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MVP Mission Update
April 10, 2014
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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
2014-2015 Planning Calendars
are now on sale
$9.00 each
(Bulk order through Mission Center)
Per Capita 2014
GA
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7.02
| Synod | 3.25 | Presbytery | 18.36 |
Total
| 28.63 |
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The Problem with Shame
The categorical imperative of the Christian faith:
You shall lovingly accept the humanity entrusted to you!
You shall embrace yourself.
Johannes Metz
"Shame on you!" the mother scolded. You could hear her voice echo through the store. The punitive, judgmental tone of the mother's voice made me ache -- for the child, as well as for the mother. I don't know what the child had done, but the mother's response reflected that she found not only the action unacceptable, but also the child disgraceful. I have no doubt that in that moment something died between the mother and child.
Of course, every parent can think of a moment when we have "lost it" with our children. Often, the stressors the lead to our shaming response have nothing to do with the child or the precipitating action. Nevertheless, the damage is done. The pain of rejection, born of contempt, finds its way into the child's soul. When the pattern is repeated it becomes embedded and distorts the relationship. Worse yet, it damages the child's understanding and experience of love. Of course, the behavior on the part of the mother was learned; as the Psalmist reminds us, "The sins down to the third and fourth generation."
It behooves us -- as parents, as spouses, as disciples -- to understand the roots of the shame we carry within us. There is a heaviness to shame that can and does get in the way of living as beloved disciples. Paul, when writing to the Galatians (a people who lived in shame), reminds us: "For freedom, Christ has set us free!" (Galatians 5:1).
Ethicist and theologian Lew Smedes reflects on the difference between guilt and shame: "The difference between guilt and shame is very clear -- in theory. We feel guilty for what we do. We feel shame for what we are. A person feels guilt because he did something wrong. A person feels shame because he is something wrong... In reality, the feelings of shame and guilt overlap."[1]
The challenge in addressing our shame is that we can't get out the same way we got in. To put another way, tackling our shame to the ground will only deepen our sense of inferiority. The antidote to shame is not perfecting ourselves. It is being open to receiving God's grace. As Smedes writes, "Grace gives us courage to look at the messy mixture of shadow and light inside of our lives, be ashamed of some of what we see, and then accept the good news that God accepts us with our shadows and all the ogres who live inside of them."[2] Receiving the gift of grace allows the deep healing to begin. Grace opens us to lovingly accepting "the humanity entrusted" to each one of us. Imagine that! Accepting the reality that we are human and will make mistakes! More to the point, accepting the reality that we are beloved of God!
When we allow ourselves to look at our lives through the lens of grace, we are set free to become the people we were created to be by God. No longer do we waste our energies raging at the world. No longer do we displace our shame on others. To be sure, we still mess up, but we take ourselves and others far more lightly. No longer are we weighed down by shame.
Lenten blessings,
Debbie Rundlett
General Presbyter
[1] Lewis B. Smedes, Shame and Grace: Healing the Shame We Don't Deserve (New York: Harper One, 1993), pp. 10-11.
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Holy Habit: Living Lightly
Shame is heavy; grace is light. Shame and grace are two counterforces in the human spirit: shame depresses; grace lifts. Shame is like gravity, a psychic force that pulls us down.
Grace is like levitation, a spiritual force that defies gravity.
If our spiritual experience does not lighten our life, we are not experiencing grace.
-Lew Smedes
Set aside some time this next week to enter into the story of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:11-32).
With which character -- younger brother, elder brother, or father -- do you most readily identify? What does that have to tell you about your experience of shame and grace?
Spend some time pondering how the father exhibits the grace of God. Is there invitation in the text for you? How is God seeking to offer you that grace in your life in this season? How is God calling you to live lightly?
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Order your 2014-2015 Planning Calendars now!
June - December
2014-2015
PRESBYTERIAN PLANNING CALENDAR ORDER FORM
The 2014-2015 Calendar features:
- Lectionary for Sundays and special days
- Liturgical days, programmatic emphases, and secular holidays
- Monthly planning suggestions and resources
- Synod, presbytery and General Assembly staff directories
- Foldout synod, presbytery and world maps in color
- Colors for the liturgical seasons
Order through the Muskingum Valley Mission Center to take advantage of the bulk discount rate of $9.00 each (normal price is $14.95)
(Order any number of calendars needed)
Calendars will be shipped to the Presbytery office and notice will be sent when they have arrived. They can be picked up at the Presbytery office 8AM -4:30PM, Monday - Thursday.
Order deadline for discount through Presbytery is Friday, May 16th.
Please place your order one of the following ways:
1.) Email your order to [email protected] and mail your check;
2.) Mail the order form and check to:
Muskingum Valley Presbytery, 109 Stonecreek Rd. NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
All orders must be prepaid to be included in the Presbytery's bulk order. Please make checks payable to "Muskingum Valley Presbytery"
If you have any questions, contact Candice at
330.339.5515 or [email protected]
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"Worship through Music" is this Sunday!
From Donna Robertson
We invite you to the
Wayne Parish Choir Festival
"Worship through Music"
Sunday, April 13th, at 4:00pm
Milton Presbyterian Church
250 North Street, Rittman, Ohio
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Presbyterian Hymnals Available!
From Carly Jones
Wooster Westminster Presbyterian Church has Presbyterian Hymnals that they no longer need. They are now using the Glory to God Hymnals and are looking to recycle or redistribute the old hymnals. They are in good shape if there is another congregation that can use them.
For further information, contact Carly Jones at the church (info below) or via email.
353 E. Pine Street Wooster, Ohio 44691 Phone: (330) 263-2398
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The Mission Center will be closed April 30 - May 1, 2014
Debbie, Barb, Candice and Joan will be attending the Board of Pensions Regional Conference in Philadelphia. Regular Mission Center hours will resume Monday, May 5, 2014.
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Announcing the 2014 Fall Cohort for Commissioned Ruling Elder Training!
We will be launching another cohort of Commissioned Ruling Elder training beginning September 2014. More information (including the CRE application packet and other necessary forms) are found on the MVP website. Questions regarding the training can be directed to Ron Walker or Candice McMath.
Click here for more information!
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Updated RMMG Calendar is now available on the MVP Website!
for the Retreat Ministry Mission Group.
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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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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
[email protected]
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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