Midweek Musings Newsletter

April 23, 2008

 

NCP Office Summer Hours:  Please be advised that effective May 23 - August 29 the Presbytery office will be closed on Fridays.  Normal hours of operation will resume on September 5th.

 

Attention Churches:  2008 Camp/Conference scholarships

are still available!

Please see below for more details.

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 796th Stated Meeting of Presbytery

Tuesday, May 20, 2008

Buckingham Presbyterian Church

Berlin, MD  21811

Council Meeting - 9:00 am

Presbytery Meeting - 10:00 am

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Midweek Musings by Jim Moseley, Executive Presbyter

 

The next three days will be ones of study, discernment and contemplative prayer for me.  I will be staying in what once was a Capuchin Monastery north of New York City on the Hudson River.  This three-day retreat completes a six month "coaching" track offered through Auburn Seminary which has been unlike any coaching I might have imagined.  My assumption was that time management skills, goals, conflict management and best practices would constitute the curricula.  That's not been the case.  The work has been highly reflective and demanding of contemplative and even artistic practices.

 

The first assignment... draw a picture (metaphor) of your presbytery (system).  Reflect on its many dynamics.  Don't draw a diagram of your structure!  I like to doodle, but this was demanding.  The picture I drew has been taped to my office door.  Come take a look.  The second assignment... where are you in the picture?  Place yourself in the midst of your system and reflect upon... What is your purpose?

 

So for many months of writing, drawing, dreaming, praying and comtemplation I am drawing to an end of this course.  I'll be taking my picture with me.

 

It does occur to me that our inclination has been to think of church and its many parts as a mechanical system not unlike a machine... like a car.  When it breaks we replace the parts.  This is usually the pastor or the misbehaving member.  There is a reson some churches like some committees and some families stay in upheaval no matter how hard we try to fix them.  Determining what keeps the system in chaos I suspect begins not with diagnosis and part replacement.  It may help to begin with the simple assignment... draw a picture (metaphor) of your church... not a diagram of its structure... a picture.  Where are you in the picture?  What are you doing/not doing?  And what is your purpose?

 

Give yourself a few months to think and pray on this.  I would be interested to hear from you.  When I write again in the Midweek Musings I'll tell you what I am learning about New Castle Presbytery and where I find myself in the picture.

 

The peace of Christ be with you!

 

- Jim Moseley

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Thank You

 

Dear Friends,

 

I am blessed, humbled and deeply comforted by the cards, emails, calls, prayers and visits from the members of the New Castle Presbytery at this time of loss for my family.  My sister was 43 years old and lived with serious physical and mental illness for many years.  Though I will miss her, I trust she is experiencing the joy and peace with our God who has granted her rest and relief.

 

These waters are strange and sometimes deep, but with the love and support of friends, and the strength from the Holy Spirit, we will reach safe shore with greater faith and greater joy in living.

 

Blessings,

 

- Jackie

 

Deborah Elaine Taylor Obituary: Deborah Taylor Obituary.pdf

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Presbyterian Men

 

Presbyterian Men now have a home on the NCP website: http://ncpresby.pbwiki.com/Presbyterian+Men!  Please go to this page on a regular basis for news and information on Presbyterian Men.  You can also access this page from the side bar.

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New Per capita Website Provides Resources

 

(PNS) The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has launched a new website (www.pcusa.org/PerCapita) featuring interpretive and educational materials about per capita funding at the General Assembly level.

 

The site is sponsored by the denomination's Office of the General Assembly (OGA).  It is designed to address such questions as:  What is per capita?  Why is it important?  What do General Assembly per capita dollars provide?

 

Per capita is a set amount of money (apportionment) per member that congregations pay to the larger PC(USA).  The money covers such things as the administrative expenses of the General Assembly, the OGA, and a portion of activities of the General Assembly Council (GAC) executive director's office.  A complete list of church entities, agencies and programs supported by per capita funding at the General Assembly level is detailed on the website's "What per capita supports" page.

 

The website's resources page includes a downloadable brochure with a detailed description explaining GA per capita.  Also included is a link to Hubbard Press to order special-occasion pew envelopes, including one for per capita giving, for congregations that ask members to pay their per capita and regular offering amount. 

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Peace Prayers

 

In response to the violence that plagues our city, and the violence that happens so often – and so recently – in the neighborhood around us, West Presbyterian Church invites the community to pray with us for peace.  Please join us for a Service of Prayer, Music and Scripture – called PeacePrayers – in which we pray for peace in our neighborhood and peace in our city.  PeacePrayers will be Sunday, May 4, 2008 at 5:00 PM at West Presbyterian Church.  The church is located at 500 West 8^th Street, on the corner of 8^th and Washington Streets in Wilmington.  Parking is available behind the church building. 

 

Attached is a flyer that you may feel free to duplicate and distribute.  Download flyer here:  Peace Prayer Flyer.pdf 

 

Randall T. Clayton, LCSW, D.Min.

Pastor, West Presbyterian Church

500 West 8th Street

Wilmington, DE 19801

302-656-8326

rclayton@westpc.org

web site: www.westpc.org

blog: www.westpcblog.org

sermon podcast:  www.westpod.org

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Caregiver Seminar

 

Visiting Nurse Association Caregiver Education Series in New Castle, Kent and Sussex Counties: Helping you better manage the role of caregiver.  Please download flyer here:  Caregiver Series Flyer.pdf 

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Dedicatory Organ Recital

 

New Castle Presbyterian Church, 25 East Second Street in New Castle, DE, invites you to the official dedication of our new Meeting House organ on Sunday, May 18 at 7:00 p.m.  The Custom Allen electronic organ features two manuals and 33 stops, and provides a rich sound to lead us in prayer and congregational song many years into the future.

 

Our recitalist will be William F. Clisham, who for 43 years has served churches in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and New Jersey, directing and administering  programs of multiple choirs and handbell ensembles and playing the organ for worship services.   He earned his degrees, Bachelor of Music and Master of Music in Church Music, from Westminster Choir College in Princeton, New Jersey.  He has most recently served as music director/organist at Westfield Presbyterian Church in New Jersey.  

 

Mr. Clisham will perform selections by Buxtehude, Bach, Boyce, Purcell, Handel, Pachelbel, and 20^th century composers Langlais, Locklair, Baker, and Hailstork. The concert will include several congregational hymns related to the organ pieces and will culminate with a formal dedication of the organ to the glory of God.  We are so grateful for the generous gifts of so many contributors to this instrument of God’s praise!  The evening will be concluded with a reception in the fellowship hall.  Please join us in giving thanks to God!

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Conference for Clergy, Advocates

 

Please forward the attached to your congregations.  The event will discuss the aging of Delmarva and the responses of the faith communities.  It is especially appropriate for clergy, advocates and leaders from the Lower Eastern Shore; however, all are welcome.  Download brochure here:  faith brochure.pdf

 

Rev. Robert P HallExecutive Director

 

Delaware Ecumenical Council

on Children and Families

302/225-1040 (voice)

302/225-1041 (fax)

Faith in Action ... People in Focus

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Free Training for Pastors and Caregivers:  Workshops by Alzheimer’s Association

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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