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| Struggling Church finds life by living 'like you are dying.' |
Members of Christ United Methodist poured their energy into volunteering, breathing new life into their church.
By Shannon Prather Star Tribune
Facing a slow death, the declining membership of
Christ United MethodistChurch in Maplewood gathered in 2015 to confront their future.
The aging, mostly white congregation had shrunk to fewer than 100 members. The collection plate no longer covered a full-time pastor's salary. And it had tenuous connections to its neighborhood, now a mosaic of immigrant families of differing faiths.
"We gave up on survival," said the Rev. Rachael Warner, then a rookie pastor in her first assignment. "We decided if our church only had a few more years left, we wanted them to be years of full integrity - our values, lived out. We decided to let the Holy Spirit show us where to go and follow without reservation."
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| Annual Presbytery Meeting Notice- November 11th |
To: Teaching Elder and Ruling Elder Commissioners:
Notice of Annual Meeting of the Presbytery of Transylvania
The Presbytery of Transylvania will meet on Saturday, November 11, 2017, at Corbin Presbyterian Church, 601 Master Street, Corbin, KY 40701. (The Presbytery thanks the pastor, staff, elders and members of Corbin PC for hosting the presbytery meeting.)
The Presbytery convenes at 10:00 AM. Registration opens at 9:00 AM. Lunch will be provided at the meeting and costs $7.00. If you need childcare, please make your request with Robyn Justus by November 3rd. Email: [email protected]. If you are unable to attend, please request an excused absence from the Stated Clerk. Email: [email protected].
The meeting will include the election and installation of the 2018 moderator, Worship with the Sacrament of Communion, a commemoration of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, the Necrology, ordinary business and time for fellowship.
As one way to commemorate the Reformation, our pastors will process into the worship space. Pastors: please bring a robe and stole and wear them for the opening worship.
An offering (cash donations or food items) will be collected at the Presbytery meeting to support the Corbin PC Food Pantry.
If you have questions or need further information, please respond to the email address above. God's blessings to each one and see you soon in Corbin.
The Rev. Jerry L. Utt, II Stated Clerk
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| From the Stated Clerk.... |
Reminders to clerks of session that statistical season is fast approaching. Robyn and I are working on the letters that will go to each church and clerk. We hope to get them out by the first of December, and the deadline for reporting will be February 2, 2018. Clerks can go on and be reviewing membership rolls, updating elder and officer lists, gathering data, etc. Thank you for attending to these very important matters.
I had a question from a clerk, asking about a new Book of Order. Since the General Assembly has gone to biennial meetings, the Book of Order also updates biennially. The new edition, which covers the years 2017-2019 is now available for purchase. It can be ordered through the Louisville Office (using your church PIN) or downloaded as a computer file. I checked Amazon and it's not there yet, but will be soon. The book costs $8 or $10, and each pastor and clerk of session should have the newest copy. Contact me if you have other questions about the Book of Order.
I had comments about an earlier article on the preservation of church records. The Presbyterian Historical Society has grants to assist churches in documenting and preserving their legacies. You can find more information on the website:
www.history.pcusa.org. If enough churches/clerks express interest, we can have a workshop on best practices in preserving church records. Send me an email and we'll see what we can put together.
If ever you have a question or need help, the best way to reach me is email:
[email protected].
Peace, Jerry
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| KCC Annual Assembly Delegate Report- Rev. Susan Warren |
Jesus didn't call his followers to a round-table, months-long meeting in Fellowship Hall to figure out a way forward. No. He said, "Follow me," and he meant "now," admonished a keynote speaker to this year's annual assembly of the Kentucky Council of Churches.
"Church should be preparing people for the road, to be caretakers of God's world," said Jack Jezreel, founder of JustFaith Ministries, speaking to clergy and lay representatives meeting in Jeffersontown for the 70th annual assembly. JustFaith is a non-profit tackling social justice issues. Speaking to this year's theme, "Unpacking Power and Privilege," Jezreel urged churches to focus on mission - "no one is excused" - and establish a kinship with victims of social and racial injustice. Along with other speakers and break-out session leaders, Jazreel urged churches to understand wealth as a problem on which Jesus focused even more than prayer, and to listen to the voices of those left behind.
The assembly also formally installed the Rev. Dr. Donald Gillett II as executive director and announced a staff restructuring plan.
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| Christmas Joy Offering Resources |
CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING:
SUPPORTING PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE LEADERS
WHEN IS THE CHRISTMAS JOY OFFERING RECEIVED?
The Christmas Joy Offering is traditionally received during the Advent Season. However, you can help sustain the important PC(USA) ministries and programs that are supported by the Christmas Joy Offering by by
making an online gift at any time throughout the year at any time throughout the year. Checks can be mailed care of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) to P.O. Box 643700; Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.
HOW IS MY GIFT USED?
Each year during the Advent and Christmas season, we turn our eyes to Bethlehem and celebrate the wondrous gift of Jesus Christ, our Savior. By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, you honor this gift by providing assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and developing our future leaders at Presbyterian-related racial ethnic schools and colleges.
RESOURCES
Use these resources for promoting the Christmas Joy Offering in your church. Documents will open in a new tab when clicked below. To order resources directly or to check your congregation's standing order, call Presbyterian Publishing at (800) 533-4371 or
email [email protected].
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| APCE Registration |
It is time to register for the Annual Event for the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators. Registration is on-line at
http://www.apcenet.org/. Early bird registration ends December 8, but popular workshops fill up quickly, so don't wait!
This event is in our APCE Region (Mid-South) and we have some scholarship funds available. Our region's president, Doodle Harris, can be contacted about financial assistance.
There are great workshops for all who engage in education, youth ministry, planning worship and more. The theme is Deep & Wide - Boundless Hospitality, and this will be part of every workshop. People interested in curriculum have an opportunity to attend POINT training (each Presbytery can send two) to learn about new curriculum, and in particular our new Confirmation materials coming out in 2018. And there is much much more!
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| Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) Application |
The
Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is a faith-based year of service in
22 sites around the world and in the United States. YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation while exploring the meaning and motivation of their faith in community with peers and mentors.
Program benefits include a regular stipend, housing, transportation and student-loan repayment options throughout the duration of the service year. For more info, visit the FAQ tab at the top of the YAV homepage. Also, following @yavprogram on social media is a great resource.
· October 1
st
- Applications Open
· January 1
st
-Round 1- (All sites available, early placement)
· March 1
st
- Round 2 - (Most sites available, final date to apply to international sites)
· June 1
st
- Round 3 - (National sites only, limited spots available)
If you have any questions about the application process, specific site placements, etc., please email [email protected].
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| Lunch and Learn- Boyle County Agency for Substance Abuse |
"
Grief and Loss in Families with Substance Use Disorders
"
What: Second in a Quarterly "Lunch and Learn" Series for Pastors on Substance Abuse and Mental Health Issues
When: November 14, 2017 from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
Where: Indian Hills Christian Church
516 Grabruck Street, Danville, Kentucky
Workshop Leader: Pastor Bryan Montgomery,
Danville Church of God
SPONSORED BY:
Hope Network and Boyle County Agency for Substance Abuse Policy (ASAP)
*
No Registration Fee -
Preregistration is required for a lunch count, by emailing Kathy Miles at [email protected] by November 9, 2017.
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| Pastoral Opportunites and other Job Opportunities |
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There are a number of Pastoral Opportunities available in the Presbytery. If you know of anyone who might be interested in one of the following positions, please share this information with them.
First Presbyterian Church, Somerset- Solo Pastor
Beaumont Presbyterian Church- Head of Staff
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| Church News and Events |
Events listed here do not reflect the view of the whole Presbytery and should not be seen as an endorsement of a particular theological view or stance unless otherwise stated. If you have an event or news you would like to share with the Presbytery, please email
[email protected]
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| Ordination Anniversaries |
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November
11/03 Stephen Palmer- 26 years
11/19 Armando Divas- 62
years
11/13 Janet Prewitt- 12
years
11/21 Mary Weese- 13
years
11/30 Rachel Anderson- 10
years
11/30 E.G. Clark- 48
years
May God continue to bless your ministry!
If we have missed your ordination anniversary or have incorrect information, please email
[email protected] so we can update your information.
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November Meeting Dates
11- Presbytery Meeting, 10 am, Corbin
13- Pastoral Transitions Commission, 10 am, Winchester
28- Administration Commission, 3 pm, Second,Lex
Presbytery Meetings 2017
Saturday, November 11 - 10:00 a.m. - Corbin Presbyterian.
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Presbytery of Transylvania
PO Box 23580
Lexington, Kentucky 40523
859-264-8867
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