Coming Events
January 12 – 1:30 PM Evangelism Committee, Presbytery Office
January 13- 1:00 PM Christian Education Committee, Presbytery Office
January 14- LeaderFest, New Wilmington PC & Westminster College
January 16- OFFICE CLOSED, Birthday of Martin Luther King Jr.
January 17- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW
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).
Prayers
Edna Henderson, an elder at Highland Presbyterian Church in New Castle and the first woman moderator of Shenango Presbytery (1972) died last week.
Annual Reports
Letters were mailed to Clerks of Session on Friday containing the “user name” and “password” for accessing the GA online statistical program. Please note the the password now contains an “!” and is case-sensitive. The statistical program has also moved to a new address, http://oga.pcusa.org/stats. The deadline for entering your statistical information is February 22, 2012. Don’t forget that there is a workshop for Clerks of Session at LeaderFest this Saturday that will offer assistance with completing these reports.
Presbytery annual reports are available on the “Publications & Information” page of the Presbytery website. They are downloadable as WORD and EXCEL files and the completed forms can either be mailed to the office or emailed to Autumn atoffice@shenango.org. The deadline for completing these forms is January 31, 2011.
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.)
You can still register ONLINE for LeaderFest!
Register online for LeaderFest (January 14, 2012) – it’s fast and easy! 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 on Saturday. Online registration will remain open until Friday at NOON- afterwards you will need to register at the door on Saturday. Note: Registration is now closed for the Elder Training Seminar during the first session as we have reached capacity. All of the other workshops are still available.
“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.
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 atchrisweichman@clen-moore.org.
Vietnam Partnership
John Culp, pastor at Tower Church, Grove City, left last 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.
Help With Your Taxes: Pastors and Church Treasurers
While taxes may be one of the few certainties in life, the same can’t be said of tax laws – they can, and often do change. The Board of Pensions provides help. Visit the online Tax Resource Center for members or treasurers and administrators at http://www.pensions.org and refer to the Tax Tips Webcast. Also look for Tax Guide for Ministers and the Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches in the 2011 tax year.
Shenango Women Clergy:
Including members-at-large, seminary students, commissioned lay pastors, and pastors – are welcome to a brunch and conversation on Friday, January 27, 2012 from 10-noon at Shenango SeniorCare (238 S. Market St., New Wilmington). You may contact Amy Na (724-654-2322 AmyLNa@yahoo.com) or Teresa Kendall (724-799-9931 teresakendall@mac.com) with questions. Please make your reservation with either Teresa or Amy by January 25th.
News from the Churches
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.
Attention Youth Leaders:
Winter Weekend 2012: Olympic Faith is coming up on February 24-26 at Seneca Hills Bible Camp. This is a retreat for youth 7th grade and up. This year’s main speaker is Ben Murray from Logos Academy in York, PA. Worship will be led by Grove City’s Vince Anastasi. For more information email Jason Dunn at jasondunn@zoominternet.net or call 724-992-3693. Check us out on Facebook as well, https://m.facebook.com/home.php?sk=group_273435596051123&slog=1935347165&seq=1536064230&fbtype=69&refid=46&m_sess=1okJHSREDQStMA.
Red Cross Blood Drive
Mt. Jackson Presbyterian Church will host a Red Cross Blood Drive on Tuesday, January 24th from 1-6 PM. Those who would like to volunteer can contact Joanna Barr at 724-667-7188 or the church office at 724-667-7258.
Part-Time Youth Director
Bethany Church is seeking a Part Time Youth Director who will provide leadership of the 7th through 12th grade youth programs by working with the Session and Christian Education Committee to provide plans, organization, resources and direction for the Christian Education programs for the youth ministry and training for lay persons for the task of teaching and leading Christian Education in a shared capacity. This is a a part-time 20 hours per week position that requires the candidate to work Sunday evenings. A job description is available at the church office. Please submit by end of business on Wednesday, January 31, 2012 a cover letter, resume and names of two references to Bethany Presbyterian Church, Attention Diana Eperthener, 100 West Venango Street, Mercer, PA 16137.
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.
Spaghetti Benefit Dinner for Cathy Fox (friend of Shenango Presbyterian SeniorCare)
On Sunday, January 15, 2012 from 12-4 pM at Pulaski Station #2, Evergreen Road, New Bedford, PA. Large: $7.00, Small $4.00, take out available. Bake Sale, Chinese Auction, 50/50 raffle. Cathy was severely injured in a car crash and requires round the clock care. Her medical expenses are accumulating. Proceeds go to the Cathy Fox Donation Fund, and donations can also be made at all of the local Huntingdon Banks.
Position Opening: Director of Outdoor Ministries, Camping Association of the Presbyteries of Northwestern Pennsylvania
The CAPNWP is seeking a fulltime director of Camping Ministries. The Director will be directly responsible to the Board of Directors, representing four presbyteries of the PC, (U.S.A.) The successful candidate will possess skills in Administration, Human Resources, Financial Management, Program Development, Communication, Marketing and Fund Development. A proven track record in managing and redeveloping a Christian camping Program, is strongly preferred. A Christian commitment to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, a working knowledge and appreciation of Presbyterian Tradition and reformed theology and a Bachelor’s degree or related experience in a field related to the position, are required. A competitive compensation package will be provided commensurate with the skills of the candidate and the demands of the position.
Additional information is available thru the association web site at: www.capnwp.org Interested candidates may send resumes to: david@pbylakeerie.org Deadline for application: January 31, 2012
The Presbytery of Shenango 