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                            Photo thanks to Mohammed Nohassi from Unsplash

June 3, 2021 - Be Open to the Spirit

Welcome to the MIDWEEK MUSINGS,
our bi-weekly newsletter to equip, spark and grow our mutual ministries.  We invite you to share our publication with your church and community ... with thanks!
                                           

"Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit ." ~John 3:6
 
856th Stated Meeting of Presbytery

The May 25th Stated Meeting of Presbytery was live streamed on YouTube and includes commissioner orientation, a vibrant worship service and the full Presbytery meeting.  During the meeting commissioners:
  • Approved the proposed Presbytery meeting dates for 2022 
  • Designated Presbytery's portion of the Pentecost Offering to support DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) ... Be sure to provide your offering by Monday, June 7 through our online payment system.
  • Approved the purchase of equipment to facilitate hybrid Presbytery meetings commencing September, 2021
  • Endorsed the Poor People's Campaign as part of our commitment to being a Matthew 25 Presbytery
The body also received committee reports, welcomed Revs. Barbara Hedges-Goettl (Interim Pastor to Makemie Memorial PC) and Len Hedges-Goettl (Member-at-Large) and announced the re-opening of the Trustees COVID-19 loan program through August 31, 2021.  The Pandemic Loan Assistance document is now available on our website.

Did you miss the meeting and would like the opportunity to view it online?  Click on "Release the Fire" above to connect to the online video.
CONNECT NOW TO MINUTES OF THE 856th


What kind of leader is God preparing and calling for the next generation of church leadership?
Training
Training and Equipping for Elders and Deacons

Join NCP Connectional Presbyter/Stated Clerk, Rev. Cindy Kohlmann for the third monthly education online event on June 17, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. Access the Zoom meeting link from the Presbytery online calendar. Click on the event to view full access information.
MONTHLY EDUCATION/TRAINING RESOURCES

Did you miss the April 21 "Unique Clerk Responsibilities" or May 20 "Worship Training for Elders and Deacons"? 

The recorded video and worship training resources are available online.
Matthew 25- 
The Poor People's Campaign shares tools and a call for a third reconstruction to fully address poverty and low-wealth in America. The movement: 
  • Resolves to guarantee quality healthcare for all 
  • Resolves to implement a living wage 
  • Resolves to guarantee the right to clean water
View the toolkit, register to participate in Moral Monday, June 7 and the National Poor People's Assembly June 21 through their website.
NCP Session Minutes Review for 2020
During the 856th Stated Meeting of Presbytery on May 25, Connectional Presbyter/Stated Clerk Cindy Kohlmann provided an update regarding the review of 2020 session minutes within her Connectional Presbyter report as follows:
 
“Minutes Review and Leadership Training
Mark your calendars! We’re going to experiment with a different way of reviewing session minutes and providing leadership training! Tracy and I are going to approach this as a team, with me working with clerks of session and Tracy working with whoever else from the congregation wants to participate. The idea is to bring a carload and deepen the impact of these opportunities.
 
Our plan is to have one gathering on Sunday, August 15 at 3 p.m. in the northern part of the Presbytery and a second gathering on Sunday, August 22 at 3 p.m. in the southern part of the Presbytery. If necessary, we will plan for a third gathering on a different day and time in the center of the Presbytery. Once locations are set, they will be shared with clerks of session and session moderators.”
 
The August 22 gathering has been confirmed at Seaford Presbyterian Church, 701 Bridgeville Highway, Seaford, DE. As soon as we have the August 15 location confirmed, we’ll notify clerks of session via email and through the Midweek Musings.  View Cindy’s full report here and associated reports of the Presbytery meeting on the one click docket located on our meeting webpage: https://www.ncpresbytery.org/resources/docket/.   
Supporting Pride Month
From the Presbyterian News Service, 6/1/2021 ... 

Pro-noun equals pro-identity

"Not only can it spare people needless pain, using preferred pronouns and gender identities is a justice issue"
by the Rev. Shanea D. Leonard


"LOUISVILLE - Not one day goes by that I am not misgendered in some way.  Sometimes it is intentional. Most often is it just a mistake. Either way, it is a micro-aggression that I have learned will probably be a part of my journey for the rest of my life. " 

"For the first time I felt like I was living into the language of my uniqueness that I had in an internal chatter for so long."  Read the full article. 
Our Pastors - Prayer Request
On the passing of Honorably Retired Minister Member Elizabeth Doty

We have sadly learned of the passing of honorably retired minister member The Rev. Elizabeth (Beth) Doty surrounded by family and loved ones on May 27, 2021. Beth relocated to Asheville, North Carolina a few years ago to reside close to her son and his family.  Funeral arrangements are being made in the Rehoboth Beach, DE area.  Information regarding the arrangements will be shared when they become available.  Please hold Beth’s family and dear friends in prayer.
 
“Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice and no one will take away your joy.” ~John 16:22

 
Our Churches -
Presbyterian Church of Dover
UPDATE!
PCOD COVID Memorial Garden featured in the
Presbyterian News Service, June 2, 2021



View the expanded article, including the video story of the memorial, and rejoice in the creativity and dedication to community by the Presbyterian Church of Dover.
 
Our Partnerships - Guatemala
Supporting our Sisters in Guatemala
 
Day in and day out our sisters in Guatemala are hard at work providing for their families, strengthening their communities and empowering themselves.  Their efforts are fortified by our partners on the ground and by generous individuals and churches, like you.  From providing 530 families with food staples and a steady supply of eggs, to fuel-efficient stoves and revolving funds for empowerment training and prayer partnerships, your donations are working to support our sisters each and every day. 
View the full article and opportunities for support
NCP Interfaith Peacemaker- Rev.Tom Davis
An Inspirational Concert for all ages

As a veteran I was grateful and proud to view the PBS broadcast of the National Memorial Day Concert.  Veterans of WWII, the Vietnam War, the Korean War, the Gulf wars, and the Afghanistan conflict were honored, as well as nurses and first responders.  The music of different genres was inspiring and very well performed.  The narration between selections often involved personal stories. 
 
For another two weeks the concert can be seen at: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dlSj6PwmYA8
 
Synod of the Mid-Atlantic - 
Synod Assembly Highlights


The 247th Synod Assembly, held virtually on March 13, 2021 was a Matthew 25 design with more than 50 commissioners, correspo9nding members and presenters participating. View the full summary online.
Possible Scam Alert!
If you received an email from viewmyfax.com requesting you log-in and update your information through a specified link, you may want to reconsider doing so.  Viewmyfax.com is currently listed as suspicious on “scamanalyze.com” and the Presbytery does not use them for faxing. If you do not recall using the service, we suggest you do not click on the link.  Go through your official log-in to re-establish any updates to your accounts, whether it's for this service for any other service provider.  


Congregational Care Coordinator

Central Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) in Downingtown, PA, is seeking a Congregational Care Coordinator to envision, organize and implement a quality program to deliver support services and spiritual care for our members. Includes working with the Deacons to arrange visits, phone calls, prayer sessions and the delivery of meals when needed. Position is 20 hrs./week and reports to the Head of Staff. Qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in a related field and 2 yrs. of experience in compassionate care. Requires confidentiality, compassion, good time management, excellent communication skills and basic computer skills. Requires FBI, PA State and Child Abuse Clearances, plus clean MVR and ability to drive. Qualified applicants should submit resume to personnel@cpcdowningtown.org. 

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PASTORS WEEKLY GATHERINGS
ZOOM meeting times:
Tuesdays, 9 a.m. – General sharing time
Wednesdays, 9 a.m. – Lectio Divina and prayer
Thursdays, 12 p.m. –Transformational pastors

Pastors are gathering with Presbytery staff “online” through Zoom each week to laugh, share experiences, ask questions, and find support.  All pastors are invited to join us at one or more of these times.  A link to join the ZOOM meetings is sent each Monday.  Misplaced the email? 
Contact the administrative office and we'll send it to you!
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Website
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Email
Visit NCP's Website here
Presbytery staff are here to serve you!
The NCP physical office is closed during this time, however the staff are available via email and cell phone.  "Normal" business hours, with noted sabbath exceptions, include: 

Monday-Thursday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
Friday closed  (limited staff available via email)

SABBATH DAYS: 
Tracy Keenan - Fridays
Cindy Kohlmann - Mondays 
Donna Scully - Fridays with limited availability and Weekends 
Jerry Hunter - Thursdays and Weekends

UPCOMING HOLIDAY OFFICE CLOSURES INCLUDE: 
Monday, July 5 (in observance of the July 4 holiday on Sunday)

View the ABOUT tab and OUR TEAM on our website for contact information.
 
NCP Mailing Address:
1102 W. Church Road, Newark, DE 19711
( Please email or call the Presbytery administrator before mailing important letters/packages to insure your information is not delayed.)


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