News From the Presbytery of Transylvania
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Smaller congregations are great places for kids to grow up!
The Presbyterian Outlook
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*editor's note- Thanks to Julie Olt (and others) for sharing.
Everywhere I have lived, I’ve heard similar sentiments about where people want to bring their kids to church. Nearly every parent I talk to says it’s all about the programing. Is there Sunday school? Youth group? Will someone take my kid on a mission trip?
These are valid questions about some good options. In each town where I’ve served, the churches who offer these options tend to be the places where all the kids and families go. I can’t say I blame parents – it makes sense to go where friends are – but church and faith formation are about so much more than programs and events.
I don’t want to fault churches with large, well-run programs who are doing the work of God in the world, (I am grateful for the ways they are using their gifts)! I am so glad parents are making the effort to get their kids there. I am impressed with the dedication of the volunteers it takes to execute excellent programing.
However, there is a part of me that wants to scream, “Hey, give us a chance!”
As a seminary intern and pastor, I have only served churches with mixed-age Sunday school classes. It is a challenge to teach everyone from 2-12 in the same room. I have done it, and it gets chaotic! I watch a small but dedicated group of volunteers tackle this task every week because they believe firmly in teaching our children about a life of faith. So when you ask if we have Sunday school, the answer is, YES! Do we have a huge education wing and flashy programs? No. Yet, we do have folks who will know your child and love him. This week my daughter celebrated a birthday and, in the mail, came a card signed by that blessed team of volunteers. They know her name and birthday and that she has an undying love for animals. They lovingly sit with her when she ends up on her own in a pew because Mom is preaching, and Dad is doing tech. None of this is because she is the pastor’s kid; this is how each of the children are loved.
...
Read the Full Article
HERE
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From time to time, I receive questions on various issues. If you have a question or something you’ve always wondered about, send them to me at
statedclerk@transypby.org
and I’ll address it in a future newsletter.
Here’s a question I received recently:
Does the clerk of session have a vote in session meetings?
A. Yes
B. No
C. It Depends
Answer: C. It depends.
The Book of Order requires that a clerk of session be an ordained elder (G-3.0104
Officers
). If the clerk is an active elder, then the clerk would have a vote in all session decisions. The Book of Order allows that the clerk of session may be an elder not in active service (see G-2.0404
Terms of Service
which explains active and inactive status). In that case, the clerk would not have a vote when decisions are made.
Blessings,
Rev. Jerry Utt
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DEADLINE COMING SOON!!!
TRI-PRESBYTERY YOUTH RETREAT
REGISTER NOW!
November 8 - 10 2019, @ Cedar Ridge Camp, Louisville, KY
Psalm 121 - "See And Be Seen"
How do others see you? How do we see ourselves? How does God see you?
Featuring Co-Moderator of the PC(USA) Vilarie Cintron-Olivieri, Keynote
All youth 6th - 12th Grade from across Kentucky
Fellowship and Fun with our Presbyterian friends in Kentucky!
CONTACTS: Hannah McIntyre, Danville (hannah@presbydan.org)
COSTS (includes listed meals, all activities, tee shirt):
Full weekend (two nights, Breakfast, lunch, dinner Saturday; breakfast, lunch Sunday) $70
One night: lunch, dinner Saturday, breakfast, lunch Sunday: $50
Daytime only: Lunch, dinner Saturday, lunch Sunday: $30
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Walnut Hill Church
Ecumenical Sunday
October 6, 2019
Featuring: Dr. Alton Pollard III
Dr. Alton Pollard III, President of Louisville Seminary, will be the featured guest at Walnut Hill Church on Sunday, October 6, for the congregation’s
Ecumenical Sunday
observance. Held annually on the first Sunday of October,
Ecumenical Sunday
provides an opportunity to celebrate and explore Walnut Hill’s identity as “an Ecumenical Church.” Dr. Pollard will talk informally during the 10am hour and preach at the 11am worship, which will include the Lord’s Supper. Refreshments and fellowship will follow the worship hour. For more information, call the church office (859-263-5304).
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Kentucky Council of Churches Annual Assembly Registration is now Open!
October 24-25
First Baptist Church, Morehead, KY
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RECLAIMING JESUS!
We are living through perilous and polarizing times as a nation, with a dangerous crisis of moral and political leadership at the highest levels of our government and in our churches.
It is time to be followers of Jesus before anything else—nationality, political party, race, ethnicity, gender, geography—our identity in Christ precedes every other identity. We pray that our nation will see Jesus’ words in us. “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35).
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Church Openings and Other Jobs
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There are a number of Pastoral Opportunities available in the Presbytery. If you know of anyone who might be interested in one of the following positions, please share this information with them.
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FACILITIES MANAGER- First Presbyterian, LEXINGTON
First Presbyterian Church, Lexington is searching for a part-time facilities manager. The position description can be found at the link below. Please contact
Mark Davis
if interested.
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PASTOR- First Presbyterian, London
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CHILDREN & YOUTH DIRECTOR- First Presbyterian, Winchester
First Presbyterian Church of Winchester has an immediate opening for a part-time Children & Youth Director. The Director would function to assist in the development and implementation of the mission and ministry of the children and youth of the church. The Children/Youth Director will: plan a program and curriculum for the children/youth with the assistance of the CE Committee and the Pastor, meet with the children/youth or their parents outside of the Sunday service, and plan activities that are not part of the normal Sunday service. This is a 10 hour per week position with 4-5 hours per Sunday. The remainder of hours are to be used to meet with the children/youth or their parents, 1-2 times per week. If interested, candidates should submit their resume to Pastor Ryan at:
ryanbradney@gmail.com
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First Presbyterian Church in Paris- Part-time stated Supply
First Presbyterian Church is located 18 miles from Lexington on the scenic Paris/Lexington Road, is looking for a part-time stated supply minister to lead worship and preach each Sunday, administer the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper, moderate the session and congregational meetings, visit the sick and shut-in, and lead funeral services upon request.
We are a small church but have a strong music program and a full-time Music Director. We are active in the community with music and art after-school programs.
Please consider our congregation if you are looking for a part time position. Direct inquiries to Rogers Barde, Clerk of Session, 859-987-1225.
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OCTOBER
5- Presbyterian Women Fall Gathering, 10am, Camp Burnamwood
8- Coordinating Commission- 5pm
10- Nicholasville Vision Team- 2-6pm
23- Pastoral Transitions Commission, 10am, Winchester
24-25- Kentucky Council Of Churches Annual Assembly, Morehead, KY
30- Administration Commission, 3pm, Second, Lexington
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OCTOBER
10/8- Andrew Bowman- 1 year
10/12 Michael Brothers- 33 years
10/18 Keith Benze- 10 years
10/19 Roger Dermody- 22 years
10/20 Bob Shaffer- 64 years
10/24 Steve Pace- 15 years
10/26 Ernest Stricklin- 67 years
10/26 Jackie Lindberg- 22 years
10/27 Jerry Utt, II- 17 years
May God continue to bless your ministry!
If we have missed your ordination anniversary or have incorrect information, please email
rjustus@transypby.org
so we can update your information.
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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)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining!"
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