Foothills Presbytery News

September 24, 2026

A Fresh Look for the Foothills Newsletter

There’s always a lot happening across Foothills Presbytery—and we love having so much to share! As our newsletter has grown, so has the number of events, opportunities, resources, and stories coming our way.

Beginning with this issue, you’ll notice a new, hopefully easier-to-navigate format designed to help you quickly find what you’re looking for. Instead of listing everything simply by date, we’ll organize news and announcements into sections such as:

THIS WEEK — Things happening now and in the days just ahead

FP PEER MINISTRY - Upcoming peer ministry gathering dates & times

FOR YOUR CHURCH — Resources, opportunities, training, grants, and information for congregations and leaders

PEOPLE & STORIES FROM AROUND FOOTHILLS — Celebrating the people, ministries, and good work happening throughout our presbytery

COMING UP — Events and opportunities to put on your calendar

And if you’re looking for something specific, these quick links are always a good place to start:

FIND A RESOURCE → Resources for you and your congregation

FIND AN EVENT → Visit our online Events Calendar

HAVE A QUESTION? → Email LeAnne —I’m always happy to help!

Our hope is simple: to keep sharing all the good things happening across Foothills while making the newsletter easier to read, browse, and come back to when you need it.

Happy reading!

NEW in the Resource Center

Christianity at a Crossroads, a four-part film series capturing the many challenges and complexities of Christian life in America today, will launch on PBS stations on Thursday, October 1.

The films are currently being released on Journey Films’ YouTube channel, where anyone who signs up for the company’s newsletter can watch them commercial-free. The first episode was released this past Monday, 9/21/26. Subsequent episodes will be released each Monday for the next 3 weeks. Read More

THIS WEEK

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.

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.

FOOTHILLS PRESBYTERY 2026 - 2027 Youth Retreats

Deadline:

*** Reminder...Middle School Retreat and High School Retreat Church Registration Forms Due October 1!

Re:Center Events This Week

Re:Center is a 1001 New Worshiping Community of the Foothills Presbytery providing a ministry of space for renewal, connection, and creativity. Our events are open to all and we encourage our churches to spread the word!

Open Art Studio- Saturday, September 26^th 10am-noon All ages are invited to drop in and create something cool!

(See additional events coming up below.)

For more information & e-news: recentergvl.com.

Foothills Presbytery Peer Ministry

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!

Youth Leaders Roundtable

No meeting in October. The next meeting is

Thursday, November 19, 12 noon at Fourth.

Fo r Your Church

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 Nov Stated Meeting of Presbytery. Please send names to LeAnne White, by Thur, Oct 31.

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.

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!

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.

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

Save the Date!

Officer Training

Saturday, February 6, 2027

Details coming soon.

People & Stories from Around Foothills

First Greer Summer Happenings: VBS in June with over 50 children & 45 volunteers, school supplies drive to support Greer Community Ministries, Montreat Youth Conference, and mid and senior high youth serving at the Greer Soup Kitchen in August:

Validated Ministers gathered for lunch & fellowship at Re:Center on Sept 16:

Simpsonville Presbyterian Church Food Pantry

Sep 17, 2026

Several years ago, Simpsonville Presbyterian Church began hosting a food pantry every Tuesday morning. Over time, the number of clients has increased. The Food Pantry is staffed by volunteers; some are church members, but others are not. The Pantry receives monetary donations and donations of nonperishable food from individuals, churches, and other organizations. One volunteer is a master gardener. She asked to plant a garden to provide fresh produce and flowers. The garden has been expanded, and plans are to enlarge it again next year.

Some of the volunteers serve as “shopping teams.” They scour several stores (Aldi, Lidl, Dollar Tree) for items purchased in bulk. Below is an account of one volunteer’s shopping trip. READ MORE

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.

Please email here if you plan to attend.

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, email Pressley Cox, 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.

Coming Up

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

Upright Piano looking for

a good home.

Measurements: 63.5"x28"x53"H

Please email Shannon Weinel at Fountain Inn church for more information.

Dementia Myths

Three Part Series at Second Church

Presented by the SC Dept on Aging.

Part II: Oct 10, 10 am

Part III: Nov 14, 10 am

Email : hello@sprez.org for more information

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.

Learn more at netgrace.org.

Montreat'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

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

Small & Mighty - Zoom

Tuesday, October 6, 7-8 pm ET

Topic: Does Your Church Still Have a Future?

Eight Questions Your Church Must Answer Before Seeking Renewal

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 -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

Re:Center Upcoming Events

Sunday Slowdown- Sun, Oct 4^th 3-7 pm Stop by for hot tea, puzzles, games, coloring, and space to wind down before launching into the next week. The hygiene pantry/resource closet will be open during this time.

Lunch Break Soul Awake- Wed, Oct 7^th 12:30-1:30 Enjoy an hour of embodied spiritual practices with Jackie Putnam

Meet, Greet, & Eat- Mon, Oct 19^th 11-1 pm Curious about us? Drop in with your lunch, enjoy time with our co-directors, and see what’s happening at Re:Center!

For more information & e-news: recentergvl.com.

Wee Kirk Conference 2026

Much from Little

October 19–21, 2026

Theme Passage: Mark 6:30-44

Our Wee Kirk Conference lifts up the small church and its leaders. For more information visit: montreat.org/wee-kirk-26

Leader Formation Webinar for Ruling Elders and Deacons

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

Registration closes on October 21

More information: Leader Formation webpage

2027 SC5 COM-CPM-PDA-PJC RETREAT

March 5 – 6, 2027

Registration is open. A block of rooms (Alphabet Soup Conf) is being held for our attendees at a special discounted group rate .

Click here for full flyer and more information.

Camp Fellowship

Winter Camp

SAVE THE

DATE!

Click HERE for information.

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