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It's amazing - really amazing to hear about all the good things happening around this presbytery.
Mission Communities are "a unique expression of what it means to be in community." As representatives gather together in their own geographical designation of "mission community," relationships are built. Relationships of trust and fellowship grow as representatives from congregations located in similar communities gather to share how they are responding to the call of Christ right where they live.
At a recent Highland Augusta Mission Community gathering around some delicious food at Mrs. Rowe's Restaurant in Staunton, we heard about how the Spring Hill church has been cooperating with other churches and groups in their small rural community to help those needing a home repair or a deck replaced, or help with heating bills. They have met to study together and in so doing, have built important relationships.
We heard about how Waynesboro 1st Church is raising up their mission focus as so important that they are doing a breakfast each month throughout the year to benefit their ongoing mission programs.
We heard about other churches in the mission community banding together to help build a Habitat for Humanity home for someone in the Waynesboro community. They've raised around $15,700 to help build this home.
We also learned from other communities about programs that might help the Highland Augusta communities. The Woodstock Church has called together other churches and groups in the community to help provide a food bridge over the summer when school is out and many families do not have enough to eat. They offer brown bag meals a couple days a week to those who need them, extending the hand of Christ to the hungry in their community.
But these are only a few of the AMAZING STORIES about how we Presbyterians are being the hands and feet of Christ. Please share your stories, not for glory or praise, but to INSPIRE each other to create their own AMAZING STORIES. Tell us about them.
WATER
& Service
Many congregations are having Vacation Bible School programs focused on Water as their theme this summer. Some if these include Burnt and Smyrna churches and there are certainly others. Trinity Church is also hosting an all-church evening with a presentation on the Living Waters for the World model of water missions.
Mt. Horeb is joining Smyrna and several other churches for the annual Summerlee Mission Trip in July to work on homes needing repair in Oak Hill, Mt. Hope, Minden, and other areas near Fayetteville, WV.
Fifty-seven people representing 10 churches and three mission communities are joining together for this summer's Baja Mission Trip in July. They will be building 4 houses and participating in spiritual outreach programs in the local communities on most evenings.
The Lexington church's community involvement reaches out through several food ministries to help the hungry of the community get ffood to eat, pay their bills, and join in supporting the new Community Table meal program. They are also closely connected with the work of the local Habitat for Humanity.
The New Providence church's Mission Next Door workers are planning another trip to Glade Spring to help with the repair of a home damaged by the April 2011 tornado outbreak. This is the second work trip by the New Providence team to Glade Spring where rebuilding is expected to continue for years.
Watch for more to come!
Many congregations are having Vacation Bible School programs focused on Water as their theme this summer. Some if these include Burnt and Smyrna churches and there are certainly others. Trinity Church is also hosting an all-church evening with a presentation on the Living Waters for the World model of water missions.
Mt. Horeb is joining Smyrna and several other churches for the annual Summerlee Mission Trip in July to work on homes needing repair in Oak Hill, Mt. Hope, Minden, and other areas near Fayetteville, WV.
Fifty-seven people representing 10 churches and three mission communities are joining together for this summer's Baja Mission Trip in July. They will be building 4 houses and participating in spiritual outreach programs in the local communities on most evenings.
The Lexington church's community involvement reaches out through several food ministries to help the hungry of the community get ffood to eat, pay their bills, and join in supporting the new Community Table meal program. They are also closely connected with the work of the local Habitat for Humanity.
The New Providence church's Mission Next Door workers are planning another trip to Glade Spring to help with the repair of a home damaged by the April 2011 tornado outbreak. This is the second work trip by the New Providence team to Glade Spring where rebuilding is expected to continue for years.
Watch for more to come!