Saturday, March 2
The Presbytery of Beaver-Butler
Pennsylvania
How many loaves have you?” Jesus’ challenging question is being heard in many places in the Presbytery of Beaver-Butler.
When a school building near Summit Presbyterian Church in Butler County became vacant, church members saw an opportunity for expanding the congregation’s outreach into the community. With a mixture of excitement and apprehension, they began planning ways in which the building could be used and praying for ways in which their limited finances could be expanded. Faith that God would use what resources they had to carry out their vision of ministry has resulted in the development of HIS Kids Christian School, whose mission is “helping children grow as Jesus did . . . in wisdom and stature, gaining favor with God and with people.” The school serves children from preschool through sixth grade and currently enrolls 59 students. Attractive classrooms, experienced and committed teachers, and innovative curricula make this a rich educational experience for the children. The building is also used for congregational and community events, thus providing a needed ministry in its rural setting.
In a similar act of faith, the presbytery has initiated a partnership with Zomba Presbytery of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in Malawi. The question that Beaver-Butler’s 84 congregations and their 12,007 members are being asked to think about is, “What can we bring to this partnership?—How many loaves do we have?” Mark Plumb, chair of the partnership task force, is leading the congregations in considering the implications of partnering with congregations in Zomba Presbytery. In addition, the presbytery is looking at ways to partner with Zomba Theological College—in particular, ways to add to the seminary library. In spite of increasing air fares and the decreasing budgets of congregations and the presbytery, sending a team of adults and youth to Malawi in the near future is Beaver-Butler’s next step in developing a strong relationship with its partner presbytery.
Let us join in prayer for:
Presbytery Staff
Rev. Alan Adams, executive presbyter
Rev. David Byers, stated clerk
Rev. Dennis Burnett, assistant stated clerk
James Gray, treasurer
Rev. Dr. Judy Angleberger, presbytery moderator
Raymond Why, presbytery vice moderator
Rev. Gary Weston, coordinating team chairperson
Sidney Fisher, resource center director
Lauren Cesnales, accountant
Barbara Paff, secretary to the executive presbyter
Mary Clow, secretary to the units and committees
Diana Mermon, youth outreach coordinator
Dan Brady, technology assistant
PC(USA) Agencies’ Staff
Elder Catherine Cottingham, Presbyterian Mission Agency
Paul Coty, Board of Pensions
Let us pray
Thank you, God, for the depth of your love for your children, love that challenges us to use all that you have given so freely. Open our eyes to see the rich possibilities before us. Amen.
Daily Lectionary
Morning Psalms 43; 149
First Reading Jeremiah 5:20-31
Second Reading Romans 3:19-31
Gospel Reading John 7:1-13
Evening Psalms 31; 143
