Joyful Celebrations around Foothills Presbytery | |
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JUNETEENTH Celebration at
Mattoon Presbyterian (Greenville)
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Presbytery Staff Development Day (above)
CRE Commissioning Service for
Robin Morris (right)
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Ordination & Installation of the Rev. Will DeLaney, Belton church | |
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Workshop for Ruling Elders:
Saturday, August 24th
9:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Is your congregation between pastors and you’ve been asked to be a worship leader?
- Is your Pastor asking you to be prepared to preach in case of an emergency?
- Are you curious about how to even start writing a sermon?
This workshop is designed for Ruling Elders who have not previously written a sermon. We will provide a basic understanding of how to write your first sermon.
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Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism, by Bryan Kaylor & Beau Underwood. Chalice Press, 2024. (261.7 Kaylor)
"In the face of a rising threat to both church and democracy, Baptizing America provides an urgent examination and an enlightening critique exposing the dangerous undercurrents of Christian Nationalism. How can Mainline Protestants spot such practices in their own activities?
“Christian Nationalism presents an existential threat to both Christ's church and American democracy. Now is the time--before it is too late--to reckon with all the places its pernicious influence arises. On full display in recent elections, Christian Nationalism also exists in sanctuaries where an American flag has been displayed for decades, when we pledge allegiance to one nation 'Under God,' or when the U.S. is called a Christian nation. Baptizing America critiques the concept of civil religion, arguing that such expressions are far more dangerous than we realize. Mainline Protestant congregations will likely recognize themselves in the overlooked expressions of Christian Nationalism that pop up in the activities of both church and state.”
—Publisher's description
The book’s description on the Resource Center’s website includes links to a 32-page excerpt on Google Books; a statement from the publisher about why Chalice Press is publishing this title; and a video of a discussion on June 4 with Diana Butler Bass, Rev. Adrian Thorne (Riverside Church, NYC), Dr. Andrew Whitehead, and the co-authors.
A book review by Amy Pagliara appears in the June 2024 issue of Presbyterian Outlook but had not yet been published online as of 6/19/24.
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Youth Leaders Roundtable
Our next meeting is
Thursday, August 1,
10 - 11:30 am.
Location TBD
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Music Ministry
Leaders
Our next gathering in 9 am on Wednesday, August 14 by Zoom.
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Christian Educators Gathering
Our next gathering is Monday, August 19. Location TBD
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General Assembly 226
The 226th General Assembly of PC(USA) begins June 25th.
Observer registration is now open. There is an online option.
Please click here to learn more.
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Thank you to our
General Assembly Commissioners & Delegate
who will represent Foothills next week:
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Reverend Pressley Cox
Foothills Presbytery
Committee: Financial Resources
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Elder Kathy Lyles
Easley
Committee: Mid-Councils
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Reverend Colin Pettigrew
Fort Hill
Committee: General Assembly Entity Coordination
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Elder Anthony Dawson
Mattoon
Committee: Race, Sexuality, and Gender Justice (Vice- Moderator)
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Young Adult Advisory Delegate Eva Grow
Fourth
Committee: Ecumenical and Interfaith Partnerships
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Session Minutes Reading
Dear Pastors and Clerks of Session,
Our final date for reading Session Minutes is
Thursday, June 27, 12 noon, at the Foothills Presbytery office.
If you are unable to attend this final gathering, you may drop off your 2023 Session Minutes at the Presbytery Office, 2242 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville. You may also contact Robin Morris at the Presbytery Office to make other arrangements. (Email is rmorris@foothillspresbytery.org or telephone: 864.288.5774.)
Please complete two forms that you will bring with your minutes to the review.
(Click on the title of each form below to open the document.)
1. Clerk’s Session Minutes Review Form
2. Financial Review & Audit Form
Thank you for your continued service to the church and for your faithful work as a Clerk.
Grace and Peace,
Representation & Review Committee
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Our digital resource guides are created to help simplify your resource research!
Use our Group Study Guide to find books and study series for adult groups to study the Bible, deepen their spirituality, and discuss how their faith is reflected in today’s world.
The Presbyterian Resource Guide not only provides books for leadership training, but also covers Presbyterian history and beliefs. There are books and resources covering everything from Confirmation to welcoming new members to preparing Presbyterian worship.
Our Preaching Resource Guide not only includes a wealth of resources for the weekly task of preaching, but also highlights resources available for weddings, funerals, and other special occasions preachers and worship leaders are responsible for.
Our Matthew 25 Resource Guide collects books and resources that help congregations with their focus area for the Matthew 25 Initiative: building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and eradicating systemic poverty.
View the complete information.
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New Mental Health Guide for Congregations
Shani E. McIlwain | Presbyterian News Service
The Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy now has a mental health resource available. Since 2020, many congregations have recognized the importance of faith communities taking an active role in community mental health efforts. As sensitive as the topic can be, getting started can be daunting if people do not feel adequately equipped to deal with this level of service and programming. The 2024 Guide for Mental Health Ministry is a great place to start.
READ MORE
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PC(USA) pastor brings stories from Ukraine to a US audience
June 4, 2024
The Rev. Dr. Robert Gamble, executive director of This Child Here, visits the Presbytery of Mid-Kentucky
by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — In a presentation that featured a Zoom conversation with three people on the ground in Ukraine, the Rev. Dr. Robert Gamble***, executive director of This Child Here, spoke on the topic “The Lamentations of Ukraine” with clergy and members of churches in Mid-Kentucky Presbytery last week. Gamble and others illustrated ways that This Child Here, a ministry validated by the Presbytery of Western North Carolina, works with families, mostly women and children, displaced by the war in Ukraine.
Near the end of Gamble’s talk, an app on his smartphone sounded, indicating another Russian drone attack on Izmail, where This Child Here operates in southwest Ukraine near the Black Sea. Among the warnings the app issues during a drone attack: “Overconfidence is your greatest enemy.”
After three visits to Ukraine, Gamble established This Child Here in 2006. Read Full Article
*** Robert Gamble recently visited with members of the Committee on Shared Ministry and members of the Presbytery staff, who approved supporting and publicizing this ministry. ***
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This Child Here is an organization that ministers to families impacted by the war in Ukraine. (Photo courtesy of This Child Here) | |
The ministry of This Child Here began by, among other services, meeting families in grocery stores and contributing to their needs. (Photo courtesy of This Child Here) | |
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“A Legacy of Faith” chronicles the Oeland family’s century-long impact on church history in upstate South Carolina. Renowned for their church constructions in the early to mid-1900s, the family’s descendants now revisit these historic buildings – Lucas Avenue Baptist Church, McCarter Presbyterian Church, and Victor United Methodist Church – to assess their condition and learn about the congregations they currently serve. This hour-and-then-minute documentary celebrates the enduring legacy of faith and community established by past generations while encouraging and challenging the current generation to create a lasting legacy of their own. The director, Caroline Morris, will be on-site for a Q&A discussion following the film.
For additional comments or interest in showing this film to your organization, please email: Upstatelastinglegacy@gmail.com
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Led by:
Presbyterian
Disaster
Assistance
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This training is ideal for people
who work on or with the
church building including
ushers, greeters, church staff,
elders, deacons, custodians,
and committee members.
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Bridging the Gap: Moving from Text to Sermon
This interactive workshop provides continuing education for preachers at any stage of ministry, including ordained pastors, commissioned lay pastors, and other church professionals. Every time we preach, we rely on the Holy Spirit to help us bridge the gap from the ancient Scripture then to our congregations now. This workshop uses cutting edge approaches to Biblical study to help each of us identify and hone our personal approach to bridging the gap. We also look at ways to simplify the exegetical process and glean fresh insights, always seeking to proclaim an authentic Word from God.
Led By: Dr. Merwyn S. Johnson and the team from In Christ Supporting Ministries
Location: ICSM’s facility, 7615 Colony Road, Suite 210, Charlotte, North Carolina
Schedule: Wednesday, September 18, 2024, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm; Thursday, September 19, 2024, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm; Friday, September 20, 2024, 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Tuition: $350 per person (scholarships available)
Space is limited to 15 participants, so early registration is encouraged.
For questions or to register, please visit InChristSupportingMinistries.org, call 704-554-2490, or email Info@InChristSupportingMinistries.org.
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Church Financial Leadership Grants Available Now
If you are a pastor, commissioned ruling elder (CRE), a leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community or a member of a stewardship team we have Church Financial Leadership Grants available for you. The grants will enable you to institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce you to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer you new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within your church.
Who can apply? PCUSA pastors, Commissioned Ruling Elders, 1001 New Worshiping Community leaders, Church member attending the event with their pastor
What do the funds cover? The grants are matching funds to help cover half of the cost of: Registration fees, Transportation, Lodging, Meals, Other expenses
The other half of the funds will need to be provided by the church or another source.
What is the deadline? For Stewardship Kaleidoscope, we are asking that applications be sent in by Monday, August 12 so that we have time to process the application and send out the funds prior to the start of the event. Applications received after the deadline or for the ECRF program will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Once we receive your application, it may take up to six weeks to process. Read More
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The Wonder of Worship program at Columbia Theological Seminary is offering a second round of grants of $1,000 to congregations nationally looking to enhance the engagement of children in their corporate workspaces.
In this round, congregations looking to apply should conduct an inventory on what they are already doing and to help ascertain where the greatest need is for the grant money.
Congregations need to identify three-to-five areas they may make simple changes that can be done in the next year to engage children more fully in worship. That audit is available here.
Click here to apply.
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Young Adult Volunteers
Applications are now open for the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program. The program is an ecumenical, faith-based year of service for young people (ages 19–30) in sites across the United States and around the world. YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation. For additional information and to apply, click here.
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In Concert -
June 30th at 3 pm
Tickets: $20 adults, $15 students
Purchase Tickets online at : www.sprez.org or in advance Monday-Thursday from 9 - 3 pm at Seneca Presbyterian Church,
115 W South 1st Street
For more information: 864-882-2505 or hello@sprez.org
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For 75 years, One Great Hour of Sharing has provided Presbyterians a way to share God's love with our neighbors in need around the world.
Millions of people lack access to sustainable food sources, clean water, sanitation, education, and opportunity.
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Opportunity for High School Youth
JULY 22-27, 2024
PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE, CLINTON, S.C.
Join us for an enriching five-day gathering at Presbyterian College, Clinton, S.C., where rising high school juniors and seniors will come together to explore their callings and gifts for leadership in the church.
Co-hosted by the Miller Summer Youth Institute at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the Office of Spiritual Life at Presbyterian College, this unique event offers students the chance to learn from experienced faculty and staff from both institutions, to delve into vocational discernment activities, and to engage in guided theological reflection. This gathering promises to be a transformative experience for those seeking to explore their callings and who want to learn more about what the path to leadership in the church might look like!
Students can expect to engage in group discernment activities, enjoy downtime on the Presbyterian College campus and in the City of Greenville, and participate in worship. Room and board will be provided on the PC campus.
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Registration is open for Women's Connection 2024, August 9-11th at Montreat.
Women’s Connection 2024 will be a time for women to connect with old and new friends, a time to care for yourself; a time for space and Sabbath. As in years past, we will do this together through powerful and authentic worship led by women, space for honest and faithful conversation, and allowing time for discernment and renewing rest.
Workshop registration is also now open. Click here for more details on this conference.
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One Vine, Many Branches
Are Your Branches Connected to the True Vine?
August 24, 2024
Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church
Pre-registration Deadline: August 12
Registration Fee: $25
Click to view S.T.E.P.S. Brochure
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Biblical Preaching and Pastoral Leadership for Complicated Times
Led by Rev. Drs. Alex Evans and Brian Blount
Feeling overwhelmed by the world's complexities? Join us October 7th - October 9th! This workshop equips pastors and church leaders to navigate difficult times with the enduring strength of biblical preaching and compassionate leadership. Read More
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2024
Emmanuel Living!
October 21–23, 2024
ADULT CONTINUING EDUCATION WORSHIP
A Montreat Conference Center event
The Wee Kirk conference aspires to provide Christ-centered opportunities for inspiration, encouragement, and community among leaders of small membership churches so they can do the same in their congregations and regions.
Rev. Audrey Hartness Reese – Conference Preacher
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Walk to Fight Suicide with Your Place of Worship
Greenville Out of the Darkness Walk
November 9, 2024, Conestee Park, Greenville
Why Start a Team? Members from communities of all types can make a difference by walking in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk, on Community Walks are a great team-building event, and a way to promote health and wellness by encouraging you to get out and walk together for a common cause. It’s an excellent way to give back to your local community, and to show your support for those affected by suicide. Download Sponsorship Packet/ Flyer Here
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The Art of Transitional Ministry August 11–16, 2024
Whether you consider intentional transitional/interim ministry or not, the knowledge you gain at the Art of Transitional ministry will truly benefit your ministry! Training at Montreat is unique from all the other sites where training is offered, in that it is close by, training is offered both in person and on-line, and a tract for spouses of transitional pastors is offered.
Click here to find out more - The Art of Transitional Ministry | Montreat Conference Center
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November 9, 2024
9 am - 3 pm
Why does the Church matter in 2024 and beyond?
What makes the Church unique?
Join Educators, Youth Leaders, Volunteers, and Pastors in your area to explore these questions and more. Participants will gather in satellite locations throughout the Synod of the South Atlantic to enjoy discussions, games, fun, and meaningful conversations.
Registration is $35, lunch will be coordinated at host sites.
Session One: The Church is one of the only places in society where all six living generations gather and commune.
How is that challenging? How is that a miracle?
Session Two: What does society need right now that the Church can uniquely offer?
Keynote Presenter: Brittany Porch
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Volunteer opportunities open overseas for young adults
Spend 10 months in Germany or Poland working with children and youth
by Scott O’Neill | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE —The Presbyterian Mission Agency’s World Mission ministry is collaborating with ecumenical partners in Germany and Poland to offer multiple volunteer opportunities for young adults between the ages of 19-30. Although this program targets the same demographic as PC(USA)’s Young Adult Volunteer program and is supported by YAV, the selected participants will not be part of the YAV program. Both opportunities begin in September 2024 and conclude in June 2025. Read More
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Save the Date for the 2024 Evangelism Conference!
Come join us for a journey into a more expansive and authentic understanding and practice of evangelism. For too long, evangelism has been used to grow our churches or convert people to a certain way of believing in God. This expression of evangelism has hurt many people and promoted injustice. During our gathering, we will explore how we are called to embody the good news of God’s healing and compassion — through A Lifestyle that Exudes Justice! More info to come: www.pcusa.org/evangelism.
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Join the Jesus & Justice Advocacy Conference, hosted by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), this fall in Charlotte, North Carolina! This conference benefits college students and seminarians who want to learn effective ways to stand up for causes they believe in, build networks and engage with advocacy topics in meaningful ways. Taking place from October 18-20 at the Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte Campus, this free event will be held annually across the country in the coming years.
College students, seminarians, and young adults in or near Charlotte are invited to attend in person.
Learn more here.
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Thank you for your consideration.
Grace and peace,
Emily Cowser
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The 2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium will take place on July 28-31, 2025 in Louisville, KY, at the Kentucky International Convention Center and surrounding hotels – all located very close to the Presbyterian Center in downtown Louisville.
More info coming in 2024!
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South Carolina Inn at Montreat
"Your Home in the Mountains"
Maybe you need an inexpensive place to stay for a Montreat conference, or a place for personal relaxation and renewal, or a place for a family gathering in the mountains, or a place to stay while you explored all there is to do in the Black Mountain and Asheville area. The South Carolina Inn at Montreat might be just the place you need.
The South Carolina Inn at Montreat, "Your Home in the Mountains," is a hidden gem. It consist of the William Brearley Home (on the left in the picture above), a 3 story lodge style accommodation, with two indoor gathering areas, a porch full of rocking chairs, and a gas log fireplace. On the right in the above picture, are the Kirk Apartments. They eight apartments, offer breathtaking views of the valley. These apartments vary in their accommodations and kitchen arrangements. Two are designed to accept people with physical challenges. The Suite Carolina, attached to the William Brearley Home, but with a separate entrance will supply two persons in upscaled accommodations. The Suite and apartments have both heat and air-conditioning.
Take time to download the brochure and visit www.scinnatmontreat.org for more information or to make a reservation online. Questions? Call 828-669-7460.
We would love to see you at The Inn!
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Click here to see additional
Available Jobs
on our website.
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Mark your Calendars for these Upcoming Events | |
2024
June
20 Examinations Commission meeting
June 25 - July 4 General Assembly
27 Committee on Preparation for Ministry meeting - ZOOM, Rep and Review meeting and Session Minutes Reading
July
4 Office Closed in honor of Independence Day
9 FP Staff meeting
Foothills Presbytery Featured Events
Foothills Presbytery Calendar
Foothills Presbytery Stated Meetings
- November 12, 2024, at John Knox
- February 18, 2025, Location TBA
- May 17, 2025, at Westminister Greenville
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