December 23-January 1 OFFICE CLOSED, Christmas Holiday
Note: Office Staff will again be using vacation time during the Christmas Holiday and the office will be closed from December 23-January 1. The office will re-open on January 2, 2104. Rev. Dawson will be available by email (david.dawson@shenango.org) and cell phone.
Mission Giving Deadline
The deadline for the Presbytery Office to receive mission moneys for the 2013 calendar year is coming soon. Monies must be postmarked by Friday, January 3, 2014.
Coup in South Sudan
There has been a coup in South Sudan. http://www.aljazeera.com/indepth/features/2013/12/south-sudan-teeters-brink-20131217131843385823.html. We have word that Tut Kony (General Secretary of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church) and his family had to flee their home because of fighting in their area. Their home was later looted. Please pray for our friends and the South Sudan and ask your congregation to remember them this Sunday.
Register for LeaderFest 2014
LeaderFest is Shenango Presbytery’s annual leadership training event for officers, leaders, and all people who desire Christian growth in their church. It will be held at Westminster College on Saturday, January 11, 2014 from 8:30 AM to 1:30 PM.
Registration for LeaderFest is $20.00 per person, which includes materials and lunch. Early birds pay only $15.00 per person, if registered by Monday, January 6th!
Christmas Radio Spots
Last Thursday, December 12th, the Passages Christmas Stories during Advent began airing on Froggie 95 in Hermitage (at 8:34 AM and 4:15 PM) and the Pickle FM 92.1 in New Castle (7:12 AM and 4:25 PM). This audio Christmas greeting giving the reason for the season is a gift from Presbyterian Churches in Mercer and Lawrence Counties (brought to you by the Evangelism Committee of Shenango Presbytery).
It’s time for Annual Reports again!
The GA online statistical program is located at http://oga.pcusa.org/stats. The system should be accessible to churches by January 1, 2014. Clerks will use the same “user name” and “password” as they have used the past few years. Please note the the password should contain an “!” and is case-sensitive. The deadline for entering your statistical information is February 19, 2014 at midnight. If you have forgotten your user name and password, please call or email the Presbytery office.
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 at office@shenango.org. The deadline for completing these forms is January 31, 2014. Several churches have not been able to complete their reports by the January deadline in the past, please note that in order for your deceased elders to be included in the special service at the February presbytery meeting, your Necrology form MUST be received at the office by February 14th!
Holocaust Remembrance Day – January 27, 2014
Please check the link here for Holocaust Remembrance Day observance by the Community Foundation which serves our counties. Holocaust Bulletin Insert Holocaust Bulletin Insert#2
CAPNWP Confirmation Retreat
There were 22 youth and adult participants at the Confirmation Retreat at Westminster Highlands, November 22-23…the first CAPNWP-led program in many years. 75% of the youth who attended had not attended summer camp at either Westminster Highlands or Camp Lambec, but were unanimous in wanting to participate in future fall/winter retreats.
Young Presbyterian Scholarship
Westminster College offers Presbyterian college applicants a substantial scholarship. Two per church can be accepted. Contact Care Ann LaSor meyerca@westminster.edu or Jim Mohr morhjr@westminster.edu for details.
News From The Churches
Thou Art Invited
Thou are invited to attend our 6th Annual Boar’s Head and Yule Log Festival on Sunday, January 5, 2014 at 3:30 PM. Meet the cast reception following. Everyone welcome – FREE ADMISSION. First Presbyterian Church, 600 East State Street, Sharon, PA 16146. 724-981-2211 www.1stpcs.org. See the tradition and the pageantry; hear the beautiful music; celebrate the birth of our Lord and Savior.
Free Piano
Spinet piano – free to a church. Please call 724-657-9441 if interested.
The Presbytery of Shenango 