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Guided by the Holy Spirit, our mission is to equip, support, and connect our congregations as they faithfully serve Jesus Christ in a changing world.
July 27, 2009 Volume 5, Number 29
“It is more important than ever that we know and share our tradition. The risen Christ is actually present in the telling of the Christian story. It is essential that we tell the story—not talk about the story, not give directives based on the story, not modify or abridge the story—but tell the story. We need to tell the story with our words, through our relationships, and in our actions, and to trust its power as a vehicle of Christ’s presence. “
Cassandra D. Carkuff Williams in “Teaching the Tradition”
No “In the Know” Next Week–We will not be publishing “In the Know” next week. We will resume our normal publication schedule on Monday, August 10.
Meet the Author– of the 2009 Presbyterian Women’s study of the book of Joshua.
Dr. Mary Mikhael, President of the Near East School of Theology, will introduce her book, Joshua—a Journey of Faith, at Covenant Presbyterian Church fellowship hall on Thursday, August 6 at Noon. This opportunity will be of particular interest to circle members, Bible study leaders, educators and clergy. Box lunches will be available for $5.00 (if ordered), or you may bring your own bag lunch. Please reserve for lunch by email at: bkurz@comporium.net, or call the Presbytery Office, 803-328-6269 by Friday, July 31.
Don’t Miss the Music for Humanity Concert at Winthrop
Tickets are now available for the 2nd annual Music for Humanity benefit concert on September 5th at 7PM at Barnes Recital Hall, Winthrop University. This year’s show will feature an evening of eclectic music and humor featuring various professional performers, all of whom have donated their time and services. The proceeds will be divided evenly between Habitat for Humanity of York County and Music for Humanity. Tickets are $12 and are available by emailing Penny Sheppard at habitatom@comporium.net or by calling 803-328-1728. They can also be picked up at Habitat’s ReStore located at 825 N Anderson Road, Rock Hill.
Local Response to Economic Crisis
Tirzah Presbyterian (Y) will be hosting a special event called “Hope in the Midst of Crisis.” It includes a panel discussion, a mission fair, and a brief worship service designed to raise awareness of how the economic crisis is affecting people in our communities and how the church and local outreach agencies are being called to respond. The event will be from 3:00-5:00 pm on Sunday, August 23. All churches in Providence Presbytery are invited to attend. Please call Jim Moss at 981-3764 for more information.
Older Adult of the Year Nominations due by Aug. 14!
Older Adult of the Year Nominations are due by August 14. Talk with your session NOW about who you will nominate. Please be sure and complete the section that indicates why you chose your nominee as this information is used to honor your nominee at the event! Submit your Nomination Online or Print the form and mail it to the Presbytery Office. Don’t miss this opportunity to let your older members know they are appreciated! The Annual Older Adult of the Year Luncheon will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 15th at Bethelwoods.
New Cooperative Youth Program Developing
Several youth leaders, pastors, and Bethelwoods staff representatives have been meeting to plan monthly youth events at Bethelwoods. This youth ministry is to be called “Common Ground” and will ordinarily gather on the 1st Sundays of the month at 5:30 pm. Our next planning meeting will be Wednesday, August 12th at 5:30 pm at Bethelwoods with supper provided. Contact Sam McGregor at pastor@allisoncreekchurch.com or Jan Tuthill at jantuthill@hotmail.com for more information.
Deadline Approaching for Leadership Initiative!
Application Deadline is approaching for clergy and lay persons who are interested in becoming transformational, missional leaders in their congregations. You should apply for the Leadership Initiative today. Offered by Mark Tidsworth, leader of our recent Providence Leadership Seminars, the 9-month-long program will provide 1 group coaching session per month, 1 one-on-one coaching session each month, and reading targeted to the LI goals. LI runs from September 2009-May 2010. Read more about the program online.
Elders, Church Leaders, Clergy will Enjoy Fruitful Churches Workshop
Mark your calendar and join Providence Presbytery churches for the Spiritual Foundations for Fruitful Churches Workshop September 26 from 9:30AM-1PM. Joan Gray, author of Spiritual Leadership for Church Officers and moderator for the 217th General Assembly, will lead this important workshop for our churches. Pastors, Elders and other church leaders are encouraged to attend. The workshop will be held at Grace Presbyterian in Lancaster and will include lunch. Cost is $5 per participant. Registration will be available online in August. Wondering if your church would benefit? Click here to find out more about Gray’s program.
CTS Accepting Applications for Clergy Group Study Program
Group project applications are being accepted through September 28 for participation in Columbia Theological Seminary’s S3 (Sabbath, Study and Service) Project. S3 offers small, self-selected groups of clergy and other church professionals the opportunity to design and participate in learning projects that strengthen their practice of ministry. Groups will receive $500 per person to fund their self-directed group work. Participants must attend two retreats: February 2-4, 2010, at the beginning of their year-long project and another at the conclusion in February 2011. The application procedure requires a group proposal and individual applications for each group member. Information and application materials are available online, or by contacting Sarah Erickson at 404-687-4526 or ericksons@CTSnet.edu. Groups will be notified of acceptance by October 16. S3 is funded by the Lily Endowment.
Scholarship Money Available
Remember that Providence Presbytery has scholarship money available for lay people and church staff to attend continuing education events that will benefit your ministry in the local church. Application: http://www.providencepres.org/Communications/forms/leadership%20scholarship.pdf
Visit Montreat in October
Is your church considering a church gathering? Book your fall weekend retreat now! Space is still available for the prime weekends of October 9-11 and October 30-November 1, as well as for additional weekends in November and December. For more information or to book your retreat, contact Helen Sheorn at helens@montreat.org or call 800.572.2257, ext. 314. Don’t forget to contact Your Home in the Mountains, South Carolina Home at Montreat, at www.schomemontreat.org to reserve your room for your stay–(800) 669-7460 (SC/NC only) or email hucck@schomemontreat.org,
Opportunities to Serve
Pianist Needed: Doby’s Bridge Presbyterian Church for choir rehearsals on Wednesday evenings and worship on Sunday mornings. Contact Edgar McCall at 803-547-5240 or email at edgar@dobysbridge.org.
Presbyterian Communities Seeking Chaplain, Florence: www.preshomesc.org
Send resume or PIF to whickman@preshomesc.org. Deadline 8/28/09.
Check out the events below on the Presbytery Calendar–for event details, click on the event!
This Week in Providence Presbytery
7/30 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Unity Presbyterian, Fort Mill)
8/2 Hunger Action Team-6:30 (Presbytery Office)
Coming in the Next Two Weeks
8/3 Nominations Committee-6:30 (Presbytery Office)
8/10 NCD Committee at Faith NCD-6:30 (Faith NCD)
8/12 Educator Luncheon-1PM (The Station, Rock Hill)
8/12 Common Ground Cooperative Youth Program Planning Meeting-5:30(Bethelwoods)
Mark your Calendar!
8/25 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Oakdale Presbyterian, Clover)
9/10 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Mt. Zion Baptist, McConnells)
9/15 Older Adult of the Year Luncheon-10:30AM (Bethelwoods)
9/17 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Flint Hill Baptist, Rock Hill)
9/26 Fruitful Churches Workshop 9:30-1PM (Grace-Lancaster)
9/27 Youth Rally and first Youth Worship Event (Bethelwoods)
10/1 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Union Baptist, Rock Hill)
10/27 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Unity Presbyterian, Fort Mill)
11/5 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Hermon Presbyterian, Rock Hill)
We will not be publishing ITK next week. The next issue will be published on Monday, August 10.
Please submit articles to jill@providencepres.org with In the Know and the date you would like your article to run in the subject line by Friday at 5 PM for the following Monday’s issue.
Providence Presbytery 