Meetings and Events This Week:
July 4- Office Closed for Independence Day
Links not working?
We’re still working on the problem of “blocked” links in our email feed. If you receive an error message or “Page not found” message when clicking on a link in this email, please visit our homepage, scroll down to the “Shenango Presbytery News” box on the right-hand side and click the link that reads “Click here to read our Shenango Presbytery News Blog”. The links work from our original blog, just not the email feed.
Page Missing from Presbytery Packet
“An Invitation to Expanding Partnership in God’s Mission” was originally a 3-page document – only the 1st and 3rd pages appeared in the packet last evening. We will be posting the missing 2nd page on the Presbytery web page in the coming days. (We are awaiting a copy of the original document.)
IRS Mileage Increase
The IRS rate for mileage reimbursement will increase on July 1st to 58.5 cents per mile. This rate will be good through December of 2008.
Shenango Presbytery Bicentennial Celebration
July 27, 2008 in Anderson Auditorium at Westminster College. The day will include a dinner served at the back of the auditorium at 5:00 PM ($10.00 adults, ages 5-12 $5.00, under age 5 – Free). The service will be a traditional Presbyterian Season of Communion as observed in Scotland and America. The five Reformed traditions of our Presbytery will be recognized with words, banners and hymns. Today is the last day to register!
GA Discussions – You are invited to participate
Glenn Hink and Bill Hoffman would like to host those interested in a follow-up time to pray about and discuss the recently concluded General Assembly and its implications for our churches and ministries. We are tentatively looking to meet at East Main Church in Grove City either Monday, July 14, 7-8:30 PM or Tuesday, July 15, 10:30-NOON. If you are interested in coming, please get back to Bill Hoffman (pastorbill@zoominternet.net or 724-458-8270) with your time preference. We will announce finalized details by the end of next week (7/10).
Energy Audit Links
There is an energy audit online at www.thedailygreen.com. If you click on “Green Homes”, then “DIY Home Energy Audit” and that page also has a link to a web-based do-it-yourself energy audit tool at http://hes.lbl.gov. There is also a group called Interfaith Power and Light that has organizations in each state (PA hasn’t started one yet) that helps religious and non-profit organizations with energy and conservation issues. They have a store at www.shopipl.org that offers energy supplies (bulbs, etc.) at “deeply discounted” prices for churches.
Award Given to Bill and Lois Anderson at the 218th General Assembly
The Rev. Hunter Farrell, director of World Mission, presented the Bell-Mackay Prize to Bill Anderson. Anderson and his late wife Lois spent 49 years in African-based mission service. As a result of their ministry, the Nile Theological College in Khartoum, Sudan, is now the first high-level Protestant theological institution in that country. Accepting the award, Anderson encouraged those gathered to “do your work and expect the Holy Spirit.” Read the full story here.
Equipping Pastors
The Board of Pensions has provided a grant of $20,000 to the eight presbyteries of western PA to provide a program over the next year for “Equipping Pastors” with support to their ministries. You have probably seen the flyer for the four retreats (available on our “News & Events” page). There will also be monthly meetings here in Shenango Presbytery. Margaret Trautman is providing staff support to a planning team consisting of Ray Hylton, Jason Hickman, Amy Na, Monica Hamilton and Dave Lingle. If you have topics on pastoral leadership of concern to you, please contact Margaret ched@shenango.org so that she can share them with the planning team.
Singers needed — for CELEBRATION CHOIR for the Presbytery Bicentennial Celebration(Sunday, July 27th)Rehearsals — Friday evening, July 25, 7:30 p.m. at the Unity Presbyterian Church at Greenfield, 1857 Mercer West Middlesex Road (Route 318) in Lackawannock Township — and a 2nd rehearsal on Sunday, July 27th — 4 p.m. at the Anderson Auditorium on the Westminster Campus. ALL SINGERS welcome to either or both rehearsals. For more info call: Jane Bartholomew 724-981-2377
Beth Moore Simulcast @ Covenant, Sharon
Beth Moore, well known author and Bible study leader, will appear live via satellite at Covenant, Sharon on August 1 & 2 for a life-changing time of Bible teaching and authentic worship. Contact Michelle at 724-981-3535 for more information.
Important Opportunity
At 4:00 PM on Sunday, July 13 Ralph Hawkins will be installed as pastor of the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. That is an important event in itself, but it is also wonderful to hear a sermon by Dr. Darrell Guder, Dean of Princeton Theological Seminary. Darrell is probably the most important voice in “missional church” thinking about which several of our churches have been learning. For more information on Darrell click here: http://www.ptsem.edu/Academics/departments/RS/Docs/CVs/Guder_cv.pdf.
Donate Used Materials
Churches can donate their used VBS and Sunday School curriculum to the Kayenta Presbyterian Church in Arizona. Materials can be brought to the Fall Gathering of Presbyterian Women on October 18th at Faith Presbyterian Church.
First Presbyterian Church, New Castle seeks Nursery Director
See the full job description and contact information on our “Help Wanted” page (available under “Quick Links” on our home page.
New Print Cartridges Available at Presbytery Office
We have several brand new ink cartridges here at the office that fit printers that we no longer own. They are available for $10.00 – first come, first served
2 HP 15 – black inkjet
1 Lexmark 82 – black
1 Lexmark 83 – color
1 HP 78 – tri color inkjet
The Presbytery of Shenango 