It is with deep sadness that we inform you of the death of the Rev. Dr. William J. Brown H.R. (Executive Presbyter Emeritus) on November 23, 2009 at the age of 89.  Bill was Donegal’s first Executive Presbyter, serving from 1963 until his retirement on January 1, 1990.   Bill continued to serve actively and effectively in the presbytery for the nineteen years of his retirement.  His total service in the Presbytery of Donegal spanned 45 years. The memorial service is on Friday, December 4^th at 2:00pm at Wayside Presbyterian Church, 600 Stony Battery Road, Landisville, PA 17538. (phone: 717.898.1551). Visitation will be on Thursday evening, 6-8pm and 1-2pm prior to the service on Friday. Messages of condolence may be sent to Bill’s wife, Nancy, at 453 State St., Lancaster, PA 17603-2605.

Would all chairpersons of departments, divisions and committees please let the presbytery office know your meeting schedules for 2010 by sending them to kathy@donegalpby.com.

http://www.donegalpby.com/pennmed1.pdf - Click here for up-to-date information on Swine Flu and a free resource that can be ordered for you and your congregation.

Attention Women!  The Racial Ethnic and Women's Ministries/PW is seeking nominations for women who help the church to grow in its witness and commitment to peacemaking!  Click for the details!   and Click here for the rest of the application!  Hurry - you have till January 18th 2010 to respond! (the day before Presbytery)

Prepare your hearts for Christmas!  Come to Christmas in the Woods at Camp Donegal. Sunday, December 13 between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. Live nativity with donkey and sheep, caroling by candlelight, live music in Donegal Hall, cookies, hot and cold beverages. Nativity times: 5:15, 6:00, 6:45 and 7:30. Live music times: 5:35, 6:20, 7:05 and 7:50.

Triennium is Coming...What IS the Presbyterian Youth Triennium? Every three years, thousands of high schoolers from our denomination (The Presbytery Church USA) and two other denominations gather for a huge, 5-day long part/festival/youth group/worship experience/chance to make friends/service opportunity/party. It’s called a “youth conference,” and it will change everything you know about church. When and where is it? It’s this summer, July 19^th-25^th (including travel time) on the campus of Purdue University, in West Lafayette, Indiana. How much is it? $409 per person. The presbytery will take care of travel costs and means. Who’s going? High schoolers, age 15-19, and some trusty adult advisors. Our delegation is from Donegal Presbytery, but we’ll meet people from every state and a bunch of foreign countries, too. Interested? We need youth and adult advisors. Look for more information soon. You can also check out the Youth Triennium website www.presbyterianyouthtriennium.org. Please contact the presbytery office if you are interested betty@donegalpby.com.

Looking for a Young Adult Advisory Delegate to the 2010 General Assembly.

What is it? Young adult advisory delegates are not attending a youth conference. YAADs are full participants in the General Assembly meeting, with responsibility for becoming familiar with the business coming before it and taking part in the deliberations. They are seated with the presbytery commissioners in the plenary sessions, and are assigned to assembly committees. YAADs have voice in plenary sessions, and vote in their committee. The Stated Clerk assigns assembly assistants to serve as YAAD advisors; they provide guidance for the 173 YAADs, but there is limited adult supervision. YAADs are housed in one of the assembly hotels, and generally share a room with another YAAD. YAADs should be self-motivated and responsible.  Who are We Looking For? the young adult advisory delegate “shall be between the ages of seventeen and twenty-three years on the date the General Assembly convenes.” The potential young adult advisory delegate should be active in their local congregation and presbytery or campus ministry. The young adult advisory delegate should be mature; the demands of the assembly require responsible decision-making, as well as being away from home for a week and managing their time and work with limited adult assistance. Where and When is General Assembly? July 3-10, 2010 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. How Many Will Go? One YAAD and one Alternate YAAD, who will attend if the elected YAAD cannot attend, will be selected. How Much Will It Cost? All expenses for travel, housing and meals are paid by the General Assembly. Only personal expenses will need to be covered by the YAAD.  Please contact the presbytery office if you are interested kathy@donegalpby.com

TREATS 'N TREASURES - the Annual Mission Benefit Christmas Bazaar - will be held on Saturday, December 5th from 8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. at Leacock Presbyterian Church, Paradise, PA. Featured will be - Handcraft Heaven, Gift Baskets, The Holiday Cafe, Cookies, Cakes and Chocolate Gifts to go, Redecorations, Gently Used Holiday Items, Plants and Greens for the Season and Used Books, CDs and DVDs. The Christmas Bazar is held by the Women's Association of Leacock Presbyterian Church. All proceeds go to mission projects. Leacock Presbyterian Church is located at 3181 Lincoln Highway East, Paradise. Free Admission - Handicap Accessible. 687-6619 (church off.)

Resources for churches: (came across my desk and found it a good springboard for thinking about our safe church practices) http://www.christianitytoday.com/lyris/churchsafety/archives/11-26-2009.html  Recently, a long thread of questions and answers grew on the topic of whether or not churches can videotape kids at church. Does this practice violate child privacy laws? Frank Sommerville, popular speaker and highly esteemed church attorney, answered this question on ChurchSafety.com's "Ask the Expert" panel.  Frank is new to our editorial advisory board on ChurchSafety.com, as is his wife, Elaine Sommerville, CPA, and Michael Batts, CPA. Combined with our existing seven "Ask the Expert" advisors, this group now represents the top 10 reasons why ChurchSafety.com is the best site for risk management resources. With expertise in areas that pose the greatest risks for churches—tax, law, finances, accounting, student ministry, children's ministry, and background screening—our "Ask the Expert" section provides a benefit that makes ChurchSafety.com an invaluable resource for every church.

The above discussion got me interested in what we should or should not post in videos of kids.  I found this site very helpful: http://www.ftc.gov/ogc/coppa1.pdf

Basically, don't include information on children on line that would allow others to make contact with them either by phone, internet, or a visit to their address.  Pretty simple and basic.