219th General Assembly Affirms the Ministry of PHEWA
Responding to an overture from the Presbytery of Elizabeth, Item 09-07, "On Affirming the Presbyterian Health, Education, and Welfare Association," the 219th General Assembly (2010), “Affirmed the work of the Presbyterian Health, Education and Welfare Association (PHEWA) as an early, effective, and continuing model of social networking and an effective way to multiply gifts; and directed the General Assembly Mission Council to develop and apply a funding strategy for the continuing life of PHEWA, before the end of the fiscal year 2012, so that it may continue to implement GA-mandated ministries as an entity of networks; and voted that an extra commitment opportunity fund account be earmarked to provide salary and support for the position of Executive Director of PHEWA, as described in the historic covenant of shared ministry partnership agreement that outlines our collaborative ministry.”
The new Extra Commitment Opportunity fund is set up and ready to go!
Here is the number you will need to designate monies from individuals, churches, presbyteries, and/or synods to support this critical lead organizer for the PHEWA justice ministry networks around the country. Our sincere thanks for your continued and faithful support.
E052108 - PHEWA Faith-Based Community Organizer Position
Please consider yourself personally and respectfully requested to organize any of the Presbyterian communities where you serve to set aside some of their budgeted mission money for this purpose.
To make a gift to the PHEWA ECO account by check, note E052108 PHEWA and mail it to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
P.O. Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
PHEWA awards reception honors 'whole ministry'
‘The whole is greater than the sum of its parts,’ says Brashear
by Bethany Furkin
C. Lynn Cox, from Presbyterians for Disability Concerns, presented the Nancy Jennings Award to the Rev. David E. Young at the PHEWA Ministry Awards Reception on Monday. Photo by Danny Bolin.
PHEWA is a community of ministries serving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The PHEWA awards reception is one of his favorite nights of any General Assembly, said the Rev. Bob Brashear, PHEWA board member.
“When you put all these networks together, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts,” he said. “This is a whole ministry.”
Offering Our Gifts
New From Presbyterians for Disability Concerns (PDC)
Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
I Cor. 12:4-6
Offering Our Gifts is a PowerPoint presentation with pictures and audio that features the personal experiences of persons with disabilities. Included are “Access Your Heart,” by poet Sarah Nettleton, and “Beatitudes for an Inclusive Church,” by Bebe Baldwin. The resource celebrates the valuable gifts people with disabilities bring to the Body of Christ and offers practical suggestions for including people with disabilities in the church’s life.
Originally developed by the PDC Leadership Team for orientation of Commissioners to the 219th General Assembly (2010), the PowerPoint is appropriate and recommended for all church gatherings.
What to do NOW
- Watch a Power Point presentation of PHEWA’s recent work.
- Register your congregation on the Wellness Connection.
- Order “Repairers of the Breach: Five Bible Studies on Social Justice Issues in New Orleans in the Wake of Hurricane Katrina,” by Margaret P. Aymer Oget; prepared for the 2007 PHEWA Social Justice Biennial Conference in New Orleans.
- Learn about and consider support of Winds of Hope, Winds of Healing, an organization that raises awareness and funds for mental health and pastoral counseling services in underserved areas through music.
- Contribute to PHEWA’s Sustaining Prophetic Values into the Future Fund by sending your gift to the PHEWA Office. Your donation will help to maintain and strengthen PHEWA’s prophetic ministry within the life of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), a witness much needed in a hurting world.” Send to:
PHEWA
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
100 Witherspoon Street, Rm. 3228
Louisville, KY 40202-1396