Presbytery of Northern Kansas Newsletter -
March 17, 2021
PNK News/Events
Breaking News:
May Presbytery Meeting
The next Presbytery Meeting is Saturday, May 1st.

The Presbytery Meetings and Events Committee has made the decision that this will be a virtual meeting via Zoom.

We thank our friends at the First Presbyterian Church of Junction City for originally agreeing to host this meeting but we have made the decision to wait just a little bit longer before having a face to face meeting in order to allow even more folks to receive their covid vaccines. Therefore...

MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW
VIrtual Presbytery Meeting
May 1st
via Zoom
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Check Out the PNK Virtual Education Program
Hello Easy!
PNK Education Websites help teachers and students

Navigate. Go to pnks.org and click “Education.” Enter the password “learn.” Select “Children’s Page” or “Youth Page.” Use the menu to find the unit you are interested in.

Audience. These lessons are prepared for students grades K-6. When appropriate, parts of the lesson may be labeled "Primary" for grades K-2, and "Intermediate" for grades 3-6.

Individual. The lessons are created to allow a child to receive Christian Education at home and relatively independently. Lessons are presented in a manner similar to how many children are delivered public education when being taught remotely.

Class. Use with a class in-person or on Zoom/Google Meet/other video conferencing. Teachers can select the videos and activities that meet their needs. Find “Teacher/Parent Lesson Outlines” in the menu.
Schedule. Use the lessons anytime on any day, or use by the suggested schedule.
 
Confidence. Our volunteer teaching staff are all public school educators with hearts for children. They are eager to pass on the love of Christ while teaching within the framework of our reformed faith. Carmen Raines, teacher and seminary student, supervises the team on behalf of Presbytery of Northern Kansas.
 
Questions? Contact carmenraines2911@gmail.com.
Connection and Support
Did You Know...

...that we have 3 different groups meeting periodically via Zoom throughout the pandemic and continuing indefinitely.....for fellowship, support, idea sharing and brainstorming.

  • PNK Pastors' Chat -- for pastors of PNK congregations 
  • PNK Christian Education Forum -- for staff, pastors and volunteers tasked with the Educational and/or Faith Formation Ministries of a PNK congregation
  • Parents as Pastors -- for pastors of PNK congregations that are also balancing children at home 

If someone is interested in participating in any of these groups, they can contact the presbytery office and we will get them the information.
One Great Hour of Sharing
Typically received during the season of Lent, each gift to One Great Hour of Sharing supports efforts to relieve hunger through the Presbyterian Hunger Program, promote development through the Presbyterian Committee on the Self-Development of People, and assist in areas of disaster through Presbyterian Disaster Assistance.

Remember your congregation's gifts to any of the PCUSA Special Offerings should be sent to the Presbytery Office to be remitted to One Great Hour of Sharing in the same way your other Presbyterian giving is remitted.
Resources and ideas for promoting this offering can be found at www.pcusa.org/specialofferings and then click on
One Great Hour of Sharing Offering.
Comfort My People
Pathways to Congregational Mental Health Ministries
Session 3: Depression and Anxiety Part 2 - Dealing with Others' Depression and Anxiety
 
March 16, 2021
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Webinar via Zoom

After having a clearer appreciation of seeing and acknowledging our own experience of depression and anxiety, we are more able to then recognize it in others. We are all being challenged with some form of anxiety and/or depression during these days and months -- which is understandable considering the stress and tension that exists in our culture. Leaning in to recognize how significant the challenge is, learning how to be supportive, and knowing when/how to refer people to mental health professionals will be important. The following topics will be covered:
 
  • How do we recognize signs/symptoms in others (and in children)
  • How do we approach and talk with people whose mental health we are concerned about
  • How do we, if necessary, refer people to a mental health professional
  • How do we care for ourselves in the midst of caring for others
Tax Guide for Ministers for 2020 Returns Available
The Tax Guide for Ministers for 2020 returns, including the 2020 housing allowance letter, is now available. Log on to Benefits Connect and look for Quick Links to access the guide.

This guide will no longer be printed and mailed. If you need assistance finding, downloading, or printing the guide, call the Board of Pensions at 800-773-7752 (800-PRESPLAN).
Did You Know? - COVID Update
Some tidbits from Dr. Lisa Allgood, Transitional Presbyter in Cincinnati Presbytery and immunologist
So what can I do with vaccinations…?!? (and other “why can’t we just throw open the sanctuary” questions)
  • A vaccination is not a magic cape
  • Even 95% efficacy means that statistically 19 out of 20 people are effectively covered by the vaccine but 1 in 20 is not
  • Vaccines are less effective against variants
  • Being vaccinated means it’s unlikely YOU will become seriously ill, but there is still a chance you can catch a variant and/or be infectious (be a virus carrier)

CDC recommends that masks and distancing remain in effect until the average number of new cases in the US drops below 10,000/day – the last time that happened was March 2020. We are currently at 70,000 new cases per day.
  • Herd immunity is defined as 70-90% of the entire population vaccinated (not just your congregation)
  • 20% of the population is below 18 and therefore not eligible for vaccination yet (current vaccines are for 16 and above)
  • Statistically that means even if all who are eligible are vaccinated, >25% is not covered until vaccines are approved for 4 and above
  • Herd immunity won’t really come until 2022

Latest CDC recommendations for vaccinated individuals:
  • Individuals who are fully vaccinated (at least two weeks past last shot) may safely gather unmasked but only with family and small groups who are in low risk categories
  • Fully vaccinated people must still wear masks, socially distance and avoid larger gatherings in a public setting
Resource Center
Free Downloadable VBS Program: Jerry Can Curriculum
The Jerry Can curriculum highlights the one common denominator in all disasters around the world: the need for clean water to survive. The Jerry Can cartoon was created to be a fun, energetic character for children to connect with. This curriculum, available in both 1- and 5-sessions includes lessons on disaster response and activities that show how children can be involved with prayer and generosity to make a difference in the lives of people in need.


Or, visit pcusastore.com for your free hard copy. Also, there is a hard copy in the Resource Center to Check out.
Great for Summer or Midweek Programs
Awesome Adventures with kid-friendly lessons, take-home comics, and activities, this broadly graded summer curriculum encourages children to explore Old and New Testament stories of God's people on the move. Anna and Jake will guide your group of adventurers as they explore the stories of amazing kids in the Bible, including Isaac, Miriam, young Jeremiah, 12-year-old Jesus, and more.

This all-inclusive Teacher's Book includes 13 easy-to-use lesson plans, reproducible resource sheets and 'For the Home' pages as well as photocopiable, take-home comic adventures that enable kids to make a comic book of their very own!

Here is a link to more Awesome Adventure titles in the Resource Center
For Sermon and Worship Planning
*Connections: Year B, Volume 2: Lent through Pentecost by Thomas G. Long, Cynthia L. Rigby, Carlolyn J. Sharp, Joel B. Green, Luke A. Powery
For Bible Interpretation and Study
Interpretation: Women in the Bible by Jaime Clark-Soles
For Bible Interpretation and Study
Delivered Out of Empire: Pivotal Moments in the Book of Exodus by Walter Brueffemann Part 1
For Bible Interpretation and Study
The Flawed Family of God: Stories About the Imperfect Families in Genesis by Carolyn B. Helsel and Son-Mi Suzie Park
For Bible Interpretation and Study
Lies My Preacher Told Me: An Honest Look at the Old Testament by Brent A. Strawn
Programs, Workshops, Webinars
Won't You Be My Neighbor?
There’s a new special day in the Presbyterian Planning Calendar; March 20 is Mister Rogers Day.

Find resources to participating via the link below!
Good News
Prayer Stoles at Topeka/Potwin
"Laying on of Hands" for installation and ordination of new class of Elders
One of the things we all had to learn how to do in the time of the COVID-19 virus is how to adapt our usual way of doing church. And so, when it came time to install and ordain the new class of Elders at Potwin Presbyterian Church in Topeka, Commissioned Lay Pastor Sue Ann Seel struggled with how to do the beloved “laying on of hands” service in a remote fashion.
Then faithful member Linda Tuller came to mind. Linda loves to crochet. She has already blessed this congregation with numerous baby blankets and hats, and she crocheted a prayer stole for the Pastor as well. This is what led Sue Ann to ask her to make stoles for each of the new Elders.  Sue Ann asked Linda to pray on behalf of the congregation for that Elder and for the Elder’s ministry to the Potwin congregation.  Sue Ann was grateful that Linda accepted this mission, and did it well.
 
And so the new Elders at Potwin were blessed by God and by the congregation on the day they were installed and ordained. Thank you Linda, for helping your congregation adapt!
Leadership Opportunity
Christian Educator - Halftime Position

Progressive Lawrence Church seeking Coordinator of Christian Education.  Position requires personal faith development, solid interpersonal skills, Office 365 competency, familiarity with database applications, and ability to work a flexible 20-hour week including hours on Sunday morning (virtual currently).

Interested applicants should send resume and cover letter to: linda@firstpreslawrence.org by end of day, April 2, 2021.  Applications will be processed as received.  Job description available on request.
Please contact the Presbytery Office with any joys or concerns you would like to have added to the PNK Prayer List.