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Peaks Postings, August 9, 2016 Page 2

Roswell Presbyterian Church

launches a new worshiping

community in northern Atlanta

by Emily Enders Odom | Presbyterian News Service

LOUISVILLE – The way Mark Roberson sees it, it

was Roswell Presbyterian Church’s turn to plant a

church.

Roberson, a ruling elder for over 50 years—18 of

those at Roswell—knew more than just a little about

church planting. He’d

worked with

thePresbytery of

Greater Atlanta’s New

Church Development

Commission (NCDC),

and in 2011 he just

knew it was Roswell’s

time.

“We had done some

very exciting mission

projects both locally, in

terms of affordable

housing, and interna-

tionally,” Roberson says,

“but since we had come

to a conclusion on some of those initiatives that

were in a maintenance mode, our pastor, Lane Al-

derman, said, ‘We need a new big thing that will ex-

cite the congregation.’ Out of that came this ques-

tion, ‘Why don’t we plant a church? We’ve never

done that.’”

And just like that, the seed—that would eventually

take root toward as The Mustard Seed Project—

was planted.

Roswell immediately formed an exploratory group at

the church to initiate the investigation. Roberson

and fellow church member, Jerry Bowden, and oth-

ers, along with the church’s associate pastor for

Mission Outreach, the Rev. Mary Cox, and the Rev.

Sara Hayden—who was then the director of the

presbytery’s NCDC and is now director of Appren-

ticeships and Residencies for the Presbyterian Mis-

sion Agency’s 1001 New Worshiping Communi-

ties initiative—were charged with finding the right

place to plant a church, how to fund it, and overall

what to do.

When Roberson started to realize that the church’s

exploration was getting serious, he knew that the

congregation would be concerned for their pastor,

the Rev. Lane Alderman, who had been battling

cancer since 2000 with a

recent recurrence in

2009-2010.

“I said to Lane the first

question that the con-

gregation is going to ask

you is whether or not

you’re up to this,”

Roberson recalls. “And

what Lane told me was,

‘I take it day by day, and

today I am. There’s no

better legacy that I

would like to leave than

planting a church.’”

In moving the church’s

vision closer to reality, the first thing that Roswell

did was establish a business plan that called for the

Roswell Church to support the new worshiping com-

munity for five years. Roswell then launched a fund-

raising campaign—over, above, and separate from

the church’s operating budget—to raise the money

to fund the new church plant.

“We ran a campaign with a goal of $800,000,”

Roberson says. “In two months, we raised $715,000

in either donations or pledges. We chose not to ap-

ply for any grants of any kind, believing that there

were folks who needed that money and we didn’t.”

Click here to read more.

Mustard Seed Project Core Group meeting space in Georgia. (Photo by Meaghan Cochrane)

Peaks Postings, August 9, 2016 Page 3

New Benefits Connect Is Live! The Presbytery of the Peaks’ Committee on Ministry will be offering assistance to congregations wishing to

enroll employees through the new Benefits Connect on line system at the August 20th Presbytery Meeting at

Covenant Presbyterian Church in Roanoke from 9:30 am to 3:00 pm. There will be several computer sta-

tions with trained COM members available to assist treasurers, office managers, secretaries, and benefit

managers of congregations as well as help identify the new variety of benefit options available for lay em-

ployees. They will also be able to assist pastors in using Benefits Connect to view their benefits and man-

age their personal information. More information about available options can be found in the Overview of

the 2017 Benefits Plan on the Board of Pensions website: http://www.pensions.org/

PLEASE NOTE: Congregation Employee Representatives/Benefit Managers will need to contact the Board of Pensions to register positions new to your current BOP account at least 10 (ten) days prior to using Bene-fits Connect to select from the new menu options. To be assisted by COM members and staff congregation employee representatives/benefit manages need to have their most recent BOB invoice, a log-in ID, and password to access the new system. These can be generated on the Benefits Connect web page:https://benefitsconnect.pensions.org/_layouts/15/BenefitsConnect/Login.aspx;

or by calling the Board of Pensions at: 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).

Peaks Postings, August 9, 2016 Page 4

Job Opportunities

Nursery Worker

Forest Presbyterian Church is

looking for a part-time, paid,

lead nursery worker who loves

children and Jesus.

If interested please send your

resume to:

Forest Presbyterian Church, PO Box 311, Forest,

VA 24551, or office@forestchurch.org

YOUTH DIRECTOR Covenant Presbyterian Church, Roanoke

We are hiring a part-time Youth Director for

its Middle School and Sen-ior High (grades 6-12) youth.

Job Type: Part-Time Up to 20 hours per week

Salary: $18/per hour

Required Experience/Education (see website)

Apply to: kimw@covroanoke.org

Or call Kim Garst, 540.989.3314 for more info.

Youth Pastor Wanted Buchanan Presbyterian Church We are offering a part time position of YOUTH PASTOR. This person does not need to be ordained, but motivated with a love of the Lord Jesus and a call for introducing youth to a relationship with Christ. This special person will cre-ate a Christ-honoring pathway for our youth to bring their friends to the church during the week as well as Sunday morning for Sunday School and wor-ship. Should the Lord be nudging you, please call Marina Gopadze, pastor, at 540-254-1320.

MISSION AND

MINISTRY

WORSHOPS AUGUST 20, 2016 Presbytery Meeting

9:30 AM TO 11 AM

Covenant Presbyterian Church

1831 Deyerle Rd. SW, Roanoke

Be challenged to think creatively about ways your

congregation can reach out to your community

Come Experience the New Worshipping Com-

munities of Wild Goose and Under The Wing.

Workshop presented by several leaders of this

new worshipping community.

Cindy Correll, Coordinator of Joining Hands in

Haiti will be share about the ministry supported

by the Presbytery of the Peaks in Haiti

Andy King, Teaching Elder, Campus Minister at

Radford University will share his experiences

from his recent trip to the Holy Land

Members of the Presbytery of the Peaks will

speak about the Presbytery trip to Guatemala

July 23 to 30, 2016

Click here for more information.

Peaks Postings, August 9, 2016 Page 5

LEADERSHIP IN MINISTRY TRANSITIONS BENEFIT CLL'S LEARNERS

Leadership in Ministry is a vibrant, learning, and leadership development oppor-

tunity. The individuals who go through it, usually go through it numerous times

and become devoted followers of the Bowen Family Systems Theory. Read

more to learn about the CLL's expanded role in LIM! Read More

WHAT SHOULD A GOVERNING BOARD BE GOOD AT?

Dan Hotchkiss will be at the CLL in October to lead Governance and Ministry: The Art of Cultivating Staff-

Board Partnerships. We've had Dan lead for us before -- Change, Organization and Generosity in Smaller

Congregations and Small Churches: Adventures in Vitality. He knows what he's talking about! This is a re-

post from Dan's blog. Read More

Peaks Postings, August 9, 2016 Page 6

West Virginia Flood

Response: What to

Do to Help Now Submitted by Denise Pillow, Hunger Action Advocate

1. Pray. It is our first and best response. God is

amazing!

2. Give money. While it is satisfying to buy prod-

ucts to send and to see a big truck full of items

pull out of the parking lot on its way to survivors…

it is hard to manage when it gets where it is going.

We need to purchase from local merchants what

survivors need so that when they are back to nor-

mal there are still local businesses to support.

3. Instead… try printing photos of commonly

needed supplies and putting them with a price tag

on a bulletin board. Let members pick them off the

board and “pay” for them in their donation.

4. Gather a group of caring adults to come to

Rainelle and White Sulphur Spring on Saturday,

August 6th. We will be canvassing both towns to

make sure we have been in contact with all who

might be in need. We will gather promptly at 9:00

AM for instructions and prayer and will then go out

to walk the town and listen to stories and check in

on current needs. We will have lunch on our own

and then regather at 5:00 for sharing and prayer.

We will conclude at 6:00 PM. If you have a group

or just one or two please email Barbara Chalfant

at missions@wvpresbytery.org for further instruc-

tions. We are inviting youth to come with their par-

ents.

5. Volunteer to help with long-term recovery. We

need people who are good fundraisers, organiz-

ers, care managers, planners, lawyers, social

workers, paperwork managers, and workers

Click here to read about the PCUSA response.

Seeking Applicants for

‘The Way Forward’

Submitted by Valerie Small, PCUSA

Dear Colleagues in Ministry, I hope that this email

finds you well. As you know, the 222nd General

Assembly (2016) created several special commis-

sions, committees, and task forces to be appointed

by the Co-Moderators of the 222nd General Assem-

bly and, in the case of

the Way Forward

Commission, the Co-

Moderators with the

Moderator and Vice-

Moderator of the

221st General As-

sembly. Persons who

wish to be considered

for appointment must

complete an applica-

tion form and provide three references.

The first two online application forms are now avail-

able. Application forms for the Way Forward Com-

mission and the 2020 Vision Team can be found

at ganominations.pcusa.org .

Please share this link widely throughout your mid

council and with persons — especially persons of

color and persons under the age of 40 — who may

feel called to service on the Special Commission or

the Vision Team.

The online application form is due on August

17. Thank you for your assistance in sharing this

link widely.

Read more about the Way Forward Committee...

Peaks Postings, August 9, 2016 Page 7

Department of Labor’s New Overtime Rules & How

They Affect Congregations On May 18, 2016, the U.S. Department of Labor announced changes to

the White Collar Exemption Regulations of the Fair Labor Standards Act

(“FLSA”). The FLSA addresses which employees are entitled to minimum

wage and overtime. Those changes will take effect on December 1, 2016.

There is no exemption in the FLSA or its regulations for non-profit organi-

zations. Therefore, all non-profits, including churches, presbyteries, and

synods, need to assess the impact of the FLSA changes on their organi-

zation. A number of churches in the Presbytery are asking how the

changes announced will affect them. Below are two links to documents

produced by the legal office of the General Assembly to help churches

understand these changes. The changes do not affect teachers (pre-school) or ministers.

If you have more specific questions or need more guidance you may contact Robin Padgett, the Presbytery’s

Accountant/Office manager, for assistance.

http://www.presbyterianmission.org/wp-content/uploads/flsa-changes-may2016.pdf http://www.presbyterianmission.org/wp-content/uploads/2015-17.doc

CROP Walk Kick Off

If you are interested in joining our community-wide effort to eradicate

hunger and poverty, we invite you to attend the Danville Area CROP

Hunger Walk Spaghetti Supper and Kick Off Program 6:00 PM on

August 3, 2016, at Ascension Lutheran Church in Danville, Virginia.

Enjoy a delightful dinner with people who want to make a difference

in our world while learning about the CROP Walk and its work. Please RSVP

torecruitment@danvillecropwalk.org to let the team know that you are attending.

I hope you will join our efforts to make a difference in the lives of people in Danville, Pittsylvania County, and

the world. In the words of Jesus Christ, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave

me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me…Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of

the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:35)

The actual CROP Walk is October 2, 2016 at Ballou Park in Danville. Registration starts at 2:00 p.m.

Any and all are welcome!

Peaks Postings, August 9, 2016 Page 8

HUNGER/POVERTY UPDATE

IN YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD! Who: Hunger and Mission Committee members;

other interested individuals. We hope to have at

least one representative from every congregation in

the presbytery.

What: A brief update on opportunities for helping to

alleviate hunger/poverty and eliminate causes, in-

cluding a time for optional sharing of what your con-

gregation is already doing

Where and When:

Farmville PC, Tuesday, August 9, 12:00 noon

Salem PC, Sunday, August 14, 3:00 p.m..

Mallow PC, Sunday, August 28, 3:00 p.m.

Those attending the Farmville gathering are invited

to bring a bag lunch; light refreshments will be

served at all other locations. Gatherings should last

one to one and a half hours at most, depending on

participant sharing. No need to register – just come!

In the absence of registration contact information,

please check Presbytery of the Peaks Facebook

page or call the Presbytery office: 434.845.1754

x106 prior to travel on day of event to make sure

there has not been an emergency postponement.

Questions?

denisepillow@gmail.com 540-968-0025

Leadership Institute for

Faith-Based Community

Engagement

A Partnership between Lynchburg College's

School of Education, Leadership Studies, and

Counseling, Heroes and Dreams Academy

(Richmond) and the Faith-Based Community

VISION

The Leadership Institute for Faith-Based Commu-

nity Engagement seeks to connect and equip faith-

based leaders with skills, strategies,and resources

to promote sustainable community restoration.

While needs assessment is important, the focus of

the institute will be on how to create structures that

lead to meeting the needs within the community, not

just identifying them. Emphasis will be placed on

identifying assets of individuals, organizations, and

institutions within the community and how those as-

sets can be leveraged to improve communities. Par-

ticipants will identify and map assets within their

communities to create solutions.

FORMAT AND COST

Institute participants will meet from August 2016 to

January 2017 on the following dates: August 13,

September 10,October 1,November 5,December 3,

and January 7. All sessions will be held on the

Lynchburg College Campus. Sessions will run from

8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. each day. Per participant cost

of the Institute is $600. Please see registration form

for payment options.

Contact Dr. Paula Lichiello at

Lichiello@ lynchburg.edu for additional information.

Peaks Postings, August 9, 2016 Page 9

“To enhance, equip and empower congregations and leaders to become bold servants of

transformation for the glory of the Triune God.”

PRESBYTERY CALENDAR

Date Time Event Location

Aug. 9 12PM Hunger/Poverty Meeting Farmville PC

Aug. 11 9:30AM Committee on Ministry Holbrook St. PC, Danville

Aug. 11 12PM Church Development Amherst PC

Aug. 14 3PM Hunger/Poverty Meeting Salem PC

Aug. 17 9:30AM Examinations Committee Peace PC, Roanoke

Aug. 20 9:30AM Workshops & Presbytery Covenant PC, Roanoke

Aug. 21 3PM Hunger/Poverty Meeting Christiansburg PC

UPCOMING PRESBYTERY MEETINGS

August 20, 2016 (Saturday) 9:30-11AM Workshops; 12:30-5:30PM Meeting, Covenant PC in Roanoke

November 17, 2016 (Thursday) 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Christiansburg PC in Christiansburg.

On-Line Calendar

Peaks Postings is published each week on Tuesday. Please submit news, events, or prayer requests by noon on Mon-

days to Jeff Binder at rev.binder@gmail.com for inclusion in the following issue.

Guidelines for announcements or news items to be featured in Peaks Postings:

Keep the information to one page or less. Use links to web sites rather than including lots of details. Please obtain permission from the people pictured in your photos before submitting them to Peaks Postings. Peaks Postings Editors reserve the right to feature or not feature an article. Our first priority is to feature activities within POP churches and the Presbytery.

edit submitted articles/announcements. limit the number of weeks an article/announcement is featured. Past issues of Peaks Postings are archived for about six months on our website, Presbytery of the Peaks.

Presbytery of the Peaks

1022 Floyd Street, Suite A

Lynchburg, VA 24501 Phone: 434-845-1754

Toll Free: 1-888-557-3257

Fax: 434-845-7829

e-mail: office@peakspresbytery.org

Web Site: peakspresbytery.org

Jeff Binder, Associate Presbyter, Youth & Young Adults

Nancy Dawson, General Presbyter

Julie Dyke, Administrative Support

Steve Earl, Associate Presbyter for Ministry

Robin Padgett, Office Manager

Denise Pillow, Hunger Action Advocate

Hugh Springer, Stated Clerk