NEBRASKA CHURCH REORGANIZES FOOD PANTRY, RE-ENERGIZES MINISTRY: A church food pantry is not particularly unusual. But it's the way that First Presbyterian Church of North Platte, Neb., organizes and manages its pantry that stands out from the crowd. When it started 25 years ago, the Grace Ministries Food Pantry was an ecumenical effort under a fellowship of ministers. For nearly two decades, the pantry was located in the Presbyterian church, and except for the first few months, the pantry's directors have all been Presbyterian. The complete story can be found at the Presbyterian News Service by clicking "Food Pantry."

NORTH COMO'S GLOBAL HARMONY RAISES CHURCH, SOCIAL JUSTICE AWARENESS: What better way is there to learn about the world and help those in need than by doing what we love? Global Harmony, a community chorus started by North Como Presbyterian Church in Roseville, Minn., does that plus helps grow its church home. Global Harmony Community Chorus was originally put together for a series of concerts in February 2005 to raise money in the wake of the tsunami that struck Southeast Asia in 2004, said Jennifer Anderson, the church's director of music ministry and the director of the chorus. The complete story can be found at the Presbyterian News Service by clicking "Harmony."

JOE SMALL ENCOURAGES COLLEGIAL MINISTRY: "Clergy and laity are two words that should never escape the lips of Presbyterians," the Rev. Joe Small (left) told members of committees on ministry and preparation for ministry, insisting that Presbyterian polity and theology emphasize "collegial ministry." Small, director of the office of Theology Worship and Education for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s General Assembly Mission Council, called the "separation" of ministry "one of the big problems we have in the church today." Ministry within the church needs to be the responsibility of all the leaders - deacons, elders and pastors, Small said, speaking at Christ the King Retreat Center in Buffalo, Minn., during the Synod of Lakes and Prairies' annual training event Jan. 26-28. The complete story can be found on Presbyterian Neighbor News at "Collegial."

 

MINISTERS MARRIED TO MINISTERS FACE UNIQUE CHURCH LIFESTYLE: When the Rev. Sue Krummel (right) talks with minister couples, where both husband and wife sport "the Rev." before their names, she speaks from experience. Krummel, who is general presbyter and stated clerk for the Presbytery of Great Rivers with offices in Peoria, Ill., is married to the Rev. Forrest Krummel, pastor of First Federated Church in Peoria. They've been married for 33 years. The complete story can be found on Presbyterian Neighbor News at "Krummel."

PDA IN GULF COAST LOOKS FOR VOLUNTEERS: The gulf coast is still rebuilding from damage caused by four hurricanes since September 2005 and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance still needs volunteers. Several volunteer positions are open for the summer and fall 2010. Details can be found at "Gulf Coast."

UNITED SEMINARY HOSTS READINGS, REFLECTIONS ON LOVE: United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, New Brighton, Minn., is host to "Readings and Reflections on Love" Thursday, Feb. 11, at 7:30 p.m. in its Bigelow Chapel. The cost of the event is $20 and $10 for students. The evening of music and readings celebrates the universal themes of love. The musical headliner will be local musician Leslie Ball, whose first solo recording, "Loring Park," earned a Minnesota Music Award for best female songwriter. Additional information and registration materials can be found at "Reflections on Love."

UNITED SETS LECTURES IN WOMEN'S STUDIES: The 19th annual Susan Draper White Lecture Series, a program of the Women's Studies Program at United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, New Brighton, Minn., features two lectures by Joyce Mercer (left), professor of practical theology at Virginia Theological Seminary in Alexandria. The lectures, both free and open to the public, take place Monday, March 1, at 7:30 p.m. and Tuesday, March 2, at 11 a.m. Monday's lecture is titled "Girls, God, and Vampires: The Spiritual Lives of Adolescent Girls" and Tuesday's lecture is titled "Fighting Like Girls: Feminist Theological Reflections on Girlhood Faith and Congregational Conflict." The lectures take place in the seminary's Bigelow Chapel. Mercer holds a doctorate from Emory University where she focused on issues of faith, gender and violence in the lives of adolescent girls. She also holds a doctorate from McCormick Theological Seminary, Chicago.

PRESBYTERIAN WRITERS CONFERENCE PLANNED IN APRIL: Following up on its well-attended 2009 event, the Presbyterian Writers Guild the has announced that the Presbyterian Writers Conference for 2010 will be held April 28-29, at the Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville, Tenn. The conference, which is aimed at helping writers produce marketable articles or books, develop a freelance career, and "impact the world with their words," will again feature prolific Presbyterian author Cecil Murphey. The complete story can be found at the Presbyterian News Service by clicking "Writers."

PENSIONS BOARD PUBLISHES TAX GUIDE FOR MINISTERS, CHURCHES: The "Tax Guide for Ministers & Churches" is now available in the Tax Resource Center on the website of the Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). It was also mailed to active and retired ministers at the end of January. Written by church tax expert Richard R. Hammar, the guide provides recent tax information for active and retired ministers. The Tax Resource Center also has additional tax resources, including the "Federal Reporting Requirements for Churches" booklet.

NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES OFFERS EARTH DAY RESOURCES: The National Council of Churches Eco-Justice Program has produced Earth Day resources for April 2010. The resource, "Sacred Spaces and an Abundant Life," urges congregations to make wise stewardship decisions regarding their worship space. The goal is for churches to begin to implement changes to care for creation and then to celebrate the steps for Earth Day April 22. The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) version of the resource can be found at Eco-Justice.

RETIRED PRESBYTERIAN PASTOR OFFERS TECH TIPS: Retired Presbyterian pastor Tom Davis has turned a computer hobby of two decades into a small business that specializes photography, videography and website design. At CyperKen there are articles and instructional videos about easy-to-use and inexpensive resources and techniques for Web users.