Emmanuel

"An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, 'Jospeh, son of David, no not be afraid to take Mary as your wife, for the child conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.' All this took place to fulfill what had been spoken by the Lord through the prophet: 'Look, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall name him Emmanuel,' which means 'God is with us.'" (Matthew 1:20-23)

As we enter a new year, we need to remember the great promise that we have been given: God is with us. At times that might be a difficult thing for us to believe. When terrorists attempt to blow up airplanes, when unemployment is so widespread, when wars rage on around the world - at times we might be led to wonder if God really is with us.

But the good news of this Christmas season - and the good news that we are able to carry with us throughout the year - is that God is truly with us, no matter what.

And so as we prepare to enter into a new year - and daily, as enter each new morning - let us remind ourselves that God is with us. And let us allow our words and actions to show forth that that is what we genuinely believe.

Ed Bowen

It Is Good For Us To Be Here

One of today's lectionary readings from the Bible (Matthew 17:1-8)

1Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and his brother John and led them up a high mountain, by themselves. 2And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became dazzling white. 3Suddenly there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. 4Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if you wish, I will make three dwellings here, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.” 5While he was still speaking, suddenly a bright cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud a voice said, “This is my Son, the Beloved; with him I am well pleased; listen to him!” 6When the disciples heard this, they fell to the ground and were overcome by fear. 7But Jesus came and touched them, saying, “Get up and do not be afraid.” 8And when they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus himself alone.

This passage is commonly referred to as the Transfiguration. In some miraculous, amazing way Jesus' appearance was changed, or transfigured, as three of his disciples looked on.

But notice that this special encounter with Jesus took place away from the crowds and the busy-ness of life. It took place on top of mountain.

Even today, Jesus wants us to encounter him in special ways. Our challenge is find times each week - or ideally, each day - to experience periods when we can be calm and quiet, and spend time in Jesus' presence. As we do that, we will grow in our relationship with Jesus, and we will grow in our ability to understand God's will for each of our lives.

When we find those period of calm and quiet, hopefully we will say what Peter said, "Lord, it is good for us to be here."

Ed Bowen

Exciting Start to the Fall Season

This fall season got off to an exciting start as many of our youth programs started back up for the new school year. On Sunday, August 30, we had around 35 teens come for our PYC youth group for grades 6-12. The youth had a great time, and we're looking forward to some outstanding events this fall, including a sleepover in October and a retreat at Crestfield in November. My hope is that during this coming year we will see the group grow to about 100 young people, gathering on a regular basis for prayer, Bible study, service projects, and fellowship.

This past Wednesday was rather awesome as about 75 kids in kindergarten through grade 6 came for the first day of Youth Club. All the kids seemed to have a great time with the music, Bible story, games, dinner, and Celebration Time. Right now the kids are preparing a special song to sing in Sunday worship on September 20, which will be our first Youth Club Sunday of the school year.

Please pray for the children of our area - and their families. And please pray for our church as we seek to share the good news of Jesus through our youth ministries.

Ed Bowen

Baccalaureate

On June 9, I had the honor and privilege of being a part of the Baccalaureate service for the seniors at Carlynton High School. Many people might not realize it, but most school districts have abandoned having Baccalaureate services for their students, but Carlyton continues.

Even though the Penguins were playing Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Finals that night, the senior class was very well represented, along with many of their family members and friends.

I was particularly impressed by the speeches that four of the students gave, in which they shared how their faith has played a role in the school life. One student told about how she organized a "Meet You At The Pole" event, as part of a nationwide event that encourages students and school personnel to gather at the school flag pole on a particular day in the fall to pray for the school and the community. She told about how the event was very small when she first organized it, but how it has now grown into something significant for the school community.

A member of the football team shared about how many members of the team pray before games and meals, praying for their safety, praying for the other team, and praying for each other.

Another student spoke about she was part of a group of students who regularly met to pray and read the Bible.

And another student told about how many of those who participated in the musical regularly got together and formed a prayer group.

I found it to be very inspiring that the Christian faith is playing such a significant role in the lives of many of our area young people.

Ed Bowen

Summer Camp

Over the years researchers have interviewed adult Christians and asked them to identify what was the most important thing that influenced them to become excited about the Christian faith. Time and again the responses are the same: summer camp. Even though things like Sunday school, youth groups, worship, and other church activities are certainly important, church summer camp has had a profound impact on the lives of many people over the years.

Our church, as part of Pittsburgh Presbytery, is blessed to have Crestfield as our camp and conference center. Located just outside Slippery Rock, in the summertime young people from across the area flock to Crestfield's 224 acres to enjoy canoeing, hiking, Bible study, crafts, swimming, swamp ball, hayrides, camp outs, and so much more. And in the midst of those fun and engaging activities, many young people discover the wonderful love that God has for them.

If you know a young person (in grade 3 or older) who would like to spend a week at Crestfield at summer, let me know. We are organizing a group to go together from July 26-31. Or if you would like to help provide scholarships for a youth to attend camp (a week at camp costs $325), please mark "Summer Camp Scholarship" on your check or envelope.

My hope is that we'll be helping at 20 young people in the area to attend Crestfield this summer. And let it be our prayer that during that week at camp, those young people will come back enthused and excited to continue their journey of faith as part of our church community.

Ed Bowen

Legal Help - A New Ministry

In May another exciting new ministry will begin in our church. One of our members, who is an attorney, has offered to be available to meet with people from the church or community who might need help with various legal matters. For instance, she will be available to assist people with preparing wills, living wills, and powers of attorney, as well as other legal questions or issues that people might have.

This member has decided to engage in this ministry, in part, as a result of a recent sermon in which I invited people to seriously consider how we can use the talents and resources that God has given each of us to serve other people.

We will start this ministry on Wednesday, May 27, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. If you would like to schedule an appointment to meet with the attorney, please call the church office at 412-921-2293 to set up a time. Our plan is to offer this service one evening each month.

We celebrate the beginning of this important new ministry!

Ed Bowen

Community Parish Nurse

Our church is currently seeking a registered nurse to work 12 hours per week as a Community Parish Nurse. The Community Parish Nurse would visit people in their homes and other settings to consult with them about their medical needs; refer people to appropriate healthcare providers and community services; and address people's mental, emotional and spiritual needs. The Community Parish Nurse will also work with a Health Ministry Team at the church to offer a variety of events that would promote whole person health and wellness of members of the church and community. Applicants may e-mail a resume (with three references) to Dr. Bowen at craftonup@yahoo.com, or send it to him at 80 Bradford Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15205.

This is an exciting opportunity for our church to extend the healing and loving presence of Christ into our church and into the community. If you know a registered nurse who might be interested in working with us, please have him or her contact us as soon as possible.

Ed Bowen

Tell Me About Your Church

If you were talking with someone at the store or on the sidewalk and at some point in the conversation the person said, “Tell me about your church,” how would you respond? If you had thirty seconds or so to tell about our church, what would you say?

When I recently met with our church staff, we discussed that very question. Because the truth is that quite often opportunities to talk with other people about our church or about our faith come up suddenly, and so it’s wise for us to consider what we would say when those circumstances arise. After all, there is an old joke: “What do you get when you cross a Presbyterian with a Jehovah’s Witness? The answer: someone who rings your doorbell, but who has absolutely no idea what to say.” But instead of being speechless when we have opportunities to share something about our church or our faith, I believe God wants us to be prepared to share some good news with people.

When people ask me about the church, the basic message I am communicating these days is this: God is doing exciting and amazing things through Crafton United Presbyterian Church to make a positive impact on the community. And to back up those words I would point to the 50 or more children who gather each week for Youth Club and Adventure Group and the way that young lives are being changed for the better. I would point to the dozens of older adults from across the community who gather regularly for our CAMP senior citizen program, and how much they enjoy and appreciate the fellowship and activities. I would point to the way that our church supports the community food pantry ministry, and assists many families each month who are going through difficult times. And those are just a few of the many examples of the great things that God is doing through our congregation to make a positive impact on the community.

As you interact with friends and neighbors, what message are you communicating about our church and about your faith? Think about it. Consider what you’ll say. Because God gives all of us opportunities to be bearers of the Good News.

Ed Bowen

A Challenge and an Opportunity

Chances are you heard about the survey that was recently released concerning religion in America. Among the study's more shocking findings is that the percentage of people in the United States who claim to have no religion at all has nearly doubled in the past twenty years. Currently 15% of all Americans say they have no religion.

Reverend Kendall Harmon, a theologian for the Episcopal Diocese of South Carolina, says a couple once walked into his office carrying a yellow pad full of questions their teenage son had provided. Among them: "What is that guy doing hanging up there on the plus sign?"

So often Christian churches make the assumption that nearly everyone in our communities are already Christians, and that our mission is simply to "remind" people about what they already know and believe. But as this study shows us, the challenge in front of us is much greater than that. The challenge is that we live in a nation where an ever-increasing number of people have no knowledge of the Bible and no understanding of the Christian faith.

That, however, also presents the church with an opportunity - an opportunity to be involved in mission work right in our own neighborhoods. Who do you know that doesn't have an active, vibrant relationship with Jesus? Who do you know that doesn't have a meaningful involvement with a church? Is there some family member, friend, neighbor, or co-worker that you know that you could be reaching out to?

It's true: not everyone you invite to come with you to worship is going to accept that invitation. But there are people out there who will accept that invitation, but they're not going to until that invitation is extended to them. Pray for the people you know who don't currently have a meaningful life of faith. And pray for yourself that God might work through you to invite and welcome those people into a relationship with Jesus and with his church.

Ed Bowen

Where Have You Seen God Today?

Where have you seen God today? That's an important question that we all should be asking ourselves on a regular basis.

At the conclusion of our worship service each Sunday we say that we believe that "we go nowhere by accident. Wherever we are, God has a purpose in our being there."

Whether we realize it or not, God is present and at work in our lives every moment. Yet amid the busy-ness of our lives we often overlook what God is up to. So especially during this season of Lent, try to take some time each day to reflect on the happenings in your life - the big and the small events - and consider what God is saying to you. Consider what God is trying to teach you. Consider what God is trying to lead you to do.

Where have you seen God today?

Ed Bowen

Ash Wednesday

We had a wonderful Ash Wednesday service this week. One of the things that made it so special was the fact that nearly twenty of our Youth Club children stayed and took part in the service.

Even though the students had been at school all day, and even though they had already spent more than three hours at the church for Youth Club, a large number of the young people expressed a desire to share in the worship service. Some of the children, in fact, even pleaded with their parents for permission to stay. It was a rather amazing thing.

During the service, all of the children sang a special song, two of them served as acolytes, and one helped to run the video projectors. After the service, many of the adults present commented on how well the children conducted themselves.

It's exciting to see young people becoming so enthused about worshiping God. It's my hope and prayer that in the coming months that children and families that don't currently have a church to worship with will continue to feel led to worship with us, and that together we might grow in our love and worship of God.

Ed Bowen

Donation Decision

Back in October our church received an anonymous donation of $46,600. The money came in the form of a cashier's check from a local bank, so we could not ascertain who the gift was from. The check simply came with a hand-printed, unsigned note that said "Please use this money in whatever way God directs you in his service."

After receiving input from the congregation and after prayerfully considering the matter for several months, our session recently decided how to use the funds. Almost half of the money ($20,000) will be set aside to help fund a new Community Nurse Ministry. The idea is that we will be looking to hire a registered nurse who would be available to work with us about 12 hours per week. The Community Nurse would serve a wide variety of roles. For instance, the nurse could be available to visit people in their homes after they are discharged from the hospital to make sure that they are doing OK. The nurse could also visit with many of the older adults in the area, counseling with them about their health and well-being, realizing that many older adults do not have family members nearby to make sure that they are getting the care and attention they might need. Also, recognizing that many people of all ages in the area do not have health insurance, the Community Nurse could help connect people with the healthcare resources that are available to them.

But beyond discussing with people their physical needs, the Community Nurse will also address the spiritual needs that people might have. In that regard, the Community Nurse will work with a Health Ministry Team that we will assemble in the coming months. The Health Ministry Team will work with the Community Nurse to sponsor helpful programs, such as possibily offering training for teenage babysitters, or putting on classes for parents of newborns, or sponsoring seminars for people who are caring for loved ones who are experiencing dementia. The possibilities are endless. The Health Ministry Team would also seek to provide hands-on caring for people, perhaps by transporting people to medical appointments or by visiting with those who are sick or who are going through a time of grief.

In addition to the Community Nurse Ministry, another portion of the anonymous donation ($6,600) will be used to provide scholarships for young people to attend church summer camp, mission trips, retreats, and other special events. This will help make sure that young people will not be prevented from taking part in meaningful events if their family cannot afford it.

Another $10,000 of the funds will be used to do improvements to the kitchen and fellowship hall, and another $10,000 will be used to help replace the church's boiler. While that money will help improve and enhance our physical facility, the session believes that using that money in that way also helps us to continue our church's ministry, since so many community groups count on having our church available to them and since so much of our building is utilized by our many outreach activities, such as the Youth Club, the CAMP senior citizen group, and the food pantry.

The church is grateful for this wonderful gift. We look forward to the fruit that will result from the undertakings that are being made possible because of that donation.

Ed Bowen

School District Consolidation

I have to admit that it has been a long time since I wrote to a government official. But when I read about the Governor's recent proposal to institute a process that would lead to the consolidation of the state's 501 school districts into 100 districts, I sent letters to my state representative and senator, asking them to do what they could to oppose that plan.

I agree that making school districts more efficient and cost-effective is certainly a desirable goal. But my concern is that by creating these mega-districts, more and more students are going to get lost in the system. According to the Post-Gazette, if this consolidation were to take place, the typical school district would be made up of about 17,500 students, meaning that each grade level would include approximately 1,400 students.

Perhaps just as important, families and local communities are going to be more and more marginalized from the education system. If districts become exponentially larger, as the Governor is wanting, there is no way that administrators and school boards are going to be able to be as responsive to the particular needs of students, families, or communities.

Another consideration is the fact that if there were to be significant consolidations, many students - including elementary school students - are going to end up being bussed out of their neighborhoods considerable distances to new schools.

I believe that the decision about whether to consolidate or not should be left to local school districts and voters. Consolidation should not be mandated by the powers-that-be in Harrisburg.

Finding ways to reduce the cost of education is certainly a worthwhile undertaking. But I believe that the Governor's rather heavy-handed proposal is wrong for the schools of our state.

If you have a strong feeling about this matter, I would encourage you to contact your legislators. For those in the Crafton area, your Senator is Wayne Fontana, Senate Box 203042, Harrisburg PA 17120, and your Representative is Daniel J. Deasy, P.O. Box 202027, Harrisburg PA 17120.

Ed Bowen

Happy Candlemas!

February 2, of course, is an important day in Pennsylvania. It's the one day when the nation turns its attention to the small town of Punxsutawney and waits to see if the groundhog sees his shadow or not. The origin of Groundhog Day seems to date back centuries and centuries to a belief held by the Romans that if the sun shined on Candlemas Day - February 2 - and the hedgehog saw his shadow, that meant there would be another six weeks of cold winter weather. And as the Romans extended their empire throughout Europe, they eventually passed that belief on to the Germans.

So when the Germans started migrating to North America in the 1700s and 1800s, and began settling mainly in Pennsylvania, they brought that tradition with them. The only problem was that since Pennsylvania doesn't have hedgehogs, they figured that groundhogs could serve the same purpose. And now since 1886, every year on Candlemas, February 2, the world focuses in on Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania to see what the groundhog's prediction is going to be.

But that still leave the question: What is Candlemas? Well, Candlemas is the fortieth day after Christmas, and the holiday, if you want to call it that, is based on a passage in the second chapter of the Gospel of Luke. According to the religious law in Jesus' day, after a woman gave birth, she was not allowed to worship in the temple until after forty days had gone by. And so, on the fortieth day after the celebration of Jesus' birth, we remember the first time that Mary brought Jesus into the temple.

And when Mary came into the temple with Jesus, there was an elderly man there named Simeon. Apparently Simeon was a very faithful man, constantly in prayer to God, and God had told Simeon that he would not die until he had had the chance to see the Savior. So when Mary walked into the temple with Jesus in her arms, Simeon's eyes lit up, and he looked up to God and said, "My eyes have seen your salvation....[He is] a light of revelation" (Luke 2:30,32).

And so dating all the way back to at least the fourth century Candlemas has been celebrated on the fortieth day after Jesus' birth. The day is called Candlemas because it was on that day the priests would bless people's candles. That act was done to remember what Simeon said when he first saw Jesus, "He is a light of revelation." Thus, the blessing of candles on Candlemas was a way of reminding people of how Jesus is the light that shines amid the darkness of our world. And you thought that February 2 was just Groundhog Day!

Ed Bowen

What Are Your Ideas For This Blog?

Although blogging has been around for quite a few years now, I have to admit that this is something new for me. So I would appreciate your input and ideas. What kinds of subjects or topics would be most helpful and interesting?

My tentative plan is to occasionally comment about aspects of our chuch's ministry and mission, offer reflections on biblical and theological subjects, and share thoughts about matters that are going on in the community and society around us.

But my hope is that this blog will not be merely a monologue, with me doing all the talking. I hope that some of the postings will motivate people to share responses and generate a conversation.

So, what are your ideas for this blog? I would appreciate your feedback.

Ed Bowen

Healing

When you read the Gospels, you find that Jesus' ministry was essentially made up of three main components: preaching, teaching, and healing. In most churches today, we tend to focus on the first two of those components. We put a great deal of emphasis on our Sunday morning worship, with the preaching of the sermon being a central focus of that weekly experience. Likewise, most churches offer a wide variety of teaching opportunities, ranging from Bible studies to Sunday school to various small group gatherings.

Yet many churches tend to downplay the role of healing. Healing, however, is as much needed today as it was in Jesus' time.

Especially during the past month I have personally experienced how important the gift of healing is. My stay in the hospital for my surgery, and my subsequent recoverytime, has taken considerably longer than my doctors had first estimated, primarily because the operation ended up being much more complicated than was originally anticipated. And it is hard for me to imagine how I would have made it through this period without the care, prayers, and visits that I have received from my family, from our church members, and from friends.

My hope is that as we move into this new year together, as a church we will make healing an even more important focus of our church's ministry. Of course, we can continue to pray for the sick and for those going through difficult times, as we already do. But my hope is that we will be able to offer even more tangible forms of assistance. For instance, there are older people in the area who sometimes have difficulty in getting to doctor's appointments. Perhaps our church could be more intentional in helping people in that way. Or others have questions about health problems, and what they should do about them. A goal that I have is that we will be able to offer people - in our church and in the surrounding community - with opportunities to consult with a nurse or other health professional to guide them in the right direction so that they can get the help they need. And as people deal with health issues, my hope is that our church will be even more intentional in caring for those people through home visits, telephone calls, cards, and other expressions of concern, so that those who are suffering can be assured that they are not going through those trying times alone.

I believe healing was central to Jesus' ministry, because when we are suffering in our bodies it becomes very difficult for us to focus on God and it becomes very difficult us for us to feel able to do the work that God wants us to do. Therefore, healing is the gift that comes from God that makes it possible for us to be re-connected to God, and to be re-empowered to fulfill the mission that God has for each of us.

Ed Bowen