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 Dear Friends,
My first Call as a Pastor in Rochester, NY, lasted 6 years. My second Call in Niskayuna, NY, lasted 19 years. And then for some reason known only to God, I found myself in Interim Ministry. I have been engaged in Interim/Transitional Ministry for the past eight years, and it is a gift to come alongside congregations in a time of transition of pastoral leadership. But it is a time of congregational transition as well, and that is vital to remember.
This morning I read a great article in Presbyterian Outlook by Interim Pastor Thomas Wesley Moore entitled "Transitional Ministry is for Everyone." Yes, the title says it all. All of us as the churches and leaders of PNNE need to see our mission and ministry in constant transition. It is part of out spiritual DNA, that we are ever Reformed and REFORMING. Indeed, transition implies movement, and may we be ever moving forward and be open to the transformative power of the Spirit in our lives together as a Presbytery.
Joy and Peace,
Scott.
P.S. Note that links to events previously included in this newsletter have been moved to the bottom of this newsletter.
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Gospel reading for Friday, September 2: John 9:18-41
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The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight and asked them, "Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?" His parents answered, "We know that this is our son, and that he was born blind; but we do not know how it is that now he sees, nor do we know who opened his eyes. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself." His parents said this because they were afraid of the Jews; for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who confessed Jesus to be the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue. Therefore his parents said, "He is of age; ask him."
So for the second time they called the man who had been blind, and they said to him, "Give glory to God! We know that this man is a sinner." He answered, "I do not know whether he is a sinner. One thing I do know, that though I was blind, now I see." They said to him, "What did he do to you? How did he open your eyes?" He answered them, "I have told you already, and you would not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become his disciples?" Then they reviled him, saying, "You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." The man answered, "Here is an astonishing thing! You do not know where he comes from, and yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but he does listen to one who worships him and obeys his will. Never since the world began has it been heard that anyone opened the eyes of a person born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." They answered him, "You were born entirely in sins, and are you trying to teach us?" And they drove him out.
Jesus heard that they had driven him out, and when he found him, he said, "Do you believe in the Son of Man?" He answered, "And who is he, sir? Tell me, so that I may believe in him." Jesus said to him, "You have seen him, and the one speaking with you is he." He said, "Lord, I believe." And he worshiped him. Jesus said, "I came into this world for judgment so that those who do not see may see, and those who do see may become blind." Some of the Pharisees near him heard this and said to him, "Surely we are not blind, are we?" Jesus said to them, "If you were blind, you would not have sin. But now that you say, 'We see,' your sin remains."
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- Maine ranks 1st in New England in terms of childhood food insecurity
- 20% of Maine kids, or 50,000 children, are food insecure
- Feeding America estimates 182,000 Mainers will experience hunger in 2021, compared to about 167,000 in 2019
- Before the pandemic, 12.3% of Mainers were food insecure. At the height of the pandemic, that number jumped to 14.7%. Thanks to our resilient food pantries and other agencies in our state, and the generosity of Mainers, we anticipate Maine’s hunger rate will level off at 13.5% this year, which is still higher than our pre-pandemic food insecurity level.
Source: Good Shepherd Food Bank of Maine
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Resources at PCUSA:
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 “Lord, catch me off guard today. Surprise me with some moment of beauty or pain so that at least for the moment, I may be startled into seeing that you are here in all your splendor, always and everywhere, barely hidden, beneath, beyond, within this life I breathe.”
-- Frederick Buechner |
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PDA responds to destructive flooding
in multiple areas
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 Mission co-workers are returning to in-person interpretation assignment (IA) for 2022. Interested in hosting a mission co-worker? Contact mission.live@pcusa.org.
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The August issue of Regarding Ruling Elders has been posted online and is the eighth in a series for 2022. The August article is based on question (g) "Do you promise to further the peace, unity, and purity of the church?"
Read "Awkward Pauses" in English, Spanish, and Korean.
"...unity doesn’t mean we are all the same, but rather we equally value one another’s diverse contributions."
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 The PCUSA 2022 Season of Peace is a four-week pilgrimage designed to deepen the pursuit of peace for congregations, small groups, families, and individuals. Through daily “Path of Peace” reflections, “Peace Cards” for children and families, Bible and book studies for adults, children’s curriculum, a coloring poster, an intergenerational peace fair, and other downloadable resources, Participants are invited to define and deepen their calling as peacemakers. This season is a time of encouragement, challenge, inspiration, and education. While these resources are designed to culminate in the Peace & Global Witness Offering, they are appropriate for any time of the year.
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Connecting: For All Ministers
We have two weekly opportunities for ministers to connect for support and encouragement. Click here to join the Zoom meeting at the days and times, below.
- Mondays at 10:00 am
- Tuesdays at 3:00 pm
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If you're interested in serving on a PNNE Committee, contact the Nominating Committee Chair. These are vacancies on PNNE Committees:
- Leadership Commission
- Commission On Ministry
- Commission On Preparation For Ministry (No Vacancies)
- Permanent Judicial Commission (No Vacancies)
- Committee on Representation (No Vacancies)
- Nominating Committee
- Class of 2023 (2)
- Class of 2024 (2)
- Synod Commissioners (Oct 21-22, 2022, in-person Albany)
- Ruling Elder (RE)
- Young Adult Advisory Delegate (YAAD)
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"If you want to know who God is, look at Jesus.
If you want to know what it means to be human, look at Jesus.
If you want to know what love is, look at Jesus.
If you want to know what grief is, look at Jesus.
And go on looking until you’re not just a spectator, but you’re actually part of the drama which has him as the central character."
-- N. T. Wright
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Position Openings
First Presbyterian Church of Barre, Vermont — Interim Pastor
Our congregation is seeking to hire a pastor to serve in an interim position (up to full time) for the next 1-2 years to begin immediately. The main focus of this position is to successfully guide the church, following a long period with a beloved former pastor, through a process of reflection and recalibration to be ready to welcome and be led by a new installed pastor. Learn more and read the full job description. Interested parties should contact Jim Nichols-Fleming, Personnel Committee, FPC Barre.
First Presbyterian Church of Haverhill, MA — Stated Supply Pastor
The purpose of this position is to provide pastoral services as Stated Supply to the First Presbyterian Church of Haverhill. Annual Salary/Housing Allowance commensurate with experience; medical, paid vacation, travel expenses, continuing education reimbursement are negotiable. Please send all inquiries to firstpres_hav@verizon.net or call 978-374-8029.
Londonderry Presbyterian Church (LPC) — Stated Supply Pastor
LPC has been a cornerstone of southern New Hampshire for the last 300 years. We are seeking pastoral leadership (MWS, CRE or ministerial graduate student) to continue the growth of this Biblically grounded congregation, its worship and sacraments (hybrid), education, communications, pastoral care, outreach to the community, nation and world. Full time, manse included. For more information, or to apply with a cover letter and resume (or PIF), email Dr. David E. Walker at psc@lpcnh.net.
Topsham, Vermont, Presbyterian Church — Part-time Pastor
A 200-year-old continuously running, historically restored church is seeking a ¼ time pastor. More details and full MIF can be found here. Located in a scenic Vermont village, our congregation of 40-50 people actively work and worship together like a big family. Music is important to our worship and lead by a professionally trained music director. We provide many community outreach programs, including Sunday School, and mission projects in India and Africa that foster our global perspective. Although ideally located in a rural setting, we have a plethora of cultural activities and medical care nearby. Contact: Tom Otterman. Phone: 802-439-6252
Newburyport, MA - Old South Presbyterian Church – Full Time Pastor
Old South Presbyterian Church in Newburyport is a vibrant, community-based Presbyterian Church in search of a Full-time Teaching Elder. More info on the position and our church can be found HERE, and our full MIF is located here. We are a biblically grounded church seeking to be true to our rich historical heritage by providing a community of worship for all who wish to embrace a faith-centered life in the Christian tradition. Our mission statement: Transform lives by knowing Christ; Train intentional disciples; and Testify to God's love by serving the people of Newburyport and beyond. Contact: Tim Kniker timkniker@gmail.com
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Prayer Calendar
Let us keep HR Minister Edwin Brooks and his wife Ginny in our prayers as Ed is now under hospice care.
And let us continue to remember the family and friends of Frederick Buechner as they mourn and remember...
2022 Common Prayer Calendar
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Penny for Your Thoughts
(Luke 15:8-10)
Never made much sense to me, that woman
in the Bible throwing a “Hooray-I-Found-It” party,
laying out far more than any one lost coin could ever
have been worth. My own lost penny would have bought
even less, a gob-stopper perhaps, or lollipop,
in those early war-time years at the corner sweetie-shop
opposite our West Yorkshire elementary school.
Anyway, it was gone. One of those big, old British coppers –
Boadicea as tails, and good King George as heads –
it sat in my shorts pocket through that tedious school day.
At last the bell signaled the end and the beginning,
and I raced across to spend – at six or seven years old –
my first-ever solo treat. Did I linger outside,
gazing the magic window, prolonging sweet anticipation,
trying to decide? All I can recall is weeping,
standing devastated there beside the chiming door,
my sudden empty pocket dissolving hope into despair.
Then that kind old man, probably far younger than I
who now remember, drying my tears, then digging deep
to replace my lost coin with one of his own. I don’t recall
just what I bought, even how that new-restored delight tasted
on my tongue. What sticks, has stuck for over seventy, often sad,
yet still surprising years, is the bleak enormity of loss.
That and the way that simple acts of kindness can outlast
our deepest disappointments, momentary delights.
Maybe that party wasn’t such a bad idea after all.
J. Barrie Shepherd 6/14
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SYNOD OF NORTHEAST TO OFFER COACH TRAINING
3-day training (15 hours) on Nov. 14-16, 2022
Twelve 2-hour coaching classes (held every 2-3 weeks) of training and coaching
A second 3-day training (15 hours) in June 2023
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Multiple presbyteries have been affected, including the 
