Fresh Expressions

Yesterday as our commissioners met in committee, the General Presbyters met with Brian McLaren (www.brianmclaren.net). We talked about the move from "command and control" in which structures work to keep bad things from happening to structures that nurture experimentation and creativity born of the Holy Spirit.

In that context, we reflected a movement taking place in the Church of England born out of a white paper entitled "The Mission Shaped Church." In this white paper, research pointed to a clear "sunset" date for the existence of the Church of England unless intervention took place. The leadership of the church looked at the staggering costs of maintaining 14^th century buildings (and we think we have building problems!) and the rapid decline and aging of congregations. Out of that white paper a vision was born for a "fresh expression" of the church called to:

• Serve those outside church;
• Listen to people and enter their culture;
• Make discipleship a priority;
• Form church.

Please note how this fresh expression is intentionally a form of church for our changing culture. It is established primarily for the benefit of people who are not yet members of any church. Such "fresh expressions" come into being through principles of listening, service, incarnational mission and making disciples. To learn more: http://www.freshexpressions.org.uk/about/whatis (Note: I especially like the idea of "mead" between services. J).

It got me wondering what would a "fresh expression of the church" look like across the fourteen counties that make up MVP?

With deep love and appreciation for you all!

REGIONAL REPRESENTATIVE REVIEW

(The Rev. Ernesto Badillo, Regional Representative for the Synod's of Boriquén, Covenant and Trinity)

June, 2012

"News from the Board of Pensions, PCUSA"

Dear friends,

I have a couple of folks that are searching for answers on how to run a successful Sunday School ministry. If your church is in the process of hosting a successful Sunday School ministry, I ask that you take a few moments to respond to these questions:

1. How are you running a successful Sunday School?

2. What is the model of your successful Sunday School?

3. How do you get parents to commit to the program?

Please send your responses to:

Nancy Umberger, ncu@netscape.com or

Cindy Krause, wkrause2@roadrunner.com  

Thank you!

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Since 2003 I have been involved in mission work in Belize, Central America. Over the years the mission groups I have been working with have built new homes, refurbished old homes, built bathroom facilities and playground equipment for schools as well as preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Most recently, in the past five years, Warsaw 1st Presbyterian Church has funded building projects in the San Narcisso RC School and has rewired one school building and built partitions to separate classrooms.

Each and every project has blessed the community of San Victor and San Narcisso in a powerful way. I have developed a relationship with Maestro Gregorio Moralez, principal of the San Narcisso Roman Catholic School. Each year, he and his staff help me to see where the needs of the school are most beneficial. In April of 2012, I went on a fact finding mission trip to the community of San Narcisso and met with Maestro Moralez to discuss the future of the school. Several needs have emerged as a result of that meeting: one need is that the new kindergarten class which began just two years ago is in need of a kitchen. The children have to go home to eat lunch, and for some families the work in their cane fields is more important, so some of the children will not make it back to school. Adjacent to the kindergarten building is a small building that needs refurbished that would provide a great kitchen area. The kitchen will provide cold storage of homemade lunches, tables and chairs for the students, and a clean up sink with lighting. The proposed goal of the Belize Mission 2013 document shows what it will take to provide for this need. The work will be done by parents of the children in the community.

The second need concerns the school library. We discovered that the library of the school is mostly in storage because the need for classroom space is at a premium. Only about 50% of the books are displayed in one portion of a classroom. It is difficult to send students to the library area because it interrupts the class that is using the room. Adjacent to the main school building is an area in which a library building could be placed. This will be the main focus of the 2013 mission trip. The building will have to be purchased ahead of time and placed on its foundation in time for the 2013 mission group to build shelving and catalog books. The proposed building will be constructed in the Ship Yard district of Belize by the Mennonite Community and traveled to San Narcisso RC School.

Also in the proposed goal document is a cost estimate for the library. Finally technology is a must for a community trying to raise the standard for the emerging workforce of the future. Many of you know that our children are born with a keyboard in their hands and a person that is proficient with a computer is more valuable in the workforce. The school has internet and a computer lab but much of the equipment is antiquated and needs replaced. Many of the computers are running Windows NT (2000) operating system. In late May, I received a donation to the Belize Mission project: 56 used computers and flat screen monitors. My son-in-law, Phil Wentworth is wading through the massive amount of equipment to build/refurbish at least 40 usable computers that are internet ready for the San Narcisso RC School. In order to get them to Belize, they will have to be shipped individually and I will be asking for donations for the shipping cost. This is exciting work for the Lord. This school of 300+ children will impact a community in a powerful way with these new innovations. In addition to the 2013 Mission trip we have several professional teachers who will be teaching seminars in various teaching techniques that are needed for the school. Seminars on Reading Comprehension, Special Education, Special Needs (ADHD) and Library Operations to name a few will help to make this school a powerful place of learning.  

For the 2013 Mission trip to be successful we need several commitments from you. We ask for your prayers, we are seeking a substantial amount of money and we need to ask God to provide. We need your financial support. The kitchen and library will not be built without many dollars, so I ask you to please prayerfully consider what you or your church could give. Finally, this mission trip may be what God is calling you to do in 2013. There is room for you on this trip and what you bring to the table. God has gifted you with many talents and they can be used to bless the people of Belize. Whatever God is calling you to do, please do it!

In Christ,

Pastor Tim Thomas

P.S. Gifts can be sent to: Warsaw 1st Presbyterian Church P.O. Box 193 Warsaw, Ohio 43844

Proposed Goals of Belize Mission Trip 2013 (.PDF)

Belize Mission Letter 2013 (.PDF)