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Living in the Balance
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Living in the Balance:
Creating More Centered Lives in a Warp-Speed World, a workshop led by Wanda Meade, will
be held Saturday, January 12, 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. This workshop will
be held in the Garden Room of Daniel Chapel at Furman University. Follow-
up sessions continue on Tuesday evenings, January 15 and 22, 5:00 until
7:00 p.m. The cost is $50 per participant ($20 for students).
With our own faith
traditions and life experiences as a base, discover ways to bring more
balance and a greater sense of wholeness into our very active, sometimes
frantic lives. Opportunities will be given to practice different types of
silent prayer and meditation. Periods of silence will be part of the rhythm
of all sessions. Just bring your desire to deepen your relationship with
God and to live a less warp-speed lifestyle.
If you have questions,
contact Wanda Meade at MeadeWS@charter.net
or 864-235-5060. Register by mail by sending a check payable to First
Baptist Church by January 7 to: Sandra Davis, First Baptist Church, 847
Cleveland St., Greenville, SC 29601.
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Mini Valentine Conference
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Mr. Ted Cunningham will
be speaking at First Presbyterian Church in Greenville on February 8 and
9. This mini-valentine conference has been planned by the Marriage and
Family Committee. Mr. Cunningham is co-author with Gary Smalley of two
books: "I Promise" and the "DNA of Relationships." He
will be using both books in his remarks about marriage at this
conference. Friday night he will speak at 7:00, and then again on
Saturday morning at 9:00 a.m. Call the church office at 672-0349 if you
are interested in this ministry to families.
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Sponsors Needed for Children in
Donkorkrom Orphanage
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There are now fifteen
children living at the orphanage next to Donkorkrom Hospital in Ghana,
West Africa. Support for one child for one year costs $300. If your
church, Sunday School Class or PW would like to provide for a child,
please send a check to Foothills Presbytery marked "Adopt an
Orphan." If you would like to have a picture of your particular
child, email Nita Reiter at grjr864@bellsouth.net.
For more information, call Minnie Sue Douglas at 878-4053.
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Position Open for Outdoor Ministry
Director
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 Foothills
and Trinity Presbyteries are seeking an Outdoor Ministry Director for the
Presbyterian Outdoor Ministry of Fellowship and Buc. This individual
should be energetic and passionate about outdoor ministry and marketing
oriented with the ability to make connections in both presbyteries of key
individuals to promote ministries and to develop new year-round uses of
Camp Fellowship and Camp Buc to grow all programs. To view the job
desciption, click on the following link.
Outdoor
Ministries Director
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Joys and Concerns
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One joyful bit of news is
that Mike Turner who underwent a heart/kidney transplant in Charleston is
doing very well. It is anticipated that he may be discharged this
weekend, and he will then live for a while in the Charleston area during
recovery. Mike is a member of First Spartanburg and is CLP at Unity
Church in Boiling Springs.
George Moore, retired
pastor and Parish Associate at First Greenville, had heart surgery this
week and at last report was doing well.
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What's Happening in December at
Foothills Presbytery
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 Saturday,
December 1 - 9:00 am-2:00 pm - New Church Development Retreat
Monday, December 3 - 6:00 pm - Ghana Committee
Monday, December 3 - 7:30 pm - Mission Team
Wednesday, December 5 - 10:00 am - Staff Meeting
Saturday, December 8 - PYC Christmas Party at home of Olivia Looney
Monday, December 10 - 3:30 pm - Safe Place Committee
Thursday, December 13 - 12:00 noon - Committee on Preparation
Friday, December 14 - 12:00 noon - Office Christmas Party at home of Bill
Lancaster
Monday, December 17 - 12:00 noon - Camp Buc Task Force
Thursday, December 20 - 12:00 noon - Examinations Commission
Monday, December 24 - Wednesday, January 2 - Presbytery Office Closed for
Christmas Holiday
Merry Christmas!
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Letter from the G.A. Moderator
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Hi Friends,
Another thought about membership numbers dropping and
evangelism....Perhaps one reason Presbyterian churches don't grow as much
as they should is that we may be a little too picky about who we go after
as potential church members. Often when I hear people talk about wanting
their churches to grow, I hear some underlying assumptions about who
these new Presbyterians will be. Most often it involves a husband, a wife
(both under 40), and 2.4 children. They will, of course, be significant
financial supporters of the church and they will give generously of their
time to keep all our good programs, ministries, and missions going
strong. They will speak English as their first language and earn a
middle-class income. Their children will be well-behaved at all times.
They will be well-adjusted, well-educated, and able bodied, capable of
making a positive contribution to the congregation in all areas.
One reason the early
church grew was that they were not so picky about their new members. They
welcomed slaves, women, the infirm, and the poor. If you read the book of
Acts, it looks as though they went out proclaiming Jesus as one who saves
and heals, and especially targeted people who were in serious need of
salvation and healing. Their churches were places where people the world
disdained were valued as brothers and sisters.
What would it look like
if we Presbyterians went out into our communities specifically looking
for people who needed God rather than people who fit our template of the
"perfect new members?" Here's a place to start thinking: I
heard recently that around 90% of persons with significant disabilities
are unchurched. Think about that. These are people who are blind, deaf,
wheelchair users. These are people, including children and the elderly,
persons with autism, Down syndrome, and brain injuries. What would it
mean for your church to invite persons living with disabilities into the
life and work of your congregation. They have gifts to share.
Grace and peace,
Joan Gray
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