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"Seek the Shalom of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf, for in its Shalom you will find your Shalom"
-Jeremiah 29:7
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Welcome to the first edition of Seeking Shalom
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Welcome to the first edition of Seeking Shalom, a newsletter designed for Mission Elders and Chairs of congregations in the National Capital Presbytery. The goal is to eventually make this a bi-monthly newsletter, filled with upcoming events, valuable resources and even ideas. As I have been going out and visiting churches, so many folks want to know whats happening, but the truth is, there is so much happening, its hard to spread the word! The goal of this newsletter is to be a one stop shop for all things mission in the NCP, no matter how small, and to supplement the all the information that is already being passed around via Thursday Mail, Mission Highlights, Facebook and Twitter.
What I need from you is to spread the word and encourage people to sign up. The other important part of this is to share info with me. I will include all the events i hear about, and will also talk about any new ideas congregations are working on. My hope is that hearing about what other congregations are doing will inspire each of you to do even more! Also, everything that gets posted here will also get posted on the brand new
nationalcaptialmission.org website, which i strongly recommend checking out (and letting me know how it can be improved)!
For this first issue, I wanted to start with folks I had either met, or whose name was passed on by someone I have met in person. In other words the audience is not particularly huge, but its intentional and I want word of mouth and relationship buidling to be the primary means of growth! I also welcome contributions, things you think might be helpful to other Mission Elders and Mission Chairs.
To finish up, because I can talk about this stuff for a really long time if you let me, I want all of you to know that you have a partner in Mission, and I look forward to assisting you in any way I can.
Yours in Christ,
Rev Michael McNamara
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Racial Awareness & Mindfulness
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Come to this mini-festival of arts, healing and justice, led by one of NCP's own Therese Taylor-Stinson. It will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on October 15th and will be a great opportunity to reflect on the reality of race in America through both the arts and practical engagement.
To Learn More, Click Here
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Invite Mike to Speak at your next Mission Committee Meeting
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One of the best things I have found I can do to help congregations is to learn what they are doing and build relationships with leaders. This way as I make my way around the Presbytery I can share what your congregation is doing with others and let your congregation know about what others are doing that might be of benefit your ministry and mission. I currently have a great PowerPoint that illustrates the way mission money flows through our presbytery and what resources are available to your congregation, so go ahead, send me an email, and get me out to your Mission Meeting ASAP!
Email Mike to Schedule a Visit
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International Peacemaker at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church
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International Peacemaker Rev Rami al-Maqdasi of Iraq will be doing a number of events at New York Avenue Presbyterian Church and across the DMV the weekend of October 1st & 2nd.
Keep an eye on nationalcapitalmission.org for updates
Most notably will be
- Worship with New York Avenue Pres on Sunday October 2nd
- Global Mission Network Meeting at Saint Mark Presbyterian Church on Saturday October 1st from 10am-1pm
Make sure to check it out and get a chance to interact with such a great resource for our presbytery.
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Community Coalition for Haiti
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Started by folks at Vienna Presbyterian Church, the Community Coalition for Haiti takes regular trips to the country. Find out more in their most recent newsletter
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Already Thinking about Summer Mission Trips?
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Two popular destinations for summer mission trips will certainly be to West Virginia and to South Louisiana. For South Louisiana, it will still be a few months before things start to get organized. I, Mission Specialist Mike McNamara, can serve as a great resource for finding organizations to volunteer with through the PDA as things become clearer.
The picture in West Virginia is clearer, where the PDA is already working with a strong organization on the ground:
WV Ministry of Advocacy & Workcamps click on the link to learn more
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Refugees and Syria, an event and new Mont Co group forming
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On September 20th, there will be a lunch event at Lewinsville Presbyterian Church to learn about what is happening in Syria and how the church is responding
click here for more info on event
A new interfaith group is forming in the Gaithersburg area called Montgomery County Interfaith Refugee Resettlement Neighbors (MCIRRN) They 12 families they are helping support. If you would like to get involved email:
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University of Livingstonia Foundation
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On Sunday September 25th at 3pm there will be a fundraiser for the University of LIvingstonia in Malawi at St Matthews Presbyterian Church
U of Livingstonia Fundraiser
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The Right Way to Respond to a Disaster
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On September 21st, there is a great opportunity to get to hear Ruth Brown, Mission Co-worker in the Congo at Warner Memorial Presbyterian Church
Ruth Brown at Warner Memorial
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Actions from September Mission Coordination Meeting
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At this month's Mission Coordination Meeting:
- We heard from Holly Ulmer, Chaplain for United Campus Ministries at University of Maryland, where she told us about the work they are doing with a wonderful Lillie Foundation Grant
- a grant was approved for Saint Mark Presbyterian Church to hold a Theology Racism and Christian Practice Symposium on Feb 10-12, 2017 and March 31st, 2017
- And Discussed the formation of a task force, facilitated by leadership council, to determine how best the presbytery can engage and respond to issues around Race.
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Upcoming Mission Network Meetings
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Have events coming up? Want to talk about something you learned while engaging in Mission? Have a question you would like to get answered? Just want to share some joy around a great minsitry, let me know and I will make sure to get it in the next edition of Seeking Shalom!
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