eLink News

This Week:

June 14-21 General Assembly, Detroit, MI
June 17- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW
June 20– 1:30 PM Preparation for Ministry, Presbytery Office
June 22- 7:00 PM Dominican Republic Steering Team, Presbytery Office
June 24- 5:30 PM Council, Wampum Presbyterian Church
6:30 PM Presbytery Meeting, Wampum Presbyterian Church – Watch for a special eLink tomorrow with the Docket!

General Assembly Update

Greetings from the Cobo Center in downtown Detroit, overlooking the Detroit River and the Canadian border.  Our 221st PCUSA General Assembly convened on Saturday with opening worship, communion, and a sermon by outgoing moderator Rev. Neal Presa.   Read about that worship in an article written by Rachel Shussett, Westminster College student and participant in the New Wilmington congregation who is enjoying a summer internship with Presbyterian News Service.

On Saturday evening, the Assembly elected Ruling Elder Heath Rada as the moderator for this meeting.  Read more about Rada and his service to the church here.

On Sunday afternoon, during the Assembly’s second plenary session, Rev. Hunter Farrell (director of PCUSA World Mission) led a moment of commissioning for missionaries and mission co-workers being sent in mission service around the world.  Persons recognized (but not necessarily present) who are known and supported by Shenango included:  Steve & Cinda Gorman (Egypt), Victor and Sara Makari (Palestine-Israel), Elmarie & Scott Parker (Lebanon), Brenda & Steve Stelle (Ethiopia), Claire Zuhosky (Niger), Ingrid Reneau Walls (Ghana), and Leisa Wagstaff (South Sudan).  Kalyn Stevwing, member of the New Wilmington church, will serve a year in Korea as a Young Adult Volunteer.

Our presbytery is represented by the following commissioners:

Ruling Elders:

• Frank Stratiff (Hillside), serving on the committee for General Assembly Procedures
• Tom Wilson (Lebanon), serving on the committee for Middle East Issues

Teaching Elders:

• Jim Latta (Faith), serving on the committee for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations
• Chris Weichman (Clen-Moore), serving on the committee for Mission Coordination

Theological Student Advisory Delegate:

• Addie Domske (New Wilmington), serving on the committee for Civil Union and Marriage Issues

Youth Advisory Delegate:

• Matt Pherson (Third, New Castle), serving on the committee for Mid Councils Issues

Please keep our commissioners in your thoughts and prayers as they discern the will of Christ Jesus and participate in the highest council in our denomination’s common witness.  They work in committees (noted above) through Wednesday morning, after which the Assembly reconvenes in plenary.

Reliable reporting can be found at the Presbyterian Outlook and the Presbyerian News Service.

 Ralph Hawkins, EP elect

Pulpit Supply Available

Bud Green is feeling great and would love the opportunity to preach for you this summer.  Please contact Bud at revbud2@comcast.net or 724-654-1513 (home) or 724-714-8645 (cell).

Perspectives Course

Perspectives on the World Christian Movement will be coming to Grove City College on Tuesdays from September 9 – December 9 from 6:30 – 9:30 PM.  Learn from a different Christian expert each week as they help you explore God’s kingdom from Biblical, Historical, Cultural, and Strategic perspectives.  Get more details at www.perspectives.org or contact Pam Pope Courtney at mail@dcourtney.net or 724-748-3217 for more information.

Western PA Table Project

Effective June 15th, 2014, the Western PA Table Project has ceased operation.  It has been a wild ride, 350 tables plus, at least 700 benches, and somewhere around 250 bunkbeds.  We announce this with gratitude for all the financial, spiritual, and physical support we have enjoyed from the various churches of Shenango Presbytery.  Thanks again, and God Bless, Jim Moose, director, Western PA Table Project

CELEBRATE SUDAN 2014

On World Communion Sunday, Presbyterian churches in the environs of Shenango Presbytery will come together for the 5th year to celebrate and pray for our partnership with the Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church and the South Sudan Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  This event will take place on October 5th at East Main Presbyterian Church at 7PM.

As usual, we are asking churches to take up a special offering for Celebrate Sudan on World Communion Sunday, or another Sunday. Remember, session approval for this offering is needed.

This year the special offerings collected will be used to help the church in South Sudan provide assistance for South Sudanese refugees, and to assist the two schools in the north (Khartoum) which train church leaders, Nile Theological College and Gereif Bible School. Both schools face pressing needs, often finding it difficult to pay faculty on time and to provide scholarships that are much needed by their students.

News from the Churches

Community Vacation Bible School

North Liberty Presbyterian Church will be hosting a FREE Community VBS – Camp Iwannaknow (About Jesus) for Pre-K through Middle School in the Grove City Memorial Park, June 23-27 from 5-7 PM.  All kids are welcome!  To register, visit NLPC’s website, or contact Autumn at the Presbytery Office.

Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social

Unity Presbyterian Church is having an Old Fashioned Ice Cream Social on Wednesday, June 25, 2014 from 4:30 PM to 7:30 PM.  All are invited!  No tickets necessary.

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.

Treasurer’s Position Available Immediately

Mahoning Presbyterian Church is posting a part-time treasurer’s position – available immediately.  Applicant needs to be computer proficient, possess basic accounting knowledge, have ability to handle payroll transactions, be proficient inExcel, be able to prepare understandable financial reports, and be capable of learning a new software package.  Salary is $200 per month.  Applicant will be required to pass a security clearance and be approved by the Session.  Interested applicants should send a resume to Virginia Phillips, Box 58, Edinburg, PA 16116 or send a digital copy to phillips@cis.ysu.

Secretary Wanted

Hillside Presbyterian Church of Greenville is seeking applicants for a part-time secretary, with a starting date of 9/8/2014.  The position would require the applicant to work four hours, M-F.  Applicant should be proficient with computers and have communication and interpersonal skills, and secretarial experience is preferred, but not required.  Salary is commensurate with experience.  Interested applicants should send a resume toHillsidePersonnel@gmail.com.