FROM THE PASTOR:
January 28, 2002
Dear Friends,
I hope you’ll plan to join us for worship on Ash Wednesday, February 13, 7:00 p.m. at University Presbyterian Church (300 Bushnell). If you were with us last year, you will remember the service of quiet contemplation as a thoughtful prelude to Lent. Lent is the season in the church calendar that traditionally brings thoughts of “giving something up.” It is the forty days between Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday when we consider denying ourselves in some way in order to focus more clearly on Christ and his road to the cross.
With the coming of Lent, the Small Group Leaders would like to encourage you to consider giving up some time of busyness and replacing it with some daily reflection on a new Sunday morning study, “The Life Of Christ: Behold the Man.” On Sunday, February 17, we will be forming new Small Groups to begin this 13-week study that will conclude on Pentecost. I believe that while engaging in this valuable discipline as a church we will grow together as we learn more about the One we call Savior and Lord.
Peace, Anna
Jesus did many other things as well. If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written. John 21:25
ASH WEDNESDAY
Wellspring will mark the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, February 13, 7 PM with University Presbyterian, at their church. Rev. Lib McGregor-Simmons and Rev. Anna Wise will officiate.
WELLSPRING WOWS ‘EM!!!!!
San Antonio received a fabulous musical treat Sunday afternoon, with a piano extravaganza provided by our own Ruslan and Irina. Marvelous, phenomenal, incredible- these are just a few of the comments we've heard regarding our benefit concert on the 20th. "Doesn't that Steinway come with a seatbelt?" questioned one fan after Irina's powerful performance. An enthusiastic crowd (including a contingent of Unitarians) enjoyed over an hour of world-class entertainment, and in return donated over five thousand dollars to Wellspring's ministry.
A reception following the concert gave the crowd a chance to view architectural renderings of our planned facility and pictures of our smiling faces, and to enjoy delicious snacks prepared by the Wellspring Bakers.
We are grateful for our friends at First Presbyterian Church, for they have given us support in so many ways. Our Wellspring community is simply the best, with everyone pitching in to make this, our "coming out party", an event to be remembered (and what an act to follow!). But none of this would have been remotely possible without the immense talent and generosity of Ruslan and Irina, who selflessly gave of themselves to help further our dreams. We are indeed blessed to have them in our midst.
OUTREACH AND MISSION
IN OUR COMMUNITY
As we begin the new year, Wellspring looks forward to meeting its community. A committee of members of the church will begin meeting in February to "strategize" the most effective ways to reach out to our neighbors. We covet your prayers for our success. We also hope and pray that you will pick up the phone and call that friend of yours you've been wanting to invite to the "friendliest, warmest church you've ever known."
A thought for your prayers: New churches can expect 50% of their new members to come through Baptism.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY SPRING BUILD
The Presbyterian Cluster is building a house March 8—May 18. Wellspring has been assigned to work May 4 (Saturday). Please mark your calendars now—we will be doing landscaping and “any unfinished task”. ALL are welcome March 8 & 9 (framing days). And, you can show up to work on any of the other days. Contact Bob Owers, or Craig Childs.
HOLY SMOKE II
Last year’s fundraiser for the Presbyterian Cluster’s Habitat house was such a success, we’re doing it again!
WHAT: Program of songs and inspiration followed by delicious home cooked recipes from your local church pastors!! MCed by Greg Simmons, Cable Channel 13 Sportscaster (and husband of UPC’s Lib Macgregor-Simmons).
WHERE: Oak Hills Presbyterian, Callaghan Rd. at Babcock, 342-0271
WHEN: Sunday, March 10, 5 PM
TICKETS: $10 in advance, $15 at the door.
Food, fellowship and fun, all in the service of raising money for Habitat for Humanity! See you there!!!
MISSION TRIP TO MEXICO
We will once again partner with San Pedro Presbyterian Church to travel to Mexico to build a house with Faith Ministries. This trip is scheduled for June 9-15. This is the hardest work you’ll ever do and the most fun you’ll ever have. Contact Bob Wise, 824-0608.
TEN PERCENT FOR MISSION
Although Wellspring is a mission church, we can still be missional, that is, spread God’s word and love to others. In that effort, at it’s last meeting, the Leadership Team decided to dedicate 10% of the annual budget to mission. How and when this is to be distributed, and to whom, is yet to be decided and likely will entail the creation of a Benevolent Oversight Team. But the Leadership was excited and energized by this decision and is confident that you will be as well. !
PASTOR NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The Congregation Information File, the document necessary to file with the denomination for hiring of a new pastor, has been completed, as shared at the congregational meeting January 27.
It is clear that Wellspring is searching for a dynamic individual with gifts in preaching, teaching and planting new churches. The call, at the suggestion of Rev. Bill Lytle (our liaison with Presbytery) has been revised from Designated Pastor (a call with a limited term) to that for a Pastor, New Church Development (the more traditional call), as this is more reflective of our needs.
We continue to covet your prayers in this endeavor. Chris Taylor, Ruth McArthur
ONE COLD WINTER’S DAY
On Saturday, January 12, a motley group of folks who make up the Wellspring Leadership Team gathered on a misty, cold morning at a remote slice of Texas-juniper- and-oak landscape north of the city. We had gathered there to engage in what we understood to be a "ropes course", better known as the Team Leadership Resources program led by Jon Johnson, the program’s director and founder. Eternally optimistic, we were anticipating a neat cabin in the woods with burning fireplace, warm kitchen and clean bathrooms. What we found was a port-a-potty and an open fire burning engagingly as we arrived. Immediately we realized we really didn’t know what we were in for.
Everyone was accounted for - Chris Taylor, Ruth McArthur, Paul Carey, Dagne Fisher, Catherine Nelson, Walt Williams, Craig Bell, Joyce Baker and Anna Wise. As we shivered around the fire perching on buckets that we were told we would be carrying with us throughout our day’s journey, we began to get acquainted with our two leaders - and with each other in totally new ways. We walked a wire stretched between four oak trees, holding on to each other and trying desperately not to fall off, the consequence being "do it again". Even though we always worked as a team, once we split in half and were challenged to pass each other on a 10 ft. pole just slightly raised off the ground so that it swung when walked on. The true test was the way in which we could strategize in order to accomplish our "mission". We had to figure out how to move our entire group across a wide expanse of dirt and rocks with only 4 bandanas without touching the ground. At least two team members were carried across in that endeavor. We moved through the day arriving at each new site to encounter an ingenious new challenge, then gathering in a circle on our buckets to "de-brief" and to share what we had learned about teamwork, leadership skills and our experience at Wellspring through that particular challenge. It was amazing to us how much we learned about ourselves and each other, and the closeness we felt as we strategized and worked together toward common goals. We learned to honor and appreciate both strengths and weaknesses in our colleagues, and to trust each other to hold up our individual responsibilities in accomplishing the task before us. We acknowledged it was sometimes easier to do the job by ourselves rather than having to hold on to the person next to us, but we realized something was lost in going it alone - the camaraderie and enthusiasm of a common mission.
More importantly, we realized how much stronger we were as a team - how much more wisdom and prowess we had together. Everyone appreciated Paul’s physical strength in many of the challenges, but I found myself the only one holding up that 200 lb. man on a suspended wire while he was shaking like a leaf trying to get his balance without falling off. At that moment, his strength was not an asset!
The day was unbelievably creative and profound. I know I speak for the whole team in expressing our deep gratitude that we were given this gift one cold Saturday in January. Paul amazed all when he led us blindfolded through a challenge where he was the only one who could see. We completed that task in a shorter time than Jon had ever seen before. We realized two factors were important in this exercise. One was the adeptness with which Paul could strategize and communicate his strategy to us. The second was our ability to listen to his voice and follow his commands to the letter. One slip would have meant sudden disaster! This realization became a metaphor for us as we realized our need to listen to the voice of God as a group - and as a community at Wellspring. We listened to Paul in silence - obeyed his commands - and one cold winter’s day, we tasted victory.
O Lord, help us to listen to your Voice in silence and follow your lead as we accept this Great Challenge to be your witnesses. We will then all celebrate the victory that is Yours.
Joyce
YOUTH NEWS
Wellspring Youth partner with the youth of Oak Hills Presbyterian and Grace Presbyterian for fellowship activities. For more information, contact Minta McIntosh, Director of Christian Education and Youth at Oak Hills.
DATE EVENT TIME WHERE
Feb. 1-3 Sr. Hi’s to Mo Ranch 6:00 PM OHPC
Feb. 3 Sr. Hi Super Bowl Party 5:30 PM Michelle’s
Feb. 10 Sr. Hi Mardi Gras 6:00 PM OHPC
Feb. 17 Lenten School 5:15 PM OHPC
Feb. 23 Work Day & Lunch 9-noon OHPC
Feb. 24 Lenten School 5:15 PM OHPC
Mar. 3 Lenten School 5:15 PM OHPC
Lenten School consists of various workshops with keynote speakers to discuss his/her profession and how they use their spiritual gifts. Speakers include a dental student, a teacher and a fire fighter, who will reflect on being a fire fighter before Sept. 11 and being a fire fighter after. Don’t miss these!
PRAYER MINISTRY
Life with all its turmoil is an opportunity to witness to Gods love! The many events of life so easily pull us in all directions and make us lose our souls. But when we remain anchored in the heart of God, rooted in God's love, we have nothing to fear, not even death, and everything joyful and everything painful will give us a chance to proclaim the Kingdom of God. We are called to be fearless people in a fearful world. — Henri Nouwen
Please hold in your prayers this month our minister, Rev. Anna Wise, our music director, Ruslan Sviridov, and our choir: Steve and Dagne Fisher, Walter Baker, Craig Bell, Tony Smith and Bob Wise, that their hearts will remain anchored in the heart of God as they lead us each Sunday in worship.
Also please remember in your prayers Craig Childs and Tom Carter and their families. Craig and Tom have both lost their fathers in recent weeks.
14TH ANNUAL CHRISTIAN POSTGAME CELEBRATION WITH THE SPURS IS Feb. 23!!!
The Presbyterian Cluster will be attending. After the game, one or more Spurs players will share his faith journey with the crowd. Watch the bulletin for ticket information.
FINANCE TEAM Meets Thursday, Feb. 7 & 21st, 6:30 PM at the Fisher’s, 408-1314.
Music Team Rehearsals Thursdays, 7:30-9:00 pm @ the Fisher’s,
408-1314.
Communion, the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, is February 3. Please bring non-perishable food items for donation to SAMMinistries.
Staff
Rev. Anna Wise
Pastor, 316-1250
Dr. Ruslan Sviridov,
Choir Director/Pianist, 641-1871
Leadership Team
Joyce Baker
Ruth McArthur
Chris Taylor
Paul Carey
Walt Williams
Catherine Nelson
Craig Bell
Ron Baker
Rev. Bill Lytle
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