Foothills Presbytery News

September 10, 2026

MISSION & OUTREACH

To build on the imaginative energy and conversations sparked by the Presbytery’s recent Think Tank, the Committee on Shared Ministry wants to hear what is already happening in congregations across Foothills Presbytery.

What mission partnerships are bringing life and energy to your congregation right now?

What are you most excited about? Where are you seeing God at work? And might there be opportunities for other congregations or ministries within Foothills Presbytery to join you, learn from you, or partner alongside you?

We invite you to share a story with us—in whatever format works best for you. You can simply reply to this email with a written story, or come tell it to us! The Presbytery office now has a recording studio, and we would love to record you sharing your congregation’s mission story.

Your story might just spark an idea, a connection, or a new partnership somewhere else in the Presbytery.

Please share with church staff and members who are involved in

mission and service.

Giver-Johnston, Donna. Writing for the Ear, Preaching from the Heart. (251 Giver-Johnston)

Teaches preachers how to get away from their notes and make a more personal connection with their listeners. Offers a step-by-step method for writing sermons with the fewest, most impactful and memorable words and delivered by heart to communicate a message that captures the ears and hearts of listeners

Hannan, Shauna K. The Peoples' Sermon: Preaching as a Ministry of the Whole Congregation. (251 Hannan)

Hannan argues that it is no longer faithful for a preacher to craft a sermon in isolation, step into the pulpit (literally or metaphorically) on Sunday morning, offer a monologue, and on Monday start all over, alone, preparing for the following Sunday. Her goal is to create vital worshipping communities where both clergy and laity are empowered and equipped in their roles before, during, and after the sermon.

Lewis, Karoline M. A Lay Preacher's Guide: How to Craft a Faithful Sermon. (251 Lewis)

Laypeople are increasingly called to serve congregations and are preaching regularly. Lewis gives this unique subset of preachers the foundations of biblical preaching, so they can preach faithfully in their unique contexts. She lays out in a concise and clear format the steps to preaching a faithful sermon, a process that can be immediately applied to weekly sermon preparation. This book is a go-to resource for lay preachers, providing a basic course for faithful preaching.

Thompson, Lisa L. Preaching the Headlines: Possibilities and Pitfalls. (251 Thompson)

Reframes preaching as an ongoing conversation between the modern world and the world of the biblical text. Preachers use what they know about life as a bridge to the text, while life in the text provides the bridge back to faith in the contemporary world. The goal of the book is to provide a process to aid preachers in doing theological reflection on the everyday world as an integral part of sermon development.

Zink-Sawyer, Beverly Ann. For Every Matter Under Heaven: Preaching on Special Occasions. (251 Zink-Sawyer)

Offers preachers a process for finding appropriate sermon texts for special occasions by considering the occasion itself, the listeners who might be gathered, and the ways God is at work in that time and place.

Honoring All Saints

Foothills Presbytery has a tradition of recognizing and celebrating the lives of Ruling Elders and Ministers (and their spouses) who have entered the Church Triumphant in the last year.

Please send the names of those Elders and Ministers (and their spouses) who have died since November 2025. We will honor them during worship at our November Stated Meeting of Presbytery. Please send names to LeAnne White, lwhite@foothillspresbytery.org by Thursday, October 31.

Foothills Presbytery Peer Ministry

Validated Ministers

Our next gathering is September 16,

12 noon at Re:Center.

RSVP with LeAnne here.

Youth Leaders Roundtable

The next meeting is

Thursday, September 17,

12 noon at Westminster, Greenville.

Christian Educators

Our next gathering is Monday, Sept 28,

12 noon at the Presbytery office.

Music Ministry Leaders

Our next gathering is Wednesday, October 14, at 9:00 am, on Zoom.

Western Region Pastors

Our next gathering is Tuesday, November 3 at 12:30pm at Social Tap in Anderson!

World Communion

Sunday Worship

Sept 6 - Oct 4, 2026

You can plan your World Communion Sunday worship service around Micah 6:8 with the new World Communion Offering liturgy and hymn, which you can adapt to your congregation.

Click HERE for more information.

FOOTHILLS PRESBYTERY

2026 - 2027 Youth Retreats

*** Reminder...MSR and HSR Church Registration Forms Due October 1!

Middle School Retreat Event Page with Schedule & Forms

High School Retreat Page with Schedule & Forms

"The health of the church is deeply tied to the health of its leaders. Throughout the listening groups, there was a clear recognition that leaders are being asked to carry

increasing complexity, often without sufficient support. Additionally, younger

generations are longing for connection, opportunities, and support.

"Bright Spots:

The next generation is central, not supplemental. Foothills Presbytery’s Youth Council stands as a powerful example of leadership development done well, shaping young people who are engaged, thoughtful, and deeply connected to their faith and the Church."

-Think Tank Report

SC5 School of Theology

Registration is Open!

(Registration Closes September 28.)

Please click HERE to view the Fall 2026 booklet , which includes class information, schedule, professor bios, and more.

Save the Date!

Officer Training

Saturday, February 6, 2027

Details coming soon.

Connect your high school grad & college student with local Campus Ministers:

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.

Click here for more information!

Side by Side

WE NEED VOLUNTEERS!

Did you know it takes 15-20 volunteers to make one day at Side By Side Respite happen John Knox Presbyterian Greenville, SC with our current enrollment? Our Friends are paired with a Volunteer, while another amazing Volunteer team helps prepare, serve, and clean up lunch.

Come join us on Monday, September 21, from 9 am - 1 pm for volunteer training at John Knox. Please let Laura know if you plan to attend: lreichen@johnknoxpres.org or 864-244-4053.

Click here for FLYER.

Montreat Conference Center

South Carolina Inn at Montreat

You can book your next room with a view of beautiful Montreat HERE.

Help Foothills Presbytery support the on-going mission of SC Inn at Montreat: Give via this GiveButter campaign link.

Bible Study: Fall Season begins September 15 and 16, 2026. Bi-weekly virtual Bible study on 1 John. Tuesdays, 7-8:15 pm or Wednesdas, 8:30-9:45 am. No cost, no commitment, come as you can. Register to receive the resources and meeting link. Learn more.

The Gospel for Such a Time as This: Saturday, October 3, 2026, 9:00 am to 3:30 pm. This workshop explores how the Gospel is at risk in the sweeping changes facing the modern Christian church. One-day workshop for pastors, church leaders, and cong members seeking practical insights for moving forward in this new era. Learn more.

COM SACK Lunch Conversation

We added a new monthly Zoom for sharing across the synod! Conversations on the 3rd Wednesday of the month will focus on topics related to Committees on Ministry. We meet from 12-1 pm (Eastern Time). Register to receive the monthly invitation. You aren’t obligated to attend every session.

September 16: GA227 & Implications for COM

Click HERE to Register

CPR (Pediatric & Adult) & AED

and First Aid Training

Thursday, September 24, 9:00 AM 3:00 PM

Fellowship Camp & Conference

Training Includes:

CPR and Hands-on Practice
Proper use of an AED
First Aid for common injuries and emergencies
Recognizing and responding to cardiac emergencies
Practical Emergency-response skills and opportunities to practice lifesaving techniques

Scan bar code for more iinformation:

Chosen for what?

Living into God’s favoritism toward us

Central Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall

1404 N Boulevard, Anderson

You’re invited to join us on Friday evening and Saturday morning Sept 25 & 26 for meals together and conversation with Rev. Dr. Tim Hartman, Assoc Prof of Theology at Columbia Theological Seminary.

We would love to invite other churches to join us.

We will be providing dinner on Friday and Lunch on Saturday so need folks to register so we can get a headcount.

GRACE exists to equip the Church with a vision for authentic community, where responsibility, accountability, and compassion are second nature, and caring for children and adult survivors of abuse is non-negotiable.

We believe that with proper education and training, every church and faith organization can effectively navigate its responsibility to appropriately care for those impacted by abuse.

With a combined experience of over 100 years of addressing abuse-related issues, GRACE has accumulated and organized a wealth of resources from mental health experts, former prosecutors, and theologians to give you and your organization a well-rounded, robust, and deep understanding of abuse and how to prevent it. We all can make a difference by learning about abuse, become equipped on how to recognize it, and committing to responding appropriately.

Learn more at netgrace.org.

Hymn Sing

Sunday, September 20

from 3:00 - 4:30 pm

at Covenant Presbyterian Church

880 W.O. Ezell Blvd, Spartanburg

Refreshments Served

Practical & Innovative Resources for CHURCHES

Empowering your ministry with essential tools, training, and support to serve your community and foster vibrant congregations.

PRC - Practical Resources for Churches

Montreat Conference Center's monthly newsletter September in Montreat.

Find updates from our president, highlights on programmatic offerings, end of the summer, College Conference @ Montreat, and our annual Wee Kirk Conference for leaders of small churches.

Mountains, Ministry, and Momentum

Presbyterian Youth Workers Association

October 5-8, 2026, Registration now open

Youth ministry leaders spend much of their time investing in others. From Oct. 5-8, the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association (PYWA) will provide space for those leaders themselves to be encouraged, equipped and renewed. The event is open to ordained and non-ordained leaders, paid staff and volunteers alike. Read more

** Foothills participants will receive a special rate at the William Black Lodge. Please contact Pressley Cox for more information.

When Faith Hurts:

Empowering the Faith Community to Recognize and Respond to Child Abuse & Sexual Assault

October 6-8th, 2026 at Holy Cross Episcopal Church 205 E College St, Simpsonville

This training will prepare attendees to recognize and respond to cases of sexual abuse, physical abuse, emotional abuse and neglect. Register

1st Wed SACK Lunch Conversation

A monthly Zoom for sharing across the synod! Join, learn and share: experience, resources, and best practices on a new topic each month. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month from 12-1 pm (Eastern Time).

October 7: Courageous Conversations

Click HERE to Register

A TWO-DAY EVENT FOR PRACTITIONERS THAT BRINGS TOGETHER THEORY, THEOLOGY & PRACTICE

October 8-9, 2026

In-Person & Hybrid | Charlotte, NC

More Information and Registration

8th Annual Faith-Based

Symposium

9:30 AM-3:00 PM

Thursday, October 8th, 2026

Midlands Technical College-Airport Campus

1260 Lexington Drive, W Columbia, SC

More information: Sherri Caldwell, slcaldwell@aging.sc.gov, GetCareSC.com

SAVE the DATE

Inman Presbyterian Church 100th Anniversary

October 18 - 11:00 am

Join us for a special celebration as we commemorate a century of Inman Presbyterian Church. We invite you to participate in a meaningful worship service, followed by a delightful luncheon and afternoon of activities.

Leader Formation Webinar for Ruling Elders and Deacons

October 29, 2026 | 7:00-8:30 pm (EDT)

Registration opens on September 23

Registration closes on October 21

More information will be available on the

Leader Formation webpage and in the

September Leader Formation Newsletter

SAVE

THE

DATE!

Save the date for the

2027 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women!

August 5 - 7, 2027

Visit presbyterianwomen.org/gathering for more information. And don’t forget to share your enthusiasm for the Gathering on social media! #PWGathering #2027ChurchwideGathering

Growing Gardens, Feeding Minds

Aug 6, 2026

In 2025, the Committee on Shared Ministry held the Foothills Presbytery Women’s Retreat at the Clemson Outdoor Laboratory. The theme for the retreat was “One Voice, Big Difference”, focusing on how one idea can lead to great change. Many of us were moved when the keynote speaker, Rev. Trisha Tull, told us about a ministry that she is passionate about, “God’s Green Resourceful Earth.” (GGRE) One of their goals is to provide lunches for children in Kisumu, Kenya. This has expanded to teaching the children to grow their own food and building kitchens in elementary schools there so meal preparation would be more cost efficient.

When the attendees of the retreat learned how little it would cost to feed one child for a week, we passed a basket and raised $1000 for Trisha to send to Kisumu. Building on that idea, I asked the Missions Committee at Nazareth Presbyterian to consider putting GGRE on the list for our Pennies for Hunger recipients. Several women from Nazareth attended the retreat, including the chair of the Missons Committee! They approved it and we took up our first offering in June 2026.

Each month on the last Sunday, instead of a message during “Time with Young Disciples” the children age 5th grade and younger go throughout the congregation with their buckets collecting pennies (and quarters and dollars and checks) for one of our many Hunger Missions. READ MORE