The Synod of Lincoln Trails met for its second stated meeting of 2012 on Saturday, July 21, 2012 at The Philo Presbyterian Church, Philo, IL. Highlights of the day included:  

• Introduction and exploration of the Theme for 2012-13: "Possibilities for the Heartland"
  • a viewing of the DVD "The Art of Possibility" based on the book by the same name authored by Benjamin and Rosamund Zander
  • Testimonies from three members of the synod who "spoke possibility:" Bill Lawser whose scripture passage was Hebrews 11; Laurie Williams, whose text was Revelation 21; and Marylynn Boatright, whose passage was Jeremiah 29
  • Each commissioner will receive a copy of the Zanders' book and will read it before the October synod meeting
• Heard the report of the Synod Executive who shared General Assembly actions related to synod and who shared details of the "Heartland Resource Network" - a collaboration among the synods of Lincoln Trails, Lakes and Prairies, and Mid-America
• Voted to endorse the "Heartland Resource Network"
• Voted to contribute $5,000 to JUST.GOOD.FOOD - the mission project of the Heartland Resource Connection
• Received a hopeful and positive report from the Synod Administrative Commission for the Presbytery of Midwest Hanmi - including the news that, on February 13, the Presbytery was restored to original jurisdiction with the exception of all issues surrounding one particular congregation
• Unanimously elected Doug Tracy to a second 2-year term as Stated Clerk of the Synod, effective January 1, 2013
• Voted to maintain the Synod Per Capita at $3.81 for the 4th consecutive year
• Established meeting dates for 2013: March 1, July 20 and either October 25 or 26
• And, as always, experienced genuine hospitality and enjoyed a fabulous lunch prepared by the women of the Philo Church

The next meeting of the Synod will be October 26-27, 2012. This overnight gathering will focus on "the possibilities for my leadership" as part of the continuing theme "Possibilities for the Heartland."

Assembly Committee Rejects Proposal for Non-Geographic Presbyteries 

Mid Councils Issues Recommends Referral of Move to Eliminate Synods as Ecclesiastical Units

Jerry L. Van Marter

GA220 Communication Center

PITTSBURGH -- The Assembly Committee on Mid Council Issues has recommended that the 220th General Assembly disapprove a proposal that would allow "the formation of provisional nongeographic presbyteries for particular missional purposes." The vote was 34-15.

The committee added a comment thanking the General Assembly Mid Councils Commission (GAMCC) - which brought the proposal - for its exhaustive work over the last two years and encouraging mid councils to continue to seek creative ways to collaborate across presbytery and synod boundaries.

The committee recommended that another GAMCC proposal - to eliminate synods as ecclesiastical units of the PC(USA) be referred to a task force composed of members of the Committee on the Office of the General Assembly, the GAMCC and commissioners to this General Assembly. The vote on the referral was 37-14.

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

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

• Presbytery of Blackhawk
• Presbytery of Chicago
• Presbytery of Great Rivers
• Presbytery of Ohio Valley
• Presbytery of Southeastern Illinois
• Presbytery of Wabash Valley
• Presbytery of Whitewater Valley  

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