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| MVP Mission Update
June 11, 2015
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Comments?
Corrections?
800.693.1147
330.339.5515
Mission Center
Office Hours:
8:00 am - 4:30 pm
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The IRS has issued new Mileage Rates
for 2015.
Click Here
Per Capita 2015
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GA
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7.07
| | Synod | 3.25 | | Presbytery | 18.36 | |
Total
| 28.68 |
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Coward
I felt like a coward. I had held back from speaking the truth in love; I had pulled back out of fear of angry repercussions thereby compromising the integrity of my ministry. The words of Paul to Timothy echoed in my mind as I drove home that night: For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power and of love and of a sound mind" (II Timothy 1:7). In that moment, I asked myself what led me to remain silent? What prevented me from naming behaviors that were not in keeping with being disciples of Jesus? I felt like a fraud.
The word "coward" comes from the Old French couard, meaning fearful or timid. I do not normally think of myself as fearful, let alone timid. Yet, my reluctance to enter into the fray had led me to compromise values tied to core identity, character and call--to who we are in Christ! In particular, I had traded out honesty for getting along. The words of the ancient prayer of confession haunted me:
Merciful God, we confess that we have sinned against you
In thought, word and deed,
In what we have done and in what we have left undone.
We have not loved you without whole heart and mind and strength.
We have not loved our neighbors as ourselves...
I had also failed to love in Christ those with whom I disagreed enough to press the truth about the cost of their actions and the resulting impact upon their ministry. However painful, however difficult, I had failed to have the fierce conversation that could have afforded a kairos moment in the lives of that group of leaders. In that moment, I vowed never to allow fear to get in the way of speaking the truth in love again. I would never trade out integrity for "getting along." If necessary, I would do it scared.
As Rosemary Mitchell and Gail Ricciuti, in Birthings & Blessings, remind us:
Fearfulness is a significant spiritual and social issue... in our culture. (Yet,) theologically and spiritually, the message of the gospel is that the 'spirit of fear' or the 'spirit of timidity' is not God's intention for whole human beings: rather, the divine gifts already in our grasp are "power, love, and a sound mind."
In what ways does fear hold you back from heeding God's call? How is God calling you to let go of timidity, in order to reclaim the power, love and sound mind that are yours in Christ Jesus?
Blessings on this journey shared!
Debbie Rundlett
General Presbyter
Holy Habit: Power, Love and a Sound Mind
Take some time to prayerfully read through II Timothy 1:5-7. How is God seeking to speak to you through these verses? How do you respond to the invitation to power, love and a sound mind? Does the word power have positive or negative connotations for you? Why is that? How does Jesus model for us power, love and a sound mind?
It is helpful to remember that all of us have power. Where is the power in you? Take some time to name your power, as well as the fears that stop or limit your power. Reconnect with God in prayer as the source and author of your power. How does that inform your understanding of power, love and a sound mind in a new way?
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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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Mission Fair and Specially-Called Meeting!Coming Soon! -- Saturday, June 27, 2015The first annual Mission Fair sponsored by Muskingum Valley Presbytery will be Saturday, June 27 from 11:00 am - 4:00 pm!
At 2:00 pm, we will be holding a specially-called meeting to approve the new fiscal budget and hold the annual meeting of the corporation.
The Mission Fair and Specially-called Meeting are being held here at the Mission Center: 109 Stonecreek Rd NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
Current booths include offerings from Big Fish, Spiritual Direction, Zanesville Brighton, Fellowship of Christ's Community, Barlow, Belpre Pioneer, Seville, Cambridge Unity, Cambridge First, Rittman Milton, Reedurban, Shreve and Hopewell, and more! With activities like a portable labyrinth, a kid's fish prize pond, and a drum circle, the Mission Fair will be a fun adventure the whole family can enjoy. You don't want to miss out! |
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Seville Presbyterian Church announces Singfest 2015!
SUNDAY, JUNE 28, 2015 4:00 P.M.
SEVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
101 Center Street, Seville Ohio44273
You are invited to sing in the choir!! If you are a choir member OR if you ever wanted to sing in a choir, you are welcome. We will rehearse at 3:00 p.m. (an hour before the program). We have selected anthems that are easy to learn and fun to sing.
PROGRAM SNAPSHOT
ANTHEMS
"If We Sing at All," Stan Pethel
"Hymn of Promise," Natalie Sleeth
Director of Music: Courtney Boyd, Seville Presbyterian Church
Choir Director: Donna Robertson, Milton Presbyterian Church
If you would like to know more, or to sign up to sing, call Joyce Drotos at 330-315-3689. CONGREGATIONAL SINGING We will sing familiar and traditional hymns carefully selected by the Events committee. SPECIAL MUSIC: Vocal Solo: Candice McMath, Muskingum Valley Presbytery Mission Coordinator Organ Solo: Courtney Boyd, Director of Music at Seville Presbyterian Church REFRESHMENTS FOLLOWING THE PROGRAM
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SEVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH SEEKING A COORDINATOR OF MUSIC MINISTRIES
Part-time organist / choir director, traditional worship service. We are seeking a candidate who works well with others and communicates strong leadership qualities. No music degree required, but experience in playing the organ and piano is necessary. Guides the choir to enhance the musicality and words of the songs chosen to sing, is flexible, and is committed to bringing glory to God through worship!
Please e-mail a resume and cover letter to Rev. Marc van Bulck at Marcel.van.Bulck@gmail.com
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John Knox Presbyterian Church: Director of Children & Youth Ministries
John Knox Presbyterian Church (North Canton, Ohio) is seeking a person to lead their ministry to children, youth and their families. The church has been intentional in listening for God's voice and they are living into their calling to "radiate the peace of Christ...every day, every way!" The Director of Children and Youth Ministries will work collegially with a gifted team of leaders on the church staff. He/she will be expected to disciple young people and to equip and coordinate ministry teams, parents and congregation members to provide meaningful and effective ministry for children, youth and their families. The person must be a person of deep faith and a self-starter who has a passion for touching the lives of young people and their families. More information about the position is available at www.jkpc.org/ChildrenYouthMinistries.pdf.
Candidates are asked to apply by July 1st.
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Discernment of God's Call-- Opportunities to Serve at the 2016 General Assembly
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Upcoming Events of the Synod of the Covenant
The Synod wishes to invite you to participate in the following events:
The Multicultural Youth Conference, June 29 - July 3, 2015
Applications are still being accepted! Details and registration form available at this link.
Mobile Health Fair Ministry
We are currently taking reservations for the 2015 Mobile Health Fair Van. Details can be found at this link.
MUSA--Mission to the USA
What would a "reverse" mission trip look like for your congregation? For more details, about MUSA, please contact Doris Evans at d.evans@synodofthecovenant.org.
Church application is available at this link.
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PC(USA) Announces Registration for Big Tent 2015
July 30 - August 1, 2015, University of Tennessee Conference Center, Knoxville, TN
Big Tent 2015 registration is up and running and everyone is excited about what it will bring!
Please consider including the Big Tent video (https://youtu.be/xShTbAESJj8 ) and the Big Tent web site link (http://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/big-tent/ ) on your presbytery web site or in other promotional opportunities. The video is just 1 minute long and gives a quick overview of what makes this Big Tent unique and would be a great minute for mission at a presbytery meeting!
Thanks so much!
Tom
Thomas D Hay
Director of Assembly Operations
Associate Stated Clerk
Office of the General Assembly
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
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 Through the Beautiful Gate: A Pilgrimage to the Holy Land 2016 Trip to Israel/Palestine/Petra, Jordan College Drive Church and The First Presbyterian Church of Phillipstown, New York are co-sponsoring a trip to the Holy Land and Petra, Jordan January 29th - February 9, 2016. The Holy Land is a blessed and complicated place. We will not only visit the traditional Christian sites, we will engage with Israelis and Palestinians who will speak to us about their lives within the struggle for equality, freedom and safety for all. An excursion to the south and into Jordan will immerse us in the history of the land prior to the story of our faith and show us how Israel worshipped in the wilderness. The cost of the trip is $1700 which includes all but lunch (about $10 per day) and tips for the driver and guide ($10 - $15) per day. Airfare is not included. Please contact Pastor Anne Weirich at College Drive if you would like to come along or have any questions. This will be Anne's 11th trip to the Holy Land. Cell number - 616 252-9242 or anneweirich@mac.com. There are about 14 people going already - so there is plenty of room!
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Prayer Requests/Updates
- Prayers are requested for: Susan Hyland, Ron Pinkowski, Jackie Pinkowski, Floyd Starr, and Hugh Berry.
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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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