Foothills Presbytery News
May 22, 2025
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Foothills Presbytery Stated Meeting #129
on May 17, 2025
at Westminster, Greenville
____Over one hundred forty of us gathered at Westminster, Greenville, on May 17 for our 129th Stated meeting. After a warm volunteer welcome, fresh Krispy Kreme donuts, coffee, and refreshments, we enjoyed the Shared Ministry Marketplace (more below). The Rev. Trish Gwinn (Moderator) opened the meeting by introducing the songwriter, speaker, and author David LaMotte's TEDx talk Ashville, Why Heroes don't change the World. David asserts that Heroism is overrated in making a positive change in the World. Movements that lead to large-scale change are not focused on just one central hero, but that change happens in a community (think a church or committee).
____It is our practice to transition Moderators at the May Presbytery meeting. The Rev. Dr. Nath Briley (Family Promise) was introduced as the 2025-2026 Moderator. Nath thanked Trish for her two years of faithful service as our Moderator. We heard a brief report about the April 20th Closing Worship Service at the Nicholtown Church. The service was a witness to the resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. It was hard. There is sadness, grief, and lament. It was also a celebration of the many lives impacted by the joy that radiated in and from the Nicholtown Church. There was a declaration of the profound courage and faithfulness of the remaining members of the Nicholtown Presbyterian Church. "They walk with dignity. They were a witness through the final days of their beloved church. To grieve this significant loss, and to hold fast to the firm belief that God will continue to work in and through their sacred place to infuse hope, is a witness, an inspiration to us all, and honors Jesus Christ, who is Lord of the Church."
____We met and examined Carter Rief for ordination, a seminary graduate who has been under the care of the Preparation for Ministry Committee (Trinity Presbytery). After introductions and questions, we voted to approve Carter's call to be ordained and installed as Associate Pastor at the John Knox Church.
____Before lunch, the Rev. Jackie Putnam shared information about the Presbytery's Think Tank. The team is asking big questions and dreaming big, bold dreams about the future of God's church and has invited everyone into the process. Over the next few months, the Think Tank team will meet with groups across the Presbytery to hear from as many as possible.
____A "Shared Ministry Marketplace," hosted by the Committee on Shared, had over thirty Marketplace participants. Commissioners and guests could engage with non-profits, validated ministries, artists, authors, and more. A portion of all the sales from Marketplace participants has been given to local non-profits. Our Presbytery comprises more mission and ministries than could be represented at this Shared Ministry Marketplace, but we hope that the "potluck of ideas" provided inspiration and connection.
____After lunch and time in the marketplace, our gathering closed with Worship. David Lamotte shared a message based on Luke 10: 25 – 37, entitled "When to Break the Rules." Our Presbytery Youth Council (PYC), a leadership team of twenty youth from churches throughout our six counties, was commissioned during Worship. We ended our time together singing words from the Hymn, "God, be the Love to Search and Keep Me," "OH CHRIST, SURROUND ME."
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CRE Cohort
The next gathering will be Wednesday,
May 21, 12:00 pm
at the Foothills Presbytery office.
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Music Ministry Leaders
Our next gathering is Wednesday,
July 16 at noon at John Knox, to finalize plans for the hymn festival in August!
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Youth Leaders Roundtable
The next gathering will be
Thursday, August 7.
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Christian Educators
Our next gathering is August 18
at First Pres Anderson.
No meeting in May, June or July.
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Session Minutes Reading
The time has come for the annual reading of session minutes. Below is the final date of the three opportunities to gather and review minutes. We find that we learn from each other with these review gatherings. (Minutes may also be dropped off at the Presbytery meeting or the Presbytery office.)
You may choose whichever option is better for you.
- Monday, June 9 - noon at the Presbytery office (Greenville)
Please complete two forms that you will bring with your minutes to the review.
(Click on the title of each form below to open the document.)
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Clerk’s Session Minutes Review Form
-
Financial Review & Audit Form
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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.
April Mission Newsletter
Disaster Preparedness
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Hurricane Helene
Disaster Case Management Mobile Intake Continues
Greenville County
Upstate Circle of Friends, 29 Ridgeway Dr. G'vl
Throughout the month of May
Mon: 10 - 5, Wed: 10 - 4, Fr: 10 - 5
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Financial sustainability is a critical component of changes in PC(USA) global engagement
Interim Unified Agency leaders share insight into new strategy (PCUSA News Service)
READ FULL ARTICLE
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Pentecost Offering
The Pentecost Offering, which supports children at risk, ministries with children and youth (including the Youth Triennium, which happens this July in Louisville), and the Young Adult Volunteer (YAV) program, is a way Presbyterians encourage our young people to do the same.
Online resources include minutes for mission, worship resources, children’s curriculum with activities, PowerPoint slides and social media/newsletter images for your use. There is also a short video titled “I Will Pour Out My Spirit” for use as a minute for mission in worship and other gatherings.
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A Youth-led Community Garden Activity
The Presbyterian Giving Catalog has witnessed first-hand how the power of individuals and groups make a significant and lasting impact for people and communities. With this in mind, we have created a new activity, a Community Garden, to be enjoyed by all members of your church who are interested.
Download the newly released Giving Catalogue Phase III or Phases I through III and get started today.
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Synod Grants & Christian Education Scholarships
Hemphill Grant: Established by Mary E. Hemphill through the Synod of South Carolina. Grants to small churches with a membership of 100 or less in South Carolina, for church building improvement/relief. Deadline for applications to this grant is October 1, 2025.
For more information on this and other
Synod of South Atlantic Grants,
visit Synod of South Atlantic Grants.
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Join us June 1 for Camp Fellowship Open House!
The first 25 campers who register for summer camp from Foothills Presbytery churches will automatically get a $50 Campership! When registering, use Campership Code: Foothills50
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Leader Formation Webinars
As ruling elders and deacons serving in local congregations across the denomination, webinars give us an opportunity to gather together virtually and in the presence of other leaders who walk alongside us on this formation journey.
All Webinar Series Recordings
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2025 Montreat Youth Conferences - Light My Path
June 1–August 2, 2025
“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.” Psalm 119:105.
For more information, click here.
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The Leadership Institute recently went live with TWO September events!
Compassion Across Borders - September 16-18, 2025, a call for solidarity with, and justice for, migrants in the church. Learn more and register here!!
BTSR Legacy Celebration - September 23-25, 2025, in collaboration with the Baptist House of Studies and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship of Virginia. Learn more and register here!
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Korea Peace Journey:
October 21 – 30, 2025
Presbyterian Peace Network for Korea (PPNK) Mission Network of PCUSA. Led by
Kurt Esslinger & Unzu Lee, Mission Co-Workers
Registration: May 1, 2025
Please contact for more information at: peacenetworkforkorea@gmail.com
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Border to Border
Delegation Coffee Migration & Faith
will be held October 31 through November 8. Travel to the Guatemala border and learn about the Café Justo cooperative. Dates include an introductory visit with all of Frontera de Cristo's ministries.
Download the flyer here.
Register and pay online.
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The Presbyterian Promise Scholarship
The Presbyterian Promise Scholarship is a commitment by Presbyterian College (PC) to recognize students for their merit and affiliation with the Presbyterian Church. Students who are of members of Presbyterian churches, or who attend Presbyterian/Reformed secondary schools, will receive a scholarship for a minimum of $24,000 per year for up to four years—that’s an $96,000 commitment to you.
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Refugia, Restoration, and Resistance: A Christian Leaders for Creation Justice Retreat
June 10-11 at the Avila Center for Community Leadership Durham, North Carolina
Learn More
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PAM Worship & Music Conference:
Join musicians and worship leaders for the most widely-attended annual conference of the PC(USA).
June 15-20 & June 22-27, 2025, at
the Montreat Conference Center!
Register: presbymusic.org/conference.
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Presbyterian College Summer Youth Ministry Experience 2025
July 21 - 24
A week of service and discernment, primarily for middle school youth, on the campus of Presbyterian College and the surrounding community. If you have any questions, please email Buz Wilcoxon at bwilcoxon@presby.edu
Click HERE for FULL Flyer.
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2025 Women’s Connection
Pull Up a Chair
August 8–10, 2025
Women’s Connection 2025 will be a time for women to connect with old and new friends, a time to care for yourself; a time for space and Sabbath.
More Information
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Foothills Music Ministry Leaders present
1st Annual HYMNFEST
August 24 at 4:30 pm
at John Knox Church
35 Shannon Drive, Greenville
Free Event
Love offerings accepted.
Full Flyer
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August 4-6, 2025!
2025-26 Horizons Bible Study at Columbia Theological Seminary
Gather with other PW Bible Study leaders to dive deep into the study with author, Rhashell Hunter. Comfortable and affordable housing is available on a first come, first served basis.
For questions, contact Helen Blier: blierh@ctsnet.edu.
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Mediation Skills Training Institute - June 16-20, 2025 (Online)
The Mediation Skills Training Institute is designed to equip church leaders with the skills necessary to deal effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. The five-day institute also includes a component on congregational mediation and consultation, placed within the context of family systems theory.
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2025 Fall Craft Week
A Kaleidoscope of Art!
September 21–26, 2025
Come gain proficiency in an art form of your choice, and enjoy the community of other artists during a fall week in the mountains. Bring a group from your church, community, family, or come alone. We can help you figure out the details! Learn More
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PW’s Triennial Gathering
Synod of South Atlantic and Synod of Living Waters
Epworth by the Sea, St. Simons, GA
October 17-19, 2025
Our PW Synod Gathering, held once every three years, is an opportunity for women to nurture faith, exchange ideas, discover mission opportunities, strengthen relationships, and relax. Participants will enjoy workshops, tours, plenary sessions with inspiring speakers, worship, music, Bible study, and more.
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