Muskingum Valley Presbytery
Weekly Update

May 3, 2012

This week...
Upcoming Events
MVP News & Materials
Duncan Falls Anniversary Celebration
Dresses for Africa, Women's Retreat
Empowered Concert 2012
Ready for Summer?
Debbie's Weekly Message
Holy Habit
Wings Prison Parties
Formational Prayer Seminar
Attention Clerks!!
Face to Face Event
Prayer Requests
Join Our Mailing List 
 

Upcoming Events 

Save the dates! 

 

MVP Leadership 

Gathering

 

Wednesday, May 23rd

 

8:30AM-11:30AM

 

Location:

MVP Mission Center

 

We will look at eight polarities named by Roy Oswald that shape our lives: 

 

- Tradition AND Innovation

 

- Spiritual Health AND Institutional Health

 

- Management AND

Leadership

 

 - Strong Clergy Leadership AND Strong Lay Leadership

 

- Inreach AND Outreach

 

- Nurture AND Transformation

 

- Making Disciples:

Easy Process AND Challenging Process

 

- Call AND Duty

  

 

Biography of Roy Oswald: 

 Author, Seminar Leader, Senior Consultant for the Alban Institute for 31 years.

 

Currently: Executive Director, Center for Emotional Intelligence and Human Relations Skills. 

 

Please RSVP to Shauna at

Email Shauna 

or 330.339.5515

 

 

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5/19/2012 

 Stated Meeting of the Presbytery 

 

 To Register for this event, click link below:  

 

Stated Presbytery Meeting/
Theological Foundations of the New Form of Government

 

9:00AM-4:00PM 

 

Registration begins at 8:30AM

 

First Presbyterian Church

501 Fourth Street

Marietta, OH 45750

 

The Rev. Dr. Paul Hooker, speaker

 

Topic: Theological Foundations of the New Form of Government

  

Stated Meeting/ Leadership Summit Flyer (.PDF)

 

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Facilitator Training for Healthy Congregations

June 12th

through

 June 14th,

2012

 

Tuesday, June 12

8:30AM - 4:30PM

Wed., June 13

8:30AM - 4:30PM

Thursday, June 14

8:30AM - 12:30PM

 

Location:

MVP Mission Center

 

Trainer:

Debbie Rundlett

 

 Cost:

$350 materials/supplies

 $300 for MVP Pastors

 

Registration: Limited to 24

 

Facilitator Training for Healthy Congregations Flyer (.PDF)

 

To register:

Please send check, with name, address, phone and email contact information to:

 

Shauna Engeldinger

Muskingum Valley Presbytery

109 Stonecreek Road, NW

New Philadelphia, OH 44663

 

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Questions?

Concerns? Corrections?

 

 Call or Email!

  (800) 693-1147

  (330) 339-5515 

 

 

Email Shauna 

 

Office Hours:

Monday-Thursday

8:00AM - 4:30PM

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

MVP News:

  

Orders for the

NEW

2012-2013 Presbyterian Planning Calendar have been placed.

A notification will be sent to the contact person either by phone or email when the calendars arrive later this month.

 Thank you for your orders! 

 

2011-2013
Book of Order
Please contact Shauna to reserve yours today!
$9.00 each
    
2012 Mission Yearbooks are here!
$12.00 each 
Call or email Shauna today to reserve yours!

 

330.339.5515
1.800.693.1147 
Monday - Thursday
8:00am to 4:30pm
 

 


  

 
Duncan Falls Presbyterian Church is celebrating
its 160th Anniversary
on
Sunday, May 20th.

 


  

 

 Dresses for Africa Women's Retreat

 

Date:

Saturday,

May 5th

 

Time:

10:30am-3:00pm

 

Trinity United Presbyterian Church,

830 Military Road,

Zanesville, OH 43701

 

Join Trinity United Presbyterian Church for a day of learning, sewing, and fellowship. Doors open at 10:00 for set up. The program will begin at 10:30.

  

Sue from Building a Better Burkina Faso will give a presentation on how God is working through her and her church to help people in a small town in Africa. We will spend the rest of the afternoon speaking with others who have made mission trips to Africa, spending time in devotion, and making simple skirts and dresses for girls in Burkina Faso. No sewing skill is needed! We will enjoy a potluck luncheon at noon and will finish by 3:00.

 

Donations of fabric and elastic will be greatly appreciated! For more information or to RSVP contact Amanda Allison or Nancy Cornett at

(740)452-8482.

Dresses for Africa Women's Retreat Flyer (.PDF)

  

Empowered Concert 2012 

 

Date:

Saturday,

July 14, 2012

Time:

2pm-9pm

Place:

McFarland Stadium, Clairmont Ave. Cambridge, OH.

 

More information to come.

Thank you for your interest!


  

Ready for Summer?

  

Rent Camp LiMRod for your church group or family event.

  

It is located on 162 acres near Alliance, Ohio.

 

It is equipped with:

- an inground pool;

- cabins with bunk beds;

- teepees with cots;

- a challenge course;

- climbing wall;

- zip line through the woods;

- kids' mini zip line;

- showerhouse;

- lodge with kitchen;

 - hiking trails;

and

- an archery range.

 

This is a ministry of First United Presbyterian Church of Alliance.

 

Contact the church office at 330-821-5340 to get an application to rent the Camp LiMRod property.

 

Camp LiMRod rentals flyer


  

Managing Polarities...

 

I've been thinking a lot of lately about the creative tension between the inward and outward journeys. We need both-time apart with God, time together with others in service.  The one informs the other. But, how do we balance the two?

 

It would be so easy if we could evenly split our time between the inward disciplines of solitude and prayer with the outward disciplines of community and service. But the rhythms of most of our lives are not that evenly distributed. Nor does our maturing in Christ happen in a linear progression of neat and orderly growth.

 

Like a child who grows six inches in one summer, we tend to do our growing in spurts. And we tend to engage in aspects of the journey by going deep in one area, only to need to balance out by going deep in another.

 

So imagine my delight when a visiting pastor from Greater Atlanta, Gray Norsworthy, introduced me to polarity management. Now before I lose you, let me say that polarity management invites us to celebrate traditions even as we engage in deep change. It recognizes the need for strong clergy leadership AND strong lay leadership. It seeks to honor both "In-reach" (care of those already there) and "Out-reach" (care of those not yet there). The making of disciples by the easy process AND the challenging process.

 

Polarity management invites us to move beyond an "either/or" approach to life into a more intentional honoring of the whole journey: inward, upward, forward and outward. The process invites us into a deeper understanding of the normal flow of energy between two distinct and interdependent poles. Curious yet?

 

If so, I invite you to join me for an MVP Leadership gathering on Wednesday, May 23rd from 8:30am-11:30am as we look at eight polarities named by Roy Oswald that shape our lives:

  • Tradition AND Innovation: How do we stay rooted in our historic faith and heritage AND foster creativity in our life together?
  • Spiritual Health AND Institutional Health: How do we nurture our mission and spiritual health AND maintain a healthy institution that sustains our corporate life?
  • Management AND Leadership: How do we create or sustain a well-organized, stable congregation AND create or sustain a congregation that inspires members to embrace change?
  • Strong Clergy Leadership AND Strong Lay Leadership: How do we support strong leadership by our clergy AND ensure broad, active participation by our laity?
  • Inreach AND Outreach: How do we respond to members' needs AND take care of those outside our congregation?
  • Nurture AND Transformation: How do we manifest God's unconditional love for us AND challenge people to grow spiritually and to serve others with commitment?
  • Making Disciples - Easy Process AND Challenging Process: How do we make it easy for people to commit to discipleship AND ensure that the discipleship journey has meaning and depth?
  • Call AND Duty: How do we help disciples to recognize their particular call from God to serve others AND ensure that the mundane tasks needed to sustain congregational life are accomplished?

Do you find yourself grappling with any of these polarities? Come join the conversation and reflect on how God is at work in your life and that of your congregation.

 

Please RSVP to Shauna!

 

With joy,

 

 

Deborah Rundlett, General Presbyter

 

 
Holy Habit: Praying the Polarities

Take a moment to reflect on two examples of polarities: (1) Inhaling AND Exhaling and (2) Activity AND Rest.  Just as the Breath Prayer focuses on the rhythm of inhaling the breath of God and exhaling the stresses and toxins that we carry in our body, so the inward and outward journey calls us to a rhythm of rest and activity. Most of us know what it is to overdo in one pole or the other. We need the interchange, the creative interplay, of both polarities. It is easy to understand this in the context of our breathing. We find the balance between rest and activity more challenging, yet we understand the need for Sabbath in the midst of our service even if we don't fully honor the need for both. But what of the eight polarities below: 

  • Tradition AND Innovation: How do we stay rooted in our historic faith and heritage AND foster creativity in our life together?
  • Spiritual Health AND Institutional Health: How do we nurture our mission and spiritual health AND maintain a healthy institution that sustains our corporate life?
  • Management AND Leadership: How do we create or sustain a well-organized, stable congregation AND create or sustain a congregation that inspires members to embrace change?
  • Strong Clergy Leadership AND Strong Lay Leadership: How do we support strong leadership by our clergy AND ensure broad, active participation by our laity?
  • Inreach AND Outreach: How do we respond to members' needs AND take care of those outside our congregation?
  • Nurture AND Transformation: How do we manifest God's unconditional love for us AND challenge people to grow spiritually and to serve others with commitment?
  • Making Disciples - Easy Process AND Challenging Process: How do we make it easy for people to commit to discipleship AND ensure that the discipleship journey has meaning and depth?
  • Call AND Duty: How do we help disciples to recognize their particular call from God to serve others AND ensure that the mundane tasks needed to sustain congregational life are accomplished?

Take time over the next week to reflect on how you personally and your congregation is engaging in the need "both/and" rather than "either/or." Engage in conversation with your leadership about their perspectives. Offer your insights born of reflection and conversation to God, asking that God direct you in the managing of polarities in your life and ministry.

 

 

 

 

Dear Ms. Rundlett:

It's a bit late in the day out here in the far northwest, but there's still time to send a greetings and prayer to Muskingum Valley Presbytery from Portland, OR and Cascades Presbytery.  Just a nearly 86 six year old geezer out west who has time to spend reading both the informational page in the Mission Yearbook and then to spend a little time in your website.

 

Hopefully, your Big Holy Audacious Goal is more than a vision as you seek to be partners with those many whose employment opportunities have been greatly challenged. It's something expressed in many of the Presbytery sites I've traversed over the past several years.  May the 4 C's for transformation continue to take place wherever the disciples in the congregations gather for encouragement and hope.  Jubilee is certainly a goal to be achieved as you share the love of Christ anew.

 

Enjoyed those parts of the website which an outsider could enter.. .. from knowing about the four camps for kids.... the Journey Java help for mission among the many offerings.  The site was basically for those within the Presbytery or at least that was a feeling I got as I made my way thru it.  But old geezers aren't always the sharpest as life has made such rapid changes...you see I can remember the very first radios in big long boxes with cornucopia sized speakers! 

 

So grace continues to push you and those with whom you minister to find not only the evolving means of sharing the good news, but also incorporating the Spirit's extending love to others with renewing zest.

 

E.R."Bud" Frimoth

 

=============

 

Should you or any others be interested in where ministry has led this 85 year old geezer, my youngest computer literate son has fashioned a website for me.  In it one video is of a non-verbal clown communion service at Westminster in Portland.   Cascades Presbytery also had us share the experience. After the clowns left, the benediction was given and two clergy whose views on just about everything from theology to social action and politics were opposite, saw each other at opposite (would you believe) ends of the center aisle. Without a word the two of them rushed down that aisle and embraced.  The love of Christ was more powerful than their differences.  That experience is not on the video, but if you are interested in what my late wife and I shared as clowns you can find it at:  http://www.frimoth.com/clowning.html    We recently updated it to include a second service we shared just this summer using four clowns. And yet a third short video is of my late wife and my hospital clown ministry.

 

 

 

 

Volunteers Needed for

2012 Upcoming Wings

Prison Parties - OH   

(Prison parties are generally from 12:30 - 3:30 on Saturday afternoons.  The only exception is the Cleveland, OH Women's facility - North East Pre-Release Center Party, and it will be Thursday night from 5:00 - 8:00 PM.)

 

Lorain Correctional Institution-

Cleveland, OH

Men's prison

June 16, 2012- Saturday               

Volunteer deadline:  May 16

SW of Cleveland

 Chaplain Louis Pollard

 2075 Avon Belden Rd

 Grafton, OH 44044-9806

 440-748-1049 x342

 

Women's North East Pre-Release Center -

Cleveland, OH

 June 21, 2012 - Thursday               

Volunteer deadline:  May 21 

In the Cleveland city limits.  

Time:  5:00 - 8:00 pm 

 Chaplain James Robin Breidinger  

2675 East 30th Street

Cleveland, OH 44115

(216) 771-6460 Ext. 2608

 

Grafton Correctional Institution-

Cleveland, OH

Men's prison

June 23, 2013- Saturday        

Volunteer deadline:  June 1   

SW of Cleveland

Chaplain Ron Smith

2500 South Avon Belden Road

Grafton, OH 44044

440-748-5746

 

 

Southeastern Correctional Institution-

Lancaster, OH

Men's prison

Dec. 1, 2012 - Saturday         

Volunteer deadline:  Nov. 1

 

Dear Friends,  

Is prison ministry something you have thought about but didn't know how to get involved? Have you always thought it was a huge time commitment?  You can be a Wings Party volunteer with a one day commitment.  The party only lasts 3 hours, and we do all our orientation and set-up 2 hours before the party.  The planning is done for you.  It is EASY to be a volunteer!

 

At a Wings Party you may see some people worship with their loved ones for the first time.  An inmate may decorate their first cookie with their child.  We all will sing, play, and eat together.  Of course we will all get to know one another better. 
 

If this sounds like fun, then please join us as we need volunteers.  Please share this information with your family, friends, and your church community too.

 

If you plan to volunteer at any of the Wings Parties the prison needs information from you for background checks.  Even if you aren't sure you can go, but think you may be able to go, please sign up so I can get you on the official list.  If your name is not on the list, you will not be allowed to enter the prison, even if you show up that day.

 

If you have volunteered in the past, please let me know for what party and I probably already have your background information. 

 

If you've never volunteered for a Wings Party before:

 

Please go to the following secure link and enter the data I need from you to get clearance from the prison.  Be sure to list the prison party you'd like to volunteer for on the form.  THANKS!

http://wingsministry.org/PDFfiles/VolunteerApplication.pdf

Wings volunteers do the following:

  1. Have fun!
  2. Treat everyone as a Child of God.
  3. Help with crafts.
  4. Eat pizza, cookies & drink punch.
  5. Talk to people and help them experience God's love.

See how easy it is?  EVERYONE can be a Wings volunteer!

 

Full instructions will be emailed to you about the prison parties once we get teams in place.  I hope to hear back from you!    

 

 

In His love,

Ann

 

Ann Edenfield Sweet

 

Wings Ministry Executive Director/Founder  

2270 D Wyoming Blvd. NE #130

Albuquerque, NM 87112

1-505-291-6412        

1-505-554-5598 cell     

1-505-291-6418 Fax

 

[email protected]          

 

Author:  Family Arrested: How to Survive the Incarceration of a Loved One

www.WingsMinistry.org  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Formational Prayer Seminar Description:

The Institute regularly holds training seminars in Formational Prayer for those men and women engaged in care-giving ministries. This seminar provides the tools for addressing dysfunctional behaviors; teaches steps for dealing with deep wounds; presents information on spirituality and world view as each relates to helping the broken; and demonstrates pathways that help people dismantle destructive false beliefs.

 

Link to June Formational Prayer Seminar:

http://seminary.ashland.edu/documents/IFC/june6-9-2012_broch.pdf

 

Explanation of the Formational Prayer Seminar:

June 6-9, 2012 we are holding a Formational Prayer Seminar.  At this seminar, participants will receive in-depth instruction on Formational Prayer.  The seminar is based on Dr. Terry Wardle's Book Healing Care Healing Pray.  Each participant will receive a copy of the book Healing Care Healing Pray as well as a large three-ring note taking manual. You will also receive hands on experience in a small group setting.  The groups are comprised of three seminar participants and lead by a caregiver.  Caregivers are doctoral students in the Formational Counseling program at ATS.  This seminar runs four full days, a total of 30 hours training.  Wednesday you start at 8:00 with registration and end at 6:30 in the evening. Of course, you will receive a lunch and dinner break along with a few 15-minute stretch breaks throughout the day.  Thursday and Friday the seminar runs from 8:00 to 5:00 and Saturday 8:00 to 4:00 again with lunch and stretch breaks throughout the day.

 

I have attached endorsements written by a few people who have attended the seminar in the past.  They range from a Seminary president, to a professional in the counseling field, doctoral students, pastors, seminar participants, etc.   I think this may give you some clarity as well. The cost for the four-day seminar and materials is $475. However, a group rate of $375 is available to groups of three or more participants who register together.

 

Healing Care Small Group Leaders Training:

Since seminar participants will not be in class on Thursday evening , Dr. Donna Thomas will be presenting an additional training on Dr.

Wardle's "Healing Care Group Material".  Dr. Wardle has designed a 16-week small group experience that is now being widely used by caregivers with very positive results.  The purpose of this small group curriculum is to offer individuals a safe place to heal from deep wounds, false beliefs, damaged emotions, and dysfunctional behaviors in a confidential small group setting.

 

Seminar participants are welcome to be a part of this one evening training session.  While the normal cost for this training is $250, you are able to attend for the cost  of the Small Group Leader's Materials.  Which include a Leaders Guide,  an instructional CD, copies of Dr. Wardle's books "Wounded" and "Draw Close to the Fire" and a copy of Dr. Thomas' book "The Healing Christ In Community"  for $155.00.  This Leaders Guide is a 250 pages color manual that provides everything you would need to do Healing Care groups.

 

If you are interested in registering for the Formational Prayer Seminar and additionally the Healing Care Small Group Leaders Training, please contact me as soon as possible.  We will be glad to have you join us.

 

The Healing Care Leaders training is only available to those who have completed or are in the process of completing the Formational Prayer Seminar.

 

If you have, any further questions feel free to contact me at any time.

 

Lynne Lawson

Assistant Director

The Institute of Formational Counseling

419-207-5547

 

Formational Prayer Seminar Endorsements (.PDF)

 

Attention Clerks:

 

If you have not filled out the clerk's annual questionnaire for 2011, print out this form: Clerk's Annual Questionnaire (.pdf). Either mail the completed form to: Ida Smith-Williams, Associate for Research & Information Presbyterian Church (USA), General Assembly Mission Council, Research Services, 100 Witherspoon Street, Rm #1001, Louisville, KY 40202; Fax to: (502) 569-8736; Or visit www.pcusa.org/clerks2011 and fill the questionnaire online.

 

Thank you for your cooperation.

 

For questions or concerns, contact:

Ida Smith-Williams

Associate for Research & Information

Presbyterian Church (USA)

General Assembly Mission Council

Research Services

100 Witherspoon Street, Rm #1001

Louisville, KY 40202

(502) 569-5159

(800) 728-7228, ext #5159 

 

Face to Face Event 

 

Church Leadership Connection will be hosting a Face to Face event at GA, June 29 to July 3, 2012 in Pittsburg, PA. 

We invite you to consider attending.

Face-to-Face is an opportunity to move beyond the written word of PIFs and CIFs to meet and talk directly with one another about the possibility of ministry together.  It is an opportunity to connect with a number of folks in one place over a few days time.  It is an opportunity to be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit leading you to places and people you may have never imagined.

In order to register you must have an active PIF or CIF in Church Leadership Connection.

To get more information and to register for Face to Face go to the CLC website at:

http://gamc.pcusa.org/ministries/clc

 


  

 

 

Prayer Requests:   

 

From Sheila Ellenberger: 

I wanted to share with you that we brought my mother home from the hospital yesterday. She is here in Ohio with us and is in hospice care. The cancer spread and formed a large tumor in her chest. Mom's breathing is shallow and labored.

Chris and Melissa have been wonderful to help with arranging the family room for her comfort. My sister in law, Edee who is a highly trained skilled nurse is here from CA and will stay for as long as she is needed to help. Nephew Tom flew in from CA and hsis brother Ben will arrive from CA on Saturday. We are going to do our best to keep Mom comfortable and pain-free. She is in a good frame of mind and is not afraid of what is to come.

When I can think more coherently, I plan to post something on my facebook wall. For now, I wanted to let you know and to ask for your continued prayers.

 

 --------------------------------------

 

Rev. Terry Timson of Roseville Presbyterian Church will be traveling to Turkey for two weeks beginning April 20 and will return on May 4th. He would appreciate Prayer as he travels.

 

--------------------------------------  

 

If you or someone you know has a prayer request,

please send them to: Shauna at [email protected]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Journeying with Jesus to touch the world...
Empowered by the Spirit to:
Make Disciples, Nurture Our Faith, and Serve the Needs of the Community! 
 

Shauna Engeldinger, Administrative Assistant

  

Muskingum Valley Presbytery

109 Stonecreek Road NW

New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663  

330.339.5515

1.800.693.1147

Fax: 330.339.6225

 

 Visit our website: www.MVPJourney.org

 

Office hours

Monday - Thursday

8:00am to 4:30pm