by Bob Morris Mississippi is a land of history – the birthplace of James Meredith, Fannie Lou Hamer, Tennessee Williams, Muddy Waters, and one very special Beargrass member, Coach Joe Walker, Jr. It is here where character is built, dug out of the soil of cotton fields under a hot Mississippi sun along dirt roads…
by Bob Morris In every small town, there’s a rhythm you can feel long before you learn to name it. It hums beneath the quiet streets, drifts through open windows on summer nights, and settles into the bones of the people who grow up there. For some, that rhythm becomes a compass. And for a…
by Bob Morrris Meeting Terry Dick for the first time is like slipping on your favorite sweater—instantly warm, familiar, and comforting. His broad smile and kind blue eyes make you feel right at home, as if to say, “This is where I belong.” Then there’s that mustache—a distinctive, perfectly groomed signature that captures the richness,…
What do you get when you add an educator, an engineer, and an entomologist together? Add a soldier, an insurance agent, an entrepreneur, and if you look hard enough, you might just find a baker and candlestick maker, too. We’re going to need a large mixing bowl for sure! We will answer that question later…
Our story begins when a young boy places a nickel in the offering plate just as the warm summer breeze carries the scent of honeysuckle through the gaps in the clapboard planks of the old Baptist church that leans under the weight of the years and the heartfelt testimony of sinners. The young boy wonders…
“She’s our rock!” That is how Dr. Patricia Kennedy, who, along with her husband Dr. Richard Arrington, started Jefferson Animal Hospital 48 years ago, describes Dr. Terri Fowler. Dr. Fowler—simply Terri to all of us—will retire from the clinic in July after 45 years. A journey of joy, laughter, sometimes sadness, but one noted for…
A Week of Faith, Fun, and Fellowship on the Road with God What a journey! Beargrass Christian Church was filled with music, movement, and the joyful energy of kids and volunteers during Vacation Bible School 2025. This year’s theme, “Following God—Wherever We Go,” transformed our church into a vibrant road trip experience that reminded kids (and adults!) that God is with us…
The year 2025 has been a devastating one for the world’s refugees. The U.S. has canceled all contracts with its 10 nonprofit partners through whom highly vetted refugees have flowed into this country for more than half a century. There is no real hope the program will ever be restarted, at least under the current…
Beloveds of God at Beargrass Christian Church, Blessings and gratitude to you from the staff of your Week of Compassion – the relief, refugee, and sustainable development ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Our mission is to work with partners to alleviate suffering throughout the world, with a vision of a world where…
This is the first in a series of articles designed to help us all better understand the big picture of finances at Beargrass Christian Church. Our hope is to lift up the generosity of our congregation, while at the same time telling stories of how that generosity makes ministry possible. Last year, two significant gifts were made to Beargrass Christian Church. One…
Hosted by Green Chalice Ministry Be part of a powerful, nationwide event that brings together thousands of people of faith to explore how we can care for creation and take meaningful climate action. On March 27, the 2025 National Faith + Climate Forum will be a live-streamed broadcast, accessible online from your home or office, or in person…
Sunday, February 23rd 10 – 11 AM • The Chapel Dear Beargrass Family, Recent announcements from the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) highlight several global emergencies—Sudan, DR Congo, Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Ukraine, Afghanistan, and the Rohingya crisis in Myanmar. The numbers are overwhelming—120 million people have been displaced from their homes, with 43 million recognized as…
Each year the congregation is presented a slate of Executive Board Officers, Mission Board Leaders, Elders, and Deacons for election. With the congregation’s affirmation, these leaders commit to guiding our church’s mission with faith, wisdom, and a spirit of service. Executive Board Mission Board, 2025 Elder Council, 2025 Deacon Council, 2025
For more than 20 years, Beargrass has partnered with our friends Cornerstone ChildDevelopment Center as great neighbors on the part of our campus along Browns Lane.Cornerstone is not only a wonderful tenant of the church’s building next door but are also a leadingchildcare center for hundreds of families around Louisville who come to our campus…
The Earth is facing some serious ‘health’ issues lately. It’s getting hotter, making it harder to stay comfortably cool. Think fires, droughts, severe heat, and rain storms. WHY? We burn fossil fuels, which act like a blanket around the Earth, causing temperatures to rise. Since we rely on the Earth for everything—toys, technology, clothes—it’s in…
It is a joy to share some exciting news with you as we welcome our new Interim Children’s Ministry Director, Tashia Gonzales. Miss Tashia has been a longtime favorite teacher of both parents and students next door at Cornerstone Child Development Center over the past decade and has previously served on staff with the children’s…
Online Giving Link Coming Soon! While the generosity of Beargrass is on full display year-round, it always seems amplified in the Thanksgiving and Advent seasons. Rev. Shrader just reported that our youth assembled 140 Thanksgiving food baskets for distribution through St. Mams to local families in need. And, Rev. Straub announced that 333 Beargrass gift…
There is a very unique event coming to Beargrass that you definitely want to make sure is on your calendar. It is called ‘A World of Christmas’ and it will happen on December 8th, 5:30PM here at Beargrass. Most of the Christmas Carols we all know and love so much, originated in countries from all around the world, including America, hence ‘A…
The Haruns, Abubakar, Asha, and their five children, arrived from a Kenyan refugee camp to a warm Beargrass welcome two months ago. Ahmed and Salma have moved to Newcomer Academy from Seneca and settled in nicely there, while Abdulhadi and Salima are enjoying their days at Goldsmith Elementary. Mom and Dad attend English and cultural…
Beargrass has been able to expand our Ministry Operations Coordinator position to a full-time role which will be filled by the wonderful and talented Joy Rueff who most recently served on the staff within Louisville Area Community Ministries. As a core part of the Beargrass staff team, Joy will assist both our ministers and ministry…
Beargrass Youth is again leading the way and are teaming up with St. Matthew Area Ministries (St. MAM) to bring Thanksgiving Food Baskets to families in need in our neighborhood—and we need your support! The Youth Group is accepting donations online and at Beargrass through November 12. You can donate food or contribute money and…
Every Day of the Week! M-F 4:30-7:30 pm • Sat. & Sun. 9:30–7:30 pm Get ready for a pumpkin-filled adventure right in the Beargrass Christian Church parking lot! Scouts BSA Troop 115 will be out there waiting to help you pick the perfect pumpkins! We’ve got pumpkins of all colors, shapes, and sizes, and all…
As Beargrass looks to the future of the Children’s Ministry, a “Dream Team” has been appointed by the Executive Board to ensure continuity with the strong foundation of our existing programming while also imagining new ways to help it grow by adding new opportunities for children and families to connect with one another. Over the…
We are proud to announce a major initiative to create community-wide awareness about Beargrass and broadly share what who we are as the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Starting this weekend, on the first Sunday of each month from 10:30-11am WHAS-TV 11 will broadcast a new episode of “Beargrass: A Place Called Home” that will…
We’re pleased to report that the Harun’s have settled into their new home and community quite nicely over the past half-month. Fortunately, KRM was able to provide them with a used washer and dryer set, which puts a nice finishing touch on their home and is also quite a luxury for this family of seven.…
Sunday, September 29 – Sunday, October 6 By Mike Puckett, Mission Support You are invited to financially support the Reconciliation Ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) during the coming week. This ministry was given birth at our 1968 International Convention, so its existence now exceeds a half century. Here is its vision: It…
By Mike Puckett What an incredibly compassionate and generous congregation! The Harun family of 7 arrived late Tuesday evening to a warm, inviting, and well-furnished 3-bedroom apartment in central Louisville, just off Goldsmith Ln. Thank you sincerely, Beargrass, for all you’ve done over the past 12 days to extend them God’s love and welcome–the monetary…
Last year I was part of a life-changing program called Leadership Louisville that was vital in helping me strengthen my own leadership skills and connect with others to learn new ways that Beargrass can help serve our city mode broadly. As I was going through that program, I became eager to imagine how we could…
Beargrass Prepares to Welcome a New Refugee Family (the Harun’s) on September 17, 2024
“Addiction never takes time off.” Jenell knew of our limited experience with drug and alcohol additions, so she stumbled to find the right words to help us understand. Still, she could not have said it better. Jenell was at one time the smartest kid in school. Straight A’s’ were not uncommon. Her superior high school…