Good Friday morning High Places,
We welcome March with some beautiful weather and we hope you're enjoying some of the best that East TN has to offer when the sun first begins to show off after a long winter. Soon, the colors will return and Spring will be sprung! We offer praise to God for the seasons and the cycles of life, all reminders of how life, death, and rebirth are woven into His creation and reveal His nature, making all things beautiful in His time.
Tony South Celebration this Sunday. This Sunday we will remember Tony with some of his favorite songs, a skit, popcorn (I hope!), and a message on the Scriptures that captured Tony's life. We continue to pray for Pam in this time of loss. I hope everyone will be out to celebrate this special Sunday as we honor, remember, and celebrate Tony.
Community Partner Brunch this Saturday. At 10:30 AM tomorrow, we're hosting many of our community partners in the lobby at the Grove. Our friends from the symphony, ballet, numerous local dance troupes, cub scouts, Sound Company, Secret City Improv festival, and more will be in attendance. If you've ever wanted to meet some of the folks that High Places ministry touches, feel free to come on down!
Also Tomorrow! "Snowed In!" Our Mountain Movers Children's ministry will have a winter close-out party from 2:00 - 4:00 PM. Kids can enjoy a winter "escape" game, treats, and fellowship as Kady and volunteers lead them through a fun Saturday afternoon. If you'd like to volunteer, please come on down there is always room to love on our HPCC kids, and typically lots to do for setting up and tearing down afterward.
Next Sunday, March 13, Orion Wilson will share. Our year-long grant from the Forum on Theological Education ends April 1st. That grant has enabled us to pay Orion a little bit each month to attend our staff meetings, learn our theology and philosophy of ministry, and practice some of it with our young adult population. We look forward to hearing from him next week and are grateful for the many gifts he brings High Places in service to God.
On Sunday March 20, we begin our series that will carry us through Easter, Beauty Will Save the World. The messages will be loose adaptations of Brian Zahnd's book of the same name. If the concept grabs you, feel free to read ahead in preparation, you can grab the book here: https://www.amazon.com/Beauty-Will-Save-World-Rediscovering/dp/1616385855
Adult Retreat April 1-3, we have a wonderful spot reserved on Norris Lake for the first weekend in April and we would love you to join us! Our theme is "Canoeing the Mountains" and because someone asked, "No" we won't really be canoeing! The theme is based on a book by Tod Bolsinger and is subtitled, Christian Leadership in Uncharted Territory. It seemed fitting as we emerge from COVID-19 and in the changing landscape of church culture and attendance, to look at some of the key concepts Bolsinger presents in a uniquely High Places fashion. I have attached the flyer with more details below.
April 30th "Bluegrass and BBQ." Our second quarter non-profit benefit concert will be held the last Saturday of April. Our friends from Dark Hollow Band will be helping lead the way, with additions from Carteret (who you may have heard open the January Jams show), and our own Sebron Taylor Coleman. Proceeds will benefit the Oak Ridge Fund for Achieving Community Excellence. Stay tuned for more on this exciting event coming soon.
Also coming soon, a High Places clean-up / work day. Or as one of our members put it this week, "Let's gather up what we don't want and put in High Places purgatory for week, if no one claims it let's haul it off" day. We want the building in tip top shape for Easter, so look for a lot of opportunities to paint, clean, plant flowers, and tidy up in the coming weeks.
As you can see, we are beginning our Spring quarter with LOTS happening. As we move forward, please be in prayer about how you might serve, or be served, by these opportunities. Also be in prayer for the many we have not seen during covid outbreak, and pray for opportunities for our whole church to be together again post-pandemic. I read an interesting article last week from Tish Harrison Warren in the NY Times entitled, "Why Church Should Drop Their Online Services" that I found interesting. The basic premise was that holding church in person brings the embodiment and love that we all need as human beings while eliminating isolation and echo chambers that can be created when we aren't actively creating community with others. She also pointed out that ministering to homebound and shut-ins has never been something new for churches and that by counting "virtual" services as that ministry we miss opportunities to train trustworthy servants in ministry to help reach these populations.
We have no plans to cancel our virtual streaming, but I confess that I have considered it. Currently I view the online platform as another opportunity to reach people -- many of whom watch us regularly from far away places, even some of us when we travel! We are going to continue broadcasting, but I do ask, that if virtual attendance has become a substitute for gathering together if you are able to come in person, that you prayerfully consider the impact that has both on you and your family, but on us as well. The gift of your smile, your voice, or your embrace are gifts that don't pass back through the computer monitor. And the overall spirit of the small auditorium is fuller and more complete when you are present. There's certainly no shame in not attending in person, but please prayerfully consider all that you add when you are with us in person.
We also continue to pray for Pam in the loss of Tony, and for Katie Fischer in the passing of her father. Let each of us pray about how we might be comforters to them in this time of loss. Pray for our "touching, teaching, training" ministries this week as well, most especially pray that God would continue to send those He desires to both be discipled, and to disciple others. Look for a new bible study series soon... as God leads. Pray for our staff and the many we serve, and know that our staff is praying for you.
Much love to you all,
David
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