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Contents:
2. Mission News
3. Seminary News
4. High School Retreat & Triennium
5. Session Reminder
6. Who Pledges How Much
7. Job Opportunities
8. Featured Items @Resource Center
9. Presbytery Calendar
January 12, 2016 Volume 10; Issue 2
Peaks Postings, January 12, 2016 Page 2
Children of God: not for sale Follow along as Presbyterians Today unrav-els the chains of modern slavery, investigating what the US State Department has described as the fastest growing crime on the planet: human trafficking. In this issue, you’ll meet the 21 mil-lion people worldwide cur-rently living and working in conditions of forced labor, many of them victims of trafficking. You’ll find out what human trafficking is, why it happens, and how Presbyte-rians and their global partners are working hard to end it.
Mission News
2016 Two Cents-a-Meal
& Community Outreach
Block Grant information
is now available!
Visit www.peakspresbytery.org
Click on “Ministry/Mission,” scroll
down to “Two Cents-A-Meal” for
the 2016 Two Cents-A-Meal ap-
plication.
To access the 2016 Community Outreach Block Grant
application information, click on “Ministry/Mission,”
then scroll to “Presbytery Missions.”
Congregations and 2015 grant recipients will also re-
ceive this information through individual mailings.
2016 Community Outreach Block Grant application deadline February 1
2016 Two Cents-a-Meal Grant application dead-lines April 1, October 1
Questions??? Contact Denise Pillow, Hunger Action En-abler, [email protected] 540-968-0025
Did you know?
48 million Americans live in poverty? [1] 1 in 7 Americans face hunger every day? [1] More than 630,000 people in the United States are homeless? [2] 23% of those struggling went to college? [1] Or that 16 million children live in food insecure
households? [1]
Click here to read more...
Peaks Postings, January 12, 2016 Page 3
NEXT Church Conference
Atlanta, GA, February 22-24, 2016
Register TODAY!
Seminary News
Applications deadline extended until January
22 for Can They See Your Church: Evangelism in
the Visual Age (Thompson Scholars 2016), April
26-29, with Pastor Keith Anderson, author
of Digital Cathedral: Networked Ministry in a
Wired World, andRalph Basui Watkins. To apply,
see www.ctsnet.edu/thompson-scholars.
Union Presbyterian Seminary's Middle East Travel
Seminar will be taking place May 12-31, 2016, led by
Professors Frances Taylor Gench, Stanley Skreslet, and
Rodney Sadler, traveling to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel/
Palestine.
Included are visits to museums and important archeo-
logical sites belonging to the world of biblical antiquity.
Opportunity is given to observe first-hand contemporary
manifestations of Islam, Judaism, and Christianity in
these lands, and to converse with religious and political
leaders regarding the quest for peace in this troubled
region.
Students, alumni, and interested friends are welcome.
For more information, contact Professor Frances Taylor
Gench.
January 15, 2016 is the deadline to apply. At the intersection of faith and art is the Creation Lab, an online space where people can gather to share tools and resources, and cultivate both the courage and the imagina-tion to try new and creative things. Read more
Looking for a way to jump start your ministry? These five-week classes are designed to inspire, engage and sustain your work in the church.
"The Christian Imagination: Exploring Faith in Litera-ture"
Dr. Timothy Slemmons, Associate Professor of Homilet-ics and Worship. February 8 – March 13, 2016 Register today! The cost for each class is only $150.
To register contact Bridgett Boone: 563.589.3691 |
EMail: [email protected]
Peaks Postings, January 12, 2016 Page 4
Presbyterian Youth Triennium July 19-23, 2016 Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
The Presbyterian Youth Triennium is a gathering of about 5,000 Presby-terian youth and adults from all over the world. Next year’s event is set for July 19-23, 2016 on the campus of Purdue University in West Lafay-ette, Indiana.
The program includes daily worship services, keynote, small groups, recreation, and music. This year’s theme is “GO” ...as in GO and See...GO and Do Likewise... Teach me the way I should GO...Let my people GO...GO into the world.
Total cost is $515. The Presbytery of the Peaks will pay transportation costs for our entire delegation. Churches are encouraged to split the cost with the participant. Applications are now available! Peaks Presbytery Web Site: CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION or by contacting the Peaks Presbytery office (434-845-1754) or our Presbytery’s Registrar, Ann Graham at [email protected]. Ann Graham is FAMOUS! Click here to read the article!
Registration Deadline is February 1, 2016.
“A New PerSPECKtive”
High School Retreat Sponsored by the Presbytery of the Peaks Youth Council
Friday, Feb. 26, 7pm through Sunday, Feb. 28, 11am
@ Camp Bethel (off Route 11, north of Troutville)
Cost : $95/person includes housing, four meals and a cool t-shirt
Contact Ann Graham ([email protected]) for more information.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION & REGISTRATION
Deadline for registration is Feb. 1st
!
Peaks Postings, January 12, 2016 Page 5
‘These Days’
Contributors are Locals! Thought you might like to know that in the current
copy of These Days- the Presbytery of the Peaks
has four writers! Andrew Taylor Troutman, Linda
Dickerson, Bart and myself. Nice offerings from the P of
the Peaks! Click here to learn more...
Session Reminder Submitted by Hugh Springer, Stated Clerk
If you were asked how your church is doing, how would
you answer? Anecdotally, subjectively -- probably that
would impact part of your answer. But what if you’d like
some objective data to work with also. Where would
you find that data? And how easily would it be to ac-
cess? The answer to that question is to be found in the
ten year statistical snapshot and analysis of trends of
your congregation located on the PCUSA website under
“Find A Congregation” using your zip code. Utilizing data
on membership, attendance, Christian education enroll-
ment, and contributions, together with key questions to
guide interpretation of the data, provides sessions with
an important and valuable tool for evaluation, interpre-
tation, and planning. It provides access to necessary
data for such projects as completing a mission study.
And this information is not just available to session
members but to any member of your congregation --
indeed to any interested person. It is one expression of
our accountability to the church as Presbyterian Chris-
tians.
But to achieve these benefits each session needs faith-
fully each year to complete the Session’s Annual Statisti-
cal Report. This is a January – early February task. Please
complete, approve, and submit your report for the year
ending December 31, 2015 as soon as possible.
Attention Clerks of
Session & Moderators:
CLERKS OF SESSION AND MODERATORS:
PLEASE PLAN TO ATTEND THE SESSION RE-
CORDS WORKSHOP ON JANUARY 16, 2016,
FROM 10 A.M. TO NOON AT THE BEDFORD
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. INFORMATION
HAS BEEN MAILED TO ALL CLERKS AND
MODERATORS.
Questions: Contact David Hayes at
540-382-6649 or [email protected]
or Janet Rakes at 540-951-4282 or [email protected].
BI-VOCATIONAL MINISTRY IN THE
21st CENTURY CONFERENCE
APRIL 15-16, 2016
EPWORTH BY THE SEA, St. Simon’s Island, GA
WHO SHOULD ATTEND? This event is geared both toward those serving or seek-
ing to serve in a bi-vocational ministry context as well as governing body or judicatory leaders who
work with ministers who serve in such contexts.
Registration is $50 plus lodging. Register Today at
http://events.uccpages.org/bivocational2016.html
For more information contact SanDawna Ashley at
[email protected] or 502-569-5730.
Peaks Postings, January 12, 2016 Page 6
Do you want an “oldie but goodie” hymnal in good condition? If you would like a copy of “The Presbyterian Hymnal” published in 1927, please call the Farmville Presbyte-rian Church office at 434-392-4243 or email [email protected] NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 7. Any remaining copies will be tossed after that date. We are “cleaning house” in our choir room.
Who Pledges How
Much?
Why pastors should know
by Dave Davis
An older pastor told me that most church members pre-
fer that their pastor not understand anything about
money. "That way they can more easily live by the myth
that their faith and their money don't go together."
Then he challenged me: "Your job as a spiritual leader is
to correct them every week, and it starts by letting them
know you understand the church's financial picture bet-
ter than they do."
Does understanding a congregation's finances include
knowing how much each congregant gives? Ask 10 ex-
perienced pastors this
question and they'll be
split down the middle.
One of my colleagues
felt strongly that he
needed to know; he
compared not know-
ing what people gave to a doctor not knowing a pa-
tient's blood pressure. "It's a matter of spiritual health,"
he said.
A development professional in my congregation went
even further, suggesting that a pastor can and should
influence givers one-on-one. "They shouldn't be chasing
down small pledges when they can cultivate relation-
ships with the most generous folks in the congregation."
But others fear that the integrity of pastoral care will be
jeopardized by such knowledge. Pastors may end up fa-
voring big givers or dismissing the lesser givers. These
pastors point to Jesus' teaching about the right hand
and left hand not knowing about the other when it
comes to almsgiving (Matt. 6:3).
Click here to read more...
Why I Volunteer
Internationally By Gabrielle Moore
My first trip to Guatemala, I visited a place called Li-
monada, one of the largest "slums" in Central America.
There I met a man named Luis. He had no shoes; his
clothes were worn; and the place he called home was no
bigger than a closet. He had a single chair as furniture.
My group's first instinct was to
feel sorry for him. But despite
his circumstance he told us how
grateful he was for life, for his
home and even for his job that
he had working at the dump. He had a zeal for life. He
sang and treated everyone with such love. He had noth-
ing but joy.
Back home where people have everything it's hard to
get them to even say hello at times. It was in that mo-
ment that I knew there was something special here,
something that needed to be shared. Whether it was
hugging a child in Limonada or the beautiful volcanoes
in Atitlan, every experience took my breath away and
left me with memories that last a lifetime. THAT is what
has kept me coming back to Guatemala.
Click here to read more...
Peaks Postings, January 12, 2016 Page 7
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Director of Ministry to Children, Youth, and Families TRINITY ECUMENICAL PARISH in Moneta, VA seeks an
energetic and enthusiastic person of integrity who is
dedicated to engaging children, youth, and families in a life
giving transformative faith. Click here for a list of
competencies and job description and go to www.smltep.org
for information on Trinity. Interested candidates should send
a resume including educational training and ministry
experience, a cover letter explaining your vision for children,
youth and family ministry and references
to [email protected] by 1/15/16.
Church Choir Director
Forest Hills Presbyterian Church (725
Beechnut Lane,
Martinsville VA) is seeking a Part-
Time Choir Director to lead our choir
in worship on Sunday mornings and
our rehearsals on Wednesday evenings (approx. 10hrs/week).
Music and leadership experience is required. A Bachelor’s
degree in
related field is preferred. Compensation will be $10,000-
$15,000/year commensurate with experience and education.
To apply send cover letter and resumé to:
or call 276-632-5411 for more information.
Church Pianist Needed
Peace Presbyterian Church, 5646 Cloverdale Road (220 Alternate) Bonsack area seeks a pianist to play for Sunday services 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. each Sunday. Pay is negotiable. If interested please call 540-366-8117 to schedule an interview.
FYI...
IRS mileage rate for ministers
will decrease to $.54 beginning
January 1, 2016.
Peaks Postings, January 12, 2016 Page 8
Changing the Conversation: A Third Way for Congregations Paperback– August
20, 2008
by Anthony B. Robinson (Author)
A sequel to his best-selling Transforming Congregational Culture (2003), Changing
the Conversation offers Anthony Robinson's latest work and thinking on congrega-
tional renewal and leadership. Robinson here invites church leaders and members
into ten crucial conversations that will change their congregation's culture and
help them respond with greater vitality, effectiveness, and faithfulness to our
postmodern culture and its challenges.
Leadership Handbook of Management and Administration Paperback – January
1, 2008
by James D. Berkley
This substantial resource offers pastors and church leaders practical insight into
the daily issues of running a church. Conceived and compiled by the editors of
Leadership journal, this book covers the full spectrum of ministry practice. Read-
ers will learn about perennial topics such as time management, negotiating the
terms of a call, handling crisis and conflict, hiring and managing staff, conducting
special fund drives, spending church money, and dealing with tax and law consid-
erations. Contributors include Leith Anderson, Rick Warren, Brian McLaren, Luis
Palau, John Ortberg, Aubrey Malphurs, and many others.
Temporary Shepherds: A Congregational Handbook for Interim Minis-
try Paperback – September 1, 1998
by Roger S. Nicholson (Editor)
Effective interim ministry depends on strong partnership between the interim
minster and congregation. Lay leaders of congregations preparing for such a tran-
sition will value the expert guidance provided by over a dozen experienced interim
pastors. What is interim ministry all about? What needs to happen during the in-
terim? What should leaders and members expect from the interim pastor and
themselves during this transition? What other resources are available for congre-
gations?
Featured Items at the Resource Center Be sure to stop by the presbytery office to take a look, or contact Jeff Binder ([email protected]) to request a copy!
Peaks Postings, January 12, 2016 Page 9
“To enhance, equip and empower congregations and leaders to become bold servants of transformation
for the glory of the Triune God.”
PRESBYTERY CALENDAR
Date Time Event Location
Jan. 12 9:30AM CPM Meeting Bedford PC
Jan. 14 9:30AM Cabinet Meeting POP Office
Jan. 14 9:30AM COM Meeting (TBD)
Jan. 16 10AM Session Records Workshop Bedford PC
Jan. 21 Committee Reports Due
Jan. 21 10AM Educators Workgroup Second PC, Roanoke
Jan. 21 12PM Discipleship Committee Second PC, Roanoke
Jan. 21 1:30PM Higher Education Workgroup Second PC, Roanoke
Jan. 21 2PM Examinations Committee Peace PC, Roanoke
Jan. 25 6:30PM Camps Workgroup Covenant PC, Roanoke
On-Line Calendar
Peaks Postings is published each week on Tuesday. Please submit news, events, or prayer requests by noon on Thursdays to Rita Fleet at
[email protected] for inclusion in the following issue.
Guidelines for announcements or news items to be featured in Peaks Postings:
Keep the information to one page or less.
Use links to web sites rather than including lots of details.
Please obtain permission from the people pictured in your photos before submitting them to Peaks Postings. Peaks Postings Editors reserve the right to
feature or not feature an article. Our first priority is to feature activities within POP churches and the Presbytery.
edit submitted articles/announcements.
limit the number of weeks an article/announcement is featured. Past issues of Peaks Postings are archived for about six months on our website, Presbytery of the Peaks.
Presbytery of the Peaks
1022 Floyd Street, Suite A
Lynchburg, VA 24501 Phone: 434-845-1754
Toll Free: 1-888-557-3257
Fax: 434-845-7829
e-mail: [email protected]
Web Site: www.peakspresbytery.org
Jeff Binder, Associate Presbyter for Youth & Young Adults
Nancy Dawson, General Presbyter
Steve Earl, Associate Presbyter for Ministry
Rita Fleet, Executive Administrative Assistant
Robin Padgett, Office Manager
Denise Pillow, Hunger Action Enabler
Hugh Springer, Stated Clerk
