This Week:
May 7- 10:00 AM Missional Experimentation Group, Calvin PC, Zelienople
1:00 PM Christian Education Committee, Presbytery Office
7:00 PM Mercer County Session Records Review, Trinity Presbyterian Church
May 8- 1:30 PM Evangelism Committee, Presbytery Office
Ralph Hawkins Elected Executive Presbyter/Stated Clerk
At last Tuesday evening’s Called Presbytery Meeting, Rev. Ralph Hawkins was elected to be the new Executive Presbyter/Stated Clerk. Ralph will begin on June 2nd. Look for more details about the transition on our website in the coming days.
Guide for Young Adult Ministry
Presbyterians Today Magazine announces a long-awaited, two-years-in-the-making, special edition magazine: Guide for Young Adult Ministry. It was completely planned, written, and edited by a diverse team of young adults who cast a bold vision for an intergenerational church. Find out more: http://bit.ly/RHBjyV.
Support the People of South Sudan
The people of South Sudan are in desperate need of help. On April 12, the United States along with the European Union and the United Nations outlined the problems and called for immediate action in a statement below:
“Despite a Cessation of Hostilities agreement, fighting has continued, causing tremendous suffering and large-scale displacement inside and outside the country. This is a man-made disaster. All parties need to urgently work together to create the conditions for peace and stability to return to South Sudan. There are five million people in need, 800,000 people who are internally displaced, and 280,000 who have fled to neighboring countries. We thank those countries for hosting refugees from South Sudan. Humanitarian agencies have reached more than one million people with life-saving aid. But this is just a fifth of the people in need. There must be immediate and unconditional access for the UN and humanitarian organizations to reach people in need across all areas of South Sudan. The next three months are critical. Protecting people from violence is essential. Prevention of communicable diseases is key, especially among displaced people as the rainy season approaches. There are already extremely high rates of malnutrition amongst displaced people and the communities helping to host them. People need to be able to plant crops before the rains and have access to other sources of humanitarian assistance in order to avert a catastrophic decline in food security which could affect up to seven million people. The United States and the International Community must protect civilian communities and deliver food, seeds, tools, shelter, health and nutrition, and water and sanitation. Supplies must be delivered to the parts of the country where people need them most. We must do this despite the fighting, the insecurity, the rainy season, and the bureaucratic obstacles. There must be an adequate level of response to the most acute needs of refugees in the neighboring countries, and the very specific need in terms of protection for thousands of children, women, and unaccompanied minors who are the majority of the displaced. It is also very important to remember the host communities that can be put under tremendous pressure in already very fragile contexts. The international community must stand by the people of South Sudan in its hour of greatest need. Unless action is taken now up to a million people could face famine in a matter of months.”
Please contact your members of congress and urge them to support increased diplomatic initiatives and funding for humanitarian aid for South Sudan. And, urge the Secretary of State and President to use all possible means to continue to press for humanitarian access. Click here to send a message to congress and the administration today!
A FREE Lunch!
“Nicea and Shenango: A Necessary Relationship in Uncertain Times.” The Christian Education Committee of Shenango Presbytery is hosting a free luncheon for all Teaching Elders of Shenango Presbytery, and any other interested Church leaders, at Tuscany Square in Neshannock on Wednesday, May 14th from 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. More details on our homepage!
Music Swap Meet
You are invited to the First Ever Music Swap Meet for Churches of Shenango Presbytery. We all know that music is becoming more and more expensive, and budgets are tight. So, in preparation for Advent and Christmas (not so far away!) bring a couple of copies of anthems/cantatas/oratorios from your library, that you would be willing to loan to another church, to First Presbyterian Church of Sharon (600 E. State Street) on Saturday, May 17th beginning at 9 AM. Keyboards will be available for you to play through music that interests you, and you’ll have the opportunity to make arrangements with other music directors to borrow numbers you’d like to use, or lend to someone else. A light continental breakfast will be offered. For more info call Pam Maloney at 724-981-2211 ext. 3, or Don Stanley at 724-932-2101.
Pleased with Our Presbytery, Discouraged by Our Denomination?
The “Moving Forward Group” of pastors would like to invite all Teaching and Ruling Elders within Shenango Presbytery to Lebanon Church on Tuesday, May 27th (6:30 – 8:00 PM) for a time of fellowship, discussion, and desserts. The Session of Elders from Lebanon will make a presentation of their discernment process to stay in the Presbytery of Shenango as a congregation who has officially joined “The Fellowship of Presbyterians”. If you are someone who is pleased with the shared ministry of our presbytery, but discouraged by the direction of our denomination, then this gathering should speak well to your thoughtful discontent! Sessions are encouraged to attend. Contact Augie Hurst if you and/or your session plan to attend (email augiehurst@me.com or call/text 724-813-4134).
Celebrate World Fair Trade Day at the Silk Road Market
It’s almost World Fair Trade Day! You know, that one day of the year set aside to celebrate the impact that fair trade can make throughout the world. According to recent statistics, there are roughly 27 million people living in slavery. They’re in labor camps, brothels, even circuses. That’s a huge number! On Saturday, May 10, come celebrate World Fair Trade Day at The Silk Road Market in New Wilmington and take the opportunity to fight slavery. This one day, 20% of all sales will be donated to the Free Forever Campaign through Made by Survivors. This campaign will build a third shelter that can house 125 survivors as well as a training and education facility. The more you shop, the greater the impact! I hope to you all there for a little food, a little fun, and an easy way to be a modern day abolitionist. ~ Wendy
News from the Churches
Book Sale Donations
Third Presbyterian Church, New Castle is now accepting used books for their sale in June. Contact the church for more information at 724-658-6683.
Rummage/Bake Sale
May 24, 2014 from 9 AM to 3 PM at Mt. Hermon Presbyterian Church (3116 Frew Mill Road, New Castle). Call 724-924-2737 for more information. Lunch will be available.
Organist/Accompanist Wanted
1st Presbyterian Church of Sharpsville is in need of an organist/accompanist to work with their music director in providing musical worship for services and possibly some extra events. Position opens at the end of summer. Please send inquiries to: Carol Scholl, Personnel Committee Chairperson, First Presbyterian Church, 603 Ridge Avenue, Sharpsville, PA 16150.
The Presbytery of Shenango 