In This Issue
Called Congregational Meeting
Roley Lectures
125 Anniversary Celebration
Special Anniversary Choir Rehearsals
Deacon Training and Ordination
Fiesta Parade Tickets
Valentines Serenade
on stage at Madison Square
Madison Square Writer Wins Award
Book Group Reading List
Habitat Build Dates
Education Opportunities
February Birthdays
Important Dates
February 3, 2007
Knitting Group meets in the Fellowship Hall at 10:30 a.m.
SUNDAY, February 4
Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship 10:50 a.m.
Congregational Meeting
Anniversary Committee Meeting
Deacon Training
February 9-11
Roley Lectures – Bishop John Shelby Spong
SUNDAY, February 11
Bishop John Shelby Spong teaches Sunday School, 9:30 a.m., and Preaches in Worship 10:50 a.m.
James Patrick Miller baptized during worship
February 13
Dorcas Sewing Circle 9:00 a.m.
on stage at Madison Square 12:05 p.m.
Rebecca/Sarah Circle 1:30 p.m.
February 16
Janie Spahr speaks at Madison Square
February 17
Knitting Group 10:30 a.m.
SUNDAY, February 18
125 Anniversary Celebration
Social Hour 9:30 a.m.
Worship 10:50 a.m.
Deacon Ordination
Anniversary Luncheon – after worship
February 21
Ash Wednesday Service 7 p.m.
February 23
Parents Night Out 6:30-10 p.m.
SUNDAY, February 25
First Sunday in Lent
New Adult Sunday School class begins: Bill Moyers 9:30 a.m.
February 27
Dorcas Sewing Circle 1 p.m.
Session Meeting 7 p.m.
Madison Square Presbyterian Church
319 Camden Street,
San Antonio, Texas 78215
Phone: 210-226-6254
Fax: 210-226-9119
E-Mail: church@MSqPC.org
Church Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
8:30am - 4:00pm
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.
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Called Congregational Meeting
Feb. 4, 2007
There will be a called congregational meeting Sunday, Feb. 4 after worship to elect an elder to fill an unexpired term.
Roley Lectures
Dr. John Shelby Spong, Episcopal bishop and noted author, will be the featured speaker at the Roley Lecture Series February 9-10-11, 2007. Bishop Spong will discuss material from his forthcoming book, Jesus for the Non-Religious.
Feb. 9 – Friday evening, 7:30 p.m.: “Separating History from Myth” This lecture is free and open to the public. The lecture will be held at Parker Chapel, on the campus of Trinity University.
Feb. 10 – Saturday morning seminars, 9 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
“Did He Die for My Sins?”
“Jesus -- A Man for All Seasons”
Registration required, $35. Scholarships available.
Feb. 11 – Sunday Adult Education (9:30 a.m.) and Worship (10:50 a.m.)
Dr. Spong preaching: “Why I am a Christian.”
To register for Saturday morning, please email the church office at church@msqpc.org , phone the church (210) 226-6254 or you can register online through our co-sponsor The Dykes Foundation.
Upcoming Roley event: John Dominic Crossan, May 10-12 Watch for further news!
125th Anniversary Dinner
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Madison Square members will soon find invitations in their mailboxes for the free anniversary luncheon, which will take place on Sunday, February 18, directly after the worship service. Both regular and vegetarian meals will be available.
The worship service that day will include preaching by Pastor Emeritus Reverend Bill Lytle and a performance of a special anthem commissioned for the 125th anniversary of our church. The anthem, to be sung by our sanctuary choir, is composed by nationally acclaimed composer Randol Bass.
Following the worship service a catered lunch will be served at the Holiday Inn Tropicano, click here for a map - 110 Lexington Ave. Among the visiting dignitaries will be Judge Peter Sakai, who will be the featured speaker at the luncheon. Entertainment will be provided by the Alamo City Men's Chorale. Mark your calendars!
Choir Begins Anniversary Rehearsals
Former choir members and other singers from our congregation are cordially invited to participate in the rehearsals and performance of our special church anniversary music. The anthem, a setting of Psalm 36, has been composed especially for our church by nationally famous composer Randol Alan Bass, for chorus, brass, percussion, and organ. Brass FX Quintet will accompany the choir for this anthem, along with percussionist John Godoy and pianist Debbie Rhine, all under the direction of Henry Washington. Randol Bass will attend the service to hear his work performed for the first time.
If you would like to help in the celebration by using your musical gifts, please call the church office to assure that a choir chair will be reserved for you. Rehearsals are held on Wednesday nights at 7:15, and are mandatory.
Deacon Training and Ordination
There will be Deacon Training - Sunday, February 4 after worship, lunch will be provided. The Deacons will be ordained Sunday, Feb. 18, 2007.
Rev. Janie Spahr, of That All May Freely Serve (TAMFS), speaking at Madison Square
February 16, 7 p.m.
In 1992 an ecclesiastical court decision, by the highest judicial body of the Presbyterian Church (USA), set aside the pastoral call of the Rev. Dr. Jane Adams Spahr to the Downtown United Presbyterian Church in Rochester, NY, simply because she was honest and open about her lesbian identity. In a constructive response to this painful denial the Downtown Church created a mission project, That All May Freely Serve, and called the Rev. Spahr as their “traveling lesbian evangelist” to visit congregations, pastors and church members throughout the country telling the stories of LGBT Presbyterians, preaching, educating, and challenging exclusive church structures.
The following statement of commitment was adopted by the board of That All May Freely Serve in July of 2002: "That All May Freely Serve commits to actively resist and transform structures and systems of injustice. To join in solidarity in making the connections with those disenfranchised by racism, classism, sexism, heterosexism, ageism, ablebodyism, gender identity oppression, eco-exploitation, militarism, and all other structures of exploitation and oppression through the lens of our social location and focus on the liberation of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious prejudice and exclusionary church policies."
Join us at the church to meet and talk with Janie Spahr!
Fiesta Parade Tickets
Parade tickets are on sale for $8.00. Contact Rebecca Baker to purchase your tickets, 734-6266. Please mention that you attend Madison Square.
A Valentine Serenade
Tickets are on sale for the 2nd Annual Fundraiser for House of Neighborly Service
At First Presbyterian Church, Westminster Hall
February 5, 2007, 6:00 – 8:00 PM
Silent Auction begins at 5:30 PM
$35 per ticket
Come and enjoy an Enchanting Evening of Dinner, Silent Auction & Entertainment featuring Madison Square’s Paul Hughes, along with Francois Lacroix and Rob Mueller
Call the office to purchase tickets, 226-6254.
on stage at Madison Square
Sinful Sisters & Fallen Floozies
A spoof about some of the more disreputable women in the Bible. Presented by women from Northwood Presbyterian Church.
Tuesday, February 13, 2007
12:05 p.m.
Madison Square Presbyterian Church
319 Camden, San Antonio TX 78215
(210) 226-6254 or www.msqpc.org
Lunch will be available after the performance.$5 per person
Upcoming Events:
March 13: Celebrate St. Patrick.s Day with Boru, our favorite Irish band
April 10: San Antonio College Guitar Ensemble
ON STAGE AT MADISON SQUARE is supported in part by a grant from the Music Performance Fund.
Madison Square Writer Wins Award
Jo McIver has won honorable mention in the Laughing Gull Writing Contest, sponsored by the Port Aransas Art Center for the Islands. Her entry was a three-story collection titled, "Foul Eggs and Fair." It was selected from over two hundred entries from fifteen different states. She was among the winners who read their stories on Sunday, January 14, at the Port Aransas Community Center. Jo is a member of the Madison Square Writers Group.
MSPC Book Group - List for 2007
February 2: Digging to America, Anne Tyler
Hosting:
Faye Hallford
Faye’s office address is Perrin Oaks Garden Offices, 10615 Perrin Beitel # 406, San Antonio, 78217. Click here for a map. Her office phone number is 946-2273 and home number is 657-3419
March 2: The Time Traveler’s Wife, Audrey Niffenegger
Hosting: Megan Kromer
April 6: Nine Hills to Nambonkaha, Sarah Erdman
Hosting: Rebecca Baker
May 4: Intuition, Allegra Goodman
Hosting: Jerry Correu
June 1: Pretty Birds: A Novel, Scott Simon
Hosting: Jo McIver
Sept. 7: Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln, D. K. Goodwin
Hosting: Richard McLean
Oct. 5: My Name Is Red, Orhan Pamuk
Hosting: Thelma Nungesser
Nov. 2: Middlesex, Jeffrey Eugenides
Hosting: Katsy Murphy
Dec. 7: A Spot of Bother, Mark Haddon
Hosting: Betty Lynn Allen
Habitat for Humanity
Presbyterian Cluster build dates for MSqPC.
Save these dates! More info is on the way.
March 31 - Saturday
April 13 - Friday
May 12 - Saturday
We will provide the food and devotional on Saturday, May 12.
Adult Education at Madison Square
February 4 – The Sins of Scripture—Exposing the Bible’s Texts of Hate to Reveal the God of Love—by John Shelby Spong – This will conclude this study. February 11 – Bishop John Shelby Spong – Teaching Sunday School as part of Roley lectures.
February 18 – Anniversary Weekend – a special social hour is planned for 9:30 a.m.. No Sunday School.
February 25 – New Sunday School Series begins:
DVD Series: Bill Moyers on Faith and ReasonAre fear and violence the inevitable consequence of clashing beliefs, or is a more tolerant world possible? Bill Moyers on Faith and Reason explores this question with leading thinkers on the relationships between religious fundamentalism and democracy, equality, and human rights. Bill Moyers talked with writers from around the world about Faith & Reason. His guests include Salman Rushdie, Margaret Atwood, Martin Amis, Colin McGinn, and more.
National Conference on Restorative Justice
Schreiner University, Kerrville, Texas
June 24-27, 2007
http://www.restorativejusticenow.org/
You are invited to be part of a groundbreaking national conference on restorative justice to convene on Sunday June 24, 2007, and to conclude by noon on Wednesday June 27, 2007.
The conference will feature workshops and panel discussions led by social service providers, researchers and educators, political leaders, judges, faith community organizers, correctional system officials, as well as first-person accounts from the victims of crime and rehabilitated former offenders.
Each day major keynote addresses will provide energy and vision to all participants.
Keynote speakers will include some of the foremost names in the restorative justice community, people with both national and international followings. Howard Zehr, Elaine Enns, Ched Myers, Mark Umbreit, Gordon Bazemore, Kay Pranis, Leigh Garrett, Mike Dooley, Justice Janine Geske and other presenters will join together to call for community action and renewal.
The host site for the conference is Schreiner University in Kerrville, Texas, about 80 minutes from the San Antonio International Airport in the beautiful Texas Hill Country, a location which provides for on-site lodging, meals, convocation and meeting space, and amenities for recreation and relaxation. A free shuttle service to and from the San Antonio International Airport will be provided; simply notify us of your travel itinerary and we’ll get you to and from the conference.
Registration Options
Participants may register for single events, day and half-day passes, an all access pass designed for commuting to and from the conference, or an all conference pass which includes all meals and housing on the Schreiner University campus. On-site housing is limited to the first 150 registrants. There are two beds to a room; a private bathroom is shared between two rooms.
Early-bird conference rates may be obtained through February 15, 2007.
Sol Center February Programs
The SoL Center, an adult religious education center sponsored by University Presbyterian Church, is offering the following classes in February. All classes will meet at the church at 300 Bushnell, off Shook Avenue, near Trinity University. Programs are open to San Antonians of all religious backgrounds. For more information call (210) 732-9927.
Anthropologist John M. Donahue will lead "Water, Culture and Power" at 7:00-9:00 p.m. on four Thursdays, Feb. 1 through Feb. 22. Beginning with the local ecosystem, the course will examine cultural conflicts surrounding water and their solutions. Topics will include cultural meanings of water, the political process of water management, and how changes in power result in changes in both meaning and patterns of use, access and control. Donahue is professor of anthropology at Trinity University and is currently studying cultural definitions of water rights in Texas, including boundary negotiations on the Edwards Aquifer. The fee is $40.
Army Col. Tom Jefferson will lead a course on "Morality and War: An Oxymoron?" at 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. on five Tuesdays, Feb. 6 through March 6. Jefferson is a pediatrician at Brook Army Medical Center and consultant in medical ethics to the Surgeon General, U.S. Army. Topics will include the history of Just War Theory, preemptive vs. preventive war, the concepts of proportionality and discrimination in fighting a war, the Geneva Conventions, and humanitarian interventions such as in the Balkans or Darfur. Jefferson is a member of the Detainee Health Operations Working Group of the Army Medical Department. While recently deployed to Kuwait for a year, he presented seminars on medical ethics at military medical facilities in Iraq. The fee is $45.
The Rev. Mary C. Earle will lead "The Desert Mothers: Spiritual Practices from Women of the Wilderness" at 7:00-9:00 p.m. on four Mondays, Feb. 12 through March 5, based on her recent book of this title. Participants will learn about early Christian women of the 4th and 5th centuries who lived a monastic life and what their sayings and prayer practices can teach modern people about how to love God and neighbors. Earle is an Episcopal priest, author and spiritual director. She is Author in Residence for The Workshop, a ministry of St. Mark's Episcopal Church. The fee is $35 for registration by Feb. 7, or $40 after.
Family life educator Lynn Stahl will lead a workshop on "Our Mind, Body, Spirit Connection: Nourishing Ourselves" at 12:00 noon to 1:30 p.m. on three Wednesdays, Feb. 21 though March 7. The workshop will use art, journaling and other creative exercises to help participants look at their past, present and future and bring mind, body and spirit into harmony. Stahl is family life educator at Jewish Family and Children's Service. The fee is $30 for registration by Feb. 15, or $35 after.
February Birthdays at Madison Square
2 – Anne Moses, Jennifer Whatley
4 – Dorothy Williams, Alfreda Mann
5 – Eileen Smith
7 – Freddie Welch
8 – Brenda Marafioto
10 – Nelda Muelker, Ned Lee
11 – Erin Shaw-Meadow
12 – Ellen Werckle
13 – Blane Trautwein
16 – Kyle White
19 – Jimmy Moses, John Moses, Chris Nolan
21 – Keri Moses
22 – Martha Leigh
23 – Chris Kamenzind
26 – Ruth Fleming, Clyde Hudgins
28 – Vi Berbiglia |
