Warren J. LeSane, Jr., Executive and Stated Clerk of the Synod of the Mid Atlantic, has written a response to the violence that took place in CHARLOTTESVILLE on Saturday, August 12. Click HERE to read the statement in its entirety.

The Rev. Kerry Westerwick gave away almost 100 books to Presbyterian bibliophiles at the 111th Stated Meeting on July 25, but still has more to share!  She will be happy to send any of the remaining FREE BOOKS to a happy new home!  Click BOOKS to read the entire list of what she has available, and contact Kerry directly at kkwesterwick@gmail.com if you would like some!

Calling all women of faith! The annual PEVA PW FALL GATHERING on the theme of Embracing Diversity in Today's World will take place on Sat., OCT. 14 at FRANKLIN PC (405 Lee St., Franklin, VA 23851). There will be worship, fellowship, lunch and a variety of workshops. There will also be a breakout session to discuss insights and take-aways from the book, Waking Up White and Finding Myself in the Story of Race by Debby Irving. Those interested are invited to read the book prior to the gathering. Details will follow, so save the date and stay tuned! Click FLYER for more.

FIRST PC, VIRGINIA BEACH looks forward to commemorating the 500th Anniversary of the Protestant Reformation throughout the Fall of 2017. UPSem has heard about these plans and has partnered with the congregation to offer a REFORMATION TOUR that will travel to Germany, France and Switzerland from MAY 21 - JUNE 2, 2018. If you are interested in learning more about this trip, please click HERE. Further, Dr. Tricia Vesley, of UPSem, will give a lecture on the Reformation at First PC, VB and share more about the trip later this fall. Stay tuned for details!

It's time for PEVA churches to SUBMIT their EMPLOYER AGREEMENT for 2018! Just like last year, each church must submit decisions on what will be covered for employees, such as who to cover, which benefits, medical costs, how much to contribute, etc., BY OCT. 13. Go to Benefits Connect and choose Employer Agreement to select benefits for employees to elect during annual enrollment this fall. Resources such as Guide to Selecting 2018 Benefits, web tutorials and more can be found at pensions.org/2018benefits.

In honor of this momentous occasion in the life of Reformed believers, each week from now through Oct. 31 we will share a few of the 95 Theses posted by Martin Luther in 1517. It should be noted that not all of these are particularly Presbyterian, but they sent shock waves throughout Christendom... CLICK HERE for more resources on the Reformaton.

46. Christians are to be taught that, unless they have more than they need, they must reserve enough for their family needs and by no means squander it on indulgences.
47. Christians are to be taught that the buying of indulgences is a matter of free choice, not commanded.
48. Christians are to be taught that the pope, in granting indulgences, needs and thus desires their devout prayer more than their money.
49. Christians are to be taught that papal indulgences are useful only if they do not put their trust in them, but very harmful if they lose their fear of God because of them.
50. Christians are to be taught that if the pope knew the exactions of the indulgence preachers, he would rather that the basilica of St. Peter were burned to ashes than built up with the skin, flesh, and bones of his sheep.