To close or not to close: that was the question

By Diana A. Stephen

Deacon Jody Goodwin, her daughter, Aimee, her granddaughter, Nola Grace, and Elder LaVerna House. Photo by Ann Marie Simone

To close or not to close?  Three and a half years ago that was the question facing the members and friends of the North Turner Union Presbyterian Church, a congregation in Androscoggin County, Maine, that had been serving its community since 1878. Attendance at worship had dwindled to six and the Presbytery of Northern New England had appointed an Administrative Commission. This group of faithful and committed members was not very happy about this action of presbytery. Rather than getting stuck in their displeasure, they marshaled their energy and resources with the determination that North Turner Union Presbyterian Church would live.

As a member of The Mission at the Eastward (MATE), a cooperative parish of eight churches in central Maine, this congregation had an immediate resource. If the church at North Turner was determined to live, the people of MATE would surround it with their loving support. A team from the MATE churches was formed to be present with the North Turner church as it began to move through a process that proved to be transforming.

This team, together with representatives from the presbytery, joined the members of North Turner as they began this time of transformation. Members of the team demonstrated their commitment by regularly attending the meetings. This required them to travel great distances. Distance is one of the characteristics of rural communities. The geographical scope of this cooperative parish covers 60-100 miles and the geographical breadth of the presbytery is far greater.

Goals were set for the congregation. Challenged by how they might be fulfilled in the specified time, the larger group began to exchange ideas about ministry and mission.  Participants from the presbytery and other MATE churches began to show up for worship to demonstrate through their presence support of the North Turner Church. The congregation began to realize that God wasn’t finished with them yet. The Holy Spirit was truly present and empowering them. Keep reading this story.

Celebrate Rural Life Sunday

April 27, 2008

Rural Life Sunday is a time when Presbyterians come together to celebrate and recognize the ministry of rural congregations, many of which are without significant financial resources yet still harness the enthusiasm, gifts and talents of their people to do good work within their communities and with other churches. This special day also encourages rural, suburban and urban churches to get to know one another. A variety of resources are available to help in planning your Rural Life Sunday service.

The Transforming Spirit

BY Diana Stephen

A baptism at the First Presbyterian Church in Sisseton, S.D. Photo by The Rev. Peter Reynen

Sisseton, South Dakota, with a population of 3,000, is located in the northeast corner of the state, just west of I-29. During the past three years, the First Presbyterian Church of Sisseton has witnessed a transformation.

In May 2005, the attendance averaged 15 to 20 per Sunday. Today, attendance averages about 80. In 2005 there were about three youngsters attending Sunday school. Today there are multiple classes serving young people and adults.

What has contributed to this transformation?

After a period of time when it was served by pulpit supplies, in May 2005 the congregation called a part-time tentmaker (bi-vocational) pastor, Peter Reynen. Peter serves the congregation 20 hours per week from Friday through Sunday.  During the rest of the week Peter is a family physician in Milbank, S.D., 51 miles away from Sisseton.  The church, medical practice and hospital respect this schedule.

Friends of the Carpenter

“Wood crafted into a community of Christ”

by the Rev. Duane L. Sich

Church volunteers work together one of their woodcraft activities with homeless guests. Photo by the Rev. Duane L. Sich, program director.

A ministry in Vancouver, Washington, has found a creative and constructive way to connect persons who are homeless (or at risk) with volunteers from faith communities. Friends of the Carpenter is a nonprofit, faith-based ministry that uses woodcraft as a way to create a safe and supervised setting for friendships to be formed. It’s a sanctuary of a different sort — more like the stable in which the Christ-child was born, where shepherds and kings were equally welcome.  Participants (volunteers and homeless) gather in the warehouse (the Friendship Center) to fit and glue wood pieces together. During the woodcraft activity, God’s grace guides and glues new friendships together. As rough edges are sanded from the wood, simple conversations of care, kindness and compassion smooth the way for friendships of encouragement, assistance and accountability to be formed. Keep reading this story.

Opening doors

Kansas City congregation transformed by Hispanic outreach

Pastors Rick Behrens (left) and Alfonso Tot of Grandview Park Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, KS, lead their workshop at the National Presbyterian Evangelism Conference in a Latin gospel tune. Photo by Jerry Van Marter

NASHVILLE — Ten years ago, 118-year-old Grandview Park Presbyterian Church in Kansas City, KS, was all too typical of urban congregations in transitional neighborhoods — an aging, dwindling core of white believers caught in a demographic squeeze that made survival unlikely.

“We were so gripped by fear of our changing neighborhood that our doors were locked — literally — to the community 24/7,” the Rev. Rick Behrens told participants in a workshop at the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)’s National Presbyterian Evangelism Conference here Aug. 31–Sept. 3. Keep reading this story.