As you learn more and more how God works, you will learn how to do your work. We pray that you’ll have the strength to stick it out over the long haul—not the grim strength of gritting your teeth but the glory-strength God gives. It is strength that endures the unendurable and spills over into joy, thanking the Father who makes us strong enough to take part in everything bright and beautiful that he has for us. (Col. 1:11 & 12, The Message)
Susan Caldwell, an Elder from the Seneca Church, sent these photos with the news, “We had a happy celebration as one family from Seneca Presbyterian finally moved back into their home that was destroyed by the tornado a year ago. Deacons and children's Sunday school teachers provided new items for the home, and Pastor John Hartman gave a house blessing! An example of "long term recovery" and an opportunity to share God's love and blessing.”
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So many people stepped forward and immediately responded with clean-up, provisions, building supplies, and financial contributions after the storm. We are all grateful for the countless volunteers who rallied around those in need and made the restoration possible. We are grateful for a group of core community leaders who navigated COVID-19 safety protocols and found ways to raise needed funds, and create strategic plans to rebuild. We are grateful for the glory-strength God gave the long-term recovery volunteers who continue to work month after month until this family and many others were able to move back into their homes. Your resilience and endurance spills over and gives us all a nudge to keep going. It pushes each us to strive for positive change, work hard to make a difference for others, love &care for each other, and fully participate (through actions) with God at work in the world. |
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Presbytery Leader & Stated Clerk
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The 117th
FOOTHILLS PRESBYTERY STATED MEETING
is
Saturday, May 15, 2021
at 10:00 am
This will be a Zoom meeting.
New Elder Orientation
is May 6 at 5:00 pm
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Looking for Temporary, Part-Time
Pastoral Leadership
We have several churches in Foothills Presbytery who are seeking temporary, part-time pastoral leadership. If you know someone who is available to serve one of these churches, please contact our Presbytery Leader/Stated Clerk, Debbie Foster at the Presbytery Office 864.288.5774.
Churches in need of Temporary Pastoral Leadership are:
Covenant (Spartanburg)
Fair Play (Fair Play)
First Simpsonville (Simpsonville)
Flat Rock (Anderson)
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needs your help!!
Fall semester will start soon, so we are looking for ways to connect with your high school grads and other college students.
UKirk/PSA Campus Ministries want to be prepared to offer a place for our students to engage in fellowship, worship, inspiration, and service. (Note: We will not share this information with any other student groups or associations.)
Please send the following information to the appropriate contacts below:
· Name
· Email
· Home Address
· Name of Home Church
· Year in School
This will allow us to connect them with their local campus ministry group!
Thank you for your help!
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2020 Reading of Session Minutes
The Representation & Review Committee is asking Clerks of Sessions to ensure completed 2020 session minutes along with the completed Clerk’s Review Form and the Financial Review Form be delivered to Foothills Presbytery between Monday, May 24th and June 10th. The drop-off hours are 9:30 – 4:00 Monday through Thursday.
We know that it may be difficult for some Clerks to come to the Presbytery office during business hours. We also offer these options for submitting the minutes:
1. Copy all the materials (2020 Minutes, Clerk’s Review Form, and the Financial Review Form) and mail them to the Presbytery office at 2242 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville, SC 29681. The Representation and Review Committee will review your copies, return the review sheet to you via email, and shred your copies.
2. Arrange a time for us to pick up the materials (2020 Minutes, Clerk’s Review Form, and the Financial Review Form) at your church or another location. After our review, we will meet you again to drop off the notebook. To arrange a time, please email Robin Morris [email protected] and Susan Tompkins [email protected] or contact Robin Morris at 864.288.5774.
Our goal is to have all 58 churches submit their minutes for review so if these options will not work for you/your church, please contact Robin Morris (864.288.5774) or Susan Tompkins (864.238.9578) to make other arrangements.
Once the session minutes have been reviewed, Clerks will be notified that the notebooks are ready for pickup. We look forward to working with you to complete the review of your 2020 Session Minutes.
Blessings,
Susan Tompkins
Chair, Representation and Review
Robin Morris
Associate Stated Clerk, Foothills Presbytery
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Are you involved in the Christian Education leadership in your congregation?
Would you benefit from additional support and training in Christian Education leadership?
The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) is providing a process to assist both volunteers and staff involved in Christian Education to become better equipped for their ministry. “The ‘newly revised’ CEA (Christian Education Associate) option is open to anyone in the PC(USA) regardless of educational background. There are no employment or volunteer hour requirements, but you do have to be actively participating in the educational ministry of your church. Most of the study can be accomplished through self-study with easily accessed resources such as books and on-line articles and videos.”
This link provides more detailed information.
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APCE is hosting a webinar about a new curriculum for your whole church coming July 2021. Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living focuses on studying the Bible through the lens of faith practices. At this webinar we will be taking an in-depth look at this curriculum and how you might use it with your congregation. Sign up to attend the webinar today!
Follow Me: Biblical Practices for Faithful Living is a thirty-six-unit curriculum based on practices Jesus did and taught us to do as faithful followers. Written for people of all ages who wish to live out their faith, this new curriculum examines where these practices are found in the Bible and how they have been used in Christian faith then and now. Read More
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New Covid Resource:
April 28, 2021
Lisa Allgood, Ruling Elder, Immunocytochemist and Executive Presbyter, Cincinnati Presbytery
(PCUSA Legal Services)
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Mother’s Day Offering on May 9
Please make plans to collect the Mother’s Day Offering at your church on Sunday, May 9. For over 60 years, this offering has been an important act of support for this unique ministry of SC Presbyterians to older adults. The proceeds are used solely to support residents at Presbyterian Communities of South Carolina who have outlived their life savings through no fault of their own and now depend on the kindness of others.
Since many congregations are still worshipping in a hybrid format, digital materials are available on our website. There you will find links to download the 2021 Mother’s Day Offering Video, Ambassadors Guide, Minute for Mission, sample Newsletter Article, and more. If you are worshipping in person, please utilize the printed cards and offering envelopes sent to your church for the Mother’s Day Offering and encourage your congregation to give generously. If you have questions or need support, please contact Jenn Paden Stanley at (803) 772-5885 or [email protected]
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MUSIC MINISTRY LEADER’S
9:00 am
Wednesday, May 12
by ZOOM
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Associate Pastor Gathering
12 pm
Wednesday, May 12
by ZOOM
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Educator's Gathering
11:00 am
Thursday, May 20
at Easley
Bring Your Own Lunch
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Youth Roundtable
Tuesday, June 1
12:00 - 1:30 pm
by ZOOM
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Western Region Pastors and CREs
Monday, June 7
at 9:00 am
by ZOOM
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We are excited to share our 2021 Summer Camp schedule!
The Committee on Shared Ministry is pleased to offer campership assistance to the first 30 campers to register who are members of Foothills Presbytery Churches.
During the online registration processes, you will be asked to identify as a member of Foothills and list your congregation. Applying the code FOOTHILLS25 will request the $25 campership be approved for your account. (Please contact [email protected] for questions or assistance.)
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Available Jobs
postings on our
website.
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So, You are Thinking of Retiring
Webinar
Has COVID jump-started your thinking about retiring? Or maybe it’s some other reason. This free webinar sponsored by the Synod of South Atlantic will provide a few discernment resources that can help PC(USA) pastors in the Synod as they begin considering retirement. The following topics will be covered:
A Coach Can Help presented by Melana Scruggs, General Presbyter, Peace River Presbytery.
Your Presbytery Can Help presented by Joyce Lieberman, Executive and Stated Clerk, Synod of South Atlantic.
The Board of Pensions Can Help presented by Clark Simmons, Church Consultant, The Board of Pensions.
Tuesday, June 15 at 4 pm ET. Registration required. The Zoom webinar format will allow for participants to ask questions, but also keeps their identity hidden from other participants.
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May 17-21, 2021
At the 2021 Festival of Homiletics, you’ll hear respected and thoughtful speakers present on the theme: Preaching for the Future Church.
But to get the most out of the Festival of Homiletics, purchase the recordings for full access to on-demand content you can view anytime:
- All sessions in audio and video formats
- Live workshops
- Bonus sermons and lectures from top speakers
- Private social networking with other pastors and leaders
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Presbyterian Women, we’re gathering online!
Let us come together to “Rejoice in Hope” during PW’s Online Churchwide Gathering Event, August 5, 2021.
Following the conclusion of the Business Meeting, join with Presbyterian Women for two hours of worship and plenary. Inspiring speakers and preachers—including Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency of the PC(USA)—will lead a time of rejoicing and renewal.
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Instructor : Rev. Dr. Mark Slaughter
May 19 and 26 at 12:00 EST
The Future of the Digital Church MasterClass embraces an important premise—online church is here to stay, so ministry leaders need to invest in it. We have an amazing opportunity to expand the reach and impact of our church and the Gospel by creating a strong and compelling online presence.
There is no doubt that COVID-19 will leave a lasting impact on the world; however, there is also an opportunity for the Church to harness the energy created from our online presence to establish online congregations.
The two-part course is just $69 or free for MasterClass Season Pass Holders.
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ONLINE WORKSHOP:
HOW TO BE A HYBRID CHURCH
JUNE 15 @ 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
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Registration Deadlines
On-time registration begins on April 1st and lasts up until the conference begins. There is no late registration period.
COVID-19 Safety Precautions
PAM is committed to offering a safe, in-person option as well as an online option for participating in the conference. Visit our special Covid Protocols webpage to learn more about our commitment to your health and safety as we look forward to worshipping together this summer.
Visit the PAM Website to Learn More!
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YDS Summer Study - Online in 2021
The Center for Continuing Education at Yale Divinity School is pleased to announce that the Summer Study program will be online this year! Taught by renowned YDS faculty, Summer Study offers an opportunity to immerse yourself in courses essential to practical church ministry and personal enrichment. Courses will meet Monday - Friday via Zoom, at either 9:00-11:30am or 1:30-4:00pm. Don’t miss Professor Almeda Wright’s course on “Developing a Faithful Generation” in the afternoon sessions!
Optional activities include daily worship; a keynote address - Five Decades of YDS, by David Kelsey, Luther A. Weigle Professor Emeritus of Theology, on Tuesday, June 8; and Andover Newton at Yale Founding Dean Sarah Drummond will offer a workshop, Leading Change - Three Schools of Thought, on Wednesday, June 9.
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A NEW EARTH:
THINKING THEOLOGICALLY ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
Sunday, June 13-Sunday, June 27, 2021
What does it mean to care for creation?
Are Christians called to respond to climate change?
Is it possible to live sustainably for the benefit of future generations?
Theologically curious high school students are invited to apply before January 1, 2021 for the 2021 Lux Summer Theological Institute. Safety permitting, the program will be held in-person at Presbyterian-related Monmouth College (Monmouth, IL).
Funded by the Lilly Endowment, the Lux Institute is an opportunity for students to engage with a topic of global importance and participate in a living-learning community through study, worship, service, recreation, and vocational exploration.
Scholarships are available to cover all program expenses for the two-week program, with the exception of travel.
A free shuttle to/from Chicago airports is provided.
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Registration is now open for several events in June and beyond, so please encourage your friends and colleagues to take advantage of these opportunities for spiritual and professional growth:
Conflict Transformation Skills (June 3) helps church leaders deal more effectively with potentially destructive conflict. For details consult this CTS Brochure.
Leadership and Anxiety in the Church (June 9) helps church leaders examine their role as self-differentiated leaders and their ability to help calm the chronic anxiety that affects their congregations. For details consult this LAC Brochure.
Healthy Congregations (June 15) helps church leaders deal with the chronic anxiety that threatens to distract congregants from their God-given mission and purpose. For details consult this HC Brochure.
MSTI Refresher Course (June 12) is a one-day review for graduates of our Mediation Skills Training Institute.
Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders (June 21-25) helps participants deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. For details consult this MSTI Brochure.
Groups rates are available for all of the above one-day workshops. Restrictions apply. Group organizers may wish to use this Registration Form to compile names and contact information for members of their group.
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Mark your Calendars for these Upcoming Events |
6 Committee on Ministry meeting and Presbytery Meeting Orientation
8 PYC Commissioning & First meeting
10 Foothills Presbytery staff meeting
12 Music Ministry Leaders meeting -Zoom and Associate Pastors meeting -Zoom
13 APCE Curriculum Webinar
May 15, 2021
18 Committee on Shared Ministry meeting
20 Educators Gathering
24 CPM Student Forum - ZOOM
25 Antiracism Committee meeting
27 Committee on Preparation for Ministry meeting
Nov 9, 2021
9:00 am - 2:00 pm Foothills Presbytery Stated Meeting # 118
February 15, 2022
May 14, 2022
November 01, 2022
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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