|
July 5, 2007 Issue #73 |
Top Stories Mission Info News Issues Christian Formation Info Positions Available Upcoming meetings! One Good Idea |
Growing Faith Growing Churches |
Upcoming Presbytery meetings:
September 18th at Stewartstown Presbyterian Church at 3pm
Presbytery meetings:
Do you need a baby sitter for presbytery meetings? Call the church directly and they will arrange for it!
|
|
Personnel Resource Database! |
Need a contact in our presbytery with some special expertise? Go to our web site, www.donegalpby.com click on Resource Center and then Personnel and find some help! To add your own skills to the database, just use the password - dpres and you can add your own.
As of 7/5/07 there were 130 skilled people in this database. What skills do you need? |
|
CONTACT |
Presbytery of Donegal
P.O. Box 10054
1861 Charter Lane ste 125
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
Important Note: If you want to have a confidential conversation regarding a possible sexual misconduct incident, call our Stated Clerk, Rev. Dr. William Netting, 717.548.3719, as indicated in our Presbytery Sexual Misconduct Policy.
Go see what's new at our constantly changing webpage!
http://www.donegalpby.com |
|
TOP STORIES GROWING FAITH - GROWING CHURCHES |
Guinston Presbyterian Church was vandalized this past week with spray paint and spilled paint on both the inside and outside of the old historic structure and on the outside of their newer church building. The presbytery and surrounding churches responded with love and prayers for this congregation and the persons behind this atrocious act.
Presbyterian Media Mission is trying to be helpful in addressing media literacy with children, youth, and their families. There are new ideas every several days for media ministry at the website www.pmm4u.org Check out recent audio and video clips http://www.pmm4u.org/media/index.cfm
Try this out! It's really easy to call and express yourself and your ideas for raising the bar in ministry! You can call in and publish an entry to our blog via phone!
Just call 214.615.6431
Enter pin – 168-049-813 and #
Then select 1 to record and publish
Then select account 1000 and #
Then just follow the instructions to record your message and hit # to end. It’s that easy. In a day or so, I will make sure that it is published on the following blog area for all to hear! Give it a try! If you want to listen to my first attempt at this, go to the following location and listen! http://www.donegalpresbytery.blogspot.com/
The Magnetic Church, Nov 2 and 3 hosted at St Andrews ' Episcopal church, 1502 Fourth Ave , York , PA 17403. Register by Oct 26. Cost is $30/person or $25 in groups of 4 pre-paid. Friday 6:30pm - 10pm and Sat 8:30am - 4pm. Questions - David Robson - 717.843.3868 or djr6@comcast.net or Bill Brooks 717.764.8195 or William.Brooks@parsons.com Please bring - a newsletter, bulletin, welcome flyer, etc. The Presbytery of Donegal sponsored this workshop in 2001 at Highland Presbyterian and I still remember Andrew Weeks' story of church hospitality! Look on our website for registration pdf files. |
MISSION INFORMATION |
Mission Beyond the Presbytery is offering scholarship money to attend the New Wilmington Missionary Conference! http://nwmcmission.org/ Check it out and then call or email Rev Tom Milligan at Little Britain Presbyterian Church for details - 717.548.2266 or lbpc@littlebritainchurch.org
Our denomination is having a BIG mission conference in Louisville from Oct 2nd - 6th titled "World Mission '07." There will be many dynamic speakers & workshops and it will be a chance for the many PC(USA) Mission Networks to meet. I'm the convenor for our South African Mission Network that will be meeting at this time.
To find out all the information on the conference just click: http://www.pcusa.org/missioncelebration/ To cut to the chase, i.e. the registration page click: http://www.pcusa.org/missioncelebration/register-now.htm
The registration fees are as follows:
$175 – Registration fee after Monday, June 18th
$25 – Student registration (seminary, college & high school)
$75 – For attendees of the network gatherings only (Oct 4th - 6th)
I hope you find this conference of interest and make plans to attend. Rick Schmidt
How The Colombian Presbyterian Church Works and Prays In A Civil War
Civil War in Colombia , South America , affects the Presbyterian Church of Colombia. This church has an accompaniment program to tell people in the United States what is happening and about its suffering over more than forty years. Accompanier Ken Trauger lived at the Presbytery Office of the North Coast in Barranquilla for two months this year. Invite him to share his experience and the church’s message for U.S. people. In December, the Presbytery’s Executive Secretary Milton Mejia had to escape from Colombia or die. In the Alantico province of this Presbytery, there are 36 cases in 2006 of victims from military violence. Today there are almost 5 million displaced people in Colombia . Why do they suffer? How U.S. people can work for peace? There is a Colombian human rights debate in U.S. Congress. There is an argument about drug eradication harm to civilians. What causes the different views? What are the answers from our Presbyterian church people in Colombia? We in the U.S. need to know the church’s message and hope. We need to respond to the long suffering of people in this fifty-year civil war. Rev. Ken Trauger lives at 921 Virginia Ave. , Lancaster , Pa. 17603 ; phone 717-392-2092; e-mail: ktrauger@paonline.com. Invite him (no costs) to share his experiences and his translations from Colombia . The Colombian visit is his third experience as a civilian church witness of wars in Latin America . You may also go to www.lancasterinterchurchpeacewitness.org and click onto Ken’s "A Colombian Message For My Congressman". |
NEWS ISSUES FROM PRESBYTERY! |
New Book of Order available via download: http://www.pcusa.org/oga/publications/boo07-09.pdf
Thanks to Mark Atkinson and the "Fairview Messenger" sharing Roy Adler's website, and article from Dr. Ralph F. Wilson http://joyfulheart.com/church/ant.htm
“Hot Fudge Sunday” at Nottingham Presbyterian. The public is invited to “Hot Fudge Sunday”, a concert of patriotic music presented by the choirs of Middle Octorara Presbyterian and Nottingham Presbyterian churches, on Sunday, July 8, 2007 at 6:00 pm. An ice cream social will be held afterwards on the church lawn. A freewill offering will be taken to support the ministries of Camp Donegal. The church is located in Nottingham at the intersection of Rte. 272 and Old Baltimore Pike (next to Herr Foods, Inc.). For more information, call the church office at (610) 932-0556.
Princeton Theological Seminary is hosting an alumni/ae dinner on July 11 in Philadelphia in conjunction with the National Black Caucus 39th Annual Convention. Our president Iain Torrance will be speaking at the dinner. I am writing to find out if you would be willing to place a link on your website going directly to our page with all the information about the alumni/ae dinner. You will find the link below. Please let me know if you have any questions and thank you in advance for your help. Michelle http://www.ptsem.edu/news/alumnireunion2007/philadelphiaalumnidinner.php
Michelle Roemer Schoen, Communications/Publications Office, Princeton Theological Seminary, 609 497.7760, fax 609 430.1860
Share the Bounty! Presbyterian Communicators Network National Conference is held on August 1 - 4, 2007 in Louisville, KY. You will learn practical skills in an array of communication tools. Information about current issues facing the PC(USA), networking, exhibits, and best practices. Go to: http://www.pcusa.org/comnet or Mindy Marchal at 888.728.7228 x5212
The women of the Presbytery are invited to the annual women’s retreat at Leacock Presbyterian Church on Wednesday August 1, 2007. Our presenter this year will be Rev. Jane DeFord, pastor at Latta Memorial Presbyterian Church; her topic, A Message in a Bottle, will provide us with a time of study, reflection and prayer considering how God speaks to us in our daily lives. The retreat begins with registration at 9am and concludes with a noon luncheon. A freewill offering will be accepted at the close of our time together. Please make reservations with Arlene Brackbill, 394-9996, or Marie O. Brackbill, 768-8470. Thank you, Marie Brackbill
Annual Camp Donegal Softball Retreat!!! Saturday, August 4, 2007 8 am – 5pm Rally some players & sign-up your team for our annual softball retreat (Slow-pitch; Double-elimination; Time-limited games; 10-player teams; 7th grade +; 2 females required) Join us for a fabulous afternoon of softball, fun, fellowship and of course food! Come cheer on your team – even if you don’t want to play. Will YOUR team be the one to take away the first “Willis Stine” trophy? (Trophy renamed in memory of long-time softball retreat and camp supporter, Willis Stine) Fees include: food & drinks from 11am-1pm; use of pool for the day; great softball & other fun; blessings by the presence of the Spirit and the fellowship of God’s Family! $10 per player; $5 per spectator; 3&u FREE Pre-register with the camp office by July 20th 717-862-3722 OR amy@campdonegal.org
Columbia Presbyterian Church, 360 Locust St. , Columbia , is preparing to celebrate its bicentennial on September 22, 2007, from 10 am until 5 pm at the church. Our theme for the occasion is: Celebrating 200 Years of Ministry: 1807-2007. The church will have an open house, a display of the contents of the cornerstone (last removed in 1957 for the church's 150th anniversary), historical artifacts and displays on hand. The bicentennial celebration will also feature an outreach to the community. There will be a picnic in the church grounds with live music by the church's own Found Grace Worship Band, face painting, free hot dogs and other summertime goodies! For more information, contact the Rev. David C. Powers at the church- (717) 684-6271.
You can now apply for an Interfaith Listening Team for 2007! The Office of Interfaith Relations is once again preparing to bring two teams consisting of a Muslim and a Christian from India and the Philippines to visit presbyteries and local communities in the U.S. Teams will spend 3-5 days in select presbyteries during September 14 - October 8, 2007. This is an opportunity for you to learn first hand about their experience of living with religious diversity in their context and how they work across faith lines to address situations of conflict, tension, and/or specific social problems. Those who have hosted teams in the past have reported that visiting teams helped replace stereotypes with accurate information while initiating or nurturing interfaith ties in their communities. Please visit http://www.pcusa.org/listeningproject/ to download the brochure and application form.
Carbon Neutral Calculators - Are you "Carbon Neutral?" Check this out!!! http://www.climatecrisis.net/takeaction/carboncalculator/ http://www.self.org/cnc.asp
275th Anniversary Celebration of the Presbytery of Donegal Oct 14, 2007 at Hempfield Performing Arts Center! Alert your choir director/choir about the combined choir, Oct. 14 Consider opening your church for “visitation Sundays” with some type of historical display or presentation. Get information from Nancy Brown at wjb453@verizon.net
CHRISTIAN FORMATION INFORMATION |
Poster Sessions at the June Presbytery meeting were a big hit! We had a great time of interacting, learning, and challenging one another to raise the bar in ministry! I am grateful to Gary ArnTessoni, Jack Craft, David Dickey, Jeff Lampl, Ken Osborne, and Michael Wilson for their presentations and conversations. We will continue to integrate this type of learning into presbytery meetings. If you are willing to lead a session, let Kathy Bartels know (717.392.4035 or kathy@donegalpby.com ). If you have ideas on topics, let her know that, as well.
SAVE THIS DATE!! —Wednesday, September 26th. That’s the day of the presbytery’s annual educators’ event at Camp Donegal , 9am-3pm. Our theme is “Fashion Me A People,” based on a book by the same name written by Maria Harris. We’re excited to have Byron Borger, proprietor of Hearts and Minds in Dallastown as our keynote speaker. If you didn’t get a book at the June presbytery meeting, they will be available in the presbytery Resource Center or from Hearts and Minds Bookstore 717-246-3333. The cost is $20, cash or checks made out to Hearts and Minds (no plastic, please). Full details of our event are in a flyer attached to the June newsletter. Go to this link http://www.donegalpby.com/documentdownload.php and scroll down to June Resource Center Newsletter. Betty Duncan Copies of the book are also available here: http://www.amazon.com/Fashion-Me-People-Curriculum-Church/dp/0664240526
What's going on in the religious and spiritual lives of American teenagers? Come hear Tony Compolo and Bob McCarty address this on Oct 15th from 10am till 2:30pm at: Cardinal Keeler Center, 4800 Union Deposit Road, Harrisburg, PA 717.657.4804 or register at: http://www.pachurches.org Register before October 5th.
Notes from the Listening Lunch held on May 15, 2007 Assuming that Donegal wishes increasingly to do effective ministry and mission, in the context of faithfulness to Jesus Christ, what adjustments in what we are now doing, and how we are doing it, would you suggest and why? Joint ministries for geographically close churches (cooperative) such as contemporary worship. Partner with neighboring presbyteries for huge events (emerging church, national speakers, outside name brand speakers, bands) Transform camp facility to meet needs of the presbytery. Minimum necessary structure for administration; Musicians gathering and workshops; Presbytery skill and ability on leadership issues; mission of presbytery to deal with and help conflict (9 people just trained in conflict management); “Dwell in the Word”—every meeting starts with same scripture and chance to respond to words or phrases that are meaningful; Creative ways to raise money (for camp); Reduce the number of committee meetings; Use of talents within one congregation by other congregations (our skills database);
What new or unique ministries might God be calling us (or you) to pursue? What do we (or you) need to learn to have a more effective ministry? Learning how to be missionaries in our own back yard; Carbon neutrality; We need to understand our culture—who are we ministering to? Step outside our four walls in faith (even though you are scared!); Mission field: China and Chinese immigrants; Worship—racial ethnic ministries; Teach evangelism; More Christian formation; focus on personal spiritual growth in churches. Return of Associate for Educational Ministries on presbytery staff; Preach-off (healthy congregations come from strong pulpits); Praying as a presbytery…discernment; How can we be more ecumenical? Maybe we need a playful day! Decide what will be our commitment to current NCD’s? Form a Christian Educators Network (through Synod)
Index Cards Responses to the above questions - Be more ecumenical with more than U.C.C. There are Lutheran, Methodist, Episcopal, all have great potential. County Council of Churches; New Ministries--Be more trusting. Learn how to reach out; Stewardship. I’m a new chair in a local church. Where do I get ideas? A social time for clergy and families; Inter-church activities, e.g. multiple church youth, Junior High and High School music, inter-denominational activities; Several of our small churches are very close to neighboring churches—needs to be more overlap. Overlap with our mission cultural churches; Staffing. Instead of an Executive Presbyter, consider a “Youth Ministry Consultant” (1/2 time) and a “Christian Education Consultant” (1/2 time); My sense is that we do not do as good a job as we should instilling a Presbyterian identity in our children. My observation is that Lutherans and Catholics do this more effectively. How do we encourage a stronger Presbyterian identity in our children? Reduce Presbytery meetings by two (R.R. Streeter). Somehow share with others what works in individual churches (via newsletters, at presbytery or special gatherings); Develop youth programs; We joke about our meeting agendas and lament the dichotomy of business and worship. Perhaps the Lord’s business should be integral to worship. Work & Prayer = Obedience. There must be a way; One full-time executive with Conflict Management Skills and Committee on Ministry Priority Commitment. Other staff: with skills related to Mission , Education, Transformation, etc; Healthy Churches—a top priority; Mission partnerships; Being from a small congregation looking to reach out at and attract youth. We don’t always have the resources and the idea of partnering with close by neighboring Presbyterian churches I see as potentially valuable; 12 Step Groups, especially related to Internet struggles/addictions (going to become a bigger problem!); To become more faithful in presbytery stewardship to enable us to do the work of the Kingdom; Support and/or plans to support clergy sabbaticals; Camp Donegal could use more paid, year-round program leadership (re. PR, marketing, staff development, etc.) It’s too much for the current group of volunteers, dedicated as they are; Need for Pastors to be trained. Addressing the need for psychological equipping; training, on-going education for pastors. We’re the first line of defense. We need help; What adjustments in what or how initiate occasions for acknowledging/worshipping/discussing God outside of Church buildings. Ikon.org.uk; Form larger parishes including 3 or more congregations to take advantage of multiple staff.
We would like to invite your congregation to participate in our Fall Multi-Church Adult Education Series, “Jesus for the Twenty-first Century,” let by Professors Ed Aponte, Lee Barrett, Greg Carey, and Bruce Epperly . In the course of this study, we will join academic reflection with concrete spiritual practices in order to discover the meaning of Jesus’ life and teaching, death and resurrection, healing ministry and prayer life, for Christians today. Our goal is to enable persons in your congregation to become aware of Jesus’ ministry in new and creative ways. Over the past year, nearly 50 congregations have participated in our fall and spring programs related to Job and Creation and New Creation. We hope you will consider joining us this Fall. This series will consist of:
1. Introductory and Concluding Lectures at Lancaster Theological Seminary, September 15 and November 10, respectively.
2. A study guide for small group gatherings.
3. An eight part video to illuminate each week’s study.
The cost of this program is $150 for each congregation. This fee offsets our printing, video, and professional expenses. If you’d like more information, please contact Bruce Epperly at 717-290-8759 or bepperly@lancasterseminary.edu. We hope you will join in this exciting and transforming adventure in adult Christian education.
Continuing Education in the Fall! "Being the Church: Sacred Conversations for Missional Reformation" led by the Rev. Tony Sundermeier. This will be a partner event with Lancaster Theological Seminary. Details to follow in July! |
POSITIONS AVAILABLE |
Paoli Presbyterian Church is seeking a Director of Arts for Children and Youth. This is 15 hour/week position. The successful candidate will invite and equip children and youth to invest their creative gifts in worship and ministry. For please information, please Contact Bill Lee at 610-644-8250.
The First Presbyterian Church of Phoenixville is seeking a Worship & Praise Team Leader to lead the music and direct our Praise Team during our contemporary Rise & Shine service. This is a salaried, part-time position (approximately 10 hours per week). This is your opportunity to contribute to a loving, growing and thriving church. Interested musicians should forward their resume to anne.park@verizon.net or mail to: The First Presbyterian Church of Phoenixville, 145 Main Street Phoenixville , PA 19460 RE: Praise Team Leader.
Wrightsville Presbyterian Church, an equal opportunity employer, seeks a Youth/ Young Adult Director (Summary) This newly established, part-time position will minister to youth and young adults up to the age of 20 and will develop programs to reach these age groups in the Wrightsville Community. In addition to reaching the unchurched youth in the community, leading youth to a life-long relationship and commitment with Jesus Christ is the ultimate goal of this position. Primary qualification is a person who is fully committed to Jesus Christ and to bringing others into relationship with Jesus. Additional qualifications include: education in graduate, undergraduate, or seminary specializing in youth ministry; leadership skills and ability to work with youth and volunteers; applicable clearances for working with minors; ability to work 20 hours per week. Qualified candidates should send resume with applicable experience, cover letter, and references to attention: Chair, Search Committee, Wrightsville Presbyterian Church, 205 North Second Street, Wrightsville, PA 17368.
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC SEARCH Calvary Presbyterian Church in Wilmington is searching for a part-time Director of Music to join in the excitement as God continues to move Calvary towards being the church we know we are called to be. We're not there yet - but we're on the way, and the right person in this position will help move us closer. Interested persons should contact Jessie Jones jessie195@comcast.net. Resumes can also be sent to this email address.
Presbytery of Genesee Valley is looking for a Co-Presbyter for Pastoral Vitality. Go to: http://www.pbygenval.org and click on the link for Co-Presbyter Search. Deadline for receiving applications is Sept 17, 2007. |
|
|
|
|
CALENDAR OF COMING MEETINGS! |
Use the webpage calendar at: http://www.donegalpby.com/cgi-bin/calendar.pl or:
Thursday, July 12 - Christian Formation Division meets at 10am at the presbytery office
Monday, July 16 - Human Resources meets at 3pm at the presbytery office
Tuesday, July 17 - Youth Triennium : July 17-22, Purdue University, Lafayette, IN
Monday, July 23 - Camp Donegal Committee meets at 7pm at Camp Donegal
Saturday, August 4 - Softball Retreat at Camp Donegal - 8am to 5pm
Monday, August 6 - Committee on Preparation meets at Highland at 1pm - 4pm
Wednesday, August 8 - Abortion Task Force meets at Bellevue at 6pm
Monday, August 27 - Committee on Ministry meets at Leacock at 7pm
Tuesday, August 28 - Administration Department meets at the presbytery office from 9am till 11am
Wednesday, August 29 - Nominating Committee meets at the presbytery office at 9:30am; Vitalization Division meets at the presbytery office at 1:30pm |
ONE GOOD IDEA |
Instead of simply holding meetings, discussing matters, and having only one or two of the attendees carry out the plans, look for various ways of developing each of the attendees as ministry coaches. Work on incremental steps that would help to develop and empower these servants of the Lord. We all have lots of latent talent that just needs to be polished up to be used for God's glory! Happy mentoring!
Extravagant Blessings! Charlie
If you have a good idea, I'd love to share it in this eNews letter. Send it to me via: cwgross@gmail.com Thank-You Very Much! |
|
