Synod of the Trinity Enews: Synod Sunday is Sept. 15

	August 27, 2024 The Synod of the Trinity Being More Together Synod of the Trinity Synod Sunday: Sept. 15 Mark your calendars: Sunday, Sept. 15, is Synod Sunday! On Sept. 15, we invite the congregations and presbyteries in the Synod of the Trinity region to celebrate the gifts and blessings that take place in our bounds throughout the year. The Synod works hand-in-hand with the ministry and mission of our presbyteries as they seek to support the witness of congregations, to the end that the church throughout its region becomes a community of faith, hope, love and witness. Please use these bulletin inserts to help tell our story and celebrate the good news that is occurring in our region. Color                        Black and White Lackawanna-Lehigh Rhonda Kruse's transitional call helped shaped presbyteries Rhonda Kruse started her journey as the transitional leader at Lehigh Presbytery in 2019 with a three-year term. Fast Forward five years and in that time she has guided both Lehigh and Lackawanna Presbyteries into a merger that will benefit both mid councils financially, missionally and staffing-wise. "I really did what I was called here to do," she said, "which was to help initially Lehigh, and then Lehigh and Lackawanna, become more sustainable into the future and find a new way forward that could help them better support their congregations, which is the mission of a presbytery.” For more on Rhonda's time at Lehigh and Lackawanna Presbyteries, click here. Huntingdon Upper Spruce Creek Church energized by Creekside Park A church without walls is something that is becoming more and more popular these days as congregations move their ministries into communities where they don’t have a physical building. At Upper Spruce Creek Presbyterian Church in Pennsylvania Furnace (Centre County), the congregation has accomplished that right next to its brick and mortar structure. A new Creekside Park that’s sandwiched between the existing church building and Upper Spruce Creek not only has space for outdoor worship but also areas for games, a firepit and meditation. And, of course, fishing. “I think God wants us to take chances in his name,” Scott Kretchmar, the church’s certified lay pastor. “This was taking a chance. God has given us the courage to try something a little bit different. I would just encourage churches as much as they’re able to try new things." For more on this new space, click here. Pittsburgh Seminary Mission in the Margins: Lessons and Practices from the Global Church Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s World Mission Initiative and Continuing Education for the WMI Conference and W. Don McClure Lecture will focus on “Mission in the Margins: Lessons and Practices from the Global Church” on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 11-12. The movement of Christianity has shifted drastically over the past century, and now more than two-thirds of Christians live in the Global South. Yet mission practices continue to be deeply tied to older paradigms that presuppose that mission flows “from the West to the rest” rather than “from everywhere to everywhere.” What might we learn from listening to our siblings in Christ around the globe as we partner in mission together? For more information and to register, click here.
Energy-saving resources for congregations Find out how your congregation can get both tax rebates and direct pay options for installing energy-efficiency upgrades and/or renewable energy! Explore resources from this summer’s presentations to the General Assembly Committee on Environmental and Climate Justice and the General Assembly plenary, as well as a fuller hour-long webinar hosted by Presbyterians for Earth Care. The Senior Advisor at the U.S. Department of Treasury for Inflation Reduction Act Implementation, Ronald Newman, has been a great resource and wants to support congregations applying for these incentives. To learn more, click here. Welcome new pastors! Gleaned from presbytery newsletters in the Synod of the Trinity region, we recognize these pastoral celebrations: PITTSBURGH PRESBYTERY **Steve Singleton was ordained and will serve as associate pastor at Bidwell Street Presbyterian Church. PRESBYTERY OF DONEGAL **Mwat Asedeh was installed as pastor at Stewartstown Presbyterian Church on Aug. 11. Synod PW seeking mission project apps The Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Trinity has announced that its Mission Team is accepting applications for the 2025 PW Synod Mission project grants. The criteria of the project is that it will impact the lives of: women, children, youth, racial ethnic persons and persons with a disability and have a PW connection. The nominated project for 2025 should be a project within the Synod of the Trinity. For more information and to learn more about the Synod's PW, click here. PCUSA launches interactive map The 226th General Assembly (2024) approved the descriptions of presbytery boundaries submitted via overture by each synod. This interactive map shows the results of this long and complicated process, which included invitations to all stated clerks and executives to share information in the early stages and to confirm the final product. Click here to view the map. Evangelism Conference set for Oct. Registration for the 2024 Evangelism Conference, planned by the PCUSA's Theology, Formation & Evangelism committee, is now open. The “A Lifestyle That Exudes Justice” Evangelism Conference will be held Oct. 3-5 at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, KY. They will explore how we are called to embody the good news of God’s healing and compassion through "A Lifestyle that Exudes Justice." Click here to learn more and register. Krislund offering space for PSU fans If you’re looking for a place to stay during your Penn State football weekend, Krislund Camp & Conference Center in nearby Madisonburg, PA, may have just the place for you. Stay in one of the camp's cabins and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Krislund after an exciting day at the stadium. For information on availability and pricing, call (814) 422-8878 or email registration@krislund.org.
The Synod of the Trinity | Being More Together Have a story tip? Email Mike Givler, Communications Coordinator, here. Like us on Facebook.  Follow us on Twitter.

The Synod of the Trinity Enews: Kilberts reunite at General Assembly

	July 26, 2024 The Synod of the Trinity Being More Together General Assembly Kilbert twins relish time together at General Assembly Chris and Brian Kilbert attended this year's 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Salt Lake City. The 45-year-olds from the Synod of the Trinity region are not only brothers, but also twins. It made for an extra-special time for the two to bond over Presbyterian work while also getting in some sightseeing and hiking after their GA work was complete. “During General Assembly, I was very thankful to be able to share that experience with Brian,” Chris said. “Obviously we were with our own presbytery commissioners in different parts of the Assembly room, but for meals and evenings, we were able to be together and that was special.” For more on their experiences, which included being recognized for their 20-year ordination anniversary in front of a 600-person plenary, click here. __________________________________ Headlines from Salt Lake City CO-MODERATORS ELECTED Commissioners to the 226th General Assembly chose two South Carolina pastors, the Rev. CeCe Armstrong and the Rev. Tony Larson, to be the next co-moderators. They will serve a two-year term and are the fifth straight team of co-moderators to win election. To learn more about this team, click here. STATED CLERK NAMED Rev. Jihyun Oh was duly elected to the office of Stated Clerk of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The vote was 420-2. For more on Rev. Oh, click here. PER CAPITA INCREASES During the final day of the General Assembly, per capita rates were set of $10.84 for 2025 and $11.26 for 2026. Those figures include 64 cents during each of those years for items with financial implications approved by the Assembly. The current per capita rate is $9.80. To read more, click here. LAKE ERIE OVERTURES Three overtures came before the 226th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that were sponsored by the Presbytery of Lake Erie that dealt with "shared ministry." Click here to read more. IN CASE YOU MISSED IT The 10 most significant things commissioners did at the Salt Palace Convention Center and in neighboring churches between June 29 and July 4 have been recapped. Find the list by clicking here. Lake Erie Costly small fires doesn't deter New Hope Church Finding a beacon of light while sifting through the ashes following a fire isn’t easy. At New Hope Presbyterian Church in Erie, PA, the positive vibes that have come the congregation’s way since that May 9 emergency have helped carry it forward. “It’s just been incredible the amount of prayer support, cards and people stepping up to the plate,” said New Hope Church Commissioned Pastor Clay Woodring. “We had people from as far away as Indiana state that were at that pastors’ conference. All these Presbyterians are praying for us, and it just boomeranged. We have been taken care of, prayed for.” For more on the costly fire that could have been a lot worse, click here. Upper Ohio Valley Golf ministry a hole-in-one at First Westminster Church There’s something about the game of golf that can bring people together. No, the sport is not for everyone, but for those who enjoy golf, it can be as much a social experience as an athletic one. This in a nutshell is why the First Westminster Presbyterian Church of Steubenville, OH, has decided to bring the game of golf in the form of a golf simulator to its campus. It’s an activity that fits any age and one that can unite a congregation and, in fact, a whole community, while also providing life lessons and an important skill. “Our vision is for it to become a hub of relationships,” Jason said. “To watch the Holy Spirit work through relationships – it’s unbelievable how doors open. To watch the relationships fall into place, it as pretty evident that God had his hand through all of this. Ministry is about relationships and to watch this hook of golf bring those relationships together with God’s hand has been awesome.” For more on this unique outreach, click here. Philadelphia Synod grant helps Ivyland volunteers travel to Europe A Synod of the Trinity Mission Travel Grant assisted volunteers from Ivyland Presbyterian Church in the Presbytery of Philadelphia to travel to Europe this summer. "(In Naples), we met some wonderful children. We shared a week together studying the story of Joseph (Giuseppe). We studied lessons, worked on crafts, performed a play and played games. "The team walked together (6-7 miles per day), sweat together, ate together, laughed together and prayed together. It was a wonderful blessing." For more on this overseas trip, click here.
Synod PW seeking mission project apps The Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Trinity has announced that its Mission Team is accepting applications for the 2025 PW Synod Mission project grants. The criteria of the project is that it will impact the lives of: women, children, youth, racial ethnic persons and persons with a disability and have a PW connection. The nominated project for 2025 should be a project within the Synod of the Trinity. For more information and to learn more about the Synod's PW, click here. ____________ Northumberland PW learn about Casa Materna The Presbyterian Women of Northumberland Presbytery hosted a luncheon on June 22 to learn more about the Presbyterian Women 2024 Synod of the Trinity Mission Project: Casa Materna. Casa Materna is a prenatal clinic and birthing center in San Juan La Laguna, Guatemala. There is so much to the story, especially how Guatemalan women are being educated and certified in midwifery and nursing care. For more information, click here. Welcome new pastors! Gleaned from presbytery newsletters in the Synod of the Trinity region, we recognize these pastoral celebrations: PRESBYTERY OF DONEGAL **Easter Smart was installed as the pastor at Centre Presbyterian Church in New Park on July 14. HUNTINGDON PRESBYTERY **Scott Hoffman will be installed as the senior pastor at State College Presbyterian Church on Aug. 4. **Hilary Livingston will begin her ministry as the pastor at Providence Presbyterian Church in Altoona on Sept. 22. PCUSA launches interactive map The 226th General Assembly (2024) approved the descriptions of presbytery boundaries submitted via overture by each synod. This interactive map shows the results of this long and complicated process, which included invitations to all stated clerks and executives to share information in the early stages and to confirm the final product. Click here to view the map. Evangelism Conference set for Oct. Registration for the 2024 Evangelism Conference, planned by the PCUSA's Theology, Formation & Evangelism committee, is now open. The “A Lifestyle That Exudes Justice” Evangelism Conference will be held Oct. 3-5 at the Presbyterian Center in Louisville, KY. They will explore how we are called to embody the good news of God’s healing and compassion through "A Lifestyle that Exudes Justice." Click here to learn more and register. Donegal running trip for Civil Rights Tour The Presbytery of Donegal is sponsoring a Civil Rights Pilgrimage Bus Tour to Virginia, Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee from Oct. 19-26. The package includes eight days and seven nights of lodging, breakfast, transportation, museum tour fees and speakers. The cost is $1,625 per person for double occupancy and single occupancy is $2,175 per person (may be less depending on participants). Lunch and dinner are NOT included in the price. A limited number of single rooms are available. More information is available by clicking here. Krislund offering space for PSU fans If you’re looking for a place to stay during your Penn State football weekend, Krislund Camp & Conference Center in nearby Madisonburg, PA, may have just the place for you. Stay in one of the camp's cabins and enjoy the peaceful surroundings of Krislund after an exciting day at the stadium. For information on availability and pricing, call (814) 422-8878 or email registration@krislund.org. 'In the Arms of God' workshops at Montreat Montreat Conference Center in Montreat, NC, will hold its Women's Connection 2024 Workshops focusing on "In the Arms of God" from Aug. 9-11. Through “In the Arms of God,” you’ll have the chance to retreat from the day-to-day, take a deep breath of the Spirit, gather in community with other women of faith and leave with a heart full of hope. The preacher for the event will be Ruth Faith Santana-Grace, the co-moderator of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and general presbyter of the Presbytery of Philadelphia. For more information on these workshops, click here. Youth Triennium set for 2025 The Office of Presbyterian Youth and Triennium (PYT) has announced the 2025 Presbyterian Youth Triennium will be held in Louisville from July 28-31, 2025. It will be held at the Kentucky International Convention Center and surrounding hotels — all located very close to the Presbyterian Center — in downtown Louisville. Four new PYT Connect resources based on the theme of “When Did We See You?” can be used to create and host your own local or regional PYT theme experience. They are free to use for a wide variety of events and settings including church gatherings or a weekend retreat. The Event Planning Guide, Group Study Guide, Recreation Guide and Worship & Prayer Guide are available by clicking here.
The Synod of the Trinity | Being More Together Have a story tip? Email Mike Givler, Communications Coordinator, here. Like us on Facebook.  Follow us on Twitter.

Synod of the Trinity - Another Way

A response to Saturday's events in Butler County, PA, by Synod of the Trinity Executive the Rev. Forrest Claassen:

As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes” (Luke 19:41-42).
 
What meaning are we to make of the assassination attempt on former President Trump on Saturday night?
 
And perhaps more to the point, who gets to define that meaning?
 
How meaning is made
 
Does the shooter, whose intent we can now only imagine? Does Mr. Trump, who now knows what it feels like to escape death by inches? Does the family of Corey Comperatore — the family of a man who by the same inches did not escape?
 
Does the Secret Service, as it reviews how someone got such a vantage point? Or the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has declared the moment a reflection of the failure of American democracy?
 
You may anticipate where I’m headed: the shooting has multiple meanings. For that matter, any event has multiple meanings. Some of them deserve more credibility than others. And some of them depend on who we are and where we sit.
 
How I think on Saturday night
 
So what sense do I make of what happened last Saturday night? I don’t have anything carefully developed. But I do have a few thoughts that guide me when something like this happens.

1. An event like this is nothing new, even for the United States.

Forty years or more have passed since an assassination attempt on a sitting or former president. But other national leaders, or their families, have been attacked — Gabby Giffords, 2011; Steve Scalise, 2017; Nancy Pelosi’s husband Paul, 2022. And, as we know from our high school history texts, assassination attempts on presidents and presidential candidates are hardly unprecedented. Too many of them have succeeded.

2. Despite our cries to the contrary, this country is violent.

We have claimed our identity, established our boundaries, and protected our interests at the expense of others. Violence is embedded in our DNA. Our national leaders may insist that there is no place for violence in the political process of the United States. I would love for them to be right. But until our social messaging stops opening the door to violent solutions, their words are aspirational at best.

3. God in Christ has shown another way.

The Bible rarely shows God acting with direct power. We do not believe in a God who overwhelms our hate by magic or “divine fiat” as we commonly mean it. We proclaim a God who — in Christ on the Cross — takes our hatred and wrath into his person and patiently, graciously replaces it with his righteousness until we are the very righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21).

4. This way is meant to be our way.

If God does not respond with divine fiat, then the human problem will not be solved by force of will. Only a Cross-shaped response can answer our deepest need.
 
I believe God intends that response to be ours as well. I believe every real solution to human sin, including violence, will take the shape of the Cross. And I believe God calls us to that different way.
 
What I don’t mean
 
Now by “us” I do not mean humanity, or the people of the United States. Perhaps a world that lived by the Christ-ethic would know a peace we cannot presently imagine. And perhaps a nation that laid down its life as Christ did would save not only itself but the whole world (after all, wasn’t that what Jesus meant when he wept over Jerusalem?). But I have never seen a single nation, let alone the whole world, lift up its cross and follow Christ. Nor do I expect to, this side of the Second Coming.
 
No, by “us” I mean the Church — the “holy nation” whom God has “called…out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). We — the Church — are the ones called to follow a different way. The way of Christ is to be the way of Christ’s Body in the world—starting now.
 
Conclusion
 
I have no idea what it feels like to have a bullet clip my ear. I have no idea what it means to lose a loved one in one unanticipated second. And I certainly cannot say what it feels like to be an ordinary Russian.
 
So there are many meanings to the shooting on Saturday that I will never know.
 
But I do know a little about violence as the solution to the human condition. And this much I believe: if the Savior of the world has nail-pierced hands and a wound in his side, then our best hope — as his followers and for the world — lies in taking the same path.

Somewhere Along the Way —
 
Forrest

Oct. 26 Enews: Synod Assembly Livestream Opportunity

	October 26, 2023 The Synod of the Trinity Being More Together Synod of the Trinity Annual Synod Assembly coming to Bedford next week Watch: PC(USA) Co-Moderator Ruth Faith Santana-Grace to speak at gathering The Synod of the Trinity will hold its annual gathering of commissioners and presbytery leadership Sunday through Tuesday, Oct. 29-31, at the Omni Bedford Springs Resort. Among the highlights of the gathering will be the Rev. Ruth Faith Santana-Grace, the executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Philadelphia and a co-moderator of the 225th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), who will deliver the sermon for opening worship on Monday morning and also a keynote address later in the afternoon. The Synod is making her two speaking times available for viewing through the Synod's YouTube channel. Here is Ruth's speaking schedule: Monday's opening worship: 9:15 a.m. Monday's keynote address: 1:30 p.m. Click here to watch Upper Ohio Valley Presbytery reflects on 50 years of ministry in Ohio, WV Presbyterian Women Synod PW elects new officers, names mission project The Presbyterian Women of the Synod of the Trinity have been busy! They had their annual gathering in July in State College where they raised more than $2,500 for local missions. Part of those funds supported the PW's mission project, Welcome Home SIS – A Safe Space for System Impacted Survivors project. The project, located in Ohio, helps women who have been released from incarceration rebuild their lives for successful re-entry into society. Also at the summer gathering, Joyce Johnson from Kiskiminetas Presbytery was elected the PW's new moderator, and the Rev. Jane DeFord was named vice moderator for programs. The Synod PW's October newsletter is also available. Find a link to it and all of the news surrounding this great group by clicking here. Lehigh 'Nones' and 'dones' and Presbyterians Two pastors from Lehigh Presbytery were part of a study group that recently interviewed 225 people from their region and beyond who identify as “nones” and “dones” — individuals with no religious affiliation (“nones”) or persons who have walked away from a religious tradition for one reason or another (“dones”) — to find out their values, hopes and goals. The results were interesting to say the least. "We discovered that 'nones' and 'dones' insist upon an environment that is honest to admit its historic mistakes that have often caused great pain and suffering in the name of God. Churches that want to engage young adults need to be open and inviting, both in attitude and teaching." For more on the findings of the research, click here. Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) PDA providing assistance to areas in Israel, Palestine
Overture writing guide available for mid councils Is your presbytery considering writing an overture for the 226th General Assembly (2024) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) but don't know how to go about it? A resource guide has been created to help. Overtures are items of business that have been approved by a presbytery (with concurrence of another presbytery) or a synod and shall request the General Assembly to take a particular action, or approve or endorse a particular statement or resolution. To view this resource on how to write an overture, click here. Welcome new pastors! Gleaned from presbytery newsletters in the Synod of the Trinity region, we recognize these pastoral changes in our region: PRESBYTERY OF DONEGAL **Josh Gill will be installed as pastor at Central Presbyterian Church in Downingtown on Nov. 12. **Maggie Niles will be installed as the associate pastor at Covenant Presbyterian Church in Malvern on Nov. 19. **Gabby Wiley will be ordained at Donegal Presbyterian Church in Mount Joy on Nov. 19. SHENANGO PRESBYTERY **Marsha Parrish will be ordained at Unity Presbyterian Church in Mercer on Nov. 5. UPPER OHIO VALLEY PRESBYTERY **Jane Schockey was installed at the First Presbyterian Church of Toronto on Oct. 15. Advent resources available A seven-page interactive guide from the PCUSA Store offers a variety of resources for Advent 2023. There are books for group study, individual devotion, preaching and worship, as well as options for children, youth and all-ages education. Click here for more information and to order. Carlisle seeking presbyter leader The Presbytery of Carlisle is searching for a Presbytery Leader for Vision and Transformation (formerly the Executive Presbyter position). For a full description of the position and to review the Ministry Discernment Profile, click here. __________________ Job Opportunities A complete listing of job openings from this region is available on the Synod website by clicking here. Cyber-Security tips Are you seeing more spam emails in your inbox these days? Do you have trouble figuring out which ones are legit and which are a hoax? A Corp’s General Counsel, Mike Kirk, has provided tips on vigilance against hacking, phishing and ransomware that should be of interest to all councils of the church. For tips on how to avoid hackers, phishing and other nastiness, click here. Thriving on the Vine Celebration set for Nov. The Presbytery of Philadelphia is holding a “Thriving on the Vine Celebration & Equipping Event,” which is a gathering for smaller congregations, on Saturday, Nov. 18, at United Lutheran Seminary in Philadelphia. Rev. Dr. Ray Jones III from the Presbyterian Mission Agency will be the keynote speaker. The day will include workshops for congregations and leaders as well as opportunities to share and hear stories of the ways churches are thriving. More information and preregistration are available by clicking here.
The Synod of the Trinity | Being More Together Have a story tip? Email Mike Givler, Communications Coordinator, here. Like us on Facebook.  Follow us on Twitter.