Foothills Presbytery News

March 6, 2025

"Blessed are you, O Lord our God,

the Shepherd of Israel,

their pillar of cloud by day,

their pillar of fire by night.

In these forty days

you lead us into the desert of repentance

that in this pilgrimage of prayer

we might learn to be your people once more.

In fasting and service

you bring us back to your heart.

You open our eyes to your presence in the world and you free our hands

to lead others to the wonders of your grace.

Be with us in these journey days,

for without you we are lost and will perish.

To you alone be dominion and glory,

forever and ever. Amen."

Thanksgiving for Light

Book of Common Worship, Daily Prayer

Over 60 Presbyterian Women from around Foothills gathered on February 22 at the Clemson Outdoor Lab & Retreat Center. The theme for the day was “One Voice, Big Difference.” The morning began with a keynote from Rev. Patricia (Trisha) Tull about her work with God’s Green Resourceful Earth of the Africa Inland Church and the Nyakach Regional Health Center, both located in Kisumu, Kenya. After hearing Trisha’s inspiring story, an offering of $1000 was collected to support the good work of the church in Kenya.

Learn More about God's Green Resourceful Earth

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.

March Mission Newsletter

One Great Hour of Sharing

The first Sunday in Lent every year is designated

“Wear your blue t-shirt to church Sunday” as a testament of one of the ways

One Great Hour of Sharing makes a difference.

PDA - Quick Figures from 2024:

$5,885,262 granted in 42 countries and 32 states (including Puerto Rico).
212 National Response Team members deployed to 46 presbyteries.
Hosted 1,858 volunteers at 12 host sites, donating 52,884 hours, equivalent to over $1.7 million of financial support.
$1,647,420 in Migration Accompaniment Ministry grants
With CWS, assisted in the collection and distribution of 89,506 Gift of the Heart Kits and blankets.
PDA’s 6th documentary, Evicting The American Dream, produced by Counter Stories Productions, has been chosen for wider distribution across major media platforms.
More than 200 people attended Emotional & Spiritual Care events responding to natural and human-caused disasters.

Click here for 2024 At a Glance Flyer

Changes to World Mission, PCUSA

Talking Points + FAQ’s Regarding Changes to World Mission

February 2025

What is happening?

The Interim Unified Agency (IUA) is embracing a new and evolving approach to PC(USA)’s global ministry. This transition moves from a model centered on “mission co-workers” to a structure where “global ecumenical liaisons” will facilitate relationships between our global partners and the congregations, networks, and mid councils of the PC(USA). This shift is part of an intentional effort to create a sustainable model for global ministry that prioritizes global partner leadership.

As part of this transition the World Mission Ministry area will conclude and the new expression of global ecumenical engagement will be housed within the Office of the Stated Clerk and Executive Director of the Interim Unified Agency (IUA). This joins the ecclesial and programmatic ministry functions of the church into one work area.

These talking points were written by Interim Unified Agency leadership in collaboration with staff from the World Mission Directors Office. For questions or concerns, please reach out to feedback@pcusa.org. A dedicated team is available to respond.

We gathered at Eleos (Nicholtown) two weeks ago for our Presbytery meeting. Many of you asked to hear more about Eleos' mission and ministry. Click on the five-minute video below to view the impact Eleos has on the lives of youth and families in Nicholtown. Learn more here: eleosgvl.org/

Would you be interested in how to support a student

in the afterschool ministry? Click here

Link to More Video Resources | LEAD Collective

Foothills Presbytery Pastoral Support & Peer Ministry:

Music Ministry Leaders

Our next gathering is Wednesday,

March 12 at 9:00 am

by Zoom.

CRE Cohort

The next gathering will be Wednesday,

March 12, 12:00 pm

at the Foothills Presbytery office.

Christian Educators

Our next gathering is APCE Share

and dinner at the home of

Joan Jones- March 27 @ 6:00!

Youth Leaders Roundtable

The next gathering will be

Thursday, April 3 at 10:00 am.

SC5 School of Theology

2025 Spring Semester

Registration is Open!

Friday, March 28 & Saturday, March 29

Presbyterian College, Clinton, SC

(deadline to register is March 11.)

Registration & Information

The Visual Arts in Worship Workshop

Friday & Saturday, March 28 & 29

at Presbyterian College (Clinton, SC)

Banners and bulletins and sermons (Oh, my!)

Workshop offered in conjunction with the SC5 School of Theology.

Registration deadline is March 11, 2025.

Congregations of South Carolina are called upon to serve through volunteer opportunities for helping those impacted by Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.

Teams of 5-10 may be guest at the South Carolina Inn at Montreat and work projects will be coordinated by Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. The need is great, and the connection with impacted communities will be rewarding in sharing God’s help to address small to mid sized projects that need helping hands.

Black Mtn Presbyterian Project

Contact Mark McCain at mmccain2016@gmail.com for additional details for how your congregation may serve.

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)

If you are unable to attend one of these gatherings, you may drop off your 2024 Session Minutes at the Presbytery Office, 2242 Woodruff Road, Simpsonville. Or you may contact Robin Morris at the Presbytery Office to make other arrangements. (Email is rmorris@foothillspresbytery.org or telephone: 864.288.5774.)

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.)

Thank you for your continued service to the church and for your faithful work as a Clerk. We look forward to seeing you at one of the regional gatherings where we can learn from each other as we complete the annual review of Session minutes.

Grace and Peace,

Representation & Review Committee

Monthly Advocacy Hour

Fourth Wednesdays — Second session will be on Wednesday, March 26th, 12 p.m. (EST)

Focus: IMMIGRATION

Each month we’ll dive deeply into one area of concern and provide the knowledge you need to take effective and focused action. The hour will start with spiritual grounding and then move to in-depth analysis of key issues.

Worship Service in Celebration

of the faithful witness

of Jesus Christ

Nicholtown Presbyterian Church

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

Summer Camp 2025

Registration is OPEN!

Join us for Open House on June 1st!

The Foothills Presbytery Campership code is live and so is registration.

CODE: Foothills50

Visit the Camp Fellowship website for new and continuing programs and opportunities designed for all ages and interests.

National Black

Presbyterian Caucus

Community News

for Everyone in the Pews

Foothills Earth Care Congregations:

Fourth Church, Greenville

North Anderson Community Church

The Earth Care Congregation certification is designed to recognize churches that make the commitment to take seriously God’s charge to “till and keep” the garden. This PC(USA) national program certifies churches and celebrates environmental ministry across 4 major areas of a congregation’s life: worship, education, facilities, and outreach in the community.

Learn More

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!

Fourth Sundays: Mar. 23rd, Apr. 28th, May 26th

7:00 pm Eastern- The study will run for 75 minutes each session. Click HERE for information & Zoom

1^st Wednesday South Atlantic Community Knowledge (SACK) monthly conversations

First Wednesday SACK Lunch Topics:

4/2/2025 Immigration

5/7/2025 LGBTQIA

Here is the link to the zoom.

The University of Dubuque Theological

Seminary (UDTS) and Theology Matters

(TM) announce a new Master of Arts degree in Reformed Theology. The degree will focus on a Reformed understanding of the Scriptures and study of classic texts and practices valued by the Reformed tradition.

For more information please contact Dr. Richard E Burnett, Exec. Dir. of Theology Matters and Co-Director of the Master of Arts in Reformed Theology Program at 864-378-5416 or email him at rburnett@dbq.edu.

Lent Begins March 5

New resources from Presbyterian Outlook - Basic instructions for printing the resources will be sent to your inbox. Available on February 10. View a sample of week one.

Each Sunday introduces one of the six stages of grief — denial, anger, bargaining, depression, acceptance, and finding meaning.

SC Department on Aging

Free webinars:

Dementia 101: The Basics (virtual) Click here to register for Dementia 101: The Basics.

SCDOA Dementia Seminar Series (virtual) Click here to register for Advancing the Science.

Dementia 201: Positive Interactions (virtual) Click here to register for Dementia 201: Positive Interactions.

Join Us

March 13 - 14, 2025

Plenaries that explore what curriculum looks like for a changing church and world.

Sessions where YOU participate in shaping four curriculum approaches and themes for new curriculum.

Conversations with publishers on moving curriculum from concept to print.

In person in Charlotte or online. Click on the QR code for more information.

Ambassador Meeting:

March 27 at 10:30 am

Foothills Retirement Community

Mother’s Day Offering: This offering has been a special way of remembering and caring for older adults since 1954. The monies received from the Mother’s Day Offering are used exclusively for those residents who, through no fault of their own, have outlived their financial resources and need assistance to remain in Presbyterian Communities.

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 on Youth Conferences and other happenings at Montreat,

click here.

ECO-Palms for Palm Sunday

Order Deadline: March 21, 2025 5pm CST

PC(USA) congregations joined thousands of Ecumenical houses of worship in ordering Eco-Palms for use in so many creative ways on Palm Sunday over the last few years.

Orders of these palms mean livelihood for harvesters, now, more than ever.

Eco-Palms staff can be contacted by phone at 651-487-7189. 2025 pricing can be found on the Eco-Palms site.

Religious Freedom Symposium: God Created Humans to live in Harmony

March 22, 2025 | 8am – 1pm

University of South Carolina

Pastides Alumni Center

900 Senate Street, Columbia, SC 29201

Click HERE for information and tickets.

The event is free to attend but a ticket is required.

First Presbyterian, Spartanburg

Chamber Singers Spring Concert

"Mendelssohn in the Wilderness"

March 23 at 5:00 pm

The choir will be joined by a chamber orchestra and excerpts from Elijah will be featured.

2025 King Legacy HBCU Fair

Saturday, April 19

from 2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m., at Fluor Field, Greenville, SC

We cordially invite you, your church, youth, parents/guardians, youth directors, and members to join us for the 2025 King Legacy HBCU Fair.

SC Works and SC Dept on Aging Older Workers Week Job Fair

March 12, 1:00 PM - 4:00 PM

2025 Season of "The Sounds of Music" Concert Series

at Seneca Presbyterian Church

Saturday, March 29th at 6 pm: The Oconee Winds (under the direction of Gena Sykes), an ensemble known for their dynamic instrumental performances.

Friday, May 9th at 6:30 pm: Concluding the series, The Cannon Cohen Band will bring the vibrant sounds of acoustic Americana and Bluegrass to the church.

For more information, please contact us at hello@sprez.org.

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. This makes a wonderful outing for your PW or Older Adult Ministry group! You will learn, be inspired and enjoy seeing what God is doing in the world.

60th Celebration Event for Bethelwoods Camp & Conference Center

In honor of our 60th birthday, we are excited to announce our newest fundraising event, Bourbon and Bowties, and we would love for you to consider becoming a sponsor. This special evening promises to be a fun and

unique opportunity to support Bethelwoods’ mission.

April 26, 2025

Bethelwoods Camp and Conference Center Horton Lodge

See FULL Flyer & Information Here

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.

There will be a Shared Ministry Marketplace

at the next Stated Presbytery Meeting

featuring artists, authors, and mission partners. The Marketplace will be open to Ministers, Commissioners, and members of Foothills Churches betweem 11:45 am - 1:00 pm. 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

Guest: David LaMotte

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.

Visit montreat.org/summer-staff for more info

UPCOMING EVENTS:

March 13: Dawe Lecture - Dr. Iyabo Osiapem will lead a lecture titled How Rastafari Moved the World at 6:30 pm. Info and RSVP here!

March 14: FIRST EVER DAWEFEST! Join us in celebrating Rastafari culture from 1130 am - 2pm in Lower Lemon. RSVP here.

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

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 to assist in attending the ECRF.

Click HERE for More Info

2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium

The 2025 Presbyterian Youth Trienniumwill take place on July 28-31, 2025 in Louisville, KY, at the Kentucky International Convention Center and surrounding hotels – all located very close to the Presbyterian Center in downtown Louisville.

* Stephen Price from Central is serving as the Presbytery registrar. If your church is interested in participating, please contact Stephen before March 1!

Foothills Music Ministry Leaders

HYMNFEST

August 24 at 4:30 pm

John Knox Presbyterian Church

35 Shannon Drive, Greenville

Free Event

Love offerings accepted.

Save the date - August 4-6, 2025!

2025-26 Horizons Bible Study at Columbia Theological Seminary

Make plans to gather with other PW Bible Study leaders to dive deep into the study with author, Rhashell Hunter. Comfortable and affordable housing is available on campus on a first come, first served basis. Stay tuned for registration information this spring!

For questions, contact Helen Blier: blierh@ctsnet.edu.