Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois Newsletter - June 6, 2019
Murphysboro Community Garden thrives, giving nutritious food to many

Thanks to a Mission and Ministry grant from the Presbytery in 2017, plus hard work from some dedicated volunteers, the dream of First Presbyterian Church in Murphysboro having a community garden has become a reality. The garden continues to produce delicious fresh vegetables for individuals and the Murphysboro Food Pantry.
Items from Mt. Carmel church
The First Presbyterian Church of Mt. Carmel is in the process of closing, after 180 years of faithful ministry. The church is located at 530 Mulberry in Mt. Carmel.

Items in the church are being offered to other congregations in the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois. Please contact the Administrative Commission at  mtcarmelac@psei.net  if you have interest in any of these items. The deadline to request items is June 30th. The AC will make the decisions about distribution and will set a pick up date.

The itemized inventory can be found on our website at: https://www.pseillinois.org/mt-carmel
Celebrate World Refugee Day on June 20th
World Refugee Day is June 20 th , a day for remembrance, prayer, celebration, and commitment.

In 2019, we remember that there are almost 67 million people around the world forced from their homes in fear for their lives due to war, natural catastrophe, persecution or fear of persecution. We take time to look beyond our own microcosm and recognize the incredible commitment of developing countries in the developing world who host 84% of the world’s refugees.

We pray for our government and for the governments of refugee host countries around the world to not become discouraged but to work together as one global family to meet the humanitarian needs of refugees on their doorsteps

This year on World Refugee Day, we celebrate the former refugees who have become part of our communities and our churches. We honor the many gifts they bring to their new country. We give thanks that through their eyes we see the hope and promise that they find in our nation’s highest ideals and the deep embrace from congregations who welcome them.

Below are some resources to help you plan a World Refugee Day event with your congregation and community:

                               
                                 
                              
Also, please share pictures/videos of your World Refugee Day event on social media with the hashtags #WRD2019 and #WeChooseWelcome.

This World Refugee Day we choose welcome, again.
Be a PSEI Commissioner or YAAD for GA224
The 224 th  General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) convenes on June 20, 2020, ends June 27, 2020 and will be held in Baltimore, MD. The Committee on Representation is now accepting applications for GA Commissioners and Young Adult Advisory Delegates until noon on September 24, 2019. 

Commissioners/Alternates and YAAD/Alternate will be elected at the November 21, 2019 Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois.
Horizons preview: “Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look at the Ten Commandments” (2019-2020)
Horizons preview: "Love Carved in Stone: A Fresh Look at ...

Presbyterian Women/Horizons Bible Study 2019-2020 During Sunday school, children were asked to name the Ten Commandments. Here are two of the responses: "The first commandment was when Eve told Adam to eat the apple." "The seventh commandment is...

Read more
pres-outlook.org
Big Tent Registration Now Open
PC(USA) OGA

Big Tent 2019

Read more
oga.pcusa.org
All Session Records must be read prior to the November 21, 2019 Presbytery meeting. These events are held in regional locations, but you may attend one in another region if that day is better for you.
 
CLERKS - If none of these dates work for you, then send your moderator to the reading with the records of another member of Session or a previous clerk.
June Bible Study
For use at Presbytery gatherings/meetings. Authored by Rev. Bill McLean, Presbyter for Congregational Care.

John 6:25-34 - New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)
 
When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Very truly, I tell you, you are looking for me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves. Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.” Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing? Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’ ” Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”

  • How do we know that we are following "signs" and not merely following "because you ate your fill of the loaves"?
  • How can we demonstrate Jesus' teaching that "this is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent"?
  • How might the Presbytery/congregation/committee be guided by this Scripture?
2019 Stated Meetings
(Click on church name for church website; click on address for Google map)

Thursday, August 29 - First Presbyterian Church, Taylorville ,

Thursday, November 21 - First Presbyterian Church, Effingham