First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

During worship on July 2nd, Leo Adames will perform a song he wrote in 2023 based on 2019 lyrics by James McNiel. Both Leo and James are members of FPC. James is currently a high school student. Their song is called "The Way Back to Me."  Leo's comments on the song... When I read James's poem “The Way Back to Me,” what caught my eye was the idea that there’s a  center in the heart that holds a sense of unique innocence--a "garden" that holds the pure form of beauty, the basic elements of contentment, of happiness, and inspiration.  The poem is a struggle of losing sense of direction, of being in a maze of emotional dead-ends, trying different paths to “get back to the garden” on the “way back to me”.  “Where you will be” is the guiding light, the spirit that can be interpreted as maybe a parent, or someone that has passed away, or the God Spirit. The music is simple, gentle; it's a song trying to interpret the heart of a young writer. Lyrics : I wander l...

Lynette Aiken Jake Arrington Debra Bailey Amanda Brown Jane Coate Mary Ann Connell Laura Daniel Kelly Dye Randy Ellis Sarah Ellis Kris Foust Ashley Gallaher Kenneth Gillespie Janet Haase Georgia Havens Ella Hay Ross Hicks Millie Hoback Becky Hyams Todd Hyams Sarah Kanervo Katie Keen Bell Bill Kleeman Julia Lefurge Tedd Long Roxanne Lueck Annette Marks Charlsie Patterson Martin Bill Posey Tom Presler Karen Ritter Marc Schoonover Nancy Telford Ann Waddle Vicki Wallace

Learn the basics of knitting in 2 sessions with local artist Sara Coelho-Robinson! Hosted by First Presbyterian Church in the Activities and Outreach Center shared arts space, now called Makers' Corner. All levels of experience are welcome. TICKETS HERE! Saturday, August 5, 2-4 pm Learning the Basics with an Everyday Washcloth During this class you will go through the basics of this craft, focusing on two techniques: the Knit Stitch and the I-cord edge. By working on a simple washcloth, you will be able to perfect both techniques and have a useful finished object, an F.O. in the knitter's lingo, in no time! Saturday, August 12, 2-4 pm Focus on the Essentials with the Elevated Washcloth In this more comprehensive class, you will learn how to read a pattern and increase your knitting knowledge by adding five more stitches to your tool belt! After having perfected your Knit Stitch, you will be able to make a beautiful and elegant washcloth. This project will teach you the skills y...

Seasons Day Center for Adults with Special Needs has a few client openings on Mondays/Wednesdays! We are open 9am-2pm. Cost is $300/month with partial scholarships available for all. Call 931.645.6551 or email firstprezoutreach@gmail.com for more info.

Welcome Beverly Parker as our Chapel artist for Thursday Art Walk on July 6 from 5 to 8 pm. This exhibit is all about native flowers! To be out in the fresh air and stumbling across a flower you’ve never seen before is exhilarating, and this pleasure is FREE! The flowers Beverly has selected for this exhibit are not the familiar wildflowers most people are accustomed to seeing locally. Hopefully when you see these, you’ll start to pay attention to them more in the wild.  These flowers all have something in common–they were and are used by Native Americans for medicinal purposes. The possible applications are endless: toothache, fever, rheumatism, foot pain, snake bites, open wounds, sore throat, stomach pain, coughs, colds, worms, typhoid, swelling, sore eyes, skin problems, chills, and bleeding. Many of these flowers are also attractors of pollinator insects. Milkweed, for example, is one of the best attractors of monarch butterflies, which lay eggs on the plant. The emerging cate...

First Presbyterian Church is dedicated to being a center for excellence in music and art, offering a variety of musical and artistic styles as creative expressions of the human spirit’s response to God. Artists in the Reformed tradition recognize that music and art--and all artistic talents--are the gifts of God. The appropriate human response is an offering of ourselves and our art as praise and thanks to the Creator! First Presbyterian Church, long known for its music program and beautiful architecture, is dedicated to expanding its role in supporting the arts through painting, photography, sculpture, etc. We want to encourage and support local artists in their creative pursuits and help support local culture in Historic Downtown Clarksville. So, we are expanding the use of the Activities and Outreach Center (AOC) to include a shared space for artists to learn and create. Because the AOC is on the corner of Foster & Third Street, we landed on the name Makers' Corner . Artists...

FPC's bicentennial history book, “Following the Faith: A Bicentennial History of First Presbyterian Church, Clarksville, 1822-2022,” was selected as this year’s Publications winner in the small press category of The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH)! Only one book in this category each year is selected to receive this national award, one of the AASLH’s Leadership in History Awards, the most prestigious recognition for achievement in state and local history.  This year, AASLH conferred fifty-one national awards honoring people, projects, and exhibits. The winners represent the best in the field and provide leadership for the future of state and local history. We are so proud of this accomplishment and all of the authors, especially editor Ellen Kanervo. Over the last two centuries, First Presbyterian Church, through its mission, its members, and its ministers, has significantly influenced Clarksville’s civic path. Members of this church have served the communi...

Dwell (20's through early 40's group) is invited on a Harpeth River Float! It will take place on Saturday, July 15 from 10am to 12pm. Our weather backup date will be Sunday, July 16 from 4 to 6pm. Bring your own tube (about $7 at Walmart) and meet us on the Harpeth in Pegram for an easy 1.5-2 hour float! Prepare for getting wet and being out in the sun. We'll bring some snacks and drinks to enjoy at the final swimming hole destination. No charge. Contact Hannah Cruse or fpcclarksville@gmail.com or (931) 645-6551.

Learn the basics of watercolor painting in 2 sessions with local artist Jane Olson! Hosted by First Presbyterian Church in the Activities and Outreach Center. All levels of experience are welcome. All supplies will be provided, but bring your own if you have them. Saturday, July 22, 10-12 In the first week we will discuss supplies and practice techniques, including composition, sketching, color mixing, wet on wet, and wet on dry. Saturday, July 29, 10-12 In the second week, we will paint a floral arrangement together. Located at Maker & Creator Corner (formerly AOC), 215 Foster Street Clarksville, TN 37040. GET TICKETS HERE! 

First Presbyterian Church is seeking to hire 2-3 choral scholars for the 2023-2024 choir season. We are especially looking for male and soprano voices. This is perfect for music students or young music professionals. Sunday performance during worship is at 10 am. During the school year, one hour rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 7:15 pm and 9:00 am on Sunday morning. An interview and audition will be required before candidate approval. Pay  and job description will be discussed at audition time. If interested, please contact Hannah Cruse, Director of Music and Creative Arts. 

  Our next Second Sunday Lunch is on   July 9   around 11:00! It's an "Indoor Picnic" in summer style.  FPC will provide burgers, hot dogs, buns, chips, and condiments. If you are able, please bring:  A dessert if your last name begins with A-M  A  picnic side dish  if your last name begins with N-Z 

The FPC Learning Center offers piano lessons!  Ages K and up Mon-Thurs Throughout the year Email  reports.alc@gmail.com  or call (931) 648-2665.

We are incredibly excited to announce a new Wednesday program coming in the fall of 2023--Faith Focus!   This program is proudly made possible through a Vital Worship Grant from the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship, Grand Rapids, Michigan, with funds provided by Lilly Endowment Inc. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. -Ephesians 2:8-10 NIV Wednesday Night Faith Focus at FPC will be a congregational boots-on-the-ground laboratory for connecting our worship and work. Faith Focus will aim to renew our church and community by cultivating deeper faith, spiritual growth, supportive relationships, gratefulness, and service. We will have opportunities to grow in our faith through weekly dinners that facilitate fellowship, presentations that expand our mindsets, ...

Welcome Penelope Shumate to worship on June 25! We are so excited to hear her sing two beautiful solos, "Rejoice" and "Come unto Him" from the Messiah. She is the voice professor of our choral scholar, TJ Morin, at APSU. Read more about her here , and listen to a sample of her glorious voice below. 

FPC is organizing a Pickleball League! Sound fun to you? Please fill out this short form so that we can get an idea of what days and times work for everyone:  FPC Pickleball (google.com) . Details below: Donations accepted to support the program Current time slots are Monday & Friday 4:00pm - 6:00pm, Tuesday & Thursday 7am - 9am, and Wednesday 3pm - 5pm Start date is July 10 Located in AOC Gym ( 215 Foster St. ) Email fpc.pickleball@gmail.com with any questions

We are looking for Sunday morning nursery workers. This is a paid position. Applicants need to be 18 or older. Hours are 10 am through 12 pm. If you are interested, please email fpcclarksville@gmail.com or call the office at (931) 645-6551.

We give thanks for Kris Foust and her many years of service to FPC. We wish her the best as she transitions into retirement! Pictures from the celebration lunch below. 

Turnips, radishes, beets, mixed greens, and herbs from our Teaching Garden are downstairs in the Fellowship Hall fridge. Please go pick up some after worship. Bring a baggie and wash before eating. Enjoy!

Just before the pandemic, the session had approved the service/missions committee request for funds to help open a hospice in Rwanda. Jennifer Ellis has traveled there, and the leaders have visited FPC. However, with the travel restrictions, etc., she was not able to get the hospice off the ground. Instead, we have used the money to start a feeding program. Patients in the Presbyterian Hospital in Rwanda are not provided meals, so their families must feed them. The Dorcas youth group there saw the need and has been providing cooked meals for families to feed their sick.  Members of Service/Missions would like to visit Rwanda sometime in the next months. We want to see the meal program in action, and we also want to review the need for the hospice. A former employee of the Outreach Foundation who traveled with Jennifer pre-pandemic is organizing the trip, and members of some Nashville churches are also interested in traveling. If you think you might be interested, please reach out t...

HOLY SHIFT! – a conference at Montreat Church Folk across the country have noted the world has essentially shifted during and since the pandemic. For churches, some people have moved from the pew to the sofa to engage in spiritual life, while some have completely disappeared! Have YOU noticed that? Church membership had been declining for over a decade prior to the pandemic, but that has increased. Church leaders are working so hard to connect and reconnect with the community of believers.  As we gaze upon the pews, what truths have been revealed about our Church? Who has returned to worship? Who has come, maybe for the first time? Who is missing? How will these new realities for our programs, finances, and mission be sustainable? Where does our faith lead to hope for what is to come? Is it possible to see these challenges as possibilities – as a “Holy Shift?”  This October 9-12, Montreat will host a conference on this change, with Diana Butler B...

Since the pandemic, the Service Committee has struggled to operate. The needs are much greater than in the past, people are desperate, and committee members have been dealing with personal health issues. We have largely been using funds from grants. There are also grants that would include some payment for administrative costs – including a portion of audit costs. Additional grants are available if we have an audited financial statement. The cost of a full audit for First Presbyterian Church would be $50,000 approximately. We would not be able to pay that full amount from any grant funds. A separate non-profit would have a much smaller budget – and a much less expensive audit.  The session approved the establishment of a separate non-profit (501(c)3) to oversee service and mission programs. The new organization is the Irene Center for Hope. “Irene” is the Greek term for peace. Jane Olson drafted by-laws and a charter, and we have been a business registered with the state of Tenness...

Faith and Fellowship is for adults of all ages. It is usually held on the 4th Sunday of each month from 2-4pm or as listed on the calendar. It is hosted by Lynda and Hershel Basham in their home. For additional information, please contact the church office. April 2 April 30 June 25 July 23 Aug 27 Oct 29 Dec 23

Over the last year, we have made a lot of improvements to our in-person sound and livestream visual worship experience. We hope to keep up these improvements but need help from volunteers! Morgan Adames, our audio/visual specialist, has set equipment up in the loft in such a way that volunteers can assist in the process on Sunday mornings. We need audio/visual assistance consistently but especially when staff members are away.  Do you have a knack for digital equipment? Do you have a good ear or good eye? Would you like to learn how to operate a camera or record great audio? You do not need to be a professional to help! You just need a little interest and time! We will teach you the ropes.  Please fill out this short form so that we can get back to you. Specific opportunities to help include setting up the mics before worship, conducting a sound check with instrumentalists, starting the livestream, checking and adjusting the audio through headphones during the service, shifti...

So you grew a garden and you have more veggies in your kitchen than you know what to do with... NOW WHAT??? Learn to preserve!  GET TICKETS HERE! Saturday, June 17 (10 am - 12 pm)  Learn:  basic harvesting methods for each veggie  blanching and freezing  fermenting  infusing  how to utilize cold/dark space  supplies needed  Saturday, June 24 (10 am - 12 pm)  Learn:  water bath canning  pressure canning  pickling  sugaring  supplies needed  ***These workshops will be held in the Fellowship Hall at FPC.  ***All supplies that you will need for the day are included in the ticket cost.  ***Due to Juneteenth celebrations/Farmer's Market, allot at least 10 mins for parking. Park by the Activities & Outreach Center near the FPC Teaching Garden, in the staff spots by the church playground, or on the streets near the church. GET TICKETS HERE!

Do you love to do arts, crafts, science, music, games, snacks, story time, or other activities with children? Please consider volunteering for VBS this year! We are still searching for a small group song leader and 4 tour guides to lead our small groups to activity stations. You won’t want to miss out on this great week to build and strengthen the faith of our youngest learners. Email Emily Vaughn or the church office to get involved. Thank you! ***Register Your Child or Volunteer Here: First Presbyterian Church VBS (google.com)

Margaret Adames Ellie Arrington Don Atkins Carter Briggs Anna Brown David Brown Matt Dye Jennifer Ellis Christina Glover Jared Griffey Clara Grigsby Barbara Grigsby Linda Guinn Faye Hand Margaret Hennis Nancy Hicks Bill Hutton Judy Lowe Bob Lueck Janie McGregor Daniel Nolan Liam Nolan Lelah Neuman Dick Pryor Sue Pryor Tina Sitter Barbara Street Stephen Wallace Denise Williamson Niesha Wolfe