Nov 17, 2005 Issue #29 |
| Top Stories Mission Info News Issues Upcoming meetings! One Good Idea |
Presbytery Meeting! |
Nov 15th - Central Pres in Downingtown. It was the best of times, and it was the worst of times. |
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Business Administrator |
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The Presbytery Office restructured and hired a Business Administrator. Mrs. Susan Harner started work with us on Oct 31st. She has a B.S. in Accounting from Millersville Univ. and was formerly employed by The Heart Group. We heartily welcome Susan to the Presbytery team.
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CONTACT |
Presbytery of Donegal
P.O. Box 10054
1861 Charter Lane
Lancaster, PA 17605-0054
717.392.4035 (phone)
717.392.8922 (fax)
To unsubscribe from this news, send an email to: kathy@donegalpby.com and put in the subject line - unsubscribe eNews
Go see what's new at our constantly changing webpage!
http://www.donegalpby.com
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TOP STORIES GROWING FAITH - GROWING CHURCHES |
Registrations are now being accepted for the Presbyterian Women Churchwide Gathering July 7-11,2006. Registration forms are available in the September-October issue of Horizons Magazine, and from Leah Johnson, PW moderator (email leah@bee.net). PW in Donegal Presbytery is offering $100.00 scholarships on a first come-first serve basis. The form is available on line at the Presbytery website PW page, or in the current issue of FOCUS, available from local PW moderators, and from Leah Johnson. Register early and join us in Louisville for Creation! Celebration!: God's Word--Light for the Journey.
Applications for Youth Advisory Delegates to the 2006 General Assembly are due to the Presbytery Office, Attn: YAD Selections, P.O. Box 10054, Lancaster, PA 17605-0054 by Dec 20, 2005! Youth must be between 17 - 23 during the June General Assembly. Youth must have a letter of recommendation from Session and a statement of 500 words describing their faith journey and church involvement. Call Kathy for an application!
Jim Wallis, Sojourner Editor, leader of Call to Renewal, and author of "God's Politics" will be speaking on Dec 6th at 7pm at Lancaster Mennonite High School Fine Arts Center on Rt 30, Lancaster www.lancastermennonite.org
Trinity Youth Conference 2006 - July 30 - Aug 5th at Camp Living Waters, Schellsburg, PA. Wonderful week long event for those completing 9th grade through college age adults. Focuses on Spiritual and Leadership Development, theme "This is your life - the reality, not the illusion." Cost is $280 per person. More info: www.trinityyouthconference.org (not yet updated for 2006) or Rev. Charles Best - 717.432.4234 |
NEWS ISSUES FROM PRESBYTERY! |
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Sunday School Classes for Special Needs. This Sunday, Nov 20th, Leacock Presbyterian will be offering a special class for adults with developmental disabilities. The teachers of the class are Rick Reinart and Ellen Barnes of New Holland. According to the article in the Nov 9th Penny Saver, these two say that "they see the class as a way to reach out to members of the community who may have a hard time finding Sunday school classes appropriate for them." What a creative outreach to the community!Kennett Square - Katrina Relief Two members of our church, Don and Peggy Hallowell have gone with full trucks twice to give food through the South Alabama Presbytery to the Katrina victims. They are organizing another trip for Christmas and would like the help from other churches in this area as well as ours. To connect, call the church at: 610.444.5255 or email: Gutty@pcks.org
Unofficial Notes from Presbytery 2 excellent workshops - Peace Unity Purity of church task force by Rev. Sarah Sanderson-Doughty, and Reaching the Unchurched by Rev. Brian Clark Roger Uittenbogaard gave the presentation by the Strategic Planning Committee. Scott Fischer - 20 years in ministry. Ann Painter - 25th anniversary, Pat Hartsock - 30th anniversary, Walter Cook - 40 years in ministry. Introduced Susan Harner as Business Administrator - susan@donegalpby.com Charlie Gross reported on our excellent response to the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. Leadership training is scheduled for March 5th 2pm-5pm at Central Downingtown and March 12th 2pm - 5pm at Highland for Deacon/Elder/Clerk training. We elected Allan Ziegler as permanent treasurer of the Presbytery. Property and Insurance recommendation - GET A REPLACEMENT COST APPRAISAL OF YOUR CURRENT PROPERTY! Rev. Sarah Sanderson-Doughty gave an overview of report and process. Outreach to the Larger Community - First Reading on a volunteer position called "Restoring Creation Enabler" This is a position that would help interpret creation stewardship. We have a 5 person team selected to attend the April "Steps Toward Peace" trip to Israel/Palestine. Marian Cabott, Jackie Caleb, Leah Johnson, Nicole Richardson, and Charlie Gross. Start thinking about Souper Bowl Sunday and also Alternative Gift Shopping. Jim Wallis, author of God's Politics will be at Lanc Mennonite, Dec 6th at 7pm. Shannon Bair and Jody Taualofai remain candidates. David Taualofai is ready to be ordained - Ordination set for First Strasburg on Nov 20th at 3:00pm. Outstanding audiovisual of summer camp by Camp Donegal. Vitalization division - Transformation in churches - report by Kathy Helfrich - Creative Design, moved by the Holy Spirit - The power of prayer is unstoppable! Mission Beyond the Presbytery - report by (Umtata) "Mthatha" trip team - Erin Guman and Sarah Carter. Rick shared the importance of a 5 year partnership - building a relationship over time. Eric and Becky Hinderliter - teachers at Lithuania Christian College spoke of their work.. Jim Caldwell prayed for the missionaries and partnership. Mission Within the Presbytery - Betty Orr - Send your local agency requests for funds and help to us through the Presbytery Office. Human Resources - renew Rev Dr William Netting's term for Stated Clerk. Bekah Mellinger renewed for 3 year term. Financial Review - if you have questions, send them to allan@donegalpby.com Multi-cultural minute by Rev Gemechisa Guja - transformation by us in the culture. - go into other cultures with the gospel of Jesus Christ. We crossed the culture in Ethiopia for Christ and now there are 4.2 million Presbyterians. Promote diversity in worship to make the church a home for everybody. He commended us for being missional and supportive. Announcements - Great Valley - foundation for hope - resettling refugees from Katrina - revdstewart@comcast.net for more info. Oct 1st - big worship in Phila celebrating the 300th anniversary of the first Presbytery in America. March 18th - huge youth gathering in Phila for the same purpose. Mthatha Garden Plot project - mission for meal extra donations. Leah Johnson - PW July 7-11 Women's gathering. $100 scholarships are avail - first come, first served. Guinston hosting a Katrina trip - John Calvin Presbyterian Church - see Daniel Moore or call 717.927.6366 or email: pastor@guinston.org OUTSTANDING WORSHIP! Nominating Committee - motion to change the system for selecting General Assembly commissioners was defeated. Committee on Ministry - Rev Ernest RD Smart, through inaction, renounced jurisdiction of the church and was taken off our roles as a Minister of Word and Sacrament. Voted to send a letter to Baltimore Presbytery regarding expressing our disappointment in the action that we had to take regarding Ernest Smart. Rev Jeri Olszewski retires in Dec 2005. Revs. Suzanne Uittenbogaard and Diane Burkland resign as Interim Pastors at Oxford on Dec 31, 2005. Committee on Overtures, Amendments and Review - brought a slate for nominating comm. Memorial minute for Rev. Don Weber given by Rev Dr Bill Brown. Dismissed in prayer at 9:45pm by the Moderator. The Moderator was heartily congratulated for her excellent service to our Presbytery! Well Done, Elaine! Central Downingtown was thanked for their warm welcome, inspiring worship, and great hospitality! |
CALENDAR OF COMING MEETINGS! |
Monday, Nov 28th, 7:00 pm - Camp Donegal Committee at Barmen Lodge Tuesday, Dec 6th, 7:00 pm - Jim Wallis - Lanc Mennonite HS Sunday, Dec 11th, 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm - Camp Donegal, Christmas in the Woods Tuesday, Dec 13th, 1:30 pm - New Church Development at Bellevue Gap |
ONE GOOD IDEA |
The system or church in which you now live and work and serve is PERFECTLY designed to achieve the results that it is now getting! (paraphrased quote from Dr. Edward Deming) To achieve different results, we should look toward being "Creative Designers" of new, faithful, spiritual systems - that point toward the saving love of Jesus Christ!
If you have a good idea, I'd love to share it in this eNews letter. Send it to me via: cgross@donegalpby.com Thank-You Very Much! |
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