Recent Updates |
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| New May 10 |
What’s New at the Resource Center? Items added in April |
| Presbytery E-News for May | |
| New May 3 |
Resource Center: Volunteers Needed |
| Youth: Youth Ministry Dinner & Continuing Conversation, Tue May 22 @ 12 Corners | |
| News: GAMC Chnanges in Special Mission Offerings | |
| Updated Apr 22 |
Travel Blog: Follow reports from our Untwisting Tuscalossa mission trip. |
Updated Documents:
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News
Youth Ministry Dinner & Continuing Conversation
- Tuesday May 22, 5:30-7:30pm
- Twelve Corners Presbyterian Church
1200 Winton Rd S [ map ] - RSVP to by Fri May 18
Resource & Education invites you to set aside some time to reflect and share with your colleagues in youth ministry.
We’ll have some time to reflect on Mission Madness and upcoming opportunities, including the June 3 Picnic in the Country, and thoughts about programming for 2012–2013. Most importantly, we’ll shore each other up for the final days of the season!!
This wonderful home-cooked meal (thank you, Pat Hemmenway!) is provided to you free-of-charge by the Resource & Education committee.
Timely Topics from the Resource Center
FAITH, HOPE, LOVE AND WITNESS:
THE PC(USA) FORM OF GOVERNMENT
Author: Paul K. Hooker- The Presbyterian Church (USA) adopted a new form of church government in 2011. The way the church understands itself, how it is structured and active in the world, how it “is” the church are now expressed through the newest version of the Book of Order.
This study will acquaint Presbyterians with the basics of the new book and the theological and ecclesiastical insights it presents. Reserve this item 
PRACTICING WITNESS:
A MISSIONAL VISION OF CHRISTIAN PRACTICES
Author: Benjamin T. Connor- How might a church infused with missional theology change the way it approaches Christian practices?
In this innovative book, Benjamin Connor interacts both with the missional theology of George Hunsberger and Darrell Guder and with the theology of Christian practices laid out by Craig Dykstra and Dorothy Bass.
He argues that bringing these two disciplines into dialogue with one another can empower the church’s witness, enhance its congregational discipleship, and enliven its theological education. Reserve this item 
THE NEXT CHRISTIANS: SEVEN WAYS YOU CAN LIVE THE GOSPEL AND RESTORE THE WORLD
Author: Gabe Lyons- Gabe Lyons is optimistic that Christianity’s best days are yet to come. Lyons shows how a new wave of believers is turning the tide by bringing the truth of the Gospel to bear on our changing, secular society.
You too can be one of these “next” Christians and change the negative perception of Christianity by living a life that is faithful to the Gospel, yet credible and coherent to your friends and neighbors. Reserve this item
More new materials here…
NextChurch Western and Centeral NY Gatherings
As we continue to connect and learn and dream and think of what the next church will look like, we invite you to gather “micro-regionally” to discuss a topic of interest over lunch.
Seasonal Committee Meetings—A new approach for churches
Brandi Wooten and Nancy Reinert (pastors at Chili, First and Caledonia, First, respectively) will be walking us through their churches’ approach to planning using a seasonal approach, rather than the traditional committee model. Lunch provided for $7.
Thursday June 7, 11am–2pm
Choice of “Live” or “Remote” locations:
- Live
First Presbyterian Church of Chili
3600 Chili Ave, Rochester [ map ]
RSVP: Brandi Wooten 585/889-9896
- Remote
First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca
315 N Cayuga St, Ithaca [ map ]
RSVP: Alice Tewell 607/272-2800
General Assembly Mission Council Approves Changes in Special Offerings
There have been four special offerings in the PC(USA)—the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, the Pentecost Offering, the Peacemaking Offering, and the Christmas Joy Offering.
The biggest change is the elimination of strict percentage allocations to GAMC programs for special offering receipts. Here is a summary of the changes:
- OGHS will now be used for purposes such as “community development, disaster assistance, hunger ministries and peacemaking activities.”
- The Peacemaking Offering will be replaced by the World Communion Offering. Congregations and presbyteries will retain 25% each of the offering. The balance will go to support “global witness and outreach beyond the United States.”
- The 50% of the Christmas Joy Offering that has previously gone to racial ethnic schools and colleges and students will now go to “racial ethnic church leadership development.” The other half will continue to go the Board of Pensions for assistance programs for retired church workers, their spouses and survivors.
GAMC will be hiring a Director of Special Offerings so that there will be a person specifically responsible for a strategic, coordinated effort.