Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ..... Paul Reiter began to travel home last Wednesday (8/18) with the blessing of his doctor. He arrived on Thursday. His healing is going very well. But on Friday, he noticed a rash and now has been diagnosed with shingles. He is under medication for this new challenge but his spirits are up. Paul said that he was told there might be complications and setbacks as he moved through the healing process. This is simply one of the setbacks. Thank you again for the prayers and caring! Betty Meadows, President of AEPS

Dear Colleagues in Ministry,

There are few activities within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that serve as common bonds among our congregations despite geographical, demographical, and theological differences. The Special Offerings are one of the shared practices engaged by an overwhelming majority of our churches. The Offerings are "connective tissue," bringing together all stripes of Presbyterian congregations into common mission in Christ's name. Even so, we believe there is great untapped potential in these Offerings. As leaders in our denomination, you play a key role in revitalizing these Offerings which impact so many areas of the connectional church's ministry.

That is why we urge you to participate in a focus group on the Special Offerings commissioned by the General Assembly Special Offerings Advisory Task Force and held on July 6th and 7th during the proceedings of the 219th General Assembly in Minneapolis. The focus groups will be conducted by the Alford Group [www.alford.com] and take place at the following times:

• Tuesday, July 6th     10:30 AM - Noon, 
• Tuesday, July 6th       1:30 PM - 3:00 PM, 
• Tuesday, July 6th       3:00 PM - 5:00 PM,
• Wednesday, July 7th  10:30 AM - Noon, 
• Wednesday, July 7th    1:30 PM - 3:00 PM,

Please find attached a concept paper that describes your important role in the research and analysis of the Special Offerings.

Please contact Denise Dukes, Denise.Dukes@pcusa.org , (502) 569-5026, to schedule and confirm your participation.

We thank you in advance for the key role that you will play in growing the potential and effectiveness of these important church-wide Special Offerings!

Grace and peace,

The Rev. Karl Travis
First Presbyterian Church, Ft. Worth, TX
Chair, Special Offerings Advisory Task Force

The Rev. Betty Meadows, President of AEPS
General Presbyter
Mid-Kentucky Presbytery

 

 

Many of you know by now that Arabella Meadows-Rogers died Thursday, December 17, at 4:30 AM. Her husband Rob and her sister were with her. She declined quickly over the last few weeks but even so, for as long as she could be, she was alert and communicative. A memorial service will be held for her after the first of the year at Madison Avenue Presbyterian Church in New York City. Arabella was the EP in NYC Presbytery until she left the position during the summer on disability.

I invite all who would like to comment on Arabella and her many gifts. We can give her a tribute in this blog. She was a friend of mine, someone who encouraged me and empowered me to bring my leadership gifts to the table. She was wise and funny, strong and compassionate. But it was her faith that affected me the most. That faith could be seen as she found fullness of life even in the face of cancer. She lived with joy and as Jill Hudson noted, we could see that joy in the brightly colored headscarves she wrapped around her head. She was simply vibrant. Her whole life spoke boldly to life in this world and the next. I will miss her. We will miss her.

You can email her husband, Rob, at rmr@nyc.rr.com.
Or you can send a note to Robert Meadows-Rogers: 70 Haven Avenue, Apt. 2C, New York, NY 10032-2609.

Betty Meadows, President
Association of Executive Presbyters