Foothills Presbytery News
April 17, 2025
| | |
Now is the Kingdom and Now is the Day
As we gather for Holy Week services, reflect on the words in the Hymn, Here in this Place. The words highlight the hope in the coming Easter season. Allow it to be a reminder of our Call to share the light of Christ and enter the song!
Here in this place, new light is streaming, now is the darkness vanished away,
See in this space our fears and our dreamings, brought here to you in the light of this day.
Gather us in – the lost and forsaken, gather us in – the blind and the lame;
Call to us now, and we shall awaken; we shall arise at the sound of our name.
We are the young, our lives are a mystery. We are the old who yearn for your face.
We have been sung throughout all of history, called to be light to the whole human race.
Gather us in, the rich and the haughty, gather us in, the proud and the strong;
give us a heart, so meek and so lowly, give us the courage to enter the song.
Not in the dark of buildings confining, not in some heaven, light years away:
Here in this place the new light is shining, now is the kingdom and now is the day.
Gather us in and hold us forever, gather us in and make us your own.
Gather us in, all peoples together, fire of love in our flesh and our bone.
TEXT and MUSIC: Marty Haugen, 1979 (#401 Glory to God Hymnal)
| | |
| |
this Sunday, April 20, 3:00 pm
Guest Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Grady Butler
Reception to follow
This will be a closing worship for Nicholtown Presbyterian Church.
| | |
| |
Financial Officers Forum
Tuesday, April 22nd at the
Foothills Presbytery Office at 12 noon.
A light lunch will be served.
Topic: Planned Giving and the significance of endowments. RSVP to confirm your attendance to Olanda Carr or Warren Templeton by EOD Friday, April 18th.
Zoom link available.
| | | | |
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
| | |
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. We find that we learn from each other with these review gatherings.
You may choose whichever option is better for you.
- Tuesday, April 29 - noon at First Church (Spartanburg)
- 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.)
-
Clerk’s Session Minutes Review Form
-
Financial Review & Audit Form
| | | | |
Christian Educators
Our next gathering is April 21
at 12 noon
at the Easley Church.
| | | | |
Youth Leaders Roundtable
The next gathering will be
Thursday, May 1 at 10:00 am at the Presbytery office.
| | | | |
Music Ministry Leaders
Our next gathering is Wednesday,
May 14 at 9:00 am
by Zoom.
| | | | |
CRE Cohort
The next gathering will be Wednesday,
May 21, 12:00 pm
at the Foothills Presbytery office.
| | |
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.
| | | | |
There will be a
Shared Ministry Marketplace at the next
Stated Presbytery Meeting
featuring artists, authors, and mission partners.
If you are interested in being a part of the Marketplace, please contact Pressley Cox for more information.
Foothills Presbytery Stated Meeting #129
May 17 at Westminster, Greenville
| | | | |
Maundy Thursday Meditation
April 17 at 4:00 pm
Walhalla Presbyterian Church
600 E Main Street, Walhalla
Free Program!
| | | |
How to Plan for Emergencies in Your Church
April 29 at 2:00 pm - on Zoom
Join us to equip your ministry for effective response and recovery during any emergency. Enhance your knowledge and boost confidence in planning efforts to safeguard your community.
REGISTER for Zoom
| | | | |
Dr. Andy Root
“Doing Theology in a Secular Age”
April 27, 2025, at 3 p.m.
Boulevard Baptist Church
Christian Activities Center
700 Boulevard, Anderson, SC 29621
Also via Zoom. Click here to register.
| | | | |
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
| | | | |
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
| | | | |
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.
| | | |
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
| | | | |
2025 King Legacy HBCU Fair
Saturday, April 19
2 - 5:00 p.m., Fluor Field, G'ville
We cordially invite you, your church, youth, parents/guardians, youth directors, and members to join us for the 2025 King Legacy HBCU Fair.
Read More Here
| | | |
Dementia Care Workshop
This free workshop is Tuesday, April 29th at Trinity UMC in Aiken. This will be a morning of conversation and learning around the topic that affects all our congregations: dementia.
SC Fact Sheet
Click here to register.
| | | | |
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.
| | | |
Let Justice Roll Down: God’s Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation
Please join Presbyterians for Earth Care (PEC) for this unique monthly opportunity for community and meaningful study! 4th Sundays: Apr. 28 & May 26
7:00 pm Eastern- The study will run for 75 minutes each session. Click HERE for info & Zoom
| | |
|
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
| | | |
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.
| | | | |
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.
| | |
| |
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.
| | | | |
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
| | | | |
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.
| | | | |
Come See Columbia Day
April 24, 2025
Come spend a day in the life of Columbia Seminary! Join us Thursday, April 24, for a day of worship, classes, lunch and a tour of Mission Haven. Come solo or with a group from your church. READ MORE
| | | | |
Thriving in Ministry Conference
April 29 - 30
Come explore the liberal arts of ministry with experienced church leaders thriving in their respective contexts.
4 Spaces available. There is no cost to attend the conference. Hotel rooms provided for the first 20 participants.
Click HERE for FULL Flyer.
| | | | |
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.
| | | | |
Summer Staff Applications Open for Montreat
Each summer, Montreat Conference Center employs over 100 Summer Staff to help keep things running smoothly during our busiest season. These young people gain practical
work experience and form a close-knit community among their peers as they live, work, and play in our small valley town.
montreat.org/summer-staff for more info
| | |
| |
UPCOMING EVENTS:
April 10: UPSem Alum & author
Andrew Taylor-Troutman is joining us at 6pm in Lake Chapel to discuss his new book, This Is The Day. Click here to learn more.
May 5 - 7: It's a ReUnion Event! Sprunt Lectures 2025
| | | | |
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.
| | |
| |
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
| | |
| |
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
| | | | |
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
| | | | |
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.
| | | |
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.
| | |
Mark your Calendars for these Upcoming Events
2025
April
21 FP Office Closed and Christian Educators gathering
22 Financial Officers Forum and Stewardship Task Force meeting
24 Committee on Preparation for Ministry meeting
26 Racial Ethnic Cabinet
28 Examinations Commission meeting and Antiracism Ministry Team meeting
29 Session Minutes Reading at First, Spartanburg
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
Foothills Presbytery Featured Events
Foothills Presbytery Calendar
Foothills Presbytery Stated Meetings
- May 17, 2025, at Westminster Greenville
- November 11, 2025, at Nazareth
| | | | |
