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Hunger Purpose Group
Photo courtesy hein vingerling
It’s not just a fish, it’s a fish farm fish by Hein Vingerling
As you know, Matthew TwentyEight purchased a piece of land some ten years ago with the idea in mind to use the land to grow crops. The property consists of a large flat tract that is about 90 feet above the level of the river. The land slopes down very steep on one end and has a section that is about 15 feet above the river, where five fish ponds measuring 20 x 20 feet were dug. At the time of the land purchase, the ponds were not useable. Cracks in the land and the dams separating the ponds allowed
the water to seep out so fast that aqua culture was not an option. Thanks to the grant of the Synod of the South Atlantic we have been able, over the last two years, to rebuild all the ponds. The water coming to the ponds came through a manually dug channel over a distance of about 400 yards. The channel was very leaky and at several places the water had to be piped across ravines. We decided that the channel needed to be updated with a mortar and rock liner. This would increase the flow rate and make it easier to keep the chan-
Photo courtesy hein vingerling
Hein Vingerling, left, stands on new water control dam.
nel clean from debris. At the same time, a few aqueducts had to be build. Most of this work was finished late 2009. The
earthquake in January, 2010 destroyed the weakest of the aqueducts that had (See
Haiti Fish Farms, page 7)
Martha Newell: ‘I just want to share my blessings with others’ by Bob Pryor Director, Camp Hanover
“I have had such a blessed life; I wouldn’t want to change anything about it. Now I just want to share my blessings with others.” With these words, Mrs. Martha Newell, a member at Second Presbyterian Church, pledged $300,000 to the Camp Hanover Capital Campaign. The gift will be used to build a new cabin in the area of Wise Lodge and will be named for Mrs. Newell’s late husband, the Reverend Sam Newell who served pastorates at both River Road and Salisbury Presbyterian Churches. Mrs. Newell said that her husband had significant interest in spiritual growth, education, and the outdoors (and, she added, “the Boston Red Sox!”). She found herself attracted to Camp Hanover because its mission and
goals center around these three, potentially life-changing interests. The Reverend Thomas Coye, pastor of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church in Kilmarnock and the moderator of the Camp Hanover Capital Campaign Steering Committee said of the gift, “Mrs. Newell has a wonderful feel for stewardship. She and her late husband, Sam, believed that they had been blessed. Even more, they felt those blessings needed to be shared. Her joy is contagious." Camp Hanover, which is owned and operated by Presbytery of the James, is currently involved in its first capital campaign in over thirty years. Funds raised will be used to upgrade existing facilities, now over fifty years old; add more adult and family-friendly facilities; (Continued on page 6)
ON THE INSIDE Collegiate Ministries
Camp Hanover
Medical Mission Trip
Chester Church
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P R E S B Y T E RY I N R E V I E W SEVENTY-SEVENTY STATED MEETING ~ FEBRUARY 19, 2011 ~ FOREST HILL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH The Presbytery of the James held its 77th Stated Meeting on Saturday, February 19, 2011, at Forest Hill Church, Richmond, VA. The meeting was co-hosted with Eastminster and Crestwood Churches. The meeting was a productive and interesting meeting; the accommodations were more than adequate, and the hospitality was superb from the three hosting congregations (hosting a presbytery meeting with a neighboring congregation is a good way to share the joy!). We installed Rev. Janet James as the 2011 Moderator, and we commissioned Ruth Brown, member of Ginter Park Church, as a mission co-worker to the Congo. We also welcomed the following ministers into the presbytery: Rev. William Charles, Honorably Retired, from Abingdon Presbytery Rev. Pattie Sewell, Honorably Retired, from Peaks Presbytery Rev. Igmara Sanchez Prunier, Chaplain with Bon Secours Health System Rev. Mary Jane Winter, Interim Pastor, Rockfish Church, from Eastern Virginia Presbytery. We also heard Gina Maio, POJ candidate, preach a sermon for ordination and be examined to become Minister of Word and Sacrament. She was approved for ordination and will be Head of School of the Church Hill Academy. There were some struggles in adopting the docket due to the proposed process of considering the New Form of Government amendment to the Book of Order. In the end, Rev. Dan Williams, member of the nFOG General Assembly Committee, made a 15 minute presentation about the proposal. We had 24 minutes of debate and then voted by written ballot answering in the negative for the proposal: 130 yes; 140 no; 4 abstentions. Several ministers and elders lodged a formal protest of the action of the presbytery which will be recorded in the minutes of the presbytery. We were privileged to have Dr. Sam Adams, Union Presbyterian Seminary, lead us in a Bible study during morning prayers about discipleship in preparation for the Lenten Season. Also, we had an inspiring presentation by Mark Hare, missionary to Haiti, concerning the hope that exists in Haiti and for the world as we work together in God’s Kingdom. In addition, the following actions were taken by the presbytery: Approval of the October, 2010, Presbytery minutes. Approval of an exception for Rosewood Church not to rotate elders for the year 2011 as they consider the size of their Session. Approval of the balancing of commissioners for 2011. Approval that Rev. Richard Lindsey become Honorably Retired, April 1, 2011. Approval of the following ministers to become Members at Large: Rev. Fernando Cascante, January 1, 2011 Rev. Carol Fisher, January 16, 2011 Rev. Gay Lee Einstein, January 3, 2011 Heard a report from the General Presbyter/Stated Clerk Search Committee and voted to approve their recommendation of re-electing Rev. Carson Rhyne (me!) as General Presbyter for an additional six year term and with a desire to work toward the total compensation package reaching $135,000 by the end of the term. Mr. Rhyne was elected as Stated Clerk for a three year term in accord with the Presbytery Manual. Elected the following persons to serve as region representatives on various committees. Elder Gerry Nixon, Crestwood, Regions E, 2013, Committee on Ministry Elder George Walker, New Hanover, Member at Large 2012, CPM. Elder L Ron Inlow, Gayton Kirk, Region C, 2011, Leadership Connections Team Elder Martha Martin, Providence Forge, Region E, 2013, Mission & Service Team Elder Bonnie Snyder, Hartwood, Region B, 2012 Leadership Team Changed the Presbytery Manual to ensure the Communication and Coordination membership was in accord with the By-Laws of the Trustees as that is one of their functions. Changed the Presbytery Manual to define the functions of the three teams: Communication and Coordination, Leadership Connections, and Mission and Service. Approved the 2011 Presbytery budget with instructions for the Budget Committee to reconsider two areas: (1) New Church Development staff person; and (2) Haiti Purpose Group funding.
Respectfully submitted, H. Carson Rhyne, Jr. Stated Clerk
FUTURE MEETINGS OF THE PRESBYTERY Tuesday, June 21, 2011 Brandermill Church, host Saturday, October 15, 2011 Fairfield Church, host Saturday, February18, 2012 Host needed Tuesday, June 19, 2012 Host needed Saturday, October 20, 2012 Host needed
ACTS: a call to service 2010
by Felecia Douglas
Some years ago, several Presbytery of the James youth ministers clustered around tables, hands wrapped around a latte and passionately weaving together their dreams for ministry. Brainstorming about mission opportunities for middle school youth, and wanting to shift the perception of mission as something one ‘goes and does’ at certain times, they wondered, “What if middle school youth gathered for a service retreat right in Richmond? Would it cast mission in a different light?” Hence ACTS, A Call To Service, began. This retreat, sponsored by the POJ Youth Ministry Committee, draws participants from all over Richmond. The youth divide into work teams and travel to at least three different agencies. Each team is led by an adult who accompanies and works alongside them. Additional adults serve as drivers and chaperones. The entire group combines their energy to do one gigantic service project together during the retreat as well. Bon Air hosted ACTS 2010 on August 3-6. Twenty-two youth from seven churches in the POJ participated: Bon Air; Fairfield; Forest Hill; Salisbury; Second, Richmond; Three Chopt; and Village. Nine local organizations benefitted from their enthusiastic labor: Boaz and Ruth; CARITAS; Daughters of Zelophehad; FISH of Eastern Henrico County; A Grace Place; Home Again, Lucy Corr Assisted Care Facility; Neighborhood Resource Center; and Ronald McDonald House. The youth cleaned, sorted, and organized donations; visited and played with residents; planned, and prepared, a meal for the families of hospitalized children; built
(2) 4’ x 16’ raised vegetable beds; and assembled a play set at a shelter for homeless women and children. This year’s large-group mission project was to glean 682 pounds of cherry tomatoes with the Society of St. Andrew. In addition to serving up food and snacks, the kitchen crew (high school youth) pruned, pulled, and spruced up the backyard at one of the Daughters of Zelophehad’s shelters. Others loaned their expertise: caterer Vicky Krabill (Ginter Park,) supervised the chefs who fed the residents of the Ronald McDonald House; master gardener Richard Nunnally (Chester,) led in building the vegetable beds; photography buff Tim Williams (Chester,) captured the retreat on film; graphic artist Linn Coghill (Chester,) designed the retreat Tshirt, and handymen Warren Trevvett, Don Geisler (Chester,) and Tom Hobbs (Ginter Park,) led their work team in answering the question: “How many people does it take to assemble a swing set?” Middle school youth like tangible evidence of their efforts; “I want to drive by and say to my parents ‘I helped build that,’” exclaims Melrica Williams of Village. The retreat offers concrete opportunities to show God’s love. In case you are wondering, participants also did all the other things one would expect during a retreat: they worshipped, played, and sleep (or not) together. It is such a meaning-filled opportunity that many POJ youth attend ACTS every year. Looking for something for your youth to do next summer? Consult the youth link on the POJ website for information on ACTS 2011 and mark your calendars.
Published by Presbytery of the James, 3218 Chamberlayne Ave., Richmond, VA 23227. Editorial Rights Reserved. Articles without by-lines are written by the editor. The Vine is a publication mailed free to members of Presbytery of the James congregations. Submissions, corrections, letters or requests for additional copies should be sent to: Clifton Edwards, Editor; Presbytery of the James; 3218 Chamberlayne Avenue., Richmond, VA 23227 or email: cliftonedwards@honeysucklecottage.us.
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Narnia Center, offers ‘Beautful Feet’ for VBS by Donald Marsden
2007 Moscow Book Fair
Narnia Center in Moscow, Russia is a center for producing resources for Christian Education and for training leaders for ministry with children and youth for use in Russian churches. I founded it ten years ago as a Presbytery of the James minister, while serving as a PC(USA) missionary in Russia. Presbytery of the James Public Ministries Board has given its endorsement for churches to designate a Vacation Bible School offering for Narnia Center in the summer of 2011. Although Thanksgiving and Christmas have just gone by, many churches will soon be thinking about Summer 2011 Vacation Bible
School. You can share the story of Narnia Center and its work through the Beautiful Feet VBS videos for use with children in next summer’s Vacation Bible School offering. Narnia Center has produced six short videos—each three to five minutes in length—as a Vacation Bible School mission curriculum supplement. Five of the videos are for use with children in VBS. The sixth is a video for parents, pastors and members of congregations introducing the work of Narnia Center. The videos invite children to go on an adventure to visit Narnia Center in Russia. The episodes are unified by the theme of “Beautiful Feet” from Isaiah 52—the feet of the messenger
who bears the good news. Using children’s stories and biblical themes, these videos inspire children with mission stories while helping them understand how Narnia Center is working to tell the good news to children in Russia. They tell children how their summer VBS offering will help enable Narnia Center to be beautiful feet sharing Good News with children across the vast expanse of the Russian Federation. Consider whether your congregation would like to participate in this offering. If you decide to do so, your church’s VBS director can order the DVD for your congregation by co n tacting D o n a l d M a rsd en at friends@narniacenter.ru.
Collegiate Ministries are thriving at UVA & VSU by The Rev. Dr. Laura S. Sugg Associate Pastor and Campus Minister
Westminster (Charlottesville) was founded seventy years ago as an outreach to the University of Virginia. Blessed with a great location two blocks from Jefferson’s Rotunda, the campus ministry continues to reach students in Christ’s name through intergenerational worship with the congregation and programs geared just for undergraduates and grad students. ♦ PRESBYTERIAN STUDENTS FELLOWSHIP is for undergraduates. Tuesday meetings consist of a soup and salad dinner, sharing “woes, you, and aha’s” around the table, followed by a discussion of a faith issue or occasionally a social activity. Attendance is usually 1824. ♦ MISSION TRIPS to Guatemala in January 2010 and 2011 saw a total of 15 UVA students and 12 WPC members traveling and working for a week in the Highlands. ♦ SUNDAY LUNCHES after worship invite undergraduates as well as graduate students and young adults—average attendance is 20. There is no formal program, just getting to know each other and enjoying home-cooked meals provided by congregation members.
Students in front of “Common Grounds.”
Most Sundays there are 20 or more students worshipping with the congregation, including one or two who sing in the church choir. ♦ THE RELATIVELY NEW HOME for the campus ministry is “Common Grounds”—a white house next to the church. Owned by the church since the 1960’s, the downstairs housed the Prism Coffeehouse until 2006. The space was refurbished in the summer of 2008 made possible by over $40,000 from church funds. This move made the campus ministry much more visible, since this house sits right next to fraternities and along the path many students walk or ride each day—two blocks from Jefferson’s Rotunda. We continue to add refurbishments: a new door and front path in fall 2009 and spring 2010, and in January 2011 we will try having some coffee and snack vending available at programs and study hours. What these bullet points don’t always show is the changed lives I see every day. I see active Presbyterian Student Fellowship (PSF) folks graduate from UVA having been nurtured in their faith. Christian community at college through Westminster and PSF supplement the bond they knew in their home congregations all over the country. They leave us to go on to serve as leaders in other congregations, to volunteer with the Church or with great programs like Teach for America. One of the delights of campus ministry is receiving those phone calls, notes or emails from past students telling me the wonderful things that they are doing to serve God in the world! Thank you to Presbytery of the James for contributing about one third of the funds that make this ministry possible. And many thanks to everyone who gives of their time and money
to enable this ministry to continue. If someone from your congregation is coming to UVA as a student, do let us know—we are here for them. Visit our website: www.westministerva.org to see lots of photographs and learn more about this vital and exciting ministry! by Rev. Delano Douglas Virginia State University
United Campus Ministries at VSU is committed to nurturing the Christian Faith through Worship and Christian Education, Fellowship, and
Students attend UCM service.
Community Service. UCM is living out this commitment in the following ways: ♦ WORSHIP has been enhanced by new partnerships and offerings! In September, the music ministry was placed under the leadership of two VSU students who arrange songs of praise and worship for our 2:00 pm Sunday services with an average attendance over 100. Musical groups from area churches in Petersburg and Richmond have also visited to minister through song! UCM has a Praise Dance team of seventeen students under the leadership of a Richmond choreographer. On Wednesday nights we have a powerful prayer and Lectio Divina centered devotional hour
entitled, Speak Lord: A Time to
Hear from God. FELLOWSHIP—UCM partnered with several departments of the University, a member of University Relations, and St. Joseph’s Catholic Church to bring Jim Pettis Productions rendition of God’s Trombones to VSU on Sunday, August 22, 2010 at 2 pm, free of charge and open to the public with an attendance over 700 people. ♦ COMMUNITY—UCM engaged in outreach to the cities of Petersburg and Richmond, and the counties of Dinwiddie and Chesterfield. UCM, Bermuda Hundred United Methodist Church of Chester, and VSU professionals provided one lunch per month for the homeless citizens of Petersburg in June, July, and September. UCM is very ambitious in serving Christ through the work of this ministry! Our ability to live out our call would not be possible without assistance from Presbytery of the James. ♦
Third Petersburg moves
Third Presbyterian Church, Petersburg has sold their building and are holding Worship Services at Colonial Heights Library on the corner of Conduit Rd. and Yacht Basin Ave. The mailing address is PO Box 256, Colonial Heights, VA 23834.
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Forman Christian College by Cheryl Burke, Dean of Students
In 2005, the Presbytery of the James contributed more than 80 scholarships to Forman Christian College in Lahore, Pakistan. This money provided financial assistance to Christian members of Forman’s first class in the “American style” Baccalaureate program. Many of those students, now graduated, have continued into Masters Degree programs. Others are working in their chosen fields. All have changed the futures of their families and communities financially as well as by example. Here are a couple of the stories that the POJ money made possible. Phool is from a small village where children typically get no more than a fourth grade education. His mother encouraged him to attend university in spite of pressure from others to have him work instead. Phool’s father died when Phool was 5 so her 16 hour a day carpet making job was their only support. After graduating from Forman, Phool began working for a non profit organization in Lahore making enough money to support his family. He is sending his two younger brothers to school and is now working on his MBA. In addition to working and classes, he returns to his village every weekend to lead Bible studies and to teach in the Sunday school class. Because of his example, many families in the village are now sending their sons to college. Another young man, Khurram, is currently attending Bible college in Belfast, Northern Ireland. He plans to return to Pakistan when he has completed his studies. The lack of education for Christians during the time of nationalization has meant a loss of qualified, educated leadership in the Church. Khurram is one of several Forman students helping to change that.
These are just two of many. Forman continues to educate students from a wide variety of backgrounds. Scholarship support from churches and individuals allows us to continue to admit students based on their scholarly abilities without having to make distinctions based on their ability to pay. Their experiences together on one campus impact their lives, the lives of the communities to which they will return and the nation of Pakistan. Thank you for your support!
Quality care regardless of ability to pay by Maureen Neal, Executive Director The Daily Planet
The economic turbulence of the past two years exposed more than just failing banks, overextended borrowers and foundering businesses, it also revealed the precarious footing of the middleclass. When the storm surge of the great recession receded, the Commonwealth’s community health centers found they had provided care to 181,000 uninsured Virginians. When the economy hemorrhaged millions of jobs, many laid off workers lost their access to affordable health care creating a deluge of 31,000 new uninsured patients streaming into Virginia’s free clinics and community health centers over two years. Last year, 38 percent of all patients seeking healthcare services in the state were uninsured, according to data compiled by the state’s community health centers. The strain on free clinics and health care centers, like The Daily Planet, has frayed an already tenuous lifeline to medical services for many. The Daily Planet Healthcare Center (DP) averaged 80 new patients 2010 and
Our Presbyterian Heritage is little known
Dr. Charles N. Pickell
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Forman Christian College Campus, Lahore, Pakistan
In a day when early American history is often taught as if there were no religious fiber or influence in the settlement of America and the founding of the United States, Dr. Pickell seeks to clarify the record in this small volume. He points out that, while revisionists may think the religious influence irrelevant, the powerful effect of the Christian faith in the creation and shaping of America and its institutions should not be forgotten. Presbyterians, and others of the Reformed family of churches in particular, were primary players in this. Our Presbyterian Heritage gives an overview of the development of Presbyterianism from its biblical roots, to Calvin’s Geneva, Knox’s Scotland, and across the Atlantic.
treated almost 5000 men, women and children. Through generous donations like the recent $2,000 contribution provided by Presbytery of the James Hunger Committee, (see Hunger Grant, page 8) everyone received quality care regardless of their ability to pay. It is because of outstanding community support from individuals, faith-based groups and others, that The Daily Planet was able to provide more than $1.1 million in uncompensated care last year. The Daily Planet Healthcare Center serves the primary medical, dental, vision, and behavioral health needs of Richmond’s homeless community, as well as those at risk of homelessness, like the recent surge of unemployed and uninsured patients many of whom could be your parishioners. The grant money has provided more than just life support to this community, our patients received life affirming, life altering changes in their lives. Since 2008, DP has organized a local team that competes in the Street Soccer USA program. Soccer provides a framework for people in poverty and living on the streets to use sports as a motivation to improve their lives. For three years, teams trained locally and traveled to
Washington DC for the Street Soccer World Cup tryouts. This approach utilizes the unifying and empowering sport of soccer as a tool for personal transformation and social change by restoring the social inclusion and community that they have lost. “Arts for All” program was started in 2009 as a therapeutic outlet for our residents at Safe Haven, our transitional housing facility that offers comprehensive and integrated health and support services for chronically homeless patients suffering from severe mental illness. In collaboration with 1708 Gallery, an artist-in-residence held workshops from 2009-2010 with Safe Haven residents. The sessions were designed to provide a therapeutic, creative means of expression about self and meaningful relationships. A public opening and exhibition of the work was held at 1708 Gallery in May 2010. The Daily Planet envisions a community where ALL are empowered to live healthy, enriched and stable lives. To that end, The Daily Planet is proud to provide quality, comprehensive, integrated programs and services addressing the holistic wellness of the uninsured of Central Virginia.
‘sharing my blessings’ (Continued from page 1)
increase small group meeting space; build new outdoor spiritual and environmental program spaces; and double the size of the campership endowment fund (making funds available so that all of God’s people can experience God’s presence in this “place apart for renewal and growth in an environment of Christian hospitality”). The campaign, currently in its “silent” phase, is seeking other lead gifts, such as that made by Mrs. Newell. She stated that it is her hope that her gift will spur others to make similar gifts to the Camp Hanover campaign. Once two -thirds to three quarters of the goal has been raised, the campaign will enter into its more public/general phase. At that time churches, campers, camper parents, and alumni will be invited to participate. This is an exciting time for this 55
year old ministry of which a recent retreat participant said, “I feel closer to God at camp than anywhere else in the world!” Hanover is a year round retreat center serving over 5000 persons during the course of the year; a summer residential camp where over 825 campers stay for 2 days to 2 weeks; a traveling day camp program that ministers to children in eight different churches around the Presbytery of the James each summer; and the hosting site for numerous Presbytery sponsored events. The Steering Committee invites you to celebrate this wonderful gift from Mrs. Newell and encourages persons interested in making a gift or in sharing the name of someone who might be interested in making a gift, to contact either the Presbytery office at 804-2622074 or the Camp Hanover office at 804779-2811.
Medical mission trip to Haiti by Jessica Tseng Eleven team members and I boarded a plane at the end of October and began our journey to Haiti for a weeklong medical mission trip through Third Presbyterian Church in Richmond, VA. Little did I know how the week would unfold, the images I would see, and the stories I hope to never forget. Monday through Friday, our team worked in a makeshift clinic we set up in a schoolhouse in the countryside of Croix des Bouquets. Over the course of five days, we saw over 700 patients, handed out pounds of vitamins and other medicines, pulled teeth, treated numerous conditions, fitted glasses, and prayed with countless Haitians. For many of these Haitians, it had been years since they had seen a doctor and may be years before they see a doctor again. One afternoon, after a full day’s work in the clinic, our team walked down the road from the orphanage where we were staying to a tent city. A recent report estimates that due to the 7.0 earthquake in January 2010, 1.3 million Haitians reside in these tent cities – villages of improvised shelters barely large enough to stand up and turn around in, let alone house a mom, dad, and children. The sights I saw were horrifying to my middle class American eyes. A mother covered a boil on her son’s head with butter. A child lapped water out of a puddle not ten feet from a sewage ditch. A man wore nothing but a trash bag scavenged a dumpster for something of value. As we walked through the tent city in the late afternoon, it began to rain and above the horizon of tents appeared a glorious rainbow. My mind flew to God’s promise to Noah in Genesis 9:16 when He says, “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.” Despite the heartbreak and the insurmountable devastation we saw in front of us, God was promising His love to the Haitians, providing in ways that only our loving God could promise. Little did the Haitians in this tent city know, but plans were already underway for their deliverance in both physical and spiritual ways. Speaking earlier in the week with one of the missionaries we were working with, I learned that his team had identified a piece of land and had plans to build a community for the tent city to move to in less than five years. Despite desperate circumstances, God had the details in place to make good on His rainbow! He will provide for the Haitians; despite outward appearances
of current suffering, pain, hardship, and death, He always has; He always will. One last memory I’ll leave with you is a conversation I had with a Haitian man at our clinic. He said something so simple, yet so full of truth, that it rocked me to my core. He said, “Jessica, I pity you! You believe you support yourself. You know no material needs. You do not depend on God every minute of every day for your next meal, your safety at night, or your health. Haitians do and we are blessed.” What I learned that week from my Haitian brothers and sisters in Christ are lessons I pray I never lose hold of. God is at work in Haiti.
Participants from Third Presbyterian Church gather for group shot in Haiti.
Third Richmond receives $30,885 grant National Clergy Renewal Program
Third Presbyterian Church (Richmond) has received a grant of $30,885 to enable associate minister, Nelson Ould, to participate in the 2009 National Clergy Renewal Program funded by the Indianapolis-based Lilly Endowment Inc. It is one of 149 congregations across the country that will support their ministers in the program, which allows pastors to step back from their busy lives and renew their spirits for the benefit of their ongoing ministries. Nelson and Third Church will be using the sabbatical grant in the summer of 2011. Now in its 10th year, the program invites Christian congregations and ministers to consider and plan a period of intentional reflection and renewal. It provides a time for ministers to take a break from their daily obligations and gain the fresh perspective and renewed energy that a carefully considered “sabbath time” of travel, study, rest and prayer can provide. Each congregation is eligible to apply for a grant of up to $50,000. Up to $15,000 of that amount can be used to fulfill pastoral duties during the minister’s absence and for expenses related to the congregation’s own renewal. The 149 grants this year total $6.2 million. For Nelson and Third Church, the purpose of the sabbatical is to explore a pattern of life and ministry that is rooted in the power of presence. Theologically, this concept is rooted in the Incarnation and experientially, this means Nelson will literally move into contexts which focus more on being than in doing. The centerpiece for him will be a month spent at a L’Arche community for intellectually disabled persons in Seattle, where he hopes to learn from this special community how to build relationships based on the inherent beauty of persons (being) rather than on achievements, reputations and credentials (doing). This experience will be supplemented by an experience in a second world Bahamian
community, by regular meetings with a spiritual director, and by other experiences designed to help him be present to God and people. Once Nelson returns to ministry at Third Church he will offer two weekend retreats designed to offer the fruits of his sabbatical to church leaders. This year’s group includes congregations in 36 states. Almost two-thirds of them see between 100 and 300 at Sunday
worship services. Twelve congregations have more than 1,000 at worship. The group of pastors counts 40 women, four of them members of clergy couples. “Their time away has freed them up to pursue personal interests and needs in ways that have given them new energy for ministry—and their congregations have discovered that they didn’t fall apart without their minister around. Indeed, they too experienced refreshment and a new-found sense of their own strengths.”
Haiti Fish Farms (
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are coming from the Matthew Twentyremained unchanged. Two months of Eight cassava mill and from the tailings work in early 2010 was needed to fix of the gristmill. Besides this feed, about this problem. 200 lbs. of fish feed is purchased monthOne of the benefits of the channel ly. repairs was that with the increased flow We have plans in the works to mechrate we were able to use the water to anize the grinding of the cassava, which feed a ram pump system that now is able will enable us to produce to pump about 2,000 galmuch more bread, but also lons per day to the higher Refer to much more feed for the portion of the property. fish. At that time we expect We are in the process of 2010 Hunger to be able to at least double building a cistern on that Grants, p. 8. the amount of fish that are level and this spring we’ll harvested . be able to water the crops Presbytery Since we expected a continuously, making it of the James problem with the runoff possible to grow better and donated dirt from the steep hill side, more diverse vegetables we decided to dig another such as cabbage and car$19,900 large fish pond on the up rots. to support side of the channel. This The fish production is pond will increase the proin full swing. Pauluis this project. duction even more. The Lucien the director of the digging is well under way project reported that he but takes an incredible amount of mangets a harvest about every two months. power since all of it has to be done by At that time well over 100 Tilapia fish hand. weighing 1-1.5 lbs. are ready to be taken We are quite happy with the proout. This is a very important supplement gress we have made due to the monies to the diet of the orphans. Besides to the received from the Synod of the South orphans of Matthew Twenty-Eight, we Atlantic, more could be put to good use. always give fish to people who are in This year we plan to get experts on dire needs of protein in their diet. Usualthe subject to visit Bohoc to review the ly around 10 families are selected to process. The Haitians are quite able to do receive fish at harvest time. these things but we hope that we can do The feeding of the fish consists of even better with some new insights. termites, cassava root shavings which Vine—March, 2011—7
‘folks can take the truth—even painful truth’ precedented 30 day ‘Deficit Reduction Campaign’–with the goal for the congregation to donate $60,000 to “It’s always darkest just before enable the church to meet all of its dawn.” This old adage described the obligations by year end. On Rally situation at the Chester Church as Day, the Financial Secretary an2009 came to a close, and the connounced that this goal had been met gregation entered one of the darkest and exceeded. periods in the church’s 130+ year Church Treasurer, Anne West, history. said, “This is unbelievable. Here’s This warm, friendly congregasomething I think we’ve learned – tion in the village of Chester started you must be truthful, you must give 2010 with waves of potentially devthe people the facts-–and then, if you astating news. The senior pastor and have any credibility at all, they will head of staff left. Deficit budgets respond to the needs of their church.” over three years had devoured all of Everyone breathed a slow sigh of the reserve funds previously set relief when the deficit campaign reaside for facility maintenance. sults were announced. Responding to Pledges were down due to the econpleas to consider new ways of generomy initially, and then more pledges ating revenue, one member negotiatwere lost due to the uncertainty relaed an arrangement with a local retailtive to an installed pastor. er where the Chester church will reA strong and determined session ceive 5% each month of the amount resolved that there would be a balspent in that establishment by anyone anced budget for 2010 knowing that using a Chester Presbyterian gift painful decisions would have to be card. Much needed ‘new’ money bemade. As a result of this resolution, gan trickling into the church. programs were cut and positions It turns out that this was just the were eliminated. The position of beginning—dawn arrived when the Director of Christian Learning was congregation received a wonderful eliminated, and several highly valand totally unexpected gift in late ued part time employees were laid November. A long time member of off. The administrative assistant’s the congregation donated a rental position was cut to half time. house to the church to Forums were held be used however the with the congregation session and trustees Dawn has to discuss openly the deem appropriate. The truly broken. financial status of the house, appraised at more church and the justifithan $150,000, was cation for these cuts. Once the contransferred, mortgage free, along with gregation became aware of what had a rental agreement with good tenants. precipitated this downsizing, volunBeginning in January, 2011, the rent teers began stepping up in every will be paid to the church until such aspect of church life. As Carson time as the officers feel the real estate Rhyne, Executive Presbyter, has market is more suitable for selling. said, “It is incredible, so often the Once word of this gift spread experience I have when people are through the congregation, another up front and truthful . . . folks can member came forward and offered to take the truth . . .even painful truth.” donate his services to make any necA wise and experienced Supply essary repairs to the house. And then, Pastor, Dr. Hank Postel, arrived in a friend of the congregation offered January and began helping the conto pay for the replacement and instalgregation deal with its pain. In June, lation of an HVAC unit at the Interim Pastor, Dr. Roger Shoup, church—the unit had worn out but came to Chester and immediately there were not sufficient funds to rebegan infusing new life into the place it. congregation with his meaningful Three wonderful gifts arrived worship services, solid advice, sualong with the Christmas season to perb listening skills, and delightful put a joyous close to what had begun sense of humor. as a very bleak year for the Chester By midsummer, however, it was church. clear that the church was headed for Dawn has truly broken, and a another deficit by the end of the new day has begun at Chester Presbyyear. In spite of making all conceivterian. The congregation is energized, able cuts, major maintenance issues enthusiastic and eager to complete the continued to develop. In early Aurecently begun mission study and to gust, the session announced an unexpand God’s work in Chester. by Richard Nunnally, Trustee Chester Presbyterian Church
8—MARCH, 2011—Vine
Chester Presbyterian Church