One of my roles as Transitional Presbytery Leader is to resource Lehigh congregations, encouraging new ways of thinking about ministry in the 21st century. Sometimes I will use this weekly note to provide links on a particular topic that you may find helpful in your own context. Today it’s church buildings.

Nothing’s gonna change my world. (The Beatles, “Across the Universe”)

On the fifth anniversary of the Beatles’ appearance on the Ed Sullivan Show, George Bullard of the Columbia Partnership wrote an interesting article title “February 9, 1964: The Day the Church Changed Never to Go Back Again”, pointing out that this day initiated the end of an era for the church in the U.S. Among other things, Bullard claims that night “symbolizes the end of the heavily age-graded program approach for the attraction of people into congregations. It also should have marked the end of the building of Christian education facilities….It did not and many buildings by this design continued to be constructed and underutilized.”

Speaking of underutilized church buildings, I recent read this article about how a portion of the building of Mt. Airy Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia was re-purposed into living spaces. The congregation sold the building to the developer and is currently leasing the sanctuary and a portion of the building to use for worship and ministry. This is just one creative way for a congregation to get out from under the burden of maintaining a too-large, underutilized building that has become an obstacle rather than a tool for mission.

Does your congregation have a building that is underutilized? Have you every asked the question “What is our building suited for and what does the community need it to be?” Through a program called Project Regeneration, the Presbyterian Foundation can help your congregation explore ways to re-purpose financially burdensome church buildings into new opportunities for ministry. Click here for stories about what other congregations around the denomination have done. Let me know if you’re curious about this and I’ll help connect you with a Project Regeneration team member.

Blessings,
Rev. Rhonda Kruse
Transitional Presbytery Leader

On Sunday, June 23, 2019 the Administrative Commission met to ordain and install Christine Potter Kass, candidate under care of Lehigh Presbytery, as a Minister of Word and Sacrament and pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua.

Deb Prince, Moderator of Lehigh Presbytery ordains and installs Christy Potter Kass.

What a joyous occasion for the church after a 2-1/2 year search for a pastor. The Service was well attended and all attendees and participates were treated to lovely array of refreshments following the service.

Christine is a May 2019 graduate of Moravian Theological Seminary with a master’s degree in divinity, a concentration in spiritual formation, and a certificate in biblical studies.  Ministry is a second career for Christy, who spent 20-plus years as a newspaper reporter, then editor, both in print and online.

Christy has been involved in many aspects of ministry during her years in seminary. She has led a chapel service for her peers and faculty at the seminary, done volunteer work (one-on-one) with senior citizens, written liturgies, served as supply pastor to the Pleasant Valley Presbyterian Church of Brodheadsville, and conducted worship services at continuing care retirement communities.

In her spare time, Christy loves to read, write, bake, sculpt, and camp. (Just not all at the same time.)  She lives with her husband of 16 years, glass artist Guy Kass; a Himalayan cat named Dakota; and awesome rescue dog named Luna; and a cantankerous old crested gecko named Garp.

Newly ordained and installed, Rev. Christine Potter Kass.
Welcome to Lehigh Presbytery and your ministry with the
First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua.

Rev. Kass and the First Presbyterian Church of Hokendauqua (3005 S. Front Street, Whitehall, PA) invite you to join them on Sunday mornings for their Worship Service at 9:30 a.m. during the Summer or at 10:00 a.m. from September – June.