Presbytery News
Lackawanna
Lackawanna Presbytery Calendar
Click here for upcoming events around Lackawanna Presbytery.
Philadelphia
Fall 2022 Anti-Racism Book Study
The Presbytery of Philadelphia is continuing its presbytery-wide book study focusing on issues of race, racism and anti-racism. The book study will be held Mondays in October (3, 10, 17, 24, 31) at noon, via Zoom. The presbytery has been grateful for the opportunity to engage important works and to build connections in the region. This fall’s book is “You Mean It or You Don’t: James Baldwin’s Radical Challenge” by Jamie McGhee and Adam Hollowell. Learn more at You Mean It Or You Don’t (prayingwithjamesbaldwin.com) The book is available now.
More information and a link to the Zoom meetings is available by clicking here.
Presbytery of Philadelphia Calendar
Pittsburgh
1001 New Worshiping Communities Accelerator
1001 New Worshiping Communities is hosting an event at Pittsburgh Theological Seminary from Aug. 29-Sept. 1. The Accelerator is the foundational class for those that are starting a New Worshiping Community or even thinking about it and can be helpful for existing congregations as well. The newly redesigned Accelerator is designed to walk leaders through many of the aspects of leading a NWC. This will be three days of learning and practical application of skills for those that are leading New Worshiping Communities.
The training includes topics such as self-care, fundraising, Presbyterian distinctives, dealing with failure, developing a leadership team and more. These topics were structured by a team of NWC leaders that have gone through the process. This is free program and includes hotel, meals and program. The only cost is transportation to the event. You can register by clicking here.
More information on the training is available by clicking here.
Fall Confirmation Kickoff Retreat
Crestfield Camp and Conference Center in Slippery Rock, PA, will hold a Fall Confirmation Kickoff Retreat on Sept. 24-25. This retreat is part 1 of this year’s new PCUSA Confirmation Series. It is designed to give your students an introductory framework for confirmation.
Led by the Rev. Brian Wallace, it will cover such topics as “The Core Teachings of Jesus” and “What it Means to be a Disciple.” Ample time will be provided as well for team and relationship building activities within church groups. While this retreat can be attended as a stand alone event if that is the best option for your church, we do encourage you to consider attending both our Fall and Spring Confirmation Retreats as they will be designed to bookend the Confirmation year.
Arrive Saturday at 9 a.m. and depart Sunday at 9 a.m. For registration information, click here.
Pittsburgh Presbytery Calendar
Redstone
Shenango
Soul Shop for Leaders
The Presbytery of Shenango will hold a Soul Shop for Leaders workshop Thursday, Aug. 18, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church (125 N. Jefferson St.) of New Castle, PA. This is a one-day workshop designed to equip faith community leaders to minister to those impacted by suicide. This includes the creation of worship resources, training congregation members in suicide awareness and basic conversation skills, and the how to extend the invitation to those who have been suicidal in the past to share their stories.
This workshop engages the question of how to cultivate a soul-safe culture within your congregation. All pastors and other faith leaders are encouraged to attend.
To register, click here. A video preview is available by clicking here.
Leaderfest 2022
After a two-year hiatus, Shenango Presbytery will hold Leaderfest 2022 on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Westminster College and New Wilmington Presbyterian Church. Registration will begin at 8:30 a.m., with a 9 a.m. to noon program occurring in Wallace Memorial Chapel at the college. Lunch at noon will be served at the church.
Brian Wallace, an associate minister at Pittsburgh Presbytery, will be the keynote speaker. Three special TED-type talks will also be held featuring Ardath Blake (“Feeding Your Soul & Why It Matters”), Carolyn Moss (“Finding New Opportunities in Christian Community Through the Use of Technology”) and Ellie Johns-Kelley (“Project Regeneration with the Foundation”).
The registration fee of $15 covers lunch. A freewill offering will be taken to offset the cost of the event. Children 12 and under are free, and there will be a special hands-on learning experience for children through fifth grade.
More information is available through a brochure here. Registration is available by clicking here.
Hope and Healing: Mental Health Training for Pastors
The Office of Faith and Spirituality at Westminster College (New Wilmington, PA), in partnership with Pittsburgh Theological Seminary, is presenting a continuing education opportunity for pastors. The seminar is called “Hope and Healing: Mental Health Training for Pastors.”
The seminar will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 14, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Westminster College in the Witherspoon Rooms in the McKelvey Campus Center.
Advanced registration is requested to plan for food and supplies and the cost is a minimal $10. A registration form is available by clicking here, and registration is available online by clicking here.