Learning Opportunity for Interim Pastors and Executives

The Synod of Lincoln Trails and the Synod of Mid-America (MALT) have joined together to offer specialized training for pastors and others who are interested in serving as interim pastors and middle governing body executives.

The next interim pastor training session will take place Nov. 1-5 in Saint Louis. Basic training consists of 60 contact hours plus a practicum. The contact hours are divided into two 30-hour residency weeks separated by the practicum. Both the first and the second residency weeks are available during the Nov. 1-5 session. Visit the Lincoln Trails website for more information: www.lincolntrails.org/InterimPastorTraining. Deadline to register for this fall's session is Oct. 4.

Those who have completed interim pastor training may wish to continue their training with MALT's interim executive training. The next interim executive training session is Nov. 5-9. Visit the Lincoln Trails website for more information: www.lincolntrails.org/InterimExecutiveTraining. Deadline to register for this fall's session is Oct. 8.

Ours is a world in which transportation is becoming extremely costly (as was highlighted by the massive costs of the BP oil spill) and yet at the same time is a world that is becoming increasingly urban. Common sense would seem to indicate that these trends will impact in a major way our food systems and the way we eat. Given these factors, what is the church's redemptive role in caring for the health and wholeness (shalom) of not just humanity, but all creation?

Englewood Christian Church has invited several speakers with rich experiences in sustainable agriculture to lead a conversation reflecting on this question and related ones about church, place, food, community and agriculture, and they invite you to join them.

Keynote speakers:

Registration and more info here: http://englewoodcc.com/rooted or contact Chris Smith, ccsmith@gmail.com of Englewood Christian Church, Indianapolis.

Thursday, Nov. 4, 1 to 4 p.m., North United Methodist Church (3808 North Meridian Street, Indianapolis)

In 2011, Lilly Endowment's Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations will again provide as many as 40 grants of up to $50,000 to congregations in the state of Indiana for the support of renewal programs for their pastors.

Pastors, spouses and lay leaders from congregations located in the state of Indiana who are interested in applying for a grant next year are invited to attend an information meeting regarding this opportunity.

Register no later than Tuesday, November 2, at indianaclergyrenewal@yahoo.com or by calling (317) 916-7350. Include:

Detailed information about the Clergy Renewal Program for Indiana Congregations, including the application material, is available on the Lilly Endowment website: www.indianaclergy.org.  It is recommended that meeting participants download and read the 2011 application brochure and bring a copy to the meeting.