Muskingum Valley Presbytery
MVP Mission Update

December 5, 2013

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This week...
Save the Dates!
MVP News & Materials
A Much Larger and Challenging Charge
Where are the 2014 Updated Forms?
Presbytery Bulletin Board
Prayer Requests/Updates

Save the Dates

  

Tuesday

December 3rd

9a - 4p

 

The Presbytery

Gathers Stated

Presbytery Meeting

 

Advent Worship, Update from the Commissions, and Vote on the 2014 Budget

 

The Presbyterian Church

142 N. Fourth St.

Coshocton,  43812

 

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Saturday

January 11, 2014

8:30 am - 4:30 pm

 

The Journey

Discovery 2:

Where Am I Now?

  

Faith Christian Church

2012 Pleasant Valley Road NE

New Philadelphia, OH 44663

 

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Questions?
Comments?
Corrections?

  

800.693.1147
330.339.5515

 

  

MVP Office 
Hours: 
Monday through Thursday
8:00A - 4:30P

MVP News:

 

2014 Mission Yearbooks  
are now on sale 
$15.00 each

Per Capita 2013 
GA
 6.87
Synod
 3.25
Presbytery
18.36
Total
28.48
 
Per Capita 2014
GA
 7.02
Synod 3.25
Presbytery18.36
Total
28.63
   

 

Global Citizenship

 

Hello from Leuven!  As you read this I am en route to Brussels for day 5 of a 15-day international immersion as part of my work at Case Western University.  It felt odd to not be with you all on Tuesday as the presbytery met; it was the first meeting in eight years of serving as your general presbyter that I missed.  You were much in my prayers through the day on Tuesday.  I have no doubt that you were well cared for by The Presbyterian Church of Coshocton.  I especially missed seeing Jon's slides and hearing his reflections born of his year as moderator.  Truly, we have been richly blessed by his leadership over this last year!  And we have an exciting year ahead of us as our new Moderator, Tim Pollock, leads us through the formation of a shared covenant, the ministry of the Parish Elders continues to deepen and grow, and the new commissions begin their work.

 

I was excited to see the names of those whom God was lifting up for service prior to my departure.  Thank you all for your willingness to say YES to God's call.  The omnibus actions coming from the Parish Elders reflect the depth of ministry and care that is happening across the presbytery.

 

On my end, I am seeing organizational development principles in action in several multi-cultural contexts.  My days have been filled with meeting leaders and sharing comparative experiences of community-based.  Conversations include discussions about multi-party collaboration, multi-cultural dynamics, and complexity theory as lived out on a global level.

 

At the end of this week, we travel to Paris and from there to London.  My final visit will be with the Archbishop of Canterbury's team who are working with the placement of Credit Unions in churches, that capital might be made more readily available to new business start-ups and community-based transformation.

 

I especially garner your prayers for my meetings at Lambeth Palace!  The work of the Anglican Church in this season is both inspiring and challenging.   I look forward to reflecting together on the ways in which God is calling us to step out in faith in new and exciting ways.

 

Truly, the journey is our home! 

 

Advent blessings,

 

Debbie Rundlett

General Presbyter 

 

Holy Habit: Local Immersion

 

One of the gifts of engaging in mission -- be it on a local, national or international level -- is that it provides us with the opportunity to see ourselves, our ministry, and our communities in new ways.   Sometimes, it takes being in a new context to see what we take for granted.  Other times, stepping into a new context allows us to confront parts of ourselves that we would rather avoid, causing us to re-think or question our views or beliefs.  

 

Over Advent, gift yourself with an opportunity to serve: in a soup kitchen, at a local shelter, or in some other context.  Take the time to be present with the people whom you seek to serve.  Listen to their stories.  Ponder what you learned and offer to God a prayer of thanks for the blessing born of serving.


 
Alban Weekly: Shifts You Should Know About
by Sarai Rice          

 

Alban Weekly published this recent article with many intriguing topics.  Below is a preview.  Click this link to read the full article.

 

Question:

What are some of the emerging trends that you see in congregations as they adapt to a changing environment? 

 

 

Answer: 

This is a question I'm asked frequently, either by curious participants at a workshop or by members of a struggling congregation who want to know if other congregations are struggling with the same thing. As a result, I've started compiling a list of what seem to me to be changes that are adding up to a significant re-imagining of what it means to be "church." 

 

1. A congregation's identity does not equal its building.

For centuries, the church has acted as if the building "makes" the congregation in the same sense that clothes makes the person, leading to ever bigger and more grandiose statements of our worth. Now, however, some congregations are beginning to see this dependence on buildings as not necessary to the definition of "church"... (For complete answer, click the link above.)

 

2. Pastor does not equal a full-time position.

This is nothing new. The church has recognized tent-making ministry literally since its beginnings, and most congregations in this country are too small to support a full-time pastor (although not all are ready to admit it). What's new is the emergence of pastors who train with the intention of conducting their lives in this way, which frees up congregational dollars for mission and provides these pastors with the opportunity to earn something closer to a living wage... (For complete answer, click the link above.)

 
From the General Assembly
Regarding Nominations for Elected Service to the GA

Dear Presbytery Colleagues, 

I am writing to you on behalf of the GA Nominating Committee.  The GA Nominating Committee will soon make new nominations to thirty boards, commissions, committees, and councils; we need your help in identifying persons who may feel called to serve the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in elected service at the General Assembly level. 

The deadline for new nominations has been extended to January 2, 2014.

Peace,
Valerie Kiriishi Small (Ruling Elder)
Assistant Stated Clerk, Coordinator for GA Nominations
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 

 

Where are the 2014 Updated forms?

 

 

Click on the appropriate links below to be taken to PDFs of the necessary forms:

 

Also, for your information, is the Minimum Compensation Guidelines letter from COM regarding options for ways churches can compensate their pastors besides a salary increase.
 

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:

 

Per Capita 2014
GA
 7.02
Synod 3.25
Presbytery18.36
Total
28.63

If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact Candice at the Mission Center by calling 330-339-5515 or emailing at [email protected].

 

From Lynn Thompson Bryant 

Orwell North Presbyterian Church Seeking a Pastor

 

The Orwell North Presbyterian Church, a spirit filled, "country" church, is looking for a full-time covenant pastor.  Our church is located in the Village of Orwell in southern Ashtabula County Ohio.  The church was established in 1831.  It has a membership of 110 members.  

 

We are looking for a pastor who reflects God's abiding love and the peace and joy that following Him brings.  If you feel that our church would be a good fit for you please contact us with your information and we will provide our pastoral information form in its entirety.  We look forward with great anticipation and joy to meeting the new pastor God has chosen for our church.  

 

To receive further information, please contact Laura Pietras at  440-228-9205 or [email protected]

 

 

Orwell North Presbyterian Church

135 N. Maple Ave.

Orwell, OH  44076

(440) 437-6677

From Mary Ann Borland, FPC Minerva

Craft Supplies Available

 

For anyone that accepts greeting cards to be

recycled into crafts, a member here at Minerva has about a half bushel she wants to donate. If you are interested, please contact the church at [email protected] or 330-868-5230.

Thanks, 
Mary Ann Borland
Clerk of Session, FPC Minerva

From Jerry Norton, Christ Church

1990 Hymnals available

 

Due to a recent upgrade, the 1990 version of the hymnals previous used at Christ Church are available for churches in need. 

  • Regular Hymnals (with music):         470
  • Large Print Hymnals (words only):    120

All the hymnals are in good condition, as Christ Church got them in 1999, so they have only been used for 14 years.  They are boxed and available to ship immediately on a first come- first served basis.


Contact information is below:
David Kienzle- Director of Music:  
Phone 330-456-8113;  E-mail [email protected]

Jerry Norton- Chair, Music Ministry:  
Phone (Cell) 330-705-2057; E-mail: [email protected] 
(the fourth character in that e-mail address is a lower case "L")

 

In Thanksgiving for our Lord on this Christ the King Sunday,
Jerry Norton

From Rev. Ester Wakeman, Ph.D.

A Letter from Thailand 

 

Dear friends,

 
 
The weather is cooler, Payap's graduation approaches and with it the first meeting of our new Board. They have a big job to do--find our next president. Please pray that God will bless us with the leader we need for these challenging times in Thailand.
 
And may God bless you richly as we approach Thanksgiving and Christmas. We're looking forward to more family moving to Chiang Mai. My father will join us for the winter again, and Rob's son, John, and his family are moving here to assist with the amazing ministry of McKean Rehabilitation Hospital. 
 
Esther

-- 
Rev. Esther Wakeman, Ph.D.
Assistant to the President, Spiritual & Community Life
Payap University 
Chiang Mai 50000 Thailand

Save the Date: May 1, 2014

Re/Entry: Rebuilding Productive Lives, Post-Incarceration

A Policy Coordination and Training Symposium for Professionals

 

Muskingum Valley Presbytery, along with our NE Ohio Presbyterian peers, are hosting a training symposium at Christ Presbyterian Church.  The symposium will cover frontline programming for professionals in a variety of disciplines, including clergy.  Further details and contact information can be found in this brochure.

From Alice Phillips, Creston Presbyterian

Seeking an Organist/Pianist

 

The Creston Presbyterian Church is seeking an organist or pianist for their church.  The church is located at 13070 Cleveland Rd., Creston, OH  44217.

For more information, please contact Rev. Alice Phillips at [email protected] or 330-435-4262 (church) or 740-391-2531 (cell), or Marilyn Piatt at [email protected]
or 330-345-9265.  
From Rick Hastings, Barlow Presbyterian
Seeking Hymnals

Barlow Presbyterian is looking for 50-75 copies of "The Hymnal for Worship and Celebration." If your congregation has any to spare, please email Pastor Rick Hastings or call 740-336-0111.  Thanks and blessings!
We are happy to post news and requests from your church in this section of the MVP Update.  Just email Candice or call 330-339-5515 to relay your news.  Please also let us know the "expiration date" on the news item so that we can keep this section current.

 
 
Prayer Requests/Updates

  • A Call to Prayer for the Philippines: The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) deeply grieves the devastation and loss in the Republic of the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Typhoon Yolanda). The denomination is actively responding through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and its partners, and also is calling for prayer. Click on the link above to access the PCUSA website for specific prayers and disaster assistance.
     
  • Please keep in prayer Lois Fogal, wife of Ralph Fogal.  He includes the following message: A note to my Muskingum Valley Presbytery friends regarding my wife's hospitalization (November 4-30)  
       Lois has a rare and serious, but treatable illness which has caused inflammation in her kidneys.  After many tests, specialists diagnosed and began treatment November 13.  She is responding and came home November 30.  She is still very weak physically; but, has been strengthened by the support of family & friends, many prayers & cards.
      We are thankful for all the blessings, the care of physicians and hospital staff and a local visiting nurse program, which will coordinate continued monitoring and physical therapy.
      We trust our providential, ever present God to lead us. Thank you for your continued support.
      Ralph Fogal
    701 May Drive
    Zelienople, PA  16063.
    724-452-3679
      
  • Please remember Pleasant Hill Outdoor Camp in your prayers. This prayer request is for clear direction and wisdom from the Lord as they move forward with preparations to build a home for the director and his family and as they prepare for 2014 summer camps.
  • Celebratory wishes go to The Coshocton Presbyterian Church, which celebrated its 195th Anniversary this past weekend.

   If you or someone you know has a prayer request,

please send them to Candice at

Journeying with Jesus to touch the world...
Empowered by the Spirit to:
Make Disciples, Nurture Our Faith, and Serve the Needs of the Community! 
 

Candice McMath, Mission Coordinator 

  

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

 

  

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Monday - Thursday

8:00A to 4:30P