Passage to Ponder -   Philippians 2:29-30 (NRSV)

"Welcome him then in the Lord with all joy, and honor such people, because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to make up for those services that you could not give me."

"I hope you will find this article as thought provoking as I have.  Although I am not in full agreement with all the points raised, I believe they are pertinent to us as Presbyterians seeking to spread the Good News." General Presbyter, Frank Vardeman.

Special to Presbyterian News Service

Jim Nedelka

In today's digital world, answers to almost all of our burning questions, whether they are about the burning bush or Moses' tablets, are instantly available at our fingertips. But for Christians, especially denominational leaders, one question persists as it has for millennia: "How best do we spread the Word of God?"

It's always been a tall order for those spreading the Word. Nothing sarcastically says "good career move" better than being fed to hungry lions, being met by angry mobs or being burned at the stake by hysterical zealots crying "blasphemer!" for being both a proselytizer and a heretic.

Today, times are a bit calmer, but it can still be frustrating reaching the plugged-in and highly distracted generation known as "Millennials" - those born since 1980. It's an even taller order with their children, the so-called "Generation Z" or "Generation Next."   

A recent Pew Research study underscores this dilemma. Released in October 2012, the study shows the substantial growth of a group dubbed "the Nones," who consider themselves "spiritual" yet remain non-aligned with any particular denomination. One out every five people is a None. Millennials, at 34 percent, make up the largest subset of Nones; by contrast, only 15 percent of their parents - primarily Baby Boomers - do so. 

At first blush this research might be enough to make a saint cry, but not a pair of Presbyterian elders: Patty Chapman on the East Coast and former GA Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow on the West Coast. Both have taken up the gauntlet of spreading "the greatest story ever told" with two different approaches. Reyes-Chow is part of a covenant group led by noted theologian and scholar Hal Taussig, which produced A New New Testament, Chapman through her "Bibleizing" and entrepreneurial skills to produce A Place for Everyone place mat curriculum for Sunday schools.

Anecdotal evidence indicates that Nones, especially Millennials, are not averse to exploring religious or spiritually themed materials. They might first reach for The Lord of the Rings and C.S. Lewis' writings because of the adventure stories, but Millennials will often stay for the intertwined morality plays and introspective spirituality.

Nones are also exploring a series of ancient texts discovered in Egypt during the past 120 years. Among them are 52 early Christian documents that surfaced at the end of World War II. Known as the Gnostic Gospels of the Nag Hammadi collection, the texts were made more approachable through novels like The Da Vinci Code.

Taussig, co-pastor at Philadelphia's Chestnut Hill United Church and a visiting professor of theology at New York's Union Theological Seminary, invited Reyes-Chow and 17 others to join forces with him in New Orleans during February 2012. Together as a council they would study and discuss these texts with an eye to incorporating some of them into what ultimately became A New New Testament.

The (more complete) Word of God

Until the writings of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Paul and the rest were codified as the New Testament's canon some 300 years after His resurrection, people heard the story of Jesus told through additional eyes and voices. These Gnostic Gospels are attributed to, among others, Mary Magdalene, Thomas (he of "Doubting Thomas" fame) and even Judas. 

Continue Reading...  

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Checks can be made out and sent to the Presbytery of Wabash Valley. Noting in the memo "PDA" will ensure your contribution reaches Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to help those in need.


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                    Seasons of Faith                  

           Covenant Gathering 2013           

June 30 - July 5

Michindoh Conference Center

Hillsdale, Michigan

Find more information at

www.covenantgathering.com  

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ALBAN CONSULTING & LEARNING

 Dealing with Congregational Discord. This is "conflict 101." The basics that equip you to recognize and engage productively with the disagreements and the sharp edges of normal congregational life - and to do so with skill and confidence.   

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Dealing with Difficult Behavior. 

This event focuses especially on those occasions in which you encounter behavior that is blocking effectiveness and meaningful relationships - everything from annoying, to controlling, to downright abusive.   Learn when to act, when to back off, when to call in reinforcements.  

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Resource Center

In Partnership with PWV

Congregational Resource Center 

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ALBAN WEEKLY

PREACHING AS SERMON COMMUNICATION

by Lori J. Carrell

Thank you for your ministry and your service... 

• May 30, 1955 - Rev. Don Nead, Honorably Retired
• June 1, 1959- Rev. Bill Burd, Honorably Retired 

If you have been omitted or your information is incorrect please accept my apology. Help to update your records by sending your current information to vicki@ourpresbytery.org.   

In his Holy name we pray. Amen.  

to a Special Service of Worship In  

Celebration of the 30th Anniversary  

of the Ordination of  

Reverend Paul R. Anderson

Wednesday,  May 29tth

7:00 PM

Dyer Presbyterian Church

2501 Hart St    Dyer, IN  46304

219-865-8660

Everyone is Welcome!!

REFRESHMENTS AND FELLOWSHIP

Please join Rev Ann Williams, Honorably Retired at the Memorial Service for her parents, The Rev. Wayne and Allene Smith. The service will be held at First Presbyterian Church, Rensselaer on June 8th at 11:00 a.m. (central).  

Rev. Smith served the Presbytery of Wabash Valley as the first Moderator, First Presbyterian Church, Rensselaer, Wabash Presbyterian Church, and First Presbyterian Church, Hammond.   

 to A Sampling of the Sampler: Glory to God

on Sunday morning, June 9

at First Presbyterian Church, Mishawaka

PWV Hymnal Advocate Susan May, Choir Director at FPC-M, and others will lead a worship service using resources entirely from the second (purple) sampler.  We have enough copies for everyone, and hope to see many guests with us.

We will sing both familiar and new songs, following the liturgy found in the front of the sampler for "The Lord's Day."  Think of it as a "sneak preview" or an appetizer buffet.  It will certainly be an informative, fresh and happy way to Gather, Hear the Word, Respond and Go Out renewed, filled with song and with a sense of our future call to praise and serve our Lord.

Church location: 401 Lincoln Way East, Mishawaka

Time: 10:00-11:00 eastern time, followed by Fellowship Hour 

Contact:  Susan Favorite May   574-259-1141  or sfmay72@gmail.com  

Tuesday, June 11

2 pm - Visioning Ministry Team (Go-to-meeting)

Thursday, June 13

10 am - Commission on Ministry

10 am - Nominating Committee

10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-to-meeting)  

Tuesday, June 18

10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry 

10 am - Geneva Center Ministry Team  

Thursday, June 20

10 am - Commission on Ministry Leadership (Conference Call)

5:30 pm - University Church Board Meeting University Church West Lafayette (map)

Tuesday, June 25

10 am - Council 

All meetings posted on the PWV Calendar are eastern time (ET) unless noted otherwise. Please visit http://www.ourpresbytery.org/calendar.htm for more information regarding meetings and events or call 574-223-5678.