June 7, 2024

Visit our Website
Link to May Stated Meeting Worship Service at Limestone

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

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

Board of Pension Updates

BOP Mental Health Resources

As part of our commitment to wholeness, the Board of Pensions recognizes the need to elevate mental health and wellness for everyone. The following resources are available to you to support your mental health and well-being.

https://pensions.org/what-we-offer/benefits-guidance/mental-health-resources

 

Board of Pensions (BOP) News on Changes

https://seasonofrebuilding.pensions.org/sites/default/files/2023-10/polity-benefits-mission-conference-presentation-october-2023.pdf



Webinar:

Bridging Divides: Beyond Agree to Disagree 

Hard-wired tendencies make it easy to dismiss or put down different viewpoints. What if you could respectfully engage instead? This vital professional and personal skill is one you can develop. Join us as we experiment with stepping outside our comfort zones, challenging our biases, and connecting with openness and curiosity.

June 13, 2024 from 2:00 PM-3:15 PM



Register Now


Foothills Peer Ministry

Music Ministry

Leaders 

will gather for lunch at 12 noon on Wednesday, June 12

at Tipsy Taco

1133 Woodruff Rd, Greenville

Youth Leaders Roundtable

Our next meeting is

Thursday, August 1,

10 - 11:30 am.

Location TBD

Christian Educators Gathering

Our next gathering is Monday, August 19. Location TBD


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.

Cost is $10

for lunch.



Register today with the QR code or visit

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


General Assembly 226


The Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF) is designed for religious leaders in faith-based organizations and institutions who wish

to learn more about the spirituality of fundraising and gain a core foundation in fundraising principles. The ECRF cover four key topics and includes select required reading to be completed in advance and the completion of a final project.


The ECRF provides the research, tools, and customized training to meet the growing needs of leaders in religious communities and fundraisers for

faith-based organizations. The focus of the ECRF is on the cultural, organizational, and philanthropic

practices unique to religious institutions. These practices in turn enable donors motivated by spiritual and religious values to experience the joy of generous giving.

The ECRF utilizes faculty presentations, interactive discussion, selected readings, and a context-specific final project to address:


• Nurturing Generous Congregations

and Organizations

• Nurturing Generous Donors

• The Practice of Religious Fundraising

• Integrating Religious Leadership

and Fundraising


This hybrid, in-person and online, program allows students the opportunity to earn a certificate in fundraising as they explore motivations for giving in the nonprofit sector. The class begins with a required two and half days in-person teaching

sessions in Greenville, South Carolina, hosted by Presbyterian College, three additional online teaching hours, and ends with a practical application project.

Download Full Flyer

For more information about the in-person teaching sessions in Greenville, please email Perrin Tribble at ptribble@presby.edu. For information regarding the certificate program and final project requirements, please visit www.lakeinstitute.org/ecrf.

Click HERE to learn more

Join Tripp Fuller and Andrew Root for a 'Bonhoeffer Salon’ in June



Tripp Fuller and Andrew Root will team up to deliver the 2024 Aus Memorial Lecture on the remarkable life and enduring relevance of Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Before his imprisonment and martyrdom for working with the German resistance, Bonhoeffer lived and shared the gospel in an increasingly dangerous world. Come discover how Bonhoeffer’s ideas of who is “Other” impacted how he lived—and died—as a witness for his faith.



Join us for this interactive, “salon”-style event in person on the seminary campus or online from anywhere through Faith+Lead.

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.

DONATION! Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church is donating the following items:


  • Solid wood 40 pocket rotating display. 50" high x 18" square.

 

  • 11 foot long church pew


Please contact Lisa D'Horre with any questions or if you are interested, 864-288-3951.

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

National Black Presbyterian Caucus


Community News

for Everyone in the Pews

Young Adult Volunteers


Applications are now open for the Presbyterian Mission Agency's Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) programThe 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.

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


Reminders from

your Stated Clerk


  • Changes in Foothills Presbytery's Terms of Call for Pastors 
  • Changes to the Book of Order (PCUSA)
  • Changes in the PCUSA Board Pensions Health Care Plan for Retirees and Pastors



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

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. 

REGISTER

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

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

Register

Read More Here

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

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

REGISTRATION OPEN

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.

Thank you for your consideration.


Grace and peace,

Emily Cowser

TAKE THE SURVEY to help a PCUSA Seminary Student

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!

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!

Click here to see additional 

Available Jobs

on our website.

Mark your Calendars for these Upcoming Events



2024


June

6 Committee on Ministry meeting

11 FP Staff Development Day

12 Music Ministry Leaders lunch

13 Committee on Shared Ministry Zoom meeting and Antiracism Policy writing team meeting

20 Examinations Commission meeting

June 25 - July 4 General Assembly




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
Quicklinks

Camp Fellowship

Resource Center of Foothills Presbytery

100th Edition!

Stewardship of Creation Connections

May-July 2024 Newsletter