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More Good News From Sudan! |
American Care for Sudan Foundation was started by the membership of Skaneateles (NY) Presbyterian Church motivated by Christian love and recognizing the needs expressed by a local Sudanese member. About three years ago, following travels to Duk County, the vision of a network of clinics was born. Today through the foundation, Duk Lost Boys Hospital in Duk Payuel (about 75 miles north of Bor in Jonglei province) is complete with its own well, electrical generator, high speed internet connection, and medical staff. Each day the hospital treats about 150 patients with diseases from asthma to gunshot wounds. Praise God for this success.
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Earth Sunday |
April 20th is Earth Sunday and several area churches are planning special events. Forest Lake Presbyterian Church's theme is "Caring for God's Waters" at both the 8:30 and 11:00 worship services. Between the services there will be interactive children's displays building on this theme. Guests are invited to a covered dish luncheon afterwards. On April 13th, Adult Sunday School (9:45) will have a presentation on Gill's Creek Watershed. Dr. Alan Arnold will speak on "Living Waters" during the Wednesday night program on April 16th at 6:00. Please call the church for reservations for the Wednesday night meal at (803)738-0865 or for more information.
The following services and events are be planned by "THE WESTMINSTER STEWARDS OF THE EARTH",Westminster Presbyterian Church, Columbia in celebration of EARTH DAY 2008. On Wednesday, April 16, 2008 at 5:30 an earth friendly meal will be served followed by a program of songs and video that praise God's Creations. Sunday, April 20, 2008, Church School classes will be taught by Stewards of the Earth committee members. The morning worship will include emphasis on Earth Day and Certificates of Backyard Habitats will be given during the Children's Moment. Wednesday, April 23, 2008 another earth friendly meal will be served followed by a presentation by Dr. I. Lehr Brisbin from the Stewardship of Creation Enablers in Presbyteries, USA.
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Resource Center News |
What are your Summer Church School plans? We have a number of exciting topics and suggestions to choose from. Our denominational curriculum, We Believe, created specifically for Presbyterians by Presbyterians, focuses on our Reformer heritage. The All-Church Summer study for 2008 is Christ's Work: Reconciling The World To God. This summer study offers 13 sessions and gives guidelines for age groups according to your churches needs. Adults are included in this summer study, and may even choose to focus on a particular topic of study along the lines of Reconciling The Word To God. For members of churches who have come from other faith traditions, this curriculum serves as a basis for understanding who we are and what Presbyterians believe. For further information and lesson outlines go to: www.pcusa.org/webelieve/index.
--Nora Hope, Interim Associate for Christian Education and Leadership
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Camp News! |
The summer camp countdown has begun!
Have you heard the good news about your summer camp ministry - the ministry of Camp Fellowship and Camp Buc? Have you shared that good news with others?
Our summer programs are designed to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ through positive experiences in a supportive and nurturing community of faith gathered together in the beauty of God's creation. To find out more about our summer programs and to register online, visit the Fellowship and Buc website (http://www.bucandfellowship.org).
As summer approaches, we need your support! Here's how you can help:
- Get the word out!
Share the good news about camp in your church and in your community!
We have bulletin inserts and other informational pieces about summer camp that are available for distribution to campers and their families!
- Offer camper scholarships to campers from your congregation.
- Don't underestimate the outreach potential of summer camp!
Sponsor a camper from your community with full or partial scholarships.
- Volunteer to serve as a "Chaplain-of-the-Week" or "Camp Nurse".
Minister, educators, youth directors, and others who feel called to help coordinate worship services and provide for the spiritual nurture and guidance of our staff and summer campers are encouraged to contact the director (803.917.7540) to volunteer to serve a week or more at one of our sites! (This is a great way to use some continuing education or "service to the larger church" time!).
Are you a nurse or doctor? Would you like to share your gifts as our "resident medical guru"? We hope to have trained/experienced persons who will stay on site, visit periodically, and/or be available by phone for non-emergency consultations and help in organizing our infirmary areas.
- Invite the Director, board member(s), site staff, or summer '08 staff to make a presentation to your congregation during worship, at a fellowship meal, in Sunday school, or at some other time when you're community is gathered!
- Come and visit!
Give us a call or send us an email for information on scheduling a visit to camp. Simply seeing is a great way to get excited and to get involved!
- PRAY! Pray for the Outdoor Ministry Programs of Camp Buc and Camp Fellowship. Pray for the permanent staff. Pray for the summer staff. Pray for campers and their families!
Other Important Camp Things-to-Know-&-Share!
- Camp Work Days! We hope to see you at the camp work days scheduled for this month! Bring your friends and family!
Camp Buc Work Day - April 19
Camp Fellowship Work Day - April 26
- Summer Camp Staff Needed! We're still working to fill a few final positions at Camp Buc for summer staff. Do you know college students who might like to spend the summer in the mountains glorifying God through camping ministry? Encourage any candidates you may know to visit the website and complete an application today! (www.bucandfellowship.org)
- Family Camp is Coming MAY 24-26! Family Camp returns to Camp Fellowship this year with a new look and a new date! Watch your email and the website for registration information.
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| Calendar of Events |
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- Attracting, Reaching and Keeping the Next Generation of Believers, Northminster Presbyterian Church
April 26 - Clean-Up Day, Camp Fellowship
June 3- Stated Meeting of Trinity Presbytery, Korean Community Presbyterian Church, Columbia
August 8 & 9 - SC Gathering of PW, Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, Lexington
September 12 & 13 - PW in Trinity Presbytery Annual Overnight Retreat, White Oak Conference Center |
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Opportunities! |
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First Aiken:
Midday Music & Lunch will be held on Thurs., April 17th beginning at noon with a free concert. Kenneth Courtney will play selected pieces on the organ. Lunch will follow and be catered by "What's Cookin' Downtown". Lunch reservations are required and can be made by calling the church at: 803-642-7119, ext. 311. Click here for a flyer about this event.
On Sunday, April 20th at 6:30 p.m., the adult, youth and children's choirs will present a benefit concert for "Share Your Soles" - a non-profit organization that collects shoes and sends them to needy people worldwide. Admission is free, however people are asked to bring "gently worn" shoes as an admission. Or you may also make a monetary donation to the organization. Music will include lively praise anthems, spirituals and even a little jazz. Dessert and fellowship will follow. For more information please call Joy Ackerman at 781-9781 or click here to see the flyer.
At 6 PM on Sunday, April 20, 2008 the film, "For The Bible Tells Me So," will be shown in Davis Hall at Shandon Presbyterian Church, 607 Woodrow Street, in Columbia. All are welcome. A brief discussion will follow the film. Through the experiences of five very normal Christian, American families-including those of former House Majority Leader Richard Gephardt and Episcopal Bishop Gene Robinson, this film explores how people of faith handle the realization of having a gay child or family member. Offering healing, clarity and understanding to anyone caught in the crosshairs of scripture and sexual identity, this landmark film "boldly takes on a loaded topic and examines it both intellectually and emotinally; the result may well leave you blinking away a few tears." (Seattle Times).
"Cuts for Cancer":
Here's a chance to get a haircut or mini-manicure or other services for $5 each and help out a great cause. "Cuts for Cancer" will be held at the Kenneth Shuler School of Cosmetology, 449 St. Andrews Rd., Columbia on Sunday, April 20th from 2:00-5:00 and on Monday, April 21st from 10:30-5:00. This fundraiser is being sponsored by "Zig the Pig" - Helping Kids with Cancer. Click here to see the flyer or here to visit the "Zig the Pig" website.
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| Habitat Garden Update |
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The recent spate of warm weather has brought the Habitat Garden to life! First to bloom (after the daffodils!) was a lovely white iris...followed shortly by the clematis (above). The royal purple color is something to behold! The Pyracantha is covered in tiny white buds that hold the promise of fiery orange-red berries this Fall. The Red Buckeye is sporting Christmas tree-shaped bud stalks and the Cross Vine's trumpet flowers will soon burst open! We have a hummingbird (the "scout"??) visiting the feeder and both bird houses are occupied by Blue Birds! I love Spring!
--Margaret Harris
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