Presbytery of Redstone eNews
October 28, 2021
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District 1 Churches
~~Puckety Presbyterian Church, Brian Kilbert, Pastor
~~First Presbyterian Church, Murrysville, Ed Gray, Pastor
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District 2 Churches
~~First Presbyterian Church, Jeannette, Dawn Sherwood, Pastor
~~Latrobe Presbyterian Church, Ron Durika, Interim Pastor
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District 3 Churches
~~Tent Presbyterian Church, Uniontown, Jeff Smith, Commissioned Pastor
~~Third Presbyterian Church, Uniontown, Molly Hall, Moderator
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District 4 Churches
~~Bethany Presbyterian Church, Johnstown, Denise Todero, Commissioned Pastor
~~First Presbyterian Church, Johnstown, Alice Tondora, Pastor
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Turning Trials into Trails
We've reached the end of October and in SW PA the autumn leaves are in full foliage. It definitely is a beautiful time of year to get out for a walk or bike ride on a trail.
My October has been one of trials and trails. Two special people in my life had anniversaries. My mother Lois entered the church triumphant 6 years ago on October 8 while my husband Joe unexpectedly entered 9 years ago on October 9. Many of you can relate to these types of anniversaries knowing that they come with memories and always some emerging sadness as well. Each beautiful October I am hit with this "double whammy" and both of these close losses have presented trials in my life throughout the years.
But these October anniversaries brought newness in 2021 just like many other aspects of our lives this year. But the unique thing was both trials have literally turned into trails for me.
My mom suffered from Alzheimer's disease and dementia during her last five or so years of life. As you suspect I suffered along with her. As a supporter of the Alzheimer's Association I have participated in the Westmoreland Country Walk to End Alzheimer's for the past 5 years in her memory. I have been blessed with many sponsors and this year I walked in the Oct 9 walk (on my husband's anniversary) and earned $855 while walking the beautiful trails at Twin Lakes Park. Yesterday, October 27, was her birthday as well.
My late husband was a 33 year employee of the Municipal Authority of Westmoreland County and was the former Production Supervisor at the Beaver Run Reservoir/Water Filtration Plant near our home. On October 1 a section of the Westmoreland Heritage Trail that runs through the MAWC property was dedicated to him. If you walk that 2.8 mile round-trip section of the trail, you will find a mid trail kiosk with his picture and the words of dedication.
Needless to say walking both of these beautiful trails has brought me happiness and peace in my annual October trials.
I am reminded of the words of God spoken through Jeremiah in the Book of Jeremiah 29:11-13. 'For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.'
We know what brought on these powerful and inspirational words. God's people had been going their own way for many generations, sinning and disobeying God. They rejected the prophets that God had sent to warn them. They suffered invasions from the Babylonians resulting in being uprooted to new lands and losing their nation and magnificent temple. In spite of their rebellion, their trials were too much for most of us to even imagine.
Perhaps they were paying a price for their sin and disobedience but yet incredibly God had not rejected them. He still had plans for them, plans to bless them - to give them a hope and a future. This truly is a faithful God who never gives up on us.
Most of us have endured painful trials-losing a loved one, receiving an unfavorable health diagnosis, suffering a broken relationship and trials that we surely didn't want. But in spite of these trials we are reminded that if we pray and bring these hardships to God, he will listen.
God always has a new path or trail in place for us and he is always with us as we journey. He won't forget us, leave us broken but always gives us the promise of new hope and a new future.
Although my October trials were definitely ones that I didn't plan or want but throughout these past several years I've evidenced that God has me covered. He has carried me into new seasons of life that I never saw coming or could have endured alone. As these new trails continue to grow, my faith and trust in God grows as well.
The Twin Lakes Park Trail event and the newly Joseph Mance dedicated Westmoreland Heritage Trail are also just unexpected trails along the way. But I know that God had a hand in them as well because of His promise.
May you also find reassurance in these words from God.
Blessings,
Lynn Mance Redstone Presbytery-wide Commissioned Pastor
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NOVEMBER PRESBYTERY GATHERING
Join us for the November 20 Presbytery meeting that will be held in person at Colver Presbyterian Church and also via ZOOM.
The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. If you have an announcement for the announcements loop for this meeting please send that information directly to redstonestories@gmail.com by Tuesday, November 9.
Please also let the Presbytery office know of the Pastors and commissioners from your church that will be attending, and whether they will be attending in person or via ZOOM, in order for us to get the packet and ZOOM login information sent to everyone that will be attending prior to the meeting.
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Puckety Presbyterian Church First Trunk or Treat
Date: Saturday October 30th
Time: 2:00 - 4:00 PM
Location: Puckety Presbyterian Church, 1009 Puckety Church Road, Lower Burrell 15068
Cost: Free!
Bring your costumed children to trick or treat from car to car in our parking lot during daylight hours. There will be games for children to play for extra treats. Your family will also be able to vote for the best decorated car.
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New Hope Presbyterian Church Annual Craft & Vendor Show
Saturday, November 6, 2021 - 10:00 am until 3:00 pm.
Click here for more information.
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New Hope Church Thanksgiving 2021 Baked Goods Sale
Orders are now being taken for delicious home-made baked goods. Place your Thanksgiving orders with payment on or before Sunday, November 7 (12727 Lincoln Way North Huntingdon PA 15642). Orders placed after that date can not be filled by the baker. Orders will be available on Sunday, November 21.
Nut Roll ($10); Apricot Roll ($10); Poppyseed Roll ($10). Call the church (724.863.7702) to place your order with payment.
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Presbyterian Woman Fall Gathering
Introduction to the 2021-2022 Horizons Bible Study - What My Grandmothers Taught Me: Learning from Women in Matthew's Genealogy of Jesus by Merryl Blair with the Rev. Donna Havrisko, Honorably Retired.
November 6, 2021, First Presbyterian Church, Greensburg, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
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A Conversation with Pastors, for Pastors
Join us on Wednesday, November 10 at 12:00pm Eastern via Zoom for a conversation with pastors, for pastors about the pressing issues of ministry today.
The Center for Continuing Education was launched in October 2019 to enable Yale Divinity School to “reach beyond the walls” and provide educational opportunities and resources for clergy, laity and community organizations to expand and enrich ministry and lay learning - all at little to no cost. The Center is home to some existing cornerstone programs (the YDS Summer Study, the Yale Youth Ministry Institute, and the Yale Bible Study program) and is charged with creating new opportunities for theological education and enrichment in three primary categories: Faith and Contemporary Issues, Church and Nonprofit Administration, and Leadership Development. If you haven’t already, we invite you to explore our websites at: https://divinity.yale.edu/continuing-education .
While our programs have existing curriculum, content and programming, we are continually looking to expand our resources. We want to be sure that we are focused on what is truly needed by those working in local ministry. Please join fellow clergy members to talk about what ministry looks like in a world where we are being allowed to gather again, but the pandemic is still very much a concern. During our time together, we’ll focus on the following questions:
- How have your various ministries survived this time and what do they look like this fall?
- What do you see as your most immediate challenge?
- What have you learned from the pivots required to minister to your congregation over the past 18 months?
- How can the Center for Continuing Education support you, either in terms of resources, informational/educational opportunities and/or connection to other clergy?
Thank you in advance for your help. We look forward to discussing these important issues with you on November 10th!
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Soup for the Soul – Second Wednesday of each month (October through May). Next time will be Wednesday, November 10.
Poke Run Presbyterian Church
1091 Poke Run Church Road, Apollo, PA 15613 724.327.5563
As in the past, the doors will open at 11:30 AM and the meal will be served at noon.
Things will look a little different than the last time we met together but food and Christian fellowship will still be the most important thing of the day. If you are unvaccinated, we ask that you wear a mask unless you are eating and that you socially distance from those that are not in your household.
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Free Workshops Presented by the IPLF Program
- "Diseases of Despair" - November 13, 2021
- "Faith Foundations Beneath Our Presbyterian Polity" - December 11, 2021
These workshops begin at 12:30 p.m. and will be a hybrid offering by ZOOM and at the Redstone Presbytery Center. To register, contact Bobbie at Redstone Presbytery at 724.837.6737 or secretary@redstonepresbytery.org.
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Mark Your Calendars for Saturday, November 13th!
a zoom gathering with Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson, PCUSA
Called out to Serve: Living Out our Missional Identity in Christ – YES, Even During Covid.
9:30 am-11:30 am Matthew 25 and Self-Development of People challenge us to see the world and be in relationships right where we are, and not just far away. Using examples from Black Presbyterian missional trailblazers such as Thelma Adair, Gayraud Wilmore and Edler Hawkins, this interactive workshop will equip participants with missional strategies centered around identity, discipleship, relationship building and asset mapping to create and leverage congregational/ communal power in engaging issues in the local church!
11:45 am-12:15 pm Rev. Dr. Alonzo Johnson and Margaret Mwale from SDOP will talk briefly about the ministry of SDOP and how you and your Presbyteries can be engaged.
Click HERE to Read More and Register
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Presbytery Staff
Executive Presbyter/Stated Clerk
Administrative Assistant/Bookkeeper
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Communicate the Word...
Carry on the Work...
Change the World...
Together
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Presbytery of Redstone www.redstonepresbytery.org
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