This Week:

April 9- Registrations Due for Pastor’s Retreat!
April 13– 3:00 PM Special Funds Distribution Group, Presbytery Office
4:00 PM Leadership Development Team, Presbytery Office

News From The Presbytery Office

Rev. Philip Akway Obang asks for Prayers for the Sudan
Very important national elections begin the following week in Sudan.  These elections are expected to be very difficult and there is great fear that violence will follow.  Please pray.

Register for the Pastor’s Retreat- FRIDAY IS THE DEADLINE
Our special guest for the Spring 2010 Pastor’s Retreat will be Rev. Rob Weingartner, Executive Director of the Presbyterian Outreach Foundation.  ”Living (Leading) With Joy in an Anxious Age” will be held on May 3-4 at Villa Maria Conference Center.  $75 to stay overnight, $40 to commute.  Registrations are due to the Presbytery Office by this Friday, April 9th!

Request from the Resource Center

If your congregation would be interested in a group rate CVLI license, please contact Debbie in the Resource Center at 724-528-1610 orresource@shenango.org.

Dr. Gary Smith on What the Founding Fathers Believed
Rev. Gary Smith, member of Shenango Presbytery and chair of the history department at Grove City College is a recognized scholar on US Presidents.  Here is an example regarding what the founding fathers believed: http://www.crosswalk.com/news/commentary/11628213/page0/

Idea for Summer Sunday School
Churches that want to continue their Sunday School program through the summer often want to combine their classes.  Awesome Adventures: God’s People on the Move makes it easy for a congregation to do this.  It has 13 easy-to-use, kid-friendly lesson plans, reproducible resource sheets and “for the home” pages, as well as take-home comic book pages.  Children will explore Old and New Testament stories of God’s people on the move.  (Note that this resource could  also be used for Vacation Bible School.)  You can see a sample copy of Awesome Adventures in the Presbytery Resource Center.  Information about the resource is online at http://www.pcusa.org/webelieve.  It can be purchased for $44.95 from http://www.pcusa.org/marketplace or by calling Presbyterian Distribution Service at 1-800-524-2612.  The resource number is #674400.

News from the Churches

“An Easter Carol” at Bethlehem

“An Easter Carol”, a special worship service of music and drama, will be presented on April 11th at 2:00 PM at Bethlehem Presbyterian Church.  The church is located on 710 Carnegie Avenue, Sharon, PA.  Come and celebrate the passion and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ!  For more information call Robyn Ruth at 724-342-7304 or Pastor Robbie Arnold at 724-983-0194.  Hope to see you there!

Dinner & Musical Show at West Middlesex Presbyterian Church
“Ordinary Miracles” will be presented at West Middlesex Presbyterian Church on April 16, 17, 22, 23 and 24 (dinner at 6:30/show at 7:30).  Dinner & Show: Adults $15, children 12 & under $7.50.  Show only: Adults & Children $7.50.  Reservations call 724-931-4169.

Part-Time Youth Director (Jr. High and Sr. High School Youth Leader)

Westfield Presbyterian Church is actively searching for a self-motivated, dynamic individual who loves working with 12-18 yr. olds in a Christian setting.  The responsibilities of this position include leading the weekly youth group meetings on Sunday evenings; planning, organizing, and developing creative programs that keep our youth interested and involved; and discipling youth to become fully committed followers of Christ.  Interested candidates should send a letter of interest along with a current resume to office@westfieldchurch.org.  Please visit the church’s website at http://www.westfieldchurch.org.

Worship Leader / Music Coordinator Sought
Bethany Presbyterian Church in Mercer is searching for a Worship Leader/Music Coordinator.  This will be a part-time position (20-30 hours per week) paid at an hourly rate commensurate with the person’s experience.  The congregation is committed to a blended style of worship and is seeking an individual who will help the church congregation grow in its use of contemporary worship music.  This staff person will work closely with the Senior Pastor to plan worship and will work in a collegial relationship with the Church Organist/Choir Director.  Those interested in this position should submit a letter of interest and resume by May 1st to Bethany Presbyterian Church, Personnel Committee, 100 West Venango Street, Mercer, PA  16137.  A more complete description of this position may be viewed at Bethany’s website at http://www.bethany-presbyterian.org.

Local Workshops, Events

Coming Soon…

Spring Gathering for Presbyterian Women starting at 9 AM on Thursday, April 15th at Westfield Presbyterian Church.  “Patterns for Living” will be presented by Martie Woolcock, Synod of the Trinity Representative on the Churchwide Coordinating Team and Amanda McDowell, Bridal Fashion Designer.  Personal Care items will be collected for VA Butler Healthcare and manufacturer’s coupons will be sent to military bases.  To register, please send your name, address, phone number and check for $6 for lunch (payable to PW in Shenango) by April 12 to Nancy McMillan, 1841 Moravia Road, Enon Valley, PA  16120.

Grove City College Evangelical Scholarship Conference
Dr. Carl R. Trueman will speak at GCC on the topic “Hard Pressed, Yet Not Crushed: The Glories, Sorrows, and Threats to Evangelicalism Today” on April 12 (7:00 PM, Harbison Chapel) and April 13 (9:30 AM, 11;30 AM, 2:30 PM).  ContactVanDykeEG1@gcc.edu for more information and lunch reservation.

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!

Camps to Host Work Days
Saturday, May 1 has been chosen as the annual Spring Work Day at Westminster Highlands.  Saturday, May 22 has been chosen as the Spring Work Day at Camp Lambec on the shores of Lake Erie.  Arrive anytime beginning at 9 AM and  work as long as you like until 3 or 4 PM.  Bring your own lunch and drinks.   Click here for more information.

Vote for Root International
Root International is competing for a $250,000 grant and they need your help to win.  Go to http://www.refresheverything.com, click $250,000 and a the top in the blank bar enter “Root International Warehouse”.  When their name appears, click “VOTE”.  You will need to sign-in and then go back and vote.  They are asking everyone to vote once a day until April 30th – your vote counts and only everyone working together can make this happen.  Thank you for your support and keep Root International in your prayers.