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26-Sep-95

95330               Presbytery and Synod News 
 
                      by Jerry L. Van Marter 
 
ORLANDO, Fla.--On Oct. 6 and 7, the Peace with Justice Committee of Central 
Florida Presbytery will host two identical workshops on how to contact and 
influence elected officials in ways that will have a positive impact on 
public policy decisions. 
     Workshop leader is the Rev. Jim Watkins of the Presbyterian 
Peacemaking Program, a former congressional staff member.  The events will 
be held at Rockledge Presbyterian Church (Oct. 6) and First Presbyterian 
Church of Maitland (Oct. 7). 
 
BILLINGS, Mont.--"On the Rock" is the theme of a retreat for middle 
school-aged young people sponsored by Glacier and Yellowstone presbyteries 
Oct. 20-22. 
     Keynote speaker for the retreat, to be held at Glacier Camp and 
Conference Center, is Rodger Nishioka, associate for youth leader 
development in the Congregational Ministries Division in Louisville.  
 
AZUSA, Calif.--Construction has begun on three houses in Duarte by San 
Gabriel Presbytery and Habitat for Humanity.  
     The Duarte Project grew out of the presbytery's mission committee's 
desire to involve the presbytery in a project that would minister to people 
in a more direct way than just giving money, foster a spirit of cooperation 
and unity in the presbytery and allow people to share the gospel in word 
and deed. 
 
SAN JOSE, Calif.--San Jose Presbytery has joined with other religious 
organizations in the Santa Clara Valley to establish a chaplaincy at San 
Jose International Airport. 
     The ministry, under the auspices of Interfaith Services, works to 
provide specially trained and experienced spiritual care and counseling for 
travelers and airport employees.  The presbytery relates to the program 
through its Committee on Mission and Justice and its liaison to the program 
is the Rev.  Helen Jackson. 
 
HOUSTON--New Covenant Presbytery is sponsoring a Christian leadership 
school Oct. 6-7 entitled "Living, Learning, Leading."  It will take place 
at Memorial Drive Presbyterian Church here. 
     Keynote speaker is the Rev. Shirley Guthrie, professor of systematic 
theology at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Ga.  He will speak on 
the topic "Which Theology Matters?" 
 
ATHENS, Ga.--A crew of 38 "volunteer missionaries" from Northeast Georgia 
Presbytery recently completed work on two houses in Piedras Negras, Mexico, 
bringing to 18 the number of houses constructed by the group in the last 
six years. 
     The presbytery's house-building ministry began in 1989 with the 
construction of three houses in Piedras Negras.  In ensuing years, 12 more 
houses have been built there and three more have been built in Cuidad 
Victoria.  All of the houses have been financed by contributions from 
individuals and churches in the presbytery. 
 
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--Representatives of the Synod of Living Waters and its 12 
presbyteries have affirmed the concept of partnership in mission and have 
appointed a design team to refine the process through which it is done. 
     At an August meeting here, the group asked synod executive the Rev. 
Harold Jackson to design a consultation in 1996 that will explore the 
possibilities for expanded partnership opportunities between the synod and 
its presbyteries with more emphasis on mission and less on funds 
allocation. 
 
DECATUR, Ill.--A stewardship seminar for pastors sponsored by Southeastern 
Illinois Presbytery will be held Oct. 6 at First Presbyterian Church of 
Charleston, Ill. 
     Keynote speaker is former General Assembly moderator the Rev. Robert 
W. Bohl.  
 
ANAHEIM, Calif.--The Christian Education Committee of Los Ranchos 
Presbytery is hosting a "visionary event" entitled "Educating for 
Transformation" on Oct. 14 at Trinity Presbyterian Church in Santa Ana. 
     Keynote speaker is John Schmidt, a minister in the Reformed Church in 
America and leadership consultant specializing in personal, organizational 
and community formation, reformation and transformation.  The event will 
also include eight workshops. 
 
 

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