African (Agape) Fellowship Mission Team will meet at Trinity-Columbia at 4:00 PM on Thursday, Aug 5. Contact Rim Massey 573/445-4469 for information.  Pastor Aaron Ruvugwa, who leads Agape Fellowship, came through gall bladder surgery well today and will go home this afternoon July 29.  Your prayers are much appreciated.  Trinity  is located at 1600 W. Rollins Road, Columbia 65203.  

The 150th Anniversary Celebration of Salem Presbyterian near Hope, MO (southeast of Linn) begins with worship at 10:30 AM on Sunday, Sept 5, 2010.  Rev. Don Hilkerbaumer, who grew up in the congregation, will preach.  The church is located at 103 County Rd 242, Morrison 65061. From US 50 going toward St. Louis, go left on Rt N south of Linn; Right on KK, left on County Road 241.  December 8, 1860, the church was founded with assistance from Bethel PC in Bay. Now together these congregations are now one church with 2 worship centers, with a Morrison mailing address. German immigrants organized the congregations and many families continue in their tradition of dedicated service and mission.  The Presbyterian Women’s group at Salem has been active for over 110 years and continues traditions of quilting and making apple butter to fund mission.  For 43 years Pastor Joe Trower led the congregation and remembrances of his service and passion for mission will be part of activities on Sept 5.  Mike Nolting (573/645-1705) is Clerk of Session.

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file. What’s a little rain to Mid-High Campers? Combine high-energy fun and the life-changing possibilities of church camp for your Mid-High’s Summer!   Bible study, worship, crafts, games, swimming, canoeing, paddle boating, fishing – everything you expect from camp and more. It adds up to great times and Christian growth in a caring group.  Campers arrived at 9:30 AM Monday, July 26. Family and friends are invited for dinner and a program at 5:00 PM Friday July 30. It’s already an awesome week!  Led by Amanda Lynn & Misty Hilkerbaumer.  573-673-4231  for information.

Two important leadership/nurture events happen in our Synod during October. Registration is open. Download a schedule and sign up NOW!

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.Oct 13-15, 2010 Synod hosts a community leadership practice experience–Breathe Fire happens at Village Presbyterian, Prairie Village KS Register at www.synodma.org

 Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file. Oct 14-15, 2010  Richard Blackburn of Lombard Mennonite Peace Center leads this workshop at Southminister PC, 6306 Roe Ave, Prairie Village, KS Register at www.synodma.org or 913-384-3020  Healthy congregations will help you learn:

• How as leader you can influence congregational health
• How to detect and avoid unhealthy patterns of living in community
• How to keep anxiety form becoming infectious
• Gain confidence in responding to challenges & opportunities
•  How to put limits on invasive behavior, manage reactivity and overcome sabotage
• How leaders can function as the congregation’s immune system
• How to focus on strengths, resources and the future.

Covenant Point is on Facebook!  Become a Fan and receive event updates, news, photos, videos and more! REGISTER TODAY! Direct Link http://www.facebook.com/MUPcamp Camp Covenant Point Promo Video on YouTube

The Vine Campus Ministries at FPC-Columbia welcomes all students from colleges in Columbia. Contact Preston at 573-442-1164 or prestont@fpccolumbia.org to connect with other students and find out how group members serve others and one another in Columbia.  The ”get planted” weekend event originally planned for July 31-August 1, has been cancelled but don’t miss a chance to meet other current–and new students–coming to Columbia this fall–see their facebook page!  

 http://www.facebook.com/pages/Preston-Turley/125201527508762#!/group.php?gid=18962314930&ref=ts

Jesus is the head of the church. Yes, you already know this, but the commissioners of General Assembly brought that once again to our attention. Included in our study to prepare for presbytery’s consideration of amendments to our constitution is this amendment to raise standards for ordination not only to recognize the Lordship of Jesus, but it also offers the expectation that the church JOYFULLY submit to that Lordship. Wow – I know from the Vision Statement of the presbytery that joyfully responding to the call by the power of the Holy Spirit and the love of God through Jesus Christ is what we like. The proposed amendment wording is: “Standards for ordination service reflect the church’s desire to submit joyfully to the Lordship of Jesus Christ in all aspects of life (G-1.0000). The governing body responsible for ordination and / or installation (G-14.0240; G-14.0450) shall examine each candidate’s calling, gifts, preparation, and suitability for the responsibilities of office. The examination shall include, but not be limited to, a determination of the candidates’ ability and commitment to fulfill all requirements as expressed in the constitutional questions for ordination and installation (W-1.4003). Governing bodies shall be guided by Scripture and the confessions in applying standards to individual candidates.”

Your MUP commissioners, Julie Leverenz and Ron Roberts and YAAD (Young Adult Advisory Delegate) Jen Schildmeyer are steeped in prayer and discernment as they seek God’s guidance to fulfill their call to be part of the collective prophetic voice of our denomination.

Together in God’s Grace,    Joan   

Good morning from General Assembly. I am starting my second day as your Missouri Union General Presbyter. Yesterday the assembly transitioned from committee work back to gathering all together. Lifting up God’s love for us and our love for each other were highlights. We will have the opportunity to study the Belhar Confession over the next couple years as the next step in the process of possibly including it in the Book of Confessions of our constitution. When Jesus was asked what is the greatest commandment he said to love God and love each other. How we are the church together will be another study opportunity. The new Form of Government is also on a path for possible inclusion in our constitution to replace the G section. One comment that stood out to me in that discussion is that our energy can be used for creating new ministries rather than being creative in the process of trying to fit what we need to do in the church into a polity that may not serve our church today. God loves us so much that we have the gift of the church. Taking time to care for this precious gift is worthy of our attention.

Thanks you so much for the opportunity to serve God as your General Presbyter. You may contact me by e-mail at jerickson@mupresbytery.org or on my cell phone at (573) 645-3568.                                            Together in God’s Grace,   Joan    

A proposal originating with Session of Big Creek PC in MUP to  amended W-2.3008b in the Book of Order (OVT 0064) Concerning the Baptism of Childrenwas not approved by General Assembly.  Read the resolution by clicking on downloadNote: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.