Associate for Vital Congregations

203.873.7885 (call/text)

bryce@eastminsterpresbytery.org

Presbytery Calendar At-A-Glance

• Mar 18, CPM, Zoom, 6:30 p.m.
• Mar 20-21, GP Synod Gathering
• Mar 21, COM, Zoom, 5:30 p.m.
• Mar 24- 30, Holy Week
• Mar 31, Easter Sunday

Book of Order

The presbytery is placing another bulk order for the 2023-2025 Book of Order. If wanting to place an order, send an order form and payment to Eastminster Presbytery / PO Box 14439 / Poland, OH 44514. The form can be found by clicking HERE or visiting our website's Resource Page (scroll down to the FORMS section). Deadline: Friday, March 29, 2024.

Pastors Retreat

April 17 (Wednesday) - April 18 (Thursday)

Villa Maria Spirituality Conference Center

2067 Evergreen Rd, Villa Maria, PA 16155

The Rev. Jeff Eddings, Spiritual Formation and Coaching Associate for 1001 New Worshipping Communities of the Presbyterian Mission Agency, will be the facilitator for the retreat. 

Small Church Options Presentation

All churches in the presbytery are invited to attend the next presentation "Small Church Options: Possibilities for the Future of Your Church" that our General Presbyter & Stated Clerk will be presenting. The presentation will explore the range of leadership and facilities-use options that congregations across the country are using to continue their ministries while they struggle with the realities of aging buildings and declining membership. The presentation is open to anyone who wishes to attend but ideally pastors and sessions will attend the presentation as a group so that they can learn together and have conversations with the leadership from neighboring churches that might be possible partners in ministry. The date and location is below and will involve a light meal:

• 6pm-8pm on Wednesday, April 24 @ Heritage Presbyterian Church (Poland)

To help with meal and other preparations, please register for the presentation. If your session or church leaders are attending as a group, only one registration is needed.

Boundaries Training

As a reminder, all Teaching Elders, Commissioned Ruling Elders, Inquirers/Candidates Under Care, Ruling Elders Enrolled as Members of the Presbytery, Presbytery Staff, and individuals on the pulpit supply list are required to complete boundaries training at least every 36 months and submit a certificate of completion to the Stated Clerk in order to be in good standing. This training is one way to do that, but the Committee on Ministry will accept training done elsewhere so long as it covers the topics of sexual misconduct and youth/child protection. Please find dates and workshop information below in the Synod of the Covenant section.

WELCOME LUNCHEONS

Westminster, Akron, will host monthly "Welcome Luncheons" and invite our churches to attend. The gatherings will address the question "What does Welcome Look Like?" Join them on Sunday, April 28th where Rev. Brad Rito from New Covenant Community Church will talk about what welcome looks like for millennials. The May gathering will take place on May 19th and guest speaker will be Charles Gracie from the Bainard Rustin LBGTQ+ Resource Center who will talk about what welcome looks like for the LBGTQ+ community.

The Welcome Luncheons begin at 11:45 a.m. but you are also invited to attend their worship service beforehand at 10:30 a.m. The church asks that folks contact the church office at 330.836.2226 or westminsterakron@gmail.com with your intent to attend to assist with food preparation.

STATED CLERK OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY

We live in volatile times

Acting Stated Clerk urges Presbyterians to get involved and be in connection with one another - Randy Hobson | Office of the General Assembly - March 19, 2024

LOUISVILLE



As this year’s presidential election kicks into high gear, voters are bracing for a brutal campaign season. Internationally, violence in Gaza and Ukraine have left thousands dead, injured, and homeless, with no end in sight.

In a conversation with Communications Director Rick Jones, the Rev. Bronwen Boswell, Acting Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), urges Presbyterians to stay in relationship with one another, regardless of differing opinions. (Click video link below to watch full conversation).

Ministry Engagement Advisors

Ministry Engagement Advisors can tell you about the various ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency and Office of the General Assembly, guiding you through ways to engage and support them financially. They can also direct you to resources that will help you engage in other ways. If you would like to connect with our Ministry Engagement Advisor, Lauren Rogers, or have questions about the April events listed below, please contact her at lauren.rogers@pcusa.org or 502-974-7697.

April Calendar

Matthew 25 Continued Conversations: Vital Congregations

Wednesdays Apr. 3 & 17, 3-4:30 PM EST

Join ministry leaders for support, explore the 7 marks of Vital Congregations and share questions, ideas, challenges and resources. Register Here!

Matthew 25 Continued Conversations: Eradicating Systemic Poverty

Thursdays 11 AM – 12:30 PM EST

Join ministry leaders for support and share ideas, dreams, challenges, and resources. Register Here!

Imagining a future beyond systemic poverty and structural racism

Monday, Apr. 15 7 PM EST

Is such a future possible, probable, or just a passing, polly-annish wish of well intentioned do-gooders? If it is possible, what then? Join Rev. Jermaine Ross-Allam, Director of the Center for Repair of Historic Harms and Dr. Corey Schlosser-Hall, Deputy Executive for Vision and Innovation from the Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) to sanctify our stunted imaginations toward a future God might be pulling us. A future where systemic poverty and structural racism are history. This is one of two Zoom-versations seeking to catalyze solutions-focused imagination, attitudes, planning and actions. Register Here!

Presbytery Staff & Officers:

• Rev. Barry Chance / General Presbyter and Stated Clerk / barry@eastminsterpresbytery.org
• RE Diane Eliser / Associate for Administration / diane@eastminsterpresbytery.org
• Bryce Wiebe, MDiv. / Associate for Vital Congregations / bryce@eastminsterpresbytery.org
• RE John Pogue / Acting Presbytery Treasurer / johnpogue730@gmail.com
• Rev. Paul Anderson / Council Moderator / panderson@polandpresbyterian.org
• RE John Graves / Presbytery Moderator / john.h.graves@outlook.com
• Rev. Annie Parker / Presbytery Vice-Moderator / heritagechurch.pastorannie@gmail.com