Dennis Smith Coming to Mission Presbytery

Interest in World Mission to Be Revitalized!

From October 19 - 26 a missionary will speak at our Presbytery Meeting and visit around many of the churches of the Presbytery, taking part in "Mission Challenge 2007." Forty-eight missionaries will have this special assignment throughout the nation, bringing opportunities for us to understand the role of our denomination in the Lord's work of upbuilding the Church all over the world. According to Linda Valetine, executive director of the General Assembly Council, "Mission Challenge ’07 is the largest event of its kind ever carried out by our Presbyterian Church. We invite you to be part of it."

Mission Presbytery will be visited by Dennis Smith. He serves in Guatemala with his wife Maribel, who is Guatemalan. He will speak at the Presbytery meeting in Mission, Texas, on October 20 and then speak to churches in our presbytery during the following week.

Here is Dennis' schedule:

Oct. 20......Presbytery meeting in Mission, TX
Oct. 21......Church School and worship at First Church, Weslaco - 9:15 & 10:30
.............Lunch at Treasure Hills, Harlingen
.............Mission Fair at Island Church, Corpus Christi - Fair begins at 4:00
Oct. 22......St. Mark, Boerne -6:30 at Boerne Vistro
Oct. 23......Mission committee, Westlake Hills, Austin - in the evening
Oct. 24......Austin Seminary - noon
.............Supper at Central Church, Austin, 5:30
.............Citywide presentation at Covenant Church, Austin - 7:30pm
Oct. 25......Lunch at Harper Church
.............Citywide presentation at Divine Redeemer Church, San Antonio, 7:00pm

If Dennis is in your area, encourage your congregation to hear him. He is special!

We are sorry that big areas of the Presbytery are not covered, but one missionary for one week - there is just so little time available.

Information may be found about Mission Challenge 2007 on the PCUSA web site. Read all about it! Look at the video!

San Antonio Area Religious Leaders Encouraged to Attend "Soul of a Citizen"

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 14: Engage in a passionate day-long conversation about the state of the world, the state of our souls, our role as citizens, and the legacies we will leave our children. Convened by the peaceCENTER, Fr. David Garcia and Judge Nelson Wolff.

The conversation takes place 9 am - 3 pm at the AT&T Community Centre at San Fernando.

Registration is $25 and is limited to 200 faith and civic leaders. Checks should be payable and mailed to peaceCenter, noted with "Soul of a Citizen." Each participant will receive a pre-conversation and preparation packet.

The address of the peaceCENTER is 1443 S. St. Mary's, San Antonio TX 78210, phone 210-224-HOPE.

Read more and download the flyer.

We hope that Presbyterian church leaders will take part in this chance for profound dialogue.

School Supplies for Iraqi Children Appreciated

In a recent letter to the Presbytery office, Jim Boelens, who is a member of Mission Presbytery, wrote:

Please extend my thanks to Mission Presbytery for the very kind support
rendered to my son, 1LT David Boelens, and to the members of his Cavalry Scout Platoon, presently serving in Iraq. The school supplies they received
to distribute to needy Iraqi children were very much appreciated by the Soldiers and by the communities they were protecting.

The unit's mission recently changed from the city to searching for
insurgents along a remote border region. They are scheduled to return to the
United States in December at the completion of 15-months of very difficult
service. Unfortunately, they have lost several comrades in battle.

They no longer need school supplies, however, please request the continuing prayers of Mission Presbytery for all Soldiers, Marines, Sailors and Airmen that serve in harm's way.

Blessings!
Jim
James S. Boelens
Chaplain (Colonel) USA
USARSO Command Chaplain