MVP Mission Update

January 15, 2015

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

MVP News:

 

The IRS has issued new Mileage Rates
for 2015. 
Click Here 
 
 
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
    

This week's Broadcast message comes from Keith Leach, pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Cambridge, Ohio. Thank you, Keith, for sharing with us!


Irritating Change

"Then he said, "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven."
--Matthew 18:3

It is a new year, and already I am frustrated with all the changes that come with new beginnings.  I have to gather up all my financial information and get it to a tax preparer so I can get my tax return filed (didn't I just do this!). It is a new liturgical season, and I have to quickly shift gears from Advent, enjoy a brief season of Christmas and then begin preparing for a Lent that glares up at me from the calendar in the middle of next month.  A great number of you are experiencing these changes and more.  The truth is, the one constant IS change, and while some change is interesting, much of this change seems simply irritating.

We at First Presbyterian Cambridge are getting a little tired of all this and other changes.  We have been in four different worship locations in the past 31 months and have endured almost constant realignment of our Christian Education schedules and office location and accommodations. We have been blessed by God through our Christian brothers and sisters throughout our community, especially the LDS and Roman Catholic congregations.  But honestly? Sunday morning Church School and worship are more than an adventure, and we really miss the sweet comfort of the familiar, don't we?

In a way, I wonder why I am not more used to change.  When I graduated from college (yes, I know that was a long time ago!), I counted all the times I had moved.  At that time, I had moved 27 times. It seemed so much easier to change then -- simply pack up and move to a new home, community, school and yes... even a new church. Perhaps it was easier then because I trusted more. As a child, I simply trusted that the new experience would be a good one. My parents handled the tough stuff and they seemed to do it with such ease that I never, ever thought that it would not be good.

Perhaps that it was Jesus meant when he said we must become child-like to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.  We must learn to trust God more and not be so frustrated with the changes around us... just rejoice that God is watching over us. To enter the Kingdom of Heaven, we must become new. That takes a lot of change.  Perhaps we all will handle our changes better now, be a little less irritated, if we remember that God is making us into that new person who can be childlike and enter into God's Kingdom.

--Keith Leach
Pastor at Cambridge First Presbyterian Church

Mission Center Inclement Weather Procedures
Winter 2015

In the case of inclement weather, the operating hours of the Mission Center may be reduced. 

If the schools in Tuscarawas County are closed due to the weather, the Mission Center will most likely be closed as well.  Call before coming to the office to ensure someone is here to greet you.

Normal business hours are 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.



5th Annual Knit-In at Brighton Presbyterian Church, Zanesville
Saturday, January 17, 2015

Brighton Presbyterian knitters are hosting their 5th annual Knit In.  We will gather at 10 am at the church ready to knit, talk, eat and learn on Saturday, January 17 (Snow date January 24). We'll be kitting from 10 am until 2 pm...or whenever folks finally leave.

All crafters from everywhere are welcome.  Bring some food to share for our potluck lunch, crafts to show and tell, yarn you want to pass on, and anything you are working on.  We will be accepting women's hygiene products to donate to Eastside Community Ministries.  Come one, come all!

Brighton Presbyterian Church is located at 771 Lexington Ave, Zanesville, OH 43701.

Peace, Suellen Skinner
Pastor, Zanesville Brighton


 

The Clerk's Annual Questionnaire is now available!
Click here http://caq2014.pcusa.org/ to access the survey.


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!)

 




January 2015 Board Connections Now Available


The newest edition of Board Connections, the Board of Pensions newsletter, is now available. Board Connections highlights recent Board news, important updates, and information and replaces many of the emails you previously received from the Board. In this month's edition, you'll find  

  • a message from our president on the future of the Benefits Plan;
  • articles on the new Roth option for the Retirement Savings Plan, online account statements from Fidelity, Call to Health in 2015, updated Board resources, and the Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service.
  • Board University news and resources, including a Web module on effective salary.
Click here to access the January issue of Board Connections.


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

 
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 are requested for Bob Brems, an elder at The Presbyterian Church in Coshocton.  Bob collapsed in his home and was lifeflighted to the hospital, where he remains unconscious and in critical condition. Prayers for Bob and his family are deeply appreciated.
  • Prayers are requested for Ron Pinkowski, as he undergoes medical treatment.
  • Prayers requested for Hugh Berry and Floyd Starr.

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