The Idlewild Chimes

A newsletter for the congregation and friends of Idlewild Presbyterian Church in Midtown Memphis

Summer is a great time for livin’ easy, renewing the spirit,
and reassessing how to use God’s gifts

A letter from Pastor Steve Montgomery

I don’t know what your summer holds for you, but I hope there will be a little time for some rest, renewal, and reassessment. I used to think of summertime as George Gershwin did, a time when “the livin’ is easy.” But increasingly it seems to be a time to pack in all of those things that we didn’t get done during the school year. So my wish for you is some rest. Things do slow down here (a little!) during the summer; few committees meet in July, and we even try to give our hard-working editor of the Chimes, Ginny Moore, a rest by not sending out a newsletter in July and August.

But I would remind you that we do remain open. I have known of several churches that actually close down during the summer. So I hope that some of your rest will be a Sabbath rest with time for Idlewild built in. The worship and program life of our church does go on; people in need still seek us out; we have an interesting combined church school class on Sunday mornings; plans are already being made for an exciting fall program; the session has been discussing the vision of what they would like Idlewild to be; and yes, your pledge dollars are just as needed in July as they are in November or March!

But I hope you might use the summer as a time of reassessment as well as rest and renewal. Please give some thought as to how you might come back to Idlewild renewed and ready to serve. As you reassess your life, where might God use the gifts that you have been given? Here are a few ideas:

Singing in the choir — I have sung with a number of directors through the years, and none of them holds the bar as high as Ted Gibboney. He works well with those who have never sung in a choir, and those who have sung all their lives. Think of what it might be like to come out of worship each Sunday knowing that you have helped our congregation both glorify God and enjoy God through your singing!

Tutoring at Idlewild Elementary School — I know you have heard about this program, and virtually every person I know who tutors there has been touched, inspired, and moved to hope as they work with these kids, some with incredible stories and hardships, and feel that they have actually made a difference in their lives because an adult cared.

Partnering at Idlewild Court — About 15 years ago our church built this transitional apartment unit for families who had been homeless, and we are in the process of going the next step by working with the families, “partnering” with them to help them during these times of transition. I wish all of you could have seen the television news segment on a young man who, along with his mother, had been homeless, but through MIFA found their way to Idlewild Court, and just graduated last month from Christian Brothers University!

More Than a Meal — Here’s another one you’ve heard about, having been in existence for more than eight years. But we continue to need people to come and serve, and hopefully even befriend our guests. What about making a commitment to serve once a month?

Teaching Children — New teachers will be needed for all age groups, 2 years-6th grade, for Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings beginning in September. No special skills are required, just a desire to share God’s love with our children. Responsibilities are shared, with teams of at least three teachers each. Contact Elizabeth Houston if you want to help teach this fall.

ChristCare Groups — I think ChristCare groups are one of the best things, along with the Disciple Bible study groups, that have been started in the past few years. Small groups are essential to our spiritual formation. We are doubling the number of small groups this year. There is something for you.

Feed youth groups — Our two youth groups, BASIC and QUEST, meet Sunday evenings to share fellowship and a meal. How about committing to feed a group once or twice a year? Pizza, chicken, whatever… it would be appreciated.

Invite a friend or neighbor — This summer, in all that you do, have your “antenna” up. Where can you tell the story of what God is doing here at Idlewild? Do you have new neighbors? Do you know of someone going through a hard time? How about that second cousin twice-removed who opens the door to you asks “So, what’s new?” We have been blessed with the many new members we have had over the past few years. But I can’t but feel deep down inside, that there are many, many people out there who would love to find a church like Idlewild. They just need an invitation.

Blessings to all of you this summer. And remember, we are indeed open all summer!

-- Pastor Steve

Confirmands move ahead in their faith journey

We are enormously proud of our 2008 confirmands, who spent months of study, preparation and learning together in faith. After presenting their faith statements to the Session, they were confirmed as full and active members of the church. Many thanks to their supportive parents and mentors. Congratulations!

Youth received in confirmation: Mary Peeler, Meg Gould, Emmy Schaefer, Amy Pickens, Sumita Montgomery, Nathan Allen, Barrett Heffington and Nathan Prosser).

Make More Than a Meal more than it’s ever been!

For eight years now, More Than A Meal (MTAM) has offered comfort, help and hope to thousands. Each week on Thursday evenings, Idlewild Church serves people in our community a hot meal, great music, and warm fellowship.

Please come join in serving, visiting with guests, and/or cleaning up afterward. Volunteers can arrive as early as 5:00 to be part of MTAM worship, at 5:15 for orientation, or as late as 6:15 to help with clean-up.

Please join us and be part of this Idlewild ministry that makes such a difference in the lives of our guests and servers. You the church members — your grace, prayers and hard work — are the “More” in More Than A Meal! (See page 4 for MTAM volunteer jobs and schedules.)

A typical MTAM Thursday evening schedule

5:15 — Earle Donelson or another MTAM committee member is available in the hallway just outside the T.K. Young Room to familiarize newcomers with all the details of serving.

5:30 — MTAM worship ends. Guests make a nametag, get water or lemonade, and choose a place to sit at a table in the T.K. Young Room.

5:40 — A church member or minister opens with words of welcome and a blessing. Volunteers take plates from the kitchen window to serve guests “first plates” at the tables. During dinner, guests and servers write out prayer requests and turn them in.

6:00 — Prayers from the people are offered. Servers take up first plates and serve second plates to guests.

6:15 — Servers begin to take up plates, clean tables, stack chairs, store tables and chairs (Help is always needed with tables and chairs!), and sweep the floor.

Volunteers are usually finished between 6:30 and 6:45.

Enjoy the carillon music loved by Paul and David

A carillon concert in memory of Paul Hicks and David Ramsey will be presented Sunday, June 1, at 12:30 p.m. (during First Sunday Lunch). Idlewild carillonneur David Caudill will play favorite tunes of Hicks and Ramsey, including “Take Me Out to the Ball Game,” “Jesu’, Joy of Man’s Desiring,” and “Misty.” The concert is free and open to the public, whether sitting in the garth, the church parking lot or the playground.

Paul Hicks, who died April 18, was a longtime organist at First United Methodist Church before coming to Idlewild Presbyterian Church to serve as interim organist and then as carillonneur. He was instrumental in the completion of the carillon, and he played the bells everyday until 2006. Paul also wrote church histories, including a multi-volume history of First United Methodist Church.

David Ramsey was organist for the Memphis Chicks, the Redbirds, St. John’s United Methodist and First Presbyterian Churches, as well as teaching organ at Rhodes College. David died January 17.

Caudill, a good friend and collaborator of both men, first learned to play Idlewild’s 48-bell carillon with Hicks in 2003, and later became an instructor himself.

Idlewild’s 48-bell carillon is housed in a stone tower which rises 120 feet above the church’s sanctuary. The bells, which were cast at the Paccard-Fonderie de Cloches of Annecy, France, range in weight from 4,397 to 29 pounds, totaling more than 26,890 pounds. Forty-four of the bells are stationary; the other four, the C, F, G and A in the bottom octave, swing in a peal or a random ringing. Due to the varying sizes of the bells, the smallest of the four bells rings first, the next largest follows, and so on. The cessation of the peal is in reverse order.

The church building itself was completed in the late 1920s but, because of the volatile economic times, the magnificent bell tower remained empty for decades. In 1980 the first 23 bells were installed, and the remaining 25 were installed in the fall of 1999. The full carillon was initiated by carillonneur Paul Hicks on December 31, 1999 at 11:59 p.m. as a welcome to the third millennium.

We welcome the Rev. Daniel Izquierdo Hernandez

The Reverend Daniel Izquierdo Hernandez, moderator of the Presbyterian Reformed Church of Cuba, will teach an adult church class at Idlewild Sunday, July 13. All are invited to the class, 9:40 to 10:40 a.m. in the Harlan Room.

Although separated for many years by political conflict between their governments, Presbyterians in Cuba and the United States have renewed ties of friendship and support. The Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba is the product of the mission energy of both Presbyterian churches in our country that merged in 1983 to form the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Presbytery of Cuba was granted authority in 1966 to form its own autonomous church. Presbyterian churches in Cuba are growing!

Explore thoughtful ways to live this summer

The Thoughtful Christian summer church school series for adults offers different topics and leaders each Sunday, 9:40-10:40 in the Harlan Room. Check your mailbox for a complete schedule, or pick one up at the church.

With fascinating subjects ranging from Honoring the Sabbath to Introduction to the Koran to What Is the Soul?, Local Food: Global Good to Archaeology and Christian Faith, summer Sunday mornings will explore ways to live out your faith in everyday life.

And don’t miss guest speaker Daniel Izquierdo Hernandez, moderator of the Presbyterian Reformed Church of Cuba, on July 13.

Please note: Two classes, LeMaster and John Knox, will continue their regular schedule throughout the summer. All other classes will resume in September.

Singer-songwriter David LaMotte performed at Idlewild April 6 as part of his farewell tour.
Show here: Will Presley (left) shared some tunes with LaMotte after the concert.

Church is a place of friendship and acceptance

We go to church to be with others who either know God or wish to know God. The church is a place of acceptance, friendship and fellowship. It’s a place to honor and worship our loving Creator who accepts us as family.

In church we pray to God, sing about God, hear God’s Word for us and find support and direction for whatever challenges face us. In church we find comfort in our sorrow, encouragement in our struggles and the Holy Spirit’s assurance that “all things work together for good for those who love God” (Romans 8:28, NRSV).

Registration is open for fall Disciple courses

Disciple courses lead you through the Bible in a structured, focused way, with weekly discussion groups to explore questions and supplement daily Bible reading and journaling. New courses beginning in September:

Invitation to Psalms (Sunday mornings, 8:30-10:00) A commitment of ten weeks (September-November) requested. Facilitated by Robyn Gibboney.

Jesus in the Gospels (Wednesday mornings, 9:30-11:30) A commitment from September through May is requested. Facilitated by Casey Thompson.

Invitation to John (Wednesday evenings, 6:00-7:30) A commitment from September through November is requested. Facilitated by Gayle Walker.

For details please pick up a brochure at the church. In order for the facilitators to prepare adequately, please register by June 29 with Gayle Walker, 726-4681 or gwalker@idlewildchurch.org. (Later registration will be accepted.)

Ordination Standards Clarified

In a ruling dated February 11, 2008, the General Assembly Permanent Judicial Commission (GAPJC) declared that the authoritative interpretation that the General Assembly approved in 2006 does not permit exceptions to the requirement in the PC(USA)’s ordination standards, which say that candidates must practice fidelity if they are married or chastity if they are single. The GAPJC went on the say, “the fidelity and chastity standard may only be changed by a constitutional amendment.” For more information about GAPJC visit www.pcusa.org/gapjc.

Summer Arts and Adventures

A Fused Glass Class will be held Monday, June 9, at 6:30. Cost is $30 to make a pair of earrings and a pendent. Space is limited, so call now to reserve a spot.

Young, old, beginners, experienced — all potters are welcome in the NEW pottery studio! Bring a friend and explore this hidden treasure located in Room 101 (Jones Building first floor). Open Studio hours: Thursdays at 6:00 p.m., Fridays at 9:30 a.m. There is always someone to help with hand-building techniques and wheel basics. NO fee, but donations are welcome to help with the new kiln and supplies.

St. Louis Baseball Trip: June 14-15. Join the fun as the Cardinals take on the Phillies on June 14-15 in the new Busch Stadium. The group leaves early Saturday, and returns Sunday after watching the game from a luxury box. Cost of $115 per person includes two baseball games, lodging, and transportation.

Mt. LeConte hiking trip: July 13-16. Leave Sunday morning for Gatlinburg, spend Monday shopping in Pigeon Forge or Gatlinburg, or whitewater rafting on the Nantahala.

Tuesday, hike up the mountain and spend the night in a lodge at the top, where a spectacular dinner and breakfast will be provided. Wednesday, hike the short trail down the mountain and head home. Cost is app. $250 per person, depending on hotel accommodations and rafting.

Junior High Outdoor Challenge:
July 18-25. Campers who have completed grades 5-7 will enjoy the great outdoors in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. Challenging activities include a ropes course, rappelling, canoeing, caving, kayaking, swimming, rafting, mountain biking, hiking, worship, and games. Cost: $490.

Idlewild Soccer Camp: July 28-August 1. This is the best soccer camp value in the city! This camp for boys and girls ages 7-14 is led by Rhodes College coaching staff headed by Andy Marcinko, who works with the Olympic Development Program. Camp is 9:00-3:00 each day. Cost: $100.

Fall Soccer sign-up is now open for boys and girls ages 4-18. Pick up a registration form outside the recreation office, or print/mail one from www.idlewildchurch.org/recreation.html.

Call the recreation office at 725-4165 for information on any of these programs.

General Assembly convenes this month

The 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) convenes June 21-28 in San Jose, California. The General Assembly is the highest governing body of the church and is representative of the unity of our congregations, sessions, presbyteries, and synods. The 2008 theme is “Do justice, love kindness, walk humbly
with your God” (Micah 6:8). Many important issues will be considered by commissioners and advisory delegates as they seek to discern and to represent the will of Christ for the PC(USA). Visit www.pcusa.org/ga218 to learn more and for daily news and updates.

Volunteer! Give!

McMerton Garden, an organic neighborhood garden in Binghamton, was started by church members last summer and quickly expanded to several plots. Share the work and fun this summer! Contact Carl Awsumb at 278-2552 or cawsumb@bellsouth.net.

If you would like to support those struggling to recover from the Arkansas tornados, the cyclone in Myanmar, or the earthquake in China, please write checks to Idlewild Presbyterian Church with “tornado,” “cyclone,” or “earthquake” on the memo line. Funds will be distributed thru the Presbyterian Disaster Relief Fund. (For info about Myanmar efforts visit www.pcusa.org/pda/response/asia/myanmarburma-index.htm.)

Donate Sunday morning flowers for the sanctuary and have an honorarium or memorial printed in the bulletin. The flowers are used for the Monday morning flower ministry, when they are made into bouquets and delivered to hospital patients and shut-ins. Contact Betsy Earp at 324-1688 for more info.

If you’re a Redbirds season ticket holder with unused or extra tickets, you can donate them to More Than A Meal. Tickets are collected then traded in for future games so our guests and their children can attend. If you don’t have tickets but would like to help, how about sponsoring a family? Contact Earle Donelson, 274-6663.

Used books are being accepted for More Than A Meal’s Paul Harlan Library, for MTAM guests. Bibles and spiritual books, mysteries, histories, thrillers, chillers, and biographies are popular. Contact Earle Donelson at 274-6663, or bring books to the church in a box marked “MTAM.”

A father’s influence

Studies show that if the mother of a family attends worship, there is a 16% chance that the rest of the family will also attend. Yet when a father attends worship, there is a 93% chance that other family members will be present, too. Dads, just think of the clout you have!

Notes and news

Joseph Atem, one of the “Lost Boys of Sudan,” was a featured speaker at The Sudan Story presentation on April 20. Other speakers were Dr. Shadrack Nasong’o of Rhodes College and Emma O’Hagan of STAND. Micah’s Missionaries, our younger mission workers, served Sudanese soup and shared the lessons they were learning about remaining faithful in the face of evil.

OWLS (Older, Wiser, Livelier Seniors) will take a tour of Millington on Tuesday, June 17. The group leaves from church at 9:30 a.m. An August 12 daytrip to Davies Manor is also on the summer schedule. Contact Regina Benson 458-2970, or Sarah Burchfield, 324-6780.

Recommendations for deacons and elders, to be ordained in January 2009 for a three year term, are now being accepted. Pick up an officer recommendation form at the church or print one from the Member News web page.

Please do not park or leave vehicles unattended in the alley between the buildings. The alleyway door into the sanctuary building is a primary handicap access; some members with compromised balance, sight problems, or pain are unable to use any other entrance. You may think you will “just be a minute,” but please consider how that minute may affect others.

Join women of all ages, cultures, and denominations at the Montreat Women's Connection August 3-7, in the mountains of North Carolina. Contact Idlewild members Sissy Jones at 528-9947, Sally Palmer Thomason at 525-7138, or Mary Allison Cates at 725-5345, or visit www.montreat.org. Childcare and scholarships available.

The Chimes is not published in July and August. The September issue will arrive early with new fall schedules and info.

---

Special Dates

These events were on the church calendar as of May 20. For more info please call the church office at 726-4681.

June 1	First Sunday Lunch
June 1	Carillon Concert
June 2	RBI begins
June 2-5	Vacation Bible School
June 8	Village Pres. Youth Choir sings (11:00)
June 8-15	BASIC mission trip
June 9	Fused glass class
June 14-15	St. Louis baseball trip
June 14	Flag Day
June 15	Father’s Day
June 17	OWLS daytrip
June 20	First day of summer
June 21-28	General Assembly convenes
July 4	Independence Day (church closed)
July 6	First Sunday Lunch
July 6-12	BASIC Montreat retreat
July 13	Communion at Trezevant
July 13-16	Mt. LeConte hiking trip
July 16	QUEST Hot Springs trip
July 18-25	Jr. High Outdoor Challenge
July 28-August 1	Idlewild soccer camp

Committee Meetings

These meetings were on the calendar as of May 20. Please check with your committee chair or the church office if you have questions.

June 1	12:30 pm	Diaconate
June 2	5:30 pm	Clean Water
June 4	5:30 pm	Stewardship
June 9	11:00 am	Congregational Care
June 11	5:15 pm	Budget and Finance
June 12	4:00 pm	CUIC
June 16	5:30 pm	Long Range Planning
June 18	5:30 pm	Adult Ministry
June 18	7:30 pm	Session
June 19	8:00 am	Personnel
June 24	5:30 pm	Evangelism
June 24	5:30 pm	Global Missions
June 24	6:00 pm	Dress for Success Board
June 25	5:00 pm	House and Properties
June 29	12:30 pm	Recreation

---

Recent Transitions in Our Church Family

New Babies

MARY ELLIS SAYLE, born April 13, 2008, daughter of Peter and Hayley Sayle

ANTHONY MICHAEL WEST, born May 2, 2008, son of Michael and Paula Palazzolo-West

Baptisms

MONTGOMERY SALE GRIFFIN, son of Rhea Keller and Frank Griffin
SARAH SCHAEFER, daughter of Pat and Mary Lee Schaefer

New Members

Received by Confirmation and Profession of Faith:

NATHAN ALLEN
MEG GOULD
BARRET HEFFINGTON
SUMITA MONTGOMERY
AMY PICKENS
NATHAN PROSSER

By Baptism and Profession of Faith:

MARY PELLER
EMMY SCHAEFER

By Reaffirmation of Faith:

JENIFER ALVAREZ
SUSANNAH ENGLISH
FRANK GRIFFIN
SARAH HAYGOOD
REG MCGRATH

By Letter of Transfer:

CAROL AND TERRY BISHOP
JIMMY HAYGOOD
ANNE JENKINS
NORMAN McMINN
LIBBIE and DAVID SEUSS

Dismissed

JOHN AND SALLY HUMPHREY
TOM, KATHRYN AND REBECCA BARR

Recent losses in the Idlewild church family

ROBERTA LEIGH COLLEY, 89, died May 18, 2008. Roberta and her husband Ralph, who died in 1999, had been members of Idlewild Church since 1955. Roberta was one of the first flight attendants with American Airlines.

PAUL THOMAS HICKS, 70, died April 18, 2008. Paul first came to Idlewild Church in 1999 to serve as interim organist, after retiring from First Methodist Church, and stayed on as a faithful member of the congregation and the church’s carillonneur.

EMILY JONES SHRADER, 32, died May 2, 2008. Emily joined Idlewild Church in 2002, and she and husband Jeremy married in the church on May 5, 2007. Her parents Tom and Carolyn Jones are also members.

Losses in the extended church family

Condolences to these members of our church family who have recently lost loved ones...

Peggy Jones’s brother, Floyd James, died April 9.
Silky Sullivan’s mother, Mary Elizabeth Kimzey, died April 17.
Ernest Kelly’s mother, Miriam Herstein Kelly, died April 16.

return to top