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Week of December 14, 2022
E-News
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For correspondence mailing, please use the appropriate mailing address: | |
General Presbyter & Stated Clerk
1201 E Market St #427
Akron, OH
479.461.4042
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Associate for Administration
P.O. Box 14439
Poland, OH 44514
330.505.2167
Business Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-3pm
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Presbytery Calendar At-A-Glance
- December 20 - January 3, 2023 - Associate for Administration vacation
- January 9, Council, 4:00 p.m., Zoom
- January 13, Deadline for 2022 church financial remittances
- January 23, Resource Committee, 7:00 p.m., Zoom
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Gracious God, as we light the Advent candles may Love, Hope, Joy, and Peace burn bright in our hearts. Each day may we show the love of God, bring hope to those we meet, find joy in all that we do, and shine the light of the Prince of Peace. May the Christ Candle be more than a completion of the Advent wreath; may it help us to focus on Jesus during every season and lead us on our journey of faith. We ask this in the name of the Light of the World, Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Advent & Christmas Blessings,
Rev. Cathy Ulrich
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Weekly E-News Newsletter
In light of Diane's upcoming vacation, this is the last edition of the weekly E-News for 2022.
See you in 2023!
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Coming this February
Annual Pastors Retreat
February 8-9, 2023
Villa Maria Education and Spirituality Center (Villa Maria, PA)
Registration is now open!
Further details and updates will be available in early 2023
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The 2023 Stated Meetings of Presbytery months and dates have changed. Presbytery will now meet the SECOND Tuesday of February, May, August, and November. Add the following to your calendar!
2023 Stated Meetings of Eastminster Presbytery
February 14, 2:00 p.m., Zoom
May 9, 10:00 a.m., In person (site TBD)
August 8, 10:00 a.m., In person (site TBD)
November 14, 6:00 p.m., Zoom
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Clerks of Session
PC(USA) Statistical report portal opened December 2!
The on-line statistical reporting system is now open for the PC(USA) 2022 Annual Statistical Report. The statistical information must be approved by session before submitting online. Frequently asked questions, instructions, and to submit the statistics can be found HERE. Questions about how to prepare the annual statistical report or passwords can be directed to Cathy Ulrich (cathy@eastminsterpresbytery.org).
If not yet done, please submit a completed copy of the 2021 session minutes review checklist for minutes that were reviewed in 2022 (either at the virtual reviews or by a COM liaison). The checklist can be sent by email cathy@eastminsterpresbytery.org or mailed to 1201 E. Market Street #427, Akron, OH 44305. If the 2021 session minutes have not been reviewed, please contact your COM liaison.
2023 Annual Terms of Call - Deadline: ASAP
Each congregation is asked to submit an Annual Terms of Call form to Eastminster following approved vote at a congregational meeting. This information is used by the COM as one of the responsibilities of this committee is to ensure fair compensation for our ministers. Terms of Call can be submitted online or the form can be downloaded and mailed (eastminsterpresbytery.org/Resources). Note: The 2023 minimum effective salary for a full time called pastor is $46,600/annually. The COM further recommends that each congregation increase their established pastor's effective salary by 6% to coincide with the presbytery's increase in minimum terms.
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Church Treasurers
2022 Financial Remittances Deadline: January 12, 2023
To allow Eastminster to meet the 2022 Remittances deadline to PCUSA and Synod, church 2022 financial remittances (per capita, mission, special offerings, etc.) must be received/postmarked by Thursday, January 12, 2023, to be applied to 2022 giving. Remittances can be submitted via USPS mailed (with a completed Remittance Form) to Eastminster Presbytery / PO Box 14439 / Poland, OH / 44514 or through the
Presbytery Payment Portal. Contact Diane with questions.
Mission Pledge Deadline: January 31, 2023
Submitting the online 2023 Mission Pledge form allows presbytery to continue one of its many ministries: being a resource to our congregations. Unless otherwise instructed, Eastminster designates shared mission giving as:
25% General Assembly
5% Synod of the Covenant
70% Eastminster Presbytery
Note: Online form links can also be found by visiting the Resources Page of the presbytery website
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2023 Presbytery Directory Updates
It's that time of year for churches to submit updates for the 2023 Presbytery Directory. It would be helpful if we had this information ASAP but understand we are in a busy time of church life. Please submit updates by January 31, 2023, to ensure the Presbytery Directory contains the most updated information. If there are no updates/changes, we would appreciate receiving a completed form indicating that there are no changes.
>> Directory Update Form <<
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Celebration of Saints
Necrology Report: Deadline is January 6, 2023
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At our Presbytery meeting in February, we will honor the Elders who have joined the church triumphant in 2022. Please be sensitive to this deadline to allow council to preview the report when they meet in January. If there have been no deaths, we ask that you submit the form with "None". We do not want to miss honoring the saint(s) from your congregation. The online report can be submitted HERE or you can find the link on the Resources page of the presbytery website.
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Blue Christmas Service
Wednesday, December 14, 7:00 p.m.
The Frist Presbyterian and Guiding Light Presbyterian Churches invite you to a Blue Christmas Service, a quiet and contemplative worship service in honor of those who are experiencing grief and struggling with loss. The service will be held at First Presbyterian Church in Mineral Ridge with the pastors from both churches leading the service. Click HERE for a flyer to share with loved ones who may be in need of this meaningful time.
OGLEBAY BUS TRIP
First Presbyterian Church of Warren is sponsoring an Oglebay Bus Trip on December 17th, 3-10 PM for the Festival of Lights. The cost is $42 per person and includes dinner on the way home. Registration deadline is Dec. 14th. Checks payable to First Presbyterian Church of Warren. Call the church office to register at 330-393-1524.
“Fiona and Friends” Christmas Concert
Thursday, December 15, 7:30 PM,
Fiona Coughlin will be presenting a concert of Christmas music at the Allenside Presbyterian Church on Thursday, December 15, at 7:30 PM. Fiona is the soloist at the Allenside Church, a senior at Firestone High School, and the winner of the “2022 Shining Star Cleveland” competition. Her recorded music has been shared at past Zoom-based presbytery meetings. Fiona will be joined by other award-winning singers from the Firestone High School’s “School of the Arts.” Come and enjoy the beautiful music! The concert will last approximately 45 minutes and will be followed by a reception.
"The Renewal Trio" Concert
Wickliffe Presbyterian Church invites you to attend a free concert featuring The Renewal Trio, a gospel group from Northeast Ohio, December 18th @ 6:00 p.m.
The group is composed of husband-and-wife team, Donnie and Linda Abraham, plus Becky Vignon. Donnie Abraham was a member of the Abraham Brothers, a gospel group well-known in past years in Ohio. Donnie also has a distinguished career as a manager of groups in the music business. Click HERE for a flyer to share with your friends
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Bookkeeper Needed - Akron, Ohio
North Springfield Presbyterian Church in Akron, Ohio is seeking the services of a part-time bookkeeper. Computer skills required, particularly Excel. Monthly responsibilities include: reconciliation of the checking account and preparation of General Fund receipts; record of monthly expenses, budget summary, and financial statement. Yearly tasks inlude: preparing year-end reports for the church’s Annual Report to the congregation. All duties will be in coordination with the church Treasurer. You may call the
church office at 330.784.3001 with questions. If qualified and
interested, email resume to northspringfieldpc@att.net.
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The Word has become flesh and blood and moved into the neighborhood! Kids, College Students, Musicians, Pastors, Leaders, and Staff from the Synod of the Covenant offer this Christmas Day Worship Service for you for Christmas Day 2022. | | | |
Explore these Opportunities to Train and Strengthen Preachers | One of the congregational vitality goals within the Matthew 25 initiative is Spirit-inspired worship. In the Reformed tradition, the central aspect of worship is the preaching of the Word as it points to the scriptures, which point to Jesus Christ. To this end, the Synod is offering several opportunities to train and strengthen preachers. | | | |
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Christmas Joy
November 27 - December 18, 2022
By giving to the Christmas Joy Offering, you honor God's gift of Jesus Christ by providing assistance to current and retired church workers in their time of need and developing our future leaders at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color.
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We invite you to use this Children's Sermon (Time with Children) in worship or Sunday school the morning you receive your Christmas Joy Offering, teaching children the joy we gain by giving to others. Prepared by Natarsha Prince Sanders, a DEdMin student at Columbia Theological Seminary and writing fellow at Collegeville Institute, Collegeville, MN. | | | |
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Presbytery Staff & Officers:
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