ARP News

ARP New Updates

March/April ARP Magazine

Be sure to read the cover story in the Spotlight section on page 3. You can read the Synod Emphasis from Reverend Patrick Malphrus on page 4. Read the update on Bonclarken Conference Center projects on page 9. Camp Joy celebrates 40 years on page 10. Women’s Ministries Spiritual Life Chairman, Emily Woodard, shares an article on page 20. Try a Taste of Summer from CC’s Corner on page 22.
Contact our office if you would like to receive a complimentary print copy.

Opportunities for ARP Ministers

Several RPCNA churches have issued invitations for ARP ministers to preach at their churches in conjunction with (either before or after) the 2019 General Synod meeting concurrently with the RPCNA at Geneva College in June.  Below is a listing of opportunities.  If you are interested or have questions, please contact Billy Barron (wlbarronsr@gmail.com) or  (864)-420-8112.

Ridgefield Park Reformed Presbyterian Church, Ridgefield Park, NJ
Covenant Fellowship, Pittsburg, PA (either June 9th or June 16th)
Grace Presbyerian Church, State College, PA (both June 9th and June 16th)

Bonclarken Music Conference

July 14-19, 2019. For more information click here.

Family Bible Conference

Find out more on the CEM website and be sure to register before May 1 to receive $10 off adult weekly registration. We can’t wait to see you at Bonclarken this summer, July 29 – August 1!

Erskine Alumni Day

Erskine Alumni Association is pleased to announce that the following people will be recognized on Alumni Day for their service to Erskine and to their communities.  You are invited to join us for the awards ceremony at 9:30, Saturday, March 30, in Bowie Chapel:

Honorary Alumni Award: Howard Thomas & Penny Thomas (posthumously).  This induction of non-alumni into the Association recognizes persons who have given greatly of themselves in support of Erskine College and Seminary.

 Outstanding Young Alumni Award: Blair Christie, Class of 2008.  This award recognizes alumni of the last 15 years who have begun to be a positive and encouraging influence in their community, church, profession, and to Erskine.

Erskine Service Leadership Award: Dr. Jo Ann Griffith, Class of 1956.  The Service Leadership Award is given in recognition of faithful volunteer service to Erskine.

Distinguished Service Award:  Joseph “Chip” Sherer, Class of 1989.  This is the most prestigious of all the awards given by the alumni association and recognizes outstanding service to church, community, profession, and to Erskine over the span of one’s lifetime.

The Darwinian Roots of the Devaluation of Life

Erskine Theological Seminary and The David Livingstone Institute invite you to a special presentation by Dr. John G. West

Dr. John G. West is vice president and senior fellow at the Discovery Institute, where he also serves as associate director of the Institute’s Center for Science and Culture, which he co-founded with philosopher of science Stephen Meyer in 1996. A former associate professor of political science at Seattle Pacific University, he has also taught at California State University, San Bernardino and Azuza Pacific University. Among the dozen books he has written or edited are Darwin Day in America: How Our Politics and Culture Have been Dehumanized in the Name of Science and The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis on Science, Scientism, and Society. He has also directed and written several documentaries, including the award-winning Biology of the Second Reich and The Magician’s Twin: C.S. Lewis and the Case Against Scientism.

For more information click here.

Bonclarken is in Need of Summer Staffers!

Bonclarken is in need of summer staffers!  If you know a young person that has graduated from high school and is looking for a summer job, please have them contact Mike Dill (mdill@bonclarken.org) about spending the summer at Bonclarken.  All departments still have openings and Bonclarken would love to have your young person join their team for the summer.

 

Synod Updates & Summer Camps

As of today, we have approximately 2/3 of the ruling elders necessary to meet a quorum at the General Synod meeting. Everyone is reminded of their responsibility as delegates to be in attendance at the meeting. Synod is held June 11-13, 2019 at Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. For everything you need to know, please visit www.arpchurch.org.

Bonclarken Music Conference

July 14-19, 2019. For more information click here.

Come Join Us at Family Bible Conference!

We no longer live in a Christian or even nominally Christian culture. Our culture today – as our young people well know – is deeply suspicious of or even outright hostile to the historic Christian faith. How can we live confidently for Christ in such a context? The 2019 Family Bible Conference will dive into the book of Daniel and other parts of God’s Word as we engage the theme: ‘Living Victoriously in a Hostile World.’  You’ll not want to miss the 2019 Family Bible Conference!

Each day will begin with Bible study on the book of Daniel led by Dr. Iain Duguid. The days will conclude with a worship service, where Rev. Evan English will exhort us from the New Testament to be bold and confident in the Lord in our present context.  In between the morning and evening sessions, you will be able to choose from a variety of seminars by outstanding teachers as well as enjoy fun activities.

As always, we will have programs for children and youth, and childcare for the littlest ones. We are thankful that the Lord has provided Rev. Rhett Carson to teach our high school students and Bobby Duran to teach our middle school students.  Margaret Kiser will be leading the VBS style children’s program. Just remember, children and youth must pre-register by July 1, or earlier if capacity (physical space limitations) is reached, in order to participate in the programs.

Find out more on our website and be sure to register before May 1 to receive $10 off adult weekly registration. We can’t wait to see you at Bonclarken this summer, July 29 – August 1!

Sincerely,
The Family Bible Conference Planning Committee

 

Wives of Pastors, Planters, & Missionaries

What:  A gathering of wives and children who will not be attending Synod in Pennsylvania.

Where: Bonclarken Conference Center

When: June 11-13, 2019

The Women of the ARPWM Board would like to host you for two nights at Bonclarken. We are still working on details, but we would provide at least one meal, and would provide housing for both nights. 

 On Wednesday, we plan to have a program for the children so that the moms could have a morning or afternoon out together.  We have reserved all of the Faith Apartments and are working to secure houses owned by churches. 

Please respond to Elaine DeVusser at devusser5@yahoo.com if you are interested in attending.  We hope that this can be a sweet retreat, and a time of reunion and fellowship for you!

I look forward to hearing from you!

A Note from the Moderator Elect

The Sand Hill AME church at 3030 Whitestocking Road, Burgaw, NC, suffered severe damage, including loss of most of their building and all its contents during the recent heavy storms. A Pittsburgh area ministry called Hosanna Industries has volunteered to help the church get back into operation. It may be that some of our ARP congregations would have some items to spare or that there would be some people who would like to come and help Hosanna Industries as they restore this building and these people for the Lord’s service. The Hosanna Industries Email to me follows my signature.

Leslie Holmes

We are looking for some specific items that will allow them to function again as a church family and it is my hope that you would be able to help in part or full with the following list:

  • 4 communion trays
  • 1000 count plastic communion cups
  • Bread plates
  • 4 offering plates
  • A Lecturn
  • A pulpit
  • 75 Large print NIV bibles(new) or like new and all the same
  • 75 AME hymnals
  • An Electric keyboard
  • A modest drum set
  • 100 metal folding chairs(preferably padded)
  • 12- 8ft folding tables
  • A desk for the pastor
  • A copy/printing machine
  • Kitchen items and utensils
  • Dinnerware for 100

Anyone with questions should contact:

Brian Hetzer
Hosanna Industries
724-612-3831

 

Announcements

World Witness Spring Fellowship Dinners

Lake Wales, FL   Feb 22
Bethesda, MD    March 22
Columbia, SC      April 26

For more information visit worldwitness.org

 

Calling all college students and young adults!

Join Outreach North America for the Dallas Mission Trip, June 29- July 6, 2019! During this week, we will serve at a summer camp for refugee children living in Dallas, Texas through Bible lessons, games, math and reading help, swimming, singing, and more. Our team will form meaningful relationships and will learn about the global refugee crisis and multicultural ministry in a hands-on setting.

Contact Elinor Griffin egriffin@arpsynod.org or visit www.ona-arp.org/dallas for more information.

“The Lord was truly at work during our trip to For the Nations in Dallas. It was amazing to serve alongside a Christian community, sharing God’s love to refugee children with an openness that resonated with them…This experience has once again shown me the joy there is to be found in the globally-focused, diverse family of God.” 

-Daniel Turner, Dallas ’18 attendee

Deadlines and More

Statistical Forms

Remember that your church statistical forms are due by Friday February 1. You can find the forms and other instructions here.

 

January/February ARP Magazine

Here is the latest ARP Magazine issue. Be sure to subscribe www.arpmagazine.org so that you don’t miss an issue.

 

Camp Joy 40 Years!

2019 marks the 40th year of Camp Joy. We are celebrating its anniversary on July 12-14, 2019 at Bonclarken Conference Center. Save the date and remember to come celebrate the past 40 years and join us as we look forward to many more! Find out more information here.

News Bits

Nominations

Synod’s Committee on Nominations meets in less than 1 month.  Click here for a current worksheet showing boards/committees for which we have received no recommendations (in red).   Please prayerfully consider individuals who are qualified for service in these areas.  If you wish to recommend someone, please
1)  contact them regarding their willingness/availability to serve
2) complete and return this recommendation form to (cscott@arpsynod.org) by Friday, Feb 1.
If you have any questions, please let us know.

Bible Songs

Looking for green Bible Songs. If you have any of the green Bible Songs books that are not being used, please consider donating them to the ARP Bookstore. Contact Brent Turner with questions.

 

The newest face in Central Services   

Shay O’Sheal has joined the Central Services/ARP Magazine team as our new Administrative Assistant.

Shay has worked for a number of years in church administration and we are delighted to welcome her to our team. She will be helping us with our database, board/committee meetings and many other administrative projects.

Shay can be reached by calling the ARP Center (864-232-8297 Ext. 227).

Thanks for joining us in welcoming Shay to the team!