Coming:
Session will be hosting two identical information sessions:
• Wednesday, February 8; 6:30-7:15pm in the Chapel.
• Sunday,February 12; 10am in the Sanctuary (Pastor’s Catch all class).
See the Jan 30 update, below, for details:
January 2012 News
January 30, Update - After elders visited Sunday school classes to hear your thoughts about our congregation and denomination, it quickly became evident that this congregation has a passion to live out our mission to proclaim Christ, equip people to use their God-given gifts, and serve God’s people by living out Christ’s love. What a great congregation to be a part of! As the elected leaders of the congregation, the session is continuing to discern how to help out live out our mission statement best. They have gathered information from you, continued to keep up with the movement of Fellowship of Presbyterians (http://www.fellowship-pres.org), FOP, and are prayerfully considering it all, asking for God’s lead.
Session would like to share an update about FOP as well as where they are in the discernment process, in two identical meetings. These meeting will include new information, address some of the questions brought up during Sunday school classes, and include a time for you to submit additional questions. Wednesday, February 8; 6:30-7:15pm in the Chapel; Sunday, February 12; 10am in the Sanctuary (Pastor’s Catch all class).
Jan 11 & 15 - Denominational discernment update. Our elders would like to share their process of discernment and engagement with our denomination, and hear your thoughts and hopes. There are two opportunities to hear the update: 1) Wednesday, Jan 11 during our regular WNL programming: in A211, 6:20-7:20. Or, elders will be visiting EACH Sunday school class on Jan 15. If you don't regularly attend Sunday school, please come to the "Pastor's Catch-All" class in the Sanctuary to hear the same update. All of these updates will be identical. There is a "make-up" update in the Pastor's Catch all class on Sunday, Jan 22.
Denominational Discernment
First Presbyterian Church is part of the Presbyterian Church (USA). We have experienced many blessings as part of our denomination. The denomination has a rich theological heritage - focused on the Triune God of Grace, who revealed himself and won our redemption through Jesus Christ, and who is still active in the world and in our lives through the Holy Spirit. Our denomination has also helped us form rich connections with other congregations and equipped us to serve Christ and our neighbors in our local context. We are thankful for the PC (USA).
At the same time, we are aware that there are challenges facing all mainline denominations, including our own. Membership has declined steadily in our overall denomination. Division regarding essential beliefs has pushed against our unified witness. And, we are aware that we live in a rapidly changing culture full of people who God wants us to reach out to with the transforming grace of Jesus Christ.
Such challenges are opportunities for us to seek God's best and rely on God's guidance and power. The FPC session, (18 leaders elders elected by the congregation) is leading us through this discernment process right now. They are currently asking the questions "What is the best way for us to live out the mission that God has given us?" and "How does our connection with the PC (USA) help us and hinder us, from living out Christ's mission?"
There are a number of churches and people (pastors, elders, and members) in the denomination that are asking these same questions. Recently, a group of these people have banded together in discernment, and started a movement called the Fellowship of Presbyterians (FOP). Our session is keeping up with the FOP's development as a part of our larger discernment process. If you are interested in specifics of FOP, please visit their website: http://www.fellowship-pres.org/
While the leadership of discernment lies squarely within the elected body of session, the session will be engaging and communicating with the congregation in the process, in January and beyond. In the meantime, to learn more about the blessings and challenges of our denomination and the discernment process' listen to the podcast of our August 29 Congregational Forum: "The Blessings and Challenges of the PC (USA)". In addition, there is a copy of the letter that session sent to the congregation in the Spring of 2011 regarding our denomination's change in ordination guidelines, and a handout about how to have good discussion even when we disagree. We know that God wants us to honor Him and one another, as we listen to Him together. Discernment can be messy, long work, but it is a labor of love to our God who loves us, saves us, and is making us new in Jesus Christ.
"Blessings and Challenges of PC (USA)" Congregational Forum; August 29, 2011 Press button to listen.
Click here Congregational Letter
Click here for Decent Discussion Handout
Thank you for keeping our denomination, our congregation, and the session in your prayers as we journey through this process as a whole church family.
For a complete list of upcoming events, view the church calendar.
