In this issue:
- 224th General Assembly Briefing
- COVID-19 Resources
- News from the Presbytery
- News from the Broader Church
- Job Opportunities
- In Our Prayers
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In response to God‘s call in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the mission of the Presbytery of New Hope is to enable local congregations, and presbytery as a whole, to function effectively as the body of Christ by actively exploring, facilitating, equipping, and establishing appropriate ministries with the covenant community and beyond.
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The 224th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (USA) is in the books—or, more accurately, the electronic archives! Originally scheduled to meet over eight days in Baltimore, Maryland, this year’s gathering of the highest council of our church shifted its meetings online due to the continuing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Due to the constraints of the online setting, the assembly addressed only critical business items and skipped its traditional committee meetings to gather only in plenary session. We encourage you to review and share
a one-page summary of the work of the assembly by “GA Junkie” Stephen Salyards
that includes some links to the items approved and additional news articles on the work and events of the assembly. You can also
visit the General Assembly website
for additional information,
archived videos of worship and plenary gatherings
, and more.
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110th STATED GATHERING OF PRESBYTERY
July 28, 2020
9:00 a.m. to Noon
The July 28 Stated Gathering of Presbytery will be held online via Zoom. A computer or mobile device with camera and sound capability is required to access the meeting. Please register no later than
Tuesday, July 21 by 5:00 p.m. at the following link:
https://nhpresbytery.org/presbytery-meeting-registration/
.
For security reasons, no Zoom access information will be distributed after the registration deadline
.
As the date for the meeting nears, those who have registered will receive additional information via email about accessing the meeting, including opportunities to test their connection and get necessary assistance.
Churches are strongly encouraged to send ruling elder commissioners who have previously attended a Presbytery of New Hope stated gathering, as orientation for new commissioners will be limited
.
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The Passion Driven Ministry (PDM) grants for 2021 are now being accepted. What are you most passionate about when it comes to ministry? Find someone, some group, some organization, that shares that passion. The Coordinating Body Grant Evaluation Team is looking to receive applications that align with the core values/ministries of New Hope Presbytery (see below) as it seeks to support and equip teaching elders, ruling elders, and other church leaders as they pursue a partnership mission. PDMs can be your catalyst for ministry as you seek to make a real impact on the lives of people in your community and beyond.
Learn more about the grant program in our 3-minute presentation.
Entities applying for a grant should also
view the recording of a webinar for applying entities
. The partnership application for 2021 grants can be
downloaded here
and more information is available at
www.nhpresbytery.org/pdm
. The deadline for all applications is August 31, 2020.
Faithfully,
Ted
Core Values
- We are committed to a deepening devotion to Jesus Christ, living in response to the good news of the gospel.
- We are committed to fostering relationships among individuals and congregations in the presbytery.
- We are committed to a posture of service and worship as we are shaped and formed by the reality of God's kingdom.
- We are committed to engaging and supporting the work of that kingdom as it is embodied in local congregations, communities, and ministries.
- We are committed to demonstrating a Reformed witness to the Triune God in our governance and our mission (connectional, confessional, evangelical, and ecumenical)
Core Ministries
- We will work to support, welcome, and nurture teaching elders (includes supporting transitions in ministry, CPM/candidates, pastoral care for teaching elders, healthy boundaries, PJC).
- We will work to connect and resource local congregations for their mission.
- We will work to communicate across and throughout the presbytery in order to foster our life together.
- We will work to maintain and nurture connections with other councils in the PC(USA).
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Our weekly Clergy Conversation for pastors and ministers from across the presbytery continues each Thursday at 10:00 a.m. Bring a cup of coffee, tea, or other beverage, and settle in to check in and support one another along the way. Sign up once to receive access information for t
he Zoom meeting and weekly reminders of upcoming conversations. Visit
www.nhpresbytery.org/clergy-conversation to register, or contact Andy James at
[email protected] for more information or technical assistance.
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Pastors Retreat October 12-14, 2020 Cancelled
We eternal optimists don’t really affect outcomes, it seems. As hopeful as I was that Trinity Center will re-open and we could have our October pastors retreat, the seminary just advised us that it is cancelling all face-to-face events for fall semester.
We are hopeful about 2021. My optimistic thinking is that we’ll reschedule that one-day seminar… and have our fall retreat as already booked — October 11-13, 2021.
Bob Inskeep, Coordinator
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Calling All Students of East Carolina University, Pitt Community College, and Edgecombe Community College
UKIRK of East Carolina will host an online ZOOM orientation for students attending East Carolina University, Pitt Community College, and Edgecombe Community College on JULY 9 at 7:00 p.m. Please email Kelly Lindsay, the campus minister, at
[email protected]
to request an invitation to the meeting.
More Information
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News from the Broader Church
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Holding Space at William Black Lodge (Montreat, NC)
June, July, and August 2020
William Black Lodge in Montreat, NC is opening its doors—with 50% occupancy—and inviting those who work in ministry to take a break from the pressures of church and life and find space to breathe this summer. Its program, Holding Space, runs throughout the summer while Montreat conferences are canceled. Learn more about the program and safety procedures on the website at
williamblacklodge.org/holding-space
. Use the discount code PCUSAPRO for 50% off your stay.
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October 12-15, 2020
Eagle Eyrie, Lynchburg, VA
The Healthy Transitions Wellness Retreats for Ministers and Spouses provide a relaxed atmosphere and confidential setting for healing and encouragement to ministers and their families who have experienced termination, or for those in conflicts possibly leading to termination. Through the competent leadership of the retreat team, the journey toward wholeness and health may be pursued through counsel, helpful information, experiential sharing, and rest, which speak to the emotional, physical, and spiritual needs of the participants.
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Decatur, GA
— Throughout the 2019 academic year, Columbia has wrestled with its history and participation in the enslavement and oppression of Black people. On Monday, June 15, 2020, the Board of Trustees met via Zoom to continue wrestling with Columbia’s history and future. The board meeting occurred in the midst of a national outcry for justice on behalf of the killings of Ahmaud Arbury, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Rayshard Brooks. Within this context, the Board of Trustees voted to unanimously affirm a commitment statement titled, “Repairing the Breach: Deepening Columbia’s Commitment to Black People and their Flourishing.”
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First Presbyterian Church, Raleigh
has a position open for an organist. To learn more about the position click on the links below.
First Presbyterian Church in Goldsboro, NC
has an opening for a part-time music director, approximately 15 hours per week. This individual will develop and lead the worship music ministry for the church, in consultation with the pastor, building it in a way that is consistent with our church’s mission, values, and theology. First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) is a welcoming and inclusive congregation with a long tradition of fine organ and choral music. We have a three-manual Goulding and Wood pipe organ and a grand piano in the sanctuary. Services are generally traditional. We have one service on Sunday mornings and choir practice on Wednesday evenings. Please apply at
[email protected]
.
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- The Rev. James Hawley McKinnon III, “Trip” died peacefully at home surrounded by his family Saturday, June 6, 2020. An outdoor (bring your own chair) celebration of life will be Saturday, July 11, 10:00 a.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Wilson, NC. Trip is survived by his wife of 25 years, Angela, and children, Brandon and Rebecca; mother, Louise McKinnon, and brother, Rev. John McKinnon. Trip was preceded in death by his father, Rev. James H. McKinnon, Jr. and son, James H. McKinnon, IV. Trip began his career as a social worker in Wilson, NC, before moving to the middle school classroom. While teaching, he attended East Carolina University for certification in Special Education. It was during this time that Trip began feeling the call to ordained ministry. He became a certified lay pastor in New Hope Presbytery and began serving churches in eastern NC on the weekends. Eventually, his sense of call led him to seminary. Trip graduated from Union Presbyterian Seminary in Richmond, VA, in 2010. His senior year in seminary, Trip was voted by his peers as the student who most closely modeled Christ in his daily living, the same honor awarded to his father 42 years earlier. Trip’s first call following seminary was to First Presbyterian Church in Waycross, GA. From there, Trip was called to Altama Presbyterian Church in Brunswick, GA, where he also began a new worshiping community for adults with developmental disabilities. In October of last year, Trip was called to Trinity Presbyterian Church in Wichita, KS, where he served with great love and joy. Condolences can be shared at www.CozineMemorial.com. In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to The Southern Poverty Law Center, 400 Washington Avenue, Montgomery, AL 36104 or the charity of your choice.
- Condolences to the family of Roy Carroll, elder and faithful member of University Presbyterian Church, Chapel Hill, NC. Mr. Carroll died on June 5, 2020 with his beloved wife by his side at their home at Carolina Meadows. Please keep Roy's wife and daughters in your prayers.
- Condolences to the family of Martha Stith, elder and faithful member of Mount Pisgah Presbyterian Church, Rocky Mount, NC. Martha died on June 29, 2020 from complications of a stroke. Visitation/walk through for the public will be Monday, July 6 at Hunter Odom Funeral Home, 121 Fairview Street, Rocky Mount, NC from 5:30 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. A graveside service will be held at the Gardens of Gethsemane, 13670 US 64 Alt, Rocky Mount, NC, Tuesday, July 7, 2020 at 11:00 a.m. Please keep her nephew, Rev. Tolokun Omokunde, and the entire family in your prayers.
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All in-person events have been canceled
during the COVID-19 pandemic
until the all-clear has been issued. The meetings listed below will be conducted via Zoom.
July Calendar
7 ~ 8:30 a.m. Examinations and Transfers
8 ~ 10:00 a.m. Commission on Ministry
9 ~ 10:00 Church Development and Evangelism
28 ~ 110th Stated Gathering of Presbytery (please note that the presbytery gathering will be conducted via Zoom)
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Online Presbytery Directory
The Presbytery of New Hope directory of congregations and teaching elders is now available online! Get the most up-to-date information available, search anywhere you have an internet connection, and even print a PDF at
www.nhpresbytery.org/directory
.
You can look up your personal passphrase at the bottom of the page, or you may contact us at
[email protected]
to get a pass phrase, update your address, or receive other support.
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- Please submit all items for consideration for inclusion by noon on Thursday. We reserve the right to edit, hold, return, or reject submissions based on space available or any other criteria below.
- All submissions should be no longer than about fifty words (one paragraph). Longer submissions will be returned for editing.
- Please highlight and/or separate dates, times, and locations.
- Only items related to the work of congregations, committees, networks, and other related entities of the Presbytery of New Hope will be included.
- Submissions for joys and concerns must be related to minister members of the presbytery, staff of congregations, or others who have served in the life of the presbytery and will be included upon permission of the individual or the individual's congregation.
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