Transitional Ministry 2.0: When Transitional Ministry Finds Itself in Transition

For churches within the Presbyterian tradition, as well as other mainline denominations, the use of interim and transitional pastors has been a mainstay for congregations between permanent pastors. The current use of transitional pastors as a specialized pastoral position dates back to the original model and framework established by Loren Mead and the Interim Ministry Network in the 1970s and 1980s. This model has remained relatively untouched since its introduction but is no longer adequately addressing many of the issues facing local churches today. To help congregations navigate new and complex challenges, there is a need to reimagine the purpose and functions of the transitional pastor. This dissertation will introduce the Transitional Ministry 2.0 model, which seeks to recognize some of the adaptive challenges currently facing churches, while equipping pastors and presbyteries to deal with these challenges and be successful in today’s culture. This updated model will focus on improving the expectations, process, structure, training, and overall health of the process. The purpose is to modernize Mead’s original breakthrough findings that harness the power of positive change during pastor transitions, while at the same time moving the Transitional Model away from a technical problem-based approach and more toward Ron Heifetz’s adaptive challenges-based mindset. Unlike other partial solutions, the Transitional Ministry 2.0 approach is holistic, addressing a combination of issues with a unified solution. While focusing specifically on churches and presbyteries of the PCUSA within the Pacific Northwest, these recommendations will set better expectations, more accurate pastoral placements, and garner healthier and more consistent transitional results nationwide. The artifact will provide a presentation that shares the potential behind the Transitional Ministry 2.0 model, along with critical steps for implementation within regional presbyteries

Culture, History and Applications of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants in Japan

Historically, the Japanese began to use aromatic and medicinal plants for ritual activities, food flavor, and treatment of their bodies. The exotic plants, new ideas, and culture associated with medicinal and aromatic plants were introduced to Japan from other countries, primarily via Korea. In this way, experience and knowledge of uses were accumulated, and applications of aromatic and medicinal plants were expanded. The oldest Japanese medicine “Wa ho” leads the way to folk medicine today, and traditional Japanese medicine (Kampo) has spread into modern use. The elegance tradition of “Kodo,” an incense ceremony of Japan, was developed because of the use of aromatic incensed wood in sixteenth century as recreation. Paired along with this ceremony is the Japanese sa-do tea ceremony that the spirituality and esthetic sense are inherited to Japanese today. Japanese green tea is becoming popular in many countries due to the constituent, catechins, that medically treats vascular disease, several cancers, and type II diabetes. Today, the Japanese medical system has new direction, integrating medicine with the adoption of modern western and alternative medicine. Scientific data must continue to be collected for interactions between the two medicinal systems for integrative medicine to be ideal for body, mind, and spirit of humans and nature

Role of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants: Past, Present, and Future

Before the concept of history began, humans undoubtedly acquired life benefits by discovering medicinal and aromatic plants that were food and medicine. As our early ancestors learned to recognize and consume selected plants, civilization and personal and group health could advance. Traditional medicine would become part of every civilization with medicinal and aromatic plants widely used and applied to maintain life. Undoubtedly, the variety of available plant materials would be tasted and tested to determine whether a plant was valuable as a food or medicine. Today, a variety of available herbs and spices are used and enjoyed throughout the world and continue to promote good health. As the benefits from medicinal and aromatic plants are recognized, these plants will have a special role for humans in the future

Impact of Ascorbic Acid on Seed Germination, Seedling Growth, and Enzyme Activity of Salt-Stressed Fenugreek

Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum) seeds soaked in ascorbic acid had increased germination, seedling shoot length and total chlorophyll under salt stress as compared with seeds not treated with ascorbic acid. Root length, fresh weight, dry weight, proline, and catalase activity (CAT) increased in salt stressed seedling in which seeds were not treated with ascorbic acid. In seeds treated with ascorbic acid, the salt stress effect on CAT activity was decreased. Ascorbic acid pretreatment of seeds counteracted the decrease in ascorbate oxidase (AO) induced by salt stress, but appeared to act synergistically with salt stress to decrease proline dehydrogenase. The application of ascorbic acid to fenugreek seed apparently increased antioxidant activity, leading to an increase in resistance to salt stress. Salt stress and the ascorbic acid treatment of seeds led to metabolic changes in seedlings as evidenced by changes in peroxidase (Prx) and esterase (Est) isozymes associated with increases in salt and ascorbic acid concentrations. Such changes could account for increases in seedling vigor with ascorbic acid seed treatment and the ability of the seedling to grow in the presence of a salt stress

A measure of genetic diversity of goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) by RAPD analysis

Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis L.) is a medicinal plant valued for the treatment of sore eyes and mouths. Although cultivation of the plant has helped meet growing demand, goldenseal is still considered a threatened or endangered species throughout much of its range in North America. In an effort to assess possible conservation strategies for goldenseal genetic resources, levels of genetic diversity within and among cultivated and wild populations were quantified. RAPD analysis was used to examine six cultivated and 11 wild populations sampled from North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. The average percentage of polymorphic bands in cultivated and wild populations was low (16.8 and 15.5 %, respectively), and geographic range did not predict the level of genetic diversity. Most of the genetic variation (81.2 %) was within populations; only 3.6 % was partitioned between cultivated and wild populations. Our results differed from a previous study which concluded that genetic differences were greater among than within populations. The results of the current study indicate that, although goldenseal grows clonally and in dense patches, a mixed mating system in which both selfing and outcrossing occur is also operating. We therefore suggest that the ex situ conservation of individual plants within populations, chosen carefully to account for clonal propagation in situ, is an appropriate strategy for sustaining the genetic diversity of goldenseal

Biochemical Markers and Seedling Characteristics Identify Lupine (Lupinus termis L.) Genotypes

To distinguish among five lupine (Lupinus termis L.) genotypes, biochemical markers and seedling characteristics were studied, using electrophoresis of seed and leaf proteins and four isozyme systems[esterase (EST), catalase (CAT), peroxides (Prx), and glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT)]. A total of 21 and 13 polymorphic bands were detected in the seed and leaves, respectively. Molecular weights ranged from 183.82 to 11.14 kDa for the seeds and 148.52 to 8.17 for the leaves. Among the genotypes, seed storage protein bands ranged from 10 in genotype Giza-1 to 13 in genotype Giza-3, while the total number of leaf protein bands ranged from six in genotype Giza-2 to nine in genotype Giza-1. Specific, characteristic bands could be used to identify and differentiate some genotypes from among others. At the isozyme level, a similar number of bands were produced, but the location and Rf values of the bands differed, enabling identification among the lupine genotypes