Mission Yearbook: Massachusetts church celebrates restoration after arson attack

With united hearts and voices, Martin Luther King Jr. Community Presbyterian Church in Springfield, Massachusetts recently celebrated what it called “The Return of the Remnant”: the rebuilding and dedication of a sanctuary burned five years ago by an arsonist.

Watch the celebration here. The 2-hour, 40-minute service was held in the beautifully restored sanctuary and was led by the church’s pastor, the Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery.

Numerous guests, including the contractors who helped make the project possible, Springfield-area faith leaders, presbytery and synod representatives, and others made for a warm and lively celebration, held in a reconstructed sanctuary that features a labyrinth on the floor.

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Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery. (Photo by Kim Fuller Photography)

“I want you to look around at this wonderful tapestry of God’s people,” Curry Avery told those gathered. “Your testimony here today is a living testimony that we are united in hope.”

“We’re here, y’all, and we’re not going anywhere,” she said. “We are reclaiming our space.” Throughout the service, Springfield artist Erin Washington, who grew up in the church, painted some of the sights those in worship were experiencing.

“Today is a testimony to what it means when we say, what you have meant for evil, God has used for good,” said the Rev. Dr. SanDawna Gaulman Ashley, who leads the Synod of the Northeast. The synod “is so proud of your witness here in this community. We look forward to seeing what God will do next.”

A pair of church deacons came forward to remember the work and energy of church members active throughout the past few years but who passed before the project was completed.

Shannon Rudder, president and CEO of Springfield-based Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services, said the agency was “born of this very church. Here, a courageous congregation believed that even the smallest seed in God’s hands could grow into a mighty work of service, compassion and justice in action. Martin Luther King Jr. Family Services is the fruit of your faith.”

“We are proud to stand forever as partners in this work, in this ministry and in hope. This is your new chapter, and today we rise together in joy and in purpose in your new chapter,” Rudder said. “I know it was great sorrow and complexity, but I want to acknowledge how you held fast to God’s providence.”

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The Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo, general presbyter of the Presbytery of Southern New England, was among the speakers Sunday. (Photo by the Rev. Jimmie Hawkins)

“This is more than a reopening,” Rudder said. “It is a rebirth and a joyful rising.”

The Rev. Dr. Shannan Vance-Ocampo, general presbyter of the Presbytery of Southern New England, offered God thanks for “the opportunity to be part of your church — the church of liberty, justice, peace and wholeness.”

“We remember the saints and ancestors who surround us, for everyone who worked so hard to get us to this place: for the people who showed up on the day of the fire, the day of arson and terror; for good people in federal agencies who continue to labor.”

“We give you thanks that even though this building burned, you protected life. No one was hurt, and we give you thanks for that small mercy,” she said. In addition to thanking PC(USA) ministries including Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, Vance-Ocampo offered thanks for the church’s session and deacons and for “former leaders of this church, some who are part of the great cloud of ancestors around us.”

Curry Avery took obvious delight in inviting three key contractors forward so those gathered could thank them for their hard work. “It was clear it was a labor of love. You understood this assignment went well beyond the walls of this church,” she said. “More than anything, when I made a request for something, your response was always, ‘I’ll try, pastor,’ and you always came through.”

“In the three of you, we have seen the Lord who provides, the God who heals, and the God of peace. Thank you for letting the Lord use you,” she said. “We are deeply, deeply grateful.”

Mike Ferguson, Editor, Presbyterian News Service (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Katherine Pierce, Strategic Knowledge & Project Manager, The Board of Pensions
Tracy Pou, Vice President, Marketing & Communications, Engagement & Church Relations, The Board of Pensions  

Let us pray:

Thank you, Lord, for the privilege of seeing the transformation in our community and in our own hearts as we walk out your love in a different way. We praise you, God, for giving us your second great commandment — to love our neighbors as ourselves. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Teacher shows retreat participants Celtic ways

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Abbey ruins in Northumbria in the United Kingdom (Photo by Jeff Eddings)

“If there were people who ever needed re-educating, it’s Americans. We all know that.” Andy Raine’s provocative statement hung in the digital space of a Zoom call, but his smile suggested he meant it with affection. The member of the Northumbria Community, a Celtic Christian center in northeast England, recently joined 35 Presbyterian leaders for the second day of a Celtic Spirituality Retreat hosted by 1001 New Worshiping Communities.

What followed was a conversation that ranged from ancient saints to contemporary American political divisions, from theological authenticity to the practice of blessing one's enemies — all grounded in Celtic Christianity's distinctive approach to faith and community. 

Raine's own journey to Holy Island — also known as Lindisfarne — began with an unexpected conversation. “I was a student in London, and I was busy having an argument with God,” he recalled. “I was saying, ‘So, where are you sending me?’ And I wasn’t expecting an answer. I was just being rhetorically irritated. And there was a reply. It wasn’t an audible voice, but it was enough to make me turn around, and I knew what had been said, and it was Holy Island.” 

Years later, a photograph taken during a childhood day trip with his father was found. In it was a young Raine in “long, short trousers” gazing up at the statue of St. Aidan, the founder of the monastery on Lindisfarne. “I don’t think he had any idea who Aidan was,” Raine said of his father. “It just was a good photo opportunity.” 

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The Rev. Jeff Eddings, associate for coaching and spiritual formation with 1001 New Worshiping Communities. (jeffeddings.com)

When Raine eventually moved to the island, he discovered it was “a prayed-in place” where “the prayers of the people who had been here and prayed centuries before had somehow changed this place forever.” 

The island holds special significance in Celtic Christian history as the missionary base of St. Aidan, who came from Scotland in 635 to evangelize the Anglo-Saxon people of Northumbria. Later, St. Cuthbert served as bishop there. The Northumbria Community, which Raine helped found, draws on this heritage while maintaining its retreat center about 45 minutes south of the island. 

When asked for an “elevator pitch” on Celtic spirituality, Raine pointed to several defining characteristics. “One of the things would be a flexibility, an openness to welcome,” he explained. “One of the pictures of Brigid is living with arms wide open, and that’s also a picture of the cross — that we’re to have a heart that’s exposed.” 

He emphasized how Celtic Christians found God revealed through Creation. “The created world speaks to us everything that the Scriptures would speak and does it more immediately for people. ... They had an experience of the created world that was part of that same whole thing that made perfect sense to them.” 

Raine also highlighted the Celtic approach to encounter through stories of St. Aidan. “Aidan used to go and connect with individual people and listen to their story. He had a recognition that whoever he met had something to teach him, and he would meet them one-to-one.” 

Significantly, Aidan “would travel not on horseback, because he didn’t want to be associated with being the ‘us and them,’ the haves rather than the have nots. He was identified with people with their feet on the ground.” 

Hannah, a participant who has incorporated Celtic daily prayers into her family’s practice, raised a concern many felt: How do white Americans engage Celtic traditions without appropriating them? 

Raine responded thoughtfully. “Some of you will have some Celtic blood in you anyway, but that almost becomes a distraction. ... The key thing is that some of the most important places of Celtic spirituality are not from people who were Celtic by blood anyway.” 

He continued: “What we’re looking to is something that predates it being called ‘Celtic.’ We’re looking to the spirituality of John, the beloved disciple who leaned on the breast of Jesus, and the continuity beginning to come through.” 

The crucial posture, Raine suggested, involves treating those we don’t understand with respect. “You treat somebody who you don’t understand with respect and say, ‘What can I learn from you?’” 

Beth Waltemath, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Life & Witness (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Stephanie M. Patterson, Communications Manager, Presbyterian Women
Jim Phares, Web Systems Developer, Digital Strategy & Information Systems, Administrative Systems Group

Let us pray:

Generous God, as you have given so freely to us, we give you thanks that, as possible, we are able to freely give to others. May your Spirit sustain the many helping hands, and may your blessings abound for those being served. Through Christ we pray. Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Ohio church nurtures faith through compassion, service and connection

“Growing Together: Generation to Generation” is a heartfelt portrait of life within First Presbyterian Church of Westerville, Ohio, a congregation devoted to nurturing faith through connection, compassion and service. The film below explores how true growth happens when people choose to care for one another — across ages, abilities and seasons of life.

From the laughter of young children discovering friendship through play, to the quiet dedication of volunteers supporting neighbors in crisis, each story reflects a community that believes love is most powerful when it’s shared. Viewers witness moments of rebuilding, serving and belonging that reveal how every generation brings something essential to the next: energy, wisdom, hope and grace.

https://vimeo.com/1136154318?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

One of the film’s most moving highlights is the church’s Mobility Assistance Program (MAP) — a volunteer-driven ministry that provides wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility equipment to elderly residents and individuals in need. With each donated device, MAP restores independence, dignity and connection, reminding us that small acts of service can transform lives in profound ways.

At its core, “Growing Together: Generation to Generation” celebrates a truth central to the identity of First Presbyterian Church of Westerville: When we lift one another up, we grow together. And when we grow together, grace multiplies — strengthening a community where everyone has a place and every generation matters.

Alex Simon, Multimedia Specialist, Presbyterian Life & Witness (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Sung-Joo Park, Relationship Manager, Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program
Sunkyoo Park, Associate, Adult Curriculum, Korean Language, Growing Faith Resources, Presbyterian Publishing Corporation                  

Let us pray:

God of mercy, remind us of our affluence, and call us to a sacrificial lifestyle. We pray that our brothers and sisters will continue to find ways to overcome poverty. Through our prayers and gifts, may they be blessed! Amen.

Mission Yearbook: Presbyterian leaders explore Celtic Christianity at retreat

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The Rev. Jeff Eddings shows off a tattoo of the Scottish Highland cow which inspired a meditation for the Celtic spirituality online retreat. (contributed photo)

“White cow, don't make yourself miserable with what’s to come, or not to come.”

The words of 13th-century Persian poet Rumi seemed an unlikely starting point for a Christian retreat. But for the Rev. Jeff Eddings, they perfectly captured the anxious restlessness many ministry leaders bring to their work — and pointed toward the gentler wisdom of Celtic spirituality. 

Approximately 35 leaders, attendees and friends of new worshiping communities recently gathered virtually three times daily for a Celtic spirituality retreat sponsored by 1001 New Worshiping Communities, a movement of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Led by Eddings, associate for coaching and spiritual formation with 1001 New Worshiping Communities, the retreat invited participants to explore John Philip Newell’s book “Listening to the Heartbeat of God” and discover how ancient Celtic Christian traditions speak to contemporary ministry challenges. 

The retreat's structure reflected Celtic rhythms of prayer, with sessions at 9 a.m., 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Eastern time. Participants used prayers from the Northumbria Community’s “Celtic Daily Prayer” book and engaged in contemplative practices between sessions, including walking meditations and creative prayer writing. 

From the opening session, it became clear this exploration would challenge familiar theological frameworks. While Augustine emphasized original sin and human depravity, Celtic teacher Pelagius insisted that “to look into the face of a newborn is to look at the image of God.” 

For many participants, this shift proved profound. “I felt very intimate and personal, very close to God when you say your beloved — it builds a relationship,” one participant reflected during the retreat’s first gathering. 

Another noted the difficulty of the reframing: “It was easier for me to say I was beloved rather than good. That’s where I had the difficulty.” 

Celtic spirituality emphasizes that “God’s Spirit dwells” not just in humans but in animals, birds, insects and fish — all of Creation reveals divine presence. This theme resonated deeply with participants. 

The Rev. Jenelle Holmes from Ormewood Church in Atlanta described growing up in Washington state: “Being outside was the first place I experienced God. And so later in life, finding a way of being Christian that not just accepted that, but was built on it, was very refreshing for me.” 

The retreat incorporated this emphasis through contemplative practices. Participants were invited on phone-free walks to notice “the manifestation of God” in Creation, then to sit in silence for five minutes outdoors. 

The Rev. Terence Dougherty, pastor of Ocean View Presbyterian Church in Delaware, found the Celtic approach liberating for his emerging ministry. “I have a group that has started a Walkers and Waggers service before our Sunday service. ... It’s become a place of deep spirituality and deep connection. I love it.” 

One of the retreat’s most memorable moments came when Eddings shared a personal meditation comparing Rumi's anxious white cow — perpetually worried about tomorrow's grass — with the gentle Highland coo he encountered in Scotland, characterized by calm steadiness and trust. 

Oladotun Akinnubi, an associate pastor of Grace Sanctuary in Cold Lake, Canada, said, “The first poem resonated with me. … It reminded me about Scripture that talks about casting our cares upon God because God cares for us.” 

The meditation prompted participants to consider which “cow” they embody in their ministries and lives — the anxious one consumed by scarcity thinking, or the trusting one present to God's provision. 

For ministry leaders accustomed to perfectionism, the Celtic emphasis on embracing both light and shadow proved liberating. The Rev. Ebenezer Alonge, organizing pastor of David’s Court Ministry International, said, “There is a tendency to want to turn towards perfectionism where you don't feel that anything is wrong. You’re never anxious, you’re never troubled. But I think on the whole, life is about positives and negatives. ... The last line — ‘Two cows in a field, which will I be today?’ — gives yourself the liberty not to be perfect.” 

Beth Waltemath, Communications Strategist, Presbyterian Life & Witness (Click here to read original PNS Story)

Let us join in prayer for:

Matthew Nurkin,  Vice President & Managing Director, Investments, The Board of Pensions
Laura Olliges, Chief Financial Officer, Presbyterian Investment & Loan Program         

Let us pray:

Bless, O Lord, our witness to your world. May our words and deeds speak to your whole creation, in all of its wonderful diversity. Amen.

Minute for Mission: Season of Prayer and Reflection in the Korean Peninsula begins

A South Korean soldier (right) shakes hands with a North Korean soldier during
an operation to construct a tactical road to support a joint war remains recovery
project at the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) in DMZ, South Korea, on Nov. 22, 2018.
The two Koreas connected the 3-kilometer-long road at Arrowhead Ridge, a site
of fierce battles in the Korean War. (Photo by South Korean Defense
Ministry/Sipa USA)

Today, June 25, marks 76 years since the Korean War broke out. Throughout that June, skirmishes along the division border led to North Korean forces crossing the border en masse on the 25th. Most U.S. Americans believe the war then ended in 1953; however, only an armistice agreement was signed at that time. This means outright fighting in the war has paused, but the state-of-war itself has continued for 72 years. Countless resources that might have been directed toward the health and welfare of the people throughout the Korean Peninsula have instead been spent on weapons of destruction and perpetuating hostility. This also means that the U.S. military continues to exert “wartime command authority” over the South Korean military, thus they cannot make any major military decision without the permission of the U.S. commander of forces in Korea, including ending the Korean War. We can then say that the Korean War has become the U.S.’s longest “forever war,” even longer than the war in Afghanistan, despite it not being a war with continuous battles.

In this context, our Christian partners in Korea, including the Presbyterian Church in the Republic of Korea and the National Council of Churches in Korea, have been exerting every effort they could to encourage policy makers in Korea and in the U.S. to end policies that deepened hostility and instead open the doors to gradual mutual trust building and the cultivation of a peace regime to replace the forever war regime.

 We have set this time, June 25 until Aug. 15, as a Season of Prayer and Reflection for Peace on the Korean Peninsula, along with our partners and the World Council of Churches. Now, they are also asking us to join them by signing on to the Korea Peace Appeal, calling for authentic dialogue to end the war now and open a chance for peace. So long as we exert authority over the South Korean military, as U.S. Americans we have a responsibility to remove the obstacles we have placed in the way of a Korean-led peace process. Let us join our voices with all those in Korea praying for an end to the war and for peaceful reconciliation on the Korean Peninsula.

Kurt Esslinger 이광원 PC(USA) Global Ecumenical Liaison, National Council of Churches in Korea Reconciliation and Reunification Department Ecumenical Forum for Korea Coordinator

Let us join in prayer for:

Mai Nhu, Director, Core Business Applications, Information Technology, The Board of Pensions
Kyle Nolan, Ministry Relations Officer, Development Office, The Presbyterian Foundation

Let us pray:

God of peace, guide our hands to make tools for peace instead of weapons of war. Let us learn war no more. Guide our hearts to break down walls of division, not with pressure sanctions and threats, but with love, humility and understanding. God, in solidarity with our siblings in Korea, help us to make a way where there is no way. Amen.

God's Mission Our Gifts: Your July Mission and Service Stories and more!

Congregational Stewardship and Generosity   “So long, and thanks for all the fish!”   This is the message left by the dolphins when they departed Planet Earth just before it was demolished in the book by the same title by Douglas Adams. Now things are not that dire, but this is the last edition of God’s Mission Our Gifts that I will be helping produce. I will be retiring on June 30 and so will no longer be your Community of Faith Stewardship Team Lead. As I think about the last 10 years in devoted stewardship work, there are many “fish” to be thankful for.   First must be the incredible people with whom I have worked. You have taught me much and together I really believe we have made a difference in the future of the United Church. Many of these people will continue to work with you, the Communities of Faith, not just to help build sustainability and nurture generous disciples, but to make you look good while doing it! Thank you to the participants in any of the Called to Be the Church: The Journey courses. You have helped us refine those courses for others. Your results have proven that these courses work. Thank you to those of you willing to risk trying new things. You know there is danger in risk, but you tried anyways and usually succeeded. I am grateful for the opportunities this work has brought. As you continue to Inspire, Invite and Thank, building stewardship into the very core of the life of your congregation and its people, I wish you all the very best. Tag!!! Take care. And remember, God loves you!    Big News for Eastern Canada!!   The Rev. Rob Shearer has started as the Growth and Stewardship Animator for the Fundy St. Lawrence Dawning Waters region. He will also be covering the First Dawn Eastern Edge region for the foreseeable future. Those in his regions are welcome to reach out to Rob at rshearer@united-church.ca. Melody Duncanson Hales will also continue with some ongoing work in these regions. Thanks, Melody, for your help!   Let’s Say Thank You!   As PAR Month wraps up, please take the opportunity to thank your donors. Thank those who are newly signed up for consistent giving through PAR. They are making a statement about their commitment to the church and to their faith. Thank those already using PAR who increased their giving. They love their church. Thank those not using PAR but still being generous. Generosity is a mark of discipleship. You cannot thank people too much or too often. Now is the time! New Stewardship BLOG   The Rev. Brenna Baker offers you Summer, and the Stewardship is Easy in this month's Stewardship Blog!! You can find it on Round the Table on the United Church website.   Getting Started in Stewardship   This is where it all begins. Communities of Faith completing this course have better outcomes. After this FREE 90-minute online course you will better understand: Stewardship is not fundraising. Stewardship is discipleship. Why people give? What can you do next? Find out more and sign up on CHURCHx.   Called to Be the Church: The Journey   Don’t wait!! Get ready and register now for the fall courses. Everything you need to rediscover what stewardship really is! Find the courses, dates, and times and sign up on CHURCHx.   Get the Stewardship support you need.   The people and resources you need to help you succeed are here   Your July Mission and Service Stories These stories and more can now be found on the United Church of Canada Foundation’s website here. PowerPoint slides for each story are available on the Mission and Service Resources page. July 5 Grace at the Gate [Image credit: Courtesy of JCC]   Each morning, five-year-old Mohammad sat in his wheelchair at the gate of his home in Beirut’s Sabra/Shatila refugee camp, watching other children head to kindergarten while he remained behind. Born with partial paralysis and facing significant barriers to care and education, his world seemed limited, until a nearby kindergarten opened its doors and offered him a place to belong. June 12 Reverence and Service [Image credit: Courtesy of Rev. Won Hur]   “It is often difficult to see or fully understand the impacts of our faith at work in the world. Like fruit trees in an orchard, they take time to grow, blossom, and bear fruit for all to enjoy. Such is the work of ministry and service—it is often hidden from our eyes, yet it is growing and flourishing.” June 19 Shared Wonder [Image credit: Courtesy of Cave Springs Camp] “I found a salamander!” a camper calls from a forest trail, and within moments a small crowd gathers in wonder. At Cave Springs Camp, moments like these help children and youth slow down, connect with creation, build friendships, and discover a deep sense of belonging in a supportive community rooted in faith.   June 26 Pursuing Peace [Image credit: Photo by David McIntosh] “Just like Miyako residents, I live on an island and can relate to their everyday lives on their island, as it was small and humble just like here in Newfoundland. There was one prominent difference. The majority of the residents are seeking peace from their own government, something we don’t have to worry about here in Canada. God called upon me to see how the people of Miyako Island are living, and to share with everyone their struggle for peace.”

Gifts with Vision News   Our small but mighty Gifts with Vision catalogue has been updated – featuring brand new gifts, as well as your existing favourites. Take a look now! Questions? Email Gifts with Vision. You can also call us at 1-844-715-7969. Why be a Mission and Service Volunteer? You love the Mission and Service stories and want to share them: you’ve been reading the stories on the website every now and then, and you think they would inspire your congregation – if only you could hear about how other people were using them! As a volunteer, you can have Mission and Service stories for the upcoming month sent right to your email inbox. They’re part of a weekly email with lots of information you can use.  You can also virtually meet other Mission and Service volunteers and learn what works for them!  Contact us today to learn more!      Mission and Service Volunteer Program    The United Church of Canada Foundation  ms@united-church.ca    1-800-465-3771  GOD’S MISSION, OUR GIFTS is your newsletter. We want to provide news and information that you can use in your community of faith, whether you’re a minister, a board member, an administrator, a treasurer, or anyone else who wants to make a difference.   What else would you like to see? What can we do to help your community of faith get where it needs to go? Send us your thoughts! Donate Facebook Website Email Instagram YouTube LinkedIn   Your generosity enables the United Church to love, serve, and minister in the world. Make an online donation or learn more about your options to support the work of the church.

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