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Weekly Update
August 23, 2012 |
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Upcoming Events
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Save the date!
Friday,
September 28th
6:00P - 9:00P
VIP Dinner
with
Dr. Tony Campolo
Location:
Christ Presbyterian Church
530 Tuscarawas Street W.
Canton, OH 44702
You must RSVP
for this event!
Click Here to Register!
Saturday, September 29th
8:30A - 4:30P
Dr. Tony Campolo, morning speaker
Topic:
Creation of Sustainable Communities
Followed by:
Stated Meeting of the Presbytery
Location:
Christ Presbyterian Church
530 Tuscarawas Street W.
Canton, OH 44702
You must RSVP for this event!
Sunday,
September 30th
9:15A - 10:15A
Sunday School
with Tony Campolo
10:30A - 11:30A
Worship
with Tony Campolo
Location:
Christ Presbyterian Church
530 Tuscarawas Street W.
Canton, OH 44702
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Questions?
Comments?
Corrections?
800.693.1147
330.339.5515
Mon. - Thurs 8:00A - 4:30P
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MVP News:
2012-2013 Presbyterian Planning Calendar
Only a few left!
$9.00 each
2011-2013
Book of Order
Please contact
Shauna today!
$9.00 each
Orders for the NEW 2013 Mission Yearbook will be placed soon! Be on the lookout for more updates.
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Summary Bulletin of GA 2012 from The Presbyterian Outlook:
2012 Post - GA to Email (.PDF)
one side
2012 Post - GA for Printing (.PDF)
two sides
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Who are we? This is a question of identity. We would all say we are Christian-disciples of Christ. As churches together we are known as the Muskingum Valley Presbytery. Why do we work together for Christ? That is a question of purpose, or calling. We have come to understand we are called and exist 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.
In order to equip, nourish and nurture, we each must continue to be equipped, nourished and nurtured. Understanding this, six and a half years ago Debbie Rundlett was called to serve as our General Presbyter. We understand her presence in our life as a gift. She has led with faith, wisdom, passion and compassion. We have all experienced this through pastor cohorts, leadership training events, transitional support, conflict support and in her ability to weave us into a strong network of relating churches and individuals. We know of her deep, deep desire for her own personal growth directed, in the end, to equipping, nourishing and nurturing us.
To this end, Debbie has stated her desire to "trade in" her Sabbatical to do post graduate work in positive organizational development at Case Western University. Case is internationally recognized for their work in community transformation. The 14-month program educates and develops leaders in the creation of sustainable structures which contribute to both individual and community well-being.
To do this, she needs our support: both participatory and financial. On the participatory end, she is asking us to prayerfully consider taking part in either hosting an Appreciative Inquiry Summit, participating in a cohort, or "testing" the materials she develops in your congregational setting. She will provide greater detail on this need at the September meeting.
The greatest challenging obstacle to Debbie participating in this program is funding. The tuition totals $69,000, plus travel and immersion expenses. Case has provided a tuition grant of $20,000. Debbie will personally contribute $18,500, as well as her continuing education moneys for 2013 and 2014. The Total Living Center and a presbytery leader, getting a sense that something special is in the making, have already pledged $500.00 each! First United Presbyterian Church in Alliance has pledged $6,000! Each member of the Presbytery Council has made a personal pledge of support, the total of which is yet tallied.
We believe this is a good and worthy direction for Debbie and for the Muskingum Valley Presbytery. The reality is that we still need to raise approximately $18,500 to fund the venture, and we pray you and your congregation will consider a mission gift to make it all happen. Some churches will be able to forward $100, others $500, and others $1,000. Together, we can continue to equip, nourish and nurture, Debbie, one another...and the world in the faith and new life Jesus has to offer each of us.
We ask you to take this request to your Session, prayerfully consider the wonder, growth and future that might be born through it, and respond generously. May the Lord bless you and keep us as, together, we work out the future God has in store for us.
In Christ,
Dave de Vries
Chair, Council |
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What is the terroir of your community?
French winemakers use the term terroir to describe the unique character a place bestows upon a particular bottle of wine, type of cheese, or loaf of bread. As Deborah Frieze notes, "It is what makes us desire champagne from France, coffee from Kenya, cigars from Cuba (well, for some), and sourdough from San Francisco." Loosely translated, the word terroir means "a sense of place." For wine, coffee, and bread, this is tied to soil, water, climate, topography, and growing methods.
My question for us is: What is the terroir of our respective communities? What are the distinctive gifts and needs, strengths and weaknesses that shape and form our communities into who they are? What are the unique characteristics that bestow a sense of place that need to be honored and nurtured for the health and vitality of the community? How does the terroir of Holmes County differ from the terroir of Stark County? Or Carroll... Tuscarawas... Guernsey... Washington... Noble... Morgan... Perry... Muskingum... Coshocton... Wayne... Richland... or Ashland counties, for that matter?
For us, as disciples called to seek the shalom of the communities to which we have been sent, the terroir of our communities informs the way in which we are invited to live and serve and worship. When we honor the terroir of a community, we are honoring the God-given uniqueness of that place. When we bless a community, we find ourselves blessed in return.
The challenge is that many of us have been shaped by and trained to serve in centralized systems where one size fits all. We know that our centralized systems no longer work (if they ever did). Yet still we find ourselves seeking a universal solution to our problems. Deep down, we know that centralized systems do not allow us to honor the terroir of a particular community. We all have experienced the loss born of standardization. Perhaps that's why people are so resistant to change. Because it asks them to deny and reject that which is most essential to who they are. Yet change at its best honors that each one of us is created in the image of God and that our world is good... very good. What of our communities (and of ourselves) do we need to protect in order to have a future?
In Christ,
Debbie Rundlett, General Presbyter
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Holy Habit: Honoring the Terroir of Our Communities Scripture makes it clear that we are caretakers and stewards of all that God has made (see Genesis 1). Honoring the terroir of a given community is a way of expressing delight in God's creation and honoring God as creator. This next week take some to ponder the uniqueness of the community in which you live. Consider taking a prayer walk around the community with a neighbor. Take some time to visit with other people in your community, perhaps at a local coffee shop and ask them what they most appreciate about the community. What are their deepest concerns? What are their hopes and dreams? And then, spend some time in prayer to discern what God is asking of you in order that you might more fully nurture a sense of place and honor the terroir of your community. |
From the Transitional Stated Clerk for 8/23/12 Weekly Update Applications for 2012 grants from the MVP 2 Cents A Meal fund will be accepted at the MVP Mission Center through Monday, October 15, 2012. The application form is available on the MVP web site (see Forms-Miscellaneous). Please be sure to fully describe the program for which funds are requested (number of people served, involvement of other churches/community organizations...) and the difference a 2 Cents A Meal grant would make (new program start-up, expansion, matching funds...). The application must be signed by the clerk of session and the pastor/moderator of the sponsoring church. Incomplete applications or those received after Friday, September 28 cannot be considered. Awards will be announced at the MVP stated meeting on Tuesday, November 27 at the College Drive church in New Concord. 2 Cents a Meal Grant (.PDF) |
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Dear friends,
Hope you will consider hosting CCI on our tour next March and April. Every church that has hosted us in the past has been amazed at how wonderful the program is. We bring 7 performers for an evening of Thai dance and drama that will be beautiful, entertaining, and express God's love wonderfully. We ask churches to provide host families for the night we perform, and provide meals, and a gift of $500-1500 to cover our expenses. We can perform on almost any stage, but need some help so we can hang a cloth backdrop.
Hope you are well. God is moving at Payap University.
Esther
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Rev. Esther Wakeman, Ph.D.
Vice-President, Spiritual & Community Life
Director, Mae Khao Dormitories
Payap University
Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand
office 665-385-1475
home 665-324-3645
cell 6689-835-0786
2012 August Wakeman letter w photos (.PDF) |
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Friends,
The Synod, along with the Presbytery of Detroit, will be offering Disaster Training on September 13 & 14, 2012. Below is information regarding this training and a registration form. It is suggested that presbyteries send 3 to 5 representatives.
Presbyteries would pay for travel and overnight accommodations. However, if this becomes a burden, the synod has some extra funds to help with the accommodations. The synod will pay for catered meals.
If you have any questions please contact me.
Janet C. Fehlen
Executive Assistant
Synod of the Covenant
419-754-4050
Flyer Synod Disaster Training 9/13
PDA Registration
*If you would like to attend this training event, please RSVP to Shauna at 330.339.5515 or shauna@mvpjourney.org
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Certificate in Lay Ministry (On Campus)
Sept. 2012-June 2013
The non-degree Whitworth Certificate in Lay Ministry Program is designed to help train, equip, and support men and women to serve more effectively as commissioned lay pastors, Christian-education directors, lay-ministry coordinators, youth leaders, church administrators, church elders and deacons, and church-office managers, as well as in a variety of other leadership positions in local congregations.
More...
Certificate in Lay Ministry (Online)
Oct. 2012-June 2013
Now offered online, the non-degree Whitworth Certificate in Lay Ministry Program is designed to meet the goals of the on-campus program (above) in a format that allows students both inside and outside the Spokane area to participate fully. Classes are held for nine months, from October to June.
More...
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| Journey Java Varieties: | |
"Cup of Excellence" | $16 per pound | |
"Fair Trade Organic" & All Other Regular Coffee | $12 per pound | |
"Fair Trade Organic" General Presbyter's Dark Roast Blend | $12 per pound | |
"Natural Process" | $10 per pound | |
"Decaffeinated" | $14 per pound | |
Varieties change on a regular basis due to harvesting dates in coffee producing countries! | |
Please give one weeks notice for roasting. | |
Fund raiser for churches available. | | All proceeds support MVP mission!! | |
The Journey Java is a way to bring attention to the plight of the oppressed countries that withhold a fair wage to their employees for the sake of a larger profit. "Journeying with Jesus" coffee is to also help the good employers around the world that take an extra effort in the growth of "FINE" coffee with GREAT "cupping" qualities that honor our earth with organic farming while paying employees above poverty levels. | |
Journey Java also provides an income for mission within and designated by the Muskingum Valley Presbytery. Profits from the sale of this "FINE" coffee go to the mission of the Presbytery. |
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Prayer Requests/Updates:
From Barbara Accord:
To all, Rick and I were on our way to Pittsburgh yesterday, for the anniversary - but we knew the possibility that the "service" would be of a dual nature because of an email that came from 1st Fairmont, Elise sent it Fri. afternoon. I called Leonard Hood, to find out if he had heard any more on Maggie's condition, and as we entered PA he returned my call and told us that she had died, just past midnight - she did live to their anniversary day. When this was mentioned in the service, Bill lifted his arm in victory and said, "We made it!" The service was beautiful, the stories people told of Maggie were touching and funny; Bill thanked everyone and told us how he and Maggie had prayed every night for just about everyone in the room - individually or en-groupe; so kind of him to let us all know that we had been in their prayers, as they had been in ours. A large group from 1st Fairmont was there and part of the group sang two anthems. The folks of Community House PC, where the service was held (where Maggie and Bill have been affiliated for several months), were overwhelmingly gracious and hospitable; Christ's welcome was indeed there.
Maggie got a wonderful send off, for her new journey. And, yes, please keep Bill and family and friends in your prayers; as they/we experience the absence of her presence. May God's Spirit inspire us to joy, knowing that the Light still shines in all darkness, and that no darkness can ever extinguish it.
Please send cards to:
Bill Sadler, B302, 1026 Progress Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15212
Email: bill.sadler@fsnet.net
Please keep the Armour family: James, Burnetta, and newborn baby, Collin in your prayers as hopefully Collin will get the breathing monitor off soon.
Please include Mary Cureton in your prayers for good results
with her health.
Please pray for Kathy Adams and her team as they leave for Haiti at the end of August to work at a school and clinic; she will be directing the teacher training.
Please keep Tim and Ellen Thomas in your prayers. Tim's mother recently suffered a heart attack; she is now at home and doing much better.
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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
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