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
Monday, September 7, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
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
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
Friday, May 8, 2009
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
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
Monday, April 20, 2009
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
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
Friday, March 20, 2009
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
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
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
Friday, March 13, 2009
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
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
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