The Global Partnership Task Group is planning a trip

November 15 – 22, 2010.

The task group has already identified four persons to travel and wants to invite 5-6 additional people within the Presbytery who would be interested in traveling to Medellin which is located in Urabá Presbytery.

Although we would very much like to bring several folks to Winnebago Presbytery, the difficulty in obtaining visas makes this nearly impossible.  Therefore, Winnebago will send a delegation to meet with church leaders from the Presbyterian Church in Colombia for worship and study.

The funds to subsidize this gathering—including travel, housing and lodging for both delegations—come from the Presbytery Operating Budget, the Presbytery International Partnership Fund and a generous grant from the John N. Bergstrom Fund of First Presbyterian Church, Neenah.

The cost for individual participants is $500.   If you are interested in this trip, contact the Presbytery Office – nancy at winnebago presbytery.org – by Wednesday, September 15, for more information.

“I can’t believe that I was trimming a tree with a chainsaw…in the church sanctuary!!!”

So begins the Face Book entry of the Rev. Craig Alwin, Pastor at Oconto, First Church.  Indeed, the tree that legitimately needed to be moved from its former site, found a new (if only temporary) home in the sanctuary of the church.

The “Baobab Tree” was just what was needed for opening day of Vacation Bible School.  The tree actually touches the ceiling (after trimming 10 feet off the top).

Everyone enjoyed singing “Father Abraham” under the Baobab tree and couldn’t wait to see what would happen the next days of VBS!

Photos courtesy of Craig Alwin

The Stated Clerk of the General Assembly, Gradye Parsons,  has released his greatest hopes for the 219th General Assembly (2010) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

1. Prayerful decision-making

The spirit in which decisions are made at the assembly will be a prayerful and careful witness of decision-making for the entire church.

2. Deeper awareness of the whole PC(USA)

Commissioners and advisory delegates will gain a deeper awareness of the length and breadth of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), realizing they are part of something much larger than themselves.

3. Issues facing congregations

Commissioners and advisory delegates will discern with the whole church the issues and challenges facing congregations

4. Common calling to a changing church

A clear, common calling will emerge to actively and hopefully engage with the reality of a church in change.

5. Attention beyond ourselves

Attention will move beyond ourselves to a world in great need, committing ourselves to gospel work: making disciples, feeding the hungry, welcoming the outcast, encouraging the fainthearted, working for peace – all in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

6. Enthusiastic sharing of the faith

Those who are part of the assembly will be the first in line of Presbyterians to talk about their faith with a contagious enthusiasm.

7. Furthering the mission of Christ

At the end of the assembly, commissioners and advisory delegates will have a deep sense that what they did will further the mission of Christ in the world.

Listen to the General Assembly  Welcome Message from Gradye Parsons.

International Peacemaker ~ Diversity Circles for Sustainability

Join the Rev. Diego Higuita, Presbyterian Church USA Peacemaker from Colombia, in Diversity Circles on sustainability with trainer Sande Sliwicki

• at Frame Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1300 Main Street, Stevens Point

If you want peace and sustainability and are concerned about racism:

• participate in dialogue in Diversity Circles to create action and change in sustainability
• learn more about accomplishments and goals of the Winnebago-Uraba Presbytery Partnership problem solve in this democratic process
• acquire tools for making your own plans for sustainability

Come and bring your friends for a pleasant, thought-provoking and valuable afternoon.

Questions–Call Frame Church at 715-341-3040 or Marian Seagren Hall at 715-842-7464