tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5916452040000964252024-02-02T17:01:30.911-05:00Best's BlogJohn Best's Blog, General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Lake MichiganBest's Bloghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08146245296089174408noreply@blogger.comBlogger136125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-13305573201353841192018-06-21T23:58:00.002-04:002018-06-21T23:58:34.854-04:00223rd General Assembly - Day Six <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijctBqq5QKBtfGOOLbEmIOIUID4tRXZDJSYlDbQLx52UV16-fgWlOkBoHV8BNdBeNsUIXNoDPlz5-oRRyNgYq0qccp1oFrH-fRO3vn6vBkMu5updQJ3sGzfLmzmx5VfdnFlDDCFOKzEUie/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijctBqq5QKBtfGOOLbEmIOIUID4tRXZDJSYlDbQLx52UV16-fgWlOkBoHV8BNdBeNsUIXNoDPlz5-oRRyNgYq0qccp1oFrH-fRO3vn6vBkMu5updQJ3sGzfLmzmx5VfdnFlDDCFOKzEUie/s1600/IMG_3077.JPG" /></a>The Assembly acted on a lot of important matters today. Heard from ecumenical and interfaith partners (Jewish), received reports and approved a guiding statement which will help brand the PCUSA---Prayerful, Courageous, United, Serving, Alive. Approved the Way Forward recommendations. Acted to fund new initiatives for addressing the genesis root causes of the exodus of refugees from Central America to the USA, saw a trailer for a film the Presbyterian Mission Agency produced <a href="https://genesisofexodusfilm.com/thefilm" target="_blank">https://genesisofexodusfilm.com/thefilm</a> Please watch it, share it, and discuss it. New Mission CoWorkers will be funded to work in El Salvador and Central America where violence and economic collapse has caused families to flee. Another new initiative will be engaging and supporting a ministry with North Korean refugees in South Korea. Everything thing today seemed to pass with near unanimous support. Amendments only seem to strengthen overtures, and the only debate was over money, how the cost of new initiatives will effect existing initiatives and staff. Sounds like the challenge of a Session, right! Then we were taken to Sunday School by a YAAD who reminded us that we live in God's economy where there is enough, not scarcity. There is excitement in this Assembly that we are on the move, trying to catch up with God.<br />
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<b>This Assembly continues to be different,</b> in that instead of slogging through a Thursday night plenary business, we took the evening of celebration and hope. Many of us attended a Hands and Feet Celebration featuring Kirk Whalum, Blues/Jazz musician, preacher's kid evangelist in concert with his band. He is the saxophone soloist in Whitney Houston's hit song "I'll Always Love You!" He ministered to our tired souls and had us Presbyterians singing and swaying, and clapping and praying with arms lifted like a bunch of Pentecostals! <br />
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<b>Hands and Feet</b> is an initiative envisioned by our Stated Clerk, J. Herbert Nelson shared two years ago when he stood for election. He has called upon the Church to focus its resources on St. Louis to make a difference here. Encouraging Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Self Development of People, U-Kirk Campus Ministries, Presbyteries to join the Presbytery of Giddings Lovejoy and their strategic partners to come and engage here to join God's hands and feet to do what needs to be done here in this city. A video was shown telling the story. Find the video at this link. <a href="http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/hands-and-feet/" target="_blank">http://oga.pcusa.org/section/ga/hands-and-feet/</a> The celebration concert was a stewardship gift of the musicians and a sponsor, so that all the ticket sales went to support Hands and Feet initiative. T<b>he focus of Hands and Feet for the next two years is Baltimore, the host city of the next General Assembly in 2020. </b> Think about joining this initiative with your next mission trip!<br />
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Eileen and I spoke with V<b>ernon Boyles, </b>a long time PMA staff and then volunteer since his retirement, leading Presbyterian voice for the social justice witness of the PC(USA) for as long as I've been in ministry. He was beaming from ear to ear, and said, "This has been a wonderful week! J. Herbert is a wonderful leader." I couldn't agree more. This is NOT your normal Assembly. Get ready to receive your commissioners home. We are on fire for the Lord! It's about Kin-dom building. "Seek ye first the kin-dom of God, and all these things will be given to you?" John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-2901067556608667872018-06-20T23:21:00.004-04:002018-06-20T23:21:31.583-04:00223rd General Assembly - Day Five - Ecumenical Worship - Plenary Begins<b>Denise Anderson,</b> who just completed a two year term as the 222nd GA co-moderator, fueled the justice fire burning in my heart this morning in her sermon/proclamation/address at the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship Breakfast. It was video taped. Look for it to be posted at their website soon. Powerful preaching! <a href="http://www.presbypeacefellowship.org/ga223#.WyrvShJKg_U" target="_blank">http://www.presbypeacefellowship.org/ga223#.WyrvShJKg_U</a> A young mother herself, she called us to jiggle the pacifier, take away what comforts others, and let them cry. Jesus got angry and engaged the indifference of the synagogue, and abuse of the temple, offered a different economy of abundance in contrast to the zero sum economy of scarcity of the Roman Empire, in a way that healed and saved and liberate without condemning. We should get angry, too. Fifty years after the first Poor People's March, she has helped lead a renewed Poor People's march. Fifty years is too long to wait. Jiggle the pacifier.<br />
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Then at the Ecumenical Worship, <b>Najla Kassab,</b> moderator of the National Synod of the Church of Syria preach on 2 Corinthians 5:11-6:2 "Towards a Kingdom of Reconciliation" called on us to see others not from a worldly point of view on nationalism, wealth, physical appearance, power, etc. but from a spiritual point of view on kinship and seeing Christ and angels in others, and to build bridges across the boundaries which separate us. <br />
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During Kin-dom Time this Assembly is still on a high from the <b>Stop Cash Bail Public Action </b>March yesterday. "One of the Best Experiences of my life!" There were a lot of first time marchers. Our return home will be like the Holy Spirit blowing on the dandelion seed head. We are charged to take the gospel to the streets to the public square with our ecumenical brothers and sisters, interfaith leaders and whoever wants to address the needs of a broken world. Our Denise Martin brought the Assembly to its feet with her new embrace of the PC(USA) advocacy.<br />
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Plenary Work on the <b>Business before the Assembly </b>began today. Among the many actions:<br />
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<li>The Assembly approved <b>Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr's Letter from the Birmingham Jail </b>for study by the churches, and to begin the process for considering it for inclusion as a PC(USA) constitutional confession. </li>
<li>Commended the <b>Reclaiming Jesus movement </b>for study by Mid Councils, Sessions and congregations.</li>
<li>Urges the session of each congregation, as well as each mid council, Presbyterian s<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 10.5pt;">eminaries</span><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 10.5pt;">, Presbyterian Women’s groups, and other organizations
to confess their complicity and repudiate the <b>Doctrine of Discovery</b> and</span> <strong style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal;">calls for the engagement of mid councils and
their congregational members to start a flow of ideas and information back and
forth between mid councils and congregational members, directed at
understanding how the Doctrine of Discovery has been present in our history and
our theological positions, and continues to be present today.</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 10.5pt;"><b> </b>R</span></span><strong style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue"; font-size: 10.5pt; font-weight: normal; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">ecommends a two-step process: confession, repentance, and calls for an</span></span></strong><b style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </b><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">inventory and assessment of Native American
Church property needs </span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">and report back.</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">This could empower Presbyteries in possible future action to follow up on our
confession and repentance.</span></li>
<li>Approved appointing an <b>Administrative Commission</b> to inquire and address conflict in the Synod of the Covenant.</li>
<li>Recognize the <b>10th anniversary of the “Comfort My People: A Policy Statement on Serious Mental Illness”</b> approved at the 218th General Assembly (2008) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and acknowledged the relevancy it still holds for our church and society in 2018. And established $250,000 funding for grants to be used to implement congregational Mental Health Ministries. </li>
<li><span style="background-color: whitesmoke; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: justify;">Direct the Presbyterian Mission Agency to report to the 224th General Assembly (2020) on its efforts to <b>strengthen the mission and ministry of small congregations,</b> including the progress of implementing the Vital Congregations and Christian Formation initiatives.</span></li>
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</style>John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-82213257615543261902018-06-20T00:43:00.001-04:002018-06-20T00:43:23.584-04:00223rd General Assembly - Day Four<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXW-WDUbg7EOlj7xCvMVaafSVurArCW03RFwwL8d88aX-3yiHkrEz49vR26AFWPXqXlcRXjsCOLYVaDciAA9ysjoAGg53T6F1RvUzbmpypOKXq3ko_WY8iIHqgIER6iHq3fQBIH0y52YH/s1600/IMG_3008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPXW-WDUbg7EOlj7xCvMVaafSVurArCW03RFwwL8d88aX-3yiHkrEz49vR26AFWPXqXlcRXjsCOLYVaDciAA9ysjoAGg53T6F1RvUzbmpypOKXq3ko_WY8iIHqgIER6iHq3fQBIH0y52YH/s320/IMG_3008.JPG" width="320" /></a>Today was the second day of committee work, but the power was at the Bible Study which began the day, and the Public Witness on the streets of St. Louis and on the steps of the St. Louis Court house in the heat of the afternoon.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAwlpB7IJIO9ZOEEU6TvyxgD3UfIMvCYzRSz7MgdlT6CyXiIdXlU8nPAaFx3prLqD8f8oSHo0NlHkBo2vFmliYgAQZUJCjiQrISUDUTZIOYv3AQcjRY7hXZoFs2HoMJRbmhbzuj4JnAAn/s1600/IMG_3025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOAwlpB7IJIO9ZOEEU6TvyxgD3UfIMvCYzRSz7MgdlT6CyXiIdXlU8nPAaFx3prLqD8f8oSHo0NlHkBo2vFmliYgAQZUJCjiQrISUDUTZIOYv3AQcjRY7hXZoFs2HoMJRbmhbzuj4JnAAn/s320/IMG_3025.JPG" width="320" /></a>New Testament scholar Raj Nadella, professor of New Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary where Leanne VanDyk is president, led the Assembly in a Bible Study entitled "Imperial Paradox and the Kin-dom of God in Matthew's Gospel." He explored several stories: a deathly birthday banquet where John the Baptist was beheaded, and Jesus' encounter with the Canaanite Woman in 15:21-28, where the Canaanite woman moves past the zero-sum worldview and stretches the kin-dom family to include the foreigner/enemy. Matthew's Gospel shows us how Jesus stood against the Roman Empire and occupation where the Roman elite lived in opulence and peace at the expense of the conquered people living at the margins of the empire. A few elite lived blessed opulence at the expense of the masses. Matthew sandwiches this story of an enemy seeking to eat the crumbs under the table, while Jesus fed the thousands in the wilderness before and after her appeal. A fresh reading of Matthew's gospel shows how "Jesus' acts of kin-dom undermines borders, redefines community, and challenges Rome's oppressive economic structures--which ultimately got him killed."<br />
"Kingdom is defined by greed, competition, oppression and violence and it closes borders to anyone who looks different from us and separates kids from parents in the name of keeping us safe. In Ada Maria Isasi-Diaz's definition, Kin-dom is about love, compassion, mutuality, and solidarity. It makes you cross dangerous borders for the sake of the very other. Kin-dom makes neighbors of enemies and of people who look and think very different from us...Reading the Bible is somewhat like reading American history or like reading the history of Presbyterians. We get to read about the times when we Presbyterians stood up for what was right, about times when we were ambivalent about justice, but also about times when we were too timid to speak up for the oppressed. Our job as Christians is to grapple with the difficult parts in the Bible and in our history, ponder the mysterious, and build upon the liberative aspects."<br />
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"What does Kin-dom building today in America entail he asked? Cross borders-literal and metaphorical--and make neighbors of people who look and think differently than us. Advocate for the immigrants and refugees as we would fight for our own siblings, children or parents. Leverage your privilege wherever you need to. Get on the phone and be persistent; act like the nasty Canaanite woman. Expose the American imperial paradox."<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNE4EJq9qkJF_NU8pjpjPAe7QbMsWqMpbG40jpKRCZzD-DZl28SBXmNRkCgeUhHOkdTWGLQkQC1JuXKMiHCsjZ85fVNFdGAZGRb_7xwVZoB1L3BogQ-tNpLtvHov7CpNYid11KH1odobs/s1600/IMG_3031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsNE4EJq9qkJF_NU8pjpjPAe7QbMsWqMpbG40jpKRCZzD-DZl28SBXmNRkCgeUhHOkdTWGLQkQC1JuXKMiHCsjZ85fVNFdGAZGRb_7xwVZoB1L3BogQ-tNpLtvHov7CpNYid11KH1odobs/s200/IMG_3031.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
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Then after some committee work, at 3 o'clock in the heat of the day, the Assembly took to the streets of St. Louis and marched to the Court House and delivered $47,000 bail money for the release of the untried prisoners held for misdemeanor offense charges, who can not afford bail. End the cash bail system which unjustly oppresses the poor.<br />
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This is a most powerful Assembly. It was a most powerful day. None of us will return home quite the same persons. <br />
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John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-62014806401382925752018-06-18T23:23:00.003-04:002018-06-18T23:39:43.805-04:00223rd GA - Day Three<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ1DTkqQjE-ueJjmLzyu3aQigzq0bwkh_kMC5jSrTM01LL20GTci91Q2PTdinSCjyHGB2hBNAkUGy_nSmnRSnlGDypoVrRmzITrdsFwLQfsKPfPEg50HHe7pVt4RuV8c1nCMsGJfANf3r/s1600/IMG_2979.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguekZnvumYPBv2Af-k8JfsjPJ8gYm0LtCQo3atmCgP9RarwXOIrCER_gY-MrX1Wwpw9ecOZYcVPRUCXSoVvG2bkNdeof6A4BJCLFHjhcTUANNdHcPr2RE0PZf6tFEM3yH6UU8z7VGdq-0e/s1600/IMG_2991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguekZnvumYPBv2Af-k8JfsjPJ8gYm0LtCQo3atmCgP9RarwXOIrCER_gY-MrX1Wwpw9ecOZYcVPRUCXSoVvG2bkNdeof6A4BJCLFHjhcTUANNdHcPr2RE0PZf6tFEM3yH6UU8z7VGdq-0e/s200/IMG_2991.JPG" width="200" /></a><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnZ1DTkqQjE-ueJjmLzyu3aQigzq0bwkh_kMC5jSrTM01LL20GTci91Q2PTdinSCjyHGB2hBNAkUGy_nSmnRSnlGDypoVrRmzITrdsFwLQfsKPfPEg50HHe7pVt4RuV8c1nCMsGJfANf3r/s200/IMG_2979.JPG" width="200" /><span style="text-align: start;"></span><span style="text-align: start;">The day began with a powerful Bible Study lead by Deborah Krause, professor of New Testament at Eden Theological Seminary. She focused on the Gospel of Mark as an early church witness in the context of the Roman Empire's dominance. This and Romans 12:1-2 provide a Biblical mandate and foundation for today's church witness in the context of the cultural dominance of empire.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfy23OH7m2nub35ln1ubwDm07heiFuun9mHS6R6zjzNvbuvVbSiOEpNkCMpqBZKskN9G5fusR-DsK1_ivlrN-eoUAEgxgtTIlO_S0G1Ob6bLIzwg92NpmLDfwWbfgCmoHdAL4N66VO5k6/s1600/IMG_2985.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEfy23OH7m2nub35ln1ubwDm07heiFuun9mHS6R6zjzNvbuvVbSiOEpNkCMpqBZKskN9G5fusR-DsK1_ivlrN-eoUAEgxgtTIlO_S0G1Ob6bLIzwg92NpmLDfwWbfgCmoHdAL4N66VO5k6/s200/IMG_2985.JPG" width="200" /></a><br />
Today the committees went to work with public hearings, hearing overture advocates, and beginning to make decisions on the work before them. There are 13 committees. It's always interesting to see how committee members struggle at first to understand things about which they are not experts, to get the rhythm of discernment and Roberts Rules of Order for decision making. But they always seem to figure it out by the end of the first day of deliberation. The listen, ask clarifying questions, sometimes amend, and perfect responses for the plenary's consideration later in the week.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlATtEaaEuTQlUpl1uTtQbq7pYquWj3qYNQ3f0rvYQuG3sEqyKIbnz7fpGycUxZSPyPjPUweU0-HSE9LKZ5Ts_GuP37hdb_R4CzUZ13UQbTxs5gBmq3krumywzQsJs-gVy082ORfzX6RHW/s1600/IMG_2993.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlATtEaaEuTQlUpl1uTtQbq7pYquWj3qYNQ3f0rvYQuG3sEqyKIbnz7fpGycUxZSPyPjPUweU0-HSE9LKZ5Ts_GuP37hdb_R4CzUZ13UQbTxs5gBmq3krumywzQsJs-gVy082ORfzX6RHW/s200/IMG_2993.JPG" width="200" /></a>Some items I followed today: Committee on Mid Councils spent most of the day on whether to have an Administrative Council to assist the Synod of the Covenant with some conflict. They are unanimously recommending the plenary to do so. The Committee on Environmental Issues will recommend 35 yes, 20 no, and 1 abstention to direct the Board of Pensions and the Presbyterian Foundation to divest from fossil fuel industries. The Committee on Theological Education and Church Growth will suggest that Martin Luther King, Jr's letter to the churches from the Birmingham Jail be present to the churches for study for two years as a non constitutional confession, with the thought that it <b>might some day be considered to be included in the Book of Confessions as an </b>additional confession.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSjvI4wlceKC9iVJrpXwnaoTOU4WNmsbUAIueKoY-ByAFVo32GpGJuAXjT-QhqVHHrbD_vL2-D6OyuVj821UF_W7PHkGc5eb0VVmmR1865UnwUDsW3vMN6oaABR7kfOj_yhswvECttWPH/s1600/IMG_2983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSjvI4wlceKC9iVJrpXwnaoTOU4WNmsbUAIueKoY-ByAFVo32GpGJuAXjT-QhqVHHrbD_vL2-D6OyuVj821UF_W7PHkGc5eb0VVmmR1865UnwUDsW3vMN6oaABR7kfOj_yhswvECttWPH/s200/IMG_2983.JPG" width="200" /></a>Then there are the multiple options for lunch and dinner banquets. I attended the World Mission Luncheon with World Mission Staff, mission coworkers, and global partners, and dinner with Middle Council leaders sponsored by the Presbyterian Mission Agency.<br />
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<br />John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-45140227951711361542018-06-17T21:40:00.000-04:002018-06-17T21:40:04.757-04:00223rd GA - Day Two<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmDYpt1SmVNrw5EPr2wZ3KQJCwtzEPef44zljimK6gXh9Ciitt8HnpFMUppYpTTlZswXu06ELMwVLVm7Q_z6XiwtwO2hXvBpqc9RA89l397j3wD5kmjGJUr5fud9o9BnGSk0JzQPPevpq/s1600/IMG_2975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="320" data-original-width="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVmDYpt1SmVNrw5EPr2wZ3KQJCwtzEPef44zljimK6gXh9Ciitt8HnpFMUppYpTTlZswXu06ELMwVLVm7Q_z6XiwtwO2hXvBpqc9RA89l397j3wD5kmjGJUr5fud9o9BnGSk0JzQPPevpq/s1600/IMG_2975.JPG" /></a>The Assembly worshiped with congregations of the host Presbytery of Giddings-Lovejoy this morning. Eileen and I worshiped with the <b>First Presbyterian Church of St. Louis,</b> the oldest Presbyterian Church west of the Mississippi. Jessica Vasques Torres preached on the Lord's Prayer reframing this prayer as a call to revolution, to boldly join in insurrection against evil. It will be a while before I say this prayer without pause. We lit a candle for Eileen's brother who has been recently in the hospital.<br />
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The afternoon plenary was given to reports from the Stated Clerk and three committees/commission mandated by the 222nd GA in Portland. <b>J. Herbert Nelson</b> lifted up the theme of this assembly, "<i>Strive first for the Kindom of God and all these things will be given to you as well,"</i> Matthew 6:33. He called commissioners to make this a turn around Assembly, to move our aim from success to significance in addressing and bringing healing to the brokenness of our time. Imagination is the only way to usher in the Kindom of God. Note "Kindom" is not misspelled here. The Assembly planners have coined this new word to point to our oneness in Christ.<br />
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<b>The 2020 Vision Committee</b> grounded their report in scripture, "<i>Write the vision, make it plain so a runner can read it"</i> from Habbakuk. They presented a guiding statement based on the PC(USA) which will be considered by the Assembly:<br />
<b>P</b>rayerful<br />
<b>C</b>ourageous<br />
<b>U</b>nited<br />
<b>S</b>erving<br />
<b>A</b>live<br />
We are encouraged to incarnate and live into these. Focus on these in sermon series, Bible studies, word for the year, VBS and Camp themes.<br />
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<b>The Way Forward Commission and the Agency Review Committee </b>reported together, sharing that they collaborated in much of their work.<br />
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At dinner the <b>Board of Pensions</b> gave us a new book <i>"Our Connectional Church: The Hopeful Future of the PC(USA)"</i> by <b>Gradye Parsons</b>, commissioned by the Board of Pensions. The book begins identifying elements of what Gradye describes as our Presbyterian Aquifer, what we all hold in common. He then tells the stories of four congregations as examples of innovation and vital ministry. Then <b>Frank Spencer,</b> the President of the Board of Pensions gave an insightful report of the research on congregational data and of exciting new Board of Pensions initiatives to address our challenge.<br />
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All in all, it was a very inspiring, hope filled day. The committees met for the first time this evening. They are meeting in closed session doing group building and organizing their work these evening. Tomorrow they will hear from overture advocates and others who have come to speak to items before them.<br />
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Happy Father's Day!<br />
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<br />John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-13591244261565848442018-06-17T00:56:00.004-04:002018-06-17T00:56:57.509-04:00223rd GA Day One<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">This is my seventh General Assembly. The first day is always overwhelmingly powerfully wonderful! Today was particularly so. Most Presbyterians are members of larger churches, but small churches make up the large majority of congregations and the pastors who serve them. Worshiping in a large space with thousands present is an elixir for the soul. But the music, the mass choir of 200, the brass and the organ accompaniment, the Native American flute, the Hispanic and world music, the liturgy which speaks to the crux of our experience, heart ache and passion, the preaching and teaching, all work together creating a mystical magic on one's soul on the first timer and frequent participant. I experience the power of the Holy Spirit working in me when singing the hymns, I can't get the words out. Only tears come. Opening worship at GA is like that for the newcomer and veteran alike. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfwDUKaVVtMgekLf87B1LHS9NcQMPe-lHt8NR56BnsuCEIVLA02AuavFKoiSX_DOQTjqUgpkXJW9835wHaKThKNwHGkOmxn1U7fNLursM7zIoUGAC9ARPKIdrIpdikMlskPXb3fagsDWe/s1600/IMG_2961.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgfwDUKaVVtMgekLf87B1LHS9NcQMPe-lHt8NR56BnsuCEIVLA02AuavFKoiSX_DOQTjqUgpkXJW9835wHaKThKNwHGkOmxn1U7fNLursM7zIoUGAC9ARPKIdrIpdikMlskPXb3fagsDWe/s1600/IMG_2961.JPG" /></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdtk-bn3TdL2i8iXl1gnf60HNwxmarmfQID99NQgQGXyGIgigiONTOOCLwryM5MNe2a-QaObcXbsLDnEigT2JHhIMRBhFnq3tzrz8eVnYQhAFoDgUFXfZ5eSKgRVYsH_j44iVNRok9zQ0/s1600/IMG_2965.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCdtk-bn3TdL2i8iXl1gnf60HNwxmarmfQID99NQgQGXyGIgigiONTOOCLwryM5MNe2a-QaObcXbsLDnEigT2JHhIMRBhFnq3tzrz8eVnYQhAFoDgUFXfZ5eSKgRVYsH_j44iVNRok9zQ0/s1600/IMG_2965.JPG" /></a><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The Office of the General Assembly arranged for Liz Theoharis, co-moderator of the Poor People's Campaign, to speak at the pre-Assembly Gathering, prior to worship. So by the time worship began, my heart was already on fire. This was true for everyone else who went to the Pre-Assembly Gathering. Then, the Assembly opened with worship. The service began with the filling of the baptismal font. Families of various races, ethnicities, all ages young and old and of a variety of make up carried pitchers of water to the font and poured in the water. The final family was two husbands and their young son. This ritual showed the churches growing diversity, of our growing deep and wide showing the height, depth and width of the loving hospitality of God, and the rich diversity of God's creation. The PC(USA) has come a long way since 2006, when I began attending GAs on a regular basis. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">After an afternoon of orientation, and preliminary reports by the Committee on Local Arrangements introducing us to St. Louis and the witness of the host Giddings Lovejoy Presbytery, and the Co-Moderators reflections on their two years of visiting the church here and around the world, this evening the GA elected new <b>Co-Moderators </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #27245b; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Vilmarie Citrón-Olivieri and Rev. Cindy Kohlmann</b> on the fourth ballet. They embody a commitment to lead the church in a time when racism, misogyny, homo and xenophobia embedded in our culture continues to rear its head. This Assembly is poised to speak truth to power and empower the church to work for social justice in the name of Christ. </span></span><br />
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</span></span>John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-26439280791783115872018-06-15T21:34:00.001-04:002018-06-15T21:34:44.172-04:00Presbyterians Gather in St. Louis for the 223rd General AssemblyPresbyterians are arriving in St. Louis from Presbyteries across the country and partners from around the world for the 223rd General Assembly. All of Lake Michigan's commissioners have arrived safely. Two of our Inquirers, Daniel Van Beek and Theresa Larson and one candidate, Ashley Bair are here also, along with Fran Lane-Lawrence, Eileen and myself. I haven't yet seen Ailih Weeldreyer, our Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD). YAADs have their own orientation events.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTJgA6CIvEXsBklavxv6YbeFKVUB8tPiN2nf6yxRNhw8g4sOOvjvfb3pxW1vzeLZfe7vDlHLRSPggi5x__eQ0WUwHWHUwSNiKYBVbNF2y-gvuhbks79afIpNtVV3bzuT2dWiDvRI7qYxp/s1600/IMG_2937.MOV" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="240" data-original-width="320" height="177" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKTJgA6CIvEXsBklavxv6YbeFKVUB8tPiN2nf6yxRNhw8g4sOOvjvfb3pxW1vzeLZfe7vDlHLRSPggi5x__eQ0WUwHWHUwSNiKYBVbNF2y-gvuhbks79afIpNtVV3bzuT2dWiDvRI7qYxp/s320/IMG_2937.MOV" width="320" /></a>The Committee on Local Arrangements welcomed us with a reception with food and music as we greeted acquaintances. Denise Martin and Laurie Hartzell are seen here enjoying the music.<br />
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You can sign up to receive the Assembly News Posts and watch live stream events at <a href="https://ga-pcusa.org/" target="_blank">https://ga-pcusa.org/</a> Opening worship, a must watch is Saturday, June 16 at 11 a.m. You also can access all the overtures and Assembly business at PCBiz at that link.<br />
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John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-5966939716885868772018-06-13T16:13:00.000-04:002018-06-13T16:13:13.400-04:00OpEd on Senate Bill 897
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">As Christians, we are
called to live out our faith through kindness and generosity to others and by
pursuing justice and reconciliation. In a time when so many families are
struggling with rising health care costs, stagnant wages, and constant economic
upheaval and instability, it’s particularly disheartening to see some of our
brothers and sisters in Christ, who find themselves in positions of leadership,
overlooking this suffering.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">When I first heard of
<b>Senate Bill 897</b>, a punitive bill that will force thousands of Michiganders off
of affordable health insurance because of arbitrary restrictions, I admittedly
was not sufficiently concerned about the reality of the threat. After all, just
a few short years ago, the Healthy Michigan program that this bill threatens
was passed with strong bipartisan majorities and hailed by Republican Gov.
Snyder as a win-win for access to affordable healthcare, reducing costs from
uncompensated care, and creating thousands of new jobs.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><br />
Sadly, weeks later this bill has passed both houses of the legislature and Gov.
Snyder appears poised to sign it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Gov.
Snyder, please veto this bill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a
practicing Presbyterian, surely you see the folly of imposing new arbitrary
standards, creating new impenetrable layers of bureaucracy to make it more
difficult for the poorest among us to access affordable healthcare.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Nothing about this
bill advances the causes of generosity or justice for our fellow Michiganders.
In Michigan, a large part of our state’s economy is driven by seasonal employment
in tourism and industries driven by the tourist cycle. Most recipients of
Medicaid work, but these kinds of seasonal disruptions that are a fact of life
for many Michiganders will end up forcing them off health coverage. In addition
to cruelly depriving them of access to necessary health care, this will drive
up the costs of uncompensated care, causing many rural clinics to close.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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</span><span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>In my family’s case, </b>my 28-year-old daughter has Medicaid
medical insurance due to special needs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>She works for a nonprofit organization which provides programing for
persons with autism 24 hours a week and gets paid for 15 of those hours at
minimum wage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She has tried to work for
other employers, but her limitations beyond her control make that impossible.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is happier now working in an environment
which overlooks her quirks and challenges and uses her gifts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>However, her employer cannot afford to pay
her more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This legislation threatens her
medical coverage, which is critical for her because of many health conditions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Adding extra
bureaucracy will hurt people who are eligible but may have difficulty
navigating additional red tape, as well. Thousands of Michiganders, including
families like mine who may have children who are special needs or are otherwise
ill-equipped to deal with these kinds of restrictions, face the possibility of
losing healthcare coverage despite actually being in compliance with both old
and new standards.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The bill asks for the Trump administration to
approve punitive 5% premiums, which are unprecedented in the Medicaid program
and could result in people with low incomes losing coverage should they fail to
pay. If the Trump Administration fails to re-approve changes to Michigan’s
plan, cancels the waiver in the future, or if litigation invalidates the waiver
a program that provides affordable healthcare to nearly 700,000 Michiganders,
the program will simply die. </span><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">One of Gov. Synder’s
most meaningful achievements was fighting through partisan roadblocks to do the
right thing in designing a Healthy Michigan program that increased access to
healthcare for hundreds of thousands of Michiganders. The program saved lives
from Detroit to De Tour Village, it allowed many rural clinics to continue
providing care to their neighbors, and it created jobs. Most importantly, it
carried out the Presbyterian mission of putting one’s faith into practice by
providing necessary medical attention and care to Michiganders who needed it
most. Killing this program would be a mark on the governor’s legacy and on all
of us as a state.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="background: white;">
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: "Arial",sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Gov. Snyder should
veto this cruel and arbitrary bill and preserve access to affordable healthcare
for Michigan. Signing these cruel and arbitrary restrictions to health
care into law would be shameful. And all of the candidates vying to replace
Gov. Synder in November should take note: taking steps to rip health coverage
away from people not only harms our state’s well-being and economic vitality,
but could plunge families of special needs children like mine into
crisis. We must, and can, do the right thing and preserve health care
access for Michigan families.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment--><br />John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-27009830245628405942018-06-11T10:08:00.001-04:002018-06-11T10:08:03.146-04:00The Blessing of the Fleet<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Number 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Closing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="List Continue 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Message Header"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Salutation"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Date"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text First Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Note Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
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<span style="font-size: 14pt;">I led worship for the Pennfield Presbyterian Church in Battle Creeks on Sunday, June 10th, as they prepare for the retirement of their pastor. It was also the last occasion for me to lead worship and preach in my role as General Presbyter. The congregation's response was strong. They encouraged me to share the sermon with the Presbytery via my blog. Here it is.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“The Blessing of the Fleet”</span></b><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Numbers 11:11-17<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mark 4:35-41<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Acts 4:31<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sermon by the Rev. Dr. John Best to the Pennfield
Presbyterian Church<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">June 10, 2018<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDt3CMOdLGnlmxUeJ5BHnSlmG8Ar7VprKE_dWAvpu27c0J6826-L-46T12-6QlQRXkyBYAoQyIRD8gsXMK-Zp84ipR24uF8MBnf_WXnG64ov_0qTTJI9F6L3oR0V14JkMKMoy_fd99Kh-J/s1600/IMG_20180611_0001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1152" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDt3CMOdLGnlmxUeJ5BHnSlmG8Ar7VprKE_dWAvpu27c0J6826-L-46T12-6QlQRXkyBYAoQyIRD8gsXMK-Zp84ipR24uF8MBnf_WXnG64ov_0qTTJI9F6L3oR0V14JkMKMoy_fd99Kh-J/s320/IMG_20180611_0001.jpg" width="230" /></a></div>
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Every year on this
day, the 2<sup>nd</sup> Sunday of June </b>in
Montauk where I served as pastor for 12 years prior to my coming to Michigan, <span style="font-size: 12pt;">the community comes together for </span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">the Blessing of the Fleet</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Montauk is
a fishing village and ocean side resort community on the very east end of Long Island. There's a saying,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Montauk, a drinking
village with a fishing problem, a</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">nd
the blessing of the fleet captures both of those identities. T</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">he fleet of commercial fishing boats and sport fishing boats gather on this day every year </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">to bow before their maker, briefly though it may be, and then have a huge season opening party.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iAFnB07tmLhEVxZ1l6MbEBgO8vZMwx4YHJjIdKKRYnvs2T86cyX2Nt60Lft6UQM13LNvYqgtKnL6LtxKwXLaB26SGqcONdPotXKT6LSjLaaGbZIpK1PfpZLTIvbR7ExiHnLbXsEAxuIl/s1600/IMG_20180611_0002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="985" data-original-width="1600" height="197" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0iAFnB07tmLhEVxZ1l6MbEBgO8vZMwx4YHJjIdKKRYnvs2T86cyX2Nt60Lft6UQM13LNvYqgtKnL6LtxKwXLaB26SGqcONdPotXKT6LSjLaaGbZIpK1PfpZLTIvbR7ExiHnLbXsEAxuIl/s320/IMG_20180611_0002.jpg" width="320" /></a><span style="font-size: 12pt;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">So this afternoon, my successor,
the Catholic priest, the Greek Orthodox priest, and Jewish Rabbi will board the
Coast Guard Cutter at the Coast Guard Station. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The crew will take
them across the harbor and tie up at Gosman’s dock near the inlet. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Over the radio
they’ll read the story of Jesus calming the storm at sea. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">They’ll pray
asking God’s blessing on those who venture out to sea. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Then some 140
boats will pass by the cutter one by one in single file. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
religious leaders will make eye contact with each captain, a</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">nd
each in his or her own way will pray for blessing. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The priests genuflect sometimes holding a large brass cross, </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">the rabbi waves
and smiles. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">I would raise my
arm like when giving the benediction at the end of a worship service a</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">nd whisper, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">“God bless this boat and all those who
travel on it." </i><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">140
times!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64C71MIeJAonCw7iXYyRrnTpT8jFDvCtFK4b1AtqHzINWjCbIa9gvhVmkQKD1EGBIj2lSy_pDPgwDp4zQVahpInlXw5D9NqeCr0IZKKVrD6ckzxqcNzy-NYrZYOh9JcSKOJJUCnf8H82M/s1600/IMG_20180611_0003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1001" data-original-width="1600" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi64C71MIeJAonCw7iXYyRrnTpT8jFDvCtFK4b1AtqHzINWjCbIa9gvhVmkQKD1EGBIj2lSy_pDPgwDp4zQVahpInlXw5D9NqeCr0IZKKVrD6ckzxqcNzy-NYrZYOh9JcSKOJJUCnf8H82M/s320/IMG_20180611_0003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
After all
the boats passed by, t<span style="font-size: 12pt;">hey go out the into Long Island sound and form a flotilla around a buoy a short distance out from the harbor entrance. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">When we join them, a
memorial prayer is said for those in the boating community</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">who
have died in the past year. Their f</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">amily members and loved ones, guests on the cutter, drop wreathes in the water as the names are read over the radio. For several </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">years </span><b style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">the Jewish cantor</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"> came</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">and
sang into the radio in Hebrew the blessing we say in English. </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">“The Lord bless you and keep you. </i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">The
Lord make his face to shine upon you and give you peace.” </i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Followed by silence......excepted for
water lapping against the side of the boats, and the seagulls. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Then the captain of the boaters association who organizes the event, sounds a boat horn, followed by the blasts of all the boats' horns and the spraying of water canons, and the party that launches the summer season begins. If I was still pastor in Montauk, that's what I would be doing this afternoon.</span></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">I entitled this sermon <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">“The Blessing of the Fleet</span>” </b><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">because to me,
sailors, who venture out to sea into the raw elements of nature </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">understand their
vulnerability to nature </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">and their
dependence on a power greater than themselves. They may not be the most religiously devout people, but they know their vulnerability. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">They symbolize for
me our fragile human condition and our spiritual journeys.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Today also, happens
to be the 2<sup>nd</sup> Sunday after Pentecost</b>, a holy day which society has not adopted and corrupted, a day on which the church was
born.</div>
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<b style="font-size: 12pt;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">The sailboat at sea was a
symbol for the early church.</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Such a vulnerable and fragile thing </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">so small on the vast sea,
sometimes tossed to and fro. </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">The symbol was a boat with its sails unfurled</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="background-color: white;">,</span> catching the wind which propels it forward. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Skilled sailors know how to catch the
wind for speed and power. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Unseen on sailboats
is the keel underneath the boat. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">The keel keeps it
stable in the water from rolling over a</span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">nd gives the wind
and sails a counter weight to push against.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"><b>Carl Jung,</b> </span><span style="background: rgb(255, 255, 255);">an pioneer psychologist,</span></span><span style="background-color: white;"> </span>used the
sailboat at sea as a metaphor for a person living the conscious life, <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">the sea being a
mass of unconsciousness, collective subconsciousness of history. He taught that t</span>he deeper one probes the mystery of our dreams, like a keel reaching into the water below, the healthier one will be,<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">and the less
likely to be blown over.</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Our scripture lessons today are <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">a trilogy of
sailing/journey stories</span></b> of people at sea so to speak, vulnerable in the world. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">In Numbers</span></b> freed slaves were navigating uncharted territory
in the Sinai wilderness. Moses,
their captain, had led them out of slavery but into a vast wilderness, w<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">here they had
never been before. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">They were scared,
hungry, thirsty, disoriented outside their comfort zone, vulnerable. The text</span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"> begins with
them crying not knowing where to get food or water. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Moses heard their
cries, and turned to God and most of what we read was his prayer. </span>He
had been that way once before alone, but
now he was responsible for 600,000 people. Showing <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">signs of leadership
frustration and fatigue</span>, Moses confronts God saying, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“What in the world did you have in mind
bringing so many people into this </i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">wilderness?
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What did I do to deserve this
responsibility?” </i>God’s
response was to send quail if you read further <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">and manna and water
from a rock. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">But here God’s answer is to spread the burden of leadership. </span><i style="text-indent: 0.3in;">“Bring me 70 elders… gather them at the tent
of meeting…</i><i style="text-indent: 0.3in;">I will take some of the spirit that is on
you and put it on them </i><i style="text-indent: 0.3in;">and they shall bear the burden of the people
along with you </i><i style="text-indent: 0.3in;">so that you will not bear it all by
yourself.” </i><span style="font-size: 9pt; text-indent: 0.3in;">Numbers 11:17</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">This is an early
“elder” story in the Bible. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">In Exodus, we read
of Moses’ father in law Jethro’s visit. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">He suggests to his son-in-law the same thing. Select
some trusted leaders </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">and empower them
to share your burden.</span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Here
those 70 are empowered by God’s spirit, </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">and sounds very
much like an early Pentecost, </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">where the Holy
Spirit comes on the disciples of Jesus. </span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">These <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">elder stories</span></b><span style="background-color: yellow;"> </span><b><span style="background-color: yellow;">are foundational for us as
Presbyterians</span> because we are the church of elders. </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Presbyter</i>” in Greek meaning <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“elder.”</i></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><br />
Like
Moses, sometimes pastors over function and think they must fix everything, blow gaskets and
need someone like me to sit and listen to them vent their frustrations. Leaders
have responsibilities and sometimes our burden’s weigh heavily. Leaders today are especially vulnerable
as we journey in this uncharted<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> w</span>ilderness
called the 21<sup>st</sup> Century, the digital world <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">of social media,
facebook, twitter. </span>No
one has navigated this territory in business or the church world. And people are anxious and pine for the church life or career that once was the going thing. </div>
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<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">This story teaches
us it’s ok to vent to God in prayer and to trust God, and each other. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">The story teaches
leaders to share their burdens, to delegate responsibility. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">The story shows
how the Lord empowers the elders with the same spirit</span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">God gives to leaders.</span></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span><br />
At a retreat day for our Elders in the Presbytery some years ago, a former GA moderator <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">Joan Gray</span></b>
spoke on the spiritual role of Elders, h<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">ow we often
think of our pastors as the spiritual leader, b</span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">ut as our lesson
in Numbers today indicates, as far back as Moses, </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">God has sent the
Spirit to empower elders for ministry.</span><br />
<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"><br /></span>
<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Then</span><b style="text-indent: 0.3in;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;"> Joan asked the question</span></b><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"> "<b>A</b></span><i><b style="text-indent: 0.3in;">re you a row boat or a sailboat</b><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">." </span></i>It
sometimes feels like we are doing all the rowing, all the heavy
lifting ourselves! <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Joan challenged us
to stop straining so hard at the oars rowing, and start lifting our sails to partner with the Holy Spirit. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Spiritual leaders
raise their sails to catch the wind of the Holy Spirit, </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">to partner with
God in what the Spirit is doing. </span>We lift our sails by continually
asking the Spiritual leader’s questions: <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">What is God doing? </b><b style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Where is the wind blowing? </b><b style="text-indent: 0.3in;">How can we partner with God?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Our Second Story in
Mark tells of <span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">Jesus
calming the storm</span> </b>when he and the disciples <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">were out in a boat crossing the
lake.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>A
storm blows up, scares veteran fisherman to death. Like
the Montauk fisherman, they knew those waters like the back of their hand. Yet
they still were vulnerable there.<br />
They wake up Jesus, who is sleeping through the crisis. He gets up from his nap and calms the
storm. He
is Lord of the wind and sea. I
don’t suggest walking into the path of a thunderstorm or tornado, b<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">ut God does call
us to walk into the storms of injustice and conflict, to speak truth to power</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span>with
a calm confident peace in our hearts. <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">COM members,
Mediation Team members and I have occasion to do this in congregations, </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">when like in our
first story, people are weeping, complaining, and f</span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">ighting.</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> W</span>e step into chaotic stormy situations with the trust and expectation<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>that
God is there in the midst of us, and low and behold, storms calm.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="background: yellow; mso-highlight: yellow;">The third story in the fourth chapter of the Book of Acts</span> </b>ends
with what we heard read, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“When they prayed, the place in which they
were gathered together was shaken, </i><i style="text-indent: 0.3in;">and they were all filled with the Holy
Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” </i>What
precedes that is a story of the days after Pentecost, Peter and John had been
teaching and witnessing to the resurrection. In
Chapter 3 we read that Peter, like Jesus, healed a crippled beggar. In
Chapter 4 Peter and John are arrested and taken before the Council and questioned. <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">They gave their witness saying, </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">“</span><i style="text-indent: 0.3in;">We can’t keep from speaking about what we
have seen and heard,” a</i><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">nd because the
man who had been healed had been crippled for over 40 years</span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;"> </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">the baffled council decided they couldn’t
punish them. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">So they sent them
away, threatening them to restrain themselves </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">from their
witnessing about Jesus.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.2in; text-indent: .3in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 1.2in; text-indent: .3in;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So Peter and John returned to the
other believers, shared what had happened and
prayed a<span style="text-indent: 0.3pt;">nd </span><i style="text-indent: 0.3pt;">“the
place in which they were gathered was shaken, and they were all filled</i><i style="text-indent: 0.3pt;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>with
the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.” </i>They prayed, they put up their sails to catch the wind of
the spirit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Book of Acts and the Story of the Church is the rest of
the story, and we, you and I are apart of that ongoing story here today. Our circumstances all different, but the same story.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The church is like a fleet of ships sent on mission journeys
of our lives. The church is also like a fleet gathered in the safe harbor
marina<span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>where
we dock and tie up and rest, <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">unload the burdens
of our voyages,</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>tell the stories of our adventures, share
the new learnings for updating our chart maps, for other sailors, and restore our energy and stock up on supplies replenished from the store house of love. Doesn't that sound exactly what we are about when we gather as the church, the call to worship, prayer of confession, sharing joys and concerns, telling our mission stories, hearing the word of God read and proclaimed? Churches are safe harbors, congregations marinas where we do these things, and then set off on our week to join God and give witness to what God is doing. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So I’m here to bless this fleet. We travel
in vulnerable places and scary times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We are navigating
unchartered territory, and you are navigating a transition of pastoral leadership. <span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Be bold,
raise up your sails to partner with our invisible partner Holy Spirit. Share the
burdens of responsibility. And when
the way is not clear.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Be alert to the wonders of God in
your midst. <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Be alive in
joining in what God is doing. </span><span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">Be bold in
witnessing to the wonders God has done.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: .3in; text-indent: .3in;">
<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">God bless this
boat/fleet and all those who travel on it.”<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Prayer: <o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Lord, you send us off on adventures in mission, and gather us
together again. <span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">We thank you for the shelter and provision of this harbor marina</span><span style="mso-tab-count: 2;"> </span>where we can tie up our
boats and rest awhile, where we can reconnect
with the landed world, and take
refuge in a storm<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>and
replenish energy and supplies.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>Be with us as we tell our stories, as we unload our burdens
accumulated on our journeys.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Help us repair the
damage incurred from journey’s taken. </span>Mend the
sails and nets which get tangled, and<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> f</span>rom this place you commission new
journ<span style="text-indent: 0.3in;">eys we go into the world with strength and courage </span>knowing
what Jesus promised, that
we are not alone.<span style="mso-tab-count: 3;"> </span>that
no matter what happens, we are loved.<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> And let the people say, Amen.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<!--EndFragment--><br />John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-30308601561116297472018-05-14T16:21:00.001-04:002018-05-14T16:21:48.635-04:00TransitionsOh my goodness, my time as General Presbyter of this Presbytery is getting fleetingly precious! Following the June 12th Presbytery meeting, I will attend the 223rd General Assembly in St. Louis June 16-23, where Fran and I will be accompanying our Commissioners, Youth Advisory Delegate and Theological Student Advisory Delegate. Follow my blog posts during the Assembly. With a report to the Leadership Team, that will conclude my service, followed by some vacation.<br />
<br />
As I pondered what I should address in this blog post I pulled William Bridges book, <i><b>"</b><b>Transitions, </b><b>Making Sense of Life's Changes"</b></i> off my bookshelf. I announced my retirement from this middle council leadership role of General Presbyter in my last blog post. It seems an odd timing as four of our six Presbytery staff members are retiring this summer. Leslie, our Office Administrator/Communication Coordinator, and Wayne, our Treasurer announced earlier that they are retiring. Eileen, our Resource Center Director/Education Consultant will retire along with me. This leaves just Fran, our Stated Clerk, and Audrey, our brand new bookkeeper. That's a lot of institutional memory! And we are nearing the end of a season of strategic discernment, and poised for some significant organizational structure changes. Yikes, what chaos!! The point of this post is don't panic. You will be fine. Although it might not be fun.<br />
<br />
<b>Navigating transitions in a sea of change is where you are!</b> It's where are congregations are. It's where our Synod is and our six PC(USA) Corporations, which are major agenda items at the upcoming General Assembly in St. Louis. It's where the business community is. General Motors recently announced that their fleet will be nearly all electric powered in just a few years. Ford just announced that they will soon end the sale of all cars in North America except for the Mustang and Focus and sell primarily SUVs and trucks. Good-bye Taurus a best seller a years ago. And government and political scene!!! Oh my goodness... There seems to be chaos everywhere. Our culture needs to up a sign, <i>"Please excuse our mess, we're under construction!"</i><br />
<i><br /></i><b>
Bridges' book is divided in three sections: Endings, the Neutral Zone, the New Beginnings. </b> About endings he writes, "Every transition begins with one (i.e. ending). Too often we misunderstand them, confuse them with finality--that's it, all over, finished! Yet how we recognize endings is the key to how we can begin anew" (from the book cover). I think for the Presbytery, we experienced an ending of an era when we set aside the associate presbyter position in 2014. The years since then have been for us a kind of Neutral Zone, which Bridges describes as "the second hurdle of transitions; a seemingly unproductive time-out when we feel disconnected from people and things in the past and emotionally unconnected to the present. Yet the Neutral Zone is really a time of reorientation. How can we make the most of it?" (book cover). "The process of transformation is essentially a death and rebirth process rather than one of mechanical modification. While our own culture knows all about mechanics, it has a great deal to learn from the past about death and rebirth. As Mircea Eliade has written, 'for the archaic and traditional cultures, the symbolic return to chaos is indispensable to any new Creation.' <b>Chaos is not a mess, but rather it is the primal state of pure energy</b> to which the person," and I would add the organization, "returns for every true new beginning. It is only from the perspective of the old form that chaos looks fearful--from any other perspective, it looks like life itself as yet unshaped by purpose and identification" (pp.119-120).<br />
<br />
Of New Beginnings, Bridges writes, <b>"We come to beginnings only at the end. </b> It is when the endings and the time of fallow neutrality are finished that we can launch ourselves out anew, changed and renewed by the destruction of the old life-phase and the journey through the nowhere.<br />
<br />
"This simple truth goes against the grain of our mechanistic culture. We live in a context where things start with a switch or a key. If things don't start properly, there are procedures to follow in order to discover what is wrong. For something is surely wrong--mechanisms are made to start when we want them to" (p. 134).<br />
<br />
<b>"The transition process involves an inner realignment and a renewal of energy, both of which depend on immersion in the chaos of the neutral zone. </b> It is as though the form that we call 'my life' had to return occasionally to pure energy in order to take a new shape and gain new momentum. This is why in archaic cultures the myths of the creation of the world are recited over a sick person. As the scholar Mircea Eliade has written: 'By making the patient symbolically...contemporary with the Creation, s/he lived again in the initial plenitude of being. One does not repair a worn-out organism, it must be re-made; the patient needs to be born again; s/he needs, as it were, to recover the whole energy and potency that a being has at the moment of its birth'" (p.136). This sounds familiar, what Jesus told Nicodemus. "I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God without being born again or from above" (John 3:3).<br />
<br />
"Genuine beginnings depend upon a kind of inner realignment rather than on external shifts, for when we are aligned with deep longings, we become powerfully motivated" (p. 138).<br />
<br />
For the past year and half I have understood my role as a transitional leader, leading you through a season of strategic discernment to identify our core values, our primary mission, and vision of what God is calling us to be together as a Presbytery. I am truly excited for you. There is energy mounting. <b>Our 2018-2020 ministry plan is not perfect, nor will the next one be. But you are ready to act, to move. </b> This plan has identified 40 plus objectives and tactics toward addressing four key goals aligned with the Presbytery's mission and vision. Now it is time for a new staff team to lead you into new ways of functioning for this new time.<br />
<br />
I am proud to have accompanied you through this ending of an era and wilderness journey/neutral zone learning to the threshold of this new beginning. Our experience is not so different than the Israelites' 40 years wilderness journey. I encourage you to revisit the wilderness stories in Exodus and Numbers. Their slavery gladly came to an end. But then they had to do "the inner realignment work" Bridges describes. For them it meant a whole new identity. No longer slaves, it took time to forge their identity as the twelve tribes of Israel. They did so by remembering their heritage, God's promise to Abraham and Sarah. Likewise, we are no longer dominant mainline leaders supported by the community. Informed by our faith, <b>we are blessed children of God, called to join the risen Christ in giving witness to God's reign of blessing for all. </b>This is who we are, and what we are called do. We grieve that our culture no longer sends people to us as it once did. We pine for former times when ministry was easier. And there's been plenty of murmuring and complaining that we're not doing something right. But the era of grieving and whining is over. We are not who we used to be. And that's ok. We are stronger today, more focused, more intentional, and maybe even more faithful. We're learning to witness to our faith and to leave our comfort zones to engage our neighbors. A millennial pastor who has a few years of experience now, wrote recently in an article I can no longer find (sigh), that <b>the church as we are now is the church he and his peers know and love and have been called to serve. </b>They never experienced the former glory, and do not share our grief. They are excited about the church, its ministry, the future. Those of us who have been around for awhile need to <b>stop whining and let the church move forward in joyful service</b>.<br />
<br />
As effective as Moses was, he did not lead the Israelites across the Jordan into the Promise. Another, Joshua did. I don't claim to be a Moses, but like him, I will not be leading you into this ministry plan. That is for another to lead. You are more than ready to move. Unlike Moses, I'm not going anywhere, but will quietly be joining you in living into the new thing that God is doing. I will be praying for you and holding you in my love and affection.<br />
<br />John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-72110984059220839852018-04-17T12:17:00.001-04:002018-04-17T12:17:25.784-04:00Retirement
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<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Body Text Indent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Block Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Hyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="FollowedHyperlink"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Document Map"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Plain Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="E-mail Signature"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Top of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Bottom of Form"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal (Web)"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Acronym"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Address"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Cite"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Code"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Definition"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Keyboard"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Preformatted"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Sample"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Typewriter"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="HTML Variable"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Normal Table"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="annotation subject"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="No List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Outline List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Simple 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Classic 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Colorful 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Columns 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Grid 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table List 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table 3D effects 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Contemporary"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Elegant"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Professional"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Subtle 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Web 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Balloon Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" UnhideWhenUsed="true"
Name="Table Theme"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" SemiHidden="true" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" QFormat="true"
Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" QFormat="true"
Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" QFormat="true"
Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" SemiHidden="true"
UnhideWhenUsed="true" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="41" Name="Plain Table 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="42" Name="Plain Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="43" Name="Plain Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="44" Name="Plain Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="45" Name="Plain Table 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="40" Name="Grid Table Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="Grid Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="Grid Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="Grid Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="Grid Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="Grid Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="Grid Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="Grid Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="Grid Table 7 Colorful Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46" Name="List Table 1 Light"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51" Name="List Table 6 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52" Name="List Table 7 Colorful"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="52"
Name="List Table 7 Colorful Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="46"
Name="List Table 1 Light Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="47" Name="List Table 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="48" Name="List Table 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="49" Name="List Table 4 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="50" Name="List Table 5 Dark Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="51"
Name="List Table 6 Colorful Accent 6"/>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Dear members of the
Presbytery of Lake Michigan,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> After much discernment in prayer, I’m writing to announce my retirement
from middle council work effective August 1 this summer.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the past ten and a half years it has
been my honor to serve you as General Presbyter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We have faced many challenges together--
a great recession and cultural shift over which we had no control.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What we did have some control over was
opening ordination to our gay and lesbian brothers and sisters, and
officiating at same sex marriages, to the joy of many and the consternation
of others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We dismissed three
congregations because of it, dissolved another, and said good-bye to some
beloved members who chose not to walk with us. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We introduced polarity both/and thinking
and New Beginnings assessment tools.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Just this month the Leadership Team affirmed participation in the
Presbyterian Mission Agency’s Vital Congregation Revitalization Initiative as
a key element of our ministry plan to support our congregations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> You are a gifted, healthy Presbytery. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When visitors join us from other
presbyteries, they tell me, <i>“It isn’t like this elsewhere,” </i>referring to our
gentle spirit and congenial matter with one another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>During the past fifteen months the
Leadership Team and I have focused on discerning how God is calling us to
be faithful with strategic planning. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to meeting with you at
regional gatherings on May 7, 10, 22, 23 and at the June 12<sup>th</sup> Presbytery
meeting in Edwardsburg when the Leadership Team will share a comprehensive
2018-2021 Ministry Plan proposal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;">I have loved serving
as your General Presbyter and am proud of the ministry we have shared and the transformation we have experienced.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;">According
to my records I have traveled somewhere over 117,000 miles on your behalf,
assisted with 115 pastoral transitions, helping to find 64 interim/temporary
pastors, and 51 installed pastors. </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;">Now it is a new day and time for me to step
aside and allow new leadership to emerge to accompany you into the new thing that God is doing.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Eileen and I plan to stay in the Kalamazoo
area. </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;">As I retire from middle
council work, I look forward to returning to congregational ministry,
supporting nearby congregations as they have need.</span><span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face", serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"> With special gratitude to the members of the Search Committee who called
me to Michigan and to all of you for affirming my call to the most
rewarding season of my 34 years in ordained ministry: Thank you.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Grace and peace,</span></div>
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<span style="color: #202020; font-family: "Baskerville Old Face",serif; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">
Rev. Dr. John M. Best, General Presbyter<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<!--EndFragment-->John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-5888380624709654902018-03-20T08:11:00.001-04:002018-03-20T08:11:27.809-04:00Like a Watered Garden<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 14.0pt;">“Like a Watered Garden”<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jeremiah 31:1-14 Luke 4:18-19<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">Sermon by the Rev. Dr. John Best to the
Presbytery of Lake Michigan </span></i><br />
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">at its meeting </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10pt;">March 17, 2018 </span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 10.0pt;">at the First Presbyterian Church in Paw Paw, MI</span></i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I was raised in a
gardening family.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>My parents, raising
a family of four on a pastor’s salary in the 50’s and 60’s before minimum terms
of call, gardened, and my siblings and I were their slaves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Everyone helped.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYN-_vkE1BuPiLlz0uiA5GaQUq2LChV7mCHermAeHB40iKQG4ion8xVwACMMExnZEVeejQ2-PbFTVJStwQbMkWhnq3ceasLUELa0nLvYDD6qbAfV505cmnrxeg2jaoI71hTPNGOGRpjox/s1600/IMG_2723.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="208" data-original-width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkYN-_vkE1BuPiLlz0uiA5GaQUq2LChV7mCHermAeHB40iKQG4ion8xVwACMMExnZEVeejQ2-PbFTVJStwQbMkWhnq3ceasLUELa0nLvYDD6qbAfV505cmnrxeg2jaoI71hTPNGOGRpjox/s1600/IMG_2723.jpg" /></a>One June day, when the strawberries were in, my dad called
from the church told me to get the kitchen colander, you know the bowl with
holes in it for washing fruits and vegetables, and go to the garden and pick the
strawberries.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>I must have been 6 or 7 years old at time
and home alone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Think Macaulay Culkin.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>I thought daddy said kitchen calendar.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our kitchen calendar had a pocket to put tickets,
receipts and papers to file for the month and such.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>So, I go to the kitchen, get
the step stool, climb up and take the calendar down off the wall, go to the
garden and started picking strawberries and putting them in the paper pocket of
the calendar. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All the while thinking, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“This is stupid.” </i><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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Come to think of it, that’s about when my siblings started
calling me <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“</i></b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Dummy and Stupid.” </i>Either
one would do, me being the youngest to learn everything they had just mastered:
buttoning buttons, tying shoelaces, riding a bike.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You name it, I was the last to learn it. I
carried that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">shame filled identity</b>
well into my adult ministry years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
took some therapy for me to recognize that with every member’s complaint, I’d
unconsciously absorb the criticism as authentic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Stupid
me.”</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Instead of standing up for
myself when I should have, I’d internalize the criticism and get depressed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise God for good therapists, for personal
growth and transformation, for siblings who also grow up, mature and loving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Praise God for the call to
ministry, AND FOR GARDENS and getting our hands in the dirt.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The prophet <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jeremiah</b>
describes the joyful return of exiles using <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">garden imagery</b>.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“Again the planters shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria;<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the planters shall plant and shall enjoy the fruit…<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Their life shall become like a watered garden.” Jer. 31:5b, 12b<o:p></o:p></i></div>
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<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span></i><o:p></o:p></div>
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When it comes to understanding God’s gardening instructions,
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">so many American Christians today respond
like my home alone second grade self.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Jesus tells disciples the harvest is ready, go bring in the fruit, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the fruit God desires being JUSTICE.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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The Deuteronomist writers and prophets interpreted their
exile as a result of their unfaithfulness. The eighth century prophets, Amos, Hosea,
Micah, and Isaiah earlier warned Judah and Israel of their sin of greed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Micah</b> said, <span style="font-size: 12pt;">"</span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Alas for those who devise wickedness and
evil deeds on their beds. </i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">When the morning dawns, they perform it, because it is in their power. </i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">They covet fields and
seize them; they oppress householder and house </i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Micah 2:1-2).</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Amos</b> said, <i style="font-size: 12pt;">“They
sell the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals—they who
trample the head of the poor into the dust of the earth and push the afflicted
out of the way…. Hate evil and love
good, and establish justice in the gate… I hate, I despise your festivals, and
I take no delight in your solemn assemblies.
Even though you offer me your burnt offerings and grain offerings, I
will not accept them…take away from me the noise of your songs, I will not
listen to the melody of your harps. But
let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an ever-flowing
stream”</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Amos </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">2:6-7, </i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">5:15, 21-24).</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Hosea</b> said, <i style="font-size: 12pt;">“Like grapes in the wilderness, I found Israel. </i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">Like the first fruit on the fig tree in its first season, I saw your
ancestors, b</i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">ut they came to Baal-peor, and consecrated themselves to the thing of
shame </i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">and became detestable like the thing they loved.”</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Hosea 9:10)</span></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><br /></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Isaiah</b> said, <i style="font-size: 12pt;">“My beloved had a vineyard on a very fertile
hill. </i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">He dug it and cleared it
of stones, and planted it with choice vines. </i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">He built a watchtower in
the midst of it, a</i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">nd hewed out a wine vat
in it. </i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">He expected it to yield
grapes, but it yielded wild grapes</i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">…for the vineyard of the Lord of hosts is the house of
Israel, </i><i style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">and the people of Judah are his pleasant
planting; </i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">He expected justice but saw bloodshed; Righteousness but
heard a cry!</i><i style="font-size: 12pt;">…Ah,
you who join house to house, who add field to field, until there is room for no
one but you, and you are left to live alone in the midst of the land! My people go into exile without
knowledge…People are bowed down, everyone is brought low, the eyes of the
haughty are humbled, but the Lord of hosts is exalted by justice. And the Holy
God shows himself holy by righteousness”</i><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">(Isaiah 5:1-4, 7-8, 13, 15-17).</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">It seems these texts</b>
haven’t had much preaching time in America’s pulpits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or seemingly so, because when I read <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the polls published in the Christian
Century</b>, of the positions held by white evangelicals and various Christian
groups on the issues of the day my heart sinks. How is it that so many
Christians today hold opinions and support policies which cater to the rich and
carve away the public safety net?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With
the psalmist I want to lay down my lyer by the waters of Babylon and weep!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Thank God that’s not
us, we smugly think, </b>while we make plans for just about anything but what
will upset church members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We can’t afford
the prophets role to offend anyone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Let
me suggest that if we have ears to hear what God is saying, we can’t afford not
to.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></b>In our privilege and desire to protect our self interest, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">justice </b>does not easily register in our
ears.<b> </b><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><b>God says colander, we hear calendar.</b></span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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I’m wearing today a necklace of paper clips. I assembled this
as part of a workshop exercise designed to help me recognize my privilege as a white,
male, physically abled, mentally abled person.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Each paper clip represents a challenge some folks face, which I don’t. The
purpose of the exercise is not to condemn, but to sensitize, bring my privilege
to awareness, and begin putting myself in the shoes of others--that’s
compassion. To name and face my demons, do my work.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The good news is that God is more powerful than our demons. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Redeems us in Jesus. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Goodness is stronger than evil. Disciplined, transformed
exiles return home, humbler, wiser, and joyful.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">We can do this!</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Again
you shall plant vineyards on the mountains of Samaria;</i> <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">the planters shall plant, and shall enjoy the fruit.…See, I am going to
bring them from the land of the north,</i> <i style="font-size: 12pt;">and gather them from
the farthest parts of the earth, among them the blind and the lame, those with
child and those in labor, together; a great company, they shall return here…Their
life shall become like a watered garden.”</i></div>
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Jeremiah’s vision of watered garden suggests <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">a well tended garden where justice abounds</b>,
where everyone is blessed, not just a few but everyone.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>It suggests a matured people who have grown up and done the
therapy named and faced their demons,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> who’ve
reacquainted themselves with their</b> <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">God
and God’s ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></b>God loves justice
and hates the robbery of the privileged sticking a thumb on the scale. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God despises systems, practices and policies,<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"> </b>which tip scales in favor of those who
already have, to the detriment of the poor.<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><o:p></o:p></b></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Isaiah</b>’s
disciples writing in those last chapters of Isaiah, also addressing the
returning Exiles, <o:p></o:p></div>
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envisioned <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Israel’s
call to be a servant people </b>who would bring good news to the poor, release the prisoners, God with their/our help will build up the ancient ruins, raise up
former devastations, repair the ruined cities, a result of many generations of
greed.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Jesus launched his
ministry in Nazareth</b> quoting Isaiah’s vision of the Servant, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because
he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor…” (Luke 4:18)</i><o:p></o:p></div>
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As the body of Christ in the world today, we are anointed to
carry out the vision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Isaiah’s vision</b> is
not some trickledown charity from the rich throwing a crumb to the poor, but of
a community organizing itself so that all are blessed, and righteousness is measured
by how the community cares for the most vulnerable. If you’re looking for the
vision, there it is.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And whether we get
on board or not,<i style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">“God will do this…” </i><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Isaiah writes</span><i style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">, “for as surely </i><i style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">as the earth brings forth its shoots, </i><i style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">and as a garden causes what
is sown in it to spring up, s</i><i style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">o the Lord God will cause
righteousness and praise </i><i style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">to spring up before all the
nations” (Isaiah 61:11).</i></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Yet the dissonance</b>
between the prophet’s vision and public policy grows wider every day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the past 25 years our <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">criminal justice policies</b>, have
incarcerated more people in America today than any other nation in the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And a grossly unproportionate
number of those imprisoned are people of color.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>These policies are clearly the new Jim Crow law.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="mso-tab-count: 4;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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In recent weeks, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">women</b>
have courageously broken the silence saying, “<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">Me Too! Time’s Up!”</b> So that during those same 25 years we have been
locking up disproportionate numbers of the poor, people of color, the mentally
ill, we have turned a blind eye to men in positions of power<o:p></o:p></div>
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who have harassed, abused and raped women without
consequence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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In the last few days, <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">the
youth of America,</b> who only know a post 9/11 world, are standing up. Since 9/11
we’ve spent trillions <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">fighting terrorism</b>
and fueling irrational fear of others. When in reality our schools, theaters,
churches and malls are terrorized NOT by Muslims, immigrant neighbors, or
people of color, but by white civilian men gunning down crowds with legal weapons
of war. While law makers bow down to the gun lobby, sacrificing the lives of
our children. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></div>
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Last night in Kalamazoo, I attended a community read
gathering with Matthew Desmond, <span style="font-size: 12pt;">the author of the book <i>Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City. </i></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"><i> </i> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The book tells the story of eight families in
the city of Milwaukee a few years ago who were evicted.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">His thesis is that housing is a foundational human need and should be a
human right.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Every other challenge of
feeding the family, keeping a job is exacerbated when families are evicted and
uprooted.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And what is our public policy?
We subsidize homeowners like me with six figure incomes with a tax break on our Schedule A tax returns, and shrink funding for HUD for those who need the support.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> Only one quarter of the people who qualify for housing assistance, get it. The other 75% get no help at all. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We subsidize the rich, and the poor wait for
years on waiting lists. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">We subsidize
corporate America, military contractors, privatize prisons making them for profit
ventures, and cut funding for addiction treatments. We subsidize corporate agro business and stiff the family organic farmer.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">I’m not a social
scientist, journalist or economist</b>, nor are most of you, but we’re NOT STUPID! <span style="font-size: 12pt;">We are</span><b style="font-size: 12pt;"> students of Scripture</b><span style="font-size: 12pt;">. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">We are </span><b style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">theologians.</b><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">We are </span><b style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">moral leaders. </b><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">We are </span><b style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">GARDNERS</b><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> called to work the soil and tend to tender plants of justice. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">The gospel seed is
good: love, kindness, mercy, compassion, joy and humility. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">The fruit God
seeks is justice--healthy, functional, sustainable communities. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">But justice never
came easy without resistance, gardening can be back breaking work. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Still Jesus
fulfilling the prophets words,</span><i style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">“Set his face like flint”</i><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> (Isa. 50:7) toward
Jerusalem, the seat of power.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt;">Winter is ending,
spring is around the corner, and gardening time is here. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">It’s time to get out
the shovel, turn the soil, remove the stones and rocks. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">It’s time to dive
into the weeds of public policy and advocate a better way.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">It’s time to get
our hands dirty.</span></div>
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<o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">And let the people say, </span><b style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Amen.</b></div>
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<!--EndFragment--><br />John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-59505401465501514402018-03-12T14:35:00.003-04:002018-03-12T14:42:09.043-04:00Area Flood Response<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><span style="background-color: white;">Many areas in Southwest Michigan experienced flooding a few weeks ago. Water has receded, but leaving much destruction behind. I have requested help from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. We were assigned Jan Spence, a PDA volunteer. She connected me with Michigan VOAD, a group which coordinates volunteer responses with helping agencies. The VOAD conference calls introduced me to MARCs (Multi Agency Response Cites), where affected families may go to receive assistance and encouragement on how to navigate the support network. The Salvation Army hosted a MARC in Grand Rapid at the Salvation Army Center on Division Street. </span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #1d2129; font-family: "sf optimized" , , , , , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"><span style="background-color: white;">The First Presbyterian Church in Niles hosted a MARC, March 9, 10 and 12. The Presbytery of Lake Michigan has received an PDA grant of $7,500 for hiring a response coordinator and whatever is initially needed. Tammy Stanton, an elder at First, Niles, is serving as a response coordinator in Niles. To get involved contact her at tammystanton@comcast.net. One practical project a church group can do is to assemble "Cleanup Buckets." See the PDA website for instructions: <a href="http://pda.pcusa.org/page/kits/" target="_blank">http://pda.pcusa.org/page/kits/</a></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is one of three ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">along with Self Development of People and the Presbyterian Hunger Program </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">supported by our One Great Hour of Sharing Offering received during Lent. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">I spoke this Sunday at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Portage on Sunday interpreting the mission of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. The powerpoint I created has a script that can be used to others in your church. It is now available on our Presbytery website. <a href="https://drive.google.com/file/d/19XoT6dbTAbl6uaA6PNOJtAsPet1JhosV/view" target="_blank">PDA Powerpoint</a> The presenter's view has a script. If the script is not accessible, please ask for it at the Presbytery Office.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">One of the things I am learning is that we need to plan ahead by establishing relationships with area Emergency Managers, recruit and identify a key contact person in each congregation besides the pastor, whom the Presbytery may contact in the time of a flood or tornado. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: #1d2129;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; letter-spacing: -0.12px;">Here is a link to a newspaper article covering the Niles MARC: <a href="http://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/help-under-one-roof/article_d2731da3-8fa5-5d23-8c08-e8ad76f1a473.html" target="_blank">http://www.heraldpalladium.com/news/local/help-under-one-roof/</a></span></span></span><br />
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<br />John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-28120165451717178002018-02-21T08:18:00.002-05:002018-02-21T08:18:30.577-05:00PartnershipWe began our strategic planning discernment by identifying the core values of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan. In our core values statement, partnership leads the way, is a given. <i>"As partners in Christ service, we..."</i> "We," not "I," but "we." We are not private Christians. That's anathema to our self understanding. In our baptism we are welcomed into the community of the church, made part of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:27). We Presbyterians prize our connectional nature. No one gets ordained and installed to an ordered ministry in our wing of the church as deacon, elder or minister of the word and sacrament without answering the questions,<i> "Will you be a friend among your colleagues in ministry, working with them...," </i>and<i> "Will you pray for and seek to serve the people with energy, intelligence, imagination and love?"</i> If the prescribed liturgy for such rites in our Book of Common Worship are used, Paul's words to the church in Corinth are spoken as liturgy, "<i>There are a variety of gifts, but it is the same Spirit who gives them. There are different ways of serving God, but it is the same Lord who is served, God works through each person in a unique way, but it is God's purpose that is accomplished. To each is given a gift of the Spirit to be used for the common good. Together we are the body of Christ, and individually members of it"</i> (1 Cor. 12:4-7, 27). Each of us is a unique individual, a special creation by God, and we are each part of something larger than ourselves, the Church of Jesus Christ, partners in Christ's service.<br />
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However, partnership is aspirational. In practice, how are we doing with that? Not too well. The threads of partnership have worn pretty thin. It's a cultural thing. Individualism reigns. Consumers get it their way. Life is full and exhausting. Time is precious. Energy, a scarce commodity, must be focused. Actions prioritized. Congregational life suffers. Presbytery life, what's that? Hardly registers.<br />
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Yet, <i>"as partners in Christ's service, we..."</i> have this ministry and life together. What's that gonna look like? As I work with a team on discerning what God is calling us to, everything begins with what it means to be partners. What will we covenant to do together? The first goal we identified is to build our relationships. In a marriage, that often begins by sitting down at the dining room table with calendars, communication, getting on the same page, sharing stories how the day went.<br />
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There is a lot we can do to communicate better. We've never had so many platforms to do so. We can and will do better. But communication is also a two way dynamic. There's a speaker and the listener, the writer and the reader. I write these blogs. The Presbytery office sends out e-bulletins to 406 persons who subscribe to receive them. That's 31.5% of the 12,290 members of the congregations in our Presbytery. On average, 40% of the 31.5% open them. Who knows how many read them. Or how many have read this far in this blog. That's where we are. We build from where we presently are.<br />
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As we discern and pull together a strategic ministry plan, it is becoming ever more evident that God is calling us to begin with who we are--partners in Christ's service. What does that partnership look like in 2018? How can you be a better partner?<br />
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Yours in Christ,<br />
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John<br />
John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-7808882768887207012018-02-08T12:01:00.000-05:002018-02-08T12:20:16.334-05:00Getting SMARTThe Presbytery of Lake Michigan's Leadership Team held a retreat on January 25th with representatives of our committees and ministry teams. Led by our consultant Linda Badger Becker, we worked in small groups to wrestle four broad goals into specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, timely (SMART) objectives. Recorder/Facilitators at each table recorded the ideas generated by the small groups. A task force, made up of Andy Thorburn, Karen Kelley, Dru Wrasse and myself, is working now with this input to shape a ministry plan. The four goals identified by the Leadership Team at its January 4th meeting are:<br />
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<li>PLM will work to strengthen relationships between <span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">the Presbytery and its congregations, </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">the Presbytery and its minister members, </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">the Presbytery and Sessions, and </span><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">congregation.</span></li>
<li>PLM will resource and support faith communities for healthy and vital ministries.</li>
<li>PLM will develop and support healthy and dynamic leaders for worshiping faith communities and validated ministries. </li>
<li>PLM will fulfill its other responsibilities mandated in G-3.03 in the Book of Order, including but not limited to <b>organizing, </b><span style="font-family: "cambria"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">receiving, merging, dismissing, and dissolving congregation, <b>O</b></span><b>ver see congregations without pastors;</b> Establishing pastoral Relationships and dissolving them; Guide the preparation of those preparing to become ministers of Word and Sacrament; <b>Maintain relationships with Synod and General Assembly as well as ecumenical and interfaith entities; Develop strategies for the mission of the church in its district. </b> (The bold needing new emphasis.) </li>
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Gil Rendle describes this work as wrestling a goal down to a measurable outcome. The wrestling implies that this is not an easy task. Our SMART objectives will be guided by our earlier discerned core values, mission and vision statements. We welcome your ideas and prayers as we get SMART! John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-87115922949825215992018-01-15T16:22:00.000-05:002018-01-15T16:22:49.465-05:00Confronting Abusive Power with Truth Telling and EmpowermentUnless you've been living in a cave, you are aware of a wave of women who have charged some powerful men of sexual harassment, abuse and assault. They've done so at the risk of attention they did not want and of considerable reprisal. Some men in the movie and media industries, in sports and government have been fired, others have resigned. Not our president, who has also been charged, and has said that he can say and do anything and it won't matter. His supporters have turned a blind eye and have held their nose for the sake of their political agenda(s). I purposefully used the past tense in that last sentence with the hope that people of conscience will stand up and say "No!" The moral fabric of our country is being tested! No one is above the law or below the grace of God.<br />
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It is still hard, but more and more women are claiming their power by telling their stories, their truth, saying "Me, too!" At a clergy book discussion group recently, Liz Candido, chaplain at Kalamazoo College, and member of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan, critiqued the "Me, Too!" movement in ways that surprised the group challenging us to hear the stories of powerful women who responded with a sense of empowerment and not just as victims. On the way out the door, I said to her, "It seems to me there is an article in you wanting to be written." Liz posted that article on her blog later that day, which I am sharing here. <a href="https://collegechaplainclergy.com/2018/01/12/metoo-whats-next/" target="_blank">https://collegechaplainclergy.com/2018/01/12/metoo-whats-next/</a> Thank you, Liz.<br />
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Let me add, that the church is not immune from sexual harassment, abuse and assault. Those who have spoken up have not always been believed. They have paid a high price! The church culture of secrecy and shame turned in the early 1990's with Marie Fortune's book, "Is Nothing Sacred?" It has been the Roman Catholic Church which has born the brunt of media attention. But most, if not every, church denomination has been touched by such crimes. Perpetrators are often much beloved. Church members often collude with perpetrators turning a deaf ear to those who speak up because of the felt need not to disrupt the gifts the accused provides to the church. Read Ruth Everhart's book, "Ruined" (in the resource center) and her more recent article "A pastor's #MeToo story" in Christian Century, December 20, 2017 <a href="https://www.christiancentury.org/article/first-person/pastors-metoo-story" target="_blank">https://www.christiancentury.org/article/first-person/pastors-metoo-story</a> <br />
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Rev. Cully Culpepper, another presbytery member, in her work as a Presbyterian Disaster Assistance volunteer, has provided support for a few Presbyterian congregations who have experienced such trauma. Yes, our church considers such behavior a disaster left in wake and wreckage of violated and lost trust! Church councils have worked to change the culture of the church by instituting policies requiring boundary training for pastors and youth workers. Such initiatives are also now required by the insurance companies. Church leaders are in a unique position of power. They are looked to by individuals for pastoral care, for helping them process confusing and painful experiences. Such conversations are by nature quite intimate and require considerable trust. Likewise, the church is a place of fellowship in which we pass of the peace, and often share hugs. But what's in a hug? When is a hug innocent and appropriate and when is it creepy and inappropriate? Women clergy have a sensitive radar about this. Talk with them about it.<br />
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I began with, "unless you've been living in a cave." It's time to step out of the cave, name archaic "caveman" behaviors for what they are, claim one's power, join the 21st century, and witness to the goodness and blessing God intends for right and just relationships. It is no less that the exhibiting of the reign of God in the world!John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-74133262389946606302017-12-20T07:56:00.002-05:002017-12-20T07:56:51.142-05:00Ten Year Anniversary<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">I worshiped and preached at the Okemos Presbyterian Church on the third Sunday of Advent. What a joy that was and for several reasons. I was<span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> pleased to be able to support Rob Carlson, pastor, head of staff, after his second chemotherapy treatment.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> I was warmly welcomed by Rob, Alice Townley, associate for congregational life, and the congregation</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">. <i>Secondly,</i> i</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">t’s a rare occasion for me in my role as General Presbyter to fill
a pulpit during Advent. Congregations are not focused on Presbytery life during Advent, but on choir cantatas and children's pageants, as they should be. <i>Thirdly</i>, <b>this is </b></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"><b>an
anniversary for me</b>. Ten</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> years ago in Advent I was saying good-bye to the Montauk congregation and community, and packing for my family's move to Michigan. It will be ten years ago this January, that I was installed as General Presbyter of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan in the Okemos s</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">anctuary, that first Saturday of January 2008. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I don’t know about
Mary,</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">who was called to partner with God in bringing Jesus
into the world, b</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">ut </span><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 12pt;">God provided me with just the
right amount of naiveté</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;"> as to what I was getting into f</span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">or
me to say, </span><i style="font-size: 12pt;">“Yeah, I can do
this! </i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I was however spiritually tuned enough to understand,</span><i style="font-size: 12pt;"> “Yeah, but only with God’s help!” </i><span style="font-size: 12pt;">And that God has done in wondrous ways. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I knew that the Church was living through a reformation. But I didn't realize it would be as profound as the one 500 years ago, and hadn't experienced the pain involved, s</span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">uch as closing the n</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">ew church development project Cherry Valley in Caledonia after such a promising start. However, when w</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">orshiping with the </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Lyons
Muir Church</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;"> earlier this month, I noticed their comfortable sanctuary chairs which were gifted to them as well as to Pine Island and the Mt. Hope congregations upon Cherry Valley's closure</span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">. A painful ending provided resources to many others.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Likewise, when I stood in the doorway of the North Presbyterian Church in Lansing to decommission that building of its dedicated purpose of Presbyterian ministry, the words I uttered were powerful and hung in the air and tugged at our hearts. I then walked with the church's young people who carried the church's cross so that it and the congregation could be incorporated into the Westminster Church just blocks away. They are now North Westminster Presbyterian Church together. They house Advent House Fellowship, our newest worshiping community of faith, who just was awarded a New Worshiping Community of Faith growth grant from the Presbyterian Mission Agency and matching grant from the Presbytery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Similarly, I worshiped with the members of the McBain Church, all eight of them, on a cold Sunday in January when they voted to ask the Presbytery to close their church. Afterwards, we walked to a member's nearby home for coffee and sweet bread. Their closure left the Lake City Church without a partner to share a pastor. After three years, two years with Rev. David Weber, as interim pastor, and one year with pulpit supply and a lot of lay leadership, they called Rev. Jan Jaspers, who serves them part time. She sensed a tug the spirit calling her attend seminary as she approached retirement. Three years later we ordained Janice that that ministry. Her three years of seminary preparation matched Lake City's three years of wilderness preparation for their ministry together. Who but God could have planned that? Thank you, Lord!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Probably the most significant project we've done together was to introduce Barry Johnson and his vision of <b>polarity management</b>. We learned that polarities are neither good nor bad, but simply are, and are as normal as inhaling and exhaling. Try doing just one of those for more than a minute and see how that goes! Healthy congregations don't get rid of polarities, but learn to manage them and reap the positive energy that flows from both poles. We trained 18 leaders who assisted nearly half of our congregations in assessing two polarities in congregational life, tradition/innovation and inreach/outreach.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Living into the 21<sup>st</sup> Century has been, shall we dare say, <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">like Mary’s pregnancy, </span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">which stretches the body, challenges the norms, embarrasses the family and even threatens the family's life and those around them. So much so that </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Mary felt the need to disappear from home for awhile and visit her relatives Elizabeth and Zachariah. And after the King got news of Jesus' birth, the holy family escaped his wrath, the slaughter of innocent children, and sojourned in Egypt as political refugees until it was safe. </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">Most every one of our congregations has painfully suffered the loss of at least some disgruntled members. After years of </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">study and discernment, the PC(USA) opened the way for those who are led by the Spirit to</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> welcome LGBTQ persons, and perform their weddings. The church carefully acted to do so without imposing it on others who don't feel so led. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt;">I
didn’t know ten years ago the frustration and anger, which would come from all sides when some refused to abide with the church's discernment. Dismissing congregations to other denominations was a painful divorce, first </span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">Oakhill, and Quincy Union, then Hillsdale and California congregations</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;">.</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 0.2in;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">The
schism of the </span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; font-size: 12pt;">John Knox congregation was particularly painful as good friends divided and parted ways. Presbytery just approved for the remnant of the John Knox congregation to </span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt;">sell their building. Remaining in this building designed for a much larger congregation would not have been good stewardship. It's painfully hard to let go of such an asset, but it saddling new ministry with the burdens with it would have been a non starter. The congregation will continue to worship there for up to a year following the closing in March, as they discern their future. In the meantime they will share their pastor's time with the Parkwood congregation. God makes a way!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">This year we have focused on <b>strategic planning </b>discerning God's leading. It is a work in progress, but our listening thus far puts strengthening relationships, improving communication, networking for sharing resources and training, and right sizing and focusing our organizational structure and staff are front and center. So we go forward with the confidence of the advent hope that God is with us, Emmanuel! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">It is my privilege, honor and joy to serve you. I celebrate how God works in mysterious ways God's wonders to perform through our ups and downs. Sometimes it takes the longer view to recognize. I wish you all a hope filled Advent, a merry Christmas, and a wondrous New Year! And may God give us all the right amount of naivete' to join Mary in saying yes to what God wishes to do in and through us.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">John Best</span><br />
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John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-48732168829686266992017-11-12T14:53:00.001-05:002017-11-12T14:53:35.502-05:00Partnership and Discipleship, the Warp and Woof of our Emerging Ministry Plan<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.2; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-family: "athelas"; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Weavers set up looms with long threads called warp. Then with a shuttle weave a woof thread across the warp. The warp and woof form the woven fabric. Unwoven, they are only strands of thread. When naming our core values this spring, Presbytery of Lake Michigan's Leadership Team began with following Jesus (discipleship) and partnership, the warp and woof of the church of Jesus Christ. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Core Values</span></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">partners in Christ’s service</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">we seek </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">God’s way of grace </span><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">and justice</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">through: Inclusion, Formation and Inspiration."</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Adopted May 25, 2017</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline;">We could have simply made a list of values: </span>Discipleship, <span style="font-size: 12pt;">Partnership, Grace, Justice, Inclusion, Formation, Inspiration. But instead we put them into a sentence identifying ourselves as partners with a purpose--in Christ's service. D</span>iscipleship and partnership became the warp and woof woven through our subsequent Mission and Vision Statements. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 16px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mission Statement </span></b></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"The Presbytery of Lake Michigan </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">forms and </span><span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">partners</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> with faith communities </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">to challenge, encourage, equip and hold one another accountable </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">as Christ’s disciples."</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">dopted August 24, 2017</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-weight: bold; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Vision Statement:</span></span></span></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">"We envision dynamic leaders and healthy congregations </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">who are vital to their communities, </span><span style="background-color: yellow; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">working together</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></span></i></div>
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<i><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">to share the way of Christ’s love, grace and justice."</span></span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> A</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; text-align: right; white-space: pre-wrap;">dopted August 24, 2017</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Which begs the questions how are we doing? Are discipleship and partnership evident in our witness? Are we following Christ's way of love, grace, and justice? Or are we governed more by fear of the stranger, of the unknown, of the violence we see most every day in the news? Are we tempted to trust the power of the gun for our protection? Are we tempted to turn a blind eye to our privileged place in society, to the pain of those living in the margins, to domestic violence at home, sexual harassment at work, to the erosion of the common good for the interests of the powerful few? How are the warp and weave of discipleship and partnership evident in the fabric of our Presbytery or absent? Will our identity as members of the body of Christ with different and important gifts to be celebrated and shared with the whole recited at every ordination and installation service calling us to partner Christ's service trump our fear and divisions?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As the moderator of Presbytery and I visit congregations, it is evident that most members don't give much thought to Presbytery. As our ministry plan for our future emerges over the coming weeks, its warp and woof will be discipleship and partnership! </span></div>
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John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-62748052312359578332017-10-16T08:10:00.002-04:002017-10-16T08:10:14.364-04:00Running on FumesWhile driving home the other day my car alert sounded. I looked at the dashboard, and <b>to my surprise the gas gauge was blinking. Yikes! </b>My mind was on a million other things, in input from the day. I had started out that morning with a partial tank of gas, enough to fulfill my duties of the day, but was I going to get home? I had preached at Allegan that morning, then drove to Jackson for an area gathering for our strategic visioning. I immediately slowed down to squeeze as many miles as I could out of the remaining drops of gas in my tank, because I knew I had a few miles to go before the next service station. A prayer of gratitude was on my heart as I pulled into the station! I pumped more gas into my tank than it is supposed to hold. Whew! I was running on fumes. I suspect you've been there and done that as well.<br />
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I also was pretty well spent. That night, I was achy tired. Fortunately, my calendar was open the next morning, so I slept in, lost myself in a good book the Kalamazoo area clergy group was reading. The weekend accumulation of emails waited until that afternoon. I filled my tank first. Last fall, I didn't do that so well and ended up in the ER. After multiple tests which showed only that I was healthy, my conclusion was fatigue and dehydration after a stressful fall and a strenuous day of fall yard work.<br />
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Our calendars fill to overflowing with meetings, events, activities. The fall start up can be exhausting! Church calendars are not immune! Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter are marathons for pastors. January is always a bear with annual reports, congregational meetings, training of new officers. Add to this the emotional stressors when members are anxious. It is a recipe for burnout, depression, and worse. Other professions have their own rhythms and challenges as well. But <b>we Americans tend to go and go and go, until our bodies say, "No, you don't!"</b> And we must rest, refuel, replenish the store of joy, enthusiasm, and energy. I was introduced to chronic fatigue syndrome years back when a church member, who was a beloved medical doctor, was forced by her body to take a medical leave for a season.<br />
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<b>Self care and work life balance national issues. They are a crisis identified by the Board of Pensions confronting many pastors. </b>We pastors are lolled into over functioning because we are called to ministry and service. It feeds our egos. "Look at how hard I am serving the Lord! I worked 85 hours this week! See how wonderful I am?" At the expense of our families! Congregations love it, but at their expense, too. Over functioning pastors lead to underfunctioning lay leaders. And bless the poor minister who follows them. Rather, dynamic leaders don't work harder. They work smarter! They regularly step out of the emotional system in which they work, to gain perspective. They live interesting lives, which gives them more of themselves to share, instead of losing themselves in ministry. They are dynamic because when they are present, they're attention is with us, and not elsewhere. They have gas, dynamo, power, in their tank.<br />
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<b>How do you fill your tank? </b> That will be different for each of us. Church members hopefully are refreshed at corporate worship. When we are feeling poorly, and life has squeezed the faith out of us, we need to stand with the community of faith and have them profess the faith when we can't. Pastors, as worship leaders, get some of this while leading worship, but also need to find such communities which feed their souls when they are not responsible for leading. Presbyteries were created to fill this need. Who pastors the pastor? Where do pastors go to refresh their spirits?<br />
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<b>October is Pastor Appreciation Month!</b> Some suggestions: write your pastor a letter expressing what you appreciate about his or her ministry. Support a healthy work life balance for yourself and your church staff. If it's not that way for you in the corporate world...well, the church is a hospital for sinners...we can live a more healthy way. Frankly, the most successful corporations recognize the benefits of a healthy work life balance and that their people are their greatest asset. Make sure your church provides your pastor opportunities to regularly step outside your congregation's emotional field for prospective.<br />
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If we want dynamic leaders and healthy congregations, pastors and members alike must fill their tanks and witness to a healthy work life balance. We can do so, because in Jesus Christ we are given "space for grace!"<br />
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<br />John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-81369411528945464052017-09-15T11:16:00.000-04:002017-09-15T11:16:21.144-04:00Pruning<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>"Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit."</i> John 15:2</div>
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My dad was a Presbyterian minister. When he retired on disability my parents moved into the Woods Home, a lovely home gifted by a wealthy banker for retired Presbyterian ministers. The home was divided into three apartments. Rev. and Mrs. Byers lived in one of the other apartments. In their 90's, they had lived there for over 30 years. One day, in spite of his weak heart, my dad started pruning an overgrown cherry tree on the property. Rev. Byers, who had planted the tree when he first arrived, saw him, and came storming out of his apartment, shuffling his feet inches at a time, with his canes, two of them, one in each hand raised over his head in protest, shouting, <i>"You can't do that, you'll kill it!"</i> I think what he meant was, that's my baby, don't touch it! Only it had been a long time since Rev. Byers had been able to tend to such chores and the tree was sorely in need of attention. My dad, gifted with people skills, climbed down the ladder, calmed him down, and explained that the tree needed pruned, and that it would bear more fruit in the next harvest. It did to Rev. Byers' delight! And he thank my dad for it. <b>This family story is a metaphor for what the church at every level is experiencing. </b> Like the cherry tree which a wise older colleague had planted, the church needs pruning. <br />
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I wonder what the writer of the Fourth Gospel had in mind when sharing Jesus teaching, "<i style="text-align: center;">Every branch that bears fruit he prunes to make it bear more fruit."</i> I wonder what the Johannine Community was facing at the close of the first century which brought this teaching to mind? Earlier Luke and the Apostle Paul chronicled the early church's outreach to the Gentile community, and the push back they faced. Peter and Paul had "to come down the ladder" and explain why they preached to and baptized those with whom the Torah forbade them to associate. <b>This text points to the discerning nature of the church and the constant growing edge the gospel demands.</b><br />
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The corporate world calls pruning strategic planning. The Presbytery Leadership Team, with whom I serve, calls it strategic visioning discernment. It's not so much what we want, but discerning what God wants. Asking the questions, who are we now? What is our mission, calling, purpose? What is God doing in the neighborhood(s)? What does the fulfillment of that look like? How can we join God in it? What tangible steps can we take to join God in bringing that vision into reality? <br />
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The Presbytery Leadership Team and the General Assembly 2020 Vision Commission both reported to the Presbytery of Lake Michigan at its September 9th meeting. Visiting General Assembly Co-Moderator Rev. Denise Anderson, and Becca Snedeker Myers, a College of Wooster student and member of the General Assembly's 2020 Vision Commission <b>invites our input to visioning the future shape of the PC(USA).</b> Presbyterians believe we best discern the mind of Christ together. Please look for an accompanying article in our E-Bulletin on how you can provide your responses to questions, and insights for their discernment. Likewise, Elder Tedd Oyler, representing the Presbytery Leadership Team, reported identified core values, a revised mission statement and a new vision statement based on those core values. He invited a Presbytery-wide dialogue on how to live into the vision via multiple area gatherings, and online or mailed in surveys. <b>We invite and encourage your input. </b><br />
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<b>We pray and trust </b><b>by the power of the Holy Spirit at work among us to form</b><b> clear goals, SMART objectives (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and time-oriented), and strategies to fulfill them. </b>Please look for an accompanying e-bulletin article "Presbytery Strategic Visioning" for these statements, questions for reflection, for the dates and places of the area gatherings, and for online links and address for your input.<br />
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I suspect there are at least four reactions to this: Cynicism "Here we go again." Impatience "Finally!" Panic "OMG, change is coming!" Anger "Not on my watch!" Like Rev. Byers, we may find ourselves looking out our window and rushing to protect our baby, our dream, our life-long work, protesting, "You're going to kill it." We are committed that this ministry plan will not sit on the shelf, but will guide our planning, focus our resources, and inspire our life together. <br />
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<b>There is an urgency to this task! From my perspective,</b> I see the church at every level both recognizing the call for adaptive change, AND a nostalgic clinging with metaphorical shaking canes to familiar processes and procedures. I see over-stressed church leaders straining to fulfill old expectations like the plate spinners on the old TV variety shows. I see the bodies of committee members cringe, who are asked to think about adding one more thing. I see pastors get crucified for daring to let go of formerly expected duties, and empowering others. I hear a chorus of cries for new members to come save the church, as if we don't already have a savior. I see young leaders, who also are supposed to save the church, scorched by the heat of reactivity to change. I see gifted new members ignored and rebuffed by the old guard with the litany, "We don't do it that way." I also see new folks projecting their previous church experiences onto their new church and new pastor. I see the media slander the church by lumping its diversity into an unloving, exclusive, judgmental version of the church, foreign to most of us. I see the ranks of the "nones" and the "dones" grow, believing that is what the church is. I see us shrink from the responsibility of making our own witness for fear of offending someone! I see Nominating Committees struggling to fill institutional slots. I see an increasing number of congregations who can no longer afford a full time pastor--16 in our Presbytery at last count. <i>The Presbyterian Outlook</i> reports that half of our denomination's active pastors will be of retirement age in just a few years. All of which urgently calls for adaptive change.<br />
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<b>On the brighter side, </b>I see dynamic leaders and vital congregations making a difference in their communities. I see people, young and old, longing to make a difference increasing literacy, decreasing gun violence and human trafficking, serving the poor, welcoming refugees, standing with undocumented persons, recognizing their white privilege, confessing their complicity with policies which benefit them and oppress others, and ADDRESSING CLIMATE CHANGE! I see church leaders taking a stand, offending members who pay their salaries, joining in protests, getting arrested for the sake of the gospel! I see us joining others across denominational and religious lines to form coalitions for common causes. And I see the General Assembly entities, Synod and Presbyteries refocusing on God's mission at the local level.<br />
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<b>Pruning is not easy!</b> Being pruned implies some outside agent looping off precious limbs. Yet there is a participatory spiritual practice of letting go! Self examination, confession, repentance, and letting go are major elements of the spiritual journey. <b>We must come to terms with the past, </b><b>with our</b> <b>egos, pride in what we once built,</b> <b>with our grief of what we once</b> <b>knew the church to be</b>, <b>and let go of measuring success by the past. Otherwise, our self righteousness becomes a toxic, deadly anchor to God's mission. Success must instead be measured by fidelity to God's mission. </b>The purpose of pruning is health, fruitfulness and faithfulness. Faithfulness is measured by discerning, visioning and joining in God's activity in the world. <br />
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<b>Leaders are charged to lead. </b> Leadership can be dictatorial, functioning in closed systems, or through more open processes and systems. Sometimes, like my dad, we move ahead and start pruning. We can also come down the ladder and explain and envision the future together. The General Assembly's 2020 Vision Commission and our Presbytery's Leadership Team are coming down that ladder, opening up the system and inviting your participation. Please join the dialogue!<br />
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For more on open and closed systems read David Jones' article "Open" & "closed" systems in the Presbyterian Outlook, July 10, 2017 here: <a href="http://pres-outlook.org/?s=Open+%26+Closed+Systems" target="_blank">http://pres-outlook.org/?s=Open+%26+Closed+System</a><a href="http://pres-outlook.org/?s=Open+%26+Closed+Systems" target="_blank">s</a><br />
David once served a neighboring church to mine on Long Island.<br />
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Yours in Christ,<br />
John<br />
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Postscript: My dad, a consummate gardener, died 15 months later while planting tomatoes in the garden. I was 19 years old.John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-2950474086313320382017-07-26T14:48:00.000-04:002017-07-26T14:48:09.975-04:00Experiencing Awe and Fostering It in Others<b>Susan Beaumont, </b>a senior consultant with the Alban Institute, shares in her newest article <b>research on the benefits of the human experience of awe and reflects on ways of fostering awe in people.</b> See the article here: <a href="http://www.susanbeaumont.com/2017/07/18/disappointed-in-your-followers-try-cultivating-awe/" target="_blank">http://www.susanbeaumont.com/2017/07/18/disappointed-in-your-followers-try-cultivating-awe/</a> Beaumont writes how <b>awe is inspired by beauty.</b> Experiences of awe draw us out of ourselves, cause us to pause to take notice and recognize we are but a small part of something much bigger than ourselves. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Overlook at Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore</i></td></tr>
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<b>Awe is what draws us to visit National Parks this time of year</b>. They are national treasures. Over the years, I've visited many of them. Whether it is watching Old Faithful at Yellowstone in Wyoming; standing on the rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona and trying to comprehend what eyes see; hiking trails at Zion in Utah; taking in the grandeur of Yosemite in California; driving in dizzying high altitudes of Glacier in Montana, and Rocky Mountain in Colorado; sitting by a campfire in the Smoky Mountains in Tennessee, or being socked in the fog at Acadia in Maine, something special happens deep in us at these places. Here in Michigan, we have the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Standing on the top of Sleeping Bear dune and looking out over Lake Michigan recalibrates perspective.<br />
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<b>It was ten years ago when I sensed God calling me to something new. </b> It was about this time of year when I first learned about the Presbytery of Lake Michigan and its search for a general presbyter. Part of a new call includes the grief work for what is being left behind. I wrestled with my attachments to the Montauk Community Church, the community and friends there, whom I loved. There was for me the added grief of leaving the awe inspiring landscape there. To be blunt, who doesn't love a water view? I had the extraordinary privilege and honor to serve that oceanside fishing, resort community. They provided me with a manse with a ocean view! With a five minute walk to the beach!! With an ocean view from my church office desk!!! They paid me to live there!!!! What can I say? Yet, after eleven years of ministry there, God had something new in mind for me. And the Presbytery has kept me busy enough ever since not to think too much about it. <br />
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Life is not all a mountaintop experience. God calls us forth to serve. However, <b>my experience in Montauk taught me about awe.</b> Unless one is spiritually dead, no one enters Montauk without experiencing a sense of awe. When one drives into this village from the west on Montauk Highway, all of a sudden an ocean view opens before your eyes. The universal response of residents and visitors alike is a wonderful sense of awe, joy, peace...recalibration. Getting to Montauk takes some effort, can be tiring and frustrating. All that instantly evaporates. You say to yourself, <i>"OK, this is why I'm here." </i><br />
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During my tenure in Montauk, I had the chance to visit Iona. <b>I learned there the Celtic concept for this. They call it "<i>a thin place where the distance between heaven and earth is tissue thin."</i> </b> This gave me language for what my Montauk neighbors knew instinctively and helped me connect with them. Stricken by the natural beautiful of the place, I led vesper services during the summer at public overlooks where we marveled at the sunset over the water. I led prayer walks on the hiking trails, stopping here and there to reflect on something we noticed and to break into song, giving thanks to God.<i> </i> For two summers, I led a 7 a.m. Sunday service on a popular resort terrace overlooking the Atlantic. With the financial help of the Presbytery, I invited Dennis Dewey, a gifted Biblical story teller to come for a week. We set him up at various public places where he told water and fish stories from the Bible. The magic draw of the storyteller attracted a crowd at each site. At the Lighthouse he led us responsively with <b>Psalm 136, </b>the crowd responding with the refrain, <i>"for his steadfast love endures forever."</i> At the harbor docks he told the story of Jonah and the call of Peter, Andrew, John and James. On the beach he told the story of the risen Jesus making breakfast for the disciples. At the village green, the story of feeding of the five thousand. <br />
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What moves you in awe? How do you foster the experience of awe in others? Please do read Susan Beaumont's article and be blessed.<br />
<a href="http://www.susanbeaumont.com/2017/07/18/disappointed-in-your-followers-try-cultivating-awe/" target="_blank">http://www.susanbeaumont.com/2017/07/18/disappointed-in-your-followers-try-cultivating-awe/</a><br />
And have an awe filled "Awegust."<br />
John<br />
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<br />John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-27684271052685892962017-06-15T10:28:00.001-04:002017-06-15T10:28:06.904-04:00Stories of Welcome<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rev. Dr. Leanne VanDyk</td></tr>
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WELCOME was the theme of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan's June 13th meeting hosted by the Buchanan Presbyterian Church. <b>Dr. Leanne VanDyk</b>, a member of Presbytery serving as president of Columbia Theological Seminary, challenged us with Paul's charge to the Church in Rome, <i>"Welcome one another, therefore, just as Christ has welcomed you, for the glory of God" </i>(Romans 15:7). However, the work of welcome is not as easy as it sounds. It has backbone and substance to it. The Apostle Paul then gives greetings to a long list of names in chapter 16. Leanne then unpacked the stories underlying Paul's greetings. stories which the first hearers would have recognized as the hard work of reaching across the aisle. Some of relationships were probably as complex as the ones in our lives. We are called to welcome one another just as Christ has welcomed you to the glory of God, especially when it is hard.<br />
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Then <b>Dr. Doug Kindschi,</b> director of the Kaufman Interfaith Institute at Grand Valley State University, and elder at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Grand Rapids, shared with us the history, contextual need, and the theological grounding for interfaith engagement and dialogue. He described six steps of interfaith engagement: tolerance, hospitality, understanding, respect, acceptance, holy envy. He related these steps to the stages of human development: baby (tolerance), young child (hospitality), preteen (understanding), adolescence (respect), adult (acceptance), and children as parents (holy envy). He shared the story of Grand Rapids' recent interfaith initiatives and examples of what congregations can do, such as the "Pieces for Peace" Project of the First Presbyterian Church in Holland. Women of various faiths who were concerned for peace gathered this winter and made squares for a larger quilt, as a joint witness for peace. The spiritual challenge is, can we recognize God's image in someone who is not like us? If you are interested in receiving copy of Dr. Kindschi's powerpoint file, email him at <a href="mailto:kindschd@gvsu.edu" style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 14.6667px;" target="_blank">kindschd@gvsu.edu</a> and he will be happy to share it with you.<br />
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The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance of PMA announces <b>June 20th, World Refugee Day </b>in the following link: <a href="http://pda.pcusa.org/page/world-refugee-day/" target="_blank">http://pda.pcusa.org/page/world-refugee-day/</a> <span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><strong style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #262626;">#WeChooseWelcome </strong><span style="background-color: white; color: #262626;">is a rallying call from Presbyterians across the U.S. expressing their commitment to welcome refugees of all nationalities and faiths. Several of our congregations are sponsoring refugees: First Presbyterian Churches in Holland, Kalamazoo, Jackson, and Westminster in Grand Rapids. They all have welcome stories to tell. </span></span><br />
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We welcomed <b>Rev. Amber Nettleton,</b> the new pastor at Pine Island Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo. She comes to us from the Presbytery of Cascades and is the daughter-in-law of Rev. Doug Nettleton. We welcomed <b>Rev. Troy Hauser Brydon</b>, the new lead pastor at the First Presbyterian Church in Grand Haven. We welcomed <b>Rev. Deborah McCreary,</b> who is serving Benton Harbor, First during Rev. Laurie Hartzell's sabbatical. We welcomed <b>Rev. Deborah Semon-Scott,</b> an Episcopal colleague serving as interim pastor for Coldwater, First. We examined and welcomed candidate <b>Christina "Chrissy" Westberry</b>, to her new call as associate pastor at First Presbyterian Church in Kalamazoo. Welcome to this ministry! We also heard from inquirer<b> Austin Wicks</b>, the son of Revs. Mike and Sally Wicks, and moved him to candidacy. Austin has just graduated from Louisville Theological Seminary and is seeking a field placement during his candidacy year.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vice Moderator, Rev. Karen Kelley</td></tr>
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Vice moderator <b>Rev. Karen Kelley</b> reported five core values identified by the Leadership Team: "As Partners in Christ's Service, we seek God's way of grace, through inclusion, formation, and inspiration." In a brochure description of inclusion it states, "The Presbytery seeks in all its work to open the circle wide, to practice extravagant hospitality, to reach out to those who are not represented at the table, and to have respect and mutual forbearance toward one another. Core values are both current and aspirational.<br />
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<b>The Buchanan Church</b> hosted our meeting. The members greeted us, helped us find parking, met us at the door, fed us. The air conditioning in the sanctuary was a gift on a 90 degree day!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hesperia Presbyterian Church's New Entrance</td></tr>
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Finally, on June 8th, it was my joy to represent the Presbytery, along with <b>Rev. Paul Tomlinson and elder Robert MacCord,</b> members of the Committee on Ministry, at Hesperia Presbyterian Church's dedication service for their new addition. This addition provides a new covered entrance, with elevator and three accessible restrooms on two floors. It blends seamlessly with the rest of the building. Old matching stained glass windows which had been removed from the bell tower years ago were found in storage and incorporated in the addition. Rev. Tomlinson led a Presbytery Listening Team for the Hesperia congregation in the spring of 2015 when the Session and congregation wrestled with the PC(USA)'s understanding of marriage. The Listening Team's survey of the congregation showed that a large majority of members wanted to remain. Paul later moderated the Session until <b>Rev. Calvin (Cal) Bremer </b>was engaged as Hesperia's pastor. Looking to their future, one of the first decisions of the Session with Paul was to address their accessibility need. Through this capital project, the congregation says to itself and the community, "We are here to stay. WELCOME!"<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rev. Paul Tomlinson with Elder</td></tr>
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John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-75343453270183315552017-05-03T16:45:00.004-04:002017-05-03T16:55:06.596-04:00"Growing Younger": Book ReviewThere is no greater concern in the church than the desire to attract younger families. The Pentecost Special Offering of the PC(USA) is designated for Youth Ministries. In 2016, this offering totaled $717,572. The congregations of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan gave $11,572 in 2016, 40% of which remained to support ministry in the local church and 60% to the PC(USA) in support of the Presbyterian Youth Triennium, Montreat Youth Conferences, etc. Please support this offering. <br />
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Our Presbytery Resource Center just purchased the book "Growing Young: 6 Essential Strategies to help Young People Discover and Love Your Church" by Kara Powell, Jake Mulder, and Brad Griffin of the Fuller Youth Institute. This book addresses the church's challenge. After a four year project researching 250 congregations with effective ministries with young people, they identify 10 commonly held myths, and offer six strategies.<br />
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<b>Debunking the Myths, 10 Qualities your Church does NOT need in order to Grow Young:</b><br />
<ol>
<li> A precise size: There is no correlation between church size and effectiveness.</li>
<li>A trendy location or region: Location does not have to be a limitation.</li>
<li>An exact age: New start up churches can be effective, but research shows just as much life change, in churches with a history. </li>
<li>A popular denomination...or lack of denomination. "God is working through churches of all stripes." </li>
<li>An off-the-chart cool quotient. Some do have a hip factor, but "for young people today, relational warmth is the new cool."</li>
<li>A big, modern building: "For teenagers and young adults, feeling at home transcends any building."</li>
<li>A big budget: "A small budget does not have to mean small impact."</li>
<li>A "contemporary" worship service. "While the churches we visited were likely to prefer modern worship in some or all their worship contexts, they didn't depend on that alone as a magnet to draw young people."</li>
<li>A watered-down teaching style. "For today's young people, growing young doesn't mean we talk about Jesus or the cost following him any less."</li>
<li>A hyper-entertaining ministry program. "Faith communities offer something different," than entertainment, "Slick is no guarantee of success."</li>
</ol>
<b>Six Strategies: </b>Their research has lead to six core commitments, around which this book is organized with a chapter on each of the following strategies:<br />
<ol>
<li>Unlock keychain leadership. "Instead of centralizing authority, empower others--especially young people."</li>
<li>Empathize with today's young people. "Instead of judging or criticizing, step into the shoes of this generation."</li>
<li>Take Jesus' message seriously. "Instead of asserting formulaic gospel claims, welcome young people into a Jesus' centered way of life." </li>
<li>Feel a warm community. "Instead of focusing on cool worship or programs, aim for warm peer and intergenerational friendships."</li>
<li>Prioritize young people (and families) everywhere. "Instead of giving lip service to how much young people matter, look for creative ways to tangibly support, resource, and involve them in all facets of your congregation."</li>
<li>Be the best neighbors. "Instead of condemning the world outside your walls, enable young people to neighbor well locally and globally."</li>
</ol>
<div>
This is not rocket science. It's basic relationship building, discipling 101. It's about nurturing intentional relationships, paying attention, listening, understanding, empathy, caring, empowering, living kingdom values, discipling, walking the walking.</div>
John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-67314348476836761592017-04-06T15:07:00.001-04:002017-04-06T15:07:33.120-04:00The Practice and Pursuit of Community<div class="MsoNormal">
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">“We
believe that unity is, therefore, both a gift and an obligation of the church of
Jesus Christ; that through the working of God’s Spirit it is a binding force,
yet simultaneously a reality which must be earnestly pursued and sought; one
which the people of God must continually be built up to attain…<span style="mso-bidi-font-style: italic;"> We believe that this unity of the people of
God must be manifested and be active in a variety of ways: that we
experience, practice and pursue community with one another." </span></span></i><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="mso-tab-count: 8;"> Excerpt from t</span>he
Confession of Belhar<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Our brothers and sisters in Christ in South Africa <b>professed</b> <b>unity
and community as essentials</b> to the life of the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did so during apartheid law.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Their witness was theological:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>our unity is a gift of God in Jesus Christ.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And it was deeply political:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the state and church at that time institutionalized
overt and tacit rules which separated persons by race and subjugated people of
color, which they boldly named sin and contrary to God’s will. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2016, the 222<sup>nd</sup> General Assembly
of the Presbyterian Church (USA) adopted and added the Confession of Belhar to
the Book of Confessions, part one the PC(USA)’s Constitution.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">So this Lenten Season, I've been reading with my family after
dinner <b>"Lenten Reflections on the Confession of Belhar,”</b> edited by Kerri
N. Allen and Donald K. McKim. In it, Mihee Kim-Kort writes, <i>"In
light of Belhar and these words in particular--'that we experience, practice and
pursue community with one another'--perhaps these are the appropriate practices
of the church because that is the flesh-and-blood reality--we practice
community. We deliberately and intentionally practice giving ourselves to
one another because we realize we belong to each other. We need each
other. We are inextricably tied together. We pursue this unity like
a brutal physical regimen. It is not something we come by perfectly, all
at once. It is terribly messy, awkward, and fully human. In many ways,
it brings out our deepest insecurities and vulnerabilities if we are doing
it faithfully and hopefully.</i>" (p. 19)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>We are “community” challenged in America today!</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">We
are very much mired in the “messy, awkward,” practice of community in
Washington DC, Lansing, and other state capitals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And the values fought over there are represented
in most every congregation</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">. A core value of the American culture is
independence, individualism, self-reliance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ironically, our frontier pioneer forbearers also knew the value of a
good neighbor, of a helping hand in a barn raising, of a Friday night dance
social, and gathering for worship on Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They walked, rode horseback and in horse drawn wagons and buggies to do
so.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pursuing community was an effort and
a gift.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>Community/Individualism or shall we say Independence/Interdependence
is another one of those polarities</b> about which we have been taught.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You never get rid of a true polarity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is truth and value in both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One can’t thrive without the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is an upside and a downside to both.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An overemphasis of one typically causes
fear and alarm from the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Today in
America we are unfortunately experiencing the spiralling downside of this polarity. Effective leaders recognize and manage polarities </span><span style="font-family: times;">calming fears and pointing to</span><span style="font-family: times;"> the upside value of each. </span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><b>We are also “community” challenged today in the church, in our
Presbytery.</b><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Differences which separate
get close inspection and are emotionally charged, while the ties that bind fray. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Congregational participation is voluntary. </span>What does being a member of
Presbytery mean?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Leadership Team of the
Presbytery I serve is <b>working to discern our core values, values which will
drive use in our goal setting and strategic God desired outcomes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Belhar lifts up such a core value, </b><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><b>“the experience, practice and pursuit of
community.” </b><o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="color: black; font-family: "times"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Shannon Johnson Keershner writes <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">“I keep hoping to persuade folks that difference does not have to equal
division and unity does not have to equal uniformity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have frequently appealed to our ‘unity of
the Spirit in the bond of peace.’ I have preached that <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;">we have been made the one body of Christ, and God did not ask our opinion
before God did it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Therefore, it really
does not matter if we like one another or not,</b> (though we usually
do!).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I always emphasize that we belong
to each other because in Christ Jesus, we belong to God! …..Belhar’s central
conviction that God has made us one—regardless of, actually in celebration of,
our difference—is always central for me.” </i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(p. 22)<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
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<div class="MsoNormal">
<b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times";">However we name it, one of our core values must be
the experience, practice and pursuit of community.</span></b><span style="font-family: "times";"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Surely
community is linked in a larger polarity with individualism.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as inhaling is linked with exhaling, one not being sustainable alone for long by itself, but together combine for</span><span style="font-family: times;"> life giving breathing,</span><span style="font-family: times;"> so too, I believe, God joins the individual
and community join together for blessed living! </span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: times;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: times;">Thanks be to God, unity is a gift we have in
Jesus Christ.</span><span style="font-family: times;"> </span><span style="font-family: times;">And community, however messy,
awkward and which often triggers our deepest insecurities and vulnerabilities,
is also our obligation to pursue.</span></div>
John Besthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00476093427174254074noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-591645204000096425.post-13708090585082538192017-03-14T11:59:00.001-04:002017-03-15T14:59:32.274-04:00March 11th Presbytery Meeting Summary and Resources<div class="MsoNormal">
<o:p>The Presbytery of Lake Michigan meets four times each year. We met for our first meeting this year on Saturday, March 11th. Minister members of Presbytery and commissioners from our congregations gathered at the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Please find here highlights and links to some documents and resources shared at that meeting.</o:p><br />
<o:p><br /></o:p>
<o:p> The <b>Rev. Sarah Schmidt-Lee </b>preached a powerful message at worship! Find the text of her sermon here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzeZQ3yYZDPLUTFBTV9hOU5wdXM">Sermon: Do We Believe This Is Good News?</a> </o:p> Following worship <b>Professor George Barfield </b>led us in a second conversation on race. He is a retired sociology professor for Ethnic and Race Relations who taught at Indiana University and Lake Michigan College, a Deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Benton Harbor, and now lives in Spring Lake, Mi. Here is his power point <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzeZQ3yYZDPLR0dWcENuQkExSEE">Barfield Conversation on Race PowerPoint</a>. He presented a You Tube Video clip from the ABC's TV show "What Would You Do? which you can see here: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0kV_b3IK9M" target="_blank">Bike Thief</a> Each congregation was given a copy of Debbie Irving's book, <i>"Waking Up White, And Finding Myself in the Story of R</i><i>ace."</i><i> </i><b>Reverends Denise Anderson and Jan Edmiston,</b> the 222nd General Assembly co-moderators, have called the PC(USA) to a denomination wide study of this book, which introduces white privilege and prepared a book study guide written by provided by the Office of the General Assembly: <a href="http://www.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/waking_up_white_study_english.pdf" target="_blank">Waking Up White Study Guide</a> Our Church Growth Committee has purchased a copy of this book for every congregation in the Presbytery. The book was distributed at the Presbytery Meeting. Read it, share it, discuss it. Other recent resources provided by the Office of the General Assembly on addressing race can be found here: <a href="http://oga.pcusa.org/site_media/media/uploads/oga/pdf/equipping_councils_for_racial_justice_conversations.pdf" target="_blank">Office of the General Assembly Resources</a> Rev. Denise Anderson is scheduled to preach and present at the September 13th Presbytery Meeting at First Presbyterian Church in Jackson.<br />
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During the business plenary Presbytery <b>voted on amendments</b> to the PC(USA) Constitution sent to us by the 222nd General Assembly. All the amendments were approved by our Presbytery except for two: 16 D 1 and 2 relating to the Relationship to the PC(USA) of a Person Who Has Renounced Jurisdiction of the Church while under a disciplinary investigation. Most significantly we voted to approve a revised Directory for Worship. If passed by a majority of presbyteries, it will replace the existing Directory for Worship. We now wait to see how other Presbyteries will vote. Presbytery also passed a resolution statement to be sent to the President of the United States concerning his recent executive order on refugees. See it here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzeZQ3yYZDPLalhCT2JzbXE3U1k" target="_blank">Resolution Letter to the President</a><br />
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Presbytery is often a mystery to people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> In order to interpret the</span> mission of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan, I have asked Presbytery committee and ministry team leaders to prepare reports of their work in 2016 on our behalf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Please find that year end consolidated report at this link: <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzeZQ3yYZDPLdjRnOXZNb1Y5LTg">PLM 2016 Annual Report</a> Find a scripted powerpoint prepared by the Office of the General Assembly explaining Per Capita, tweaked for the Presbytery of Lake Michigan here: <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0BzeZQ3yYZDPLcXNiNEJZWlNyRFk">PerCapita Powerpoint</a> These resources will remain available on the Presbytery's web site: <a href="http://lakemichiganpresbytery.org/">http://lakemichiganpresbytery.org/</a> Our website is now functioning more efficiently. I have contracted Roosien Communications, Inc. for upgrading the site. It will soon have a new look and organization!</span><br />
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<i>"The purpose of the Presbytery of Lake Michigan is to challenge, encourage, and equip worshiping communities of faith to make disciples of Jesus Christ with the gifts God gives them."</i> Please help your pastor and elder commissioner share and use these resources to assist your congregation's witness to Jesus Christ in our world today. <br />
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Yours in Christ<br />
John Best, General Presbyter</div>
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