This Week:
July 9- 1:30 PM Sudan Team, New Wilmington PC
July 13, 15, and 17 – Annual Audit – The Conference Room will NOT available for meetings.
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be preaching this month at Moravia (July 12). He will be the chaplain for a week of camp at Westminster Highlands (July 6-10) and will be participating in the annual Carpenter’s Project in Ellwood City (July 13-17). During the New Wilmington Mission Conference (July 18-25), he will be hosting two pastors from the Iglesia Evangelica Dominicana (in the Dominican Republic) who will be Conference participants. He will be attending the PCUSA Big Tent Conference in Knoxville, TN (July 29-31). 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.
Seeking Volunteers
Shenango Presbytery is seeking several volunteers to assist the staff at the Presbytery office in answering the phone and re-shelving resource materials. This way there will always be at least 2 people in the building. The shifts needed are 9 to noon or noon to 3 p.m. on Tuesdays or Thursdays (four shifts per week are available for choosing) and the number of times per month will be flexible. Volunteers will begin serving in September. Orientation will be provided. If interested contact Dave Hoye at davehoye@zoominternet.net or 724-475-2021 or Alice Sacherich at mathmomretired@comcast.net or 724-652-1376.
Dominican Guests
Shenango is proud to be hosting two pastors from the Iglesia Evangélica Dominicana for the New Wilmington Mission Conference. Revs. Nelson Rodriguez and Sairy Marte will participate in the Conference, bring greetings from our IED partners, and preach in two of our Shenango congregations. On July 26, Nelson will preach at Hillside in Greenville and Sairy will preach at North Liberty, Grove City. Want to meet them? Come to Shenango’s NWMC reception on Sunday, July 19, 5pm, in the Social Hall of the New Wilmington church. There you can meet our Dominican guests as well as many other mission co-workers supported by our churches. Persons from at least four of our congregations have participated in a 20-year partnership with an IED on the northern coast of the island.
Potluck for the Newlyweds
Teresa Kendall will be joining her husband, Tom Gomola, for a potluck after worship on Sunday, July 19th, at Leesburg ECO Church. Festivities will begin at NOON. To our Shenango friends: “Come and visit…We’d love to see you!”
NWMC starts Saturday!
The 110th Annual New Wilmington Mission Conference will take place July 18-25 at Westminster College. Get more information on speakers at http://www.nwmcmission.org.
Prayer Chain List
Our EP Ralph Hawkins sends occasional (public) prayer concerns to some of the prayer groups that meet in our presbytery churches. Currently Calvin, Lebanon, First New Castle, Bell Memorial, Sandy Lake, First Sharon, Third New Castle, Stoneboro, and New Wilmington churches are included. If your congregation has a prayer ministry and would like to be included in these request, please let Ralph know at ralph@shenango.org or 724-528-1610.
300th Anniversary of Our Synod
The Synod of the Trinity, which includes Shenango Presbytery, is gearing up to celebrate its 300th anniversary. Mike Givler, with the Synod, writes, “Because the history of our churches is what makes up the history of the Synod, we’re looking for people who have a passion for history to help us gather information and help us celebrate. I have been in touch with all of our presbyteries looking for volunteers to assist us in this project and I have received a few names. If you or someone you know would be interested in helping out, let me know. And please spread the word that we are looking for volunteers. After all, it’s the people in the pews who helped shape what the Synod of the Trinity is today.” Interested in history and willing to help? Contact our EP Ralph in the presbytery office: ralph@shenango.org or 724-528-1610
Fellowship Community
The Lebanon and Jamestown congregations have found the commitments and the resources of the Fellowship Community (formerly “Fellowship of Presbyterians”) to be an asset in our present denominational environment. Both churches have joined this movement; likely other Shenango churches will as well. I will be attending the National Gathering in August and would glad for other Shenango leaders to come along. Check out their website and reach out to pastors Augie Hurst (Lebanon) or Don Stanely (Jamestown), or to me, for more information. — Ralph
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.
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.
The Bible in 90 Days
The presbytery’s Christian Education and Evangelism Committees are encouraging churches in the presbytery to participate in the Bible in 90 Days this fall. This whole-church challenge is designed like the ultimate book club—everyone in the church reads the Bible, cover to cover, in just 12 pages a day. Each week, small groups gather to discuss the week’s readings. The weekly sermons are also focused on the readings. This challenge has the potential to be a transformative moment for our churches as our people read God’s word and take on a meaningful challenge together. Read more here!
Financial Well-Being Retreat
August 17 and 18 at Montreat Conference Center…dedicated to helping active Board of Pensions Benefits Plan members achieve better stewardship of personal and church finances. For more information, and to register by Friday, July 17, click here.
Lawrence County Habitat for Humanity 3rd Annual Golf Outing
Saturday, September 5th at the Pine Grove Golf Course (38 Fairway Drive, Grove City, PA). Shotgun Scramble, 8 AM start. Pre-register by August 28th for Early Bird registration fees. 100% of the proceeds will stay in our community and go into our next home. Contact Chad Fette for more information at 724-301-2125 or dcfette@gmail.com.
News from the Churches
Copier Available
Sandy Lake Presbyterian Church has a copier available. It was purchased in 2007 for $2800. It is still in good working order; our needs have just surpassed its abilities. It is a Ricoh 2020D with 4 paper trays and bypass tray and a fax machine. It comes with 2 cartridges of toner. We are asking $400 or best offer.
Clown Ministry Props Available
Northminster Presbyterian Church’s Clown Ministry is no longer functioning. They have make-up, props, manuals, etc. to donate to any church interested in starting this rewarding ministry. Contact Northminster at 724-724-658-9051. Training in the program is available.
The Presbytery of Shenango 