TOWER NEWSLETTERTHE

Volume 165, Number 21 Love God, Love Neighbor, Change the World June 28, 2019

PASTORS

WORSHIP With usJune 28 and 30

Upcoming July Sermon Series “To Infinity and Beyond: Embracing

God’s Unlimited Power.”

All month long we will be discussing how we can go above and beyond in

our relationships with God

Friday, June 28, 6 p.m. - Sanctuary · Rev. Britt Skarda

Sunday, June 30, 9 & 11 a.m. - Sanctuary · Rev. Britt Skarda “The Giving Tree” Luke 17: 11-19

Sunday, June 30, 9 & 11 a.m. - New Heights · Rev. Jay Clark “Clothed in Glory” Psalm 104:1-9

Sunday, June 30, 9 a.m. - St. Luke · Rev. Michelle Morris

I was raised in a small Arkansas town in a tiny Methodist Church built in the late 19th century on a barebones budget. The church building was not impressive and neither was the parsonage that stood next door. Generations of my family passed through the portal of this modest place. My great grandparents were married there, and my grandmother, mother and I were all baptized there. As much as our family loved it, we knew nothing great could ever come out of this insignificant place.

And yet, for me this little church opened a window to the world. My childhood pastors, their spouses and children always brought a new and exotic flavor to our provincial community. At five years old, I can still recall a brand new young pastor and his spouse, Gene and Gwen Efird, who arrived in town with loads of enthusiasm and godly ideas. I also remember Brother William Lea. Rev. Lea was an elegant-looking man with the cleanest fingernails I had ever seen and his wife Ann, an artist, became

my third grade teacher and a major influence in my life. I thank God for the many pastors who helped train me up for life and ministry.

This Sunday, across the state of Arkansas, newly appointed United Methodist pastors will preach their first sermons in their new churches. I hope you will join with me in praying for a spirit of love and generosity that these pastors and churches will do remarkable things together in the name of Jesus Christ.

Also join with me as we continue to remember and celebrate the life of our pastor Bishop Kenneth Hicks and his ministry among us of almost 30 years, even as we offer our love and sympathy to Elaine, Linda and Debra. Read more about Bishop Hick’s amazing life on the following page.

And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” Romans 10:15

Britt SkardaSenior Pastor

Church Will Be Closed from July 4-6 for 4th of July This means There will be no FriDaY 6Pm service on JulY 5.

however, clc will be oPen on JulY 5.

Bishop Kenneth William Hicks, 96, died Wednesday, June 19, at his home in Shepherd’s Cove in Little Rock midst his wife and family. He was born as the only child of Earl and Ertie Hicks on June 18, 1923, near Iola, KS, and graduated from high school in 1941. During the early years of World War II, he worked in a Nashville TN airplane factory where bombers were built. Eventually he attended junior college, after which he enrolled at York College (NE), completing a B.A. degree. He then enrolled at Iliff School of Theology in Denver, earning his Master of Theology in 1953. Ordained a Deacon in 1952 and an Elder in 1953, Hicks served Methodist churches in Colorado for seven years, and then later in Nebraska including five years as a District Superintendent.

Rev. Hicks met his lovely wife Elaine in college and they married in 1946. From then until he died last Wednesday, they were one another’s counsel in all matters.

Hicks was elected to the United Methodist episcopacy in 1976, first serving the Little Rock and North Arkansas Conferences (merging in 2002 to become the Arkansas Conference). While in Arkansas he established an excellent record of credibility and gained a respectable reputation for leadership in human relations, justice issues, and a respect for life. He was also called as a plaintiff to testify against the legislation that would have allowed Creation Science to be taught in Arkansas public schools, which was eventually repealed.

In 1984 Bishop Hicks was assigned to the Kansas Episcopal Area, which included the Kansas East and Kansas West Conferences. Again he served for eight years, prodding and challenging the pastors, District Superintendents and laity in his care to innovative and effective approaches to ministry. While there, a Kansas church-affiliated hospital came into a negotiated sale arrangement to a private corporate entity. Though he walked into the developing stages of this sale in his first months in the state, he presided over the consummation of a matter seething with controversy. The hospital is still operating under the name Wesley Medical Center. After retirement, Hicks served on the board of Kansas Health Foundation for eleven years.

In 1992, Ken and Elaine retired back to Arkansas, where he was given an office in Little Rock’s PHUMC as Bishop in Residence. Though retired, his services were always in demand and his commitment to issues and causes close to his heart continued to beckon. Ken Hicks served as a member of Arkansas Friends for Better Schools, Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families, Governor’s Partnership Council for Children and Families, Advisory Council of Carelink, Interfaith Caregivers Alliance, Bishops’ Initiative on Children and Poverty, and the Arkansas Coalition to Abolish the Death Penalty. He was also a docent at the Clinton Presidential Library, a member of the Steering Committee of Arkansas Interfaith Power and Light. And for several years he was part time director of Ministries of Methodist Family Health.

Ken Hicks’ active ministry included membership on the General Board of Church and Society, and General Board of Global Ministries being chair of the National Division. Committee chairmanships on these boards included Peace with Justice and Chair of the Advisory Committee on Korean Ministry, among others. Notably, Bishop Hicks was in the forefront of the Peace Ministry at PHUMC begun in 2002 focusing on peacemaking and reconciliation. Many of his writings and thoughts were collected, edited and published in a book entitled “Peace Flowing Like a River” in 2010.

Hicks was granted honorary degrees from Nebraska Wesleyan University, Westmar College, Philander Smith College, Hendrix College, and Baker University. He also served on the Board of Trustees at the latter three schools plus St. Paul School of Theology, Southwestern University, Kansas Wesleyan University, and S. M. U. in Dallas. He also served as a Trustee for Mount Sequoyah Assembly, Youthville Inc., Lydia Patterson Institute in El Paso, Methodist Hospital in Memphis, and Friendly Acres Retirement Center.

His many awards included Civil Libertarian of the Year by the ACLU-Arkansas (1984); the Senator David Pryor Award (1997) for Community Service by CareLink; the Ethel K. Miller Award for Religion and Social Awareness by Hendrix College (1999); and he and Elaine received the Hospice Foundation of Arkansas Compassion Award (1999). He also received a Distinguished Alumnus Award from Iliff School of Theology.

Ken is survived by his lovely wife Elaine, who shared their incredible life journey. And they have been proud parents of two very accomplished daughters, Linda Hicks and Debra Gottschalk, who with the late Wayne Gottschalk parented Ken and Elaine’s very special grandchildren: Kiley and Spencer. Ken was predeceased by a multitude of beloved pets including Danny.

A special thank you goes out to Ken’s caregivers – Andrew, Curtis, Debbie, John, LaTonia, Lucille and T.J., with an appreciative nod to Arkansas Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Bishop Kenneth W. Hicks Peace Endowment at PHUMC; Methodist Family Health, 1600 Aldersgate Road #200, Little Rock 72205; or the Kansas Health Foundation at 309 E. Douglas Ave., Wichita, KS 67202.

LAST WEEK TO HELP ST. LUKE CLC!

Because of YOU, we are right at halfway to our big, ambitious, audacious goal for sponsoring 40 kids in 40 days at St. Luke Children’s Learning Center. THANK YOU!! We’re not done yet. You can still help! Spread the word about this amazing place and the work we’re doing here. Share with your friends the stories of the families who are changed because of the St. Luke CLC.

Sponsor a kid in the heart of our city. Only 20 more kids to go!

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

We need your donation TODAY. St. Luke CLC is making a real difference in Little Rock and we don’t want this mission to end! Mail your check with “Kid Sponsor” in memo line to 4823 Woodlawn, Little Rock, AR

72205 or donate online at phumc.com/kidsponsor

NEW PHUMC DIRECTORY COMING SOON!

We are working on a new directory for PHUMC for the Fall 2019. This directory will be contact listings only and won’t require any photos. In order to make sure we have the most up to date information in our church database, we are asking that if you have changed your address, phone number or have a new e-mail, please let us know! You can send those corrections in an e-mail to Virginia Lewis at vlewis@phumc.com, or call the church at 501-664-3600.

MARY POPPINS at Murry’s Dinner Playhouse

Sunday, August 4 11:30 a.m.; leave church at 11:15 a.m.

Join PHUMC Friends for lunch and matinee performance of “Mary Poppins” starring PHUMC’s own Karen Q. Clark! The cost for lunch and the show is

$33 including gratuity; $25 for the show only which begins at 12:45. Registration forms are available in the Welcome Center and the Reception

Desk outside Wesley Hall. Deadline is July 25.

The following gifts were received for the Youth Endowment, the Faulkner Basketball Scholarship Endowment, the Hicks

Peace Endowment and the glory of God.

Memorials & Honoraria

The following gifts were received for the Good Sam Fund, St. Luke Children’s Learning Center, St. Luke

UMC, Youth ministry, missions and the glory of God.

MemorialsKristin Compton by Melinda, Eddie, Marlee & Trip

MartinGary Davis by Rick FleetwoodMoffett Davis by Danna Davis

Ralph Finney by Karon & Bill MannGary Hogan by Karon & Bill Mann

Eunice Moore by Danna DavisMy mother by Wanda Fantz

Jim Pence by Misty & Drake Hawkins, Sandra & Virgle Lyons, Marie Morris

Vester Lamar Windham by George Rook

HonorariaMarriage of Sarah Ellen Argue & Matthew Lee

Anderson by Danna Davis, Karon & Bill Mann, Freddie & Vic Nixon

Ordination of Katye Dunn Chambers by Misty & Drake Hawkins

Bill Lyford by Fathomers Sunday School ClassLavern Schaap by Fathomers Sunday School Class

PHUMC Foundation Memorials & Honoraria

Memorials

Lee Bolls by Mary Lou Billingsley, Ann Cooper, Rhonda & Ken Dick, Terri & Chuck Erwin, Patsy Frost, Katherine

Jefferson, MC Electric Company – Dale Tull & Associates, Donna & Mack McLarty, Bev & Buddy Villines

Cathy Couch by Jennifer & James Castleberry, Linda & Mike Couch

Georgiana Gunn by Judy & Don Adams, Gaye & Robert Anderson, Jane & Bill Arthurs, Debbie & Robert Bass, Joan

Bass, Mary Lou Billingsley, Frances & Wayne Cranford, Patti & Jim Dailey, Marcia & Jim Darr, Laura & Mark Doramus, Beth Eaton, Becky & Jackson Farrow, Patsy Frost, Janice

Goodwin, Emily Hall, Marilyn Hall, Janet & Bud Jones, Janet Jones Company, Ann & Gene Lewis, Joann & Garth Martin,

Barbara & Dr. Mack Moore, Linda & Gene Pfeifer, Sue & Peter Powell, Jill Rensch, Mary Ellen Richards, Mickey & Joe Searcy, Patty Smith, Allison & Parker Staten, Carol Vick, Bev & Buddy Villines, Gay White, Cappy & Charles WhitesideBishop Kenneth Hicks by Jane & Bill Arthurs, Nancy & David Bartlett, Crata Castleberry, Anne Hill, Billie & Skip

Rutherford, Lavern & Ray Schaap, Loretta Whitney

Honoraria

Katye Dunn Chambers on her ordination by Joann & Garth Martin, Bev & Buddy Villines

Jimmy Faulkner by Sue GillMarriage of Jennie Stortroen & Greg Churan by Bev &

Buddy Villines

Birthday Club

Drew Blankenship,Quin Clark, Kearney Dietz by Lynn & Wayne Lindsey, Debbie Gilstrap, Sharon Gorgas,

Kate Kostopulos, Lynn Lindsey, Dr. George Mitchell, Rev. Victor H. Nixon, William Rugg, Stacey Sells by

Alice McCoy

Pulaski Heights United Methodist Church4823 Woodlawn Little Rock, Arkansas 72205

Contact InformationWebsite: www.phumc.com • (501) 664-3600 Fax: 664-4835 • Email: phumc@phumc.com

Church Office Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

The church is also available seven days a week, beyond regular office hours, for special events or meetings.

Sunday School Classes

ANNOUNCEMENTS Get the scoop on upcoming events& opportunities for fellowship

St. Luke Campus l 6401 W. 32nd St. l Little Rock

OUR CHRISTIAN SYMPATHY IS EXTENDED to Dianne Hocut and family in the death of her husband, Mike Hocut; To David Curran and family in the death of his step-mother Shelly Curran; and to Elaine Hicks and family in the death of her husband, Bishop Kenneth Hicks.

OUR CONGRATULATIONS to Mackenzie Powers and Parker Pearson in their recent marriage.

NONPROFITORGANIZATIONU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT #738

LITTLE ROCK, AR

Joys and Concerns

10:10-10:50 amAll Things Considered, M314 (all ages) Argue Named for Dr. Argue M318 (ages 45+) Beatitudes, M316 (ages 30-45+) Bible Study, C239 (all ages) Coffee Talk, M313 (women all ages) Deeper Connections, D371 (ages 20s-30s) Drop-In Class, Wesley HallFathomers, C235 (ages 55+) Foundations, C236 (couples ages 20s-40s)G.I.F.T. Class, M308 (all ages) Journey, D366 (ages 20s-40s) Koinonia Dialogue, C135 (ages 50+) Newton Good News, M101 (ages 50+) G.I.F.T. Class, M308 (all ages) Pairs and Spares, D277 East Pop-Up Class, M304 (all ages) Roundtable, M312 (ages 50+) Tower, C237 (ages 40+)Turning Point, M311 (Young adults) Wesley M320 (all ages) Early Christian Awareness (ECA) Infants/Toddlers, Norma Story Children’s BuildingPreschool Lions (ages 2-3), Tigers (ages 3-4), Bears (ages 4-5) Grades K-3, Rotation Sunday School4th Grade-Bible Adventures5th Grade-Bible StudyGrades 6-12, phyouth Sunday School

(All youth meet at 10 a.m. in the phyouth Assembly Area.)

PHUMC FOOD PANTRY DONATION “FOOD OF THE MONTH” for July

Pasta

HOMESTYLE CHEFS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED. We need 20 homestyle chefs and other volunteers for our September 14 Mac-N-Cheez Mania Food Festival. You, your class, your book club, or friends and family are needed to prepare entries for the Homestyle category. Greeters, runners, Kidzone, helpers, etc. are also needed. Get details and sign up online: phumc.com/LRmacmania or at the Welcome Center book. War Memorial Stadium, Sat. September 14, 11 a.m. - 2 p.m., benefitting 5 homeless non-profits.ALASKA PILGRIMAGE 2020. The Ministry of Pilgrimage will be going to Alaska in June of 2020. If you are interested in finding out more information, please contact Rev. Jay Clark at jclark@phumc.com.PHYOUTH MISSION WEEK. Local mission week for phyouth (rising 7th grade and up)will be July 1-3. We will meet in the youth area at 9 a.m. and return at 1 p.m. each day.2019 SUMMER MUSIC & ARTS CAMPS. July 15-19 and Aug. 5-9. Enroll now for one of our Adventures in the Arts summer camps! There are many exciting classes for kids age 5-14. Registration from now to July 5th costs $190. For more info call 501-978-0522 or online at www.adventuresinthearts.org.VBS SPOTS FILLING UP FAST. Sign up now for the “Best week of the year!” 2019 Vacation Bible School will take place from July 21-25 at Pulaski Heights UMC. This year’s theme is “To Mars and Beyond!” You can register your pre-k – 6th grader online at phumc.com/VBS2019. We also need volunteers. You can sign up on connect card or at the Welcome Center.SIGN UP NOW TO BE A WAKEFIELD TUTOR. Recruitment for new tutors for the next school year at Wakefield Elementary begins now! Volunteers will help read to children at Wakefield Elementary. Tutors have a classroom dedicated to tutoring: tables, chairs, and materials are available. Last year we had over 40 tutors help 86 children! For more information about becoming a reading tutor at Wakefield, sign up on the Connect Card or call the church at 501-664-3600.