News from the Presbytery Office
This Week:
October 1- 6:00 PM Christian Educators Gathering, The Tavern in New Wilmington
Prayers
Rev. Jason Hickman (West Middlesex) will be having heart surgery on Friday, September 27th at Cleveland Clinic. Please keep Jason, Lisa, and their family in your prayers.
Web Updates on Hold
During a software transition, and new site creation, there will be no updates or additions made to the Presbytery website. The new site should be up sometime in mid-to-late October. All new information, such as the Presbytery Docket, Pastor Retreat registration form, etc. will be made available on eLink until the new site is up and running.
2014 Per Capita
The 2014 Per Capita budget was approved at last evening’s Presbytery meeting. The amounts are as follows; GA $7.02, Synod $2.20, and Presbytery $23.08. Letters have been prepared using the reported membership figures from December 31, 2012, and will be in the mail to church pastors, clerks, and treasurers tomorrow morning.
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!
Register for the Fall Pastor Retreat!
It’s time to register for the Fall Pastor Retreat on October 21-22 with George R. Hunsberger of Western Theological Seminary. Registrations are due by October 4th (the Villa needs the food count ASAP)! There will also be a form in the packet Tuesday evening. https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1uv-i2nQ8gOMoGHbvRUtySUsC_gTZDnoZNJhLR4WqxjY/viewform
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:
- 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, orpastor.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
176th Anniversary
An invitation is extended to anyone from the Shenango Presbytery who is intersted in coming to the 176th anniversary celebration of Scotch Hill Church. There will be a time for reflection and memories, with refreshments following. Date: October 13, 2013 Time: 7:00 PM Place: Scotch Hill Church, 489 Centertown Road, Grove City, PA 16127 (Take 208 east from Grove City, the third crossroads is Centertown Road. Turn left, the church is on the left…around 1 mi., give or take).
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
Northminster Presbyterian Church will be holding their Annual Rummage Sale on Saturday, October 5th from 9 AM – 2 PM.
20th Annual Fall Fest
Saturday, September 28th at Wurtemburg Presbyterian Church (on Wurtemburg Road, off of Route 65 or Route 488, east of Ellwood City). Crafts, food court, soup…also collection of food and monetary donations for the Ellwood City Food Bank. Call 724-758-6785 for more information.
Moravia Church Fall Festival
Come join Moravia Church for a day of fun on Saturday, September 28th from 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM! There will be local apple cider and yummy baked goods for sale, gift baskets and quilt at the auction table, pony rides and crafts for children, even a flu shot clinic. Music will be provided by the Praise Band of Savannah United Methodist Church. You will want to be there! (State Route 18 and Highway 168).
On October 6th at 3PM Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church, Ellwood City, will have a Blessing of the Animals. Bring your favorite, friendly animal (dogs must be leashed and cats in a carrier) or stuffed animal to receive a blessing. We will meet outside (weather permitting) for a brief worship service and share refreshments (for people and pets) afterwards. All are invited.
Organ Available
A Branson 2-level keyboard organ with beat cutter is available to be donated to a church. Please contact John Bartlett at 724-662-0310 ASAP if interested.
The Presbytery of Shenango 