Families with Children and Youth:

Last year we sent home resurrection gardens to help guide families through a devotion following the events of Holy Week. It was received so well that we would love to bring this fun devotion back this year. Last year’s gardens were for our younger families and this year we would like to invite our families with youth to participate as well. So stop by the Fellowship Hall after Palm Sunday’s worship service to pack your garden supplies and grab a devotional.

A special congratulations to youth member Wyatt Brace, son of Gina and David Brace, for being selected as a player on One Knox SC, Knoxville’s new professional soccer club!

Congrats to BK Kisubi, who recently made the West High School soccer team! BK plays a position, right backer, usually played by someone with a bigger size.

This Lenten Season the Flower Guild is offering luxurious silk scarves created by Knoxville native, artist Ruthie Windsor Mann. The 42" square 100% silk scarves honor our rich church history with original watercolor inspired turnip motifs. When the Guild first approached Mann with the project she found our history originating with James White and his turnip patch to be a "lovely story."

There are several staff members and parents who are coming together to develop a calendar of events for children and youth who have important upcoming sporting events, extracurricular activities, recitals, special interests, etc.

The First Presbyterian Mission Market has made the hard decision to raise some of its prices as of Feb. 9. All our high-quality, fair-trade products from across the globe are still available. (Please click here for our new price list.)

Beginning March 9th, for our Worshipful Wednesday program during Lent, we will use the book, The Road Back to You: An Enneagram Journey to Self-Discovery by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile, to help understand more fully who God has created each of us to be. You can find the book on Amazon in the link in the article.

Meredith will need resources to care for, house and nurture a child in her home. The Staff is coming together to host a brief shower after church on February 27th. Meredith does not yet know the ages or specific needs of the child she will care for, and so requests Gift cards from Wal-Mart, Target or Amazon. Please join us for treats and a joyful celebration and your gift or blessing for Meredith on February 27th.

The Presbyterian Church of Congo (CPC)is doing lifesaving work to protect homeless children in the Kasai region, with the help of our church. The Rev. Marcel Tshibemba, the Legal Representative of CPC in East Kasai, describes its ministries here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uhIxGOtAQng&t=196s

Dogwood Elementary is having their annual Dogwood Dinner on February 25th. We are looking for support from the community to help raise money for our playgrounds. There are a couple ways that you can support this cause. You can attend the dinner by buying tickets or you can help by donating things to our silent auction.

We are getting people plugged in for First Fellowship groups for 2022! During the pandemic, many of the First Fellowship leaders/groups worked hard and found ways to continue meeting safely. Now as our recent Stewardship Campaign suggested, it is time for New Beginnings and ramping up our First Fellowship Group efforts.

We are excited to announce that a new Adult Sunday School class will begin in January 2022. The original date was postponed because of COVID safety protocol, but we will start as soon we we can meet in person.

Get 2022 off to a fresh start with healthy foods from the First Presbyterian Mission Market. Groceries include Heritage Cheddar Cheese from Equal Exchange ($6) Koinonia Farm Oat Nut Granola (1 lb. $8.50) Medjoul Dates, (17.6 oz. $13), and Chilean Flame Raisins ($6.50).

How do we address mass injustice in the U.S.? The national Presbyterian Women organization has begun a Justice and Peace book club that will host nationwide Zoom discussion group every other month.

From the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Presbyterian Mission: As night fell on December 10, powerful tornadoes ripped across several states, ending the lives of more than 100 people and wreaking devastation across many communities by morning. In the wake of these catastrophic storms, it is the role of people of faith to shine as light in this bleakest of winters.

After many months of prayerful work and a detailed and thorough search, the Pastor Nominating Committee joyfully announces their nomination of Reverend Mark Curtis to be the next Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church.

Mark is the current pastor of Lake Forest Presbyterian Church in South Knoxville, where he has served for the last seven years. He is a native of Northern California and attended Princeton Theological Seminary.

The East Tennessee Historical Society honored FPC, Johnson Architecture, Inc. and The Christman Company an award of distinction for preservation and renovation of First Presbyterian Church.

Emerald Youth Foundation is looking for dedicated volunteers who would like to assist Knoxville teens by preparing them for college, helping with homework, or being an ACT prep facilitator, life coach, or an enrichment activity leader. They are also looking for volunteer sports programs for basketball, volleyball, soccer, swimming, baseball, and more.

Congratulations to Jack Ragsdale and Haley Retterer who were married on May 8, 2021. Jack is the son of Dennis and Becky Ragsdale, grandson of Baxter and Toni Ragsdale and nephew of Rachel and Brent Trentham.

Meredith Loftis gave the invocation this week at the 225th anniversary of Tennessee’s statehood, which was proclaimed in 1796 with the signing of the state constitution in downtown Knoxville. At an event led by Governor Bill Lee, Mayor Indya Kincannon, and other state leaders, Meredith made an impact with her powerful words.

The Session of First Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery's Committee on Ministry have endorsed and approved, respectively, the Ministry Information Form (MIF)