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What If Stewardship Were a Reason
Instead of a Season?
The averted gaze when a member of the stewardship committee approaches. The neglected pledge forms. The Stewardship Sunday sermon the pastor secretly (or not so secretly) dreads giving. The annual stewardship campaign is a rite of autumn that must be endured. Right? Or, could stewardship be about abundance rather than scarcity? What if stewardship was a reason instead of a season? Read more of Nancy Crowe’s article here
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During Stressful Times,
Two New Devotionals for Advent
Draw Us Closer to God
While the stresses of life today remain large, we can find God in the simple, ordinary things, argues Jill Duffield in her new devotional, Advent in Plain Sight: A Devotion through Ten Objects. Another way to draw closer to God during Advent while also remaining mindful of the pandemic and the stress of this contemporary moment is to look for God to surprise us, argue Thomas Long and Donyelle McCray in their new devotional, A Surprising God: Advent Devotions for an Uncertain Time. Approaching the Advent season this year, all Christians can find comfort, reflection, and deep conversation with God using either of these exciting new resources. Both are designed for individual or group use.
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Audio Tips for Hybrid Worship
The worship experience is still centered around audio, much more than the visual. After all, would you rather listen to a worship service that you could not see, or watch a service that you could not hear? As more churches provide hybrid worship, offering both online and in-person experiences, it is easy to overlook the importance of good audio both in the building and online. Here are a few basic things to think about. If I have used some technical terms that you want to research further, Google and YouTube are convenient, helpful resources. Click here
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Regarding Ruling Elders
“O taste and see that the Lord is good …” (Psalm 34:8) Leaders taste. I am a fan of church potluck suppers. Being nurtured at the Japanese Presbyterian Church in Seattle, I have memories of tables overflowing with sushi and teriyaki chicken. I remember Mom getting up early on Sunday morning to make the dish for the potluck and my mouth watering as we drove to church with the food. Neuroscientists talk about our senses of taste and smell as being our strongest memory triggers. Jesus ate a lot. In the gospels, it seems that at every turn Jesus was sitting down and eating… To read the rest of this article by Rodger Nishioka go here
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Putting the Fun Back in Fundraising:
Ideas to Inspire and Encourage Giving
This Presbyterians Today article by Emily Enders Odom reports that all told, 2020 was a year of unprecedented Presbyterian generosity with Presbyterians giving directly to ministries of hunger relief, disaster assistance, education and witness. The innovative fundraising initiatives employed by congregations, mid councils and individuals to support such mission campaigns as #GivingTuesday 2020, the four Special Offerings and the increasingly popular Presbyterian Giving Catalog were a hallmark of a year when Presbyterians in greater numbers continued to build the kin-dom of God through acts of financial stewardship. And not only did more people give, but they also gave from the heart as they found themselves becoming better informed and more actively engaged in the many faces of Presbyterian mission. Read the entire article and get some suggestions for fun fundraisers here
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What’s a Digital Disciple?
How can we not only “watch church” but actually give people the opportunity to live out their faith and participate?... How can we use the technology to facilitate a personal connection?... This Digital Disciples group, as defined by Fong, is an online Facebook group of members of the church who are already active online. “Don’t attempt to get your entire community as part of this group at the beginning,” Fong said. “Concentrate on church members who are online.” Read the entire article here
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Conferences, Gatherings, and Events
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Gathering Around Books (The GAB Group)
4th Friday of each month, 5:30 p.m.
Do you love to read and discuss what you have read with fellow bibliophiles? If so, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church invites you join them for a monthly discussion facilitated by Parish Associate Lib McGregor Simmons of a fiction or non-fiction book which may not be overtly religious, but contains content and themes that can be discussed from a faith perspective.
The discussion is open to anyone who loves to read and discuss what one has read with fellow bibliophiles. Even if you have not finished the book, you are invited as we talk about these short stories with particular attention to themes related to faith and religion. We will discuss Abide With Me by Elizabeth Strout on September 24. Register to here to join. You will be sent an automatic Zoom link upon registration. |
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In the late 1950s, in a small New England town, Reverend Tyler Caskey has suffered a terrible loss and finds it hard to be the person he once was. He struggles to find the right words in his sermons and in his conversations with those facing crises of their own, and to bring his five-year-old daughter, Katherine, out of the silence she has observed in the wake of the family’s tragedy. One reviewer has written, "in one beautiful page after another, Strout captures the mysterious combinations of hope and sorrow. She sees all these wounded people with heartbreaking clarity, but she has managed to write a story that cradles them in understanding and that, somehow, seems like a foretaste of salvation.”
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Up Next
October 22: Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston
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Horizons Bible Study
What My Grandmothers Taught Me
The class meets via Zoom on the last Sunday evening of each month from 7-8.
The next meeting is Sunday, September 26.
Led by Rev. Lib McGregor Simmons
Find more information and register HERE.
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PCUSA Year of Leader Formation
There is one more webinar in the Faith Formation in the Future series!
When: Tuesday, September 28, 2021 from 12:00-1:30pm
Topic: Planning for 2022 & Beyond: A Faith Formation Planning Clinic
Presenter: Catherine (Catzel) LaVecchia
This webinar is in the form of a clinic to guide churches in developing a plan for post-pandemic faith formation using the ideas and strategies presented in the webinars. The goal is to help each church build a plan, build capacity for implementing the plan (support systems, resources, people, etc.) and develop the strategies for implementing the plan.
Catzel LaVecchia is the Director of Lifelong Learning at Church of the Presentation, Upper Saddle River, NJ. She has a Master’s Degree in Pastoral Ministry and Religious Education and a Certificate in Church Management from Villanova’s Center for Church Management.
To register go here. The cost is $10 and registered participants will receive a recording of the webinar. The webinar series is sponsored by the five SC presbyteries and the South Atlantic and Puerto Rico (SOAP) Region of the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators.
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Community Youth Forum
First (Scots) Presbyterian Church
Sunday, October 3, 5-7pm
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Richard Kannwischer
Contact James Rogers with any questions or if you would like to bring your youth. Dinner will be provided. There is no cost to attend. |
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Leader's Luncheon
Dr. Rich Kannwischer, Pastor/Head of Staff at Peachtree Presbyterian Church in Atlanta, GA, will also be offering a message to pastors and educators at an outdoor Leader’s Luncheon hosted by First (Scots) on Monday, October 4, at noon. Please RSVP by calling the church office 722-8882.
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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.
- 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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Second Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall
342 Meeting Street, downtown Charleston
Start cleaning out your attic, garage, closets, cabinets, and drawers for the Second Annual Church-Wide Tag Sale! To make this successful, we need all lightly used, clean clothes, games, furniture, small appliances, garden items, kitchen gadgets, holiday decor, etc. that you've got waiting for a second chance at a new home. Donations are now being collected! The cut off for dropping off donations is Monday, October 4th.
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Youth Ministry in an Era of Pandemic
and Over-Parenting
Join Dr. Andrew Root online Monday, October 18 from 7:00-8:30 (EDT)as participants explore “Youth Ministry in an Era of Pandemic and Over-Parenting” and turn toward story to reimagine what youth ministry can be. The event is sponsored by the Institute for Youth Ministry at Princeton Theological Seminary. The event is $14, you can register here.
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You are invited to join The Fresh Start divorce support group.
Become renewed and revitalized with this Christian program.
There is life after divorce!
WHAT: A program for those who are divorced or separated.
WHEN: Wednesdays 4:30 - 5:30pm, October 20, 27 and November 3, 10 and 17
WHERE: First Scots Presbyterian Church
BOOK: The Fresh Start Divorce Recovery Workbook by Bob Burns and Tom Whiteman. Available through First (Scots) or online.
RSVP: To Rev. Tracey Daniel, tdaniel@first-scots.org by October 6
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OUTSIDE THE WALLS (now all virtual)
Join other church educators in the APCE SOAP Region (SC, GA, FL, and Puerto Rica) for "Outside the Walls," our 2021 Regional Event, scheduled for November 4 - 5, 2021, We are excited to welcome Reverend Aisha Brooks-Lytle as our keynote speaker, and Eric Nanz will lead us in worship. Our time together will be filled with worship, plenary sessions, break-out discussions. Register here. The cost is $75.
Questions about the Event? Contact Andrea Paschal
Questions about registering for the Event? Contact Jan Williamson. |
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Churches Can Gain Insight on How to Form Partnerships to Fight Poverty
The Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP) will host a virtual discussion next month with New Mexico Women’s Global Pathways and a host of community leaders and clergy from around the country to help churches build authentic relationships to fight poverty. Registration is open now for “The Struggle is Real! How the Church Can Understand Ways to Listen, Engage and Form Relationships with Communities to Eradicate Poverty.” The forum and dialogue session will take place via Zoom from 4 p.m. through 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time on Oct. 29. To learn more about the event go here and register here.
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Presbyterian Older Adult Network (POAM) Annual Conference
October 26-28
Vibrant and Faithful Aging: Legacies Across Generations
The National POAMN conference is featuring Donna and Dennis Haines from Missouri, leading our music and worship. The Keynoter is internationally recognized author and speaker Missy Buchanan, from Texas. She along with our workshop leaders bring a wealth of knowledge, wisdom, and experience in addressing the many aspects associated with aging. The conference planners are working with technology partner GNTV Media Ministry to bring you a quality and informative virtual experience. The total cost for three days is only $75, and if your time is limited you will be able to use the pass code issued only to paid registrants to watch at your leisure after the conclusion of the conference. For more information and to register go here
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Save the date and make plans now!
Learn More HERE
Contact Janie Bruce with any questions |
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Mackay Presbyterian Mission – Presbyterian Home Services Ministry
The Presbyterian Home Services Ministry is a ministry created by the Mackay Presbyterian Mission in order to serve as an intermediary between people, churches or entities in need of some kind of residential maintenance or construction services with people or groups of Hispanic/Latino workers in our community. Sadly, our families often face economic, health and safety insecurity due to the lack of employment or the lack of fair compensation for work performed. The ministry has been created to help alleviate some of those concerns. The following are a list of services offered by the ministry:
- Painting
- Metal Roofing
- Roof Shingles
- Wood Framing
- Porch
- Siding
- Screened Porch
- Install Windows
- Wood Flooring
- Concrete flooring
- Foundation
The procedure will be as follow; the Mackay Presbyterian Mission receives a request of service, then we contact qualified/competent personnel who can effectively and satisfactorily complete the request. The person or group interested in the service will receive a quote for the requested work. All economic negotiations will be between the party requesting the service and the person or group that will perform the service. The Mackay Presbyterian Mission will not receive any economic compensation for any involvement. Charleston Atlantic Presbytery does not endorse the particular contractors nor does it warrant the work. For more information and to contact the Mackay Presbyterian Mission: 843-714-9752; terriereco@yahoo.com
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*Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church has Knights of North Castle VBS items to donate to any church who would like to have them. This includes curriculum, stage props, and craft items. Please contact dwiard@mppc.net for more information.
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There are many great employment opportunities available in our presbytery and partner ministries. You can read more about the following positions on our WEBSITE or by clicking the link in the postition title.
- Chaplain, The Village at Summerville, PCSC
- Temporary Supply Pastor, New Wappetaw Presbyterian Church
- Director of Christian Education (Certified), First (Scots) PC
- Director of Christian Education (non-certified), First (Scots) PC
- Communications and Volunteer Coordinator, First (Scots) PC
- Director of Children's Ministry, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church
- Organist/Pianist or Music Director/Organist, Yeamans Park Presbyterian Church
- Director of Sales & Marketing, The Village at Summerville, PCSC
- Community Engagement Coordinator, Thornwell Home for Children
- Senior Church Relations Manager, Thornwell Home for Children
- Director of Audio-Visual Ministries, Peace Presbyterian Church
- Charleston Area Supervisor of Family Therapy, Thornwell
- Youth Ministry Intern, First (Scots) Presbyterian Church
- Youth Intern, Mount Pleasant Presbyterian Church
- Stated Supply, Estill
- Administrative Assistant, Wallingford Presbyterian Church
- Church Administrator, Hebron Zion Presbyterian Church
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Future Presbytery Meetings
September 18, 2021, via Zoom
December 14, 2021, Location TBA
All meetings begin at 9:30 am.
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