wednesday communique, weekly newsletter, indian nations presbytery, oklahoma
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QUICK CALENDAR Oct. 12, Resourcing Congregations Comm Mtg @OKC (FPC-INP), noon Oct. 15, CPM Meeting, @INP, 9am Oct. 15, Duncan Adm Comm. Mtg @INP, 1pm Oct. 17 Southminster's 100th Anniversry Open House @ SPC, 5pm Oct. 25, Installation Ceremony@Santa Fe, 4pm Oct 28th, Festival & Halloween Party @Santa Fe, 5:30pm
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Mission Yearbook Prayer God of grace and glory, thank you for your faithfulness to your church throughout the generations. We lift up the IPV and ask you to pour our your Spirit that their ministry and mission may continue to bring you honor and glory. In the name of our Redeemer. Amen.
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Oct 14, 2009
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NOTICE: It is time for the Presbytery Pages. Please send photo & a church article to Jean McDaniel @ the INP office. Deadline is Oct. 22.
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Report of Seminary Support Network Volunteer Indian Nations Presbytery October 2009 Soon your session will receive a pledge form from Indian Nations Presbytery on which to record your financial pledge to the work of our Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly. There will be space for your session to add a gift to the Theological Education Fund (TEF) of the PCUSA. The target gift from every congregation is 1 % of the congregation’ operating budget. These monies pass through our presbytery accounts and are sent directly to the Theological Fund office in Louisville, which makes an annual distribution of all gifts received to eleven seminaries, our 10 PCUSA seminaries and one that is related to the PCUSA by covenant agreement. Your church received a booklet highlighting each of the seminaries earlier this summer. 2009 allocations will be finalized at the Committee on Theological Education meeting held later in October. In 2008, our nearest seminary, Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary received $ 206,753.62 or 9 % of the total allocation. The allocation is a weighted percentage partially based on numbers of MDiv, students and need. Austin targets this gift to its operating budget for need-based tuition grants. Johnson C. Smith Seminary depends on the $ 163,000 it received to fund fully 20 % of its operating budget. For both schools and others, this annual allocation is the single largest annual contribution to the operating budget. For all our seminaries the Theological Education Fund is the only denomination based gift. Many direct the money received to need-based grants. In a day of mounting educational debt, this is important work. The Fund has budgeted for $ 1.8 million in 2009, of which $ 957,000 has been received. There is still time to contribute. 2010 budgets may be tight for us all. Consider what we could do as a Presbytery for theological education if each church gave something to TEF. My congregation of 31 members is not able to pledge 1 %, but we give an annual gift of $ 125.
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PC News Weekly Summaries - October 5-9, 2009 October 5 PC(USA) responds to south Asian disasters Leaders appeal for prayers, PDA support in Indonesia, Samoa, Philippines by Jerry L. Van Marter Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA), is responding to a series of deadly disasters in south Asia - a typhoon in the Philippines, an earthquake in Indonesia, and a tsunami that has affected Somoa, American Samoa and Tonga. Church leaders - General Assembly Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow, General Assembly Stated Clerk Gradye Parsons and General Assembly Mission Council Executive Director Linda Valentine - issued a letter late last week calling on Presbyterians to pray for those affected by the disasters and asking them to support PDA's long-term relief efforts in the stricken areas. PDA is also responding the widespread flooding in the southeastern U.S. in recent weeks in cooperation with the three most heavily affected presbyteries - Cherokee, Greater Atlanta and Norheast Georgia. In south Asia, the church is working closely with global partners such as ACT International and Church World Service, as well as with PC(USA) partner churches in the affected countries. PDA's efforts are supported by the One Great Hour of Sharing offering and special appeals. Contributions may be made through local church channels or by clicking on PDA account number DR000148. [Read more] October 6 Self-Development of People announces grant recipients $140,000 awarded to fund seven self-help projects in the United States by Margaret Mwale Associate for Community RelationsSelf-Development of People SEATTLE - The National Committee on the Self-Development of People of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has approved grants totaling $142,948 to seven self-help projects in the United States. Money for the grants comes from the PC(USA)'s One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) offering. SDOP, funded primarily through the OGHS offering, enables members and non-members of the PC (USA) to establish partnerships with economically poor, oppressed and disadvantaged people in order to help them achieve sufficiency.
Grants were approved at a meeting of SDOP's National Committee Sept. 19 in Seattle. Projects funded range from helping a farmer's cooperative purchase watering equipment and start-up seed for a greenhouse to a capacity building project in which immigrant women learn English and advocacy, leadership and job-procurement skills. [Read more] SFTS president resigns to return to pastoral ministry Butin concludes service in January after seven years by Jerry L. Van Marter Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - The Rev. Philip W. Butin has resigned as president of San Francisco Theological Seminary, effective Jan. 31, 2010, to return to pastoral ministry. Prior to coming to the seminary in 2002, Butin was pastor of Shepherd of the Valley Presbyterian Church in Albuquerque, N.M. "I will always be deeply grateful for my years of service to SFTS," Butin said in an Oct. 5 announcing his decision. "God has enabled us to accomplish a great deal together. SFTS has a bright future as it continues to clarify and pursue its unique identity and mission in a time of rapid change in theological education." Butin faced a number of existing challenges, including $10 million in debt incurred to repair buildings damaged in the Loma Prieta earthquake and significant issues related to accreditation. [Read more] October 7 Carolyn Gillette pens new hunger walk hymn Liturgical resource aids CROP walks, World Food Day observances by Jerry L. Van Marter Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - With the fall CROP Walk season - sponsored by Church World Service (CWS) and its member denominations - in full swing and World Food Day approaching on Oct. 16, renowned Presbyterian hymn writer Caroloyn Winfrey Gillette has penned a new hymn for use by participants. Entitled "O God, You Send Us Out to Walk," Gillette's new hymn is subtitled "A Hymn of Dedication for Those Participating in CROP Walks." It has been posted on the CWS Web site. In addition to combating hunger - Presbyterians have long been among the most active participants in the annual CROP Walks around the country - Gillette's hymn lifts up the needs of survivors of a number of recent natural disasters such as the earthquake in Indonesia, typhoon in the Philippines, tsunami in Somoa and Tonga and flooding in the U.S. state of Georgia. National Presbyterian leaders recently sent a letter to the PC(USA), asking Presbyterians to "Give, Act and Pray to Help Disaster Survivors." Gillette's hymns have figured prominently in recent years as liturgical resources for anti-hunger efforts, including the Souper Bowl of Caring and other disaster relief and humanitarian efforts. Perhaps most widely used was the hymn she composed in the aftermath of the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in New York and Washington, DC. [Read more]
October 9 Partnering presbyteries Colombian pastor speaks in Wisconsin on peacemaking amid civil war by Lisa Strandberg Special to Presbyterian News Service NEENAH, Wis. - Beside a table dressed with a colorful Colombian tapestry and set with baskets of bread, the Rev. Diego Higuita-Arango preached in Spanish on his vision of peace during two worship services at First Presbyterian Church Oct. 4. Huiguita, general secretary of both the Presbyterian Church of Colombia and the country's Uraba Presbytery, visited the church on World Communion Sunday as one of 45 mission co-workers and 11 peacemakers sharing their stories with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in this year's Mission Challenge. The challenge is intended to connect mission co-workers with Presbyterians across the country. From Sept. 25-Oct. 18, 45 co-workers will visit 152 presbyteries, sharing their stories and educating listeners on how to get involved. [Read More] Seminary at the crossroads Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico is ‘focal point,’ says IrizarryIrizarry by Jerry L. Van Marter Presbyterian News Service LOUISVILLE - With social, political and religious ferment at an all-time high in Puerto Rico, life is good and fascinating at the Seminario Evangelico de Puerto Rico (Evangelical Seminary of Puerto Rico), says acting president and dean of academic affairs the Rev. Jose R. Irizarry. "We are in a unique position to be a crossroads of study and conversation because of our history and credibility," Irizarry tells the Presbyterian News Service while here to represent the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Committee on Theological Education at the denomination's General Assembly Mission Council meeting. "We are a focal point for examination of religious and political issues in Puerto Rico." Currently celebrating its centennial anniversary, ESPR was founded in 1909 by five denominations - Presbyterians, Baptists, Methodists, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and the United Evangelical Church. They have recently been joined by the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The seminary, which is in covenant relationship with the PC(USA), is the only accredited Spanish speaking Protestant seminary in the U.S. and Canada. "There is now a Spanish speaking Catholic seminary," Irizarry says with a glint in his eye, "but, of course, we helped them get started." [Read more]
You are invited to a day of learning and resources. Understanding the Impact of Addiction and Supporting Recovery: Strategies and Tools for Clergy and Other Congregational Leaders Thursday, November 12, 2009 8:30 AM to 3:00 PM Chesapeake Boathouse 725 S. Lincoln Blvd. Oklahoma City, OK 73129 A unique opportunity for clergy and congregational leaders to receive the latest information, resources and strategies on how to educate and provide hope to individuals and families suffering from the impact of addiction to alcohol and substance abuse, supported by the federal Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’ Center for Substance Abuse Treatment. Sponsored by: American Association of Pastoral Counselors (AAPC) The Clergy Education and Training Project® - National Association for Children of Alcoholics (NACoA) Co-sponsored by: Oklahoma Dept. of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services Latino Community Development Agency Objectives: 1. Raise awareness of how addiction to alcohol and other drugs impacts Individuals and their families. 2. Discuss role of clergy and congregations in offering information, hope and recovery support for all individuals and family members affected by alcohol and drug abuse. 3. Review core competencies for clergy and congregational leaders to understand and address alcohol and drug abuse. Must Pre-Register! Space is Limited. Continental Breakfast and Lunch will be provided - no charge. Registration Deadline is October 22, 2009 Register On-Line: Understanding the Impact of Addiction anding Recovery Register by Fax: Please fill out information below and fax to 405-522-6809. Name: ________________________________________________________________________________ Telephone #: ________________________________E-mail:____________________________________ Church/Ministry ________________________ Position: ____________________________ Address: ______________________________________________________________________________ City: _____________________State: __________ Zip: ______________________________________ Certificate of Participation/6 NAADAC Contact Hours. CEU credits (no charge) also available. Registration Questions? Contact Traci Castles work: 405-522-8019 / cell: 405-365-7391
A single parent, Deborah recalls that during her first month as pastor of a United Church of Christ congregationin Western Pennsylvania, she performed nine funerals, four of which related to a boating accident. Alreadyweary from moving across country to a new parsonage and getting to know a new congregation, Deborah knewthat she soon would be spiritually and relationally depleted if she did not take time for self-care and personaland professional support. She asked her recently retired parents to come visit for two weeks to help herorganize the house, cook meals, and care for her ten-year-old son. She also called her regional judicatoryofficial for a referral to a spiritual director who would help her stay "spiritually grounded during this time ofcongregational crisis and personal stress." In addition, she also sought out the spiritual and professional counselof two experienced women pastors in the area. Several years later, Deborah still meets regularly with herspiritual director and has become close friends with the colleagues she initially called upon for nurture andsupport during this critical time.
Thankfully, the majority of our pastoral care encounters are not as fraught with complex congregational andcommunity dynamics of grief and loss as what Deborah faced. Most encounters typically relate to ongoing issuesof illness, personal growth, relationships, self-discovery, trauma, and bereavement. While these pastoral careissues are not as dramatic as unexpected deaths and diagnoses of life-threatening illness, they require just asmuch pastoral sensitivity and healing care, because every crisis is unique to those who are in the midst of it.Every crisis is a spiritual emergency in which the care of a sensitive and professional pastor can make thedifference between hope and hopelessness, courage and cowardice, and responsibility and helplessness. Indeed,one of our tasks as pastors is to present images of hope and new life to people for whom, at the moment, thefuture appears bleak and uncertain.
Continue Reading "Pastoral Care as Healing Presence"
NEW BOOK!
Tending to the Holy:The Practice of the Presence of God in Ministryby Bruce G. Epperly and Katherine Gould Epperly
Tending to the Holy invites pastors to embody their deepest beliefs in the routine and surprisingtasks of ministry. Inspired by Brother Lawrence's classic text in spirituality, The Practice of thePresence of God, this book integrates the wisdom and practices of the Christian spiritual traditionwith the commonplace practices of pastoral ministry. Growing out of their work with pastors atevery season of ministry, Bruce and Katherine Epperly invite pastoral leaders to complement and
expand on their understanding of spiritual leadership, pastoral excellence, and self-care, integrating traditionaland contemporary spiritual practices with the concrete arts of ministry.
"The great value of Tending to the Holy is the humanity of Bruce and Katherine Epperly. They demonstrate withgentleness and understanding how the pastoral vocation is completed and made whole in the practice of thespiritual disciplines. With this book, those who 'tend to the holy' will pause and rediscover it in their own lives.What a helpful book!" --Richard Lischer
Four Seasons of Ministry:Gathering a Harvest of Righteousness
by Bruce and Katherine Epperly
All for God's Glory: RedeemingChurch Scutwork
by Louis B. Weeks
Cross-Shaped Leadership: On theRough and Tumble of Parish Practice
by John A. Berntsen
The Spirit-Led Leader: Nine LeadershipPractices and Soul Principles
by Timothy C. Geoffrion
BALANCING YOUR MINISTRY, RENEWING YOUR LIFE
What does it mean to make sacred shifts toward a healthy balanceand renewal in our life and ministry? What myths in ministry inhibitour well being? Using a 3-step model, Larry Peers, an Alban seniorconsultant and clergy coach, will help you to begin to attend to yoursoul signals towards balance and renewal.
This 30-minute FREE WEBCAST offers a preview of the upcomingAlban 3-day seminar Balancing Your Ministry, Renewing Your Life.
The Alban Institute | AlbanRoundtable Blog | Congregational Resource Guide
