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Synod Update and Summer Events

Synod 2019

The ARPC and RPCNA joined together for the second time for a Concurrent Synod. This time, we traveled Geneva College in Beaver Falls, PA. For a summary of events and business notes, subscribe the The ARP Magazine.

Quest

The middle school conference, Quest, hosted by Christian Education Ministries, is meeting this week at Bonclarken Conference Center. Pray for the leaders, staff and students. The evening speaker is Matt Joldersma from Neely’s Creek ARPC in Rock Hill, SC. The morning speaker is Brad Anderson discussing  Sacraments 101. There are over 400 in attendance which is a record high.

Oklahoma Tornado Prep

Oklahoma is having a rare week of weather predictions making things unpredictable. There are still chances of severe tornadoes but as of now, only one small tornado has touched down and taken out a few trees. Pray for our ARPC Plant, Trinity Presbyterian Church, in Norman, OK, just 20 miles south of Oklahoma City.

Rev. Justin Westmoreland says, “Pray that our church will be prepared to minister to people in the wake of either devastation or under conditions of apparent security and tranquility, whichever direction the Lord takes us.”

May/June ARP Magazine

May/June ARP Magazine

Click here to read the latest ARP Magazine.
Be sure to read the cover story on page 6. You can read the Synod Emphasis from Reverend Scott Cook on page 4. Get ideas for reaching the Homebound on page 2. Read the fun facts about Beaver Falls, PA, the location for Synod 2019, on page 8. Since the weather is warmer, try the Dole Whip Recipe on page 22.

Contact our office if you would like to receive a complimentary print copy. Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss an issue. www.arpmagazine.org.

Summer Opportunities

Camp Joy SC

Camp Joy SC is looking for summer camp counselors. We are particularly in need of MALE counselors. Dates are June 15-21 and June 22-28. Use this link or go to www.campjoysc.com. Camp Joy is AMAZING! You don’t want to miss this opportunity! Contact David Harrell with any questions.  davidharrell@sc.rr.com

 

Dallas Mission Trip

Last call to 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 by May 1 if you want to go, or visit www.ona-arp.org/dallas for more information.

ARP Updates

Crenshaw Family Update

Reverend Jason Crenshaw, pastor of Ballston Center ARP Church in Ballston Spa, NY, was in a serious car accident in August with his family. Here is an update from his wife, Taffi, on their 12 year old daughter Jalaa:

When Jalaa was is the hospital, we hoped and prayed that something would click with her and she’d come back to herself- maybe a memory or a song would trigger it. Here we are, going on 9 months later and we’ve come to the reality that this is our reality: She has made great improvement but is not the person she was before the accident.
She is talking much better though I have to remind her to use her voice. She rarely has to use her iPad to communicate anymore! Her right side has regained a slight bit of strength but still needs constant attention. 
Jalaa has temperaments now that are a result of her TBI. Jason confessed one night, “Its like I have a new daughter to care for but haven’t had time to mourn the loss of another one.” However true that is, we are blessed to see glimpses of our ‘old’ Jalaa at times. It comes through in her responses, joking, or some comment she makes that takes us back to sweet memories of her. 
She started ‘school’ this week. I have her enrolled twice a week for a few hours each day in a special education class in our local school. She loves it! The reason behind that is to double up on her therapies. The teachers and therapists at school are working with her therapists at Sunnyview to get Jalaa as much help as possible. We aren’t focusing on academics yet, though, she will be getting an informal assessment. So twice a week she’s in school and twice a week she goes to therapy. Thank you for the prayers.

For summer 2019 we are still in need of:

Male Counselors* (need 8-10 more!)
Assistant Kitchen Manager
Office Assistant
Archery Activity Specialist
Crafts Activity Specialist
Nature/Outdoors Activity Specialist

Wonder Woman (housekeeping, laundry, camp store, and a little of everything else!)

Camp Director, Carrie Browning, is happy to answer any questions or give details!
Click here for more information about the camp.
cbrowning@campoftherisingson.com
www.campoftherisingson.com

 

Volunteer Work Week

Bonclarken is currently hosting over 100 volunteers from ARP Churches throughout the denomination to help prepare the grounds for the camps and conferences this summer. They have a variety of projects they are working on such as building bridges to the new youth facility, building a floating dock for the lake, sewing camp pillows, sewing bed runners from old bedspreads to use in Founders Hall, cleaning up the brush, and the list goes on.

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.