Presbytery of Northern Kansas Newsletter -
July 11, 2022
PNK News/Events
Get Ready for the IN PERSON Presbytery Meeting!

August 23rd | 9:00am-4:00pm | FPC/Junction City
We are so excited to all be together in person!
Watch for registration information
Mark your calendar and plan to attend and bring others
Preacher and Guest Speaker: The Rev. Dr. Diane Moffett,
Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency
Time for lunch and fellowship
Post Presbytery Social Time
Watch for more info. coming soon.
As we make our way after the pandemic, generational theorists are arguing that we are on the verge of a great spiritual awakening. The question they are asking is: Will this spiritual awakening include the church? So, what happens in a spiritual awakening and how can we be an active and agile agent in this next adventure? Together we will explore how the Holy Spirit is calling us to greater energy, intelligence, imagination, and love!
Bring Your Friends! Join other PNK Youth!

Come kick off the year at Rock Springs Ranch with us! The PNK Fall Youth Retreat will be held October 1-2, 2022. This event is for all youth currently in 7th-12th grades. During our time together, we will have Fun (Ziplining! Hiking! Gaga Ball!), Fellowship (lunch, dinner, smores and breakfast together!), and grow in our Faith .

Youth cost is $85 which includes all meals, lodging and activities. All you need to bring is yourself, your bedding and towels and clothes for the weekend…and prepare to have a good time! Register by September 12, 2022.

Contact Amanda at alittell@pnks.org for infographics for your newsletter and Facebook pages!
Kentucky Mission Team Trip
October 2-8, 2022 | Hopkins County Kentucky
Presbyterian Disaster Assistance and Hopkins County Emergency Management Agency in partnership with Madisonville’s First Presbyterian Church will host a Mission Team from the Presbytery of Northern Kansas.

Bob and Rhoda Frasier will lead this team to do repair, clean up and maintenance on homes devastated by the December 2021 Tornado Event.

Registration: This trip is open to persons 18 and over, from a Presbytery of Northern Kansas ministry. Maximum Group size 20 Complete the registration online by August 31. As space is available persons from out of the presbytery may be accepted to participate in this mission trip. Interested persons outside of PNK are encouraged to register now and be placed on a waiting list until the 8/31 deadline.

Your registration fee for this trip is $100 per person. The Stewardship and Mission Committee covers the cost for this mission trip (group travel, accommodations, and other costs) above the registration fees collected. You will be responsible for meals on the way to Madisonville, KY and on the way home.

Click the link below for more information and registration
Concrete Baptism
We invite you to watch and share this video with your congregation. This video comes from Matthew 25 videos for 225th General Assembly. Click the link below to see more of these videos.
News & Notes
Mileage Rate Change
Please note: Beginning July 1, 2022, the rates are 62.5 cents per mile for business use of an automobile.
Congratulations, Rev. Thad Holcombe
Our congratulations to Rev. Thad Holcombe on receiving the Faith in Action Award which is given to an individual in the Kansas Interfaith Action Network who has been there consistently throughout the course of the year or particular campaign. Thad is the Moderator for Lawrence Ecology Teams United in Sustainability (LETUS) and Convener for the Lawrence Interfaith Alliance (LIA).
Grants Available for Traveling Day Camp Hosts
If your congregation hosted or is scheduled to host Traveling Day Camp this Summer -- don't forget to apply for a grant from the PNK Stewardship and Mission Committee.

NOTE: There is NO formal application for a TDC grant! Simply email office@pnks.org and let us know that your congregation has been confirmed as a Traveling Day Camp host. Please provide the specific dates of your camp and the number of children and volunteers you hope to involve as well as how many years you have been hosting TDC.

Resource Center News
Sparkhouse Director Training Workshops
Click the link below to begin learning more about this rich and useful online platform from Sparkhouse Digital that exists to support your faith formation efforts.

Included is a questionaire to help tailor the summer series of training webinar workshops by providing your "need to know" questions regarding Sparkhouse Digital.
Plug-and-Play Adult Education Classes
Are you looking for a “plug-and-play” option for your Adult Christian Education classes this coming year? Here is a planning calendar that was used in a previous year by Topeka Trinity. These resources are all available in the Resource Library! If you would like to use any of these next year, please be sure to reserve them soon as we only have one copy of each!
Events | Seminars | Programs
PNK Offers Safe Gathering Program
Safe Gatherings is an online abuse prevention program that screens and educates staff and volunteers to help prevent abuse of children, youth and vulnerable adults.
 
Upon successful completion of the Safe Gatherings application, background and reference checks, and online training program, each applicant will receive documentation of approval valid for three years, and will have continued access to the online training program for one year.

The Presbytery of Northern Kansas is committed to providing safe places of worship and fellowship to everyone they serve. As part of that commitment, we offer Safe Gatherings as a resource for you in this important area.
Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches
Conflict is a normal part of life, even in the church. Understanding this can help church members realize that they should not be surprised or ashamed when they experience conflict in their faith communities. What is important is how the conflicts that inevitably arise are addressed. The Conflict Transformation Skills for Churches workshop, offered by the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center, teaches some basic skills that will help participants manage conflicts within their congregations in a healthier manner.

Note: Topeka/Westminster has a team taking the training together on November 5th, an idea that your congregation/session might also want to consider.
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
NOTE: The Presbytery of Northern Kansas' Stewardship and Mission Committee has TWO -- $500 scholarships available on a first come first serve basis for Ruling Elders from PNK congregations. IF both scholarships have not been awarded to Ruling Elders by August 1st -- Teaching Elders are welcome to apply! All it takes to apply is to send your emailed request to office@pnks.org right away -- just let us know your name, contact info. (email, phone numbers) and church membership and tell us you want to go and would like to be considered for a scholarship. HURRY -- let us know TODAY!
Please contact the Presbytery Office with any joys or concerns you would like to have added to the PNK Prayer List.