THE
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A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR IPC FAMILIES B Y C AT H E R I N E G O UDR E AU, DIR E CTOR OF FAMILY MINIST RIES AND T HE CHIL DREN’S F RESH AIR FARM
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any of us think about the beginning of the year as a time of change. For our Family Ministry staff that has certainly been true! In January we welcomed Cammie Ashworth as our Director of Youth Ministries. Cammie jumped right in, and on her second day we departed with 21 youth and six adults for our winter retreat in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The youth had a wonderful time growing in their faith and deepening their relationships with God and one another. We are all looking forward to Cammie’s long, life-giving ministry here at IPC. Cammie makes up a third of our dynamic youth team. We are also fortunate to have our beloved intern, Grace Daniels, who joined us last summer, as well as Susan Dukes, who has faithfully supported the youth ministry as both a parent and a staff member for many years. Susan now serves as our Youth Ministry Program Coordinator. The new year also brought about exciting changes in our Children’s Ministries department. Emma Stewart was named Director of Children’s Ministries.
NE W CHIL DREN'S MINIST RIES T EAM: (CLOCKW ISE F ROM T OP L EF T ): CAT HERINE GOUDREAU, KENYA GL ASCO, BET H MIDDLET ON, EMMA ST EWART, MAEGAN MCR OBERT S, AND ROL L INS T HORPE. NOT PI CT URED: ENID AT HANAS
NEW YOUT H MINIST RIES T E A M : (CL OCKW ISE F ROM T OP L EFT): SU SA N DUKES, CAT HERINE GOUDR EA U , CAMMIE ASHW ORT H, AND GRA C E DANIEL S.
Emma brings creativity, enthusiasm, and passion to our team and has lots of exciting ideas for growing our programming for children. Joining Emma are Rollins
Thorpe as our new Assistant Director of Children’s Ministries and Maegan McRoberts as Director of Catechesis. You will likely recognize these familiar faces, as
FEATURING
FEATURING
WORSHIP
SERVE
Weekend Buddy Bags PG 6
Discernment Committee PG 7
New Wednesday Chapel Service During Lent PG 5
Join IPC's Guild PG 5
3 1 0 0 H I G H L A N D AV E N U E | B I R M I N G H A M , A L 3 5 2 0 5 | 2 0 5 - 9 3 3 - 1 8 3 0 | I P C - U S A . O R G
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CO NT I N U ED ON PG 4
UPCOMING
events See complete calendar online including details and updates: ipc-usa.org > connect
MARCH 1 3 2 6
Pancake Supper, 5:30 pm, Great Hall Recycling #5 Plastics begins Ash Wednesday Services, Noon & 6:30 pm First Sunday of Lent Extended Atrium (Levels II & III), 10 am-Noon
6-April 10 Cookies in the Courtyard, see pg. 5 9-April 13 Lenten Chapel & Lunch, see pg. 5 13 Youth Sunday, all services
Daylight saving time begins 20 Children's Musical, Sanctuary, 10 am Choral Evensong, Sanctuary, 4 pm Ordination and Installation of Rev. David Seamon, 5 pm 21 Easter Lily Memorial Deadline, envelope enclosed 24 IPC Connect Wine Tasting, 5:30 pm, Cantley & Company 27 Sabbath Sunday, no Youth or Children's Sunday School, childcare available 28-April 1 Day School Closed for Spring Break
APRIL 6
Youth First Wednesday Fellowship, 5:30-7:30 pm, Highland Hall
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Parent Cocktails, 6-7:30 pm, Clubhouse on Highland
10 Palm Sunday, all services Palm Parade (Toddler Atrium & Level I), 10 am Fauré's Requiem Concert, 4 pm, Sanctuary Youth Top Golf, 2 pm
F R O M D E AT H T O L I F E Dear IPC Friends, Lent is the forty-day period, not including Sundays, leading up to Easter and is the perfect time to get back involved at IPC. Part of the purpose of Ash Wednesday, which kicks off the season of Lent, is to help us remember that we are but creatures whose earthly lives will at some point come to an end. Death is a reality for all of us, and one of the reasons we remind ourselves of this each Lent is so we can learn to hold loosely to the things of this world, including our own lives and those we love, since we are going to have to let go of them all at some point anyway. They are but temporary gifts that we cannot hold on to forever. Only when we entrust them into the Savior’s hands can we truly be free to enjoy them as the gifts they were meant to be and not turn them into idols. Of course, the good news about Lent is that it does not end with Friday and the cross. It carries us right into Easter, where we are reminded that death is not the end of our story, that we have a God who has conquered the power of death in our lives. God is even able to bring new life where there only appears to be hopelessness and death. Our Lenten sermon series is going to be on this theme, From Death to Life, as we look at passages in the Bible where God took dead-end situations and brought forth new life that no one could have imagined. The amazing thing is that God continues to do that in our lives even now. Of course, it is when the body of Christ is gathered together that the Savior does his best work. I hope that you will make it a priority to come to worship and take part in discipleship and fellowship opportunities during Lent so that, together, we might draw closer to the Savior, who alone can give us life. In Christ,
13 Seder, 6 pm, Great Hall
14 Maundy Thursday Worship Service, 7 pm, Sanctuary 15 Good Friday Worship Service, noon, Sanctuary Church Offices Close at Noon Day School Closed 16 Children's Egg Hunt, 9-11 am, Highland Hall 17 Easter Sunday Services, 8, 9:30 & 11 am in Sanctuary and at 5 pm in Highland Hall 18 Easter Monday, Church Offices Closed 2 | L E N T 2 0 22
Beer & Hymns, 6 pm, The Grill at Iron City 18-24 Serve at First Light
24 Graduate Sunday, 11 am Worship Service with luncheon to follow for graduates
Rev. Kevin J. Long IPC Pastor Prayerfully participate in IPC’s Prayerwell Prayer requests will be displayed in the church stairwell (now temporarily the "Prayerwell") as a way to visually represent those who have touched our lives. To have a name displayed in the Prayerwell, submit first name only in the wooden box at the front desk. Receive Daily Devotions from IPC Subscribe to be emailed daily Lent devotions incorporating scripture, prayers, and reflections.
welcome
TO
IPC
2021 CONFIRMANDS
A Warm Welcome to IPC's Community of Faith
Sylvia and Jon Edwards New Members
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Sarah Young Allen Ann Massey Bowman Sara Katherine Bowman Mary Jane Bussian Sydney Ann Clark Spencer Anne Cobbs Laura Elizabeth Donovan Mary Richard Elkus Laden Margaret Falls Addison Grace Hardee Margaret Hartwell Higgins Calliope Lane Hontzas Thomas Tyler James Richard Hood Kinsaul, Jr.
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James Owen Kracke Jessica Francis Long William Steel Mather Andrew Lindstrom Murphree William Brantley Powell Margaret McClain Robinson Samuel Bernard Steiner Bart Alexander Holbrook Stephens Temperance Ruffner Stokes Stephen Christopher Tribble Olivia Ann Vanlandingham John Bailey Walthall Reed Thomas Warburton, Jr.
The Window is a quarterly publication of Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue South. The Window is published for church members and friends.
JOINING IPC
THE 2021 CONF IRMANDS PRESENT ED AT T HE NOV. 14 W ORSHIP SERV IC E
If you are new to IPC or considering a new church home, we would be delighted for you to contact us.
Cindy Shaw Assistant Engagement and Assimilation Coordinator 205-933-3696 | cshaw@ipc-usa.org
REBECCA AND REV. KEVIN L ONG RECENT LY HOST ED NEW MEMBERS FO R A DINNER AT T HEIR HOME
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Stacy Pulliam Engagement and Assimilation Coordinator 205-933-3690 | spulliam@ipc-usa.org
CH U RCH L IFE
C O NTIN U E D FROM COVER
dates
SAVE THE
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they have been long-time members and faithful volunteers in Children’s Ministries. Another familiar face you will likely recognize (and love) is Beth Middleton. Miss Beth is our new Children’s Ministry Program Coordinator while continuing her work as Assistant Director of Music. Enid Athanas continues her work as Assistant Director of Catechesis and Kenya Glasco as Nursery Coordinator. My role at IPC also changed a bit at the beginning of the year, as I am now serving as Director of Family Ministries and the Children’s Fresh Air Farm. I have the privilege of working with this incredible team and helping to ensure we are loving and serving families well here at IPC and through Community Ministries and the Farm. We have so much to look forward to in the coming months in Family Ministry. You won’t want to miss church the morning of March 13 as our youth lead us in worship and our high school seniors share what are always deeply meaningful sermons. We are also planning to have a guest speaker join us later this year for an event focused on parenting youth. This summer will be a “splash” with our Summer Splash Kick-off ( June 1), Vacation Bible School (May 23-26), Bibletimes Marketplace ( June 6-10), Montreat High School Conference ( July 10-16), Montreat Middle School Conference ( July 20-24), and our Summer Wrap-Up Pool Party at the Farm (August 3.) We hope you will join us for one or many of these exciting events and that you will be in prayer for these growing ministries.
IPC CHILDREN'S CHOIR ON CHRISTMAS EVE AT THE NOON NATIVITY SERVICE IN THE SANCTUARY
IPC YOUTH IN GATLINBURG, TENNESSEE, FOR THE ANNUAL WINTER RETREAT
Y O U T H & C H I L D R E N : S U M M E R AT I P C May 23-26 June 1 June 6-10 July 10-16 July 20-24 Aug 3
Vacation Bible School (registration opens Feb. 28 for members) Summer Splash Kick-off at the Farm Bibletimes Marketplace (registration opens Feb. 28 for members) Montreat High School Conference Montreat Middle School Conference Summer Wrap-Up Pool Party at the Farm
N E W O N W E D N E S D AY S
PALM CROSSES ARE MADE EACH YEAR BY THE GUILD FOR PALM SUNDAY
GLORIFYING GOD
Join IPC's Guild IPC's Guild was authorized by the Session in 1940 to perform duties associated with the care of the Sanctuary and its worship and sacred services. True to its mission, the Guild members still work today behind the scenes to arrange sanctuary flowers; bake bread and set up for Communion; schedule acolytes; serve as hostesses for weddings, funerals, and baptisms; make palm crosses for Palm Sunday; decorate the Chrismon tree, and serve as hostesses for events such as the Holiday House tour.
Lenten Chapel & Lunch
During the Lenten season, join us for a noonday Chapel service followed by lunch in the Great Hall. Please look in upcoming issues of the eUpdate to find the link to register and pay for your lunch. IPC's Kitchen will continue to offer weekly curbside dinners during Lent for pickup each Wednesday at 5:30 pm, however, options will be limited to soups and casseroles.
Duties and Responsibilities Members are expected to serve on at least two committees and attend at least four of the eight monthly meetings on second Mondays at 11 am. They also agree to a five-year commitment, which can be renewed for a total active term served of 10 years. How to Join Simply complete the Guild Interest Form. You can find printed forms near the elevator on the main level of the church and an online form is available at ipc-usa.org/connect.
N E W O N S U N D AY S
Honor the memory of your loved ones by making an Easter Memorial donation in their name(s). Your contribution provides lilies and greenery to be displayed in the Sanctuary and at Highland Hall for IPC’s Easter Services, and the names of your loved ones will be printed in IPC's Easter worship bulletin. To ensure that the names of loved ones are included in the bulletin, please use the enclosed envelope to submit your contribution to the church by March 21.
Join us in the Courtyard after the 11 am worship service each Sunday during Lenten season for cookies and punch. We hope this will be an opportunity for you to reconnect and find fellowship at IPC.
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E A S T E R L I LY M E M O R I A L S
Cookies in the Courtyard
MISSIO N
NEW FROM COMMUNITY MINISTRIES: WEEKEND BUDDY BAGS B Y PA M M C L E A N , H UNGE R AND FOOD INS E CUR ITY SUB-COMMIT T EE MEMBER, AND EVELYN PUCKET T, IPC SOCIAL SERV I C E S C O O R D I N ATOR
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unger never takes the weekend off. Imagine being six years old, achingly hungry, and knowing your next meal may not come for days. While children at Hayes K-8 School get breakfast and lunch when school is in session, there is no weekend food program for children in the Birmingham City Schools. This is where the members of IPC can make a difference. Through donating food, helping pack the bags, and helping deliver the bags to the school, we can make sure that hungry children in our community will have something to eat on the weekends. IPC has served many families of Hayes K-8 (and its predecessors Gibson Elementary and Whatley K-8) for more than 20 years through STAIR, Summer Learning Program at the Children's Fresh Air Farm,
IPC MEMBER LIBBY O’DONNELL PACKS WEEKEND BUDDY BAGS IN ROOM 104
and Lift Off. We have been allowed to walk with families through joyful occasions and through great sadness. We have seen the thrill of success at learning to read and learning to swim, and we have seen the same children carefully save portions of their snacks to take home to younger siblings.
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Given Jefferson County's high rate (20%) of child food insecurity, we have known that the afternoon snacks provided by IPC could be the last food of the day for some of our participants. We are grateful to partner with Hayes K-8 to provide monthly Weekend Buddy Bags to 111 students 4K through 8th grade. With the usual caring and generosity of the IPC congregation, we are hopeful the support for hungry children will allow the program to grow, as the majority of the 722 children enrolled at Hayes K-8 School are challenged by food insecurity. FIRST WEEKEND BUDDY BAG DELIVERY TO HAYES K-8 IN JANUARY
VOLUNTEERS ARE NEEDED Help bring items, sort, break down boxes for recycling, sack, and stock shelves Pack & Deliver Weekend Buddy Bags Packing supplies and instructions for the Weekend Buddy Bags are in Room 104, and volunteers may visit Community Ministries during church office hours to receive a key to unlock the door. We plan to deliver to Hayes K-8 next on March 17 and then on the third Thursday in April and May. Shop to Fill Weekend Buddy Bags See our shopping lists if you would like to help replenish supplies to fill the Buddy Bags. There's an Amazon online shopping option, or you can deliver items to the Food Pantry located on the ground floor, 31st Street entrance. Find our current needs at ipc-usa.org/connect. Please reach out to Evelyn Puckett at 205 531-5565 or epuckett@ipc-usa.org to find out how you can help or volunteer.
CHURCH OFFICERS
Community Ministries Discernment Committee and Process Community Ministries and IPC have been given a new opportunity to discern new possibilities for transformational community ministries and outreach. Through the generosity of the congregation, which yielded a budget surplus at the end of 2020, the Session voted to set aside $419,400 for new community ministries opportunities. An additional $50,000 gift was made in December 2021 by the William and Joan Edmonds Foundation. And at its January 23, 2022, meeting to adopt the 2022 budget, Session approved an additional $57,000 from the 2021 budget surplus, bringing the total to $526,440 of which this committee will prayerfully discern use. Session asked that we wait until the arrival of our new Pastor/Head of Staff and new Director of Community Ministries and Outreach, who in conversation with the Session and Community Ministries Team would design a plan and gather a committee to determine the use of funds. We are excited to announce we have formed our committee comprised of representatives from the Session, as well as Deacons, and Kathryn Miree is our excellent and trusted guide and facilitator. The committee members are listed below. We have outlined a process, which will be undergirded with biblical study and prayer alongside critical thinking and strategy. We have begun meeting and providing updates to the Session. While the committee is charged with the primary leadership and work, we will engage with other members of the congregation and staff, including youth and young adults, as we discern our way forward. If you have questions or comments, we invite you to email one of us. We look forward to all the good and life-giving things God will unfold, and we ask that you join us in prayer and discernment.
2021-2022 IPC COMMUNITY MINISTRIES DISCERNMENT COMMITTEE •
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Bryson Edmonds, Chairperson, Community Ministries Rev. Melissa Self Patrick, Community Ministries Director Lydia Cheney*, Community Ministries Chairperson Susie Abbott*, Community Ministries Vice-Chairperson
*Session member **Deacon
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Ivy Spencer Emily Vanlandingham* Penney Hartline David Woodruff* Anna Hartzog** Foster Cook* Kara Lindstrom Scholl* Rev. Kevin Long, Pastor/ Head of Staff Kathryn Miree, Facilitator
Newly Elected Classes ELDERS/THE SESSION (Class of 2024) • Anne Knox Averitt • Foster Cook • Sheri Cook • David Fleenor • Langston Hereford • Jeff Johnson • Margaret King • Penny Page • Margaret Shepherd • Fairy Sutherland • Bennett White • David Woodruff • Charlotte Walthall (Youth Elder) DEACONS (Class of 2024) • Mary Beasley • Carter Cooper • Chase Couch • Charlie Deer • Cathy DeLozier • Judilyn Brooks Horton • Jan Hunter • Virginia Jones • Bobby Middleton • Heath Pelham • Mark Pledger • Elise Warren • Sarah Beth Cowart (Youth Deacon) 2022 PRESIDENT OF THE CONGREGATION • Beth Hillhouse 2022 VICE PRESIDENT OF THE CONGREGATION (President Elect) • Barry DeLozier THE IPC FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS • Win Baird • Jim Shepherd, Jr. • Carrie Walthall REPRESENTATIVE NOMINATING COMMITTEE • Sarah Long • Emily Wykle
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NEW IPC COMMITTEE
WINDOW (USPS255-220) Published Quarterly Office of Publication Independent Presbyterian Church 3100 Highland Avenue South Birmingham, Al 35205-1408 Periodical Postage Paid at Birmingham, Alabama POSTMASTER: Send address change to the WINDOW, 3100 Highland Avenue Birmingham, AL 35205-1408
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Holy Week
AP R IL 10 - AP R I L 1 7
Sunday, April 10 PALM SUNDAY Worship Services at 8:45 and 11 am in the Sanctuary and at 5 pm in Highland Hall Children's Palm Parade for Toddler Atrium & Level I at 10 am Fauré's Requiem Concert in the Sanctuary at 4 pm Wednesday, April 13 SEDER Chapel Service at Noon followed by lunch in the Great Hall Seder meal in the Great Hall at 6 pm Thursday, April 14 MAUNDY THURSDAY Worship Service at 7 pm in the Sanctuary Friday, April 15 GOOD FRIDAY Worship Service at Noon in the Sanctuary
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Saturday, April 16 CHILDREN'S EGG HUNT 9-11 am at Highland Hall Sunday, April 17 EASTER SUNDAY Worship Services at 8, 9:30 & 11 am in the Sanctuary and at 5 pm in Highland Hall. No Sunday School. Services in the Sanctuary will be livestreamed on IPC's YouTube channel and Facebook page @IPCBirmingham.
Details: ipc-usa.org > connect