Beyond Scarcity! 

Some of you may have seen that both the Mission Agency and the Office of the General Assembly have taken on the SNAP/Food Stamp Challenge.  With the reduction of benefits to those below the poverty line, SNAP has challenged communities to experience what it is to live like millions of low-income Americans: on a food budget of less than $3 a day (http://feedingamerica.org/get-involved/hunger-action-month/snap-challenge.aspx).   

I must admit that I struggle with the reality that millions (yes, millions!) go hungry every day in America, the land of plenty.   The depth of need is so overwhelming that it can be hard to imagine a way forward.  But that is exactly what the Mid Ohio Foodbank (which serves a number of our counties) is doing.  In fact, they are taking on not just the challenge of hunger, but also the commitment to create the conditions whereby people come to thrive!  Their commitment is born of their personal experiences of transformation.  Many of the employees of the Mid Ohio Foodbank are former clients.  Check out their website:http://www.midohiofoodbank.org    

It has been said that building the new is a radically different task than fixing the old.  The Mid Ohio Foodbank is seeking to build the new and inviting us to join them!   Their mission embodies the call to "seek the Shalom of the communities to which we have been sent in exile."  They know that we will not experience Shalom unless and until the community experiences Shalom (see Jeremiah 29:7).  As we live into a new church year, may we join them in building the new! 

To say we live in challenging times is an understatement.  Even so, I am reminded that it takes transformed leaders to transform others.  It also takes remembering who and whose we are.  As the old French Proverb reminds us: Gratitude is the heart's memory. 

Thanksgiving blessings! 

Recently, the mission office of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) was contacted by someone who received a mailing from the Pacific Capital Companies, LLC. The mailing contained a credit card issued in the name of the recipient and under her name appeared "Presbyterian Church USA." The recipient does not work for the PC(USA), did not contact Pacific Capital Companies, LLC, and did not request a credit card from Pacific Capital Companies, LLC.

Where are the 2014 Updated forms?

2014 is quickly approaching, and your Mission Staff has been busily preparing the updated terms of call forms for 2014.  The forms are going under a final review and should be posted within a few weeks.

The 2014 Minimum Compensation Guidelines form is posted, and can be found on the MVP Website under "Forms" and "Ministry." 

The 2014 Per Capita information has been updated, both on the website and in the sidebar here in the MVP Mission Update.  For your convenience, here it is as well:

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact Candice at the Mission Center by calling 330-339-5515 or emailing at Candice@MVPJourney.org.

The Presbytery Gathers for Worshipful Work

December Stated Presbytery Meeting 

Save the Date: May 1, 2014

Re/Entry: Rebuilding Productive Lives, Post-Incarceration

A Policy Coordination and Training Symposium for Professionals

From Alice Phillips, Creston Presbyterian

Deadline Extended!

Order your 2014 Mission Yearbook today!

Due to popular demand, the Mission Center will be coordinating a bulk order for 2014 Mission Yearbooks and 2013-2015 Books of Order. To order, contact Candice at Candice@MVPJourney.org by November 30, 2013. The bulk order will be placed at the end of the month.

The cost of the 2014 Mission Yearbook is $15 each.