eLink News

This Week:

October 3-4- Pastor Retreat, Villa Maria Conference Center

 

Per Capita

The 2017 Per Capita budget was approved last evening at the presbytery meeting and letters will be mailed shortly to churches.  Amounts for 2017 are as follows: GA: $7.50, Synod: $2.30, Presbytery: $28.06 = $37.86 TOTAL.

 

Terms of Call

Last evening the presbytery approved a 1% increase to the MINIMUM Terms of Call for full-time installed pastors, or $49,103 minimum effective salary.  The updated Terms of Call worksheet will be posted on our website by the end of this week.

 

South Sudan Matching Challenge
Two elders in one of our congregations have challenged our presbytery to match their $20,000 mission gift by September 27 for immediate food relief in South Sudan through our mission partners. Pastors and elders in our partner denomination SSPEC (South Sudanese Presbyterian Evangelical Church) will use these funds to purchase wholesale food suitable for distribution through their congregations.  We hope to have a total soon to publish from the offering taken at last evening’s presbytery meeting along with previous donations to the challenge, but you can still participate.  Congregational offerings can be mailed to the presbytery office marked “South Sudan Match” or individuals can donate online at the Presbyterian Mission Exchange by choosing the fund SOUTH SUDAN HUNGER RELIEF MATCHING OFFERING.

 

Prison Bible Study

Consider joining a Bible study program in the Mercer County Jail, adding to the company of those who teach the scriptures and befriend prisoners who are seeking a better way. Celebrate Recovery Inside is held every Wednesday from 6-8 pm.  This is great opportunity to share the gospel and love of Christ, led by folks connected to our presbytery churches.  An orientation is offered and requested for new volunteers. If interested, contact Linda Porter or Rev. Brian Ennis (Fairfield & Milledgeville) at 724-992-2227.

 

Don Dawson to Retire

The Rev. Don Dawson will retire on October 31 as Director of the World Mission Initiative (WMI) at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the New Wilmington Mission Conference.  He has presided as director of both since 2000.  Read more. 

 

Westminster College to Inaugurate New President

On Friday, October 28, 2016, Westminster College will inaugurate Kathy Brittain Richardson, Ph.D., as its fifteenth President.

 

Store Closing
Grand Book & Bible in New Castle will be closing their doors on Friday, September 30th.  They have a lot of church supplies left, including robes, communion supplies, and more.  If your congregation is in need of any supplies, please contact the store at 724-658-1626 or grbobi@aol.com to see what is available.  If you call after Friday, please leave a message and someone will return your call.

 

News From the Churches

Musical Opportunity

A new chamber orchestra has been formed in the Shenango Valley, and their premiere concert will be held on October 8, 2016 at 7:30 PM in the Pierce Opera House, 100 N. Mercer Avenue, Shaprsville. The Pierce Theatre Players, under the direction of Dr. Stephen Barr, will perform Symphony No. 8 in F Major by Beethoven, and the Violin Concerto No. 5 in A Major by Mozart, with Jerry Koziorynsky as the featured soloist.  Dr. Barr is a graduate of Hickory High School and Westminster College, and currently is the Director of Choral Activities at Slippery Rock University, and the Director of the Shenango Valley Chorale.  For more information you can find them on facebook or go to igg.me/at PT-players/x.