I locked my keys in the car a week ago Sunday after worship. I was on a schedule and the simple act of throwing my purse in the front seat and locking the door before taking the shopping cart back, took me off schedule by about two hours. But the human encounters born of my distracted act were a wonderful and unexpected gift.

I was first blessed by the gracious response of the store manager who immediately called the Jackson Township police, even as he encouraged me with a "this happens all the time!" Within minutes, I was greeted first by the first officer who upon discovering that my car had side air bags, called in for another car with a different kind of slim Jim. He arrived shortly thereafter.

Both men proceeded to work on either side of the car, but the automatic locks meant that every time they managed to jimmy the lock, the lock would automatically relock and set the alarm off much to the amusement of the other shoppers.

In the end, they called AAA who it turns out has more sophisticated "lockout" tools than the police. While he was not half as much fun as the officers (indeed, he was downright grumpy), he did manage to open the door after being very put out with me when I didn't know the year of my car-it turns out the year of the car determines which lock out tool to use. That issue was resolved by the police calling in my plate number-and, of course, Dick knew the year of my car when I told him what I had done.

What struck me the most about my encounter with the store manager and the Jackson Township police was their joy in serving. Neither the store manager, nor the officers were put out by my act of distraction. The only one who felt put-upon was the one who was paid for coming from AAA.   In a day when many prefer being served to serving, their aspiration was to serve... and thereby bless.

Martin Luther King once said: Everyone can be great because anybody can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't have to have your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace, a soul generated by love. It is enough to make a truly great difference in someone's life.

How will you make a difference in someone's life this week? How will you respond to Jesus' call that he came not to be served, but to serve (see Mark 10:42-25)?

In Christ's service,

Holy Habit: Service

Every morning for the next two weeks ask your spouse, colleague or friend, "What can I do for you today?" and then do it. Talk to God about what this is like for you. What do you see about yourself?

Source: The Spiritual Disciplines Handbook

June 5, 2012

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we live beyond Easter and on into the season beyond Pentecost we hold fast to the words of the Apostle Peter: "His divine power has given us everything needed for life and godliness, through the knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness." Christ remains our glory and goodness.

We write to you as preparations are being made for the 220th General Assembly. This year GA meets from June 30th through July 7th in Pittsburgh, PA. As the delegates gather and do their work, there will be moments of joy and celebration. We also know there will be moments of conflict and sorrow. Delegates have much work to do and the issues at hand are complex and controversial. Both wisdom and charity call us to be in prayer through out these eight days.

At this time, we also believe that it is important for us, as members of the Muskingum Valley Presbytery, to be mindful of our own calling. This Presbytery is doing great and wonderful things and we must not lose that fact in all the stirrings of GA. Even as we pray for GA, we rejoice over our calling to:

• Equip and encourage leaders and churches in living their call,
• Nourish and build spiritually and emotionally healthy congregations,
• Nurture, challenge and support disciples to be Christ in the world.

We are working to:

• Be faithful in our use of resources,
• Live the example of what the future will be like,
• Return to theology and mission over polity and structure.  

In short, we are "striving to excel in building up the church..." (Paul, I Corinthians14:12). We have reason to celebrate!

God has indeed given us everything we need for life and godliness. We look forward to the journey ahead.

In Christ,

David de Vries

Chair, Council

Greetings,

I hope this email finds you well and in great spirits.  The General Assembly Committee on Representation is asking for all hands on deck. Volunteers are needed for process observation during the General Assembly 220 in Pittsburgh, PA June 30-July 7, 2012. If you are attending GA 220 , interested in process observation, and have time to commit please contact Flora Daniel.  

Email: flora.daniel@pcusa.org

Office: 502-569-5030

Peace and Blessings,

Flora Daniel

Flora Daniel

Administrative Assistant, Representation and Inclusiveness Services

flora.daniel@pcusa.org   l  www.pcusa.org/cor

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)  l   Office of the General Assembly

100 Witherspoon Street, Room 4417A  l  Louisville, Kentucky 40202-1396

Direct 502-569-5030 l  toll free 888-728-7228, ext 5030 l fax 502-569-8614

Transforming 2012: Pathways to Vital Ministry

Tuesday and Wednesday, June 19-20, 2012

(beginning at 12:00 p.m. CDT on the Tuesday and

ending at 12:00 p.m. CDT on Wednesday.)

Register at: https://www.wepay.com/events/transforming-2012

Cost:

• Individual Registration: $49 per person
• Church Team Registration: $200 for pastor plus four or more people 

Focus: Transforming 2012: Pathways to Vital Ministry is a series of virtual exp eriences during a 24-hour period from Noon June 19th through Noon June 20th for congregational leaders around the themes of Discipleship, Growth, Missional Leadership Development, and Community Context.
 
Goal: To provide learning experiences for pastors, staff persons, congregational leaders that will inspire and empower their congregations for increased vitality and vibrancy as they seek to continually transform in response to the opportunities and challenges of 21st century ministry.

Format: Each topic will be presented as a 45 minute webinar by the presenter, then following a 15 minute break, a telephone dialogue will be available for the next 45 minutes where you can ask questions and interact with the presenter. For example, the first webinar will be presented by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday for 45 minutes. Following a 15 minute break, at 1:00 p.m. participants can dialogue for up to 45 minutes with the presenter. Also, at 1:00 p.m. a new webinar will start so participants can choose to have dialogue or to connect with the next webinar.

Confirmed Speakers: Cynthia Woolever, Dick Hamm, Eddie Hammett, Gene Wilkes, George Bullard, Greg Hunt, James Bowers, Ken Kessler, Mark Wingfield, Peter Wernett, Rick Morse, and Philip Lotspeich

Confirmed Topics:

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.)

Southeastern Correctional Institution-

Lancaster, OH

Men's prison

Dec. 1, 2012 - Saturday         

Volunteer deadline:  Nov. 1

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