On How We Do Things

A word from your Pastor

Two months ago, at the start of 2010, we began to practice a new way of doing things. We put our hands and our hearts to the task of freeing one another to engage in Christian ministry within this congregation in a way that allows for freedom, individual expression of vocation, faithful stewardship of gifts, and better, more efficient use of our time. It has been a beautiful transition, and the benefits have made themselves known!

• Whereas we had at one time employed all 21 elders to serve as a moderator or vice-moderator of a ministry team, now we have employed only three, thereby freeing 18 elders for other crucial ministry that aligns more harmoniously with their unique giftedness.
• Whereas we had been hosting ministry team meetings on multiple nights each week throughout each month, now we are able to meet all together on one night with dinner and corporate worship, thereby confirming in practice our theological commitment to become ever more a “community of faith” comprised of people who know each other’s stories.
• Whereas we had been experiencing something of a spiritual anemia due to low member-participation in some of our former ministry teams, now our three Commissions (Ministry, Mission, and Stewardship) and their Workgroups are well-attended, thereby increasing participation within all three Commissions and within the congregation at large.
• Whereas we had been noting a failure of communication relative to “this or that” ministry opportunity, scheduled event, or other congregational news-item, now we are all together in one building at the same time, thereby allowing for greater shared information and more effective communication spanning across the various Commissions.

In order to continue to communicate clearly and well and to respond to any lingering questions, please allow me to highlight ways in which you can participate in your congregation’s ministry in a way that helps you and serves Christ’s church.

• Be there! The whole church is the church, not just part of it. When Jesus called us, FPC, into being, he did not whisper into the ears of a few of us, only to leave the rest of us left guessing. Instead, we are all called, we are all gifted, we are all invited, and we are all expected to give of ourselves, to respond to the treasure that we’ve been given, to give back generously of our time, energy, intelligence, imagination, and love. You are the church. Be there!
  
  Our next Commissions Meeting Night is Sunday, March 28, 2010 @ 5:00 PM.
  
  
• Commit to Doing One Thing Well. Perhaps you are accustomed to serving on two or more of our former “ministry teams,” and perhaps this worked well for you, giving you a much needed diversification of the ways you serve your congregation! Thank you so very much for that. Our congregation and our mission beyond this church would never be what it is were it not for your outstanding commitment and dedication.
  
  And now, we ask you to consider continuing in the practice of ministry as you would like, but committing with us for one year to doing one thing well. We ask that you commit yourself to one of our Commissions (Ministry, Mission, or Stewardship) for a year, limiting how much of others’ ministries you would be missing since we all meet at the same time on the same night. Rather than feeling torn, stretched, and having to bounce from here to there, we ask you to choose one Commission (and perhaps only one workgroup within that Commission) and give of your whole self to it. After the first year, you’re free to decide if that is the place for you!
  
  
• Groups of All Leaders. You may have noticed that, technically speaking, the individual Workgroups of each Commission do not have “moderators.” While each of the three Commissions does, the Workgroups do not. However, we have asked all of the former moderators of the former ministry teams to stay with the workgroups that most closely align with their previous work in order to assist us in this transition. They have graciously agreed to do this. After the initial six months have transpired, the Workgroups will be asked to decide for themselves how they wish to go forward. Some will elect from within their group a leader. Others will desire to allow the group to lead itself. In any case, our hope is that the Workgroups will decide for themselves how they are to be led and what matters are most important for their discernment and decision (agendas, etc.).
  
  
• Praying Communities. We are hopeful that you will find your Commission to function in some small way as a “small group” or, at best, as a praying community. We ask that the Commissions make prayer a central part of their identity, the heart from which all their work is done. We hold prayer as a foundational part of our life together in God. If that is true (as we profess it to be), then everything we do should be punctuated by prayer.
  
  
• The First Twenty Minutes. One of the most important moments of the Commissions Meeting Night is the First Twenty Minutes of the Commission meeting. After the plenary group has broken out into the three Commissions, the Moderators are charged to hold a twenty minute conversation with you about major news, announcements, and inter-disciplinary matters and concerns. This is also a time to pray, to hear each other’s stories, to learn how to hold one another before God as a family of faith, and to “get the goods” on all that is happening beyond your Workgroup. It is a crucial time. Please remember to make space for this twenty minutes before you begin your Workgroup sessions.
  
  
• The Next Hour. Following that First Twenty Minutes comes the Next Hour. For one hour, Workgroups are invited to do their thing! Follow agendas, make decisions, plan, dream, vision, and imagine! Then, we’ll gather together once more for closing announcements and for prayer.
  
  
• Reports. Finally, workgroups should get their reports to their Commission Moderators in a timely fashion so their Moderators can compile them, submit them for online publication, and have them for the Session in due time.

I hope this will help us all as we continue to seek clarity, gain wisdom, and learn patience with ourselves and with one another in this new season. And please email me with questions!

With hope!
Jonathan

Prayer Concerns

Youth PresbyNotes

Click here to read the monthly Youth Newsletter.

Note of Thanks

Thank you to all in our church family for your help during John’s father’s recent illness and death.  Your prayers, food, presence and kind words are greatly appreciated.  We love you all.

John, Kim, Harper, Caroline and Jack Lashbrook

From The Youth Upper Room

We are encouraged to eat breakfast every morning and we are also told this is the most important meal of the day.  Sometimes it is difficult to grab that bagel, pour that bowl of cereal, or eat the yogurt and granola as you head out the door to start your day.  Don’t you worry, the youth ministry will help you out with this important meal.  Starting at 9 am on the 28^th of March and the 25^th of April, the youth will be hosting a pancake breakfast in the fellowship hall to help raise funds for our 2010 mission trip to North Carolina.  The meal will be on us but we will be accepting donations.  We hope you can attend as we provide an opportunity to start your day off right!  (These 2 breakfast dates will be in place of the Annual Sunrise Service Breakfast.  There will be NO Sunrise Service breakfast this year.)

The youth ministry still has plenty of Kroger Gift Cards for sale for $5 in Adam’s study.  Be sure to pick one up or if you already have one, don’t forget to reload them for this is a great way to support our youth!

What is green, with yellow, pink, red, blue, and white polka dots?  Our front lawn on Palm Sunday.  That is right our annual Easter egg hunt will be on Sunday, March 28^th, immediately following our 10:30 am worship service.  If the weather cooperates, we will be scrambling around on the lawn of the church looking for those tasty eggs but if it rains, we will be inside.  To help make this a ‘hopping’ good time, we are in need of candy and plastic Easter eggs!  Please drop them off in Adam’s study.  We are looking forward to having a bunny-rific time on Palm Sunday!

For $10 you can purchase the LOVE shirt the youth were wearing at the Gilliland Gala.  If you are interested, contact Adam.

Health Ministry

Drug Disposal is Saturday, March 13, 2010 from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM at the Clinton Place entrance. Bring old medicines, pills, liquids, patches, etc., in their original containers. Pharmacist, Jeff McKeever will check your current medications for compatibility. Please, ask friends and neighbors to participate as well.

Women Helping Women Knitters

All knitters and those interested in learning to knit are invited to gather on Wed., March 10^th at 10:00.  We will knit a few more squares for our shawls.  Whether you can come or not, keep knitting!!  We know that the women in Ethiopia’s Fistula Hospital truly appreciate our gifts. Contact Suzanne Guyer (926-3163) if you have questions.

March Kirk Night

On Sunday, March 7, the Presbyterian Women will be hosting our monthly Kirk Night celebration and program complete with a meal and a presentation by Ms. Nelda Barnett, member of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and an active participant on the national level of AARP. The presentation will be on aging. RSVP to Sasha (684.1467) If you need a ride call the church office by noon on March 5, 2010.

Betty Burns Memorial Service

On Saturday, March 13, 2010, at 11:00 AM, our congregation will join with Jay Burns and his family as we celebrate the life of our beloved Betty Burns in a Memorial Service. A lunch for everyone will follow. The Congregational Care Workgroup (Commission on Ministry) is asking that all FPCers who attend the Memorial Service please bring a side dish to accompany the meat and beverages that that Workgroup will be providing! RSVP to Sasha (684.1467).

Living Waters of the World

On Sunday evening, March 14, gather with other FPCers, Presbyterians from throughout the presbytery and synod, and official representatives (including Steve Young, Administrator) from Living Waters of the World as we welcome Denis Chege, a man born in water-deprived Africa whose story highlights the necessity of our participation in the world's need for clean water, who will tell us his story. Denis is a colleague and friend of Diane Bowers. The presentation will begin at 4:00PM with an evening meal (provided) to follow. Please do what you can to invite others to join you in this momentous, one-time event!

Clothing Drive Continues Through March

The Presbyterian Women are continuing to collect clean, gently used (or new) items for the women of OASIS Women’s Shelter. Because many women leave an abusive situation with only the clothes on their backs, they are in need of sweats or casual, comfortable pants and tops, undergarments, pajamas, and tennis shoes.  We are also collecting used cell phones for them.  These can be programmed for 911. (Please include the phone charger.)

Community Lenten Service Schedule

March 3 Third Baptist Church
March 10 Faith Lutheran Church
March 17 Century Christian Church
March 24 First Presbyterian Church

Storm Ready-2010 Severe Weather Workshop

6:30 p.m. Tues., March 9^th at Daviess County High School Auditorium. The Church Disaster Preparedness Committee encourages you to attend this Severe Weather Workshop.  The 3 hour class is sponsored by Daviess County Emergency Management, is free of charge, and will help you be a well informed weather spotter.

Easter Lilies

The Worship Committee will provide memorial lilies in the sanctuary on Easter Sunday, April 4.  This is a special purchase from the Kentucky Hemophilia Foundation for a donation of $9.65 each.  The funds from the lilies will be used to aid with the treatment, drugs, care and health insurance when necessary for children and adults.  If you would like to order a  lily in honor or memory of loved ones, you can call the church office at 684-1467.  Checks should be made to First Presbyterian Church with “Easter Lily” in the memo section.

PrimeTimers

Join us this month March 16^th, for an Easter Program
Presented at 10:30 by our own Elaine Nolen.
We’ll begin our service in the sanctuarywhere we’ll take a seat,
Then move to the Fellowship Hall to meet and eat.
We hope you can come and a friend you will bring,
To enjoy this musical presentation as we approach spring.
Please let us know if you can be apart of this fun.
So we can have food and a seat for everyone.

Elaine Park
691-1102

Help Office Donations

In these tough economic times, the Help Office is dealing with higher and higher numbers of people in dire need of assistance with food, cleaning supplies, personal items, and of course cash.  The Commission on Missions wants to encourage members to remember to bring donations for the Help Office.  Our new slogan is F(food) P(personal items) C(cash) for the Help Office.  Look for our signs around the church.

The first Sunday of each month has been designated as Help Office Sunday.  Of course donations will be accepted at any time.  We will now have a donation spot at both the main entrance to the sanctuary as well as the Clinton Place entrance.  For those of you who forget your donations, please consider dropping a few dollars in our cash box that will be located at the collection bins.

This Sunday, March 7, will be Help Office Sunday.  Please bring in personal items such as soap, diapers, feminine products, shampoo, etc.

Upcoming Events

Click here to view the Calendar.