Developing, Nurturing & Supporting Leaders
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Synod Meeting April 18, Urbana Synod commissioners, committee members, board members and staff will gather for their quarterly meeting at First Presbyterian Church. Synod meetings are open to anyone who wishes to attend. Meeting papers are posted on the synod's meeting papers web page.
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General Assembly Commissioner Orientation
If you are an executive presbyter, stated clerk or General Assembly commissioner, you are invited to attend G.A. Commissioner Orientation, May 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Eastland Suites in Urbana, Ill. If you would like to attend please contact Kristi Miller at the synod office.
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A Word from the Synod Vice Moderator
When I was younger, I struggled the most with the stories about Jesus' resurrection appearances. Why didn't anyone recognize him? No explanation would satisfy. I've lived a few decades since those questions first came to me and have learned a little in this time.
First, I've never found that God answers "why." God will always answer "how" but is stony silent on any "why" question I might toss out.
Second, I've learned that we humans can choose not to see something even when it's right in front of us. Our capacity for self delusion is amazing!
So my heart resonates with Thomas in this Easter season, who is honest enough to say that he cannot believe unless he sees and touches Jesus' wounds for himself. Hearsay isn't going to do it for him. Eight days later Jesus shows up and invites Thomas to do exactly that - see and touch him (John 20).
Debbie Blue suggests for us that "there's something incredibly vulnerable about this story from both sides: what Thomas needs and what Jesus is willing to give to be known. Jesus gives his breath and gives his body to be (touched)." Jesus (she goes on) recognizes "needing is essential to being human" and Jesus will stop at nothing to meet us in our condition. (Blue, Debbie "Living By The Word" The Christian Century March 25, 2008, page 20)
On the first Easter, God reaches into this world and hauls Jesus back to life. On the first Easter, God guarantees the renewal of our human life through staying in constant, unyielding relationship with us.
In this Easter season, miracles still happen. It is still possible for you, for me, to believe that our lives can be transformed when we recognize the risen Jesus once more in our midst, and exclaim with Thomas, "My Lord and my God!" In this Easter season, it is still possible "that you may come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that through believing you may have life in his name." (John 20:31) Won't you come home this Easter season, to the God who loves you? Won't you come home this Easter season, to the One who brings out life from death, hope from despair, meaning from chaos?
Blessings, Laura Reason Vice Moderator, Synod of Lincoln Trails
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Another 24 Hours: The Authentic Transparent Leader
Registration is still open for the April 20-21 and May 4-5 sessions of this popular event.
April 20-21, Stronghold (Oregon, Ill.). Register by April 11.
May 4-5, Eastland Suites (Urbana, Ill.). Register by April 25.
Click here for more information. Another 24 Hours is a leadership education ministry of the Synod of Lincoln Trails.
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Montreat Events Coming Up
Montreat Conference Center is offering these exciting conferences in the upcoming months:
- Diana Butler Bass and others will explore Reclaiming the Text May 26-30. More...
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Christian educators will gather to hear E. Stanley Ott and others on May 27-31. More...
- Church professionals can visit Montreat and just relax, enjoy the facilities and observe a youth conference in action. June 1-6 or July 13-19. More...
- Come together with Christians across boundaries of age, generation, culture, race, theology and other barriers to envision a Church Unbound. July 1-5. More...
Montreat Conference Center is located near Asheville, N.C. For their entire 2008 conference schedule, click here.
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