eLink News - May 13, 2008

Note: The links in this version of e-Link may not work for you, we are working on a solution to the problem.

Meetings and Events This Week:
May 14- 3:00 PM Nominating Committee, Presbytery Office
May 15- 1:00 PM Sudan Team, Presbytery Office
May 16- 12:30 PM Preparation for Ministry Committee, Presbytery Office
May 20- 7:00 PM Committee on Ministry Committee, Neshannock, NW

Prayers
- Terry Greenlee has returned home Harmarville and is doing well.

CAMP LAMBEC SPRING WORK DAY - SATURDAY, MAY 17, 9 AM
The Camping Association invites individuals, families and groups to particapate in the annual Camp Lambec spring workday. Camp personnel will be on hand to greet you anytime after 8 AM. Arrive anytime in the morning and stay as long as you are able, even overnight. When you arrive, our camp staff will have a list of proposed projects and a storehouse of needed supplies. They will help you choose a job to fit your skills and time availability. If you complete a job and still have energy, you can return to the job list and choose another task. Or, feel free to spend the remainder of your day enjoying the campsite. Complimentary weekend accommodations for workers and their families are available in our camper cabins by prior reservation. Please contact Lisa in The Camping Office (724-738-0058) to arrange for your complimentary one or two night work weekend stay.

Is Your Church Doing an Energy Audit?
New Wilmington Presbyterian's Peacemaking Committee is seeking information about churches doing an "energy audit". If your church has done this or if you know what is involved, please contact Bob VanDale at bobcarlavandale@netzero.net. They will appreciate any help you can offer.

Mission Travel Opportunities
World Mission Initiative trips in 2009 includes these opportunities and more:- Spring Break (Feb. 27 - Mar. 7): New Orleans, Haiti, Mexico- Summer possibilities: Russia, Ethiopia, Philippines, Singapore, etc.For a complete list, contact Don Dawson at ddawson@pts.edu.

Summer Leadership Conference, June 8-11, 2008 at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Now in it's 68th year, this annual conference will focus on family systems - understanding relationships within our families and our congregations. Keynote speaker is Ronald W. Richardson, former Clinical Director of the North Shore Counseling Centre, a pastoral counselor, and an author. Marsha Foster Boyd will be the keynote preacher - she is currently the president of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Because this program is partially funded by a grant, the registration fee is only $120 ($135 after May 15), wich includes all plenary sessions, daily worship, two workshop tracks, and breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days. Housing is extra. Contact the Office of Continuing Education with questions or to request a registration brochure. 412-441-3304, ext. 2196 or Bgrogan@pts.edu.

eLink News - May 6, 2008

Note: The links in this version of e-Link may not work for you, we are working on a solution to the problem.

Meetings and Events This Week:
May 7- 9:30 AM Church and Community Committee Meeting, Presbytery Office
May 8- 7:00 PM Bicentennial Committee Meeting, Joe Hopkin's Home

Prayers
- David Dawson's mother-in-law passed away Thursday afternoon.
- Terry Greenlee is in Harmarville for rehabilitation, following his surgeries for parkinson's, for another week or so.

CAMP LAMBEC SPRING WORK DAY - SATURDAY, MAY 17, 9 AM
The Camping Association invites individuals, families and groups to particapate in the annual Camp Lambec spring workday. Camp personnel will be on hand to greet you anytime after 8 AM. Arrive anytime in the morning and stay as long as you are able, even overnight. When you arrive, our camp staff will have a list of proposed projects and a storehouse of needed supplies. They will help you choose a job to fit your skills and time availability. If you complete a job and still have energy, you can return to the job list and choose another task. Or, feel free to spend the remainder of your day enjoying the campsite. Complimentary weekend accommodations for workers and their families are available in our camper cabins by prior reservation. Please contact Lisa in The Camping Office (724-738-0058) to arrange for your complimentary one or two night work weekend stay.

Volunteers Needed
ROOT International, a non-profit, charitable organization that partners with community organizations, ministries, and churches (currently working with Shenango Presbytery PW to transport goods to Kayenta, Arizona) is looking for volunteers from May 8-28 (mostly daytime and Saturdays) to sort, load and unload trucks for time slots of 1-3 hours. If you can help, please contact Rebecca Vogan at 724-699-1182.

Is Your Church Doing an Energy Audit?
New Wilmington Presbyterian's Peacemaking Committee is seeking information about churches doing an "energy audit". If your church has done this or if you know what is involved, please contact Bob VanDale at bobcarlavandale@netzero.net. They will appreciate any help you can offer.

Mission Travel Opportunities
World Mission Initiative trips in 2009 includes these opportunities and more:
- Spring Break (Feb. 27 - Mar. 7): New Orleans, Haiti, Mexico
- Summer possibilities: Russia, Ethiopia, Philippines, Singapore, etc.
For a complete list, contact Don Dawson at ddawson@pts.edu.

Summer Leadership Conference, June 8-11, 2008 at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary
Now in it's 68th year, this annual conference will focus on family systems - understanding relationships within our families and our congregations. Keynote speaker is Ronald W. Richardson, former Clinical Director of the North Shore Counseling Centre, a pastoral counselor, and an author. Marsha Foster Boyd will be the keynote preacher - she is currently the president of the Ecumenical Theological Seminary. Because this program is partially funded by a grant, the registration fee is only $120 ($135 after May 15), wich includes all plenary sessions, daily worship, two workshop tracks, and breakfast, lunch and dinner for three days. Housing is extra. Contact the Office of Continuing Education with questions or to request a registration brochure. 412-441-3304, ext. 2196 or Bgrogan@pts.edu.

Perspectives Course Coming This Fall
Perspectives, a 14 week course providing a panoramic view of what God is up to and tools to help you step into the action. Classes begin the week of September 7, 2008 at 4 different locations including Fellowship Community Church in Grove City and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary. Check out http://www.perspectives.org for more information or see the flyer and bulletin insert on the "News & Events" page of the Presbytery website.

eLink News - April 29, 2008

Meetings and Events This Week:
May 4- SHOWCASE submission deadline
May 5-6- Pastor's Retreat, Villa Maria Retreat Center

Prayers
Terry Greenlee (Jackson Center and Millbrook) had successful surgery for Parkinson's last Tuesday and will have the second surgery this Wednesday. He will then be transferred to Harmorville for two weeks of rehabilitiation.

Work Days at the Camps
Want to help get Westminster Highlands and Camp Lambec ready for the summer camping season? There are workdays scheduled that you can be a part of- this Saturday you can work at Westminster Highlands, and on the 17th you can work at Lambec. Overnight lodging is available by contacting Lisa at the camping office at 724-738-0058.

Youth Event - an Amazing Day of Service
This past Saturday 60 youth and leaders from 8 of our churches helped out at Westminster Highlands. The youth picked up litter on Rt. 208 as part of the Adopt-a-Highway program, picked up limbs and brush from the campus, hauled firewood, scrubbed cabins, and more as part of their day of service. Kip, the camp manager, explained that every hour that we worked would equal a month's worth of work for himself and his wife - the youth accomplished 4 months worth of work on Saturday! A DVD of photos will be sent to each group that participated, and highlights will be shown at the July Presbytery meeting. Thanks to all who participated!

Volunteers Needed
ROOT International, a non-profit, charitable organization that partners with community organizations, ministries, and churches (currently working with Shenango Presbytery PW to transport goods to Kayenta, Arizona) is looking for volunteers from May 8-28 (mostly daytime and Saturdays) to sort, load and unload trucks for time slots of 1-3 hours. If you can help, please contact Rebecca Vogan at 724-699-1182.

2009 Trip to the Sudan
The Sudan Leadership Team is doing preliminary work on a trip to the Sudan in early 2009. A final decision will be made by August 1 and then the time will be very short to join in. If you are at all interested, we need to know now. Contact Jim Leuenberger or Dave Dawson.

"We've Come This Far By Faith"
This year, Word Centered Fellowship is celebrating their 5th year of service to the Lord. The celebration dates are May 16th through may 18, 2008. To commemorate this anniversary they will publish a booklet and seek your help. For more information, please see the full article on our News page, http://www.shenango.org/news/index.htm.

Membership / Evangelism Request from Bethel
Hi all, I am the Elder for the Membership and Evangelism at Bethel UP Church...I am seeking information form others concerning their programs for evangelism and membership specific to their churches mission. As an example; methods of distributing visitation cards, membership participation in attendence, giving etc. How often do you review your membership roles....what's your process for moving members from active to inactive...Evangelism, do you have programs or groups that concentrate on evangelism in your church? Any information that you would like to share would be appreciated. You can email me rusty0616@hotmail.com or address to Rusty George, 5958 E. Calla Rd New Middletown, Ohio (yes I'm a buckeye) 44442. Thank you in advance and God Bless you.

SPSC Anniversary Celebration
This coming Sunday, May 4, Shenango Presbyterian SeniorCare will be holding a special 40th Anniversary Celebration at 3:00 PM at the New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. Refreshments will follow immediately after the service in the Community Room of SPSC.

eLink EXTRA - April 23, 2008

Funeral Service Tomorrow for John Borter
Ministers attending the service for John Borter tomorrow at Slippery Rock Presbyterian Church are asked to meet in the Fellowship Hall at 10:45 AM. Please bring your robe.

Update on Terry Greenlee (Jackson Center / Millbrook)
Terry's surgery went well. Please keep him in your prayers - the 2nd part of the surgery will take place on Tuesday.

Membership / Evangelism Request from Bethel
Hi all, I am the Elder for the Membership and Evangelism at Bethel UP Church...I am seeking information form others concerning their programs for evangelism and membership specific to their churches mission. As an example; methods of distributing visitation cards, membership participation in attendence, giving etc. How often do you review your membership roles....what's your process for moving members from active to inactive...Evangelism, do you have programs or groups that concentrate on evangelism in your church? Any information that you would like to share would be appreciated. You can email me rusty0616@hotmail.com or address to Rusty George, 5958 E. Calla Rd New Middletown, Ohio (yes I'm a buckeye) 44442. Thank you in advance and God Bless you.

eLink News- April 22, 2008

Meetings and Events This Week:
April 22- 6:30 PM Presbytery Meeting, Clen-Moore
April 26- 1:00 PM Presbytery-Wide Youth Event, Westminster Highlands
April 27- 7:00 PM Missional Church Conversations, East Main

Arrangements for John Borter
Visiting hours at Turner Funeral Home [500 Sixth Street, Ellwood City] will be 7 – 9 on Tuesday; 2 – 4 and 7 – 9 on Wednesday; service at Slippery Rock Church on Thursday at 11 am.

Registrations Still Accepted for Youth Event
We still have room for more youth and helpers on Saturday! Call 724-528-1610 or e-mail Debbie (resource@shenango.org) or Autumn (office@shenango.org) if you would like to help out at Westminster Highlands - let us know by Friday so we can have enough food.

2009 Trip to the Sudan
The Sudan Leadership Team is doing preliminary work on a trip to the Sudan in early 2009. A final decision will be made by August 1 and then the time will be very short to join in. If you are at all interested, we need to know now. Contact Jim Leuenberger or Dave Dawson.

Reducing the Risk Training for Mercer County Churches
Sheakleyville Presbyterian is having a 2-hour training for Elders and teachers with AWARE (Crisis Shelter) on reducing the risk for child sexual abuse in the church. The training is Wednesday, April 23rd, from 6:30 – 8:30 PM at the church and is open to other churches. An RSVP to Nancy Varner at 724-253-4230 would be appreciated.

Study Leave Opportunity
Want an adventure? For 15 years, a group of pastors have been mountainclimbing or canoeing/portaging using a book for discussion on ministry in a setting that lends to trust and growth. This year the group will be returning to the wilderness of Algonquin Provincial Park in Canada for a week of group building, physical challenge and spiritual growth. See Don Hurray at the upcoming Presbytery meeting for a brochure and application. The date for the trip is September 14-22, 2008 and the book to be studied is "Spiritual Surrender" by Jim Krisher.

NWMC Speakers
Check out the speaker bios now posted on the New Wilmington Mission Conference web site at http://www.NWMCmission.org. NWMC will be held July 19-26 this year. Don't miss out on this wonderful local opportunity.

"We've Come This Far By Faith"
This year, Word Centered Fellowship is celebrating their 5th year of service to the Lord. The celebration dates are May 16th through may 18, 2008. To commemorate this anniversary they will publish a booklet and seek your help. For more information, please see the full article on our News page, http://www.shenango.org/news/index.htm.