7 from Kevin - November 2023

Kevin Jeske-Polyak • November 16, 2023

In 2011 a group of 8 congregants, including John Mark, decided to have some fun and perform an art project. The life of our patron Saint, St. James, became the subject. Each congregant decided on one aspect of St. James' life and painted an image of that. Four of those 8 recently rediscovered paintings are currently on display in the Administration wing hallway. Eventually, the full set will be displayed along with a short story about each painting.
Linda Goins has been lending her exacting and creative talents to compile, edit and publish our weekly service bulletins for many years. It's not as easy as it looks. It requires great organizational skills, patience, and concentration. Linda is always at the ready whenever the need arises to produce bulletins for special holiday and memorial services as well. Recently, she responded to an "emergency" situation when it was necessary to print bulk mail envelopes one by one on short notice!
In addition to lining up performers and food vendors for the annual Neighbor Day Concert, there is much more work that goes on behind the scenes. Thanks to Ashley, Bill Y, Butch, Carol, Carla, Drew J-P, Hoyt, John Mark, Kevin, Rick B, and the folks at HP Video for all their help in planning and managing our Third Annual Neighbor Day Concert in the Parking Lot! Special thanks to all of you who attended the event and enjoyed the music provided by the New Dismembered Tennesseans bluegrass band.
Jere Myers & DeAnna Franklin certainly know how to organize pancake breakfasts! Through four of six events, the number of participating neighbors has steadily increased every week. Thanks to their skill in budgeting and managing the actual tasks performed, the costs associated with all six Saturdays was covered after the first 3 Saturdays. The rest of the money raised during the final 3 Saturdays will be used to support our ministries.
Balancing HVAC energy efficiency considerations with the individual comfort preferences among hundreds of assembled guests is a challenging task. Add to that, the dynamics of meeting & event schedules and the effects of the constantly changing weather conditions in East Tennessee. We are so thankful for Colby with Trane Technologies and Ed with J&F Mechanical who are working so conscientiously and patiently with us as we continue to tweak the schedule.
Now that renovations have been completed, our focus has shifted to doing everything necessary to ensure preventive and corrective actions are promptly taken to care for an maintain our spaces. An important part of that has been contracting with a professional part-time housekeeper through DT's Housekeeping Services. Although Suzette only works in the mornings, (Mondays and Fridays), she has already proven to be a very conscientious, thorough and efficient part of our team!
Carol & Butch Yates provide enormous assistance in helping us reorganize items stored in and around the church. They also help us dispose of "clutter" and useless items that seem to collect in these areas over time. In addition to all of that, Butch & Carol perform other "home improvement" tasks like replacing light fixtures, mounting brackets, and hanging window blinds. We appreciate everything everything they do to help us keep our spaces organized and comfortable.