February 2011 - Presbytery of Chicago

Our Common Ministry Presbytery of Chicago www.chicagopresbytery.org

February 2011 • Volume 28 Number 1

Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow Commissioners at the February Presbytery Assembly will install the Rev. Judith Watt as the new Moderator of the Presbytery of Chicago. Rev. Watt brings a strong pastoral presence to her role as Moderator. She has chosen as her theme for the year “Strength for today, bright hope for tomorrow,” taken from the third verse of the hymn Great is Thy Faithfulness.”

she has received from colleagues and staff within the Presbytery. She understands that the Presbytery needs people to be willing to serve beyond their local churches. Finally, she believes that it is often necessary to “live into a call” with trust, knowing that God will reveal a more complete picture as to “why” and “for what purpose” in time

Rev. Watt has served two very She plans to engage different churches in Chicago Commissioners in singing the Presbytery, with two different verse from Great is Thy ways of living out their Christian Faithfulness at every meeting of faith. After nine and a half years the Assembly, because, she as Associate Pastor at Evanston says, “I believe God has and First, she has spent seven and a The Rev. Judith Watt, 2011 Moderator, will continue to give us enough half years as pastor of the Presbytery of Chicago strength for each day, and that Presbyterian Church of Palatine. bright hope is offered for tomorrow – not just hope, but In addition to a strong pastoral presence, she brings to bright hope. Our task as a Presbytery,” she says, “is to her role as Moderator an ability to listen to a wide varibe faithful to the radical call of Jesus Christ – to welety of thought and to allow others to be themselves. come the stranger in our midst, to seek reconciliation among all peoples, to work continually toward justice, to Watt graduated from the University of Michigan and love God and one another, and to keep being the church Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary. (She God has called us to be.” remains loyal to Michigan football). She and her husband have two grown daughters, both educators. She Recognizing that the Presbytery has endured enormous loves to ride her bike, visit the Art Institute, and gets burdens over the last several years, particularly the “totally jazzed up figuring out how to get anywhere by overwhelming challenge of money, she emphasizes con- public transportation.” She wrestled with God, like tinuing trust in Christ, staying focused on mission, sup- Jacob wrestling with the angel, over her call to parish porting the work of churches and encouraging commuministry. Her difficulty in trying to discover her new nity at Presbytery Assemblies. She believes the identity was partly the result of not having had models of Presbytery has a responsibility to help commissioners women in ordained ministry as a young child. “I am understand their roles so that they feel instrumental in enormously grateful,” she said,” for those women, and the decisions made at Assembly meetings. men, who stood by my side in the process of my struggle.” In her role as Moderator of Chicago Presbytery, When asked why she said “yes” to the invitation to serve she will be offering her gifts in appreciation for that as Moderator, she said she felt it was one way of help. expressing her appreciation for the help and support of Presbytery Council Presents

Table of Contents Presbyter’s Pen Barbershop Rap Advance Justice Develop Congregations

2 3 4-5 6-7

Barbershop Rap pg. 3

Mission Fair Presbytery News Middle East Report Páginas en Español Presbyterian Camps

8-9 10-11 MISSION 12 13-15 2010: Reaching 16 Beyond

Mission 2010: Reaching Beyond – pg. 8-9 “

Presbyter’s Pen Attractional or Missional Church? BY REV. ROBERT C. REYNOLDS, EXECUTIVE PRESBYTER “As for those who in the present age are rich. . .” I Timothy 6: 17 (NRSV) Chicago Presbytery moderator, Rev. Cliff Lyda, will turn over the moderator’s gavel to Rev. Judy Watt during the February 15 Presbytery Assembly meeting. Cliff has been an energetic and inspiring leader. Judy also is an experienced pastor and presbyter, will bring unique leadership gifts to our common life and mission. Moderator Lyda reflected thoughtfully on his scriptural theme for the year (Jeremiah 29:11) while preaching at the December assembly meeting. He Robert C. Reynolds contrasted two models of the local church. One, the more traditional model, is the “attractional church,” in which expectations are that outsiders will be attracted to the church’s facilities and programs. Because of their attraction, new people will come, and the church will grow. But, he said, this model is becoming passé for many American churches. The attraction wanes! An alternative model is a “missional church” in which the church’s people proactively engage their communities. Here, rather than primarily preparing for people to come into the church, the church’s people get out of their comfort zone and go out “to transform communities, correct social injustices, and spread the Good News.” The community, both locally and globally, becomes the mission field of the missional church. (Rev. Lyda’s sermon can be accessed on the Chicago Presbytery website: www.chicagopresbytery.org ). These models speak to the relationship of the church to the broader society, which is also what the writer of I Timothy addresses while describing Paul’s view of the church. In particular, attention is focused on the inequities within the early church between the haves and the haves-not. “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and in their eagerness to be

rich some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.” (I Timothy 6:10) Several verses later he writes, “As for those who in the present age are rich. . . They are to do good, to be rich in good works, generous, and ready to share, thus storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of the life that really is life.” (V. 17-19, NRSV) This directive sounds like advice for an early “missional church,” called to vitality and viability by actively engaging its broader society. Twenty-first Century Presbyterians are among the “haves” compared with most people around the world. We are rich, and we are called to generously engage our communities and local cultures, initiating good works and thoughtfully reaching out with well-honed talents, skills, and material or spiritual gifts. Like the early church we cannot expect to be strong churches (if we ever did) by nurturing our own spiritual lives exclusively for personal enrichment and insular congregations. We do so at the church’s peril, risking both today’s vitality and tomorrow’s viability. Henry David Thoreau wrote, “To affect the quality of the day is the highest of arts.” Most active church participants have unique points of contact outside the church and its programs where they can affect the quality of the day. These include homes, work places, non-profit organizations, dialogue groups, recreational activities, government agencies, social movements, and many others. Each one can become a locus of activity for the missional church and/or its individual members. These are contexts for generosity that affects the quality of the day, and where one may take hold of the life that really is life. In contemplating the missional church, I take inspiration from Macrina Wiederkehr’s advice in her book, Seven Sacred Pauses. Perhaps you will, as well. “Pray that the lantern of your life moves gently this day into all those places where light is needed.”

OUR COMMON MINISTRY is published five times a year by the Presbytery Council’s Communications Work Group of the Presbytery of Chicago, the regional governing body of the Presbyterian Church in Lake, Cook, and DuPage Counties. Robert C. Reynolds Geraldine Parker Simeon D. Carson Noris Caban

Executive Editor Managing Editor Graphic Design Spanish Translator

OUR COMMON MINISTRY 100 S. Morgan Chicago, IL 60607 Ph. (312) 243-8300 Fax. (312) 243-8409 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.chicagopresbytery.org Next Issue: April 2011 Deadline for copy: Feb. 28, 2011

OCM invites comments, questions and stories from our readers. Please direct your letters to the Editor, Ms. Gerry Parker at [email protected]. Thank you. We look forward to hearing from you. 2

February 2011

Youth in Ministry

Barbershop Rap Chicago Sixth Grace operates a barber shop. It’s called Barbershop Rap, and its primary draw is free haircuts, provided by the students at a local barber school. But its goal is much more than haircuts. Realizing that many young African American males lack good role models, and that barber shops have traditionally been carefree gathering places in African American communities, the church has created a barber shop

Group support

Barbershop Rap sign

in the church where kids find a safe space to hang out. Many of the youth who participate are from outside the church. They come for the haircuts, but stay for good mentoring as they learn from men in the church, as well as from the barbers, how to make better decisions and follow their dreams. They pick up leadership skills and learn to be team players. They are free to express their feelings and they learn to help one another. One of the young men who comes to Barbershop Rap says it has helped him become active in sports and his studies. He is developing leadership abilities as he helps others with their studies. As the youth arrive, they are fed first, then gather in a circle – some in barber’s chairs – as they talk things out. Sometimes there is a speaker, or an artist to share with them. While Scripture reading is not a part of the program, Christ is embodied in the lives of the men from the church who become role models for the young men. Recently, Barbershop Rap has partnered with Faith in Place, a group that works with congregations to promote sustainability. The church program wanted to provide an opportunity for the youth to perform a volunteer service for the community. They wanted the teens to see how faith is tied to the environment. The project they came up with was “weatherization.” The kids were taught to apply weatherstripping to keep out the cold and thus lower heating bills. Armed with a $7.50 kit, they headed out to work on apartments in the neighborhood.

The project not only taught them a marketable skill, it illustrated how there are many ways to save energy and money for very little cost. It also helped change the attitudes of some community members towards them. Some people who might otherwise think all young people are gang bangers or drug dealers, now see these teens as intelligent, nice and generous. The kids themselves say the project has helped them gain job skills and confidence. One youth said, “It took me to a whole other level, because now I’m feeling so good about myself, me helping other people, me knowing I’m making them happier and making them warm,” The teens in Barbershop Rap weatherproofed about 100 homes. They were part of a larger effort by Faith in Place that weatherproofed more than 600 homes and apartments.

Weatherizing project

This report comes from a WBEZ interview on January 13, 2011 and from a program on “Different Drummers”, a production of the Greater Chicago Broadcast Ministries, which aired recently.

February 2011

3

“Advance HeadlineJustice” – Mission Stories Guatemala reflection BY DEBBIE FRISCH, MEMBER OF GUATEMALA MISSION TEAM “I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do.” Edward Everett Hale. On December 23rd, I traveled to Antigua, Guatemala with 24 members and friends of Chicago Fourth. We collaborated with As Green As It Gets, an organization that supports small

handshakes and waves as we made our way to and from our worksites. Each day we were treated for lunch at the home of a local coffee farmer. We enjoyed fresh soup, tortillas, guacamole and coffee as chickens grazed at our feet. There are many blessings that come from a mission trip. I celebrate the connections I made with my fellow travelers and Guatemalan hosts. This was my seventh mission trip and the first trip in which my family joined me. What a joy to celebrate Christmas in Guatemala with my family and my Fourth Church family. Note: This is a first person report from a member of the Guatemala mission team.

Funding grass roots projects The Presbyterian Self Development of People Committee (SDOP) has been funding grass roots organizations for forty years. To receive a grant from this source, organizations must be owned and controlled by the people who will benefit from the funding. The projects must “address long-term correction of conditions that keep people bound by poverty and oppression.” Contributions to the “One Great Hour of Building a wall

independent coffee growers and promotes environmentally sustainable agriculture in Guatemala. We worked in San Miguel Escobar, a small town outside Antigua. Our group was divided between two worksites. We worked on a home that was destroyed by a mudslide caused by Tropical Storm Agatha this past May. We also worked on a school. There was no school in the community beyond the sixth grade, and the coffee farmers worked alongside us to provide further educational opportunities for their children. Our group leaders were mission trip veterans Tom and Sue Schemper. Sue led us in meaningful devotions at the start and close of the day. The devotions gave us an opportunity to come together as a group and reflect on our experiences. The construction work was primitive but satisfying. Tremendous progress was made on the house. On the final day we celebrated as the roof was raised. While the school site was blessed with a cement mixer, most of the heavy lifting was done by hand. We dug, then filled, trenches, twisted rebar, and laid cement block. The worksite buzzed with block lines and cement lines. By the end of the day we were tired but deeply rewarded. There is something magical about Guatemala. The country explodes with color, from the lush farms to the rich textiles. We enjoyed a tour of a coffee farm and learned the struggles and processes involved in creating our daily cup of coffee. We also visited with local women at a textile cooperative, where we learned the traditional techniques by which the beautiful fabrics are created. The genuine hospitality of our Guatemalan hosts was extraordinary. We were greeted by 4

February 2011

SDOP training event Sharing” offering provide the funds for the work of the SDOP Committee. Chicago Presbytery’s SDOP Committee holds an annual training event where potential grant recipients learn how to apply for funding. In 2010, six projects received funding from SDOP. Two recipients reported to the December Presbytery Assembly: Circle of Sisters and Winning Circle (recipient in a previous year). The 2010 recipients are:

African Women’s Organization: This project is a support network which helps African and Caribbean immigrants to the United States have immediate access to the basic resources needed for a comfortable life. Grant: $2,250 Circle of Sisters Network for Moms: A support network formed to overcome the stigma and low self-esteem associated with being a single mom. Members encourage each other to break the cycle of generational dependency and support each other as they become educated, employed, confident and self-sufficient women. Grant: $5,000

“Advance Justice” – Mission Stories Ghanaian Presbyterian Development Association: This project was formed by the members of the Ghanaian Presbyterian Worshipping Fellowship in Chicago. Its mission is to help Ghanaians in the area who are unemployed find sustainable employment. Grant: $5,000

God and that “learning how it’s done in the Muslim faith, can help me in my faith.” Members of an Episcopal church who attended said that understanding people is one way of making sure there is peace. “Ignorance,” she said, “that’s what causes fear.”

Union, Fuerza y Accion (Unity, Strength and Action-UFA): This is a group for young Hispanics, mostly from the Pilsen Neighborhood in Chicago. UFA works as a social justice group and responds to many types of abusive and unjust situations. This group concentrates its mission toward immigrants. Grant: $3,000

Dialogue continues between the Presbytery of Chicago and the Council of Islamic Organizations of Greater Chicago (CIOGC). Of note is the continual denial to the Islamic community to build houses of worship within Chicago-land. The Council held a press conference January 18th to respond to a recent denial from the Dupage County Zoning board. Jay Moses remarked at a recent hearing in Wheaton, “Muslims building places of worship in our towns and neighborhoods is not like building another church in a maxed out Christian area. This is denying hospitality to a whole people. I can think of hundreds of churches in Wheaton alone, but not one Mosque.” Of note as well is Illinois Muslim Action Day (March 9th) in which thousands of our Muslim neighbors visit Springfield to understand their civic responsibility and to advocate for broad justice issues (such as going green or immigration/poverty concerns). The Presbytery of Chicago is seeking to promote participation in this event by a tri-logue youth encounter along with the Jewish Council of Urban Affairs (JCUA).

The Unique Value Intiative: This project improves the identity, social, economic, personal and career development needs of all its members and their families. This ministry also seeks the solutions needed to overcome oppressive conditions due to a lack of information/education. Grant $5,000. The Voter Restoration Project: This program works to get the City of Chicago to change regulations required for potential candidates to get the signatures needed to get their name on the ballot without unresonable interference or oppressive procedural regulations. Grant: $4,950 Members of the SDOP Committee are: Rev. Stuart Barnes Jamieson and Elder Sarah Jane Moore, co-moderators, and Team Members Mark Agerton, Donald Coleman, Cheryl Johnson, Matt Lang, Otis Monroe, Yvonne Moore, and Timothy Williams.

Muslim Open House for non-Muslim community “It’s hard to have a nice dinner with someone and not leave the table as friends,” said members of the Islamic Center of Naperville. Accordingly, they invited the non-Muslim community to join them for a Ramadan dinner and open house last summer. About 180 people attended, including members of local Christian and Jewish faith communities, educators, community and elected officials and other interested residents. Juanita Holley, Presbytery’s Consultant for Justice Ministries, and Jay Moses, Presbytery’s Coordinator for Presbyterian/Muslim Relations attended the event. The open house included a buffet dinner, readings from the Quran, Muslim evening prayers and a presentation on Ramadan, which is observed by more than a billion Muslims worldwide.

Partners in Ministry Chicago First is celebrating several partnerships that are bringing people through their doors and helping them serve the community more effectively. One such partnership is The Woodlawn Collaborative. The Woodlawn Collaborative is a collection of student groups from the University of Chicago and several non-profit organizations around the community who are sharing space at Chicago First. One of the programs focuses on education and literacy. A children’s literacy fair was held at Chicago First, hosted by BuildOn, an education advocacy organization that partners after-school service programs in the United States with communities in developing countries to build schools. BuildOn’s overall mission is enhancing education and empowering youth in the United States to make a positive difference in their communities, while helping people of developing countries increase their self-reliance through education. The children’s literacy fair at Chicago First provided an opportunity for organizations, youth and their families to gather for a variety of activities centered on education and literacy. Activities included reading, writing, drama, health, environment, art and dance.

Shoaib Khadri of the Naperville Islamic Center said the goal was to reach out to the larger community and educate about Islam to, hopefully, dispel any misconceptions people might have about Islam. An attendee from the Jewish community said that there are very similar human needs to get close to February 2011

5

“Develop Congregations” – News of our churches

O

ne of the goals of the Develop Congregations Mission Priority Leadership Team is to “Employ strategic new church development and congregational redevelopment, targeting urban, suburban, immigrant and racially and economically diverse populations”. There are two New Church Developments in our Presbytery – South Asian Fellowship and Wicker Park Grace - AND we are celebrating 25 years of a former new church development, Naperville River Glen. Enjoy their stories and be thinking about what the future of New Church Developments will be like in our Presbytery. The team is in the process of creating a new church development team. If you are interested in serving on that team, please contact the Rev. David Boumgarden or Elder Loretta Gratias-Bremer at the presbytery office.

Emmanuel, ‘God with us’ BY THE REV. SAMUEL AKHTAR, ORGANIZING PASTOR,

SOUTH ASIAN NCD The South Asian Presbyterian Church hosted the annual International Christmas Caroling on December 11, 2011 at Deerfield First. This event was inaugurated in 2004, since then it has become an annual fixture. The congregation is passionate to promote multiculturalism and therefore invites racial ethnic as well as other congregations to this program. The South Asian Presbyterian Church is a new church development (NCD) of Chicago Presbytery. It is an infant congregation, basically comprised of Pakistani Christian Immigrants. The International Christmas Caroling is always a spiritually enriching program of Carols and Images, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord. The theme of the program this year was Carolers Emmanuel, ‘God with us.’ The objective was to bring awareness that the God we worship and trust is a relational God. He is not a distant, indifferent, unconcerned entity. God revealed himself in the person of Jesus Christ to restore the broken relationship with humanity. The churches having different cultural identities are invited to participate and share their respective cultures, adding a rich flavor of multiculturalism. This year Chicago Ravenswood, Deerfield First, Northbrook Village, Evanston First, and the Christian Faith Fellowship Church in Zion participated in the program. The choir of Christian Faith Fellowship Church sang carols and the South Asian Presbyterian Church sang carols and presented nativity images. The program began with a colorful welcome song, presented by the young girls of the host church, with a traditional dance called ‘Ludi.’ A delicious Pakistani dinner was served after the program. 6

February 2011

Partners: Connecting to the Story

BY THE REV. NANETTE SAWYER, ORGANIZING PASTOR, WICKER PARK GRACE How do we get young people, (or people of any age, really) to connect to the Christian story if it hasn’t been meaningful to them in the past? At Wicker Park Grace, art has been used to engage people personally in questions of meaning and to re-experience the depth of Christian ideas. During Advent this year, participants brought Christmas advertisements to church in order to transform them into a symbol of Christmas spirit deeper than consumerism. At the prayer time during worship, people tore up the advertisements and brought them forward to paste onto a collage that was pre-drawn in the shape of an icon of Mary and Jesus. Artists guided the process of transformation and creation, prepping the art piece each week before worship and adding artistic touches afterwards. One Creating an icon artist, who hasn’t celebrated Christmas for years, shared that the process reminded her of the real meaning of Christmas and she suddenly missed honoring the birth and incarnation that it represents. She remembered and encountered Mary as the Mother of God in a new way that reconnected her with Jesus and God. This kind of transformative ministry is part of why Presbyterian churches in greater Chicago, and one church in Michigan, have chosen to partner with Wicker Park Grace to support and develop the kind of experimental ministry happening in this new church development. Memorial Presbyterian Church in Midland, Michigan considers Rev. Nanette Sawyer, the pastor at Wicker Park Grace, to be part of their extended staff as a missionary to Chicago. They take up a special offering each month to send financial support, and leaders in the two communities visit back and forth between the two churches. Ten churches within the Presbytery of Chicago are also partnering with Grace, each in their own way. These partnerships help congregations share expertise, resources, and just plain imagination for the future of the Church and for sharing the story of the good news of Jesus Christ. To see pictures of the full process of the creation of the icon, go to www.flickr.com/photos/wpgrace/ and click on “Theotokos Icon.”

“Develop Congregations” – News of our churches Naperville River Glen is 25 In mid-October, Naperville River Glen celebrated its 25th anniversary since being chartered as a new congregation. It was a festive weekend. The congregation was the only new church development project of Chicago Presbytery in the decade of the 80’s and the first attempt at starting a new church since the formation

future. Rev. Ken Lehman, the senior pastor at Knox Presbyterian when River Glen was launched, brought greetings to all gathered. Then, at 10:45 the congregation of members, former members, and friends gathered for an uplifting service supported by all the music ministries of the congregation. Rev. Bob Reynolds, Chicago Presbytery’s Executive Presbyter, Rev. Cindy Karis, Associate Pastor of Knox Presbyterian, Rev. John Lee, pastor of the Korean United Church who nests in the River Glen facility, and George Pradel, mayor of the City of Naperville brought greetings to the congregation. The Korean United Choir presented an anthem complete with Korean drums based on a traditional Korean melody. Pastor Boumgarden preached from 1 Corinthians 10. The theme of the sermon reflected the theme of the anniversary year: “Celebrating our Heritage… Realizing Our Hope. The congregation was reminded that heritage alone doesn’t guarantee future hope any more than it did for Israel. Divine blessing, rather, grows out of congregational faithfulness to God’s covenant and by sharing in God’s mission to the world. A congregational dinner concluded the weekend celebrations.

“Carol-oke” 25th anniversary worship

of Wheaton Hope in the late 60’s. The Rev. David Boumgarden was called from Central Ohio to organize the church and arrived here in 1984. He was the founding pastor and is still the church’s pastor. The congregation which chartered with 87 members in 1985 is now 275 members strong and has a well-established mission to the cities of Naperville, Warrenville, and Aurora.

Chicago Friendship church hosted a “Christmas Carol-oke” service before Chistmas in 2010. A notice was printed in the newspaper, inviting attendees to sing their favorite carols along with members and friends of the church. Sheet music was provided and a light buffet meal was served. Donations were collected to support the work of The Night Ministry, serving the hungry and homeless.

A gift for Presbytery’s churches

The celebration started on Saturday evening with an outreach event at which Rhoda Janzen, author of Mennonite in a Little Black Dress, a New York Times bestseller, spoke. Many from the congregation and the community attended. River Glen’s mission statement is to “make Jesus known,” an impulse woven into the fabric of its congregational DNA from its new church development days. This outreach event expressed the spirit of its mission and was a good way of starting the weekend.

A project of Alban Institute (funded by the Lilly Endowment Foundation) has offered a free gift to America’s Congregations! It’s called the “New Congregational Resource Guide (CRG) and offers a great quantity of materials that are helpful to congregations. What an opportunity for us to be in touch with resources in the areas of pastoral care, education, worship, leadership, management, outreach, evangelism and others.

Sunday morning, members of Naperville Knox and River Glen churches gathered at Knox and marched, carrying a cross and a banner, from Knox to River Glen, witnessing to the partnership between these two congregations over the past 25 years. Knox was instrumental in the founding of River Glen, actively promoting the new mission, providing financial and human resources to jump start the project, and offering wisdom and advice over the years. The cross-bearers arrived at River Glen as a prayer service for the church and its future was ending and all prayed together.

Loretta Gratias-Bremer, Presbytery’s Consultant for Develop Congregations, has checked out some of the articles that are posted and found them to be helpful. She has signed up and hopes that each congregation will do so as well. Just go to http://www.congregationalresources.org/user and check it out. If you need help logging in, call Loretta at (312-243-8300 x 1330) or e-mail at [email protected].

Between the services, the congregation gathered to watch a Power Point presentation of the congregation’s history and

February 2011

7

Annual Mission Fair

Network Empowerment Work Group

~~~ of Presbytery Council Presents

MISSION 2010: Reaching Beyond

etwork Empowerment Work Group (NEWG) of Presbytery Council hosted its annual mission fair on December 14, at Christ Church of Oak Brook. Seventeen plus mission entities participated, providing all who attended an opportunity to learn more about the mission covenant application process. The covenant process provides support for Presbytery mission through Shared Mission Giving. In our shared mission, we partner with our congregations and agencies to Advance Justice, Empower Ministry and Develop Congregations.

N

To learn more about how your church can participate and support Presbytery mission through the covenant process, go to the Presbytery’s website at www.chicagopresbytery.org.

“

“TogetherWe Can Do More”

SFDWG - Stewardship and Financial Development Work Group

ADVANCE JUSTICE

COWIC - Commitee on Women in the Church

Waukegan to College CSLA - Congregations in Solidarity with Latin America 8

February 2011

Annual Mission Fair DEVELOP CONGREGATIONS

Develop Congregations

Mission Council 8

EMPOWER MINISTRY

Clergy Retreat

Southside Christian Educators

LEAD - Leadership Education and Development

Presbyterian Camps

Other Participants: Cuba Partnership End Hunger and Homelessness Youth Ministry African American Congregational Transformation

Presbytery Resource Center Campus Ministry Dakota Partnership

February 2011

9

Presbytery Headline News Policies and Budget Mark December Presbytery Assembly The December Presbytery Assembly meeting was hosted by Christ Church of Oak Brook. This non-denominational church has four Chicago Presbytery clergy on its staff: the Revs. Dan Meyer, Greg Ogden, John Klingelhofer and Ken Lehman. The church’s spacious facilities offered a perfect setting for the annual Mission Fair and three other morning events: a pre-presbytery event about the actions taken by the 2010 General Assembly regarding peace in the Middle East; a question and answer session on the 2011 budget, and a reading of session minutes. Rev. Cliff Lyda, the 2010 Presbytery Moderator, preached on “Instructions for Exiles,” from Jeremiah 29:1-14 and God’s promise of a future with hope. The assembly elected Rev. Deborah Leah Paton, the stated supply at Chicago Rogers Park, as the Presbytery moderatorelect for 2011. Deborah has been serving Chicago churches since 1995 and is an active member of the Committee on Ministry and the Acts 16:5 Initiative. The assembly heard from the Winning Circle and the Circle of Sisters, two of the groups that receive funding from the Self-Development of People (SDOP) program. Last year the Presbytery of Chicago received approximately $30,000 for local mission. SDOP is funded by donations to the One Great Hour of Sharing. The assembly voted to validate the annual reports of the specialized clergy who had submitted annual reports for 2010. Other actions of the Committee on Ministry and the Committee on Preparation for Ministry are reported in Transitions.

December was a month for policies. In addition to rescinding eight obsolete policies, the assembly approved: Discerning Your Call: Preparing for the Ministry of the Word and Sacrament, a complete revision of the Committee on Ministry manual; Examination of Candidates and Ministers of Word and Sacrament Seeking Membership in the Presbytery of Chicago; a proposal by the Committee on Ministry to create examination teams to engage in depth with all persons seeking membership in Chicago Presbytery. Such examinations are common in other presbyteries. Guidelines for Communications between Sessions and the Presbytery Assembly, a proposal designed to assist sessions with bringing matters to the attention of the assembly; and Guidelines for Presbytery Assembly Meetings, an update consolidation of previous policies pertaining to assembly

COMMITTEE ON MINISTRY

Presbytery, to serve as associate pastor at Winnetka Presbyterian Church. • Mr. Matt Helms, to be ordained and serve as a pastoral intern at Chicago Fourth. • Rev. David Horne, from John Knox Presbytery, to serve as interim pastor at the Arlington Heights First. • Rev. Michael Nevling, from New Hope Presbytery, to serve as pastor at Northbrook Village. • Rev. Meg Rift, from Mid-Kentucky Presbytery, received as a member-atlarge. • Revs. Betty Mitchell and Frank Wyatt, from Olympia Presbytery, honorably retired.

Arrivals: • Rev. Karen Ferguson, from Detroit

Changes in Presbytery • Rev. Dawn Haeger, from associate

Transitions COMMITTEE ON PREPARATION FOR MINISTRY Enrolled as Candidate • Ms. Jana Blazek, member of Arlington Heights First. Certified Ready to Receive a Call • Mr. Daryl Ellis • Mr. Adam Malak Removed from the Roll at their Request • Mr. Jamie Thompson • Mr. Todd Weiland.

10

The Rev. Deborah Paton, 2011 Moderator-Elect The Presbytery approved a balanced budget of $2,226,757.00 for 2011. It also approved 2011 salaries for the executive/program staff. The overall budget is conservative, reflecting an overall decrease of 3%. The Staff Personnel expenses have been reduced by 1%.

February 2011

pastor at Barrington Presbyterian Church to member-at-large. • Rev. Deborah Matthew, from pastor, Downers Grove St. Luke to memberat-large. • Rev. Michael Miller, to serve as stated supply and moderator at Chicago Crerar Memorial. • Rev. Alice Trowbridge, from associate pastor at Chicago Fourth to memberat-large. Departures: • Rev. Jan Dykstra, to Whitewater Valley Presbytery; • Rev. William Ingersoll, to Milwaukee Presbytery, to serve as an interim pastor. Deaths • Rev. John Warner, serving as pastor at Crerar Memorial Presbyterian Church.

meetings and an adaptation of assembly communications to our new digital world.

3. The percentage draw from investments remains the same at 6.5%

The assembly also voted to continue the Presbytery’s current vision and mission priorities through 2011.

4. An overall budget decrease of 5% is recommended.

Celebrating the Top Ten The Stewardship and Financial Development Work Group wants to celebrate the churches in the “top ten” in giving to Shared Mission in 2010. Two categories are listed: top ten in total giving to Shared Mission and top ten in per member giving to Shared Mission. Top Ten: Total gifts to Shared Mission • Chicago Fourth • Lake Forest First • Arlington Heights First • LaGrange First • Wheaton First • Elmhurst • Western Springs • Oak Park First United • Naperville Knox • Arlington Heights Southminster Top Ten: Per member gifts to Shared Mission • Chicago Good Shepherd • Hanover Park Christ • Park Forest Calvary • Elmhurst • Northlake Trinity • Oak Park Parkview • Downers Grove St Luke • Arlington Heights Southminster • La Grange First • Oak Park First United

Presbytery Budget The Presbytery Assembly approved a balanced budget for 2011 at the December meeting. Copies of a Narrative Budget were available for distribution as an interpretive tool. The Presbytery’s Budget Work Group shared some assumptions they worked with as they prepared the budget that was submitted for approval. They are; 1. The 2011 Per Capita rate was increased to $30.31. This includes the increases submitted by General Assembly (GA) and the Synod of Lincoln Trail (SOLT). Chicago Presbytery pays the GA and SOLT assessments, even for churches that don’t send in their payments to the Presbytery.

5. The interest on the $11 million debt will be paid from the proceeds of the sale of the Elmwood Park church property and is not included in the operating budget. 6. There are separate budgets for Chicago Presbytery operations and Presbyterian Camps at Saugatuck. 7. The budget must support the Presbytery’s vision, mission, priorities and goals and support the Presbytery’s organizational structures and facilities. 8. Projections of giving to our churches and Presbytery must be conservative given the current economy. 9. The proposed 2011 must be realistic so that the Presbytery lives within its means. 10. The budget must be clear and easily understood by Presbytery Commissioners.

Coming Events 2011 • Feb. 15, pre-Presbytery meeting, 2 pm, new Form of Government review, Constitutional Procedures Committee. • Feb.15, Presbytery Assembly meeting, 4 pm, Palatine. Vote on proposed amendments to PCUSA Constitution (not including proposed new Form of Government) • Mar. 5, L.E.A.D. “Building on a Firm Foundation,” Glen Ellyn First • Apr. 12, pre-Presbytery meeting, 10:30 pm, New Commissioner Training, Coordinating Work Group. • Apr. 12, Presbytery Assembly meeting, 1 pm, Chicago First. Vote on proposed new Form of Government • May 7, 9 am – 4 pm, True North Boundary Training, Riverside Presbyterian Church • Jun. 21, Presbytery Assembly meeting, 4 pm, Chicago Heights First. Vote on Belhar Declaration • Sept. 20, Presbytery Assembly meeting, 1 pm, Evanston First. • Oct. 14, True North Boundary Training, location TBA • Nov. 19, Presbytery Assembly, 11 am (Sat), Wheaton First.

For more information on these events, call (312) 2438300 (press O for operator) unless otherwise noted.

2. The distribution of mission giving between the GA, SOLT and the Presbytery which was approved by the June 2010 Assembly is: GA 25%; SOLT 10%, Presbytery 65%.

February 2011

11

“Advance HeadlineJustice” – Mission Stories

Pre-Presbytery on Middle East Overtures BY PEG GRIFFITHS, CONVENOR OF MIDDLE EAST TASK FORCE At a December pre-presbytery meeting, the Middle East Task Force (METF) was privileged to present a summary of actions at the 219th General Assembly (GA) related to its standing committee on Middle East Peacemaking. Pauline Coffman, David Bebb Jones, and Kris Ronnow –all of whom attended the 219th GA - were presenters, along with Phyllis Green, a Commissioner from Chicago Presbytery who was a member of the GA Standing Committee. Peg Griffiths, Convenor of METF, presented and moderated. The Middle East Study Committee’s Report, “Breaking Down the Walls,” was the largest, most controversial and most critical piece of the Committee’s work. The report was requested by the 218th GA (2008). Phyllis Green reported that the task and tenor of the committee was to understand diverse responses to this document and to craft a report that was acceptable to all parties. Several changes to the report were recommended. The committee ultimately voted unanimously to recommend the amended report. Following debate, the Assembly voted 558-119 (82%) to approve the Committee’s Report, “Breaking Down the Walls.” The amended report, which was hotly debated in the days leading up to the Assembly, affirms Israel’s right to exist as a sovereign nation within secure and internationally recognized borders, and commends for study “A Moment of Truth” – a statement by Palestinian Christian leaders that emphasizes hope for liberation, nonviolence, love of enemy and reconciliation. It also calls for the Israeli and Egyptian governments to limit their blockade of Gaza solely to military equipment and authorized a seven-member Monitoring Group on the Middle East to assist with implementation of the church’s policy in the region. The Assembly deleted two historical analysis sections – by Palestinian Christians and a “Liberal Zionist” – from the 172-page report and ordered their replacement with “a series of eight narratives” arising from the range of “authentically” Palestinian Christian, Muslim and Israeli perspectives. Specific overtures also received attention from the Committee. Chicago Presbytery’s overture to make the United States’ aid to Israel contingent on compliance to U.S. and international law and the peace process was passed 47 to 1. The committee was alert to comments by U.S. General Petraeus that this carte blanche relationship harms U.S.

12

February 2011

interests in stabilizing the Middle East. Uses of this U.S. taxpayer money to foment violence on civilians, demolish homes and fund illegal settlements were also important points to bring this overture to fruition. The Assembly approved it with a voice vote. Letters to U.S. government officials are due to be sent early in 2011. The Kairos document, written in 2009 by a group of Palestinian Christians representing all Christian traditions, was discussed. The document, seen by some as similar to Martin Luther King’s “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” is an impassioned plea to put pressure on Israel to end illegal occupation. Sanctions such as boycotts and withdrawal of investments from companies participating in the occupation were specifically requested from internationals. The Committee voted to endorse the parts of the document related to solidarity, faith, and hope, and to “refer for study” the requests for sanctions. The Middle East Study Committee Report (described above) included this overture. (A study guide for the Kairos document is available for congregations. Go to http://store.pcusa.org or call 800-524-2612 to order PDS-2646610001.) The committee also approved the report from the General Assembly’s Mission Responsibility through Investment Committee (MRTI) , which monitors and recommends socially responsible investing. The committee recommended continuing investments in and conversation with Caterpillar Inc., but used strong language denouncing Caterpillar’s “profit-making from non-peaceful uses, and calls upon Caterpillar to end its complicity in the violation of human rights.” The vote in the Assembly was 418 yes and 210 no. A discussion of why Presbyterians voice objections to oppression ended the pre-Presbytery presentation with Micah 6:8 as a template for our mission: “What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, love kindness and walk humbly with your God?” The Middle East Task Force believes that peace between a secure and viable Israel and a secure and viable Palestine is possible and advocates for an independent state for Palestinians. Contact Peg Griffiths at [email protected] for more information.

Compartiendo Nuestro Ministerio Presbytery of Chicago www.chicagopresbytery.org

February 2011 • Volume 28 Number 1

Fuerza para hoy, brillante esperanza para el mañana Comisionados en la Asamblea de Presbiterio de febrero instalarán a la Rda. Judith Watt como nueva Moderadora del Presbiterio de Chicago. Rda. Watt trae una fuerte presencia pastoral a su papel de moderadora. Ella ha elegido como su tema para el año “Fuerza para hoy, brillante esperanza para el mañana,” tomado de la tercera estrofa del himno (en inglés) Oh Tu Fidelidad.

personas que esten dispuestos a servir más allá de sus iglesias locales. Por último, ella cree que a menudo es necesario “vivir al llamado” con confianza, sabiendo que Dios revelará un panorama más completo sobre el “qué” y “para qué” en el tiempo

Rda. Watt ha servido dos iglesias muy diferentes en el presbiterio de Chicago, con dos formas diferentes de vivir su fe cristiana. Después de nueve y medio años Ella planea envolver a los como Pastora Asociada en Comisionados/as cantando el Evanston Primera, ha pasado verso de Oh Tu Fidelidad en siete y medio años como Pastora todas las reuniones de la de la Iglesia Presbiteriana de Asamblea, porque, dice, Palatine. Además de una fuerte “Creo que Dios tiene y Rda. Judith Watt, Moderadora 2011, Presbiterio de presencia pastoral, trae a su seguirá dándonos suficiente papel como moderadora una Chicago fuerza para cada día y esa habilidad para escuchar a amplia esperanza brillante se ofrece para el futuro: no sólo variedad de pensamientos y a permitir que otros sean esperanza, sino esperanza brillante.” “Nuestra tarea ellos mismos. como presbiterio,” ella dice, “es ser fiel a la llamada radical de Jesucristo: dar la bienvenida al extraño en Watt se graduó de la Universidad de Michigan y el medio de nosotros, buscar la reconciliación entre todos Seminario Teológico Evangélico Garrett. (Ella sigue fiel los pueblos, trabajar continuamente por la justicia, al fútbol de Michigan). Ella y su esposo tienen dos hijas amar a Dios y unos a los otros y mantenernos siendo la mayroes, ambas educadoras. Le encanta montar su Iglesia de Dios que hemos sido llamados a ser.” bicicleta, visita el Instituto de Arte y se siente “totalmente animada tratando de saber cómo llegar a Reconociendo que el presbiterio ha sufrido enormes cualquier lugar en el transporte público.” Ella luchó con cargas en los últimos años, especialmente el gran Dios, como Jacob luchó con el angel, sobre su llamado problema de dinero, ella enfatiza continuar confiando al ministerio de iglesia. Su dificultad para tratar de en Cristo, estando enfocados en misión, apoyo a la descubrir su nueva identidad fue en parte el resultado labor de las iglesias y alentar la comunidad en de no haber tenido modelos de mujeres en el asambleas del presbiterio. Ella cree que el presbiterio ministerio ordenado cuando niña. “Estoy tiene la responsabilidad de ayudar a los/as enormemente agradecida,” dijo, “por las mujeres y comisionados/as a comprender sus funciones para que hombres, que se mantuvieron a mi lado en el proceso se sienten instrumentales en las decisiones adoptadas de mi lucha.” En su papel de Moderador del Presbiterio en las reuniones de la Asamblea. de Chicago, ella ofrecerá sus dones en agradecimiento por esa ayuda. Cuando se le preguntó por qué dijo “sí” a la invitación a servir como moderadora, dijo que sentía que era una forma de expresar su agradecimiento por la ayuda y el apoyo que ha recibido de colegas y personal en el presbiterio. Ella entiende que el presbiterio necesita

February 2011

13

Compartiendo Nuestro Ministerio Políticas y Presupuesto Marcan Asamblead de Presbiterio de Diciembre RDA. DEBORAH PATON, MODERADORA ELECTA 2011 La reunión de la Asamblea de Presbiterio de diciembre fue organizada por la Iglesia de Cristo de Oak Brook. Esta iglesia no denominacional tiene cuatro pastores del Presbiterio de Chicago en su personal: Rdos. Dan Meyer, Greg Ogden, John Klingelhofer y Ken Lehman. Las amplias instalaciones de la iglesia ofrecieron un escenario perfecto para la Feria Anual de Misión y tres otros eventos de mañana: un evento prepresbiterio sobre las medidas adoptadas por la Asamblea General del 2010 con respecto a la paz en Oriente Medio; una sesión de preguntas y respuestas sobre el presupuesto del 2011 y una lectura del Actas de Consistorio. El Rdo. Cliff Lyda, Moderador del Presbiterio en 2010, predicó sobre “Instrucciones para Exiliados,” de Jeremías 29:1-14 y la promesa de Dios de un futuro con esperanza.

Diciembre fue un mes para políticas. Además de rescisión de ocho políticas obsoletas, la Asamblea aprobó: • Discernir Tu Llamado: Preparación para el Ministerio de la Palabra y Sacramento, una revisión completa del manual del Comité de Ministerio; • Examen de Candidatos/as y Ministros/as de la Palabra y Sacramento Solicitando Pertenecer al Presbiterio de Chicago; una propuesta del Comité de Ministerio para crear equipos de examen que se envuelvan a profundidad con todas las personas solicitando pertenecer al Presbiterio de Chicago. Los exámenes son comunes en otros presbiterios. • Directrices para las Cmunicaciones entre Consistorios y Asamblea del Presbiterio, una propuesta diseñada para asistir a los consistorios al traer asuntos a la atención de la Asamblea; y • Directrices para las Reuniones de la Asamblea de Presbiterio, una actualización de la consolidación de las políticas anteriores relacionadas a las reuniones de la Asamblea y una adaptación de las comunicaciones de la Asamblea a nuestro nuevo mundo digital La Asamblea también votó en continuar las actuales prioridades de visión y misión del Presbiterio hasta el año 2011.

Bolígrafo del Presbítero ¿Iglesia de Atracción o Misional? Rda. Deborah Paton, Moderadora Electa 2011

La Asamblea eligió a la Rda. Deborah Leah Paton, suplente designada en Chicago Rogers Park, como Moderadora Electa para 2011. Deborah ha estado sirviendo a las iglesias de Chicago desde 1995 y es miembro activa del Comité de Ministerio y la Iniciativa Hechos 16:5. La Asamblea escuchó sobre Círculo de Ganadores y Círculo de Hermanas, dos de los grupos que reciben fondos del programa Autodesarrollo de los Pueblos (SDOP por sus siglas en inglés). El año pasado el Presbiterio de Chicago recibió aproximadamente $30,000 para misión local. SDOP está financiado por donaciones a Una Gran Hora de Compartir. La Asamblea votó para validar los informes anuales de pastores/as especializados que había presentado informes anuales para el año 2010. Otras acciones del Comité de Ministerio y Comité de Preparación para el Ministerio se informan en Transiciones. El Presbiterio aprobó un presupuesto balanceado de $2,226,757.00 para 2011. También aprobó sueldos en 2011 para el personal ejecutivo/programa. El presupuesto global es conservador, que refleja una disminución promedio del 5%. Los gastos de personal se han reducido en un 1%. 14

February 2011

POR RDO. ROBERT C. REYNOLDS, PRESBÍTERO EJECUTIVO “A los ricos de este mundo ... “ 1 Timoteo 6: 17 (RVR) El moderardor del Presbiterio de Chicago, Rdo. Cliff Lyda, entregará el martillo de moderador a Rda. Judy Watt durante la Asamblea de Presbiterio del 15 de febrero. Cliff ha sido un líder enérgico e inspirador. Judy, también, una pastora y presbítera experimentada, traerá dones de liderazgo únicos a nuestra vida y misión común. Robert C. Reynolds El moderador Lyda reflexionó cuidadosamente sobre su tema bíblico para el año (Jeremías 29:11) mientras predicó en la reunión de la Asamblea de diciembre. Él contrastó dos modelos de la iglesia local. Uno, el modelo más tradicional, es la “iglesia de atracción” en el que las expectativas son que los extraños serán atraídos a las instalaciones y programas de la iglesia. Debido a su atracción, vendrá gente nueva, y la iglesia crecerá. Sin embargo, dijo, este modelo se está convirtiendo en pasado de moda para muchas iglesias estadounidenses. ¡La atracción disminuye! Un modelo alternativo es una “iglesia misional”

Compartiendo Nuestro Ministerio en el que personas de la iglesia envuelven proactivamente a sus comunidades. Aquí, en vez de prepararse principalmente para que las personas vengan a la iglesia, las personas de la iglesia salen de su zona de comodidad y van a “transformar las comunidades, corregir las injusticias sociales y difundir las buenas nuevas.” La comunidad, tanto local como a nivel mundial, se convierte en el campo de la misión de la iglesia misional. (El sermón del Rdo. Lyda puede ser accedido en el sitio Web del Presbiterio de Chicago: www.chicagopresbytery.org). Estos modelos hablan a la relación de la iglesia con la sociedad en general, que también es lo que el escritor de 1 Timoteo aborda mientras describe la visión de Pablo de la iglesia. En particular, la atención se centra en las desigualdades dentro de la iglesia primitiva entre los ricos y los no-ricos. “Porque raíz de todos los males es el amor al dinero, el cual codiciando algunos, se extraviaron de la fe y fueron atormentados con muchos dolores.” (1 Timoteo 6:10) Varios versos más tarde escribe: “A los ricos de este mundo manda que no ... Que hagan bien, que sean ricos en buenas obras, dadivosos y generosos. De este modo atesorarán para sí buen fundamento para el futuro, y alcanzarán la vida eterna.” (v. 17-19, RVR) Esta directiz suena como consejo para una temprana “iglesia misional,” llamada a vitalidad y viabilidad al participar activamente en su sociedad en general. Presbiterianos del siglo XXI se encuentran entre los “ricos” en comparación con la mayoría de las personas alrededor del mundo. Somos ricos, y estamos llamados a envolver generosamente nuestras comunidades y culturas locales, iniciando buenas obras y tendiendo la mano cuidadosamente con talentos, habilidades, y dones materiales o espirituales. Como la iglesia primitiva, no podemos esperar ser iglesias fuertes (si alguna vez lo fuimos) por nutrir nuestra propia vida espiritual exclusivamente para enriquecimiento personal y congregaciones insulares. Lo hacemos en peligro de la iglesia, arriesgando tanto la vitalidad de hoy y la viabilidad del futuro. Henry David Thoreau escribió, “Afectar la calidad del día es la mayor de las artes.” La mayoría de los participantes activos de las iglesias tienen puntos únicos de contacto fuera de la iglesia y sus programas donde pueden afectar la calidad del día. Estos incluyen hogares, lugares de trabajo, organizaciones sin fines de lucro, grupos de diálogo, actividades recreativas, agencias gubernamentales, movimientos sociales y muchos otros. Cada uno puede convertirse en un centro de actividad de la iglesia misional y/o sus miembros individuales. Estos son contextos de generosidad que afecta la calidad del día y donde uno puede tomar posesión de la vida que es realmente vida. Al contemplar la iglesia misional, aprovecho la inspiración de la asesoría de Macrina Wiederkehr en su libro, Siete Pausas Sagradas.Tal vez tu también. “Orad para que la linterna de tu vida se mueva suavemente este día en todos aquellos lugares donde se necesite luz.” (Traducción libre) February 2011

15

Vision Statement “Chicago Presbytery – A Beacon of Hope, guiding Leaders, Congregations and Communities.” Presbytery of Chicago 100 South Morgan Street Chicago, IL 60607

The Best Summer of Your Life BY CINDI KARSTENS, MODERATOR, CODWG

“Saugatuck” is a holy place set apart by the Presbytery of Chicago to: Celebrate Creation, Renew the Spirit, Nurture Faith, Build Community.Where all are welcome to come and grow in Christ Over the holidays, a member of the Camp Oversight and Development Work Group (CODWG) shared with me a story about two women she met at the Fall Work Weekend in 2010. In the 1940’s Shirley and Joyce were best friends attending Drexel Presbyterian Church at 64th and Marshfield in Chicago. At the age of 16 they took summer jobs at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck, Michigan. They worked the entire summer as waitresses in the dining room of the “hotel” along with another friend who worked bussing tables. They each earned $36 for the entire summer plus the cost of their train fair from Chicago to Fennville. In between meals, they were free to enjoy swimming and sunbathing on the shores of our beautiful camp. Shirley and Joyce worked with the chef and baker who they insist made the best cinnamon rolls ever! Some things never change. For them it was more than a job. It was a wonderful opportunity to interact with people of diverse backgrounds. “It was the best summer of my life” says Joyce. Shirley and Joyce have remained friends throughout the years and returned to Presbyterian Camps for a retreat with Joyce’s church, Chicago Heights First. The “hotel” has long since burned down but they found the same beauty they remembered and enjoyed so many years ago. Their story is just one of the many memories made at Presbyterian Camps. While salaries and some of the buildings have changed, the ministry continues to impact people’s lives, including those of staff members. The process of hiring 2011 summer staff will begin in late February. Summer staff members

Shirley and Joyce, long time friends of Saugatuck

at Presbyterian Camps have the opportunity to learn valuable skills, try new things, work hard, have tons of fun, make long lasting friendships and of course spend the summer in the sun (and the rain; with bugs!) They will spend their summer working with children of all ages sharing God’s message of love through our summer curriculum, Got Spirit? Finding God in the Everyday. Through their service to the camp ministry they will experience their own personal spiritual growth. As Shirley and Joyce discovered many years ago, being part of staff is more than just a summer job. So spread the word about this opportunity and help a young adult have the “best summer of their life.” Additional information and the application will be on the website soon. The 2011 summer program schedule is set and we are ready to welcome first time campers as well as returning campers to come and grow in Christ. CODWG and Presbytery Staff have begun a search for an Interim Camp Director and Spiritual Leader who will assist both our full time and summer camp staff in providing extraordinary 2011 opportunities for all to experience the wonderful beauty of God’s creation at Presbyterian Camps in Saugatuck Michigan. Registration for 2011 summer camps continues. Go to www.prescamps.org or mail your registration to the Camp Registrar at Presbyterian Camps 631 Perryman St., Saugatuck, MI 49453. There is also space available for 2011 spring retreats. Contact Susan at 269-857-3752 to discuss this opportunity.