~ by the Pastor and guest writers ~
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Selected to Serve (August 21, 2002) Not long ago I was having a conversation with a member of our congregation concerning the various committees we have here in our church. During the conversation I was asked what I thought was the most important committee here at First Presbyterian Church. It was not a trick question because I knew in the back of my mind that ALL of the committees are important. I thought about the question for a minute and answered, “I think the Nominating Committee is the most important committee in our church.” The Nominating Committee? Why this committee? According to the Book of Order one of the primary responsibilities of the local church is to elect and ordain officers to fulfill particular functions. The purpose of the Nominating Committee is to put together a slate of names to present to the congregation for vote. To make sure the Nominating Committee knows the best candidates for the office of elder, it asks the congregation for help. This input from the congregation is vital because this is the way we discern who is called to serve as an elder. In the Presbyterian Church the call of God is a two-fold communication. The first part comes from God through Jesus Christ; the second is issued by a Nominating Committee of the church and validated by a congregation. Over the next few weeks you will be asked to recommend members of our congregation that you want the Nominating Committee to consider for the office of elder. On September 29, 2002 we will hold a congregational meeting for the purpose of electing officers. Some things I would ask you to consider and pray about as you make suggestions for our officers:
In order to assist you in providing information to the Nominating Committee the following elders will finish their service on session at the end of 2002: Carolyn Gillies, Helen Gustafson, Frances Metcalf, Paul Parker, Richard Sahadi, and Ken Taylor. The Nominating Committee will consider your recommendations to replace these officers on session and the congregation will vote on September 29, 2002. Please keep in mind that the Class of 2003 will continue serving for one more year and consists of Dana Friedman, Kathryn Henry, John Miller, Pat Moyer, Mimi Rhea, and Forrest Sparks. The Class of 2004 will serve two more years and consists of Anna Bohart, John Graham, Charles Helt, Gwyn Kozma, and Sher Wilkes. I hope you will think and pray on these things over the next few days. The Nominating Committee is important because they lead our congregation in discerning who among us is called to serve. If you have questions please contact any of the committee members: Gwyn Kozma (Chair), Kurt Paton, Mary Lary, Chuck Schneider, and Pat Moyer.
 "The Life of the Mind and the Heart" (August 16, 2002) Surely, this commandment that I am commanding you today is not too hard for you, nor is it too far away. It is not in heaven, that you should say, "Who will go up to heaven for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?" Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, "Who will cross to the other side of the sea for us, and get it for us so that we may hear it and observe it?" No,the word is very near to you; it is in your mouth and in your heart for you to observe. - Deuteronomy 30:11-14 A few days ago I read an excellent article by Melissa Kirkpatrick, Educator for Children and Families at the Old Presbyterian Meeting House in Alexandria, Virginia. Read and listen carefully to what she has to say about the importance of Christian Education in our church. We will begin our Fall education program on September 8, 2002 and each member of our congregation should be here. Pledge your time and talent and participate in the life of the church. “We are learners here in the Reformed tradition. From Calvin's model in Geneva, to John Knox's instruction that in Scotland every parish should contain a school, and on to the Puritan passion for education and literacy in America, our tradition has always embraced education inside the church and in the communities in which it has made its home. We are famous as builders of schools, as a people who have held learning in high esteem, and have valued Biblical study as foundational for the Christian life. The downside of that these days is that we are accused of being all head and no heart, of valuing only book-learning and being unable to perceive the delights of the heart strangely warmed. Education in the church (and outside it, for that matter) was never supposed to be merely the imparting of facts. It was never intended to conform a mind to one point of view or a single set of skills. Properly understood, education does not distance us from the world, but engages us with it. Teaching and learning in the church have always been aimed at passing along our stories, for remembering the wondrous works of God, and for developing an openness to discovering God's intent for our lives. Education is for transformation, no more and no less. It is to free up the mind and heart for questions and probing, not to limit our vision to someone else's categories. The church at its best embodies and teaches truth that is liberating, setting people free to achieve their full potential in their vocations and in their lives together in community. That, of course, is not easy work. Marion Barclay put it very well in her address this year to the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators: "In the rapidity of change around us, in these days of increasing insecurity and fearfulness in our communities, ... we do not have an easy calling as we encourage people in deepened faith commitment, growing in knowledge and understanding of God's presence in our world and in life, and inviting those around us to be reflective, attentive responders to the profound needs of others…both on our doorstep and around the world." As followers of Christ in this church, we are called to proclaim the gospel, to study scripture, to work for peace and justice - in short, to open our hearts to others, to new possibilities, to light the Holy Spirit may have to shed. Our work as disciples demands not only heart and mind but our entire selves. We are to be transformed in order that we may transform the world. Someone has said that every non-profit organization exists for one of two reasons - to save lives or to change them. Think of it! The amazing thing about the church is that we have the opportunity to do both. So commit yourself this fall to renewing your own mind and heart in Sunday School, regular Bible study, and worship. Thus equipped, we can meet whatever tasks lie ahead.”
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