The Presbytery of Western North Carolina March 2012
Anti-Bullying
Rally
For Youth and parents
March 25, 2012
5:00 - 8:00 PM
First Presbyterian Church, Morganton, NC
Who: Middle and High School
Students AND their Parents
Topic:
Schedule
5:00 PM FREE Dinner – Mexican Fiesta!
(Vegetarian Option Available)
6:15 PM Separate Programs for Youth & Adults
7:30 PM Closing Worship
8:00 PM Departure
Youth Keynoter: Mr. Kent Patton
Adult Keynoter: Officer Joey Belanger
(See bio info on page 5.)
Youth Leaders: Register your group by March 21,
2012! Send your church name, your contact
information, and the number of YOUTH and ADULT
spots you want to reserve.
E-mail Pastor Adam: [email protected]
or call 828-448-8914.
Event made possible by a grant from the Peace & Justice
Committee of the Presbytery of Western North Carolina.
From our General
Presbyter, Bobbi White
The Lent and Easter Season is a time to focus on God’s incredible love shown in
Christ Jesus. When we reflect on what God has done, it is also good to open our eyes to see what God is doing in our midst now. It is a time to be thankful, to be humble, recognizing God’s love, forgiveness and grace, and to be bold and adventurous for the Lord. These are hard times and exciting times, times of hope and joyful celebration, and of sadness. As in any time, our focus needs to be on Christ and Christ’s mission and what God is calling us to be and do. This Easter, I will again reflect on John’s second resurrection passage, John 20:19‑22. Jesus appears to his disciples in the room with locked doors. We are sometimes like those disciples, afraid, discouraged, confused. It is easy to hide behind locked doors, afraid to venture out and afraid to let others into our fellowship. However, it is the Risen Christ who comes and stands among us, showing us his wounds, giving us his peace, and sending us out to minister as he did with the power of the Holy Spirit. In verses 20 and 21, Jesus said, "As the Father has sent me, so I send you." Then Jesus breathed on them, and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." That is an awesome statement and promise. We are sent as individuals, churches, a presbytery and a denomination. My prayer is that as “sent ones”, as individuals, congregations, and presbytery, we will be about making new disciples, nurturing people in their relationship to Christ, growing apostles (sent ones), reaching out in mission and actively demonstrating God’s love. And I pray we will also give witness to Christ's reconciling love and strengthen each other by working together as a witness to Christ.
2
Together in Ministry March 2012
Bobbi White is
shown here with
Keith Freeman,
pastor of the
Pineola
Presbyterian
Church. They are
standing in front
of the church's
beautiful 15’
Chrismon Tree.
Montreat Holds Earth Care Congregation
Celebration & Potluck Supper
About 80 members of the Montreat Presbyterian
Church (PCUSA) congregation and invited guests
gathered for an evening of fellowship and
celebration of its recognition as an “Earth Care
Congregation” by the national denomination. MPC
was among the first 21 congregations to be so
recognized by the Environmental Ministries office of
the Presbyterian Church (USA). This designation is
for having accomplished a specific number of
actions toward caring for God’s earth through
activities and projects in the areas of worship,
education, facilities and outreach.
The Montreat Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
congregation held an event both to celebrate its
initial certification as an Earth Care Congregation,
and also as an educational event that counts toward
recertification in 2012. By inviting representatives of
key organizations in the area, Montreat’s Earth
Ministry Team hopes to build partnerships that reach
beyond the boundaries of town and congregation.
Thus, church committees will be considering new
Earth Care efforts that include service projects in the
Swannanoa Valley and cooperation with other
churches. “In the long run,” said Kitty Fouche, a
retired teacher, “a key focus of our work will address
the so-called ‘environmental literacy’ of our church
members and friends, so that we all can work to
solve some of the really deep and complex issues
facing our society. It’s only when we understand an
issue that we are more likely to restore and protect
the Earth of God’s creation.” The heavens are telling the
glory of God; and the
firmament proclaims His
handiwork. (Psalm 19:1)
* * * *
The guest appearance of the
“Garbage Fairy,” both in a video
and in-person, was a highlight of
the evening.
Luis Mejia, a
member of the
Guatemalan
Partnership
Committee in Sur
Occidente,
presents Randall
Boggs,
representative
from PWNC, with
Malawi offerings
from their
presbytery.
Here, Edwin
Gelista,
Partnership
Coordinator in
Suchitepequez,
presents Malawi
offerings to
Randall Boggs.
3
Presbytery’s Resource Center
Presbytery’s Resource Center contains over 4,000
items–books, DVDs, videos, magazines, curricula, and
AV equipment. These materials are available for your
church or personal use.
You can browse the collection during regular office
hours or access the entire collection on-line by visiting
Presbytery’s website (www.presbyterywnc.org) and
clicking on the “Resource Center” button.
Subjects include Bible study aids; congregational
needs and nurture; mission programs around the world;
theology; curricula for adults, youth, and children;
family concerns; church seasonal materials; social
justice issues, and much more.
How can you use the Center?
You can visit the Center at the Presbytery office in
Morganton, and check out items by signing the white
borrower’s card. You may reserve your items ahead
of your visit by contacting Tonya at the Presbytery
office (828-438-4217).
Resources are catalogued by title, author, and main and
secondary subjects. Choose your items and contact
Tonya at the Presbytery office (828/438-4217), and she
will mail your choices to you postage-free.
What are the guidelines?
You can borrow up to 10 items at a time. Items can be
borrowed for 30 days, with two renewals possible.
Dated curricula can be
previewed at the Center
but cannot be checked
out.
For more information
about the Presbytery’s
Resource Center, contact
Jo Gallagher at 828/669-
9213.
Together in Ministry March 2012
Above, our friend and colleague, John McCall, is
being presented aboriginal clothing. Please
remember John, and all our other missionaries who
are serving in other countries during this Lenten
season.
Share Your News With Us! We want to share the
good things that are happening in your church!
Please email Barbara Ross ([email protected])
with your event details and pictures so that we can
share it in our newsletter! Good news travels fast!
Your Gifts are Appreciated! Gratitude and thanksgiving for those who have contributed to the campaign to improve Presbytery's Resource Center and move it to Montreat. When gifts, pledges and church budget allocations total $45,000, the move can begin. We need an accurate picture of campaign contributions and pledges to date. If they have not done so, individuals and church sessions are asked to register their intentions with Presbytery' s office right away so we can know how much still needs to be done. As many as are able are encouraged to contribute something. Let's have the Center open and operating in time for the summer conference season.
For Presbytery's Resource Committee, Eade Anderson
4
A New Day at New Vision!
Sunday, February 19th, celebrated a new ministry in Catawba County. Iglesia Presbiteriano Emanuel, a Hispanic outreach
of the Presbyterian Church, has joined in ministry with New Vision Church in Conover. The Iglesia Emanuel was an
outreach to the Spanish speaking population by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina. Started at Northminister
Presbyterian Church in Hickory, for the last eight years they had worshipped in a church building near the SALT block.
Since 2011, Dr. Gary Van Brocklin has led this ministry. He and his wife Marlene were missionaries in South America
for many years, before returning to teach at Montreat College. He helped the congregation discern that it would be
healthier for them, and especially their children, to join with an English speaking congregation.
They found a home with New Vision Presbyterian Church, a Presbyterian new church development in Conover.
This church was launched about three and a half years ago. It was already a multi-ethnic and multi-racial congregation.
Organizing Co-Pastors of New Vision, Ann and Frank Aichinger, have been amazed at the peace in this transition. They
say, “We are learning to dance together.” The largest challenge is to develop a worship service, which while being mainly
English, will bring in those who are not fluent. Most of the Spanish speaking congregation from Emanuel wanted to
become more comfortable in English. The visual nature of our worship and a flavoring of Spanish in music and scripture
are helping them to make this transition.
It is a time of learning for all those involved in this ministry. Those who came from Emanuel come from at least
twelve different countries in Central and South America, and each bring their own cultural traditions. We have people
from Colombia, Venezuela, Nicaragua, Mexico, Honduras, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Panama, Cuba, Dominican Republic,
Puerto Rico and Brazil. On Epiphany Sunday, we had a Three Kings cake, with the baby Jesus hidden in the cake. The
person who got the baby Jesus in their piece of cake were to have a very special year.
On Sunday evening, five other Presbyterian churches joined in their commitment to our ministry with the Spanish
speaking population in Catawba County. First Presbyterian in Hickory, First Presbyterian in Newton, Northminister and
Sweetwater Presbyterian Churches in Hickory and Trinity Presbyterian Church in Hendersonville joined in the covenant
with New Vision Church in this commitment to reach out to the Latino population.
Dr. VanBrocklin has joined the ministry staff at New Vision. Each Sunday he leads a Spanish Bible Study
following the worship service at 11:30 am, while there are classes for children and youth, a nursery and an Adult Small
Group.
Bobbi White & Gary Van Brocklin
signing the covenant
Hispanic Ministry Steering Team Christ of the Americas
Together in Ministry March 2012
5
Robinson Memorial’s
Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper
Together in Ministry March 2012
Anti-Bullying
Rally Speakers
We are excited to have two top-notch speakers for our anti
-bullying rally on Sunday, March 25, 2012 (see page 1 for
event info). This is an event that you don’t want to miss!
KENT PATTON, Youth Keynote Speaker
Kent has worked with youth for
over 25 years at Black Mountain
Presbyterian Church. Growing up being
bullied and also bullying others, he knows
the pain and harm that bullying can cause.
Cyberbullying has increased the
frequency and impact of bullying. Using video clips and
role plays, we will look together at the how and why kids
bully each other, and then we will talk about ways to
respond when we see others bullied or you yourself are
bullied.
JOEY BELANGER, Adult Keynote
Speaker
Former School Resource Officer
for Patton High School, current DARE
Instructor for Burke County, Radio Host
and Producer at 92.1 FM “The Big
Dawg,” mobile DJ, and father of a teen.
Photo: Officer Belanger appeared on “The Balanc-
ing Act,” discussing internet safety/cyberbullying
which aired on Lifetime in 2011.
Hold the Date!
Let’s Celebrate . . . Dynamic
Community
featuring
Dr. Kenneth Gergen, Jr.,
Keynoter
Saturday, August 18th
The Nominating Committee needs you!!! If you are willing to serve on a committee of Presbytery, please contact Robbin
Buchanan at the Presbytery office (828/438-4217) and express your interest. We are always needing willing participants to fill
vacancies on our committees!
6
Together in Ministry March 2012
Womanless Wedding at Long Creek Benefits Missions
These pictures are from a “Womanless Wedding” done by the Long Creek Church on Sunday, March 11, 2012 for a mission fundraiser. They do so many wonderful mission projects. Dee Liss is the pastor at Long Creek. Her husband, Howard, was the bride.
Mardi Gras the Bryson City Way!
These are pictures from the Mardi Gras party for the
western cluster of PWNC churches. There were around
100 people in attendance! One of Bryson City’s members
got the baby in the King Cake, which means the party will
be hosted there again next year, with Franklin First
providing the music. What an awesome way to join in com-
munity and fellowship with one another!
What’s Happening around the Presbytery? Take a look . . .