| World Leprosy Day |
With over 100 years of service, American Leprosy Missions is the oldest and largest Christian organization in the U.S. devoted to restoring the lives of people affected by leprosy worldwide through holistic cure and care. World Leprosy Day, January 25, 2009, provides an opportunity to publicize the fact that leprosy is curable. This Day also raises awareness that leprosy continues to devastate hundreds of thousand of lives around the world. In order to eradicate leprosy, we must increase awareness. To learn more, visit www.leprosy.org. |
| Justice Walk |
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In honor and recognition of the social justice work carried out by the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., staff members and leadership of the Presbyterian Center in Louisville will participate in a justice walk under the theme, "Closer to the Dream: Faithful Steps for Justice." The walk is scheduled on what would have been Dr. King's 80th birthday, January 15. Along the approximately 2.2 mile route, participants will reflect and pray, and staff volunteers will provide background on existing historical markers relating to slave trading, civil rights, and community leadership. The Presbyterian Church has long worked and advocated for justice, recognizing the need for continued efforts to achieve social justice for all in our community and in our nation. |
| Prayer Requests |
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The Rev. George Harper, pastor of Westminster Presbyterian Church in Westminster, underwent a serious surgical procedure today, January 9. Please keep George and the Westminster congregation in your prayers. He will be at Greenville Memorial Hospital for about a week.
Little Lindsay Templeton, grandaughter of Beth Templeton, will be undergoing Round 5 of her chemotherapy this coming week. This treatment has been very difficult for her - please pray for Lindsay and her family.
A prayer from Bruce Reyes-Chow, Gradye Parsons, and Linda Valentine:
"Even as we celebrate the birth of the Prince of Peace, we are anguished by stories of violence and conflict once again in Gaza. Citizens and soldiers, young people and old are wounded and killed. We see how violence begets violence, as an eye for an eye leads not to peace, but to deeper blindness. We pray fervently for peace, for a New Year marked by a willingness and commitment to put violence aside and a desire and dedication to seek new relationships of peace. We pray that governments and leaders here and there and around the world will use whatever influence they may have as peacemakers, and that we, too will have courage and faith to pray without ceasing and to be agents of justice and peace for all."
Remember Foothills Presbytery on Sunday, January 11, as we gather at Eastminster Church for a time of discernment, conversation and worship. Please keep Commissioners to the meeting in your prayers as we vote on Amendments to the Book of Order of the PC(USA).
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| Feeding the Hungry during Lent |
The Society of St. Andrew, a national, ecumenical, nonprofit hunger relief ministry, offers a 2009 Lenten Devotions program, " Christ's Marvelous Hands." Through spiritual reflection, prayer and giving, the reader is challenged to take seriously the scriptural injunctions to care for the poor, while also being provided an opportunity to feed our hungry neighbors. Lent devotions materials are free and can be ordered at www.endhunger.org/lent.htm. Click here to read more about feeding the hungry during lent. |
| Officer Development Event |
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Mark your calendars for the upcoming Officer Training event to be held on Sunday, March 1, from 2 pm to 5:30 pm at Fourth Presbyterian Church in Greenville. A brochure will be posted on the Foothills Presbytery website very soon.
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| Bridging the Gap |
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"Bridging the Gap," a conference on responding to domestic violence in faith communities, will be held Thursday, January 22, from 9 AM until 1:30 PM. This conference, sponsored by Safe Harbor, will be held at Trinity Lutheran Church, 421 N. Main St., Greenville, SC.
Consider these facts:
1 out of every 4 American women reports being physically abused.
It's estimated that a women is beaten every 9 seconds in the U.S.
Domestic violence affects people of all ages, races, socioeconomic groups and religions.
Domestic violence is the leading cause of injury to women.
"Bridging the Gap" will bring faith community leaders together with non-profit professionals, to help the victims of domestic violence start new lives and feel closer to God.
Be a part of this teaching experience so that you will be able to be a resource to victims of domestic violence. Click here to download a brochure with registration form.
Safe Harbor is an Upstate non-profit organization that serves the victims of domestic violence in Greenville, Oconee, Pickens and Anderson Counties. For more information on available services, visit www.safeharborsc.org.
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| Canned Goods to Presbytery |
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The Hunger Task Force of Foothills Presbytery will be collected canned goods at the presbytery meeting this Sunday at Eastminster. Please remember to bring donations to be shared with food banks in the Simpsonville area. Thank you!
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