Eastminster Presbytery

E-News
for the Week of April 10, 2019
For correspondence mailing, please use the appropriate mailing address:
General Presbyter & Stated Clerk
1201 E Market St #427
Akron, OH
479.461.4042
Business Administrator
P.O. Box 14439
Poland, OH 44514
330.505.2167
Business Hours: Tuesday-Friday 9am-3pm
Presbytery Calendar at a Glance

  • April 11, Resource, First, Mineral Ridge, 2:00 p.m.
  • April 22, Council, First, Barberton, 3:00 p.m.
  • April 23, AMC, First, Youngstown, 4:00 p.m.
SAVE the DATE
Presbytery-wide Vital Congregations

You have probably heard a lot about the Vital Congregations Initiative by now. Eastminster Presbytery has been chosen to be a part of this life giving conversation that will take place across the presbytery in churches and among leaders and pastors. We have 7 churches that have officially signed on and a group of 12 who will be attending an event in May to learn more about the process and start planning for those participating churches. 
 
There is still time for your church to be a part of the Vital Congregations Initiative! The Presbytery is holding an overnight retreat at the Loyola Retreat House outside of Canton on May 31-June 1st . This retreat is designed to help us all further understand the program and what will be asked of participating congregations over the course of the next three years and to begin fostering closer relationships between our congregations.
 
If your church has agreed to be a part of Vital Congregations, please send a delegation! If your church has been discerning if this is right for you, please send someone to join the retreat! If your church is sure they do not want to participate at this time, you can still send some folks to the retreat to see what your sister congregations will be up to over the next three years. We will all benefit from what God is doing through the Vital Congregations Initiative and hope you will join us on this journey.
 
Watch for additional information and details in our weekly E-News newsletter or contact Rev. Cathy Ulrich , Rev. Jamie Milton , or Rev. Francie Fischer
Calling All Youth!

It is time to get READY for the 2019 Presbyterian Youth Triennium (PYT)– a gathering for high school age youth (entering 9th grade through graduated 12th grade) from the Presbyterian Church (USA). This year's Registrar for Eastminster is Erika Carcelli from Poland Presbyterian Church. Erika will will be at the March 5th Presbytery meeting with additional information or you may contact Erika at Poland Presbyterian Church (330.757.1547).
Capital Grant Opportunity for Historic Congregations

The National Fund for Sacred Places is a grant-making program of   Partners for Sacred Places  in collaboration with the   National Trust for Historic Preservation . The National Fund is guided by an   Advisory Committee , bringing together faith leaders, architects, and philanthropists from across the country to inform the grant-making process. Through this partnership, roughly 50 houses of worship will be awarded $10 million over 4 years beginning in 2016. The National Fund is made possible by generous financial support from the  Lilly Endowment, Inc ., with additional support in 2019 from the Gerry Charitable Trust. A grant-making opportunity is available in support of major capital building projects for historic houses of worship — the National Fund for Sacred Places. Letters of Intent for this year’s funding cycle will be accepted through May 1. 
 
Information about the program and application process can be found by visiting the program website at: www.fundforsacredplaces.org . 
Leadership Workshop

Dr. Joan Gray will be leading a spiritual leadership workshop intended for all church leaders, deacons, elders, and ministers. She will be in Norwalk, Ohio on June 8. That is the eastern edge of Maumee Valley and the invitation is extended to Eastminster and Western Reserve Presbyteries. Click on the link below for details:

Growing into Tomorrow…Today Seminar

Board University of the Board of Pensions will be conducting Growing into Tomorrow…Today, our two-day pre-retirement seminar, on June 3-4 at St. Francis Retreat Center in DeWitt, MI by request of the Detroit Presbytery. This seminar is open to Board of Pensions plan members and their spouses or guests, who are in the area and 15 or less years away from retirement.

A flier is available with detailed information by clicking HERE or click on the link for registration https://www.cvent.com/c/calendar/c4c2ee7c-7013-4b5b-9e27-232702f181fd
(Registration will remain open through the week of May 20.)
Beaver Creek Church Camp

Beaver Creek Camp has existed for over fifty years, supported by Presbyterian churches in the Upper Ohio Valley.  The primary purpose is to provide Christian Camping during the summer months. Camp facilities are available for other uses during select weeks throughout the summer when  summer camp is not in session. Many weekends are also available during the summer, along with most days during the fall and spring months. Available dates can book up as early as a year in advance, so early reservations are recommended to secure facility use. For more information about Beaver Creek Camp visit beavercreekcamp.org or download the 2019 camp schedule.
Covenant Gathering 2019 
July 7, 4 pm - July 12, 11 am
Geneva Retreat Center
 Rochester, IN
Join other Christians for Covenant Gathering 201 9  at beautiful Geneva Retreat and Conference Center in the gently rolling hills of north-central Indiana as we share amazing "What If" possibilities of faith in God's Kingdom. Covenant Gathering is a little bit conference, a little bit vacation with facilities for all abilities!!!

Visit www.covenantgathering.com  for more information or to REGISTER.
Continuing Education Opportunity for Financial Persons

The Mid Council Financial Network Conference through The Presbyterian Mission Agency has secured a date and place for the 2019 conference. This event is a continuing education and training opportunity for synod, presbytery, and church financial persons . Details are as follows:
 
Dates:                                November 20-22, 2019
 
Location:                           Wyndham Virginia Beach Oceanfront
                                           5700 Atlantic Avenue
                                           Virginia Beach, VA 23451
                                           (Group Room Rate $69 + tax)
 
Hotel Reservations:         Select the link below and enter requested information:
 
 
If making reservations by phone, please call the hotel at (757) 428-7025 and reference the “2019 MCFN Conference of the Presbyterian Church” for the reduced rate.
 
Online Registration will open in July. In the meantime, if you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (888) 728-7228, extension 5542.
Scholarship for Seminary Students

The Omaha Presbyterian Theological Seminary Board of Trustees began the Apollos Program in 1954. The first scholarship was awarded directly to seminarian James H. Costen. The mission of the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation is to seek, develop, and support excellence in Christian leadership through the Presbyterian Church (USA).

Eligibility Requirements:
An Apollos applicant must be:
1. An individual who possesses qualities of excellence for ministry
2. A member of a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation
3. Currently under the care of a Presbytery as an Inquirer or a Candidate
4. Accepted or enrolled as a full-time student in the Master of Divinity, Master of Arts or Dual degree program in one of the 10 Presbyterian seminaries.

The Latest News for Employers from the Board of Pensions

To keep Employers connected with what is happening at the Board of Pensions, read the latest edition of the Employer News >> Click Here.
Around Eastminster Presbytery
  • New Covenant Church, Akron
Welcome Backpacks for Immigrants
Throughout the season after Epiphany, in which the One who is the Light of the world shines upon the world, the congregation at New Covenant Community Church embarked on a mission project to provide “welcome backpacks” for the immigrant community. Our “welcome backpacks” included personal hygiene items (toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, washcloth, hand towel), items for children (stuffed animal, crayons, coloring books), simple food items (granola bars, crackers, snacks, bottles of water), and a Spanish/English dictionary, note pads, and pens. On Transfiguration Sunday, the backpacks were dedicated to the glory of God and to the service of our fellow human beings.
In gratitude for of our project, Katie Salupo (who is distributing these backpacks to the immigrants who are released from the detention centers and then transported across the country) wrote:
Words cannot express how grateful I am for your generous gift of welcome bags for our immigrant friends. When these gentlemen are released they have nothing but the clothes on their backs & their release papers. Giving them these bags for their travels is so very appreciated. Not only do they have essentials for their trip, but they are shown kindness for the first time since entering our country. You are showing these young men the very best of our country, kind people with generous hearts .

Position Description
First Presbyterian Church of Salem, Ohio is seeking a Financial Secretary .

Responsibilities
The Financial Secretary will have general responsibility for accurate accounting procedures related to receiving and dispersing church funds. 

Qualifications
Applicant must be a high school graduate with a two-year accounting degree or equivalent experience. They need strong computer skills and must be proficient in multiple computer programs such as Excel and Word. Experience with ACS or equivalent non-profit software preferred.

Strong people skills are necessary.  Integrity, accountability, reliability and conscientiousness are required.  Applicant must pass a background check.

The Financial Secretary must maintain strict confidentiality and will adhere to the policy on confidentiality of the church.

Special Job Requirements
This is an hourly part time position requiring 16-20 flexible hours per week. Pay range is from $10-15 per hour. Applicant must be able to negotiate steps.

A complete job description is available upon request.

Send resume to:
Attention: Personnel Committee
First Presbyterian Church of Salem
436 East Second Street
Salem, Ohio 44460-9744



  • Columbiana First Presbyterian Church and Columbiana HUB

April 6 @ 10:30 am - 3:00 pm
St. Paul’s School , 925 East State Street 
Salem, OH 44460 United States  + Google Map

Director Jo Barto and Pastor Fritz will help participants explore, celebrate and embrace their spiritual gifts through this day of prayer, contemplation and spiritual listening. During morning plenary, participants will learn about spiritual gifts and be assisted in identifying their own gifts. The afternoon will be spent praying and meditating on those gifts through scripture, through art, through silence, labyrinth walking and more. Includes lunch. At St. Paul’s School, Salem. $20 Registration fee. Retreat will include the following guided sessions: ..... Find out more

April 27 @ 10:00 am - 2:00 pm

Spend the morning & early afternoon celebrating resurrection at Lamppost Farms. The event will include special "stations of the farm" prayer walk. Includes lunch.    $20.00 REGISTER HERE     or Find out more »


First Church would like to invite you to the Schaff Lectures on April 30, 2019 with guest speaker Dr. James K.A. Smith . Schedule for the evening includes a 4:00 p.m. seminar, 5:00 p.m. dinner (with reservations) and 7:00 p.m. public lecture. Please call 330.744.4307 for more information or to make reservations.



Mission Housing at Canfield Presbyterian Church
We are an ideal home base for meaningful service that makes a difference!

We have newly renovated accommodations including:
- Lodging for 25- 30 people
- Separate sleeping rooms for men and women
- 28 comfortable cots available
- Separate restrooms and shower room facilities for men and women (handicap accessible)
- Access to a fully equipped kitchen

For more information, registration, or a downloadable brochure click >> Mission Housing



Soma Sonic Series – Copley
Brain Gym & Sound Tuning
at The HUB Community Center
Saturday, April 13, 2019
12.00 pm – 6:00 pm
It's all energy. Everything is! We are energy vibrating at different and unique frequencies. Soma Sonic Series was designed for you! You'll learn how to consciously and joyously integrate, balance, harmonize and attune your body-mind-spirit through Movement and Sound.  Each interactive session provides immediate and accessible tools, techniques and practices for optimal health, wellness, and performance. Learn to manage stress, optimize your energies, balance, integrate, tune, attune and align your frequency to match and attract your dreams and desires.

Women’s Bible Review Fellowship
Study of The Prodigal God By Pastor Tim Keller
At The HUB Community Center
Thursday, April 18, 2019
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
The Women's Bible Review Fellowship of The Vine Fellowship Church will gather in the Café at The HUB Community Center on Thursday, April 18, 2019 from 1:00 -3:00 pm to study the final two chapters of The Prodigal God by Pastor Tim Keller entitled the Feast of the Father. Join us. RSVP by texting or calling Suzanne@ 330.322.7966 to plan for seating by April 17, 2019.
Presbytery Staff & Officers: