And it was good... very good!

God saw everything God had made and it was very good. Genesis 1:31

This past month, I have been working on a paper for Case on metaphors found in scripture that inform the mission and ministry of the church in the 21^st century.  The abundance of images, metaphors and parables that speak to the intimate and life-giving relationship between God and humanity, the stewardship of creation, and humanity's call to be stewards is breath-taking.  So numerous are the images that it is clear that no one image can suffice. Rather, each image provides both hint and invitation to faith-based communities who seek to engage their whole selves-body, mind, emotion, and spirit-in service to not only God, but also people and planet. 

Even so, as we seek to re-connect with the mission of God there remains conflict between public and private goals. As Robert Quinn in Deep Change notes, while every institution has "publicly stated goals... behind these public goals reside operative goals that often override the espoused public goals."[1]  Satisfaction of the strongest constituent voices has become for many religious institutions more pressing than faithfulness to God's call to be stewards of creation.  What began in the first century as a movement born of shared identity and purpose has been largely displaced by religion as institution.  All too often, survival of institution takes precedence over the mission of God.  Therein lies our challenge!

If we, as a presbytery, are to move beyond the status quo to once again constitute ourselves as a movement called to the transformation of people and planet, then a new (in truth, ancient) understanding of identity and purpose must be reclaimed.  The images, metaphors, and parables of scripture provide a frame of reference by which to understand core identity, character, call, and community. As Rabbi Abraham Heschel reminds us, humanity "always looks for a model or an example to follow.  What determines one's being is the image one adopts."[2]

As people of faith, the rich diversity and plethora of images in scripture invite us to ponder anew the meaning and purpose of community.  Both the Hebrew and Christian scriptures are awash with metaphors and images that suggest God's original intent was for an existence grounded in mutuality, self-giving, and care of both people and creation.  The Word is permeated with joy and delight, made known not only in the absence of challenge and strife, but also in the very midst of it.  

Incomplete applications or those postmarked or received at the Mission Center after August 15, 2013, will not be considered.   

These grants are made possible by table offerings at presbytery meetings and gatherings and direct contributions from our congregations and individuals throughout our presbytery, who have discerned a call to respond to the growing number of children and adults in our communities who are hungry because they do not have reliable access to affordable, nutritious food.

For more information, contact Paula at 330-339-5515 or by email, Paula@MVPJourney.org 

Bloomfield Folks Bloom  

and  

Blossom with New Pastor!

What a privilege to be present for the joy-filled worship on July 28th as Muskingum Valley Presbytery gathered in Bloomfield for the Commissioning of Ruling Elder Tim Pollock to pastoral service.  After four long years of waiting, and in the 195th anniversary year of the church's founding, the anticipation climaxed as Tim answered the constitutional questions and led the congregation in celebrating the Lord's Supper.  Following morning worship the congregation had enjoyed a fellowship luncheon. 

In the afternoon worship service, Transitional Stated Clerk Paula Lane introduced those present to how we gather as a Presbytery for commissioning.  Tim (guitar) and Rachel (vocal) led us in our singing of "Come Thou Font of Every Blessing."  Ruling Elder Gene Moore shared a story from the movie "Rudy" closing with an emotionally grateful response "In God's time." 

Commissioned Ruling Elder Ron Walker (who heads up our presbytery's Commissioned Ruling Elder Program) told about a broken table in his childhood and how significant decisions are made around tables.  Reading from the 23rd Psalm and Acts 2:43-47 about breaking bread together "with glad and generous hearts. Praising God and having the goodwill of all the people."

At the reception downstairs Ruling Elder Shirley McCulley found some additional questions for their new pastor to answer.  What was Tim's most embarrassing moment?  What is his favorite food?  Does he have certain ways he likes to do things?  Where was he born?  The group had fun listening to his answers and wondered if some of these should be added to our BOOK OF ORDER!

Letter from the Board of Pensions...

Once again, thank you for participating in a Regional Benefits Consultation (RBC) in April. Your input, along with the many responses to the Board of Pensions' call for feedback as it considered changes in the medical dues model for the Traditional Program, helped shape the strategy approved last month by the Board's Board of Directors.

Patricia M. Haines, the Board's Senior Vice President, Benefits, informed the Directors, "We listened, we learned, we prayed, and came out at a better place." The Board Bulletin, distributed shortly after the board meeting was adjourned on June 29, details the medical dues changes for 2014 as well as the 2015 dues model and other changes planned for 2015.

The input we received was considered by the Healthcare Committee when it met in May to determine a recommendation and then by the full board at its summer meeting, where final decisions were made.

Many RBC participants requested time to adapt to any changes in the medical dues model. As a result, the Committee voted to recommend to the full Board of Directors that the medical dues model not be changed until 2015. The full board agreed to maintain the current model through 2014.

The full board further approved the Committee's recommendation that a change to the medical dues model be implemented in 2015 by selecting the model that has been referred to as Option C. Medical Dues and Other Decisions, posted on healthcare.pensions.org, provides a snapshot of the change and other healthcare benefits decisions made by the Directors.

Ms. Haines said, "We recognize that many congregations are facing difficult economic circumstances. At the same time, the theme that ran through the feedback we received was how important it was to ensure Medical Plan protection for church servants. We wanted to preserve the essence of community while also giving employing organizations some level of flexibility."