February 12, 2010

Developing, Nurturing
& Supporting Leaders
Mark Your Calendar!

Making the Great Connection, Part I
Workshop Series
for Lay Pastors
Feb. 20
Urbana, Ill.

Spring Into Faith!
Middle School Gathering
March 12-13
Naperville, Ill.

Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Funding Mission Today
and Tomorrow
March 15-17
Indianapolis

Religion Communicators Congress 2010
April 7-10
Chicago

Synod Meeting
April 23
Urbana, Ill.

219th General Assembly
July 3-10
Minneapolis, MN

Covenant Gathering
Branching Out in Faith
July 4-9
Hillsdale, Mich.

Check our website or contact the synod office for details!
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What's going on in your
presbytery?

Check out what's happening nationally at the
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

Be sure to visit our website
www.lincolntrails.org

Visit the Lincoln Trails Neighborhood at the
Presbyterian Neighbor News
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Stewardship Kaleidoscope
Funding Mission Today and Tomorrow
Indianapolis
March 15-17

This national stewardship conference is designed especially for congregational and middle governing body leaders. For more information, visit the Stewardship Kaleidoscope website.

The Synod of Lincoln Trails and the presbyteries of Wabash Valley, Whitewater Valley and Ohio Valley are among the sponsors.
 Covenant Gathering
Covenant Gathering 2010
July 4-9, 2010

Join us at lovely Michindoh Conference Center near the Ohio, Indiana and Michigan border in Hillsdale, Mich. Go to the Covenant Gathering website for details on classes, costs and registration forms, or email with other questions. The Synod of Lincoln Trails is a sponsor of Covenant Gathering 2010.
Series for Lay Pastors Making the Great Connection
Your Preaching and Your Leadership

A Workshop Series for Lay Pastors

Part I: Saturday, Feb. 20, Urbana, Illinois

This three-part series will help you hone your skills and connect with others. Take one workshop or take all three - each will offer unique content and valuable take-home materials.

Cost for Part I is $30, which includes take-home workshop materials and lunch.

Click here for more information on this valuable series.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, February 17.
Spring Into FaithSpring Into Faith
Middle school students in the Synod of Lincoln Trails are invited to Spring Into Faith on March 12-13, 2010 at Knox Presbyterian Church, Naperville, Ill. Activities will include fellowship, a mission project, worship, and lots of FUN! Click here to download a brochure and registration form or contact Julie Shannon (317-283-5025) or Kristi Miller (317-923-3681/800 566-5996) for more information. Register by March 1 and save $10 per person!
Haiti Update

Presbyterian Disaster Assistance Responds to Haiti with Help from Across the Church

Already more than $400,000 (including $100,000 from the One Great Hour of Sharing special offering) has been distributed for food and water distribution sites, tents for homeless survivors, an electrical generator and supplies at Holy Cross Hospital, and staff who are working with ecumenical and local partners in the initial response and assessment. Paul Jeffrey, who works with the ACT Alliance (one of PDA's partners), created a great video about relief work on the ground in Haiti. Watch it on YouTube.

The best ways to help right now are to:

Give: Presbyterian response to the earthquake in Haiti has been amazing and is much appreciated. To date, more than $2 million has been received to support the work of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance. You can continue to donate money online; by phone at (800) 872-3283; and by mail: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, P.O. Box 643700, Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700.

Act: Assemble "Gift of the Heart" hygiene and baby kits. More than 35,000 hygiene and baby kits have already been sent and the stockpile is depleted. More kits are needed.

Pray: Continue to pray for the people of Haiti and those assisting them.

For regular updates on PDA's work in Haiti, see the PDA Web site or subscribe to the PDA Rapid Information Network, Presbyterian News Service and the PC(USA) press releases.

Worship Resources for Congregations
Carol McDonald, Synod Co-Executive Evangelism & Church Growth

Download a New Study Guide from PC(USA)

In partnership with Educational Ministries, Evangelism & Church Growth has produced a brand new resource for educators, entitled, "Grow Christ's Church Deep and Wide: A Call to Action Study Guide."

Unveiled at the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators (APCE) annual gathering in Nashville, this six-week study guide uses four dynamic stories of Presbyterian congregations called to grow "Deep and Wide" in new ways in evangelism, discipleship, servanthood and diversity. A related DVD illustrates the four stories.

Download these new resources or order them through Presbyterian Distribution Service. The PDS numbers are: Study Guide #13102-010-1, DVD #13102-010-2.
We Believe Theology Worship & Education

Order Your "We Believe" Materials

The new "We Believe" curriculum is a hit, according to a report emerging from the Association of Presbyterian Church Educators annual event recently held in Nashville, Tenn. Before developing the new materials, Congregational Ministries Publishing asked educators what was needed in the curriculum and "We Believe" reflects the results of that survey. The materials are deeply Presbyterian, based on scripture and the PC(USA) Book of Confessions, and focus on reformed tradition. Sales are up 15 percent from 2008, reflecting the educators' enthusiasm. See complete details and ordering information online.
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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!