Foothills Presbytery News

August 13, 2026

August 22 at 4:00 pm

"God's Faithfulness"

at John Knox Church, Greenville

Featuring Combined Choirs and Musicians from these Foothills churches: First Greer, Pickens, John Knox, First Spartanburg, Walhalla, St. Andrews, Seneca, Eastminster, Westminster, Trinity, and Central. Free event. Love Offerings Accepted.

Small(er) Churches Gathering

Monday, August 24, 12 - 1:30 pm

at the Foothills Presbytery office

Bring your lunch & a drink.

Presbytery will provide dessert.

** Please email LeAnne White and let us know if you plan to attend. **

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!

FOOTHILLS PRESBYTERY

2026 - 2027

Middle School Retreat Event Page with Schedule & Forms

High School Retreat Page with Schedule & Forms

Foothills Presbytery Peer Ministry

Christian Educators

Our next gathering is Monday, August 17,

12 noon at the Presbytery office.

Youth Leaders Roundtable

The next meeting is

Thursday, August 20, 12 noon,

at Gather Greenville.

Music Ministry Leaders

Our next gathering is Wednesday, September 9, at 11:30 am, on Zoom.

Validated Ministers

Our next gathering is September 16 at noon at Re:Center.

SC5 School of Theology

Registration is Open!

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

SC5 Leader of Leaders Event

Awed by All the Things

The five Presbyteries of SC will host a workshop on Intergenerational Ministry on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at Seven Oaks Presbyterian in Columbia.

Event fee: $40 per participant for workshop, including lunch. Registration deadline – Thursday, August 20, 2026. Space is limited.

In the Think Tank Report, we recognized that "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."

Our response includes partnering with groups such as the Board of Pensions and Columbia Theological Seminary. The report spotlights the importance of "Cultivating an ecosystem of wholeness and well-being for leaders."

Supporting abundant life for ministers

The Board of Pensions offers educational programs that support clergy in key areas of their well-being.

The Wounded Ministers Retreat for Clergy and Spouses
Hosted at Columbia Theological Seminary, this retreat provides a relaxed atmosphere and a confidential setting for healing and encouragement for ministers and their families.

Registration and more information

available here

2026-2027 Minister ID cards

are now available for minister members of Foothills Presbytery.

Please contact LeAnne White if you would like to pick up your card.

Many Presbyterians know that Montreat Conference Center offers a special setting in which to nurture faith, form friendships, and rest from their labors. Members of Foothills Presbytery may not know, however, that our Presbytery and many of its member churches have long supported the mission of the South Carolina Inn at Montreat. Founded in 1912, the SC Inn endures as a ministry of the five presbyteries of South Carolina by offering hospitality and a place of retreat for pastors, church leaders, families, and church members from the five presbyteries.

The Inn is open year-round and a variety of rooms can be reserved for individual and group use. You can book your next room with a view of beautiful Montreat.

And, if you can’t visit this year, but would like to help Foothills Presbytery support the on-going mission of SC Inn at Montreat, give via this GiveButter campaign link.

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

Church Financial Leadership

Grants Available Now

If you are a pastor, commissioned ruling elder (CRE), a leader of a 1001 New Worshiping Community or a member of a stewardship team we have Church Financial Leadership Grants available for you. The grants will enable you to institute best practices for church financial leadership, introduce you to new models of giving and stewardship, and offer you new ways to talk about money and form generous disciples within your church. Learn more

Montreat Conference Center is pleased to bring you our monthly newsletter August 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 the Harry Bryan Bridge reconstruction, future youth conferences, and our upcoming Women’s Connection conference.

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.

August 19: Follow Up Guidance from CLC

Click HERE to Register.

Share Abundantly in every good work

2 Corinthians 9:8

S. T. E. P. S. 2026

at Mt. Pleasant Church

August 29, 8:45 am - 1:45 pm

Pre-registration Deadline: August 12

Registration Fee: $25

S.T.E.P.S. 2026 Brochure!

Registration for S.T.E.P.S. 2026!

Publicity suggestions for S.T.E.P.S. 2026!

SCODA Dementia 101: The Basics program on August 19 at 10 am at

Washington Street United Meth Church

This is a one-hour program sharing important information all of us should know about dementia, including how to reduce our risk, identify warning signs, navigate a diagnosis, and the treatments and supports currently available. This is free, and all are welcome!

No registration is necessary. Detailed Flyer

Sunday, August 30, 11 am

ALL ARE WELCOME!

Walhalla Presbyterian Church

600 S Main Street, Walhalla

Join us as we worship God through

song in a special service featuring hymns written by Fanny J. Crosby

SACK Lunch Conversation

Join us for this monthly Zoom meeting for sharing across the synod: experience, resources, and best practices on a new topic each month. We meet on the first Wednesday of the month from 12-1 pm.

September 2 Topic: New Worshipping Communities

Bible Study: Fall Season begins September 15 and 16, 2026. Join our bi-weekly virtual Bible study on 1 John that begins this fall. Attend Tuesday evenings (7-8:15 pm) or Wednesday mornings (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. This one-day workshop is for pastors, church leaders, and congregation members seeking practical insights for moving forward in this new era. Learn more.

www.icsm.org

8th Annual Faith-Based

Symposium

9:30 AM-3:00 PM

Thursday, October 8th, 2026

Midlands Technical College-Airport Campus

1260 Lexington Drive

West Columbia, SC 29170

For more information: www.aging.sc.gov

Stephen Ministries 50th Anniversary Celebration and Learning Event

Saturday, September 12, 2026

8:00 - 4:00 PM

at Cathedral of Christ the King

2699 Peachtree Rd NE, Atlanta

This event is part of a nationwide tour celebrating Stephen Ministries’ 50th anniversary and is built around the theme of “Building a More Caring World,” which reflects Stephen Ministries’ vision to help all people care and relate with greater compassion and excellence.

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship - Gun Violence Prevention Ministry

Concerned about Gun Violence? Learn Faith-Based Skills for Gun Violence Prevention Sept. 15-18, 2026 Kansas City, MO The Presbyterian Peace Fellowship invites you to the 3rd annual Atwood Institute for Congregational Courage, a national training event at the Heartland Center near Kansas City. MO on Sept. 15-18, 2026. The Institute offers continuing education for lay leaders and clergy on educational, pastoral and action steps for gun violence prevention mission with congregations.

Space is limited. Click HERE to learn more.

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. Under the theme “Come to the Mountains,” PYWA’s annual gathering will bring together youth workers from across the country for worship, keynote presentations, workshops and networking opportunities. 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.

8th Annual Faith-Based Symposium

Thursday, October 8, 2026

9:30 -3:00 PM

Midlands Technical College-Airport Campus

1260 Lexington Drive, West Columbia, SC

Click here for Full Flyer

For 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.

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