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The following a meeting notes from the most recent
gathering of the North Cluster.
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North Cluster Gathering
October 14, 2008
Northminster Presbyterian Church
36 attending (including to
Presbytery staff) and 9 (out of 15) congregations
represented
Discussion focus: Sharing mission
ideas and possible partnerships
Northminster – CONNECT
Mission Day in August mobilized 150 persons of all ages
to work on various projects (landscaping, building
shelves, extreme makeover of courtyard amphitheater,
complete transformation of teachers lounge on secondary
campus, etc) on the four campuses of Finneytown Local
School District. Idea taken from Scott Dudley/FPC,
Bellevue, Wash. Total number included all ages and
persons who prepared/served meals and others part of the
prayer support team. Finneytown produced video record
and thank you; DVD is available for others to view.
West Chester – “Purpose
Driven Church” study/small groups outgrowth: every
Monday night community meal (Reach Out Lakota – local
agency) guest chefs, sit-down meal. Serve 120-150
people with volunteer teams of 40-50 church folks.
Church members are encouraged to attend to sit alongside
and eat with guests. Meal is paid out of pockets of
those serving that week (no budget). Many Hispanics
attend – underlying current of fear of authorities.
George Hufford - Many ways to
serve w/o physical labor: serving on non-profit boards.
Mission Committee of the past,
identified and assisted local churches in need of
remodeling/fix-it/repairs.
Reading-Lockland – Approached
by Rev. Hernandez and his wife who were looking for
space for their Guatemalan congregation. They are now
worshipping in fellowship hall – “fiesta” just recently
with combined congregations in fellowship hall. Met
recently for brainstorming with Barb Campbell of Valley
Interfaith (ideas included health fair; back to school;
school/church interface) Church also needs remodeling:
new drywall, etc. to make the building safe for use.
Tom Wagner – previous church
experience at College Hill Pres. “weekend mission visit”
to Appalachia. Hazard, KY overnight (lodging paid for by
organization), visited Buckhorn orphanage, Cal? Creek
church – this experience has led to entire family’s
involvement in mission work. “Find ways to familiarize
congregation - with no commitment expected”
Crestview – Congolese church
is “nesting within” Crestview church. “Night in
Bethlehem” village set up to invite community in to
experience what life was like the night Jesus was born.
(Dec. 13 & 14). Marriage ministry is also an outreach
ministry – 1. marriage mentoring (trained coaches
working with pre-marriage or newlywed couples on
listening skills (no requirements about living
arrangement and there is no cost). Mentor-Couple
training will happen again in Spring, 09. (six week
training) 2. Marriage enrichment – “Five love
languages”? 3. Marriage Retreat, “Love, Legacy and
Living Your Daily Life” – Hueston Woods Lodge – Gary
Sweeten (Jan.30-Feb.1) Mission opportunities brochure
was available.
Green Hills community – In
2000, retired teachers offered ESL class to children in
Winton Hills district. Then began ESL class for moms (in
morning), all nationalities attended although all
teachers only spoke English. Transportation was
provided. Always a request for evening classes – retired
teachers were not willing to come out and offer the
class in the evening. MATERIALS ARE AVAILABLE if your
congregation is interested. Kindergarten Camp was
offered in Summer, 2008 to help prepare children for
school: 15 children/3 nights a week/4-5 weeks. (5 p.m. –
8 p.m.) dinner/activities
Pleasant Run – school
district asks for volunteers to assist as reading/math
tutors. (many retired teachers help with this) They also
support a child from Africa. 3 ½ years ago began
“special kitchen fund” – remodeled kitchen for $14,000.
and purchased 91 comfortable chairs. (“would you buy
your own chair?”) Make quilts, take meals to Ronald
McDonald House, knit afghans, “Green Mission” – collect
pop top tabs/recycling. Military Support Group – boxes
full of ‘goodies’; American Legion is now assisting
financially. (send word through school district: “do you
know anyone who is/has been a veteran?”)
Mission committee offered to double
any donations given to mission. PCUSA program, “2 cents
a meal” name has been changed to “cents-ibility”
Presbytery – “Health
Ministries networks” – 2 churches have paid parish
nurses (1 full-time, 1 p-t) If you are interested in
parish nursing, contact Pam Ward at Knox Pres.
(fulltime parish nurse)
Question about paper recycling: “is
it messy? No, not a problem.”
Meeting notes recorded by Nancy
Ross-Zimmerman, Associate Pastor, Northminster |
