JUNE 27, 2025

On the Western Front heads for Polk County

Our General Presbyter stops by Columbus Presbyterian Church to preach and learn more about the ministries of this congregation. Watch the video

Missed the training? We recorded it for you

While we did not schedule in-person Session records reviews this year, many of our clerks of sessions took advantage of one of three Zoom webinars offered by our Stated Clerk, Ann Philbrick. In each of the gatherings the basic responsibilities of a clerk of session was reviewed, with particular attention to the procedure for self-reviewing records this year.

Couldn’t be with us for one of the meetings? We’ve got you covered. A recording of the June 20 meeting is available to watch anytime you choose. Just click here to view.

One additional note: The presbytery does not need to receive copies of your minutes or records. We do, however, need the completed Session Records Review Form. Send that to Ann and Robbin Buchanan via email.

What makes your church tick?

What do you do as a pastor when you think that you understand your congregation—and then something happens that throws you for a loop? Where do you turn for an explanation?

To the Bible? (“They are a stiff-necked people!”)
To theology? (“Too much judgment and not enough grace.”)
To psychology? (“Somebody sure wants to be in control here!”)

A two-day event titled What Makes Your Church Tick? will give participants experience with learning and applying a fresh approach to making sense of the ins and outs of congregational life. This approach focuses on dimensions of a church that carry its “deep energy”—an energy that can be both helpful and a hindrance--and how to work with those dimensions effectively and faithfully.

This training is scheduled for July 29-30 at Black Mountain Presbyterian Church. Registration will be limited to 20 participants so watch for more details.

Facilitator: Rev. Dr. George Thompson, D.Min., S.T.D., Ph.D., formerly Professor of Leadership and Ministry Practice, The Interdenominational Theological Center, Atlanta, author and co-author of several books for pastors and congregations—and Presbytery Co-Associate, Eastern Neighborhood, the Presbytery of Western North Carolina

The event is sponsored by the Commissioned Pastor Team of the Commission on Ministry, but participation is open to both commissioned pastors and ministers of word and sacrament currently serving a church.

2 Gaston County churches team up for baseball

The Presbyterian Church of Lowell and Long Creek Presbyterian Church conducted their first joint outing by heading to the ball park in Gastonia to watch a Ghost Peppers minor league baseball game.

The Rev. Will Upchurch recently began serving the Lowell congregation in addition to the Long Creek church. Both are located in Gaston County.

Between the two churches 46 people signed up to attend. No word on who won the game, but both churches certainly hit a home run.

View the mission trip report

A PowerPoint detailing the work done during the Spring Missionary Trip to Canton, NC., is now available on the Presbytery website.

View the report

COMING UP ON THE CALENDAR

JUNE 30: Deadline for overtures to the July Presbytery meeting

JULY 1: Commission on Ministry meeting

JULY 4: Independence Day holiday: Office closed

JULY 9: Coordinating Ministry meeting

JULY 17: Earth Care Task Force meeting

Worship-related items looking for a new home

With the recent closing of the First Presbyterian Church of Bessemer City (in Gaston County), several items belonging to that congregation are now available for other churches to request. Among the items on the list are pews in good shape, a communion table and pulpit furniture, Bibles, hymnals and more.

You can view what's available by downloading this list. Contact us if you are interested in learning more.

Be ready for vacation season

It's summertime here in Western North Carolina. That means your pastor may be taking a well-deserved vacation soon.

We recently uploaded the latest version of the Presbytery's pastor supply list to our website. You can download it by clicking on the link below.

See who is on the list

What does your church pay?

How much does it cost to get a church musician, a youth director, a secretary?

That's the idea behind the annual survey from the Presbytery.

FIND OUT MORE

Join us as we travel to Guatemala

We are excited to be putting together a delegation to visit our brothers and sisters in Guatemala Oct. 1-8. We invite you to learn more about this trip by watching the video with our General Presbyter and our Guatemala Partnership Coordinator.

You can apply now to be a part of the Presbytery's delegation by following this link.

The cost will be $1,500 and includes airfare, lodging/travel/meals in Guatemala, and interpreter fees.

To obtain a copy of the proposed itinerary click on this link.

Obtain more information along with a link to an application form by visiting this page on our website.

Free computer help

Here's an offer you won't see every day: free help with your computers or smartphones.

The folks at Reems Creek-Beech Presbyterian Church are offering sessions to answer questions, including how to make that new phone of yours work!

But here's the really big news: They will come to your church. You don't have to make the drive to Weaverville to get in on this deal.

The help is for using laptops, smartphones, tablets and most other electronic devices (Apple and Android formats). They say no question is too small to ask.

The sessions are typically three hours and are open to anyone in the church or surrounding community. Please contact Ryan Baldwin at 828-575-4987 or rbaldwin01@charter.net for more information or to schedule a session at your church.

Is transitional ministry in your future? Don't miss this

Time is running out to register for The Art of Transitional Ministry at Montreat Conference Center Aug. 10-15. The seminar has limited enrollment. Click here to get more information about this educational program.

SAVE THE DATE

SUMMER PRESBYTERY MEETING July 26, online via Zoom

TRIENNIUM NATIONAL YOUTH CONFERENCE July 28-31, Louisville, Kentucky

WEE KIRK CONFERENCE Oct. 20-22, Montreat Conference Center DETAILS

PREACHING FOR RENEWAL workshop Nov. 13-14. Asheville MORE INFO

IN OTHER NEWS

Presbyterian Peace Fellowship’s Guns to Gardens Action Circles program is growing

Union Presbyterian Seminary names new vice president, chaplain

Pope Leo XIV affirms celibacy for priests, demands 'firm' action on sex abuse

Patriotic Bible blesses Trump with $1.3 million in royalties

Have a position open? Looking for an open position? Either way, check our our listings.

PWNC Job Listings

Ministries in our Presbytery may submit job postings here.

Director of Youth and Young Adults at First Presbyterian of Gastonia.

Share Your Good News With Us!

If you have items of interest to share with the Presbytery in the weekly newsletter, please email John Pea. We would also love to receive pictures of your congregation in action to share in this weekly update!

(Event information should be sent electronically, preferably with an image, 10 days in advance, for inclusion in the following week's distribution. Submissions may be edited for brevity. The General Presbyter or Stated Clerk will make final decisions about what may be included.)

The e-news publication goes out each Friday to members across the Presbytery. We look forward to sharing your good news!