This Week:
March 10- 9:30 AM Personnel Reviews, Presbytery Office
March 12-13– New PMC Cluster, Westminster College
March 15– 7:00 PM Leadership Development Team, Presbytery Office
News From The Presbytery Office
Chile Earthquake
Every time there is a natural disaster in the US or internationally, Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) is involved on your behalf, to provide both immediate and long term assistance. You can send funds through the Presbytery Office. Simply mark them for the cause that you or your church wishes to support (Haiti, Chili, etc.). Your “One Great Hour of Sharing” offering this Easter includes support for PDA.
For long term recovery efforts (as we have seen with Katrina and which will follow in Haiti), there are several ways to respond:
- Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) continues to be involved with Katrina and will be involved for the long term in Haiti. Several of our churches have sent teams to work through PDA. For more details, including future work camps in Haiti, check here http://www.pcusa.org/pda/
- Medical efforts in Haiti will also be directed through the Medical Benevolence Foundation http://www.mbfoundation.org/ MBF works with the PC(USA) and Barry Almy balmy@mbfoundation.org (412) 600-5220 is our local contact.
- The Outreach Foundation http://www.theoutreachfoundation.org/ is another PC(USA)-related source of help in disasters.
How Do We Deal With Muslims?
There is a wonderful opportunity to hear a Muslim convert to Christianity speak on this topic. He was at the New Wilmington Mission Conference last summer and he will be at the World Mission Initiative Conference at Pittsburgh Seminary on March 19-20. You can go Friday and Saturday, or just Saturday. Denise Sciuto, Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship staff person (724-946-2360) can connect you with other travelers. There are many good speakers. For more information: http://www.worldmissioninitiative.org/WMI%20Conference.htm.
News from the Churches
2010 Ukraine-Slovakia Mission Trip
This trip is sponsored by East Main Presbyterian Church and Slovak Folk Crafts. It is led by Anne and Dave Dayton. The trip will take place from June 14-27, and they need at least one more person (but could take up to 6) to make the trip possible. Contact the Daytons for more details anne@daytons.org.
Needed
Organist or Pianist for Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church for Sunday morning choir practice and worship service. Reply to wpresbyterian@zoominternet.net or PO Box 709, Ellwood City, PA 16117.
Dinner Theater @ First
The Covenant Players will be appearing at First Presbyterian Church, Sharon on Sunday, March 28. Dinner at 6 PM; Play at 7 PM. Dinner & Theater tickets: $15 adults, $10 children under 12. Dinner tickets are limited to first come basis. Play only $5. For tickets, call 724-342-3551.
Help Needed with Special Project
A son of Neshannock Presbyterian Church, New Wilmington, was very recently deployed to Yosef Khel, Afghanistan. One of his missions is to build positive relationships between the American/NATO presence and the local population. Towards this end, he is leading an effort to supply the local school with basic school supplies. Neshannock Church is asking for your help in this effort in the form of contributing basic school supplies, new or gently used, that will be sent for distribution to the school in Yosef Khel. You may drop off your contributions at Neshannock Presbyterian Church, the New Wilmington Borough Office, or the Smith Funeral Home in New Wilmington (a box on the side porch under the carport). Contributions are being received through the end of March.
Local Workshops, Events
Peace Studies Coffeehouse and Poster Exhibition
“The artistic fight against Holocaust denial” : speaker Dr. Ronit Fisher from Western Galilee College, Israel will be presented on Wednesday, March 10th, 7:00 PM in Mueller Theater, McKelvey Campus Center, Westminster College. Dr. Fisher is a Jewish history scholar and the daughter of Holocaust survivors from Eastern Europe. The event is free and open to the public. A dessert reception will follow the talk. All are welcome to attend.
Calling All Women of the Cloth:
You are invited to a Clergy Women’s Breakfast: April 16th at 9:00 AM in the Alcove of Shenango Presbyterian SeniorCare: (1) Meat Quiche, (1) Veggie/Cheese Quiche, Sweet Rolls, Fruit, Beverages. Price will be $7-10 per person depending on the number of reservations. Reservation deadline call or email Amy Na (724-654-2322 OR amylna@yahoo.com) by April 7th. Thanks!
Lectures at First Presbyterian, Youngstown
Dr. Daniel Aleshire, Executive Director of the Association of Theological Schools, will speak at First Presbyterian Church, Youngstown on March 23 with the following topics:
- 4:00 PM Leaving the Promised Land for the Wilderness: The Changing Status of Congregations, Ministry, and Theological Education
- 7:00 PM Shepherd, CEO, Entrepreneur, and Social Worker: Pastoral Leadership and the Work of God’s People
Call for reservation information: 330-744-4307
The Presbytery of Shenango 