Coming Events:
- September 11- 1:00 PM Evangelism, Presbytery Office
3:30 PM Steering Committee, Presbytery Office - September 17- 1:30 PM Sudan Team, New Wilmington PC
7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW
Presbytery Council to Nominate Search Committee
The Presbytery Council decided at its September 3 meeting to prepare a slate of nominees for the Executive Presbytery Search Committee. These names will be brought to the Presbytery meeting on September 24 (Sandy Lake) for election. If you wish to recommend individuals for that committee, please send them to Jim Mohr mohrjr@westminster.edu IMMEDIATELY. The Council anticipates announcing the nominees via eLink the week before the Presbytery meeting.
“Corporate Records Service” Scam
The Synod has sent a scam report 2013 – Important Consumer Alert from the PA Department of Revenue regarding notices you and your churches have received regarding an official looking “Corporate Records Service” request. It is a marketing ploy. This is a company that prepared corporate minutes. Since we have wonderful stated clerks and the polity to validate our corporate minutes, NONE of our churches will need such a service. Please advise all your congregations to disregard the $125 notice! The Decennial Filing Decennial Filing Explanation 2 – all congregations are strongly advised to file the annual nonprofit corporation report (PA_Nonprofit_annual_report_5110). If you do this every year or so – you will NOT have to pay the Decennial Filing fee in 2022.
Confirmation Retreat
The Camping Association is hosting a confirmation retreat, “Called by Name” open to all 5th-9th graders. The retreat will take place on November 8-9 at Camp Lambec in Erie, PA or November 22-23 at Westminster Highlands in Emlenton, PA. Click this link to access the brochure…Confirmation Retreat Nov 2013
Loaves & Fishes: Fishing for Answers in Children’s Ministry
The Christian Education Committee is sponsoring a dinner and workshop on Children’s Ministry on Tuesday, October 1st at 6:00 PM at The Tavern in New Wilmington. The presenter is Debbie Derrenbacher of 1st Presbyterian, Sharon.
In an almost anything goes society, Debbie finds it challenging as a Christian Educator to:
- be okay with engaging children in discipleship opportunities that God has trusted to her care;
- generate programs with pizzaz without giving up on Biiblical integrity;
- give children hands-on Bible experiences that they will retain;
- find and manage resources; and
- experiment with out-of-the-box ideas.
Her goal in leading this workshop is to help you fish for answers; catch some ideas in your ministry fishing net that will generate a well-balanced appetite for the young disciples that God has placed in your care. Come as you are – dinner is free! Register Now!
A Missional Church Conversation
Michael Moynagh is a pastor, author and leader in the Fresh Expressions Movement in the United Kingdom. This is a “missional church” effort where new congregations are being formed alongside traditional churches. Shenango and Beaver Butler presbyteries are hosting Dr. Moynagh on Wednesday, September 25 (10:30 am – 3:30 pm) at Calvin Presbyterian Church in Zelienople (415 East Grandview). Ruling and Teaching Elders should register early at office@beaverbutler.org or 724-452-7515. Bring your own lunch or ask for a box lunch ($5.50). Please let Dave Dawson know (david.dawson@shenango.org) if you are going so that we can coordinate rides. Click here for more information, Advertizing Fresh Expressions, and an article by Bishop Cray about Fresh Expressions, Cray – Not Knowing the End at the Beginning.
Join Us
Come meet our new Regional Liasons to the Middle East at Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church on September 15th! Worship is at 10:30 AM (220 Clen-Moore Blvd., New Castle, PA). There will be a luncheon following at 12:00 with an RSVP to Denise Sciuto at denise@pff.net or 724-766-1678.
Sudanese Visitor
The Rev. Thomas Tut from South Sudan will be visiting our presbytery from Sunday, Sept. 21st through the presbytery meeting on Tuesday,Sept 23rd, and then again from Thursday, October 3rd – Tuesday October 9th. Here are some of the events already scheduled where people can be with Thomas:
- Sunday, Sept. 22nd , ???PM – Youth event at Highland Church in Newcastle
- Tuesday, Sept 24th, 6:30PM – Presbytery meeting at Sandy Lake Church
- Saturday, October 5th, 7:30AM – Men’s breakfast at New Wilmington Church (RSVP)
- Sunday October 6th, 11AM – Worship at Highland Presbyterian Church
- Sunday October 6th, 7PM– Celebrate Sudan event at East Main Church in Grove City
- Monday, October 7th, 7PM, – Gathering at Dave and Joan Dawson’s in New Wilm.
- Tuesday, October 8th, 9AM – Pastor’s event at North Liberty Presbyterian Church
If anyone would like to schedule and event with Thomas in a church or home, please contact Jim Leuenberger at 724-813-1295, or pastor.northliberty@gmail.com .
Celebrate Sudan Event
The 4th Annual Celebrate Sudan event will be held at 7PM at East Main Presbyterian Church on the evening of World Communion Sunday, October 6th. Our guest speaker at this year’s event will be Rev. Thomas Tut, a key leader in the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church. As usual, we are asking churches to take up a Celebrate Sudan offering during their World Communion Sunday services that morning, or on another Sunday if that proves more feasable. (Pastors and clerks, please remember that your sessions will need to authorize this offering at your September or October meetings.) This year’s offering will go to support Rev Tut’s very vital prison ministry in South Sudan and other important ministries in both the Sudan and South Sudan. We hope many Shenango Presbyterians will join us on October 6th for joyous worship, inspiring words from Rev. Tut, and great Sudanese food as we celebrate our partnership with Sudanese Presbyterians.
Celebration Choir for Celebrate Sudan Event
Calling all who like to sing to join in the Celebration Choir to sing for the Sudan Celebration, which will be Sunday, October 6th at East Main Church in Grove City. There will be 2 rehearsals…..the first will be Sunday evening, September 29th at 7 p.m. at the Unity Presbyterian Church, 1857 Mercer West Middlesex Road, (Route 318). The 2nd will be at 5:15 p.m. at East Main the evening of the Celebration Event. Music will be provided — no robes needed. The anthem is called: “An African Psalm” based on an African fold song. Please share this information with your choir and musicians. Thanks.
News From The Churches
Part-Time Financial Secretary Needed
This is a salaried position. Please send resume by September 20th to Westfield Presbyterian Church, 1363 Mt. Jackson Road, New Castle, PA 16102 or email to treasurer@westfieldchurch.org. More information is available on the church website at www.westfieldchurch.org.
Director of Christian Education Wanted
Trinity Presbyterian Church is seeking a part-time Director of Christian Education. Position will be negotiable in terms of hours and salary and will be under the immediate supervision of the pastor. This position will emphasize, but not be limited to, children’s/youth ministry. Trinity Presbyterian Church is an equal opportunity employer and does require references and background clearances. If interested, please send resume to the church at: 110 East Market Street, Mercer, Pa 16137
Youth Director Wanted
40th Annual Church Basement Sale
Enon Presbyterian Church, September 19-21 from 9 AM – 3 PM. Lunch counter and bake sale. Almost one half of the money raised at this sale goes to support local, national, and international mission projects. Missions supported last year include: Root International, Project H.O.P.E., Project H.O.P.E. Food Bank, Lawrence County Crisis Shelter, Lawrence County Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Brother’s Brother Foundation, Christian Appalachian Project, Kayenta Navaho Presbyterian Church, New Castle City Rescue Mission and more.
The Presbytery of Shenango 