A Monthly Newsletter of Highland Presbyterian Church (225) 766-5775                                                October 2002

Dear Friends,

While reading the latest issue of the magazine, “The Presbyterian Outlook,” I ran across an article by Dirk Wierenga, author of Presbyterians: A Spiritual Journey (a copy of which is in our library). Its message is so powerfully simple that I want to share it with you (with permission of Mr. Wierenga).

While maneuvering my way through the mountains of North Carolina I spotted a rundown building dwarfed by a huge sign that simply said, “Candles.” As I pulled into the dirt lot I noticed a small sign on the door, “Fresh poured in your container or ours.” Intrigued, I entered the tiny shop, which was filled with the aroma of thousands of candles. Just then a voice from the back room broke the silence, “Go ahead and smell ‘em, honey; we got any flavor you want.”

A tiny woman emerged, deep wrinkles etched into her face and a warm sparkle in her eyes. Caught by surprise I managed to ask, “How are you doing today?” “Let me tell you, honey,” she replied, “the Lord’s been good to me.” I asked how business was and she said, “Been here five years. Before that on the highway down the road apiece. My daughters run the place. They’re twins, but you wouldn’t know it to look at ‘em. One’s big and the other’s tiny. Now the big one is as kind as they come and would give you the clothes off her back. The little one’s sharp as a knife and would cut you to the quick if you looked at her cross-eyed. They’re a pair, I’ll tell you,” she exclaimed.

As we talked she invited me to the back room, where the candles were made. “I can tell from your accent you’re a Northerner,” she said. “For myself, I was born and raised up the road a piece in Virginia. Moved here a few years back. Been a hard life, but the Lord’s been with me every minute. Enough about me,” she says, “what brings you here?"

“I’m a writer,” I say. “What kind of writin’?,” she asks. I explain that I write books based on my travels around the country interviewing people about their faith. “Faith stories?” she snaps. “Don’t you mean testifying?” Before I could answer she said, “Let me tell you something, honey; like I said, the Lord’s been good to me. Gave me my daughters, built this business and watches over us. I live my life according to the Bible. It’s as simple as that.”

A few minutes later, after finding a couple of candles to buy, it was time to leave. Suddenly she grabs my arm and says, “You have a long road ahead of you. I’ll be thinking of you on your way back home and I want you to know that I’ll be praying for you."

As I traveled down the road I kept thinking about the candlemaker and her faith. To her, faith is very simple. Either you’re a believer or you’re not. Therein lies the lesson. Faith is indeed simple; it’s we humans who make it complicated. We agonize over difficult theological issues. We enter into endless debates and we form committees at the drop of a hat. It’s no wonder so many younger people are so turned off by organized religion.

Maybe it’s time, as a church, we get back to the basics of faith. Like the simple faith of the candlemaker whose daily witness burns so brightly and illuminates everyone around her.

May our faith reflect the light of Christ in every corner of our world: at home, in school, in the office, at the store, and when we meet a stranger on the road of life.

Grace and Peace,

Jim

Christian Education

For the next few weeks, the Church School combined adult classes will continue its study of Spirituality centering on the six topics of (1) The Contemplative Tradition:  Discovering the Prayer-Filled Life; (2) The Holiness Tradition:  Discovering the Virtuous Life; (3) The Charismatic Tradition:  Discovering the Spirit-Empowered Life; (4) The Social Justice Tradition:  Discovering the Compassionate Life; (5) The Evangelical Tradition:  Discovering the Word-Centered Life; and (6) The Incarnational Tradition:  Discovering the Sacramental Life.  Our emphasis on spirituality will continue through November 3, with Cecil Eubanks leading the study. 

On November 10 the class will begin a study of the Arab-Israeli conflict with a look at the Islam religion. Margo Brault will be our guest on the 10^th to introduce this topic, and her husband, Ed Shihadeh, will make a presentation with slides on November 17.  This will be followed by a four-week series looking at the book The Wrath of Jonah:  The Crisis of Religious Nationalism in the Israeli Palestinian Conflict by Rosemary Radford Ruether and Herman J. Ruether.  Mary Martin will lead these discussions. (M. Martin)

Building Renovation

Session recently approved renovating our classroom space in the sanctuary building to change three small classrooms into two larger rooms.  This change is being made to accommodate our need for larger classrooms during church school, and it will benefit the Community Cooperative Nursery School as well.  In addition, the Building Committee Task Force has been asked to look at the possibility of adding additional classrooms on the end of the sanctuary building to replace the temporary building and to look at ways to improve the fellowship area. (J. Alwood)

 Youth

Plans Launched!

On Sunday, September 22^nd, nine youth from Highland and Faith Presbyterian churches met to brainstorm ideas for joint fellowship, service projects, and fundraising for Montreat.  Two fellowship activities and one service or fundraising activity will be planned for each month.  In October, the youth will go bowling and have a game night with charades, bingo, and other games. 

Other top priorities included serving food at a homeless shelter, rock climbing, a nature walk with opportunities to take photographs for making greeting cards, and an all night lock-in with lots of activities.  Any adults interested in accompanying the youth on one of these excursions, please let Jim Rollins or Dale Hair know.  (D. Hair)

Stewardship

Financial Update

As the summer season turns to fall, we begin to focus on the close of one year and the beginning of the next.   This process works the same for church finances.

As we enter the fourth quarter of 2002, we note that Highland Presbyterian Church is operating within the restrictions of its budget.  As of the end of August, 60% of the budget has been expended. 

Please continue the good work of supporting the church through your regular contributions. 

Budget preparation for next year begins this quarter.  Please keep those individuals who will come together to create the 2003 budget in your prayers.  Their decisions and judgment help keep the Highland Church healthy and able to meet the mission we have claimed.

Cheerful Givers

 II Corinthians 9:7 – Each one must do as he has made up his mind, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver.

Highland Presbyterian Church is a caring congregation of cheerful givers.  Through August, the generosity of HPC members has provided in excess of $7,000 for special offerings.  Additionally, HPC has budgeted for benevolence and is 67% of the way to meeting this amount.  Special benevolence in the budget are Operation Hope and United Mission Giving.  Here’s a listing of this year’s contributions for special offerings:

One Great Hour of Sharing        

Pentecost Offering                     

HPC Garden                              

Joy Gift                                       

Cuba                                          

Heifer Project                           

Food Bank                                  

Christmas Baskets                    

PSL Hurricane Relief                 

Babbs Appreciation Gift             

Marjorie Thompson Memorial    

Jane Stewart Cuba Memorial        

(C. Buck)                                           

Prayer Concerns

Please remember in your prayers and with cards:

At Home:                               

Connie Leonard                                                                    

Kimberly Orr                                                                       

Alvin Taylor 

Sympathy

We extend our Christian sympathy to Joan Siebeling in the death of her husband, Ron, on September 14, 2002.

CCNS News

Garage Sales is this Friday and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.  Donations are being accepted through Thursday, October 5.

On Saturday, October 12, CCNS will be having a Parents' Night Out from 6 - 10 p.m. for a nominal fee.

If you would like additional information about either event, please call 766 2667.

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