May 4-5- Pastor Retreat, Villa Maria Retreat Center
Prayers of Support
Over 350 attended the final service at Second Presbyterian, New Castle on April 26. Ministers for the area churches and several ministers who came from the church attended. It was a sad but joyful celebration of 125 years of service in New Castle.
Buying Local, Going Global
The First Presbyterian Church in Warren, PA was featured by the Presbyterian News Service for their farmers market which supports the Presbyterian Hunger Program. If your church is looking for ways to reach out into the community and partner with a mission organization this coming summer, you can read the entire article at
http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2009/09353 or contact the Presbyterian Hunger Program at 888-728-7228.
College Scholarship Applications Due SoonShenango Presbytery scholarship applications need to be postmarked by May 10th. Applications and guidelines can be found on our “
Publications & Information” page, or by clicking the link in the box at the bottom of our homepage.
Planning a Mission Trip?
Shenango Presbytery offers a grant to individuals and groups to help with the cost of trips. Applications and guidelines can be found on our “Publications & Information” page, or by clicking the link in the box at the bottom of our homepage.
Training for Mission in Your Community
World Mission Initiative is offering “Crossing Cultures”-http://www.worldmissioninitiative.org/events.htm. This is an eye-opening workshop that teaches how to reach out to and explore the cultures of local immigrants who live near you. This will open ministry opportunities to the people of different ethnicities who are beginning to settle in our communities.
Working for Darfur
Several churches in the Presbytery are asking their members to sign postcards to be sent to President Obama reminding him of the terrible tragedy unfolding in Darfur, Sudan. Five individuals from our churches: Gary and Betsy Barr and Miriam and Bill Gwin from Mt. Jackson, along with Tom Kaufman from 3rd, New Castle traveled to Washington, DC recently for the “Save Darfur” rally at Lafayette Park across from the White House. They appealed for humanitarian responses for the people of Darfur (photos can be viewed on our News & Events page). $21,114 was wired to the church in Sudan two weeks ago for this emergency. Over $15,000 of this came from our churches.
Barry Almy Available to Speak
Barry Almy will be in the area from May 1-6 to speak on Medical Missions. If you would like to schedule Barry to speak at your church during these dates, please contact him at 412-600-5220.
Faith, Freedom, and the Church in IndiaDr. Timothy Mech will speak at 7 PM on April 29th in Sticht Lecture Hall (HAL 108) at Grove City College. The presentation will describe how first generation Indian Christians practice their faith. It will also explain impediments to the freedom of Indian Christians and outline how volunteers from this region are empowering churches and fighting poverty in India. Dr. Mech is a professor in the Entrepreneurship Department at Grove City College and President of Evangelical Fellowship International, a network of over 500 indigenous churches in India and Malaysia.
You Should Consider “Perspectives on the World Christian Movement”
The Fall 2009 Perspectives class will be at the Grove City Alliance Chuch. Classes bein Monday, August 31st at 6:30 PM. Mark your calendars now to come to the first week free! Begin praying about whether you should join the thousands of students, lay leaders, business professionals, mission committee members, an pastors who will be taking Perspectives somewhere this year! Check the flyer for more details. Learn more athttp://www.perspectives.org or contact Area Coordinator, Jen Haddox for more info: jhaddox@pts.edu.
Summer Curriculum Options Available on the Internet
If your church is looking for something different for their summer educational programs, consider We Believe: Mission Stories 2009 for Children and/or We Believe: Mission Stories 2009 for Youth and Adults. Each downloadable 13-session curriculum connects participants to 13 mission sites around the US and the world. The easy-to-use sessions include a four-page leader’s guide, photographs, videos, and resource pages. Each curriculum costs $29.95 and can be ordered from
http://www.pcusa.org/marketplace.
Chaplain Needed
The Greater Cleveland Council of the Boy Scouts is seeking a Chaplain (may be a seminary student) for 4 weeks starting June 21st. Could come just for vespers on Sunday evenings, or could stay the entire week. Small stipend available. Please contact Don Rodgers for more information at 724-652-2470 or donaldra2@aol.com.
The Presbytery of Shenango 