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Weekly Update
October 11, 2012
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Save the Date!
Tuesday,
November 27th
4:00P - 8:00P
Stated Presbytery Meeting
Advent Worship
College Drive Presbyterian Church
2 W. High Street
New Concord, OH 43762
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Questions?
Comments?
Corrections?
800.693.1147
330.339.5515
MVP
Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday
8:00A - 4:30P
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MVP News:
During the week of October 22-25, Shauna,
Administrative Assistant, will be out of the office.
If you need assistance, please contact Debbie, Barb or Paula
at the MVP office.
2011-2013
Book of Order
Please contact
Shauna today!
$9.00 each
for the NEW 2013 Mission Yearbook. Please return completed order form with check by Monday, October 29th. Orders will be placed on this day.
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2 Cents A Meal 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 Monday, October 15 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 Application |
Wayne Presbyterian Church is seeking a Part-time Choir Director to plan, coordinate, rehearse, and direct the Adult Chancel Choir.
If interested, please call 330-345-6071.
Wayne Presbyterian Church
7152 Burbank Rd.
Wooster, OH 44691
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Summary Bulletin of GA 2012 from The Presbyterian Outlook:
2012 Post - GA to Email
one side
2012 Post - GA for Printing
two sides
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Pondering in my heart...
I treasure the image of Mary pondering things in her heart (Luke 2:19). It is an image the comforts me, even as it calls me to be still and listen for God. As we bless and release congregations to other denominations and grapple with issues for which there is no quick fix, I find myself pondering many things in my heart.
Pondering in the Greek suggests not just considering things but also trying to make sense of them. As the text reminds us, Mary ponders things in her heart. To ponder in our hearts calls us to not simply think things through, but to feel things through. In a very real sense, Mary models for us what it means to engage the whole person-body, mind, spirit and emotions-in making sense of life's challenges.
As we struggle to understand why some of our sister congregations feel called to leave, I'm not surprised by the intensity of emotions. To be fully honest, I've had my own intense (and even conflicting) emotions. Our relationships matter! And there is an implicit sense of rejection when a congregation asks to be dismissed. But not all dismissals are the same. Indeed, each one is unique. And so, I caution us to use care in the metaphors we employ.
I do not believe, for example, that Fredericksburg's request to be released to the Evangelical Covenant Order of Presbyterians constitutes a "divorce." Indeed, I see us continuing to be in mission and ministry together as our Reformed family expands to include this new expression of our Reformed faith. For those of us who have had opportunity to be in conversation with the leadership of Fredericksburg, it is clear that their leaving is born out of a missional imperative, not rejection of relationship. God is calling them to do a new thing and if we are open, we have the opportunity to be blessed by the new thing that God is doing in our midst. Much like blessing an adult child into "marriage," so Fredericksburg is asking us to bless them into this new relationship.
By contrast, Westminster, Canton chose the language of divorce to describe their leaving. It has not been an easy leave-taking. Strong words have been used and sides have been taken. While we as a presbytery have consistently chosen the path of gracious dismissal, it was not a gracious experience.
Of even deeper concern to me is the lack of vision. I am concerned whenever we define ourselves by what we are not, rather than by who we are. As the writer of Proverbs reminds us, "without vision, the people perish" (29:18). Westminster needs our prayers, even as we grieve their leaving. Prayers that they might discern God's call anew as a part of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church.
I invite you in this season to join me as I ponder this and other matters in my heart. For such a time as this, God has called us. May we be faithful in heeding God's call!
With love in Christ,
Debbie Rundlett,
General Presbyter
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Holy Habit: Pondering in our Hearts
We live in challenging times. Times that make pondering in our hearts not only a spiritual, but practical necessity. As is God's way, "tidings of great joy" often come not in the best of times, but in times of chaos and change. What is God calling you to ponder in your heart in this season? How is God seeking to turn your mourning into gladness? Take some time this next week to be still with God and ponder all that does not make sense in your life. Offer it to God in prayer... and be on the lookout for Shepherds with an unexpected word from God.
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An email from one of our Parish Elders...
On Saturday September 29, I had the pleasure of representing the church at the Muskingum Valley Presbytery meeting which was held at Christ Church in Canton. The morning session consisted of a dynamic speaker Dr. Tony Compolo. His talk centered around how to develop a sustainable community. Many of his points made me think about my church and its mission. In the afternoon, I helped with the worship service which was very moving. Great to hear all those voices being raised to God's glory. After the worship service, the business meeting was held. Some of the highlights were that parish elders and synod commissioners were commissioned. I am now the parish elder for Hopewell, Shreve, Millersburg, Clark, Loudonville, and Perrysville. We also voted on a commendation from the administrative commission for Gracious Dismissal to recognize the ECO as a denomination. The meeting ended on a high point for me with the presentation concerning advent and asked the question Can Christmas Still Change the World?
Deb Lilley,
Voting Commissioner
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CAMO SUNDAY
WILDGAME FEED & BAR-B-QUE
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Come meet Brad Clay,
Host of
"FINAL DESCENT OUTDOORS"
Help support the Barlow Volunteer Fire Department & Barlow Presbyterian Church Raffle Prizes include, Hunting Supplies, Garden Supplies, Taxidermy, Guns, Deer Feed, and More! Church Services begins at 10:45AM at BPC and going to 3:00PM Fire Dept. for Lunch starting at approximately Noon. For more information call: 740-350-5566 or 740-336-0111
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Formational Prayer Seminar...How we Can Change!
The Formational Prayer Seminar may appear to be a hefty title, but indeed it is four days of life changing experiences, learning to walk with Jesus and seek and obtain the glory, guidance, and reassurance of the Holy Spirit. In our first seminar, the very necessary process of forgiveness and putting wounds in perspective takes place with self-forgiveness, healing of old wounds, and short and long term hurts begin with one's self and extends to others. It is the beginning of a process and a journey!
Guided, led, and taught by Dr. Terry Wardle of Ashland Theological Seminary, who has a no holds barred, reveal all attitude about his own and shared experiences, we were guided to begin our own search and realities in a program of learning, combined with daily, meaningful worship. There could never be a kinder, more empathetic way through the hand of God!
Attending the second seminar proved to be an even stronger, more involved, self-reflective journey, led by Dr. Wardle, but further enriched by other leaders in their fields of expertise in different learning sessions. We were enriched in our journey, as we walked with Jesus daily, were led by the Holy Spirit, encouraged in daily study, daily prayer, and the use of many recommended resources. A further gift was the connections made with others making the journey, and coming from many different fields of work and areas of the country. We have been encouraged to "tell our story," and to "continue the journey." For those of us in this Presbytery with our theme of "Journeying with Jesus," these experiences are life changing helping us to make changes in our own lives to better help and encourage others to change theirs and continue the walk to enhance our own lives, other lives and the world. I believe for me, these seminars have been not only a large blessing, but a permanent life change in my personal and religious life, providing great direction and joy!
Kathy Adams,
Ruling Elder Commissioner,
East Hills Presbyterian Church, Mansfield, Ohio.
Formational Prayer Seminar January 16-19, 2013. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Wednesday and seminar concludes at 4 p.m. Saturday. Link to Formational Prayer Seminar at Ashland Seminary **Please note the $100 discount when registering as an MVP leader for Formational Prayer Seminar. |
Partnership Community Day Hosted by: Self-Development of People
Date
Saturday, October 20th
Details
8:30AM to 4:00PM
Pancake breakfast, $6
Lunch provided
Donations welcome, all proceeds go to
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Place Westminster Presbyterian Church 1250 West Exchange Street Akron, OH 44313 Activities Break-out sessions Showcase Panel of Self-Development of People partners
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Journey Java Contact Jim Spain at [email protected] to order or for more information.
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
Please continue to pray for the people of Haiti, specifically the mission projects run by the Village of Hope, which provides help where there is no other.
If you or someone you know has a prayer request,
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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
Regular Office hours
Monday - Thursday
8:00A to 4:30P
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