Synod of the Trinity Enews: Unforgettable trip for Pittsburgh pilgrims

	May 16, 2023 The Synod of the Trinity Being More Together Pittsburgh Cyclone Freddy doesn't deter pilgrims during Malawi visit The worst natural disaster in the history of Malawi -- Cyclone Freddy, which dumped 24 inches of rain on the country in two days -- didn't derail a trip by 10 Pittsburgh Presbytery pilgrims in March because the hosts were so gracious and attentive to their American visitors. “We were never in danger, and every effort was made to keep us safe, but also to still show us the best Malawi had to offer (even in the midst of a national emergency),” said Tyler Domske, the pastor at Wexford Community Presbyterian Church. “They knew that for many on the trip, this might be our only time in country, and we were still given every chance to see the beauty and hope of the Malawian people and the nation.” To read more about this life-changing trip, click here. Huntingdon Angel Sent Soap Pantry is Heaven-sent to residents in need Carlisle For Cheryl Galan, retiring where she started is extra special Synod of the Trinity 'TED Talks' highlight ministries in Synod region At the October 2022 Synod Assembly gathering in State College, PA, the Sunday night program included about a dozen videos and first-person talks highlighting ministries and initiatives in our congregations and presbyteries. The presentations were so well received that we are posting these videos on the Synod’s YouTube channel and making them available to our region for use as a Sunday morning “Minute for Mission” or as a conversation piece during a weekday Bible study. We will unveil two of these “TED Talks” per month and have included links to them below. The fifth in the series looks at a "Multi-Cultural Program" in the Presbytery of Donegal, which outlines plans for a gathering at Iglesia Renecar that would bring many of the area's diverse cultures to one location. The sixth video is titled "Dakota Presbytery Partnership" that details Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery's partnership with Dakota Presbytery in South Dakota that provides pastoral training for church leaders there. To view these videos, click the links above. To see all of the videos released list to date, click here. PCUSA PBS featuring Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in video Our denomination has partnered with the Viewpoint Project — producer of high-quality social and educational documentaries for public television with the mission of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ while positively impacting our communities and the world. Our educational segment focuses on the denomination’s Matthew 25 commitment to creating healthy, just communities and a radically inclusive world through building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism and eradicating systemic poverty. In May, households across the U.S. can view this segment via their local public broadcasting (PBS) station which can show the documentary between broadcasts. A shorter version of the segment will also air across a myriad of cable networks like CNN and HLN. Check out the videos, learn more about the program and get some tips on how to prepare your congregation by clicking here.
PCUSA stated clerk stepping down After seven years as the chief ecclesial officer of the PC(USA), the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II, has announced plans to step down from his role as Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the PC(USA) effective June 30. The decision, he says, came after long conversations with his family and extended time in prayer. Read more about the announcement by clicking here. Celebrate Rev. Dr. Katie Cannon In 1987, the first Black woman ordained in the Presbyterian Church, Rev. Dr. Katie Geneva Cannon, used the term Womanist to explore an interpretation of the Bible that was concerned with Black women’s liberation. Her book that followed one year later, Black Womanist Ethics, helped launch the field of womanist ethics. The Presbyterian Historical Society has announced that this year, 35 years after the publication of her groundbreaking work, the entirety of Rev. Dr. Cannon’s personal papers have been digitized and made freely accessible through Pearl Digital Collections. More information is available by clicking here. Matthew 25 app helps start the journey Has your congregation or presbytery joined the Matthew 25 movement? We have! Join the Matthew 25 journey with us! If your congregation or worshiping community is looking for more ways to engage in the Matthew 25 vision, download the Matthew 25 app today. With news, announcements, and resources, this app will help you bring alive your commitment to serve those in your community and the world. Download the app and begin your Matthew 25 journey by clicking here. Welcome new pastors! Gleaned from presbytery newsletters in the Synod of the Trinity region, we welcome these new pastors to our region: PRESBYTERY OF PHILADELPHIA **Swarthmore Presbyterian Church has called the Rev. David Thomas to serve as its next pastor. **New River Presbyterian Church welcomes the Rev. Eustacia Marshall as its new pastor. **Grace Presbyterian Church in Jenkintown is installing the Rev. Brian Russo as its next pastor. Montreat hosting conference on changes in the church As we emerge from our homes and return to our places of worship, we’ve discovered a world that has fundamentally shifted. While some transitioned from the pew to the couch to engage and nurture their spiritual lives, others disappeared altogether. Longstanding trends of declining church membership accelerated during the pandemic and have found exhausted church staff working harder than ever to connect with their congregations. Habits changed, theology was challenged, and connections were severed, pointing to an unavoidable truth: The church we know is at a critical crossroads. Montreat Conference Center will hold a conference on "Holy Shift: Navigating Seismic Changes in the Church We Know" on Oct. 9-12. More information is available by clicking here. Synod PW gathering set for July 10-12 The Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Trinity will hold their annual summer gathering July 10-12 at the Penn Stater Hotel and Conference Center in State College, PA. The theme for this year's meeting is "Do Everything In Love" and will include 11 different workshops to participate in. The registration deadline is May 31. For more information on this event and other Synod PW news, click here. Historical Society here to help with records The Presbyterian Historical Society in Philadelphia provides in-house digitization services for PC(USA) congregations and mid councils. But why would a congregation or mid council digitize their minutes or other records? High quality digital facsimiles provide unlimited, remote access to records and protect materials from damage and deterioration by eliminating the need to handle fragile originals. PHS's paid digitization service ensures that a church or mid council will maintain uninterrupted access to its documents while safeguarding the original documents at our facilities at no cost. Learn more by clicking here.
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