Out of sight, out of mind! That often occurs when someone is not visible on Sundays. Just a reminder, I continue to be your Parish Associate. As previously stated, I serve as Tennent Church’s Stephen Ministry Leader. I also cover for Pastor MacKenzie when he is away, do the phone tree, counseling, substitute for the Confirmand class and the Wednesday morning Bible Study class. Old Tennent and First Presbyterian Church of Englishtown continue to work jointly in Stephen Ministry and with our Youth. You may not see me on Sundays, but I am around during the week. Looking forward to seeing you when you stop by Old Scots Hall!

"As [Jesus] drew near, He saw the city and wept over it." Luke 19:41-48

The Church Season of Lent has begun. It is a time of meditation, penitence, and repentance. A time when we especially need to slow down and think about how we are living, and for Whom we are living. It is a time when we become aware of how we have been living, and how we have NOT been living for Him - a time of being sorry, and willing to change. It is a time when we, in our being sorry, do change - that we may serve Him. It is a time of LOVE.

Here is a paraphrase of Vernon Grounds’ article telling of how long it took for a woman to say yes. A Welshman fell in love with a neighbor and wanted to marry her. They quarreled, and she would not forgive him. He was shy, and reluctant to face her, but he was persistent. He slipped a love letter under her door every week. At last, 42 years later, he was able to summon up the courage to knock on her door, and ask her to become his wife. She accepted, and they were married at the age of 74. God is also a persistent lover. Over the centuries He sent prophets seeking those stubborn Israelites.
Finally, He sent His Son, Jesus. And Jesus persisted. He was our redeeming sacrifice at Calvary. He opened the way for reconciliation. We read the above and wonder at the foolishness of a petty quarrel keeping two people apart for 42 years. Yet, look at how long people have stayed apart from God. His mercy and Grace are such that He gave His own Son, that Lover of your soul - that we may be forgiven and assured of everlasting life. God has not been hesitant about knocking on our doors. He has been knocking for centuries. How long has God been knocking and slipping His love letter under your door? Have you answered? If not, remember - meditation, penitence, and repentance. if you have -remember meditation, penitence, and repentance - for we all sin and come short of the glory of God.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28
 
 

 

In His Service,

Dierdre

 

The Rev. Dierdre Thomson and Rev. Dr. Hugh MacKenzie

Link to Associate's Statement for October, 2003

Link Back to Events
 

The question, "What does the Parish Associate do?" sometimes comes up. Our Finance & Administration Chairperson suggested that I write a Newsletter information article for the congregation.

First, to help clarify the difference, the Parish Associate is NOT the Associate Pastor. Associate Pastor is a regular salaried pastoral position.

Second, the Parish Associate is an ordained Minister of Word and Sacrament who has a primary job elsewhere, may be retired from the pastorate, is not on salary, nor receives hourly wages. Depending on the church, the Parish Associate may receive an honorarium. "A Parish Associate is a minister who serves in some validated ministry other than the local parish ... but who wishes to maintain a relationship with a particular church ... in keeping with ordination to the ministry of the Word and Sacrament ... The Parish Associate shall be responsible to the pastor, as head of staff, on an 'as need, as available' basis and with or without remuneration." G-14.0515 Book of Order

As the Parish Associate, I sometimes preach (including children's sermons) and officiate at weddings, baptisms, and funerals. I attend Staff meetings and Session, and am pastoral representative to the Nominating Committee. I substitute teach, (including New Member Classes), for the Pastor when I am available. I am at the office various mornings or afternoons of the week as works out best with my primary job as Hospice Chaplain. I am at the office most Friday mornings when I am in town. I also fulfill my responsibility as an ordained Minister of the Word and Sacrament to Presbytery Committees and attending workshops, seminars and the Stated Presbytery meetings. Community functions are Trustee of the Samaritan Center, and Clergy representative for Centra-State Hospital Community meetings.

The areas in which I am most involved as Parish Associate are counseling, bereavement, and visitation. Having completed Confirmand responsibilities, I am now working with the Deacons in preparing a presentation to Session and the congregation of the Stephen Ministry program of caring. We ask for your prayers and support.

While my primary job as recognized by Presbytery is that of Hospice Chaplain, and I easily average 10 - 15 hours a week serving Old Tennent, my involvement at Old Tennent under the direct supervision of the Pastor is also somewhat discretionary. I hope this helps you understand the role of the Parish Associate. It is a calling to seek God's will and to follow it. I look forward to continuing to be of service to God, and to Old Tennent Church.