MADISON AVENUE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
921 Madison Avenue
(at East 73rd Street)
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212- 288-8920
Fax: 212-249-1466
(at East 73rd Street)
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212- 288-8920
Fax: 212-249-1466
Moniré Mosé! “Hi everyone”—the extent of my Chichewa, the language of Malawi. My head is still reeling from the intense experience of our mission trip. The range of emotions spanned a broad spectrum—at one end, the deep sorrow at the almost unspeakable tragedy and suffering due to AIDS, hunger, loss and about one million orphans, and at the other end, the joy in witnessing the incredible generosity and spirit of the African people amid such circumstances. It was a true testament to the human spirit and the presence of God. I believe I am profoundly changed by what I have learned from the amazing people I met along this journey.
 |
| Some members
of the MAPC delegation with village children during a home visit in the Nkhoma AIDS Project |
Six of us from MAPC traveled to Malawi last month to see community-based
orphan care projects, some of which were partially funded by the MAPC Fund
for Renewal. We had a busy itinerary, spending most of our time visiting
orphan care centers, hospitals and villages. We also met with leaders from
the three Synods throughout Malawi: Blantyre, Livingstonia and Nkhoma. We
were graciously welcomed everywhere we went, and it became clear why the
description of Malawi as the “warm heart of Africa” is so fitting.
Our experiences included visiting families headed only by grandparents and
families headed only by children. We visited homes of people dying of AIDS.
There were also hope-affirming projects: we visited a vital shallow-well
project, and we helped move an orphanage! And everywhere were the faces
of the children. The faces of the beautiful children in our many photos
and videos will speak volumes that no human language is prepared to do adequately.
We will have so much to talk about. There will be a full report at an Outreach
luncheon this fall.
– Dawn Ravella
Director of Outreach Ministries
Worship Services August through September 5, 2004 Our Two-Service Schedule |
Adult Christian Education “An Ethic
of Abundance” Much of our life and our world
is wrapped up in the search for more: more time, more money,
more experiences, more choices, more satisfaction. This quest for
more prompts the question that we often never ask: how do
we know when the quest is over? How much more will be enough? |
New Adult Education Course
|
Attention Parents of 3 and 4 Year Olds
Did you know that we have a wonderful 3 & 4 year old Sunday school class
offered at 10 am every Sunday morning? This is a wonderful opportunity for
you to get your children involved in Christian education and the life of
MAPC. And while they are in Sunday school, join us for one of our many adult
Christian education opportunities. We hope to see you this fall!
Our first monthly gathering of the fall will be held on Saturday, September
11, 10 am - noon, on the Roof Garden. If you have children ages 5 and under,
please join us for a time of play and conversation and a light breakfast.
Please let us know if you are coming, so we can make appropriate plans for
food. RSVP to Margaret Williamson, 212-288-8920 x271, or e-mail her at mew@mapc.com.
This is a wonderful opportunity to get to know other families in the church.
The Congregational Nurture Committee is exploring additional activities
for Families with Young Children, possibly a field trip later this fall,
and a book study/discussion group for parents, based on the book Making
a Home for Faith: Nurturing the Spiritual Life of Your Children, by
Elizabeth F. Caldwell. We will let you know when further plans are confirmed.
Members of the Church Choir and the St. Andrew Chorale will mark the start
of the new season with a dinner party at the Manse on Thursday, September
9, at 7 pm. The regular Thursday night rehearsals will begin the following
week, September 16, with the Church Choir rehearsing from 7 to 8 pm and
the Chorale from 8:15 to 9:30 pm. The Church Choir also rehearses on Sunday
mornings from 10:30 to 11 am and sings at the 11:15 service.
The St. Andrew Chorale will begin work on the Rossini Petite Messe Solennelle,
which will be performed on Sunday, November 21, at 4 pm. The Chorale consists
of the Church Choir members plus additional volunteers totaling some 45-55
singers.
We are always encouraging new singers to join us for either or both of these
groups. Please call Dr. Weaver at the church, 212-288-8920 x267, to arrange
for an audition. If you know of others who may be interested in singing
with us, please invite them to call as well. They do not have to be a part
of the regular MAPC community.
MAPC began a small group ministry in the spring of 2003, and those who have
participated in the groups have found them to be a rich experience of faith
development and fellowship.
Small groups consist of four to ten people who:
• gather on a weekly basis
• share in fellowship
• follow the chosen curriculum
• spend time during the week reading, reflecting/ practicing suggested
spiritual exercises
• offer their reflections, insights, and questions regarding the material
in the group meeting
• share their faith journeys
• build community
Small groups are designed to facilitate faith development and faith sharing.
Although scripture passages are used throughout the chosen curriculum, these
are not traditional Bible Study groups. They are “formational”
rather than “informational.” That is, the purpose of small groups
is not to engage in an intellectual discussion of scripture or theology,
but to share our faith journeys, asking questions such as: “How does
this passage speak to me? What insights have I gained through this particular
reading that speak to my relationship with God? Which spiritual practices
deepen my experience of the presence of God? How have I experienced the
presence of Christ this past week? What is God’s call for me–in
the coming days and in the long-term?”
Once again there will be two types of small groups offered at MAPC this
fall:
1. Short-term groups. These groups will meet on Sunday
evenings from 6 - 7:30 pm for a period of eight weeks, beginning September
26 and ending November 14. We will be using the book Soul Feast
by Marjorie J. Thompson. Topics covered include:
• The nature and practice of spiritual reading
• Approaches to prayer and other spiritual practices
• Common worship
• Self-Examination, confession & awareness
• Spiritual direction
• Hospitality
In preparation for the Sunday evening meetings, participants will need to
read and reflect upon the chapter for the week and spend some time exploring
some of the suggested exercises and spiritual practices.
2. Long-term. Companions in Christ group: A Small
Group Experience in Spiritual Formation is a 28-week program developed by
Upper Room ministries. This group will meet on Monday mornings, 10 am -
noon, beginning September 27. With breaks for holidays, the group will finish
the program sometime in late May or June.
Companions in Christ is:
• A small group committed to deepening prayer and listening for the
Spirit.
• Individuals who study each day about prayer, scripture and discernment,
and who keep a personal notebook or journal of their learnings and questions.
• A small group of people who meet weekly to support one another,
share about what God is revealing in their reflections, and open themselves
to exploring on a deeper level the theme of the week.
The daily reading and reflection for Companions in Christ will
take an average of 30 minutes. The weekly meetings begin with a time of
centering and worship, then move into a period of sharing participants’
responses to the daily exercises. The second half of the meeting allows
for a time of “Deeper Explorations.” This will expand on an
aspect of the week’s theme or offer further practice in spiritual
exercises that are being taught. The weekly meeting closes with a time of
prayer and worship.
Please prayerfully consider participating in one of these small group ministries.
I think you will find your life, your faith and your ties with the MAPC
community strengthened. Small groups are one of the ways in which MAPC endeavors
to fulfill its mission “to bring people into the transforming presence
of Jesus Christ.” Those who already have participated in small groups
ministry have found it a transforming experience–as you will read
in their testimonies.
If you would like to join in a small group, please sign-up by calling Margaret
Williamson at the church office, 212-288-8920 x271, or e-mail her at mew@mapc.com.
If you have questions or would like to talk with someone who has participated
in a small group previously, Margaret can refer you to them.
See you in the fall,
Beverly Bartlett
Testimonials from participants in
last year’s small group ministries:
“The rewards of being in a small church group are many. Some of my long-term friendships have been made in the groups in which I was a part. The spiritual rewards of learning and praying within a small group include learning how to really listen to another’s insights, how to celebrate another’s happy times and how to comfort another during hard times. There is a closeness and cohesiveness within this kind of Christian community that is priceless.” –Maggie Mills
From Companions in Christ participants:
“An opportunity to go beyond your own experience and understanding
of God. An opportunity to explore your relationships to God: Father, Son
and Holy Spirit. An opportunity to practice classic forms of Christian spirituality.
An opportunity to know that you are not alone on this journey called life.”
“I have learned to pray with, and for, others. I have also learned
to ask for prayer.”
“By sharing about how we understand God working in our lives, in our
personal stories, in scripture or literature that we read together, we have
the opportunity to see and claim how profoundly He has been at work in us.
By sharing this way, out loud in a small group, we cultivate a boldness
of love for God and a personal confidence about articulating it.”
“From the beginning, when I participated in the group Companions in
Christ, I felt that I was a member of a family. Different people with different
ideas and beliefs, different characters and different problems…I have
learned to listen and to be listened to.”
“I learned so much about how to pray–Not to ask for things–
but to worship God and thank Him for all the blessings I have–family,
friends and my church community. And I learned how important it is to pray
for others–not just me.”
“Our group has become a community where we share our faith, our hopes,
our fears and anxieties, our doubts, our concerns and prayers. We have explored
the spiritual path together and accompanied each other on that path.”
“Tentative at first, I have learned the language of Christian formation,
what it means to grow in grace, how to rest in God’s abundant love
for us and trust in His promises. I have seen the work of a creative, loving
God in others’ experiences, and I have seen the sense of separation
between us diminish and the Christ-consciousness grow brighter in our midst.”
“This group has transformed my life.”
Friday, September 17, 2004 at 6 pm
At the home of Bob and Susie Case
Come kick off the fall with a time of fellowship at an all-church lasagna
dinner. Bob and Susie Case have graciously offered their home for this event.
In addition to good food and conversation, our faithful tenor Forbes Woods
will provide musical fun and lead us in a sing-along. Children are welcome–there
is a playroom in the basement of the building, and we will have childcare
workers who can watch over and play with children who would like to go downstairs.
The main course will be provided; if you are able, please bring a beverage,
appetizer or dessert to share.
RSVP to Margaret Williamson, 212-288-8920 x271, or e-mail her at mew@mapc.com.
Margaret can give you the Case’s address, or you will find it on the
postcard we will send to MAPC members in late August.
Come as you are and bring what you can, even if it’s only yourself!
Wednesday, September 13, 2004
3 – 4:30 pm in the Parish Hall
The first fall meeting will be on Monday, September 13, at 3 pm. The speaker will be John P. Avlon, a columnist for the New York Sun and Chief Speechwriter and Deputy Communications Director for former Mayor Rudolph Giuliani. He is President of Prides Crossing Executive Communication and worked on Bill Clinton’s 1996 presidential campaign. He will speak about his first book, Independent Nation, How the Vital Center is Changing American Politics, published in February 2004. His is a message that rises above partisanship and is timely to hear in the current political climate. Everyone is welcome at this event, which will be followed by light refreshments. RSVP to Margaret Williamson, 212-288-8920 x271, or by e-mail at mew@mapc.com.
|
Also, see: