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MAPC UPDATE

Vol. XXXIII, No. 2
February 2007

Ash Wednesday – February 21 Service of Word and Sacrament Imposition of Ashes 12 Noon and 7 pm The Rev. Anne Conroy preaching

Lenten Series Begins Sunday, February 25 with Two Offerings Practicing our Faith in the Day-to-Day World February 25 — “Spiritual Practice and Transformation,” Beverly Bartlett March 4 — “Care for the Earth,” Douglas G. Grace March 11 — “The News Through Eyes and Ears of Faith,” Jessica Patchett Anderson March 18 — “Care for the Poor,” Dawn Ravella March 25 — “Speaking of Faith in Today’s World,” J.C. Austin and Fred Anderson Small Group on Jesus’ Second-Favorite Subject February 25, March 4, 11 & 18 What was Jesus’ second-favorite subject? Money! Second only to the Kingdom of God. Yet we rarely thoughtfully and honestly explore how our faith impacts our understanding and use of money. This small group experience will meet for four weeks starting on February 25 and is limited to those who will commit to each meeting, to free and open discussion within the group and to confidentiality outside of the group. Interested? Contact J.C. Austin at 212-288-8920 x242 or jca@mapc.com. Join us on Sundays after worship for these Lenten discussion opportunities. A light lunch will be served for a $5 donation.

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Benevolence Initiative of The 921 Fund

New opportunities for ministry are unfolding as the renovation of the Church House progresses and MAPC prepares to launch The 921 Fund: A New Century of Witness, Nurture and Service. The renewed Church House offers updated and enhanced resources for pastoral care and church programs for social outreach, fellowship and Christian education. As is the custom of MAPC during the course of a capital campaign, The 921 Fund will also support projects that uphold the work of Christ beyond the congregation in the form of benevolence grants. The 921 Fund will commit 10% of the construction costs of the Church House project to benevolence grants both locally and internationally.

The Benevolence Committee of The 921 Fund, chaired by Curtis Field, has met regularly over the last six months to discuss the scope and nature of the campaign’s grant-making. The objective of the committee is to support the overall mission of MAPC by holding to a discipline of generosity that also reflects the nature of The 921 Fund–witness, nurture and service. When making grants on behalf of The 921 Fund, the Benevolence Committee will act with a long-term outlook and as good stewards to ensure that grants made are capital investments for Christian witness, for sustainable growth, for systemic change and/or economic empowerment. The three tenets of MAPC’s standing Outreach Committee – to provide food for the hungry, shelter for the homeless and care for children at risk – will guide the decisions of the Benevolence Committee,although ultimate grants may not be limited solely to these criteria.

The grants that will be made by the campaign are still conceptual in nature, but the Benevolence Committee has begun to develop the specifics of the international and local programs that the campaign will support. Internationally, the Benevolence Committee is exploring the possibility of endowing a post-seminarian program that would fund a candidate’s year-long relocation to Africa for ministry and mission work in the field. The fellow would be immersed in the religious and cultural life of Africa under the supervision of PC(USA) Mission Co-Workers and assist in the oversight of MAPC-funded projects on the church’s behalf. A local granting opportunity under review by the Benevolence Committee addresses the need for pastoral leadership development for small yet viable churches within the Presbytery of New York City.

Thanks are due to Curtis and his committee for their resolve to extend the blessings of The 921 Fund in a thoughtful and effective manner. The members of the Benevolence Committee of The 921 Fund are Mary Ann Schwalbe, Sarah Badavas, David Johnson, Allison Bailey MacEachron, and staff members J.C. Austin and Dawn Ravella.

Emily Dupree, Director
The 921 Fund: A New Century of Witness Nurture and Service

Friday, March 9, 2007 6:30 pm festive dinner to celebrate 90 years of ministry in and through our Church House and embark upon A New Century of Witness, Nurture and Service For more information please contact Anita Moore at adm@mapc.com.

 

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Congregational Nurture

Mid-Timers

Two Mid-Timers events are planned for the coming weeks:
On Friday, February 23, we will meet at the Rubin Museum for a guided tour. We’ll gather during Happy Hour which begins at 6 pm in the lounge, and the tour will begin at 7 pm. The Rubin Museum is dedicated to the art of the Himalayas and surrounding regions. Admission to the museum is free on Fridays after 7 pm, and there will be a small charge for the tour. The Rubin Museum is located at 150 W. 17th St., between 6th and 7th Avenues.

On Friday, March 30 we will visit the Morgan Library and Museum, and enjoy a time of fellowship afterwards. Watch for more details on this event in the weekly Pastors’ Letter and Sunday announcements.

Families with Young Children
Saturday, March 10, 10 - Noon

Families with Young Children will meet on Saturday morning, March 10, beginning at 10 am on the fifth floor of the Church House. Families with children ages 5 and under are invited to join in this time of play and conversation. A light breakfast of bagels, fruit, snacks, coffee, tea, and juice will be available. Come enjoy this time of fellowship and get to know other families in the church. RSVP to Margaret Williamson at the church, 212-288-8920 x271 or mew@mapc.com.

20s/30s

The 20s/30s group will meet for fellowship and discussion on Sundays, February 25 and March 4 and 18 at 1 pm on the fifth floor of the Church House. A light lunch will be available. All MAPC members, friends and newcomers in their 20s and 30s are invited to join in this time of fellowship.

Healing and Wholeness Service
Wednesday, March 7; 6 pm
Dana Chapel

This monthly service includes prayers for healing, and anointing and laying on of hands for those who would like to come forward to receive prayers for themselves or on behalf of others.

MAPC Knitters

The two knitters’ groups continue to meet on a monthly basis. The March meetings are: Tuesday, March 13 from 6:30 to 8 pm, and Tuesday, March 20 from 10:30 am to noon. Both groups meet in the Hood Library. All knitters and crocheters are welcome, from novices to experts. Come work on a project of your own, scarves and hats for the Neighborhood Coalition for Shelter, or baby items for the residents of Inwood House.

Seniors Unlimited
March 12, 2007; 3 pm
Parish Hall

At the March Seniors Unlimited gathering we will welcome Dr. Louise Montello as our guest. Dr. Montello is an internationally known authority on music and healing. She will lead us in a workshop on music and health, focusing on the use of music to increase our energy, foster creativity, and reduce stress. The workshop will include breathing exercises, sound-making, and listening exercises. No prior music training is necessary! Please wear comfortable clothes.

Louise is equally at home on stage as a jazz pianist and in the research lab at New York University. She is an award-winning author and has developed the Performance Wellness (PW) Training that integrates cutting-edge techniques from music therapy, behavioral medicine and yoga science.

A time of refreshments will follow the workshop. RSVP to Margaret Williamson at 212-288-8920 x271 or mew@mapc.com.

Parents Prayer Group

The parents prayer group will meet in the Phillips Lounge from 8 to 8:30 am on Wednesdays, February 28 and March 14 and 28. This is an opportunity to support one another in parenting teens and young adults while joining in a time of scriptural reflection and prayer.

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Outreach Ministries

Background on Nkhoma Synod Youth Department

Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Nkhoma Synod is one of the 3 Presbyterian Synods in Malawi located in the Central Region. It has more than 1.5 million members across the region, of which more than 65% are youth (youth being defined as anyone less than 30 years old). Thus came about the Youth Department to take care of the upcoming generation, for guidance by the Church for its spiritual growth. MAPC funded a project initiated by Nkhoma Synod Youth Department to have its own Poultry Enterprise. The project is income-generating and will reduce malnutrition among undernourished children and people living with HIV-related diseases.

Our Latest Update on Malawi Poultry Project The chicken coops are completed, baby chicks are grown, and now 160 chickens have started laying eggs. The sale of these eggs will help start a cycle of self-sustaining economic development. The members of the community, who organized locally to make this project work, are extremely appreciative of MAPC’s financial assistance. They are excited about the project’s success so far and look forward to keeping us updated on further progress.

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Daylight Saving Time Begins Early this Year!

It will resume on
Sunday, March 11, 2007.

Spring Forward!

 

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Additional Information

Also, see:

• MAPC Home Page
• Worship Services
• Christian Education Programs
• MAPC Calendar
• St. Andrew Music Society Concerts

 

 

 

 

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