–12, 2015
Attention all women of the church and interested
friends! It is time to be away together so that we might
grow together, and this year we will be doing that at Gull
Lake with the much requested returning keynote speaker,
Dr. Cynthia Rigby. Dr. Rigby is a professor of Theology
at Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary and was our
guest in October 2013. Her enthusiasm, energy and
devotion to God will help you Relax, Reflect and Renew.
Gull Lake is just 2 hours and 15 minutes from the
Kirk, east of Kalamazoo. Check out their website at
www.gulllake.org. Gull Lake Ministries offers a variety
of overnight accommodations, including full use of the
Ministry Center, featuring a large gym, bowling and
more. Meal service will be available in the dining room
where an executive chef and culinary team offer a
breakfast, lunch and dinner buffet to please any palate.
The breakfast buffet will include a variety of cold and
hot options and the lunch and dinner buffets include a
full salad bar, chef’s choice entree(s), vegetable, side dish
and dessert selection.*
Gull Lake Ministries has a total of 51 rooms in seven
separate condo units, four of which are lakeside. These
beautifully decorated facilities rival the quality and
amenities found at many resorts. Each condo unit offers
a large great room featuring a living room (most with gas
fireplaces), dining table, and some kitchen facilities.
They offer four to nine separate overnight rooms, each
with a private bath and space for two to six guests in
queen, king, bunk, or twin beds.
Blanket Fund
February is Blanket
Fund month for
Church World Services.
Kirk Women sponsor
participation in this
drive through donations for as little as $5 for a specially
designed blanket. Church World Services has provided
blankets, farming tools, emergency food and shelter for
over 50 years. Because of your compassion, families who
have lost their homes to tornadoes, floods, earthquakes
and other disasters are getting help. People struggling
against poverty and harsh climates are learning sustainable
farming practices that will help them keep food on the
table. Vulnerable children have access to clean, safe water
and the nutritional food they need to grow and to develop.
People in Michigan, too, have benefited from the distribution of these blankets. So you see, it not only provides
relief in faraway countries but to families in the United
States as well. To donate to this very worthy cause, please
look for designated Blanket Fund envelopes in the
church pews and specialty containers collected by Kirk
Women after Sunday services around the church during
the month of February. Just $5 will give a homeless
person a blanket to keep warm. That is just the price of
one fast food meal. Please consider this worthy cause.
Books and Bibles: A Women’s Study
(formerly LIFT and Wee Kirker Moms)
Fridays • 9:45–11:00 a.m. • Abbey 28
* Special dietary need meals are available upon request with
prior notification.
Please check the website and @ The Kirk for more details
coming soon.
Come join our lively women’s group on Fridays as we discuss
our faith, our current reading and enjoy fellowship with
other Kirk ladies! Every Friday we meet in Abbey 28 from
9:45–11:00 a.m. Rev. Troy Hauser Brydon will be taking
over as our leader effective November 21 when we will be
starting a new book. Childcare is available if needed.
We love to see new faces! Contact Diana Marsh at
[email protected] for more information.
22
Men of the Kirk
Men of the Kirk Usher
Appreciation Breakfast
Saturday, December 6 at 8:00 a.m.
Souper Bowl of Soup Competition
Saturday, January 31, 2015 at 5:30 p.m.
Mmm Mmm Good!
On the night before the other
Super Bowl, you are invited to
bring your favorite homemade
soup to church to support our
youth groups.
Men of the Kirk and the youth
group leadership are teaming
up to host the 2015 Souper
Bowl of Soup Competition.
Do you have a favorite recipe?
Maybe you just like to enjoy
great homemade soup? If you
do and want to support our
youth mission trips, please join
us in this fun event.
Please plan to attend the Usher Appreciation
Breakfast, sponsored by Men of the Kirk, on
Saturday, December 6, at 8:00 a.m. in Heritage
Hall. In addition to enjoying a great breakfast
and fellowship, ushers will review the revised
Usher Corps Manual and hear from our new
pastoral advisor, Rev. Troy Hauser Brydon. The
winner of the coveted Striped Tie Award will
also be announced at the breakfast. RSVP by
Wednesday, December 3 to [email protected]
or to (248) 626-2515, ext. 337.
2015 Blood Drives
Mark your calendar and
donate blood at any or all
of the scheduled drives
for 2015. As in years past, our summer drives
give the Kirk the opportunity to help two of our
senior high students earn scholarships from the
American Red Cross.
Contact Ian Dittus to schedule your
appointment(s) at (248) 318-1596.
The drives run from 2:00–8:00 p.m.
Monday, February 2, 2015 – Heritage Hall
Monday, June 1, 2015 – Refectory
Monday, August 3, 2015 – Refectory
Monday, October 5, 2015 – Heritage Hall
This year we judge three categories: Chili, Hearty and Vegetarian.
So simmer up your favorite recipe – breads and drinks will be
provided to complement your great soup! Everyone will cast their
vote and awards will be given in each category.
We continue this year with a lively football skills challenge for the
kids, plus awards—what a hoot! There will be a freewill offering to
help finance our youth mission trips.
Friday Breakfast at the Kirk
7:00 a.m. in Heritage Hall
Along with our new name (Friday Breakfast at the Kirk), our intent
is to attract a wider group of Kirk members as well as the greater
community. For current attendees, we request that you invite your
friends and neighbors. As with many of our Kirk activities, some offer
a social and educational experience with a selection of interesting
speakers. Here is our schedule of speakers for the remainder of 2014:
Friday, December 5 Naturopathic Medicine
Dr. Sheba Roy Friday, December 12 Introducing our Interim Senior Pastor
Rev. Robert Sheldon
Friday, December 19 Christmas Program
Glenn Miller
Join us at 7:00 a.m. in Heritage Hall for a healthy breakfast, great
fellowship, and a presentation by a guest speaker. Reservations are
not required and the cost of the meal is $10 at the door. Watch
@ The Kirk and check our website for what’s in store for 2015.
23
Kirk Seniors
Kirk Seniors is a highly spirited group that welcomes all who are of
retirement age and older (55+ years). Formed twelve years ago to
provide social opportunities as well as enrichment and service
opportunities, we hope you will come and give our luncheon program
and/or our trips a try. We would like to meet you and you will be
warmly welcomed.
Luncheons are held in the St. Andrew’s Room at the west end of our
campus unless otherwise announced. We keep the following schedule:
Fellowship: 11:00 a.m.
Speaker/Activity begins: 11:30 a.m. sharp
Announcements:
12:00–12:15 p.m.
Lunch:
12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, April 21, 2015
Save the date!
We have a very
special program
planned for April.
Christine Anderson
will give a wonderful
handbell performance. Christine
has performed
throughout 25
countries and 29 of
the United States, is
a devotional speaker
at conferences and retreats, a recipient of the
ASCAP Standards Award for Composition
and Performances, is artist in residence at The
Master’s College, an author, recording artist,
composer, arranger, director and conductor for
handbells, and more! She is also a wife, mother
and grandmother.
Everyone is invited to join the seniors in April
to hear Christine Anderson. There will be
a $5 charge for those wishing to attend the
program only (no lunch). This program will
be held in the refectory. Let’s pack the house!
Tuesday, December 9 – Heart of the Hills Players will entertain us
once again (they were here last year during football season). This
theatre troupe will present a Christmas program for our party this
year. Upbeat and funny, this group will make you laugh and start off
the season with good cheer. Join us and celebrate.
Commemorative Items for Sale
Tuesday, January 20 – January is movie month! Join us for a top-rated
film, popcorn and fellowship. Lunch will follow the movie.
• Large silver Celtic crosses (replica of
our altar cross in the sanctuary), along
with a variety of silver chains in lengths
ranging from 16” to 30”.
Tuesday, February 17 – We will celebrate Valentine’s Day a few days
late with a program, lunch and fabulous fellowship! Speaker to be
announced.
Tuesday, March 17 – The luncheon takes place on St. Patrick’s Day!
Join us for a luncheon with Irish music and an Irish theme.
Reservations and Payments: Checks for luncheons ($12 made
payable to Kirk Seniors) must be received by the Thursday before the event
date. Make your reservation by mailing your check early to the Kirk,
addressed to: Kirk Seniors, 1340 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills,
MI 48302, or drop it off at the Front Office. If you truly have a
problem sending your check on time, call Nancy Breithart at
(248) 641-7209. Please note: if you are unable to attend and have not
notified us before Sunday, we cannot carry your check over to the next
month—we are obligated to pay the caterer for the meal.
24
Stop by the Adult Ministry Office during
weekday office hours to purchase the
following items:
• Traditional white-on-white Christmas
cards (embossed with detail featuring
the Kirk); they are available in any
quantity to suit your sending list at
20 cents per card.
Come and take a look!
Highlights of Recent Events
Sunday School Kickoff
Kirk Seniors’ Luncheon
CROP Hunger Walk
Friday Breakfast at the Kirk
Senior Boys’ and Girls’ Choir
Banner Sunday
Kirk Tutors
Books and Bibles
25
Farewell to Dr. Norman Pritchard
Staff Farewell for the Pritchards
Kirk Staff
Pastoral Staff
Service on November 16, 2014
Word with the Children
Sermon: Don’t Miss Your Chance!
Litany of Leave Taking
Recessional
26
Go in Peace. Serve the Lord.
Entering Reception with Bagpiper
Dr. Pritchard Shares a Laugh
Joan Says Goodbye
Receiving Line
Young Boy Gives Picture to Dr. Pritchard
Committee Prepares for Reception
Pritchards Greet Members
Reception in the Refectory
Pritchards with Nancy and David Lau
27
Periodicals Postage Paid at
Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Kirk in the Hills
1340 W. Long Lake Road
Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
office (248) 626-2515
fax (248) 626-4924
www.kirkinthehills.org
Robert L. Sheldon
Interim Senior Pastor
William L. Adams III
Associate Pastor
Troy Hauser Brydon
Associate Pastor
Carol A. Tate Associate Pastor
Glenn A. Miller Director of Music
Dennis N. Curry
Associate Director of
Music & Carillonneur
Pauline Jackson
Director of Preschool
Kirk Staff Extensions
Adams, Tres
Curry, Dennis
Ginter, Erica
Hartwig, Karin
Hauser Brydon, Troy
Hay, Christy
Jackson, Pauline
Kenum, Katherine
Krawczyk, Kevin
Krupa, Rebecca
LeBrell, Julia
Libcke, Bob
Leonard, Karen
Mathisen, Bill
Miller, Glenn
Morris, Jennifer
Sheldon, Bob
Tate, Carol
Uhl, Tiffany
Yuhas, Cheryl
Zellers, Jayne
Session
127
182
113
112
119
124
132
114
116
121
126
108
104
129
109
117
102
122
100
115
110
Other Departments
Adult Ministry
Baptisms
Children,Youth & Families Ministry
Church Life & Fellowship
Church Membership
Funeral/Memorial Services
Legacy Giving
Outreach & Mission
Music
Pastoral Care
Stephen Ministry
Weddings 117
104
121
113
126
104
164
126
109
104
117
104
Rev. Robert L. Sheldon,
Moderator
Emily K. Belcher
Clerk of Session
Rev. William L. Adams III,
Associate Pastor
Rev. Troy Hauser Brydon,
Associate Pastor
Dr. Carol A. Tate,
Associate Pastor
Gregory T. Adams
Adam J. Devlin
Susan K. File
Cheryl W. Fuller
Hsin-Hong Huang
Jeffrey K. Haynes
Doris R. Holt
Davetta J. Horner
Nancy P. Lau
Richard Llope
Ford D. Meiser, Jr.
Jeffrey W. Rogers
Yvonne Rundell
Philip M. Taylor
Linda C. Weitzel
Sara S. Williams
Edward A. Yousif
Emma M. Fickel (Youth Elder)
Board of Trustees
William A. Artzberger,
President
Donald E. Guthrie,
Treasurer
Jayne M. Zellers,
Business Manager
Gordon E. Allardyce
Bill B. Baumann
Taoqu Chen
Sharon A. Chope
Brian E. Coburn
Thomas W. Cunnington
Clark R. Harris
John R. King
Phillip H. Kneen
Maurice S. Lathers
Jonathan D. Lau
David W. Lentz
Amy F. Maple
Brian J. McKeen
Randall L. Pappal
Yvon W. Russell
Stuart B. Shuster
Kirk News (KN4) (USP017-956 is published quarterly by Kirk
in the Hills Presbyterian Church, 1340 W. Long Lake Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI
48302-1335. Periodicals postage paid at Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, Postmaster:
Please send address changes to Kirk News, Kirk in the Hills, 1340 W. Long Lake
Road, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302-1335.
Deacons
James W. Keeling, Moderator
Ann Barth
Elizabeth A. Beck
Helen I. Campbell
Jumana J. Cooper
Clara Davis
Jane E. Dittus
Annie H. Ellis
Kuniko Ganguly
Ashley M. Gardhouse
Dorothy J. Gerych
Wendee G. Haugh
Sharon A. Heidrich
Glenda S. Herb
May Wang Jia
Ann L. Larkin
Denise L. Leighton
Patrice A. Lockwood
George E. Manning, Jr.
Kay C. Maxwell
Cathy Paulson
Carol A. Reitmyer
Marsha A. Rogers
Dennis J. Sova
Carolyn M. Steffen
Barbara C. Tallinger
Lauren Timmer
Alison Papin Wynne
Barbara C. Wood
Hana F. Yousif
Tristan Davis (Youth Deacon)
Arrie A. Timmer (Youth Deacon)