| Campus Ministry Emphasis |
 Don't forget that Campus Ministry Emphasis Sunday will take place on Sunday, May 17. PC(USA) campus ministries provide Christian nurture, fellowship, and education to students during their years of campus life, and Foothills Presbytery is blessed with three campus ministry programs ( Clemson PSA pictured). With the support of our congregations we believe that the campus ministry programs will continue to grow and reach out to students throughout the years to come. Please support this ministry by using this insert in your Sunday bulletin, asking for your congregation's prayer support, and encouraging high school seniors to connect with a campus ministry when they begin college. |
| Christ-Serving Day |
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Fountain Inn Presbyterian Church held its first annual Christ-Serving Day on April 18. Approximately 90 FIPC members (pre-schoolers to senior adults) participated in one of many hands-on mission projects at nine different organizations during the day. The primary goals of the Day were to spread Christ's love in the community, provide a witness for Christ through action, enhance the spiritual lives of members and provide inter-generational fellowship opportunities. Some of the accomplished projects included: house framed and sheathed, tress planted, buses cleaned, food sorted and stocked, walls stripped and cleaned, lots of yardwork, meals prepared and served, clothing sorted and hung, and much more. The idea of Christ-Serving Day was developed during the church's stewardship campaign for this year and will be an annual part of stewardship for the church. |
| Upstate Diversity Leadership |
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The International Diversity Award was presented to ACCH (Alliance for Collaboration in the Hispanic Community) at a banquet on May 5. The event is presented by the Furman University Riley Institute and hosted by Anderson, Greenville and Spartanburg chambers of commerce. Chuy Gallegos, Jan Culpepper, Genaro Marin and Bill Lancaster participate in ACCH as part of our ministry with Hispanics. Genaro and Bill (pictured above) attended the banquet,along with Adela Mendoza (pictured in black dress), the group's leader. ACCH includes about 45 churches and secular organizations in the upstate who work with Hispanics. |
| Erskine Clarke to Speak |
 Dr. Erskine Clarke, author of the award winning Dwelling Place: A Plantation Epic will speak at First Presbyterian Church, 393 E. Main St., Spartanburg, Monday, May 11, at 7 PM in the church's Family Life Center. In Dwelling Place, Dr. Clarke brings together his skills as a professional historian and teacher and as a Presbyterian minister to tell the story of four generations of wealthy planters and their slaves in coastal Georgia and South Carolina indicating the complex ways in which these two communities interacted. Through letters, court documents, archaelogical findings, and the memory of the African-American community, Dr. Clarkes brings to light the long-suppressed history of the slaves of the Charles Colcock Jones plantations (1804-1869). In addition to being a significant plantation owner, Charles Jones was a Presbyterian clergyman and scholar who taught both at Princeton and Columbia theological seminaries. This event, sponsored by the First Presbyterian Book Club, is open to the public at no charge. The Rev. Dr. William L. Arthur, who leads the book club, invites all who are interested to enjoy this conversation, which he says offers, "A Presbyterian slant on Gone with the Wind. Imagine that!" For more information, contact Scott Neely or 583-4531. |
| H1N1 Flu Outbreak |
As the media generates interest in the current outbreak of H1N1 flu originating in Mexico, presbyteries and congregations have an opportunity for a "teachable moment" about how to prepare for and respond to widespread contagious diseases. Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is offering suggestions to assist congregations in what to do. You may click here to view this information. |
| Face to Face |
Church Leadership Connection will host a Face to Face gathering at the Big Tent event July 11-13 in Atlanta. Registrations abound and they are expecting around 60 pastors and candidates at Face to Face who are seeking a call. This will be a great opportunity to move beyond the written word of PIFs to meet and talk with a number of pastors and candidates who may be God's answer to your pastoral vacancy. Here is an opportunity for you to explore with individuals the possibility of ministry together. Consider sending representatives from your Pastor Nominating Committee to Face to Face where they just might meet your new pastor for the first time. Registration for Face to Face is free and does not require registration to Big Tent. Register at www.pcusa.org/clc by June 9. | |
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| Mission Project for Summer |
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Have you chosen your Mission Project for this summer's VBS or other summer church programs? If not, the Ghana Mission Team of Foothills Presbytery has a suggestion for you. How about the Spartanburg Orphanage in Donkorkrom, Ghana? This is a project that has been supported by our presbytery since its inception. This would provide an opportunity for your children's programs to give to a project that supports children and is something to which even small children can relate. This is a great project for our economic climate as some of these items do not have to be new but can be used, and the collection from your church and transport to Ghana will be provided. Please click here for a list of the Spartanburg Orphanage Needs.
We hope you will consider this worthwhile project. If you are interested, please email Susan Barrow or call her at 864-579-4455 or email Margaret Menz or call her at 864-476-6246. |
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Easter Greetings Foothills Presbytery received from our friends at Kwahu Presbytery in Ghana (visitors from Ghana pictured with George Wilkes during a 2007 visit):
Dear Friends in Christ, The season of Easter is with us again. It reminds all of us of the great unparalleled sacrifice of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on Calvary's cross. As we reflect on this abundant grace, let us strengthen our resolve to be in Partnership to fulfill Christ's desire to "...go and make disciples of all nations..." Matt. 28:19.
We appreciate your immense contributions which go a long way to reach out to the deprived areas in the Kwahu Presbytery, especially the Afram Plains. Now, the Ministers in those areas have means of transport and are reaching out to more people than before, thanks to the support from all of you. God bless you. Extend this greeting to many others. Thanks. Sincerely, Alex (Rev. Alex Sekyere)
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