Welcome to the
Presbytery of New Harmony
The Mission of the Presbytery of New Harmony is to strengthen, nurture, and sustain its congregations and ministers, and to participate in the wider mission of the church through its higher governing bodies.
The Presbytery of New Harmony, a member of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is situated along the northeastern coast of South Carolina. We have 7,644 members across 11 counties in South Carolina. The presbytery office, located in Florence, supports 66 congregations and 80 resident ministers.
Please feel free to browse our website to find out more about us.
If you cannot find what you're looking for, please feel free to contact us at the addresses listed below.
Presbytery of New Harmony
PO Box 4025
Florence, SC
29502-4025
Phone 843-662-8411
Fax 843-665-1408
office@newharmonypres.org
Contact staff:
firstname@newharmonypres.org
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| Building Community Through Information |
September 20, 2017
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Prayers for...
Victims of Harvey & Irma and those who are responding to the needs of victims.
Our two churches for the week:
Ruby Presbyterian Church,
Beth Hutton-Muse, temporary supply.
Salem Black River Presbyterian Church,
George Wilkes, moderator of session.
Candidate
Fred "Tripp" Brogdon, III
(First, Sumter) Columbia Theological Seminary.
Inquirer
Marcy B. Carl (Georgetown) Dubuque Theological Seminary.
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Financial Help for Conferences
If you need financial help to attend PCUSA worship and/or spiritual conference, scholarship help might be available. Contact Julie Cox
or Lola Faye Craig for more information.
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Local Church Information
If your congregation is planning an event you would like to advertise, please submit information, to Avery Dickson by Monday of the week you want it published.
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Local Church Mission Information
If your congregation has participated in a mission project or trip recently, we would like to share it with our presbytery. Please submit the information to Avery Dickson.
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Happening This Week in New Harmony
September 21 - 10 am
Administrative Council, Presbytery office.
September 21 - 12 pm
Cheraw Area Minister & Educator Lunch, River's Edge.
September 23 - 9:45 am
September 26 - 2:30 pm
Committee on Ministry, Presbytery office.
September 27 - 10 am
Education & Nurture Ministry, Presbytery office.
September 27 - 12 pm
Florence Area Minister & Educator Lunch, Stefano's
September 28 - 5 pm
Camping Ministry, Presbytery office
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| Exploring the Book of Confessions
Beginning with the
Belhar Confession
Facilitated by New Harmony's commissioners to the 222nd (2016) General Assembly.
Explore and learn more about the PC(USA)'s newest confession.
Saturday, November 4
Gathering/registration at 9:45 am
Workshop begins @ 10:00 am
New Harmony Presbytery Office
2352 Presbyterian Road, Florence, SC 29501
$5 pre-registration prior to October 25,
$10 registration on-site
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Super Simple Social Media
Led by Rev. Jill Isola, associate pastor, First Presbyterian Church, Hartsville, and assisted by Julie Cox.
Join us for a morning of exploring tweets, pins, facebook pages, and instagrammable images.
Learn some elementary tools for your own use and ideas about how to utilize free social media for your congregation.
Saturday, September 23
Gathering/registration at 9:45 am Workshop begins at 10:00 am
New Harmony Presbytery office
2352 Presbyterian Road, Florence, SC 29501
$5 pre-registration by September 13,
$10 registration on-site
Please make checks payable to New Harmony Presbytery and include with the registration form. Please contact: office@newharmonypres.org or call 843-662-8411 with any questions. If participants have a device (smartphone,tablet, laptop), they should bring it to the event.
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| Meetings as God's Leading
Regarding ruling elders: a monthly series for spiritual leaders
I dread meetings. As a lifelong Presbyterian, I am embarrassed to admit this. Meetings can feel tedious, frustrating, confusing, and so unspiritual.
Meetings are a significant part of how we, as people of faith, discern, organize, and execute decisions and actions. They are how we get things done. But most importantly, it is through meetings that together we listen to and act upon God's leading.
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| Wilderness Camp
Finding Strength in the Wilderness
for Middle & High School
(6th -12th grade)
Sept. 29-Oct. 1, 2017
During Wilderness Camp, campers will look to the Gospels and reflect on the story of Jesus in the Wilderness and how it relates to us. Campers will also experience building shelter and campfires, cooking in Dutch ovens, building long lasting relationships, and growing in faith.
Cost: $215 per camper. Cost includes the canteen fee.
Registration:
To register your child for Wilderness Camp, a completed registration form and a non-refundable deposit of $100 must be received on or postmarked by September 22, 2017 and mailed to:
Camp Pee Dee Retreat Center
1201 Camp Pee Dee Road
Bennettsville, S.C. 29512
Please make checks payable to: The Presbytery of New Harmony
Please note: The full amount is due on the day of arrival.
Scholarships Camp Pee Dee Retreat Center offers a limited number of scholarships.
Questions: Please contact Kelly at (843) 479-3051 with any questions or if you need additional information.
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PDA: Your Disaster Relief Effort
 The needs for the response are great. God's people are once again called on to stand in the "GAP" - Give. Act. Pray.
GIVE: Please give generously to support Presbyterian Disaster Assistance's emergency response and long-term recovery work in the areas affected by Hurricane Harvey. Designate gifts to DR000169-Harvey.
ACT: Put together Gift of the Heart kits for survivors in the affected areas - hygiene kits and cleanup buckets are especially needed. For more information, go to pda.pcusa.org/page/kits/. Contact the PDA Call Center to be notified of volunteer opportunities. Call (866) 732-6121 or email pda.callcenter@pcusa.org.
PRAY: God, our Shelter, be a strong presence in the lives of neighbors who, having survived the winds and rains of Harvey, now face grief, uncertainty and weary days. May our generosity in prayer and in tangible signs of support overflow more than floodwaters, to sustain your work of healing and rebuilding and to bring comfort and strength to those who suffer. Amen.
Keep up to date on long-term recovery efforts at
presbyterianmission.org/pda
or
facebook.com/PDACARES.
Download the Bulletin Insert/Response Form.
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Active Aging Week at
Presbyterian Community, Florence
The Florence Presbyterian Community invites you to join us in celebrating Active Aging Week, which promotes the benefits of a healthy lifestyle by giving older adults the opportunity to experience diverse activities and exercise in a safe, friendly and fun atmosphere.
As a Life Plan Community, The Florence Presbyterian Community offers leading edge services and the security of a full spectrum of retirement and healthcare options. Residents are encouraged to fully engage life within the seven dimensions of wellness. Won't you join us?
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Update Employer Agreement for 2018
Between now and October 13, employers should log on to Benefits Connect to review, update, and submit their Employer Agreement for 2018. The Agreement will detail coverage available for employees to elect during annual enrollment October 30 - November 17, 2017, through Benefits Connect. The Board has launched the pensions.org section Selecting 2018 Benefits to help employers review, update, and submit their Employer Agreement for 2018. The section addresses things to consider, the importance of benefit groups, and how to build your Agreement on Benefits Connect. Case studies are also available for reference. |
| BOP Board Connections
September Issue
Read the BOP Board Connections September issue online. |
 Click on Picture to view the news. |
Wee Kirk Conference
October 16-18, 2017
Montreat Conference Center
The Wee Kirk conference aspires to provide Christ-centered opportunities for inspiration, encouragement, and community among leaders of small membership churches so they can do the same in their congregations and regions. The conference will offer the following tracks for conferees to choose:
- Barnabas Track
- Missional Clustering Track
- Spiritual Formation Track
- Global Engagement Track
- Retreat Track
[Visit the website for more information]
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South Carolina Disaster Recovery Office Needs Your Assistance
Last week, an elderly woman in Kingstree got help getting her home repaired through he S.C. Disaster Recovery Office using funds from the federal disaster funds. One of the things that is happening is that the funds can pay for repairs, dumpsters, PODS, etc. but no funds for moving furniture and personal items because the grants assume the families can do it themselves. However, most of the recovery that will be funded by the federal funds in Williamsburg County is targeted to the elderly, disabled or families with small children. They are given less than a week's notice when work will begin on their homes. So the turnaround time to get them moved out is quick. If it is not done the contractor will move on to the next home and who knows when they will be back.
This notice was not received in time to help this woman.
However, over the next three years, the SCDRO will be rebuilding and repairing over 500 homes in Georgetown and Williamsburg counties. This won't be the last time this sort of help will be needed. Ideally the Winyah Bay Long Term Recovery Group can start creating a list of groups that can step in with a week or so notice, or sometimes a day or two...
If you have a group that can help with this on short notice, please contact:
LUCY WOODHOUSE / CEO / BLACK RIVER UNITED WAY
Mailing Address / PO Box 1065, Georgetown, SC 29442
Main Office / 515 Front Street, Georgetown, SC 29440 / 843.546.6317
Annex / 1514 Bourne Street, Georgetown, SC 29440 / 843.833.8310
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Presbyterian College Youth Day 
Keynote Speaker - David LaMotte
Schedule
9:15 a.m. - Registration & Recreation
10:00 a.m. - Worship Experience
11:30 a.m. - PC Scavenger Hunt
1:00 p.m. - Tailgate Lunch at Bailey Stadium
2:00 p.m. - Presbyterian College vs. Gardner-Webb
Cost is $20 per person.
This includes a t-shirt, lunch, and football tickets.
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In Matthew 25:35, Christ says "I was hungry and you gave me food. I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me." In Louisville we will have the opportunity to explore this call to welcome all through unending hospitality.
The 2018 Annual Association of Presbyterian Church Educators Event theme "Deep & Wide: Boundless Hospitality" encourages you to open your heart, your mind, and your doors. In Louisville, you will:
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experience interactive plenary sessions that will engage and challenge
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worship with spirit and imagination
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engage in two mini-plenaries focusing on aspects of hospitality within your context
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participate in resource-filled workshops
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be welcomed to a variety of pre-event options
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explore a thriving and welcoming city
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leave with resources galore!
The conference will take place at the Galt House Hotel right along the beautiful Ohio River in the heart of downtown Louisville.
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APCE/SOAP Event
November 2-4, 2017
Epworth by the Sea,
St. Simons Island, GA
You are invited
to join Ministers/ Educators/Youth Directors/church leaders
Thursday evening - Saturday afternoon
as we ask:
* Why is innovation in ministry so important?
* How can our roots/heritage inform a creative ministry?
* How does the theology of risk teach and stretch us in ministry?
Early Bird Registration $80 by August 1st
Regular Registration $120 Due by October 12th
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Congregational Development Ministry offering grants for
positive and inspiring programs
The Congregation Development Ministry is one of the Program Ministries of New Harmony Presbytery and it is here to partner with your congregation. We stand ready to assist churches with their needs and requests. In recent history, many of these have been centered on emergencies, maintenance problems, salary shortfalls and other items that disrupt the mission and ministry of our congregations. In 2017, we are planning to offer assistance in other ways also. The CDM encourages you to apply for grants to do positive and inspiring programs in your church or community. These grants will typically be $2,000.00 each but we will consider any and all requests.
We do not know where you might go with this help, but we want your congregation to do something that will bring honor to our Lord and people to His service. These grants may be the encouragement you need to begin a new ministry or undertake a new mission effort. We would love to be a part of these plans.
We promise to pray for you and your church and to stand with you as you move forward in ministry. It is our sincere hope that all of us can begin to think positively about our denomination, its mission, and its future. We pray that you will know the joy of a connected and responsive presbytery.
We have applications available for you to use so that you can communicate the information that we need. These applications may be found on the presbytery's website after the first of the new year. Please contact me, Johnny Dennis, or Julie Cox with questions or for additional information. May Our Lord Bless You,
Johnny
John W. Dennis, Jr.
Moderator
Congregational Development Ministry
843-997-6804
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| Save the Date for
2018 Church-wide Gathering of Presbyterian Women!
The 2018 Churchwide Gathering of Presbyterian Women will be held August 2-5, 2018 in Louisville, Kentucky. 2018 is also the year that PW celebrates its 30th anniversary! Follow this link for more information: http://pma.pcusa.org/ministries/pwgathering/. |
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