March eUpdate for Church Leaders

An eUpdate for Church Leaders - March 2023

One Great Hour of Sharing 2023

One Great Hour of Sharing

Promotional Resources for Churches

A gift to One Great Hour of Sharing (OGHS) enables the church to share God's love with our neighbors-in-need around the world by providing relief to those affected by natural disasters, providing food to the hungry, and helping to empower the poor and oppressed.

OGHS benefits Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, and Presbyterian Self-Development of People.

From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

Most congregations receive OGHS on Easter Sunday (this year on April 9), Passion/Palm Sunday, or both, while many receive it throughout Lent.

OGHS has prepared free online resources for churches, which include a leader's guide, worship resources, bulletin inserts, minutes for mission, education curriculum for children, multimedia, and more.

Get the OGHS Resources

Registration is now open for the Presbytery Spring Youth Retreat for students in grades 7-12, April 14-16 at Kirkmont Center, Zanesfield. The retreat is hosted by the Presbyterian Youth Connection (PYC), a network of Presbytery of the Miami Valley.

Learn more and register

2023 Boundaries Training to Fulfill

Required Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training

Three sessions of boundaries training will be offered during 2023 through a partnership between the Synod of the Covenant and its member presbyteries. The boundaries training will be presented by LeaderWise.

The cost of the training is free and available to all members of the presbytery. The cost of the training is covered by the Synod of the Covenant through per capita dollars and by the Presbytery of the Miami Valley (PMV) through connectional support dollars.

CHOOSE YOUR SESSION AND REGISTER

April 25-26, 2023, 1:00 to 3:30 pm ET

October 2-3, 2023, 6:00 to 8:30 pm ET

November 7-8, 2023, 1:00 to 3:30 pm ET

Completing this boundaries training fulfills the Presbytery of the Miami Valley Sexual Misconduct Training requirement for ministers of the Word and Sacrament who are members of the PMV; commissioned ruling elders serving at the direction of the PMV; certified Christian educators serving within the PMV; employees, officers and agents of the PMV; and any other persons working for the presbytery in connection with any of its programs, ministries, organizations or activities, whether paid or unpaid. This training is required at least every five years.

Participants must attend both days of the session they choose to receive credit for completing the program and shall submit a copy of their course completion certificate to Stated Clerk Lynn Bova: statedclerk@miamipresbytery.org.

“42” - A Film Discussion on Zoom

Tuesday, March 14 at 7:00 PM

Hosted by Presbytery of the Miami Valley's

Committee on Representation and Diversity

Join others from around the presbytery for a discussion of the film “42” on March 14 at 7:00 PM on Zoom.

In 1947, Jackie Robinson becomes the first African-American to play in Major League Baseball in the modern era when he was signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers and faces considerable racism in the process.

The film is available in the DVD collection of your local library and online at Prime Video at amazon.com, Netflix, YouTube and other streaming services. Our local film critic Edward McNulty will lead the discussion and has prepared a discussion guide, available when you register.

Registration for the Zoom discussion event is required by March 13. Once you have registered, a Zoom invite to the event and discussion guide will be sent to you.

2023 Women’s Spiritual Nurture Retreat

"Creation: Help! Thanks! Wow!"

April 21-23 at Kirkmont Center

The 2023 Women’s Spiritual Nurture Retreat will be held April 21-23, Friday evening - Sunday morning worship, at Kirkmont Center, Zanesfield. The retreat will be led by the Rev. Dr. Jacqueline Nowak.

Women of all ages are invited to register now for this two-day sabbath retreat, which will reconnect you with God’s miraculous creation, provide ideas to take home, and offer projects which help to restore the earth at Kirkmont Center. There will be laughter and prayer, games and singing, worship and study, all within an atmosphere which honors each participant’s needs and personality.

We will again take an offering for SOTERIA House in Bellefontaine and hear a lunchtime presentation from its director. New this year will be a Shop Spot, a book study and the planting of a Butterfly Garden. You may sign up for everything or choose to do your own thing!

The Women's Spiritual Nurture Retreat is sponsored by Presbytery of the Miami Valley, Xenia United Presbyterian Church, The Blessing Center Collaborative, and Kirkmont Center.

The cost of the retreat is $200, with scholarships available.

Registration

Free CPR/AED Training

Saturday, March 11, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

at Southminster Presbyterian Church

Registration

Study Pilgrimage to Israel/Palestine

November 30 – December 12, 2023

Sponsored by the Presbytery of Scioto Valley

and the Presbytery of the Miami Valley

The Presbytery of Scioto Valley and the Presbytery of the Miami Valley are co-sponsoring a study pilgrimage to Israel/Palestine with an optional extension to Jordan in December 2023.

The trip, which will be led by the Rev. Mary-Gene Boteler and the Rev. Dr. Rick Nutt, will involve traveling to sacred sights and engaging with church and community leaders. Participants should expect to engage in a series of study sessions in preparation for the trip. Registration will be limited to 20. See the brochure and registration form.

For additional information, contact the Rev. Boteler at mgboteler@gmail.com

Download the trip brochure

Download the trip registration form

Summer Camp at Kirkmont Center

Registration is now open for 2023 Summer Camp at Kirkmont Center, Zanesfield.

Eleven camping experiences for all ages are available from June through August.

Camps include Quilt Camps I and II, Beginners Camp, PYC Camp, PYC Jr. Camp, Sports Camp, Adventure Camp, Arts and Crafts Camp, Camp Rejoice, You and Me Camp, and Adult Camp.

Learn More & Register

Christian Ministry Scholarship for Seminary Students

The Oxford Presbyterian Church Deacons are honored to support the ministry and faith formation of our church’s future leaders with the offering of the Gene and Faye Santavicca Christian Ministry Scholarship.

The Santavicca Scholarship was created to help support the education of a person who is pursuing or advancing a vocation in Christian Ministry. Seminary students who are under care of the presbytery of their local church are invited to apply. Apply by June 30.

Learn more and apply

Join with others in Presbytery of the Miami Valley for a time of prayer

Connect with others from around the Presbytery of the Miami Valley for a time of prayer.

On the first Wednesday of the month at noon we will gather, via Zoom, for a time of prayer. This guided time of prayer will allow us to pray for one another, our neighbors, and our world. Those participating will have a chance to share their particular joys and concerns, celebrations, and challenges.

To receive the Zoom link to join in prayer with others in the presbytery:

Email PMV Executive Presbyter Terry Kukuk at ep@miamipresbytery.org .

Apply now for a Presbyterian Undergraduate Scholarship

Awards up to $4000 – Apply by May 15

Apply today for a Presbyterian Undergraduate Scholarship!

Students may be eligible for $4,000 or more from the Presbyterian Mission Agency through the Office of Financial Aid for Service.

Learn more and apply

Presbytery of the Miami Valley PC(USA)

www.miamipresbytery.org