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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
."
PMRV exec notes PDA assistance,
need for 'One Great Hour of Sharing'
When Mary Newbern-Williams wrote her column for "Monday Morning in the Presbytery," the newsletter of the Presbytery of the Missouri River Valley, she described flood damage, the work of the Presbyterian Disaster Assistance response team and the ongoing recovery from this spring's devastating floods in Nebraska and Iowa. And the executive presbyter wrote about the connectionalism of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), part of which can be attributed by the One Great Hour of Sharing special offering.
She described PDA as "one of the
best connected and most resourceful networks" in the PC(USA), "which is supported by all of our gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing."
The offering, she wrote, "addresses situations like what Iowa and Nebraska have experienced with the most recent floods. ... Proceeds from the One Great Hour of Sharing have provided and continue to provide resources, support and opportunities for recovery and partnership. During the week of March 21-26, 2019, Elder Betsy Bullard and the Rev. Greg Smith provided a strong and abiding presence in PMRV as a team that came to PMRV for five or six days to visit with those who had been affected by the floods."
She noted, "Although there were different church buildings, varying levels of damage, and communities that were (and are) deep underwater, our PDA representatives provided comfort, explanations about many levels of support, resources and length of time for all programs."
It's all a part of the work PDA does to respond to disasters in the United States and abroad. And it's a vital part of the connectedness of the PC(USA).
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
."
Course selection is broad
at this summer's Synod School
 When it comes to classes, there's a lot to choose from at this summer's Synod School. There are about 80 -- from "Bible Study for People with Short Attention Spans" to "Globalization -- and its Discontents" and from "Good vs. Evil -- Movie Heroes and Villains and Biblical Ethics" to "Making the Most of Your iPhone Camera." 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 nestled along the lakeshore. 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 "
We're Going to Synod School
."
Cedar Rapids congregation
is first official Matthew 25 church
Once the website went live Monday, Olivet Presbyterian Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a church of about 65 members, became the first  church to officially accept the Matthew 25 Invitation. "It's so exciting," said the church's part-time pastor, the Rev. Michele Scott, who returned to the community where she grew up after serving churches around the country and working for a Cedar Rapids aerospace company. "Olivet has always been my idea of the church that is listening to the Spirit and is actively involved in ministry." The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Mike Ferguson can be found at "
First Matthew 25 Church
."
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
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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.
Wee Kirk Conference planned
next month at Calvin Crest
Kris and Brian Peterson of
Leadership Harbor
will be the plenary leaders at this spring's Great Plains Wee Kirk Conference planned May  6-8 at Calvin Crest Camp, Conference and Retreat Center near Fremont, Nebraska. The conference provides opportunities for pastors and lay leaders of smaller membership churches to find ideas for ministry in their contexts, to experience encouragement, and to have their souls fed. Additional details are available at "
Wee Kirk
."
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
."
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
."
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 that eats, prays and shares life together. Details are available at "
Washington Island Forum
."
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
."
National Black Presbyterian Caucus
plans convention in June in Atlanta
 The National Black Presbyterian Caucus will hold its 45th biennial convention June 27-29 in Atlanta. The convention's theme is "Seeking Racial Justice and Equity! Where Do We Go from Here?" In a letter announcing the opening of registration, Caucus President the Rev. Dr. Thomas H. Priest Jr. noted, the "Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. left a wonderful and challenging legacy for us to continue his work to do God's justice and seek righteousness in all we do. ... Are you willing to keep his legacy alive?" Registration for the convention can be made at "
National Black Presbyterian Caucus
."
Presbyterians for Earth Care plan conference at Stony Point in August
 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
."
Registration opens
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
."
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."
PMA Board votes to increase
impact
of student-loan forgiveness
 At its recent spring meeting, the Presbyterian Mission Agency board unanimously voted to increase the impact of Presbyterian Mission Agency's Student Loan Debt Forgiveness program. Under the Financial Aid for Service (FAFS) plan, which came through the PMA's Nurture the Body Committee, the maximum loan available to pastors will increase to $5,000 with a lifetime maximum of $25,000. The term of service after which the debt is forgiven is reduced from 18 months to 12 months. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Paul Seebeck can be found at "
Loan Forgiveness
."
Communicators Network newsletter
focuses on making great presentations
 Today's technology perovides
options for presentations like never before. Whether presenting in person, or through a web cast or a virtual meeting, presentations need to be engaging, creative and most of all informative with a clear call to action. The current edition of the Presbyterian Communicators Network newsletter focuses on presentation ideas that will help you inspire, equip and connect with your audience. The complete newsletter is at "
Making a Great Presentation
."
Star Thrower collaborates
with John Noltner on 'There is Only US'
Star Thrower
, a Minneapolis-based organization that develops and produces training programs designed to engage both the heart and  mind, has collaborated with author and photographer
John Noltner
to create "
There is Only US
," a 19-minute video and learning guide for leading conversations that challenge biases and encourage inclusiveness. Nolter is the author of "
A Peace of Mind
," an exhibit and a book featuring a series of black-and-white photographs and interviews of holocaust survivors, refugees, political leaders, artists, homeless individuals and others, who were asked to reveal what peace means to them. "There is Only US" features memorable stories, powerful images and sincere storytelling. The goal of the program is to open the door to honest dialog about empathy, civility, and inclusion. Program details, including a special offer for Presbyterian pastors and church educators, can be found in the announcement at "
Video and Learning Guide
."
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| News around the PC(USA) and more |
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More than 200 Presbyterians
sharpen social justice skills
Angela Nichols of Columbia, Maryland stood in the sanctuary of New York Avenue Presbyterian Church shortly before dinnertime Friday and  marveled at the amount of information she had received. "This day has reinforced how interconnected all the issues we talked about today are," said Nichols, a member of First Presbyterian Church of Howard County. "Poor people were disproportionately affected by the Flint water crisis, by incarceration and poor education, and how interrelated everything is. These are problems that need to be fixed." The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Rich Copley can be found at "
Sharpening Social Justice Skills
."
Ecumenical advocates
march, meet on Capitol Hill
President Donald Trump was not the first leader to use tweets, the Rt. Rev. W. Darin Moore told a crowd Monday from the steps of the United Methodist Building, across the street from the U.S. Capitol. He cited Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, saying the powerful leader used to issue pithy statements and edicts akin to today's tweets. "I have come to let you know that there's a spirit of Trumpism that has been a part of the human experience," said Moore, chair of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. "But every time, God has raised up a people to resist, to protest and to cause trouble in the face of the enemy." The crowd of more than 100 people before him stood ready to join the ranks of those people on Lobby Day, the culmination of Ecumenical Advocacy Days. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Rich Copley can be found at "
Ecumenical Advocates March
."
Soong-Chan Rah will kick off
 Big Tent in Baltimore
Organizers for this year's Big Tent celebration have lined up the guest preachers and leaders for the three-day gathering in Baltimore this summer. The Rev. Dr. Soong-Chan Rah will be the featured speaker at the opening plenary on Thursday, Aug. 1. "Conversations are taking place about the changes that are occurring in our society, especially in terms of our demographics. Churches are experiencing change, including decline and diversity," said Rah. "I will touch on those, but I really want to touch base on what the appropriate response to these changes should be." Rah is the Milton B. Engebretson Associate Professor of Church Growth and Evangelism at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago. The complete announcement by Rick Jones from the Office of the General Assembly can be found at "
Opening of Big Tent
."
Presbyterian agencies work
to extend hand to mid-councils
 During a committee meeting of last week's three-day gathering of the Presbyterian Mission Agency Board, Warren Lesane, vice chair of the PMAB and chair of the Committee on Mid-Councils, asked committee members to introduce themselves in a unique way. Lesane said, "Give us your name, the name of your presbytery and tell us what your presbytery is doing to address the issue of poverty." Eradicating systemic poverty is one of the three goals of the Matthew 25 Invitation. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Gail Strange can be found at "
Extending a Hand
."
Tucson church still at sanctuary vanguard
 Tucson's Southside Presbyterian Church is known for being a sanctuary church and for its joyous Sunday worship. But its pastor, Alison Harrington, told a Presbyterian Mission Agency delegation Tuesday that the other six days of the week are important for members and friends, too -- as well as their pastor. "To fail to see how people are navigating life during the week is pastoral malpractice," she said. The complete Presbyterian News Service story by Mike Ferguson can be found at "
Being a Sanctuary
."
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| Just one more |
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Forte or forte and musical hashtags
 Your editor has known of the term forte for, well, a long time. Forte, as in something at which or in which someone excels. Such as public speaking, as in, "That might be his or her forte, but not mine." But your editor is in the choir of his local Presbyterian church and the music director said Sunday, "Pay attention to the forte." Your editor had to ask, "Forte?" Well, anyway, the music director in this piece at the link was baffled by the musical hashtag. It's from the Babylon Bee - you know, the church's version of The Onion. It's at "So it's G Hashtag."
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