In this issue:
- Message from Ted Churn
- News from the Presbytery
- News from the Broader Church
- Job Opportunities
- In Our Prayers
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In response to God‘s call in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the mission of the Presbytery of New Hope is to enable local congregations, and presbytery as a whole, to function effectively as the body of Christ by actively exploring, facilitating, equipping, and establishing appropriate ministries with the covenant community and beyond. |
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At our Committee on Preparation for Ministry meeting this past Thursday, Meg Peery McLaughlin shared a prayer she wrote as part of the opening meditation. The prayer reminds us of what we lived through this past year, and the hope that God will lead us into a new day as we begin the rotation through another year. I was granted permission to share her prayer in our e-news.
Faithfully,
Ted
Usually, when we mark the earth’s full rotation around the sun,
it is with cake and cards, and a rousing tune of Happy Birthday to you!
Or it’s when, we watch the ball drop and pop bubbly,
kiss a loved one whispering Happy New Year.
God, this is different.
The orbit is complete, the countdown back to zero,
but Happy isn’t our word—it’s something more like oof, or ouch.
To be honest with you,
we’re not altogether sure how we made it through this year,
and we grieve – oh we grieve – that so, so, so many didn’t.
It’s hard to make sense of that, God.
We still don’t know when this losing-track-of-days time will end,
and we don’t know what “back to normal” will look like (because surely it won’t be normal),
but we do know this:
from the rising of the sun to its setting, your name is to be praised and you are the alpha and omega, beginning and end.
So we thank you God for showing up this past year:
on screens and in silence,
through frontline workers and facetime calls with grandparents,
in our worship and wonder at your creation,
in the dismantling and deconstruction of all that detracts from your way.
And we trust that you will be present as we start the rotation once again:
you’ll be present in the joy at vaccine selfies
and the backpacks finally worn by students,
you’ll be present in the tears that are released
when we once again sing our alleluias.
We pray this in the name of Jesus the Christ,
Amen.
Meg Peery McLaughlin
Co-Pastor, University Presbyterian Church
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Thank you, thank you, thank you…. |
For the heartfelt tribute you gave to me at our presbytery gathering last Saturday. I was moved by the kind words written in chat during the slide presentation. And all the pictures, yes even the clown (there’s a story behind that one), reminded me of the many blessings bestowed on me throughout my years in ministry. And those blessings continued to flow during the ten years of ministry with you. I am grateful to God for allowing me to serve in this time and place. And I give thanks to so many for the laughter we have shared, and the patience you endured during those times when I fumbled my way through ministry. But we are not done yet, God willing, we still have a final three months together.
Grace and Peace,
Ted
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Thank you to everyone who attended our Presbytery gathering last Saturday.
There were 278 in attendance; 146 ministers, 90 ruling elder commissioners, 5 commissioned ruling elders, 3 lay members of coordinating body, 1 certified educator, 5 corresponding members, 5 inquires/candidates, 3 staff and 20 visitors.
The offering total was $1,090.00 which went to John Chavis Historical Society, Raleigh, NC and George Henry White Community Center, New Bern, NC.
And, a motion passed for New Hope to become a Matthew 25 Presbytery! Matthew 25 has three foci – Building Congregational Vitality, Dismantling Structural Racism, and Eradicating Systemic Poverty.
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Our second Small Church Webinar for 2021 will be Thursday, March 11, at 6:30 p.m. Join us as we explore Resilience and Improvisation for the Small Church, sitting with scripture and discovering ways of finding meaning and building patterns for improvisation within and beyond this present season. Our leader will be Rev. Aisha Brooks-Lytle, executive presbyter, Presbytery of Greater Atlanta. Get more information or register now! |
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As you may have heard at the presbytery meeting, when Bob and Dawn “zoomed” out at you with the plan for the 2021 Outstanding Older Adults Awards — it’s on!! And we’ll use Zoom to keep everybody safe (last year we had to cancel!).
To honor that person in your church who’s over 60 and still serving the Lord with everything s/he’s got — oftentimes active in various areas of the church AND the community — have your session make the nomination official and write up a one-page bio on why this person is so inspiring. (note: if you already selected an honoree for 2020, that should be your honoree for this year.) Differences this year: We will honor 25. Since it will be zoom and recorded on YouTube, the honoree’s family and friends from around the world can see it whenever. We’d like you to send in a portrait type photo of the honoree, as well as 3 other photos..maybe show them in action! Deadline to submit your nominee is Friday, April 30, 2021.
The awards presentation will be a Zoom gathering at 3PM on Sunday June 13th…with some music from our normal site for this, First Presbyterian Rocky Mount.
If your honoree doesn’t have internet access, that will be your gift to them…get them to where they CAN see it and be seen, as in our presbytery meetings. Andy James at the presbytery office can answer your questions about what kind of connections you’ll need.
Prepare to be inspired, as we meet two dozen of our greatest church members, still going strong! Please email your submission to René Baker, include your write-up and any photos. An awards booklet and certificate will be mailed to each nominee.
Bob Inskeep and Dawn Omokunde
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News from the Broader Church |
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News from Our Missionary ~ John Etheredge
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This year, the Carson Lectures from the First Presbyterian Church of Richmond invite us to look at four important places of healing and mending as we hear scholar-leaders speak to our relationships, institutions, history, and theology. Each lecture will also feature time for Q&A. All lectures are free and will be streamed on YouTube at 7:30 p.m. each Wednesday in March. Learn more here!
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Westminster Presbyterian Church in Durham is currently seeking a Director for its half-day education program for children 18 months through Pre-K. Ideal candidates will have a background in early childhood education, in addition to administrative and managerial experience. View the position description. Qualified applicants are encouraged to send a resumé and cover letter to [email protected]. No phone calls, please.
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Howard Memorial in Tarboro, NC is looking for a part-time (6-8 hours/week) youth director to lead a robust youth ministry at a wonderful church. The role would oversee youth Sunday school, Sunday night youth group, and summer mission trips, Montreat, and Massanetta conferences. Anyone interested can reach out to [email protected].
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The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has several openings for which we are seeking qualified candidates looking for a call working at the national level. Review the positions here.
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Hudson Memorial Presbyterian Church in Raleigh is looking for a part-time bookkeeper with some set weekday office hours, other hours flexible. Responsibilities include: contributions, accounts payable, payroll processing, financials. Will work with staff, Finance Committee, Giving Ministry Team, Foundation Board and other groups to provide reports and information needed for budgeting. Reports to the church business administrator. Background and proficient experience needed in accounting, fund accounting, and bookkeeping to carry out duties. Proficiency with Excel, Word, Outlook. Familiarity with church's bookkeeping software (Church Windows) preferred, but not required. Ability to maintain strict confidentiality regarding the financial situation of the church and donations of its members is required. Please submit cover letter and resume to [email protected]. Position Description
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All in-person events have been canceled during the COVID-19 pandemic
until the all-clear has been issued. The meetings listed below will be conducted via Zoom.
March Calendar
9 ~ Examinations and Transfers - 8:30 a.m.
10 ~ Commission on Ministry - 10:00 a.m.
11 ~ Church Development and Evangelism - 10:00 a.m.
17 ~ Coordinating Body - 1:00 p.m.
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Online Presbytery Directory
The Presbytery of New Hope directory of congregations and teaching elders is now available online! Get the most up-to-date information available, search anywhere you have an internet connection, and even print a PDF at www.nhpresbytery.org/directory.
You can look up your personal passphrase at the bottom of the page, or you may contact us at [email protected] to get a pass phrase, update your address, or receive other support.
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Please submit all items for consideration for inclusion by noon on Thursday. We reserve the right to edit, hold, return, or reject submissions based on space available or any other criteria below.
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All submissions should be no longer than about fifty words (one paragraph). Longer submissions will be returned for editing.
- Please highlight and/or separate dates, times, and locations.
- Only items related to the work of congregations, committees, networks, and other related entities of the Presbytery of New Hope will be included.
- Submissions for joys and concerns must be related to minister members of the presbytery, staff of congregations, or others who have served in the life of the presbytery and will be included upon permission of the individual or the individual's congregation.
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