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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.
September 21, 2009 Volume 5, Number 36
“Clergy are often tempted to preach about faith. My homiletics professor, the distinguished Lutheran preacher Edmund Steimle, warned us not to do it. He said, ‘You can never get a person to believe by talking to him about faith. If you want your child to make friends with the child down the street, you can talk to her about friendship till you’re blue in the face and it gets you nowhere. What you can do is arrange a meeting where friendship might occur. Or it might not. It is no longer in your hands.’”
Rev. Fleming Rutledge in Help My Unbelief
Dimes for Hunger is coming to your town!
Six churches in Providence Presbytery are hosting Wednesday night suppers to kick off the Dimes for Hunger season in Providence Presbytery in each of the 5 counties of our Presbytery. Please call the Host Church in your County and reserve your place today! UNION County was last week at Mt. Tabor; KERSHAW County Churches are being hosted by CAMDEN SECOND Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Sept 23 at 6:30 pm (803-713-5933 Rev. Joyce Wright, Pastor); LANCASTER County Churches are being hosted by VAN WYCK Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, Sept 23 at 6:30 pm (803-285-1895 Rev Randy McSpadden, Pastor) ;CHESTER County Churches are being hosted by URIEL Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, September 30, at 6:30 (to be confirmed) (803 581-0448 Rev. Fred Powell, Pastor); Eastern YORK County Churches are being hosted by DOBY’S BRIDGE Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, September 30 at 6:00 pm (803-547-5240 Rev. Edgar McCall, Pastor) (This is a corrected date since last week’s In the Know); Western YORK County Churches are being hosted by BETH SHILOH Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, September 30, at 6:30 (803-684-4046 Rev Tom McPhail, Pastor)
Have You Purchased a Quilt Opportunity Ticket?
October 3rd is the day for the Presbytery Quilt created by the Presbyterian Women to be given away. Don’t miss this opportunity to be a part of this fund raising event. The monies raised will go to the Capital Campaign for the benefit of Bethelwoods and Faith New Church Development. If you would like to purchase an opportunity ticket, they are available at the Presbytery office, from Barbara Kurz, and from Harriet Brown. If you need tickets to buy or sell to other church members, Email Harriet at ralphbrown@mybluelight.com and she will get them to you. Thanks to everyone who has helped with this project so far.
Presbyterian Women’s Annual Spiritual Retreat October 3
Many Presbyterians would say that church wouldn’t be “church” without the Lord’s Prayer. Christians the world over begin their mornings or kneel before heading to bed repeating the prayer which they memorized during childhood. At the Providence Presbytery Presbyterian Women’s Annual Spiritual Retreat, participants will encounter Matthew 6:9-13 through the senses of sight, sound and touch. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity on Saturday, October 3, 2009 at Bethelwoods’ Horton Lodge. Registration begins at 9:00AM. All women church members in Providence Presbytery are invited to attend. Lunch and a nursery will be provided at no cost. Those desiring the nursery should contact Shirley Harris at 803-684-3733 by September 25. The Retreat leader will be Rev. Elizabeth McGregor Simmons (sister of Rev. Sam McGregor) who is the minister at Davidson College Presbyterian Church, Davidson, North Carolina. After lunch Ann Barnwell will conduct a workshop on Joshua, our new circle Bible study.
Help Fund the Calvin Scholarship for NEST Seminary Student
The Providence Presbytery Mission Outreach Ministry Team, Presbytery Council and Presbytery have all endorsed the request of the Glocal Committee to seek funding for a four-year scholarship for one student at the Near East School of Theology. We need YOUR help. The cost for training one student for one year is $10,000.00. The program has a four-year requirement. If just 100 of us in Providence Presbytery would commit $100 a year for 4 years, we could reach this goal and in the process make a faith statement to resound for decades to come. A gift of $100 a year is only $25 per quarter or only $8.35 per month. Of course, ALL GIFTS will be appreciated. Please join us as we take this bold step in faith! If you have questions about this opportunity, please call Barbara Kurz, chair of the Glocal Committee, at 329-7362. Read more online.
Metrolina offers Adult, Youth and Children’s Ministry Tracks at October Workshop
Mark your calendars now for Thursday, Oct. 1 at Bethelwoods. Three great tracks to choose from as we “Re-invision Christian Education.” Flyer with online registration is available on the Providence Presbytery website. Please note the change in time. We have tried to respond to the request by some of you to finish up a little earlier in the afternoon as well as utilize the lunch break as a time to process what we’ve learned so far and give an opportunity to ask more questions as we delve deeper after lunch. We are still using PayPal to collect credit card payment for preregistrations, but are doing it a little differently in an attempt to respond to problems in the past. Please note that you will submit your registration to me online and I will send you a confirmation email with the link to pay on PayPal. You are always welcome to mail a check made out to Providence Presbytery to my attention at the address below or call me with a credit card number. We look forward to seeing you on October 1!
Education Opportunities: Remember EEMT offers Leadership Development Scholarships for pastors, church staff and lay persons to attend most educational seminars!
Financial Solutions for Clergy Seminar
Offered by CMC’s Department of Pastoral Care and Education and the United Methodist Church, this free education seminar is designed to give pastors strategies for meeting their financial goals. The event is scheduled for September 26, 10AM-2PM at St. Stephen’s United Methodist in Charlotte. Register by calling 704-355-2218.
Equipping the Saints Seminar
The African American Caucus Group of Trinity Presbytery would like to invite all presbyteries in South Carolina to the Equipping the Saints Seminar. This Seminar will be held at the Calvary Church in Winnsboro on October 10, 2009 from 8:30 A.M. –2:00 P.M. Dr. Mark Lomax, Dean of Johnson C. Smith Seminary in Atlanta and Trinity Presbytery’s Dr. Allen Arnold will be our presenters. Click here for more information and to register. The cost of registration is $10.00. Register by October 1, 2009.
Union-PSCE’s “Faith Seeking Understanding Series” features Rev. Fleming Rutledge
“The Subject of the Sentence: What do We Preach?” is the title for the Union-PSCE at Charlotte Workshop Series, Faith Seeking Understanding to be held October 11-12 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. For More information on this seminar, visit the Union-PSCE Website.
Plan to Attend the 2009 Continuing Education for Commissioned Lay Pastors & Preachers Conference
To be held at Montreat Oct 21-23, this conference brings together the leaders and resources needed by commissioned lay pastors and preachers to enhance and strengthen their ministry of preaching, to better understand congregations, for inspiration, and for networking. Find out more and register online.
Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry Scheduled for November 3-5, 2009
Join IYM at the Kanuga Conference Center in Hendersonville, NC for the Forum on Youth Ministry November 3-5, 2009. Participants will hear innovative lectures, experience inspiring worship, connect with other youth ministry leaders and learn ways to strengthen ministry. For more information or to register, visit us online.
CTS offers 6-Weekend Youth Ministry Training Program
Youth ministry is a calling. Those who answer the call to serve the church as youth leaders — as volunteers, as staff members, as clergy — find their calls strengthened and their ministry supported through participation in lifelong learning events. Acknowledging the need for dynamic, relevant programs that support excellence in youth ministry, the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and Columbia Theological Seminary designed a non-degree program, the Youth Ministry Leadership Initiative (YMLI), for pastors and lay leaders who are committed to developing strong church youth programs. Find out more about this program online.
Imagine a Church that Looks Like God’s Kingdom!
Charlotte’s Regional Multicultural Conference & Festival is coming up this October 30 & 31, 2009. The two-day conference will take place at First Presbyterian Church, Charlotte. The Festival, to be held the afternoon of October 31st, will be at Sugaw Creek Presbyterian Church, Charlotte. Great opportunities for all! Come take part in workshops and multicultural worship, and enjoy ethnic foods, music, dance, and more! Conference details are available online. Register before Sept. 23 for a lower price. If making hotel arrangements at the conference rate, these rooms must also be secured by September 23rd. Also available online is a flyer & volunteer form for the Multicultural Festival, just for the event on the afternoon of Oct. 31st. Join us!
Get the NEW Advent Study Pack for Youth
“Preparing the Way” is The Thoughtful Christian’s NEW four-session Advent study pack for Youth that opens up the rich meanings of love, hope, joy, and peace to help teens look beyond the tinsel during the month of December. Celebrating both the fun of the season and the real needs that people bring to church, this study pack offers a multitude of ways for youth to access the themes of Advent in a deeper way. The Leader’s Guide offers options for dialogue, drama, music, movies, in-depth Bible study, meditation, labyrinth-walking, and service. The four session study is free to subscribers and costs $18 for those churches without a subscription to www.thethoughtfulchristian.com
Mission -Driven Budgeting Approach offered in New Study from Presbyterian Leader
New from The Presbyterian Leader is a 1 session study entitled Mission-Driven Budgeting. The study is free to subscribers, $5 for non-subscribers – see www.thepresbyterianleader.com
World Mission Celebration comes to Providence Presbytery
Hundreds of Presbyterians will gather in Cincinnati, Ohio, October 22-24 for “World Mission Celebration ’09: Branches of the Same Vine,” a conference for people passionate about mission. Come connect with people who share your interests, learn about mission, share wisdom from your mission experience, and embrace your call to mission service and support. You might want to consider sending a representative from your church or presbytery’s mission committee. Register online at www.pcusa.org/missioncelebration or call (888) 728-7228 x5729 to receive registration materials through the mail. Our Presbytery will join the celebration with the visit of two peacemakers to our area. Dr. Ingrid Reneau and Rev. Orozu Lokine Daky will visit October 8-11. Currently scheduled events can be found online.
Presbyterian Foundation Group Sponsors Charlotte Symphony Performance
The Presbyterian Foundation Group is again sponsoring a special performance of the Magic of Christmas by the Charlotte Symphony. In December 2008 the Foundation was blessed with the opportunity to share the joy of the Christmas season with Presbyterians in the Charlotte community. Based on the success of the event last year, the sponsorship will continue this year with a private concert, which will take place on Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 7:30pm in the Belk Theater at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center in Charlotte. Over the last two years, through the cooperation of many churches in the Charlotte area, the Foundation was able to give back over $24,000 to the churches whose members purchased tickets. In the true spirit of Christmas and in appreciation for the support and participation of Presbyterians, the Presbyterian Foundation will again donate proceeds back to participating churches and organizations. Tickets are now available through the Symphony Ticket Office. Call 704-972-2000 or email ValM@charlottesymphony.org. Ticket prices are $25 for Orchestra and $50 for the Grand Tier. (Grand Tier tickets include complimentary parking and a pre-concert VIP reception featuring hors d’oeuvres and desserts.)
Opportunities to Serve
Part Time Church Secretary needed at Purity Presbyterian. Computer skills and office experience required. Send resume to Purity Presbyterian Church, Attention: Personnel Committee, PO Box 278, Chester, SC 29706-0278.
Oakland Avenue Presbyterian Church is looking for an Administrative Assistant to work 28 hours a week who is proficient in Word, Excel, Publisher and Power Point. A working knowledge of ACS Church software is a plus. This person would be responsible to answer phones, greet members/visitors, update prayer board, create brochures, assist with bulletins and monthly newsletter and be able to multitask. Must have great people/communication skills and ready to start immediately. Please send resume to oapc@oapc.net.
Around the Presbytery
The Cane Creek Presbyterian Church will celebrate a 200th anniversary on Sunday September 27th. The service will begin at 11AM and dress will be causal. Dr. Tom Horton will preach. A nursery will be provided and a meal will follow the service. Cane Creek is located in the Santuc community about 9 miles south of Union overlooking highway 215.
Check out the events below on the Presbytery Calendar–for event details, click on the event!
This Week in Providence Presbytery
9/21 Resource Center Preschool Bookmobile—9AM (Lancaster 1st)
9/21 Bethelwoods Ministry Team—5PM (Bethelwoods)
9/21 Presbyterian Women Coordinating Team—6PM (Grace L)
9/22 Administrative Ministry Team—5:30PM (Presbytery Office)
9/23 Salary Studies—7PM (Presbytery Office)
9/24 Resource Center Preschool Bookmobile—11AM (Allison Creek)
9/25 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Oakdale)
9/26 Prayer Fellowship—9:15 (Presbytery Office)
9/26 Fruitful Churches Workshop 9:30-1PM (Grace-Lancaster)
9/27 Youth Rally and first Worship 4 YOUth Event—4-7 (Bethelwoods)
Coming Next Week
10/1 Metrolina Educator Connection—11-3PM (Bethelwoods)
10/1 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Union Baptist, Rock Hill)
10/3 Presbyterian Women Spiritual Retreat—9AM (Bethelwoods)
10/4 Common Ground-A Youth Community—5-7PM (Bethelwoods)
Mark your Calendar!
10/11 World Mission Challenge Peacemaker speaks at Uriel (with Carmel) 9:30AM
10/11 World Mission Challenge Peacemaker speaks at Hermon (ecumenical worship)11:15AM
10/18 Presbytery Meeting –2:30PM(Bethelwoods)
10/27 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Jerusalem Baptist, Fort Mill)
10/30-31 Regional Multicultural Event—Charlotte (More Info)
11/5 Second Harvest Partners Mobile Food Pantry (Hermon Presbyterian, Rock Hill)
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 
thanks for the YMLI mention! Beginning retreat coming up 10/9…beginning retreat+capstone and 6 other courses=lots of good learning.