Foothills Presbytery News

January 9, 2026

Full Flyer

Officer Training Workshop

Saturday, Jan 31, 9:30 – 2:30

at Simpsonville Church

Registration: $20 (includes lunch & materials)

Registration Deadline: 1/23/2026

This workshop, led by the Rev. Tom Malone and CRE Robin Morris, is for newly ordained Elders as well as those who have previously served. It will focus on the four areas on 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

You are invited

to the

Closing Worship Service

of the Landrum Presbyterian Church

Sunday afternoon,

3:00 pm February 1, 2026

2025 Statistical Reports- Open Now:

The Statistical Entry Access opened for churches on

January 2, 2026.

Please refer to the 2025 Statistical Reporting FAQ for step-by-step explanations for this years statistical reporting.

THE ABSOLUTE DEADLINE FOR ENTERING STATISTICS

IS FEBRUARY 12, 2026.

User IDs and church passwords are the same as in previous years.

Questions? Please email lwhite@foothillspresbytery.org.

United in Christ, Foothills Presbytery weaves a tapestry of faith, hope, and love. Because of our faith connections, we go forward "better together" in our shared mission and ministry. We are a witness to the love of Christ.

It is not too late to make your (individual or congregational) contribution to the Foothills Ministry Fund. Your contribution allows us to steward a future of God's possibility. Ways to give:

Online through the Foothills Presbytery Ministry Fund
Check (PO Box 1118, Simpsonville, SC 29681)

The last date for receiving contributions (credited to 2025) is January 12, 2026.

Foothills Presbytery Peer Ministry

Music Ministry Leaders

Our next gathering is Wednesday,

January 21 at 9 am on Zoom.

Youth Leaders Roundtable

No meeting in January.

The next meeting is Thursday, February 5.

Christian Educators

No meeting in January.

We will resume on February 9, 1:00-2:30 at the Presbytery Office. Come early at 12:30 for lunch and conversation!

Church Financial Officers Forum

We will gather on Tuesday, January 20, at the Foothills Presbytery Office, 2242 Woodruff Road Simpsonville, SC 29681.

Our time together will begin at noon and adjourn on or before 1:30 pm. A light lunch will be served.To assist with preparation, please kindly RSVP by sending a quick email to confirm your attendance to (olanda.carr@presbyterianfoundation.org) or LeAnne White (lwhite@foothillspresbytery.org) by EOD Friday, January 16th.

Should you prefer to join us virtually, please let us know and a link will be provided.

Smaller Congregation Gathering

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

12:00-1:30 pm

“Best Practices for Social Media Workshop” led by Rev. Anne Russ

Rev. Anne Russ, founder of Social Media for

Churches, will lead us through a workshop focused on general best practices for social media ministry, including content creation, planning, scheduling and

content mix. Anne has been a pastor for 20 years and engaged in social media ministry for over 10 years. She has a Facebook Marketing Certification from Syracuse University and is an active member of the Social Media Marketing Society.

Bring your own lunch. Dessert will be provided.

Email LeAnne White HERE if you plan to attend.

Welcome to the 227th General Assembly (2026)

June 22 - July 2, 2026

The clock is ticking toward the opening of the 227th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) next June in Milwaukee. The General Assembly planning team is working on next year’s format, which will include online committee meetings and in person plenaries. Visit this site often to get the latest planning updates, deadlines, and sign up for the On the Road to GA newsletter.

On The Road Monthly Newsletter

CONGREGATIONAL STUDY GUIDE

FOR KAIROS PALESTINE II

Three Christian organizations will soon jointly release a new congregational study guide for the confessional document A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide, the recently issued Kairos Palestine II statement from Palestinian Christian leaders. (Issued Nov. 2025).

Developed by The Palestine Justice Network (PJN) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), with United Methodists for Kairos Response (UMKR), and Friends of Sabeel North America (FOSNA), the study guide will be a free digital download. It will be available at their websites in February, for use as a 2026 Lenten Study and throughout the year.

This resource invites congregations into a sacred dialogue with the Kairos Palestine II document—a living confession born from the heart of Palestinian Christian suffering. To study it during Lent, that ancient season of preparation and renewal, is to walk the path of baptism once more: to rediscover what it means to pledge our faith in Christ and to boldly renounce the sin and evil alive in our world today.

Clergy & Commissioned Pastors -

“Reignite Your Pentecost Preaching”

Friday, February 27

What if this coming Pentecost season, you didn’t just preach another sermon, but ignited a fire in the hearts of your congregation? We’re thrilled to invite you to Reignite Your Pentecost Preaching — a powerful, one‑day workshop

designed just for clergy and commissioned pastors like you.

9:00 AM – 4:00 PM, (Breakfast at 8:30 AM) at Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church, 530 St. Andrews St., Columbia, SC

Registration: $50 (includes breakfast, lunch, and materials)

Deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026

Greenville, SC Intergenerational Family Day

More Information

SC5 School of Theology

2026 Spring Semester - March 27 & 28

The SC5 School of Theology classes are held at Presbyterian College. Spring 2026 Semester Courses:

Old Testament (Core)
Church History (Core)
Worship & Sacraments (Core)
Presbyterian Polity (Core)
The Joyous Letter to the Church at Philippi (Elective)
One Thread: Crafting Worship That Unravels (Elective)

Click Here for More Information

News from the Board of Pensions

In this issue, you will find:

A message from the Reverend Dr. Frank Clark Spencer, President
Highlights from the fall Bd of Directors meeting
Celebrating 20 years of CREDO
Inside the Medical Plan: How It Works and Why It Matters webinar recap
Giving back: Board staff supports the Philadelphia community
Board leadership in action

View the complete BOP News

Montreat Conference Center is pleased to bring you our monthly newsletter January in Montreat. Please find updates from our president, highlights on programmatic offerings, and ways that you can engage with Montreat below. Specifically, in this issue we are talking about Small Group Leader applications, our upcoming Discovering Renewal event, and news from the last quarter of 2025.

January Newsletter

150 Years of Ministry to

Children and Families

Since 1875, Thornwell has faithfully walked alongside children and families as they have faced confusion, challenges, and crisis. Backed by a community of support and empowered by meaningful partnerships, we have had the privilege to witness and support 150 years of hope, joy and healing! Join Children and Families on Their Journey. Your generosity helps children and families take steps towards hope, love, and a brighter future.

Donate today.