Serving Christ, Enhancing Congregations, Connecting Communities
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Civility isn't silence
It's a delightful thing to receive thoughtful feedback. When I wrote about civility a couple of weeks ago, several folks took the time to e-mail some responses, which included a few "amens" and a number of comments that made me wonder if you thought I was suggesting less conversation, less exchange of ideas, and fewer opinions shared. Yikes! Quite the contrary! I never meant to suggest that civility is synonymous with silence or with "making nice."
One of the things I cherish most about our heritage as Reformed theologians is the deep value that we are a "big tent" with lots of diverse opinions and beliefs beneath it. "God alone is Lord of the conscience" is my favorite of the preliminary principles that have long guided us as Presbyterians. I believe it means that we are to be in dialogue, always sharing, always learning from one another, and always being guided by the Holy Spirit, who loves the theological wrestling and the commitment to stay with it until morning, just like Jacob and the man/angel. It's easy to hang out with like-minded folk. It's really the smoother road to associate only with those with whom we agree. In my experience, the most fulfilling relationships in my life are ones of rigorous dialogue and respectful questioning, all with a commitment to deep listening and courteous exchange.
I understand fully that when we are frustrated, feel misunderstood, impatient or are suffering, one of the most natural, human responses is to lash out in anger or hurt. And there is absolutely a place for rising up and raging against injustice. There's lots and lots of biblical precedent for it and it may be that a concern for neighbors or a deep desire to see God's beloved community realized calls for shouting, but I have a hunch that, for many, faith that seeks understanding can happen when we tone down the rhetoric, the stereotyping, the judging, the name-calling, which, in my opinion, are often symptoms of misunderstanding and feeling misunderstood.
One colleague responded to my column on civility by lifting up the challenge of preaching in these days of brittle disagreement. It is a perennial challenge to preach in a way that is direct and forthright and still respectful of the varied perspectives in the pews. And yet the One who claims us in love and whom we follow and serve is unswervingly clear about our call to preach good news to the poor, to comfort and to afflict, at the appropriate times, and always, to love one another.
As we journey to Jerusalem together this coming week, let's go keenly mindful of the love divine all loves excelling that calls us into deeper and closer relationship with one another and with God.
Jennifer
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Nourished by the living waters of Jesus Christ,
we awaken, enliven, and enhance worshipping communities
to courageously extend their branches and bear new fruit in the Spirit.
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Service project brings two congregations together & looking for more opportunities to serve together
by Rev. Erica Kilbourne, Michigan City First Presbyterian Church
"Where are you going?" the Rev. Charlene Arrington-Moore, Pastor of Bethel AME, asked a group of women gathered at the Presbyterian Church on Sunday afternoon. As she reflected upon scripture and the compassion Jesus had for several women in the gospels, she noted that there are women in our community who have nowhere to go and have no one upon whom to rely. And that is why the women of Bethel AME and First Presbyterian Churches, both of Michigan City, gathered on a Sunday afternoon to assemble health packs for Health Linc, Swanson Center, and Keys to Hope. Quite often, employees of each of these organizations travel through wooded and secluded areas of our city in order to reach out to those who are living on the margins of our community. According to Nila Williams, Health Linc Outreach and Enrollment Specialist, "women have a particular need of supplies when they are living homeless." When The Rev. Dr. Ericka Kilbourne, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, learned of this need, she quickly discerned that two goals could be reached in one afternoon: an intentional project to assist the ongoing outreach to and with homeless women, and a closer relationship between two community churches.
Together, the members of these two churches donated for and assembled over 70 health bags, made up of soap, toothbrush, tooth paste, tampons or sanitary napkins, antibacterial hand sanitizer, shampoo and conditioner, adhesive bandages, and granola bars. Melissa Sailor, who specializes in Outreach with Swanson Center, was delighted to know these bags are now available for her to distribute. Mike Kilbourne, Director of Keys to Hope Resource Center says, "often times the face of homelessness is not what we have in mind. It's important to remember that men and women, as well as children, suffer the ramifications of poverty." The bond that has been created between the women of these two worshipping communities was made only stronger in this act of service, and they are grateful that programs like Keys to Hope, Swanson Center, and Health Linc. are active in providing compassion to those in need in our community. Plans for another activity or project are already being made.
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PRAYERS OF THE PRESBYTERY
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God of heaven and earth, Mighty Counselor, because you gave the Tablets to Moses, for the self-development of your people, we remember and seek to participate in the 40 days and 40 nights Moses spent on your Holy Mountain and those days Jesus spent in his time of Temptation in the wilderness. As we march through our own wildernesses in this Season, bless our own Self-development of people. Your generosity teaches us to be generous for others. Following your instruction, we discover that we too are blessed. By your perspective, our eyes are opened; you teach us the joy of knowing that as others blossom, our lives are blessed by their prospering. Help us always serve as instruments of that kind of justice. This we pray in the name of your Son, our Savior, and the one who came to serve us all. Amen.
April prayers submitted by Reverend Stanley Kessler, Honorably Retired
Please pray for...
- The Rev. Paul Anderson, Dyer PC & Merrillville First PC as he supports his mother who has recently been diagnosed with cancer
- The Rev. Jack Hess, Honorably Retired, as he continues to have health concerns.
- congregations who are seeking leadership and are in transition
- those who suffer in silence...
- Hebron Range Line Presbyterian Church in their continued ministry
AMEN!
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April Coffee Office Hours
Coffee office hours are taking a Lenten/Easter break in April. You have lots of stuff going on, between spring break, Holy Week, extra services, special gatherings, celebrations and hopefully some rest and renewal for tired leaders. You are always welcome to contact Visioning and Connecting Leader Jennifer Burns Lewis (574-653-1003 or Jennifer@ourpresbytery.org) and she'll hop in the car and head your way. Watch for some new gatherings, beginning in May, when we'll be greeting each other with words like "Christ is risen!" |
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Lovett H. Weems, Jr. says the traditional approach to visitor follow-up aimed at moving people quickly toward membership may not fit well in an era when people are hesitant to join anything. An alternative approach is to engage newcomers around the goal of enhancing their spiritual development.
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Bonnie Marden explores the importance of relationships to congregational vitality, and she suggests key questions for assessing the strength of relationships that undergird a congregation's ministry.
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SHARED MINISTRY AT TWO PWV CONGREGATIONS OFFERS MANY HOLY WEEK WORSHIP OPTIONS
4/9 Palm Sunday service 10:45am at Lafayette Bethany 4/13 Maundy Thursday Service with Holy Communion 7pm at Lafayette Elston
4/14 Good Friday Service 7pm (at Bethany) 4/16 Easter Services: Easter Breakfast 9am, Easter Egg Hunt for the children 10am, Resurrection of our Lord Service 10:45am Bethany Presbyterian Church Elston Presbyterian Church 3305 Longlois Dr, Lafayette 375 Elston Rd, Lafayette bethanypcusa.net |
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Events, Opportunities, Webinars & Workshops
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Big Tent 2017 to focus on 'Race, Reconciliation and Reformation'
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Wednesday, April 26 - Valparaiso What does it take to transform an idea into a viral movement to engage Millennials? Author and researcher Derrick Feldmann has spent the past two years talking with the people behind the biggest social movements of our time. He'll share their stories and some of their secrets and talk about what your congregation can do to make your message take off with Millennials. Thursday, May 4 - Elkhart The learning community phase of the Engaging Young Adults (EYA) initiative opens in May for Indiana congregations beyond the Indianapolis metro area. Information sessions about this opportunity are being held around the state May 4-17. An informational on-demand video, together with the program application, will be available on May 1.
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Wednesday, April 5
10 am - Commissioned Ruling Elder Revitalization Team ~ Go-to-meeting
Thursday, April 6
9 am - 10 am - Special Called Assembly - Bethlehem PC Logansport Click Here to Register10 am - Commission on Ministry - Bethlehem PC ~ 5588 SR 25 N ~ Logansport ( map) 10 am - Commission on Preparation for Ministry - Bethlehem PC Logansport (map)
Sunday, April 9 - Begins Holy Week
Monday, April 10
10 am - Stewardship Ministry Team (Go-to-meeting)
Tuesday, April 11
10 am - Nominating Committee - Note Change - GO-TO-MEETING
All meetings & events posted on the PWV Calendar are eastern time (EDT) unless noted otherwise. Please call 574-223-5678 or visit http://www.ourpresbytery.org/calendar.htmfor more information regarding meetings and events.
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Commissioned to Validated Ministry Available to Serve Communion
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Contact Information for Wabash Valley Officers, Staff and Consultant
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