This Week:
November 4- 9:30 AM Christian Education, Presbytery Office
First Fireside Chat
All Shenango pastors are invited to our first Fireside Chat — a half-day, one-topic, mini-retreat for our Teaching Elders and CREs to engage a practical matter of pastoral ministry. Sponsored by our Leadership Development Team, the same folks who plan our Pastor Retreats, our first Chat will be Wednesday, November 11, 9:30am-lunch at the Confluence Coffee House in downtown New Castle. The topic will be Time Management in ministry: how to balance life, ministry, and technology in the service of Jesus. Bring a tip or two to share; leave with several in your pocket. $5 for lunch; no reservations required.
2016 Minimum Effective Salary
At our September presbytery meeting, the body approved a 2016 minimum effective salary for full-time installed pastors of $48,617. This figure is for “effective salary” and does not include other costs associated with normal Terms of Call for installed pastors, such as participation in the Board of Pensions benefit program, etc. Although many congregations use the percentage increase approved by presbytery as a basis for raises for pastors or church staff, note that only the minimum effective salary dollar amount is mandated by the Book of Order. For questions about these figures, contact the presbytery office or a member of the Committee on Ministry. For a copy of the 2016 TOC form, click here.
EP/SC Evaluation
You are encouraged to complete the attached evaluation form regarding our Executive Presbyter/Stated Clerk, if you have had sufficient contact with him to be able to answer. Your response will be seen only by the Personnel Committee Chair. You can give the completed form to Elder Alice Sacherich at the November presbytery meeting, or mail it by December 31, 2015 to: Alice Sacherich, 504 Randall Drive, New Castle, PA 16105
Seeking Volunteers
Shenango Presbytery is still seeking a few 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. We appreciate those people who have already stepped forward to help, but we still need a few volunteers to cover the afternoon shift on the fourth Tuesday, and other occasional slots that become available. You may choose your shift and the number of times per month is flexible. 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.
Order Advent Calendars by Friday!
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.) PT Advent Calendar Order Form
Annual Enrollment: Time to Check Your Benefits Coverage
Now through November 13th is your chance to review, choose, and change your benefits coverage. To review your current benefits, log on to Benefits Connect.
Hospice Volunteer Training
Please consider giving a kind hand and tender heart to others when they need it most, when they are terminally ill. Sharon Regional Health System Hospice and Palliative Care will begin a Volunteer Training series on November 4th. This series of classes will run on November 4, 11, and 18 from 9 AM to NOON. All adults are welcome. If you are interested in learning more about volunteering for Hospice or attending Volunteer Training, please call Erin Zahniser at 724-308-7322 any weekday 8 AM – 5 PM or email erin_zahniser@chs.net.
Eugene Carson Blake Scholarship for Ecumenical Formation
The Ecumenical Institute at Bossey will award a scholarship in honor of the former Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the United Presbyterian Church in the USA. One Presbyterian Church (USA) student applying for admission for the 2016-2017 academic year will be nominated. Learn more.
News from the Churches
175th Anniversary
Rich Hill Presbyterian Church, Volant will celebrate their 175th Anniversary this week.
35 Years
We are celebrating Rev. Bill Crooks 35th year as pastor of Trinity Presbyterian Church, Mercer. Come join us on Sunday, November 15, 2015 following 11 AM worship to extend your best wishes and enjoy a piece of cake.
Ham Loaf Dinner
Bessemer Presbyterian Church (29 N. Main Street, Bessemer) will be holding a Ham Loaf Dinner on Saturday, November 14, 2015 from 5 – 7 PM. Proceeds to benefit the Church’s General Fun. Adults $10.00, Children 6-12 $5.00, Children 5 and under FREE. Eat in or Take Out Available! Call the Church Office for tickets: 724-667-7255.
Rummage Sale
Trinity Presbyterian Church in Mercer is having a Rummage Sale on Friday, October 30 from 8 AM – 4 PM and Saturday, October 31 from 8 AM – NOON. Saturday is half price day with clothing $1/bag. Just east of the Mercer Courthouse.
Special Concert to Celebrate All Saints’ Day
Sunday, November 1st, is All Saints’ Day when we remember and give thanks for those brothers and sisters in Christ who have gone to the Church triumphant. One musical way to celebrate All Saints’ Day is with a Requiem. The Choirs of First Presbyterian Church in Sharon and New Wilmington Presbyterian Church, joined by friends from the Shenango Valley Chorale and a Chamber Orchestra, all under the direction of Edgar Groves, will perform “A German Requiem” by Johannes Brahms on Nov. 1st at 7:30 PM at First Presbyterian Church, 600 East State Street in Sharon.
The Brahms “Requiem” does not follow the traditional Requiem Mass, but instead Brahms took passages of Scripture from Martin Luther’s German Bible and set them to music. Brahms wanted to emphasize the resurrection, not the judgment day, so his choices of Scripture and his music are more hopeful. It is a lovely composition, well worth hearing. This performance will be in English, and there will be program notes in the Bulletin. As a special treat, at 7:00 PM there will be “Cookies and Coffee” prior to the performance, and Ed Groves will have a brief talk about the Brahms“Requiem” to help you enjoy the performance even more.
This concert is FREE and open to the public. We hope you will celebrate All Saints’ Day with us in Sharon as you listen to a truly beautiful Requiem.
Choir Director
Tower Presbyterian Church is seeking someone willing to lead our congregation in the worship of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. They will oversee the music programs of our church, including both contemporary and traditional worship, as well as occasional special worship services.
They must have availability for Sunday worship, Wednesday night rehearsals and other occasions as necessary. Send resume to Tower Presbyterian Church, an ECO Congregation, 248 S. Broad St., Grove City, PA 16127 or clerk.towrchurch@zoominternet.net. Position available January 1, 2016.
FREE Choir Music
Oak Grove Church has 4 large boxes of Choir Music FREE to anyone who could use it. Contact Pastor Marsha at parrisma@yahoo.com or 724-699-1862.
The Presbytery of Shenango 