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God of blessings and accompaniment, thanks for walking alongside us — not to prevent calamities, but to be there for counsel and emotional first aid when we need it most. Stoke our inclination toward gratitude, so we can be mindful year-round of your gifts and your guidance. Amen.
Mission Yearbook
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The Presbyterian Heritage of Courage and Faith
Stillman College Hosts Synod of Lakes and Prairies During Its Civil Rights Tour Through the South
By Gordon A. Govens, Ph.D., JD
On October 19, a group of 14 — pilgrims, really — from the Synod of Lakes and Prairies arrived at Stillman College in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. As part of their civil rights journey through Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee, they came to walk the grounds where history holds its breath, to witness a Presbyterian institution that bears the weight of the past with the dignity of the present and the promise of the future.
This visit began, in a way, with a conversation, a spark lit in July, when two members of the Stillman family, Jim Koon, a Board of Trustees member, and Dr. Gordon Govens, Executive Director of Faith-Based and Social Justice Initiatives and Associate Professor of History, co-taught a Synod School class titled, “Was It All Just An American Dream?” Together, they explored a moment in history—a time when the civil rights movement and landmark legislation cracked open the American Dream just wide enough for hope to slip through, when, for the first and only time, the racial wealth gap in America began to narrow. Read the rest of the article.
Another article about Stillman College, Stillman College: a tradition and trajectory of transformation - Presbyterian News Service
The Synod of Lakes and Prairies was the first mid-council to join the denomination's Matthew 25 movement and is committed to dismantling structural racism.
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APCE Scholarships
The Transforming Communities/Vital Leaders Committee of the Synod is happy to announce that $450 and $185 scholarships are available for Faith Formation leaders in Iowa to attend the annual event of the Association of Partners in Christian Education. The amount is dependent on whether you wish to attend in person at the Peabody Hotel in Memphis, TN or online. These scholarships are available for pastoral leaders, Christian educators, seminary students, and church volunteers who are associated with a congregation in Iowa. Text Link
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An Update
Restorative Actions is in it's fifth year. All along, this has been a scrappy, volunteer led initiative with team of seven enthusiastic volunteers who hold a wide range of cultural and generational identities.
Together, we have had hundreds of conversations with faith-based and secular organizations (Oak Grove Presbyterian Church, Plymouth CC, Synod of Lakes & Prairies Synod School, Religious Education Association, Riverside Church in New York, Mill City Commons, and more). Our team has developed print and electronic resources and secured substantial surrenders from two faith-based institutions. We have been pleasantly surprised that our small early efforts have blossomed into deeper dialogue and greater outreach. Today, our expansion has outgrown our current volunteer capacity.
In light of the election, it's clear to us that this work is more important than ever.
Over the past four years our volunteer team has successfully built this initiative with expertise across multiple disciplines including theology, parish ministry, denomination-wide leadership, organization, finance, and business skills. We've created ways to communicate to individuals and institutions for whom the possibility of Reparations involves an existing yet unfamiliar set of new relationships and processes.
Additionally, we've created the legal structures and mechanisms necessary to remain in compliance with IRS rules. There simply isn’t anything like this in existence anywhere else.
We know we have the theological leadership, financial, and business knowledge to continue this effort. What we need right now is funding to build capacity.
Right now, in this moment, are seeking $300,000 in commitments to fund a for a two year operations incubation period. We have secured $90,000 to date. What can you and your community commit to this important work?
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The Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett shines a light on the power of embodying Christ
At Wednesday’s PC(USA) chapel service, the Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett offered her final sermon as president and executive director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency. She offered an honest, invigorating, and hopeful message calling on listeners to receive and bear witness to the light of Jesus, even and especially in the face of an uncertain future.
Read the article by Layton Williams Berkes, for Presbyterian News Service
Photo: The Rev. Dr. Diane Givens Moffett and the Rev. Jihyun Oh are pictured during Wednesday’s celebration of Moffett’s six-year career leading the Presbyterian Mission Agency. (Photo by Alex Simon)
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Looking forward to the 227th General Assembly
LOUISVILLE — Plans are already underway for the 227th General Assembly, set for June 23 through July 2, 2026, in online format for committees and in person for plenaries, worship and more at the Baird Center in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
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Do you ever wonder how well your church is doing financially? Or how your church compares to other Presbyterian congregations your size?
The Presbyterian Foundation is bringing back its popular evaluation tool, the Church Financial Health Assessment, which will help your church measure its sustainability, evaluate participation and leadership, set priorities, and much more. This web-based tool asks you a series of questions in a simple format and produces a report with recommendations and resources that your church can use.
And this tool is 100% free.
What makes the Church Financial Health Assessment especially helpful is that it takes data your church reported during the Session Annual Statistical Report (completed each year by most churches) and pairs it with the answers you provide as you take the survey. You can see how your church is doing financially compared to other congregations your size, as well as measure against all Presbyterian churches nationally. Your answers are confidential.
You can download a worksheet to gather the data you’ll need to complete the assessment here. And when you’re ready, you can take the assessment by clicking on the button below.
Questions? Reach out to your Ministry Relations Officer Kyle Nolan or email us at serving@presbyterianfoundation.org. We’d love to hear from you!
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Young clergywoman gets more than $44,000 in student loans forgiven
“I’m going to cry a little bit,” the Rev. Blair Moorhead wrote on her Facebook page the day she learned that more than $44,000 in her graduate school loans had been forgiven. “If you’ve wondered if you are worth it, you are. Apply. Ask for and receive help in applying,” she said in reference to the federal Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and the coaching service offered by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) through a partnership with PeopleJoy to help guide the process.
The support of PeopleJoy in the public service loan forgiveness process is free to Presbyterian-related organizations, thanks to a partnership with the Office of Financial Aid for Service and the Board of Pensions.
Read the article by Beth Waltermoth.
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"If a person or parent has worked for 10 years cumulatively in public service, including working at churches and Presbyterian-related organizations, and has taken out loans for educational debt, they may be eligible for loan forgiveness." | | |
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Empowering Congregations to Align Money and Mission: Unlock the Potential of Your Church Property for Impactful Ministry
The Presbyterian Mission Agency (PMA) and colleagues from other PC(USA) agencies
have teamed up with RootedGood to offer PC(USA) mid councils and congregations a
50% discount for the Good Futures Accelerator course.
The Good Futures Accelerator is a dynamic and proven course that empowers congregations to align money and mission by exploring how to creatively use their church buildings and property to further their mission and build financial resilience.
There are also free "How to" guides on renting and leasing property, property development, and tax implications.
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“Around the Table” Initiative
A message from the Office of Christian Formation
Season Two of the Around The Table: Sharing our Stories podcast is streaming now on Spotify, Amazon, and Apple. This season’s theme focuses on hard conversations at home with youth and children. The first episodes released include hard conversations about politics and hard conversations about mixed race parenting.
Are you looking to learn more about the “Around the Table” Initiative for equipping parents and caregivers for at-home faith formation? Do you know about the cohorts for congregational leaders, which will launch in 2025, and the resources? Consider inviting Project Coordinator Rev. Neema Cyrus-Franklin to your presbytery meeting or a gathering of faith formation leaders during 2025, either in person or virtually. Request more information and contact Neema.
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Advent at home candle lighting resource
Original artwork and an invitation to create come from educator and artist Vilmarie Cintrón-Olivieri. This resource includes a simple “Mark, Remember, Listen, Reflect, Pray, Bless” format for households with all ages for Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany — free and downloadable either as a side-by-side version or as cards to print and cut apart. Consider printing this resource for your congregation. Available in both English and Spanish.
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More Advent resources for your consideration
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Your photos tell your story
And who knows? They just might be part of the next Presbyterian Planning Calendar
The Presbyterian Planning Calendar, a beloved publication of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), is once again seeking photo submissions from congregations and worshiping communities, mid councils, camps, conference centers and education centers for use in its 2025-2026 edition.
The deadline to submit photos for the upcoming Presbyterian Planning Calendar is
Feb. 14, 2025. Read more
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Presbyterian Women
in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies builds community and affirms women’s calls to leadership and spiritual growth.
The Sower newsletter, Fall 2024
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The Ministry Lab is in a time of transition
We are moving our physical resources - effective January 1, 2025 (sort of) - and refocusing and streamlining our offerings.
You’re busy. And we are deeply grateful for the work you do.
Let this five minute distraction serve as a creative outlet; it will help us create greater support for you in the coming months. Your insights are much appreciated. Learn more about this time of transformation at The Ministry Lab here.
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Opportunities at the Center for Clergy Renewal at Holy Wisdom Monastery
Learn more by clicking here.
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Office Holiday Closings, 2024
Nov. 28 & 29 - Thanksgiving
Dec. 23 - Jan. 1 - Christmas & New Year
Coming in 2025
Synod Sunday in Feb.*
Face-to-Face in Mar.*
Synod Meetings:
Apr. 27-29, in person
Sep. 28 & 29, Zoom
*More information to follow.
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Butterball® Turkey Talk-Line® 1-800-288-8372 (BUTTERBALL) or text 844-877-3456. They also have social media sites and live online chat. 🍗 | |
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Keeping In Touch is a monthly publication of the Synod of Lakes and Prairies of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
To subscribe email: office@lakesandprairies.org
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