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Acknowledging congregations for ongoing giving
With gratitude for their continued and generous participation in the Pentecost Offering for at least 20 years, we lift up the following congregations:
Des Moines Presbytery
- First Presbyterian Church, Dallas Center, IA
The John Knox Presbytery
- First Presbyterian Church, Cambria, WI
Milwaukee Presbytery
- North Shore Presbyterian Church, Shorewood, WI
Minnesota Valleys Presbytery
- First Presbyterian Church, Maynard, MN
Northern Plains Presbytery
- Presbyterian Church of Towner, Towner, ND
Northern Waters Presbytery
- Lakeside Presbyterian Church, Duluth, MN
Winnebago Presbytery
- First Presbyterian Church, Sheboygan, WI
- First Presbyterian Church, Marshfield, WI
- Wild Rose Presbyterian Church, Wild Rose, WI
- Memorial Presbyterian Church, Appleton, WI
Resources for Pentecost. Special Offerings of the PC(USA).
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May Synod Meeting Summary | | |
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The Synod of Lakes and Prairies held its spring stated and annual meeting via Zoom recently. Synod moderator, Rev. Brian Entz called us to order on May 1 at 6:00 pm.
Read the full summary.
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Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ Community Celebration | |
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Valley Community Presbyterian Church (VCPC) is hosting a day of celebration and education about Native American heritage on Saturday, June 4, 2022 from 11:00am to 2:00pm.
Community members are invited to learn about the Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ (Bassett Creek) Oral History Project, and to celebrate the vibrant traditions of Native American people who have been connected to the creek for thousands of years.
The community celebration will feature Native food, drumming, dancing, storytelling, and a presentation by Dr. Kasey Keeler. Arts activities will be provided by Speaking Out Collective. The event is free and open to the public. Free snacks and blueberry tea are provided. Wild rice wraps are available with a $5 suggested donation (cash or check). Or bring a picnic lunch from home!
Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ is the Dakota-language name for Bassett Creek. It translates to “Falls Creek,” a reference to the creek’s confluence with the Mississippi River just above St. Anthony Falls (called Owamniyomni in Dakota).
This community celebration is one component of a larger oral history project. In December 2021, VCPC received a Legacy Amendment grant of $9,900 to interview Native American people in the Ȟaȟa Wakpadaŋ (Bassett Creek) watershed.
VCPC Reverend Richard Buller said, “This project provides an opportunity for the community to hear Native voices describing their lived experiences in suburbs like Golden Valley and St. Louis Park. We’re honored to work with Dr. Kasey Keeler. She is one of the only scholars of suburban American Indian history in the United States.”
Read the press release. View the flyer.
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Celebrating five years of ministry | |
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First Arabic Presbyterian Church (FAPC) welcomes Rev. Dr. J. Herbert Nelson II, as the congregation hosts a special celebration for its fifth anniversary on June 5, 2022, 4:00 pm worship followed by a celebration.
On June 2, 2017, First Arabic Presbyterian Church made history by becoming the first congregation of Sudanese/Arabic-speaking individuals in the Presbytery of Des Moines.
Stated Clerk J. Herbert Nelson II, was present on that historic day and described it as a "hallelujah moment."
The hallelujahs have not ended. During these five years FAPC has grown in membership and ministry. As many as 1200 people participate in worship each week, either in-person or online, from as many as 15 countries. The church's Arabic Outreach Center provides life-changing support to immigrants and refugees as they settle in their new country.
For many Arabic-speaking people, Christian and Muslim, FAPC is a haven of faith and a beacon of hope.
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Wayne and Linda Vaughn, elders at Faith Springs PCUSA in Pewaukee. Wayne is known for acts of care and welcome, and Linda seeks deeper relationship through conversations, particularly around matters of faith. Grace Lived Out reminds us that as the church the way we treat one another and care for each other both feeds and is a reflection of our faith in Jesus Christ.
Presbytery of Milwaukee
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There is still time to register for Synod School | |
If you are interested in: exploring the Bible, or leadership development, or personal wellness, or prayer and spirituality, or creative endeavors, or something else. Synod School has it! | |
Women Doing Theology in the United States
These are the 10 theologians you should know
By Yenny Delgado
Publica Theology in Public Life
When you think of female theologians does a specific name or scholar come to mind?
Over the past few decades there have been numerous intellectual and theological contributions from women in the United States from both Protestant and Catholic backgrounds. Below, I present the contribution of the 10 most influential women theologians that you should know:
Read the full article.
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GA Events and Worship
GA bulletin inserts are available for pre-order from The Presbyterian Outlook.
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Weapons at Church: The Unthinkable in God’s House—A message from General Counsel Mike Kirk as our prayers and lamentations continue
We like to think of our churches as places of safety and refuge. A place to commune with God and join in fellowship with our church community. Unfortunately, others view churches as targets. White supremacist Dylan Roof murdered nine people at Mother Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church in South Carolina in 2015. Recently a Las Vegas man with a grudge against Taiwan entered the Geneva Presbyterian Church in Laguna Woods, California, and shot members and friends of the Irvine Taiwanese Presbyterian Church who were gathered at a celebratory luncheon.
It is unfortunate that church leaders must think about how to prevent such violence or how to respond to it if it happens. But sessions should discuss church safety. There are many resources available for churches, including the following:
Consider organizing a committee to discuss and make recommendations for safety policies and procedures.
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A new hymn remembers gun violence victims in Uvalde, Texas
‘God, Our Nation Feels the Loss’ is Carolyn Winfrey Gillette’s newest hymn
by Mike Ferguson | Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — The Rev. Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, a Presbyterian pastor and hymn writer, has published a new hymn lamenting gun violence and remembering “the beloved children of God who died in the school shooting at Robb Elementary School in Uvalde, Texas” on Tuesday.
“Many of us, as individuals, do not accept violence, keep silence or clamor for guns,” Gillette wrote in a note accompanying her hymn, “God, Our Nation Feels the Loss,” which is set to the music of “Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me.”
Read the full article.
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Presbyterian Planning Calendar
Pre order your 2022-2023 calendars. Single calendars are $16.95; 10–49, $14.50 each; 50+, $9.75 each. Shipping is additional. When ordering, please ask for ISBN 978-17328-4672-2. Order online or call the PC(USA) Church Store at 1-800-533-4371.
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PW Synod
Pre-Gathering Mission Event
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PW Synod Gathering
Registration
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Opportunities
PC(USA) positions in ASG, OGA, and PMA
Presbyterian Foundation open positions
New Life Presbyterian Church, Roseville, Minn., has openings for a director of music, a Christian education coordinator, and an administrative assistant. Contact the church for more information, info@newlifechurchroseville.org or (651)488-5581.
LEADERSHIP FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE PROGRAM
The Center currently offers a tuition-free nine-month continuing education program in Leadership for Social Justice for congregational pastors in Minnesota and surrounding states. The program equips pastors with the skills to effectively address a broad range of social issues—including struggles for economic, racial, gender, sexual, and ecological justice— in ways that are reflective, practical, relational, and faithful. The program supports pastors in developing and/or deepening contextually-sensitive, sustainable, and community-based ministries in social justice responsive to what God is doing in our world, in our congregations, and in our communities.
Rock Prairie United Presbyterian Church, Janesville, Wisc. is looking for a solo pastor. View the Rock Prairie MIF.
Half-Time Youth Coordinator for Presbytery
Presbytery of Minnesota Valleys is looking for a Youth Coordinator that has a passion for spiritual formation in children and youth. The individual would be responsible for:
Connecting youth and youth leaders across the Presbytery, organizing youth events, resourcing congregations, coordinating Triennium, and accompanying youth to the event, plan youth leader training events and organizing presbytery wide Zoom confirmation classes. We are looking for someone to be the face of the youth program for the Presbytery. Some travel required.
Interested persons should provide a cover letter with brief faith statement, and a resume with two references, by June 1, 2022. Send to Karen Lange: karen@minnesotavalleys.org.
Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church, Iowa City, has openings for a full time Director of Music Ministries and a part time organist. Please email: hiring@saintandrew-ic.org.
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Justice and Peace Book Club
- Read a J&P recommended book every two months
- Receive study guides to inform your reading
- Discuss the books with others via Zoom
The "Club" is open to all regardless of gender.
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Upcoming LeaderWise Offerings |
Find out what is being offered here. | |
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Register today for the 2022 ConNext Summit!
Plenary time will be fueled by Sara Thompsen's amazing musical leadership and Danger Boat Production's facilitation of Improv Café Conversations. Workshops are diverse and interactive. Plenty of time for rest, contemplative practices, nature, and socializing.
Find Rev. Emily Meyer of The Ministry Lab at your conference/synod gathering for details or find them here.
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Mount Olivet Conference & Retreat Center
This two-day overnight retreat, "Tending to Trauma: Yours, Mine, and Ours." will be led by Professor Emerita of Congregational and Community Care at Luther Seminary, Carla Dahl, and is for anyone personally experiencing trauma or caring for others with traumatic experiences, (or both). We will discuss physiological and spiritual aspects of trauma, the importance of self-compassion, and practices and rituals that help re-establish connection with ourselves and others. A variety of overnight accommodations are available in addition to an option for commuters. You can find a full description of the event along with a link for registration at https://mtolivetretreat.org/event/tending-to-trauma-yours-mine-and-ours/.
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The Great Recommitment: Strength and Flexibility for Ministry Today - learn more. | |
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Before we go ...
Bless the Children by Odetta
"Peace will be, peace will be, peace will be
Bless the children, keep in mind what they say in their faces
Don't let what you've learned get in the way of the places
That you knew before the days
Lifestyle marked your childlike ways
Your compassion, if you'll give, you'll receive
Peace will be, peace will be, peacе will be"
Full lyrics at https://genius.com/Odetta-bless-the-children-lyrics
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Presbyteries and churches share your news with the synod!
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To subscribe email: office@lakesandprairies.org
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