POC E-NEWS BLAST

MARCH 26, 2025

PC(USA) OFFICE OF PUBLIC WITNESS ADVOCACY HOUR ZOOM GATHERINGS

The PC(USA) Office of Public Witness in Washington, DC is offering monthly Zoom gatherings and other resources to share during this anxious days. This month’s advocacy hour will be on Wednesday, March 26th at 12:00 Noon and will focus on migration and immigration issues. 

Register here for the full series of monthly Advocacy Hours

Other resources:

Project 2025 Resources:

• Project 2025 in School House Rock style: Watch here
• Read the Project 2025 Policy Agenda: Read here
• Link to Executive Orders (updated daily): View here
• PC(USA) Action Alert Pushback Project 2025’s Policy Agenda: Take Action here 

Additional Links:

• PC(USA) Office of Public Witness webpage: Visit here
• Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations: Learn more here
• Advocacy as a Spiritual Discipline Resource: Download here
• Holy Discontentment Guide: Download here
• Jesus and Justice Young Adult Advocacy Conference - September 26-28, 2025 at First Presbyterian Church, Lansing, Michigan Learn more here

2025 SPRUNT LECTURES 

Union Presbyterian Seminary - Richmond

May 5-7

It’s time for the biggest alumni reunion event of the year: the Sprunt Lectures! Re-energize your soul and relive the excitement of your seminary studies at the Sprunt Lectures from May 5-7 in RVA. Hurry—registration is filling up fast, and you don’t want to miss these exciting, fun days in May. 

In addition to the fantastic speakers, we’re celebrating some amazing individuals:

• Angela Sims (Ph.D.,’08) is President of Colgate Rochester Crozer Divinity School. She’ll be honored at dinner on Monday, May 5, with UPSem’s Distinguished Alum Award.
• President Emeritus Brian Blount will receive the Black Alumni Association’s Trailblazer Award. You’ll get to enjoy a delicious BBQ dinner with Brian and his wife, Sharon, on Tuesday evening (May 6) hosted by the BAA.
• Megan Argabrite (M.Div.’13), pastor of Amity PC(USA) in Charlotte, NC, will be honored as the Rising Star Alum. Amanda Montague will be recognized as the Unsung Staff Hero for her decades of service to the Seminary. These new awards will occur during Tuesday’s luncheon.

SEE THE FULL SCHEDULE AT REGISTER AT THIS LINK:

https://www.upsem.edu/alumni2/sprunt25/

PRESBYTERY READING GROUP

Union Presbyterian Seminary

5141 Sharon Road, Charlotte Room C203

The Presbytery of Charlotte Book Group will meet on Thursday, March 27th at 10:00 am at the Charlotte Resource Center at Union Presbyterian Seminary with a discussion of the bestseller, “The Women”, by Kristin Hannah.

Upcoming Books:

Thursday, April 24th: “We were the Lucky Ones” by Georgia Hunter 

Thursday, May 22nd: "The Color of Compromise" By Jemar Tisby

Questions: Renda.Brinson@upsem.edu

ONE GREAT HOUR OF SHARING

March 5 - April 20

Typically received during the season of Lent, each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and assist in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. All three programs work in different ways to serve individuals and communities in need. From initial disaster response to ongoing community development, their work fits together to provide people with safety, sustenance, and hope.

CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE 

NATIONAL FAITH & CLIMATE FORUM

Union Presbyterian Seminary

5141 Sharon Road, Charlotte

March 27th from 12:00 to 5:00 pm

Join faith leaders and community members at Belk Chapel, Union Presbyterian Seminary, for a live watch party of the National Faith + Climate Forum 2025. Experience a day of powerful discussions, engaging workshops, and community building as we explore the intersection of faith and environmental action.

On March 27, the 2025 National Faith & Climate Forum will be a live-streamed broadcast, accessible online from your home or office, or in person at host locations across the U.S. This hybrid event offers a dynamic day of interactive sessions, inspiring keynotes, and practical resources to equip you and your congregation to integrate climate care into your faith practices and communities authentically. Whether you’re just starting your journey in creation care or are a seasoned advocate, this event has something for everyone! 

Co-sponsored by Stewardship of Creation Ministry, Presbytery of Charlotte, and North Carolina Interfaith Power and Light. For more details, contact Rev. Dennis Testerman, (980) 521-4871. 

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

PRESBYTERIAN SCHOLARSHIP FOR UNDERGRADUATES 2025

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) provides scholarships to up to 100 college students per year. Eligible applicants will be PC(USA) church members seeking a first associates or bachelors’ degree, attending an accredited college or university in the United States full-time in 2025-2026. The basic scholarship award is $4,000, up to need, and if need remains after the scholarship is awarded, students may be considered for additional supplemental aid, including a $2,000 Supplemental award for People of Color. Deadline to apply is May 13th.

For Presbyterian Church (USA) members who are:

• Enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university in the United States
• Seeking a first associates or bachelor’s degree
• Demonstrate need after any merit or need-based aid awarded by the college/university.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFO AND TO APPLY

LEADERSHIP WORKSHOP AT CNJ

CN Jenkins Presbyterian Church

1421 Statesville Avenue, Charlotte

Do you know your purpose? Are you leading effectively? 

You are invited to a one of a kind leadership workshop on Saturday, April 19th from 9 am-1 pm. There will be workshops for adults, youth and even children! Registration is encouraged: 

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/leadership-workshop-tickets-1267594662759?aff=oddtdtcreator

PRESBYTERIAN WOMEN

HORIZONS BIBLE STUDY

During 2024-25, Presbyterian Women across the PCUSA have been delving into Scripture passages as they relate to Christians’ call to pray and work for environmental justice and healing. Throughout the year, the Rev. Lib McGregor Simmons has been offering a Zoom pre- study of the biblical material in the nine chapters of Let Justice Roll Down: God’s Call to Care for Neighbors and All Creation by Patricia Tull. The pre-study wraps up on Easter Sunday evening with Lesson 9:

Sunday, April 20th

from 7:00-8:00 pm on Zoom

Email libmcgregorsimmons@gmail.com 

to receive your Zoom link for the class.

Look for information on the 2025-26 Horizons Bible Study, Finding Resilience, Joy and Our Identity in Jesus Christ, in early August.

"LeaderWise

LEARNING HOUR"

QUARTERLY ZOOM CONVERSATIONS

TO HELP YOU LEAD

Learn from LeaderWise and experience the support that so many have said they wish they had known about sooner. When you access wisdom from LeaderWise along with expertise from our connected partners, you can build a stronger resource base from which to lead. Each quarter in 2025, join LeaderWise at no-cost to learn from an expert about a topic, to share conversation with peers, and to download helpful resources for your files. We know that ministry leadership is more difficult now than ever and that many leaders feel they are alone.

A recording of the first session - February 25th - featuring Laura Horton-Ludwig and her work with highly-sensitive clergy will be available for those who can’t attend live.

Plan to join us for future LeaderWise Learning Hours:

May 27, August 26, November 18 (1:00 pm ET)

https://www.leaderwise.org/workshops-programs

CROSS MISSIONS

2025 SUMMER INTERNSHIPS 

CROSS Missions, a ministry of Myers Park Presbyterian, is hiring for next summer. We're looking for young adults, college aged folkx who have a passion for Jesus and social justice. Experience working with teenagers is very helpful! It is a paid internship that includes housing on the campus of MPPC and most meals are covered.

Contact Erika Funk at efunk@myersparkpresbyterian.org

Click on the link below for more information and an application:

CROSS Missions Summer 2025 internship information

APPLY FOR MONTREAT SUMMER STAFF! 

Do you know a young adult looking for a summer job? Montreat Conference Center is currently accepting applications for its 2025 Summer Staff season. All young adults who are at least one year out of high school are invited to apply. Available positions cover a wide range of skills and interests such as childhood education, hospitality, recreation, and more! All positions are paid and include the option to live on campus. Plus, certain positions may qualify for college credit. This is a great opportunity to gain valuable job experience and enjoy life in our close-knit mountain community.

If you think someone you know would be interested, please encourage them to apply at montreat.org/summer-staff! First round selections begin on January 17, 2025. Apply early for top consideration!

Celeste Abney-Crowe, Creative Services Manager 

Montreat Conference Center

NATIONAL BLACK PRESBYTERIAN CAUCUS 2025 BIENNIAL

Save the date and join us in Charlotte, NC June 19-21, 2025! The theme for the NBPC 48th Biennial Conference is ‘Your Labor in the Lord is Not in Vain.’ The guiding scripture is 1 Corinthians 15:58. The Biennial theme will also incorporate the vision of Matthew 25, emphasizing the importance of serving others.

VISIT THE WEBSITE FOR DETAILS

BIBLE & CHURCH MUSIC CONFERENCE

MASSANETTA SPRINGS 

JULY 20-26

Family camp meets continuing education at this conference for all ages of worship leaders. Whether you are ordained or a layperson, staff or volunteer or congregant, there are plenty of opportunities to learn, practice, and worship together. Scholarships are available, and first timers only pay for lodging and meals!

More details here: https://massanettasprings.org/programs/bcmc

CALLED TOGETHER RETREAT

MASSANETTA SPRINGS

JULY 28-31

Clergy couples are invited to be part of this ecumenical retreat. This ecumenical retreat welcomes clergy couples serving in a variety of ministries for renewal, learning, and growth. If your family includes kids, there's programming for them too!

Learn more and register at https://massanettasprings.org/programs/calledtogether

MISSION TRIP TO SOUTH KOREA

The Presbyterian Peace Network for Korea (PPNK) is arranging a mission trip to South Korea from October 21 to October 30, 2025. The registration period has just begun and will continue through April 30.

This mission trip is open to Presbyterians and others who are interested in Korea and are concerned about the prospects for peace there and around the world. The participants taking part in this journey will be building connections with peacemakers in the Presbyterian and other churches and groups in South Korea. The journey is not primarily for Korean-Americans, but for people in your presbytery who want to promote peace.

PPNK is a mission network related to the PCUSA, whose primary mission is to educate and advocate for peace on the Korean peninsula. This trip intends to involve a broader group of Presbyterians in this mission.

More information is available on our website, PPNK.net or you can contact us at PeaceNetworkforKorea@gmail.com

DOWNLOAD THE BROCHURE 

DOWNLOAD DESCRIPTION AND SCHEDULE

DOWNLOAD REGISTRATION FORM

https://www.facebook.com/CharlottePresbytery