Presbytery of Northern Kansas Newsletter -
April 5, 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
Comfort My People
Pathways to Congregational Mental Health Ministries
Session 4 - Suicide Part I: Listening to the Silence
 
April 20, 2021
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Webinar via Zoom

Suicide is a topic that can be difficult to talk about. However, throughout the country, and particularly in rural communities, it has become an increasingly important topic to be discussed. Join LeaderWise psychologist, Dr. Tom Allen and therapist, Rev. Sarah Parker on April 20th as they walk through suicide risk factors to look and listen for and highlight particular factors impacting suicide in rural communities. Together with your colleagues in ministry we will address the following topics:
  • Explore what psychological sciences teach us about suicide. 
  • Identify particular factors impacting farmers and rural communities.
  • Use vignettes to sharpen our collective sensitivity to suicide prevention.
  • Reflect and learn from our own vast and varied experiences.
For Elders and Deacons
As a part of the “Year of Leader Formation: Investing in Ruling Elders and Deacons,” a series of webinars will be offered. Here's the information and registration for the first of these events:

Discovering Our Gifts. God has gifted each of us with a variety of skills, interests, and talents. As those called to leadership in the church, particularly to the ministries of ruling elder and deacon, many of those gifts are called upon in a variety of ways. Take time to explore and discover your own talents, how they can be used to form effective teams, and ways that we work together in community as God’s children. During this webinar, you can expect to search within yourself while also being introduced to some tools to use in your own congregation. Mark your calendar for April 14, 7:00-8:30 pm (EDT).

The webinar will be recorded for viewing at a later time. Please register by April 7
Heartland Presbyterian Center Now Hiring for Summer Camp 2021
Heartland Presbyterian Camp (in Kansas City, MO) is currently hiring for summer jobs and would like your help finding excellent staff people. Heartland staff members are imperfect but joyful, vulnerable, Christ-centered, hard-working, and kids-at-heart. If you know someone who wants to make a difference this summer while pursuing Jesus in an authentic community, this is the job for them. More information can be found at HeartlandSummerCampJobs.org
Building Closer Connections Between PDA and PNK
by Carolynn Winters-Hazelton, April 2021

With the motto “Out of Chaos, Hope,” PDA responds to natural and human-caused disasters and provides our denomination’s humanitarian response to refugees and asylum seekers. Thanks to the generous congregational gifts to the One Great Hour of Sharing offering, PDA was able to continue its important national and international disaster work in 2020 despite the pandemic as well as provide support for a global response to COVID-19.
We See You Among Us
PC(USA) Stated Clerk Offers Message of Love and Support for Asian Siblings in the Midst of Violence
'We see you among us'

Stated Clerk of the General Assembly Stated Clerk offers message of love and support for Asian siblings in the midst of violence Dear Siblings in Christ, This is a message to everyone, and it is a message in particular to all those who are Asian...

Read more
www.pcusa.org
Did you receive a stimulus check from the IRS that you have no plans for spending? If so, consider donating all or part of your stimulus fund to your church as a mission gift over and above your annual pledged giving.
Workshops, Webinars, Events
The Basics of Digital Church Communication
Union Seminary and Digital Congregations presents The Basics of Digital Church Communication for four consecutive Tuesdays beginning on May 11th.

You can learn more about this course offering from Union Seminary by CLICKING HERE.

Learn about more continuing education opportunities at Union Seminary by CLICKING HERE.
The Art of Transitional Ministry
Please mark your calendars for the next offering of the  Art of Transitional Ministry Education. The orientation will begin at 1:00 pm on Monday, October 18, 2021, and will conclude the evening of Thursday, October 21, 2021. At this time, the in-person orientation will be hosted at the Parkville Presbytery Church in Kansas City, Missouri.


Registration is now open. To register click here

For questions related to the content or assignments of Weeks I and II or Executive Training, contact Beth Wagner: pastrb7@gmail.com. For administrative and registration questions contact Danelle O’Connell at the Synod of Mid-America office: office@synodma.org
Good News
Progress Continues on the New Clinton Presbyterian Church Building
On January 17th, the Clinton Presbyterian Church congregation broke ground for their new church building. Elder Ed Steele was chosen as the first to break ground to honor the Steele family who helped found this congregation in 1866. The Clinton church is located in the small town of Clinton, Kansas on the west side of Clinton Lake near Lawrence.

In the early hours of August 30, 2019, lightning struck the steeple of the Clinton Presbyterian Church and all the congregation could do was watch as it burned to the ground.  The congregation came together the following Sunday and has been worshipping this past 18 months in the Clinton Township Hall.

The congregation is excited for their future as they watch the progress builders are making on their new church building.  The concrete began to be poured the week of March 24th!!

Watch for more updates!
Setting New Goals



The Congregation at First Presbyterian Church in Topeka held a visioning retreat in January. They decided to set some "fun and daring" goals for their congregation for 2021. Here are the 4 goals they set.
Please contact the Presbytery Office with any joys or concerns you would like to have added to the PNK Prayer List.