EP Activity this Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be preaching for a joint service with the Millbrook and Scotch Hill churches, at Scotch Hill (November 9), as well as a joint service with the Mt. Hermon and Oak Grove churches, at Oak Grove (November 30). He will be attending a Stated Clerks orientation in Louisville (Nov 5-7). With TE Rich Kinney (Highland), Ralph will be participating in a PCUSA delegation led by Rev. Hunter Farrell, director of our denomination’s World Mission office, to visit with Presbyterians in the Synod of the Nile, Egypt, and to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo. Rich and Ralph will also visiting with long-time presbytery mission partners in Sudan. Please pray for them during the days of November 9-24 as they travel on behalf of our presbytery. 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 or ralph@shenango.org.
Stated Clerk Updates
– TE David Lingle (Honorably Retired) will be serving First Sharon part time as a minister of visitation.
– TE Tom Clyde (Honorably Retired, Beaver-Butler) will be serving Ebenezer part time as its Temporary Pastor.
– CRE Onnalee Patterson (Sheakleyville) is recovering at home from recent surgery.
– Two Shenango congregations recently celebrated anniversaries: Bell Memorial, Ellwood City (100 years) and Moravia, Wampum (125 years).
– TE Betsy McCormick (Member at Large) has begun a Clinical Pastoral Education residency program in the Tidewater region of Virginia.
(TE = Teaching Elder; CRE = Commissioned Ruling Elder)
Register NOW for a FREE Christian Education Dinner and Conversation
Please join the Presbytery’s Christian Education Committee for Educational Ministry in a New Season: Effective Tools for a Time of Change led by Andrea Hall, certified Christian Educator. Tuesday, December 2, 2014 from 5:00 – 6:30 PM (conveniently held immediately prior to the presbytery meeting) at Hillside Presbyterian Church, 2 N. High Street, Greenville, PA. Dinner catered by Carini’s Restaurant. ALL are welcome to attend. Reservations required for dinner by November 21. Register online or by emailing Andrea Hall at andreabhall@gmail.com. Every season comes with its own unique set of challenges, but every season is also beautiful – provided that you are prepared for it! Join us as we prepare for this new (and beautiful!) season of ministry that we are facing.
Young Presbyterian Scholarship
Westminster College has a 4-year PCUSA Young Presbyterian Scholarship of $74,000 ($18,500 per year) for qualified students in PCUSA churches…however, the qualified students must be nominated by their church (pastor, youth director, session). To read more about this scholarship, click here (page also includes a link to the nomination form).
News from the Churches
Bell Memorial Celebrates 100 Years
The Bell Memorial Congregation, Ellwood City, recently celebrated its 100th anniversary with a luncheon at Shakespeare’s Banquet Hall. Rev. Bill King, Interim Pastor, hosted the event, and several previous pastors were in attendance. Pictured below, Rev. Glenn Hink (First, Sharon), former pastor of Bell, offers a meditation on the meaning of Christian hope.
Shenango Pastors Gather for Bell Memorial 100th Anniversary
From left to right: Rev. Julia Williamson (Slippery Rock Church, the mother church of the original Bell mission), Rev. Glenn Hink (First, Sharon, former pastor of Bell), Rev. Derek Longbrake (National Capital Presbytery, former pastor of Bell), Rev. Ralph Hawkins (Executive Presbyter, Stated Clerk), Rev. Bill King (Interim Pastor), and Rev. Tom Clyde (Beaver-Butler Presbytery, son of the Bell congregation, and Temporary Pastor at Ebenezer).
Moravia Celebrates 125 Years
The Moravia Presbyterian Church recently celebrated its 125th anniversary with an All Saints weekend worship service and a special lunch, pictured here.
You’re Invited
Trinity Presbyterian Church in Mercer invites you to see the 50-minute musical drama, “Open Hearts in Bethlehem,” by Dr. Kenneth E. Bailey at 7 PM on Friday and Saturday, December 12 and 13, and at 2:30 PM on Saturday and Sunday, December 13 and 14. A free-will offering for missions will be received. This exciting version of our Savior’s birth is based on Dr. Bailey’s 40 years living and teaching in the Middle East, interpreting the Biblical text that is authentic to the Middle Eastern culture where it all took place. Watch eLink for information about reservations, which begin on November 15th. Information: http://trinitypc.wix.com/mercer.
Sing Your Favorite Hymns at Unity
The hymns of faith, the corporate praise of God is one of the wonderful traditions of the Reformed Faith. Join Unity Church (1857 Mercer-West Middlesex Road), the third Sunday of each month, for EVENSONG, an hour or so of singing together the favorite hymns and songs of our life. Begins with a potluck at 5:30 PM. Come with a list of your favorite hymns and let’s raise our voices in song. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless His holy Name! Psalm 103.
Music Director Wanted
Coolspring Presbyterian Church is looking for a Music Director responsible for 1 Sunday service and Choir. Piano and/or organ experience. This is a paid position. Please call 724-475-3712 and leave a message with your contact information if interested.
The Presbytery of Shenango 