Mission Memo for June 2003

THANKS to all of you who have filled out the Missions Survey. NGMER (National and Global Missions and Ecumenical Relations Committee for the Presbytery) and its working groups are already working on several of the most resources most requested. Some of new programs and resources being developed are described below. If you haven’t filled out a survey, please complete the one enclosed.

MISSION TRIP SITES

MISSION SITE DATA BANK: The Mission Teams Working Group (MTWG) of Presbytery is going to set up a data bank on the Presbytery web site that will include information about potential sites for mission trips. Information will be gathered from churches that have actually visited these sites, so those looking for a place will have a first-hand evaluation of the program, work project, and facilities to help them in making a decision. Please complete the Post-Mission Team Evaluation form if you have made a trip in the last two years or do one this summer. Below are listed some possibilities recommended by people within the Presbytery.

1. For youth: Wears Valley Ranch, a Christian Children’s Home, is highly recommended by Edward Brouwer of Montreat Church. There are a variety of service projects. To find out more go to www.wvr.org and click on You Can Help.
2. Disaster response teams for adults or youth and adults:
Hurricane Floyd: Mae Parker (Cell: 252-904-6844)
West Virginia Ministry of Advocacy and Workcamps (bonniemallott@dcharter.net; 304-854-2733); highly recommended by Rev. Todd Wright of FPC, Mt. Holly; video about work camps available from Ginnie.
Presbytery Trip, Fall, 2003 trip to East TN (date tba)

WEEKEND MISSION TRIPS: MTWG has begun work to set up weekend mission experiences within the Presbytery for middle or senior high youth. If your church might be willing to host an occasional group and/or be interested in sending a group, please let Ginnie know. We will work with your church so it can host Presbytery youth teams. The goal is to get information about host churches and projects onto the Presbytery web site late this year.

HELP WITH PLANNING FOR MISSION TRIP & INVOLVING THE WHOLE CONGREGATION

1. There are many resources available from the Presbytery Resource Center. A good all-around book is When God’s People Travel Together: A Trip Leader’s Planning Manual. Ginnie can help find the material most appropriate to your needs and also come consult with and/or train your leaders.

2. If you don’t already have the information sheets on developing congregational support teams for those going on mission trips, contact the Presbytery. Also, if you have some ideas about how to do this, please share them so we can expand the possibilities

3. One simple way to help members not going on the trip can “connect” with the mission experience is by wearing prayer wrist bands (like used in hospitals) with the names of the members who are going. These bands serve as reminders to pray regularly and also as a witness to others of the church’s involvement in mission. As a pilot program, we have ordered a limited quantity of wrist bands onto which names of team members can be printed. We can 1) send you a sample, 2) print up a limited number (no more than 50, on a first come, first served basis), or 3) direct you to the source so you can order your own.

SPEAKERS AVAILABLE THROUGH PRESBYTERY

1. Get a big bang for your buck at the annual Global Missions Celebration on Sunday, July 13. See enclosed flyer and registration form. Susan Ryan is an informed and inspirational speaker. And there’s a youth track. Please contact Ginnie Stevens if you have young people who would like to share about their mission trip experiences.

2. Many ministers and members of PWNC congregations have had mission experiences that your congregation may want to learn about. Below are a few very broad topics on which people can speak for a church night supper, Sunday School class, youth group, Minute for Mission etc.
Ø Countries: Guatemala, Mexican Border, Honduras, Malawi
Ø Guatemala Partnership
Ø Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (in this country or in Malawi)
Ø 2 Cents a Meal at Work (Guatemalan health program, Malawi, WNC- in one area or a combination)

3. Invitations from Churches
Ø The Rev. Robert M. Paterson, of New Zealand, will be speaking at Waldensian Presbyterian Church in Valdese (one mile north of Exit 111 on I-40) on Wednesday, June 18. The meal is at 6:00 pm & the program at 6:30. From 1975 to 1999 Dr. Paterson was a missionary in Indonesia (the fourth most populous country in the world), teaching the Hebrew Scriptures in the ecumenical seminary and publishing commentaries in the Indonesian language on several Old Testament books.
Ø Glen and Carol Hallead, PCUSA mission personnel in Thailand, will be speaking on Wednesday, July 16 at FPC, Highlands. You can come for dinner at 6 PM or after just for the program. ($5; reservations helpful, 828- 526-3175)

MISSION PROJECTS

1. Collect inactive digital cell phones and help support the family of Dr. Barbara Nagy in mission. If your Presbyterian Women are not already collecting them, bring them to the Global Missions Celebration on July 13.

2. Health and school kits are in high demand around the world (Malawi alone has requested 18,000 kits) and the stock in the warehouse is very low. A great VBS mission project. Description of kits available from Presbytery.

3. “Just out!” 75% of Presbytery’s portion of the Peacemaking Offering will be sent to purchase AIDS Home-base Care kits for Malawi. We have heard that the supplies are being warehoused at the home of Frank and Nancy Dimmock, mission personnel from this Presbytery. Look for more information on the Presbytery web site in July and also in the next monthly mailing.

MISSION EDUCATION

1. Fall, 2003: School for Laity Mission Course. See enclosed flyer.

2. Saturday, August 23, Growing in Grace. Many workshops related to outreach and mission.
Booklets will be mailed to churches shortly. See enclosed flyer.

3. Mission Yearbook for Prayer and Study and the Children’s Mission Yearbook must be ordered and paid for by June 15 in order to get the reduced price. Contact Robbin at Presbytery office for more information.

HISPANIC MINISTRY

1. A Hispanic Ministry Network is being set up in Presbytery. There are individuals in each cluster who are willing to come and talk with sessions and mission committees who may want to embark on ministry with Hispanics.

2. Come Sunday, June 8, 5:00 PM, to celebrate the arrival of Rev. Martin Concepcion as pastor of the new church development La Iglesia Presbiteriana Emmanuel in Hickory. Following the worship service there will be a covered dish supper. All are invited to participate in this joyous occasion. Call Presbytery office for a map.

For more info on any of the above, contact Ginnie (828-438-4217; vestevens2@aol.com)