Y OU, L ENT, and die Basler Fasnacht

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1 Vol. II, No. 1 (February 2017) Y OU, L ENT, and die Basler Fasnacht What does Lent, that season of 40 days (not counting Sundays) preceding Easter, mean to Protestants? Unlike our Roman Catholic friends, who, if healthy, are required to abstain from meat dishes during Lent and, on most days, to eat only two meals, Protestants voluntarily look to the season as an opportunity for spiritual growth. It is a time not so much for giving UP, as for giving TIME. Practicing simpler living. Joining in Bible study with the community of the faithful. Looking closely and prayerfully to Christ on his journey to his cross and resurrection. In fact, for centuries the Reformed (Swiss Presbyterian) city of Basel, rather mischievously, has celebrated its world-famous Carnival during the second week of Lent, just to prove to neighboring Roman Catholic cantons that Protestants are free so to do! Native son Karl Barth ( ), most famous Protestant theologian of the 20th Century, who taught at the University of Basel after his banishment from Bonn University, Germany, for refusing to swear allegiance to Hitler, loved to encourage visiting American grad students to join fully in Basler Fasnacht. With a twinkle in his eye he especially urged teetotaling U.S. Southern Baptist theologs to march in the parades, that begin in torchlight at 4 a.m.! This year Lent is late. Ash Wednesday is March 1. Come at 6 p.m. that evening for a penitential service in the sanctuary that includes anointing with ashes for all who wish it. Then on the remaining Wednesdays of March and on April 5 come at 6 for a simple, soup supper, followed by discussions that I ll be leading from the excellent, PC(USA) The Thoughtful Christian. Gospel Portraits of Jesus not only includes study sheets for preparation but also personal devotions for each day of Lent. Bring your friends, relatives! We need volunteers to prepare the simple meals (see Connie Carter or Debbie Coffield). Reservation forms will be in Sunday bulletins, to let us know that you re coming. Lent will climax for us in Holy Week when, traditionally, we join with Powell Church in a joint Eucharist and solemn Tenebrae on Maundy Thursday (this year, April 13). And we hope to persuade neighboring Norwood congre- gations of several denominations to sponsor with us a sunrise service of worship in Victor Ashe Park on glad Easter Day! --Dwyn Mounger, Interim Pastor PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS BASLER FASNACHTEN. J Colorful banners (above) are part of medieval Basel s Fasnacht parades. At left above, one depicts the Basler Munster (Reformed cathedral, high above the Rhine), where Dutch humanist theologian Erasmus ( ) lies buried. In charming Basel, knock on any ancient door and out come if not Hansel & Gretel, at least Heidi! Basler Swiss-German dialect is unique.

2 CONGREGATION S ANNUAL MEETING FEB. 12 NOTICE TO ALL ELDERS SERVING ON SESSION Because the February meeting of the Session would fall on St. Valentine s, the elders have voted to change the February meeting to Tuesday, Feb. 7, 6:30 p.m. The Rev. Judd Shaw, General Presbyter of East Tennessee Presbytery, will meet with us early on the agenda. February 5, is Souper Bowl of Caring Sunday. Right after 10:45 a.m. worship we ll enjoy a delicious soup lunch in the fellowship hall. Freewill donations of money will go to the FISH Pantry Ministry. Please, too, this year bring a can of soup for FISH. According to New Hope s major FISH representative and leader Judy Smith, soup is greatly needed by this fine organization, committed to feeding the hungry and needy of Knoxville. After an abbreviated 10:45 a.m. service that Sunday we ll convene both as a congregation and as a corporation. Among other things, we ll: (1) Learn what God has been doing at New Hope during 2016; (2) Elect the new class (2019) of elders on the Session; and (3) Choose a Pastor Nominating Committee to help find our new, permanent pastor. By Presbyterian law, nominations in both cases may also be made from the floor, in addition to those presented to us by the congregation s nominating committee. Moreover, Ruling Elder Debbie Coffield will explain financial challenges to us. DR. MOUNGER TO TAKE LAST VACATION TIME Our interim pastor, whose covenant with the Session ends March 7 (but can be renewed for up to one year, with approval of the Session and of Presbytery s Committee on Ministry) will be away visiting relatives February In his absence the Rev. Bill Westmoreland, a son of New Hope congregation, may be reached in the direst of emergencies. His cell number is: (513) On Sunday, Feb. 19, the Rev. Westmoreland will lead our 10:45 a.m. service of worship. Feb. 26 our guest will be the Rev. Andy Morgan, UKirk (Presbyterian student organization) Chaplain at U.T., Knoxville). The Rev. Andy Morgan, of UKirk, U.T., Knoxville, and his wife Sarah. Attention, all youth and older children! During 9:30 a.m. Sunday school February 12, come with your biggest questions to a series of discussions of the excellent Presbyterian (U.S.A.) Study Catechism, led by the Rev. Bill Westmoreland and Dr. Mounger! Just a few of them: Is God male, female, or neither? If God is love, why do evil and death exist in this world? Can one believe in scientific evolution and still say God made all things? Some of you who complete the class may feel led to be confirmed on Easter Sunday, April 16! NEW HOPE CHURCH REPRESENTED IN 2017 KNOXVILLE MLK, JR., PARADE Director of Music Sarah Davis and Dr. Mounger joined scores of other area Presbyterians Jan. 16 for the city s annual parade honoring the martyred pastor and Nobel Peace Prize laureate. The marchers on the easy, two-mile route ranged in age from first-graders to teenagers to middle-aged adults and senior citizens. Serendipity: great post-holiday exercise!

3 Summary of Congregation s Questionnaire 1705 Merchant Drive - Knoxville, Last fall New Hope members and friends filled out a questionnaire that will help guide the Pastor Nominating Committee, that will be elected on February 12. Prayerfully in their search for a new permanent shepherd of the flock, they will eventually recommend him or her for a call. Many thanks to Jim Burkins, Moderator of the Session s Publicity and Communications Committee, for summarizing the results (below). Thank you all for your time and comments on our recent questionnaire. There were many responses, some positive and some negative. I just want to highlight the overall opinion derived from this questionnaire. Many felt that our best days were when we had more members, more children, and regular attendance. Our most significant events were the construction of the sanctuary and fellowship hall, our dissension at times, and our losing and searching for our Pastors. Our greatest strengths include our friendliness, loyalty, unity, lovingness, dedication, and commitment to Christian values, among other things. Our greatest joy and/or satisfactions come from our strengths and our people, childen, pastors, staff, and our involvement in the community. Our weaknesses include, our declining membership, lack of commit-ment, and lack of finances. Our greatest challenges include, growing our membership, finding the right fit pastor, adapting and being involved in a changing neighborhood. Most felt our programs are meeting the needs of our community and are our greatest asset/blessing, but more programs were needed. It was felt our short time goals should be to attract more visitors/members/ young people and find a new pastor. Our long term goals would be to continue our short term goals, be more active in the community, and rebuild/update our building and grounds. We describe New Hope to potential members by pointing out our strengths. We were split on our satisfaction of what is happening at New Hope. Some wanted change, while others felt we were doing as well as can be expected. Many felt we should pursue a part time pastor or a yoked situation (two congregations sharing a pastor). We need to be in prayer that we can find the finances for either. When asked what the top five requirements you were looking for in a Pastor, well...i think we are hoping Jesus will come lead us--lol, let's just say we have our sights set high. Please be in prayer for our interim Pastor, our Elders, and our future Pastor Nominating Committee. Thanks again for your time, talent, and support of New Hope Presbyterian Church. --Jim Burkins New Hope Presbyterian Church 1705 Merchant Dr. Knoxville, Tennessee (865) Dwyn M. Mounger, M.Div., Ph.D., Interim Pastor, Moderator of Session (865) , cell: (904) dwynmounger@gmail.com Sarah Davis, Choir and Music Director Tina Gregory, Administrative Secretary/Treasurer THE SESSION (Ruling Elders): Debbie Moore, Organist Missy Smith, Custodian/Sexton Class of 2016 Class of 2017 Class of 2018 Alyx Chapman James Burkins Connie Carter Bedford Chapman Pam Burkins Cathy Forester (Clerk) James Rogers Deborah Coffield Lucille Sweet Sessional Committee Chairs Stewardship/Administration/Personnel Pam Burkins Buildings & Grounds Bedford Chapman, James Rogers Christian Education Connie Carter, Bedford Chapman Congregational Care Lucille Sweet Worship & Music Alyx Chapman Hospitality & Fellowship Debbie Coffield, Connie Carter Evangelistm/Outreach/Missions James Rogers, Bedford Chapman Publicity, Communications Jim Burkins

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5 LOOKING AHEAD TO ASH Wednesday, March 1, 6:00 p.m.- Penitential Service in the Sanctuary with imposition of ashes. March 5, 1 st Sun. in Lent, HOLY COMMUNION, 10:45 a.m.- Stones to Bread (1 st in a series of three on the temptations of Christ; Matt. 4:1-11). Wed., Mar. 8, 6 p.m.- Supper and the first discussion of Gospel Portraits of Christ. Mar. 12, Lent 2, 10:45 a.m.- If You Are the Son of God, Throw Yourself Down (Matt. 4:1-7). Wed., Mar. 15, 6 p.m.- Supper, Gospel Portraits. Mar. 19, Lent 3, 10:45 a.m.- All These I Will Give You, If You Will Fall Down and Worship Me (Matt. 4:8-11). Wed., Mar. 22, 6 p.m.- Supper, Gospel Portraits. Mar. 26, Lent 4, 10:45 a.m.- God s Surprising P.D. Lineup (I Samuel 16:1-13). Wed., Mar. 29, 6 p.m.- Supper, Gospel Portraits.