Peacemakers 

Blessed are the peacemakers,  

for they will be called children of God!  

--Matthew 5:9

Earlier this month, MVP was blessed to have an international peacemaker in our midst.  As always, we learn so much from our partners in ministry across the globe.  What follows is a reflection from Lynn Shetzer who served (once again!) as coordinator for the visit.  Lynn, many thanks and deep appreciation for all you did to make this visit possible!

Reflections on a Visiting Peacemaker

It was a real blessing to welcome Rev. James Ninrew from the South Sudan to our Presbytery earlier this month. He spent time on a couple of college campuses, (Ashland and Muskingum), speaking with students and the university communities, and he visited with congregations in Cambridge and Wooster. Thanks to his presence with us, several hundred people have insight and a perspective on life in that volatile, conflicted, tragic part of the world. We also know something of the challenges of discipleship there and the courageous faith of members of its Christian community. I found my middle-American experience of discipleship challenged as well. What follows are a  couple of "Ah-Ha!" moments for me:

#1 - Hearing Rev. Ninrew's calm and measured description of the assassins debating one night outside his gate whether or not they would take his life. Six Presbyterian pastors have been assassinated in South Sudan in the last year by pro-government forces who consider them a threat. "One man argued against killing me," Rev. Ninrew said. "If he hadn't persuaded them, I would not be here. I believe it was God's doing."        (I believe it, too, and wonder about my own courage under fire.)

#2 - Learning about the chaos, refugee crisis and 20,000 deaths since December 2013 when the president of South Sudan launched his crusade to retain power. His two five-year terms end in 2015, and he refuses new elections. Because of the displacement of the nation's farmers, there will be no harvest this year. "Many people will starve," Rev. Ninrew said. (I looked at the overflowing tables set for a church luncheon and for supper at my house. We have so much, too much. . . and they will starve.)

I am very grateful for our connectional church and our support of agencies like World Mission and the Office of Peacemaking. I thank God that faithful disciples like Rev. Ninrew come to be in mission to us. Many thanks to the gracious, hospitable people and congregations that welcomed our International Peacemaker this year. I pray we will discover faithful meaningful ways to respond to the plight of our sisters and brothers in the South Sudan in the weeks and months to come.

--Lynn Shetzer 

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  

A full day of fellowship for church and para-church leaders to get recharged, dial in to God's purpose for their ministries, and refocus their vision to minister in even more powerful ways!

A flyer with details is available here.

Register Today!  Please note - to be eligible for your gourmet box lunch, registrations must be received by October 17.

• 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.  

 

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.