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February 2023
The Chimes
Dreaming Big Dreams
WORSHIP IN FEBRUARY
FEBRUARY 5
Fifth Sunday After Epiphany
Rev. Doug Lofton Preaching
For the last two weeks, I have been with my wife at one of our favorite
spots. Edisto Beach, S.C. is a very quiet place this time of year and we have FEBRUARY 12
spent the days beach walking, reading, talking, and reflecting on life in Sixth Sunday After Epiphany
general. It has been a time for re-centering and realizing just how blessed Rev. Doug Lofton Preaching
we are.
We had planned this trip last summer, well before I knew that I would FEBRUARY 19
be sharing the journey of the last few months with you. And while I Transfiguration Sunday
am grateful for this downtime, I am just as grateful for the time we are Rev. Doug Lofton Preaching
spending together during this time of transition at Central.
FEBRUARY 22
First and foremost, let me tell you from an outsider’s perspective what a Ash Wednesday
great church you are! Not only does Central have an unmatched history Details coming soon.
in our denomination, but you have everything it takes to have an equally
exciting future. With the right match of leadership and vision, this church FEBRUARY 26
truly can say that with God’s help all things are possible. With this in mind, First Sunday in Lent
continue to pray for your Senior Minister Search Committee as they Rev. Doug Lofton Preaching
begin talking to possible candidates about serving at Central. Also pray
that God will prepare the heart of the one to be called. Often, the right
person is not even considering a move and it is amazing how the spirit can
work to open their spirit to the opportunity.
All of this said, we will more than likely have several more months
together. Your staff will be meeting in a half-day retreat to plan Lent and
Holy Week. We have already decided on a theme which should be familiar
to all of you – “A Place For You” will be the focus over several Sundays
and into Holy Week. This theme was identified as a part of a branding INSIDE THIS ISSUE:
exercise at Central several years ago and, while the church has claimed • Senior Minister Search
it, we have never really lived fully into it. During Lent, we will explore the Committee Update
opportunities found in this identity and begin to dream of what it will • Watkins Building and Holtkamp
Pipe Organ Updates
take, both spiritually and structurally, to get there. This promises to be an • Summer Camp and Mission Trip
exciting series which will prepare us to live into a season of sacrifice and Information for Children and
resurrection individually and as a church. Teens
• Chroma Collective Music and Art
While I journey with you, we will continue to prepare the way for the Experience
calling of your new minister. We will be taking our first steps into our next • And More!
chapter and we will be dreaming big dreams. These are exciting times
indeed. Please plan to come back to Central during this season as we
open our spirits and hearts to God’s love and leading. These are great
days and the future looks even brighter!
FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER SEARCH HOLTKAMP PIPE ORGAN FEBRUARY UPDATE
COMMITTEE Now that we are settling into 2023, excitement
The Senior Minister Search Committee has been continues to build as we anticipate the reinstallation
working hard and has grown in trust and respect of our renovated and enhanced Holtkamp pipe organ.
for one another. Recently, we met with Central’s However, we now know that installation will begin
executive staff to learn more about how our ministry after Easter. Before installation can begin on-site
team works and to explore how it could work in the at Central, Holtkamp is still awaiting some crucial
future. We have submitted our “Search and Call” supplies from Organ Supply Industries and A.R.
document and job description to the Christian Schopp’s Sons Pipemakers (one of the nation’s most
Church in Kentucky regional office and have prepared respected makers of high-quality organ pipes, having
our interview questions. We are ready to receive been in business for over 120 years). Once Holtkamp
applications and evaluate candidates. receives these final materials, the instrument will be
completely assembled, tested, and the initial voicing of
If you would like to provide the committee with pipes will happen in the same Cleveland shop where
senior minister candidate names, please send them our instrument was first built in 1960. It will then be
to Rod Brewer at rod@exceptionallivingcenters. disassembled and trucked to Lexington for installation
com. During this time of discernment, we ask that you to begin on-site at Central.
continue to keep the committee in your prayers.
Installation is not a quick process. It will take
Central Senior Minister Search Committee: approximately three weeks of work to load in and
Rod Brewer Kim Joyner carefully assemble the pipe organ. Following that,
Martha Dryden Amy Kate Smith there will be a pair of two-week periods of fine tuning
Dwayne Fletcher Erin Surratt on all the pipes and voicing the pipes specifically for
Connie Hubbard John Tackett our sanctuary’s acoustics. This is a silver blessing
Paul Jones in that it really is a process best initiated at a “slow”
time, rather than during one of the busiest seasons
of the church (Lent, Holy Week, Easter). This will also
WATKINS BUILDING PORCH UPDATE allow us the calendar space to truly celebrate the
instrument; throughout the summer, fall, and beyond.
Even as they await the delivery of final components,
work on other aspects of our instrument continues at
the Holtkamp shop in Cleveland. The framework and
structure of the instrument that supports and holds
all of the pipes – as well as the heavy, pressurized
chests on which they sit – is coming along nicely, as is
our new console (the console is the “control” system
of the organ, with all the keyboards, pedals, and
buttons that you see the organist play in the chancel).
The care and attention to detail that Holtkamp is
Column replacement has begun providing has been wonderful. Indeed, they have even
on the Watkins Building. As you matched a wood sample from our chancel furniture
can see from the photographs, for the stain of the console, seamlessly blending the
the two outer columns have now new installation to our existing aesthetic.
been installed. As the weather
permits and construction crews are We offer a special thanks to Central’s Facilities
available, the other four columns Coordinator, Gary McCracken, and Carl Soper,
will be replaced. A small group of maintenance staff, as well as all of the contractors
volunteers and professionals (along who have been preparing the organ pipe chamber for
with staff) are continuing to work the reinstallation of our beloved instrument!
on other renovation needs, such as roof and gutter
replacement, carpentry work, and painting. Hopefully MUSIC AND ART EXPERIENCE
by early spring, the renovations on our beloved Sunday, February 19 | 9:30 a.m.
Watkins Building will be completed. Chroma Collective will lead us in a creative experience
– Mollie P. Sawyer on Sunday, February 19, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
2
in the Fellowship Hall. Chroma Please consider donating by bringing your items to
Collective is a Boston-based the Shop any weekday from 12-3 p.m., or by calling
chamber ensemble and nonprofit Jane Knapp at (502) 802-5263 to set up a more
organization co-founded by convenient time.
Abby Temple, a frequent guest
trumpet player for Central’s AND—we always need more volunteers to help “mind
worship services. The experience the store” alongside a more seasoned worker. Bring
on February 19 will meld music your spouse for a fun afternoon of serving, or call your
and art together in performance, neighbor who may just be looking for a way to get out
engaging the audience by having and about. For questions or more information, call Liz
us make art (using colored pencils, paint, etc.) while Huffman at (859) 338-8509.
the Chroma Collective ensemble plays music. It will be
fun for people young and old, for those who would COMMUNITY CLOSET
call themselves creative and those who would not. Art FREE CLOTHING
supplies are provided, so all you need to bring is an MINISTRY IS OPEN
open spirit. Visit chromacollective.org to learn more The Community Closet is
about the ensemble. our shared ministry with
Christ Church Cathedral,
offering free clothing to
OUTREACH UPDATES our neighbors in need. We
THRIFT SHOP UPDATES first opened for business in
Central’s Thrift Shop has been going strong for nearly the Watkins Building on Saturday, December 3. This
50 years! A dedicated group of church women set ministry is jointly sponsored and staffed by volunteers
up shop in the early to mid 1970’s, and one can only from both Central Christian and Christ Church, each
imagine the number of folks who have come through Saturday morning from 10 a.m. until noon. We utilize
our doors since then. Why, in just the last four months, the lobby area of Watkins for shopping and move all
we have welcomed around 1,000 shoppers, and since our racks and supplies back into the café space at the
we re-opened in April (after the pandemic shut- end of service. We offer adult and children’s clothing,
down) we have raised more than $10,000! These are including winter essentials like shoes, gloves, hats,
pretty impressive numbers, but we believe we can and scarves. We are currently open every Saturday
do even more; more shoppers from a broader range (incliment weather and holidays notwithstanding).
of the population, more dollars to continue to fund
Outreach Ministries, and maybe most importantly, Through January 17, we have served a total of 162
more folks who are shown the love of Christ by our people. It has been a fulfilling experience to provide
dedicated volunteers. Please pray for those goals as clothing to people who are in desperate need.
we move forward into 2023. Shoppers are allowed to select three items, one of
which can be a coat, and one pair of shoes. Shoppers
It’s a joy to greet all of our shoppers, but it’s especially with children may also select three items for each
rewarding to see our “regulars,” many of whom live child.
next door at Central Apartments. Be on the lookout
(coming soon) for a video about the Thrift Shop, We are now settled on
featuring one of our favorite neighbors as she talks procedures and would
about what the Shop means to her. We love carrying like offer volunteer
on with Laverne – she asked the other day what she opportunities to anyone
might expect in the way of royalties for her guest interested in helping
appearance! one (or more) Saturdays
per month. Jobs include
As we serve by sorting and selling your wonderful setting up the space
donations, we could really use some specific help from before opening, checking
you, the congregation. Here are our current needs: shoppers in, assisting shoppers who need help
• Books! Paperback and hardback, children’s and finding clothes, check-out and bagging, and resetting
adult’s the lobby at end of service. There is no heavy lifting
• Children’s clothes, all sizes nor long periods of standing. This would be great
• Magazines, even if they’re a year or two old volunteer opportunity for teens and families who
have some time before noon on Saturdays.
3
If you are interested in
volunteering or would like
to drop in on Saturday
to observe the Closet in
action, please contact
Gail Kennedy (gailkenn@ STUDENT MINISTRY SERVE SUNDAY
gmail.com or (859) February 26
227-2601). Thank you Donations accepted at the red table throughout
for supporting our first joint outreach ministry with February
another downtown church! In February, we will pack toiletry and snack bags for
Natalie’s Sisters. Natalie’s Sisters is an organization
SOCIAL WORKER FOR OUTREACH
that extends hope, support, and God’s unconditional
St. James Place has received approval of a grant with
love to sex-trafficked and sexually exploited women
the city for a shared social worker position (half-
through a first-touch approach, providing respite,
time at St. James, half-time at Central Christian).
relationship, and referrals to community resources.
This person will need to be comfortable working
with people experiencing homelessness and
Donation needs for the toiletry bags: Travel-size
working people who fall below the poverty line – any
deodorant, soap/shower gel, shampoo, conditioner,
experience in this area is a plus. The combined hours
baby wipes or wash cloth, toothbrush, and toothbrush.
will be full-time with benefits. A more detailed job
Additional items are fine too, including travel-size
description is available upon request. If you know
lotion, razors, tissues, chapstick, nail polish, etc..
someone who would be a good fit for this position,
let us know. Please share this job opportunity with
MIDDLE AND HIGH SCHOOL SUMMER MISSION
any social workers you know. For more information,
TRIPS
please contact Liz Huffman at hopeenterp1@aol.
Mark you calendars!
com or (859) 338-8509.
We are partnering with
HELPING HANDS MINISTRY COORDINATOR Be The Neighbor this
NEEDED year for our mission
This important ministry serves people experiencing trips. Be The Neighbor is
homelessness and working people who fall below a justice-based service-
the poverty line. Kathryn Zink has done a great job learning trip ministry
leading this ministry for many years, expanding the empowering youth and
ministry started by some ministers-in-residence adults to put faith into action through service and
years ago. A new ministry coordinator is needed as justice in ways that are relational, sustainable, and
Kathryn transitions out of this role. Twice a month for dignity-affirming. Be The Neighbor equips groups with
two hours, volunteers greet our neighbors and hear biblical, theological, and social tools to make service
prayer concerns, provide personal hygiene and first and justice a way of life.
aid items, offer small food items, and distribute bus
passes. They also provide “Welcome Home” baskets Middle School Mission Trip
to the new residents of St. James Place. Coordinator Nashville, TN | Nashville Homelessness and
responsibilities include ordering the items to give Housing Justice
our neighbors and scheduling volunteers for the June 18 – 23
two days each month. If interested or for questions, Groups participating in Nashville Homelessness and
please contact Liz Huffman at (859) 338-8509 Housing Justice will learn to put faith into action
or Cindy Adlesh in the church office (outreach@ through service and justice in ways that are relational,
centralchristianlex.org). sustainable, and dignity-affirming. Groups will work
with and learn from organizations with whom we
partner year-round.
CENTRAL STUDENT MINISTRY
(Middle and High School Students) Each day includes morning biblical reflection and
videos to learn about housing justice and our partner
MEETING TIMES organizations. Evenings include a justice-based
Sundays | 9:30-10:45 a.m. | Student Ministry Room curriculum to help our group connect what we are
doing on the trip with how we will put our faith into
action upon returning home.
4
High School Mission Trip
Mayfield, KY | Kentucky Housing Justice KIDSCENTRAL
June 25 – 30 WAKON’ DA-HO 2023 CAMP DATES
December 10, 2021– A tornado tore through Registration to begin in February
western Kentucky, resulting in widespread Camp Wakon’ Da-Ho dates are now available at
catastrophic damage. Homes, businesses, schools, ccinky.net, and listed below*. Please visit the website
and more were destroyed in and around Mayfield, Ky.. to learn more.
Our high school students will partner with Week of Spring Youth Retreat Work Weekend – March 17-19
Compassion, Be The Neighbor, and local leaders to help
in the community recovery. Mayfield is intentionally Mini Camp | Grades 2-3 | June 2-4 | (Chris Teesdale
attending)
rebuilding in ways that make homeownership and
CYF 1 | Grades 9-12 | June 5-10
safe affordable housing more available. We will work
Eighter’s Camp | Grade 8 | June 11-17
on construction re-building projects while developing
Junior 1 | Grades 4-5 | June 19-23
relationships with community leaders and people
Camp 101 A | Grades K-1 | June 23-25 | (weekend camp)
affected by the disaster. We will learn about housing
CYF 2 | Grades 9-12 | June 26-July 1
justice and best practices for making housing more
Chi Rho 1 | Grades 6-8 | July 3-8
accessible for all people by partnering with neighbors
Chi Rho 2 | Grades 6-8 | July 10-15 | (Mindy and Amy Kate
in ways that are relational, sustainable, dignity-
attending)
affirming, and trauma-informed.
Junior 2 | Grades 4-5 | July 17-21
Camp 101 B | Grades K-1 | July 22 | (one day only)
High school students will learn how Central can
become disaster-ready, so that in the event of a
Y’ALL Camp | September 2-4
disaster in our community, we will be equipped and
Fall Family Fest | October 7-9
prepared to lead in offering assistance, care, recovery,
and love for our neighbors.
*All grades listed are for grades completed in 2023.
Our group will stay in Paducah, about 40 minutes
from Mayfield. We will travel to Mayfield each day. GREEN CHALICE MINISTRY
Tools and equipment will be provided. No previous CLIMATE SURVEY UPDATE
construction experience is required (although skilled The following is a brief summary of the climate change
participants are very helpful). We will have a site survey conducted at church. 76 people responded
director and summer staff with our group throughout to the survey and a majority of the respondents
the week. Participants must be 14 years old and older. agreed that climate change and environmental
issues are important matters requiring our attention.
UPCOMING STUDENT MINISTRY EVENTS 29 respondents think it is important that Central
February 1 – Middle and High School Mission Trip Christian Church addresses these matters.
Informational Zoom Meeting | 7 p.m.
The climate change survey shows that nearly 78.9
February 5 – Church-wide Souper Bowl Cook-Off percent of the respondents consider global climate
Noon | Fellowship Hall | Register on Realm change a problem, and 55.3 percent believe it will
affect them during their lifetime. Most people (39.5
February 19 – Chroma Collective percent) ranked their knowledge of climate change
9:30 a.m. | Fellowship Hall (on a scale of 1-7) at a five. 84.2 percent of the
respondents were interested in reducing climate
February 26 – SERVE SUNDAY change damage. Respondents wanted additional
9:30 a.m. | Student Ministry Room information in the following areas: 1) recycling
We will be packing toiletry bags for Natalie’s Sisters updates, 2) personal impacts on climate change,
and making sandwiches for HopeMobile (Donations 3) the health effects of climate change, 4) planting
may be left in the container at the red table on native plants to enhance the environment, and
Sundays) 5) composting. People expressed a preference in
participating in Zoom presentations rather than
in-person environmental meetings and trainings.
Respondents also expressed a willingness to donate
approved native plants, to contribute funds for
5
purchase of such plants, or to donate funds for other Our office is located to the right of the Welcome
uses. Center in the church lobby. We are available most
Sunday mornings before and after the 11 a.m.
JUSTICE CORNER service to assist with questions about various
health issues, provide resources and information,
JUSTICE MINISTRY UPDATES and offer minor injury consultation. We are also
The nonpartisan KyPolicy Conference (co-sponsored equipped to help you monitor your blood pressure.
by Kentuckians For The Commonwealth) was an Knowing your blood pressure numbers and
opportunity to learn more about the tax system in whether or not you are at risk is important for a
Kentucky. We know there is a great need for mercy healthy heart. According to the Center for Disease
ministries, but we learned more about some of the Control, about 1 in 3 U.S. adults (or about 75
factors exacerbating this need, including the Kentucky million people) have high blood pressure, but only
tax system. Beyond low wages, inadequate access about half (54%) of these individuals have their
to healthcare, food insecurity, and lack of affordable high blood pressure under control.
housing, people are struggling with the additional
burden of unjust tax legislation. Be sure to stop by our red table event on February
12 and let us help you get on the road to a healthy
You can be a significant voice for justice. Advocacy can heart.
be messy and sometimes frustrating, but we are called
as Christians to advocate for justice. One way to get
involved is by contacting your state representatives,
encouraging them to oppose HB1, which proposes
ANNOUNCEMENTS
EASTER FLOWERS
a decrease in income tax and increase in sales tax Easter Sunday stirs images
(this disproportionately affects families in the lower of a flower-filled sanctuary
income bracket). Currently, this bill is in the senate at Central. Decorating the
and will be voted on February 7, 2023. sanctuary with beautiful
flowers is an important
Be prepared to respond to upcoming calls to action part of our tradition and
organized by Kentuckians for the Commonwealth, celebration that Christ is
the Poor Peoples Campaign, and the Kentucky risen!
Council of Churches. All three organizations are
active in protecting and caring for the most vulnerable Central staff and Worship Committee have
in our community. collaboratively decided to transition from lilies
to colorful, potted geraniums or azaleas by
YOUR HEALTH AT CENTRAL Pemberton and Sons Greenhouses which can be
AMERICAN HEART MONTH replanted.
February is American Heart Month and your Parish
Nurse Team will be hosting a red table event on This year, our tradition of remembering loved
February 12 before and after the 11 a.m. service. ones with memorial flowers will be made available
We will be offering blood pressure checks and with the purchase of these Easter flowers. (Please
providing literature regarding heart health. note, at Christmas we will continue to decorate
the sanctuary with poinsettias, but we will not be
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the offering poinsettias for purchase as memorials.)
United States. Fortunately, up to 80% of heart
disease is preventable and there are things you Pemberton’s is finalizing their spring prices and will
can do to decrease your risk for stroke and heart have their information out in the next week. The
disease: estimated cost will be $16-20 per plant and the
• Be physically active last possible date by which we need to receive your
• Manage your stress order is March 20. Recognition of the memorial
• Eat healthfully and reduce your sodium intake flowers will be included in the Easter Sunday (April
• Quit tobacco use 9) worship bulletin. Please keep an eye on the
• Limit alcohol consumption Friday blast in the next couple of weeks to place
• Raise your awareness – here is where your Parish your order.
Nurse Team can help
In Memory of:
PATRICIA CAUDILL
(for Operating Fund)
by
Ann Thompson
JOLANE COLONESE
(for God’s Pantry)
SNOW POLICY by
As we are already in the midst of winter and Steve and Debbie Rice
subject to periodic inclement weather, we wanted
to communicate our policy for weather-related
closures. Generally, we will follow the lead and FILSON GRAHAM
guidance of Fayette County Public Schools for (for Operating Fund)
by
weekday office and Outreach program closures, as
well as weeknight meetings and events, whereby Marsha Pendley
it pertains to hazardous road/travel conditions. Patricia Noel
Any such closures will be communicated on our Brenda and W. Waverley Townes
Facebook page and on centralchristianlex.org. Ann Thompson
Decisions regarding potential weather-related JESSIE SINGLETON
weekend closures (including Sunday morning (for Operating Fund)
by
services) will be made by church leadership and
communicated via email blast, local news channels, Nancy McKenney
and posted to our Facebook page and website.
DEE STEWART
FEBRUARY MEN’S BREAKFAST (for God’s Pantry)
by
Saturday, February 11 | 8:30 a.m.
Steve and Debbie Rice
All Central men are invited to the next Men’s
Breakfast on Saturday, February 11, at 8:30 a.m..
Our guest speaker will be Joseph (Joe) R. Miller
II. Please consider joining us for a hearty home
cooked breakfast, hot coffee, and good fellowship
in the Fellowship Hall.
Reserve a spot for the February Men’s Breakfast by
registering on Realm.
Our Sympathy
We express our sympathy as a congregation
to the following people:
David Singleton in the death of his wife,
Jessie Armstrong-Singleton.
Leah Boggs and family in the death of her father,
Dick Cooper.
Janie Judy in the death of her husband, Jim Judy.
PERIODICAL
205 East Short St.
Lexington, KY 40507
phone: 859- 233-1551
fax: 859-252-9287
centralchristianlex.org
Volume LXXX
The Chimes (USP -097-160) is published monthly by
Central Christian Church. Periodicals postage paid
at Lexington, KY 40511. Postmaster: Send address
changes to:
The Chimes, Central Christian Church
219 E. Short St., Lexington, KY 40507
@centralchristianlex
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