e-News for November 20, 2020
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In this issue:
- Thanksgiving Message from Ted Churn
- News from the Presbytery
- News from Our Congregations
- News from the Broader Church
- 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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In 1927, Reinhold Niebuhr, one of the great theologians of the 20th century, preached a sermon on gratitude to his congregation in Detroit. In that sermon he wondered aloud whether or not in an age of industrial civilization a genuine spirit of thanksgiving was really possible. Thanksgiving surely cannot be a time for self-congratulation, an occasion for us to take pride in how much we have or have accomplished, but instead must be a time in which we acknowledge how much we really do depend upon the grace and generosity of God - and how we also depend upon other people and the earth itself for our wellbeing.1 In his book Leaves from the Notebook of a Tamed Cynic, Niebuhr describes a Thanksgiving service he had attended, which he described as being filled with a kind of “self-righteous bunk” that made it “quite impossible” for him to worship. He noted the absence of any genuine spirit of confession that would make a Thanksgiving service real. This calls to mind the story in the Gospel of Luke in which a Pharisee congratulates himself before God for being who he is (a righteous man) and where he is (in a position to look down on others), while in the shadows another man gets on his knees, pounds his chest and pleads for mercy. Which of the two, do you think, mirrors our true state of utter dependence on God?
This year we are being stretched to our limits emotionally, and it seems we are becoming more and more vulnerable to a virus that has infected the lives of over 55 million people around the world. People everywhere are saying, “I will be glad to see 2020 in my rearview mirror.” In the face of this, it may sound like a noisy gong to wish each other a “Happy Thanksgiving.” And if Thanksgiving is only about being grateful for our many advantages and entitlements, then yes, it is a noisy, hollow gesture. But thanksgiving that is deeply rooted in our love for who God is and our gratitude for what God has given us in the human life of Jesus, is a defining mark of our Christian identity. And it is in that spirit that I wish you a Happy Thanksgiving.
Peace and Joy,
Ted
1.This thought was shared by the Rev. Neal McPherson in his sermon “Thanksgiving Honesty.” Nu‘uanu Congregational Church, Thanksgiving Sunday, Twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost November 19, 2017.
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A Statement from the Executive Presbyter/Stated Clerk and
Associate for Small Churches and Technology
In light of the recent surge in the Corona Virus (COVID-19), and the governor’s decision to remain in Phase 3 while decreasing the limit on indoor gatherings from 25 people to 10, we strongly encourage our congregations and pastors to review their decisions and practices related to gathering indoors.
Please consider our governor’s statement on the recent trend of the virus: “The science shows that the transmission of this virus is much greater indoors, and the more people who are gathered, the easier this virus can spread. We saw increasing spread from social gatherings in October.”
All those leading worship should pay attention to their own health and step away immediately when there is a concern. Extra precautions such as the wearing of masks and social distancing must be factored into any decision to engage in live worship. If a worship leader feels uncomfortable with the safety measures being taken by a congregation at any time, we will not question their decision to step away from a particular gathering or from that leadership altogether.
We expect that churches that are making the choice to gather in person will have a clear plan for compliance with local health mandates to provide for the safety of the worship leaders and congregation, including the wearing of masks, social distancing, and adjustments to the order of service to limit the length of the gathering and eliminate the highest-risk elements of the service. In particular, congregational singing is discouraged in any worship context at this time. Congregations should also feel free to ask worship leaders to take additional precautionary measures at any time.
Due to the continuing effects of this virus, the availability of worship leadership may change with little or no notice. We encourage all congregations to have backup plans for worship leadership, including for lay-led worship with the reading of scripture, prayer, and reflection. The presbytery, through our associate for small church ministries and technology, is also ready to assist churches with moving to virtual services as would be helpful.
Hope is on the horizon with the development of a vaccine. But until that time, keep in mind that any who gather in crowds of any size—including those in our smallest churches—remain vulnerable to infection. Please bear patiently, as we wait for the day when this virus has passed, and we can once again gather together and unite our voices in praise of God.
Ted Churn
Andy James
Presbytery of New Hope
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Greetings fellow presbyters,
Last week our Racial Equity Team held its second of a series of forums aimed at enhancing our education, formation and collaboration around deconstructing racism and advancing equity in our churches and presbytery. Thank you to those who were present!
For those interested in applying this tool in your church or simply wanting to share in support, resourcing, and accountability with others as you seek to advance racial equity, you may follow this link to share your preferred meeting times. Please contact Katie Crowe ([email protected] or (704)651-8680) with questions.
On behalf of the Racial Equity Team, thank you for your commitment to the work at hand. We look forward to prayerfully continuing down this path of introspection and action with you!
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Blessings Resource Pavilion
St. Paul Presbyterian Church
USA 928 South Main Street
Louisburg, NC
Saturday, November 21, 2020, 10:00 a.m.
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It’s Turkey Time! The Iglesia Emanuel Food Pantry continues to provide an abundant amount of healthy food to almost 500 families a week. Many families have come to depend on this help to keep their families going during this challenging time. Thanks so much to all our partners, volunteers, and contributors for your faithful, consistent collaboration. For Thanksgiving, we would like to do something a little special for them. We will be purchasing turkeys or whole chickens to add to the boxes of food to be distributed on Wednesday, November 25. Your financial donation will ensure the success of this wonderful project. You can contribute online: http://emanueldurham.org, or by check, payable to Iglesia Presbiteriana Emanuel, 2504 N. Roxboro, Durham, NC 27704. Note “Thanksgiving” on the memo line of your check or in the comment section of Pay Pal. We are forever grateful for you and your support!
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Black Clerical Robe Donation
Ada Winters would like to donate her husband's black clerical robe (42" chest/56" length) and 4 stoles in liturgical colors. If you are interested please contact Ada at [email protected].
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The Presbytery of New Hope will be purging the remaining resources in its Resource Center and would like to invite you to come take a look and see if there are resources that you can use in your congregations. Some of the categories are: Bible, Christian Education, Children's Ministry, Presbyterian Women, Church Education, Church and Society, Racial Ethnic, Church History, Peacemaking, Theology, Worship, and much more. If you are interested in stopping by the office at 2022 McDonald Lane, contact René Baker 919-322-0143 ext. 6 or [email protected] to make an appointment. We will be practicing social distancing and a mask will be required.
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Zoom Bible Study Continues
All are invited to a weekly Bible study via Zoom each Tuesday at noon. Members and leaders from churches around the presbytery gather for an hour of conversation about the Revised Common Lectionary texts for the upcoming Sunday as we listen together for God speaking to us, our congregations, our presbytery, and our world. Sign up for the Zoom link at www.nhpresbytery.org/zoom-bible-study.
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News from the Broader Church
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“Yes.” It is a small word. Just three single letters. Yet, together, those three letters capture an idea that holds a universe of possibilities. “Yes” suggests not just possibility but promise, an affirmation, a hope. “Yes” is a gateway to something exciting, something inviting, something new.
This year, on December 1, Union Presbyterian Seminary is trying something new. Be on the lookout for more information about Union’s participation in this year’s Giving Tuesday. Be on the lookout for a chance to leverage your gift to have an even greater impact. Be on the lookout for your chance to say “yes.”
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News from Our Missionary ~ John Etheredge
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Prayers of condolences to the family and friends of Elder Bill Koehnline who entered the church triumphant on November 13th. Please keep the family in your prayers.
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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.
November Calendar
26-27 ~ Thanksgiving Holiday - Office Closed
December Calendar
3 ~ Commission on Preparation for Ministry
3 ~ 1:00 - Commission on Ministry Exec.
8 ~ 9:30 - Examinations and Transfers
23- January 1 ~ Presbytery Office Closed for the Christmas and New Year's Holiday
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To all our friends in New Hope Presbytery, in the spirit of gratitude, we wish you a Happy Thanksgiving in whatever way you observe this day. Stay healthy and safe!
The Staff at New Hope Presbytery
René Baker
Christine Kelson
Terry Lamberson
Andy James
Deky Hall
Gun Ho Lee
Ted Churn
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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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