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MVP Mission Update April 17, 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
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GA
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7.02
| | Synod | 3.25 | | Presbytery | 18.36 | |
Total
| 28.63 |
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Gethsemane: Watch with Me
This is the place of prayer where God calls en route to the cross. God invites us to the silence and solitude of the garden to prepare us for the darkness of the cross. Here we are called to remember who and whose we are. Here we ponder our core identity in Christ, our character, our call to live the sacramental life.
Of course, Biblical remembering is not merely a mental activity of recollection, but an entering into the narrative with our whole self. Anyone who dared to see The Passion of the Christ knows the pain involved in entering into this part of our story. But enter we must if we are to be conformed to the image of Christ.
We live in a society that fears sacrifice of self-seeking instead quick fixes that only lead to deeper pain. Giving sacrificially demands that we enter into dark places, remaining vulnerable and open. But, have you ever noticed how the most significant events in Jesus' life occur in darkness: his birth, his arrest, his death, and his resurrection?
The mystics have long known the gift born of the dark night of the soul. For Teresa of Avila, the dark night was a profound gift of God in which she came to encounter God at the center of her soul. John of the Cross believed that the purpose of the dark night was to purge us of all that holds us apart from God. But where do we begin?
Thomas Merton notes that darkness comes when we allow God to strip away our false selves and make us into the persons we're meant to be. This is uncomfortable work. Entering into the crucible of darkness involves painful confrontation with those parts of ourselves that are not of God: our disordered affections and unhealthy attachments. It can be difficult to believe in resurrection when you stand in the hollow carved out by death. But the mystery of our faith is that death precedes resurrection.
This is an invitation to enter into holy darkness. Therein lies God's "Eastering" of your soul. This is something that cannot be orchestrated, controlled or forced. It can only be lived.
Lenten blessings,
Debbie Rundlett
General Presbyter
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The Gethsemane accounts
Matthew 26:36-48
Mark 14:32-41
Luke 22:39-46
Questions for Reflection
1. How does Jesus' time in Gethsemane inform how we are to yield to God's will for our lives?
2. How have you "watched" with Jesus and others in their time of need?
3. What would you need to surrender in order to be able to pray with Jesus to the Father "Not my will, but your will be done"?
Journey Practice: Relinquishment
Pray to recognize and relinquish anything that takes priority over God's will. This is at the heart of Jesus' prayer in Gethsemane where he prayed to take away the cup, yet... "Nevertheless, not my will, but thine." This prayer is often called the "prayer of relinquishment" as it calls us to let go of our will and desire, surrendering our life to God alone. As you enter into this prayer, ask God to move in your will so that you follow in the way of the cross. Note: If you can't pray this prayer, than pray for the desire to pray this prayer.
A Prayer of Relinquishment
Today, O Lord, I yield myself to you.
May your will be my delight.
May your way have perfect sway in me.
May your love be the pattern of my living.
I surrender to you: my hopes, my dreams, my ambitions.
Do with them what your will, when you will, as you will.
I place into your loving care: my family, my friends, my future.
Care for them with a care that I can never give.
I release into your hands:
my need to control, my craving for status, my fear of obscurity.
Eradicate the evil, purify the good, and establish your kingdom on earth.
For Jesus' sake. Amen.
--Richard Foster
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Order your 2014-2015 Planning Calendars now!
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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 Candice@MVPJourney.org 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 Candice@MVPJourney.org
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Candice will be out of the office on vacation from Monday, April 14 through Thursday, April 17. Office hours will be adjusted throughout the week, so please call before driving to visit to ensure someone is here. Candice will respond to emails when she is back in the office Monday, April 21.
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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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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"Small Churches: Adventures in Vitality"
Coming This Fall to Columbia Theological Seminary
April 4, 2014, Decatur, GA-The Center for Lifelong Learning at Columbia Theological Seminary will offer "Small Churches: Adventures in Vitality" as part of its innovative programs focusing on church leadership. This program is for leaders of churches with fewer than 150 members. This energetic and creative learning event will take place at the Center for Lifelong Learning on November 3-5, 2014.
Presenters: John Wimberly, former pastor of Western Presbyterian Church in Washington, D.C.; Sarai Rice, Presbyterian clergy woman and executive director of the Des Moines Area Religious Council; Dan Hotchkiss, former pastor, administrator and former consultant with the Alban Institute, will lead a course designed with the needs, interests and characteristics of smaller-sized congregations in mind. The program will offer different learning modules to address topics ranging from volunteer mobilization to stewardship, and the final session will provide participants with an opportunity to create an action plan to use in their home congregations.
For a complete program description and to register, click here.
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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
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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