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Presbytery of New Covenant

Addendum Report

July 20, 2019

Brenham Presbyterian Church

1005 Green Street

Brenham, TX 77833

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Table of Contents

Revised Proposed Docket 3-4

Reconvening Hymn “O God, You Gave Us Neighbors” 5

B – Report of the Stated Clerk 6

Report from the Administrative Commission 6

C.2 – Finance Committee 7-9

D – Committee on Ministry 10-11

H – Nominating Committee 11

Presbytery Publications 11

G.2 – Evangelism and Church Growth 12-21

Today’s Displays

Ascending Leaders

Austin Seminary D. Min. Program

Mo-Ranch

New Covenant Clergy Retreat

PCUSA Matthew 25

Presbyterian Children’s Homes and Services

Presbyterian Historical Society of the Southwest

Seafarer’s Ministry to the Port of Houston

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The Presbytery of New Covenant

“Growing congregations that passionately engage their community to make disciples.”

Stated Meeting – July 20, 2019 Brenham Presbyterian Church

1005 Green Street, Brenham, TX 77833 979-836-7632

The Revised Proposed Docket

8:30 am Registration Opens Blinn Room 8:40 am New Commissioner Orientation Adult Sunday School Classroom 9:00 am Conversations

College Students and Mental Health – Session Room GA 224 and Fossil Fuels - Sanctuary Community Garden Ministry – Fellowship Hall Q&A – Vital Congregations – Adult Sunday School Classroom

THE MEETING WILL BE HELD IN THE FELLOWSHIP HALL, INCLUDING WORSHIP!

The library will be available all day for prayer and meditation. Signs will direct you to this location.

For your information, RE means Ruling Elder.

THE PROPOSED DOCKET Please silence all devices!

10:15 am Welcome and Opening Worship Moderator, Rev. Helen DeLeon

Preacher: Rev. Amy Klinkovsky, UCM-Aggieland Offering: United Campus Ministry

For UCM-Greater Houston, and UCM-Aggieland Please make checks payable to the Presbytery of New Covenant.

11:30 am Opening Business Moderator and Stated Clerk

Declaration of Quorum Adoption of the Docket Omnibus Motion (B.1) Welcome by Host Church – Rev. Dr. Brent Hampton Welcome of Others (First time Commissioners, Corresponding Members, New Minister Members, Exhibitors, Visitors) Moderator’s Remarks and Appointments – Parliamentarian, Tellers Nominations to Nominating Committee

11:45 am Celebration of Ministry: Mission Responsibility Through Investment – Rob Fohr 11:55 am Celebration of Ministry – Seafarers Jim Keith

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Noon LUNCH/VISIT THE DISPLAYS/TOURS OF GALILEE GARDEN

There will be a Vital Congregations conversation over the lunch hour. Please look for their tables to join them.

1:15 pm Reconvening Hymn “O God, You Give Us Neighbors” 1:20 pm Celebration of Ministry: Matthew 25 Bill McConnell B - Report of the Stated Clerk Rev. Lynn Hargrove Celebration of Ministry: Vital Congregations Phil Brown/Rev. Shawn Kang D - Committee on Ministry RE Chuck Johnson Sustain Examination

Service of Retirement – Rev. Dr. Jim Currie Update from the Board of Pensions Rev. Kevin Keaton

Celebration of Ministry – Austin Seminary D.Min. Program Rev. Paul Hooker E - Committee on Preparation for Ministry RE Bonnie Keith Report from the Synod of the Sun RE Shelley Hernandez F - General Council RE Bob Patterson Motion from Synod of the Sun C - Administrative Division Rev. David Jones C.3 - Finance RE Ada Fuller G - Ministries Division RE Jane Larkin G.1 - Congregational Resourcing RE Carol Davis G.2 - Evangelism & Church Growth TE Mike Umbenhaur G.3 - Outreach Rev. Lindsay Hatch H – Nominating Committee (H) RE Gary Long

New Business (Only if submitted four days prior to meeting date, so it can be posted online 3 days prior) Closing Prayer Adjournment (By rule of the presbytery, no later than 4:00 pm, unless the assembly votes by a 2/3 majority to extend beyond)

Following adjournment, clerks will meet for session records review in the Session Room.

The next Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of New Covenant will be Saturday, November 16, 2019 Webster Presbyterian Church

201 NASA Parkway, Webster, TX 77598 281-332-1251

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B- Report of the Stated Clerk

ADMINISTRATIVE COMMISSION FOR FORMOSAN PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH Update Report for Stated Presbytery Meeting on July 20, 2019

Since being appointed twenty-eight months ago (at the presbytery meeting on March 18, 2017) to assume original jurisdiction of the existing session at Formosan Presbyterian Church in Houston, the commission has worked with the congregation to uncover and understand the longstanding root causes of the systemic and destructive conflict that have been masked by more visible disagreements and concerns. The process has not been hurried, and the easy route (providing a quick-fix solution) has not been taken. Neither action would resolve the deeper issues, and both would do the congregation a major disservice by depriving members of opportunities to be self-reflective and initiate thoughtful transformative change. In the four months since its March 2019 report, the commission has held a total of ten meetings, and attended one of Rev. Chen’s Taiwanese worship services. Any administration items and issues brought to the attention of the commission by the pastor, clerk of session, or treasurer, have been addressed: a new member has been baptized and received into membership; repairs to the buildings have been approved and completed (window framing replaced, new siding, and painting); and the membership roll has been reviewed and updated. In addition, the commission offered Pastor Chen guidance on the liturgy and ordering of a Presbyterian worship service, and shared ideas on how to embrace and encourage increased congregational participation. Average monthly Taiwanese worship attendances remained around fifty, and a small number of members (less than five) continued to worship at the English service led by Pastor Nishi (a joint service of Formosan PC and the International Christian Church of Houston). For the large group of disgruntled members who have chosen not to worship with their fellow congregants, the commission is prayerful and hopeful that they have sought the fellowship, support, and spiritual nurture of another community of faith. The search is continuing for actively involved members who would be willing to be elected to serve on a new Nominating Committee, and be a part of a transformative process to establish a healthy, nurturing and empowering governing body and revitalized ministry leadership. Your continued prayers of encouragement and hope for the congregation, pastor, and commission are appreciated greatly. In Christ’s service, Nora Fitch, TE, St. Thomas PC, Houston (Moderator) Limin Hsu, RE, Grace Taiwan PC, Houston Mark Plunkett, TE, Heritage PC, Houston Janet Rainey, RE, New Hope PC, Katy Tomás Spath, TE, Navasota PC, Houston (Co-moderator)

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C.2 – Finance Committee

Presbytery of New Covenant

Statement of Cash Flows for the Quarter Ended June 30, 2019

6/30/2019

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Increase (decrease) in net assets

$ 268,383

Adjustments to reconcile increase (decrease) in net assets to net cash used by operating activities: Net realized and unrealized (gain) or loss on investments

$ (237,271)

Depreciation

$ -

Contribution of property held for sale

$ -

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

$ -

Prepaids

$ -

Current liabilities

$ 4,267

Accounts payable

$ (6,332)

Deferred revenues

$ (41,250)

Funds held for others

$ 4,821

Net cash used by operating activities

$ (7,382)

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Purchase of property and equipment

$ (11,380)

Sales of investments

$ 35,308

Collections of note receivables

$ 44,909

Net cash provided by investing activities

$ 68,837

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH

$ 61,455

Cash beginning of quarter

$ 573,700

Cash end of quarter

$ 635,155

Revised 07/09/19

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D - Committee on Ministry Addendum Report

July 20, 2019 I. ACTION TAKEN ON BEHALF OF PRESBYTERY New member of Presbytery 1. Rev. Matthew “Matt” Morse, Member at Large, sustained the examination of the Committee on Examinations on 6/29/19; COM sustained the examination on 6/29/19. Ordained 11/16/03; Transferring from Detroit Presbytery Formal Education: 2003 MDiv Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, Austin, TX 1999 BA University of Texas, Austin, TX; Major: History and Minor: Religious Studies Statement of Faith I believe in God, the creator of all things living, who is sovereign and whose love for us nothing can overpower or destroy. God made everything good and to serve the purposes of good but gave us freedom to choose to serve other things and agendas that are not good. Evil is real. It does create havoc in an otherwise good world and we, when we choose against God and the good, commit sin, further causing damage to our world and to our lives. We see the consequences of that choice in war, the destruction to our environment, and, personally, abuse in our homes, the tearing apart of families and our individual self-destruction. But God, who loves us, created covenant with us. “I will be your God and you will be my people.” Out of the flood waters, God promises to never destroy us completely even when we rebel against that covenant. Over time, God sent prophets to speak to us and show us how to choose good over evil, justice over injustice, and mercy and compassion over indifference. Yet collectively and personally, we have continued to sin against God and one another.

God so loved the world that He sent His Son, the Christ, our Redeemer. Seeing that only such an act of grace could save humankind from sin, Jesus Christ entered the world as one of us, fully human and fully divine. He came teaching love for one another and forgiveness of sin. He called regular folks to extraordinary lives of service in the world just as he continues to do today. He instituted two sacraments, both signs of a new covenant: baptism, in which the water shows our death to old ways and a resurrection to a new life in Christ, and Holy Communion, an invitation to feast together with all God’s people with Christ as the Host. I believe when we worship together today and celebrate these sacraments we not only remember what Christ did for us, but what Christ is doing for us and that Christ is still present with us until He comes. He came with love in his heart – the love of a parent for his lost children - and healing in his touch, yet he was rejected by many, especially those in power who felt threatened by the new gospel of inclusion and personal sacrifice he preached. Giving himself over to them, Jesus Christ was crucified and left for dead. Christ did this for us, but also for them, saying “forgive them, they know not what they are doing.” I believe in the Resurrection of the Body, that after three days Christ rose from the dead, defeating the power of sin and death and proclaiming a light that shines in the darkness that cannot be overcome. He appeared to many before ascending to be with the Father but sent the Spirit to guide and enlighten the ongoing work inaugurated in his earthly ministry. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the triune God and is what sustains us as a worshiping community of believers, directing our spiritual life and comforting us when we need to know God’s presence – in good times and in our struggles. The Spirit is the breath that compels us into the world – the mission field – and equips us to speak of God’s love for us and for all God’s children. We are never sent out alone, yet we each are blessed with a particular calling or vocation. The Spirit helps us discern what that is and when we live an active prayer life we open ourselves up to hear it more clearly. By the Spirit, we each have gifts to claim to empower our discipleship and our witness. I believe Holy Scripture reveals to us God’s work and will – past, present and

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future. Scripture reveals many things, especially a preferential option for the poor, the weak, the abused, and the vulnerable. I believe the church is called to care for and comfort “the least of these” above all else when considering its mission. Finally, our spiritual life needs to be in community. The Great Commission tells us to go and make disciples, and to share the good news of the gospel – of God’s love and sacrifice in Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit – even to the ends of the earth. We do this, as Christ commands us, until he comes again.

H – NOMINATING COMMITTEE COM/Exams – 2019 Vice Moderator – RE Greg Feigh (Houston, Pathways)

Presbytery Publications

Postlude

Postlude is the publication that highlights the events and business conducted at presbytery meetings. It will be

posted on the presbytery’s website: www.pbyofnewcovenant.org

Commissioners will receive an email notification when Postlude is available. Please share it with your sessions.

Comments and suggestions should be directed to Lynn Hargrove at lhargrove@pbyofnewcovenant.org

Tuesday Connect

Do you receive Tuesday Connect, our weekly email newsletter? Contact Patricia Brantley to subscribe:

pbrantley@pbyofnewcovenant.org Submissions can be sent to Lynn Hargrove at

lhargrove@pbyofnewcovenant.org

Connections Is Green! Connections is the presbytery's bimonthly newsletter. In order to be better stewards of our environment and to save costs, Connections is sent via email. If you prefer to receive it in print or to update your email address, please contact Patricia Brantley, Circulation Manager, at pbrantley@pbyofnewcovenant.org or 713-526-2585, ext. 101.

Our publications staff is Lynn Hargrove, Editor, Carrie Walker, Coordinator for Conference and Graphics, Patricia

Brantley, Circulation Manager, and reporters from all over the presbytery and beyond!

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G.2 – Evangelism and Church Growth

Dear Presbytery of New Covenant! You may recall that at our last presbytery meeting (in March), The Evangelism and Church Growth Committee introduced the Vital Congregations Initiative. Many churches, pastors and leaders signed up—many went to a training event in May and began to introduce the Initiative to their congregations. Key to that introduction is the focus of the 7 Marks-- 1. Lifelong Discipleship Formation vs. complacent “Christian” piety; simply teaching good morals; offering the latest programs 2. Intentional Authentic Evangelism vs. “Jesus freaks”; “Christian” hypocrisy; a committee’s responsibility. 3. Outward Incarnational Focus vs. inward institutional survival; closed communities of assimilation/exclusion 4. Empowering Servant Leadership vs. the pastor’s job; monopolized leadership; hiring the young, energetic pastor 5. Spirit-Inspired Worship vs. self-gratifying worship; stale ritual divorced of meaning; consumer entertainment worship 6. Caring Relationships vs. any other social club; facades, hypocrisy and judgments of the “church” and “religion” 7. Ecclesial Health vs. unhealthy dysfunction; toxic environments; obsolete and irrelevant buildings. It is through our focus on these marks in our churches, through spiritual practices, through pastor cohorts, as well as resources from fabulous leaders, we will move toward a Presbytery-wide effort to be vital in our local community and together in our presbytery. At our meeting in July, you will hear from a few folks about what Vital Congregations is about and how we can move forward. There is an opportunity for pastor, elders, and leaders to further their training in this initiative. Please consider joining us at a conference in Kansas City on October 14-17 that will further our moving forward with the Vital Congregations Initiative. (see this link: https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/theology-formation-and-evangelism/evangelism/perspectives ) . We have scholarships available for those who would need it. Please see our Chair, Mike Umbenhaur (mike@firstpresorange.com) if that appeals to you and your church. Don’t miss out on this exciting time to be in our presbytery! We serve a God who is very active, and we get the chance to tag along!

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https://www.presbyterianmission.org/ministries/theology-formation-and-

evangelism/evangelism/perspectives/

The Evangelism and Church Growth Committee has set aside

funds for Scholarships for those who would like to attend this

gathering. Please contact Mike Umbenhaur

mike@firstpresorange.com for more information.

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