Compassionate communication

training retreat planned at Bay Lake

During a three-day immersion experience, beginning Monday, May 22, and ending Thursday morning, May 25, participants in a compassionate communication -- or nonviolent communication -- training retreat  for pastors at Bay Lake Camp near Deerwood, Minn.,  will discover ways to communicate more effectively. Titled "Empathy & Honesty: A Compassionate Communication Training Retreat for Pastors," the retreat will offer the opportunity for participants to discover compassionate communication as a means of connecting to God, self and others. There are 12 spots offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, at a cost of $150. If the spots do not fill up by May 14; they will be made available to clergy from other denominations for the full meal and accommodation rate of $300 per person. The retreat is sponsored by the PTCA's Committee on Ministry as part of its mission to support clergy, and underwritten by a generous grant from the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation. The complete announcement is at "Compassionate Communication." Details, including registration, can be found at "Empathy and Honesty."

 

Ice is out at Clearwater Forest;

programs are ready to go

Writing in the newsletter of Clearwater Forest, the Presbyterian camp and conference center in the heart of Minnesota's lake country, Rich Swartwood, executive director, noted, "The ice is out early this year and the loons will soon return. That means summer truly is coming.  We have a wide range of programs to pique everyone's interest.  From our incredible Grands Camps, First Timers, Two-Week Senior High Camp, the Sailing Camps, our new Eco Camps and BWCA Trip Camp, Endless, and our traditional programming, there is a place for you this summer." The complete newsletter is at "Clearwater Forest."

 

Jeff's Jottings

Pictures we cannot un-see

 

By Jeff Japinga

Transitional Executive Presbyter

 

Throughout Lent, I have invited you into a discipline of prayer - of setting aside a few moments each week to join your voices with others from across the presbytery in prayer, and in doing so, deepen the work of your own soul as well.

 

On Sunday, we enter Holy Week, and I was sure that today's prayer would help orient us down that road. But then came the chemical gas attack by the Syrian government against its own people, and the tragic pictures that simply cannot be un-seen. And then, a day later, we hear the news that our government made a retaliatory military strike.

 

The complete Jottings is at "The Pictures."

Tour of Dakota sacred sites

are planned April 15, May 13

Jim Bear Jacobs and Bob Klanderud, of Mohican and Dakota tribes respectively, will lead a tour of Dakota sacred sites around the confluence of the Mississippi and Minnesota rivers on Saturdays, April 15 and May 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The tours provide history from the American Indian perspective. During the past two years more than 500 participants have gone on the tour. Details can be found at "Sacred Sites."

 

PTCA Presbyterian Women set

gathering April 22 in Stillwater

The Presbyterian Women of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area will hold their Spring Gathering on Saturday, April 22, at First Presbyterian Church in Stillwater. Registration begins at 9 a.m. The theme for this year's event is "Caring for Yourself and Caring for Others." The keynote speaker will be Carolyn Klaver, a registered nurse and community dementia care specialist from Lyngblomsten, a provider of healthcare, housing and services for older adults in the Twin Cities area. Gathering details are available at "Presbyterian Women."

 

Spirit of Life Church plans special

services during Easter season

Apple Valley's Spirit of Life Presbyterian Church will present special services on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and Easter Sunday. The church will also hold its final Wednesday evening Lenten service April 5, beginning with a meal at 6 and followed by a short devotional at 6:30. Complete details can be found at "Easter Services."

OGA issues new resources to equip

ruling elders as spiritual leaders

Helping ruling elders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) function as spiritual leaders in their congregations is the focus of a series of monthly  articles set to premiere in mid-April. Titled "Regarding Ruling Elders: A Monthly Series for Spiritual Leaders," the series is free and will be available online in three languages: English, Spanish, and Korean. "Ruling elders are part of the spiritual leadership of the church," says Martha Miller, manager for ruling elder ministries and educator certification in the PC(USA)'s Office of the General Assembly, who is overseeing the project. She envisions the articles as resources to enable elders to fulfill that responsibility. Miller says she hopes the new focus on spiritual leadership will help ruling elders understand how "being an elder is different from serving on a nonprofit board." The complete story by Eva Stimson for the Office of the General Assembly is at "Ruling Elder Series."

 

'Theological Conversations' releases 'Words Matter,' latest paper in series

"Theological Conversations" -- a series of papers designed to invite congregational leaders in the PC(USA) into theological conversation wherever they gather as sessions, presbyteries or for adult education in congregations -- began as a way to create space for conversations accessible to all church members. Each paper is a study resource with accompanying questions for conversation or reflection, suitable for use by both individuals and groups. This year constitutes a milestone for the series in the celebration of the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. The latest paper, "Words Matter" was written by the Rev. Mary Beth Anton, a pastor in the Presbytery of Tres Rios. The complete announcement, along with links to the free download, can be found at "Theological Conversations."

 

Current Board Connections

newsletter is posted by BOP

The March edition of Board Connections, a newsletter for the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church  (U.S.A.), has been posted online. The publication highlights recent Board news, updates and information. The current edition announces enhancements to Benefits Connect that make it easy, fast and convenient for employers, members, retirees and survivors to access benefits and information online. The March edition is at "Board Connections."

 

Board of Pensions issues

new newsletter: 'Employer News'

The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is publishing a new newsletter: Employer  News. The newsletter contains information specifically for employers. In its opening story, the newsletter notes, "So, no matter how many plan benefits you offer - whether all of them or only medical, for example - be sure to check this newsletter for updates and information on plans, processes, Benefits Connect, and other items that may be of interest to you. We hope you will find it useful." The complete newsletter can be found at "Employer News."

 

UDTS offers 3 online courses

for CREs this summer

The University of Dubuque Theological Seminary will be offering three online courses for commissioned ruling elders this summer. The courses are "Reformed Theology," taught by Gary Eller; "Introduction to New Testament," taught by Grant VanderVelden; and "Presbyterian Polity," taught by Scott Nesbitt." The summer term runs June 5 to Aug. 25. Details can be found at "Summer Courses."

 

Big Tent registration open;

event runs July 6-8

This summer's Big Tent conference takes place July 6-8 in St. Louis and registration recently opened. The theme of this year's conference is "Race, Reconciliation and the Reformation." The event features plenary events, Bible study, workshops and worship. The three-day event, held on the Washington University campus, will provide a variety of opportunities to engage with the issues facing the church and society today. The registration site is at "Big Tent."

 

Synod School has surpassed

510 registrants

As of Thursday this week, the registration total for Synod School has reached 516, according to Mary Kes in the offices of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. But there's still room for more. The week-long program typically draws more than 600 participants. J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), will be this year's convocation speaker, and Cláudio Carvalhaes, a well-known speaker and worship leader, and a former Synod School convocation speaker, will lead evening worship. But beyond those two leaders, there are more than 70 classes listed in the catalog. Synod School runs July 23-28 at Buena Vista University, Storm Lake, Iowa. Details, including everything necessary for registration, can be found at "Synod School."

 

Artist, campus minister will coordinate, lead worship at 1001 gathering

The Rev. Abby King-Kaiser, senior assistant director for Ecumenical and Multifaith Ministry at the Dorothy  Day Center for Faith and Justice at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, will serve as worship leader and coordinator for "Living, Dying, Rising," the 2017 national gathering for 1001 New Worshiping Communities. The gathering, which takes its scriptural basis from John 20:19-23, takes place Aug. 7-10 at the TradeWinds Island Grand Resort in St. Pete Beach, Fla. The 2017 national gathering will outline the story of the life of Christ and the life of the church. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Emily Enders Odom can be found at "1001 Gathering."

 

Synod, 3 presbyteries

underwrite 'The Academy'

The Academy, a series of 11 courses "designed to develop well-equipped, thoughtful people to better serve councils in a variety of capacities," will offer its first classes this summer at Synod School, which runs July 23-28 at Buena Vista University in Storm Lake, Iowa. Described as a "unique, cohort-based learning community," The Academy offers participants an opportunity to grow in faith and knowledge, grow as a leader, and have more opportunities to serve God as needed. A new cohort begins each year at Synod School, while subsequent learning takes place in online and in-person settings. The Academy is a joint effort of and underwritten by the presbyteries of Minnesota Valleys, North Central Iowa and Prospect Hill, and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Details can be found in a brochure at "The Academy."

 

Stewardship Kaleidoscope annual conference set this fall in Florida

The annual Stewardship Kaleidoscope event, an annual conference offering speakers, workshops  and networking opportunities, is planned  Sept. 25-27 this year at St. Pete Beach, Fla. Among the keynote speakers this year is Adam Copeland, a member of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and director of the Center for Stewardship Leadership at Luther Seminary in St. Paul. Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to help participants explore stewardship across many dimensions. Event details are available at "Kaleidoscope."

 

Board of Pensions sets session

on understanding benefits

The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is planning a one-day seminar May 9 at Yorkfield Presbyterian Church in Elmhurst, Ill., to  give church leaders the opportunity to learn about the theological values that shape the benefits plan, ask questions during a Q-and-A with Board of Pensions leadership and staff, and enjoy fellowship with other benefit decision-makers. Details about the event can be found at "Understanding Benefits Plan."

A recent research release from the Barna Group suggests parents and youth ministry leaders have differing views on youth ministry. The report, "Pastors and Parents Differ on Youth Ministry Goals,"  is derived from the comprehensive "State of Youth Ministry" study released last November in cooperation with youth ministry resource organizations  Youth Specialties  and  YouthWorks. When asked what the objective of youth ministry was within their context, 71 percent of pastors and 75 percent of youth pastors said discipleship and spiritual instruction were high priorities, followed by 40 percent and 48 percent respectively saying building relationships was a top priority. On the other hand, 96 percent of parents say safety is very or somewhat important for youth ministry. The complete Presbyterian News Service Story by Gregg Brekke can be found at " Objectives Gap."

U.S. President Donald Trump's recent decision to revive the coal industry and closely scrutinize the previous administration's Clean Power Act is being  met with strong opposition among leaders in the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). While the president promises the action will create jobs, many say the executive order, signed last week, will set the country back years in environmental progress. "The General Assemblies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for decades have passed policies that share concern for God's creation, our obligation to be good stewards of the natural world, and our role in reducing energy dependence, promoting renewable and sustainable energy use, and otherwise caring for the earth," said the Rev. Rebecca J. Barnes, coordinator of the  Presbyterian Hunger Program. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Rick Jones can be found at " Environment."

Several ministries of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) have issued alerts and provided information on their activities in response to the ongoing conflict in South  Sudan. According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), 1.61 million people are internally displaced and another 751,000 people have escaped into neighboring countries, including Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda, since conflict broke out in 2013. Additionally, at least 79 aid workers have been killed in the country since December 2013, including seven in recent weeks. Presbyterian mission co-workers  Shelvis and Nancy Smith-Mather  recently returned to the area as a part of the  South Sudan Education and Peacebuilding Project. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gregg Brekke can be found at " South Sudan."