Trinity Presbytery E-News · February 2024

Listen to the stories of Black Presbyterians who lived during the struggle for Civil Rights freedom and equality. Listen to them recount the moments that ignited their commitment to freedom and fueled their zeal for equality and respect.

Part I begins with personal stories of oppression that shaped the lives of some prominent Black Presbyterians.

Black Presbyterians: The Legacy Series (Part 1 of 6)

2024 Stated Meetings of

Trinity Presbytery

Saturday, May 18, 2024-Location TBD

Saturday, August 24, 2024-Location TBD

Tuesday, November 19, 2024-Location TBD

Registration begins at 8:30 a.m.- Meetings convene at 9:30 a.m.

Commissioners' Handbooks are published 10 days prior to meetings.

Mark Your Calendars!

Vital Congregations

Features Congregations In the Spotlight of Jesus

Providence Presbyterian - West Columbia

Shiloh First Presbyterian- Winnsboro

In the Spot Light of Jesus

Holy Casseroley™ Food Ministry Expanding to Trinity Congregations

Providence Presbyterian Church extends a warm invitation to all Trinity Presbyterian congregations to partake in a heartwarming initiative known as Holy Casseroley™, a new food ministry designed by Providence's Community Engagement team to combat food insecurities within our local communities. Born out of an age-old concept that remains as relevant as ever—preparing a meal for a neighbor in need—Holy Casseroley embodies the essence of Christ's teachings on compassion and service.

As a Vital Congregations Church, we seek to extend our ministries outside the doors of the church and into the community. In doing so, we bring to light the importance of Outward Incarnational Focus, Mark 3 of the 7 Marks of a Vital Congregation. Through our Holy Casseroley Ministry, members of our church lovingly prepare and deliver frozen casseroles to individuals who can benefit from this gracious gesture.

Despite our modest congregation of approximately 180 members, Providence has already distributed well over 1,000 casseroles in just two years. Every third Sunday of the month, our dedicated members personally deliver these nourishing meals to the doorsteps of program recipients, spreading love and hope with each delivery.

“We’d love to see every church in Trinity Presbytery get involved in the program,” remarked our retired pastor, Reverend Dr. Michael Bragan, who was our full time pastor at the onset of this ministry. “Our members are extremely passionate about Holy Casseroley and how it can serve as a demonstration of God’s love in the community, and the team has worked hard to hone the processes and tools needed so any church can implement the program.”

Providence members have already played an instrumental role in introducing Holy Casseroley to several neighboring churches, equipping them with comprehensive toolkits containing detailed instructions and best practices, alongside branded, trademarked communication materials.

For those eager to learn more about this transformative program, we encourage you to visit holycasseroley.org. To explore the possibility of launching a Holy Casseroley program within your own congregation, please reach out to Teresa Coles at teresa@riggspartners.com.

Let us come together, inspired by the teachings of Jesus, to spread warmth, nourishment, and love to those in need within our communities. This ministry is the epitome of what it means to reach out and touch with an Outward Incarnational Focus, Mark 3 of a Vital Congregation Church, Providence Presbyterian Church in West Columbia, South Carolina.

Shiloh First Presbyterian Church lights up the

Church and the Community

A Demonstration of Vitality, Love and Compassion

Women’s Bible Study is not just an inside ministry at Shiloh First. The study of God’s word extends to women who have found themselves entangled with decisions and choices that led them to be incarcerated. Shiloh not only models outward incarnational focus, one of the 7 Marks of a Vital Congregation, but the congregation models how a Matthew 25 church seeks to show extraordinary compassion to those who are captive. These captive women can testify to their family, friends and to the Shiloh congregation in these words, “I was in prison and Shiloh Church came to visit me” (Matthew 25:43).

In conjunction with the Women’s Bible Study, the congregation provided for more than thirty children of incarcerated inmates as a part of their prison fellowship angel tree project (Romans 8:28, “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

Evidence of moving toward becoming a Matthew 25 Church, Shiloh seeks to serve with a heart like Jesus. They have donated over $1,500.00 to the Fairfield County School Bank. The people who were able to have meals could eat well and speak well of Shiloh, “I was hungry and you provided food for me.”

Continuing to serve with a heart like Jesus, Shiloh congregation reached out to a paraplegic in their local community. The church adopted her with a commitment to provide an annual donation of $500.00 to this community person who is not a member of Shiloh but is a member of God’s family who is in need. This lady can testify to her family, friends and the church, “I was sick and you looked after me (Matthew 25: 43).

The congregation’s attention to the elderly is another way to demonstrate the love of Christ. Shiloh provides gifts to the elderly in one of the local nursing homes. They, too, can testify of the goodness of God in the ministries of Shiloh (Matthew 25:43,”I was a stranger and you invited me in.” These beloved elderly individuals were invited into the hearts of Shiloh’s congregation.

Rev. Dr. Robert Scotland is the pastor of Shiloh First Presbyterian Church. Shiloh is located in a rural community about thirty miles from Columbia, SC. Their continuous goal is to find ways to connect and engage the church in the local community and the larger world to make an impact for the cause of Christ, while at the same time, proclaiming the gospel and growing in each individual’s life-long discipleship formation (Mark 1).

Click HERE to read the latest newsletter.

2024 NEXT CHURCH OFFERINGS:

Winter Workshop Burst

https://nextchurch.net/product/winter-workshop-burst/

Five timely topics for church leaders based on feedback we have received from individual conversations concerning the needs on the ground:

It’s only $29/person for all sessions or $25/person for each session. Our hope is that this low cost will provide access to as many leaders as possible.

Preaching for Change

https://nextchurch.net/preaching-for-change/

We received a Lilly Grant to support our initiative, Preaching for Change, and are excited to launch our pilot program in 2024. Cohorts can be composed of leadership within a congregation or colleagues with a common goal. All participants will engage with our resources (Cultivated Ministry and Crossroads video series), receive 1:1 and group coaching quarterly, and attend the 2024 National Gathering.

National Gathering

https://nextchurch.net/product/2024-national-gathering/

From April 8-11, 2024 we will gather in Falls Church, VA to move the needle in our contexts. Participants will engage with practitioners and coaches in one of six different areas:

Community Organizing
Building Community Partnerships
Intersectionality/Embodying Welcome
Identity and Coalition Building for People of Color
The Preaching Moment
Leading Change

Visit Nextchurch.net for more information!

Dear Friends at Trinity,

The New Harmony Presbytery's mission to care for people with intellectual disabilities is growing. Annually, our churches collect a special offering to support this mission. I am writing to you to let you know about this mission in the event you have members in your Presbytery who may be interested in this mission. Perhaps they have a family member who is looking for a residential option. Or maybe there are folks who would like to support this mission with prayers or financial resources.

Below is information on this mission. And attached is information on PADD that can be used in many forms of communication. Thank you for helping us share the good news.

In Service,

Bob Kearns

Chair: PADD Board of Trustees

843-858-6976

Click to view larger.

Presbyterian College is excited to offer a new program focused on fundraising, philanthropy, stewardship, and other giving initiatives for congregations and other faith-related organizations. PC is proud to partner with the Lake Institute on Faith & Giving at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy (Indiana University) to offer the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF). This unique partnership enables this outstanding course to be offered in the southeast region. The executive certificate program provides the research, tools, and customized training to meet the growing needs of leaders in religious communities and fundraisers of 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.

This would be an ideal program for clergy or other faith leaders as well as stewardship or advancement staff members in religious communities, schools, or service organizations. From my years of ministry in congregations, I can also see the great value that could come from having members who are heavily involved (or will be in the future) in stewardship or capital campaigns participate in this program. For PC(USA) pastors, there is also a scholarship offered through the Presbyterian Foundation to offset some of the costs of attendance.

ECRF Details and Registration: https://www.presby.edu/academics/graduate-professional/lake-institute/

Program Dates: May 20-22, 2024 (3 hour online component afterwards)

Location: Covenant Presbyterian Church in Charlotte, NC

Presbyterian Foundation Scholarship link: HERE

Summer 2024 Registration is OPEN!

Click HERE for more information.

226TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH

Click this link to view the December

On the Road to GA226 Newsletter

Get ready for an exhilarating experience as we extend a warm invitation to the much-anticipated 2024 Southeast Region Conference! This year's event promises to be an inspiring celebration of unity, collaboration, and the incredible diversity that makes our region truly special. Embrace the power of unity as we explore the richness that comes from our diversity. This year's theme, "One Body, Many Parts," emphasizes the strength we gain when we come together, each contributing our unique talents, perspectives, and experiences for the greater good.

Stay tuned for more details, including registration information, in the coming weeks. We can't wait to gather as one body with many parts, united for the greater good!

https://nationalnbpc.org/

New Job opportunities available with the PCUSA

The Presbytery office has reopened. However, if you are planning on visiting the office, please call beforehand to be sure the staff member you need to see will be there.

All safety precautions continue to be observed.

The Presbytery Office Hours

9:00 a.m.- 4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday & Thursday

9:00 a.m. -1 p.m. on Friday

Wednesday- open only for appointments, staff will be working remotely.

Please call ahead if you need to make an appointment for Wednesdays.

803-794-1225