“As iron sharpens iron, so a woman sharpens the character of her friend” (taken from Proverbs 27:17)
Volume 03 ■ Issue 01
IRONWOMAN IN THIS ISSUE: - Getting to Know: Kathy Jeffers - Spring Tabletops - Life Stages at the Kirk - Reflecting on 50 Years - “The Blessing of Burden”
Welcome back to another edition of IRONWoman, our Kirk women’s ministry newsletter. We are so excited to share another issue full of edifying articles, thoughtful reflections shared by women in our congregation, ministry opportunities, and memories of time spent together in fellowship. We have had a few changes to our team recently, and we wanted to give a special thank you to those who have been working alongside us who will no longer be able to serve in the same capacity — at least in the near future! Our talented sister Jessica Martínez has been designing the last several issues after creating our amazing newsletter logo. She is expecting baby #5 in August, and she is taking time off for the foreseeable future to welcome a new little one into their family! Congratulations, Jessica, and thank you for the ways you have used your gifts to serve our congregation! Our resident historian, Sarah White, has recently moved to Pennsylvania with her husband, Kevin, to start a new chapter in their lives. While she was unable to write a piece for this current issue due to the busy nature of moving to a new state, she hopes to be able to contribute again in the future. Sarah, we are so thankful for the ways that you have blessed us with your historicaldevotional reflections. They are such a favorite for us readers, and we hope to read more of them in the future! With so many changes taking place in our team (and more folks going on sabbatical as this year progresses), you can imagine that we need help! Do you have design skills? Do you have an interest in writing book reviews or sharing what you are learning in a Sunday school class, a professional development course, or through seminary training? Do you have photography skills that you could put to use, adding photos for our newsletter (and social media accounts)? Might you be willing to be a “scout,” helping us find new folks to contribute for each issue of IRONWoman? Please consider and pray about the ways that you could help to edify the women of our congregation through future issues of our newsletter. We cannot do it without you! For now, we hope you are encouraged by the issue you hold in your hands. Thank you to the many women who worked hard behind the scenes — including our own Kathy Jeffers, without whom these newsletters would not even be printed! We have included a special spotlight piece introducing you to the unseen work that she does for every ministry at the Kirk (written by our senior pastor, Ben Porter)! We have also included some fun photos of recent events, Kirk ministry information and updates, as well as more personal pieces that we hope will be an encouragement to your hearts.
@thekirkstlwomen
@thekirkstlwomen
Kathy Jeffers
getting to know kathy jeffers BY PASTOR BEN PORTER
As a pastor who has come to work at the Kirk office day by day for many years, I am aware of the countless roles and responsibilities Kathy plays.
“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a battle you know nothing about.” I suppose this is true everywhere, on neighborhood sidewalks and in grocery lines and at baseball games. But there is a certain sense in which it is especially true at the front doors of a church. When people come into a church building, they come not only battle weary, but with the cautious hope that here — of all places, here — someone will show me kindness. So it matters that the first person to greet you, to greet me, to greet the regular visitor and the unexpected sojourner, is someone who has a kind voice and a warm heart. For over a quarter of a century, we at the Kirk have had the luxury of being greeted well. Since 1992, Monday through Friday, Kathy Jeffers has graced the front desk of the Kirk with just the kindness and warmth you and I were needing.
Kathy administrates our d a t a b a s e s , a n s we r s t h e phones, serves as queen over the copiers, produces a n d p r e s e r ve s m e e t i n g minutes, generates congregation-wide mailings, maintains the church directory, joins the proofreading team for all of our regular publications. Without Kathy, the entire schedule of the Kirk’s campus would likely come off the rails in short order. Kathy juggles the space demands of our regular activities along with weddings, funerals, and other special events that happen routinely at the Kirk. She is a key part of the weekly facilities review team that ensures everything goes smoothly from week to week. Kathy is also a data bank of long-term institutional knowledge, serving the continuity of our ministry efforts while aiding the shortterm memories of our current pastors! To be sure, Kathy’s work is attentive, tidy, thorough, and skilled. But it is her spirit that leaves an impression on us. It is her patient voice, her goodnatured ribbing, her listening ear, her unassuming strength, her ready smile, and her constancy that reassure us. Kathy calms us in the battle, even when we didn’t realize we needed it.
Allow me to offer you words that come directly from a few Kirk staff members: “I love that Kathy is f un, thoughtful, and generous. She is sacrificial in how she serves those in her life, inside and outside of the office. She is always willing to help with a kind and gentle spirit!” “I think of Kathy as the mom of the Kirk. She knows the Kirk as only someone who has poured their life into it can. She gives selflessly so that things run more smoothly. She knows where to find things that are hard to find. And she deeply loves the Kirk, warts and all.” “The thing that has impressed me the most about Kathy is her consistent kindness and gentleness. She has a difficult job, is constantly interrupted as people enter the office and ask questions, yet I've never seen her get short with anyone. I know she gets frustrated, but she always deals with it in healthy ways.” Join me in giving thanks to God for a gift we have all received at the simplest of times: when we opened the doors and stepped into the church. And while we’re at it, join me in learning from the quiet role model, the example of Christ, that lives before us in our dear friend, Kathy Jeffers.
spring tabletops March 2019 What a beautiful Spring Tabletops celebration! Many thanks to our speaker, Chris Gordon, who brought a powerful gospel message of Jesus seeing and responding to our needs. We also appreciate our many hostesses who decorated the most gorgeous spring tables.
LIFE STAGES
at the Kirk
Wondering how to plug in at the Kirk? The possibilities are almost endless, with ministries touching every age and stage of life! In this series (which will continue in future issues of IRONWOMAN), we will begin with the youngest among us. What is available through the Kirk for the next generation — specifically those who are not yet school-aged? How do we care for them and for their parents — some of whom may be navigating parenthood for the very first time? Find the answers to these (and other) questions in the ministry offerings below!
the kirk nursery The Kirk Nursery cares for children ages 6 weeks to 3 years old. Our goal is to offer a loving, safe, and fun environment for your young child while you participate fully in the various activities at the Kirk. Age-appropriate toys and play equipment can be found in each room and are cleaned after every use. We replace toys and equipment when needed and add new items to the rooms regularly to keep them fun and fresh. We take the safety and security of our children very seriously and have a system of policies in place including (but not limited to) background screenings for nursery workers, staff ID tags, a secure check-in/check-out process, nursery worker/child ratios specific to the ages of the children in each room, emergency exit plans, CPR and first aid training for our staff, and frequent deep-cleaning and sanitization procedures.
Contact: Leah Jakes (Nursery Coordinator)
“I love working in the Kirk nursery, Because I love getting to know all the kids and their families.” (Greta Haga)
TODDLER TIME
Contact: Leah Jakes (Toddler Time Coordinator) (314) 392-4703 leah.jakes@thekirk.org
The mission of Toddler Time is to minister to children by providing a Christ-centered environment where children are loved unconditionally, as well as to to minister to their parents by providing an opportunity for uninterrupted personal time.
CHILDREN’S SUNDAY SCHOOL
Contact: Anna Johnson (Children’s Ministry Director) (314) 392-4760 anna.johnson@thekirk.org
The covenant family is called to tell the gospel story from generation to generation. We are committed to telling God’s story to our children. We teach His Word diligently, believing that our children will know God, His ways, His heart, and their place as children in the covenant family. Children’s Sunday School is offered on Sunday mornings from 8:45 – 9:45 a.m. Children have fun and fellowship while being given instruction from God's Word.
Reflections on Children’s Sunday School by Dianne Waldron Since coming to the Kirk 30 years ago, teaching Sunday school has been a very large part of my ministry! I started teaching 6th graders and since then have taught 4th, 2nd, and presently I am teaching 1st. Being with these children every Sunday morning is definitely the highlight of my week! Seeing the excitement in their eyes and on their faces when they learn something new or recall something they already know about God’s Word brings so much joy! I have been so blessed to be a part of children’s ministry at the Kirk and so thankful to be a part of the Sunday school program for over half of the time I have been worshiping at the Kirk.
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP Our vision is to assist parents in the spiritual nurture of their children by seeing children grow as disciples. We desire that children will encounter the gospel and live empowered by the grace of God. Children's Worship is offered Sundays during corporate worship. Children can attend the regular worship service or Children's Worship, where they will learn the parts of a worship service as we worship together. Each week, children are assisted by an elder as well as a teacher of God's Word. The other jobs, including singer, musicians, and ushers, are performed by the children themselves.
kirk kids On Sunday nights (September–November and January–April), Kirk Kids meets from 5:15 – 7:00 p.m. in "The Treehouse" (Rm 207). Bring a sack supper! We will eat together and enjoy an evening filled with games, crafts, and a lesson.
Contact: Anna Johnson (Children’s Ministry Director)
Kirk Care Moms The Kirk Care Mom ministry offers support for those who are growing their families through pregnancy and adoption. We are so excited to assist you as you welcome this child into your family and our Kirk family! We provide a variety of support, including prayer support during pregnancy / adoption process, meeting to discuss questions about parenting, volunteers to provide meals after your child arrives, pastoral visits, handmade bouquets, postpartum visits, and a gift from the church. If you are expecting and would like to connect with us, if you know an expectant family who has not yet connected with us, or if you would like to serve in this ministry, please contact us. Thank you for spreading the word and helping us connect with ALL the growing families in our church community!
parenting with a purpose
Contact: Anna Johnson (Children’s Ministry Director) “The Kirk Care mom ministry has been such a blessing to our family as we are in the process of adoption. Our Kirk care mom faithfully encourages us and stays up to date with our journey, continuing in prayer for us along the way. During such an emotional and volatile season, our care mom never fails to point us to our heavenly father, who cares for our every need.” (Kami Belmont)
Contact: Susan Needler // (314) 625-2381
Parenting with a Purpose is a time for moms to gather together to be encouraged with other women walking beside you in the same stage of life with a common goal. We meet at the Youth House on the first Thursday of the month (during the school year) from 9:00 - 11:00 am. We'd love for you to join us any time! Childcare provided. (Reserve childcare by emailing Kathy Jeffers in the church office.) kjeffers@thekirk.org
Date Nights
Contact: Tommy Hannah // tomhannah.lmm@gmail.com
The Date Night ministry is a wonderful opportunity to connect with your spouse and let your children enjoy some time with friends while you are on your date! On select Friday nights during the school year, "Date Night" usually begins with a guest speaker sharing lessons from their marriage, or some questions to prompt conversation on your date. This is only about 15-20 minutes so that couples can be encouraged to connect and then have optimal time on their date.
"Date night promotes caring for your marriage through healthy marital conversations and setting aside time to go out on a date. 10/10 would recommend."
If you are interested in joining Date Night, check out the posters around the church. If you would like to serve with the Date Night ministry or have a lesson from your marriage that you would like to share with others, contact Tommy Hannah.
(Noah Wiersema)
Childcare provided. (Reserve childcare by emailing Kathy Jeffers in the church office.) kjeffers@thekirk.org
Cloud of witnesses A REFLECTION BY KELLY KENNISON
As I write, we have experienced an amazing month! This April we’ve celebrated the 50th anniversary of The Kirk, the groundbreaking of a new building for Promise Christian Academy, Easter, and our Missions Conference. I have been considering the great cloud of witnesses that have surrounded me personally for the 20 years we’ve been at the Kirk. I find myself contemplating Hebrews 12:1-2.
Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. The writer of Hebrews remembered the cloud of witnesses described in chapter 11 — the faithful who went before us. He was referring to believers like Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, among many others, who took God at his word. They trusted him to redeem and restore his people. They trusted that what he said was true. We, ourselves, if we have heard this testimony and believed, have become part of this great cloud. We add our voices testifying that God is faithful. We trust that what he says is true. Jesus perfects our faith, guarantees our restoration and prepares our place with him. We, ourselves, if we have heard this testimony and believed, are “the joy that was set before him”! Father, thank you for the people who have gone before us, those already at rest, and those still running the race with us. Thank you for Wilson’s voice ringing in our ears from our 50th birthday, “the grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Will you make us a blessing to those who come after us? Will you help us to continue running the race with endurance, to progress in our evangelism and in our obedience, to rejoice in your faithfulness, to truly see how your grace changes everything? Will you make us faithful to pass on the message that that your word is true and given to us in love?
Kelly kennison and her husband, Mike (Associate Pastor), just celebrated their 20th year of ministry at the Kirk. She is a a licensed professional clinical counselor (LPC) with Bethany Christian Services and has been counseling children and families since 2005. Kelly and Mike have two children, Michael and Kate (who is married to their son-in-law, Nate), and a precious granddaughter, Brighton.
The Blessing of Burden DEVOTIONAL THOUGHTS FROM CHRISTINA HANNAH You’re too much. You aren’t enough. Get off my back. That’s not my problem. If you are at all like me, you live in mortal fear of these words. I long to be valuable, wanted, needed, and dread the day I have to ask for help. I would rather pay $40 for an Uber than inconvenience a friend by asking them to drive me to the airport. I would rather run myself ra g g e d , p a s s i ve a g g r e s s i ve l y bemoaning how tired I am, than ask my husband for help. I will read every book on marriage, every parenting blog, try every fad diet, and bury myself in a pit of guilt and shame before it even occurs to me to turn to God in prayer.
beautiful I am. But what happens on the days where I’m too tired to be clever? Too heartbroken to be funny? What happens when I am no longer the helper, but the one who needs help? What happens when having a baby leaves me with 20 extra pounds and a stomach covered in scars? Am I still lovable? I know how I’m supposed to answer, and yet I am constantly hedging my bets — making myself indispensable in the lives of those around me, guarding my savings account, making myself as small and unobtrusive as I possibly can.
These thoughts are the usually unnoticed background music to my life. When I do notice them, I call it pride and add it to the never-ending list of things I need to fix about myself. It was only last month, while reading Dietrich Bonhoeffer’s Life Together, that I began to wonder whether there might be something more to my persistent fear of being a burden. Bonhoeffer describes the difference between imperfect human love and the love that comes only from and through the Holy Spirit. “Human love is directed to the other person for his own sake, spiritual love loves him for Christ's sake.” I read this and thought to myself, well that’s all well and good, but I don’t want someone to love me just for Christ’s sake, I want to be loved for me. But when I say I want to be loved for me, what do I mean? I want to be loved for how helpful, generous, f unny, clever, and .
Sisters, this is my confession to you: I count on these things to prove that I am valuable and that I deserve love. And when I do fail, I count on my good deeds and lovableness to justify me. It is not simply pride, though it certainly is that. The problem is that I leave no room in my life for a Savior. If I do not trust that it is possible for another human to love me outside of what I can do for them, how could I possibly believe
believe I deserve the love of a God for whom I can do nothing? This is why we need the church. In the church we confess our sins to one another. We let ourselves be known, warts and all, and drop all pretense that our good deeds, good looks, or good character could ever even make a dent in the debt of sin we owe. And we are loved in spite of it all. When we allow other fallen people to bear our burdens — when we receive love, knowing full well that we don’t deserve it — we are given a small but profound taste of what it is Jesus did for us on the cross. It is only when we are loved, not for our innate goodness, but for Jesus in us that we can begin to understand the depths of God’s love for us. So here’s your challenge for today: let someone bear your burden. Ask that question that you are so sure is stupid. Let your spouse know just how much you long for their approval. Confess to a friend that struggle that you are sure, if they knew about it, would make you completely unlovable in their eyes. Accept love that is not conditioned on your performance, and do not spurn the richness of God’s blessing given to you in the church. “Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)