Out & About

Dear <<First Name>>,
Here are the latest happenings in the Presbytery of East Iowa.

Prayers for Our Churches

In each issue of Out and About we highlight two churches to keep in our prayers. Please pray for these two churches:

• Fort Madison, Union Presbyterian Church - served by Rev. Nancy Love
• Hazelton, First Presbyterian Church - served by Mr. Duane Olson

Winning

by Rebecca Blair, Stated Clerk

Winning. We all like that winning feeling, don’t we? Winning brings us accolades, acceptance, power, control. To the victor belongs the spoils. From the first few times we manage to prevail in competitions, whether from superior skills or plain old dumb luck, winning hooks us.

Those of us who engage in sports, either directly on the field or court, or indirectly in the bleachers or on the sofa, know the thrill of being part of something bigger than ourselves within competition. The deep connections that come from loyalty to “our team, our side,” the dedicated preparation of the competitors to be fitter, smarter, stronger than the competition, the giddy exultation when “we” prevail in the fray, and the collective focus on the wise mantra that “winning isn’t everything; it’s the only thing.”

From the elementary school playground on, we learn how to choose the winning team, how to be winners. And we bitterly complain and suffer when we fall short, when our strategies fail or our preparation proves to be insufficient. Because no one likes to be a loser—the one who is weaker, unchosen, vulnerable, disempowered, vanquished. In fact, we like winning so much that we have applied the winning principle within many cultural institutions as the measure of success: business negotiations, political frays, church life.

But, see, Jesus of all people mucks up winning for those of us in the church. He stands with the losers—those who are not fitter, smarter, insiders, power brokers. He calls us to be servants, those who occupy humbled roles. He reminds us that competition amounts to nothing more than vanity in which we can puff ourselves up for a brief moment.

He asks us not to compete with others, but to care for them. Not to align our fortunes with the winners, but to sit with those who are cast out. Not to think and act for our own advantage, but to think and act to lift up everyone around us, especially those whom we consider “the least.” He invites us to step away from contention, from the joy of vanquishing the competition, to think and act in a different frame, a “better way.” He encourages us to be accountable for our missteps—when we hurt others, when we act from selfish motivations, when we promise more than we can deliver, when we fall short.

Following Christ is more important than winning—we know this, right?

PW FUN FACT, More in the Series “Former PWP Leaders”

by Beth Jensen, Moderator of Presbyterian Women of East Iowa

This issue’s article highlights two of our more recent PWP moderators Karen Bartel and Sharon Getty.

Karen served as moderator, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Karen hails from New Hope Church, Davenport. As our PWP moderator she had the opportunity to serve on the Synod PW Coordinating Team. She not only served as the representative for the ladies of our Presbytery but she also served as editor of the Synod PW newsletter, “The Sower”. She continued to editor The Sower and serve on the Synod CT long after her term as our moderator was completed. In addition to her duties at the Synod level she graciously accept the call to be the Treasurer for PWP and just this fall said yes to another term as treasurer. In her spare time she stays busy as the Presbytery’s financial administrator and being involved in her local PW.

Our most recent past Moderator Sharon Getty is a member of Bettendorf Presbyterian Church. Her term was from January 2014 through December 2016. Prior to becoming Moderator she served as vice-moderator for three years. A responsibility of the office of PW Moderator is serving on the Synod Coordinating Team representing the women of East Iowa. Sharon did that as well as wrote a column for The Sower, the Synod PW newsletter. Sharon was the voice behind “Ask Ms. PW” a question and answer column pertaining to anything PW. Sharon continues her service to PWP by serving on the CT as Cluster Leader for our local PW groups in the western area of our Presbytery. She has recently passed the torch for two other Coordinating Team responsibilities to two other women. She capably served as Greater Gifts (SERVE) liaison and Literature leader for the past two years. An interesting tidbit about Sharon is that she has attended Churchwide Gatherings since 1988, the first one held after the merger of the two women’s organizations. Way to go, you rock.

Thanks to both these ladies for their faithful service to our Lord and Savior and to Presbyterian Women.

Stanwood and Muscatine PW

compiled by Lana Heilig, Eastern Cluster Leader

Stanwood Union Church
The women of Stanwood Union Church meet five times a year. They host a breakfast in May and a Thanksgiving potluck in November. They are active in all church activities and many community projects. Their support of PW includes the Birthday and Thank Offerings and a pledge to World Wide Mission work. We are grateful for the support and faithfulness of this group of women!! Marilyn Jackson is currently serving as Moderator of this group.

Muscatine First Presbyterian Church
Muscatine First Presbyterian Church women no longer meet formally , however, they continue to work together to serve the church family and its neighbors. They support the PW Birthday and Thank Offerings and the World Wide Mission Pledge each year. Their faithful support is appreciated. Roberta House is in charge for this group.

Washington PW

The Washington PW tells us that they support PWP because it keeps them informed of what is not only happening all around East Iowa but most importantly what is happening in their own backyard! For example some of their ladies attended Spring Workshop at Winfield and learned about a mission project spearheaded by one of their own. Well, his parents are members at the Washington Church so he technically isn’t one of their own but close enough. Anyway his project, Mission Mobility, became the recipient of their November and December local mission offering that year. Mission Mobility is run by Rick Fulton from Crawfordsville. They recycle wheelchairs and walkers and ship them to countries that are in dire need of mobility options for their handicapped citizens. Betty Colby, current moderator remarked “Who knew? I don’t know how we missed Rick’s project for so long! I am so glad we attended Spring Workshop.”

They also hosted the fall PWP Coordinating Team (CT) meeting, Sat., Nov. 3. It worked out well for the CT because every Saturday the Washington Church opens their kitchen to various community groups who in turn provides a lunch to the community. The Saturday we were there the Washington PEO chapters were hostess and we got invited to eat with them. They made the phrase “Come to the table” real for us and for that we thank them. Thank you also for providing us a meeting room and our morning coffee. 

Linn Grove Hosts Tribute for Longtime Organist

Pasrur School Update

Statement on the Commission on Ministry Associate Position

As part of our ongoing restructuring, the Presbytery of East Iowa no longer has the Commission on Ministry Associate Position.
 
Background
For nearly a year, the Presbytery of East Iowa has been moving toward a new model of mission and ministry, also known as “restructuring.” The document Discovering and Claiming Our Common Calling was approved by the body at the 180^th Stated Meeting held at Iowa City First on January 13, 2018 with the understanding that we would work toward implementation of the new structure by July 1, 2018.
 
One of the fundamental changes in this new structure is the move from a Commission on Ministry (COM) to the Ministerial Relations Teams, which includes Ministers and Congregations Commission (MCC), Church Development and Vitality Team (CDV) and the Leadership Development Team. Many of the functions remain the same but the intent in all the committees is to move from being a staff-driven, top-down organization to a more horizontal organization governed by elected groups of presbyters.
 
To this end, when the Commission on Ministry ended its work and the Ministers and Congregations Commission began in August 2018, the Commission on Ministry Associate Position also ceased to exist. Harry Hoyt’s tenure as COM Associate ended on September 30, 2018.
 
Going Forward
Many of you may be wondering, “Now what?” The functions of the COM Associate is now being done by multiple people:

• Background checks of candidates– Stated Clerk Rebecca Blair
• Provide references to other judicatories upon request- Stated Clerk Rebecca Blair
• Church Leadership Connection liaison for matching pastors and congregations – Teaching Elder John Hougen, member of MCC
• Conflict Resolution – Teaching Elder Danie deBeer, moderator of Congregational Development and Vitality Team
• Questions about Interims, calling a new pastor, etc. – Teaching Elder Jennifer Jennings, moderator of MCC

Per Capita and Pastoral Compensation Recommendations

At the 185th Stated Meeting, the Presbytery approved 2019 Per Capita and 2019 Recommendations for Pastoral Compensation.

Per Capita is set at $38 for 2019.  For a detailed analysis of how Per Capita is calculated, please click here.

Following the Recommendations of MCC, the Presbytery approved changes to the Pastoral Compensation guidelines.  For a breakdown the newly approved changes, click here.  The Compensation and Benefits Manual will be updated in the coming weeks.

Communications Corner 

Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will be part of #GivingTuesday

By Pat Cole | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE — On the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) will once again participate in a celebration of giving that is observed around the globe.

#GivingTuesday, which this year falls on Nov. 27, is described by its organizers as “a global day of giving that harnesses the collective power of individuals, communities and organizations to encourage philanthropy and to celebrate generosity worldwide.” Following the widely recognized shopping events of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, #GivingTuesday presents an opportunity to kick off the giving season by inspiring people to collaborate and give back.

Within the PC(USA), opportunities to make a #GivingTuesday gift will range from the national level to congregations. A Presbyterian #GivingTuesday webpage offers several giving options for Presbyterian Mission Agency ministries and other PC(USA) causes. The PMA giving opportunities include the “greatest need,” Compassion Peace & Justice, Public Witness and Advocacy, World Mission, Young Adult Volunteers, the Christmas Joy Offering, the Presbyterian Giving Catalog, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, 1001 New Worshiping Communities, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, and Racial Equity and Women’s Intercultural Ministries.

For more information, click here to navigate to the PC (USA) Giving Tuesday Website.

Clerks of Session Information

• Go online to http://oga.pcusa.org/section/churchwide-ministries/stats/statistical-reporting-faq/
• Under the heading “Statistical Reporting and Frequently Asked Questions,” you will find a link that is labeled “Go to the Online Statistics Entry System.”  Click on this link!
• You will be taken to the statistics entry page.  Please enter your User ID (your church PIN preceded by a zero and ending with an exclamation point) and your password.  Contact Rebecca (319-930-7470/rblair@peia.org) or Julia (319-354-9220/julia@peia.org) if you need your User ID or password.
• This year’s form is much shorter than in past years.  Also, there is no workbook this year.  Instead, instructions for each entry are included with that entry.  The form also automatically calculates as you enter data, so no advanced math is required!
• Click “Accept” when you finish each page—and you are done!  It’s that easy!

Visit the Holy Land, Israel and Jordan, with Presbyterians from PEIA.

Visit the Holy Land, Israel and Jordan, with Presbyterians from PEIA First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant has arranged a trip to Israel and Jordan and would like to invite others from East Iowa. We will be going March 12-27, 2019 and are looking for a group of 15-20 people. Please see the attached information which includes the proposed itinerary and also the pricing and other information. If you have interest or questions, please email Sarah Hegar or call 319-217-9444.

Holy Land 2019 Proposed Itinerary
Mt Pleasant Pricing

Presbyterian Youth Triennium is July 16-20, 2019

Our Presbytery is once again sending a delegation to PYT. All churches are invited to include youth who are currently in 9th-12th grades.  For those churches wishing to participate please contact Sarah Hegar  (319-217-9444) who is serving as our delegation Registrar.  For more information go to www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org

It is our goal to have our delegation established and registered by January 11, 2019.  NOW IS THE TIME to start having conversations and getting your youth committed!

Jobs! Jobs! Jobs!

Don't forget to take a look at our jobs postings.

Go to our Employment Page to check out all the job postings.