After searching for several months and receiving resumes from many qualified and capable applicants, Foothills Presbytery has employed Mrs. Yuri Ito to fill the part-time position of office secretary vacated by Mrs. Sabra Smith. Yuri is the wife of the Rev. David Carlson, Associate Pastor at Westminster Greenville Church. She was born in Japan and lived in New York before moving to Greenville. Yuri will be working specifically with Mary Morrison, Associate for Vocations and Education, and with Kevin Cartee, Outdoor Ministries Director. She began her job the first of April and is quickly learning about Camp Buc, the presbytery resource center, and all that comes with those areas of presbytery work. We welcome her and are looking forward to sharing in ministry with her.

The Carolina Bronze Handbell Ringers will have a spring concert at Greenville Technical College on Friday, May 9, at 7:30 p.m. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations are greatly appreciated. This group of handbell ringers is amazingly talented and will provide a wonderful evening of entertainment.

As pastors, faith leaders, and lay people we reach out to individuals who are hurting. We provide assistance in many ways, but what happens when those suffering with mental illness, addiction, suicide and grief are our church officers, choir members, or Sunday School teachers? How do we reach and respond to families and children that are in crisis in the church?

Mental Health America of Greenville is sponsoring their fourth annual faith-based conference for clergy, staff, and lay people on May 8, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Speakers include Julie Schaaf and Beth Templeton, members of Foothills Presbytery. The conference will be held at Christ Episcopal Church, and the cost is $25 (includes lunch). To register (deadline: May 6), call Michelle Morton at 467-3598 or visit the website below.

Serve God, Save the Planet: A Christian Call to Action by J. Matthew Sleeth
The author was living the American dream as a medical chief of staff --until the increasing number of chronic illnesses he was witnessing gave him a new environmental awareness. Sleeth shares his family's journey to simplicity, stronger relationships, and richer spiritual lives, and relates a prescription for sustainable living. Zondervan has republished this book with an added Christian action study guide.

Eco Tip: Challenge your congregation to stop using plastic or paper bags. Did you know?


• It takes 1,000 years for a plastic bag to decompose.
• The average family in the U.S. uses 1,460 plastic bags per year.
• 12 million barrels of oil are used annually to produce the plastic bags used in the U.S.

The Foothills Presbytery Disaster Response Committee is attempting to form a list of Amateur Radio Operators (Hams) in our presbytery. Please ask for a list of names, call signs and contact information at your church. Forward this information to Rick Turner at datwet3@yahoo.com.

Is your chuch interested in the short-term hosting (in the church or homes of members) of other Presbyterians who are evacuating from a disaster? If so, please contact Rick Turner at datwet3@yahoo.com.

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) Camps located in the Gulf areas of Mississippi and Louisiana are accepting Youth Groups this summer. If your church is looking for a good mission trip, please contact PDA at 866-732-6121 for more information.

Our best wishes and prayers for Doug Gilstrap who has been in the hospital with vast bilaterial blood clots in his lungs. Doug is CLP at John Calvin Church in Greenville.

Our best wishes and prayers for Al Masters who will undergo neck surgery on April 24. Al is interim Chaplain at Presbyterian College.

Please remember Judy Rhodes, wife of Steve Rhodes - Second Church, who suffered a stroke and was in the hospital.

Please make it a point to talk about the worldwide crisis that is looming due to rising food and fuel costs. This is much more than an economic or a political issue. There is an ethical and a spiritual mandate to respond as the body of Christ, the first step being to talk about it openly and honestly. Hopefully, conversation will bring forth new ideas and will broaden everyone's understanding and sense of purpose - Submitted by the Rev. Jim Moss, Honea Path Church

Remember Virginia Tech on this the first anniversary of the tragedy that took place on the campus. Please pray for the victims, their families and loved ones, and also please pray for all people who suffer from mental illness.