Ladies' Day at Men's Breakfast

Health & Wellness Update

Dr. Joseph Dramise discussing stem cell transplants

I wanted to let everyone know how great the class was as "Dr. D" did the presentation for our Health and Wellness meeting in January.

I talked to "Dr. D" and he was pleased.  I have asked him for a continuation of the program on stem cell implantation.  He will give us further information on the proton therapy which we did not have time for during the January program.  It will be later in February or in early March.  I hope as many will come for this part as did for the first class.

~Carol Arseth, R.N., Parish Nurse

February at University of Life

During the month of February, Rev. Dr. David Glenn Walker will be teaching the University of Life series on “Lessons for Living from the Stories of the Dying.” This four-class series will be drawing heavily on lessons learned from hospice care, from 50 years working as a Presbyterian pastor, and from Dr. Karen Wyatt, a family physician who spent much of her medical career as a hospice medical director. These lessons are for those who sometimes feel lost or hopeless about their lives in our contemporary world.

The classes will have the power to change the way you see everything about:

• The meaning of suffering
• Recognizing life’s priorities
• Letting go of limiting beliefs and past traumas
• The true purpose of existence
• The key to unlocking the flow of grace
• Transcending fear

There will be opportunities for discussion at the close of each class.

Welcome, Sharyl!

Sharyl Moen has joined the office staff effective January 21.  She will be working from 9:00 am to noon, Monday through Thursday, doing the clerical jobs that Norma was doing.  Norma will continue her financial duties, working noon to 4:00 pm Monday through Wednesday.

Presbyterian Women in February

We hosted a successful Chili Luncheon for the men of the church on January 22nd at a Gathering. There were 50 people in attendance to enjoy the good food. Thanks to Gail Bickel for making the chili. Rod Beale provided an interesting program on a mission to Nepal.

For those of you who shop at Safeway stores from time to time, we are able to make money for PW from your purchases. You need to have a Safeway Card. To sign up for this program, go to the escript website and sign up or renew. You need to renew each year. The website is www.escript.com. Our church number is 9605356. If you don’t have a computer, ask a friend who does, or contact Diane Nestlebush. It would be nice to add a few more dollars to our treasury!

FOUND: After the Christmas Tea, silverware was left at the tables. There are 3 spoons, 2 knives and 2 forks. If you are missing any of these items, they are in the church office in the PW mailbox.

COMING UP:

• There will be a PW Coordinating Team Meeting on Wednesday, February 5th at 9:00 am in Annex 2. Team Members, your attendance is appreciated.
• February 26th is a PW Luncheon Gathering at 11:30 am. It will be hosted by Rachel Circle #2. The program will be our own John Szantho on “Escape from Hungary.”
• Saturday, March 1st-SPRING GATHERING RETREAT by Presbytery of Grand Canyon. Time 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The theme is “Fall Afresh on Me.” Registration is $15, which includes a continental breakfast and lunch. The deadline to register is February 21, 2014. Registration forms will be available from your Circle Leaders or Diane Nestlebush. We will carpool from the church. Please let Diane know if you register and if you need to carpool. We are excited to have this opportunity; please join us!
• Church Women United will hold a Human Rights Celebration on Friday, February 28th at 9:30 a.m. for Fellowship/Refreshments. Program from 10;00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. , “Through God Our Hands Can Protect”. Guest Speaker – Dr. Tamera Zivic, Executive Director of World Hunger Education, Advocacy, Training. To be held at First Presbyterian Church of Peoria, 10236 N 83rd, Peoria. Items for Doves and Justa Center Veterans will be collected that morning. See our bulletin board for list of items needed.

I encourage to you attend these meetings and be inspired and enjoy the fellowship.

Blessings to all,

~Diane Nestlebush, Moderator

Extraordinary Time

It’s February already – that doesn’t seem possible.

When someone mentions February, we tend to think of the secular holidays during the month – Super Bowl Sunday, Presidents’ Day, and Valentine’s Day. OK, that last one was originally SAINT Valentine’s Day, but the contemporary celebrations don’t have much to do with religion. From a Protestant point of view, in fact, February is a kind of blank spot between Epiphany and Lent – part of “ordinary time” in the church calendar.

That doesn’t mean there’s going to be anything ordinary about this February at First Presbyterian. In fact, I’m going to go so far as to say this coming month will be extraordinary:

• I mentioned a while ago that I had set up a Pinterest account to display current and historic photos of the church campus and events. I’ve just added another Board –From Around the Web—filled with inspiring quotes from other “pinners.” Here’s just one example: “Find out where joy resides, and give it a voice far beyond singing. For to miss the joy is to miss all.” ~Robert Louis Stevenson. So, visit www.pinterest.com/1stpressuncity/ if you need a little lift in your day — and if you have a favorite Bible verse or other saying you’d like me to add, please let me know!
• In addition to being the day of “the big game,” February 2 is the date we will celebrate this year’s Souper Bowl of Caring. Please support the Men’s Fellowship in this worthwhile annual charity drive.
• We’ll be celebrating February birthdays on the third Sunday of this month rather than the second Sunday, to avoid a conflict with the Annual Congregational Meeting and Corporation Meeting. Come to fellowship on February 16 prepared to sing “Happy Birthday” to all the good folks who were born in February!
• This month’s Fellowship Dinner should be even more fun than usual because we’re inviting the neighbors and showcasing the talent of our Great Bells of Fire. It will be a few days after Valentine’s Day, but you can still show the handbell choir (and any visitors) a little love. February 19 at 5:00 pm in Swain Hall!
• February’s University of Life will feature our former interim pastor Rev. Dr. David Glenn Walker with a four-part discussion of “Lessons for Living from the Stories of the Dying.” Among other things, he will be talking about “the key to unlocking the flow of grace.” Don't miss this thought-provoking lecture series.

Love will be in the air this February, even though it may not be the kind promoted by Hallmark cards. Enjoy!

~Beth Mabee

“Our love to God is measured by our everyday fellowship with others and the love it displays.” ~Andrew Murray

Facing the Future

How do you top that? Now that we’ve celebrated fifty years of mission and ministry, what’s next?

A recent issue of Presbyterians Today Magazine headlined the changing face of world mission. The accompanying photograph depicted two African women in tribal attire addressing a gathering from various denominations, including the Presbyterian Church (USA).

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words and certainly a picture of two women addressing a crowd of African church leaders in 2014 speaks volumes. Ethnic identity, gender roles, and cultural expectations which previously defined the parameters of world mission are changing as certainly they must. What is not on display in the picture are years of paternalism that enabled political colonialism and created an attitude of mission as “doing something for” the people. What you can see in the faces of the women is determination, confidence, and strength. There’s one other thing you can see. One of the women is holding a child. He or she (can’t tell) is looking upward at the woman speaking. Is she the child’s mother? Again, can’t tell but you can see in the youngster’s face the gaze of respect, hopefulness, love.

There are two other headlines on the page framing the women: "Global Mission Partners speak out" and "When canned-food drives are no longer enough." The entire publication emphasizes the changing character of World Mission in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Going into the Twenty First Century, mission has shifted from “doing for” to “accomplishing with.” In other words, Mission has been transformed into active Partnership.

What does this mean for a congregation of the Presbyterian Church located in Sun City, AZ? First and foremost it means that we are more connected than ever. We call our denomination a connectional church. That means structurally and philosophically we are partnered with Presbyterians around the world. In practical terms it means we are no longer constrained by patterns of ministry developed in the 18th, 19th, or even the 20th Century.

God is calling the whole church and our congregation to develop new patterns of ministry and mission that will lead all of us into the 21st Century. Fifty years in Sun City have prepared us for the next chapters in our history. God has given us a wonderful foundation upon which to launch the future. With new partners, with new vision, with new energy and excitement, God is leading us into the new year and into the future! Thanks be to God!

~Harrell