MARCH 22, 2024

LENT IN OUR PRESBYTERY

This year during Lent we are featuring in this newsletter messages from some of our pulpits each week. For the Fifth Sunday in Lent, March 17, we highlight First Presbyterian Church of Waynesville with the Rev. Holly Davis preaching.

Ever seen a piece of toast with the image of a face on it? Find out more as Davis preaches from the Gospel lectionary text for the week, John 12:20-33.

Click on the thumbnail above or click this link to be taken to the message. You can find out more about our congregation at Waynesville by visiting their website.

Just one week left for these Lenten sermons, so let us know if you'd like to see your church in the spotlight. Otherwise we'll randomly select from our congregations.

Holy Week begins

As we enter into a sacred time, beginning with Palm Sunday, our thoughts are with our congregations, pastors and all the many people involved in worship. The Peace of Christ be with all y'all!

Integrating worship, activities

Rhythms of Wonder is the theme of the Arts, Recreation and Worship Conference scheduled for May 6-11 at Montreat Conference Center. The conference is designed for those who want to deepen their creativity, broaden their leadership skills and experience personal spiritual renewal. In addition to whole group worship and recreation events, participants select from a wide range of unique courses. Price goes up at the end of March.

FIND OUT MORE

Camp scholarships still available

Even if you've already registered for Camp Grier's summer programs this year, it's not too late to get some help with the cost. Scholarships are $500 and will be granted on a first-come, first-served basis until the fund goes dry.

DOWNLOAD DETAILS

APPLICATION

Join us in Montreat April 30

You won't want to miss the next Stated Meeting of your favorite Presbytery! This will be an in-person meeting at our traditional spring venue, the Anderson Auditorium in Montreat. Our Guatemala Partnership Team will be supplying the worship service.

Mark your calendars today for April 30!

COMING UP ON THE CALENDAR

MARCH 25: Guatemala Microloan Group meeting

MARCH 28: Youth Committee meeting

MARCH 29-APRIL 1: Presbytery office closed for Easter

MARCH 31: Happy Easter!

Join us for a Mission trip to Avery County

The Presbytery is heading to Avery County in May for some mission work in conjunction with Habitat for Humanity. The dates are May 19-24. Interested in lending a helping hand or hammer? Registration is open now with a May 1 deadline.

Cost for the week is $150, which includes food and shelter at the Gilmer Retreat Center. They also welcome day helpers, with no charge involved.

Get all the details by downloading the files below.

FLIER

REGISTRATION

VOLUNTEER GUIDE

Know a good contractor willing to travel?

We continue to assemble a team for a Mission Trip to Malawi April 9-25. What we really need now is a contractor who can join the team, with all expenses paid.

Looking for a person with building and contracting experience to help evaluate buildings, mostly one-story brick, and make recommendations on maintenance and steps that would be needed for solutions. We would be looking at buildings at the Ebenezer School and rural health centers. The person would not be doing work but helping to plan for work and determining best projects. Some projects may include solar or plumbing.

The person needs to be a team player, have an up-to-date passport, cultural sensitivity, and be willing to share with the Malawi Mission Committee their findings.

There is more information in the attachment & an application form. Bobbi White would like to talk with anyone who may be considering this opportunity (828-674-8671).

We are also interested in talking with anyone else who might want to be a part of the mission. Call today.

INFO & FORM

High school retreat teaches about mission work

Teens aid people in Lincoln County

Teens from congregations from east to west in our Presbytery gathered the weekend of March 8th at Unity Presbyterian for a High School Mission Retreat. Participants came from Trinity, Artisan, Unity, Shelby, East Burke Ecumenical Youth, Bryson City, and FPC Belmont.

Board of Pensions approves some changes

The Board of Directors approved a redesigned Benefits Plan of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), effective Jan. 1, 2025, that supports congregations and provides parity regardless of ordination status

Directors receive update on Medicare Advantage implementation

Increase in disability benefit approved

New dues incentive program announced

Want to know more about how these actions will affect your ministry and your minister(s)? Read the full summary of the latest board of directors meeting by clicking the button below.

FIND OUT MORE

Date set for Spring Gathering

The Presbyterian Women's Spring Gathering is scheduled for Saturday, April 20, in Upper Anderson Auditorium at Montreat. Nancy Midgette, Director of Research at the Presbyterian Heritage Center, will present a program on Hallie Paxson Winsborough, considered to be the founder of the Women's Auxiliary.

Cost to attend is $15. Lunch will be at Assembly Inn. An offering will be collected to benefit Presbyterian Disaster Agency. The program begins at 10 a.m.

ECLIPSE ACTIVIES

YOUR HOME

APRIL 8

Even though North Carolina is far from the path of the total solar eclipse next month, we should have a partial view (although always remember to protect eyes). Around the Table, a new initiative from the Office of Christian Formation, has home activities available for download.

DOWNLOAD FILES

BIBLE & MUSIC

MASSANETTA SPRINGS

JULY 21-27

Registration is now open for this event at the conference center in Virginia with an Early Bird price ending on March 25.

A conference for all ages of worship leaders, whether you are ordained or a layperson, staff or volunteer or congregant.

The 2024 theme is “A New Creation,” looking at themes of hope in Revelation and beyond.

For more information, visit this website.

SAVE THE DATE

EASTER SUNDAY March 31

OFFICE CLOSED March 29-April 1

PRESBYTERY MEETING April 30 at Montreat

IN OTHER NEWS

Regarding Ruling Elders celebrates 10th anniversary

Thousands of churches will likely close down. What happens to all that real estate?

Have a position open? Looking for an open position? Either way, check our our listings.

PWNC Job Listings

Share Your Good News With Us!

If you have items of interest to share with the Presbytery in the weekly newsletter, please email John Pea. We would also love to receive pictures of your congregation in action to share in this weekly update!

(Event information should be sent electronically, preferably with an image, 10 days in advance, for inclusion in the following week's distribution. Submissions may be edited for brevity. The General Presbyter or Stated Clerk will make final decisions about what may be included.)

The e-news publication goes out each Friday to members across the Presbytery. We look forward to sharing your good news!