This Week:
October 20- 1:30 PM Evangelism Committee, Presbytery Office
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.
Attention Pastors in the Board of Pensions Benefits Plan
Annual Enrollment now requires the action of ALL plan members – including pastors! If you currently receive benefits from the Board of Pension, and want to continue to receive these benefits in 2017, you must select the benefits during Annual Enrollment. Read more here.
Backpack Program in the News
The Lakeview Area Backpack Program feeds 107 of Mercer County’s 830 participating students. Read the article from a recent edition of The Sharon Herald.
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.
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
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.
Trunk or Treat
October 30, 2016 from 4-5:30 PM at Mt. Hermon Presbyterian Church (3116 Frew Mill Rd., New Castle). For children 13 years of age and younger. For more information, call the church at 724-924-2737 or Karen Lynn at 724-924-9431.
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 Arts @ First: Random Acts of Artists Pop Up Art Show, Sale & Share
Saturday, November 5, 2016, 1 – 5 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 600 E. State St. Sharon, PA. Bring the family to see local artists and their marvelous work! Great opportunity for early Christmas shopping! And some of the artists will be sharing their expertise through hands-on demonstrations. Fall refreshments will be served. This is a free event so come out and enjoy the day!
If you would like to know more about how to participate in the Random Acts of Artists, or more information about the show and sale, please call Debbie Derrenbacher 724/981-2211 x3 or Linda Clark at 330-534-5060.
Women’s Ministries @ First: EAT PAINT SIP
November 13, 12-3 p.m., First Presbyterian Church, 600 East State Street, Sharon, PA. Enjoy a delicious lunch of hot soups, sandwich and delicious non-alcoholic drinks; then create a beautiful sunflower tile trivet using alcohol inks. You don’t have to be an artist to do this. Cost: $20.00 for lunch and instruction/supply fee. Limited class size. Call Debbie Derrenbacher to reserve your spot in the class and lunch. 724/981-2211 ext. 3
The Presbytery of Shenango 