The Art of Transitional Leadership |
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Learning Ministry Skills for Today’s and Tomorrow’s Church
Pastors, Staff, COMs and Congregational Leaders
February 8-12, 2021
Online
Whether it is a change in leadership or a changing community, leading a congregation through change is both challenging and rewarding. It takes knowledge, skill, resilience and spiritual strength to navigate the waters of change in a way that leaders and congregations thrive. This training is for individuals who are considering ministry in temporary settings (as an interim, transitional or designated pastor) or are experiencing ministry in these transitional times. Materials presented will include the basics of transitional ministry and will be of value to all congregational pastors regardless of their ministry setting. Best practices in transitional ministry include ways to enter the congregation and community, how to analyze a congregation’s strength and growing edges, and how to assist a congregation in moving toward a vibrant future. This training will delve into navigating change, the pastor as a spiritual interpreter of transition, family systems, mission focus ministry, conflict mediation, and building resiliency.
Participants completing the full 30 hours of training will meet the requirements for Week I Transitional Ministry Education. If you want a certificate of completion, you must actively participate in all sessions in their entirety. We will meet Monday-Thursday from 9:00-11:30, 1:30-4:30 and Friday from 9:00-noon. Tuition and fees cover the tuition as well as the costs of taking the Thomas Kilman Inventory and the Intercultural Development Inventory. Continue reading for additional information.
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Racial Ethnic Student Scholarships awarded to ten students |
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The synod's Committee on Racial Ethnic Ministries (CREM) awarded ten scholarships to students of color for the 2020-2021 school year. The scholarship recipients include: seven women and three men representing at least six ethnicities. The students attend six colleges and universities, and four seminaries. The schools are located in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and New York. Four presbyteries are represented by the students, Des Moines, Milwaukee, Minnesota River Valley and Twin Cities Area.
CREM members were impressed with this year's pool of students. They all demonstrated a strong sense of purpose and cultural self-identity, academic confidence, high grade point averages, mature recognition of relationships to their communities of support, and outstanding references from teachers and pastors. In response to one of two essay questions, they described the impact of racism on their own life, and described personal insight and challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis. They thoughtfully responded to the other essay question which asked how they would create a more inclusive and culturally diverse academic experience for other students.
Congratulations to our scholarship recipients!
The Racial Ethnic Student Scholarship Fund is an educational assistance program designed to encourage American Indian and students of color in their preparation for academic success in higher education. The synod is committed to partner with students and schools for leadership development and quality instruction for lifelong service. Scholarships are awarded annually and details may be found on the synod's website. Funds for this program are provided by the Committee on Racial Ethnic Ministry.
CREM also approved modest institutional awards to twelve tribal colleges within the boundaries of the synod. These awards are for student academic and financial support. Funds are provided by CREM.
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By Rev. Richard Francis, Presbytery of Prospect Hill
The vote, which took place at a specially called joint meeting on October 10, approved the call and election of the following people:
- The Rev. Annika Lister Stroope to be Administrative Executive and Stated Clerk;
- The Rev. Ian McMullen to be Pastor to the Presbyteries;
- Ruling Elder Amgad Beblawi to be Mission Executive;
The new staffing model is the culmination of a years-long process in which representatives of all three presbyteries met, at first informally, then with the formation of a task force to work out the details of the model, and finally with a search committee led by Rev. Ken Rummer of Des Moines Presbytery and including members from all three presbyteries. The process was guided throughout by Rev. Dr. Deb DeMeester, Director of Leadership Development for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies. Synod Executive Elona Street-Steward advised the search committee on process.
An installation service will be held after the first of the year.
This is a bold, exciting step, not only for our three presbyteries, but for the denomination, and the rest of the church is already taking note of this new model for leadership. We ask your prayers for Annika, Amgad, and Ian as they prepare to take up their new responsibilities. Gratitude is also due to the many people from the presbyteries who volunteered their energy, intelligence, imagination, and love to the process.
Thanks be to God.
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Presbytery joins Matthew 25 |
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PMRV commits to become a Matthew 25 mid council. We pledge to encourage our congregations to become Matthew 25 churches and embrace these areas of focus:
- Building congregational vitality
- Dismantling structural racism
- Eradicating systemic poverty
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Updates on the Derecho clean-up |
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UPDATES as of 11/3/2020
The Presbytery of East Iowa has hosted ten separate work days to assist in storm clean up. We have cleared debris from churches, residences, and private organizations. We have passed out sandwiches, barbeque, and school supplies to impacted communities. We have reached out to rural communities and farmers with pastoral care. We are here for the long haul.
To date, we have given away $31,000 including $17,000 to food banks that either lost food in the storm or have seen an increase in traffic because of the storm, $1000 in school supplies for area youth, and additional money supporting local agencies that work with refugee communities.
Additionally, we are planning a tree initiative in the spring to replace some of the trees lost in the storm.
None of this would be possible without the prayers, volunteers, donations, and well wishes from people all over the country. We are humbled and grateful for all of the support we have received.
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Butterflies for All Saints |
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Those driving by the corner of Hickman Road and 142nd Avenue in Clive, Iowa see the Hartland COVID-19 Butterfly Memorial, a memorial to Iowans lost to COVID-19 created by Heartland Presbyterian Church.
Member Julie Olson shared how the memorial came to be. "This past summer a friend shared a newspaper article about a memorial to Iowans who had lost their lives due to COVID-19, constructed by the Decorah Congregational United Church of Christ in collaboration with artist Carl Holmstad. Their visual representation of loss, suffering, grief, and hope through lights representing each life felt very meaningful [to me]. I wondered if we could do something similar at Heartland and shared the idea with members of our Worship Committee. The Worship Committee has been very active in seeking meaningful ways to support and engage our congregation and community throughout this new age of online worship and isolation.
In April, our committee had constructed a Mourning Fence, a place for individuals from the church and community to place symbols representing losses experienced during the pandemic. The derecho and time had damaged and faded many of the items on the fence. With the change in seasons, the fence needed to be removed and it seemed an appropriate time for something new.
In late August, at a family, outdoor, funeral service, the children placed colorful butterflies on stakes at the gravesite. That action gave birth to the current memorial.
On October 28, just prior to All Saints' Day, members of Heartland's Worship Committee and friends placed 1680 butterflies at the intersection of Hickman Road and 142nd Street, on Heartland's property. This busy intersection sees an estimated 50,000 vehicles per day.
The butterfly is a symbol of radical change and the possibility of renewal. The display is meant to remind the community of the value of every individual who has died, our shared grief, endurance, and hope. My husband and I have continued to add butterflies for additional deaths due to COVID-19. There are currently 1845 souls represented through butterflies on the hill.
Darca Boom, church member, suggested making a video to share during an online worship service. Our music director Peter Roberts composed and performed the music and Brittany Glass, friend of the congregation, made the video."
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Presbytery of Milwaukee extinguishes $1.9 million in medical debt |
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The Matthew 25 presbytery is working on the ‘deep intersections’ of systemic poverty and structural racism
by Presbytery of Milwaukee | Special to Presbyterian News Service
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Add the Presbytery of Milwaukee to the list of Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) mid councils and churches to help heal people by wiping away their medical debt.
The presbytery, a governing body for 41 churches in southeastern Wisconsin, launched a campaign to pay off $1 million in medical debt just a few weeks ago.
“We sent out the challenge in late September,” said Rachel Yates, Milwaukee Presbytery executive. “Within weeks, we had enough donations from our congregations and members to wipe out about $1.9 million in debt, through RIP Medical Debt. Though we will never know the names of those we helped, we are certain this will be a Thanksgiving to remember.” Read the full article.
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Winnebago Presbytery seeks Transitional General Presbyter |
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The Presbytery of Winnebago seeks a Transitional General Presbyter to partner in setting a course for future ministry by reaffirming our many gifts and assets, and by cultivating new ones.
The Presbytery of Winnebago sprawls across Northeast Wisconsin. Its congregations, small and large are found in rural communities and college towns. We value community partnerships and collaboration. We are working to name our diversities and desire to become more welcoming and inclusive.
We seek applicants with a depth of Presbyterian institutional knowledge and imagination for the future of the church to help Winnebago navigate ministry at this critical moment—as we say farewell to a long tenured General Presbyter and strive to be the church in a pandemic. Successful applicants will marry spiritual depth with a fearlessness to make change, to try, and even fail in the pursuit of following Christ faithfully in Northeast Wisconsin.
Applicants should send a cover letter and resume or PIF to Rev. Michael Goodwin, Chair of Transitional General Presbyter Search Committee. All applicants must submit their documents by December 10, 2020. Position description
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Shared Mission - A message from special offerings |
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Congregations can get up to $50k to help their pastors find renewal |
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Applications are now available for the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs
by the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs | Special to Presbyterian News Service
According to a news release from the program, congregations may apply for grants of up to $50,000 to underwrite a renewal program for their pastor and for the pastor’s family. Up to $15,000 of the funds are available to the congregation to help cover costs for ministerial supply while the pastor is away.
There is no cost to the congregations or the pastors to apply for the competitive grants, which represent the Endowment’s continued investment in renewing the health and vitality of American Christian congregations.
Details and applications for the 2021 programs are now available. To learn more about the Lilly Endowment Clergy Renewal Programs, view an informational video here. Listen to interviews with previous grant recipients here. The deadline to apply is April 21, 2021.
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Impact of Coaching and Retreats for Pastors |
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by Becky Balestri, Program Manager for Pastoral Leadership Revitalization
The Thursday before Labor Day weekend, the executive presbyter of a neighboring presbytery called me and vented, “Why do churches and pastors have to wait until a three-day weekend to implode?” Not quite sure what he was talking about, I intelligently replied, “Huh?” He went on to explain that three pastors in his presbytery were at odds with their congregations and sessions over pandemic related matters. The pastors were so distraught that they were all on the brink of resigning. The significant piece of this conversation was how he followed up: “None of them are PLR pastors!”
PLR is the acronym for Pastoral Leadership Revitalization, a program launched by the Omaha Presbyterian Seminary Foundation in January 2019, after receiving a Thriving in Ministry grant from the Lilly Foundation. The goals of the program are to increase pastoral resilience and adaptive leadership; to slow the attrition rate of pastors; and, to create a network of pastoral leadership. The executive presbyter saw a clear signal that the pastors in the PLR program were resilient and adapting to the changes that the pandemic has brought about, better than those pastors who were not participating in the program. Read the full article.
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#Giving Tuesday! Join the virtual celebration! |
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Inspired by telethons of the past and the PC(USA) Week of Action, we will host a 12-hour live stream on Giving Tuesday which will feature a Hollywood Squares-like game, 'PresbySquares', with the Rev. Dr. Cláudio Carvalhaes, PC(USA) pastor and professor, in the center square surrounded by distinguished former GA Moderators and Co-Moderators. Elona Street-Stewart and Gregory Bentley will be the contestants. 'PresbySquares' takes place at 6:00 p.m. Eastern time.
The streaming event will also include worship, prayer and Bible study. Join us on Giving Tuesday, December 1, for a virtual celebration of the collective power of Presbyterian generosity, as we profess by our actions—and with our gifts—that we can accomplish far more together than any one of us can do alone.
All gifts given on Giving Tuesday will be directed to Shared Mission/Matthew 25 (25%), Per Capita (25%), and Special Offerings (50%).
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Advent and Christmas Devotional 2020 |
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Let us light candles
By Donna Frischknecht Jackson, editor of Presbyterians Today
About this devotional
Welcome to Presbyterians Today’s Advent and Christmas devotional, “Let Us Light Candles: Matthew 25 and the work of Advent.” This extended online devotional — taking us not just through Advent but through Christmastide and ending with Epiphany, Jan. 6 — brings to you the inspiring words in Howard Thurman’s poem “I Will Light Candles This Christmas.”
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‘For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World’ wins inaugural social justice book prize |
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Book published by Flyaway Books awarded Goddard Riverside Children’s Book Council Youth Book Prize for Social Justice
by Flyaway Books | Special to Presbyterian News Service
“For Beautiful Black Boys Who Believe in a Better World” is the story of Jeremiah, a young man with a lot of questions about the violent deaths of Black people he’s seeing in the news, and the actions people are taking in the street in response. His father doesn’t have easy answers, but that doesn’t mean he won’t talk about it — or that he won’t act. Inspired by real-life events, this beautiful picture book is an honest, intimate look at one family’s response to racism and gun violence. The book includes a discussion and activity guide for parents and teachers to use with children written by the Muhammad Ali Center.
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Healing a divided nation post-election |
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J. Herbert Nelson and Diane Moffett share thoughts on moving forward
November 17, 2020
Louisville
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Matthew 25 Worship Service |
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The leadership of the PC(USA) has prepared a recorded worship service based on the Matthew 25 vision for congregations to use however and whenever they like. It is our goal that congregations find it helpful during a busy season of virtual and in-person worship services.
The prerecorded complete worship service is available for viewing and download. Korean and Spanish versions of the recorded service, as well as English subtitles, are available by clicking the CC button at the bottom of the video.
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The Sower
Newsletter for Presbyterian Women in the Synod of Lakes and Prairies
November issue
Moderator’s Musings:
What is the topic of the moment - the pandemic, maybe? Or is it politics? Either way, it seems there isn’t any good news to be had for love or money. I’ve stopped listening to the news, since it is so depressing to hear about the pandemic and the divide in our country so continually. It seems like there can’t be any hope in sight.
But...that isn’t true. The Psalms tell us over and over that God is always with us, that God will be our guide and support in times of trouble, that God’s faithfulness will never end. Continue reading. |
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Conversations on Race
Join us for the final conversation in the fall series to focus on the topic Changing Systems (December 7). The event will feature a presentation from Alicia Forde, time for reflection and conversations, and Q&A. The events are free and open to the public. Find details and registration here. Please save the date and invite friends and colleagues to join you.
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You are invited to Weekly Wednesday Vital Conversations
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Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact it has had on The Ministry Lab’s plans for 2020, we are delighted to announce a unique one-time grant opportunity to congregations for the upcoming seasons of Advent, Christmas, and Epiphany.
Hopeful Innovation Grants will consist of as many as 40 micro grants of up to $200 each. Grants will be given for efforts that aim to accomplish at least one of the following:
- expand and/or deepen your reach within your congregation or community
- represent something new, creative, and/or bold for your congregation
- facilitate faith development
- equip leaders for new ministry opportunities
Apply by Nov. 13 for the best chance to receive a grant. Any additional funds will be awarded through the end of November on a rolling basis. Grants are available to Ministry Lab member congregations only.
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Rooted in Faithful Practice.
Let’s Make Good.
EMPOWERING ORGANIZATIONS TO CREATE POSITIVE CHANGE
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Do you know a congregation that has property or a building and is wondering how to make the best use of it? Is that congregation interested in increasing its impact in the community while also strengthening its financial resilience? The Oikos Accelerator might be just the right fit!
The Oikos Accelerator empowers congregations around the US to align money and mission by creatively using their buildings and property to further their mission and build financial resilience. This is particularly important during this age of COVID-19. By the end of the Oikos Accelerator, each congregation will effectively design and launch a social enterprise that utilizes their church property in some form.
Specifically, the Oikos Accelerator will help congregations:
- Understand your church’s changing context in terms of your ministry, local community, and financial model.
- Imagine how your core mission and theology shapes the use of buildings and property in light of this changing context.
- Bring your whole congregation on this journey together.
- Expand your capacity to experiment, try new things, learn from failure, and try again.
- Experiment with new, innovative uses of buildings and property that both further your mission and generate income.
- Launch a social enterprise utilizing your church property.
As part of the Oikos Accelerator churches will be:
- Equipped with RootedGood tools and resources
- Trained through our online accelerator course
- Prepared to pitch your project to donors and funders
- Connected to a greatly expanded network of learning partners and resource providers
The Oikos Accelerator will run for approximately fifteen month from March 2021 through May 2022. Fifty congregations will be selected for participation. Thanks to grant funding, the cost for participation is only $500 (even though the value of the program is more than $12,500). We are accepting applications on a rolling basis beginning in December through the first part of 2021.
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An Advent Resource from PDA |
Now available: a new Advent study from Presbyterian Disaster Assistance,
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20 Creative Ways to Celebrate Advent in 2020
The end of the calendar year brings with it many celebrations, decorations, and traditions. But, in the year 2020, how do we celebrate while staying safe and socially distant? This year has brought us so many challenges as ministries and we have adapted at ever step. The Advent Season is just one more opportunity to pivot and create unique opportunities for you community. Here are 20 creative ways to celebrate Advent in 2020. Website Ideas Online Advent Prayers - Create a special prayer form specifically for Advent. Embed it wherever you are highlighting your special Advent events. (Watch Michael…
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Writers wanted for the 2021 Older Adult Ministries Planning Guide
In preparation for Older Adult Sunday and as an ongoing resource, POAMN creates, edits and publishes an Older Adult Ministries (OAM) Planning Guide. The theme of the 2021 OAM Planning Guide will coincide with our 2020 virtual conference themes, Stronger Together: Faith in Action Across Generations, and Shaping Faith in Crisis: Peace by Piece. We are currently looking for submissions of creative ways to honor older adults on May 2, 2021 and throughout the year. Does your congregation/organization offer programs/events to engage the generations as you minister for, to, and with older adults? Have you created ministries/programs based on the current crises we face as communities and as a nation? We would love to share with others ideas in providing older adult ministries throughout the generations. Please consider writing an article that can be used in the 2021 OAM Planning Guide. Articles can be about a program you offer within your congregation, partnerships you have formed with other organizations, or other activities/events you provide for older adults within your community. Articles should be about the “how to” of various ministries with older adults through multicultural and/or intergenerational engagement.
Articles should be 500-2,000 words in length and need to be submitted by the December 15, 2020 deadline to be considered for inclusion in the 2021 OAM Planning Guide. Submission does not guarantee inclusion in the 2021 OAM Planning Guide and articles may be maintained to use at a later date. POAMN reserves editorial rights of all articles submitted. Please submit your article and include your short bio, to Ginny Nyhuis at gnyhuis@frontier.com.
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May 17-21, 2021
Online and Free!
Preaching for the Future Church
Is the church really dying? Or is it dying to change? How can the church recapture what it was in the first century—a distinctive, confessional community, willing to stand against the status quo, to speak up against the empire, and to stand for the Gospel—in a 21st century context?
This year, the Festival of Homiletics invites you into conversation around how the promise of the Gospel might shape hope and ministry for the future church. What is the role of preaching in forming the church of the future?
Be inspired by God’s Word proclaimed by some of the nation’s finest ministers and teachers. Experience the fellowship of hundreds of preachers. Learn and worship in an atmosphere that is dynamic, friendly, nurturing, and prophetic. Come renew, refresh, and recharge your spirit.
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Lux Summer Theological Institute for Youth
A New Earth: Thinking Theologically about Environmental Justice
June 13-27, 2021
Theologically curious high school students are invited to apply before January 1, 2021 for the 2021 Lux Summer Theological Institute. Safety permitting, the program will be held in-person at Presbyterian-related Monmouth College (Monmouth, IL).
Funded by the Lilly Endowment, the Lux Institute is an opportunity for students to engage with a topic of global importance and participate in a living-learning community through study, worship, service, recreation, and vocational exploration.
Scholarships are available to cover all program expenses for the two-week program, with the exception of travel. A free shuttle to/from Chicago airports is provided.
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2021 Mediation Skills Training Institute
Does your congregation experience conflict? Does it harm your Christian fellowship and distract from your church’s mission? Learn to transform conflict from a negative force into an opportunity for reconciliation and growth.
Register now for one of these six sessions of our popular and practical Mediation Skills Training Institute for Church Leaders: March 1-5, May 3-7, June 21-25, August 2-6, October 11-15, or November 15-19, 2021. The “early bird” rate is $695. Currently we plan to conduct this event online via Zoom.
NOTE: After December 2020, online registration will no longer be available via Brown Paper Tickets. To register or to learn more, contact the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center at 630-627-0507 or Admin@LMPeaceCenter.org or visit our website.
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The Synod office will be closed on November 26 & 27 and December 24 - January 1. |
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editor's 2 cents...
Take a moment or two, to just breathe and be.
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Are you doing something in your presbytery or synod from which others might learn? You have a standing invitation to send Tricia Dykers-Koenig articles to share.
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To subscribe email: office@lakesandprairies.org
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