The 2007-10-29 newsletter (PDF) version is now available.
Phil Hazelton to Read and Sign his book “Tuesday Faces”
Worthington’s own Phil Hazelton will be at the Mean Bean Caffeine Lounge, 660 High Street in Worthington on Thursday, November 8 from 7 to 9 p.m.
Phil will read an excerpt from his new book Tuesday Faces and sign copies of the book brought in by Mean Bean customers.
The book, a 52-week study of biblical characters, features pointillistic drawings by the author.
It can be purchased directly from the publisher by calling 1-877-421-READ (7323) or visiting the Web at Pleasant Word Books and Amazon.com.
Hazelton, recently retired from Worthington Presbyterian Church, is also the author of The High Places, a collection of his sermons.
For more information, contact 614-436-7938.
New Weekly PDF Uploaded
This week’s PDF is now available. It contains all of the materials posted to the website since the previous PDF was posted.
Please note: there will not be a PDF next week. We will publish a “Double Issue” the following week. New items may be posted to the website during that time (but if you don’t follow the website you will still get all the news in the next PDF, it will just be slower).
Also note that all the previous issues are available at Previous Issues (PDF) (look on the left column).
Installation for Brett Swanson will be October 28th at 3pm
You are invited to attend the Installation Service of the Reverend Brett Jeffery Swanson to the position of Associate Pastor for Boulevard Presbyterian Church
Sunday, October 28, 2007
3:00 pm
Boulevard Presbyterian Church
1235 Northwest Blvd.
Columbus, OH 43212
Reverend Doctor Dean K. Thompson , President of Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary, will be delivering the sermon entitled, “Don’t Forget to Remember”
For directions or questions please contact the Boulevard Church Office at 614.486.0267 or email rev.brett@blvdchurch.org
Frank Hare honored at Jenco Awards
The Rev. Frank Hare of Amesville was among those honored recently at the sixth annual Jenco Awards in Athens.
The awards go to residents of the Appalachian corridor of West Virginia and Ohio who are instrumental in improving the quality of life for those living in the area.
Hare was recognized with the Inspired Community Service Award for his local and international ministries, advocating for the poor in the area and service work.
Catherine Hare received the award in 2005. Both were nominated by a member of the Amesville / New England Parish.
The Father Martin Lawrence Jenco Foundation was established in 2001 by Athens resident Terry Anderson, Associated Press correspondent, to honor the priest who was imprisoned with him in Lebanon for 19 months until 1991.
A second Presbyterian honored this year is retired India Medical Mission worker Dr. Ronald Seaton who with his wife continues to provide medical service in the Hinton WV area.
Frank Hare began his Athens County ministry in 1967, serving The Athens Area Ministry of congregations at New England, Amesville, Doanville and Alexander.
He has been minister of the Amesville-NewEngland Cooperative Parish since 1981 while serving with the Coalition for Appalachian Ministry. He has also served as Mayor of Amesville since 1992.
Hare and his family took this ministry to Nicaragua beginning in 2002 helping low-income families improve their food supplies and nutrition levels through agricultural training.
Son Mark Hare continues as a MIssion Worker for the PCUSA now in Haiti. The Hare family is known in the Presbytery for their work with Geneva Hills Camp and in particular with specialty camping experiences.
(Sources: Some portions from Athens Messenger Oct. 8, 2007 : Frank Hare, phone)
See also: Amesville / New England Parish celebrates 20 years.
Amesville / New England Parish celebrates 20 years
On Sunday, October 7, the Amesville Presbyterian Church held a celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the formation of the Amesville/New England Cooperative Parish in Athens County.
The worship celebration included an inspiring bell choir, special music by 2 young sisters, greetings from Frank Hare, and a great sermon by John Gilmore, former student pastor and the first Commissioned Lay Pastor in Scioto Valley.
These 3 congregations, the United Methodist and Presbyterian Churches in Amesville and the Presbyterian Church in New England, worked together closely for many years before they officially came together in 1987 to form this Ecumenical Cooperative Parish.
The First Presbyterian Church in Athens serves as a Partner in Mission.
The covenant agreement for the Amesville-New England Parish includes combined worship, church school and other programs.
This Cooperative Parish also provides a broad range of outreach programs to the community, the surrounding area and around the world!
Congratulations to The Reverend Frank and Educator Catherine Hare for so generously sharing their many talents, gifts and creative energy with this parish for over 20 years!
Photo: John Gilmore and Frank and Catherine Hare
Outville celebrates 125 years of ministry
The Outville Presbyterian Church recently celebrated its 125 years of ministry to the Outville Community with a congregational procession from their original location to their current location led by a Bagpiper and their pastor, the Reverend Stephen Merold.
The festivities included stories and pictures of the church’s history, families and events, celebrating music, warm fellowship and delicious home-made foods.
Photo: The Reverend Stephen and Kae Merold
GAC Executive Director is blogging her trip to Asia
(Note: reprinted from Presbyterian News Service. The original author is Jerry L. Van Marter)
GAC executive director travels to Thailand, China, Korea
LOUISVILLE — In what’s believed to be a first for a top Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) official, General Assembly Council Executive Director Linda Valentine is writing a blog during her three-nation mission tour of Asia.
Valentine will be visiting Presbyterian mission in Thailand, China and Korea during her trip, which will last most of October. She is accompanied by her husband, Chris, and the Rev. Insik Kim, the PC(USA)’s Asia/Pacific coordinator in the Presbyterian World Mission office.
In addition to her own entries, Valentine’s blog includes links to many of the mission programs she will visit and background information on the PC(USA)’s partner churches and agencies in the three countries.
(You can visit Linda’s website at http://www.presbyterian.typepad.com/lindavalentine/)
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
28th Sunday in Ordinary Time
October 14, 2007
Presbyterian HIV/AIDS Awareness
If this is your first visit to the Sunday Sidelined cyberpew, welcome. This service was envisioned for those unable to attend worship (at home when the bell rings) and was prepared by two Disabled Presbyterian pastors who could not always join with a congregation. It is posted to a meeting on Ecunet/Lightworks, SUNDAY SIDELINED and send by E-mail on request. Your notes are welcome to this meeting on Ecunet or to Kay’s Inbox. kay.puckett@presbynet.org Please share or use any or all of this as you wish. This liturgy was written in 1997 by Chuck Carter, who entered God’s presence in March 2005. Kay adds weekly portions.
The Lord Be with You Sideliners
The cows are meandering toward the barn and the hay and pasture field are lightly glittered with what appears to be the first frost. The outside thermometer read 33 F this morning. Surprise! There is some fruit on the vine - rather green peppers on the plants - so an early morning harvest is in order. Even though the days are growing shorter and the chill is keeping the farmer inside, there’s something that feels good and right about autumn. I grew up with James Whitcomb Riley in my ear so I can hear in my memory , ” Oh it’s then a feller is a’ feeling at his best with the risin’ sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest . . . When the frost is on the punkin’ and the fodder’s in the shock. ” And now I even know what fodder is.
Come and worship.
Our liturgy remains basically the same. Scripture and musings are added fresh each week.
Shalom, Kay
Participate Now in Mission Challenge 2007!
Our participation in PC(USA) Mission Challenge ‘07 begins on Saturday, October 20th! Is your congregation ready?
On Sunday, Oct. 21 or 28, please use the bulletin inserts you received in the mail. Some extra copies are available at the presbytery office, or call (800) 872-3283 for additional inserts.
Our guest missionary, Ted Wright, sends the following message to us:
“Nearly 50 of us missionaries are spreading out to visit 144 presbyteries. We represent every continent and variety of work–covering the spectrum of PC(USA).
“When I come to Scioto Valley, Oct. 19-25, I want to share information about Presbyterian mission. What in the world is the church doing today? Where? Why? How? Who are your missionaries (not only the ones you know)? What is our life like? How can a local church connect?
“Using some of my own stories and experience, I’ll try to put a face on world mission. I will invite both my audience and the churches in general to build (or build upon) a relationship with a missionary of their choosing. I will have some DVDs, PowerPoints, and a table display. And, of course, I will be available to answer people’s questions.”
Mission Challenge ‘07 is the largest event of its kind ever carried out by our Presbyterian church.
You and your congregation are invited to be part of this new movement. Please make sure that your and some other members of your church attend one of the six evening gatherings:
See the complete Mission Challenge ‘07 schedule for PSV here!
The Brass Band of Columbus at Worthington Presbyterian
The Brass Band of Columbus will be performing as part of the 2007-08 A Celebration Of Sound Concert Series at the Worthington Presbyterian Church.
Location: 773 High Street, Worthington, Columbus
Website: http://www.worthingtonpres.com/
The concert will be Sunday, October 21 @ 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
A free-will offering will be received.
Meet the artists at a reception in our fellowship hall following the performance.
Mission Speaker and Carry-in Dinner at Portsmouth, Second October 24
Rev. Ted Wright will visit First and Second Presbyterian Churches in Portsmouth on Wednesday, October 24th. Ted and Sue Wright were appointed in July, 2005 to serve as regional liaisons for east and central Africa with special attention to Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Angola. Their focus is on the Evangelism and Church Growth Program in southern Africa.
All those who have an interest in missions are cordially invited to be our guest(s) at Second Presbyterian Church for dinner at 6 p.m. followed by a presentation by Rev. Wright at 7 p.m. Second Presbyterian Church is located at 801 Waller Street (corner of 8th Street and Waller Street).
We ask that you call the church office (740-353-4159) no later than Monday, October 22nd to let us know the number attending from your congregation. This will help us greatly with food preparation.
(Editor’s Note: for more information, including other churches which are hosting events, please see 2007 Mission Challenge comes to the Presbytery of Scioto Valley.)
Mission Partner from Ethiopia/Sudan in area October 7-November 13th
Boulevard Presbyterian Church and the Presbytery of Scioto Valley will be hosting the Reverend Matthew Doleak, a Mission to the USA partner from Ethiopia, from October 7th until November 13th.
Rev. Doleak is a father of 6. He serves as a Synod official from the Gambella region which covers the border between Ethiopia and Sudan and can boast well over 67,000 members in 122 different churches.
Matthew will be serving as a missionary to the community and congregation of Boulevard Presbyterian Church but we would like to have as many churches impacted by Matthew’s witness.
If your church has activities going on during the week or on Sunday evening that would be appropriate for Matthew to visit please contact Rev. Brett Swanson at Boulevard Presbyterian Church (rev.brett@blvdchurch.org or call 614.486.0267) Matthew has expressed interest in making contact with members of the Sudanese community and would appreciate any information that you might provide.
Flu Shots to be Offered at Worthington Presbyterian
Flu Shots will be offered on Sunday, October 21 and November 4, 2007 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in Worthington Presbyterian’s Hazelton Fellowship Hall
773 High Street, Worthington, OH 43085, 614-885-5355
Those eligible for the vaccine include adults, children older than age 12 with parents’ written consent, and pregnant women with a physician’s written order.
The cost for the flu shot is $25.
Cash, checks (written to “Interim Healthcare”), Medicare Part B and/or Medigold Insurance are accepted.
Financial assistance is available. Check with the nurse that day.
What makes a spiritual experience spiritual?
From Dana’s Desk…
What makes a spiritual experience spiritual? I mean, besides of course – the connection to God. How does it happen?
We’re in worship, someone stands up during the prayers of the people. With a trembling voice, he thanks the congregation for all their support during his surgery, and there it is. The air is thick with God. We look around the sanctuary, and half the people are crying. What makes it a spiritual experience?
I go for a walk, three times a week. And then one day I see a bird, who’s on the ground. I inch next to the bird and she doesn’t move. I’m so close that I almost touch her. I can see her feathers shaking and pain in her eyes. Then suddenly, I’m feeling for the frail bird, and she’s pulled something out of me. I’m connecting with some sort of grief that had been tightly, firmly packed away. And I get a fuller sense that I’m part of the Ground of all Being, along with this tiny creature.
And when we’re at the bedside of someone who’s dying, and we read Psalm 23 and Romans 8. Have you been there?
All of the sudden, that weird fear that’s been lurking about in the room all day leaves, the tension among the relatives dissipates, and the room fills with waters of abundant life.
And what about the joy? What about the incredible love that gushes allover when you hold your baby for the first time? When you look at the paper-thin fingernails and feel that warm skin.
What makes those experiences spiritual?
Could it be the sense that we’re part of something larger than ourselves? Is it that something in our belly reaches out in time when we need it most? Is it the emotions that overtake us? Is it that our haunting insecurities are finally being matched with a divine acceptance? Is it simply the firm knowledge of loving and being loved?
What is it?
Sunday Sidelined for October 7th by Kay Puckett
Sunday Sidelined for October 7th by Kay Puckett
The Lord Be with You Sideliners
If this is your first visit to the Sunday Sidelined cyberpew, welcome. This service was envisioned for those unable to attend worship (at home when the bell rings) and was prepared by two Disabled Presbyterian pastors who could not always join with a congregation. It is posted to a meeting on Ecunet/Lightworks, SUNDAY SIDELINED and send by E-mail on request.
From the farm in the Ohio hills, comes a weekly greeting.
Church Professionals Retreat November 4-6
(Although there is some information in this post, you are encouraged to download the registration form (PDF) for the Church Professionals Retreat which is formatted for printing and includes the registration form.)
Church Professionals In-House Retreat
Retreat: Sunday - Tuesday, November 4th - 6th
Registration Deadline: Monday, October 22nd
Reformation Sunday Concert on October 28th
(Download Printable (PDF) Flyer for this event)
Reformation Sunday Concert
Sunday, October 28th @ 7 p.m.
St. Andrew Presbyterian Church
1450 E. Dublin-Granville Rd, Columbus (161 near Karl Rd)
Select members of the Columbus Bach Ensemble will present a one-hour concert commemorating the 490th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation and celebrating the vast artistic heritage that Protestant Christians share. The concert will be held in the intimate setting of St. Andrew with its superb acoustics and include a variety of musical styles, periods, and composers, past and present.
Participating musicians:
Christine Mortine, soprano
Katherine Borst Jones, flute
Mary Davis Fetherston, cello
Sean Ferguson, lute/theorbo
Jeanne Norton, harp
A reception for the musicians follows.
PRICE OF ADMISSION: One or more of the following items: Cans/boxes of tuna, peanut butter, beef stew, canned vegetables or fruit, soup, mac & cheese, complete pancake mix, spaghetti sauce, prepared spaghetti. All food will be donated to the food pantry at Karl Road Baptist Church.
The Heart of Christianity
This article is reprinted from the Jackson newsletter. The author is David Downton. Seen a good article in your church newsletter? Send it in!
Congregational Listening Sessions
Gather with other Presbyterians in your area to hear the feedback from the first listening gatherings and talk about the future plans for the missional direction of the Presbytery.
Dates and Places
Saturday, October 13 - 9:30-11:00 a.m. First Presbyterian, Jackson
Sunday, October 14 - 3:00 -4:30 p.m - Central College, Westerville and First Presbyterian Church, Delaware
Saturday, October 20 - 9:30-11:00 a.m Washington Court House and First Presbyterian Church, Grove City
Sunday, October 21 - 3:00-4:30 p.m. First Presbyterian Church, Lancaster and Nelsonville Presbyterian Church
Saturday, October 27 - 9:30-11:00 a.m. Brookwood Presbyterian Church, Columbus