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News around the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
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Synod will conduct its spring
meeting May 5-7 at Mt. Olivet
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies will conduct its annual meeting Sunday through Tuesday, May 5-7, at Mt. Olivet Conference and Retreat Center near Farmington, Minnesota, and install ruling elder Angela Oglesby as its moderator.
While undertaking the business of an annual meeting, synod commissioners will also hear from members of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance National Response Team, including Bob Houser and William Neely, who were original members when the organization formed in 1996.
That same year, PDA celebrated the 20-year anniversary of its National Response Team, originally called Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Team. A story on that commemoration can be found at "
Recognizing 20 Years
."
Neely, who blogs from time to time, wrote about the support team members need to serve in times of disaster. His post from 2018 can be found at "
Deploying with PDA
."
Synod slates plans
for 'Art of Transitional Leadership'
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies is planning a new event this fall -- "The Art of Transitional Leadership" -- that will provide ministry skills training for today and tomorrow's church pastors, staff, committees on ministry and congregational leaders. Set Monday through Friday, Sept. 16-20, at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minnesota, the event offers two tracks, one covering an introduction to transitional ministry that runs the full week, and another offering transformation training for church leaders that takes place Wednesday through Friday of the week. The full-week session provides 30 hours of training that meets the requirements for Week I Transitional Ministry Education. The second session provides training for ruling elders and other congregational leaders, focusing on their roles in congregations in times of ministry transitions. Details are available at "Art of Transitional Leadership." Registration information will be available soon.
Former TCA stated clerk's Sri Lanka
congregation worships through attacks
The congregation of a Scots kirk in Sri Lanka continued to worship as terror attacks unfolded nearby.
The Rev. Bill Davnie, former stated clerk of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, heard one of the bombs explode in a hotel next to St. Andrew's Scots Kirk in Colombo as he prepared for the Easter service. But it was only when worshipers started receiving phone messages that the enormity of the attacks sank in. They were given the chance to leave but instead decided to stay and pray for those affected by the terror. The complete story from the BBC can be found at "
Worshiping through Terror
."
Wisconsin church sells building,
relocates, experiences resurrection
Heritage Presbyterian Church in Muskego, Wisconsin, has a resurrection story to tell. At the beginning it might sound familiar to many Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations. The membership was graying and in decline. Of the 100 members on the rolls, between 30-40 came to worship. In 2015, the Rev. Michelle Henrichs joined them, providing pulpit supply for five months. Ordained, and trained as a new worshiping community leader, she began asking members of the congregation, "When were you most energetic and excited about church?" Their most common answer: "When we were raising our children." The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Paul Seebeck can be found at "
Experiencing Resurrection
."
Awards in Iowa show Presbyterians
step up when disaster strikes
 The crises were different, but one of the results was the same: Presbyterians stepped up when help was needed. In April, when the Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council went to hand out its annual Don Hampton Service Award to an individual and a group of volunteers, both recipients hailed from Presbyterian churches. That was not surprising to the Rev. Jim Kirk, associate for national disaster response of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. "I continue to be impressed as I reach out to mid councils and communities and hear story after story of Presbyterians' response to disasters," Kirk says. "Local congregations and Presbyterians are always engaged in their communities when there is a need." The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Rich Copley can be found at "
Iowa Award Winners
." In the photo above, at the awards ceremony, are, left to right, Tracy Epps, director of the Iowa Department of Homeland Security; Richie Ritter, the recipient of the 2019 Individual Volunteer of the Year; and the Rev. Dr. Greg Smith, chair of the Iowa Disaster Human Resources Council.
Presbyterian Women in the synod
will gather in June in Ames
 Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies will conduct their triennial gathering this summer in Ames, Iowa. The event runs June 20-23. The keynote speaker is the Rev. Kathy Reeves, who recently retired after serving the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for 26 and a half years with Presbyterian World Mission and Presbyterian Women. Plenary speakers are Elona Street-Stewart, executive of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, and the Rev. Mary Newbern-Williams, executive presbyter of the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley. Details and registration information can be found in the booklet at "
Gathering of Presbyterian Women
."
More than 70 classes remain open
at this summer's Synod School
 When it comes to classes, there's a lot to choose from at this summer's Synod School. More than 70 classes remain open -- from "Stories about Faith in a Globalized World" to "Communication Skills for Engaging Difficult Conversations" and from "Preserving Family Stories" to "Black-ish, Christ-ish: Exploring Race Through Pop-Culture Television." Those who would like to find a way around reading through the many course descriptions can check out Page 23 of the catalog for a succinct list of more specific subject areas. The midsummer ministry of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies takes place July 21-26 in Storm Lake, Iowa, on the Buena Vista University campus. Everything you need, from the catalog to a link to registration information, can be found on the Synod School page of the synod's website; it's at "
Synod School 2019
."
The Academy will begin another
cohort at Synod School this summer
Called simply The Academy, a series of 11 courses designed to develop well-equipped, thoughtful people to better serve councils in a variety of capacities, will open for another cohort this summer. Described as a  unique, cohort-based learning community, The Academy offers participants an opportunity to grow in faith and knowledge, as a leader, and to have more opportunities to serve God as needed. For some participants, the courses may lead to becoming commissioned pastors. The Academy is a joint effort of the presbyteries of Minnesota Valleys, North Central Iowa and Prospect Hill, and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. A current brochure, with a link to registration, is at "
The Academy
."
Moderators make appointments
to task forces, reconciliation team
Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri and Cindy Kohlmann, co-moderators of the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), announced in April appointments to task forces and a reconciliation team approved by the General Assembly. Among those appointed were several from the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Heidi Bolt of the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area and Paul Volker of the Presbytery of North Central Iowa were appointed to the Family Leave Task Force, and James Splitt of Homestead Presbytery was named to the Survivors of Sexual Misconduct Task Force. The complete announcement, including the complete list of appointees, from the Office of the General Assembly can be found at "
Appointments Made
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| Conferences, camps, resources |
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Summer nears - time again
to plan summer camps
It's that time of year again. Summer activities and summer camping are just around the corner. And if you're thinking about trying something different this summer, there are six Presbyterian camp and conference centers located across the Synod of Lakes and Prairies.
Iowa and South Dakota are both home to two camp locations. The
Lakeshore Center at Okoboji
is located just north Milford, Iowa, on 55 acres along the shores of West Lake Okoboji, and has 600 feet of sandy lakeshore. On the east side of the state,
Camp Wyoming
is located in Jones County in a natural setting centrally situated among Cedar Rapids, Davenport and Dubuque.
OPSF offers Shift 2.0, a workshop
 on intentional discipleship
Shift 2.0, an intentional discipleship workshop, will teach church leaders how to structure a discipleship process that grows disciples, will provide relationships for each phase of the journey, and designs a core curriculum that equips disciples to grow in each of the dimensions of discipleship. The workshop, sponsored by the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation, takes place Monday through Wednesday, May 20-22, in St. Charles, Missouri. Details are at "
Shift 2.0
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Regarding Ruling Elders:
Risk-taking
 in spiritual leadership
Joan Gray, who has served as a teaching elder in 12 congregations and also served as moderator of the General Assembly, often writes Regarding Ruling Elders, a resource from the Office of the General Assembly. This month she begins, "The gospel of Matthew tells the story of a man who entrusts a large amount of money to each of three servants and then goes on a journey. When he returns, he calls the servants for an accounting. Two of the servants have invested and made a profit. They are praised and rewarded. The third servant, motivated by fear, has buried the master's money in the ground for safekeeping. This servant gets a scathing rebuke and is thrown "into the outer darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." What did this third servant do wrong? The complete column can be found at "
Regarding Ruling Elders
."
Festival of Homiletics encourages
'preaching as moral imagination'
The 27th Festival of Homiletics returns to Minneapolis in May with the theme, "Preaching as Moral Imagination." The Festival plans to "inspire and encourage preachers to embrace once again their  identity as those called to give voice to God's vision of goodness and mercy, to recover and reimagine leadership in the church that seeks justice for all," according to the Festival's website. The Festival runs Monday through Friday, May 13-17, and encourages ministers to "come renew, refresh and recharge. ... Come and tap into God's moral imagination for the sake of the world God loves," the site notes.
Central Lutheran Church
is host to this year's conference.
Westminster Presbyterian Church
will also house events during the week, located less than three blocks from the main venue. Complete details are at "
Festival of Homiletics
."
Final date to apply approaches
for Young Adult Volunteer program
 The final application deadline is June 1 for the Young Adult Volunteer program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). The program is an ecumenical, faith-based year of service in sites around the world and across the United States. YAVs accompany local agencies working to address root causes of poverty and reconciliation while exploring the meaning and motivation of their faith in community with peers and mentors. Complete details and application procedures can be found at "
YAV Program
."
Augsburg Youth Theology
Institute planned in June
 Students in this year's Augsburg Youth Theology Institute that runs June 23-28 at Augsburg will, according to the university's website, develop leadership skills and put creation care theology and science knowledge into action. Augsburg Youth Theology Institute is a summer program for young people in high school, grades 9-12. It has been called "a year of spiritual growth concentrated into one faith-filled week." Details about the program are available at "
Augsburg Youth Theology Institute
."
Wilson-Hartgrove headlines
Washington Island Forum in June
 Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, a celebrated spiritual author and sought-after speaker, will headline this summer's Washington Island Forum planned June 24-28 in Wisconsin. The Forum features worship, workshops, discussion and contemplation in an ecumenical retreat setting on Washington Island, just six miles off the tip of Door County. Wilson-Hartgrove, a graduate of Eastern University and Duke Divinity School, and his wife Leah founded Rutba House, a house of hospitality
where the formerly homeless are welcomed into a community t
hat eats, prays and shares life together. Details are available at "
Washington Island Forum
."
Registration is taking place now
for Big Tent in Baltimore
 Organizers for this year's Big Tent celebration are expecting a large turnout for the gathering Aug. 1-3 in Baltimore this summer. Registration is officially open for the event that is held in off years for the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Registration costs have been reduced to accommodate attendees and encourage families to come. The theme for this year is "Called to a Movement Beyond Institution," which is also the theme for the 224th General Assembly, also being held in Baltimore. Details and registration information are at "
Big Tent
."
Presbyterians for Earth Care conference
set this summer at Stony Point
 Presbyterians for Earth Care, a national eco-justice network that cares for God's creation by connecting, equipping, and inspiring Presbyterians to make creation care a central concern of the church, will conduct its 2019 conference Aug. 6-9 at Stony Point Center in Stony Point, New York. William Brown, professor of Old Testament at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, will be the keynote speaker. Confirmed workshop speakers are Emily Brewer of the Presbyterian Peace Fellowship and Ryan Smith of the Presbyterian Ministry at the United Nations. Additional details are at "
Presbyterians for Earth Care
."
Addiction, Faith Conference planned
in September in Twin Cities
 Noting on its website the "growing concern over the devastation of all forms of addiction, including the ever-increasing opioid crisis," organizers of this fall's Addiction & Faith Conference say the conference will "raise awareness of the terrible addiction problem we face and how the church and people of faith can help to address it." The conference is planned Friday through Sunday, Sept. 20-22, at the Doubletree by Hilton in Bloomington, Minnesota. The conference is presented by the Fellowship of Recovering Lutheran Clergy in partnership with the Recovery Ministries of the Episcopal Church. Conference details are at "
Addiction and Faith
.
"
ConNext Summit slated in October
at Christ the King Retreat Center
 The 2019
ConNext Summit
is "Recovering the Spirit" and it takes place Oct. 13-15 at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minnesota. Through worship, shared spiritual practices, workshops and conversation, ConNext participants explore how recovering and reclaiming the Holy Spirit can enliven and transform a church's ministry with children, youth and families. The Summit is sponsored by the Resource Center for Churches. Registration is open, and questions can be addressed to Lizabeth Bougie, director of the Resource Center for Churches, at
[email protected]
. A Summit flyer can be found at "ConNext."
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| News around the PC(USA) and more |
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PC(USA) membership decline has slowed
 After years of seeing hundreds of churches leave the denomination, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is starting to see the number of departing churches decrease. The Office of the General Assembly has wrapped up its latest review of membership statistics which indicates the decline in membership may be slowing down. In 2015, the total number of PC(USA) members was listed at more than 1.5 million. Within a year, membership declined by nearly 90,000. Last year, the decline was just over 62,000. The number of churches leaving the denomination between 2015 and 2016 totaled 203. In 2018, it was 34. The complete story by Rick Jones of the Office of the General Assembly can be found at "
Membership Decline Slows
."
Stated clerk condemns attacks in Sri Lanka
As the threat of more attacks lingers in Sri Lanka, the Stated Clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is calling on all faiths to find peaceful solutions to their problems. As many as 350  people are known to have died in a series of bombings on Easter at three churches and three hotels. Sixty people have been arrested in connection with the attacks. "We offer our consolation to all who have suffered devastating loss as a result of these most recent acts of violence," said the Reverend Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, II. "We call on those in authority to put aside their apparent internal differences and work together to provide comfort for those harmed by these cruel acts and bring to justice the perpetrators." In his statement, Nelson said religious leaders need to determine the root causes of the violence. The complete story by Rick Jones of the Office of the General Assembly, and Nelson's complete statement, can be found at "
Sri Lanka
."
Stated clerk urges Presbyterians
to take a stand on climate change
What role does the human race play when it comes to the earth's natural resources? Are they gifts from God to use at will, or should people do more to protect what God has given? Those were some of the questions recently asked of the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Nelson recently appeared on "Warming Signs," an audio podcast from the Weather Channel. Host Kait Parker, a Presbyterian, saw a letter the clerk wrote last fall on the global climate report, in support of climate action. She asked Nelson if organized religion should have a place in those discussions. "Not only are we creating problems in our own communities, there are predictions we could actually move toward our own destruction if we are not careful," said Nelson. The complete story by Rick Jones of the Office of the General Assembly can be found at "
Climate Change
."
Matthew 25 invites PC(USA)
to boldly live out Christ's call
A wondrous change is taking place -- a movement of the Spirit. Presbyterian congregations are reprioritizing the work of the Church,  taking it from an institution of survival to a way of getting actively engaged in the community and making the world a better place. These are congregations that take to heart the words of Matthew 25. They not only feed the hungry, clothe the naked and visit the sick and imprisoned. They are also getting to the root causes that create an unjust world. These congregations see that "the love of God has skin on it," as the Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett, president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency in Louisville, says. The complete story by Donna Frischknecht Jackson of Presbyterians Today magazine can be found at "
Actively Engaging
."
Presbyterians add their voices
to Poor People's Campaign
 The Rev. Jimmie Hawkins, director of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Office of Public Witness in Washington D.C., says "we have third-world conditions in parts of the United States of America," reflecting on his travels to cities some might find surprising. "I went to Austin, Texas, and this was stark, to me," Hawkins says. "Austin, which describes itself as one of the most progressive cities in the nation, is dealing with issues of gentrification and affordable housing. In west Austin, which is the black part of town ... you could see where newer houses and newer businesses were being put up right next to shacks -- literally. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Rich Copley can be found at "
Poor People's Campaign
."
General Assembly directive gives MRTI environmental policy guidance
The best way to advocate for change with publicly-traded corporations is to have direct access to high-level leaders, says Rob Fohr, director of faith-based investing and corporate engagement for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). When it comes to engaging with corporations on environmental and climate change-related issues this proxy season, Fohr says he and the Committee on Mission Responsibility Through Investment (MRTI) have had the tools they need to set expectations with corporate representatives and clearly articulate the church's positions, thanks to the 223rd General Assembly, which took place last June. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Rich Copley can be found at "
Environmental Policy
."
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| Just one more |
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Church signs that we think might be real
Your editor knows there's an app for that, with that being the ability to create a church sign and then publish it online. But a couple years ago  -- OK, well nearly five years ago -- BuzzFeed published "25 Church Signs That Are Too Clever For Their Own Good" and they're pretty good. Your editor thinks anything is good if it occupies at least two minutes. And then, of course, he becomes occupied scrolling through numerous other humorous signs. What time is it anyway? The signs are at "
Clever Church Signs
."
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