Developing, Nurturing & Supporting Leaders
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Mark Your Calendar!
Synod Meeting January 31, 2009 Philo, Illinois
CLP Preaching for Lent February 7, 2009
Youthfest February 20-22, 2009 Jameson Camp, Indianapolis
Stewardship Kaleidoscope March 9-11, 2009 Kansas City
Religion Communicators Conference March 26-28, 2009 Boston
Presbyterian Writers Guild April 23-24, 2009 Atlanta
Interim Pastor Training May 4-8, 2009 St. Louis
Big Tent June 11-13, 2009 Atlanta 10 different PC(USA) conferences, at the same time and in the same place!
Check our website or contact the synod office for details!
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Come Explore Relationships at Youthfest, Feb. 20-22
Youthfest is a mid-winter retreat for high school juniors/seniors and
college freshmen/sophomores. This year, keynoters will be
the Rev. Mike Killeen, Shepherd
of the Hills Presbyterian Church, Austin; and Dr. Teri Thomas, Northminster Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis.
The retreat will take place at beautiful Jameson Camp in Indianapolis. For more information or to register, contact Julie Shannon, (317) 251-9489 ext. 26; or Kristi Miller, (317) 923-3681. Or download a brochure and registration form here.
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Bountiful Gifts
Presbyteries Receive Economic Challenge Grants from Lilly Endowment
by Sheryl Carle Fancher, Project Coordinator
On Nov. 17, we received a letter from the Lilly Endowment saying we were one of 16 denominational groups in the state of Indiana that would receive an Economic Challenges grant. The grant proposal was submitted through the Synod of Lincoln Trails. The grant for the Presbytery of Wabash Valley is $232,500 and the amount for Whitewater Valley Presbytery is $167,000. In addition to these grants we have received $25,000 for each presbytery from the Smock Foundation to support some of the educational programs for clergy. The Presbytery of Ohio Valley has received a similar grant from the endowment.
The grant comes as a result of our research and planning on the economic challenge to clergy and its impact on leadership effectiveness. Many of our pastors and spouses have participated in the research process over the past year. Leaders from the Committee on Ministry and the presbytery have given their time and talents in shaping our implementation proposal. The fruits of our labor have produced a wonderful opportunity for the presbytery and synod to enhance the lives of our pastors and congregations.
You will be hearing much more about the project and the opportunities it brings in the coming months. For now, we send prayers of thanksgiving to God from whom all blessings come. In the midst of dark financial clouds that surround us all, a bit of light emerges bringing hope! |
March 9-11, 2009 - Kansas City, Missouri
Leaders
at all levels of the church wish for more resources to make stewardship
come alive: practical tools reinforced by theoretical and biblical
knowledge that change the practice of stewardship from a once-a-year
chore to a year-round call to discipleship.
Participants at this
annual conference will come away equipped to carry out that call. The
Synod of Lincoln Trails is one of the sponsors of this leadership
event.
Visit the conference website for more information. See you in Kansas City!
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Thanksgiving for Things Not Visible to the Human Eye
by the Rev. Gradye Parsons, General Assembly Stated Clerk
Maybe we should skip Thanksgiving this year.
After all, it has been a rough fall. Our investment crops have been devastated. Our long election campaign has left us an angry divide. We still have sons and daughters in harm's way. The number of people who are homeless, sick, and hungry grows daily.
More...
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What's Up With
Your Ministry?We'd love to
share the news! Contact Marta at the synod
with updates from your presbytery, congregation,
camp, or other organization.
We'll spread the
word!
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Meet Me at the Big Tent!
Experience
10 different PC(USA) partner conferences, all happening at the same
time, with time set aside for all participants to sample workshops
conducted by partner groups, be in worship together, enjoy meals
together and attend a transforming Saturday night celebration!
Visit the PC(USA) Big Tent web page for more information.
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