Presbytery of Northern Kansas Newsletter -
May 1, 2021
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Youth are invited to participate in the Presbytery of Northern Kansas’ Youth Work Camp at Heartland Center from August 1-6, 2021. It includes the work camp, fun activities at Heartland Center, and a one-day visit to Worlds of Fun. Youth who have completed fifth grade through those who have completed twelfth grade are eligible to participate. We also need adult volunteers to accompany our Presbytery leaders on the trip.
The cost per youth is $255. The Presbytery will pay one-third of each youth’s fee ($85). We encourage churches that are able to pay one-third of the fee, as well ($85).
Please find the registration form and liability release below. All materials, including payment, must be received by June 15th.
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Latest COVID Update from
Dr. Lisa Allgood
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Dr. Lisa Allgood, Executive Presbyter in Cincinnati Presbytery and immunologist, has provided numerous updates, both written and via Zoom webinars.
Click the link below to get Dr. Allgood's April 27th COVID update.
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A note from Rev. Kevin Keaton, Church Consultant for the Board of Pensions:
Some Board of Pensions plan members may receive, or already have received, communications regarding a Blue Cross Blue Shield Settlement Notice. This is a legitimate lawsuit with a settlement that received preliminary court approval in October 2020. Members are urged to read carefully the information on the Board of Pensions website using the following link: https://www.pensions.org/news-and-events/articles/bcbs-settlement-notice
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Synod of Mid-America Welcomes Transitional Synod Executive |
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The Synod of Mid-America is pleased to introduce Tony de la Rosa as our Transitional Synod Executive. Tony comes to us from Los Angeles, although he has been almost everywhere in his adult life. He went to school at Yale, where he earned Master of Divinity and Juris Doctor degrees. He is a former commissioned ruling elder and an attorney, and has been involved with the PCUSA at many levels nearly all his adult life. He is trained in interim ministry, serves as an executive leader for CREDO conferences, and has been involved with leadership development for many years. He’s even a registered parliamentarian!
Tony brings a variety of experiences to the Midwest. He served as the Interim Executive Director of the Presbyterian Mission Agency in Louisville, he has been the Interim Lay Pastor and Head of Staff for Newport Presbyterian Church in Bellevue, Washington, and has served as Interim Executive Presbyter for the Presbytery of New York City. He has also held other professional positions as an attorney in the Los Angeles area.
Tony will take on the role of Transitional Synod Executive for a two-year contractual term beginning May 1, 2021. We believe there is much he can help us imagine and learn as we lead in the church today, and we are so glad to welcome him to Missouri and Kansas!
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The Pentecost Offering is one of the four PC(USA) Special Offerings.
A gift to the Pentecost Offering helps the church encourage, develop, and support its young people (children, youth and young adults), and address the needs of at-risk children. 40% of the Pentecost offering can be retained by individual congregations wanting to make an impact in the lives of young people within their own community. The remaining 60% is used to support children-at-risk, youth, and young adults through ministries of the Presbyterian Mission Agency.
It is time to start promoting this offering and help can be found at www.pcusa.org/specialofferings - then click on the Pentecost Offering box. Participating in PC(USA) Special Offerings provides the opportunity for your congregation to be a part of a Global Mission. We encourage you to help your congregation give generously to this offering – the needs are many!
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Presbytery Office Open to the Public
The Presbytery Office will open to the public on May 10th and we look forward to welcoming you anytime you want to come and visit. The office is open from 9:00am to Noon and 1:00pm to 4:00pm weekdays.
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Face-to-face meetings can begin June 1st
All Presbytery committees and commissions and other entities and presbytery appointed moderators along with Presbytery Staff will continue virtual meetings through the end of May but will begin face-to-face meetings on June 1st. The Personnel Committee encourages careful considerations when determining whether a meeting should be held virtually or face-to-face in order to continue good stewardship of time and financial resources.
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Where Do You Find the Presbytery of Northern Kansas Directory?
It's EASY -- just go to:
And, enter the word connections in the passphrase box.
This PNK Directory is available to you 24/7 and it is always as up to date as we receive the information -- AND, we count on YOU to give us any corrections or updates you know about so we can get the updates entered ASAP.
You can always find the most up-to-date Pulpit Supply List right here in the PNK Directory AND you can get to the PNK directory on your smartphone, too!
You can also find a button that will take you right to the PNK directory on the www.pnks.org website -- just click on Our Presbytery and then on Web Directory -- remember the password for everything on the Our Presbytery tab is also connections.
So, PLEASE use in-C for all your email address/phone number/mailing address questions...BUT, if you have any trouble, you are also welcome to email Dora at office@pnks.org and she's happy to get you the info. you need.
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Between Two Pulpits with the Special Offerings |
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Join Bryce Wiebe and Lauren Rogers for a weekly conversation where they discuss theology, mission and the Special Offerings. Each week features a special guest and includes ideas for promotion and engagement.
Upcoming guests include Destini Hodges from the Young Adult Volunteer Program; Gina Yeager-Buckley from the Office of Youth Ministries; and the Rev. Dr. Ray Jones III, director of Theology, Formation and Evangelism and author of our 2021 Pentecost sermon.
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Three PNK Pastors have been leading a Zoom Bookstudy for several months and are getting ready to start a new round and YOU are invited to join. Shannon Borgman (Oregon Trail Presbyterian Ministries), Celeste Lasich (Hays FPC) and Sue Seel (Topeka Potwin) invite you to a book study beginning May 9th at 7pm on Zoom, using the book Inspired by Rachel Held Evans.
If the Bible isn’t a science book, instruction manual, or position paper, then what is it? New York Times bestselling author Rachel Held Evans invites readers on a journey of rediscovery as she explores the magic of the Bible, engaging the old, familiar stories in new ways that honor the past and enlighten the present. The book can be ordered on Amazon via hard copy or Kindle. Here is a link to order the book. https://www.amazon.com/Inspired-Slaying-Giants-Walking-Loving/dp/0718022319
You should have enough time to order the book before our next session. Our first session will be an introduction to the book. Each week we will read a few chapters and then meet to discuss.
To sign up to be a part of this study contact Pastor Shannon, Pastor Celeste or Pastor Sue. We will send out a zoom link closer to the first session.
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2021 Summer Camp at Heartland |
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The Youth Ministries Committee REPORTS that Summer Church Camp at HPC is a go for Summer 2021!! HPC has created excellent guidelines for Covid-19 safety precautions and camp sessions are filling up with campers of all ages throughout the summer.
Don’t forget: All children/youth active in the programs of any PNK church are automatically eligible for a PNK scholarship in the amount of 1/3 of the registration fee for any one camp session. We encourage congregations to provide a 1/3 scholarship, too, if they can, and that leaves the remaining 1/3 for the family to pay.
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FPC/Salina and RIP Medical Debt Mission Project |
The Social Justice & Mission Committee of FPC/Salina announced a community-wide mission opportunity to help relieve medical debt through the non-profit agency RIP Medical Debt, targeting their campaign to assist individuals in rural communities throughout the U.S. For every $1.00 donated, RIP can forgive $100!
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Progress Continues on the New Clinton Presbyterian Church Building |
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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.
Photographic updates as the walls go up!
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FPC/Jefferson City - Interim Associate Pastor |
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First Presbyterian Church in Jefferson City, MO is in need of an experienced interim to serve as an Interim Associate Pastor following a long term pastorate. |
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Please contact the Presbytery Office with any joys or concerns you would like to have added to the PNK Prayer List. |
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