08511
July 16, 2008
Presbytery and synod news
CLEVELAND — On Aug. 5, the Presbytery of Western Reserve is sponsoring a reception for the Rev. Catherine “Kitty” Borchert, who is retiring after many years as the presbytery’s stated clerk.
Borchert, who is renowned for her knowledge of Presbyterian polity, has served the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) at all levels, including a stint as director of the Advisory Committee on Social Witness Policy.
LOUISVILLE — Mid-Kentucky Presbytery has published the first issue of “Joining Hearts and Hands,” the newsletter of the presbytery’s first-ever capital campaign.
A cooperative venture with the $40 million national campaign of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) with the same name, Mid-Kentucky’s campaign is focused on four key initiatives: expanding the youth and young adult ministry with the Presbytery’s historic African-American congregations; launching a new Hispanic/Latino ministry to reach out to those individuals who are new to the area; establishing a new Presbyterian church in the rapidly expanding Mt. Washington area of Bullitt County south of Louisville; and supporting PC(USA) mission workers Laura and Bruce Whearty, who are serving as teachers in Ethiopia.
LEXINGTON, SC — Trinity Presbytery is sponsoring another trip to the Gulf Coast to help with the ongoing post-Katrina recovery effort.
The group will travel to Pearlington, MS, to spend the week of Sept. 28-Oct. 5. Pearlington is an unincorporated community which has been overlooked by government help and funds in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Pearlington was dubbed “ground zero” because the eye of Katrina passed right through the town. Population prior to the storm was 1,600. Today population is estimated at 800.
Volunteers will experience a unique sense of community in Pearlington. Hot lunches are provided daily at the First Missionary Baptist Church, and homeowners often join the volunteers for dinner and fellowship at Presbyterian Disaster Assistance’s Volunteer Village, where the group will be staying.
SEATTLE — The Synod of Alaska-Northwest is sponsoring the 2008 edition of its annual Interim Ministry Training Aug. 3-8 at Palisades Retreat Center in Federal Way, WA.
Faculty includes the Revs Tom Green, Scott Lumsden, John Oerter, Lucia Oerter and Carol Shellenberger.
The synod’s basic interim training program consists of 60 contact hours plus a practicum. The contact hours are divided equally between two residency weeks of 30 hours each, separated by the practicum, which combines reflection on, and experience in, some aspect of interim ministry.
IOWA CITY, IA — The Presbytery of East Iowa is still seeking donations and volunteers to help recovery from devastating floods that inundated the region this spring.
Financial donations are needed to buy building materials. Checks may be sent, payable to the presbytery and marked “2008 flood relief, to The Presbytery of East Iowa, 1700 S. 1st Avenue, Suite 23, Iowa City, IA 52240. All administrative costs will be absorbed by the presbytery and 100% of donations will be used for flood relief.
Volunteers are needed to help clean out homes, but the presbytery is asking for one week’s notice in order to coordinate the work sites. Interested volunteers should call the Presbytery office, 319-354-9220, and ask for Richard.
MINNEAPOLIS — At its July 8 meeting at Buffalo (MN) Presbyterian Church, the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area welcomed the Kenyan Christian Outreach Fellowship into the PTCA — the presbytery’s first immigrant fellowship.
The church is led by Rev. Michael Nguru Kamau, whose membership was transferred from the Presbytery of Nairobi, of the Presbyterian Church in East Africa to Twin Cities Area.
The congregation, which worships on Sunday afternoons, says in its mission statement: “We focus on actively bearing witness to the gospel, building and nurturing relationships through our love, prayer, support and acceptance of one another.”
EVERETT, WA — North Puget Sound Presbytery is promoting a workshop series for parents of teens that begins July 23 at Terrace View Presbyterian Church in Mountlake Terrace, WA.
“Parenting Your Teenager” equips moms and dads, grandparents, and teachers to recognize common patterns, plan effective strategies, and build character in teenagers. The six lessons feature relationship experts Les and Leslie Parrott.
LANCASTER, PA — The Peace, Justice and Care of Creation Department of Donegal Presbytery, in partnership with Presbyterian Women, is sponsoring the presbytery’s first Mission Fai on Sept. 20.
Featured guests at the event — to be held at Leacock Presbyterian Church in Paradise, PA, will be the presbytery’s mission partners from Mthatha Presbytery in South Africa.
The fair will also include displays by a variety of mission groups and the presbytery’s congregations and workshops on such topics as the Africa mission partnership, the Presbyterian Hunger Program, Presbyterian Women and the mission experiences of a number of the presbytery’s congregations.
EAGAN, MN — The Synod of Lakes and Prairies’ Synod School is set to run July 27-Aug. 1 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, IA.
The theme of this year’s school is “Coloring Outside the Lines,” and will explore how the church can move beyond timidity and try new things.
Keynote speaker is the Rev. Scott Nesbitt, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Clinton, IA. The school also includes a variety of activities for Presbyterians of all ages.
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