Foothills Presbytery News

October 8, 2026

Pay Attention to the Bright Spots

We live in a culture that is very good at capturing our attention—and not always for the better. Every day we are surrounded by headlines, sound bites, social media posts, and commentary designed to provoke a reaction. Too often, the loudest voices are the ones telling us what is wrong, who is to blame, and why we should be angry or afraid.

Before long, our attention can be hijacked by negativity and division.

But what if we chose to pay attention differently?

What if, instead of beginning with the issues that divide us, we began by noticing what gives us hope? What are we celebrating? Where are we experiencing something good, hopeful, or life-giving? What hopes and dreams are beginning to take shape among us?

These are not questions that ignore the very real challenges before us. They are questions that help us see the whole picture.

During our season of holy listening across Foothills Presbytery, we have learned to look for Bright Spots—places where vitality and new life are already visible—and Spotlights—possibilities that invite deeper attention, imagination, and investment. Together, they help us hold gratitude and possibility: honoring what is while stepping toward what could be.

That is a spiritual practice we may need now more than ever.

Romans 12 reminds us, “Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind.” Perhaps part of that renewal involves becoming more intentional about what receives our attention.

There is plenty in our world that deserves our concern. Paying attention to hope does not mean looking away from what is difficult. It means refusing to let what is negative, divisive, and loud have the final word.

What if, instead, we began asking: Where is God already at work? Where is new life emerging? What is worth celebrating? Where do we see generosity, courage, compassion, creativity, reconciliation, and hope? And how might God be inviting us to join in? Those questions have guided our listening as a presbytery.

So, in the weeks ahead, I invite you to pay attention to the answers to those questions. Allow what you discover to put the voices of angst and division around us into a larger perspective—a story that also includes possibility, celebration, and hope.

Tell the stories of what is good.
Celebrate where you see life emerging.
Look for possibilities.

And above all, keep asking: Where is God already at work—and how are we being invited to join in?

These are challenging days, but they are also days filled with holy possibility.

Grace and peace,

Presbytery Leader and Stated Clerk

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.

NEW in the Resource Center

Jones, Robert P. Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation after the Christian Turn Against Democracy. (261.7 Jones)

From the New York Times bestselling author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and an esteemed sociologist comes this clear-eyed reckoning with the moral collapse of white Christianity and a call to protect American democracy.

What happens when the church trades faith for power, and democracy for dominion? Jones names our moment a great “Backslide.” While addressing both democracy and religion, he uses religious terminology as section headings: Intention, Examination, Formation, Confession, Transformation, and Redemption. White Christianity's devotion to Christian nationalism is not only a regression into authoritarian politics but a profound act of apostasy—a betrayal of the best of the Christian tradition. Read More

The author has been widely interviewed since Backslide was released early last month. Two of the many online videos of his interviews include ones by Diana Butler Bass (9/2/26) and Wajahat Ali (9/9/26)

THIS WEEK

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

Walkers Chapel Upcoming Events:

370 Cunningham Circle, Reidville

Annual Men's Day Worship Service

October 11 at 3 pm: Guest preacher, Pastor Charles E. Crooks, Salem Church, Anderson

Annual Revival Service: October 19 & 20 at 7 pm (both nights) Guest preacher, Pastor Antwand Copeland, Messiah Missionary Baptist Church, Spartanburg

From Mission to Momentum: Strategic Planning for Faith Communities

with the Rev. Jean-Fritz Guerrier

Zoom, Oct 14, 12-1:30 pm Eastern

This interactive webinar will help participants distinguish strategic leadership from routine operations; assess institutional strengths, assets, stakeholders, and emerging needs; translate mission into priorities; and much more.

Free Series: “Why ‘Presbyterian’ will

never be a political party.”

Facilitated by the current Co-Moderators of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Rev. Marta Pumroy-Cordero and the Rev. Dr. Kris Schondelmeyer, the key question for the series is not which political party is Presbyterian, but “how does being Presbyterian shape the way we participate in public life?”

The series is open to all, including church leaders, clergy, staff, mid council leaders, and congregation members.

Zoom at 1 p.m. (Eastern)

Friday, Oct. 16 and Friday, Oct. 30

Foothills Presbytery Peer Ministry

Christian Educators

Our next gathering is Monday, October 12,

12 noon at Westminster Greenville.

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 November 19 at 12:00 pm. We will meet at the Pita House (495 S Pleasantburg, Greenville, SC 29607) to grab food then walk next door and gather at Grateful Brew (501 S Pleasantburg).

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.

Financial Officers Forum

Tuesday, Oct 27 at the Presbytery Office

12- 1:30 pm

Topic: Best Practices of Budgeting

A light lunch will be served.

RSVP to confirm your attendance to olanda.carr@presbyterianfoundation.org or LeAnne White by EOD Thursday, October 15th.

Virtual Link Available.

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.

Save the Date!

Officer Training

Saturday, February 6, 2027

Details coming soon.

People & Stories from Around Foothills

The Annual Board of Pensions

Retirees Luncheon

was held on

Sept 28 at Fourth:

Foothills Black Causus

gathered at the Presbytery office on

Saturday, Oct 3:

Foothills Youth Leaders

attended the Presbyterian Youth Workers Association conference on

October 5-8 in Montreat:

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.

Coming Up

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.

Montreat's monthly newsletter October in Montreat

Montreat Conference Center is pleased to bring you our monthly newsletter October 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 our year-round commitment to youth programming, Youth & Young Adult Takeover Month, and our second annual Support the Wilderness Day.

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).

Nov 4: Systemic Poverty

Click HERE to Register

APCE Annual Event

The APCE Annual Event will be held in Portland, Oregon from January 27-30, 2027, either in-person at the Marriott Downtown Waterfront or via Annual Event Online.

Registration is now available online: Nov 15 is the early bird registration deadline. To learn more visit 2027 APCE Annual Event.

Foothills CSM Scholarship: Available for leaders who provide faith formation in Foothills Presbytery congregations. The deadline is November 5, 2026.

Re:Center Upcoming Events

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

Click below to read more about upcoming training opportunities and workshops:

October and Beyond

Learning Opportunities at LMPC

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

Prophets, Poverty, and Me

Beth Lindsay Templeton

This book examines nine passages from the Old Testament and considers their application in our world especially as it relates to poverty and the experiences of present-day individuals and families. It can be used both as a personal devotional aimed at enlightening and offering a better understanding of how the voices of the prophets of old speak to us—and as a workbook for a Bible study or retreat. Available Here.