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Carlisle
Wilson College students 'lend a hand' in North Carolina
"What can we do?"
It was a common question asked by students at Wilson College in Chambersburg, PA, following hurricanes that slammed into the southern states in recent years. While there isn't much that can be done in those areas immediately following the storms, there are plenty of places to go that have been forgotten that were wrecked by similar storms years earlier.
This has been a mission and ministry of the college's chaplain, the Rev. Derek Wadlington, who has been taking groups of students to North Carolina with Lend A Hand, a mission project of the Presbytery of Carlisle that is a disaster response and assistance program. It has made a huge difference in the lives of the students as well as those whom they are assisting to get back on their feet.
The cost of the trip is free to the students thanks to funds distributed by the Synod of the Trinity to the Presbytery of Carlisle, which in turn gives the money to Wilson’s campus ministry program.
To read more about this experience, click here.
Movie Review
'Just Mercy' asks if justice can come out of injustice, if truth matters
Have you seen the movie "Just Mercy"? It's a story about a lawyer (played by Michael B. Jordan) who defends a black man (Jamie Foxx) who was sentenced to die in 1987 for the murder of a white teenaged girl despite evidence proving his innocence.
"Just Mercy packs a gut punch, raising grave questions about our criminal justice system, about the death penalty, about race in America, and about truth-telling and cover-up — questions we struggle with now as much as in the late 1980s. With the killings of black Americans in Ferguson, MO; Baltimore, MD; and other American cities in our minds, we too must ask if black lives matter, if it is ever right to take a life, if justice can come out of injustice, if truth matters."
To read this complete movie review, click here.
Spanish Spotlight
Viaje a Puerto Rico
“Hay una rupture en toda la creación que permite aun el mundo natural para chocar con si misno en maneras catastróficas, pero a veces se cambian vidas y sensibilidades para siempre cuando esto sucede.”
Note: In an effort to be more accessible to the Spanish-speaking communities in the Synod region, we will offer an article translated in Spanish in each enews. Find this article by Synod Transitional Executive Susan Faye Wonderland translated in Spanish here. The English version, which appeared in last month's enews, is available here.
Lackawanna
Flooding helps bring West Pittston, Wyoming congregations together
Torrential rain in 2011 left much of West Pittston, PA, under water, including the town’s First United Presbyterian Church. The disaster caused the congregation to have to relocate, and once it was determined the building was too costly to rebuild, it began looking for a new place to call home.
A relationship with nearby Wyoming Presbyterian Church has resulted in a renewed focus on community outreach made possible with the help of a Synod Innovation Grant.
"God really nudged us to keep going,” said Marge Zeigler, the Congregational Life chair at the West Pittston church. “God has really been patient with us, and God has consistently pushed us so that we can actually do the things we dreamed we could, that we can be a community church.
To read more about this merger, click here.
Lehigh
'Canoeing the Mountain' author talks about change in churches
At Lehigh Presbytery's January meeting, author Tod Bolsinger was on hand to discuss his book "Canoeing the Mountains" and answer questions from church leaders. Bolsinger’s presentation discussed how churches can navigate the world’s changing landscape, drawing on the example of American explorers Lewis and Clark, who faced the challenge of having to cross the Rocky Mountains when they had been expecting a waterway.
Click here to read a recap of the day and also find a link to a recording of Tod's presentation.
Webinar
How to preach to those who are walking away
 Samaritan Counseling, Guidance, Consulting is offering video versions of its recent three-part workshop on how to preach to those who are tuning out Christianity and Church.
These dynamic workshops integrate insights from non-typical sources to take a fresh look at how modern media and messaging is changing how people think and listen, and how to adapt our preaching in the face of these challenges.
More information is available here.
Subscribe to this monthly enews by emailing your name and email address to mgivler@syntrinity.org.
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Alert!
Coronavirus
With the increasing threat of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), congregations and sessions are always encouraged to be mindful of the health of members and best practices for preventing the spread of disease.
SDOP Sunday (March 15) resources available
Once a year, Presbyterians across our country celebrate the ministry of the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People (SDOP), one of three ministries funded by the One Great Hour of Sharing.
SDOP Sunday calls each of us, as the Body of Christ, to be unified in faith and action. Our resources offer incredible stories of community building, self-reliance, and hope; these are stories of God in action. They are profound stories of development, which show how our communities are busy in creatively addressing many salient issues of our time. “A ministry of the Presbyterian Church (USA), Self-Development of People is a partnership of love, justice and empowerment reflecting the image of God who stands with all people.”
Find out more about SDOP Sunday here.
Reggie McNeal to lead second Future Church Symposium
Pastor Jordan Rimmer and Northminster Presbyterian Church in New Castle, PA, are excited to welcome Reggie McNeal for its second Future Church Symposium on Saturday, April 18.The symposium will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Reggie will look at where the culture is going and what it will take to be a church that rises to the challenges of the future. Reggie will also be preaching at Northminster Church on Sunday, April 19.
Cost is $35, which includes lunch. More information, including a link to registration, is available here.
Campus minister sought at Westminster Foundation
The Westminster Foundation of West Virginia, a 501(c)3 organization headquartered in the Campus Ministry Center in Morgantown, WV, is seeking a campus minister who will oversee Presbyterian campus ministry, including the WVU Presbyterian Student Fellowship, which is a UKirk campus ministry that seeks to build a community which enables students to deepen their faith as lifelong followers of Christ.
A complete job description is available here.
Outlook editor to speak at WV's Festival of Faith
The Presbytery of West Virginia’s annual Festival of Faith will be held Saturday, March 28, from 9 a.m. to 3:45 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church of Charleston, WV. This year’s theme is “Hopes and Dreams: God’s Church in the World.”
This year’s Festival of Faith will feature Presbyterian Outlook Editor Jill Duffield as the keynote speaker, focusing her presentation on what people beyond our walls are saying about us, members of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). She will also lead one of the many workshops we will offer; plus, there will be fellowship, learning and worship for all. Complete workshop and registration information will be available soon. The early registration deadline, which will save you some money, is Thursday, March 12.
More information is available here.
'BookNotes' blog reviews books from Hearts & Minds
Byron Borger is the co-owner, along with his wife, Beth, of the Hearts & Minds Bookstore in Dallastown, PA, an independent bookstore they have run for 36 years. Byron, a member of the First Presbyterian Church of York, PA, writes a regular blog ("BookNotes") about some of the books he has in his store.
It's a worthwhile read, especially if you're a book lover, and he gives 20 percent off for the books that he features in his blog.
Discount available for White Privilege Conf.
The annual White Privilege Conference will be held April 1-4 in Mesa, AZ. The conference provides a challenging, collaborative and comprehensive experience while striving to empower and equip individuals to work for equity and justice through self and social transformations.
The PCUSA has a discount code for the conference (20pcusa20), which is good for a 15% discount good on conference registration as well as institutes (day-long pre-events or half-day post event). Register at non-profit rate for the lowest price.
More information is available here.
Find helpful resources on Synod website
Check out our
Denominational Maps!
The Synod of the Trinity continues to be a resource hub for the region. On the Synod's website, you can find helpful links to the following categories:
If you have something to contribute to these sections, or have an idea for a resource page, contact Synod Communications Coordinator Mike Givler at mgivler@syntrinity.org.
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The Synod of the Trinity | Being More Together
Have a story tip? Email Mike Givler, Communications Coordinator, here.
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