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Relaxing Hymns
How Great is Our God
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Here is the new electronic newsletter of Tres Rios Presbytery for August
2015. 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.
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| "THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH IN A CHANGING AND CONFLICTED WORLD" - GRACE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN EL PASO SEPTEMBER 22-25, 2015
Mark your calendar. For more information Contact Rev. Craig Meyers (325) 949-1515 or Rev. Jim Miles (432) 336-3346
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CANDIDATE TIM GRAY CALLED AS ASSOCIATE DESIGNATED PASTOR BY UNIVERSITY CHURCH IN EL PASO
El Candidato Tim Gray fue llamado como Pastor Asociado Designado por la Iglesia Universitaria en El Paso
By Mary Stevens, Elder in University Church
On August 1, 2015, Tim Gray accepted a call from University Presbyterian Church, El Paso as a Designated Associate Pastor for the next two years. Tim received his Masters of Divinity from Austin Theological Seminary in May 2014 and accepted a one year position as Pastor Intern at University Presbyterian Church.
In his personal information form Tim states "I am called to a community who searches for God's mission in the world, gathers to worship, learn and teach, and returns to the world to find God's mission again. A community desiring to be challenged by the Word, open to questioning the very foundations of their faith, all in hope of finding God again, again and again."
University Presbyterian Church has found in Tim a thoughtful and caring pastor who has "hit the ground running". Tim has broadened the older youth program, implementing a teen board which selects the activities that will be pursued in the next year. He has started an adult Bible study for our parents with young children. He is assisting the Outreach Committee in developing strong relationships with our mission partners as well as sharing in the responsibilities of preaching and congregational care.
The next two years will pass quickly, but University Presbyterian Church is blessed by having Tim, Lisa and son Soren as part of our family.
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| A "SENSE OF AWE" AROUND FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN ODESSA
Un "sentimiento de asombro" se siente en la Primera Iglesia Presbiteriana de Odessa
By Rev. Cheryl Kincaid, Pastor
One of the great joys of my youth were the summer snack meals we had on Wednesday night at the small Presbyterian Church I attended in southern California. So when I followed God's call to First Presbyterian Church of Odessa, it was a great a thrill to me to discover that the church I would be working with also hosted Wednesday night meals but they had this celebration all year long. Something basic, like eating together on a weekly basis, expresses our common faith when we share our lives together in Christian service and fellowship. I have always been in awe of Christian community. Even as child, I was struck with goodness that so many people from different backgrounds and experience, can find such a strong sense of family in their common bond of Jesus Christ.
Under the Leadership of Cambri Alison our youth group is growing and is made up largely of local children, from the neighborhood, who run through the crowd with a sense of belonging to everyone in room. The smell of good food, prepared by one of our adult Sunday school classes, sets a perfect background for chit chat among friends until the meal begins. We are blessed four Adult Sunday school classes and are looking for ways to enhance this experience for the following year.
After lunch, we have a small prayer meeting in our coffee lounge, and youth choir rehearsals and contemporary music practice under the leadership of Scooter Tilley. The Youth Group meets as well many monthly committees meetings.
One night during a meal, I was quietly talking to a church member about a time when they felt distant from God. They shared with me how that tunnel of doubt disappeared over the years through Christian fellowship. I smiled at this simple sharing and sat back to observe the room that was bounding with squeals from the youth group and animated adult conversation. I thought to myself, "Pay attention. This is the good stuff, let's not take it for granted." As I have said, I have always been in awe of Christian community.
"They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe."
Acts 2:42-43
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NEW INTERIM PASTOR FOR WESTMINSTER CHURCH IN ODESSA.
Nuevo Pastor Interino para la Iglesia Westminter en Odessa
By Rev. Jose Luis Casal
The Missional Ministries Team (MMT) of Tres Rios Presbytery has voted to sustain Buddy Monahan exam and receive him as a member of the presbytery working as Interim Pastor in Westminster Presbyterian Church in Odessa. The MMT took this action as an Administrative Commission, so it is effective as of today. The MMT also voted to approve the interim contract.
Buddy is a Native American pastor who was born and raised in the Presbyterian Church. An uncle and a granduncle were Presbyterian pastors. He graduated from Dubuque Seminary and have served in different capacities on the PC(USA). Actually he I member of the Advocacy Committee of Racial Ethnic Concerns and the Native American Caucus of the General Assembly. He is married with Dyanna and they have one daughter Ashdyn and two sons, Bradyn and Jordyn
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EIGHTH ANNIVERSARY OF A SUCCESFUL PROGRAM IN FIRST FORT STOCKTON
Octavo aniversario de un programa exitoso en la Primera Iglesia de Fort Stockton
By Rev. Jim Miles, pastor
During a redevelopment program in the 1980's, the session and congregation of First Presbyterian Church, Fort Stockton made several important decisions. In the process of converting the SE portion of the property from vacant lots to a playground, it was decided to fence it with a short fence to keep participants in rather than a high one to keep people out. The result was a "Presbyterian Park," welcoming to the neighborhood. A second decision was like it-to hold VBS annually as a mission to the entire community rather than a ministry project for member's children.
Over the years several different formats were tried, including evening options, serving complete meals. The current format is a classic weekday morning format with snacks but no meals. It has annually been among the largest and most successful in the region. This year's involvement included (numbers approximated): 125 children aged 3 through entering grade 5 - 35 youth - 20 adults
Dr. Jim Miles was asked to share the FPCFS formula for success.
1- Prayer. Lots of prayer
2- Set dates a year in advance. Share and coordinate this with the local ministerial alliance.
Hold a fundraiser. This year's bake sale auction raised a much needed $4000+
Have a welcoming, inclusive "Team" anxious to share leadership across denominations
Hire a summer "youth intern" (usually a local collegians) to resource children/youth
3- Use all means available for publicity
4- Encourage grandparents to "keep their grands" during the week of the event
GROUP curriculum. (Order early, be optimistic, they allow returns of overages)
5- Order music CDs for each participant. Distribute them on day one
6- Have a great music/plenary leader and maximize energizers
7- Use Middle and High school youth as team leaders/helpers
8- Have daily intern led afternoon/evening events for the youth
9- Always respect the church affiliation of attendees who have church homes
10- Always seek to engage the families of the unchurched
This program has been so successful that the TEAM chose to do a "weekly" VBS, busing (vanning)? Local elementary students to the church each Tuesday afternoon when school is in session. They get play time, music, a skit, a theme based snack, a Bible lesson, and engage in a craft. This is year 8 for this mission.
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| MISSION PARTNERS - VIDEO COMPETITION - 2016
Could your program or mission use some extra funding?
Help us tell the story of the Synod of the Sun by creating a 2-3 minute video demonstrating Connecting, Equipping, and Empowering for Christ's mission in the synod.
This competition is open to all PC(U.S.A.) related missions, ministries, presbyteries and congregations within the Synod of the Sun.
PRIZES awarded to mission or ministry in partnership with the Synod of the Sun
$5,000 First Place
$2,500 Second Place
$1,000 Third Place
Here are some ideas for making this competition an educational experience with fund raising possibilities!
Sunday School class lesson/project
Youth Group summer project
Grant and/or scholarship recipients
Confirmation Class project on the "Connectional Church"
Local church partnerships
DEADLINE FOR RECEIPT OF SUBMISSION WILL BE ANNOUNCED
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ORPHANS AND WIDOWS:  Reflection and Confession based on James 1:22-27
Huérfanos y Viudas:
Una reflexión y confesión basada en Santiago 1: \22-27
By Rev. Magdalena Garcia, PCUSA Teaching Elder of Chicago Presbytery
Do you know what they teach
at typesetter school?
"An orphan has no past,
a widow has no future."
Writing that is perfect and flawless
cures orphans and widows
by adjusting space and adding details.
Do you know what they teach
at discipleship school?
"An orphan should not be abandoned,
a widow must not go on alone."
Religion that is pure and undefiled
cares for orphans and widows
by lending a hand and offering hope.
Fulfilling the Great Commandment
demands that we renounce all prejudice
and take up the cause of the disempowered:
those who are vulnerable
to impoverishment and injustice.
Focusing on the Great Commission
is not a license to perpetrate violence
and to execute the agenda of the empowered:
those who are driven
by conquest and dominion.
Regardless of our motivation,
whether the Great Commandment or the Great Commission,
our common calling remains the same,
and orphans and widows
are at the top of the list
of those we are to love and serve.
Forgive us, Adopting God,
for reducing religion
to ritual practices and escapist spiritualism
at the service of some and the expense of others.
Teach us, Protecting God,
to live out true faith
by embodying your love and being doers of the Word
for the sake of all humanity.
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MY SYNOD YOUTH WORKSHOP EXPERIENCE
Mis vivencias en el Taller de Juventud del Sínodo
By Kira Wright - A high school senior who attends University Presbyterian Church
 Where do I begin? Well for starters Synod Youth Workshop is huge! I've only been able to go for 3 years. I can most certainly say that my last year at Synod was my best, but let me start from the top. After registering you finally get to meet your roommate and she was the coolest roommate ever! We got along right away. I was also able to catch up with friends that I had made in prior years before meeting my small group.
Soon enough, though, I met my small group for the week and we all just clicked, like we were already family. We ate together, worshiped together, and spent all sorts of time together. We also support each other and I was supported this year when I decided to perform at the talent show that happens towards the end of the week.
At first, when I ran through my act with the leadership team, I was so scared that I couldn't stop shaking. I told my small group about my fear and they offered to help me by coming up on stage with me. When I got up on stage with them, they gave me the confidence to sing through my act and the audience loved it!
I loved my small group and I think that's the best part of Synod Youth Workshop - being part of a group that is supportive, and different and fun. It is truly amazing to be able to see how God works in our lives in such different ways and my faith is stronger for sharing in other's faith.
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