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A Pastoral Letter from the 5 Exec's |
| The Executive Presbyters from the 5 South Carolina presbyteries of the PCUSA have written a letter to all Presbyterians in our state. This letter explains some of the actions arising from the 218th General Assembly. You are invited to read what they have to say about the issues. Please click here.
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Synergy in Action |
 The Laurens Cluster, a group of small churches in Laurens county, has learned an important lesson: If small-member congregations come together and pool their energy and resources, great things can be accomplished that would never have been possible if the individual churches worked alone. That is the basic definition of "synergy". Recently, another cluster, the Southwest Cluster from LaGrange, Georgia met with the Laurens group to teach them about a wonderful mission opportunity. The ladies have become involved with Threads of Love, a non-denominational group that provides handmade clothes for stillborn babies. They make gowns, booties, caps, miniature receiving blankets and even small teddy bears for the grieving families. Their love and generosity extends to premature babies in hospitals too by providing the premies with tiny garments to wear before finally gaining enough weight to wear store-bought clothes. For more more information about Threads of Love and how your church can get involved, please click here.
Pictured above, Edna Rawlins (second from right) of the Southwest Cluster answered questions from Ann Felten, Janette Marvin and Suzan Codington about the making of the garments. Thanks to the Lauren County Advertiser for use of the picture. |
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News & Reviews from Your Resource Center |
Soul Searching: A Movie about Teenagers and God for congregational use was highlighted at the 218th General Assembly. This film for youth workers, parents, or anyone else interested in the religious and spiritual lives of American teenagers is drawn from the findings of a seven-year scientific study of youth rather than from the personal experiences of one person. A major finding is that teens are rarely asked to talk about their religious beliefs and practices. Youth workers, parents, and other interested adults may find watching this film with teens a great way to start a conversation about religious and spiritual matters. The DVD and book are both available for check out in the Presbytery Resource Center.  Be sure to check out the latest topics in the on-line resource www.thethoughtfulchristian.org. The Thoughtful Christian is a great summer resource for youth and adults! Here's a great and resourceful idea for the summer and early Fall! Invite your church or groups within the church to collect items for hygiene kits. Each kit requires one hand towel (16x28), washcloth, wide-tooth combs, and bar of soap (bath size), nail clippers (no metal files or emery boards), toothbrushes (in original packaging), band-aids or other adhesive bandage strips. Collect these items and drop off at any of the three locations below by October 1, 2008: --Trinity Presbytery Office Lexington
--Any of the Laurens Area Cluster meetings
--Aiken First Presbyterian Church
The items will be collected the first day of October and taken to the Over Fifty Adult Retreat to be assembled and sent to The Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Program of the PC (USA). Your efforts will go a long way in ministering to those people in the US and around the world devastated by disaster. --Nora Hope, Interim Associate for Education and Leadership
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The Finishing Touch! |
 On Sunday, June 29th, McGregor Presbyterian Church in Irmo dedicated the new stained glass window behind the chancel area. "Creation and the Trinity" - the theme of the beautiful mosiac - was designed by Lou Ellen Beckham-Davis and installed by L.E.B. Glass Studio of Greenville, SC. The window caps off the completion of the new sanctuary that was dedicated in the spring of 2007. Two anonymous donors gave the money for the project.
There is much symbolism to be found in the large work of art: two doves, the Pentecostal flames, three inter-locking circles -to name just a few. At the bottom of the window the Creation story is told. Although the entire process from conception to finish took almost 8 months, the physical installation took ONE DAY - reminiscent of the Creation story itself! And, indeed, "It is good!"
(Artist Lou Ellen Beckham-Davis' drawing of the window, "Creation and the Trinity") |
| Calendar of Events |
July 4 - Independence Day, Presbytery office closed
August 8 & 9 - SC Gathering of PW, Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, Lexington
August 12-13 - Youth Council Leadership Retreat, Camp Fellowship
September 5-6- Spiritual Strategic Journey Learning Experience, Westminster-Columbia
September 12 & 13 - PW in Trinity Presbytery Annual Overnight Retreat, White Oak Conference Center
September 27- "Faith & Families", Saxe Gotha Presbyterian Church, Lexington
September 28 - October 5- Presbytery-wide Mission Trip to Pearlington, Mississippi
October 6-8 - Over 50 Adult Retreat, Camp Fellowship
October 12 - Stated Meeting of Trinity Presbytery, Fairview PC, N. Augusta
November 7-9 - Lay School of Theology, White Oak Conference Center
November 7-9 - Middle School Retreat, Lookout Lodge, Black Mountain, NC
November 10-12- Ministers' and Educators' Retreat, White Oak Conference Center
February 15 - Stated Meeting of Trinity Presbytery, Westminster, Columbia
May 29-30 - Convocation of the 5 Presbyteries of SC (& Stated Meeting of Trinity Presbytery), Presbyterian College |
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| NCD Attendees Featured in Video |
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At a recent New Church Development conference, "People Over Programs," a video was produced and featured three of the attendees from Trinity Presbytery. Rev. Blaine Hill, organizing pastor of Cherokee NCD, John Bafford, and Sue Amick members of Cherokee's congregation are shown talking about what new church development is about and how it has affected their walk of faith. Click here to view the short video. It is inspirational!
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Northern Ireland Missionaries to Speak |
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The Rev. Doug & Elaine Baker who have served as mission workers of the Presbyterian Church (USA) in Northern Ireland for over 25 years will speak at Shandon Presbyterian Church on Monday, July 28, at 7:00 PM in Davis Hall. Doug currently serves as regional liaison for Ireland and the United Kingdom. In this role, he facilitates Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) support for programs, relationships, and activities involving partner denominations and agencies. This includes facilitating exchanges and work and study visits involving PC(USA)-related groups. He and Elaine are also site coordinators for the PC(USA)'s Young Adult Volunteer program in Northern Ireland. Young Adult Volunteers serve in communities of need at sites in the United States and internationally. In Northern Ireland their roles include work with at-risk young people through youth clubs, drop-in centers, and tutoring programs, work with women's and senior citizen's groups, and assisting congregations to develop youth fellowship and other ministries. To learn more about the Bakers click here.
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| Youth Director Position Open |
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McGregor Presbyterian Church in Irmo is looking for a part time Youth Director for Senior High and Middlers. The position will be for 12 hours a week and the salary being offered is $600 per month. For more information, please call the church at 803-781-2391.
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| IRS Mileage Rate Increases |
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As of July 1, 2008 the IRS mileage reimbursement rate has increased. Due to the high cost of gasoline, the rate went from $0.505 cents a mile to $0.585 cents....and where it will stop, nobody knows!!!
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| A Montreat Fourth! |
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Looking for somewhere cool and lots of fun this Fourth? How about spending the day in the mountains? Montreat has all kinds of fun activities lined up to entertain young and old alike! Check out their site by clicking here to see what's happening. |
| Save the Date |
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Be sure to save September 5-6, 2008 for the Spiritual Strategic Journey Learning Experience. At this event church leaders will discover how to take their church to the next level by pursuing the full kingdom potential of their congregation. The workshop will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Columbia. Stay tuned for more details.
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