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| News around the Synod of Lakes and Prairies | |
 DAKOTA, BALTIMORE PRESBYTERIES ENTER INTO AGREEMENT: Dakota and Baltimore presbyteries formally entered into the Baltimore Dakota Learning Camp partnership when Dakota Presbytery met earlier this month. Churches within Baltimore Presbytery have shared in mutual-learning partnerships with churches in Dakota Presbytery since 1997, the agreement noted. Since 2003 Hau Kola and Hau Koda Learning Camps, an outreach program of Baltimore Presbytery, have been conducted in partnership with five churches of Dakota Presbytry. The camps honor and nurture the lives of children, youth and adults through the educational partnership. The camps grew out of a tutoring project that started as an afternoon component of a morning vacation Bible school project on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota. Additional information about the camps can be found at "Hau Kola/Hau Koda."
EAST IOWA PRESBYTERIANS ASSIST IN FLOOD RE-CONSTRUCTION: Marue White, associate for communications in the Presbytery of East Iowa, wrote in a recent edition of Out and About, the presbytery's newsletter: "Twenty-two Presbyterians from Bettendorf, Cedar Rapids, Iowa City, LeClaire, Manchester, Marion and Mt. Vernon gathered early on the morning of the presbytery meeting to participate in a day of service. Four teams were dispatched to four homes on the southwest and northwest sides of Cedar Rapids to work on flood re-construction under the direction of Church World Service, its partners including the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), and two local organizations, the Linn Area Long-Term Recovery Coalition and Block-by-Block. Another group of volunteers put together 70 snack bags at First Presbyterian Church. Wooden planks set down end to end like dominos formed the path to the front door ... " The complete story can be found at "Re-construction."
IOWA GROUP RECEIVES RECOGNITION FOR ITS DISASTER WORK: The Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council has received national recognition for its work following the tornadoes and floods of 2008. The IDHRC received the 2010 Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD) of the Year award on May 11. Among its many accomplishments, the IDHRC was recognized for the work it has done to strengthen the ability of local communities and the VOAD to respond to disaster events of any size and for developing a collaborative network of organizations to respond to the needs of Iowans affected by large scale disasters. The National VOAD Board of Directors selected the IDHRC for the award from 55 state and territory organizations. Don Hampton, long-term recovery chair of the IDHRC and a response team member of Presbyterian Disaster Assistance, was among council members who accepted the award. The Iowa Disaster Human Resource Council is comprised of faith-based and voluntary agency representatives from throughout the state as well as representatives from key government agencies.
MARY KES RECOVERS AT HOME FROM SURGERY: Mary Kes, the office manager for the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, underwent knee-replacement surgery May 11 and is now recovering at home. She is currently doing exercises at home and taking part in physical therapy sessions twice a week. She is not expected to return to the office until at least June 28. Cards may be sent to her at 1124 Aston Place, Burnsville, MN 55337-6702. |
| News about the 219th General Assembly | |
OUTLOOK PLANS FIVE WEBINARS ON HIGH-INTEREST GA ITEMS: The Presbyterian Outlook is sponsoring five webinars on Tuesdays in June that will address potentially contentious issues coming up at the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) in Minneapolis July 3-10. The webinars open Tuesday, June 1, with a briefing on "Breaking Down the Walls" - the Report of the Middle East Study Committee. Following are "New Form of Government" on June 8, "Ordination Standards (Fidelity/Chastity)" on June 15, "Christian Marriage-Civil Union" on June 22, and "Christians ... and Jews ... and Muslims" on June 29. The webinars are free for all General Assembly commissioners and delegates. For other the cost per webinar is $9.85. All five webinars can be ordered for $34.95. All webinars are scheduled a 1 p.m. CDT. The webinars can be ordered online at The Presbyterian Outlook.
CALIFORNIA PASTOR IS 6TH TO STAND FOR MODERATOR: A sixth candidate has announced her intention to stand for moderator of the 219th General Assembly the of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), which meets in Minneapolis July 3-10. The Rev. Julia Leeth is pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Lompoc, Calif. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "6th Candidate."
 NUMEROUS MISSION, CULTURAL TOURS SLATED DURING GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Numerous mission and cultural tours are being offered by the Committee on Local Arrangements of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that takes place in Minneapolis July 3-10. Tours range from the Dead Sea Scrolls, on display at the Science Museum of Minnesota, to a canoe trip on the Mississippi River to the "underground railroad" in Minnesota. A list of the tours and registration information can be found on the COLA website.
DEAD SEA SCROLLS EXHIBIT AT MUSEUM DURING GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Presbyterians who are heading to Minnesota for the 219th General Assembly July 3-10 can also use the trip to take advantage of local attractions. The Committee on Local Arrangements has identified an exhibit that might be of interest to visiting Presbyterians - the Dead Sea Scrolls. The Dead Sea Scrolls are on exhibit at the Science Museum of Minnesota in St. Paul. As the oldest hand-scribed Bible, the 2,000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls represent a story with deep religious, historic and cultural significance. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Dead Sea Scrolls."
COMMITTEE ON LOCAL ARRANGEMENTS STILL SEEKS VOLUNTEERS: The 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) takes place at the Minneapolis Convention Center July 3-10 and there are many ways take part and to help. The Committee on Local Arrangements is looking for opening worship choir members, youth volunteers and prayer partners. Check out the Committee on Local Arrangements' site. Those who want to find official General Assembly information, such as committee moderators and vice moderators, committee membership and overtures to the Assembly, can find it at "General Assembly."
COMMITTEE WORKS TO MAKE SURE MEETING SPACES ARE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL: Many Presbyterians will converge on Minneapolis for the 219th General Assembly July 3-10, and the Committee on Local Arrangements aims to help make the experience run smoothly for all. Assembly participants with special needs are encouraged to visit the special assistance booth near the registration area in the Minneapolis Convention Center. The booth will offer plenty of resources, such as wheelchair repair information and contacts for medical, dental, pharmacy, grocery, pet care and optical services. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Accessibility."
YOUTH GROUPS INVITED TO VOLUNTEER FOR GENERAL ASSEMBLY: For the first time, youth groups in the host presbyteries and around the country are being invited to participate as volunteers for 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), according to the Rev. Paula Sanders, executive coordinator of the Assembly's Committee on Local Arrangements. General Assembly runs July 3-10 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. A work group appointed by the COLA has worked to set a policy that both protects youth and allows for a broad variety of youth volunteer participation, Sanders pointed out. The complete Presbyterian Neighbor News story can be found at "Youth Volunteers."
 CLEARWATER DESIGNATED A RECIPIENT OF OPENING WORSHIP OFFERING: Presbyterian Clearwater Forest, a camp and conference center ministry of the presbyteries of the Twin Cities Area, Northern Waters and Minnesota Valleys, and the Synod of Lakes and Prairies, has been designated as one of three recipients of the offering collected during opening worship of the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). Clearwater Forest provides summer-camp experiences for hundreds of youth each year and thousands of adults throughout the year. Other recipients of the offering are the Global Alliance Against Traffic in Women and two new ventures of the PC(USA) Office of Collegiate Ministries. Opening worship takes place Sunday, July 4, in the Minneapolis Convention Center, site of the General Assembly.
PC(USA) STATED CLERK ISSUES 'HOPES' FOR 219TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY: Gradye Parsons, stated clerk of the General Assembly has released his greatest hopes for the 219th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that takes place in Minneapolis July 3-10. The complete list can be found at "Greatest Hopes." |
| Education: Institutions and Resources | |
UDTS OFFERS MASTER'S DEGREE IN MISSIONAL CHRISTIANITY: The University of Dubuque (Iowa) Theological Seminary, the only seminary directly associated with a Presbyterian-related university, has a new two-year master's degree program in missional Christianity. The degree is designed for those who feel called to Christian vocations such as mission worker, youth leader, parish nurse or para-church leadership. More information about the degree can be found at the seminary's website.
UNITED SEMINARY LISTS SUMMER INSTITUTE IN SPIRITUALITY, ARTS: Looking for a sabbatical or summer study opportunity? Interested in learning in community with the lens of the arts and spirituality as a focus? United Theological Seminary of the Twin Cities, New Brighton, Minn., is offering a four-day Summer Insititute in Spirituality and Arts that may be the right place. The three workshops offered this year are "Leadership and Creativity: Claiming the Artist Within," led by Chuck and Peg Carlson-Hoffman;"Writing and the Spirit: Engaging the Imagination," led by Pamela Wynn;and "Compelling Creative Worship: Preparing for Pentecost for Fall 2010," led by Theresa Mason. Additional information can be found at "Summer Institute." A Summer Institute brochure is also available.
MCCORMICK SEMINARY PRESIDENT ANNOUNCES RETIREMENT: The Rev. Cynthia M. Campbell, president of McCormick Theological Seminary and the longest-serving president of the 10 seminaries associated with the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), has announced her intention to retire from that position on or before Dec. 31, 2011. Campbell, who became the first woman PC(USA) seminary president when she began her tenure at McCormick on Jan. 1, 1995, will assume the title of president emerita when she concludes her service. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "McCormick." |
| Conferences and other activities | |  ARMSS CONVENTION PLANNED IN MINNESOTA IN SEPTEMBER: Featuring worship, plenary sessions, workshops and excursions, the 14th annual convention of the Association of Retired Ministers, their Spouses or Survivors takes place at the Ramada Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn., Thursday through Sunday, Sept. 9-12. The convention has the theme, "Called to a Lifetime of Service: God's Plan or Ours," and "focuses on the fact that God calls us not just for a portion of our lives, but for the whole of our lives," the Rev. Ellen Davis, convention chair, wrote in the organization's newsletter. In addition to the planned activities, the convention will offer the opportunity for informal conversations and gatherings, giving members and friends of ARMSS the freedom to connect and reconnect. The registration fee until Aug. 17 is $125 plus a $20 membership fee for those who are not currently members. After Aug. 17 the registration fee is $175. The convention registration form is located on Page 9 of the ARMSS newsletter. Additional information is also available by contacting Ginny Nyhuis, Box 700311, Oostberg, WI 53070 (gnyhuis@verizon.net) or the Rev. Ellen Davis, 1540 Garret Lane, #204, Lincoln, NE 68512 (edavis11@neb.rr.com). |
| News around the PC(USA) | |
GAMC APPROVES RE-ORGANIZATION OF PC(USA)'S MISSION ENTERPRISE: The General Assembly Mission Council approved reorganization of the mission program of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) that its executive director, Linda Valentine, said "reflects healthy change that is adaptive to trends in the church and the world, and that is consistent with projected resources." As part of the reorganization - which has been in development for 10 months - the GAMC approved General Assembly Mission Budgets that reduce spending by 12.2 percent in 2011 and an additional 2 percent in 2012. The cuts resulted in the net reduction of the staff at the Presbyterian Center here by 49 positions. Affected employees were notified May 14. Fifteen incumbents were offered new positions in the revamped organization. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "GAMC."
GAMC PROVIDES LIST OF POSITIONS AFFECTED BY NEW BUDGET: The General Assembly Mission Council has released adjusted numbers for the personnel decisions that accompanied last week's approval of the General Assembly Mission Council Ministry Plan and Budget for 2011-2012. The complete list can be found at "GAMC Positions."
PRESBYTERIAN HAITI RELIEF CONTRIBUTIONS TOP $9.5 MILLION: As of May 11, Presbyterians have given more than $9.57 million to Presbyterian Disaster Assistance for its relief and recovery efforts in Haiti. That money has been used for 15 food and water distribution sites, thousands of temporary shelters and more than 35,000 hygiene and baby kits, said the Rev. Jon Brown, director of Mission Interpretation. He presented the update to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)'s General Assembly Mission Council during its May 13 meeting. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "Haiti."
PDA CONTINUES RESPONSE TO FLOODS, EYES OIL SPILL IN GULF: Presbyterian Disaster Assistance is responding to flooding that has affected Kentucky and Tennessee. One Great Hour of Sharing funds have been provided to help with immediate needs related to the flooding, and members of the PDA National Response Team are working with presbytery and Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) congregations, planning long-term recovery efforts. Information about this response can be found at "Flooding." PDA continues to be watchful regarding the disaster of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and is working with presbyteries in Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida as they monitor and assess the situation. Additional information can be found at "Oil Spill."
PC(USA) DELEGATION VISITS, PRAYS AT KOREA'S DMZ: The Korean Demilitarized Zone is a chilling reminder of the war that never ended. It is a strip of land - 160 miles long from east to west and just 2-1/2 miles wide - that separates North and South Korea. With the tearing down of the Berlin Wall and the reunification of East and West Germany in 1989, Korea is the only partitioned remnant of the Cold War. And the DMZ is the most heavily militarized border in the world. The complete Presbyterian News Service story is at "Korea."
McFAYDEN NAMED TO BOP CHURCH RELATIONS POST: The Board of Pensions of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has appointed the Rev. John G. McFayden as church relations executive. McFayden, who over the last 30-plus years has served congregations ranging from 50 to more than 1,700 members, was most recently pastor of First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, Ill., near Chicago. The complete Presbyterian News Service story can be found at "McFayden." |
| And just one (or two) more | | |
 MINNESOTA AUTHOR PUBLISHES NOVEL ON APOSTLE PAUL: R.W. (Obie) Holmen of Northfield, Minn., recently published a novel of historical fiction, "A Wretched Man, a novel of Paul the Apostle." Holmen, a member of Bethel Lutheran Church in Northfield, wrote on the book's website, "Jesus authored no writings. Nor did any of those who followed him in the Galilee or during his fateful pilgrimage to Jerusalem. It fell to an outsider ... to become its reporter, memorialist, essayist, interpreter, and promoter. Paul the apostle. Paul the one untimely born. Paul the enigma." Barrie Wilson, professor of religious studies at York University, Toronto, called the book "a powerful recreation of the world of Paul, James and Peter that pulls no punches." Holmen blogs frequently on a variety of topics through his website.
AND A BIT OF HUMOR FROM A BUSY WEEK: The editor of Keeping in Touch decided it's a good week to enjoy a bit of humor. As most of you know, there are many websites of church humor, but here's a sampling for "Just one more." |
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