This Week:
April 27- 7:00 PM Millenium Team, Presbytery Office
April 30- 9:00 AM Committee on Ministry, Presbytery Office
May 3- 11:00 AM Educators Luncheon, Tuscany Square Restaurant
7:00 PM Mercer County Session Records Review, Bethany PC
May 5- 7:00 PM Lawrence County Session Records Review, Northminster PC
Joys
Congratulations to Derek and Katie Longbrake (Bell Memorial) on the birth of their daughter, Rebekah Barr, on April 6.
Session Records Reviews
It’s time again for the annual review of session record books (and registers for select churches). Mercer County churches can come to Bethany Presbyterian Church (100 W. Venango St., Mercer) at 7 PM on Tuesday, May 3rd. Lawrence County churches can come to Northminster Presbyterian Church (2434 Wilmington Road, New Castle) at 7 PM on Thursday, May 5th.
Presbytery Council Forms Special Committee
The Presbytery Council formed a Special Committee to Monitor Denominational Issues at its April 5 meeting. There are a variety of developments in the Presbyterian Church (USA) that merit our prayerful and careful attention. This committee (in the process of being formed) is being asked to help us identify important matters for our consideration. Click here for further information.
Sessions of Shenango Presbytery
Last July, the 218th General Assembly took an historic action to study the role and future of presbyteries and synods in the Presbyterian Church (USA) by establishing a 21 person Commission on Middle Governing Bodies. A portion of this commission’s responsibility is “to consult with sessions…on the mission and function of middle governing bodies”. This is your opportunity to influence the work of this important commission by sharing your wisdom through an online survey. The Commission is asking that each session have a conversation at a session meeting before the end of May and that the Clerk of Session complete the survey form on session’s behalf. Instructions for the entire process are found at the survey site, which is http://www.pcusa.org/mgbsessionsurvey. There is also a general survey for anyone who wants to participate as an individual. That link is http://www.pcusa.org/mgbchurchwidesurvey.
New Commissioned Lay Pastor Training Opportunity
Pittsburgh Seminary, in cooperation with presbyteries in western PA, will be providing training beginning in September http://www.pts.edu/clp. If you are considering this opportunity, please contact David Dobi as soon as possible 724-588-6520 ddobi@verizon.net.
Mission Committees and Pastors:
Come learn more about a growing mission partnership in the Dominican Republic. New Wilmington and Clen-Moore churches are hosting an Open House on Sunday, May 15, 6 PM at New Wilmington Church. Come enjoy a free Dominican meal and learn more about how your church could join us in this partnership in the coming years. In March, three members of the West Middlesex church shared in the partnership for the first time, and we would like to share in ministry with other churches going forward. Contact Ralph Hawkins (ralph@nwpresby.org) or Chris Weichman (cweichman@verizon.net) for more details.
For All Educators: Volunteers and Paid Staff
“Creativity and Imagination with Children” is the theme of the Church Educator Luncheon planned for Tuesday, May 3 from 11 AM – 1 PM at Tuscany Square, 3470 Wilmington Road (Rt. 18), New Castle. Free lunch. Order off menu. Hosted by the Shenango Presbytery Christian Education Committee. Guests are Debbie McClain (Westfield) who will share information about a creative Jesse Tree Project and Terri Perry (1st New Catle) who will speak on “Wondering With Your Children in Worship”. Plus, sharing about creativity with Bible Study in VBS and lots of resource ideas. Come and be inspired! Register by email (office@westfieldchurch.org) or call 724-667-7045. Deadline: May 2 at 10 AM.
News from the Churches
“The Event!” at Center, Grove City
On Saturday, April 30th from 7 PM to 11 PM, Center Presbyterian Church Youth Fellowship (333 Center Church Road, Grove City) will be hosting “The Event!” with musical guests, “Men” playing from 7-8PM (a local high school rock band), Matt Texter playing from 8-9PM (acoustic), Stone the Messenger playing 9-10PM (student rock band from Butler area), and Jay Michael playing and speaking from 10-11 PM-ish (local musician/songwriter). Admission is by donation and all proceeds benefit Center Church Youth Ministries. Any questions contact Jason Dunn, 724-992-3693 or email jasondunn@zoominternet.net. For more information on “The Event!” check out our Facebook page:http://www.facebook.com/#!/event.php?eid=208979562454957.
Concert at Center, Grove City
Center Presbyterian Church in Grove City (333 Center Church Road) will be hosting Nashville recording artist Eric Peters on Sunday, May 15th at 2:00 PM. Eric weaves crafted harmonies with themes of grace, hope and redemption to create songs that touch the heart and the mind. Eric has toured with Caedmon’s Call, Bebo Norman, Andrew Peterson and Derek Webb. Admission is free, a love offering will be taken.
Youth and Young Adult Ministry Pastor Wanted
Bethel United Presbyterian Church in western PA is seeking a full-time Youth and Young Adult Ministry Pastor. The candidate will hold a Reformed and evangelical view of theology. The successful candidate will have a passionate and growing relationship with Jesus Christ and a strong call to serve youth and young adults. Bethel is a vibrant rural congregation blessed with a strong sense of community and many young families. Please submit resumes to mark@bethelupchurch.org.
Rummage Sale
1st Sharon will be holding a Rummage Sale on April 29-30 from 9 AM – 2 PM. A bake sale will be featured, and lunch will be available. Proceeds benefit the work of the Presbyterian Women of 1st Sharon.
5K to Benefit Local Charities
There will be a 5K at Goddard State Park in Sandy Lake on May 15th at 3 PM. There will be a competitive run and non-competitive walk portion. All proceeds will benefit local charities including Helping Hands, Helping Hammers, Meals on Wheels, etc. This is sponsored by the local ministerium. A registration form can be found at the following web page: http://newlebanonchurch.com/Page_2_4HPB.html. Call Sandy Lake Church or Rev. Beth Arnold 724-376-2630 or betharnold185@windstream.net with questions.
FREE Books!
Because the faculty of Religion, History, Philosophy, and Classics at Westminster are cleaning out their offices before renovation of Patterson Hall, they are giving away lots of wonderful books that may be of value to you (for your own study, for your church, or to sell on eBay) –e.g., on the Bible, biblical interpretation, theology, philosophy, and lots of other categories. Come by Patterson Hall once in a while (at least once a week?) to see the books in front of the department office (Patterson Hall 121). The books are there now and more books will be placed there through the end of May. Any questions, call the department secretary (724-946-7244) or Dr. Na (724-946-7155).
Celebrate World Fair Trade Day at the Silk Road Market
Join The Silk Road Market at 115 N. Market Street #1, New Wilmington as they celebrate World Fair Trade Day on May 14, from 10 to 5. Enjoy international snacks as well as a free screening of the documentary “A Powerful Noise”. This year, 20% of all sales on May 14 will be donated to SOS Children’s Villages, a non-profit focusing on orphaned and abandoned children. For more information, please call Wendy at 724-946-8502.
Women’s Conference at Portersville Alliance Church
The Portersville Alliance Church is pleased to announce that they will be hosting a women’s conference featuring Kathy Triccoli, May 20-21, 2011. Kathy will give a concert Friday evening from 7-9 PM, and will be speaking and singing Saturday from 9 AM – 12:30 PM. A limited number of seats are available. For more information, call Evelyn at 412-629-0199.
Ham Loaf Dinner
Bessemer Presbyterian Church will be holding a Ham Loaf Dinner on Saturday, May 14th from 5-7 PM. Adults are $8, Children 6-12 $4, Children 5 and under are FREE. Take outs will be available. Tickets must be purchased in advance by calling the church office at 724-667-7255 or Karen Hutch at 724-667-4181. All proceeds will benefit the Bessemer Presbyterian Church’s mission trip to the Pittsburgh Project in Pittsburgh, PA the week of August 7th – 11th.
The Presbytery of Shenango 