RESOURCES
COVID
Click HERE for a list of important resources, updated weekly, or click below to go directly to one of our resource pages:
|
RACE AND RECONCILIATION
Click HERE for a updated list of resources for your church.
NEW this week: Social Justice Resources for Youth Ministry:
|
|
NARRATIVE BUDGETS IN SMALL CHURCHES- VIRTUAL MEETING
August 20 at 6 pm
Join other area church leaders and Olanda Carr, Senior Ministry Relations Officer of Presbyterian Foundation (East Region) for an online workshop to discuss the questions:
“How do we create a Narrative Budget?”
“How do the challenges of a global pandemic inform our 2020 stewardship plans?”
|
|
Foothills Presbytery Memory Book
for Gordon Raynal
Gordon Raynal honorably retired on July 31, 2020 after serving in Foothills Presbytery since 1995.
We thought it would be a great gift to create a “Memory Book” for Gordon that reflects his life at Foothills Presbytery. In order to create the book, we will need your assistance. Please send us any photos you would like to share of Gordon from across the years. Any photos with Gordon are acceptable – just of him, of him with 1 or 2 people, or of him in a group. It would be very helpful if you can tell us the approximate year of the photo and identify the context for us – like name of others and location.
We plan to present the book to Gordon at the November 10 Presbytery meeting. Please submit your photos to us by October 6 – this will allow us time to create the book using the photos that we have received and have the book printed by November 10th.
|
|
Invite a Presbyterian Co-Worker for a
Virtual Visit With Your Church
Staying connected in God’s mission during and after the pandemic
by Tammy Warren | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — Until in-person visits can resume safely, there has never been a better time to invite mission co-workers to visit your congregation virtually than right now. Read More
|
|
Collaborative Build with
Habitat for Humanity and
Congregations of Foothills Presbytery
Congregations of Foothills Presbytery will be working together on a project with Habitat for Humanity/Greenville. The home is on Jim Logan Court in the Saluda Bluffs area of Greenville. The house will be taken down to the studs and rebuilt. Westminster is the organizing partner for this ministry and supporting congregations include: Eastminster, First Greer, Fountain Inn, Grace Covenant, John Knox, Providence, First Simpsonville, St. Giles and Trinity.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the start date for this build has been set back several times. Habitat policy has several statistical marks concerning the spread of the virus that must be achieved before volunteers can safely be brought on site. As soon as those parameters have been met, volunteers will be needed!
Work dates will be sent to supporting congregations as soon as available and will be added to the newsletter. Individuals or groups from other congregations may also want to participate and are welcome and encouraged to do so. If you would like information about dates and volunteer needs, please email Peggy Swann at: peggysswann@gmail.com.
|
|
NECROLOGY Report
At Foothills, we have traditionally had an annual recognition and celebration of the deaths of ruling elders, teaching elders, and teaching elder spouses. A few years ago we moved this to our November presbytery meeting in honor of All Saints.
We ask presbyters to give prayerful recognition of the life and service of those ruling elders, teaching elders, and teaching elder spouses whose lives on earth have ended.
If you know of any Ruling Elders, Teaching Elders, or Teaching Elder spouses that have passed from November 2019 until now and should be honored at our November 10, 2020 Presbytery Meeting, please notify us by email to wtempleton@foothillspresbytery.org.
|
|
Children’s Educators Gathering
Thursday, August 20
11:00 am
We will meet by Zoom.
Zoom meeting ID will be sent to Christian Educators from Ginna. Please contact LeAnne White at the Foothills Presbytery office with any questions.
|
|
Upcoming APCE Sponsored Zoom and Webinar Events
- Engaging Volunteers for Remote Ministry – Thurs, August 20 – 2:00 pm EST
- Thinking Ahead to Advent – Wednesday, August 26 – 4:00 pm EST
All of these Zoom conversations can be found at:
https://apcenet.org/apce-zoom-gatherings/
|
|
Join us!
Youth Ministry Leader's ROUNDTABLE
Tuesday, September 1
12:00 - 1:30 pm
Zoom link will be emailed to the group.
|
|
|
The next gathering of Foothills
MUSIC MINISTRY LEADER’S
10:00 am
Wednesday, September 9
by Zoom
|
|
JESUS CHRIST AND THE 'DIVIDING WALL':
RACE AND GOD'S MISSION
DATES: October 7, 14, 21, and 28, 2020, at 7:30 p.m (ET)
VENUE: Virtual Online
OVERVIEW: Mission matters. Race matters. Are you or your church looking for resources on how to have deep conversations on race? As our nation continues to grapple with the consequence of racial injustice, we as Christians need to have a truthful conversation with one another on how our understanding of race impacts the way we engage in God's mission. Join us for this virtual McClure Lectures and WMI Month of Mission Series, where we will gather online for four Wednesday evenings to explore issues of racial justice with world-class speakers. This will be an opportunity to connect and learn with people from all over the country. Churches will also be organizing watch parties to gather their members for guided discussion following plenary presentations.
Besides these four lectures, there will be also five pre-recorded workshops that can be accessed and used in the future by participating churches and individuals.
This series is a combination of our planned WMI Conference and our annual McClure Lecture in World Mission and Evangelism, co-sponsored by Continuing Education at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary.
For more information and to REGISTER ,
|
|
FREE
Online Clerk of Session Training with Janis K. Blocker
September 1 from
7:00 - 8:15 pm
This Zoom session is designed to provide clerks with instructions for recording accurate and complete minutes. Each clerk will receive a checklist of items required for inclusion in minutes and a template for stated and special meetings of sessions and congregations. The workshop will also include the basic Robert’s Rules to facilitate meetings. If you have specific questions you would like Janis to address, submit them when you register.
You must register below for this training by Friday, August 28 to receive the online link and handouts for the training. There is no cost for this training.
|
|
This is a reminder that next month, SEPTEMBER, is PREPAREDNESS Month.
This is a great time to work on preparedness with your families, congregations and presbyteries. As disaster responders frequently say – communication is key to preparedness. I trust that during the past months of COVID-19 quarantine that you have instituted plans for staying in touch with members of your congregation and families as we have moved into virtual ministry. Probably many of you have been involved in the preparations for congregations to return to in-person worship. It is a difficult time, but also a time of opportunity!
Foothills Presbytery now has a trained, commissioned Disaster Preparedness Trainer in our midst. Earlier this month Rose Marie McDonald, a member of Fort Hill Presbyterian Church in Clemson, SC completed her training through the first ever Presbyterian Disaster Assistance virtual preparedness training event. Rose Marie completed all her online and offline requirements and now stands ready to help instruct congregations and others in successful disaster preparedness. If your group or congregation is interested in preparedness training, please contact Rose Marie at mrose@clemson.edu.
Blessings,
Rick Turner
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance
|
|
Two new e-learning opportunities that promote wholeness are now available from Board University:
Leaving Well: Navigating Transitions in Ministry and Work series, for members who are discerning a vocational transition at any stage of their career, explores topics such as laying the foundation for understanding change and transition, engaging the discernment process, leaving well, and beginning anew.
THRIVE E-Learning series redesigns our popular THRIVE retirement planning seminar as an online experience. For members within 10 years of retirement and their spouses or surviving spouses, this series covers topics such as financial planning and retirement healthcare options as part of a larger exploration of identity, health, and vocation in retirement.
|
|
Camp Fellowship Summer Update
The suspension of our traditional summer programs has been difficult for us physically, emotionally, and fiscally. However, in our plans to Re-imagine Summer 2020, we have never lost sight of our vital connection to camper families and the congregations we serve. Through partnerships with local congregations and a grant from Foothills Presbytery, we have been able to honor our commitment to the six summer staff members hired before the outbreak of the pandemic. Read More
|
|
Did you miss PAM’s
(Presbyterian Association of Musicians)
Worship and Music Conference?
Now for the first time you can register and experience the conference after it has ended!
You can view all 96 recordings of our conference content whenever you like – including Worship, Routley Lectures, Art Workshop, Concerts, Choral & Handbell Masterclasses, Programs for Children/Youth, and much more! These recordings demonstrate what physically distant worship can look like and can help supplement your church’s programming for the fall, especially during the current situation in our country.
|
|
Mission! Alert!
Attention!
Due to the pandemic, unemployment is high and as a result families in our communities are going hungry.
The churches of Foothills Presbytery can make a difference and it costs only a few cents a day! Cents-Ability (formerly 2 Cents a Meal) collects and distributes funds to food missions throughout the upstate and has been doing so for more than a decade. If your church has actively participated, please consider sending in your contributions today so they can be disbursed while the need is so great. Participants collect a few cents in appreciation for each meal; these are added to those of other Foothills congregations and can make a significant difference. If your church has not participated in the past, this is the perfect time to begin. If you know of a food assistance program in your area that should be added to our list of recipients, contact them and urge them to apply.
You can make a huge difference and it’s so simple, all you have to do is put your 2 cents in! Thank you for supporting Cents-Ability during this time of crisis and always!
|
|
Interested in having a Zoom Video Conference Meeting,
but you don't have an account? The Presbytery can help!
Foothills Presbytery has secured a second ZOOM account. This enables us to offer access to Zoom technology (to those churches who have a need) for session & committee meetings, and in some cases Bible studies & fellowship events.
If you have a request, please have your Pastor or Clerk of Session contact LeAnne White (via email) and include the following information:
- Name of person making request
- Church
- Phone
- Date for Zoom Meeting
- Time (begin and end) no more than 2 hours
- Approx number of those attending
|
|
Peace & Global Witness
Our work of peace and reconciliation is supported by gifts to the Peace & Global Witness Offering. These gifts also unite us with Presbyterian peacemakers across the country and the world who are active, not passive; who are doing, not waiting.
|
|
Vibrant Faith
There are several Master Class courses being offered right now. To learn more go to
Last Chance to Register:
|
|
Stewardship Technology:
On-Demand Interview
Transitioning to a Virtual Event During a Crisis
Invitations to approximately 2,000 attendees were ready to be mailed when Jana made the call to transition her live event to a virtual event. Listen to Jana's experience in an On-Demand interview. DOWNLOAD INTERVIEW
|
|
Missing Montreat programs? Take a look at our upcoming events HERE.
Montreat welcomes you to the mountains for Sabbath opportunities at the Assembly Inn. Learn more on our website.
The Montreat Store is open! Regular hours are Mon.-Sat. 11:00am-4:00pm. You can also call 828.669.5298 to place an order. Montreat Youth Conference t-shirts are available for purchase.
Read the summer This Week in Montreat updates from Richard DuBose, president of Montreat Conference Center.
|
|
Virtual 2020 STEPS
The August 29 event theme is
For a Time Such as This
(Esther 4:14)-
There will be two workshop sessions with three options each. STEPS will conclude with worship. There will be no registration fee, but participants must pre-register to receive the links to join the workshops. Worship will include a video of how you are being the church in these unprecedented times - please send pictures of your drive up stewardship campaigns, graduation celebrations, and food pantries, etc and/or screen shots of your zoom worship and education opportunities to
|
|
Virtual Conference Registration is Open
Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers they shall not overwhelm you. – Isaiah 43:1-2
Please join us in the Fall for three consecutive Tuesdays: September 22, September 29, and October 6 at 11:30 a.m. eastern/8:30 a.m. pacific. Each week we will hear theological, practical, and actionable perspectives. After the presentation a live Q&A session will follow – allowing additional time to share and learn further.
-
September 22: Hear from Eric Barreto of Princeton Theological Seminary on the Acts of the Apostles in the 21st century — imagination, vision, and creativity in responding to our call;
-
September 29: We will learn with consultant Bonnie Ives Marden about the ways in which faith shapes our financial health, and get practical tools for church financial management;
-
October 6: Rev. Bruce Reyes-Chow will provide perspectives on engaging congregations across generations, cultures, and ethnicity to imagine building the church for forward thinking funding and functioning.
A link to participate in the weekly events will be emailed to registrants a few days prior to each program.
|
|
Covenant Connections BLOG |
|
“Out of Chaos, Hope.”
August 1, 2020
The devastating EF3 tornado that struck the Seneca area last April 13th is long gone from the radar, literally and figuratively. There are newer stories for the media to cover and people not directly impacted have likewise shifted their energy and focus elsewhere, as is normal. It is something in the rear view mirror. However, unlike Camelot, where leaves are blown away neatly at night, Seneca and many of its residents continue to cleanup, recover and try to get their lives back in order, or at least cling to some hope that order can and will eventually come out of the chaos. It is and will remain a long- term recovery challenge for the city and so many individuals and families.
|
|
By Julianne Clayton
In college, I majored in Organizational Communication. I know that sounds pretty vague, but basically, the program was designed for students to explore what healthy, effective communication looks like for organizations, both internally and externally. It was not my original plan, but I settled on it because it was broad and I could see myself using it down many possible career paths. Plus, I figured I would enjoy most of the classes and most importantly, math was not a requirement.
One semester, I took a class all about different communication theories. We studied popular theories like GroupThink, Cognitive Dissonance, Agenda Setting, and Confirmation Bias, just to name a few. But in addition, each student had to pick a lesser known theory to study throughout the semester, spending time writing a term paper and presenting a final project. There were many theories that piqued my interest, but I ended up settling on the Theory of Dual Perspective.
|
|
SC5 Presbyteries Minister/Educator Retreat
October 26-28, 2020
"'A Word in Its Season': Effective Speech in the Bible and Our Fractured Political Moment"
Speaker: Sam Adams
|
|
Registration is now open for both sessions of our Mediation Skills Training Institute scheduled for this fall: October 5-9 and November 16-20, 2020. This popular and practical workshop helps clergy and other church leaders deal more effectively with interpersonal, congregational, and other forms of group conflict. Registrants will attend remotely via Zoom. A $200 discount is available to those who register by the discount deadline.
|
|
Mark your Calendars for these Upcoming Events |
August
20 Christian Educators Gathering (Zoom) and Narrative Budgets in Small Churches (Zoom)
22 PYC Planning Retreat
24 FP Staff meeting
27 Committee on Preparation for Ministry
29 S.T.E.P.S. Virtual 2020
September
1 Youth Ministry Roundtable
3 COM
7 Office closed in observance of Labor Day
8 Nominations Committee meeting and Representation & Review Committee meeting
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
