Foothills Presbytery
Stated Meeting #115
The 115th Stated Meeting of Foothills Presbytery was held virtually on November 10. We began with a worship led by the Worship Team and focused on Hebrews 12:1 – 3, A Cloud of Witnesses. During worship, we remembered the Saints from Foothills who entered the Church Triumphant since November 2019.
Sidney Mize, who served as our Moderator, led us through the business portion of our meeting. Dennis Tedder, Chair of Committee on Preparation, introduced John DuBose (Easley), who was approved as a Candidate for Minister of Word and Sacrament with an effective date of August 27, 2020. Congratulations to John!
Nath Briley, Chair of Committee on Ministry, asked all installed ministers to complete and submit the 2020 Terms of Call. This salary information helps COM develop averages and ranges for pastors. This data informs Pastor Nominating Committees appropriate baselines for effective salaries, benefits, and professional expenses.
Gordon Turnbull, Chair-elect of Committee on Ministry, led a recognition and celebration for three Honorable Retirees: Frank Strickland, Tim Holland, and Gordon Raynal. We thanked Frank, Tim and Gordon for their dedicated ministry in the church of Jesus Christ and thanked God for their ministry. We rejoice with Frank, Tim, and Gordon!
On behalf of the Examinations Commission, Elizabeth Clayton introduced three new Ministers of the Word and Sacrament. Meg Flannagan and Adam Fischer are new co-pastors at St. Giles. Dan Sansbury is the Stated Supply Pastor at Limestone. Meg, Adam, Dan, welcome to Foothills Presbytery!
Based on a recommendation from Coordinating Council and presented by Mike Hoyt, the Presbytery approved the election of the following officers for the terms listed.
· Robin Morris, Associate Stated Clerk, January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2023
· Stan Reid, Treasurer, January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021
· De Calvert, Parliamentarian, January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021
· Leland Burch, Recording Clerk, January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021
· Phil Lyles, Assistant Recording Clerk, January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2021
Based on a recommendation from Coordinating Council and presented by Mike Hoyt, the Presbytery approved the first reading to add the Antiracism Ministry Team to the Manual of Operations. The second reading will be at the February Stated Presbytery Meeting.
The Administrative Commission powers that were granted to Coordinating Council on May 16, 2020 were extended until we have an in-person Presbytery meeting. The AC powers allow the Coordinating Council to approve Honorable Retirements, Installations/Ordinations, and Candidates for Ministry.
The Presbytery approved the recommendations from the Scholarship Task Force having been approved and endorsed by Coordinating Council. Fifty percent of grants will be disbursed to those preparing as Minister of the Word and Sacrament, Commissioned Ruling Elders, and Certified Christian Educators. These grants are capped annually at $500 for M.Div. students and $300 for CRE and CCE students, divided equally among all students under care during the year. Grant funds be allocated 75% to M.Div. students and 25% to CRE and CCE students. The remaining funds (50%) will be used for need-based financial aid.
Presbytery approved the Teaching Elders, Ruling Elders, and Ministry Leaders for committees for 2021 as recommended by the Nominations Committee.
The next Stated Meeting of Foothills Presbytery will be held on February 16, 2021.
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Warm welcome to the new co-pastors of St. Giles Presbyterian Church, Meg and Adam! They, along with their two boys, moved to SC in early June from Long Island, NY.
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Warm welcome to the Rev. Dan Sansbury as Interim at the Limestone church. He is a native of Darlington, SC and a graduate of the University of South Carolina and Columbia Theological Seminary.
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None of this is Easy
Greetings in Christ,
As we finish this stretch of fantastic fall weather, I am aware that we are still living in the middle of a global pandemic. None of this is easy, and we are all growing weary.
With strict safety precautions in place, the majority of our churches have opened for in-person worship. As of this week, we also have churches cancelling in-person worship and returning to virtual worship due to COVID-19 among members and staff. Some have also cancelled due to the desire to proceed with an abundance of caution.
As you know, we are witnessing a disturbing increase in COVID-19 across our nation and our corner of upstate SC. There is no way to predict the future, but as we head into the Thanksgiving holiday and ensue into Advent, the numbers are likely to increase. We are swimming in turbulent, unknown waters while a flashing neon sign declares, “Proceed with Extreme Caution.” I pray we individually and collectively proceed with careful forethought and vigilance to minimize risk.
We are God’s beloved community, a covenant people. Through the love and grace of Jesus Christ, we care for each other and center our caution in prayer and discernment. As I have said before, these times are daunting and hold immense potential for our lives and values to be transformed by God’s generosity and grace.
Grateful,
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Presbytery Leader & Stated Clerk
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NEW
Associate Pastor Peer Group
ZOOM Gathering
on December 2 at 12 noon
This will be a time of just getting to know each other a bit more and make name to face connections. We really don’t want this to be another addition to your plate, but rather hope our associations would be life giving and a time of respite.
We look forward to hearing from you!
If you are interested in hearing more or
joining the Zoom Gathering, please email
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WORSHIP TEAM TO PREPARE
ONLINE SERVICE FOR DECEMBER 27
The Foothills Presbytery Worship team has begun planning for production of an online service designed for Sunday, December 27 that will be available to any congregation in the presbytery.
The service will celebrate the first Sunday of Christmastide and scripture, theme and music will all reflect this emphasis. It is the team’s particular hope that congregations with small staffs who find themselves stressed by the extra work the Advent/Christmas seasons will see this as a way to provide a meaningful worship experience while giving their pastors, musicians and others some needed sabbath time.
Holt Andrews, chair of the team, says that they became aware over the summer that online worship was creating new issues in terms of planning, staffing and executing weekly services. “We realized particularly that with in-person worship not an option solo pastors in small churches were having to plan, produce and execute worship services week after week without a break. It’s not like in normal times when you can engage a guest preacher, take some time off and the rest of the service can go on as usual.” The team then planned and produced a recorded service for general use that was made available in September and has been used by a number of congregations.
“The positive feedback we have received and the realization that even in these times the Advent/Christmas season will mean a lot of additional stress for worship planners motivated us to provide an option for the Sunday after Christmas for those who need it”, said Andrews.
Members of the team are Holt Andrews, Jimmy Cheeks, Pressley Cox, Mandy Davis, Debbie Foster, Allyson Helvie, Beverly Kelly, and Chad Wright-Pittman.
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Talking Points for Clergy
on Violence and the
November Election
Nathan Stock, Adjunct Professor at Furman University, is directing a project with the Carter Center aimed at mitigating violence around the election.
One of the things they’re doing is engaging networks of faith leaders to equip them with analysis and messages that they can disseminate to help reduce the risk of violence and encourage a peaceful transition of power.
He and his team have created a set of talking points for clergy (click here).
Nathan Stock is an Adjunct Professor of political dialogue at Furman University and a Non-Resident Scholar with the Middle East Institute. Stock has 15 years of experience working to reduce violence and strengthen democracy abroad, including nearly a decade working on Middle East conflicts with The Carter Center. He is leading a new Carter Center project designed to mitigate violence that could erupt in select U.S. communities surrounding the November election. Stock holds an MA in international peace and conflict resolution from American University and a BA in international relations from Colgate University.
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Three very full days of equipping, enrichment, inspiration, and connection.
Wise and challenging speakers and preachers every day.
Loads of resources in the Marketplace, and opportunities to connect with those who create them.
Terrific and useful workshops.
All of this would make participating in the APCE 2021 Virtual Event worth the investment of your continuing education time and funds.
BUT WAIT - THERE'S MORE!
Your registration entitles you to two components of the APCE Virtual Event 2021:
· the live presentation on February 4-6, 2021, and
· access to the recording of it later!
Is $100 pushing your budget too far?
Foothills Presbytery has scholarships available!
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Christmas Joy Offering 2020- God is With Us
The Christmas Joy Offering season is November 29 – December 20. Half of this offering makes it possible for students to learn and grow in faith at Presbyterian-related schools and colleges equipping communities of color. The other half of the offering provides assistance for current and retired church workers and their families with critical financial needs. Promotional materials such as bulletin covers, bulletin inserts, offering envelopes, and coin boxes are available. The leader’s guide is also helpful in planning your Christmas Joy Offering season. To order materials, go HERE or call 800-533-4371.
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Presbyterian Outlook Advent Devotional
This Advent devotional will explore being aware of God’s presence in the moment even as we anticipate Jesus’ incarnation. These devotions will seek to help us recognize God’s kairos time within and working through our challenging chronos time. The devotions are available as a downloadable set of weekly PDFs. They are ready to be emailed to the congregation. Or, print as many you need. Written by Outlook editor Jill Duffield, each week includes a reflection, daily Scripture readings, suggestions for living out the Bible and a short prayer for each day. Available for download in mid-November. Four weeks of Advent downloadable devotions for $20. Order HERE.
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Review of 2019 Session Minutes
It's not too late to have your 2019 Session Minutes reviewed!
The Representation and Review Committee is offering three ways to provide your 2019 minutes for the team to review. You may:
- Drop off your 2019 minutes (or a copy of them) at the Foothills Presbytery Office at 2242 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville, SC 29681. Please include a copy of the Clerk’s Review Form and the Financial Review Form with the minutes.
- Mail a copy of all the materials (2019 Minutes, Clerk’s Review Form, and the Financial Review Form) to the Presbytery office at 2242 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville, SC 29681.
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Arrange a time for us to pick up the materials (2019 Minutes, Clerk’s Review Form, and the Financial Review Form) at your church or another location. After our review, we would meet you again to drop off the notebook. To arrange a meeting, please email Robin Morris ([email protected]) or Elizabeth Jones ([email protected]) or call Robin Morris at 864.288.5774.
We look forward to working with you to complete the review of your 2019 Session Minutes.
Representation and Review Committee
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We are all learning how to be the church of Jesus Christ in new and creative ways, using technology for worship, education, mission, and even pastoral care. These times are challenging but they also give us the opportunity to find ways to love and serve Christ together, even when we are apart.
The Synod of South Atlantic, through our connections and relationships, engages in mission and ministry committed to:
Ensure full integration of diversity in all of its life and work.
Equip and empower transformational leadership.
Provide for mutual enrichment among the leadership of our 16 presbyteries.
Use innovative technology to accomplish its purpose, model effective communication strategies, and share best practices.
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It’s 2021–22 application season for the
Young Adult Volunteer program
Apply by Jan. 1, 2021, for early placement at sites within the U.S. and around the world.
LOUISVILLE — The 2021–22 Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) application season opened Oct. 1. Access the online application here.
For nearly 30 years, the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has been instrumental in helping 19- to 30-year-olds experience a year of service at sites within the U.S. and around the world.
The YAV program is for all Christian young adults, not exclusively Presbyterians, in the belief that people are called and equipped by God for service in many forms. Since the early 1990s, more than 1,700 young adults have participated in a year of service at 45 different sites in 19 countries.
Although the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has a travel ban in place through June 30, 2021, staff are stepping out on faith and making plans for an “in-person” YAV year of service in 2021–22 (August to August), exploring possibilities for a virtual orientation and partial virtual year.
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The next gathering of Foothills
MUSIC MINISTRY LEADER’S
is
9:00 am
Wednesday, January 13
by Zoom
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It's not too late to pull off a virtual Alternative Giving Market!
Earlier this year, we made a plan to send this very email out to you — a message in October that would serve to inform you about how to incorporate the Giving Catalog into your Alternative Giving Markets.
We never predicted when we made those early plans that many of our congregations would still be gathering virtually. We didn’t imagine that "getting creative on how to stay connected" would still be the norm!
Here’s a simple idea for your Alternative Giving Market: use our Links of Love activity, which involves the creation of a paper chain, built by individual paper links (each representing a gift given) joined together by glue or tape. It’s an activity that celebrates the act of connecting, and the collective power of working together. And, based on its simple and flexible nature, it really shows how easy it can be to make a big difference in someone else’s life.
Even if your church isn’t meeting in person, there are ways to still have your Alternative Giving Market using Links of Love! Ideas include:
- Ask people to mail in their gift check, along with an indication of which gift from the Giving Catalog they want to give. Have a volunteer assemble the paper chain based on gifts that have been mailed in. (You could even ask participating members to make their own unique paper link at home!)
- Make it a virtual event, with Facebook Live or Zoom, where church members log in to make their gift commitment while volunteers build the paper chain in real time
We’re happy to help you figure out how to use the Giving Catalog for your market this year — if you need help, please contact us at [email protected] or call 888-728-7228 ext. 5047.
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NEXT Church
BREAKING, BLESSING, BUILDING
A Call For The Common Good
A FREE Live-Streamed Gathering for ALL Church Leaders
March 5-7, 2021
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Interested in having a Zoom Video Conference Meeting,
but you don't have an account? The Presbytery can help!
If you have a request, please have your Pastor or Clerk of Session contact LeAnne White (via email) and include the following information:
- Name of person making request
- Church
- Phone
- Date for Zoom Meeting
- Time (begin and end) no more than 2 hours
- Approx number of those attending
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The third-quarter 2020 newsletter is now available!
This newsletter includes information about the many Bible study resources (including prerecorded webinars) that are available to support personal or group Bible study of the newest PW/Horizons Bible study, Into the Light; a fabric “fun”draiser that will equip the group creating 2021 Churchwide Gathering totebags; a statement from PW reaffirming the necessity of antiracism; and much more! Read messages from PW’s churchwide moderator, JyungIn Lee and PW’s vice moderator for mission relationships, Jo Ann Burrell.
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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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Board of Pensions newsletter
Click HERE for the Board of Pensions Newsletter which covers several important initiatives which were approved during our meeting Oct. 22-24, 2020.
In addition to the positive financial results and subsequent decisions, the BOP created a Task Force to address Inclusiveness, Diversity, and Equality, and we are very excited to begin this long-needed engagement with the many systemic issues that affect our church institutions, our parishioners, our local communities, and beyond.
We hope you will feel encouraged as the BOP continues to address identified needs of our congregations, pastors, retirees, and employees.
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New book
from Beth Templeton
What began as a simple writing project to take my great-grandfather’s book that had languished on shelves for decades and bring it back using current language and idioms became an unexpected quest.
I learned that the Civil War was more than battles. George F. Robertson never witnessed any gun fights even though he saw troops of both sides moving in and out of his hometowns.
When I realized my great-great-grandparents had owned three house and yard servants who were slaves, I was shaken. About the time that piece of information began to deeply resonate in my white heart, racial tensions exploded in the United States.
My great-grandfather’s little tale of his memories as an eight-year-old boy of the Civil War became a jumping off point for a soul-searching process.
(from the preface)
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We've created a great online community for you to connect with leaders in faith formation and to access resources to help your ministry. Each week we publish:
- a Feature Faith Formation Article
- a Research Update
- a Leadership Article
You will also find a variety of resources to enrich you as a leader and develop effective faith formation in your church. Go to Topics on Catalyst to find:
· Seasonal Resources - we've just published a curated list of Advent & Christmas resources to help you prepare your community for the Advent and Christmas seasons
· Catalyst Webinar Videos - we've collected all of the 2020 webinar presentations into one place for easy viewing
· Faith Formation Toolkits - articles and guides to help you understand and design faith formation for all ages
· Leadership Toolkits - skills and tools to become a more effective leader
Vibrant Faith is bringing Catalyst to you for free! It's our gift to you.
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On Nov 09, 2020
Written by: Leslie Scanlon- October 19, 2020
They were supposed to stay for two nights.
Now, because of COVID-19, it’s been more than 200.
Last spring, on March 17, the Imani Milele Choir, a children’s choir from Uganda, arrived to spend two nights night at Fellowship Camp and Conference Center, a Presbyterian-related camp in Waterloo, South Carolina. Each year since 2013, the Imani Milele Choir has come to the United States for a fundraising tour — crisscrossing the country by bus to sing at churches and schools, raising money money for eight education centers it operates for children in Uganda, and finding sponsors for children who attend those schools.
As the choir group settled in at the camp – a group of 21 children ages 10 to 15, plus 16 adults – so, gradually, did the reality that the COVID-19 pandemic was starting to shut down travel. Read More
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Mark your Calendars for these Upcoming Events |
November
12 Finance & Stewardship Committee meeting & Youth Roundtable
16 Personnel Committee meeting
17 Committee on Shared Ministry meeting
19 Christian Educators meeting, Examinations meeting & Committee on Preparation for Ministry meeting
26 Happy Thanksgiving
The Foothills Presbytery office will be closed on
Thursday, November 26 in honor of Thanksgiving.
30 Foothills Presbytery Staff Meeting
December
1 Youth Roundtable and
2 Associate Pastor Peer Group Gathering and Representation & Review Committee meeting
3 Committee on Ministry meeting
4 PYC Christmas Party
6-7 Foothills Presbytery Staff Retreat (Office Closed)
February 16
May 15
Nov 9, 2021
9:00 am - 2:00 pm Foothills Presbytery Stated Meeting # 118
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