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The Pastors
Urban Ministry Network (PUM) is for ministers of the
Presbytery of Cincinnati who are serving congregations in
the urban neighborhoods of our presbytery and/or who have a
passion for urban ministry. Mission: "Bear one another's
burdens and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ."
(Galatians 6:2). We exist to strengthen urban ministry in
our presbytery by providing mutual support and encouragement
of one another in the context of the challenging environment
of urban ministry by:
1.
Meeting regularly to share joys, concerns and
resources.
To that end, we have met every week, on Wednesday
mornings, from 8:30 am until 10 or 10:30, including the
summer months, with occasional other meetings. We have met
in each of our churches, and occasionally in coffee houses
begun by various faith based groups. We have grown as your
friendships have been deepened, and believe this to be a
strengthening cord in the Presbytery. We provide a
connecting point for the Young Adult Volunteer Program and
for the Young Adult Volunteers.
2.
Listening to God's Spirit in prayer, conversation,
and intentional discernment, being open to possibilities of
growth and shared ministry efforts.
To that end, we have studied two books together: Ed
Friedman’s A Failure of Nerve (Leadership in the Age of the
Quick Fix), Brian McLaren’s Generous Orthodoxy, and we
viewed and discussed a DVD series on transformational
leadership by Paul Borden. We also attended the Lincoln
Exhibit at the Underground Railroad Freedom Center. We have
had heartfelt discussions on matters before the Presbyterian
Church as suggested by the General Assembly. Mutual respect
and genuine caring have been the mark of these discussions,
between pastors of very diverse views.
3. Praying for one another, our ministries and the
Presbytery of Cincinnati.
To that end we do pray for and with one another, for our
congregations, for the presbytery and the denomination as
well as the world itself. We seek God’s guidance as we
discern where God may be leading us.
Our objectives for the coming year (2009) were to:
1. Strengthen
relationships and deepen trust among the members of the
group and to respond to specific needs of our colleagues in
addition to prayer.
To that end, we have shared a meal once a week, shared
our struggles with one another, celebrated and learned from
each other, and provided needed resources as different as
books, liturgy, music, and shoulders to lean on. We
celebrated Clarence Wallace’s 30th Anniversary of
Carmel, and held a goodbye celebration with Yvette Dalton,
who was instrumental in the formation of the group, a
valuable resource to the group, and a vital and missed
member of the community. We put some feet under our prayers
by attending an informational meeting about a proposed city
ordinance that would have negative impact on urban ministry
in the city of Cincinnati, and attended the opening hearing
of the city zoning commission.
2.
Organize a joint officer training event.
We have not achieved this goal, but are not giving up on
it.
3.
Find ways to address the perceived needs of some of
our congregations and to strengthen connections between
urban congregations and the rest of the presbytery.
To that end: We provided some reflection for Council of
Presbytery on why Urban Ministry should be a presbytery
mission priority. We provided opportunities on a number of
occasions for the entire presbytery to meet with and learn
from invited speakers:
·
The Rev. Greg Chandler, President of Amos
·
The Rev. Troy Jackson, of University
Christian Church about the Sojourner's Vote Out Poverty
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Noel
Castellanos, President of the Christian Community
Development Association, which will have its annual
conference in Cincinnati October 21 -25
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Had
breakfast at the Horizon Science Academy in Bond Hill, a
charter school which seeks to educate some of the
poorest children in our city.
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Shared
an Iftar meal with a Turkish Muslim Community which has
opened up more multi-cultural dialogues.
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Prayed
for and supported the racial dialogue and possible
joining of two of our member congregations.
The Rev. Susan
Quinn Bryan |
