Text Box: Reflections on the Process of Choosing the Regional Program Minister The last meeting of the search team for the Regional Program Minister ended earlier today. It has been my pleasure and joy to serve on this team. It was, indeed, a process of spiritual discernment. The first time we met was to give consideration to the process of determining who God would choose to be the Regional Program Minister. The next step was to review the search profiles of those seeking the position. Several well qualified individuals were considered. The screener, Dr. Dick Hamm, provided a break down of those who exceed the requirements, meet the requirements, and fall short of the requirements. The breakdown was most helpful, but the team seemed to be able to determine those categories and saw Dr. Hamm’s input as a confirmation of the team’s conclusions before reading Dr. Hamm’s report. After the team discussed the candidates and reviewed the qualifications, we chose those we wanted to interview on the telephone. The telephone interviews provided more information, and we were charged with selecting all those we wanted to meet for a face to face interview. Before meeting face to face, we were each given a name of a candidate’s reference to call. The one I called provided a deeper insight into one of the candidate’s we were to meet. Today, we selected the person God called to be the Regional Program Minister who would be presented to the Regional Board. “The person God called.” Throughout the process, I was impressed with the empowerment of the team to do the work and to seek God’s guidance. I was impressed with Dr. Edward’s ability to be a part of the team without any attempt to influence the team as to his preferred choice. His role seemed to be that of one who would guide us through the process of enabling the team to discern God’s will. As the team was blessed with excellent candidates, the final decision became somewhat difficult. When the discussion was over and a clear decision was not yet visible, Dr. Edwards asked us to go to God and ask for God’s choice. In the time of final prayer and discernment, Dr. Edwards took us mentally back to the beginning of the process. We revisited the room where we meet for the first time. We reviewed in the presence of God all that we had done, and what we hoped to accomplish. Dr. Edwards asked us to be open to the presence of God and simply ask “Who? Whose name comes to you?” That process of prayer and discernment provided us with the person who would be presented to the Regional Board. The group adjourned with a consensus after the exercise in prayer and a sharing of the experience with each other. I will always be grateful for the opportunity to have served on the team. Dr. Paul H. Durbin Text Box: Dear God, Two months ago I was searching through the internet looking at the web pages of other churches. Little did I know that an idea from one of our Christian churches would become a ministry for our congregation. The article I found was about Prayer Shawls. I told several people about the idea and the seed was planted. Sharon Mullins said she would help co-ordinate the project and I give thanks for her dedication. She found fourteen people who would knit and crochet the shawls. They were told to pray as they work, that your love and blessings would be with the person who received the Prayer Shawl. Along with Sharon the knitters are, Genene Slusher, Barb Koerner, Laura Kuhn, Maureen Cromling, Marlene Black, Melissa Folk, Sue Pray-Harford, Nancy Yost, Sandra Gruendler, Paula Krasnevich, Diana Butcher, Lillian Ingram, and Betty Brown. The women started in February and we have given eighteen away. After the Prayer Shawls are completed we have a prayer of dedication for those who made them and the person who receives it. The first person to get one was Sylvia Ott, followed by Dawn Schieferle, Thelma Hurley, Norma Nichols, Doris Goist, Alan Munn, Nancy Stonestreet, Ruth Haupt, Karen Konko, Cody Wilson, Rachel Trimble, John Bokar, Margaret Bokar, Harry Daniels, Claire Kauf, Tony Ward and Jean Hinkel. Becky Marks also took one to give to the daughter of Amherst Church of Christ pastor, Kurtney Bedwell, who is in the hospital. As the word spreads, we find more and more who would like one. I have watched as our friends wrap the Prayer Shawl around them. One person told me that they were overwhelmed that the church would do this for them. So many lives have been blessed and we pray that many more will receive Your love through this ministry. A small seed was planted and it has taken ground and is bearing fruit. What a blessing to those who make them and those who receive. The love and caring of the North Eaton Christian Church is going out into the community . I give thanks for Jan Mitchell who brought two large bags of yarn. Now the knitters can pick colors for their Prayer Shawls. God, I pray that all we do in this ministry will bless others and they will feel Your love .As someone said when they heard of the project, "You never can have too much love." Thank You for sending these wonderful women who are giving of their time and talent to spread Your love. Mark 4 :26-29, " The kingdom of God is as if someone would scatter seed on the ground, and would sleep and rise night and day, and the seed would sprout and grow, he does not know how. The earth produces of itself, first the stalk, then the head, then the full grain in the head. But when the grain is ripe, at once he goes in with his sickle, because the harvest has come." Love, Judy