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The Stated Clerk's Blog |
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By James McTyre, PET Stated Clerk
I've created a blog site on the Internet which contains links to helpful documents and PCUSA resources for Sessions and Clerks of Session. The address is http://www.presbyopia.blogspot.com .
My ophthalmologist told me presbyopia is the word for the eye condition that I and most others over the age of 40 have. Literally, it means, "elder eyes" - a great condition for Presbyterians - and is more commonly known as "far-sighted." My hope is that in ministry we can all grow more far-sighted, envisioning a future where the church speaks a relevant, yet traditional word. |
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| PET Calendar |
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2009 Presbytery Meetings:
Saturday, February 7 @ 10:00am - Farragut Presbyterian Church, Farragut, TN (Packet deadline: Jan. 16)
Tuesday, May 5 @ 10:00am - Location to be announced
(Packet deadline: Apr. 14)
Saturday, August 22 @ 10:00am - Location to be announced. (Packet deadline: July 31)
Tuesday, November 10 @ 10:00am -Rivermont Presbyterian Church, Chattanooga, TN (Packet deadline: Oct. 20)
December Mission Team/Committee Meetings:
Committee on Ministry - 12/9, 11:00am @ Mars Hill
Equip Mission Team - 12/11, 10:00am @ Mars Hill
New Vision Committee - 12/11, 10:30am @ Miki Vanderbilt's home
Committee on Preparation for Ministry - 12/18, 12:00pm @ TBA
Events at John Knox Center:
Information on events and activities at John Knox are available on the JKC website.
For the latest meeting and events information, go to the presbytery website: www.presbyteryeasttn.org
and click on the Calendar of Events link.
Church Info-Pak Deadlines for 2009:
Jan. 16
Apr. 3
July 10
Oct. 9
These Info-Paks include information for pastors and sessions, notices of churchwide events, resources for church educators, and the presbytery calendar. Info-Paks are mailed to all churches, affiliated colleges and agencies, at-large and retired ministers, and current members of PET mission teams and committees. |
| PC(USA) News |
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From the Office of Vocation
Emotional Intelligence is important for healthy and effective ministry. Roy Oswald, Executive Director of the Center for EQ-HR Skills and Senior Consultant with the Alban Institute for 31 years, presents a series of educational events on this topic. For more information, click here.
National Stewardship Conference
Stewardship Kaleidoscope, a Presbyterian Stewardship Conference for elders, pastors, presbytery staff and volunteers, will be held March 9-11, 2009 in Kansas City. For more information, click here. |
| Board of Pensions News |
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Helen Locklear, our regional BOP representative, sends out monthly e-newsletters. The latest newsletter features the following articles:
**Secure pensions in uncertain times
**Fall 2008 Issue of The Bulletin Board now available
**The Board to host its annual Tax Tips for Ministers & Churches Teleconference
**News you need featured on Pensions.org
To read the newsletter, click here. |
| Interim Pastor Training |
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Jan. 12-16 2009
The Calvin Center in Hampton, GA is sponsoring Interim Pastor Training Level I and Level II, Jan. 12-16, 2009. For more information, click here. |
| We Want Your News! |
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The purpose of this newsletter is to provide you with the information and support you need to keep in touch and connected with your fellow Presbyterians in East Tennessee. This monthly publication features news and events from around the presbytery, resources to assist you in your ministry, and devotionals authored by our members.
We invite you to share your news with us! All articles and news items must be submitted by the 20th of the month prior to publication. Send your information to Dana Hendrix, preferably in electronic format. Her e-mail address is Dana@presbyteryeasttn.org. |
| Spread the News! |
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| Don't keep the good news of our presbytery to yourself! You can easily forward this newsletter to others (friends, family, church members, etc.) by using the convenient "Forward email" link at the bottom of this newsletter. To help them get on the list to receive our newsletter directly every month, you can tell them to go to our website -- www.presbyteryeasttn.org -- where we have a sign up button right in the middle of our home page. We appreciate your help! | |
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| A Simple Story |
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By Carl Schlich, Interim Executive Presbyter
One day, many years ago, I approached the celebration of the nativity in a cloud of blue. It had been another of those weeks, and in the middle of my struggle to get in the spirit of the season and write a glowing sermon, which would lift me and everyone else into the wonder of the birth of the Messiah, I received word that the mother in our family was sick, and when that happens, it brings almost all family life to a halt.
To read more, click here. |
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PET Meeting Highlights |
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 The Presbytery of East Tennessee held its Ninety-Seventh Stated Meeting on Saturday, November 15, 2008. To read the highlights of actions taken at the meeting, click here.
The next Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of East Tennessee will be held on Saturday, February 7, 2009 at Farragut Presbyterian Church.
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| Hunger Action! |
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Remembering the Hungery on Super Bowl Sunday
February 1, 2009
 It's time to start planning and promoting your Souper Bowl of Caring event for 2009. As of December 1st, there are only 61 days until Super Bowl Sunday. In 2008, over ten million dollars was generated to help the hungry. One of the reasons the Souper Bowl of Caring is so popular is that each participating group gives the money or canned goods collected directly to a hunger-related organization of its choice. Information and inspiration can be found at www.souperbowl.org. Deborah Phillips, Hunger Action Enabler deborah@presbyteryeasttn.org |
| News from John Knox Center |
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Retreat: Body and Soul
 "You couldn't have asked for a better weekend." said one of the 7th Annual John Knox Center Women's Retreat participants. With crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and colorful fall foliage John Knox Center was once again the perfect setting for a relaxing weekend of fellowship and spiritual retreat for women from around East Tennessee. Jill Murphy, Keynote Speaker, brought Esther to life as a down-to-earth practical woman struggling to do the right thing in a stressful situation. From cooking up tasty treats and crafting Thanksgiving d�cor to taking in God's creation on a glorious fall afternoon either hiking or canoeing, ladies had the opportunity to experience fellowship and Sabbath rest. Hands down the most popular activity is always massage therapy. Thanks to Denise Martin (Bethel Pres.) and Jacqueline Culp, both certified Massage Therapists, who provided 30 minute or one hour massages. Cozying up to a crackling fire in the Dining Hall one retreat goer said, "I look forward to this weekend all year. I wouldn't miss it!" You shouldn't either! Save the date for next year's event, November 6-8, 2009. Check the John Knox Center website at www.johnknoxcenter.org for registration and updates coming in 2009!
Annual Advent Dinner at John Knox Center
The Annual Advent Dinner for all church professionals and their families will be held on Friday, Dec. 5th. For more information, go to the John Knox Center website www.johnknoxcenter.org and click on Calendar of Events.
"Sew and Reap" Sewing Retreat - Jan. 16-18, 2009
Enjoy a fun weekend with "the girls" chatting, sewing, and exchanging ideas. Spend as much time as you like sewing, bring a book and relax, or catch up with old friends. Our relaxed schedule allows you to enjoy the get-away as you like. All sewing and continental breakfasts take place in Abel Lodge with meals by the fire in our cozy Dining Hall. For more information, click here.
2009 Events at John Knox Center
For a PDF file of the 2009 John Knox Center Calendar of Events, click here. |
| Princeton Forum on Youth Ministry |
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Sharing not only the Gospel...but also our lives
April 27-30, 2009
Exploring the perils and possibilities of relational youth ministry For conference details and registration, click here. Our own Emily Anderson, pastor of New Providence in Maryville, is the Conference Preacher! She is coauthor of Can We Talk? Conversations for Faith, a confirmation curriculum. |
| PCUSA Young Adult Ministry Conference |
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Austin Presbyterian Seminary, May 27-30, 2009
The Young Adult Ministry Jam Conference will be held at Austin Presbyterian Seminary, May 27-30, 2009. GA Moderator Bruce Reyes-Chow and Carol Howard Merit, author of Tribal Church, will be featured speakers. The goal will be to connect with other ministries and to share ideas and strategies in order that the whole denomination's young adult ministry will be strengthened.
For more information, click here. |
| New Vision News |
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NEW VISION CHRISTMAS REPORT
It's the season of giving, and New Vision is still attempting to give away an outdoor, personalized banner to each church in PET! If your church hasn't ordered a banner yet, please email Donna Hoppestad at 2008newvision@gmail.com right away to supply your information.
The Equip Team and the New Vision Committee have lots of ideas and resources available to congregations in the areas of transformation and visioning and can assist your church with planning and training - if you have a question, just ask, and we'll let you know if we can help or get the information and resources you need.
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| News and Events Around the Presbytery |
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The Erin Stage Company at Erin Presbyterian Church presents:
It's a Wonderful Life
by James W. Rodgers
Adapted from the classic Frank Capra movie
Nov. 28-30, Dec. 5-6
Directed by: Suzanne Curtis
Erin Presbyterian Seeks Mission Partners
We are interested in seeing if other churches would like to partner with us. We have a group that was trained in October at Living Waters for the World, and we would like to send a group to Guatemala in the spring of 2009. Churches who are interested can contact us at outreach@erinpresbyterian.org or the church phone number 865-588-5350. |
| Quick Links |
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Mission Team Blogs:
The Tool Box - Equip
Resources for ministry, conference announcements, grant application forms, etc.
Care Cafe - Support
Special events for clergy and their families, area clergy lunches, conference info, link to BOP, etc.
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