|
|
News around the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
|
|
Synod School is less than 2 months away
When it comes to classes, there's a lot to choose from at this summer's Synod School. The Synod School offers so many from which  to choose -- "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." But for those who would like to search through a few specific subject areas, they're invited to check out Page 23 of the catalog for a short list of 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 needed, 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."
Registration open
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 is available through the link in the flyer or by following a link to "
Transitional Leadership Registration
."
The Academy will begin another
cohort
at Synod School at end of July
 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
."
Presbyterian Women in the Synod
will gather this month 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
."
Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation
issues grants, makes donation
When the Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation sold one of its retirement communities in 2017, the board wanted to help make a difference within the church and communities and began another focus on  providing annual grants. After working 18 months to create the grant processes, April 30 marked the completion of the Foundation's first grant cycle for the benefit of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations in Nebraska and related organizations. The Foundation issued grants totaling $141,500 among six churches or organizations to partially fund projects that support outreach activities to enhance or expand some aspect of their ministry. The complete story, which appeared in the May 20 edition of Monday Morning in the Presbytery, the newsletter of the Presbytery of Missouri River Valley, can be found at "Nebraska Presbyterian Foundation."
IRMS ceases external operations
June 30; will sell resources
 The most recent newsletter from Iowa Religious Media Services indicates IRMS will cease external operations June 30, and its intent to sell its resources to its clients at a discount. The newsletter also notes that beginning July 1 its clients can still return resources and consult with its staff on a limited basis. The complete story is at "IRMS Plans to Sell Resources."
Two faiths, one house of worship
In May the Rev. Tom Willadsen wrote about the unique sharing of worship space of the First Presbyterian Church of Manitowoc, Wisconsin, and the Congregation Anshe Poale Zedek. Titled "Two  faiths, one house worship," Willadsen's article appeared in the May 15 edition of The Presbyterian Outlook magazine. He writes, "
Congregation Anshe Poale Zedek gathered for worship on a Saturday ... as Jews have been gathering for thousands of years. The scroll of the Torah was removed from the ark at the front of the sanctuary. Worshippers touched the scroll with the fringe of their tallitot, then touched the fringe to their mouths, signifying their desire to have the words of the Lord on their lips. ... For the last six months, this congregation has called First Presbyterian Church home." The complete article is at "
Two Faiths, One House
."
Working Preacher column: 'Sabbath
is tricky concept for Christians'
The Rev. Kara Root, pastor of Lake Nokomis Presbyterian Church in Minneapolis in the Presbytery of the Twin Cities Area, was asked recently to write a column on Sabbath for the Working Preacher online magazine. She explains, "Over the last 10 years, I've done a lot of thinking, practice and work around Sabbath, both with my church community and in my own life. I was recently asked to write a commentary for Working Preacher for a three-week series on Sabbath." She begins, "Sabbath is a tricky concept for Christians. We've tended to see it as a Jewish thing, not really applicable to us, or, more recently we've conflated it with trendy forms of self-care. It's the only one of the Ten Commandments that we brush off as not really that important. But it's the longest and most descriptive commandment, the hinge words between how we relate to God and how we relate to each other. It's not a throw-away comment." Her complete column is at "
Concept of Sabbath
."
When your presbytery
covers the state, and more
Writing in a recent newsletter of the Presbytery of the Northern Plains, which stretches from a church in Montana to multiple counties in Minnesota and across the entire state of North Dakota, Deanna  Reikow, the presbytery's vice moderator had a few suggestions. In a column titled "Worthwhile Weekends," she notes, "Wondering where to go for a fun weekend? Why not add a little more meaning and ministry to your weekends this summer? We have a few churches in our presbytery that could use your gifts and talents or just plain presence at worship." She adds, "If on your annual trip to Medora and the Badlands, why not try staying in the North Unit this year to mix things up a bit or at one of the new hotels in Watford City [and go to church, too]. Worship is at 10 a.m. and you can find them on Facebook. [And] if you are more of an out-of-the-way, adventure-seeking type, you might want to take a road trip to Rhame this summer and visit a true country church that is way off the beaten path." The complete column is at "
Worthwhile Weekends
."
East Iowa notes connections
with use of technology
 Julia Andrews, communications project manager in the Presbytery of East Iowa, writing in the Communication Corner of the presbytery's newsletter, writes, "Our Presbytery is BIG. The mileage between Manchester to Keokuk is 162 miles. From Clinton to Blairstown, the mileage is 106 miles. We have many miles of beautiful Iowa between our 70 churches in the presbytery. Years ago, the presbytery drew each of our churches on a map and divided the entire presbytery into four geographical regions. At the time, the technology available to complete the task was a poster board and push pins. Now, technology exists to easily orient yourself geographically within the presbytery. First, every church has a Google map within the presbytery's church directory." Andrews' complete column is in the newsletter at "
Communications Corner
."
|
| Conferences, camps, resources |
|
Wilson-Hartgrove headlines
Washington Island Forum this month
 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 that eats, prays and shares life together. Details are available at "
Washington Island Forum
."
The Big Tent is coming to Baltimore
in August; registration open
 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."
|
| Presbyterian colleges, university, seminaries |
|
 UDTS emeritus professor
Henry Fawcett dies at 86
Friends, family and former students remembered the life of scholarship and service lived by the Rev. Dr. Henry Fawcett, who died May 11 in Dubuque, Iowa, at age 86. Fawcett served as a pastor in Nebraska, Minnesota and Seattle, and was a professor at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary from 1986-2003, earning emeritus status after that. He was an accomplished mariner and was a trustee at Sheldon Jackson College in Sitka, Alaska. "He was a preacher whose faith and words touched the heart," wrote the Rev. David Dobler, moderator of the 205th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in 1993. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Mike Ferguson can be found at "
Henry Fawcett
."
University of Jamestown plans 2020 opening for mixed-use building
 The University of Jamestown and EPIC Companies will be rolling out a mixed-use building on-campus that will be the first of its kind to come into Jamestown. The university is one of seven Presbyterian-related institutions of higher education in covenant with the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Development was announced in May and construction is scheduled to begin in July. The plan calls for the facility to open in the fall of 2020. "This is an exciting opportunity for our students to have access to transitional, apartment-style housing on our campus," University President Polly Peterson said. The complete story from NewsDakota.com can be found at "
Building in Jamestown
."
Major gift helps University of Dubuque
build university health center
 This summer, University of Dubuque will begin construction on a university health center that will provide students with a first point of access for outpatient and preventative medical care services for physical and brain health as well as referral services to medical facilities for more serious ailments. The University of Dubuque is one of seven Presbyterian-related institutions of higher education across the synod in covenant with the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Barbara Smeltzer, undergraduate student resources adviser and "Campus Mom," and her husband, Jack, reached out to UD about the need for a university health center. "The more Jack and I talked about the things that I had seen, the more we realized we needed a student health center on campus." Barbara Smeltzer said. The complete story from the university can be found at "
New Health Center
."
|
| News around the PC(USA) |
|
PDA sends teams, resources
in wake of severe weather
 Presbyterian Disaster Assistance (PDA) has deployed national response teams in Ohio and Missouri and is processing several initial support requests following a severe weather outbreak across the Midwest. One national response team will head to the Maumee Valley Presbytery in Northwest Ohio and Southern Michigan as well as the Presbytery of the Miami Valley, visiting hard-hit sites such as Dayton and Celina, Ohio. The Dayton Daily News reported that 13 tornadoes hit Ohio between Monday and Tuesday, including three EF-3 tornadoes, with winds of 136 to 165 mph. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Rich Copley can be found at "PDA Responds with Teams, Resources."
Presbyterians for Just Immigration
work to solve immigration issues
There's little doubt the need exists for an immigration system that works for the United States and Presbyterians for Just Immigration are  working to bring that about. And it's a particularly busy time right now. The recent newsletter for the organization offers a look at the multiple projects. From the "mixed-status immigrant-family rule" to training and networking opportunities to advocacy, accompaniment and support, the recent efforts of Presbyterians for Just Immigration can be found at "Working for Just Immigration."
Stated clerk calls
for 'commonsense'
 gun legislation
Saying they are too accessible to the public, the Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is calling on lawmakers to take a tougher stand on the sale of weapons with high-capacity magazines. In his monthly video conversation, Nelson urges Congress to pass "commonsense" gun legislation. The video can be found at "
Gun Legislation
."
Presbyterian chaplains, co-moderator
lead forum on veteran suicide
When Jose Guzman got out of the army in 1992, he seriously considered taking his own life. He was suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTSD). It would take 18 years before he got the help he needed from the Veterans Administration. As many as 20 veterans take their own lives each day, according to the United States Department of Veterans Affairs, and the problem is getting worse. A group of faith leaders and chaplains gathered at the Rockville Presbyterian Fellowship in Fairfield, Calif., on Thursday to address the growing problem. The Rev. Cindy Kohlmann, co-moderator of the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), moderated the forum. The complete story by Rick Jones of the Office of the General Assembly can be found at "
Veteran Suicides
."
Committee for Women's Concerns
issues abortion rights statement
 The following statement was issued by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Advocacy Committee for Women's Concerns. It notes, "With an increased number of state legislatures passing laws to severely curtail access to abortion, [the committee] is compelled to advocate for continuation of safe, legal abortion rights nationwide. We do so as part of a Reformed theological history that endeavors to discern the activity of God in all the events of life. Our particular part of the Christian tradition seeks to be informed by changing cultural contexts. In the last 50 years, the PC(USA) has affirmed our ability to re-form our teachings about women through deliberate theological reflection." The complete statement, issued through the Presbyterian News Service, can be found at "
Statement Issued
."
Cindy Kohlmann balances ministry
at home, across the church
 For the Co-Moderators of the 223rd General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), it has been an eventful year. The Rev. Cindy Kohlmann and Ruling Elder Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri have traveled across the United States and overseas on behalf of the church, meeting with pastors, congregations, and mid council leaders. In the first of two videos, the Office of the General Assembly provides a glimpse into the daily lives of the Co-Moderators and those closest to them. The complete story and the video by Rick Jones and Randy Hobson can be found at "
Co-Moderators of the General Assembly
."
Collegiate ministry network
incorporates as independent entity
UKirk, the collegiate ministry network of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is in the process of incorporating as its own 501(c)(3)  nonprofit organization. And, as UKirk College Ministries Association Inc., the association is actively searching for a new national executive director. "We hope the person called will have a love for -- and be a connector and advocate for -- campus ministry," says UKirk's national board co-moderator, Neil Myer. "Telling the story of the good things God is doing in Presbyterian campus ministries, far and wide." The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Paul Seebeck can be found at "UKirk Plans Independent Corporation."
Movement underway to change
the church camp culture
 For many children, a week at summer church camp meant a time away from parents. It was a space to be yourself, to connect with friends new and old, to spend a week in the outdoors, kayaking or splashing around in the pool. There might be some religion, like daily Scripture lessons or Wednesday night worship, but that was secondary to the games and crafts held throughout the week. "You go to camp and have this great experience, and then that's that. Maybe you get a spiritual high for a little bit, but you go back to your life and wait for camp again next year. That's how I grew up," said Kellie von Borstel, director at Montlure Presbyterian Church Camp in Pinetop, Arizona. There's a movement, though, to change traditional camp culture. The complete article by Mike Givler, published in Presbyterians Today magazine, can be found at "
Changing the Camp Culture
."
Presbyterians have ecumenical voice
in Creation Justice Ministries
 If there wasn't an organization like Creation Justice Ministries, Presbyterian Hunger Program coordinator the Rev. Rebecca Barnes says her ministry would want to create one. Likewise, Creation Justice Ministries (CJM) executive director Shantha Ready Alonso says the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has played a major role in her organization's establishment and growth. The PC(USA) "is a pretty strong member of Creation Justice Ministries and a founding member," says Alonso, director of the group since its founding in 2014. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Rich Copley can be found at "Creation Justice Ministries."
|
| Just one more |
|
Sometimes it's just for fun
Your editor admits that sometimes, after walking Annie, the orphan dog at about 10 p.m., he sits down at the island in the kitchen and watches Minnesota Twins videos on the AtBat app. Well, the Twins didn't play yesterday so he watched dogs conquering stairs. Annie does well, by the way, but not all dogs are as successful. Here are a few successful dogs, but they're a bit unconventional. It's at "The Stairs." (And, your editor asks, what is it anyway with cats and cucumbers?)
|
|
|
|
|
