This Week:
September 27- 5:00 PM CRE Gathering, Dotty Mariner’s home
September 28-October 2 – Presbytery Yard Sale during regular business hours. Books, videos, equipment, office supplies, and more! All donations will go towards purchasing new resources.
October 4- 7:00 PM Celebrate Sudan Event, East Main ECO, Grove City
October 5-6- Pastor Retreat, Villa Maria Conference Center – last chance to register – click here!
Presbytery Missionary Offering #2
Our Council approved the gathering of an offering at each of our stated presbytery meetings for the next year, to support a designated PCUSA mission co-worker, selected each time by our MCS committee. At our September 22nd meeting, elders and pastors collected over $4600 (with the promise of more to come) to add to the support of Steve and Brenda Stelle — mission co-workers in Ethiopia, supported by many of our congregations. We appreciate the generosity of our churches and know the Stelles will be blessed by your gifts.
CRE GATHERING
Ruling Elders trained to serve as CREs (Commissioned Ruling Elders) will be gathering this Sunday, September 27, at the home of Dorothy (Dotty) Mariner to discuss matters of pastoral ministry related to funerals. 6:30pm. All Ruling Elders so inclined are welcome to attend. For more information, speak to Ralph. ralph@shenango.org or 724-528-1610
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.
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be preaching this month at Word Centered Fellowship (Sep 27). He will be gathering with other EPs in the Synod at Camp Krislund (Sep 28-29). 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.
Order Advent Calendars
Presbyterians Today has created a special Advent calendar, meant to reawaken in you the beauty and spirituality of Advent. Each day features a Scripture reading, meditation, and prayer, and the calendar itself is filled with the poetic reflections of author Rachel Srubas and the vivid, contemplative watercolors of illustrator Roy DeLeon. You can order copies of this calendar through the Presbytery Office for just $2.20 per copy (cover price through Presbyterians Today will be $4 plus shipping). Your order must be in the office before October 30th to ensure delivery prior to the start of Advent. (If we receive orders for more than 100 calendars, the price will drop and the difference will be refunded.) Click here for the order form.
Call for Resources
We have a new system for cataloging and lending resources in the Resource Center. In going through the books and videos, we are noticing that there are a lot of resources that have been “out” for quite some time. We need to physically scan all items into the new system. While there is no “deadline” to return resources (other than equipment), we are asking everyone to take a look around for resources that you may have forgotten to return to the office. Thanks for your cooperation! (If you checked something out during the month of August, it’s already part of the new system and does not need to be returned until you are done with it.)
Singers Needed for Celebration Choir — Celebrate Sudan meeting — Sunday evening, October 4th
The Choir will practice on 5:30 p.m. PRIOR TO THE PROGRAM AT EAST MAIN PRESBYTERIAN…….Music will be provided….(No robes.) ALL who enjoy singing are invited to come and be a part……
Discerning Your Call to Missions
Join us for this FREE one-day seminar to explore your call to missions! October 31, 2015 from 9 AM – 4 PM at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, John Knox Room. This workshop is designed to help you explore a call to mission – spend the day listening, studying God’s Word, and praying in groups. RSVP by October 26 to wmi@pts.edu.
Pneuma Open House at PTS
Do you know anyone being led by the Spirit to consider the ministry of Spiritual Direction and/or Spiritual Leadership? You or they are invited to our Pneuma Open House – Come & See on Oct. 3rd at PTSeminary 9:30 am – noon. Come and see what the Pneuma Program is all about, meet alums and current participants in the program, learn about the content and format of the Intensives and practicums.
Investigating and Exploring Spiritual Connection in Daily Life with Dr. Lynn Underwood.
(Oct. 29, 7-9 pm and Oct. 30, 8:30 – 12:30 pm). Attached is a full brochure. The price is very reasonable. CE’s available for multiple professions. Co-sponsored by Pneuma Institute, Chatham University, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and Pittsburgh Pastoral Institute. Register Online at: www.ppi-online.org/event/Lynn-Underwood This will be very helpful for learning possible ways to engage folks about different ways of describing or talking about spiritual experiences. Also Underwood has a great research instrument that can be used in multiple professions for research as well as for practical applications. See Brochure for more details.
News from the Churches
Part-Time Youth Leader
New Wilmington Presbyterian Church in New Wilmington, PA, has an immediate opening for a part-time Youth Leader for the junior and senior high youth programs (7-12 grade). The primary focus will be to minister to youth by providing leadership, administration, and nurturing. The Youth Leader will be expected to be on site at least two days a week, including Sunday and another week day or evening, depending on what programs are planned. Refer to the church website at www.nwpresby.org for the complete job description. Interested candidates may send a cover letter, resume and the contact information of three references no later than September 11th to the Personnel Committee at 229 South Market Street, New Wilmington, PA 16142.
Mission Dinner
Shenango Presbyterian Church invites you to a MISSION DINNER set for Wednesday, September 23rd at 6 PM! We’ll share supper (please bring a dish to share) and photos and experiences from Italy and Harlem! All dinner settings and drinks will be provided. Call with your reservation: 724-654-2322.
Spaghetti Dinner Fundraise and Free Senior Health Fair
Thursday, September 24, 2015 at Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church (220 E. Clen Moore Blvd. New Castle, PA). Dinner Benefits the Missions Fund and will be served 5:00 – 6:30 pm. Adults $8.00, Children ages 5 – 10 $4.00, Children under 5 FREE, Family w/children $20.00. FREE Health Fair will be held from 4pm – 7pm. Join us for refreshments, informational booths, free health-related assessments, and giveaways. Co-sponsored by: LIFE Lawrence County and Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church
Director of Music
North Sewickley Presbyterian Church of Ellwood City, PA is searching for a Director of Music. Ability to blend traditional and contemporary expressions of music. Consult with Pastor regarding worship selections and work with our accompanist. Ability to create and oversee different musical groups. Primary responsibility is Sunday Worship and Music Practice one or more nights per week and occasional holiday services. If you are interested please submit a resume and cover letter to nspc@zoominternet.net .
Job Opening
The Presbyterian Church of West Middlesex (ECO) has a job opening for the church custodial position. This person will be responsible for keeping the inside of our building clean and maintained and also some minor exterior upkeep. The employee will be accountable to the Pastor as Head of Staff and work closely with the Trustee mobilizer in the performance of his or her responsibilities. The position currently averages 20-30 hours per week and the pay is on a per hour basis. The start date is projected to be in late September. A full job description with list of duties is available from the church office at 724-528-3662 or lauld@wmpresby.org. Resumes are being accepted through September 25, 2015.
St. Francis of Assisi Day Blessing of the Animals
The Liberty Presbyterian Church, 1491 Churchill-Hubbard Road (Rt. 304) just outside of Youngstown, will host a Blessing of the Animals Service on Saturday, October 3, 2015 at 9:31 AM in the Pavilion locate behind the church. Sunday, October 4th is the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and nature. Bring your leashed or caged/bowled pets – dogs, cats, birds, or fish – to this special service focused on the blessing of God’s creatures that give so much meaning to our lives. Call 330-759-1556 for additional information.
The Presbytery of Shenango 