Coming Events
January 3- 3:30 PM, Nominating Committee Meeting, Presbytery Office
January 6-7 – PMC Cluster Event, Mt. Chestnut Presbyterian Church, Butler
Mission Giving Deadline
Fellowship Gathering in Orlando
The following people are attending the Fellowship of Presbyterians gathering in Orlando, FL from January 18-20, 2012…Amy Na, Gary and Cheryl Waguespack, Jason Schepp, Evan Ernst, Jim and Doreen Latta, Glenn and Jeanne Hink, Bob Bardeen, Virginia Phillips, Ralph Hawkins, & Dave and Joan Dawson. If you are planning to attend this event, please be in contact with Rev. Dawson (david.dawson@shenango.org or 724-528-1610).
Fellowship of Presbyterians
The Fellowship of Presbyterians has released their theological and church governance plans, http://www.fellowship-pres.org/ anticipating the meeting in Orlando on January 18-20.
Update from Board of Pensions re: Your Medical Insurance
UPMC hospitals and physicians will be available to Highmark Inc. insurance customers at in-network rates through June 30, 2013 under a new agreement the warring companies announced on December 22. (The rest of the article may be read at: http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/11356/1198673-100.stm#ixzz1hIE959CO.)
Register ONLINE for LeaderFest!
Register online for LeaderFest (January 14, 2012) – it’s fast, easy, and will help you be among the first registered for those classes offering free books to the first 50 registrants. Click here, or click on the red button on the Presbytery homepage to complete the registration form. Your registration fee can either be mailed to the Presbytery office, or you can bring it with you to LeaderFest in January.
“Beyond the Basics”: A Teacher Training Seminar (At LeaderFest, January 14th)
What do we expect from those teaching in our churches? The Seminar “Beyond the Basics” at LeaderFest is designed for everyone teaching in the church. Participants will look at a list of minimum expectations and then consider ways they might go beyond these to fulfill their calling to the ministry of teaching. If your church has been wanting to provide training for your teachers, this seminar is what you’ve been looking for. The seminar is led by Dr. Margaret Trautman.
IRS Mileage Rate
The IRS Mileage Rate for 2012 will be .555 cents per mile.
Martin Luther King Jr. Community Remembrance and Celebration Breakfast
Join Westminster College (in the Witherspoon Rooms of McKelvey Student Center) on Thursday, January 19, 2012 from 8 – 9:15 AM for the celebration featuring guest speaker Rev. Angel De La Cruz of Word Centered Fellowship. There is a $5.00 fee for breakfast, and reservations are required for food preparation (gabriedl@westminter.edu). Everyone is invited!
Congratulations to Ken Bailey and Gary Smith
The recent issue of Christianity Today recognized Ken Bailey’s Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes (IVP Academic) as the top book in Biblical studies for 2011. Gary Smith’s (Grove City College) Heaven in the American Imagination (Oxford University Press) received the Award of Merit in history. http://www.christianitytoday.com/et/2012/january/2012-book-awards.html. Gary was also interviewed about his previous book, Faith and the Presidency from George Washington to George W. Bush. Congratulations to Ken and Gary for outstanding academic contributions!
Mission Yearbook – Dominican Republic
Several churches in Shenango Presbytery are involved in a partnership in the Dominican Republic. Jo Ella Holman is the Regional Liason who assists in the partnership. On Friday, January 13, we are praying for the Dominican Republic in the Mission Yearbook http://game.pcusa.org/yearbook/january-13/ If you would like more information on the partnership and how your church could be involved, please contact Ralph Hawkins at ralph@nwpresby.org or Chris Weichman at chrisweichman@clen-moore.org.
Vietnam Partnership
John Culp, pastor at Tower Church, Grove City, will be leaving this week for a mission study trip to Vietnam. If you would like more information about this emerging partnership, please contact John at jjculp@zoominternet.net or Carolyn Moss at cfmoss@mail.com.
News from the Churches
The Boar’s Head & Yule Log Festival
Presented by the Shenango Valley Chorale Madrigal Singers and the Sanctuary Choir, members and friends of First Presbyterian Church in Sharon, PA on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 3:30 PM. (600 E. State Street, Sharon). This magical afternoon features beautiful music, a story filled with wonder, and giving glory to God. Bring your family and friends – this Festival is presented a gift to the community.
Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey coming to Shenango Presbyterian Church
Make plans now to join Shenango Presbyterian Church for a financial seminar (DVD lectures) that lasts 13 weeks (January 29 – May 20). The class is $93 per family and includes all materials and a lifetime membership in Dave Ramsey’s school. More information is available on the News & Events page of the Presbytery website.
Piano Available
If your church is in need of an upright piano, please contact Mark Hughes of Center Church, Grove City. The church has one that they would like to donate. Mark’s number is 724-992-1548.
Missa Eaton / Jordan Biel to appear at Cana’s Corner Grand Re-opening
On January 10, 2012, we welcome you to Cana’s Corner Coffeehouse’s new location at First Presbyterian Church of Sharon, located at 600 E. State Street, from 7-9 pM. Appearing will be Missa Eaton from Sharon, PA and Jordan Biel from Kinsman, OH. Missa has sung at the coffeehouse before and Jordan is well known to folks who have gone to the “Valley Alive” crusade this past summer. A free will offering will be taken to cover the cost of our musicians and the food. We look forward to an exciting year of the Lord blessing us with music once again.
Westminster Highlands to Host Music Festival in August
Mark your calendars now for “Highland Rocks”, a day-long series of concerts by Christian bands, both locally and nationally known, will begin at 10 AM on August 4, 2012. Further details are available on the Presbytery news page.
The Presbytery of Shenango 