September 14, 2022 | Volume VIII, Number 37

We are blessed to be stewards of many types of buildings in which we aspire to provide ministry to each other and to our communities. Many of these facilities bear treasured memories and are historically significant. As many of us have experienced, the original cost of these facilities is only a fraction of the total cost to maintain them, especially as they age.

To this end, we have provided a Property Assessment Checklist for you/your Property Committee’s consideration. Even the most seasoned Property Committee might appreciate a different type of checklist to ensure a thorough examination to help preclude those unexpected (and exorbitant!) maintenance costs. Please find this helpful document by following the link below.

The church is experiencing something of a crisis in the pastorate system. Clergy morale is low, with pastors under attack as never before. An increasing number of involuntary pastoral terminations leave a lasting legacy of pain in many congregations. Facilitating Healthy Pastor-Congregation Relations is a workshop intended to help congregations address these problems. 

Anyone interested in this important seminar please contact Barbara Smith to get the group rate HERE.

If your continuing education funds have been depleted, there are some funds available. Let Barbara know if there is a need.

To view the complete brochure click the link below. (Let Barbara know if you would like to register.)

The 2023 scholarship application is now open for the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF). The ECRF is designed for religious leaders in faith-based organizations and institutions who wish to learn more about the spirituality of fundraising and gain a core foundation in fundraising principles. Scholarship criteria include both demonstrated financial need as well as the potential for applying course learnings in your current professional context, and will apply toward any 2023 ECRF open enrollment offering.

For more information click HERE.

To apply for scholarship, click HERE.

Allison Harrison, who grew up at First Presbyterian Burlington (and is the sister of Evan Harrison, pastor at Pittsboro Presbyterian) is a facilitator at Second Breath (formerly the Servant Leadership School of Greensboro). See below for several offerings of Second Breath that may be of interest:

Inward Journey is 8 weeks, 2 hours each session. The fall cohorts start next week (three time slots starting Mon 9/12 10AM, Wed 9/14 10 AM, Thur 9/15 9AM ET). Allison Harrison is co-facilitating the Wednesday morning sessions that start 9/14. (Registration $ doesn’t go to Allison, but to the organization providing this.) There will also be winter and spring cohorts if now is not the right time.

Tuition is $495. I know that the price can seem steep for someone who isn't familiar with Second Breath and hasn't experienced the power of the spiritual practices on the app, the approachable and well-designed content, or the transformation that comes with well-facilitated virtual gatherings. So anyone who wants to register shouldn't let funds stand in the way. I have a discount code for $50 off for "friends of the facilitator" that you can share: 10ijfacilitatorxt5. I also have two 50% off codes for folks who would like to register but are holding off due to cost (that's $248 tuition, email me at [email protected]), or folks can request a scholarship on the website.

Application forms are available for persons who wish to be considered for appointment by GA Co-Moderators, Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace and the Rev. Shavon Starling-Louis, to the special entities – special committees, commission, task force, development team, and implementation team –

created by the Assembly this summer are now available at the GA nominations portal here.

Only those who have completed and submitted an application form and for whom we have received reference forms can be considered for appointment by the Co-Moderators. The deadline for submission of applications for Special Entities is October 14, 2022.

Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond and Charlotte is searching for a new President, following the announced retirement of current President Brian Blount. Read these words from the Search Committee:

There is much more information about the position and the type of person they are looking for in the prospectus, which can be found HERE.

For more information, follow the link below. For questions or to apply contact Dr. Lee Zehmer HERE.

All interested persons are invited to participate in a Mental Health Workshop, to be held on Saturday, September 24th from 10:00 am to 12:00 noon. The workshop will be lead by the Presbyterian Counseling Center and held at Fellowship Presbyterian Church, located at 2005 New Garden Road in Greensboro.

In order to prepare for the event, please RSVP to James Harley HERE.

Rumple Memorial Presbyterian in Blowing Rock is downsizing their church library, and is offering a wide variety of books and Bible studies to give away. The church office is open daily from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Contact the church office HERE.

How we wish we didn't need this!

COVID-19 Liability FAQ - Insurance Board

Guide to Gathering Virtually - Fund for Theological Education (It's not just for the pandemic anymore.)

Some other Insurance Board pandemic resources can be found HERE.

The Wisconsin Council of Churches has been a trusted source of advice throughout the pandemic. Their latest resources can be found HERE.

Parish B Engagement Pastor Frank Dew shares the following news from Parish B:

Frank Dew shares some news about a new Youth Collective project involving churches in Greensboro. Read more about this exciting program HERE.

Each week in this space, we will highlight a video, website, or other content that is relevant to how we look at stewardship in the presbytery as well as in our local churches. Our focus this week is on our Commissioned Ruling Elder (CRE) ministry.

Click on the graphic or HERE to visit and/or subscribe to Salem Presbytery's YouTube Channel.