eLink News

This Week

  • December 24-25– OFFICE CLOSED, Christmas Holiday
  • December 29- 10:00 – 12:00 YAD Interviews, Presbytery Office
  • December 31-January 1- OFFICE CLOSED, New Year’s Holiday

News from the Presbytery Office

Mission Giving Deadline
It is not too early to begin reminding people that contributions for the year 2009 must be given to the church by December 31, 2009 or mailed in an envelope postmarked December 31, 2009. Monies received after the start of 2010 cannot be attributed to the 2009 year. The deadline for monies sent to the Presbytery office must be postmarked by Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

News from the Camping Association
At a called meeting of the Board of Directors on December 12, 2009, the Board acted to accept the resignation of Glenn Oswald as Executive Director of the Camping Association effective January 18, 2010. Glenn will be completing various projects before his date of resignation.

News from the Missionaries of the Nile Valley
Letter from Debbie Blaine
Click here for the Christmas letter from Debbie Blaine
http://www.shenango.org/PDF/Sudan/Blaine%20December%20Missionary%20Letter.pdf

News from Our Churches

Trumpeter Available

Trumpeter Tom Hunt is available to perform solo concerts, worship music, banquets, gatherings, etc. Meet Tom this Saturday, December 19 at Borders Books, 2101 Niles Cortland Rd., SE, Warren, OH 44484 from 2 to 4 PM. Tom will be signing his CD, “Fitting Tribute”. His website is:http://www.tomhunttrumpet.com.

Work Trip to Houma, LA

Mt. Jackson Presbyterian Church is planning our work trip south and would like to invite other churches to join us. This year we are going to the Presbyterian Disaster Camp in Houma, LA. The camp in Pearlington, MS is closed. There are no longer any camps in Mississippi. The dates of the trip are Saturday, February 13 – February 20. They do not start working until Monday. We plan to leave Saturday and arrive in Houma on Sunday. The cost of the camp is $20 per day for room (pod) and meals plus the cost of the vans. We figure it will be approx. $275 pp if you are riding in the vans. Please let us know by December 31 if you want to join us this year for Katrina relief. Please contact Bill Gwin at wlgwin@att.net or 724-667-8321.

Workshops, Conferences and Local Events

Continuing Education Opportunity

Westminster College will host a live broadcast of “Main Themes in Orthodoxy: How an Ancient Tradition Illumines Our World” presented by Dr. Edith M. Humphrey, the William F. Orr Professor of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. These seminars will take place on January 13, 20, and 27. For a copy of the brochure, contact the Presbytery Office. These seminars will be FREE for pastors and church members in Shenango Presbytery!

eLink News

This Week

  • December 18- 12:30 PM Preparation for Ministry Committee, Presbytery Office
  • December 24-25– OFFICE CLOSED, Christmas Holiday
  • December 31-January 1- OFFICE CLOSED, New Year’s Holiday

News from the Presbytery Office

Mission Giving Deadline
It is not too early to begin reminding people that contributions for the year 2009 must be given to the church by December 31, 2009 or mailed in an envelope postmarked December 31, 2009. Monies received after the start of 2010 cannot be attributed to the 2009 year. The deadline for monies sent to the Presbytery office must be postmarked by Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

New IRS Mileage Rate
The IRS mileage rate for 2010 will be 50 cents per mile.

Submit Salary Changes to the Board of Pensions Online!
Church treasurers can now submit salary changes or confirm salaries online through a new feature on Benefits Connect, the Board’s secure benefits web site. To register, go to the Pensions website, http://www.pensions.org. Under the Benefits Connect logo, click “register” and follow the step-by-step instructions for creating your user profile and establishing your password. (NOTE: This is for submitting info to the Board of Pensions. You must still submit a Terms of Call worksheet to the Presbytery.)

News from the Missionaries of the Nile Valley
Letter from Moirs
Click here for a recent letter from Larry and Barbara Moir who teach at Bethel Evangelical Secondary School in Ethiopia. http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/letters/moirl/moirl_0912.htm.

Letter from Braaksmas
Here is a letter just received from Del and Debbie Braaksma who live in Uganda and work with RECONCILE helping to bring peace in the midst of tribal conflict in the south Sudan. http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/letters/braaksmad/braaksmad_0912.htm.


News from Our Churches

Trumpeter Available

Trumpeter Tom Hunt is available to perform solo concerts, worship music, banquets, gatherings, etc. Meet Tom this Saturday, December 19 at Borders Books, 2101 Niles Cortland Rd., SE, Warren, OH 44484 from 2 to 4 PM. Tom will be signing his CD, “Fitting Tribute”. His website is: http://www.tomhunttrumpet.com.

Grief Support Group

Pastor Hurray of Mountville Presbyterian Church will be leading a Grief Support Group that will begin on Wednesday, January 6th at the church. They will meet for an hour (11 AM to NOON) for six weeks to be a support group that will include reflections on how others deal with grief, sharing our grief, praying about our grief and what the Bible offers to help us with our grief, action plans to deal with our grief and a service for saying not only good bye, but so long! There will be room in the group for sharing. Take home papers will be provided to work on grief at home between meetings. Please call Pastor Hurray to sign up for the group at 724-368-1102.
Work Trip to Houma, LA
Mt. Jackson Presbyterian Church is planning our work trip south and would like to invite other churches to join us. This year we are going to the Presbyterian Disaster Camp in Houma, LA. The camp in Pearlington, MS is closed. There are no longer any camps in Mississippi. The dates of the trip are Saturday, February 13 – February 20. They do not start working until Monday. We plan to leave Saturday and arrive in Houma on Sunday. The cost of the camp is $20 per day for room (pod) and meals plus the cost of the vans. We figure it will be approx. $275 pp if you are riding in the vans. Please let us know by December 31 if you want to join us this year for Katrina relief. Please contact Bill Gwin at wlgwin@att.net or 724-667-8321.

Workshops, Conferences and Local Events

Continuing Education Opportunity

Westminster College will host a live broadcast of “Main Themes in Orthodoxy: How an Ancient Tradition Illumines Our World” presented by Dr. Edith M. Humphrey, the William F. Orr Professor of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. These seminars will take place on January 13, 20, and 27. For a copy of the brochure, contact the Presbytery Office.

eLink News

This Week

  • December 9- 1:00 PM Christian Education Committee, Presbytery Office

News from the Missionaries in the Nile Valley

New Update from Ingrid Reneau in Nairobi, Kenya

“thanks for your prayers…Got the ok to go to Yei for a week, so leaving Monday morning to attend YTTC graduation, board meeting, Scripture Union Conf with the youth at YTTC, and to follow up on some items there…will also be in Juba for a couple days, following up items there as well…, still taking iron 3 times a day and other meds, so feeling stronger, but not quite 100%…but very thankful to be able to go at all…greetings to all and thank you for all your prayers.”

Letter from Debbie Blane
Rev. Debbie Blane, mission co-worker, has sent her November letter, which will be posted on the Presbytery web site this week. Her blog can be found athttp://debbiesjourneycontinues.blogspot.com.


News from the Presbytery Office

Prayers
Rev. Willis McGill, retired member of Presbytery passed away last week. We apologize that we were not able to send notice of his arrangements out in time.

Winter Weather
It’s that time of year again when travel can be difficult. Please call before stopping by the office. There are times when the Presbytery staff are not able to make it to the office due to weather conditions, or need to leave early to make it home safely.

Mission Giving Deadline
It is not too early to begin reminding people that contributions for the year 2009 must be given to the church by December 31, 2009 or mailed in an envelope postmarked December 31, 2009. Monies received after the start of 2010 cannot be attributed to the 2009 year. The deadline for monies sent to the Presbytery office must be postmarked by Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

New IRS Mileage Rate
The IRS mileage rate for 2010 will be 50 cents per mile.

LEADERFEST REGISTRATION BROCHURE – available later this week on the Presbytery home page http://www.shenango.org.
A copy of the brochure will also be sent to all church secretaries to copy and give to officers and leaders.

Submit Salary Changes to the Board of Pensions Online!
Church treasurers can now submit salary changes or confirm salaries online through a new feature on Benefits Connect, the Board’s secure benefits web site. To register, go to the Pensions website, http://www.pensions.org. Under the Benefits Connect logo, click “register” and follow the step-by-step instructions for creating your user profile and establishing your password. (NOTE: This is for submitting info to the Board of Pensions. You must still submit a Terms of Call worksheet to the Presbytery.)

New Resource List Online
Debbie has published a new list of resources available in the Resource Center. Visit our homepage, http://www.shenango.org, and click on the big blue button that says “Visit the Resource Center” to bring up a PDF of the newsletter.

Tuba City Manse Destroyed by Fire
Many from our churches have supported the work of Pastor Norma, from the Tuba City and Kayenta Churches in Arizona. On December 3rd, Pastor Norma, her daughter and granddaughter were forced out of the manse by a fire. They lost everything except the clothes on their backs and two laptops. Please keep their family in your prayers, as recovery efforts are just getting started.

News from Our Churches

Congratulations

Congratulations to Rev. Lori Holstein Cotten who was married this past Sunday to the Rev. Ralph Cotten, a neighboring United Methodist pastor in Sharpsville.
Retiring
Rev. Bill Blacksmith is retiring as pastor of Highland Church in New Castle effective December 31. Bill and Linda will continue to live in the area and the Presbytery will recognize his honorable retirement at the February 23 meeting at Grove City College.

Grief Support Group
Pastor Hurray of Mountville Presbyterian Church will be leading a Grief Support Group that will begin on Wednesday, January 6th at the church. They will meet for an hour (11 AM to NOON) for six weeks to be a support group that will include reflections on how others deal with grief, sharing our grief, praying about our grief and what the Bible offers to help us with our grief, action plans to deal with our grief and a service for saying not only good bye, but so long! There will be room in the group for sharing. Take home papers will be provided to work on grief at home between meetings. Please call Pastor Hurray to sign up for the group at 724-368-1102.
Bethlehem Experience
All are invited to the Wampum Presbyterian Church for the Bethlehem Experience, a walk through dramatization, on December 12 from 2-4 and 6-8, and also on December 13 from 2-5 PM. This is free and a gift to the community.

Special Christmas Concert

The Wade Raridon Singers (http://www.thesingers.org) will be performing a free Christmas concert, December 13th at 4 PM at Northminster Church, 3424 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA. Featuring many alumni from Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music, the singers will perform pieces by Holst, Shaw/Parker, and other classic choral composers. Their masterful voices will touch your heart in a special way and spiritually bless you. Don’t miss it! Mark your calendars and plan to join Northminster for this special event.

Work Trip to Houma, LA
Mt. Jackson Presbyterian Church is planning our work trip south and would like to invite other churches to join us. This year we are going to the Presbyterian Disaster Camp in Houma, LA. The camp in Pearlington, MS is closed. There are no longer any camps in Mississippi. The dates of the trip are Saturday, February 13 – February 20. They do not start working until Monday. We plan to leave Saturday and arrive in Houma on Sunday. The cost of the camp is $20 per day for room (pod) and meals plus the cost of the vans. We figure it will be approx. $275 pp if you are riding in the vans. Please let us know by December 31 if you want to join us this year for Katrina relief. Please contact Bill Gwin at wlgwin@att.net or 724-667-8321.

Workshops, Conferences and Local Events

Joy to the World! The Music and Poetry of Christmas

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Choir, under the direction of the Rev. George E. Tutwiler, Organist – Choirmaster, will present this musical program on Tuesday, December 15 at 7:30 PM in Hicks Memorial Chapel Sanctuary. It is free and open to the public with a reception immediately following.

Christmas Vespers at Westminster College
“Telling the Story: Lessons & Carols” will be presented on Sunday, December 13, 2009 at 7:00 PM in Orr Auditorium. Come and join us as we celebrate. Rev. Jim Mohr will deliver the message entitled “What Difference Does It Make?” Punch and cookie reception will follow in the art gallery and lobby. Offering proceeds will support the Chapel Office Spring Break Work Trips.

Continuing Education Opportunity
Westminster College will host a live broadcast of “Main Themes in Orthodoxy: How an Ancient Tradition Illumines Our World” presented by Dr. Edith M. Humphrey, the William F. Orr Professor of New Testament, Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. These seminars will take place on January 13, 20, and 27, and the cost to attend at Westminster College is $35.00. For a copy of the brochure, contact the Presbytery Office.

This Week

  • December 1- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW
  • December 5- 12:00 PM Retired Minister’s Christmas Party, Shenango-on-the-Green
  • December 6-8 Sudan Mission Network, Louisville, KY

News from the Presbytery Office

eLink Error

We had to delete a few of the eLinks from August yesterday to protect a missionary’s security, and did not realize that a deletion of information would initiate an eLink of the remaining information. We apologize for any confusion that yesterday’s emergency edit caused.

Excerpts from a Note from Ingrid Reneau in Nairobi, Kenya

“I’m not wholly well, yet, but planning on being so in the very near future because there is a [teacher] training in Pibor [south Sudan] that has begun without me, and I don’t like that in the least bit…I’ve NOT been hospitalized [for walking pneumonia], at least not yet, anyway, praise God…I’m being treated at home…I’ve had to take lots of test though, at Aga Khan Hospital, and to go back to see the doctor on Monday for results…Mostly I have bouts of extreme weakness because of all things, I am very anemic (despite all those PC(USA) luncheons and dinners while in the USA), low grade fever, ongoing sore throat…BUT I will live forever, as you well know…and to at least 100 on this side of the river…I am deeply grateful for the kind affection and warmth coming this way at this time…to God be all the glory, amen…As ever, I live on and for prayers…thanks so much for praying for me…

Letter from Debbie Blane
Rev. Debbie Blane, mission co-worker, has sent her November letter, which will be posted on the Presbytery web site this week. Her blog can be found at http://debbiesjourneycontinues.blogspot.com.

Mission Giving Deadline
It is not too early to begin reminding people that contributions for the year 2009 must be given to the church by December 31, 2009 or mailed in an envelope postmarked December 31, 2009. Monies received after the start of 2010 cannot be attributed to the 2009 year. The deadline for monies sent to the Presbytery office must be postmarked by Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

January 16, 2010 – 13th Annual LeaderFest – Officers and Church Leaders- Save this Date!
Saturday morning – January 16, 2010 LeaderFest at Westminster College. Keynote speaker: Dr. Andrew Purves, Professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. A choice of sixteen seminars on interesting topics. Books on sale from Cokesbury. Lunch in the Witherspoon Dining Hall. Watch for more information coming soon.

News from Our Churches

Christmas Music and Drama

Bethlehem Presbyterian Church invites you to attend “Where Are You Christmas,” a special worship service including music and drama on Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 PM. Dessert reception following. Open to the public, free admission.

Special Christmas Concert
The Wade Raridon Singers (http://www.thesingers.org) will be performing a free Christmas concert, December 13th at 4 PM at Northminster Church, 3424 Wilmington Road, New Castle, PA. Featuring many alumni from Youngstown State University’s Dana School of Music, the singers will perform pieces by Holst, Shaw/Parker, and other classic choral composers. Their masterful voices will touch your heart in a special way and spiritually bless you. Don’t miss it! Mark your calendars and plan to join Northminster for this special event.

Blue Christmas Service
For many people, the approaching Christmas holidays do not bring with them the joy and happiness advertised on television, or in greeting cards. The experience of loss, whether financial, job related, an illness, death, or caused by other stressors can bring with it feelings of sadness or grief. Finding peace can be difficult. New Wilmington Presbyterian Church will be offering a“Blue Christmas Service” on Sunday, December 6th at 6 PM This service will offer an opportunity to gather for a quiet time of hope and celebration in the midst of sadness or grief. This time is less about colored lights, and more about God’s Light which shines into our times of darkness. This worship is less about sparkling holiday cheer, and more about finding quiet, divine holiday strength. Open to the community, we encourage you to invite family or friends who may find the Christmas season a difficult time of year.

Living Nativity: A Christmas Drive-Thru Experience at Westfield Presbyterian Church
(1363 Mt. Jackson Road [Route 108 just west of Mt. Jackson])
On Saturday, December 5 from 6-8 PM. Volunteers will participate as members of the angel choir, live actors, preparing light and sound, working on costumes or setting up over 300 luminaries to light your way. Live animals include donkeys, llama, miniature horse and sheep. This event is a free gift to the community. For directions or more information visit http://www.westfieldchurch.org or call 724-667-7045.

Please Join Us at the Boars Head Festival
Christ Presbyterian Church in Ellwood City will present the Boars Head Festival on December 5, and December 6, 2009. Tickets are FREE. For more information, please contact Christ Presbyterian Church at 724-758-4563.

Work Trip to Houma, LA
Mt. Jackson Presbyterian Church is planning our work trip south and would like to invite other churches to join us. This year we are going to the Presbyterian Disaster Camp in Houma, LA. The camp in Pearlington, MS is closed. There are no longer any camps in Mississippi. The dates of the trip are Saturday, February 13 – February 20. They do not start working until Monday. We plan to leave Saturday and arrive in Houma on Sunday. The cost of the camp is $20 per day for room (pod) and meals plus the cost of the vans. We figure it will be approx. $275 pp if you are riding in the vans. Please let us know by December 31 if you want to join us this year for Katrina relief. Please contact Bill Gwin at wlgwin@att.net or 724-667-8321.

Workshops, Conferences and Local Events

Joy to the World! The Music and Poetry of Christmas

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Choir, under the direction of the Rev. George E. Tutwiler, Organist – Choirmaster, will present this musical program on Tuesday, December 15 at 7:30 PM in Hicks Memorial Chapel Sanctuary. It is free and open to the public with a reception immediately following.

Alternative Gift Market at Westminster College
Alternative Gifts International is a non-profit organization which screens existing agencies working throughout the world in order for consumers/shoppers to purchase shares of their work in honor of someone. The Young Presbyterian Scholars at Westminster College will be holding their 6th annual Alternative Gift Market on Wednesday, December 2nd from 9AM to 9PM in the McKelvey Campus Center on the the Westminster College Campus. Also available for purchase will be fair trade coffees/teas from Equal Exchange (the Presbyterian Coffee Project) and items from the Silk Road, a fair trade market in New Wilmington.

eLink News

This Week

  • November 25- Church & Community Committee, Presbytery Office – CANCELLED!
  • November 26-27 OFFICE CLOSED, Thanksgiving Holiday
  • December 1- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW

News from the Presbytery Office

Prayers

– Ingrid Reneau has walking pneumonia (see note below)
– Walter White is in Montefiore Hospital

Excerpts from a Note from Ingrid Reneau in Nairobi, Kenya

“I’m not wholly well, yet, but planning on being so in the very near future because there is a [teacher] training in Pibor [south Sudan] that has begun without me, and I don’t like that in the least bit…I’ve NOT been hospitalized [for walking pneumonia], at least not yet, anyway, praise God…I’m being treated at home…I’ve had to take lots of test though, at Aga Khan Hospital, and to go back to see the doctor on Monday for results…Mostly I have bouts of extreme weakness because of all things, I am very anemic (despite all those PC(USA) luncheons and dinners while in the USA), low grade fever, ongoing sore throat…BUT I will live forever, as you well know…and to at least 100 on this side of the river…I am deeply grateful for the kind affection and warmth coming this way at this time…to God be all the glory, amen…As ever, I live on and for prayers…thanks so much for praying for me…

Annual Reports
Annual Report Packets were available for pick-up at last week’s Presbytery meeting. Any packets left after the meeting were mailed to the church’s clerk of session on Wednesday.

Mission Giving Deadline
It is not too early to begin reminding people that contributions for the year 2009 must be given to the church by December 31, 2009 or mailed in an envelope postmarked December 31, 2009. Monies received after the start of 2010 cannot be attributed to the 2009 year. The deadline for monies sent to the Presbytery office must be postmarked by Tuesday, January 5, 2010.

Officers and Church Leaders: Save this Date!
Saturday morning – January 16, 2010 LeaderFest at Westminster College. Keynote speaker: Dr. Andrew Purves, Professor at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Many helpful seminars. Cokesbury book store (sorry, no credit cards accepted this year). Lunch included. More information coming in December.

News from Our Churches

An Advent Carillon at Calvin

Calvin Presbyterian Church, Ellwood City, will present “An Advent Carillon” on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 6:00 PM. The hour-long service will be filled with music, pageantry, scripture, choir, organ, bells, bagpipe and chimes. Tickets for the program and catered dinner are $12.00 (children 10 and under $6.00). Program-only tickets are FREE. For tickets and information, contact Calvin Church at 724-758-4258.

Christmas Music and Drama
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church invites you to attend “Where Are You Christmas,” a special worship service including music and drama on Sunday, December 6 at 2:00 PM. Dessert reception following. Open to the public, free admission.

Blue Christmas Service
For many people, the approaching Christmas holidays do not bring with them the joy and happiness advertised on television, or in greeting cards. The experience of loss, whether financial, job related, an illness, death, or caused by other stressors can bring with it feelings of sadness or grief. Finding peace can be difficult. New Wilmington Presbyterian Church will be offering a“Blue Christmas Service” on Sunday, December 6th at 6 PM This service will offer an opportunity to gather for a quiet time of hope and celebration in the midst of sadness or grief. This time is less about colored lights, and more about God’s Light which shines into our times of darkness. This worship is less about sparkling holiday cheer, and more about finding quiet, divine holiday strength. Open to the community, we encourage you to invite family or friends who may find the Christmas season a difficult time of year.

Living Nativity: A Christmas Drive-Thru Experience at Westfield Presbyterian Church
(1363 Mt. Jackson Road [Route 108 just west of Mt. Jackson])
On Saturday, December 5 from 6-8 PM. Volunteers will participate as members of the angel choir, live actors, preparing light and sound, working on costumes or setting up over 300 luminaries to light your way. Live animals include donkeys, llama, miniature horse and sheep. This event is a free gift to the community. For directions or more information visit http://www.westfieldchurch.org or call 724-667-7045.

Please Join Us at the Boars Head Festival
Christ Presbyterian Church in Ellwood City will present the Boars Head Festival on November 28, December 5, and December 6, 2009. Tickets are FREE. For more information, please contact Christ Presbyterian Church at 724-758-4563.

Workshops, Conferences and Local Events

Thanksgiving Praise Breakfast at New Castle Community YMCA
Be joyful and give thanks at the New Castle Community YMCA’s Thanksgiving Praise Breakfast! Tuesday, November 24th at the downtown YMCA. Speaker will be Rev. James R. Gretz, Director, Department for Worship & Master of Ceremonies, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Full complimentary breakfast begins at 8 AM. Reservations requested, but not required, 724-658-4766.

Joy to the World! The Music and Poetry of Christmas
Pittsburgh Theological Seminary Choir, under the direction of the Rev. George E. Tutwiler, Organist – Choirmaster, will present this musical program on Tuesday, December 15 at 7:30 PM in Hicks Memorial Chapel Sanctuary. It is free and open to the public with a reception immediately following.

Alternative Gift Market at Westminster College
Alternative Gifts International is a non-profit organization which screens existing agencies working throughout the world in order for consumers/shoppers to purchase shares of their work in honor of someone. The Young Presbyterian Scholars at Westminster College will be holding their 6th annual Alternative Gift Market on Wednesday, December 2nd from 9AM to 9PM in the McKelvey Campus Center on the the Westminster College Campus. Also available for purchase will be fair trade coffees/teas from Equal Exchange (the Presbyterian Coffee Project) and items from the Silk Road, a fair trade market in New Wilmington.

This Week

  • November 18- 1:00 PM Sudan Team Meeting, Presbytery Office
  • November 25- Church & Community Committee, Presbytery Office
  • November 26-27 OFFICE CLOSED, Thanksgiving Holiday

News from the Presbytery Office

Nominate a Youth Advisory Delegate for GA

Applications and information were mailed to the churches a few weeks ago to nominate YADs for the upcoming GA meeting. Copies of the application are available on the Presbytery website athttp://www.shenango.org/Publications/index.htm.

Grief Ministries Request
Cheryl Waguespack, CLP at Princeton has inquired about churches that have grief ministries. If you can help, please contact Cheryl at chewags@7@hotmail.com.

Support the Work in the Pecos Valley
Many of you heard Adam Soliz speak at Presbytery last evening. If your church (or even a PW group, Sunday school class, etc.) would like to support the work that Adam and his wife Esther do among the Hispanic population in the Pecos Valley of New Mexico, funds can be sent to the Presbytery Office. Please write “Pecos Valley Hispanic Ministries” in the memo space. If you would like more information about the work that is being done in the Pecos Valley, please contact Autumn at the Presbytery Office (724-528-1610 or office@shenango.org) or Jerry Mahaffey (724-794-4383 or jerrymahaffey@zoominternet.net).

News from Our Churches

Reunion For Pecos Valley, New Mexico Travelers – DATE CHANGE

North Liberty Presbyterian Church will be hosting a reunion for everyone who has traveled to the Pecos Valley from our Presbytery on Sunday evening, November 22nd at 6:00 PM. There will be a potluck dinner with a “jam” session and fellowship time to follow. Contact Autumn if you would like more information.

An Advent Carillon at Calvin
Calvin Presbyterian Church, Ellwood City, will present “An Advent Carillon” on Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 6:00 PM. The hour-long service will be filled with music, pageantry, scripture, choir, organ, bells, bagpipe and chimes. Tickets for the program and catered dinner are $12.00 (children 10 and under $6.00). Program-only tickets are FREE. For tickets and information, contact Calvin Church at 724-758-4258.

Blue Christmas Service
For many people, the approaching Christmas holidays do not bring with them the joy and happiness advertised on television, or in greeting cards. The experience of loss, whether financial, job related, an illness, death, or caused by other stressors can bring with it feelings of sadness or grief. Finding peace can be difficult. New Wilmington Presbyterian Church will be offering a “Blue Christmas Service” on Sunday, December 6th at 6 PM This service will offer an opportunity to gather for a quiet time of hope and celebration in the midst of sadness or grief. This time is less about colored lights, and more about God’s Light which shines into our times of darkness. This worship is less about sparkling holiday cheer, and more about finding quiet, divine holiday strength. Open to the community, we encourage you to invite family or friends who may find the Christmas season a difficult time of year.

Workshops, Conferences and Local Events

Paul Rusesabagina will be speaking at Westminster College – Wallace Memorial Chapel on Thursday, November 19th at 8:00 PM
Paul Rusesabagina was the manager of the Sabena Hotel des Mille Collines and Hotel des Dplomates in Kigali, Rwanda during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Mr. Rusesabagina used his influence and connections as temporary manager of the Mille Colines to shelter over 1,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus from being slaughtered by the Interahamwe Militia. Mr. Rusesabagina was portrayed by Don Cheadle in the film HOTEL RWANDAin 2004.

Thanksgiving Praise Breakfast at New Castle Community YMCA
Be joyful and give thanks at the New Castle Community YMCA’s Thanksgiving Praise Breakfast! Tuesday, November 24th at the downtown YMCA. Speaker will be Rev. James R. Gretz, Director, Department for Worship & Master of Ceremonies, Diocese of Pittsburgh. Full complimentary breakfast begins at 8 AM. Reservations requested, but not required, 724-658-4766.

Register for the Calvin Symposium on Worship!
Registration is now open for the Calvin Symposium on Worship, January 28-30, 2010. Pam Maloney and Don and Doris Stanley reported on this continuing education event at the September meeting of Presbytery. You can check it out at http://www.calvin.edu/worship/sympos/2010/.

Alternative Gift Market at Westminster College
Alternative Gifts International is a non-profit organization which screens existing agencies working throughout the world in order for consumers/shoppers to purchase shares of their work in honor of someone. The Young Presbyterian Scholars at Westminster College will be holding their 6th annual Alternative Gift Market on Wednesday, December 2nd from 9AM to 9PM in the McKelvey Campus Center on the the Westminster College Campus. Also available for purchase will be fair trade coffees/teas from Equal Exchange (the Presbyterian Coffee Project) and items from the Silk Road, a fair trade market in New Wilmington.

eLink News – EXTRA

News from the Presbytery Office

Prayers

Elder Dave Lower (Bell Memorial) passed away last evening. Dave has been an active participant in Presbytery life, and was a current member of the Mission, Communication and Stewardship Committee, the Sudan Team, and Bell Memorial’s Missional Church Team. Please keep his family in your prayers.

News from Our Churches

Reunion For Pecos Valley, New Mexico Travelers – DATE CHANGE

North Liberty Presbyterian Church will be hosting a reunion for everyone who has traveled to the Pecos Valley from our Presbytery on Sunday evening, November 22nd at 6:00 PM. There will be a potluck dinner with a “jam” session and fellowship time to follow. Contact Autumn if you would like more information.

Workshops, Conferences and Local Events

Paul Rusesabagina will be speaking at Westminster College – Wallace Memorial Chapel on Thursday, November 19th at 8:00 PM
Paul Rusesabagina was the manager of the Sabena Hotel des Mille Collines and Hotel des Dplomates in Kigali, Rwanda during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Mr. Rusesabagina used his influence and connections as temporary manager of the Mille Colines to shelter over 1,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus from being slaughtered by the Interahamwe Militia. Mr. Rusesabagina was portrayed by Don Cheadle in the film HOTEL RWANDA in 2004.

Official Call to the November 17, 2009 Meeting of Shenango Presbytery

Official Call to the November 17, 2009 Meeting of Shenango Presbytery

The next stated meeting of Shenango Presbytery will be held on Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 6:30 PM at the New Bedford Presbyterian Church.

Highlights of the meeting include:
– Approval of the Ministry and Mission Budget

– Visit from Adam Soliz of La Ezsperanza Para Mi Pueblo, Sierra Blanca Presbytery

– Report from the Presbyterian Women of Shenango Presbytery
– Examination of an Inquirer and a Candidate for ordination.
***Annual Report Packets will be available for pick-up***


Get the docket and council minutes at http://www.shenango.org/News/meeting.htm.

eLink News

This Week

  • November 11- 1:00 PM Christian Education Committee, Presbytery Office
  • November 13- 12:30 PM Preparation for Ministry, Presbytery Office
  • November 14- 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM PMC Continuing Covenant Group, Calvin Church, Zelienople
  • November 17- 630 PM Presbytery Meeting, New Bedford (look for the e-mail announcement tomorrow)

News from the Presbytery Office

Reminder from the Clerk about GA Overtures

Any proposed overtures for GA should be sent to Stated Clerk Jerry Mahaffeybefore the November 17th Presbytery Meeting.

Mission Opportunity

Adam Soliz, Commissioned Lay Pastor in the Pecos Valley of New Mexico will be in our area from November 14-22. There is still some time available in Adam’s schedule – if you would like to have him speak at your church, please contact Autumn at the Presbytery Office (724-528-1610 or office@shenango.org).


Nominate a Youth Advisory Delegate for GA
Applications and information were mailed to the churches a few weeks ago to nominate YADs for the upcoming GA meeting. Copies of the application are available on the Presbytery website athttp://www.shenango.org/Publications/index.htm.


News from Our Churches

100th Birthday

Bethel U.P. Church member Ada White celebrated her 100th Birthday on November 6, 2009. If you would like to send a belated card, her address is 48780 Heck Road, East Palestine, OH 44413.

Reunion For Pecos Valley, New Mexico Travelers
North Liberty Presbyterian Church will be hosting a reunion for everyone who has traveled to the Pecos Valley from our Presbytery on Friday evening, November 20th at 6:00 PM. There will be a potluck dinner with a “jam” session and fellowship time to follow. Contact Autumn if you would like more information.

Jazz at First
First Presbyterian Church of Sharon is pleased to host the jazz quartet “Presbybop” on Sunday, November 15, 7:00 PM. “Presbybop” will present their new CD “Psalms Without Words” at this concert, which is free and open to the public. “Presbybop” is a professional jazz quartet (www.presbybop.com) based in northeastern PA, and led by Presbyterian pastor Rev. Bill Carter. The evening will include an intermission with coffee and desserts, and an after show reception to meet the musicians. Please contact First Presbyterian Church of Sharon (724-981-2211) or visit the church’s website for more information (www.1stpcs.org).

Workshops, Conferences and Local Events

Register for the Calvin Symposium on Worship!
Registration is now open for the Calvin Symposium on Worship, January 28-30, 2010. Pam Maloney and Don and Doris Stanley reported on this continuing education event at the September meeting of Presbytery. You can check it out at http://www.calvin.edu/worship/sympos/2010/.