Moving concerns

Hello all - I'm about to leave to walk the block or so to preach at Matt's church, but I wanted to ask for your prayers. We've run into a little snag about actually moving down to TN...a member of the PNC is coming up here to get all of our stuff and move it down there probably this weekend (so I'll be calling on those of you in Dbq to help me get it on the truck soon...thanks!), but we don't know when we will be able to go with.
They want me to be down there living before I meet with COM and candidate, which is okay with me, but the problem is that as of right now we wouldn't have a place to live. One of the members has a house that he wants to let us "rent" (for free) for a couple of months while we casually look for a new house, but his daughter's in it right now. She apparently is in the process of moving out, but is doing it very "gradually" as they put it. There's another option of a rental house that we would have to pay for, but apparently someone is in that one as well.
Anyway, they are going to get together today to try to figure this out - and we would covet your prayers in order to do this smoothly and with the least amount of weeks of living without toys...three boys have a remarkable amount of toys... So there ya go.

The "plan" is that we'll move down to TN in the next couple of weeks, and sort of chill out while we look for a new house. The church is going to loan us their manse fund ($45000) for a down payment that we'll pay back when we sell the house. I meet with COM on the 8th of August, have a reception at the church on the 12th, preach on the 13th. My understanding is that they will begin my pay on the 1st, which is strange, but I'm okay with it. I won't be able to meet with presbytery to get ordained until late October, though, since I can't get on the docket for August and they don't meet in September. So the COM came up with the idea that I be what they call a "pastor in waiting" - I'll do the job but won't moderate session or marry anyone or do the sacraments. Annoying, but that's life, I guess.

Well, I gotta go. Peace and grace to you all.
By the way, my e-mail is jgay38@hotmail.com - drop me a note if ya want.

Radio Silence

Greetings all from Nebraska...land of 100 degree heat and 85% humidity!

We found out a few weeks ago that Mom and Dad's internet childproofer doesn't allow us to post on the blog. We can read it, but can not participate.....so we have heard all the good news, but not been able to respond. I'm over here at my sister's getting my two cents in...but regular responses are not possible. Sorry.

That said......congrats to you John, Cheyanna, and Chris! Excellent news on finding places that already feel (to some degree) like home. It is great to read and "hear" the excitement.

As far as life here in Nebraska...we are enjoying having a chance to rest and spend time with family. We leave later today to fly out to CA and see Julie's folks, which should also be a great time to rest. All in all, we've enjoyed mowing (the old family business) and taking care of Marcy's kids. There haven't been too many "all living under one roof" complications yet....Mom and Dad have been great. I hope they'd say the same about us.

Saw a couple of movies this past week...both good. "Pirates 2" was a good time. "Cars" was my favorite movie of the summer....really an excellent story.

That about does it here....just wanted to drop in and say hey. But before I go...

Top 10 "Titles" I considered having the parishioners call me (before settling on "Scott" or "Pastor Scott")

10. JoJo the Preacher Boy

9. (in Ring Announcers Voice) Scott "The Passs-tuh From Nee-brass-kuh" Phillllluuuuuuuppps!

8. Cap'n Phillips of the S.S. Trinity

7. The Preachinator

6. King Joe of Mamma

5. Our Greatest Mistake

4. The Young Coloradian Puppeteer

3. Scottie Bag 'O Doughnuts

2. Dr. Sominex

1. The Rev. Dr. Henry Fawcett

That'll do it from here...talk to you again soon.

Prayers, prayers, and more prayers

I believe I speak for Andy Ploenske and Mike Jones as well as myself as I ask for prayers for us on Thursday. We meet with our District Committee to be interviewed for recommendation to go before the Board of Ordained Ministry for approval to be commissioned. (I know, it's sort of the step before the step before the step; but if this step doesn't happen, the rest are a moot point.)
Anyway, its a friendly but challenging committee, and we'll get appropriately grilled. I don't know about the others, but I am appropriately nervous! It's been great to keep up with all of you as you go your various ways in following God's call.
Thanks
Peace in Christ,
Cindy Marino

For Inquiring Minds:

I have been slow to post this mostly because we do not have regular internet access which means that I have to walk down to the library to access the world wide web. Lucky for me now that we have moved it is mostly downhill to campus.

The nuetral pulpit we had went wonderfully. We have accepted a call to a congregation in Illinios. We aren't sure when we move from here but will let you know when we have more details.

Thanks for all your prayers, support, encouragement and humor.

What's in the water up here?!

To all of our brothers and sisters,
We (that's wifey and myself) realized recently that many of you probably haven't heard our news yet...On or about December 4, 2006, Angus Calvin Knox Hughes will be entering this world. As we do not know if the baby is a boy or girl yet, I have chosen a nice unisex name for the him/her; though Shaylene seems to have different ideas concerning the name of the child. Anyway, Shaylene is 19 weeks along and the doctor says that everything looks great! I remember when we moved here a couple of years ago I couldn't believe that couples were having babies while they were in school; now here we are...God sure has a great sense of humor! In the words of a pastor friend of mine from back home, "Babies are blessing anytime that they arrive." Please keep Shaylene in your prayers along with the other pregnant gals up here (Yuka Bosch, Natalie Ebbens, and Rebecca Hoch...I hope I didn't miss anybody). Peace and blessings to you all!

Update

Hello everyone! Just a little note to let people what the Gays are doing (gosh that always sounds bad when I put it like that!). Anyway, this last week we moved into Matt Johnson's place until we can go to our new church. We finished "getting here" on Thursday night (6/29) On Friday morning, about two hours before I had to leave to catch a plane at O'Hare to get down to a neutral pulpit in TN, Jennifer fell down the stairs. She's okay, but for a while I didn't think I could go preach.
But I did. It was a LONG weekend for Jennifer, but they all made it. I went down to Madisonville, Tennessee, where I just fell in love with not only the place but more importantly the people. Sunday afternoon the PNC extended me a call which I accepted on the spot. So we're off to Madisonville, TN!! COM is not meeting at all during July, so I won't be able to really get down there until the end of August, but we're really looking forward to it.
Madisonville is about 45 minutes south of Knoxville, about 10 minutes outside of the Great Smoky Mountains national park and Cherokee National Forest. It's really pretty there, so if you want to come down, just let me know. I'll probably have an accent in about a month, but that's life, huh?
Thanks for praying for us!

Two Crazy Weeks

Hello All!

Well...we made it. Julie and I have been all over the map the past few weeks, but I am happy to say that all went well and is well. Julie's GFather's funeral and graveside went well, and we made it to Berthoud with at least some rest.

Things there went really well. The vote came down 69-1 (I didn't see Fawcett there, but I'm pretty sure cast the one vote absentee) and the church was really excited to meet us (and vice versa). I met with the Session, and they seem excited and open to change. The only thing that was a bit discouraging (to say the least) was looking at houses on Monday. Let's just say that you need a mortgage to sleep on a bench in the park.

All in all, though, we couldn't be more excited. Things in Minden have been good so far (the dial up connection has been a bit of a pill...thus the limited posting), and we are looking forward to having the Jewett Family Magical Mystery Summer Tour breeze through town on Thursday.

I found out that I am going to be the first candidate for ordination at Plains and Peaks after this summer's GA. I was told by the chair of COM to "expect a grilling" and that I can expect one question in particular: "Do you have any scruples?"

I have formulated my response: "Your Mom."

That will do it for me here....more to come. Hope you all are doing well. Congrats on the call, Chris. We miss you all very much...I keep telling my mom about Dave McCreery and calling myself the Pope....she just looks worried. That, and she isn't very good at Halo.

Talk to you all again soon,
SP

just to clarify...

Thanks Tony for your congrats on my call. But I do need to clarify something in order to clear my good name and keep peace among us...

I did not call any group "heretical." I agree with you dear brother, this should not be done (unless the group is!)

I said the GA made a "heretical decision." This does not place the whole GA, and certainly not the whole denomination in heresy! In stating that this decision is heretical I stand in good company of all the PCUSA renewal groups, entire presbyteries, hundreds of congregations & thousands of faithful within the PCUSA, the global evangelical Church, and historical, orthodox Christianity.

Grace & peace all!

checkin in & checkin out...

Greetings all,

It's official...Third Prez had their congregational meeting this past Sunday and formally voted me in as their next pastor! We are dancing with the Trinity!!!

So far I've heard from about 5 profs and a few peers, and my CPM chair, and—Praise our triune God— all have responded stating both sadness that I needed to separate from the PCUSA, but affirmed that this is a good call for us, and that our friendship & partnership in ministry will continue. I feel like a huge weight has been lifted in that regards.

Since the GA did go the heretical route of R5, and has now placed itself in schism from every major evangelical bodies and the majority church of the global south, I am in deep grief over this decision. I will continue to honor and pray for those of you who still feel called to fight the noble and needed fight for renewal!

As for me, I sat down and read through again the EPC's statements on abortion, divorce, homosexuality, Scripture, Christology, social justice, etc, I had tears in my eyes as I feel like I have come home to a group who stands where I stand and is focused solely on an evangelical mission!

I lose my seminary address and email here in few days. You can email me at roms1417@hotmail or keep in touch via this blog. We will move into a rental home while looking for a home to purchase here in Dubuque.

In amazement at God’s grace,
Chris

Guys on the Roof.

As I sit here this morning looking out the window I see the maintenance crew on top of the roof of Phillips old place. It is raining and they are apparently attempting to find the leak that is present in every middle unit. They have been walking, knocking on the building and shaking their heads. I am not sure if the shaking of the heads is in disbelief or frustration but I know this cannot be easy for them to come in a fix something they did not do.

Please pray for them as they work to fix this problem down here in the Village. Pray for safety, good humor, patience and success.

Help needed...

One of the reasons I choose this internship is because I would get to work as part of a pastoral team. I felt I needed that experience becuase I feel my immediate post-graduation call is as an associate pastor.

The help that is needed is with a funeral service. The pastoral staff has two people on vacation, one is one the work camp with the Sr. High youth group, and the other is busy the day of the service. I have been asked to lead a grave-side service for a former member that has moved away but wished to be burried next to her husband here in town.

There seems to be a learning curve for funeral services... I waas just wondering if you all could give a few tips for someone leading their first grave-side service. What are some things you wish you would have known before your first service? Anything would be helpful at this point as I have never done this before.

Good News!

After having been told by my session that I should look for another church, there was something of an uprising among the the congregation. They prevailed upon the session to reconsider and last night the session voted to give me a contract through the coming school year. The session had based their previous decision on 'philosophical differences' because I was trying to get them to be an active church and they want to be an inactive church. To me, it was between obedience to the gospel and disobedience. Now that I have a contract, I will continue to bang my head against the wall throughout the coming year. (After a while, it almost feels good.)

Grace and Peace,
Ron

Prayer Request

First I have to say what a joy to be able to have this community, even if it is online instead of live! I want to ask for your prayers this weekend as Ed and I go to do a neutral pulpit for two yoked churches in Lawton and Bronson Iowa. I had a neutral pulpit for Red Oak IA on June 11th which I am also still waiting to hear back on. Please pray for God's guidance and direction for us, and for my preaching this weekend. Thank you, dear friends in Christ, as your prayers mean so much to me!

Thoughts from Hughes at G.A.

Hello everyone,
I apologize for not posting on the blog before tonight, but I have been sorting through my feelings on what has happened here over the last few days. I'll try to share with you my thoughts on what has transpired here so far...

I have been serving on the Church Orders Committee. Our main overtures to deal with concerned ordination standards (G-6.0106b) and affirmations that marriage is for a man and woman. The first issue that we addressed was marriage. We handled three different overtures on this subject...the bad news is that my committee voted 30-28 against affirming that the Biblical witness for marriage is 1 man and 1 woman; the good news is that I got quoted on the Layman Online! If you click on the heading concerning marriage, you'll see me their in all my glory. Dr. Achtemeier congratulated me at the P.F.R. breakfast this morning on my baptism into the Layman! Dave's goal is to appear in a Layman headline (out of context) this week with his belief in a monotheiestic Mormon God (Or whatever they teach at Whitworth).

The committee did vote 30-28 in favor of upholding the current ordination standards. You all should have seen the witnesses that were paraded in front of us...One woman (an ordained PCUSA minister) claimed that God told her to leave her marriage of 14 years and become a lesbian; another woman (also a PCUSA minister) told us that she used to be a man, and has undergone a sex-change operation (she is now a family counselor in Atlanta!). I could go on and on. Regardless of where you stand on the ordination issue, these people are hurting very badly and in need of prayer and God's tender healing. I was nearly completely emotionally drained at the end of the day.

Plenary went well today. The G.A. adapted a resolution to create and distrubute sexual education curriculum that discusses all forms of sexuality, but only endorses heterosexual, married (1 man and 1 woman) sexual behavior.

Anyway, enough about sex. I ask that you all keep Dave, Dr. Achtemeier, and myself in your prayers as plenary meets tomorrow. Tomorrow is probably going to be very intense because the assembly is debating and voting on P.U.P., Christian marriage, and ordination standards.

Peace to you all,
Mark

P.S. I did see Gordon Jewett here (Dave's dad) and have heard many humorous stories of certain faculty members at U.D.T.S. from their friends here. I'll fill everybody in later.

GA Update III

The good news continues to flow from this year's GA. I can't tell you the number of people I have talked to who have said that they see a different spirit about this year's gathering. I continue to see the Holy Spirit in many ways. I also continue to enjoy meeting new people and developing new friendships from persons across the nation. I am particularly grateful for the new friendships forming with the other seminary students -- what a pleasant and welcome surprise!

Today, we voted to uphold a sexual education curriculum affirming that marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman. We also voted to send to Committee on Social Witness Policy a 'resolution' calling them to study the war torn country of Columbia and the surrounding issues. Originally, the 'resolution' called for immediate action that would have called for too much haste without knowing enough information. In many ways, it paralleled former recommendations to GA that had been previous approved (ie, divestment and declaring American soldiers as war criminals). We also "received" (vs. approved) the Trinity paper with an ammendment making the paper more palitable. The ammendment called for the requirement of the FAther/ Son/ Holy Spirit formula to be used in Baptism (in the paper, it implied this was optional). I am not pleased with the paper, but with the "received" language and the fact that the recommendation calls congregations to study it (vs. seeing it as authortative) I am not going to make a big fuss. I did read through the paper a couple of times and the majority of it is fine. In fact, some parts are very good.

On a side, for you presby's, our polity teacher was on the platform today as the assistant Parlimentarian!! It was pretty cool.

Finally, I ask for your prayers. Tomorrow (Tues) we will be addressing the PUP Report, the famous "ammendment b" (homosexual ordination), and the issue whether marriage is between a man and a woman. Please, be in prayer for all those present at the assembly -- for humility, discernment, clarity, love, etc. Pray for the way we go about the discussion. Pray that the result would be God's will for our church.

I close with the assurance that God is at work in the PC(USA). He is doing something new and something exciting.

Celebration & sadness!

Despite the denominational ramifications, I invite you all as my dear brothers & sisters in Christ to celebrate with my family and I.

I have just accepted an irresistible and undeniably God-given call to pastor the dear people of God at Third Pres right here in lovely ol’ Dubuque!

I have just sent you all a detailed email about these momentous decisions, so I ask that you please take the time to read it in order to protect and preserve our ongoing friendship, fellowship, and partnership in Christ.

Celebrating in the wild grace of our triune God,
Chris

GA Update II: It's Not All Bad

Very soon, if not already, I am sure many affiliation groups will begin publishing material that purports negative aspects about the PC (USA). I want to assure any of you who are disenheartened that it is not all bad. There are two surprising experiences I would like to share.

1) I have been very surprised by the sense of community in my committee. For being a committee on GA Procedures and for only just meeting one another two days ago, I would have never guessed there would be a "community" formed. Granted, it was nothing like the intimate small groups I have been a part of, but it was far more than I expected. I walk away from the committee with many new friendships -- people I never would have met before, and with whom I am united because of the bond of the Spirit. It was a joy working with them. Everyone had both a tremendous respect for the issues at hand (however monotonous, technical, or tedious) and a tremendous respect for one another. I can truly say the Spirit was at work in our committee (not that he isn't in others, but hopefuly you understand!).

2) Sitting up in the second level of the arena I watched in awe, as people around the arena took part in the Lord's Supper. People from all over -- Korea, Nevada, Congo , Rhode Island and elsewhere. People from urban areas, rural areas, and suburban areas. People of all types, races, and opinions. All of these taking part in the Lord's Supper. Scanning the auditorium, I am constantly drawn to the communion table that is in the shape of the cross and takes up nearly the entire floor of the arena. This is an amazing event of the anticipation of the heavenly banquet. As we pass the plate and dip our piece of bread, the sounds of great hymns flood our ears in English and an African dialect. It is truly a worship experience I will never forget. (I only wish I could describe it better.)

Friends in Christ, know that there are great things going on in our denomination. God is not done with the PC (USA).

Lounging in Birmingham...

Greetings from General Assembly!

I have actually be doing anything BUT lounging. Since arriving, I have been around people nonstop until this morning when I had time to relax a bit before the day began. In any case, I thought I'd update you all on how the Assembly is going so far.

Yesterday we began meeting in our committees. I am on the GA Procedures committee. We have and will primarily deal with budget issues and "standing rules" of the GA. So, there are per capita overtures, overtures to change the age of Youth Advisory Delegates, and other matters. Yesterday should have gone incredibly quickly, we didn't cover much of anything of substance. Yet, people still got hung up on details that make little differences. I will say, though, while I was hoping for one of the theological or ecclesiological committees (those are my interests), this committee has been an excellent lesson in parlimentary procedure and polity. Regarding the other committees, I have not heard too much. Mark (Hughes) spent most of the day yesterday in a committee discussing marriage -- I gather it was very intense. In a close vote, they did not affirm that marriage is between a man and a woman, if that gives you an idea. I have not heard much about the other committees. I'm hoping to be done with mine today. If that happens I'll be able to listen in on the other committees.

On the negative side, it is frustrating seeing all the politiquing and such. I would much rather the church be able to dialogue without Robert's Rules. At the same time, I have witnessed the fact that it is extremely effective at keeping things decently and in order. (However, it is completely useless in the realm of time efficiency!) It is also disheartening witnessing some of the heterodox and near heretical views that are brought up. Thankfully those views are far from the majority. It is also frustrating seeing those who hold similar views as myself live by the rules of power, rather than the rules of love.

On the positive side, despite the many "hot issues", power struggles, and cultural/theological differences, there is great unity in the Presbyterian Church. I have been deeply moved by the vast amounts of agreement on so many issues. While there are certainly divisive issues, at this point, they have been overshadowed by the unity. We have voted in an excellent moderator -- Joan Gray (you Presbyterian student will recognize her as the author of our polity book). She is a humble woman, with a great heart, and has clearly been called to help lead us in her position as Moderator. It has also been a joy spending time with the othdr seminary advisory delegates (TSAD's). It gives me further hope for the church. One of the best parts has been meeting so many people from so many different places.

By the way, the flight down was quite entertaining as we had an entire plane full of Presbyterians! It was quite humorous.

I hope that gives some of you an overview of what's happening so far. Hopefully, on the next one I'll be able to provide more interesting details. Unfortunately, I have to jet so I can hit my committee meeting! Please continue to pray for Assembly -- for humilty, discernment, listening skills, and a good sense of humor in everything! (Please post any questions!!!)

Shalom!

Moving on

Moving on from UDTS is a difficult thing to do. In preparing to travel over 1000 miles to Amish Country I told myself to think of the great experience that awaited; I attempted to put DBQ and everything behind me as this would make the trip a little easier. NO GO. As I schlepped across the country I was continually reminded of ya'll. I passed about half a dozen "Bennett St." exits which only reminded me of, well, Bennett St. not to mention the neighbor with the same last name, and the "Bennett St." sign that found its way into Shawn's truck. I honestly passed a city named Phillips. There is a Sharon, Penn and even more strange a Dubois Penn. There was also a St. Clair somewhere in Ohio I believe.

When I finally got here I thought to myself "finally, now I can go about my work and try not to think about everyone else". There is a couple in my church with the last name Hoehne. On my way to work...every morning...I pass a "Hollow Way" (no joke), there is a sign outside a church I pass that reads "Jenn's Church", and last of all I pass a "Leicester Rd." (honestly). Senior's do not resist, there is no getting away from UDTS. Give in to the temptation and think of us...I just pray it has nothing to do with Bizarro Tables or secret meetings with the assistant dean... try to think only good thoughts…if nothing else watch Going Ape.

On To Minden

I am in the process of checking my e-mail (and, therefore, the blog) for the last time before I pack up the 'ol CPU. Julie and I roll out on Friday morning. Please pray for our U-Haul truck (I've heard stories).

Boxes now fill our rooms, the walls are bare. There's a moving truck the size of Detroit in our front yard this morning being filled with the Jewetts' furniture. What was once avoidable or at the very least able to be put aside is becoming very real...we are leaving Dubuque and the community we have come to love very much.

Thank you for a truly wonderful three years...the memories of Bagel Bashes, impromptu worship services, raucous lunches, games of catch, Danza movies, Tom Jones listening parties, and all those other brilliant moments of laughter, prayer, worship, insight, and love will remind me of how impossibly good God has been.

Talk to you again from Nebraska.

Thanks.

PS--Two prayer requests:
1) Julie's grandfather that she was very close to passed away yesterday. Please pray for her, for me, and for her family.
2) We candidate in Colorado a week from Sunday....please pray for us, and I'll keep you posted.