General Assembly 2008
June 30, 2008
From Pastor Troy:
Friends, our denomination’s General Assembly just finished its week of work this past Friday in San Jose. (We have General Assembly’s every two years). General Assembly is a national gathering of elected representatives that vote on various petitions and resolutions that are presented back to the Presbyteries for a vote. This year’s General Assembly has voted on a number of controversial items that some of you have already read in the press. The most controversial of this year’s Assembly is a proposal to remove ordination standards that state that pastors and church officers must remain faithful in the covenant of marriage between a man and woman or chaste outside of that covenant.
There were a number of other items voted on as well, some of which are troubling, some encouraging. I intend to research and read the decisions and the opinions offered by the General Assembly and our own Presbytery will be discussing the actions of this year’s GA. I will, after such research and meetings, give you a more detailed and thoughtful response to this GA. But there are a few things I would like you to be aware of.
- With regard to the ordination standards, a vote to eliminate them has occurred at two previous General Assemblies, only to have the Presbyteries reject the recommendation of the General Assembly.
- Our own Presbytery has a policy that we do not allow ministers and officers to disobey or disregard the ordination standards of our church. A convincingly strong majority of Presbytery of Stockton delegates stated that they believe that ordination standards have meaning and biblical grounding, and that our churches should abide by them.
- Our own church’s Session voted to uphold the decision of our Presbytery. That is to say, our church will not act in disobedience to the constitution.
- I personally support the current ordination standards and voted in favor of the decision of the Presbytery of Stockton.
There is much more to be said about this - for apart from the political processes involved in denominational decisions, there are biblical and pastoral dimensions to this issue that are very important, particularly to me. For in all kinds of decisions, Jesus would have us balance conviction with compassion, truth with love. Typically, in these debates, sides choose one over the other - truth over love, or love over truth. We also tend to spin our wheels on this one issue every year, when there are so many other important aspects of the calling of the church that we ought to be focusing on - like Evangelism and Mission and Justice.
More later when I return from my vacation. But, no, the sky is not falling - and Jesus is still Savior and Lord.
Giddens Farewell Luncheon
June 24, 2008
Goodbye Josh, Virginia, Miriam and Peter
This Sunday, June 29, we will be sending Josh, Virginia, Miriam and Peter Giddens off to the African country of Zimbabwe, where Josh and Virginia will be teaching at a school in Harare. We will be hearing from them this Sunday in worship, praying for their journey as well as we discuss the truth of the Kingdom of God in the Lord’s Prayer. Following worship we will be having a fellowship lunch of various ethnic foods being prepared by a few church volunteers (for more information contact Leslie Onsager and April Adams - note: this is not a potluck!) Come and join us for this special Sunday as we give thanks to God for the blessing of the Giddens family and pray for the new adventure that God is calling them on.
See: Zimbabwe Map
Guatemala Trip “Ministry Bags”
June 20, 2008
There are a number of items that our Mission Team to Guatemala are allowed to bring to the village that we will be assisting with - the village of La Gomera. LifeWind is encouraging the gift of bringing needed medical supplies and children’s items to this village. There are two options for you to help with:
1) You may donate money towards these “ministry bags” that we’re allowed to take. For those who are interested simply write a check to Escalon Presbyterian Church and write “Guatemala Ministry Bag” in the memo line of the check. After the checks have been collected, Diane Hougland has volunteered to purchase many of the items on the list with the money donated for this purpose.
2) For those who would like to donate items of their choosing from a specified list, you can still do so by dropping them off to the church office by July 14. Below is a list of items that can be brought for medical care and for children.
Click here to view a list of items: guatemalasupplies
We will be collecting all these items and each of our seven team members will be able to take a separate “ministry bag” to help with the needs of the village.
We now know what our team will be helping with in the village of La Gomera. We will be helping the village put a roof on a new church building, helping with dental clinics, helping with children and families (sports, crafts, haircuts, etc.) Continue to pray for our team as we prepare.
We would also like to thank the congregation for their generous giving to our mission trip. We have almost entirely made our goal!
Support C.A.R.E.
June 18, 2008
C.A.R.E. - Community Action Resources of Escalon
This is a “community” program run by “community” volunteers for our “community” residents that is overseen by the Escalon Ministerial Association. In our current economic time the increasing people in need and the decreasing ability to provide for them are stretching these programs. We only need to look to those being served to see that “there but by the grace of God go I”.
Chris Larson and his staff of weekly volunteers handle this task smoothly and with compassion. These people pick up food with their own vehicles, pack food bags, help people carry the food bags out, organize donations for distribution and clean the center. The Escalon Ministerial Association pays the monthly rent at the facility that is at 1531 2nd Street. This allows monetary donations to go directly to purchases for the program.
The Organization oversees the following three programs:
1. Weekly emergency Supplemental Food
Each Wednesday at 10:00 am the program is open to residents of Escalon and Farmington who need food and whose income meets the Federal Poverty level. A bag of food is provided free, one for each household.
2. Senior Brown Bag
Every second and fourth Tuesday starting at 8:00 am seniors over 60 years can get a bag of food. The cost is $12.00 yearly, paid in November. This was designed for people on a fixed income and has no special requirements.
3. Federal Government Commodities Program
On the Third Thursday of each month at 8:00 am distribution of Government Commodities to households who self-certify that they meet the Federal Guidelines takes place.
Items in Need:
- Volunteer with pickup to go to Stockton every six weeks to pick up food at the food bank.
- Spanish speaking substitutes on Wednesdays from 8am to 10:30 am to help with translation and directions.
- “Paper Bags” There is an on going need for 150-200 bags weekly. If you could have you groceries bagged in the paper bags and bring them in on Sunday we will collect them and make sure they get to Chris.
Donation of food can be made by contacting 838-3831 if you are unable to be there at the above times. They must be unopened and usually not perishable or home made. They do accept fresh homegrown produce in season.
Donation Sunday:
The Deacons would like to ask all of our Escalon Presbyterian Church Family to be part of this wonderful and giving organization. We would like to make the first Sunday of each month our C.A.R.E. Donation Sunday and bring one item per family (or family member) to drop in our Donation Can. If you would like to donate weekly that would be even better. I will be giving you updates through out the year on this valuable “community” charity organization.
Thank you
Dave Hall - Deacon
S.H.A.R.E.S. Card to Support EPC
June 12, 2008
SaveMart is offering churches the opportunity to earn cash with an electronic SaveMart S.H.A.R.E.S. Card. All purchases made at SaveMart, S-Mart Foods & FoodMaxx will qualify for a 3% cash back award to the church. Escalon Presbyterian Church has decided to participate in this fundraising effort to support the General Fund.
We Need Your Participation
We hope that everyone will sign up for a card. It is simple, just get your card and when you shop at the above stores and show your card, EPC will get 3% of your purchase price back, which will be deposited into the General Fund monthly.
How To Get Your Card
- Sign up and card distribution is done entirely through EPC. For those interested in joining this fundraiser, please contact Diane at: dhougland@fire2wire.com
To see a small flyer click here: S.H.A.R.E.