February 28, 2012

Developing, Nurturing
& Supporting Leaders

Mark Your Calendar!
  

Synod of Lincoln Trails

2012 Meetings


July 21

Philo Presbyterian Church

Philo, IL

 

October 26-27

Philo Presbyterian Church

Philo, IL

 

 _______________ 

 


April 17-18, 2012

Reading of the

Presbytery Minutes

Eastland Suites

Urbana, IL

 

 

May 7-11, 2012

Interim Pastor Training

Mercy Center

St. Louis, MO

 

 

May 12, 2012

GA Commissioner Training

Location: TBD

 

 

May 18-19, 2012

CRE Continuing Education

Champaign/Urbana

 

 

June 30-July 7, 2012

General Assembly

Pittsburgh, PA

 

 

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

Heartland Region of the APA Meeting

April 20-21, 2012

 

 

The Heartland Region of the APA (Administrative Personnel Association of the PC U.S.A.) is holding its regional meeting April 20-21, 2012, at the Clarion Hotel & Conference Center in Columbus, Ohio. Do yourself and those you work with a favor by encouraging their attendance to see what APA can do for them and you. You will find a link to the conference brochure by clicking the following www.pcusa-apa.org/heartland.htm.
 
 
  
What has the Administrative Personnel Association (APA) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) done for me?
 
By Judith A. Lucas, Executive Assistant
Synod of Lincoln Trails and
President-Elect Heartland Region APA
 
 
"What has APA done for you and why should I support and encourage others to attend the APA?" I get that question all the time from colleagues and peers. I am in my 27th year of service to the Synod of Lincoln Trails and a card carrying member of the APA since 1990. I am currently working on Level III certification and have been elected to the position of President-Elect of the Heartland Region (MI; OH; IN; & KY). 

Well here are just a few of my responses in no particular order:
  • Working in an environment that embraces the Church and those in it
  • Increased knowledge of what I was hired to do and why I do it
  • Learn more efficient and effective ways to do what I do
  • Learn what it means to be Presbyterian
  • Connecting with others across the country who do what I do
  • Developing friendships and networking
  • Learning to think outside the box
  • Getting me out of my comfort zone
  • Meeting Presbyterian executives across the denomination
  • Making use of budget dollars provided for Study Leave
  • Attending Presbyterian Worship Services (being of catholic faith)
  • Opportunity to travel the country
  • Being able to give back to the organization that has supported me for 27 years

I am so grateful for those who have encouraged my learning and developing of skills throughout my tenure with the Synod of Lincoln Trails and those who continue to let me grow in ways that I didn't even know existed. I am definitely a better person and employee for participating in the APA and I look forward to many more years of growth and service in the denomination and the Administrative Personnel Association. Feel free to contact me judy@lincolntrails.org with any questions.

 


 
Commissioned Ruling Elder Continuing Education Offered by the Synod of Lincoln Trails

 

The Synod of Lincoln Trails is offering continued education to commissioned ruling elders. The Rev. Dr. Laura Reason, pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Highland, Ind. will lead participants through the sacred seasons of the luturgical year. Dr. Reason is a eight-time teacher of preaching and worship leadership to Synod of Lincoln Trails ruling elders.

 
CRE ConEd Dates:
May 18-19, 2012 - N-Fog Interpretation and Pentecost I - Year B
August 18, 2012 - Preaching and Worship, Pentecost II - Year B
Nov. 2-3, 2012 - "What I Want to Know Is..." and Preaching &
                          Worship, Advent/Christmas/Epiphany - Year C
 

"The Art of Transitional Ministry"

Interim Pastor Training

 

May 7-11, 2012

Mercy Center

St. Louis, MO

Registration deadline: April 9

 

Interim/Transitional Ministry Education is intended for those presently engaged in interim or transitional ministry and those inquiring about this ministry. Committee on Ministry members and presbytery staff persons with responsibility for contregations in transition will also find the education helpful.

 

Read the brochure or download the registration form (registration requires signature from your Executive Presbyter or Committee on Ministry moderator).

 

 

  

Our journey through Lent

To the pastors and congregations of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)

  

 

Grace and peace to you in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
 
 

As followers of Christ, our journey through Lent has begun. Originally a time of instruction and preparation for baptism of those who were new to the Christian faith, we know it as a season for reflection and rededication of one's faith in preparation for Jesus' cruxifixion, death, and resurrection on Easter morning.

  

More...

 

GAMC recommends divestment from Caterpillar, Motorola, Hewlett-Packard

GA asked to shed stock 'until they have ceased profiting from non-peaceful activities in israel-palestine' 

 

by Jerry L. Van Marter

Presbyterian News Service

 

LOUISVILLE -- The General Assembly Mission Council (GAMC) is recommending that the upcoming 220th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) divest the church of its stock in three companies "until they have ceased profiting from non-peaceful activities in Israel-Palestine.

 

The three companies are Caterpillar, Motorola Solutions and Hewlett-Packard.

 

More...   

_______________________________________

  

 

Cover designs for new hymnal released

'Glory to God' to be published in Red, Purple

  

by Bethany Furkin

Presbyterian News Service

 

Louisville, KY -- The Presbyterian Publishing Corporation has released the cover design of "Glory to God," the new Presbyterian hymnal to be published in the fall of 2013.

 

"Glory to God" will be the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s first new hymnal since 1990. The Presbyterian Committee on Congregational Song (PCOCS), formed in 2008, will submit a final list of hymns to the 220th General Assembly this summer.

 

More...

 _______________________________________ 

  

 

Yamada says church must focus on multiple futures

'The view from 2040' is theme of McCormick President's inaugural

 

by Jerry L. Van Marter

Presbyterian News Service 

 

CHICAGO -- By 2040 there will be no majority racial ethnic group in the United States, so theologians and seminaries must lead the way in "helping us see our futures in the plural lest we die in our lack of understanding of each other," said the Rev. Frank Yamada in his inaugural address Feb. 8 as the 10th president of McCormick Theologial Seminary.

 

More...

 

_______________________________________

 

 

Commission calls for national racial ethnic ministries task force

Eliminating Synods - Bastions of Advocacy - is 'last straw' for some

 

by Jerry L. Van Marter

Presbyterian News Service

 

DALLAS -- The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) Mid-Council Commission is recommending to the upcoming 220th General Assembly that a National Racial Ethnic Ministries Task Force be created "to exclusively review, assess and explore the call to, responsibility in and vision for racial ethnic ministry within the PC(USA.)"

 

More...

 

_______________________________________

  

 

John Buchanan tapped for top Writers Guild award

Chicago Pastor honored for books, sermons and Christian Century columns

 

by Jerry L. Van Marter

Presbyterian News Service

 

LOUISVILLE -- The Rev. John M. Buchanan, who has informed and inspired generations of American Christians through his books, sermons and weekly columns as editor/publisher of the progressive ecumenical journal The Christian Century, has been named winner of the 2012 David Steele Distinguished Writer Award (DSDWA) by the Presbyterian Writers Guild (PWG).

 

More... 

 


  

  

 

 

 

Continuing Education Opportunities for 2012-2013

 

Certificate in Executive Leadership: This highly acclaimed Certificate in Executive Leadership program equips pastors and other key leaders of Christian institutions, both congregations and broader church or non-profit systems, with the skills and abilities vital for effective leadership in today's rapidly changing landscape.  The program emphasizes the development of adaptive and transformational skills, and draws on contemporary leadership theory and practice, as well as McCormick's recognized excellence in providing theological education and its thirty-five years of experience in organizational development and leadership education. 

  

 

Pyoca Turns 60!

 

Pyoca is celebrating a milestone year. 60 years of outdoor ministry and serving the people in Whitewater Valley and Ohio Valley Presbyteries! Literally thousands of people have had a faith changing experience at Pyoca!


March 12-14, 2012

Charlotte, North Carolina

 

Click here for conference updates, a downloadable registration form and information about online registration and payment.

 

Geneva Center Summer Staff

Applications being accepted...

 

Love kids?

This is the summer job for you!

We are looking for:  

  • Counselors
  • Certified lifeguards 
  • Young people who love kids and the outdoors

 Click here for an application.

 


 
 

Find out what's happening within the presbyteries of the Synod of Lincoln Trails. Click on links below to read the newsletters. 

 

Monthly Newsletter from the Board of Pensions

Benefits Connect Tip

 

Benefits Connect offers active members, retirees, surviving spouses, and church treasurers and business administrators secure access to important and useful tools. To learn how Benefits Connect can save you time and put the personalized information you want at your fingertips, visit the new Benefits Connect page on Pensions.org.

 

More...