Current Ministry Activities

2006-09-05T10:48:00.000-07:00

SESSION SYNOPSIS

The Session met recently to take a faith step in the future of this church. We have been trying for some time to decide how to have an effective ministry in this community and help us grow. It seems we already have it and it now needs to move forward. From Don Verburg's vision followed by Nancy's professional background we are at present the only after school Christian Education program in this valley. Based on the idea that when you have a good program in place youshould build on it, the Session voted for the present time to drop the tuition for Kids’ Connection. This will give us time to explore further possibilities for this program and it's future which could make quite an impact in this valley. Donations are accepted and already several of the families have generously done so out of gratitude for the positive things that are happening with their children. This could be the turning point for this church in bringing new families into our congregation and your prayers are needed.

STEWARDSHIP BOUQUETS

Thank you to the Parkers, the Stephens, Donna Misterly, Ed Chrisman and his grandson, Rosemary Sanders and family members who gave up their Saturday to help with the recent church cleanup.

At a recent Women's gathering at Marilyn Kane's home, we were blessed to have Jean Brownie share her experiences in India.

We’re very grateful to Bob McNutt and Ed Chrisman for installing another stair rail to make things safer for all of us.

All are appreciative for those who provided Welcome Time refreshments for August –Marilyn Kane, Barbara Cervantes and Doris Stephens.

Finance Committee

Following Congregation approval in June, the Finance Committee requested Presbytery approval to refinance the existing First Trust Deed on our property. Approval was voted by the Presbytery at the July 11 meeting. The new loan provided by a private donation has been secured and has reduced our monthly mortgage expense greatly. This is obviously very helpful in reducing the monthly expenses for our church.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

Have you been asked to lead a group or project or teach something which you thought you couldn’t do but when you tried, you found you benefited the most? Isn’t it a good thing that God regularly intervenes and puts us where he created us to be? I’m sure we all have had these experiences. I thought I had finally learned not to say, “I would never” but last year when Dan was Stewardship Chair I found myself saying, “I would never want to do that.”

Guess what? I am now your Stewardship Chair; and, I have been blessed with a great committee - Fred Jones and Donna Misterly. And guess what else? I’m enjoying this experience (so far). We are learning a lot about Stewardship from a great book we’re studying, and planning the cruise on Oct. 21 has been really fun. You will continue to hear more about that over the next few weeks as we don’t want anyone to miss the boat for this great occasion. We are also enjoying the fellowship of our planning meetings and the exciting part is, we are learning more about what Stewardship really means.

I don’t know what your definition is, but here are some we have learned. Stewardship Is…
A lifestyle, the way we live - the summing up of a Christian life.
A discipleship, a ministry.
Everything you do after you say “I believe”.
Giving of your time, talents and treasures.
Giving to God - not how much will I give, but how much of God’s money will I keep for myself.

We have also learned what Stewardship is not. It’s
Not humanity’s way of raising money, but rather God’s way of raising people into the likeness of His Son.
Not a duty, but a privilege.
Not raising enough money to maintain the organizational and daily costs of keeping a facility open, but a way of providing a place for worship of and service to God, spiritual grounding, programs for Christian education, fellowship, community outreach, and much more.

I’m not saying the operational expenses are not important; we have to keep the boat afloat if we’re going to step out of the boat and take risks to do more.

Also exciting is that in studying information we have learned you are a congregation of generous people. When you believe in something you are extremely generous.

Fred, Donna and I are the steering committee, but you all make up the whole committee and we need to know where you want to be steered. What are your interests? Your hopes and dreams for this church? And our community? What you would like to do to make a difference, and make your lives more meaningful. To be proud to say, “I am (or was) a member of the Big Bear Presbyterian Church which was known to __________.”

Many of you have come from other churches and I have heard you talk proudly about the things that were done there. We are asking you to share these things so we can help our congregation get to where you want to go. We are not afraid to listen. We may even send out a questionnaire in the next few weeks for input.

Some exciting things are already starting to happen. As you know, for the last few years we have been trying to figure out the best way to make an impact in this community and we believe we have found it. Your Session recently had the opportunity to take a step of faith in this direction.

This congregation has shown a wonderful support for Kids’ Connection and has expressed, through past surveys and questionnaires, that children are important to the future of this church; with Don’s vision and Nancy’s professional training, we believe we’re ready. We are blessed to have the only after-school Christian Education Program in the valley and it seems time for it to grow and have a greater outreach. So for the time being, your Session has voted to drop the tuition for the children of Kids’ Connection while we explore possibilities for a larger program. Donations will always be welcomed. We have faith that with the gratitude of the parents will come a generosity, which coupled with your contributions, will help keep it going.

I was one of those who said we have to charge tuition, when you get things free they have no value, we have to be able to pay for costs, etc. However, I have also learned that when we let go and let God, marvelous things can happen.

This decision went into effect Monday, August 14, and Nancy sent notices to the families. Since then, Nancy has received notes, letters, tears, hugs, donations, etc. We just might be on the right track. Parents are so appreciative FOR THE POSITIVE THINGS THAT ARE HAPPENING WITH THEIR CHILDREN; and they can get more involved with helping supply needs. Who knows what will happen when parents work with us and feel the love of this congregation for their children. These days, having a safe and happy place for their kids is so important. Ask Ron Keyson to share his story of how this kind of program made such a difference in his life.

We are at a turning point for this church and need to decide our future and how to make our new Mission statement happen. This decision can’t help but have a profound effect in spreading our ministry through the valley. It could be the start of encouraging more people and transforming more lives as our church has intended. It may give the New Building Committee the confidence that we do want to grow.

This also gives you an opportunity to share: donations, supplies, food etc. Nancy will be happy to talk with you and she has already posted a sign on the back counter of everyday needs that we can all contribute once in a while.

As I mentioned earlier, stewardship is discipleship - learning how to live a true Christian life. What if you never went to church or Sunday school when you were young? What if you went but can’t remember much or didn’t learn what you really needed to know? Or maybe you think you have a good foundation in the head knowledge of faith but are not sure about the heart part. How many of you have thought, I would never attend a Bible Study or class because everyone else will know so much more than I do and I would feel inadequate and embarrassed? But, when you did participate, didn’t you learn and grow?

Any gardener will tell you, you have to feed and nourish the plants to help them grow. So plans are in the making to offer Bible 101 - a comfortable, basic and non-threatening offering. All are invited. Some of the people you think know so much, don’t necessarily, and we all need to learn more and grow, and in a loving environment we all learn together as we share - and, you might even have fun.

So, put your thinking caps on and from some of the definitions of stewardship I have shared with you, help us to lead you in new Stewardship living. It can be very exciting. Let’s face it, at our age we could use some excitement! Above all - Let’s learn to watch where we use that word “never” as we are “never” too old to learn and grow.

~ Marilyn

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Current Ministry Activities