Partners in Appalachia!

Coalition for Appalachian Ministry (CAM)
Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center (AMERC)
Commission on Religion in Appalachian (CORA)
Presbyterian Council for Media

Presbyterian and Reformed churches have been involved in ministry to the Appalachian region for more than 100 years. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church is the third largest Presbyterian body in Appalachia, having 170 churches in 54 counties, mainly in middle and East Tennessee. Of the denomination's total membership, 25 percent live in Appalachia. The main thrusts of today's mission efforts by the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in the mountains is through the following ministries:

Coalition for Appalachian Ministry (CAM)
CAM is the agency responsible for coordinating cooperative work in Appalachia for the Reformed Church in America (RCA), the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Cumberland Presbyterian Church (CPC), the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in America (CPCA), and the Christian Reformed Church (CRC). The synods and presbyteries of these communions provide the majority of funds for CAM, with some additional support from national agencies. Interpretative materials, resources, and portable displays are available from the CAM office: 1329 Wears Valley Road, Townsend, Tennessee 37882. Click on the graphic to the right to visit the CAM web site.

Cumberland Presbyterians have active representatives on the CAM board from Cumberland, East Tennessee, Tennessee/Georgia, Hope, and Robert Donnell presbyteries, Tennessee Synod and the General Assembly Board of Missions.

MISSION VACATION OPPORTUNITY
Summer and/or Autumn, 2008
Enjoy the Smoky Mountains while supporting Presbyterian and Reformed ministry in Appalachia

Between June and October (the tourist season!), CAM Cabin Crafts needs extra help.
Come to Townsend, TN for a couple of weeks or more and volunteer in the shop about 20 hours/week. The rest of your time will be available for rest and relaxation of your choosing. Housing for 1 or 2 people is provided for up to 5 months.
Sound good? It’s true!

Contact Therica Breazeale — ThericaCAM@aol.com, Frank Hare — harefrank@earthlink.net, Mary Jane Knapp — mknapp5144@suddenlink.net, Melissa Malinoski — mlmalinoski@yahoo.com, Barbara Morrison — blm1001@sbcglobal.net, or Mike Sharpe — mgs@cumberland.org, for more information. Explore the mission of the Coalition for Appalachian Ministry at http://www.appalachianministry.org/.

Appalachian Ministries Educational Resource Center (AMERC)
AMERC, the largest consortia effort to emerge in the history of theological education in the US, is an ecumenical program that provides critically needed specialized education and training for seminarians preparing to minster in the small town and rural churches of Appalachia and similar areas. The Cumberland Presbyterian Church provided important leadership and participation in the founding of AMERC in 1985 and continues to be represented on the AMERC board. The General Assembly Board of Missions provides annual budget for AMERC, which, in turn, has been utilized by AMERC as scholarship assistance to Cumberland Presbyterian students participating in any of the training seminars.

Commission on Religion in Appalachia (CORA)
For 31 years, CORA has worked successfully in partnership with communities throughout the region for a better quality of life, clean water and air, better education and schools, safe work places, health care for all, community economic development, and stewardship of resources. In 1998, CORA volunteers repaired and built homes in partnership with residents of many communities.

CORA is an ecumenical ministry of more than 19 denominations and 16 ecumenical partners in collaborative service with hundreds of congregations and community groups from across the region. Click on the link above to visit the CORA web site.

Presbyterian Council for Media
The PCM (formerly name Presbyterian Appalachian Broadcasting Council) has been a vital ministry bringing "a word of hope from your Presbyterian friends" in the form of public service announcements (PSA's) via radio, to the people of Appalachia for over forty years.

This year (2006), PABC has changed its name to the Presbyterian Council for Media. This change was made to more correctly reflect the change in production to encompass the issues and concerns relevant to people across the nation. However, PCM will remain loyal to the area which essentially started this organization and will still provide a ministry and mission to the Appalachian area.

Also, PCM has a new Executive Director and a new location. Rick McNeely, who has worked with PABC in numerous roles over many years including that of Board Member, has taken the position of Executive Director.

Christy Wolfe-Mazeres, the Executive Director of the past eleven years, has created, and is now the Executive Director of Empowering Endless Possibilities. EEP is an organization empowering those with disabilities, their families, caregivers and the community to strive to reach their fullest potential. Christy will still write and consult for PCM as well as help with the finishing touches of the second set of PSA's in the Worthiness series called Clearing Confusion, which is scheduled for release in March, 2006. PCM thanks Christy for her many years of dedication and wishes her well in her new endeavors.

If you would like more information on the history of PABC, the future of PCM, and how you or your local church can get involved or bring the message of hope to your community contact the Council at:

Presbyterian Council for Media
P.O. Box 622
Lebanon, OH 45036
Phone: 513.479.5253
Email: info@councilformedia.org
www.councilformedia.org/