The Presbytery of Donegal

Graphic featuring a line drawing of two conversation bubbles: one containing a question mark, the other an ellipsis. Text reads: "Curious Conversations. The Presbytery of Donegal. Immigration & the Current U.S. Response. Sunday, September 21. Highland Presbyterian Church."

Last call to sign up for tomorrow's Curious Conversation event!
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It's Never Dull in Donegal: Summer Into Fall Email from Exciting Updates from Donegal Presbytery IN THIS EDITION: Cohorts for Church Leaders | Small Church Conference | Grants for Mission One Foot in Summer and One Foot in Fall A message from Ex

Check out the latest edition of IT'S NEVER DULL IN DONEGAL!
~ Cohorts for church leaders. Small church conference. Grants for mission. Upcoming Presbytery Gatherings. And more. ~
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Graphic from the Presbytery of Donegal containing the text, "Presbytery grants are available to support your congregation's mission & ministry."

Graphic from the Presbytery of Donegal containing the following text: The Engaging Our Mission Committee (EOM) of Donegal Presbytery has grants available to support the mission and ministry of congregations! EOM grants of up to $5,000 are available to help fund congregations' mission and outreach initiatives. Grants of up to $2,500 are available to assist with building improvements and technology upgrades."

Graphic from the Presbytery of Donegal containing the following text: Last year, EOM mission grants supported local hunger relief, hurricane clean-up efforts, Spanish classes, a Rise Against Hunger meal-packing event, refugee resettlement, and mission trips. EOM facility/technology grants helped churches upgrade an audio system, a Baby Room, livestream capabilities, Fellowship Hall flooring, and a security system.

Graphic from the Presbytery of Donegal containing the following text: Apply for an EOM grant Online application: www.donegalpby.org/committees-groups/engaging-our-mission-committee/

Presbytery grants are available to support congregational mission!

Apply here: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

Graphic containing simple drawings of a raised fist and broken chain and the following text: "Donegal Presbytery Racial Justice Task Group Day Trip to Attend the West Chester Juneteenth Celebration. Thursday, June 19."

Tomorrow's the day! Join old and new friends from Donegal Presbytery, as we attend an incredible day of Juneteenth events in West Chester together.
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Event advertisement containing the words, "Donegal Presbytery Immigrant & Refugee Support Network - Art Exhibit Meetup - Saturday, May 31." Text is white on a green background, next to a black-and-white photo of people looking at a gallery wall.

Do you like art? Do you care about immigrants and refugees? Do you want free coffee? Would you enjoy meeting other people in our Presbytery? Join us tomorrow (Saturday, May 31) at 2:00 PM!

DETAILS & SIGN UP:
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Graphic containing the text, "IT'S NEVER DULL IN DONEGAL: Exciting Updates from Donegal Presbytery" and the Donegal Cross logo in green and gold tones.

Check out the inaugural edition of our new presbytery-focused newsletter ✨ IT'S NEVER DULL IN DONEGAL ✨ | IN THIS ISSUE: ⭐️ Art Exhibit Meetup ⭐️ Juneteenth Event ⭐️ Grants for Mission ⭐️ Immigration Network ⭐️

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Picture collage containing four images: a photo taken through a car windshield of a road sign indicating that the town of Emmaus is two miles away, two photos of Donegal Presbytery staff members and Synod Commissioners sitting at round tables in a church fellowship hall, and the Donegal Presbytery logo.

Yesterday our Synod Commissioners and the presbytery staff traveled along the road to Emmaus--Emmaus, Pennsylvania! There they attended The Synod of the Trinity's spring regional gathering for a day of learning and connecting with colleagues from Philadelphia, Lehigh, and Lackawanna Presbyteries.

We give thanks to God for the many gifts these seasoned saints bring to our congregations and to Donegal Presbytery!

Explore resources for ministry with older adults from the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network at poamn.org

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Graphic containing a photo of five older adults gathered around a piano, the POAMN logo, and the following text: Happy Older Adult Week! Resources for ministry with older adults: Presbyterian Older Adult Ministries Network www.poamn.org

The Presbyterian Church (USA) designates the first full week of May as Older Adult Week, a time to honor older adults for their commitment to the life, witness, and ministry of the church.
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Give Local York Join me and give back!

Learn more about how your church's outreach programs can participate in Give Local York here: www.givelocalyork.org
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A graphic containing three photos and the Give Local York logo. PHOTO 1: Three volunteers stand next to the Caring Ministry sign, with the steeple of First Presbyterian Church's chapel in the background. They hold paper signs with the Give Local York logo above the words, "I give because . . . I want to help make York better for EVERYONE," "I give because . . . WE CARE," and "I give because . . . We help neighbors in need!" PHOTO 2: Pastor Kyle and two volunteers stand in front of the Caring Ministry's food pantry shelves, holding the same signs seen in Photo 1. PHOTO 3: Pastor Katie, Amy, and Elizabeth standing at a table promoting the Caring Ministry in York's Continental Square.

Screenshot of the Caring Ministry of First Presbyterian Church of York's page on the Give Local York website, showing $15,390 raised, which is 154% of their fundraising goal.

During Give Local York, the Caring Ministry of First Presbyterian Church of York raised over $15,000 to serve their neighbors with food, baby supplies, utility assistance, bus passes for new jobs, and prescription medication assistance!
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Graphic containing the Give Local York logo (a blue outline of York County with the words "Give Local York presented by Giant Kindness Worldwide") and website (www.givelocalyork.org)

Yesterday was Give Local York, the year's largest day of charitable giving in York County. This 24-hour donation drive raised over $5.5 million for over 300 non-profit organizations across the county. Did any ministries that your congregation supports participate?
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A photo of 10 people sitting around a high-top wooden table in front of large industrial-style windows.

Our NewLead cohort enjoyed their monthly lunch gathering at Victory Brewing Company Parkesburg yesterday. NewLead is a group of Donegal pastors and commissioned ruling elders committed to leading in new ways into the future. For more information about NewLead, contact Sarah at the Presbytery office.

already signed up for this list and would like to be added to it, contact the Presbytery office. /4

and share the accompanying PowerPoint slides. If you would like to watch the recording and have not yet received it, please contact the Presbytery office.

We are also compiling a mailing list of those who would like to receive updates related to immigration and refugee issues. If you have not /3

about the current landscape immigrants and refugees are facing, as well as opportunities to get involved. Participants also shared resources and brainstormed ideas for serving these vulnerable members of our communities.

The CWS staff graciously gave us permission to record their presentation /2

Photo of Griffin and Erica from Church World Service, presenting at the gathering. Griffin is speaking into a microphone, and Erica is standing in front of a flip-chart on an easel.

Image of the title slide in the presentation, which reads: "ACT NOW in WELCOME Presented at Highland Presbyterian Church Thursday, March 27, 2025," with the CWS logo at the bottom of the slide.

A few weeks ago, over 60 people from Donegal Presbytery gathered, at Highland Presbyterian Church and on Zoom, to explore ways to support our immigrant and refugee neighbors.

Despite working as a skeleton staff, representatives from Church World Service joined us to share up-to-date information /1

Graphic containing a photo of an Easter lily and a wooden cross draped in a white parament at the front of a church sanctuary, along with the text, "What did you HEAR, SING, or EXPERIENCE at your Easter worship service that made the Good News of Christ's resurrection ALIVE TO YOU?"

What did you hear, sing, experience, or preach at your Easter worship service that made the Good News of Christ's resurrection alive to you?

Graphic containing the painting "The Two Marys Watch the Tomb of Jesus" by James Tissot and the text of the following prayer: "Jesus, the light that no darkness can overcome, even as the sun rises, the night refuses to relent. We huddle together, afraid, bereft and unsure what to do next. All we can do is cling to each other, assure one another that we heard you correctly, that you did say on the third day you would be raised, that you said plainly that you would not abandon us. Help us to hold fast to your words even when we see no evidence of their truth. Help us to put our hope in you despite our despair and doubt. Amen."

A prayer for Holy Saturday

Graphic containing the mixed-media artwork "Christ of the Christians" by Rodríguez Calero and the text of the following prayer: "Almighty God, look with mercy on your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and to be given over to the hands of sinners and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen."

Almighty God, look with mercy on your family for whom our Lord Jesus Christ was willing to be betrayed and to be given over to the hands of sinners and to suffer death on the cross; who now lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.

Image containing the painting "Washing of the Feet" by Solomia Kazanivska (2018) and the following text: "Holy God, source and sovereign, you put all power and authority into the hands of Christ — Christ, who washes our feet in humble service. Teach us to love one another as Christ has loved us, so that everyone will know that we are his disciples; through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen"

Holy God, source and sovereign, you put all power and authority into the hands of Christ — Christ, who washes our feet in humble service. Teach us to love one another as Christ has loved us, so that everyone will know that we are his disciples; through Jesus Christ our Lord we pray. Amen.

5) Abide with us, that through this life
of doubts and hope and pain,
an Easter of unending joy
we may at last attain!

3) As you did hunger and did thirst,
so teach us, gracious Lord,
to die to self, and so to live
by your most holy Word.

4) And through these days of penitence
and through your Passiontide,
forevermore, in life and death,
O Lord, with us abide.

1) Lord, who throughout these forty days
for us did fast and pray,
teach us with you to mourn our sins
and close by you to stay.

2) As you with Satan did contend,
and did the victory win,
O give us strength in you to fight,
in you to conquer sin.

YouTube video by Advent Birmingham - Topic Lord Who Throughout These Forty Days

A hymn to help us enter the second week of Lent.

"Lord, Who Throughout These Forty Days"
Lyrics by Claudia Frances Hernaman (1873)
Recorded by Advent Birmingham (2020)

[LYRICS IN THREAD]

[IMAGE TEXT] Leader Development Day. Workshops for: Ruling Elders, Deacons, Clerks of Session. Sunday, March 9. 2:00 - 5:00 PM on Zoom. The Presbytery of Donegal

Don't forget, our Leader Development Day for Ruling Elders, Deacons, and Clerks of Session is coming up this afternoon (Sunday, March 9) from 2:00-5:00 PM on Zoom!

If you haven't registered yet, make sure you do so, to receive the Zoom link:
app.smartsheet.com/b/form/9a412...

Graphic containing text on a purple background, bordered by a photo of soil. Text reads: "If our lives were a long piece of fabric with our baptism on one end and our funeral on another, and us not knowing what the distance is between the two, well then Ash Wednesday is a time when that fabric is pinched in the middle and then held up so that our baptism in the past and our funeral in the future meet. With these ashes it is as though the water and words from our baptism plus the earth and words from our funerals have come from the future to meet us here today. And in that meeting we are reminded of the promises of God. Promises which outlast our piety, outlast our efforts in self-improvement, outlast our earthly bodies and the limits of time." -Nadia Bolz-Weber

"With these ashes it is as though the water and words from our baptism plus the earth and words from our funerals have come from the future to meet us here today. And in that meeting we are reminded of the promises of God."

Photo of a homemade glazed fastnacht.

Fastnachts made by members of Chanceford Presbyterian Church! Does your congregation have any Fat Tuesday traditions?

Please keep Sarah, Steph, and Matt in your prayers as they strive to serve God and our presbytery with energy, intelligence, imagination, and love ⚡️🧠💡❤️

[IMAGE TEXT] Rev. Matt Randolph, COM Congregational Facilitator. Matt will be working with COM and EP/SC Erin Cox-Holmes for deployment to sessions/congregations where support is needed, particularly evening meetings and settings where ongoing presbytery support is needed. He will also be the liaison for Iglesia Renacer, now inhabiting the former FPC Parkesburg property, and Iglesia Resurreccion.

[IMAGE TEXT] Matt Randolph’s family moved to Lancaster County when he was 8 years old. He graduated from Penn State in 2001 and worked as an engineer for seven years. Then, a sense of call that began when Matt was 14 years old became too strong. He and his wife moved to Richmond, VA, so that Matt could attend Union Presbyterian Seminary. He graduated in 2011 with a Master of Divinity and took his first call with a wonderful congregation in North Carolina. Then, in 2016, Matt received the call to come home, and he has been serving as the pastor of the Donegal Presbyterian Church ever since. On the “churchy” side of things, Matt simply describes himself as a Reformed Protestant who has been influenced by the Liturgical Renewal Movement. He loves reading works from the Reformers coupled with works from earlier theologians, such as Augustine of Hippo and Bernard of Clairvaux. Outside of the church, Matt's heart is with his family. Whether he is spending time with them in Scouting, cheering his boys’ mountain bike team on, or watching a movie with them, that is where he finds himself the happiest. Matt also loves being outdoors and on a trail. Hiking and backpacking bring a reset to his soul.

Meet Rev. Matt Randolph, our new COM Congregational Facilitator!