http://donegalpresbytery.blogspot.com/ - Tell us what God is doing in your life! Record your own stories of the power of the Almighty! We are richly blessed!
Lectionary Study group in Lancaster, PA? If there is a lectionary study group meeting in the Lancaster area, could you send the details to us at the Presbytery office? Send to: cwgross@gmail.com ! Thank-You!
The holidays are difficult for many people, especially those who have experienced a loss. Losses involve the ending of a relationship, a loss of health or function, a job loss, a death, or other difficult changes or life transitions. A service of Hope and Healing will be held in the Highland Presbyterian Church sanctuary at 7:00pm on Sunday, December 16, 2007. This is a special service for individuals and families who feel alone or feel empty, sad and wonder where God is in all their suffering. This special service is designed to bring hope and healing to the experience of grief and loss. Losses will be recognized and validated. God’s comfort, healing and peace will be extended in love through silence, worship and prayer. Please plan to attend this service if you are grieving a loss in your life or come with someone who is experiencing sadness and grief.
The new Church World Service DVD “A Future with Hope: Welcoming Refugees” (running time 15:25) inspires and challenges viewers to extend friendship and practical assistance to refugees resettling in the United States. To order, visit http://www.churchworldservice.org or phone 1.800.297.1516 AV 0777; free.
Attn Church Mission Treasurers – if you want your money for 2007 to be credited to your account in the GA system for this year, the presbytery office has to receive it by Jan 5, 2008. It is due the following week at the GA receiving office. Thanks very much!
Bill Hybels at Willow Creek article about “We made a mistake. What we should have done when people crossed the line of faith and become Christians, we sould have started telling people and teaching people that they have to take responsibility to become ‘self feeders.’ We should have gotten people, taught people, how to read their Bible between services, how to do the spiritual practices much more aggressively on their own.” “Our dream is that we fundamentally change the way we do church. That we take out a clean sheet of paper and we rethink all of our old assumptions. Replace it with new insights. Insights that are informed by research and rooted in Scripture. Our dream is really to discover what God is doing and how he’s asking us to transform this planet.” http://www.metrovoice.net/2007/1207_stlweb/1207_articles/shocking_confession.html
Give the Gift of Life! During this busy Christmas Season give the gift of life .... Donate Blood.
When: Thursday, December 20th 3 pm to 7 pm.
Who: Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank
Where: Stewartstown Presbyterian - Multi-Purpose Building
Why: The best present you can give anyone
Contact Harry Nizer 993-6572 or any SPC Youth Group member to sign up.
Check out the resources and links at the bottom!
http://www.pres-outlook.org/tabid/1932/Article/6290/Default.aspx
Important IRS requirements for contributions and end of year giving. http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p1771.pdf
News For Small Churches: Beginning January 1,2008, the Board of Pensions will provide stipends of up to $3,000 toward sabbaticals for eligible pastors serving churches of less than 200 members. More information on the Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grants program is available at www.pensions.org.
Meet one of our Candidates, Rebecca Watkins:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PHxno9nt1yY
Meet a recommended Candidate, Jen Prior:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LjtCr7OLgA4
A course that is being offered which has been a great blessing to many seminarians in the past is offered in conjunction with General Assembly: “Presbyterianism: Principles & Practices” June 20-28, 2008 at the 218 General Assembly in San Jose CA. Registration is due May 1, 2008. God’s richest blessing in your endeavors. In Christ, Bob Barcus
30 Hour Sabbath - Rest Renew Restore - January 7-8 or February 5-6. Spiritual and Personal Renewal for Churchworkers and Those who love them. Location is Australian Walkabout Bed and Breakfast, 837 Village Road, Lancaster, PA 17602 or http://www.walkaboutinn.com or 717.464.0707 The facilitator is the Rev Dr Bob Griffin who served for 20 years in the pastoral ministry. Meet Bob and his wife Lynne. The cost is $199 plus tax.
(New Ad! Look!) Wayside Presbyterian Church is searching for temporary Pastor Supply for May 2008 through August 2008 during a sabbatical for our Pastor. We recognize that it will be difficult to get one person to cover this entire period so we are planning to split the time period into monthly segments and cover each segment with a different individual. We seek individual pastor supply for four week periods which would include a block of four Sundays. Requirements are to serve 20 hours a week with primary responsibilities to include: preparing the Sunday service, preaching, general office support, committees, some visitation, and lead the serving of Communion. Terms would include an hourly wage, mileage (excluding commute to/from church) and phone/cell phone use and reimbursement for calls from home. Two Parish Associates and selected elders will cover the following duties: manage staff of Music Director, Youth Coordinator, Administrative Assistant and sexton; pastoral visitation; moderate session meetings, requests for funerals and weddings, provide office hours for drop by visits and Men’s Bible study. If you can help cover a four week segment or have questions, please contact Jeff Doane at 717-898-4165 weeknights after 5 PM.
S.P.I.R.E. (Meeting) (Spouses and Survivors are cordially invited)
Date: December 10, 2007, Place: Terrace Room at Willow Valley Conference and Resort Center, Willow Street, PA, (4 miles south of Lancaster on Rt 272/222) Time: 12:00 p.m. (Note the time!), Program: Marilyn Nettles will bring a program on "Christmas Traditions" Cost is $10 and the deadline for registering is Dec 5th. Please send your reservation to me at 453 State St.,Lancaster, PA 17603 or by phone 717-397-1253 or by email to wjb453@verizon.net Thank-you! Bill Brown
The Summer Collegium, a project in support of small congregations, is now accepting applications for the Summer 2008 event, which will take place at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria, VA, from June 25-July 3, 2008. This nine-day, all expenses paid conference for clergy and their spouses or partners is open to those who pastor small congregations (100 or fewer average Sunday attendance) and are committed to small church ministry. Singles and non-ordained pastors are welcome to apply for the one of the 25 openings. The conference consists of keynotes and workshops on all aspects of small church ministry, with a special emphasis on worship and preaching. Keynotes include Tony Pappas, who has written extensively on small church life, and Peter Bush and Christine O'Reilly, authors of the new book Where 20 or 30 are Gathered: Leading Worship in the Small Church. John Bell of the Iona Community in Scotland will be our music leader. This is an ecumenical project sponsored by the Lilly Endowment Inc. Applications may be downloaded from our website, www.vts.edu/education/collegium, or contact Marilyn Johns (mjohns@vts.edu or 703-461-1760); applications must be postmarked by December 15, 2007. Thank you very much, and please contact me if you have any questions. Marilyn Johns, D. Min. Project Manager, The Summer Collegium
CHRISTIAN FORMATION INFORMATION |
Lancaster Theological Seminary invites your congregation to join 30-50 other congregations, primarily in Pennsylvania and Maryland, in participating in our Spring/Lenten Adult Study Series. The theme of this five-week series is “Philippians: Living Joyfully in God’s Presence.” Written by Dr. Bruce Epperly, this study will focus on what it means to experience God working in our lives and how we can awaken to God’s abundant presence through scripture study and spiritual practices. In the context of reflection on the text, take home exercises, and spiritual practices, participants will explore what it means to live with an awareness of God’s presence in the small and large details of their lives. Bruce Epperly is Director of Continuing Education and Professor of Practical Theology at Lancaster Theological Seminary. The author of twelve books in spirituality, theology, healing, and death and dying, Dr. Epperly is an ordained minister in the United Church of Christ and Christian Church (Disciples of Christ.) The study includes the following: 1. Study guide for participants and leaders, 2. Video introduction to each session, 3. Introductory and concluding lectures, for those who wish to attend, at Lancaster Theological Seminary.
The cost of the study is $150 per congregation, with some scholarship assistance available. For more information or to register, please contact Rikki Jones at 717-290-8758 or rjones@lancasterseminary.edu |
POSITIONS AVAILABLE |
Cedar Grove is searching for an Interim Pastor! To begin a conversation about this, call Wendy Gross at 717.314.1034 or email: WendyJWT@aol.com
Worship Leader Needed at Unionville! Part of our purpose as a church is to provide authentic, God-honoring opportunities for worship that are expressive, faithful, and attentive to our local context. At the present time Unionville Presbyterian Church has two traditional services on Sunday mornings and we are looking to permanently add a new worship experience on Sunday evenings. Our task force has been visiting other contemporary worship services in our area and praying for God’s guidance. Worship teams from other churches have come and led Sunday evening worship for us so that we can see and feel what it is like to worship “at home.” It is our prayer that we will be able to lead this worship with our own team once a month with the expectation that the service will evolve to every Sunday evening in God’s time. Leadership is key. We are praying for a volunteer who would help UPC birth this new worship experience with the hope that it will evolve into a paid staff position once we are ready to worship on a weekly basis. This is a wonderful opportunity to make your own mark while formulating and creating this new worship experience in conjunction with Pastor Jen Howat and the task force. If you feel that you are gifted in this area and that God is calling you in our direction please contact Pastor Jen at 610-347-2327 or email her at pastorjen@comcast.net. Thank you!
Youth Leader wanted in Jan 2008! The Session of Doe Run Pres in S. Coatesville PA is seeking a parttime (up to 10 hours a week) youth leader to lead our youth in fellowship, service and study. Youth group of 10 youth (7-12) meet weekly ususally on Sunday nights. $10 per hour plus mileage. If interested in applying, contact adickey543@comcast.net or minister@doerun.org.
Wrightsville Presbyterian Church, an equal opportunity employer, seeks a Director of Christian Education. This newly established, part-time position will evaluate, resource and direct the educational needs for children, youth and adults. This includes extended programming, seasonal events, Vacation Bible School, and the recruitment, development, and training of volunteers. Must be able to build relationships with children and adults of all ages in order to engage them in learning and in service to the Lord. Additional qualifications include: education in graduate, undergraduate, or seminary specializing in Christian education preferred; leadership skills and ability to work with volunteers; applicable clearances; ability to work 15-20 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.
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 secretaryfpc@comcast.net or mail to: The First Presbyterian Church of Phoenixville, 145 Main Street Phoenixville , PA 19460 RE: Praise Team Leader. |
WDAC is currently seeking to fill the employment opening of Sales Representative Applications should be sent to WDAC, Box 3022, Lancaster, PA 17604 Attn: Joe Hartman by Dec 14th. A hiring decision will be made by Jan 31st 2008. www.wdac.com 717.284.4123 or fax 717.284.2300
Wayne Presbyterian Church seeks Director of Children’s Ministries
WPC is located in the heart of historic Wayne, Pennsylvania. The church’s large, active, family-oriented congregation of 2,200 members embraces and shares Christ’s ministry through worship, lifelong Christian Education, broad mission outreach, and music in an atmosphere of caring hospitality. We seek an energetic, creative, passionate individual to direct Christian Education, worship, mission, and fellowship programs for children from birth through 5th grade and their families. This individual will work closely with the Director of Children’s Music to incorporate music as an integral and inspiring part of the children’s programs and with pastoral staff to involve children and families in the worship services of the church. This is a full-time position that is supported with part-time administrative support. Experience/education in children’s ministries and strong communication/organizational skills are required. See CIF #08101.AC0, e-mail epcastleman@earthlink.net, or call Elizabeth Castleman at 610-293-1307. |
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