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| MVP Mission Update
June 25, 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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Radical!
As I ponder last week's tragic killings in Charleston, I am alternately appalled and touched by the different responses to the violent loss of nine lives. From the NRA board member's blaming of the pastor for voting against laws that would allow a person to carry a firearm in the church to the congregation's forgiveness and call to repentance of the shooter... the continuum from violence to grace is being evidenced.
Parker Palmer in Healing the Heart of Democracy reminds us that "violence comes in many forms, from spiritual to physical, and every form is rooted in a failure of compassion, a lack of empathy and respect." As I have watched the response to the nine murders, I am struck by the extreme expressions of fear and love. Where there is fear, there is hatred. Where there is love, there is grace.
Radical hospitality calls us to welcome the stranger in on a daily basis. Henri Nouwen believes that the paradox of hospitality is that it wants "to create an emptiness, not a fearful emptiness, but a friendly emptiness, where strangers can enter and discover themselves created free, free to sing their own songs, speak their own languages, dance their own dances; free also to leave and follow their own vocations. Hospitality is not a subtle invitation to adopt the life style of the host, but the gift of a change for the guest to find his or her own. One NT word incorporates a profound truth: xenos , the word that means "stranger" in Greek, also means "guest" and "host." This one word signals the essential mutuality that is at the heart of hospitality. Think of our language's use of xenos: philoxenia--hospitality, a love of guest or stranger; and xenophobia--fear of the stranger. We do well to remember both the danger and the need.
Emmanuel AME Church, known as Mother Emmanuel, is a church that welcomed the stranger until death. Already we are seeing the profound offering of this sacrificial gift. In the words of interim Pastor Goff: "The doors are open at Emmanuel this Sunday, sending a message to every demon in Hell and on Earth that no weapon, no weapon ... shall prosper!"
May we be radical in our embodiment of God's love and our welcoming of the stranger in our midst!
In Christ,
Debbie Rundlett
General Presbyter
Holy Habit: Welcoming the Xenos
Spend some time reflecting on the Nouwen quotation above, as well as Philippians 2. How does the practice of emptying relate to the practice of hospitality? Why is this important?
Reflect on the word xenos. What might we learn about "the essential mutuality that is at the heart of hospitality"?
Over this week, use the daily examen to ponder the ways in which hospitality shapes your life: where have you embodied God's love and welcomed the stranger? Where have you failed to embody God's love and rejected the stranger? Spend time with God in prayer!
Share you thoughts!
We welcome and invite your response. To get us started, we invite you to receive the gift of Pastor David Smith's sermon from last week, "Heart Failure": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPKe96S5i1k&feature=youtu.be
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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! The Mission Fair and Specially-called Meeting are being held here at the Mission Center: 109 Stonecreek Rd NW, New Philadelphia, OH 44663.
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. Due to the unique nature of this meeting, we are not charging a registration fee. Registration will begin at 1:30 pm. Please see Candice that day to register your attendance at this meeting.
We currently have 12 booths representing our presbytery's mission work. Click here to see a map of the Mission Fair. Come and celebrate God's work in our midst, and trust us--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: the family of 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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