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| Firmes y Adelante (Onward Christian Soldiers in Spanish) - Choir |
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| I'm Pressing on the upward way |
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| Top 20 Christian Praise & Worship Songs of 2016 |
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Here is
THE WAVE, the e
lectronic newsletter of Tres Rios Presbytery for APRIL 2016. Please, let us know your opinions, comments and suggestions, and forward the newsletter to all who may be interested in the work of our Presbytery.
We also invite you to check our Facebook page "Tres Rios" and our Presbytery Website on these links:
If you have any comment or suggestion about the Facebook Page please email
[email protected]
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TRES RIOS PRESBYTERY MISSION TRIP TO CUBA IN 2016
Viaje de Misión a Cuba del Presbiterio de Tres Ríos en el 2016
By Don Carlton, Grace Church Mission Committee
Tres Rios Presbytery is sending a mission to Cuba in September, 2016. After the USA and Cuba began easing travel restrictions to Cuba in 2015 some members of Grace brought up the idea of sending a mission team to Cuba. Under the leadership of Jose Luis Casal, himself a native of Cuba, the mission team has grown to twelve people from four churches. The trip is scheduled to begin on September 12-19 this year. Mission team members from Grace are Bob Alexander, Judy Brown, Frances Carlton and Don Carlton. From Coahoma church are, Monika and Mike Robinson, Pam Kicks and Nancy Michaelis. From Seminole Church are Roy & Bea Barnes. In Cuba the team will visit churches in the presbyteries of Havana, Matanzas and Villaclara. The team will also visit a seminary where the PCUSA has a mission worker serving as a professor and the Cuban National Presbyterian Camp in Villaclara. The team will worship with Cuban churches on Sunday, September 18, and two team members will be preaching. The team will visit churches and projects of the Reformed Presbyterian in Cuba to establish partnerships and develop resources for the churches of the Cuban presbytery. The team will also develop a video presentation about the possibilities of establishing a relationship with Cuban churches and will present the video to congregations in Tres Rios. The video may become a resource for the Synod of the Sun to help establish a fund to help churches there. The Presbyterian Church began mission work in Cuba in 1890. There is a rich history of Presbyterian Church involvement with the Cuban people since then. The unification of all Presbyterian work in Cuba was given to the Board of National Missions of the PCUSA in 1918. The life of the church was affected by the revolution led by Fidel Castro. The church faced decline and difficulty not only because of the communist government but because many church members and pastors left Cuba for life in the USA. There was a beginning of renewal in 1990 with improved relations between Castro and church leaders. The church began a period of searching for resources to renovate and reopen churches that had been closed for 30 years. It still needs resources to establish new congregations, to expand the seminary and the camp to train new ministerial and lay leadership providing a solid formation in the faith for new members, and to rebuild programs for children and youth.
Yes, there is a Presbyterian Church in Cuba, a vital, faithful, growing witness to the power of God and the saving grace of Jesus Christ. It is a special gift to the presbyteries and congregations and other entities in the Presbyterian Church (USA) to be in partnership with that church and its people at this time. (excerpt from a paper on the summary of the history of IPRC)
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COMMUNION, AN ACT OF SOLIDARITY -
Pasos de Fe Ministry
La Comunión como un acto de solidaridad - Ministerio Pasos de Fe
By Omar Chan Guajardo, Mission Worker at the Border
In March, we were blessed by a visit from the Synod of the Southwest. They invited us to help plan a bi-national communion service at the border wall with our Mexican partners that are part of Pasos de Fe ministry site. The act of communion together was a significant way to show solidarity and to extend the image of family.
In spite of the best planning possible, we were hit with an unexpected obstacle. Saturday morning, March 19th, we found unanticipated road closures due to road construction and accidents. By the time we made it to our destination, we - those of us from the United States - were 1.5 hours late. However, miraculously our partners were there waiting patiently. In midst of the wind, chilly temperatures and dust, they stood on the other side of the fence pleased to see us. As we set up for the service, people tenderly exchanged greetings and salutations between the fence.
Our place of encounter was Anapra Crossing, which holds important historic significance for the 3-way state connection of New Mexico, Texas, and Chihuahua, Mexico. This location was highly affected by the spike in violence fueled mostly by drug cartels. Many Mexicans tell the story that police did not regularly enter this community because of its volatile nature. Today, a chain-link fence divides NM and Mexico, and even though the community still struggles with economic viability and security, this spot has become an important location for families and loved ones to meet and to touch between the links in the fence.
Reverends Jose Olagues and Joseph Keesecker officiated the service. We sang together, we prayed together, and we pondered scripture together. We talked about the artificial fences our nations put up; however, as people of faith, we understand that our connections run beyond those fences. Just as we "do for the least of these" we do for the Lord.
Communion was officiated in Spanish, and our Mexican brothers and sisters participated simultaneously. Melissa Navarrette Ocampo, Young Adult Volunteer serving at Frontera de Cristo border site, and Amanda were asked to serve communion. A reflection from Amanda reads, "It was the first time I was able to serve using both English and Spanish. My worlds came together in that one moment." In spite of very worldly frustrations of time, the service was a precious reflection of what God truly intends for God's family
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PROJECT VIDA TO HOST MEADOWS FOUNDATION
Proyecto Vida ofrece espacio en sus instalaciones para la Fundación Meadows.
By Rev. Bill Schlesinger, Co-Director of Project Vida
Project Vida to host Meadows Foundation, Dallas Community Foundation Board.
Project Vida will host the Boards of the Meadows Foundation and the Dallas Community Foundation for their 'Border Visit' on Friday, April 22
nd. Bill Schlesinger will guide a bus tour of Central El Paso and several sites where the Meadows Foundation has assisted with capital investments, including the Hueco Clinic and the Mobile Clinic Van. The Boards will then have an orientation to all of Project Vida in the Community Room, followed by presentations by Congressman Beto O'Rourke, El Paso County Sheriff Richard Wiles, , Paso del Norte Health Foundation CEO Tracy
Yellen and Sharon Butterworth, a member of the Texas of the Health and Human Services Commission.
The Meadows Foundation provided funding for the first clinic expansion over 20 years ago, and has been a longtime friend and support of Project Vida.
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MARTHA ANNE GEARHART RETREAT HOUSE IN MARFA.
La Casa de Retiro Martha Anne Gearhart en Marfa
By Rev. Gary Dill, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Marfa
In honor and memory of Martha Anne Gearhart, the residence at 704 Ridge Street in Marfa, Texas, provides a furnished facility which can be used for short-term or longer term study and personal reflection.
Purpose - To serve as a residential resource for pastoral study and moral reflection
Guidelines:
The Gearhart House is established as a place where pastors and theological faculty members can spend time in quiet meditation and reflection while planning and preparing sermons, lectures, academic research, or other scholarly work.
Scholars and artists engaged in other disciplines that enhance moral and aesthetic societal health may also be considered for residency at the Gearhart House.
Applications for residency at the Gearhart House should be submitted to the Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Marfa, Texas. Applicants should indicate the general purpose of the retreat [personal study, sermon planning, lecture preparation, other scholarship, etc.], context of current ecclesiastical or academic service, and anticipated length of residency.
Gearhart House residents share common living, kitchen, laundry, and dining facilities. Two large residential suites are available - each with bed, study, and bath. Internet service is provided.
No rent will be charged to residents of the Gearhart House. However, a modest fee to help meet operational costs (utilities, weekly cleaning, maintenance, etc.) will be paid to the Martha Anne Gearhart Trust by each resident. The currently established residential fee is $18 daily, $110 weekly, or $400 monthly.
If a resident desires to do so and the need is expressed by the First Presbyterian Church of Marfa for pulpit supply, a preaching assignment may be available. Modest remuneration will be provided.
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WESTMINSTER PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ODESSA IS CHANGING
La Iglesia Presbiteriana Westminster en Odessa está cambiando
By Annette McDermett
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Odessa has been through a steady series of transformation since February 2015. In early February our pastor and his wife abruptly left, which left our church in a state of uncertainty. Shortly after they left, both members of the office staff left. Again, there was sudden change and we were left asking ourselves, what would we do? There were members who were angry and some were hurt. Some members lashed out at others while some members stepped up and tried to make things work. Some just walked away.
Through the grace of many in this presbytery and a few outside the presbytery, we were able to fill the pulpit on a regular basis. We met with our Presbytery representative and developed a game plan. We formed a Search Committee to find an Interim Minister. Several started working in the office as volunteers in order to keep the "business of the church" going. There was a lot of work, sleepless nights, meetings and discussions. Then finally, after many interviews with candidates, we found Buddy.
Rev. Buddy Monahan came to Odessa September 1 from Albuquerque, NM. He is a breath of fresh air, providing wonderful sermons that provoke thought, delivering communion to shut-ins and visiting those who are ill, and overall bringing a stabilizing peace to our congregation. In October 2015, he baptized a baby girl and since January, we've had 7 new members join! Our attendance has increased and all of a sudden, people are smiling. Thanks be to God!
We also hired a part-time administrative assistant, Diana Hernandez, and she has been learning how to accomplish the many tasks that are associated with the church office.
In addition to these wonderful additions, in February 2016, we opened our Food Pantry. In cooperation with the West Texas Food Bank, we have become a distribution site for those that need food. We distribute food on the last Saturday of each month. Our church members have donated food, money, refrigerators, shelving and time for this mission ministry. We are reaching a lot of people who are in need, especially with the economy downturn.
It's been exciting to see the regeneration of enthusiasm and the decrease of uncertainty in our church. We've come a long way in a little over a year and we are marching forward in prayer that we continue to reach people through worship, mission and ministry! With God's help, we will! God is Good, All the Time!
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RENEWAL, REFLECTION AND DISCERNMENT
Renovación, reflexión y discernimiento
By CRE Beatriz Torres, pastor of Nazareth Presbyterian Church
In the three months that I have been in a leave of absence from Nazareth, I discovered how very far I had wondered off from my relationship with Christ. How can that happen to a CRE that has been preaching for 10 years, you say. It seems that my professional relationship with Jesus was getting in the way of my personal relationship with Him. I was feeling inadequate in my calling, there for I felt unworthy of God's grace. Once I realized this, my goal became to get closer to God, undistracted by what was causing me to feel inadequate in the first place.
My journey to renewal began by my daily devotional reading of the Sarah Young book "Jesus Calling." In these words and Scriptures I found words of reassurance, comfort and hope. I also found helpful attending my home church St. Paul as well as attending St. Mark with my mentor Rev. Craig Meyers; it was nice to be ministered to and to feel the love of old friends.
I also attended an 18 hours conference at Christ the King retreat center in San Angelo where I was able to visit with several of my PW friends from Tres Rios Presbytery as well as Palo Duro Presbytery. It was a time to hear other women speak of issues that I was facing and continue to face and discovered how God has worked and continues to work with their lives.
Can a battered heart mend in three months? I don't know, but what I do know is that anything is possible if it is indeed God's will, so with great joy I will return to Nazareth Presbyterian Church renewed, refreshed and stronger.
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GRACE SESSION IN MIDLAND DECIDES NOT TO PERMIT OPEN CARRY GUNS IN THEIR FACILITIES
La Iglesia Grace de Midland decidió no permitir portar armas abiertamente en sus instalaciones.
By Rev. Cheryl Homsher, pastor
Recently the State of Texas enacted a law permitting licensed gun owners to carry handguns openly in public. Part of the legislation requires organizations or business who do not wish to permit this on their premises to opt out by posting signs or giving verbal notifications. In other words, if public facilities do not want weapons carried openly on their properties they must make that know in legally proscribed ways. This includes churches.
The Session (governing council) of our church has voted NOT to permit "open carry" in our facilities. The Session feels that the church is not an appropriate place for guns to be openly carried (except by Law Enforcement, of course). The Session wants people who come here not to feel threatened by the sight of guns. I am pleased that our Session has taken this action. But I confess I have been whining about having to post these signs in order to be in compliance with the law. Regardless whether we agree or not on issues of gun control and "open carry," I feel like these signs will be an eyesore. I also feel like they will be a reminder of the violence which permeates our world, and I find myself wanting to resist that reminder. I want to come here to be reminded of the beauty of creation, and the compassion of the faith community, and the mercy of God. I want our building to be a sanctuary where people can come and feel rested, renewed and safe in God's presence. I want to come here to be reminded that God desires for us peace and joy, and that God calls us to follow the path of love, not the path of violence. So I whine for a while. And then, I remembered the cross. In no uncertain terms, the cross was an instrument of violence, used by oppressive regime to keep the subjects of the regime in line. We have the cross, this instrument of violence, as a central symbol of our faith. It reminds us that God, in Jesus submitted to the depths of human suffering at the hands of sinful humanity, and it reminds us of the breadth of God's mercy as God offers forgiveness to us, and gives new life.
My hope for us when the signs go up, is that we will see them as reminders that the pain of violence is very real, but that we operate by a different set of values; the we follow One who did not meet violence with violence but rather met it with love and forgiveness; and that this is a place where fear does not reign, where we learn reconciliation, where healing abounds. Grace and Peace.
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