Special Events at Idlewild Presbyterian Church
Reyes-Chow elected moderator of 218th General Assembly
Excerpt from article by Jerry L. Van Marter. Photo by Joseph Williams.
The Reverend Bruce Reyes-Chow, 39, an energetic new church development pastor in San Francisco and leader in the “emergent church” movement, was elected moderator of the 218th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) Saturday night, June 21.
The new moderator is pastor of Mission Bay Community Church, an innovative new church of San Francisco Presbytery that was recently named winner of a 2007 Sam and Helen Walton Award for outstanding new church development.
Reyes-Chow reiterated over and over his belief that “nothing is too hard or too wondrous for God. If the church steps out in faith rather than clinging to survival, to be more intent on being faithful than on being right, to be together based on our common covenant in Jesus Christ rather than by property or pensions, then we will be able to live into a future in which we are a vital and vibrant presence in the world.”
Reyes-Chow, the grandson of Chinese and Filipino immigrants to California, was raised in Sacramento and Stockton, California. He is a graduate of San Francisco State University and San Francisco Theological Seminary. A prolific writer and blogger, Reyes-Chow describes himself as a “pastor/geek/dad/follower of Christ.”
To read more and see news and photos from GA visit www.pcusa.org/ga218/news/ga08017.htm.
We welcome the Reverend Daniel Izquierdo Hernandez
The Reverend Daniel Izquierdo Hernandez, moderator of the Presbyterian Reformed Church of Cuba, will teach an adult church school at Idlewild on Sunday, July 13.
Although separated for many years by political conflict between their governments, Presbyterians in Cuba and the United States have renewed ties of friendship and support. The Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba is the product of the mission energy of both Presbyterian churches in our country that merged in 1983 to form the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Presbytery of Cuba was granted authority in 1966 to form its own autonomous church. Presbyterian churches in Cuba are growing!
All are invited to the July 13 class, from 9:40 to 10:40 a.m. in the Harlan Room.
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Liturgical Arts as Worship
World Communion and Peacemaking Sunday
October 5, 2008
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PORTALS OF PEACE — beautiful, symbolic works of art in sheer fabric reflecting themes of peace, unity and communion inspired by the creativity of our children — will line the arches of Idlewild’s sanctuary on World Communion and Peacemaking Sunday this fall, opening our worship space experience in graceful and transforming ways.
Creating a World of Prayers
As part of the participatory and inclusive vision for PORTALS OF PEACE, we are asking other faith communities to pray for peace with us on October 5, 2008. You can help by inviting friends from diverse religious communities, prayer or peacemaking groups to become Prayer Partners in PORTALS OF PEACE. We would like permission to inscribe the their organization’s name on our hangings, and to enjoin their prayers for peace with those of our congregation's on October 5.
Click here for a letter of invitation for a friend.
Agreement forms from organizations need to be returned to Idlewild Church by August 1.
Visit the Portals of Peace web page for more information and for a letter of invitation to send to a friend.
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Recent Special Events
Bach at Idlewild Concert
The Memphis Symphony Orchestra with music director David Loebel and soloists Jennifer Good Cooper, Sean Cooper, Shannon Unger and Randall Rushing joing the Idlewild Adult Choir on April 27 for another concert in the Bach at Idlewild series. The program featured guest organist John David Peterson, who is finishing his 27th and final year of full-time teaching at the Rudi E. Scheidt School of Music at the University of Memphis.
Community Interfaith Memorial Service
A community-wide interfaith memorial service for the Lester Street victims was held Wednesday, March 12, at 7:00 p.m. at Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church. The sanctuary was filled with thousands of Memphians of all colors and creeds who desire a better, safer city. Worship leaders included Frank Thomas, Micah Greenstein, Greg Diaz, and Johnny Jeffords.
Click here to read Pastor Steve's letter (PDF).
Click here to read the Commercial Appeal article about the service.
An Encore Performance of Karl Jenkins' “The Armed Man”
On February 2, 2008, the Rhodes Singers joined with the Idlewild Adult Choir and members of the Memphis Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Dr. Tim Sharp for a performance of “The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace” by contemporary English composer Karl Jenkins.
Written at the turn of the 21st century, “The Armed Man” is currently the most popular choral work performed in Europe. This moving work combines ancient elements of Medieval chant, Roman liturgy, choral oratorio, and Muslim chant with colorfully modern orchestral, rhythmic and poetic techniques—creating an exciting and dramatic plea for peace in our time.
Several people have asked about a recording of this work. "The Armed Man" was recorded by the London Philharmonic Orchestra in 2005. Check with your music store or visit amazon.com for the CD. For more information about composer Karl Jenkins and his work please visit www.karljenkins.com.
Ongoing Programs and Links
Peace at Pentecost
How do we talk about the war in Iraq in a way that is different from mere partisan politics? Is there a distinctive lens through which Christians view this and other wars?
In the fall of 2006, a series of Christian dialogues on the war in Iraq were held at churches throughout Memphis to help get biblical and theological talk into the bloodstream of congregations throughout the City. These ecumenical gatherings were sponsored by the interfaith group Peace at Pentecost. In June 2006, this group of more than 100 clergy and 200 lay leaders in the Memphis area signed a theological statement on the present war in Iraq. The statement in its entirety can be found at www.peaceatpentecost.com.
The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
If you would like to support those struggling to recover from the Arkansas tornados, the cyclone in Myanmar, or earthquakes in China, please write checks to Idlewild Presbyterian Church with “tornado,” “cyclone,” or “earthquake” on the memo line. Funds will be distributed thru the Presbyterian Disaster Relief Fund.
The Presbyterian Church (USA) has a strong program of hands-on assistance through the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA). For up-to-date information about disaster relief efforts around the world please visit www.pcusa.org/pda.
