Interview with Margo Reitz Cooke, July 11, 1990

Partial Transcript: Today is Wednesday, July the eleventh, 1990. I am Jean Becker, a member of Second Presbyterian Church. And this is an unrehearsed interview at the church, 460 East Main Street, Lexington, Kentucky, with Margo Cooke.

Segment Synopsis: Cooke discusses her family and education. She describes her arrival to Lexington and her role as Director of Christian Education.

Keywords: Business; Church leadership; Director of Christian Education; Family history; Grandparents; Lineage; Minister wives; Parents; School; Siblings; Wives

Subjects: Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.); Women--Kentucky--Lexington.

Partial Transcript: I recall coming, um, in the--a very hot summer of 1983. As you know, we still don't have air conditioning in our education wing. So summer time is not a good time for second or third floor activities.

Segment Synopsis: Cooke talks about redecorating the church classrooms. She describes the curriculum resources of church classes. Cooke discusses other instructors and church leaders.

Keywords: Bible Discovery; Classrooms; Curriculum; Presbyterian and Reformed Educational Ministries (PREM); Resources; Sunday schools; Youth programming

Subjects: Church maintenance and repair; Presbyterian Church--Kentucky; Religious educators; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: As long as we're on youth, I--I've made a couple of notes, here, Jean, I guess--

Segment Synopsis: Cooke talks about the youth's summer work projects and the Heifer Project. She describes youth retreats and other functions. She discusses the benefits and impact for the youth that participate in the service projects.

Keywords: Farm; Heifer Project; Montreat; Retreats; Service; Youth conferences

Subjects: Church youth workers.; Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Alright, um, just tell us some more about the youth, uh, programs that have--you've been involved in and have gotten started and so forth.

Segment Synopsis: Cooke talks about summer camp programs for the church youth. She discusses the camp involvement for various age groups. Cooke discusses organizing retreats to state parks. She describes visits to Loretto, Kentucky.

Keywords: Breakaway; Camp Burnamwood; Christian Education Committee; Counselors; Families; First Family Affair; Irvine, Kentucky; Loretto, Kentucky; Overnight retreats; State parks; Summer programming; Teacher training; Teenagers

Subjects: Church camps; Church youth workers.; Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: A couple of other, um, parts of the church here that occurred to me, are, um, the season of Advent. When for children, um, the Advent workshop is held before the first Sunday in Advent, so that would be last of November.

Segment Synopsis: Cooke describes the church activities for Advent and Lent. She talks about the number of youth that typically participate in church activities. She discusses activities for young adults and Summer Sunday School.

Keywords: Activities; Advent; Bible Class; Christian Education Committee; Christmas; College; Crafts; Easter; Lent; Palm Sunday; Participation; Programs; Summer Sunday School; Young adults; Youth

Subjects: Church youth workers.; Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: Because you have been on that committee, and you have, you've served on the committee for several years. And that committee has planned lots and lots of interesting things and overseen the classes that are--just exist.

Segment Synopsis: Cooke and the interviewer discuss adult courses in the church. Cooke describes previous topics covered in the adult classes and names various instructors.

Keywords: Adult Bible Class; Christian life; Church history; Courses; Foods; Humor; Issues; Poets; Research; Room 203; Short term classes; Teachers; Visiting professors

Subjects: Church committees.; Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Religious educators; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: You have mentioned them, but the other, um, classes, ongoing, is the forum, downstairs, which has been a, I think, a regular in this church since the time of Dr. Herman.

Segment Synopsis: Cooke talks about the church's forum group. She discusses the need for a variety of activities for parents. She talks about Bible classes and classes specifically for families.

Keywords: Current issues; Curriculum; Family's class; Fellowship; Forum group; Parents; Picnics; Programs; Speakers; Sunday school; Young Adult Bible Class

Subjects: Church youth workers.; Presbyterian Church--Kentucky; Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Religious educators; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)

Partial Transcript: And one other thing that I happened to think of in terms of children is that we've ha--formed a Children and Worship Committee and tried to discover ways when--how children could be, feel more comfortable in worshiping.

Segment Synopsis: Cooke describes the function of the Children and Worship Committee. She discusses church activities on Wednesday nights. She talks more about adult classes from visiting professors. She describes the development of the Ecumenical Preschool. Cooke talks about other people who have been instrumental in church programming. The interview is concluded.

Keywords: Children; Choirs; Classes; Community offering; Day programs; Helping Hands program; Huntingdon, Tennessee; Involvement; Musicians; Preschool programs; Visiting professors; Worship

Subjects: Church youth workers.; Presbyterian Church--Kentucky; Presbyterians--Kentucky--Lexington.; Religious educators; Second Presbyterian Church (Lexington, Ky.)