EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be leading officer training at Wurtemburg church in Ellwood City (Feb 12) and visiting the Clearfield PA church in Kiskiminetas presbytery (Feb 19) to interview former participants in the Dominican Republic mission partnership. He will be attending the national Fellowship Community gathering in Lakeland, Florida (Feb 21-23). 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
– The following Teaching Elders have been transferred to other presbyteries: TE Max Muska (Harlansburg, Rich Hill) to Presbytery of Eastern Iowa; TE Steven Allen (MAL) to Presbytery of Greater Atlanta; TE Steven Stelle (formerly Mission Co-Worker) to Eastminster Presbytery; TE Don Stanley (HR) to Transylvania Presbytery
– RE Carolyn Moss (New Wilmington), a candidate for TE ordination, will be supplying pastoral ministry to the Rich Hill church under the supervision of our CPM (Committee on Preparation for Ministry)
– TE Jim Latta (MAL) is serving as a temporary supply at Trinity church in Mercer while TE Bill Crooks is on medical leave. A PNC is active at Trinity as Rev. Crooks will retire in June.
– TE Rick Vogeley (HR) has been hired as Interim Pastor at First New Castle.
(TE = Teaching Elder; RE = Ruling Elder; CRE = Commissioned Ruling Elder; MAL = Member at Large; HR = Honorably Retired; PNC = Pastor Nominating Committee)
South Sudan Visit Highlighted
Recently the Synod of the Trinity produced a short video highlighting the testimony of Rev. Sean Brubaker (Calvin, Ellwood City) who shares about the impact two of our South Sudanese partners had on some neighborhood boys last summer during one of our South Sudan visitations. Check it out at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D91tSbFjgi0
It’s time for Annual Reports again!
The GA online statistical program is located at http://oga.pcusa.org/stats. Clerks will use the same “user name” and “password” as they have used the past few years. Please note the the password should contain an “!” and is case-sensitive. The deadline for entering your statistical information is February 22, 2017 at midnight. If you have forgotten your user name and password, please call or email the Presbytery office. (Note: If you changed your password from what was assigned by the denomination, we will not have that new password.) There is a “Frequently Asked Questions” page available to help with most common questions.
Presbytery annual reports are available on the “Resources” page of the Presbytery website. They are downloadable as WORD and EXCEL files and the completed forms can either be mailed to the office or emailed to Autumn at office@shenango.org. The deadline for completing these forms is January 31, 2017. Several churches have not been able to complete their reports by the January deadline in the past, please note that in order for your deceased elders to be included in the special service at the February presbytery meeting, your Necrology form MUST be received at the office by February 10th!
Arc Encounter Bus Trip – CANCELLED
The coach bus trip to see the Ark Replica in Williamsville, KY that was being planned for March 23-24 has been cancelled due to lack of interest.
You’re Invited!
Beaver-Butler Presbytery invites you to their annual Leadership and Administrative Event on March 19th from 2-5 PM at the Cranberry Community Presbyterian Church in Cranberry Township, PA. Click here for a registration brochure and list of workshops.
News From the Churches
Seeking a Secretary
Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church is seeking a secretary 32 hours/week. Must be organized, experienced with Microsoft Word and Publisher, able to maintain church website, have good people skills and perform general secretarial duties. Salary commensurate with experience. Send resume to: pcweichman@gmail.com
GriefShare Program
No matter what the circumstances, grief recovery is a painful process. A GriefShare seminar/support group is being hosted and sponsored by Calvin Church. The program will be facilitated by Ginny Brest. The first session is scheduled for Sunday, January 15 from 2:00-4:00 p.m. in the church parlor. The group will meet each Sunday afternoon for 13 weeks. Participants are encouraged to complete the 13-week program if possible. Calvin will cover the cost of the program because we understand how deeply grief and loss hurts people and families. This is a place where many people have found they can begin to put their lives back together again. The program is open to anyone who has experienced the loss of a loved one to help them through the grief process. If you, or someone you know, would benefit from this program, please contact Ginny Brest at 724-758-3838 or Calvin’s church office at 724-758-4258.
The Presbytery of Shenango 