Dr. Miroslav Volf will be a guest speaker at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Greenville on Sunday, September 20, 2009, as a participant in the congregation's Heritage Lecture Series. He will lead worship services at 9 and 11:15 a.m., speak to an adult Sunday School class at 10 a.m. and present a 6:30 lecture on Sunday evening. (Reservations required for a 6:00 dinner.) A native of Croatia, Volf is the Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology at Yale Divinity School and the Founder/Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture. In his numerous books, articles, and lectures, he emphasizes themes of responsible practice of faith in all spheres of life, forgiveness, conflict resolution and memory. An active promoter of inter-faith dialogue, Volf was co-organizer, along with Prince Ghazi of Jordan, of the 2008 Yale Conference of Muslim and Christian theologians, "Loving God and Neighbor in Word and Deed: Implications for Muslims and Christians." Volf's visit in Greenville is co-sponsored by Furman University's Chaplains Office and Religion Department. He will present a Religion-in-Life lecture at Furman's Daniel Memorial Chapel on Monday, September 21, at 7:00 p.m.

 

Fall is so beautiful in the Black Mountain area of North Carolina, and you are invited to participate in a wonderful retreat for Retirees at the Blue Ridge Assembly there. Foothills Presbytery is sponsoring "Storytelling in the Mountains" October 25-27, and we welcome older adults from every church to be a part of this fun time. Join us for a weekend with one of America's most celebrated storytellers, Connie Regan-Blake, and Laura Boosinger, an award-winning performer and recording artist. Sign up for early registration by August 31 and save money. Brochure with registration form is online.

Internationally acclaimed peace-maker, the Rev. Dr. Elias Chacour, will be the special guest of honor for dinner and a presentation Tuesday, September 22, 6:30 p.m., in the Galax Dining Room at Montreat Conference Center's Assembly Inn, Montreat, N.C. The Archbishop will speak about his ministry through his schools as well as his unique perspective on the way of peace in his war-torn and conflicted part of the world. Chacour, a Palestinian Israeli citizen and Archbishop of Galilee of the Melkite Greek Catholic Church, has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times. The cost of dinner with Archbishop Chacour is $15 for adults and $7.50 for students. Reservations may be made by contacting Judy Smith or by calling 828-669-2911, ext. 365. The Archbishop's presentation following dinner is free of charge. 

 

 

Another story was about "The Giving Jar." A young third grader, Nathan Hogue, was very interested in a glass coin jar sitting on a teacher's desk and watched it as the level of coins rose. He knew the money collected in "The Giving Jar" was going to help people on the Gulf Coast in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Nathan participated in a fundraiser at the school and raised $13 for PDA by collecting and recycling aluminum cans.