The Golden Thread 

Some of you will remember from High School English the literary device of "the golden thread" in which a theme is woven through a story. For example, the subject and ultimate source of unity in The Lord of the Rings is the ring and its power. Each of the brotherhood has their desire for power tested by that ring. In Toy Story 3, the golden thread is Woody's dominant character trait, loyalty. In A Tale of Two Cities, the golden thread is relationship. The character of Lucie becomes the golden thread that unites her father and others to their past in a way that heals and restores.

Last week, I had my fourth immersion at Case. We spent the first two days reflecting on the particular behaviors of individuals, teams, organizations, communities, countries and the world that nurture transformation. In each and every case, the "golden thread" was relationship.   Consistently, we found that where there was depth of relationship, there was a willingness to trust and risk the vulnerability that leads to new life.

I returned to a gathering of Executive Presbyters from across the country. As at Case, we reflected on those places where we are experiencing transformation, God's hand at work. Here too, the golden thread was relationship.   In those places where relationship has been nurtured, a willingness to explore new possibilities has been clearly evidenced.

To be sure, challenges abound for us all. Every single presbytery present is struggling with a budget deficit that ranges from $70,000 to over a million. There have been significant staff reductions. One presbytery has reduced their staff from fourteen to three in the space of a year; another from twelve to six.   Battles over ordination standards and gay marriage continue. There remains a strong resistance to change. But, in those presbyteries that are choosing life, the golden thread of relationships is weaving a new way of being.

Relationship is not only the fabric of life, it is the essence of ministry and the only means by which transformation can occur. Beyond doctrines and right theology, relationship is the means by which community is formed. Tod Bolsinger, who bravely chaired the Mid Council Commission, reflects on relationships as informed by the Trinity:

The love shared in the Trinity and brought into the world by Jesus is the very same merciful and gracious love that is meant to be shared, demonstrated, and offered to others in and through the church. To believe in the Trinity is to live the Trinity. To live the Trinity is to be part of God's relational-sacramental life (p. 72, It Takes a Church to Raise a Christian).

In an age of fragmentation and alienation, we do well to attend to the fabric of our relationships: with God, with ourselves, with both friend and stranger. In each other, we discover not only the condition of our humanity, but the face of Christ.

All too often, our relationships find themselves displaced by the "work" of the church. Yet, deep down, we know that apart from relationship, the work is of little worth. While not mutually exclusive, our relationships in Christ call us to a deeper investment of self than simply attending to the "work" of being church. As we have come to find in Muskingum Valley Presbytery, true Christian community calls us to share the fullness of ourselves-our struggles and our joys-with both laughter and tears. The resulting pull is a deepened relationship not only with one another and God, but also with the very communities we've been called to serve.

Truly, we are blessed by the golden thread of relationships here in MVP. May we never take them for granted, but commit the time and care needed to nurture and grow them.

With deep thanks and love,

Holy Habit: Pondering Relationship

Over this next week, ask several people in your congregation  this sentence: "In this congregation (presbytery), we are all ญญญญญญญญญญญญ_____________________________."  What is defining our relationships on both a congregational and presbytery level? In what ways are we intentional about the nurture and care of relationships? In what ways have we been lax?

P.S. Don't forget to mark your calendar for Saturday, October 19 from 8:30am - 4:40pm when we begin our Intentional Journey in Christ. Our guide for the journey will be Anita Howard; our host will be Christ Presbyterian Church, Canton.

Rev. Dr. Graham Standish

Noted author and lecturer, the Rev. Dr. Graham Standish, is leading a workshop for teaching elders, ruling elders, and other church leaders.

• When: Saturday, October 12, 2013
• Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Where: First Presbyterian Church, 256 Mahoning Avenue, Warren, Ohio 44483
• Cost: $10, including lunch 

To register, complete this form and return by mail or send the registration information requested in an email to lorrainejones@faithfulness.com. 

Christmas House International

Dear colleagues in ministry,

It is an exciting time of the year as we assess the goals and tasks set by the 220^th General Assembly (2012) and look with expectancy toward the 221^st General Assembly (2014) in Detroit. We have much to be thankful for as a denomination, and it is with joy that we engage in our work as a church.

One of the important tasks I want to lift up in this season is our commitment to promoting Christmas International House (CIH), a ministry of hospitality for international students during the Christmas holiday. From December 18-January 2 families, churches and civic groups in communities around the country host international student, providing homes for them to stay in and programs of activities. I sent you a similar letter last year at the direction of the Assembly encouraging you to support this effort.

CIH has to turn away international students each year from this ministry because "there is no room in the inn," so it is imperative that at least one church in each presbytery respond. I challenge each presbytery to communicate this vision of hospitality among its congregations for 2014, with our goal being to set up 200 programs that host at least two students each. Please contact Lisa Majoros at (404) 846-4396 for hosting and program information.

The experience is invaluable for international students who participate, and can be equally rewarding for individuals and congregations in your presbyteries as they share the splendor of Christmas. I hope you will take the opportunity find out more about CIH (www.christmasih.org), and that you share this with your congregations in time for the coming Christmas season.

In Christ,

Gradye Parsons

Stated Clerk of the General Assembly

P.S. For your information, the full action of the General Assembly can be found with PC-biz at http://pc-biz.org/Explorer.aspx?id=4373.

International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat: October 6, 2013  

Matthew 25:40"And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.'"

Together, we can lift up our voices in prayer and support of a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Join faith communities around the world for a dedicated time of prayer and reflection for those in need of shelter. On Sunday, October 6, 2013 Habitat for Humanity will observe its annual International Day of Prayer and Action for Human Habitat. 

We aim to engage one million people in prayer in the state of Michigan alone. Join us and others from around the world in this same effort.

Get involved. We would love for you to show your support by signing up as a participant at http://habitatmichigan.org/register-day-prayer

Visit the website to register, or scan the QR code below with a smart phone to receive more information.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,  

In an increasingly conflict-ridden and fragmented world, the God who grants peace and wholeness calls Christians to understand and address the root causes of violence and injustice so that we may share in mending the brokenness that exists in our world.  Peacemaking is the human response to God's gift of peace giving.  The Presbyterian Peacemaking Program invites leaders from our partner churches around the world to share their experiences as peacemakers in their own lands.

Our presbytery has just received preliminary news that our application to host a 2013 International Peacemaker has been honored in the person of the Rev. Wilfred Orr from Newtownbreda, Northern Ireland.    

Please consider if you are able to host Rev. Orr for a day or two in early October (4-9).  He is able to speak with churches and community groups, present at a church supper or other evening meetings, and participate in worship leadership.  Given the short duration of his stay in the presbytery, we want to ensure that Rev. Orr visits both the north and south parts of MVP. 

Churches who wish to host our visitor may contact Rev. Lynn Bozich Shetzer:  callmeinstead330@yahoo.com, 330-494-2288,or by contacting the Presbytery office.

The Rev. Wilfred Orr

In 2012, Wilfred was presented with an Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen's honors list for "Service to Community Relations." Throughout his time in Newtownbreda he has been a leading figure in the Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship and has worked tirelessly to promote both stronger ties between churches of all traditions in the district and between those from different cultural, social and political backgrounds. The proactive role played by the Ballynafeigh Clergy Fellowship is viewed as significant in contributing to this district remaining one of the areas in Northern Ireland most balanced between Protestant/Unionist and Catholic/Nationalist populations in spite of the polarizing impact of "The Troubles."