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16 May 1996 
 
 
 
96184               Presbytery and Synod News 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
BAINBRIDGE, N.Y.--More than 60 persons attended the recent tri-presbytery 
stewardship conference at First Presbyterian Church of Ithaca, N.Y., 
co-sponsored by the presbyteries of Susquehanna Valley, Cayuga-Syracuse and 
Geneva. 
     Stewardship consultant Don Scott introduced the day with his keynote 
address "The Challenge of Change...Catering to Diverse Appetites," which 
was followed by two presentations: "What Influences Presbyterian Giving?" 
by the Rev. Cynthia Crowell and the Rev. Jim Haas, and "Today's 
Generations, Lifestyles and Church-going Patterns" by Scott. 
     Participants also heard about Presbyterian mission work in Thailand 
and attended workshops on various stewardship-related topics. 
 
HARRISONBURG, Va.--In the mid-Atlantic region, it's not unusual for a 
church to celebrate its 250th anniversary.  It happens almost every year, 
and some congregations have already topped 300 years. 
     But this year is different in Shenandoah Presbytery.  Six churches 
within a 15-mile radius are celebrating 250 years of ministry this year. 
All were founded in 1746.  To help mark the occasion, General Assembly 
moderator Marj Carpenter is scheduled to be present for a May 22 
celebration of the six churches' anniversary at Bethel Presbyterian Church 
near Staunton, Va. 
     The other celebrating congregations are Fairfield Presbyterian Church, 
Hebron Presbyterian Church, New Monmouth Presbyterian Church in Lexington, 
New Providence Presbyterian Church in Raphine and Timber Ridge Presbyterian 
Church in Lexington. 
 
COLUMBUS, Ohio--Edith Patton has been named interim executive presbyter for 
the Presbytery of Scioto Valley.  She begins her duties June 1.  
     Patton has been in executive service in the Presbyterian Church for a 
number of years, most recently as acting general presbyter for the 
Presbytery of the Peaks in Virginia. 
 
PANAMA CITY, Fla.--The Rev. Spiwo Xapile visited Florida Presbytery for a 
week in April.  Xapile is pastor of the J.L. Zwane Presbyterian Church in 
Capetown, South Africa, and moderator of Western Cape Presbytery of the 
Reformed Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  The two presbyteries 
entered into a partnership agreement last year. 
 
CHARLOTTE, N.C.--"Bridges to Leadership" is the title of a Christian 
education training event sponsored by Charlotte Presbytery, Aug. 18 at 
Sardis Presbyterian Church here. 
     The event will feature special training programs for new and 
experienced church school teachers, youth ministry leaders, pastors, 
educators, Sunday school superintendents, Christian education committee 
members and Presbyterian Women Bible study leaders. 
 
SEATTLE--The Synod of Alaska-Northwest is sponsoring a mission trip to the 
Maori Synod in New Zealand to be a part of the 100th anniversary of 
Presbyterian mission work with the Maori people.  The trip is scheduled for 
Nov. 13-30. 
     Participants will live for a few days on a "marae" with the Maori 
people and conduct a work project.  They will also travel throughout New 
Zealand, visiting historical and cultural sites. 
 
CHARLESTON, S.C.--The five presbyteries of South Carolina gathered May 11 
at Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church in Columbia for their annual Statewide 
Stewardship Workshop. 
     Keynote speaker was the Rev. Todd Jones, pastor of First Presbyterian 
Church in Spartanburg. Workshops were conducted on such topics as 
stewardship resources, what stewardship methods work best, planned giving, 
preaching on stewardship and stewardship as a Christian lifestyle. 
     Participating presbyteries included Charleston-Atlantic, Foothills, 
New Harmony, Providence and Trinity. 
 
BERKELEY, Calif.--The greatest challenge facing the church is "to change 
the tide of prevailing ideological consensus -- a shallow individualism 
that is bringing American culture and society to its knees -- and to bring 
forth the seasoned virtues of care, generativity, wisdom and community to 
the wider fellowship of life." 
     That was the urgent call sounded by famed sociologist Robert Bellah in 
his keynote address to San Francisco Presbytery's recent "Presbytery Day" 
gathering at Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church.  More than 250 persons 
attended the event.  In addition to the address by Bellah, author of 
"Habits of the Heart," they participated in more than 20 workshops on a 
variety of topics. 
 
BUFFALO, N.Y.--For the third year in a row, renowned stewardship consultant 
Herb Miller will lead a workshop on stewardship "how-to's" for pastors and 
stewardship committee leaders in Western New York Presbytery. 
     "Stewardship Lifters: A Cafeteria of Methods that Increase Church 
Giving 15 Percent to 30 Percent Annually" will be held June 1 at First 
Presbyterian Church of East Aurora.  The workshop will include lectures, 
question-and-answer sessions, idea and resource sharing and practical tips 
on increasing the effectiveness of stewardship programs. 
 
ANAHEIM, Calif.--Los Ranchos Presbytery has established a mission 
partnership with Chon Buk Presbytery in South Korea.  A delegation from Los 
Ranchos traveled to Korea in March to sign the partnership agreement. 
     While in Korea, the delegation participated in worship in several 
congregations, participated in the ordination of two seminary graduates and 
visited a hospital, nursing school and seminary that are part of the 
mission of Chon Buk Presbytery. 
     A delegation from the Korean presbytery is visiting Los Ranchos 
Presbytery this month. 

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