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MVP Mission Update
March 27, 2014
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Save the Dates
Tuesday
February 25, 2014
9:30 am - 4 pm
Stated Meeting:
The Presbytery Gathers for Worship and Business
Wooster First Presbyterian Church
621 College Avenue
Wooster, OH 44691
Cost: $10 for lunch
RSVP to Candice
Registration begins at 9:30 am
Worship begins at 10:00 am
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Wednesday
February 26, 2014
9:00 am - 4:00 pm
Encore!
The Journey
Discovery 2:
Where Am I Now?
Mission Center
109 Stonecreek Rd NW
New Phila, OH 44663
9:30 am - 4:30 pm
RSVP To Candice
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Saturday March 15, 2014 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Believing Out Loud: Finding Your Preaching Voice
Training for Lay Preachers
Mission Center
109 Stonecreek Rd NW
New Phila, OH 44663
Cost: $25 for lunch and materials
RSVP to Candice before March 11.
Questions?
Comments?
Corrections?
800.693.1147
330.339.5515
8:00A - 4:30P
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2014 Mission Yearbooks
are now on sale
$15.00 each
Per Capita 2014
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GA
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7.02
| | Synod | 3.25 | | Presbytery | 18.36 | |
Total
| 28.63 |
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Living the Active Life Contemplatively While I am an introvert (really, I am!) who requires time apart to renew and recharge, my passions result in my call being lived out in the active life. The two most powerful impulses of my life have been the urge to create and the urge to be: a set of opposites which both create tension and balance. The resulting challenge has been to learn how to live the active life contemplatively. Apparently, I am not alone in this attempt. Gregory the Great, when Pope, shared his struggle in a sermon: My unhappy intellectual soul, pierced with the wound of its own distraction, remembers how it used to be in the monastery in those days... It thought only about heavenly things... but now the beauty of that spiritual repose is over, and the contact with worldly men and their affairs, which is a necessary part of my duties as bishop, has left my soul defiled with earthly activities.[1] Clearly, Gregory was not in a good place at that time of preaching that sermon! He later came to believe that "When our incarnate Redeemer came, showing both lives, he unified them in himself, (thus) the mixed life realized in preachers, who are called both to contemplate God alone and active love of neighbor, especially in preaching and pastoral counsel, are given to the highest rank."[2] Nevertheless, learning how to interweave the active and the contemplative remains a challenge. Quaker Parker Palmer writes of the blessing and curse of the active life: The active life is an extraordinary mix of blessing and curse. The blessing is obvious [...] but the active life also carries a curse. Many of us know what it is to live lives not of action but of frenzy, to go from day to day exhausted and unfulfilled by our attempts to work, create, and care. Many of us know the violence of the active life [...] Action poses some of our deepest spiritual crises as well as some of our most heartfelt joys. Ultimately, the gift of living the active life contemplatively calls to manage the polarity of being-and-doing and nurtures a "hidden wholeness." As Palmer writes: "Until we know the hidden wholeness we will live in a world of dualisms, of forced but false choices between being and doing, that result in action that is mere frenzy or in contemplation that is mere escape."[3] To move beyond the duality of seeing action and contemplation as opposites -- an "either/or" choice -- ultimately we need to integrate the two. Not that true contemplation draws us simply inward; contemplation ultimately moves us outward to care of our neighbor and planet. As Joan Chittister, one of the great contemplative activists the 20th and 21st centuries, writes: Contemplation is a very dangerous activity. It not only brings us face to face with God. It brings us, as well, face to face with the world, face to face with the self. And then, of course, something must be done. Nothing stays the same once we have found the God within. We carry the world in our hearts: the oppression of all peoples, the suffering of our friends, the burdens of our enemies, the raping of the Earth, the hunger of the starving, the joy of every laughing child.[4] The gift of acknowledging learning to live the active life contemplatively is then that we are come to nurture compassion for others and ourselves. When we step back from the frenzy of activity that drives so much of our lives, we are afforded the opportunity to choose a way of being that is not only sustainable, but leads to the flourishing we so deeply desire. We need both the contemplative and the active. How will you honor the need for both in your life and ministry? Lenten blessings, 
Debbie Rundlett General Presbyter
[1] Gregory the Great, The Homilies of St. Gregory the Great on the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel 2.2.7, trans. Theodosia Gray (Etna, CA: Center for Traditionalists Orthodox Studies, 1990).
[2] Gregory the Great, Moralia on Job 32.3.4, p. 39.
[3] Parker Palmer, The Active Life (San Francisco: Jossey-Bass, 1990), p. 29.
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Holy Habit: Contemplation-and-Action
Take a breath. A deep breath! And release. What does your breath have to tell you about the pace of your life? About the stresses you are experiencing? About the tension in your body? Your level of energy?
Now, take a moment to reflect on the quote above from Parker Palmer. In what ways are you confusing "the active life" with a life of "frenzy"? If you were to stop doing something for 24 hours, what might it be?
How is God calling you to live your active life contemplatively? Or your contemplative life actively?
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Announcing a Specially-Called Meeting of Muskingum Valley Presbytery
Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at 5:30 pm
A specially called meeting of Muskingum Valley Presbytery has been called by Council to respond to the request of Mr. Robert Hauser for reinstatement on:
Tuesday, April 1 at 5:30pm
Trinity Presbyterian Church
830 Military Road
Zanesville, Ohio.
To concur with the recommendation of the review team, Council and the Parish Elders that Mr. Hauser's request for reinstatement be denied.
Rationale:
A review team was appointed by the Stated Clerk to review Mr. Hauser's request. Upon full review, recommendation of the review team is to not reinstate Mr. Hauser. Both Council and the Parish Elders concur with the this recommendation.
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Last chance to see
Thai Folk Drama Performances!
Esther Wakeman, our missionary, will be traveling to three churches in the Presbytery with her dance team from Thailand.
Catch the final performance for our area at
- Trinity United Presbyterian Church, Zanesville Ohio on Saturday, March 29
- 6:00 pm -Thai Folk Drama performance (freewill offering to cover travel expenses)
- For further information, contact 740-452-6441.
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Central Presbyterian Church in Zanesville, Ohio
Celebrates 100 Years of Worship
The congregation of Central Presbyterian Church in Zanesville, Ohio invites you to join in celebrating 100 years of service to Christ and the community.
The early congregation assembled for worship in 1809 in downtown Zanesville. The present church was dedicated in 1914. A special worship service to commemorate the event will be held at 10:15 am Sunday, May 4, 2014 in the church. A light luncheon will be served in the fellowship hall following worship.
We look forward to seeing you in worship and at the luncheon as we celebrate 100 years!
Please RSVP to the Church office at 40 N 6th Street, Zanesville, OH 43701 - telephone: 740-452-8459.
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"Resting in God: A Retreat for Church Leaders"
Spring Retreat from RMMG
The Retreat Ministry Mission Group wishes to invite you to their Spring Retreat - "Resting in God."
Details and registration form are available in the attached brochure.
Registrations are due by Monday, April 21, 2014 to MVP. Scholarships are available to offset the cost of the retreat.
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Spring Lantern Fellowship 2014 Women's Retreat
From Tara Mitchell
All ladies are invited to attend the 2014 Spring Lantern Women's Retreat in April.
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Upcoming Celebration of Life for Rev. Dr. G. Kenneth Shafer - Information and Request
From Jeff Shafer
The Rev. Dr. G. Kenneth Shafer went to be with his Lord and Savior over Christmas 2013. Due to the holidays, we just had a simple service for my father with immediate family only in attendance. It was always our intention to have a public celebration of his life once spring arrived.
We have now scheduled that celebration for Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 11:00 am. The service will be at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Wooster with Rev. Coetzee coordinating/officiating. We would welcome any involvement from interested representatives/members of Dad's previous churches or any clergy that knew him. There will be a luncheon served afterwards for those who care to stay. If you are interested in attending, please contact the church office so lunch planning can take place.
Anyone interested in participating should contact Rev. Coetzee at the church (330-263-2398) or by email.
Thank you so much,
Jeff Shafer
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Seeking an Organist/Pianist
New Concord Westminster Presbyterian Church
Westminster Presbyterian Church is looking for a new organist or pianist for Sunday morning worship, beginning in June. We would like to have someone who is willing to play each Sunday (10:30 worship), lead a small choir (we are extremely compliant and pleasant!) and do occasional extra services as needed. Our starting pay is $35 per worship service, with evaluation and raise to $50 as per performance. It would be ideal for a college student or a resident of New Concord.
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From Massillon Central Presbyterian Church
Seeking an Organist
Central Presbyterian Church of Massillon has an immediate opening for a quarter-time organist and accompanist. Instruments are a 2002 Allen Renaissance 80-stop, 3-manual digital organ with MIDI and a Steinway six-foot grand piano. The individual filling the position will be responsible for one Sunday morning worship service, weekly rehearsal (September-May) with a twenty-five voice chancel choir, special liturgical services, weddings, and in-church funeral services.
Position reports to the Director of Music Ministries. Compensation will be negotiated and based upon commensurate experience. A full position description is available upon request.
Interested persons are asked to contact Larry Lalama at 330-832-7455 or cpcp@sssnet.com.
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A Letter from Window Into World Mission
Dear Muskingum Valley Presbytery,
It is my pleasure to share with you this month's Window into World Mission. I do this both to let you know what I'm sending this month to those congregations which use general funds to support mission co-workers, wherever the need is greatest, and to provide you with a sample letter which might serve you as a resource.
Please feel free to post the below letter on a bulletin board, insert it in your newsletter, or pass it along to all of your congregations. And please don't be shy about letting me know how else I might help you, OK?
Thanks!
Bruce Whearty
Church Support Associate
1-800-728-7228, extension 5157
or 502-569-5157
bruce.whearty@pcusa.org
For the full letter, click here.
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A Letter from Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly
Please see the attached letter for Lenten blessings and remarks regarding the ongoing conflicts between Israel and Palestine from the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Gradye Parsons.
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2014 PW Gathering: "Radical Hospitality"
From the Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Covenant
The PW in the Synod of the Covenant wish to announce their 2014 Gathering, "Radical Hospitality."
- Date: July 18-19, 2014
- Location: Trinity United Presbyterian Church, 5151 W Lennon Rd, Flint Township, MI 48507
Details on breakout sessions, cost, and speakers can be found in this brochure.
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From George Bullard, The Columbia Partnership
Travel-free Learning Schedule available
Also, there are opportunities to join two learning communities! Click on the links below to learn more:
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Save the Date: May 1, 2014
Re/Entry: Rebuilding Productive Lives, Post-Incarceration
A Policy Coordination and Training Symposium for Professionals
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From the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary
Good afternoon,
Thank you for passing along information to anyone interested in seminary Online summer courses. We will offer the following:
Worship in the Reformed Tradition
Presbyterian History and Confessions
Polity and Program of the Presbyterian Church
Cost for the course is $640 per credit hour
Registration deadline is May 31st, 2014
Classes begin June 2nd and end August 29th
Please visit our web site to fill out an application and registration form http://udts.dbq.edu/unclassified.cfm
Blessings and please feel free to contact our office with any questions!
Dana Weitz
Seminary Admissions Assistant
University of Dubuque Seminary
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An Exciting Choral Opportunity for Our Youth
Hello!
We have an exciting opportunity for youth in your presbytery!
I am contacting presbytery offices to ask their assistance in sharing the invitation for youth to sing for opening worship at General Assembly on Saturday morning, June 14, in Detroit, Michigan.
I have attached a letter from our committee, and I would appreciate your sharing this letter with your congregations or individuals within your presbytery who might know of potentially interested youth. In addition to sharing the information with congregations, you may know specific pastors, musicians or youth leaders who would share this information.
Our invitation is extended to individual youth in a congregation and to youth choirs. This opportunity might be something a youth in a small church with no youth choir would appreciate, or there might be youth choirs in your synod who would like to make southeastern Michigan a destination for a music-and-mission trip.
I sang with the choir for worship at General Assembly many years ago. What a great experience it was for me to worship God with thousands of Presbyterians. I hope you'll encourage youth in your presbytery to have a similar experience.
Please let me know if I can be of any assistance.
Thank you so much!
Tom Granum
Director of Music Ministries
First Presbyterian Church
Ann Arbor, MI
cell/706-207-6010
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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.
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Prayer Requests/Updates
- Prayers for the young grandson of Dave Rogers, who was hospitalized for a seizure. He is home now and awaiting test results.
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Prayers for healing for Rev. Terry Timson (New Lexington and Roseville) throughout his medical tests are requested.
- Prayers for healing for Rev. David Krankovich (Carrollton United and Scroggsfield Presbyterian) are requested. Rev. Krankovich, after surgery, is in rehab at "The Gables" in Hopedale, Ohio.
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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
Regular Office hours
Monday - Thursday
8:00A to 4:30P
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