First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH CLARKSVILLE, TENNESSEE ALL SAINTS' DAY 2025 COMMEMORATING THE FAITHFUL "Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:1-2, NRSV) Don Atkins Ted Atkinson George & Margaret Ackley  Angel & Helen Adames  Dan & Lynette Aiken Janet Aiken Judy Aiken Marshall Aiken Robert Aiken Kathleen Rowe Agnew Dee Albright Celia Ambrester  Barbara Ann Arnold John M. Arrington  John K. & Mary Arrington Bayless G. Atkins Ed & Anna Kathryn Atkinson Ned Atkinson William Hunter Atkinson Harper N. Ausenbaugh  Crit Austin Elizabeth Baddley  Meredith Baggett ...

FPC has been awarded $24,880 by the Calvin Institute of Christian Worship as a recipient of the 2025-2026 Vital Worship Grant! We were first awarded this grant in the amount of $17,000 for the Faith Focus Wednesday program in 2023-2024 and then reapplied this spring. Our new project--developed by Hannah Cruse, Doug Young, Greg Glover, and the Steering Committee--will build on the mission of Faith Focus to  connect faith to action through cycles of education and reflection, liturgical creativity, and discipleship practices that aim to address homelessness and hunger.  We will continue to offer dinner, childcare, and a program each Wednesday this year during Faith Focus at 5:30. Many of these evenings may be devoted to learning about and taking part in missional work in partnership with the Irene Center for Hope. Join us in our pursuit to answer the question "How can we end homelessness and hunger for children in Clarksville?" We will also ask how our worship forms us to be mis...

Everyone is invited to 2nd Sunday Lunch on July 13! The Fellowship Committee will provide a taco bar. We will also say our goodbyes and thanks to Director of Music and Creative Arts, Hannah Cruse. 

Please join the Congregational Care Committee in sending messages of warm wishes this month to Ella Hay and Abby Henson. Addresses can be found in the online directory .

Game Night is coming up again for all ages at Paul Cox's home on Monday, July 14. Bring your favorite game or just show up at 7 p.m.!

  Young adults (suggested age range: 20's-40's) are invited to an afternoon of food, karaoke, and games on Sunday, July 6 from 12 to 3 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. Childcare will be provided. Chat with Hannah Cruse for more details. Potluck signup here. 

Please join us in celebrating the hard work and accomplishments of Sara Batchelor during her time here at FPC during a reception on June 29. There will be cake and refreshments and a time for everyone to wish Sara well after worship in Fellowship Hall.

Let's read! Select three (3) prompts from each category. Write the date you completed the task on the blanks beside the tasks. Take a photo and email it (fpcclarksville@gmail.com) or return a copy of this form to the church office by August 31 to be entered to win a $25 Hudubam Bookstore gift card or $25 Dairy Queen treat! DOWNLOAD FORM 

Intentional   Property   Redevelopment  Team: Update, June 2025 Purpose Recognizing the urgency of our situation, especially the increasing financial challenge of operating and maintaining our historical sanctuary while also supporting the vital ministries of our congregation, Session has created an  Intentional   Property   Redevelopment  Team (IPRT).  This team has been given the responsibility of recommending to Session and the congregation a plan to use our  property  and other assets to accomplish the two-part goal of preserving both a viable congregation and our historical sanctuary for the foreseeable future.  The team will use an asset-based visioning process, inviting input from Clarksville leaders and close neighbors as well as the congregation.   Most Recent Developments This team is still in the early stages of its work, especially initial fact finding.  With the approval of Session, we have contracte...

Rachel Pulley is thrilled to be joining FPC as the new Business Administrator for Facilities. She has  lived in Montgomery County her entire life and is a proud graduate of Austin Peay State University. She brings a diverse background across several industries, including church administration, healthcare management, APSU Athletics, and most recently, PE & Health teaching with CMCSS.  With over 15 years of experience in business administration—nearly 7 of those within a church setting—Rachel feels well-equipped and deeply committed to supporting the mission and operations of FPC.

The next Game Night for all ages is at Paul Cox's home on Monday, June 9. Bring your favorite game or just show up at 7 p.m.!

Our June Card Shower is for Melanie Miner Cobb and Perry York. Please send them cards and messages of well wishes! Addresses can be found in the directory on the website.

Childcare has been extended to 9:00 a.m. through June 8 so that parents can attend choir practice.  (Childcare workers will not be able to stay for The Trek during Memorial Day weekend.)

We are pleased to welcome Neely Holloway to the FPC staff as Business Administrator for Events and Programs. Neely is a Clarksville native and 2016 Graduate from Austin Peay State University. After completing her undergraduate degree she joined the staff team of Chi Alpha Campus Ministry at APSU where she worked for nine years to help develop a discipleship program made up of 200+ college students and reaching thousands for the gospel. During that time she continued on with her wedding photography business, travel, and remodeling her home. In July of 2024 she met her now-husband, Justus, and the two were married in an intimate ceremony with family April 7, 2025. She has a heart for local ministry and world missions and is eager to work alongside the staff of FPC.

Our beloved FPC Director of Music and Creative Arts, Hannah Cruse, will be departing from her staff role with us this summer to follow the call of God to explore new horizons and greater opportunities. Since joining FPC in 2020 during the challenging days of COVID, Hannah has served our church with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. She has not only graced our worship with her musical gifts as organist and choir director but has also expanded her ministry in countless ways. From revitalizing our young adult ministry to spearheading the successful grant application for our Faith Focus program, and from coordinating our newsletter and social media to helping form our Green Team and contributing to the work of the Hospitality Committee, Hannah's dedication has been truly remarkable. She has also been instrumental in developing Maker's Corner and ArtsConnect, enriching our church's creative arts outreach. Her passion for social and eco-justice issues and her willingne...

Everyone is invited to 2nd Sunday Lunch on June 8! The Fellowship Committee will provide burgers, hotdogs, and sides. 

As the Green Team has been weeding the Teaching Garden, they have found and potted up extra seedlings, such as cosmos, parsley, or "mystery" tomatoes. Please come grab as many as you want free of charge for your home garden after worship on May 18. Mary and Hannah be stationed outside of Fellowship Hall! 

For our penultimate Faith Focus program of the season, we are excited to bring you  Mayor   Pitts  who will speak about following Jesus in a context where voices are constantly raised and conflict is the order of the day. Enjoy a meal at 5:30 and program from 6 to 7 in Fellowship Hall on Wednesday, May 14. Childcare available. 

Virginia Cruse (Hannah's mother) will be joining us at Faith Focus on May 7 to help us investigate how we might move from intellectual belief to the pursuit of an inner experience with God using tools such as the enneagram personality model and spiritual practices. Eat, learn, and fellowship with us from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall! Childcare provided. 

At Faith Focus on April 30, Ian MacNab will explore his journey as an Army officer and how his Christian faith has been a guiding force throughout his career, influencing his approach to duty, challenges, and finding purpose in service. He will also touch on the interplay between faith, free will, and accepting difficult assignments. Please join us for dinner and the program from 5:30 to 7.