Matthew 5:1-2

            Jesus’ greatest ethical teaching began with seeing. Jesus saw the crowds – for who they were and what they were, in their beauty and blessing as well as their longing and need and fallen humanity. So Jesus went up on a mountainside, where, in Matthew’s Gospel, God-events happen. Jesus sat, taking the posture assumed by a rabbi. Jesus’ disciples came to him, and Jesus began to instruct them about living toward a sacred openness before God.

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How is the Spirit blowing amidst your church? What bit of shelter are you to provide God’s creation? What shade from the sun? What wonder to behold? As we seek together to withstand the howling winds of change roiling through our country, how is the Wind of God helping us to bend but not break, to endure? We, the Church, may not be all that much to look at sometimes, but we still belong to God. How are you being called to blossom?

The work of revitalization continues still, as the need to confront new challenges remains and God’s Spirit never stops leading and guiding. There are seven churches between the two presbyteries who have officially covenanted to participate in the Thrive Project, and still others who, unofficially, are adapting parts of the Thrive Project resources for their ministries. That’s not a huge number, only a bit of leaven, so the question arises: “What about the rest of us?”

Both for those who participate in the Thrive Project and for those who do not, the leadership teams of each presbytery have made available new dollars for new ideas for this new day. The “third season” of the Thrive Project is a season of experimentation and we are encouraging all churches to imagine new possibilities. To help with the process, dollars from the unused restricted funds carried over from the Ignite the Spark! workshops will be offered to churches desiring to try a ministry experiment they would not otherwise be able to afford. Funds are set aside for the churches who have covenanted their participation with the Thrive Project, with remaining funds offered on a first-come, first-served basis. CLICK HERE FOR AN APPLICATION

As we bear fruit, we share the faith with people without hope, we do justice, we practice hospitality, and we are agents of healing. In other words, we are the body of Christ. If the context permits, there will be numerical growth. But no matter the numbers, there will always be spiritual, emotional, and personal growth. When lives change communities change. I cannot think of better leaders for this movement than our older adults.  Registration is $10 per person and will include a healthy lunch.

third thirty flyer

FRIDAY, January 25, 2019
9 a.m.- 2:30 p.m.
First Presbyterian Church, 161 N Mesa Dr, Mesa

REGISTER HERE

Presenters
Dr. Bill Brown, is the William Marcellus McPheeters Professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary and, more importantly, a member of Presbytery de Cristo. Dr. Brown’s most recent book is Sacred Sense: Discovering the Wonder of God’s Word and World, (Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans, 2015). He will present on the connection between our theology of wonder and the work of discernment for ministry.
The Rev. Tom Letts is a Presbyterian pastor, church consultant, and 1,001 New Worshipping Communities coach. As both a church pastor and church planter, the Rev. Letts seeks to engage parishioners in reality-tested decision-making. He will present on how data and demographics lead us to define ministry targets and get real about our commitments.

Schedule

9:00               Welcome and prayer
9:15               Bill Brown: Wonder as the Original Conversation
10:30             Break
10:45             Tom Letts: Data, Demographics, and Decision-Making
12:15             Lunch
1:00               Bill Brown: From Wounded to Wonder
2:30               Closing prayer

Sponsored by Grand Canyon, de Cristo and the New Worshiping Communities West Region

Looking for something different for Lent?  “Lighten Up with the Humor of Jesus” is a short seminar (or online course) published by Udemy from Gary Kush’s Ph.D.  It’s funny yet scholarly.  The course, using multi-media, explores the nature of humor, the types Jesus used, and how His humor influences our understanding of Easter.  Normally $19.95, It’s now available to Presbyterian congregations for free. Fourteen have already registered from Grand Canyon and de Cristo.   Teach it yourself OR ask Gary to lead it OR offer it as an online, self instructional course.  For a preview, click here>> www.webucateu.org  Use the code, HOJ2018.  Call Rev. Dr. Kush to schedule your seminar 480.209.9592.

Cook Native American Ministries Foundation (CNAMF), formerly known as Cook School of Theology, now a national granting organization that supports innovative and educational initiatives aimed at empowering American Indian leadership in churches and communities, announces its inaugural Appreciation and Leadership Awards Banquet and Fundraising Gala.

The event will begin at 5:30 pm on Friday, January 11, 2019 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Phoenix/Tempe, 2100 South Priest Drive, Tempe, Arizona. The evening program includes a silent auction, presentations of leadership awards, introductions of newly installed members of the Board of Directors, and a celebratory “Roast and Toast” of Gary G. Metoxen who recently retired as Chairman of CNAMF’s Board of Directors, in addition to decades of service to the organization.

“We are excited to host this special event to thank those who support our organization as well as those who carry out our mission through our granting program. We look forward to growing this annual gala and having it be an inspirational way to begin each New Year, said Wendy Weston, CNAMF CEO/Executive Director. Individual tickets start at $108.00, in recognition of the 108^th anniversary of Charles H. Cook’s legacy. To purchase tickets, go to www.cooknam.org and click on “events” or call Susan Larson at 480.968.9354.

Cook Native American Ministries Foundation is a non- profit 501(c)(3) organization whose mission is:  “In response to the Christian Gospel, Cook Native American Ministries equips leaders to better serve their churches and communities”.

The Presbytery of Grand Canyon has a fund to provide grants to congregations for furthering their ministries.

Below is a link to the application.  Provide a detailed summary on how the grant money has affected the project you applied for and end result with in 6 months of grant funding. If still continuing project, provide an update at the 6 month mark and at the completion of the project.

Include any receipts and pictures of completed project – if applicable.

Future grant funding may be affected if an effectiveness summary is not received within 6 months of funding.

Once the project is complete, a final summary and budget is required to be submitted to CRT

Send information to pbyoffice@gmail.com – Attention CRT Grants.
Grant Application – 9.29

Lighten Up with the Humor of Jesus is a short course with multi-media recently published by Gary Kush, PhD (HR).  It’s available to Presbyterian congregations free until December 31 when the publisher’s price will be $19.95.  The content includes the types of humor used by Jesus, how to use Humor-neutics to find and interpret the humor, and how to lighten up with Jesus’ humor.  It’s funny but scholarly.  Want something different? It could be used for high school groups, adult studies, or adapted for Lent Teach the course OR ask Dr. Kush to lead it, OR do the online version.  The course is professionally published by Udemy and rated 4.9 out of 5 stars.   It was part of Gary’s PhD dissertation in educational technology.   For a preview or to enroll online, go to www.webucateu.org or call Gary at 480.209.9592. No password needed.   Gary also does a 20 to 30 minutes comedy routine on the subject for church programs.