This Week:
June 10- 10:00 AM Transition Team, Presbytery Office
June 11- 1:30 PM Sudan Team, New Wilmington PC
1:30 PM Evangelism Committee, Presbytery Office
June 16- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock PC
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be preaching for the Fairfield and Milledgeville Churches (June 7) in Mercer County, and for Bell Memorial (June 21) and Calvin (June 28) churches in Ellwood City. Ralph welcomes opportunities to preach or bring greetings during a worship service, as well as opportunities to visit Session or Deacon meetings. Schedule a fall 2015 Sunday or meeting time by contacting him at 724-528-1610 or ralph@shenango.org.
Stated Clerk Updates
- The session of Faith Presbyterian Church has voted to end its discernment period and will not be recommending to the congregation a request for dismissal to another Reformed denomination. The congregation continues to be served by TE Jim Latta, Interim Pastor.
- Pastor Nominating Committees remain active at Coolspring, New Wilmington, and Bell Memorial churches.
- TE John Creekpaum is serving outside our bounds as a Temporary Pastor for Common Ground church, North Lima, Ohio, in Eastminster Presbytery.
- Max Muska, a Pittsburgh Seminary graduate and Candidate for ordination in Beaver-Butler Presbytery, will be serving the Harlansburg and Rich Hill churches as a Student Pastor beginning June 1.
(TE = Teaching Elder; CRE = Commissioned Ruling Elder)
Clerks of Session Meeting
Recent changes in Pennsylvania law regarding mandatory reporting of suspected child abuse and required background checks have consequences for our congregations. Clerks of Session are asked to attend a gathering with our Stated Clerk, Ralph Hawkins, to discuss these changes and how Clerks can support the required documentation process. June 17, 7 PM, at Neshannock Presbyterian Church, 330 W. Neshannock Avenue in New Wilmington. Questions about these new requirements? Contact Ralph at 724-528-1610 or COM member Judy Veon at 724-946-8576.
Missional Church Conversation
On Thursday, June 18, at 6:00pm, Scott Hagley will be at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for a conversation on church mission and community connection. Our time with Scott will focus on the increasing trend of neighborhood development as a counter-movement to suburban sprawl in the Pacific Northwest. As the trend is expected to work toward other communities, we will look at the ways younger generations create community and new ways that church mission connects to this type of community. Scott has worked with Church Innovations and was a doctoral student at Luther Seminary with that late Rev. Jannie Swart. He will be teaching the Missional Leadership Cohort at Pittsburgh Seminary’s D. Min. program. He currently works with Forge Canada. www.forgecanada.ca. Dinner will be provided for $10. Carpool option will be available from our presbytery office. RSVP to the office at office@shenango.org or speak to Ralph Hawkins for more information.
Save the Date – Egypt Partnership Network
Presbyterian World Mission is pleased to invite you to the first meeting of the Egypt Partnership Network, August 5-8, 2015 on the campus of Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, hosted by World Mission Initiative. The program will include updates from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Egypt, discussion of the PCUSA mission partnerships in Egypt, as well as opportunities for PCUSA congregations and constituents to be involved. More details, including registration information, are forthcoming.
PDA Responds to Severe Flooding
Numerous states have been affected by flooding this year due to the melting from heavy snowfall and higher than average rainfalls. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance has been in continual contact with presbyteries in the areas experiencing storms and flooding, and has responded to the most affected ones with One Great Hour of Sharing funds and the presence of National Response Team members. How can you help? Give…financial offerings through your church can be forwarded to the Presbytery Office noted “DR000191 – U.S. Flooding”. Act…volunteer with PDA or assemble Gift of the Heart clean-up buckets. Pray…for all who have been affected by storms and flooding, for those who remain in harm’s way, and for those involved in responding to needs.
Steve and Brenda Stelle Visiting Churches This Summer
In July and August, Steve and Brenda will be back in the United States to visit churches and share with their members about their experiences in Dembi Dollo. Please check with your sessions, mission committees and congregation members to set up a time for the Stelles to meet with your church. They very much appreciate the financial support they receive both from congregations and individual contributors and hope to share the story of their ministry in Ethiopia with all of you. To set up a visit, contact Steve atstevestelle826@gmail.com.
Save the Date – NWMC!
The 110th Annual New Wilmington Mission Conference will take place July 18-25 at Westminster College. Get more information at http://www.nwmcmission.org.
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.
2015 Survey of Church Kitchens
The Church Kitchens Institute is collecting data on the function and frequency of use of church kitchens. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes to complete, and the results will be used to help congregations maximize the potential of the church kitchens and culinary ministries. Take the survey via https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/LDCJJWF … To be completed no later than July 15th.
News from the Churches
Summer Rummage Sale
Trinity Presbyterian Church in Mercer is having their summer rummage sale on Friday, June 12, 8 AM – 4 PM. Saturday, June 13 8 AM – NOON is half price day with clothing $1.00/bag…always a good sale. Just east of the Mercer Courthouse. 724-662-2680.
Touch a Truck at Leesburg ECO
On June 27th from 10 AM to 2 PM at Leesburg ECO Presbyterian Church (1831 Perry Highway, Volant), a variety of vehicles will be represented for kids of all ages to explore! Climb inside big trucks, 18 wheelers, service trucks, farm equipment, fire truck, police car, Shriner’s clown car, bull dozier, classic cars or a smart car – to name a few. Light refreshments will be available at low cost. Great family fun! Come rain or shine. Children must be supervised at all times.
The Presbytery of Shenango 