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Maumee Valley Presbytery is the
body of Christ, Presbyterian (U.S.A.), in northwestern Ohio and
southeastern Michigan. Our vision statement is: |
No Cost! No RSVP! Pre-Presbytery Workshops May 20Opportunities Not to be Missed! The workshops are FREE and require NO PRE-PEGISTRATION. Doing the Limbo will focus on “Moving Congregations Through Transitions.” Often transitions are missed opportunities in a church’s life, whether the transition is moving from one pastor to another, or reviving the church through redevelopment, or trying a different program or worship service. This workshop will talk about hints and tools for navigating transitions and will dedicate time to address specific church situations in small groups. The goal is to help each church take advantage of the positive opportunities available in times of transition to be able to serve God more faithfully together. Transformation in Cinema: More than Meets the Eye is a learning opportunity your educators, pastors and technical folk don’t want to miss. Are you interested in using multimedia in your Christian Education program? Are you using multimedia and want to learn more? Cary will provide a brief introduction and his theological foundation for using film clips to promote discussions as well as for sermon illustrations. On May 20 Cary will focus on examples supporting church transformation, but the foundation and techniques can be used for any theme.
From a Pastor’s Heart! Bob BidwellBy Rev. Bob Bidwell I have often shared with others, that the grief we feel at times like this is just a reflection of the blessings we have received. The sense of loss means we have lost something of great value and great importance to us. Linda took my broken life and made me happy and whole. She loved me unconditionally, accepting my many flaws, giving me so very much. She gave me a son, Jason, who is as fully my son as if I were his biological father, and who has given me joy and made me proud beyond imagination. She gave me a family, who welcomed me, and accepted me, when so much of my family was so far away. And she helped me create a home where love was shared and freely expressed, where we could be ourselves, and where we could provide a safe and loving place for our beloved dogs, many who came from painful pasts, and were afraid of people and of life itself. Our home became their sanctuary, and we have continued to ensure their comfort, even at the cost of being able to freely open our home and hospitality to others. Having Linda in my life was a constant reminder of the graciousness of God. Though we only had 13 years together, they were a blessing beyond any I could have ever hoped for. Linda made it possible for me to give so freely of my time to the church, the presbytery, and to my God. The love of my family, my church family, my friends, and my God are what are going to get me through this difficult time. These are the important things in life, the things that we need to make sure that we take time to appreciate and to show our appreciation for. My life will never be the same. There will always be a part of me missing, and for now at least, it seems like I will have a hard time laughing or enjoying life in the future anywhere near what I was able to with Linda. Yet, I could not have imagined my life before I met her, and thus realize that I must rely on God to reveal to me what comes next. I simply want to thank every person who has held me in prayer, who has been with me, or thought of me, or emailed or sent a card. There is no way for me to express how much each kindness and prayer have meant, other than to say that I have felt wrapped in the loving arms of God through this entire process, and I know it is because God has surrounded me with you.
Call for a Special Meeting of Maumee Valley Presbytery Monday, April 28thA special meeting of Maumee Valley Presbytery has been called for Monday, April 28, 2008, beginning at 7 p.m. The special meeting will be held at the Presbytery office located at 700 East Melrose Avenue, Findlay, OH 45840. Please direct all questions to the Stated Clerk Dean McGormley, 734-242-1545.
The Next Stated Meeting of Maumee Valley Presbytery is Tuesday, May 20thThe May 20th Stated Meeting of Maumee Valley Presbytery will be held at First Presbyterian Church, 21 Firelands Boulevard, Norwalk, OH 44857. The Presbytery meeting begins at 3 p.m., with registration and fellowship time starting at 2:30 p.m. Pre-Presbytery workshops will be presented at no cost, no RSVP, from 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., “Doing the Limbo” and “Transformation in Cinema”. The Focus of the Day will be Camps and Conferences, led by Rev. David Bartley. The deadline for meal reservations is May 15th to guarantee your dinner. Meal cost is $7 for adults and $3 for children 8 and under. E-mail your meal reservations to atimbs@firstpresbyterian.net or telephone 419-668-1923. Anyone with “Good News” to report, please call Barb Esterly for an opportunity to share at 419-882-8712 or e-mail besterly@buckeye-express.com.
New Commissioned Lay Pastor Class Accepting ApplicationsIf you or someone you know might have a call to lay ministry, the Commissioned Lay Pastor Training Program of Maumee Valley Presbytery is accepting applications to a new class starting in January 2009 (Class of 2011). More information and an application form is available from Rev. Tomas Pistora, CLP Dean, at 419-673-2173 or, or benandemily@columbus.rr.com, or may be downloaded from www.maumeevp.org.
SCEC Fully Accredited!The Spiritual Care and Education Center in Toledo, OH, which provides clinical pastoral education in Northern Ohio and Southeast Michigan was recently granted full accreditation with the Association for Clinical Pastoral Education. Their website is www.scec-cpe.org. Contact Rev. David Koch for more information.
Welcome to David Good!Welcome to Rev. David Good who recently began serving as interim pastor of First Presbyterian, Tiffin. He transfers to us from Whitewater Valley Presbytery.
Please Bring Mobile Health Fair Hygiene Kits to the May Presbytery MeetingMaumee Valley will host Mobile Health Fairs June 26—July 3. You are encouraged to bring hygiene kits and individual hygiene items for this summer’s Health Fairs to the May 20 Presbytery meeting at Norwalk. The Synod of the Covenant office will be assembling loose items into special bags along with information to distribute. A number of washcloths have been acquired by the Synod. The big need for individual items will be 2-4 oz. shampoos, soaps, and combs. (Hotel size shampoos and soaps). Nail brushes can be included. Again this year saline non-medicated eye drops, chapstick and sunscreen with a minimum of 15 SPF will be distributed as they are available. Cash donations are always appreciated too. Cash will be used for items purchased (some can be purchased in bulk) and for follow-up care when a client is diagnosed as needing further vision or dental care. Cash donations can be sent directly to the Maumee Valley Presbytery office, P.O. Box 853, Findlay OH 45839. The Synod has Mobile Health Fair crews available to service fairs sponsored by individual churches throughout the year. Tammy Scheuermann from the Synod office is available to visit your church to explain (by word or by power point) the process of holding a health fair for your members/community and for the training needed for screeners. Tammy can be reached at 1-800-848-1030. Other questions may be directed to Rev. Clair Brewer 419-433-6313 or to Alyce Ann Schmidt 419-332-9664.
Flood Relief Mission TeamsWe continue to need your help with flood relief. Please contact Lucy Russell at 419-260-6831 for Findlay and Ottawa work locations and Tami Robinson at 419-562-1732 for Bucyrus and Shelby locations. It has been reported that 67% of the volunteers coming to Ottawa this Spring are Presbyterians!
Church Pews AvailableFirst Presbyterian Church in Norwalk, OH has 40 church pews. The pews are 5 feet long and have blue cushions. They are in good condition. We would like to find a church that could use them. We will investigate transportation if needed. For more information contact Scot Davidson, Lake Erie Construction Company, 419-668-3302.
www.fuseworks.orgA group of young adults from Blissfield, MI First Presbyterian Church have started www.fuseworks.org as an outreach tool for people ages 19-29 for networking and fellowship in the Blissfield area.
The Board of Pensions More than “just insurance”By Rev. Bob Bidwell Also, our regional representative, Ernesto Badillo, says that many times pastors make decisions based on inadequate information, like retiring because of health problems, when they might be better off taking a medical disability and allowing their pension to grow. I encourage each of you to talk to Ernesto, or to talk to someone who understands the system, perhaps me, or David Bartley, or your COM contacts. We really have a great pension system, and it offers more than most people realize or take advantage of. Make the most of it (that’s just good stewardship) and don’t be afraid to ask questions. There are a lot of really nice people working for you at the Board of Pensions.
Healthcare Summit Tuesday, May 13, 2008Achieving health care for all. This one day summit sponsored by the Ohio Council of Churches is being held at North Broadway United Methodist Church in Columbus, OH. Cost is $20 and includes lunch. Register by April 30. For more information and a registration form go to www.ohiocouncilchs.org or contact Rev. Clair Brewer 419-433-6313.
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Maumee Valley
Presbytery P.O. Box 853 Findlay, OH 45839-0853
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