Connecting and equipping congregations to bear witness to the overwhelming hope, audacious joy, and contagious love of Jesus Christ.

This Week: Rev. Chip Hardwick, Executive for Synod of the Covenant – Faithfulness and Sustainability



LENT RESOURCES

The Synod of the Covenant will be producing Sunday Lenten services – fully produced services and Scripture/Sermon – for each Sunday in Lent, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Sunday after Easter. The Presbytery will do a meditation for Ash Wednesday.
More information coming! 
The six-week Lenten journey is an opportunity to take on a new spiritual discipline. This year, congregations are invited to pray with Scripture as a way of discerning God’s movement in our personal lives and in the life of the world around us.




Presbyterians Today
The Way to Shalom: A Lenten Journey to Peace and Wholeness

CHECK OUT ILLUSTRATED MINISTRIES for some great resources

 
Eyewitness isn’t a replacement for your Bible—it’s a companion—to open your imagination and make the Bible come to life.
We invite you to see how Scripture becomes more relevant and God’s love feels more vibrant and alive in your life through Eyewitness!
Take a vivid, beautifully artistic walk through this first-of-its-kind illustrated story Bible made especially for adults and older teens. First-person stories from 39 people in the Bible take you on a journey through the Bible, capturing the wonder and depth of real-life relationships with God…
Mt Washington Presbyterian Ash Wednesday Service
17 February 2021 at 7pm via Zoom
During worship, there will be opportunities for sharing and
reflection as well as a chance to self-administer “ashes.” 
Bring some oil, a tsp of some sort of powdered spice (red
preferred), a bowl of water, and a towel to the service.
The Presbytery of Cincinnati is also producing a meditation for Ash Wednesday, with instructions on how to create ashes for the service – link coming soon!
…and then of course there’s Easter…

Need more? Check out the resources inside The Ultimate Easter Kit
Upcoming Events
February 2021 CALENDAR

Tuesday 9 February
9:30AM Bible Study for Pastors and Preachers, by Zoom (Rev. Stacey Midge)
 
Tuesday 9 February
1:00PM Leadership Meeting, by Zoom
 
Wednesday 10 February
1:00PM COR Meeting, by Zoom
 
Saturday, 13 February
9:00AM-3:00PM PRESBYTERY GATHERING, BY ZOOM
 
Tuesday 16 February
9:30AM Bible Study for Pastors and Preachers, by Zoom (Rev. Stacey Midge)
 
Tuesday 16 February
6:00PM Council Meeting, by Zoom
 
Thursday 18 February
10:30AM CPM Meeting, by Zoom
 
Presbytery Gathering this Saturday!
Register now to ensure receipt of workshop information.
13 February 2021 9:00 AM-11:30AM
3 WORKSHOPS at 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Workshops are open to ALL in your church!
COVID can’t stop Northwest Community!
In addition to the drive-through canned good collection for OUR DAILY BREAD on Feb 27th
(10 AM - 2 PM), you can bring canned goods to the church between 10-2 on Mon, Tues or Weds. If you prefer, you can donate financially as your February Act of Compassion either by sending a check to the church or via our online giving tool, designating ODB. 



 COVID can’t stop Mt. Washington!

In response to the growing needs during this pandemic, MWPC provided non-perishable food items, 2 tons of produce (literally!), orange juice, hot dogs, cheese and more to 132 families in our community. Drive-thru food distributions occur at the church every 6 weeks.
Covid Can't Stop Pleasant Plain!

Friendship Connection and church members decorated Valentine wreaths for the residents of Pine Ridge Skilled Nursing and Rehabilitation in Morrow. We hope these will brighten their rooms.
Free Training Opportunity from the
Presbytery of Cincinnati Center for Learning!

Friday February 26, 7PM-9PM
Saturday February 27 9AM-3:30PM
Speakers include Michael Beck, Tod Bolsinger, Shannonn Keiser, Keisha Polonio,
and Len Sweet, with Topics such as:
Better Days Ahead: A Thriving Mission in a Polarized, Post-Corona, Hyper-Connected World
Minefields and Goldmines: What to Anticipate in the New World
The Plans I Have for You: Why Your Church's Destiny Lies in its History
The Church Has Left the Building: Re-Vitalizing congregations from the outside-In
The Power to Become the Church of Tomorrow: Becoming the Church of Tomorrow Today
LOTS OF Q&A and engagement!
 
This is FREE to you – don’t miss it. 
We are thrilled to announce that, after a few years of planning, our University of Cincinnati campus ministry, UKirk Cincinnati, is off to a great start!

Students are meeting weekly for food, fellowship, conversation, service, and fun!
 
Meetings are held at Immanuel Presbyterian Church at 3445 Clifton Avenue in Clifton.
 
This month we’ll be starting a book study of Marcus Borg’s “Heart of Christianity”.
Know a UC student? 
Have students ready to go to college?
Check out our website, Facebook, Twitter (@CincinnatiUkirk), and
Instagram (@Ukirkcincinnati)

Contact UKirk Director, Dr. Jonathan Sparks-Franklin, for more information!

NEWS from EAC
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE
Eastern Area pastors are getting together present a live virtual Ash Wednesday Service on the Eastern Area Council Facebook on Wednesday, February 17, at 6:30pm. The Lord’s Supper and imposition of ashes will be included. You can contact Barbara Jean by 2/10, with your regular mailing address, she will mail you a bit of the ashes in advance: [email protected]; Text or call at 513-218-4396. 
 
Our churches are meeting regularly in various ways – online and some in-person outside and in! We are blessing our neighborhoods, and share stories of the angels and miracles in our midst. Check out the EAC Vine Newsletter on the Presbytery website for our stories!
FUN THINGS TO EXPLORE

Looking for a Mission Passion…?
Our Daily Bread is still needing support!


And here’s another: Last Mile Food Rescue
Did you know that 40% of all food goes to waste, and ends up in a landfill, in a community where hunger is still rampant?
Have 90 minutes, a car and a drive to make a change? Download our app and sign up to rescue perfectly good food from ending up in landfills and transport it to one of our nonprofit partners that fight food insecurity in our Greater Cincinnati community.
Download the Last Mile app on iOS or Android and discover what happens when you go the mile.


Free Growth Resources:


TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
 
Newly elected and ordained ruling elders and deacons in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can now access resources that will guide them in understanding the constitutional questions of the denomination.
"Coming Alive in Christ: Training for PC(USA) Ruling Elders and Deacons based on the Constitutional Questions" is the first initiative launched as part of the Church’s Year of Leader Formation. The focus on the constitutional questions of the PC(USA) makes this a robust training!

 
Tuesday, February 16 at 2 pm
The Presbyterian Communicators Network (PCN) workshop will focus on the creating effective church e-newsletters. The online workshops are designed to help church communicators connect with members of their congregation and community. With many churches still not conducting in-person worship services, it’s more important than ever for congregations to be in contact and communicate through many different platforms. Register for the Feb. 16 workshop here.


Stewardship Kaleidoscope – Right here in Cincinnati!
Meet Our Speakers!

Stewardship Kaleidoscope 2021 will be in Cincinnati, OH,
September 13-15, as well as offering a virtual experience.
This annual conference offers education, worship, and amazing opportunities for growth in stewardship and generosity.
This year we are excited to announce that Tod Bolsinger of Fuller Theological Seminary and author of Canoeing the Mountains and Tempered Resilience will join us for two plenary sessions, with the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, Stated Clerk of the PC(USA), leading us in worship.
The Presbytery of Cincinnati is partnering with the Presbyterian Missions Agency on this event, and the offering will go toward our mission partner
Our Daily Bread! 

We will have more than two dozen workshops for in-person attendees that address topics from the spirituality of stewardship to practical tools for managing pledge campaigns.

Stewardship Kaleidoscope draws leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (USA) and other ecumenical partners with content designed to help participants explore stewardship that has a real impact on ministry.

Look for more speaker announcements and news about registration coming soon!

Find additional information about the 2021 and past conferences HERE
Thinking About a Church Security Plan?

Mitigating Attacks on Houses of Worship Security Guide: A DHS Guidebook for both thinking about the security of Houses of Worship and achieving a security plan best suited to the unique circumstances of every community.

Houses of Worship Security Self-Assessment: ACISA - developed baseline security self-assessment tool designed for persons with little to no security experience.
Board of Pensions Information


Tools and tips for taxes
Wholeness Challenges
New Prescription Cards
And much more!

Working with someone who needs help in this time?
 
If you’re being asked for help from someone whose pay or work hours have been reduced, or they find themselves unemployed at this time, here are some resources you can offer. They may qualify for income-based assistance with rent, mortgage, or utilities.
  • Cincinnati Community Action Agency (CAA) – 513-569-1840
  • Freestore Foodbank (financial assistance) – 513-357-4687
  • St. Vincent DePaul – 513-421-0602
  • Mercy Neighborhood Ministries – 513-751-2500
To find out the benefits for which they may be eligible, and for help applying for benefits:
  • Benefit Call center at Freestore Fodbank – 513-381-7627
When Can We Go Back into Our Church Building…?
Check out this insightful interview with Dr. Francis Collins, Head of the National Institutes of Health, in Christianity Today
The Presbytery Office is at Level Three of our Pandemic Plan.
The Presbytery office will remain closed to the public for the immediate future.
Lisa will largely be in the office. The rest of the staff will work remotely.
Anyone needing to come to the Presbytery Office call Lisa on her cell at 513/885-5434.

Masks are required and sanitizer is available in the office.

All committees should plan to schedule meetings/ministry teams/work groups via Zoom.
Thank you for your cooperation. Stay safe!! We are praying for you all!!!
2021 IRS Mileage Reimbursement is $0.56
Per Capita 2021
Per Capita connects Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations and mid councils with the work of the wider church. As the primary source of funding for the Office of the General Assembly (OGA), it is how Presbyterians mutually and equitably share the costs of moving the church forward in the 21st century. More Info
The Presbytery of Cincinnati’s 2021 per capita is the same as last year ($33.00), based on your 2019 membership rolls.  We will send a letter to Sessions in January.
 
Here’s a great video and some customizable resources for you as well!
        “Per Capita is crucial to the overall health of the PC(USA), because it binds presbyteries, synods, and congregations together in one church.”
– J. Herbert Nelson, II,
Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA)
NEXT CONFERENCE 2021

BREAKING, BLESSING, BUILDING
A Call For The Common Good
A FREE Live-Streamed Gathering for ALL Church Leaders
March 5-7, 2021
Don't miss this event!
ELDER AND DEACON
Form Your Faith. Anytime. Anywhere.


BOOKS:
The Presbyterian Ruling Elder: An Essential Guide, Revised for the New Form of Government

The Presbyterian Deacon: n Essential Guide, Revised for the New Form of Government
STEWARDSHIP
The Way We Think About Charity is Dead Wrong - TED Talk featuring Dan Pallotta

Not Your Parent's Offering Plate - book by J. Clif Christopher



PRESBYTERY STAFF AND OFFICERS
Lisa Allgood, Executive Presbyter

Rev. Erwin Goedicke, Stated Clerk

DawnMarie Hayes, Office Manager

Jonathan Sparks-Franklin, Dir. UKirk Cincinnati
Barbara Jean Havens, EAC Coordinator

Bill Maney, Treasurer

Rev. Carol Holbrook Prickett, Moderator

Elder Carol Buckhout, Vice Moderator

Elder Bill Bogdan, Council Chair