Our Journey Through Lent

To the pastors and congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. As followers of Christ, our journey through Lent has begun. Originally a time of instruction and preparation for baptism of those who were new to the Christian faith, we know it as a season for reflection and rededication of one’s faith in preparation for Jesus’ crucifixion, death, and resurrection on Easter morning. In commenting on the Lenten journey, Gradye Parsons writes, “The journey through Lent often involves a series of paths that require us to pass through a gate so that we can continue moving forward in faith” (Open to Me the Gates, Witherspoon Press, 2012). He continues by pointing out how the gate in an ancient city was a great “equalizer”—regardless of one’s position in life, it was necessary to pass through the gate to tend to daily tasks or business. It was also a place where people gathered for various reasons. The other journey we are on at present is the one leading to the 220th General Assembly in Pittsburgh this summer (June 29–July 7). In a way, the process that church councils are using to overture the assembly is a great equalizer—every ruling elder who comes to the session table, and every ruling and teaching elder who gathers as a commissioner for a presbytery meeting, are equal to one another in their discernment and decision-making as a council. The same will be true of the ruling and teaching elders that are elected by presbyteries to be commissioners at the General Assembly itself. As the apostle Paul wrote, “The eye cannot say to the hand, ‘I have no need of you,’ nor again the head to the feet, ‘I have no need of you.’ ... Now you are the body of Christ and individually members of it” (1 Cor. 12:21, 27). It is easy to find divisions near home and far away on the other side of the globe. Unfortunately, when we focus on divisions, we miss those things we share in common with all of God’s children. The good news is that the church is God’s gift to us as a place where we can gather and be together, sharing our humanity, our joys and concerns, and our frailties and strengths. It is where we are offered and receive forgiveness. It is where we all are surprised by grace. Thanks be to God! May our common witness to our unity in Christ deepen throughout our Lenten journey and our journey toward Pittsburgh. Faithfully yours, Gradye Parsons, Stated Clerk of the General Assembly Linda Valentine, Executive Director of the General Assembly Mission Council

2010.05.10 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning from Pilgrim Presbyterian Church.

Sometimes our Christian life calls us to tasks which involve effort and energy. Often it is easier and more comfortable to stay where we are, so we resist the call. Happily that is not true in our small congregation of 50 members. Spurred on by Joyce Dishman, chairperson of our Mission and Outreach Committee, I want to share with you a Minute for Mission which Joyce presented to the congregation, accompanied by graphs, on the last Sunday in April. Thank you Joyce!

There are many ways we as a congregation contribute to various mission projects. Each month we send $150.00 to Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery for general missions making a yearly total of $1,800.00 The yearly budgeted local missions include the following: Malawi Partnership: $300; Dwight Mission: $1,000; Ministerial Alliance: $300; Salvation Army Backpack Program: $200. Also we budget $180 per year for the Theological Education Fund which aids in developing mission-minded leaders for the Church. This year we gave $475.00 to the One Great Hour of Sharing which is an increase over last year’s offering.

In non-budgeted missions it is very important to say thank you for the generosity in donations of time and resources to our church and our community. It is impressive considering all that we do to enrich and empower, and assist others. Your generous support is very much appreciated, and in a few weeks we will extend an opportunity for continued support to some projects that will be set up in the Narthex. This church really can make a difference!

2008.06.02 Monday Morning!

Top of the morning and best wishes from sunny and bright Vinita, Oklahoma, where Pilgrim Presbyterian Church still sends out Christ's good news from the corner of Illinois and Thompson!


John Grisham, a noted author, speaking recently to a gathering of 15,000 Baptists in Atlanta, said: "For so long, so many Baptists have worked so hard to exclude so many!"


It was Luke 4:18-19 that challenged Grisham, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and others to advocate respect in diversity at this Atlanta gathering.


Presbyterians might do well to take a page out of this Baptist initiative. We need to find a way out of our bitter infighting, which is divisive and unfaithful to our Lord and Master, Jesus Christ.


I hope the Presbyterian General Assembly, which will meet in San Jose, California on June 20-28, will listen carefully to this passage, Luke 4:18-19. How honest are we when we sing: "We are one in the Spirit, one in the Lord, and they'll know we are Christians by our love"?


Pray for peace and unity, real peace and unity among us.


Richard