No lead article this week. A Calendar of Prayer for our Presbytery February 3 Hancock 10 Hobart 17 Honorably retired pastors: Earl Arnold, Doug

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1 No lead article this week. A Calendar of Prayer for our Presbytery February 3 Hancock 10 Hobart 17 Honorably retired pastors: Earl Arnold, Doug Beattie, Leonard Bjorkman, Sharon Dittman, Barry Downing, Linda Hendrian, Janet Adair Hansen, Marie King, Arthur Kopp, John Mahler, Jim Martin, Dean Miller, Maxine Pardee, Allen Presby, Barbara Renton, Elwin Sire, Alfred Sunderwirth, Ronald Thomas, Spencer VanGulick, Delbert Wemple, Carol Wilson 24 Clergy in specialized ministry or service beyond the jurisdiction of the church: Roger DeNoyelles, Doug Horne, Peter Kwon, Taryn Mattice, Michael Spezio, Art Suggs ================================================ Prayers: Prayers for Linda Davis (past moderator) had triple by-pass surgery two weeks ago. She's doing well. Please contact Committee on Ministry co-chairs, Marsha Muller and Lisa Ruth Mays if you have a pastoral care concern or need. ======================================== Other News *TRIENNIUM REGISTRATIONS MADE (HOPEFULLY) EASY!* Friends in Christ, We apologize if there has been some confusion regarding Triennium registrations. While some information has been on the Christian Nurture Team's page on the SPV website for a while, we are realizing that it may not be as clear cut as it could be. Also, some new info/directives have just been received. Here, then, is an attempt to make this all a bit clearer: 1. All participants (including adult chaperones) may *go to the website below*, fill in all the required information and submit online. In the drop-down menu on the first page, participants should be sure to indicate their connection with the delegation from Susquehanna Valley Presbytery/Registrar Joan Loeffler. (Joan gets a notification when the information is submitted; she will confirm registrations after the March 15 deadline.) * < 2. *The deadline to register is March 15.* The $200 down payment will be covered by the Presbytery's 1/3 portion, so no checks need yet be sent by the churches or participants. (*Please NOTE: These fees are due May

2 1.* *Checks may be made payable to SPV and sent * *c/o Joan Loeffler to: 362 West Hill Rd, South New Berlin NY )* 3. There is - and has been - other great information on the Christian Nurture Team page, including the promo flyer. All may be accessed easily for distribution. Also, please be aware of the invitation for all participating youth to attend the May Assembly meeting where they will be commissioned. We will also give them a chance to work on their button and T Shirt designs that day. (Visit the Team's page here for current and updated info: 4. All other information such as travel details, what-to-pack, etc. will be communicated after the registration period. 5. If participants or churches have any questions at any time, they may call Joan Loeffler at or contact any Christian Nurture Team member: Becky and Scott Kindig, Mark Piedmonte, or Bobby Outterson-Murphy. *AND A QUICK NOTE ON CAMPERSHIPS* All information and an application form for applying for grants can be found on the Team's page. Applications may be submitted at any time. Thanks and Peace! Mark Pastor Mark Piedmonte Gilbertsville/Garrattsville Churches Christian Nurture Team Chair pastorpiedmonte@gmail.com ==================================================== Are You The Person God is Calling to on the Mission & Ministries Commission (M&MC) of the Synod of the Northeast? Our Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley has the opportunity for representation on the Mission & Ministries Commission of the Synod of the Northeast. This Commission is responsible for planning, oversight, and governance of the Synod and acts on behalf of the Synod Assembly between Stated Meetings. Both Ruling Elders and Teaching Elders will be considered. The term is two (2) years. Our Presbytery is asked to submit up to three (3) nominees to the Synod leadership. If YOU are willing to be considered, or if you have someone you would like to recommend, please tell us by filling out the Recommendation Form and sending it by Thursday, February 28, 2019 to: David H. Johnson, United Presbyterian Church, 25 Church St., Cortland, NY OR via to pastordave@unitedpresbyterian.net The meeting dates for the Commission are: 2019: May 3-4; September 27-28; November 8-9 (Come to the Table event) 2020: January 31-Feb. 1; May 1-2; September 25-26; November 6-7 (Synod Assembly) Thanks, Dave

3 David H. Johnson, Pastor United Presbyterian Church 25 Church St. Cortland, NY Office Phone: (607) Cell: (315) ========================================== SISTERS STAND AND WALK TOGETHER SISTERS STAND and WALK TOGETHER (SSWT) is beginning enrollment for a new class. It can be up to a three-year program of Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Northeast. It was originally designed to acclimate and motivate new immigrant women from congregations within the Synod to Presbyterian Women. They met three times a year. We hope to attract ALL women who are new to Presbyterian Women who want to start or enhance an existing PW group by learning skills to prepare for leadership roles. There is no financial cost to the participant. The goals of the program are to build community and confidence, help women feel comfortable with public speaking and commit to the purpose of Presbyterian Women. SISTERS STAND and WALK TOGETHER seeks to prepare the women through leadership development training including forums and workshops where cultural and gender differences are explored and leadership shared. Several graduates have taken leadership roles in Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Northeast and Churchwide. The group will meet at Valley Stream Presbyterian Church (Long Island, walking distance from the Long Island Railroad train stop). Participants are encouraged to attend PW events in Albany, at Stony Point and Louisville. The training sessions could include (as needed): Exposure to the Presbyterian Women s manual (purpose, principles, structure, and are circles are they still relevant), Horizons magazine and the PW Quarterly Leadership Newsletter. Conversations about cultural and gender barrier issues and women s role in the church. Finding your WHY in Presbyterian Women. How to develop and lead a Bible study (including how to build community by conducting an ice breaker ). How to plan and lead a worship service, creating one for the training sessions. How to plan an agenda and lead a meeting (by consensus), run a workshop.

4 Communication skills including listening/conflict resolution and technology for flyers, newsletters, conference calls. Best practices for (personal invitations) attracting attendance at Gatherings, fundraising events and securing participation on a Design Team. Bringing it all together, taking it to the world. Homework may be given to participate and/or lead in a worship service, small group session or Sunday School class in our home church. The next class begins Sat., April 6, 2019, from 9:30-3:00 pm. More classes will be scheduled at everyone s mutual need and availability. For further information, contact: -Lisa Gray, Moderator of PWSNE Lisa_A_Gray@Hotmail.com -Denise Kennedy, SSWT Planning Team Member DenisedKennedy@gmail.com -Jo-Ann Estella, SSWT Team Member / Jestella@aol.com ============================================ Tell Congress: humanitarian aid must not be used as a political bargaining chip The Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act (ATCA) signed into law in October 2018 effectively stops US humanitarian assistance to Palestinians. It imposes new conditions on foreign governments receiving U.S. economic assistance. Until those conditions are removed, USAID programs in the Palestinian Territories have closed and NGOs will no longer be able to receive vital funding for education, healthcare, job training, and other social programs. Contact your member of congress today and tell them to amend the ATCA to remove these restrictive conditions. This isn't the first time that the Trump Administration has tried to use humanitarian aid for political leverage. Last year, President Trump suspended all funding for the United Nation Relief and Works Agency that assists Palestinian refugees and reprogrammed Fiscal Year 2017 Economic Support Funds that go toward funding NGOs in their work in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The President hopes that these cuts will force the Palestinian Authority to agree to resume peace negotiations on his terms. Take action today and tell congress that humanitarian aid must not be used as a political bargaining chip. ==========================================================

5 Hoping Together Friends in Christ, I'm recommending an extraordinary opportunity for congregations, pastors, lay pastors and preachers to engage with a committed group of Czech Christians, both clergy and laity, who belong to the Evangelical Church of Czech Brethren and with the Presbyterian congregations in the USA who partner with some of the Czech congregations. Please see the attached letter and registration form. Feel free to me with questions (therentons1@gmailcom) or talk to me after the next Presbytery Assembly on Feb. 9th. (Rev. Dr.) Barbara Renton Current Treasurer of the Czech Mission Network and a founding member back in 1985 (remember the Cold War?) =================================================== MICAH Moving In Congregations Acting in Hope MICAH is a faith based organization that has been working for the last two years to build relationships between white churches and churches of color. The group has held a number of training activities in the Cortland area and meetings with Binghamton Mayor Rich David. They are going to hold a prayer service at First Congregational Church, 30 Main St. Binghamton on Sunday, February 24, at 4:00 pm. (Inclement weather date March 3.) The prayer service will be multi-racial and ecumenical. Beyond prayers for racial unity, the service will include the Dorothy Cotton Singers, liturgical dancers, a bell choir, words from black clergy, and Rev. Gary Smith Director of MICAH. The keynote speaker is activist Aloja Airewele. After the service there will be a fellowship hour (with finger foods) in the social hall. All are welcome! ============================================== 2019 Standard Mileage Rates WASHINGTON The Internal Revenue Service today issued the 2019 optional standard mileage rates used to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business, charitable, medical or moving purposes. Beginning on Jan. 1, 2019, the standard mileage rates for the use of a car (also vans, pickups or panel trucks) will be: 58 cents per mile driven for business use, up 3.5 cents from the rate for cents per mile driven for medical or moving purposes, up 2 cents from the rate for 2018, and 14 cents per mile driven in service of charitable organizations. ===============================================