This Week in New Harmony

January 9, 2008
(If headlines are links, click them for more information.)

Moderator urges prayer for the General Assembly
In her most recent letter to the constituents of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Joan Grey urges us to pray.  Her suggestions included urging session, organizations, and pastors to form prayer groups, or used the ones you have to pray for the denomination.

Some suggestions include: 
   1) pray for commissioners, youth and other delegates, the selection process, and wisdom as they vote,
   2) pray for wisdom and good judgment as presbyteries vote on overtures,
   3) pray for the Committee on Local Arrangements as they plan to receive thousands of visitors,
   4) pray for those who are considering standing as candidates for moderator, or Stated Clerk, and the nominating committee who will present the nominee to the General Assembly.

The full text of the letter can be found by clicking the headline of this article.

George Barber resigns as President of the Montreat Conference Center
“After much deliberation and prayer,” Montreat Conference Center President George Barber said, “Wanda and I have concluded God is calling us to explore new ministry opportunities away from the conference center.”

Barber, called as president in the fall of 2003, has provided leadership in stabilizing financial conditions, business infrastructure, and re-establishing public trust for the conference center.

The search for a replacement will begin immediately.  In the mean time, Vice Presidents Bob Tuttle, John Richardson, Merri Bass, Mike Morse, and Richard Sills will handle day-to-day operations.

Education Talk
Focusing on education, health, finances, and personal life, this edition of Education Talk offers opportunities to register for upcoming Board of Pension Events.  You can view it online by clicking on the headline.

Unbound Conference focuses on becoming the church we can be.
Montreat Conference Center is offering the “Unbound Conference,” July 1-5, 2008.  You are urged to come together with Christians across boundaries of age, generation, culture, race, theology, and other boundaries to envision the Church Unbound.

Ephesians Event rapidly approaching

The Ephesians Event, New Harmony Presbytery's leadership training for church leaders, is rapidly approaching. The event offers opportunities for training in basic areas such as elders and deacons. 

The emphasis this year is on stewardship and evangelism.  Read the brochure and pick out workshops of interest to you and encourage your other church members to attend.

If you need lodging, you should take care of that by calling the Days Inn, Surfside at 800-833-7599.   Mention it is for the Ephesians Event to get the special rate.

The deadline for food and childcare pre-registration is Friday, January 18. This will also secure a seat in the workshop of your choice.

If you, anyone you know, current officer or not, might benefit by being present, have them register. You will find a complete brochure with registration form at Ephesians brochure.

Julius Chambers to speak at St. Andrews P. C. MLK Event, January 21
Born in 1936 and reared in a small, rural community east of Charlotte, Julius L. Chambers learned about racial discrimination growing up in North Carolina. He graduated from high school in May 1954, the very month of the United States Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Brown v. Board of Education.

After earning his bachelor’s degree from North Carolina Central University and his master’s degree from the University of Michigan, Chambers was admitted to the Law School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill which had just begun to admit African-Americans under the pressure of litigation.

His career that followed included significant involvement in civil rights law that included the arguing of cases before the U.S. Supreme Court.

Now practicing law in Charlotte, Chambers will come to St. Andrews Presbyterian College in Laurinburg to share his message and experiences during the college’s Martin Luther King Jr. Community Celebration. This year’s event will be Monday, Jan. 21, at 5 p.m. in Avinger Auditorium on the St. Andrews campus. It is free and open to the public.

Upcoming Events
 Sprucing Up Camp Pee Dee – January 12, 2008
 Ephesians Event, 2008 – January 26, 2008
 Myrtle Beach Perspectives – January 17-May1, 2008

Employment Opportunities
 Director of Children’s Ministry - Celebration Presbyterian Church
 Educator - Darlington Presbyterian Church

Information Needed
If you have had an event at your church you would like to report or have an upcoming event to publicize in the Presbytery of New Harmony, send the information to avery@newharmonypres.org. Publicity of an upcoming event should be sent two weeks prior to the event.

Calendar
January 9, 2008

10, Worship & Spiritual Formation Division, Presbytery office,
9:30 am.

10, Grand Strand Area Min./Ed. lunch, Cedar Hill Landing, 12 pm.

12, Camp Pee Dee Spruce Up Day, Camp Pee Dee, 10 am.

14, Sumter Area Min./Ed. lunch, Foo Garden Buffet, 12 pm.

15, Program Council, Presbytery office, 5 pm.

16, Cheraw Area Min./Ed. lunch, El Sherif’s, 12 pm.

17, Finance Committee, Presbytery office, 10 am.

17, Administrative Council, Presbytery office, 5 pm.

18, Deadline for Ephesians Event Registrations.

21, Holiday, Presbytery office closed.

23, Florence Area Min./Ed. lunch, Red Bone Alley, 12 pm.
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Prayer Concerns
(as requested)