Missouri Union Presbytery

R. B. Turpin, continues to make progress in his recovery. Doctors, hospital staff, and the Turpin family are meeting Friday, May 30, to organize and plan the support services that will provide continued therapy when R.B. returns home to Bowling Green. The timing of his move back home depends on scheduling this help. Please continue to pray, that together, they can discern what's best, and readily make good plans that will continue his rehabiliation. R.B. is up and walking better, but needs someone with him.

The Turpin Family (and friends all throughout the Presbytery) are grateful to God for R.B.'s progress in recovery and the care he has received at St. Luke's in Chesterfield. Please remain steadfast in praying that God's Strength, Mercy and Grace will be evident each day, and that others will recognize the Lord's goodness.

On Sunday, May 4, 2008 TWELVE volunteers from Covenant Presbyterian Church of Marshall, Missouri arrived at Olive Tree Volunteer Village to give of their time, talent and energy in the on-going recovery effort of rebuilding New Orleans in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Five of our group were experiencing a mission trip with Covenant for the first time and the other seven were veteran participants. This huge endeavor to rebuild is a joint effort of the Presbytery of South Louisiana, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Project Homecoming.

In 2007, churches in the Presbytery of South Louisiana hosted 4,446 volunteers, contributing 156,640 hours of work ($2,662,880.00 worth of labor) to gut 212 homes, reconstruct 59 homes and working on another 40 more in various states of completion. One wonders about how the home owners feel toward this myriad of people who come here to help put their homes and lives back together, and I quote from our home owner's daughter Jarlene Crawford, “after all we've gone through, I really think the renovation is done better with volunteers. The work is just better.” (There were seven members of her family who lost their homes and have had to go through renovation.)
On Sunday evening our very capable and knowledgeable Village leader, Kerry Herdegen, 25, gave us a very in depth report of all the work that has been going on in New Orleans over the past three years. He prepared us emotionally and spiritually to be ready for our week's work.

The next morning we met Jessica Jennette, the work site manager, who assigns the work projects to each to the groups living at Olive Tree for the week. Our group was divided into two groups of six and then we spent the rest of the week working hard; meeting, relating and learning about the life stories of our families of the homes we were working on; experiencing a little of the flavor of New Orleans; and laughing and having fun with each other. Having organized mission trips since 1999, I can tell you that you form very special bonds with those people who participate in them.

I strongly encourage anyone who has the opportunity to experience a mission trip to do so. You'll be glad you did.

Pam Stouffer,
Covenant Presbyterian Church
Marshall, MO

Terry Kukuk (Pastor FPC Mexico) and Brad Sheppard (Chaplain Westminster College) report that their son Jadon's recent surgery has been very successful. They are thankful to God for the outcome of this operation. A second (and hopefully final) surgery to complete the process of repairing Jadon's cleft lip and palate will be scheduled in 2-4 months. Please remember Jadon and his parents in your prayers.

Stewardship of Self, the Board's comprehensive effort to help Plan members improve self care, was a primary focus of this year's Regional Benefits Consultations (RBCs). Stewardship of Self was introduced through presentations by Pat Haines, senior vice president of benefits, Karen Babik, director of communications, public relations, marketing, and education, and Cindy Beach, director of member education. An annual forum for updates and feedback on Board benefits and programs, the RBCs provided an ideal opportunity to share the Stewardship of Self concept and explain its future directions. The workshops not only demonstrated the shared responsibility that Stewardship of Self represents, but used tools like a health-related quiz and pledge form to reinforce the goal of enriching all aspects of one's life: spiritual, vocational, health, and financial. The commitment to self care is one that the Board encourages every member to make, and Stewardship of Self will serve as an ongoing reminder to use the Board's benefits, programs, and services effectively for the benefit of the entire Presbyterian Church community.

The Board of Pensions' 2007 Annual Report is now available. Go to Pensions.org or call Member Services at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN) to obtain a copy. Copies also will be mailed to churches and employing organizations later this month. The 2007 Annual Report provides a window on the work we do at the Board of Pensions to support our clergy, other church workers, and their dependents who participate in the Benefits Plan. It is recommended reading for anyone who is covered by the Benefits Plan of the PC(USA) or its related programs.

All those interested in participating in the work of the Criminal Justice Mission Team for MUP are invited to attend a meeting at Trinity Presbyterian, 1600 W. Rollins Rd, Columbia, MO 65203 at 7:00 PM on Tuesday, June 10. For more information about this mission team or area of ministry in the Presbytery, please contact Bess Gamm at (573) 324-3843 or bagamm@daffron.net. For direction to the church call 573-445-4469 during business hours.

On Friday, May 16, it was 9 weeks since R.B.Turpin suffered a heart attack and then a stroke. Despite setbacks, R.B. is making progress–Thanks be to God! Laura, the Turpin family and many throughout the Bowling Green community appreciate your faithful prayers.

R.B. is receiving 3 hours of rehabilitation each day and is able to use a walker. He is re-learning how to swallow after many difficulties with his neck and throat. He still has a tracheotomy, but is coughing effectively–an important defense against pneumonia. Please pray that he will continue to make progress so that he can move to a rehabilitation facility for additional therapy.

All of us around Missouri Union Presbytery join in thanks to God for His Sustaining Presence with this faithful leader and friend. Please remain prayerful for R.B. and his family as they travel to and from St. Louis to be with him.

(Update provided by Elder, Bess Gamm)

Please pray for Sherry Dalton, a member at Kahoka PC. Sherry suffered a spiral break in her leg, below the knee. Doctors will put on a permanent cast once swelling allows. Sherry does not have medical insurance, so in addition to prayers for healing, please pray for a way to pay for needed medical care.
Lola Hesse
Clerk of Session
Kahoka Presbyterian Church

Please pray for the family of Julie Phillips, wife of Murray Phillips (Pastor Auburn and Whiteside churches). Her mother passed away in North Dakota. Services will porbably be held on Friday, May 9, which allows the Phillips time to travel to be with family.

Ola Mae Ellis, Clerk of Session, Auburn Presbyterian Church