January 3, 2011

Developing, Nurturing
& Supporting Leaders
Mark Your Calendar!

Belhar Confession Workshop
Jan. 15, 2011
Elmhurst, Ill.

Synod of Lincoln Trails Quarterly Meeting
Jan. 28, 2011
Urbana, Ill.

CLP Continuing Education
Lent & Easter
Synod of Lincoln Trails
Feb. 12, 2011
Philo, Ill.

Third Annual Institute for Multicultural Ministry
Feb. 17-19, 2011
Princeton Theological Seminary, N.J.

2011 Zenos Lectures
Gench: Engaging Tyrannical Texts
McCormick Theological Seminary
Feb. 21, 2011
Chicago

Institute for Pastoral Leadership
Feb. 28 - March 4, 2011
Princeton Theological Seminary, N.J.

Second Annual Institute for Faith and Public Life
March 10-12, 2011
Princeton Theological Seminary, N.J.

Synod of Lincoln Trails Quarterly Meeting
April 30, 2011
Philo, Ill.

MALT Training for Interim Pastors
May 16-20, 2011
St. Louis, Mo.

CLP Continuing Education
Pentecost I
Synod of Lincoln Trails
June 4, 2011
Philo, Ill.

PC(USA) Big Tent
June 30 - July 2, 2011
Indianapolis

Covenant Gathering
July 3-9, 2011
Hillsdale, Mich.

Synod of Lincoln Trails Quarterly Meeting
July 29, 2011
Urbana, Ill.

CLP Continuing Education
Pentecost II
Synod of Lincoln Trails
Aug. 20, 2011
Philo, Ill.

Synod of Lincoln Trails Quarterly Meeting
October 29, 2011
Philo, Ill.

CLP Continuing Education
Advent/Christmas/Epiphany Year B
Synod of Lincoln Trails
Nov. 5, 2011
Philo, Ill.

Check our website or contact the synod office for details!
Visit us on Facebook!

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

Carol McDonald, Synod Executive
Carol McDonald
From the Synod Executive

"I know the plans I have for you..."

by Carol McDonald
 
Writing the title "executive" without the prefix "co" feels very strange as I look back at 2010 and ahead to 2011. One thing it reminds me of is that when a year begins, we can never be absolutely sure of what will transpire. We can hope; we can dream; we can plan; we can even make lists. But in the end, as we look back, we realize that someone far greater than you and me has been in charge!
 
As I look back over 2010, my overwhelming emotion is gratitude! I am grateful for wise and intuitive doctors and for the care of nurses and practitioners and aides. I am grateful for the personnel committee of the Synod of Lincoln Trails, and to all our commissioners and committee members who continually encouraged me to put health before meetings and reports. I am thankful for wonderful colleagues in Suite 210 at 1100 West 42nd Street, Indianapolis, and for amazing executive and general presbyters (and one presbyter for common life!).

But most of all I am grateful for family and friends who have walked with me, prayed for me, encouraged me, suppported me, and cared for me. Saying good-bye to a trusted friend and colleague, Dave Crittenden, brought sadness and some anxiety to the conclusion of 2010. But for Dave's gifts shared with the Synod of Lincoln Trails and with me - and all of his colleagues - I will always be grateful!
 
As I look forward, I see an exciting year for the Synod of Lincoln Trails. The prophet Jeremiah says to the people in exile, "I know the plans I have for you..." (ch.29) and though I have no idea exactly what God's plans are for us in Lincoln Trails, I do believe and know in my heart and soul that:
  • the discernment team appointed by moderator Eddie Knox, and staffed by consultant Tim Jones, will work diligently to discern the synod's future mission and ministry;
  • the faithful commissioners who continue, and those who will come to this new responsibility, will challenge us to be faithful to God's calling;
  • our new moderator, the Rev. Christina Berry of Blackhawk Presbytery and our new stated clerk, the Rev. Dr. Douglas Tracy of Ohio Valley Presbytery, will provide us stable and effective leadership;
  • our executive assistants, Judy and Kristi, and our contract staff, Marta and Bill, will continue to provide excellent staff resourcing to the synod and its presbyteries;
  • the office partnership with the Presbytery of Whitewater Valley will continue to grow;
  • we will continue to seek partnerships with our presbyteries, other synods, congregations, and the General Assembly;
  • God will be with us in this transition as God has always been with us!
Looking back into 2010, I am grateful. Looking forward to 2011, I am filled with hope. Thanks be to God!
McCormick Theological Seminary Continuing Education

McCormick Theological Seminary and Lincoln Trails Collaborate on Belhar Confession Workshop

Event Rescheduled for January 15, 2011. There's still time to register!

The workshop will meet from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Elmhurst (Ill.) Presbyterian Church. Cost is $15. Registration deadline is January 12.

More information...
CLPContEdSynod to Offer CLP Continuing Education in 2011

Lincoln Trails will offer four Saturday classes for next year as part of its continuing education classes for commissioned lay pastors. The Rev. Dr. Laura Reason, pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Highland, Ind., will be the instructor. Classes include:


� Lent & Easter, Feb. 12, 2011

� Pentecost I, June 4, 2011

� Pentecost II, Aug. 20, 2011

� Advent/Christmas/Epiphany Year B, Nov. 5, 2011


Classes will be held at Philo (Ill.) Presbyterian Church. For more information, contact Kristi Miller at the synod office, 800-566-5996/317-923-3681, [email protected].

Dave Crittenden
Dave Crittenden
A Message from Dave Crittenden


To my friends and colleagues in the Synod of Lincoln Trails:


I want to thank the Presbyterians of the Synod of Lincoln Trails for making the last sixteen years of my service to Christ a fantastic adventure. My years of serving on the synod staff as associate and then co-executive have been truly blessed. My time with you has been fun, challenging, rewarding, and fulfilling. I will remember those I have been fortunate to work with as elected or volunteer members of committees and synod commissioners. I thank you for what you taught me and that you choose to fulfill your calling by giving of your time and talents to the Synod of Lincoln Trails. A lot has changed and a lot has been accomplished in the last sixteen years. God has worked through us and with us.


I would like to extend a special thank you to the synod staff and the staff of the presbyteries in our synod. A large percentage of the staff that was serving their respective governing bodies when I started over sixteen years ago are still serving in the same governing body. I thank each of you for your collaboration, support, and caring. You have been good friends and fantastic colleagues. The synod staff is a very collegial team. I will miss the fun we had working together more than the work we did.


I take this opportunity to extend a very special thank you to my colleague and fellow co-executive, Carol McDonald. We worked together as part of a four-person team when I began my time with the synod. I think the vision of co-executives grew out of that team. We were a part of the first co-executive team, first three and then two. We learned together what the title meant as we lived out the vision. I thank Carol for being patient with me, for teaching me and being a co-learner. As I go to a new call and different work I will probably miss our collaboration the most.


We know that the Presbyterian family is much smaller than statistics indicate. We will see each other and maybe work together in the future. I am not leaving the family just moving to another part of the whole. May God continue to guide us and bless all that we do individually and collectively. May the grace of our Lord, Jesus Christ continue to be with us as we choose to continue to follow his lead.

PC(USA) Self-Development of PeopleGrants for Low-Income Groups Available from Denomination

The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s Self-Development of People (SDOP) program will hold a series of free workshops across the country during 2011 for grassroots groups interested in applying for grants to aid community organizations. The first workshop will be held in Columbus, Ohio on February 10, where groups can learn how to apply for the grants. To attend, RSVP to Mary Lewis. Self-Development of People is a ministry of the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering.
Training for Interim Pastors Coming in May 2011

The Synods of Mid-America and Lincoln Trails (MALT) have joined together to provide interim training to pastors nationwide. The next interim pastor training will be May 16-20, 2011. Registration deadline is April 18.

Read more about MALT interim pastor training
Download an Interim Pastor Training brochure
Download an Interim Pastor Training registration form

PC(USA) Evangelism & Church Growth
PC(USA) Offers New Resources for Making Disciples


A new monthly communication from Evangelism & Church Growth ministries will connect you to the life-transforming power of Jesus Christ. Ministry Apps: Resources to Satisfy the Hunger for a Better Church will inspire disciple-making and equip leaders for ministry in the 21st century. In the first issue, in January of 2011, leaders will engage in Jesus' question, "Who do you say that I am?" To satisfy your hunger for a better church, sign up today to receive your Ministry Apps.

McCormick Theological Seminary Continuing Education

Frances Taylor Gench to "Engage Tyrannical Texts" in 2011 Zenos Lectures

Presentations at 1 and 4 p.m. on Feb. 21 at McCormick Theological Seminary. Free and open to the public.
question mark
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!