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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 28, 2009 Volume 5, Number 37
“Worship is first and foremost for His benefit, not ours, though it is marvelous to discover that in giving Him pleasure, we ourselves enter into what can become our richest and most wholesome experience in life.” Graham Kendrick
Last Set of Dimes for Hunger Kickoff Wednesdays This Week!
In September, 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. The final groups are meeting this Wednesday. Please call the Host Church in your County and reserve your place today! CHESTER County Churches are being hosted by URIEL Presbyterian Church on Wednesday, September 30, at 6:30 (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); 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).
Be Inspired to Work for Peace and Justice
Our Presbytery will join the World Mission Celebration with the visit of two peacemakers to our area. Dr. Ingrid Reneau and Rev. Orozu Lokine Daky will visit October 8-11. Hear the Peacemakers speak at Winthrop; October 8—7PM at Barnes Recital Hall and October 9—Noon at Presbyterian Student Center. On Sunday, October 11, Reneau and Daky will be filling the pulpits at Uriel (Joint service with Carmel Presbyterian) at 9AM and Hermon at 11:15AM. Please don’t miss these opportunities to hear about the ways God is working in Sudan.
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. See the Quilt!
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.
Be Part of the Presbytery’s Video Christmas Card
Youth Groups, Bible Study Groups, Men’s Groups…anyone! We invite you to join us as we create a Providence Presbytery video Christmas card for our website! Any group in Providence Presbytery is invited to shoot a 30 to 45 second Christmas Card. You can be as creative as you like to share your Christmas wishes or Christmas “commercials” with others in the Presbytery and beyond. Submit your digital movie file (can be QuickTime, Windows Movie File, Flip video…whatever) to jill@kreashuns.com by Nov. 23. In the email, please tell me the following: Subject: Your Church, Your Group Name—Video Christmas Card. Contact person, Contact phone and Contact Email Address. Submissions must be received by November 23rd to be included in the Video to debut at the Presbytery Christmas Open House on December 6 and added to the website. If you have questions, contact Jill Wilson at jill@kreashuns.com or at the Presbytery office, Extension 8.
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!
Presbytery Meeting scheduled for October 18
Don’t miss the upcoming Presbytery Meeting on October 18 at Bethelwoods. Registration begins at 1:30PM. Parking is in the front field with shuttle service to Horton. Handicapped parking is at Horton.
Rob Bell to Appear in Charlotte Oct. 9
How many of the most significant moments in your life came not because it all went right, but because it all fell apart? It is strange how there can be art in the agony…The Drops Like Stars tour is a two hour exploration of the endlessly complex relationship between suffering and creativity—Rob Bell will be in Charlotte October 9th, 8:00 p.m. at Ovens Auditorium. Tickets are $16 per person. Read more online.
Participate in Bread for the World Sunday Oct. 18
There is still time to involve your church or faith community in Bread for the World Sunday on October 18 – or another Sunday in the fall. If you haven’t ordered or downloaded your resources yet, please order them today.
Please Complete Montreat Survey for Meeting Congregation Needs
Please give us five minutes of your valuable time and Help us help you. As you budget and plan for time away at Montreat Conference Center, we want to help by providing the information you need…when you need it! Please take a moment to fill out this brief survey. The more we know about you and your needs, the better we’ll be able to serve you. Thanks in advance!
York County CROPWALK is Easy, Fun, and Really Impacting
Many in our community are hurting and more than ever people are needing food assistance. 25% of the money raised on the walk stays right here in our community and the other 75% goes all over the world. The 75% is designated for Church World Service but if you would rather yours go to a Presbyterian outreach or Heifer International or something like that, you can do that as well. On Wednesday, October 14th Barbara Thomas of the Charlotte area office will be speaking at 7 pm in Tillman Auditorium of Winthrop University. There are two CROPWALKS in the area this year- one in York on October 18th and one in Rock Hill on October 25th. If you would like more info on CROP, please contact Narcie Jeter at winthropwesley@gmail.com or 803-327-5640. T-shirts are $3. For more information go to http://www.winthropwesley.com/CROPWALK/CROPWALK.htm or www.cropwalk.org.
Thornwell Update Available Online
As of this writing, we have 92 children, youth, and college-age young adults enrolled at Thornwell. Six of our college students are away at school, with five pursuing two-year degrees here in the Clinton area. We’ve had ten new admissions over the past few weeks, so please keep these children and their Family Teachers in your prayers as they settle into life here at Thornwell. Read More Online.
Education Opportunities: Remember EEMT offers Leadership Development Scholarships for pastors, church staff and lay persons to attend most educational seminars!
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. 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: “The Subject of the Sentence: What do We Preach?” October 11-12 at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte. For More information on this seminar, visit the Union-PSCE Website.
2009 Commissioned Lay Pastors & Preachers Conference: October 21-23 at Montreat, bringing together the leaders and resources needed by commissioned lay pastors and preachers to enhance and strengthen ministries. 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. For more information or to register, visit us online.
CTS offers 6-Weekend Youth Ministry Training Program
Youth ministry is a calling. 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.
“Emergence NOW” event at Columbia Theological Seminary, January 26-29
“Emergence NOW,” Columbia Theological Seminary’s annual January Seminars, takes place January 26-28, 2010, on the seminary campus in Decatur, GA. Leaders include acclaimed editor, author, and lecturer Phyllis Tickle, along with pastor and moderator of the PC (USA) Bruce Reye-Chow, and author/ theologians Tony Jones and Philip Clayton Jones. Barbara Brown Taylor, renowned preacher and author, will lead worship on Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning. Offered by the Center for Lifelong Learning, “Emergence NOW” will feature plenary sessions, daily worship, and workshops. The $265 program fee includes two lunches. More information and online registration for the event and housing is available here. You may also register by calling 404.687.4587.
Around the Presbytery
Tirzah Presbyterian (York County) invites you to their Fall Bazaar – October 17th, 8AM-3PM in the Fellowship Hall. They will have crafts, vendors, baked goods, frozen foods, breakfast (provided by the Men of the Church) and lunch (provided by the Youth), an Opportunity to Win, and a Silent Auction. The event will feature 23 vendors and the congregation has been busy making crafts. All funds go toward the church’s D.C. Mission Trip scheduled for June 2010. Tirzah is located just off Highway 161 between Newport and York.
Opportunities to Serve
- The Clover Presbyterian Church is looking for our next Director of Christian Education. We are committed to providing educational opportunities that are thoughtful and engaging, encouraging and challenging; programs that build up the Body of Christ, and strengthen the bonds of covenant faithfulness that make us Christ’s community of witness. We are seeking a faithful, talented, and energetic person to lead our Educational Ministries. If you think you might be that person review our position description here: http://www.cloverpres.org/f/docs/DCE-CloverPresbyterianChurch.pdf and submit your resume to our search committee (Attn: DCE Search Committee, 202 Kings Mountain Street, Clover, SC 29710).
- 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.
Check out the events below on the Presbytery Calendar–for event details, click on the event!
This Week in Providence Presbytery
9/28 Preparation for Ministry—5:30PM (Presbytery Office)
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)
Coming Next Week
10/5 Resource Center Bookmobile—9AM (Lancaster First)
10/8 Peacemakers Speak at Winthrop—7PM (Barnes Recital Hall, Winthrop Campus)
10/9 Peacemakers Luncheon—Noon (Presbyterian Student Center, Winthrop)
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
Mark your Calendar!
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 
