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Dec 20, 2007 Issue #85 |
Top Stories
Mission Info
News Issues
Christian Formation Info
Positions Available
Upcoming meetings!
One Good Idea |
Growing Faith Growing Churches |
Next scheduled presbytery meeting is January 15, 2008 at Wayside in Landisville at 9:30am
Send your docket requests to Bill Netting by January 3rd - netting@epix.net
Learning opportunities scheduled are:
Church Health thru Mission - with Jim & Lois Caldwell; Creating a "safe church;" Angel Food Ministry (by Pine Grove Presbyterian)
Presbytery meetings:
Do you need a baby sitter for presbytery meetings? Call the church directly and they will arrange for it!
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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 12/20/07 there were 131 skilled people in this database. What skills do you need? Please Register your expertise today! |
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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.presbyteryofdonegal.org |
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TOP STORIES GROWING FAITH - GROWING CHURCHES |
May Your Christmas be filled with the beauty and love found in Jesus Christ! God's Extravagant Blessings to you all!
You must watch this short 5 minute video on Bethlehem! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMyjywN-8Ac
Look at what changed! http://www.presbyteryofdonegalintransition.org Click on the January and February schedules to see when the transition team will be seeking to gather you for a holy conversation!
Sunday, January 27th from 2pm - 5pm at Bellevue Presbyterian Church - Presbytery Committee/Department Orientation and Welcome to the Work!
This time will be spent getting oriented to the work of the presbytery. If you are new to a committee or department or just want to get smarter about the work of presbytery, we want to help you get trained for the work and become an effective member of this servant organization! Register with Kathy Bartels at kathy@donegalpby.com or by phone: 717.392.4035! Blessings!
Ready to raise the bar in stewardship? Maybe the Presbyterian Stewardship Conference on March 10-12, 2008 at Ft Worth TX is the right place to start! Go to: http://www.synodsun.com/stewardship/ for registration information. The Presbytery office has registration brochures. Call and have one sent to you!
Check out this site for fair trade products to help out our Christian brothers and sisters in Palestine
http://www.pcusa.org/worldwide/israelpalestine/products
Throw Camp Donegal a penny when you search the internet! Start using www.goodsearch.com for your search engine (before going directly to google) and put in The Presbytery of Donegal in the “beneficiary” line before you start using it and you will be tossing the camp a penny every time you search. Give it a try!
iTunes has a new category! It is iTunesU - the iTunes university! It has lectures and courses from many excellent colleges for download! I'm listening to some C.S. Lewis lectures from the Reformed Theological Seminary link! There are many many courses free for the downloading! Crank up your computer and your brain and if you have an iPod, you can download them to that device. Thanks to Michael Wilson for pointing this out!
Lenten Preaching Seminary Coming on January 9th 1pm - 4pm at Bellevue Presbyterian Church in Gap, PA. Preaching the Theology of Lent We will explore together the lectionary passages for Lent by looking at them through Paul Scott Wilson's "Four Pages of the Sermon." Wilson writes, "The most effective presentation of the gospel is generally achieved when all four pages are adequately represented in the sermon for a sustained length of time, which allows the congregation time both to understand and experience what is being said in its theological depth." The time will begin with a brief outline of Wilson's "Four Pages," followed by group discussion around the texts for the Sundays in Lent. John Morgan is pastor of First Presbyterian Church of York. He has his doctorate of ministry in preaching from the Association of Chicago Theological Schools and is a member of the Academy of Homiletics.
As you most likely know, we have completed our report to the 218th General Assembly (2008). Along with our recommendations to the assembly, the report contains a proposed new section to the Book of Order entitled, “Foundations of Presbyterian Polity;” our proposed revision of the Form of Government; and a proposed “Advisory Handbook for Councils for the Development of Policies and Procedures Required by the Form of Government.” The complete report, along with a new study guide for the final report and other resource materials, is on our Web site at www.pcusa.org/formofgovernment In addition, every congregation, presbytery, and synod will receive a hard copy of the report very early in January. Thank you in advance for your assistance in giving pastors and other church leaders a heads-up to look for the report in the mail. We remain deeply grateful for the large response we received from across the church that helped to shape our final report and recommendations.
This is important! Presbyterian Endowment Education & Resource Network Bryn Mawr Presbyterian Church, 625 Montgomery Avenue, Bryn Mawr PA; Saturday, January 26, 2008, 8:30 am — 5:00 pm Come learn how your church can enhance and develop its ministry through an endowment program. This is a conference both for the church considering creating an endowment program and for the church wanting to revitalize or enhance its endowment program. Cost is $50 per person. Go to www.peernetwork.org for more details and registration information. Special benefits will include:
- Separate tracks for churches at different levels in growing their endowment program (registration survey provided to guide in track selection)
- Worship on theology of stewardship
- Plenary on stewardship
- Networking & roundtable discussions during lunch
- Individual, professional consult before leaving conference to determine plan of action for your church
I am now using an interesting website that helps me schedule meetings.
http://www.doodle.ch/main.html It allows a visual matrix of interactive planning for all to see. I have used this system twice with GREAT results! It is the best way to get a consensus for a meeting date and time! Very easy to use! You set up the possible dates and times and then send the link to everyone. They then put their availability online and it will tell you who can attend and who can not. Cool!
SAVE THE DATES! On Fridays April 4, 11, 18, and 25 from 9am till noon at the Lancaster Theological Seminary, the Rev. Tony Sundermeier and the Rev Dr. Bruce Epperly team up to bring a continuing education course on Forming the Missional Vision, Preaching the Missional Vision, Equipping for the Missional Vision, and Living the Missional Vision! DO NOT EVEN THINK ABOUT MISSING THIS OPPORTUNITY! |
MISSION INFORMATION |
http://belfastyav.blogspot.com/
Click on the above to follow the Blog of Bethany Therriault (Young Adult Volunteer from Eastminster Presbyterian) volunteering in Belfast Northern Ireland. Bethany's picture was in the Nov 27th issue of Mission Connections. The article said that she "is working with youth and other programs of Garnersville Presbyterian Church, which reaches out to a low-income housing estate in East Belfast. She also works with The Link, an inter-denominational initiative that connects town churches and the local community through a drop-in centre for young people from lower-income areas of Newtownards, ten miles east of Belfast."
2008 will be a Year of World Mission! Hear and see great things that God is doing TODAY, as Jesus commanded us (John 4:35, NIV) "open your eyes and look at the fields!" Be inspired by how truly "They are ripe for harvest!" At the January 15th presbytery meeting, Dr Michael Johnson, MD, surgeon in Kenya will speak before lunch! Don't miss this at Wayside Presbyterian Church!
Improve your vocabulary and donate rice to the U.N. - http://www.freerice.com Let me know if you score higher than 49!
After donating 1250 grains of rice, my score on the “donate rice to the UN” was a 43. Then again, my score went between 39 and 44, so it depends when you looked to see if I was better than 41. There are sure some tough words there! Thanks for sending the link over – it’s an interesting challenge and if it helps someone, even better! Steve Sturgis, Donegal Presbyterian Church. "Someone just sent me the website last night - could be addictive. I scored a 49 on my first go around. Fun!" Ellen Plank member of 1st Pres West Chester.
LOUISVILLE - A non-profit organization related to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has launched a Fair Trade Web site aimed at helping disadvantaged Peruvian artisans find a new marketplace for their goods and earn a sustainable wage in return. The Partners for Just Trade (PJT) Web site (http://www.partnersforjusttrade.org/) makes it easy to purchase Peruvian handcrafts and other products online and educates consumers about the meaning of fair and just trade.
Clothing/Medical Mission to Honduras. February 24-March 1, 2008 Cost $1,250 includes all but a few meals. Travel with Steve Mentzer to the Southern Region of Honduras where we will work in several rural villages and worship with our Presbyterian Friends. For more information see: www.missiontrav.com or call Steve 717-299-4942. Thanks, Steven C. Mentzer, Central American Relief Efforts, ssmentzer@comcast.net (717) 203-4942 |
NEWS ISSUES FROM PRESBYTERY! |
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!
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 from any where and publish an entry to our blog via phone! Don't be shy! It's fun, easy and educational! 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 two attempts at this, go to the following location and listen! http://www.donegalpresbytery.blogspot.com/
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!
COMPEER Lancaster celebrated with Doug Smith (from Bethany Presbyterian Church, Lancaster) and Seth Davis their International Award for the 2007 Outstanding Adult Match! These two guys have been great friends since 2001! Check out this outstanding organization and how you can be matched with a friend who needs your calls or get togethers. See them at: http://www.compeerlancaster.org Congratulations Doug and Seth!
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!
Give the Gift of Life! During this busy Christmas Season give the gift of life TODAY! 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.
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
CRUISE TO BERMUDA IN 2009 Join us on this Church Sponsored Cruise. 6 Days 5 Nights via Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines. Mark Your Calendar & Find out more at our Informational Meeting Date: Tuesday Jan 22nd.Meeting Place: Kreutz Creek Church in Hellam. Time: 7 pm Sponsored by Kreutz Creek Presbyterian Church for fundraising What a great family vacation - Come find out more! Or email committee contact: kimblouse@comcast.net
ARE YOU READY FOR A DISASTER? The Lutherans have an excellent website that helps. Check out: http://www.ldr.org or go directly to a helpful 33 page guide for your congregation: http://www.ldr.org/resources/PrepDisaster.pdf Another very interesting site is: http://www.communityarise.com - This website provides a full curriculum of materials to help you train for the ministries that surround disasters.
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
Christmas present for a church worker? 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.
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
New Position at Westminster! Facilities Manager. We would like the congregation’s assistance in identifying candidates for a new full time position at Westminster. The individual will be responsible for: supervision of custodial staff; maintenance of the church buildings, grounds and equipment; oversight of HVAC systems. The candidate should have knowledge of building systems and a capability to handle basic electrical, lighting and plumbing repairs. If you know someone who is qualified and may be interested, email Tom Snyder at tsnyder@westminsterpc.org
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!
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. |
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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CALENDAR OF COMING MEETINGS! |
Use the webpage calendar at: http://www.donegalpby.com/cgi-bin/calendar.pl or:
Thursday, Jan 3 - Property and Insurance meets 9:30am at the presbytery office, Overtures, Amendments, and Review meets at 1pm at the presbytery office.
Friday, Jan 4 - Staff reunion retreat at Camp Donegal
Monday, Jan 7 - Committee on Preparation meets at 1pm at Highland Presbyterian Church, Steering Committee of Council meets at 4pm at the presbytery office. Council meets at 7pm at First Pres in Strasburg.
Tuesday, Jan 8 - Presbytery Staff meets at 3pm at the presbytery office
Wednesday, Jan 9 - Mission Beyond the Presbytery meets at 9am at the presbytery office, Vitalization meets at 10am at the presbytery office, Preaching Workshop meets at 1pm at Bellevue Presbyterian Church in Gap
Thursday, Jan 10 - Committee on Ministry meets at 7pm at Leacock Presbyterian
Monday, Jan 14 - The Transition Team meets at 9:30 - 12:30 (lunch included) at the presbytery office.
Tuesday, Jan 15 - The Presbytery gathers at 9:30am at Wayside Presbyterian Church in Landisville, PA.
Wednesday, Jan 23 - Women In Ministry meet at 1:00pm at FPC Strasburg. We changed the time to see if that will enable some other women to attend. |
ONE GOOD IDEA |
No More Microsoft Music when you turn on or turn off your lap top! (Editor's note: my pet peeve is hearing that awful music in meetings) I have a solution for you! You can go to your Control Panel and then Sounds and you can customize the Windows startup or shutdown music. My home computer plays a bit of my son's organ music on startup and I hear Charlotte Church singing The Prayer on shutdown. You could even record your own message with a microphone. Your internal sound recorder will record a .wav file which can then be used for windows startup or shutdown. Oh, there is another option (that I use) - I keep my lap top speaker on mute until I need it. Let me hear from you if you have a creative wav file that you use!
Extravagant Christmas 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! |
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