THE NEWSLETTER    Vol 53, No. 7                                  February 12, 2020
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Seven Marks of Vital Congregations: Lifelong Discipleship Formation

                   
 Anne and I have three grandchildren, ages 5, 1 and 10 weeks.  We have worked out regular interaction with them (and their parents) using Face Time-a video phone call.  Of course, each one is still developing, and we enjoy seeing the differences.  For example, Bradley, the oldest, is an expert in walking.  Daphne, a little over a year-old, is mastering the skill.  Gus, at ten weeks, is scooting around a bit. 
 
Walking, once you get it, doesn't need to be improved.  In some religious traditions the crucial step is baptism. A woman who was a member of one of the orthodox churches explained to me that once one was baptized there was no need, nor much encouragement, to delve any deeper into the faith.
 
Lifelong discipleship formation recognizes that our engagement in the Christian faith always has room for growth. A person once said to Maya Angelou, "I am a Christian," to which she replied, "Already?"  Indeed, the Christian experience is reengaged each morning when we wake up. How will our following Jesus shape our day, our opinions, our conversations, and our actions?
 
Lifelong discipleship formation recognizes that everyone can continue to grow in faith and faithfulness. Churches that stress the need for spiritual growth and offer the opportunities for individuals to engage faith in creative and challenging ways are "vital congregations."
 
7 Marks of Vital Congregations Study
February 16 - April 1

All adults are encouraged to find a class to be a part of for this 7 week study.

Class Options
Sunday Mornings 9:30 - 10:30 AM
1.  Present Word Class & Topics Class - Joan Salazar - Conference Room
2.  Table Talk - Jane Wolter-Williamson and David Williamson - Fellowship
            Hall Kitchen
3.  Lectionary Class - Don Liljestrand - E-3

Sunday Afternoons
4. Conference Room - Allen Mosiman - 4:30 - 5:30 PM
      *Stay for dinner afterwards with children and youth if you like.

Tuesdays 12:00 - 1:00 PM
 5. Women of the Word - Nancy Graves - Garden Room
        *Bring your lunch

Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:30 PM
 6. Book Discussion Group - Allen Mosiman - Garden Room


                   

 
Annual Congregation Meeting Highlights
 
The Annual Congregational Meeting was held on Sunday, February 9, and included a review of the ministry and mission activities of the church in 2019.  Here are a few highlights:
  • Acolyte program was revived by Nancy Graves and Kellie Jarvis.
  • The Worship Committee sought art pieces for the communion table.  Beau Hydrick submitted a standing cross, "The Cosmic Christ."
  • The Stewardship appeal for pledges toward the church operations for 2020 received the highest amount pledged in several years.
  • Treasurer Bill Quinton reported that of all of the revenue received 18% flowed back out of the church in the worm of benevolence giving.
  • Lucy McCracken reviewed the mission projects for the past year-and it was a long list!
  • The following people were elected to serve with Lou Lambiotte and Terry Koltermann on the Nominating Committee: Margot Whitaker, Rick Delano, Nancy Graves, Norman Wilcox, and John Holmgreen. 
Sara's Kids Program

Click here to watch Lessie Hoffman's interview with a local news station talking about the Sara's Kids program.

Izzy's Food Pantry
Please drop off your food items to the narthex for the next 2 weeks. All dry and canned goods are welcomed.

Guatemala Dinner and Silent Auction - Call for Auction Items
You are invited for a fun night of fellowship that will raise money to fund our next mission trip to Guatemala. Mark your calendar now to save the evening of February 21st. The money raised will be used for things the children in the Miguel Magone Children's Home need and to help offset a portion of the cost of the trip for mission participants. We will have a silent auction to raise the majority of the funds.
 
While plans are in the works, the Mission Outreach Committee asks you to please prayerfully consider something you might be willing to donate to be auctioned. It can be an actual item, a service such as computer troubleshooting, a stay in the family condo, a special experience such as a sailing trip, etc.  Use your imagination!  Any item, time, or talent you think might be wanted is welcome. Thank you for helping the children of Guatemala. Call or email if you have a donation for the silent auction. Thank you!

** Important! Items are due no later than February 16th. You are welcome to drop off donations to Parkway or Roxie Pranglin.  Questions? Text or call Roxie at (806)679-6027. 
 

JKR Rally Day And Summer Camp!

Rally Day is a perfect way to get to know John Knox Ranch and get excited for the  summer: meeting camp staff, free lunch, camp tours, hayrides, silly songs and singing, and more! A FREE day of camp activities for your family.
 

Saturday, April 4, 2020. 10am - 3pm. This is a drop-in event. Come for all or part.
 
10am - Noon. Walking Tours of Camp. Sports and Games at the outdoor
      pavilion.
12:00 - Welcome from the Director, LUNCH
12:30 - Silly Songs and Singing
  1:00 - Camp Activities Open! We will have camp staff running the following
     activities. Explore the ranch and participate in activities with your family.
Hay Rides
Archery
Canoeing
Disc Golf
Swimming in the pool
Visit the CAMP STORE in the dining hall

3:00 - Activities conclude.
 
John Knox Ranch fosters experiences of Christian community in the beauty of God's creation. JKR is a place where love, acceptance, grace, and FUN flow freely. JKR offers resident camp for students entering grades 2 - 12 and day camp for kids ages 4 - 8.
 
Campers enjoy swimming, archery, rappelling, rock climbing, arts and crafts, nature discovery, ropes challenge course, Bible study and spiritual formation, canoeing, sharing homemade family-style meals, overnight campouts, and more.
 
Attending camp at JKR helps children and youth develop social and interpersonal skills, a sense of self, and an understanding of our place in and responsibility for this pretty planet. JKR is a place where all are welcome; where identity is formed through self-awareness and service, where differences are celebrated; where children grow into counselors, counselors become leaders, and leaders bring patience, inclusion, and excellent servant leadership to their own professions and communities.
Register today https://johnknoxranch.org/  $25 early bird discount before April 1. Scholarship applications are available during the registration process. Parkway also has scholarship funds for those interested in attending camp. Talk to Laura Neely Villarreal.

Women of the Word
Tuesdays at noon

All women are welcome to join us, each Tues at 12 noon for an hour of Bible Study.   Next week we will watch/discuss a video provided by Jean Ware.
 
Starting Feb 18, we will start the 7 week church-wide Bible study  Seven Marks of Vital Congregations.

Questions? Contact Nancy .


Acolyte Service Needs Volunteers
Click here to sign up. Please sign up for acolyte  spots!



Children and Youth Fellowship
Sundays, 4:30PM - 6PM in Fellowship Hall
Music, activities and Bible lessons weekly
For children 4 years - 5th grade 
& 
Youth 6th grade - 12th grade

Families, sign up to help with meals  HERE.
  

February 16 --  February 22
Sunday 
  9:30 Sunday School - 
             Church-Wide Bible Study
  4:30 Fellowship
  4:30 Church-Wide Bible Study 
              (conference room)
   
Monday
12:00 Sweet Surrender Sisters 
             Reunion Group
  5:30 Finance  Committee Meeting
  6:30 PW Poyner Evening Circle

Tuesday
  9:30 Staff Meeting
10:00 Musikgarten
10:00 WOW Ladies Bible Study
  5:30 Education Committee Meeting
   6:30 Sweet Adelines/ Sparkling City
             Chorus
 
Wednesday
  5:30 Book Discussion Group -
              Church-Wide Bible Study
  6:15 Handbell Rehearsal
  7:15 Choir Rehearsal

Thursday
  9:00 Pyrography Class
12:00 La Leche League
   4:00 Turquoise Table

Friday 
 4:45 Loaves and Fishes

Saturday
  9:00 Coastal Bend Woodturners Meeting
 
 


Loaves and Fishes (Metro Ministries)
Loaves & Fishes is a free cafeteria that serves nutritious dine-in meals for the homeless, poor, working poor, disabled, and elderly. This program provides lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. Parkway has committed to serving in the soup kitchen every Friday, from 4:45 to 6 pm. A food handler's permit is required and quite easy to obtain. If you would like to participate in this ministry, contact Irene Jones.

February 14
Anne Veech
Irene Jones





February  21
Ann Bolton-Brownlee
Alice Napier


Prayer Concerns
If you would like to place a prayer concern onto the prayer chain, please call or text Karen Wesson at 361-815-2099, or send an e-mail to klwesson@stx.rr.com. If you are not currently receiving the prayer chain emails (or your email address has changed) and wish to participate in lifting up concerns of the congregation, you may add yourself to the distribution list by going to your Realm account at  www.parkwaypc.org .
                                                                                      
Evie Weatherbie
June Baker Dallas Marek  Billie Franklin
Elizabeth Falk Dick McCracken Tom Kimes
John Piatt
Linda Habeeb (friend of Walta Ocker) Harmony Conn
Judy Forbes
Charlene Chesshir