Metropolitan/Urban Ministry Sunday • July 26
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has set aside July 26, 2009, as a day to celebrate Metropolitan/Urban Ministry Sunday. We encourage all congregations and presbyteries to take the opportunity to celebrate the work of PC(USA) metro/urban congregations and specialized ministries, locally, nationally and globally.
We have included some worship and resource ideas for your use on Metro/Urban Ministry Sunday or on a day you discern to celebrate metro/urban ministry in your congregation, presbytery or community ministry.
Small Church Sunday
Celebrate on July 19
Once again, it is our pleasure to offer this resource for the Celebration of Small Church Ministry Sunday. We continue to discover smaller membership churches who in faith are taking big steps that are enhancing their ministry and mission. Of course, change is always involved. For some, the thought of change raises concerns; for others, leaders realize that they must change if the ministry of their congregation is to move forward. Learn more.
Ready to roll
Bike fix-up project energizes small church, touches community need
by Toni Montgomery
Special to Presbyterian News Service
Fixed-up bikes are everywhere by the time the Spring Bike Clean-up of First Presbyterian Church of Colorado City, Texas, is completed. STATESVILLE, N.C. — First Presbyterian Church in Colorado City, Texas, proves that no church is too small to make a difference in the community it serves.
Eighteen members strong, First Church held a Spring Bike Cleanup for their community of roughly 4,000 people on April 19 and the results easily eclipsed the number of people and the amount of money it took to produce the service and outreach project. [Read more]
Finding a vision for the future by discovering the past
Presbyterian church first established in 1846 to be demolished to provide affordable housing for seniors
by Paul Seebeck
Associate for Mission Communications
QUEENS, N.Y. — Pastor Don Olinger of the Presbyterian Church of Astoria in Queens wears his favorite baseball cap religiously these days.
A friend found it at a garage sale and thought it would be perfect for Olinger when he saw these words: “The only thing worse than being blind is having sight but no vision.” [Read more]
United Presbyterian Church of Allerton, Iowa
 A Good Friday procession down Main Street in Allerton. Photo courtesy of United Presbyterian Church.
The United Presbyterian Church of Allerton, Iowa, recently received the Just Neighbors award from the Social Ministries Task Force of the Presbytery of Des Moines. Here are excerpts from the award presentation by Nancy Lister-Settle, moderator of the Social Ministries Task Force to the Rev. Ross Blount and the United Presbyterian Church. Blount serves as a tentmaker with the United Presbyterian Church family. [Read more]
Grier Heights Presbyterian Church
by The Rev. Larry James
Attendees at the MLK seminar at Grier Heights Presbyterian Church. Photo by Rev. Larry James The Grier Heights Presbyterian Church was organized in 1943 in the city of Charlotte. It began as a Sunday school in the African American community of Grier Heights from which it was named. The ministry began in what is known as the "Big House" where it is still standing and in the possession of the church. [Read more]
Conversations on urban collaboration initiated in Genesee Valley Presbytery
by Clint McCoy
With a palpable concern for the city of Rochester and the eleven PC(USA) churches within its bounds, two city pastors, who had lunch together eighteen months earlier to get to know one another better, and to talk about strengthening the Presbyterian presence in the city by building up the vitality of the churches and their collective urban witness, fashioned a plan to gather pastors together with Phil Tom one morning, and then in the evening invite other church leaders from the urban congregations to join the pastors for dinner, where a new vision for collaborative work in the city could be presented. [Read more]
Misión Hispana El Buen Pastor
Children from Misión Hispana El Buen Pastor. Photo by Mary Bolton By Jane Suitt
Misión Hispana El Buen Pastor in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is one of the fastest growing new church developments (NCD) in the PC(USA). Each Sunday an average of 125 worshipers are in attendance. Four years ago, 10–15 people attended worship. The attendance of many families is irregular on Sundays due to changes in work schedules. Approximately 90 different adults participate on Sundays and/or Wednesday night bible study, with an average attendance of 45 adults and many children. This is a congregation of young large families. Instead of conforming to a pre-existing model, we believe that El Buen Pastor is building a new NCD model that meets the needs of a changing world. [Read more]
Spiritual Vitality Through Cooperative Ministry
Many small churches are enhancing their ministry and mission by working cooperatively. This resource provides guidance to churches and presbyteries that are considering cooperative ministry. The discernment process and initial organization are described. A Bible Study to undergird these processes is included as well as five models of cooperative ministry.
$3.00 • PDS #2331608001 |
