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News around the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
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Synod supports emerging, innovative ministry in number of ways
 Readers may be aware of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies programs and grants that support ministry and mission in a variety of ways across a variety of systems. For example, the synod offers grant support for collegiate ministries and for other institutions that have ecclesiastical and ecumenical ties to the synod. The synod also supports emerging mission within the synod is through a separate grant program. And that's just the grant aspect. There are also racial-ethnic scholarship opportunities and Self Development of People awards. And then there's The Academy, a program designed to develop well-equipped, thoughtful people to serve councils in a variety of capacities. Curious readers can learn more at "Synod Resources." There are even links to sermon and worship aids.
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| Conferences, camps, resources |
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Mental health presentations,
workshops planned in Iowa
 A series of presentations and workshops across Iowa are exploring the issues of mental health and the faith community. Two of four scheduled workshops remain. The events, designed for church staff, deacons and members, provide a toolbox of responses and resources for addressing mental health in congregations and communities. The remaining workshops are slated Nov. 9 in Washington and Nov. 10 in Jesup. A flyer is available at "Mental Health and the Faith Community." Registration can be completed by contacting Jeannie Stolee at [email protected] or 319.233.1747.
MNCASA resource addresses sexual
assault prevention steps for men
Presbyterians Today Advent
devotional highlights the Magnificat
 Presbyterians Today magazine's Advent devotional invites prayer and contemplation around Mary's song of praise, the Magnificat. The magazine notes, "This year's devotional is very special. The paintings and poems are the work of Andrew Weatherly, a young Presbyterian man born with Down syndrome, who uses his gifts to raise awareness of the capabilities of those with special needs. The rest of the text -- reflections and prayers for each day of Advent -- is the joint work of Donna Frischknecht Jackson, pastor and editor of the magazine and sister to a man with special needs, and Krin Van Tatenhove, also a pastor who is father to a son with autism." Details are at "Advent Devotional."
Webinar planned to equip faith
leaders in suicide prevention
 The Presbyterian Outlook has planned a webinar Thursday, Nov. 8, at 1 p.m. CST that will help faith leaders, who are frequently the first contact for those considering suicide, talk about suicide from a theological and biblical perspective. The Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation is offering up to 10 scholarships for the webinar. Details, including information about applying for an OPSF scholarship, can be found at "Suicide Prevention Webinar."
Women's retreat is on schedule
at Calvin Crest in November
 A women's retreat, "Following Damaris: Experiencing More of God," is on the schedule Nov. 16-18 at Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center near Fremont, Nebraska. The retreat offers the opportunity to be renewed by a deeper awareness of who God is and how and where God may be encountered. Details about the retreat can be found at "Following Damaris."
Travel seminars will explore conflict, reconciliation in Rwanda, Ukraine
Presbyterians interested in learning about conflict and reconciliation from both an active and historical perspective have an opportunity to do so by participating in one of the Presbyterian Peacemaking Program's travel study seminar series upcoming in spring 2019. "Reconciliation Work in Rwanda: Healing the Trauma of the Genocide" is scheduled March 11-23, and "Ukraine and Russia: Peacemaking on the Front Line" is scheduled April 22-May 6. The due date for applications is Nov. 15 for the Rwanda seminar, and Dec. 15 for the Ukraine-Russia seminar. The complete Presbyterian News Story by Scott O'Neill can be found at "Travel Seminars."
Presbyterians for Just Immigration
offer opportunities for involvement
The website for Presbyterians for Just Immigration is calling for Presbyterians to join its movement. It notes, "People of faith are  joining together and calling for immigration reform and the full recognition of immigrants' rights. They are doing this, in big and small ways, because of a shared faith in Jesus Christ who spent his ministry at the margins of society and because of the call to remember that they were once strangers/immigrants in Egypt." The website, which also includes links to a variety of resources, can be found at "Just Immigration."
Registration nears for 2019
Presbyterian Youth Triennium
 The ever-popular Presbyterian Youth Triennium is a gathering for high school age youth from the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and the Cumberland Presbyterian Church that occurs every three years - the next is the summer of 2019. Running July 16-20 at Purdue University in Indiana, the theme is "Here's My Heart." And registration is set to open soon. Details are available at "Youth Triennium."
PMA moves from student loans
to student debt assistance
In September 2016 the Presbyterian Mission Agency board approved an action to no longer provide loans to students. The substance of the  action recognized that private educational loans were no longer advantageous to students who might become eligible for public service loan assistance, and directed the Presbyterian Mission Agency to shift to debt assistance for church professionals unable to participate in public service loan forgiveness. Details about debt assistance through the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) can be found at "Assistance Programs."
Detroit group offers opportunities
to visiting mission groups
 The Hands-On Mission Work Group of the Presbytery of Detroit is looking forward to welcoming mission work groups during next summer or for an alternative break week during the school year. With more than 10 years of experience, the group offers a variety of service opportunities and will find appropriate work sites to match the interest of visiting workers. The complete announcement from the organization can be found at "Detroit Hands-On Mission." There's also a video at "Mission Work in Detroit."
POAMN seeks writers
for its 2019 planning guide
 The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) designates the first Sunday in May each year as Older Adult Sunday, a day to honor and celebrate those oldest saints within congregations across the nation. In preparation for Older Adult Sunday and as an ongoing resource, the Presbyterian Older Adult Ministry Network creates, edits and publishes an Older Adult Ministries Planning Guide. The organization is seeking submissions of creative ways to honor older adults on May 5 and throughout the year. Articles can be about a program within a congregation or presbytery, partnerships with other organizations, or other activities and events for older adults within a community. Articles, which need to be submitted by Nov. 30, should be about the how-to of various ministries with older adults. Details are at "Articles Sought."
Marcia Murphy's new book addresses mental illness, social injustice
 According to Wipf and Stock, publishers of Marcia A. Murphy's new book, "To Loose the Bonds of Injustice," the "work is the first to address the living conditions of the mentally ill from the standpoint of social justice. It is the first for religion to partner with the psychiatric field from a spiritual vantage point to improve the lives of those afflicted with medical, social, and spiritual maladies." Murphy, of Iowa City, Iowa, has published articles, essays, and works of creative nonfiction in professional psychiatric journals and four anthologies. Details about the book can be found at "Bonds of Injustice." Murphy's website is "Hope for Recovery."
Co-moderators announce study
on 'Where the Cross Meets the Street'
 Presbyterians will soon have a new book study available to them. The co-moderators of the 223rd General Assembly have announced the title of their new year-long study, "Where the Cross Meets the Street: What Happens in the Neighborhood When God Is at the Center." The book is written by Noel Castellanos and explores his life and journey to become a Christian minister and leader. Born to parents of Mexican heritage, Castellanos shares the hardships of growing up, getting married, and raising a family in "tough neighborhoods." He also shares insight into ministering to people on the margins of society. The complete Presbytery News Service story by Rick Jones can be found at "Cross Meets the Street."
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News of colleges, universities and seminaries
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For Colyer, clergy coaching, cycling
 are a combined effort
Elmer "El" Colyer, professor of systematic theology and Stanley Professor of Wesley Studies at the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary, will be using a portion of the nearly $1 million grant the seminary received through the Lilly Endowment's Thriving in Ministry Initiative to enhance his clergy coaching effort. Colyer, an experienced cyclist and coach, incorporates physical fitness into his clergy-coaching efforts. There is a video of Colyer, being interviewed by Annette Huizenga, dean and associate professor of New Testament at the seminary, describing his work. It's at "Clergy Coaching and Cycling."
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| News from the Board of Pensions |
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Annual enrollment, chance
for changes, election of benefits, is open
Annual enrollment -- participants' chance to make changes or elect benefits coverage for 2019 -- for the benefits plan of the Board of Pensions of the  Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) is open until Nov. 16. Participants can log on to Benefits Connect to see choices and costs, and elect coverage for 2019. Even those who want to keep the coverage they have now, it is still important to take action to make sure they have the coverage they want effective Jan. 1. Additional resources can be found at "Annual Enrollment."
Board Bulletin notes elimination of vacancy dues, expanded grant eligibility
 Serving the church and serving better were themes when the board of directors of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) met last week. The board decided to eliminate vacancy dues, a struggle for many congregations, and expanded eligibility for Sabbath Sabbatical Support Grants. These stories and more can be found in the current edition of The Board Bulletin.
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| News around the PC(USA) and more |
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After synagogue shooting, Presbyterians stand in solidarity with neighbors
One of the first things Presbyterian minister the Rev. Susan Rothenberg did once she knew what the "pop, pop, pop" sound was  four houses down at the Tree of Life Synagogue in the Squirrel Hill neighborhood of Pittsburgh was to text the Rev. Dr. Vincent Kolb. "We've got to open the church tonight," she said, referring to her home church, Sixth Presbyterian, which sits at the heart of the Squirrel Hill neighborhood -- and across the street from Pittsburgh's Jewish community center. By 6 p.m. Saturday, hours after the tragic shooting at Tree of Life, where 11 people were killed and six people injured, the community gathered at the Sixth to share their shock -- and the solidarity of their support. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Paul Seebeck and Mike Ferguson can be found at "Standing in Solidarity."
Nelson responds to mass shooting
 at Pittsburgh synagogue
The Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson, stated clerk of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), wrote after the mass killing in the Pittsburgh synagogue: "The news of the senseless shooting deaths of 11 worshippers in the Tree of Life Synagogue during worship in Pittsburgh this past weekend is a painful tragedy within our nation. The [church] is deeply saddened that families and friends across the country are suffering senseless grief brought on by this violent act of hate. We grieve with Rabbi Jeffrey Myers and his congregants who intimately know the depth of pain under such circumstances. We consider ourselves friends through our work together and now our common grief." Nelson's complete statement can be found at "Senseless Shooting."
Rural reality: Churches address
hunger in the heartland
 Fresh out of seminary, a pastor listens intently as the chair of the nominating committee drives around the countryside, narrating the history of a rural community that has seen better days. As she listens, she takes note of the sagging porches with faded and torn upholstered furniture. They pass sheep grazing behind a dilapidated barn, and the pastor silently reminds God that this was not what she had in mind when she said "yes" to tending the flock. The complete story, by Donna Frischknect Jackson of Presbyterians Today magazine, addresses the way churches in rural areas are dealing with "Food Deserts."
'Blue Christmas,' 'Longest Night'
 services can comfort lonely
At Christmastime, some church members and leaders may be struggling with depression, anxiety or grief. A "Blue Christmas" or "Longest Night" service can bring comfort to people who are lonely or suffering and lets them feel the congregation's love and support. But only one out of four congregations offers such a service. The story, from the November-December issue of Presbyterians Today magazine, can be found at "Christmas Comfort."
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| Just one more |
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So someone says ... and you say ... what?
We think you've had that feeling, you know, that queasy feeling, when someone -- a friend, or even a relative -- says something inappropriate. Your editor has had that feeling. How do you respond? Up above in this issue we've published a resource from the Minnesota Coalition Against Sexual Assault. One of the items in the resource addresses just what your editor is talking about here. It states, "
Refuse to tell or laugh at sexist jokes and speak up to a friend who behaves in a sexist, racist, or homophobic way." There's a witty video to go with it,
this one, "
Sh*t Men Say to Men Who Say Sh*t to Women on the Street." The video was inspired by International Anti-Street Harassment Week.
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The