This Week:
March 17- 1:30 PM Evangelism Committee, Presbytery Office
March 21- 9:00 AM PW CT Team, Presbytery Office
March 25- OFFICE CLOSED, GOOD FRIDAY
Condolences
The presbytery extends its sympathy to TE Charlie Crane (Jackson Center) and his wife Mary over the recent loss of her mother, Margaret Ann Ewing, former teacher and active member of the First Sharon congregation.
Lunch with Dr. Andrew Purves
You are invited to lunch with Dr. Andrew Purves, Wednesday March 16, Noon, at the Tavern in New Wilmington, to celebrate his recent retirement from PTS and to wish him well in his forthcoming relocation to Wilmington, NC. Many in our presbytery were students of Andrew at PTS, and Andrew was the presenter for Shenango’s very first pastor retreat. Indeed, he helped stimulate the idea of our retreats in the first place. Given all of this, some of us thought it good to have a chance to fellowship with him before he and Cathy move out of our area. No program, no agenda. Just lunch and, surely, laughs. Mark your calendars and join us if you’d like. NO RSVP Necessary.
Call to the Church
Six Teaching Elders from our presbytery participated in a recent regional gathering at Camp Crestfield, Slippery Rock, one of many such gatherings for discussion and debate prompted by PCUSA Moderator Heath Rada’s 2015 call to the church.
Marriage Preparation Workshop
Friday, April 1st from 1-3 PM at the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church with Rev. Dr. Nathan Brooks. This workshop is free and open to all our pastors, regardless of your involvement in the Marriage Retreat. Our Leadership Development Team wanted to take advantage of having Brooks in town for the weekend and to offer something practical for those not participating in the retreat. This is not a workshop pushing specific proprietary methods or selling certain preparation materials. There’s enough of that out there. This is a focused conversation with a seasoned colleague on best practices for preparing couples for marriage, based on years of his work as both a pastor and licensed therapist/counselor. There is no registration for this workshop. Just come to New Wilmington church for 1pm. Plenty of room for all. Our thanks to Matt Camlin and NWPC for hosting us in the middle of the presbytery. If you are participating with your spouse in the Marriage Retreat, we will end this workshop in time for you to return home and then arrive at Villa Maria for the start of the retreat that evening.
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, is co-leading a group 31 participants in the annual Dominican Republic mission visit with our partners in the Iglesia Evangélica Dominicana (March 1-6). He is teaching adult Sunday School and meeting with the deacons of First church, Sharon (March 13). He is leading a workshop for deacons at a leadership event for Beaver-Butler presbytery (March 13). He is preaching at the Wurtemburg church (March 20). 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 orralph@shenango.org.
Shenango Presbytery Scholarships
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 (USA). 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, 2016
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 2, 2016.
Register for NWMC!
Registration for the 111th annual New Wilmington Mission Conference is now open! The conference will be held July 23-30, 2016 on the campus of Westminster College. Come out and hear about what God is doing all over the world! This year’s Morning Meeting speakers are Nancy and Shelvis Smith-Mathers, PC(USA) mission co-workers in South Sudan who are supported by Shenango Presbytery. Don’t miss this great opportunity to connect with folks from all over the world–right here in our own backyard! For more information or to register, visit www.nwmcmission.org or e-mailoffice@nwmcmission.org.
Leader Wanted
Lawrence County Habitat for Humanity is seeking applicants for a leadership position. Interested applicants can submit resumes to apply.lchfh@gmail.com or by sending to 138 W. Washington St., New Castle, PA 16101. Please submit resumes by March 15, 2016. Questions can be directed to 724-652-3438.
News From the Churches
Prayer Labyrinth
First Presbyterian Church of Sharon members and friends are participating in a canned food drive this Lenten season. On Palm Sunday members and friends will work together to transform the gym at the church into a prayer room with a “prayer labyrinth” lined by the food cans they have collected, and the Stations of the Cross. The room will be open to the public on Maundy Thursday, March 24th from 5:30-9:30 PM and Good Friday from 12 noon to 8:00 PM. All are welcome! After Easter Sunday all of the food will be prayed over and given to the Community Food Warehouse for distribution. For more information, call First @ 724-981-2211.
Gethsemane Prayer Garden
Leesburg ECO Presbyterian Church will be offering a Gethsemane Prayer Garden experience beginning on March 24th at 8 PM and lasting until March 25th at 6 PM. You are invited to come and pray an hour with Jesus. (Note: Security will be provided, and lights will be dimmed in the garden area. You may nod to one another, if you choose as you come and go, but please refrain from any conversation in the Garden.)
Treasurer Needed
Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church has an opening for a Church Treasurer. If anyone is interested, they can call Rev. Chris Weichman at the church, 724-654-6657.
Piano Platform Available
Third Presbyterian Church in New Castle has a platform for a baby grand piano. It has wheels so that the piano can be moved or repositioned. They will offer it at no charge to any other church that has a use for it. Please contact Janis Pherson at 724-651-8054.
Piano Tuner
Unity PC would like to pass along that Glenn Smith of Volant, member of New Wilmington PC, is a good and reasonably priced piano tuner. His phone number is 724-533-9998. Unity has been using his service and has been very satisfied.
Palm Sunday Event at Westfield ECO
The Mohawk Area Church Association is sponsoring Shine, Jesus, Shine: A Community Palm Sunday Choir Festival at Westfield Presbyterian Church at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday, March 20. Local musicians and church choirs will participate. This event is dedicated to the memory of Peggy Phipps, beloved Mohawk teacher and a member of Mahoning Presbyterian Church, their choir, and a faithful participant in past choir festivals. There is no cost for this community event, but a free-will offering will be taken. Refreshments will be served.
Handbells Wanted
Shenango Presbyterian SeniorCare is organizing a bell choir. If any churches in the area have bells that they no longer want or need, consider donating your set to SPSC. Please contact Sharyn McCaskey, Director of Community Living at SPSC atsmccaskey@srcare.org or 724-946-3408.
Annual Easter Bake Sale
Shenango Presbyterian SeniorCare will hold their Annual Easter Bake Sale on March 18thfrom 9 AM – 3 PM in the Market Street Lobby. Churches can drop off baked goods and homemade candies the day before. Save the date for future bake sales: August 5th and December 8-9.
The Presbytery of Shenango 