Everyone is Invited! Join in the Dialogue
Our next stated meeting of
Presbytery is Tuesday, September 19, at 3:00 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church,
200 E Broadway, Maumee, Ohio.
The Issue of the Day will continue
our dialogue about the actions of the 217th General Assembly. Our presbytery
began its dialogue on Sunday June 25, 3 days following the G.A. About 80 folks
from all parts of our presbytery participated. First Findlay taped the
conversation.
During the Issue of the Day, brief
presentations will be made by our commissioners Ellen McGormley (clergy-Monroe
MI) and Ron Boyd (elder Upper Sandusky). Then Rev. Jim Miller, Rev. Bob Bidwell
and Elder Don Loving will lead us in group discussions about the Peace, Unity
and Purity Report. After spending time with our cluster groups, we will come
together for dinner and further conversation.
The leadership of our presbytery
intends for our dialogue to continue into 2007 as the “Issue of the Year.”
Please invite anyone who is
interested.
The Fruit-Bearing Business
By Rev. Joan Gray
Moderator 217th General Assembly PC(USA)
As I move into my term as Moderator of the 217th General
Assembly, I want to put before the church a passage of Scripture that has been a
foundation of my ministry. In his farewell address to his disciples, Jesus
said, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them
bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5)
As I move into my term as Moderator of the 217th General Assembly, I want to
put before the church a passage of Scripture that has been a foundation of my
ministry. In his farewell address to his disciples, Jesus said, “I am the vine,
you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit,
because apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5).
The church is in the fruit-bearing business.
The fruit we are to bear is both internal and external. The internal fruit is
the quality of life of the community of faith: our worship, our growth in grace,
our relationships within the body of Christ. The external fruit is our witness
to God’s reign and our living toward the day when God’s will shall be done on
earth as it is in heaven. We do not exist for our own sake but rather for the
sake of the world God loves so much.
Jesus tells us in this powerful verse that without him we can do nothing.
Unless we are in a life-giving relationship with him, our work in the
church is in vain—the fruit we bear will not be “fruit that will last” (John
15:16). As Moderator, I am interested in focusing some attention on the quality
of that relationship with the Lord—the Head of the Church—that enables us to be
fruitful congregations, fruitful individuals, fruitful presbyteries, and a
fruitful denomination for God’s sake in the world.
One way I want to do this is by hosting a series of prayer retreats around
the country over the next two years. The purpose of these retreats is to create
a space where people active in fruit-bearing work in the world and the church
can be nurtured in the vital relationship with the Vine. The first one will be
held at Zephyr Point Conference Center in Zephyr Cove, Nevada, November 12-14,
2006. As plans develop, information will be posted online at
www.pcusa.org/gamoderator.
I am honored to serve as your Moderator, and I look forward to meeting many
of you in these next months. Please pray for me as I do my best to be fruitful
and faithful.
The Reverend Joan Gray is Moderator of the 217th General
Assembly (2006) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
Defining Moment
By Elder Norma Wible
Moderator Branch of Congregational Life
We canoed down the Cahaba River for a little bit of relaxation on Monday of
the 217th General Assembly of the PC(USA), after days of listening to people
speaking about weighty issues. This day we were listening to the sounds of
nature and enjoying the timeless pace of a slowly moving river. The steady
parade of green leaves and hanging vines was punctuated every now and again by
colorful bursts of mimosa pink. Local people view it as a prolific weed, as it
takes over other species’ territory; apparently they’ve had little success
eradicating it, despite their mighty efforts. There was an evangelism lesson in
there….
One of the organizers of the trip was a local lady by the name of Susan, who
had the sense to select as her partner, the naturalist who knew the river. It
was he who stood up in his lead canoe, to look for the best direction to guide
the caravan past the shallow places. There were frequently times when we had to
get out of the boat and pull our partners toward the deeper-flowing river. As
we tried to stay somewhat together, we paused after the rough spots to wait for
our brothers and sisters, teasing one another about the sometimes-adventuresome
paths that we chose to navigate, and celebrating when yet another canoe joined
us in the deeper section. It was an interesting blend of competition and
camaraderie.
At one of those pauses in the paddling, our naturalist explained that we were
at the place in the river where the Presbytery had purchased land for a camp.
He explained the importance of this move, and talked about his hopes and dreams
for the future. We listened in rapt attention to what he had to say and to the
passion that lay beneath his words, as our hands were holding fast to other
canoes to keep us within hearing distance. When he was finished, Susan asked if
we could all sing a song together. She suggested, "Surely the Presence of the
Lord is in this Place". It’s only been in the last year of two that I had
become familiar with this song, because of a wonderful choir director who’s
touched my heart in a lot of different ways. Not everyone knew the hymn, but
they all listened in respectful silence, or humming. And although I’m not a
singer, I am a listener, so when we stumbled through one part of the song, I was
happy to be able to supply the elusive lyric.
I was at the 217th Assembly as an observer, and I was buoyed by the spiritual
side of the event. While it is primarily seen as a legislative encounter, with
representatives from all the parts of PCUSA, I saw a focus on searching for
God’s will for us that was wonderful to behold. From the choosing of the
Moderator to the committee debates on issues to the plenary sessions where the
overtures are voted upon, I saw intentional inclusion of the Holy Spirit. Even
in the Exhibit Hall, which is a microcosm of the varied passions of divergent
Presbyterians, I saw fresh evidence of how we are all welcome at His table. The
Theological Task Force on Peace, Unity, and Purity gave us a wonderful example
of how we can find common ground. The divisions within our denomination can be
bridged with God’s formula for success: His love poured out on us.
Communion Course for Elders
September 23, 30, October 7
Rev. Bob Butcher, Firelands
Presbyterian (Port Clinton) is teaching a Eucharistic theology and practice
course for Elders. The class will meet Saturdays from 9 am to 12 noon at
Findlay First Presbyterian, September 23 and 30, and October 7. There will be a
small fee for each participant to defray the class expenses. For more
information contact Bob Butcher at 419-734-6211 or
fpchurch@cros.net.
Applications Due Sept. 30 for New Commissioned Lay Pastor
Class
By Rev. Tomas Pistora
Dean, Commissioned Lay Pastor Program
The Commissioned Lay Pastor
Training Program of Maumee Valley Presbytery is accepting applications to a new
class starting in January 2007 (Class of 2009). The deadline to apply is
September 30 and the application form is available from Rev. Tomas Pistora, CLP
Dean, at 419-673-2173 or
benandemily@alltel.net, or may be downloaded from
www.maumeevp.org.
Interviews are planned for October 28.
The CLP Program has been part of
our Presbytery’s life for 6 years and in February 2007 another group of
candidates will graduate. Not all students will seek commissioning, but will
serve their congregations and our Presbytery in other ways with their deepened
skills, newly discovered gifts, and stronger understanding of Christian faith.
Probably the strongest experience
from working with the CLP Program is the training events. Every time we have a
new class I am amazed to see what a rich, diverse group of Christians we
Presbyterians are, but even more what an enthusiastic and true community the Lay
Pastor students create. It is very refreshing to spend a weekend with them.
Give it a try. Our weekend retreats are open to anyone from the Presbytery and
the fee is only $40 per day.
If you or someone you know might
have a call to lay ministry, contact me for further information about the
Commissioned Lay Pastor Program.
Presbyterian Women Gathering
“Together in Service” Sept. 30
By Elder Alyce Ann Schmidt
Moderator, Maumee Valley Presbyterian Women
Celebration! Celebration!
Eight women from Maumee Valley Presbytery were among over 3100 who gathered for
the 2006 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women in Louisville, KY July
7—11. Maumee Valley was represented by Ginny McCook, Pat Matter and Patricia
McVetty as voting delegates. All women participated in plenary sessions,
workshops, tours and special events.
“Together in Service,” a new mission plan, was introduced
and will be further
explained to local Presbyterian Women at the Fall Gathering on Saturday,
September 30, beginning at 9:15 am at Ottawa Presbyterian Church. All women in
the Presbytery are invited for fun, friends, inspiration, and enjoyment. A
registration form is available in the August PW Newsletter, or by contacting
Alyce Ann at 419-332-9664 or
schmidt20@ag.osu.edu.
Ada Presbyterian Mission Trip to Romania
By Rev. Patrick Allen,
Ada First Presbyterian Church, Maumee Valley Presbytery Mission Ministry Team
This past July God called 8 people from the Ada Presbyterian
Church to step out in faith and travel to Romania for a 12 day mission trip.
Through her own ministry in the region the past two summers, elder Julie Ludanyi
made contact with a pastor in the Hungarian Reformed Church whose church is
located in a small village of 600.
We found village life quite rural, with more horse-drawn
carts on the streets than cars. The church itself is over 700 years old and has
never had heat. Lack of heat is a major barrier to ministry, because worship
attendance drops dramatically when the sanctuary is below freezing in the winter
time!
We raised the funds to purchase a furnace that would be
capable of heating both the manse and the church. God worked beyond our
expectations in raising funds for our trip. We raised over $17,000 in a short
period of time. Upon our arrival, we built a small brick building, which now
houses the furnace, along with a laundry facility for the entire community.
We offered an evening Vacation Bible School. With the help
of 4 translators, we shared the gospel with about 30 children each evening. I
was surprised at how well we connected with the children, despite the language
barrier. Even though the Hungarian Reformed Church suffered greatly under
communism as little as 20 years ago, there is great hunger and eagerness for the
gospel among young people.
It’s hard to describe how encouraging it is to worship and
work with other Christians in a different part of the world. It gave me great
hope to see that God is working in a sister Reformed church in circumstances far
removed from our own. Even though our team went there to serve, we were the
ones who were served, and all of us feel strengthened spiritually through the
experience of international mission.
2006 Mobile Health Fairs
By Rev. Clair Brewer
Hunger, Health and Housing Ministry Team Coordinator
Thank you to the 87 volunteers from 15 congregations who
participated in the Mobile Health Fairs and to the many church members who
contributed money and materials for Health Fair Kits.
We provided health screenings for 531 participants (a 6% increase from last
year), most of whom were migrant children, at 12 Health Fairs. Donations helped
pay for 158 dental follow up referrals and 96 medical referrals. Presbytery
donations for these Fairs helps pay for the referral care.
This year for the first time individuals other than the Synod’s Summer Team were
trained to do health screenings. If you would like to explore having a Health
Fair scheduled in your church or community in 2007, please contact Clair Brewer
at 419-433-6313 or
clairbrewer@huronohio.com.
2006 Mobile Health Fair Report:
The Mobile Health Fairs in
Maumee Valley Presbytery for 2006 have concluded and were very successful. A
great debt of gratitude is owed to Tammy Shceuermann, the Synod Health Fair
Coordinator, the Synod Health Fair Team, all the volunteers from the churches of
our Presbytery and the Presbytery and Synod staff members, and the many church
members who contributed money and materials for the health fair kits.
We served 531 participants
at 12 Health Fairs with 96 medical referrals, 158 dental referrals, and, to
persons 18 years and older, 97 glucose screenings.
A total of 87 volunteers
came from 15 congregations, plus the Presbytery and Synod staff members who
served at the Gibsonburg Health Fair. A number of volunteers served at more
than one health fair. Special thanks is owed the physicians, dentists and
nurses who volunteered their professional skills in performing the screenings:
Dr. Earl McLoneyof Norwalk, Dr. Mary Baldwin-Goldberger of Maumee,, Dr. Darrell
Hotmire of Bluffton, Dr. Christine Canfield of Norwalk, Dr. Norm Sommers of
Norwalk, Dr. Craig Johnson of Huron, and nurses Marge Gowen of Clyde, Carol
Brewer Kopkas of Berea, Marcia Young of Bowling Green, Anne Butcher of Port
Clinton, Sally Reed of Fostoria, and Lucy Russell of Maumee.
In addition the
congregations at Maumee, LaSalle and West Unity contributed $1125 for follow-up
care expenses.
Blanche and Ross McCormick
of the East Side Church in Fremont prepared and served the meal at our
orientation and kick-off meeting the night before the health fairs began and
Alyce Anny Schmidt of East Side, Fremont collected and assembled materials for
the health fair kits and the kits donated by several congregations.
We were expecting fewer
participants than last year because of changing crop cycles, immigration issues
affecting our Hispanic migrant population, and the Hurricane damage on the Gulf
Coast which generated construction employment opportunities with substantially
better pay than agricultural field work offers. Some of our health fairs,
indeed, had substantially fewer participants than last year, but others more
than compensated so that we had a 6% increase in the total number of
participants.
In April Clair Brewer and
Jose Salinas, Director of the Ohio Migrant Education Center in Fremont, gave a
joint presentation on our health fair program at a workshop session of the
National Conference of the National Association of State Directors of Migrant
Education in Denver. There was considerable interest in exploring the
possibilities for replicating our program in other parts of the country. Tammy
Scheuermann and Clair will join Jose to give a similar presentation at the same
conference in Phoenix in April of 2007. Our Presbytery and Synod Mobile Health
Fair Program is having an impact not only within our own bounds, but potentially
across the nation as well.
For the first time this
year we scheduled health fairs independently of the Ohio Migrant Education
Program, both in Norwalk for the benefit of the Mount Sinai Hispanic
Fellowship. These were supported by the Norwalk and Sandusky congregations.
Also for the first time,
persons other than the Synod Health Fair Team were invited to the training
sessions to prepare volunteers to conduct several of the screenings conducted at
the health fairs. This will make it possible to schedule health fairs at other
time of the year than during the summer season when the Synod Health Fair Team
is available. If you would like to explore having a health fair scheduled in
your church or community during the coming year, please contact Clair Brewer at
419-433-6313.
Congregational Life Chat Room
Would you like to save time, money and miles for your
meetings? The Branch of Congregational Life has implemented a secured chat room
that is available for groups in the Presbytery. Contact Gavin Pitt at
419-592-7736 or
revdocp@adelphia.net for more information on how you can utilize this
important tool. Gavin is the pastor at FPC in Napoleon, Ohio and serves on
the Branch of Congregational Life.
Mission Interpretation Speakers
The PC(USA) Office of Mission Connections has made available
a list of mission workers available for local church mission interpretation
assignment. A link to the list and more information is available at or
www.pcusa.org/missionconnections.
Schedule for Review of Session Minutes
Four upcoming dates have been scheduled for review of session
minutes and records. All reviews begin at 9:30 am.
Please be prompt so you are present to hear review instructions.
Sat., Sept.
30, Bluffton Presbyterian, Bluffton, OH
Sat., Oct.
14, First Presbyterian, Fremont, OH
Sat., Nov 5,
Fairgreen Presbyterian, Toledo, OH
Sat., Dec. 2,
First Presbyterian, Findlay, OH
Medical Plan Dues Increase 0.5% in 2007
The PC(USA) Board of Pensions directors approved an increase
of Medical Plan dues from 19% to 19.5% effective 2007. Total dues will now be
31.5%. For more information contact Beth Wenner in the Presbytery office.
APA Conference is Oct. 19—21
The Administrative Personnel Association (APA) is open to all
support church staff of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It provides continuing
education focusing on courses which will help you do your job better and more
effectively, be it financial or administrative.
The next conference for the Heartland Region of the APA will
be held October 19—21 in Columbus, Indiana. You are invited to come and
give APA a try. Some courses to be offered include: Polity, Interim Ministry,
Office Administration and Newsletter/Bulletins. Please contact Jane Hedges or
Beth Wenner at the presbytery office soon for a brochure and more information.
The registration deadline is September 22.
Maumee Valley’s Beth Wenner is the Heartland Regional
President of APA. This summer our Jane Hedges received her Certification I.
Dana Bourne, Findlay First Presbyterian is featured in the August APA
newsletter.
Open Yourself to Grace Experiences Oct. 22-24
A Fall Retreat of the Synod Spiritual Formation Team, Ohio
Group, will be held from 5 pm, Sunday, October 22 to 12 pm, Tuesday, October 24,
at the St. Therese’s Retreat in Columbus, OH. The Retreat will be led by Tim
Jones, former Maumee Valley Presbytery Executive Presbyter, and Linda Williams,
Pittsburg, PA. For more information go to
www.synodofthecovenant.org.
Ministry Marketing and Communications Made Easy on Oct. 12
The Synod of the Covenant is sponsoring a Church Marketing
and Communications Workshop on Thursday, October 12, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm, at the
Synod’s office in Maumee, OH. The workshop cost is $49, will be led by noted
author and workshop leader Yvon Prehn, and will be lively, upbeat, and packed
with information. For more information and registration go to
www.synodofthecovenant.org.
Synod Assembly is Oct. 4—6
Commissioners from the Presbyteries of the Synod of the
Covenant and observers are invited to the 2006 meeting of the Synod of the
Covenant Assembly, October 4—6 at the Synod office in Maumee, OH. For more
information call 1-800-848-1030 or go to
www.synodofthecovenant.org.
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