The Presbytery of Shenango

SHOWCASE online now

Although we didn’t have enough submissions for an entire issue of SHOWCASE, we do have three items of interest that are now online for you to read.

Resource Center News – Late Fall Edition
LeaderFest Registration Brochure
Commitment to Peacemaking flyer

All of these publications are available as PDFs and can be downloaded on our SHOWCASE page at http://www.shenango.org/Publications/showcase.htm.

eLink Update – December 10, 2008

Calendar Correction
There will be no Committee on Ministry meeting on Tuesday. The next meeting is scheduled for January 20th.

Prayers
david bailey will be having surgery today at 3:00 PM to prepare him for starting treament testing next week.

This Week:
December 10- 12:00 PM Missional Church Luncheon for Pastors, West Middlesex PC
1:00 PM Christian Education Committee, Presbytery Office
December 11- 1:00 PM Sudan Team, Presbytery Office
December 16- Committee on Ministry, Neshannock, NW

Featured Headlines from Previous Weeks
Full text available on our blog at http://www.shenango.org/spnews.html
– Tax Tips for Ministers and Churches Teleconference December 11, 2008
– Spread the Warmth – collection for the area homeless youth at the Silk Road Market
– Calvin Symposium on Worship – January 29-31, 2009 Grand Rapids, MI

Prayers
– Roberta Finney, longtime friend of the Presbytery and PW member, passed away this past weekend. The funeral service will be held tomorrow morning at Bethany Presbyterian Church in Mercer.
– Doug Etter will be reporting to the 112th Infantry Battalion out of Philadelphia and joining the 56th Brigade at Camp Shelby in Mississippi for deployment to Iraq in January.

Joys
Bethany Presbyterian Church celebrated Jim Leuenberger’s 25th ordination anniversary this past Sunday.

Didn’t Get Your Donation in Yet for Darfur? There is Still Time!
The church in Sudan wants to take a special Christmas gift of food to the displaced persons in Darfur. You can still participate in this offering by contacting the presbytery office by Monday, December 15th and letting us know the amount of your church’s gift. We will contact SPEC that week and inform them of the total amount collected, so that they know how much money can be spent for the food. Please send your church’s gift to the presbytery office soon after that and it will be wired to Sudan in January.

Who is Russ Crabtree?
Russ Crabtree will be the Keynote speaker at this year’s LeaderFest on January 17, 2009 at Westminster College. As the co-founder and president of Holy Cow! Consulting, he has extensive experience in assisting organizations with planning, mediation, problem-solving, and training. An Episcopalian executive wrtoe this about Russ: “Through his long experience in the construction and interpretation of effective survey instruments, Russ Crabtree has been able to draw wisdom and truth from numbers…If you are looking for a powerful leader who will open your eyes to new possibilities or someone who is clear about the dynamics of healthy leadership, I recomment Russ Crabtree.” Win Lewis, Episcopal Diocese of Southern Virginia.

Lay Pastor Training
The next opportunity for training as a lay pastor begins in early 2009. Registration is due by the end of December. There are 3 persons from Shenango Presbytery planning to participate. You could share a ride with them to classes in Pittsburgh. Contact Jim Davison JDavison@pts.edu or contact the Presbytery Office for more details.

Want to Study the Bible in Greek?
Aaron Christy (Sharon) and Kang Na are organizing a group to read Greek. The group will move at a slower than academic class pace, decide on a workbook, and will meet no more than once every 2 weeks. Anyone interested could contact Aaron at dym@1stpcs.org or 724-981-2211 x4.

Preaching Events at PTS
Preaching as a Sacred Conversation: How to Give Sermons and How to Listen to Them will be offered on January 7, 14 and 21. This program will take place from 7:00 – 8:30 PM on these Wednesday evenings and will be broadcast live to three remote locations. It will focus on preparation and delivery of sermons, as well as how to make hearing sermons more inspirational and valuable. To register ($45/0.4 CEU), contact the Office of Continuing Education by calling 412-441-3304 ext. 2196 or e-mailing coned@pts.edu.

eLink News – December 2, 2008

Featured Headlines from Previous Weeks
Full text available on our blog at http://www.shenango.org/spnews.html
– Tax Tips for Ministers and Churches Teleconference December 11, 2008
– Spread the Warmth – collection for the area homeless youth at the Silk Road Market
– A Pittsburgh Seminary Student Pastor at Your Church
– Letter from Sudan Missionaries Del and Debbie Braaksma
– Calvin Symposium on Worship – January 29-31, 2009 Grand Rapids, MI

Prayers
– david bailey has received word that the brain cancer has returned. It is treatable, and they “have better weapons now”. Please continue to keep david, his family and doctors in your prayers.

Special Reminder
Don’t miss Rev. Daniel Hamad’s inspirational stories from Darfur. Daniel is here for a brief visit. Please bring a couple of friends to hear Dr. Ken Bailey interview him and entertain your questions:
· 7:00 pm on Wednesday at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church
· 10:00 am on Thursday at Tower Presbyterian Church (Grove City)
The compelling story of what God is doing in the Sudan is important for all to hear.

The church in Sudan wants to take a special Christmas gift of food to the displaced persons in Darfur. You can bring financial gifts to the two meetings. If your church is not able to gather a gift before the events on December 3rd or 4th, you can still participate in this offering by contacting the presbytery office by Monday, December 15th and letting us know the amount of your church’s gift. We will contact SPEC that week and inform them of the total amount collected, so that they know how much money can be spent for the food. Please send your church’s gift to the presbytery office soon after that and it will be wired to Sudan in January.

Alternative Gift Market at Westminster College
Solve your gift giving problems and learn something along the way – you will be able to buy food for the hungry, care for the sick, shelter for the homeless, renewal for our endangered planet, and much more – truly meaningful alternatives to the usual holiday gifts. Wednesday, December 3rd from 9 AM until 9 PM in the McKelvey Campus Center at Westminster College. 90% of the money raised for AGI’s projects goes directly to support relief and development around the world. All donations are tax-deductible.

Intersted in the Missional Church Conversation?
13 congregations have participated in the Missional Church conversation. A new Partnership for the Missional Church (PMC) Cluster will begin next September. You are encouraged to take a look at what is happening. Go to http://www.shenanog.org/PMC/index.htm where you will find the following:
– an Invitation to pastors for the next lunch conversation on Decmeber 10
-links to brief articles, websites, and books on the missional church
– a list of friends and colleagues in neighboring churches who can tell you about their experiences in missional church.
Your session can request an introductory presentation about PMC in early 2009. Contact david.dawson@presbynet.org.

Save this date – January 17, 2009 – Presbytery’s annual LeaderFest at Westminster College!
At LeaderFest 2009, the Keynote address, “Leadership in an Age of Choices” will be presented by Russ Crabtree. He says that we are living in an environment in which people have choices. This creates pressure on churches to take seriously the quality of the experience that they are creating for those who live within them. Providing high quality experiences for people requires leadership skills that foster the development of a spiritual “field” within the Body of Christ in which people are strengthened, healed, and energized. For most churches, this requires a change from solving problems to shifting a culture. Churches have thousands of problems, but solutions are few. This keynote address will focus on these solutions.

Our Freedom of Religion at Risk: A Presbyterian Crisis
This convocation will be held in Pittsburgh on Thursday, February 19 from 2;00 – 5:30 PM. It is also available in a live interactive online format. For information and registration you can go to this website: http://www.presbyterianconvocation.org/.

Hurricane Relief Mission Trip – February 21 – March 1, 2009
Area churches are organizing a mission trip back to Pearlington, MS. Some of us were there in 2006, 2007 & 2008. This is a very poor and marginalized community with many recovery needs. They are in the rebuilding phase. We will be staying at PDA camp #6. The cost of the camp is $20 a day. If you need transportation, please let us know. We are renting 15 passenger vans. The cost is $150 per person for the vans. If you are interested, please contact Bill Gwin 724-667-8321 wlgwin@att.net, Gary Barr 724-667-8324 or Tom Kaufman 724-651-4323 tek114@zoominternet.net.

Christmas Concert at PTS
“Joy to the World” The Music and Poetry of Christmas will be presented at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, December 16th at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

29th Year for Boar’s Head Festival at Christ Presbyterian Church
The presentation is 1 hour of music and pageantry celebrating the birth of Christ. This year’s performances are November 29 at 7 PM and December 6 and 7 at 5 and 7 PM. Tickets are “free” for this wonderful event and details for requesting tickets, along with a short history of this event, are available on the Presbytery’s “News & Events” page.

Your World. Your Chance to Make It Better.
Slippery Rock University is accepting applications for the Connector Corps AmeriCorps program. AmeriCorp offers opportunities for adults of all ages and backgrounds to serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups. Currently, positions exist in New Castle, Grove City and Ellwood City – and involve designing after-school programs, reading and math support in elementary schools, tutoring homeless children and much more. Read the full ad on the “News & Events” page of the Presbytery website, or contact Lisa Russo, Americorps Program Coordinator, at 724-738-6280 or lisa.russo@sru.edu.

eLink News EXTRA – December 1, 2008

Special Reminder

Don’t miss Rev. Daniel Hamad’s inspirational stories from Darfur. Daniel is here for a brief visit. Please bring a couple of friends to hear Dr. Ken Bailey interview him and entertain your questions:
· 7:00 pm on Wednesday at New Wilmington Presbyterian Church
· 10:00 am on Thursday at Tower Presbyterian Church (Grove City)
The compelling story of what God is doing in the Sudan is important for all to hear.

eLink News – November 25, 2008

This Week
November 25– 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock NW
November 27-28 – OFFICE CLOSED, Thanksgiving Holiday
December 1-2 – Sudan Mission Network, Louisville, KY

Survey for LeaderFest – Time’s Almost Up to Complete This!
Russ Crabtree, keynote speaker for Leaderfest in January and director of “Holy Cow! Consulting” has asked the Presbytery Council to offer a survey to leaders in our congregations and Presbytery. This survey will help him prepare for his presentation at Leaderfest in January. Please click on the link below and complete the survey at your leisure (before the end of November) so that the results can be compiled. There are no right or wrong answers to the questions. Russ would like to know your opinion.Here is the link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=tN2JqCpvkD4x_2fwP2LiWJVw_3d_3d

Featured Headlines from Previous Weeks
Full text available on our blog at http://www.shenango.org/spnews.html
– Tax Tips for Ministers and Churches Teleconference December 11, 2008
– Spread the Warmth – collection for the area homeless youth at the Silk Road Market
– A Pittsburgh Seminary Student Pastor at Your Church
– Letter from Sudan Missionaries Del and Debbie Braaksma
– Calvin Symposium on Worship – January 29-31, 2009Grand Rapids, MI

Prayers
– david bailey is recovering from his brain surgery and is awaiting results of the biopsy. Please pray for david and his family, and his doctors. David has been cancer free for 12 years.

Interested in Carpooling to the Equipping Pastors Retreat in Ligonier?
There are interested parties in both Ellwood City and Grove City – if you would like to share a ride, please contact Rev. Teresa Kendall at 724-752-8892.

Rev. Daniel’s Visit: Special Advent Blessing
Don’t miss a brief visit from Rev. Daniel from the Sudan. He leads the Darfur Mission Committee work and has been there 40 times in the past 3 years. The church in Sudan wants to take a special Christmas gift of food to the displaced persons in Darfur. You can bring financial gifts to the two meetings. Ken Bailey will interview Rev. Daniel at the following public gatherings:
7 PM on Wednesday, December 3 at New Wilmington Church
10 AM on Thursday, December 4 at Tower Church (Grove City)

Alternative Gift Market at Westminster College
Solve your gift giving problems and learn something along the way – you will be able to buy food for the hungry, care for the sick, shelter for the homeless, renewal for our endangered planet, and much more – truly meaningful alternatives to the usual holiday gifts. Wednesday, December 3rd from 9 AM until 9 PM in the McKelvey Campus Center at Westminster College. 90% of the money raised for AGI’s projects goes directly to support relief and development around the world. All donations are tax-deductible.

How Presbyterians Came to Western PA
An historical drama (The Circle of Hope) depicting how the Rev. John McMillan came from Philadelphia to western Pennsylvania to establish churches in 1776 will air on Thanksgiving Day. This is part of the 250th celebration of Pittsburgh. You can see this program on WTAE (channel 4) at 12:30 PM on Thanksgiving Day. To view a scene from the film, go to the following link and click on the second video file (bottom of the page). http://www.pmm4u.org.

an Invitation to pastors for the next lunch conversation on Decmeber 10
links to brief articles, websites, and books on the missional church
a list of friends and colleagues in neighboring churches who can tell you about their experiences in missional church.

Your session can request an introductory presentation about PMC in early 2009. Contact david.dawson@presbynet.org.

A Continuing Education Opportunity – 1 Week Leader’s Intensive
The annual 1-week Leader’s Intensive Perspectives on the World Christian Movement class of pastors, missionaries, and other Christian workers will be January 20-28, 2009 at Mt. Sequoyah Retreat and Conference Center in Fayetteville, Arkansas. For information see http://www.perspecitives.org/atf/cf/%7B1EB5210-3B12-4790-9F8C-D025aE89B1A99%7D/Leaders_Intensive_Details-2009.pdf.

Lawrence County Habitat for Humanity
In September 2007, Lawrence County Habitat dedicated house #14, bringing the total number of people living in Habitat homes in Lawrence County to 50. Presbyterians provide a large percentage of the time and money.

Christmas Concert at PTS
“Joy to the World” The Music and Poetry of Christmas will be presented at 7:30 PM on Tuesday, December 16th at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.

Info Request from Jamestown PC
The Jamestown Presbyterian Church is considering hiring a part-time Director of Youth Ministries. If your church employs a Youth Director – either full-time or part-time – they would appreciate having a copy of that person’s job description so that they don’t have to “start from scratch.” Please either c-mail to pastordons@hotmail.com or snail-mail to Don Stanley, 411 Liberty St., Jamestown, PA 16134. Thanks!

Share in a Booklet Order
The Jamestown Presbyterian Church will soon be ordering “About Being Presbyterian” booklets from Channing Bete Company. These are great resources for introducing folk to the Presbyterian Church, and cost less when ordered in quantity. If your church would like to share in the order, thus increasing the number ordered and reducing the price, either e-mail pastordons@hotmail.com or snail mail Don Stanley, 411 Liberty St., Jamestown, PA 16134, with your request.

New CE Blog
Want to know what’s happening with the Christian Education Committee of Presbytery? Check out their new blog at http://spcenews.blogspot.com/. You’ll find information regarding Christian Education in the Presbytery and links to resources for Children’s, Youth, and Adult Ministries that you can use for your programs.

NWMC Mailing
Watch your mail for the arrival of the light blue packet from the New Wilmington Mission Conference. There are 3 brochures and registration forms in the packet – one for the Christian Educator, one for the Youth Leader, and one for the Mission Committee. Visit the web site to view a Power Point about the conference: http://www.NWMCmission.org.

eLink – EXTRA

Please keep david bailey (musical friend of Presbytery and son of Ken and Ethel) and his family in your prayers. He will be undergoing surgery on Thursday to remove a cyst that is putting pressure on his brain.

eLink News – November 18, 2008

This Week
November 18- 5:00 PM Bills & Overtures Committee, Eat ‘n Park Restaurant, Hermitage
6:30 PM Presbytery Meeting, Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, Sharon
November 19- 12:00 PM Missional Pastors Lunch, Presbytery Office
November 20- 2:30 PM Sudan Trip Meeting, Presbytery Office
November 25- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry, Neshannock NW
November 27-28 – OFFICE CLOSED, Thanksgiving Holiday

Featured Headlines from Previous Weeks
Full text available on our blog at http://www.shenango.org/spnews.html

– Tax Tips for Ministers and Churches Teleconference December 11, 2008

– Spread the Warmth – collection for the area homeless youth at the Silk Road Market

Interested in Carpooling to the Equipping Pastors Retreat in Ligonier?

There are interested parties in both Ellwood City and Grove City – if you would like to share a ride, please contact Rev. Teresa Kendall at 724-752-8892.

Joys
– Calvin Church celebrated Jim Latta’s 25th Ordination Anniversary with a dinner last Friday evening.

Rev. Daniel’s Visit: Special Advent Blessing
Don’t miss a brief visit from Rev. Daniel from the Sudan. He leads the Darfur Mission Committee work and has been there 40 times in the past 3 years. Ken Bailey will interview Rev. Daniel at the following public gatherings:

7 PM on Wednesday, December 3 at New Wilmington Church
10 AM on Thursday, December 4 at Tower Church (Grove City)

Mission Networks
This good article, http://missional.info/?p=88 by the presbytery executive in Carlisle Presbytery is worth a read. The Sudan Mission Network (Shenango, Redstone, Trinity presbyteries) was the first network beginning 14 years ago. It will next meet in Louisville on December 1-2 with Jim Leuenberger, Miriam Gwin, Betsy Barr and Dave Dawson attending.

A Pittsburgh Seminary Student Pastor at Your Church
Would you like to be a “teaching church?” A student could possibly be available (especially Lawrence County churches closer to East Liberty) for 10 hours a week for a recommended minimum compensation of $300.00 per month. For more information contact Carolyn Jones cjones@pts.edu 412-362-5610 x2130.

Letter from Sudan Missionaries Del and Debbie Braaksma
Learn about the Presbyterian work in south Sudan by clicking on this link. http://www.pcusa.org/missionconnections/letters/braaksmad/braaksmad_0811.htm.

A Financial Request
Nasser Barakat, a Sudanese minister, who spent some time in Shenango Presbytery a few years ago is now living in Florida. He and his wife have two children and are in serious financial circumstances. He has requested some help for a few months. Anyone who would like to help can get more detailed information by contacting Walt Freson (724-752-3332, wfreson@zoominternet.net) or Dave Lower (724-752-9348, dhlower412@yahoo.com).

Calvin Symposium on Worship – January 29-31, 2009
Grand Rapids, MI – worship planners, pastors, musicians, artists, scholars and worshipers from more than 30 denominations and countries in dialogue featuring over 70 presenters. More information and registration at http://www.calvin.edu/worship.

Info Request from Jamestown PC
The Jamestown Presbyterian Church is considering hiring a part-time Director of Youth Ministries. If your church employs a Youth Director – either full-time or part-time – they would appreciate having a copy of that person’s job description so that they don’t have to “start from scratch.” Please either c-mail to pastordons@hotmail.com or snail-mail to Don Stanley, 411 Liberty St., Jamestown, PA 16134. Thanks!

New Castle Community YMCA Thanksgiving Praise Breakfast
Tuesday, November 25th at the downtown YMCA. Open to the community- an opportunity to join together with people from various walks of life, backgrounds and denominations to worship together and give thanks. Speaker: Pastor Mark Kaufman, Jubilee Ministries International. Full breakfast begins at 8 AM – reservations requested, but not required 724-658-4766 by Nov. 24.

eLink Correction

Phone Number Correction
Lawrence County Commissioners Present: Neighborhood Connections: Bridging the Gap Between Government Services and Faith-based Missions
Who: Lawrence County Clergy, Deacons, Congregations and Community Support ContactsWhere: New Castle High SchoolWhen: Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PMWhat: Lawrence County Community Action Partnership in cooperation with the Lawrence County Commissioners are hosting a meeting for faith-based organizations offering information on the various agencies and available emergency assistance for low-income individuals and families. A round-table discussion of the services offered through Lawrence County providers will take place targeting: Housing Options, Counseling, Food Needs, Utility Needs. For more information, contact Lawrence County Community Action Partnership:
1-888-252-5104 or check out http://www.lccap.org.

eLink – November 11, 2008

This Week
November 12– 10:00 AM Church & Community Committee, Presbytery Office
1:00 PM Christian Education Committee, Presbytery Office
3:30 PM Nominating Committee, Presbytery Office
November 13- 1:30 PM Evangelism Committee, Presbytery Office
November 14- 12:30 PM Preparation for Ministry Committee, Presbytery Office
November 18- 5:00 PM Bills & Overtures Committee, Eat ‘n Park Restaurant, Hermitage
6:30 PM Presbytery Meeting, Bethlehem Presbyterian Church, Sharon

Survey for LeaderFest
Russ Crabtree, keynote speaker for Leaderfest in January and director of “Holy Cow! Consulting” has asked the Presbytery Council to offer a survey to leaders in our congregations and Presbytery. This survey will help him prepare for his presentation at Leaderfest in January. Please click on the link below and complete the survey at your leisure (before the end of November) so that the results can be compiled. There are no right or wrong answers to the questions. Russ would like to know your opinion.Here is the link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=tN2JqCpvkD4x_2fwP2LiWJVw_3d_3d

Featured Headlines from Previous Weeks
Full text available on our blog at http://www.shenango.org/spnews.html
– Barry Almy Raising Funds for Medical Mission
– Check out Ingrid Reneau’s blog at http://sudanseed.blogspot.com
– Changed Lives – an update form Constructores para Cristo

Tax Tips for Ministers and Churches Teleconference
December 11, 2008 from 3:00 – 4:00 PM EST.Join the Board of Pensions for this web-enhanced teleconference, a free event that helps ministers and churches understand clergy taxes. You can register online or by phone at 800-355-4487. You can also submit your tax questions when you register for this conference. Space is limited, so sign up today. Registration ends November 21.

Lawrence County Commissioners Present: Neighborhood Connections: Bridging the Gap Between Government Services and Faith-based Missions
Who: Lawrence County Clergy, Deacons, Congregations and Community Support Contacts
Where: New Castle High School
When: Saturday, November 15, 2008 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
What: Lawrence County Community Action Partnership in cooperation with the Lawrence County Commissioners are hosting a meeting for faith-based organizations offering information on the various agencies and available emergency assistance for low-income individuals and families. A round-table discussion of the services offered through Lawrence County providers will take place targeting: Housing Options, Counseling, Food Needs, Utility Needs. For more information, contact Lawrence County Community Action Partnership: 1-800-252-5104 or check out http://www.lccap.org.

Spread the Warmth – collection for the area homeless youth at the Silk Road Market
The Silk Road Market is trying to help the 1500 school-age children who are homeless in our area to have a warmer winter. Please bring your donations of hats, gloves, and scarves (child size medium and large and adult sizes are the best) to the Silk Road Market in New Wilmington between now and December 20th. Read the full ad on the “News” page of the Presbytery website.

Mission Fair at Jamestown
Join the Jamestown Presbyterian Church on Sunday, November 16 from 1:00 – 3:30 and do your Christmas shopping early as representatives from Heifer International, the Sudan Partnership, Kenya Children’s Project, Greenville Downtown Ministries and other mission groups share information on the work they are doing throughout the world. A Greater Gift and Slovak Folk Crafts will have “wonderful goodies” for purchase. Purchase gifts that show the real meaning of Christmas and help people around the world to have a better life. A light lunch will be served in the dining room immediately following worship and there will be a silent auction and entertainment throughout the day.

Organist Wanted
Bethlehem Presbyterian Church in Sharon is looking for an organist. If you or someone you know is interested, please call Eleanore O’Hare at 330-448-8369.

Outdoor Nativity Set Wanted
Calvin Church, Ellwood City is looking for a large outdoor nativity scene/set. It could be up to life-size. Please contact Rev. Latta at 724-816-9550.

Prayer & Praise Spaghetti Dinner
Saturday, November 15, 2008 4:30 – 6:30 PM at Bethel UP Church Fellowship Hall for Susan McDowell Krauss who will be having a bone marrow transplant November 25. Free will offering taken at the door with 100% going to Susan.

How About Liver and Onions???
A favorite of some, but not of others!!!! Clen-Moore Presbyterian Church will be having a liver and onions dinner on November 22 at 6 PM. The menu will include liver and onions, mashed potatoes, gravy, vegetable, and Steve’s famous apple crisp for dessert. All proceeds will go to help in mission projects. Plan to come and enjoy the fellowship and great food. Tickets MUST be bought in advance or reservations made at the church office before November 18, 2008. See you there. Cost is $6.00.