Winter 2020
INDEPENDENT Presbyterian Church
WINDOWS
Peace on Earth In this issue: A LITTLE CHILD WILL LEAD THEM | GOD’S BEAUTIFUL COMMUNITY | MINISTRY DURING COVID
A New People. A New Memphis.
My dear Friends: We bring this issue of Windows to you a little early this year for a reason. Last year, we were able to produce three issues of this magazine, which is our preferred schedule. Because of financial realities, we scaled back this year to two issues. In order to give better coverage to our ministry year, we are bringing out this issue now and hope to have the Spring 2021 issue out by the end of February. Windows is a publication of Independent Presbyterian Church. Go to ipcmemphis.org to view online.
In this issue, we look back to this past year and forward to the new year. In looking back, we thought it would be good for our congregation to know all of the creativity (and challenge) that has gone into doing ministry in this strange COVID season in which we find ourselves. In the end, it has been our joy to serve you and my particular joy to partner with our ministry staff who have labored hard on your behalf.
In this issue:
2 “A LITTLE CHILD WILL LEAD THEM” 4 IT BEGAN WITH A TREE 9 NAVIGATING MINISTRY DURING COVID TIMES
In looking forward, we wanted to prepare you for our upcoming missions conference in February 2021. I’m thrilled that our friends and fellow PCA pastors, Revs. Irwyn Ince and Ronnie Garcia, will be with us to help us think about mercy and justice from a biblical perspective and about how we might engage our city’s deep needs so that we might have a platform for Gospel proclamation. Yet in many ways, our hearts in this present time — in the midst of COVID, racial and social unrest, and political debate — desperately need peace, the shalom of God. This peace comes through Jesus, the righteous Branch, the one who brings justice to his world. As you meditate on
ON THE COVER: Peaceable Kingdom of the Branch. Painting by Edward Hicks, 1826.
Isaiah 11, join me in asking God to give us the joy of Jesus’ own presence and rule: “He rules the world with truth and grace/and makes the nations prove/the glories of his righteousness/and wonders of his love!”
In the grip of God’s grace,
Sean Lucas Senior Pastor
4738 Walnut Grove Road Memphis, Tennessee 38117 901-685-8206 | ipcmemphis.org
Martin C. Shea
Christmas Music
and Services 32nd Annual Christmas Service
of Lessons & Carols Saturday, December 5 | 4:00 p.m. Sunday, December 6 | 4:00 & 6:00 p.m. Adult Choir, Junior High Choir, and Senior High Choir with members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra
Family Christmas Carol Sing Sunday, December 13 | Sanctuary | 6:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Family Service
Thursday, December 24 | Fellowship Hall | 4:00 p.m.
Christmas Eve Communion Service Thursday, December 24 | Sanctuary | 5:30 & 8:00 p.m.
Christmas Food Basket Fund Cards Please help feed families in need.
$50
Cards can be purchased for in someone’s name to honor or memorialize them for Christmas. Available online at ipcmemphis.org or at church on Sunday. Sample Honorarium Christmas Card (5”x7”)
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All for Love’s Sake Sean Lucas
W
“A Little Child Will Lead Them” Sean Lucas
(Isaiah 11)
“No Justice! No Peace!” That was the chant that was heard across our nation this summer. As men and women, rich and poor, black, brown, and white marched, that was their cry. “No Justice! No Peace!” In a sense, they were right. The Bible tells us this. When Isaiah challenges the wicked political rulers, he accuses, “The way of peace they do not know; there is no justice in their paths” (Isa 59:8). Peace and justice are paralleled here: those who do not know the way of peace (shalom) are those who do not “do justice” toward others. 2
when God’s salvation comes, justice and peace will embrace: “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness (or justice) and peace kiss each other” (Psa 85:11). That word translated “righteousness,” Old Testament scholar J. Alec Motyer observes, has the idea of being “right with God and therefore
Illustration by Richard Westall, The Peaceable Kingdom of the Branch.
In the Psalms, we find that
This child, this Branch from David’s line, this Branch, this Messiah, this King, this Jesus— he will and does lead us. He came to bring justice and peace to his earth.
committed to putting right all other
And all will be the way it ought to
relationships in life.” That is what justice entails—and when
be on earth. That’s what shalom means, and that’s what is
we are right with each other, when we are just, peace results.
pictured in Isaiah 11:6-9. Natural enemies — wolves and
Who is it that will cause justice and peace to embrace?
lambs, leopards and goats, calves and lions, cows and bears
Who is it that will bring justice to his world, cause us to live
— no longer fear each other. In fact, they live together in
justly with each other, and so bring about peace on earth?
peace; they lie down together and rest. The reptile that
Isaiah looked forward to him. Having just prophesied
stands in for the dark power — the serpent, the cobra, the
that Israel (Isa 6) and Assyria (Isa 10) would be cut down like
viper — no longer can do any harm to Eve’s offspring. The
a forest whose trees have been cleared, Isaiah declares, “A
divine word comes: “They will neither harm nor destroy on
shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse” (11:1). It looked
all my holy mountain” (11:9).
as though the line of David might come to an end — but now, new life springs forth! “From his roots a Branch will bear fruit!” (11:1). Earlier Isaiah had spoken of this Branch: “In that day
Why? How? From where did this peace, this flourishing and wholeness, this healing of harms, come? The Branch, the promised King in David’s line. He brings justice and peace to his world. He causes “the earth to be
the Branch of the Lord will be beautiful and glorious” (4:2).
filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the
He will cleanse God’s people, shelter them on Mount Zion,
sea” (11:9).
cover them with his glory. Now, in Isaiah 11, we discover that
Look more closely at this Branch. Who is he? What is he?
this descendant from David’s royal line will have the fullness
“A little child will lead them” (11:6). He comes as a child,
of God’s Spirit resting upon him (11:2). The seven-fold
as an infant, the one promised so long ago to Eve. The child
description of the Spirit suggests that this Davidic King is
pictured in the Child of Promise, Isaac. The one longed for,
completely endowed with the Spirit.
begged for by Hannah. The one who was foreshadowed in
What does the Branch do? He judges. Isaiah 11:3-5 makes this clear. Everything here has to do with judgment, justice, righteousness — it is not simply spiritual, but also material; not merely future, but also present: He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
the baby named alternatively Solomon (Prince of Peace) and Jedidiah (Beloved of the Lord). He comes as the child promised to Mary: “You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you are to call him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most
or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with
High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his father
righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will
David, and he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever; his
give decisions for the poor of the earth. He will strike
kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31-33).
the earth with the rod his mouth; with the breath of his
This child, this Branch from David’s line, this Branch,
lips he will slay the wicked. Righteousness will be his belt
this Messiah, this King, this Jesus — he will and does lead
and faithfulness the sash around his waist.
us. He came to bring justice and peace to his earth. And in
When this Branch comes, full of God’s Spirit, he will
knowing and following Jesus, God’s people might know and
bring justice to his world. He will be right, do right, judge rightly. He will care for the needy and the poor of the earth.
do justice and so know peace. All references are from the NIV.
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It began with a tree BY ANNIE HOWARD
I
n the Garden of Eden, the world was the way it ought
was elected moderator for the 46th PCA General Assembly. He is
to be: perfectly just, aligned with God’s own righteous
also a published author, with his most recent book, The Beautiful
character. Adam and Eve lived in harmony with God,
Community, released earlier this year.
his creation, and one another. But on the day they ate the fruit
The Rev. Garcia comes to IPC from Puerto Rico. Originally
from the Forbidden Tree, that harmony was shattered. The Fall
from Houston, TX, Garcia spent the past decade planting PCA
represented “the first injustice toward
churches in San Juan, Puerto Rico. His
God and others,” says Dr. Sean Lucas,
initial plant, Iglesia La Travesia, was the
IPC’s senior pastor. God’s world and
first PCA church on the island. To date, he
creatures turned from his law toward
has planted two additional churches, one
lawlessness.
of which is in its early stages; the other, Trinity Church, was planted by Iglesia La
We may long for Eden, but today, we live in its negative image: a place of
Travesia. The two often minister to San Juan
suffering, loss, and poverty. What does
side-by-side as sister churches. Trinity is
God’s justice look like in an unjust world?
where Garcia currently serves as pastor.
IPC’s 2021 Missions Conference, titled
Dr. Irwyn Ince
God’s Beautiful Community, will ask this
experiences, what they have learned
Biblical question and find that only the
caring for the vulnerable within their own
Gospel of God’s grace and mercy makes
communities, and how the church can
us just and allows us to “do justice, seek
approach its own area’s needs within the
mercy, and walk humbly with God” with
framework of Biblical mercy and justice.
one another and in our city.
In addition, IPC will hear from our various
From February 17-21, IPC will
ministry partners in our city through whom
welcome two guest speakers: Dr. Irwyn
we seek to do this kind of ministry for God’s
Ince and the Rev. Ronnie Garcia. Both have vibrant missions backgrounds.
The Rev. Ronnie Garcia
glory. No matter the country, we all minister
Dr. Ince, a pastor with Grace DC Presbyterian Church in
to a hurting world. Injustices — symptoms of the Fall, from
Washington, DC, also directs the Grace DC Institute for
poverty to crime — persist everywhere. But before we begin to
Cross-Cultural Mission, which trains organizations and church
heal injustice, we have to get our bearings.
leaders for cross-cultural ministry and outreach. In 2018, Ince
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Ince and Garcia will discuss their
What does the Bible say about justice?
Memphis Athletic Ministries Often when we think about justice, we think in legal categories. “Legal justice is when someone violates a law and there’s punishment to restore order,” Lucas says. But there is more to it. Legal justice is one piece of the larger Biblical picture. Ultimately, justice involves restoration: a setting back to rights so that human beings might be whole and flourish once again. “Biblically speaking, justice and righteousness are actually synonyms. Often, our Bibles take the Hebrew and Greek words that could be translated ‘justice,’ and translate them as ‘righteousness’ instead,” says Lucas. “If you think about it in those terms, justice really has to do with the way things ought to be, the way things are when they’re right. So, what is God’s intention for his world, in terms of the way it
Streets Ministries
should look? Lucas points to Eden: in his mercy, God’s grace is restoring the world so that it will ultimately be the way it ought to be. Originally, in Eden, “Adam and Eve were given good work to do and harmony in their relationships.” After the Fall, humankind experienced all sorts of injustice: murder, sexual abuse, violence, poverty, conflict, division. Yet God did not leave the world to its own devices.
“Biblically speaking, justice and righteousness are actually synonyms; often our Bibles take the Hebrew and Greek words that could be translated ‘justice,’ and translate them as ‘righteousness’ instead. If you think about it in those terms, justice really has to do with the way things ought to be; the way things are when they’re right.” Dr. Sean Lucas
Food Baskets
Sin came through a Forbidden Tree; salvation would come through a Branch: a “shoot from the stump of Jesse,” as Isaiah names Jesus. He came to restore that which was lost in the Fall. How did Jesus do this? By uniting God’s justice with his mercy. “We tend to think of justice and mercy opposite each other. But actually, biblically speaking, they go together — most obviously on the cross of Jesus Christ,” says Lucas. “At the cross, the justice of God and the mercy of God embrace.” Jesus reconciled humanity’s fractured relationship with
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God. And his restoration of justice was not only vertical; it was
When we actively embrace our local community, we learn
horizontal. According to Isaiah 11:4, the Messiah will show justice
its needs intimately — and can more effectively address them.
to the vulnerable: “...With righteousness he will judge the needy,
For example, in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria, Garcia’s
with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.” This
church discussed ways to aid a demographic heavily impacted
verse was fulfilled during Christ’s time on earth; he frequently
by the storm.
ministered to the needy, the overlooked, and the poor. In this light, mercy becomes an expression of justice.
“Very locally, one conversation we’re having is...about a squatter community we’ve adopted. [Squatters] don’t own titles
Poverty, inequality, violence,
to their land, and when you
sexual abuse are all
don’t own titles to your land,
products of the Fall; Christ
at any point, the government
sends his people into the
can take it from you, even if
world to address them as
it’s been in your family for
his agents through whom
100 years,” he says. “After
he is setting the world to
the storm, a lot of these
rights again.
communities didn’t have access to FEMA resources
“Jesus loves the quartet of the vulnerable—
that the ordinary person
the widow, the orphan, the
would. Because they don’t
stranger, the poor, and he
have a title for their land,
calls us to love the same
they can’t prove that they
people in the same way,” says Lucas.
Neighborhood Christian Centers
on their heels.”
Trinity Church and Iglesia have been considering setting up
So how does all this inform missions? The church, like Christ, can be an instrument of God’s justice: extending mercy to those trapped in a broken
an advocacy system for the community. “It’s about baptizing and redeeming our imagination about
environment. The scale of injustice is daunting on a global
what it means to sacrificially love the other and set them up for
level, but there is always one place to begin the work: our own
success,” he says. Garcia has often ministered to marginalized communities
neighborhood. “The church is always local, right?” says Garcia. “That’s the
and works in an area of socioeconomic diversity. He notes that
beauty of it; it’s always a local expression. The church is always in
it takes intentional effort to understand the circumstances of
a neighborhood, seeking the flourishing of the place in which
poverty. “It’s complex,” he says. “Most people only think about
it resides.”
Agape
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have land, so they’re already
RUF
A Way Out
Palmer Home
material poverty, but there’s also spiritual and social and educational poverty. If you don’t understand the whole person, then actually, you run the risk of hurting people [when you try to help.] One of the things
“One of the things I’ve really appreciated is the book When Helping Hurts...It’s saying, ‘Listen, if you just throw money at this, you can create toxic circumstances to keep people in the dungeons of their own poverty.’” The Rev. Ronnie Garcia
I’ve really appreciated is the book When Helping Hurts...It’s
I’m focused on a podcast, and a gentleman in a wheelchair in front of a building, he stops me. I ask him what help he needs, and he asks me if I will take the wheelchair up to the second floor, walk the wheelchair to the second floor. He
wants to walk up, make it up the steps himself.” Ince helped out, made sure the man was all right, and they
saying, ‘Listen, if you just throw money at this, you can create toxic circumstances to keep people in the dungeons of their own
went their separate ways. But his immediate reaction stuck
poverty. There’s no shortcut. You have to do the gritty work of
with him. “My first thought was, ‘You’re interrupting my plans and
being in deep relationships with people who are not like you.’” Reaching out to others like this can be uncomfortable. Their
my life,’” he says, with a wry laugh. “Under that conviction,
experiences might differ from our own. But the effort is vital,
there’s something I need to learn about dignity from this fellow
even if it doesn’t always feel natural.
image-bearer. We have to focus on having our heart shaped and
Division from one another is yet another fracture caused by the Fall. To restore justice, we have to reach across that line.
formed by that embrace of people who are different… It’s not something that we’re going to drift into.” IPC has strong relations with ministry partners throughout
“Anytime I encounter another human being, regardless of background, ethnicity, ability, or age, I’m coming in contact with
Memphis, ones nurtured over many years. Piece by piece, we
royalty: someone made in the image of God. It’s so easy to forget
can build bridges over the divides in our community — whether
and neglect that,” says Ince. “What ways do we extend an arm of
through volunteering, giving, or even in our everyday interactions.
resistance instead of an embrace — not necessarily intentionally,
From our individual steps, beautiful community begins to form. “I like the way Rosaria Butterfield puts it in her new book,
but by default? What kinds of discomforts are we willing to embrace for the sake of love across difference, in Jesus’ name? “Even today, I had an experience where I had to reset,” he continues. “I went on a walk to the store; it’s about a mile away. On the way back I’ve got my earbuds in,
The Gospel Comes with a House Key,” says Ince. “She says, ‘We
“Anytime I encounter another human being, regardless of background, ethnicity, ability, or age, I’m coming in contact with royalty: someone made in the image of God.” Dr. Irwyn Ince
want to see strangers become friends, friends become neighbors, neighbors become family.’” Though we won’t experience the final restoration of Eden until Christ returns, we can still be at work here in Memphis. As we pursue mercy and justice now, Ince observes, we will “see those fractures and divides healed and reconciled in Jesus, for the formation of beautiful community, unity, and diversity.”
Arise2Read — White Station Elementary School
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IPC Missions Conference 2021 February 17 - 21
Join us in exploring God’s Word on the theme of “God’s Beautiful Community.” As we hear from the Reverends Irwyn Ince and Ronnie Garcia and engage with our key local ministry partners, we long to be shaped as a people who “do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with God” (Micah 6:8).
Independent Presbyterian Church Ministry Partners in the Memphis Area A Way Out Ministries Advance Memphis Agape Child and Family Services Arise2Read Center for Religious Expression Child Evangelism Fellowship Church Health Center
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Food Baskets Life Choices Memphis Athletic Ministries Memphis Union Mission Neighborhood Christian Centers Palmer Home for Children
RUF (Reformed University Fellowship) SOS (Service Over Self) Streets Ministries Su Casa Family Ministries White Station Elementary School Youth Striving for Excellence
Navigating Ministry During
Covid Times By Maryanna Story
Think back to Sunday, March 15. People gathered at Independent Presbyterian Church for morning worship, Sunday School, and Sunday Evening Praise. The sanctuary rang with the sounds of a singing congregation led by a full choir behind the pulpit. Friends waved cheerfully then scooted into the pew together, exchanging hugs and handshakes. At evening worship, the liturgy included time for “Passing the Peace” and greeting those around you. The back of the bulletin listed 27 different upcoming events. Reports of the novel coronavirus were growing around the world, but it was not until the following week that COVID-19 began to significantly affect daily life at our church.
On March 18, with the number of local coronavirus cases increasing, health departments issuing directives against large gatherings, and the mayors of Memphis and Shelby County closing non-essential businesses, IPC moved to exclusively online worship services, and staff moved home to work. What many thought might be a two-week break turned into a pandemic. Although our staff returned to the office May 4, church services did not reopen until May 31, and in-person Sunday school classes (with capacity limits) not until September 16. It is now November and IPC is still riding out the storm. Contemplating the past eight months, what has ministry looked like in a time of COVID? “Presbyterians are used to what I call the Eleventh
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Commandment: We have never done it this way; we have always
space with room for social distancing. IPC also adjusted how
done it that way,” chuckles Senior Pastor Sean Lucas. “We have
communion is served, and a team of deacons helps our operations
had to basically change how we do everything just to deliver the
staff clean the facility between services every Sunday. Hospitality
same thing.”
Consultant Leigh Fox and the kitchen staff reworked the way food is served for Wednesday night dinner, which returned October 7.
Lucas reflects, “Initially, we had to work through as a staff both the logistics and the sad emotion of shutting stuff down that
Plans and Protocol
we had been working on for months. There has been tremendous challenge along the way, but there has been remarkable creativity.”
“From the very beginning of the pandemic, senior staff began working on plans to return,” says Executive Pastor Robert
Adapting Firm Foundations
Browning, who was tasked with leading plans for IPC to continue
Within the first week, the entire ministry staff had accounts
operating within government guidelines. “We didn’t know when we
on Zoom, YouTube, or other social media venues. Ben Ervin, IPC
could do it, but we were committed to coming up with a phased
Audio Visual Coordinator, purchased webcams for communities
approach that allowed us to bring people back in a safe way.
to connect online. Thankfully, two years ago, Ervin led the project
We sought to honor governmental authorities and respect their
to redo the IT infrastructure at IPC. “That was a clear place where
guidance, even when
God went before us,” says Lucas. “If we had not had that IT
they said they weren’t
infrastructure in place before this, we would not have been able to
going to regulate
do anything, especially with people working remotely.”
places of worship. We adopted occupancy
Prior to the shutdown, Sunday services were already streaming on YouTube, and the chapel served as an overflow room.
restrictions and used
The fellowship hall has been added as a family-friendly streaming
conservative numbers
“We didn’t know when we could do it but we were committed to coming up with a phased approach that allowed us to bring people back in a safe way.” The Rev. Robert Browning
COVID TIME LINE MARCH 17 Sean’s letter announcing effective March 17 IPC suspending through April 11 all activities & events except for Sunday morning worship l
Sundays: Nursery, Sunday school, Choir Rehearsals, Student Ministry, Sunday Evening Praise, Four Corners Wednesdays: Dinner, Grace Groups, Grief Share, Student Ministry, Large Group Teaching, Choir Rehearsals, Children’s BLAST!, Pre-Elementary Music, Nursery, and Scouts Tuesdays & Thursdays: Women’s Bible Study (morning & evening), Men’s In The Word Bible Study, Men’s Prayer Breakfast, Knitting Ministry, Women’s Book Club In addition: Bookstore, IPC Ballet, Gym, Youth Sports, Senior Adult Exercise, Pickleball
10 l CANCELLED
l IPC Campus
is shut down
l Children’s
l Phone Trees
implemented for Mature Adult Plan & FAQ Communities – developed and March 19 communicated – l C.S. Lewis March 18 Biographer l Tech-Savvy Team Harry Lee Poe – assembled to help March 19 members needing IT assistance at home– March 19
Ministry Resources web page offering family discipleship materials
l COVID Emergency
l Sunday
School meeting/ teaching with Zoom, YouTube, Instagram TV
l Daily Guide
Devotions – March 23-May 18
l IN-PERSON CANCELLED, LIVESTREAM ONLY l ADDED OR ADAPTED WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS
when estimating how many we could have per room. “We sought to utilize larger spaces with high ceilings and maximum ventilation. We kept up with CDC, local health department guidelines, and task force briefings on a daily basis as we formulated our return-tocampus plan. We increased our communication efforts and sought to use all
Engaging Covenant Kids
available media to keep the congregation informed of our efforts and plans.”
Children have been exploring a variety of fun, non-vocal,
Indeed, much about the way we worship had to change to
music-making activities during “That Thing” on Wednesday
meet safety guidelines. From the beginning when only ten people
evenings. On Wednesdays and Sundays, Junior and Senior High
were allowed in the sanctuary until now, Director of Worship and
Choirs rotate through several musical activities, including guitar,
Music Ministries James Brown has done a masterful job creatively
percussion, handbells, and vocal technique. The Music Ministry
leading our congregation in worship. He and Jennifer Velázquez,
team has been delighted to see choir members of all ages adapt
Associate Director of Worship and Music Ministries, have made
to changes, demonstrating a continued desire to develop and use
adjustments in everything from choir size and spaced seating
their gifts serving IPC.
to music selection and including hymnal texts in the worship
Faces of all ages also connected virtually from March to
bulletin. Adult choir has moved from the basement to the spacious
May. Leading up to Easter, the Children’s Ministry had daily video
sanctuary for rehearsals on Wednesday night. They may be few
lessons on the Resurrection Eggs. Then they started Zoom calls
in number, but they are aided by the enhancing acoustics of the
with lessons and games for fifth graders down to two-year-olds.
sanctuary’s slate flooring!
l Weddings,
Funerals
“We would say, ‘Go find your favorite stuffed animal and
l NCC
l Children’s BLAST!
Parties – March 28
l 99 Balloons
rEcess – April 3, May 1 l Baptist Hospital
l WOC Spring
Conference with Paige Benton Brown – March 27-28
& Neighborhood Christian Centers Face Mask Ministries – April 1
l IPC Scouts
Blue & Gold Banquet – April 7
Mobile Pantry – April 17
l Good Friday
Service – April 10
l Easter Sunday –
April 12 l Lamentations Sermon
Series – April 19-May 17 l Easter Eve
l Palm Sunday Music
Program Rejoice in the Lord! – April 5
l Maundy
Thursday Communion Service – April 9
Concert with Sara Groves – April 11
l Tenent Community
Parade of Thanksgiving for Hospital Health Care Workers – April 16
l Junior High Choir
Commissioning Concert – April 21 11
let’s have story time together,’” laughs Lucy Green, Director of Children’s Ministry. “That was just hilarious. It was really cute and well-attended.” Though this summer did not have Camp Palmer or Vacation Bible School, the Children’s Ministry offered opportunities to be involved. They had drive-through popsicle parades, a dunk tank, swim parties, Christmas-in-July, and a miniature version of VBS. Green credits her assistant, Rachel Wukasch, plus their two summer interns, Kate Yelverton and Anne Cater, as huge helpers in planning events that could be safe and socially distant while still being fun. IPC was sad to see Rachel leave the staff in August when she moved to St. Louis to start Covenant Seminary, but
disappointing, and our youth staff had to restructure what summer
grateful to have Rebekah Johnson step in as interim. Nursery,
would look like both for students and the five summer interns already hired.
Sunday school, and Wednesday
“We had to think about what we could offer interns with no
night activities
trips and our restrictions on activities,” says Brad Robson, Pastor
are back now with
of Student Ministries. “We had already made them an offer, so
limited capacity,
we decided to move forward with the internships if they were still
and the children
willing to come. Thankfully, they all came and did an incredible
have events
job relating to both staff and students in a summer where we had
planned, including
more contact work opportunities than ever with most camps and
a service project
trips cancelled.” Interns Sam Johnson, Patrick Bray, Johnathan Huff, Rachel
assembling
Madden, and Abbay Kellum served our students under full-time
Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes.
staff Robson, Stephen and Mary Virginia Felker, and Maryanna
In March, our student ministry for grades 6-12 was quick to transition online with four programs through Google Classroom:
Story. Student Ministry connected using four tactics: summer
daily devotionals on YouTube, Sunday school videos, movie
discipleship, contact work, Wednesdays on the Lawn, and Summer
night hangouts over Zoom, and Zoom small groups on Sundays.
Sunday Testimonies. More than 25 students also signed up to
News of the Edge and RYM being cancelled was enormously
meet individually with a staff member to read a book together
COVID TIME LINE
l Dr. John Dunlop
“Wellness to the Glory of God” Seminar – April 25
l Women’s
Spring Dinner with Mitch Maher – April 28
l IPC Ballet
l Senior High Recognition
Luncheon – April 26 l Junior High Choir
Spring Trip – April 24-26
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Downtown Memphis History Tour
Weekend – May 8-9
of Prayer – May 3
Cookout – May 31
Summer Tour – May 26-June 4
Games and Live Stories in May l Churchwide Day
l College l Senior High Choir
l Children’s Zoom
l Children’s Spring
Program – April 29
l Malone Community
l Pathway Class
Recital – May 2
l Camp Palmer –
May 22-27
l CANCELLED l ADDED OR ADAPTED WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS
l Return to Onsite
Worship – May 31 with protocols
“Overall, we might not have as many programs or trips, but our staff has been able to take time to plan our few events well and has felt encouraged by the relational time spent with students.” The Rev. Brad Robson
group ministries will now become the feeder to our larger Sunday school gathering. With limited spots available on Sunday morning and Wednesday evening, we would miss much of our community if we focused only on these two gatherings.” Browning Community small group Bible studies have also started meeting again. Middle Adult pastor Parker
each week. The biggest hit was Wednesday nights outside by the
Tenent used
gym, which IDK (middle school) and Senior High have continued
Instagram to reach
through the fall. The first IDK Fall Fest was held in early November
his community in
and fall’s Buffalo Retreat has been moved to spring.
the early stages
Even with the coronavirus shifting the way student ministry
of the shutdown.
operates, it has been encouraging for staff, welcoming more than
Tenent says, “We
50 first-time visitors since June. “That has never happened in my
gathered in cars
nine years here,” says Robson. “I think we’ve hit a sweet spot of
to parade around
students enjoying being here, and it’s encouraging seeing them
members’ houses and local hospitals to encourage and affirm
want to bring their friends. This time has forced us to think about
our communities. Isolation is as deadly as the coronavirus can be.
what is important and how we want to spend our time. Overall,
Getting together has been a struggle, and yet Jesus is good, and
we might not have as many programs or trips, but our staff has
we continue to meet wisely.” He notes his ministry has seen a shift
been able to take time to plan our few events well and has felt
from indoors to outdoors, including morning prayer meetings and
encouraged by the relational time spent with students.”
several Saturday nights for Sunday school and fellowship in the courtyard.
Community Connections
IPC Women’s Ministry was in the midst of several popular
Across our adult communities, there also was a desire to
Bible studies and gearing up for two major spring conferences
connect creatively with one another. Robert Browning led Young
that all had to be cancelled when COVID regulations hit. Inching
Adults in Zoom Sunday school and started dinner groups of six to
back to normalcy in July, a four-week Bible study took place in the
eight people meeting once a month. “In the past, our large group
fellowship hall with masks and social distancing required.
seemed to drive participation in our smaller group activities. The
“It was bizarre to have people eight feet apart around tables,
coronavirus has reversed that for us,” says Browning. “Our small
but it was good to be together,” says Lisa Turner, Director of
l Return to l Children’s
l Vacation Bible
Ministry Summer Popsicle Parades l Mission Trips
to Manchester, Puerto Rico, Greece, Tanzania, Scotland, Columbia
Communion – June 14 with protocols
School – June 8-12
l Men’s Prayer
Breakfast – June 30
l College Trip to l College
Six Flags – June 12
l Community
Picnics and Outdoor Bible Studies in July
Drive-In – June 5 l Children’s Ministry “That
Construction Thing” in June l Senior High Choir
Homecoming Concert – June 4
l Junior High at
The Edge – June 15-19
l College Worship Night –
Food and Games – June 26
13
Women’s Ministry. Two Enneagram workshops for women also were held in the fellowship hall. Each had a 50-person limit and sold out. Thankfully, fall Bible studies have started again with Tuesday morning and evening options, plus a Zoom Bible study and a few that meet in homes. The Women’s Ministry page on IPC’s website lists more opportunities to be involved and serve. Mike Malone, who pastors our Mature Adults, transitioned to
being able to visit
Sunday school on YouTube, and still is using that venue to meet
nursing homes
the needs of those who cannot come to church in person. Malone
or hospitals,
notes his ministry shifted from mostly in-person to mostly time
because there
on the phone. “I am a very relational person, and not being able
is nothing
to see people’s faces and shake hands or elbow bump, that is a
like holding
big deal. I don’t know that there is a way to compensate for not
someone’s hand
“I have really tried to encourage my people to call me if they hear of something that has happened or become aware of someone who is struggling. I need eyes and ears.” The Rev. Mike Malone
with family members there and being able to reflect on Scripture with them.” Malone leads a huge community of over four hundred, but he has had help from elders in checking in on people. “I have really tried to encourage my people to call me if they hear of something that has happened or become aware of someone who is struggling. I need eyes and ears.” Now that people are back on campus, between small group meetings and online views, Malone is having a typical crowd interact with his material, just more spread out than before.
COVID TIME LINE
l Senior High l Abridged
Women’s Summer Bible Study in July without nursery l IDK & Senior High
Sunday School & Wednesdays on the Lawn in July 14
RYM Florida – July 6-11
l Senior Fitness
resumes – July 6
l In the Word Men’s
l August Christian
Life Conference no dinner, moved to Sanctuary, livestream options, limited nursery
l Junior High Choir
Trip to Horseshoe Lake – August 15
l Senior High Choir
Trip to Pickwick Lake – August 8
l Women’s
Fall Enneagram Luncheon & Dinner – August 18
l Sunday Evening
Praise resumes – August 16
l CANCELLED l ADDED OR ADAPTED WITH SAFETY PROTOCOLS
Fall Bible Study resumes – August 27
l Women’s Fall Bible
Study resumes – August 25 without nursery
l Covenanters’ Corner
30th Anniversary Reception l Fall 99 Balloons
rEcess cancelled l IPC Volunteers
make home visits
“It encourages me that people are engaging in what we have to offer. The great line in the prayer by Jehosophat in 2 Chronicles is, ‘We don’t know what to do, but our eyes are on you.’ I think it is fine to be sad, especially with everyone in the midst of the
“There has been this remarkable sense of unanimity among our staff. It does not mean that folks aren’t tired, I think our staff is exhausted. But that has not diminished the strong desire to work well with each other and follow the appropriate health and safety guidelines.” Dr. Sean Lucas
coronavirus, but a recurring theme for
Robert Browning echoes his praise. “I cannot say enough about the staff and their dedication on all levels to care for our members and guests. Our operations staff has worked tirelessly to ensure we have a sanitized
environment. Our ministerial staff pushed themselves to the limit
me has been, ‘Don’t let your weeping consume your hope.’”
to remain connected to their communities. Our kitchen staff and
Season to Serve
volunteers trained in new food service protocols.Our diaconate and session approved funds necessary to equip the kitchen for new
The Missions Ministry also has shifted in the time of coronavirus. A slate of short-term trips to Puerto Rico, Manchester,
industry standards. The
Athens, Scotland, Tanzania, and more were all cancelled, providing
entire body of IPC has
the opportunity to focus on local ministries. IPC members
been willing to adjust to
made more than five thousand face masks that were distributed
the demands for which
by Neighborhood Christian Centers early in the quarantine
these times have called,
and assisted with NCC’s food distribution efforts. We joined
and for that we are
neighboring churches Holy Communion and Second Baptist to
extremely thankful.” Think back to
collect nine thousand dollars in donations on Walnut Grove Road for the Memphis Food Bank; and our church has distributed relief
what feels like a lifetime ago, March 15. The morning sermon
funds to help other local ministries.
was titled “God’s Unstoppable Purpose.” Sean Lucas posed the
While the pandemic has been an extraordinary challenge,
timely question before the outbreak’s effects reached Memphis:
the IPC staff has demonstrated ingenuity and passion in working
“Can God’s purpose be thwarted?” The answer, of course, was no.
through it. “There has been this remarkable sense of unanimity
Though our lives have shifted, what Sean preached from
among our staff,” Lucas says. “It does not mean that folks aren’t
Romans 8 has not changed: our pain, sorrow, sufferings, and
tired; I think our staff is exhausted. But that has not diminished
anxieties cannot win. IPC is grateful that even in this time of
the strong desire to work well with each other and follow the
reimagining ministry, we have seen God continue to show us his
appropriate health and safety guidelines.”
kindness and renew our joy as we serve him.
l Choir Rehearsals
l Coffee Served
return with safety protocols
Again – September 13
l Phased-in
Nursery & Childcare – September 13
Memphis moved to IPC
l Sunday Evening Praise
Outdoors – September 13 & October 4
l Sunday School
returns with capacity limits – September 13
l Trunk-or-Treat–
l Divorce Care
l Fall RUF
l Sunday
l Wednesday
Night “That Thing” for Kids – September 16
October 31 Funday – October 4
l Fall Fest &
Family Picnic l Wednesday Night
l Wednesday Night
Activities reimagined – September 16
Dinner “safely served” again – October 7
l Israel 2020 trip
led by Mike Malone – October 13-23 l Junior High
Buffalo Retreat (moved to spring) 15
Starts February 2 Faith by Paul David Tripp
BIBLE STUDY SPRING 2021
We serve an awesome, sovereign God who loves us dearly; there is no greater act than to live for Him by faith.
STARTS FEBRUARY 21
Morning groups 10:00-11:30 a.m.
Thursdays 6:30 -7:30 a.m.
Evening group
Taught by Dr. Sean Lucas
6:00-7:30 p.m.
ipcmemphis.org
Register online at
ipcmemphis.org For more information, email Beth Clark, bclark@ipcmemphis.org
All Ages | Fellowship Hall | Coffee Provided I N D E P E N D E N T
P R E S B Y T E R I A N
C H U R C H
Download the IPC app!
Go to the Apple App Store or Google Play, search for “Independent Presbyterian,” and download app to your phone or tablet.
____________ Features include: Membership Directory* Access to Sermons Event Calendar Registration Fast Pass Check-In
____________ Download instructions at ipcmemphis.org
* Directory is available only to IPC members. For help uploading your individual or family photo, email Jan Conder, jconder@ipcmemphis.org. 16
April 21, 24, 25 Building Intergenerational Relationships Through
Men’s Ministry and Competition
GOLF • CYCLING • COOKING • SHOOTING RUNNING & MORE SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE
O come, all ye faithful!
MENTION THIS AD FOR A ONE-TIME
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ENTIRE GIFT PURCHASE
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We offer curbside pickup by calling 901-763-3932 and Complimentary Gift Wrap BOOKSTORE HOURS: Sunday 9:30– 11:00 a.m. | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. | Closed Friday and Saturday ipcmemphis.org/resources/ipc-bookstore | 901-763-3932 | covenant@ipcmemphis.org The bookstore will be closed December 24-January 1.
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Dated Material — Please Expedite
Christmas at
Independent! December
3 Women’s Ministry Decorates the Church 5, 6 32nd Annual Christmas Service of Lessons & Carols
12 13 20 20 24 &
Saturday 4:00 p.m. | Sunday 4:00 & 6:00 p.m. Deadline for purchasing Food Basket Fund Cards for families in need (details on page 1) Family Christmas Carol Sing | 6:00 p.m. Children’s Sunday School Parties PreK-5th grade Gingerbread Contest 4th & 5th Graders | 5:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Services | 4:00, 5:30 & 8:00 p.m. Community Parties (safely done) and Christmas Shopping at Covenanters’ Corner Bookstore
The church offices will be closed November 26, 27; December 24, 25, 26, 31, and January 1.
It’s the most wonderful time of 2020!