This Week:
October 10-12- Northeast Wee Kirk Conference, Laurelville Mennonite Church Center, Mt. Pleasant, PA
October 15- 9 AM PW Fall Gathering, First Presbyterian Church, Sharon
October 18- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be preaching at Ellport church (Oct 9), visiting Kennard church (Oct 16), and preaching at Word Centered church (Oct 23). He will be preaching and leading a leadership workshop at the annual Wee Kirk Conference at Laurelville, Pa (Oct 10-12). He will attend the Synod of the Trinity meeting with our commissioners (Oct 24-25) and the annual Stated Clerk’s Polity Conference in Louisville, KY (Oct 28-30). 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.
Stated Clerk Updates
– RE Charlene Kennedy (Bell Memorial) has been commissioned by the presbytery to serve as pastor of the Ellport congregation, Ellwood City.
– TE Steve Stelle (MAL) and TE Gary Smith (Grove City College) were added to the approved Pulpit Supply list
– Shenango has transferred the following minister members to other presbyteries: TE Bill Knechtel (Pulaski) to ECO Rivers of Life presbytery; TE Angel DeLaCruz (Word Centered) to Prospect Hill presbytery, Iowa; TE Bill Stone III (Church of Scotland) to Newton presbytery, New Jersey; TE Mark Thompson (MAL) to Eastminster presbytery, Ohio; TE Betsy McCormick (MAL) to Northumberland presbytery, Pennsylvania
– Shenango received into membership TE Victor Makari (HR) from Scioto Valley presbytery
– TE Don Stanley (Jamestown) was approved to labor outside our bounds for 1 year, following the dismissal of the Jamestown church to ECO: A Covenant Order of Evangelical Presbyterians. Don will remain a member of Shenango presbytery.
– Rev. Judy Wilson (Evangelical Methodist) was approved to serve as moderator of the Oak Grove session. Judy has been part-time pastor of Oak Grove since February 2016.
(TE = Teaching Elder; RE = Ruling Elder; CRE = Commissioned Ruling Elder; MAL = Member at Large; HR = Honorably Retired)
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.
Farrell to Lead World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Seminary
Hunter Farrell, who is stepping down as head of World Mission for the PC(USA), announced October 5 that he has accepted a call to serve as the director of the World Mission Initiative at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. His new position will begin in January. Read the article from The Presbyterian Outlook.
Welcome a New Director at NWMC
The NWMC Board of Managers is pleased to announce the selection of Reverend Virginia (Ginny) Teitt as Director of the New Wilmington Mission Conference beginning November 1, 2016. Ginny has attended NWMC since 1997 and has served in many roles at Conference during that time, as well as serving as a Perspectives Instructor, Adjunct Seminary Professor and Chair of the Presbytery of Scioto Valley Global Missions Committee. Read more on the NWMC website.
Discerning Your Call to Missions
On Saturday, October 22, 2016, join Pittsburgh Theological Seminary for the annual Discerning Your Call to Missions event from 9 AM – 4 PM. This FREE workshop features Rev. Don Dawson, director of WMI, Stephanie Bell, spiritual director, and Elizabeth Trexler, former missionary. RSVP by October 17th to wmi@pts.edu.
Bereavement Support Group
Facilitated by Rev. Stacie Pitts, Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator for SRHS Hospice, this support group will meet on Thursdays beginning on October 6th from 4-6 PM in the Parlor of First Presbyterian Church, Sharpsville. Come learn about grief, how to cope with grief, and how to give support to those in the grieving process. No sign up required.
FREE Community Bereavement Series
Wednesdays during October and the first week of November from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM at the Diagnostic and Imaging Center (2435 Garden Way, Hermitage) with Rev. Stacie Pitts, Chaplain and Bereavement Coordinator for SRHS Hospice. Please bring a brown bag lunch.
News From the Churches
Rummage Sale
Bell Memorial, Ellwood City, will be holding a rummage sale the week of October 10th. Setup, October 10th from 9:30 AM-5 PM. Sale, October 11th – 9:30 AM – 9 PM. Bag Day, October 12th – 9:30 AM till Noon, last day.
Do Some Christmas Shopping with a purpose.
Trinity Art Fest Fundraiser for Stop Hunger Now – October 21 and 22
Artisans and crafters from Trinity Presbyterian Church in Mercer will offer their items Friday Oct. 21 from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Saturday Oct. 22 from 10:00 to 3:00 in the Fellowship Hall at Trinity Presbyterian Church, 110 E. Market St., Mercer. Items include paintings, photography, upcycled fashion, baby items, purses, quilling, wreaths, jewelry, fancy cookies. A Chinese Auction will be featured. Hot lunches will be served and available for take-out, homemade soup, baked goods, and apple dumplings will also be available.
Stop Hunger Now is an international hunger relief non-profit organization that coordinates the packaging and distribution of food and other life-saving aid to the world’s most vulnerable people. Its goal is to eliminate world hunger in our lifetime. Stop Hunger Now has provided over 225 million meals in 74 countries at a cost of 29 cents per meal. With your help, Trinity members hope to assembly and package over 17,000 nutritious meals for hungry people on November 5th.
You’re Invited
Bessemer Presbyterian Church invites you to a concert by The Tom Walker Family of New Castle, PA on Sunday, November 6, 2016 at 7:00 PM. A free will offering will be received! Refreshments will follow! The church is located at 29 North Main Street, Bessemer, PA. For more information, please call the Church Office at 724-667-7255.
Ham Loaf Dinner
Bessemer Presbyterian Church (29 North Main Street, Bessemer) will host a Ham Loaf Dinner on Saturday, November 12th from 5-7 PM. Proceeds will benefit the Church’s General Fund. 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.
The Presbytery of Shenango 