Eyes of the Soul

To be sure, there has been a lot of controversy over icons through the centuries. For Protestant Christians, especially, there continues to be much confusion over the Orthodox veneration of icons. Yet I wonder if we don't sometimes confuse the Orthodox with our veneration of scripture. The bottom line is that we have been trained to pray with scripture, and the Orthodox to pray with images. In both cases, we do not pray to scripture or icons as the object of our prayer, but rather through them to the Triune God. Just as scripture is a light unto our path, so icons have provided a window to the soul. As Henri Nouwen writes: Icons "speak more to our inner than our outer senses. They speak to the heart that searches God."

There are days when I find myself exhausted by the amount of content that I am supposed to take in and process in a single day. There are evenings when I am simply too tired to read even the gospels. But I can still rest my eyes on an icon and pray and be still with God.

It is my experience of praying with icons that prepared me for a recent prayer experience in which a group of my colleagues and I were invited to participate in an "open eyes" prayer experience. In this exercise, we each sat with a colleague for a period of several minutes in quiet contemplation as we looked into one another's eyes. It was a profound experience for me as I came to know a colleague, with whom I have had some conflict in the past, in a new way. Previously, I had found this individual to be somewhat abrupt, even abrasive. But as I looked into his eyes, I saw something of the child of God in his vulnerability and willingness to be open to the present moment. I remain thankful for the opportunity to get to know him in a new and fuller way.

The ancients believed that the eyes are a window to the soul. I found this to be true as we entered into open eyes prayer. To be clear, I sense that my colleague and I will still continue to disagree on how to best respond to the issues we are facing. But, we will do so with a deeper sense of one another's humanity and a deeper compassion for each other's person.

Holy Habit: Open Eyes Prayer

This next week, invite a family member or a friend to join you in "Open Eyes Prayer." Set aside 15 minutes just to be still with one another. Allow yourself to set aside words and simply gaze into each other's eyes without judgment or agenda. It has been said that the most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. Give the gift of mindfulness born of open eye prayer to yourself and someone you care about. You will be blessed!

Stated Presbytery Meeting:  

September 17, 2013

Join us  for the Stated Presbytery Meeting.  This month's meeting is Ordinary Time - Taking Care of Business (Budget and Overtures).   

• When: Tuesday, September 17, 2013
• Time: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. 
• Where: JIM's Place, 228 West High Avenue, New Philadelphia, Ohio 44663 
• Cost: $10 donation suggested
• Menu for dinner: Pulled pork with barbeque sauce, Chipotle coleslaw, dinner rolls and baked beans. If you are able, please bring a dessert to share.  

As you prepare for the presbytery's stated meeting on September 17^th at JIM's Place here in New Philadelphia, you are invited to bring children's socks and underwear as a donation to the Clothes Closet.  The Clothes Closet is a mission project that operates at JIM's Place. Each year, the volunteers distribute, at no charge, approximately 55,000 donated clothing items to individuals and families in the area. And each year the volunteers must use precious financial contributions to purchase packages of new socks and underwear for boys and girls through 12 years of age.

My two children are grown and living on their own. Stephanie is in California and Chris is in Florida. I find it hard to imagine what it means for parents to struggle to provide their children with these basic items of clothing. The Clothes Closet at JIM's Place should be open for us to visit during our break for dinner during our presbytery meeting. Please share this need with members of your congregations--we appreciate your generosity!

 With blessings,

Paula Lane

Transitional Stated Clerk 

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Clergy at Higher Risk of Depression and Anxiety, Study Finds

"Clergy are often relied upon to guide others through difficult times, but a new study has found that the very nature of their work could put them at a greater risk of developing depression and anxiety themselves," says Katherine Bindley, reporting for the Huffington Post. Be sure to read this thought-provoking article to gain a new perspective the mental and emotional toll of serving God's call as a member of the clergy. 

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

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 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

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.

The 2014 Mission Yearbooks are now available.  

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."