Missouri Union Presbytery

(Updated 6/20/08) The Name of the Rain is a stage play which recounts the true experiences of the first responders and evacuees from New Orleans who took refuge at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge in the early days after Hurricane Katrina. The Name of the Rain was written by Broadmoor’s minister, Rev. Hawley Wolfe. Professional actors tell the real stories of hurricane survivors brought together by the chaotic circumstances following Katrina.

The play has been performed in Baton Rouge and New Orleans in Louisiana and toured through Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas.  During June it toured Texas, Arizona, and California, with two performances in San Jose during General Assembly. Each show is followed by a DVD presentation about current recovery work by Project Homecoming, a rebuilding effort of The Presbytery of South Louisiana in cooperation with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Website at www.pslrecovery.org/.

There is still time to register for Father/Son weeks. PDA has received word that several churches are sending multiple father/son teams. Consider making this Father’s Day special by working together in the Gulf Coast. Teams of fathers and sons ages 14 and above can work together to rebuild homes in the Gulf Coast.

Work scheduled for weeks of June 8-14 and June 15-21, 2008

Dads, call your sons and sons call your dads, then reserve
your space by calling Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (toll-free) at 866-732-6121.

PDA has been in contact with San Gabriel Presbytery to determine needs related to an early season wildfire that is slowly burning through dense brush near Los Angeles. About 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes. The fire, which started Saturday, April 27, 2008 has burned more than 400 acres in the Angeles Forest north of the city.

The Board of Pensions rate for 2008 is 31.5% of Salary and Housing.

Volunteers are needed to help rebuild homes damaged by tornadoes and flooding in Arkansas. The work varies from carpenter’s helpers to licensed skills. Minimum age for volunteers is 18. Teams and individuals interested in helping with clean-up and recovery efforts in Arkansas may contact the PDA Call Center at (866) 732-6121 or can register online

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) continues to respond to storms and flooding that have affected much of the south and southeastern United States. The most recent storm is a trio of tornadoes that struck southeastern Virginia late Monday (April 28, 2008)afternoon.

The most serious damage was reported in the Suffolk area, near Norfolk. Two other tornadoes were reported in Brunswick County and Colonial Heights, a Richmond suburb. PDA National Response Team members Carol and Dave Thalman of Winchester, VA, and Beth Goss of Herndon, VA are enroute to work with the Presbytery of the James in its response to this disaster. Please go to the Presbyterian Church USA website–www.pcusa.org/give/online/projectDR000015 for most recent updates or to donate.

General Assembly convenes in San Jose, CA TOMORROW, Saturday, June 21, and concludes Saturday, June 28, 2008. For more information please go to:  www.pcusa.org (denomination website) Go to: Presbyterian Church USA, under LINKS (this page-upper right)

Presbyterian Communicators Network Regional Conference
Stronghold Conference Center, Oregon, IL
August 25 – 27, 2008

Experience interactive workshops, stimulating plenary, reflective worship and and lively conversation with others who have similar communication responsibilities for the PC(USA). Learn to upload multi-media to your website, create an online social network, develop a communicators network in your presbytery, or freshen up your writing skills. Listen to and talk with church experts on communicating in a Web 2.0 world and how to reach out to others that are beyond the four walls of your church.

The event starts at 1:00 pm, Monday, August 25 and concludes at 11:30am, Wednesday, August 27. Registration is $250 and includes all conference programs, group meals and two night lodging. Go to www.pcusa.org/comnet for complete details.

Who should attend: People who have the responsibility to communicate via hard copy, online or other electronic media, the ministry and mission of churches, presbyteries and synods. Members and friends in MUP, if you're planning to attend this conference, please contact Vicki at the MUP office 1-800-635-3178. She will be attending–free ride available!

Can’t make Stonghold? Then save these dates for a similar opportunity:
Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC April 30 – May 2
Menucha Retreat and Conference Center, Corbett, OR October 29 – 31. If you have questions about the event, contact one of the planning committee members:

Duane Sweep, Director of Communications – Synod of Lakes and Prairies, 800-328-1880 *206, dsweep@lakesandprairies.org
Pat Wakeley, Blackhawk Presbytery, 815-732-3258 x610 or x5, patw@blackhawkpresbytery.org
Dennis Sanders, Twin Cities Area Presbytery, 888-323-4714, communications@ptcaweb.org
Kim Coulter, Des Moines Presbyter, 515-276-4991, pbycommunication@qwest.net OR www.presbyteryofdesmoines.org

The Board of Pensions recently launched a new version of its Web site, Pensions.org, featuring increased functionality, expanded information, and intuitive navigation. The new site also features an abundance of new information and resources, making it the “go to” source for details on the plans, programs, and services the Board offers.Feedback is welcomed by emailing Communications@pensions.org or calling 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN)

A highlight of the site is BenefitsConnect, an online tool that provides active Plan members secure access to their personal benefits information. Not only can members submit changes to their contact information and dependent status, but they can use online calculators to estimate their pension and death benefits.