Foothills Presbytery News

December 4, 2025

This Child Here (established in Ukraine) works with families displaced by the war. Thousands of people have fled cities in the east and arrived in Izmail, Ukraine, in the west. As many fathers are in the military or still residing in dangerous places, these families often consist of mothers and children. This Child Here provides products from grocery stores and centers for youth and children's activities, including sports, music, art, and programs led by psychologists. Through these activities, summer camps, and the supportive community they have cultivated, they have built trust and shared Grace. They offer therapy for the trauma and shock suffered by families surrounded by war. This Child Here, Inc. is a Validated Ministry in the Presbyterian Church (USA). This Child Here is a registered 501(C)(3) non-profit.

This Child Here’s Executive Director, Robert Gamble, visited with the Foothills Presbytery's Committee on Shared Ministry last Year. Robert is the only PCUSA Pastor currently living and serving in Ukraine. Recently, he asked us to share this news:

“Soon after midnight on Sunday, November 16th, the city of Izmail was hit by 27 drones. The noise following that explosion was the sound of a fire at the port: a ship filled with flammable LPG gas. We saw it burning from our kitchen window, about 200 yards from us. On Tuesday, 26 people died including women and children from a drone attack on a residential building in the city of Ternopil. Nothing can justify the relentless attacks of drones and rockets by Russians on the country of Ukraine. They will not stop. If you communicate with your representatives in Congress, please tell them this.”

Let us pray: God our creator, you made all things in your wisdom, and in your love you save us... Overthrow evil powers, right what is wrong, feed and satisfy those who thirst for justice, so that all your children may freely enjoy the earth you have made, and joyfully sing your praises.

(Book of Common Worship, PCUSA)

CSM Mission &

Outreach News

During 2025, the Mission and Outreach team of the Foothills Presbytery Committee on Shared Ministry will highlight partner ministries and mission opportunities every month. Each month's newsletter will include ways to engage in the featured ministry on the calendar to the left.

DECEMBER MISSION NEWSLETTER:

Cultivating Healthy Mission

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

Youth Leaders Roundtable

Thursday, December 11, 12 noon at

The Commons, 147 Welborn St Suite B1, Greenville.

Christian Educators

No meeting in December or January.

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

Music Ministry Leaders

No meeting in December.

Our next gathering is Wednesday,

January 21 at 9 am on Zoom.

The Foothills Presbytery High School Retreat will include a Book Drive to support BeLoved Asheville.

Items can be given to youth groups who will be attending the retreat

or brought to the Presbytery office by Wednesday, January 8, 2026.

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.

2025 Statistical Reports Update:

The Statistical Entry Access will open for churches on

January 2, 2026. This is a little later than the usual December date. I'll send a reminder when the portal access is open.

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.

Full Flyer

Officer Training Workshop

Saturday, Jan 31, 9:30 – 2:30

at Simpsonville Church

Registration Cost: $20

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

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)
Elective I (Elective)*
Elective II (Elective)*

1st Wednesday SACK Lunch

A monthly Zoom for sharing across the synod! Join, learn and share: experience, resources and best practices on a new topic each month. Register to receive the monthly invitation. You aren’t obligated to attend every session. Not every topic will suit everyone. No one keeps attendance so, no excused absences necessary! And . . . it’s zoom. Bring your lunch!

Click here to Register

Wonder Of Worship

Our newsletter this month is somewhat of a wrap up of this fall coupled with some previews of a few of the things that are coming up in the new year. Our quick sheet this month is a compilation of some of the things we have found most helpful in our exploration of Neurodiversity this fall....

December Newsletter

Christmas Joy Offering

November 30 - December 21, 2025

Supporting our leaders past, present, and future.

YAV - Applications are Open!

The Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program is an ecumenical, faith-based year of service for young people (ages 19–30) in sites across the United States and around the world. YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation. Alongside this work, volunteers explore the meaning of their Christian faith and accountability to their neighbors in the community with peers and mentors.

The South Carolina Department on Aging

is excited to present several dementia education events in the coming weeks!

We have a new dementia education landing page where all are welcome to view and register for upcoming dementia education classes. To access this page click here to access our training page . These are free and all are welcome! Note that all webinar classes are presented on Microsoft Teams.

November/December

2025

digital edition of Horizons

now available!

Presbyterian College partners with Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy’s Lake Institute on Faith and Giving to offer the Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF).

Thriving in Ministry Conference Registration Form 2026 For Clergy and other church professionals: Join us April 27-28, 2026 for two days filled with learning, reflection, and fellowship. There is no cost to attend the conference, and hotel expenses will be covered for the first 20 participants that register.

Presbyterian College Summer Youth Ministry Experience 2026 July 6-9, 2026 --A week of service and discernment, primarily for middle school youth, on the campus of Presbyterian College and the surrounding community. Please complete this form to secure space for your group. We will follow up soon with additional information.

Promise Scholarships Promise Scholarships at Presbyterian College unlock opportunities for students to achieve academic and personal excellence. These scholarships provide significant financial support, ensuring you thrive in a community that values service, leadership, and academic excellence.

FULL PC FLYER

If you have any questions, please email Buz Wilcoxon at bwilcoxon@presby.edu

Nurturing Presbyterian Women's

Heart-filled Ministries

As we prepare for 2026 and a new year of PW possibilities, the 2026 Presbyterian Women Annual Mission Fund Promotional Resource is available to share in newsletters and in circle meetings, on bulletin boards and over prayer.

P.S.C.E. – Presbyterians Supporting Christian Education

Union Presbyterian Seminary

The PSCE initiative continues to raise the profile of those serving in all areas of Christian Education and has expanded to the support of those serving as CRE/CP (Commissioned Ruling Elder/Commissioned Pastor).

All cohorts meet on Zoom. For further information, contact Marilyn Johns, Registrar