In This Issue

Consecration Sunday

Peacemaking Offering,
October 4

Mission Trip to New Orleans
October 31 – November 7

Service of Remembrance

Solidarity Sunday,
5:30 pm at MSPC – October 4

Global Relief Resources Scholarship Fund

Children and Youth Upcoming Programs

Adult Education

Early Morning Service - 8:30 am

 MSPC Book Club List

 The Deacons of MSPC

October Birthdays

Important Dates

Thursday, October 1
Service of Remembrance, 1:00 pm

Friday, October 2
MSPC Book Club, 12:00 noon

Sunday, October 4
Worship, 8:30 am
Sunday School  9:30 am
Worship/World Communion, 10:50 am
Committee Meetings, 12:15 pm
Solidarity Sunday, 5:30 pm 

Wednesday, October 7
MSPC Writer’s Group,10:00 am
Bible Study, 5:30 pm
Bell Choir, 6:15 pm
Choir Rehearsal, 7:15 pm

Sunday, October 11
Worship, 8:30 am
Sunday School  9:30 am
Worship, 10:50 am
Blessing of the Animals, 5:00 pm

Wednesday, October 14
5:30 pm Bible Study
6:15 pm Bell Choir
7:15 pm, Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, October 18
Worship/Communion, 8:30 am
Sunday School, 9:30 am
Worship 10:50 am
Youth Group, 1:00 – 4:00 pm

Wednesday, October 21
5:30 pm Bible Study
6:15 pm Bell Choir
7:15 pm, Choir Rehearsal

Sunday, October 25
Worship/Communion, 8:50 am
Sunday School, 9:30 am
Worship/Consecration Sunday, 10:50 am 

Tuesday, October 27
Session Meeting, 7:00 pm

Wednesday, October 28
5:30 pm Bible Study
6:15 pm Bell Choir
7:15 pm, Choir Rehearsal

the Messenger is the monthly newsletter of Madison Square Presbyterian Church.  Please email your announcements to be published, questions, and comments to: church@msqpc.org

Deadline for publication in the newsletter is the 25th of each month.

Consecration Sunday Is Coming

Congregations that approach financial stewardship from a biblical perspective do not view the money Christians give to their church merely as a way to pay its bills. Rather, such congregations see financial contributions as a way to help people grow spiritually in their relationship with God by supporting their church’s mission and ministry with a percentage of their incomes.
Our congregation’s Stewardship Committee has selected the New Consecration Sunday Stewardship Program as a way to teach the biblical and spiritual principles of generous giving in our stewardship education emphasis this year.
New Consecration Sunday is based on the biblical philosophy of the need of the giver to give for his or her own spiritual development, rather than on the need of the church to receive. Instead of treating people like members of a social club who should pay dues, we will treat people like followers of Jesus Christ who want to give unselfishly as an act of discipleship. New Consecration Sunday encourages people toward proportionate and systematic giving in response to the question, “What percentage of my income is God calling me to give?”

During morning worship on Consecration Sunday, we are asking our attendees and members to make their financial commitments to our church’s missionary, benevolent, and educational ministries in this community and around the world.

Every attendee and member who completes an Estimate of Giving Card does so voluntarily by attending morning worship on Consecration Sunday. We urge people to attend who feel strongly opposed to completing a card. The procedure is done in such a way that no one feels personal embarrassment if he or she chooses not to fill out a card.
We will do no home solicitation to ask people to complete cards. During morning worship our guest leader will conduct a brief period of instruction and inspiration, climaxed by members making their commitments as a confidential act of worship.
We will encourage participation in Consecration Sunday events through the Consecration Sunday team and governing board members. Since we will make no follow-up visits to ask people to complete their cards, we will make every effort to inform, inspire, and commit everyone to attend Consecration Sunday worship.

Thanks in advance for your enthusiastic participation in Consecration Sunday events.

                        Ilene Dunn                                   Margaret Erickson
                        Pastor                                           Consecration Sunday Chair

PEACEMAKING OFFERING, October 4, 2009
The congregations of Mission Presbytery respond generously and graciously to the denomination’s Peacemaking Offering, received by most churches on World Communion Sunday (Oct 4, this year). Churches retain 25% of this offering for peacemaking uses within their congregations, another 25% is used by the presbytery, and 50% is funneled on to General Assembly in support of the denomination’s peacemaking program. {The San Antonio Department of Peace Movement, supporting HR 808, is part of the Presbyterian Peace Program.}
 This year the Presbytery’s portion will be used to inform and educate members of our presbytery on the issue of immigration.

Mission Trip to New Orleans – October 31 – November 7

Cost: $100 .00 covers room and Board

What will be doing: Rehabbing a house

Who do I talk to: Pastor Kenny kennyd@msqpc.org or Rich Nelson richnelson2001@yahoo.com

JOIN US ON
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Time:  1:00 P.M.
We begin with Memories:
in a non-denominational memorial service to honor your neighbor, friend, relative, co-worker, who were killed due to domestic violence.

Place:  Madison Square Presbyterian Church,
319 Camden
San Antonio, TX 78215

Contact:

The  p.e.a.c.e.  initiative

Patricia s. Castillo, L.M.S.W.
Phone:  (210) 533-2729
patricia@peaceinitiative.net

Free & open to the public

2009 Theme:
“End Family Violence:  A Call to Action”
In other countries, people struggle for justice using a process of seeing,
judging and acting.  In Spanish we say ver, juzgar, actuar.  This
process has been an anchor in the P.E.A.C.E. Initiative’s work to
end family violence.  The last of these steps is where San Antonio
finds itself at this time in our evolution. We’ve witnessed the family
struggle to survive against violence.   The family violence crime data
has been revealed. We have acknowledged the problem of family
violence is serious in our community.  The time is now to act!
Patricia S. Castillo, L.M.S.W.
Executive Director –The P.E.A.C.E. Initiative

Solidarity Sunday, 5:30 pm at MSPC – October 4

A Brief History of Solidarity Sunday

Solidarity Sunday is the non-violence project of Dignity-USA.  It was established in 1995 to help break the chain of violence against gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (glbt) persons.  It is celebrated annually on the Sunday before October 11 (National Coming Out Day).  It's an interfaith service that includes sharing from a variety of faith perspectives and remembering those who have violently lost their lives because they were gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgendered.  A potluck reception and time for fellowship conclude the celebration. 

Since its beginning, Solidarity Sunday has been observed by more than 1,000,000 people across the United States: through churches (including Baptists, Episcopalians, Catholics, Lutherans, Methodists Presbyterians, Unitarians); organizations (including Parents, Friends and Families of Lesbians and Gays (PFLAG), the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), The National Association of Gay and Lesbian Journalists); colleges, universities and high schools. Many churches and organization devote Solidarity Weekend to presentations, discussions, group study, etc., to try to understand the serious threat posed by violence, and to work to create solutions.

Global Relief Resources Scholarship Fund
"Come join us for a rip snorting night of Bunco so we can raise money for the
Global Relief Resources Scholarship Fund.
When: Saturday, October 10, 2009
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Where: Madison Square Presbyterian Fellowship Hall
The $10 entry fee will include a light meal. Cash or checks will be accepted.

As many of us are aware, the illegal practice of forced childhood marriage and FGM (female genital mutilation) is still practiced in many parts of the world. One group making inroads to help girls caught in this cycle is the Tasaru Girls Rescue Centre in Narok, Kenya. The Centre provides a safehouse and education for the girls through secondary school, but what happens next?

Global Relief Resources has established a scholarship fund to help the girls become self-sufficient. This fund provides the girls with education and job training that enables them to not only provide a sustainable income for their family and their community, but to also be a role model for other Massai girls. (Please see Mary Walker's Blog at marywalkerkenya.blogspot.com to learn more.)
One hundred percent of what you donate goes directly to the girls.

Please join us on October 10th."
RSVP to 691-2184 or Sail@grandecom.net so that we can know how much food to prepare. 

Children and Youth Upcoming Programs

World Communion Sunday – October 4 
Come early 9:30 and help make World Communion Sunday a special day. Children and help carry in banners or breads, read a leaders part or dress up as an animal for the dram!

Blessing of the Animals – Sunday October 11, 5: 00 p.m.
Meet at Madison Square park for a special blessing of the animals. Special treats and gifts for all animals. All pets are welcome!

All Saints Day/Dia de los Muertos – Sunday November 1
During October we will be gathering photos and remembrances of the saints of the church, those loved ones we have loved and who have died.
Join us on Sunday, Nov. 1, as we create an Alter of Remembrance.

Youth Group Meetings
October 18 – Walk Like a Tourist
Sunday after church from 1-4 p.m.  We will take the trolley downtown and check out some of the tourist traps…I mean opportunities Ripley’s Believe It or Not and the Wax Museum. Bring $20 for trolley ride, the cost of the museums and something to snack on.

November 15 – Rock and Roll Marathon!!!
We are trying to sign up as a team and volunteer at one of the water stations close to the church. More info soon!

December 13 – White Elephant Party
Let’s see who gets the gallbladder remover!!! And then we will caravan to Rev. Ilene’s Christmas Party

ADULT EDUCATION

9:30 Sunday School
Starting in October:
The adult class will study “Listening for God” volume 3 by Carlson & Hawkins.

Early Service Sunday Mornings Now Begins at 8:30 a.m.

October 2: Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe; hosted by Rebecca Baker

November 6: My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult; hosted by Jerry Correu

December 4: The Torch of Life (formerly titled Dr. Ida) by Dorothy Clarke Wilson; hosted by Dorothy Williams

January 8: select books for 2010; hosted by Carol Frere

February 5: TBA… suggestions or volunteers?

The Deacons of MSPC

Susan Scales
Diane Stallings
Rey Menchaca

Patricia Oxford
Randy Rice
Ken Sheppard

Jo McIver
Katsy Murphy
Kathy Sakai
Bobby Holmes

“Deacons offer a caring ministry in their commitment of compassionate, faithful, trustworthy and Christ-centered lives.  The Madison Square Presbyterian Church deacons offer a safe, caring outlet for anyone experiencing a life crisis or challenge which could include divorce, loss of a loved one, hospitalization, illness, relocation, retirement, unemployment, empty nest or other life transitions.”

October Birthdays

1 – Kyle Wilson
2 – Stacy Malone
       Christopher Cano
3 –  Karyn Matson
4 – Matthew Stroud
5 – Beth Shaw- Meadow
6 – Sydney Hillegas
       Cheryl Carney
10 – Garrick Herbert
         Mary Kling
13 – Emile Singh
14 – Rosemary Tatum
        David Savage
        Larry Stallings
15 – Pat Wall
18 – Angela Papehmis
19 – Susan Scales
20 – Bob Allen
         Andon Duran
         Tom Killion
21 – Jane Breland
         Brenda Chacon
24 – Nancy Gann
         Marlena Pape
         Mary Royalty
25 – Marilyn Goodwin
26 – Ryan Turner
         Korey Hendrix
         Christa Berger
27 – Susannah Nicholson
28 – Nancy Kent
29 – Robert Green
31 – Nathan Shaw-Meadow
         Leonard Juarez