THE
LE NT 2023 | VOL 7 5 | I SSU E 1
MEETING THE NEEDS OF LOCAL CHILDREN B Y B RYS O N E D M O N DS , COMMUNITY MINIS TR IE S DISCERNMENT COMMIT T EE CHAIR, 2021-2022
A
S UMMER L EARNING PROGRAM ST UDENT S AT T HE CHIL DREN'S F RESH AIR FA RM
legacy of Felix Yarboro and the Beesons. Finally, we tried to identify and assess the most extreme challenges wrought by COVID-19. At the end of this search, we unanimously chose to use our designated funds to best meet the needs of Birmingham children in need. Fitting, we thought, as IPC recognizes the Centennial Celebration of the
founding of the Children’s Fresh Air Farm, begun in 1923 “to address the greatest social need in Birmingham at that time.” We next defined how we could evaluate potential opportunities and agreed a solid plan was critical but not enough. We CO NTI N U ED ON PG 3
FEATURING
FEATURING
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MISSION
Courtney Kraus, IPC's New Children's Director P G 4
The Third Phase of IPC's Columbarium P G 1 0
Observe the Season with your church family PG 5
Summer at the Children's Fresh Air Farm PG 6
3 1 0 0 H I G H L A N D AV E N U E | B I R M I N G H A M , A L 3 5 2 0 5 | 2 0 5 - 9 3 3 - 1 8 3 0 | I P C - U S A . O R G
1 | I P C | T H E WI N D O W
t the end of 2021, Session set aside significant funds to support Community Ministries’ priorities and special needs. Session soon after established the Community Ministries Discernment Committee to investigate and recommend the best use of these funds. It has been my honor to chair this committee of Session comprised of clerical, Community Ministries, and congregational and Session leaders including Susie Abbott, Lydia Cheney, Foster Cook, Anna Hartzog, Kevin Long, Melissa Patrick, Kara Lindstrom Scholl, Ivy Spencer, Emily Vanlandingham, and David Woodruff. Kathryn Miree and Penney Hartline also both provided valuable leadership, insight, and input. The Discernment Committee embarked on a process of prayer, study of scripture, and research to better understand the unique needs in our community during these challenging economic and societal times. We contemplated the early years of IPC and our legacy of ministry to those in need and service to our community. We attempted to evaluate the successes and weaknesses of our more recent IPC Community Ministries Committee and the