Our congregation has experienced a great deal of loss over the past week, and I have noticed how our community has carried the weight of grief together. We are fortunate not to be alone in our grief.

Grief is a wild thing: it comes at us from every direction and sometimes comes out of us sideways. I can recall many times when, in the wake of a loss, I have missed a turn on the way to work, one of the kids’ schools, or somewhere else I drive regularly. This kind of absentmindedness is just one of the many ways grief shows up for me. We are quick to associate grief with tears of sadness, but it presents itself in many forms. After a loss of any kind, we might feel sad and cry more easily. We may also tire more quickly, want to isolate ourselves or resist being alone, become quick to anger, feel forgetful, or question our purpose. Grief affects our daily lives, whether we sit with it or try to carry on as usual.

We have many expectations about what grief should look like. These expectations may be shaped by books we have read, the “stages of grief” we have heard about, our own past experiences, and the experiences of others. Often, we want to know how long our grief will last, exactly what it will look like, and whether we are grieving as we “should.” But grief has no single appearance, timeline, or “right way”.

Talking and writing about our losses can be powerful tools for healing. Find a friend and share your struggle. Keep a journal—even if you write only one sentence or a short phrase when you feel able, such as “I’m mad you’re gone” or “I feel lost today.” Find the space in your life to read the “Journeying through Grief” booklet series our Healing Hearts team sends you. Consider meeting with a counselor, or set up a time to talk with me. I am not a counselor, but I can listen. If your grief begins to feel more like depression, please do not carry it by yourself. Reach out to someone you trust and let them walk beside you. I would be glad to listen, pray with you, and help you connect with additional support. There are people ready to care for you.

Whatever grief you are experiencing, may you know that you are not alone.

Click here to view our Prayer List or visit firstchristianfrankfort.org/prayer

In Our Prayers:

• Sherry Cooper

• Jan Ritchey

• the Family of Jane Smith

Weekly Prayer: God who abides with us in our joy and our pain, we pray that your peace and comfort would surround all who are hurting and grieving. Use us, God, as bearers of your hope and good news even in places of suffering. Amen.

Hoping to be deliberate about our prayer life, we are updating our prayer list. People who are Friends of FCC will remain on the prayer list for one month and then we will rely on you to add them to the prayer list again if needed.

COLLEGE CONTACT MINISTRY

The new school year has begun and once again, the College Contact Ministry would like to support our college students through prayer and monthly mailings (cards, goodie boxes, emails, texts, etc.) September 2026 through May 2027 with sponsors in our church.  Sponsors may be a church group or an individual.

If you are interested in sponsoring a college student for this school year, please contact Nancy Miracle at nancyhmiracle@gmail.com or text/call at 502-320-2122. 

If you have an undergraduate college student attending our church who has not been involved in this program previously and would like to be included, please send the student’s name and contact information to me and I will reach out to them with an information form for their completion. 

Thank you, 

Nancy Miracle

STAINED GLASS WINDOW UPDATE

On August 7, a representative from Willet Stained Glass Studios visited our Sanctuary to assess the stained glass windows throughout the church.

Willet recently completed the refurbishment of our Emily Tubman window, and as part of the original contract, they also conducted a complete assessment and replacement-value evaluation of our remaining stained glass windows.

We are pleased to share the good news that our remaining windows are in excellent condition and should continue to serve our congregation beautifully for many years to come.

Willet Stained Glass Studios has also offered to return in a few years to re-evaluate the windows and make sure they remain in good condition.

We are grateful for the care and craftsmanship that help preserve these beautiful pieces of our church’s history for generations to come.

FALL FLING

It will soon be fall, and we are planning the November 4 Fall Fling.  There will be a Yard Sale, Gourmet Table and Chili Luncheon.

Please start looking for clean, gently used items in  working condition for the Yard Sale. Please no clothes, shoes or books.  Jewelry and handbags are fine.  You can place your items in the DWM Room on the 3rd floor. 

We will also need volunteers for working the day of the Fling, early sorting, set-up, take-down, collecting money, etc.

Please call the Church Office (502) 223-2346 or Pam Blackburn (502) 330-9292 to volunteer.  Thanks.

Christmas & Thank You Cards

• Address the cards as Dear Friend, Hero, or Soldier

• Include a short note of appreciation and/or prayer

• Sign your first name only, and put Frankfort, Ky or wherever you live

• Please do not use glitter or other shiny decorations

• Envelopes are not needed.

Individually Wrapped Candy

• Hard candy

• Mints

• Starburst

• Fireballs

• Life Savers

• Chewing gum

• Tootsie Rolls

• Please no chocolate, lollipops or suckers.

Individually Wrapped Snacks

• Slim Jims

• Beef Jerky

• Trail Mix

• Sunflower Seeds

• Nuts

• Snack Bars

• Cookies

• Crackers

• Rice Krispie Treats

• Fruit Snacks/Gummies

• Popcorn

Drink Mixes

• Single-Serve Coffee

• Tea

• Hot Cocoa Mix

• Powdered Drink Mixes

Personal Care Items

• Body or Baby Wipes

• Lip Balm

• Toothbrushes

• Pocket Tissues

• Nasal Spray

• Eye Drops

• Lens Wipes

• Dental Floss

• Nail Clippers

• Feminine Hygiene Items

Travel-Size Items:

• Shampoo

• Body Wash

• Foot Powder

• Toothpaste

• Sunscreen

• Wet Ones

Miscellaneous

• Small Notepads

• Playing Cards

• Puzzle Books

• Pocket Bibles

• Cotton Socks (solid black or solid white, calf length)

If you prefer to donate funds, make your check payable to Military Missions 

and give to Sandy Rhodes or to the church office. Money is used to pay 

postage ($38,413 in 2025) for mailing the care packages and to purchase 

items not donated.  A collection box is located in the copier room at church.

A care package from home can be a meaningful reminder that they are remembered, appreciated, and prayed for. Your generosity will bring encouragement and a little bit of Christmas cheer to those serving away from home. 

Questions? Contact Sandy Rhodes at 502-229-0048 or the church office at 502-223-2346.

We hope you’ll join us in supporting our troops through this special project. Thank you for helping us show our deployed troops how much we appreciate their service!