This Week:
March 17- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Presbytery Office
March 20- 12:30 PM Preparation for Ministry Committee, Presbytery Office
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be attending the spring Synod of the Trinity meeting at State College (Mar 23-24) and giving a lecture on Christian vocation at Montreat College (March 30). 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.
World Christian Discipleship
The World Christian Discipleship program is receiving applications for 2015-16. WCD, a program of World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, is a nine-month immersion in missional formation for young adult Christians. Participants are formed spiritually as they engage in the church’s rich heritage through reading, prayer and regular fellowship with one another (a rule of life for the 21st century), while participating in ministry in the local church and mission to the world. Evan Wildhack, recent Westminster College graduate and member of the New Wilmington church, is a graduate of the WCD program. Contact Rev. Tom Ribar for more information.
World Christian Pilgrimages
World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Seminary
In October 2015, WMI is offering two opportunities for travel:
– South East Asia – This October 15-27 journey led by Don Dawson will continue to build on WMI’s long-standing relationship (12 years and 19 visits) with an Unreached People Group in SE Asia. Participants will meet with and encourage leaders of the Christian movement among this People Group, and share with and learn from our brothers and sisters.
– Armenia – In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide, join World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Seminary on a 10-day journey to a beautiful, ancient Christian homeland October 8-19, 2015. Enjoy worship, warm hospitality, and discussions with all three ecumenical church partners – Apostolic, Catholic and Evangelical. You will be immersed in the faith-based community development projects of the Jinishian Memorial Program in this post-Soviet republic. Eliza Minasyan, Executive Director and Cara Taylor of JMP will be the leaders. Seehttp://www.worldmissioninitiative.org/index.php/trips/fall for details.
News From The PC(USA)
The Young Adult Volunteer program is on its way to tripling its size. With sites in 6 countries around the world and 12 sites in the United States, young adults are committed to a year of service while living in intentional community and engaging in vocational discernment. Up to a third of the alums go on to seminary. Read more here.
Looking For Donations For The Dominican Republic
25 persons, most from Shenango churches, will make the annual ministry visit to Sabaneta de Yasica, on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. At least three Shenango churches have shared in a partnership with a Iglesia Evangélica Dominicana congregation in that community. The IED was founded by American Presbyterians, Methodists, and Moravians. To support the ongoing ministry of the Sabaneta congregation, we are looking for donations for the following items:
– working video projectors, new or used
– new or gentle used baseballs and gloves
– pencils, paper, crayons and general school supplies
– new or gentle used liturgical stoles for a female pastor
– a gently used communion set (trays for small cups and plate(s) for bread)
Items can be dropped off at the presbytery office by April 13, 2015, or contact the office if you need someone to pick up some items.
Westminster College Office of Faith and Spirituality Chapel Drama will present the musical “Leap of Faith” on Friday, March 20th at 7:30 PM, Saturday, March 21st at 7:30 PM and Sunday, March 22nd at 6:00 PM in Wallace Memorial Chapel. The musical is free and open to the public. A free will offering will be received at the intermission in support of the show and Campus Ministry programming.
Westminster College Office of Faith and Spirituality extends an invitation to the community to attend our Palm Sunday Vespers on Sunday, March 29th at 7:00 PM in Wallace Memorial Chapel. The service will include the Sacrament of Holy Communion, Rev. Jim Mohr, College Chaplain will be preaching “In the Crowd, Waving”, and music will be provided by the Second Chance Praise Team and the Westminster Women’s Chorus.
PW Spring Gathering
Come and celebrate Spring and the many gifts that God has given us! Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 9 AM – lunch (registration at 8:30 AM) at Bessemer Presbyterian Church (29 North Main Street, Bessemer, PA 16112 724-667-7255). Along with the Annual Business Meeting, the Spring Gathering will showcase the myriad of talent within our own PWs. If your PW has a talent that can be shared (such as singing, dancing, exhibition, etc.), consider a 3-5 minute performance at the gathering. Download the registration form. Deadline to register for lunch ($6.00 per person) is April 10th…deadline for talent registration is April 4th.
Shenango Presbytery Pastor Retreat
Re-Thinking Church
with Dr. Edwin Chr. van Driel, Associate Professor of Theology at Pittsburgh Seminary
May 18-19, 2015 at Villa Maria Conference Center
Having lived through several years of denominational conflict, many of our congregations are now facing the challenge of dropping numbers, shrinking resources, and an aging membership. All of this could easily feel as a trigger for exhaustion and despair. Dr. van Driel wants to suggest the opposite, though: that both our internal conflicts and our external loss of influence and status may be a God-given opportunity to once again re-imagine what it means “to be church”. In this retreat we’ll explore together how to offer our people a life-giving understanding of being church in a post-Christendom world. Click here to register online. Click here to download the PDF registration form.
Shenango Presbytery Scholarship
The Shenango Presbytery Scholarship Fund is supported by gifts from the congregations of the presbytery. The fund is intended to assist students who are members of the Presbyterian Church, U.S.A. Preference will be given to applicants who belong to churches in Shenango Presbytery. Recipients of aid from this fund are eligible for continued assistance in successive years, but they must reapply for aid annually and continue to meet the criteria listed below.
Criteria for Consideration
1. Acceptance as a full-time student at Grove City College or Westminster College by June 1, 2015
2. Demonstrated financial need
3. Academic achievement: if a high school senior, a minimum GPA of 3.3; if a current student at one of the colleges, a minimum GPA of 3.0
4. Evidence in writing of past and present involvement in the life and witness of the Christian community
Click here to download the scholarship application. Note: Application materials must be submitted (or postmarked) by May 1, 2015.
2015 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry
Engaging, reflective, and theologically substantive, the 2015 Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry will focus on the role of the Holy Spirit in youth ministry. The Brothers of Taize will lead worship in Princeton University Chapel, and an exciting cast of leaders will give lectures and offer classes. Renew your energy for ministry as you create vocational friendships, stretch your imagination, and give Sabbath to your soul. Learn more and register at http://www.iym.ptsem.edu.
News from the Churches
FREE Resources
Debbie Derrenbacher, Director of Discipleship at First, Sharon, has a whole box of curriculum and resource books for children’s ministries for free. If interested, please contact Debbie at 724-981-2211 ext. 5 or dcm@1stpcs.org.
Creamed Chicken and Biscuits Dinner at Bessemer PC
Saturday, March 28, 2015 from 5:00 – 7:00 PM, the Bessemer Presbyterian Church (29 N. Main St., Bessemer) will be holding a Creamed Chicken and Biscuits Dinner to benefit the Church’s General Fund. Adults $9.00, Children 9-12 $5.00, Children 5 and under FREE. Eat In or Take Out available. Call the church office for tickets at 724-667-7255.
Secretary Wanted
Trinity Presbyterian Church in Mercer is searching for a new Church Secretary/Financial Secretary for 25 hours each week. The position will open as of June 1st. Please call Rev. Bill Crooks at 724-662-2680 for more information.
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.
Organist/Choir Director
Shenango Presbyterian Church is looking for an organist/choir director. This is a paid position. Please contact Amy Na at the church office at 724-654-2322. Come and worship with us!
The Presbytery of Shenango 