|
|
| MVP Mission Update
September 25, 2014
|
|
| |
Comments?
Corrections?
800.693.1147
330.339.5515
Mission Center
Office Hours:
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
|
|
2014 Mission Yearbooks
are available for
$15.00 each
Per Capita 2014
|
GA
|
7.02
| | Synod | 3.25 | | Presbytery | 18.36 | |
Total
| 28.63 |
Per Capita 2015
|
GA
|
7.07
| | Synod | 3.25 | | Presbytery | 18.36 | |
Total
| 28.68 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
IMPORTANT NEWS regarding
Email Communication from the Mission Center
The Mission Center is currently experiencing technological difficulties with our server and email provider. We are not able to send or received emails from the "@mvpjourney.org" domain, and our fax machine is not functioning at this time.
Until further notice, please use the following email addresses for the staff at the Mission Center:
Debbie Rundlett: debbie@deborahrundlett.com
Candice McMath and Barb Schie: mvpjourney@gmail.com
We will let you know when regular email services and faxing has been restored. Thank you!
|
|
Be A Dancer
Many of you wanted copies of the devotional shared by Joan Brode at yesterday's stated meeting. Ask, and ye shall receive! Below is the text of "Be a Dancer," from the book
Created for More by Jonathan Malm.
Be A Dancer
A life of meaning is dynamic. It can't always be lived in neat, straight lines.
The Holy Spirit kept them from preaching the Word of God in the countries of Asia. When they came to the city of Mysia, they tried to go on to the city of Bithynia, but the Holy Spirit would not let them go. From Mysia they went down to the city of Troas. That night, Paul had a dream. A man was standing in front of him crying out, "Come over to the country of Macedonia and help us!" After he had seen this, we agreed that God told us to go to Macdeonia to tell them the Good News.
--Acts 16:6-10 (NLV)
The Apostle Paul and his entourage were on their missionary journey. They were trying to decide where to go next. The above passage makes it seen as if their progress was a lot like a pinball machine. They headed to one region, then hit a wall. So they bounced on to the next location. Another wall. They bounced on and on until Paul finally had a dream. That's when they finally realized where they needed to go.
Imagine how frustrating that would have been! They felt called by God to preach the gospel, but they kept meeting with resistance. That resistance was the Holy Spirit Himself. I know they got discouraged. They were people, just like you and me. They got discouraged, but they still obeyed.
When things like this happen to us, we can choose to see it in one of two ways. We can either see God playing games with us like we're in a pinball machine, or we can see God dancing with us. I encourage you to see it like a dance. Good dancing requires a leader and a follower. God is a great leader. How are we at following? If the follower chooses to take control, the dance can easily fall apart. That's when people's toes get stepped on. That's when folks bump into each other. There must be a leader and a follower. And God will not follow. But when the follower chooses to trust the leader, the dance becomes beautiful. It becomes exciting and unpredictable. There's harmony and beauty. So as you follow God, I encourage you to dance. Don't get discouraged when God takes you in a new direction. He knows the music and he knows where we need to be. Follow Him, and He'll take you there. It will be beautiful. The world is a dance floor. God wants to dance with you. Will you let him take the lead? |
|
Change the Way You Think
The attitude of the dance doesn't just apply to our walk with God. It also applies to the things we create.
Great work -- work that impacts others -- is dynamic. It requires a push and a pull. It can't always be made in neat, straight lines. it needs to adapt to the music -- to the world the lives around us.
I encourage you to create like you're dancing. Be willing to adjust at a moment's notice. Don't be afraid to get out of control. Let the world swirl around you and relax. Enjoy it. Create in the dance.
A Prayer
God, I choose to trust You in this dance. I choose to let You lead. Though I can't always anticipate the movements, I know You are a good leader. I can trust where you lead me, knowing You have the big picture in mind. I pray You would make my life a beautiful dance.
|
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.
|
Jacket left at the Stated Meeting in Creston is at the Mission Center
There was a green Avalance fleece jacket, size Large, left in the meeting room at the Stated Meeting in Creston on Tuesday of this week. We have it at the Mission Center. If you have lost your jacket, please email Candice, and we will coordinate its return to you. Thank you!
|
|
Grant Opportunity Available for MVP Members
from Hopewell Presbyterian Church
Truly, small is strong! Congregations who are part of Muskingum Valley Presbytery are being afforded an opportunity to seek grant funding for ministries, outside the operating budget, that "proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to others."
As Pastor Chris Stewart notes, "Seven years ago, the Hopewell church established an endowment that is not to be used for current operation, but rather to extend and enhance the mission of Hopewell Presbyterian Church to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to others."
A copy of the bylaws are available upon request.
Hopewell Presbyterian Church (USA)
6900 State Route 754
Shreve, Ohio 44676
|
Retreat Ministry Mission Group
Announces Fall Day Retreat
RMMG will be hosting their fall day retreat at Pleasant Hills Outdoor Center on Thursday, October 9, 2014.
|
Mission Workers Visiting Muskingum Valley Presbytery October 6-7, 2014
Pam Jensen from World Mission and Mission Worker Nancy Collins will be in the bounds of presbytery during the first full week of October, visiting with several congregations. Many of you will remember Nancy from other visits.
Pam and Nancy have all day Monday October 6th and October 7th available and can drive to different churches or individuals. They will be near Coshocton, Mariett and New Philadelphia.
If you are interested, please contact Pam using her contact information below. Thanks for your help and interest.
Pam Jensen
Lead Regional Development Manager, Funds Development Ministry
Presbyterian Mission Agency
122 Schooner Lane
Lake Barrington, IL 60010
847.304.9642 Office
502.526.2411 Cell
pam.jensen@pcusa.org
|
Upcoming Speaking Events with Rev. Jonah Salim
On Sunday, October 5, at 9:15 a.m. the Reverend Jonah Salim will be leading a special Sunday school class at First Presbyterian Church of Marietta, Ohio (501 Fourth Street) and preaching in worship at 10:15 a.m. He will also address church and community at Trinity United Presbyterian, 830 Military Road, Zanesville, on Saturday, October 4th, at 7:00 p.m. For more information on Rev. Salim, here is an excerpt from The Presbyterian Outlook: Jonah Salim It's difficult news to comprehend: ISIS militants in Iraq forcing Yazidis (an Iraqi religious minority) and Christians to flee their homes, whole families running for their lives to Mount Sinjar in the northern part of the country, with some who did not escape being lined up and killed. There are also reports of women and young girls being held separately - transported from their families by bus and truck, reputedly in an effort to coerce them to convert and become the wives or sexual conquests of Iraqi militants. For many, this is a surreal reality gleaned from news reports from far across the world. For Jonah Salim, these are stories he hears firsthand in nightly phone calls with his aunt and other relatives. Salim, who in 2009 became the first Iraqi to become a teaching elder in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has family immediately affected by the crisis - including his parents, now in Kurdistan, and his widowed aunt, who helped to raise him and who he considers like a second mother, and her two young adult children. To read the rest of the article, click here. |
2 Cents a Meal Grant Applications are now being accepted!
Applications are now being accepted for the 2 Cents a Meal grant. You can download and fill out the application form by clicking on this link or from the MVP Website.
Several grants were awarded in 2013, so there is a total of $2,800 available for grants in 2014. Preference will be given to those for whom this is their first time applying for the grant.
Grant applications are due to the Mission Center no later than Monday, October 20, 2014, by email ( MVPJourney@gmail.com), post mail, or in person. Awards to be given at the December 2014 presbytery meeting. |
Buffalo-Cumberland Presbyterian Church Announces Blood Drive - October 23, 2014
Hello to Everyone! Below is a flyer for our fall Blood Drive with the America Red Cross, at our Buffalo-Cumberland Church on October 23, 2014 from 2:00 pm - 7:00 pm. The Church is located at 302 W Main Street in Cumberland, Ohio. Blood is very much needed, and is very important and powerful. If you are able to give, please put the date on your calender, pass this information on by placing it in your newsletters or even print and put up on your news board. Call the church at 740-638-2877 for an appointment or the Red Cross at 1-800-RED CROSS. Thank you! Pastor Jim James R. Gibson, 68340 Mount Hermon Road Cambridge, Ohio 43725 (740) 439-2961,(p) (740) 517-1190,(c) jimrgibson@yahoo.com 
|
CROP Walk Huge Success at Sept. 23 Stated Meeting!
From Alice Phillips Thank you so much for all who participated in the Presbytery-wide CROP Walk for Hunger. There were 31 walkers and we received at the Presbytery meeting $935.00! Wow! John Carlisle (Coshocton, First) was the top walker with donations totaling $287.00.
Please send any additional donations to the Presbytery office by Friday, Sept. 26, 2014.
One of the things I failed to mention yesterday was that CROP (which is the acronym for Christian Rural Overseas Program) had its origins in northeast Ohio. Church World Service was born in 1946, in the aftermath of World War II. Seventeen denominations came together to form an agency "to do in partnership what none of us could hope to do as well alone." The mission: Feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, comfort the aged, shelter the homeless. In 1946-47, U.S. churches opened their hearts and provided more than 11 million pounds of food, clothing, and medical supplies to war-torn Europe and Asia. Protestants and Catholics pooled talent and resources to meet a staggering refugee crisis. Today the Immigration and Refugee Program of CWS is a vital, internationally-recognized operation, having resettled nearly half a million refugees since its inception. Also in 1947, CWS, Lutheran World Relief, and the National Catholic Welfare Program created a joint community hunger appeal, the Christian Rural Overseas Program, also known as CROP. That early CROP initiative captured the imagination of America's heartland. Soon "Friendship Trains" roared across the country, picking up commodities such as corn, wheat, rice, and beans to be shared around the world. The experience of the trains led to "Friendship Food Ships." And, a multi-denominational program called One Great Hour of Sharing was formed to raise in-church gifts to help fill these ships. CWS continued to provide community-wide opportunities for sharing. (Source: Church World Service/CROP website) Blessings in Jesus! Alice Phillips Pastor, Creston Presbyterian Church Serving in Mission Commission
|
2015 Per Capita is announced!
The 2015 Per Capita amount is $28.68. This reflects a 5-cent increase due to the GA amount increasing. The MVP and Synod rates remain at the 2014 levels:
- GA: increases to $7.07
- Synod: remains at $3.25
- MVP remains at $18.36
- Total Per Capita is $28.68.
Per capita letters for each church will be sent near the end of 2014. Please note: the membership number for your church is based on the membership number reported by your churches to the Office of the General Assembly for your statistical reports, year ending December 2013. If your church did not complete your statistical report, your membership number may not be accurate. When you receive your per capita letter, if the membership number on your is inaccurate, please contact Candice McMath at the Mission Center to receive adjustment instructions. |
|
Nominations are Open for the Walton Awards
From the Office of Mission Program Grants
Good afternoon everyone,
We in the Office of Mission Program Grants would like to take this opportunity to share the current nomination forms for the 2015 Sam & Helen R. Walton Awards for outstanding new church developments that have placed an emphasis on site acquisition. Click on the links here to access the nomination form and the cover letter.
The Mission Development Resources Committee (MDRC) will make decisions on Walton Awardees during their March 2015 meeting.
If you have any questions or comments about the Walton Award or Mission Program Grants, please contact our office. We are sure that we will be able to answer your questions and assist you through this process. Please visit our webpage, http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionprogramgrants, to download our resources and application form.
Sincerely,
Tim McCallister, Associate
Office of Mission Program Grants
Presbyterian Mission Agency
Tim.McCallister@pcusa.org
Tel: (888) 728-7228, Ext. 5230; (502) 569-5230
Fax: (502) 333-7251
http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/missionprogramgrants/
|
|
Do Something Rally featuring Robert Lupton
Sunday, October 26, 2014
Robert Lupton, author of Toxic Charity, is speaking at St. Peter's High School Fry auditorium in Mansfield on Sunday, October 26. This FREE event is a motivational presentation by Lupton about being the hearts, hands and hope of Jesus while helping our neighbors help themselves.
When: Sunday, October 26, 2014 Time: 6:00 - 8:00 pm; doors open at 5:00 pm Cost: FREE! Location: St. Peter's High School Fry Auditorium 104 W. First Street Mansfield, OH 44902 You can learn more at www.Facebook.com/DoSomething2014 or by calling 419-524-0733 x226. |
|
Church Items Available
As New Harrisburg Presbyterian Church prepares to close, we have some items available for anyone who is able to come pick them up including:
- choir robes (both youth and adult)
- paraments (including a storage case)
- Celebration hymnals
- and many other assorted items
Please contact Jen Baer at 330-601-0098 or jenniferannbaer@gmail.com to arrange to see the items and pick up any you are interested in.
From First Presbyterian in Marietta:
Our congregation purchased the building and contents of the Seventh Day Adventist Church in Marietta. We are trying to find a good home for the pews and organ in that building. We would be glad to accept a monetary gift (we have been selling smaller pews to individuals for $100), but our bigger concern is to find a church or other space where these could be put to good use.
Anyone who might be interested is asked to send an email to pastor.fpcmarietta@yahoo.com. We can arrange a time for an up-close look.
Grace and Peace,
David Smith
First Pres of Marietta.
|
|
Window Into World Mission
September Newsletter
Grace and peace to our mission partners!
Presbyterian World Mission is grateful for your help in witnessing to the Good News, which reaches around the world. Thank you for supporting our PC(USA) mission co-workers through your prayers and gifts.
Please feel free to forward this email to anyone who has an interest in PC(USA) World Mission: your pastor, session, mission committee members, or the entire congregation!
The September 2014 edition of Window into World Mission features a portion of a letter from Jenny Valles, our Young Adult Volunteer site coordinator in Peru.
This year, World Mission celebrates the 20th Anniversary of the YAV Program.
Please feel free to use this letter, or excerpts from it, for your church newsletter, worship bulletins, bulletin boards, and so on.
Thank you again for your support, and God bless our shared ministry.
For more information about supporting Jenny Valles, or other mission co-workers serving through PC(USA) World Mission, please contact Bruce Whearty, 1-800-728-7228, ext. 5157, bruce.whearty@pcusa.org.
Thanks!
Dr. Bruce Whearty
Church Support Associate
1-800-728-7228, extension 5157
or (502) 569-5157
502-407-9636 (cell)
100 Witherspoon St.
Louisville, KY 40202
bruce.whearty@pcusa.org
|
Fall 2014 Opportunities Available
to Host International Peacemaker
The International Peacemaker program of our denomination offers a unique opportunity to see the world through the eyes of neighbor Christians trying to live out their faith in response to circumstances we learn about largely through the news media. This year, we welcome our visiting International Peacemaker from the South Sudan, Rev. James Ninrew.The Sudan has experienced decades of strife and warfare in which religious affiliation has played a defining role. In just the last year, the largely Christian and animist South Sudan has established an independent nation from the Muslim majority north of the country. Our nation as well as our church has been called upon to offer aid and support throughout the violent conflict and in the wake of the new national entity. The Presbyterian Church of the South Sudan is a significant part of the Christian population of the new nation. Rev. Ninrew has experienced the before, during and after of the conflict and drive for nationhood. What an opportunity to learn about serving Jesus in such circumstances! Rev. Ninrew will be in our presbytery October 7-13, 2014. There are still openings to schedule his participation in events on Friday, Oct. 10, Saturday, Oct. 11 and Sunday evening Oct. 12. Please call Rev. Lynn Bozich Shetzer at 330-494-2288 or email her callmeinstead330@yahoo.com if your church would like to welcome him. |
|
Northminster Presbyterian Church
Seeking Student Ministries Coordinator
Interested persons should email a cover letter and resume to the church office at info@northminsterlife.org. Applications are being accepted through August 29, 2014. |
|
Warsaw First Presbyterian Church
Seeking Pastor
We are seeking to fulfill our pulpit by a part-time pastor, either half-time or three quarter-time. Our pulpit is now vacant due to resignation.
We are an 80+ member church serving God through our mission to community, country and world. Our church is a "Confessing Church" and holds faithfully to "Reformed Doctrine." Our purpose exists to bring the bread of life to all of God's people.
Interested persons should contact, Jim Lawrence, Elder, Worship Committee Chairperson at 1-740-3890 or lawj6@frontier.com. |
| |
Prayer Requests/Updates
- Paula and John Lane ask for your prayers as they journey with Paula's sister, Susan, who gravely injured on Monday in a fall at her group home near Buffalo NY. Susan is in hospice care at Mercy Hospital as arrangements are being made for her to return to the group home where she has lived and flourished since 2000. Grace and peace, Paula.
- Prayer request for Hugh Berry, as he recovers from open-heart surgery.
- Prayer request for Ron Pinkowski, as he undergoes medical testing.
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
Regular Office hours
Monday - Thursday
8:00A to 4:30P
|
|
|
