Who are your teachers? I don't necessarily mean academic instructors or even your favorite Sunday school teacher. Who are your "real" teachers? People we have never met, in stories we hear on the evening news, can be our teachers. When we see people in our churches, neighborhoods, and business community addressing problems with creativity and compassion and putting their resources to work for the good of all, they become our teachers. 
 

When we mentor a child, send a young person to a life-changing camp or conference, or sponsor a young adult volunteering a year of service and ministry, our participation in and witness of their journey become our teacher. 
 

The Holy Spirit is the Great Teacher. The followers of Jesus, gathered in the upper room on Pentecost, could never have imagined how their day would unfold. 
 

It may come in the form of a rushing wind, a life-altering event, an unexpected loss, a transformative moment, or a still, small voice speaking a truth we cannot deny. But it will come. It is the force that moves us forward and gives our lives meaning. It is the promise of Pentecost.
 
On Sunday, May 27, your church will receive the Pentecost Offering which will be used for children at risk, young people finding their faith and young adults growing in ministry. Pray that you will walk in a spirit of humility, kindness, and compassion so that you may become vessels for the teaching of others.

(From the 2009 Mission Yearbook Minute for Mission: Pentecost Offering)

The summary of the Spring Stated Meeting of the Presbytery of New Harmony is available online.  A paper copy of the summary will be mailed to each congregation. 

The General Assembly is the council of the whole church  and deals with a complex array of business brought to it by the church. The 220th General Assembly will meet in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania June 30 - July 7.  There are essentially four sources of business coming to the assembly:

1. Reports from various committees and ministries of the General Assembly Mission Council, the Office of the General Assembly, and four other agencies of the PC(U.S.A.).
2. Overtures from synods and presbyteries.
3. Commissioners' resolutions (submitted in the first 24 hours of the assembly).
4. Business referred to the assembly from past assemblies.

A special part of each assembly is the opening ceremony and the elections of stated clerk and the moderator.

How can a person keep up with all that is going on?  That is where PC-biz comes in. 

"PC-biz" is the name for the electronic system that will be used at the 220th General Assembly (2012) in Pittsburgh, PA this summer. It is the primary way that commissioners and advisory delegates will access (read and follow) assembly business. It will also be the means by which all others (staff, observers, press, etc.) will have access to read and follow assembly business - whether onsite from their office or home through the Internet.

You can be an observer of the assembly through PC-biz.  You can read all the reports as well as follow general sessions of the assembly through internet streaming. 

Visit PC-biz.

The Voice - four days at Montreat (May 25-28) with the CEO of Habitat for Humanity, a former Governor of North Carolina, a verteran football coach, and a peace activitist.

The Women's Connection (May 29-June 1) - seeks to explore the theme "where is God when the waters rise?" When we are neck-deep in the troubles of our world, where do we find the "still waters" God has promised us? Join with other women of all ages and wade into the calm of a place away, and explore God's still, small voice in the currents of your life. Through worship, discussion, and reflection, learn from and connect with other women in new and meaningful ways.

A Day with Phyllis Tickle (July 6) - We 21st century Christians are living in a strange time, one that Bishop Mark Dyer has long since labeled as "A Giant Rummage Sale." To understand what it means for us here and now, acclaimed author and lecturer Phyllis Tickle will lead us in looking first at where we are and, secondly, at how we got here. Explore what it all means for the institutional Church and for us as Christians to be passing through such tumultuous times, and discover that some very invigorating, energetic, and God-drenched possibilities are awaiting us in the near future.

Interested in going to the Worship & Music Conference in Montreat this summer? There are 3 scholarships available to help three people attend.   If you are a member or staff member of a Presbytery of New Harmony church, you can apply by contacting the Presbytery office (877-662-8411) to request a scholarship application (or download it here).

These $400 scholarships are being offered first come first awarded through the Worship & Spiritual Formation Division. You can attend the conference during either of the weeks that it is offered, June 17-23 or 24-30.

Your South Carolina Home at Montreat turns 100 this year and plans a big celebration. 

Check out their latest news to learn how you may participate and also see the latest information on vacancies.

Would you like to share your mission story in "This Week in New Harmony."  Email me a brief description of your involvement in mission.  Be sure to include:  who? what? when? and where?  If I need further details before sharing, I will contact you.  My (Avery's) email is presbyeducator@gmail.com.

Links to previously published Presbytery articles and events

• Do you want to help Presbyterian Disaster Assistance with tornado response?   
   
• Smaller Congregation Educational Initiative - Educational answers for smaller membership congregations.
   
• Camp Pee Dee Retreat Center Summer Camp Brochure is available also Camper Registration Form

Other Events of Interest

Kingston Presbyterian Church, Conway, announces their 154th anniversary service and Annual Kirkin' of the Tartans.  The service will be held Sunday, May 20, 2012, at Kingston Presbyterian Church, 800 Third Ave., Conway, SC. Worship, conducted by the Rev. Rhett Talbert, will begin at 10:30 am.

Celebration Presbyterian Church, Myrtle Beach, is having a yard sale Saturday, May 19, 8 am - 1 pm.

Trinity Presbytery invites you to a Retirement Celebration honoring the service of Rev. Dr. Alan F. Arnold.  The staff of Trinity Presbytery is hosting a drop in in his honor Thursday, May 24, 4-7 pm, at the Trinity Presbytery office, 554 DaVega Dr., Lexington, SC.  Dr. Arnold retires from his position of Executive Presbyter/Stated Clerk at the end of May.  You are invited to share in this celebration.

Do you have information to share? If your congregation has had or is planning an event you would like to publicize to the Presbytery of New Harmony, send the information to Avery at presbyeducator@gmail.com.  Please do not reply to the past editions of "This Week."  Replies do not always get back through the system.  It is better for you to submit articles on a separate email.  Information must be submitted by Monday to guarantee inclusion in that week's publication.

A complete list of employment opportunities is available on the Presbytery of New Harmony website.  Included are opportunities for employment from First Presbyterian Church, Hartsville; Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church; and John Calvin Presbyterian Church, Florence.

If your congregation has an employment opportunity it would like listed, please email Avery, presbyeducator@gmail.com.