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Kevin’s Korner Hello all, This morning, August 9, 2007, I was praying the following Psalm: “…a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than live in the tents of wickedness. For the LORD God is a sun and shield; he bestows favor and honor. No good thing does the LORD withhold from those who walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you. (Psalm 84:10-12, NRSV) I stalled on the first partial sentence, and said, “Yes! I believe this.” “Where are God’s courts?” is a good question to help me enter into this that I believe. The most obvious answer for us is, “church.” We gather in the church’s courts to meet God, to tell God, to ask God, to receive from God, to give to God. You see? Looking further, it’s all there in the psalm. We give by serving as doorkeepers, i.e. all that it takes to maintain the good courts of God’s place, the church, and to maintain worship, and mission. Like the psalmist, we are not pleased to do anything that has to do with living in tattered tents where wickedness is, where God’s presence is not wanted. We would rather do the most humble thing, like door keeping, in order to be in the presence of holiness, our holy God. Any place that does not wish to serve as host to God is no place for me. Standing outside opening and closing the church’s door is better than being inside somewhere God is not. God gives us what is written in the psalm, and more than words can limit. And we are happy, content, even as doorkeepers. Oh, before I close this installment, I must say that I have enjoyed, especially this summer, taking time in some of God’s other courts: Dolly Sods, Seneca Rocks, and Seneca Creek backcountry. Awesome! Until next time…Enjoy. --Kevin |
McDowell Presbyterian Minister to Speak on Iraq Want to learn what is really going on in Iraq and the Middle East from someone who has lived and worked among the people? If that fits you, your golden opportunity is just around the corner. On Tuesday, October 2, at 7:00 p.m. at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Franklin, Rev. Beth Pyles, Presbyterian minister and pastor of McDowell Presbyterian Church and Headwaters Chapel in Highland County, Virginia, will speak about her experiences as a Reservist with Christian Peacemaker Teams (CPT). CPT is a faith-based violence reduction group with teams in areas of conflict around the world. Beth, who calls herself a “part-time” minister spends up to two months a year with CPT on its Iraq team. Since 2005 she has served twice in Baghdad and once in the KRG (the Kurdish area in northern Iraq). When not in Iraq she spreads Jesus’ message of peace to her congregations and to the people of our mountain home. Beth is the mother of three and a proud new grandmother. She practiced law in West Virginia for 22 years before attending Princeton Theological Seminary and joining the Christian Peacemakers. Everyone is encouraged to attend this interesting talk by an astonishingly dynamic speaker. People with opposing views are heartily welcomed. Cookies and coffee will be served. |
Youth on the Move... It would be great if the youth of our churches met weekly, discussed their faith, planned how they could engage actively in worship, and talked about how they could lead younger kids and help others in their community and around the world. This sounds like a tall order but that is exactly what they have been up to… The youth of our church are now meeting weekly for fellowship. The older youth have been meeting on Tuesday nights. The focus of these meetings has been to develop leadership skills, deepen f?ith, provide opportunities for service, and foster a comfortable environment for Christian fellowship. The Youth Committee feels that our churches have talented youth and we would like to give them a chance to use their talents and skills in the church. A goal of the youth group meetings is to have all of the young people in our collective churches more actively involved in worship. This includes having the youth lead part or all of an upcoming worship service. Other goals including having the older youth work with the children during our children’s ministry meetings. The Youth have also identified some of their own priorities. These include: helping local organizations, supporting each other at local events, planning youth retreats, going to Christian rock concerts, planning a mission trip to a city, and creating a space to call their own during their fellowship time. These meetings have been for youth 7th grade and up. Starting on 9/18 we will add the children of our churches to these meetings. Children will be separated into two groups (2nd through 6th grade) and (1st grade and under). The meetings are currently Tuesday nights from 5:30 -7:00 pm. Beginning in October, the meetings will switch to Sunday nights (to accommodate the busy sports schedules of the youth). The youth of the Presbyterian churches are encouraged to bring friends. Youth meetings are open to the community. Current meeting time and location: Tuesday night 5:30-7:00 pm Franklin Presbyterian Church Check for updates and future announcements at http://www.franklinpc.org/WorshipandActivities/UpcomingEvents.dsp |
Ruddle Receives Scholarship Janet Ruddle, daughter of Charles and Sheila Ruddle, recently was awarded a scholarship from Shenandoah Presbytery following her application for the scholarship and endorsement of her scholarship by the session. Janet is beginning her junior year at Marshall University in Huntington, majoring in Dietetics. The Funds Administration Committee of Shenandoah Presbytery recently awarded the scholarships in the amount of $375 to 18 deserving applicants from across the Presbytery. The proceeds of three individual endowments presented to the Presbytery provided a large portion of these scholarships. Another source has been a fourth endowment known as the Blue Fund, which has funded not only college scholarships, but other endeavors of the Presbytery, such as summer camp scholarships. These are gifts from those who have had the means to endow the Presbytery after they have died, and the Funds Administration Committee has been entrusted to honor their bequests. The last time Scholarships had been offered was in 2004, but it is the hope that the committee can offer college scholarships each year. The presbytery is grateful to those who have committed to see that education continues to be a valued part of growth. |
Presbyterian Women to Begin 2007-2008 Bible Study in September Presbyterian Women (PW) of the Franklin Church participate in monthly Bible studies at member’s homes. This time of study and fellowship serves to enrich the lives of those in attendance. The PW Horizons Bible Study beginning in September for 2007-2008 is Above and Beyond: Hearing God’s Call in Jonah and Ruth. What does it mean to hear God’s call? It is often assumed that only those who go into some kind of formal, full-time ministry have heard a “call.” In the 2007-2008 Horizons Bible study, Above and Beyond: Hearing God’s Call in Jonah and Ruth, Old Testament scholar and pastor Carol Bechtel looks at what God’s call meant for Jonah and Ruth. Not just a “fish story” or “Cinderella tale”, these biblical books, says Bechtel, offer us insight into what it means for each of us to hear and heed God’s call. No matter where you are on your life’s journey, this study will challenge you to ask, “What am I called to do? Who am I called to be? What am I called to say?
Franklin Presbyterian Church PW Coordinating Team Moderator - Marian Wilfong Vice Moderator - Becky Jenkins Secretary - Virginia Byers Treasurer - Lula Belle Kline Historian - Mary Lee Ruddle Search Moderator - Carolyn Ruddle Mission Ministries - Sheila Ruddle Worship & Resources - Celia Miller Hope Circle Moderator - Nancy Sites Faith Circle Moderator - Lula Belle Kline Friendship Circle Moderator - Marian Wilfong |
Session Highlights: June - August, 2007 • Adopted revised job duties for church custodial position • Approved tuning of basement piano • Approved DSL Internet access for the church office, since it is now available from Verizon • Hired Cathy Dowdy to serve as the church custodian, following recommendation from the interviewing committee • Approved two church use requests • Approved replacement of manse windows by Jesse Eckard with more energy efficient windows • Approved replacement of the remaining church basement windows (that were not replaced during the basement remodeling) by Jesse Eckard • Voted to seek another party to construct the basement handicap ramp, since the original party has made no progress in getting the work done • Invited Sean and Bethany Walker to speak about their mission work in Tajikistan in October • Determined that interest was sufficient to compile a pictorial directory of church members, which will take place in the spring • Approved purchase of new learning materials for use with Children’s Church Membership Statistics for the Quarter 1 - marriage
0 - baptisms
0 - births
1 - death
2 - membership transfers to another church |
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