The Synod of the Covenant is delighted to announce that it has awarded almost $40,000 in scholarships to 54 students from 10 presbyteries and 28 churches. These awards, ranging from $700 to $1,400, go to the winners of the Higher Education Scholarships for Christian Leaders.

Congratulations to Presbytery of the Miami Valley award winners Aniya Drake (College Hill Community Presbyterian Church) and Cate O’Malley (Sugar Creek Presbyterian Church)!

These scholarships include 44 bachelor’s degrees, 4 associate degrees, and 6 theology degrees. Of the 54 scholarships, 33 were given to people who self-identified as Black, Korean, Asian, and African.

This year, in addition to articulating their career goals, applicants also reflected on how they work toward building congregational vitality, dismantling structural racism, and/or eradicating systemic poverty. These areas of ministry characterize the Matthew 25 movement within the Presbyterian Church (USA), of which the Synod of the Covenant is a part.

These scholarships are funded in part by per capita payments from the almost 700 Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations and more than 100,000 members, mostly in the states of Ohio and Michigan, throughout the Synod of the Covenant.

The Pathways to Home Ownership Project assists Dayton area families displaced from tornado-damaged rental housing in becoming first-time homeowners.

The Pathways to Home Ownership Project has been supported by the Presbytery of the Miami Valley through financial gifts and volunteer labor.

The Week of Compassion, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), has worked to establish a host site and site leadership to assist in the renovation of two Tornado Survivor Pathway to Home Ownership homes (Smith and Natchez). This is a fantastic project that is helping tornado impacted renters become first-time homeowners.  Pathways is using properties donated by the tornado impacted jurisdictions, volunteer teams, and donated/grant funds to build houses for tornado survivors that were renters at the time of the tornadoes.

Volunteers are needed for the weeks beginning July 4, 11, 18, and 25. Teams can stay at the host site or commute if they're local.

Congregations around the presbytery with questions about volunteering are encouraged to reach out to Raiza Spratt at 206-657-6372.

Registration information may be obtained by emailing volunteer@weekofcompassion.org .

This LeaderWise workshop introduces church leaders to adaptive leadership and asks them to work on a challenge in their system. This workshop will be held online the first Thursday of the month from August through November, 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M.

Participants will put the concepts into practice in between large group gatherings. This is an excellent opportunity for church Sessions or presbytery teams to join together. It will also be helpful for individuals looking for learning, feedback, accountability, and support. 

The cost of this workshop is fully covered by the Synod and Presbyteries.

Advanced Boundaries Training from LeaderWise will be held online September 13-14, 1:30 - 4:00 P.M.

Advanced Boundaries Training is for pastors and other church leaders who’ve taken LeaderWise’s boundaries training in the past year, this advanced boundaries training offers leaders the opportunity to reflect on their experiences since the first training, and to delve deeper into topics covered in the training, as well as discuss topics such as triangulation, gender, leaving/retiring well, and other topics not previously covered.

The cost of this workshop is fully covered by the Synod and Presbyteries.

Position Opening: Organizer of Synod Communities of Color

At its Assembly on May 23, 2022, the Synod of the Covenant approved a job description for a new contract position: Organizer of Synod Communities of Color.

The Presbyterian Women in the Synod of the Covenant Gathering will be held July 29-30 in Dearborn, MI.

You are invited to join your PW sisters from around the Synod with a theme of Hope Renewed – New Visions Imagined. See the registration flyer to learn what is planned for you.

Registration is open for 2022 Summer Camp at Kirkmont Center, Zanesfield.

Twelve camping experiences for all ages are available June 5 through through August 12.

Camps include Quilt Camp I and II, Beginners Camp, PYC Camp, PYC Jr. Camp, Camp Kirkmont l-IV, Camp Rejoice, You and Me Camp, and Alumni Camp.

Connect with others from around the Presbytery of the Miami Valley for a time of prayer.

On the first Wednesday of the month at noon we will gather, via Zoom, for a time of prayer. This guided time of prayer will allow us to pray for one another, our neighbors, and our world. Those participating will have a chance to share their particular joys and concerns, celebrations, and challenges.

To receive the Zoom link to join in prayer with others in the presbytery:

Email PMV Executive Presbyter Terry Kukuk at ep@miamipresbytery.org .

Stewardship Kaleidoscope September 26-28

Registration is opened for Stewardship Kaleidoscope, an annual conference offering outstanding plenary speakers, informative workshop leaders, provocative worship experiences and unparalleled networking opportunities for all who are passionate about stewardship and generosity.

Scheduled from September 26-28, the in-person program of this year’s hybrid conference will be held in Savannah, Georgia.

Drawing leaders from across the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and other ecumenical partners, Stewardship Kaleidoscope is designed to ignite generosity in faith-based communities, give practical tools for cultivating generosity in congregations, expand the leadership capacity of those who lead stewardship initiatives, and cultivate adaptive approaches for funding Christ’s mission.

Featured speakers this year will be best-selling author A.J. Jacobs, the Rev. Dawn Hyde, Dr. Michael Bos, the Rev. Kathryn Johnston and others.