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#125 Stated Meeting of Foothills Presbytery
is February 20 - 10:00 am
at Fountain Inn Presbyterian Church
307 N Main Street, Fountain Inn
More information and registration coming soon.
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Elder REFRESH Training
February 3
Providence Church
10 am - 3 pm
This workshop, led by the Rev. Tom Malone, is for newly ordained Elders and those who have previously served. It will focus on the four areas in which our Book of Order requires each new officer to be examined:
1) Personal Faith
2) Reformed Doctrines and Beliefs
3) Presbyterian Polity
4) Duties of the Office of Elder or Deacon
Lunch will be served. The workshop costs $10 to offset the cost of lunch.
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COM - CPM - PDA - PJC
Retreat for the Five South Carolina Presbyteries
(Fri. & Sat.) February 23-24, 2024
Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, Columbia, SC
We have arranged to bring in expert trainers from within the PC(USA) Denomination in all four areas for this retreat. The cost for the retreat is $40 per participant. Your payment covers the meals, materials and speakers.
Please complete the registration and payment information using the REGISTRATION button below.
Registration Deadline: Friday, February 2, 2024.**
** Please note: If you registered before January 3, your registration may not be complete. Please confirm by contacting Lisa Mallory at Trinity Presbytery,
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SAVE THE DATE!!!
Mental Health First Aid Training
Foothills Presbytery is excited to partner with MHFA and provide training for pastors, educators, youth leaders, elders, deacons, and volunteers.
Thursday, February 29
at First Presbyterian Greer
More information and registration are coming soon!
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Dear Friends,
This is a reminder that it is now time to enter your
2023 Statistical Report.
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.
We urge you to complete your report by the FIRST of FEBRUARY
to avoid long waiting times when you log onto the Office of General Assembly site.
THE ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR ENTERING STATISTICS
IS FEBRUARY 8, 2024.
User IDs and church passwords are the same as in previous years. Please email me or call me if you need log-on information for your church.
Thank you,
LeAnne White
Foothills Presbytery office
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M. Craig Barnes – Heritage Lecturer
Westminster Presbyterian Church, Greenville, SC - January 21, 2024
The Heritage Lecture Committee is pleased to welcome the Reverend Dr. Craig Barnes to Westminster on Sunday, January 21. He will share in both worship services as well as in a joint adult Sunday School class.
Craig was raised on Long Island, New York. After graduating from Princeton Theological Seminary, he received a Ph.D. in the History of Christianity from The University of Chicago. He served as the pastor of Christ Presbyterian Church in Madison, WI, until 1992 when he became the pastor of The National Presbyterian Church in Washington D.C. In 2002 he became a chaired professor at Pittsburgh Seminary while also serving as the pastor of the Shadyside Presbyterian Church. In 2012 he was elected president of Princeton Theological Seminary and became the president emeritus in January 2023.
He has nine published books including When God Interrupts, Pastor as Minor Poet, and most recently Diary of a Pastor’s Soul. He has also served as a contributor and Editor at Large to The Christian Century for many years. He is married to Dawne Hess Barnes who is an interior designer. They have three fabulous children, four delightful grandchildren, and a frisbee-addicted Bearded Collie.
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Christian Educators Gathering
is January 8 at 12 noon
at First Anderson.
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Music Ministry
Leaders
next gathering is
Wedneday, January 10
at 9 am - Zoom.
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Youth Leaders Roundtable
will not meet in January.
Our next meeting is Thursday, February 1.
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Validated Pastors Gathering & Lunch
Wednesday March 13
Noon, at Fourth
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SC5 School of Theology
2024 Spring Classes
March 8 & 9
at Presbyterian College
Additional information will be provided in January.
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Lots of wonderful offerings in 2024 to share from NEXT CHURCH:
Winter Workshop Burst
https://nextchurch.net/product/winter-workshop-burst/
Five timely topics for church leaders based on feedback we have received from individual conversations concerning the needs on the ground:
It’s only $29/person for all sessions or $25/person for each session. Our hope is that this low cost will provide access to as many leaders as possible.
Preaching for Change
https://nextchurch.net/preaching-for-change/
We received a Lilly Grant to support our initiative, Preaching for Change, and are excited to launch our pilot program in 2024. Cohorts can be composed of leadership within a congregation or colleagues with a common goal. All participants will engage with our resources (Cultivated Ministry and Crossroads video series), receive 1:1 and group coaching quarterly, and attend the 2024 National Gathering.
National Gathering
https://nextchurch.net/product/2024-national-gathering/
From April 8-11, 2024 we will gather in Falls Church, VA to move the needle in our contexts. Participants will engage with practitioners and coaches in one of six different areas:
- Community Organizing
- Building Community Partnerships
- Intersectionality/Embodying Welcome
- Identity and Coalition Building for People of Color
- The Preaching Moment
- Leading Change
Visit Nextchurch.net for more information!
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Presbyterian Planning Calendar Photos
The Presbyterian Planning Calendar, a beloved publication of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is once again seeking photo submissions from congregations and worshiping communities, mid councils, camps, conference centers and education centers for use in its 2024–25 edition. The deadline to submit photos for the upcoming Presbyterian Planning Calendar is February 14, 2024.
Images to be considered for the Presbyterian Planning Calendar should feature church members and friends engaged in activities including worship, mission service, creativity and the arts, and direct outreach. Calendar planners ask that staged photos of groups of people and photos of people sitting at conference or dining tables be avoided. For more details go here.
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THE PRESBYTERIAN PROMISE
AN $80,000 SCHOLARSHIP OVER 4 YEARS FOR ALL STUDENTS WHO ARE PRESBYTERIAN.
The Presbyterian Promise Scholarship is a commitment by Presbyterian College (PC) to recognize students for their merit and affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. PC seeks to develop students academically and spiritually in this signature scholarship. Students who are members of Presbyterian churches will receive a scholarship for a minimum of $20,000 per year for up to four years—that’s an $80,000 commitment to you. For more information and to apply visit our site: www.presby.edu/presbyterian-promise
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MID COUNCIL MINISTRIES
‘Along the Road’ podcasts: recent and upcoming episodes
Spirited discussions about trauma-informed decision-making, GA student delegates, Robert’s Rules, the Road to Emmaus, and Presbyterian connections beyond the congregation
Five new “Along the Road” podcast episodes have been made available since November, three from the “Encounter” series for mid-council and church leaders and two “Nourish” episodes for deacons and ruling elders.
Listen to all Along the Road episodes directly from the Mid Council Ministries section of pcusa.org or from popular streaming services.
Click here for more information
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Come hungry, leave nourished.
We understand - being a young adult is hard. Life is messy. And it can be hard to find your footing in the midst of so many major life transitions. That’s why we created The Manna Retreat, a special place for 22-32(ish) year olds to find belonging and spiritual nourishment. During this three-day conference, we will
worship together, participate in small groups, eat our meals together, and spend our free time playing games by the fireplace and hiking around Montreat.
Register today at
montreat.org/manna-retreat-24!
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Ring in the New Year with a gift of love to your PW ministry!
Our joy, our delight as Presbyterian Women is serving a loving God through transformative ministries and relationships.
Together, we beautify God’s world as we live PW Purpose-ful lives!
As we look toward a new year of PW possibility and hope and love, please consider a year-end gift to support PW’s Annual Mission Fund (the Mission Pledge). The Annual Fund undergirds all we do as Presbyterian Women.
Give online: Visit presbyterianwomen.org/give and select “2023 Year-End Gift”
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Matthew 25 Summit: An Invitation to Innovation
Join us in Atlanta, GA, following Martin Luther King Jr. weekend, January 16–18, 2024, for a first-of-its-kind event!
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Get ready for an exhilarating experience as we extend a warm invitation to the much-anticipated 2024 Southeast Region Conference! This year's event promises to be an inspiring celebration of unity, collaboration, and the incredible diversity that makes our region truly special. Embrace the power of unity as we explore the richness that comes from our diversity. This year's theme, "One Body, Many Parts," emphasizes the strength we gain when we come together, each contributing our unique talents, perspectives, and experiences for the greater good.
Stay tuned for more details, including registration information, in the coming weeks. We can't wait to gather as one body with many parts, united for the greater good!
https://nationalnbpc.org/
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St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church has a partner youth mission ministry called Camp RHINO. Camp RHINO is a week-long mission experience for youth. We partner with local non-profit organizations, so groups can do service projects with one or a variety of non-profits. In the past, Camp RHINO groups have built homes with Habitat for Humanity and Rebuilding Together, packed food delivery boxes for Second Harvest Food Bank, assisted in homeless outreach and shelters, worked in community gardens, and volunteered with other programs.
2024 CAMP SESSIONS AVAILABLE :
- WEEK ONE : JUNE 3-7
- WEEK TWO : JUNE 10-14
- WEEK THREE : JUNE 17-21
- WEEK FOUR : JULY 15-19
Interested Churches May Register at WWW.RHINONOLA.ORG, or schedule a phone call with our YAV RHINO Volunteer and recent Pittsburgh Theological Seminary graduate Steff Johnson at: [email protected]” Steff’s Office Number : 504-897-0101 ex. 117
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Opportunity for High School Youth
JULY 22-27, 2024
PRESBYTERIAN COLLEGE, CLINTON, S.C.
Join us for an enriching five-day gathering at Presbyterian College, Clinton, S.C., where rising high school juniors and seniors will come together to explore their callings and gifts for leadership in the church.
Co-hosted by the Miller Summer Youth Institute at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary and the Office of Spiritual Life at Presbyterian College, this unique event offers students the chance to learn from experienced faculty and staff from both institutions, to delve into vocational discernment activities, and to engage in guided theological reflection. This gathering promises to be a transformative experience for those seeking to explore their callings and who want to learn more about what the path to leadership in the church might look like!
Students can expect to engage in group discernment activities, enjoy downtime on the Presbyterian College campus and in the City of Greenville, and participate in worship. Room and board will be provided on the PC campus.
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Charleston Atlantic Presbytery BUS transportation to St. Louis!
Transportation—Kelly Tours:
• Trip to St. Louis, MO takes 12 hours & 37 minutes. Bus will depart August 7, 2024
• Bus seats 56 passengers, to be comfortable we are looking for 40 ladies to commit. Last time we picked up ladies in Columbia & Spartanburg.
• There will be a Relay Driver and regular driver due to regulations.
Read More Here
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Apply for Montreat Summer Staff!
Do you know a young adult looking for a summer job? Montreat Conference Center is currently accepting applications for its 2024 Summer Staff season. All young adults who are at least one year out of high school are invited to apply.
Available positions cover a wide range of skills and interests such as A/V production, childhood education, marketing, environmental studies, hospitality, and more! All positions are paid and include the option to live on campus. Plus, certain positions may qualify for college credit.
This is a great opportunity to gain valuable job experience and enjoy life in our close-knit mountain community. If you think someone you know would be interested, please encourage them to apply at montreat.org/summer-staff!
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2024 Offerings:
Leadership & Hybrid Ministry in the New Media Landscape with the Rev. Dr. Angela Gorrell
Zoom | January 8, 15, 22, and 29 | 11 am - 1 pm Eastern | 4 Sessions
Living in a new media landscape is as daunting as it is exhausting. You may be feeling fresh out of resilience, creativity, and agility. This course will help you to lean into your expertise while attending to what matters most for ministry in a new media landscape.
The Sequel: Jesus Continued in the Book of Acts with the Rev. Dr. Allen Hilton
Zoom | Jan. 11 – Feb. 29 | 7:30 pm Eastern | 8 Sessions
Luke’s intro to the Book of Acts summarizes his whole 24-chapter Gospel — Jesus’ birth, childhood, teaching, preaching, wonder-working, passion, death, and resurrection — as "all that Jesus began to do and teach.” (Acts 1.1)
Developing Your Praxis for Building Diverse Youth Communities with Dr. Brian Ragsdale, Ph.D.
Zoom | February 7 | 12 - 1:30 pm Eastern
In this interactive presentation and dialogue, we explore youth identity development from understanding the synergies between holding multiple identities, for example, Black, neurodivergent, LGBTQIA. Geared toward youth leaders, layperson, and youth ministers.
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On March 5, 2024, we will be hosting our Healthy Congregations workshop in Fort Mill, SC. The training will be conducted from 9 am to 4 pm at Grace Presbyterian Church in Fort Mill. Here is a brief description of the workshop:
- The Healthy Congregations workshop is designed to equip leaders to respond to the presence or potential threat of anxiety in a congregational system in ways that prevent destructive conflict and help the church stay focused on its unique mission and purpose. This workshop will help you:
- Learn how you as a leader can influence the health of your congregation – how to detect and avoid unhealthy patterns of living together in community
- Learn how to keep anxiety from becoming infectious
- Gain confidence in responding to challenges and opportunities
- Learn how to put limits on invasive behavior, manage reactivity, and overcome sabotage
- Discover how leaders can function as the congregation’s immune system
- Learn to focus on strengths, resources, options, and the future
Additional Training Opportunities:
Conflict is a normal part of life; unfortunately, the church is not exempt. This workshop will give participants the knowledge and skills necessary to manage conflicts within their congregations in a healthier manner.
This 5-day event is designed to equip church leaders with the knowledge and skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. It also includes a component on congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory.
https://lmpeacecenter.org/
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Click here to see additional
Available Jobs
on our website.
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And Pondered Them in Her Heart
Dec 21, 2023
A Sermon of Reflection by Elizabeth Anne Jones
Based on Luke 2:1-20
Mary pondered these in her heart.
It began with a visit from the Holy messenger, the angel Gabriel speaking to a teenage Mary saying, “Greetings, favored one. The Lord is with you.” And though she was alternately frightened, anxious, and confused, she knew that this was no dream. She was truly being called by God. The atmosphere was charged with a spiritual energy that could have only been generated by The Almighty, and so she replied with words similar to those she had heard in the scripture, “Here I am, the servant of the Lord, let it be with me according to your word.”
A few weeks later, on a visit to her cousin Elizabeth, Mary was greeted with great joy by Elizabeth and her words were an affirmation that she was truly carrying the Lord himself inside her. Elizabeth exclaimed, “Blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb. And blessed is she who believed there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord.” Any anxiety Mary had fell away as she was overcome with the most magnificent assurance as she sang, “My soul magnifies the Lord and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior.”
Mary pondered these in her heart. Read More
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Mark your Calendars for these Upcoming Events | |
2024
January
5-7 PYC High School Retreat
8 Educators Gathering
10 Music Leaders Gathering Zoom
11 Investment Committee meeting, Committee on Ministry meeting, and Committee on Shared Ministry meeting (at Eastminster)
15 Office Closed in observance of Martin Luther King Jr Birthday
16 Coordinating Council meeting
18 Sexual Ethics Team meeting
18 Examination Commission meeting
20 Racial Ethnic Cabinet meeting
22 Antiracism Ministry Team meeting
24-27 APCE Annual Event
25 Committee on Preparation for Ministry meeting
Foothills Presbytery Featured Events
Foothills Presbytery Calendar
2024 Foothills Presbytery Stated Meetings
- February 20, 2024, at Fountain Inn
- May 18, 2024, at Limestone
- August 3, 2024 (Virtual)
- November 12, 2024
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