Foothills Presbytery is developing a Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan. This plan will provide training and support for our congregations as they prepare to respond to disasters which may occur in our communities, state and region. The plan encourages each congregation to recruit a member of the church to serve as a Congregational Disaster Response Coordinator. Sessions are asked to recruit a coordinator and to send Presbytery the following information for that person: Name, Mailing Address, Phone numbers (including cell), and E-mail Address. Please send the information to Sandy Sharpe at 2242 Woodruff Rd., Simpsonville, SC 29681 or ssharpe@foothillspresbytery.org. From the names we receive, we will compile a list for a training event.

Julia Thorne, Manager for Immigration Issues, Immigration Counsel, for the Presbyterian Church (USA), will be in Foothills Presbytery October 25 for a presentation and discussion on immigration law and issues. The event will be held from 12:00 until 1:30 p.m. at Eastminster Presbyterian Church on Woodruff Road near Greenville.

Ministers, educators, elders and other interested persons are invited to attend and bring a sack lunch. With the growing Hispanic population in the Upstate, many of whom are undocumented, comes many questions about immigration law. What is the current law? Can churches get into trouble helping undocumented persons? Are undocumented persons being deported through contacts with local police and other authorities? Are undocumented persons allowed to work for churches? Are undocumented persons allowed to serve as volunteers on mission trips? Can they receive honoraria?

The national debate on immigration and borders raises questions, too. With so many undocumented persons already in the United States, what would be a just law for dealing with them? Should they be allowed to apply for a work card and to pay taxes? How can undocumented persons receive a fair wage and benefits and avoid exploitation?

Julia Thorne is an attorney in the Office of Immigration Issues located in Constitutional Services in the Office of the General Assembly. It is her privilege to resource and advise presbyteries and churches regarding immigration issues. The Immigration Issues Office also works with presbyteries, churches and interfaith partners on advocacy for the reform of current immigration policies and procedures and laws in accordance with General Assembly policy. Since graduating from college, Julia has worked with internationals as Foreign Student Advisor, College Instructor, Campus Minister and Private Immigration Attorney

The Magnetic Church is a conference that will equip your church to help attract, welcome and retain new members. Presented by Andrew D. Weeks and sponsored by the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta and Columbia Theological Seminary, this evangelism conference will be held October 13 and 14 at CTS. Many issues will be addressed, ie. How to make the church more inviting and welcoming? How to inspire your church members to be comfortable with evangelism? The deadline for registration is October 2 and the registration fee is $35 For a brochure and registration form, click on the link below.

The September meeting of Tuesdays with Mary will be on Sept. 26th at 12:30. The program will be on Creative Devotions, led by Dr. Grace Yeuell. To reserve a lunch, contact Sabra at sabra@foothillspresbytery.org by Sept. 25 at 3 p.m.

LOW COUNTRY BOIL - You should receive an invitation next week to the upcoming Low Country Boil for ministers, educators and spouses. You may go ahead and sign up NOW by contacting Sandy at the presbytery office. Reservations have already started coming in! You don't want to miss this time of fun and fellowship.

Reminder - The 3-part series entitled "World Religions" begins this coming Wednesday evening (Sept. 13) at John Knox Church at 6:45 p.m. Dr. George Ramsey will be leading the discussions on Hinduism, Buddhism, and Islam. The public is invited.

The Cultural Context Team of Foothills Presbytery is still in need of 6 general volunteers and 3 or 4 translators for the upcoming Hispanic Ministries Health Fair to be held on October 7 from 9-3 at John Calvin Church. This is a very important ministry and if you feel you can contribute your time, please contact Jan Culpepper at 415-1160 or jrculpepper@msn.com or Cema Powell at 292-6650 or P.Cema@att.net.

Is your church interested in securing additional car window decals like those we have ordered in the past? Trinity Presbytery has offered to include us in the bulk order they are coordinating with their churches. As you know, the more decals that are ordered, the less expensive they are. Please call 288- 5774 or email ssharpe@foothillspresbytery.org if you would like an order form sent to you. All orders would need to be received at the presbytery office by September 22.

The initial charge will be $28 to cover the per church setup fee, and this amount should be included with your completed order form. The price structure for the bulk order is as follows: 1000 decals at 50 cents per decal; 1500 decals at 38 cents per decal, and 2000 decals at 30 cents per decal. Please note that the minimum order is 125 decals per church. Trinity feels that they will have a total order of 2000 or more.

These decals will be slightly different in appearance. The cross and name of the church/location will be white and the flames red on the blue background.

Please let us hear from you right away if you are interested.