Missouri Union Presbytery

Montreat Conference Center is offering an education event for Commissioned Lay Pastors and Lay Preachers on October 22-24, 2008.  For additional information, registration and scholarship materials visit http://www.montreat.org/ 

The children who attended the Otterville Music Camp (all 13 of them) learned about whistling a tune from the International Whistling Champion (Mrs. Mary Francis Hernden) and about strings and percussion instruments from a former music teacher and current orchestra/band member (Mrs. Helen Coffelt).  They also had hands-on experiences with a violin, tuned bowls, trumpets, and French horns.  Many people have come together to make this camp a ringing success!   

More than 300 fires are burning in California.  The fires began on June 20, and at the peak there were 1,783 fires burning statewide.  A total of 520,000 acres have burned so far throughout California and that 67 structures have been destroyed.  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has been in contact with presbyteries in the Sierra Mission region, which includes those areas where most of the fires are located.  At this time, most of the damage is to the forest, and a minimal number of homes have been destroyed; the presbyteries feel they are able to provide an appropriate response.  PDA will accept funds into the U.S. California Wildfire account DR000165 for those desiring to make a financial donation through their normal mission giving channel.

The average age of retired pastors is 75 with an age range from under age 50 to over 95.  There are currently 95 surviving retirees over age 95 and 348 between the ages of 91 and 95.  68% have been retired more than 10 years, 334% more than 15 years, 13% over 20 years, and 5% over 25 years. One in five retirees is female.  70% use the internet with ease.  Almost 38% of the respondents are working part-time, most less than quarter-time.  For women this was the only response that differed from their male counterparts–only 1:4 is employed. 30% have some caregiving responsibilities.  For those who have caregiving responsibilities, they are substantial and range from caring for grandchildren to spouse or other age peers.

The Synod of Mid-America and the Synod of Lincoln Trails will offer Interim Executive Training October 31- November 3, 2008 at the Mercy Center in Sts. Louis, MO.  To be eligible a participant must have completed at least 30 hours of basic interim training (Week I) prior to the beginning of interim executive training and who have registered to complete the entire 60 hours of basic interim training (Week II).  Registration form and brochure may be found on the Synod of Mid-America web site – www.synodma.org. 

Click on “events” and then scroll down to Interim Executive Training.  Enrollment for this training is limited to 12 persons.

“The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.”
(1 Timothy 2:1-3)
What is “Praying Our Way to San Jose?” It’s a road trip – and a whole lot more. In the week before the 218th General Asembly, Tammy Wiens-Sorge, Associate for Spiritual Formation and Stephany Jackson, Coordinator for Congregational Leadership, traveled by plane, train and automobile from Louisville to San Jose. Congregations along the route hosted them in a special service of prayer for our denomination.We were blessed to have responses from churches along the way from Louisville to San Jose. We were especially excited to hear from several congregations not on this route, but who committed to praying with us! We celebrate the wind of the Spirit, blowing through churches all across the country and moving them to hold a special worship service during the week of June 15.
Stephany and I pose in front of Lee’s Summit First Presbyterian. Read updates from the road.  Tammy emailed updates from along the way. Follow her journey here.

Day 1- Liz picked me up at the hotel and we made our way to the United African Presbyterian Church. We made one stop to pick up Faye Chu who is the business manager/accountant for Giddings-Lovejoy Presbytery. I formed an instant friendship with these two women as we exchanged stories of our call to ministry. Another instant friendship was forged when I walked into the church and met Jemimah. We hugged like family members who’d reunited after a long absence. But of course each of these friendships began some months ago through phone calls and emails and shared plans for the worship service we were about to hold. Keep reading.

Day 2 – We woke to a glorious morning in downtown St. Louis, excited about our Amtrak leg of the journey. We’d purposely chosen the Sheraton for our overnight accommodation because of its proximity to the train station. It was only a three-block walk, but since we were carrying luggage we allowed ourselves 30 minutes to get there. As it turned out, we needed every minute! Keep reading.

Day 6 – Last night we worshiped at St. John’s Presbyterian Church in Reno, Nevada. Participants came from all over the three connected presbyteries and I am grateful to all who were in attendance. We were especially blessed to have two special guests from Texas who were also “praying their way to San Jose” and made an intentional detour in order to be part of last night’s service. Debbie Cenko and Mary Mahlmann traveled from Wharton, Texas. Can you believe it! Keep reading.

We’re in San Jose! – June 21 – Stephany and I arrived safely in San Jose yesterday afternoon. We arrived with Chandra Kearns and her colleagues in the “Health on the Move” RV. What a way to see the country … a little bumpy, but an adventure worth repeating. It’s been fantastic to hear from so many people at GA about the variety of ways their prayers have been with us during our pilgrimage of prayer. It is so awesome to feel the heartbeat of the church through the overwhelming response to this invitation to prayer.Keep reading.
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The Church & Society Mission Team continues to analyze the implications of proposed legislation, especially the PROPOSED 2009 STATE BUDGET. Their website-SEE LINK BELOW-informs Presbyterians and all others of the details and consequences of proposed and existing laws. For a complete update of all C&S Mission Team work at their website:

Go To C& S Mission Team Website

The C&S Mission Team has just completed a thorough summary of FISCAL ISSUES. This includes a clearly understood summary of the 2009 PROPOSED STATE BUDGET and likely implications of budget proposals. The C&S Mission Team continues to track the effects of cuts in low-income healthcare, services for the disabled and support for higher education. Another issue they regularly report on is predatory lending in Missouri.

In late 2007 the Church & Society Mission Team mailed a questionaire to all Pastors, Sessions and Boards of Deacons within the Presbytery. Their objective was to gather information and opinions about what issues are most crucial to Presbyterians in Mid-Missouri. In order to make your voice heard, please return these if you have not already done so.

To review specific C&S Mission Team topics and action plans, please see additional posting on this forum or link to their website above.

The C&S Mission Team’s next meeting is Sunday, July 13, 2008, 2:30 PM at FPC Columbia, 16 Hitt Street in downtown Columbia.

Updated from the Church & Society website: www.fpcjcmo.org/society_mission/ and Ray Schneider, C&S Mission Team Coordinator

Iowa Cleanup Needs Iowa residents are cleaning up after recent flooding.  You and your congregation or group can help. PDA has received a list of specific large items needed to help with cleanup efforts in Iowa.  The list is available at   <http://www.pcusa.org/pda/response/usa/midwestflooding-ia-equipmentneeded2008.htm>  Only the items on this list are requested at this time.

PDA Call Center is receiving calls from volunteer work teams that would like to help in Iowa–see contact in Des Moines Presbytery on home page of this site.  Locations ready to receive work teams; the work at this time is mucking out of flooded homes.  Call the PDA at 866-732-6121 or register online. Volunteer opportunities are listed at <http://www.pcusa.org/pda/teams.htm> . 

Clean-up buckets.  Bulletin insert which lists the contents and shipping informationat  <http://www.pcusa.org/pda/response/usa/2008winterspringstormsfloods-index.htm>

Send financial gifts by designating U.S. Disaster,DR000015.    <https://www.pcusa.org/give/online/project?DR000162> Donations may be sent through normal mission giving channels. Checks payable to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can be mailed directly to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700

Gifts by credit card call PresbyTel at (800) 872-3283 or online at http://www.pcusa.org/pda/donate/accounts.htm. 

 Thank you for keeping the people in the affected areas and those working to offer assistance in your prayers.

PROVIDING–Cleanup Bucket Kits (Des Moines Presbytery will help distribute to where needed) “How to assemble and package Clean-up Buckets“ at www.pcusa.org/pda/help/cleanupkitsneeded.htm

Cleaning supplies needed by CROSS Ministries in Des Moines (bleach, buckets, floor cleaner, laundry soap, etc.) Contact Cottage Grove Avenue Presbyterian Church at 515-279-8877 or rjvictor@msn.com.

Monetary donations. Send checks payable to Des Moines Presbytery, in the memo section write, “2008 Flood Relief” indicated where you would like the funds to go, tornado, flood, a specific presbytery, etc., and mail checks to the Presbytery of Des Moines, 2400 86th St., Ste. 20, Urbandale, IA  50322. (100% of donations sent to this Presbytery will be used for its intended purpose indicated by the giver. All administrative costs will be absorbed by the Iowa presbyteries.)