July 11, 2024

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.

Information & Registration

Join us for an informational session on the

2024–2025 PW/Horizons Bible Study, “Let Justice Roll Down: God’s Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation.”

We will be sharing additional scriptures and a variety

of resources to support each lesson.

There is no cost to attend, but registration is encouraged for planning and providing enough materials. Register today HERE or use this QR code:

What Happened at the General Assembly?

The 226th General Assembly is over. Commissioners have returned to their homes. Are you curious to find out what happened? Here are links from the Presbyterian News Service that will help you.

Feature Stories from the 226th GA.

Top 10 List of Accomplishments.

GA 226 News

POST GA Summary.

CONGRATULATIONS TO

Revs. Ce Ce Armstrong

and Tony Larson

Elected Co-Moderators

The 226th General Assembly of the PCUSA elected Rev. Ce Ce Armstrong and Rev. Tony Larson as Co-Moderators - both from South Carolina.

Ce Ce is Associate Pastor at St. James Presbyterian Church, Charleston and Tony is Pastor at Trinity Presbyterian Church, Surfside Beach.

Congratulations and thanks for your leadership during the coming years!

Resources we have found challenging & inspirational:

When God Became White: Dismantling Whiteness for a More Just Christianity by Grace Ji-Sun Kim

“ORIGIN” A film about Isabel Wilkerson, author of Caste:The Origins of Our Discontents. Now available on AppleTV, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and Disney+ :

Foothills Peer Ministry

Youth Leaders Roundtable

Our next meeting is

Thursday, August 1,

10 - 11:30 am.

Location TBD

Music Ministry

Leaders

Our next gathering in 9 am on Wednesday, August 14 by Zoom.

Christian Educators Gathering

Our next gathering is Monday, August 19. Location TBD

CRE Cohort Gathering

Our next gathering is Monday, September 18 - 12 noon at the Presbytery office.

Bring lunch, dessert is provided.

SC5 School of Theology

2024 Fall Semester

October 18 & 19

The SC5 School of Theology is sponsored by the five presbyteries in South Carolina: Charleston-Atlantic, Foothills, New Harmony, Providence, and Trinity.

What is the SC5 School of Theology? Theological training for elders and church leaders. There are two tracks:

Enrichment Track – for Ruling Elders who have received a diploma from the SC5 School of Theology and for those who want personal enrichment for teaching or leading in their congregations.
Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE)/Commissioned Pastor (CP) Track – for Ruling Elders who want to become a CRE or CP.

For Whom? Classes are for:

Church Leaders interested in learning more.
Ruling Elders interested in learning more.
Ruling Elders interested in being commissioned to serve and lead congregations.
Faith Formation Leaders interested in better equipping themselves to teach.

Read Full Flyer HERE

Are you interested in learning more about how coaching can benefit you and/or your team members?

Did you know there is a Presbyterian Coach Network that maintains a list of certified Presbyterian coaches?

This network is also a great asset to those of us who are coaches. I am honored to be a member of the Presbyterian Coach Network, where I am able to connect with other Presbyterian coaches from across the nation for learning and networking opportunities. The PCN has three stated purposes: to be a learning community for our members; to maintain a referral service of qualified Presbyterian Coaches; and to promote coaching within the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and invite the responsible use of coaching by providing education and building relationships.

If you are new to the coaching concept, this is how the International Coaching Federation defines coaching: partnering with clients in a thought-provoking and creative process that inspires them to maximize their personal and professional potential. I have been in coaching for over 4 years, and it has been extremely fulfilling to work with clients and see the progress we can make together. We have several certified coaches within our Presbytery, including our own Debbie Foster!

If you are interested in learning more about being coached by a PCN member, go here to access the referral page.

If you have any questions about coaching or the PCN, please feel free to contact me at cbrown@AuthenticLeadershipCoachingSC.com. ~Rev. Christi O. Brown

Click HERE for Full Flyer

“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

Led by:

Presbyterian

Disaster

Assistance

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.

https://foothillspresbytery.org/church-safety-and-security-training

Cost is $10 for lunch.

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.

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

National Black Presbyterian Caucus

Community News

for Everyone in the Pews

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.

The Lead Pastor Base Camp from Pinnacle Leadership Associates is a quality immersive training experience, designed to equip pastors from any denomination for serving effectively in the Lead Pastor role. Implementation Coaching Groups beyond the Base Camp provide support and accountability for living out the Lead Pastor Ministry Guide participants develop during the Base Camp.

The Clergy Collective - Online, September - May

Many clergy from your denomination have participated in the past, continuing to do so. We have 3 strong tracks this year. The Clergy Collective is for any ministers from any denomination interested in sharpening as leaders through a stimulating Seminar and implementation coaching group. They meet once a month during the academic year. We usually have clergy from all over the country participating, making for rich learning and interaction.

Here's where you can learn more.

Additional information and forms HERE.

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.

GIVE NOW

RESOURCES

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.

REGISTRATION & INFORMATION

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

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

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

More Information

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

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

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.

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.

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!