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Newly-appointed Director of Church Relations, Dr. Jim Simpson, hails from Scotland
Christian Education Conference
Dr. Jim Simpson, recently arrived at PC as director of church relations, will be the preacher and worship leader at the Montreat Christian Education Conference this May. He will be assisted in developing and preparing and leading the liturgy by two members of Celtic Cross.
Information on this Conference is at: http:// www.montreat.org/current/2008-christian-education
OCYLA
On Saturday, February 2, the announcement of the winner of the 2007-2008 Outstanding Church Youth Leader Award will be made as part of a day's program recognizing all twenty nominees. The staff of the Chaplains' Office, the office of Church Relations, Student Volunteer Services and College Relations, look forward to welcoming this group of outstanding Presbyterian youth. All those connected with reviewing the applications have been amazed at the diversity and vibrancy of their service to their churches and communities. "While we live we serve" is the motto of Presbyterian College, an aspiration that is amply demonstrated in the attitude and commitment of each of the nominees.
Leadership College
For the first time, at the invitation of the Board of Trustees and the President, we gathered together all our Leadership Boards - Board of Visitors, Parent's Council, Alumni, Young Alumni and African- American Alumni Boards, ROTC Board and the Board of Church Advisors.
There was an excellent level of attendance at and participation in this Leadership College event that took place the weekend of November 16 and 17.
Included in this program was a seminar identifying the unique and significant ways in which Presbyterian College as a church-related liberal arts school provides students the resources and experiences in the ongoing encounter between Faith and Reason. The seminar was hosted by Trustee, Pat Patrick and participants included, Dean Thompson, Allen McSween, Jeri Parris Perkins, Drew Stockstill and Lindsay Evans. The presentations were enlightening and the discussion time lively.
Presbytery Visits
In the first three months as director of church relations Dr. Simpson participated in meetings of the following Presbyteries: Trinity, Foothills, Savannah, Flint River, and Greater Atlanta.
In the early spring of 2008 he is scheduled to visit with Trinity, Foothills, Northeast Georgia and Providence. Representatives of the Board of Church Advisors will also make sure the college is well-represented at Charleston-Atlantic, Greater Atlanta, Savannah, Peace River and Cherokee Presbyteries.
Board of Church Advisors
Under the chairmanship of the Rev. Dr. Allen McSween, the new Board of Church Advisors held its inaugural meeting on Saturday, November 17. The seven month period when there was no director of church relations in place at the college meant that there were some gaps in communication regarding the Board and its first meeting. The meeting, though smaller in number, was very helpful in identifying the needs and the focus of the work of the Board. Following the meeting contact has been made with all those who had previously intimated a desire to serve on the Board and a healthy and geographically dispersed group of committed people will lead the future work of the Board of Church Advisors.
Next Board Meeting
One important role of the Board is to conduct the annual review of the College-Church Covenant. The focus for this, the first of these annual reviews, will be in the area of communication. The College will invite the Church to review how news and awareness of the college can be effectively disseminated to Presbyteries, congregations and church members and the College will review its communications plan to, from and with the Church.
The next meeting of the Board will be on SATURDAY, APRIL 12. If you or anyone you know would be interested in serving in this way please contact Dr. Jim Simpson (jsimpson@presby.edu) or Dr. Allen McSween (allenmcsween@4thpres-grvl.com).
Church Leadership Development Center
A significant gift has paved the way for the establishment of the Church Leadership Development Center at Presbyterian College. This is a great and generous encouragement to the entire life of the college and its intention to build on its life as a church-related liberal arts college striving to prepare students for servant leadership in church and community. The enormous potential of this new asset asks a lot of us and good stewardship involves discussing and refining the scope and focus of the work of the Center and those who will oversee its ministry. These discussions have been ongoing and it is anticipated that a more detailed mission statement, organizational structure and timetable for the launch of the Center will be placed before the relevant entities within the college and church during this calendar year.
Department of Religion and Philosophy - Christian Education Major
Four PC seniors will be attending the annual APCE event, in San Diego as part of their capstone course.
Dr. Jim Simpson will be representing PC in the Marketplace at APCE. All PC Alums and friends should take time to visit the PC Booth (#53). We already know of one PC alum who will receive a Certification Award this year at APCE. Maybe you know others?
The President is pleased to announce the appointment of Janice Simpson to serve as visiting instructor of religion with specific responsibility for the major elements of the Christian Education program. Mrs. Simpson has strong credentials in theology and religious education, and significant experience with PC (USA) in the southeast. Any congregations requesting resumes from graduating senior Christian education majors are asked to contact Mrs. Simpson. jmsimpson@presby.edu
The Christian education program at the College will undergo a thorough review over the next several months to ensure that our plans to move forward are fully in accord with the changing expectations for Christian educators and meet the needs of the Church and our students. Members of the church will be included in this review.
http://apcenet.org/events/annual-next.htm
Departure of Dr. Grace Yeuell
All of us will have mixed emotions on hearing the news of Dr. Grace Yeuell's resignation from the faculty of Presbyterian College in order that she can accept the position of director of religious education at the United States Army Base in Vicenza, Italy. In this new and demanding role, Dr. Grace will apply her significant gifts towards supervising the religious education and youth ministry for all the various faith communities that are part of the Chaplain's Office at the Base which has an establishment of close to 11,000 people. She will train, lead and oversee the religious education and youth ministry specialists who work with each faith community.
Dr. Grace Yeuell came to Presbyterian College in 1998, directly from graduate work at Union-PSCE, and was subsequently tenured and promoted to associate professor. In addition to teaching courses in religion and Christian education, she served on a variety of College committees, chaired the Department of Religion, and was the project director for the Lilly/APCU Globalization and Diversity Project. She also taught at Union-PSCE, Charlotte, and was extremely active and respected at the national level within the Presbyterian Church (USA).
This time of transition is both exciting and difficult. Exciting for Grace, in the new challenges and opportunities opening up for her, exciting for the college when we reflect on the tremendous contribution Grace has made to developing what we have come to see as the finest undergraduate Christian Education program in the nation, a model that other institutions appreciate and replicate. The difficulty comes from saying farewell to one who has been part of the life of the college and the church directly, and indirectly through students whom she helped nurture who serve among us in a variety of capacities.
PC is planning "Summer at Montreat" (2008)
This office and the Office of Admissions are currently gathering resources - information, ideas, people, venues, dates - with the view of offering a PC Event in Montreat during each week of the summer Conference schedule. It is hoped that these events will be hosted by PC alums and friends who live in or visit Montreat during the summer, and will be aimed at raising the awareness of Presbyterian College, highlighting opportunities for potential students and showcasing the significant ways in which the college serves the church, one important expression of the College-Church Covenant. Jim Simpson in Church Relations and Meredith Lummus, admissions counselor, are working on these plans and would love to hear from any PC friends who live in or visit Montreat in the summer.
mslummus@presby.edu
Youth Day at PC
One of the issues that the Board of Church Advisors will discuss is the role and place of Youth Day at PC. Over the years attendance has diminished and different views are heard from across the church. Maybe with the move to Division 1, more church youth would be inspired to bring themselves and their parents and youth leaders to Clinton for a football game. All views, ideas, observations and suggestions are welcome
jsimpson@presby.edu
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