New Look! Expanded News!
The presbytery Leader Team is thrilled to launch our new “upgraded” eNews – Donegal Connections. It will go out on Mid-Week and continue to feature news from our congregations and other opportunities. But you’ll also find helpful news from the presbytery, and news from around the PC(USA).

We are delighted to welcome Laura Myers, of The First Presbyterian Church of Lancaster as our digital news guru. Please continue to send your church news submissions to Chrissy Wells, [email protected] to be included in Donegal Connections.
What Happened at the
September Presbytery Gathering?
“Silence is the Welcome Mat to Hate”
On September 24, 2019 the Presbytery of Donegal gathered for the Fall Stated Gathering at Wayside Presbyterian Church.  

A highlight was a presentation on “Silence is the Welcome Mat to Hate.” This is a part of a Synod of the Trinity focus on “Hate” and “Hate Groups.” Presenter Ann Van Dyke, former civil rights investigator/trainer for PA Human Relations Commission, focused on ways to shine light on hate behavior and raise awareness in our congregations that leads to engagement. There are 36 hate-related groups in Pennsylvania, and 41 more in West Virginia and Ohio. The PowerPoint presentation and more information may be found here: www.syntrinity.org/silencehate/

  • In other news, A pre-presbytery event showcased the Mission Priorities of the Presbytery and offered the chance to take a “deep dive” into the 2020 budget. Highlights of the presbytery gathering included:
  • Unanimous approval of the 2020 Presbytery Budget, www.donegalpby.org/docs-forms/mission-per-capita/ 
  • Welcoming the Rev. Yung Me Morris as pastor of the Bethany Presbyterian Church in Chadds Ford (Mendenhall)
  • High School Reality Conference, November 8-10, 2019 at Sandy Hill Camp, registration information, http://realityretreat.org/ 
  • News about the brand-new New Worshiping Communities Commission
  • Proposed updates to the Presbytery Manual of Administrative Operations
  • Evening Prayer and stirring music featuring Grace Notes, the Wayside band

Documents related to the presbytery meeting are available on the Presbytery of Donegal website here: www.donegalpby.org/presbytery-gatherings/ with the password: welcomedonegal . Feel free to contact the presbytery office for more information.
Church Events Coming Up:
Shiloh Presbyterian Church
Annual Turkey Dinner Fundraiser
Saturday October 12, 2019 / 4:30pm - 6:30pm
Held at Oxford Presbyterian Church
Six Pine Street, Oxford, PA
Eat in or Take Out
For Tickets Call: 610.932.9256

Experience A Food Tasting In Oxford
Shiloh Presbyterian Church, Oxford
Saturday, November 2, 2019
Tasting 2:30pm - 5:00pm
Doors Open at 1:30pm

Held at Oxford Area High School
705 Waterway Road, Oxford, PA

Featuring: Food Tasting / Crafters / Vendors / Live Music
For Tickets Call: 610.932.9256

Middle Octorara Church
1199 Valley Rd., Quarryville, PA
Turkey Dinner With All the Fixins'
Saturday October 12, 2019 / 4:00pm - 7:00pm
Held at Middle Octorara Church
Eat in or Take Out
Proceeds benefit MO Pres. Women Missions
For Tickets Call: 717.786.3402

Annual Holiday Bazaar
Saturday November 2, 2019
Held at Middle Octorara Church
Featuring Holiday Crafts, breakfast and lunch eat in, frozen soup and bake table for take outs. Vendors selling crafts and many other Holiday gift ideas, door prize given every ½ hour.
Caroline Kurtz, longtime PC(USA) missionary
to visit Highland Presbyterian OCT 18-20
There are two luncheons to which everyone is invited. Friday, October 18 at 11: 30 Caroline will be speaking at the Presbyterian Women's fall luncheon. ($6.00). On Sunday, October 20 Caroline will be speaking at a noon luncheon following the Sunday worship services. (freewill offering)

Highland has supported Caroline and her husband Mark (now deceased) and their work since the early 1990's. Caroline was teaching at a school in Addis Ababa. Her husband worked on the maintenance of the school buildings and supervised money spent out in the villages. Caroline wrote an English curriculum to be used in the schools. A small team from Highland visited Ethiopia in 1993. Mark took them around the country and they were there for the dedication of a church. Highland had paid for a floor and a roof on the church. Since then Caroline has worked with the Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship as a liasson between Ethiopia and the U.S. Currently she is working with the village of Maji where she has been bringing electricity to the village through solar panels. Much of her work is with the women of the village. Highland has continued support of Caroline and her work.  

Caroline will have two different presentations at the luncheons.

Please call Highland's office (717-569-2651) for reservations .
Highland Presbyterian Church
500 E Roseville Rd, Lancaster, PA
Westminster PC, West Chester
October Events
Rise Against Hunger Meal Packaging Event
Sunday, October 13, 2019
9:30am - 12:30pm
Held at Westminster Presbyterian Church

We are committed to packaging 35,000 meals, and we need your help! Hundreds of volunteers are needed to meet our goal. Every9one from 4yrs to 104+ yrs can be part of this event. For any questions or to sign up, please contact Angela Emrich: ang.emrich@gmailcom

Poverty Simulation
Saturday, October 26, 2019
10am
Spellman Hall, Westminster Presbyterian Churc h

Poverty is often portrayed as a stand-alone issue, but this simulation allows participants to walk a month in the shoes of someone who is facing poverty and demonstrates how complex and interconnected issues of poverty really are. Participatin gin this 2 1 2 hour simulation will help us understand the realities that some in our society are experiencing. www.westminsterpc.org
Bible2School has 2 Ministry Positions Open
Site Director (Part Time)
Bible2School, a non-profit offering release time Bible classes to children in Lancaster County’s public schools during their school day, is looking for a Site Director to join their team! The team member will act as a liaison between Bible2School and volunteers, Carter & MacRae Elementary School, host site, parents, and children. Site Directors are responsible for maintaining the program with excellence three days a week on site and held accountable for the program’s record keeping. Site Directors also support the vision and mission of Bible2School by their participation in meetings and special events.

Engagement Coordinator (Full Time)
Bible2School, a non-profit offering release time Bible classes to children in Lancaster County’s public schools during their school day, is looking for an Engagement Officer to join their team! The team member will engage, cultivate and secure community and business partnerships (including private donors, corporations, local businesses, churches, etc.) that generate donations and other resources as well as raising awareness of Bible2School in order to reach children for Christ.

Stephanie Smith
Director of Operations
717.305.0987