Rock 905 The monthly newsletter of Rock Lake Presbyterian Church 905 Village Drive, South Charleston, WV

Transcription

1 Rock 905 The monthly newsletter of Rock Lake Presbyterian Church 905 Village Drive, South Charleston, WV Dear Members and Friends,...on this rock I will build my church Matthew 16:18 Rev. Richard W. McGuire November 2018 Last spring Attorney General Jeff Sessions, used Romans 13, to justify the administration s policy separating migrant children from their parents. He was criticized by scholars, clergy and others from across the religious spectrum. On the surface the hubbub was about misinterpreting a few Bible verses. At a deeper level it asks: How do we correctly read the Bible in times of public conflict and crises, including today s political issues? Sadly, much of our Bible reading and that of our political leaders is influenced by our fear and a lack of theological understanding. We use Scripture to shore up our own faith perspectives and partisan politics. Unfortunately, this approach only serves to intensify both political and theological crises. Sadly, too many churches have proclaimed a misshapen picture of Christianity. They proclaim who s in and who s out, who s saved and who s lost, feeding partisan positions about immigration and race, preaching about scarcity and loss rather than abundance and hope. Before we are consumed by such a marred picture of our faith, let s return to Scripture to find resources to fill our understanding Christianity with the generosity, hope and grace granted to us by God So, a more Biblically appropriate approach is to open our hearts and invite scripture to teach us new things about God s grace, reshape us and reclaim Jesus Christ s good news, which calms our fears, deepens our trust in God and gives us a greater sense of hope. It leads to a renewed understanding of who God is and who we are as God s children and each other s neighbors. A more imaginative, more faithful reading of Scripture requires humility. It requires us to note the limits of our own perspectives, that we read Scripture through a narrow lens. While what we see is not complete, it can be full of God granted insight. We might recognize that no one cultural understanding holds a monopoly on the depths of the Bible s meanings. It involves us understanding that multiple, even differing perspectives of Scripture are not a threat but can enhance our own understanding of the Bible. Interpreting Scripture is not done in isolation but as a community of believers whose diverse understandings of Scripture are gifts, not obstacles, to understanding and interpreting the Bible. When Scripture is read treasuring the many perspectives that people bring to it, we can approach it with greater curiosity and imagination. We can acknowledge how power is used and abused by reflecting on the biblical writers complex relationships with imperial power. Reading Scripture is a communal activity, requiring discernment and charitably listening as much as knowledge of ancient history and languages. A renewed, more generous biblical imagination can reenergize our thinking, our identities, and yes, even our politics. The very essence of the good news of Christ, consistently draws us from fear to hospitality, calling us to welcome the exile, the refugee and the stranger. Unfortunately, to fear the other is an easy lever for our political leaders to pull. So calling us to place our trust in the gospel above all else is the work of God s grace and the work Christ s churches. Pastor s Column continued on the following page.

2 A generous, grace-filled imagination can be a sure guide for us these days, leading us away from fear and toward Jesus concept of hospitality, a hospitality that calls us all home. In a divisive time of theological and political crises, we may be tempted to lament that Christianity ever became political. The problem isn t that the church became political. The gospel has always been political. God s call to love our neighbors, is a call into political questions. The problem is that we are easily tempted to sacrifice the good news of Christ to partisan power, mistaking our partisan commitments for God s decrees. It is tempting to be manipulated by partisan actors who know how to pull the levers of fear, anxiety and hopelessness. The call from Scripture is simple: Love your neighbor. So, let s not retreat from political questions. Instead let s relook at them with courage, imagination and a love of our neighbors. Let s not give up hope. Yes at times we will get things wrong and will need to repent our misunderstandings. But first and foremost, let s love. After all, Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 13:8 that love never ends. And let s hope, for hope does not disappoint us, because God s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us (Romans 5:5 NRSV). This article is condensed from: THE ALBAN WEEKLY, TUESDAY, JULY 10, 2018 Grace and peace, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ THANKSGIVING OFFERING SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 Since its founding in 1919 Davis-Stuart has heavily relied upon, and been blessed by, the prayers and financial support of the Christian community. For over ninety years this unique ministry has been providing for the needs of West Virginia children and their families. During its existence Davis-Stuart has remained a safe haven for youth who for various reasons cannot live at home, providing for them a loving, stable environment to grow, learn and develop insight into their problems and difficulties. Through program design we strive to provide an environment that is conducive for a young person to develop the skills to be a healthy citizen in body, mind, and spirit. With your help they can continue these life changing services ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ OCTOBER 2018 SESSION DIGEST 1. WORSHIP: On October 7, 33 people received communion. 2. CONGREGATIONAL CARE: The next pot luck lunch is Sunday, November 18, following worship. 3. PROPERTY: Two more roof repair bid packages went out on October 9, which will bring in the 3 bids needed to select a final contractor. 4. ADMINISTRATION & FINANCE: The committee met with church staff to discuss church finances. The stewardship task force met October 4, agreeing to Abundant Joy as this year's stewardship theme. Commitment Sunday will be November CHRISTIAN NURTURE: Pollen8 is writing a grant that would include purchasing the church van from the church. The current value of the van is estimated at $1, MISSION & SERVICE MINISTRY & NEW MINISTRY TASK FORCE (RLCLC): Session discussed a proposal for Recalibr8, to be offered by Pollen8. Recalibr8 is a holistic approach to healing the community.

3 November Worship Volunteers NURSERY LITURGISTS Nov 4 Sara Bragg Dick Clark Nov 11 Kelly Straight / Barb Clark John Haynes Nov 18 Ed & Merrily Bailey Ann Rinehart Nov 25 George & Judy Powers David Broyles MEN OF THE CHURCH 6 P.M. NOVEMBER 13TH Meet in the church parlor. The meal will be from Bob Evans followed by fellowship and story telling by the members gathered. If you want to come and haven t been contacted, please call the church office. All men are invited. NOVEMBER LUNCH OUT 1 p.m. on the 27th at Little Creek Country Club. Call Jo Clark ( ) to make your reservation. Transportation can be provided. We ll leave the church at 12:30. Birthdays: 1 Decker Elder 5 Susan Wilder 6 Erica Smith Barker 6 Layne Gumowski 10 Matthew Estill 10 Tristan Crouch 12 James Straight 12 Tre Hardin 16 Carlton Lee 20 Mike Godwin 21 David Barnes 21 Scott Hamilton 21 Keith Knowles 21 Laine Wilder 23 Londyn Straight 26 Jacob Bradley 28 Caleb Crosby 28 Jerry Childers Anniversaries: THE NOVEMBER POT LUCK LUNCH HAS BEEN MOVED FROM NOVEMBER 11TH TO FOLLOWING WORSHIP SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 18TH AND WILL BE A THANKSGIVING CELEBRATION! Bring your favorite Thanksgiving themed covered dish, salad, or dessert to share. Everyone is welcome! Mark the date on your calendar now. Remember, the most important ingredient is YOU! Like us on Facebook: Rock Lake Presbyterian Church and Rock Lake Community Life Center 8 Brett & Emily Baker 11 Rick & Sarah McGuire 17 Don & Susie Straight 24 David & Nancy Broyles Newsletter Deadline: November 15th Please send your items to rlpc@wirefire.com on or before this date!

4 HEART + HAND OUTREACH MINISTRIES NEW STAFF POSITION DONOR SERVICE REPRESENTATIVE The community graciously supports their neighbors by making donations to Heart + Hand. Clothing and household items are sorted and stocked in our Thrift Store where we provide vouchers for low income families to obtain what they need. The rest of the inventory is available to the entire community at bargain prices and is a year -round fundraiser for Heart + Hand programs. We have created a new position the Donor Service Representative will be responsible for the donor experience in the rear of the Heart + Hand building. This includes greeting the donor, assisting with unloading their vehicle, providing a tax receipt, and donation information sheet. Keeping the property clean and organized is a big part of the donor experience. Mentoring and being a team leader with work release volunteers leverages our manpower to assist the donor. This position is the face of the organization to those that provide the resources for us to operate a thrift store. Due to its proximity, this position will also be responsible for nurturing and harvesting the tomato garden for distribution in our food pantry boxes. The position hours align with our published hours for accepting donations: Monday through Saturday 10am 3pm. The pay is $9 per hour and 30 hours per week. The position could be shared by two individuals as long as we can cover this schedule. Please contact Vicki Ballengee at or executivedirector@hhomwv.org.

5 RLPC - RLCLC November 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 4 Daylight Saving Time ends 11 3:00 pm A&F regular meeting (RLPC) 18 Older Youth Retreat at Bluestone 12:00 pm Potluck Lunch 1:30 pm KR&G (FH) 25 Thanksgiving Offering 5 1:30 pm AA 12 Office Closed (Veterans Day observed) 1:30 pm AA 7:00 pm Circle :30 pm AA 26 1:30 pm AA 6 9:30 am Carbide Old Timers 13 6:00 pm Men of the Church 20 6:30 pm Stated Session Meeting 27 1:00 pm Lunch Out :00 pm CGC 8 15 December Newsletter Deadline 22 Office Closed Thanksgiving Day Older Youth Retreat at Bluestone 23 Office Closed :00 am Calligrapher's Guild (FH) 17 Older Youth Retreat at Bluestone Dancer's Choice (FH) 24

6 Rock Lake Presbyterian Church 905 Village Drive South Charleston, WV Church Staff: Rev. Rick McGuire Pastor Kim Hannan Administrative Secretary Marilyn Padon Music Director Pam Ferrell Organist / Accompanist ===================================== ROCK LAKE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH 905 VILLAGE DRIVE SOUTH CHARLESTON, WV rlpc@lumos.net Website: Like us on Facebook: Rock Lake Presbyterian Church and Rock Lake Community Life Center The Session Class of 2018 DeeDee Means John Solberg Class of 2018 John Haynes Margie Gumowski Class of 2020 James Straight Jackie Thompson Committee Chairs Christian Nurture Congregational Care Administration/Finance Property Worship Mission & Service & New Ministry Task Force (RLCLC) James Straight John Haynes John Solberg