This Week:
March 6- 2:00 PM Nominating Committee, Presbytery Office
EP Activity This Month
Our Executive Presbyter, Ralph Hawkins, will be co-leading the annual Dominican Republic mission partnership visit with three other Shenango Teaching Elders: Matt Camlin, Brian Enis, and Chris Weichman (March 11-19). He will be participating in the final worship service for the Kennard congregation, north of Greenville in Mercer County (March 26). 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 Steve Allen (MAL) to Presbytery of Greater Atlanta; TE Steven Stelle (Validated) to Eastminster Presbytery, Ohio; TE Don Stanley (HR) to Transylvania Presbytery, Kentucky; TE Ruth Doyle (HR) to Genesse Valley Presbytery
– TE John Creekpaum has been received back into our membership from Eastminster presbytery
– The following persons have been appointed as session moderators for congregations in transition: TE Rick Vogeley for Rich Hill; RE Jim Moose for Harlansburg; TE Phil Chalfant for Hadley; TE David Lingle for Trinity
(TE = Teaching Elder; RE = Ruling Elder; CRE = Commissioned Ruling Elder; MAL = Member at Large; HR = Honorably Retired; PNC = Pastor Nominating Committee)
National Fellowship Gathering
Sean and Andrea Hall (Hillside) recently attended the national gathering of the Fellowship Community in Lakeland, Florida. Read one report on the gathering here. EP Ralph Hawkins serves on the board of directors for the organization.
Shenango Presbytery College Scholarship
The application is online for the Shenango Presbytery College Scholarship open to students in our communities attending Grove City and Westminster Colleges…https://form.jotform.com/70366300834148. You can also download a PDF of the form shenango-presbytery-scholarship-application-2017. The deadline to submit applications has been moved up to March 31, 2017 in order to allow the committee overseeing the scholarship time to meet with potential recipients before the end of the spring semester.
Multimedia in Worship
You’re invited on Tuesday, March 7, 2017 from 5:30 – 8:30 PM to Westminster College (Witherspoon Maple Room on the third floor of McKelvey Campus Center) for a Multimedia in Worship Event with Presbyterian Media Mission. pmm-con-ed-flyer Many of you missed this cancelled workshop at LeaderFest, but this event will provide you with an even better chance to dive deep into the topic, ask lots of questions, and get some great tips. Cost is $8 per person ($5/person if 5 or more come from the same church) and includes dinner! Please RSVP to Diane at gabriedl@westminster.edu by March 1. This event is being hosted by the Office of Faith and Spirituality at Westminster College, and supported by the Christian Education Committee of Shenango Presbytery.
Byron Borger at Grove City College
Our LeaderFest keynote speaker Byron Borger, owner of Hearts and Minds Bookstore will again be in our area this week, speaking at Grove City College this Wednesday evening, March 1. You can hear him speak at Sticht Hall on the GCC campus at 7pm.
Suicidal Depression Workshop
Licensed Clinical Social Worker and friend of our presbytery Michelle Snyder will be leading a one-day seminar for pastors and and counselors on ministering to suicidal depression in Butler, PA, on May 3. Learn more and register here.
Hospice Informational Dinner
Join Sharon Regional Health System for dinner and learn how hospice care can benefit you and your loved ones. Topics include the Medicare Hospice Benefit, Aggressive Care vs. Comfort Measures, Advance Directives, and the Role of Death in Spirituality. Every Tuesday in March – each week is a different topic – from 5-6:30 PM in the SRHS Diagnostic & Imagining Center Conference Room (2435 Garden Way, Hermitage, PA 16148. RSVP by March 3rd to 724-308-7322. Seating is limited. No charge for dinner, but donations to SRHS Hospice Memorial Fund are welcome.
Board of Pensions “Benefits Connections” Gathering
Would you like to better understand how to use the Benefits Plan to serve your church? The Pittsburgh “Benefits Connections” will be held on March 28, 2017 from 9 AM – 3:30 PM at the DoubleTree Hotel by Hilton in GreenTree located at 500 Mansfield Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. Seating will be limited so it is important for you to register now as the registration deadline is March 3. You can register at www.pensions.org/benefitsconnections. Churches/Employers/Organizations may send up to two people.
YAV Leslie Featured
Hillary Leslie, member of the New Wilmington church, is currently serving as a Young Adult Volunteer in ministry in New Orleans, La. Recently our synod wrote an article about her YAV experiences. Check it out here. The YAV program is a ministry training program of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Shenango has endorsed many YAVs like Hillary over the years.
Complete Barclay Commentaries
Charlie and Mary Crane (Jackson Center) have a complete set of William Barclay Bible commentaries that need a good home in a church, theological, or personal library. If you are interested, let the presbytery office know at 724-528-1610 or office@shenango.org
Special Invitation
The PCUSA has been invited to send two participants to the eighth meeting of the biennial Csillagpoint (Starpoint) festival July 25-29, 2017 in Debrecen, Hungary. For more information and a copy of the invitation letter, contact the Presbytery Office.
Save the Date – Chaplain’s Seminar
Strategic Response to Crisis, a 2-day seminar for Chaplains, Clergy, and Mental Health Professionals will be held on June 5-6, 2017 in Hermitage, PA. More information coming soon!
News From the Churches
You’re Invited
The Westminster College School of Music Concert Choir presents Durufle Requiem with professional chamber orchestra featuring organist, Paula Kubic and conductor, Dr. Samuel Barbara. Saturday, March 4th at 7 PM at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church and Sunday, March 5th at 3:00 PM at First Presbyterian Church of Sharon. Free and open to the public.
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
Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adults
Faith Presbyterian Church in Hermitage is seeking a Director of Children, Youth, and Young Adults. ce-director-job-description-2017
Fundraising Dinner for Word Centered
Rev’s Ribs will be sponsoring a fundraising dinner at Word Centered Presbyterian Church (710 Carnegie St., Sharon, PA ) on March 5th. Join us for Sunday Service starting at 10:00 AM and after service stay for the dinner. All dinners are served with your choice of 2 sides and dessert…Rib Dinner $12, Chicken Dinners (2 pieces white meat) $10 (2 pieces dark meat) $8. Side options include: Collard Greens, Macaroni & Cheese, Cabbage & Noodles, and dessert options include: Pound Cake, Chocolate Cake, or Flan. Place your orders call calling 330-707-7674 or by email to REVSRIBS@yahoo.com.
The Presbytery of Shenango 