Foothills Presbytery News
May 1, 2025
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Foothills Presbytery Stated Meeting #129
on May 17, 2025
at Westminster, Greenville
Our theme is “Mission Possible.” Our Worship Leader and Special Guest is David LaMotte, who is a songwriter, speaker, author, and peacemaker. David will open our gathering with a TEDx Talk and he will be our guest preacher for worship following lunch.
We are offering two options for registration:
Option 1 for Commissioners attending the Stated Meeting
- Full meeting, includes David LaMotte TED Talk, Updates on Presbytery mission and ministry, Shared Ministry Marketplace, lunch, and worship with David LaMotte
Option 2 for guests and congregational members (non-commissioners)
- Shared Ministry Marketplace, Fellowship, Lunch, Worship with David LaMotte
*PLEASE NOTE: Lunch is Pre-pay only!
Reservations for childcare must be made by May 1.
The deadline to make a reservation for lunch is May 6.
Everyone planning to attend is asked to register.
Registration may be found here: REGISTER
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The Legacy of Nicholtown Presbyteria Church
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| Click here to read more about the Legacy of Nicholtown church. | | |
Danielle, Kimberly. The Nine Asks: Creating Safer and More Courageous Spaces. Westminster John Knox Press, 2025. (158.2 Danielle)
Organizations have a responsibility to ensure that people who come there to work, worship, or volunteer won’t experience harm. At a time when diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts are being systematically dismantled—stripped from government agencies, corporate initiatives, and institutional policies—the need for genuine, sustainable culture change has never been more urgent. Superficial checklists and one-time training sessions are not enough. True transformation requires a trauma-informed, programmatic approach that prioritizes safety, trust, and deep engagement.
In The Nine Asks, Kimberly Danielle provides a groundbreaking framework for organizations—churches, nonprofits, businesses, and beyond—seeking to foster spaces where people can show up fully as themselves, free from harm. At the heart of this approach are the Nine Asks—invitations that guide individuals and organizations toward authentic, equity-driven engagement. Backed by real-world examples from Danielle’s extensive experience of coaching teams and institutions, The Nine Asks equips readers with the tools to apply these principles, such as being honest and vulnerable, respecting boundaries, listening first, and much more.
This book goes beyond rhetoric, offering practical strategies for building communities that nurture honesty, accountability, and healing. After fully exploring each of the Nine Asks, individual chapters focus on integrating these concepts, as well as tips and tools for practicing them in working spaces; learning spaces; living spaces; faith-based spaces; and even within our own body, mind, and spirit. This is not just a book to read—it’s a guide to live by.
—Provided by the publisher
Full text of the first three chapters may be read online. Click on the “Google Preview”
icon beneath the book’s cover image in the Resource Center’s online catalog.
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Music Ministry Leaders
Our next gathering is Wednesday,
May 14 at 9:00 am
by Zoom.
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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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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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Foothills Presbytery will host a
Shared Ministry Marketplace featuring over 30 artists, authors, photographers, non-profits, ministry partners and so much more. Come, enjoy lunch, make connections, learn new ideas, support local artists, and stay for worship.
Click here for Marketplace Flyer
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Session Minutes Reading
The time has come for the annual reading of session minutes. This year we are grateful that we offer three opportunities to gather and review minutes. Below are the final two dates. 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.
- Tuesday, May 13 - 6:00 pm at Central Church (Anderson)
- 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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Foothills Disaster Point of Contact Information Form
The purpose of the Presbytery Disaster Preparedness & Response Commission (DPRC) is to direct and oversee the preparation for and response to a disaster on behalf of Foothills Presbytery to focus, align and coordinate resources toward areas of need.
In order to stay connected in times of disaster,
the DPRC is asking every congregation in Foothills to name a point of contact
for disaster related communication.
This person should not be the pastor.
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For the 71st consecutive year, the Mother’s Day Offering will be collected on Sunday, May 11.
Resources available to you and to the congregations on our website at prescommunities.org and in the Mother's Day Ambassadors Toolkit.
This year’s art is an oil painting of a scene at the Old Sheldon Church Ruins in Yemassee, SC painted by Don Murray, a resident of the Columbia Presbyterian Community.
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Members of the community who possess firearms they no longer want are invited to participate in this anonymous and safe event on Saturday, May 3rd from 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. at Grace Presbyterian Church (2955 W. Hwy 160, Fort Mill, SC 29708).
Click here for more event information. Contact Katie Rutland at katie@providencepres.org with questions.
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The Black Teaching Tradition & History of Proclamation in the Black Church!
This course is taught by Rev. Dr. Akosua Lesesne and starts in a week, from May 6th to June 10th. This course meets on Tuesdays from 7-9pm at the Leadership Institute.
This course is being offered at a reduced price of $140.
Register today!
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PDA Western North Carolina
Work Team Site
Western North Carolina Presbytery is hosting volunteers in response to Hurricane Helene. Please contact Anne Waple at
awaple@presbyterywnc.org to schedule a time for your group to serve. Minimum age: 16, Maximum team size: 18
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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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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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For Such a Time as This
In this online summit you will hear from preachers, worship leaders, and digital ministry experts as we explore what it is we are called to for such a time as this and how we might find our way there together.
Join us for this free online conference on May 19-23, 2025.
REGISTER
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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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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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1st Wednesday SACK Lunch
South Atlantic Community Knowledge
May 7 - LGBTQIA
A monthly zoom conversations for sharing across the Synod. Join, learn & share: experience, resources, and best practices on a new topic each month. Register here to receive a reminder and zoom link to attend noon - 1:30 pm ET.
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Executive Certificate in Religious Fundraising (ECRF)
May 19-21 at Trinity Pres Church, Atlanta
The ECRF program provides the research, tools, and customized training to meet the growing needs of leaders in religious communities and fundraisers of faith-based organizations. PC(USA) leaders can receive a Church Financial Leadership Grant through the Presbyterian Foundation.
Click HERE for More Info
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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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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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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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Mark your Calendars for these Upcoming Events
2025
May
1 Youth Ministry Roundtable and Committee on Ministry meeting
6 Think Tank committee meeting
8 Committee on Shared Ministry meeting
12 Large Church Pastors gathering
13 FP Staff meeting & Session Minutes Reading at Central
14 Music Ministry Leaders gathering
15 Examinations Commission meeting and Presbytery Commissioners Orientation
17 Foothills Presbytery Stated Meeting:
May 17, 2025, at Westminster Greenville
19 Property Advisory Meeting and Antiracism Ministry team meeting
20 Office Closed - Staff Development Day!
21 CRE Cohort and Disaster Preparedness Commission meeting
22 Committee on Prep for Ministry meeting
26 Memorial Day- Office Closed
Foothills Presbytery Featured Events
Foothills Presbytery Calendar
Foothills Presbytery Stated Meetings
- May 17, 2025, at Westminster Greenville
- November 11, 2025, at Nazareth
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