Covenant Point Hospitality at the Summer Presbytery Meeting!

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file. Covenant Point was the lovely and inspiring backdrop when Missouri Union Presbytery gathered for work and worship. Elder Joan Erickson was installed as General Presbyter. Rev. Phil Lotspeich, who heads Church Growth office at General Assembly, preached–encouraging us to allow for time to “sit at the feet of Jesus” and then get up and offer hospitality.  Ministry to prisoners and their familes through Agape Houses in Jefferson City and Vandalia was featured by the Criminal Justice Mission Team.  Susan Presley of First-Kirksville was introduced and accepted as an Inquirer, the first step in becoming a minister. 

 The education event was about Starting New Initiatives, a contextual approach for church growth. Many aspects of Youth ministry were celebrated and supported by the offering of $786.  Reports from GA were read and heard. Special thanks to Jimmy Kay Sanders for music during worship, and our wonderful cooks/helpers:  Janet Carder and Karen Laves, Rose Weldy, Karen Niewald, Nan McCaslin, Shirley Shields, Rob Hoell and Adam Couchman. It was a great day–filled with learning, sharing and celebrating God’s transformative grace and power!

Pakistan flooding Aug 2010

People in Pakistan are seeking dry ground. Help them find hope. Pakistanis have suffered numerous natural and human-caused disasters.  Now over 1,400 people are dead and more than 1.5 million displaced. Presbyterians have ministered in Pakistan since before it was a nation and stand with them now.  Help bring God’s healing through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) and our ecumenical partners to provide food packages, shelter materials, and other essentials, including healthcare.   

Give – through your local Presbyterian congregation, on the secure PC(USA) Web site , call 1-800-728-7228 or send a check to: Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), P O Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700 Designate account DR000038 – Pakistan

Act - Congregations and individuals can put together hygiene kits and baby kits for Church World Service to distribute.

Pray - for the people of Pakistan and those trying to bring aid. Let us join our hearts in prayer:  God of compassion, please watch over the people of Pakistan, and weave out of these terrible events wonders of goodness and grace. Surround those who have been affected by tragedy with a sense of your present love, and hold them in faith. Though they are lost in grief, may they find you and be comforted; guide us as a church to find ways of providing assistance that heal and gives hope. Help us remember that when one of your children suffers we all suffer. Through Jesus Christ who was dead, but lives and rules this world with you.  Amen.  

See complete list of prayer requests/praises–click on READ MORE  

Camp Director Rev. Mike Lewton was hospitalized Aug 22 with kidney stones. After treatment Mon, Aug 23, he is feeling better and expects to go home Wednesday. Please pray that the procedure brings a speedy and lasting recovery. Your prayers are a blessing!

Pastor Nominating Committees in MUP Congregations and the Committee on Ministry, which supports them, as they seek God’s guidance to identify those called to each congregation.  18 MUP congregations are currently in transition.  May all be alert to God’s timing.

Rev. Tim Kiser, MUP member-at-large living in Naperville, IL, continues recuperating from brain surgery earlier this summer. Please pray for full recovery, so Tim can resume work and normal activities.  Tim is grateful for the support of Missouri Union Presbytery and the care provided by Edward Cancer Center, near Chicago. Your prayers are appreciated.

Please pray for leaders and members of our Presbyterian partner church (CCAP) in Malawi, that they would be bold for the Gospel and humble of heart during political transitions.  Also, please continue to pray for the needs of children orphaned by HIV-AIDS  in Malawi and that a they will find a dependable way to get medical supplies to the Mary Beza Clinic in Ethuleni village.

Praise for Gisonga “Pastor Aaron” Ruvugwa recovery following gall bladder surgery.  Aaron, who leads Agape Fellowship, an African Immigrant Fellowship in Columbia, is thankful for your prayers.  Please continue prayers that his medical costs and other family needs will soon be met.

Rev. Murray Phillips (Pastor to North Lincoln Parish–Auburn & Whiteside PCs) is preparing for deployment to Afghanistan as a Chaplain with Iowa National Guard.  Rev. Lew Kimmel is serving North Lincoln Parish. May God grant Murray, all those with whom he serves, and the Afghan people, God’s protection and grace in the midst of the ongoing war.  May God’s power and grace sustain Murray’s family and the Whiteside and Auburn congregations while he’s away.

Prayers for Jack Zuroweste, husband of Martha (Clerk of Session Kingdom Parish: Auxvasse & Benton City churches) for ongoing cancer treatment and improved vision are truly appreciated.  By God’s grace, Jack has tolerated both radiation and vision treatments well!

Register NOW for Presbytery-wide Youth Events

Sr High Retreat FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS Sat & Sun Sept 18-19, 2010 hosted by First Presbyterian-Fulton Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

Mid-High Retreat “Mid-Highs Have to Reform” or “What’s all this Reformation Stuff” 7 PM Fri to 3 PM Sat, Oct 29-30 at Covenant Point Camp Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file.

Youth and Youth leaders coming together for Games, Music, Energizers, Skits, Fellowship and Worship. “Together we are better, than we are as individuals–Together we are the Body of Christ!”

Important Leadership & Continuing Education events in the Synod of Mid-AMerica during October 2010. Download information and Register NOW! 

Note: There is a file embedded within this post, please visit this post to download the file. 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 Church, 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  Heathly Congregations Workshop led by Richard Blackburn of Lombard Mennonite Peace Center 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.

To order copies of the 2011 Mission Yearbook  for Prayer & Study for quantity discount price of $8/copy, email office@mupresbytery.org or phone 800-635-3178.  Orders due by August 25. Yearbooks will be distributed at Presbytery on Oct 21, 2010. The MUP group order saves up to $2.50/copy, plus $5.25 or more per book for shipping.  Call Vicki or Angela w/questions.

Dining Hall

Covenant Point is a great place to encounter God!  Limited summer dates are still available for church group gatherings, family reunions or other events.  Early Fall is also great–maybe better as the heat subsides. The outdoor setting and great summer fun are a fabulous ways to experience God goodness and joy.  Plan a retreat or pool party for YOUR church or fellowship group–daytime or overnight. 

Missouri Union Presbyterians–Use your time and talents to support Covenant Point Camp! Your church or group can personally help make Covenant Point a great place for ministry in Missouri Union. Contact Mike Lewton at (573) 301-9117 or the Presbytery office at 1-800-635-317 8 to find out more.  We’re Together in Ministry–Covenant Point needs YOUR support!

The Vine Campus Ministries welcomes ALL college students in the Columbia area to join us AUGUST 29, 7PM @ THE CHEZ, 16 HITT ST, downtown Columbia for our Back 2 School Welcome Gathering!!!  Come grab some free food, meet new people, and get to know The Vine! 

Church leaders, be in prayer for your students coming to school in Columbia… let them know you are thinking of them and encourage them to join our community!  We appreciate your support!

 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. 

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

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.