This Week:
April 27– 10:00 AM Nominating Committee, Presbytery Office
April 28- 5:00 PM Mission Dinner with Hunter Farrell, Lebanon Presbyterian Church
6:30 PM Presbytery Meeting, Unity Presbyterian Church (watch for more information tomorrow!)
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be preaching at Sheakleyville (April 12). With Rev. Chris Weichman (Clen-Moore) and 24 other participants, he will share in the annual Dominican Republic ministry visit to Sabaneta de Yasica (April 18-25). He will be hosting Rev. Hunter Farrell, Director of World Mission for the PCUSA, in a brunch gathering with world mission leadership from presbyteries in our region (April 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 or ralph@shenango.org.
Mission Dinner with Hunter Farrell
Rev. Hunter Farrell will be our honored guest here in Shenango on the day of our next presbytery meeting, April 28. Hunter is the director of our PCUSA World Mission program, which connects in ministry with Presbyterian and Reformed churches around the world and which deploys and supports all of our PCUSA mission co-workers — like our own Steve and Brenda Stelle, formerly at Faith Church in Hermitage but now serving on our behalf in Ethiopia.
Hunter will join us for a MISSION DINNER at 5pm at Lebanon Presbyterian Church, April 28. This dinner is open to the entire presbytery and sponsored by our Mission (MCS) committee. Although it precedes our stated meeting just down the road at Unity church, folks DO NOT need to be coming to presbytery to attend the dinner. I am asking you to put this information in the hands of your church mission committee and/or anyone in your flock interested in world mission and world affairs. This dinner is for them. Anyone can RSVP to the presbytery office: office@shenango.org or 724-528-1610
May Clearance Parties
Changes have taken place in Pennsylvania laws regarding the prevention of child abuse, some of which have important implications for our congregations. The Committee on Ministry is sponsoring two “Clearance Parties” in May…ALL pastors in any capacity are asked to attend, as these clearances are not optional for anyone. Each gathering will be an opportunity for you to receive a basic overview of the changes, complete background checks, and compare notes with other pastors on helping sessions respond to these changes. Lunch will be provided!
- May 14, 10:30 AM – 1 PM – Faith Presbyterian Church, Hermitage – Mercer Co.
- May 21, 10:30 AM – 1 PM – First Presbyterian Church, New Castle – Lawrence Co.
You will need to bring a WiFi-enabled laptop computer or iPad (or equivalent). If you do not possess one, we can provide one for you.
To register, call the office at 724-528-1610 or click here to register online.
Dominican Partnership
For more than 20 years, members of many Presbyterian congregations here in western Pennsylvania have shared in a ministry partnership with a congregation in Sabaneta de Yasica, a small village on the northern coast of the Dominican Republic. The congregation is a part of the Iglesia Evangélica Dominicana, which is a daughter denomination of American Presbyterian and Methodist mission efforts dating back to 1900. This year, 26 persons will be departing (this Saturday, April 18) for the annual ministry visit. Ministry efforts include medical clinics, home repair, scholarship support, as well as Christian fellowship and worship. Churches represented include New Wilmington, Clen-Moore, and the Presbyterian Church of Johnstown, OH. Please pray for a safe and fruitful visit for this nearly 20 year partnership. You can read updates about the visit here: http://sabanetadeyasica.blogspot.com
Camp Promotion Videos
Would you like to promote Camp Lambec and Westminter Highlands in your Sunday morning service, Sunday school, kids club, or youth group? Click on the links below to view the newest promotional videos…you can even link them to your church website, Twitter, or Facebook!
- Camp Lambec https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ugz_elbIWA
- Westminster Highlands https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yugFOUEVWFg
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.
Mental Health First Aid
Sometimes, first aid isn’t a bandage or CPR or the Heimlich or calling 911. Sometimes, first aid is YOU! Mental Health First Aid teaches a 5-step action plan to offer initial help to people with signs the symptoms of mental illness, and connect them to the appropriate care. Anyone can take the 8-hour Mental Health First Aid course – April 29, 2015 at 8 AM at the Community Counseling Center of Mercer County (2201 East State Street, Hermitage, PA). Please RSVP by April 22 to Shelley 724-981-7141 (ext. 326) or sdorfi@cccmer.org or Susan (ext. 180) or spoznar@cccmer.org.
Women’s Build Week
Lawrence County Habitat for Humanity is hosting a Women’s Build, May 2-10. Work shifts are 8 – 11:30 AM or 11:30 AM – 3:00 PM. Homemade lunches by the First Church of God ladies are included! The build site is at 8 East Euclid Avenue in New Castle. You may call Teri at the Habitat Office (724) 652-3438 or email her at teri.lchfh@gmail.com to schedule your shift. We hope as many of you as possible will help us ~ if we have 300 new volunteers we are eligible for a $25,000 grant! Also, Bruno Sammartino, Western PA Wrestling Legend will be joining our work crew on Saturday, May 9th in the morning. PS: This event is not just for women, guys we need your help too!
Scouting & Faith
Please join us to celebrate the positive impact Scouting & Faith have on our Community! Moraine Trails Council Pastor Appreciation Night will showcase the movie “Troop 491: The Adventures of the Muddy Lions” on Thursday, April 30, 2015 from 6:30 – 9:00 PM at the Preston Environmental Center – Camp Bucoco (150 Bucoco Lane, Slippery Rock)
Perspectives Leaders’ Intensive, August 9-15, 2015
Get the full Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class in just 7 days! This experience is designed for pastors’ study leave, seminary students, and missionaries who can’t participate in the semester-long program. Any mission leader is welcome! The class is taking place at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, hosted by World Mission Initiative. Check the class website for details and for registration. There is an early registration discount if you register by the end of May! Email Jen if you’d like more information, jhaddox@pts.edu.
News from the Churches
Rummage Sale
Friday, May 1 from 9 AM – 2 PM and Saturday, May 2 from 9 AM – 1 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Sharon (600 E. State Street). Bake Sale! Lunch available. Proceeds support the mission work of the Presbyterian Women of First Presbyterian Church, Sharon.
Dining to Donate
Enjoy a meal that’s filling and fulfilling. Shenango and Northminster Presbyterian Churches’ mission trip needs your support. Just dine at the 3300 Wilmington Road, New Castle location of Applebee’s on Sunday, May 3 from 11 AM – 11 PM and present this certificate( download: MissionApple.15) to your server or Carside to Go Specialist…and Applebee’s will donate 15% of your check to Shenango and Northminster’s trip.
Handbells Wanted
Unity Church would like to purchase a 3 octave set of handbells, preferably Shulmerich Bells. If you have a set that you are not using or plan to use, please contact Jim Moose, 724-652-6731, or Jane Bartholomew, 724-699-1762.
Summer Ministry Coordinator Wanted
Calvin Presbyterian Church (Ellwood City) is looking for a part-time Summer Ministry Coordinator to lead programming in conjunction with a Summer Lunch Program. This is a paid position involving at least 20 hours per week. Contact Rev. Sean Brubaker at 724-758-4258 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 