Eastminster Presbytery

E-News
for the Week of September 11, 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

 Sept 12, Nominations Committee, First Church-Mineral Ridge, 10:00 a.m.
Sept 12, Resource Committee, First Church-Mineral Ridge, 2:00 p.m.
Sept 15, First Vital Cohort Gathering, Heritage Church-Poland, 3:30 p.m.
Sept 27-Oct 3, International Peacemaker, Rev. Lydia Neshangwe visits Eastminster
Presbyterian Planning Calendars

The bulk order for the 2019-2010 Presbyterian Planning Calendars have arrived! If you placed an order and have not been contacted by Diane, please call (330-505-2167) or email diane@eastminsterpresbytery.org to make arrangements for delivery/pick up.
Vital Cohort Gatherings

September 15 - Heritage Church, Poland Getting to Know You
October 13 - First Church, Mineral Ridge = The Vision of Vital Congregations & 7 Marks
November 10 -Firestone Park, Akron = The Vital Congregations Initiative

Time for each session is 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Please plan to arrive about 10-15 minutes prior for registration. We plan to start promptly at 3:30 p.m.). These gatherings are intended for pastors, church leaders, and church members who have already committed to, or are interested in learning more about, the Vital Congregations initiative. You are encouraged to attend all three dates as each gathering will build on the previous month's gathering. 

To help with planning, please register by clicking >>> Vital Cohort Gatherings
DiscipleFest 2019
October 12, 2019 / 10:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Poland Presbyterian Church
Keynote: Rev. Kristin Stroble

Our 2019 DiscipleFest will engage you in creative, spirit-inspired worship, and equip you with ideas to take back to your congregations. Thank you to the churches who have already agreed to participate in the "Ignite Talks" that will take place throughout the day. If you or your church would like to share a creative, life-giving thing that is happening in your congregation (5 minutes or less), please submit to Diane at diane@eastminsterpresbytery.org. A link for registration will be posted on the webpage and available in next week's E-News.
International Peacemaker Visit
REV. LYDIA NESHANGWE OF ZIMBABWE WILL BE IN EASTMINSTER PRESBYTERY : SEPTEMBER 27- OCTOBER 3.

Several opportunities are available for a chance to either meet with Rev. Neshangwe or to hear her speak. We hope everyone in Eastminster Presbytery takes advantage of these exciting opportunities!

  • First Presbyterian Church (28 E Park Ave, Columbiana, 44408)

Being Neighbors Forum w/ Rev. Lydia Neshangwe Saturday September 28 , 9:30 - 1:30 THE HUB conference center @ First Presbyterian, Columbiana $10. Includes lunch.

Join Presbyterian Peacemaker Lydia Neshangwe and local activists for a discussion of building relationships across economic, cultural and racial boundaries. Co-sponsored by Midway Mennonite Church, Columbiana. Register at columbianahub.org .

  • Westminster Presbyterian Church (1250 W Exchange St, Akron, 44313)

Rev. Neshangwe will be speaking at Westminster Church of Akron at 2 p.m. on Sunday, September 29 . That discussion forum will be followed by a light reception and the official kick-off of a new, periodic Jazz Vespers Worship service to be held at 4 p.m. that day. All are welcome to attend but please contact the church office at westminsterakron@gmail.com

  • Heritage Presbyterian Church (1951 Mathews Road, Poland 44514)

Wednesday, October 2
5:00 p.m. Potluck Dinner
6:00 p.m. Guest Speaker, Rev. Lydia Neshangwe.

Please join us for a potluck dinner (bring your favorite dish or dessert to share) followed by an opportunity to meet Rev. Lydia Neshangwe. We ask that you contact the church office at 330-707-9031 or hpcsecretary@yahoo.com by Monday, September 30 with your reservation in order to help with planning.
It’s time to select benefits for 2020

Your Employer Agreement for 2020 is now available on Benefits Connect through October 11, 2019. This is your annual opportunity to review, select, and change your benefits offerings for the following year. The selections you make on your Employer Agreement will determine the options available to your employees during annual enrollment, starting in late October.

Costs for 2020 now available
When you log on to Benefits Connect to complete your Employer Agreement, you will see the costs of benefits for 2020. The following dues for Pastor’s Participation remain unchanged:
  • Medical dues are 25 percent of effective salary.
  • Pension Plan dues are 11 percent of effective salary.
  • Death and Disability Plan dues are 1 percent of effective salary.
Medical coverage rates for employees enrolled through menu options are specific to your congregation and are affected by your location, as medical care costs vary throughout the country, as well as demographic factors, such as the average age of your employees in the plan. Unlike commercial health insurance carriers, the Board of Pensions does not build a profit into these rates. We are committed to wholeness and mutual care, and that is reflected in our plans.
PCUSA - Special Offering

Peace & Global Witness Offering materials have been sent to all congregations with standing orders. Additional materials can be ordered by calling Customer Service at
(800) 533-4371. You can also download resources, find images for digital promotion, videos, and more on the newly-redesigned website:

The Presbytery of Detroit along with the 1001 New Worshiping Communities National Staff
invite you to join us:
1001 New Worshiping Communities
Regional Gathering
Sept. 27-28, 2019

First Presbyterian Church
600 North Brady
Dearborn, MI 48124

A 1001 regional gathering is
designed to prepare and sustain church leaders for the next generation
Hosted by mid councils/churches and led by 1001 New Worshiping Communities national staff, our regional gatherings will help prepare, equip and sustain leaders for the church in the 21st century.
 
While the focus and skills taught at regional gatherings are in the context of starting New Worshiping Communities, the content can easily be transferred to local churches.
 
Join us at this Presbyterian Mission Agency event as we come together to encourage and support our existing worshiping communities and mid council leaders.


Continuing Education Opportunity
October 18, 2019
DiVieste's - $35 / 6 CE Hours

S afe and Together: Domestic Violence, Substance Abuse, and Mental H ealth
Many child welfare cases involve multiple issues, including substance abuse, domestic violence, and mental health issues. Often these are seen as "co-occurring" and families are sent to different service providers for each issue. But, research shows us that they are often points of intersection related to each other. This  advanced training  explores these intersections and looks at how perpetrators can use substances or mental health conditions as another means of control; how adult and child survivors turn to substances to cope; and the impact of domestic violence on victims' ability to secure treatment.

For more information about the seminar and registration click on the link below



Around Eastminster Presbytery
  • First Presbyterian Church (28 E Park Ave, Columbiana, 44408)

Biblical Families: Finding Grace Amidst Dysfunction A four-part class on the ways our families work and the ways they don’t Led by Rev. Fritz Nelson and Patti Smith, LCSW Wednesdays, 7:00 pm, Sept. 25; Oct. 9, 23; Nov. 9 THE HUB Conference Center at First Presbyterian, Columbiana

For more information and to register for these events visit >> columbianahub.org
Presbytery Staff & Officers: