2018 Spring Gathering
Spring Gathering Itinerary
8:30 – 9:00 Refreshments & Registration
9:00 Praise & Worship
9:15-10:15 Program
10:30-11:30 Workshop Sessions
11:45-12:45 Workshop Sessions
1:00 Lunch
8:30 – 9:00 Refreshments & Registration
9:00 Praise & Worship
9:15-10:15 Program
10:30-11:30 Workshop Sessions
11:45-12:45 Workshop Sessions
1:00 Lunch
Breakout Session Speakers and Topics
1) Their voice still speaks: A look at the lives of two missionary pioneers.
Alice Poynor, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Columbia
“A look at the life of a pioneer missionary, who, ‘though he died,... still speaks’ (Heb.11:4). Let’s look at what God has to teach us by a voice of faith from the past that still speaks to us today.”
Alice grew up in Vancouver, Canada, in a minister’s household. She is married to Paul, a Pastor at St. Andrews Presbyterian, and is the mother of three grown sons and grandmother of four. Alice enjoys travel, painting, singing and being with her family - both biological and spiritual! Alice delights in teaching/speaking and writing and has a deep love for the Word of God, Theology, and Missions History (biographies).
2. Hospitality: A Gift or Command?
Teri DeBellis & Connie Weldon, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Columbia
Hospitality in 2018. Gifted or not, how can we carry out the command to be hospitable in our modern culture?
Connie has been married for nearly 42 years to Dale Weldon. They began in youth ministry together and he has been a pastor for more than 37 years (the last eleven years as Senior Pastor of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church). They have 4 children, all of them married, and 9 grandchildren, so far. In the church she has always worked with little children and has always had an open home. Together, Dale and Connie have enjoyed sharing their home and meals with hundreds of people every year. Connie loves to cook and bake, but her family and especially being Mimi to her grandchildren, give her the greatest joy.
Teri takes the Titus 2 commandment to heart. She is a life-long learner and mentor and disciples others at every opportunity. Teri enjoys opening her home for fellowship and Bible Studies. She enjoys cooking, baking, and entertaining. In 1976 Teri's life changed from upside down to right side up, to living for Jesus and no longer for herself. Since then, she has given herself to being Jesus to others by way of teaching, mentoring, or just plain opening her heart and home to those God places in her path. She has a wonderful husband of 52 years, 3 grown sons and daughter-in-laws, and 5 beautiful grandchildren. Her aim in life is to be all she can be for the one who gave his all for her.
3. Teach Me While My Heart Is Tender
Frances McFarland, Lexington Presbyterian, Lexington
George Barna’s research reveals that, “most people decide what they will do about Jesus- wholeheartedly follow, merely acknowledge, ignore or reject Him- while they are young.” Are we doing all that we can in the window of time we have been given, to place the baton of faith into the hands of our children? In this session, we will look at findings that have been revealed in this study as well as scriptures which will inspire us in our mission to lay down firm foundations that will result in Kingdom building!
After graduating from USC with a degree in sociology, Frances worked in foster care, adoptions and family service programs at the DSS. She returned to USC after marrying her loving husband Jim and the birth of her two children to receive a degree in education. The following eleven years were devoted to teaching in various preschool programs. In August of 1999, Frances accepted the position of Director of Children’s Ministries at Lexington Presbyterian Church. Love for children’s ministry has kept her there for the past 19 years. Frances feels blessed to be the director of more than 100 wonderful covenant children, the mother of one much loved son and one much loved daughter, and a grandmother of five precious grandchildren, ages 6 months to 8 years.
4. Women’s Ministry - It’s a Sticky Business
Frankie Watson, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Columbia
During this Session we will explore God’s call to women and good ways that we can function within our local church in unity. By God’s design we have a particular and somewhat peculiar set of parameters that bring about challenges for today’s woman. Plus, we are women, sinners relating to other sinners, in a world that is counter cultural to our basic beliefs as women of faith. These wonderful aspects are a part of God’s plan and can be a sticky business.
Frankie is the Director of Women’s Ministries at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian. Frankie has served in many ministries and her heart is truly in the local church ministry where her “connections are with the women she knows personally”. She and Chip have been married for 48 years allowing her to serve alongside him wherever he served as a Pastor. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
5. Pouring Into Our Children - Showing Them Jesus Day by Day
Erin Knott, Cornerstone Presbyterian, Columbia
This session is for parents, grandparents, and anyone who wants to join with others in thinking deeply together about how to hold out our beautiful Savior to the children in our lives.
Erin was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and married her childhood sweetheart, Rev. Joshua Knott in 2001. She taught special needs children for 4 years before shifting to a career of staying home to raise their 4 girls (ages 5 months to 10 years old). Erin moved to Irmo in August of 2016 as her husband is the new pastor at Cornerstone Presbyterian. When she has a rare moment to herself, she also enjoys a good cup of coffee, being outdoors, reading, spending time with good friends, and dabbling in creative activities.
6. New Perspectives From Ancient Paths
Marsha Johnson, Cornerstone Presbyterian, Columbia
Insights gained from sojourning in Israel and Jordan.
Marsha is a long-time member of Cornerstone PCA where she has sung in the choir, taught Bible studies and led in VBS, among other things. She was a local group leader for Precept Ministries before teaching German at Lexington High School for twenty-two years. Since retiring, she has been in leadership with Bible Study Fellowship and has ministered to women whose marriages are in crisis. She also treasures visits with her five grandchildren in Birmingham and Boston.
Marsha has travelled extensively but her recent study tour to Israel and Jordan was different than all her previous travel. She was able to see “The Land” in new and amazing ways and looks forward to sharing new perspectives gained from this special experience.
7. Pastor Wives Only
Hosted by Linda Hodges
Alice Poynor, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Columbia
“A look at the life of a pioneer missionary, who, ‘though he died,... still speaks’ (Heb.11:4). Let’s look at what God has to teach us by a voice of faith from the past that still speaks to us today.”
Alice grew up in Vancouver, Canada, in a minister’s household. She is married to Paul, a Pastor at St. Andrews Presbyterian, and is the mother of three grown sons and grandmother of four. Alice enjoys travel, painting, singing and being with her family - both biological and spiritual! Alice delights in teaching/speaking and writing and has a deep love for the Word of God, Theology, and Missions History (biographies).
2. Hospitality: A Gift or Command?
Teri DeBellis & Connie Weldon, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Columbia
Hospitality in 2018. Gifted or not, how can we carry out the command to be hospitable in our modern culture?
Connie has been married for nearly 42 years to Dale Weldon. They began in youth ministry together and he has been a pastor for more than 37 years (the last eleven years as Senior Pastor of St. Andrews Presbyterian Church). They have 4 children, all of them married, and 9 grandchildren, so far. In the church she has always worked with little children and has always had an open home. Together, Dale and Connie have enjoyed sharing their home and meals with hundreds of people every year. Connie loves to cook and bake, but her family and especially being Mimi to her grandchildren, give her the greatest joy.
Teri takes the Titus 2 commandment to heart. She is a life-long learner and mentor and disciples others at every opportunity. Teri enjoys opening her home for fellowship and Bible Studies. She enjoys cooking, baking, and entertaining. In 1976 Teri's life changed from upside down to right side up, to living for Jesus and no longer for herself. Since then, she has given herself to being Jesus to others by way of teaching, mentoring, or just plain opening her heart and home to those God places in her path. She has a wonderful husband of 52 years, 3 grown sons and daughter-in-laws, and 5 beautiful grandchildren. Her aim in life is to be all she can be for the one who gave his all for her.
3. Teach Me While My Heart Is Tender
Frances McFarland, Lexington Presbyterian, Lexington
George Barna’s research reveals that, “most people decide what they will do about Jesus- wholeheartedly follow, merely acknowledge, ignore or reject Him- while they are young.” Are we doing all that we can in the window of time we have been given, to place the baton of faith into the hands of our children? In this session, we will look at findings that have been revealed in this study as well as scriptures which will inspire us in our mission to lay down firm foundations that will result in Kingdom building!
After graduating from USC with a degree in sociology, Frances worked in foster care, adoptions and family service programs at the DSS. She returned to USC after marrying her loving husband Jim and the birth of her two children to receive a degree in education. The following eleven years were devoted to teaching in various preschool programs. In August of 1999, Frances accepted the position of Director of Children’s Ministries at Lexington Presbyterian Church. Love for children’s ministry has kept her there for the past 19 years. Frances feels blessed to be the director of more than 100 wonderful covenant children, the mother of one much loved son and one much loved daughter, and a grandmother of five precious grandchildren, ages 6 months to 8 years.
4. Women’s Ministry - It’s a Sticky Business
Frankie Watson, St. Andrews Presbyterian, Columbia
During this Session we will explore God’s call to women and good ways that we can function within our local church in unity. By God’s design we have a particular and somewhat peculiar set of parameters that bring about challenges for today’s woman. Plus, we are women, sinners relating to other sinners, in a world that is counter cultural to our basic beliefs as women of faith. These wonderful aspects are a part of God’s plan and can be a sticky business.
Frankie is the Director of Women’s Ministries at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian. Frankie has served in many ministries and her heart is truly in the local church ministry where her “connections are with the women she knows personally”. She and Chip have been married for 48 years allowing her to serve alongside him wherever he served as a Pastor. They have 3 children and 6 grandchildren.
5. Pouring Into Our Children - Showing Them Jesus Day by Day
Erin Knott, Cornerstone Presbyterian, Columbia
This session is for parents, grandparents, and anyone who wants to join with others in thinking deeply together about how to hold out our beautiful Savior to the children in our lives.
Erin was born and raised in Richmond, Virginia, and married her childhood sweetheart, Rev. Joshua Knott in 2001. She taught special needs children for 4 years before shifting to a career of staying home to raise their 4 girls (ages 5 months to 10 years old). Erin moved to Irmo in August of 2016 as her husband is the new pastor at Cornerstone Presbyterian. When she has a rare moment to herself, she also enjoys a good cup of coffee, being outdoors, reading, spending time with good friends, and dabbling in creative activities.
6. New Perspectives From Ancient Paths
Marsha Johnson, Cornerstone Presbyterian, Columbia
Insights gained from sojourning in Israel and Jordan.
Marsha is a long-time member of Cornerstone PCA where she has sung in the choir, taught Bible studies and led in VBS, among other things. She was a local group leader for Precept Ministries before teaching German at Lexington High School for twenty-two years. Since retiring, she has been in leadership with Bible Study Fellowship and has ministered to women whose marriages are in crisis. She also treasures visits with her five grandchildren in Birmingham and Boston.
Marsha has travelled extensively but her recent study tour to Israel and Jordan was different than all her previous travel. She was able to see “The Land” in new and amazing ways and looks forward to sharing new perspectives gained from this special experience.
7. Pastor Wives Only
Hosted by Linda Hodges
