The Foothills Presbytery mission team will leave early Sunday morning for New Orleans. These volunteers are answering a special appeal from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to save downtown houses in that city that are in danger of being demolished if restoration work on them is not begun by August 29. Our thoughts and prayers go with Bob Albright, Manella Calhoun, John Catlin, Tim Cole, Darrell Fetzer, Stuart Fulton, Bill Lancaster, George Milam, Kem Oelberg, Dale Rawlings, John Spragins, John Steele, Rick Turner, and George Wilkes. They will return on Friday.

A one-day training seminar has been planned by the Greenville County Mental Health Annex to provide basic understanding of the mental, emotional and spiritual needs of people in crisis. Issues arose last year when Greenville housed a group of Katrina evacuees and many in our area came to minister to them. People wishing to minister to disaster victims MUST meet training standards like those taught in this seminar set by the Disaster Response Team.

This training will be held on September 15 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. at Christ Church Episcopal in the All Saints Center, Room 100, 601 E. Washington Street in Greenville. Participants will be equipped to respond and to communicate effectively with disaster victims and others impacted by suffering and tragedy. Early registration by September 8 is $10 and includes a light breakfast and box lunch. To register, contact Gayle Peek at 241-1040 or email glp96@scdmh.org.

The Congregational Health & Growth Team has $1,000 available to assist churches in purchasing road signs. If your church needs these direction road signs that carry the Presbyterian Church (USA) logo, contact Bill Lancaster at bill@foothillspresbytery.org or 288-5774. Churches normally order these signs from Cokesbury. They usually carry the church's name and the number of miles distant with a direction arrow, or an address.

The Presbyterian Women will hold their annual spiritual retreat on October 7, beginning with registration at 9:00 a.m., at Camp Hope in Clemson. The Rev. Nancy Blakely will speak on "Will the (PW) Circle be Unbroken?" Each person attending is asked to bring a clean, empty egg carton. If you were in attendance at last year's retreat, remember to bring the photo album you were given with pictures of your women using their talents. The cost is $15 per person. Registrations with payment should be mailed to Sandra Sweet, 106 Fernridge Dr., Spartanburg, SC 29307.

Register now for Fall lifelong learning events!!
Presbytery Pastoral Care Network 7th Annual Gathering: Hurricanes, Earthquakes and Traumas in the Pastorate: Caring for Clergy in Times of Crisis - September 25-28
Fall Lay School - Monday evenings beginning in September. Two course options: Finding God in Popular Music led by John Clark and John's Apocalypse led by Stan Saunders
YMLI Beginning Retreat - October 6-8 - led by Rodger Nishioka, professor, author and nationally-known leader in youth ministry leads this introductory weekend in the Youth Leadership Ministry Initiative.
Guthrie Scholars - October 30- November 3. Apply now for this week long opportunity for independent study on a topic of your own choice engaging a pressing issue of the church from a Reformed perspective.
For additional information or to register, contact Pat Roper, Lifelong Learning Registrar at 404-687-4587 or roperp@ctsnet.edu.

It's time for another get-together for ministers and educators and their spouses in Foothills Presbytery. Mark your calendar now for Friday evening, September 22. Social time will begin at 6:00 with Low Country Boil (shrimp, corn, sausage, potatoes), bread and dessert being served at 7:00. The cost will be $5 per person. This event is sponsored by the Inspiration and Support Team of the presbytery. More information including location will be available in coming weeks. In the meantime, call Sandy at 288- 5774 to make your reservation.

The Rev. Fahed Abu-Akel will lead a workshop on the current Middle East situation and the prospects for peace in the region on Sunday, August 20, at 2:00 p.m. at Good Hope Presbyterian Church in Iva.

You need to contact the presbytery office by August 25 if you plan to attend the meeting of church office administrators on August 31. We need to have a number so that lunch can be ordered for the group.