The food ministry at IPC has been a vital part of the congregation since members brought laying hens to Chicken Sunday during the early days of the Children’s Fresh Air Farm so that campers would have eggs for breakfast. From then to the days when IPC Member Gayle Pelham hosted visitors to the Food Pantry and talked to them about how to use the various pantry items in their meal planning to today when IPC is continuing to look for more and better ways to serve our neighbors.
When the pandemic came, jobs disappeared and buildings closed. IPC looked for a way to help our neighborhood, many of whom were suddenly unemployed. Staff member Susan Dukes suggested moving the food pantry outside the church building so that it would be accessible, and in that moment Blessing Boxes were born. Recognizing that food stamps don’t allow recipients to buy non-consumables like toilet tissue, toothpaste, cleaning products, and hygiene products,
the congregation responded with its usual generosity and contributed hygiene and paper products that helped so many people through a terrible time. Heading into its fifth year, the Blessing Box is still a very important ministry for families in crisis. When schools reopened during
FEATURING
Observe the Season with your church family PG 4
Get to Know Rev. Nicole Newton PG 8
Covid, IPC revisited a conversation we were having with Hayes K-8 School about childhood hunger. Hayes realized that without breakfast and lunch provided by the school, many children did not have enough to eat over the weekend. In Jefferson County, 24.3% of children are food
UPCOMING
Events
See complete calendar online including details and updates: ipc-usa.org > connect
MARCH
2 Grace Groups Begin; Extended Atrium; Choral Evensong; Rev. Nicole Newton Installation and Reception
4 Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, 5:30 pm, Great Hall
5 Ash Wednesday Services, Noon & 6 pm, Sanctuary
8 IPC Hiking Group
9 Daylight Saving Time Begins; First Sunday of Lent; Cookies in the Courtyard Begins
18 Patricia Byrne Memorial Concert for Organ and Orchestra, 7 pm
19 Lenten Chapel & Lunch, Noon, Chapel
22-29 IPC Mission Journey to Chiapas
23 Moment for Mission: Spring Valley School; Cookies in the Courtyard
25 Lunch Bunch
26 Lenten Chapel & Lunch, Noon, Chapel
APRIL
2 Lenten Chapel & Lunch, Noon, Chapel
5 Popsicles on the Playground
6 Cookies in the Courtyard; Extended Atrium; Easter Lily Memorial Deadline, Envelope enclosed
9 Lenten Chapel & Lunch, Noon, Chapel
12 IPC Hiking Group
13 Palm Sunday, 8:45 & 11 am Services Children’s Palm Processional, 11 am, Sanctuary; Cookies in the Courtyard; Easter Egg Hunt; Table Service, 5 pm
16 Lenten Chapel & Lunch, Noon, Chapel
17 Maundy Thursday, 6:30 pm, Sanctuary
18 Good Friday Service, Noon, Sanctuary; Church offices close at Noon
20 Easter Sunday Services, 8, 9:30, and 11 am, and 5 pm See back
21 Easter Monday, Church Offices Closed
23 Lenten Chapel & Lunch, Noon, Chapel
24 e-Recycling & Paper Shredding Event, IPC Parking Lot
25 IPC Now & Forever Campaign Kick-off Dinner, 6:30, Great Hall
26 CFAF Clean-up Day
29 Lunch Bunch
“How Can We Examine Our Lives?”
Dear IPC Friends, Jesus said, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it. What does it profit them if they gain the whole world, but lose or forfeit themselves?” (Luke 9:23-25) Lent is the time of year when we more deliberately practice “losing ourselves” for Jesus’ sake as we prepare for the Easter celebration of new life through the resurrection of Jesus. Lent officially begins with Ash Wednesday as we are reminded that we are finite, earthly creatures who cannot construct life on our own but are wholly dependent upon God. It is a time for us to examine our lives and, where necessary, to repent, or turn around, and start off in a new direction. This, of course, requires sacrifice, which in the Biblical sense means that something has to die.
One of the paradoxical things about the gospel is that it is by letting go that we receive, by losing that we win, by dying that we live. What the season of Lent helps us do is get the letting go and the dying over with so that we can begin even now to enjoy the new life that is our sure hope and promise in Jesus Christ. Every one of us is going to have to let go of this earthly life one day. But we who have been buried with Christ in his baptism, “united with him in a death like his,” know that “we will certainly be united with him in a resurrection like his” (Rom 6:5). Therefore we can live out our days in confident assurance that, in union with Christ, the abundant life is just beginning.
On Sunday mornings during Lent, but beginning one week early on March 2, we will be looking at the events that led up to Christ’s crucifixion as I will be preaching on the last 24 hours of Jesus’ life as portrayed in the Gospel of Mark.
March 2 The Last Supper (Mark 14:12-25)
March 9 The Betrayal (Mark 14:32-50)
March 23
March 30
April 6
The Trial (Mark 14:53-72)
The Choice (Mark 15:1-20)
The Cross (Mark 15:21-32)
I hope that you will make worship a priority and join us as we seek to grow deeper in our faith and our understanding of the incredibly Good News that Christ died for our sins and rose for our salvation.
In Christ,
Rev. Kevin J. Long Pastor
LENT AT IPC Journey Together Toward the Cross
Scan our Lent QR Code with your smartphone to find opportunities to worship and take part in discipleship and fellowship.
insecure, and IPC now provides Weekend Buddy Bags to 175 Hayes students twice each month. And again, the IPC congregation has stepped up to provide food items, packers, and deliverers.
Through a partnership with PEER, Inc., a program founded by East Lake United Methodist Church, IPC provides fresh produce, and in some cases chicken and eggs, to approximately 400 families every month through Pop-Up Markets. At these markets, the food is provided free of charge in three areas in North Birmingham, Titusville, and North Avondale/Kingston.
In partnership with the Society of Saint Andrew (SOSA), the 2024 Seed Packing Party, which replaced the Crop Drop, produced 3,000 seed packets which will yield around 56,800 pounds of cucumbers and cabbages and will feed approximately 22,270 people, whereas Crop Drop feeds about 12,000 people (26,800 more pounds of food is produced, as well). Another SOSA program in which we participate is gleaning at the Pepper Place Market. For two summers, IPC members have volunteered to collect unsold vegetables and fruit from the vendors—a win-win. Hungry families receive the food, and the vendors don’t have to haul the merchandise back home, where it will likely spoil.
Every summer, the IPC members support the Summer Learning Program at the Children’s Fresh Air Farm by donating the campers’ afternoon snacks. Learning is hungry work so the children are always very excited to see which treat they will be served each day.
There are many ways to serve in the food ministry at IPC. If you have questions or want more information, contact David Seamon, Catherine Sager, or Evelyn Puckett.
SERVE
Weekend Buddy Bags
The Weekend Buddy Bags program delivers bags twice a month to students at Hayes K-8 School to feed children for the weekend or supplement their weekend food. Groups and individuals are welcome to contact Catherine Sager at csager@ipc-usa.org to learn more!
What goes into a Buddy Bag?
- Hearty/Chunky Soup
- Microwaveable Mac and Cheese
- Microwaveable Chef Boyardee
- Fruit Cup
- Packets of Grits/Oatmeal
- Breakfast/Protein Bar
- Peanut Butter/Cheese Snack Crackers
The Window is a publication of Independent Presbyterian Church, 3100 Highland Avenue South.
The Window is published for church members and friends.
JOINING IPC
If you are new to IPC or considering a new church home, we would be delighted for you to contact us.
9 am Sunday School for Adults, Youth, and Children
10 am Combined Worship Service in Sanctuary
5 pm Table Worship Service in Highland Hall
HOLIDAY WEEKENDS
Please note that on holiday weekends, including Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day, there will only be one worship service on Sunday at 10 am in the Sanctuary with no Sunday school.
DURING THE LENTEN SEASON
LENTEN CHAPEL & LUNCH
Join us every Wednesday from March 12 to April 16 for a noonday worship service in the Chapel. After the service, you can enjoy a light lunch for $5 in the Great Hall. Please note that you only need to make a reservation if you plan to stay for lunch. The menu for the lunch will be soup and sandwiches. Please make sure to reserve your spot for lunch by Tuesdays at noon.
LENTEN DEVOTIONAL GUIDE
Subscribe to a Lenten devotional to find meaningful reflections and spiritual insights throughout the season, allowing you to deepen your faith journey during this time of reflection and renewal. The Road to Joy from Christianity Today is a devotional guide that contains 15 devotions intended to be spread out from Ash Wednesday through the week of Easter, and The Hardest Part from Kate Bowler is a guide focusing on the joy, sorrow, love, loss, heartbreak, and hope that we all must embrace while trusting that the good part is still coming. Find links to both devotions on the IPC website.
EASTER LILY MEMORIALS
Honor the memory of your loved ones by donating to the Easter Lily Memorial fund in their name(s). Your contribution provides fresh flowers to be displayed in the Sanctuary and Highland Hall for Easter services, and the names of your loved ones will be printed in the Easter worship bulletin. Depending on IPC's ability to source the lilies, you may pick up your order after the 11 am Easter service in the Sanctuary, or you can make a direct donation without the pick-up of any flowers.
To ensure the names of loved ones are included in the bulletin, please ensure your contribution is received by April 6, 2025.
PRAYERWELL
Starting on Ash Wednesday, we will
display prayer requests in the church stairwell, which we are temporarily calling the "Prayerwell". This is a way for us to visually represent those who have touched our lives or who may need our prayers. To have someone's name displayed in the Prayerwell, please submit their first name only in the basket located at the front desk.
COOKIES IN THE COURTYARD
Join us in the Courtyard after the 11 am worship services each Sunday, March 9 through Palm Sunday, April 13 for cookies and punch and an opportunity to connect with your IPC Family. The Presbyterian Women will host each week.
WEDNESDAY NIGHTS
IPC’s Kitchen will offer dinner every Wednesday until April 9. Meals include dinner options for adults ($10) and children ($5). The Pastor’s Bible Study will also conclude on April 9. The last rehearsal for the Children’s Musical will be held Wednesday, March 12, and a celebration is planned for March 19 for those involved in the musical. Youth Mid Week Meet-Up wraps up on March 12.
EARTHCARE E-RECYCLING & PAPER SHREDDING EVENT
Bring your electronics and documents on April 24 to be responsibly recycled at IPC in the large parking lot.
This year after the Lenten season, IPC’s Earth Care Team invites you and your family to participate in one of IPC’s recycling efforts as a way to mindfully end the season, while also taking care of the Earth.
IPC's Earth Care Team is partnering with Protec Recycling for a free Recycling Event on April 24. The event will take place in the large parking lot on Highland Avenue from 10 am to noon.
Protec will securely shred financial documents, personal and confidential information, receipts and checks, paper to recycle, and responsibly recycle endof-life electronics.
While the event is free, individuals will need to pay Protec a small fee for CRT/ hard drive recycling ($10) and for TV recycling ($20).
IPC'S INTERCESSORY PRAYER GROUP
Strengthening Our Church Through Prayer
BY ALICE CHRISTENSON, IPC MEMBER
Believing that prayer strengthens the life of the church and its congregation, the Intercessory Prayer Group gathers each week to lift up the members, ministries, and missions of Independent Presbyterian Church.
During our time together, we pray by name for those on the church’s prayer list, as well as others in need of support. We also pray for the work of IPC’s ministries and missions, seeking God’s guidance and blessings for our church’s outreach and service. As an extension of our prayers, we write notes of encouragement to those who are bereaved, celebrating a new baby, or recovering from illness or hospitalization.
Participation is flexible—there is no obligation to pray aloud or write a note. Simply being present and joining in silent prayer strengthens the prayers spoken by others. There is also time for personal prayer, whether silent or shared. Those who take part often find it to be a meaningful and deeply fulfilling experience.
We invite you to join us in this vital ministry of IPC.
When & Where: Tuesdays at 11:00 am in the Chapel.
All are welcome—whether you come to pray, to listen, or simply to be part of this sacred time of intercession.
SUNDAY, MARCH 16
IPC Children's Ministries
Highland Hall will soon be filled with music, excitement, and an inspiring message as children from K4 through 6th grade present this year’s Spring Kids Musical, It’s Cool in the Furnace.
This engaging and lively production is based on the biblical story of Daniel and his three faithful friends—Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego— and their unwavering trust in God in the face of King Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery test.
The performance will take place on Sunday, March 16, at 10 am in Highland Hall and will showcase the hard work and enthusiasm of our young performers. With catchy songs, meaningful lessons, and plenty of energy, It’s Cool in the Furnace promises to be a memorable event for families and the community.
Everyone is invited to attend and support these talented children as they bring this timeless story to life. Mark your calendars and join us for a morning of music, faith, and fun!
UPDATES FROM IPC YOUTH
Each spring, youth groups from across our Presbytery come together at Living River: a Retreat on the Cahaba. IPC
Youth just got back from this year's retreat, where they joined in worship around the campfire, energizers, small group discussions, camp-wide games, and recreation with peers from Birmingham, Auburn, Tuscaloosa, and beyond.
In a world filled with distractions and competing priorities, these
retreats offer youth a sacred space to connect deeply with God and each other. Meeting peers from different churches broadens their understanding of the larger Presbyterian community and reminds them that they are part of a vibrant, connected body of Christ.
These experiences nurture spiritual growth and create lasting relationships that encourage youth to continue their journey of faith long after the retreat ends.
SPEND THIS SUMMER AT MONTREAT
Rising
7th Graders Through High School Seniors
Montreat Middle School Conference
Rising seventh and eighth graders are invited to attend Montreat Middle School Conference July 16 - 20 in Maryville, Tennessee, located between the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Knoxville.
Montreat Youth Conference:
Rising freshmen through seniors will build an accepting community of unconditional love where every story matters at Montreat Youth Conference July 6 - 12. Through engaging worship, lively music, and practices of gratitude and fun, youth participate in different opportunities to cultivate their spiritual faith journeys and practice sabbath.
COMMUNICATIONS Connect with IPC!
In today’s digital age, staying connected with your church community is easier than ever. As a member of IPC, you have multiple online resources to help you stay informed, engaged, and involved in church life:
Sign Up for the eUpdate
Our digital newsletter, the eUpdate, is a convenient way to receive weekly news, upcoming events, and important announcements straight to your inbox each Thursday. Signing up ensures you never miss essential updates about worship services and church events. Visit the ipc-usa.org/connect/links to subscribe and stay in the loop.
Check Out the Sign-Up Links Page
Want to participate in a small group, volunteer opportunity, or church activity? Our sign-up links page is your go-to resource for getting involved. Visit the ipc-usa.org/connect/links.
Visit Our Special Events Page
IPC hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, from seasonal celebrations to mission-driven gatherings. Visit the ipc-usa.org/ connect/specialevents to view.
Read the Blogs
The church blog features inspiring messages, devotionals, and reflections from IPC leaders and members. Reading these posts provides spiritual encouragement and a deeper connection to the church’s teachings. Visit ipc-usa.org/connect/news.
Keep Up with Service Opportunities
A vital part of IPC’s mission is serving the community. Stay updated on outreach efforts by visiting ipc-usa.org/ serve/service-opportunities.
If you are having issues receiving the eUpdate or have any additional communications questions, please reach out to Lindsay Jones at ljones@ipc-usa.org or Lauren Gentry at lgentry@ipc-usa.org.
IPC YOUTH DURING THE 2024 YOUTH PRESBYTERY RETREAT.
IPC WOMEN
The IPC Guild Needs You!
The IPC Guild is a group of 70 energetic and dedicated women who combine their efforts, time, and skills in various duties associated with the care of the Sanctuary, worship, and sacred services.
The Guild has been in service since its authorization by the Session in 1940. Over the years, IPC Guild members have had the joy of shared responsibility among their specific committees to work behind the scenes in specific duties such as arranging flowers for the sanctuary, baking communion bread, setting up for Holy Communion, serving as hostesses for weddings, baptisms, and funerals, making Palm Crosses for Palm Sunday, decorating the Chrismon tree, and serving as church hostesses for special events.
This gratifying work is the priority for Guild Membership. Committee work can be done on weekdays, weekends, or holidays, based on committee placement. Members agree to a 5-year commitment which can be renewed for a total of 10 years of service. Members are required to attend four of the eight monthly meetings throughout the year (excluding summer months) which are held on the second Monday of the month alternating between 11 am and 5 pm.
Serve to the glory of God in a special way while learning more about your church and its history and building lasting friendships through your Guild committee experience. Pick up a Guild Interest form near the elevator and return it by March 28. You may also find the form online.
2025/26 New members will be announced in May and will be installed at the September 2025 meeting of the IPC Guild.
APPLY BY MARCH 28
New members are needed to serve on IPC's Guild. Find our Guild Interest forms in the information area near the elevators and return it by March 28. An online interest form is available at ipc-usa.org under the Connect tab.
SUMMER CAMPS
Meet You There!
Campers from IPC can find fun, friendship, and worship this summer. Find a week that works for you.
Vacation Bible School: Start the Party
• May 19 - 22 from 9 am - Noon
• Location: IPC Day School
• Children ages 2 - 5
Bibletimes Marketplace:
The Stories of David
• June 2 - 6 from 8:30 am - 2 pm
• Location: The Children's Fresh Air Farm
• Campers: Completed Kindergarten - 5th grade
• Tribal Assistants: Completed 6th - 12th grade
Summer APPLE Day Camp
• Six separate weekly sessions in June and July, Tuesday - Thursday from 9 am - 1 pm
• Location: IPC Day School
• Ages six months through five years including those who have completed the 5K program.
Living River Elementary Camp
• June 16 - 20. Drop off Monday at 3 pm and pick up Friday at Noon
• Location: Living River, the camping program for the Presbytery of Sheppards and Lapsley
• Rising Kindergarten - 6th grade
Find registration information at ipc-usa.org under the Children's Ministries tab.
GETTING TO KNOW REV. NICOLE NEWTON
IPC welcomed Rev. Nicole Newton as our new Associate Pastor for Discipleship at the end of 2024. Nicole holds a Master of Divinity degree from Wake Forest University School of Divinity with a concentration in Bioethics and a Master of Christian Education from Union Presbyterian Seminary, and is currently working on her Doctor of Ministry degree at Wake Forest University School of Divinity. We hope you'll enjoy getting to know more about Nicole with our Q&A below!
Q: At what moment did you know you were called to the ministry?
A: I’ve always felt called to be involved in the church in one capacity or another. The pull to ordained ministry didn’t come, though, until my late 20s as I was journeying with a dear friend through the end of her life. The last conversation that she and I had before she died was about my growing sense of call to ministry as a chaplain. She died a few days later and I applied to seminary the very same week. The nudge to congregational ministry came several years later, while I was serving in Budapest with refugee children who were being rehomed there during the height of the Syrian crisis. There have been little nuggets all along the way—just enough to see the next right step—but you never quite know where Jesus will lead you next!
Q: What is the last book you read that you really enjoyed?
A: Hmm. I read a lot and across multiple genres, so this is a tough one too. I usually have a nonfiction, a fiction, a work-related book, and a repeat all going at the same time. The best non-fiction lately was Matt Richtel’s An Elegant Defense: The Extraordinary New Science of the Immune System. It manages to be both very detailed and very accessible at the same time, which is an impressive feat for a science book. I’m also currently muddling my way back through Saint-Exupery’s Le Petit Prince. It’s an all-time favorite, even if my French is painfully slow!
Q: What is one thing you and your family love to do in Birmingham?
A: Jonathan (my husband) and I love live music. We’ve been so surprised by how many artists come through here and how many different venues there are.
Q: What have you enjoyed the most so far in your new role at IPC?
A: Getting to know my team has been the best part so far. What a bunch of rockstars! I feel so lucky to get to do this work and to serve this community alongside them.
Q: What can we as members of IPC do to support you as Associate Pastor of Discipleship IPC?
A: Go to coffee/breakfast/lunch with me and tell me what brings you joy, what gifts you are itching to use, and what you’re dreaming about for our community. That is the best way for me to both get to know you and to get a sense of where God might be calling us together.
Q: Who/what brings you inspiration?
A: Coleman Barks’ translations of Rumi. Mark Rothko paintings. The trustworthiness of a handful of seeds and earth. Samuel Barber’s Sure On This Shining Night.
Q: What is one thing, either workrelated or not, you have learned in the last month?
A: I’ve been doing a deep dive into French philosophy and city planning for school this month, so my brain is swimming with that currently. That has pushed me to study the history of Birmingham’s city planning and the effects it has had on marginalized communities here. Charles Connerly’s book, The Most Segregated City In America: City Planning And Civil Rights In Birmingham, 1920-1980 has been very eye opening.
Q: What is one thing about you that not many people know?
A: I’ve had a lot of weird jobs. One of my first jobs was working in a turkey house. You can only go up from there! I worked as an EMT for a while. I taught English and Theatre. Apparently, I’ve always gravitated toward messy and chaotic work—so church fits right in!
Q: Describe your perfect day.
A: A slow start with coffee on my front porch swing, then a biscuit from Alabama Biscuit Company, a walk in the botanical gardens, a trip to a plant shop, and then back home to dig up the yard and hang out with the menagerie. Bonus points if it ends with a bubble bath and a good book!
REV. NICOLE NEWTON, ASSOCIATE PASTOR FOR DISCIPLESHIP
CONGREGATIONAL CARE & COUNSELING
Fund for Senior Adult Counseling
BY REV. SUSAN CLAYTON, ASSOCIATE PASTOR
We are happy to announce that the Congregational Care and Counseling program at Independent Presbyterian Church has received a generous donation from a faithful member of our congregation to establish a Scholarship Fund for senior adults age 65 or above who may want to utilize the counseling services offered by our two licensed professional counselors in the Congregational Care and Counseling office at the church.
There are a number of circumstances in which financial assistance to access counseling might be helpful. At times, when people reach retirement age and are living on more of a fixed income, there may be less available funding in their budget for the expense involved in accessing confidential counseling services. The goal of this fund is to eliminate any barriers to accessing professional, confidential counseling in a safe and welcoming environment.
These funds are open to IPC members and friends. We want you to know that assistance is available, and we would be happy to talk with you about any counseling needs. If you are interested in discussing this possibility, please feel free to contact either of the counselors on staff at IPC directly: Dr. Stewart Jackson at (205) 9333698 or Dr. Kenneth Wade at (205) 933-3695. Their offices are on the ground floor of IPC, and they make their own appointments in order to ensure confidentiality.
You can also reach out to at sclayton@ipc-usa.org or (205) 933-3706. We are here to be of help to anyone who is in need of pastoral care or counseling services. You are always welcome here!
MUSIC & FINE ARTS
Spring Music Events
BY DR. JEFF MCLELLAND, DIRECTOR OF MUSIC & FINE ARTS
The Annual Patricia Byrne Memorial Concert Series will begin on Tuesday, March 18 at 7 pm. The concert series presents internationally acclaimed organ concert artists to perform music for organ and orchestra. This first concert will feature Ken Cowan from Rice University and 42 members of the Alabama Symphony performing exciting organ concertos by Josef Rheinberger and Joseph Jongen, and the hauntingly beautiful Adagio by Tomaso Albinoni.
The repertoire heard in these concerts is usually only heard in concert halls that contain a pipe organ large enough to be accompanied by an orchestra, i.e., Chicago, Philadelphia, etc. This unique series of concerts is presented as a gift to the city of Birmingham and will feature our incredible Dobson organ and beautiful church. Come early to get a seat!
The IPC Choir Spring Concert will be held on Sunday, May 18 at 4 pm with music by Johannes Brahms, Clara Schumann, and Robert Schumann. The first half of the concert will feature soloists from the choir and guest soloist Chris O’Rear in a soirée of choral and vocal works, and the second half of the program will bring the 18-piece orchestra and choir performing the rarely heard Requiem of Robert Schumann.
Join Us for an Upcoming Global Mission Journey
Deadlines are approaching for our 2025 global mission journeys traveling to North Carolina for Hurricane Helene Relief in June, Malawi in August, and Mwandi Mission in Zambia in August. We invite you to join us on one of these amazing opportunities to learn more about yourself and IPC’s mission partners while making a difference in the world!
NORTH CAROLINA: JUNE 2025
We will travel to North Carolina to help with Hurricane Helene relief efforts. We will stay close to Montreat and will be dispatched to serve the areas of need close to that community. This is a trip for all ages.
MALAWI: AUGUST 2025
The Nkhoma Mission Hospital in Malawi was founded by South African missionaries over 100 years ago and is now a mission of the Presbyterian Church in Malawi. The hospital is in the midst of an ambitious expansion project to train additional nurses, physicians, and surgeons to significantly impact the level of healthcare not only in the Nkhoma region but in the entire country of Malawi. This particular journey will have a focus on providing healthcare in the hospital and outpatient departments. Anyone with healthcare experience or a strong interest in global health is welcome to join this journey.
MWANDI MISSION: AUGUST 2025
Mwandi is a village on the banks of the Zambezi River in the Western Province of Zambia. The Mwandi Mission is nearly 150 years old and is comprised of a United Church of Zambia congregation, a hospital, outpatient clinics, schools, an Orphan and Vulnerable Children Center, and a home for elderly and disabled villagers. IPC has sent many mission teams to Mwandi over the past 30 years to perform maintenance projects and to work with the hospital, the local schools, the church, and the orphan center.
LEARN MORE
Please visit the IPC website to keep up with upcoming dates and new information regarding each mission journey.
As we celebrate the remarkable career of Cindy Shaw, we reflect on her 18 years of dedicated service at IPC. One of Cindy's most notable achievements was the founding of Grace Groups, a ministry that has fostered spiritual growth and deepened connections among members.
Shortly after the end of COVID, when everyone was feeling the deep need to reconnect with our family of faith, Cindy had the idea to start a new fellowship ministry at IPC called IPC Connect. Her vision for IPC Connect has further strengthened our community bonds and provided a welcoming space for all.
For many years, Cindy was also a primary point person for the Fourth Quarter ministry to senior adults at IPC, and she planned many meals, day trips and even overnight adventures for the “mature” adults in our congregation! In addition, Cindy served for many years as the facilitator of the Strengthfinders ministry of IPC.
Cindy’s ministry has always been about connecting IPC members to one another to deepen our fellowship opportunities and our relationships within our church family.
As Cindy embarks on her welldeserved retirement, though we will miss her, we celebrate her legacy of service and commitment to fostering genuine relationships. We wish her joy and fulfillment in this new chapter.
"IPC NOW & FOREVER" ENDOWMENT CAMPAIGN
The IPC Foundation and Church leadership are excited to share the launch of the "IPC Now & Forever" Endowment Campaign, a significant step towards ensuring the future of our beloved church. This initiative, announced at our congregational meeting on February 23, presents a meaningful opportunity to grow the funds in the IPC Foundation that provide resources and lasting support for IPC’s ministries. By strengthening the financial foundation that supports these vital ministries, we can ensure IPC is here both Now and Forever to serve Christ’s church, the community, and the world.
The "IPC Now & Forever" campaign aims to expand the Henry M. Edmonds (HME) Society, established by the Foundation to honor those who choose to include the church in their estate plans. Named in memory of Dr. Henry M. Edmonds, our founding pastor from 1915 to 1942, this society is vital in helping sustain our mission. By joining, you become part of a caring community dedicated to
supporting the ongoing work and vision of our church.
To celebrate the launch of this meaningful campaign, we invite you to the IPC Now & Forever Endowment Campaign Kick-Off Dinner on Friday, April 25, at 6:30 pm in the IPC Great Hall. This special evening will feature guest speaker Rev. Dr. Tom Tewell. You can enjoy a seated dinner with wine and fellowship as we come together to learn about supporting the future of our church.
Please let us know if you can join us by RSVPing by March 25 at IPCForever.org, as seating is limited and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Join us in securing the legacy of IPC for the future. Please contact Margaret Lane Hollingsworth at mhollingsworth@ipc-usa. org or (205) 933-3731 for additional information about IPC's Now & Forever Endowment Campaign.
INDEPENDENT PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
REV. DR. TOM TEWELL, "IPC NOW & FOREVER" GUEST SPEAKER
Holy Week
APRIL
13 - 20, 2025
Sunday, April 13
PALM SUNDAY
Worship Services at 8:45 and 11 am in the Sanctuary Children's Palm Processional at 11 am in the Sanctuary Children's Egg Hunt at Noon Service of Lenten Vespers at 4 pm in the Sanctuary Table Worship Service at 5 pm in Highland Hall
Thursday, April 17
MAUNDY THURSDAY
Worship Service at 6:30 pm in the Sanctuary
Friday, April 18
GOOD FRIDAY
Worship Service at Noon in the Sanctuary
Sunday, April 20
EASTER SUNDAY
Worship Services at 8, 9:30, and 11 am in the Sanctuary and Table Worship Service at 5 pm in Highland Hall. No Sunday School.
Services in the Sanctuary will be livestreamed on IPC's YouTube channel.
