A Message from our General Presbyter

Transcription

1 PRESBYTERY OF SHENANDOAH Shenandoah Press Volume 3, Issue 10 December 2018 January 2019 A Message from our General Presbyter I hope that you had a lovely Thanksgiving; I know that we did, even if it was ten hours to family and twelve hours back! And though one of our sons couldn t make it, we welcomed the girlfriend of one of our other sons. Then the youngest son asked if he could make the traditional breakfast casserole, and the son with his girlfriend took on the job of preparing and cooking the turkey it was a different Thanksgiving! Change happened, which got me to thinking about change. Even if doing things in a different way may put us off-balance for a time, we can get our footing and move forward. Just like me handing over the reins of cooking it caused me some anxiety, but how wonderful that others wanted to help and do it their way. Inside this issue: Ethiopia 2 Sherando Legacy 3 November Presbytery Meeting Decisions Workshop 3 4 Invitations 5 6 Youth Triennium 7 Calendar Dates 8 How have you adjusted to change? I realize that there is change that is welcomed and change that is not, but if there is change happening then life is happening. Remember that not only when it comes to change personally but also change as it happens in the context of our congregations. We may not be what we once were but then we are not yet what we can and could be! As the New Year approaches let us be mindful that change is ever upon us and that we can change for the good. So as the Angel said Fear not; for behold I bring you good news of a great joy that shall be for all people; for to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Christ changed the world and changes us too! May it be so Blessings for this holiday season, Bronwen Presbytery Staff Bronwen Boswell, General Presbyter & Stated Clerk presbytersc@shenpres.org Nancy Meehan Yao, Associate General Presbyter assocgp@shenpres.org Kim Stroupe, Admin. Assistant kims@shenpres.org Heather Carter, Funds Admin. bookkeeper@shenpres.org Donna Lanaghan, Communications shenpres@shenpres.org Larry Holsinger, Treasurer

2 Page 2 Shenandoah Press Associate General Presbyter Nancy Meehan Yao We have returned, safe and sound, from our visit to Ethiopia. Our hearts of full of all that we saw, experienced, ate (our hosts were so good to us!), and especially filled with warmth from reconnecting with our partners in the Illubabor Bethel Synod. On October 17, we landed in Addis Ababa, and stayed in the Synod s guest house. After a days rest, we traveled west through Jimma to Metu. In doing so, we traveled through gorgeous scenery this part of Ethiopia is known as the grain belt, and we saw tef, the grain used to make the famous enjeera bread, growing in the fields. In Metu, we preached at local congregations, and were treated to lunch at the Kola Korma church, where we saw the kindergarten supported by a congregation in this Presbytery. We had the privilege of visiting the seminary in Metu, and meeting and speaking with the students, as well as sharing in morning devotions during the week. We toured the library, and spoke with leaders in the Synod and at the Seminary. We were able to connect with our friends Kes Amena, Kes Teriku, Kes Yonas, and others. The highlights of the trip, especially for us who had not been before, was to see some of the endeavors this Presbytery supports, in person. The Alge clinic, the Gore children s home and icare, the Lydia job center for women, and the Girl s school in Addis: it was a blessing to see these efforts bearing fruit, and to see so many churches growing, as the Gospel is preached and heard and lived. We ask you to continue to hold the partnership between this Presbytery and our friends and co-workers in Ethiopia. We blessed to live out the koinonia God calls us to. Rev. Nancy Meehan Yao, Rev. Carrie Evans, Rev. Karen Greenawalt, Rev. Peter Ford, Bill Burslem and Doug Sensabaugh.

3 Volume 3, Issue 10 Page 3 Stated Meeting of Shenandoah Presbytery November 27, Strasburg Presbyterian Church David Omps, newly Commissioned Ruling Elder at Bloomery Church Molly Morris, Candidate for Ministry HR Brad Langdon, Educational Hour Shenandoah Presbytery Corporation outgoing (left) and incoming (right) trustees A Legacy of Love Sherando Presbyterian Church closed its doors on September 19, 2018, after decades of ministry. But their legacy lives on. The Session, in conversation with the congregation and the Presbytery, voted to take some of the remaining resources and make a legacy gift to WATTS, the Winchester Area Thermal Shelter. In a thank you note to the Sherando members, David Witt, the President of the WATTS Board, wrote I know the sincere commitment of the Sherando Church family to providing a safe, warm, overnight shelter to those experiencing homelessness. I know that you have been through difficult times together and that your grief over the loss of your church continues. Yet, within the midst of your own mourning, you did not hesitate to consider others, bearing witness to the hope of our faith. We are people whose foundational story is about hope even in grief, and about light overcoming darkness. The legacy of Sherando church continues.

4 Page 4 Shenandoah Press Having fun with the Energizer led by Associate Presbyter Nancy Meehan Yao The Fall Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE) Workshop was attended by thirty plus people CREs, CRE Candidates, Small Church Pastors, CRE Oversight Committee Members, and Presbytery Staff. These events are held twice a year to fulfill the requirement of Continuing Education for CREs and CRE Candidates. It is an informative and fun time of sharing. The next workshop will be in the spring of Plan to attend if you serve a small church! Rev. Olivia Haney taught about the Abilene Paradox in the afternoon workshop Morning workshop Ingredients in Moral Decision Making (or Christian Ethics) led by Honorably Retired Malcolm Brownlee (far right)

5 Volume 3, Issue 10 Page 5 Attention All Churches Please note that all remittances need to be in the presbytery office by January 14, 2019 to be credited in the 2018 calendar year. Christmas Dinner and Concert Let Massanetta Springs put you in the holiday mood! Great food, fellowship, and music await you at Massanetta's annual Christmas Dinner and Concert. Dinner will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday December 1st with a concert by the Massanutten Brass Quintet to follow. Reservations are required. $20/Adult; $13/Child Youth; FREE children under 3. Reservations requested by 5:00 p.m. on Monday November 26.

6 Page 6 Shenandoah Press Massanetta is hiring! Massanetta Springs is looking for a Day Camp Manager to help us launch our new Netta Day Camp in This position is part time 9-10 months out of the year and full time during the summer camping season. A blog post about the position, full job description, and application information can be found at the following link: On Friday, December 21, 2018 at 5 p.m., Buena Vista Presbyterian Church invites everyone to our first Longest Night Service. The service will be held on the Winter Solstice, the one day of the year where we experience more darkness than light. For those who have experience the darkness of loss, the holidays can be sad and lonely. This service seeks to offer hope and healing for those for whom the holidays are not the most wonderful time of the year. The service includes some hymns, Scripture readings, prayers, and a brief sermon. It will be no longer than 45 minutes. Please join us for this service of healing and hope. For More Information about Longest Night, please contact: The Reverend Dr. Howard W. Boswell, Jr.; Pastor Buena Vista Presbyterian Church th Street P.O. Box 406 Buena Vista, VA bvpres@embarqmail.com Phone: (540)

7 Volume 3, Issue 10 Page 7 Board of Pensions

8 PRESBYTERY OF SHENANDOAH SHENANDOAH PRESBYTERY is a covenant body where: 1111 North Main Street Harrisonburg, VA Phone: Fax: shenpres@shenpres.org -CONGREGATIONS are empowered to be centers for mission -PEOPLE OF GOD are equipped to be Disciples of Christ in a challenging world -CHURCH LEADERS and members are nurtured and strengthened for service -OPEN COMMUNICATION and information are used constructively and creatively to keep us connected ShenPres.org Dates to Remember! December CMO 9:30 am 4 - CPT 10:00 am 6 - CPA 1:00 pm 13 - CRM 9:30 am 18 - Staff Meeting off-site 12:00 pm Office Closed for Christmas February 23 - Stated Presbytery Meeting at Bethel Church 9:30 am * Unless otherwise noted, all meetings are at the office of Shenandoah Presbytery, 1111 N. Main Street, Harrisonburg, VA January Office Closed for New Year 7 - Office Re-opens 7 - CCVT 1:30 pm 8 - CPT 10:00 am 8 - CRM 10:00 am 7 - CNCD 5:15 pm 12 - CMO 9:30 am 15 - Staff Meeting 9:30 am 16 - CPM 10:00 am 16 - Nominations 2:00 pm 17 - CPA 1:00 pm 21 - CRE Oversight 4:15 pm 22 - CPC 10:00 am 22 - Shenandoah Press Deadline 24 - CER 10:00 am