The Pisgah Post
Pisgah Presbyterian Church
Woodford County, Kentucky
January 2009
An Update From The Session
Many of you have been asking where we are going
from here and the Session plans to keep the
congregation updated as we progress. Through the
Presbytery’s Committee on Ministry Reverend David
Duggan of Troy Presbyterian Church has offered to
moderate the Session meetings and has joined us for the
November meeting as well as a business session that we
held just before Christmas. David will serve in this
capacity until we have an Interim Pastor in place.
As we move forward, we are guided by the Book of
Church Order which gives us the direction for moving
smoothly through this transition period. We have the
support and assistance of
the General Presbyter,
Richard Smith (of
Transylvania Presbytery in
Lexington) and our liaison
from the Presbytery’s
Committee on Ministry,
Ken Copp (who lives in
Danville and serves the
Committee as a volunteer).
We have met with these
two gentlemen several times over the past few months,
and they have been generous with their time and advice,
which is that we do not hurry, but rather take stock of
ourselves and be sure of our course before moving
ahead.
We did need someone who is ordained to serve the
sacraments, lead worship and perform various pastoral
duties for us, and to that end the Session has contracted
with Bill Reed, an ordained lay pastor. He will be with
us for a few months until we obtain an Interim Pastor.
Again, referring to the Book of Church Order, a
Committee of Elders appointed by the Session has been
empowered to draw up a job description for the Interim
and submit it to the Presbytery for approval. After this is
accomplished, the Committee will obtain a list of
available Interim Pastors and begin contacting and
interviewing them. This Interim will be one who is
trained in guiding a congregation in its evaluation of
itself and in assisting us through the transition period
between pastors. The Interim Pastor will serve for a
contracted term, which may be renewed or extended.
The Committee appointed by the Session to procure the
Interim consists of Phil Bisbee, Jud Davis, Mary Hinton,
and Missie Wood. They have met and composed the job
description for the Interim and presented it to the
Session, which approved it. It is in the process of being
presented to the Presbytery for approval.
Our Mission: to worship God,
Study the Scripture, practice the
Teachings of Jesus.
After the Interim is in place and has had time to
evaluate our situation, the Nominating Committee will
be asked by the Session to name a Pastor Nominating
Committee (PNC) which will be elected at a
Congregational Meeting. This Committee will also be
guided by the rules in the Book of Church Order as it
goes about its search for a permanent Pastor.
Again, the Presbytery leaders have advised us to
proceed carefully and not to rush as it is much more
important that we discern our next direction and
understand whom we need to guide us in that direction
than it is to act too quickly. Pisgah remains a strong
church, well capable of taking care of its needs with the
guidance of a qualified Interim. The Session feels that
we must be patient and be certain that our next pastor
will be a good fit for our congregation.
In the coming weeks, look for bulletin inserts and
newsletter articles that will report on the status and
progress of Pisgah’s transition to our new mission. If
you have questions along the way, feel free to ask any
serving elder.
Worship Committee
With the Advent and Christmas season drawing to a
close, the Worship Committee would like to thank all
who made it so special for us. From the Advent
Booklet, to the ladies who make the decorations for the
church to those who provided poinsettias in memory of
loved ones…and to Bill Reed who has stepped in and
been so helpful in leading our services. Enough cannot
be said about the contribution of Linda Jones and her
wonderful choir. What would we do without them?...not
just during the Christmas season but Sunday to Sunday.
The New Year also brings a new Session and the
opportunity to sign up and serve on committees. The
Worship Committee hopes that its currently serving
members will continue to serve and will be joined by
others from the congregation. We are responsible for all
aspects of worship, communion preparation (we have
two able bakers), and anything that concerns the
sanctuary itself.
Gentle Mens Study Group
The Saturday Gentle-Men’s Study Group has
finished their latest study and will resume meeting again
on January 10. They will be reading and discussing “If
Grace Be True,” a book on tolerance by Philip Gulley
and James Mulholland. You can google Amazon for an
in-depth description and reviews. If you have any
questions, please call Jim Rodgers (873-9411).
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Installation of Officers
On Sunday, January 11, we will be ordaining and
installing the officers that were elected at the November
9, 2008 Congregational Meeting:
Trustee Class of 2011: Michael Jones and Alice
Kiviniemi
Elder Class of 2009: Bob James and Lesley Kindred
(to replace those who resigned in 2008)
Elder Class of 2011: Martin Fister, Mary Hinton, Joe
Johnson and Wanda Rodgers.
Deacon Class of 2011: Shelia Baker, Katie Burrier,
Emma Mitchell and Jackie Prewitt.
Please come and support these fellow members as
they assume the positions to which you have elected
them.
Happy New Year from Mission and Evangelism
Thank you to all the donors, anonymous and named,
that made the Pisgah Church Angel Tree such a success.
Every item on the tree was taken and almost all of the
gifts have been placed either in the sanctuary or the
Academy Building. What a treat it was to check the
communion supplies and see all the grape juice needed
for the next 6 months in place! Have you had a cup of
coffee from the new coffee pot yet? It makes delicious
coffee quickly and no worries about the basket falling
out! The new sanctuary vacuum cleaner has made
keeping our sanctuary carpet and bench cushions clean a
much easier task. The first aid kit arrived Sunday and is
in the kitchen cabinet above the stove. The kitchen
broom ensures easier cleanups and the steam cleaner is
on the way. Paper towels are now available on demand!
What wonderful generosity was shown our church this
Christmas season!
The November 30th Fifth Sunday offering of
$527.00 from Pisgah Church was given to the Woodford
County Ministerial Association. Again, we thank you for
the love and concern you show for those less fortunate
than ourselves. As we entered December due to budget
concerns, the Session requested that all committees
suspend any non-obligatory spending. Therefore we were
unable to give to the remainder of our proposed projects
for the month of December. However earlier in the fall,
the Session acted upon a suggestion from the
congregation that we make a commitment to budget
10% of our total income to the Mission and Evangelism
committee. As you know from the Administration
Committee, we did not make our 2008 budget. Wanting
to honor the spirit of this motion, the Session moved
that 10% of the 2008 Sunday morning plate offering be
given to the mission and evangelism of Pisgah Church.
Once the 2009 pledges have been received and the
budget accepted, we will be able to resume our projected
giving. Until then, we will update you through the Pisgah
Post as to the projects we are fiscally able to support.
We have lots of exciting ideas for the mission and
evangelism of Pisgah Church in 2009. We know there
are many good ideas from the congregation that never
quite make it to our committee. We would love to have
you bring those ideas to us. Won’t you please join us as
we renew our commitment to worship God, study the
scripture and practice the teaching of Jesus? Our first
meeting is January 5, 2009; we hope to see you there.
May God bless and keep you in this New Year.
Mission and Evangelism Committee
A Light in the Attic
Pisgah’s Youth had a very eventful and successful
December!
Thanks to all of you who helped the youth make
Christmas merrier for two local families. As you are
aware, at the end of last month we “adopted” two local
families through Woodford’s Family Resource Center.
After you generously replaced tree ornaments with
wonderful gifts, the youth wrapped the gifts and
delivered them in person to the families on December
21. I believe the families were quite happy with Pisgah’s
generosity.
Earlier that weekend, the youth group rang the
Salvation Army bells at both K-Mart and Kroger.
Afterwards we went on a wild Community Christmas
Scavenger Hunt and then returned to the Church for a
lock in, be sure to ask the Youth some of what they had
to hunt! Hint: did you know the Mrs. Claus does not
get the credit she deserves?
We wrapped up 2008 by relaxing and watching the
movie, “The Ultimate Gift”. This is a very good heart
warming film that we would recommend.
Pisgah Youth are in need of donated items: The
youth group is currently asking for donations of
paper plates, cups, paper towels, batteries (all
sizes), flash lights, and gift cards (to be used as
prizes/awards). See Cathy Johnson or Melissa Scott to
donate any of these items.
Please take time when you are in the Academy
Building to take notice of the Youth Group Bulletin
Board to see what your Youth have been doing recently
and for Youth updates.
On a personal note, I would like to thank Pisgah’s
members for your unfailing support of your youth in
2008. And to the parents of the youth, thank you so
much for allowing me to work with your children, they
really are an amazing group of kids. I can’t wait to see
what fun we have in 2009!
Happy New Year,
Cathy Johnson
806-1574
cjohn7@email.uky.edu
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Meet Our Youth

as we begin an exciting journey together. For more
information, contact Jennifer Chandler or Phil Bisbee.
We thought it would be fun to profile a member of
our youth group each month so you can get to know
them. January’s spotlight is on:
Andrew Johnson
Age: 15
School/Grade: WCHS/ Freshman
Parents: T. J. and Cathy Johnson
Favorite Song: Flanigan’s Ball by Dropkick Murphys
Favorite Movie: Zoolander
Favorite Food: All Food
What do you enjoy doing in your free time: Video games,
wrestling and playing saxophone in the band.
Something few people know about you: I like politics.
When your parents brag about you they often say:
Andrew is a smart guy with a big heart.
Your current plans after high school include:
United States Air Force / College

Sunday School Breakfast

Sunday, January 11
10:00 a.m.

Adult Sunday School Update

The adult Sunday school classes have temporarily
merged. For the next several weeks, the Issues class and
the Bible study class will meet as one. Together we’ll
study “The Purpose Driven Church” by Rick Warren.
Whether you agree with his politics or not, there are
lessons to be learned (or at least debated) as we study
this book. It’s not just a new year at Pisgah, it’s a new
season, a season of searching for new, pastoral
leadership, a season of discerning the Spirit in our midst,
and a season of asking the question, “What is Pisgah’s
purpose?” “The Purpose Driven Church” will challenge
Pisgah to grow “warmer through fellowship; deeper
through discipleship; stronger through worship; broader
through ministry; and larger through evangelism.” Add
your voice to this discussion. Pick up a copy of the
book at the kick-off breakfast on January 11 and join us
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Pictures from our Christmas Program

James Hines, Bella and Brody Mancuso

The Angels Sing!

Our Youth Group – A Light in the Attic

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An Update from the Administration Committee

As of 12/15/08 our checking account balance was
$4,986.04 and our investments totaled $66,767.27. Year
to date income is $183,295 or $32,551 below budget and
expenses were $207,185 or $8,661 below budget.
We have received 47 pledges totaling $97,220
towards our 2009 budget. Our draft budget amount for Happy Birthday to You in January
pledged income is $162,342. If you have not yet made a
pledge please consider making a financial commitment 1 Louise Lagrew, Herb Marting
to Pisgah’s ministry for 2009. 3 Charlotte Easley, Willa Thomas
If you have any question about Church finances 4 Todd Graddy
please ask any member of the Administration Committee 8 Jac Britton
or the Session. 9 Jamie MacLeod
Don Schmidt 10 Cathy Johnson
11 David Shropshire
13 Linda Scott, Smith Mitchell

Thank Yous
14 Lindsey McHatton, Sam Welling
15 Whitney Dunlap, M. Judson Mackby
18 Morris Mitchell
The staff would like to thank all of you for the care 19 Ruben Kadamyan, John Walker, Jr.
you expressed in your Christmas gift to us. As always, 21 Ben Easley
your generosity is amazing. 24 Madeleine Clark
25 Ann Ortenburger, Terry Johnson, Jeannie Walker
Linda Jones, Organist 27 Daniell Hill
Lynn Davis, Secretary 28 Zack Wilder, Lillie Broadbent
Ted Bendis, Bookkeeper 29 Kendall Johnson, Martin Fister, Bryce Baker
Rhonda Ball, Nursery Worker
Bob Keller, Groundskeeper And in early February…
1 Debbie Martie, Steve Cox
Dear Pisgah Church 2 Patrick Hayes
3 Coley Stilz
Thank you so much for the kind words and
5 Erika Clark, Kelly Hill, Tara Lewis
recognition you gave me on being at Pisgah Church for
6 Jesse Wilder, Ramsey Easley
10 years. It certainly was a surprise and it doesn’t seem
7 Constantine Budovsky
I’ve been here that long. It was quite an honor to get the
8 Catherine Davidson, Curt Welling
Kentucky Colonel certificate; the certificate to Bistro La
9 Bob Keller, Charlotte Gilbert
Belle (can’t wait to try this restaurant and if I don’t have
to cook, all the better); and, of course I love Christmas
Please help us keep this list up to date!
ornaments. To hear the choir singing on it and the
picture of the church is just perfect. What a way to
remember Pisgah Church and its members! I really
appreciate all the support you have given me these past
10 years. It is such a joy to work with and for the people
of Pisgah Church.
Thanks,
Linda Jones The Pisgah Post is published monthly by the Pisgah
Presbyterian Church, 710 Pisgah Pike, Versailles, KY
A large thank you goes out to the Elders, Deacons 40383. The deadline for the February 2009 issue of
and Trustee who have just completed their three year the newsletter is January 23. Please submit signed
terms. These individuals, Elders: Phil Bisbee, Abe articles to the church office or email them to
Fosson, Becky Prater and Don Schmidt; Deacons: Todd office@pisgahpresbyterian.org.
Cassidy, Cathy Johnson, Hannah Kindred and Willa
Thomas; and Trustee Sue Fosson, provided many
thoughtful ideas and hours of hard work. Your
dedication on our behalf is greatly appreciated!
The Pisgah Congregation
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Sundays at Pisgah Church

9:45a.m. Sunday School
11:00a.m. Morning Worship

The Staff Email

Lynn: office@pisgahpresbyterian.org

Presbyterian Web Sites:

Presbyterian Church (USA): pcusa.org
Transylvania Presbytery: transypby.org
Synod: synodoflivingwaters.org
Montreat: http://montreat.org
Presbyterians Today: pcusa.org/pcusa/today

Pisgah Church Staff

Linda Jones, Organist
Lynn Davis, Secretary
Ted Bendis, Bookkeeper
Bob Keller, Groundskeeper
Rhonda Ball, Nursery Worker

The Pisgah Post

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Permit No. 192

January 2009
Pisgah Presbyterian Church
710 Pisgah Pike
Versailles, KY 40383

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Web: www.pisgahpresbyterian.org, Voice and fax: (859) 873-4161, email: office@pisgahpresbyterian.org