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Week of April 9, 2025
E-News
| | For correspondence mailing/emailing please use the appropriate address: | | Presbytery Calendar At-A-Glance |
- Prayer Calendar: Week of April 6, Firestone Park Presbyterian, CRE Lisa Machar Zimmerman
- April 10, Resource Committee, 10a, Zoom
- April 13, Holy Week Begins
- April 20, Easter Sunday
| | The Presbyterian Historical Society will be offering Eastminster Presbytery a workshop on records preservation on at 1pm on Wednesday, May 14 via Zoom. Clerks are encouraged to attend to learn about best practices for record retention and archiving. Click here to learn more about the services that PHS provides. If there are congregations who have not sent records to the Historical Society lately (or ever!), Barry will be making a trip to Philadelphia later this year and will personally deliver records to the Historical Society for any congregation that has prepared them for deposit. Clerks are encouraged to contact him now to let him know that you are planning on taking advantage of this offer so that he can coordinate that trip. | | |
Eastminster Presbytery invites you to join us in praying for a particular congregation, committee, and validated ministry within the presbytery each week in 2025 that God may bless their ministry and that the grace of Jesus Christ might shine through them. This week, we lift up the congregation of Firestone Park and their pastor CRE Lisa Machar Zimmerman
April Calendar
- April 6, Firestone Park, CRE Lisa Machar-Zimmerman
- April 13, First - Barberton, TE Mark Ruppert
- April 20, First - Columbiana, TE Fritz Nelson
- April 27, First United - East Palestine, TE Fritz Nelson
The entire 2025 Prayer Calendar can be found on the home page of our website: eastminsterpresbytery.org
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Good News - Church Spotlight
Canfield Presbyterian Church Hosts House of Worship Safety & Security Training
Canfield, Ohio- The Canfield Presbyterian Church (CPC) in conjunction with the Ohio Crime Prevention Association hosted a House of Worship Safety and Security Training on Thursday March 20. Twenty-five participants from local churches, law enforcement agencies and the Department of Homeland security attended the training.
This training course is designed to inform and educate those responsible for maintaining a safe environment for the people and property associated with churches, chapels, synagogues, temples, mosques, or any other place of worship we reverently call a House of Worship. The course assist in helping House of Worship leaders to learn how to
prevent, avoid, and control various risks associated with the members, staff, guests, and buildings that make up your House of Worship.
One threat that Houses of Worship are extremely vulnerable to are active shooter attacks because of their location, population, and open-door mentality. In addition to active shooter/threat incidents, there are a growing number of property crimes.
| | Pictured: Pastor Larry Bowald (CPC Senior Pastor) and John DiPietro (OCPA) | | |
This presentation covered topics to educate members, staff, leadership, and clergy on how to protect people and property, preventing accidents, injury, and neglect, safeguarding against loss from crime and theft of funds, protecting members and staff from abuse, liability, false claims, and lawsuits. Protection of those entrusted to your care is a key element of a House of Worship.
In 2022, sixteen staff members from Canfield Presbyterian Church attended this training. After attending the class CPC contracted the Ohio Crime Prevention Association to conduct at Safety Assessment of their church. From the assessment recommendations for safety improvements were made. CPC has since created a standing safety committee and has procured a $150,000 grant through the FEMA’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program. The grant funds will help CPC install additional surveillance cameras, anti ram devices near the church’s playground, install access control measures, and more.
The training was featured on local news WKBN and WFMJ.
Canfield Presbyterian Church plans to host the training again in 2026. For more information about the training go to: https://ocpa-oh.org/training.
| | Open Invitations to ALL around Eastminster Presbytery | | |
Memoir Writing as a Healing Practice with Dr. Jamie Marich
Wednesday, April 9th @ 7:00 pm, First Presbyterian, Columbiana
Join THE HUB and trauma therapist Dr. Jamie Marich (she/they) for a free workshop on how pen, paper, prayer and a willingness to look into our own lives can help us process and heal. Dr. Marich is the author of You Lied to Me About God, which chronicles the harm caused by weaponized religion and describes how she discovered a healing faith. The author of over 15 books and manuals, Dr. Marich is an internationally recognized specialist int he fields of trauma, dissociation and addiction.
This workshop will appeal to anyone interested in writing, spiritual practices or exploring their own vulnerability. Naming and processing spiritual trauma, especially for those who have been excluded from religious community, will be a specific focus.
Registion and more info at columbianahub.org. / Flier to share with your congregation
Canfield Presbyterian Church
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GIANT EGG DROP for all kids, and kids-at-heart, Canfield Presbyterian Church (140 W. Main Canfield 44406) is hosting the “Giant Egg Drop” on Sat., April 12 beginning at 10 AM. Festivities include a puppet show, egg hunt, and building an “egg protection unit” to keep your egg safe when dropped from different heights, concluding with a bucket truck in the church parking lot. All welcome – don’t miss the “eggs”-citement!
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MAUNDY THURSDAY DRAMA Canfield Presbyterian Church is presenting a Maundy Thursday Tenebrae service and drama “Two Faces in the Shadows” on April 17 at 7 PM in the sanctuary. Join us as Peter and Judas meet in the upper room on Friday to recount the events of Jesus’ last night. All are welcome for this moving presentation; the service includes Communion.
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The Annual Schaff Lecture in partnership with Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Wednesday, April 23. First Presbyterian, Youngstown
2:00-4:00 p.m. Clergy Workshop (registration required)
5:00-6:30 p.m. Community Dinner (registration required)
6:30-8:00 p.m. Worship Service (free and open to the public)
Our lecturer is Dr. Jennifer Carner, the Director of the Preaching in a Post-Christian Age Initiative and visiting assistant professor of preaching at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. The workshop is titled The Enduring Power of the Folk Homiletic and Ethic in the Practice of African American Preaching and is open to all clergy from all denominations and backgrounds.
The workshop is limited to 50 seats, the dinner is limited to 100, but the worship service is open to all people without registration.
Please see an updated flier HERE to share with your friends and congregation. Additional details on these events as well as an opportunity to visit the Labyrinth at the church during Lent. Questions can be directed to email at pastor@fpcyo.org or by phone at 330-744-4307.
Updated Events at First Presbyterian Church, Youngstown
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Job Postings
Seeking Part-Time Children's Ministry Leader: Canfield Presbyterian Church (CPC) in Canfield, OH is seeking a Part-Time Children's Ministry Leader. The mission of the Children's Ministry Leader is to reach out to the CPC children with the message of Christ's unconditional love, guiding them to grow as followers of Jesus Christ and nurturing in them a heart to serve. The ideal candidate must be a growing Christian with a desire to serve God through working with children, and have experience or training with child development and/or education. This position requires the ability to communicate well and in a friendly manner with the church leadership, staff, visitors, members of the congregation, and most importantly children. This is a Part-Time position, requiring approximately 20-25 hours per week including Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test. Wage is negotiable with relevant experience. Resumes with a letter of interest to be emailed to the CPC Executive Director, attention Kerry Pettit execdir@canfieldpres.org
Seeking Part-Time Custodian: Canfield Presbyterian Church (CPC) in Canfield, OH is seeking a Part-Time Custodian. The Part-Time Custodian will be responsible for the cleanliness and minor upkeep of the CPC buildings and grounds in collaboration with the Full-Time Custodian. This position is responsible for setting up tables, chair, and other equipment for daily church activities. Additionally, mowing grass and snow removal from sidewalks is done throughout the year. The ideal candidate must be skilled in time management, mechanically minded and have an eye for attention to detail. Candidate must be able to lift and carry heavy items such as ladders and tables and have the ability to operate equipment such as snow blowers, lawn mowers, and leaf blowers. This position requires the ability to communicate well and in a friendly manner with the church leadership, staff, visitors, and members of the congregation. This is a Part-Time position, requiring approximately 15-20 hours per week including Sunday, Thursday, and Friday mornings. Must be able to pass a pre-employment background check and drug test. Wage is negotiable with relevant experience. Resumes with a letter of interest to be emailed to the CPC Executive Director, attention Kerry Pettit execdir@canfieldpres.org
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From Your Synod Executive... | I'm thrilled to announce that at our called meeting on 3/18/25, the Synod elected the Rev. Ruth-Aimée Belonni-Rosario as our new Associate Executive for Racial Justice. God's hand has been evident throughout the call process, and I'm eager to work | | | |
Join us on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of each month from 10:00 to 11:30am for our new Lectionary Group where we will discuss upcoming lectionary passages and help one another workshop ideas for preaching. It will be geared towards people who write sermons, but it is open to everyone. | | | |
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Legacy Giving Sunday
May 4, 2025
| Legacy giving is an act of faith, hope, and generosity that transforms lives and strengthens the mission of the church for generations to come. To help you promote this powerful opportunity within your Presbyterian congregation, we are excited to share a suite of updated Legacy Giving Resources - created to inform, inspire, and guide your members. | | | |
New mental well-being and EAP services for 2025 |
No-cost therapy visits and coaching
You have access to six clinical therapy sessions per year with a Spring Health provider at no cost to you — including both in-person and virtual appointments. You can also access specialized services through the Spring Health website and app that make it convenient for you to identify your needs, then plan and access virtual or in-person care from anywhere:
- Conduct a digital self-assessment to screen for mental health needs, then receive guidance to find personalized care and providers.
- Search and filter for providers by specialty, including faith-based care, ethnicity, language, and gender.
- View availability and schedule appointments, including therapy and medication management appointments.
- Access mental health exercises to develop long-term skills or get immediate relief anytime, anywhere.
In addition to the six no-cost therapy visits, you have unlimited virtual access to certified coaches who can help you:
- build better habits
- navigate life’s transitions
- improve communication skills
- set and achieve goals on topics including personal development, health and wellness, and parenting
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Faith Formation Leader Connection Resource Zooms 2025
April 24 – November 6, 2025
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A resourcing Zoom with time to share what’s new, what’s in season, and ask what you are looking for.
Register once for all three 2025 dates.
Can't attend but have a resourcing question?
Reach out to us at christian.formation@pcusa.org
or view Christian Formation Wakelet Resource lists for ideas.
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Christ Presbyterian Church (Canton)
530 Tuscarawas St W
Canton, OH 44702-2093
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This Prayer School offers a transformative spiritual formation experience. Participants will gain practical tools and theological insight to deepen their prayer lives. The event emphasizes training in contemplative prayer practices, offering guidance rooted in biblical theology and Christian tradition. Zahnd’s Prayer School is designed to foster discipleship through:
- Engaging with ancient Christian practices such as praying the Psalms and silence.
- Developing a prayer life that is both theologically rich and spiritually formative.
- Encouraging lifelong discipleship through deepened communion with God.
For more details and to register click HERE
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Can CBT Skills Make You a Better Pastor?
Led by the Rev. Dr. Graham Standish, PhD, Mdiv, MA, MSW
Thursday, May 8, 9 am to noon, Sewickley Presbyterian Church.
Description: Pastors have successfully applied counseling techniques to ministry
for a long time. They’ve used Rogerian therapy in pastoral care and family systems theory in leadership. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) insights and skills may be even more helpful in helping us become better pastors and leaders.
In this workshop, we’ll learn how:
- Our thoughts, emotions, and behaviors interact to positively or negatively affect our leadership.
- Our core beliefs about ourselves and others can influence our reactions.
- Thought distortions can unintentionally hurt our leadership and relationships.
- Unresolved trauma responses can impact our perspectives and plans.
- CBT techniques can reduce conflict and increase collaboration,… and much more.
To register, go to https://www.samaritancounseling.net/pastors-workshops?utm_campaign=6ee76c47-e027-43d2-b10b-65caecb34dc3&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail&cid=3abb6a18-9737-4197-9135-8ed694ac1094
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Presbytery Staff & Officers:
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