Questions... and Answers (New Resources)

The titles of some of our new resources seem to have a theme: 

Questions... and Answers. 

What's the Least I Can Believe and Still Be A Christian?:  A Guide to What Matters Most, by Martin Thielen
   Part 1 of this book presents ten things Christians don't need to believe. In short, Christians don't need to believe in closed-minded faith. For example, Christians don't need to believe that Jews are going to hell or that it's heresy to believe in evolution.
   Part 2 presents ten things Christians do need to believe - what matters most, if you will. They need to believe in Jesus - his life, teachings, example, death, and resurrection. A great benefit of these beliefs is that they provide promising answers to life's most profound questions, including:
      "Where is God? What brings fulfillment? What about suffering? And is there hope?"
   Many people in the 21st century hunger for an alternative expression of Christian faith that's different from the judgmental and narrow-minded caricatures they see on religious televsion and in the news. This book offers such an alternative. It articulates centrist, mainline, and moderate Christianity in a way that's fresh and easy to understand. It also offers authentic Christian insights that speak to our deepest human needs.

The Questions Christians Hope No One Will Ask (with answers), by Mark Mittelberg

   Through a national poll conducted bythe Barna Group, Mittelberg uncovered the questions Christians most fear being asked. Complete with discussion questions, this book will help you meet today's hot-button issues head on.

   Questions include the following: "Sure, Jesus was a good man. Why make him into the Son of God, too?; Didn't evolution put God out of a job?; Why are Christians so obsessed with abortion?; What makes you so sure God even exists?; and Christians are hypocrites - so why should I listen to you?"
   This book has gotten excellent reviews.

More Presbyterian Questions, More Presbyterian Answers: Exploring Christian Faith, by Donald K. McKim

   Subtitled "Exploring Christian Faith", this book is a follow-up to his 2003 bestseller "Presbyterian Questions, Presbyterian Answers". This study-friendly guide articulates the basic tenets of the faith and answers some of the most frequently asked questions about being a Presbyterian.

   Clifton Kirkpatrick, Stated Clerk Emeritus of the GA and Visiting Prof. at Louisville Pres. Seminary states, "Donald McKim once again makes the Presbyterian and Reformed faith come alive for people all across the church. McKim poses questions that Presbyterians are asking - about others, about social and ethical issues, about what we believe, and about the future - and provides clear and inspiring answers to each one of them. This is a book that every Presbyterian should read and take to heart!"
 
Got Questions?  Need Answers?  Know someone who does?  Stop by the Resource Center!

March Educators Luncheon on the Peninsula!

As Spring nears and our thoughts turn to preparation for the coming year at our churches, one thing we’ll be thinking about is teacher training.  Another is a change of scenery, so we're heading to the Peninsual for our Educators Luncheon in March!

Cynthia Geisert and Kristen Koger invite you to the Educators Luncheon on March 3, 12:00pm, at Yorkminster Presbyterian Church as they present “The Holiness of Teaching”.

This presentation will not be about programming or “10 ways to improve communication” or ...or …or …but rather a little spiritual deposit into the soul bank to inspire us in our educational activity.

Join us for this special time together at one of our Peninsula churches. Bring a bag lunch… Yorkminster will offer drinks, dessert, and wonderful hospitality. RSVP soon to Donna Rae Barrow, Resource Center Director, 757-397-7063 or donnarae@pcusa-peva.org.

Fritz and Christine & Their Very Nervous Parents

A wonderful new addition to the Resource Center, Fritz and Christine & Their Very Nervous Parents is a parable about vocation, serving others, and living life more prayerfully. Subtitled "A Story for children and the adults who love them", the story is based on the following questions: "Would Fritz and Christine be a blessing to the world, or not? Would they think of others, or only of themselves? And Would they be givers, or takers?"

These questions are repeated as reflection questions for the readers within the story. The following prayer is also sung (with music and words on the back of the book) several times: "O God's dear children as you grow, Be kind to everyone you know, Help neighbor and all those in need, and Turn away from selfish greed."

This is an excellent book for all those wishing that contemporary children's books had a little more substance and direction to them. 

And Fritz and Christine is not just for children.  A recent adult Sunday School class in our presbytery used verses of Scripture along with the shared reading of this delightful book as their lesson.  Choir members in the class were able to lead all in singing the musical prayer. 

Born and raised in Hampton and later accepting a call to Simonsdale Presbyterian Church in Portsmouth, Matt Matthews loves to write.  His first novel, Mercy Creek, winner of the South Carolina Arts Commission First Novel Prize, will be published in the May 2011 by the award-winning Hub City Press.  Look for Mercy Creek later this year in the Resource Center.

New Studies at the Resource Center

Looking for a small group or Sunday School study for adults?  We've got a few new ones at the Resource Center...

  

Infuse

Colossians: The New Old Perfectly Imperfect You

Esther: Courage in a Complicated World

Jonah: Fish, Flaws, Forgiveness

Matthew: One King to Rule Them All

 

This series shows God at work in real people, at real places, in real ways - both in the Bible and in our lives today. The study guides are packed with background, context, and historical insights to help all of us, not just Bible scholars, discover where God's Word and daily life intersect.

With these studies, you can engage in lively discussion and learning without having studied the Bible before doing each lesson, and you can use these effectively for small group or personal study.

The approach to Bible study in this series emphasizes discovery (the reader discovers what the Bible has to say by asking questions and seeking answers from the passage studied.) Additional insights from history and other sources help to fill in details that connect this story to the larger story of God's love and care for us all.
 

Being Reformed - - New Titles

Being Reformed: A Brief Statement of Faith

Examine the background and context of A Brief Statement of Faith, as well as its Trinitarian structure and how it relates to beliefs in the ecumenical church, the Protestant Reformation, and our Reformed theological tradition.

Being Reformed: Recognizing God's Grace

Through Scripture, history, theology, and practical life examples, this study examines grace in the Bible, throughout Christian history, and through Reformed understandings.

 

Being Reformed: Stewardship of Creation

Explore the biblical bases for our care of creation along with sessions on being environmentally friendly at home, at church, and in the world.

 

Being Reformed: Wisdom from the Early Church

This study discusses the formation of the Christian tradition on major theological issues as the church sought its Christian identity, including: forming the Christian Bible, developing a doctrine of God, confessing Christ, building the church, and shaping Christian life.

In The Works

How Do I Make It Right?
How Do I Begin?: Sharing Your Faith
What Do I Do With My Life?: Serving God Through Work
What Do I Owe?: Managing the Gifts God Gives You
Where Do I Come In?: Joining God's Mission

This series is all about missional living. Offering hands-on activities and follow-up action options, these studies explore how Christians can join in God's mission in the world using the gifts they've been given. Although it is in a small group format, it would also make an excellent adult Bible study.

Each book includes five inspiring daily readings for each week, five easy-to-use discussion guides with opening and closing activities, Bible study, and stimulating questions and activities, follow-up action options to apply the study to real-world life.

Two exciting PW events on the Southside!

Two exciting Presbyterian Women events are coming up on the Southside...

The Presbyterian Women of Providence Presbyterian Church invite you to "Women Living Wholly for God" on Saturday, January 29th from 9am - 2pm.  This wonderful day of bringing God more and more into our everyday lives includes special guest speaker, Kelly Miller, professional organizer/home stager and author of the blog, The Tidy Brown Wren.  Kelly will offer guidance on organizing our home to be a blessing.  A chef from Williams Sonoma will delight our senses with a cooking demonstration and we'll also enjoy a video from Liz Curtis Higgs.  The labyrinth and spirituality stations will be set up in the church parlor for a few moments of quiet with the Lord.  A healthy breakfast, a good-for-you soup and salad lunch, and childcare are included in the $5 registration fee.  Please call Jane Everton, 495-5532, to register today!

The Presbyterian Women of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church extend an invitation to you for the wonderful drama, "Women of the Bible: Stories of Passion, Power, and Purpose," presented by award-winning Biblical dramatist, Anita Gutschick.  This weekend event begins on Friday evening, February 25th (coffee and dessert included), and continues on Saturday morning, February 26th (breakfast bites and lunch included).  Childcare for little ones is also included in the $35 registration fee.  It is the prayer of the Women of Grace that the Heavenly Father bless your time with them, revitalizing and energizing you to love and serve in His name.  Contact Grace Covenant for more information, 427-6478.

"Why Are These Presbyterian Churches Growing?" - book review

Why Are These Presbyterian Churches Growing?: (The Story of Fifteen Thriving Presbyterian Churches
Foster H. Shannon

Green Leaf Press, Alhambra, CA

2009

Why is it that Fifteen Presbyterian Churches in California have shown substantial membership growth? Their exciting stories challenge and encourage all of us, while their unique examples teach us how to improve our ministries in the local church.


 
   "The answer, of course, is a combination of excellent leadership and excellent programs of ministry that attract new people.  The book compares membership and attendance gains from 2002 to 2007, along with background information about the community and the church.  A summary of the staff and programs gives a snapshot of the congregation's ministry in a typical week.  The churches offer us many possibilities for growth beyond the incentive of favorable demographics.  A concluding chapter gives a few general suggestions for us to consider in following the example of these growing churches."

Reviewed by Pastor Doug VanNiel,

Bethany Presbyterian Church,

Zuni

 

Want to know more?  Check it out at the PEVA Resource Center!

Contemplative Retreat in February

 

As winter deepens and our pace slows down a bit, it is the perfect season to recollect ourselves, to take some time to sense where our inner compass might be pointing, to listen quietly to our soul’s stirrings.

Whether we are facing a transition, or simply need reminding of what is foundational for each of us, our “homeground,” this contemplative retreat will provide the space, rest and discovery needed to navigate life’s passages. 

During this weekend of quiet time, artwork, presentations, journaling, community, walks in nature, yoga, delicious meals, and more, we will explore:

Being attuned to endings and beginnings
Identifying our homeground, our sources of strength
Ways of listening that encourage and deepen us

"To be contemplative does not mean to be curious about the world or to collect information, but to be quiet before the world and recollect oneself.”    -  Marv Hiles

The location is the incomparable Cobb Island Station retreat center just north of Cape Charles.  This expansive and soulful facility offers a beautiful waterfront setting, grounds for strolling, a labyrinth, hot-tub, and very comfortable accommodations and meeting rooms. Limited accommodations are available for overnight lodging.  Spaces are also available for retreat participation during Saturday only, or during both Saturday and Sunday. 

Dates:   9:00am Saturday, February 5th, till 2pm Sunday, February 6th.

Information/registration:    http://www.esva.net/~dryon/retreat.htm
Registration deadline:  Tuesday January 25th, 2011.  Debbie Ryon 710-4661 or dryon@verizon.net   

Rates: 
Full weekend, with overnight accommodation, materials and all meals: 

Double:  $225  Private:  $275  

Saturday only, materials & meals through dinner, no overnight accommodation:   $75
Saturday & Sunday, materials & meals through dinner, no overnight accommodation:  $125
Friday night extension (7 pm arrival for evening quiet time, no dinner)

Double: add $50, Private: add $75

About the leaders:

Nina Frost Close is an experienced retreat leader, spiritual director, career counselor, the director of Adult Education at Marble Collegiate Church in New York and the co-author of Soul Mapping:  An Imaginative Way to Self-Discovery.  She divides her time between New York and her Onancock home.

Nancy Collins, PhD is an administrator and career counselor for Old Dominion University.  She also teaches student development courses for Eastern Shore Community College.  Nancy has an interest in how art helps us to discover ourselves.

Debbie Ryon is a facilities engineer, leader of a local “Art & Soul” group and an avid contemplative retreat participant.