Hi Friends,  The annual statistics for 2006 are in and once again our denomination lost an amazing number of members: about 46,000.  Almost everywhere I go people ask me about our shrinking numbers.  Often the question is phrased: “What is Louisville (denominational offices) doing about our membership loss?”  While I have heard arguments from various quarters of the church that the denomination’s stands (or lack thereof) on certain issues are driving away members or hindering them from joining, I really believe this question is not the right question.  The question that needs to be asked is “what are YOU, man or woman in the pew, doing to help grow your congregation and reach people for Christ?”

Greetings to members of the General Assembly Council, Middle Governing Body Executives and friends,

The faith and resolve of the Peruvian people remain unshaken in the wake of the massive earthquake, which struck Peru last week.  As international relief workers dedicate themselves to bringing aid and hope amidst such destruction, we, as Presbyterians, join in solidarity and in prayer with the people of Peru and those who are ministering with them in such dire circumstances.  Through the collective presence of the broader ecumenical community – our partners who are hastening to respond – Christ’s presence is known.

Of those Presbyterians who were quickly on the scene, Jacob Goad’s witness and personal testimony are especially compelling.  Jacob, a long-term mission volunteer serving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Lima under the auspices of the Mission Initiative: Joining Hearts & Hands, has a passion for the work of peace and justice.  Of his own call to serve, he has said that the Gospel drives him to respond immediately whenever he looks upon people with needs.  And respond he has.  I share with you below a report he wrote on Saturday, August 18:

When Tom Masters accepted the call to be the Associate Pastor at Rolling Bay Presbyterian, news traveled fast on Bainbridge Island. The local newspaper, Bainbridge Island Review, highlighted Tom in an article printed on August 1, 2007. To read the article, click the link below.

Hi Friends,

Who would ever have though chlorine could smell so good! It's the smell of life to millions of people who die for lack of clean water all over the world. Many of these people are infants and children carried away by the scourge of diarrhea due to polluted water. The Synod of Living Waters is making an impact on this problem with an amazing mission project called “Living Waters for the World.” The brainchild of the Rev. Will Howie in Mississippi, this project has grown to involve thousand of people both inside the Presbyterian Church and beyond it. It teaches volunteers a simple, economical system for water purification at Clean Water University, and makes it possible for them to build relationships with churches and communities in places where they can make a life and death difference. Steve Young, Administrator of Living Waters for the World writes: “One of the wonderful characteristics of this Living Waters for the World mission is the diversity of those who participate. Volunteers who attend Clean Water University and subsequently go out into the field span the spectrum of age, gender, theology, politics, race, culture, and class. And guess what? Everyone not only gets along, they have a transformative spiritual experience as they stand together on common ground.” Sound interesting? Their web site is www.livingwatersfortheworld.org or email info@livingwatersfortheworld.org

Grace and peace, 
Joan

Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian School of Christian Education each year awards congregations in the Presbyterian Church (USA) for outstanding programs in ministry with special populations, early childhood education, excellence in Christian education, effective youth ministry and outreach and social concern.