This Week:
July 19-26 – New Wilmington Mission Conference – Westminster College
Prayers
David Trautman, former moderator of Shenango Presbytery, is scheduled for a kidney transplant on Thursday, July 24th.
MISSION CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
The New Wilmington Mission Conference is here (July 19-25) and among the great lineup of speakers there are two who are friends of Shenango presbytery and worth our hearing: One of the 8:45am morning teachers is Dr. Laura Smit, from Calvin College. Many will remember that Laura taught at one of our pastor retreats in recent years, and there was great appreciation for her generous Reformed perspective and warm spirit. One of the 10am morning teachers is Professor Andrew Walls, arguably one of the world’s foremost missiologists. Some in Shenango have met Andrew in the past, in part because he is now married to mission co-worker Ingrid Reneau, who is supported by many of our churches. Both Laura and Andrew will present every morning in Berlin Lounge, McKelvey Center, at Westminster College. Check out http://nwmcmission.org for complete details.
Debbie Blane Dessert
Anyone with an interest in learning more about who and what we here in Shenango support in the way of ministry in the South Sudan is welcome to join our EP Ralph Hawkins for a dessert in his home in New Wilmington, Monday July 28, 7 PM. Honored guest will be Debbie Blane, PCUSA mission co-worker in the South Sudan. Read more about Debbie here. Join us at 445 West Neshannock Avenue in New Wilmington, just a block from Neshannock Presbyterian Church.
South Sudanese Visitors Not Able To Come
We are sorry to report that visas for the 2 South Sudanese visitors scheduled to be here this week did not come through in time to make their visit possible. Therefore, both the lunch scheduled with our visitors for next Wednesday, July 23rd, and their time at Highland Church in New Castle on Sunday, July 27th, have been canceled. We are aiming to reschedule this visit for October and that will allow Rev. Madut Tong Ngor and Ms. Achol Majok Kur to be with us at our Celebrate Sudan event on the evening of October 5th. The scheduled events to meet our visiting missionaries during NWMC week and the following week are still in place, as is the meeting about the 3 way partnership between Pittsburgh Presbytery, the Malawian Presbyterian Church, and our partners in South Sudan (SSPEC). That event will take place Tuesday afternoon of Conference week in the Mueller Theatre of the McKelvey Center.
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be preaching at the following Shenango churches in the coming weeks: Lebanon (July 20), First New Castle (July 27), and First Sharon (Aug 3). He and his family will be participating in the New Wilmington Mission Conference, July 19-26, including hosting a reception in his home for mission worker Debbie Blane (July 28). Ralph welcomes opportunities to preach or bring greetings during a worship service, as well as opportunities to visit Session and Deacon meetings. Schedule a Sunday or a meeting time by contacting him at 724-528-1610 orralph@shenango.org.
PRAYER MINISTRY CONTACTS
Does your congregation have a prayer ministry, and would they be willing to receive prayer requests from the presbytery and its international partners? Our EP, Ralph Hawkins, is developing an email list of contacts and would be grateful to include your church in occasional requests and updates. Currently, the Calvin, Coolspring, First New Castle, Lebanon, Sandy Lake, and New Wilmington prayer ministries are included. Email Ralph atralph@shenango.org to include your contacts.
Minister Information Form
It’s time to update the directories again! We are asking all minister to complete theMinister Information Form so that we can reflect the most accurate information possible in the upcoming directories. Forms are due to the Presbytery Office by August 1st! If you have no changes, or just a few updates, simply send an email to Autumn at office@shenango.org. New directories will be available at the September Presbytery Meeting.
Christian Concert at the Lawrence County Fair
LATCOM is sponsoring a concert at the Lawrence County Fair on Wednesday, August 13 at 7 pm. The contemporary Christian band “Unspoken” will perform. Several of their songs are on KLove, and they’ve performed with several other very well-known bands. The tickets are very inexpensive ($15), and proceeds will benefit a camping ministry in Bolivia. Unspoken flier
THE BAIR FOUNDATION NEEDS VOLUNTEERS
The Bair Foundation Child Family and Ministries is in need of dedicated volunteers at their New Wilmington location. Volunteers must be at least 18 years of age and have access to transportation. If you are interested, please contact Laura Elliott at laura@credostrategies.com or call her at 703-863-8663. Please visit bair.org for more information.
News from the Churches
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 