Pastor Chris Adams

Good News
the
Hillsboro Presbyterian Church
hpcnashville.org

August 2013

Above, campers and HPC staff alike enjoy Vacation Bible School. Below, some of HPCs kids reflect during morning quiet time at Kids Camp in Alabama.

A note from Chris

I
ts hard to imagine, but the beginning of school in Middle Tennessee means that another summer is officially over. For many of us that signals the end of the summer routine and a shift into something else: school days, the end of summer vacations and traveling to visit family, and of course the resuming of more regular attendance at church. Or not? The experts are at it again predicting the end of the church in North America. In just the last few months there have been articles circulating on social media and other news outlets forecasting that the summer of discontent with religion in America will not end. With surveys and interviews in hand, such pundits announce with certainty that Americans will not return to the regular worship of a church community. Not this year. That way of life in America is over, they claim. The church is too old and too out of touch, and this will be the season when the seemingly faithful will not return. One such article even announces the end of our own PCUSA, The Coming Collapse of the PC (USA) by Jeff Gissing Clearly there are challenges. There is no denying that things are changing in culture and with the practice of Christianity. It would be nave to bury our heads in the sand and pretend that things are not different. However, it is also just as nave to accept that another season of faithful worship and meaningful service to God is impossible. In the midst of the doom and gloom, I believe there are reasons to be hopeful about Christianity. The reason is simply you! In a recent article by Rachel Held Evans, Why Millennials are Leaving the Church, the hopeful searching of the next generation of faithful disciples of Jesus is described in detail. What millennials really want from the church is not a change in style but a change in substance. We want an end to the culture wars. We want a truce between science and faith. We want to be known for what we stand for, not what we are against. We want to ask questions that dont have predetermined answers. We want churches that emphasize an allegiance to the kingdom of God over an allegiance to a single political party or a single nation. We want our LGBT friends to feel truly welcome in our faith communities. We want to be challenged to live lives of holiness, not only when it comes to sex, but also when it comes to living simply, caring for the poor and oppressed, pursuing reconciliation, engaging in creation care and becoming peacemakers.

HILLSBORO
PRESBY TERIAN

CHURCH
Chris Adams Pastor

Hudson Neely Minister of Discipleship Amy Dillon Director of Child & Family Ministry Shawn Cothran Director of Youth & Young Adult Ministry Whitley Gaffney

Perhaps its a bold statement to make, Director of Communications but it seems that what the next generation of ChrisStephen Nix tians are looking for among the naysayers and Director of Music Ministry negativism about faith, is Hillsboro Presbyterian Church. The above paragraph written by Evans Carole Shean could have described what I have found to be true Financial Administrator about you, and what generations of the faithful who have called this place home have worked Alice ODwyer hard to create. Could others find the ministry of Child Care Coordinator HPC as a reason to be hopeful about faith in Jesus Christ? I believe they will. Cynthia White Director of Creative Care Therefore brothers and sisters of HPC, I urge you to enter into another new season with Tim Gmeiner conviction under the power of the Holy Spirit. BeChurch Organist cause the good news of the gospel is found in the substance of your witness to Jesus Christ. I am so hopeful and grateful because of you! Thanks be to God. 615.665.0148 | hpcnashville.org Blessings, whitley@hpcnashville.org Chris +

Volunteer Opportunities within HPC

Loafers Program
The Loafers program coordinates the delivery of bread to visitors who come to our church each Sunday. We have many members who bake bread or cake. The bread is then delivered to the visitor by a church member who lives in the visitors zip code. This ministry needs both bakers and deliverers. Please contact Beth Baxter (615545-2721) if you would like to do either task.

Meals Assistance

Debra Locke, aka Food Queen, has served for over 15 years as coordinator of meals for HPC. As needs (ongoing illness, recuperation from surgery, etc.) were relayed to her by our ministers, she arranged for meals by attending to many details and by calling on her list of HPC members who are willing to provide food and delivery. Many thanks Debra! Susan Varney is stepping into this role and hoping to expand the list as many hands make light work! If you are not a cook, any number of healthy meals can be purchased. Please consider serving in this way; your effort would be greatly appreciated. Call Susan at 662-2743 or email sfjvarney@yahoo.com or more information!

A note from Jim and Suzy

To All at Hillsboro: I do not have all the adequate words to express our thanks for the prayers, concerns, thoughts, and support you have given during our son Clays battle with cancer. I am pleased to report that Clays latest CT scan showed no trace of cancer anywhere. While the battle may not be completely over, the doctors are optimistic the cancer is gone and the likelihood of reoccurrence is low. He has returned to work.

Food for Thought

With special guests from Magdalene and Thistle Farms, a residential program for women who have survived lives of prostitution, addiction and life on the streets. HPC Chapel Monday, September 9 11:30-12:30 Lunch is only $5
call 665-0148 or email hudson@hpcnashville.org for reservations

Our Hillsboro Family is unique. We come from different backgrounds and beliefs; we are conservative, liberal, Democrat, Republican and various degrees of each. We discuss, argue, disagree on many and varied subjects. Nevertheless, time and time again, we come together in love, faith and hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, when one of us has a need. Clay sends his thanks and we do also. Jim Cozart and Suzy Bennett

August On Call Schedule August 2-8 August 9-15 August 16-22 August 23-29 Aug 30-Sept 5 Stephen 268-8781 Chris 516-0596 Amy 417-6748 Hudson 864-680-8766 Shawn 805-218-9301

New HPC Phone Extensions x10 Carole x11 Amy & Shawn x12 Whitley x13 Chris x15 Hudson x17 Stephen
*remember this extension to easily reach your party when calling the church office

mily Short, who was recently baptized at HPC, created a beautiful sculpture as a statement of her faith to the Session. According to Emily, the hands represent Gods hands. They are not one color or race. The figure in the middle represents any child of God. The figure is made out of silver clay. I chose that color because God is like a silver smith. He molds us, shapes us and takes away our impurities.

Hillsboro Presbyterian Church

hpcnashville.org

August 2013

5820 Hillsboro Pike Nashville, TN 37215