Eastminster Presbytery

E-News
for the Week of July 18, 2018
Business Administrator
P.O. Box 14439
Poland, OH 44514
330.505.2167
Business Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-3pm
General Presbyter & Stated Clerk
1201 E Market St #427
Akron, OH
479.461.4042
Presbytery Stated Meeting
September 4, 2018
Vienna Presbyterian Church
5:00 p.m.




ONE CHURCH, ONE BOOK: We are invited to read the Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis’ book, Always with Us? What Jesus Really Said about the Poor. This book seeks to challenge our understandings of poverty and provide a theological undergirding for anti-poverty work. The book is available for purchase on   Amazon.com . We plan to discuss the book at our September Presbytery meeting.
B OARD OF PENSIONS UPDATE: Rev. Doug Portz, Regional Representative, will offer a pre-presbytery presentation at our September meeting to inform us of updates and changes in BOP.
Attention Clerks of Session
All clerks of session and pastors with churches should have received an email regarding a meeting for the review of session minutes for the year 2017. There are two dates you are invited to attend:

* Saturday, September 22, 10 a.m., Mineral Ridge Presbyterian Church
* Sunday, September 23, 2 p.m., Firestone Park Presbyterian Church

We would like a registration form from all of our 45 churches. If the minutes have already or will soon be reviewed, please indicate that on the registration form.

Please print and fill in the checklist prior to meeting >> Checklist for Review
New Wilmington Mission Conference
All are welcome to attend the New Wilmington Mission Conference in New Wilmington, PA. The conference begins this Friday, July 20-July 27. If you are unable to attend the entire week, come for a day or even an hour. The "Morning Meeting" each day begins at 11:00 a.m. -noon (Saturday and Monday through Thursday) where the whole conference gathers for intergenerational worship. This year's Morning Meeting Speaker is Shane Bennett. Shane has served in missions mobilization since 1987, much of his energy going to recruiting, training, and sending short-term teams. He’s been on research teams in Bangkok, Bombay and Turkey. He coauthored   Exploring the Land , a guide to researching unreached peoples, and has written numerous articles. For more information and to register visit: NWMC (you do not need to register if just attending the worship service).
Board of Pensions
Employer Agreements, including costs for 2019 coverage, are now available on

Between now and October 12 , log on to Benefits Connect to review, update, and submit your Employer Agreement for 2019. The Agreement will determine the coverage available for employees to elect during annual enrollment, October 29-November 16, 2018 . It's important to log on to Benefits Connect to review benefits and costs and to submit an Agreement for 2019 -- even if you do not intend to make any changes.

See Selecting 2019 Benefits for information about plan changes and new offerings, eligibility, benefit groups, and considerations as you review, update, and submit your Employer Agreement for 2019. Case studies are also available for reference.
 
Here are additional resources:
All 2019 Employer Agreements must be submitted through Benefits Connect by October 12 .

If you have questions about your Employer Agreement, contact the Board at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN). Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Continuing Education Opportunities
The Leadership Institute of Union Presbyterian Seminary is offering continuing education opportunities for church administrators, clergy, and Christian Educators. All courses are online and are tailor-made for church members, pastors, educators, those preparing to become Commissioned Ruling Elders/Commissioned Pastors, and anyone else who is interested in learning more.Opportunities are available on campus and online! More information and registration can be found at: Union Seminary Institute
Excellent worship resource for congregations... . Dr. Marcia McFee  will be leading a Worship Design Studio Planning Retreat for congregational worship teams from September 9-12, 2018 at the Lake Junaluska Conference Center in western North Carolina. This retreat is a unique opportunity for pastors and congregations to outline their worship services for a full year as well as to equip their worship teams.
  For detailed information and to register: Planning Retreat

Around Eastminster Presbytery....
Positions Open:
* Westminster Church, Boardman has several part-time positions to fill: Financial Secretary, Christian Education Director, and Senior High Youth Director. Anyone interested in one of these positions should send a resume by August 1, 2018 to westch2@zoominternet.net or mail to Westminster Presbyterian Church, 119 Stadium Drive, Boardman, Ohio 44512. No phone calls accepted


* Canfield Church is seeking a Director of Music to coordinate all areas of the music ministry. This position includes direct supervision of the adult choir. There is also an adult bell choir but that will not be a requirement at this time. A current job description is available on their website: www.canfieldpresbyterian.org .  Please submit resume and letter of interest to: bookkeeper@canfieldpresbyterian.org .


Additional information regarding these positions can also be found on our Connections page at: eastminsterpresbytery.org .


Band Concert:  Liberty Presbyterian Church invites you to a Parking Lot Band Concert on Thursday, July 12th at 7:00 p.m. [rain date: Thursday, July 26 at 7:00 pm] For more information and to print a flyer >>> FLYER

Family Fun!: Tuesday, July 31st at 5:30 p.m. Lake Milton Church (942 Granview Road) is hosting Jungle Terry and his wild animals. The event is free for everyone! For more information about Jungle Terri, visit >>> jungleterryandhisfriends.com
Presbytery Staff & Officers: