First Presbyterian Church News (Clarksville, TN)

On Saturday, December 2nd , Spiritfest 2023 will be held in downtown Clarksville  from 2:00 to 4:30 pm.  Come to the corner of Third St. and Main St. for holiday festivities!   At the Downtown Commons ( 215 Legion Street ), there will be live music, Santa Claus, kids' activities, and food trucks.  At 4:30 , Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden will light the Christmas Tree. Warm up inside Trinity’s Parish Hall (317 Franklin St.) with cookies and Hot Chocolate.  Visit the First Presbyterian Chapel (213 Main St.) for an opportunity to dress up and be a part of the live nativity. Dress up clothes and animals including a camel, donkey, and goats provided! Inside the First Presbyterian Fellowship Hall, there will be art, non-profit booths, music, and coffee.  Following Spiritfest around 5 pm, the Clarksville Lighted Christmas Parade will make its way through Downtown Clarksville.  Don't miss this spectacular afternoon to kick off the Christmas season! 

Singers are invited to join "Advent Choir" to sing for Lessons and Carols on Dec. 10. We practice at 7:15 in the choir room each Wednesday (except Nov. 22). Look forward to anthems with harp, cello, and flute. Let Hannah Cruse know if interested!

Sewing 101 Workshop: Learn How to Use that Dusty Machine! REGISTER HERE.  You thought you wanted to sew, but when you started setting up your machine, you just walked away. I feel you! Join Ann Waddle as we start from scratch. First step will be plugging in the machine. And we will walk away with a finished drawstring bag! Please bring: 1. Sewing machine. If you do not have a sewing machine, there will be 3 available.  2. Instruction book if you still have it. Most are available online & you may bring it on your phone or tablet. 3. power cord 4. foot pedal 5. any accessories you have (extra presser feet, tool kit, oil, etc) 6. thread-I use polyester for general sewing, cotton for quilting-bring what you have 7. bobbin - empty bobbins are preferred as we will practice putting thread on them 8. needles (2) 80/12. Let me know beforehand if you need needles.  9. Phone/camera for taking pictures of setting machine up 10. Scissors or rotary cutter, ruler, and cutting board 11. If you bou

On November 16 at 6 pm in the Chapel, our hosts will lead a discussion about choice and consequences and time travel in "This Time Tomorrow" and "Dead Men's Path." Books: This Time Tomorrow (Emma Straub) and "Dead Men's Path" (Chinua Achebe, Girls at War and Other Stories ) Hosts: Joanna Grisham is an instructor in the Department of Languages & Literature at APSU. Joey holds an MFA in creative writing from Georgia College. She was named a finalist for the 2021-2022 Very Short Fiction Contest at the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival and a finalist for the 2021 Ember Chasm Review Flash Fiction Contest. Her work has appeared in Gleam , The Emerson Review , On the Run , The Write Launch , Construction Literary Magazine , and other places. Her first chapbook of poems, Phantoms , is forthcoming in 2023 from Finishing Line Press. Gregory Glover is pastor at First Presbyterian Church. Greg holds a Ph.D. in biblical studies from

REGISTER HERE  Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of exaggerated cityscapes with our exciting workshop led by artist Sarah Spillers! You'll learn how to use a palette knife to create captivating textures that bring your artwork to life. Spillers will also teach you how to incorporate paint additives to enhance the texture and depth of your cityscape paintings. In addition, this workshop will delve into the importance of establishing a well-balanced color scheme using color theory. You will gain a deeper understanding of how colors interact and how to use them effectively to evoke different moods and atmospheres in your cityscape paintings. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced artist, this workshop is designed to help you successfully paint abstract cityscapes onto a gallery-wrapped canvas. By the end of the workshop, you will have created your own unique and captivating cityscape painting, bursting with color, texture, and artistic flair. This class is a perfect oppor

On November 9, join us at 6:00 in the chapel for opening act Talon Beeson and Open Mic Night. Talon will present standards and Broadway tunes. Other artists are invited to perform after the opening act!  Talon is an actor, director, teacher, and writer. He has been heard on many TV shows, video games, and commercials including  Divorce Court ,  GTA V,   Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare,  and as the voice of Kingsford Charcoal, among others.  Recently, he directed and played a lead role in the game  Soteria,  which won the Bronze Award at the International Serious Play Awards and the Audience Choice award from Stanford University.  His first book,  Starting Your Career in Voice-Overs,  is available in bookstores. He is currently a professor of acting/directing at APSU.

Come see a free screening of "The Gateway Bug" at Cinema Night on Thursday, Oct. 26, 6 pm!   PLEASE RSVP HERE so that we know how many folks to expect.  There's a good chance we'll all be eating bugs soon. Join us for the film about feeding humanity, then stay for the bug tasting. Over 2 billion people on earth eat insects for protein. Award winning festival darling, eco foodie doc The Gateway Bug explores how changing daily eating habits can feed humanity during climate catastrophe, one meal at a time. Interviewing over 50 professionals from the UN, USDA and NRDC, to celebrity chef Andrew Zimmern and Shark Tank stars Pat Crowley and Chirps Chips. Following the rise and dramatic fall of edible insect start-ups in America, this film exposes America’s disconnect with food as climate catastrophe, uncovering daily habits individuals can change to fix our broken food system.

Sign up for this exciting Makers' Corner workshop called "Photographing Historic Downtown Clarksville" on Saturday, Nov. 11 from 9 am to 4 pm! REGISTER HERE In addition to an introductory PowerPoint about Photography Essentials, Susan Bryant will lead the participants on a field trip with their cameras to photograph architectural landmarks such as the courthouse, Custom’s House Museum, downtown churches, Cumberland River, buildings along Franklin St. and Strawberry Alley, and The Commons. Susan will bring a printer and enough paper for each participant to print 2 images; 1 color and 1 black & white. She will give a brief talk and demonstration on simple and affordable ways to frame photography. The workshop will conclude with a PowerPoint presentation of students' best work from the day!

ArtsConnect, a new Thursday night arts programming series in downtown Clarksville, will host Open Mic Night on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6 pm in the Chapel. All ages, peoples, and artistic expressions--music, readings, magic, a unique talent, etc.--are welcome! We do not pre-schedule most performers. Just sign in when you arrive by 6:30. "JJ, Jules & Allie" will provide a cabaret-style opening act. Songs will include All I've Ever Known from Hadestown and Someone to Watch Over Me by Ella Fitzgerald. JJ is a composer and is working on a new musical that will have a workshop at APSU after Christmas. Allie will be appearing in The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at APSU November 16-19. 

You are invited to One and Done Choir on October 1! Come to the sanctuary at 9 am to learn a fun, easy piece with the support of our regular choir members. Then sing the piece together during worship. What's One and Done Choir? You come, you sing, you're done! No long-term commitments to choir, no high-pressure rehearsal or performance. This is great for beginners who have always wanted to sing in choir but couldn't commit or felt intimidated in the past. Contact Hannah Cruse with any questions or concerns.

Our hosts will lead a discussion of perception vs. reality in Jonathan Franzen's "Crossroads" and Flannery O'Connor's "Good Country People." There will be a few copies to borrow in the church office in the weeks leading up to the event.  Books: Crossroads (Jonathan Franzen) and "Good Country People" (Flannery O'Connor, Complete Short Stories) Hosts: Joanna Grisham is an instructor in the Department of Languages & Literature at APSU. Joey holds an MFA in creative writing from Georgia College. She was named a finalist for the 2021-2022 Very Short Fiction Contest at the Tennessee Williams & New Orleans Literary Festival and a finalist for the 2021 Ember Chasm Review Flash Fiction Contest. Her work has appeared in Gleam, The Emerson Review, On the Run, The Write Launch, Construction Literary Magazine, and other places. Her first chapbook of poems, Phantoms, is forthcoming in 2023 from Finishing Line Press. Gregory Glover is pastor at F

Mark your calendars for Art Walk in the Chapel from 5 to 8 pm on Thursday, October 5. We will feature photography by Shane Moore. Shane Moore's Artist Statement “Am I an Artist?” I have asked myself at times over the years. The answer is a definitive yes, but my creativity and output ebb and flow to the extreme. I scheduled this exhibit at DAC in 2022 to force myself to make Art with some ideas and loose concepts in mind and a deadline (I seem to work best under deadlines)!  I started the journey that is “echoes” with the idea of giving myself assignments: some familiar, some out of my comfort zone. I proceeded to languish, procrastinate, find excuses (some real, some made-up), then life really happened and I was a few months out from September 2023 with little Art of substance or quality. I had my assignments and some firm ideas: all darkroom photography using film, night photography, local history, experimental/alternative processes, abstracts, street photography, people, to name

Come join another amazing class at Makers’ Corner! Learn the basics of crochet with local artist Jane Olson. Participants will need to bring their own supplies. Please click here to register .

World-renowned guitarist Stanley Yates to perform solo recital, October 22 The Clarksville Arts & Heritage Council is pleased to host an exclusive performance by world-renowned soloist guitar player  Stanley Yates . The public is cordially invited to what will certainly be an unforgettable recital. The British-born classical guitarist has enjoyed an illustrious international career, both as a renowned concert artist, and also as a teacher, composer, and scholar. The performance is scheduled for 3 p.m., Sunday October 22 at First Presbyterian Church, 213 Main St. Clarksville, Tennessee. Admission is free. About Stanley Yates: He is Professor of Music and director of guitar studies at Austin Peay State University, home of Tennessee’s Center of Excellence for the Creative Arts. In his 30 years at the university, he has been recognized for his exemplary academic accomplishments winning the University Award for Scholarly and Creative Achievement. He was the University Presidential nomi

REGISTER HERE Join our exciting class with artist Sarah Spillers and discover the creative world of upcycling paintings with ghosts! In this unique class, you will learn how to breathe new life into pre-existing artworks by incorporating ghostly elements using acrylic paint. Spillers will guide you through the process with a demonstration and provide personalized one-on-one assistance to ensure you grasp the techniques effectively. By the end of the class, you will have gained valuable skills in upcycling and acquired the ability to infuse your own artistic style into existing artworks. This class not only allows you to tap into your creativity but also introduces you to the trending TikTok-inspired art movement. You'll learn how to transform a simple painting into an eye-catching and whimsical masterpiece that will impress your friends and family. No prior artistic experience is required for this class. All you need is an open mind, a willingness to learn, and a passion for trying

October 1 at 4 pm - The WannaBeatles Return November 5 at 4 pm - Bach Organ Music December 3 at 4 pm - Music City Chorus January 7 at 4 pm - Epiphany Concert February 4 at 4 pm - Cumberland Winds Dixieland Band March 10 at 4 pm - The Elliston Trio April 7 at 4 pm - Paul Rosewood

Do you play an instrument? Do you love to sing? Consider joining us on Sunday, October 1 on hymns and an easy anthem with the choir! Let Hannah Cruse know if interested. Rehearsal for instrumentalists will be at 8:30 and 9:00 for singers. 

You shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace! - Isaiah 55:12 For World Communion Sunday this year, we are celebrating our unity through song! Hymns and music will replace the sermon. You can expect to sing some old standards as well as new-to-us songs from other cultures. You may even hear some of the liturgy read in other languages. We cannot wait to hear the sound of FPC echoing through the sanctuary! 

Join us for Open Studio at Makers' Corner (215 Foster St.) on 2nd and 4th Saturdays. This is a time set aside for people to work on art projects begun in classes or at home. Bring any project you are working on--knitting, painting, etc.--and work in fellowship with others!

Handbell Choir will begin on September 6 at 6:30 PM in the Handbell Room on the 2nd floor. We will have practice from 6:30 to 7:15 each Wednesday evening. If you'd like to try handbells for the first time, connect with Carolyn Riggins. Prior musical training is not required!