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!
|
|
|
|
Spanish-language Lay Training at Louisville Seminary Provides Biblical, Theological Education, Contextual Curriculum
by Toya Richards, freelance writer and LPTS student
The need to minister to the ever-growing population of Spanish-speaking people in the south central United States has resulted in a collaborative lay training program organized by the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) and Louisville Presbyterian Theological Seminary.
"Latinos are the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States," said the Rev. Antonio (Tony) Aja, coordinator of Hispanic/Latino Ministries for Mid-Kentucky Presbytery. The south central region has seen a considerable portion of that growth, he said.
This program is vital to training bi-vocation lay leaders to help meet the spiritual needs of this population, most of whom are immigrants and many of whom are undocumented, Aja said.
Begun in fall 2010, the year-and-a-half program offers a commissioned lay pastor track as well as basic training to provide biblical and theological proficiency for congregational leadership. The program also uses a curriculum contextualized for the area, Aja said.
Read the entire article...
|
 | | Carol McDonald |
From the Synod Executive
Who Are We Now?
by Carol McDonald
I returned late last evening from the January meeting of the Synod Executive Forum. Three times each year, those of us called to this work gather to share experiences, discuss challenges, and to support one another. Meeting in New Orleans, we heard from the pastor of St. Charles Avenue Presbyterian Church about how the city and its churches are faring post-Katrina. We heard from Jill Hudson and Terry Newland about the progress of the Commission on Middle Governing Bodies. We remembered our friend and colleague Clint McCoy who died unexpectedly in September. We said good-bye by phone to two colleagues who have begun new ministries (including Dave Crittenden!) and spoke our face-to-face farewells to our Synod of the Sun colleague, Judy Fletcher.
As I reflect on that gathering, it occurs to me that the word for this decade is "transition!" The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has 16 synods. At least half of them have executive leadership that is transitional, interim, or for specific terms. Several others are seeking interim or transitional leadership. Others, due to staffing changes, such as Lincoln Trails, are engaged in discernment of future mission and ministry. And within each of our synods, there are presbyteries asking the same questions: who are we now? And, more importantly, what is God calling us to be and do as we move into the future?
As I listened to story after story of governing bodies in transition, it was comforting to be reminded that, as the Synod of Lincoln Trails, we are not in this alone. Sisters and brothers all across the denomination are engaged in the same conversations and, if we're willing and open, we can learn with and from one another. It promises to be an exciting decade!
Keeping the thought of "transition" before us...the synod's discernment team met for its first meeting on Jan. 10. In the weeks to come, each presbytery will be contacted by its team member and asked to provide input for the team's reflection and process. At the synod assembly on Jan. 28, our standing committees will be asked for thoughts and opinions. The Synod Collegium (executive and general presbyters) will be asked to participate. The discernment team is seeking comments and viewpoints from a broad cross section of folks in this synod. My prayer is that if you are asked, you will respond; if you have something to say, but are not asked directly, you will make contact with your presbytery's team member.
And as January continues to unfold, may the goodness of God keep you warm!
|
|
Empowered Parenting Conference
Bloomington, Ill. Churches Join to Offer Parenting Conference
 | Tim
Stafford |
Raising children requires compassion, strength and a lot of love-but it doesn't require a cookie-cutter mindset. At the Empowered Parenting Conference, held at Second Presbyterian Church in Bloomington on Feb. 5, parents will be equipped for their task of parenting and encouraged to raise Christian kids with their own unique family culture. Keynote speakers Tim and Popie Stafford of Santa Rosa, California, will discuss the gift of family culture and how parents can use this personal resource to be the primary faithshapers in their kids lives.  | Popie
Stafford |
Throughout the day, parents or parents-to-be, with families of all shapes and sizes, will be encouraged to reflect on their own family, given tools for assessing their family culture and be equipped with practical ideas for passing on important values like boundaries and grace. The Empowered Parenting Conference is co-sponsored by Second Presbyterian Church, First Presbyterian Church, Calvary United Methodist Church and St. John's Lutheran Church. Tickets are $15 per person and include lunch. More information... |
  Synod 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, kristi@lincolntrails.org.
|
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.
|
Scholarships Available for Evangelism Conference PTS will offer a three-day conference Feb. 28 through March 2, designed to provide pastors and lay leaders with the theological insight, inspiration, and practical ideas needed to revitalize their congregations. More information...
PTS and PC(USA) Presbyteries Collaborate to Offer Officer Training and Leadership Training Monmouth Presbytery, the Presbytery of Elizabeth, the Presbytery of New Brunswick and Princeton Theological Seminary will offer "Equipping the Saints," a day of training for officers and leaders of the church on Saturday, Jan. 22. This program is offered at no cost, but participants eating lunch at Mackay Campus Center will be charged $10. Download a registration booklet.
|
|
|
|
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! |
|
|
