The Kirkin’ of the Tartan service is on October 23.

Dear friends,

Thank you to everyone who replied to the four questions asked by Session:

• What have we learned?

• What have gained?

• What have we lost?

• What can we imagine?

Our review of your responses to these questions was lively and Spirit-filled. Personally speaking, this gave me hope for human resilience and ingenuity. There is no doubt that this past season of our life has been both challenging and formative. One observation we made as we discussed was the possibility that, in some respects, we didn’t learn anything. As for the question: What did we learn?, we had a lot of responses like:

• We are never alone

• Love continues

• FPC is a safe haven in troubled and good times

In our discussion, we decided that we didn’t actually learn these things, but rather they became clearer to us in new ways. These truths were revealed to us again, that everyone is in a different place on the learning curve on how we integrate these truths into our life and faith.

The question for us now is how to not just integrate these truths, but how do we model them in service to our neighbors, community, and world? As we work to integrate them into our lives, how do we invite others into this knowledge of ourselves and our God?

Grace and peace,

Michael

September COVID-19 Update from Session

After a thorough review of the COVID-19 provisions, Session has determined to end our COVID-19 policy. Masks will still be available in the Narthex and Gathering Area, and we welcome continued masking for those who choose or need to do so. Pews will no longer be alternated, and materials may be passed in worship. We are still livestream from Virtual Worship on the website, fpcmiddletown.com. Session thanks you for your sustained diligence in this matter.

Sunday Mornings

Upcoming Worship schedule

• October 2 - World Communion Sunday; Luke 17:5-10

• October 9 - Luke 17:11-19

• October 16 - Luke 18:1-8

• October 23 - Kirkin’ of the Tartan; Luke 18:9-14

• October 30 - Luke 19:1-10

Fellowship Hour

Join us for Fellowship Hour in the Gathering Area before or after the worship service on Sunday. Stop by for fellowship and refreshments and snacks.

Weekdays

Monday Walk & Talk

On Mondays at 10:00 a.m., join the Pastor for a causal one mile walk around the neighborhood. We will try to do two half mile loops in case anyone needs to work up to one mile.

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

Join us in the Youth Room at 10:00 a.m. for Bible Study.

Wednesday Fellowship and Knitting

An informal group of people from the church knit and crochet at Triple Moon around 10:00 a.m. on Wednesdays. If you are interested in joining this group, contact Lisa Kaufer.

Wednesday Prayer

Meet in the Memorial Room at 1:00 p.m. on the first and third Wednesdays for prayer. All are welcome!

Worship & Music Notes

Note from Joyce Zigler, Director of Music Ministries

We will certainly be bringing joy and jubilant praise when we gather on Sunday, October 23, for our annual Kirkin’ of the Tartans worship service. The sanctuary will be decorated with beautiful mums and tartan flags. The mums may be purchased in memory or in honor of someone special. Please use the following link to see the insert for details. Be sure to invite all of your family and friends to come celebrate this joyful day with the Sanctuary Choir and the Miami Valley Pipes and drums!

A Festival of Pipe Organ Music

It’s once again time for that special evening of mocktails, hors d’oeuvres, delightful fellowship, and wonderful music! Our eleventh annual Festival of Pipe Organ Music will be presented on Friday, November 11, 2022. Delicious mocktails and hors d'oeuvres will be served in the Gathering Area at 5:30 p.m. A Festival of Pipe Organ Music will begin at 7:00 p.m. it will be an amazing, unique, and fun evening!

Tickets will be available from members of the Music and Worship Ministry Team, Joyce Zigler, or the church office beginning Sunday, October 16.

Christian Education Notes

In-person Nursery Care and Sunday School

The Christian Education Committee continues to prayerfully consider and implement safe practices to support the full participation of all ages. We continue to require universal indoor masking in these classrooms by all individuals (age 2 and older), regardless of vaccination status.   

• Nursery Care is available for infants and children up to 5 years old every Sunday, located next to Room 110. Two childcare workers, Monique Watkins and Ingrid Cuadra, provide exceptional care for which we are grateful.

• Sunday School (children ages 6-12) is offered most Sundays* in the Godly Play Room following the Passing of the Peace at which time leaders will escort children to Sunday School. When worship concludes, parents/guardians will need to come to the Godly Play Room to pick up their child(ren). (*Note: In October, Sunday School will meet on10/9, 10/16, and 10/30. We especially want to include children and youth in special worship celebrations such as Communion, Kirkin’ of the Tartans, etc.)

Playology: Experiencing God through the art of play

Thank you to all who participated in Playology on September 24! It was wonderful to gather with other members of our Presbytery for this intergenerational play-filled retreat. The day included some mix and mingle activities, a morning workshop choice, lunch, and discussion on the Theology of Recreation, an afternoon workshop choice, and Closing Worship.

Save the dates for these opportunities sponsored by the Presbytery of the Miami Valley

• Presbyterian Youth Council ((PYC) Retreat at Kirkmont: April 14-16, 2023

• Women’s Spiritual Nurture Retreat at Kirkmont: April 21-23, 2023.

Odds & Ends

Men’s Monthly Meeting

Men’s Monthly Meeting is an opportunity for the men of the church to get together and socialize over dinner. On Tuesday, October 11, the meeting will be at Wildwood Golf Club, 601 Aberdeen, at 5:30 p.m. Hope to see you there! For more information, please contact Darrell Templeton.

Share the date!

Links will take you to the Facebook event.

• October 23 - Kirkin’ of the Tartans

• November 11 - Festival of Organ Music

• November 13 - Central State Choir in the Worship Service

We give thanks to God for the life of. . .

. . .Polly Lorenz, who died on September 4.

Online Calendar

The church calendar is now online! Go to https://www.fpcmiddletown.com/calendar.