" What I can Do on My Summer Vacation "

Dear Followers of the Risen Christ,

Now that Eastertide has been inaugurated, there are several special summer opportunities for us to live into the new life of Christ together!

• In July, our denomination, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will once again be hosting the Presbyterian Youth Triennium in Louisville, KY. This is a special “youth rally” event, that as the name implies, is observed every three years, hasn’t been held since 2017 because of COVID. It’s for High School students (or just graduated) …and our Presbytery is hoping to send a delegation of as many of our youth as possible. The Presbytery will be offering generous scholarships, and the Synod will be supporting our delegation with a special $1,000 gift. You can learn more about Triennium at the official website: https://presbyterianyouthtriennium.org/. If you have any interested youth, please contact Pastor David.

• The Presbytery also helps support congregations through scholarships for summer camping for eligible children and youth at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center. Ferncliff offers a number of summer camps for children and families throughout the year. You can check out their offerings at their website: www.ferncliff.org. The Presbytery of the Pines will MATCH congregational support, up to one-half of the cost of attending summer camp.

• And there aren’t just opportunities for children and youth! Montreat is a PCUSA conference center in North Carolina (Sue and John Pickett’s son, Tanner, works there!). Montreat offers a full schedule conferences for youth, college-aged youth, young adults, and denominationally-affiliated conferences like the Worship & Music Conferences and others. Montreat was at ground zero for last year’s devastating inland hurricane, but after extensive recovery efforts, the summer schedule is about to be in full swing. Imagine taking a trip to the mountains and exploring rich, spiritual, learning opportunities at: https://montreat.org/

• Not to be outdone, a little bit closer in Texas is Mo-Ranch. “Mo” (as it’s often known) offers a full slate of events, camps, conferences, and learning opportunities sponsored locally and through PCUSA entities. See: https://www.moranch.org/attend-a-conference/. From a robust Men’s Conference, to a renowned Women’s Conference—MO has something for nearly everyone, in an unforgettable Texas hill-country locale!

Not ready to commit? Both Mo-Ranch and Montreat offer accommodations and campgrounds for “passers-thru” so if you’re in the neighborhood, you can check out things in person!

• This year’s Stewardship Kaleidoscope Conference happens in New Orleans this September! ANYONE can attend, and the Presbytery is hoping to have a representative group of attendees! This conference is for congregational leaders—both ministers and pastor-types as well as lay leaders. Find out more at: www.stewardshipkaleidoscope.org. “Stewardship” is a lifestyle of giving, knowing that God has gifted us with much, and that sharing and caring and giving …yield joy.

If we’re singing, ♫ “ Up from the grave he arose ” ♫ this EASTER, new life IN CHRIST isn’t just around the corner—it’s begun! Celebrate the joy of this season by thinking of the ways you can live into Christ’s vision this summer! DREAM BIG! And even if you can’t join in the fun in person, remember …you may have the means to help transform someone else’s life by helping to send them, instead!



The crucifixion was hard, but life lies beyond it.