Weekly E-news 12-18-2014 - Presbytery of North Central Iowa

NORTH CENTRAL IOWA PRESBYTERY
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News in THE PRESBYTERY:
Inside this issue:
Mark Your Calendars—January 24, 2015
Boundary Training for all
Teaching Elders & Commissioned Ruling
Elders
Also on this date: Ruling Elder Training
Kris Valerius of OGA will be training
Clerks of Sessions from 10-Noon on Records Books, Minutes Books and Year End
Reports.
Registration forms were sent to all Pastors and
Clerks of Session this week.
Lunch is free to all attending.
Prayers
2
Thoughts from Dave
3
Reason for the Season
4
Calendar
5
‘2015 Budgeting
6
Christmas Joy
9
Educational Events
10
Special points of interest:
 Boundary Training
 Christmas Joy Offering
PAGE 2
WEEKLY E-NEWS 12-18-2014
Prayers
CHURCHES AND PASTORS
Candidates and Inquirers
December 21, 2014 Burt, Burt and First,
Woden – Rev. Dr. S. Glenn Wilson
Candidates
December 28, 2014
Pray for the
Presbytery Staff as they start a new
year in service to the church:
Rev. David A. Feltman, Pastor to the
Presbytery/Stated Clerk ;
Patricia Geadelmann
Erin Marth
Keep in your prayers:
Miah Acosta, granddaughter
of Rev. Bien Acosta, Pastor of
Life and Hope Presbyterian
Church as she is currently hospitalized in Des Moines.
Inquirers
Rebecca Dix
Andrew Hagee
Rev. Dr. S. Glenn Wilson, Assistant
Stated Clerk
Julie Erkel Hagee
Kaylene Hoskins, Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper,
Heather Libich
Stephen Keve
Vicki Thordsen, Secretary,
Rev. Rich King, Pastor at
First Presbyterian Church,
Marshalltown as he recovers
from recent surgery. Well
wishes may be sent to Rich at
101 S. Center St. Marshalltown,
IA 50158.
Lee Nicholas, Treasurer
Diane Wilson, wife of Rev.
Dr. Glenn Wilson as she recovers from surgery. Well wishes
may be sent to Diane at P.O.
Box 165. Burt, IA 50522.
The Presbytery Office
will be closed December 24-25 for the
Christmas Holiday.
Prayers to you for a
blessed Christmas!
NOTE: If you have a
prayer request or joy to
share, please email
khoskins@presbynciowa.
org
or phone 319-233-1747
Chris Hoyt, wife of Rev. Brice
Hoyt , pastor at United Presbyterian, Traer as she recovers
from recent surgery. Get well
wishes may be sent to Chris in
care of United Presbyterian
Church, 307 Walnut Traer, IA
50675.
WEEKLY E-NEWS 12-18-2014
PAGE 3
Thoughts from Dave. . .
Dear Sisters and Brothers in Christ,
I remember a sermon from 1988. Rev. Dr. Kenneth Hall, the moderator of the
General Assembly, was the preacher. It was the December Presbytery meeting
in Minnesota Valleys Presbytery, my former presbytery; we met at Hope Presbyterian in Spicer. I wonder about the accuracy of my memory? The text was
Matthew 2: 16, “When Herod saw that he had been tricked by the wise men,
he was infuriated, and he sent and killed all the children in and around Bethlehem who were two years old or under, according to the time he had learned
from the wise men.”
Dr. Hall’s main point is that it was into a real world where real power could be
so corrupt – the Savior came; a real world where evil was having its day.
The world is in shock once again after the tragedy in Pakistan and the way evil
is still having its day. I think of Romans 8:19, an Advent text, “For the creation
waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God… We know
that the whole creation has been groaning in labor pains until now, and not
only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan
inwardly while we wait…” We wait and affirm ONE DAY, justice, righteousness
and peace will have their day!! And, into all the messes of God’s world we pray
– Come Lord Jesus.
I hope you have a Blessed Christmas!
With love in Christ,
David Feltman
PAGE 4
WEEKLY E-NEWS 12-18-2014
The reason for the season
By Nathan Countryman, Assistant Editor
Published: Thursday, December 11, 2014
BANCROFT—On Sunday, Dec. 7, the Burt Presbyterian Church held its annual Christmas in the Barn event at the
Mark and Mary Behrends farm.
“In this barn, we are far from Black Friday shopping and the crowds in malls, as well as the stained glass windows of a church,” said Ian Laddusaw. “Take the time tonight to think about God in your hearts.”
Ian Laddusaw performed a guitar solo after that and Shawna Person performed a solo to the song “Draw
Me Close to You.”
Members of the Burt Presbyterian Youth recounted the Gospel story surrounding Jesus birth, including the fact that
he was born in a manger when his family had to report for an area census, as there were no rooms for the family in
one of the inns.
Baylynn Johnson performed a solo of “Mary Did You Know?”
Rev. Doug House began the Christmas in the Barn service with a special rendition of "what Child is This?" with the
violin. although the temperature was in the high thirties, there was a lot of warmth in the old barn as the story of
Christ was told once again, with a different point of view. This time there was a focus on the old worshiper Simeon,
who is found in the Bible in Luke Chapter 2, when the infant Jesus was presented at the temple by Mary and Joseph.
It was time for the purification rites required by the Law of Moses, so Joseph and Mary took him to Jerusalem to
present him to the Lord to offer a sacrifice in keeping with what is said in the Law of the Lord: “a pair of doves or
two young pigeons.”
Simeon was righteous and devout. He was waiting for the consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was on him. It
had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not die before he had seen the Lord’s Messiah. Moved by
the Spirit, he went into the temple courts.
When the parents brought in the child Jesus to do for him what the custom of the Law required, Simeon took him in
his arms and praised God, saying that this baby was the promised one, the Messiah. The parents marveled at what
Simeon had to say about the child.
Rev. Dr. Glenn Wilson played the role of Simeon for the barn service. At the end of his monologue, he invited
crowd members to hold a a baby, just as Simeon held Jesus. Two infant children, the grandchildren of Barn Service
Director Mary Behrends, were passed among members of the audience.
It was the last Christmas in the Barn for senior Cameron Crosser, who spoke glowingly of his inferences in the
event over the years since he was in the sixth grade. Cassidy Crosser, Hailey Sifert, and Sierra Crosser also had key
roles in the barn service.
PAGE 5
WEEKLY E-NEWS 12-18-2014
Presbytery Calendar
Presbytery calendar dates are on a first come first served basis. If you (Presbytery Committee, Commission, Board, Church, or other Presbytery groups) are planning a meeting/event/or time please contact the Presbytery office or check the Presbytery calendar. Thank you. A complete calendar is on the website at
www.presbynciowa.org
Date
Time
Event
Location
December
24-25
Presbytery Office Closed
January
4
3:00
Mission Trip Orientation
Ackley, First
8
10:00
Macedonian Ministry East
Waterloo, Westminster
12
5:00
COM
Ackley, First
15
11:30
SE Pastor Cluster Gathering
Grundy Center, Bethany
24
10:00
Boundary Training for Pastors/CRE
Ackley
10:00
Ruling Elder Training
Ackley
10-Noon
Clerk of Session Training with Kris Valerius Ackley
10:00
Macedonian Ministry West
Fort Dodge, First
26-29
COM/CPM Training
Minnesota
31
Snow date for January 24 event
31-Feb. 6
Presbytery Mission Trip
26
February
6
11:00
Camp Board
Lakeshore Center at Okoboji
9
5:00
Committee on Ministry
Ackley, First
12
10:00
Committee on Preparation for Ministry
Ackley, First
5:00
Presbytery Council meeting
Ackley, First
10:00
Macedonian Ministry East
Waterloo, Westminster
1:30
Vital Ministries Initiative
Waterloo, Westminster
11:30
SE Pastor Cluster
Grundy Center, Bethany
Noon
Ames Cluster Gathering
TBA
23
Noon
First Call Pastors
Ackley, First
26
10:00
Macedonian Ministry West
Fort Dodge, First
16
19
WEEKLY E-NEWS 12-18-2014
PAGE 6
For your 2015 Budget Planning:
2015 Per Capita
2015 Mission
General Assembly
7.07
25%
Synod
5.20
4%
Presbytery
18.54
71%
TOTAL
$30.81
100%
Ministry with the Presbytery:
Lay Academy continues with 10 students into 2015
Annual Presbytery-wide Mission Trips—February 1-7 & watch for destination
Lakeshore Center on Okoboji varied ministries for and with our churches
Candidates and Inquirers under our care
Macedonia Ministries for pastors/CRE’s begins in 2015
Mission & Ministry Board approved grants of approximately $60,000 for projects partnering with local ministries.
Committee on Ministry as they work with churches in transition
Transformational church mission dollars for second mile giving:
Central Presbyterian Church in Nevada
Life and Hope Presbyterian Church, Fort Dodge and Webster County
If your church has any questions for Presbytery, we stand ready to visit with you to listen to your concerns, challenges and visions for the future.
Call 319-233-1747 or 319-231-3570.
PAGE 7
WEEKLY E-NEWS 12-18-2014
BE A RECONCILER IN THE CHURCH
By: Heath K. Rada, Moderator of the 221st General Assembly (2014) of the Presbyterian Church
USA
At a recent meeting of newly elected moderators of presbyteries across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), I was asked to share my thoughts concerning ways a person
might serve in the role of "reconciler" in a presbytery or church where there were
divisions. The following were my comments:
1. Pray first. Pray alone before you begin the conversation. Then offer to open the
conversation in prayer. Such grounding lays a framework that removes the issue
from the people involved and invokes Christ to join you. It also helps you to "get
over yourself" so that your agenda isn't the primary focus.
2. Listen and show respect. Everyone has the right to be heard, no matter what
their position. It may be appropriate to establish ground rules of respect before you
begin, so that people won't use their time attacking one another. Hearing anger
and pain is every bit as important as hearing successes and joys.
To read more, go to: https://www.pcusa.org/news/2014/11/11/be-reconcilerchurch/
Unity Presbyterian Blue Christmas Service December 21
at 4:30 p.m.
"When Christmas Hurts" is the theme for this year's Blue Christmas Service.
Christmas can be a painful time for some. It may be the first
Christmas without a loved family member who has recently died; it
may be a time that has always been difficult. The constant refrains
on radio and television, in shopping malls and churches, about the
happiness of the season, about getting together with family and
friends, reminds many people of what they have lost. The anguish
of the death of a love one can make us feel alone in the midst of
celebrating and joy. Even without death there are other reasons for a blue Christmas. We need the
space and time to acknowledge our sadness; we need to know that we are not alone. We need
encouragement to live the days ahead of us.
There are times when life is good and beautiful, and celebration is appropriate. But there are
also times of distress and loss. During those times we sing sad songs of lament, protest and complaint about the chaos and harshness that life can sometimes be for us. We often feel afraid, angry, and ashamed. Putting words to this season can often be difficult. But we do this together in
our address to God.
PAGE 8
WEEKLY E-NEWS 12-18-2014
APA OFFERING FREE MEMBERSHIP TO NEW MEMBERS
The very best part is if you know someone that would like to join but haven’t because of the cost
– new members are now FREE at least for 2015. Pass the word around and see if we can build up
our membership in the Midwest Region. This is for all church secretary’s, Administrative Assistants or other office workers.
If you would like more information about APA, please contact Vicki at the Presbytery office.
vthordsen@presbynciowa.org
New Standard Mileage Rates Now Available; Business Rate to
Rise in 2015
WASHINGTON — The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2015 optional
standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an
automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes.
Beginning on Jan. 1, 2015, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car, van,
pickup or panel truck will be:
 57.5 cents per mile for business miles driven, up from 56
cents in 2014
 23 cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes,
down half a cent from 2014
 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations
The standard mileage rate for business is based on an annual study of the fixed
and variable costs of operating an automobile, including depreciation, insurance, repairs, tires, maintenance, gas and oil. The rate for medical and moving
WEEKLY E-NEWS 12-18-2014
PAGE 9
WEEKLY E-NEWS 12-18-2014
PAGE 10
Educational Events and Seminars
Lakes and Prairies announces
plans for Synod School 2015
The off season is over and plans are in place for Synod School 2015. The annual midsummer ministry will run July 26-31 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa.
Theresa Cho, co-pastor of St. John's Presbyterian Church in San Francisco, will be
next summer's convocation speaker. She describes herself as a pastor, wife, mother, baker, gardener, listener and storyteller. She's all that and blogs at Still Waters, has written for Christian
Century and Sojourners, leads conferences and serves in numerous capacities for several Presbyterian groups. There's more at "Synod School."
REGISTRATION AVAILABLE FOR BOTH WINTER, SUMMER PASTORS SCHOOLS
Registration is now open for Summer Pastors School that will run June 7-13, also at Hastings
College. Both education activities are organized by the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation.
Keeping in Touch - Synod of Lakes and Prairies
WEEKLY E-NEWS 12-18-2014
PAGE 11
Mark Your Calendar
Big Tent'
July 30—August 1, 2015
Tennessee Conference Center
In Knoxville, TN
The "Big Tent," a biennial event of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that includes conferences and activities of multiple organizations within the church, will take place July 30
through Aug. 1 next year at the University of Tennessee Conference Center, Knoxville. Details should be showing up soon at "Big Tent."
2016 Presbyterian Youth Triennium
2016 Presbyterian Youth Triennium Production Team applications are
live! The Triennium Staff are looking for 26 thoughtful, hard working,
youth and adult youth worker volunteers to serve as the Production
Team - the team who will produce the amazing 2016 Triennium! Applications and reference forms can be found on the Triennium website.
Act quickly! http://presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/
PRESBYTERY OF NORTH CENTRAL IOWA
2302 Falls Avenue
Waterloo, IA 50701
Phone: 319-233-1747
Fax: 319-233-2015
E-mail: khoskins@presbynciowa.og
800-383-3617
319-233-2015—fax
We’re on the web,
www.presbynciowa.org
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