Newsletter

January 21, 2016

 

Stated Meetings
   The next
FOOTHILLS PRESBYTERY Stated Meeting #98 
will be 
Tuesday, 
February 16
at 9:30 - 
St. Giles Church
1021 Hudson Road, Greenville

Click here : 
In This Issue
Youth Leaders Roundtable
Camp Buc Update
Statistical Reports
Ray Jones Workshops
Senior High Retreat
YOUTH Rally!
Church Directory Forms Due
Diana Butler Bass @ Central
Transitional MInistry Workshops
FPCSptg Youth Event
SC5 Leader of Leaders
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Bi-Vocational Ministry Workshops
Presbyterian Youth Triennium
Go Disciple Live Conf
Board Univ Seminars
Employment Opportunities
Lay School of Theology
Resource Center
Upcoming Dates
MDS Workshops
Quick Links
  
  
  
  
  
   pdq





Foothills Presbytery Office Hours
9:00am - 4:30pm
Monday - Thursday
Office Closed
on Friday.

******

 
ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING OFFERING 
"SHARING BRINGS JOY. TO OTHERS. TO GOD, AND TO US"
Through abundant and generous gifts to One Great Hour of Sharing, Presbyterians have for many years faithfully heeded God's call to serve people seeking to reclaim and restore their lives.
   
******

thornwell

Thornwell Home for Children
  
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SOUTH CAROLINA INN AT MONTREAT

Keep the South Carolina Inn in mind when you start making your summer plans. If you plan to attend a conference at Montreat or just want some time away in the beautiful mountains, you can find room in the South Carolina Inn or the Kirk Apartments. Give Chuck a call to inquire about options and to make reservations - 828-669-7460 or cell phone 828-230-5171.

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world

Stewardship of Creation Enabler Connections  


What's New:
 Youth Leaders Round Table
Join us!
         
Youth Ministry Leader's ROUNDTABLE
Tuesday, February 2
      
Youth Directors/Ministers are  invited to "talk shop"
12:30 - 2:00 pm 
at  the Presbytery Office
   2242 Woodruff Rd,  Simpsonville, SC 29681 ,  864-288-5774

Focus:
"ONE WORD"
         
Y ou have heard about the   One Word 365 movement ?  It is a community and a movement, encouraging us to forget resolutions and to choose just one word instead. The idea is that we should choose one word we can focus on every day, all year long - one word that sums up who we want to be or how we want to live. It can be a grounding way to start the year and can inspire every month of the year. 
 
Join around the table, enjoy lunch and talk about the new fun crazy fad One Word 365. 
  • One word can make a difference, provide clarity, inspiration and focus. 
  • What word would you choose and why? 
  • What one word would your youth group/church choose and why? 
  • How can the process/practice of focusing on one word guide us as we help teens and their families focus on THE word of God? 
***** We will provide Chick-fil-A sandwich & fries 
but we need to know you are coming!! 
Please reply to this email or click here:

 
  
Update on Camp Buc
  
  • At the November 10th Presbytery meeting we voted to appoint an Administrative Commission to further explore long-term options for the Buc Outdoor Center.
  • At that same meeting Presbytery voted to extend the original October 31 deadline for the $220,000 needed funding, to December 31, 2015. That vote was with the understanding that if we reach a minimum of $150,000 by then, it would be a "good faith" promise toward the final goal of $220,000.
  • The goal of $150,00 by end of the year was met!
  • We can begin planning for camp summer 2016.
  • The Program Committee for Summer Camp 2016 is already at work. They are currently planning a summer program which includes 4-6 weeks on site at Buc. 
  • The Property Management Committee has been created to ensure that short term property needs and camp needs are met.
  • Camp still needs the final goal of $220,000 for us to offer a full camping program (including repairs to Lake Pickens). Please note the $220,000 goal does not include opening the Woods at Buc Cabins.
2015 Statistical Reports
2015 Statistical Reports!

There is still time to complete your  2015 Statistical Report.  The workbook for completing the Session Annual Statistical Report HERE
 
The Statistical Report can be completed at  (http://oga.pcusa.org/stats).  Please remember, the program works best using one of the following web browsers:  Firefox, Safari, or Chrome.  In addition, they have provided a link to Frequently Asked Questions: http://oga.pcusa.org/section/churchwide-ministries/stats/frequently-asked-questions/.
 
We urge you to complete your report by the FIRST of FEBRUARY
to avoid long waiting times when you log on.
 
THE ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR ENTERING STATISTICS IS FEBRUARY 10, 2016.

Please remember - we are always available to help with any problems or concerns that you might have. Please don't hesitate to contact us at lwhite@foothillspresbytery.org or 864-288-5774.  .  
Annual Terms of Call Forms
To Clerks of Session, 
 
It is time to ask for the Annual Terms of Call form for all Foothills Presbytery Teaching Elders.
 
We have updated our format and the form is now on line (link below).  All personal information will be held in confidence.   Please complete this form and  submit it by February 28, 2016.
 
Ray Jones Workshops!
The Mission Team and Equipping the Saints have invited

The Rev. Ray Jones 
from the General Assembly
Presbyterian Mission Agency's office of Evangelism

to Foothills Presbytery.  He has accepted our invitation and is preaching at Presbytery and presenting two workshops with a focus on church Evangelism in a time of great cultural shift within our religious landscape.
 
Rev. Jones will present the work and research behind the recently introduced Engage project/study.   Engage is about effective evangelism that is part of a disciple making church culture that emphasizes both the importance of social justice and faith sharing.  It begins with the Jesus question, "who do you say that I am?"

The workshops will explore this question by moving through three main components:
WORKSHOP I
" Authentic and Engaging Evangelism"
         (Workshop following the 98th Stated Meeting at St. Giles)

WORKSHOP II
" A Church Shift: Moving from Church Growth to Bearing Fruit"
           (The gathering with small churches/all churches interested)
TUESDAY NIGHT FEB 16, 2016             
6:15 pm at St. Giles Presbyterian Church

Sr High Retreat!
Foothills Presbytery
Senior High Retreat
Montreat, N.C.
 
March 11-13, 2016
"Check Your Compass"
 
Keynote:
Rev. Laura Smith Conrad
Music: Sam Burchfield

Decisions, decisions, decisions. Many are made each day - some simple, some hard. As youth grow, they start to make more important decisions for themselves. In today's world, often the missing component of that process is their faith. At this retreat, we will focus on how important faith is in nurturing good decisions in life.

Deadline to Register is February 11!


YOUTH Rally - Feb 14!
 
Sunday, February 14, 2016
3:00 - 5:30 pm
for Middle School and Senior High Youth
Fountain Inn Presbyterian Church
307 North Main Street, Fountain Inn
"Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action. And by this we will know that we are from the truth and will reassure our hearts before him". 1 John 3:18-19

*Snacks will be provided*

RSVP: by January 31, 2016
to Donna Templeton at dcedonna@aol.com
**PLEASE let us know if your church will participate and the number of participants - Middle school, High school & Adults.

Church Directory Forms Due
Foothills Presbytery Directory Update

Please make sure you have completed and returned your 2016 Church Directory Information Form by Monday, February 1!  We will get the Foothills Presbytery Directories out as soon as possible.  Thank you! 
Diana Butler Bass @ Central PC
       
"Grounded: Finding God in the World"
 
Through a series of thoughtful and engaging lectures and Q&A sessions, Diana will take us through the process of understanding the transformative time we are in - taking us "across the bridge" from what has been to what will be.
 
Gather at Central Presbyterian Church: 1404 N. Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621
 
Fri. March 4  
     6:30pm-7:30pm
     Session I: God in a Post-Religious Time
     Coffee & Dessert to follow
 
Sat. March 5  
9:00am-12:00pm
Session II: The Rise of the Mystics
      Session III: Religion in America: Decline or Transformation?
                  
Lunch
     A limited number of lunches will be available for $10/each.
    ***** Reserve lunch today Here! *****
                  
 1:00pm-3:00pm
      Session IV: The Democratization of Religion
 
Learn more about Diana Butler Bass and her work by visiting her website: dianabutlerbass.com
 
Co-Sponsored by the Anderson School of Theology for Laypeople and Foothills Presbytery.   For more information: astlonline.org

Transitional Ministry Workshops
Transitional Ministry Workshops

Change happens - in interim situations and in congregations of longstanding. Build your skills with Week 1 and Week 2 of training (also known as Interim Ministry Training). 
 
Dates:   February 22 - 25, 2016    (Week 1 and Week 2 programs)
 
Cost:  $695 (Includes program fee, triple occupancy room, all meals and materials. Other accommodations available; see our website for details).  

More Info and Registration:    http://menucha.org/programs/tmw

Questions?  Call us at 503-695-2243. At Menucha, a real person is always happy to speak with you.

FPC Spartanburg Youth Dinner/Fundraiser

On February 20th, the Youth of First Presbyterian Church Spartanburg  will be hosting a Sweetheart's Dinner from 5:30 - 7:30 in our Family Life Center's Fogartie Hall. 

The cost of this special dinner is $45 per couple and includes a fine Italian three-course meal, delightful musical ambiance as well as outstanding local musicians providing the evening's entertainment. In addition, child care is provided free of cost! 
All proceeds will help fund the 2016 Senior High International Mission Trip to the Bahamas with Next Step Ministries.
 
All are welcome!  Our church is located at 393 E. Main Street, Spartanburg, SC 29302.  Please contact Shannon Stewart at 208-2133 or sstewart@fpcspartanburg.org to sign up

SC5 Leader of Leaders Event!
Mark your calendar for the

Annual Leader of Leaders Event
Sponsored by the SC5 
(Foothills, Providence, New Harmony, Charleston Atlantic, 
and Trinity Presbyteries)

Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast
Getting Real - Becoming the 21st Century Church
Featured Speaker: Jan Edmiston
Associate Exec Presbytery of Chicago and Founder of the Church for Starving Artist
 
Tuesday March 8, 2016
9:00am-3:00pm
Forest Lake Presbyterian Church
Columbia SC
Cost $45.00
 
Each Presbytery has ten slots for the event
For more information contact  Debbie Foster
Stewardship Kaleidoscope

Who should attend?:
Pastors, lay leaders, presbytery staff, and anyone who
is looking to learn more about stewardship in today's
church context.
Conference Fee and Location:
$250 on or before February 1, 2016
$275 after Feburary 1, 2016
Hilton San Antonio Airport
Conference Room rate of $109/night
Conference includes:
Four plenary sessions
Four workshops (35+ to choose from)
Two worship services
Dinner Monday
Breakfast and lunch Tuesday & Wednesday

Bi-Vocational Ministry Conference
BI-VOCATIONAL MINISTRY IN THE 21st CENTURY CONFERENCE
April 15-16, 2016

WHAT?  Bi-vocational Ministry in the 21st Conference is an ecumenical sponsored event 
by the Professional Church Leadership in which the PC(USA) participates.

WHERE? Epworth By the Sea
100 Arthur J Moore Dr, Saint Simons Island, GA 31522

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?  This event is geared both toward those serving or seeking to serve in a bi-vocational  ministry context as well as governing body or judicatory  leaders who work with ministers  who serve in such contexts.

Presbyterian Youth Triennium
Are You Interested in Your High School Youth Attending the 2016 Presbyterian Youth Triennium?

 
What's Triennium, you may ask?  Triennium is a gathering of 6,000 Presbyterian Youth and their Adult Advisors from all around the world which takes place at Purdue University 
on July 17-23, 2016. 
 
Here is the link:
 

Go Disciple Live Conference- Pres Mission Agency
 
Make plans now to be at   TradeWinds Islands Resorts  in   St. Pete Beach, Florida, August 8-11, for a vibrant gathering of Presbyterians committed to disciple-making, that leads to authentic evangelism, effective church transformation, justice, and church planting-through 1001 new worshiping communities.  

CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE  about our workshops and featured plenary speakers that include Mike Breen. One of the leading innovators in the disciple movement throughout Europe and the United States, Breen is in demand as a speaker across the U.S., Europe, and Australasia. Breen launched a team that began a movement in Europe that planted more than 1,400 churches in four years.  
Board University Seminars
Board University - the educational program of the Board of Pensions - is pleased to partner with the Trinity Presbytery to offer two of our education seminars at its office in Lexington, SC in February 2016: (click on the links below)
 
If you have any general questions or concerns about the seminars, please feel free to contact  Board University . For registration assistance, individuals may call the Board weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., ET, and speak with the first available service representative at 800-PRESPLAN (800-773-7752).
Employment Opportunities
Lay School of Theology
Lay School of Theology
 
The Lay School is an educational opportunity offered jointly by the five South Carolina presbyteries on two weekends a year, in spring and fall, held on the campus of Presbyterian College in Clinton.   The class instructors are highly qualified pastors and teachers of the PCUSA.  Overnight accommodations are provided at a discount at local hotels.  

The Lay Enrichment track is available for anyone who wants to delve more deeply onto the Presbyterian/Reformed faith.  The CRE track is for ruling elders who desire further training toward special service to the church as Commissioned Ruling Elders (lay pastors).  Course material is the same for both.  In the spring classes offered are Worship and Sacraments, Old Testament Survey, Church History, and Church Polity.  Fall classes are New Testament Survey, Reformed Theology, Pastoral Care, and Preaching.  Electives are also available in both spring and fall.  An information and registration packet is sent out electronically ahead of each Lay School session and will be available by a link from the Foothills Presbytery newsletter.

The next session of the Lay School 
will be April 15-17, 2016.
New in the Resource Center!
Foothills Presbytery  RESOURCE CENTER
Please take a minute and visit the new items list on the Resource Center website here!

Lent & Easter Resources -- A link to this new "Pathfinder" (bibliography) of seasonal materials--including books, videos and Internet sites-has been added to the Resource Center's Home Page.  Click on any title for additional information about the content. Books and videos showing a call number and saying "Available in library" may be borrowed.
Internet sites and items which are currently on order will continue to be added during the next week. The date of the latest update to this Pathfinder will be listed.
Coming Up....
Mark your Calendars 
            Dates to Remember

January 21 - Christian Educators meeting, Examinations meeting, Racial Ethnic Cabinet meeting
January 25 - Buc Outdoor Center Administrative Commission meeting
January 26 - Summer Camp Program Committee meeting
January 27 - Finance Team meeting
January 28 - Committee on Preparation meeting
February 1 - Buc Outdoor Center Property Mngt Committee meeting
February 2 - Youth Ministry Roundtable
February 4 - Committee on Ministry meeting

**** To see all of the upcoming events with detailed information like time and location, OR to let us know about an event you would like us to share, check out the events page on our website:


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The next FOOTHILLS PRESBYTERY STATED MEETING #98 will be Tuesday, February 16  at 9:30 - St. Giles, Greenville

MDS Workshops
MDS   WORKSHOPS
CONTINUING ED OPPORTUNITY
Check out the Jan + Feb  MDS calendar.

The Couple CheckupĀ®:  A Clergy and Spouse Exclusive
Date: Tuesday, January 26, 2016
Facilitator: Michael Hall

RESERVE NOW to save your place.

Cost is $160.  It will be held from 5:30 - 8:30pm in Rooms 211 & 212 of the Fellowship Hall at Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC  28270

***
Spiritual Formation
Date: Tuesday, February 2, 2016
Facilitator: Ed Coambes

Has God left the room?  Discover what to do when your normal spiritual practices leave you dry. Moving to a deeper interior space of intimacy with God has a predictable path once we can see it. Come and see how to move forward in your spiritual formation.

RESERVE NOW to save your place.

Cost is $99.  It will be held from 5:30 - 8:30pm in Rooms 211 & 212 of the Fellowship Hall at Sardis Presbyterian Church, 6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC  28270

***
Get Plugged In, Not Tuned Out (MDS Youth Outreach)
Date: Tuesday, February 16, 2016
 
Technology continues to evolve and shape the way that we live, and at the same time does not change some of the fundamentals of parenting and the family life cycle.
In this engaging presentation:
- Learn about the opportunities and challenges of digital parenting
- Get resources for engaging your whole family with technology
- Gain perspective on the necessary challenges of every period of parenting

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT  will be provided at event.

Cost is $25 for (1) adult $35 for (2) adults. Kids/Teens are free.  It will be held 6:00 - 8:00pm in the Sardis House (rear) 6100 Sardis Road, Charlotte, NC  28270