Missouri Union Presbytery

(Received 12/09/08) Recently I had the opportunity to stay at the Vandalia Agape House for a day. The folks visiting come from all walks of life and various ages and stages, and are interesting to meet and talk to. During my 24 hours, two groups of guests, neither of which had visited before, arrived.  A few hours later, one woman casually expressed her joy in finding such pleasant and safe surroundings.  Read more »

JEFFERSON CITY (June 1, 2008) Missouri IMPACT, an ecumenical and interfaith legislative advocacy network, announces the addition of three judicatories to its list of Judicatory Partners for Justice.

New members are: African Methodist Episcopal Church, Fifth Episcopal District; the Baptist General Convention of Missouri; and the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church, Third Episcopal District. CME Bishop Paul A.G. Stewart, Sr., said in announcing his support, “I want the CME Church to be represented on the Missouri IMPACT Board to assist you in fulfilling your mission of social justice advocacy in behalf of the poor and marginalized of this state. They certainly need a voice in Jefferson City.” Presiding Elder Karen Walker McClure, pastor of the Russell Chapel CME Church, Columbia, was named as CME representative.

Rev. Dr. Jim Hill, Executive Director of the Baptist General Convention of Missouri, will represent that body on the Missouri IMPACT Board. Dr. Hill, also chair of Missouri Christians Against Racism and Poverty, stated, “Our Convention is committed to social justice and racial equity and we desire very much to work ecumenically and in interfaith relationships to address the critical needs of Missouri’s disadvantaged citizens. I look forward to working with Missouri IMPACT in its mission of legislative advocacy for social justice.”

The Fifth Episcopal District of the African Methodist Episcopal Church will be represented by Rev. Mary Hull-Lovett, pastor of St. Paul AME Church in Columbia. Rev. Hull-Lovett was named to the Missouri IMPACT Board by Rev. Dr. Cecil Howard, AME Former General Secretary.

It is with great sadness we note the death of Dr. Howard. Rev. Dr. John Bennett commented, “Dr. Cecil Howard was a strong supporter of Missouri IMPACT, recently becoming a MO IMPACT Partner for Justice. He was a faithful ecumenist who worked tirelessly in recent years in the formation of Missouri Churches Uniting in Christ. We are deeply saddened by the death of this ecumenical saint who labored graciously in our midst for the unity of the church. We grieve with hope.”

Additional Judicatory Partners are: Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Mid-America; Community of Christ; the Episcopal Church, Diocese of Missouri; Central States Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; Missouri Jewish Federation; Presbyterian Church (USA); Missouri Mid-South Conference, United Church of Christ; and Missouri Conference of the United Methodist Church.

David Rose, son of MUP Treasurer Marilyn (Rose)Thudium, was stricken Saturday evening, May 31, while visiting Marilyn in Brookfield. He was rushed to Boone Hospital late that night and admitted to ICU with internal bleeding.

Marilyn expressed gratitude to God that doctors have an initial diagnosis and that David is responding well to medication. He has returned home to O'Fallon. Tuesday, June 10, he has an appointment with a specialist in St Louis and will continue treatment there. It's been a blessing that his wife is out of school for the summer and able to help at this time.

Please pray that effective treatments will be possible and that their family will give evidence of God's power and mercy.

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.