UPCOMING EVENTS
NEW Early Worship Service
Starting March 31st at 8:30-9:15 AM
This service will be similar to the 11 AM worship service in content, with a few changes to give it a distinctive character, including the opportunity to share communion at every service. Other morning activities will remain on their current schedule. Watch for more detailed info in coming weeks!
Justice Knox Congregational Network Meeting
March 24 after church
This meeting is for ALL COS Network Members and other interested people at COS. Please plan to join us to hear an update on our research and action plans for this year – and how you can play a critical role in addressing a local social justice issue. Join us! Food & child care provided!
Lenten Soup Supper and Reflection Series – Living With Loss
Wednesday evenings
March 13 - April 10
We will focus on “Living With Loss,” using the book Lose, Love, Live by Dan Moseley. Together, with Moseley’s help, we will explore our own experiences of loss & share practices that have helped us survive, or even grow, in the wake of loss. Please order your book now – on-line or through a local bookstore. If you plan take part in the series, sign-up in church. For more info, contact our pastor, John Gill.
World Water Day
March 16 at 1-3 PM
Celebrate World Water Day at COS on Saturday March 16, 1-3 PM. Come and learn: • Why all water is sacred • How much of the Earth’s water is drinkable • How lack of water impacts people, animals, plants…and YOU Hosted by the Knoxville branch of Tennessee Interfaith Power & Light
Conversations on COS Building & Ministry Expansion
Sundays after church through March 31
You should have received an invitation from the Building Expansion Committee to attend an after-church conversation to hear about the space issues we are facing and to share your thoughts on the kinds of changes that might be made to our buildings, not only to increase room for worship, but to expand our capabilities for ministry in this place. Please be sure to RSVP for the Sunday you plan to attend (so we know how much pizza to order). For more info, click here.
Game Night
March 18 at 7 PM
COS Game Night is here again! Our next meeting will be on Monday, March 18, 7 PM at the church. Bring your favorite game and join us. We will be playing both board games and card games. For more information, please contact Rhonda Melton.
Take a Hike!
March 29
COS Outsiders have a hike scheduled on the Obed Point Trail for Friday, March 29th. Ann Harvey will lead us. Specific times will follow. ALL are welcome!
COS Book Club
March 26 at 7 PM
The COS Book Club will meet on Tuesday, March 26, 7-8:30 PM at the home of Ed and Judy Sullivan. We will discuss Octavia Butler's Parable of the Talents. Butler "was the first black woman to come to international prominence as a science fiction writer. Incorporating powerful, spare language and rich, well-developed characters, her work tackled race, gender, religion, poverty, power, politics, and science in a way that touched readers of all backgrounds." Contact Ed Sullivan for more information.
Women's Spirituality Group
Every Third Tuesday - 6:30pm
The group meets for a time of learning through sharing spiritual journeys, and discussion topics vary widely. Each month this year (every third Tuesday), we are inviting one of our wise female elders to share her experience of life as a woman of faith. We gather at 6 in Shalom House to share a meal (everyone is responsible for her own food and drink) and catch up with one another. The “formal” program begins at 6:30 and ends at 8. We are an informal group, so drop in when you can.
Opportunity for Service: Help for Immigrant Neighbors
Immigrant families are getting released by ICE at the border and at some detention centers and put on buses for 24-48+ hours without food, water, diapers, even underwear. Most of the families are trying to get to families in other parts of the country, but pass through Knoxville because of our location. 40-60 people are greeted a day, so supplies go fast! Coats, hats, and gloves of all sizes (no sweatshirts and thin hoodies) are especially needed. Contact Erin Bicknese, 715-292-5463 or for more information. For more ways to help, see this page for more information.
PAST EVENTS
Knoxville PrideFest & Pride Parade
June 23
Thanks to everyone who made posters, walked in the parade, and volunteered to staff our booth at PRIDEFEST 2018. It was a joyful day and a great way to express the extravagant welcome of COS and God’s Love toward all
Blue Christmas Worship
December 19
We hold this special evening prayer service every year as a refuge and comfort for those who find the holidays to be difficult due to their losses, hurts, or worries. This service also serves as a time during Advent for many of us to pause and be reminded of the spiritual dimensions of this season. Join us for a time of prayers, readings, and special music meant to remind us that God’s presence is for those who mourn and for those who struggle, and that God’s light still shines into every dark corner of our world.
Santa’s Workshop
12/8 - 9AM-12PM
COS kids will share a light breakfast, make gifts for their families, and get their picture taken with Santa! Parents---you get a morning off to shop or just rest. We will be taking donations to cover the cost of materials and as a fundraiser for the youth group. Suggested donation is $10 per child but give whatever you can...we want all our little elves to participate!
COS Kids Camp - Our Beautiful Little Planet
June 18-21
We had a total of 22 kids who participated in Kids Camp this year. Our Beautiful Little Planet program focused on ecology and Creation Care; we learned about protecting our water sources, recycling, reusing by shopping at thrift stores, and saving energy. Thank you to all who helped make it happen!
Keeping Families Together Immigration Rally
June 28
Thanks to everyone who showed up at the keeping Families Together rally to support immigrant families in our community and protest policies like 287-G locally and the Trump Administration’s zero tolerance policy at the border. Your presence and your voice make a difference to our neighbors!
Wild Goose Festival
Youth Event
July 12 – 15
Our youth group attended the Wild Goose Festival and had a blast! We camped out and took part in an art, music, and story-driven transformational experience that was grounded in faith-inspired social justice.
COS Stewardship Event: Biblical Discoveries Across Jordan
October 14
Dr. Gerald Mattingly, renowned biblical scholar and archaeologist, will bring the biblical history of Jordan to life in a vivid & engaging lecture. Our visit includes time in his lab and an opportunity to explore the University Biblical Antiquities Museum.
MLK Memorial March
January 21
Thanks to everyone who represented COS over the MLK weekend – at the MLK Community Forum on Friday, the Women’s March on Saturday, inside giant puppets (made by the Collins family!) and in the streets at the MLK March on a COLD Monday (over 20 COS’ers at last count), at the Jobs with Justice banquet on Monday night, and in other settings as well! Your presence is a faithful witness for social justice!
COS Music Jam
March 9 at 6-8PM
Come to the COS Music Jam! Informal, laid back, no expectations, except to come and listen, sing, play tunes. Bring an instrument; bring a friend; bring a couple of songs to share with copies of lead sheets or music. All are welcome regardless of ability; just need the willingness to participate and share the music!
MLK Memorial March
January 21
Thanks to everyone who represented COS over the MLK weekend – at the MLK Community Forum on Friday, the Women’s March on Saturday, inside giant puppets (made by the Collins family!) and in the streets at the MLK March on a COLD Monday (over 20 COS’ers at last count), at the Jobs with Justice banquet on Monday night, and in other settings as well! Your presence is a faithful witness for social justice!