Big Tent - 2013

"Love God. Love neighbor. Let God take care of the rest."

August 1-3, 2013

Louisville, KY

This is the heart of Christ's message - and good news for the church today.

Come to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Big Tent event and discover for yourself how putting God's first things first can bring rebirth and renewal to your church.

The Big Tent combines ten national conferences under one roof, gathering thousands of Presbyterian pastors, elders, and other church leaders to study, share, worship, and fellowship, and to build up the body of Christ.

It's been called "a giant Presbyterian family reunion" - and the 2013 Big Tent brings that reunion to Louisville, Kentucky, home of the PC(USA)'s national offices since 1988.

For more information, visit the Big Tent website.

Feasting on the Word Curriculum offers new resource for pastors

Feasting on the Word Curriculum: Teaching the Revised Common Lectionary - a groundbreaking, lectionary-based curriculum that's centered on the popular Feasting on the Word commentary series - is adding valuable new features to its curriculum line for churches this fall. 

Beginning in fall 2013, Joining the Feast - an indispensable resource for pastors that nurtures the relationship between worship and education - will include children's worship bulletins that feature a Bible story, coloring picture, and activity that engages children in a fun and peaceful way to the focus scripture for the week. By receiving their own bulletins, children are reminded that they are important members of the church community.

"Children delight in familiar stories, and encountering a story in several ways helps them hold it in their hearts. With these bulletins, children can read and see a picture of the story they explored in Sunday school as they hear about it in worship readings and preaching," said Rebecca Grothe, children's editor, Feasting on the Word Curriculum.

A weekly Bible story that can be told during the children's time of worship will also be included in the quarterly subscription to Joining the Feast.

[Read the Complete Article.]

Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Conference

"Come 'B' Present"

October 8-11, 2013

Hilton Atlanta Northeast Hotel

5993 Peachtree Industrial Boulevard, Norcross, GA, 30092

Keynote Speaker:

Rodger Nishioka

For more information, click here to view the most recent newsletter from the Presbyterian Older Adults.

2013 Benefits Administration Handbook

This handbook can help you in your role as benefits liaison to the Board, providing practical information about benefits enrollment, dues, and taxes, among other topics, with an emphasis on administrative concerns. We hope you find this resource helpful and use it often. 

If you'd like a printed copy, please call 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN) and speak with a member service representative to request one.  

Florence Presbyterian Community to host dementia care program

The Florence Presbyterian Community, along with The South Carolina Alzheimer's Association and Hospice Care of South Carolina, are co-sponsoring the "Empowering Caregivers: Hearing - Honoring- Helping", presented by nationally known author, Nancy Pearce.   The program will be held on Thursday, May 30th, 6:00 - 7:30PM in the Chapelat The Florence Presbyterian Community, 2350 W. Lucas Street, Florence, SC 29501.  Presenter, Nancy Pearce, is a licensed, gerontological social worker with over 25 years of experience working in long-term healthcare and hospice settings.   This program is open to the public at NO COST -- with a special invitation to family caregivers.   CEU credits will be available for professionals upon request.  Please RSVP by Wednesday, May 29th, by calling (843) 656=2906 or 800-272-3900 or visiting http://www.alz.org/sc. Be sure to state if you want continuing education credits.

In addition,a no-cost, in-home sitter for a loved one with dementia can be arranged in advance through the Alzheimer's Association to help family members attend.   For information about this and other services, call 800-272-3900 or go to www.alz.org/sc.  

Ms. Pearce helps caregivers as well as professionals understand there are ways to honor those with dementia. Attendees will learn tips on how to interact with people who have dementia and overcome their fears of what to do and what to say. Based on stories from her personal experiences, Nancy shares unique ways to connect with loved ones and how to recognize that the person with dementia is still with us. Caregivers learn they are still able to have a relationship and the importance of staying present in their loved ones life.

 If you or your church can help Camp Pee Dee Retreat Center with any items listed below, please contact Summer Camp Director, Nancy Washburn by cell phone, (334) 332-6627 or email: thewashhouse@charter.net. Thanks for any help you and your church can do.

Items needed:

• Golf Cart for the summer
• Paddles
• Life Jackets
• Volley Balls
• Flip Charts
• Music Director for M.A.D. Camp, week of July 21st
• Volunteers to help with 2013 summer camps

Would you like to share your mission story in "This Week in New Harmony."  Email me a brief description of your involvement in mission.  Be sure to include:  who? what? when? and where?  If I need further details before sharing, I will contact you.  My (Avery's) email is presbyeducator@gmail.com.

Links to previously published Presbytery articles and events

• Smaller Congregation Educational Initiative - Educational answers for smaller membership congregations.

Other Events of Interest

Do you have information to share? If your congregation has had or is planning an event you would like to publicize to the Presbytery of New Harmony, send the information to Avery at presbyeducator@gmail.com.  Please do not reply to the past editions of "This Week."  Replies do not always get back through the system.  It is better for you to submit articles on a separate email.  Information must be submitted by Monday to guarantee inclusion in that week's publication.

A complete list of employment opportunities is available on the Presbytery of New Harmony website.  Included are opportunities for employment from First Presbyterian Church, Hartsville; Thornwell Home for Children; and Celebration Presbyterian Church.

If your congregation has an employment opportunity it would like listed, please email Avery, presbyeducator@gmail.com.

Tornado victims across the country.

(Our two churches of the week, chosen alphabetically.  Please include ministers, staff, officers, and congregation in your prayers.) 

• First Presbyterian Church, Sumter, Carnell Hampton, moderator of session.
• Second Presbyterian Church, Sumter, Gloria Jones Williams, pastor.

(Our Inquirers and Candidates for Ministry)    

Inquirers:

 

Candidates:  

• David Hubbs (Presbytery of New Harmony) Erskine Theological Seminary. 
• Vikki Brogdon (Manning), Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte.
• Omar Hilton (Goodwill), graduate, Johnson C. Smith Theological Seminary, certified ready for a call.
• Neeley Lane (First, Hartsville) Union Presbyterian Seminary, Charlotte.
• Amanda Maguire (First, Hartsville), Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, certified ready for a call..
• Eva Ruth (Williamsburg), Campbell Divinity School, certified ready for a call.

(Click here for the full calendar)

May

22, Florence area Minister/Educator lunch, Redbone Alley, 12 pm.

27, Holiday, Presbytery office closed.

29, Committee on Preparation for Ministry, Presbytery office, 10 am.