This Week
November 5- 1:30 PM Bills & Overtures Committee, Presbytery Office
November 12- 10:00 AM Church & Community Committee, Presbytery Office
1:00 PM Christian Education Committee, Presbytery Office
3:30 PM Nominating Committee, Presbytery Office
Survey for LeaderFest
Last week you received a link via eLink for a survey to be completed online this month for LeaderFest. Pastors, please forward the link (for the general survey) to members of your Session.
The Last SHOWCASE
Many of you received the last print edition of SHOWCASE last week. Due to changing postal regulations and the fact that our local post office will no longer be handling bulk mailings we will no longer be mailing SHOWCASE out four times a year. We have plans to make it available online as a PDF, but we are asking each church to encourage their leaders and members to sign up for eLink – it is the best way to receive the news of the Presbytery since it comes out weekly. If you have leaders who do not use e-mail, please print a copy for them. Pastors will be recieving a letter later this week with further instructions for signing onto eLink.
Mission Yearbook and Children’s Mission Yearbooks are HERE!
We still have a few churches who haven’t picked up their orders, but we also have several copies of both available for purchase. Mission Yearbooks are $5.50 each, and the Children’s Mission Yearbook is $7.00. Stop by today! Just in case you don’t have one yet- we also have 3 copies left of the Presbyterian Planning Calendar at $8.50 each.
Barry Almy Raising Funds for Medical Mission
Barry Almy is a new staff member with the Medical Benevolence Foundation, http://www.mbfoundation.org/news/htm, where he will help connect churches to medical mission opportunities. Betsy is the interim pastor at Frostburg Presbyterian Church in Maryland.
Mission Networks
This good article, http://missional.info/?p=88 by the presbytery executive in Carlisle Presbytery is worth a read. The Sudan Mission Network (Shenango, Redstone, Trinity presbyteries) was the first network beginning 14 years ago. It will next meet in Louisville on December 1-2 with Jim Leuenberger, Miriam Gwin, Betsy Barr and Dave Dawson attending.
Tax Tips for Ministers and Churches Teleconference
December 11, 2008 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST.
Join the Board of Pensions for this web-enhanced teleconference, a free event that helps ministers and churches understand clergy taxes. You can register online or by phone at 800-355-4487. You can also submit your tax questions when you register for this conference. Space is limited, so sign up today. Registration ends November 21.
Do you think you have a difficult job?
Check out what Ingrid Reneau, our missionary in the Sudan, deals with on a daily basis. Go to http://sudanseed.blogspot.com to check out her blog. Send her some words of encouragement or just let her know your’re thinking about her. Remember we pledged to support her not only financially, but with prayers and encouragement. On Sunday November 23, lift Ingrid up with prayers in your churches.
Changed Lives – an update form Constructores para Cristo
Please read the full update on the News page of the Presbytery website. There are some exciting things happening with CPC – including the recent construction of house #599!
A Continuing Education Opportunity – 1 Week Leader’s Intensive
The annual 1-week Leader’s Intensive Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class of pastors, missionaries, and other Christian workers will be January 20-28, 2009 at Mt. Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. For information see http://www.perspecitives.org/atf/cf/%7B1EB5210-3B12-4790-9F8C-D025aE89B1A99%7D/Leaders_Intensive_Details-2009.pdf.
Free Concert at East Main
Please join us as we welcome the Daraja Children’s Choir of Africa to Grove City on Monday, November 10th. They will give a free concert combining traditional African song and dance with contemporary Christian music at 7 PM in the sanctuary of East Main Presbyterian Church. We are eager to join our hearts together in praise to the Lord of all peoples and nations. A free-will offering will be taken up during the concert for the ministry of Daraja Chidldren’s Choir of Africa. For more information, please visit: http://www.DarajaChidlrensChoir.com.
Iraqi Presbyterians Fleeing
Victor Makari, son-in-law of Ken and Ethel Bailey, presented a minute for mission in the New Wilmington Church on October 19. He told of a meeting in Damascus, Syria with Presbyterians who have fled Iraq. You can read more here, http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2008/08773.htm.
Continuing Education Opportunity at WC
“The Brain Technique for Preaching Without Notes” presented by Dr. William J. Carl, President of PTS will by at Westminster College on Monday, November 17th from 8:30 AM until 12:00 PM (concludes with lunch). Registration includes breakfast and lunch – $7.00 advanced, $10.00 at the door. Please register by November 10th with the Chapel office 724-946-7117 or gabriedl@westminster.edu. Please bring 2 or 3 sermons with you. Dr. Carl will be teaching you the technique of preaching without notes…using your own work.
WMI to Host Special Event
Rev. Dr. Paul Haidostian, President of Haigazian University in Beruit, Lebanon, will speak at PTS from 4:30 – 5:30 PM on Monday, November 10th. A pastor in the Union of Armenian Evangelical Churches in the Near East, Dr. Haidostian will address the current crisis for Christians on the topic “The Future for Christians in the Troubled Middle East.” World Mission Initiative is sponsoring this event held in Room 2 of the Administration Building at the seminary.
Come In Out of the Cold
Presbyterian Media Mission is again offering resources for your use during the Advent season. You can find this information at http://www.pmm4u.org/ciotc.
Spread the Warmth – collection for the area homeless youth at the Silk Road Market
The Silk Road Market is trying to help the 1500 school-age children who are homeless in our area to have a warmer winter. Please bring your donations of hats, gloves, and scarves (child size medium and large and adult sizes are the best) to the Silk Road Market in New Wilmington between now and December 20th. Read the full ad on the “News” page of the Presbytery website.
Mission Fair at Jamestown
Join the Jamestown Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 16 from 1:00 – 3:30 and do your Christmas shopping early as representatives from Heifer International, the Sudan Partnership, Kenya Children’s Project, Greenville Downtown Ministries and other mission groups share information on the work they are doing throughout the world. A Greater Gift and Slovak Folk Crafts will have “wonderful goodies” for purchase. Purchase gifts that show the real meaning of Christmas and help people around the world to have a better life. A light lunch will be served in the dining room immediately following worship and there will be a silent auction and entertainment throughout the day.
Organist Wanted
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Sharon is looking for an organist. If you or someone you know is interested, please call Eleanore O’Hare at 330-448-8369.
Outdoor Nativity Set Wanted
Calvin Church, Ellwood City is looking for a large outdoor nativity scene/set. It could be up to life-size. Please contact Rev. Latta at 724-816-9550.
Prayer & Praise Spaghetti Dinner
Saturday, November 15, 2008 4:30 – 6:30 PM at Bethel UP Church Fellowship Hall for Susan McDowell Krauss who will be having a bone marrow transplant November 25. Free will offering taken at the door with 100% going to Susan.
How About Liver and Onions???
A favorite of some, but not of others!!!! Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church will be having a liver and onions dinner on November 22 at 6 PM. The menu will include liver and onions, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, and Steve’s famous apple crisp for dessert. All proceeds will go to help in mission projects. Plan to come and enjoy the fellowship and great food. Tickets MUST be bought in advance or reservations made at the church office before November 18, 2008. See you there. Cost is $6.00.
The Presbytery of Shenango 