MVP Mission Update

December 25, 2014 

 

 

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800.693.1147
330.339.5515

 

  

Mission Center
Office Hours:
Monday - Thursday
8:00 am - 4:30 pm 

MVP News:

 

2014 and 2015 Mission Yearbooks  
are available for 
$15.00 each
 
 
Per Capita 2014
GA
 7.02
Synod 3.25
Presbytery18.36
Total
28.63


Per Capita 2015
GA
 7.07
Synod 3.25
Presbytery18.36
Total
28.68
    



Memories of Christmas' Past

 

And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,  

full of grace and truth.

--John 1:14

 

The congregation is gathered. The choirs stand shivering in the narthex from their walk across the cloister. A single tower bell rings out announcing that the hour is nigh. And then, silence... silence from which a single voice emerges, then joined by choir and organ, and finally by the congregation:

 

            Once in royal David's city stood a lowly cattle shed,

            Where a mother laid her baby in a manger for his bed.

            Mary was the mother mild, Jesus Christ her little child...

 

So begins the Festival of Lessons and Carols.

 

For a far back as I can remember, this liturgy has shaped my piety and my faith. Whether it be singing in the choir, or sitting with my family in the third pew from the back, or leading worship, I have always been touched by the haunting beauty of the Christmas Eve service. To this day, I find myself choked up with emotion whenever Bach's Invitatory and Chorale is sung. Feeling the organ pound as we sing "On this day, earth shall ring," being enveloped in candlelight during "Silent Night, Holy Night," thundering out "Joy to the Word" speaks to my core of who God is. From promise to fulfillment, distant hope to rejoicing, the story of God' grace and salvation is told through lessons and carols which are inscribed upon my heart.

 

The service of nine lessons and carols was first conceived by Archbishop Benson for use in Truro Cathedral in the late 19th century. It was later simplified and adapted by Dean Eric Milner-White for use in King's College, Cambridge. Today, we find congregations across denominations adopting the service for use in local churches across the globe. The interweaving of lessons and carols shares God's Word in such as way as to touch body, mind, and soul.

 

Here time and eternity intersect as we encounter Emmanuel, God-with-us. For God is indeed with us. "The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, full of grace and truth." May the mystery of Christmas dwell within your heart this season!

 

Merry Christmas with love!

 

Debbie Rundlett

General Presbyter   

  


Mission Center Adjusted Hours
December 22, 2014 through January 5, 2015

The Mission Center will be operating under reduced hours throughout the rest of this year.  The Mission Center will be open December 22 and 23. 

The Mission Center will be closed Wednesday, December 24 through Thursday, January 1 for the holidays.

Normal business hours will resume Monday, January 5, 2015.  The Mission Center is open Monday-Thursday, 8:00 am - 4:30 pm.
 

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.

 
Save the Date and RSVP now!
January 10, 2015
Muskingum Valley Presbytery Leadership Training
Leading Change and Managing Conflict
 

What causes conflict? Two human beings in the same room (or just you, by yourself, if you are having a particularly bad day)! Conflict is all around us. We each have an attitude about it and a way of managing through it that makes sense to us. When those various ways of handling conflict come together, there is (surprise!) a possibility for further conflict. This workshop will allow us to work together as we examine how we currently deal with conflict with our instinctive or learned reactions to it. We will look at ways to work with people of varying conflict styles, and discover a method for working with groups who find themselves in the midst of conflict.

 

  • When: Saturday, January 10, 2015
  • Where: Faith Christian Church, 2012 Pleasant Valley Road NE, New Philadelphia, OH 44663
  • Time: 9:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Cost: $35*
  • *Cost includes lunch and the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Assessment instrument.
 

Registrations are due by January 6, 2015

Early Registrations are greatly appreciated! 

Register via email at [email protected] or by mailing this completed form with payment to: Muskingum Valley Presbytery, 109 Stonecreek Rd NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663. ATTN: Conflict Training.

 

 

This full-day seminar is led by Susan Davis Krummel, the Associate for Mid Council Relations for the Office of the General Assembly and the Presbyterian Mission Agency. She started this work in June of 2014 after 24 years of pastoral ministry and 11 years as the General Presbyter and Stated Clerk of Great Rivers Presbytery in Central Illinois. In her years as a pastor she served in almost every installed and temporary role for a pastor in congregations from 30 to 1300 members. She has also taught Interim Ministry for 10 years and has spent much of her own Continuing Education time in the area of Conflict. She is the spouse of a pastor, the mother of two educators, and the grandmother of six busy and inquisitive children.
 
We celebrate with Ben Behrendt as he accepts his first call as a pastor! -- From the Calling Commission

I have accepted a call to serve as solo pastor at Fairview Presbyterian church in Hillsville, VA. I'm sure you remember speaking with me 2.5 years ago, serving a church was not really something on my mind. But it's amazing how God works sometimes. I'll begin in January and am quite excited, I think it's a good fit for me.
 
Wanted to thank the Calling Commission of MVP for all their help. It's been a long process but has been relatively painless, thanks to your help.
 
So thanks again,
 
Ben



Synod Discernment Study
Online Survey - Your feedback is requested

The 221st General Assembly (2014) has passed a mandate to "direct that a new configuration of synod boundaries be established [based on an emerging sense of purpose, partnership, context, and call] through a collaborative process between the synods and presbyteries resulting in no more than 10-12 synods. The synods shall report to the 222nd General Assembly (2016)."

As part of the process, the Synod of the Covenant has asked for your help in determining how best to use this opportunity to learn what God is calling the synod to do and become. Your responses are confidential. A statistical summary of the results will be shared with the Synod of the Covenant as we discern our future.

The survey should take approximately 7 minutes to complete. If you need assistance with the survey, please email [email protected] or call Becki Moody at 502-569-5139.

Click here to access the survey: pcusa.org/synod-study



Church Annual Statistics Website Now Available!
Deadline February 12, 2015

It's that time of year again! The Session Annual Statistical Report for the denomination and the Clerk's Annual Questionnaire must be completed online for every church. They do not require congregational action nor do the financial figures need to be audited before submitting. Easy to follow instruction booklets are available for download from the OGA, and include how to enter membership and financial stats on-line.  

 

Use the link below to access the statistics website. From there, you will be able to find the year-end statistics online reporting system, the 2014 instructions booklet, and the Clerk's Annual Questionnaire:

http://oga.pcusa.org/section/churchwide-ministries/stats/

 

2014 Year-End Statistics Entry Timeline

Friday, December 5, 2014

Online Statistics Entry and Clerk's Annual Questionnaire begins on OGA website



Thursday, February 12, 2015

Deadline for Statistics Entry and CAQ on OGA Website (website will be closed after this date!)

 

 

Your church received a mailing with your username and password in it in mid-November.  If you have any questions or problems, please feel free to contact me. I am happy to assist you! Please be aware that I am on vacation the week of December 8, and will be happy to help you when I return on Monday, December 15. 

 

Sincerely,

Candice McMath

Mission Coordinator

P: (330) 339-5515 or (800) 693-1147 | [email protected] | [email protected]

 

 

What about the Clerk's Annual Questionnaire?
In the past, the CAQ and the Church Statistics were available concurrently.  This year, The Clerk's Annual Questionnaire 2014 http://caq2014.pcusa.org/ will be available mid to late January 2015.  We will post further reminders about completing the CAQ closer to that date.
 
Union Presbyterian Seminary offers Congregational Leadership Awards - Deadline February 2015

 

Is your congregation or a congregation in your presbytery doing innovative ministry? Union Presbyterian Seminary (UPSem) offers eight Congregational Leadership Awards annually.   Since 1991, 110 churches in 29 states have received these awards. Each of the eight awards carries a $1,000 prize to support the congregation in its ministry. For more information and to apply for one of the UPSem Congregational Leadership Awards, you may download the brochure and application at  http://www.upsem.edu/leadership_institute/congregational_leadership_awards/  

 

You may also request an application by sending an e-mail to April Swofford at [email protected], or calling 1-800-229-2990, ext 231.

 

The application and instructions are only available electronically. The deadline for the 2015 awards is February 15, 2015.  

 

COMING SOON!   

Bringing Good News: 40 Stories of Congregations and the Ministries that Transformed Them, compiled by Henry Simmons, Ph.D. and Rita Boyer, M.A.C.E.   A book that celebrates innovative ministry programs around the country.   To order, please check online at amazon.com on December 10, 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 [email protected].
 
 
Prayer Requests/Updates 
  • Prayers requested for Charles R. Snyder, Director of Music at The Presbyterian Church, Coshocton, after falling 11/22,    breaking his ankle and having surgery.  He is also the Director of the Coshocton Community Choir and will miss directing the Christmas concert.
  • The Zanesville Parish requests prayers for the Rev. Floyd Starr, HR, who has lost the use of his arms and hands.  He is currently receiving intensive physical therapy at Wexner Heritage Village (Room 57), 1151 College Ave., Columbus, OH 43209.  Floyd is hopeful that he can regain enough function to return home.
  • Prayers for Christ Presbyterian Church as they recover from a fire in the sanctuary.
  • Prayer request for Hugh Berry, as he recovers from open-heart surgery.
  • Prayer request for Ron Pinkowski, as he undergoes medical testing.

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