February 21, 2017
 
Northeast Georgia Presbytery Newsletter
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186 Ben Burton Circle
Suite 100
Bogart, GA 30622
706-353-2533
In This Issue
A Word From Hilary
News from Northeast Georgia Presbytery
Prayer Concerns and Celebrations
Save the Date
 
 
A WORD FROM HILARY  

"Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult O earth; break forth O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people, and will have compassion on his suffering ones..." (Is 48:13)
 
I am looking forward with great joy to the Winter Stated Meeting of Northeast Georgia Presbytery this coming Saturday, February 25, 2017 at Reid Memorial Presbyterian Church in Augusta. We will welcome the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, the Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) who will preach at my installation service and who will present a keynote with Q & A after lunch.
 
As you know the PCUSA, our denomination, is named as a party defendant with us in the case filed by the "Alps Road Presbyterian Church." I wanted to let you know that in the morning session this Saturday, I will report on the status of the litigation. Let me briefly catch you up on where we are presently: last week our email reported that the local judge did not rule completely in our favor at the temporary hearing in that he allowed ECO to remain in the building. However, he did afford us plenty of protections pending the outcome of the case, so that the property will not fall into disrepair or waste away during litigation. Last week our attorneys filed our answer to the complaint and filed a counterclaim for ejectment and for our attorney's fees. Going forward, we expect there will be a six month period of time for discovery and then we will prepare for trial.
 
I have been in contact with our attorneys and remain confident that we will prevail since the existence of the principle of congregations holding all property in trust dates back through American Presbyterianism (including the Southern and Northern streams prior to reunion) to the Presbyterian Church in Scotland and further back to John Calvin (Institutes, Book III). I believe it will be very hard to overturn 500 years of our understanding of, and standing on, the trust clause.
 
Meanwhile it is with the strength and perseverance that comes from true faith that Central Presbyterian Church PCUSA's congregation continues in its witness and ministry as a member church in Northeast Georgia Presbytery. I have been worshiping with them regularly since January and will begin leading a Sunday school class this week, Transfiguration Sunday. I am privileged to tell you of their strength, their joy, and their steadfastness that I witness every week. I am sure that we will see great and marvelous works of the Spirit in their midst.
 
Finally, last week 22 folks, both Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders from all over NEGA Presbytery, took part in the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center's Mediation Skills Training Institute. I am excited by the energy garnered, and I know we will be better able to handle conflicts as they arise in the future. You all know, conflict is normal and natural to being in relationship with others. Anyone who wants to take this course and join our new group is encouraged to take the same training which will be offered next month in Atlanta. Early registration closes this Friday, so click here to find out more.
 
 
 
wise owl NEWS FROM NORTHEAST GEORGIA PRESBYTERY

Weekend Mission Youth Event, to be held at Reid Memorial Church and Augusta Local Missions, March 17-19, 2017.  Click here for more information. 
 
Click here for information about a VBS FunShop - Training with a Twist, Saturday, March 4, 2017 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Cleveland.

First Presbyterian Church in Gainesville will host the 30th Annual Gathering of Northeast Georgia Presbyterian Women on Saturday, March 18, 2017. Please click here for information, schedule and registration.

First Presbyterian Church in Athens would like to extend an invitation to all churches in Northeast Georgia Presbytery to attend their upcoming Core Godly Play Training, which is scheduled for June 8, 9, and 10 at 6:00 p.m. Click here for more information. 
 
 
Prayer Concerns and Celebrations

Please pray for Rev. George Day, Honorably Retired minister member of presbytery and his wife Jean, as they cope with his recent medical issues.
 
Pray for the family of DaLaun Thomas as he passed away on February 12th. He was the nephew of Rev. Cheryl Barnes, pastor of Sardis Presbyterian Church in Jefferson.
 
Also, please pray for Ruling Elder Miriam Risher and her family, as her brother recently passed away.  Miriam is a member of Clayton Presbyterian Church.
 
hands clasped
We Want to Hear from You!  
 
Please share your prayer concerns and celebrations by calling the presbytery office at 706-353-2533 or email Linda Turner

 
    
Save the Date

Winter Stated Meeting of Presbytery, Reid Memorial Church, Augusta, 9:30 a.m., February 25
Association of Smaller Congregations, Epworth-by-the-Sea ,  March 17-19
Weekend Mission Youth Event, Reid Memorial Church and Augusta Local Missions, March 17-19
PW Gathering , First Church, Gainesville, March 18
Nominating Committee Meeting, presbytery office, 11:00 a.m., April 4
Good Friday, Presbytery Office Closed, April 14
Preparation for Ministry Team Meeting, place to be announced, April 18
Leadership Development Ministry Team Meeting, Covenant Church, Athens, 11:30 p.m. , April 19
Coordinating Team Meeting, Friendship Church, 1:00 p.m., April 25

 
We believe Almighty God is calling Northeast Georgia Presbytery to become a Christ centered, inclusive community of faithful and healthy congregations.
  
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