Exciting News From
Your GP!
Guess what is on the way? "On the Western Front"! What's that you ask?
Click here to see the debut video from Byron as he begins this series of videos which will tell about the mission and ministry of PWNC.
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COVID Update/October Presbytery Meeting Now Virtual
A communication from PWNC's General Council was distributed last week with updated information concerning COVID protocols and the move of our October Presbytery Meeting to a virtual Zoom meeting. If you missed seeing that correspondence, you can click here to review what was sent out.
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Artisan Church Launched!
For we are what God has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life. (Ephesians 2:10)
The following excerpt was taken from The Artisan Church's new website:
"We are created. And we are under construction. But not only are we the creation, but we are called to partner in the creation. We are called to be creative as the master artisan is creative. In this new community of faith, we will be exploring new pathways in worship and we will find ways to lift up and even partner with artists and artisans in the area. We will make radically welcoming spaces where no one is excluded and everyone is safe. Everyone will be invited to build one another up as we draw closer to the creator together."
Artisan Church held their first service Sunday and they had 49 people attend, including 11 children! God is doing exciting things in Lincolnton. If you are interested in seeing the worship service, you can watch it on their website at this link.
This new worshipping community is in partnership with the Presbytery of Western North Carolina and Unity Presbyterian Church. Reed Conley is the organizing pastor.
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Both Byron Wade, our General Presbyter, and Cam Murchison, our Stated Clerk have been the victims of an email phishing scam recently. If you received a strange email from either asking for a favor, it is a hoax, so please do not reply or interact. Someone has set up fake email accounts and will try to get the recipient to interact by purchasing gifts cards that the scammer will then convert to money.
Remember, no one on Presbytery staff will ever send you an email asking for an unnamed favor, expecting you to respond by email. If you ever receive such a request, please delete it immediately and let us know by phone of the occurrence.
If you would like to report such an email, you can contact Google here:
https://support.google.com/mail/contact/abuse
People that received the email scam can mark it as phishing per these instructions:
https://support.google.com/mail/answer/8253?hl=en
We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused you.
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Logos for PWNC
We are still searching for a new logo! Over the next couple of months, we will be sharing some newly designed logos in our publications. Look in Byron's Presbytery report for a page showing all those that have been presented to date. Feel free to tell us what you think by emailing Byron or Tonya at the Presbytery office.
We look forward to hearing from you!
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YAV's Arrive in Asheville!
This year's Young Adult Volunteers arrived Sunday, August 29th and began at their work sites on Thursday, September 2nd.
An introduction to this year's YAVs can be found here.
Please keep them in your thoughts this week as they transition to Asheville!
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Want to learn more about retirement savings tools? Ask Fidelity!
Participants in the Retirement Savings Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) are invited to a 30-minute, interactive, virtual presentation filled with tips and a quick tour of NetBenefits, your online retirement resource from Fidelity Investments (Retirement Savings Plan recordkeeper).
Get to Know NetBenefits, hosted by Dan McCarthy, Fidelity Retirement Planner, is a free webinar designed to help you manage your NetBenefits account, review investment options and performance, access educational resources, and use calculators and other modeling tools as you plan for your financial goals with confidence. Following the presentation, Dan will answer your general questions. Participants can also schedule a complimentary, one-on-one consultation with Dan.
From creating an emergency savings fund and managing expenses, to improving your investing know-how and growing your savings, NetBenefits has the resources you need to take the next step on your financial wellness journey.
Tuesday, October 5, 2021
Noon ET
· Select Attend a learning event.
· On the next page, enter The Board of Pensions of the PC(USA) as the employer, choose Virtual as the event type, and use the calendar icon to select October 5 as your event date.
· Click the green Register button, provide the requested information, and click the blue Schedule Event button to complete your registration.
Not in the Retirement Savings Plan?
If you do not currently participate in the Retirement Savings Plan, talk with your employer today about enrolling. All employees who work for a PC(USA) church or affiliated employer can participate if their employer offers the plan to them. If your employer does not offer the RSP, ask them to contact the Board of Pensions at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).
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Presbyterian Women Publishes Newsletter
The Presbyterian Women of PWNC recently released its August Newsletter.
Click HERE to see what was shared!
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Day by Day
Spiritual Practices for Educators
Calling All Educators!!
Join PWNC's Christian Education Committee for a FREE event with Stephanie Fritz from OGA on Thursday, October 14th at 11:30 a.m.!
As an added bonus, there will be a drawing for a door prize for all who register by October 1st!
Don't miss out on this great opportunity! Get signed up now!
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Presbyterian Planning Calendar 2021-2022
The Presbyterian Planning Calendars are available to purchase directly from the PCUSA Store at a cost of $16.95 each.
Books of Order and Books of Confession, along with other resources are available as well. Click here to visit the store.
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The Leadership Institute is committed to equipping and inspiring church and ministry leaders. Our desire is to foster the continuing, ongoing process of leadership and professional development for pastors, educators, and lay leaders alike. We invite you to explore how we may partner together to strengthen our witness and service to the church in the world.
Current online courses and continuing education events being offered can be found at this link. For more information about these and other programs of the Leadership Institute, please visit our website.
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Monthly Webinars Offered
The Soul Repair Center will be offering free monthly webinars in the months ahead of us to religious leaders and professional caregivers supporting veterans and their families.
“Effective Care for Male Survivors of Military Sexual Trauma”
Tuesday, September 28, 2021
2:00 pm Eastern Time
There will be time for discussion among the presenters, and time for questions. A recording of the webinar will be posted on the Soul Repair Center's website and the VOA's YouTube channel within two weeks of the webinar. Register at this link.
The webinars are co-sponsored by the Shay Center of VOA.
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Canton Flooding Update
The flooding in Canton NC and surrounding communities on Tuesday, August 17, was swift and devastating. There has been loss of life, homes, and property in the area.
Here is the latest update that was sent out. To find out how your church can help with food service, click here.
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Hurricane Ida Relief
God is our refuge and strength
therefore, we will not fear, though the waters roar and foam.
— Psalm 46
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is mobilized and already delivering immediate aid to those impacted by Hurricane Ida. The initial assessment of the damage is staggering. The needs of those impacted is changing daily because of lack of access to power, refrigeration, water and housing. This will be a long-term commitment to the people impacted by this catastrophic destruction.
PDA will continue to work with Presbyterian leadership to respond to Hurricane Ida and remain engaged in the recovery efforts during the hurricane season of 2021, during which several named storms are expected to impact the region. After initial needs are addressed, PDA will remain — providing emotional and spiritual care and Long-Term Recovery to address unmet needs.
We invite you to join in this effort.
The needs for the response will be great. God’s people are called on to stand in the "GAP" — Give. Act. Pray.
GIVE. ACT. PRAY.
GIVE: Gifts can be made online, by phone at (800) 872-3283 or by check, which can be made payable and mailed to Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.
ACT:
PRAY: God of Compassion,
With sighs too deep for human words, we come to you again in prayer, lifting up the sorrow, the trouble and the weariness of so many of your peoples. For those whose homes and communities are torn and flooded by the winds of Hurricane Ida, for those who abide in darkness and in oppressive heat, trying to begin the work of rebuilding, especially for those whose resources and access to help are tenuous, hear our prayer.
Oh, God of all things: There is so much. May your Spirit expand our vision, sustain our attention, and deepen our compassion and commitment: For neighbors in Haiti, grieving loss, working to mend bodies and lives, moving rubble, hoping for help, weary and weighed down. For neighbors fleeing fire in western states, violence and fear in Afghanistan, for people everywhere who suffer loss of home, community, livelihood, hope.
Help us to be part of your healing, your Wholeness, your hope. In the name of the Christ our justice and our life. Amen.
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Opportunity for Safe Gatherings Training for Congregations in PWNC
Some churches have asked whether Presbytery might help in providing training for their volunteers who work with children, youth and vulnerable adults. In addition to the policy that was adopted by PWNC last year on child and youth protection, we have made arrangement with the Safe Gatherings organization to allow any congregation of the Presbytery to have their volunteers access online training that may help ensure safety in their ministries.
Here is a brief description of the course that is available:
Safe Gatherings Training Course is a comprehensive training empowering leaders to protect children, youth and vulnerable adults through greater awareness of:
o Sexual predators and their habits
o Types of abuse
o Signs of abuse
o How to respond to disclosure of abuse
o Mandatory reporting
o and more!
To begin the registration process, click here This takes you to the home page. To register for the Safe Gatherings Training Course, click the red button at the top of the page labelled “Get Started.”
The next page will ask you to establish your own account, working your way through several pull-down menus. After you choose “Church or Faith Based Organization,” then “Presbyterian” as the denomination, you are asked to indicate your specific organization. Begin typing “western” and the option for the Presbytery of Western North Carolina will appear. Next you will enter your personal information to establish your account with a password. This will take you to the next screen where you enter additional details and agree to terms of service. On the following screen you are asked to pay $24.00 for your course online with a credit card. Churches may work out arrangements with their members for reimbursement as needed. When you take the final quiz for your course, presbytery will receive a notification that you have completed it. On request, the Presbytery office can certify whether a particular individual has completed the course.
If you encounter any difficulties in this process, please be in touch with Cam Murchison (cmurc1@gmail.com; 404-556-8041) or with Tonya Williams (twilliams@presbyterywnc.org; 828-438-4217). Thanks for joining us in exploring new ways to ensure healthy and sacred boundaries in PWNC.
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Mission Trip Opportunity for PWNC |
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The Mission Committee of Presbytery has worked closely with those in the Eastern part of North Carolina to set up a mission trip to help with flood damage.
Below you will find links to helpful information about the trip. Feel free to share this information with others who may have an interest in going.
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Fall Work Trip Scheduled
October 10-16, 2021
Wilmington NC
Cost: $75 per person
Financial aid available upon request.
Team size is limited to
15 people. (2 slots available!)
**A COVID-19 vaccine is required to participate in this trip.**
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Click the button below to see current job
opportunities in our area listed on the PWNC website.
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