The ministry of Bovina United Church is community focused. During the winter months we host a game night once a month to help cure the winter blues. We average nearly thirty people coming out to share in the joy and laughter of community. Also, delicious appetizers and desserts are shared from which we learn who has the dip recipe or the cookie recipe that is missing from our own repertoire.
Our afterschool program, simply called ‘Church School,’ takes place every Wednesday that school is in session. This winter and spring artist Steve Burnett teaches an art class and a local high school senior is directing a children’s choir. On Saturday May 9 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm we will host an art show and a short concert to showcase what the kids have learned and produced this year. In the fall of the year the Church School takes field trips to local businesses and farms to learn about living life in these mountains.
Beginning in January, a group of community members gathered together to work on their current crafting projects. It’s amazing to see all the unique gifts God grants to each of us and to see God’s creative power at work through God’s people. As the seasons change, so do the activities we do. However, there is a strong sense of community here and it seems that no matter the activity, we enjoy the company that God grants us.
One last blessing to share. Several years ago, before I was called and while Judi Gage was interim here, Mike Worden, who was an elder and the clerk of session here until his passing last year, helped establish Bovina as an AA host site. To this day, Bovina is still a host site and meetings have nearly tripled in attendance over the past year and a half. We are proud to host such a wonderful ministry and we lift up prayers for all who face addictions of any type, which I believe includes most if not all of us. May we find the community, support, and strength we need to let God be our strength and guide and to help us overcome that which controls us.
Blessings to all,
Rev. Garrett Schindler
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A Calendar of Prayer for our Presbytery
March
1 - Doug Horne, Teaching Elder
8 - Garrett Vittorio Schindler, Teaching Elder
15- Lynn Shepard, Teaching Elder
22 - Art Suggs, Teaching Elder
29- JoAnn Aymar, Ruling Elder
Prayer Joys and Concerns
Dear Friends, there are many in our hearts and in our prayers, may we hold in prayer colleagues and their families:
Condolences
Elder Jerry Henry of Laurens Presbyterian died last evening details pending.
Elder at Marathon Barb Parker passed Monday funeral planned for Saturday in Marathon
Prayers of healing
Please pray for Charles Bollinger, Cabinet member, who recently had knee surgery.
Prayers for Ina Cathy, mother of Judith Gage, Cabinet Chair,ongoing health issues.
Please contact Committee on Ministry co-chairs, Mark Montfort and Pat Raube if you have a pastoral care concern or need.
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Staff News
Christine Rogalski, office administrator, will be on vacation March 30th - April 2nd, 2015.
The presbytery staff will be off on April 2nd for Good Friday.
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Other News
There Must Be Divisions
1 Corinthians 11: 17-19
“I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you, and to some extent I believe it. No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God’s approval.”
Paul is writing to a fractious congregation. They are divided over who should be the leader, who has the most important spiritual gifts, and who gets pride of place at their communal meals. At the root is the question, Who really has the Spirit of Christ? Paul says that differences among the people of God reveal which of us have God’s approval.
If we pull this verse out of context, then we could make it mean this: Differences come about so that one side can be clearly right, and the other clearly wrong. Then—to use Paul’s own imagery—the vessels of glory are clearly separated from the vessels of destruction (Romans 9:19-24). Divisions happen so that one can be shown righteous and the other unrighteous.
I think this challenging verse from 1 Corinthians 11 has a different meaning.
In the verses above, Paul is on the cusp of condemning the Corinthians’ practice during communal meals, and two chapters away from his profound proclamation about the primacy of love (1 Corinthians 13). The root principal at work in the whole letter is giving up oneself to bless others, even in the midst of deep disagreement. It is the image of “Christ crucified” which defies the “wisdom of this world” (1Cor1:18-25). When divisions arise, Christ is revealed not first and foremost in a decision about who is right and who is wrong; Christ is revealed first and foremost in those who will enter disagreement in self-giving love. Divisions reveal God’s approval, because God’s approval rests on those who love others in the midst of painful disagreement.
Our presbytery has just concluded an assembly at which we voted on significant issues. In the debates on constitutional amendments and policies, I heard clear disagreements about the role of various confessions, the role of binding policies, and the bounds of sexuality. I heard clear disagreements about interpretation of the Bible. As voting on these items reveals, divisions abound.
I thank God for what I experienced as civil discussion and debate at that meeting. I thank God for my sisters’ and brothers’ ability to stand and articulate clearly the words that God has given them to speak, without anger or bitterness. I respect immensely the words spoken with fear and trembling, in candid desire to honor both God’s sovereignty and human experience.
And I grieve that there are yet divisions among us over such important issues.
But our wrestling over these important issues does not surprise me. And I am filled with hope that our wrestling, characterized by love and patience, is in fact revealing God’s approval. Given the whole span of the history of Christ’s Church, I believe it is unwise to predict that suddenly we will all come to agree on any given issue. I suspect, with some sadness, that we shall still see an enigma when we look in the Church’s mirror (to use another of Paul’s images). We will not soon comprehend how Christ will bring to harmony the tensions we presently feel.
But our ability to love reveals Christ among us. It is his Spirit, not our outward agreement on particulars, that makes us one. This is true of the Presbytery, the congregation, and the global Church. I take hope from this even as we struggle to sort out the beliefs and work that Christ has given us.
As we continue to wrestle, to speak, and to work, please hold fast with me to the faith of Christ, the hope in Christ, and the love of Christ among us.
In Christ with You,
emrys tyler
Moderator, 2015
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PRESBYTERY-WIDE WORKSHOP WITH ERIN COX-HOLMES TO BE DELAYED
Dear disciples of Jesus Christ in the Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley,
Just before last Saturday's Assembly, we learned from Rev. Erin Cox-Holmes, Executive Presbyter of Donegal Presbytery in Pennsylvania, who was scheduled to be with us and lead our time together on March 14, that due to health concerns posing serious challenges for her parents, along with separate issues facing another family member, she will need to journey to Ohio at the end of this week to help manage the situation.
With a very full week before she goes to Ohio, and then anticipating the time with family, Erin does not feel she would be in the best state of mind by March 14, and regretfully communicated her need to reschedule our time together, asking for our apologies and prayers.
We will be looking to reschedule to a Saturday between April and August, and will be in touch with churches and pastors when a new date has been selected. We want to be able to give everyone as much notice as possible, of course, as we realize how full the calendars already and how very busy you are.
Rev. Cox-Holmes will be sharing her enthusiasm, wisdom and experience as she offers guidance in our ongoing conversations as a presbytery around models of pastoral ministry, pastoral compensation, and the future of our churches. She is a nationally recognized leader within the PCUSA regarding the health and vitality of congregations.
Please continue to hold Erin, her family, our presbytery, and Christ's church everywhere in your hearts and prayers.
In His Service,
Mark Montfort
Pat Raube
Co-chairs, Committee on Ministry
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Board Connections: March 2015
The newest edition of Board Connections, the Board of Pensions newsletter, is now available. Board Connections highlights recent Board news, important updates, and information and replaces many of the emails you previously received from the Board. In this month's edition, you'll find March newsletter a message from our President on joining the conversation, including via the Board's new Facebook page; articles on the new BoardLink, online Fidelity statements, National Colorectal Cancer Month, and National Nutrition Month;
Board University news on upcoming events, such as the Financial Well-Being Retreat and the launch of The Learning Connection.
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Sight and Sound Millennium Theatre in Strasburg
It is with great pleasure that the Fellowship Committee of the First Presbyterian Church of Delhi extends the invitation to you and your congregations to join us on April 11 on a bus trip to see Moses. All details are below and we will take reservations on a first come basis. We have several seats to fill and hope that you can join us!
Saturday, April 11, 2015 a bus will be leaving the Delhi First Presbyterian Church parking lot at 6:15 am to head to Lancaster PA for lunch at Hershey Farms Restaurant and a show at Sight and Sound Millennium Theatre in Strasburg.
The cost of the trip is $155 per person and includes a bag breakfast on the bus, buffet lunch at Hershey Farms and the MOSES show at Sight and Sound Theatre. There will be a dinner stop on the way home that is not included in the price.
To make reservations fill out the bottom portion and return to the First Presbyterian Church office, attention Susie Little or call Susie Little at 607-746-2536 after 6 pm. $155 is due with reservation. Please make checks payable to Delhi FPC.
All are welcome! Bring a friend!
Name ______
Phone ______
Number of reservations for MOSES: ______
Paid Amount ______
Amount Due ______
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Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry - April 2015
Here is a brief description of what the 2015 Forum is about:
Engaging, reflective, and theologically substantive, the 2015 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry will focus on the role of the Holy Spirit in youth ministry. The Brothers of Taize will lead worship in Princeton University Chapel, and an exciting cast of leaders will give lectures and offer classes. Renew your energy for ministry as you create vocational friendships, stretch your imagination, and give Sabbath to your soul. Learn more and register at iym.ptsem.edu.
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Save the Date for a-- Hymn Festival on Saturday, April 18, 2015
10:00 AM to 12 Noon - At First Presbyterian, Bainbridge
Bill McConnell will lead a Hymn Festival using both The Presbyterian Hymnal (1990, the “blue” one) AND the Glory to God: The Presbyterian Hymnal (2013). We will have a “tour” of the hymnals -- learn some hymnody history -- discuss the role of music and hymns in worship -- and, of course, sing, sing, sing!
Bill, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Association of Musicians, has a wealth of experience as a church musician and served as an ex officio member of the Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song that was charged with producing the new hymnal.
After a lunch break he will offer a Church Music Workshop geared for choir directors & musicians.
Join us with hymnal(s) that you regularly use for worship
Bring the pastor, choir members and anyone interested in church music!
Cost: $10 per person (to cover lunch, bottled water, and to defray Bill’s travel expenses)
In addition, there will be Glory to God hymnals to purchase for you, your choir, and/or your church.
For large quantities, please speak with Cynthia Walton-Leavitt before Palm Sunday!
For more info., contact Cynthia Walton-Leavitt at (607) 267-4333 or .
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A St. Patrick’s Day Meal & Music
Date: Sunday, March 15th - Dinner is served from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Take-Out starts at 3:30 p.m. - Place: St. James’ Parish Hall
305 Main Street, Oneonta (Enter off of Elm Street)
Dinner Menu: Corn Beef & Cabbage, Potatoes, Carrots, Bread, and Desert
Cost: Adults $8.00; Children (3 to 5) $5.00; Under 3 years - free
To benefit a teen mission trip to Northern Ireland
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We are looking for student leaders.
You know better than anyone how valuable the experience of being a blood drive coordinator can be and you can inspire the youth in your life to follow in your footsteps. The American Red Cross is looking for student leaders who want to help support the blood supply this summer.