The Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky
 Church members volunteer in the Community Clothes Closet.
Portland Avenue Presbyterian Church (PAPC), barely two miles from PC(USA) headquarters in Louisville, is a congregation located in a place of poverty and illiteracy. Historic Portland was once the home of citizens who filled the sanctuaries of churches of many denominations. Today PAPC is the only mainline Protestant church left in this community.
From a one-time active membership of 350, PAPC experienced a low of thirteen souls who never quit walking humbly with their God. Today, eighty-two members reach out to the community, committing themselves to what they believe is God’s vision for ministry for them. With their clothes closet and food pantry, members live out their call to minister to all in need.
Twenty-one-year-old Ryan came in search of food for himself and his 16-year-old brother. Their mother is in prison and they don’t know where their father is. “Please, can you help?” The worker asked if he could cook. “Oh, yes!” he replied, “In fact, I just lost my job. I worked at McDonald’s a long time. I can cook!”
“Please, will you help me?” asked the woman. Her husband is disabled, her son is multiply handicapped, her mother-in-law moved in after a third stroke, and she herself was laid off from her job. The power has been turned off because of nonpayment, there is no money for medicine, and their total income is $558 per month.
Such people as Ryan and the woman find hope and help because PAPC answers the call to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with God.
The Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky has 9,923 members in 54 congregations.
Presbytery Staff
Rev. Betty L. Meadows, general presbyter
Rev. Peggy C. Owens, associate general presbyter for education and mission
Nancy Pollock, resource director
Mary Kutter, administrative assistant
Rev. Ken Hockenberry, stated clerk
Rev. Andrew Hartmans, executive director, Cedar Ridge Camp
PC(USA) General Assembly Staff
Kathryn Holmes, GAMC
Anna Hoover, BOP
Moneque Horsey, BOP
Holy God, we lift up to you the people of the Portland community and all who strive to reach them with the good news of Jesus Christ. We ask for your blessing upon the congregation of PAPC and those who join with them in ministering to the needs of so many. May they find strength, courage, and joy to meet each day as another opportunity to glorify you. Amen.
Ps. 98, 146 Ps. 66, 116
Ezek. 7:10–15, 23b–27
Heb. 6:13–20; Luke 10:1–17
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