Missouri Union Presbytery

Distance Learning @ the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary is a new DVD produced by PMM that takes you inside the experience of distance theological education opportunities for Certified Lay Preachers, single Academic Courses, and the certified Masters in Divinity Degree Program that is one of a kind! The unveiling of the new DVD will be at the General Assembly of the PCUSA in June. For more information on Dubuque’s distance theological education programs contact PSell@dbq.edu and get on the list to receive a copy of the DVD.

Thanks be to God! The Hannibal Area Mentoring Program of Presbyterian Children’s Services continues to make a positive difference in the lives of children and their families in a three county area. Children, especially those in blended families, are learning to get along better. Many client families are recognizing the importance of attending school and completing school work. Mastery of these basic life skills will help the children make better choices as they grow up.

Because of this success, there is a waiting list of families seeking mentors. We have an urgent need for men who can serve as mentors. Please pray for this need. Currently, 11 mentors are working with 35 children. From July 2007 to January2008, mentors spent 1,955 hours (the most hours ever) lhelping learners.

Program Coordinator Marla Taylor is preparing requests to renew current funding grants. Most of the grants decrease over time, so additional sources of funding are needed. Marla is collecting surveys evaluating the Menotring Program. Overall results indicate parents are highly satisfaction and see measurable improvements in their children.
Thank you for your continued prayer and support!
Family Enrichment Ministries Mission Team supporting Hannibal-Area Mentoring Program of Presbyterian Children’s Services,serving families in Hannibal, Palmyra and New London, MO.

The Name of the Rain is a stage play which recounts the true experiences of the first responders and evacuees from New Orleans who took refuge at Broadmoor Presbyterian Church in Baton Rouge in the early days after Hurricane Katrina. The Name of the Rain was written by Broadmoor’s minister, Rev. Hawley Wolfe. Professional actors will tell the real stories of these hurricane survivors brought together by the chaotic circumstances following Katrina.

The play has been performed in Baton Rouge and New Orleans and is currently on tour through Alabama, Georgia, and the Carolinas. Another tour is scheduled for June through Texas, Arizona, and California, with two performances in San Jose during General Assembly. Each show is followed by a DVD presentation about current recovery work by Project Homecoming, a rebuilding effort of The Presbytery of South Louisiana in cooperation with Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Website at www.pslrecovery.org/.

There is still time to register for Father/Son weeks. PDA has received word that several churches are sending multiple father/son teams. Consider making this Father’s Day special by working together in the Gulf Coast. Teams of fathers and sons ages 14 and above can work together to rebuild homes in the Gulf Coast.

Work scheduled for weeks of June 8-14 and June 15-21, 2008

Dads, call your sons and sons call your dads, then reserve
your space by calling Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (toll-free) at 866-732-6121.

PDA has been in contact with San Gabriel Presbytery to determine needs related to an early season wildfire that is slowly burning through dense brush near Los Angeles. About 1,000 people were evacuated from their homes. The fire, which started Saturday, April 27, 2008 has burned more than 400 acres in the Angeles Forest north of the city.

The Board of Pensions rate for 2008 is 31.5% of Salary and Housing.

Commissioners from Missouri Union Presbytery to the 218th General Assembly are: Elder Jim Cruickshank, Elder Don Bay (Alternate instead of Elder David Harrison, Moderator), Rev. Dick Ramsey, Rev. Pam Sebastian (Alternate instead of Rev. Diane Miller) and Amanda Lynn, Youth Advisory Delegate.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) continues to respond to storms and flooding that have affected much of the south and southeastern United States. The most recent storm is a trio of tornadoes that struck southeastern Virginia late Monday (April 28, 2008)afternoon.

The most serious damage was reported in the Suffolk area, near Norfolk. Two other tornadoes were reported in Brunswick County and Colonial Heights, a Richmond suburb. PDA National Response Team members Carol and Dave Thalman of Winchester, VA, and Beth Goss of Herndon, VA are enroute to work with the Presbytery of the James in its response to this disaster. Please go to the Presbyterian Church USA website–www.pcusa.org/give/online/projectDR000015 for most recent updates or to donate.

General Assembly convenes in San Jose, CA on Saturday, June 21 and concludes Sunday, June 29, 2008. For more information please go www.pcusa.org (website for the Presbyterian Church USA) For quick access-Click SITE HOME (upper lfet above) link by clicking on “PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH USA” (third line upper left)

Presbyterian Communicators Network Regional Conference
Stronghold Conference Center, Oregon, IL
August 25 – 27, 2008

Experience interactive workshops, stimulating plenary, reflective worship and and lively conversation with others who have similar communication responsibilities for the PC(USA). Learn to upload multi-media to your website, create an online social network, develop a communicators network in your presbytery, or freshen up your writing skills. Listen to and talk with church experts on communicating in a Web 2.0 world and how to reach out to others that are beyond the four walls of your church.

The event starts at 1:00 pm, Monday, August 25 and concludes at 11:30am, Wednesday, August 27. Registration is $250 and includes all conference programs, group meals and two night lodging. Go to www.pcusa.org/comnet for complete details.

Who should attend: People who have the responsibility to communicate via hard copy, online or other electronic media, the ministry and mission of churches, presbyteries and synods. Members and friends in MUP, if you're planning to attend this conference, please contact Vicki at the MUP office 1-800-635-3178. She will be attending–free ride available!

Can’t make Stonghold? Then save these dates for a similar opportunity:
Montreat Conference Center, Montreat, NC April 30 – May 2
Menucha Retreat and Conference Center, Corbett, OR October 29 – 31. If you have questions about the event, contact one of the planning committee members:

Duane Sweep, Director of Communications – Synod of Lakes and Prairies, 800-328-1880 *206, dsweep@lakesandprairies.org
Pat Wakeley, Blackhawk Presbytery, 815-732-3258 x610 or x5, patw@blackhawkpresbytery.org
Dennis Sanders, Twin Cities Area Presbytery, 888-323-4714, communications@ptcaweb.org
Kim Coulter, Des Moines Presbyter, 515-276-4991, pbycommunication@qwest.net OR www.presbyteryofdesmoines.org