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Presbytery Meeting Digest
November 21, 2015
Present: Teaching Elders – 27; Ruling Elders – 37; Christian Educators - 1: Council Members – 4; Guests – 4.
Highlights of Presbytery:
- Council presented the first draft of the plan for branches.
- Recognition of Bronwen Boswell’s service to the Presbytery and wider church.
- Outreach Ministry Team announced the five grant recipients: Community Mission of Niagara Frontier, Inc., Family Promise, Love Inc of Springville, Genesis House of Olean and Jericho Road Ministries.
- First reading of the proposed 2016 Budget
Action Items:
- Moved that all ministry teams entering a time of Sabbath that currently have a representative on Council will retain their representation on Presbytery Council. Those ministry teams include Outreach Ministry, Congregational Transformation, Discipleship & Nurture & Clergy Recruitment, Retirement & Retention.
- Slate from the Nominating Committee for Committees was approved
- General Assembly Commissioners: Teaching Elders: Justin Marple, Dick Young; Alternate: Rachel Brown; Ruling Elders: Gladys Gifford, MaryAnn MacDonald; YAD Helen Siegel; Alternate Jackson Collis
- Moved to sell the Rice Road Property for $175,000
- Formed two Administrative Commissions: (1) Union Blasdell to seek a gracious separation as the church requested to be transferred to the Evangelical Presbyterian church, (2) Crittenden to assist in the closing of the church.
- Enrolled Rev. Dr Heather McDivitt as Inquirer for Preparation of Ministry
Next Meeting of Presbytery:
January 30, 2016
10:00am
Maryvale Drive Presbyterian Church
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Get a Free One-year Presbyterians Today Subscription!
Yes, you are reading this right. Presbyterians Today will send a free subscription to all of your friends or every member of your congregation, youth group, Bible study, presbytery, retirement home, or family.
Presbyterians Today has a new team of editors and writers—and a fresh new look. We are willing to bet that you like what you see by sending any non-subscriber a free one-year subscription with no strings attached. You will be saving your congregation or friends $24.95 with every free-gift subscription.
Of course, we’re hoping that you’ll be so impressed with Presbyterians Today that you’ll want to renew next year—but that’s entirely up to you.
In addition to a free subscription, every reader receives:
• Free Advent calendar
• Free Lenten devotional
• Free digital access to the entire Presbyterians Today website and archive
The small print: this special offer is limited to this email appeal and is only valid for new subscribers who live in the United States. You must enter the names and addresses online and submit your order on the web page.
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2016 Multifaith Calendars
The Network of Religious Communities is placing bulk orders for these calendars.
The more we order the more you save!
1-9 $14.95 each!
10-19 $12.50 each!
20-39 $10.50 each!
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Delivery by mid-December at the latest
Email or call Stan Bratton to discuss ordering nrc@religiounet.net
716-882-4793 ext 201
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Upcoming Multi-Church
Youth Group Events
Save the dates for these upcoming events:
Dec 29. Tuesday, Christmas Break Youth Group Day. 9AM-9PM. All day or parts of it. Meaningful Mission work, recreation, dinner, discussion, fellowship & games. 6th - 12th
Jan 15-16-17. Martin Luther King Winter Weekend 2: Fri evening to Sun morning. 6th-12th
Feb 13-14-15-16. Presidents Day weekend mission trip to Rochester. Fri evening to Monday afternoon. Staying at 3rd Pres and working at Cameron Community Ministries and other sites. 8th-12th graders and their advisors
March 6, Orchard Park Presbyterian hosts a HUNGER BANQUET from 5:00-7:00. 6th -12th
April 23. Buffalo Riverkeepers Spring Clean-up 10AM-3PM. Need 50-60 volunteers.
July 19-23. Presbyterian Youth Triennium. The Presbytery of WNY is providing a bus and Adult Advisors to this Life Changing Event. Rising 9th to graduated 12th.
August. Middler Mission Camp and a Weekend mission trip to Geneva Presbytery.
If you would like more information, or know someone else that should also be receiving emails about upcoming youth events, please email Rich Lash at richardlash@roadrunner.com or Mark Aquino at maquino@westminster-bflo.org.
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University of Dubuque Theological Seminary's CLP/CRE Program and Spring Course Offerings
The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary is pleased to announce that we will be offering nine online courses for Commissioned Ruling Elders in our CLP/CRE lay ministry program, scheduled from February 1 to May 13.
OUR TRADITIONAL EIGHT SPRING CLASS OFFERINGS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
Introduction to Old Testament – Rev. Martin Benckhuysen
Introduction to New Testament – Dr. Jim Gunn
Christian Education – Dr. Bonnie Sue Lewis
Pastoral Care – Dr. Beth McCaw
Reformed Theology – Dr. Gary Eller
Introduction to Preaching – Dr. Robert Hoch
Presbyterian Polity – Dr. Scott Nesbitt
Reformed Worship & Sacraments – Dr. Robert Hoch
NEW SPRING COURSE OFFERING: Christian Leadership Ethics – Dr. Richard Shaffer
For the 2015-2016 academic year, we have added two new courses to our CLP/CRE course lineup. During the Fall 2015 semester we offered Church Administration and Finance with Dr. Phillip Jamieson, and in the Spring 2016 term we are offering Christian Leadership Ethics which I am teaching. Christian Leadership Ethics will examine topics like sexual misconduct, confidentiality, boundaries, money, youth programs, volunteers, etc. and the implications for ministry. Both are essential for anyone who is preparing for successful service in the church.
Application and course information for our CLP/CRE program can be found at http://udtslearning.net/ and then click on “CLP/CRE Info” in the “Welcome” box under the news feed.
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Union Presbyterian Seminary 2016 Congregational Leadership Awards
Is your congregation or a congregation in your presbytery doing innovative ministry?
Union Presbyterian Seminary offers eight Congregational Leadership Awards annually. Since 1991, 117 churches in 29 states have received these awards. Each of the eight awards carries a $1,000 prize to support the congregation in its ministry. For more information and to apply for one of the 2016 Union Presbyterian Seminary Congregational Leadership Awards, you may download the brochure and application by clicking here or request an application by sending an e-mail to April Swofford at aswofford@upsem.edu or calling 1-800-229-2990, ext 231. The application and instructions are only available electronically. The deadline for the 2016 awards is FEBRUARY 15, 2016.
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