Friday, January 21, 2011

Two exciting PW events on the Southside!

Two exciting Presbyterian Women events are coming up on the Southside...
The Presbyterian Women of Providence Presbyterian Church invite you to "Women Living Wholly for God" on Saturday, January 29th from 9am - 2pm.  This wonderful day of bringing God more and more into our everyday lives includes special guest speaker, Kelly Miller, professional organizer/home stager and author of the blog, The Tidy Brown Wren.  Kelly will offer guidance on organizing our home to be a blessing.  A chef from Williams Sonoma will delight our senses with a cooking demonstration and we'll also enjoy a video from Liz Curtis Higgs.  The labyrinth and spirituality stations will be set up in the church parlor for a few moments of quiet with the Lord.  A healthy breakfast, a good-for-you soup and salad lunch, and childcare are included in the $5 registration fee.  Please call Jane Everton, 495-5532, to register today!


The Presbyterian Women of Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church extend an invitation to you for the wonderful drama, "Women of the Bible: Stories of Passion, Power, and Purpose," presented by award-winning Biblical dramatist, Anita Gutschick.  This weekend event begins on Friday evening, February 25th (coffee and dessert included), and continues on Saturday morning, February 26th (breakfast bites and lunch included).  Childcare for little ones is also included in the $35 registration fee.  It is the prayer of the Women of Grace that the Heavenly Father bless your time with them, revitalizing and energizing you to love and serve in His name.  Contact Grace Covenant for more information, 427-6478.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

"Why Are These Presbyterian Churches Growing?" - book review

Why Are These Presbyterian Churches Growing?: (The Story of Fifteen Thriving Presbyterian Churches
Foster H. Shannon

Green Leaf Press, Alhambra, CA

2009

Why is it that Fifteen Presbyterian Churches in California have shown substantial membership growth? Their exciting stories challenge and encourage all of us, while their unique examples teach us how to improve our ministries in the local church.


 
   "The answer, of course, is a combination of excellent leadership and excellent programs of ministry that attract new people.  The book compares membership and attendance gains from 2002 to 2007, along with background information about the community and the church.  A summary of the staff and programs gives a snapshot of the congregation's ministry in a typical week.  The churches offer us many possibilities for growth beyond the incentive of favorable demographics.  A concluding chapter gives a few general suggestions for us to consider in following the example of these growing churches."
Reviewed by Pastor Doug VanNiel,
Bethany Presbyterian Church,
Zuni
 
Want to know more?  Check it out at the PEVA Resource Center!

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Contemplative Retreat in February


As winter deepens and our pace slows down a bit, it is the perfect season to recollect ourselves, to take some time to sense where our inner compass might be pointing, to listen quietly to our soul’s stirrings.

Whether we are facing a transition, or simply need reminding of what is foundational for each of us, our “homeground,” this contemplative retreat will provide the space, rest and discovery needed to navigate life’s passages. 

During this weekend of quiet time, artwork, presentations, journaling, community, walks in nature, yoga, delicious meals, and more, we will explore:

Being attuned to endings and beginnings
Identifying our homeground, our sources of strength
Ways of listening that encourage and deepen us

"To be contemplative does not mean to be curious about the world or to collect information, but to be quiet before the world and recollect oneself.”    -  Marv Hiles

The location is the incomparable Cobb Island Station retreat center just north of Cape Charles.  This expansive and soulful facility offers a beautiful waterfront setting, grounds for strolling, a labyrinth, hot-tub, and very comfortable accommodations and meeting rooms. Limited accommodations are available for overnight lodging.  Spaces are also available for retreat participation during Saturday only, or during both Saturday and Sunday. 

Dates:   9:00am Saturday, February 5th, till 2pm Sunday, February 6th.

Information/registration:    http://www.esva.net/~dryon/retreat.htm
Registration deadline:  Tuesday January 25th, 2011.  Debbie Ryon 710-4661 or dryon@verizon.net   

Rates: 
Full weekend, with overnight accommodation, materials and all meals: 
Double:  $225  Private:  $275  
Saturday only, materials & meals through dinner, no overnight accommodation:   $75
Saturday & Sunday, materials & meals through dinner, no overnight accommodation:  $125
Friday night extension (7 pm arrival for evening quiet time, no dinner)
Double: add $50, Private: add $75

About the leaders:

Nina Frost Close is an experienced retreat leader, spiritual director, career counselor, the director of Adult Education at Marble Collegiate Church in New York and the co-author of Soul Mapping:  An Imaginative Way to Self-Discovery.  She divides her time between New York and her Onancock home.

Nancy Collins, PhD is an administrator and career counselor for Old Dominion University.  She also teaches student development courses for Eastern Shore Community College.  Nancy has an interest in how art helps us to discover ourselves.

Debbie Ryon is a facilities engineer, leader of a local “Art & Soul” group and an avid contemplative retreat participant. 

Monday, January 10, 2011

Book Talk with Dr. Louis B. Weeks

You are invited to the inaugural "William Smith Morton Library Book Talk" - a new program through Union Presbyterian Seminary's "Union Live" initiative to bring Union resources to you and your church.

"William Smith Morton Library Book Talks" will semi-annually bring you a featured author who is also an alumnus/a of Union Theological Seminary, Presbyterian School of Christian Education, Union-PSCE or Union Presbyterian Seminary.

The first of these features Dr. Louis B. Weeks' To Be a Presbyterian, with discussion and Q&A.  For thirteen years, as Union and PSCE federated, and as the new programs opened in Charlotte, NC, Weeks served as President.  His books include To Be a Presbyterian-Revised Edition (2010); All For God’s Glory: Redeeming Church Scutwork (2008) The Presbyterian Presence: Bible Words That Shape a Faith (1992); and Making Ethical Decisions. He co-edited six casebooks, and he co-edited the Presbyterian Presence (1989-1993), a seven-volume study of the PC(USA). He writes regularly for several websites, including Resourcing American Christianity, Faith and Leadership, and The Presbyterian Leader.  He is also one of the authors of the new PC (USA) curriculum, Being Reformed: Faith Seeking Understanding

You may attend the Book Talk in person or you may view the discussion live by registering for the webinar here

Resources by Dr. Louis B. Weeks are available in the Resource Center... check the online catalog and reserve a title today!